英语听力—环球英语 468：Listener Mail 100

　　Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight¹. I'm Joshua Leo.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight's Listener Mail program! Our first comment today comes from Moon. Moon heard the program called Fyodor Dostoyevsky, about the famous Russian writer. Early in his life, Dostoyevsky was arrested for his writing. He was sentenced to four years' hard labour in a Siberian prison camp. When he left the prison camp, he continued to write. He used his experiences and the people he met in prison. His stories explored ideas of evil, freedom and belief in God. But in his stories, love is always stronger than evil. Moon wrote,
Voice 3
"This is a very nice story that shows how important love is in human lives. People must see each other as relatives and care about others' problems as if they were ours. We are all the same species² and we have many things in common. But people do not see that. Probably the day in which other creatures are discovered in other planets, then humans will unite and see each other as a whole. Thank you very much for this program. It is very useful to learn about other cultures and thoughts.
Voice 2
Thanks for your comment, Moon! You have a very interesting thought. People often dream of life on other planets. In science fiction television or radio shows about space travels we may see aliens, creatures from other planets. Some may be hostile. In these stories even humans who disagree often stay together to fight a common enemy. A common enemy usually unites people.
Voice 1
But it would be so great if people could understand the good results of uniting, even if there is not a common enemy to face. Think how much more good people could do!
Voice 2
Our next comment also came from a program about an inspiring person. Khadijah commented on the program called Viktor Frankl. In that program we told about the life of Viktor Frankl. He lived during World War Two and experienced life in the Auschwitz prison camp. This prison camp was a place of terrible suffering. Prisoners in the camp lacked basic needs like food, clothing, medicine and shelter. But even through all these horrible things, Viktor still held hope. He wrote about his experience there.
Frankl's words have influenced many people, including Khadijah. She had a teacher who quoted Frankl. She says:
Voice 3
"At that point I began to take a serious look at the prisons I had made around myself and I began my own search for meaning. Overcoming thirty years of addiction³ and abuse has taught me that I can learn from my sufferings, yet, I do not have to continue that suffering to learn. Today I am a student, at sixty years old, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a loving and responsible daughter and community-minded citizen... I will continue this journey to seek clarity⁴ with dignity and respect. I have a choice and I know that. No one can take that away from me ever!"
Voice 2
Khadijah, what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it with us and other listeners. It takes great courage to find our way out of troubles like addiction and abuse. Changing can be very difficult, and we are very happy to hear how successful you are now.
Voice 1
Our final comment today came to us through our discussion forums⁵ on the Spotlight website. If you have not yet visited these forums, we would love to see you there! It is a good place to practice your English, and also meet other people who are learning English everywhere in the world.
Voice 2
Well, recently, the user Savage⁶ asked a question about a few common English words. Here was his question:
Voice 3
"As I was listening to another program, I learned a new word - latrine. But what puzzled me were similar words like lavatory⁷, bathroom, washroom, and toilet. I am wondering about the use of those words - especially bathroom and washroom. Very often they are used interchangeably. Maybe someone can explain the correct use of these words?"
Voice 2
Well Savage, as we thought about how to answer your question we realized it was a very complex situation! And it is even more complex because in this case, American English and British English are a little different.
Voice 1
So, we are talking about a room with a toilet, and usually a sink to wash your hands. But is it called the same thing if it includes a tub for washing? Well, we thought of six different words to describe the same room! They are: restroom, lavatory, washroom, bathroom, toilet, and latrine. Not all of these are common. So what do you say? From a British view, here is Steve Myersco.
Steve Myersco
"Here in Britain we use the word 'bathroom' or just 'toilet'. We do not use the word washroom, restroom or lavatory. Normally if I were in a public place, like a restaurant, I would ask where the toilet is. However, if I were in someone's house I would ask where the bathroom is. A bathroom does not need to have a bath in it. It will always have a toilet, and maybe a bath as well. So, if you are in Britain, you can use the word bathroom or toilet."
Voice 2
Thanks Steve! In the United States, it is also common to use the word "bathroom." In a restaurant, or business place you might also ask for the restroom. This is a very polite way to ask for the toilet. Washroom is a popular word in Canada. But all these words mean the same thing - a room that includes a toilet, and usually a sink. The room may also include a tub for washing, but it is not necessary.
Voice 1
The words lavatory and latrine are less common. If you used the word lavatory to an English speaker they would know what you needed. Latrine, however, is much less common! Usually a latrine is a pit toilet. That is, it is a hole in the ground people use as a toilet. People in the military may use this word more often.
Voice 2
So, I hope we have helped to solve some of your confusion⁸! Thanks to all our listeners who have written to us with your questions and comments. Keep writing! We love to hear your opinions! Thanks especially today to Moon, Khadijah, and Savage.
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 species   

n.物种，种群

参考例句：

• Are we the only thinking species in the whole of creation?我们是万物中惟一有思想的物种吗？
• This species of bird now exists only in Africa.这种鸟现在只存在于非洲。

3 addiction   

n.上瘾入迷，嗜好

参考例句：

• He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。
• Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

4 clarity   

n.清澈，透明，明晰

参考例句：

• His writing has great clarity of style.他的写作风格清晰易懂。
• Mozart's music is characterized by its naivety and clarity.莫扎特的音乐特色是纯朴兴清澈。

5 forums   

讨论会； 座谈会； 广播专题讲话节目； 集会的公共场所( forum的名词复数 )； 论坛，讨论会，专题讨论节目； 法庭

参考例句：

• A few of the forums were being closely monitored by the administrators. 有些论坛被管理员严密监控。
• It can cast a dark cloud over these forums. 它将是的论坛上空布满乌云。

6 savage   

adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人

参考例句：

• The poor man received a savage beating from the thugs.那可怜的人遭到暴徒的痛打。
• He has a savage temper.他脾气粗暴。

7 lavatory   

n.盥洗室，厕所

参考例句：

• Is there any lavatory in this building?这座楼里有厕所吗？
• The use of the lavatory has been suspended during take-off.在飞机起飞期间，盥洗室暂停使用。

8 confusion   

n.困惑，迷乱，混淆，混乱，骚乱

参考例句：

• His answers to my questions have only added to my confusion.他对我的问题的回答只是使我更加困惑不解。
• His unexpected arrival threw us into total confusion.他的突然来访使我们完全不知所措。