2014英语四级听力练习:慢速英语(4)

　　An international team of researchers recently reported creation of a new element that is 40 percent heavier than lead.

　　The researchers successfully developed what they are calling Element Number 117 at a laboratory in Germany. It is identified by that number because its nucleus contains that same number of particles --called protons. Element Number 117 has a temporary name -- ununseptium.

　　If you remember your chemistry classes in school, you will recall that about 90 elements in the Periodic Table are found in nature. But others that were created in laboratories appear only in very small amounts.

　　The Periodic Table lines up -- or organizes -- chemical elements in order of atomic number. The elements made in laboratories -- such as 117 -- are extremely unstable. They last only minutes before breaking down into long-lasting elements.

　　Creation of new elements helps scientists better-understand the chemistry and physics of atoms. But such production may also lead to the discovery of new technologies.

　　Russian and other scientists had reported the creation of Element 117 in . But the group that confirms new elements requires at least two successful independent experiments to confirm their existence. That group -- the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry -- will give the element a permanent name.

　　A report on the new element appears in the journal Physical Review Letters.

　　词汇讲解：

　　1. identify vt.识别，认出

　　例句：Please identify the registered trademark.

　　请认明注册商标。

　　2. remember vt. 记得; 牢记

　　例句：For example, it can easily remember such things as:

　　例如，它可以轻易地记住下面这些信息。

　　3. appear vi.出现，显现

　　例句：At least you appear classy.

　　这样至少你显得高贵。

　　4. confirm vt.[法]确认，批准

　　例句：Unilever refused to confirm the news.

　　联合利华拒绝证实相关消息。

　　5. existence n.存在，实在

　　例句：Heres a glimpse of their daily existence.

　　下面的照片是他们日常生活的缩影。

　　短语讲解：

　　1. The Periodic Table lines up -- or organizes -- chemical elements in order of atomic number.

　　line up 排成一行; 排队等候

　　例句：Line up the glasses, and Ill fill them.

　　把玻璃杯排好,我来斟酒。

　　2. The elements made in laboratories -- such as 117 -- are extremely unstable.

　　such as 像， 例如

　　例句：Context scenarios address questions such as the following:

　　情境场景剧本解决了以下的问题。

　　3. They last only minutes before breaking down into long-lasting elements.

　　break down 失败; 划分; 损坏

　　例句：What guarantee do I have that it wont break down easily?

　　有什么保障它不会轻易出故障?

　　4. But such production may also lead to the discovery of new technologies.

　　lead to 把带到; 领到; 通向; 导致

　　例句：A little exaggeration can lead to serious consequences.

　　一丝一毫的夸大都可能导致严重的后果。