英语听力精选进阶版 13952

Belgium beer dispute

Vocabulary

scarcely believable

very difficult to believe because it's so unlikely

run out

finish, use or sell all of something, so that there is none left

blockade

when a factory is surrounded by workers to stop goods (here, beer) from going in or out

brewing

process of making beer (usually from hops, water, malt and yeast)

brewery

place where beer is made

stocks are running low

the supply (here, of beer) is getting very small

unions are protesting

organised groups of workers are showing their disagreement by taking some action (for example, withdrawing their labour or here, stopping beer leaving the brewery)

to cut

to reduce or make smaller

talks aimed at resolving the dispute have got nowhere

discussions to try to find a solution to the problem have not been successful

one-off

something (here, a supply or batch of beer) that is made only once