大学英语3听力资料2014

Unit 1 AWhile some visitors to Singapore expect a high-tech city, there are also some parts of the island that still reflect how it used to look before urban development took over.In one of the main Central Nature Reserves, monkeys still roam freely, living side by side with humans. The macaques have grown accustomed to being fed, so they look to humans as a source of food. But this in itself is problematic. As the monkeys depend more on humans for food, they venture further from their natural habitat, a phenomenon that has worried experts.There is just not enough space. Essentially, in much of Southeast Asia we’ve seen a lot of habitat loss where rainforest has been destroyed and converted into human settlement. Singapore is a very urbanized city, and it’s taken a lot of space, so there is not much space left for long-tailed macaques.We really need to stop encroaching into nature reserves. We need to stop building the houses so nearby the reserves, which then causes the problem of the macaques coming in to people’s houses and raiding them. These macaques are French species so they live on the edges of the rainforests.If humans keep building the houses so near the reserves, there will definitely be a constant human-macaque conflict issue.After all, the m acaques are essential to maintaining the rainforest’s ecosystem. More should be done to protect them.Unit 1 BDuring the whole year’s promotion, a series of activities will be held to promote public awareness in protecting biodiversity like summit forums and biodiversity knowledge competitions. Also, the government will conduct supervision to fight illegal hunting and other related conduct in nature reserves nationwide.Wan Bentai, general engineer at the Ministry of Environmental Protection says biodiversity is vital to human life. The Earth is colorful just because of biodiversity. If all the species were gone and there were only us humans left, humans wouldn’t be able to survive.Biodiversity not only refers to all the species, including animals, plants and insects but also the genes and our living environment. However, dozens of species are disappearing on our planet everyday. Currently, 34,000 plants and 5,200 animals are on the edge of extinction.Scientists say many species’ extinction is attributed to human activities. Many animals are endangered because of human activities like hunting and fishing. But many animals have a close connection with humans, so we should treat them as friends. Besides, many plants make great contributions to human life, some of which are even more precious than gold.In recent years, the number of animal and plant species has declined sharply in China due to various reasons. We need policies which protect biodiversity. And we have to find programs which can encourage and provide incentives for people not to cut down the forest, nor to destroy the habitat of rare birds, nor fisheries. We have to do many things.Unit 2 AWhen it comes to intelligence, there has always been one fundamental question: Is intelligence a function of nature? Is it simply encoded in a child’s genes? Or is it a function of nurture? Is it more about the environment that a child grows up in?On the one hand, if we take two people at random from the crowd, it is very likely that their degrees of intelligence will be completely different. However, if we take two identical twins, chances are that they will be as intelligent as each other. Therefore, a conclusion can be drawn that intelligence is to some extent something we are born with. On the other hand, though, if we put identical twins in different environments, we would find differences in their intelligence several years later,which indicates that environment does play a crucial role in people’s intelligence.Recently, data has clearly indicated that nurture is indeed more than 50% of the equation. That is good news for educators, but even better news for society as a whole.Fortunately, President Obama has come out in strong support of early childhood education, particularly for those children most at risk of school failure. Investing in quality pre-school opportunities clearly helps give children from poverty-stricken areas the chance at a stronger start in school and in life.If we are serious about helping our children succeed in school, if we are truly interested in “Leaving No Child Behind,” we will take a hard look at this compelling data and begin investing greater sums at the early childhood level.Unit 2 BAlbert Einstein was a German-born physicist, although most people probably know him as the most intelligent person who ever lived. His name has become part of many languages when we want to say someone is a genius, as in the phrase, “She’s a real Einstein”. He must have been pretty brainy to discover the Theory of Relativity and the equation E=MC2.In 1999, Time Magazine named Einstein as the Person of the Century. No one could have guessed this would happen when he was in school. He was extremely interested in science but hated the system of learning things by rote memory. He said it destroyed learning and creativity. He had already done many experiments but failed the entrance exams to a technical college. He didn’t let this setback stop him. When he was 16, he performed his famous experiment of imagining traveling alongside a beam of light. He eventually graduated from university, in 1900, with a degree in physics.Twelve years later he was a university professor and in 1921, he won the Nobel Prize forPhysics. He went on to publish over 300 scientific papers. Einstein is the only scientist to become a cult figure, a household name and part of everyday culture. He once joked that when people stopped him in the street, he always replied, “Pardon me, sorry! Always I am mistaken for Professor Einstein.” Today, he is seen as the typical mad, absent-minded professor, who just happened to change our world.Unit 3 ATo imagine life in the future, you have to know what might be possible. You also need a lot of imagination. There have been many exhibits, such as those at World’s Fairs and theme parks, showing how future homes might look and work, sponsored by builders, developers or technology companies. Science fiction is another way to predict the future. It’s a kind of writing that blends real science with fantasy. Over the years, science fiction writers, artists and engineers have had many ideas about what life would be like in the future. Here’s a look at what some of the leading scientists are working on today to bring into your homes tomorrow.On the outside a home might look like any other. But inside, it can be high-tech all the way! Computer scientists have found new ways to use technology to make people’s lives easier. For instance, sensors can show if someone is in your home and where they are at all times. You can check in from any computer — anywhere. The stuff of cutting-edge scientific research today is tomorrow’s household technology, and high-tech consumer products could be available in your future home!Unit 3 BWhat if we could wear bodysuits to give us super strength? Own an identical robot twin to work for us? What if we could travel through time? Technology is pushing from every direction, getting faster with each passing second. Prepare yourself! The future is closer than you think.A robot conducting a symphony orchestra! A mazing as that is, it’s just one wayreality is outpacing science fiction. Every day robots become even more sophisticated, taking on additional human traits. Until now, robots have mostly gotten the toughest jobs. They work at the assembly line and defuse or even detonate explosive devices.The traditional tasks for a robot have always been the 3-D’s: dull, dirty, dangerous. But as technology improves and as researchers are working towards developing these intelligent humanoids, we are going to see our homes and offices occupied by robots. It makes sense that if you are going to build a general-purpose robot that can perform any task that a human can do, you’d like to give it a human shape. It can walk gracefully. His creators study motion-capture video of both humans and animals. I believe that humanoid technologies will improve our lives in the 21st century.Unit 4 AA leading US scientist has predicted that computers will be as intelligent as humans by 2029. Futurologist Dr Ray Kurzweil told the American Association for the Advancement of Science that in the near future, machine intelligence will overtake the power of the human brain. He said that within two decades computers will be able to think quicker than humans. Dr Kurzweil painted a picture of us having tiny robots called nanobots implanted in our brain to boost our intelligence and health. He told reporters that these microscopic nanobots would work with our brains to make us think faster and give us more powerful memories. Kurzweil explained that we are already “a human machine civilization” and that the upcoming technology “will be a further extension of that.”Dr Kurzweil was one of 18 top intellectuals asked by the US National Academy of Engineering to identify our greatest technological challenges. Other experts included Google founder Larry Page and the human genome pioneer Dr Craig Venter. Kurzweil has a very impressive background in science and innovation. He was an innovator in various fields of computing, including the technology behind CDs. He also pioneered automatic speech recognition by machines. He predicts the pace of new inventionswill increase greatly from now, saying: “ … the next half century will see 32 times more technical progress than the past half century.” This means scenes from science fiction movies, like Blade Runner, The Terminator and I, Robot, will become more and more a part of our everyday lives.Unit 4 BThe scientists who launched the Human Genome Project believed in the power of genetic information to transform health care to allow earlier diagnosis of diseases than ever before and to fuel the creation of powerful new medicines.But it was also clear that genetic information could potentially be used in ways that are hurtful or unfair —for example denying health insurance because of an increased risk for developing a particular disease.Aware of the danger and hoping to ward it off, the founders of the Human Genome Project created a program to explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of new genetic knowledge. The goal was to anticipate problems that might arise and to prompt solutions.For example, in the future, doctors will likely be able to give each of us a “genetic report card” that will spell out our risk of developing a variety of different diseases. But will we really want that information? How will it be used? Who will have access to our genetic information? How will it affect our lives, our families, and our communities?The challenge of addressing these issues is not reserved for scientists. We all have a stake in making sure that everyone will benefit from genetic research and no one is harmed.Unit 5 A“Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence,” sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz has said. Arts education, on the other hand, does solveproblems. Years of research show that it’s closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equal opportunity. Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individual’s life — according to the report, they “can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing,” c reating the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion. Comprehensive, innovative arts initiatives are taking root in a growing number of school districts. Many of these models are based on new findings in brain research and cognitive development, and they embrace a variety of approaches: using the arts as a learning tool, incorporating arts into other core classes and creating a school environment rich in arts and culture. “When you think about the purposes of education, there are three,” an educator says. “We’re preparing kids for jobs. We’re preparing them to be citizens. And we’re teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two.”Unit 5 BThe arts are windows of the world in the same way that science helps us see the world around us.Literature, music, theater, the visual arts, the media, architecture, and dance reveal aspects about ourselves, the world around us, and the relationship between the two. In 1937, German planes flying for Franco in the Spanish civil war bombed a defenseless village as a laboratory experiment, killing many of the inhabitants. In Guernica, Pablo Picasso painted his outrage in the form of a vicious bull surveying a scene of human beings screaming, suffering, and dying. These powerful images mark in our minds the horror of a senseless act of war.Today, one major goal of education has become very practical: employability.Children should know how to read, write, and compute so that they can assume a place in the work force. Few would argue with that. But this objective should not allow us to overlook the importance of the arts and what they can do for the mind and spirit of every child and the function of schooling.Educational administrators need to be reminded that schools have a fundamental responsibility to provide the fuel that will ignite the mind, spark the aspirations, and illuminate the human spirit. The arts can often serve as that fuel. They are the ways we apply our imagination, thought, and feeling through a range of “languages” to illuminate life in all its mysteries, miseries, delights, pities, and wonders.Unit 6 AA solution may be at hand for holidaymakers who are finding it harder to get off the beaten track. For those who really want to get away from it all, a new holiday destination has sprung up — Antarctica. However, this new hotspot, or freezing zone, might only be for those with the deepest pockets if a new policy gets under way. Tourism on Antarctica has been increasing dramatically in the past twenty years, from a few thousand people in 1985 to more than 40,000 in 2007. The growing numbers are having a negative effect on the pristine environment of the South Pole. To combat this, researchers from Holland’s Maastricht University have come up with a possible solution: limit the number of tourists allowed to visit and auction the vacations to the highest bidders.Many environmental protection agencies agree that there is a need to protect the frozen wilderness from the damage created by modern tourism. Antarctica is the last unspoiled place on Earth. It has a very delicate ecosystem that could be easily upset by hordes of tourists landing in airplanes and using skimobiles. A difficulty exists because Antarctica is not a country and therefore has no government to pass laws or guidelines to control the number of visitors. The Maastricht University team’s proposal to auction off a fixed number of tourist places seems a workable solution. Itwould limit the number of visitors and therefore contain the amount of environmental damage, and the money would be used to protect Antarctica’s future.Unit 6 BTraveling to World Heritage sites is rewarding! It is about exploring unique environments, engaging with cultural splendours, experiencing a different way of life and building lasting memories. The following are some great travel tips that can enhance your trip and benefit the World Heritage sites you visit. Here are the tips: Before traveling, first find out as much as possible. The more you know about a World Heritage site before arriving, the more the site will come alive. Second, pack light. It is tempting to pack everything you think you might need, but remember to be smart about your necessities. Packaging items like the paper box of your film or the plastic wrapping of your new toothbrush simply consumes space in your bag and can create excess trash for the World Heritage site. Finally, explore transportation options. Traveling affects the environment. Wherever possible, try to minimize your pollution and impact on the environment by looking to alternative transportation and off-setting your carbon emissions.During your traveling, tread lightly and respect the natural environment. These destinations are World Heritage sites because of their exceptional natural or cultural splendour. Do your part to keep them that way by following designated trails, respecting caretakers and not removing archaeological or biological treasures from sites. Besides, while it is important to support local economies, certain tourist activities and souvenirs can damage a fragile World Heritage site. Say “no” to souvenirs that are a piece of the site itself and to tourist activities that may be harmful to a site’s longevity.Unit 7 AAnyone who has experienced it knows all too well – video game addiction is real.Although gaming addiction is not yet officially recognized as a disorder by the American Medical Association, there is increasing evidence that people of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, are facing very real, sometimes severe consequences associated with compulsive use of video and computer games.Video games are becoming increasingly complex, detailed and compelling to a growing international audience of players. With better graphics, more realistic characters and greater strategic challenges, it’s not surprising that some teens would rather play the latest video game than hang out with friends, play sports or even watch television.Of course, all gamers are not addicts – many teens can play video games a few hours a week, successfully balancing school activities, grades, friends and family obligations. But for some gaming has become an uncontrollable compulsion. Studies estimate that 10 percent to 15 percent of gamers exhibit signs that meet the World Health Organization’s criteria for addiction. Just like gambling and other compulsive behaviors, teens can become so enthralled in the fantasy world of gaming that they neglect their family, friends, work and school.Unit 7 BInternet Addiction Disorder has long been recognized as a social problem.According to psychological counselor Li Jianling, if you have the following symptoms, it is likely that Internet addiction has begun to infiltrate your life. Internet addicts lose track of time and spend less and less time on meals at home or at work. They are used to eating in front of a computer screen. Also, they deny spending too much time on the Net. They can’t help going online when already busy at work, and they sneak online when family members aren’t at home, with a sense of relief. It’s a commonly known fact that Internet addiction can have a devastating effect on peoples’ health and social lives. Adults may lose the most important years for their career development and students may waste too much of their youth in front of a computer screen.But why is Internet addiction so prominent in China? Li Jianling explains that many youths are the only children in their families. They don’t have enough chances to associate with parents and relatives. Also, the lack of activities for adults can lead to Internet addiction. When people grow up, if they don’t spend time on sports or other positive interests, they often turn to the Internet to kill time.How do we deal with this problem? Li Jianling says associating more with family, friends and nature can really help Internet addicts kick the habit. Everyone understands that parents nowadays are busy, but if they just spend more time communicating with their kids, they can help avoid their children from becoming addicted to the Internet.Unit 8 AThe ability of a country to reduce poverty and increase its development depends on a number of things: its physical geography, the policy choices it makes, and the resources, institutions and capacities it has access to. On top of these, money is also needed to enable a country to invest in infrastructure or programs that support economic growth and development. Countries can finance their development in several different ways. First and foremost are the domestic financial resources that countries already have — the taxes they collect on economic activity or government borrowing from the savings that people and companies make. But for many developing countries, domestic resources are insufficient to meet the scale of investment necessary. So there is often a need to supplement them with financial resources from other countries. In 2005, many donor countries committed to increasing the amount of money they give in aid by $50 billion by 2010.Of equal importance, aid also needs to work better. For example, aid sometimes can be tied to the purchase of goods and services from the donor. This means that aid is not necessarily directed to the things that matter for poor people. This undermines the effectiveness of aid, as measured by its ability to reduce poverty. Making aid more effective is a responsibility shared by donor and recipient countries.The organization called United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been focusing on supporting recipient governments, ensuring aid coordination, and supporting to monitor arrangements that include the private sector and civil society.Unit 8 BUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the global financial crisis may have shaken world confidence, but not the international community’s re solve to help the United Nations continue working to fight poverty and disease. Mr. Ban said the international community’s determination to help what he calls the world’s “bottom billion” —those who live on less than $1 a day —has not weakened. During the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly that wrapped up last week in New York, member states pledged $16 billion to help the UN meet targets of cutting poverty and disease worldwide by 2015.“Everyone has felt the earthquake on Wall Street,” said the U.N. chief. “But it has not shaken our resolve. Banks may be failing, but the world’s bottom billion can bank on us.” He said the generosity of these commitments is very encouraging, given the economic climate.In the first of a new monthly series of press conferences, Mr. Ban spoke about the many challenges facing the United Nations —among them, the deteriorating situation in Darfur, the precarious political and military situation in Afghanistan, piracy and instability in Somalia and the effects of climate change.The UN chief said that amid these crises the world must not forget the plight of others and he urged world leaders to honor the monetary pledges they have made. “Grave as it may be, today’s financial crisis will be overcome,” he said. “We must und erline the need for ‘crisis-proofing’ of the important priorities of the United Nations from international financial turbulence.”。

