VOA听力文本Ending-Use-of-Child-Soldiers-in-Somalia

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VOA英语听力材料原文(passage31~40)

South Korea was third. The number of South Korean students increased nine percent to seventy-five thousand.
Canada was the only (6) non-Asian country in the top five. It rose two percent to fourth place. Almost thirty thousand Canadian students enrolled for the school year that began last (7) autumn.
China has the world's largest number of Internet users. But it also has what is often called the Great Firewall of China. (8) The government restricts political content and blocks some social networking and news Web sites. President Obama said he is a strong supporter of open Internet access.
Japan fell to fifth place. The number of Japanese students in the United States decreased for the fourth year, to just over twenty-nine thousand.
(8) Taiwan also sent fewer students, and the number from Mexico was nearly unchanged.

VOA听力原稿

2010022411 questions on the computer test require speaking. For example, the test taker is asked to read out loud or describe a picture. 8 other questions require written answers, including an opinion essay.We visited the ETS Web site for more information about the TOEIC. But one of the first things we saw was a warning about a "phishing scam". A phishing scam is a kind of crime that uses e-mail to trick people into providing financial or other personal information. In this test the e-mails claim to be from the Educational Testing Service.Spokeswoman Christine Betaneli advises people taking the TOEIC to be suspicious of any e-mails claiming to be from ETS. They should be especially suspicious of messages that ask for information they have already provided for the test.The spokeswoman says if you get an e-mail you are not sure about, forward it or send a separate message to ContactETS@.And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. You can learn more about English language tests from our Foreign Student Series at . You can also find transcripts, podcasts and captioned videos of our reports, and post comments and questions. I'm Bob Doughty.20100225Today, we tell about the famous artist Jackson Pollock who helped redefine modern art in the United States. Pollock invented a new kind of painting that changed the way the world looked at art.Until the 20th century, most paintings were representational. This means that artists "represented" their subjects in a way that was realistic and recognizable. However, during the first half of the 20th century, artists like Jackson Pollock started to explore other methods of representation.When he first began painting, Jackson Pollock painted representational objects such as people and animals. However, he is famous for helping to create a whole new art movement called Abstract Expressionism. An "abstract" image is one where the subject is not represented realistically. Instead, the artist uses color and shapes to suggest the most general qualities of the subject. "Expressionism" is a kind of art that expresses feelings and thoughts. Abstract Expressionism is art that shows emotions and ideas throughnon-representational forms.In Pollock's most famous works, there is no recognizable subject. His art works are large surfaces of canvas completely covered in different colors of paint. However, Pollock did not start out as a revolutionary painter. He developed the artistic process he became famous for over many years.20100304Some people say it came from the Native American Indian tribe known as the Choctaw. The Choctaw word "okeh" means the same as the American word "okay". Experts say early explorers in the American West spoke the Choctaw language in the 19th century. The language spread across the country.But many people dispute this. Language expert Allen Walker Read wrote about the word "OK" in reports published in the 1960s. He said the word began being used in the 1830s. It was ashort way of writing a different spelling of the words "all correct". Some foreign-born people wrote "all correct" as "o-l-l k-o-r-r-e-c-t" and used the letters O.K..Other people say a railroad worker named Obadiah Kelly invented the word long ago. They said he put the first letters of his names -- O and K -- on each object people gave him to send on the train.20100314Some people say broccoli looks like small trees, and cauliflower like gathered clouds. They think broccoli is only green and cauliflower is only white. But these nutritious vegetables also come in more colorful versions. One kind of cauliflower, for example, is orange, and broccoli can be purple.Broccoli and cauliflower are among the most nutritious vegetables. They are high in Vitamin C, fiber and other nutrients. And they contain substances that are believed to fight cancer. They belong to the cabbage or cole family. Other members include cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, kale and kohlrabi.Agriculture experts at the Ohio State University Extension say broccoli and cauliflower grow best in cooler climates. They suggest planting them where the average daily temperature is between 18 and 26 degrees Celsius.200100315Both crops grow best in sunshine and fertile, moist soil. But water should not be standing on the soil. Using mulch helps keep the ground moist and cool. Mulch also helps feed the soil and controls weeds. Broccoli and cauliflower can grow outdoors from seed or as small plants. Vincent Fritz of the University of Minnesota Extension suggests that results are far better withsmall plants. He says the vegetables should be planted so that they can be harvested before the hottest weather.Experts differ about how to space the plantings in the ground. One suggestion is to plant them in rows about 3/4 of a meter to nearly one meter apart.Then place broccoli plants about 20 to 30 centimeters apart in the rows. Set cauliflower plants 38 to about 46 centimeters from each other in the rows.20100316As it grows, a cauliflower plant will start to form a head. The head contains flower buds that are tightly closed and at least 2 leaves wrapping it. Gather and tie the leaves over the head, and do not wait for the buds to separate before harvesting.Harvest the center flower-bud cluster of broccoli when it reaches the size you want and while the buds are still tightly together. Cut the main stem about 12 to 15 centimeters below the head.You can eat broccoli and cauliflower raw. Or you can steam them in a small amount of water or stir fry them in a small amount of oil. The less time they cook, the better.20100317International Women's Day is celebrated each year on March 8th. Groups around the world use this day to honor the progress of women. They also use the day to call attention to thesocial, political and economic problems facing women and girls. Among the issues are forced marriage, sexual abuse, poverty and a lack of education.National Women's Day was first celebrated in the United States on February 28th, 1909. The next year, a women's rights leader from Germany suggested the idea of an international celebration.More than 1,000,000 people attended events in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland during the first International Women's Day. It took place in 1911.In 1914, the date for the observance was changed to March 8th in honor of a historic protest for women's rights. 