正在进行同类研究中规模最大的研究的科学家表示，在深海开采矿物的机器会对海床上的生命造成巨大伤害。

At the heart of the deep-sea mining controversy is a difficult problem. The world needs critical minerals to tackle climate change but extracting them from the sea floor could cause serious environmental harm. This research by the Natural History Museum and National Oceanography Centre analysed the impact of trial mining in the Pacific Ocean. It found that where the mining vehicle had harvested minerals, the number of animals living in the area was reduced by 37%.

在对深海采矿的争议的核心有一个难以回答的问题。世界需要关键的矿物来应对气候变化，但从海底提取这些矿物会造成严重的环境损害。这项由伦敦自然史博物馆和英国国家海洋学中心共同参与的研究分析了在太平洋中试验性采矿的影响。研究发现，在采矿车辆采集了矿物的区域，在此生活的动物的数量减少了 37%。

The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it harbours vital life that could be lost if mining goes ahead. The mining firm The Metals Company commissioned the research. A spokesperson said they were encouraged by findings that animals outside of the directly mined areas were not affected.

海洋深处几乎没有被人类探索过，许多科学家担心深海中藏有重要的生物，而如果开始采矿，这些生物就会消失。采矿公司加拿大金属公司（The Metals Company）委托进行了这项研究。该公司的一位发言人说，金属公司对研究结果感到鼓舞，因为研究发现在直接开采区域外的动物并未受到影响。

词汇表

heart 核心，中心
critical 关键的
tackle 应对
extracting 提取
sea floor 海底
trial 试验
harvested 采集了，收获了
barely 几乎没有
harbours 为…提供栖息地
commissioned 委托…做
encouraged 受鼓舞的，被鼓励的

听力练习

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. This article is mostly about…
a. the opportunity to mine critical minerals.
b. risks to marine wildlife from undersea mining.

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. Why do people need critical minerals?
a. to fight climate change
b. to protect the sea floor
c. to help explore

2. Marine life declined by over a third in the location where the trial happened.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3. The seabed has been well-studied.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. The mining firm who commissioned the research reacted in a _______ way.
a. negative
b. positive
c. neutral

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. At ________________ the deep-sea mining controversy is a difficult problem.

2. The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it ________________ that could be lost if mining goes ahead.

答案

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

b. This article is mostly about the risk to marine wildlife from undersea mining.

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. The world needs critical minerals to tackle climate change but extracting them from the sea floor could cause serious environmental harm.

2. a. True. It found that where the mining vehicle had harvested minerals, the number of animals living in the area was reduced by 37%.

3. b. False. The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it harbours vital life that could be lost if mining goes ahead.

4. b. The mining firm The Metals Company commissioned the research. A spokesperson said they were encouraged by findings that animals outside of the directly mined areas were not affected.

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. At the heart of the deep-sea mining controversy is a difficult problem.

2. The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it harbours vital life that could be lost if mining goes ahead.