作者：5xue

2016年06月英语四级第3套听力原文及题目

Section A
Direction: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

News Report 1
Officials in Thailand found 40 dead tiger cubs at a Buddhist temple accused of animal abuse. The dead cubs were discovered Wednesday in a freezer at the temple, west of Bangkok. Authorities found them while removing dozens of mostly full-grown live tigers from the temple grounds. Officials said the cubs appeared to be about a week old. It was not known why they were in the freezer, where temple staff kept food. Monks have been operating an unsanctioned zoo, called Tiger Temple. Tourists paid money to view and take pictures with the tigers and other exotic animals. Thai authorities plan to file charges against the temple for illegally possessing endangered species.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What do we learn from the news report?
Question 2: How old were the tiger cubs?

1.
A) This incident occurred in Tibet.
B) The dead cubs were found in the front of a temple.
C) Some tiger cubs were dead because of abuse.
D) The reason why they were in the freezer was clear.

2.
A) About 2 weeks.
B) About 7 days.
C) About 1 year.
D) About 40 days.

News Report 2
Switzerland has opened the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, 17 years after starting work on the project. The Gotthard Railway Tunnel is 57 kilometers long. Trains passing through it will be about 2.3 kilometers underground at the deepest point. The tunnel cost $12 billion to build under the Alps of central Switzerland. The tunnel will reduce the time it takes trains to travel between northern and southern Europe. It is also expected to lower the number of vehicles on roads, and move cargo between north and south. The two-way tunnel opens for commercial service in December. When that happens, up to 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains will be able to pass through it every day.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: How many kilometers is the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel?
Question 4: What advantages can the tunnel bring to Europe?

3.
A) 17.
B) 2.3.
C) 57.
D) 12.

4.
A) It can reduce the time to travel.
B) It can reduce the vehicles on roads.
C) It can move cargo between north and south.
D) All of A、B and C.

News Report 3
A Japanese boy named Yamato Tanooka remains missing four days after his parents abandoned him as a punishment, police said. Japan’s military joined the search Wednesday for the 7-year-old boy missing in a forest in northern Japan. But on Wednesday night, the boy still had not been found. About 275 soldiers, police and volunteers searched for him Wednesday. The boy has been missing since Saturday, when his parents made him get out of their car to punish him for throwing rocks at cars and people, according to police. Kyodo News Service said police are looking into whether the parents should be charged with child abandonment. Child psychiatrists said even a threat of leaving a child behind is child abuse because of the stress it creates. Police said the boy’s father, Takayuki Tanooka, returned to the area to look for his son a few minutes later, but could not find him. Tanooka first told police his son disappeared while the family was picking vegetables. He later said that he and his wife had punished their son for bad behavior.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: How was the boy missing?
Question 6: Who searched for the boy four days after his parents abandoned him?
Question 7: When was the boy missing?

5.
A) He was abandoned by his parents.
B) He got lost in the forest.
C) He went far to drink water.
D) It wasn’t mentioned.

6.
A) The boy’s father.
B) Soldiers, police and volunteers.
C) Japan’s military.
D) Child psychiatrists.

7.
A) On Wednesday night.
B) A few minutes later.
C) Wednesday.
D) Since Saturday.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
W: Hello, Parkson College. May I help you?
M: Yes. I’m looking for information on courses in computer programming. I would need it for the fall semester.
W: Do you want a day or evening course?
M: Well, it would have to be an evening course since I work during the day.
W: Aha. Have you taken any courses in data processing?
M: No.
W: Oh. Well, data processing is a course you have to take before you can take computer programming.
M: Oh, I see. Well, when is it given? I hope it’s not on Thursdays.
W: Well, there’s a class that meets on Monday evenings at seven.
M: Just once a week?
W: Yes. But that’s almost three hours from seven to nine forty-five.
M: Oh. Well, that’s alright. I could manage that. How many weeks does the course last?
W: Mmmm, let me see. Twelve weeks. You start the first week in September, and finish, oh, just before Christmas. December 21st.
M: And how much is the course?
W: That’s three hundred dollars including the necessary computer time.
M: Aha. Okay. Ah, where do I go to register?
W: Registration is on the second and third of September, between 6:00 and 9:00 in Frost Hall.
M: Is that the round building behind the parking lot?
W: Yes. That’s the one.
M: Oh, I know how to get there. Is there anything that I should bring with me?
W: No, just your checkbook.
M: Well, thank you so much.
W: You are very welcome. Bye!
M: Bye!
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: Why does the man choose to take an evening course?
Question 9: What does the man have to do before taking the course of computer programming?
Question 10: What do we learn about the schedule of the evening course?
Question 11: What does the man want to know at the end of the conversation?

