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2020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 poisonous fish which has a sting strong enough to kill a human is invading the Mediterranean, warned scientists. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN) has raised concerns after the poisonous fish was spotted in the waters around Turkey, Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean. Native to the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the potentially deadly fish has poisonous hooks and a painful sting capable of killing people. Although fatalities are rare, the stings can cause extreme pain and stop people breathing. The fish, often known as Devil Firefish, is a highly invasive species. And environmentalists fear its arrival could endanger other types of marine life. After being spotted in the Mediterranean, a marine scientist says, “The fish is spreading, and that’s a cause for concern.”
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What is reported in the news?
Question 2: What is the environmentalists’ concern of the spread of Devil Firefish in the Mediterranean?

1.
A) A deadly fish has been spotted in the Mediterranean waters.
B) Invasive species are driving away certain native species.
C) The Mediterranean is a natural habitat of Devil Firefish.
D) Many people have been attacked by Devil Firefish.

2.
A) It could add to greenhouse emissions.
B) It could disrupt the food chains there.
C) It could pose a threat to other marine species.
D) It could badly pollute the surrounding waters.

News Report 2
Almost half the centre of Paris will be accessible only by foot or bicycle this Sunday to mark World Car-Free Day. This is in response to rising air pollution that made Paris the most polluted city in the world for a brief time. Mayor Anne Hidalgo promoted the first World Car Free Day last year. Hidalgo also has supported a Paris Breathes Day. On the first Sunday of every month, Paris clears traffic from eight lanes of the main road. About 400 miles of streets will be closed to cars. It is expected to bring significant reduction in pollution levels. “Last year’s car-free day showed a 40% drop in pollution levels in some parts of the city, according to an independent air pollution monitor”, reports the Guardian, “and some levels dropped by 50% in the city centre.”
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What will happen on World Car Free Day in Paris?
Question 4: What motivated the mayor of Paris to promote the first World Car Free Day in her city?

3.
A) Cars will not be allowed to enter the city.
B) About half of its city center will be closed to cars.
C) Buses will be the only vehicles allowed on its streets.
D) Pedestrians will have free access to the city.

4.
A) The rising air pollution in Paris.
B) The worsening global warming.
C) The ever-growing cost of petrol.
D) The unbearable traffic noise.

News Report 3
A Philippine fisherman was feeling down on his luck when a house fire forced him to clear out his possessions and change locations.Then, a good luck charm that he had kept under his bed changed his life. The unidentified man had fished out a giant pearl from the ocean when his anchor got stuck on the rock while sailing off a coastal island in the Philippines ten years ago. When he was forced to sell it, the shocked tourist agent at Puerto Princesca told him that the 77-pound giant pearl that he had kept hidden in his rundown wooden house was the biggest pearl in the world, which was valued at £76 million. The pearl of Allah, which is currently on display in a New York museum, only weighs 14 pounds. That is five times smaller than the pearl that the fisherman just handed in. The monstrous pearl, measured at 1 foot wide and 2.2 feet long, is going to be verified by local experts and international authorities before hopefully going on display to attract more tourists in the little town.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What happened to the Philippine fisherman one day?
Question 6: What was the fisherman forced to do?
Question 7: What did the fisherman learn from the tourist agent?

5.
A) Many of his possessions were stolen.
B) His house was burnt down in a fire.
C) His fishing boat got wrecked on a rock.
D) His good luck charm sank into the sea.

6.
A) Change his fishing locations.
B) Find a job in a travel agency.
C) Spend a few nights on a small island.
D) Sell the pearl he had kept for years.

7.
A) A New York museum has the world’s biggest pearl.
B) The largest pearl in the world weighs 14 pounds.
C) His monstrous pearl was extremely valuable.
D) His pearl could be displayed in a museum.

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

Conversation 1
W: Mr. Smith, It’s a pleasure meeting you!
M: Nice to meet you, too. What can I do for you?
W: Well, I’m here to show you what our firm can do for you. Astro Consultants has branches in over fifty countries, offering different business services. We’re a global company with 75 years of history. And our clients include some of the world’s largest companies.
M: Thank you, Mrs. Houston. I know Astro Consultants is a famous company. But you said you would show me what you could do for me. Well, what exactly can your firm do for my company?
W: We advise businesses on all matters, from market analysis to legal issues. Anything a business like yours could meet. Our firm offers expert advice. Could I ask you, Mr. Smith, to tell me a little about your company and the challenges you face? That way, I could better respond as to how we can help you.
M: OK, sure. This is a family business started by my grandfather in 1950. We employ just over 100 people. We manufacture an export stone for buildings and other constructions. Our clients usually want a special kind of stone cut in a special design. And that’s what we do in our factory. Our main challenge is that our national currency is rising, and we’re losing competitive advantages to stone produces in India.
W: I see. That’s very interesting. I will suggest that you let us first conduct a financial analysis of your company, together with the analysis of your competitors in India. That way, we could offer the best advice on different ways forward for you.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What do we learn about the woman’s company?
Question 9: What does the man say about his own company?
Question 10: What is the main problem with the man’s company?
Question 11: What does the woman suggest doing to help the man’s company?

8.
A) It boasts a fairly long history.
B) It produces construction materials.
C) It has 75 offices around the world.
D) It has over 50 business partners.

9.
A) It has about 50 employees.
B) It was started by his father.
C) It has a family business.
D) It is over 100 years old.

10.
A) Shortage of raw material supply.
B) Legal disputes in many countries.
C) Outdated product design.
D) Loss of competitive edge.

11.
A) Conducting a financial analysis for it.
B) Providing training for its staff members.
C) Seeking new ways to increase its exports.
D) Introducing innovative marketing strategies.

Conversation 2
W: Wow, congratulations, Simon! The place looks absolutely amazing!
M: Really? You think so?
W: Of course. I love it. It looks like you had a professional interior designer. But you didn’t, did you?
M: No. I did it all by myself with a little help from my brother, Greg. He’s actually in the construction business, which was really helpful.
W: Honestly, I’m impressed! I know I can probably repaint the walls in my house over a weekend or something, but not a full renovation. Where did you get your ideas? I wouldn’t know where to start.
M: Well, for a while now, I’ve been regularly buying home design magazines. Every now and then, I’d saved the pictures I liked. Believe it or not, I have a full notebook of magazine pages. Since by overall style was quite minimal, I thought and hoped a whole renovation wouldn’t be too difficult. And sure enough, with Greg’s help, it was very achievable.
W: Wasn’t it expensive? I have imagined a project like this could be.
M: Actually, it was surprisingly affordable. I managed to sell a lot of my old furniture and put that extra money towards the new material. Greg was also able to get some discount materials from a recent project he was working on as well.
W: Great! If you don’t mind, I’d like to pick your brain a bit more. Johansson and I are thinking of renovating our sitting room, not the whole house, not yet anyway. And we’d love to get some inspiration from your experience. Are you free to come over for a coffee early next week?
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What do we learn about the woman from the conversation?
Question 13: Where did the man get his ideas for the project?
Question 14: What did the man say about the project he recently completed?
Question 15: Why does the woman invite the man to her house next week?

12.
A) She is a real expert at house decorations.
B) She is well informed about the design business.
C) She is attracted by the color of the sitting room.
D) She is really impressed by the man’s house.

13.
A) From his younger brother Greg.
B) From home design magazines.
C) From a construction businessman.
D) From a professional interior designer.

