BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Sleepwalking
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 6
Alice: Hello, I'm Alice…
Stephen: And I'm Stephen.
Alice: And this is 6 Minute English! This week we’re talking about sleepwalking.
Have you ever walked in your sleep, Stephen?
Stephen: I don’t think so, but I’ve been known to tell stories in my sleep.
Alice: Oh, fascinating. This is a new development by scientists in the United States
that shows that sleepwalking is genetic – it’s passed on from parent to child.
They’ve been looking at the genes of four generations of a family who have a
lot of sleepwalkers. But before we find out more, I have a question for you,
Stephen. What do the letters REM stand for? And it’s not just the name of an
American pop group….
Stephen: REM – that’s something to do with sleep?
Alice: It is – does it stand for:
a) rapid eye movement
b) random eye movement or
c) relative eye movement
Stephen: I’m going to guess a) rapid eye movement.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 2 of 6
Alice: As usual, I won’t tell you the answer now – we’ll find out at the end of the
programme! So let’s hear more about what it’s like to be a sleepwalker. Here’s
Margaret Brand, a woman who often spends several hours a night sleepwalking:
Insert 1: Margaret Brand
Sometimes I was just back in bed and didn’t know that I’d sleepwalked. But I’d wake
up in the morning and find that things had been moved or eaten or forgotten – and it
had to be me because I was the only person in the flat. Other times I would wake up,
usually in the kitchen. I took medication – on one occasion, three 20ml doses of
morphine.
Alice: Margaret Brand said that she moves or eats things when she’s sleepwalking,
and she once took medication – drugs - while she was asleep.
Stephen: She says on one occasion, she took doses of morphine.
Alice: That’s dangerous. There are also other instances when sleepwalking can put the
person or other people in danger. Dr Dev Banerjee is a sleep expert at the
Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, in the UK. He says that there have been
occasions when sleepwalkers have injured themselves, or even got into their
cars to drive:
Insert 2: Dr Dev Banerjee
I think (for) the majority of those that sleepwalk (it) is fairly harmless and quite novel
actually, but there are a proportion who do injure themselves, fall down the stairs. I’ve
got someone from Bristol who put his hand through a glass window and severed his
radial artery. Not only just injuries, but risks of injuries such as getting out the house,
onto the street. There have been cases, I think in America, where people have got into
their car and drove down a freeway.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 3 of 6
Alice: Dr Dev Banerjee, who says that usually sleepwalking is harmless – even novel
– unique and quite amusing.
Stephen: What else do scientists know about sleepwalking, Alice?
Alice: They know it’s pretty common. One in five children sleepwalk and one in ten
adults. And there’s a new development by scientists in the United States that
shows it runs in families – it’s genetic.
Stephen: It is passed on from parent to child in a person’s genes. Genes control which
features identify a person.
Alice: Scientists examined the DNA – the genetic code of a family of four generations
who suffer from sleepwalking, and found that they carried a defective gene,
chromosome 20.
Stephen: A defective gene – that’s a gene which has a fault. DNA is the complicated
code that makes a human unique and is carried from generation to generation.
Alice: Once the defective gene has been identified it means it could be easier to find
treatments and tests for sleepwalkers. People that carry the defective gene have
a 50-50 chance of passing it onto their children.
Stephen: 50–50 - that means they have an equal chance of either inheriting the gene or
not inheriting it! 50 per cent vs per cent.
Alice: Here’s the BBC’s Health Reporter, Michelle Roberts:
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 4 of 6
Insert 2: Michelle Roberts
DNA analysis of the 22 relatives, from the great-grandparents downwards, located the
chromosome where the fault lies. Sleepwalkers with these genes on chromosome 20, had
a 50-50 chance of passing them onto their children. More work is needed to see if the
discovery will explain all cases of sleepwalking, but in the meantime, the researchers say
it should help them to develop tests and treatments.
Alice: The BBC’s Health Reporter, Michelle Roberts, who says more work is needed
to see if the discovery of the sleepwalking gene will help explain all cases of
sleepwalking. Well, that’s all we have time for today, Stephen – but before we
go, what did you think about REM?
Stephen: I guessed that it stands for ‘rapid eye movement’.
Alice: And you’re right. It’s the stage of sleep where your eyes move around a lot –
and it’s about 20-25% of your total sleep apparently.
Stephen: Well, don’t say you don’t learn anything new on 6 Minute English!
Alice: Exactly, Stephen. And before we go, because you did so well answering the
question, would you mind reading some of the words and phrases we’ve heard
today?
Stephen: Yes of course:
sleepwalk
genetic
genes
doses of medication
harmless
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 5 of 6
it runs in families
generations
defective
50-50
Alice: Thanks so much for that, Stephen. We hope you’ll join us next time on "6
Minute English".
