英语听力精选进阶版 13910

Countries discuss Arctic¹ claims

Summary

22 September 2010

Politicians and experts from around the world are meeting in Moscow to discuss who will control the large reserves of oil and gas thought to lie under the Arctic Sea.

Reporter

Steve Rosenberg

Report

As temperatures rise and the polar ice caps melt, the race is on to unlock² the treasures of the Arctic.

This region is thought to contain one quarter of the world's untapped oil and gas reserves, and there's stiff³ competition for them. America, Canada, Denmark and Norway have all staked territorial⁴ claims in the Arctic, and so has Russia.

Three years ago, a Russian expedition planted a titanium flag on the ocean floor beneath the North Pole. It was a symbol of Moscow's determination to protect what it sees as its national interest.

In Moscow this week scientists, businessmen and politicians from Arctic nations will discuss co-operation, but they're also expected to push their countries' claims in the region.

Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow

1 Arctic   

adj.北极的；n.北极

参考例句：

• They flew over the unlimited reaches of the Arctic.他们飞过了茫茫无边的北极上空。
• The sort of animal lived in the Arctic Circle.这种动物生活在北极圈里。

2 unlock   

v.启示，揭示，开...的锁

参考例句：

• The border police required the traveler to unlock his luggage.边防警察要求旅客打开行李。
• We heard somebody unlock the door.我们听见有人开门锁。

3 stiff   

adj.严厉的，激烈的，硬的，僵直的，不灵活的

参考例句：

• There is a sheet of stiff cardboard in the drawer.在那个抽屉里有块硬纸板。
• You have to push on the handle to turn it,becanse it's very stiff.手柄很不灵活，你必须用力推才能转动它。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。