15,000 women marched in New York City on March 8th 1908. They marched to demand better pay, shorter work hours, and the right to vote.International Women's Day is a public holiday in several countries, they include China, Russia, Bulgaria and Vietnam.20100320Many cities have interesting nicknames. Nicknames can help establish the identity of a city. They can also spread pride among its citizens.New Orleans, Louisiana probably has more nicknames than any other American city. One web site lists more than 20 nicknames. The most famous is The Big Easy. It describes the gentle, slow and easy-going way of life in New Orleans.So how did the city get this nickname? In the early 1900s, there was a dance hall in New Orleans called The Big Easy. But the nickname did not become famous until the early 1970s. That was when a Louisiana newspaper writer began calling New Orleans by this name. She compared the easy-going way of life there to the hurried pace of life in New York City.In 1970, James Conaway wrote a crime novel called "The Big Easy". The story was set in New Orleans. In 1987, that book was made into a film which made the nickname even more popular.New Orleans has other nicknames. One of them is The Crescent City. During the 19th century, new neighborhoods expanded out from what is now known as the French Quarter. These areas followed the great curve of the Mississippi River, giving New Orleans the shape of a crescent.20100321Another nickname is the Birthplace of Jazz because that kind of music started in New Orleans. It is also called Mardi Gras City for the wild celebrations and parades that take place there every year. And, there is a nickname that uses the short way to write New Orleans and Louisiana. If you do not want to use the complete name, you can call the city NOLA.One of America's most exciting cities is Las Vegas, Nevada. There you can play games of chance all night long. The city's night clubs are also open all night for eating, drinking and dancing. So it is not surprising that Las Vegas is called the Gambling Capital of the World and the Entertainment Capital of the World.Another nickname for Las Vegas is Sin City because you can find many kinds of adult entertainment there. Many people who come to Las Vegas in hopes of winning lots of money do not know when to stop gambling. They may lose a great deal of their hard-earned money. So the city is also called something that sounds like Las Vegas - Lost Wages.In 1964, Elvis Presley starred in a movie called "Viva Las Vegas".20100322On earlier shows, we have brought you some of our favorite songs about summer, autumn and winter. Now it is spring in the northern part of the world so it is time to celebrate that season. Many people think of this classical music piece when they think "spring". It is Allegro from Concerto Number One "Spring" from the "Four Seasons". Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi wrote it in the 1700s.Spring is a wonderful season to celebrate rebirth and new life. The long, cold winter is over. The weather is warmer and sunnier. The trees again have leaves and the flowers are blooming. The season represents hope, joy and beauty.However, not all songs about spring are happy. This song by K.D. Lang is about dreaming of spring in cold dark places. She recorded "I Dream of Spring" in 2008.20100323Unlike the other seasons, there are not many rock songs about spring. Most of the songs about this season were written in the 1930s and 40s by famous modern composers. The songs became "standards", popular songs recorded by many singers.Here is one example, "It Might as Well Be Spring". Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote the song for the movie "State Fair" in 1945. Frank Sinatra sings about having "spring fever". This is not a real sickness. It is a feeling of restlessness or excitement brought on by the coming of spring.Richard Rodgers also wrote "Spring is Here", this time with Lorenz Hart. Ella Fitzgerald sings this song about feeling lonely during this season.Frank Loesser wrote this sad song "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year". Why has the season been delayed? Because the singer's lover has left her. Sarah Vaughn released her version of the song in 1953.20100324By now you might be thinking: "Enough with the sad songs, already!" OK, then how about a cowboy song? Gene Autry was one of the America's most famous singing cowboys. He recorded "When It's Springtime in the Rockies" in 1937.In most of the United States, spring is a warm and pleasant season. But this is not the case in the northwestern state of Alaska. According to Johnny Cash, it can be extremely cold. He sings "When It's Springtime in Alaska - It's Forty Below."We leave you with a sunny song called "Up Jumped Spring." Freddie Hubbard wrote this jazz song and Billy Taylor Trio performs it.This program was written by Shelley Gollust and produced by Caty Weaver.20100325A newly released proposal calls for almost everyone in the United States to have high-speed Internet service at home within 10 years. On Tuesday the Federal Communications Commission sent its National Broadband Plan to Congress.The F.C.C. wants 100,000,000 homes to have inexpensive Internet service at 10 times current speeds. Another goal for 2020 is to have the fastest and most extensive wireless network of any nation.The United States invented the Internet. Yet a recent study placed it 16th in broadband access. F.C.C. Chairman Julius Genachowski says the service available is slow and costly compared with other developed countries.Currently, about 2/3 of Americans have broadband at home. But almost 100,000,000 do not. The government says 14,000,000 of them cannot get broadband even if they wanted it.20100326The United States built a national highway system to expand transportation. Now President Obama says a similar effort is needed to expand broadband networks.His administration says expanding access is an economic development issue. Fast connections, it says, are important to business and job creation, and to other areas like education and health care. The government proposes to spend up to $16,000,000,000 on a wireless network for public safety agencies.To help pay for the plan, the F.C.C. wants to sell 500 megahertz of spectrum. But it says the plan will require 10 times more unused spectrum than it can now offer. TV stations are worried that they will be forced to give up some of their frequencies.Some members of Congress have questioned the costs of the F.C.C. plan and how it may affect competition. At the same time, a court case has raised questions about the agency's legal powers to regulate broadband service.20100327This Saturday night at 8:30, all the lights will be shut off at the Tokyo Tower in Japan. