听力passage汇总

专四听力passage11-1511. Spy Cell Phones①A spy phone is a mobile phone or a spy device / that allowsa user to monitor and hear or record conversations and other activities taking place over the phone. /②Spy phones can function in different ways. / ③They can be used as listening devices/ whereby secretive conversations can be tracked. / ④They are popularly used by secret agencies to track criminal activities / that are carried out over ne tworks. / ⑤They can be used for tracking periodic calls and recording the frequency of calls from certain suspicious numbers. / ⑥Also, they can be used for monitoring business and household activities / while the cell phone user is away. / ⑦Although spy ce ll phones have many positive sides, / they give rise to legal as well as moral concerns, / because spy cell phone software is easily available. / ⑧Cell phones are easily transferable to spy phones. / ⑨Their ready availability makes them subject to illegal use. (146 words)12. Computer Eyeglasses①As computers become a more and more vital part of today's lifestyle and practices,/ new medical conditions are developing as a result of their usage. / ②The most common to date is computer vision problems, / which include eye pain, tired and burning eyes, watering or dry eyes, eye strain. / ③One Would never imagine that such a useful and innovative tool could cause so much physical discomfort ! / ④As a result of these, science professionals seized the opportunity / to create computer eyeglasses to ease these common conditions / and make computer usage less painful and more comfortable. / ⑤The computer vision problems affect adults as well as children./⑥Although children normally have different requirements for near and distance vision glasses, / computer eyeglasses can be used universally for both groups. / ⑦Please note that near and distance vision glasses / should not be used as replacements for computer glasses. /⑧They do not serve the same purpose, / and in some cases will cause more harm than good. (158 words)13. Health Benefits of Red Wine①We all know drinks containing alcohol are not good for health, / but when it comes to drinking red wine, / it is the other way around. / ②Recent studies have concluded that there are no negative effects on the body, / if red wine is not consumed excessively. / ③Certain compounds in red wine can play a very important role in protecting the heart. / ④It is a heart-healthy drink that can be enjoyed during evening meals. /⑤If you think that red wine is only good for the heart, / then you are wrong. / ⑥Studies have revealed that the substance found in the skin of red grapes, / can restrict cancer's development. /⑦However, the ideal consumption is not 7 to 8 glasses of red wine. /⑧S cientific studies on the potential benefits of red wine recommend that women should not have more than one drink per day; / whereas men can have 2 drinks per day. /⑨The word "moderate" is the key to maximize health benefits of red wine. (160 words)14. How to Gain Fluency in Another Language①To gain fluency in another language, / many people will tell you the only solution is / to travel to a foreign country and immerse yourself completely. / ②This advice may be greatly appealing for some people. / ③But fo r the majority of people, this solution is both inconvenient and costly. / ④Thankfully, the Internet has brought us new and exciting options for communicating in another language. / ⑤To expand yourvocabulary, try reading free articles and original books in another language. / ⑥To begin with, reading may be a slow and frustrating process / as you will have to stop to look up the meanings for many unfamiliar words. / ⑦Before you begin, find an online dictionary / that will offer you quick translations. /⑧He aring a language is the key to learn how to speak it. /⑨Popular music downloading sites offer free audio files / that you can download and take with you wherever you go. / ⑩And most importantly, one must actually practice speaking the language. (155 words)15.Holidays in the US①Like other nations, the United States sets aside a number of days each year / to commemorate events, people or public occasions. / ②These holidays typically are marked by a general suspension of work and business activity, / and by public or religious ceremonies. / ③Technically, the United States does not celebrate national holidays. / ④However, Congress has designated to legal public holidays. / ⑤During such public holidays, / most federal institutions are closed and most federal e mployees are excused from work. / ⑥Although the individual states and private businesses are not required to observe these, / in practice all states and nearly all employers observe the majority of them. / ⑦Since 1971, a number of these holidays have been fixed on Mondays / rather than on a particular calendar date / so as to afford workers a long holiday weekend. / ⑧Meanwhile, there are some US state holidays / particular to individual US states. (149 words)。

Passage 1Weather in BritainIn Britain the weather is news. /A television weather forecast often begins with an interesting fact /– the town with the top temperature of the day or the place with the most rain. /The public like that kind of information. /But the BBC forecasters do not have an easy job. /They are the only presenters on the television who do not use a script, /and they cannot see the map they are describing. /Viewers are often critical, especially of female presenters. /One woman left her job after rude letters and press reports about her clothes. /The British talk about the weather more than almost any other subject, /so it is a surprise to discover /that seventy percent of television viewers cannot remember /what they saw on the weather forecast. /What happens is that people like watching and hearing the forecasts, /but they probably only take real notice when they need to. / (152 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 3Asian ElephantThe Asian elephant is one of the world’s rarest animals. /Unfortunately, its sad condition has not been as well publicized as that of the African elephant. /This is because Asian elephant’s ivory supplies only a small percentage of the world ivory trade. /In fact, we know very little about the Asian elephant. /They live in the remote forests of southern Asia /and it is therefore very difficult to study them. /Most knowledge of Asian elephants is from those that have been captured, or tamed. / Asian elephants are easier to tame than African elephants. /The major reason for the decline of Asian elephants is the harm to their forests. /The huge increase in the human population/ has caused the destruction of the Asian forest. /As a result, the Asian elephants are compelled to scatter in different areas./Originally they lived all over the continent, /but now there are only small isolated populations left. /They are vulnerable to extinction. / (159 words)___________________________________________________________________ Passage 4Happy CommutersThe Golden Gate Bridge joins the beautiful city of San Francisco /with the suburbs to the north. /Each day about one hundred thousand automobiles cross the bridge /taking people to and from the city. /More than half of them cross the bridge during the morning and evening rush hours. /When traffic is so heavy, the trip is not pleasant. /Now, however, there is at least one group of happy commuters. /These are people who travel under the bridge instead of on it. /They go to work by boat /and enjoy it so much that most of them say they will never go by car again. /The ferry they take is spacious, quiet and comfortable. /Commuters can enjoy the sun on deck. /The trip takes only 30 minutes and is not very costly. /Best of all, being on boat seems to make people more friendly toward each other. /There has always been a marriage of two commuters who met on the ferry. / (162 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 5The Red CrossThe worldwide Organization of the Red cross stems from the ideal of Henri Dunant, a Swiss Banker. /On 24th, June 1859, on his way from Geneva to France, /Dunant witnessed a battle. /It was one of the fiercest battles of the 19th century. /Shocked by the lack of medical supplies and attention given to the wounded, /Dunant decided that volunteer service had to be organized. /He gathered together a number of women /who attended the hundreds of wounded soldiers of all nationalities /and helped the surgeons as best they could. /He determined to form a body of people /who would rally together in times of war and attend to the needs of the wounded and thedying. /Many Europeans states supported him /and on 22nd, August 1864 the first Geneva Convention was signed. /This lays down that once a soldier is wounded /everyone else who comes to his help ceases to be an enemy. / (154 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 6Cars in the FutureWhat kind of care will we be driving by the year 2030? /Rather different from the type we know today. /With the next decade bringing greater change than the past 50 years, /the people who will be designing the models of tomorrow believe that /environmental problems may well accelerate the pace of the car’s deve lopment. /The vision