英语听力精选进阶版 7323

伊朗同西方达成核协议, 同意减少其核活动并且在日内瓦历史性会谈期间允许更多的国际监督人员入境检查。作为交换条件世界大国将取消对伊朗实施的一些金融制裁。这一协议将试行六个月。

In public, a key step along the path to the deal was the dialogue opened up at this year's UN General Assembly between President Rouhani and Western nations, after years of the relationship being dominated by whether Iran is, or is not, seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

And - more than 30 years after the US embassy siege in Tehran - September's fifteen-minute phone conversation between President Obama and Mr Rouhani gave further hope of potential progress towards resolving the nuclear dispute.

But behind the scenes, it has now been revealed, the US and Iran have been engaged in secret face-to-face talks for months, in Oman and elsewhere. The Associated Press news agency says they were kept hidden even from America's allies and negotiating partners until two months ago.

It was a high-stakes diplomatic gamble. While Israel argues that the deal reached in Geneva is dangerously skewed in favour of Iran, most of Iran's Arab neighbours are clearly uneasy too.

But the public and private diplomacy¹ from here on will clearly need to be just as intense - and is likely to face many more severe tests - if a more comprehensive nuclear agreement is to be achieved, and Iran's relationships in its volatile² region and with the rest of the world are to return to normal.

Quiz 听力测验

1. True or false? The US and Iran were in secret talks for months before this year's UN General Assembly dialogue between President Rouhani and Western nations.

True. Behind the scenes, it has now been revealed, the US and Iran have been engaged in secret face-to-face talks for months.

2. Can you name one place where the face-to-face secret talks were held?

Oman.

3. How many years has it been since the US embassy siege took place in Tehran?

More than 30.

4. True or false? Israel is unhappy with the deal, but Iran's Arab neighbours are happy and comfortable with it.

False. Most of Iran's neighbours are clearly uneasy too.

Glossary 词汇表

seeking 想方设法，力图

siege 武装包围

engaged in 参与，接触

high-stakes 高风险

gamble 赌博，风险

skewed 不公平的，更倾向于

uneasy 感觉不舒服/不自在的，担心的

comprehensive 全面的

1 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

2 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。