2007年12月英语六级听力真题原文
11 M：The biological project is now in trouble, you know, my colleague and I have completely different ideas about how to proceed.W：Why don’t you compromise? Try to make it a win-win situation for you both. Q：What does the woman suggest the man do?12 M：How does Nancy like the new dress she bought in Rome?W：She said she would never have bought an Italian style dress if she had known Mary had already got such a dress.Q：What do we learn from the conversation?13 M：You are not going to do all those dishes before we leave, are you? If we don’t pick up George and Martha in 25 minutes we will never get to the theater on time. W：Oh, didn’t I tell you, Martha called to say her daughter was ill and they could not go tonightQ：What is the woman probably going to do first?14M ：You’ve been hanging on to the phone for quite a while, who were you talking with?W：Oh, it was Sally, you know, she always has the latest news in town and can’t wait to talk it over with me.Q：What do we learn about Sally from the conversation?15W：It has always been hard to get this car into first gear, and now the clutch seems to be slipping.M：If you leave the car with me, I will fix it for you this afternoon.Q：Who is the woman probably speaking to?16M：Kate, why does the downtown area look deserted now?W：Well, there used to be some really good stores, but lots of them moved out to the mall.Q：What do we learn from the conversation?17W :I found the lounge such a cozy place to study in. I really like the feeling in sitting on the sofa and doing the reading.M: Well, for me the hardest part about studying here is staying awake.Q：What does the man mean?18W: These mosquitoes bite are killing me. I can’t help scratching.M: Next time you go camping, take some precaution, say wearing long sleevesQ: Why does the man suggest the woman wear long sleeves?Conversation One:M: Hello, and welcome to our program, “Working Abroad”. Our guest this evening is a Londoner, who lives and works in Italy. Her name’s Susan Hill. Susan, welcome to the program. You live in Florence, how long have you been living there?W: Since 1982. But when I went there in 1982, I planned to stay for only 6 months. M: Why did you change your mind?W: Well, I’m a designer, I design leather goods, mainly shoes, and handbags. Soon after I arrived in Florence, I got a job with one of Italy’s top fashion houses, Ferregamo. So, I decided to stay.M: How lucky! Do you still work for Ferregamo?W: No, I’ve been a freelance designer for quite a long time now. Since 1988, in fact.M: So does that mean you design for several different companies now?W: Yes, that’s right. I’ve designed many fashion items for a number of Italian companies, and during last four years, I’ve also been designing for the British company, Burberry’s.M: What have you been designing for them?W: Mostly handbags, and small leather goods.M: Has the fashion industry in Italy changed since 1982?W: Oh, yes. It’s become a lot more competitive. Because of quality of products from other countries has improved a lot. But it’s high quality and design is still world-famous.M: And do you ever think of returning to live in England?W: No, not really. Working in Italy is more interesting. I also love the Mediterranean sun and the Italian life style.M: Well, thank you for talking to us, Susan.W: It was a pleasure.19. Where does this talk most probably take place?20. What was the woman’s original plan when she went to Florence?21. What has the woman been doing for a living since 1988?22. What do we learn about the chang e in Italy’s fashion industry?Long conversation 2M: So, Claire, you’re into drama!W: Yes, I have a master’s degree in drama and theatre. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D program.M: What excites you about drama?W: Well, I find it’s a commun icative way to study people and you learn how to read people in drama. So usually I can understand what people are saying even though they might be lying.M: That would be useful.W: Yeah, it’s very useful for me as well. I’m in English lecture, so use a l ot of drama in my classes such as role plays. And I ask my students to create mini-dramas. They really respond well. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D course. I’d like to concentrate on Asian drama and try to bring Asian theatre to the world’s a ttention. I don’t know how successful I would be, but, here’s hoping.M: Oh, I’m sure you’ll be successful. Now, Claire, what do you do for stage fright? W: Ah, stage fright! Well, many actors have that problem. I get stage fright every time I’m going to teach a new class. The night before, I usually can’t sleep.M: What? For teaching?W: Yes. I get really bad stage fright. But the minute I step into the classroom or get onto the stage, it just all falls into place. Then I just feel like: Yeah, this is what I mean to do. And I’m fine.M: Wow, that’s cool!23. Why does the woman find study in drama and theatre useful?24. How did the woman’s students respond to her way of teaching English?25. What does the woman say about her stage fright?Passage 1In January 1989, the Community of European Railways presented their proposal for a high speed pan-European train network extending from Sweden to Sicily, and from Portugal to Poland by the year 2020. If their proposal becomes a reality, it will revolutionize train travel in Europe. Journeys between major cities will take half the time they take today. Brussels will be only one and a half hours from Paris. The quickest way to get from Paris to Frankfurt, from Barcelona to Madrid will be by train, not plane. When the network is complete, it will integrate three types of railway line: totally new high speed lines with trains operating at speeds of 300 kilometers per hour, upgraded lines which allow for speeds up to 200 to 225 kilometers per hour, and existing lines for local connections and distribution of freight. If businesspeople can choose between a three-hour train journey from city-center to city-center and a one-hour flight, they’ll choose the train, saysan executive travel consultant. They won’t go by plane any more. If you calculate flight time, check-in and travel to-and-from the airport, you’ll find almost no difference. And if your plane arrives late due to bad weather or air traffic jams or strikes, then the train passengers will arrive at their destination first. Since France introduced the first 260-kilometer-per-hour high speed train service between Paris and Lyons in 1981, the trains have achieved higher and higher speeds. On many routes, airlines have lost up to 90% of their passengers to high speed trains. If people accept the Community of European Railways’ plan, the 21 century will be the new age of the train.26. What is the proposal presented by the Community of European Railways?27. What will happen when the proposal becomes a reality?28. Why will business people prefer a three-hour train journey to a one-hour flight?29. When did France introduce the first high speed train service?Passage 2Western doctors are beginning to understand what traditional healers have always known that the body and the mind are inseparable. Until recently, modern urban physicians heal the body, psychiatrist the mind, and priests the soul. However, the medical world is now paying more attention to holistic medicine which is an approach based on the belief that people state of mind can make them sick or speed their recovery from sickness. Several study show that the effectiveness of a certain drug often d epends on the patient’s expectations of it. For example, in one recent study,psychiatrist and a major hospital tried to see how patients could be made calm. They divided them into two groups. One group was given a drug while the other group received a harmless substance instead of medicine without their knowledge. Surprisingly, more patients in the second group showed the desired effect than those in the first group. In study after study, there’s a positive reaction in almost one-third of the patients taking harmless substances. How was this possible? How can such a substance have an effect on the body? Evidence from a 1997 study at the University of California shows that several patients who received such substances were able to produce their own natural drug, that is, as they took the substance their brains released natural chemicals that act like a drug. Scientists theorized that the amount of these chemicals released by a person’s brain quite possibly indicates how much faith the person has in his or her doctor.Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you’ve just heard:30. According to the speaker, what are western doctors beginning to understand?31. What does the recent study at a major hospital seem to prove?32. What evidence does the 1997 study at the University of California produce? Passage 3So we’ve already talked a bit about the growth of extreme sports like rock-climbing. As psychologists, we need to ask ourselves: Why is this person doing this? Why do people take these risks and put themse lves in danger when they don’t have to? One common trait among risk-takers is that they enjoy strong feelings or sensations.We call this trait sensation-seeking. A sensation-seeker is someone who’s always looking for new sensations. What else do we know about sensation-seekers? Well, as I said, sensation-seekers like strong emotions. You can see this trait in many parts of a person’s life, not just in extreme sports. For example, many sensation-seekers enjoy hard rock music. They like the loud sound and strong emotion of the songs. Similarly, sensation-seekers enjoy frightening horror movies. They like the feeling of being scared and horrified while watching the movie. This feeling is even stronger for extreme sports where the person faces real danger. Sensation-seekers feel the danger is very exciting. In addition, sensation-seekers like new experiences that force them to push their personal limits. For them, repeating the same things everyday is boring. Many sensation-seekers choose jobs that involve risk, such as starting a new business or being an emergency room doctor. These jobs are different everyday, so they never know what will happen. That’s why many sensation-seekers also like extreme sports. When you do rock-climbing, you never know what will happen. The activity is always new and different.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you’ve just heard:33. According to the speaker, what is a common trait among risk-takers?34. What do sensation-seekers find boring?35. What is the speaker’s profession?If you are like most people, you’ve indulged in fake listening many times. You go to history class, sit in the 3rd row, and look squarely at the instructor as she speaks. But your mind is far away, floating in the clouds of pleasant daydreams. Occasionally you come back to earth. The instructor writes an important term on the chalkboard, and you dutifully copy it in your notebook. Every once in a while the instructor makes a witty remark, causing others in the class to laugh. You smile politely, pretending that you’ve heard the remark and found it mildly humorous. You have a vague sense of guilt that you aren’t paying close attention. But you tell yourself that any material you miss can be picked up from a friend’s notes. Besides, the instructor’s talking about road construction in ancient Rome, and nothing could be more boring. So back you go into your private little world, only later do you realize you’ve missed important information for a test. Fake listening may be easily exposed, since many speakers are sensitive to facial cues and can tell if you’re merely pretending to listen. Your blank expression, and the faraway look in your eyes are the cues that betray you inattentiveness. Even if you are not exposed there’s another reason to avoid fakery. It’s easy for this behavior to become a habit. For some people, the habit is so deeply rooted that they automatically start daydreaming when a speaker begins talking on something complex or uninteresting. As a result, they miss lots of valuable information.。
2007年12月大学英语六级真题和答案解析及听力原文
2007年12月大学英语六级真题Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes)Directions：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled The Digital Age. Y ou shouldwrite at least 150 words following the outline given below.1.如今数字化产品得到越来越广泛的使用，例如…2.数字化产品的使用对人们工作、学习和生活产生的影响The Digital AgePart Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)本题客观选择题共计7分，每小题1分。
Directions: In this part you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Seven Ways to Save the WorldForget the old idea that conserving energy is a form of self-denial—riding bicycles, dimming the lights, and taking fewer showers. These days conservation is all about efficiency: getting the same—or better—results from just a fraction of the energy. When a slump in business travel forced Ulrich Romer to cut costs at his family-owned hotel in Germany, he replaced hundreds of the hotel’s wasteful light bulbs, getting the same light for 80 percent less power. He bought a new water boiler with a digitally controlled pump, and wrapped insulation around the pipes. Spe nding about €100,000 on these and other improvements, he slashed his €90,000 fuel and power bill by €60,000. As a bonus, the hotel’s lower energy needs have reduced its annual carbon emissions by more than 200 metric tons. “For us, saving energy has been v ery, very profitable,” he says. “And most importantly, we’re not giving up a single comfort for our guests.”Efficiency is also a great way to lower carbon emissions and help slow global warming. But the best argument for efficiency is its cost—or, mor e precisely, its profitability. That’s because quickly growing energy demand requires immense investment in new supply, not to mention the drain of rising energy prices.No wonder efficiency has moved to the top of the political agenda. On Jan. 10, the European Union unveiled a plan to cut energy use across the continent by 20 percent by 2020. Last March, China imposed a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency by 2020. Even Greorge W. Bush, the Texas oilman, is expected to talk about energy conservation in his State of the Union speech this week.The good news is that the world is full of proven, cheap ways to save energy. Here are the seven that could have the biggest impact:InsulateSpace heating and cooling eats up 36 percent of all the w orld’s energy. There’s virtually no limit to how much of that can be saved, as prototype “zero-energy homes” in Switzerland and Germany have shown. There’s been a surge in new ways of keeping heat in and cold out(or vice versa). The most advanced insulation follows the law of increasing returns: if you add enough, you can scale down or even eliminate heating and air-conditioning equipment, lowering costs even before you start saving on utility bills. Studies have shown that green workplaces(ones thatdon’t constantly need to have the heat or air-conditioner running)have higher worker productivity and lower sick rates.Change BulbsLighting eats up 20 percent of the world’s electricity, or the equivalent of roughly 600,000 tons of coal a day. Forty percent of that powers old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs—a 19th-century technology that wastes most of the power it consumes on unwanted heat.Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, not only use 75 to 80 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs to generate the same amount of light, but they also last 10 times longer. Phasing old bulbs out by 2030 would save the output of 650 power plants and avoid the release of 700 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year.Comfort ZoneWater boilers, space heaters and air conditioners have been notoriously inefficient. The heat pump has altered that equation. It removes heat from the air outside or the ground below and uses it to supply heat to a building or its water supply. In the summer the system can be reversed to cool buildings as well.Most new residential buildings in Sweden are already heated with ground-source heat pumps. Such systems consume almost no conventional fuel at all. Several countries have used subsidies to jump-start the market, including Japan, where almost 1 million heat pumps have been installed in the past two years to heat water for showers and hot tubs.Remake FactoriesFrom steel mills to paper factories, industry eats up about a third of the world’s energy. The opportunities to save are vast. In Ludwigshafen, German chemicals giant BASF runs an interconnected complex of more than €200 chemical factories, where heat produced by one chemical process is used to power the next. At the Ludwigshafen site alone, such recycling of heat and energy saves the company 200 million a year and almost half its CO2 emissions. Now BASF is doing the same for new plants in China. “Optimizing（优化）energy efficiency is a decisive competitive advantage,” says BASF CEO Jürgen Hambrecht.Green DrivingA quarter of the world’s energy—including two thirds of the annual production of oil—is used for transportation. Some savings come free of charge: you can boost fuel efficiency by 6 percent simply by keeping your car’s tires properly inflate d(充气). Gasoline-electric hybrid(混合型的)models like the Toyota Prius improve mileage by a further 20 percent over conventional models.A Better FridgeMore than half of all residential power goes into running household appliances, producing a fifth of the world’s carbon emissions. And that’s true even though manufacturers have already hiked the efficiency of refrigerators and other white goods by as much as 70 percent since the 1980s. According to an lnternational Energy Agency study, if consumers chose those models that would save them the most money over the life of the appliance, they’d cut global residential power consumption(and their utility bills)by 43 percent.Flexible PaymentWho says you have to pay for all your conservation investments? “Ener gy service contractors” will pay for retrofitting(翻新改造)in return for a share of the client’s annual utility-bill savings. In Beijing, Shenwu Thermal Energy Technology Co. specializes in retrofitting China’s steel furnaces. Shenwu puts up the initial invest ment to install a heat exchanger that preheats the air going into the furnace, slashing the client’s fuel costs. Shenwu pockets a cut ofthose savings, so both Shenwu and the client profit.If saving energy is so easy and profitable, why isn’t everyon e doing it? It has to do with psychology and a lack of information. Most of us tend to look at today’s price tag more than tomorrow’s potential savings. That holds double for the landlord or developer, who won’t actually see a penny of the savings his investment in better insulation or a better heating system might generate. In many people’s minds, conservation is still associated with self-denial. Many environmentalists still push that view.Smart governments can help push the market in the right dire ction. The EU’s 1994 law on labeling was such a success that it extended the same idea to entire buildings last year. To boost the market value of efficiency, all new buildings are required to have an “energy pass” detailing power and heating consumption. Countries like Japan and Germany have successively tightened building codes, requiring an increase in insulation levels but leaving it up to builders to decide how to meet them.The most powerful incentives, of course, will come from the market itse lf. Over the past year, sky-high fuel prices have focused minds on efficiency like never before. Ever-increasing pressure to cut costs has finally forced more companies to do some math on their energy use.Will it be enough? With global demand and emissions rising so fast, we may not have any choice but to try. Efficient technology is here now, proven and cheap. Compared with all other options, it’s the biggest, easiest and most profitable bang for the buck.1. What is said to be the best way to conserve energy nowadays?A) Raising efficiency.B) Cutting unnecessary costs.C) Finding alternative resources.D) Sacrificing some personal comforts.2. What does the European Union plan to do?A) Diversify energy supply.B) Cut energy consumption.C) Reduce carbon emissions.D) Raise production efficiency.3. If you add enough insulation to your house, you may be able to________.A) improve your work environmentB) cut your utility bills by halfC) get rid of air-conditionersD) enjoy much better health4. How much of the power consumed by incandescent bulbs is converted into light?A) A small portion.B) Some 40 percent.C) Almost half.D) 75 to 80 percent.5. Some countries have tried to jump-start the market of heat pumps by________.A) upgrading the equipmentB) encouraging investmentsC) implementing high-techD) providing subsidies6. German chemicals giant BASF saves 200 million a year by________.A) recycling heat and energyB) setting up factories in ChinaC) using the newest technologyD) reducing the CO2 emissions of its plants7. Global residential power consumption can be cut by 43 percent if________.A) we increase the insulation of walls and water pipesB) we choose simpler models of electrical appliancesC) we cut down on the use of refrigerators and other white goodsD) we choose the most efficient models of refigerators and other white goods8. Energy service contractors profit by taking a part of clients’ ________.9. Many environmentalists maintain the view that conservation has much to do with ________.10. The strongest incentives for energy conservation will derive from________.Part ⅢListening Comprehension (35 minutes)本题Section A&B共计25分，每小题1分。
最新 2007年12月大学英语六级考试听力菜鸟必读-精品
2007年12月大学英语六级考试听力菜
鸟必读
本文主要向大家介绍听力短对话的宏观方法，无论四级还是六级，听前的充分预读是必要的，因为只有认真的预读才能找到选项中的规律，另外，短对话必须遵守的一个原则就是：先听到什么不太可能是正确选项，后听到的才可能是正确答案，没听到什么最有可能选择什么!!!以下以六级题为例!!
第一招：相关保留原则
当选项中有两项表达意思相近时，那么正确答案必在这两项之中!这时只需稍微听一听对话，即可知答案，如果出现了双重相关，便可直接确认正确选项，只需听完对话加之认证一下即可!
典型例题： 1999年12月第4题
4. A) Visiting the Browning.
B) writing a postcard
C) Looking for a postcard.
D) Filling in a form.
例题分析：B、C两项均含有 a poscard ，B、D两项均含有写...之意，即B、C和B、D构成双重相关，即可得出B为正确选项!
本题听力原文：
4. M: What\'s the matter? You\'ve been sitting there for ages, just
staring into space.
W: I told the Browning I\'d send them a postcard. Now I don\'t know what to say.
Q: What\'s the woman doing?
第二招：异项保留原则
当选项中出现有意思明显相反的两项时，那么正确答案必在此二项中出现!如果出现双重异项，那么即可判断出正确答案，异项保留原则在六级考试听力短对话中应用广泛!。
六级听力原文(2007.06--2011.06)
包含07年到11年6月的所有的六级听力原文拿它练习校正听力默写~~2007年6月六级听力原文11、W: Jim, you are on the net again! We are going toget off. It's time for the talk show!M: Just a minute dear! I'm looking at a new jewelry site.I want to make sure I get the right gift for mom's birthday.Q: What is the man doing right now?12．W: I've never seen you have such confidence beforein the exam!M: It's more than confidence! Right now I felt that if I got less than an A, it will be the fault of the exam itself. Q: What does the man mean?13．W: Just look at this newspaper! Nothing but murder,death and war! Do you still believe people are basically good?M: Of course I do! But newspapers hardly ever report stories about peace and generosity. They are not news! Q: What do we learn from the conversation?14．M: Tom must be joking when he said he plans to sellhis shop and go to medical school.W: You are quite right! He's just kidding! He's also told me time and time again he wished to study for some profession instead of going into business.Q: What will Tom probably do according to the conversation?15．W: I hear your boss has a real good impression ofyou, and he is thinking about giving you two more days off each month.M: I hope not. I'd rather get more work hours so I can get enough bucks to help out my two kids at college. Q: What does the man truly want?16．M: I heard you took a trip to Mexico last month.How did you like it?W: Oh, I got sick and tired of the hotel and hotel food! So now I understand the thing: East, west, home's best!Q: What does the woman mean?17．W: I m worried about Anna. She's really beendepressed lately. All she does is staying in her room all day.M: That sounds serious! She'd better see a psychiatrist at the counseling centre.Q: What does the man suggest Anna do?18．M: I could hardly recognize Sam after we got thatnew job! He's always in a suit and tie now.W: Yeah. He was never liked that in college. Back then, he went around in old T-shirts and jeans.Q: What does the speaker say about Sam?Conversation 1M: Hi, Anne! Welcome back! How’s your trip to the States?W: Very busy. I had a lot of meetings, so, of course, I didn’t have much time to see New York.M: What a pity! Actually, I have a trip there myself next week.W: Do you? Then take my advice, do the well-being in the air program. It really works.M: Oh, I read about that in a magazine. You say it works?W: Yes, I did the program on the flight to the States, and when I arrived at New York, I didn’t have any problem, no jet lag at all. On the wa y back, I didn’t do it, and I felt terrible.M: You’re joking!W: Not at all, it really meant a lot of difference.M: Em. So what did you do?W: Well, I didn’t drink an alcohol or coffee, and I didn’t eat any meat or rich food. I drink a lot of water, andfresh juice, and I ate the noodles on the well-being menu. They’re lighter. They have fish, vegetables, and noodles, for example, and I did some of the exercises of the program.M: Exercises? On a plane?W: Yes. I didn’t do many, of course, there isn’t much space on a plane.M: How many passengers do the exercises?W: Not many.M: Then how much champagne did they drink?W: A lot! It was more popular than mineral water.M: So, basically, it’s a choice. Mineral water and exercises, or champagne and jet lag.W: That’s right! It’s a difficult choice.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you’ve just heard.19. Why did the woman go to New York?20. What does the woman say about the well-being in the air program?21. What did the woman do to follow the well-being menu?22. What did the woman say about other passengers?Conversation Two:W: Morning. Can I help you?M: Well, I’m not really sure. I’m just looking.W: I see. Well, there’s plenty to look at it again this year. I’m sure you have to walk miles to see each stand.M: That’s true.W: Er…, would you like a coffee? Come and sit down for a minute, no obligation.M: Well, that’s very kind of you, but…W: Now, please. Is this the first year you’ve been to the fair, Mr….M: Yes, Johnson, James Johnson.W: My name’s Susan Carter. Are you looking for anything in particular, or are you interested in computers in general?M: Well, actually, I have some specific jobs in mind. I own a small company, we’ve grown quite dramatically over the past 12 months, and we really need some technological help to enable us to keep on top of everything.W: What’s your line of business, Mr. Johnson?M: We’re a training consultancy.W: I see. And what do you mean “to keep on top”? M: The first thing is correspondence. We have a lot of standard letters and forms. So I suppose we need some kind of word processor.W: Right. Well, that’s no problem. But it may be possible for you to get a system that does a lot of other things in addition to word processing. What might suit youis the MR5000. That’s it over there! It’s IBM compatible.M: What about the price?W: Well, the MR5000 costs 1,050 pounds. Software comes free with the hardware.M: Well, I’ll think about it. Thank you.W: Here’s my ca rd. Please feel free to contact me.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you’ve just heard:23. Where did the conversation take place?24. What are the speakers talking about?25. What is the man’s line of business?PassageP1The new year always brings with the cultural tradition of new possibilities. We see it as a chance for renewal. We begin to dream of new possible selves. We design ourideal self or an image that is quite different from what we are now. For some of us, we roll at dreamy film in our heads just because it’s the beginning of a newyear. But we aren’t serious about making changes. We just make some half-hearted resolution and it evaporates after a week or two. The experience makes us feel lesssuccessful and leads us to discount our ability tochange in the future. It’ not the change is impossible but that it won't lost unless our resolutions are supportedwith plans for implementation. We have to make our intentions manageable by detailing the specific steps that will carry us to our goal. Say your goal is to loseweight by dieting and cutting off sweets. But one night you just have to have a cookie. And you know there’s a bag of your favorites in the cupboard. You want one,you eat two, you check the bag and find out you’ve just shot 132 calories. You say to yourself, “What the hell!” and polish off the whole bag. Then you begin todraw all kinds of unpleasant conclusions about yourself. To protect your sense of self, you begin to discount the goal. You may think –“Well, dieting wasn’t thatimportant to me and I won’t make it anyhow.” So you abandon the goal and return to your bad habits.26 What do people usually wish to do at the beginning of a new year?27 How can people turn their new year’s resoluti ons into reality?28 Why does the speaker mention the example of sweets and cookies?P225 years ago, Ray Anderson, a single parent with a one-year-old son witnessed a terrible accident which took place when the driver of a truck ran a red light andcollided with the car of Sandra (?). The impact of the collision killed Sandra instantly. But her three-month-old daughter was left trapped in the burning car. Whileothers looked on in horror, Andersen jumped out of his vehicle and crawled into the car through the shadowed rear window to try to free the infant. Seconds later, thecar was enclosed in flames. But to everyone’s amazement, Andersen was able to pull the baby to safety. While the baby was all right, Andersen was seriously injured.Two days later he died. But his heroic act was published widely in the media. His son was soon adopted by relatives. The most remarkable part of the story unfoldedonly last week. Karen and her boyfriend Michael were looking through some old boxes when they came across some old newspaper clippings. “This is me when I was a newborn baby. I was rescued from a burning car. But my mother died in the accident,” explained Karen. Although Michael knew Karen’s mother had died years earlier, henever fully understood the circumstances until he skimmed over the newspaper article. To Karen’s surprise, Michael was absorbed in the details of the accident. And hebegan to cry uncontrollably. Then he revealed that the man that pulled Karen from the flames was the father he never knew. The two embraced and shed many tears,recounting stories told to them about their parents.29 What happened twenty-five years ago?30 What does the speaker say about Michael’s father?31 Why did Michael cry uncontrollably when he skimmed over the newspaper article?P3Americans suffer from an overdose of work. Regardless of who they are or what they do. Americans spend more time at work than that any time since World War II. In1950, the US had fewer working hours than any other industrialized country. Today, it exceeds every country but Japan where industrialized employees load 2155 hours ayear compared with 1951 in the US and 1603 in the former West Germany. Between 1969 and 1989, employed Americans add an average of 138 hours to their yearly workschedules. The workweek has remained above 40 hours. But people are working more weeks each year. Specifically pay time off holidays, vacations, sick leave shrank by50% in the 1980s. As corporations have experienced stiff competitions and slow in growth of productivity, they have pressed employees to work longer. Cost-cuttinglay-offs in the 1980s reduce the professional and managerial runs, leaving fewer people to get the job done. In lower paid occupations where wages have been reduced,workers have added hours in overtime or extra jobs to preserve their living standards. The government estimates that more than 7 million people hold a second job. Forthe first time, large