is that of a machine with 3 wheels instead of 4, /electrically-powered, environmentally clean and able to drive itself along intelligent roads, /equipped with built-in power supplies. /Future cars will pick up the fuel during long journeys /from a power source built into the road. /This view of future cars is based on a much more sophisticated road system. /Cars will be automatically controlled by a computer. /All the driver will have to do is to say where to go /and the computer will do the rest. /It will be impossible for cars to crash into one another. / (155 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 7Dogs as PetsMost people have had a dog or wanted one as their companion at some time in their life. /If you are thinking of buying a dog, /you should first decide what sort of companion you need. /You must also be ready to devote a good deal of time to train the dog when it is young /and give it the exercise it needs throughout its life. / Dogs are demanding pets. /Whereas cats identify with the house /and so are content if their place is secure, /a dog identifies with its master /and consequently wants him to show proof of his affection. /The best time to buy a baby-dog is when itis between 6-8 weeks old /so that it can transfer its affection from its mother to its master. /If baby-dogs have not established a relationship with the human being /until they are over 3 months old, /their strong relationship will always be with dogs. / (156 words)_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 8Why Do We Cry?Why do we cry? /Can you imagine life without tears? /Not only do tears keep your eyes lubricated, /they also contain a substance that kills certain bacteria so they cannot infect your eyes. /Give up tears, and you will lose this on-the-spot defense. /Nobody wants to give up the flood of extra tears you produce /when you get something physical or chemical in your eyes. /Tears are very good at washing this irrit ating stuff out. /Another thing you couldn’t do without your tears is cry from joy, anger or sadness. /Humans are the only animals that produce tears in response to emotions, /and most people say a good cry makes them feel better. /Many scientists, therefore, believe that crying somehow helps us cope with emotional situations. /It may be that tears discharge certain chemicals from your body, /chemicals that build up during stress. /What do you think will happen to people who restrain their tears? / (155 words)_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 10The MarsScience fiction writers have often imagined humans going to live on the Mars. /But these days, scientists are taking the idea seriously. /It has a great deal to recommend it, /since it might solve the problem of overcrowding on the earth. /But obviously, it would not be worth making the effort /unless people could live there naturally. /If the atmosphere were like that of the earth, /this might be possible. /Apartfrom that, there are other problems to overcome. /For example, the temperature would have to be raised from 6 degrees below zero to 15 degrees above it. /Scientists who study Mars have laid down the program that they can follow. /To begin with, they will have to find out /whether life has ever existed on the planet of Mars in the past. /Secondly, they will have to make a reliable map of its surface. /And finally, they will have to make a list of the gases on Mars. / (159 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 11SharksTo most of us sharks are the most dangerous fish in the sea and they attack humans. /However, according to Doctor Clark, who has studied the behavior of sharks for 12 years, /humans are not normally on the shark’s menu. /She also found that sharks don’t eat as much as people think. /For instance, a 9-year-old shark only needs two pounds of food a day to keep healthy. /But she says, sharks sometimes starve /and at other times they fill themselves with what they have killed. /Around the world, there are only about one hundred shark attacks on humans each year, /ten of which proved fatal. /If you went underwater-fishing and saw a shark, /you could be in trouble. /The shark might go for the injured fish you have attacked /and take a bite of you at the same time. /If you go into a shark’s territory and threaten it, /it might try to bite you because sharks are territorial. / (160 words)_____________________________________________________________________Passage 12Waterways in the USIn the early 19th century, waterways in the middle of the United States /providedNorth America the most popular form of long distance transport. /Travel by river was often more convenient than taking a wagon over country roads, /especially when shipping heavy loads of farm products or household goods. /When the natural waterways were not adequate, /shallow canals were built. /The Erie Canal, opened in 1825, /connected the Great Lakes with the upper Hudson River. /It allowed residents in the Great Lakes region /to send their crops eastward to New York City at a much lower cost. /The construction of the Erie Canal also encouraged people to move westward. /The city of Detroit and Chicago became flourishing cities. /By the mid 1800, faster and cheaper railroads became more popular /and the canal system declined. /During the first third of the century, however, /transport on the rivers, lakes and canals aided greatly in the growth of the United States. /(158 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 13The English LanguageEnglish is increasingly significant in the globalization of the world. /Generally, English is the most important linguistic vehicle in all the human activities carried out worldwide. /These activities include application of science and technology /in medicine, transport, entertainment and information technology /and all the other fields related to human life. /Science and technology cannot do without languages, /which are symbolic systems though not the only ones. /In a world where there are global human enterprises, /a language that is widely understood, /and that can be used across the boundaries of different countries, is a necessity. /English has been extensively used for the purposes of exchanging information. /No matter whether English is more suited to be used as an international language or not, /it is really suited to a great variety of scientific and technological purposes. /It has a very large vocabulary /and all sorts of ways of extending its vocabulary that is already much ample to meet changing needs. /(159 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 14GlobalizationPeople around the globe are more connected to each other than ever before. /“The Era of Globalization” is fast becoming the preferred term for describing the current times. /Globalization is a process of interaction and integration /among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, /a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. /This process has effects on the environment, on culture, on political systems, /on economic development and prosperity, /and on human physical well-being in societies around the world.Policy and technological developments of the past few decades /have spurred increases in cross-border trade, investment, and migration so large that / many observers believe the world has entered a qualitatively new phase in its economic development.Technology has been the other principal driver of globalization. /Advances in information technology, in particular, have dramatically transformed economic life. /Information technologies have given consumers, investors and businesses /valuable new tools for identifying and pursuing economic opportunities. /(158 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 17British Pub CultureVisitors to Britain may find the best place to sample local culture is in a traditional pub. / Most pubs have no waiters / --you have to go to the bar to buy drinks. / This may sound inconvenient, / but there is a hidden purpose. / Pub culture is designed to promote sociability in a society known for its reserve. / Standing at the bar for service / allows you to chat with others waiting to be served. / The bar counteris possibly the only site in the British Isles / in which friendly conversation with strangers is considered really quite normal behavior. / The trouble is that if you do not follow the local rules, / the experience may fall flat. / For example, if you are in a big group, / it is best if only one or two people go to buy the drinks. / Nothing irritates the regular customers while they chat about what to order.