When were the British National Archives started?

When were the British National Archives started?
英国国家档案局哪年成立？
Yvonne: Hello, I’m Yvonne Archer 1 and this is "6 minute English". And with me today is Callum Robertson. Hello Callum!
Callum: Hello Yvonne.
Yvonne:  Now today's topic is about an extraordinary document which has been kept secret for more than thirty years but it's now been made public. It's been kept in a place where other documents and records are kept about Britain's history and that place is called the National Archives. But before we find out more about this extraordinary document, I've got a big question for Callum and it's about the British National Archives. Callum, when were they started? Was it a) 800 years ago b) 850 years ago – or c) 900 years ago
Callum: I haven't got a clue（线索） really so I'm just going to guess at 850 years ago.
Yvonne: Right, whichever answer is right, it was a long time ago! We'll find out later on. Now during the 1970s, the British government felt that a nuclear attack was a real possibility.
Callum: Yeah, I'm old enough to remember those times – the times of the Cold War. It was quite a scary time when you look back on it now.
Yvonne:  Hmmm. The government got together with the BBC and wrote a secret script 2.（原稿，手稿） It was to be recorded and broadcast every two hours if there was a nuclear attack. 
Callum:  Now that must have been a very difficult script to write. 
Yvonne:  Exactly, but that's what the BBC and the government had to do. And when it was written, it was hidden away in the National Archives ready for use. But recently, the script was 'declassified 3（不当机密文件处理）. Callum, why don't you explain that for us? 
Callum:  Well if there's a document which is meant to be secret, then it's 'classified 4'. It's given a classification 5 like 'Top Secret' and only a few people can see it. But when it becomes public - after thirty years in Britain, these documents can be made public – we say it's been 'declassified'. So a 'declassified' document is a document that used to be secret, you couldn't see it, but now, everyone can see it. 
Yvonne:  Now before we find out what was in that nuclear script, let's look at some of the language that we'll come across. Callum, people get confused by the word 'casualties 6（人员伤亡）'… 
Callum:  Well the word 'casualties' is a noun 7 and it's to talk about not just the number of people who are killed, but are also killed or injured in an accident or a war. 
Yvonne:  Thanks, Callum. Now as we listen to a reading of part of that declassified nuclear script, try to find out what three things the script was asking people to do… 

FROM A REPORT BY MARK SANDERS
This is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. This country has been attacked with nuclear weapons. Communications have been severely 8 disrupted（分裂，分散）, and the number of casualties and the extent 9 of the damage are not yet known. Stay tuned 10 to this wavelength（波长）, stay calm and stay in your own homes.
Yvonne:  Oooh, that makes me feel really cold.
Callum: It's definitely 11 quite chilling 12（使人寒心的，使人恐惧的） to listen to that as though a nuclear attack has already happened.
Yvonne:  So what three things did the script ask everyone to do, Callum?
Callum:Well, it told people to 'stay tuned' which means, don't change your radio channel, keep listening to this one for news and information. It told people to 'stay calm' – because of course, panicking in an emergency isn't useful. And finally, the script asked everyone to stay at home – don't go outside.
Yvonne: Thanks, Callum.
Now the government and the BBC discussed what should go into the secret script from 1972 to 1975!
Callum: … three years - that's a long time. It's a lot longer than we have to write a "6 Minute English" script!
Yvonne:  It certainly is – that's for sure. But then, we don't have to write scripts 13 that are really that important, do we? I've another chilling extract 14 for you from the nuclear script which explains why people were being asked to stay at home…

