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2021年06月英语四级第1套听力原文及题目

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

News Report 1
And finally in tonight’s news, a nine-year-old boy named Joe told not to draw in class wins a job decorating a restaurant with his drawings rather than shutting down the habit of drawing in his school’s workbook. Joe’s parents decided to encourage his creativity by sending their son to an after-school art class. His teacher recognized Joe’s talent and posted all his work online, which led to something pretty wonderful. A restaurant named Number 4 in Newcastle contacted Joe’s teachers to ask if the nine-year-old could come and decorated the dining room with his drawings. Every day after school, Joe’s dad drives him to the restaurant, so he can put his ideas straight on the wall. Once he’s all done, the work will remain there permanently. Joe’s dad says, Joe is a really talented little boy. He’s excellent at school. He’s great at football, but drawing is definitely what he is most passionate about.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What did Joe’s parents decide to do?
Question 2: What did the restaurant, Number 4, do?

1.
A) Enrol him in a Newcastle football club.
B) Send him to an after-school art class.
C) Forbid him to draw in his workbook.
D) Help him post his drawings online.

2.
A) Contacted Joe to decorate its dining-room.
B) Hired Joe to paint all the walls of its buildings.
C) Renovated its kitchen and all the dining-rooms.
D) Asked Joe for permission to use his online drawings.

News Report 2
Christine Marshall, a 34-year-old mum of one posted a tearful video on social media, Wednesday, begging for the safe return of her beloved pet dog. After combing through the security video outside a global’s shop, Christine has now posted an image of a man suspected of stealing the dog. The image appears to show a man carrying the dog in his arms. Christine also believes the video obtained from the shop shows the dog being stolen by a man before driving off in a car, which had been waiting nearby. The family is now offering a 5,000 pound reward for the safe return of the dog after launching a social media campaign to find the thief. The dog is six and a half years old and was last seen wearing a red collar. Christine said “We will pay that to anyone who brings him home, as long as they are not responsible for his disappearance. Please on investigating the incident”.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What is Christine Marshall trying to do?
Question 4: What does the news report say about Christine Marshall’s family?

3.
A) Get her pet dog back.
B) Beg for help from the police.
C) Identify the suspect on the security video.
D) Post pictures of her pet dog on social media.

4.
A) It is suffering a great deal from the incident.
B) It is helping the police with the investigation.
C) It is bringing the case to the local district court.
D) It is offering a big reward to anyone who helps.

News Report 3
London’s eggs and bread cafe offers boiled eggs, toast, jam, and bacon, as well as tea, coffee, and orange juice. But at the end of the meal, customers don’t have to worry about the bill. Hungry customers can pay whatever amount they can afford to eat at the cafe or nothing at all. Owner Guy Wilson says his cafe aims to build community rather than profits. He wants to provide a bridge for people to connect in an area that has been divided by class and wealth, by providing affordable breakfast. The cafe is open in the mornings every day of the year, and has two members of staff or supervisors on shift every day. The cafe doesn’t use volunteers, but pays its staff to ensure consistency in its service. It doesn’t take donations and doesn’t want to be seen as a charity. Mr. Wilson says when people start to know other people around them, they realize they’re not that different and whatever their financial background or their educational background, most people will have something in common with each other. He says it’s important that his cafe can offer his customers security and permanence.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What does Guy Wilson say his cafe aims to do?
Question 6: What does the news report say about eggs and bread cafe?
Question 7: What happens when people start to know each other according to Guy Wilson?

5.
A) Provide free meals to the local poor.
B) Help people connect with each other.
C) Help eliminate class difference in his area.
D) Provide customers with first-class service.

6.
A) It does not supervise its employees.
B) It donates regularly to a local charity.
C) It does not use volunteers.
D) It is open round the clock.

7.
A) They will realise the importance of communication.
B) They will come to the cafe even more frequently.
C) They will care less about their own background.
D) They will find they have something in common.

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

Conversation 1
M: So what time do you think we should have the party on Saturday?
W: How about inviting people to come at 6:00 PM, then we’ll have the afternoon to prepare food and drink and stuff like that?
M: Yes. I was thinking that around six would be good too. What food should we provide?
W: Well, I had thought about baking a cake and some biscuits, and now I think we should prepare some sandwiches and snacks and some other kinds of food so that people can just help themselves rather than getting everyone to sit down at the table to eat a meal. I think that’s a bit too formal. It’s better to let people walk around and talk to each other or sit where they like.
M: Yes, that sounds good. I’ll go to the supermarket to get some drinks. I think I might try that big new supermarket on the other side of town, see what they have. I’ve not been there before. I think we should get some beer and wine and some fruit juice and other soft drinks. What do you think?
W: Sounds great. I think those drinks will be enough. And I heard that the new supermarket offers some big discounts to attract customers, so going there should be a great idea. What should we do about music?
M：Maybe we should also ask Pual to bring his computer and speakers so that we can play some music. He has a great collection of different stuff.
W: Yes. All right.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What are the speakers mainly talking about?
Question 9: Why does the woman say it is a good idea to serve foods that guests can help themselves to?
Question 10: What does the woman say about the new supermarket?
Question 11: What does the man suggest they ask Paul to do?

8.
A) A surprise party for Paul’s birthday.
B) Travel plans for the coming weekend.
C) Preparations for Saturday’s get-together.
D) The new market on the other side of town.

9.
A) It makes the hostess’s job a whole lot easier.
B) It enables guests to walk around and chat freely.
C) It saves considerable time and labor.
D) It requires fewer tables and chairs.

10.
A) It offers some big discounts.
B) It is quite close to her house.
C) It is more spacious and less crowded.
D) It sells local wines and soft drinks.

11.
A) Cook a dish for the party.
B) Arrive 10 minutes earlier.
C) Prepare a few opening remarks.
D) Bring his computer and speakers.

Conversation 2
W: I’m thinking of buying a car. I wouldn’t need to use it every day, but I think it would be very convenient to have one for the weekends.
M: That’s exciting. Would this be your first car?
W: Nope. I actually owned a car for a little while when I lived in Miami. You see, in America, many cities don’t have good public transport. So most people need their own car to get around.
M: I see. So have you got your mindset on a specific model?
W: No, not really. I’ve heard that German cars are very reliable, but I haven’t decided on a specific model yet. I’d also like it to be small so that it’s easy to drive in the city.
M: I have a friend who sells second-hand cars. In fact, I think his family owns the business. He’s a really nice guy and he knows a lot about cars. I could give you his phone number if you want, and you could call him and ask him questions.
W: Hmm. That’s nice of you, but I don’t want to feel obliged to buy one of his car.
M: Oh no. He’s not like that. He’s a good friend of mine and he would never try to pressure you or cheat you.
W: Well, if you trust him, then I guess it should be okay. To be honest, I could use some help in deciding what type of vehicle would best suit my needs. Speaking to an expert would be a good idea.
M: Exactly. You have nothing to worry about. He’s a lovely guy and he’ll be happy to help.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: Why does the woman want to have a car?
Question 13: What does the woman say about German cars?
Question 14: What does the man recommend the woman do?
Question 15: What do we learn about the man’s friend from the conversation?

