英语2口语考试说明及试题(请老师们发给学生)
2014级的同学们：
为引导学生重视口语，提高英语应用能力，外国语学院本学期举行14级大学英语Ⅱ口语考试，口语考试成绩将占期末考核总评成绩的15%。
口试题型为段落朗读及口语对话，要求考生按顺序朗读所抽到的材料并进行二人对话，总限时5分钟。考官将按照评分标准根据学生朗读及对话的内容、语音、语调、语速、意群停顿、流利程度等综合打分。
按每个考场学生名单序号，考生在考务人员的安排下提前5-10分钟抽取朗读材料，要求考生在考场后一排座位处安静准备。考试前，考生需要向监考老师出示学生证。考完所抽题签必须交回抽签处，禁止考生对题签做任何标记或折叠。考完后请迅速、安静地离开考场，切勿讨论或喧哗。
时间：2015年6月27日（16周周六）
各班具体时间、地点和名单安排另行通知。
请老师们各班安排的副考务于考试开始之前10分钟到达考场，主动跟考官老师联系。为了保证考试顺利进行，请通知上下午第二场考试的学生提前40分钟到达备考。
以下为30个口语考试题签，请同学们认真准备。祝大家考试成功！
外国语学院大学外语第二教学部
2015年6月
15篇段落朗读
Passage 1
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give proof to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again — not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need — not as a call to battle, though embattled we are — but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope; patient in trouble,”— a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Passage 2
From these changes, Americans would reduce the amount of land, water and chemicals used to produce the food we eat, as well as the incidence of lifestyle diseases linked to unhealthy diets, and greenhouse gases from industrial meat production.
The government’s organic program, says Joan Shaffer, a sp okeswoman for the Agriculture Department, “is a marketing program that sets standards for what can be certified as organic. Neither the enabling legislation nor the regulations address food safety or nutrition.” People don’t understand that, nor do they realize “organic”
doesn’t mean “local.” “It doesn’t matter if it’s from the farm down the road or from Chile,” Ms. Shaffer said. “As long as it meets the standards, it’s organic.”
Passage 3
But this isn’t just a question of economics. Sport has enduring qual ities. It shows us how to participate in something that is bigger than ourselves, and teaches us how to demonstrate respect for teammates and opponents. It helps us learn how to win with humility and lose with grace; how to set a goal and fulfill it. Sport brings people together; the self-worth and self-belief that it teaches are values that can last a lifetime. We all have much to learn from the great programs and projects running all over the world. Now is the time to make heroes of individuals and organizations that use sport to really make a difference.
Passage 4
Today, most farmers who practice truly sustainable farming, or what you might call “organic in spirit,” operate on small scale, some so small that they can’t afford the requirements to be certified organic by the government.
But the organic food business is now big business, and getting bigger. Professor Howard estimates that major corporations now are responsible for at least 25 percent
of all organic manufacturing and marketing. In 2006, sales of organic foods and beverages totaled about $16. 7 billion，according to the most recent figures from Organic Trade Association.
Passage 5
Planting your child in front of a television set is not altogether a bad thing, provided that you limit the time that your little one spends watching TV and you monitor the programs watched. However, here’s some food for thought:Media Awareness Network cites research estimating that American children receive a total of $6 billion in allowances each year. And the re’s no doubt that advertisers want as much of it as possible. So it would be wise to take a proactive role in teaching your child about the difference between advertising and television shows as soon as your child starts watching advertising.
Passage 6
As she talked, my mind raced. I thought back to when I was visiting my grandma Florence in the hospital every day. One evening, just after returning home, I received a call. Grandma Florence had taken a turn for the worse, and they wanted me to come back immediately. As I sat by her bedside, silent tears spilled from my eyes. The
nurse tried to console me by saying, “She’s ready to die.”
Angrily, I retorted, “But I’m not ready to let her die!” Grandma Florence died six weeks later. By then, I was ready to let her go. I was glad God had given me a little more time.