（163 words）_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 18 CoffeeCoffee is a brewed beverage prepared from roasted seeds, / commonly called coffee beans. / Due to its caffeine content, / coffee has a stimulating effect in humans. / Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. /Coffee was first consumed in the ninth century, / when it was discovered in the highlands of Ethiopia. / Coffee has played an important role in many societies throughout history. / In Africa, it was used in religious ceremonies. /Coffee is an important export commodity. / In 2004, coffee was the top agricultural export for 12 countries, / and in 2005, it was the world's seventh largest legal agricultural export by value. /Some controversy is associated with coffee cultivation and its impact on the environment. / Many studies have examined the relationship between coffee consumption and certain medical conditions. / Whether the overall effects of coffee are positive or negative is still disputed. （159 words）_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 19Buses in LondonThe London Bus is one of London's principal icons. / Although the Routemaster has now been largely phased out of service, / with only two heritage routes still using the vehicles,/ the majority of buses in London are still red / and therefore the red bus remains an iconic symbol of the city./In Britain bus-type vehicles used for long distances / or where it is not possible to get on at any stop / and buy a ticket are always called coaches rather than buses. / Buses have been used on the streets of London since 1829, / and in 1855 the London General Omnibus Company or LGOC was founded / to regulate the horse-drawn omnibus services then operating in London. / LGOC began using motor omnibuses in 1902, / and manufactured them itself from 1909./ The last LGOC horse-drawn bus ran on 25 October 1911, / although independent operators used them until 1914. (155 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 20American FoodMany meals in America are arranged around popular television shows. / People like to eat in front of the TV, / and they sit in a chair or on a sofa. / Cooking in the USA is not just hamburgers, pizza and fast food. / However, the American fast food restaurant chains / have been very successful at introducing American-style fast food around the world. / Now people from many lands believe / it is what everyone eats all the time in the USA. /Most traditional American foods were introduced by the early European immigrants / but modified to take advantage of the locally available ingredients. / Fried chicken, meatloaf, baked potato, corn, baked beans and apple pie / would be considered traditional American dishes. /Regional cooking varies from state to state / and is highly influenced by the types of ingredients locally available, / as well as the cultural background of the people that settled in the area. / (165 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 21New YorkThe City of New York has been the most populous city in the United States since 1790, / while the New York metropolitan area / ranks among the most populous urban areas in the world. / A leading global city, / it exerts a powerful influence over worldwide finance, culture, fashion and entertainment. / As host of United Nations headquarters, / New York is also an important center for international affairs./ The city's estimated population exceeds 8.2 million people / living in just under 305 square miles,/ making New York City the most densely populated major city. / New York is notable among American cities for its high use of mass transit, / much of which runs 24 hours, / and for the overall density and diversity of its population. / The city is sometimes referred to as "The City that Never Sleeps", / while other nicknames include Gotham and the Big Apple. /(153 words)_____________________________________________________________________Passage 22Public SchoolPublic-school education is the most common form of education in the United States / and is provided mainly by local governments, / with control and funding coming from three levels: / federal, state, and local./ Curricula, funding, teaching, and other policies are set / through locally elected school boards by jurisdiction over school districts. / The school districts are special-purpose districts / authorized by provisions of state law. / Generally, state governments can and do set minimum standards / relating to almost all activities of primary and secondary schools, / as well as funding and authorization to enact local school taxes to support the schools. / The federal government funds aid to states and school districts / that meet minimum federal standards. / The first tax-supported public school in America was inMassachusetts. / The vast majority of adults born in the U.S. have attended a U.S. public school. / (149 words)_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 24French FriesFrench fries, or french-fried potatoes are thin strips of potato / that have been deep-fried. / They are popular in many countries / and go by many names in various languages. / A distinction is sometimes made between fries and chips. / North Americans often refer to any elongated pieces of fried potatoes as fries, / while in other parts of the world, / long slices of potatoes are sometimes called fries to contrast them with the thickly cut strips, / which are often referred to as chips. / French fries can contain a large amount of fat or oils from frying. / Some researchers have suggested / that the high temperatures used for frying such dishes may have results harmful to health. / In the United States about ¼ of vegetables consumed are prepared as French fries / and are proposed to contribute to widespread obesity. / Many restaurants now advertise their use of unsaturated oils. / (158 words) Passage 25MoneyMoney is anything that is generally accepted as payment / for goods and services and repayment of debts./ The main uses of money are as a medium of exchange, / a unit of account, and a store of value. / Some authors explicitly require money to be a standard of deferred payment. / The dominant form of money is currency. / The term "price system" is sometimes used / to refer to methods using commodity valuation or money accounting systems. /Money is used as an intermediary for trade, / in order to avoid the inefficiencies of a barter system, / which are sometimes referred to as the 'double coincidence ofwants problem'. / Such usage is termed a medium of exchange. / In economics, money is a broad term that refers to any financial instrument / that can fulfill the functions of money. / Modern monetary focuses on the liquidity of the financial instrument used as money. / (158 words)_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 26NewspapersA newspaper is a publication containing news, information, and advertising. / General-interest newspapers often feature articles / on political events, crime, business, entertainment, society and sports. / Most traditional papers also feature an editorial page / containing columns that express the personal opinions of writers./ Supplementary sections may contain advertising, comics, and coupons./ Newspapers are most often published on a daily or weekly basis, / and they usually focus on one particular geographic area where most of their readers live. / Despite recent setbacks in circulation and profits, / newspapers are still the most iconic outlet for news and other types of written journalism. /By the late 1990s，the Internet posed an ongoing challenge / to the business model of most newspapers in developed countries. / Many newspapers around the world launched online editions / in an attempt to follow or stay ahead of their audience. / However, in the rest of the world, newspapers continue to grow. / (160 words)_____________________________________________________________________Passage 27The History of TeaAfter water, tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world. / The Chinese have consumed tea for thousands of years. / People of the Han Dynasty used tea as medicine. / China is considered to have the earliest records of tea consumption, / with records dating back to the 10th century BC. / Legend has it that master Lao Zi was saddened by society's moral decay and, / sensing that the end of the dynasty was near, / he journeyed westward to the unsettled territories, / never to be seen again./ While passing along the nation's border, / he encountered and was offered tea by a customs inspector, / who encouraged him to compile his teachings into a single book / so that future generations might benefit from his wisdom. / This then became known as the Dao De Jing, a collection of Laozi's sayings. / A national custom of offering tea to guests began in China. / (158 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 28ChristmasEvery year after Thanksgiving, / most people’s thoughts turn to Christmas. / It is the time when professing Christians are supposed to focus on Jesus Christ. / It is the day we celebrate as the birthday of Jesus. / There are special Christmas services in Christian churches all over the world. / But many of the festivities of Christmas do not have anything to do with religion. / Exchanging gifts and sending Christmas cards / are the modern ways of celebrating the Christmas in the world. / And the Christmas has become popular /when Christmas cards appeared in 1846 / and the concept of a jolly Santa Claus was first made popular in nineteenth Century. / Christmas is thought by most to be a wonderful time, / focusing the participants on /giving, family togetherness, beautiful music and decorations, / feasting on special foods and singing Christmas carols throughout the neighborhood. / (150 words)Passage 29For years, students were assured that