Both: Bye.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 6 of 6
Vocabulary and definitions
sleepwalk do things while asleep, e.g. walk around
genetic inherited; a feature that someone was born with that was
passed on by their parents or grandparents
genes parts of living cells which carry information about physical
characteristics, e.g. a person’s appearance and health
doses of medication
specific amounts of medicines taken at regular times, as
instructed by a doctor
harmless not dangerous
it runs in families it is a feature or condition that affects several people who
are related
generations here, members of a family who are directly related through
their parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc
defective faulty, imperfect
50-50 two equal possibilities
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12394009
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/02/110224_6min_english_sleep_page.shtml
2011年2月27日 星期日
2011年2月14日 星期一
Love letters!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Love letters
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 7
Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer and Rob has joined me for today's 6 Minute English.
Now Rob, put your romantic hat on and tell us, have you ever sent or received
a love letter?
Rob: Mm – both actually. I have sent one and I've received one as well.
Yvonne: And why don't you write love letters any more?
Rob: Because there's not enough time.
Yvonne: Well, today we're going to make time for love, because we're talking about
‘Wives and Sweethearts’. It’s an exhibition at London's National Army
Museum. The exhibition includes letters from soldiers on the front line to their
loved ones which date back over the last 200 years. But before we find out
more – here's today's question, Rob.
Rob: OK!
Yvonne: In which year was The Royal Mail – Britain's postal service – founded?
a) 1516
b) 1710 or
c) 1780
Rob: I would say, quite a long time ago – probably 1710.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 7
Yvonne: OK, we'll find out whether you're right or wrong later on! Now, back to "Wives
and Sweethearts" – the collection of letters at the National Army Museum. It
aims to show us how army life affected personal relationships between soldiers
and their wives, sweethearts and families. But Rob – what would you say is 'a
sweetheart'?
Rob: It's a nice word, isn't it? And 'sweetheart' is quite an old-fashioned noun – so
now, we usually say 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend'. But basically, a sweetheart is
someone we're sweet on – someone we like a lot and hold dear to our heart.
We're very fond of them.
Yvonne: So we might call a child 'a sweetheart' - or even a colleague who we really
appreciate. So, thanks for that explanation Rob - you're a sweetheart!
Rob: And so are you!
Yvonne: Now, the letters in the exhibition were sent during the Napoleonic War, the
Crimean War, World Wars I and II and even during the conflicts we're
experiencing today. So they go back as far as 200 years. Let's listen to some
excerpts…
.
Insert 1: Excerpt from love letters
1. I do miss you so very much…
2. Shall we become engaged in a sort of distant way?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 7
Yvonne: The number of words used in the first excerpt gives the impression that the
letter was written a long time ago, doesn't it, Rob?
Rob: Yes, it does. And today, we'd probably be more direct and simply say: "I miss
you very much", but instead, we heard "I do miss you so very much".
Yvonne: Now the second writer seems quite shy or unsure of how the young lady feels,
because instead of simply asking his sweetheart to marry him, he suggests that
they become engaged while he's still away.
Rob: He suggests that they get engaged 'in a sort of distant way' because he's far
from home and can't propose marriage in person.
Yvonne: OK, well let's hope she accepted his proposal and that they got married after
the war. But of course, not all the letter writers were reunited, as Dr Frances
Parton, organiser of the exhibition, explains:
Insert 2: Dr Frances Parton, Exhibit Organiser
Some of them are very moving and quite distressing. Obviously, we've looked at all the
aspects of a soldier's relationship and sometimes that can be very, very difficult when it
involves separation and obviously, in worst case scenarios, bereavement.
Yvonne: Rob, Dr Parton describes some of the letters as 'very moving'. What does she
mean by that?
Rob: Well basically, when we read them, they make us feel very emotional –
perhaps even tearful.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 7
Yvonne: And some aspects – areas – of a soldier's relationship can involve 'worst case
scenarios'.
Rob: 'Worst case scenarios' are situations that couldn't possibly be sadder or more
dangerous, for example. And here, Dr Parton is talking about the fact that in
some cases, soldiers and their loved ones died.
Yvonne: Mm - well luckily, Caroline Flynn-MacCloud's husband recently returned
safely from a seven month deployment in Afghanistan. They have a wonderful
collection of love letters as a result, which are included in the exhibition at the
National Army Museum.
Rob: Wow – they must be very different from the love letters written by soldiers
hundreds of years ago.
Yvonne: Well funnily enough, Caroline says that they're not!
Insert 3: Caroline Flynn-MacCloud, wife of a soldier
Letters begin with the declaration of love and how much one is missing someone and end
pretty much the same way, and also saying not to worry. And in the middle, you have a
whole sort of section about quite banal things. When I wrote to him, sort of everyday
things to show life was going on as normal without him. And he wrote a bit about what
he was doing, but frustratingly, very little about what he was doing.
Yvonne: So letters start by saying how much people love and miss each other and they
end by asking each other not to worry. But the middle of the letters are quite
interesting, aren't they?
Rob: Yes, they are. That's where the banal things are written – the most ordinary or
even boring information about everyday life. But Caroline's husband didn't tell
her much about what he was doing out in Afghanistan.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 7
Yvonne: No, perhaps soldiers aren't allowed to send too many details home because of
security issues and of course, they don't want to worry their loved ones at
home, do they?
Rob: No.
Yvonne: Well I don't know about you Rob, but I think I'm going to try to get to that
exhibition – and perhaps write a few more love letters of my own!