8.
A) He prefers the smaller evening classes.
B) He has signed up for a day course.
C) He has to work during the day.
D) He finds the evening course cheaper.

9.
A) Learn a computer language.
B) Learn data processing.
C) Buy some computer software.
D) Buy a few coursebooks.

10.
A) Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 9:45.
B) From September 1 to New Year’s eve.
C) Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks.
D) Three hours a week, 45 hours in total.

11.
A) What to bring for registration.
B) Where to attend the class.
C) How he can get to Frost Hall.
D) Whether he can use a check.

Conversation 2
W: So why exactly does your job have a reputation for being stressful?
M: Stress is generally driven by the feeling of being out of control of a situation and the feeling of a situation controlling you. Trading in financial markets combines both.
W: How do you relax in the evening?
M: I very rarely do anything work-related so it’s easy to escape “The Markets”. I generally go to the gym or go for a run, especially if I’ve had a bad day. I always cook a meal rather than have a take-away to do something my brain would regard as creative.
W: Do you think what you do to relax is an effective way to beat stress?
M: I don’t think there’s a specific rule about how to beat stress. I generally find that what I do is effective for me.
W: Would you consider changing your job because of the high stress factor?
M: I have considered leaving my job due to stress-related factors. However, I do think that an element of stress is a good thing, and if used the right way, can actually be a positive thing.
W: What do you enjoy about the stressful aspects of your job?
M: Having said all that, I do actually enjoy an element of uncertainty. I enjoy a mental challenge. Trading generates a wide range of emotions second by second. How you deal with and manage those emotions, dictates short, medium and long term trading performance and success.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What is the man’s job?
Question 13: Why does the man prefer to cook a meal rather than have a take-away?
Question 14: What does the man say about an element of stress in his job?
Question 15: What does the man enjoy about the stressful parts of his job?

12.
A) A training coach.
B) A trading adviser.
C) A professional manager.
D) A financial trader.

13.
A) He can save on living expenses.
B) He considers cooking creative.
C) He can enjoy healthier food.
D) He thinks take-away is tasteless.

14.
A) It is something inevitable.
B) It is frustrating sometimes.
C) It takes patience to manage.
D) It can be a good thing.

15.
A ) The element of uncertainty and the mental challenge.
B ) The element of certainty and physical challenge.
C) The way he deals with all kinds of emotions.
D) The success that his stressful job brings about.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Passage 1
Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life, or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness, such as caves several miles beneath the surface, and bacteria, primitive forms of life, have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s subsurface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What did scientists once believe according to the passage?
Question 17: What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?
Question 18: What scientists come to know recently about the formation of life?

16.
A) There were no planets without moons.
B) There was no air or water on Jupiter.
C) Life was not possible in outer space.
D) The mystery of life could not be resolved.

17.
A) It has a number of active volcanoes.
B) It has an atmosphere like the earth’s.
C) It has a large ocean under its surface.
D) It has deep caves several miles long.

18.
A) Light is not an essential element to it.
B) Life can form in very hot temperatures.
C) Every form of life undergoes evolution.
D) Oxygen is not needed for some life forms.

Passage 2
In her early days as an emergency room physician, Dr. Joanna Meyer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated, and was being prepared for discharge, Dr. Meyer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home. Also listening to her were a half dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’ve been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed,” she said. “All of them had heard the simple instructions I had given just a few hours before. But they had three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.” This episode gave Dr. Meyer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later — most people just don’t listen very well. Nowadays, she says, she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients: she asks them to tell her what they think they’re supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets, which are computer printouts tailored to the patients’ situation. Dr. Meyer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with a challenge because human speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What did the child’s family members argue about in the hospital?
Question 20: What does Dr. Meyer do to ensure her patients understand her instructions?
Question 21: What does the speaker say about human speech?

19.
A) Whether they should take the child home.
B) What Dr. Meyer’s instructions exactly were.
C) Who should take care of the child at home.
D) When the child would completely recover.

20.
A) She encourages them to ask questions when in doubt.
B) She makes them write down all her instructions.
C) She has them act out what they are to do at home.
D) She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.

