A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels

英格兰队的东西,在美国被偷了
England's Gear Stolen in the US
About this story
用简单中文回顾一则真实的世界杯新闻:英格兰队的装备在从佛罗里达去堪萨斯城的路上被偷。含生词、语法和全文翻译,适合初级学习者。. HSK 2 Chinese listening practice.
This is an HSK 2 Chinese listening episode that runs about 5 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 10 key vocabulary words such as 特别、练习、准备 and walks through 3 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
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原文Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
English transcript reference
Today we're talking about a very unusual thing.
This thing has to do with the England team.
England are a very famous team in the world.
This time, they came to America to play in the World Cup.
Many people love England and want to watch them play.
But before the matches even began, something happened.
What happened?
A lot of England's things were stolen.
"Stolen" means someone took someone else's things.
This left a lot of people shocked.
Let's first explain what happened.
After England came to America, they first stayed in one place.
That place is in the south of America, where it's very hot.
Hot weather is good for practicing football.
England stayed there for a few days, practicing every day.
Later, they had to go to another city.
That city is called Kansas City.
They were going to settle in Kansas City and prepare for the World Cup there.
From one place to another, the road is long.
So they used vehicles to transport all their things together.
There were lots and lots of things in the vehicles.
There were balls, boots, and many things they needed for practice.
But after the vehicles reached Kansas City, a problem came up.
They opened the vehicles and found a lot of things missing.
The things had been stolen on the road.
Quite a lot was stolen.
There were players' boots, and balls used for practice.
They say there were also the coach's whiteboards, and other equipment.
Even the boots of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were stolen.
Those two are England's most famous players.
Even their things being stolen — everyone found it so strange.
Some also said that afterward England were left with just one ball.
A team that big, with only one ball to practice with.
Just think — the World Cup is such a big event, and they didn't even have enough balls.
It sounds a bit funny, and a bit of a pity.
Luckily, they say some things were found later.
But there are still many things that haven't been found.
So, who stole them?
Right now, the police are investigating.
The police have also made arrests.
Some think the drivers may be the problem.
Because these things were being transported by them in the first place.
But who exactly it was still has to wait for the police to find out.
Kansas City people also said they'd help England look together.
Everyone hopes these things can be found quickly.
England's fans were all very sad to hear this.
And many fans were angry.
They said: how could anyone steal a team's things?
Many also started asking: is it safe to put things in a vehicle?
With so many teams coming to the World Cup, should they be more careful from now on?
Actually, these things are all very useful to the team.
Boots are what players wear when they play.
The whiteboard is what the coach uses to explain how to play.
And some equipment is used to study opponents and watch matches.
Without these things, the team will have a little trouble.
Still, England are a big team, and they'll find a way.
New boots and new balls can all be bought again.
England's people said they're checking to see what's missing.
They also said this won't affect the team too much.
Meaning, they'll still prepare well for the match.
England's first match is on June 17.
That day, they play Croatia.
Croatia are also a very strong team, very hard to play.
So the most important thing for England now is still to be ready for the match.
Losing things is, of course, not a good thing.
But the match is coming soon, and they can't think about it too much.
Actually, this kind of thing is rare at the World Cup.
Usually, what everyone talks about is the matches, the goals, who wins and loses.
This time, everyone is talking about England losing their things.
A famous team having its things stolen in America — it really is unusual.
So a lot of people are following this.
Everyone wants to know whether all the things can be found.
And to know who exactly did it.
Right now, the police are still searching and asking.
We hope England can get their things back soon.
And we hope their later matches go well.
Alright, that's all I'll tell you about today.
Thanks for listening — see you next time.
Listen again
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
What vocabulary does this episode teach?
词汇考纲词. 今天我们说一件很特别的事 — a very unusual thing.
考纲词. 英格兰每天都练习 — England practiced every day.
考纲词. 在那里准备世界杯 — preparing for the World Cup there.
考纲词. 车到了以后,问题来了 — a problem came up.
HSK 1-2. meaning / interest.
Glossed: 偷,就是有人把别人的东西拿走了.
球队的装备 — the team's gear. (the episode uses 东西 and 装备.)
教练用的白板 — the coach's whiteboard.
英格兰的球迷都很难过 — England's fans were sad.
东西放在车里,安全吗 — is it safe in the vehicle?
* beyond level超纲词
What grammar patterns appear in this episode?
语法让 + 人 + (吃惊)
让 = 'to make / cause (someone to feel)'.
这件事,让很多人都很吃惊。
因为…
'Because …' gives the reason.
因为这些东西,本来就是他们在运。
不过…
'However / but' — a softer turn than 但是.
不过,到底是谁,还要等警察查清楚。
Proper Nouns
专有名词Free account
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