自然保护组织将上万只欧洲牡蛎投放在贝尔法斯特湾的海床上，以尝试恢复几近消失的当地牡蛎礁。有 2000 只成年牡蛎和 3 万只被称为 “附着期幼蚝” 的幼年牡蛎被从苏格兰的繁殖场带到了贝尔法斯特以支持该物种的回归。

There were oyster reefs in Belfast Lough until the early 20th century, when overfishing and pollution all but destroyed them.

贝尔法斯特湾曾经有牡蛎礁，直到 20 世纪早期，人类的过度捕捞和污染几乎完全毁灭了它们。

Over the last four years, oyster nurseries have been set up on the coasts of counties Antrim and Down. Now conservationists have placed 2,000 adult European oysters and more than 30,000 juveniles on the seabed of the lough. Scientists hope the shellfish will form a natural reef and improve the water quality because they remove pollutants.

在过去四年间，一些牡蛎繁殖场被设立在了安特里姆郡和唐郡的海岸线上。目前，自然保护工作者已经在海湾中投放了 2000 只成年欧洲牡蛎和超过 3 万只幼年牡蛎。科学家希望这种贝类动物能够形成天然礁石并改善水质，因为它们能去除水中的污染物。

Northern Ireland's devolved government is supporting the project. It's led by the charity Ulster Wildlife, which has said the latest stage is a huge step forward in helping to restore a small but mighty ocean superhero.

北爱尔兰自治政府支持这个项目。该项目由慈善机构阿尔斯特野生动植物组织牵头，该组织称项目的最新阶段是朝着实现帮助恢复这种体型小、实力强的海洋超级英雄的目标迈出的一大步。

词汇表

reefs 礁，礁石
lough 海湾
overfishing 过度捕捞
nurseries 繁殖场
juveniles 幼年的
pollutants 污染物
devolved （权力或责任）被下放的，被移交的
restore 恢复
mighty 强大的

听力练习

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. Oyster reefs are…
a. new to the Irish coast.
b. returning to the Irish coast.
c. destroying the Irish coast.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. Where are the new oysters in the lough?
a. Tied to ropes.
b. Floating on the surface.
c. On the sea floor.

2. Which types of oysters have been placed in the lough?
a. Mostly adults and some juveniles.
b. Mostly juveniles and some adults.
c. An equal mix of adults and juveniles.

3. Scientists are improving the water quality to help the oysters.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. The project is fully funded by a charity.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. Over the last four years, oyster nurseries have been ________________ the coasts of counties Antrim and Down.

2. Scientists hope the shellfish will form ________________ and improve the water quality because they remove pollutants.

答案

一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。

1. b.There were oyster reefs in Belfast Lough until the early 20th century, when overfishing and pollution all but destroyed them.

二、用一分钟阅读下列问题，然后听第二遍音频并回答问题。

1. c. Now conservationists have placed 2,000 adult European oysters and more than 30,000 juveniles on the seabed of the lough.

2. b. Now conservationists have placed 2,000 adult European oysters and more than 30,000 juveniles on the seabed of the lough.

3. b. False. Scientists hope the shellfish will form a natural reef and improve the water quality because they remove pollutants.

4. b. False. Northern Ireland's devolved government is supporting the project. It's led by the charity Ulster Wildlife…

三、听第三遍音频，将句子补充完整。（提示：可以反复听，直到听清楚每一个词）

1. Over the last four years, oyster nurseries have been set up on the coasts of counties Antrim and Down. 

2. Scientists hope the shellfish will form a natural reef and improve the water quality because they remove pollutants.