分类目录大学英语四级

2017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 9-year-old girl in New Mexico has raised more than $500 for her little brother who needs heart surgery in Houston, Texas this July. Addison Witulski’s grandmother Kim Allred, said Addison probably overheard a conversation between family members talking about the funds needed to get her little brother to treatment. “I guess she overheard her grandfather and me talking about how we’re worried about how we’re going to get to Houston, for my grandson’s heart surgery,” said Allred. She decided to go outside and have a lemonade stand and make some drawings and pictures and sell them. That’s when Addison and her friends Erika and Emily Borden decided to sell lemonade for 50 cents a cup and sell pictures for 25 cents each. Before Allred knew it, New Mexico State Police Officers were among the many stopping by helping them reach a total of $568. The family turned to social media expressing their gratitude saying, “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to deeply thank each and every person that stopped by”!
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: Who did Addison raise the money for?
Question 2: How did Addison raise the money?

1.
A) Her grandfather.
B) Her grandmother.
C) Her friend Erika.
D) Her little brother.

2.
A) By taking pictures for passers-by.
B) By selling lemonade and pictures.
C) By working part time at a hospital.
D) By asking for help on social media.

News Report 2
Last week, France announced that the country will pave 621 miles of road with solar panels over the next five years with the goal of providing cheap, renewable energy to five million people. Called “the Wattway”, the roads will be built through joint efforts with the French road building company Colas and the National Institute of Solar Energy. The company spent the last five years developing solar panels that are only about a quarter of inch thick and are strong enough to stand up to heavy highway traffic without breaking or making the roads more slippery. The panels are also designed so that they can be installed directly on top of the existing roadways, making them relatively cheap and easy to install. France isn’t the first country to kick around the idea of paving its roads with solar panels. In November 2015, the Netherlands completed a 229-foot-long bike path paved with solar panels as a test for future projects. However, this is the first time a panel has been designed to be laid directly on top of existing roads and the first project to install the panels on public highways.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What was France’s purpose of constructing the Wattway?
Question 4: What is special about the solar panels used in the Wattway?

3.
A) Testing the efficiency of the new solar panel.
B) Providing clean energy to five million people.
C) Generating electric power for passing vehicles.
D) Finding cheaper ways of highway construction.

4.
A) They are made from cheap materials.
B) They are only about half an inch thick.
C) They can be laid right on top of existing highways.
D) They can stand the wear and tear of natural elements.

News Report 3
Lions have disappeared from much of Africa, but for the past few years scientists have wondered if the big cats were hanging on in remote parts of Sudan and Ethiopia. Continuous fighting in the region has made surveys difficult. But scientists released a report Monday documenting, with hard evidence, the discovery of “lost lions”. A team with Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, supported by a charity organization, spent two nights in November camping in a national park in northwest Ethiopia, on the Ethiopia-Sudan border. The researchers set out six camera traps, capturing images of lions, and they identified lion tracks. The scientists concluded that lions are also likely to live in a neighboring national park across the border in Sudan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature had previously considered the area a “possible range” for the species, and local people had reported seeing lions in the area, but no one presented convincing evidence.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What has made it difficult to survey lions in remote parts of Sudan and Ethiopia?
Question 6: What was the main purpose of the research?
Question 7: What did the researchers find in the National Park?

5.
A) The lack of clues about the species.
B) Inadequate funding for research.
C) Endless fighting in the region.
D) The hazards from the desert.

6.
A) To observe the wildlife in the two national parks.
B) To study the habitat of lions in Sudan and Ethiopia.
C) To identify the reasons for the lions’ disappearance.
D) To find evidence of the existence of the “lost lions”.

7.
A) Lions’ tracks.
B) Lions walking.
C) Some camping facilities.
D) Traps set by local hunters.

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: I bet you’re looking forward to the end of this month, are you?
W: Yes, I am. How did you know?
M: David told me you had a special birthday coming up.
W: Oh, yes. That’s right. This year would be my golden birthday.
M: What does that mean? I’ve never heard of a golden birthday.
W: I’ve actually just learnt this concept myself. Fortunately, just in time to celebrate. A golden or lucky birthday is when one turns the age of their birth date. So, for example, my sister’s birthday is December 9th and her golden birthday would have been the year she turns 9 years old. Come to think of it, my parents did throw her a surprise party that year.
M: Interesting. Too bad I missed mine. My golden birthday would’ve been four years ago. I assume you got big plans then.
W: Actually yes. My husband is planning a surprise holiday for the two of us next week. I have no idea what he’s got in mind, but I’m excited to find out. Has he mentioned anything to you?
M: He might have.
W: Anything you’d like to share? I’m dying to know what kind of trip he has planned on where we’re going.
M: You know nothing at all?
W: Not a clue. Hard to imagine, isn’t it! Though I must say, I think he’s been even more fun keeping the secret from me in the past few weeks.
M: I’m sure both of you will have a fantastic time. Happy golden birthday! I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What is the woman looking forward to?
Question 9: What did the woman’s parents do on her sister’s lucky birthday?
Question 10: What is the woman eager to find out about?
Question 11: What does the man say at the end of the conversation?

8.
A) A special gift from the man.
B) Her wedding anniversary.
C) A call from her dad.
D) Her ‘lucky birthday’.

9.
A) Threw her a surprise party.
B) Took her on a trip overseas.
C) Bought her a good necklace.
D) Gave her a big model plane.

10.
A) What her husband and the man are up to.
B) What has been troubling her husband.
C) The trip her husband has planned.
D) The gift her husband has bought.

11.
A) He wants to find out about the couple’s holiday plan.
B) He is eager to learn how the couple’s holiday turns out.
C) He will tell the women the secret if her husband agrees.
D) He will be glad to be a guide for the couple’s holiday trip.

Conversation 2
W: Mr. Green, what do you think makes a successful negotiator?
M: Well, it does hard to define, but I think successful negotiators have several things in common. They are always polite and rational people. They are firm, but flexible. They can recognize power and know how to use it. They are sensitive to the dynamics of the negotiation, the way it raises and falls, and how it may change direction. They project the image of confidence, and perhaps most importantly, they know when to stop.
W: And what about an unsuccessful negotiator?
M: Well, this probably all of us when we start out. We are probably immature and over-trusting, too emotional or aggressive. We are unsure of ourselves and want to be liked by everyone. Good negotiators learn fast. Poor negotiators remain like that and go on losing negotiations.
W: In your opinion, can the skills of negotiation be taught?
M: Well, you can teach someone how to prepare for negotiation. There perhaps six stages in every negotiation, get to know the other side, state your goals, start the process, clarify areas of disagreement or conflict, reassess your position, making acceptable compromise, and finally reach some agreements in principal. These stages can be studied, and strategies to be used in each can be planned beforehand. But I think the really successful negotiator is probably born with the sixth sense about responding appropriately to the situation at hand.
W: The artistic sense you’ve just described?
M: Yes, that’s right.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What’s the man say about good negotiators?
Question 13: What does the man say maybe the most important thing to a successful negotiator?
Question 14: How is a good negotiator different from a poor one?
Question 15: What’s the first stage of a negotiation according to the man?

