分类目录大学英语六级

Section A
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 I with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: Have you decided what you wish to study?
W: Yes, professor. I wish to study architecture.
M: Ah, that’s a wonderful profession. Why did you choose it?
W: I gave a lot of thought to things you said during our last discussion, and I decided architecture made the most sense for me. In particular, I’m attracted to the marriage of design and engineering.
M: That’s great, but I seem to remember you were preoccupied with all the lofty mathematics. You no longer think this aspect will be too hard for you?
W: No. I was doing some online research and I think I should be able to manage. Math might be the toughest subject I encounter in the curriculum, but I’ll simply put in the work required. I’m certain the fruits of my labor will pay off.
M: I’m sure that’s true. Due to its material nature, architecture is one field where you will be able to clearly witness the contribution you make to a city. And the legacies you build will last much longer than any of us mortals.
W: Yeah, I guess that’s true too. So what subjects do you think I should start brushing up on in preparation? I have the whole summer.
M: These days, architecture is a very diverse and dynamic degree. Most universities will encourage you to learn different things from fields as wide-ranging as philosophy and economics. Nevertheless, I would suggest you start with computer science because there will be many intricate visuals you will have to produce as part of your projects.
W: Any software in particular you think I should start with?
M: Photoshop is a good place. If you aren’t yet, try to become as proficient as you can with it. And another thing that I would recommend you learn as much as you can is fine arts, in particular, the history of Western art.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: Why does the woman wish to study architecture?
Question 2: How does the woman say she will overcome the difficulty in learning mathematics?
Question 3: What does the man say about architects’ contribution to a city?
Question 4: What subject does the man suggest the woman start with?

1.
A) She is drawn to its integration of design and engineering.
B) She is influenced by her father who teaches architecture.
C) She is preoccupied with her dream to be an architect.
D) She is attracted to the beauty of modern buildings.

2.
A) By taking prerequisite courses.
B) By studying the subject online.
C) With the professor’s help.
D) Through hard work.

3.
A) It is immortal.
B) It is immaterial.
C) It is long-lasting.
D) It is groundbreaking.

4.
A) Computer science.
B) Philosophy.
C) Economics.
D) Western art.

Conversation 2
W: So as I mentioned over the phone, we are looking for someone who is very discreet. I can’t stress this enough.
M: I fully understand.
W: As we all know, being such a famous football player at Real Madrid, Mr. Sanchez has a very high public profile. This means he cannot leave the house without being recognized and harassed.
M: Yes, I completely understand how imperative it would be to respect Mr. Sanchez’s private life.
W: Good. As his personal assistant, you would be required to run common everyday chores for Mr. Sanchez, things he cannot do himself due to his fame, like going to the supermarket or post office. So, well, at first sight it may appear that working for a celebrity is very glamorous. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m telling you this so that you don’t get any false expectations of what the job has to offer you.
M: Thanks. I understand this too. This is my first job after graduating from university. So frankly, I don’t have much prior working experience. I am, however, very excited about the prospect of joining this company and very keen to start from the bottom in whatever capacity I may be of use.
W: That’s good to hear. You sound very energetic. Tell me why do you think you are well suited for this job?
M: Well, firstly, I love football. I’m a lifelong Real Madrid supporter and go to their games every weekend I can. I would simply love to have a job where I’m involved in some capacity with Real Madrid, regardless of the position and salary. And secondly, I think what this company does in sports consultancy is very cool. And I think my language skills could prove very uscful down the road.
W: Please tell me more about your language skills.
M: I am fully fluent in English and Spanish and have a working proficiency in French.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we learn from the conversation about Mr. Sanchez?
Question 6: What will the man do if he gets the job?
Question 7: What does the man say about himself?
Question 8: Why does the man think he is a very competitive candidate?

5.
A) He is a famous football coach.
B) He is well known to the public.
C) He has been guarded by a discreet assistant.
D) He has occasionally been harassed by his fans.

6.
A) Help promote Mr. Sanchez’s public profile.
B) Run common daily chores for the woman.
C) Play a key role in Real Madrid.
D) Serve as a personal assistant.

7.
A) He once worked part-time in university.
B) He is honest and always tells the truth.
C) He cares little about his working hours.
D) He has little previous work experience.

8.
A) He has a natural capacity to cooperate with others.
B) He has a sound knowledge of sports consultancy.
C) He has a high proficiency in several languages.
D) He has a strong ability to connect with people.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two 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
Adventure sports are undeniably attractive to many energetic and thrill-seeking kids. Sports like rock climbing, surfing, skiing, and mountain biking, thus have lots of appeal. They don’t have many of the rules and pressures of traditional team sports, but they still have all the benefits of outdoor physical activity.
When properly supervised, extreme sports can be a part of a healthy, balanced life. Some adventure sports may be associated with higher risks of injury, so it’s important for kids to figure out when to take risks, and when not to. Risk-free activities deprive kids of the opportunity to test themselves and overcome their fears. But to some, these very risks are what makes these sports a bad choice. They say that extreme sports can often lead to devastating injuries, especially as young thrill-seekers may attempt feats that are too advanced for them.
But let’s be real. Most kids do all kinds of dangerous stuff whether you want them to or not. Adventure sports have many of the same risks and dangers, but they have an additional sense of adventure, courage and autonomy that is important to foster in young children. As always, it’s up to parents to decide what’s best for their kids. But if you do decide that adventure sports are a bit too much, do try to introduce other forms of outdoor adventures into their lives. Camping under the stars, fishing, stargazing or even just playing in the woods can help a lot in building the same sense of self-confidence and risk-taking as in adventure sports.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: Why do extreme sports appeal to many kids?
Question 10: What does the speaker say about risk-free activities?
Question 11: What should parents do if they decide adventure sports are a bit too much for their kids?

9.
A) They have fewer rules and pressures.
B) They require less supervision and training.
C) They are more suitable to young people.
D) They bring more benefits to young people.

10.
A) They prevent kids from enjoying adventure sports.
B) They rob kids of the chance to cultivate their courage.
C) They help kids guard against any possible injuries.
D) They deprive kids of the opportunity to develop team spirit.

11.
A) Introduce them to these sports step by step.
B) Ask them to try some forms of indoor sports.
C) Let them participate in some less risky outdoor activities.
D) Help them take up these sports when they are more mature.

Passage 2
The shiny gadgets of today will be waste tomorrow. Manufacturers don’t talk much about this when they announce the big new thing that will replace your mostly just as good old thing. In fact, technology firms often purposely design devices that will not last long and cannot be repaired so that consumers will have to spend their money on a new one.
This year, the French government began requiring tech manufacturers to list a repairability score. If a device can be repaired, then its life can be extended, saving consumers money and the planet the burden of so many trashed gadgets. Equipped with this knowledge, consumers can make better choices about which products to buy.
Some 59 million tons of old TVs, computers, screens, smartphones, washers and other electronics are discarded every year. This waste is dangerous. Batteries explode in recycling facilities. Toxic substances like mercury leak into soil and groundwater and disperse in the air. Manufacturing flat screens adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We need tech companies to take the lead to solve this problem. If they won’t, governments must make them do so.
Although tech companies will often speak of environmental sustainability, many lobby against repair legislation, fearful it will eat into their profits. Sustainability matters, but marketable design appears to matter more to these companies. Consumers should support right-to-repair legislation. In this world, damage is a certainty. But we cannot leave things broken: A problem of our creation is a problem that can be fixed.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: Why did new products soon become waste?
Question 13: What did the French government require tech companies to do to help consumers make better choices?
Question 14: What should tech companies do to help ensure environmental sustainability?
Question 15: What does the speaker think of the problem of waste?

12.
A) Manufacturers use effective strategies to promote fancier products.
B) Tech firms intentionally design products to have short lifespans.
C) Such products tend to comprise parts that are irreplaceable.
D) Consumers often have a craving for the latest model.

13.
A) Detail the life cycle of their products.
B) Specify the major parts of their products.
C) List a repairability score of their products.
D) Indicate the competitiveness of their products.

