一、泛听建议：

　　1、完整听一遍，掌握大意。

　　2、继续听，特别注意关键信息。遇到相似的词，写下来。

　　Flu activity is increasing across this country especially in the South-Central US. NPR's Jim Hawk reports federal health officials now report _1_ activity in ten states.

　　流感几乎在全美传播，最严重的就是美国中南部地区。据NPR新闻的吉姆·霍克报道，据联邦卫生官员报告，目前流感已蔓延至美国的十个州。

　　In its latest weekly report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the cases of influenza are now turned the widespread in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Wyoming and Alaska. This is an increase from just four states reporting widespread activity the week before. 23 more states _2_ regional flu outbreaks. Only the southwestern US _3_ escape the worst of this year's flu season so far. The predominate strain people are suffering from this H1N1 virus which is actually a good news because this year's flu vaccine protests against it. Jim Hawk, NPR News.

　　这是最新的周报告，美国疾病控制与预防中心发现，目前流感病例在纽约州、马萨诸塞州、宾夕法尼亚州、弗吉尼亚州、阿拉巴马州、路易斯安那州、得克萨斯州、堪萨斯州、怀俄明州及阿拉斯加州传播。这与上周的报告相比有所上升，上周仅报告了4个州存在流感蔓延现象。另有23个州报告了局部流感爆发的情况。目前只有美国西南部地区成功避免了今年的流感季，这是迄今为止最严重的一次流感。大部分民众都感染了H1N1流感病毒，但这实际上是个好消息，因为今年的流感疫苗能抵抗这种病毒。NPR新闻，吉姆·霍克报道。

　　In New York City's Time Square in New Year's Eve Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will _4_ the final 60-second countdown to 2014. The Bronx native will push the ceremonial button _5_ descend the giant crystal ball. Tim Tomkins is one of the coordinators of the event.

　　最高法院大法官索尼娅·索托马约尔将于新年前夜在纽约时代广场带领大家进行最后的60秒倒计时，迎接2014年的到来。这位土生土长的布朗克斯人将按下按钮，开始巨大的水晶球降落倒计时仪式。蒂姆·汤姆金斯是这次活动的其中一名协调员。

　　"You know there are sometimes when we go with the most significant person in pop culture but there are other times when we pick someone who is inspirational and aspirational because that matches some the deeper themes of New Year's Eve as well."

　　“你知道有时我们会选择让流行文化中最具影响力的人来完成倒计时，但是有时我们会挑选那些鼓舞人心、给人带来希望的人，因为这与新年前夜的深层次含义相符。”

　　Once again organizers are expected a million people to crowd into the Time Square for the traditional New Year's Eve celebration.

　　组织者预期今年来时代广场参加传统的新年前夜庆祝仪式的观众依然会有一百万。

　　词汇解析：

　　1、protest against

　　抗议；提出异议；反对；

　　eg. Groups of women took to the streets to protest against the arrests.

　　成群结队的妇女上街抗议逮捕行动。

　　eg. You can protest against malice, you can unmask it or prevent it by force.

　　你可以抵抗恶意，你可以揭下它的面具，或者凭借力量来防止它。

　　2、countdown . 倒数计秒

　　eg:The countdown has begun for the launch of the space shuttle.

　　航天飞机发射前的倒计时已经开始。

　　eg:Countdown clocks on pedestrian "walk" signs.

　　行人“通行”标志的倒计时钟。

　　参考答案：

　　1、widespread 2、are reporting 3、has managed to

　　4、lead 5、starting to