英语四级听力原文(06-10年)

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英语四级听力原文(06-10年)2006年12月23日英语新四级听力原文（文字版）  SectionA:Conversations　　1.ShortConversations11.M:Christmasisaroundthecorner.AndI’mlookingforagiftformygirlfriend.Anysuggestions?　　W:Wellyouhavetotellmesomethingaboutyourgirlfriendfirst.Also,what’syourbudget?　　Q:Whatdoesthewomanwantthemantodo?12.M:Whatwouldyoulikefordessert?IthinkI’llhaveapplepieandicecream.　　W:Thechocolatecakelooksgreat,butIhavetowatchmyweight.Yougoaheadandgetyours.　　Q:Whatwouldthewomanmostprobablydo?13.W:Havingvisitedsomanycountries,youmustbeabletospeakseveraldifferentlanguages.　　M:IwishIcould.ButJapaneseandofcourseEnglisharetheonlylanguagesIcanspeak.　　Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?14.M:ProfessorSmithaskedmetogotohisofficeafterclass.Soit’simpossibleformetomakeittothebaratten.　　W:Thenitseemsthatwe’llhavetomeetanhourlateratthelibrary.　　Q:Whatwillthemandofirstafterclass?15.M:It’salready11now.DoyoumeanIoughttowaituntilMr.Bloomcomesbackfromtheclass?　　W:Notreally.Youcanjustleaveanote.I’llgiveittoherlater.　　Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?16.M:HowisJohnnow?Ishefeelinganybetter?　　W:Notyet.Itstillseemsimpossibletomakehimsmile.Talkingtohimisreallydifficultandhegetsupseteasilyoverlittlethings.　　Q:WhatdowelearnaboutJohnfromtheconversation?17.M:Dowehavetogettheoperaticketsinadvance?　　W:Certainly.Ticketsatthedoorareusuallysoldatahigherprice.　　Q:Whatdoesthewomanimply?　　18.M:Thetaxidrivermusthavebeenspeeding.　　W:Well,notreally.Hecrashedintothetreebecausehewastryingnottohitaboxthathadfallenoffthetruckaheadofhim.　　Q:Whatdowelearnaboutthetaxidriver?　　2.LongConversations:　　Conversation1　　W:Hey,Bob,guesswhat?I’mgoingtovisitQuebecnextsummer.I’minvitedtogotoafriend’swedding.　　ButwhileI’mthereI’dalsoliketodosomesightseeing.

1　　M:That’snice,Shelly.ButdoyoumeantheprovinceofQuebec,orQuebecCity?W:Imeantheprovince.Myfriend’sweddingisinMontreal.I’mgoingtherefirst.I’llstayforfivedays.IsMontrealthecapitalcityoftheprovince?　　M:Well,Manypeoplethinksobecauseit’sthebiggestcity.Butit’snotthecapital.QuebecCityis.ButMontrealisgreat.TheSaintRoyalRiverrunsrightthroughthemiddleofthecity.It’sbeautifulinsummer.　　W:Wow,anddoyouthinkIcangetbyinEnglish?MyFrenchisOK,butnotthatgood.IknowmostpeopletherespeakFrench,butcanIalsouseEnglish?　　M:Well,PeoplespeakbothFrenchandEnglishthere.Butyou’llhearFrenchmostofthetime.AndallthestreetsignsareinFrench.Infact,MontrealisthethirdlargestFrenchspeakingcityintheworld.Soyou’dbetterpracticeyourFrenchbeforeyougo.　　W:Goodadvice.WhataboutQuebecCity?I’llvisitafriendfromcollegewholivestherenow.What’sitlike?　　M:It’sabeautifulcity,veryold.Manyoldbuildingshavebeennicelyrestored.Someofthemwerebuiltinthe17thor18thcenturies.You’lllovethere.　　W:Fantastic.Ican’twaittogo.　　Questions:　　19.What’sthewoman’smainpurposeofvisitingQuebec?　　20.Whatdoesthemanadvisethewomantodobeforethetrip?　　21.WhatdoesthemansayabouttheQuebecCity?　　Conversation2　　M:Hi,MissRowling,howoldwereyouwhenyoustartedtowrite?Andwhatwasyourfirstbook?　　W:IwrotemyfirstFinnish(finished)storywhenIwasaboutsix.Itwasaboutasmallanimal,arabbit,Imean.AndI’vebeenwritingeversince?　　M:Whydidyouchoosetobeanauthor?　　W:Ifsomeoneaskedmehowtoachievehappiness.StepOnewouldbefindingoutwhatyoulovedoingmost.Steptwowouldbefindingsomeonetopayyoutodothis.Iconsidermyselfveryluckyindeedtobeabletosupportmyselfbywriting　　M:Doyouhaveanyplanstowritebooksforadults?　　W:Myfirsttwonovelswereforadults.IsupposeImightwriteanotherone.ButIneverreallyimagineatargetaudiencewhenI’mwriting.Theideascomefirst.Soitreallydependsontheideasthatgraspmenext.　　M:wheredidtheideasforthe“HarryPotter”bookscomefrom?　　I’venoideaswheretheideascamefrom.AndIhopeI’llneverfindout.ItwouldspoilmyexcitementifitturnedoutIjusthaveafunnywrinkleonthesurfaceofmybrain,whichmakesmethinkabouttheinvisibletrainplatform.　　M:Howdidyoucomeupwiththenamesofyourcharacters?　　Iinventedsomeofthem.ButIalsocollectedstrangenames.I’vegotonefromancientsaints,maps,dictionaries,plants,warmemoirsandpeopleImet.　　M:Oh,youarereallyresourceful.　　Questions:　　22.WhatdowelearnfromtheconversationaboutMissRowling’sfirstbook?

2　　23.WhydoesMissRowlingconsiderhersoverylucky?　　24.WhatdictatesMissRowling’swriting?　　25.AccordingtoMissRowlingwheredidshegettheideasfortheHarryPorterbooks?　　SectionB:Passages　　Passage1　　Reducingtheamountofsleepstudentsgetatnighthasadirectimpactontheirperformanceatschoolduringtheday.Accordingtoclassroomteachers,elementaryandmiddleschoolstudentswhostayuplateexhibitmorelearningandattentionproblems.ThishasbeenshownbyBrownMedicalSchoolandBradleyHospitalresearch.Inthestudy,teacherswerenottoldtheamountofsleepstudentsreceivedwhencompletingweeklyperformancereports,yettheyratedthestudentswhohadreceivedeighthoursorlessashavingthemosttroublerecallingallthematerial，learningnewlessonsandcompletinghigh-qualitywork.Teachersalsoreportedthatthesestudentshadmoredifficultypayingattention.Theexperimentisthefirsttoaskteacherstoreportontheeffectsofsleepdeficiencyinchildren.Juststayinguplatecancauseincreasedacademicdifficultyandattentionproblemsforotherwisehealthy,well-functioningkids,saidGarharnForlone,thestudy’sleadauthor.Sotheresultsprovideprofessionalsandparentswithaclearmessage:whenachildishavinglearningandattentionproblems,theissueofsleephastobetakenintoconsideration.“Ifwedon’taskaboutsleep,andtrytoimprovesleeppatternsinkids’strugglingacademically,thenwearen’tdoingourjob”,Forlonesaid.Forparents,hesaid,themessageissimple,“gettingkidstobedontimeisasimportantasgettingthemtoschoolontime”.　　Questions26to28arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　Question26:Whatwereteacherstoldtodointheexperiment?　　Question27:Accordingtotheexperiment,whatproblemcaninsufficientsleepcauseinstudents?　　Question28:Whatmessagedidtheresearcherintendtoconveytoparents?　　Passage2　　PatriciaPanianeverwantedtobeapublicfigure.Allshewantedtobewasamotherandhome-maker.Butherlifewasturnedupsidedownwhenamotorist,distractedbyhiscellphone,ranastopsignandcrashedintothesideofhercar.Theimpactkilledher2-year-olddaughter.Fourmonthslater,Paniareluctantlybutcourageouslydecidedtotrytoeducatethepublicandtofightforlawstobandriversfromusingcellphoneswhileacarismoving.Shewantedtosaveotherchildrenfromwhathappenedtoherdaughter.Inherfirstspeech,Paniagotofftoashakystart.Shewasvisiblytremblingandhervoicewassoftanduncertain.Butasshegotintoherspeech,adramatictransformationtookplace.Shestoppedshakingandspokewithastrongvoice.Fortherestofhertalk,shewasaforcefulandcompellingspeaker.Shewantedeveryoneintheaudiencetoknowwhatsheknewwithouthavingtolearnitfromapersonaltragedy.Manyintheaudienceweremovedtotearsandtoaction.Insubsequentpresentations,Paniagainedreputationasahighlyeffectivespeaker.Herappearanceonatalkshowwasbroadcastthreetimes,transmittinghermessageto

3over40millionpeople.Hercampaignincreasedpublicawarenessoftheproblem,andpromptedover300citiesandseveralstatestoconsiderrestrictionsoncellphoneuse.　　Questions29to32arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　Question29:WhatwasthesignificantchangeinPatriciaPania’slife?　　Question30:WhathadledtoPania’spersonaltragedy?　　Question31:HowdidPaniafeelwhenshebeganherfirstspeech?　　Question32:WhatcouldbeexpectedasaresultofPania’sefforts?　　Passage3　　Manypeoplecatchacoldinthespringtimeorfall.Itmakesuswonderifscientistscansendamantothemoon.Whycan’ttheyfindacureforthecommoncold?Theansweriseasy.There’reactuallyhundredsofkindsofcoldvirusesoutthere.Youneverknowwhichoneyouwillget,sothereisn’tacureforeachone.Whenavirusattacksyourbody,yourbodyworkshardtogetridofit.Bloodrushestoyournoseandcausesablockadeinit.Youfeelterriblebecauseyoucan’tbreathewell,butyourbodyisactuallyeatingthevirus.Yourtemperaturerisesandyougetafever,buttheheatofyourbodyiskillingthevirus.Youalsohavearunningnosetostopthevirusfromgettingintoyourcells.Youmayfeelmiserable,butactuallyyourwonderfulbodyisdoingeverythingitcantokillthecold.Differentpeoplehavedifferentremediesforcolds.IntheUnitedStatesandsomeothercountries,forexample,peoplemighteatchickensouptofeelbetter.Somepeopletakehotbathanddrinkwarmliquids.Otherpeopletakemedicinestorelievevarioussymptomsofcolds.Therewasoneinterestingthingtonote.Somescientistssaytakingmedicineswhenyouhaveacoldisactuallybadforyou.Thevirusstaysinyoulonger,becauseyourbodydoesn’tdevelopawaytofightitandkillit.　　Questions33to35arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　Question33:Accordingtothepassage,whyhaven’tscientistsfoundacureforthecommoncold?　　Question34:Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutthesymptomsofthecommoncold?　　Question35:Whatdosomescientistssayabouttakingmedicinesforthecommoncold,accordingtothepassage?　　SectionC:Compounddictation:　　Youprobablyhavenoticedthatpeopleexpresssimilarideasindifferentwaysdependingonthesituationtheyarein.Thisisverynatural.Alllanguageshavetwogenerallevelsofusage:aformallevelandaninformallevel.Englishisnoexception.Thedifferenceinthesetwolevelsisthesituationinwhichyouuseaparticularlevel.Formallanguageisthekindoflanguageyoufindintextbooks,referencebooksandinbusinessletters.YouwouldalsouseformalEnglishincompositionsandessaysthatyouwriteinschool.Informallanguageisusedinconversationwithcolleagues,familymembersandfriends,andwhenwewritepersonalnotesorletterstoclosefriends.Formallanguageisdifferentfrominformallanguageinseveralways.First,formallanguagetendstobemorepolite.Whatwemayfindinterestingisthatitusuallytakesmorewordstobepolite.Forexample,Imightsaytoafriendorafamilymember“Closethedoor,please”,buttoastranger,Iprobablywouldsay“Wouldyoumindclosingthedoor?”Anotherdifferencebetweenformalandinformallanguageissome

4ofthevocabulary.Thereareboundtobesomewordsandphrasesthatbelonginformallanguageandothersthatareinformal.Let’ssaythatIreallylikesoccer.IfIamtalkingtomyfriend,Imightsay“Iamjustcrazyaboutsoccer”,butifIweretalkingtomyboss,Iwouldprobablysay“Ireallyenjoysoccer”.2006年6月17日大学英语四级听力原文SectionA　　1.M:Ithinkthehostessreallywentoutofherwaytomakethepartyasuccess.　　W:Yes,thefoodanddrinksweregreat,butifonlywehadknownafewoftheotherguests.　　Q:Whatdidthetwospeakerssayabouttheparty?　　2.M:Canyoustopbythepostofficeandgetmesomeenvelopesand39cents’stamps?　　W:Well,Iamnotgoingtostopbythepostoffice,butIcanbuyyousomeatthebookstoreafterIseethedentistonMarketstreet.　　Q:Wherewillthewomangofirst?　　3.M:HowdoyoulikethenewphysicianwhoreplacedDr.Andrews?　　W:HemaynotseemasagreeableorasthoroughasDr.Andrews,butatleasthedoesn’tkeeppatientswaitingforhours.　　Q:Whatcanweinferfromthewoman’sanswer?　　4.W:Tommustbeinabadmoodtoday.Hehasn’tsaidhalfadozenwordsallafternoon.　　M:Oh,really?That’snotliketheTomweknow.　　Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?　　5.W:Doyouhavetheseminarschedulewithyou?I’dliketofindoutthetopicforFriday.　　M:Igaveittomyfriend,butthereshouldbecopiesavailableinthelibrary.Icanpickoneupforyou.　　Q:Whatdoesthemanpromisetodo?　　6W:IwonderifyoucouldsellmethePsychologytextbooks.Youtookthecourselastsemester,didn’tyou?　　M:Asamatteroffact,Ialreadysoldthembacktotheschoolbookstore.　　Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?　　7.W:Hereisthisweek’sschedule,Tony.OnMonday,thereistheboardmeeting.Yourspeechtothelion’sclubisonTuesdayafternoon.ThenonWednesdayyouhaveanappointmentwithyourlawyerand…　　M:Wait,youmeanthebusinessconferenceonTuesdayiscancelled?　　Q:WhatwillthemandothisTuesday?　　8.M:Canyoubelieveit?Jessietoldherbosshewaswrongtohavefiredhismarketingdirector　　W:Yeah,butyouknowJessie.Ifshehassomethinginmind,everyonewillknowaboutit.