14.
A) Take due caution in upgrading their products.
B) Substitute all toxic substances with non-toxic ones.
C) Invest in constructing more recycling facilities.
D) Take the initiative to reduce electronic waste.

15.
A) It can be solved.
B) It is certain to worsen.
C) It is unavoidable in the long run.
D) It will be fixed by tech companies.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. The recordings will be played 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.

Recording 1
On average, US workers spend about 10% of their workday surfing the internet, emailing friends or shopping online. This behavior, called cyberloafing, is believed to cost employers up to $85 billion a year in lost productivity.
The majority of cyberloafing research focuses on ways to prevent employees from engaging in this behavior through interventions such as internet monitoring and computer use policies. But it turns out, such behaviors may not be a sign that a worker is lazy or just wasting time. Social media use at work has been linked to higher levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction. New research suggests cyberloafing can help workers cope with an exceptionally stressful work environment.
But is cyberloafing actually effective at reducing employee stress levels? That’s the question my research team wanted to answer in our new study. Our hypothesis was that cyberloafing may serve as a mini-break, giving employees an opportunity to recover from stressful work situations. To test this, we asked workers to complete an online survey and rank how much time they spent cyberloafing, checking non-work emails and shopping. We also asked them to rank job satisfaction, their desire to quit, and how often they’ve experienced mistreatment at work, such as being bullied, threatened or yelled at. As you might expect, we found that overall, more mistreatment at work was correlated with lower levels of job satisfaction and a greater desire to quit. More interestingly, we found that cyberloafing effectively buffered this connection. That is, mistreated workers who spent more time surfing the web and checking emails reported higher job satisfaction and were less likely to want to quit than similar participants who didn’t cyberloaf as much. This suggests that cyberloafing acts as a sort of relief valve for workers, helping them recover from stressful experiences.
While we did not directly assess how cyberloafing affects worker performance, we believe by relieving stress it may not only reduce worker turnover, but also ultimately bolster productivity. This fits with other recent research that suggests taking short breaks is associated with higher levels of daily job performance. That isn’t to say cyberloafing is always good. Too much time spent on non-work activities likely causes performance to suffer. All in all, managers should be more lenient with employees. We believe a bit of online shopping or surfing the internet at work could make workers more productive in the long run.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What does most cyberloafing research focus on?
Question 17: What was the hypothesis of the speaker’s research team?
Question 18: On what point do the results of the speaker’s study agree with other recent research?

16.
A) How internet monitoring can be implemented.
B) How to prevent employees from cyberloafing.
C) How cyberloafing affects overall productivity.
D) How to encourage productive internet surfing.

17.
A) Overuse of social media may lead to decline in productivity.
B) Employee engagement is closely related to job satisfaction.
C) Cyberloafing may relieve employees of stress.
D) Cyberloafing is a sign of workers’ laziness.

18.
A) Taking mini-breaks means better job performance.
B) Cyberloafing generally does more harm than good.
C) Employees who indulge in internet surfing are most likely to quit.
D) Worker turnover is linked to the time allowed for cyberloafing.

Recording 2
When Julius Morton moved to Nebraska City in 1854, he faced a problem shared by many settlers in the territory: It was a treeless plain. That meant no trees for building materials, or for fuel. But Morton was one of the world’s first conservationists, stating, “For prosperity, we ought to plant as many forests as we have exhausted and consumed”. So he started planting trees, beginning with his own land. By 1860 Morton possessed a forest of more than 300 trees. A few years later, he had more than 1,000.
As the forest grew, so did Morton’s influence in Nebraska. This was largely because Morton founded the Nebraska City News, the state’s first newspaper, in which he frequently wrote editorials about the practical and aesthetic benefits of tree planting. He also organized the Nebraska State Gardening Society and served on the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture.
While serving on the Board, Morton came up with an idea to spread his belief in tree planting statewide. On January 4, 1872, Morton drafted a resolution that April 10 be designated day for the planting of trees in the State of Nebraska and urged people to go out and plant trees themselves.
Morton called the special event Arbor Day as “arbor” is Latin for “tree”. The state government agreed. And on April 10, 1872, the first unofficial Arbor Day was celebrated throughout Nebraska. Prizes were awarded to counties, cities, and individuals who planted the largest number of trees. That day, an astounding one million trees were planted in Nebraska — an average of more than six for every man, woman and child in the state. Since 1885, Nebraska has planted more than 700,000 acres of trees, earning it the nickname “the Tree Planters State”.
Arbor Day became a legal, civic holiday in the state in 1885. It was held on April 22 — Julius Morton’s birthday. In addition to a parade in NebraskaCity, Morton introduced what has since become a long-standing Arbor Day tradition: Schoolchildren went outside and planted trees together.
In 1970, nearly a century after Arbor Day was first celebrated, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday of every April to be observed as National Arbor Day. All 50 states recognize the April observance, although many hold an additional state Arbor Day in a month more suited to local tree planting.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about Nebraska City in 1854 when Julius Morton moved there?
Question 20: What did Julius Morton do that increased his influence in Nebraska City?
Question 21: What does the speaker say happened on April 10,1872?

19.
A) There were environmental problems.
B) There were no wooden buildings.
C) There were few settlers.
D) There were no trees.

20.
A) He urged the state to start the Nebraska State Gardening Society.
B) He founded a newspaper and used it to promote his ideas.
C) He engaged himself in a large number of aesthetic projects.
D) He served as chairman of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture.

21.
A) Nebraska earned the nickname “the Tree Planters State”.
B) The state government declared it the official Arbor Day.
C) One million trees were planted throughout Nebraska.
D) A special prize was awarded to Julius Morton.

Recording 3
Modern humans arose in Africa about 200,000 years ago. They then spread across Europe and Asia sometime after 60,000 years ago. This is the “Out of Africa” model, as it’s commonly known. In the 1990s, the hypothesis found widespread acceptance. But this popular idea is in need of revision, particularly given the number of important findings across Asia over the past few decades.
For instance, many new human fossils found, particularly in China, are now dated as older than 60,000 years. This calls into question the idea that modern humans migrated out of Africa only 60,000 years ago. Take the recent discovery of two modern human teeth found in the Luna cave in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. When my research team and I dated these teeth, we found they were more than 70,000 years olda situation clearly impossible if modern humans moved out of Africa only 60,000 years ago.
So with such findings, what happened exactly? Where does the most current data suggest we came from?
The first question we should ask is why did modern humans leave Africa to begin with? If a population is perfectly adapted to a particular environment and has access to an abundance of resources, then there really is no reason to move or change. For instance, some monkeys in Africa have a set of teeth that has hardly changed over the course of millions of years, indicating that they found a place that has worked for them.
So what happened with humans? Some researchers have suggested that population density increased to the point where smaller human groups were forced to explore new lands. Other researchers have suggested that due to major environmental events in East Africa, humans were prompted to find greener pastures. Yet another explanation could simply be that early modern human hunters were following the large animals that they relied on, and so they moved out of Africa without realizing that they were actually moving from one continent to another.
Humans need daily access to reliable fresh water, which appears to be absent from many coastal areas. This brings us to another question: by which route did modern humans move out of Africa? No clear routes across the Mediterranean from North Africa appear to be present, so the earlier dispersals out of Africa and into Europe and Asia might have been across the Arabian Peninsula.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What do we learn about modern humans according to the hypothesis commonly accepted in the 1990s?
Question 23: What has called into question the “Out of Africa” model?
Question 24: What does the speaker want to show with the example of some monkeys in Africa?
Question 25: What question does the speaker raise close to the end of the talk?

22.
A) They lived mostly in Africa for about 200,000 years.
B) They moved out of Africa about 60,000 years ago.
C) They preferred to live in Europe rather than in Asia.
D) They spread across Europe and Asia in a few decades.

23.
A) The Luna cave in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
B) The human fossils discovered most recently in Africa.
C) The traces of human migration out of Africa to Asia.
D) The discovery of two modern human teeth in China.

24.
A) There must have been some reason for human migration.
B) Humans had access to abundant food sources there.
C) Humans adapted themselves to the environment there.
D) There have been changes in animals’ living conditions.

