英语听力—环球英语 975 Alberto Vollmer and Project Alcatraz

　　Voice 1

　　Welcome to Spotlight¹. I’m Marina Santee.

　　Voice 2

　　And I’m Ryan Geertsma. 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

　　It was the night of February 26, 2000. And nearly five hundred families invaded² a large area of land in the Aragua Valley of Venezuela. The land belonged to the wealthy Vollmer family. The Vollmer’s are one of Venezuela’s oldest and richest families. They have owned and managed a company on this land for over one hundred years.

　　Voice 2

　　The invading³ families were very poor. They had no homes and very few resources. The people invaded the land so that they could have a place to live and build homes.

　　Voice 1

　　This kind of event is not uncommon⁴ in Venezuela. There is much conflict between the rich and the poor in the country. For centuries, most of the country’s money has been controlled by a small percent of rich families. Many Venezuelans think that the country’s rich people only care about themselves and their money. And because the rich control so much of the economy, the poor have had few choices. It is often difficult for them to get good jobs or even education.

　　Voice 2

　　In 1998, a new government was elected in Venezuela. This government talked much about helping⁵ the country’s poor communities. They encouraged the poor to take what they needed from the rich. And many poor groups have tried. These groups have invaded the properties of rich landowners. And at times, the conflict between the two classes has become violent.

　　Voice 1

　　So, on that night in February of 2000, Alberto Vollmer had a difficult decision to make. He was the leader of the Vollmer family business and he had hundreds of invaders⁶ attacking his land. Alberto could have paid gunmen to defend his land. He also could have called the police. This is how most rich landowners reacted in the past. But, he chose not to. Instead, he decided⁷ to negotiate⁸. And he treated the invaders with respect.

　　Voice 2

　　Alberto’s decision to talk with the invaders was very unexpected⁹. Even more unexpected was his offer to the invaders. He offered them his land! In fact, he offered even more than that.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto also offered to help the invaders plan and design their community. You see, Alberto cared about his land, but he also cared about the people. He wanted what was best for his company and what was best for the community.

　　Voice 2

　　So, Alberto negotiated¹⁰ with the leader of the invaders, Jose Rodriguez. And he also talked with the government. Alberto would give the land and help design the community. The people would build their homes. And the government would give the community members loans¹¹ to build the houses. And the government would provide road, water and other necessary systems. Together, the new community members, Alberto and the government built a strong community — the community of Camino Real or the Royal Way.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto talked with the St. Petersburg Times news group about the attack on his land. He said,

　　Voice 3

　　“It made us recognize that the plans of the company had to include social investment¹². Before, like most companies, it was not important to us.”

　　Voice 2

　　Alberto also requested that the community members take part in job training and education. He knew that the community would not remain healthy if the people did not have good jobs. So, his company works¹³ to help train and educate the people of Camino Real.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto’s social investment has surprised many people in Venezuela. One person who was most surprised was the leader of the invading group, Jos? Rodr?guez. Rodr?guez told the St. Petersburg Times news group,

　　Voice 4

　　“In this country there are not many people willing to extend¹⁴ a helping hand in the poor communities. But Alberto shows concern for the people around him.”

　　Voice 2

　　Camino Real was an example of how the rich and poor can work together in Venezuela. Their community was healthy and strong. However, the community was not perfect.

　　Voice 1

　　After a few years the people in the community saw that there was a growing problem. Crime in and around Camino Real was rising. Groups of young men, gangs¹⁶, were selling drugs and stealing in the local communities. These gangs from nearby poor communities were hurting Camino Real.

　　Voice 2

　　One day in February of 2003, three gang¹⁵ members from a nearby community attacked a Vollmer company guard. They badly hurt the guard and stole a gun. After a few weeks, the chief guard caught the gang members responsible for the event. And he brought the gang members to Alberto with metal handcuffs around their wrists.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto told the head guard to remove the handcuffs. He then asked the gang members to talk with him. And he gave them two choices. The first choice was to return the gun and work at the Vollmer company for three months without pay. The gang members would live on the company land and take part in job training and psychological¹⁷ treatment. The second choice was for the gang members to be turned over to the police.

　　Voice 2

　　All three gang members chose the first choice. And a week later, 22 other members from the same gang asked Alberto if they could do the same.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto recognized that there was a huge need for such a program in the community. So, on that day, he started what is now called “Project Alcatraz.” Alcatraz was a famous prison in the United States. It held some of the country’s worst criminals.

　　Voice 2

　　Project Alcatraz helps reform gang members and people with criminal records. But it is very different from prison. Instead, it gives criminals a second chance. And, it is working.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto knows that Project Alcatraz will not help everyone that enters the program. However, it is helping many. The program now has members from many different gangs. And many more are waiting to join the program.