with a college degree in hand / they could acquire an excellent job. / In recent years, however, several developments / havesignaled the onset of a change / in the supply-demand relationship in the services of higher education. / Teachers with terminal degrees far outnumber / the available teaching positions in many disciplines. / The chairman of a science department today / may receive three to four hundred applications / for a position that once attracted only half a dozen. / Administrations of colleges and universities must be prepared / to enter into competition with all other suppliers of products and services. / Today’s students are in touch with the reality of the world, / and they realize that while a degree may obtain the first job for them, / keeping the job and advancing depend upon the education behind the degree. (148 words)_____________________________________________________________________ Passage 33Credit Card SecurityCredit card security relies on the physical security of the plastic card / as well as the privacy of the credit card number. / Therefore, whenever a person other than the card owner / has access to the card or its number, / security is potentially compromised. / Once, merchants would often accept credit card numbers / without additional verification for mail order purchases. / It's now common practice to only ship to confirmed addresses / as a security measure to minimize fraudulent purchases. / Some merchants will accept a credit card number for in-store purchases, / but many require the card itself to be present, / and require a signature. / A lost or stolen card can be cancelled, / and if this is done quickly, / will greatly limit the fraud that can take place in this way. / (141 words)____________________________________________________________________ Passage 34Independent FilmmakingFilmmaking also takes place outside of the mainstream / and is commonly called independent filmmaking. / Since the introduction of DV technology, / the means ofproduction have become more democratized./ Filmmakers can conceivably shoot and edit a film, / create and edit the sound and music, / and mix the final cut on a home computer. / However, while the means of production may be democratized, / financing, distribution, and marketing remain difficult to accomplish outside the traditional system. / Most independent filmmakers rely on film festivals / to get their films noticed and sold for distribution. / However, the Internet has allowed for relatively inexpensive distribution of independent films; / many filmmakers post their films online for critique and recognition./ Although there is little profitability in this, / a filmmaker can still gain exposure via the web. 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专四听力训练原文专业四级标准听写二十篇TEM 4 Dictation PracticesPassage 1 SaltWe do not know when man first began to use salt, / but we do know that it has been used in many different ways throughout history. / Historical evidence shows, for example, that people who lived over 3,000 years ago ate slated fish. / Thousands of years ago in Egypt, salt was used to preserve the dead. /Stealing salt was considered a major crime during some periods of history. / In 18th century, for instance, / if a person was caught stealing salt, he can be put in jail. / History records that about ten thousand people were put in jail during that century for stealing salt. / About 150 years before, in the year 1553, / taking more salt that one was allowed to was punishable as a crime. / The offender’s ear was cut off.Salt was an important item on the table of royalty. / It was traditionally placed in front of the king when he sat down to eat. / Important guests at the king’s table were seated near the salt. / Less important guests were given seats farther away from it. / (175 words)Passage 2 PerceptionsAsk three people to look out of the same window at a busy street and tell you what they see. / Probably you will receive three different answers. / Each person sees the same scene, but each perceives something different about it. /Perceiving goes in our minds. / Of the three people who look out of the window / one may say that he sees a policeman giving a driver a ticket. / Another may say that he sees a rush –hour traffic jam at the street corner. / The third may tell you that he sees a woman trying to cross the street with four children. / For perception is the mind’s interpretation / of what the senses – in this case our eyes – tell us. /Many psychologists today are working to try to explain / just how a person experiences or perceive the world around him. / Using a scientific method these psychologists set up experiments: / they are trying to find out what makes different people / perceive totally different things about the same scene. / (164 words)Passage 3 BalloonsBalloons have been used for sport for about one hundred years. / There are two kinds of sport balloons: gas and hot air. / Hot air balloons are safer than gas balloons, / which may catch fire. / Hot air balloons are preferred by most balloonists in theUnited States because of their safety. / They are also cheaper and easier to manager than gas balloons. / Despite the ease of operating a balloon, / pilots must watch the weather carefully. / Sport balloon flights are best early in the morning / or late in the afternoon, when the wind is light. / Over the years, balloonists have tried unsuccessfully to cross the Atlantic. / It wasn't until 1978 that three American balloonists succeeded. / It took them just six days to make the trip / from their homes in the United States to Paris, France. / Their voyage captured the imagination of the whole world. / (143 words)Passage 4 You Found a Job, Now How do You Save Money?Saving your hard earned money can be difficult, / as most of us enjoy spending rather than saving, / I certainly had a tough time holding onto my money every payday. / When I got my first few paychecks, / right away I spent the cold, hard cash I’d earned by hard work. /But I quickly realized that this sort of spending wouldn’t really help me get the things I wanted. / So I made a pact with myself. I promise that before I did anything with the money, / I would deposit at least 50% of the money into my saving account. / That way, I eliminated the temptation to spend that money. /After I got used to saving my money, / it was much easier for me not to be tempted to buy things when I saw them. / WhenI saw a CD or video game that looked appealing, / I learned to ask myself, “Do I really need this?” / Asking this question helped me appreciate my money and not let it slip out of my wallet quite so fast. / (173 words)Passage 5 Online Health ForumThere are many aspects to health, illness and healing. / Among all the teachings there is one theme that is universal to them all / and that is the unquestionable benefit achieved by communicating with others about health and its related issues. / It is with this single philosophy in mind / that we have developed this site as a forum for communication. / Dealing with a medical concern is often difficult. / Connecting with others who are going through the same thing / can make a world of difference. / Our mission is to develop online communities to help you make those connections. / You can post questions, comments and respond to messages from others. / We’ve got various topics, and we’re adding more all the time. / If you don’t see the topic you are looking for, / just let us know and we will consider a message board for it. / We hope you decide to become a regular participant / and help to make this a great resource. / (158 words)Passage 6 WordsHow men first learn to invent words is unknown, / in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. / All we really knowthat is men, unlike animals, / somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, / actions and things, so that they can communicate with each other; / and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, / which could be represent those sounds, and which could be written down. / Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, wer call words. / The power of words, then lies in their associations, / that is, the things they bring up before our minds. / Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; / and the longer wer live, the more we reminded of the glad and sad events / of our past by certain words wer read and learn, / the more the number of the words / that means something to us increase. / (149 words)Passage 7 Teacher-student RelationshipThe relationship between a teacher and a student can be either good or bad, helpful or harmful. / Either way, the relationship can affect the student for the rest of his life. / A good teacher-student relationship will make the teacher’s job worthwhile. / A bad relationship can discourage the student from learning / and make teaching an unpleasant task. /In order to have a good teacher-student relationship, / respect between teacher and student is very important. / If the teacher is too strict, he frightens the student. / If the teacher is too friendly, the student may become lazy and stop lear ning hard. / The teacher’s attitude and approach shouldbe in between those two