12.
A) They take the rival’s attitude into account.
B) They know when to adopt a tough attitude.
C) They see the importance of making compromises.
D) They are sensitive to the dynamics of a negotiation.

13.
A) They know when to stop.
B) They know how to adapt.
C) They know when to make compromises.
D) They know how to control their emotion.

14.
A) They are patient.
B) They learn quickly.
C) They are good at expression.
D) They uphold their principles.

15.
A) Clarify items of negotiation.
B) Make clear one’s intentions.
C) Get to know the other side.
D) Formulate one’s strategy.

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
Some people wonder why countries spend millions of dollars on space projects. They want to know how space research helps people on earth. Actually, space technology helps people on earth every day. This is called “spin-off technology”. Spin-off technology is space technology that is now used on earth. In early space programs, such as the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, and in the Space Shuttle missions today, scientists developed objects for the astronauts to use on the moon and in space. We now use some of these objects every day. For example, we have Quartz Crystal clocks and watches accurate to within one minute a year. We purify the water we drink with the water filter designed for the astronauts’use in space. The cordless, hand-held tools we use in our homes, such as vacuum cleaners, flashlights, drills came from the technology of these early space programs. On cold winter days, we can stay warm with battery-operated gloves and socks, and especially made coats and jackets. All of these clothes are similar to the spacesuit designs that kept astronauts comfortable in the temperatures of the moon, and are spin-offs from space technology. These products are only a few examples of the many ways space technology helps us in our everyday lives. No one knows how new spin-off technology from the International Space Station will help us in the future.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What do some people want to know about space exploration?
Question 17: What did scientist do for the space shuttle missions?
Question 18: What does the speaker say about the Quartz Crystal clocks and watches?

16.
A) How space research benefits people on Earth.
B) When the International Space Station was built.
C) How many space shuttle missions there will be.
D) When America’s earliest space program started.

17.
A) They tried to make best use of the latest technology.
B) They tried to meet astronauts’ specific requirements.
C) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.
D) They accurately calculated the speed of the orbiting shuttles.

18.
A) They are expensive to make.
B) They are extremely accurate.
C) They were first made in space.
D) They were invented in the 1970s.

Passage 2
Well, if I could go back in history and live, I’d like to go back to the 18th century and perhaps in colonial America in Yankee, New England, where one of my ancestors lived, because it was the beginning of something. By the 18th century, there was a feeling of community that had grown. My ancestor was a preacher traveling around the countryside. People lived in small communities. There were fisherman and farmers who provided fresh food that tasted and looked like food, unlike that in today’s supermarkets, and there were small towns and New York wasn’t that far away. I’m deeply attached to the Puritan tradition, not in a religious sense. But they believed in working for something, working for goals. And I like that. They worked hard at whatever they did, but they had a sense of achievement. They believed in goodness, in community, and helping one another. I love the colonial fabrics all the silver works, the furnishings, the combination of elegance and simplicity. I love it. The printing, the books, I’m very attached to all that kind of thing that may not all be very entertaining in the modern sense of the world. But I would have enjoyed spending my evenings in that environment, discussing new ideas, building a new world, and I can see myself sitting on a small chair by the fire doing needle work.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19. Why does the speaker say she would like to go back and live in the 18th century America?
Question 20. What does the speaker say about the Puritans?
Question 21. What would the speaker like doing if she could go back to the past?

19.
A) Everything was natural and genuine then.
B) People had plenty of land to cultivate then.
C) It marked the beginning of something new.
D) It was when her ancestors came to America.

20.
A) They were known to be creative.
B) They enjoyed living a life of ease.
C) They had all kinds of entertainment.
D) They believed in working for goals.

21.
A) Chatting with her ancestors.
B) Doing needlework by the fire.
C) Furnishing her country house.
D) Polishing all the silver work.

Passage 3
If you are lost in the woods, a little knowledge can turn what some people called a hardship into an enjoyable stay away from the troubles of modern society. When you think you’re lost, sit down on the log or a rock, or lean against the tree, and recite something that you have memorized, to bring your mind to a point where it is under control. Don’t run blindly. If you must move, don’t follow stream unless you know it, and in that case, you’re not lost. Streams, normally flow through wetland before they reach a lake or river. Though there are more eatable plants, there may also be wild animals, poisonous snakes, and other hazards. Many experts feel that it is the wisest to walk uphill. At the top of most hills and mountains are trails living back to civilizations. If there are no trails, you’re much easier to be seen on top of the hill. And you may even spot a highway or a railroad from this point. Nowadays, the first way someone will search for you is by air. In a wetland or in dense growth, you are very hard to spot. Anytime you go into to the woods, somebody should know where you’re going, and when you are expected to return. Also, when someone comes looking, you should be able to signal to them.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker advise you to do first if you are lost in the woods?
Question 23: What will happen if you follow an unknown stream in the woods?
Question 24: What do many experts think is the wisest thing to do if you’re lost in the woods?
Question 25: What should you do before you go into the woods?

22.
A) Sit down and try to calm yourself.
B) Call your family or friends for help.
C) Use a map to identify your location.
D) Try to follow your footprints back.

23.
A) You may end up entering a wonderland.
B) You may get drowned in a sudden flood.
C) You may expose yourself to unexpected dangers.
D) You may find a way out without your knowing it.

24.
A) Walk uphill.
B) Look for food.
C) Start a fire.
D) Wait patiently.

25.
A) Check the local weather.
B) Find a map and a compass.
C) Prepare enough food and drink.
D) Inform somebody of your plan.

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2017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
A New Jersey black bear that walks upright on its two back legs and has become a social media darling has reemerged and has been captured on video month after its last sighting. The bear named Pedals was spotted in a town of Oakrage, in a video posted to Facebook featuring the bear it appear to be in relatively good health and was moving quickly. “Pedals apparently hasn’t injured leg or pool that doesn’t allow it to walk comfortably on all fulls”, according to experts. Laurence Hajna spokesman of the state for the state department environmental protection said, “Officials expect the bear to make it through next winter.” The bear first gained fame after was sported the wondering around neighborhoods and was caught on videos that were posted on social media and showed on national television. Last year, supporters pushed for Pedals to be moved to a shelter. But New Jersey officials have said they won’t allow the bear to be captured and transferred to the facility. “The bear would do better in its natural habitat and the agency would step in if its condition deteriorated,” they said.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What’s the probable reason the bear walks upright on its back legs?
Question 2: How is the bear first known for the public?

