英语听力精选进阶版 14277

BBC Learning English

31 July 2013

Shark-proof divers¹

Transcript²:

Few would want to end up in the jaws³ of a hungry shark.

So, how to avoid becoming fish food?

Two Australian businessmen have designed wetsuits which they say are shark-repellent. 

This blue and white model might help divers to blend in; the black and white version may make the creature think they are unsafe to eat.

The research follows a spate⁴ of attacks.

Vocabulary:

to end up

to finally be in a particular situation

wetsuits

clothing made of rubber used by divers to keep warm in the sea

repellent

designed to keep something away from it

to blend in

to look or seem like people or things around you

a spate of

a number of similar bad events happening in a short space of time

Exercise:

Use one of the words or phrases below to complete each of these sentences from news reports. 

Note that you may have to change the form of a word to complete the sentence correctly.

to end up / wetsuits / repellent / to blend in / a spate of

1.  Scientists say they have isolated⁵ the natural chemicals which make some people smell unpleasant to mosquitoes. The team is not naming the chemicals involved but hopes a new generation of natural insect ________may follow.

2.  Many of the UK's first postboxes were painted green, __________ with the landscape.

3.  Nathan Sharp wanted to buy a pair of skis, but it was September and he knew the skis might __________ gathering⁶ dust and taking up space in his closet until the ski season started in December.

4.  The challenge he set himself was a total of 40 swims in a year - with at least two in each month of the year. All had to be completed without a 

_________. Water temperatures have varied⁷ between 35F and 68F (2C and 20C).5.  A team of "Guardian⁸ Angels" are to patrol the streets of Luton following __________ violent crime in the town. The volunteer anti-crime organisation⁹ wants people to form units to help "vulnerable" people in their own communities.

Answers:

1.  Scientists say they have isolated the natural chemicals which make some people smell unpleasant to mosquitoes. The team is not naming the chemicals involved but hopes a new generation of natural insect repellentsmay follow.

2.  Many of the UK's first postboxes were painted green, to blend in with the landscape.

3.  Nathan Sharp wanted to buy a pair of skis, but it was September and he knew the skis might end up gathering dust and taking up space in his closet until the ski season started in December.

4.  The challenge he set himself was a total of 40 swims in a year - with at least two in each month of the year. All had to be completed without a wetsuit.Water temperatures have varied between 35F and 68F (2C and 20C).

5.  A team of "Guardian Angels" are to patrol the streets of Luton following a spate of violent crime in the town. The volunteer anti-crime organisation wants people to form units to help "vulnerable" people in their own communities.

1 divers   

adj.不同的；种种的

参考例句：

• He chose divers of them,who were asked to accompany him.他选择他们当中的几个人，要他们和他作伴。
• Two divers work together while a standby diver remains on the surface.两名潜水员协同工作，同时有一名候补潜水员留在水面上。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 jaws   

n.口部；嘴

参考例句：

• The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
• The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。

4 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

5 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

6 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

7 varied   

adj.多样的，多变化的

参考例句：

• The forms of art are many and varied.艺术的形式是多种多样的。
• The hotel has a varied programme of nightly entertainment.宾馆有各种晚间娱乐活动。

8 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

9 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。