Lesson1APumaatlarge

逃遁的美洲獅

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Wheremustthepumahavecomefrom?

Pumasarelarge,cat-likeanimalswhicharefoundinAmerica.WhenreportscameintoLondonZoothatawildpumahadbeenspottedforty-fivemilessouthofLondon,theywerenottakenseriously.However,astheevidencebegantoaccumulate,expertsfromtheZoofeltobligedtoinvestigate,forthedescriptionsgivenbypeoplewhoclaimedtohaveseenthepumawereextraordinarilysimilar.

Thehuntforthepumabeganinasmallvillagewhereawomanpickingblackberriessaw'alargecat'onlyfiveyardsawayfromher.Itimmediatelyranawaywhenshesawit,andexpertsconfirmedthatapumawillnotattackahumanbeingunlessitiscornered.Thesearchproveddifficult,forthepumawasoftenobservedatoneplaceinthemorningandatanotherplacetwentymilesawayintheevening.Whereveritwent,itleftbehinditatrailofdeaddeerandsmallanimalslikerabbits.Pawprintswereseeninanumberofplacesandpumafurwasfoundclingingtobushes.Severalpeoplecomplainedof"cat-likenoises'atnightandabusinessmanonafishingtripsawthepumaupatree.Theexpertswerenowfullyconvincedthattheanimalwasapuma,butwherehaditcomefrom?Asnopumashadbeenreportedmissingfromanyzoointhecountry,thisonemusthavebeeninthepossessionofaprivatecollectorandsomehowmanagedtoescape.Thehuntwentonforseveralweeks,butthepumawasnotcaught.Itisdisturbingtothinkthatadangerouswildanimalisstillatlargeinthequietcountryside.Lesson2Thirteenequalsone

十三等于一

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Wasthevicarpleasedthattheclockwasstriking?Why?

Ourvicarisalwaysraisingmoneyforonecauseoranother,buthehasnevermanagedtogetenoughmoneytohavethechurchclockrepaired.Thebigclockwhichusedtostrikethehoursdayandnightwasdamagedmanyyearsagoandhasbeensilenteversince.

Onenight,however,ourvicarworkupwithastart:theclockwasstrikingthehours!Lookingathiswatch,hesawthatitwasoneo'clock,butthebellstruckthirteentimesbeforeitstopped.Armedwithatorch,thevicarwentupintotheclocktowertoseewhatwasgoingon.Inthetorchlight,hecaughtsightofafigurewhomheimmediatelyrecognizedasBillWilkins,ourlocalgrocer.

'WhateverareyoudoinguphereBill?'askedthevicarinsurprise.

'I'mtryingtorepairthebell,'answeredBill.'I'vebeencomingupherenightafternightforweeksnow.Yousee,Iwashopingtogiveyouasurprise.'

'Youcertainlydidgivemeasurprise!'saidthevicar.'You'veprobablywokenupeveryoneinthevillageaswell.Still,I'mgladthebellisworkingagain.'

That'sthetrouble,vicar,'answeredBill.'It'sworkingallright,butI'mafraidthatatoneo'clockitwillstrikethirteentimesandthere'snothingIcandoaboutit."

We'llgetusedtothat,Bill,'saidthevicar."Thirteenisnotasgoodasone,butit'sbetterthannothing.Nowlet'sgodownstairsandhaveacupoftea.'Lesson3Anunknowngoddess

無名女神

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Howdidthearchaeologistsknowthatthestatuewasagoddess?

Sometimeago,andinterestingdiscoverywasmadebyarchaeologistsontheAegeanislandofKea.AnAmericanteamexploredatemplewhichstandsinanancientcityonthepromontoryofAyiaIrini.Thecityatonetimemusthavebeenprosperous,foritenjoyedahighlevelofcivilization.Houses--oftenthreestoreyshigh--werebuiltofstone.Theyhadlargeroomswithbeautifullydecoratedwalls.ThecitywasLesson4

ThedoublelifeofAlfredBloggs

阿爾弗雷德.布洛格斯的雙重生活

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

WhydidAlfwantawhite-collarjob?

