英语听力精选进阶版 6271
时间：2019-02-21 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力精选进阶版
Europe has been in the grip of an outbreak of E.coli, which has so far infected 2,400 people and killed 24.
Most cases have been caused by contaminated food produce, although E.coli can spread from person to person.
Daniel Bahr, the German health minister, has said he hopes the outbreak has peaked:
"I cannot sound the all-clear, but after analysing the latest data we have reasonable cause for hope. The worst of the illness is behind us."
E.coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a kind of bacterium 1 that is normally harmless. However, the current outbreak is a new strain of E.coli which produces a toxin 2 which can damage the kidneys. Symptoms include diarrhoea, severe cramps 3, and fevers.
There has been heavy criticism of Germany's handling of the crisis.
On Tuesday the European Commission proposed giving at least 150m euros (1.4 billion yuan) to farmers who have lost money because of the outbreak.
Spain has demanded complete compensation from Germany for financial losses suffered by its farmers because of a false accusation 4 that the outbreak was caused by Spanish cucumbers.
Events took an unexpectedly humorous turn when a Spanish delegate, Francisco Sosa-Wagner, held up a cucumber in a speech to the European parliament and said, "We need to restore the honour of the cucumber."
Quiz 小测验
1. Is this statement true, false or not given? The E.coli illness has gone away.
False. The health minister hopes that the worst of the illness is over, but he cannot sound the all-clear.
2. Has the way Germany has taken care of the crisis attracted praise?
No. It has attracted heavy criticism.
3. Is this statement true, false or not given? The European Commission has promised at least 150 million euros of compensation for farmers.
True.
4. Why did Francisco Sosa-Wagner hold up a cucumber?
He was making a speech and he used the cucumber to add force to what he was saying.
5. Look at the article. What phrase refers to pains in the stomach?
Stomach cramps.
in the grip of something 陷入/卷入
outbreak 爆发
E.coli 大肠杆菌
infected 感染的
case （一起）病例
contaminated 被感染的
to spread 流行/传染
to peak 达到高峰
to sound the all-clear 危机已经解除
for something to be behind someone 落后于某人
bacterium 细菌
strain 类型
toxin 有毒的
symptom 症状
diarrhoea （感染性）腹泻
severe cramps 严重痉挛/抽筋
fevers 高烧
handling of something 对某事的处理
crisis 危机
compensation 赔偿
- The bacterium possibly goes in the human body by the mouth.细菌可能通过口进入人体。
- A bacterium is identified as the cause for his duodenal ulcer.一种细菌被断定为造成他十二指肠溃疡的根源。
- Experts have linked this condition to a build-up of toxins in the body.专家已把这一病症与体内毒素的积累联系起来。
- Tests showed increased levels of toxin in shellfish.检验表明水生有壳动物的毒素水平提高了。
- I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
- She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。