英语听力精选进阶版 14167（在线收听）

BBC Learning English 

Words in the News  

9 January 2013 

Shark fin discovery 

Transcript: 

Thousands of shark fins drying on a Hong Kong rooftop.  

It's thought they were stored away from the gaze of tourists and conservationists who find the trade hard to stomach. 

They say the practice of removing the fin and tossing the shark back into the sea is barbaric. 

But shark's fin soup is considered a delicacy by many Chinese diners, who also claim it has medicinal qualities. 

Vocabulary: 

shark fins 

thin vertical parts sticking out of the body of sharks which help them move 

around 

hard to stomach 

hard to accept – of something that is unpleasant or wrong 

barbaric 

extremely cruel and unpleasant 

delicacy 

something rare or expensive that is good to eat 

medicinal qualities 

properties which are good for your health 

Exercise: 

Use one of the words or phrases below to complete each of these sentences from news reports.  

Note that you may have to change the form of a word to complete the sentence correctly. 

shark fins / hard to stomach / barbaric / delicacy / medicinal qualities  

1.  At first the company found it _________ some of the more hostile messages from passengers. 

2.  Animal rights campaigners have long attacked the practice as ___________, and it is banned in Vietnam. 

3.  Although the EU banned removing ________ at sea and discarding the body, special permits allowed finning to continue legally. 

4.  Since about 4000 BC, the ancient Hindi medical theory of Ayurveda outlined honey's __________ in treating burns, allergies and infections. 

5.  Hairy crabs are the great autumn ________ of eastern China, and an obsession for those who can afford to eat them. 

Answers: 

1.  At first the company found it hard to stomach some of the more hostile messages from passengers. 

2.  Animal rights campaigners have long attacked the practice as barbaric, and it is banned in Vietnam. 

3.  Although the EU banned removing shark fins at sea and discarding the body, special permits allowed finning to continue legally. 

4.  Since about 4000 BC, the ancient Hindi medical theory of Ayurveda outlined honey's medicinal qualities in treating burns, allergies and infections. 

5.  Hairy crabs are the great autumn delicacy of eastern China, and an obsession for those who can afford to eat them.