12.
A) For commuting to work.
B) For long-distance travel.
C) For getting around in Miami.
D) For convenience at weekends.

13.
A) They are reliable.
B) They are compact.
C) They are spacious.
D) They are easy to drive.

14.
A) Buy a second-hand car.
B) Trust her own judgment.
C) Seek advice from his friend.
D) Look around before deciding.

15.
A) He sells new cars.
B) He can be trusted.
C) He is starting a business.
D) He is a successful car dealer.

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
Pigs are not native to North America. They were first introduced to California by Spanish and Russian explorers and settlers many centuries ago. In the early times, pigs were allowed to wander freely and search of food. This practice also allowed many pigs to escape from farms and live in the wild, which became a problem.
In fact, as one of the most damaging invasive species on the continent, wild pigs caused millions of dollars in crop damage yearly. They also harbored dozens of diseases that threaten both humans and farm animals. Forest patches with wild pigs have been found to have considerably reduced plant and animal diversity.
In addition to either eating other animals or their food supply, wild pigs damaged native habitats by reaching up crosses and rubbing on trees. Their activities may also create opportunities for invasive plants to colonize these areas. Wild pigs will eat almost anything containing calories. Mice, deer, birds, snakes and frogs are among their victims.
They can also harm other wild species through indirect competition rather than eating them or shrinking their food supply. On one particular United States island, wild pigs themselves became an attractive food source for a species of mainland eagle. Eagles began breeding on the island and also feeding on a species of native fox. The foxes were almost wiped out completely.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What do we learn about early pigs in North America?
Question 17: Why are wild pigs a threat to humans?
Question 18: What does the passage say about the native foxes on a U.S. island?

16.
A) Many escaped from farms and became wild.
B) They were actually native to North America.
C) Many got killed in the wild when searching for food.
D) They were hunted by Spanish and Russian explorers.

17.
A) They often make sudden attacks on people.
B) They break up nature’s food supply chain.
C) They cause much environmental pollution.
D) They carry a great many diseases.

18.
A) They lived peacefully with wild pigs.
B) They ran out of food completely.
C) They fell victim to eagles.
D) They reproduced quickly.

Passage 2
A pair of entrepreneurs are planning to build and launch a spacecraft that would carry and roast coffee beans in outer space. The craft will use the heat of re-entry to roast coffee beans, as they float inside it in a pressurized tank. The effect would be to roast the beans all over and produce perfect coffee. The businessmen say that on earth, beans can easily break apart and get burned in the roaster. But if gravity is removed, the beans float around and in a heated oven, receive 360 degrees of evenly distributed heat and roast to near perfection. The spacecraft will reach a height of around 200 kilometers. The beans would then be roasted and the heat generated by the crafts 20 minute re-entry into earth’s atmosphere. Temperatures and the pressurized tank will be kept to around 200 degrees Celsius. Once back on earth, the planet’s first space roasted beans would be used to make coffee that would be sold for the first time in Dubai. This is where the pair’s company is based. It is not clear how much they would charge for a cup. Surprisingly, the Space Roaster concept-should it go ahead-will not be the first attempt to take coffee into space. In 2015, two Italian companies collaborated on the construction of a similar type of spacecraft, which was the first coffee machine designed for use in space.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What are a pair of entrepreneurs planning to do?
Question 20: What does the passage say about coffee beans roasted on earth?
Question 21: What did the two Italian companies do in 2015?

19.
A) Taste coffee while in outer space.
B) Roast coffee beans in outer space.
C) Develop a new strain of coffee bean.
D) Use a pressurised tank to brew coffee.

20.
A) They can easily get burned.
B) They float around in the oven.
C) They have to be heated to 360°C.
D) They receive evenly distributed heat.

21.
A) They charged a high price for their space-roasted coffee beans.
B) They set up a branch in Dubai to manufacture coffee roaster.
C) They collaborated on building the first space coffee machine.
D) They abandoned the attempt to roast coffee beans in space.

Passage 3
In cold and snowy Alaska, there’s a village called Takotna. It has a population of mere 49 adults. Each March, this tiny village swells up in numbers because it is located in the middle of a race that takes place every year. It is a seven-day race called “The Iditarod Trail”. And participants stop at Takotna for the obligatory 24 hour rest.
Lucky for them, Takotna is famous for its delicious fruit pies. Weeks before the competitors arrive, the residents of Takotna start preparing what is without question their biggest event of the year. The whole village chips in to help, including the kids, who end up developing their baking skills at an early age. Exhausted and hungry racers are greeted with delightful pies of all kinds, such as apple, orange, lemon, or banana.
They consume the pies and a stomach warming race fuel. The toughness of the race allows for racers to eat pretty much whatever they want. The more calories, the better. Takotna has gained a reputation for its dessert-based hospitality since the 1970s. It started with one person, Jane Newton. Jane moved from Iditarod with her husband in 1972 and opened a restaurant. A rich and filling fruit pies quickly got the races attention, and the village gained some fame as a result. Proud residents then started to refer to Jane as queen of Takotna.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: Why do a lot of people come to the village of Takotna every March?
Question 23: What is the village of Takotna famous for?
Question 24: Who comes to help with the event of the year?
Question 25: What does the passage say about Jane Newton?

22.
A) It is the best time for sightseeing.
B) A race passes through it annually.
C) They come to clean the lditarod Trail.
D) It is when the villagers choose a qucen.

23.
A) Its children’s baking skills.
B) Its unique winter scenery.
C) Its tasty fruit pies.
D) Its great food variety.

24.
A) The contestants.
B) The entire village.
C) Jan Newton and her friends.
D) People from the state of Idaho.

25.
A) She owned a restaurant in Idaho.
B) She married her husband in 1972.
C) She went to Alaska to compete in a race.
D) She helped the village to become famous.