25.
A) When modern humans started to disperse out of Africa.
B) How humans settled down on the Arabian Peninsula.
C) Why fresh water is so important for human survival.
D) What path modern humans took to migrate out of Africa.

关注微信公众号”立金云英语听力”，助您提高英语听力水平

Section A
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 I with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: Hi, Lily, how’s the new apartment?
W: It’s okay.
M: What? How can it be just okay when last week you were thrilled about the place and kept posting photos of it online?
W: Well, last week when I moved in, the apartment seemed cozy, just the right size for one person. But now it just seems tiny, shabby and solitary.
M: Ah, that’s the problem. You miss your roommates from university, don’t you?
W: I’m going to sound like an idiot, because I used to complain to you all the time about how crowded our dormitory room was, and about all the things they did to irritate me like watching movies late at night without headphones, or talking loudly early in the morning. But now I miss them terribly.
M: Of course you do. That’s perfectly normal. When I got my first place I remember thinking I couldn’t wait to live by myself and get away from my juvenile roommates and all their annoying habits. But then I began missing them and feeling lonely and thinking that our dormitory was like paradise, even though there were six of us guys in one small room.
W: I thought it was just me who felt like that.
M: Look, you lived at home with us, and then you had three roommates, and this is your first time living alone. So it’s hard. But your first apartment is a milestone in your life, and you should celebrate it. Tell me about the apartment.
W: Actually, it’s not bad. In fact, it’s pretty adorable, now that I have decorated it and it has everything I need. I have a kitchen to cook in and a bathroom all to myself, and then another room with my bed at one end, and a sofa, a small table and chairs at the other end.
M: That does sound adorable and I can’t wait to see it, and neither can mom and dad.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: What was the woman’s first impression of the apartment?
Question 2: Why does the woman say she is going to sound like an idiot?
Question 3: What do we learn about the man when he left the dormitory to live on his own?
Question 4: What does the man say he can’t wait to do?

1.
A) It was spacious and tranquil.
B) It was warm and comfortable.
C) It was shabby and solitary.
D) It was tiny and noisy.

2.
A) She no longer hates people talking loudly in the dorm.
B) She misses her roommates she used to complain about.
C) She begins to enjoy the movies she once found irritating.
D) She finds the crowded dorm as cozy as her new apartment.

3.
A) He found the apartment perfectly furnished.
B) He had a feeling of despair and frustration.
C) He had a similar feeling to the woman’s.
D) He felt the new place was like paradise.

4.
A) Go to see the woman’s apartment.
B) Make a phone call to his parents.
C) Buy some furniture for the woman.
D) Decorate the woman’s apartment.

Conversation 2
W: Welcome to our program Book Talk. Our guest today is Frank Jones, a critic of our education system, and the author of a new book, How to Reform Our Universities.
M: Hello, Susan.
W: Frank, you support radically changing universities in America?
M: Yes, I believe that the purpose of higher education is to prepare young people to enter the workforce, and that our current system fails to do this. We’re allocating too many resources to disciplines that don’t match the needs of employers.
W: I think your attitude to education is a bit cynical, Frank. Surely the purpose of university is to prepare young people to participate fully in civic life, rather than just to find well-paid jobs.
M: Susan, many young graduates struggle to find any job, let alone a good one. The job market is grim, particularly for students who study the arts.
W: I agree that it isn’t easy for young people to find work, but you propose closing down all departments that aren’t directly related to science and technology. Is that really the solution?
M: You’re overstating my point. My argument is that we need to use more of our budget on areas like science and engineering. To do that, we need to take money from subjects like literature and music.
W: But the arts have value. They’re an important part of our culture. Studying literature or music or sculpture might not result in a job in that area, but it helps young people to think about the world in a deeper way, which makes them better citizens and makes for a better society.
M: I agree that the arts are valuable to society, but it’s naive to think that not only the most talented, but all students should study them at university level. The arts are very competitive, and most graduates will end up with a great deal of debt, obtaining a degree that has little value on the job market.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we learn from the conversation about the man?
Question 6: What does the man believe is the problem with the current American system of higher education?
Question 7: How should the education budget be allocated according to the man?
Question 8: What does the woman say the arts can do?

5.
A) He works as a literary critic.
B) He hosts an educational program.
C) He has initiated a university reform.
D) He has published a book recently.

6.
A) It fails to keep up with the radical changes of society.
B) It fails to ensure universities get sufficient resources.
C) It has not prepared young people for the job market.
D) It has not fostered the growth of the arts disciplines.

7.
A) More of the budget should go to science and technology.
B) The underfunded music discipline should be prioritized.
C) Subdisciplines like sculpture should get more funding.
D) Literature should get as much funding as engineering.

8.
A) Build a prosperous nation.
B) Make skilled professionals.
C) Create ingenious artists.
D) Cultivate better citizens.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two 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
Do you ever have the annoying feeling that you don’t have time to really think anymore? You’re not alone. A variety of factors have conspired to rob us of time for reflection about ourselves and our lives. Today, our preoccupied minds are rarely silent. The average person receives hundreds of texts and voice messages a day, and holidays for many of us are action-packed weeks, more likely full of family activities than opportunities for tranquility and contemplation.
Regular reflection, however, underlies all great professionals. It’s a prerequisite for you to recharge your mental batteries see things in a new light and tap into your creativity. Almost all of the great advisors that I have studied have found ways to get away from it all and contemplate their life and work. Some researchers in the field of creativity, in fact, believe that insight occurs during the reflection and relaxation that follows a period of intense activity. Schedule time for reflection about your work, or a particular project you’re engaged in. I usually block out half an hour. Don’t answer the phone; push your papers to the side; sketch; make lists; draw mind maps of ideas that come to you. At the end, write down any emerging ideas. When you’re alone, stop worrying and think. A lot of our down time is spent worrying about troublesome things in our lives or fantasizing about how we’d like our lives to be. Revisit things during moments of relaxation, after a period of intense work. This is when we are the most creative.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What do we learn about the feeling that one doesn’t have time to think anymore?
Question 10: What trait do all great professionals share?
Question 11: What do some researchers believe is conducive to creative ideas?

9.
A) It is quite common.
B) It is rarely noticed.
C) It seldom annoys people.
D) It occurs when one is alone.

10.
A) Seeing things in black and white.
B) Engaging in regular contemplation.
C) Having a special understanding of creativity.
D) Knowing how to make their mental batteries work.

11.
A) Engaging in intense activity.
B) Fantasizing in one’s down time.
C) Working on a particular project.
D) Reflecting during one’s relaxation.

Passage 2
Even before Colorado was a state, it had post offices. The first opened in 1859 in a settlement founded by migrants searching for gold. Life could be unpredictable at West – gold failed to appear, drought ruined farmers and settlers clashed with Native Americans. On the settlement’s location, now stands a sprawling university campus. Amid all the changes, one feature remained constant – the postal service. The maps tracing America’s westward expansion are telling. In 1864, there were few postal branches on land controlled by Native Americans, which still accounted for most of the West. Over the next 25 years, post offices grew quickly. Colonization of the West could be regarded as a result of big government rather than pioneers. As federal subsidies and land grants tempted people into the deserts and plains, the post kept them connected. In the mid-19th century, the post office department was far from a centralized bureaucracy. To keep up with migration patterns, postal services were added to existing businesses. The federal government commissioned private wagons to carry the mail. Short-term contracts were granted to local businessmen to act as postmasters. These partnerships enabled the mail to quickly follow migrants, helping knit together remote parts of the country. Mr. Blevins, a digital historian, wrote a book on the history of the US postal service, he used data science to analyze historical trends. Most strikingly, he built an accompanying website, complete with interactive maps. They show readers how, within a generation the postal service helped colonize a continent. These online interactive maps illustrate the formative power of snail mail.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: What does the passage say about Colorado before it became a state?
Question 13: How did the postal service contribute to America’s westward expansion?
Question 14: What did the federal government do to meet the increasing demand for the postal service in the West?
Question 15: What did Mr. Blevins do to study the history of the US postal service?

