尽管自然界的许多物种具备使牙齿反复再生的能力，但人类只有一次换牙期，长出一口健康恒牙的机会也只有一次。不过现在，这个情况或将改变。

Researchers from King's College and Imperial College developed a material that mimics the environment needed for tooth development, allowing cells to send signals and begin forming a tooth.

伦敦国王学院和帝国理工大学的研究人员研发出了一种模拟牙齿生长环境的材料，这种材料可以促使细胞发出信号并开始形成牙齿。

The idea is that the lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate and integrate into the jaw, creating a new set that's stronger and far more durable than traditional fillings or implants.

这项研究的想法是让实验室培育的牙齿能够自然地再生并与颌骨结合在一起，从而长出一套更坚固的新牙，其耐用度也会优于补牙用的传统填充材料或种植牙。

It could take years before these lab-grown teeth are seen in the mouths of dental patients. But scientists say once they discover how to do it, it will revolutionise oral health.

我们可能还需要很多年时间才能看到这种在实验室中培育的牙齿被应用于牙科患者的口腔中。但是科学家们表示，一旦他们研究出应用方法，此项技术就将彻底改变口腔健康。

词汇表

mimics 模拟，模仿
signals 信号
forming 形成
lab-grown 在实验室里培育或合成的
integrate 结合，融合
jaw 颌骨
durable 耐用的，持久的
fillings （补牙的）填料，填充物
implants 种植牙，植入物
oral health 口腔健康

听力练习

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. What have researchers discovered how to do with teeth?

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. Scientists have created something similar to where teeth normally grow
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. What part of the body creates the tooth?
a. jaws
b. cells
c. implants

3. Scientists hope to develop something that will last longer than current ways of replacing teeth.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. Patients will soon be able receive lab-grown teeth.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. The idea is that the lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate and integrate into the jaw, creating a new set that's stronger and far more durable than traditional ________________.

2. It could take years before these lab-grown teeth ________________ the mouths of dental patients.

答案

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. What have researchers discovered how to do with teeth?

Researchers have discovered how to grow teeth in a laboratory.

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. a. True. Researchers from King's College and Imperial College developed a material that mimics the environment needed for tooth development, allowing cells to send signals and begin forming a tooth.

2. b. cells. Researchers from King's College and Imperial College developed a material that mimics the environment needed for tooth development, allowing cells to send signals and begin forming a tooth.

3. a. True. The idea is that the lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate and integrate into the jaw creating a new set that's stronger and far more durable than traditional fillings or implants.

4. b. False. It could take years before these lab-grown teeth are seen in the mouths of dental patients.

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. The idea is that the lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate and integrate into the jaw creating a new set that's stronger and far more durable than traditional fillings or implants.

2. It could take years before these lab-grown teeth are seen in the mouths of dental patients.