Thesedays,peoplewhodomanualworkoftenreceivefarmoremoneythanpeoplewhoworkinoffices.Peoplewhoworkinofficesarefrequentlyreferredtoas"white-collarworkers'forthesimplereasonthattheyusuallywearacollarandtietogotowork.Suchishumannature,thatagreatmanypeopleareoftenwillingtosacrificehigherpayfortheprivilegeofbecomingwhite-collarworkers.Thiscangiverisetocurioussituations,asitdidinthecaseofAlfredBloggswhoworkedasadustmanfortheEllesmereCorporation.

Whenhegotmarried,Alfwastooembarrassedtosayanythingtohiswifeabouthisjob.HesimplytoldherthatheworkedfortheCorporation.Everymorning,helefthomedressedinasmartblacksuit.Hethenchangedintooverallsandspentthenexteighthoursasadustman.Beforereturninghomeatnight.Hetookashowerandchangedbackintohissuit.AlfdidthisforovertwoyearsandhisfellowdustmenkepthissecretAlf'swifehasneverdiscoveredthatshemarriedadustmanandsheneverwill,forAlfhasjustfoundanotherjob.Hewillsoonbeworkinginanoffice.Hewillbeearningonlyhalfasmuchasheusedto,buthefeelsthathisriseinstatusiswellworththelossofmoney.Fromnowon,hewillwearasuitalldayandotherswillcallhim'Mr.Bloggs',not'Alf'.Lesson5Thefacts

確切數(shù)字

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Whatwastheconsequenceoftheeditor'sinsistenceonfactsandstatistics?

Editorsofnewspapersandmagazinesoftengotoextremestoprovidetheirreaderwithunimportantfactsandstatistics.Lastyearajournalisthadbeeninstructedbyawell-knownmagazinetowriteanarticleonthepresident'spalaceinanewAfricanrepublic.Whenthearticlearrived,theeditorreadthefirstsentenceandthenrefusetopublishit.Thearticlebegan:'Hundredsofstepsleadtothehighwallwhichsurroundsthepresident'spalace'.Theeditoratoncesentthejournalistafaxinstructinghimfindouttheexactnumberofstepsandtheheightofthewall.

Thejournalistimmediatelysetouttoobtaintheseimportantfacts,butthetookalongtimetosendthemMeanwhile,theeditorwasgettingimpatient,forthemagazinewouldsoongotopress.Hesentthejournalisttwomorefaxes,butreceivednoreply.Hesentyetanotherfaxinformingthejournalistthatifhedidnotreplysoonhewouldbefired.Whenthejournalistagainfailedtoreply,theeditorreluctantlypublishedthearticleasithadoriginallybeenwritten.Aweeklater,theeditoratlastreceivedafaxfromthejournalist.Notonlyhadthepoormanbeenarrested,buthehadbeensenttoprisonaswell.However,hehadatlastbeenallowedtosendafaxinwhichheinformedtheeditorthatthehehadbeenarrestedwhilecountingthe1,084stepsleadingtothefifteen-footwallwhichsurroundedthepresident'spalace.Lesson6

Smash-and-grab

砸櫥窗搶劫

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

HowdidMr.Taylortrytostopthethieves?

TheexpensiveshopsinafamousnearPiccadillywerejust"opening.Atthistimeofthemorning,thearcadewasalmostempty.Mr.Taylor,theownerofajewelleryshopwasadmiringanewdisplay.Twoofhisassistantshadbeenworkingbusilysinceeighto'clockandhadonlyjustfinished.Diamondnecklacesandringshadbeenbeautifullyarrangedonabackgroundofblackvelvet.Aftergazingatthedisplayforseveralminutes,Mr.Taylorwentbackintohisshop.