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2021年06月英语四级第2套听力原文及题目

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

News Report 1
An 81-year-old man ended up in Germany by accident after trying to get from Newcastle, Great Britain, to Rome, Italy. The old age pensioner was on a mission to see the Pope, who is head of the Catholic Church, and decided to make his way there by car. He was surprised when his GPS system told him he had arrived, although there were no signs of any of the famous buildings or architecture. The man parked but didn’t put on the handbrake of his car properly. His car rolled backwards, and in a striking display of irony, hit a sign saying “Rom” — the small town in North Germany he had mistakenly plugged into the GPS system. Police said that the car had come to a halt after hitting the sign, but did not appear to be seriously damaged, although an ambulance was called to check on the pensioner. The man, who lives in the UK and is originally Italian, might have been confused by the fact that Rome is written “Roma” in Italian and “Rom” in German.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What did the old age pensioner plan to do?
Question 2: What finally happened to the old man?

1.
A) See the Pope.
B) Go to Newcastle.
C) Travel to Germany.
D) Tour an Italian city.

2.
A) He was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
B) His car hit a sign and was badly damaged.
C) His GPS system went out of order.
D) He ended up in the wrong place.

News Report 2
Glasgow has pledged to become the first carbon neutral city in the UK. The city’s council and ScottishPower have announced a range of strategies in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions ahead of the new national target of 2045. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the pledge and said, “Today’s announcement between ScottishPower and Glasgow City Council — to make Glasgow the UK’s first net-zero city — is a very welcome step. Reaching our goals will need exactly this kind of partnership approach — with government, business, local authorities and citizens all playing their part.” Speaking ahead of the All Energy Conference being held in Glasgow, ScottishPower chief executive Keith Anderson said: “We have a large supply of renewable energy on our doorstep and one of the only two low emission zones in action across the UK. Now, we need to invest in the technologies and programmes that transform the rest of Glasgow’s economy and make us net zero before anyone else.”
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What do we learn from the news report?
Question 4: What did ScottishPower’s chief executive say ahead of the All Energy Conference?

3.
A) Scotland will reach the national target in carbon emissions reduction ahead of schedule.
B) Glasgow City Council has made a deal with ScottishPower on carbon emissions.
C) Glasgow has pledged to take the lead in reducing carbon emissions in the UK.
D) First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged ScottishPower to reduce carbon emissions.

4.
A) Glasgow needs to invest in new technologies to reach its goal.
B) Glasgow is going to explore new sources of renewable energy.
C) Stricter regulation is needed in transforming Glasgow’s economy.
D) It’s necessary to create more low-emission zones as soon as possible.

News Report 3
A Japanese IT firm has officially introduced an “office cat” policy to combat the stressful environment of the workplace. A total of nine furry friends freely wander around in the office and do whatever their little hearts desire. Hidenobu Fukuda, who heads the firm, introduced the pet policy, upon request from one of his employees, allowing staff to bring their own cats to work. Employee Eri Ito is grateful for their animals’ comforting ways. “Cats are sleeping just beside us. It’s healing.” She said. Not only does Fukuda encourage bringing cats to the job, but he also encourages his employees to rescue cats from overpopulated shelters or streets. He gives 5,000 yen, about 45 US dollars a month to those who rescue a cat. While the positives are many, there are still some obstacles. “Sometimes a cat will walk on a phone and cut off the call, or they shut down the computers by walking onto the off switch.” Ito says. Still, cats in the workplace have been a tremendous success for the company. The policy has led to various other companies doing the same.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we learn from the news report about the Japanese IT firm?
Question 6: What does Fukuda encourage his employees to do?
Question 7: What does the news report say about the firm’s policy?

5.
A) It donates money to overpopulated animal shelters.
B) It permits employees to bring cats into their office.
C) It gives 5,000 yen to employees who keep pet cats.
D) It allows workers to do whatever their hearts desire.

6.
A) Keep cats off the street.
B) Rescue homeless cats.
C) Volunteer to help in animal shelters.
D) Contribute to a fund for cat protection.

7.
A) It has contributed tremendously to the firm’s fame.
B) It has helped a lot to improve animals’ well-being.
C) It has led some other companies to follow suit.
D) It has resulted in damage to office equipment.

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

Conversation 1
M: Has Jimmy been coming in lately?
W: No, I haven’t seen him around. Why? Has he been causing any trouble?
M: Not that I know of. But I need to see him, because my friends and I lent him some money last month. We haven’t heard from him since. I heard he comes here a lot, so I thought I’d come in and check with you.
W: Well, that’s funny. Some other fellow came in asking for Jimmy just yesterday, a real nervous, pushy type of fellow, saying he needed Jimmy for some study project they were working on. But I can’t quite remember what it was all about. Is this a lot of money we’re talking about here?
M: No, just 60 pounds between the three of us, but still a bit too much to just let go. He told us he’d got into an accident. Nothing serious, mind you, but he damaged someone’s car and wanted to get some money together to make up for the damage he’d caused.
W: Hmm, isn’t that sort of thing usually,covered by insurance? And then, if you still wanted to give money as some sort of apology or something, he probably shouldn’t have to go around borrowing it from people.
M: You think Jimmy’s just making it all up? See, I did think it was a bit weird for him to be asking for money for that sort of thing. And his story was a bit vague to begin with. But I thought maybe he doesn’t want his parents to know about what happened. So he’d rather come to us and keep things quiet. Anyway, Jimmy is a good guy. So we didn’t make a fuss about it.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What does the man want to do?
Question 9: What do we learn about the man who came to see the woman yesterday?
Question 10: What did Jimmy say happen to him one day?
Question 11: Why did Jimmy borrow money according to the man?

8.
A) Find out where Jimmy is.
B) Borrow money from Jimmy.
C) Make friends with Jimmy.
D) Ask Jimmy what is to be done.

9.
A) He was unsure what kind of fellow Jimmy was.
B) He was working on a study project with Jimmy.
C) He wanted to make a sincere apology to Jimmy.
D) He wanted to invite her to join in a study project.

10.
A) He got a ticket for speeding.
B) He got his car badly damaged.
C) He was involved in a traffic accident.
D) He had an operation for his injury.

11.
A) He needed to make some donation to charity.
B) He found the 60 pounds in his pocket missing.
C) He wanted to buy a gift for his mother’s birthday.
D) He wanted to conceal something from his parents.