21.
A) It lacks the stability of the printed word.
B) It contains many grammatical errors.
C) It is heavily dependent on the context.
D) It facilitates interpersonal communication.

Passage 3
It is logical to suppose that things like good labour relations, good working conditions, good wages and benefits, and job security motivate workers. But one expert, Frederick Herzberg argued that such conditions do not motivate workers. They are merely “satisfiers”. “Motivators”, in contrast, include things such as having a challenging and interesting job, recognition and responsibility. However, even with the development of computers and robotics, there are always plenty of boring, repetitive and mechanical jobs, and lots of unskilled people who have to do them. So how do managers motivate people in such jobs? One solution is to give them some responsibilities, not as individuals but as part of a team. For example, some supermarkets combine office staff, the people who fill the shelves, and the people who work at the checkout into a team, and let them decide what product lines to stock, how to display them, and so on. Many people now talk about the importance of a company’s shared values or culture, with which all the staff can identify: for example, being the best hotel chain, or making the best, the most user-friendly or the most reliable products in a particular field. Such values are more likely to motivate workers than financial targets, which ultimately only concern a few people. Unfortunately, there is only a limited number of such goals to go round, and by definition, not all the competing companies in an industry can seriously claim to be the best.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What can actually motivate workers according to Frederick Herzberg?
Question 23: What does the speaker say about jobs in the computer era?
Question 24: What do some supermarkets do to motivate their employees?
Question 25: Why does the speaker say financial targets are less likely to motivate workers?

22.
A) Job security.
B) Good labour relations.
C) Challenging work.
D) Attractive wages and benefits.

23.
A) Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.
B) More and more unskilled workers will lose jobs.
C) Computers will change the nature of many jobs.
D) Boring jobs will gradually be made enjoyable.

24.
A) Offer them chances of promotion.
B) Improve their working conditions.
C) Encourage them to compete with each other.
D) Give them responsibilities as part of a team.

25.
A) They will not bring real benefits to the staff.
B) They concern a small number of people only.
C) They are arbitrarily set by the administrators.
D) They are beyond the control of ordinary workers.

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2016年12月英语四级第1套听力原文及题目

Section A
Direction: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

News Report 1
A 16th century castle in Scotland is close to collapsing after lumps of soil were washed away by floods, threatening its foundations. On Sunday, the castle’s owner John Gordon, 76, was forced to move out of his property after the River Dee swept away about 60 feet of land, leaving the castle dangerously close to the river, according to the Scottish Daily Record. Abergeldie Castle, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was built by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly. The castle, which is located on 11,700 acres, was leased to members of the royal family between 1848 and 1970, including King Edward VII and George V. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 35 flood warnings covering several regions, as Scotland continues to clean up after Storm Frank hit the country last Wednesday. “This means that rivers will rise more slowly, but then stay high for much longer, ” the environmental agency said.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: Why did John Gordon move out of the Abergeldie Castle?
Question 2: What happened in Scotland last Wednesday?

1.
A. It was dangerous to live in.
B. It was going to be renovated.
C. He could no longer pay the rent.
D. He had sold it to the royal family.

2.
A. A strike.
B. A storm.
C. A forest fire.
D. A terrorist attack.

News Report 2
Rescue efforts were underway Thursday morning for 17 miners who were stuck in an elevator below ground at a Cargill rock salt mine near Lansing, New York, according to Marcia Lynch, Public information officer with Tompkins County’s Emergency Response Department. Emergency workers have made contact with the miners via a radio, and they all appear to be uninjured, said Jessica Verfuss, the emergency department’s assistant director. Crews have managed to provide heat packs and blankets to the miners so that they can keep warm during the rescue operation, Verfuss said. Details about what led to the workers’ being trapped in the elevator weren’t immediately available. The mine, along New York’s Cayuga Lake, processes salt used for road treatment. It produces about 2 million tons of salt that is shipped to more than 1,500 places in the northeastern United States. The rock salt mine is one of three operated by Cargill with the other two in Louisiana and Ohio.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What does the news report say about the salt miners?
Question 4: What did the rescue team do?

3.
A. They lost contact with the emergency department.
B. They were trapped in an underground elevator.
C. They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.
D. They sent calls for help via a portable radio.

4.
A. They tried hard to repair the elevator.
B. They released the details of the accident.
C. They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.
D. They provided the miners with food and water.

