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Bus Fares Spark Widespread Protests in Brazil 公车票价调涨掀巴西抗议潮

课文朗读

Gathering around big football matches, usually a moment of joy for Brazilians, has recently become a way to protest against the government. As international teams competed in Brazil’s stadiums during the Confederations Cup, unhappy residents marched through the streets. The demonstrations began in response to a rise in bus fares, something the government controls, but their focus shifted to public services in general.

为大型足球赛而齐聚一堂对巴西人来说通常是欢乐的时刻，但最近这却成为一种抗议政府的方式。当国际球队于联合会杯足球赛期间在西巴的场馆比赛时，不满的巴西民众上街游行。此示威运动本始于对政府所掌管的公车票价调涨有所回应，但焦点后来转移至一般公共服务的议题上。

Despite the efforts of police, who resorted to firing rubber bullets and tear gas to dispel protesters, hundreds of thousands took to the streets across the country. Brazil’s costly preparation for hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup has become a major target for criticism. An unemployed teacher and protester explained, “I like football, but Brazil has spent all that money on the event when we don’t have good public education, healthcare, or infrastructure.” The country is spending roughly US$14 billion preparing for the World Cup, which is three times more than South Africa spent in 2010.

尽管警察采取发射橡胶子弹及催泪瓦斯来驱散民众，全国上下仍有成千上万人走上街头。巴西为主办2014年国际足协世界杯的筹备工作所费不菲，因而成为批评的目标。一位失业教师抗议者解释：「我喜爱足球，但巴西已投入所有的钱在这届比赛上，而同时我们却没有良好的公民教育、医疗保健或公共建设。」巴西目前在准备世界杯上花费约140亿美金，比2010年南非所花费的3倍还多。

In an emergency meeting, President Dilma Rousseff proposed US$25 billion worth of reforms. Authorities hope the turmoil ends long before next year’s World Cup kicks off.

在一次紧急会议中，总统迪尔玛．罗赛夫提出相当于250亿美金的改革方案。有关当局希望这场骚动能于明年世界杯开踢之前平息。

－by Geoffrey Trager

Vocabulary

spark [spɑrk] v. 引发；点燃

widespread [ˋwaɪd͵sprɛd] adj. 普遍的；广泛的

demonstration [͵dɛmənˋstreʃən] n. 示威，示威运动

shift [ʃɪft] v. 转移；移动

resort [rɪˋzɔrt] to采取...手段; 使用…

tear gas 催泪瓦斯

dispel [dɪˋspɛl] v. 驱散

criticism [ˋkrɪtə͵sɪzəm] n. 批评

unemployed [͵ʌnɪmˋplɔɪd] adj. 失业的，无工作的

infrastructure [ˋɪnfrə͵strʌktʃɚ] n. 公共建设

reform [͵rɪˋfɔrm] n. 改革，革新

turmoil  [ˋtɝmɔɪl] n. 骚动；混乱

Reading Comprehension

1.   What action started the protests that happened in Brazil?

(A)  The country's soccer team lost a Confederation Cup match.

(B)  FIFA has refused to let the country host the 2014 World Cup.

(C)  Buses began to charge passengers higher fees for rides.

(D)  President Rousseff proposed billions of dollars in reform.

2.   What does the article say about Brazillians?

(A)  They have been complaining about a single issue the whole time.

(B)  They feel that too much money has been spent on schools and roads.

(C)  They have asked their country's president to resign from office.

(D)  They usually surround soccer stadium in moments of happiness.

3.   What is NOT mentioned in the passage?

(A)  The Brazilian government reacted quickly to protesters.

(B)  FIFA considered canceling future football tournaments in Brazil.

(C)  Protesters were angry about Brazil's poor public services.

(D)  The actions that people took to control the demonstrations.

Answer