1.
A) It tries entertain its audience.
B) It tries to look into the distance.
C) It wants to catch people’s attention.
D) It has got one of its limbs injured.

2.
A) It was spotted by animal protection officials.
B) It was filmed by a local television reporter.
C) Its videos were posted on social media.
D) Its picture won a photography prize.

News Report 2
It is not your imagination. Traffic in the U.S. is actually getting worse. Americans drove more miles last year than any other year on record. The U.S. Department of Transportation says Americans drove nearly 3,150 billion miles last year. That’s about the same distance as 337 round trips from Earth to Pluto. The previous record was 3,003 billion miles in 2007 before the economic recession in high gas prices. The traffic increase comes at the same time as gas crisis drop significantly, the current average gas price in U.S. is 1.77$ per gallon. A year ago, it was 2.31$ per gallon, it was often much higher in recent years. A transportation expert told the report the job growth likely plays a part as well, along with some people driving longer distances to and from work. And so all this means more traffic jams on the road. The taxes A&M travel institute found rush-hour travellers spent extra 42 hours on the road lasts year because of travel delays. Now that is depressing.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What new record did the American driver set last year?
Question 4: What is depressing according to the speaker?

3.
A) The distance travelled.
B) The incidence of road accidents.
C) The spending on gas.
D) The number of people travelling.

4.
A) Fewer people are commuting.
B) Gas consumption is soaring.
C) Job growth is slowing down.
D) Rush-hour traffic is worsening.

News Report 3
A 16-year-old asked a stranger at a grocery store to buy him and his mother some food in exchange for carrying the man’s groceries to his car. What happened next will pull at your heartstrings. A wonderful bond formed between the two, and within a couple of weeks, the stranger named White helped raise $190,000 on the website to support the Memphis teenager and his disabled mother. “When Chauncy approached me, it just pulled at my heart,” White said, “Here comes Chauncy, just trying to get food for him and his mom of the grace of other people”. “When I looked at him and saw what he was doing and what he was asking for, I said he was my hero”. “Chauncy is a top student who is doing his best to make it in a world with no money and very few resources,” White explained on the crowdfunding site. “He wants to work and help his mother financially”. “It’s so rare that we get an opportunity to affect so much change on one life,” White wrote. “I cannot thank you enough for caring about Chauncy. This is his big chance, and you’re making it possible”.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What did the teenager Chauncy do at the grocery story to get some food?
Question 6: What did the stranger do for Chauncy?
Question 7: What do we learn about Chauncy?

5.
A) He told a stranger the sad story about himself.
B) He helped a stranger to carry groceries to his car.
C) He went up to a stranger and pulled at his sleeves.
D) He washed a stranger’s car in return for some food.

6.
A) He ordered a lot of food for his family.
B) He gave him a job at his own company.
C) He raised a large sum of money for him.
D) He offered him a scholarship for college.

7.
A) He works hard to support his family.
B) He is an excellent student at school.
C) He is very good at making up stories.
D) He has been disabled since boyhood.

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: That was my last week economic lecture of the week, and here is the weekend again.
W: What are you up to tonight? I was just wondering if we could try out the new restaurant on Charles Street, then go on to Queen Victoria for a drink.
M: Sorry, I’m heading home this weekend for my brother’s 18th birthday.
W: Oh, that’s great.
M: All of my relatives will be there, as well as my brother’s horrible friends, of course. Listen, why won’t you come along? Mom would be absolutely delightedly to see you again. She’s always asking after you.
W: Yes, I’d love to see her too.
M: So, please, do come. It would be great. And besides, with Jonathan’s wild game to contend with, I’d really welcome an ally.
W: That sounds tempting, but I won’t be ready till 5, as I’ve got my statistic seminar now. What time are you heading off?
M: Well, I’m going to leave right away. However, I can hang around for you if you like. It just means that I’ll need to change my ticket.
W: But wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?
M: No, not at all. I’ll go to the station first, and see if I can get tickets for us on the 6:30 train. Then, you can join me there. I’ll text you when it’s done.
W: Brilliant. Are you absolutely positive if it’s Ok? I wouldn’t want to impose.
M: Don’t worry, you are most welcome to join our party, and as I always say “the more, the merrier”.
W: Look, I’d better go or I’ll be late. So, I’ll meet you down at the station around 6.
M: Fine, see you later.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What has the man just done?
Question 9: What is the man going to do this weekend?
Question 10: What does the man ask the woman to do?
Question 11: How will they go to the man’s home?

8.
A) Attended an economics lecture.
B) Taken a walk on Charles Street.
C) Had a drink at Queen Victoria.
D) Had dinner at a new restaurant.

9.
A) Treat a college friend to dinner.
B) Make preparations for a seminar.
C) Attend his brothers birthday party.
D) Visit some of his high school friends.

10.
A) Gather statistics for his lecture.
B) Throw a surprise birthday party.
C) Meet with Jonathan’s friends on the weekend.
D) Join him in his brother’s birthday celebration.

11.
A) By car.
B) By train.
C) By taxi.
D) By bus.

Conversation 2
M: Hi, Jane. How’s everything going?
W: So far so good. I’ve just finished my last exam.
M: Good. The term is coming to an end. Do you think we should take a holiday overseas to relax and have fun? I’ve saved my tips from my waiter job these past few months, and I should have enough by July.
W: Yes, that’s a wonderful idea. I’ve got a little put aside for a rainy day, but I might need to earn a little more before we go. By the way, what is it like working in the restaurant?
M: Well, it’s really tough, as working a 10-hour shift is like hell. I’m not sure if it’ll suit you. But it’s pretty cool if your boss is all right. Do you think we should invite some others to come along?
W: Yes, we could ask Tom and Tracy if they are interested. I haven’t been abroad for a long while. And it would be great to go somewhere by the sea. I can’t wait, and if Tom goes, we could go sailing. He has a lot experience with boats, and it’ll work out a lot cheaper to hire one if there’s more of us to share the cost.
M: So, that’s the plan. We’ll save as much as we can, and go sailing next July. Let’s say, Spain, or anywhere cheap would be fine.
W: Ok. But first we’d better contact Tom and Tracy, and see if they are up for it. If not, it’ll be back to the drawing board.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What does the man think of doing?
Question 13: What has the man been doing for the past few months?
Question 14: What does the woman say she needs to do before departure?
Question 15: Why does the woman want to invite Tom?

