Nuclear script（在线收听） |
| Yvonne: Hello, I’m Yvonne Archer and this is "6 minute English". And with me today is Callum Robertson. Hello Callum! Callum: Hello Yvonne. Yvonne: Now today's topic is about an extraordinary（特别的） document which has been keptsecret for more than thirty years but it's now been made public. It's been keptin a place where other documents and records are kept about Britain's historyand that place is called the National Archives. But before we find out moreabout this extraordinary document, I've got a big question for Callum and it's about the British National Archives. Callum, when were they started? Was ita) 800 years agob) 850 years ago – orc) 900 years agoCallum: I haven't got a clue really so I'm just going to guess at 850 years ago. Yvonne: Right, whichever answer is right, it was a long time ago! We'll find out lateron. Now during the 1970s, the British government felt that a nuclear attack was areal possibility. Callum: Yeah, I'm old enough to remember those times – the times of the Cold War. Itwas quite a scary time when you look back on it now. Yvonne: Hmmm. The government got together with the BBC and wrote a secret script. It was to be recorded and broadcast every two hours if there was a nuclear attack. Callum: Now that must have been a very difficult script to write. Yvonne: Exactly, but that's what the BBC and the government had to do. And when itwas written, it was hidden away in the National Archives ready for use. Butrecently, the script was 'declassified'. Callum, why don't you explain that for us? Callum: Well if there's a document which is meant to be secret, then it's 'classified'. It's given a classification like 'Top Secret' and only a few people can see it. But when it becomes public - after thirty years in Britain, these documents can bemade public – we say it's been 'declassified'. So a 'declassified' document is adocument that used to be secret, you couldn't see it, but now, everyone can seeit. Yvonne: Now before we find out what was in that nuclear script, let's look at some of the language that we'll come across. Callum, people get confused（困惑） by the word'casualties'…Callum: Well the word 'casualties' is a noun and it's to talk about not just the number ofpeople who are killed, but are also killed or injured in an accident or a war. Yvonne: Thanks, Callum. Now as we listen to a reading of part of that declassifiednuclear script, try to find out what three things the script was asking people todo…FROM A REPORT BY MARK SANDERSThis is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. This country has been attacked with nuclearweapons. Communications have been severely disrupted, and the number of casualties and the extent of the damage are not yet known. Stay tuned to this wave length, stay calm and stay inyour own homes. Yvonne: Oooh, that makes me feel really cold. Callum: It's definitely quite chilling to listen to that as though a nuclear attack hasalready happened. Yvonne: So what three things did the script ask everyone to do, Callum? Callum: Well, it told people to 'stay tuned' which means, don't change your radio channel, keep listening to this one for news and information. It told people to'stay calm' – because of course, panicking in an emergency isn't useful. Andfinally, the script asked everyone to stay at home – don't go outside. Yvonne: Thanks, Callum. Now the government and the BBC discussed what should go into the secretscript from 1972 to 1975! Callum: … three years - that's a long time. It's a lot longer than we have to write a "6Minute English" script! Yvonne: It certainly is – that's for sure. But then, we don't have to write scripts that arereally that important, do we? I've another chilling extract for you from thenuclear script which explains why people were being asked to stay at home…FROM A REPORT BY MARK SANDERSRemember, there is nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes youcould be exposing yourselves to greater danger. Yvonne: So trying to 'get away' – to run away from home might have been even more dangerous for people than staying inside their homes. Do you happen to knowwhy they said that Callum? Callum: Well, there'd be a number of reasons. One, if there's a nuclear attack, then there's a danger of radiation（辐射） sickness in the air. You'd be a little safer staying athome. But also, you know, there could be panic on the streets, the traffic wouldbe chaos, it would be very dangerous. So, best to stay at home – safest. That'swhat they believed. Yvonne: That sounds sensible. Anyway, here's something a little less frightening: thedeclassified records show that one government official felt it was really, reallyimportant for someone from the BBC, with a voice that most people knewand trusted, should be the one to record the announcement. And this wasbecause the government didn't want people to believe that the BBC had been'obliterated' – totally destroyed – gone forever! Callum: Well that just shows how important the BBC was - and of course, still is todayfor many people around the world! Yvonne: Absolutely. Now Callum – today's big question was: When was the BritishNational Archives started? And your answer was…6 Minute English ? bbclearningenglish.com 2008Page 5 of 5Callum: Well I said 850 years ago - but it was just a guess. Yvonne: Ahh – it was a good guess – you were 50 years out. It was 900 years ago. Callum: 900 years ago. Oh dear, wrong again. Yvonne: Never mind! Well, we hope you've enjoyed today's '6 Minute English'. And dojoin us again next time for more. C + Y: Goodbye!(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑) |
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