新闻听力练习Radio4News25thJanuary2012.doc

BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am ELEMENTARY: FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS1. New figures show that the UKs economy shrank by _% in the final three _ of 2011.2. This is slightly _ than expected.3. Overall Gross Domestic Product _ by _% last year compared to _.4. The first very severe economic downturn was brought on by the credit _.5. Unemployment is on the _.6. Many people fear the first three months of 2012 will be _.7. There was a _ drop in _ from manufacturers last quarter.8. Demand for electricity and _ also suffered.9. Business in hotels and _ was down.10. Construction work _ tailed off.11. President Obama wants a _ tax system in the USA.12. He says the _ Americans should pay more tax.13. His opponents have called his policy a _ war.14. _ Special Forces have rescued two aid workers held by pirates in Somalia.15. The aid workers were employed by a _ charity.16. The Arab League mission to Syria has been extended to _ _.17. Yesterday _ Gulf states joined Saudi Arabia in _ their monitors from the mission.18. A paedophile has been _ dead in prison in _.19. Martin _ _ Lianne is in custody in _.20. She is accused of murdering her two _ _ in a _ two years ago.21. The bodies of the children were discovered on the same _ Martin Smith was extradited to _ to face child sex abuse charges.BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am ELEMENTARY: ANSWERS1. New figures show that the UKs economy shrank by 0.2% in the final three months of 2011.2. This is slightly worse than expected.3. Overall Gross Domestic Product rose by 0.9% last year compared to 2010.4. The first very severe economic downturn was brought on by the credit crunch.5. Unemployment is on the rise.6. Many people fear the first three months of 2012 will be disappointing.7. There was a big drop in output from manufacturers last quarter.8. Demand for electricity and gas also suffered.9. Business in hotels and restaurants was down.10. Construction work also tailed off.11. President Obama wants a fairer tax system in the USA.12. He says the wealthiest Americans should pay more tax.13. His opponents have called his policy a class war.14. US Special Forces have rescued two aid workers held by pirates in Somalia.15. The aid workers were employed by a Danish charity.16. The Arab League mission to Syria has been extended to 23rd February.17. Yesterday five Gulf states joined Saudi Arabia in withdrawing their monitors from the mission.18. A paedophile has been found dead in prison in Manchester.19. Martin Smiths wife Lianne is in custody in Spain.20. She is accused of murdering her two young children in a hotel two years ago.21. The bodies of the children were discovered on the same day Martin Smith was extradited to Britain to face child sex abuse charges.BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am INTERMEDIATE: TRUE/FALSE1. The new figures were released late last night.2. The UKs economy shrank by 0.2% in the final three months of last year.3. This is slightly better than expected.4. Overall GDP (Gross Domestic Product) increased by 0.9% between 2010 and 2011.5. There have been fears that Britain would suffer a double-tip recession.6. Economists define a recession as two consecutive quarters of shrinkage.7. The reporter says employment is on the rise.8. There are fears that the opening three months of 2012 will be disappointing.9. Last quarter manufacturing output fell sharply.10. Meanwhile business in hotels and restrooms was down.11. President Obama has just given his annual Steak of the Union speech.12. He wants the US tax system to be fairer, with the richest Americans paying more tax.13. His opponents have called his policy a classic war.14. US Special Forces have rescued two aid workers held by pirates in Somalia from the beginning of October last year.15. The aid workers are both from Denmark.16. They werent hurt in the rescue operation.17. The Arab League mission in Syria has been extended by a fortnight.18. Yesterday five Gulf states joined Saudi Arabia in sending monitors to Syria.19. A paedophile has been found dead in prison in Chester.20. It seems the man committed suicide.21. Martin Schmidts wife Lianne is in custody in Spain.22. She is accused of murdering her parents in a hotel two years ago.23. The childrens bodies were found the day the man was extradited to Britain to face child sex abuse charges.BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am INTERMEDIATE: ANSWERS1. The new figures were released late last night. (F Figures released within the past half-hour.)2. The UKs economy shrank by 0.2% in the final three months of last year. (T Here the meaning of to contract is to shrink.)3. This is slightly better than expected. (F this is slightly worse than expected)4. Overall