高中英语 VOA常速听力11月合辑(文本)PresidentBarackObamawonreelection素材
11月VOA
1、US Child Abuse Scandal Tarnishes University, Football Coach (2)2、Asia Pacific Nations Can Help Solve European Crisis, US Officials Say (4)3、Virginia College Proactively Manages Student Loan Debt (6)1、US Child Abuse Scandal Tarnishes University, Football CoachNovember 12, 2011Pennsylvania State University students hold candles during a vigil to show their support for sexual abuse victims involved in the recent controversy at their school, November 11, 2011.The arrest on child-abuse charges of a one-time assistant football coach at a prominent American university has quickly broadened into a major scandal. The president of Pennsylvania State University and the school's enormously popular football coach, Joe Paterno, have been dismissed, and further consequences are expected.Penn State, as the school is called in the U.S., reacted decisively to show its senior officials must be held accountable if they fail to take action against such abuse.The recent arrest of the former defensive coordinator for the Penn State university football team, Gerald Sandusky, created a cascade of events dominating U.S. media headlines.Sandusky is being charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a period of 15years. Several more accusers have come forward to police. Sandusky denies the accusations, and his lawyer says he has already been tried in the court of public opinion.Still, the arrest did not take long to have other effects.Legendary football coach Joe Paterno, who was still coaching at the age of 84, with a record 409 victories to his credit, was fired, as were top university officials.Angry sports commentators are saying the entire football team, which brings the university more than $50 million in profit every year, should also quit its season now.Paterno had been told about Sandusky violating a boy in 2002. At the time, Sandusky was running a charity for foster children with activities at the football team’s practice center. Paterno told his superiors but not police.Child abuse in the United States is mainly the responsibility of states and local governments.In Pennsylvania, telling your superiors is what you are mandated to do, while in other states failure to report knowing about child abuse can be a crime.Pennsylvania state police commissioner Frank Noonan was clear about his priorities."This is not a case about football, about universities. It is a case about children who have had their innocence stolen from them, in a culture that did nothing to stop it or prevent it from happening to oth ers,” he said.There had been other allegations against Sandusky which had also been ignored.Similar scandals with attempted cover-ups have affected other schools in the United States, as well as the Catholic Church.In recent decades, thousands of victims have come forward saying they were sexually abused as children by Catholic priests.Jon O’Brien, president of a Washington-based group called Catholics for Choice, says the Catholic Church made huge mistakes in dealing with its own scandals."The sexual abuse of children was outrageous," he said. "The cover-up, the subsequent cover-up, though, is what I think fundamentally disappoints and hurts so many of us, inside and outside the Church. Because we recognize that there has not been the type of far-reaching efforts to both identify what went wrong and what was the mindset that actually cannot admit, 'We made a mistake.'"The Penn State University board of trustees moved quickly after the arrest to fire top university officials and coach Paterno. The board is now forming a special committee to investigate the school’s handling of the still unfolding Sandusky scandal.2、Asia Pacific Nations Can Help Solve European Crisis, US Officials SayNovember 11, 2011US officials say the Asia Pacific region is less affected than other areas by the financial crisis in Europe and can stimulate worldwide economic growth. Talks by finance and foreign ministers are taking place in Hawaii at the annual summit of APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. American officials say the Pacific region is increasingly important to the world economy.Twenty-one member economies are taking part in the APEC summit in Honolulu, hosted this year by the United States.Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Honolulu Thursday, as ministerial talks were under way.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in remarks at the East-West Center, said the United States will increase its Pacific investments in the coming decades.“It is becoming increasingly clear that, in the 21st century, the world’s strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia-Pacific, from the Indiansubcontinent to western shores of the Americas,” Clinton said.U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner speaks during a news conference after a meeting of APEC finance ministers at the APEC Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii November 10, 2011.U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, speaking to reporters, said the crisis in Europe remains the central challenge to global growth. He says APEC finance ministers voiced support for last week's pledge by the G20 leaders to work for global recovery. He says China can help through a more flexible exchange rate.