英语听力精选进阶版 6278（在线收听）

Londoners are under starter's orders as the city gets ready for the Olympic Games, which will begin one year today.

To mark the start of the 366-day countdown (2012 is a leap year), special events are planned for today.

The design of the Olympic medals will be unveiled tonight in a live ceremony from Trafalgar Square.

Over at the brand new Aquatics Centre, Britain's star diver Tom Daley is going to perform an official launch dive into the Olympic pool.

With this building, the organisers have attempted to give London a landmark to rival Beijing's Water Cube from 2008. It was designed by the prestigious architect Zaha Hadid and has a wave-like roof that is 160 metres long.

Today's special events are designed to arouse interest in the Olympics around the world and to encourage British fans too.

Many failed to get Olympic tickets in the recent sales process. According to a new survey for the BBC, 53% of Londoners think the process was "not fair".

But the same survey found support is growing for London 2012. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 73% said they backed the Games - up from 69% in 2006.

Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: "We are under budget and ahead of time and as a nation we have a reputation of really getting behind these big events."

Quiz 小测验

1. Why is the countdown 366 days' long, not 365 days? 

Because 2012 is a leap year, so there are 29 days in February next year.

2. Have UK ticket sales been controversial? 

Yes - 53% of Londoners think it was unfair.

3. Is this statement true, false or not given? According to a new survey, most Londoners support the Olympics. 

True. 73% back the Olympics, according to the survey.

4. Look at the article. Can you see a phrase meaning 'to be ready to start something'? 

To be under starter's orders.

5. Look at the article. Can you see a synonym for the verb 'to back something'? 

To get behind something. You can also say 'to support something'.

Glossary 词汇表

to be under starter's orders （体育成语）做好了开始的准备 

to mark something 标志什么 

countdown 倒计时 

a leap year 闰年 

to be unveiled 即将揭晓 

a landmark 一个标志性建筑 

prestigious 享有声望的 

to back something 支持某件事 

under budget 在预算之内 

to get behind something 支持、撑腰