extremes. / As for the student, his proper respect to the teacher must be shown all the time. / He should be eager to learn and willing to work hard. /In conclusion, a good teacher-student relationship can be beneficial to both. / The student absorbs knowledge eagerly and enjoyable, / and the teacher gains satisfaction from his work. / (163 words)Passage 8 NearsightednessWeak eyesight is a term that is generally used to refer to nearsighted eyes. / People who are nearsighted can see well at a short range, / but anything very far away is likely to be unclear. / The term “weak eyesight” is misleading, / for in nearsighted eyes the lens of the eye is actually too strong. / The nearsighted lens is so powerful that it focuses the light coming onto the eye so quickly. / Nearsightedness is common, and its growth may be graded; / often the unclearness of distant object is so slight at first / that a person may not recognize the condition. /Nearsightedness is frequently discovered first at school. / It is here that a student first realizes the difficulty of seeing words on the blackboard, / whereas others in the class have no trouble reading the blackboard at all. / After discovery, nearsightedness can easily be corrected. / You just needs a pair of glasses / which can decrease the power of the lens of theeye. / (161 words)Passage 9 Rice CookingRice is very much under appreciated in the United States. / With the exception of Asian cooking, / rice is usually a side dish or combined with other ingredients. / Rice is very nutritious, low cost and easy-to prepare food. / There are different types of rice available and the cooking time varies by type of rice. / Follow the package instructions for the amount of liquid necessary and the cooking times. / Both vary for each type of rice. / Regular white rice has been milled / to remove the hull comes in long, medium and short grains. / Long grained rice is the best for all-purpose use. / Brown rice has a pleasant nutty flavor and a firmer texture. / While white rice is cooked in about 15 minutes, / brown rice takes 45 to 50 minutes to cook. / When cooking rice do not be concerned if you have cooked rice left over. / There are some excellent recipes, which use cooked rice. / (151 words)Passage 10 First Sign of AIDSThe virus causing AIDS enters the blood and quickly penetrates certain white cells in the body. / At first there is often little or no trace of the virus at all. / This situation usually lasts for six to twelve weeks. / During this time the person is free of symptoms / and antibody tests are negative. / The first thing that happens after infection / is that many people develop a flue-like illness. / This may be severe enoughto look like glandular fever / with swollen glands in the neck and armpits, / tiredness, fever and night sweats. / Some of those white cells are dying, / virus is being released, / and for the first time the body is working hard to make correct antibodies. / At this stage the blood test will usually become positive. / Most people do not realize what is happening, / although when they later develop AIDS they look back / and remember it clearly. / Most people have produce antibodies in about twelve weeks. / (156 words)Passage 11 The Library of CongressThe Library of Congress is the national library of the United States. / It was founded in 1800 to serve the needs of the congressmen. / Today, it contains books, articles and documents on every subject imaginable. / Besides senators, congressmen and other government officials, / it serves libraries, researchers, artists and scientists throughout the country and the world. /The Library is one of the largest libraries in the world. / It has a collection of 74 million items which are housed in three buildings. / The bookshelves stretch for 350 miles. / Of the 18 million books, more than half are in languages other than English. /The main reading room is a great hall of marble pillars. / It is the center of activity in the library. / There is a computer catalog center with six terminals for quick access toinformation. / For greater speed and efficiency, / the library has installed an electric book –carrying system / that carries books from one building to another in only a few seconds. / (160 words)Passage 12 A Car Soccer RaceAmerican football is different from the European football / and some people think that it is better. / Now there’s a new kind of football or soccer which is played in America. / It’s called car soccer. / The players drive small cars, which are called Beetles. / The players try to catch the ball in their cars. / The cars are protected all since they often crash into each other. / The ball is larger than the usual one and the players are protected, too. / In 1985, the First European car soccer match took place in West Germany. / Teams from some countries in European played in the match. / The Beetles raced around the ground madly / while the spectators shouted “The ball is behind you”. / When the match ended, three cars had been crashed into pieces. / And the players as well as many of the spectators were badly hurt and had to be taken to hospital. / Will this car soccer become as popular as football? I doubt. / (160 words)Passage 13 Changes of Family LifeThe concept of family life has changed considerably over the years. / In earliest times, several generations lived togetherin clans, / which consisted of all living descendents and their husbands or wives. / These clans were almost totallyself-sufficient, / every member contributing in some way toward the survival of the group. / The men hunted and fished for food or sometimes maintained flocks of sheep or goats. / The women baked bread and roasted the meat their men provided. / Special members of the community were selected to make products like pottery, baskets and home weapons. / But with the development of greater varieties of food, clothing and shelter, / a single clan could no longer develop all the individual skills the group required. / Clans merged into larger societies and at the same time broke into smaller units consisting of married couples and their children. / Later the Industrial Revolution brought about even more important changes in family life. / New inventions brought shorter working hours for men and easier housekeeping routines for women. / Today a productive family life suggests not the group’s cooperative efforts of working together, / but the pleasant and meaningful sharing of its leisure. / (185 words)Passage 14 VitaminsIt was not until the beginning of this century that it was recognized / that certain substances were essential in the diet to prevent or cure some diseases. / These substances are now known as vitamins. / They are vital for growth, good health, / and maintenance of the normal functions of the body. / A well-balanced diet should provide all the vitamins we normally require. / Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to buy sufficient food / should not suffer from vitamin deficiency./ However, for various reasons, / some people do not maintain a balanced diet. / People often lose their appetite because of illness. / People living alone may not bother to eat proper meals, / and people on a diet may not eat sufficient quantities of necessary foods. / Moreover, modern methods of preserving, freezing, and long-term storage of food, / together with overcooking, can destroy many of the vitamins. / (145 words)Passage 15 CometsIn recent years scientists’ investigation of comets has increased / because of growing interest in the origin of the sun and planets. / Scientists want to learn how comets are formed. / They think that such information will help explain the origin of the solar system. / The word “comet” comes from Greek and means “hairy object”. / In history comets have a special place. / People believed that they brought news of death, destruction or military victories. / The tails of comets provide viewers with spectacular sights at night. / Comet tails are millions of kilometers long. / The tails frequently reach lengths of 250 million kilometers and more. / The most famous comet of history is called Halley’s Comet, which appears every 76 years. / It was named for Edward Halley, a British astronomer. / He predicted the appearance of the comet in 1758, 16 years after his deat h. / Halley’s Comet is extremely bright and has two tails. / In the 20th century it returned in 1910 and 1986. / (159 words)Passage 16 Mobile Phone EtiquetteThe mobile phone has created a new way of life. / It gives us the opportunity to reach people when and wherever we like. / But when mobile phones become as commonplace as wristwatches, / it seems they are creating embarrassing situations. / People let their phones ring in restaurants, theaters or business meetings. / People loudly discuss very personal issues over their phones while strangers are around them. / People spend all their time in the presence of friends / paying more attention to those at the other end of their mobile phones. / By now, everyone knows that mobile phone etiquette is a real problem. / These are tips for being a good mobile citizen. / Firstly, remember to check your phone is off at activities. / Secondly, respect the people