许多英国病虫害防治公司在过去五年中因老鼠导致的呼叫请求出现了增长。这一趋势不仅仅正在影响着英国。有报道称，多个美国城市都出现了老鼠数量的激增，包括华盛顿特区、旧金山和纽约市，以及阿姆斯特丹和多伦多。
The British Pest Control Association says its members have recorded an increase in complaints about rat activity around the UK. Cleankill, a company that operates in the south of England, says it's seen a 20% rise in call-outs about rats in the last two years, and climate change may be playing a role.
英国虫害防治协会称，其成员记录了英国各地对老鼠的活动情况投诉数量的增长。一家在英格兰南部地区开展业务的名为 “Cleankill” 的公司称，他们在过去两年中发现由老鼠引起的呼叫请求上升了 20%，而气候变化可能是其中一个原因。
A study published earlier this year of 16 cities around the world, mostly in North America, found a strong link between rising temperatures and rat activity. The researchers believe warmer winters enable rats to reproduce more rapidly.
今年早些时候发布的一项针对全球 16 座主要分布在北美洲的城市的研究发现气温上升和老鼠的活动情况之间有密切联系。研究人员认为，更温暖的冬季让老鼠能以更快的速度繁殖。
But there are also other issues at play. Pest controllers say our overflowing bins, fractured communities and growing appetite for fast food all allow rats to thrive.
不过依然有其它因素在发挥作用。害虫防治人员表示，人们满当当的垃圾桶、分崩离析的社区关系和快餐食品盛行都让老鼠得以快速成长。
词汇表
operates 经营，运营
call-outs 招工上门服务
playing a role 发挥作用
enable 使…能够
at play 起作用，产生影响
overflowing 满溢出来的
fractured 破碎的，分裂的
thrive 茁壮成长，快速成长
听力练习
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
1. What is this report mainly about?
a. The relationship between rats and humans in cities.
b. What can be done about rat population increases.
c. Why rat populations are increasing in cities.
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 British Pest Control Association says in the UK, there has been an increase in…
a. rat births.
b. complaints.
c. rat species.
2. There has been a(an) _______ increase in call outs about rats in the last two years, according to Cleankill.
3. The study published earlier this year only looked at cities in the UK.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
4. Why might rising temperatures contribute to rising rat populations, according to researchers?
a. rats can spend more time outside
b. rats are better at reproducing in warmer temperatures
c. there is more food for rats in warmer temperatures
5. Which of the following is NOT included in the report as a factor which contributes to rising rat populations?
a. bins with too much rubbish
b. more empty spaces for rats to live
c. humans eating more fast food
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. A study published earlier this year of 16 cities around the world, mostly in North America, found ________________ between rising temperatures and rat activity.
2. The researchers believe ________________ enable rats to reproduce more rapidly.
答案
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
1. What is this report mainly about?
c. Why rat populations are increasing in cities.
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. b. The British Pest Control Association says its members have recorded an increase in complaints about rat activity around the UK.
2. There has been a 20% increase in callouts about rats in the last two years, according to Cleankill.
3. b. False. A study published earlier this year of 16 cities around the world, mostly in North America…
4. b. The researchers believe warmer winters enable rats to reproduce more rapidly.
5. b. Factors which contribute to rising rat populations included in the article are: rising temperatures, overflowing bins, fractured communities, and a growing appetite for fast food.
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. A study published earlier this year of 16 cities around the world, mostly in North America, found a strong link between rising temperatures and rat activity.
2. The researchers believe warmer winters enable rats to reproduce more rapidly.