5　　Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?　　9.M:We’vegotthreewomenresearchersinourgroup:Mary,BettyandHelen.Doyouknowthem?　　W:Sure.Maryisactiveandsociable.BettyisthemosttalkativewomanI’veevermet.Butguesswhat?Helen’sjusttheopposite.　　Q:Whatdowelearnfromthewoman’sremarkaboutHelen?　　10.W:JimmysaidthathewasgoingtomarryarichFrenchbusinesswoman.　　M:Don’tbesosure.Heoncetoldmethathehadboughtabighouse.Yethe’sstillsharinganapartmentwithMark.　　Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?　　SectionB　　Passage1　　UnlessyouhavevisitedthesouthernUnitedStates,youprobablyhaveneverheardofKudzu.Kudzu,asanyfarmerinthesouthwillsadlytellyou,isasuper-poweredweed.Itisastrongclimbingplant.Onceitgetsstarted,Kudzuisalmostimpossibletostop.Itclimbstothetopsofthetallesttrees.Itcancoverlargebuildings.Wholebarnsandfarmhouseshavebeenknowntodisappearfromview.Whereveritgrows,itsthicktwistingstemsareextremelyhardtoremove.Kudzuwasoncethoughttobeahelpfulplant.OriginallyfoundinAsia,itwasbroughttoAmericatohelpprotectthelandfrombeingswallowedbythesea.Itwasplantedwhereitstoughrootswhichgrowuptofivefeetlongcouldhelpholdbackthesoil.Buttheplantsoonspreadtoplaceswhereitwasn'twanted.Farmersnowhavetofighttokeepitfromkillingotherplants.Inaway,Kudzuisasignoflaborshortageinthesouth.Wherethereisnoonetoworkthefields,Kudzusoontakesover.ThenorthernUnitedStatesfacesnothreatfromKudzu.Harshwinterskillitoff.Theplantlovesthewarmthofthesouth,butthesouthsurelydoesn'tloveit.IfsomeonecouldinventsomeuseforKudzuandremoveitfromsouthernfarmland,hisorherfortunewouldbeassured.　　11.Whatdowelearnabout“Kudzu”fromthepassage?　　12.WhatwillhappenifthefieldsareneglectedinthesouthernUnitedStates?　　13.Whyisn'tKudzuathreattothenorthernUnitedStates?　　Passage2　　Theword“university”comesfromtheLatinword“universitas”,meaning“thewhole”.Later,inLatinlegallanguage,“universitas”meantasocietyorcorporation.IntheMiddleAges,thewordmeant“anassociationofteachersandscholars”.Theoriginsofuniversitiescanbetracedbacktothe12thto14thcenturies.Intheearly12thcentury,longbeforeuniversitieswereorganizedinthemodernsense,studentsgatheredtogetherforhigherstudiesatcertaincentersoflearning.TheearliestcentersintheEuropewereatBoloniainItaly,foundedin1088.OtherearlycentersweresetupinFrance,theCzechRepublic,AustriaandGermanyfrom1150to1386.ThefirstuniversitiesinBritainwereOxfordandCambridge.Theywereestablishedin1185and1209respectively.ThefamousLondonUniversitywasfoundedin1836.ThiswasfollowedbythefoundationofseveraluniversitiessuchasManchesterandBirmingham,whichdevelopedfromprovincialcolleges.Itwasinthe1960'sthatthe

6largestexpansionofhighereducationtookplaceinBritain.Thisexpansiontook3basicforms:existinguniversitieswereenlarged,newuniversitiesweredevelopedfromexistingcollegesandcompletelynewuniversitiesweresetup.InBritain,financeforuniversitiescomesfromthreesource:thefirst,andthelargestsource,isgrantsfromthegovernment,thesecondsourceisfeespaidbystudentsandthethirdoneisprivatedonations.AlltheBritishuniversitiesexceptonereceivesomegovernmentfunding.TheexceptionisBuckingham,whichisBritain'sonlyindependentuniversity.　　14.Whatdidtheword"Universitas"meanintheMiddleAges?　　15.Whywasthe1960ssosignificantforBritishHigherEducation?　　16.WhatisthemainfinancialsourceforBritishuniversities?　　Passage3　　Oneofthebiggestproblemsindevelopingcountriesishunger.AnorganizationcalledHeiferInternationalisworkingtoimprovethesituation.Theorganizationsendsfarmanimalstofamiliesandcommunitiesaroundtheworld.AnAmericanfarmerDanWestdevelopedtheideaforHeiferInternationalinthe1930s.Mr.WestwasworkinginSpainwherehediscoveredaneedforcows.ManyfamilieswerestarvingbecauseoftheCivilWarinthatcountry.SoMr.WestaskedhisfriendsintheUnitesStatestosendsomecows.ThefirstHeiferanimalsweresentin1944.Sincethattimemorethan4millionpeoplein115countrieshavehadbetterlivesbecauseofheiferanimals.ToreceiveaHeiferanimal,familiesmustfirstexplaintheirneedsandgoals.Theymustalsomakeaplanwhichwillallowthemtobecomeself-supporting.Localexpertsusuallyprovidetraining.Theorganizationsaysthatanimalsmusthavefood,water,shelter,healthcareandtheabilitytoreproduce.Withoutthem,theanimalswillnotremainhealthyandproductive.HeiferInternationalalsobelievesthatfamiliesmustpassonsomeoftheirsuccesstoothersinneed.Thisbeliefguaranteesthateachpersonwhotakespartintheprogramalsobecomesagiver.EveryfamilythatreceivesaHeiferanimalmustagreetogivethatanimal'sfirstfemalebabytootherpeopleinneed.FamiliesmustalsoagreetopassontheskillsandtrainingtheyreceivefromHeiferInternational.Thisconcepthelpscommunitiesbecomeself-supporting.17:WhatdoesthespeakertellusaboutMr.West?18:WhatistheultimategoalofHeiferInternational?19:WhatarefamiliesrequiredtodoaftertheyreceivesupportfromHeiferInternational?20:WhatisthemajorachievementofHeiferInternational?2007年12月四级听力原文　　SectionAConversations　　ShortConversations　　11.W:IranintoSallytheotherday.Icouldhardlyrecognizeher.Doyourememberherfromhighschool?　　M:Yeah,shewasalittleoutofshapebackthen.Well,hasshelostalotofweight?　　Q:WhatdoesthemanrememberofSally?　　12.W:Wedon’tseemtohaveareservationforyou,sir.I’msorry.

7　　M:Butmysecretarysaidthatshehadreservedaroomformehere.IphonedherfromtheairportthismorningjustbeforeIgotonboardtheplane.　　Q:Wheredoestheconversationmostprobablytakeplace?　　13.W:Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereinmyplace?　　M:IfPaulweremyson,I’djustnotworry.Nowthathisteacherisgivinghimextrahelpandhe"sworkinghardhimself,he’ssuretodowellinthenextexam.　　Q:What’stheman’ssuggestiontothewoman?　　14.M:You’vehadyourhandsfullandhavebeenoverworkedduringthelasttwoweeks.Ithinkyoureallyneedtogooutandgetsomefreshairandsunshine.　　W:Youareright.That’sjustwhatI’mthinkingabout.　　Q:Whatis thewomanmostprobablygoingtodo?　　15.W:Hello,John.Howareyoufeelingnow?Ihearyou’vebeenill.　　M:TheymusthaveconfusedmewithmytwinbrotherRods.He’sbeensickallweek,butI’veneverfeltbetterinmylife.　　Q:Whatdowelearnabouttheman?　　16.M:Didyoureallygiveawayallyourfurniturewhenyoumovedintothenewhouselastmonth?　　W:Justtheuselesspieces,asI’mplanningtopurchaseanewsetfromItalyforthesittingroomonly.　　Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?　　17.M:I’vebroughtbackyourOxfordCompaniontoEnglishLiterature.Ithoughtyoumightuseitforyourpaper.Sorrynottohavereturneditearlier.　　W:Iwaswonderingwherethatbookwas.　　Q:Whatcanweinferfromtheconversation?　　18.W:Totellthetruth,Tony,itneveroccurstomethatyouareanathlete.　　M:Oh,really?Mostpeoplewhomeetme,includingsomefriendsofmine,don’tthinksoeither.　　Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?　　LongConversations　　Conversation1　　M:Mary,Ihopeyou"repackedandreadytoleave.　　W:Yes,I’mpacked,butnotquiteready.Ican’tfindmypassport.　　M:Yourpassport?That’stheonethingyoumustn’tleavebehind.　　W:Iknow.Ihaven’tlostit.I’vepackedit,butIcan’trememberwhichbagit’sin.　　M:Well,youhavetofinditattheairport.Comeon,thetaxiiswaiting.　　W:Didyousaytaxi?Ithoughtweweregoinginyourcar.　　M:Yes,well,Ihaveplannedto,butI’llexplainlater.You’vegottobethereinanhour.　　W:Theplanedoesn’tleavefortwohours.Anyway,I’mreadytogonow.　　M:Now,you"retakingjustonecase,isthatright?　　W:No,thereisoneinthehallaswell.　　M:Gosh,whatalotofstuff!You"retakingenoughforamonthinsteadofa

8week.　　W:Well,youcan’tdependontheweather.Itmightbecold.　　M:It’snevercoldinRome.CertainlynotinMay.Comeon,wereallymustgo.　　W:Right,we"reready.We’vegotthebags,I’msurethere"snoneedtorush.　　M:Thereis.Iaskedthetaxidrivertowaittwominutes,nottwenty.　　W:Look,I’msupposedtobegoingawaytorelax.You"remakingmenervous.　　M:Well,Iwantyoutorelaxonholiday,butyoucan’trelaxyet.　　W:OK,Ipromisenottorelax,atleastnotuntilwegettotheairportandIfindmypassport.　　Questions19-22arebasedontheconversatoinyouhavejustheard.　　Q19:Whatdoesthewomansayaboutherpassport?　　Q20:Whatdoweknowaboutthewoman’strip?　　Q21:Whydoesthemanurgethewomantohurry?　　Q22:Wheredoestheconversationmostprobablytakeplace?　　Conversation2　　W:Oh,I’mfedupwithmyjob.　　M:Hey,there"saperfectjobforyouinthepapertoday.Youmightbeinterested.　　W:Oh,whatisit?Whatdotheywant?　　M:Waitaminute.Uh,hereitis.TheEuropeanSpaceAgencyisrecruitingtranslators.　　W:TheEuropeanSpaceAgency?　　M:Well,that’swhatitsays.TheyneedanEnglishtranslatortoworkfromFrenchorGerman.　　W:SotheyneedadegreeinFrenchorGerman,Isuppose.Well,I’vegotthat.What’smore,Ihaveplentyofexperience.Whatelsearetheyaskingfor?　　M:Justthat.Auniversitydegreeandthreeorfouryearsofexperienceasatranslatorinaprofessionalenvironment.Theyalsosaythepersonshouldhavealivelyandinquiringmind,effectivecommunicationskillsandtheabilitytoworkindividuallyorasapartoftheteam.　　W:Well,ifIstayatmypresentjobmuchlonger,Iwon’thaveanymindorskillsleft.Bytheway,whataboutsalary?Ijusthopeitisn’tlowerthanwhatIgetnow.　　M:It’ssaidtobenegotiable.Itdependsontheapplicant’seducationandexperience.Inadditiontobasicsalary,there"salistofextrabenefits.Havealookyourself.　　W:Hm,travelandsocialsecurityplusrelocationexpensesarepaid.Hey,thisisn’tbad.Ireallywantthejob.　　Questions23-25arebasedontheconversatoinyouhavejustheard.　　Q23:Whyisthewomantryingtofindanewjob?　　Q24:Whatpositionisbeingadvertisedinthepaper?　　Q25:Whatarethekeyfactorsthatdeterminethesalaryofthenewposition?　　SectionBShortPassages