News Report 3
The U.S. Postal Service announced today that it is considering closing about 3,700 post offices over the next year because of falling revenues. Facing an $8.3 billion budget deficit this year, closing post offices is one of several proposals the Postal Service has put forth recently to cut costs. Last week, for example, Postmaster General Pat Donahoe announced plans to stop mail delivery on Saturdays, a move he says could save $3 billion annually. “We are losing revenue as we speak,” Donahoe said. “We do not want taxpayer money. We want to be self-sufficient. So like any other business, you have to make choices.” Dean Granholm, the vice president for delivery and post office operations, said the first waves of closings would begin this fall. He estimated that about 3,000 postmasters, 500 station managers and between 500 and 1,000 postal clerks could lose their jobs.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What is the U.S. Postal Service planning to do?
Question 6: What measure has been planned to save costs?
Question 7: What will happen when the proposed measure come into effect?

5.
A. Raise postage rates.
B. Improve its services.
C. Redesign delivery routes.
D. Close some of its post offices.

6.
A. Shortening business hours.
B. Closing offices on holidays.
C. Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.
D. Computerizing mall sorting processes.

7.
A. Many post office staff will lose their jobs.
B. Many people will begin to complain.
C. Taxpayers will be very pleased.
D. A lot of controversy will arise.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: Mrs. Hampton, we’ve got trouble in the press room this morning.
W: Oh dear, what about?
M: One of the press operators arrived an hour and a haft late.
W: But that’s a straightforward affair. He will simply lose part of his pay. That’s why we have a clock in system.
M: But the point is the man was clocked in at 8 o’clock. We have John standing by the time clock, and he swears he saw nothing irregular.
W: Is John reliable?
M: Yes, he is. That’s why we chose him for the job.
W: Have you spoken to the man who was late?
M: Not yet. I thought I’d have a word with you first. He’s a difficult man, and I think there’s been some trouble on the shop floor. I’ve got a feeling that the trade union representative is behind this. The manager told me that Jack Green’s been very active around the shop the last few days.
W: Well, what do you want me to do?
M: I was wondering if you’d see Smith — the man who was late — because you are so much better at handling things like this.
W: Oh, alright. I’ll see him. I must say I agree with you about there being bad feelings in the workers. I’ve had the idea for some time that Jack Green’s been busy stirring things up in connection with the latest wage claim. He’s always trying to make trouble. Well, I’ll get the manager to send Smith up here.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What will happen to the press operator who was late for the work according to the woman?
Question 9: What does the man say about John who stands by the time clock?
Question 10: Why does the man suggest the woman see the worker who was late?
Question 11: What does the woman say about Jack Green?

8.
A. He will be kept from promotion.
B. He will go through retraining.
C. He will be given a warning.
D. He will lose part of his pay.

9.
A. He is always on time.
B. He is a trustworthy guy.
C. He is an experienced press operator.
D. He is on good terms with his workmates.

10.
A. She is a trade union representative.
B. She is in charge of public relations.
C. She is a senior manager of the shop.
D. She is better at handling such matters.

11.
A. He is skilled and experienced.
B. He is very close to the manager.
C. He is always trying to stir up trouble.
D. He is always complaining about low wages.

Conversation 2
W: Our topic today is about something that foreigners nearly always say when they visit Britain. It’s “Why are the British so cold?” And they’re talking about the British personality — the famous British “reserve”. It means that we aren’t very friendly … we aren’t very open.
M: So, do you think it’s true?
W: It’s a difficult one. So many people who visit Britain say it’s difficult to make friends with British people. They say we’re cold, reserved, unfriendly …
M: I think it’s true. Look at Americans or Australians. They speak the same language, but they’re much more open. And you see it when you travel, people — I mean strangers — speak to you on the street or on the train. British people seldom speak on the train, or the bus. Not in London, anyway.
W: “Not in London”. That’s it. Capital cities are full of tourists and are never friendly. People are different in other parts of the country.
M: Not completely. I met a woman once, an Italian. She’d been working in Manchester for two years, and no one — not one of her colleagues — had ever invited her to their home. They were friendly to her at work, but nothing else. She couldn’t believe it. She said that would never happen in Italy.
W: You know what they say — “an Englishman’s home is his castle”. It’s really difficult to get inside.
M: Yeah. It’s about being private. You go home to your house and your garden and you close the door. It’s your place.
W: That’s why the British don’t like flats. They prefer to live in houses.
M: That’s true.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What do foreigners generally think of British people according to the woman?
Question 13: What may British people typically do on a train according to the man?
Question 14: What does the man say about the Italian woman working in Manchester?
Question 15: Why do British people prefer houses to flats?