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Eiffel Tower in Paris are also expected to go dark. So is the Empire State Building in New York and buildings in other cities around the world.The lights will stay off for one hour for an event called Earth Hour. The observance is organized by a conservation group, the World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as the World Wildlife Fund.For the 4th year, people are being urged to turn off their lights for one hour to call attention to the issue of climate change. The group says climate change is one of the greatest threats facing wildlife and nature.The first Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Organizers said more than 2000 businesses and 2,000,000 people took part.Since then, Earth Hour has grown into an international event. People in more than 4000 cities in 88 countries took part last year.20100328Organizers say more than 100 countries and territories have promised their official support this year. This will be the first Earth Hour for countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Kosovo, Madagascar, Nepal, Cambodia and Panama.At least 19 of the 50 American states are planning to take part in the 2010 Earth Hour observance. The event organizers recently announced that one of the latest states to join was Missouri.Governor Jay Nixon has agreed to shut off the lights in the dome of the state capitol building. He says when it comes to saving energy and money, big changes start with small steps like turning out the lights.Will you be turning off your lights this Saturday night to observe Earth Hour? Do you think about what the organizers call your "environmental footprint" and try to reduce harmful effects? Is climate change a concern for you?20100329Suppose you eat rice every day. But one day you go to the store and discover that the price is more than you can pay.That happened to millions of people 2 years ago at the height of the world food crisis. Between April of 2007 and March of 2008 the price of rice doubled in many places. Economists blamed the crisis on different causes, including high energy costs, bad weather and the use of food-crop lands for biofuel production.High food prices pushed more people in developing countries into poverty and hunger. Some researchers say people living in cities in West Africa may have suffered most of all. Geographers from 3 American colleges did a study that will appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. William Moseley of Macalester College in Minnesota led the study.The team looked at 30 years' worth of information on food security and agricultural policy in Gambia, Ivory Coast and Mali. Most of the research centered on rice, an important crop in those 3 West African countries.20100330The researchers say Gambia and Ivory Coast suffered more during the food crisis than Mali did. They say this was because people in Gambia and Ivory Coast had come to depend on imported rice.Local rice production fell after the countries reduced farm supports and import taxes under free market reforms. That meant rice farmers were not only earning less but facing greater competition from imports. Then, when the food crisis hit, the cost of foreign rice shot up. The researchers say Mali suffered less because it depended less on imported rice, in part because of geography. Mali is not a coastal country with ports like Ivory Coast and Gambia. Laurence Becker from Oregon State University says after gaining independence, African nations tried to help farmers. Governments provided low-cost seeds and fertilizers. They built processing mills and roads to market. And they protected their markets with high tariffs on imported food.20100331People all over the world have seen all sorts of films about the cowboy. And he is often shown in television shows. But the real life of the cowboy is not often shown. His work has been hard, and his life lonely and full of danger.The cowboy has told his own story in many songs and ballads. Hundreds of these have come from cowboys whose names are not known. They just sang these songs as they rode on the saddles of their horses across the cattle lands. Or, as they sat at their campfires at night.They sang about the things that were close to them. Horses and cows and danger and death. Often, they sang about the long ride to the cattle markets where the cows were sold for beef, as in this song called "Git Along Little Dogie".Dogie is another name for a young cow, especially one which wanders away from the herd. The song tells how the young cowboy keeps driving the dogies forward. He feels sorry for them, because they will soon be sold for meat. But that's their hard luck, not his. And he keeps pushing them on while he sings.20100401Americans are considering national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers led the effort.The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. The reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to the individual states.Local control of education probably was a good idea 200 years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even 20 years ago.Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left Behind Act.20100402Kara Schlosser is communications director for the Council of Chief State School Officers. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.The standards deal with language and mathematics in every grade from kindergarten through high school. For example, in first grade, students should be asking and answering questions about something they read.In mathematics, students should be working with shapes in kindergarten and angles in 4th grade.48 states have already shown approval for the standards. 2 states reject the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the proposal will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal interference or control.Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify for some federal grant money.20100405Some unusual words describe how a person spends his or her time. For example, someone who likes to spend a lot of time sitting or lying down while watchingtelevision is sometimes called a couch potato. A couch is a piece of furniture that people sit on while watching television.Robert Armstrong, an artist from California, developed the term couch potato in 1976. Several years later, he listed the term as a trademark with the United States government. Mr. Armstrong also helped write a funny book about life as a full-time television watcher. It is called the "Official Couch Potato Handbook".Couch potatoes enjoy watching television just as mouse potatoes enjoy working on computers. A computer mouse is the device that moves the pointer, or cursor, on a computer screen. The description of mouse potato became popular in 1993. American writer Alice Kahn is said to have invented the term to describe young people who spend a lot of time using computers.20100406Too much time inside the house using a computer or watching television can cause someone to get cabin fever. A cabin is a simple house usually built