9　　Passage1　　Whencouplesgetmarried,theyusuallyplantohavechildren.Sometimes,however,acouplecannothaveachildoftheirown.Inthiscase,theymaydecidetoadoptachild.Infact,adoptionisverycommontoday.Thereareabout60thousandadoptionseachyearintheUnitedStates alone.Somepeopleprefertoadoptinfants,othersadoptolderchildren,somecouplesadoptchildrenfromtheirowncountries,othersadoptchildrenfromforeigncountries.Inanycase,theyalladoptchildrenforthesamereason----theycareaboutchildrenandwanttogivetheiradoptedchildahappylife.　　Mostadoptedchildrenknowthattheyareadopted.Psychologistsandchild-careexpertsgenerallythinkthisisagoodidea.However,manyadoptedchildrenoradopteeshaveverylittleinformationabouttheirbiologicalparents.Asamatteroffact,itisoftenverydifficultforadopteestofindoutabouttheirbirthparentsbecausethebirthrecordsofmostadopteesareusuallysealed.Theinformationissecretsonoonecanseeit.Naturally,adoptedchildrenhavedifferentfeelingsabouttheirbirthparents.Manyadopteeswanttosearchforthem,butothersdonot.Thedecisiontosearchforbirthparentsisadifficultonetomake.Mostadopteeshavemixedfeelingsaboutfindingtheirbiologicalparents.Eventhoughadopteesdonotknowabouttheirnaturalparents,theydoknowthattheiradoptedparentswantthem,lovethemandwillcareforthem.　　Questions26-29arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　26.Accordingtothespeaker,whydosomecouplesadoptchildren?　　27.Whyisitdifficultforadopteestofindoutabouttheirbirthparents?　　28.Whydomanyadopteesfindithardtomakethedecisiontosearchfortheirbirthparents?　　29.Whatcanweinferfromthepassage?　　Passage2　　KatherineGramgraduatedfromUniversityofChicagoin1938andgotajobasanewsreporterinSanFrancisco.Katherine’sfatherusedtobeasuccessfulinvestmentbanker.In1933,heboughtafailingnewspaper,theWashingtonPost.　　ThenKatherinereturnedtoWashingtonandgotajob,editinglettersinherfather’snewspaper.ShemarriedPhilipGram,whotookoverhisfather-in-law’spositionshortlyafterandbecamepublisheroftheWashingtonPost.Butformanyyears,herhusbandsufferedfrommentalillnessandhekilledhimselfin1963.Afterherhusband’sdeath,Katherineoperatedthenewspaper.Inthe1970s,thenewspaperbecamefamousaroundtheworldandKatherinewasalsorecognizedasanimportantleaderinnewspaperpublishing.ShewasthefirstwomantoheadamajorAmericanpublishingcompany,theWashingtonPostcompany.Inafewyears,shesuccessfullyexpandedthecompanytoincludenewspaper,magazine,broadcastandcablecompanies.　　Shediedofheadinjuriesafterafallwhenshewas84.Morethan3thousandpeopleattendedherfuneralincludingmanygovernmentandbusinessleaders.Herfriendssaidshewouldberememberedasawomanwhohadanimportantinfluenceon

10eventsintheUnitedStatesandtheworld.Katherineoncewrote,“Theworldwithoutnewspaperswouldnotbethesamekindofworld”.Afterherdeath,theemployeesoftheWashingtonPostwrote,“TheworldwithoutKatherinewouldnotbethesameatall.”　　Questions30-32arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　30.WhatdowelearnfromthepassageaboutKatherine’sfather?　　31.WhatdoesthespeakertellusaboutKatherineGram?　　32.WhatdoesthecommentbyemployeesoftheWashingtonPostsuggest?　　Passage3　　Obtaininggoodhealthinsuranceisarealnecessitywhileyouarestudyingoverseas.Itprotectsyoufromminorandmajormedicalexpensesthatcanwipeoutnotonlyyoursavingsbutyourdreamsofaneducationabroad.Thereareoftentwodifferenttypesofhealthinsuranceyoucanconsiderbuying,internationaltravelinsuranceandstudentinsuranceinthecountrywhereyouwillbegoing.　　Aninternationaltravelinsurancepolicyisusuallypurchasedinyourhomecountrybeforeyougoabroad.Itgenerallycoversawidevarietyofmedicalservicesandyouareoftengivenalistofdoctorsintheareawhereyouwilltravelwhomayevenspeakyournativelanguage.Thedrawbackmightbethatyoumaynotgetyourmoneybackimmediately,inotherwords,youmayhavetopayallyoumedicalexpensesandthenlatersubmityourreceiptstotheinsurancecompany.　　Ontheotherhand,gettingstudentheathinsuranceinthecountrywhereyouwillstudymightallowyoutoonlypayacertainpercentageofthemedicalcostatthetimeofserviceandthusyoudon’thavetohavesufficientcashtopaytheentirebillatonce.Whateveryoudecide,obtainingsomeformofhealthinsuranceissomethingyoushouldconsiderbeforeyougooverseas.Youshouldn’twaituntilyouaresickwithmajormedicalbillstopayoff.　　Questions33-35arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.　　33.Whydoesthespeakeradviceoverseasstudentstobuyhealthinsurance?　　34.Whatisthedrawbackofstudentsbuyinginternationaltravelinsurance?　　35.Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutstudentsgettinghealthinsuranceinthecountrywheretheywillstudy?　　SectionCCompoundDictationMoreandmoreoftheworld’spopulationarelivingintownsorcities.Thespeedatwhichcitiesaregrowinginthelessdevelopedcountriesisalarming.Between1920and1960,bigcitiesindevelopedcountriesincreasedtwoandahalftimesinsize,butinotherpartsoftheworldthegrowthwaseighttimestheirsize.Thesheersizeofgrowthisbadenough,buttherearenowalsoverydisturbingsignsoftroubleinthecomparisonofpercentagesofpeoplelivingintownsandpercentagesofpeopleworkinginindustry.Duringthe19thcentury,citiesgrewasaresultofthegrowthofindustry.InEurope,theproportionofpeoplelivingincitieswasalwayssmallerthanthatoftheworkforceworkinginfactories.Now,however,thereverseisalmostalwaystrueinthenewlyindustrializedworld.Thepercentageofpeoplelivingin

11citiesismuchhigherthanthepercentageworkinginindustry.Withoutabaseofpeopleworkinginindustry,thesecitiescannotpayfortheirgrowth.Thereisnotenoughmoneytobuildadequatehousesforthepeoplethatlivethere,letalonethenewarrivals.Therehasbeenlittleopportunitytobuildwatersuppliesorotherfacilities.Sothefiguresforthegrowthoftownsandcitiesrepresentproportionalgrowthofunemploymentandunderemployment,agrowthinthenumberofhopelessanddespairingparentsandstarvingchildren.2007年6月四级真题听力原文11.W:Didyouwatchthe7o*clockprogramonchannel2yesterdayevening?Iwasabouttowatchitwhensomeonecametoseeme.M:Yeah!Itreportedsomemajorbreakthroughincancerresearch.Peopleover40wouldfindaprogramworthwatching.Q:WhatdowelearnfromtheconversationabouttheTVprogram?12.W:IwonafirstprizeintheNationalWritingContestandIgotthiscameraasanawardsIM:It'sagoodcamera!Youcantakeitwhenyoutravel.Ihadnoideayouwereamarvelouswriter.Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?13.M:IwishIhadn'tthrownawaythatreadinglist!W:Ithoughyoumightregretit.That*swhyIpickeditupfromthewastepaperbasketandleftitonthedesk.Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?14.W:Areyoustillteachingatthejuniorhighschool?M:NotsinceJune.MybrotherandIopenedarestaurantassoonashegotoutofthearmy.Q:Whatdowelearnaboutthemanfromtheconversation?15.M:Hi,Susan!HaveyoufinishedreadingthebookProfessorJohnsoirecommended?W:Oh,Ihaven'treaditthroughthewayIreadanovel.Ijustreadafewchapterswhichinterestedme.Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?16.M:Janemissedtheclassagain,didn*tshe?Iwonderwhy?W:Well,Iknewshehadbeenabsentallweek.SoIcalledherthismorningtoseeif

12shewassick.Itturnedoutthatherhusbandwasbadlyinjuredinacaraccident.Q:WhatdoesthewomansayaboutJane?17.W:I'msuretheSmiths'newhouseissomewhereonthestreet,butIdon‘tknowexactlywhereitis.M:ButI’mtoldit'stwoblocksfromtheiroldhome.Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?18.W:I’vebeenwaitingherealmosthalfanhour!Howcomeittookyousolong?M:Sorry,honey!IhadtodrivetwoblocksbeforeIspottedaplacetoparkthecar.Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?  ConversationOne:M:Hello,Ihaveareservationfortonight.W:Yourname,please.M:Nelson,CharlesNelson.W:Ok,Mr.Nelson.That'saroomforfiveand...M:Butexcuseme,youmeanaroomforfivepounds?Ididn'tknowthespecialwassogood.W:No,no,holdno-accordingtoourrecords,aroomfor5guestswasbookedunderyourname.M:No,no---holdon.Youmusthavetwoguestsunderthename.W:Ok,letmecheckthisagain.Oh,hereweare.M:Yeah?W:CharlesNelson,aroomforoneforthe19th...M:Wait,wait.It'sfortonight,nottomorrownight.W:Em...,Idon'tthinkwehaveanyroomsfortonight.There'saconferencegoingonintownand---er,let'ssee...yeah,norooms.M:Oh,comeon!Youmusthavesomething,anything!W:Well,let---letmecheckmycomputerhere...Ah!M:What?M:Oh,comeon!Youmusthavesomething,anything!W:Therehasbeenacancellationforthisevening.Ahoneymoonsuiteisnowavailable.M:Great,I'IItakeit.W:But,I'IIhavetochargeyou150poundsforthenight.M:What?Ishouldhaveadiscountfortheinconvenience!W:Well,thebestIcangiveyouisa10%discountplusaticketforafreecontinentbreakfast.M:Hey,isn'tthebreakfastfreeanyway?W:Well,onlyonweekends.M:Iwanttotalktothemanager.W:Wait,wait,wait...Mr.Nelson,IthinkIcangiveyouanadditional15%discount...19.What'stheman's

13problem?20.Whydidthehotelclerksaytheydidn'thaveanyroomsforthatnight?21.Whatdidtheclerksayaboutthebreakfastinthehotel?22.Whatdidthemanimplyhewoulddoattheendoftheconversation?  ConversationTwo:M:Sarah,youworkintheadmissionsoffice,don'tyou?W:Yes,I'nvHpvebeenheretenyearsasassistantdirector.M:Really?Whatdoesthatinvolve?W:Well,Tminchargeofalltheadmissionsofpostgraduatestudentsintheuniversit.M:Onlypostgraduates?W:Yes,postgraduatesonly.Ihavenothingatalltodowithundergraduates.M:Doyoufindthatyougetparticular-sortof...differentnationalgroups?Imean,doyougetlargenumbersfromLatinAmericaor...W:Yes.Well,ofallthestudentsenrolledlastyear,nearlyhalfwerefromoverseas.TheywerefromAfricancountries,theFarEast,theMiddleEast,andLatinAmerica.M:Em.Buthaveyoubeendoingjustthatforthelast10years,or,haveyoudoneotherthings?W:Well,I'vebeendoingthesamejob.Er,beforethat,IwassecretaryofthemedicalschoolatBirmingham,andfurtherback,Iworkedinthelocalgovernment.M:Oh,Isee.W:SoTvedonedifferenttypesofthings.M:Yes,indeed.Howdoyouimagineyourjobmightdevelopinthefuture?Canyouimagineshiftingintoadifferentkindofresponsibilityordoingsomething...W:Oh,yeah,fromOctober1,I'IIbedoinganentirelydifferentjob.There'sgoingtobemorecommitteework.Imean,morepolicywork,andlessdealingwithstudents,unfortunately-TIImissmycontactwithstudents.Questions23to25arebasedontheconversationyou'vejustheard:23.Whatisthewoman'spresentposition?24.Whatdowelearnaboutthepostgraduatesenrolledlastyearinthewoman'suniversity?25.Whatwillthewoman'snewjobbelike? SectionACompoundDictation复合式听写原文Students'pressuresometimescomesfromtheirparents.Mostparentsarewellmeaning,butsomeofthemaren'iveryhelpfulwiththeproblemstheirsonsanddaughtershaveinadjustingtocollege.Andafewofthemseemtogooutoftheirwaytoaddtotheirchildren'sdifficulties.Foronething,parentsareoftennotawareofthekindsofproblemstheirchildrenface.Theydon'trealizethatthecompetitioniskeener,thattherequiredstandardsofworkarehigher,andthattheirchildrenmaynotbepreparedforthechange.AccustomedtoseeingA'sandB'sonthehighschoolreportcards,theymaybeupsetwhentheirchildren'sfirstsemestercollegegradesare