numbers of people say they want to cut back on working hours even it means earning less money. But most employers are unwilling to let them doso. The government which has stepped back from its traditional role as a regulator of work time should take steps to make shorter hours possible.Question 32-35 are ba sed on the passage you’ve just heard32. In which country do industrial employees work the longest hours?33. How do employed Americans manage to work more hours?34. Why do corporations press their employees to work longer hours according to the speaker?35. What does the speaker say many Americans prefer to do?Compound dictation Nursing, as a typically female profession, must deal constantly with the false impression that nurses are there to wait on the physician. As nurses, we are licensed toprovide nursing care only. We do not have any legal or moral obligation to any physician. We provide health teaching, assess physical as well as emotional problems,coordinate patient related services, and make all our nursing decisions based upon what is best or suitable for the patient. If in any circumstance we feel that aphysician's order is inappropriate or unsafe, we have a legal responsibility to question that order, or refuse to carry it out. Nursing is not a nine-to-five job withevery weekend off. All nurses are aware of that before they enter the profession. The emotional and physical stress, however, that occurs due to odd working hours is aprime reason for a large of the career dissatisfaction. It is sometimes required that we work overtime,and that we change shifts four or five times a month. Thatdisturbs our personal lives, destruct our sleeping and eating habits, and isolates us from everything except job related friends and activities. The quality of nursingcare is being affected dramatically by these situations. Most hospitals are now staffed by new graduates, as experienced nurses finally give up trying to change thesystem. Consumers of medically related services have evidently not been affected enough yet to demand changes in our medical system. But if trends continue aspredicted, they will find that most critical hospital care will be provided by new, inexperienced, and sometimes inadequately trained nurses.2007年12月六级英语考试原文短对话11 M：The biological project is now in trouble, you know,my colleague and I have completely different ideas about how to proceed.W：Why don’t you compromise? Try to make it a win-win situation for you both.Q：What does the woman suggest the man do?12 M：How does Nancy like the new dress she bought in Rome?W：She said she would never have bought an Italianstyle dress if she had known Mary had already got such a dress.Q：What do we learn from the conversation?13 M：You are not going to do all those dishes before weleave, are you? If we don’t pick up George and Martha in 25 minutes we will never get to the theater on time.W：Oh, didn’t I tell you, Martha called to say herdaughter was ill and they could not go tonightQ：What is the woman probably going to do first?14M ：You’ve been hanging on to the phone for quite awhile, who were you talking with?W：Oh, it was Sally, you know, she always has the latestnews in town and can’t wait to talk it over with me.Q：What do we learn about Sally from the conversation? 15W：It has always been hard to get this car into first gear, and now the clutch seems to be slipping.M：If you leave the car with me, I will fix it for you this afternoon.Q：Who is the woman probably speaking to?16M：Kate, why does the downtown area look deserted now?W：Well, there used to be some really good stores, but lots of them moved out to the mall.Q：What do we learn from the conversation?17W :I found the lounge such a cozy place to study in. I really like the feeling in sitting on the sofa and doing the reading.M: Well, for me the hardest part about studying here is staying awake.Q：What does the man mean?18W: These mosquitoes bite are killing me. I can’t help scratching.M: Next time you go camping, take some precaution, say wearing long sleevesQ: Why does the man suggest the woman wear long sleeves?2007年12月六级英语考试长对话原文Conversation One:M: Hello, and welcome to our program, “Working Abroad”. Our guest this evening is a Londoner, who lives and works in Italy. Her name’s Susan Hill. Susan, welcome tothe program. You live in Florence, how long have you been living there?W: Since 1982. But when I went there in 1982, I planned to stay for only 6 months.M: Why did you change your mind?W: Well, I’m a designer, I design leather goods, mainly shoes, and handbags. Soon after I arrived in Florence, I got a job with one of Italy’s top fashion houses,Ferregamo. So, I decided to stay.M: How lucky! Do you still work for Ferregamo?W: No, I’ve been a freelance desig ner for quite a long time now. Since 1988, in fact.M: So does that mean you design for several different companies now?W: Yes, that’s right. I’ve designed many fashion items for a number of Italian companies, and during last four years, I’ve also been d esigning for the Britishcompany, Burberry’s.M: What have you been designing for them?W: Mostly handbags, and small leather goods.M: Has the fashion industry in Italy changed since 1982? W: Oh, yes. It’s become a lot more competitive. Because of quality of products from other countries has improved a lot. But it’s high quality and design is stillworld-famous.M: And do you ever think of returning to live in England?W: No, not really. Working in Italy is more interesting. I also love the Mediterranean sun and the Italian life style.M: Well, thank you for talking to us, Susan.W: It was a pleasure.19. Where does this talk most probably take place?20. What was the woman’s original plan when she went to Florence?21. What has the woman been doing for a living since 1988?22. What do we learn about the change in Italy’s fashion industry?Long conversation 2M: So, Claire, you’re into drama!W: Yes, I have a master’s degree in drama and theatre. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D program. M: What excites you about drama?W: Well, I find it’s a communicative way to study people and you learn how to read people in drama. So usually I can understand what people are saying even thoughthey might be lying.M: That would be useful.W: Yeah, it’s very useful for me as well. I’m in Engli sh lecture, so use a lot of drama in my classes such as role plays. And I ask my students to create mini-dramas. They really respond well. At the moment, I’m hoping to get onto a Ph.D course. I’d like to concentrate on Asian drama and try to bring Asian theatre to theworld’s attention. I don’t know how successful I would be, but, here’s hoping.M: Oh, I’m sure you’ll be successful. Now, Claire, what do you do for stage fright?W: Ah, stage fright! Well, many actors have that problem. I get stage fright every time I’m going to teach a new class. The night before, I usually can’t sleep.M: What? For teaching?W: Yes. I get really bad stage fright. But the minute I step into the classroom or get onto the stage, it just all falls into place. Then I just feel like: Yeah, thisis what I mean to do. And I’m fine.M: Wow, that’s cool!23. Why does the woman find study in drama and theatre useful?24. How did the woman’s students respond to her way of teaching English?25. What does the woman say about her stage fright?2007年12月六级英语考试段子题原文Passage 1In January 1989, the Community of European Railways presented their proposal for a high speedpan-European train network extending from Sweden to Sicily,and fromPortugal to Poland by the year 2020. If their proposal becomes a reality, it will revolutionize train travel in Europe. Journeys between major cities will take halfthe time they take today. Brussels will be only one and a half hours from Paris. The quickest way to get from Paris to Frankfurt, from Barcelona to Madrid will be bytrain, not plane. When the network is complete, it will integrate three types of railway line: totally new high speed lines with trains operating at speeds of 300kilometers per hour, upgraded lines which allow for speeds up to 200 to 225 kilometers per hour,and existing lines for local connections and distribution of freight.If businesspeople can choose between a three-hour train journey from city-center to city-center and a one-hour flight, they’ll choose the train,says an executivetravel consultant. They won’t go by plane any more. If you calculate flight time, check-inand travel to-and-from the airport, you’ll find almost no difference. Andif your plane arrives late due to bad weather or air traffic jams or strikes, then the train passengers will arrive at their destination first. Since France introducedthe first 260-kilometer-per-hour high speed train service between Parisand Lyons in 1981, the trains have achieved higher and higher speeds. On many routes, airlineshave lost up to 90% of their passengers to high speed trains. If people accept the Community of European Railways’ plan, the 21 century will be the new age of thetrain.26. What is the proposal presented by the Community of European Railways? 27. What will happen when the proposal becomes a reality?28. Why will business people prefer a three-hour train journey to a one-hour flight?29. When did France introduce the first high speed train service?Passage 2Western doctors are beginning to understand what traditional healers have always known that the body and the mind are inseparable. Until recently, modern urbanphysicians heal the body, psychiatrist the mind, and priests the soul. However, the medical world is now paying more attention to holistic medicine which is anapproach based on the belief that people state of mind can make them sick or speed their recovery from sickness. Several study show that the effectiveness of a certaindrug often depends on the patient’s expectat ions of it. For example, in one recent study, psychiatrist and a major hospital tried to see how patients could be madecalm. They divided them into two groups. One group was given a drug while the other group received a harmless substance instead of medicine without their knowledge.Surprisingly, more patients in the second group showed the desired effect than those in the first group. In study after study, there’s a positive reaction in almostone-third of the patients taking harmless substances. How was this possible? How can such a substance have an effect on the body? Evidence from a 1997 study at theUniversity of California shows that several patients who received such substances were able to produce their own natural drug, that is, as they took thesubstancetheir brains released natural chemicals that act like a drug. Scientists theorized that the amount of these chemicals released by a person’s brain quite possiblyindicates how much faith the person has in his or her doctor.Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you’ve just heard:30. According to the speaker, what are western doctors beginning to understand?31. What does the recent study at a major hospital seem to prove?32. What evidence does the 1997 study at the University of California produce?Passage 3So we’ve already talked a bit about the growth of extreme sports like rock-climbing. As psychologists, we need to ask ourselves: Why is this person doing this? Why dopeople take these risks and put themselves in danger w hen they don’t have to? One common trait among risk-takers is that they enjoy strong feelings or sensations. Wecall this trait sensation-seeking. A sensation-seeker is someone who’s always looking for new sensations. What else do we know about sensation-seekers? Well, as Isaid, sensation-seekers like strong emotions. You can see this trait in many parts of a person’s life, not just in extreme sports. For example, many sensation-seekersenjoy hard rock music. They like the loud sound and strong emotion of the songs. Similarly, sensation-seekers enjoy frightening horror movies. They like the feeling ofbeing scared and horrified while watching the movie. This feeling is even stronger for extreme sports where the person faces real danger. Sensation-seekers feel the danger is very exciting. In addition, sensation-seekers like new experiences that force them to push their personal limits. For them, repeating the same thingseveryday is boring. Many sensation-seekers choose jobs that involve risk, such as starting a new business or being an emergency room doctor. These jobs are differenteveryday, so th ey never know what will happen. That’s why many sensation-seekers also like extreme sports. When you do rock-climbing, you never know what will happen.The activity is always new and different.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you’ve just heard:33. According to the speaker, what is a common trait among risk-takers?34. What do sensation-seekers find boring?35. What is the speaker’s profession?2007年12月六级英语考试复合式听写原文If you are like most people, you’ve indulged in fake listening many times. You go to history class, sit in the 3rd row, and look squarely at the instructor as shespeaks. But your mind is far away, floating i n the clouds of pleasant daydreams. Occasionally you come back to earth. The instructor writes an important term on thechalkboard, and you dutifully copy it in your notebook. Every once in a while the instructor makes a witty remark, causing others in the class to laugh. You smilepolitely, pretending that you’ve heard the remark and found it mildly humorous. You have a vague sense of guilt that you aren’t paying close attention. But you tellyourself that any material you miss can be picked up from a friend’s notes. Besides, the instructor’s talkingabout road construction in ancient Rome, and nothingcould be more boring. So back you go into your private little world, only later do you realize you’ve missed important information for a test. Fake listening may beeasily exposed, since many speakers are sensitive to facial cuesand can tell if you’re merely pretending to listen. Your blank expression, and the faraway look inyour eyes are the cues that betray you inattentiveness. Even if you are not exposed there’s another reason to avoid fakery. It’s easy for this behavior to become ahabit. For some people, the habit is so deeply rooted that they automatically start daydreaming when a speaker begins talking on something complex or uninteresting. Asa result, they miss lots of valuable information2008年6月英语六级听力原文Section A11. M: Good news, I’m not going to have surgery after all. The doctor says I can start working out again soon and maybe play football like before in a few weeks. W: That’s terrific. It would be great if you could get back in shape in time for the World Cup.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?12. M: I really need to make some extra money. You know I’ve practically spent my entire budget for this semester.W: Why not check out the new cafeteria at Market Street? I think there are still a few openings suitable for seniors like you.Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?13. M: I hear John left his cat in your care while he’s on vacation abroad. How are you getting along with it? W: Well, it never comes when I call it. It spills its food and sheds all over the place. I can’t wait till John gets back.Q: How does the woman find the cat?14. W: Hello, Professor White, I got my grade in the mail this morning, but I think there might be a mistake in my mark.M: Yeah, I’ve got several calls just like yours. There must be a problem with the computing system. It should be straightened out in a couple of hours.Q: What does the man mean?15. M: Professor Johnson, last night when I was putting the finishing touches on my paper, a computer failure completely wiped out my files, do you think I can haveanother day to retype it?W: I’m sorry, Rod. I’m leaving for a conference tomorrow and I’ll be away two weeks. I suppose you could send me an E-copy.Q: Why does the man say he can’t submit his assignment on time?16. W: I just called the travel agency, it’s all set. On June l st, we are heading for the mountains and will be camping there for a whole week.M: Have you checked the academic calendar? My clas ses aren’t over until the 8th.Q: What does the man imply?17. W: I thought there was still time for me to apply for a student loan. But someone just told me that the closing date was last Tuesday.M: Are you sure? I thought we still had another mont h. Wait, I’ve got a brochure right here. Last Tuesday was the opening date.Q: What does the man imply?18. W: Look at all the pollutants going into the air from those factories. Do you think they’ll ever get that under control?M: Now with the new laws in effect and social awareness increasing, we are sure to turn things around.Q: What does the man mean?Conversation OneW: Tell me, Peter, what makes Harrods so famous? M: Well, it’s the biggest department store in the UK. And its food hall and the Egyptian hall are very famous. People come to Harrods just to see them.W: What is special about the food hall?M: It sells many different kinds of food. For example, it has 250 kinds of cheese from all over the world and more than 180 kinds of bread. Customers also love all。