Conversation 2
W: Hi, Max. How are you? Listen. I wanted to ask you about ordering shopping online. I’ve never done it before and I know that you’ve been doing it for ages.
M: Sure. I love getting my shopping delivered. It makes life so much simpler — no carrying heavy shopping bags in the rain, or trying to park the car on those huge supermarket car parks then not being able to find it again after you come out of the shops.
W: But there must be some problems. I mean, how do you know that you won’t get bad fruit, or that the eggs won’t be broken?
M: Oh, come on. The food is exactly the same as the stuff you buy in a conventional shop. They aren’t going to deliver you food that is out of date. And if you get a broken egg, well,that could happen in a conventional shop, too. If anything is really wrong, you can just take photographs of the damage, and they will give you the money back or replace the item.
W: How about delivery fees? Is it not more expensive to get everything delivered?
M: I actually found that it was cheaper for me, as I live quite far away from my local supermarket. So with the deliveries, I’m actually saving on petrol.
W: I’ve never thought of that. If you aren’t driving your own car, then you are saving on fuel. Right, you’ve convinced me. I’m going to go on the computer now and give it a try. So, which supermarket do you think is the best to order from?
M: Oh, no. That’s definitely up to you. Otherwise, we’ll be here all day.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What did the woman want to ask Max about?
Question 13: What does the man think is a problem with shopping in supermarkets?
Question 14: What is the woman’s concern about shopping online?
Question 15: What does the man find about shopping online?

12.
A) Shopping delivery.
B) Shopping online.
C) Where he goes shopping.
D) How often he does shopping.

13.
A) Searching in the aisles.
B) Dealing with the traffic.
C) Driving too long a distance.
D) Getting one’s car parked.

14.
A) The after-sales service.
B) The replacement policy.
C) The quality of food products.
D) The damage to the packaging.

15.
A) It saves money.
B) It offers more choice.
C) It increases the joy of shopping.
D) It is less time-consuming.

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
A recent study found that 10 percent of British children suffer from math anxiety. This means they have overwhelming negative emotions towards the subject, ranging from rage to despair. Other emotions triggered by math include feelings of tension and frustration. Physical symptoms include a racing heart or struggling to catch breath. The phenomenon of math anxiety is characterized as a general sense of feeling that the subject is hard compared with other subjects leading to a subsequent lack or loss of confidence. Researchers said they investigated individuals’ attitudes towards mathematics because of what could be referred to as a mathematics crisis in the UK. There’s a widespread misunderstanding that only low performing children suffer from math anxiety. People automatically assume children are anxious about math because they are poor achievers. In fact, more than three quarters of children with high levels of math anxiety are normal to high achievers. Probably their math anxiety will go unnoticed because their performance is good. But in the long term their performance is negatively affected. So the real danger here is that children who will completely able to do math at a normal level may keep away from it because they feel anxious. Math anxiety can severely disrupt students’ performance in the subject in both primary and secondary school. But importantly — and surprisingly — this new study suggests that the majority of students experiencing math anxiety have normal to high math ability.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What did a recent study find about some British children?
Question 17: What is the widespread misunderstanding about math anxiety?
Question 18: What does the passage say about British students with math anxiety?

16.
A) They have little talent for learning math.
B) They need medical help for math anxiety.
C) They need extra help to catch up in the math class.
D) They have strong negative emotions towards math.

17.
A) It will gradually pass away without teachers’ help.
B) It affects low performing children only.
C) It is related to a child’s low intelligence.
D) It exists mostly among children from poor families.

18.
A) Most of them have average to strong math ability.
B) Most of them get timely help from their teachers.
C) They will regain confidence with counselling.
D) They are mostly secondary school students.

Passage 2
People spend a lot of time using phones and computers. Much of that time is devoted to text messages and social media. But many people choose to spend their time playing computer games. For years, parents and teachers have worried that these games might be addictive. And now, the World Health Organization has recognized addiction to computer games as a disease. The organization explains that this decision reflects general agreement among experts around the world that some people have a problem with these games. They show a pattern of behavior characterized by a lack of control. Such people make computer games a priority over their responsibilities. They may play games instead of attending school, or work, or socializing. According to the World Health Organization experts, people’s use of computer games is different from their use of the Internet, social media and online shopping. These experts claim there is not sufficient data to indicate that people’s reliance on those other activities is an addiction. But they argue that playing computer games to access is different. This behavior can become a disorder. To meet the new definition for addiction, the behavior must damage a person’s relationships or performance at school or work, and this must last for at least a year. Still not all behavior experts agree. Some argue that there’s not enough research on the subject. Thus, they claim it is too early to call computer game addiction a disorder.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What conclusion has the World Health Organization come to recently?
Question 20: What is said of people with addictive behavior?
Question 21: What do some behavior experts think of addiction to computer games?

19.
A) Social media addiction is a threat to our health.
B) Too many people are addicted to smartphones.
C) Addiction to computer games is a disease.
D) Computer games can be rather addictive.

20.
A) They prioritize their favored activity over what they should do.
B) They do their favored activity whenever and wherever possible.
C) They are unaware of the damage their behavior is doing to them.
D) They are unable to get rid of their addiction without professional help.

21.
A) It may be less damaging than previously believed.
B) There will never be agreement on its harm to people.
C) It may prove to be beneficial to developing creativity.
D) There is not enough evidence to classify it as a disease.

Passage 3
Maybe you carry the most powerful passport in the world, or perhaps the rarest passport. Whatever the case, your passport will likely be one of four colors: red, blue, green or black, although there are slight variations. Switzerland’s passport is dark red, for example, while most European countries prefer a shade of red. That’s almost brown. There are no official rules regarding passport colors, but countries follow a certain set of norms when designing them. The International Civil Aviation Organization, which works to define the principles of air travel, suggests that countries use a suitable type, size and style for official documents like passports. There are also a few compulsory aspects of passports. They must be made from a material that bends. They should be able to be read by a machine at temperatures ranging from 10 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius, under the conditions where the air can be extremely dry or moist. Despite these existing recommendations, there is nothing regarding the cover color. Why? Simply put, countries stick to darker and more conservative colors because they appear more official. And they can also hide dirt and wear. While there’s little innovation when it comes to passport cover color, the same cannot be said for the pages. The passports of many countries can take images of their well-known geographical features and wildlife, which also function as security features as some are only visible under a special light.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What do we learn about most European passports?
Question 23: What does the passage say about the design of passports?
Question 24: Why are dark colors chosen for passport covers?
Question 25: What is one special function of the images inside many passports?

22.
A) They are relatively uniform in color and design.
B) They appear more formal than other passports.
C) They are a shade of red bordering on brown.
D) They vary in color from country to country.

23.
A) They must endure wear and tear.
B) They must be of the same size.
C) They must be made from a rare material.
D) They must follow some common standards.