14.
A) The effort was worthwhile.
B) The style was fashionable .
C) The cost was affordable.
D) The effect was unexpected.

15.
A) She’d like him to talk with Jonathan about a new project.
B) She wants him to share his renovation experience with her.
C) She wants to discuss the house decoration budget with him.
D) She’d like to show him around her newly-renovated house.

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
Removing foreign objects from ears and noses costs England almost £3m a year, a study suggests. Children were responsible for the vast majority of cases – 95% of objects removed from noses and 85% from ears. Every year, an average of 1,218 nose and 2,479 ear removals took place between 2010 and 2016. According to England’s Hospital Episode Statistics, children aged one to four were the most likely to need help from doctors for a foreign object in their nose. Five to nine year olds come to the hospital with something in their ear the most. Jewelry items accounted for up to 40% of cases in both the ears and noses of children. Paper and plastic toys were the items removed next most from noses. Cotton buds and pencils were also found in ears.
According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse to explore their noses and ears. This results in the accidental entry of foreign objects. Any ear, nose and throat surgeon has many weird stories about wonderful objects found in the noses and ears of children and adults. Batteries can pose a particular danger. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. This is why many toys contain warnings about small parts. Recognizing problems early and seeking medical attention is important.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What does England spend an annual £3m on?
Question 17: What do we learn from England’s Hospital Episode Statistics?
Question 18: What is generally believed to account for children putting things in their ears or noses?

16.
A) Providing routine care for small children.
B) Paying hospital bills for emergency cases.
C) Doing research on ear, nose and throat diseases.
D) Removing objects from patients’ noses and ears.

17.
A) Many children like to smell things they find or play with.
B) Many children like to put foreign objects in their mouths.
C) Five-to nine-year-olds are the most likely to put things in their ears.
D) Children aged one to four are often more curious than older children.

18.
A) They tend to act out of impulse.
B) They want to attract attention.
C) They are unaware of the potential risks.
D) They are curious about these body parts.

Passage 2
Good morning! Today, I’d like to talk to you about my charity ReBicycle. But before that, let me introduce someone. This is Leila Rahimi. She was so scared when she first moved to New Zealand that she struggled to leave the house and would spend days working up the courage to walk to the supermarket for basic supplies. After a few months of being quite down and unhappy, she was invited to join a local bike club. At this time, ReBicycle got involved and gave Leila a second-hand bicycle. In weeks, her depression had begun to ease as she cycled. The bicycle totally changed her life, giving her hope and a true feeling of freedom.
To date, ReBicycle has donated more than 200 bikes to those in need, and is now expanding bike-riding lessons as demand soars. With a bike, you can travel farther but for almost no cost. The three hours a day that used to spend on walking to and from English language lessons has been reduced to just one hour. Our bike-riding lessons are so successful that we are urgently looking for more volunteers. Learning to ride a bike is almost always more difficult as an adult, and this can take days and weeks, rather than hours. So, if any of you have some free time during the weekend, please come join us at ReBicycle and make a difference in someone’s life.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What did ReBicycle do to help Leila Rahimi?
Question 20: What is ReBicycle doing to help those in need?
Question 21: What do we learn from the passage about the ReBicycle?

19.
A) It paid for her English lessons.
B) It gave her a used bicycle.
C) It delivered her daily necessities.
D) It provided her with physical therapy.

20.
A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.
B) Asking local people for donations.
C) Providing free public transport.
D) Offering walking tours to visitors.

21.
A) It is a language school.
B) It is a charity organization.
C) It is a counseling center.
D) It is a sports club.

Passage 3
Thanks to the International Space Station we know quite a bit about the effects of low gravity on the human body, but NASA scientists want to learn more. To that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice. The results are both interesting and humorous.
The scientists first send some mice in a specially designed cage to the International Space Station. The cage allowed them to study the behavior of the mice remotely from Earth via video. As you noticed in the video, the mice definitely seem uncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment. They move around clumsily, drifting within the small confines of the cage and do their best to figure out which way is up, but without success. However, it’s not long before the mice begin to catch on. They adapt remarkably well to their new environment and even using the lack of gravity to their advantage as they push themselves around the cage.
That’s when things really get wild. The 11th day of the experiment shows the mice are not just dealing with the gravity change but actually seem to be enjoying it. Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls.
The scientists wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on Earth. The study showed that the mice kept much of their routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What do Nasa scientists want to learn about?
Question 23: What does the passage say about the mice at the beginning of the experiment?
Question 24: What was observed about the mice on the 11th day of the experiment?
Question 25: What did the scientists find about the mice from the experiment?

22.
A) How mice imitate human behavior a space.
B) How low gravity affects the human body.
C) How mice interact in a new environment.
D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.

23.
A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.
B) They found it difficult to figure out where they were.
C) They found the space in the cage too small to stay in.
D) They were not sensitive to the changed environment.

24.
A) They tried everything possible to escape from the cage.
B) They continued to behave as they did in the beginning.
C) They already felt at home in the new environment.
D) They had found a lot more activities to engage in.

25.
A) They repeated their activities every day.
B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.
C) They begin to eat less after some time.
D) They changed their routines in space.

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2020年07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: Tonight, we have a very special guest. Mrs. Anna Sanchez is a three time Olympic champion and author of the new book To the Edge. Mrs Sanchez, thank you for joining us.
W: Thank you for having me.
M: Let’s start with your book. What does the title To the Edge mean? What are you referring to?
W: The book is about how science and technology has helped push humans to the edge of their physical abilities. I argue that in the past 20 years we have had the best athletes the world has ever seen.
M: But is this a fair comparison? How do you know, how, say, a football player from 50 years ago would compare to one today?
W: Well, you are right. That comparison would be perhaps impossible to make. But the point is more about our knowledge today of human biochemistry, nutrition and mechanics. I believe that while our bodies have not changed in thousands of years, what has changed is the scientific knowledge. This has allowed athletes to push the limits of what was previously thought possible.
M: That’s interesting. Please tell us more about these perceived limits.
W: The world has seen sports records being broken that could only be broken with the aid of technology, whether this be the speed of a tennis serve or the fastest time in 100 meter dash or 200 meter swimming race.
M: Is there any concern that technology is giving some athletes an unfair advantage over others?
W: That is an interesting question and one that has to be considered very carefully. Skis, for example, went from being made of wood to a metal alloy, which allows for better control and faster speed. There is no stopping technological progress. But, as I said, each situation should be considered carefully on a case by case basis.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: What do we learn about Anna Sanchez?
Question 2: What is the woman’s book mainly about?
Question 3: What has changed in the past thousands of years?
Question 4: What is the man’s concern about the use of technology in sports competitions?

1.
A) She is a great athlete.
B) She is a famed speaker.
C) She is a famous scientist.
D) She is a noted inventor.

2.
A) How knowledge of human biochemistry has been evolving.
B) How nutrition helps athletes’ performance in competitions.
C) How scientific training enables athletes to set new records.
D) How technology has helped athletes to scale new heights.

3.
A) Our physical structures.
B) Our scientific knowledge.
C) Our biochemical process.
D) Our concept of nutrition.

4.
A) It may increase the expenses of sports competitions.
B) It may lead to athletes’ over reliance on equipment.
C) It may give an unfair advantage to some athletes.
D) It may change the nature of sports competitions.