GDP (Gross Domestic Product) increased by 0.9% between 2010 and 2011. (T to increase = to rise)5. There have been fears that Britain would suffer a double-tip recession. (F a double-dip recession)6. Economists define a recession as two consecutive quarters of shrinkage. (T)7. The reporter says employment is on the rise. (F unemployment is on the rise)8. There are fears that the opening three months of 2012 will be disappointing. (T)9. Last quarter manufacturing output fell sharply. (T a big drop in output from manufacturing)10. Meanwhile business in hotels and restrooms was down. (F business in hotels and restaurants)11. President Obama has just given his annual Steak of the Union speech. (F State of the Union)12. He wants the US tax system to be fairer, with the richest Americans paying more tax. (T wealthiest = richest)13. His opponents have called his policy a classic war. (F a class war)14. US Special Forces have rescued two aid workers held by pirates in Somalia from the beginning of October last year. (T for three months i.e. since October)15. The aid workers are both from Denmark. (F the Danish man and an American woman)16. They werent hurt in the rescue operation. (T they were unharmed in the operation)17. The Arab League mission in Syria has been extended by a fortnight. (F It has been extended until 23rd February. i.e. by over four weeks)18. Yesterday five Gulf states joined Saudi Arabia in sending monitors to Syria. (F in withdrawing its monitors from the mission)19. A paedophile has been found dead in prison in Chester. (F in Manchester)20. It seems the man committed suicide. (T after apparently hanging himself)21. Martin Schmidts wife Lianne is in custody in Spain. (F Martin Smiths wife)22. She is accused of murdering her parents in a hotel two years ago. (F her two young children)23. The childrens bodies were found the day the man was extradited to Britain to face child sex abuse charges. (T)BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am ADVANCED: QUESTIONS1. When were the figures released?2. How much did the British economy shrink by in the final quarter of 2011?3. Will the Government be pleased with this figure?4. What do the initials GDP stand for?5. Was GDP higher in 2010 than in 2011?6. What type of recession might Britain be facing, according to some people?7. What brought on the first severe economic downturn in Britain?8. How do economists define a recession?9. What is the economic debt crisis still hurting?10. What is rising?11. What may the first quarter of 2012 be in economic terms?12. What fell heavily last quarter?13. Which fuels saw a fall in demand?14. Where was business down last quarter?15. What happened to construction work?16. What do American presidents give every year?17. Who should pay more tax, according to President Obama?18. What have President Obamas opponents called his policy?19. Who have been rescued by US Special Forces after being held by Somalian pirates for three months?20. What nationality are they?21. Who were they employed by?22. Which word means not injured?23. What has happened to the Arab Leagues mission to Syria?24. Who withdrew their monitors from the mission yesterday?25. Where has a paedophile been found dead?26. How does he seem to have committed suicide?27. What is Martin Smiths wife Lianne accused of doing?28. Where is she being held in custody?29. What were discovered on the same day Martin Smith was extradited to Britain?30. What charges did he face?BBC RADIO 4 NEWSWednesday, 25th January 201210.00am ADVANCED: ANSWERS1. When were the figures released? within the past half hour2. How much did the British economy shrink by in the final quarter of 2011? 0.2%3. Will the Government be pleased with this figure? No its slightly worse than expected.4. What do the initials GDP stand for? Gross Domestic Product5. Was GDP higher in 2010 than in 2011? No GDP rose by 0.9% last year compared with 2010.6. What type of recession might Britain be facing, according to some people? a double-dip recession7. What brought on the first severe economic downturn in Britain? the credit crunch8. How do economists define a recession? two consecutive months of shrinkage9. What is the economic debt crisis still hurting? confidence10. What is rising? unemployment11. What may the first quarter of 2012 be in economic terms? disappointing12. What fell heavily last quarter? output from manufacturing/manufacturing output13. Which fuels saw a fall in demand? gas and electricity14. Where was business down last quarter? in hotels and restaurants15. What happened to construction work? It also tailed off.16. What do American presidents give every year? They give a State of the Union speech/address17. Who should pay more tax, according to President Obama? the wealthiest Americans18. What have President Obamas opponents