24.
A) They look more traditional.
B) They look more official.
C) They are favored by-airlines.
D) They are easily identifiable.

25.
A) For beauty.
B) For variety.
C) For visibility.
D) For security.

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2021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
United Airlines has apologized for mistakenly shipping an American family’s pet dog thousands of miles in the wrong direction to Japan. The dog owner’s beloved l0-year-old dog named Buddy took an unexpected 16-hour fight to Tokyo following a mix-up by the airline. The dog owner’s family are currently in the process of moving. They were meant to be reunited with the pet in their new home city in Texas. But when they arrived at the United Airlines cargo facility in the southern U.S. state, they found a stranger’s dog waiting in Buddy’s place. Both of the dogs had been sent to the wrong destinations, on connecting fights from Denver, with Buddy mistakenly being sent to Japan instead. Buddy was given a physical checkup when he arrived at Tokyo’s International Airport. The dog was then sent back to the U.S. on a private charter jet. “I’m so glad he’s alive and coming home soon,” said the relieved dog owner. “An error occurred during the connections in Denver. We have notified our customers that their pets arrived safely. We will arrange to return the pets to them as soon as possible,” a spokesperson of United Airlines said.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What does the news report say about the United Airlines?
Question 2: What did the spokesperson for United Airlines say they would do after the incident?

1.
A) It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.
B) It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong airport.
C) It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.
D) It had two of its domestic flights mixed up.

2.
A) Correct their mistake as soon as possible.
B) Give the two pets a physical checkup.
C) Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.
D) Send another plane to continue the flight.

News Report 2
Officials at Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, are celebrating the birth of a baby elephant. Zoo officials say the baby was born on Monday. It is a female, and she weighs nearly 130 kilograms. Semba, her mother, is a 30-year-old African elephant. The pregnancy lasted 22 months. Officials described the baby elephant as “healthy, standing and nursing.” The baby hasn’t been given a name yet. Semba has given birth before. Zoo officials said during this pregnancy, she was closely monitored through physical exams and blood tests. Dr. Sue Tygielski is the zoo’s director of zoological operations. She said the elephant’s birth went smoothly and that there were no complications. The new baby expands the zoo’s elephant herd to six. That includes the baby’s parents, a sister, a brother, and an adult female.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What do we learn about the mother elephant Semba?
Question 4: What dose the report say about the birth of the new baby elephant?

3.
A) She weighs 130 kilograms.
B) She has had babies before.
C) She was brought from Africa.
D) She has a big family of six.

4.
A) It took 22 hours.
B) It had some complications.
C) It was smooth.
D) It was monitored by Dr. Sue Tygielski.

News Report 3
Three years ago, a couple was enjoying a meal at a beach restaurant. The restaurant was built on a wooden structure above the sea water. During the meal, the man’s wedding ring slipped off his finger. It fell through the wooden floorboards, apparently lost forever. Recently, the restaurant manager Ryan Krivoy decided to replace the wooden deck, and he found an old gold coin, some $100 bills and a silver wedding ring while replacing the deck. The restaurant’s waitress Sasha Formica posted a picture of the ring on Facebook. The post was shared about 5,000 times. Three days later, the happy wife called to claim the ring. She even texted pictures of her and her husband eating there in 2017 as proof. The restaurant mailed the ring back to the happy couple. Meanwhile, Krivoy discovered that the gold coin was very rare. It was from 1855 and worth as much as $2,000.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What do we learn about the restaurant?
Question 6: What did the restaurant maneger decide to do recently?
Question 7: What did the waitress do about the recovered the ring?

5.
A) It enjoyed great popularity.
B) It started business three years ago.
C) It was frequented by newly-weds.
D) It was built above the sea-water.

6.
A) Expand his business on the beach.
B) Replace the restaurant’s wooden deck.
C) Post a picture of his restaurant online.
D) Celebrate his silver wedding anniversary.

7.
A) She sold it for two thousand dollars.
B) She took it to the restaurant manager.
C) She posted its picture on Facebook.
D) She returned it to its owner right away.

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: I can’t believe that duck hunting is still legal in so many parts of the world. The scientific evidence from countries like Australia, Canada, and the USA clearly indicates a decline in the birds’ numbers.
M: But can anyone be sure if the decline is really caused by the hunting or by climate change?
W: It’s caused by both in fact. We see more droughts in countries like Australia. Ducks are birds that feed and breed in areas where there is a lot of water, but their habitats have been shrinking in recent decades because of the droughts.
M: And I guess with fewer places to inhabit, they concentrate in great numbers in few areas, which surely makes them easier targets for the hunters.
W: It does. My grandfather was a duck hunter. He told me hunting ducks and geese began in the 19th century. They were an easily found and plentifully available food source in farming areas, especially for poor immigrants.
M: What do they use for hunting during that period?
W: They use new types of guns, and birds could easily be shot down in flight, and in such great numbers that commercial hunting of ducks and geese became an industry. Yet, there’s no commercial farming of these birds nowadays. Their meat is hardly eaten in Western countries.
M: No, duck hunting seemingly exists as the continuation of a tradition.
W: Well, ducks have never been popular with farmers like my grandfather anyway, because they sometimes destroy crops. In fact, farmers used to poison them in large numbers.
M: That somehow doesn’t surprise me. Nobody places much value on the lives of these poor birds or on their meat.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: What does the woman find unbelievable?
Question 9: What does the woman say has caused the shrinking of ducks’ habitats in Australia?
Question 10: Why is there no commercial farming of ducks and geese in Western countries?
Question 11: What does the woman say about farmers in her grandfather’s time?

8.
A) The number of ducks has declined sharply in recent years.
B) Climate change has little effect on the lives of wild ducks.
C) Duck meat is not eaten in Australia, Canada and the U.S.
D) Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.

9.
A) Droughts.
B) Bushfires.
C) Farming.
D) Hunting.

10.
A) They are not easy to domesticate.
B) Their meat is not that popular.
C) It is not environmentally friendly.
D) It is not considered cost-effective.

11.
A) They hunted ducks as a traditional sport.
B) They killed wild ducks and geese for food.
C) They raised ducks and geese for their eggs.
D) They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers.

