一个科考团队在太平洋西南部发现了已知最大的珊瑚。珊瑚是由众多体型微小的生物互相连接形成的。这个超大珊瑚可能超过 300 岁。

The coral was spotted by a videographer diving off a National Geographic research ship in the Solomon Islands.

这个珊瑚是由一位搭乘国家地理学会科考船的摄像师在所罗门群岛潜水时发现的。

It is 32m long, larger than a blue whale. It may be up to 500 years old. It is made up of billions of tiny creatures forming one organism, making it different to a coral reef. It is mostly brown, with patches of bright yellows, blues and reds.

这片 32 米长的珊瑚比蓝鲸还要大。它可能拥有长达 500 年之久的历史。该珊瑚是一个由数亿微小的生物组成的一个独立的有机体，这是它与珊瑚礁之间的不同之处。它大体上呈棕色，带有一些黄色、蓝色和红色的明亮斑块。

At the UN climate talks, COP29, the Solomon Islands' climate minister said the nation's coral reefs are special and need more protection from global warming.

所罗门群岛的气候大臣在第 29 届联合国气候变化大会上表示，该国独特的珊瑚礁需要更多的保护来应对全球变暖。

词汇表

spotted 发现，目击
videographer 摄像师
blue whale 蓝鲸
organism 有机体
coral reef 珊瑚礁
patches 斑块
talks 会谈
global warming 全球变暖

听力练习

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. Write one sentence describing the coral that was found.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. The diver was on the research ship because he was looking for coral.

a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. The coral was spotted by a _______ diving off a research ship.

3. The coral is the same size as a blue whale.

a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. It is _______ billions of tiny creatures forming one organism.

5. The coral is colourful, but the main colour is…

a. brown
b. red
c. bright yellow

6. A politician has said the coral reefs need more protection against climate change.

a. True
b. False
c. Not given

答案

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. Write one sentence describing the coral that was found.

The coral is very long, old, made of tiny creatures and mostly brown.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. Not given. The coral was spotted by a videographer diving off a National Geographic research ship in the Solomon Islands. We don't know what the purpose of the trip was.

2. The coral was spotted by a videographer diving off a research ship.

3. False. It is 32m long, larger than a blue whale.

4. It is made up of billions of tiny creatures forming one organism.

5. Brown. It is mostly brown, with patches of bright yellows, blues and reds.

6. True. the Solomon Islands' climate minister said the nation's coral reefs are special and need more protection from global warming.