BBC随身英语:Is Nessie a tourism ploy? 用尼斯湖水怪吸引游客？

Police inspectors, lorry drivers, clergymen and fishermen were among the people who claimed to have seen the monster. It became so famous that it got a nickname: Nessie.

Tourists and 'Nessie hunters' flocked to the area. There were traffic jams around the lake. Certainly, there was much to be gained from the legend. According to Visit Scotland, Nessie tourism brings in more than ￡1m to the area per year.

Marine biologist Adrian Shine, who interviewed Mrs Mackay years later, believes she was sincere. But there are plenty of people who have made a living from Nessie, including Mr Shine himself. He now runs the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition out of Mrs Mackay's old hotel.

Dr Paxton says, analysing the eye-witness accounts may tell us more about ourselves than whether or not the monster exists. He is due to publish the results of his study later this year.

As a scientist, he casts a sceptical eye on all the evidence linked to Nessie. Highly respected British surgeon, Colonel Robert Wilson, claimed he photographed the beast in 1934. It was later revealed to be a toy submarine with a sea-serpent head.

Dr Paxton says: "I suppose it is possible that people have an agenda. But I believe the vast majority of people are reporting the truth. They believe they have seen something strange.''

Some say you see what you expect. If this is true, in the land famous for whisky and Nessie, the beast will live long and prosper.

Quiz 测验 1. Whose sighting of Nessie was the first in modern times?

Hotel manageress Aldie Mackay's.

2. Was the first person who claims to have seen a monster telling the truth?

Aldie Mackay said what she believed to be the truth, according to an interviewer.

3. Is the statement true or false? A picture of the monster taken in 1934 proves its existence.

False. What appeared to be a monster was actually a toy.

4. Which expression means earning money?

To make a living.

5. Which expression can you use to say that you are seeing something that is extraordinary and improbable?

My eyes deceive me!

Glossary 词汇表 to spot发现 (her) eyes deceive (her)（她的）眼睛欺骗了（她） a fabrication捏造，编造 to note特别指出 an eye-witness account一个目击证人的描述 elusive难以描述的 to raise suspicion（使人）产生怀疑 a conspiracy阴谋\ to be widely regarded as被公认为 a sighting（对不寻常事情的）目睹 to open the floodgates打开闸门 to claim声称 to flock to蜂拥而至 a legend一个传说、传奇 to make a living from以…谋\生 sceptical怀疑的 evidence证据 a toy一个玩具 to have an agenda有预谋\