Passage 7
The world is very different now. For man holds in his hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and enemy, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.
Passage 8
In the U.S.A. it is estimated that 80 million people joined the Earth Hour movement in 2009, which had grown to nearly 1 billion globally.
Recent estimates show 1 billion supporters in 4,100 cities from 87 countries
located on seven different continents joined in turning off their lights for Earth Hour.
Earth Hour hopes to encourage consumers, businesses, and governments to be thoughtful in action plans to carry out practical ways to reduce emissions.
Let’s go beyond the light switch! Look at what some are doing to save energy to conserve precious fossil fuel.
Passage 9
In an interview in Sydney，the 23 year old pop singer responded to this issue, “The truth is what I’m a role model for is the ability to change culture.” However，despite many favorable comments，Lady Gaga’s sexy videos, lyrics and fashion sense have been equally criticized.
The same article explains some of Gaga’s questionable acts. Her hit song Love Game got attention for its sexual references while the music video，in which she dances almost naked, was forbidden in Australia. In response，Lady Gaga says it doesn’t worry her. “I don’t make my videos for television —I make them for art,”she added.
Passage 10
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any
price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any enemy, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do —for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
Passage 11
“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope ... It is an instrument for peace.”
When a man like Nelson Mandela looks back over his life and, against the backdrop of all that he had to endure, pinpoints sport as a unique force for good, we should sit up and take notice. During his 27 years in captivity, mainly on Robben Island, sport helped sustain the spirits of Mandela and his fellow inmates.
Passage 12
Elephants wear their hearts on their trunks, as it were, so it was easy to tell that Shirley was not dealing well with Jenny’s death — her eyes were half shut and her trunk dragged on th e ground. She wasn’t eating or trumpeting. She was depressed. Bunny followed her to the hill, where the two stayed for days before finally returning to the barn. With her spirits restored, Shirley, the oldest and largest elephant at the sanctuary, began to eat and play, and even picked her trunk off the ground. She was back with the elephants, where she belonged.
Passage 13
I didn’t expect a suicide call at 8:59 in the morning, one minute before the Helpline Office opened. Usually suicide calls startled me from a sound sleep after midnight. My caller probably anticipated getting through to the office staff instead of a volunteer who was finishing a shift at home.
During our crisis training, I learn to listen, rather than respond with something flippant like, “I’m against it.” I simply waited. The caller continued. As she talked, I checked the proper boxes on her profile sheet.
Passage 14
The sanctuary was started in 1995 by Carol Buckley and Scott Blaise. The two former elephant trainers had seen enough abuse and neglect at circuses and zoos to inspire them to create a sanctuary where elephants could live out their lives. The sanctuary would offer what Buckley considers the three necessities for a happy
elephant: freedom from dominance, room to wander and lots of other elephants.
At the sanctuary, the 19 African and Asian elephants in residence are allowed to exist as they would in the wild. “We created a system where dominance does not exist at all,” says Buckley. “We give them the option to say no.”
Passage 15
With her signature music, fashion and attitude, expected-unexpected Lady Gaga redefines pop culture in a different way.
Yes，Lady Gaga is now being eyed as the most aggressive woman to rule today’s pop culture. Others claim that she is the reinvented version of Pop Queen Madonna. Best Week Ever says comparing Lady Gaga to Madonna is like comparing apples to much older apples. But while most of teenagers, even the older ones appreciate the genius in Lady Gaga，some believe that her gift becomes an instrument of pop culture to penetrate young’s consciousness.
15个口语对话
1. Topic: foreigner living in China
Situation: A Chinese reporter is interviewing with an American who has lived in China for more than a year. They are talking about the cultural differences between China and America as well as the positive and negative aspects of living in China.
Cues: positive; negative; responsible; cheap; friendly; travel; lack of privacy; too much curiosity; overcrowded; pollution; food safety
2. Topic: favourite movie stars
Situation: Two friends are talking about their favourite movie stars.
