英语听力精选进阶版 7290

英国华威大学（University of Warwick）科学家员找到一种方法，可以把巧克力的脂肪含量减少一半但“口感”不变。

Here's the problem with chocolate - what makes it velvety¹ and smooth in the mouth is exactly what ends up elsewhere - fat.

Low-fat versions disappoint because it's difficult to replace the tiny globules of fat with anything else that disperses² within the chocolate and maintains its texture³.

The trick, it seems, is to use agar - a widely available gelling agent. Thoroughly⁴ blended bits of it, the researchers say, act as tiny sponges that soak up any liquid - fruit juice, plain water, even alcohol.

Stefan Bon, who led the research, said that the method opens up whole new markets for chocolate, and that additives⁵ such as fruit juice could further increase chocolate's health credentials⁶.

Stefan Bon:

"It would both lower fat content and sugar content, so for people who have a craving⁷ and want to just down a bar of 200g, you take half the amount of fat in, so it's great."

But for the less health-conscious, students in the group have made a chocolate bar containing four shots of vodka.

Quiz 听力测验

What is it in chocolate that gives it a smooth texture?

Fat

What do scientists replace fat with in the new chocolate?

Agar

Aside from reducing the fat, how can this kind of chocolate be made even more healthy?

This kind of chocolate's health credentials can be boosted by using additives like fruit juice.

Which word means a small amount of alcohol?

Shot

Glossary 词汇表

velvety 天鹅绒般的

globules 小球体

disperses 分散

agar 琼脂

gelling agent 胶凝剂

sponges 海绵

additives 添加剂

credentials 资格

craving 强烈欲望

health-conscious 有健康意识

shots 一口酒

1 velvety   

adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的

参考例句：

• a velvety red wine 醇厚的红葡萄酒
• Her skin was admired for its velvety softness. 她的皮肤如天鹅绒般柔软，令人赞叹。

2 disperses   

v.（使）分散( disperse的第三人称单数 )；疏散；驱散；散布

参考例句：

• With controlled pace and sequence of construction, excess heat disperses. 在对施工进度和程序加以控制之后，多余的热量就能散掉。 来自辞典例句
• Normally, turbulence disperses such pollutants quickly. 正常情况下，湍流将迅速驱散这类污染物。 来自辞典例句

3 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。

4 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

5 additives   

n.添加剂( additive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• chemical additives in petrol 汽油中的化学添加剂
• It'says on the packet that these crisps contain no additives. 包装上说这些炸薯片不含添加剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

7 craving   

n.渴望,热望

参考例句：

• a craving for chocolate 非常想吃巧克力
• She skipped normal meals to satisfy her craving for chocolate and crisps. 她不吃正餐，以便满足自己吃巧克力和炸薯片的渴望。