英语听力精选进阶版 9660

Hi there, I'm Ricky from the BBC World News for Schools. It's Tuesday the 19th of July. 

Coming up: 

Atlantis says goodbye to the International Space Station. 

CLIP: "Atlantis weighs anchor from the international space station for the last time." 

Beef scare hits Japan. 

And there's confusion over Tevez's next move! 

But first - he's one of the most powerful people in media - a multi billionaire who owns countless¹ papers, TV stations and even a movie studio - well today Rupert Murdoch will appear in front of British politicians and answer questions about the phone hacking² scandal that has engulfed³ his British newspaper - the News of the World. Members of Parliament want to find out whether he knew that journalists were hacking into people's mobile phones. His son, James, who's a big boss in his dad's company, will also be questioned, as well as one of his former top executives, Rebekah Brooks⁴. This is a story that has caused a massive amount of interest all around the world, particularly in the UK. Here's what some Brits think about the events of the last couple of weeks... 

CLIP: "It's nice to see that, you know, something is being done about it and something decisive for a change." "It's outrageous⁵ actually. People hacking into telephone conversations and things like that. What happens now has to change the way the press system operates." 

Next, the American space shuttle, Atlantis, has undocked from the International Space Station for the final time and is heading to Earth... 

CLIP: "Undocking confirmed...... At 1.28 am central time." 

The astronauts left behind a year's worth of food, as well as gifts for the station crew - they also had these words for their fellow space explorers... 

CLIP: "To the Expedition 28 crew, again, thank you very much for your hospitality, on behalf of the 135 crew." "Well thanks, Fergie, it's been an honour having you guys on board, it's been great having you guys on board, it's been great being a part of this really important and historic mission." 

When Atlantis arrives back on earth it will mark the end of thirty years of the US space shuttle programme. It's now up to private companies to send shuttles into space. 

And for today's question we want to know the name of the closest planet to Earth? Yesterday we asked you what year Nelson Mandela became South Africa's leader? And the answer is...1994! 

More news now and Japan has banned all cattle from the area around the Fukushima nuclear plant. It's because they're worried about radiation getting into the meat. The scare began earlier this month when eleven animals were found to have eaten food that had come into contact with radiation. Since then it's become clear that hundreds of cows had been given the same feed. 

And finally, yesterday we told you that Tevez had been sold to the Brazilian club, Corinthians - well now it seems that there are some problems with the deal. It's thought City want to know exactly how the Brazilian team plan to pay the fee of up to 40 million pounds. There are also suggestions that Manchester City want to be sure that Tevez won't leave them then come back and play for another European club any time soon. 

OK, that's all from the World News for Schools team. We're back tomorrow.

1 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

2 hacking   

n.非法访问计算机系统和数据库的活动

参考例句：

• The patient with emphysema is hacking all day. 这个肺气肿病人整天不断地干咳。
• We undertook the task of hacking our way through the jungle. 我们负责在丛林中开路。

3 engulfed   

v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was engulfed by a crowd of reporters. 他被一群记者团团围住。
• The little boat was engulfed by the waves. 小船被波浪吞没了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。