Cues: a big fan; Kong Fu movie; favourite character; movie series; acting; be skilled in; play the hero/ heroine
3. Topic: Popularity of fast food
Situation: In recent years, fast food has been very popular in China. Western fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and KFC and Chinese style fast food restaurants like Kung Fu Restaurant can be seen everywhere in cities of China today. Two students are discussing the reasons of its popularity, and whether it’s better than conventional meals.
Cues: time saving, low price, balanced nutrition, vegetable, fat, deep fried (油炸)
4. Topic: Eating out
Situation: One of you is the waiter or waitress, and the other is the customer. Choose one of China’s regional cuisines (地方菜) and then role-play a conversation. Don’t forget to include: 1) finding out and telling about the “specials”; 2) asking and answering questions about the food on the menu; 3) paying the bills.
Cues: local, favorite, hometown specialty, cook, flavor, price
5. Topic: How do Sports Affect Our Lives?
Situation: A and B are classmates. They both think sports mean much to them and are talking about
“How Do Sports Affect Our Lives”．
Cues: strengthen; enjoy; get rid of stress; improve; reduce the risk of; benefit us mentally; cultivate (培养) many good qualities; perseverance (毅力), cooperation, hard work and confidence, reach a goal; build a healthy body.
6. Topic: personal values
Situation: Amy and her classmate John are having a heated discussion about personal values. They are talking about what their personal values are and how personal values can influence the decisions they make throughout daily life as well as the major life changing decisions. (Personal values refer to those standards that you set for yourself to live by. Since these values vary by individual, they are "personal" and can include many things.)
Cues: ambition, individuality, responsibility, respect, loyalty, teamwork, efficiency
7. Topic: favourite singers
Situation: Two students are talking about their favourite singers.
Cues: pop music; rock and roll; classic music; good voice; be popular among; write sb’s own music; hard-working
8. Topic: Food safety
Situation: As one of the most heated public concern in today’s China, domestic food safety has drawn attention from all walks of life. Two students are talking about the food safety issue.
Cues: food contamination, lean meat powder （瘦肉精）, swill-cooked dirty oil （地沟油）, artificial coloring （人工色素）, worship of money, moral decline.
9. Topic: Advantages and disadvantages of globalization
Situation: Globalization connected the world increasingly. The optimistic think this promotes process of the global village, linked together by Internet, and is benefiting the material demand constantly. However, the pessimistic thinks global corporation has destroyed the environment.
Cues: establish increasingly close contact; make the world more interdependent than ever; along with; be rising to; divide into; compare with; absorb the foreign capitals; do harm to
10. Topic: Chinese parenting values Vs. western parenting values
Situation: In a coffee house, David is arguing with his friend Sam over whether Chinese parenting values or western parenting values are best for kids.
Cues: self-confident, independent, creative, mental and physical health, academic achievement, be not allowed to…
11. Situation: All students want to have a good vacation after a hard and busy semester. What do you plan to do during the next summer vacation? Why?
Cues: go abroad travelling, get together with family members, hold parties to meet friends, do part-time job to get some work experiences in some fields …
12. Topic: How to save our planet
Situation: Two students are talking about some measures on how to save our environment. Cues: saving electricity, using energy wisely, planting trees, buying energy-efficient products, driving less, too much water, wash dishes, take a bath, keep the garbage, a trash can
13. Topic: Friend
Situation: Having good friendship network is of great benefit to everyone. However, it is very difficult to have a real friend. In your opinion, what qualities are important in a real friend? Cues: honest, warm-hearted, care about, a friend in need …,
14. Topic: Blogging.
Situation: Two students are talking about advantages and disadvantages of blogging
Cues: open the door to the world to people; as diverse as human beings; show their personality, emotion and ideas; takes time and effort; the copyright issue can cause some headaches; personal and intimate contents
15. Topic: Money
Situation: You and your partner are arguing about money. One thinks that money is everything, and the other thinks that money is not everything
Cues: important, the source of happiness, love, true friends