14belowthatlevel.Attheirkindest,theymaygentlyinquirewhyJohnorMaryisn'tdoingbetter,whetherheorsheistryingashardasheorsheshould,andsoon.Attheirworst,theymaythreatentotaketheirchildrenoutofcollege,orcutofffunds.Sometimesparentsregardtheirchildrenasextensionsofthemselves,andthinkitonlyrightandnaturalthattheydeterminewhattheirchildrendowiththeirlives.Intheirinvolvementandidentificationwiththeirchildren,theyforgetthateveryoneisdifferent,andthateachpersonmustdevelopinhisorherownway.Theyforgetthattheirchildren,whoarenowyoungadults,mustbetheonesresponsibleforwhattheydoandwhattheyare.ShortPassagesPassage1MymotherwasborninasmalltowninnorthernItaly.ShewasthreewhenherparentsimmigratedtoAmericain1926.TheylivedinChicago,wheremygrandfatherworkedmakingice-cream.Mamathrivedintheurbanenvironment.At16,shegraduatedfirstinherhighschoolclass,wentontosecretarialschoolandfinallyworkedasanexecutivesecretaryforararewoodcompany.Shewasbeautifultoo.Whenalocalphotographerusedherpicturesinhismonthlywindowdisplay,shefeltpleased.HerfavoriteportraitshowedhersittingbyLakeMichigan,herhairwind-blown,hergazereachingtowardsthehorizon.Myparentsweremarriedin1944.Dadwasaquietandintelligentman.Hewas17whenheleftItaly.Soonafter,ahit-and-runaccidentlefthimwithapermanentlimp.DadworkedhardsellingcandytoChicagoofficeworkersontheirbreak.Hehadlittleformalschooling.HisEnglishwasself-taught.Yetheeventuallybuiltasmallsuccessfulwhole-salecandybusiness.Dadwasgenerousandhandsome.Mamawasdevotedtohim.Aftershemarried,mymotherquitherjobandgaveherselftoherfamily.In1950,withthreesmallchildren,Dadmovedthefamilytoafarm40milesfromChicago.Heworkedthelandandcommutedtothecitytorunhisbusiness.Mamasaidgood-byetoherparentsandfriendsandtradedherbusycityneighborhoodforamoreisolatedlife.Butshenevercomplained.Questions26to28arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard:26:Whatdoesthespeakertellusabouthismother’searlychildhood?27:Whatdowelearnaboutthespeaker’sfather?28:Whatdoesthespeakersayabouthismother?Passage2Duringa1995roofcollapse,afirefighternamedDonaldHerbertwasleftbraindamaged.For10yearshewasunabletospeak.ThenoneSaturdaymorning,hedidsomethingthatshockedhisfamilyanddoctors–hestartedspeaking.“Iwanttotalktomywife,”DonaldHerbertsaidoutoftheblue.Staffmembersofthenursinghomewherehehaslivedformorethan7yearsrosetogetLindaHerbertonthetelephone.“Itwasthefirstofmanyconversationsthe44-year-oldpatienthadwithhisfamilyandfriendsduringthe14hourstretch.”Herbert’suncleSimonMankasaid.“HowlonghaveIbeenaway?”Herbertasked.“Wetoldhimalmost10years.”Theunclesaid.He

15thoughtitwasonlythreemonths.HerbertwasfightingahousefireDec.29,1995,whentheroofcollapsedburyinghimunderneath.Aftergoingwithoutairforseveralminutes,Herbertwasunconsciousfortwoandahalfmonthsandhasundergonetherapyeversince.Newsaccountsinthedaysandyearsafterhisinjury,describedHerbertasblindandwithlittle,ifany,memory.Avideoshowshimreceivingphysicaltherapy,butapparentlyunabletocommunicateandwithlittleawarenessofhissurroundings.Mankadeclinedtodiscusshisnephew’scurrentconditionorwhethertheapparentprogresswascontinuing.“ThefamilywasseekingprivacywhiledoctorsevaluatedHerbert,”hesaid.AswordofHerbert’sprogressspread,visitorsstreamedintothenursinghome.“Heisrestingcomfortably,”theuncletoldthem.Questions29to32arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.29:WhathappenedtoHerbert10yearsago?30:WhatsurprisedDonaldHerbert’sfamilyanddoctorsoneSaturday?31:HowlongdidHerbertremainunconscious?32:HowdidHerbert’sfamilyreacttothepublicattention?Passage3AlmostallstatesinAmericahaveastatefair.Theylastforone,twoorthreeweeks.TheIndianastatefairisoneofthelargestandoldeststatefairsintheUnitedStates.Itisheldeverysummer.Itstartedin1852.Itsgoalsweretoeducate,shareideasandpresentIndiana’sbestproducts.Thecostofasingletickettoenterthefairwas20cents.Duringtheearly1930’s,officialsofthefairruledthatpeoplecouldattendbypayingsomethingotherthanmoney.Forexample,farmersbroughtabagofgraininexchangeforaticket.Withthepassageoftime,thefairhasgrownandchangedalot.ButitisstilloneoftheIndiana’scelebratedevents.PeoplefromalloverIndianaandfrommanyotherstatesattendthefair.Theycandomanythingsatthefair.Theycanwatchthejudgingofthepricedcows,pigsandotheranimals.Theycanseesheepgettingtheirwoolcutandtheycanlearnhowthatwoolismadeintoclothing.Theycanwatchcowsgivingbirth.Infact,peoplecanlearnaboutanimalstheywouldneverseeexceptotherfair.Thefairprovidesthechanceforthefarmingcommunitytoshowitsskillsandfunproducts.Forexample,visitorsmightseetheworld’slargestappleorthetallestsunflowerplant.Today,childrenandadultsatthefaircanplaynewcomputergamesorattemptmoretraditionalgamesofskill.Theycanwatchperformancesputonbyfamousentertainers.Expertssaysuchfairsareimportantbecausepeopleneedtorememberthattheyareconnectedtotheearthanditsproductsandtheydependonanimalsformanythings.Questions33to35arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard:33:WhatwerethemaingoalsoftheIndianastatefairwhenitstarted?34:Howdidsomefarmersgiveentrancetothefairintheearly1930’s?35:WhyarestatefairsimportanteventsintheAmerica?Students’pressuresometimescomesfromtheirparents.Mostparentsare

16well-meaning,butsomeofthemaren’tveryhelpfulwiththeproblemstheirsonsanddaughtershaveinadjustingtocollege.Andafewofthemseemtogooutoftheirwaytoaddtotheirchildren’sdifficulties.Foronething,parentsareoftennotawareofthekindsofproblemstheirchildrenface.Theydon’trealizethatthecompetitioniskeener,thattherequiredstandardsofworkarehigher,andthattheirchildrenmaynotbepreparedforthechange.AccustomedtoseeingAsandBsonhighschoolreportcards,theymaybeupsetwhentheirchildren’sfirstsemestercollegegradesarebelowthatlevel.Attheirkindest,theymaygentlyenquirewhyJohnorMaryisn’tdoingbetter,whetherheorsheistryingashardasheorsheshould,andsoon.Attheirworst,theymaythreatentotaketheirchildrenoutofcollegeorcutofffunds.Sometimesparentsregardtheirchildrenasextensionsofthemselvesandthinkitonlyrightandnaturalthattheydeterminewhattheirchildrendowiththeirlives.Intheirinvolvementandidentificationwiththeirchildren,theyforgetthateveryoneisdifferentandthateachpersonmustdevelopinhisorherownway.Theyforgetthattheirchildren,whoarenowyoungadults,mustbetheonesresponsibleforwhattheydoandwhattheyare.2008年12月英语四级听力答案及原文11．M:IjustreceivedanEmailfromoneofmyformerclassmates.Iwassurprised,Ihadn’theardfromhimforages.W:Well,I’vebeenoutoftouchwithmostofmyoldfriends,onlyoneortwostilldropmealineoccasionally,Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?12.M:Ifyoucanmakeupyourmindaboutthecolor,Icanstartontheoutsideofyourhouseearlynextweek.W:Well,rightnowIthinkIwantwhiteforthewindowframesandyellowforthewalls,butI’llletyouknowtomorrow.Q:Whoisthewomantalkingto?13.W:Excuseme,doyouhaveanyapartmentsavailableforunder500dollarsamonth?Ineedtomoveinnextweekwhenmynewjobstarts.M:TheonlyvacantoneIhaveis600dollars,haveyouinquiredattheapartmentcomplex

17downthestreet?Q:Whatdoesthemansuggestthewomando?14.W:Youboughtapairofjeansyesterday,didn’tyou?Whataretheylike?M:Oh,theyareprettymuchlikemyotherones,exceptwithalargerwaist.IguessIhaven’tspentmuchtimeexercisinglately.Q:Whatcanweinferfromtheconversationabouttheman?15.W:Ireallylikethoseabstractpaintingswesawyesterday.Whatdoyouthink?M:Iguessit’ssomethingIhaven’tacquiredatasteforyet.Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?16.W:Youhaven’tseenabluenotebook,haveyou?IhopeIdidn’tleaveitinthereadingroom.M:Didyoucheckthatpileofjournalsyou’veborrowedfromthelibrarytheotherday?Q:Whatisthemantryingtosaytothewoman?17.M:Howaboutjoiningmeforacupofcoffee?W:I’dloveto,butI’mexhausted.Iwasuptill3thismorning,writingapaperformyliteratureclass.Q:Whydoesthewomandeclinetheman’sinvitation?18.W:Youhadajobinterviewyesterday,didn’tyou?Howdiditgo?M:Nottoobad,Iguess.Therewereabout20candidatescompetingforthesalesmanager’sjob.Andfinallyitwasdowntothreeofus,buttheothertwoseemedbetterqualified.Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?F:Simon,howdoesitfeeltoberetired?

18M:Well,notsobad.F:Howhaveyoubeenspendingyourtime?M:Ihavebeenspendingmoretimewithmyfamily.I’vealsotravelledabit,youknow,offseasonwheneverywhereislesscrowdedandhotelscostless.F:Great.M:YouknowIhaven’tstoppedworkcompletely.F:Yes,couldyoutellusmoreaboutthis?M:I’monaschemethat’scalledphasedretirement;Ihadasix-monthbreakfromwork,afterthatIcouldapplyforprojectworkwiththecompanyIusedtoworkfor.F:Howdoestheschemework?M:Well,it’satrialatthemoment.Insteadofhiringtemporarystuff,thecompanyadvertisespostsonitswebsitethatretiredemployeeslikemyselfcanaccess.F:Whatsortofworksadvertised?M:Well,allsortsofthings,really.Administrativeworkandmorespecializedwork,thesortofthingIcando.Someoftheprojectscanlastfiveorsixmonths,andotherscanjustbeacoupleofdays.Icandecidemoreorlesswhentowork.SoIcanmanagemyowntime.F:Icanseeit’sgoodforyou.Whatisyourcompanygetoutofthis?M:Well,Istillhaveallmyoldcontactsatwork,soIknowwhotocontacttogetsomethingdone.Thecompanygetsflexibility,too.Oncethejob’sover,that’sit.I’mnotontheirbooksanymore.Questions19-21arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.19.WhydoesSimonfindhisretiredlifeenjoyable?20.HowdoesSimongettoknowaboutthecompany’savailableposts?21.Whydoesthecompanyadoptthephasedretirementscheme?长对话2

19W:Oh,wherearewegoing?M:Iwanttoshowyousomething.W:Iknow,butwhatisit?M:Afarm.It’sjustdownthisroad.It’sasmallplace,butatleastitwouldbeourown.W:Afarm?Howcanweaffordtobuyafarm?M:Itisn’tverylarge,only40acres.Wewouldn’thavetopayverymuchrightnow.W:Isthereahouseontheplace?M:Asmallone,twobedrooms,butitneedstobefixedupalittle.Icandothejobmyself.W:OK.Isthereenoughspaceforakitchengarden?M:Thereisabouthalfanacrearoundthehouse.That’splentyofspace.W:Thenwecangrowourownfreshvegetables.Andmaybekeepafewchickens,couldn’twe?M:Yes,andwecanprobablygrowalotofourownfood.W:Whatareyouthinkingaboutgrowing,ifwedotakethisplace?M:Well,itreallyisn’tbigenoughforcorn.Ithoughtwemighttrytoraiseacropofpotatoes.W:Potatoes?Therearealotofwork.M:Weareusedtohardwork,aren’twe?W:Yes,weare,butthemoney.Dowehaveenoughtogetstarted?Itseemslikeadream.M:Ithinkwe’vesavedenough.Wecanpayalittleonthefarmandmaybeputafewdollarsdownonthetractor,too.Questions22to25arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.Q22:Whatarethespeakersgoingtodoatthetimeoftheconversation?

20Q23:Whatdoesthemansayaboutthefarm?Q24:Whydoesthemanintendtogrowpotatoesratherthancornonthefarm?Q25:Whatisthewoman’sgreatestconcernabouttheman’splan?2008年12月大学英语四级听力PassageOne20分11秒——23分36秒Membersofthecitycouncilanddistinguishedguests,itismyprivilegetointroducetoyoutodayMr.RobertWashington,chiefofourcity’spoliceforce.HewilladdressusonthesubjectoftheCommunityPolicingProgram.MostofyouknowthatMr.Washingtonhasadistinguishedrecordasheadofourpoliceforceformorethantenyears.However,youmaynotknowthathealsoholdsamaster’sdegreeincriminologyandstudiedabroadforayearwiththeinternationalpoliceforcewhichdealswithcrimesaroundtheworld.Mr.WashingtonfirstintroducedtheCommunityPolicingProgram8yearsago.Theideabehindtheprogramistogetthepoliceofficersoutoftheircarsandintoourneighborhoodswheretheycantalkdirectlytomerchantsandresidentsabouttherealdynamicsofourcity.Theseofficersdomorethanmakearrests.Theytrytofindwaystohelpsolvetheproblemsthatcontributetocrimeinthefirstplace.Oftenthatmeanshookingpeopleupwithservicesofferedbyothercityagencies,suchasschools,hospitals,housing,drugtreatmentcenters.Andtheprogramseemstobeworking:crimeisdownandourcitizensreportthattheyfeelmoresecure.TodayMr.Washingtonisgoingtotellusmoreaboutthisprogram.Nowlet’swelcomeMr.RobertWashington.26.Whatisthepurposeofthespeaker’sremarks?Hewilladdressusonthesubjectofcommunitypolicingprogram.27.WhatdoesthespeakersayaboutMr.RobertWashington?