12.
A. Open.
B. Friendly.
C. Selfish.
D. Reserved.

13.
A. They stay quiet.
B. They read a book.
C. They talk about the weather.
D. They chat with fellow passengers.

14.
A. She was always treated as a foreigner.
B. She was eager to visit an English castle.
C. She was never invited to a colleague’s home.
D. She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.

15.
A. Houses are much more quiet.
B. Houses provide more privacy.
C. They want to have more space.
D. They want a garden of their own.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Passage 1
In college, time is scarce, and consequently, very precious. At the same time, expenses in college pile up surprisingly quickly. A part-time job is a good way to balance costs while ensuring there is enough time left over for both academic subjects and after-class activities. If you are a college student looking for a part-time job, the best place to start your job search is right on campus. There are tons of on-campus job opportunities, and as a student, you’ll automatically be given hiring priority. Plus, on-campus jobs eliminate commuting time, and could be a great way to connect with academic and professional resources at your university. Check with your school’s careers service or employment office for help to find a campus job. Of course, there are opportunities for part-time work off-campus, too. If you spend a little time digging for the right part-time jobs, you’ll save yourself time–when you find a job that leaves you with enough time–to get your school work done, too. If you are a college student looking for work but worried you won’t have enough time to devote to academic subjects, consider working as a study hall or library monitor. Responsibilities generally include supervising study spaces to ensure that a quiet atmosphere is maintained. It’s a pretty easy job, but one with lots of downtime which means you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on reading, do homework or study for an exam.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say about college students applying for on-campus jobs?
Question 17: What can students do to find a campus job according to the speaker?
Question 18: What does the speaker say is a library monitor’s responsibility?

16.
A. They don’t have much choice of jobs.
B. They are likely to get much higher pay.
C. They don’t have to go through job interviews.
D. They will automatically be given hiring priority.

17.
A. Ask their professors for help.
B. Look at school bulletin boards.
C. Visit the school careers service.
D. Go through campus newspapers.

18.
A. Helping students find the books and journals they need.
B. Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.
C. Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.
D. Providing students with information about the library.

Passage 2
Agricultural workers in green tea fields near Mt. Kenya are gathering the tea leaves. It is beautiful to see. The rows of tea bushes are straight. All appears to be well. But the farmers who planted the bushes are worried. Nelson Kibara is one of them. He has been growing tea in the Kerugoya area for 40 years. He says the prices this year have been so low that he has made almost no profit. He says he must grow different kinds of tea if he is to survive. Mr. Kibara and hundreds of other farmers have been removing some of their tea bushes and planting a new kind of tea developed by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya. Its leaves are purple and brown. When the tea is boiled, the drink has a purple color. Medical researchers have studied the health benefits of the new tea. They say it is healthier than green tea and could be sold for a price that is three to four times higher than the price of green tea. But Mr. Kibara says he has not received a higher price for his purple tea crop. He says the market for the tea is unstable. And he is often forced to sell his purple tea for the same price as green tea leaves. He says there are not enough buyers willing to pay more for the purple tea.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: Why have tea farmers in Kenya decided to grow purple tea?
Question 20: What do researchers say about purple tea?
Question 21: What does Mr. Kibara find about purple tea?

19.
A. It tastes better.
B. It is easier to grow.
C. It may be sold at a higher price.
D. It can better survive extreme weathers.

20.
A. It is healthier than green tea.
B. It can grow in drier soil.
C. It will replace green tea one day.
D. It is immune to various diseases.

21.
A. It has been well received by many tea drinkers.
B. It does not bring the promised health benefits.
C. It has made tea farmers’ life easier.
D. It does not have a stable market.

