英语听力精选进阶版 7316

伊朗媒体说至少四个人因涉嫌破坏核设施而被逮捕。目前尚不清楚这些人的国籍背景或他们试图破坏的究竟是哪些核设施。

This is the latest twist in the saga¹ of Iran's showdown with the West over its nuclear programme, which has received new impetus² after signs that Tehran might be softening³ its stance.

The country's atomic energy chief told a security conference that the alleged⁴ saboteurs had been under surveillance for some time. He said they were caught red-handed and are now in the process of being interrogated⁵. He gave no further details.

There've long been rumours⁶ that Israel, which sees Iran's potential development of a nuclear weapon as an existential threat, has sent spies into Iran to disrupt its programme, with some even accusing its agents of killing⁷ Iranian nuclear scientists. Israel has warned the US and the West not to be fooled by the recent charm offensive by the new, more moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who had a historic, icebreaking phone call with President Obama a few days ago.

The Israelis announced their own arrest of an alleged Iranian-born spy in the midst of the new optimism that a genuine resolution of a nuclear standoff could now be on the cards. This latest announcement from Iran shows that underneath⁸ the newly hopeful surface, the complex three-dimensional chess game over Iran's nuclear ambitions continues undiminished.

Quiz 听力测验

1. True or false? Officials in Iran had been watching the people who tried to break into the nuclear site for some time.

True. The country's atomic energy chief told a security conference that the alleged saboteurs had been under surveillance for some time.

2. According to rumours, what has Israel allegedly sent into Iran?

There've long been rumours that Israel has sent spies into Iran.

3. Who did Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have a phone conversation with last week?

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had a historic icebreaking phone call with President Obama.

4. True or false? Iran no longer has any nuclear ambitions.

False. Iran's nuclear ambitions continue undiminished.

Glossary 词汇表

saga 一连串事件

impetus 动力，推动力

stance 立场，态度

saboteurs 搞破坏的人

caught red-handed 当场抓住，人赃俱获

existential threat 存在的威胁

charm offensive 魅力攻势

icebreaking 打破僵局的

on the cards 可能发生的

undiminished （重要性）未减弱的

1 saga   

n.(尤指中世纪北欧海盗的)故事，英雄传奇

参考例句：

• The saga of Flight 19 is probably the most repeated story about the Bermuda Triangle.飞行19中队的传说或许是有关百慕大三角最重复的故事。
• The novel depicts the saga of a family.小说描绘了一个家族的传奇故事。

2 impetus   

n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力

参考例句：

• This is the primary impetus behind the economic recovery.这是促使经济复苏的主要动力。
• Her speech gave an impetus to my ideas.她的讲话激发了我的思绪。

3 softening   

变软，软化

参考例句：

• Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。

4 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

5 interrogated   

v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询

参考例句：

• He was interrogated by the police for over 12 hours. 他被警察审问了12个多小时。
• Two suspects are now being interrogated in connection with the killing. 与杀人案有关的两名嫌疑犯正在接受审讯。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 rumours   

n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传

参考例句：

• The rumours were completely baseless. 那些谣传毫无根据。
• Rumours of job losses were later confirmed. 裁员的传言后来得到了证实。

7 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

8 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。