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.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 1 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答.1.A.It was mainly meant for cancer patients.B.It might appeal more to viewers over 40.C.It was frequently interrupted by commercials.D.It could help people of all ages to avoid cancer.2.A.The man admires the woman's talent in writing.B.The woman took a lot of pictures at the contest.C.The woman is a photographer.D.The man is fond of traveling.3.A.The man placed the reading list on a desk.B.The man regrets being absent-minded.C.The woman saved the man some trouble.D.The woman emptied the waste paper basket.4.A.He has left the army recently.B.He quit teaching in June.C.He has taken over his brother's business.D.He opened a restaurant near the school.5.A.She read only part of the book.B.She is interested in reading novels.C.She seldom reads books from cover to cover.D.She was eager to know what the book was about.6.A.She called to say that her husband had been hospitalized.B.She was absent all week owing to sickness.C.She was seriously injured in a car accident.D.She had to be away from school to attend to her husband.7.A.The man lives two blocks away from the Smiths.B.The woman is not sure if she is on the right street.C.The Smiths' new house is not far from their old one.D.The speakers want to rent the Smiths' old house.8.A.The man couldn't find his car in the parking lot.B.The man had a hard time finding a parking space.C.The woman found they had got to the wrong spot.D.The woman was offended by the man's late arrival. Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A.The hotel clerk couldn't find his reservation for that night.B.The hotel clerk tried to take advantage of his inexperience.C.The hotel clerk had put his reservation under another name.D.The hotel clerk insisted that he didn't make any reservation.10.A.A grand wedding was being held in the hotel.B.It was a busy season for holiday-makers.C.The hotel was undergoing major repairs.D.There was a conference going on in the city.11.A.It was free of charge on weekends.B.It was offered to frequent guests only.C.It had a 15% discount on weekdays.D.It was 10% cheaper than in other hotels.12.A.Demand compensation from the hotel.B.Find a cheaper room in another hotel.C.Ask for an additional discountplain to the hotel manager.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13.A.Secretary of Birmingham Medical School.B.Head of the Overseas Students Office.C.Assistant Director of the Admissions Office.D.An employee in the city council at Birmingham.14.A.A small number are from the Far East.B.A large majority are from Latin America.C.About fifteen percent are from Africa.D.Nearly fifty percent are foreigners.15.A.She will have more contact with students.B.She will be more involved in policy-making.C.It will be less demanding than her present job.D.It will bring her capability into fuller play.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages.At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, Cand D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A.Her parents immigrated to America.B.Her parents set up an ice-cream store.C.Her parents left Chicago to work on a farm.D.Her parents thrived in the urban environment.17.A.He was born with a limp.B.He taught English in Chicago.C.He worked to become an executive.D.He was crippled in a car accident.18.A.She was fascinated by American culture.B.She was very generous in offering help.C.She was highly devoted to her family.D.She was fond of living an isolated life.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A.He was seriously injured.B.He was wrongly diagnosed.C.He developed a strange disease.D.He suffered a nervous breakdown.20.A.He raced to the nursing home.B.He was able to talk again.C.He could tell red and blue apart.D.He could not recognize his wife.21.A.Two and a half months.B.Twenty-nine days.C.Fourteen hours.D.Several minutes.22.A.They released a video of his progress.B.They avoided appearing on television.C.They welcomed the publicity in the media.D.They declined to give details of his condition.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23.A.For farmers to exchange their daily necessities.B.For people to share ideas and show farm “products.C.For officials to educate the farming community.D.For farmers to celebrate their harvests.24.A.By offering to do volunteer work at the fair.B.By bringing an animal rarely seen on nearby farms.C.By bringing a bag of grain in exchange for a ticket.D.By performing a special skill at the entrance.25.A.They help to increase the state governments' revenue.B.They contribute to the modernization of American farms.C.They remind Americans of the importance of agriculture.D.They provide a stage for people to give performances.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times.When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea.When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard.Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you shouldcheck what you have written.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答.Students' pressure sometimes comes from their parents.Most parents are (26) __________, but some of them aren't very helpful with the problems their sons and daughters have in(27) __________college, and a few of them seem to go out of their way to add to their children's difficulties.For one thing, parents are often not (28) __________the kinds of problems their children face.They don't realize that the (29) __________is keener, that the required standards of work are higher, and that their children may not be prepared for the change.(30) __________to seeing A's and B's on high school report cards, they may be upset when their children's first semester college grades are below that level.At their kindest, they may (31) __________inquire why John or Mary isn'tdoing better, whether he or she is tryingas hard as he or she should, and so on.At their worst, they may (32) __________to take their children out of college, or (33)__________funds.Sometimes parents regard their children as extensions of themselves and think it only right and natural that they determine what their children do with their lives. In their involvement and(34)__________with their children, they forget that everyone is different and that each person must develop in his or her ownway. They forget that their children, who are now young(35) __________, must be the ones responsible for what they do and what they are.。

Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 lo ng conversations.Atthe end of each conversation,one or more questio ns will be asked about what was said.Boththe conversation and the q uestions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be ap ause.During the pause,you must read the four choices marked A),B), C)and D),and decidewhich is the best answer,Then mark the correspo nding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a singleline through the centre.1. A) The man's tennis racket is good enough.B) The man should get a pair of new shoes.C) She can wait for the man for a little while.D) Physical exercise helps her stay in shape.2. A) The woman will skip Dr. Smith's lecture to help the man.B) Kathy is very pleased to attend the lecture by Dr. Smith.C) The woman is good at doing lab demonstrations.D) The man will do all he can do assist the woman.3. A) The woman asked the man to accompany her to the party.B) Steve became rich soon after graduation from college.C) Steve invited his classmates to visit his big cottage.D) The speakers and Steve used to be classmates.4. A) In a bus. B) In a clinic. C) In a boat. D) In a plane.5. A) 10:10. B) 9:50. C) 9:40. D) 9:10.6. A) She does not like John at all.B) John has got many admirers.C) She does not think John is handsome.D) John has just got a bachelor's degree.7. A) He has been bumping along for hours.B) He has got a sharp pain in the neck.C) He is involved in a serious accident.D) He is trapped in a terrible traffic jam.8. A) She is good at repairing things.B) She is a professional mechanic.C) She should improve her physical condition.D) She cannot go without a washing machine.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) Some witnesses failed to appear in court.B) The case caused debate among the public.C) The accused was found guilty of stealing.D) The accused refused to plead guilty in court.10. A) He was out of his mind.B) He was unemployed.C) His wife deserted him.D) His children were sick.11. A) He had been in jail before.B) He was unworthy of sympathy.C) He was unlikely to get employed.D) He had committed the same sort of crime.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Irresponsible. B) Unsatisfactory. C) Aggressive. D) Conservative.13. A) Internal communication.B) Distribution of brochures.C) Public relations.D) Product design.14. A) Placing advertisements in the trade press.B) Drawing sketches for advertisements.C) Advertising in the national press.D) Making television commercials.15. A) She has the motivation to do the job.B) She is not so easy to get along with.C) She knows the tricks of advertising.D) She is not suitable for the position.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16. A) The cozy communal life.B) Innovative academic programs.C) The cultural diversity.D) Impressive school buildings.17. A) It is very beneficial to their academic progress.B) It helps them soak up the surrounding culture.C) It is as important as their learning experience.D) It ensures their physical and mental health.18. A) It offers the most challenging academic programs.B) It has the world's best-known military academies.C) It provides numerous options for students.D) It draws faculty from all around the world.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They try to give students opportunities for experimentation.B) They are responsible merely to their Ministry of Education.C) They strive to develop every student's academic potential.D) They ensure that all students get roughly equal attention.20. A) It will arrive at Boulogne at half past two.B) It crosses the English Channel twice a day.C) It is now about half way to the French coast.D) It is leaving Folkestone in about five minutes21. A) Opposite the ship's office.B) At the rear of B deck.C) Next to the duty-free shop.D) In the front of A deck.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) It is the sole use of passengers travelling with cars.B) It is much more spacious than the lounge on C deck.C) It is for the use of passengers travelling with children.D) It is for senior passengers and people with VIP cards.23. A) It was named after its location.B) It was named after a cave art expert.C) It was named after its discoverer.D) It was named after one of its painters.24. A) Animal painting was part of the spiritual life of the time.B) Deer were worshiped by the ancient Cro-Magnon people.C) Cro-Magnon people painted animals they hunted and ate.D) They were believed to keep evils away from cave dwellers.25. A) They know little about why the paintings were created.B) They have difficulty telling when the paintings were done.C) They are unable to draw such interesting and fine paintings.D) They have misinterpreted the meaning of the cave paints.If you are attending a local college, especially one without residence halls, you'll probably live at home and commute to classes. This arrangement has a lot of __26__. It's cheaper. It provides a comfortable and familiarsetting, and it means you'll get the kind of home cooking you're used to instead of the monotony (单调) that __27__ even the best institutional food.However, commuting students need to __28__ to become involved in the life of their college and to take special steps to meet their fellow students. Often, this means a certain amount of initiative on your part in __29__ and talking to people in your classes whom you think you might like. One problem that commuting students sometimes face is their parents' unwillingness to recognize that they're adults. The __30__ from high school to college is a big one, and if you live at home you need to develop the same kind of independence you'd have if you were living away. Home rules that might have been __31__ when you were in high school don't apply. If your parents are __32__ to renegotiate, you can speed the process along by letting your behavior show that you have the responsibility that goes with maturity. Parents are more willing to __33__ their children as adults when they behave like adults. If, however, there's so much friction at home that it __34__ your academic work, you might want to consider sharing an apartment with one or more friends. Sometimes this is a happy solution when family __35__ make .【参考答案】01-08：BADCBADA09-11：CBA 12-15：BCDD 16-18：ACC 19-21：BDD 22-25：ABCA26. advantages27. characterizes28. go out of29. seeking30. transition31. appropriate32. reluctant33. acknowledge34. interferes35. tensions。

