（本节目音频首次发布于 2026 年 10 月 22 日）
布莱克浦、米尔顿凯恩斯、谢菲尔德和雷克瑟姆入围 2029 年英国 “文化之城”（UK City of Culture）候选名单。最终获选城市将于 2027 年 5 月揭晓，并获得 1000 万英镑，用于借助 “当地优势与特色故事”，开展为期一年的系列文化活动。
Variety, ballroom dancing, illuminations, rollercoasters: Blackpool has long seen itself as an entertainment capital. It now has high hopes of becoming the next UK City of Culture.
从综艺表演、交谊舞到灯光展和过山车，长期以来，布莱克浦一直将自己视为 “娱乐之都”。如今，布莱克浦对成为下一届英国 “文化之城” 寄予厚望。
Its rivals for the prize: Sheffield, with everything from the John Ruskin collection to its pioneering electronic music, Milton Keynes, the UK's biggest new town and home of codebreaking in the Second World War, and Wrexham with its Hollywood-owned football club.
布莱克浦的竞争对手包括：谢菲尔德，这座城市既拥有约翰·拉斯金收藏，又以具有开创性的电子音乐闻名；米尔顿凯恩斯，英国最大的 “新城”，也是二战时期密码破译工作的所在地；还有雷克瑟姆，当地的足球俱乐部由好莱坞人士持有。
Each will now receive £125,000 to put forward towards a final bid. The announcement of the winner will be made early next year, along with an award of £10m to help fund the events of City of Culture 2029.
四座入围城市将分别获得 12.5 万英镑资金，用于准备最终申办方案。获胜城市将于明年早些时候揭晓，并获得 1000 万英镑，用于支持 2029 年英国 “文化之城” 系列活动的举办。
听力练习
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
1. What is the main idea of this report?
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. Which location sees itself as an entertainment capital?
a. Blackpool
b. Sheffield
c. Milton Keynes
2. Sheffield is known for electronic music.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
3. Wrexham is in England.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
4. All four locations will receive £125,000.
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. Blackpool has ______________ as an entertainment capital.
2. Each will now receive £125,000 to ______________ towards a final bid.
（答案见词汇表后）
词汇表
ballroom dancing 交谊舞
illuminations 灯光展
rollercoasters 过山车
entertainment capital 娱乐之都
high hopes 厚望，很高的期待
rivals 竞争对手
pioneering 开创性的，具有先驱性的
codebreaking 密码破译
bid 申办方案
fund 资助，为……提供资金
答案
一、听第一遍音频，回答问题。
Four locations in the UK have been shortlisted to become the City of Culture 2029. The winner will receive £10m to fund events.
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. a. Blackpool has long seen itself as an entertainment capital.
2. a. True. Its rivals for the prize Sheffield, with everything from the John Ruskin collection to its pioneering electronic music…
3. c. Not given. Wrexham is in Wales, not England, but that information is not given in the report.
4. a. True. Each will now receive £125,000 to put forward towards a final bid.
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. Blackpool has long seen itself as an entertainment capital.
2. Each will now receive £125,000 to put forward towards a final bid.
