英语听力精选进阶版 7115（在线收听）

Background: 中国银行已经开始面向欧洲市场发放购房贷款。作为全球第三大银行，中国银行提供的贷款要比英国当地资金紧缺的银行更具吸引力，很多业主将会看到中行的利率和信贷紧缩前的利率相差无几。

It's a hat trick. Sarah Outen has reached the south-eastern tip of Mauritius, becoming the first woman to row alone across the Indian Ocean, the fastest person to do so and at the age of 24, the youngest.

In a rowing boat she's covered 3100 miles under scorching sun, sometimes riding 30-foot waves in shark-infested water. When she set off she admitted she was slightly mad:

"People ask that as the first question sometimes. 'Are you mad?' And my answer is, 'Well you've got to be a bit of a fruit loop to get through this life I think'. So yes I am and I'm proud of it."

It wasn't just a test of endurance and stamina, it was about raising money for arthritis charities.

Sarah's dad, who had rheumatoid arthritis, died three years ago. She went on her extraordinary adventure in his memory.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

hat trick 帽子戏法，创三项记录

row 划船

scorching 灼热的

shark-infested 鲨鱼经常出没地区

mad 疯了

fruit loop 表现失常的

endurance 忍耐力

stamina 毅力/持久力

arthritis charities 关节炎病慈善机构

extraordinary adventure 不寻常的探险之举

Questions and Answers

1. What three world records has Sarah Outen set?

Sarah is the first woman, the fastest person and the youngest person to row across the Indian Ocean.

2. How far did Sarah Outen row?

Sarah rowed over 3100 miles (4988 kilometres).

3. What dangers did Sarah face during her adventure?

Sarah faced shark infested water and 30-foot (nine metres) waves during her adventure.

4. Who did Sarah Outen dedicate her trip to?

Sarah dedicated her trip to her father.