far away from the city. People go to a cabin to relax and enjoy quiet time.Cabin fever is not really a disease. However, people can experience boredom and restlessness if they spend too much time inside their homes. This is especially true during the winter when it is too cold or snowy to do things outside. Often children get cabin fever if they cannot go outside to play. So do their parents. This happens when there is so much snow that schools and even offices and stores are closed.Some people enjoy spending a lot of time in their homes to make them nice places to live. This is called nesting or cocooning. Birds build nests out of sticks to hold their eggs and baby birds. Some insects build cocoons around themselves for protectionwhile they grow and change. Nests and cocoons provide security for wildlife. So people like the idea of nests and cocoons, too.20100407Skyscrapers were invented in the United States. As early as the 1880s, 2 new technical developments made these taller buildings possible. One development was the mechanical elevator. It meant that people would not have to climb many steps to reach the upper floors of tall buildings. The development of steel building technology also helped make taller buildings possible.Many experts consider the Home Insurance Building in Chicago, Illinois to be the first skyscraper. Built in 1885 and later expanded, this tower was about 55 meters tall.Today this would not be considered much of a skyscraper. But at the time, this height was striking. The structure was built using a steel frame. This frame was load-bearing, meaning that the steel skeleton would support the building's weight, not its walls. Before this technology, a taller building required creating thicker stone walls to support its weight. Thick walls are extremely heavy, and allow less room for windows and light.20100408The most recent addition to this list is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. This building measures 828 meters in height. It cost an estimated $1,500,000,000 to create. It contains space for apartments, offices, a restaurant, hotel and Muslim religious center. The building's footprint is shaped like a "Y", with3 wings extending from its center. This design was influenced by the shape of a desert flower that grows in the area. The building's Web site says that as many as 12,000 people were working on the building at the same time.The Burj Khalifa was built as a major attraction for travelers and business people. But the timing of its opening in January has been difficult. In December, Dubai entered a major debt crisis. And in February, the Burj Khalifa closed its observation deck, reportedly because of electrical problems.20100409Some people's ears produce wax like busy little bees. This can be a problem even though earwax appears to serve an important purpose.Experts say it protects and cleans the ear. It traps dirt and other matter and keeps insects out. Doctors think it might also help protect against infections. And the waxy oil keeps ears from getting too dry.So earwax is good. It even has a medical name: cerumen. And there are 2 kinds. Most people of European or African ancestry have the "wet" kind: thick and sticky. East Asians commonly have "dry" earwax.But you can have too much of a good thing.The glands in the ear canal that produce the wax make too much in some people. Earwax is normally expelled; it falls out of the ear or gets washed away. But extra wax can harden and form a blockage that interferes with sound waves and reduces hearing.People can also cause a blockage when they try to clean out their ears, but only push the wax deeper inside. Earwax removal is sometimes necessary. But you have to use a safe method or you could do a lot of damage.20100410Experts at N.I.H., the National Institutes of Health, suggest some ways to treat excessive earwax yourself. They say the wax can be softened with mineral oil, glycerin or ear drops. They say hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may also help.Another way to remove wax is known as irrigation. With the head upright, take hold of the outer part of the ear. Gently pull upward to straighten the ear canal. Use a syringe device to gently direct water against the wall of the ear canal. Then turn the head to the side to let the water out.The experts at N.I.H. say you may have to repeat this process a few times. Use water that is body temperature. If the water is cooler or warmer, it could make you feel dizzy. Never try irrigation if the eardrum is broken. It could lead to infection and other problems.After the earwax is gone, gently dry the ear. But if irrigation fails, the best thing to do is to go to a health care provider for professional assistance.You should never put a cotton swab or other object into the ear canal. But you can use a swab or cloth to clean the outer part of the ear. The experts agree with the old saying that you should never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.20100411This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says deforestation has decreased over the past 10 years. But it still continues at a high rate in many countries. Deforestation is mainly caused by the cutting-down of tropical forests to provide land for agriculture. The world's total forest area is just over 4,000,000,000 hectares. About 13,000,000 hectares offorest were cut down or lost through natural causes each year in the last 10 years. This compares with about 16,000,000 hectares per year during the 1990s.The FAO study covers 233 countries and areas. The study found that Brazil and Indonesia have reduced their deforestation rates. The 2 countries had the highest loss of forests in the 1990s. In addition, the study noted tree-planting programs in countries such as China, India, Vietnam and the United States. These programs, along with natural expansion of forests in some areas, have added more than 7,000,000 hectares of new forests each year.20100412South America and Africa had the highest yearly loss of forests during the last 10 years. South America lost 4,000,000 hectares. Africa lost almost 3,500,000 hectares. However, Asia gained more than 2,000,000 hectares a year in the last decade. In North America and Central America, the forest area remained about the same. In Europe, it continued to expand, but at a slower rate than earlier.Eduardo Rojas is assistant director-general of F.A.O.'s Forestry Department. He said for the first time, the rate of deforestation has decreased around the world. This is the result of efforts taken at local and international levels. Mr. Rojas said countries have improved their forest policies and legislation. They have also provided forests for use by local communities and native peoples and for the protection of biological diversity. He said this is a welcome message in 2010 - the International Year of Biodiversity.However, Mr. Rojas said the rate of deforestation is still very high in many areas. He said countries must strengthen their efforts to better protect and manage their forests.20100413。