Passage 3
Today’s consumers want beautiful handcrafted objects to wear and to have for their home environment. They prefer something unique and they demand quality. Craftsmen today are meeting this demand. People and homes are showing great change as more and more unique handcrafted items become available. Handicrafts are big business. No longer does a good craftsman have to work in a job he dislikes all day, and then tries to create at night. He has earned his professional status. He is now a respected member of society. Part of the fun of being a craftsman is meeting other craftsmen. They love to share their ideas and materials and help others find markets for their work. Craftsmen have helped educate consumers to make wise choices. They help them become aware of design and technique. They help them relate their choice to its intended use. They often involve consumers in trying the craft themselves. When a group of craftsmen expands to include more members, a small craft organization is formed. Such an organization does a lot in training workshops in special media, crafts marketing techniques, crafts fairs and sales, festivals, TV appearances and demonstrations. State art councils help sponsor local arts and crafts festivals which draw crowds of tourist consumers. This boosts the local economy considerably because tourists not only buy crafts, but they also use the restaurants and hotels and other services of the area.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker say about today’s consumers?
Question 23: What does the speaker say about good craftsmen in the past?
Question 24: What do craftsmen help consumers do?
Question 25: Why do state art councils help sponsor local arts and crafts festivals?

22.
A. They need decorations to show their status.
B. They prefer unique objects of high quality.
C. They decorate their homes themselves.
D. They care more about environment.

23.
A. They were proud of their creations.
B. They could only try to create at night.
C. They made great contributions to society.
D. They focused on the quality of their products.

24.
A. Make wise choices.
B. Identify fake crafts.
C. Design handicrafts themselves.
D. Learn the importance of creation.

25.
A. To boost the local economy.
B. To attract foreign investments.
C. To arouse public interest in crafts.
D. To preserve the traditional culture.

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2016年12月英语四级第2套听力原文及题目

Section A
Direction: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

News Report 1
New York State plans to shut off the thundering waters of Niagara Falls — again. At least, the American side of the falls. This “once in a lifetime” event actually may take place twice in some folks’ lives. The New York State parks system wants to turn off the falls on the American side sometime in the next two to three years to replace two 115-year-old stone bridges that allow pedestrians, park vehicles and utilities access to Goat Island. The American side of the falls were shut off in 1969 to study the buildup of rock at the base of the falls. When that happened, people came from all over the world to see the falls turned off. People are curious by nature. They want to see what’s underneath. In fact, those who first came to have a look did see something. They found millions of coins on the bottom.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: Why does New York State want to turn off Niagara Falls?
Question 2: What did people find when Niagara Falls were shut off in 1969?

1.
A. To satisfy the curiosity of tourists.
B. To replace two old stone bridges.
C. To enable tourists to visit Goat Island.
D. To improve utility services in the state.

2.
A. Countless tree limbs.
B. A few skeletons.
C. Lots of wrecked boats and ships.
D. Millions of coins on the bottom.

News Report 2
The Tunisian government said Monday that 45 people have been killed after gunmen attacked a town near the border with Libya. The Interior and Defense ministries said that the Tunisian government has closed its two border crossings with Libya because of the attack. The Tunisian military has sent reinforcements and helicopters to the area, and authorities have been hunting several attackers who were still at large. The violence came amid increasing international concern about Islamic State extremists in Libya. Officials of the Tunisian government are especially worried after dozens of tourists were killed in the attacks in Tunisia last year. Defense Minister Farhat Horchani said last week that German and American security experts were expected to come to help Tunisia devise a new electronic video supervision system on its border with Libya. Tunisia was targeted last year by three attacks that left 70 people dead and were claimed by Islamic State.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What did the Tunisian government do after the gunmen’s attack?
Question 4: What were German and American security experts expected to do in Tunisia?

3.
A. It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.
B. It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.
C. It shut down two border crossings with Libya.
D. It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.

4.
A. Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.
B. Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.
C. Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.
D. Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.

News Report 3
Three university students in Santiago, Chile, have developed a plant-powered device to charge their mobile phones. The three engineering students got the idea for the device while sitting in their school’s courtyard. Their invention is a small biological circuit they call E-Kaia. It captures the energy which plants produce during photosynthesis — a process of converting sunlight into energy. A plant uses only a small part of the energy produced by that process. The rest goes into the soil. E-Kaia collects that energy. The device plugs into the ground and then into a mobile phone. The E-Kaia solved two problems for the engineering students. They needed an idea for a class project. They also needed an outlet to plug in their phones. One of the student inventors, Camila Rupcich, says the device changes the energy released from the plant into low-level power to charge phones. The E-Kaia is able to fully recharge a mobile phone in less than two hours.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What did the three university students invent?
Question 6: When did they get the idea for the invention?
Question 7: What does the speaker say about the invention?

5.
A. An environment-friendly battery.
B. An energy-saving mobile phone.
C. A plant-powered mobile phone charger.
D. A device to help plants absorb sunlight.

6.
A. While sitting in their school’s courtyard.
B. While playing games on their phones.
C. While solving a mathematical problem.
D. While doing a chemical experiment.

