英语听力精选进阶版 14402

Beginning of the end for Japanese whaling?

Summary

7 April 2014

Three Japanese ships have returned home at the end of the annual hunt for whales in the Southern Ocean. Japan has said they will not set sail again next year, after the International Court of Justice said the hunt was illegal.

Reporter:

Michael Bristow 

Report

It wasn't much of a homecoming: family and friends on the dockside. The crews waved back and then unloaded their cargo¹ of whale meat. It could be the last one for some time from the waters off the Antarctic. 

Japan has cancelled next year's hunt after the International Court of Justice said it was illegal. Australia and New Zealand convinced the judges that Japan was not catching² whales for scientific research, as it had claimed - to get round a worldwide ban on whaling. 

Those welcoming home the flotilla were glum³. One official bowed in apology. "People don't understand Japanese ways," said this man. 

The captain from one of the returning ships said he hoped he'd someday return to the Antarctic. But next year will be the first time in 25 years that Japan has not hunted whales in the Southern Ocean.

1 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

2 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

3 glum   

adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的

参考例句：

• He was a charming mixture of glum and glee.他是一个很有魅力的人，时而忧伤时而欢笑。
• She laughed at his glum face.她嘲笑他闷闷不乐的脸。