2007-12英语听力
2007-12 11.W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her from high school?M: Yeah, she was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of weight?Q: What does the man remember of Sally?12.W: We don’t seem to have a reservation for you, sir. I’m sorry.M: But my secretary said that she had reserved a room for me here. I phoned her from the airport this morning just before I got on board the plane.Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?13.W: What would you do if you were in my place?M: If Paul were my son, I’d just not worry. Now that his teacher is giving him extra help and he is working hard himself, he’s sure to do well in the next exam.Q: What’s the man’s suggestion to the woman?14.M: You’ve had your hands full and have been overworked during the last two weeks. I think you really need to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine.W: You are right. That’s just what I am thinking about.Q: What’s the woman most probably going to do?15.W: Hello, John. How are you feeling now? I hear you’ve been ill.M: They must have confused me with my twin brother Rod. He’s been sick all week, but I’ve never felt better in my life.Q: What do we learn about the man?16.M: Did you really give away all your furniture when you moved into the new house last month?W: Just the useless pieces, as I’m planning to purchase a new set from Italy for the sitting room only.Q: What does the woman mean?17.M: I’ve brought back your Oxford Companion to English literature. I thought you might use it for your paper. Sorry not to have returned it earlier.W: I was wondering where that book was.Q: What can we infer from that conversation?18.W: To tell the truth, Tony, it never occurs to me that you are an athlete.M: Oh, really? Most people who meet me, including some friends of mine, don’t think so either.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?Now you’ll hear the two long conversations.Conversation OneM: Mary, I hope you are packed and ready to leave.W: Yes, I’m packed, but not quite ready. I can’t find my passport.M: Your passport? That’s the one thing you mustn’t leave behind.W: I know. I haven’t lost it. I’ve packed it, but I can’t remember which bag it’s in.M: Well, you have to find it at the airport. Come on, the taxi is waiting.W: Did you say taxi? I thought we were going in your car.M: Yes, well, I had planned to, but I’ll explain later. You’ve got to be there in an hour.W: The plane doesn’t leave for two hours. Anyway, I’m ready to go now.M: Now you are taking just one case, is that right?W: No, there is one in the hall as well.M: Gosh, what a lot of stuff!You are taking enough for a month instead of a week.W: Well, you can’t depend on the weather. It might be cold.M: It’s never cold in Rome. Certainly not in May. Come on, we really must go.W: Right, we are ready. We’ve got the bags, I’m sure there is no need to rush.M: There is.I asked the taxi driver to wait two minutes, not twenty.W: Look, I’m supposed to be going away to relax. You are making me nervous.M: Well, I want you to relax on holiday, but you can’t relax yet.W: OK, I promise not to relax, at least not until we get to the airport and I find my passport. Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. What does the woman say about her passport?20. What do we know about the woman’s trip?21. Why does the man urge the woman to hurry?22. Where does the conversation most probably take place?Conversation TwoW: Oh, I’m fed up with my job.M: Hey, there is a perfect job for you in the paper today. You might be interested.W: Oh, what is it? What do they want?M: Wait a minute. Eh, here it is. The European Space Agency is recruiting translators.W: The European Space Agency?M: Well, that’s what it says. They need an English translator to work from French or German. W: So they need a degree in French or German, I suppose. Well, I’ve got that. What’s more, I have plenty of experience. What else are they asking for?M: Just that. A university degree and three or four years’ experience as a translator in a professional environment. They also say the person should have a lively and enquiring mind, effective communication skills and the ability to work individually or as a part of the team. W: Well, if I stay at my present job much longer, I won’t have any mind or skills left. By the way, what about salary? I just hope it isn’t lower than what I get now.M: It’s said to be negotiable. It depends on the applicant’s education and experience. In addition to basic salary,there is a list of extra benefits. Have a look yourself.W: Hm, travel and social security plus relocation expenses are paid. Hey, this isn’t b ad. I really want the job.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. Why is the woman trying to find a new job?24. What position is being advertised in the paper?25. What are the key factors that determine the salary of the new position?Section BPassage OneWhen couples get married, they usually plan to have children. Sometimes, however, a couple can not have a child of their own. In this case, they may decide to adopt a child. In fact, adoption is very common today. There are about 60,000 adoptions each year in the United States alone. Some people prefer to adopt infants, others adopt older children. Some couples adopt children from their own countries, others adopt children from foreign countries. In any case, they all adopt children for the same reason: they care about children and want to give their adopted child a happy life. Most adopted children know that they are adopted. Psychologists and child-care experts generally think this is a good idea. However, many adopted children or adoptees have very little information about their biological parents. As a matter of fact, it is often very difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents, because the birth records of most adoptees are usually sealed. The information is secret, so no one can see it. Naturally, adopted children have different feelings about their birth parents. Many adoptees want to search for them, but others do not. The decision to search for birth parents is a difficult one to make. Most adoptees have mixed feelings about finding their biological parents. Even though adoptees do not know about their natural parents, they do know that their adopted parents want them, love them and will care for them.Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. According to the speaker, why do some couples adopt children?27. Why is it difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents?28. Why do many adoptees find it hard to make the decision to search for their birth parents?29. What can we infer from the passage?Passage TwoKatherine Gram graduated from the University of Chicago in 1938 and got a job as a news reporter in San Francisco. Katherine’s father used to be a successful investment banker. In 1933, he bought a failing newspaper, the Washington Post. Then Katherine returned to Washington and got a job, editing letters in her father’s newspaper. She married Phillip Gram, who took over his father-in-law’s position shortly after and became a publisher of the Washington Post. But for many years, her husband suffered from mental illness and he killed himself in 1963. After her husband’s death, Katherine operated the newspaper. In the 1970s, the newspaper became famous around the world and Katherine was also recognized as an important leader in newspaper publishing. She was the first woman to head a major American publishing company, the Washington Post Company. In a few years, she successfully expanded the company to include newspaper, magazine, broadcast and cable companies. She died of head injuries after a fall when she was 84. More than three thousand people attended her funeral, including many government and business leaders. Her friends said she would be remembered as a woman who had an important influence on events in the United States and the world. Kat herine once wrote, “The world without newspapers would not be the same kind of world.” After her death, the employees of the Washington Post wrote, “The world without Katherine would not be the same at all.”Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. What do we learn from the passage about Katherine’s father?31. What does the speaker tell us about Katherine Gram?32. What does the comment by employees of the Washington Post suggest?Passage ThreeObtaining good health insurance is a real necessity while you are studying overseas. It protects you from minor and major medical expenses that can wipe out not only your savings but your dreams of an education abroad. There are often two different types of health insurance you can consider buying, international travel insurance and student insurance in the country where you will be going. An international travel insurance policy is usually purchased in your home country before you go abroad. It generally covers a wide variety of medical services and you are often given a list of doctors in the area where you will travel who may even speak your native language. The drawback might be that you may not get your money back immediately. In other words, you may have to pay all your medical expenses and then later submit your receipt to the insurance company. On the other hand, getting student health insurance in the country where you will study might allow you to only pay a certain percentage of the medical cost at the time of service and thus you don’t have to have sufficient cash to pay the entire bill at once. Whatever you decide, obtaining some form of health insurance is something you should consider before you go overseas. You shouldn’t wait until you are sick with major medical bills to pay off.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. Why does the speaker advise overseas students to buy health insurance?34. What is the drawback of students buying international travel insurance?35. What does the speaker say about students getting health insurance in the country where they will study?Section CM: More and more of the world’s population are living in towns or cities. The speed at which cities are growing in the less developed countries is alarming. Between 1920 and 1960, big cities in developed countries increased two and a half times in size, but in other parts of the world the growth was eight times their size. The sheer size of growth is bad enough, but there are now also very disturbing signs of trouble in the comparison of percentages of people living in towns and percentages of people working in industry. During the 19th century, cities grew as a result of the growth of industry. In Europe, the proportion of people living in cities was always smaller than that of the workforce working in factories. Now, however, the reverse is almost always true in the newly industrialized world: The percentage of people living in cities is much higher than the percentage working in industry. Without a base of people working in industry, these cities cannot pay for their growth; there is not enough money to build adequate houses for the people that live there, let alone the new arrivals. There has been little opportunity to build water supplies or other facilities. So the figures for the growth of towns and cities represent proportional growth of unemployment and underemployment, a growth in the number of hopeless and despairing parents and starving children.This is the end of listening comprehension.。
2007年12月英语四级真题听力原文
2007年12月英语四级真题听力原文Part III Listening Comprehension11. W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her from high school?M: Yeah, she was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of weight?Q: What does the man remember of Sally?12. W: We don’t seem to have a reservation for you, sir. I’m sorry.M: But my secretary said that she had reserved a room for me here. I phoned her from the airport this morning just before I got on board the plane.Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?13. W: What would you do if you were in my place?M: If Paul were my son, I’d just not worry. Now that his teacher is giving him extra help and he is working hard himself, he’s sure to do well in the next exam.Q: What’s the man’s suggestion to the woman?14. M: You’ve had your hands full and have been overworked during the last two weeks. I think you really need to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine.W: You are right. That’s just what I’m thinking about.Q: What’s the woman most probably going to do?15. W: Hello, John. How are you feeling now? I hear you’ve been ill.M: They must have confused me with my twin brother Rod. He’s been sick all week, but I’ve never felt better in my life.Q: What do we learn about the man?16. M: Did you really give away all your furniture when you moved into the new house last month?W: Just the useless pieces, as I’m planning to purchase a new set from Italy for the sitting room only.Q: What does the woman mean?17. M: I’ve brought back your Oxford Companion to English Literature.I thought you might use it for your paper. Sorry not to have returned it earlier.W: I was wondering where that book was.Q: What can we infer from that conversation?18. W: To tell the truth, Tony, it never occurs to me that you are an athlete.M: Oh, really? Most people who meet me, including some friends of mine, don’t think so either.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?Conversation OneM: Mary, I hope you are packed and ready to leave.W: Yes, I’m packed, but not quite ready. I can’t find my passport.M: Your passport? That’s the one thing you mustn’t leave behind.W: I know. I haven’t lost it. I’ve packed it, but I can’t remember which bag it’s in.(19)M: Well, you have to find it at the airport. Come on, the taxi is waiting.(21)W: Did you say taxi? I thought we were going in your car.M: Yes, well, I had planned to, but I’ll explain later. You’ve got to be there in an hour.W: The plane doesn’t leave for two hours. Anyway, I’m ready to go now.M: Now you are taking just one case, is that right?W: No, there is one in the hall（客厅、门厅）as well. (22)M: Gosh, what a lot of stuff! You’re taking enough for a month instead of a week. (20)W: Well, you can’t depend on the weather. It might be cold.M: It’s never cold in Rome. Certainly not in May. Come on, we really must go.W: Right, we are ready. We’ve got the bags. I’m sure there is no need to rush. (21)M: There is. I asked the taxi driver to wait two minutes, not twenty. (21)W: Look, I’m supposed to be going away to relax. You’re making me nervous.M: Well, I want you to relax on holidays, but you can’t relax yet.W: OK, I promise not to relax, at least not until we get to the airport and I find my passport.