Conversation 2
M: Okay, Miss Bright. I finished calculating. I estimate you have between 210 and 240 square meters of walls and ceiling.
W: So, how much would the paint job cost?
M: That would depend on the quality of paint you choose. We carry two brands — one costs 60 cents every square meter, and the other, 90 cents. The second is guaranteed to look great for about 10 years, whereas the cheaper one will start to dull after around 6 or 7 years.
W: In that case, we would prefer the more expensive option.
M: All right, then. So, including labor costs, taxes, and everything, this job would come to $3,000.
W: Hmm… To be perfectly honest, that’s more than I expected.
M: Please bear in mind that the price includes moving all the furniture, and the whole task would take two days.
W: Really? Why?
M: Well, we can’t paint the walls without clearing all the furniture first. So every time we paint a room, we first have to move the furniture to another room. So, that takes more time. Plus, it requires two people, which works out more expensive.
W: I see. But does that mean I could not live here in my own house during those two days?
M: That is correct.
W: Oh, well, that changes everything, I’m afraid. I would have to stay with a friend or check into a hotel. I hadn’t considered any of that. I’m starting to realize that painting my house is far more troublesome than I had anticipated.
M: This is usually the case. Most of our clients go through the same realization.
W: I see.
M: You have my number. Please feel free to call me for any further questions.
W: Thank you.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: What is the woman planning to do?
Question 13: What is the woman’s chief concern?
Question 14: What does the woman have to do while the paint job is being done?
Question 15: What has the woman come to realize at the end of the conversation?

12.
A) Have her house repainted.
B) Replace some of her old furniture.
C) Move into a newly-painted house.
D) Calculate the cost of the paint job.

13.
A) How long the work will take.
B) How much the work will cost.
C) How the paint job is to be done.
D) How many workers are needed.

14.
A) Cover up her furniture.
B) Ask some friends for help.
C) Stay somewhere else.
D) Oversee the work herself.

15.
A) She could have asked a friend for help with the paint job.
B) Painting a house involves more trouble than she thought.
C) She should have repainted her house much earlier.
D) Moving her furniture is harder than the paint job.

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
Homework is an important part of schooling, but the purposes of giving children homework will change as they grow older. At the primary level, the main aim is to cultivate good habits, like learning to plan and exercising self-discipline. During the secondary school years, extending what is learned at school is positively related to academic achievement, so the content of homework becomes more important. So how can you help your child do their best? Creating an ideal working environment will make it easier for them to get down to their assignments quickly. Make sure it’s free of distractions, and — for primary school children at least — somewhere near you, so you can answer questions and offer encouragement. You probably have to help younger children plan their session, but it’s important that by the end of primary school it’s second nature. Get them to tell you everything they have to do, then encourage them to establish an order in which they do work. When there are several different assignments, make sure they begin with one they enjoy, so it seems easy to get started. It’s best to take on the most difficult task second — once they’re settled, but before they get tired. If older children have more than an hour of homework, encourage them to schedule a short break to stretch. If you encourage them to tell you what they’ve learned, they’ll absorb the information more deeply and remember it more readily.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What is the main aim of the homework for primary school kids?
Question 17 What does the passage suggest parents to do help their children?
Question 18: What should children do to deal with multiple assignments?

16.
A) To cultivate good habits.
B) To prepare for secondary school.
C) To review what is learned in class.
D) To stimulate interest in learning.

17.
A) Discuss their academic achievements with them.
B) Create an ideal study environment for them.
C) Allow them to learn independently.
D) Check their homework promptly.

18.
A) Finish them before they get tired.
B) Tackle the most difficult task first.
C) Start with something they enjoy.
D) Focus on the most important ones.

Passage 2
Workers at Mexican Oil Company will receive a health incentive of almost $300 a year if they meet certain body weight standards. To qualify for the bonus, they must maintain a healthy weight. For those who are overweight or obese, they can receive the bonus if they reduce their weight by 10% during the year. Some applaud the policy as fair, because it rewards both individuals who maintain a healthy weight and those who are working towards achieving it. But critics say the policy contradicts recommendations by many health experts who warned that a person’s weight is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. That means weight can be hard for individuals to control, which makes the bonus unfair. Some experts say the policy is inconsistent with the science of what we know about body weight regulation. These experts argue that focusing on weight is the wrong approach. A more productive method of encouraging health among employees is to promote healthy behaviors. For example, companies can give workers gym memberships, or encourage participation in lectures on healthy eating and living. They can also reduce sweets and provide healthier snacks in the office and healthier meals at the company canteen. Or they can give employees more time during their lunch break to exercise. These are much better and much more productive ways for companies to move forward on their employees’ wellbeing.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: Who will qualify the bonus in Mexican Oil Company?
Question 20: What do critics think of Mexican Oil Company’s bonus policy?
Question 21: What do experts propose companies do about workers’ wellbeing?

19.
A) Workers who meet its body weight standards.
B) Workers who can lose 30 pounds in a year.
C) Workers who try the hardest to lose weight.
D) Workers who are in the top 10% of the slimmest.

20.
A) Impractical.
B) Inconsistent.
C) Unmanageable.
D) Unfair.

21.
A) Offer them much fatter bonuses.
B) Improve working environment.
C) Encourage healthy behaviors.
D) Provide free lunch and snacks.

Passage 3
Campaigners have warned that the British government is not doing enough to prevent left-handed pupils from falling behind their peers. They claim that thousands of children are still being penalized for being left-handed. This is due to a lack of action from ministers who failed to take any meaningful action for years. It is feared that a failure to address early-year challenges, such as poor handwriting, leads to much more serious problems down the line with these pupils facing reduced career prospects. Studies in recent years show that left-handed children are more likely to suffer with learning difficulties, and their scores are lower on IQ tests. Campaigners feel it’s strange that children in British schools are penalized because they happen to be left-handed. They don’t understand why successive governments have failed to act on this. They want the Department of Education to record which children are left-handed and what their educational attainments are, since they make up some 10% of the population. In early-year education, left-handed children are struggling and making a mess of their handwriting. Educators don’t know how to deal with this. In many cases, there’s no active help and a lack of teacher training. Campaigners point out that a high percentage of the prison population is left-handed. They say that these prison numbers are unusually high and ask why it is the case.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: Why are some people criticizing the British government?
Question 23: What do studies in recent years show about left-handed children?
Question 24: What do campaigners demand the Department of Education do?
Question 25: What do campaigners want to know about left-handed prisoners?

22.
A) It has not done enough to help left-handed children.
B) It has treated left-handed children as being disabled.
C) It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.
D) It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.

23.
A) They are as intelligent as other children.
B) They have a distinctive style of handwriting.
C) They sometimes have psychological problems.
D) They tend to have more difficulties in learning.

24.
A) Punish teachers discriminating against left-handed students.
B) Lay more emphasis on improving children’s mental health.
C) Encourage students to develop various professional skills.
D) Keep track of left-handed children’s school performance.