12.
A) Taking a vacation abroad.
B) Reviewing for his last exam.
C) Saving enough money for a rainy day.
D) Finding a better way to earn money.

13.
A) Preparing for his final exams.
B) Negotiating with his boss for a raise.
C) Working part time as a waiter.
D) Helping the woman with her courses.

14.
A) Finish her term paper.
B) Save enough money.
C) Learn a little bit of Spanish.
D) Ask her parent’s permission.

15.
A) He has rich sailing experience.
B) He speaks Spanish fluently.
C) He is also eager to go to Spain.
D) He is easy to get along with.

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
Most people know Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and the first person to win it twice. However, few people know that she was also the mother of a Nobel Prize winner. Irene Currie was born on September 12th, 1897. At the age of ten, Irene’s talents and interests in mathematics were apparent. Irene entered Sorbonne University in October 1914 to prepare for a degree in mathematics and physics. When World War I began, she left Sorbonne University to help her mother who was using x-ray facilities to help save the lives of wounded soldiers. Irene continued this work by developing x-ray facilities for military hospitals in France and Belgium. After the war, she received a military medal for her work. In 1918, Irene became her mother’s assistant at the Curie Institute. In December 1924, Frederic Joliot visited the institute and met Marie Curie. Frederic became one of her assistants, and Irene taught him the techniques required to work with radioactivity. Irene and Frederic soon fell in love and got married on October 29th, 1926. Their daughter was born in 1927 and their son in 1932. Like her mother, Irene combined family with career. Like her mother, Irene was awarded a Nobel Prize, along with her husband Frederic in 1935, for producing new radioactive elements. Unfortunately, also like her mother, she developed blood cancer because of her exposure to radiation. Irene Joliot Curie died on March 17th, 1956.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say about Marie Curie’s daughter?
Question 17: For what was Irene Curie awarded a military medal?
Question 18: In what way were Marie and Irene similar?

16.
A) She went to the same university as her mother.
B) She worked as a nurse in the First World War.
C) She won the Nobel Prize two times.
D) She was also a Nobel Prize winner.

17.
A) She fought bravely in a series of military operations.
B) She developed X-ray facilities for military hospitals.
C) She helped to set up several military hospitals.
D) She made donations to save wounded soldiers.

18.
A) Both died of blood cancer.
B) Both fought in World War I.
C) Both won military medals.
D) Both married their assistants.

Passage 2
Have you ever heard of the Vikings? They were sea travelers from Norway. More than 1,000 years ago, they made three important geographical discoveries. The Vikings’ first major discovery occurred in the 9th century. A man called Naddodd was on his way from Norway to the Faroe Islands, north of England, when his ship was caught in a storm. The storm blew the ship west for several days. When the weather cleared, Naddodd found himself on the coast of a new land. Later, Viking travelers named it Iceland. In 982, a Viking called Eric the Red, sailed west in search of new land. 500 miles west of Iceland, he and his men reached an icy rocky massive land. They sailed around it until they reached the western side. Here, they found some green areas, so they named the island Greenland. Then, in 1001, the Vikings made their most important discovery. The son of Eric the Red named Leif Erikson had heard the rumors about the land west of Greenland. He sailed west and soon found it. He and his men landed in three places. They called the first one Helluland, which means land of flat stone. The Vikings then sailed south and made their second landing. They named this place Markland. Their third landing was at a place they called Vinland. Leif Erikson and his men were the first Europeans to walk on the shores of North America, almost five hundred years earlier than Columbus.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What do we learn about the Vikings?
Question 20: What does the passage say about the Greenland?
Question 21: What does the speaker mainly talk about?

19.
A) They were the first settlers in Europe.
B) They were the conquerors of Norway.
C) They discovered Iceland in the ninth century.
D) They settled on a small island north of England.

20.
A) It was some five hundred miles west of Norway.
B) It was covered with green most time of the year.
C) It was the Vikings’ most important discovery.
D) It was a rocky mass of land covered with ice.

21.
A) The Vikings’ ocean explorations.
B) The making of European nations.
C) The Vikings’ everyday life.
D) The Europeans’ Arctic discoveries.

Passage 3
Where do you think you will be in ten years? It is difficult to know exactly where you will be and where you will be doing. But everyone dreamed about the future. You might imagine the job you will get, when you finish school. You may daydream about meeting your life partner or living in a big house by the sea. In my dreams, I would have twins, a boy and a girl. We would live in a large two-story house with floors and staircases made of wood. Now at the age of 46, I look back on those dreams and smile. Things haven’t turned out exactly as I imagined, but I would not change what I have now for that imaginary world. In college, I studied international business and planned to enter a law school. In my third year of university, I realized that I didn’t want to become a lawyer. Instead, I chose to become language teacher. I did get married, but had more than two children. We have five. Do I live in the dream house with wood floors? No, I don’t, but I love my home and I wouldn’t want to live in any other place. I believe it, as a young person, it’s important to dream and make plans. However, it’s also important to realize that not all of your plans turned out exactly as you wish. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life is this: “Be happy with what you have.”
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker think everyone tends to do?
Question 23: What does the speaker say he would refuse to do?
Question 24: What does the speaker major in during the first two years of college?
Question 25: What is one of the biggest lessons the speaker has learned in life?

22.
A) Work hard for a better life.
B) Make mistakes now and then.
C) Dream about the future.
D) Save against a rainy day.

23.
A) Teach foreign languages for the rest of his life.
B) Change what he has for his past imaginary world.
C) Exchange his two-story house for a beach cottage.
D) Dwell on the dreams he had dreamed when young.

24.
A) Criminal law.
B) City planning.
C) Oriental architecture.
D) International business.

25.
A) Dream and make plans.
B) Take things easy in life.
C) Be content with what you have.
D) Enjoy whatever you are doing.

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2016年06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
The International Labour Organization says the number of people without jobs is increasing. In its latest update on Global Employment Trends, the agency says projections of the number of unemployed people this year range from 210 million to nearly 240 million people. The report warns that 200 million poor workers are at risk of joining the ranks of people living on less than 2 dollars per day in the past three years. The director general of the International Labour Organization, Juan Somavia, notes that some countries have taken measures to address the effects of the global crisis. However, he points out that many countries have not done so. And based on past experiences, it takes four to five years after economic recovery for unemployment to return to pre-crisis levels. Mr. Somavia says the International Labour Organization is proposing a global jobs’ agreement to deal with unemployment. “Its key objective is to place the center of recovery efforts, measures that would generate higher levels of employment and provide basic social protection for the most vulnerable.”
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What is the news report mainly about?
Question 2: What does, Juan Somavia, director general of the International Labour Organization, say?