12.
A) Farmers helped Native Americans grow crops.
B) There were expansive university campuses.
C) There existed post offices.
D) Migrants found gold there.

13.
A) It helped to boost the economy in the American West.
B) It provided job opportunities for many gold seekers.
C) It extended the influence of the federal government.
D) It kept people in the deserts and plains connected.

14.
A) It employed Native Americans to work as postmen.
B) It commissioned private wagons to carry the mail.
C) It subsidized the locals who acted as postmasters.
D) It centralized postal services in its remote areas.

15.
A) He analyzed interactive maps of mail routes.
B) He read a large collection of books on the topic.
C) He examined its historical trends with data science.
D) He collected data about its impact on local business.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. The recordings will be played 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.

Recording 1
In last week’s lecture, we discussed reasons why people forget things. This week, we will discuss a surprising reason why we might remember some things – anxiety. Think about something as simple as buying a coffee. That may not seem like an experience that would make a deep impression on your memory, but anxiety could change that. In fact, a new study suggests that people with higher anxiety levels might remember certain information better than people with lower anxiety levels. That’s because higher levels of anxiety may make people more susceptible to negative feelings, putting them in a more negative state of mind. That in turn may make them able to better remember some events. Let’s take a closer look at that new study now. In this study, the researchers started by giving 80 undergraduate students an anxiety test. The test measured the participants’ anxiety levels over the preceding two weeks. Then, to test memory, the participants were shown a series of neutral words, one at a time. Some of the words were printed on to photos of negative scenes, meaning images that could affect their emotions negatively, such as a photo of a car accident or a cemetery. The rest of the words were printed on to photos of neutral scenes, such as a photo of a lake or trees. Neutral words included words like “table” or “desk” that don’t elicit emotion. Later, the participants were asked to think back to the words they were shown earlier, which caused them to reenter either a negative or a neutral mindset. The participants were then presented with another set of neutral words, and their memory of these new words was tested. The researchers found that the new words presented to people in a negative mindset were better remembered by people with higher levels of anxiety than those with lower levels of anxiety. In other words, when highly anxious individuals took in otherwise emotionally neutral information that was presented to them, it became colored by their negative mindset, making them remember the information better. But these same effects were not seen in people with low levels of anxiety. Previous studies have found that extreme levels of anxiety, such as those experienced by people diagnosed with an anxiety disordercan be quite detrimental to memory and cognitive performance. But the highly anxious people in this study represent individuals who are managing their anxiety and for whom anxiety is not a serious problem.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say the new study suggests?
Question 17: What did researchers do first in the new study?
Question 18: What do we learn from previous studies about anxiety?

16.
A) Higher levels of anxiety may improve people’s memory.
B) Some experiences are easier to remember than others.
C) Most people tend to remember things selectively.
D) Simple things may leave a deep impression on one’s memory.

17.
A) They classified the participants mindset.
B) They showed some photos to the participants.
C) They measured the participants anxicty levels.
D) They tested the size of the participants’ vocabulary.

18.
A) Anxiety has become a serious problem for an increasing number of people.
B) Extreme levels of anxiety can adversely affect cognitive performance.
C) People diagnosed with anxiety disorder may forget things selectively.
D) There is no direct correlation between memory and levels of anxiety.

Recording 2
Over the past 20 years, the internet has gradually become a dominant feature of our lives. It has changed how we communicate with each other, and it has definitely transformed the way we do business with each other. Marketing has also changed in a number of ways. For instance, in the past consumers had to call a phone number and patiently wait on hold, in order to get the information they wanted. Today, they want the information immediately. They’ll go to the company’s social media page and post comments and questions, expecting to receive an immediate response. If they don’t get their questions answered soon, they’ll move on to another company that will answer them quickly. Marketing departments today need to follow technological development. For example this year’s smartphone is smarter than last year’s; self-driving cars are now on the road. Marketers have to do research on which technologies are coming into being. Otherwise they risk being left behind in the virtual dust. Marketing has also changed due to the importance of video. Pcople don’t just want to read text, they want to watch things happening. Companies now have to explore how they can use video on a consistent basis to share information about their businesses. Fortunately, it’s extremely easy to shoot something these days. All you need is a smartphone. But what’s the result of all this? Shorter attention spans. We are the same people that we were 20 years ago. Not only have we grown accustomed to getting the information we want instantaneously, our attention spans are much shorter. If something doesn’t capture our attention within a few seconds, we’re on to the next piece of content. Marketers need to figure out ways to speak directly to the customer’s emotions and they need to figure out how to do that as quickly as possible. Once people are emotionally engaged, they’ll stick with you. If marketing has changed this much in the past 20 years, imagine what the next 20 years will bring. In a recent survey, only 9% of marketers could say with confidence that their marketing efforts were actually working. Their confidence is being shaken, because the rules of the game change every year. That’s why it’s important for marketers to pay attention to the latest technological developments and consider collaborating with technological innovators. That way, they’ll be moving at the same pace as the tech industry.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about today’s consumers?
Question 20: How do marketers capture consumers’ attention as quickly as possible?
Question 21: What does the speaker suggest marketers do to meet future challenges?

19.
A) They compare products from different companies before making a choice.
B) They get information from other consumers’ postings and comments.
C) They lose patience when their phone call is no promptly answered.
D) They expect to get instantaneous responses to their inquiry.

20.
A) Giving them rewards on the spot.
B) Broadening their scope of interest.
C) Speaking directly to their emotions.
D) Focusing on the details of the product.

21.
A) Change the rules of the game in the market every year.
B) Keep up with the latest technological developments.
C) Learn from technological innovators to do business.
D) Make greater efforts to build up consumers’ confidence.

Recording 3
You might be surprised to learn that the benefits of friendships extend beyond people’s social life and into their work, which is interesting when considering the extent to which people sacrifice friendships, or at least the time they spend with friends, because of the extended hours they’re devoting to work. Just last week, I was remarking to a colleague that I’m content with only one social engagement per week. But according to recent research, that’s evidently not enough. In an initial study of more than 700 respondents, scholars from an American university analyzed the impact that friends, as opposed to family, have on self-esteem and well-being. Friends came out substantially on top. That’s because to be someone’s mate is a voluntary act, unlike family who people rarely get to choose. The researchers found that when people choose to cultivate and maintain supportive friendships with an individual, it means that the person is valued and worthy of their limited time. Such sentiments of value and worthiness boost our self-esteem. The second study comprised more than 300 participants. It proved that the better we feel about ourselves, the more likely we’ll perform our job confidently and competently. This follow-up study found that non-work friends even improve people’s job satisfaction. They have as much of an impact on how much they love their jobs as do the friends they have at work, despite not actually being at our place of work. These types of friends tend to be our preferred outlet for venting about work-related matters. This is an avenue that may not be available at the office. So even though friendships can be easy to neglect when confronted by pressures at work, or even pressures at home, neglecting our friends can turn out to be harmful and counterproductive. That’s why, when determining how to create a better work-life balance, we need to consider not only how to balance work and family demands, but also how to cultivate and sustain supportive friendships. It’s for this reason that managers should never discriminate when it comes to requests from employees for flexible work arrangements. It’s irrelevant whether their need for a desired schedule is due to, say, parenting responsibilities or a craving to hang out with the best mate. What matters is the opportunity to engage in a nourishing activity outside of work. That will definitely have a follow-on effect at work.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker say is interesting?
Question 23: What did researchers from an American university analyze in their initial study?
Question 24: What did the second study find about non-work friends?
Question 25: What does the speaker suggest managers do?

22.
A) People have only one social engagement per week.
B) Working together enhances friendship.
C) Few people have devoted friends.
D) Friendships benefit work.

23.
A) The impact of friends on people’s self-esteem.
B) How supportive friends can be in the workplace.
C) How to boost one’s sense of value and worthiness.
D) The role of family ties in people’s mental well-being.

24.
A) They show little interest in their friends’ work.
B) They tend to be much more difficult to make.
C) They are more trustworthy and reliable.
D) They increase people’s job satisfaction.