around you when you make or take calls in public. / Thirdly, don’t answer your c ell phone while talking with another person / unless that phone call is more important than the person you are with. / Follow these rules and you’ll be a responsible mobile phone user by being considerate to others.Passage 17 Reduce, Reuse and RecycleIn recent years there has been an increase awareness of the importance of recycling. / The three Rs to keep in mind / for a cleaner environment are: reduce, reuse, and recycle. / Reducing is the best way to protect the environment. / However, if you can’t reduce something, reuse it and if you can’t reuse it, recycle it. / Reducing waste means shopping with the environment in mind. / Consider the environmental impact ofeach product before you buy it. / Make a list of what you need before you go shopping; / this will reduce impulse buying. / Avoid buying things that can’t be recycled. / Learning to reuse is easy after a little practice. / For example, you can reuse shopping bags. / Buy durable, high quality goods for a longer life outside the landfill. / Although durable goods may cost a little more at first, / they will save your money and help save the environment in the long run. / Before throwing anything away, think about how each item can be reused. / (162 words)Passage 18 Mercy KillingSome people hold that for patients with painful and terminal disease mercy killing is a solution, / for it will allow them to die a peaceful death and it seems to benefit everybody: / the patients themselves, their relatives, the medical staff, / and the patients who are waiting for hospital beds. / But mercy killing is still a controversial issue. / Those who are strongly against it hold / that the possibility of abuse will expose sick people to all kinds of danger. / At present, many societies and organization have been formed in the world to promote mercy killing / but in no country has it been legalized. / However, in the Netherlands the society and the courts tend to tolerate doctor-assisted suicide / if strict criteria are met. / In 1995 about 2.3% of all Dutch deaths, or 3118 cases, / were attributed to mercy killing by government studies. / A few cases of mercy killing are also reported in the U.S. / although the majority of the public are against it. / (161 words)Passage 19 WorryWorry is like blood pressure. / You need a certain level to live, but too much can kill you. / People who worry too much suffer. / For all their hard work, for all their humor and willingness to laugh at themselves, / for all theirself-awareness, worries just cannot achieve peace of mind. / Worry is amazingly common. / At least one in four of us –about 65 million Americans / –will meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder at some point in our lifetime. / Even those individuals whose lives are going well / may worry excessively on occasion. / And yet, worry is a very treatable condition. / Most people today are not aware of all that we have learned about worry in the last 50 years. / We’ve come to understand different types of worry and the underlying triggers. / Worry may accompany simple shyness, depression of generalized anxiety disorder. / Each kind of worry responds to specific and powerful techniques. / (151 words)Passage 20 The Attitude of GratitudeThanksgiving Day is a day for giving thanks to family and friends in the United States. / Some people think Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year / because they believe the two most important words in the English are “thank you”. / For business success, a “thank you” tells a prospect or partner / that you are appreciative of what he has just done. / And that means you have an interest in that person / and the business relationship as well. / For social interaction,expressing gratitude is equally important to show / how you value the other person and the social relationship you have with him. / Therefore, “thank you” is a bonding phrase. / Additionally, giving thanks is most important for out own pursuit of happiness. / Whatever you have, you can either appreciate of not. / If you appreciate it and really notice that you have it, it will bring you happiness. / However, if you take it for granted, and focus on things you don’t have, / what you do have won’t bring you hap piness. / (169 words)。

大学英语四六级week8听力原文及答案Week 8Conversation 1:M: Mary, I hope you're 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 have 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're 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're 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're ready. We’ve got the bags, I’m sure there's 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'remaking 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 19-22 are based on the conversatoin you have just heard.Q19: What does the woman say about her passport?Q20: What do we know about the woman’s trip?Q21: Why does the man urge the woman to hurry?Q22: Where does the conversation most probably take place?KEY: A C C AConversation 2:W: Oh, I’m fed up with my job.M: Hey, there's 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. Uh, 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 Fren ch 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 inquiring 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. Inaddition to basic salary, there's a list of extra benefits. Have a look yourself.W: Hm, travel and social security plus relocation expenses are paid. Hey, this isn’t bad. I really want the job.Questions 23-25 are based on the conversatoin you have just heard.Q23: Why is the woman trying to find a new job?Q24: What position is being advertised in the paper?Q25: What are the key factors that determine the salary of the new position?KEY: C A DPassage 1:There are three groups of English learners: beginners, intermediate learners, and learners of special English. Beginners need to learn the basics of English. Students who have reached an intermediate level benefit from learning general English skills. But what about student who want to learn specialist English for their work or professional life? Most students, who fit into this third group have a clear idea about what they want to learn. A bank clerk, for example, wants to use this specialist vocabulary and technical terms of finance. But for teachers, deciding how to teach specialist English is not always so easy. For a start, the variety is enormous. Every field from airline pilots to secretaries has its own vocabulary and technical terms. Teachers also need to have an up-to-date knowledge of that specialist language, andnot many teachers are exposed to working environments outside the classroom. These issues have influenced the way specialist English is taught in schools. This type of course is usually known as English for Specific Purposes, or ESP and there isn't ESP courses for almost every area of professional and working life. In Britain, for example, there are courses which teach English for doctors, lawyers, reporters travel agents and people working in the hotel industry. By far, the most popular ESP courses are for business English.Questions 11 to 14 are based on the passage you have just heard.11. What is the characteristic of learners of special English?12. Who needs ESP courses most?13. What are the most popular ESP courses in Britain?14. What is the speaker mainly talking about?KEY: D A B CPassage 2:The first step to stop drug abuse is knowing why people start to use drugs. The reasons people abuse drugs are as different as people are from one to another. But there seems to be one common thread: people seem to take drugs to change the way they feel. They want to feel better or feel happy or to feel nothing. Sometimes, they want to forget or to remember. People often feel better about themselves when they are under the influence of drugs. But the effects don't last long. Drugs don't solve problems. They just postpone them. No matter how far drugs may take you, it's alwaysaround trip. After a while, people who miss drugs may feel worse about themselves, and then they may use more drugs. If someone you know is using or abusing drugs, you can help. Themost important part you can play is to be there. You can let your friends know that you care. You can listen and try to solve the problem behind your friend's need to use drugs. Two people together can often solve a problem that seems too big for one person alone. Studies of heavy abusers in the United States show that they felt unloved and unwanted. They didn't have close friends to talk to. When you or your friends take the time to care for each other, you're all helping to stop drugs abuse. After all, what is a friend for?Questions 15 to 17 are based on the passage you have just heard.15. Why do some people abuse drugs?16. According to the passage, what is the best way to stop friends from abusing drugs?17. What are the findings of the studies about heavy drug users?KEY: B A APassage 3：Bows and arrows, are one of man's oldest weapons. They gave early man an effective weapon to kill his enemies. The ordinary bow or short bow was used by early all early people. This bow bad limited power and short range. However, man overcame these faults by learning to track his targets at a close range. The long bow was most likely discovered when someone found out that a five-foot piece of wood made a better bow than a three-foot piece. Hundreds of thousands of these bows were made and used for three hundred years. However, not one is known to survive today. We believe that a force of about one hundred pounds was needs to pull the string all the way back on a long bow. For a long time the bow was just a bent stick andstring. In fact, more changes have taken place in a bow in the past 25 years than in the last 7 centuries. Today, bow is forceful. It is as exact as a gun. In addition, it requires little strength to draw the string. Modern bows also have precise aiming devices. In indoor contests, perfect scores from 40 yard are common. The invention of the bows itself ranks with discovery of fire and the wheel. It was a great-step-forward for man. Questions 18 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.18. Why did man have to track his target at a close range when using a short bow?19. What does the passage tell us about the long bow?20. What do we know about modern bows?:KEY: C B APassage 4：Key: 1. in a loud voice2. particularly interesting3. in the same room4. in curing them5. had a talk6. suffering from a delusion7. who are you。