7.
A. It increases the applications of mobile phones.
B. It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.
C. It improves the reception of mobile phones.
D. It collects the energy released by plants.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: Good morning. What can I do for you?
W: Good morning. Could I talk to Jeffry Harding please?
M: Speaking.
W: Hello, Jeff. It’s Helen. I got your message on the answering machine. What’s the problem?
M: Oh, Helen. Well, it’s the Grimsby plant again, I’m afraid. The robots on Line 3 have gone wrong. And the line is at a standstill.
W: Can’t you replace them with the stand-ins?
M: I’m afraid not. The stand-ins are already in use on Line 6. And the ones from Line 6 are being serviced.
W: When did this happen, Jeff?
M: Well, they’ve been making a low continuous sound for a day or two. But they finally went dead at 2:30 this afternoon.
W: I see. What did you do? Have you tried the whole plant?
M: Not yet, Helen. I thought I’d better get your OK first.
W: OK. Get on the phone to Tom, and try to get their stand-ins over tonight. We have to be back at full capacity tomorrow morning. Is it a major job to repair our robots?
M: About a week. That’s what the maintenance engineer says.
W: Right. Well, if you can get the ones from Tom, please ask Tom to inform Sheffield that he may need their stand-ins in case of emergency during the next week.
M: OK. Thank you very much, Helen.
W: You are most welcome.
M: Sorry to spoil your day off.
W: It doesn’t matter.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What did the man do before the telephone conversation?
Question 9: What does the man say about line 3 in the Grimsby plant?
Question 10: What is the man’s purpose in calling the woman?
Question 11: Where is the woman at the time of the conversation?

8.
A. He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.
B. He called the woman and left her a message.
C. He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.
D. He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.

9.
A. It is the most modern production line.
B. It assembles super-intelligent robots.
C. It has stopped working completely.
D. It is going to be upgraded soon.

10.
A. To seek her permission.
B. To place an order for robots.
C. To request her to return at once.
D. To ask for Tom’s phone number.

11.
A. She is on duty.
B. She is having her day off.
C. She is on sick leave.
D. She is abroad on business.

Conversation 2
W: This is Kerry Burke from New York Daily News. I’m speaking to Delroy Simmonds, an unemployed Brooklyn man who missed a job interview Tuesday for the best of reasons: He was saving the life of a 9-month-old boy who was blown into the path of an oncoming subway train by a high wind.
M: Everybody is making me out to be some sort of superhero. I’m just an ordinary person, and a father of two. Anybody in that situation would have done what I did.
W: You were going to an interview when the incident occurred, right?
M: Yes, I was on my way to apply for a maintenance position. I’ve been looking for a job for a year and more. I’m looking for something to support my family.
W: Tell us what happened at the station.
M: There was a strong wind. It had to be 30 to 40 miles an hour. There was a woman with four kids. One was in a pushchair. The wind blew the baby onto the tracks.
W: Witnesses said people were looking on in horror as the child’s mother, identified by sources as Maria Zamara, stood frozen in shock. In the distance, people could see the train rounding a bend, headed into the station. I guess you were not aware of any of these, right?
M: No. I just jumped down and grabbed the baby. The train was coming around the corner as I lifted the baby from the tracks. I really wasn’t thinking.
W: What an amazing story. Thank you very much.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What did Kerry Burke from New York Daily News say about the man?
Question 13: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?
Question 14: What caused the incident?
Question 15: How did the mother react when the incident occurred?

12.
A. He saved a baby boy’s life.
B. He wanted to be a superhero.
C. He prevented a train crash.
D. He was a witness to an accident.

