英语听力精选进阶版 6357（在线收听）

After years of anticipation, the greatest show on earth has ended. The London 2012 Olympic Games have come and gone, and the city must begin to return to what life was like before the two weeks of intense sport.

Any Londoner could scarcely avoid the build-up to the games, which had gathered momentum steadily since the announcement in 2005 that the capital would hold the prestigious title of host Olympic city.

Many people were sceptical before the games about whether the promises could be delivered, but as soon as the countdown clock reached zero, Londoners were treated to an awesome display of sporting prowess in some stunning venues. The breathtaking Olympic park was the location for countless sports, including athletics and swimming, with visitors commenting on the beauty of the buildings’ designs as well as the excitement of the events.

BBC Learning English producer, Jennifer, visited the Olympic park to see the athletics: “It was really out-of-this-world. I was looking forward to seeing some of my sporting heroes, such as Usain Bolt, but the actual experience of the Olympics really surpassed my expectations. The crowds were incredibly supportive and the athletes were so sporting, even when they lost.”

The games have certainly turned up some unforgettable moments. Whether it was the spectacular opening ceremony, Usain Bolt’s world record-breaking consecutive wins, or Team GB picking up more gold medals than in any time in recent history, it’s been an amazing time to live in London.

Colourful bunting and flags have adorned shops and streets, visitors have been kitted out in support of their favourite teams, and even the English weather was kind to the spectators, helping to create a real, once-in-a-lifetime experience. London has been buzzing with talk of sport, celebration, achievement and success.

But, just as our passion for sport was reaching fever pitch, the time came for the closing ceremony; a celebration of a fortnight of sport and human achievement. Although the Olympic torch has been extinguished here and will be lit in Rio in 2016, hundreds of thousands of Londoners will still feel its glow for many years to come.

Quiz 测验

1. According to the article, as well as the sports, what impressed visitors at the Olympics?

The buildings in the Olympic park

2. What adjective means to have a fair and courteous attitude to winning or losing?

Sporting

3. What word describes something that will not happen again?

Once-in-a-lifetime

4. What expression is used to describe a high degree of excitement?

Fever pitch

5. What noun means places where events take place?

Venues

Glossary 词汇表

anticipation 期待期待

intense 紧张的，繁忙的

build-up (为)作准备

gathered momentum 集聚能量 不断兴起

sceptical （对…）表示怀疑的

promises could be delivered 能够兑现的承诺

awesome 令人吃惊的

stunning 使人大吃一惊的

breathtaking 惊人的

beauty 美

excitement 兴奋

out-of-this-world 出色的

looking forward 期盼，渴望

surpassed my expectations 超过了我的期待

unforgettable 难忘的

spectacular 精彩的

amazing 绝妙的，非常棒的

once-in-a-lifetime 一生仅有一次的，千载难逢

buzzing 高谈阔论，人声鼎沸

fever pitch 极度兴奋，狂热

celebrations 庆祝