2009年12月四级听力Passage 原文Passage 1Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believe that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to. Y ou may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life, have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s sub-surface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.Questions26 to 2826. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?28. What have scientists come to know recently about formation of life?Passage 2In her early days as an emergency room physician, Doctor Joanna Myer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated and was being prepared for discharge, Doctor Myer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home. Also listening to her were a half a dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’d been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed.” she said, ”All of them had heard the simple instructions I have given just a few hours before, but they have three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.” This episode gave Doctor Myer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later- most people just don’t li sten very well. Nowadays, she says she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients. She asks them to tell her what they think they are supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets which are computer printouts tailor ed to the patients’ situation. Doc. Myer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with the challenge because human speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.Question 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard：29. What did the child’s family members argue about in the hospital?30. What did Doc. Myer do to insure her patients understand her instructions?31. What does the speaker say about human speech?Passage 3It’s logical to suppose that things like good labor relations, good working conditions, good wages and benefits and job security motivate workers, but one expert, Fredrick Herzberg argued that such conditions do not motivate workers. They are merely satisfiers. Motivators, in contrast, include things such as having a challenging and interesting job, recognition and responsibility. However, even with the development of computers and robotics, there’re always plenty of boring, repetitive and mechanical jobs and lots of unskilled people who have to do them. So how do mangers motivate people in such jobs? One solution is to give them some responsibilities, not as individuals, but as a part of a team. For example, some supermarkets can buy office stuff to people who fill the shelves, and the people who work at the check out into a team, and let them decide what product lines to stock, how to display them and so on. Many people now talk about the importance of a company’s shared values or culture with which all the staff can identify, for example, being the best hotel chain, or making the best, the most user-friendly or the most reliable products in a particular field. Such values are more likely to motivate workers than financial targets which automatically only concern a few people. Unfortunately, there’s only a limited number of such goals to go around and by definition, not all the competing companies in that industry can seriously plan to be the best.Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Q32: What can actually motivate workers according to Fredrick Herzberg?Q33: What does the speaker say about jobs in the computer era?Q34: What do some supermarkets do to motivate their employees?Q35: Why does the speaker say financial targets are less likely to motivate workers?。

四六级听力passage部分全攻略之标志词一.最高级标志词：chief 首要的leading 主要的main 主要的most 最primary 第一位的以及其他形容词副词的最高级；二.唯一级标志词：every 每一个one of 之一none 没有一个all 所有的only 唯一的perfect 完美的unique 独一无二的；三.因果项标志词：answer 回答as a result 结果as 由于because of 因为because 因为cause 造成due to 由于for 因为for the reason that 因为…的原因for this reason 因为这个理由now that 既然owing to 由于question 问题reason 理由since 因为so 所以so… that…如此…以至于thanks to 多亏the reason why…is…原因在于…therefore 因此thus 因此why 为什么；四.转折比较项标志词：actually 事实上although 尽管but 但是by contrast 相比之下despite 尽管even though 尽管except 除了from … to …从…到…however 但是in fact 事实上instead 相反not only…but also…不仅…而且…now 现在on the contrary 相反的than 比though 然而unless 除非unlike 不像yet 还没有；五.序数项标志词：also 也and 而且and then 然后another 另一besides 此外finally 最后first 首先firstly 首先furthermore 此外in addition 而且last 最后last but not least 最后也是最重要的lastly 最近moreover 而且next 接下来on the one hand 一方面on the other hand 另一方面second 第二secondly 第二still 仍然third 第三thirdly 第三too 也what’s more 而且；六.时间标志词：after a while 一会儿之后again 再一次and then 然后at last 最后at that time 那时候finally 最后in the past 过去last 最后lately 最近later 之后meanwhile 同时next 接下来now 现在nowadays 现在presently 当今recent 最近shortly 不久since 自从so far 至今soon 很快then 然后today 今天until 直到when 当；七.解释项标志词：a case in point 比如for example 比如for instance 比如frankly speaking 坦率地说in other words 换而言之in this case 在这种情况下namely 也就是or…或者that is 也就是that is to say 也就是说八.目的项标志词：aiming to 为了for 为了for the purpose of 为了…的目的in a bid to 为了in an attempt to 为了in order that 为了in order to 为了look forward to 期待so as to 以至于so that 以至于to 为了with a view to 为了；九.总结项标志词：above all 最重要的all in all 总之briefly 简而言之finally 最后generally speaking 总体而言in a word 总之in all 总之in brief 简单地说in conclusion 总结in fact 事实上in general 总体上in other words 换而言之in short 简单地说in summary 总之on the whole 总体而言summing up 总结to conclude 结论是to sum up 总结to summarize 总结；十.强调项标志词:attempt to 试图certainly 当然clearly 显然decide to 决定demonstrate 表明deny 否认determine to 决定emphasize 强调especially 尤其是find 发现have to 不得不imagine 想象in particular 尤其in this case 这里indeed 实际上indicate 表明insist 坚持intend to 打算learn 研究particular 尤其plan to 计划prefer 宁愿remember 记住report 报道show 发现stick to 坚持stress 强调try to 试图usually 通常want to 想要。

Passage 41Education for the BlindAn American federal law approved in 1975 guarantees blind students a free public education./ It requires that all states provide a free public education in the best environment / to children who suffer mental or physica1 problems./To help blind students learn, schools are also required to provide special books published for the blind. / In these books, words are formed using raised areas of paper / which blind people feel with their fingers./Schools also provide other services and equipment/ to help blind people learn./Many children with sight problems attend their local public schools with other children. / They are taught the same subjects as other students their age. / But they also receive special life skills training. / This could include learning how to move and work successfully within the community. / It could also mean special training on equipment to make life easier./Some schools even have special vision instructors../These are trained professionals who work directly with blind students./raised areas突起的地方Passage 42Vocational Education in the USThere is a long history of vocational education in the US. / Dating back to colonial times, the government has supported programs to train skilled workers. / It started out as a way to teach students to farm and work in industries. / But as the American economy grew, / so too has vocational training. /Today, vocational education is usually called career and technical education, or CTE. / Students in high schools and trade schools can earn degrees in many areas. / They include nursing, engineering accounting, biotechnologies, web design and auto mechanics. /Career and technical education is different from traditional school / because it ismuch more "hands-on." / Instead of sitting in a crowded classroom taking notes, / students in CTE programs learn a trade. / They are prepared to step out of the classroom right into the working world. / That means they can start earning money / years before students who attend four-year colleges. /colonial 殖民地的start out 开始，起步biotechnology 生物工程hands-on 实际操作的step out of 走出trade