大学英语听力听说教程3unit14womenUnit 14 WomenPart BExercise 1Most women in France work. Their average salary is about 75% that of their male co-workers, even though laws passed in 1972 require "professional equality" between the sexes. The good news is that women are increasingly moving into middle management. A handful are top executives. The higher their position, the harder it is to balance family and career. A 38-year-old woman who graduated from the prestigious National School of Administration remembers that when she took a senior post in a ministry, her male colleagues assured her, "You are one of us, one of the guys." But when she became a mother, they stuck to age-old traditions that she couldn't follow ?a long lunches and late-night meetings. "It was too much pressure and I felt like I was being sabotaged," she says. For those who want to balance family with a job, as opposed to a high-pressure, high-visibility career, France is a haven. Women marry later, on average, than in America ?a at age 25. And they stay in the workforce. Part-time jobs are easy to find. Maternity benefits are generous, with over six months of paid leave. Women who've raised three or more children are entitled to a state-funded pension. The quality of publicly funded education for children is high. And abortion is not only legal, but it's paid for by the state. French businesswomen dress elegantly, argue intelligently and play hardball at the negotiating table. They show their wit, intellect, ability to make puns and understanding of politics, history and literature. Unlike most American female executives who dressconservatively in a dark, not particularly flattering suit, with no jewelry and little makeup, Frenchwomen see no need to abandon femininity and elegance in the business world. They prefer soft colors, stylish clothes, silk scarves, manicured nails, light makeup, and simple but elegant jewelry.Questions1. What do you know about French businesswomen2. What does the speaker intend to say through the passage about French businesswomen3. What is implied in the passage about French businesswomenExercise 1Women and men are not created equal. Mother Nature favors her own sex when it comes to longevity, with women living about seven years ?a or 10% ?a longer than men. Still, men actually get a head start in the battle of the sexes, since male babies outnumber female babies by 115 to 100. But by about age 30, women have caught up with men numerically, and they then leave men in the dust, with three women alive for every man by age 85. But there's the paradox: While women live longer than men,they're generally sicker. Men tend to die from rapidly fatal health problems such as heart attacks, accidents,suicides and homicides. Women, on the other hand, tend to develop lingering illnesses that often cause years of discomfort. Women spend twice as much money on health care as men do. They also consult doctors more frequently, take more drugs, spend more days in hospitals and have more operations. They also take more sick time off from work. Why The chief causes seem to be genes, hormones and interactions of the two. Many women suffer from chronic conditions like muscle and joint pain, sleep disorder,anxiety, headaches, and fatigue. There is no known cause for them, but they probably result from the body's abnormal response to stress. Women may be more likely than men to have these diseases simply because they are under more stress. A woman is often under tremendous stress to fulfillwhat she sees as her obligations to her family, her community and her employer. Researchers still know little about women's health. There is clearly a need for more research into why women come down with chronic illnesses and what can be done about it.Questions1. What is the main idea of the passage2. What is the speaker's attitude toward women's health problemsStatements1. Women live ten years longer than men.2. The number of women gradually exceeds that of men by age 30.3. Women spend more money on medicine because they are often seriously ill.4. A woman bears a greater responsibility to her family, community and employer than a man does.5. Women can cope with stress better than men.6. Men are likely to die from rapidly fatal health problems while women often complain about stress-related diseases.7. There's still much to be discovered about women's health.Part CMore and more women today can be found in top positions in business and industry. An example of this trend is Jennifer Bradbury. After a very successful career as a model, she becamea clothes designer. Then,with money she had saved and borrowed, she bought part of a small company that manufactured sportswear and became one of its directors. As she says, it was then that "the real battle began". The other directors often asked her opinions about the design and the color of the company's products but they refused to believe she understood anything about the "hard side of business". Jennifer gives an example. She says, "The company sold its sportswear only through small specialist shops. I was sure we would never increase our sales unless we sold through big department stores and even supermarkets. The other two directors didn't like the idea at all at first. They were afraid we would lose some of our traditional customers if we did what I wanted. I think part of the trouble was they didn't take the idea very seriously simply because it came from a woman." But Jennifer and her ideas are certainly taken very seriously now. Under her leadership, the company has increased its sales and the number of customers. It also manufactures a much wider variety of sports clothes, many of them designed by Jennifer herself.Questions1. What does Jennifer do now2. How were the company's products sold in the past3. What does Jennifer mean by "the real battle"[02:]4. What can you learn about Jennifer from the passage。

2014年3月二级高考英语听力试题Text 1W: Oh, what a pretty dress! My daughter would love it. But it seems a bit too large. Do you have a smaller size? M: Sorry. This is the only one left. But don’t worry. Children grow fast!W: Yes, that’s true. I’ll take it.1. What will the woman do about the dress? CC. She’ll buy it.Text 2W: These DVDs will be due back on Thursday the 7th.M: How much more should we pay to keep them another week?2. What are the speakers talking about? BB. Borrowing DVDs.Text 3M: What did you think of Dana’s speech today?W: Well, she must have spent a lot of time preparing it. I ca n’t believe I could sit for that long without feeling bored.3. What did the woman think of Dana’s speech? CC. Well-prepared.Text 4W: Could you help us carry these boxes, sir?M: Oh, I’d like to help you, but I’ve got a pain in my back.4. What does the man mean? AA. He is unable to give help.Text 5W: I wonder if Simon will be here by 8. He’s supposed to be.M: His wife said he left at 7:30, so he should be here by 8:10 at the latest.5. When is Simon supposed to arrive? BB. 8:00.Text 6M: Are you free on the weekend?W: I haven’t got any plans yet. Why?M: There’s an exhibition of Chinese paintings at the public library. W ould you like to go with me?W: I’d love to. But when?M: How about Saturday morning? It’s cooler in the morning, and may be less crowded.1W: I’m afraid I cannot get up early on weekends. I prefer Saturday afternoon. Believe me, there won’t be too many people.M: So, shall we meet at 2 Saturday afternoon?W: Ok, that would be great. I’ll be waiting for you at my home.听下面一段对话，回答第6和第7题。

