英语听力精选进阶版 6109（在线收听）

Goodbye Ken, Hello Boris 送旧迎新

London has a new mayor, after its citizens voted in the Conservative Party candidate Boris Johnson, ahead of Labour's Ken Livingstone.

Well-known for his wild blonde hair, his self-deprecating humour and his reputation for gaffes and blunders, Mr Johnson has been a colourful figure in British politics for many years.

While few doubted his energy and charisma, Boris Johnson's narrow victory has surprised his critics, who questioned whether he was a serious enough politician to win.

His remarks have often caused controversy, such as when in 2006 he had to apologise to the entire country of Papua New Guinea after suggesting it was known for "cannibalism".

In the same year his criticism of a healthy eating campaign also made headlines, when he said parents should be able to feed children what they like, healthy or not.

But bumbling Boris has always had an ambitious streak; when he was asked as a child what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said "the world king".

He now replaces Ken Livingstone, who had been London’s mayor since 2000.

Left-wing 'Red Ken' will be remembered for his role in helping London win the 2012 Olympic Games, as well as his introduction of the congestion charge, which is widely thought to have reduced traffic in the capital.

So will Boris Johnson's victory mean a change of direction for London over the next four years?

He promises to be tough on crime and anti-social behaviour, and to work to help bring together Londoners of different ethnic backgrounds.

Whatever happens, given Boris Johnson's colourful past, it is unlikely that the next four years will be dull.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

mayor 市长

Conservative Party candidate 保守党候选人

Labour 工党

self-deprecating humour 自嘲式幽默

gaffes and blunders 出言不逊；动辄放炮

colourful figure 多姿多彩的人物

charisma （领导人物的） 超凡魅力

narrow victory 险胜

surprised his critics 使其批评者惊讶

caused controversy 引起争议

cannibalism 同类相食；吃人

healthy eating campaign 健康饮食运动

made headlines 成为报端新闻

bumbling 不拘小节的

ambitious streak 一向雄心勃勃

left-wing 左翼的

congestion charge 机动车进城费

tough on crime 对犯罪问题持强硬立场

anti-social behaviour 违反社会公德的行为

ethnic background 种族背景