Thesilencewassuddenlybrokenwhenalargecar,withitsheadlightsonanditshomeblaring,roareddownthearcade.Itcametoastopoutsidethejeweller's.Onemanstayedatthewheelwhiletwootherswithblackstockingovertheirfacesjumpedoutandsmashedthewindowoftheshopwithironbars.Whilethiswasgoingon,Mr.Taylorwasupstairs.Heandhisstaffbeganthrowingfurnitureoutofthewindow.Chairsandtableswentflyingintothearcade.Oneofthethieveswasstruckbyaheavystatue,buthewastoobusyhelpinghimselftodiamondstonoticeanypain.Theraidwasalloverinthreeminutes,forthemenscrambledbackintothecaranditmovedoffatafantasticspeed.Justasitwasleaving,Mr.Taylorrushedoutandranafteritthrowingashtraysandvases,butitwasimpossibletostopthethieves.Theyhadgotawaywiththousandsofpoundsworthofdiamonds.Lesson7

Mutilatedladies

殘鈔鑒別組

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

WhydidJanecookJohn'swallet?

Hasiteverhappenedtoyou?Haveyoueverputyourtrousersinthewashingmachineandthenrememberedtherewasalargebanknoteinyourbackpocket?Whenyourescuedyourtrousers,didnoteinyourbackpocket?Whenyourescuedyourtrousers,didyoufindthenotewaswhiterthanwhite?PeoplewholiveinBritainneedn'tdespairwhentheymademistakeslikethis(andalotofpeopledo)!Fortunatelyforthem,theBankofEnglandhasateamcalledMutilatedLadieswhichdealswithclaimsfrompeoplewhofedtheirmoneytoamachineortotheirdog.Dogs,itseems,lovetochewupmoney!

ArecentcaseconcernsJaneButlinwhosefiancé,John,runsasuccessfulfurniturebusiness.Johnhadverygooddayandputhiswalletcontaining$3,000intothemicrowaveovenforsafekeeping.ThenheandJanewenthorse-riding.Whentheygothome,Janecookedtheirdinnerinthemicrowaveovenandwithoutrealizingit,cookedherfiancé'swalletaswell.Imaginetheirdismaywhentheyfoundabeautifully-cookedwalletandnotesturnedtoash!JohnwenttoseehisbankmanagerwhosenttheremainsofwalletandthemoneytothespecialdepartmentoftheBankofEnglandinNewcastle:theMutilateLadies!TheyexaminedtheremainandJohngotallhismoneyback.'Solongasthere'ssomethingtoidentify,wewillgivepeopletheirmoneyback,'saidaspokeswomanfortheBank.'Lastyear,wepaid$1.5mon21,000claims.Damagedbanknotes.TheQueen'sheadappearsonEnglishbanknotes,and'lady'referstothis.Lesson8

Afamousmonastery

著名的修道院

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

WhataretheSt.Bernarddogsusedfor?

TheGreatSt.BernardPassconnectsSwitzerlandtoItaly.At2,473metres,itisthehighestmountainpassinEurope.ThefamousmonasteryofSt.Bernard,witchwasfoundedineleventhcentury,liesaboutamileaway.Forhundredsofyears,St.BernarddogshavesavedthelivesoftravellerscrossingthedangerousPass.Thesefriendlydogs,whichwerefirstbroughtfromAsia,wereusedaswatchdogseveninRomantimes.Nowthatatunnelahsbeenbuiltthroughthemountains,thePassislessdangerous,buteachyear,thedogsarestillsentoutintothesnowwheneveratravellerisindifficulty.Despitethenewtunnel,therearestillafewpeoplewhorashlyattempttocrossthePassonfoot.

Duringthesummermonths,themonasteryisverybusy,foritisvisitedbythousandsofpeoplewhocrossthePassincars.Astherearesomanypeopleabout,thedogshavetobekeptinaspecialenclosure.Inwinter,however,lifeatthemonasteryisquitedifferent.Thetemperaturedropsto--30oandveryfewpeopleattempttocrossthePass.Themonkspreferwintertosummeroftheyhavemoreprivacy.Thedogshavegreaterfreedom,too,fortheyareallowedtowanderoutsidetheirenclosure.TheonlyregularvisitorstothemonasteryinwinterarepartiesofskierswhogothereatChristmasandEaster.Theseyoungpeople,wholovethepeaceofmountains,alwaysreceiveawarmwelcomeatSt.Bernard'smonastery.Lesson9

Flyingcats

飛貓

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Howdocatstrytoprotectthemselveswhenfallingfromgreatheights?