Conversation 2
W: I’ve worked in international trade all my life. My father did so too before me. So I guess you could say it runs in the family.
M: What products have you worked with?
W: All sorts, really. I’ve imported textiles, machinery, toys, solar panels, all kinds of things over the years. Trends and demand come and go. So one needs to be very flexible to succeed in this industry.
M: I see. What goods are you trading now?
W: I now import furniture from China into Italy and foods from Italy into China. I even use the same container. It’s a very efficient way of conducting trade.
M: The same container? You mean you own a 40-foot cargo container?
W: Yeah, that’s right. I have a warehouse in Genoa, Italy and another in Shanghai. I source mid-century modern furniture from different factories in China. It’s very good value for money. I collect it all in my warehouse and then dispatch it to my other warehouse in Italy. Over there I do the same, but with Italian foods instead of furniture, things like pasta, cheese, wine, chocolates. And I send all that to my warehouse in China in the same freight container I use for the furniture.
M: So I presume you sell both lines of products wholesale in each respective country.
W: Of course. I possess a network of clients and partners in both countries. That’s the main benefit of having done this for so long. I’ve made great business contacts over time.
M: How many times do you ship?
W: I did 12 shipments last year, 18 this year, and I hope to grow to around 25 next year. That’s both ways, there and back again. Demand for authentic Italian food in China is growing rapidly. And similarly, sales of affordable, yet stylish wooden furniture are also increasing in Italy. Furniture is marginally more profitable, mostly because it enjoys lower customs duties.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What does the woman think is required to be successful in international trade?
Question 6: What does the woman say is special about her way of doing trade?
Question 7: What does the woman have in both Italy and China?
Question 8: What does the woman say makes furniture marginally more profitable?

5.
A) Experience.
B) Flexibility.
C) Family background.
D) Business connections.

6.
A) Buying directly from factories.
B) Shipping goods in bulk by sea.
C) Having partners in many parts of the world.
D) Using the same container back and forth.

7.
A) Warehouses.
B) Factories.
C) Investors.
D) Retailers.

8.
A) Trendy style.
B) Unique design.
C) Lower import duties.
D) Lower shipping costs.

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
“Too many people view their jobs as a five day prison from which they are paroled every Friday,” says Joel Goodman, founder of the Humour Project, a humour consulting group in Sara Togher Springs, New York. Humour unlocks the office prison because it lets adults bring some of their childlike spirit to the job. According to Howard Pollio, professor of psychology at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an office with humour breaks is an office with satisfied and productive employees. Pollio conducted a study that proved humour can help workers excel at routine production tasks. Employees performed better when they have fun. In large corporations with a hierarchy of power, there is often no outlet for stress. “Every company needs underground ways of poking fun at the organisation,” says Lynn Mark, a speaker on workplace humour for St. Mary’s Health Centre in St. Louis. Kodak’s Rochester New York branch discovered a way for its 20000 employees to uncork that bottled up resentments. There are 1000 square foot humouring features a toy store. Among the rooms, many stress reducing gadgets. The main attraction is a boss doll with detachable arms and legs. Employees can take the doll apart as long as they put its arms and legs back in place. Sandy Cohan, owner of a graphic print production business, created “the quote board” to document the bizarre phrase people say when under strict deadlines. “When you’re under stress, you say stupid things,” says Cohen, “now we just look at each other and say that’s one for the quote board.”
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What does the passage say about humour in the workplace?
Question 10: What does the study by Howard Pollio show?
Question 11: What can Kodak’s employees do in the Humour Room?

9.
A) It helps employees to reduce their stress.
B) It prevents employees from feeling bored.
C) It strengthens harmony among employees.
D) It helps employees to view things positively.

10.
A) Weekends are conducive to reducing stress.
B) Humor is vital to interpersonal relationships.
C) All workers experience some emotional stress.
D) Humor can help workers excel at routine tasks.

11.
A) Smash the toys to release their bottled-up resentments.
B) Take the boss doll apart as long as they reassemble it.
C) Design and install stress-reducing gadgets.
D) Strike at the boss doll as hard as they like.

Passage 2
Public interest was aroused by the latest discovery of a changed gene in obese mice. The news was made known by Rockefeller University geneticist Jeffrey Friedman. The researchers believe this gene influences development of a hormone that tells the organism how fat or full it is. Those with the change gene may not sense when they have eaten enough or if they have sufficient fatty tissue and thus can’t tell when to stop eating. The researchers also reported finding a gene nearly identical to the mouse obesity gene in humans. The operation of this gene in humans has not yet been demonstrated, however. Still, professionals like University of Vermont psychologist Esther Roth Blume reacted enthusiastically. This research indicates that people really are born with a tendency to have a certain weight, just as they are to have a particular skin color or height. Actually, behavioral geneticists believe that less than half of the total weight variation is programed in the genes, while height is almost entirely genetically determined. Whatever role genes play, Americans are getting fatter. A survey by the Center for Disease Control found that obesity has increased greatly over the last 10 years. Such rapid change underlines the role of environmental factors like the abundance of rich foods in Americans over eating. The Center for Disease Control has also found that teens are far less physically active than they were even a decade ago. Excepting that weight is predetermined can relieve guilt for overweight people, but people’s belief that they cannot control their weight can itself contribute to obesity.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: What does the speaker say has aroused public interest?
Question 13: What do we learn about the changed gene?
Question 14: What does University of Vermont psychologist Esther Roth Blume say?
Question 15: What accounts for Americans’ obesity according to a survey by the Center for Disease Control?

12.
A) The recent finding of a changed gene in obese mice.
B) A breakthrough in understanding gene modification.
C) A newly discovered way for people to lose weight.
D) The self-repairing ability of a gene in obese mice.

13.
A) It renders an organism unable to fight diseases.
B) It prevents the mice’s fatty tissues from growing.
C) It helps organisms adapt to environmental changes.
D) It renders mice unable to sense when to stop eating.

14.
A) Human beings have more obesity genes than most mice do.
B) Half of a person’s total weight variation can be controlled.
C) People are born with a tendency to have a certain weight.
D) The function of the obesity genes is yet to be explored.

15.
A) The worsening of natural environment.
B) The abundant provision of rich foods.
C) The accelerated pace of present-day life.
D) The adverse impact of the food industry.

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
Qualities of a relationship such as openness, compassion and mental stimulation are of concern to most of us regardless of sex. But judging from the questionnaire response, they are more important to women than to men. Asked to consider the ingredients of close friendship, women rated these qualities above all others. Men assigned a lower priority to them in favor of similarity in interests, selected by 77% of men, and responsiveness in a crisis, chosen by 61% of male respondents. Mental stimulation, ranked third in popularity by men as well as women, was the only area of over-lap. Among men, only 28% named openness as an important quality, caring was picked by just 23%. It is evident by their selections that when women speak of close friendships, they are referring to emotional factors, while men emphasize the pleasure they find in a friend’s company. That is, when a man speaks of ‘a friend’, he is likely to be taking about someone he does things with, a teammate, a fellow hobbyist, a drinking buddy. These activities are the fabric of the friendship, it is a ‘doing’ relationship in which similarity in interests is the key bond. This factor was a consideration of less than 11% of women. Women opt for a warm emotional atmosphere where communication flows freely, activity is mere background. Lastly, men, as we have seen, have serious questions about each other’s loyalty. Perhaps this is why they placed such strong emphasis on responsiveness in a crisis — someone I can call on for help. Women, as their testimonies indicate, are generally more secure with each other and consequently are more likely to treat this issue lightly. In follow-up interviews this was confirmed numerous times, as woman after woman indicated that — being there when needed was taken for granted. As for the hazards of friendship, more than a few relationships have been shattered because of cutthroat competition and feelings of betrayal. This applies to both men and women, but unequally. In comparison, nearly twice as many men complained about these issues as women. Further, while competition and betrayal are the main thorns to female relationship, men are plagued in almost equal amounts by two additional issues: lack of frankness and a fear of appearing unmanly. Obviously, for a man, a good friendship is hard to find.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What quality do men value most concerning friendship according to a questionnaire response?
Question 17: What do women refer to when speaking of close friendships?
Question 18: What may threaten a friendship for both men and women?