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. What does the woman say about her passport?20. What do we know about the woman’s trip?21. Why does the man urge the woman to hurry?22. Where does the conversation most probably take place?Conversation TwoW: Oh, I’m fed up with my job. (23)M: Hey, there is a perfect job for you in the paper today. You might be interested.W: Oh, what is it? What do they want? (24)M: Wait a minute. Er, here it is. The European Space Agency is recruiting translators. (24)W: The European Space Agency?M: Well, that’s what it says. They need an English translator to work for French or German. (24)W: So they need a degree in French or German, I suppose. Well, I’ve got that. What’s more, I have plenty of experience. What else are they asking for?M: Just that. A university degree and three or four years of experience as a translator in a professional environment, They also say the person should have a lively and enquiring mind, effective communication skills and the ability to work individually or as a part of the team.W: Well, if I stay at my present job much longer, I won’t have any mind or skills left. By the way, what about salary? I just hope it isn’t lower than what I get now.M: It’s said to be negotiable. It depends on the applicant’s education and experience. (25) In addition to basic salary, there is a list of extra benefits. Have a look yourself.W: Hmm, travel and social security plus relocation expenses are paid. Hey this isn’t bad. I really want the job.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard23. Why is the woman trying to find a new job?24. What position is being advertised in the paper?25. What are the key factors that determine the salary of the new position?Section BPassage OneWhen couples get married, they usually plan to have children. Sometimes, however, a couple can not have achild of their own. In this case, they may decide to adopt a child. In fact, adoption is very common today. There are about 60 thousand adoptions each year in the United States alone. Some people prefer to adopt infants, others to adopt older children. Some couples adopt children from their own countries, others adopt children from foreign countries. In any case, they all adopt children for the same reason——they care about children and want to give their adopted child a happy life. (26)Most adopted children know that they are adopted. Psychologists and child-care experts generally think this is a good idea. However, many adopted children or adoptees have very little information about their biological parents. As a matter of fact, it is often very difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents because the birth records of most adoptees are usually sealed.(27) The information is secret so no one can see it.(27) Naturally, adopted children have different feelings about their birth parents. Many adoptees want to search for them, but others do not. The decision to search for birth parents is a difficult one to make. Most adoptees have mixed feelings about finding their biological parents. (28) Even though adoptees do not know about their natural parents, they do know that their adopted parents want them, love them and will care for them. (29)Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard26. According to the speaker, why do some couples adopt children?27. Why is it difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents?28. Why do many adoptees find it hard to make the decision to search for their birth parents?29. What can we infer from the passage?Passage TwoCatherine Gram graduated from the University of Chicago in 1938 and got a job as a news reporter in san Francisco. Catherine’s father used to be a successful investment banker. In 1933, he bought a failing newspaper, The Washington Post.(30)Then Catherine returned to Washington and got a job, editing letters in her father’s newspaper. She married Philip Gram, who took over his father-in-law’s position shortly after and became a publisher of The Washington Post. But for many years, her husband suffered from mental illn ess and he killed himself in 1963. After her husband’s death, Catherine operated the newspaper. In the 1970s, the newspaper became famous around the world and Catherine was also recognized as an important leader in newspaper publishing. She was the first woman to head a major American publishing company, the Washington Post company. (31) In a few years, she successfully expanded the company to include newspaper, magazine, broadcast and cable companies.She died of head injuries after a fall when she was 84. More than 3 thousand people attended her funeral, including many government and business leaders. Her friends said she would be remembered as a woman who had an important influence on events in the United States and the world. Catherine once wrote, “The w orld without newspapers would not be the same kind of world.” After her death, the employees of the Washington Post wrote, “The world without Catherine would not be the same at all.”(32)Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard30. What do we learn from the passage about Catherine’s father?31. What does the speaker tell us about Catherine Gram?32. What does the comment by employees of The Washington Post suggest?Passage ThreeObtaining good health insurance is a real necessity while you are studying overseas. It protects you from minor and major medical expenses that can wipe out not only your savings but your dreams of an education abroad.(33) There are often two different types of health insurance you can consider buying, international travel insurance and student insurance in the country where you will be going.An international travel insurance policy is usually purchased in your home country before you go abroad. It generally covers a wide variety of medical services and you are often given a list of doctors in the area where you will travel who may even speak your native language. The drawback mightbe that you may not get your money back immediately, (34) in other words, you may have to pay all you medical expenses and then later submit your receipts to the insurance company.On the other hand, getting student heath insurance in the country where you will study might allow you to only pay a certain percentage of the medical cost at the time of the service and thus you don’t have to have sufficient cash to pay the entire bill at once. (35) Whatever you decide, obtaining some form of health insurance is something you should consider before you go overseas. You shouldn’t wait until you are sick with a major medical bills to pay off.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard33. Why does the speaker advise the overseas students to buy health insurance?34. What is the drawback of the students, buying international travel insurance?35. What does the speake r say about students’ getting health insurance in the country where they will study?Section C Compound DictationMore and more of the world’s population are living in towns or cities. The speed at which cities are growing in the less developed countries is alarming (36). Between 1920 and 1960 big cities in developed countries increased (37) two and a half times in size, but in other parts of the world the growth was eight times their size.The sheer (38) size of growth is bad enough, but there are now also very disturbing (39) signs of trouble in the comparison (40) of percentages of people living in towns and percentages of people working in industry, During the nineteenth century, cities grew as a result of the growth of industry. In Europe the proportion (41) of people living in ci8ties was always smaller than that of the workforce (42) working in factories. Now, however, the reverse (43) is almost always true in the newly industrialized world: The percentage of people living in cities is much higher than the percentage working in industry.(44)Without a base of people working in industry, these cities cannot pay for their growth; There is not enough money to build adequate houses for the people that live there, let alone the new arrivals. (45) There has been little opportunity to build water supplies or other facilities. So the figures for the growth of towns and cities represent proportional growth of unemployment and underemployment, (46) a growth in the number of hopeless and despairing parents and starving children.。
2007年12月英语六级考试听力训练原文(含MP3)
Directions:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A) B) C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11.W: I'm not going swimming in the lake unless it warms up outside today.M: Me neither. Unfortunately I think it's supposed to stay this cold all day.Q: What can be inferred about the speakers?12.M: That sweater is so unusual and yet it looks familiar. Did I just see you wearing it yesterday?W: Well, not me. But...see, it belongs to my roommate Jill and she is in your chemistry class.Q: What does the woman imply?13.W: This toothache is killing me! I was hoping it would just go away but it's getting worse by the minute. What did you say the name of your dentist was?M: I told you last week to make that appointment.Q: What does the man imply?14.M: You wanna go to a lecture tonight over in the science auditorium? It's some guy who spent a year living in Antarctica.W: No kidding! I'm doing a report on Antarctica for my geography class. Maybe I can get some good information to add to it.Q: What does the woman mean?15.W: I'd really like to learn how to play chess, but it looks so complicated. It seems like it will take a really long time to learn.M: Well, it takes a long time to get good at it, but we can go over the basics this afternoon if you want.Q: What does the man imply?16.M: Do you think you can lend me that novel when you are finished with it?I've been looking all over for a copy, but apparently it sold out at all the bookstores.W: Oh, it's not mine, it belongs to Alice, but I¨ll see what she says.Q: What will the woman probably do?17.W: Hmm...are you going to try some of this chocolate pudding? It's incredible.M: Well, to be honest with you, I've never been a big fan of chocolate.Q: What does the man imply?18.W: Why don't we go catch the new Italian film at the Pine Street cinema?M: That's a little out of the way, don't you think? It's playing just up the street of the Grow of Two, you know.Q: What does the man suggest they do?W:Hi, Greg. What a coincidence to see you, here?M:Yeah, I¨m working night shift today. What are you doing here?W:Well, I¨m trying to look for a book but it has been lent out for the last three weeks. I thought I would try my luck today, but it was all for not. I know it¨s overdue according to the computer. Just hope the borrower won¨t hang on to the book for too long.M:What kind of book is it that you wanted so much?W:You might not believe this. But I¨m into astronomy and the book I want to read is by Stephen Hawking who writes about the creation of the universe. Did you notice my puffy eyes? I have been staying up late at night to see the sky and stars.M:When did you get involved with the universe? I never expect you of all people to have the patience to watch the sky, let alone staying up all night. No wonder you were dozing off during the lecture this morning.W:I know it¨s embarrassing. But I¨m really interested in the mystery of the universe and I¨m thinking perhaps I¨m in the wrong major. I should switch to physics instead of taking drama. But that would mean a totally 180 degree switch from one end to the other.M:Are you serious? You just started your sky adventure not long ago. Perhaps it¨s just a temporary phase you are going through.W:No, in fact, I have always been fascinated by what¨s out there. It¨s just that I don¨t have the opportunity to explore and discover what it¨s all about.M:Sounds like you¨re very sure of what you want. Hey, but remember you probably will lose quite a few credits if you change your major.W:I realize that. But I think it¨s better to go with my feeling than to regret it later.M:Well, good luck. Maybe one day you¨ll be able to locate a comet and have it named after you.Question No. 19 What is the woman¨s problem?Question No. 20 Why is the man surprised by the woman¨s interest in astronomy?Question No. 21 Why is the man worried about the woman¨s desire to change major?Question No. 22 How does the woman justify her decision?W:Stan, do you have a minute?M: Oh, hi, Cathy. Sure. What¨s up?W:Well. I¨ve been meaning to talk to you about the situation in the office.M:I¨m not there very often. It¨s so noisy that I can¨t work.W:That¨s exactly what I¨m getting at. We¨re supposed to be able to do our preparation and marking in that office, but have you noticed that Jack constantly has students coming in to get help with his course? Lots of people are going in and out.M:Has anybody spoken to him about it?W:No, not yet, but someone¨s going to have to.M:We can¨t really ask him to stop having students come in for help, can we?W:No, of course not. But I¨m not able to do my work and neither are you. I imagine it¨s the same for the others in the office.M:Hmmm, could we ask for a kind of meeting room? When TAs have to talk with students, they can go to the meeting room instead of using the office. You know, there¨s room down the hall, a rather small room, which we could ask to use. It¨s only for storing supplies.W:You mean that little storage room? Oh, that would be too small.M:Are you sure? With the cabinets taken out, it might be bigger than it looks.W:Come to think of it, you may be on to something. I¨d like to have a look at that room. Can we go there now?M:Sure. Let¨s go.Question No. 23 What problem at the office are Cathy and Stan discussing?Question No. 24 Why do Jack¨s students come to see him?Question No. 25 What does Stan suggest they do?。
六级07年的12份的听力文档
11、 W: Jim, you are on the net again! We are going to get off. It s time for the talk show!M: Just a minute dear! I m looking at a new jewelry site. I want to make sure I get the right gift for mom s birthday.Q: What is the man doing right now?12．W: I ve never seen you have such confidence before in the exam!M: It s more than confidence! Right now I felt that if I got less than an A, it will be the fault of the exam itself.Q: What does the man mean?13．W: Just look at this newspaper! Nothing but murder, death and war! Do you still believe people are basically good?M: Of course I do! But newspapers hardly ever report stories about peace and generosity. They are not news!Q: What do we learn from the conversation?14．M: Tom must be joking when he said he plans to sell his shop and go to medical school.W: You are quite right! He s just kidding! He s also told me time and time again he wished to study for some profession instead of going into business.Q: What will Tom probably do according to the conversation?15．W: I hear your boss has a real good impression of you, and he is thinking about giving you two more days off each month.M: I hope not. I d rather get more work hours I can get enough bucks to help out my two kids at college.Q: What does the man truly want?16．M: I heard you took a trip to Mexico last month. How did you like it?W: Oh, I got sick and tired of the hotel and hotel food! So now I understand the thing: East, west, home s best!Q: What does the woman mean?17．W: I m worried about Anna. She s really been depressed lately. All she does is staying in her room all day.M: That sounds serious! She d better see a psychiatrist at the counseling centre.Q: What does the man suggest Anna do?18．