英语听力精选进阶版 14007

Oil leak repairs start final stages

Summary

6 August 2010

Engineers have begun the final stages of plugging the well in the Gulf¹ of Mexico that caused the world's worst accidental oil spill.

Reporter: 

Jane O'Brien

Report

The operation called Static Kill is well underway and so far the results look promising². The process involves pumping mud and cement into the well to push the oil back underground. It's similar to the procedure that failed in May - but then the oil was still gushing³ freely. This time a cap is in place and still holding after two weeks. 

If Static Kill is successful, the well will be sealed with concrete on top and below the surface, using the relief wells that have taken several months to drill. But even when the leak is fully⁴ stopped, the effects of the BP oil spill are likely to continue indefinitely. 

The local economy has been crippled and some parents are reporting sickness and behaviour problems in children exposed to the spill and affected⁵ by the stress it's caused. A series of public meetings start Wednesday aimed at addressing the many concerns of businesses and residents.

Jane O'Brien, BBC News, Washington

1 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

2 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

3 gushing   

adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话

参考例句：

• blood gushing from a wound 从伤口冒出的血
• The young mother was gushing over a baby. 那位年轻的母亲正喋喋不休地和婴儿说话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。