　　Voice 2

　　Three years after the program started, the crime rate in the local communities had dropped by seventy six [76] percent. And the lives of many individual gang members have been changed for the better. Most of the poor gang members did not have many choices in life. However, Project Alcatraz has given the members a choice and an opportunity. They can choose to work hard, receive an education and train for a long–term job. And this is a choice many of them take.

　　Voice 1

　　Alberto shared with the Washington Post news group about how they created a program that works so well. He said,

　　Voice 3

　　“We had to want much more, and think, ‘How are you going to change the lives of these people, so they are productive¹⁸ for themselves?’ It is not a one time free gift. It is giving something that keeps producing.”

　　Voice 2

　　The writer and producer of this program was Robin¹⁹ Basselin. The voices you heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. Computer users²⁰ can visit our website at www.Radio.English.net. This program is called “Alberto Vollmer and Project Alcatraz.” We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight Program. Goodbye.

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 invaded   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的过去式和过去分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• Troops invaded on August 9th that year. 军队是在那年的8月9日入侵的。
• The diseased tissue can be easily invaded by these microorganisms. 有病的组织容易被微生物侵袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 invading   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的现在分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• The invading troops were guilty of rape and pillage. 侵略军犯了抢劫和强奸的罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The invading army desecrated this holy place when they camped here. 侵略军在这块圣地上扎营就是对这块圣地的亵渎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 uncommon   

adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的

参考例句：

• Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
• Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 invaders   

入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They prepared to repel the invaders. 他们准备赶走侵略军。
• The family has traced its ancestry to the Norman invaders. 这个家族将自己的世系追溯到诺曼征服者。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 negotiate   

v.洽谈，协商，谈判，顺利通过，成功越过

参考例句：

• I'll negotiate with their coach on the date of the match.我将与他们的教练磋商比赛的日期问题。
• I managed to negotiate successfully with the authorities.我设法同当局进行了成功的协商。

9 unexpected   

adj.想不到的，意外的

参考例句：

• I always keep some good wine in for unexpected guests.我总保存些好酒，用来招待不速之客。
• His promotion was unexpected.他的升迁出人意料。

10 negotiated   

谈判，协商，议定( negotiate的过去式和过去分词 )； 兑现（支票等）； 通过，越过（险要路段）

参考例句：

• The government negotiated with the opposition party over the new law. 政府就新法与反对党进行了协商。
• By careful strategy she negotiated a substantial pay rise. 她精心策划后，谈妥了大幅增加工资的事。

11 loans   

n.借出物，借款( loan的名词复数 )v.借出，贷与（尤指钱）( loan的第三人称单数 )；出借（贵重物品给博物馆等）

参考例句：

• They are offering loans at extortionate rates of interest. 他们在放高利贷。
• Government loans have been the salvation of several shaky business companies. 政府的贷款救活了几家濒临倒闭的公司。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 investment   

n.投资，投资额；(时间、精力等的)投入

参考例句：

• It took two years before I recouped my investment.我用了两年时间才收回投资。
• The success of the project pivots on investment from abroad.这个工程的成功主要依靠外来投资。

13 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

14 extend   

v.伸开；展开，伸展；扩大；加大

参考例句：

• Can you extend your visit for a few days more?你能把你的访问再延长几天吗？
• The examinations extend over two weeks.考试持续两个星期。

15 gang   

n.一伙，一帮；结伴的朋友

参考例句：

• The gang live abroad,beyond reach of the British police.这帮匪徒住在国外，英国警方鞭长莫及。
• Some gang came in and shot the place up.有股匪帮进来对这个地方开枪扫射。

16 gangs   

n.（罪犯有组织的）一帮( gang的名词复数 )；一伙；（闹事青少年的）一群；（工人有组织的）一队

参考例句：

• Gangs of youths went on the rampage in the city yesterday. 成群结伙的年轻人昨天在城里横冲直撞。
• a vicious turf war between rival gangs of drug dealers 对立贩毒团伙之间的猛烈火并

17 psychological   

adj.心理的，精神上的

参考例句：

• Work also provides psychological well-being.工作还能使人身心健康。
• The psychological advantage of direct control is impressive.直接控制所收到的心理效果很大。

18 productive   

adj.能生产的，有生产价值的，多产的

参考例句：

• We had a productive meeting that solved some problems.我们开了一个富有成效的会议，解决了一些问题。
• Science and technology are part of the productive forces.科学技术是生产力。

19 robin   

n.知更鸟，红襟鸟

参考例句：

• The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
• We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。

20 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。