VOA英语听力原文

International Dark-Sky Association formed.This organization wants to reduce light pollution in the night sky.It also urges the effective use of electric lighting.
Objects in the night sky are resources thatprovide everyone with wonder.But light pollution threatens to prevent those wonderful sights from being seen.
The idea of light pollution has developed with the increase of lights in cities.In many areas,this light makes it difficult or impossible toobserve stars and planets in the night sky.In Nineteen-Eighty-Eight,the
Recently,two Italian astronomers and an American environmental scientist created a world map of the night sky.The map shows that North America,Wese greatest amount of light pollution.
Light pollution threatens to reduce the scientific value of research

VOA听力原稿翻译

This is the VOA Special English Health Report.现在是VOA特别英语——健康报道The World Health Organization says it has reached a limit in its fight against diseases and disasters.世界卫生组织表示该组织在与疾病和灾难抗争方面已经达到了承受极限。

Director-General Margaret Chan says the agency is "overextended" and faces "serious funding shortfalls."首席执行干事陈女士表示该组织应经超负荷运行，面临严重的资金短缺。

Dr. Chan says the WHO is no longer operating "at the level of top performance that is increasingly needed, and expected.陈女士说WHO不能再以日益期望不断增长的模式进行高负荷运作了。

" She told the agency's Executive Board on Monday that the level of action should not be governed by the size of a problem.她对董事会说，这种行动大小的程度不能再由问题的大小所决定了。

Instead, it should be governed by the extent to which the WHO can have an effect on the problem.相反，应该有WHO在这个问题上所能产生的影响决定。

Dr. Chan said one of the most exciting developments recently is a new vaccine that could end Africa's deadly meningitis epidemics.陈女士最近感到最激动的发展是一种能结束非洲致命传染病的疫苗的生产。

VOA慢速英语：童子军战斗在摩苏尔战役

VOA慢速英语：童子军战斗在摩苏尔战役slamic State forces have often used images of child soldiers as a propaganda tool.One of the latest examples was a video released last week. It showed five children appearing to execute a group of Kurdish prisoners in Syria.The SITE Intelligence Group studies the official statements and online activities of extremists. The group identified the young boys as being British, Egyptian, Kurdish, Tunisian and Uzbek. The SITE website said the video was filmed in the city of Raqqa.IS propaganda machineIslamic State (IS) has produced many other propaganda videos. Some show children as young as four years old carrying out executions. The videos also showed students attending IS schools and boys receiving military training and shooting weapons.The exact number of children who have received training at Islamic State camps is not known. But the United States-based Combating Terrorism Center has estimatedthere are at least1,500 active child soldiers fighting for IS.While the abuse of children by IS forces is well known, there are new concerns about other groups recruiting young soldiers.Militias also recruiting childrenHuman Rights Watch said it recently found evidence that two Iraqi government-supported militias recruited children from a camp for displaced civilians.The group said the militias, in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan area, are made up of Sunni fighters. They're expected to play an important part in the upcoming fight to recapture the IS-held city of Mosul. The Iraqi leadership has predicted that government forces will retake Mosul by the end of the year.Bill Van Esveld is a children’s rights researcher for Human Rights Watch. He said witnesses and relatives told the group that the militias took at least seven children from a camp to an area near Mosul to prepare for the offensive.“We think that what we documented is a real warning sign, and that it needs to be addressed publicly and firmly. And there should be a zero tolerance policy for child recruitment by any militias.”Van Esveld said the concern is that child soldiers will be fighting against each other in the battle for Mosul. He added that unlike Islamic State, the militias did not force the children to join. But although they joined as volunteers, he said, all sides need to take steps not to accept fighters under age 18.Human Rights Watch was told by a member of the militias they were being paid directly by the Iraqi government, according to Van Esveld. He said Iraq and its allies have a responsibility to take steps to stop the recruitment and use of child soldiers.Call for Iraqi government action“There are simple steps that could be put in place to check people’s ages, make sure that they present identification documents that are genuine. So that, that really needs to happen, otherwise we're gonna have children fighting each other on the front lines.”Van Esveld said that some of the young volunteer recruits want to fight against IS forces because they were forced out of their homes by the militant group. He added that there has been a big push by militias in recent weeks to increase their numbers before the battle for Mosul.John Horgan is a professor at Georgia State University and an expert on terrorism and political violence. He said the number of child fighters has reached crisis levels.“We are looking at a level of [child] mobilization that is unprecedented and increasing,” he said.Horgan said that for years, Islamic State has aggressively recruited children to be soldiers and suicide bombers. He said those who escaped have described the horrors they had been though.“Some children were sexually assaulted as part of their training. Some were beaten by sticks. They slept on flea-ridden mattresses and were beaten and bullied if theyfaltered even for a second,” Horgan said.These young fighters and other children displaced or held captive by Islamic State will suffer from many physical and psychological problems for years, he added.Child crisis predicted after Mosul battleHuman Rights Watch’s Bill Van Esveld agrees. He said t his will create “serious problems affecting a large number of children” once the battle for Mosul is over.“We can expect to see other kids with real psychological issues, mental health issues, coming out of prolonged periods of abuse and, and deprivation and military training and participation in battles.”Van Esveld said another problem will be that many surviving children will have no parents. Some were born as a result of rape. Others were taken away from families or their parents were killed. These children will be in great need of all kinds of physical and psychological support, as well as education.“There’s a lot of serious heavy lifting to be done on this issue, and it hasn’t really started yet,” he said.I’m Bryan Lynn._______________________________________________________Words in This Storyrecruit – v. to convince someone to join a cause or forcezero tolerance – n. not to accept any level of a certain behaviorgenuine – adj. real, authentic, not fakeunprecedented – adj. never having happened beforefalter – v. to make mistakes, be weak or not succeeddeprivation – n. be denied access to something people need。