25.
A) Allow employees to have a flexible work schedule.
B) Encourage employees to be friends with colleagues.
C) Help employees balance work and family responsibilities.
D) Organize activities to nourish friendships outside of work.

关注微信公众号”立金云英语听力”，助您提高英语听力水平

2022年12月英语六级第1套听力原文及题目

Section A
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 I with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: How’s your dissertation going? I’m proofreading my first draft and will submit it to my professor tomorrow.
W: Oh, I haven’t even started writing mine yet. So I’m really worried about finishing by the end of next semester.
M: You mean you haven’t even begun yours yet? The final draft is due in five months.
W: Of course I’ve started it, but I can’t get to the writing yet as I haven’t found enough resources to use. So I’m still researching the topic.
M: Maybe the problem is the way you’re doing your research. I started by talking to my professor about where to look for information. And based on that, I found books in the library and a lot of reputable journal articles on the Internet.
W: I’ve tried all that, but don’t have enough to write the dissertation as my department’s minimum length is 70 pages. I think the problem is that my topic isn’t viable. And honestly, my professor did warn me at the beginning that I might not be able to find enough material. But I was so interested in the topic that I didn’t let his advice deter me.
M: Well, I suggest you find a new topic. After all, our professors are here to guide us, so it’s best to listen to them.
W: In retrospect, I wish I had listened to him, but I didn’t. And now I don’t want to give up my topic as I’ve already invested so much time and energy.
M: If you’re committed to your current topic, maybe you could make some adjustments rather than abandoning it completely. What is your topic?
W: It’s “Depictions of Femininity in Folklore from the South of the Country”.
M: That’s pretty narrow. You could find more material if you made the topic broader, maybe by including other kinds of depictions.
W: Broadening the topic is a great idea. I’ll start by including folklore from other regions of the country.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: What does the woman say about her dissertation?
Question 2: What does the man say about his professor?
Question 3: What does the woman say about her professor?
Question 4: What do we learn the woman will do to complete her dissertation?

1.
A) She hasn’t started writing it.
B) She hasn’t decided on a topic.
C) She is proofreading the first draft.
D) She is working on the references.

2.
A) He lent many books to the man for reference.
B) He offered the man advice on resource hunting.
C) He published a lot in a number of reputable journals.
D) He told the man to be selective when using e-resources.

3.
A) He didn’t think her dissertation topic viable.
B) He wasn’t interested in her dissertation topic.
C) He didn’t want her to rush through her dissertation.
D) He wasn’t specific about the length of her dissertation.

4.
A) Change her research methodology.
B) Narrow down her dissertation topic.
C) Consult her professor more.
D) Follow the man’s advice.

Conversation 2
W: Today on Book Talk, we’re lucky enough to host John Robbins and discuss his new book, Why Americans Are Fat and How We Can Lose Weight. John isn’t just a respected writer, he’s also one of the rare celebrity authors writing about science today.
M: Thanks for having me, Rebecca, but I’m hardly a celebrity.
W: That’s very modest of you to say, considering that your four books have sold a total of 7 million copies worldwide, and they’ve been translated into 12 different languages. What makes people so fascinated with your work?
M: Well, people read my books because more than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese, and other countries are facing similar problems. Basically, we all want to know how to fix things.
W: We certainly do. I’ve read your new book, and it’s fabulous, especially when it comes to the way you make difficult science easy for laymen to understand. That’s no small achievement.
M: I’m glad to hear you find my work accessible, because I was worried when I wrote it that discussing the science might make the book more suited for a specialist audience. My last book was written primarily for the medical community. But this time, I want to help ordinary people take control of their weight.
W: And how do you suggest they do that? Can you give us the basics of your advice for people who want to lose weight?
M: Briefly, I argue that every person needs to consider their metabolism and eat what suits their body’s needs. I don’t advocate one single diet. Some people should eat more carbohydrates than others. And different people need different amounts of protein and fat.
W: But you do have some recommendations for everyone, including eating ten servings of vegetables and three of fruit a day. We’ll talk about those recommendations next, but now we need to take a short break for a message from our sponsor.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What does the woman say about the man in her introduction?
Question 6: What has motivated the man to write his books?
Question 7: Who does the man say his last book was mainly written for?
Question 8: What does the man recommend people do?

5.
A) He has translated 12 books.
B) He is a well-known nutritionist.
C) His books sell well worldwide.
D) His latest book sold a million copies.

6.
A) The desire of Americans to try exotic cuisines.
B) The demand for information about food safety.
C) The fact that over half of Americans are overweight.
D) The fact that science books are difficult to read.

7.
A) The general public.
B) Those who are overweight.
C) Those who want to lose weight.
D) The medical community.

8.
A) Switch to a vegetarian diet.
B) Follow a personalized diet.
C) Adhere to doctors’ advice.
D) Cut carbohydrate intake.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two 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
Stress is often depicted as negative, but research shows that moderate amounts of it can be beneficial for your brain and your body. First, the benefits for the brain. Studies have shown that short periods of stress can actually bolster cognitive functioning. Researchers discovered that placing rats in a stressful situation for just a few hours doubled the growth of new brain cells. The rats also did better on a memory test later on. Scientists think the same thing happens in humans. But how does stress improve memory? It’s simple. When your brain cells multiply, your memory can improve. Viewed from a biological perspective, this makes sense because animals that are better at remembering dangerous situations can avoid them in the future. If an animal encounters a predator and escapes, for example, it’s important to remember where and when that encounter happened. Experts assert that the same principle applies to humans. Now, let’s turn to how stress benefits the body. This may come as a surprise to laymen, but experts say that stress can keep you from getting sick. Scientists concede that chronic stress can make you more prone to illness, but research shows that short periods of stress can actually provide some protection against getting sick because it increases your immune functioning. One study shows that rats that experienced brief stress had a surge of immune cell response, which makes the immune system better prepared to fight illness. For humans, there’s even evidence that experiencing stress before getting vaccinated could help make vaccines more effective.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What did researchers discover about rats placed briefly in a stressful situation?
Question 10: Why do people tend to have clearer memories of dangerous situations they have encountered?
Question 11: What do scientists believe chronic stress can do?

9.
A) The rate of their growth increased dramatically.
B) The growth of their new brain cells doubled.
C) They began to show signs of depression.
D) They began to get irritated and restless.

10.
A) To avoid them in the future.
B) To warn others against them.
C) To make good sense of them.
D) To reflect on their causes.

11.
A) Produce a surprising healing effect.
B) Weaken one’s immunity in the long run.
C) Make people more susceptible to illness.
D) Provide protection against mental illnesses.

Passage 2
For many managers and people who work in leadership positions, dealing with emails is a dilemma. It’s likely the unpredictable, uncontrollable and ongoing nature of day-to-day email in terms of volume, importance and urgency contributes to their levels of anxiety and to diminished leadership skills. That’s because it’s not unusual for many leaders to prioritize email management over people management. An obsession with managing their inbox prevents them from dealing with their employees. As a result, they ignore the issues that might only be mild problems at first, until unfortunately, they inevitably transform into a major problem or crisis by virtue of neglect. As leaders, they are expected to motivate and inspire their team in pursuit of longer-term strategic goals and also, less ambitiously but more practically, to monitor their daily output to set clear expectations and to give regular feedback. When presented with a choice between the appeal of their inbox and other more important activities, many sacrifice the latter. Daily email demands have a negative impact on their goal progress. This is because leaders must divert resources from other tasks to check, filter and respond to emails. The solution is cultivating self-control which is like a muscle. It can be strengthened or improved over time through exercise. Some suggestions include: making space in your diary for the only period during which you will be checking emails; setting a timer for yourself so you don’t become distracted by your inbox for too long; turning off email alerts so you’re not interrupted by them.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: What does the speaker say is a common problem with managers?
Question 13: What may happen when managers ignore minor problems?
Question 14: What are leaders expected to do in pursuing their strategic goals?
Question 15: How can a manager best avoid being distracted by email?

12.
A) Placing their own interests over their staff’s.
B) Being overwhelmed by their daily routines.
C) Lacking the ability to relate to their staff.
D) Spending too much time handling email.