M: I could hardly recognize Sam after we got that new job! He s always in a suit and tie now.W: Yeah. He was never liked that in college. Back then, he went around in old T-shirts and jeans.Q: What does the speaker say about Sam?Conversation 1M: Hi, Anna! Welcome back! How’s your trip to the State s?W: Very busy. I had a lot of meetings, so, of course, I didn’t have much time to see New York.M: What a pity! Actually, I have a trip there myself next week.W: Do you? Then take my advice, do the well-being in the air program. It really works.M: Oh, I read about that in a magazine. You say it works?W: Yes, I did the program on the flight to the States, and when I arrived at New York, I didn’t have any problem, no jet lag at all. On the way back, I didn’t do it, and I felt terrible.M: You’re jo king!W: Not at all, it really meant a lot of difference.M: En. So what did you do?W: Well, I didn’t drink an alcohol or coffee, and I didn’t eat any meat or rich food. I drink a lot of water, and fresh juice, and I ate the noodles on the well-being m enu. They’re lighter. They have fish, vegetables, and noodles, for example, and I did some of the exercises of the program. M: Exercises? On a plane?W: Yes. I didn’t do many, of course, there isn’t much space on a plane. M: How many passengers do the exercises?W: Not many.M: Then how much champagne did they drink?W: A lot! It was more popular than mineral water.M: So, basically, it’s a choice. Mineral water and exercises, or champagne and jet lag.W: That’s right! It’s a difficult choice.Ques tions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you’ve just heard.19. Why did the woman go to New York?20. What does the woman say about the well-being in the air program?21. What did the woman do to follow the well-being menu?22. What did the woman say about other passengers?Conversation Two:W: Morning. Can I help you?M: Well, I’m not rally sure. I’m just looking.W: I see. Well, there’s plenty to look at it again this year. I’m sure you have to walk miles to see each stand.M: That’s true.W: Er…, would you like a coffee? Come and sit down for a minute, no obligation.M: Well, that’s very kind of you, but…W: Now, please. Is this the first year you’ve been to the fair, Mr…. M: Yes, Johnson, James Johnson.W: My name’s Susan Carter. Are yo u looking for anything in particular, or are you interested in computers in general?M: Well, actually, I have some specific jobs in mind. I owe a small company, we’ve grown quite dramatically over the past 12 months, and we really need some technological help to enable us to keep on top of everything. W: What’s your line of business, Mr. Johnson?M: We’re a training consultancy.W: I see. And what do you mean “to keep on top”?M: The first thing is correspondence. We have a lot of standard letters and forms. So I suppose we need some kind of word processor.W: Right. Well, that’s no problem. But it may be possible for you to get a system that does a lot of other things in addition to word processing. What might suit you is the MR5000. That’s it over there! It’s IBM compatible.M: What about the price?W: Well, the MR5000 costs 1,050 pounds. Software comes free with the hardware.M: Well, I’ll think about it. Thank you.W: Here’s my card. Please feel free to contact me.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you’ve just heard:23. Where did the conversation take place?24. What are the speakers talking about?25. What is the man’s line of business?PassageP1The new year always brings with the cultural tradition of new possibilities. We see it as a chance for renewal. We begin to dream of new possible selves. We design our ideal self or an image that is quite different from what we are now. For some of us, we roll at dreamy film in our heads just because it’s the beginning of a new year. But we aren’t serious about making changes. We just make some half-hearted resolution and it evaporates after a week or two. The experience makes us feel less successful and leads us to discount our ability to change in the future. It’ not the change is impossible but that it would lose(?) unless our resolutions are supported with plans for implementation. We have to make our intentions manageable by detailing the specific steps that will carry us to our goal. Say your goal is to lose weight by dieting and cutting off sweets. But one night you just have to have a cookie. And you know there’s a bag of your favorites in the cupboard. You want one, you eat two, you check the bag and find out you’ve just shot 132 calories. You say to yourself, “What the hell!” and polish off the whole bag. Then you begin to draw all kinds of unpleasant conclusions about yourself. To protect your sense of self, you begin to discount the goal. You may think –“Well, dieting wasn’t that important to me and I won’t make it anyho w.” So you abandon the goal and return to your bad habits.26 What do people usually wish to do at the beginning of a new year?27 How can people turn their new year’s resolutions into reality?28 Why does the speaker mention the example of sweets and cookies?P225 years ago, Ray Anderson, a single parent with a one-year-old son witnessed a terrible accident which took place when the driver of a truck ran a red light and collided with the car of Sandra D. The impact of the collision killed Sandra instantly. But her three-month-old daughter was left trapped in the burning car. While others looked on in horror, Andersen jumped out of his vehicle and crawled into the car through the shadowed rear window to try to free the infant. Seconds later, the car was enclosed in flames. But to everyone’s amazement, Andersen was able to pull the baby to safety. While the baby was all right, Andersen was seriously injured. Two days later he died. But his heroic act was published widely in the media. His son was soon adopted by relatives. The most remarkable part of the story unfolded only last week. Karen and her boyfriend Michael were looking through some old boxes when they came across some old newspaper clippings. “This is me when I was a new born baby. I was rescued from a burning car. But my mother died in the accident,” explained Karen. Although Michael knew Karen’s mother had died years earlier, he never fully understood the circumstances until he skimmed over the newspaperarticle. To Karen’s surprise, Michael wa s absorbed in the details of the accident. And he began to cry uncontrollably. Then he revealed that the man that pulled Karen from the flames was the father he never knew. The two embraced and shed many tears, recounting stories told to them about their parents.29 What happened twenty-five years ago?30 What does the speaker say about Michael’s father?31 Why did Michael cry uncontrollably when he skimmed over the newspaper article?P3Americans suffer from an overdose of work. Regardless of who they are or what they do. Americans spend more time at work than that any time since World War II. In 1950, the US had fewer working hours than any other industrialized country. Today, it exceeds every country but Japan where industrialized employees load 2155 hours a year compared with 1951 in the US and 1603 in the former West Germany. Between 1969 and 1989, employed Americans add an average of 138 hours to their yearly work schedules. The workweek has remained above 40 hours. But people are working more weeks each year. Specifically pay time off holidays, vacations, sick leave shrink by 50% in the 1980s. As corporations have experienced stiff competitions and slow in growth of productivity, they have pressed employees to work longer. Cost-cutting lay-offs in the 1980s reduce the professional and managerial runs, leaving fewer people to get the job done. In lower paid occupations where wages have been reduced, workers have added hours in overtime or extra jobs to preserve their living standards. The government estimates that more than 7 million people hold a second job. For the first time, large numbers of people say they want to cut back on working hours even it means earning less money. But most employers are unwilling to let them do so. The government which has stepped back from its traditional role as a regulator of work time should take steps to make shorter hours possible.Question 32-35 are based on the passage you’ve just heard32. In which country do industrial employees work the longest hours?33. How do employed Americans manage to work more hours?34. Why do corporations press their employees to work longer hours according to the speaker?35. What does the speaker say many Americans prefer to do?Compound dictationNursing, as a typically female profession, must deal constantly with the false impression that nurses are there to wait on the physician. As nurses, we are licensed to provide nursing care only. We do not have any legalor moral obligation to any physician. We provide health teaching, assess physical as well as emotional problems, coordinate patient related services, and make all our nursing decision based upon what is best or suitable for the patient. If in any circumstance we feel that a physician’s order is inappropriate or unsafe, we have a legal responsibility to question that order, or refuse to carry it out. Nursing is not a nine-to-five job with every weekend off. All nurses are aware of that before they enter the profession. The emotional and physical stress, however, that occurs due to odd working hours is a prime reason for a large of the career dissatisfaction. It is sometimes required that we work overtime, and that we change shifts four or five times a month. That disturbs our personal lives, destruct our sleeping and eating habits, and isolates us from everything except job related friends and activities. The quality of nursing care is being affected dramatically by these situations. Most hospitals are now staffed by new graduates, as experienced nurses finally give up trying to change the system. Consumers of medically related services have evidently not been affected enough yet to demand changes in our medical system. But if trends continue as predicted, they will find that most critical hospital care will be provided by new, inexperienced, and sometimes inadequately trained nurses.。
5.2007年12月六级听力复合式听写原文
五、2007年12月六级复合式听写原文If you are like most people, you’ve indulged in fake listening many times. You go to history class, sitting in the third row, and look squarely at the instructor as she speaks, but your mind is far away, floating in the clouds of pleasant daydreams. Occasionally, you come back to earth. The instructor writes an important term on the chalkboard and you dutifully copy it in your notebook. Every once in a while the instructor makes a witty remark causing others in the class to laugh; you sm ile politely, pretending that you’ve heard the remark and found it mildly humorous. You have a vague sense of guilt that you aren’t paying close attention, but you tell yourself that any material you miss can be picked up from a friend’s notes. Besides, the instructor is talking about road construction in ancient Rome and nothing could be more boring. So back you go into your private little world. Only later do you realize you’ve missed important information for a test. Fake listening may be easily exposed, since many speakers are sensitive to facial cues and can tell if you are merely pretending to listen. Your blank expression and far-away look in your eyes are the cues that betray your inattentiveness. Even if you are not exposed, there is another reason to avoid fakery. It’s easy for this behavior to become a habit. For some people, the habit is so deeply-rooted that they automatically start daydreaming when the speaker begins talking on something complex or uninteresting. As a result, they miss lots of valuable information.。
2007年12月英语六级真题(含答案)
2007年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Digital Age.You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 如今数字化产品得到越来越广泛的使用，并举例2. 数字化产品的使用对人工作，学习，生活产生的影响Digital Age____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Directions:In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D].For questions 8 -10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Seven Ways to Save the WorldForget the old idea that conserving energy is a form of self-denial — riding bicycles, dimming the lights, and taking fewer showers. Thesedays conservation is all about efficiency: getting the same —or better — results from just a fraction of the energy. When a slump in business travel forced Ulrich Rǒmer to cut cost costs at his family-owned hotel in Germany, he replaced hundreds of the hotel’s wasteful light bulbs, getting the same light for 80 percent less power. He bought a new water boiler with a digitally controlled pump, and wrapped insulation around the pipes. Spending about € 100,000 on these and other improvements, he slashed his € 90,000 fuel and power bill by € 60,000. As a bonus, the hotel’s lower energy needs have reduced its annual carbon emissions by more than 200 metric tons. “For us, saving energy has been very, very profitable,” he says. “And most importantly, we’re not giving up a single comfort for our guests.”Efficiency is also a great way to lower carbon emissions and help slow global warming. But the best argument for efficiency is its cost —or, more precisely, its profitability. That’s because quickly growing energy demand requires immense investment in new supply, not to mention the drain of rising energy prices.No wonder efficiency has moved to the top of the political agenda. On Jan. 10, the European Union unveiled a plan to cut energy use across the continent by 20 percent by 2020. Last March, China imposed a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency by 2020. Even George W. Bush, the Texas oilman, is expected to talk about energy conversation in his State of the Union speech this week.The good news is that the world is full of proven, cheap ways to save energy. Here are the seven that could have the biggest impact: InsulateSpace heating and cooling eats up 36 percent of all the world’s energy. There’s virtually no limit to how much of that can be saved, as prototype “zero-energy homes” in Switzerland and Germany have shown. There’s been a surge in new ways of keeping heat in and cold out (or vice versa). The most advanced insulation follows the law of increasing returns: if you add enough, you can scale down or even eliminate heating and air-conditioning equipment, lowering costs even before you start saving on utility bills. Studies have shown that green workplaces (ones that don’t constantly need to have the heat or air-conditioner running) have higher worker productivity and lower sick rates.Change BulbsLighting eats up 20 percent of the world’s electricity, or the equivalent of roughly 600,000 tons of coal a day. Forty percent of that powers old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs — a 19th-century technology that wastes most of the power it consumes on unwanted heat.Compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, not only use 75 to 80 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs to generate the same amount of light, but they also last 10 times longer. Phasing old bulbs out by 2030 would save the output of 650 power plants and avoid the release of 700 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year.Comfort ZoneWater boilers, space heaters and air conditioners have been notoriously inefficient. The heat pump has altered that equation. It removes heat from the air outside or the ground below and uses it to supply heat to a building or its water supply. In the summer, the system can be reversed to cool building as well.Most new residential buildings in Sweden are already heated with ground-source heat pumps. Such systems consume almost no conventional fuel at all. Several countries have used subsidies to jump-start the market, including Japan, where almost 1 million heat pumps have been installed in the past two years to heat water for showers and hot tubs. Remake FactoriesFrom steel mills to paper factories, industry eats up about a third of the world’s energy. The opport unities to save are vast. In Ludwigshafen, German chemicals giant BASF runs an interconnected complex of more than 200 chemical factories, where heat produced by one chemical process is used to power the next. At the Ludwigshafen site alone, such recycling of heat and energy saves the company € 200 million a year and almost half its CO2 emissions. Now BASF is doing the same for new plants in China. “Optimizing(优化) energy efficiency is a decisive competitive advantage, ” says BASF CEO Jǔrgen Hambrecht.Green DrivingA quarter of the world’s energy — including two thirds of theannual production of oil —is used for transportation. Some savings come free of charge: you can boost fuel efficiency by 6 percent simply by keeping your car’s tires properly inflated (充气). Gasoline-electric hybrid(混合型) models like the Toyota Prius improve mileage by a further20 percent over conventional models.A Better FridgeMore than half of all residential power goes into running household appliances，producing a fifth of the wor ld’s carbon emissions. And that’s true even though manufacturers have already hiked the efficiency of refrigerators and other white goods by as much as 70 percent since the 1980s. According to an International Energy Agency study, if consumers chose those models that would save them the most money over the life of the appliance, they’d cut global residential power consumption and their utility bills by 43 percent.Flexible PaymentWho says you have to pay for all your conservation investment？