1.
A) The International Labor Organization’s key objective.
B) The basic social protection for the most vulnerable.
C) Rising unemployment worldwide.
D) Global economic recovery.

2.
A) Many countries have not taken measures to create enough jobs.
B) Few countries know how to address the current economic crisis.
C) Few countries have realized the seriousness of the current crisis.
D) Many countries need support to improve their people’s livelihood.

News Report 2
Big fast-food chains in New York City have started to obey a first-of-its-kind rule requiring them to post calorie counts right on the menu. Cathy Nonas is with the New York City Department of Health. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to actually see the calories before they purchase the food and make a decision, an informed decision, that if they want to make the healthier choice, if they want to eat fewer calories, they can. And we expect this will have a huge impact on obesity. And of course, if it has an impact on obesity, it will have an impact on diabetes, and heart disease, and high blood pressure.” The new rules were introduced as part of an anti-obesity campaign that also includes a recent citywide ban on artificial trans-fats in restaurant food. The menu rule only applies to restaurants that serve standardized portion sizes and have 15 or more locations nationwide. Starting last Saturday, chains big enough to fall under the rule will face penalties of up to 2000 dollars for not showing calorie information in a prominent spot on their menus, preferably next to the price.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What are big fast food chains in New York City required to do according to the new rule?
Question 4: What will happen to big restaurant chains that violate the new rule?

3.
A) Serve standardized food nationwide.
B) Put calorie information on the menu.
C) Increase protein content in the food.
D) Offer convenient food to customers.

4.
A) They will be fined.
B) They will be closed.
C) They will get a warning.
D) They will lose customers.

News Report 3
Almost all companies recognize the importance of innovation today. But not many are able to integrate innovation into their business. A commentary in the Shanghai Daily points out that innovation doesn’t mean piles of documents. It is something more practical. The article says many people tend to assume that innovation just means creating something new, but actually it’s more than that. It’s an attitude of doing things. A company should find ways to innovate not just in products but also in functions, business models and processes. The article cites the global giant Procter & Gamble as an example, saying a real innovative company should develop an innovation culture and use it as a primary tool for success. Procter & Gamble has a “Corporate Innovation Fund” which offers big rewards for high-risk ideas that succeed. It also has a special innovation facility for its employees. Sometimes its employees are released from their daily jobs for weeks and spend their time interacting in the innovation facility instead. In conclusion, the article says innovative ideas alone do not ensure success. It’s pointless unless there is repeatable process in place to turn inspiration into financial performance.
Questions 5 and 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What is the problem with many companies according to the news report?
Question 6: What do many people tend to think of innovation?
Question 7: What does the company Procter & Gamble owe its success to?

5.
A) Inability to implement their business plans.
B) Inability to keep turning out novel products.
C) Lack of a successful business model of their own.
D) Failure to integrate innovation into their business.

6.
A) It is the secret to business success.
B) It is the creation of something new.
C) It is a magic tool to bring big rewards.
D) It is an essential part of business culture.

7.
A) Its hardworking employees.
B) Its flexible promotion strategy.
C) Its innovation culture.
D) Its willingness to make investments.

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: So, Lyndsay, do you like to text message on your cell phone?
W: Yeah, I text message a lot.
M: I don’t do it so much. I prefer to make a call if I’m in a hurry.
W: Yeah, I go both ways. Sometimes I don’t really want to talk to the person. I just want to ask them one question, so it’s much easier for me just to text message. If I call them, I’ll have to have a long conversation.
M: Yeah, I can see what you mean. But I get off the phone pretty quickly when I call. I’m not a big talker.
W: Yeah, that’s true. You don’t talk a lot.
M: So are you fast at writing the messages with your thumb?
W: Well, when I first got a cell phone, I was so slow. I thought I would never text message. But then people kept text messaging me, so I felt obliged to learn how to text message. So now I’m pretty fast. What about you?
M: Actually I have the opposite problem. When I first got my cell phone, I thought it was so cool to text message all my friends who have one, and I was pretty fast with my thumb then. But it seems like now I don’t use it so much, I’ve got slower actually.
W: Yeah, I think text messaging actually sort of has to do with your age. For example, people in high school, they text message a lot. But I ask my father if he text messages, and guess what he said?
M: What?
W: He said he never text messaged. He thinks it’s very childish and unprofessional to text message.
M: Yeah, I can see what he means. It’s considered pretty informal to text message someone.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What does the man say about himself?
Question 9: What does the woman tend to do while she is on the phone?
Question 10: Why did the man text message all his friends when he first got his cell phone?
Question 11: What does the Woman’s father think of text messaging?

8.
A) He’s got addicted to technology.
B) He is not very good at socializing.
C) He is crazy about text-messaging.
D) He does not talk long on the phone.

9.
A) Talk big.
B) Talk at length.
C) Gossip a lot.
D) Forget herself.

10.
A) He thought it was cool.
B) He needed the practice.
C) He wanted to stay connected with them.
D) He had an urgent message to send.

11.
A) It poses a challenge to seniors.
B) It saves both time and money.
C) It is childish and unprofessional.
D) It is cool and convenient.

Conversation 2
W: Good morning, Mr. Johnson. How can I help you?
M: Well, I’d like to talk to you about Tim Bond, the department manager.
W: What seems to be the problem?
M: Well, ever since Sandra left the department, I feel like I’ve been targeted to do all her work as well as mine. I’m expected to attend too many meetings and I seem to be spending a lot of my time doing unnecessary paperwork.
W: I’m sorry to hear that.
M: And, on top of that, I’d specifically asked if I could leave early last Friday as I’d done a lot of overtime during the week. But that afternoon, even though I’d finished my assigned work, I was told to help other colleagues finish their work, too.
W: But surely that’s a positive sign showing that Mr. Bond has a lot of trust in you.
M: Yes, but other colleagues get to leave early, and they don’t have such a lot of work to do.
W: So you feel he’s been making unrealistic demands on you?
M: Yes, absolutely.
W: Have you approached Mr. Bond about this particular problem?
M: I’ve tried, but it seems like he just has no time for me.
W: Well, at this stage, it would be better if you approached him directly. If nothing else showing that you’ve tried to solve the problem yourself, before you take it farther, makes it clear that you’re not just a complainer. Why don’t you send an email requesting a meeting with him in private?
M: Hmm, I’ve been a bit worried about his reaction. But anyway I’ll send him an email to request a meeting, and I’ll see what happens from there. Thanks for your advice.
W: Good luck and let us know the outcome.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?
Question 13: What is the man’s chief complaint?
Question 14: How does the woman interpret the fact that the man was asked to help his colleagues with their work?
Question 15: What did the woman advise the man to do?