13.
A) Their leadership may be challenged.
B) Their companies may go bankrupt.
C) Unexpected events may occur.
D) Major problems may result.

14.
A) Keep an eye on their employees.
B) Motivate and inspire their team.
C) Sacrifice some of the immediate goals.
D) Have greater ambition in overall planning.

15.
A) Cultivate self-control.
B) Filter their email boxes.
C) Respond only after work.
D) Check only when necessary.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. The recordings will be played 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.

Recording 1
In last week’s lecture, we talked about the problems caused by poor eating habits, focusing on how medical professionals are trying to solve these problems. Today, we’ll continue with the topic, but focus on research from a different field — marketing. Now, what can marketing tell us about improving nutrition? Well, a team of marketing professors has studied the importance of the visual aspect of food and how that influences food choices. Those marketing experts assert that the impact of the appearance of food is greater than we might presume, and might hold the key to encouraging better eating. So how important is the appearance of food? Research shows that just seeing an appealing photograph of a hamburger in an advertisement, for example, can cause individuals to imagine the taste or smell of that hamburger. This can make them more likely to purchase and consume it. Of course, that’s the point of advertisements. So isn’t that a good thing? Well, the marketing professors argue that this is actually a problem because the combination of pleasing aesthetics of and easy access to unhealthy foods, such as hamburgers and pizza, may be contributing to a worldwide health crisis. In fact, statistics show that 39% of all adults in the world weigh too much, and another 13% are obese. Now, as we discussed last time, medical professionals have tried to fight the obesity epidemic by focusing on the nutrients found in different foods, emphasizing things like carbohydrate, fat, sugar and calorie content. But they’ve had limited success. The marketing professors believe that the real solution to obesity is making food look appealing and focusing on the pleasure of both looking at and eating that food. That pleasure can be used as a tool to promote healthy food choices. In fact, the research done by the team showed that associating healthy food with pleasant images, experiences and emotions led to greater interest in purchasing or eating. “This is a better strategy,” they claim, “than reminding consumers that a certain food is good for them.” But are they right? Well, the researchers cited a marketing campaign designed to reverse the sales decline of carrots. The campaign didn’t emphasize the carrots’ healthy qualities, but embrace their beauty and the pleasure derived from eating them. For example, the ads focused on the bright, beautiful orange color and crisp texture of the carrots. The campaign led to an impressive increase in product sales of more than 10%. The researchers believe that other companies could bolster sales of healthy foods with similar ads, depicting their products as attractive and a source of pleasure.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say a team of marketing professors has studied?
Question 17: How have medical professionals tried to fight obesity?
Question 18: What can other companies learn from the example of the carrot promotion campaign?

16.
A) The key to increasing healthy food supply.
B) The best way to improve marketing research.
C) The impact of advertisements on consumption.
D) The importance of the appearance of food.

17.
A) By focusing on the nutrients in different foods.
B) By emphasizing the diversity of food.
C) By stressing pleasing aesthetics of food.
D) By winning the support of marketing professors.

18.
A) They can attract customers with the healthy qualities of their products.
B) They can boost sales of healthy foods by making them visually appealing.
C) They can turn to marketing professors for advice.
D) They can rely on advertising for sales promotion.

Recording 2
The household cleaning products industry really began to take off in the 1950s. Prior to that, resourceful housewives who had grown up in a less prosperous era relied on substances that they used in their kitchens such as vinegar used to clean windows. Today, the household cleaning products industry is worth billions of dollars a year and is dominated by large global companies. In recent years, however, many countries have witnessed a surge in the number of small businesses and companies offering more environment-friendly cleaning products. And they’re doing good business, too. One reason for this is that consumers are becoming more aware of environment and sustainability issues. They also want to make their home a safe place, free from toxic chemicals. The third reason is people’s awareness of and knowledge about technology has never been greater. In the past, people might have been skeptical of a new product claimed to be able to achieve amazing cleaning results, but they now have faith in technology’s ability to do what was once thought impossible. There is perhaps no better example of this than a patented cloth sold by one company, which remarkably uses only water rather than traditional cleaning products. The company claims its cloth lifts, traps, and removes dirt and bacteria. And considering that people don’t see these products in shops, or advertised on TV, or in the press, it has been a pretty steep rise. Many of the people behind these companies began testing the viability of their products by selling them at local markets. Then, in many cases, customers are doing the marketing for these product by leaving threads of comments on social media, praising their virtues. There are also TV shows and books dedicated to maintaining home tidiness and cleanliness and the benefits of having a clean home. Having a safe and clean home might be one thing people feel they can control in an increasingly out-of-control world. And there are social media celebrities. One woman in Britain has become a social media sensation with more than 2 million followers for her cleaning tips page.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about the cleaning products industry in recent years?
Question 20: Why are newly developed cleaning products selling well?
Question 21: What are some customers doing to help promote non-traditional cleaning products?

19.
A) It has witnessed a spectacular surge in demand.
B) It has met much criticism from environmentalists.
C) It has seen more small businesses offering environment-friendly products.
D) It has experienced increasingly fierce competition among global companies.

20.
A) Consumers now know much more about technology.
B) Their mass production has sharply reduced the price.
C) Consumers tend to favor all that is novel.
D) Their quality has been greatly improved.

21.
A) Purchasing only this kind of products for home cleaning.
B) Writing positive comments about them on social media.
C) Demonstrating on TV how effective these products are.
D) Telling one another about their incomparable virtues.

Recording 3
Throwing spare change into a fountain is a time-honored ritual: throw a penny into the water, and your wish might come true. But all that money has to go somewhere. Otherwise, the growing piles of pennies, quarters and euros could clog up the fountain’s works. Today I’m going to talk about where all the coins go. Well, the coins collected can go to all sorts of different places — from fountain maintenance to charity or public service. In New York City, for example, coins collected from fountains in public parks often go towards the fountain’s maintenance itself, though entrepreneurs who don’t mind getting their hands wet often get to it first. There are over 50 beautiful, decorative display fountains in New York City parks. They are cleaned by the park’s staff every few weeks, but most of the coins have already been removed by entrepreneurial New Yorkers and there is not a significant amount left to be collected. Other cities, though, can pull in a much more serious haul. Take for example, Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain: for hundreds of years, visitors have thrown coins over their shoulder into the fountain to ensure that they will return. So many tourists toss in coins that Roman officials have the fountain cleaned every night, reportedly getting as much as $4,000 in loose change from around the world each day. Most of the money collected each night goes towards running a supermarket for the needy. And collecting that cash is serious business. Roman officials have been known to be tough on anyone caught skimming coins from the fountain. In one case in 2005, police arrested four fountain cleaners after they were spotted slipping coins into their own pockets after collecting them. Authorities finally caught one notorious thief named Thomas Morgan and banned him from the fountain after he fished out thousands of dollars in change over 34 years using a magnetic stick. For the most part, money collected from privately-owned fountains in the United States also goes to charity. The fountain in New York City’s Bryant Park is owned and operated by a not-for-profit corporation, which puts the cash collected by cleaners towards the fountain’s own maintenance. Tens of thousands of dollars in coins removed from wishing wells, fountains and ponds in Florida’s Walt Disney World are donated each year to support foster children living in the state. Whether or not your wish comes true after tossing a coin into a fountain, you can rest assured knowing that the change is likely going to someone who needs it.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What problem might be caused by the growing piles of coins in fountains?
Question 23: What does the speaker say about the coins collected from New York City’s Park fountains?
Question 24: What do we learn about the money collected from Rome’s Trevi Fountain?
Question 25: What does the speaker say about Thomas Morgan?

22.
A) Increasing cleaners’ workload.
B) Blocking the fountains’ works.
C) Breaking a time-honored ritual.
D) Polluting the fountains’ water.

23.
A) They are occasionally retrieved by curious tourists.
B) They are regularly donated to charity organizations.
C) They are mostly used for the fountains’ maintenance.
D) They are usually used as wages for fountain cleaners.

24.
A) It is invested in a series of businesses.
B) It is used exclusively for its maintenance.
C) It is used to run a supermarket for the needy.
D) It is estimated to be about $40,000 a month.