13.
A. He has a 9-month-old boy.
B. He is currently unemployed.
C. He enjoys the interview.
D. He commutes by subway.

14.
A. A rock on the tracks.
B. A misplaced pushchair.
C. A strong wind.
D. A speeding car.

15.
A. She stood motionless in shock.
B. She cried bitterly.
C. She called the police at once.
D. She shouted for help.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Passage 1
There’s one sound that gets a big reaction from kids on a hot day, the sound of an ice-cream truck. Maria McCartney has been in the mobile ice-cream business since 2005. “When I was a little girl, I saw an ice-cream truck and knew I wanted to have one someday,” McCartney said. During the hot days of summer, Maria and her daughter drive an ice-cream truck through neighborhoods and parks in Billings. It’s not about making money for this former elementary school teacher. Rather, she wants to preserve the tradition of the neighborhood ice-cream truck. “Truly my favorite part is to see the kids jumping up and down and they just get so excited. It’s great to build a memory for them too. There’s not a lot of these ice-cream trucks around anymore. The parents come out barefoot and screaming, ready to buy ice-cream; they remember when they were kids and they saw a truck,” she said. While the treats may be ice cold, Maria has a warm heart for little faces. Her truck features a donation bucket for kids who don’t have money for ice-cream. “When there are three kids and only two of them have money, I always make sure the third one gets something because I can’t drive away and have that third one not have something,” she said.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say about Maria McCartney?
Question 17: Why does Maria go into the mobile ice-cream business?
Question 18: Why does Maria put a donation bucket in her truck?

16.
A. She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.
B. She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.
C. She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter’s education.
D. She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.

17.
A. To preserve a tradition.
B. To amuse her daughter.
C. To help local education.
D. To make some extra money.

18.
A. To raise money for business expansion.
B. To make her truck attractive to children.
C. To allow poor kids to have ice-cream too.
D. To teach kids the value of mutual support.

Passage 2
We know we have to pay for what we get. If we buy food, we have to pay for it. If a doctor treats us, we know there will be a bill to pay. These are private bills. But there are also public bills to be paid. They are paid by the government. In turn we get the needed services. We pay for these services through taxes. What would happen if everyone stopped paying taxes? The water supply would stop; the streets might not be cleaned; schools would be closed. We would not want to live in such a city. The chief duty of every government is to protect persons and property. More than three-fourths of government expenses are used for this purpose. The next largest amount of public money goes to teach and train our citizens. Billions of dollars each year are spent on schools and libraries. Also, a large amount of public funds is spent on roads. Most of the needed funds is raised by taxes. The law orders us to pay taxes. We have no choice in the matter. Years ago the government made money by selling public lands. But most of the best public lands have now been sold. There are still some public lands that contain oil, coal and other natural resources. They could be sold, but we want to save them for future years. So, we all must pay our share for the services that make our lives comfortable.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker mainly talk about?
Question 20: What is most of the government money used for?
Question 21: How did the government raise money to pay public bills in the past?

19.
A. The reasons for imposing taxes.
B. The various services money can buy.
C. The various burdens on ordinary citizens.
D. The function of money in the modem world.

20.
A. Educating and training citizens.
B. Improving public transportation.
C. Protecting people’s life and property.
D. Building hospitals and public libraries.

21.
A. By asking for donations.
B. By selling public lands.
C. By selling government bonds.
D. By exploiting natural resources.

Passage 3
Did you know that, besides larger places like France and Germany, Europe is home to several extremely tiny countries? One of these countries contains less than a square mile of land. Another is surrounded on all sides by Italy. Yet each is an independent land, with its own government, trade, and customs. One of the best known of these small countries is Monaco. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by France on three sides. Monaco became familiar to Americans when its ruler, Prince Rainier, married the American actress Grace Kelly. Rainier’s family has ruled Monaco almost continuously since 1297. The land has been independent for over three hundred years. Andorra, with an area of some 200 square miles, is considerably larger than Monaco. This country is located in the Pyrenees Mountains, with France on one side and Spain on the other. Potatoes and tobacco are grown in Andorra’s steep mountain valleys. One of the products it exports is clothing. Andorra is also known for its excellent skiing locations. Within the Alps in Central Europe is Liechtenstein, a tiny country of about 30,000 people who speak mostly German. Liechtenstein uses the same money as its neighbor Switzerland, but it has been an independent country since the 1860s. Taxes are low, so many businesses have their headquarters here. The country makes and exports a lot of machinery. Other small, independent states in Europe are San Marino and Luxembourg. Each of these has unique qualities as well.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker say about Monaco?
Question 23: Why did Monaco become familiar to Americans according to the speaker?
Question 24: What is one of the products Andorra exports?
Question 25: What does the speaker mainly talk about?

22.
A. It is located at the center of the European continent.
B. It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.
C. It contains less than a square mile of land.
D. It is surrounded by France on three sides.

23.
A. Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.
B. Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.
C. It is where many American movies are shot.
D. It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.

24.
A. Tobacco.
B. Potatoes.
C. Machinery.
D. Clothing.

25.
A. European history.
B. European geography.
C. Small countries in Europe.
D. Tourist attractions in Europe.

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