英语听力精选进阶版 14293

BBC Learning English

Video Words in the News 

4 September 2013

Train of the future

Transcript¹:

One day, this could be the world's fastest train.

Using magnets to float above the track, the maglev² can reach speeds of over 500 kilometres per hour (500km/h).

Ministers in Japan have called it "world-class" technology. 

The venture cost billions of US dollars, though some hope the technology could be sold to overseas markets. 

But don't turn up at the station any time soon. The train isn't expected to open its doors to passengers until 2027.

Vocabulary:

magnets

objects which can attract iron or steel objects and also push them away

world-class

of international quality; one of the best in the world

venture

a business activity which involves risk

overseas

relating to other countries 

turn up

arrive

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.

magnets / world-class / venture / overseas / turn up

1.  Mr Gondwe says his business is good: "I used to sell radios but that was not a profitable business. That's why I switched to selling underwear and this is a much more rewarding __________."

2.  "If people fail to __________ for interviews or refuse a job offer for no good reason they will face losing their benefit. It is because of this we have introduced tough new penalties for those claimants who refuse to play by the rules."

3.  __________ inside mobile phone cases and GPS devices and also the metal in car keys and under-wired bras could affect compass needles, the MCofS warned.

4.  "A weak currency won't necessarily lead to a crisis. But, if it makes it harder to pay for a deficit³ that is owed to __________ creditors⁴, that's when it could become a problem."

5.  Stephen Duncan, director of commercial and tourism at Historic Scotland, said: "Stirling Castle is a __________ attraction which draws visitors from across the globe, so I am delighted to see it recognised as one of the 40 best experiences in Europe."

Answers:

1.  Mr Gondwe says his business is good: "I used to sell radios but that was not a profitable business. That's why I switched to selling underwear and this is a much more rewarding venture."

Source: How second-hand⁵ clothes kill business for Malawi's tailors

2.  "If people fail to turn up for interviews or refuse a job offer for no good reason they will face losing their benefit. It is because of this we have introduced tough new penalties for those claimants who refuse to play by the rules."

Source: Swansea firm frustrated⁶ at system after job advert⁷

3.  Magnets inside mobile phone cases and GPS devices and also the metal in car keys and under-wired bras could affect compass needles, the MCofS warned.

Source: Reverse polarity a risk to climbers, mountain body warns

4.  "A weak currency won't necessarily lead to a crisis. But, if it makes it harder to pay for a deficit that is owed to overseas creditors, that's when it could become a problem."

Source: Indian rupee falls further amid Fed stimulus⁸ concerns

5.  Stephen Duncan, director of commercial and tourism at Historic Scotland, said: "Stirling Castle is a world-class attraction which draws visitors from across the globe, so I am delighted to see it recognised as one of the 40 best experiences in Europe. "

Source: Stirling Castle 'top European experience'

1 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。

2 maglev   

n.磁力悬浮列车；adj.磁力悬浮列车的

参考例句：

• The engine for maglev trains is rather in noticeable.磁悬浮列车的车头是相当值得注意的。
• The high speed maglev railway is a new-style traffic system. 高速磁悬浮铁路是一种新型的交通方式。

3 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

4 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 second-hand   

adj.用过的，旧的，二手的

参考例句：

• I got this book by chance at a second-hand bookshop.我赶巧在一家旧书店里买到这本书。
• They will put all these second-hand goods up for sale.他们将把这些旧货全部公开出售。

6 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 advert   

vi.注意，留意，言及；n.广告

参考例句：

• The advert featured a dolphin swimming around a goldfish bowl.该广告的內容为一条在金鱼缸里游动的海豚。
• Please advert to the contents below.I believe you won't be disappointed.敬请留意后面的内容。相信您一定不会失望的。

8 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。