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Could You Do Better? 你能做的更好吗?
There is no doubt that users of the bbcukchina website are among the most
intelligent and educated people. So let's see if you know the answers to the
following general knowledge questions:
In Greek mythology what did Prometheus steal from the gods? Ursus Maritimus
is the scientific name for which bear? Pierre is the capital of which American
state?
How did you get on? If you answered the questions correctly then you did a
lot better than a contestant on a long-running BBC quiz show called Mastermind,
who got the lowest score in the programme's 40-year history.
Software analyst Kajen Thuraaisingham scored a measly five points out of 29
over the two rounds of the show.
The format of the show sees contestants answer questions on a specialised
subject of their choosing before tackling a round of general knowledge.
Could you handle the pressure?
The pressure really comes to bear on the players as they occupy the iconic
black leather chair positioned under a bright spotlight.
After the show Mastermind's host John Humphrys commiserated with the
unfortunate contestant.
"It's the 'black chair' syndrome," said Humphrys. "No matter how hard you
prepare for a show, the mind can just go blank when you're in that chair and the
lights are on you."
Mr Thuraaisingham was gracious in defeat, saying, "I tried my best but it
wasn't my night."
As well as being tested on general knowledge, Mastermind contestants are
sometimes quizzed on their mastery of the English language, and indeed the final
question that Mr Thuraaisingham faced was a vocabulary test.
Can you do better than he did? Let's find out. What word can mean a joint
of pork, to pawn, or a German white wine?
(Answers to all the questions in this text are in the PDF worksheet that
accompanies this Take Away English) |
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发表于 2016-7-10 00:05:30