英语听力精选进阶版 6319（在线收听）

If you used your imagination to create a fantasy world, what accent would the characters speak in?

This month sees the return of the successful American television series, Game of Thrones. Set in a fantasy world of mythical castles and charming princesses, it is notable that all of the characters speak in British accents.

British actors have long portrayed sneering villains or brutish baddies in Hollywood films. From Dr Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs to the Sherriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the hero can be American but his rival often speaks with an elegant British accent whilst curling his lip.

Now the same British accent is casting a spell over fantasy worlds too. From The Lord of the Rings to The Hobbit, Brits are frequently the stars of these film fantasy yarns.

Fantasy fiction is conjured up from old history books and folklore. So some people say that, as some of the English language is rooted in the medieval era, it carries a tradition and culture suited to the genre.

Historical screen sagas include bewitching British accents too. This flight of fancy goes unchallenged even when they are set in ancient Rome or Greece. So a British accent often works its magic for these historical or fantasy tales as it provides an enchanting link to the past for modern audiences.

After all, would the triumph of the Harry Potter films have been such a fairytale success if he had spoken with an American accent?

Quiz 测验

Is this statement true, false or not given? British actors have long portrayed weak villains or lazy baddies in Hollywood.

False. British actors have long portrayed sneering villains or brutish baddies in Hollywood films.

What was the name of the villain in The Silence of the Lambs?

Dr Hannibal Lecter

As well as history books, where else is fantasy fiction conjured up from?

folklore

What two words are other names to describe old stories?

yarns, sagas

What expression is used to refer to an unexpected and very good outcome?

A fairytale success

Glossary 词汇表

imagination 想象力

fantasy world 幻想世界

mythical 神话的

charming 迷人的

sneering villains 已嘲弄他人为乐的恶人

brutish baddies 凶恶的人

curling his lip 卷曲着自己的嘴唇

casting a spell 下咒语

yarns 有趣的故事

conjured up 想象源于

folklore 民间传说

rooted 生根于

medieval era 中世纪时期

tradition 传统

genre 类别，风格

sagas 长篇小说

bewitching 引人入胜的

flight of fancy 异想天开

works its magic 施展魔力，达到成功

enchanting 迷人的

fairytale success 出人意料的好结果