25.
A) How they can be reduced in number.
B) Why their numbers are so high.
C) What percentage they account for.
D) If their percentage keeps increasing.

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2021年12月英语四级第2套听力原文及题目

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

News Report 1
A 22-year-old Chinese woman who suffered from a persistent cough was shocked to learn that she had a piece of chicken bone lodged in her lung. The unnamed woman from the province of Shandong started to have coughing problems when she was 7 or 8 years old. For 14 years, she made numerous hospital visits. However, no doctor could identify any problem. Her uncontrollable coughing was a mystery. Finally, the woman got a full body scan at a hospital in the city of Qingdao. This special medical procedure revealed she had a chicken bone stuck in her lung. Doctors performed surgery and removed the bone. The simple procedure went smoothly and the woman has recovered fully. With the bone finally removed from her lung, the woman is very happy that she no longer suffers from that annoying cough.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 1: What was the woman’s problem?
Question 2: How was the woman’s problem eventually solved?

1.
A) She was pierced by a chicken bone.
B) She was coughing all the time.
C) She suffered from lung cancer.
D) She suffered from shock.

2.
A) By eating chicken soup daily.
B) Through regular exercising.
C) Through a surgical operation.
D) By using traditional Chinese medicine.

News Report 2
A white sheep named Prickles that ran away from an Australian farm during the 2013 bush fires recently returned home. According to farmer Alice Gray, Prickles was only a lamb when she ran away. The bush fires that hit the area back then destroyed a large part of her family’s massive property. They thought Prickles had died in the fire. But instead, the young sheep escaped into a 200-acre forest near the farm. Once the fires were over, the family had to fix the damage done to the farm as it was such a large property. This included rebuilding about 50 kilometers of fencing. It was this huge fencing that prevented Prickles from finding her way back. Over the years, the family spotted her a few times. They even recorded her with cameras installed to monitor deer activity. But while they knew Prickles was alive, they couldn’t find her and never expected her to return by herself. Seven years later, they were proven wrong.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 3: What does the news report say about the white sheep Prickles?
Question 4: What did the family do after the bush fires?

3.
A) It was born 13 years ago.
B) It was Alice Gray’s lovely pet.
C) It got injured in a big bushfire.
D) It ran away into a nearby forest.

4.
A) They rebuilt the fencing around their farm.
B) They spent seven years replanting their farm.
C) They claimed damages for their heavy losses.
D) They installed a camera to monitor sheep activity.

News Report 3
Tons of gold have fallen out of the sky in Russia after a cargo plane malfunctioned in mid-air this morning. The aircraft was carrying ￡265 million worth of gold and diamonds when the door flew open — sending the precious metal back to earth. According to the official news agency, Russian authorities have recovered more than 170 gold bars weighing 20 kilograms each. The plane was travelling from Yakutsk Airport in a major diamond-producing region to the city of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. However, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Magan after it began losing some of its valuable cargo. Reports suggest some bars of gold were scattered up to 15 miles away from the airport. 9 tons of gold on plane AN-12 belonged to a goldmine company. Police have sealed of the runway, and say it is unclear if it was an accident or an attempted robbery. Technical engineers who worked on the plane prior to take-off are reportedly going to be questioned by the police.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
Question 5: What is the news report mainly about?
Question 6: What did the aircraft do when the incident happened?
Question 7: What does the news report say about the technical engineers who worked on the plane before take-off?

5.
A) The disappearance of some gold and diamonds.
B) The transfer of tons of precious metal by air.
C) The crash of a Russian cargo airplane.
D) The loss of gold from an airplane.

6.
A) It made an emergency landing.
B) It informed the local police at once.
C) It contacted the goldmine company.
D) It had a crew member fix the problem.

7.
A) They will cooperate with the police.
B) They had checked the plane carefully.
C) They will be questioned by the police.
D) They took some gold bars and diamonds.

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

Conversation 1
M: Hello. You’re through to customer service. This is Michael speaking. Before we continue, I just want to make you aware that this call is being recorded and may be used in the future for training purposes. What can I help you with today?
W: Hi, my name is Gene Seaman. I recently bought an office chair from your company, but I returned it about a week ago. I’m just calling to inquire when I would be able to get my money back. It says on your website that your company will pay back the money within three working days of you receiving the returned item, but it’s been five working days and I haven’t received anything.
M: I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs. Seaman. What’s your customer reference number, please?
W: It’s 389460.
M: OK. 389460. I’m just looking on the system here and according to our records the chair you returned was received by our warehouse on Friday morning. The payment was made on Wednesday, but there seems to be a problem with your card number.
W: My card number? Oh, maybe it has something to do with my new card. It was sent to me on Tuesday. Maybe the bank canceled my old one before you made the payment.
M: Well, you’ll need to update your card details directly on our website. Just make sure you’re logged in and then under the description of your personal information, you should see an option for updating payment methods.
W: I am logged in and I’ll give that a go.
M: I’ll make a note here on the system for you so that the payment will be made tomorrow morning.
W: Thank you very much.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 8: Why does the man have his conversation with the woman recorded?
Question 9: What is the woman’s purpose of calling the furniture company?
Question 10: What does the woman say about her bank card?
Question 11: What does the man advice the woman to do?

8.
A) For the company’s records.
B) For future training purposes.
C) To follow the company’s rule.
D) To ensure information security.

9.
A) To check her customer reference number.
B) To inquire about the price of office chairs.
C) To get her money back for the returned chair.
D) To make complaints about its customer service.

10.
A) She had to update its information.
B) She forgot where she had left it.
C) She lost it about three days ago.
D) She was issued a new card.

11.
A) Reconsider her options for payment methods.
B) Make a specific note on the company’s system.
C) Update her bank card details on the company’s website.
D) Upload her personal information to the company’s website.