16.
A) Similarity in interests.
B) Mental stimulation.
C) Openness.
D) Compassion.

17.
A) The willingness to offer timely help.
B) The joy found in each other’s company.
C) Personal bonds.
D) Emotional factors.

18.
A) Failure to keep a promise.
B) Lack of frankness.
C) Feelings of betrayal.
D) Loss of contact.

Recording 2
The partial skeletons of more than 20 dinosaurs and the scattered bones of about 300 more have been discovered in Utah and Colorado at what is now the Dinosaur National Monument. Many of the best specimens may be seen today at museums of natural history in the larger cities of the United States and Canada. This dinosaur pit is the largest and best preserved deposit of dinosaurs known today. Many people get the idea from the massive bones and the pit wall that some disaster, such as a volcanic explosion or a sudden flood, killed a whole herd of dinosaurs in this area. This could have happened, but it probably did not. The main reasons for thinking otherwise are the scattered bones and the thickness of the deposit. In other deposits where the animals were thought to have died together, the skeletons were usually complete and often all the bones were in their proper places. Rounded pieces of fossil bones have been found here. These fragments got their smooth round shape by rolling along the stream bottom. In a mass killing, the bones would have been left on the stream or lake bottom together at the same level. But in this deposit, the bones occur throughout a zone of sandstone about 12 feet thick. The mixture of swamp dwellers and dry land types also seems to indicate that the deposit is a mixture from different places. The pit area is a large dinosaur graveyard, not a place where they died. Most of the remains probably floated down on eastward flowing river until they were left on a shallow sandbar. Some of them may have come from far away dry land areas to the west. Perhaps they drowned trying to cross a small stream or washed away during floods. Some of the swamp dwellers may have got stuck in the very sandbar that became their grave. Others may have floated for miles before being stranded. Even today, similar events take place. When floods come in the spring, sheep, cattle, deer are often trapped by rising waters and often drown. Their dead bodies float downstream until the flood recedes, and leaves them stranded on a bar or shore where they lie half buried in the sand until they decay. Early travelers on the Missouri River reported that shores and bars were often lined with the decaying bodies of buffalo that had died during spring floods.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: Where can many of the best dinosaur specimens be found in North America?
Question 20: What occurs to many people when they see the massive bones in the pit wall?
Question 21: What does the speaker suggest about the large number of dinosaur bones found in the pit?

19.
A) Along the low-lying Colorado River.
B) At the Dinosaur National Monument.
C) Along the border of the U.S. and Canada.
D) At museums of natural history in large cities.

20.
A) Volcanic explosions could bring whole animal species to extinction.
B) Some natural disaster killed a whole herd of dinosaurs in the area.
C) The pit should be carefully preserved for the study of dinosaurs.
D) The whole region must have been struck by a devastating flood.

21.
A) They floated down an eastward flowing river.
B) They lay buried deep in the sand for millions of years.
C) They were skeletons of dinosaurs inhabiting the locality.
D) They were remains of dinosaurs killed in a volcanic explosion.

Recording 3
I would like particularly to talk about the need to develop a new style of aging in our own society. Young people in this country have been accused of not caring for their parents the way they would have in the old country. And this is true. But it is also true that old people have been influenced by an American ideal of independence and autonomy. So we live alone, perhaps on the verge of starvation in time without friends. But we are independent. This standard American style has been forced on every ethnic group, although there are many groups for whom the ideal is not practical. It is a poor ideal in pursuing it does a great deal of harm. This ideal of independence also contains a tremendous amount of unselfishness. In talking to today’s young mothers, I have asked them what kind of grandmothers they think they are going to be. I hear devoted, loving mothers say that when they are through raising their children, they have no intention of becoming grandmothers. They were astonished to hear that in most of the world, throughout most of its history, families have been three or four generation families living under the same roof. We have overemphasized the small family unit, father, mother, small children. We think it is wonderful if grandma and grandpa, if they’re still alive, can live alone. We have reached the point where we think the only thing we can do for our children is to stay out of their way. And the only thing we can do for our daughter in law is to see as little of her as possible. Old peoples’ nursing homes, even the best run are filled with older people who believe the only thing they can do for their children is to look cheerful when they come to visit. So in the end, older people have to devote all their energies to not being a burden. We are beginning to see what a tremendous price we’ve paid for our emphasis on independence and autonomy. We’ve isolated old people and we’ve cut off the children from their grandparents. One of the reasons we have as bad a generation gap today as we do is that grandparents have stepped out. Young people are being deprived of the things they need most: perspective to know why their parents behave so peculiarly and why their grandparents say the things they do.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What have young Americans been accused of?
Question 23: What does the speaker say about old people in the United States?
Question 24: What is astonishing to the young mothers interviewed by the speaker?
Question 25: What does the speaker say older people try their best to do?

22.
A) Indulging in seeking leisure and material comfort.
B) Attaching too much importance to independence.
C) Failing to care for parents in the traditional way.
D) Leaving their parents on the verge of starvation.

23.
A) They have great difficulty living by themselves.
B) They have little hope of getting any family care.
C) They have fond memories of their good old days.
D) They have a sense of independence and autonomy.

24.
A) People in many parts of the world preferred small-sized families.
B) There have been extended families in most parts of the world.
C) Many elderly people were unwilling to take care of their grandchildren.
D) So many young Americans refused to live together with their parents.

25.
A) Leave their younger generations alone.
B) Avoid being a burden to their children.
C) Stay healthy by engaging in joyful activities.
D) View things from their children’s perspective.

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2020年09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: You are a professor of physics at the university of Oxford. You’re a senior advisor at the European Organization for Nuclear Research. You also seem to tour the globe tirelessly giving talks. And In addition, you have your own weekly TV show on science. Where do you get the energy?
W: Oh, well, I just love what I do. I’m extremely fortunate to have this life, doing what I love doing.
M: Professor, what exactly is your goal? Why do you do all of this?
W: Well, as you said, I do have different things going on. But these, I think, can be divided into two groups: the education of science and the further understanding of science.
M: Don’t these two things get in the way of each other? What I mean is, doesn’t giving lectures take time away from the lab?
W: Not really, no, I love teaching, and I don’t mind spending more time doing that now than in the past. Also what I will say is that teaching a subject helps me comprehend it better myself. I find that it furthers my own knowledge when I have to explain something clearly, when I have to aid others in understanding it, and when I have to answer questions about it. Teaching at a high level can be very stimulating for anyne, no matter how much expertise they may already have in the field they are instructing.
M: Are there any scientific breakthroughs that you see on the near horizon, a significant discovery on venture we can expect soon?
W: The world is always conducting science and there are constantly new things being discovered. In fact, right now we have too much data sitting in computers. For example, we have thousands of photos of planet Mars taken by telescopes that nobody has ever seen. We have them, yet nobody has had time to look at them with their own eyes, let alone analyze them.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 1: Why does the woman say she can be so energetic?
Question 2: What has the woman been engaged in?
Question 3: What does the woman say about the benefit teaching brings to her?
Question 4: How does the woman say new scientific breakthroughs can be made possible?

