英语听力精选进阶版 8221

Base jumping is banned in US national parks, but in Switzerland, it’s a growing sport despite the risks. So what is it and why do people do it?

It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the Alps, sheer¹ walls of rock, ice on either side. Snow-covered mountains sore into a deep blue sky. It’s a favorite spot for hikers and climbers.

I’m about to go for a base jump.

Base stands for the things you jump from. There is no law against it, although Ellen does admit, it’s not for everyone.

To be able to jump off of a cliff² in some of the most beautiful places in the world is probably not something that most people think about doing. It’s not normal.

They made their way out to what’s a bit like a little diving board. And I’m staying firmly on the path. And they are about to jump off. See you later. Good luck. And they are gone, free falling down.

It’s a great feeling of freedom. I love it. I just love the feeling of the air and flying. It’s more flying and falling. Even though you can see the ground coming, the ground rush, it’s just great feeling of happiness.

I feel so good to have a feeling of just like pure release³ of happiness and all the, everything good in life is like during that moment.

Down in the valley though, some local farmers are less than happy. He has personally witnessed deaths.

I heard a bang⁴. A base jumper has crashed onto the rock face several times, fell to the bottom of the cliff and died there. I felt sort of angry that someone could put there life on the line like that for just a few seconds of thrills.

In America’s national parks, base jumping is banned. In the Swiss Alps, it’s largely⁵ unregulated. And there are accidents. Last summer, Mark Sutton, the man famous for parachuting into the London 2012 Olympics as James Bond⁶ died in Switzerland after crashing into the cliff. This April, there were four deaths in a single week. Base jumping is just one of many risky⁷ mountain sports. If you are not thinking about the risk every time you jump, you shouldn’t be at jumping.

The first thing I do is look back at the cliff and think that I’m gonna go back again.

1 sheer   

adj.绝对的，全然的，峻峭的；v.躲开，躲避，使...避开； adv.完全，全然，峻峭

参考例句：

• He achieved his aim by sheer strength of will.他纯粹靠意志力达到了目的。
• I guess It'sheer waste of time arguing about it.看来争论这件事纯粹是浪费时间。

2 cliff   

n.悬崖，峭壁

参考例句：

• The cliff edge is dangerous and should be railed.崖边危险，应该用栏杆围起来。
• He took the measure of the cliff before he climbed it.他把悬崖的高度估量一下后再攀登。

3 release   

vt.发布，发表，发行；释放，放开

参考例句：

• After my examination I had a feeling of release.考完试后我有如释重负之感。
• This medicine will give you release from pain.这药吃后会解除你的疼痛。

4 bang   

n.巨响，猛击；vi.砰砰作响；vt.砰地敲，猛击

参考例句：

• Pack it up, you kids;or I'll bang your heads together!住手，你们这些小孩，再弄就揍你们！
• She fell and got a nasty bang on the knee.她摔倒了，膝盖猛撞在地上。

5 largely   

adv.大部分，主要地

参考例句：

• It is largely dependent on the weather.这多半取决于天气情况。
• Their conclusions were largely founded on guesswork.他们的结论大部份基于猜测。

6 bond   

n.结合，债券，契约，粘合剂，保证人，键，关栈保留；vt.存入关栈，粘着；vi.结合

参考例句：

• This glue makes a good firm bond.这种胶水粘得很结实。
• His word is his bond.他是讲信用的。

7 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。