Catsneverfailtofascinatehumanbeings.Theycanbefriendlyandaffectionatetowardshumans,buttheyleadmysteriouslivesoftheirownaswell.Theyneverbecomesubmissivelikedogsandhorses.Asaresult,humanshavelearnedtorespectfelineindependence.Mostcatsremainsuspiciousofhumansalltheirlives.Oneofthethingsthatfascinatesusmostaboutcatsisthepopularbeliefthattheyhaveninelives.Apparently,thereisagooddealoftruthinthisidea.Acat'sabilitytosurvivefallsisbasedonfact.

RecentlytheNewYorkAnimalLesson10

ThelossoftheTitanic

“泰坦尼克”號的沉沒

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Whatwouldhavehappenedifonlytwoofthesixteenwater-tightcompartmentshadbeenflooded?

Thegreatship,Titanic,sailedforNewYorkfromSouthamptononApril10th,1912.Shewascarrying1,316passengersandcrewof891.Evenbymodernstandards,the46,000tonTitanicwasacolossalship.Atthetime,however,shewasnotonlythelargestshipthathadeverbeenbuilt,butwasregardedasunsinkable,forshehadsixteenwatertightcompartments.Eveniftwoofthesewereflooded,shewouldstillbeabletofloat.Thetragicsinkingofthisgreatlinerwillalwaysberemembered,forshewentdownonherfirstvoyagewithheavylossoflife.

Fourdaysaftersettingout,whiletheTitanicwassailingacrosstheicywateroftheNorthAtlantic,hugeicebergwassuddenlyspottedbyalookout.Afterthealarmhadbeengiven,thegreatshipturnedsharplytoavoidadirectcollision.TheTitanicturnedjustintime,narrowlymissingtheimmensewalkoficewhichroseover100feetoutofthewaterbesideher.Suddenly,therewasaslighttremblingsoundfrombelow,andthecaptainwentdowntoseewhathadhappened.Thenoisehadbeensofaintthatnoonethoughthattheshiphadbeendamaged.Below,thecaptainrealizedtohishorrorthattheTitanicwassinkingrapidly,forfiveofhersixteenwatertightcompartmentshadalreadybeenflooded!Theordertoabandonshipwasgivenandhundredsofpeopleplungedintotheicywater.Astherewerenotenoughlifeboatsforeverybody,1,500liveswerelost.Lesson11

Notguilty

無罪

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

WhatwastheCustomsOfficerlookingfor?

CustomsOfficersarequitetolerantthesedays,buttheycanstillstopyouwhenyouaregoingthroughtheGreenChannelandhavenothingtodeclare.Evenreallyhonestpeopleareoftenmadetofeelguilty.Thehardenedprofessionalsmuggler,ontheotherhand,isnevertroubledbysuchfeelings,evenifhehasfivehundredgoldwatcheshiddeninhissuitcase.WhenIreturnedformabroadrecently,aparticularlyofficiousyoungCustomsOfficerclearlyregardedmeasasmuggler.

'Haveyouanythingtodeclare?'heasked,lookingmeintheeye.

'No',Iansweredconfidently.

'Wouldyoumindunlockingthissuitcaseplease?'

'Notatall,'Ianswered.

TheOfficerwentthroughthecasewithgreatcare.AllthethingIhadpackedsocarefullyweresooninadreadfulmess.IfeltsureIwouldneverbeabletoclosethecaseagain.Suddenly,IsawtheOfficer'sfacelightup.Hehadspottedatinybottleatthebottomofmycaseandhepouncedonitwithdelight.

'Perfume,eh?'heaskedsarcastically.'Youshouldhavedeclaredthat.Perfumeisnotexemptfromimportduty.'