25.
A) He was arrested for stealing money from four fountain cleaners.
B) He was sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment.
C) He collected rare coins from around the world.
D) He stole a lot of money from a fountain with a magnetic stick.

关注微信公众号”立金云英语听力”，助您提高英语听力水平

2022年12月英语六级第2套听力原文及题目

Section A
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 I with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: Welcome to the Book Club. Today’s guest is Susan Lane, the author of a new book on personal finances that has already sold half a million copies. Hi, Susan, your book is extremely successful. Why do you think that is?
W: I think that’s because of my message, which is making happiness a priority over money. So many of us in my generation have spent decades trying to earn more money just to consume more, but it made us more miserable.
M: You yourself were once caught in that cycle, working for two decades as an executive and earning a high salary, but still accumulating debt.
W: I most certainly was. I earned millions, but by the time I quit my job four years ago to become a writer, I owed over $30,000.
M: So how did you escape that pattern? And what would you advise other people to do?
W: The first change is in what we value. We need to emphasize things that actually make us happy, like relationships, the environment or even our hobbies. Once we make the right things our priority, our goals will change and so will our financial behavior.
M: How does that translate into practical action? Can you give our audience examples of what you’re talking about on an everyday basis?
W: The major areas for action are usually housing, food and transportation. So, people might share a home with friends instead of living on their own, bring lunch from home instead of going to restaurants, and use public transport instead of owning a car.
M: Those sound like major sacrifices. I could never share my home. I need my own space.
W: But they aren’t sacrifices. When people change their values, their desires change. So, in the example of housing, if we value relationships, sharing a home isn’t depriving ourselves of space but giving us an opportunity to spend more time with our loved ones.
M: Indeed it is.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: What message does the woman convey in her book?
Question 2: What do we learn about the woman before she became a writer?
Question 3: What does the woman say about one’s financial behavior?
Question 4: What does the man say about sharing a home?

1.
A) Prioritizing happiness over money.
B) Joining the club to get her new book.
C) Managing one’s personal finances wisely.
D) Consuming more only when earning more.

2.
A) She was in debt.
B) She was a financial adviser.
C) She earned $30,000 a month.
D) She enjoyed a happy life.

3.
A) It reflects one’s earning power.
B) It varies with one’s environment.
C) It mirrors one’s sense of wellbeing.
D) It changes with one’s goals in life.

4.
A) It would give him more time to be with his loved ones.
B) It would be good for those who value relationships.
C) It would mean major sacrifices for him.
D) It would deprive him of his individuality.

Conversation 2
W: Thank you for inviting me to the gallery, Christopher. I haven’t visited here since your predecessor’s retirement functioned.
M: Would you like to see the newest additions to our collection first, Catherine?
W: Are those the landscapes by Danielle Gregory? I absolutely adore her work.
M: This first piece was a gift to the gallery from the artist herself, and it’s quite exquisite.
W: I love how she depicts the barren landscape. The colours complement each other perfectly.
M: You can sense the desolation in the picture. This piece was inspired by Gregory’s recent trek in the Gobi Desert.
W: And how did you obtain her other piece over here?
M: It was purchased at auction by an anonymous collector who lent it to the gallery for display. This composition is one of her most acclaimed paintings.
W: It must have cost that collector a small fortune to purchase this.
M: Obviously, I can’t disclose the exact amount he paid, but it was substantial.
W: There’s so much detail in this painting. I feel like I can really immerse myself in the scene. I particularly like the symmetry created by the reflection of the mountain in the lake.
M: This particular piece was the one that was nominated for a Gateway Award. I was lucky enough to attend the award ceremony as Gregory’s guest.
W: So you know her personally. I assume she’s an eccentric artist.
M: Quite the opposite. In fact, she’s not at all eccentric. I would say she’s one of the most easygoing and intelligent people I know.
W: I’d love to be able to meet her. There are so many questions I’d like to ask.
M: What a coincidence! I’m meeting her for dinner tonight. Would you like to come along?
W: I’d love to. Thank you.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we learn about one of the newest additions to the gallery’s collection?
Question 6: What does the man say about one of the most acclaimed paintings by Danielle Gregory?
Question 7: Why does the woman say she can feel immersed in the scene in the painting?
Question 8: How does the man describe Danielle Gregory?

5.
A) It was the artist’s first landscape.
B) It was a painting by Christopher.
C) It was donated by the artist herself.
D) It was displayed at a retirement party.

6.
A) It was the painting that instantly made her rich.
B) It has cost him a lot of money to purchase it.
C) It was recently purchased by the gallery.
D) It is owned by an anonymous collector.

7.
A) It reflects her emotions.
B) It contains ample details.
C) It appears perfectly symmetrical.
D) It depicts the beauty of desolation.

8.
A) She is eccentric like any other artist.
B) She is a very nice and intelligent artist.
C) She is as lucky as any acclaimed artist.
D) She is one of the most productive artists.

Section B
Direction: In this section, you will hear two 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
Forgiveness is the release of resentment or anger. Forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation. We don’t have to return to the same relationship, nor do we have to accept the same harmful behaviors from an offender. Forgiveness is vitally important for the mental health of certain victims. It propels people forward rather than keeping them emotionally engaged in an injustice or trauma. Carrying the hurt or anger of an offense leads the body to release stress chemicals. Eliminating the perpetual flow of those chemicals may also explain why forgiveness provides physical health benefits. There are scenarios in which forgiveness is not the best course. Sometimes the victim becomes more empowered when they give themselves permission not to forgive. Forgiveness can be challenging. This is especially true when the offending party offers an insincere apology, or maybe they haven’t offered anything at all. However, it’s often the healthiest path forward. It’s important to cultivate forgiveness by developing compassion for the offender, reflect on whether the act was due to malicious intent or whether it was caused by challenging circumstances in the offender’s life. What about forgiving ourselves? We sometimes need to take responsibility for mistakes, but intense guilt and shame aren’t a desirable outcome in the long run. Forgiving yourself may seem like an ambiguous process. You can begin by acknowledging that you are at fault. Take responsibility for the hurt you caused, then reflect on why the event occurred. Draw the lessons you learned and try to avoid committing a similar offense in the future.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What does the passage say about forgiveness?
Question 10: When is forgiveness especially challenging?
Question 11: What should one do in order to forgive the offender?

9.
A) It is vital to one’s mental health.
B) It leads to reconciliation and peace.
C) It promotes interpersonal relationship.
D) It keeps one from traumatic experience.

10.
A) When the offender has power over the victim.
B) When the offender is not willing to apologize.
C) When the offender is not duly penalized.
D) When the offender adds insult to injury.

11.
A) Talk with the offender calmly.
B) Accept the offender’s apology.
C) Find out why he committed the offense.
D) Determine how serious the offense was.

Passage 2
The Glasgow subway first opened in 1896 as a cable-hauled system. It is generally recognized as the world’s third underground railway after London and Budapest. In its long history, it has never been expanded, remaining as a single loop line with a mere 15 stations. At its peak, it served the shipyard workers on the south side of the city. In the 1960s, there was a decline in the shipbuilding industry, and the popularity of private transport grew. As a result, the subway saw a rapid decline in ridership. It ran with little further change until 1977 when its new operators closed it for major modernization investment. Carriages were replaced, ventilation was improved, and the main depot was also renovated and fitted with connecting tracks to replace the outdated crane transfer mechanism. The subway in its present form reopened for operation in April 1980. Since its relaunch, the subway has seen a revival in its fortunes. It serves as a viable alternative to other forms of transport and has gone a long way to alleviate traffic jams in the city centre. In 1996, the system reached an important milestone — 100 years. To commemorate this special event, the colour scheme of the train carriages was updated. Recently, high-tech systems such as smartcard ticketing machines and smart gates are used across all subway stations. The smartcard provides more convenient travel, and passengers simply top up their cards and tap them to get in and out the subway. Since its launch, the technology has been adopted by more than 100,000 subway customers.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: What does the passage say about the Glasgow subway in the 1960s?
Question 13: Why was the Glasgow subway closed in 1977?
Question 14: Why does the Glasgow subway remain important today?
Question 15: What does the passage say about all subway stations in Glasgow nowadays?