“China, in particular, must continue to allow its currency to strengthen, and China has acknowledg ed the importance of faster exchange rate adjustment,” Geithner said.The United States hopes to expand Pacific trade, and to finalize a framework for a Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade zone. Talks now involve nine nations, including the United States, Australia, Peru, Chile and Vietnam.President Barack Obama will arrive here Friday and meet with other Asia Pacific leaders over the weekend.3、Virginia College Proactively Manages Student Loan DebtNovember 11, 2011Administrators at Tidewater Community College in Virginia have launched a program to help prevent a tuition-loan crisis at their school, where students are shown working on computers in the college library, Norfolk, Virginia, November 2011.The Obama administration offered financial relief last month to one million college students and recent graduates struggling to make student loan payments, as tuition costs rapidly rise. Administrators at a community college in Virginia have watched the tuition-loan crisis building and have launched their own program to help head it off.Navy veteran Reason Chandler wanted to earn a college degree after leaving the military, but he needed the money to pay for it. So, like almost half of the 46,000 students at Tidewater Community College in Virginia, he applied for financial aid, taking out loans and grants to help fund his education.“I am 26, so it gives me a little more life experience than someone who is 18 and directly from high school,” said Chandler.To get their loan checks, Tidewater students must complete a current budget of income and expenses, and a projected post-graduation budget, based on what that first job might pay. That way, school administrators say, a studentwill know better what money is left to pay the debt.“My starting sal ary for urban and regional planning is around $36,000 to $40,000 a year," said Chandler. "I look back at how much I borrow and how much my payments would be. My payments would be about $136 a month."That's reasonable, said Tidewater Community College President Deborah DiCroce.“Take out a mortgage to buy a house, that very next month that first payment is due. Same thing with a car payment. That is not true with this. There is too much lag time and what we are trying to do is close the gap so that the student understands it is not a handout. It is not free, and on top of that you are going to owe that money whether you are successful in reaching your goal or not,” said DiCroce.DiCroce said Tidewater tied student budget plans to financial aid packages to help avert the crisis that administrators saw growing. As the economy failed, Tidewater’s enrollment swelled, with more students seeking the low-cost education of a community college. Also on the rise is the number of students using debt to finance college."Last year, graduates who took out loans left college owing an average of $24,000," said Obama. "Student loan debt has now surpassed credit card debt, for the first time ever."Late last month, the president announced a debt-relief plan for America’s college students and recent graduates. Beginning next year, the “pay as you earn" plan caps loan payments at 10 percent of discretionary income, and forgives the debt after 20 years of repayment.“This is one way to deal with it. And maybe that is the o nly way we have to deal with it right now, but for me I prefer to look at it on the front end,” said DiCroce.Chandler said he is glad he did the financial prep work beforehand, and said he borrowed less. After all, he told us, he has graduate school to pay for next。
高中英语 BBC听力11月合辑(文本+翻译)1113素材
BBC News with Sue Montgomery.Sue Montgomery为你播报BBC新闻。
President Barack Obama has called US congressional leaders to urge them to tackle the country’s budget deficit together following his re-election for a second term in office. Mr Obama faces the immediate challenge of getting both sides to agree budget reforms to avoid going over what’s been described as “the fiscal cliff”. From Washington, Jane Little.赢得第二个总统任期后，总统巴拉克·奥巴马呼吁美国国会领袖一起解决该国的预算赤字。
奥巴马眼前面临的挑战就是让双方同意进行预算改革，以避免所谓再度回到所谓的“财政悬崖”。
Jane Little在华盛顿报道。
The victory is sealed. Barack Obama has extended his place in history with a decisive win, but there’s little time to stop and celebrate. A di vided country has given him more time to fix a broken economy. It also ensured he must work with the Republican-controlled House again. The talk on both sides as it’s working together towards solutions, they need to find them quickly. A fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts is looming. If Washing ton fails to strike a deal, it’s likely to harm the very recovery Americans have been starting to believe in.胜利已是板上钉钉的事。
高中英语 VOA常速听力11月合辑(文本)ObamaMeetsChineseJapaneseLeadersatEastAsiaSummit素材
