英语听力精选进阶版 6280
时间：2019-02-21 作者：英语课 分类：英语听力精选进阶版
People in the UK are in shock after days of brazen 1 thefts and wanton damage during riots in London and other cities in England. Across the media, there have been images of people walking into shops and helping 2 themselves to flat-screen TVs, clothes and other items.
But what is it that turns people into looters? Criminologists and psychologists have been considering what happens.
Some politicians have been quick to describe the rioting as simply thuggery. But experts point out that only some of those involved will have committed such crimes before; and others are swept along with the crowd.
Psychologists say that people lose their moral identity in a large group and empathy and guilt 3 - the human qualities which prevent us from behaving like criminals – are lost as we take on the values of the group.
For the looters there's a sense of safety in numbers. Because hundreds of people are taking part in the criminal activities, individuals feel they are likely to get away with it.
According to Dr Lance Workman, rioters and looters may develop a temporary moral code in their minds which justifies 4 their actions: "There are rich people who have things I don't have so it's right that I take it." However, there is also evidence which suggests gang leaders have psychopathic tendencies, he says.
Academics also think that socio-economic factors must be taken into account. Most of the rioters are from poor estates and feel they have nothing to lose.
Quiz 小测验
1. Did the looters try to hide their actions?
No. Their actions were brazen.
2. Do some politicians think the rioting was caused by people because they are violent people?
Yes. They describe the actions as simply thuggery.
3. Do some psychologists think people behave differently in large groups than they do on their own?
Yes. They say people lose their moral identity and take on the values of the group.
4. What word is used to describe someone who doesn't feel bad about their destructive actions?
Psychopathic.
5. Are the rioters rich?
No. Most of the rioters are from poor estates.
Glossary 词汇表
brazen thefts 厚颜无耻的偷窃
wanton damage 任意破坏
riots 社会骚乱
helping themselves 自己动手拿
looters 抢掠者
criminologists 犯罪学家
psychologists 心理学家
thuggery 抢劫
swept along with 顺波逐流、被拥着前行
empathy 同感，共鸣
guilt 歉意
values 价值观
safety in numbers 人多势众
to get away with it 做了坏事但不会受到惩罚
moral code 道德准则
psychopathic tendencies 有犯罪谋杀倾向
socio-economic 社会经济学
nothing to lose 没什么可以失去的，什么都不怕
- The brazen woman laughed loudly at the judge who sentenced her.那无耻的女子冲着给她判刑的法官高声大笑。
- Some people prefer to brazen a thing out rather than admit defeat.有的人不愿承认失败，而是宁肯厚着脸皮干下去。
- The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
- By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
- She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
- Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。