'Butitisn'tperfume,'Isaid.'It'shairgel.'ThenIaddedwithasmile,'It'sastrangemixtureImakemyself.'

AsIexpected,hedidnotbelieveme.

'Tryit!'Isaidencouragingly.

Theofficerunscrewedthecapandputthebottletohisnostrils.HewasgreetedbyanunpleasantsmellwhichconvincedhimthatIwastellingthetruth.Afewminuteslater,Iwasabletohurryawaywithpreciouschalkmarksonmybaggage.

Lesson12

Lifeonadesertisland

荒島生活

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Whatwasexceptionalaboutthetwomen'sstayonthedesertisland?

Mostofushaveformedanunrealisticpictureoflifeonadesertisland.Wesometimesimagineadesertislandtobeasortofparadisewherethesunalwaysshines.Lifethereissimpleandgood.Ripefruitfallsfromthetreesandyouneverhavetowork.Theothersideofthepictureisquitetheopposite.Lifeonadesertislandiswretched.YoueitherstarvetodeathorlivelikeRobinsonCrusoe,Waitingforaboatwhichnevercomes.Perhapsthereisanelementoftruthinboththesepictures,butfewushavehadtheopportunitytofindout.

Twomenwhorecentlyspentfivedaysonacoralislandwishedtheyhadstayedtherelonger.TheyweretakingabadlydamagedboatfromtheVirginIslandstoMiamitohaveitrepaired.Duringthejourney,theirboatbegantosink.Theyquicklyloadedasmallrubberdinghywithfood,matches,andcansofbeerandrowedforafewmilesacrosstheCaribbeanuntiltheyarrivedatatinycoralisland.Therewerehardlyanytreesontheislandandtherewasnowater,butthisdidnotprovetobeaproblem.Themencollectedrainwaterintherubberdinghy.Astheyhadbroughtaspeargunwiththem,theyhadplentytoeat.Theycaughtlobsterandfisheveryday，and,asoneofthemputit'atelikekings'.Whenapassingtankerrescuedthemfivedayslater,bothmenweregenuinelysorrythattheyhadtoleave.

Lesson13

"It'sonlyme'

“是我，別害怕”

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Whatdidthemanexpecttofindunderthestairs?

Afterherhusbandhadgonetowork.Mrs.Richardssentherchildrentoschoolandwentupstairstoherbedroom.Shewastooexcitedtodoanyhouseworkthatmorning,forintheeveningshewouldbegoingtoafancy-dresspartwithherhusband.Sheintendedtodressupasaghostandasshehadmadehercostumethenightbefore,shewasimpatienttotryiton.Thoughthecostumeconsistedonlyofasheet,itwasveryeffective.Afterputtingiton,Mrs.Richardswentdownstairs.Shewantedtofindoutwhetheritwouldbecomfortabletowear.

JustasMrs.Richardswasenteringthedinningroom,therewasaknockonthefrontdoor.Sheknewthatitmustbethebaker.Shehadtoldhimtocomestraightinifevershefailedtoopenthedoorandtoleavethebreadonthekitchentable.Notwantingtofrightenthepoorman,Mrs.Richardsquicklyhidinthesmallstoreroomunderthestairs.Sheheardthefrontdooropenandheavyfootstepsinthehall.Suddenlythedoorofthestoreroomwasopenedandamanentered.Mrs.RichardsrealizedthatitmustbethemanfromtheElectricityBoardwhohadcometoreadthemetre.Shetriedtoexplainthesituation,saying'It'sonlyme',butitwastoolate.Themanletoutcryandjumpedbackseveralpaces.WhenMrs.Richardswalkedtowardshim,hefled,slammingthedoorbehindhim.Lesson14

Anoblegangster

貴族歹徒

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

HowdidHaywoodmakeintimesofpeace?

TherewasatinewhentheownersofshopsandbusinessesinChicagothattopaylargesumsofmoneytogangstersinreturnfor'protection.'Ifthemoneywasnotpaidpromptly,thegangsterswouldquicklyputamanoutofbusinessbydestroyinghisshop.Obtaining'protectionmoney'isnotamoderncrime.Aslongagoasthefourteenthcentury,anEnglishman,SirJohnHawkwood,madetheremarkablediscoverythatpeoplewouldratherpaylargesumsofmoneythanhavetheirlifeworkdestroyedbygangsters.