12.
A) The number of passengers dropped sharply.
B) It served more and more commuters.
C) The number of stations increased to 50.
D) It became the longest in the United Kingdom.

13.
A) To increase capacity to meet growing needs.
B) To make way for other means of transport.
C) To have its systems modernised.
D) To avoid further financial losses.

14.
A) It is generally recognised as a world heritage site.
B) It is the fastest way to reach the city’s south side.
C) It constitutes a source of revenue for the city.
D) It helps reduce traffic jams in the city centre.

15.
A) They are usually crowded.
B) They use high-tech systems.
C) They accept smartcards only.
D) They are colourfully decorated.

Section C
Direction: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. The recordings will be played 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.

Recording 1
If you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, chances are you will remember the roadside or campground bears above all else. Bears are the most popular animals in a number of our national parks. In these mountains where the population of bears runs into the hundreds, opportunities to observe these large wild animals are plentiful during the summer. Since national parks are wildlife sanctuaries where no disturbance of the native animals is allowed, years of protection have served to break down the wild bears’ fear of humans. Now, instead of depending on their own resources for a living, many bears patrol park roads and campgrounds. They give the garbage cans a frequent going over. An occasional offer of food from a park visitor and illegal and dangerous practice makes beggars of them. Bears are very often hungry, and since they will feed on almost any kind of plant or animal, garbage is quite acceptable. Feeding them, however, represents misguided kindness because the bears come to expect such generosity from everyone and consequently, trouble could lie ahead. Park rules prohibit the feeding of bears. Violators are arrested. Every year, doctors who have offices near the park treat a number of cases of bear bites and bear scratches. Some of the accidents have come about in strange ways. One man was in the process of feeding two small cubs when the mother bear appeared and insisted upon having some of the food. Shoving the big bear aside with one hand, the man continued feeding the cubs when suddenly he was struck a fierce blow in the face. A bear, prompted by the food that a lady kept offering to him, entered the car where the generous person was sitting. Her efforts to push the bear out of the car resulted in injuries. A man required medical attention after he applied a lighted cigarette to a bear’s nose. Another man tried to boost a bear into the front seat of his car so that he might take a picture of a bear sitting beside his wife who was behind the wheel. Because bears prefer roads and campgrounds, the possibility of a hiker meeting up with a bear along park trails is small, but there’s always that chance, for a bear seems to know if you are carrying a lunch or a candy bar. He may even insist on taking it.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What does the speaker say about the bears in national parks now?
Question 17: What does the speaker say about visitors feeding bears in national parks?
Question 18: What is the speaker’s advice to people who carry some food while hiking on a park trail?

16.
A) They are quite friendly to humans.
B) They are shrinking in numbers.
C) They are unafraid of humans.
D) They are especially fond of garbage.
\
17.
A) It is strictly forbidden.
B) It is an uncommon sight.
C) It is a gesture of human generosity.
D) It is allowed only in certain areas.

18.
A) Share their food with the bear they see.
B) Be prepared to run into a hungry bear.
C) Try to be friendly with the bear they meet.
D) Refrain from teasing bears with cubs.

Recording 2
Why do we form opinions or attitudes about someone or something without really knowing much about them? Just hearing something good or bad about a person, a place or thing can influence our opinions positively or negatively. But letting the opinions of another person determine what our opinions will be is dangerous. Forming opinions about someone or something before really knowing them well is called prejudice. “Pre-” means before, and “-judice” refers to judgment. Hence, prejudice means to judge before having adequate knowledge. We can be prejudiced toward or against someone or something. In either case, we are only allowing ourselves to see half of the picture. Very few people or things in this world are all good or all bad. Prejudiced attitudes are usually based on myths, half-truths or incorrect information, and they are dangerous because they can keep us from learning the truth about someone or something. People form prejudices against others for many reasons — differences in their race, religion, gender, or occupation. Prejudices keep people apart. They keep us from really knowing and understanding each other. We should feel proud of who we are and the group of people we represent. If feelings of pride begin to turn to feelings of superiority when we think that our group or our beliefs are better than those around us, however, then we begin to develop prejudiced attitudes that can be harmful. For example, the prejudiced attitudes of one group may keep another group from attending certain schools, from living in any neighborhood they want, or from getting a job or a promotion. Extreme feelings of prejudice have caused the deaths of innocent people. We are responsible for our own thoughts and opinions. When we let someone else tell us what to think about someone or something, we are giving up some control of our own lives. Before you form an attitude or opinion, find out for yourself about the person or the thing in question. Sometimes we don’t realize that we hold prejudiced attitudes toward or against someone or something. We need to carefully examine our lives and our fears, and to ask ourselves whether our attitudes come from our personal knowledge and experience or from rumors and fear of the unknown. The good news about prejudice is that we are not born with it. Prejudiced attitudes and opinions develop over time. But with education and knowledge, we can replace our prejudices with cooperation and understanding.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about prejudice?
Question 20: Why does the speaker say prejudiced attitudes are dangerous?
Question 21: When does the speaker say we begin to develop prejudiced attitudes?

19.
A) It refers to opinions that are radical and widespread.
B) It means making judgments without adequate knowledge.
C) It refers to deep-rooted beliefs about someone or something.
D) It means sticking to one’s judgments even when proved wrong.

20.
A) They often lead to war between religious groups.
B) They keep certain occupations from thriving.
C) They allow myths and half-truths to persist.
D) They prevent us from getting to the truth.

21.
A) When we start to feel superior.
B) When we mix with prejudiced people.
C) When we live in an isolated neighborhood.
D) When we try to keep up with those around us.

Recording 3
When I started high school, it was a shock. I had spent eight years fighting my way to be the most popular kid in the Catholic school student body. I had been a big, tough 8th grader, and suddenly I was a lonely 9th grader bullied by the big, tough 12th grade seniors who ran the high school. I realized then that it’s nice to strive for something, but that you also have to enjoy the moment you’re in and be happy where you are. Rock and roll had always been an important part of my life. I remember my friends and I used to drive around until the late hours of the nights listening to the music of Rock and Roll Legends. During those teenage years, I built friendships that I thought would last a lifetime. Most people that age think the same thing, but people drift apart. Jobs, families and tragedies separate people from those lasting friendships. The tragedy that separated me from my friends forever was the Vietnam War. A year after I graduated from high school, I left for Vietnam. I came back burned out and tired, as though I had lived 10 lifetimes in the short span of 14 months. The 14 months I was in the war. I couldn’t relate to the friends I had had in high school. They still seemed childish, concerned with childish things that weren’t important to me. I was still trying to cope with the death, destruction and evil I had seen in Vietnam. I felt like we had done terrible things to innocent people there, and in turn, I had seen terrible things done to my friends. I withdrew from my friends and started college. Then I quit collage and took many different jobs. I spent a lot of my time and money on alcohol and other drugs. Finally, in an effort to get my life going in the right direction again, I sold everything and took what little money I had and bought myself an airplane ticket to Israel. I went there to study history. While studying at Haifa University, I met my wife, who was also an American student. I now teach in a high school back in America. I look at my students and see them struggling with many of the very things I struggled with many years ago. As a teacher, I try to help them over the rough spots as best I can.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: How did the speaker feel when he started high school?
Question 23: What did the speaker once think of teenage friendships?
Question 24: What do we learn about the speaker when he returned from the Vietnam War?
Question 25: What does the speaker try to do as a teacher?

22.
A) Motivated.
B) Disappointed.
C) Perplexed.
D) Shocked.

23.
A) They would change with the passage of time.
B) They would benefit young people’s adult life.
C) They would help kids grow.
D) They would last a lifetime.

24.
A) He had become mature.
B) He suffered poor health.
C) He had lots of stories to tell.
D) He regretted leaving Vietnam.

25.
A) Make friends with his students.
B) Show his students how to do their best.
C) Help his students get through the growing pains.
D) Share his personal experience with his students.

关注微信公众号”立金云英语听力”，助您提高英语听力水平