21MostofyouknowthatMr.Washingtonhasadistinguishedrecordasheadofourpoliceforceformorethantenyears.However,youmaynotknowthathealsoholdsamaster’sdegreeincriminologyandstudiedabroadforayearwiththeinternationalpoliceforcewhichdealswithcrimesaroundtheworld.Mr.Washingtonfirstintroducedthecommunitypolicingprogram8yearsago.28.WhatistheideabehindtheCommunityPolicingProgram?Theideabehindtheprogramistogetthepoliceofficersoutoftheircarsandintoourneighborhoodswheretheycantalkdirectlytomerchantsandresidentsabouttherealdynamicsofourcity.29.HowhastheCommunityPolicingProgramturnedouttobe?Andtheprogramseemstobeworking,crimeisdownandourcitizensreportthattheyfeelmoresecure.四级篇章2Therearebetween3000and6000publiclanguagesintheworld,andwemustaddapproximately6billionprivatelanguagessinceeachoneofusnecessarilyhasone.Consideringthesefacts,thepossibilitiesforbreakdownsincommunicationseeminfiniteinnumber.However,wedocommunicatesuccessfullyfromtimetotime.Andwedolearntospeaklanguages.Butlearningtospeaklanguagesseemstobeaverymysteriousprocess.Foralongtime,peoplethoughtthatwelearnedalanguageonlybyimitationandassociation.Forexample,ababytouchesahotpotandstartstocry.Themothersays,“Hot,hot!”Andthebaby,whenitstopscrying,imitatesthemotherandsays,“Hot,hot!”However,NoamChomsky,afamousexpertinlanguage,pointedoutthatalthoughchildrendolearnsomewordsbyimitationandassociation,theyalsocombinewordstomakemeaningfulsentencesinwaysthatareunique,unlearnedandcreative.Becauseyoungchildrencanmakesentencestheyhaveneverheardbefore,Chomskysuggestedthathumaninfantsarebornwiththeabilitytolearnlanguage.Chomskymeantthatunderneathallthedifferencesbetweenpublicandprivatelanguages,thereisauniversallanguagemechanismthatmakesitpossibleforus,asinfants,tolearnanylanguageintheworld.Thistheoryexplainsthepotentialthathumaninfantshaveforlearninglanguage.Butitdoesnotreallyexplainhowchildrencometouselanguageinparticularways.Questions30to32arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.Question30.Whydoesthespeakersaytherearegreatpossibilitiesforcommunication

22breakdowns?Therearenumerouspublicandprivatelanguages.Question31.WhatisChomsky’spointontheabilitytolearnalanguage?Humaninfantsarebornwiththeabilitytolearnlanguageandthepotentialtolearnanylanguageintheworld.Question32.WhatdoesChomsky’stheoryfailtoexplainaccordingtothespeaker?Itdoesnotreallyexplainhowchildrencometouselanguageinparticularways.四级听力PassageThreeWhenUSspacewomanJoanHigginbothamisnotflyingandworkinginspace,shemightbefoundsomewhereonearthgivingaspeech.Higginbotham,whogrewupinChicagoandbecameanengineerbeforejoiningNASA,thatistheNationalAirandSpaceAdministration,givesaboutadozenspeechesayear.Eachspeechisdifferentbecauseshetailorsherremarkstoeachaudience.ThroughinterviewsandE-mails,shefindsoutinadvanceherlisteners'educationallevelandwhatinformationtheywanttoknow.Onthesubjectofspacewalks,forexample,audiencesvaryintheirinterestsandhowmuchcomplexitytheycancomprehend.Toelementaryschoolchildren,Higginbothammaydiscussaproblemthatmanykidswanttoknowabout."Howdospacemeninaspacesuiteat,drink,andgotothebathroom?"Heransweris“thespacesuitisreallyasmallspacecraftwithroomforfoodandwater-containers,andawaste-collectionsystem.”Toahighschoolaudience,shemightsatisfyacuriositythatoftenarisesinherpre-speechinterviewswithstudentswhoobviouslyhaveseenmanysciencefictionmovies.“Dospacemencarryweaponsincasetheyencounterenemiesinspace?”Heransweris"No".Toscientists,shemightprovidetechnicaldetailsonsuchtopicsasthedesignofspacesuitsthatprotectsspacemenfromthedeadlytemperatureextremesofspace.Justaselaboratepreparationisrequiredforsuccessinspace,Higginbothamsaysthatit’simportantforspeakerstolearnasmuchaspossibleabouttheirlistenersbeforeaspeechbecauseeveryaudienceisdifferent.33.WhatdidJoanHigginbothamdobeforejoininginNASA?34.HowdoesHigginbothamprepareherspeechonspacewalks?35.Whatdoesthehighschoolaudiencewanttoknowaboutspacetravel?2008.12CET-4ListeningScriptCompoundDictation:(31’43’’-33’55’’)

23Crimeisincreasingworldwide.Thereiseveryreasontobelievethetrendwillcontinuethroughthenextfewdecades.Crimerateshavealwaysbeenhighinmulti-culturalindustrializedsocietiessuchastheUnitedStates.Butanewphenomenonhasappearedontheworldscene:rapidlyrisingcrimeratesinnationsthatpreviouslyreportedfewoffences.Streetcrimessuchasrobbery,rape,murderandautotheftareclearlyrising,particularlyinEasternEuropeancountries,suchasHungary,andinWesternEuropeannations,suchastheUntiedKingdom.Whatisdrivingthiscrimeexplosion?Therearenosimpleanswers.Still,therearecertainconditionsassociatedwithrisingcrime.Increasingheterogeneityofpopulation,greaterculturalpluralism,higherimmigration,democratizationofgovernments,changingnationalborders,greatereconomicgrowthandthelackofacceptedsocialideasofrightandwrong.Theseconditionsareincreasinglyobservablearoundtheworld.Forinstance,culturesthatwerepreviouslyisolatedandhomogenous,suchasJapan,DenmarkandGreece,arenowfacingthesortofculturalvarietythathasbeencommoninAmericaformostofitshistory.Multiculturalismcanbearewarding,enrichingexperience,butitcanalsoleadtoaclashofvalues.Heterogeneityinsocietieswillbetheruleinthe21stcentury,andfailuretorecognizeandplanforsuchdiversitycanleadtoseriouscrimeproblems.2008年6月四级听力原文试卷SectionA11.M:Todayisabaddayforme;Ifelloffastepandtwistedmyankle.W:Don’tworry,usuallyankleinjurieshealquicklyidyoustopregularactivitiesforawhile.Q:Whatdoesthewomansuggestthemando?12.W:MayIseeyourticketplease?Ithinkyouaresittinginmyseat.M:Oh,youareright.Myseatisinthebalcony.I’mterriblysorry.Q:Wheredoestheconversationmostprobablytakeplace?13.W:DidyouhearJaySmithdiedinhissleeplastnight?M:Yes,it’sverysad.Pleaseleteverybodyknowthatwhoeverwantsto,mayattendthefuneral.Q:Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout?14.M:HaveyoutakenProfessorYoung’sexambefore?I’mkindofnervous.

24W:Yes,justconcentrateontheimportantideasshe’stalkedaboutinclassandignorethedetails.Q:HowdoesthewomansuggestthemanprepareforProfessorYoung’sexam?15.W:I’msosorrysir,andyou’llletmepaytohaveyourjacketcleaned,won’tyou?M:That’sallright.Itcouldhappentoanyone.AndI’msurethatcoffeedoesn’tleavelastingmarksonclothing.Q:Whatcanweinferfromtheconversation?16.W:Haveyouseenthemovie‘TheDeparted’?TheplotwassocomplicatedthatIreallygotlost.M:Yeah,Ifeltthesame,butafterIsawitasecondtime,Icouldputallthepiecestogether.Q:Howdidthetwospeakersfindthemovie?17.M:I’mreallysurprisedyougotan“A”onthetest.Youdidn’tseemtohavedonealotofreading.W:NowyouknowwhyInevermissedalecture.Q:Whatcontributestothewoman’shighscore?18.W:Haveyouheardaboutanewdigitaltelevisionsystem?Itletspeoplegetabout500channels.M:Yeah,butIdoubtthey’llhaveanythingdifferentfromwhatwewatchnow.Q:Whatdoesthemanmean?ConversationOneW:Gosh!Haveyouseenthis,Richard?M:SeenWhat?W:Inthepaper,itsaysthere’samangoingroundpretendinghe’sfromtheelectricityboard.He’sbeencallingatpeople’shomer,sayinghe’scometocheckthatalltheirappliancesaresafe.Thehegetsaroundthemtomakehimacupofteaandwhiletheyareoutoftheroom,hestealstheirmoney,handbag,whateverandmakesoffwithit.M:ButyouknowJane,it’spartlytheirownfault.Youshouldneverletanyonelikethatinunless

25youareexpectingthem.W:It’sallverywelltosaythat,butsomeonecomestothedoorandsayselectricityorgas,andyouautomaticallythinktheyareOK,especiallyiftheyflashacardtoyou.M:DoesthismanhaveanIDthen?W:Yes,that’sjustit!Itseemsheusedtoworkfortheelectricityboardatonetime.Accordingtothepaper,thepolicearewarningpeople,especiallypensionersnottoadmitanyoneunlesstheyhaveanappointment.It’sabitsad.Oneoldladytoldthemshe’djustbeentothepostofficetodrawherpensionwhenhecalled.Shesaidhemusthavefollowedherhome.Hestolethewholelot.M:Butwhatdoeshelooklike?Surelytheymusthaveadescription.W:Oh,yes,theyhave.Let’ssee.Inhisthirties,tall,bushydarkhair,slightnorthernaccent,soundsabitlikeyouactually.19.Whatdoesthewomanwantthemantoreadinthenewspaper?20.Howdidthemanmentionedinthenewspapertrytowinfurthertrustfromthevictims?21.Whatisthewarningfromthepolice?22.Whatdoesthewomanspeakertellusabouttheoldlady?ConversationTwoM:MissJones,couldyoutellmemoreaboutfirstjobwithhotelmarketingconcepts?W:Yes,certainly.Iwasamarketingconsultant,responsibleformarketingtenUKhotels.Theywereallluxuryhotelsintheleisuresector,allofaveryhighstandard.M:Whichmarketswereyouresponsiblefor?W:ForEuropeandJapan.M:IseefromyourresumethatyouspeakJapanese.HaveyoueverbeentoJapan?W:Yes,Ihave.IspentamonthinJapanin2006.Imetallthekeypeopleinthetouristindustry,thebigtouroperatorsandtouristorganizations.AsIspeakJapanese,Ihadaverybigadvantage.M:Yes,ofcourse.HaveyouhadanycontactwithJapaninyourpresentjob?W:Yes,I’vehadalot.ThetruthisIhavebecomeverypopularwiththeJapanese,bothfor

26holidaysandforbusinessconferences.Infact,themarketforalltypesofluxuryholidaysfortheJapanesehasincreasedalotrecently.M:Really,I’minterestedtohearmoreaboutthat,butfirst,tellme,haveyouevertraveledonaluxurytrain?TheOrientExpress,forexample.W:NoIhaven’t,butIhavetraveledonaglacierexpresstoSwitzerlandandItraveledChinabytrainabout8yearsago.Ilovetraintravel.That’swhyI’mveryinterestedinthisjob.23.Whatdidthewomandoinherfirstjob?24.WhatgavethewomananadvantageduringherbusinesstripinJapan?25.Whyisthewomanapplyingforthenewjob?SectionBPassageOneTime!Ithinkalotabouttime.Andnotjustbecauseit’sthenameofthenewsorganizationIworkfor.Likemostworkingpeople,Ifindtimeorthelackofitaneverendingfrustrationandanunwinnablebattle.MyeverydayisaraceagainsttheclockthatInevereverseemtowin.Thisishardlyalonesomecomplaint.AccordingtotheFamiliesandWorkInstitute’snationalstudyofthechangingworkforce,fifty-fivepercentofemployeessaytheydon’thaveenoughtimeforthemselves,sixty-threepercentdon’thaveenoughtimefortheirspousesorpartners,andsixty-sevenpercentdon’thaveenoughtimefortheirchildren.It’salsonotanewcomplaint.Ibetourancestorsreturnedhomeformhuntingwildanimalsandgatheringnutsandcomplainedabouthowlittletimetheyhadtopayinbattlescenesontheircavewars.Thedifferenceisthatthebossofanimal-huntingandtheheadofnut-gatheringprobablytoldthemtoshutupornosurvivalforyou.Today’sworkersarestilldemandingcontrolovertheirtime.Thedifferenceistoday’sbossesarelistening.I’vebeenreadingareportissuedtodaycalled“WhenWorkWords”producedjointlybythreeorganizations.Theysetouttofindandawardtheemployerswhoemploythemostcreativeandmosteffectivewaystogivetheirworkersflexibility.Ifoundthisreportworthreadingandsuggesteverybossshouldreaditforideas.26.Whatisthespeakercomplainingabout?27.Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutourancestors?28.Whydoesthespeakersuggestallbossesallbossesreadthereportbythethreeorganizations?PassageTwo“Lovingachildisacircularbusiness.Themoreyougive,themoreyouget,themoreyouwanttogive.”PenelopeLeachoncesaid.Whatshesaidprovestobetrueofmybloodedfamily.Iwasbornin1931.Astheyoungestofsixchildren,Ilearnedtosharemyparents’love.Raisingsix

