东南大学《英语三级》Script+Key -Watch,listen and Read Unit 3.docVIP

Unit 3 Watching video SCRIPT Narrator: In a small village in Provence, France, residents have gathered to give thanks. While they sing and pray to Saint Anthony, these church members are praying for something different: a good truffle harvest. At the annual truffle mass, the collection plate is filling up, and not just with cash. In Richerenches, truffles are sometimes called “black diamonds”. At a price of up to $1,000 U.S. per pound, they’re one of the world’s most expensive foods. The name Richerenches means “rich earth”, appropriate for this village. Half of France’s black truffles are transported through the town’s market, up to $180,000 U.S. worth a day. They’re all looking for truffles, and not just any one will do, either. Pierre-Andre Valayer, Truffle Broker: “It’s a most important market of truffles in France. So if you want to buy some truffle, you have to be in Richerenches to buy something. So for the sellers, it’s the same thing. If you want to sell well, they have to come to Richerenches.” Narrator: Provence generally brings to mind summer holidays, lazy afternoons, and ancient customs. In winter though, the small town’s pace speeds up considerably. Many of the region’s farmers also work as truffle hunters. Most of the business is done discretely from the backs of the brokers? cars. One small bag of truffles is worth hundreds of U.S. dollars, so the trade is certainly lucrative. Philippe Oger, Truffle Eater: “I do think they buy apartments and so on . . . on the Riviera with this money. I know that.” Narrator: The buying and selling of truffles is mainly a cash business, it’s usually under the table. This means that the brokers often don’t pay any taxes on the money they earn and neither do the hunters. Most people presume that truffles are only an expensive luxury for the rich; however, regular people who cook at home often spend money on them, too. France’s gourmet food companies also buy truffles from the brokers and export them to restauran