1.
A) She can devote all her life to pursuing her passion.
B) Her accumulated expertise helps her to achieve her goals.
C) She can spread her academic ideas on a weekly TV show.
D) Her research findings are widely acclaimed in the world.

2.
A) Provision of guidance for nuclear labs in Europe.
B) Touring the globe to attend science TV shows.
C) Overseeing two research groups at Oxford.
D) Science education and scientific research.

3.
A) A better understanding of a subject.
B) A stronger will to meet challenges.
C) A broader knowledge of related fields.
D) A closer relationship with young people.

4.
A) By applying the latest research methods.
B) By making full use of the existing data.
C) By building upon previous discoveries.
D) By utilizing more powerful computers.

Conversation 2
M: Do you think dreams have special meanings?
W: No, I don’t think they do.
M: I don’t, either. But some people do. I would say people who believe that dreams have special meanings are superstitious, especially nowadays. In the past, during the times of ancient Egypt, Greece or China, people used to believe that dreams could foresee the future. But today, with all the scientific knowledge that we have, I think it’s much harder to believe in these sorts of things.
W: My grandmother is superstitious, and she thinks dreams can predict the future. Once she dreamed that the flight she was due to take the following day crashed. Can you guess what she did? She didn’t take that flight. She didn’t even bother to go to the airport the following day. Instead she took the same flight but a week later. And everything was fine of course. No plane ever crashed.
M: How funny! Did you know that flying is actually safer than any other mode of transport? It’s been statistically proven. People can be so irrational sometimes.
W: Yes, absolutely. But even if we think they are ridiculous, emotions can be just as powerful as rational thinking.
M: Exactly. People do all sorts of crazy things because of their irrational feelings. But in fact, some psychologists believe that our dreams are the result of our emotions and memories from that day. I think it was Sigmund Freud who said that children’s dreams were usually simple representations of their wishes, things they wished would happen. But in adults, dreams are much more complicated reflections of their more sophisticated sentiments.
W: Isn’t it interesting how psychologists try to understand using the scientific method something as bizarre as dreams? Psychology is like the rational study of irrational feelings.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What do both speakers think of dreams?
Question 6: Why didn’t the woman’s grandmother take her scheduled flight?
Question 7: What does the woman say about people’s emotions?
Question 8: What did psychologist Sigmund Freud say about adults dreams?

5.
A) They can predict future events.
B) They have no special meanings.
C) They have cultural connotations.
D) They cannot be easily explained.

6.
A) It was canceled due to bad weather.
B) She overslept and missed the flight.
C) She dreamed of a plane crash.
D) It was postponed to the following day.

7.
A) They can be affected by people’s childhood experiences.
B) They may sometimes seem ridiculous to a rational mind.
C) They usually result from people’s unpleasant memories.
D) They can have an impact as great as rational thinking.

8.
A) They call for scientific methods to interpret.
B) They mirror their long-cherished wishes.
C) They reflect their complicated emotions.
D) They are often related to irrational feelings.

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
While some scientists explore the surface of Antarctica, others are learning more about a giant body of water four kilometres beneath the ice pack. Scientists first discovered Lake Vostok in the 1970s by using radio waves that penetrate the ice. Since then, they have used sound waves and even satellites to map this massive body of water. How does the water in Lake Vostok remain liquid beneath an ice sheet? “The thick glacier above acts like insulating blanket and keeps the water from freezing,” said Martin Siegert, a glaciologist from the University of Wales. In addition, geothermal heat from deep within the earth may warm the hidden lake. The scientists suspect that micro-organisms may be living in Lake Vostok closed off from the outside world for more than 2 million years. “Anything found there will be totally alien to what’s on the surface of the earth”, said Siegert. Scientists are trying to find a way to drill into the ice and draw water samples without causing contamination. Again, robots might be the solution. If all goes as planned, a drill-shaped robot will through the surface ice. When it reaches the lake, it will release another robot that can swim in the lake, take pictures, and look for signs of life. The scientists hope their discoveries will shed light on life in outer space, which might exist in similar dark and airless conditions. Recently, close up pictures of Jupiter’s moon Europa shows signs of water beneath its icy surface. Once tested in Antarctica, robots could be sent to Europa to search for life there too.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What did the scientists first use to discover Lake Vostok in the 1970s?
Question 10: What do scientists think about Lake Vostok?
Question 11: What do the scientists hope their discoveries will do?

9.
A) Radio waves.
B) Sound waves.
C) Robots.
D) Satellites.

10.
A) It may be freezing fast beneath the glacier.
B) It may have micro-organisms living in it.
C) It may have certain rare minerals in it.
D) It may be as deep as four kilometers.

11.
A) Help understand life in freezing conditions.
B) Help find new sources of fresh water.
C) Provide information about other planets.
D) Shed light on possible life in outer space.

Passage 2
The idea to study the American Indian tribe – Tarahumaras, came to James Copeland in 1984 when he discovered that very little research had been done on their language. He contacted the tribe member through a social worker who worked with the tribes in Mexico. At first, the tribe member named Gonzalez was very reluctant to cooperate. He told Copeland that no amount of money could buy his language. But after Copeland explained to him what he intended to do with his research and how it would benefit the Tarahumaras, Gonzalez agreed to help. He took Copeland to his village and served as an intermediary. Copeland says, “Thanks to him, the Tarahumaras understood what our mission was and started trusting us.” Entering the world of Tarahumaras has been a laborious project for Copeland. To reach their homeland, he must drive two and half days from Huston Taxes. He loads up his vehicle with goods that the tribe’s men can’t easily get and gives the goods to them as a gesture of friendship. The Tarahumaras, who don’t believe in accumulating wealth, take the food and share among themselves. For Copeland, the experience has not only been academically satisfying, but also has enriched his life in several ways. “I see people rejecting technology and living a very hard, traditional life, which offers me another notion about the meaning of progress in the western tradition,” he says. “I experienced the simplicity of living in nature that I would otherwise only be able to read about. I see a lot of beauty and their sense of sharing and concern for each other.”
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: Why did James Copeland want to study the American Indian tribe – Tarahumaras?
Question 13: How did Gonzalez help James Copeland?
Question 14: What does the speaker say about James Copeland’s trip to the Tarahumaras village?
Question 15: What impressed James Copeland about the Tarahumaras tribe?

12.
A) He found there had been little research on their language.
B) He was trying to preserve the languages of the Indian tribes.
C) His contact with a social worker had greatly aroused his interest in the tribe.
D) His meeting with Gonzalez had made him eager to learn more about the tribe.

13.
A) He taught Copeland to speak the Tarahumaras language.
B) He persuaded the Tarahumaras to accept Copeland’s gifts.
C) He recommended one of his best friends as an interpreter.
D) He acted as an intermediary between Copeland and the villagers.

