英语听力精选进阶版 6439
时间：2019-02-21 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力精选进阶版
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Perhaps you'd like to sample fine cuisine 1 in France, experience the ancient splendour of the Egyptian pyramids, or breathe the pristine 2 air of the Himalayan mountain range?
Well, if you said France, you're not alone. According to a study by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation 3, the country had more foreign visitors than any other in 2012.
A total of 83 million people visited France last year, even more than the country's population of 66 million. The country's diverse appeal - from the lure 4 of glitzy Alpine 5 ski resorts to the attraction of Mediterranean 6 beaches, ensure that France keeps a firm grip on the top spot.
Some way behind was the US, in second place, which received 67 million visitors, while 57 million chose to make the trip to China, which was third.
But while France was overwhelmingly the world's favourite holiday destination, it seems that the French have a problem convincing visitors to part with their cash.
When looking at the amount spent by travellers per head, France came a lowly 16th, with people spending around $650 each on their visit. This was a long way behind the likes of Hong Kong ($1349 per head) and the US ($1884 per head).
And while Paris is known as the 'city of love', only 16.8% of visitors to France stopped by the capital, according to the UN study.
The most visited capital city in the world was in fact Bangkok, according to figures from Mastercard. Bangkok overtook London in 2012 and has seen its visitor numbers rise rapidly, thanks to the influx 7 of Chinese tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand thinks the rise is due to the success of the Chinese comedy film Lost in Thailand. It became China's highest-grossing film in 2012 and tells the tale of a businessman who travels to Thailand and ends up having a series of bizarre adventures.
If one film can have such an effect, might we see more 'Lost in…' movies in the future? Who knew getting lost could be so lucrative 8? Maybe it's time for tourist boards around the world to start making movies.
Quiz 测验
1. Which word described the clean air of the Himalayas?
Pristine.
2. True or false? France has a wide range of options for tourists.
True. It has a diverse range of places including with ski resorts and beaches.
3. True or false? Tourists spent more money in Hong Kong than Paris.
True.
4. Which city was the most visited in 2011?
London.
5.Which movie made the most money in China in 2012?
Lost in Thailand.
Glossary 词汇表
fine cuisine 精美菜肴，美事
splendour 辉煌
pristine 纯净的
mountain range 山脉
diverse 多样化的
lure 诱惑
glitzy 绚丽耀眼的
ski resort 滑雪胜地
the top spot 首位、榜首
overwhelmingly 占绝对优势地
holiday destination 度假目的地
to part with (your) cash （不太情愿的、不得不）花钱
per head 按人头算
lowly （位置）低下的
the likes of 像…这样的（地方）
to stop by 顺便停留、游玩
to overtake 超过了
influx （大批游客）涌入
highest-grossing film 票房收入最高的影片
lucrative 赚钱的，有利可图的
tourist board 旅游局
- This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
- This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。
- He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
- He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。
- The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
- His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。
- Life in big cities is a lure for many country boys.大城市的生活吸引着许多乡下小伙子。
- He couldn't resist the lure of money.他不能抵制金钱的诱惑。
- Alpine flowers are abundant there.那里有很多高山地带的花。
- Its main attractions are alpine lakes and waterfalls .它以高山湖泊和瀑布群为主要特色。
- The houses are Mediterranean in character.这些房子都属地中海风格。
- Gibraltar is the key to the Mediterranean.直布罗陀是地中海的要冲。
- The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
- Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。