12.
A) He wants to change his job assignment.
B) He is unhappy with his department manager.
C) He thinks he deserves extra pay for overtime.
D) He is often singled out for criticism by his boss.

13.
A) His workload was much too heavy.
B) His immediate boss did not trust him.
C) His colleagues often refused to cooperate.
D) His salary was too low for his responsibility.

14.
A) He never knows how to refuse.
B) He is always ready to help others.
C) His boss has a lot of trust in him.
D) His boss has no sense of fairness.

15.
A) Put all his complaints in writing.
B) Wait and see what happens next.
C) Learn to say no when necessary.
D) Talk to his boss in person first.

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
The massive decline in sleep happened so slowly and quietly that few seemed to notice the trend. Was it because of the growing attraction of the Internet, video games and endless TV channels? Never disconnecting from work? No matter how it happened, millions of Americans are putting their health, quality of life and even length of life in danger. New evidence shows why getting enough sleep is a top priority. Some 40 percent of Americans get less than seven hours of shut-eye on weeknights. “The link between sleep and health, and bad sleep and disease, is becoming clearer and clearer,” says Lawrence Epstein, a sleep expert at Harvard University. For example, sleep duration has declined from some eight hours in the 1950s to seven in recent years. At the same time, high blood pressure has become an increasing problem. Blood pressure and heart rate are typically at their lowest levels during sleep; people who sleep less tend to have higher blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, weight gain and other problems. Sleeping better may help fight off illness. “When people are sleep-deprived, there are higher levels of stress hormones in their bodies, which can decrease immune function,” says Dr. Phyllis Zee of Northwestern University in Chicago. A University of Chicago study shows people who sleep well live longer. So say good night sooner, and it may help you stay active and vital to a ripe old age.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What is the speaker mainly talking about?
Question 17: What do we learn from the talk about today’s Americans?
Question 18: What does the speaker say will happen to people who lack sleep?

16.
A) The importance of sleep to a healthy life.
B) Reasons for Americans’ decline in sleep.
C) Some tips to improve the quality of sleep.
D) Diseases associated with lack of sleep.

17.
A) They are more health-conscious.
B) They are changing their living habits.
C) They get less and less sleep.
D) They know the dangers of lack of sleep.

18.
A) Their weight will go down.
B) Their mind function will deteriorate.
C) Their work efficiency will decrease.
D) Their blood pressure will rise.

Passage 2
Parents and teachers will tell you not to worry when applying for a place at university. But in the same breath will remind you that it is the most important decision of your life. The first decision is your choice of course. It will depend on what you want to get out of university, what you are good at and what you enjoy. The next decision is where to apply. Aim high but within reason. Do you have the right combination of subjects and are your expected grades likely to meet entry requirements? The deadline is January 15th. But it is best to submit your application early because universities begin work as soon as forms start rolling in. The most important part of the application is the much feared personal statement. This is your chance to convey boundless enthusiasm for the subject. So economy of expression is foremost. Omit dull and ineffective generalities and make sure you give concrete examples. Admissions officers read every personal statement that arrives. It is not convincing if you say you have chosen the subject because you enjoy it. You have to get across what it is about a particular area that has inspired you. They will look for evidence that you have reflected and thought about the subject. Applicants should be honest. There is no point saying you run marathons, if you are going to be out of breath arriving at the interview on the second floor.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What is the first decision you should make in preparing to apply for a place at university?
Question 20: What is the most important part of the application?
Question 21: What must applicants do in their personal statements?

19.
A) How much you can afford to pay.
B) What course you are going to choose.
C) Which university you are going to apply to.
D) When you are going to submit your application.

20.
A) The list of courses studied.
B) The full record of scores.
C) The references from teachers.
D) The personal statement.

21.
A) Specify what they would like to do after graduation.
B) Describe in detail how much they would enjoy studying.
C) Indicate they have reflected and thought about the subject.
D) Emphasize that they admire the professors in the university.

Passage 3
It is usually agreed that a German, Carl Benz, built the first motor car in 1885. It was actually a tricycle with a petrol motor at the rear. Soon, members of the Royal family and other wealthy people took up motoring as a sport. Many of the early cars had 2 seats. There were no petrol pumps and few garages, so every driver had to be his own engineer for the frequent breakdowns. By 1905, cars began to look like cars of today, with headlamps, windscreen, rubber tyres and number plates. Henry Ford’s “Model T”, introduced in America in 1909, was cheaper because it was made on the assembly line. It brought cars closer towards the reach of “ordinary people”. With the popularity of the car, registration became a must in 1903 with the Motor Car Act. Competency tests were introduced in 1935. Today, the legal driving age for a car in the UK is seventeen. You are not allowed to drive a car unsupervised until you have passed a driving test. In 1958, Britain celebrated the opening of its first motorway—the Preston bypass. Until then, no one really understood what a motorway was, not even the labourers who were building it. The bypass hailed a new era in motor travel and was greeted with excitement and optimism. Service stations came with the motorway and the legend of the transport cafe was born. Of course, the service station has diversified greatly. But whether it’s an English cooked breakfast or a coffee and sandwich, one thing has remained the same: the prices.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker say about the first motor car?
Question 23: What was the problem with the early cars in Britain?
Question 24: Why did Henry Ford’s “Model T” cars cost less?
Question 25: What do we learn about the Preston bypass?

22.
A) It was equipped with rubber tyres.
B) It was built in the late 19th century.
C) It was purchased by the Royal family.
D) It was designed by an English engineer.

23.
A) They consumed lots of petrol.
B) They took two passengers only.
C) They were difficult to drive.
D) They often broke down.

24.
A) They were produced on the assembly line.
B) They were built with less costly materials.
C) They were modeled after British cars.
D) They were made for ordinary use.

25.
A) It made news all over the world.
B) It was built for the Royal family.
C) It marked a new era in motor travel.
D) It attracted large numbers of motorists.

