英语听力精选进阶版 13816

Time to cross the road!

Summary

3 July 2012

How long does it take to cross the road? This is not a joke, it's a serious question. And in the Netherlands they think they've found the answer. However, with a growing population of over 60s, some say the system needs to change to allow more time for everyone to cross safely.

Reporter:

Anna Holligan

Report

Anna: At this busy crossing near the centre of town and just outside a hospital, you've got around 20 seconds to make it across the road.

Hillie: My name is Hillie Talens, and I work as a project manager for CROW. 

Anna: So you're in control of all this, all these roads basically¹?

Hillie: In the end road authorities² and other people use our guidelines³ to make the Netherlands more beautiful and sustainable⁴, etc.

Anna: We're standing⁵ at some lights now, they've just turned green.

Hillie: So we start walking and we can walk with a speed of 0.8 metres per second and reach the other side, so not so fast.

Anna: Not so fast. We're walking at quite a leisurely⁶ pace… but it's flashing already.

Hillie: So what?

Anna: So we're only half way across the road.

Hillie: But they don't drive, they don't try to kill us. So we're here, it's red, we're here, they're still not driving!

Anna: But it's not enough time for everyone. And it's not just the elderly⁷ who are having problems getting across on time.

Joella: My name is Joella, I'm not walking slow, but sometimes it's going so fast, especially when I'm with my baby girl, I have a daughter, then I'm going to run because it's scared, yeah!

Anna: So would the authorities be willing⁸ to give the pedestrians⁹ more time?

Hillie: We could consider this but you can imagine how much time we will lose just by making some people feel more safe. It's just about feelings. 

Anna: So the cost to changing the system would be the whole country would slow down?

Hillie: Yeah, if you look at a huge scale¹⁰ maybe the whole country will slow down.

Anna: So the drivers will just have to be patient.

1 basically   

adv.基本上，从根本上说

参考例句：

• His heart is basically sound.他的心脏基本上健康。
• Basically I agree with your plan.我基本上同意你的计划。

2 authorities   

n.当局，权力，权威；权威( authority的名词复数 )；权力；学术权威；[复数]当权者

参考例句：

• They interceded with the authorities on behalf of the detainees. 他们为被拘留者向当局求情。
• At his instigation we conceal the fact from the authorities. 我们受他的怂恿向当局隐瞒了事实。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 guidelines   

n.指导方针，准则

参考例句：

• The government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill. 政府制订了对待精神病人的指导方针。
• Planners seem a little uncomfortable with the current government guidelines. 规划师似乎不太接受现行的政府指道方针。

4 sustainable   

adj.足可支撑的，养得起的，可以忍受的

参考例句：

• What is sustainable economic development?什么是可持续的经济发展？
• Our capability for sustainable development was enhanced.我们可持续发展能力增强。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 leisurely   

adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的

参考例句：

• We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着，看遍所有的橱窗。
• He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐，高兴的开车去工作。

7 elderly   

adj.年老的；年龄相当大的

参考例句：

• He is getting elderly.他逐渐变老了。
• The elderly man is quite energetic.这位上了年纪的老人仍精力充沛。

8 willing   

adj.愿意的，自愿的，乐意的，心甘情愿的

参考例句：

• We never lack food and clothing if we're willing to work.如果我们愿意工作,就不会缺吃少穿。
• He's quite willing to pay the price I ask.他很愿意照我的要价付钱。

9 pedestrians   

n.步行者( pedestrian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Several pedestrians had come to grief on the icy pavement. 几个行人在结冰的人行道上滑倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Pedestrians keep to the sidewalk [footpath]! 行人走便道。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 scale   

n.比例；程度；范围

参考例句：

• The scale of this map is an inch to a mile.这张地图的比例尺是一英寸代表一英里。
• He's in business on a small scale.他做的是小本生意。