FROM A REPORT BY MARK SANDERS
Remember, there is nothing to be gained by trying to get away. By leaving your homes you could be exposing yourselves to greater danger.
Yvonne:  So trying to 'get away' – to run away from home might have been even more dangerous for people than staying inside their homes. Do you happen to know why they said that Callum?
Callum: Well, there'd be a number of reasons. One, if there's a nuclear attack, then there's a danger of radiation sickness in the air. You'd be a little safer staying at home. But also, you know, there could be panic on the streets, the traffic would be chaos,（混乱） it would be very dangerous. So, best to stay at home – safest. That's what they believed.
Yvonne:  That sounds sensible 15. Anyway, here's something a little less frightening: the declassified records show that one government official felt it was really, really important for someone from the BBC, with a voice that most people knew and trusted, should be the one to record the announcement. And this was because the government didn't want people to believe that the BBC had been 'obliterated（阻塞）' – totally destroyed – gone forever!
Callum: Well that just shows how important the BBC was - and of course, still is today for many people around the world!
Yvonne:  Absolutely. Now Callum – today's big question was: When was the British National Archives started? And your answer was…
Callum:  Well I said 850 years ago -but it was just a guess. 
Yvonne:  Ahh – it was a good guess – you were 50 years out. It was 900 years ago. 
Callum:  900 years ago. Oh dear, wrong again. 
Yvonne:  Never mind! Well, we hope you've enjoyed today's '6 Minute English'. And do 
join us again next time for more. 
C + Y:  Goodbye! (本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

点击收听单词发音  






1
archer

  
 


n.射手，弓箭手


参考例句：





The archer strung his bow and aimed an arrow at the target.弓箭手拉紧弓弦将箭瞄准靶子。
The archer's shot was a perfect bull's-eye.射手的那一箭正中靶心。












2
script

  
 


n.剧本，广播稿；文字体系；笔迹，手迹


参考例句：





It's easy to identify his script.他的笔迹容易辨认。
The script is massaged into final form.这篇稿子经过修改已定稿。












3
declassified

  
 


adj.解密的v.对（机密文件等）销密( declassify的过去式和过去分词 )


参考例句：





Thousands of classified documents have now been declassified. 数以千计的保密文件现在被解密了。
The software used for Siemens S7-300 encryption logic block declassified. 此软件用于对西门子S7-300加密逻辑块解密。












4
classified

  
 


a.分类的


参考例句：





The books in the library are classified according to subject. 图书馆的书按学科分类。
This information has been classified top secret. 这一情报被归为绝密类别。












5
classification

  
 


n.分类，分级；类别，级别


参考例句：





These things belong in a different classification.这些东西属于不同的类别。
This is a good system for classification.这是一个很好的分类法。












6
casualties

  
 


n. 伤亡人员


参考例句：





Two casualties were airlifted to safety . 两名伤亡人员已空运到安全地区。
The army were still fighting in spite of heavy casualties. 尽管伤亡人员众多，军队仍在继续战斗。












7
noun

  
 


n.名词


参考例句：





What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。












8
severely

  
 


adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地


参考例句：





He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。












9
extent

  
 


n.程度，范围，限度；广度，宽度，大小


参考例句：





The new race track is nearly six miles in extent. 这条新跑道将近六英里长。
What's the extent of the damage? 损坏的程度如何?












10
tuned

  
 


adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调


参考例句：





The resort is tuned in to the tastes of young and old alike. 这个度假胜地适合各种口味，老少皆宜。
The instruments should be tuned up before each performance. 每次演出开始前都应将乐器调好音。 来自《简明英汉词典》












11
definitely

  
 


adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地


参考例句：





The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。












12
chilling

  
 


a.使人寒心的；使人恐惧的


参考例句：





The film evokes chilling reminders of the war. 这部电影使人们回忆起战争的可怕场景。
Their report on the plans for nuclear war is a chilling document. 他们关于核战争的那份报告是很令人恐怖的文件。












13
scripts

  
 


剧本( script的名词复数 )； 文字； 笔迹； （一种语言的）字母系统


参考例句：





Many felt he was prostituting his talents by writing Hollywood scripts. 许多人觉得他给好莱坞写剧本是滥用自己的才华。
The scripts had a rather tired plot. 这部陈旧的剧本的情节是非常俗套的。












14
extract

  
 


vt.取出，提取，获得，摘录；n.摘录，提出物


参考例句：





The article was a choice extract from her writings.这篇文章是从她的著作中摘录出来的精粹。
We can extract oil from olive.我们可以从橄榄中榨油。












15
sensible

  
 


adj.可察觉的，意识到的，实用的；n.可感知物


参考例句：





Are you sensible of the dangers of your position? 你觉察到你处境中的危险了吗？
He was sensible enough to mind his own business.他颇有见识，不去管闲事。