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2016年06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
You probably think college students are experts at sleeping. But parties, preparations for tests, personal problems and general stress can wreck a student’s sleep habits, which can be bad for the body and the mind. Texas Tech University is even offering a class called “Improving Your Sleep Habits”. People suffering from sleep loss are adding increased risk from obesity, psychological problems and car crashes. Students who don’t get enough sleep have poorer attendance and lower grades. On top of all that, a new study published in the journal Learning & Memory finds you are probably better off sleeping than making last-minute preparations for a test. Two hundred college kids were taught to play some unfamiliar video games. Subjects who learned the games in the morning lost some skills when they played again 12 hours later, but they did much better after getting a good night sleep. So, if you really want to do your job well, don’t forget to get some sleep.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What is the news report mainly about?
Question 2: What is the finding of the new study published in the journal Learning & Memory?

1.
A) How college students can improve their sleep habits.
B) Why sufficient sleep is important for college students.
C) Why college students are more likely to have stress problems.
D) How college students can handle their psychological problems.

2.
A) It is not easy to improve one’s sleep habits.
B) It is not good for students to play video games.
C) Students who are better prepared generally get higher scores in examinations.
D) Making last-minute preparations for tests may be less effective than sleeping.

News Report 2
Long queues, delayed flights and overcrowding at airports have become almost as much a topic for conversation in Britain as the traditional complaining about the weather. Meanwhile, there are complaints that poor service at London’s major airports is discouraging foreigners from doing business in Britain. Much of the criticism is directed at the British Airports Authority, which runs seven major airports, including the three main ones serving London. The Competition Commission is now to investigate whether the British Airports Authority needs to sell off some of its assets. The idea is that competition between rival operators would lead to better service at airports. The British Airports Authority, recently bought by a Spanish company, says the root cause of the problem is not the ownership structure but a lack of runway and terminal capacity, which it is addressing through a program of heavy investment.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What is the Competition Commission going to investigate?
Question 4: What is the root cause of the poor service at British airports according to the British Airports Authority?

3.
A) Whether more airports should be built around London.
B) Whether adequate investment is being made to improve airport facilities.
C) Whether the British Airports Authority should sell off some of its assets.
D) Whether the Spanish company could offer better service.

4.
A) Inefficient management.
B) Poor ownership structure.
C) Lack of innovation and competition.
D) Lack of runway and terminal capacity.

News Report 3
Under the law in Massachusetts, tobacco companies have to measure the nicotine content of every type of cigarette and report the results. The Department of Public Health in Boston gathers and carefully examines the figures and then draws its conclusion. A hundred and sixteen brands were looked at for the study. Ninety two were found to have higher nicotine yields than they did six years previously. The biggest increases tended to be in brands that were popular with young smokers. That worries the department because of the addictive nature of nicotine. Stand Glance, a professor of medicine in San Francisco, explains why: “The amount of nicotine that is delivered in every cigarette is ten percent higher than it was six year ago, which means that is easier to get hooked and harder to quit. The big tobacco companies have always insisted that they are frank with their customers about the dangers of smoking and provide them with enough detail to make an informed decision. However, none of them were prepared to comment on this study or discuss the detailed nicotine content of their products.”
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What do tobacco companies have to do under the law in Massachusetts?
Question 6: What do we learn from the study by the Department of Public Health in Boston?
Question 7: What do we learn from the news report about the big tobacco companies?

5.
A) Report the nicotine content of their cigarettes.
B) Set a limit to the production of their cigarettes.
C) Take steps to reduce nicotine in their products.
D) Study the effects of nicotine on young smokers.

6.
A) The biggest increase in nicotine content tended to be in brands young smokers like.
B) Big tobacco companies were frank with their customers about the hazards of smoking.
C) Brands which contain higher nicotine content were found to be much more popular.
D) Tobacco companies refused to discuss the detailed nicotine content of their products.

7.
A) They promised to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes.
B) They have not fully realized the harmful effect of nicotine.
C) They were not prepared to comment on the cigarette study.
D) They will pay more attention to the quality of their products.

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: And you know one thing that I wanted to ask you. It is great that you have had this experience of teaching in Indonesia and following up on what you just mentioned, what would you recommend for students who do not live in an English-speaking country? And, you know, they want to learn. I don’t know about perfecting but they want at least to be able to communicate decently. How can they go about this?
W: Yeah, it is really hard. That’s the real struggle because right now I do live in Holland but I really don’t socialize much with Dutch people. And my boyfriend’s English is so good that we just basically speak English all the time. So I have to make a real effort to practice. There’s as much listening exposure as I want. All I have to do is turn on the TV.
M: And reading also, right?
W: Yeah, reading. There’s plenty I can get to read and listen to. But for speaking, there really is no substitute for trying to speak and use the language in a relaxed atmosphere. So I think that is really the challenge for people who live in a country where their target language isn’t spoken. And for that, gosh, what would I do? If I didn’t have people here, probably try to find a club? In Sweden, they have a really cool system called study circles where not…It’s like a course, but really you just have a course leader, who is there, sort of, as a coaching guide and to help out. And you don’t get grade, and you go just because you want to learn.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: Where does the woman live right now?
Question 9: What does the woman say is the real challenge?
Question 10: What does the woman suggest doing to learn to speak a foreign language?
Question 11: What does the woman say about the study circles in Sweden?

8.
A) Indonesia.
B) Holland.
C) Sweden.
D) England.

9.
A) Getting a coach who can offer real help.
B) Talking with her boyfriend in Dutch.
C) Learning a language where it is not spoken.
D) Acquiring the necessary ability to socialize.

10.
A) Listening to language programs on the radio.
B) Trying to speak it as much as one can.
C) Making friends with native speakers.
D) Practicing reading aloud as often as possible.

11.
A) It creates an environment for socializing.
B) It offers various courses with credit points.
C) It trains young people’s leadership abilities.
D) It provides opportunities for language practice.

Conversation 2
W: OK, Nathan. So we are talking about driving and are there any rules or regulations that you’d like to change?
M: I’m not sure I want to change rules. But I’d like the police to be stricter on the rules. Like if people jump the traffic lights, I don’t know why there isn’t a camera at the traffic lights to stop people doing that. Or like speeding. It is very easy to put speed cameras in certain places.
W: Maybe car manufacturers should have some responsibility in limiting the power of their engines. What’s the point in producing an engine that is big and powerful enough to go like 200 km/h when the speed limit is only 100?
M: Right. But do you know there are no speed limits in Germany?
W: People there do drive responsibly, though. Often, people break laws simply because the laws are there. If the law isn’t there, people will drive within their ability range. When you’ve got speed limit, this creates situation that actually presents dangers on the road.
M: Do you think Germans have better education about personal responsibility when driving?
W: Possibly. They also have very good cars.
M: Right.
W: If you’ve got a good car that can go at high speed, then it’s really nice to do that.
M: But still with care.
W: So I think it is the restriction that creates the dangers sometimes.
M: OK.
W: Obviously, when driving through a residential area or where there is a school, you’ve got to have speed policeman.
M: Speed bumps.
W: Yes, speed bumps, those speed bumps that force you to slow down. I think they’re good idea.
M: So you don’t think fining people is useful?
W: Not really, because the police don’t have time to police every single driver.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What are the speakers mainly talking about?
Question 13: What does the woman think car manufacturers could do?
Question 14: What can we learn about people driving in Germany?
Question 15: What does the woman think of the police fining drivers?

