英语听力精选进阶版 7336（在线收听）

三艘日本捕鲸船在结束了本年度的南极海域捕鲸活动后已返回日本。日本说，在国际法庭宣布捕鲸违法之后已经取消了原定于明年年初开始的下一次南极海域的捕鲸计划。

It wasn't much of a homecoming: family and friends on the dockside. The crews waved back and then unloaded their cargo of whale meat. It could be the last one for some time from the waters off the Antarctic.

Japan has cancelled next year's hunt after the International Court of Justice said it was illegal. Australia and New Zealand convinced the judges that Japan was not catching whales for scientific research, as it had claimed - to get round a worldwide ban on whaling.

Those welcoming home the flotilla were glum. One official bowed in apology. "People don't understand Japanese ways," said this man.

The captain from one of the returning ships said he hoped he'd someday return to the Antarctic. But next year will be the first time in 25 years that Japan has not hunted whales in the Southern Ocean.

Quiz 听力测验

1. Who were waiting at the harbour to meet the three Japanese ships?

Friends and family of the whalers.

2. Why has Japan cancelled next year's whale hunt?

Because the International Court of Justice said the hunt was illegal.

3. What did Japan claim it was doing?

It claimed it was catching whales for scientific research.

4. True or false? People who welcomed home the whaling ships were in a good mood.

False. Those welcoming home the flotilla were glum.

Glossary 词汇表

homecoming 返回家乡

cargo 装载的货物

convinced 说服

ban 禁止，禁令

flotilla 小型船队

glum 闷闷不乐的，阴沉的

bowed 鞠躬