VOA常速英语听力2012年11月合辑（文本）：Obama-Meets-Chinese-Japanese-Leaders-at-East-Asia-SummitOn the final day of his Southeast Asia trip, President Barack Obama met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihik o Noda on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.It was the first meeting between the president and Premier Wen since their talks at the last East Asia Summit in Bali last year and since Obama's re-election to a second term. The two have met five times in all.As the two largest global economies, the president says China and the United States have a special responsibility to lead the way to ensu re sustained and balanced global economic growth."It is very important that as two of the largest economies in the world, that we work to establish clear rules of t he road internationally for trade and investment, which can increase prosperity and global growth," said Obama.Premier Wen congratulated Obama on his re-election and spoke about the importance of a strong Sino-American relationship, calling it important for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.In describing the talks to reporters, Deputy Nat ional Security Adviser Ben Rhodes offered additional specifics, noting that meeting was the last the two will have, given leadership changes in China."They discussed the importance of the U.S. and China consistently ma intaining our cooperation on a bilateral and global level. They discussed security issues including Iran. They discussed economic issues, including our commitment to strengthen the rules of the road in the global economy,” said Rhodes. “And, they discussed regional stability, reaffirming that China is part of our engagement here in this important region a critical part of that engagement, and our interest again in resolving territorial disputes and maritime disputes consistent with international rules of the road."In his only other bilateral meeting at the East Asia Summit, President Obama met with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan.Those discussions focused on the U.S. - Japan alliance. Washington has urged Tokyo and Beijing to resolve tensions about disputed islands in the East China Sea.Although there were expe ctations Japan would announce it is joining the Trans-Pacific partnership, a new free trade initiative, Rhodes says that did not happen.Obama's Southeast Asia trip has enabled him to fill in more details of the U.S. economic and security shift to the Asia-Pacific region, of which nations in the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) a re a crucial part.He addressed the shift toward the end of his speech in Rangoon, Burma."The United States of America is a Pacific nation. We see our future as bound to those nat ions and peoples to our West,” he said. “As our economy recovers, this is where we believe we will find tremendous growth. As we end the wars that have dominated our foreign policy for a decade, this region will be a focus of our efforts to build a prosperous peace.”In their final statement, U.S. and ASEAN leaders say they are elevating the annual leaders meeting to a summit.。
高中英语 VOA常速听力11月合辑(文本)BurmatoWelcomeOb
VOA常速英语听力2012年11月合辑（文本）：Burma-to-Welcome-Obama-for-Historic-VisitBarack Obama is set to become the first U.S. president to visit Burma on November 19, in what is seen as encouragement for President Thein Sein's reforms. But human-rights groups say the visit comes too soon because Burmese reforms are fragile and oppression continues in Kachin and Rakhine states.Burma is set to welcome U.S. President Barack Obama for meetings with President Thein Sein and oppositio n leader Aung San Suu Kyi.Newspaper seller Oo Zay Yar says the na tion welcomes Obama and hopes his visit can help push moves toward democracy even further."I am proud of my country because Obama is coming to visit. I hope many political changes can happen after his visit. Economic developme nt can happen as well," said Oo Zay Yar.The historic trip will be the second time that Obama will sit down with the former political prisoner, now politician, Aung San Suu Kyi, and his first one-on-one meeting with the Burma's president.A former prime minister in the country's military government, Thein Sein and the opposition leader have driven reforms. And Obama's visit is intended to support their efforts. But the Asia Deputy Director for Human Rights Watch, Phil Robertson, says Obama's trip is premature."We still have hundreds of political prisoners in prison. We have a whole raft of rights repressive laws, administrative decrees, that the government has not even touched, has not even mentioned that they will repeal," said Robe rtson.Robertson also notes ongoing fighting with rebels in Kachin state and recent violence directed at Muslims in Rakhine, also known as Arakan."The violence that took place in June has now expanded to new areas within Arakan state, and there are still other areas where it could spread further, unless action is taken because the underlying forces here and the underlying root causes have not been addressed by the g overnment," he said.The director of Bangkok's Institute of Security and International Studies, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, says Obama's visit needs to strike a balance."The Obama administration has to show that reforms are rewarded. The lifting of sanctions and re-engagement by the private sector of the U.S. Thein Sein has to show his people that there are some fruits from reform," said Pongsudhirak.Tun Linn Aung says his parents worked this juice stand for 30 years, and he hopes Obama's visit will bring more American investment and better jobs."I do not think his trip is too early. I think this is the right time. Now our country has already passed the transitional period," said Tun Linn Aung.In recognition of progress, the United States already has suspended tough economic sanctions against Burma and sent its first ambassador to Rangoon in more than two decades.。