27childrenduringthedifficulttimesoftheGreatDepressiontookitstollitstollonmyparent’srelationshipandresultedintheirdivorcewhenIwas18yearsold.Daddyneverhadverycloserelationshipswithhischildrenanddriftedevenfartherawayformusafterthedivorce.Severalyearslaterawonderfulwomancameintohislife,andtheyweremarried.Shehadtwosons,oneofthemstillathome.Underherinfluence,webecamea“blendedfamily”andagoodrelationshipdevelopedbetweenthetwofamilies.Shealwaystreatedusasifwewereherownchildren.Theysharedovertwenty-fiveyeartogetherbeforeourfatherpassedaway.Atthetimeofhisdeath,thequestioncameupofmymother-Daddy’sfirstwife—attendinghisfuneral.IwillneverforgettheunconditionalloveshownbymystepmotherwhenIaskedherifshewouldobjecttoMotherattendingDaddy’sfuneral.Withoutgivingitasecondthought,sheimmediatelyreplied,“Ofcoursenot,Honey.She’sthemotherofmychildren.”29.Accordingtothespeaker,whatcontributedtoherparent’sdivorce?30.Whatbroughtthefatherclosertohisownchildren?31.Whatmessagedoesthespeakerwanttoconveyinthistale?PassageThreeInFebruarylastyear,mywifelostherjob.Justassuddenly,theownerofthegreenhousewhereIworkedasmanagerdiedatheartattack.Hisfamilyannouncedthattheyweregoingtoclosethebusinessbecausenooneinthefamilywantedtorunit.Thingslookedprettygloomy.MywifeandIreadthewantadseachday.Thenonemorning,asIwashangingoutthe“GoingOutofBusiness”signatthegreenhouse,thedooropened,andinwalkedacustomer.Shewasanofficemanagerwhosecompanyhadjustmovedintothenewofficeparkontheedgeoftown.Shewaslookingforpotsandplantstoplaceinthereceptionareasintheoffices.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutplants,”shesaid,“I’msureinafewweeksthey’llallbedead.”WhileIwashelpingherselectherpurchases,mymindwasracing.Perhapsasmanyasadozenfirmshaverecentlyopenedofficesinthenewofficepark,andtherewereseveralhundredmoreacreswithconstructionunderway.Thatafternoon,Idroveouttotheofficepark.Bysixo’clockthatevening,Ihadsignedcontractswithsevencompaniestorentplantsfrommeandpaymeafeetomaintainthem.Withinaweek,Ihadworkedoutanagreementtoleasethegreenhousefromtheowner’sfamily.Businessisnowincreasingrapidly,andoneday,wehopetobetheproudownersofthegreenhouse.32.Whatdowelearnaboutthegreenhouse?33.Whatwasthespeakerdoingwhenthecustomerwalkedinonemorning?34.Whatdidthespeakerthinkofwhenservingtheofficemanager?35.Whatwasthespeaker’shopeforthefuture?SectionC

28We’renowwitnessingtheemergenceofanadvancedeconomybasedoninformationandknowledge.Physicallabor,rawmaterials,andcapitalarenolongerthekeyingredientsinthecreationofwealth.Now,thevitalrawmaterialinoureconomyisknowledge.Tomorrow’swealthdependsonthedevelopmentandexchangeofknowledge.Andindividualsenteringtheworkforceoffertheirknowledge,nottheirmuscles.Knowledgeworkersgetpaidfortheireducationandtheirabilitytolearn.Knowledgeworkerengageinmindwork.Theydealwithsymbols:words,figures,anddata.Whatdoesallthismeanforyou?Asafutureknowledgeworker,youcanexpecttobegenerating,aswellasexchanginginformation.Currently,thereoutoffourjobsinvolvesomeformofmindwork,andthatnumberwillincreasesharplyinthefuture.Managementandemployeesalikewillbemakingdecisionsinsuchareasasproductdevelopment,qualitycontrol,andcustomersatisfaction.Inthenewworldofwork,youcanlookforwardtobeinginconstanttrainingtoacquirenewskillsthatwillhelpyoukeepupwithimprovedtechnologiesandprocedures.Youcanalsoexpecttobetakinggreatercontrolofyourcareer.Gonearethenine-to-fivejobs,lifetimesecurity,predictablepromotions,andeventheconventionalworkplace,asyouarefamiliarwith.Don’texpectthecompanieswillprovideyouwithaclearlydefinedcareerpath.Anddon’twaitforsomeoneto“empower”you.Youhavetoempoweryourself.2009年12月四级听力原文SectionAShortconversation11.M:Excuseme,doyouhavechangeforaten-dollarnote?Ineedtopaytheparkingmeter.W:I’msorry,butIthinkyoucangetitthroughthemoneychangerintheshoppingcenteracrossthestreet.Q:Whatisthemantryingtodo?12.M:Canyourecommendsomethingthataschoolboyof7or8willreallylike?W:I’dsuggestthistoytrain,sir.It’sanexcellentbrand.Verypopularallovertheworldthesedays.Q:Whatisthemandoing?13.W:Doyouletpeopleknowwhenyou’retakingpicturesofthem?M:Itrynotto.Youknowanypictureofapersonwhoposesforthecamerawouldlookdullandunnatural.Q:Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout? 14.W:IneedtotalktosomeonewhoknowsBaltimorewell.I’mtoldyoulivedthere.M:Oh,butIwasreallyyoungatthetimeQ:Whatdoesthemanmean?15.W:Aren’tyoudisappointedthatyoudidn’tgetthepromotion?

29M:Maybealittle,butIknowIneedmoreexperiencebeforeI’mreadyforthatkindofresponsibility.Q:Whatdowelearnaboutthemanfromthisconversation?16.W:I’vebeenworkingoutthegymsinceJanuary.Iwasabitoutofshape.M:Youlookterrific.Itseemsthatyourefforthaspaidoff.Q:Whatdoesthemanimplyaboutthewoman?17.W:ProfessorClarksuggestedIgetatutorforadvancedphysics.M:Well,thatmighthelp.Advancedphysicsisaprettydifficultcourse.Q:Whatdoesthemanmean?18.W:Bill,haveyouheardthelatestnews?Itappearswetwowon’tbelaidoffafterall.M:Oh,I’msomewhattiredofworkinghere.I’vebeenwonderingwhetherIshouldresign.Anyway,thenewsseemstobegoodforyou.Q:Howdoesthemanfeelaboutthenews?LongconversationsConversation1W:Hello,CartsonCollege,mayIhelpyou?M:Yes.I’mlookingforinformationoncoursesincomputerprogramming.Iwouldneeditforthefallsemester.W:Doyouwantadayoreveningcourse?M:Well,itwouldhavetobeaneveningcoursesinceIworkduringtheday.W:Aha.Haveyoutakenanycoursesindataprocessing?M:No.W:Oh!Well,dataprocessingisacourseyouhavetotakebeforeyoucantakecomputerprogramming.M:Oh,Isee.Well,whenisitgiven?IhopeitisnotonThursdays.W:Well,there’saclassthatmeetsonMondayeveningsat7.M:Justonceaweek?W:Yes.Butthat’salmost3hoursfrom7to9:45.M:Oh!Well,that’sallright,Icouldmanagethat.Howmanyweeksdoesthecourselast?W:Mm,letmesee.12weeks.YoustartthefirstweekendsSeptemberandfinish…Oh..justbeforeChristmas,December21st.M:Andhowmuchisthecourse?W:That’s300dollarsincludingthenecessarycomputertime.M:Ah-hum.Okay,Eh,wheredoIgotoregister?W:RegistrationisonthesecondandthirdofSeptemberbetween6and9inFrostHall.M:Isthattheroundbuildingbehindtheparkinglot?W:Yes,that’stheone.M:Oh,Iknowhowtogetthere.IsthereanythingthatIshouldbringwithme?W:No,justyourcheckbook.M:Well,thankyousomuch.W:You’reverywelcome.Bye!M:Bye!Questions19to22arebasedontheconversationyouhavejustheard.

30Q19:Whydoesthemanchoosetotakeaneveningcourse?Q20:Whatdoesthemanhavetodobeforetakingthecourseofcomputerprogramming?Q21:Whatdowelearnaboutthescheduleofeveningcourse?Q22:Whatdoesthemanwanttoknowattheendoftheconversation?2009年12月四级听力长对话-2LCtwoW:So,whyexactlydoesyourjobhavereputationforbeingstressful?M:Stressisgenerallydrivenbythefeelingofbeingoutofcontrolofasituationandthefeelingofasituationcontrollingyou.Tradinginfinancialmarketscombinesboth.W:Howdoyourelaxintheevening?M:Iveryrarelydoanythingwork-relatedsoit’seasytoescapethemarkets.Igenerallygotothegymorgoforarun,especiallyifIhadabadday.Ialwayscookamealratherthanhaveatake-away.Todosomethingmybrainwillregardascreative.W:Doyouthinkwhatyoudotorelaxisaneffectivewaytobeatstress?M:Idon’tthinkthereisaspecificruleabouthowtobeatstress.IgenerallyfindoutwhatIdoiseffectiveforme.W:Wouldyouconsiderchangingyourjobbecauseofthehighstressfactor?M:Ihaveconsideredleavingmyjobduetostress-relatedfactors.However,Idothinkthatanelementofstressisagoodthing.Andifusedtherightwaycanactuallybeapositivething.W:Whatdoyouenjoyaboutthestressfulaspectsofyourjob?M:Havingsaidallthat,Idoactuallyenjoyanelementofuncertainty.Ienjoymentalchallenge.Tradinggeneratesawiderangeofemotionssecondbysecond.Howyoudealwithandmanagethoseemotionsdictatesshortmediumandlongtermtradingperformanceandsuccess.Q23-25Q23.Whatistheman’sjob?Q24.Whydoesthemanprefertocookamealratherthanhaveatake-away?Q25.Whatdoesthemansayaboutanelementofstressinhisjob?SectionBPassage1Sinceearlytimes,peoplehavebeenfascinatedwiththeideaoflifeexistingsomewhereelsebesidesearth.Untilrecently,scientistsbelievethatlifeonotherplanetswasjustahopefuldream.Butnowtheyarebeginningtolocateplaceswherelifecouldform.In1997,theysawevidenceofplanetsnearotherstarslikethesun.Butscientistsnowthinkthatlifecouldbeevennearerinourownsolarsystem.OneplacescientistsarestudyingverycloselyisEuropa,amoonofJupiter.SpaceprobeshaveprovidedevidencethatEuropahasalargeoceanunderitssurface.TheprobeshavealsomadescientiststhinkthatunderitssurfaceEuropahasarockycoregivingoffvolcanicheat.Waterandheatfromvolcanicactivityaretwobasicconditionsneededforlifetoform.Athirdiscertainbasicchemicalssuchascarbon,oxygenandnitrogen.ScientistsbelievetheremightbesuchchemicalslyingatthebottomofEuropa’socean.Theymayhavealreadycreatedlifeormaybeaboutto.Youmaywonderiflightisalsoneededforlifetoform.Untilrecently,scientiststhoughtthatlightwasessential.Butnow,placeshavebeenfoundonearththatareintotalblacknesssuchascavesseveralmilesbeneaththesurface.Andbacteria,primitiveformsoflife,havebeenseenthere.SothelackoflightinEuropa’ssub-surfaceoceandoesn’tautomaticallyruleoutlifeforming.

