英语听力精选进阶版 6269（在线收听）

On Tuesday two men enjoyed a game of table tennis against some kids at a school in London.

They seemed like best mates. Every time one of them got a point, they did a high five.

The men were the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the President of the USA, Barack Obama.

The palling around took place during Mr Obama's state visit to the UK.

There have been many examples of close working relationships between the leaders of the UK and the USA. Harold Macmillan and JFK, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair and George Bush were all examples of Brits and Americans standing shoulder to shoulder.

The closeness between Britain and America in the past has been described as "the special relationship". But there has been speculation that, for Mr Obama at least, the special relationship is... not that special.

Now both men are keen to show that on matters of policy they have plenty in common. In a shared opinion piece in the Times newspaper, they write of "coming of age" at the same time, and seeing "eye to eye".

As for the special relationship, they call it "an essential relationship". Nick Robinson, the BBC's Political Editor, says that the two men are not pretending to be bosom buddies but want to be seen as close allies. He writes:

"'The essential relationship' may lack emotion, warmth and nostalgia but it, like the president, is meant to be contemporary, practical and sincere."

Quiz

Is this statement true, false or not given? David Cameron and Barack Obama have very different backgrounds. 

Not given - the article doesn't mention their backgrounds.

Is this statement true, false or not given? The relationship between Obama and Cameron has been described as "The special relationship". 

False - 'The special relationship' refers to the relationship between Britain and the USA.

Who wrote the article in the Times newspaper? 

Both men wrote this article - it was a shared opinion piece.

Which phrase does Nick Robinson think is warmer - 'the special relationship' or 'the essential relationship'? 

The special relationship.

Look at the article. Can you find three phrases describing friendship that refer to body parts? 

To stand shoulder to shoulder, to see eye to eye, bosom buddies.

Glossary 词汇表

best mates 最好的朋友 

a high five 击掌相庆 

palling around 结伴玩耍 

standing shoulder to shoulder 肩并肩、共患难 

in common 有共同之处 

coming of age 进入成年 

seeing eye to eye 看法相同 

bosom buddies 密友 

allies 盟友 

nostalgia 怀旧