英语听力精选进阶版 19584

Bells and whistles 华而不实的东西

Feifei: Hi, Finn. I'm so happy. I finally bought that laptop I was so keen on.

Finn: That's great, Feifei. It took you a long time to decide on the brand, the model… and even the colour, didn’t it?

Feifei: Yes, I know. But there are so many options on the market… Every computer has its good and bad points, but I followed your advice!

Finn: My advice?

Feifei: Yes, your very good advice! Let me take the laptop out of the bag and show you…

Finn: Bells?! 

Feifei: Yes, bells! Aren't they lovely? 

Finn: And what on earth are those? 

Feifei: Those are whistles! 

Feifei: And this one, too. 

Finn: Feifei, the laptop is a good one. This is the latest model of a very good brand… 

Feifei: Yes, it is! And you told me to buy one with all the bells and whistles! 

Finn: Yes, but when I said that, I didn't mean actual bells and whistles. In English, when you say 'bells and whistles', you mean something extra, like all the add-ons and gadgets¹. 

Feifei: 当我们说 bells and whistles 铃铛和口哨时，实际要表达的意思是额外的东西或功能。比如很多电子产品都有特别多的附加功能，但大多数都用不上。这个表达并不是说真的有口哨和铃铛。

Finn: I'm afraid not. ‘Bells and whistles’ is today's expression in Authentic² Real English. Let's hear some examples of how it's used.

My neighbour is very jealous of me. I've just bought a car with all the bells and whistles! It's even got a mug holder³ for my coffee by the dashboard!

I don't need a mobile phone with the latest bells and whistles. They add to the cost and all I do is answer calls and send text messages.

Feifei: Well, even if you didn't mean actual bells and whistles, Finn, you gave me good advice. 

Finn: How come? 

Feifei: When I left the shop with my brand new laptop, a mugger tried to steal it from me. 

Finn: Oh, that's terrible, Feifei! 

Feifei: Yes, I know. But I managed to unzip my bag, shook the laptop and blew the whistle. A policeman who was nearby heard the noise. He rushed over and arrested the mugger! 

Finn: That's brilliant! Well, maybe I should attach some bells and whistles to my laptop, too… 

Feifei: Yes. A computer with all the bells and whistles is great, I say! 

Finn: Okay. Bye. 

Feifei: Bye.

1 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

2 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

3 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。