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Hello, I'm Jerry Smit with the BBC News.杰⾥·斯密特为您播报BBC新闻The Greek government has submitted new proposals to secure a third bailout from its international creditors. The Head of the Eurozone's Group of Finance Ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said the plans would now be assessed in detail. The proposals include tax rises, pension reforms, spending cuts and promises of privatisation. Tim Willcox in Athens says this may cause problems for the Greek government希腊政府提交了⼀份新的改⾰⽅案以确保能从其债权国得到第三次财政援助，欧元区⾦融主席杰洛恩称该项⽅案将会详细讨论。

这项⽅案包括提⾼税收，退休⾦改⾰，减少⽀出和私有化。

下⾯是威克斯在雅典发回的报道：.“They think, the source I've been speaking to, that the E.U. will take this, but it's going to be very difficult for Alexis Tsipras, the Greek Prime Minister, internally here in Greece, following that referendum last weekend with that massive vote, a NO vote against any more austerity measures.”威克斯称这项⽅案有可能对希腊政府造成问题。

VOA英语听力原文(passage1~10)

(10)These schools have their own entrance requirements. The Coast Guard Academy says interested students should contact the defense attache at their local United States embassy. Foreign students interested in the Merchant Marine Academy must request application forms directly from the admissions office.
International students can also attend the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, and the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. The Coast Guard Academy can have thirty-five international students at any one time; the Merchant Marine Academy,thirty.
For example, the next class at the Naval Academy will include eighteen foreign students, four of them female. (9) This will bring the total number of foreign students at the Naval Academy to fifty- three.

VOA(听力原文)

The world at 7 billion, and growingCensus Bureau人口普查局Shortage 短缺fertility: 生育力demographic人口统计学的dividend股息; 红利malnourished 营养失调的; 营养不良的听力原文The United Nations estimates that the world reached seven billion people on Monday. No one can be sure. The United States Census Bureau does not expect that to happen until March.Populations are growing faster than economies in many poor countries in Africa and some in Asia. At the same time, low fertility rates in Japan and many European nations have raised concerns about labor shortages.Population experts at the United Nations estimated that the world reached six billion in October 1999. They predict nine billion by 2050 and 10 billion by the end of the century.China's population of one and a third billion is currently the world's largest. India is second at 1.2 billion. But India is expected to pass China and reach one and a half billion people around 2025. India will also have one of the world's youngest populations.Economists say this is a chance for a so-called demographic dividend. India could gain from the skills of young people in a growing economy at a time when other countries have aging populations. But economists say current rates of growth, although high, may not create enough jobs.Also, the public education system is failing to meet demand and schooling is often of poor quality. Another concern is health care. Nearly half of India's children under the age of five are malnourished.听写原文The United Nations estimates that the world reached seven billion people on Monday.Populations are growing faster than economies in many poor countries in Africa and some in Asia.At the same time, low fertility rates in Japan and many European nations have raised concerns about labor shortages.Population experts at the United Nations estimated that the world reached six billion in October 1999. They predict nine billion by 2050 and 10 billion by the end of the century.China's population of one and a third billion is currently the world's largest. India is second at 1.2 billion. But India is expected to pass China and reach one and a half billion people around 2025.India will also have one of the world's youngest populations.Economists say this is a chance for a so-called demographic dividend.India could gain from the skills of young people in a growing economy at a time when other countries have aging populations.But economists say current rates of growth, although high, may not create enough jobs.Also, the public education system is failing to meet demand and schooling is often of poor quality. Another concern is health care. Nearly half of India's children under the age of five are malnourished.Tiger Mother虎妈战歌Comparing American and Chinese Parents 比较中美家长对孩子教育方式差异Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother 《虎妈战歌》Amy Chua蔡美儿Yale Law School耶鲁法学院New Haven纽黑文raise 养大immigrant移民represent代表stuffed animal毛绒玩具insult责骂sleepover外面过夜play date同学聚会school play课外活动makes fun of 嘲弄ease放松low expectation较低期望assume 采取，承担fragility脆弱stirring信号、焦点intense激烈retreat退让Some American parents might think their children need better educations to compete with China and other countries. But how much do the parents themselves need to change?一些美国家长可能认为他们的孩子需要接受更好的教育，来与中国以及其他国家的孩子竞争。