31Questions26to2826.Whatdidscientistsoncebelieveaccordingtothepassage?27.WhathavescientistsfoundaboutEuropa,amoonofJupiter?28.Whathavescientistscometoknowrecentlyaboutformationoflife?Passage2Inherearlydaysasanemergencyroomphysician,DoctorJoannaMyertreatedachildwhohadsufferedaseconddegreeburn.Afterthechildhadbeentreatedandwasbeingpreparedfordischarge,DoctorMyertalkedtotheparentsabouthowtheyshouldcareforthechildathome.Alsolisteningtoherwereahalfadozenotherfamilymembers.Afewhourslater,whenshecametosaygoodbye,thefamilyaskedhertosettleanargumentthey’dbeenhavingoverexactlywhatadviceshehadgiven.“AsItalkedtothem,Iwasamazed.”shesaid,”AllofthemhadheardthesimpleinstructionsIhavegivenjustafewhoursbefore,buttheyhavethreeorfourdifferentversions.Themostbasicdetailswereunclearandconfusing.Iwassurprised,becausethesewereintelligentpeople.”ThisepisodegaveDoctorMyerherfirstcluetosomethingeverydoctorlearnssoonerorlater-mostpeoplejustdon’tlistenverywell.Nowadays,shesayssherepeatsherinstructions,andevenconductsarealitycheckwithsomepatients.Sheasksthemtotellherwhattheythinktheyaresupposedtodo.Shealsoprovidestake-homesheetswhicharecomputerprintoutstailoredtothepatients’situation.Doc.Myer’slistenersarenotunusual.Whennewordifficultmaterialispresented,almostalllistenersarefacedwiththechallengebecausehumanspeechlacksthestabilityandpermanenceoftheprintedword.Oralcommunicationisfast-movingandimpermanent.Question29to31arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard：29.Whatdidthechild’sfamilymembersargueaboutinthehospital?30.WhatdidDoc.Myerdotoinsureherpatientsunderstandherinstructions?31.Whatdoesthespeakersayabouthumanspeech?Passage3It’slogicaltosupposethatthingslikegoodlaborrelations,goodworkingconditions,goodwagesandbenefitsandjobsecuritymotivateworkers,butoneexpert,FredrickHerzbergarguedthatsuchconditionsdonotmotivateworkers.Theyaremerelysatisfiers.Motivators,incontrast,includethingssuchashavingachallengingandinterestingjob,recognitionandresponsibility.However,evenwiththedevelopmentofcomputersandrobotics,there’realwaysplentyofboring,repetitiveandmechanicaljobsandlotsofunskilledpeoplewhohavetodothem.Sohowdomangersmotivatepeopleinsuchjobs?Onesolutionistogivethemsomeresponsibilities,notasindividuals,butasapartofateam.Forexample,somesupermarketscanbuyofficestufftopeoplewhofilltheshelves,andthepeoplewhoworkatthecheckoutintoateam,andletthemdecidewhatproductlinestostock,howtodisplaythemandsoon.Manypeoplenowtalkabouttheimportanceofacompany’ssharedvaluesorculturewithwhichallthestaffcanidentify,forexample,beingthebesthotelchain,ormakingthebest,themostuser-friendlyorthemostreliableproductsinaparticularfield.Suchvaluesaremorelikelytomotivateworkersthanfinancialtargetswhichautomaticallyonlyconcernafewpeople.Unfortunately,there’sonlyalimitednumberofsuchgoalstogoaroundandbydefinition,notallthecompetingcompaniesinthatindustrycanseriouslyplantobethebest.Questions32to35arebasedonthepassageyouhavejustheard.Q32:WhatcanactuallymotivateworkersaccordingtoFredrickHerzberg?

32Q33:Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutjobsinthecomputerera?Q34:Whatdosomesupermarketsdotomotivatetheiremployees?Q35:Whydoesthespeakersayfinancialtargetsarelesslikelytomotivateworkers?SectionCInthehumanities,authorswritetoinformyouinmanyways.Thesemethodscanbeclassifiedintothreetypesofinformationalwriting:factual,descriptiveandprocess.Factualwritingprovidesbackgroundinformationonanauthor,composerorartist;oronatypeofmusic,literatureorart.Examplesoffactualwritingincludenotesonabookjacketoralbumcoverandlongerpiecessuchasanarticle,describingastyleofmusicwhichyoumightreadinamusicalappreciationcourse.Thiskindofwritingprovidesacontextforyourstudyofthehumanities.Asitsnameimplies,descriptivewritingsimplydescribesorprovidesanimageofapieceofmusic,artorliterature.Forexample,descriptivewritingmightlistthecolorsanartistusedinapaintingortheinstrumentsacomposerincludedinamusicalcomposition,soas　tomake picturesorsoundinareader’smindbycallingupspecificdetailsofthework.Descriptivewritinginthehumanities,particularlyinliterature,itoftenmixedwithcriticalwriting. Processwritingexplainsaseriesofactionsthatbringabouttheresult.Ittellsthereaderhowtodosomething,forexample,explainingthetechniqueusedtoshootafilm.Thiskindofwritingisoftenfoundinartwhereweunderstandinghowanartistcreatescertainoffactisimportant.Authorsmayactuallyusemorethanonetypeoftechniqueinagivenpieceofinformationalwriting09年6月四级听力原文ShortConversations11.W:ThereweremorethanahundredpeopleatKate'sbirthdayparty.Howcomeshe'sgotsomanyfriends?M:It'sreallynosurprise.YouknowshewaspopularevenwhenshewasachildQ:WhatdoesthemanimplyaboutKate?12.M:Theysaythere'llbeasnow-stormtonight,andthecoldweatherwilllastquiteafewdays.W:Oh!We'resolucky,we'llbegettingawayforawhile,andhavingaholidayinFlorida.Butlet'scallrightnowtoconfirmourflight.Q:Whatdowelearnaboutthetwospeakers?13.W:Tonywasawardedamedalforrescuingseveralfamiliesfromtheforestfire.M:Ireallyadmirehiscourage.Q:WhatdowelearnaboutTonyfromtheconversation?

3314.M:Mywashingmachineismorethanfifteenyearsoldandithasworkedjustfineuntillastnight.W:You’llneverbeabletogetpartsforit,evenfromJapan.Soitmightbetimetoinvestamorerecentmodel.Q:Whatdoesthewomansuggestthemando?15.W:Iheardaboutyourpromotion,youmustbethrilled.M:Notreally,thenewofficeishuge,butthewordloadhasdoubled.Q:Whatdowelearnaboutthemanfromtheconversation?16.W:Ican’tdecidewhattodoaboutthepartytomorrow.M:Youdon’thavetogoifyoudon’twantto,butI’llbegladtogiveyouarideifyoudo.Q:Whatdowelearnfromtheconversation?17.M:Nowifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthecontract.I’llbehappytoanswerthem.W:Nothingcomestomindrightnow,butI’dliketogooverallthearticlesofthecontractoncemorebeforesigningit.Q:Whatarethespeakersdoingrightnow?18.M:Weareoutofpaperfortheprinter.Canyoupleaseordersome?W:Icompletedtheorderformonlineyesterdayanditwillbeherebynoon.I’llletyouknowwhenitcomesin.Q:Whatdidthewomando?LongConversationConversationOneW:Bob,doyouknowwhoIsawtheotherday?OldJake,lookingterriblydepressed.Didhegetpensionedoffatlast?M:Yes.Theymadehimretireafter50yearsatsea.Heisprettyupsetaboutit,butwhatcanyoudo?Hereallyispasted.W:Heisallalone,isn’the?M:Yes,hiswifehasbeendeadforyears.Theyhadonedaughter,Dories.Butshewentofftotownassoonassheleftschool.Andhehasn’theardfromhersince.Ihearsheismakinggoodmoneyasamodel.W:Maybesomeonecouldgetintouchwithher.Gethertocomebackforawhiletohelp?M:Idon’tsupposeshecome.Shenevergotonwithherfather.Heisbitofatoughcharacterandsheisratherselfish.Oh,IexpectoldJakewillgetby.Heishealthyatleast,comesintoaclinicforacheckregularly.W:Areyouhisdoctor?M:No,mypartnerdoctorJohnsonis.W:Thatbad-temperedoldthing?

34M:Oh,heisn’tbad-tempered.Hejustlooksit.Heisanexcellentdoctor,taughtmealot,andhehasaverynicefamily.Hiswifeinvitesmeovertheretosuppereveryweek.Verypleasant.W:yes.IteachtheirdaughterPenatschool.Sheisabitcarelessandlazyaboutherschoolwork,butabrightlittlethingandverypopularwithheragegroup.Questions19to22arebasedontheconversationyou’vejustheard.19.WhydoesoldJakelookterriblydepressed?20.WhatdowelearnaboutJake’swife?21.WhatdoesthemansayaboutJake’sdaughter?22.WhatdoesthemansayaboutJake’sdoctor?ConversationTwoW:Hello,Mr.Summerfield.Howareyoutoday?M:Verywell.Thankyou,Ms.Green.W:WhatcanIdoforyou?M:Well,unfortunately,thereisaproblemwiththeorderwereceivedfromyouyesterday.Itseemswehaven’tseentherightquantityofmanualstosupportthetelephonesystem.W:Oh,dear,that’sbadnews.I’mverysorrytohearthat,andyoudon’tknowhowmanypacksarewithoutmanuals?M:No,becausewehaven’topenedeverypack.Butinseveralofthosethathavebeenopenedtherearenone,nomanuals.W:I’mverysorryaboutthisinconvenience,Mr.Summerfield.We’llsendoutthemanualsthisafternoonbyexpressmailentirelyatourcost,andthemanualsshouldarrivetomorroworthedayafteratthelatest(最晚).M:Allofthem,right?W:Yes.Itmaybethatsomehavethemalready,butwecannotbesure.Sothebestthingistosendoutthemanualforeverypack.M:Yes.Yes,Isee.Thatwouldbegreat.W:Pleaseacceptourapologiesforthismix-up.IassureyouwewilldoeverythingpossibletofindoutwhythemistakehappenedM:Right.Thanksforyourswiftaction.W:Notatall.Thankyouandgoodbyefornow.Docallifthereisanythingelse.M:Allright.Thankyou.Goodbye,MsGreen.W:Goodbye.Questions23to25arebasedontheconversationyou’vejustheard.23.Whatproblemsarethespeakersdiscussing?24.Whatdoesthewomanpromisetodo?25.Whatdoesthemanthinkofthesolution?

35PassagePassage1Attractingandfeedingwildbirdsareentertainingactivitiesthathavelongbeenenjoyedbypeopleallovertheworld.Feedingbirdshasbecomesopopularthatpreparedfeedmixturesarereadilyavailable.Wefeedbirdsformanyreasons.Manypleasanthourscancomefromwatchingbirds.Ahobbyoftendevelopsintoaseriousstudyoftheirhabits.Accurateidentificationofbirdsisusuallythefirstgoal.Butobservationsthatanamateurbird-watchercanmakearereallylimitless.Thereis,however,responsibilityassociatedwithbirdfeeding,includingadiseasehazard.Attractingnumbersofbirdscontinuallytothesamespotcanbeharmfultothem,particularlyspeciesthatpickfoodfromthegroundcontaminatedbythedroppingsofotherbirds.Inwinterfeedingeffortsaremostsatisfyingtopeopleandareofgreatestbenefittobirds.Duringthistimewhenfewernaturalfoodsareavailableandairtemperaturesarelower,extrafeedingcankeepabirdwarmandwell.Oncebegun,feedingshouldneverstopduringtheseleanmonths.Ifyoustartalocalincreaseofbirds,bepreparedtodowhatmayberequiredtoeliminatehazardstothoseyouwanttobefriend.Aconstantsupplyoffoodshouldbegivenuntilthecoldisoverandspringhascome.Iffeedingisstoppedduringsevereweather,birdsusedtorelyinguponthefeedersmuststarve.Questions26to28arebasedonthepassageyou’vejustheard.Q26Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutbirdwatching?Q27Whatdoesthespeakersayaboutbirdsfedcontinuallyonthesamespot?Q28Whatdoesthespeakersuggestwedoinfeedingbirdsinwinter?Passage2MyfriendLeomakesupweakandpoorexcuseswheneverthereissomethinghedoesn’twanttodo.Justtwoweeksago,hewasatmyhousewhenhedecidedhedidn’twanttogointowork.Hecalledhisbossandsaidhehadtogetanewsetoftiresputonhistruck.ThenhesatdownandwatchedTVwithme.Notonlyhadheliedbuthisexcusewasn’taveryconvincingone.Anothertime,hecancelledadatewithhisgirlfriendatthelastminutetellingherhehadtogetanewbatteryforhistruck.Shewasangryandrefusedtogooutwithhimagainuntilheapologized.Lastweekend,Leoofferedthepoorestexcuseyet.He’dpromisedhe’dhelpmemovesomefurniture,frommyparents’housetomynewapartment.Hewassupposedtobringhistruckoverabout8o’clockSaturdaymorning.Iwaited,andthencalledandleftamessageonhismachine.About11:30,hecalledandsaidhewassorrybuthe’dbeengettinganewsetoftiresputonhistruck.Iguesshe’dforgottenheusedthesameexcusewhenhecalledhisbossfrommyhouse.IthinkIneedanewsetoffriends.I’mbeginningtogettiredofLeo’sexcuses.