2014年 12月新题型 (听力部分Part I Listening Comprehension (20 minutesDirections: This part is to test your listening ability. It consists of 4 sections.Section ADirections: This section is to test your ability to understand short dialogues. There are 5 recorded dialogues in it. After each dialogue, there is a recorded question. Both the dialogues and question s will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer fro m the 4 choices marked A: B, C and D given in your test paper. Then you should mark the corr esponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.Now the test will begin.1. A Production planning. B Public relations. C Financial affairs. D Import and Export.2. A More workers are needed. B Advertising costs more.C Workers' salaries are higherD Raw materials are more expensive.3. A To look for a dream job. C To find a chance to do business.B To continue his study. D To visit his friends.4. A Fie is suitable for the job. C He is nice and kind.B He is good at programming. D He finds the job difficult.5. A Buyer and seller. C Doctor and nurse.B Interviewer and interviewee. D Shop assistant and customer.Section BDirections: This section is to test your ability to understand short conversations, There are 2 rec orded conversations in it. After each conversation there are some recorded questions. Both the con versations and questions will be spoken two times. When you hear a question, you should decide o n the correct answer from the 4 choices marked A, B, C and D given in your test paper. Then y ou should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. Now listen to the conversations.Conversation 16. A He was too busy. C His company has closed down.B He got a new offer. D His company has moved away.7. A To move to another city. C To have his own business.B To do social work. D To go to study abroad.Conversation 28. A The chief engineer. C The office secretary.B The sales manager. D The manager assistant.9. A He's attending a meeting. C He's speaking on another phone,B He's giving a lecture. D He's away on a business trip.10. A Telling him to meet tomorrow. C Asking him to attend a party.B Telling him to send a sample. D Asking him to call back.Section CDirections: In this section you will hear a recorded short passage. The passage is printed in the t est paper, but with some words or phrases missing, The passage will be read two times. You are re quired to put the missing words or phrases on, the Answer Sheet in order of the numbered blanks a ccording to what you hear.Now the passage will begin.Ladies and Gentlemen,It's my honor to be the guide to show you around our company. First of all, I'll introduce our fa ctory to you.We now have offices in Asia, North America and Europe, with about 1500 employees, and we areSection DDirections: This section is to test your ability to comprehend short passages. You will hear a rec orded passage. After that you will hear five questions. Both the passage and the questions will be r ead two times. When you hear a question, you should complete the answer to it with a word or a s hort phrase (in no more than 3 words. The questions and incomplete answers are printed in your t est paper. You should write your answers on the Answer Sheet correspondingly.Now listen to the passage.16. What did the speaker talk about last time?The ____________ of an oral presentation.17. What does the speaker want to talk about today?The ___________ of a presentation.18. What does a typical presentation consist of?The beginning,___________________.19. Why is the beginning of a presentation the most important part, according to the speaker? Because it is the ___________ to your listeners,20. What is the role an effective beginning can play in your presentation?It can draw ____________ and set the proper tone.。

大学三级听力专项试题及答案解析(二)一、Listening Comprehensionm（Section A ）（共30小题,共30.0分）Directions: This section is to test your ability to understand short dialogues. There are 5 recorded dialogues in it. After each dialogue, there is a recorded question. Both the dialogues and questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer from the 4 choices marked A, B, C and D given in your test paper. Then you should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.第1题A BeefB Bread.C Tea.D Butter.【正确答案】：C【本题分数】：1.0分【答案解析】[听力原文]What is George drinking?选项中只有tea能drink。

第2题A I want one.B Rice.C All right.D How nice!【正确答案】：B【本题分数】：1.0分【答案解析】[听力原文]Which do you prefer, rice or bread?选择疑问句，两选一。

第3题A No, it isn't.B Yes, I can.C No, I don't.D Yes, it does.【正确答案】：A【本题分数】：1.0分【答案解析】[听力原文]Is English easy for you?一般疑问句，注意动词的一致。

2014年12月大学英语三级（B级）真题试卷(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. Listening Comprehension 2. V ocabulary & Structure 3. Reading Comprehension 4. Translation-English into Chinese 5. WritingPart I Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Directions：This part is to test your listening ability. It consists of 4 sections.Section ADirections: This section is to test your ability to give proper answers to questions. There are 7 recorded questions in it. After each question, there is a pause. The questions will be spoken two times. When you hear a question, you should decid听力原文：Q: Can I help you, madam?1．A．How are you?B．Mind your step.C．Yes, I’m looking for a gift.D．No hurry at all.正确答案：C解析：本题考查对别人主动提供帮助的回答。

回答分为肯定和否定两种情况：肯定回答一般先表示感谢，然后指出自己需要得到什么样的帮助；否定回答也先表示感谢，然后委婉拒绝，也可以补充说明拒绝别人帮助的原因。

C)“是的，我想买一份礼物”，是一种肯定回答，确定为本题的答案。

A)“你好吗”，通常用于见面时的寒暄；B)“留神脚下，当心脚步”，用于提醒别人注意道路上存在的问题；D)“根本不必着急，一点也不用着急”，用于提示别人不用慌张。

2014年12月大学英语三级考试真题答案Part I: Multiple Choice (20 points)1. D2. B3. C4. A5. D6. C7. B8. A9. C 10. D11. A 12. B 13. D 14. C 15. A 16. D 17. B 18. C 19. A 20. BPart II: Reading Comprehension (40 points)Passage 121. D 22. C 23. A 24. B 25. D 26. CPassage 227. C 28. B 29. D 30. A 31. C 32. BPassage 333. B 34. A 35. D 36. C 37. B 38. D 39. A 40. CPassage 441. D 42. C 43. A 44. B 45. D 46. APart III: Cloze Test (15 points)47. C 48. B 49. A 50. D 51. C 52. A 53. B 54. D 55. C 56. A 57. B 58. D 59. B 60. APart IV: Error Correction (10 points)61. which → on62. avoiding → avoid63. directly → direct64. but → and65. When → Since66. more → most67. rules → rule68. traveling → travel69. b elieve → believed70. as → likePart V: Writing (15 points)Sample answer:Dear Professor Smith,I am writing to express my interest in the research assistant position that was advertised on the university website yesterday. I recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, and I am eager to gain more practical experience in the field before pursuing further studies.During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to work on several research projects, where I developed valuable skills in data analysis and laboratory techniques. I believe these skills make me a strong candidate for the research assistant position. Additionally, I have a strong background in statistics, which I believe will be beneficial for analyzing research data.Furthermore, I am highly motivated and possess excellent time management skills. In my previous research experiences, I was able to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. I am also a strong communicator and work well in a team.I have attached my resume for your review, which details my academic achievements and research experiences. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and how they align with the research being conducted in your laboratory.Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.Sincerely,[Your Name]Note: This sample answer is based on a hypothetical scenario and does not reflect an actual research assistant position.。