Rob: A good idea, actually. It'll be good to get pen to paper again and not rely on email.
Yvonne: Exactly. Right Rob, earlier, I asked: in which year was the Royal Mail founded?
And you said…
Rob: I said 1710.
Yvonne: And you were….wrong!
Rob: Oh dear!
Yvonne: It was in 1516.
Rob: I am surprised. That is a long time ago so think of how many letters have been
sent since then.
Yvonne: Especially love letters.
Rob: Yes.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 7
Yvonne: Do join us again soon for more "6 Minute English".
Both: Goodbye!
Vocabulary and definitions
romantic someone who has a lot of positive and sometimes
unrealistic ideas, particularly about love
the front line place where soldiers are directly fighting their enemy in a
war, and in danger of being killed
a sweetheart A term used to express fondness for someone else,
sometimes in a romantic way
shy person who is quiet, nervous and uncomfortable with other
people
engaged two people who have promised to get married to each
other
distant far away
very moving something which makes you emotional
worst case scenarios the most unpleasant or unsatisfactory situations you can
imagine
deployment movement of army troops to a place
banal something that is very ordinary and not interesting
More on this story: http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/exhibitions/special-displays/wivessweethearts
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 7 of 7
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/110214_6min_english_love_page.shtml
6 Minute English
Love letters
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 7
Yvonne: Hello, I'm Yvonne Archer and Rob has joined me for today's 6 Minute English.
Now Rob, put your romantic hat on and tell us, have you ever sent or received
a love letter?
Rob: Mm – both actually. I have sent one and I've received one as well.
Yvonne: And why don't you write love letters any more?
Rob: Because there's not enough time.
Yvonne: Well, today we're going to make time for love, because we're talking about
‘Wives and Sweethearts’. It’s an exhibition at London's National Army
Museum. The exhibition includes letters from soldiers on the front line to their
loved ones which date back over the last 200 years. But before we find out
more – here's today's question, Rob.
Rob: OK!
Yvonne: In which year was The Royal Mail – Britain's postal service – founded?
a) 1516
b) 1710 or
c) 1780
Rob: I would say, quite a long time ago – probably 1710.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 7
Yvonne: OK, we'll find out whether you're right or wrong later on! Now, back to "Wives
and Sweethearts" – the collection of letters at the National Army Museum. It
aims to show us how army life affected personal relationships between soldiers
and their wives, sweethearts and families. But Rob – what would you say is 'a
sweetheart'?
Rob: It's a nice word, isn't it? And 'sweetheart' is quite an old-fashioned noun – so
now, we usually say 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend'. But basically, a sweetheart is
someone we're sweet on – someone we like a lot and hold dear to our heart.
We're very fond of them.
Yvonne: So we might call a child 'a sweetheart' - or even a colleague who we really
appreciate. So, thanks for that explanation Rob - you're a sweetheart!
Rob: And so are you!
Yvonne: Now, the letters in the exhibition were sent during the Napoleonic War, the
Crimean War, World Wars I and II and even during the conflicts we're
experiencing today. So they go back as far as 200 years. Let's listen to some
excerpts…
.
Insert 1: Excerpt from love letters
1. I do miss you so very much…
2. Shall we become engaged in a sort of distant way?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 7
Yvonne: The number of words used in the first excerpt gives the impression that the
letter was written a long time ago, doesn't it, Rob?
Rob: Yes, it does. And today, we'd probably be more direct and simply say: "I miss
you very much", but instead, we heard "I do miss you so very much".
Yvonne: Now the second writer seems quite shy or unsure of how the young lady feels,
because instead of simply asking his sweetheart to marry him, he suggests that
they become engaged while he's still away.
Rob: He suggests that they get engaged 'in a sort of distant way' because he's far
from home and can't propose marriage in person.
Yvonne: OK, well let's hope she accepted his proposal and that they got married after
the war. But of course, not all the letter writers were reunited, as Dr Frances
Parton, organiser of the exhibition, explains:
Insert 2: Dr Frances Parton, Exhibit Organiser
Some of them are very moving and quite distressing. Obviously, we've looked at all the
aspects of a soldier's relationship and sometimes that can be very, very difficult when it
involves separation and obviously, in worst case scenarios, bereavement.
Yvonne: Rob, Dr Parton describes some of the letters as 'very moving'. What does she
mean by that?
Rob: Well basically, when we read them, they make us feel very emotional –
perhaps even tearful.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 7
Yvonne: And some aspects – areas – of a soldier's relationship can involve 'worst case
scenarios'.
Rob: 'Worst case scenarios' are situations that couldn't possibly be sadder or more
dangerous, for example. And here, Dr Parton is talking about the fact that in
some cases, soldiers and their loved ones died.
Yvonne: Mm - well luckily, Caroline Flynn-MacCloud's husband recently returned
safely from a seven month deployment in Afghanistan. They have a wonderful
collection of love letters as a result, which are included in the exhibition at the
National Army Museum.
Rob: Wow – they must be very different from the love letters written by soldiers
hundreds of years ago.
Yvonne: Well funnily enough, Caroline says that they're not!