14.
A) Unpredictable.
B) Unjustifiable.
C) Laborious.
D) Tedious.

15.
A) Their appreciation of help from the outsiders.
B) Their sense of sharing and caring.
C) Their readiness to adapt to technology.
D) Their belief in creating wealth for themselves.

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
What is a radical? It seems today that people are terrified of the term, particularly of having the label attached to them. Accusing individuals or groups of being radical often serves to silence them into submission, thereby maintaining the existing state of affairs, and more important, preserving the power of a select minority who are mostly wealthy white males in western society. Feminism is a perfect example of this phenomenon. The women’s movement has been plagued by stereotypes, misrepresentations by the media, and accusations of man-hating and radicalism. When the basic foundation of feminism is simply that women deserve equal rights in all facets of life, when faced with a threat of being labeled radical, women back down from their worthy cause and consequently participate in their own oppression. It has gotten to the point that many women are afraid to call themselves feminists because of the stigma attached to the word. If people refuse to be controlled and intimidated by stigmas, the stigmas lose all their power. Without fear on which they feed, such stigma as can only die. To me, a radical is simply someone who rebels against the norm or advocates a change in the existing state of affairs. On closer inspection, it becomes clear that the norm is constantly envolving and therefore is not a constant entity. So why then is deviation from the present situation such a threat when the state of affairs itself is unstable and subject to relentless transformation? It all goes back to maintaining the power of those who have it and preventing the rise of those who don’t. In fact, when we look at the word radical in a historical context, nearly every figure we now hold up as a hero was considered a radical in his or her time. Radicals are people who affect change. They are the people about whom history is written. Abolitionists were radicals, civil rights activists were radicals, even the founders of our country in their fight to win independence from England were radicals. Their presence in history has changed the way our society functions, mainly by shifting the balance of power that previously existed. Of course there are some radicals who have made a negative impact on humanity. But undeniably, there would simply be no progress without radicals. That being said, next time someone calls me a radical, I will accept that label with pride.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What usually happens when people are accused of being radical?
Question 17: What is the speaker’s definition of a radical?
Question 18: What does the speaker think of most radicals in the American history?

16.
A) They tend to be silenced into submission.
B) They find it hard to defend themselves.
C) They will feel proud of being pioneers.
D) They will feel somewhat encouraged.

17.
A) One who advocates violence in effecting change.
B) One who craves for relentless transformations.
C) One who acts in the interests of the oppressed.
D) One who rebels against the existing social order.

18.
A) They tried to effect social change by force.
B) They disrupted the nation’s social stability.
C) They served as a driving force for progress.
D) They did more harm than good to humanity.

Recording 2
We are very susceptible to the influence of the p eople around us. For instance, you may have known somebody who has gone overseas for a year or so, and has returned with an accent perhaps. We become part of our immediate environment. None of us are immune to the influences of our own world and let us not kid ourselves that we are untouched by the things and the people in our life. Fred goes off to his new job at a factory. Fred takes his 10-minute coffee break, but the other workers take a half an hour. Fred says, “What’s the matter with you guys?” Two weeks later, Fred is taking 20-minute breaks. A month later, Fred takes his half hour. Fred is saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them. Why should I work any harder than the next guy?” The fascinating thing about being human is that generally we are unaware that there are changes taking place in our mentality. It is like returning to the city smog after some weeks in the fresh air. Only then do we realize that we have become accustomed to the nasty smells. Mix with critical people, and we learn to criticize. Mixed with happy people, and we learn about happiness. What this means is that we need to decide what we want from life and then choose our company accordingly. You may well say, “That is going to take some effort. It may not be comfortable. I may offend some of my present company.” Right, but it is your life. Fred may say, “I’m always broke, frequently depressed. I’m going nowhere and I never do anything exciting.” Then we discover that Fred’s best friends are always broke, frequently depressed, going nowhere and wishing that life was more exciting. This is not coincidence, nor is it our business to stand in judgment of Fred. However, if Fred ever wants to improve his quality of life, the first thing he’ll need to do is recognize what has been going on all these years. It’s no surprise that doctors as a profession suffer a lot of ill health because they spend their lives around sick people. Psychiatrists have a higher incidence of suicide in their profession for related reasons. Traditionally, nine out of ten children whose parents smoke, smoke themselves. Obesity is in part an environmental problem. Successful people have successful friends. And so the story goes on.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What does the speaker say about us as human beings?
Question 20: What does the speaker say Fred should do first to improve his quality of life?
Question 21: What does the speaker say about psychiatrists?

19.
A) Few of us can ignore changes in our immediate environment.
B) It is impossible for us to be immune from outside influence.
C) Few of us can remain unaware of what happens around us.
D) It is important for us to keep in touch with our own world.

20.
A) Make up his mind to start all over again.
B) Stop making unfair judgements of others.
C) Try to find a more exciting job somewhere else.
D) Recognise the negative impact of his coworkers.

21.
A) They are quite susceptible to suicide.
B) They improve people’s quality of life.
C) They suffer a great deal from ill health.
D) They help people solve mental problems.

Recording 3
Virtually every American can recognize a dollar bill at a mere glance. Many can identify it by its sound or texture. But few people indeed can accurately describe the world’s most powerful, important currency. The American dollar bill is colored with black ink on one side and green on the other. The exact composition of the paper and ink is a closely guarded government secret. Despite its weighty importance, the dollar bill actually weighs little. It requires nearly 500 bills to tip the scales at a pound. Not only is the dollar bill lightweight, but it also has a brief lifespan. Few dollar bills survive longer than 18 months. The word “dollar” is taken from the German word “taler,” the name for the world’s most important currency in the 16th century. The taler was a silver coin first minted in 1518 under the reign of Charles the 5th, emperor of Germany. The concept of paper money is a relatively recent innovation in the history of American currency. When the constitution was signed, people had little regard for paper money because of its steadily decreasing value during the colonial era. Because of this lack of faith, the new American government minted only coins for common currency. Interest-bearing bank notes were issued at the same time, but their purpose was limited to providing money for urgent government crises, such as American involvement in the war of 1812. The first noninterest-bearing paper currency was authorized by congress in 1862, at the height of the civil war. At this point, citizens’ old fears of devalued paper currency had calmed, and the dollar bill was born. The new green colored paper money quickly earned the nickname “greenback.” Today, the American dollar bill is a product of the Federal Reserve, and is issued from the 12 federal reserve banks around the United States. The government keeps a steady supply of approximately 2 billion bills in circulation at all times. Controversy continues to surround the true value of the dollar bill. American history has seen generations of politicians argue in favor of a gold standard for American currency. However, for the present, the American dollar bill holds the value that is printed on it and little more. The only other guarantee on the bill is a Federal Reserve pledge as a confirmation in the form of government securities.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker say about the American dollar bill?
Question 23: What does the speaker say about the exact composition of the American dollar bill?
Question 24: Why did the new American government mint only coins for common currency?
Question 25: What have generations of American politicians argued for?

22.
A) Few people can identify its texture.
B) Few people can describe it precisely.
C) Its real value is open to interpretation.
D) Its importance is often over-estimated.

23.
A) It has never seen any change.
B) It has much to do with color.
C) It is a well-protected government secret.
D) It is a subject of study by many forgers.

24.
A) People had little faith in paper money.
B) They could last longer in circulation.
C) It predicted their value would increase.
D) They were more difficult to counterfeit.