“Energy service contractors” will pay for retrofitting (翻折改造) in return for a share of the client’s annual utility-bill savings. In Beijing, Shenwu Thermal Energy Technology Co. specializes in retrofitting China’s steel furnaces. Shenwu puts up the initial investment to install a heat exchanger that preheats the air going into the furnace，slashing the client’s fuel costs . Shenwu pockets a cut of those savings, so both Shenwu and the client profit.If saving energy is so easy and profitable, why isn’t everyone doing it? It has to do with psychology and a lack of information. Most of us tend to look at today’s price tag more than tomorrow’s potential savings. That holds double for the landl ord or developer, who won’t actually see a penny of the savings his investment in better insulation or a better heating system might generate. In many people’s minds, conservation is still associated with self-denial. Many environmentalists still push that view.Smart governments can help push the market in the right direction. The EU’s 1994 law on labeling was such a success that it extended the same idea to entire buildings last year. To boost the market value of efficiency, all new buildings are required to have an “energy pass” detailing power and heating consumption. Countries like Japan and Germany have successively tightened building codes, requiring an increase in insulation levels but leaving it up to builders to decide how to meet them.The most powerful incentives, of course, will come from the market itself. Over the past year, sky-high fuel prices have focused minds on efficiency like never before. Ever-increasing pressure to cut costs has finally forced more companies to do some math on their energy use.Will it be enough? With global demand and emissions rising so fast, we may not have any choice but to try. Efficient technology is here now, proven and cheap. Compared with all other options, it’s the biggest,easiest and most profitable bang for the buck.1. What is said to be the best way to conserve energy nowadays?[A] Raising efficiently. [B] Cutting unnecessary costs.[C] Finding alternative resources [D] Sacrificing some personal comforts.2. What does the European Union plan to do?[A] Diversify energy supply. [B] Cut energy consumption.[C] Reduce carbon emissions. [D] Raise production efficiency.3. If you add enough insulation to your house, you may be able to _______.[A] improve your work environment [B] cut your utility bills by half.[C] get rid of air-conditioners [D] enjoy much better health4. How much of the power consumed by incandescent bulbs is converted into light?[A] A small portion. [B] Some 40 percent[C] Almost half. [D] 75 to 80 percent.5. Some countries have tired to jump-start the market of heat pumps by_________.[A] upgrading the equipment [B] encouraging investments[C] implementing high-tech [D] providing subsidies6. German chemicals giant BASF saves € 200 million a year by_________.[A] recycling heat and energy [B] setting up factories in China[C] using the newest technology [D] reducing the CO2emissions of its plants7. Global residential power consumption can be cut by 43 percent if________.[A] we increase the insulation of walls and water pipes[B] we choose simpler models of electrical appliances[C] we cut down on the use of refrigerators and other white goods[D] we choose the most efficient models of refrigerators and other white goods8. Energy service contractors profit by taking a part of clients’__________.9. Many environmentalists maintain the view that conservation has much to do with___________.10. The strongest incentive energy conservation will drive from_____________.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. Duringthe pause, you must read the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D],and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letteron Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. [A] Proceed in his own way. [B] Stick to the original plan.[C] Compromise with his colleague. [D] Try to change his colleague’s mind.12. [A] Many has a keen eye for style.[B] Nancy regrets buying the dress.[C] Nancy and Mary went shopping together in Rome.[D] Nancy and Mary like to follow the latest fashion.13. [A] Wash the dishes. [B] Go to the theatre.[C] Pick up George and Martha. [D] Take her daughter to hospital.14. [A] She enjoys making up stories about other people.[B] She can never keep anything to herself for long.[C] She is eager to share news with the woman.[D] She is the best informed woman in town.15. [A] A car dealer. [B] A mechanic.[C] A driving examiner. [D] A technical consultant.16. [A] The shopping mall has been deserted recently.[B] Shoppers can only find good stores in the mall.[C] Lots of people moved out of the downtown area.[D] There isn’t much business downtown nowadays.17. [A] He will help the woman with her reading.[B] The lounge is not a place for him to study in.[C] He feels sleepy whenever he tries to study.[D] A cozy place is rather hard to find on campus.18. [A] To protect her from getting scratches.[B] To help relieve her of the pain.[C] To prevent mosquito bites.[D] To avoid getting sun burnt.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. [A] In a studio. [B] In a clothing store.[C] At a beach resort. [D] At a fashion show.20. [A] To live there permanently.[B] To stay there for half a year.[C] To find a better job to support herself.[D] To sell leather goods for a British company.21. [A] Designing fashion items for several companies.[B] Modeling for a world-famous Italian company.[C] Working as an employee for Ferragamo.[D] Serving as a sales agent for Burberrys.22. [A] It has seen a steady decline in its profits.[B] It has become much more competitive.[C] It has lost many customers to foreign companies.[D] It has attracted a lot more designers from abroad.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. [A] It helps her to attract more public attention.[B] It improves her chance of getting promoted.[C] It strengthens her relationship with students.[D] It enables her to understand people better.24. [A] Passively. [B] Positively. [C] Skeptically.[D] Sensitively.25. [A] It keeps haunting her day and night.[B] Her teaching was somewhat affected by it.[C] It vanishes the moment she steps into her role.[D] Her mind goes blank once she gets on the stage.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the endof each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a singleline through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. [A] To win over the majority of passengers from airlines in twentyyears.[B] To reform railroad management in western European countries.[C] To electrify the railway lines between major European cities.[D] To set up an express train network throughout Europe.27. [A] Major European airlines will go bankrupt.[B] Europeans will pay much less for traveling.[C] Traveling time by train between major European cities will be cutby half.[D] Trains will become the safest and most efficient means of travelin Europe.28. [A] Train travel will prove much more comfortable than air travel.[B] Passengers will feel much safer on board a train than on a plane.[C] Rail transport will be environmentally friendlier than air transport.[D] Traveling by train may be as quick as, or even quicker than, byair.29. [A] In 1981. [B] In 1989.[C] In 1990. [D] In 2000.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30.[A] There can be no speedy recovery for mental patients.[B] Approaches to healing patients are essentially the same.[C] The mind and body should be taken as an integral whole.[D] There is no clear division of labor in the medical profession.31.[A] A doctor’s fame strengthens the patients’ faith in them.[B] Abuse of medicines is widespread in many urban hospitals.[C] One third of the patients depend on harmless substances for cure.[D] A patient’s expectations of a drug have an effect on their recovery.32. [A] Expensive drugs may not prove the most effective.[B] The workings of the mind may help patients recover.[C] Doctors often exaggerate the effect of their remedies.[D] Most illnesses can be cured without medication.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. [A] Enjoying strong feelings and emotions.[B] Defying all dangers when they have to.[C] Being fond of making sensational news.[D] Dreaming of becoming famous one day.34. [A] Working in an emergency room. [B] Listening to rock music.[C] Watching horror movies. [D] Doing daily routines.35. [A] A rock climber. [B] A psychologist.[C] A resident doctor. [D] A career consultant.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. Whenthe passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully forits general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.If you’re like most people, you’ve indulged in fake listening many times. You go to history class, sit in the third row, and look (36) ________ at the instructor as she speaks. But your mind is far away, (37)_________ in the clouds of pleasant daydreams. (38)__________ you come back to earth: The instructor writes an important term on the chalkboard, and you (39)___________ copy it in you notebook. Every once in a while the instructor makes a (40)_________ remark, causing others in the class to laugh. You smile politely, pretending that you’ve heard the remark and found it mildly (41)__________. You have a vague sense of (42)________ that you aren’t paying close attention. But you tell yourself that any (43) __________ you miss can be picked up from a friend’s notes. Besides, (44)____________________.So back you go into your private little world, only later do you realize you’ve missed important information for a test.Fake listening may be easily exposed, since many speakers are sensitive to facial cues and can tell if you’re merely pretending tolisten. (45)___________________.Even if you are not exposed there’s another reason to avoid fakery. It’s easy for this behavior to become a habit. For some people, the habit is so deeply rooted that (46)__________________________. As a result, they miss lots of valuable information.Part IV Reading Comprehension （Reading in Depth）（25 minutes）Section ADirections:In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.Men, these days, are embracing fatherhood with the round-the-clock involvement their partners have always dreamed of — handling night feedings, packing lunches and bandaging knees. But unlike women, many find they’re negotiating their new roles with little support or information. “Men in my generation (aged 25-40) have a fear of becoming dads because we have no role models,” says Jon Smith, a writer. They often find themselves excluded from mothers’ support networks, and are eyed warily (警觉地) on the playground.The challenge is particularly evident in the work-place. There, men are still expected to bebreadwinners climbing the corporate ladder: traditionally-minded bossesare often unsympathetic to family needs. In Denmark most new fathers only take two weeks of paternity leave (父亲的陪产假) —even though they are allowed 34 days. As much as if not more so than women, fathers struggle to be taken seriously when they request flexible arrangements.Though Wilfried-Fritz Maring, 54, a data-bank and Internet specialist with German firm FIZKarlsruhe, feels that the time he spends with his daughter outweighs any disadvantages, he admits, “With my decision to work from home I dismissed any opportunity for promotion.”Mind-sets (思维定势) are changing gradually. When Maring had a daughter, the company equipped him with a home office and allowed him to choose a job that could be performed from there. Danish telecom company TDC initiated an internal campaign last year to encourage dads to take paternity leave: 97 percent now do. “When an employee goes on paternity leave and is with his kids, he gets a new kind of training: in how to keep cool under stress.” says spokesperson Christine Elberg Holm. For a new generation of dads, kids may come before the company －but it’s a shift that benefits both.47. Unlike women, men often get little support or information from .48. Besides supporting the family, men were also expected to .49. Like women, men hope that their desire for a flexible schedule willbe .50. When Maring was on paternity leave, he was allowed by his company to work .51. Christine Holm believes paternity leave provides a new kind oftraining for men in that it can help them cope with . Section BDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.Like most people, I’ve long understood that I will be judged by my occupation, that my profession is a gauge people use to see how smart or talented I am. Recently, however, I was disappointed to see that it also decides how I’m treated as a person.Last year I left a professional position as a small-town reporter and took a job waiting tables. As someone paid to serve food to people.I had customers say and do things to me I suspect they’d never say or do to their most casual acquaintances. One night a man talking on his cell phone waved me away, then beckoned (示意) me back with his finger minute later, complaining he was ready to order a nd asking where I’dbeen.I had waited tables during summers in college and was treated likea peon (勤杂工) plenty of people. But at 19 years old, I believed I deserved inferior treatment from professional adults. Besides, people responded to me differently after I told them I was in college. Customers would joke that one day I’d be sitting at their table, waiting to be served.Once I graduated I took a job at a community newspaper. From my first day, I heard a respectful tone from everyone who called me. I assumed this was the way the professional world worked — cordially.I soon found out differently. I sat several feet away from an advertising sales representative with a similar name. Our calls would often get mixed up and someone asking for Kristen would be transferred to Christie. The mistake was immediately evident. Perhaps it was because money was involved, but people used a tone with Kristen that they never used with me.My job title made people treat me with courtesy. So it was a shock to return to the restaurant industry.It’s no secret that there’s a lot to put up with when waiting tables, and fortunately, much of it can be easily forgotten when you pocket the tips. The service industry, by definition, exists to cater to others’ needs. Still, it seeme d that many of my customers didn’t get the difference between server and servant.I’m now applying to graduated school, which means someday I’ll return to a profession where people need to be nice to me in order to get what they want, I think I’ll take the m to dinner first, and see how they treat someone whose only job is to serve them.52. The author was disappointed to find that _______.[A] one’s position is used as a gauge to measure one’s intelligence[B] talented people like her should fail to get a respectable job[C] one’s occupation affects the way one is treated as a person[D] professionals tend to look down upon manual workers53. What does the author intend to say by the example in the second paragraph?[A] Some customers simply show no respect to those who serve them.[B] People absorbed in a phone conversation tend to be absent-minded.