Insert 3: Caroline Flynn-MacCloud, wife of a soldier
Letters begin with the declaration of love and how much one is missing someone and end
pretty much the same way, and also saying not to worry. And in the middle, you have a
whole sort of section about quite banal things. When I wrote to him, sort of everyday
things to show life was going on as normal without him. And he wrote a bit about what
he was doing, but frustratingly, very little about what he was doing.
Yvonne: So letters start by saying how much people love and miss each other and they
end by asking each other not to worry. But the middle of the letters are quite
interesting, aren't they?
Rob: Yes, they are. That's where the banal things are written – the most ordinary or
even boring information about everyday life. But Caroline's husband didn't tell
her much about what he was doing out in Afghanistan.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 7
Yvonne: No, perhaps soldiers aren't allowed to send too many details home because of
security issues and of course, they don't want to worry their loved ones at
home, do they?
Rob: No.
Yvonne: Well I don't know about you Rob, but I think I'm going to try to get to that
exhibition – and perhaps write a few more love letters of my own!
Rob: A good idea, actually. It'll be good to get pen to paper again and not rely on email.
Yvonne: Exactly. Right Rob, earlier, I asked: in which year was the Royal Mail founded?
And you said…
Rob: I said 1710.
Yvonne: And you were….wrong!
Rob: Oh dear!
Yvonne: It was in 1516.
Rob: I am surprised. That is a long time ago so think of how many letters have been
sent since then.
Yvonne: Especially love letters.
Rob: Yes.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 7
Yvonne: Do join us again soon for more "6 Minute English".
Both: Goodbye!
Vocabulary and definitions
romantic someone who has a lot of positive and sometimes
unrealistic ideas, particularly about love
the front line place where soldiers are directly fighting their enemy in a
war, and in danger of being killed
a sweetheart A term used to express fondness for someone else,
sometimes in a romantic way
shy person who is quiet, nervous and uncomfortable with other
people
engaged two people who have promised to get married to each
other
distant far away
very moving something which makes you emotional
worst case scenarios the most unpleasant or unsatisfactory situations you can
imagine
deployment movement of army troops to a place
banal something that is very ordinary and not interesting
More on this story: http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/exhibitions/special-displays/wivessweethearts
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 7 of 7
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/110214_6min_english_love_page.shtml
2011年2月10日 星期四
Shark's fin soup!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Shark's fin soup
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 7
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and Finn has kindly joined me
for today's programme. Hello Finn!
Finn: Hello Yvonne – how are you?
Yvonne: Oh, I'm great thanks! Now, 2011 is the year of the Rabbit in the Chinese lunar
calendar - and Finn, your name is a brilliant clue for today's topic.
Finn: It is.
Yvonne: We're talking about a traditional dish that many people expect to find on the
menu to celebrate the New Year!
Finn: Yes, so what could it be? My name is Finn and we're talking about the dish
'shark’s fin soup'.
Yvonne: Excellent! Now, in Taiwan this year, shark's fin soup may be missing from
quite a few menus. But before we find out why – I've a question for you, Finn.
Are you ready?
Finn: Okay, I'm ready.
Yvonne: Good. Which type of shark is the longest fish in the world?
a) the great white shark
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 7
b) the whale shark or
c) the hammerhead shark
Finn: Okay, let me see. Well, whales are very big so I think - b) the whale shark.
Yvonne: Right - and I'll tell you whether you're right or wrong later on! For some time
now, animal rights activists have been calling for a ban on shark's fin soup
because of the way the sharks are treated. Finn, explain what 'a ban' is for us
please, because it doesn't mean the same as 'illegal' does it?
Finn: No, not quite. 'A ban' is an official order or statement saying that something
isn't allowed anymore, rather than a law saying that something is illegal - or
that it's a crime. For example, in the UK, smoking cigarettes in offices is
banned but it's not against the law to smoke cigarettes.
Yvonne: Right. Once their fins are chopped off, many sharks are just thrown back into
the sea to die.
.
Finn: Yes, and sadly for the sharks, the simple reason for this is because it saves
space on the fishermen's boats.
Yvonne: Mm, it is very sad. Now the campaign against shark's fin soup is starting to
show small signs of progress. But the BBC's Cindy Sui was still able to find a
restaurant window in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, where a large, dried shark's fin
was on display. Here's what the restaurant's manager told Cindy:
Insert 1: Restaurant owner, Taipei
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 7
Look at our restaurant, there's hardly any business. The media coverage has affected us,
but many of the fish are caught whole, not just for the fins. In Taiwan, we eat all the
shark, not just the fin.
Yvonne: The restaurant owner says that the media coverage about the campaign to ban
shark's fin soup means he's had fewer customers. As he puts it: "there's hardly
any business". Finn, can you explain what he means by 'the media coverage'
though?
Finn: Yes, well it means things like articles in newspapers and online, as well as
news bulletins and programmes on television and radio – all the publicity, all
gathered together - that's what we call 'media coverage'.
Yvonne: Great. Taiwan catches between 40,000 and 60,000 tons of shark meat each year
for its own use, and the restaurant manager we heard from clearly doesn't agree
that there should be a ban on shark's fin. Now, you lived in Taiwan for a few
years, didn't you Finn?
