Literacy heroes 文坛英雄

 　　Rob: Hello I'm Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm joined today by Finn. Hello Finn.

　　Finn: Hi Rob.
　　Rob: Today we're talking about literacy 1 - that means the ability to read and write. And one way to improve your literacy is to read books and literature in general.
　　Finn: Yes, reading is good for you - and it can be educational - so you can learn things - but of course it's enjoyable too, isn't it Rob?
　　Rob: Well, it depends on what you're reading. But you sound like a fan of books Finn, could we say you're a bookworm - that's a person who reads a lot?
　　Finn: Yes, well, I do. I'm reading a book at the moment on the way to work every day and it's very exciting.
　　Rob: Well, I also like to read books but the problem is there are so many books available, it's difficult knowing which one to choose. Anyway, soon we'll be talking about some people who've been awarded for promoting - or encouraging - the love of reading.
　　Finn: Yes, and we'll be using some book-related vocabulary.
　　Rob: But let's start with a question for you Finn. It's about one of the world's longest books which is in French, and it's by Marcel Proust, and translated into English it's called Remembrance of Things Past. So, do you know approximately how many words that book contains? Is it:
　　a) 267,000
　　b) 1,267,000
　　c) 10,267,000
　　Finn: I know this is a very long book. I think it's in several volumes. I'm going to say b) 1,267,000.
　　Rob: OK. Have you read it?
　　Finn: No.
　　Rob: We'll find out if you are right or wrong later on. So let's talk more about literacy. I think we all know that learning 2 to read has many benefits - many good things that help us. But what inspires us, or encourages us to read?
　　Finn: Well, I suppose there were our parents and our school teachers - and then we have the authors - the people who write the books. A good author can really capture 3 your imagination and make you read their stories. Which authors do you like, Rob?
　　Rob: Well, as a child, I loved Roald Dahl, who wrote stories like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now, that was fiction - imaginary 4 stories - not based on real people. Now I like travel stories, such as ones by American travel writer, Paul Theroux.
　　Finn: Yes and he also writes novels so we could also call him a novelist.
　　Rob: Now, you may have heard of J.K. Rowling. She wrote the Harry 5 Potter books. She is one author who was recently recognised for improving people's love of reading. The UK's National Literacy Trust named her a 'literacy hero' for "turning a generation of children into readers".
　　Finn: Another 'literacy hero' was the actor Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia - that's a condition where your brain makes it hard to read certain words. He has written books about a boy with learning difficulties.
　　Rob: Now, not all the 'heroes' are authors. The Trust also honoured schoolchildren, a librarian and teachers for their efforts in trying to get people to read.
　　Finn: Yes, reading can also help in other ways. Recently, the former world champion boxer 6, Mike Tyson said he read books by Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky when he was in prison.
　　Rob: Well, author, Pat 7 Winslow, who worked as a writer in prisons explains why reading and understanding books is a good thing. What words does she use to describe how they looked at characters - that's the people - in a book?
　　Pat Winslow, author
　　When I was working in prison, very often we would have discussions 8 about the moral 9 compass of a character, what was the motivation of somebody, why did they behave that way? And when people were writing as well, they were actually reflecting on themselves and reflecting on their own patterns of behaviour.
　　Rob: So she says she discussed stories with prisoners - and one of things they looked at was the moral compass of the characters. That's a natural feeling someone has that makes them know what is wrong and what it is right.
　　Finn: They also discussed characters' motivation - what made them do things a certain way. And this helped prisoners look at what they themselves had done and what they should do in the future.
　　Rob: So there's an example of how reading can help. Now Finn, have you had any help in answering today's question?
　　Finn: No Rob. It was a complete guess, Rob!
　　Rob: Well, earlier I said the world's longest book is called, in English, Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust. Did you know approximately how many words it contained? Was it:
　　a) 267,000
　　b) 1,267,000
　　c) 10,267,000
　　Finn: Rob, I really have no idea so I'm going to go for b) the middle option.
　　Rob: Which means you were right. It is 1,267,000 words.
　　Finn: That's nothing. A novella. A short novel!
　　Rob: The first volume of this 13-volume book was published in 1913 and contained 9,600,000 characters - I don't mean people, but letters.
　　Finn: I just googled it and found the name in French - ? la recherche 10 du temps perdu.
　　Rob: Well done! Well, we hope you've enjoyed today's programme. Please join us again soon for another 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.
　　Both: Bye.




点击收听单词发音  






1
literacy

  
 


n.识字，有文化，读写能力


参考例句：





I can't believe that he failed the literacy test.我无法相信他识字测试不及格。
The literacy rate there is the highest in Central America.那里的识字率居中美洲之首。












2
learning

  
 


n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词


参考例句：





When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。












3
capture

  
 


vt.捕获，俘获；占领，夺得；n.抓住，捕获


参考例句：





The company is out to capture the European market.这家公司希望占据欧洲市场。
With the capture of the escaped tiger,everyone felt relieved.逃出来的老虎被捕获后，大家都松了一口气。












4
imaginary

  
 


adj.想象中的，假想的，虚构的，幻想的；虚数的


参考例句：





All the characters in this book are imaginary.此书中的所有人物都是虚构的。
The boy's fears were only imaginary.这小孩的恐惧只是一种想象。












5
harry

  
 


vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼


参考例句：





Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。












6
boxer

  
 


n.制箱者，拳击手


参考例句：





The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。












7
pat

  
 


n.轻拍，拍打声；vt.轻拍，拍打；vi.轻跑，轻击；adv.适时，彻底；adj.油腔滑调的，恰好的，合适的


参考例句：





Could you hear the pat?你能听到轻轻的拍击声吗？
He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。












8
discussions

  
 


n.讨论( discussion的名词复数 )；商讨；详述；论述


参考例句：





Discussions are held on an informal basis within the department. 讨论限于在本部门内非正式地进行。
Her specialist input to the discussions has been very useful. 她在这些讨论中提供的专家建议很有助益。












9
moral

  
 


adj.道德(上)的，有道德的；n.品行，寓意，道德


参考例句：





Moral beauty ought to be ranked above all other beauty.品德之美应列于其他美之上。
He deceived us into believing that he could give us moral support.他骗得我们相信他能给我们道义上的支持。












10
recherche

  
 


adj.精选的；罕有的


参考例句：





Applicants should have good PC skills with common office software,email and internet recherche.在办公软件、电子邮件、网络检索等个人电脑应用方面，申请人应具备良好的操作技能。
The restaurant prides itself on its recherche menu.饭店以其精美的菜单自豪。