36Questions29to31arebasedonthepassageyou’vejustheard.Q29WhatdoesthespeakertellusaboutherfriendLeo?Q30WhatdidhisgirlfrienddowhenLeocanceledadatewithheratthelastminute?Q31WhatfavordidthespeakeraskLeotodolastweekend?Passage3InHollywood,everybodywantstoberich,famousandbeautiful.Nobodywantstobeold,unknownandpoor.ForHollywoodkids,lifecanbedifficultbecausetheygrowupsuchanunrealatmosphere.Theirparentsareambitiousandthechildrenarepartoftheparents’ambitions.Parentspayforwastefulgrandparties,expensivecarsanddesignerclothes.Wheneverydreamcancometrue,kidsdon’tlearnthevalueofanythingbecausetheyhaveeverything.Athirteen-year-oldboy,TrentMaguire,hasadriver,creditcardsandunlimitedcashtodowhathewantswhenhewantsto.“Oneday,I’llearnmorethanmydad!”heboasts.Parentsbuycareandattentionfortheirchildrenbecausetheyhavenotimetogiveitthemselves.Amender’smotheremploysapersonaltrainer,abodyguard,asingingcoachandacouncilortolookafterallherfifteen-year-olddaughter’sneeds.Often,thereisnoparentathomemostdays,sochildrendecidewhethertomaketheirownmealsorgoouttorestaurants,whentowatchtelevisionordohomework.Theyorganizetheirsociallife.Theyplaynochildhoodgames.Theybecomeadultsbeforethey’reready.Hollywoodhasalwaysbeenthecityofdreams.Thekidsthereliveunrealliveswheremoney,beautyandpleasurearetheonlygods.Willchildrenaroundtheworldsoonstarttothinkthesame?Ordotheyalready?Questions32to35arebasedonthepassageyou’vejustheard.Q32WhyislifesaidtobedifficultforHollywoodkids?Q33WhatdoesthespeakersayaboutTrentMaguire,athirteen-year-oldboy?Q34WhydoesAmender’smotheremployotherpeopletolookafterherneeds?Q35WhatwillprobablyhavenegativeeffectsonthelivesofHollywoodkids?CompoundDictationAround120yearsago,Ebbinghausbeganhisstudyofmemory.Heconcentratedonstudyinghowquicklythehumanmindcanrememberinformation.Oneresultofhisresearchisknownasthetotaltimehypothesis,whichsimplymeantheamountyoulearndependsonthetimeyouspendtryingtolearnit.Thiscanbetakenasourfirstruleoflearning.Althoughitisusuallytruethatstudyingfor4hoursisbetterthanstudyingfor1,thereisstillthequestionofhowtousethe4hours.Forexample,isitbettertostudyfor4hoursstraightortostudyfor1houradayfor4daysinarow?Theanswer,asyoumayhavesuspected,isthatitisbettertospreadoutthestudytimes.Thisphenomenonthroughwhichwecanlearnmoreefficientlybydividingour

37practicetimeisknownasthedistributionofpracticeeffect.Thus,oursecondruleoflearningisthis.It’sbettertostudyfairlybrieflybutoften.Butwearenotfinishedyet.Wehaven’tconsideredhowweshouldstudyoververyshortperiodsoftime.Let’ssayyouaretryingtolearnsomenewandratherdifficultEnglishvocabularyusingastackofcards.Shouldyoulookatthesamewordinrapidsuccessionorlookatthewordandthenhavesomedelaybeforeyoulookatitagain?Theanswerisitisbettertospaceupthepresentationsofthewordyouaretolearn.010年6月英语四级听力原文。SectionAShortConversation11.W:Justimagine!Wehavetofinishreading300pagesbeforeMonday!Howcantheprofessorexpectustodoitinsuchashorttime?M:Yeah,butwhattroublesmeisthatIcan’tfindthebookinthelibraryorintheuniversitybookstore.Q:Whatdoesthemanmean?12.M:DoyouthinkIcouldborrowyourcartogogroceryshopping?Thesupermarketsoutsidethecityaresomuchcheaper.I’dalsobehappytopickupanythingyouneed.W:Well,Idon’tliketoletanyoneelsedrivemycar.Tellyouwhat,whydon’twegotogether?Q:Whatdoesthewomanmean?13.M:Forgivethemessinhere,wehadapartylastnight.Therewerealotofpeopleandtheyallbroughtfood.W:Yeah,Icantell.Well,Iguessit’sprettyobviouswhatyou’llbedoingmostoftoday.Q:Whatdoesthewomanthinkthemanwilldo?14.W:WhattimewouldsuityouforthefirstroundtalkswithJohnSmith?M:Well,youknowmyschedule.OtherthanthisFriday,onedayisasgoodasthenext.Q:Whatdoesthemanmean?15.W:Iwassoangryyesterday!MybiologyteacherdidnotevenletmeexplainwhyImissedthefieldtrip.Hejustwouldn’tletmepass!M:Thatdoesn’tseemfair.I’dfeelthatwaytooifIwereyou.Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?

3816.M:Ireallycan’tstandthewayDavidcontrolstheconversationallthetime.IfheisgoingtobeatyourChristmasparty,Ijustwon’tcome.W:I’msorryyoufeelthatway,butmymotherinsiststhathecome.Q:Whatdoesthewomanimply?17.W:You’retakingacoursewithProfessorJohnson.What’syourimpressionsofar?M:Well,manystudentscouldhardlystayawakeinhisclasswithoutfirstdrinkingacupofcoffee.Q:Whatdoesthemanimply?18.W:Haveyoueverputacomputertogetherbefore?M:No,never.ButIthinkifwefollowtheseinstructionsexactly,wewon’thavemuchtrouble.Q:Whatarethespeakersgoingtodo?LongConversationsConversation1W:Whatsortofhoursdoyouwork,Steve?M:WellIhavetoworkverylonghours,aboutelevenhoursaday.W:Whattimedoyoustart?M:Iwork9to3,thenIstartagainat5:30andworkuntil11,sixdaysaweek.SoIhavetoworkveryunsocialhours.W:Anddoyouhavetoworkattheweekend?M:Oh,yes,that’sourbusiesttime.IgetWednesdaysoff.W:Whatarethethingsyouhavetodoandthethingsyoudon’thavetodo?M:Uh,Idon’thavetodothewashing-up,sothat’sgood.Ihavetowearwhite,andIhavetokeepeverythinginthekitchentotallyclean.W:What’shardaboutthejob?M:Youarestandingupallthetime.Whenwearebusy,peoplegetangryandsharp,butthat’snormal.W:Howdidyoulearntheprofession?M:Well,Ididatwo-yearcourseatcollege.Inthefirstyearwehadtolearnthebasics,andthenwehadtotakeexams.W:Wasiteasytofindajob?M:Iwrotetoaboutsixhotelsandoneofthemgavememyfirstjob,soIdidn’thavetowaittoolong.W:Andwhat’sthesecretofbeinggoodatyourjob?M:Attentiontodetail.Youhavetoloveit.Youhavetoshowpassionfor

39it.W:Andwhatareyourplansforthefuture?M:Iwanttohavemyownplacewhenthetimeisright.Q19.Whatdoesthemansayabouthisjob?Q20.Whatdoesthemanthinkisthehardestpartofhisjob?Q21.Wheredidthemangethisfirstjobaftergraduation?Q22.Whatdoesthemansayisimportanttobeinggoodathisjob?Conversation2W:Nowyou’veseenthistableoffiguresaboutthepocketmoneychildreninBritainget?M:Yes.Ithoughtitwasquiteinteresting,butIdon’tquiteunderstandthecolumnentitledchange.Canyouexplainwhatitmeans?W:Well,Ithinkitmeansthechangefromtheyearbefore.Iamnotamathematician,butIassumetherisefrom70pto90pisariseof25percent.M:Ohyes,Isee.Andtheinflationrateisthereforcomparison.W:Yes.whydoyouthinktheriseinpocketmoneyisoftenhigherthaninflation?M:IamsorryI’venoidea.PerhapsparentsinBritainaretoogenerous.W:Perhapstheyare.Butitlooksasifchildrenwerenotbetteroffin2001thantheywerein2002.That’sstrange,isn’tit?Andtheyseemtohavebeenbetteroffin2003thantheyarenow.Iwonderwhythatis.M:Yes,Idon’tunderstandthatatall.W:Anyway,ifyouhadchildren,howmuchpocketmoneywouldyougivethem?M:Idon’tknow.IthinkI’llprobablygivethem2poundsaweek.W:Wouldyou?Andwhatwouldyouexpectthemtodowithit?M:Well,outofthat,theyhavetobuysomesmallpersonalthings,butIwouldn’texpectthemtosavetobuytheirownsocks,forexample.W:Yes,bytheway,domostchildreninyourcountrygetpocketmoney?M:Yeah,theydo.Q23Whatisthetableoffiguresabout?Q24WhatdowelearnfromtheconversationaboutBritishchildren’spocketmoney?Q25Supposingthemanhadchildren,whatwouldheexpectthemtodowiththeirpocketmoney?SectionBPassage1Asthenewsalesdirectorforanationalcomputerfirm,AlexGordonwaslookingforwardtohisfirstmeetingwiththecompany’sdistrictmanagers.

40Everyonearrivedontime,andAlex’spresentationwentextremelywell.Hedecidedtoendthemeetingwiththeconversationabouttheimportanceofthedistrictmanagerstothecompany’splans.“Ibelievewearegoingtocontinuetoincreaseourshareofthemarket,”hebegan,“becauseofthequalityofthepeopleinthisroom.Thedistrictmanageristhekeytothesuccessofthesalesrepresentativesinhisdistrict.Hesetsthetermforeveryoneelse.Ifhehasambitiousgoalsandiswillingtoputinlonghours,everyoneinhisunitwillfollowhisexample.”WhenAlexwasfinished,hereceivedpoliteapplauses,buthardlythewarmresponsehehadhopedfor.Laterhespokewithoneoftheseniormanagers.“Thingsweregoingsowelluntiltheend”,Alexsaiddisappointedly.“Obviously,Isaidthewrongthing.”“Yes”,thedistrictmanagerreplied.“Halfofourmanagersarewomen.Mosthaveworkedtheirwayupfromsalesrepresentatives,andtheyareveryproudoftheroletheyplayedinthecompany’sgrowth.Theydon’tcareatallaboutpoliticalcorrectness.Buttheyweredefinitelysurprisedanddistressedtobereferredtoas‘he’inyourspeech.”Q26WhodidAlexGordonspeaktoatthefirstmeeting?Q27WhatdidAlexwanttoemphasizeattheendofhispresentation?Q28Whatdowelearnabouttheaudienceatthemeeting?Q29WhydidAlexfailtoreceivethewarmresponsehehadhopedfor?Passage2Thewaytocomplainistoactbusiness-likeandimportant.Ifyourcomplaintisimmediate,supposeyougotthewrongorderatarestaurant,makeapolitebutfirmrequesttoseethemanager.Whenthemanagercomes,askhisorhername.Andthenstateyourproblemandwhatyouexpecttohavedoneaboutit.Bepolite!Shoutingoractingrudewillgetyounowhere.Butalsobefirminmakingyourcomplaint.Besides,actimportant.Thisdoesn’tmeantoputonairsandsay“doyouknowwhoIam?”Whatitmeansisthatpeopleareoftentreatedthewaytheyexpecttobetreated.Ifyouactlikesomeonewhoexpectsafairrequesttobegranted,chancesareitwillbegranted.Theworstwaytocomplainisoverthetelephone.Youarespeakingtoavoicecomingfromsomeoneyoucannotsee.Soyoucan’ttellhowthepersononthelineisreacting.Itiseasyforthatpersontogiveyoutherun-around.Complaininginpersonorbyletterisgenerallymoreeffective.Ifyourcomplaintdoesn’trequireanimmediateresponse,itoftenhelpstocomplainbyletter.Ifyouhaveanappliancethatdoesn’twork,sendalettertothestorethatsoldit.Bebusiness-likeandsticktothepoint.Don’tspendaparagraphonhowyouruncleJohntriedtofixtheproblemandcouldn’t.Q30Whatdoesthespeakersuggestyoudowhenyouarenotservedproperlyatarestaurant?Q31Whydoesthespeakersaytheworstwaytocomplainisoverthe

41telephone?Q32Whatshouldyoudoifyoumakeacomplaintbyletter?Passage3BarbaraSandersisawifeandthemotheroftwochildren,ages2and4.Herhusband,Tom,isanengineerandmakesanexcellentsalary.BeforeBarbarahadchildren,sheworkedasanarchitectforthegovernment,designinggovernmenthousing.Shequitherjobwhenshebecamepregnant,butisnowinterestedinreturningtowork.She'sbeenofferedanexcellentjobwiththegovernment.Herhusbandfeelsit'sunnecessaryforhertoworksincethefamilydoesnotneedtheaddedincome.Healsothinksthatawomanshouldstayhomewithherchildren.IfBarbarafeelstheneedtodosociallyimportantwork,hethinksthatsheshoulddovolunteerworkoneortwodaysaweek.Barbara,ontheotherhand,hasmissedtheexcitementofherprofessionanddoesnotfeelshewouldbesatisfieddoingvolunteerwork.Shewouldalsoliketohaveherownincome,soshedoesnothavetoaskherhusbandformoneywhenevershewantstobuysomething.Shedoesnotthinkit'snecessarytostayhomeeverydaywiththechildrenandsheknowsaveryreliablebabysitterwho'swillingtocometoherhouse.Tomdoesnotthinkababysittercanreplaceamotherandthinksit'sabadideaforthechildrentospendsomuchtimewithsomeonewho'snotpartofthefamily.Q33WhatwasBarbara'sprofessionbeforeshehadchildren?Q34WhatdoesBarbara'shusbandsuggestshedoifshewantstowork?Q35WhatdoesTomthinkabouthiringababysitter?SectionCAlmosteverychild,onthefirstdayhesetsfootintheschoolbuilding,issmarter,morecurious，lessafraidofwhathedoesn'tknow,betteratfindingandfiguringthingsout,moreconfident,resourceful,persistentandindependent,thanhewilleitherbeagaininhisschoolingor,unlessheisveryunusualandverylucky,fortherestofhislife.Already,bypayingcloseattentiontoandinteractingwiththeworldandpeoplearoundhim,andwithoutanyschool-typeformalinstruction,hehasdoneataskfarmoredifficult,complicatedandabstractthananythinghewillbeaskedtodoinschool,orthananyofhisteachershasdoneforyears-hehassolvedthemysteryoflanguage.Hehasdiscoveredit.Babiesdon'tevenknowthatlanguageexists.Andhehasfoundouthowitworksandlearnttouseitappropriately.Hehasdoneitbyexploring,byexperimenting,bydevelopinghisownmodelofthe

42grammaroflanguage,bytryingitoutandseeingwhetheritworks,bygraduallychangingitandrefiningituntilitdoeswork.Andwhilehehasbeendoingthis,hehasbeenlearningotherthingsaswell,includingmanyoftheconceptsthattheschoolsthinkonlytheycanteachhim,andmanythataremorecomplicatedthantheonestheydotrytoteachhim.