英语听力精选进阶版 7093（在线收听）

Background: 英国最受推崇的由两组大学代表队抢答电视知识竞赛节目University Challenge 因陷入丑闻而引起轰动。原来跻身于决赛中的优胜队被发现有违规之嫌，因为其中的一名决赛者根本不是大学生。

It's one of Britain's longest-running TV quiz shows, where the best and brightest 尖子/精英 from universities all over the country, compete to show off their knowledge on a myriad 多种多样的/综合 of topics.

University Challenge first went to air 演播 nearly fifty years ago, and over the decades it's been a showcase 展示 for students facing quick-fire questions 猝不及防的 on literature, physics, geography and philosophy, and everything in between.

This year's final was one of the most keenly watched with students from Corpus Christi College at Oxford University, taking on 较量 a team from Manchester University.

All eyes were on Corpus Christi's captain, Gail Trimble, who had been dubbed 被称为 "the greatest contestant ever", as she almost single-handedly 单枪匹马的 won their place in the final, earning two-thirds of her team's points.

But in what turned out to be a tightly-fought match 激烈的竞赛, other team members, including chemist Sam Kay, scored some vital points.

At the gong 授奖仪式上, Corpus Christi were victorious 充满胜利的喜悦 but the trophy 奖杯 wasn't theirs for long.

It emerged that by the time of the final Sam Kay was no longer a student; he had graduated （已经）毕业 and started work as an accountant, but hadn't realised he couldn't compete.

On Monday the BBC announced the team was being disqualified 取消比赛资格, and the trophy handed to Manchester, who paid tribute 称赞 to their opponents, saying they were sad to have won in such circumstances.

But the dramatic highs and lows 起起落落 of Corpus Christi's game, seem certain to make them one of the most memorable teams not to have won University Challenge.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

best and brightest 尖子/精英

myriad 多种多样的/综合

went to air 演播

showcase 展示

quick-fire questions 猝不及防的

taking on 较量

dubbed 被称为

single-handedly 单枪匹马的

tightly-fought match 激烈的竞赛

gong 授奖仪式上

victorious 充满胜利的喜悦

trophy 奖杯

graduated（已经）毕业

disqualified 取消比赛资格

paid tribute 称赞

highs and lows 起起落落

Questions and Answers

1. What is University Challenge?

It's a long-running quiz show on British television.

2. Which university was the winning team from?

They were from Corpus Christi College, Oxford University.

3. Why were they disqualified?

Because one member of the team had already left university and started a job.

4. What happened to the winners' trophy?

It was given to the team from Manchester University who came second in the competition.