25.
A) The stabilization of the dollar value.
B) The issuing of government securities.
C) A gold standard for American currency.
D) A steady appreciation of the U. S. dollar.

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2020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: Good morning, Safe House Insurance. My name is Paul. How can I help you today?
W: Morning. I wouldn’t say that it’s good from where I’m standing. This is Miss Wilson and this is the third time I’ve called this week since receiving your letter about our insurance claim. I’m getting a litte fed up with my calls about my claim being completely disregarded.
M: Miss Wilson, thank you for calling back. Can I take some details to help me look at your claim?
W: It’s Miss May Wilson of 15 South Sea Road in Cornwall, and the details are that our village was extensively flooded two months ago. The entire ground floor of our cottage was submerged in water, and five of us have been living in a caravan ever since. You people are still withholding the money we are entitled to over a bizarre technical detail. And it’s not acceptable, Paul!
M: Miss Wilson, according to the notes on your account, the bizarre technical detail that you mentioned refers to the fact that you hadn’t paid house insurance the month before the incident.
W: That money left our account, and now that you should be paying out, you’re suddenly saying that you didn’t receive it on time. I’m really skeptical about this claim.
M: The contract does say that any miss payment in a year will affect the terms and conditions of the insurance contract and may affect claims. Of course, I can pass you on to my manager to talk to you more about this.
W: I’ve already spoken to him and you can tell him I’m furious now and that your company has a lawsuit on its hands. You will be hearing from my lawyer. Goodbye.
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Qucstion 1: What is the woman complaining about?
Question 2: What is the problem the woman’s family encountered?
Question 3: What has caused the so called “bizarre technical detail” according to the man?
Question 4: What did the woman say she would do at the end of the conversation?

1.
A) She has not received any letter from the man.
B) Her claim has been completely disregarded.
C) She has failed to reach the manager again.
D) Her house has not been repaired in time.

2.
A) Their caravan was washed away by the flood.
B) The ground floor of their cottage was flooded.
C) Their entire house was destroyed by the flood.
D) The roof of their cottage collapsed in the flood.

3.
A) The woman’s failure to pay her house insurance in time.
B) The woman’s inaccurate description of the whole incident.
C) The woman’s ignorance of the insurance company’s policy.
D) The woman’s misreading of the insurance company’s letter.

4.
A) Revise the terms and conditions of the contract.
B) Consult her lawyer about the insurance policy.
C) Talk to the manager of Safe House Insurance.
D) File a lawsuit against the insurance company.

Conversation 2
W: How do you feel about the future of artificial intelligence? Personally, I feel quite optimistic about it.
M: AI? I’m not so optimistic actually. In fact, it’s something we should be concerned about.
W: Well, it will help us humans understand ourselves better. And when we have a better understanding of ourselves, we can improve the world.
M: Well, one thing is for sure. Technology is evolving faster than our ability to understand it. And in the future AI will make jobs kind of pointless.
W: I think artificial intelligence will actually help create new kinds of jobs, which would require less of our time and allow us to be centered on creative tasks.
M: I doubt that very much. Probably the last job that will remain will be writing AI sofware. And then eventually, AI will just write its own software.
W: At that time, we’re going to have a lot of jobs which nobody would want to do. So, we’ll need artificial itelligence for the robots to take care of the old guys like us.
M: I don’t know. There’s a risk that human civilization could be replaced by a superior type of digital life. AI will be able to completely simulate a person in every way possible. In fact, some people think we’re in a simulation right now.
W: That’s impossible. Humans can’t even make a mosquito. Computers only have chips. People have brains and that’s where the wisdom comes from.
M: Once it’s fully developed, AI will become tired of trying to communicate with humans as we would be much slower thinkers in comparison.
W: I’m not so sure. A computer is a computer, and a computer is just a toy.
M: Computers can easily communicate incredibly fast, so the computer will just get impatient talking to humans. It will be barely getting any information out.
W: Well, I believe there’s a benevolent future with AI. I also think you watch too many science fiction films.
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we leam about the speakers from the conversation?
Question 6: What will new kinds of jobs be like according to the woman?
Question 7: What is the risk the man anticipates?
Question 8: What is the man’s concern about AI technology?

5.
A) They are both worried about the negative impact of technology.
B) They differ greatly in their knowledge of modem technology.
C) They disagree about the future of AI technology.
D) They work in different fields of AI technology.

6.
A) Stimulating and motivating.
B) Simply writing AI software.
C) More demanding and requiring special training.
D) Less time-consuming and focusing on creation.

7.
A) Old people would be taken care of solely by unfeeling robots.
B) Humans would be tired of communicating with one another.
C) Digital life could replace human civilization.
D) There could be jobs nobody wants to do.

8.
A) It will be smarter than human beings.
B) Chips will be inserted in human brains.
C) It will take away humans’ jobs altogether.
D) Life will become like a science fiction film.

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
To achieve financial security, how much you save is always more important than the amount you earn or how shrewdly you invest. If you’re under 30 years old, you goal should be to save 20% of your monthly income after tax deductions. This is irrespective of how much you earn. Approximately 50% should be reserved for the essentials like food and accommodation. The remaining 30% is for recreation and entertainment. But for many young people, it’ll be difficult to designate such a large proportion of their income for savings. If you find it hard to save any money at all, start by cutting all unnecessary spending, allocate a tiny amount of 1 or 2 percent for savings, and gradually increase that amount. Always keep that 20% goal in mind for prevent yourself from becoming complacent. It can be challenging to stick to such a strict plan. But if you adopt the right mindset, you should be able to make it work for you. So what should you be doing with the money that you are saving? Some must be kept easily accessible in case you need some cash in emergency. The largest proportion should be invested in retirement plans. Either for the young employer or privately. And you can keep some money for high risk but potentially lucrative investments. Dividends can be re-invested or used to purchase something you like. By following this plan, you should hopefully be able to enjoy your life now, and still be financially secure in the future.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 9: What are people under 30 advised to do to achieve financial security?
Question 10: What should people do if they find it difficult to follow the speaker’s advice on their financial plan?
Question 11: What does the speaker think is important for achieving financial security?

9.
A) Try to earn as much money as possible.
B) Invest shrewdly in lucrative businesses.
C) Save one-fifth of their net monthly income.
D) Restrain themselves from high-risk investments.

10.
A) Cut 20% of their daily spending.
B) Ask a close friend for advice.
C) Try to stick to their initial plan.
D) Start by doing something small.

11.
A) A proper mindset.
B) An ambitious plan.
C) An optimistic attitude.
D) A keen interest.

Passage 2
I work in advertising and I like to keep up with current trends, mainly because I’m aware that we live in an image-obsessed world. However, when I first started my job, occasionally I’d catch a glimpse of myself in the lifts, and find myself thinking that I looked a total mess. Was I being held back by my choice of clothing? The sure answer is “yes”, especially when clients are quick to judge you on your style rather than your work. But no one can be unique with their outfit every day. I mean that’s why uniforms were invented. So, here’s what I did. I created my own uniform. To do this, I chose an appropriate outfit. Then I bought multiple items of the same style in different shades. Now, I never worry about what I’m wearing in the morning even if I do get a bit tired of just wearing the same classic pieces. Overall, when it comes to work, you have to ask yourself: will looking smarter enhance my ability to do my job? For some, this question may not be an issue at all, especially if you work remotely and rarely see your colleagues or clients face to face. But if your job involves interacting with other people, the answer to this is often “yes”. So rather than finding a system, I think we should just do whatever helps us to achieve our goals that work. If that means playing it safe with your image, then let’s face it. It’s probably worth it.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 12: What do we learn about the speaker when she first started her job?
Question 13: Why were uniforms invented according to the speaker?
Question 14: What does the speakers say about looking smarter?
Question 15: What does the speaker advise people to do in an image-obsessed world?