Sixhundredyearsago,SirJohanHawkwoodarrivedinItalywithabandofsoldiersandsettlednearFlorence.HesoonmadeanameforhimselfandcametobeknowntotheItaliansasGiovanniAcuto.WhenevertheItaliancity-stateswereatwarwitheachother,Hawkwoodusedtohirehissoldierstoprinceswhowerewillingtopaythehighpricehedemanded.Intimesofpeace,whenbusinesswasbad,Hawkwoodandhismenwouldmarchintoacity-stateand,afterburningdownafewfarms,wouldoffertogoawayprotectionmoneywaspaidtothem.Hawkwoodmadelargesumsofmoneyinthisway.Inspiteofthis,theItaliansregardedhimasasortofhero.Whenhediedattheageofeighty,theFlorentinesgavehimastatefuneralandhadapicturedwithasdedicatedtothememoryof'themostvaliantsoldierandmostnotableleader,SignorGiovanniHaukodue.'

Lesson15

Fiftypenceworthoftrouble

五十便士的麻煩

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

DidGeorgegetanythingforhisfiftypence?What?

Childrenalwaysappreciatesmallgiftsofmoney.Mumordad,ofcourse,providearegularsupplyofpocketmoney,butunclesandantsarealwaysasourceofextraincome.Withsomechildren,smallsumsgoalongway.Iffiftypencepiecesarenotexchangedforsweets,theyrattleformonthsinsidemoneyboxes.Onlyverythriftychildrenmanagetofillupamoneybox.Formostofthem,fiftypenceisasmallpricetopayforanicebigbarofchocolate.

Mynephew,George,hasamoneyboxbutitisalwaysempty.VeryfewofthefiftypencepiecesandpoundcoinsIhavegivenhimhavefoundtheirwaythere.Igavehimfiftypenceyesterdayandadvisedhimtosaveit.Insteadheboughthimselffiftypenceworthoftrouble.Onhiswaytothesweetshop,hedroppedhisfiftypenceanditbouncedalongthepavementandthendisappeareddownadrain.Georgetookoffhisjacket,rolleduphissleevesandpushedisrightarmthroughthedraincover.Hecouldnotfindhisfiftypencepieceanywhere,andwhatismore,hecouldnogethisarmout.Acrowdofpeoplegatheredroundhimandaladyrubbedhisarmwithsoapandbutter,butGeorgewasfirmlystuck.ThefirebrigadewascalledandtwofirefighterfreedGeorgeusingaspecialtypeofgrease.Georgewasnottooupsetbyhisexperiencebecausetheladywhoownsthesweetshopheardabouthistroublesandrewardedhimwithlargeboxofchocolates.Lesson16

Maryhadalittlelamb

瑪麗有一頭羔羊

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

WasDimitririghttoapologizetohisneighbour?Whynot?

MaryandherhusbandDimitrilivedinthetinyvillageofPerachorainsouthernGreece.OneofMary'sprizepossessionswasalittlewhitelambwhichherhusbandhadgivenher.Shekeptittiedtoatreeinafieldduringthedayandwenttofetchiteveryevening.Oneevening,however,thelambwasmissing.Theropehadbeencut,soitwasobviousthatthelambhadbeenstolen.