2014年12月6级第3套听力真题Section A1What does the woman think of the government’s tax cut proposal? A:It will mainly benefit the wealthy.B:It will stimulate business activities.C:It will reduce government revenues.D:It will cut the stockholders’ divid ends.答案:A2What can be inferred about the woman from the conversation?A:She doesn’t think much of job-hopping.B:She will stick to the job if the pay is good.C:She prefers a life of continued exploration.D:She will do her best if the job is worth doing.答案:C3What’s the woman’s advice to her son?A:Talk the drug user out of the habit.B:Stop thinking about the matter.C:Keep his distance from drug addicts.D:Be more friendly to his schoolmate.答案:C4Who is worried about gaining weight?A:The son.B:Aunt Louise.C:The father.D:The mother.答案:D5What are the two speakers going to do?A:Move to another place.B:Stay away for a couple of weeks.C:Check the locks every two weeks.D:Look after the Johnsons’ hous e.答案:B6Why did the man ask the woman to hurry up?A:He didn’t want to miss the game.B:He would like to warm up for the game.C:He didn’t want to be held up in traffic.D:He wanted to catch as many birds as possible.答案:A7What happened to the convenience store?A:It was burned down.B:It was closed down.C:It was robbed.D:It was blown up.答案:C8What does the woman mean?A:She studies in the same school as her brother.B:She isn’t going to work in her brothers firm.C:Sh e isn’t going to change her major.D:She plans to mayor in tax law.答案:B9What are the speakers mainly discussing?A:Current issues in economics.B:Choices faced by conservationists.C: A recent biology lecture.D:Topics for a research paper.答案:B10What problems do conservationists have?A: A scarcity of jobs in their field.B:Inadequate training in methods of biological research.C:Difficulties in classifying all of the varieties of owl.D: A lack of funding for their work with endangered species.答案:D11What can be inferred about the tailed toad?A:It has numerous traits in common with the spotted owl.B:Its population is increasing in recent years.C:It may not survive without special efforts of conservationists. D:Its role in the chain of evolution has not yet been examined.答案:C12What is the talk mainly about?A:Training given to music therapists.B:How music prevents disease.C:Studies on the benefits of music.D:To relieve depression.答案:C13According to the speaker, how is the music therapy currently used in medicine? A:In place of physical therapy.B:To control brain problems.C:To prevent heart disease.D:To relieve depression.答案:D14What did the study done with surgeons show?A:They like to have music in the operating room.B:They solved problems better while listening to music they liked.C:They preferred classical music.D:They performed better when they used headphones.答案:B15What effect did music have in the study of students exposed to classic music? A:It increased the students’ white blood cell.B:It increased some students’ energy level.C:It improved the students, ability to play musical instruments.D:It released a natural painkiller in some students’ bodie s.答案:DSection B16Why did Jane want to go back to work?A:She was bored with her idle life at home.B:She was offered a good job by her neighbour.C:She wanted to help with the family’s finances.D:Her family would like to see her more involved in social life.答案:C17How did Jane spend her days before she went back to work?A:Doing housework.B:Looking after her neighbour’s children.C:Reading papers and watching TV.D:Taking good care of her husband.答案:A18What problem arose when Jane went back to work?A:Jane got angry at Bill’s idle life.B:Bill failed to adapt to the new situation.C:Bill blamed Jane for neglecting the family.D:The children were not taken good care of.答案:B19What does the story try to tell us?A:Neighbours should help each other.B:Women should have their own careers.C:Man and wife should share household duties.D:Parents should take good care of their children.答案:C20What is the purpose of the program mentioned in this passage?A:To predict natural disasters that can cause vast destruction.B:To limit the destruction that natural disasters may cause.C:To gain financial support from the United Nations.D:To propose measures to hold back natural disasters.答案:B21What can we learn from the northern California earthquake in 1989?A:There is still a long way to go before man can control natural disasters.B:International cooperation can minimize the destructive force of natural disasters C:Technology can help reduce the damage natural disasters may cause.D:Scientists can successfully predict earthquakes.答案:C22Why did the highway in northern California collapse?A:There were fatal mistakes in its design.B:The builder didn’t observe the building codes of the time.C:The traffic load went beyond its capacity.D:It was built according to less strict earthquake resistance standards.答案:D23How do people make decisions about risky situations?A:By judging to what extent they can eliminate the risks.B:By estimating the possible loss of lives and property.C:By estimating the frequency of volcanic eruptions.D:By judging the possible risks against the likely benefits.答案:D24What do we know about Mount Etna from the passage?A:One of Etna’s recent eruptions made many people move away.B:Etna’s frequent eruptions have ruined most of the local farmland.C:Etna’s eruptions are frequent but usually mild.D:There are signs that Etna will erupt again in the near future.答案:C25What will people living near Mount Etna do in the face of its eruptions?A:They will remain where they are.B:They will leave this area forever.C:They will turn to experts for advice.D:They will seek shelter in nearby regions.答案:ASection CCertain phrases one commonly hears among Americans capture their devotion to individualism: “Do your own thing. ”“I did it my way. ” “You’ll have to decide that for yourself. ” “You made your bed, now 26____ in it. ”“If you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will. ” “Look out for number one. ”Closely associated with the value they place on individualism is the importance Americans 27____ privacy.Americans assume that people “need some time to themselves” or “some time alone” to 28____ things or recover their spent psychological energy.Americans have great 29____ understanding foreigners who always want to be with another person, who dislike being alone.If the parents can 30____ it, each child will have his or her own bedroom.Having one’s own bedroom, even as an infant, fixes in a person the notion that she 31____ a place of her own where she can be by herself, and keep her possessions.She will have her clothes, her toys, her books, and so on.These things will be hers and no one else’s.Americans 32____ that people will have their private thoughts that might never be shared with anyone.Doctors, lawyers, psychiatrists, and others have rules governing “confidentiality” that 33____ prevent information about their clients' personal situations from becoming known to others. Americans' attitudes about 34____ can be hard for foreigners to understand.Americans’ houses, yards，and even their offices can seem open and inviting.Yet in the minds of Americans, there are 35____ that other people are simply not supposed to cross.When those boundaries are crossed, an American's body will visibly stiffen and his manner will become cool and aloof.26:lie27:assign to28:think about29:difficulty30:afford31:is entitled to32:assume33:are intended to34:privacy35:boundaries2014年12月6级第3套听力原文Section A1:M:What do you think of the government’s n ew tax cut proposal?W:Though it may give some benefit to the poor, its key component is the elimination of tax on dividends. That means the rich will get richer.2:M:Jenny, remember this：a job worth doing at all is worth doing well.W:Oh, yes. I certainly won’t forget it But don’t expect me to stick to the job just because it pays a few more bucks. A life of continuous exploration is a life worth living.3:M:I found that one of my schoolmates uses drugs. How can I help him, Mom?W:Stay away from him，Son. Never think that you can talk him out of the habit if he is addicted But perhaps you can talk to your teacher about the matter.4:W:I don’t know how you can eat so much yet never put on any weight, Son. Your father’s got the same luck. I can’t tak e a bite without calculating how many calories I am takingM:But remember Aunt Louise，Mom? She ate a lot and never gained a pound. 