12.
A) She found her outfit inappropriate.
B) She was uninterested in advertising.
C) She often checked herself in a mirror.
D) She was unhappy with fashion trends.

13.
A) To save the expenses on clothing.
B) To keep up with the current trends.
C) To meet the expectations of fashion-conscious clients.
D) To save the trouble of choosing a unique outfit every day.

14.
A) It boosts one’s confidence when looking for employment.
B) It matters a lot in jobs involving interaction with others.
C) It helps people succeed in whatever they are doing.
D) It enhances people’s ability to work independently.

15.
A) Design their own uniform to appear unique.
B) Fight the ever-changing trends in fashion.
C) Do whatever is possible to look smart.
D) Wear classic pieces to impress their clients.

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
Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had 50 years ago? Therefore, you’d think we’d have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We’ve got triple the space, but we’ve become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more. This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century. I’m here to suggest an alternative that having less, might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I admittedly saved $200,000. Smaller space leads to reduce utility bills, and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it’s designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I’m really excited to live there. How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. To stem consumption, we should think before we buy, and ask ourselves: “Will it truly make me happier?” Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we’re going to love for years. Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six burners stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, we need multifunctional spaces and housewares. I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space. Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tucked away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out the wall. For guests, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed. I’m not saying we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves: “Could I do with a little life editing? Would that give me more freedom and more time?”
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 16: What has prevented Americans happiness levels from increasing?
Question 17: What things should we possess according to the speaker?
Question 18: What do we learn about the items in the speaker’s home?

16.
A) Their failure to accumulate wealth.
B) Their obsession with consumption.
C) The deterioration of the environment.
D) The ever-increasing costs of housing.

17.
A) Things that we cherish most.
B) Things that boost efficiency.
C) Things that cost less money.
D) Things that are rare to find.

18.
A) They are mostly durable.
B) They are easily disposable.
C) They serve multiple purposes.
D) They benefit the environment.

Recording 2
Now, believe it or not, people sometimes lie in order to maintain a good honest reputation even if it hurts them to do so. At least, this is what a team of scientists is suggesting, with evidence to prove it. Picture this scenario: you often drive for work and can be compensated for up to 400 miles per month. Most people at your company drive about 300 miles each month. But this month you drove 400 miles. How many miles do you think you’d claim in your expense report? The scientist asked this exact question as part of the study we’re discussing today. With surprising results, they found that 12% of respondents reported the distance they drove as less than the actual figure, giving an average answer of 384 miles. In other words, they lied about their number of miles, even though they would forfeit money they were owed. The researchers believe this was to seem honest with the assumption being that others would be suspicious of a high expense claim. But why would people fabricate numbers to their own detriment? The researchers explained that many people care a great deal about their reputation and how they’ll be judged by others. If they care enough, they’re concerned about appearing honest and not losing the respect of others maybe greater than their desire to actually be honest. The researchers assert that the findings suggest that when people obtain very favorable outcomes, they anticipate other people’s suspicious reactions and prefer lying and appearing honest to telling the truth and appearing as selfish liars. So why is this research important? Well, experts generally agreed there are two main types of lie, selfish liars and liars that are meant to benefit others. The first, as you may predict, is for selfish gain, such as submitting a fraudulent claim to an insurance company. While the second involves lying to help others or not offend others, for example, telling a friend whose outfit you don’t like that they look great. But the researchers are suggesting a third type of lying: lying to maintain a good reputation. Now this hypothesis is new and some skeptics argue that this isn’t a whole new category of lie. But the findings seem intuitive to me. After all, one of the main motivations for lying is to increase our worth in the eyes of others. So it seems highly likely that people will lie to seem honest.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 19: What did the team of scientists find in their study?
Question 20: Why would people fabricate numbers to their own detriment according to the researchers?
Question 21: What does the speaker think of the researchers’ findings?

19.
A) All respondents were afraid of making a high expense claim.
B) A number of respondents gave an average answer of 400 miles.
C) Most of the respondents got compensated for driving 384 miles.
D) Over 10% of the respondents lied about the distance they drove.

20.
A) They endeavored to actually be honest.
B) They wanted to protect their reputation.
C) They cared about other people’s claims.
D) They responded to colleagues’ suspicion.

21.
A) They seem positive.
B) They are illustrative.
C) They seem intuitive.
D) They are conclusive.

Recording 3
Why do old people dislike new music? As I’ve grown older, I often hear people my age say things like “They just don’t make good music like they used to.” Why does this happen? Luckily, psychology can give us some insights into this puzzle. Musical taste begins crystallized as early as age 13 or 14. By the time we’re in our early 20s, these tastes get locked into place pretty firmly. In fact, studies have found that by the time we turned 33, most of us have stopped listening to new music. Meanwhile, popular songs released when you’re in your early teens are likely to remain quite popular among your age group for the rest of your life. There could be a biological explanation for this, as there’s evidence that the brain’s ability to make subtle distinctions between different chords, rhythms, and melodies deteriorate with age. So to older people, newer, less familiar songs might all sound the same. But there may be some simpler reasons for older people’s aversion to new music. One of the most researched laws of social psychology is something called the “mere exposure effect”, which in essence means that the more we’re exposed to something, the more we tend to like it. This happens with people we know, the advertisements we see, and the songs we listen to. When you’re in your early teens, you probably spend a fair amount of time listening to music or watching music videos. Your favorite songs and artists become familiar, comforting parts of your routine. For many people over 30, job and family obligations increase, so there’s less time to spend discovering new music. Instead, many will simply listen to old, familiar favorites from that period of their lives when they had more free time. Of course, those teen years weren’t necessarily carefree. They’re famously confusing, which is why so many TV shows and movies revolve around the high school turmoil. Psychology research has shown that the emotions that we experience as teens seem more intense than those that come later. And we also know that intense emotions are associated with stronger memories and preferences. Both of these might explain why the songs we listen to during this period become so memorable and beloved. So there’s nothing wrong with your parents because they don’t like your music. Rather it’s all part of the natural order of things.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.
Question 22: What does the speaker mainly discuss in this talk?
Question 23: What have studies found about most people by the time they turn 33?
Question 24: What do we learn from one of the most researched laws of social psychology?
Question 25: What might explain the fact that songs people listen to in their teen years are memorable and beloved?

22.
A) Older people’s aversion to new music.
B) Older people’s changing musical tastes.
C) Insights into the features of good music.
D) Deterioration in the quality of new music.

23.
A) They seldom listen to songs released in their teens.
B) They can make subtle distinctions about music.
C) They find all music sounds the same.
D) They no longer listen to new music.

24.
A) The more you experience something, the better you’ll appreciate it.
B) The more you experience something, the longer you’ll remember it.
C) The more you are exposed to something, the deeper you’ll understand it.
D) The more you are exposed to something, the more familiar it’ll be to you.

25.
A) Teenagers are much more sensitive.
B) Teenagers are much more sentimental.
C) Teenagers’ memories are more lasting.
D) Teenagers’ emotions are more intense.

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