WhenDimitricameinfromthefields,hiswifetoldhimwhathadhappened.Dimitriatoncesetouttofindthethief.Heknewitwouldnotprovedifficultinsuchasmallvillage.Aftertellingseveralofhisfriendsaboutthetheft,Dimitrifoundoutthathisneighbour,Aleko,hadsuddenlyacquiredanewlamb.DimitriimmediatelywenttoAleko'shouseandangrilyaccusedhimofstealingthelamb.Hetoldhimhehadbetterreturnitorhewouldcallthepolice.AlekodeniedtakingitandledDimitriintohisbackyard.Itwastruethathehadjustboughtalamb,heexplained,buthislambwasblack.Ashamedofhavingactedsorashly,DimitriapologizedtoAlekoforhavingaccusedhim.WhiletheyweretalkingitbegantorainandDimitristayedinAleko'shouseuntiltherainstopped.Whenhewentoutsidehalfanhourlater,hewasastonishedtofindthelittleblacklambwasalmostwhite.Itswool,whichhadbeendyedblack,hadbeenwashedcleanbytherain!Lesson17

Thelongestsuspension

bridgeintheworld

世界上最長的吊橋

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Howisthebridgesupported?

Verrazano,anItalianaboutwhomlittleisknown,sailedintoNewYorkHarbourin1524andnameditAngouleme.Hedescribeditas'averyagreeablesituationlocatedwithintwosmallhillsinthemidstofwhichflowedagreatriver.'ThoughVerrazanoisbynomeansconsideredtobeagreatexplorer,hisnamewillprobablyremainimmortal,foronNovember21st,1964,thelongestsuspensionbridgeintheworldwasnamedafterhim.

TheVerrazanoBridge,whichwasdesignedbyOthmarAmmann,joinsBrooklyntoStatenIsland.Ithasaspanof4,260feet.Thebridgeissolongthattheshapeoftheearthhadtobetakenintoaccountbyitsdesigner.Twogreattowerssupportfourhugecables.Thetowersarebuiltonimmenseunderwaterplatformsmakeofsteelandconcrete.Theplatformsextendtoadepthofover100feetunderthesea.Thesealonetooksixteenmonthstobuild.Abovethesurfaceofthewater,thetowersrisetoaheightofnearly700feet.Theysupportthecablesfromwhichthebridgehasbeensuspended.Eachofthefourcablescontains26,108lengthsofwire.Ithasbeenestimatedthatifthebridgewerepackedwithcars,itwouldstillonlybecarryingathirdofitstotalcapacity.However,sizeandstrengtharenottheonlyimportantthingsaboutthisbridge.Despiteitsimmensity,itisbothsimpleandelegant,fulfillingitsdesigner'sdreamtocreate'anenormousobjectdrawnasfaintlyaspossible'.Lesson18

Electriccurrentsinmodernart

現(xiàn)代藝術(shù)的電流

Listentothetapethenanswerthequestionbelow.

聽錄音，然后回答以下問題。

Howmightsomeoftheexhibitshavebeendangerous?

Modernsculpturerarelysurprisesusanymore.Theideathatmodernartcanonlybeseeninmuseumsismistaken.Evenpeoplewhotakenointerestinartcannothavefailedtonoticeexamplesofmodernsculptureondisplayinpublicplaces.Strangeformsstandingardens,andoutsidebuildingsandshops.Wehavegotquiteusedtothem.Someso-called'modern'pieceshavebeenondisplayfornearlyeightyyears.

Inspiteofthis,somepeople--includingmyself--weresurprisebyarecentexhibitionofmodernsculpture.ThefirstthingIsawwhenIenteredtheartgallerywasanoticewhichsaid:'Donottouchtheexhibits.Someofthemaredangerous!'Theobjectsondisplaywerepiecesofmovingsculpture.Oddlyshapedformsthataresuspendedformtheceilingandmoveinresponsetoagustofwindarequitefamiliartoeverybody.Theseobjects,however,weredifferent.Linedupagainstthewall,therewerelongthinwiresattachedtometalspheres.Thesphereshadbeenmagnetizedandattractedorrepelledeachotherallthetime.Inthecentreofthehall,therewereanumberoftallstructureswhichcontainedcolouredlights.Theselightsflickeredcontinuouslyliketrafficlightswhichhavegonemad.Sparkswereemittedfromsmallblackboxesandredlampsflashedonandoffangrily.Itwasratherlikeanexhibitionofprehistoricelectronicequipment.Thesepeculiarformsnotonlyseemeddesignedtoshockpeopleemotionally,buttogi