Finn: I did – yes.
Yvonne: Was this an issue there at the time?
Finn: Well, I lived there about 10 years ago and I have to say there wasn't a lot of
media coverage about banning shark's fin soup at the time.
Yvonne: So, let's find out who is getting involved in the campaign at this time to help
save sharks from a cruel death, from the BBC's Cindy Sui:
Insert 2: Cindy Sui, BBC Correspondent, Taipai
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 7
In recent years, an increasing number of young people in Taiwan are refusing to order
shark's fin or serve it at their wedding banquets, even though it has long been
considered a must on banquet menus. Celebrities have also spoken out against eating
shark's fin.
Yvonne: So celebrities have spoken out against eating shark's fin?
Finn: They have. They've made it clear to the public that they support a ban – they've
spoken out against it.
Yvonne: And young people are refusing to order shark's fin or to serve it at wedding
feasts, even though it's traditional. We could say they're 'boycotting' it,
couldn't we Finn?
Finn: We could yes – 'boycotting'.
Yvonne: So when you were in that part of the world Finn, was it really 'a must' – an
essential choice on a good menu for special occasions? And I'm scared to ask,
but have you tried shark's fin soup?
Finn: You know - I have actually. And yes, it was at a special occasion - a wedding
in Taiwan, and it did taste very nice. But at the same time, you feel a bit bad
because of the cruelty to the shark. And of course, it's a very prestigious dish
in Chinese culture.
Yvonne: But if the whole fish is being eaten, wouldn't that make a difference?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 7
Finn: I think yes, if you were to eat the whole fish and it wasn't wasted, then that
would make a big difference. And I think that's really at the core of the issue
here, isn't it?
Yvonne: I think so. Now, earlier Finn, I asked: Which type of shark is the longest fish in
the world.
Finn: Mm-hmm. And I said b) the whale shark. Was I right?
Yvonne: Errr….
Finn: Was I right?
Yvonne: Yes!
Finn: Oh, fantastic!
Yvonne: Well done Finn! And the longest ever recorded was 13.5 metres.
Finn: Now that is very long, isn't it.
Yvonne: Huge – yes.
Finn: That's a big shark!
Yvonne: Now, how about a Chinese New Year greeting to say goodbye from today's "6
Minute English"?
Finn: Yes, this is the beginning of the year of the rabbit, so we can say: "Happy New
Year" which is: "Xin nian kuai le". Yvonne?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 7
Yvonne: Xin nian kuai le.
Finn: Xin nian kuai le. Happy New Year everyone!
Yvonne: Happy New Year!
Finn: Bye for now
Yvonne: Goodbye!
Vocabulary and definitions
lunar calendar something that shows the days and months in a year, based
on the moon’s journey around the Earth each month
a clue a piece of information which can help to find answers
animal rights activists people who try to bring attention to the cruel treatment of
animals and get laws introduced to help protect them
a ban an official order or statement saying that something isn't
allowed
thrown back carelessly tossed or flung to where it came from
the campaign the organised set of activities aimed at achieving an
objective
the media coverage all the information given about a particular situation or
event in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, websites etc
boycotting refusing to buy goods or be involved in activities because
you don’t agree with them
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 7 of 7
a must something which most people think is essential
prestigious highly thought of, respected and valued
More on this story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8470945.stm
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/110210_6min_english_soup_page.shtml
6 Minute English
Shark's fin soup
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 7
Yvonne: This is 6 Minute English, I'm Yvonne Archer - and Finn has kindly joined me
for today's programme. Hello Finn!
Finn: Hello Yvonne – how are you?
Yvonne: Oh, I'm great thanks! Now, 2011 is the year of the Rabbit in the Chinese lunar
calendar - and Finn, your name is a brilliant clue for today's topic.
Finn: It is.
Yvonne: We're talking about a traditional dish that many people expect to find on the
menu to celebrate the New Year!
Finn: Yes, so what could it be? My name is Finn and we're talking about the dish
'shark’s fin soup'.
Yvonne: Excellent! Now, in Taiwan this year, shark's fin soup may be missing from
quite a few menus. But before we find out why – I've a question for you, Finn.
Are you ready?
Finn: Okay, I'm ready.
Yvonne: Good. Which type of shark is the longest fish in the world?
a) the great white shark
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 2 of 7
b) the whale shark or
c) the hammerhead shark
Finn: Okay, let me see. Well, whales are very big so I think - b) the whale shark.
Yvonne: Right - and I'll tell you whether you're right or wrong later on! For some time
now, animal rights activists have been calling for a ban on shark's fin soup
because of the way the sharks are treated. Finn, explain what 'a ban' is for us
please, because it doesn't mean the same as 'illegal' does it?
Finn: No, not quite. 'A ban' is an official order or statement saying that something
isn't allowed anymore, rather than a law saying that something is illegal - or
that it's a crime. For example, in the UK, smoking cigarettes in offices is
banned but it's not against the law to smoke cigarettes.
Yvonne: Right. Once their fins are chopped off, many sharks are just thrown back into
the sea to die.
.
