進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

British historical drama The King's Speech enters the home straight as frontrunner to take the Oscars crown this week, but The Social Network is poking all its friends for last-minute help.

Colin Firth, who plays a stammering George VI, is considered all but unbeatable for the best actor Oscar next Sunday, when the multi-billion dollar movie industry gathers for the climax to Hollywood's annual awards season.

But the Facebook movie's David Fincher could yet be named best director, and it remains the joint frontrunner for best picture along with The King's Speech, which topped the nominations haul with nods in 12 categories.

The nearly 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences finish voting on Tuesday, but the results will only be announced in a show watched by hundreds of millions live around the world next Sunday night.

After the British film, the next most nominated for the 83rd annual Academy Awards was classic Western remake True Grit, which garnered 10 nods, followed by eight each for The Social Network and high-tech thriller Inception.

Natalie Portman leads the pack for best actress prize for sexually charged ballet thriller The Black Swan - although she faces stiff competition from Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole and Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right.

Like Firth, Portman has taken a string of awards in the run-up to the Oscars, including the Golden Globe for best actress, as well as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Britain's BAFTA prize in the same category.

The Black Swan and powerful boxing movie The Fighter are also among those vying seriously for best picture, while some say box office smash thriller Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, could yet produce an upset.

Questions:

1. Which monarch is the King’s Speech based on?

2. How many members of the Academy will vote?

3. Who is up for best actress in a sexually charged ballet thriller?

Answers:

1. George VI.

2. Nearly 6,000.

3. Natalie Portman.

去聽寫專區一展身手

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.