5:W:Did you turn off the lights and check the locks on all the doors?M:Yes，I told the Johnsons we’d be gone for two weeks. They promised to keep an eye on the house for us.6:M:Hurry up, Linda! I hear that there aren’t many tickets left for the football match.W:I am ready now. Let’s go. It is the early bird that catches the worm.7:W:Did you hear that the convenience store next to the gas station was held up last night?M:Yes, I heard it on the radio this morning.8:M:Congratulations! I just heard about your acceptance into a law school. Do you think you would join your brother’s firm after graduation?W:Not likely. He is a tax lawyer, and I am going to major in criminal law. 9:W:Hi, Bill, how is it going?M:Oh, hi, Jan. I’m OK. How about you?W:You can probably tell just by looking at me.W:I’m really busy.W:Hey, what are you reading?M:A pretty interesting article.M:My biology professor assigned it, and I thought I just looked it over. M:But I got really involved in it.M:It’s about endangered species.W:That sounds pretty interesting.W:I’m getting frustrated with the two research papers I’m struggling with. W:And can you believe they are both due on the same day?M:That’s tough.W:I’ll get through itW:So what’s this you are reading?M:Well, it’s basically about the choices conservationists are faced with. M:You know, these days when funding is so hard to come by.W:Wait a minute.W:Is the focus on biology or economics?M:Both. Conservationists don’t have enough funding to save every endangered species in the world,M:so they have to decide based on what would be lost if a specks became extinct.W:Can you give me an example of what you mean?M:Take for instance, two animals, the spotted owl and the tailed toad.M:The article says the toad is unique.M:It has no relatives.M:But there are a lot of varieties of owls.W:So, if that toad became extinct, we’d lose an important link in the chain of evolution，right?M:Exactly. But that isn’t so for the owl.M:So for conservationists, it might be a clear choice of which animal to save.W:I see. I am glad I don’t have to make that kind of decision. Aren’t you?10::11::12:M:Good evening, dear audience.M:I’m glad to continue the topic about music.M:It is common knowledge that music can have a powerful effect on our emotions.M:In fact, since 1930s music therapists have relied on music to soothe patients and help control pain.M:Now psychologists are confirming that music can also help relieve depression and improve concentration.W:That’s nice. Do they have any concrete examples?M:For instance，in a recent study,15 surgeons were given some highly stressed math problems to solve.M:They were divided into three groups：one worked in silence;M:and the another, the surgeons listened to music of their choice on headphones; the third listened to classical music chosen by the researchers.W:What’re the results?M:The results of the study may surprise you.M:The doctors who got to choose their music experienced less stress and scored better than the others.W:That is surprising. How to explain this?M:One possible explanation is that listening to music you like stimulates the Alfa-wave in the brain, increases the heart rate and expands the breathing.M:That helps to reduce stress and sharpen concentration.W:Is there any other research?M:Yes. Other research suggests a second relation between the music and the brain：M:by examining the students，blood after listening to a variety of classical music collections,M:the researchers found that some students showed a large increase in a chemical substance, a natural pain reliever in their blood, which can help soothe the patientW:Well, thank you so much for being with us today and having us know about another function of music.13::14::15::Section B16:Jane Brown’s been married for 12 years.She has 3 children and lives in the suburb outside Columbus, Ohio.When her youngest child reached school age, Jane decided to go back to work.She thought that she should contribute to the household finances.Her salary could make the difference between the financial struggle and a secure financial situation for her family.Jane also felt bored and frustrated in her role as a homemaker and wanted to be more involved in life outside her home.Jane was worried about her children’s adjustment to this new situation.But she arranged for them to go stay with a woman nearby after school each afternoon.They seem to be happy with the arrangement.The problem seems to be between Jane and her husband Bill.When Jane was at home all day, she was able to clean the house, go grocery shopping, wash the clothes, take care of the children and cook two or three meals each day.She was very busy，of course, but she succeeded in getting everything done.Now these same things need to be done.But Jane has only evenings and early mornings to do them.Both Jane and Bill are tired when they arrive home at 6 p. m.Bill’s accustomed to sitting down and reading the paper or watching TV until dinner is ready.This is exactly what Jane feels like doing.But someone has to fix dinner and Bill expects that to be Jane.Jane's becoming very angry at Bill’s attitude.She feels that they should share the household jobs.But Bill feels that everything should be the same as it was before Jane went back to work. 17:18:19:20:The Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction is a program designed to reduce the impact of natural disasters throughout the world.With support from the United Nations, countries will be encouraged to share information about disaster reduction,for instance, information about how to plan for and cope with hurricanes，earthquakes and other natural disasters.One of the most important things the program plans to do is to remind us of what we can do to protect ourselves.For example, we can pack a suitcase with flashlights, a radio, food, drinking water and some tools.This safety kit may help us survive a disaster until help arrives.Besides, the program will encourage governments to establish building standards, emergency response plans and training programs.These measures can help to limit the destruction by natural disasters.The comparatively mild effects of the northern California earthquake in 1989, are good evidence that we do have the technology to prevent vast destruction.The recent disasters, on the othe r hand, prove that people will suffer if we don’t use that technology.When a highway collapsed in northern California, people were killed in their cars.The highway was not built according to today’s strict standards to resist earthquakes. Individuals and governments have to be farsighted.We should take extra time and spend extra money to build disaster safety into our lives. Although such a program can’t hold back the winds or stop earthquakes, it can save people’slives and homes.21:22:23:Living at the foot of one of the world’s most active volcanoes might not appeal to you at all.But believe it or not, the area surrounding Mount Etna in Italy is packed with people.In fact, it is the most densely- populated region on the whole island of Sicily.The reason is that rich volcanic soil makes the land fantastic for farming.By growing and selling a variety of crops, local people earn a good living.For them, the economic benefit they reap surpasses the risk of dying or losing property in one of the volcano’s frequent eruptions.People everywhere make decisions about risky situations this way, that is, by comparing the risks and the benefits.According to the experts，the size of the risk depends on both its probability and seriousness.Let’s take Mount Etna for example.It does erupt frequently.But those eruptions are usually minor.So the overall risk for people living nearby is relatively small.But suppose Mount Etna everyday or imagine that each eruption there killed thousands of people.If that were the case, the risk would be much larger.Indeed, the risk would be too large for many people to live with.And they would have to move away.24:25:Section CCertain phrases one commonly hears among Americans capture their devotion to individualism: “Do your own thing. ”“I did it my way. ” “You’ll have to decide that for yourself. ” “You made your bed, now lie in it. ”“If you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will. ” “Look out for number one. ”Closely associated with the value they place on individualism is the importance Americans assign to privacy.Americans assume that people “need some time to themselves” or “some time alone” to think about things or recover their spent psychological energy.Americans have great difficulty understanding foreigners who always want to be with another person, who dislike being alone.If the parents can afford it, each child will have his or her own bedroom.Having one’s own bedroom, even as an infant, fixes in a person the notion that she is entitled to aplace of her own where she can be by herself, and keep her possessions.She will have her clothes, her toys, her books, and so on.These things will be hers and no one else’s.Americans assume that people will have their private thoughts that might never be shared with anyone.Doctors, lawyers, psychiatrists, and others have rules governing “confidentiality” that are intended to prevent information about their clients' personal situations from becoming known to others. Americans' attitudes about privacy can be hard for foreigners to understand.Americans’ houses, yards，and even their offices can seem open and inviting.Yet in the minds of Americans, there are boundaries that other people are simply not supposed to cross.When those boundaries are crossed, an American's body will visibly stiffen and his manner will become cool and aloof.。