英语听力精选进阶版 6271（在线收听）

Europe has been in the grip of an outbreak of E.coli, which has so far infected 2,400 people and killed 24.

Most cases have been caused by contaminated food produce, although E.coli can spread from person to person.

Daniel Bahr, the German health minister, has said he hopes the outbreak has peaked:

"I cannot sound the all-clear, but after analysing the latest data we have reasonable cause for hope. The worst of the illness is behind us."

E.coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a kind of bacterium that is normally harmless. However, the current outbreak is a new strain of E.coli which produces a toxin which can damage the kidneys. Symptoms include diarrhoea, severe cramps, and fevers.

There has been heavy criticism of Germany's handling of the crisis.

On Tuesday the European Commission proposed giving at least 150m euros (1.4 billion yuan) to farmers who have lost money because of the outbreak.

Spain has demanded complete compensation from Germany for financial losses suffered by its farmers because of a false accusation that the outbreak was caused by Spanish cucumbers.

Events took an unexpectedly humorous turn when a Spanish delegate, Francisco Sosa-Wagner, held up a cucumber in a speech to the European parliament and said, "We need to restore the honour of the cucumber."

Quiz 小测验

1. Is this statement true, false or not given? The E.coli illness has gone away. 

False. The health minister hopes that the worst of the illness is over, but he cannot sound the all-clear.

2. Has the way Germany has taken care of the crisis attracted praise? 

No. It has attracted heavy criticism.

3. Is this statement true, false or not given? The European Commission has promised at least 150 million euros of compensation for farmers. 

True.

4. Why did Francisco Sosa-Wagner hold up a cucumber? 

He was making a speech and he used the cucumber to add force to what he was saying.

5. Look at the article. What phrase refers to pains in the stomach? 

Stomach cramps.

Glossary 词汇表

in the grip of something 陷入/卷入 

outbreak 爆发 

E.coli 大肠杆菌 

infected 感染的 

case （一起）病例 

contaminated 被感染的 

to spread 流行/传染 

to peak 达到高峰 

to sound the all-clear 危机已经解除 

for something to be behind someone 落后于某人 

bacterium 细菌 

strain 类型 

toxin 有毒的 

symptom 症状 

diarrhoea （感染性）腹泻 

severe cramps 严重痉挛/抽筋 

fevers 高烧 

handling of something 对某事的处理 

crisis 危机 

compensation 赔偿