英语听力精选进阶版 14275（在线收听）

BBC Learning English

10 July 2013

Thai police fight the fat

Transcript:

Thailand's police force is in a battle to beat the bulge. 

It might not be the most rigorous training but these officers are trying their hardest. 

The fitness programme in Bangkok includes a daily workout and healthy eating. 

They have an extra incentive: a prize worth $160 is up for grabs for the officer who loses the most weight.

Vocabulary:

to beat the bulge

to lose weight (especially around the stomach area)

rigorous

thorough and strict

workout

a session of physical exercise

incentive

something to encourage someone to do something

up for grabs

available for anyone to win

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.

to beat the bulge / rigorous / workout / incentive / up for grabs

1.  In his younger days, close associates often complained of the president's schedule, which began with a ________ in the gym or a game of squash.

2.  A Subway operator, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), is marking the anniversary with giveaways. One year's free Subway travel will be __________, along with free ticket offers for 115 other Subway users.

3.  The army, the police, local politicians and the insurgents are all believed to make significant money from the rampant smuggling of everything from drugs, to people, to diesel fuel, in this border region. There seems little _________ to risk bold initiatives that might end the fighting.

4.  ____________ is for some a full-time preoccupation. The quest to reach the desired size and shape can seem never-ending. There are all manner of diets, exercises creams and massages on offer to try to make the job easier.

5.  Recruits needed to pass a __________ six-week training course before they could wear the coveted Green Beret.

Answers:

1.  In his younger days, close associates often complained of the president's schedule, which began with a workout in the gym or a game of squash.

2.  A Subway operator, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), is marking the anniversary with giveaways. One year's free Subway travel will be up for grabs, along with free ticket offers for 115 other Subway users.

3.  The army, the police, local politicians and the insurgents are all believed to make significant money from the rampant smuggling of everything from drugs, to people, to diesel fuel, in this border region. There seems little incentive to risk bold initiatives that might end the fighting. 

4.  Beating the bulge is for some a full-time preoccupation. The quest to reach the desired size and shape can seem never-ending. There are all manner of diets, exercises creams and massages on offer to try to make the job easier.

5.  Recruits needed to pass a rigorous six-week training course before they could wear the coveted Green Beret.