Conversation 2
M: I’m getting a bit hungry.
W: Yes, me too. I’m starving. Are you going to prepare a meal for us?
M: No, sorry. I’m actually pretty worm out. Let’s just go out somewhere close to eat.
W: Well, I think we should stay in and save some cash. Can we get a meal delivered?
M: Yeah, great. I’ll use that food delivery app on my phone. What do you want? Fried chicken, hamburgers or fish and chips?
W: Oh, can we stay away from the junk food? How about something healthy?
M: OK, well, there’s a place that does salads.
W: Let me have a look at that. Yeah, that looks delicious, but, to be honest, I’d prefer something hot, not cold.
M: How about Indian food?
W: That’s not the kind of hot I mean. I’m just not a fan of sauces that make me sweat and cry. I need something mild.
M: Okay, so would you consider Mexican? Oh, no, sorry, there’s also very hot pepper in that. Would you like some Italian food, perhaps? It’s a bit heavy, but it’s great food for a cold night like this.
W: Pizza, spaghetti with creamy sauce? I know it’s really tasty and great comfort food, but it’s too fattening for me. I’m trying to keep a slim figure, you know?
M: Oh, you’re really difficult to please. Well, there’s a nice Chinese restaurant that delivers.
W: Yes, I love Chinese food. Let me see. Oh, it’s 15 kilometers away.
M: That’s a bit too far away. Do you feel like Vietnamese food then?
W: Yeah, awesome. It’s healthy and we can afford it.
M: Great. Let’s order Vietnamese right away.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
Question 12: Why isn’t the man going to cook?
Question 13: What does the man say he’ll do on his phone?
Question 14: What does the woman think of Indian food?
Question 15: What does the man think of the woman?

12.
A) He is feeling exhausted.
B) He is tired of cooking.
C) He has to work late.
D) He wants to try Asian foods.

13.
A) Book a table.
B) Order a delivery.
C) Download a menu.
D) Locate a restaurant.

14.
A) It is not tasty.
B) It is not healthy.
C) It is too oily.
D) It is too spicy.

15.
A) She is too concerned about money.
B) She is too weight-conscious.
C) She is too picky about food.
D) She is too eager to please.

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
A new study carried out by the University of Lincoln has found a link between the personalities of cat owners and the behaviour and wellbeing of their cats. The findings suggest that just as a parent’s personality can affect the personality of a child, the same is true for a cat and its owner. Owners defined as individuals with high levels of anxiety, fear, anger, depression, and loneliness were more likely to have cats with behavioural issues. Such cats displayed more aggressive and anxious behavioural styles as well as more stress-related sickness. They were also more likely to have an ongoing medical condition and be overweight. The research also found that mentally well-adjusted owners had calmer, happier and healthier cats. The researchers explained that many owners regard their pets as a family member and form close social bonds with them. The majority of owners want to provide the best care for their pets and it is therefore possible that pets could be affected by the way their owners interact with and manage them. The study highlights an important relationship between our personalities and the wellbeing of our pets. Further research is needed to investigate the causal nature of this relationship, and to look at how owners’ personalities are directly influencing their pets’ behaviour and wellbeing. It is possible that the wellbeing of pets is driven by the underlying nature of the owner, not simply by their conscious decisions and behaviours.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 16: What do we learn from the new study by University of Lincoln?
Question 17: What does the passage say most pet owners want to do?
Question 18: What does the passage say is still needed to understand the effects of owners’ personalities on their pets?

16.
A) Owners’ personalities affect their cats’ behaviour and wellbeing.
B) Parents’ personalities can affect the personalities of their children.
C) Parents and cat owners alike experience high levels of anxiety.
D) More and more people are treating pet cats like their children.

17.
A) Give their pets behavioural training.
B) Provide their pets with the best care.
C) Know their pets’ feelings and desires.
D) Interact with their pets in novel ways.

18.
A) More convincing explanation.
B) More extensive sampling.
C) Collection of more data.
D) Further investigation.

Passage 2
One 60-minute run can add 7 hours to your life. This was a claim made by The Times last week. The claim was based on a new review of studies about the effects of running. The review concluded that on average runners live 3 years longer than non-runners, and that running does more to extend life than any other form of exercise. But there’s more to running than its health benefits. Research published in recent years has shown that running changes your brain and mind in some fascinating ways, from increasing your brain function to regulating your emotions. However, the precise effects vary according to whether you engage in short, fast running or long-distance running. For example, in one study, researchers compared participants’ ability to learn new words after several minutes of intense running and after 40 minutes of gentle running. Participants were able to learn 20% faster after the intense running and they showed a superior memory when tested again a week later. In another study, researchers asked volunteers to jog for 30 minutes and then showed them clips from a sad movie. Participants who usually struggled to handle negative emotions were more intensely affected by the sad clips, just as you’d expect. But crucially, this was less so if they had completed the 30 minutes jog. The researchers said moderate exercise appears to have helped those participants to be less vulnerable to the impact of the sad movie.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 19: What did the new review of studies claim?
Question 20: What is one effect that running has on people according to recent research?
Question 21: What did another study find about the participants after they had a 30-minute jog?

19.
A) People should do more running than mere walking.
B) Running is the best exercise for extending one’s life.
C) People should exercise at least 60 minutes every day.
D) Running is the easiest form of exercise for most people.

20.
A) Improving their brain function.
B) Regulating their breathing rate.
C) Slowing down their ageing process.
D) Accelerating their blood circulation.

21.
A) They found it easy to control their emotions.
B) They struggled to handle negative emotions.
C) They were more eager to enjoy a movie.
D) They were less affected by sad movies.

Passage 3
Welcome to the tour of the Hill House. This house, built in 1904, is one of the most well-known works of Charles Hill, the famous architect. It was designed and built for a local entrepreneur and his family. Before starting the tour, let me give you a brief introduction about the design of this amazing building. Prior to beginning his design, the architect spent some time in the client’s old home, observing their life and studying their habits. This meant that he could design the house according to the needs of the family. The client’s main desire was to have a home with a unique design. So the architect was given complete freedom. The building style is radically different from what was the fashion of the period. At the time, most large homes were constructed of timber and brick. This one, however, is made of concrete, a novel construction material in those days. The interior of the house, including fittings and furniture, was also designed by the same person. Most of the furniture you will see, is original and in good condition. However, those pieces in the children’s bedrooms are copies built to the designs of the architect. Fortunately, all the blueprints for both the building and its contents have been preserved, so we’ve been able to replace badly damaged furniture. Let’s begin our tour, starting from the rooms.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Question 22: What do we learn about the speaker?
Question 23: What the architect do before beginning his design?
Question 24: What did the architect’s client mainly want?
Question 25: What do we learn about the pieces of furniture in the children’s bedrooms?

22.
A) He is a tour guide.
B) He is a famous architect.
C) He is local entrepreneur.
D) He is the owner of the Hill House.

23.
A) He studied the blueprints of other famous buildings.
B) He inquired about his client’s family background.
C) He observed his client’s life and habits.
D) He took a tour of his client’s old home.

24.
A) A house made of timber and brick.
B) A house with a lot of free space.
C) A house of the current fashion.
D) A house of a unique design.

25.
A) They are well preserved and in pretty good shape.
B) They are copies built to the architect’s designs.
C) They were designed by another architect.
D) They were badly damaged but restored.

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