[C] Waitresses are often treated by customers as casual acquaintances.[D] Some customers like to make loud complaints for no reason at all.54. How did the author feel when waiting tables at the age of 19?[A] She felt it unfair to be treated as a mere servant by professional.[B] She felt badly hurt when her customers regarded her as a peon.[C] She was embarrassed each time her customers joked with her.[D] She found it natural for professionals to treat her as inferior.55. What does the author imply by saying “…many of my customers didn’tget the difference between server and servant”(Lines 3-4, Para.7)?[A] Those who cater to others’ needs are destined to be looked downupon.[B] Those working in the service industry shouldn’t be treated as servants.[C] Those serving others have to put up with rough treatment to earn a living.[D] The majority of customers tend to look on a servant as server nowadays.56. The author says she’ll one day take her clients to dinner in order to ________.[A] see what kind of person they are[B] experience the feeling of being served[C] show her generosity towards people inferior to her[D] arouse their sympathy for people living a humble life Passage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.What’s hot for 2007 among the very rich? A $7.3million diamond ring.A trip to Tanzania to hunt wild animals. Oh, and income inequality.Sure, some leftish billionaires like George Soros have been railing against income inequality for years. But increasingly, centrist and right-wing billionaires are staring to worry about income inequality and the fate of the middle class.In December, Mortimer Zuckerman wrote a column in U.S. News & World Report, which he owns. “our nation’s core bargain with the middle classis disintegrating,” lamented (哀叹) the 117th-richest man in America. “Most of our economic gains have gone to people at the very top of the income ladder. Average income for a household of people of working age, by contrast, has fallen five years in a raw.” He noted that “Tens of millions of Americans live in fear that a major health problem can reduce them to bankrupt cy.”Wilbur Ross Jr. has echoed Zuckerman’s anger over th e bitter struggles faced by middle-class Americans. “It’s an outrage that any American’s life expectancy should be shortened simply because the company they worked for went bankrupt and ended health-care coverage,” said the former chairman of the International Steel Group.What’s happening? The very rich are just as trendy as you and I, and can be so when it comes to politics and policy. Given the recent change of control in Congress, the popularity of measures like increasing the minimum wage, and efforts by Ca lifornia’s governor to offer universal health care, these guys don’t need their own personal weathermen to know which way the wind blows.It’s possible that plutocrats(有钱有势的人) are expressing solidarity with the struggling middle class as part of an effort to insulate themselves from confiscatory (没收性的) tax policies. But the prospect that income inequality will lead to higher taxes on the wealthy doesn’t keep plutocrats up at night. They can live with that.No, what they fear was that the political challenges of sustainingsupport for global economic integration will be more difficult in the United States because of what has happened to the distribution of income and economic insecurity.In other words, if middle-class Americans continue to struggle financially as the ultrawealthy grow ever wealthier, it will be increasingly difficult to maintain political support for the free flow of goods, services, and capital across borders. And when the United States places obstacles in the way of foreign investors and foreign goods, it’s likely to encourage reciprocal action abroad. For people who buy and sell companies, or who allocate capital to markets all around the world, that’s the real nightmare.57. What is the current topic of common interest among the very rich in America?[A] The fate of the ultrawealthy people.[B] The disintegration of the middle class.[C] The inequality in the distribution of wealth.[D] The conflict between the left and the right wing.58. What do we learn from Mortimer Zuckerman’s lamentation?[A] Many middle-income families have failed to make a bargain for better welfare.[B] The American economic system has caused companies to go bankrupt.[C] The American nation is becoming more and more divided despite its wealth.。
2007年12月英语四级真题听力原文
Part III Listening Comprehension11. W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her from high school?M: Yeah, she was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of weight?Q: What does the man remember of Sally?12. W: We don’t seem to have a reservation for you, sir. I’m sorry.M: But my secretary said that she had reserved a room for me here.I phoned her from the airport this morning just before I got on board the plane.Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?13. W: What would you do if you were in my place?M: If Paul were my son, I’d just not worry. Now that his teacher is giving him extra help and he is working hard himself, he’s sure to do well in the next exam.Q: What’s the man’s suggestion to the woman?14. M: You’ve had your hands full and have been overworked during the last two weeks. I think you really need to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine.W: You are right. That’s just what I’m th inking about.Q: What’s the woman most probably going to do?15. W: Hello, John. How are you feeling now? I hear you’ve been ill.M: They must have confused me with my twin brother Rod. He’s been sick all week, but I’ve never felt better in my life.Q: What do we learn about the man?16. M: Did you really give away all your furniture when you moved into the new house last month?W: Just the useless pieces, as I’m planning to purchase a new set from Italy for the sitting room only.Q: What does the woman mean?17. M: I’ve brought back your Oxford Companion to English Literature.I thought you might use it for your paper. Sorry not to have returned it earlier.W: I was wondering where that book was.Q: What can we infer from that conversation?18. W: To tell the truth, Tony, it never occurs to me that you are an athlete.M: Oh, really? Most people who meet me, including some friends of mine, don’t think so either.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?Conversation OneM: Mary, I hope you are packed and ready to leave.W: Yes, I’m packed, but not quite ready. I can’t find my passport.M: Your passport? That’s the one thing you mustn’t leave behind.W: I know. I haven’t lost it. I’ve packed it, but I can’t remember which bag it’s in.(19)M: Well, you have to find it at the airport. Come on, the taxi is waiting.(21)W: Did you say taxi? I thought we were going in your car.M: Yes, well, I had planned to, but I’ll explain later. You’ve got to be there in an hour.W: The plane doesn’t leave for two hours. Anyway, I’m ready to go now.M: Now you are taking just one case, is that right?W: No, there is one in the hall（客厅、门厅）as well. (22)M: Gosh, what a lot of stuff! You’re taking enough for a month instead of a week. (20)W: Well, you can’t depend on the weather. It might be cold.M: It’s never cold in Rome. Certainly not in May. Come on, we really must go.W: Right, we are ready. We’ve got the bags. I’m sure there is no need to rush. (21)M: There is. I asked the taxi driver to wait two minutes, not twenty. (21)W: Look, I’m supposed to be going away to relax. You’re making me nervous.M: Well, I want you to relax on holidays, but you can’t relax yet.W: OK, I promise not to relax, at least not until we get to the airport and I find my passport.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. What does the woman say about her passport?20. What do we know about the woman’s trip?21. Why does the man urge the woman to hurry?22. Where does the conversation most probably take place?Conversation TwoW: Oh, I’m fed up with my job. (23)M: Hey, there is a perfect job for you in the paper today. You might be interested.W: Oh, what is it? What do they want? (24)M: Wait a minute. Er, here it is. The European Space Agency is recruiting translators. (24)W: The European Space Agency?M: Well, that’s what it says. They need an English translator to work for French or German. (24)W: So they need a degree in French or German, I suppose. Well, I’ve got that. What’s mor e, I have plenty of experience. What else are they asking for?M: Just that. A university degree and three or four years of experience as a translator in a professional environment, They also say the person should have a lively and enquiring mind, effective communication skills and the ability to work individually or as a part of the team.W: Well, if I stay at my present job much longer, I won’t have any mind or skills left. By the way, what about salary? I just hope it isn’t lower than what I get now.M: It’s said to be negotiable. It depends on the applicant’s education and experience. (25) In addition to basic salary, there is a list of extra benefits. Have a look yourself.W: Hmm, travel and social security plus relocation expenses are paid. Hey this is n’t bad. I really want the job.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard23. Why is the woman trying to find a new job?24. What position is being advertised in the paper?25. What are the key factors that determine the salary of the new position?Section BPassage OneWhen couples get married, they usually plan to have children. Sometimes, however, a couple can not have achild of their own. In this case, they may decide to adopt a child. In fact, adoption is very common today. There are about 60 thousand adoptions each year in the United States alone. Some people prefer to adopt infants, others to adopt older children. Some couples adopt children from their own countries, others adopt children from foreign countries. In any case, they all adopt children for the same reason——they care about children and want to give their adopted child a happy life. (26)Most adopted children know that they are adopted. Psychologists and child-care experts generally think this is a good idea. However, many adopted children or adoptees have very little information about their biological parents. As a matter of fact, it is often very difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents because the birth records of most adoptees are usually sealed.(27) The information is secret so no one can see it.(27) Naturally, adopted children have different feelings about their birth parents. Many adoptees want to search for them, but others do not. The decision to search for birth parents is a difficult one to make. Most adoptees have mixed feelings about finding their biological parents. (28) Even though adoptees do not know about their natural parents, they do know that their adopted parents want them, love them and will care for them. (29)Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard26. According to the speaker, why do some couples adopt children?27. Why is it difficult for adoptees to find out about their birth parents?28. Why do many adoptees find it hard to make the decision to search for their birth parents?29. What can we infer from the passage?Passage TwoCatherine Gram graduated from the University of Chicago in 1938 and got a job as a news reporter in san Francisco. Catherine’s father used to be a successful investment banker. In 1933, he bought a failing newspaper, The Washington Post.(30)Then Catherine returned to Washington and got a job, editing letters in her father’s newspaper. She married Philip Gram, who took over his father-in-law’s position shortly after and became a publisher of The Washington Post. But for many years, her husband suffered from mental illness and he killed himself in 1963. After her husband’s death, Catherine operated the newspaper. In the 1970s, the newspaper became famous around the world and Catherine was also recognized as an important leader in newspaper publishing. She was the first woman to head a major American publishing company, the Washington Post company. (31) In a few years, she successfully expanded the company to include newspaper, magazine, broadcast and cable companies.She died of head injuries after a fall when she was 84. More than 3 thousand people attended her funeral, including many government and business leaders. Her friends said she would be remembered as a woman who had an important influence on events in the United States and the world. Catherine once wrote, “The world without newspapers would not be the same kind of world.” After her death, the employees of the Washington Post wrote, “The world without Catherine would not be the same at all.”(32)Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard30. What do we learn from the passage about Catherine’s father?31. What does the speaker tell us about Catherine Gram?32. What does the comment by employees of The Washington Post suggest?Passage ThreeObtaining good health insurance is a real necessity while you are studying overseas. It protects you from minor and major medical expenses that can wipe out not only your savings but your dreams of an education abroad.(33) There are often two different types of health insurance you can consider buying, international travel insurance and student insurance in the country where you will be going.An international travel insurance policy is usually purchased in your home country before you go abroad. It generally covers a wide variety of medical services and you are often given a list of doctors in the area where you will travel who may even speak your native language. The drawback mightbe that you may not get your money back immediately, (34) in other words, you may have to pay all you medical expenses and then later submit your receipts to the insurance company.On the other hand, getting student heath insurance in the country where you will study might allow you to only pay a certain percentage of the medical cost at the time of the service and thus you don’t have to have sufficient cash to pay the entire bill at once. (35) Whatever you decide, obtaining some form of health insurance is something you should consider before you go overseas. You shouldn’t wait until you are sick with a major medical bills to pay off.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard33. Why does the speaker advise the overseas students to buy health insurance?34. What is the drawback of the students, buying international travel insurance?35. What does the speaker say about students’ getting health insurance in the country where they will study?Section C Compound DictationMore and more of the world’s popula tion are living in towns or cities. The speed at which cities are growing in the less developed countries is alarming (36). Between 1920 and 1960 big cities in developed countries increased (37) two and a half times in size, but in other parts of the world the growth was eight times their size.The sheer (38) size of growth is bad enough, but there are now also very disturbing (39) signs of trouble in the comparison (40) of percentages of people living in towns and percentages of people working in industry, During the nineteenth century, cities grew as a result of the growth of industry. In Europe the proportion (41) of people living in ci8ties was always smaller than that of the workforce (42) working in factories. Now, however, the reverse (43) is almost always true in the newly industrialized world: The percentage of people living in cities is much higher than the percentage working in industry.(44)Without a base of people working in industry, these cities cannot pay for their growth; There is not enough money to build adequate houses for the people that live there, let alone the new arrivals. (45) There has been little opportunity to build water supplies or other facilities. So the figures for the growth of towns and cities represent proportional growth of unemployment and underemployment, (46) a growth in the number of hopeless and despairing parents and starving children.。