Finn: Yes, and sadly for the sharks, the simple reason for this is because it saves
space on the fishermen's boats.
Yvonne: Mm, it is very sad. Now the campaign against shark's fin soup is starting to
show small signs of progress. But the BBC's Cindy Sui was still able to find a
restaurant window in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, where a large, dried shark's fin
was on display. Here's what the restaurant's manager told Cindy:
Insert 1: Restaurant owner, Taipei
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 3 of 7
Look at our restaurant, there's hardly any business. The media coverage has affected us,
but many of the fish are caught whole, not just for the fins. In Taiwan, we eat all the
shark, not just the fin.
Yvonne: The restaurant owner says that the media coverage about the campaign to ban
shark's fin soup means he's had fewer customers. As he puts it: "there's hardly
any business". Finn, can you explain what he means by 'the media coverage'
though?
Finn: Yes, well it means things like articles in newspapers and online, as well as
news bulletins and programmes on television and radio – all the publicity, all
gathered together - that's what we call 'media coverage'.
Yvonne: Great. Taiwan catches between 40,000 and 60,000 tons of shark meat each year
for its own use, and the restaurant manager we heard from clearly doesn't agree
that there should be a ban on shark's fin. Now, you lived in Taiwan for a few
years, didn't you Finn?
Finn: I did – yes.
Yvonne: Was this an issue there at the time?
Finn: Well, I lived there about 10 years ago and I have to say there wasn't a lot of
media coverage about banning shark's fin soup at the time.
Yvonne: So, let's find out who is getting involved in the campaign at this time to help
save sharks from a cruel death, from the BBC's Cindy Sui:
Insert 2: Cindy Sui, BBC Correspondent, Taipai
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 4 of 7
In recent years, an increasing number of young people in Taiwan are refusing to order
shark's fin or serve it at their wedding banquets, even though it has long been
considered a must on banquet menus. Celebrities have also spoken out against eating
shark's fin.
Yvonne: So celebrities have spoken out against eating shark's fin?
Finn: They have. They've made it clear to the public that they support a ban – they've
spoken out against it.
Yvonne: And young people are refusing to order shark's fin or to serve it at wedding
feasts, even though it's traditional. We could say they're 'boycotting' it,
couldn't we Finn?
Finn: We could yes – 'boycotting'.
Yvonne: So when you were in that part of the world Finn, was it really 'a must' – an
essential choice on a good menu for special occasions? And I'm scared to ask,
but have you tried shark's fin soup?
Finn: You know - I have actually. And yes, it was at a special occasion - a wedding
in Taiwan, and it did taste very nice. But at the same time, you feel a bit bad
because of the cruelty to the shark. And of course, it's a very prestigious dish
in Chinese culture.
Yvonne: But if the whole fish is being eaten, wouldn't that make a difference?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 5 of 7
Finn: I think yes, if you were to eat the whole fish and it wasn't wasted, then that
would make a big difference. And I think that's really at the core of the issue
here, isn't it?
Yvonne: I think so. Now, earlier Finn, I asked: Which type of shark is the longest fish in
the world.
Finn: Mm-hmm. And I said b) the whale shark. Was I right?
Yvonne: Errr….
Finn: Was I right?
Yvonne: Yes!
Finn: Oh, fantastic!
Yvonne: Well done Finn! And the longest ever recorded was 13.5 metres.
Finn: Now that is very long, isn't it.
Yvonne: Huge – yes.
Finn: That's a big shark!
Yvonne: Now, how about a Chinese New Year greeting to say goodbye from today's "6
Minute English"?
Finn: Yes, this is the beginning of the year of the rabbit, so we can say: "Happy New
Year" which is: "Xin nian kuai le". Yvonne?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 6 of 7
Yvonne: Xin nian kuai le.
Finn: Xin nian kuai le. Happy New Year everyone!
Yvonne: Happy New Year!
Finn: Bye for now
Yvonne: Goodbye!
Vocabulary and definitions
lunar calendar something that shows the days and months in a year, based
on the moon’s journey around the Earth each month
a clue a piece of information which can help to find answers
animal rights activists people who try to bring attention to the cruel treatment of
animals and get laws introduced to help protect them
a ban an official order or statement saying that something isn't
allowed
thrown back carelessly tossed or flung to where it came from
the campaign the organised set of activities aimed at achieving an
objective
the media coverage all the information given about a particular situation or
event in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, websites etc
boycotting refusing to buy goods or be involved in activities because
you don’t agree with them
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2010
Page 7 of 7
a must something which most people think is essential
prestigious highly thought of, respected and valued
More on this story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8470945.stm
Read and listen to the story online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/110210_6min_english_soup_page.shtml
2011年2月3日 星期四
Scam mail!
BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Scam mail
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 5
Alice: Hello, I'm Alice…
Finn: And I'm Finn.
Alice: And this is 6 Minute English! This week we’re talking about a crackdown on
scam mail.
Finn: Scam mail – that’s post sent to people, asking them for money or promising
them prizes like cars or holidays
Alice: The Metropolitan Police – the police force in London – has said that it will
crack down on companies and criminal groups sending scam mail. It’s seized
thousands of letters. Do you ever get these scam mail letters Finn?