高中英语VOA常速听力2012年11月合辑(文本)US-Patriotic-Millionaires
VOA常速英语听力2012年11月合辑（文本）：US-Patriotic-Millionaires-Tax-Us-MoreJeff SwicordNovember 15, 2012In Washington - a group cal ling themselves "Patriotic Millionaires," storming Capitol Hill with their m essage for the president and Congress: “tax us more, w e can take it.”“We have the fastest growing rate of inequality in the developed world," said one.They are in line with President Obama, who has vowed to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans as part of a budget deal needed to avoid the looming crisis. The so-called "fiscal cliff" would force tax increases and deep budget cuts if there is no dealby December 31st.“When it comes to the top two percent, what I am not going to do is exten d a tax cut for f olks who don’t n eed it. That would cost close to a trillion dollars," said President Obama.But House Speaker John Boehner has made it clear the wealthiest Americans should not see the ir taxes go up.“I have outlined a framework for how both parties can work together to avert thefiscal cliff without raising t ax rates," said Boehner.The Patriotic Millionaires disagree with Speaker Boehner. They take issue with theRepublican Party’s argument that taxing wealthy job creators will lead to fewer jobs. T.J. Zlotnitsky is CEO of iControl Systems, a data management company.“When I make a decision about whether or not I am going to hire people to help growmy business I make those decisions strictly on the basis of whether the company needs them, whether the customers demand them, whether doing so will grow the busines s. In terms of my own personal tax rates, that never factors in," he said.The millionaires argue that over-burdening the middle-class with taxes to pay forthe U.S. deficit would be far worse for the economy.“It is especially important abou t the middle class. If you lose the middle class,you are losing customers. So a strong middle class that is helped by a fair tax systemleads long-term to a healthy economy," said Frank Patitucci, CEO of NuCompass Mobility..'Patriotic Millionaires' has more than 200 members across the United States, who work in the fields of finance, entertainment, and technology.。
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VOA常速英语听力2012年11月合辑（文本）：
President-Barack-Obama-won-re-election
Chris Simkins
November 07, 2012
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama won re-election to a second term in a close r ace against Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Growing optimism about the economy and a big voter turnout among Democrats appeared to make the difference.
Reaction to President Barack Obama's victory was swift and passionate. Across the country, Obama supporters cheered. Supporters of Mitt Romney were left wondering why the Republican's White House bid fell short.
In his victory speech, President Obama pledged to work with Congress to solve the nation's problems.
"And in the com ing weeks and months I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the ch allenges we can only solve together," he said. "Reducing our deficit. Reforming our t ax code. We have got more work do.
Romney said it's time to put partisan politics aside and work together for the good of the country.
"This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nati on," said Romney.
The economy ranked as the top issue by nearly 60 percent of voters surveyed as they left polling places. Analysts say an improved economy made the difference in the key state of Ohio, where President Obama was credited with preventing the collapse of the U.S. auto industry and saving jobs.
"It is not campaigns that decide elections, it is governing," said Allan Lichtman, a political science professor at American University in Washington. "And it's not just the economy, but it is a broad range of governing factors.
Another surprise of this election was the gender gap. Obama won women voters, while a majority of men voted for Romney. President Obama also did well with minorities, especially Hispanics, who gave Democrats their largest margin of support since 1996.
Lichtman says the Republican Party needs to broaden its suppo rt.
"The Republican Party will not survive unless it figures out a way, and that is goin g to be really hard to appeal to minorities and to appeal to women, given their stance on abortion, on immigration, on civil rights," he said. "That is a tough task for Republicans.
Obama will again face a divided Congress. Democrats retained control of the U.S. Senate while Republicans kept control of the House of Representatives.
Analysts say the president's supporters know their celebration could be short lived unless he and lawmakers find common ground to solve the nation's pressing problems.。