英语听力精选进阶版 7252（在线收听）

北京市政府颁发法令，规定任何时候公共卫生间都不能出现两只以上的苍蝇。这仅是政府机构为了改善城市公共厕所而制定的一系列新规则中的一项措施。

Six city departments have put their heads together to come up with the new rules. They cover cleaning, the use of equipment and training for attendants.

No public toilet should have more than two flies buzzing around - although the regulations don't state how that's to be checked. There's also an ordinance covering what's confusingly referred to as "discarded items". There should be no more than two of these left in any public convenience.

The new standards also detail how smelly a lavatory should be. Most people who've paid a visit to a Beijing public toilet, know at the moment they're very pungent indeed.

Of course, there is a serious side to these new regulations. Many people who live in the city's old neighbourhoods still don't have their own toilet and have no choice but to use public conveniences. For them, these rules might make an unavoidable daily necessity, a touch more palatable.

听力测验

Does the new rule include dead flies?

It's not very clear. The rule suggests live flies that are flying around are counted.

What is another expression for public toilets?

Public convenience.

If something has a very strong unpleasant smell, how can we describe it?

A pungent smell.

Do most homes in Beijing's old neighbourhoods have their own toilets?

No, most homes in the old neighbourhoods have no private toilets. The residents have to use the public toilets.

Glossary 词汇表

put their heads together 一起想办法

attendants 服务员

buzzing around 嗡嗡作响，飞来飞去

regulations 法规

ordinance 条例

public convenience 公厕

smelly 臭臭的

paid a visit去 （哪里）参观

pungent 很重，刺鼻的

palatable 可口的，能接受的