Finn: Yes, Alice, I do, occasionally.
Alice: What do they look like?
Finn: They’re often quite convincing, they’re addressed to me personally and some
really look quite official sometimes.
Alice: Well, before we get into the murky world of scam mail – I have a question for
you about the post, Finn. What was the name of the first sticky postage stamp
which went on sale on the 1st May 1840? Was it:
a) The penny brown b) The penny black or c) The penny blue
Finn: I don’t know much about stamps. Let me guess a, the penny brown.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Well, I won’t tell you the answer now – we’ll find out at the end of the
programme. So let’s hear more about scam mail from an investigation by the
Metropolitan Police and in this report by the BBC’s Phil Lavelle:
Insert 1: Phil Lavelle
It’s bright, it’s colourful and it tells us that a top gift is waiting, and most of us will have
thrown it straight in the bin. The problem is when the more vulnerable members of
society reply to these letters, especially when they look like they are official. For
example, this one says, ‘You must reply immediately! Do not delay!’ It is a final notice,
so it grabs the attention. Another one looks like it’s come from a government
department. In fact, it says it’s from the US Department of Finance and Disclosure. So
again, it looks official and it grabs attention.
Alice: Phil Lavelle says that most people throw these letters straight in the bin, but the
police are worried about vulnerable people responding to these scam letters.
Finn: Vulnerable people – the elderly, or people with learning difficulties who trust
letters they get in the post.
Alice: The letters often have a sense of urgency.
Finn: The people who send the letters want you to act quickly – they often say things
like ‘Do not delay!’, ‘Reply immediately!’ or, ‘Offer ends soon’.
Alice: They grab attention! And Phil Lavelle says that many of the letters look
official – in his example he has a letter which sounds like it comes from a real
government department.
Finn: So how big is this problem Alice?
Alice: Police estimate that about 3.5 billion pounds is sent to postal scammers every
year in the UK. They’re even linking five suicides of people who got heavily
in debt sending money in postal scams.
Finn: Heavily in debt – that means they owe a lot of money.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 3 of 5
Alice: One of the problems, apparently, is if you respond once to one scam letter – a
tempter letter - your details are given to other criminal groups and entered
onto a sucker list.
Finn: A sucker list – now, a sucker is somebody who is easily fooled or duped.
Alice: Here’s the BBC’s Home Affairs correspondent, June Kelly:
Insert 2: June Kelly
After replying to one of these so-called tempter letters a victim’s name is put on what’s
called a suckers list, and sold to criminals all over the world. These suckers lists
comprise many vulnerable people, including the elderly. They’ll be bombarded with
mail. Some have ended up in desperate financial straits, some with health problems.
Alice: June Kelly says that some people have ended up in desperate financial straits –
a very bad financial situation.
Finn: People get bombarded with mail. They receive lots and lots of letters.
Alice: One elderly man the BBC spoke to who started responding to scam mail has
sent at least ￡3,000 to scammers – and now receives up to 70 letters every day.
The problem is that once people get hooked it’s very difficult to stop. Here’s
Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting of the Metropolitan Police, who says
even with consumer information about the risks of answering scam mail
people continue to send money.
Insert 3: Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting
I’ve met quite a few now, several dozen individuals who find it difficult, if not often
impossible once they’re hooked, to stop. So you can give them all the consumer
education in the world, and actually once they’re hooked they’re not going to stop.
Alice: Well, that’s all we have time for today. But before we go Finn, the answer to
our question about the first sticky postage stamp. You said…
Finn: My sticky answer was a, the penny brown…..
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 4 of 5
Alice: There was a penny brown, but the first sticky postage stamp was actually the
penny black.
Finn: A-ha, the penny black!
Alice: So, you don’t get a prize this week, but it would still be nice if you’d read out
today’s words and phrases.
Finn: That’s enough of a prize for me, Alice! What could be better? Here we go:
crackdown
scam mail
official
vulnerable
a sense of urgency
heavily in debt
tempter
sucker
bombarded
hooked
Alice: Thanks so much for that, Finn. We hope you’ll join us next time on "6 Minute
English". Bye.
Finn: Bye for now.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 5 of 5
Vocabulary and definitions
crackdown strong, official action taken to punish people who break
laws
scam mail post sent to people with the aim of deceiving them, by
offering them gifts or money which are never delivered
official here, an important letter, from an organisation like a bank
vulnerable people who are emotionally or physically weak, or without
protection
a sense of urgency a feeling that something should be dealt with as soon as
possible
heavily in debt owe a lot of money
tempter something designed to persuade you to do something,
often by offering something appealing to you
sucker someone easily fooled or tricked into doing something
bombarded when something happens over and over again in a short
space of time
hooked addicted or unable to stop doing something
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12273260
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/01/110127_6min_scam_mail_page.shtml
6 Minute English
Scam mail
NB: This is not a word for word transcript
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 1 of 5
Alice: Hello, I'm Alice…
Finn: And I'm Finn.
Alice: And this is 6 Minute English! This week we’re talking about a crackdown on
scam mail.
