英语听力精选进阶版 7210（在线收听）

Background: 利滋大学的一项研究报道认为中世纪时期的金属盔甲沉重得让士兵难以在沙场上作战，这也可能直接影响到战果。

As weapons became more and more sophisticated in medieval Europe armour also evolved, and by the 15th century soldiers would have been clad top-to-toe in up to 50 kg of bulky steel.

Researchers have always suspected that this would have been tough to move around in. But now with the help of volunteers wearing replica medieval armour - and a treadmill - they've been able to confirm this.

They found that walking or running in it used up huge amounts of energy, restricted breathing and bore intense pressure on the legs.

The effect was so great the team suspects it could have played a part in France's defeat in the battle of Agincourt.

In this famous conflict of 1415 - despite heavily outnumbering the English - the French were beaten.

The scientists say the fact that the French knights had to trek through a muddy field while wearing their heavy armour - to meet a stationary English line - would have left them so exhausted, it probably led to their downfall.

Glossary 词汇表

to be clad top-to-toe in (something) 从脚到头都被（什么东西）包住了 

bulky 笨重的 

tough 困难的 

a treadmill 跑步机 

to restrict 限制 

to play a part in (something) 在（什么事情）扮演一个角色或起作用 

to outnumber 数量上超过 

to trek 爬山涉水 

to be exhausted 被累坏了 

a downfall 毁灭，失败

Questions:

1. What items were used in the experiment conducted in Leeds? 

A copy of the medieval armour and an exercise machine.

2. What did the volunteers feel after the experiment? 

They felt that walking and running with the armour took a lot of their energy. It also made breathing more difficult and put pressure on their legs.

3. What was between the French and the English army in the battle of Agincourt? 

A muddy field.

4. True or false? Researchers were very surprised to find out how uncomfortable the armour was. 

False. According to the report, researchers have always suspected that it was tough to move around wearing medieval armour.