12.
A) The impact of engine design on road safety.
B) The role policemen play in traffic safety.
C) A sense of freedom driving gives.
D) Rules and regulations for driving.

13.
A) Make cars with automatic control.
B) Make cars that have better brakes.
C) Make cars that are less powerful.
D) Make cars with higher standards.

14.
A) They tend to drive responsibly.
B) They like to go at high speed.
C) They keep within speed limits.
D) They follow traffic rules closely.

15.
A) It is a bad idea.
B) It is not useful.
C) It is as effective as speed bumps.
D) It should be combined with education.

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
Behind the cash register at a store in downtown San Francisco, Sam Azar swiped his credit card to pay for a pack of cigarettes. The store’s card reader failed to scan the card’s magnetic strip. Azar tried again and again. No luck. As customers began to queue, Mr. Azar reached beneath the counter for a black plastic bag. He wrapped one layer of the plastic around the card and tried again. Success. The sale was completed. “I don’t know how it works. It just does.” said Mr. Azar who learned the trick from another clerk. Verifone, the company that makes the store’s card reader, would not confirm or deny that the plastic bag trick worked. But it’s one of many low-tech fixes for high-tech failures that people without engineering degrees have discovered often out of desperation, and shared. Today’s shaky economy is likely to produce many more such tricks. “In post-war Japan, the economy wasn’t doing so great so you couldn’t get everyday-use items like household cleaners,” says Lisa Katayama, author of Urawaza, a book named after the Japanese term for clever lifestyle tips and tricks. “So people looked for ways to do with what they had.” Today, Americans are finding their own tips and tricks for fixing malfunctioning devices with supplies as simple as paper and glue. Some, like Mr. Azar’s plastic bag, are open to argument as to how they work or whether they really work at all. But many tech home remedies can be explained by a little science.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What happened when Sam Azar swiped his credit card to pay for his purchase?
Question 17: How did Sam Azar manage to complete the sale?
Question 18: What is today’s shaky economy likely to do?

16.
A) The card got damaged.
B) The card was found invalid.
C) The card reader failed to do the scanning.
D) The card reader broke down unexpectedly.

17.
A) By covering the credit card with a layer of plastic.
B) By calling the credit card company for confirmation.
C) By seeking help from the card reader maker Verifone.
D) By typing the credit card number into the cash register.

18.
A) Affect the sales of high-tech appliances.
B) Change the lifestyle of many Americans.
C) Give birth to many new technological inventions.
D) Produce many low-tech fixes for high-tech failures.

Passage 2
If you are a graduate student, you may depend on your adviser for many things, including help with improving grades, acquiring financial support, forming an examining committee and getting letters of recommendation. If you are a graduate teaching assistant, your adviser also may be your “boss”. Academic departments vary in their procedures for assigning academic advisers to graduate students. In some departments, either the chairman or the director of graduate studies serves for at least the first semester as a new student adviser. Then students select an adviser, based on shared academic interests. In other departments, a new student is assigned a faculty adviser based on some system of distribution of the department’s “advising load”. Later, students may have the opportunity of selecting the adviser that they prefer. In any case, new graduate students can learn who their advisers or temporary advisers are by visiting or emailing the departmental office and asking for the information. Graduation requirements specify the number of credits you must earn, the minimum grade point average you must achieve and the distribution of credits you must have from among differing departments or fields of study. In addition, it is necessary to apply for graduation when you near that time that you will be completing your graduation requirements. Since graduation requirements vary among divisions of the university, you should consult the Bulletin of Information. You should also direct your questions to your departmental office or academic adviser.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about the procedures for assigning academic advisers?
Question 20: How can new graduate students learn who their advisers are?
Question 21: What does the speaker say about graduation requirements?

19.
A) They are set by the dean of the graduate school.
B) They are determined by the advising board.
C) They leave much room for improvement.
D) They vary among different departments.

20.
A) By consulting the examining committee.
B) By reading the Bulletin of Information.
C) By contacting the departmental office.
D) By visiting the university’s website.

21.
A) They specify the number of credits students must earn.
B) They are harder to meet than those for undergraduates.
C) They have to be approved by the examining committee.
D) They are the same among various divisions of the university.

Passage 3
Jody Hubbard is a diet and nutrition expert who travels around the state to speak in middle and high schools. She primarily speaks to students in health classes, but sometimes the school will arrange for her to speak to several different groups of girls. Her biggest concern is the emphasis American culture places on thinness and the negative way that affects girls today. Jody has a Ph.D. in nutrition, but, more important, she has personal experience. Her mother taught her to diet when she was only 8 years old. Jody has created several different presentations, which she gives to different types of audiences and she tries to establish an emotional connection with the students so that they will feel comfortable asking questions or talking to her privately. She shows them pictures and images from popular culture of beautiful women and explains how computers are used to make the women look even more thin and “beautiful” than they are in real life. She describes how the definition of beauty has changed over the years and even from culture to culture. She then talks about health issues and the physical damage that can occur as a result of dieting. Finally, she addresses self-respect and the notion that a person’s sense of beauty must include more than how much a person weighs. Sometimes Jody feels that she succeeds in persuading some students to stop dieting, other times she feels that she fails.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: Who does Jody Hubbard primarily speak to?
Question 23: What is Jody Hubbard’s biggest concern about American culture?
Question 24: Why does Jody Hubbard show pictures of beautiful women to her audiences?
Question 25: What is Jody Hubbard’s main purpose in giving her speeches?

22.
A) Students majoring in nutrition.
B) Students in health classes.
C) Ph.D. candidates in dieting.
D) Middle and high school teachers.

23.
A) Its overestimate of the effect of dieting.
B) Its mistaken conception of nutrition.
C) Its changing criteria for beauty.
D) Its overemphasis on thinness.

24.
A) To illustrate her point that beauty is but skin deep.
B) To demonstrate the magic effect of dieting on women.
C) To explain how computer images can be misleading.
D) To prove that technology has impacted our culture.

25.
A) To persuade girls to stop dieting.
B) To promote her own concept of beauty.
C) To establish an emotional connection with students.
D) To help students rid themselves of bad living habits.

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