Finn: Scam mail – that’s post sent to people, asking them for money or promising
them prizes like cars or holidays
Alice: The Metropolitan Police – the police force in London – has said that it will
crack down on companies and criminal groups sending scam mail. It’s seized
thousands of letters. Do you ever get these scam mail letters Finn?
Finn: Yes, Alice, I do, occasionally.
Alice: What do they look like?
Finn: They’re often quite convincing, they’re addressed to me personally and some
really look quite official sometimes.
Alice: Well, before we get into the murky world of scam mail – I have a question for
you about the post, Finn. What was the name of the first sticky postage stamp
which went on sale on the 1st May 1840? Was it:
a) The penny brown b) The penny black or c) The penny blue
Finn: I don’t know much about stamps. Let me guess a, the penny brown.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 2 of 5
Alice: Well, I won’t tell you the answer now – we’ll find out at the end of the
programme. So let’s hear more about scam mail from an investigation by the
Metropolitan Police and in this report by the BBC’s Phil Lavelle:
Insert 1: Phil Lavelle
It’s bright, it’s colourful and it tells us that a top gift is waiting, and most of us will have
thrown it straight in the bin. The problem is when the more vulnerable members of
society reply to these letters, especially when they look like they are official. For
example, this one says, ‘You must reply immediately! Do not delay!’ It is a final notice,
so it grabs the attention. Another one looks like it’s come from a government
department. In fact, it says it’s from the US Department of Finance and Disclosure. So
again, it looks official and it grabs attention.
Alice: Phil Lavelle says that most people throw these letters straight in the bin, but the
police are worried about vulnerable people responding to these scam letters.
Finn: Vulnerable people – the elderly, or people with learning difficulties who trust
letters they get in the post.
Alice: The letters often have a sense of urgency.
Finn: The people who send the letters want you to act quickly – they often say things
like ‘Do not delay!’, ‘Reply immediately!’ or, ‘Offer ends soon’.
Alice: They grab attention! And Phil Lavelle says that many of the letters look
official – in his example he has a letter which sounds like it comes from a real
government department.
Finn: So how big is this problem Alice?
Alice: Police estimate that about 3.5 billion pounds is sent to postal scammers every
year in the UK. They’re even linking five suicides of people who got heavily
in debt sending money in postal scams.
Finn: Heavily in debt – that means they owe a lot of money.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 3 of 5
Alice: One of the problems, apparently, is if you respond once to one scam letter – a
tempter letter - your details are given to other criminal groups and entered
onto a sucker list.
Finn: A sucker list – now, a sucker is somebody who is easily fooled or duped.
Alice: Here’s the BBC’s Home Affairs correspondent, June Kelly:
Insert 2: June Kelly
After replying to one of these so-called tempter letters a victim’s name is put on what’s
called a suckers list, and sold to criminals all over the world. These suckers lists
comprise many vulnerable people, including the elderly. They’ll be bombarded with
mail. Some have ended up in desperate financial straits, some with health problems.
Alice: June Kelly says that some people have ended up in desperate financial straits –
a very bad financial situation.
Finn: People get bombarded with mail. They receive lots and lots of letters.
Alice: One elderly man the BBC spoke to who started responding to scam mail has
sent at least ￡3,000 to scammers – and now receives up to 70 letters every day.
The problem is that once people get hooked it’s very difficult to stop. Here’s
Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting of the Metropolitan Police, who says
even with consumer information about the risks of answering scam mail
people continue to send money.
Insert 3: Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting
I’ve met quite a few now, several dozen individuals who find it difficult, if not often
impossible once they’re hooked, to stop. So you can give them all the consumer
education in the world, and actually once they’re hooked they’re not going to stop.
Alice: Well, that’s all we have time for today. But before we go Finn, the answer to
our question about the first sticky postage stamp. You said…
Finn: My sticky answer was a, the penny brown…..
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 4 of 5
Alice: There was a penny brown, but the first sticky postage stamp was actually the
penny black.
Finn: A-ha, the penny black!
Alice: So, you don’t get a prize this week, but it would still be nice if you’d read out
today’s words and phrases.
Finn: That’s enough of a prize for me, Alice! What could be better? Here we go:
crackdown
scam mail
official
vulnerable
a sense of urgency
heavily in debt
tempter
sucker
bombarded
hooked
Alice: Thanks so much for that, Finn. We hope you’ll join us next time on "6 Minute
English". Bye.
Finn: Bye for now.
6 Minute English c bbclearningenglish.com 2011
Page 5 of 5
Vocabulary and definitions
crackdown strong, official action taken to punish people who break
laws
scam mail post sent to people with the aim of deceiving them, by
offering them gifts or money which are never delivered
official here, an important letter, from an organisation like a bank
vulnerable people who are emotionally or physically weak, or without
protection
a sense of urgency a feeling that something should be dealt with as soon as
possible
heavily in debt owe a lot of money
tempter something designed to persuade you to do something,
often by offering something appealing to you
sucker someone easily fooled or tricked into doing something
bombarded when something happens over and over again in a short
space of time
hooked addicted or unable to stop doing something
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12273260
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2011/01/110127_6min_scam_mail_page.shtml
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