VOA慢速英语听力文章

VOA慢速英语听力文章VOA慢速英语听力文章VOA慢速英语听力是较多的.学生使用的英语听力材料，尤其是初学者。

这里，店铺为大家整理了一篇VOA慢速英语听力文章，希望对大家有所帮助。

Protests over the English language in Cameroon have grown violent.A strike, called to increase the use of English, has spread to schools and universities in English-speaking areas.Lawyers and teachers, supported by young people, refused to call off the strike as protesters clashed with members of the military.The governor of Cameroon’s No rth-West Region says at least one person has been killed in the clashes. “Investigations are ongoing to establish the responsibilities,” said governor Adolphe Lele L’Afrique Deben Tchoffo.But media reports suggest that as many as four people were killed.The protesters are demanding greater rights for English speakers in a country that has both English and French as official languages.The roots of the strikeThe current strike has created more debate –and caused more concern – among government officials and local rulers than any other issue in recent years.The roots of this strike go deep.English speakers make up about 20 percent of Cameroon's population. The constitution says that English and French –languages that come from the colonial period –should beequally important. However, many official documents are written only in French. Some government ministers give speeches in French, even in English-speaking areas.No English speaker has held an important position, such as minister of defense, finance, or territorial administration, in Cameroon's nearly 60-year history as an independent country.Lawyers and the GovernmentLawyers have been at the front of the strike. Harmony Bogda, spokesperson for the striking lawyers, says that after discussions lasting 72 hours, lawyers left with the idea that the government does not want to listen to them. As such, Bogda says, the strike will continue.Ben Muna is a lawyer and a member of the Cameroon Bar Council Association. He says his colleagues are angry because security forces increased tensions and beat them for demonstrating peacefully.Communication minister and government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma says the government is unable to approve some of the requests. He says the lawyers are responsible for the recent violence in English-speaking areas."Those who are responsible for such abuses must know that nowhere in the world, disorder has ever led to anything constructive. We therefore call on all our compatriots to show proof of reserve, self-control, high sense of responsibility and citizenship in a spirit of dialogue."Schools have remained closed since the clashes started last Monday.。

voa慢速英语听力原文

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.Americans are considering national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers led the effort.The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. The reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to the individual states.Local control of education probably was a good idea two hundred years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even twenty years ago.Many American educators say that getting a good education should not depend on where you live. They say that some states have lowered their standards in order to increase student scores on tests required by the No Child Left Behind Act.Kara Schlosser is communications director for the Council of Chief State School Officers. She says the new standards clearly state what a student should be able to do to be successful in college and work.The standards deal with language and mathematics in every grade from kindergarten through high school. For example, in first grade, students should be asking and answering questions about something they read.In mathematics, students should be working with shapes in kindergarten and angles in fourth grade.Forty-eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states reject the idea. Critics say that working toward the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the proposal will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still others fear federal interference or control.Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. However, approving the standards will help states qualify for some federal grant money.And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Steve Ember。

voa标准英语听力

voa标准英语听力VOA Standard English Listening。

VOA (Voice of America) Standard English Listening is an important tool for English learners to improve their listening skills. VOA provides a wide range of news and information in English, and its standard English listening materials are widely used by English learners around the world.The VOA standard English listening materials cover a variety of topics, including current events, culture, science, technology, and more. Listening to these materials can help learners improve their listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation.One of the benefits of using VOA standard English listening materials is that they provide authentic, real-world English language input. This can help learners become more familiar with natural English speech patterns and improve their overall understanding of the language.In addition, VOA standard English listening materials often include transcripts or subtitles, which can be helpful for learners who are just starting out or who want to check their understanding. This feature allows learners to listen to the material, read along, and even look up unfamiliar words or phrases.Another advantage of using VOA standard English listening materials is that they are easily accessible. VOA provides its materials online, so learners can access them anytime, anywhere. This flexibility makes it easy for learners to incorporate listening practice into their daily routines.Furthermore, VOA standard English listening materials are updated regularly, so learners can stay current with the latest news and information while practicing their listening skills. This can help learners develop a better understanding of the world around them while improving their English language abilities.In conclusion, VOA standard English listening is a valuable resource for English learners who want to improve their listening skills. The wide range of topics, authentic language input, accessibility, and regular updates make VOA standard English listening materials an effective and convenient tool for language learning. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, incorporating VOA standard English listening into your study routine can help you make significant progress in your English language proficiency.。

9月18日VOA听力原文

Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.Americans use many expressions with the word dog. People in the United States love their dogs and treat them well. They take their dogs for walks, let them play outside and give them good food and medical care. However, dogs without owners to care for them lead a different kind of life. The expression, to lead a dog's life, describes a person who has an unhappy existence.Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world. That means many people are competing for the same things, like good jobs. They say that to be successful, a person has to work like a dog. This means they have to work very, very hard. Such hard work can make peopledog-tired. And, the situation would be even worse if they became sick as a dog.Still, people say every dog has its day. This means that every person enjoys a successful period during his or her life. To be successful, people often have to learn new skills. Yet, some people say that you can never teach an old dog new tricks. They believe that older people do not like to learn new things and will not change the way they do things.Some people are compared to dogs in bad ways. People who are unkind or uncaring can be described as meaner than a junkyard dog. Junkyard dogs live in places where people throw away things they do not want. Mean dogs are often used to guard this property. They bark or attack people who try to enter the property. However, sometimes a person who appears to be mean and threatening is really not so bad. We say his bark is worse than his bite.A junkyard is not a fun place for a dog. Many dogs in the United States sleep in safe little houses near their owners' home. These doghouses provide shelter. Yet they can be cold and lonely in the winter.Husbands and wives use this doghouse term when they are angry at each other. For example, a woman might get angry at her husband for coming home late or forgetting their wedding anniversary. She might tell him that he is in the doghouse. She may not treat him nicely until he apologizes. However, the husband may decide that it is best to leave things alone and not create more problems. He might decide to let sleeping dogs lie.Dog expressions also are used to describe the weather. The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the year. A rainstorm may cool the weather. But we do not want it to rain too hard. We do not want it to rain cats and dogs.(MUSIC)This VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, was written by Jill Moss. I'm Faith Lapidus.。

普特英语每日听力VOA0905文档

普特英语每日听力VOA0905文档From Washington, this is VOA News.Cleaning up after a strong quake in New Zealand, no deaths but a state of emergency in effect; and in Pakistan, burials begin for victims in Friday’s bombings. I’m Marti Johnson reporting from Washington.New Zealand is recovering from a powerful earthquake that cut power and caused significant damage to infrastructure but no deaths. Officials say the 7.1-magnitude quake shook the city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island just before dawn, Saturday. The city’s second largest earthquake on record threw people out of bed and sent frightened residents running into the streets. The quake and its aftershocks ruptured underground lines for natural gas, water and sewage, as well as damaging bridges, power supplies and phone networks.Police in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta have been on high alert as mass burials take place for some victims of a suicide bombing that targeted minority Shiites Friday, killing at least 65 people. Shiite leaders called for a general strike on Saturday to mourn the dead, shuttering schools and businesses and leaving streets deserted. More than 160 others were wounded in Friday’s explosion at a Sh iite rally called to express solidarity with Palestinians. The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility. These attacks take place as Pakistan is still reeling from the worst (con口误) flooding in that country in its history. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is urging theinternational community not to turn its attention away from the crisis which he says is far from over. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.The UN refugee agency says despite the floodwaters in some parts of Pakistan receding, the overall humanitarian situation remains serious. Aid workers report conditions are worsening. UNHCR spokesman, Adrian Edwards, says floods still affect almost two million people in Balochistan province including 600,000 who fled from neighboring Sindh."We’re seeing a persistent threat of waterborne disease, shortages of shelter and very limited quantities of food for children."The agency says it is continuing the distribution of shelter supplies. Aid agencies report more than five million people, still, are in desperate need of shelter. Lisa Schlein for VOA News, Geneva.An explosion in Afghanistan’s northern province of Kunduz has killed four police officers and at least one civilian. Officials say several people were wounded in Saturday’s attack in the provincial capital. Authorities say the explosives were planted in a motorcycle.Meantime, the New York Times reports that the US security contractor, Blackwater, has now created thirty subsidiary companies to seek government contracts in the wake of accusations of misconduct against it in Iraq. In the article, theTimes reports at least three subsidiary businesses had deals with the US military and with the CIA. Blackwater has been under intense security since five of its employees were accused of killing unarmed civilians in Baghdad in September, 2007. There’s more on this story on our website at /doc/0c18122980.html,.A top US military officer in the United States says the US has asked Turkey to allow non-combat equipment to be withdrawn from Iraq through Turkish territory. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, speaking in Ankara Saturday, emphasized that there are no plans to transport weapons through Turkey.Three Pakistan cricket players accused of taking part in a betting scandal have been charged by the International Cricket Council under its anti-corruption code. Jennifer Glasse reports from London.The International Cricket Council charged Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir under Article II of its anti-corruption code. The council’s chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, expressed his extreme disappointment and sadness about the situation.“We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we maintain integrity in the sport.”The players are suspected in a betting scam after a London newspaper showed video of a cricket agent allegedly acceptingmoney in exchange for information of what the players would do at certain points in the game. The head of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, Ronnie Flanagan, said the charge is related to one game between England and Pakistan. The three players are suspended from playing until the case is concluded. Jennifer Glasse for VOA News, London.US president, Barack Obama, says building a strong middle class is key to helping the country heal its economic problems. In his weekly address on Saturday, Mr. Obama said this weekend’s Labor Day holiday in the US is a chance to reaffirm a commitment to American workers. The president touted some of his administration’s initiatives includ ing tax cuts for working families and investment in construction projects that he says will create jobs. In the weekly Republican Party address, the US Representative, Geoff Davis, called for greater scrutiny of federal rules and regulations that he said burden small business owners.I’m Marti Johnson, VOA News, Washington.。

常速VOA听力稿2010.8.01-9.20

菅直人“大破”小泽一郎(1/2)An official of the Democratic Party of Japan announces that Prime Minister Naoto Kan has won the party leadership post.Mr. Kan won 721 votes in Tuesday's election, compared with Ichiro Ozawa's 491 ballots.Since the DPJ controls the lower house of Japan's parliament, as leader of the party, Mr. Kan will stay on as prime minister.Speaking immediately following his re-election, Mr. Kan appealed for unity and pledged to revitalize Japan.The prime minister says he will keep his promise to help the people. He expresses heartfelt appreciation for the support that was shown to him, especially by the DPJ's rank and file.Ordinary party members overwhelmingly backed him. His opponent Ozawa, a veteran power broker, captured the votes of nearly half of the DPJ's members of parliament.Ozawa resigned from the DPJ's second-highest post 3 months ago in a political funding scandal. He faces possible indictment on criminal charges.日本民主党的一位官员宣布，首相菅直人在党首选举中获胜。