school中等专业学校Passage 43Adult EducationMillions of people are enrolled in evening adult education programs across America. / Community colleges have become popular and their enrollments have increased rapidly. / Large universities are offering more courses in the evenings for adult students. /One reason for this is that many older people are changing their professions. / Another reason is that repair costs have increased. / Adults taking courses like electrical repair / hope that the high cost for repairs can be avoided. / Advanced technology is the most important reason for the rise in adult education. / Engineers, teachers and businessmen have found / that more education is needed to do their jobs well. / Computers and business courses are taken by many adult students./ Foreign languages, accounting and communication courses are also popular. /Some students attend classes to earn degrees, / while others take courses for the knowledge and skills that they can receive. / The lives of many people have been enriched because of adult education. /be enrol(l)ed in 入学electrical repair电器维修advanced 先进的accounting 会计学Passage 44Father's DayFather's Day is never quite such the big commercial event that Mother’s Day is, / probably because it hasn't been in existence for so long. / Most people would buy their fathers a card. / Some people do buy presents as well. /Popular gifts for Dads are probably ties, chocolates or socks / because these are things that Dads can always use / even if they don't want them. / In the run-up to Father’s Day, / there will be adv ertisements on the TV giving us ideas of CDs or gadgets we can buy. / Card shops will be full of mugs or pens and similar merchandise with nice messages on them. /Some families might do things together to celebrate Father's Day like going for a meal. / As a special treat, people might give their Dad a bit of a rest / - make him a cup of tea, or even wash his car and mow the lawn / to make him feel really appreciated. /the run-up 即将到来之际mug 大杯子gadget小器具mow the lawn 除草Passage 45A Scottish New Y earIf you're invited to a Scottish home on New Y ear's Eve, / it's important to know what to bring with you: / a lump of coal, some shortbread and some whisky. /The coal signifies warmth, / so you're wishing that the people you visit will have enough heat in the coming year. / The shortbread represents food, / so you're hoping that the people will have enough to eat. / And whisky was called "the water of life" by Scots, / so it means you want the hosts to have enough to drink. /There is one more key task you still have to perform as a guest. / The first person to knock on a neighbour’s door / is supposed to be a tall, dark, handsome man. / If you are, you'll bring good luck to the household. / But if that's not you, don't ring the bell just yet. / Wait for a while and the right person is bound to turn up soon! /shortbread 油酥脆饼signify 代表，表示a lump of coal一大块煤炭whisky威士忌Passage 46The Statue of LibertyThe Statue of Liberty represents a woman holding a torch of fire. / It stands on an island at the entrance to the New Y ork City harbor. / It is almost 93 meters tall, / one of the tallest statues over built. / Its complete name is "Liberty Enlightening the World". /The Statue of Liberty was a gift / to the people of the United States from the people of France. /It was an expression of friendship and the goal of liberty / shared by the people of both countries./The statue was designed and built in France. / France officially presented the statue to the United States Minister to France in Paris on July 4th, 1884. / The statue was then taken apart and sent to the United States. / New Y ork City celebrated with a huge parade. / Since then, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of freedom / for people all over the world. /the United States Minister to France 美国驻法大使take apart 拆开Passage 47CheerleadingCheerleaders are part of athletic competitions throughout the United States. /They lead the crowd in cheering for the team it likes best. /Most cheerleaders in the early years were men. / That changed during World War II, / when large numbers of young men left the country to fight. / From that time on' more than 90% of cheerleaders have been female. /Today most American high schools include cheerleading among their student athletic activities. / The cheerleaders must be in good physical condition. / They must be able to jump high, turn circles in the air and lift each other. / Many girls attend cheerleading camps in the summer to improve their skills and learn new moves. /Some people say cheerleading is not a sport because it does not have unified rules. / Rules for competitors along cheerleading teams are different, / depending on the group organizing the contest. / However, cheerleading is an athletic activity requiring physical skill, / and cheerleaders add to the excitement of an athletic event. /in good physical condition 身体状况Passage 48Soap OperasA soap opera is a serial on television or radio / where each episode links to the next episode. / So you're always left at the end of one short episode / wondering what’s going to happen next. /Soap opera is generally about neighbors, friends, family. / There may be controversial subjects like drug taking, or violence, divorce. /So it would cover all the things that you could imagine possibly happening in people's lives. /The term soap opera comes from the 1950s, / when radio in America started advertising soup products / and they devised little stories to sell these soap products and they called them soap operas. / Soap operas axe very popular in the UK. / If you look at the most popular programmes people watch, / the main soap operas on TV are almost always at the top. / It’s an instant fix of entertainment. / People can just sit down on the sofa and enjoy it./Passage 49CampingOne kind of vacation that many Americans enjoy is camping. / Each summer millions of Americans drive to the countryside where they find places to camp. / The national parks, many of which are in the mountains, / are favorite camping places. / Campers enjoy the fresh air, the lakes and the forests which they find in these parks. / Campers hike, swim and fish. / They can also find many kinds of animals and plants in the parks. / Mostly, campers relax and enjoy a change from their busy lives in the city. / Some campers have trailers which they drive or pull behind their cars to their camp sites. / Trailers are like houses on wheels. / They have many conveniences which people have in their homes, / such as electricity and hot water. / But most campers don't have trailers. / They camp in tents which they set up in their camp sites. / Tent campers enjoy a very simple life. /Passage 50ColdsColds are more common in winter, but not because of low temperatures. / The cold weather just means people stay inside more. /People tend to congregate and be together, / and the way the common cold virus is transmitted from one person to another is through handshakes, / through sneezing, or coughing on one another. /Adults generally get two to three colds a year. / Children are likely to catch four or five. / There about two hundred different viruses that cause the common cold. / People mistakenly think that once they get infected one time they won't catch colds. /There is still no cure for the common cold. / But there axe ways to feel better sooner. / If you get a cold and on day one / and you start taking about two grams of vitamin C a day, / there is evidence that it might shorten the number of days / that you will be suffering with these symptoms./congregate集合，聚集transmit 传送virus 病毒Passage 57EarwaxExperts say earwax protects and cleans the ear. / It traps dirt and other matter and keeps insects out. / Doctors think it might also help protect against infections. / And the waxy oil keeps ears from getting too dry. /There are two kinds of earwax. / Most people of European or African ancestry have the “wet” kind, / while East Asians commonly have "dry" earwax. /The glands in the ear canal that produce the wax make too much in some people. / Earwax is normally expelled and it falls out of the ear or gets washed away. / But extra wax can harden and form a blockage / that interferes with sound waves and reduces hearing. /People can also cause a blockage when they try to clean out their ears, / but only push the wax deeper inside. / Earwax removal is sometimes necessary. / But you have to use a safe method or you could do a lot of damage. /earwax耳垢gland 腺expel 驱逐，排除ancestry 祖先，世系ear canal 耳道blockage 堵塞removal除去，消除Passage 52US ClimateThe United States is one of the biggest countries in the world. / It has all sorts of geography from deserts to beaches, mountains to flatlands. / These conditions help create all sorts of weather: / mild, moderate and extreme. /In the summer, some areas get very hot and the air is very wet. / But others havedry air, so the heat does not feel so bad. / In the winter, parts of the country get cold and snowy / while others stay warm and sunny. / This is the difference between, for example, the East Coast and the West Coast./ The oceans affect weather along the coasts. / The Pacific coast has smaller temperature changes and calmer conditions than along the Atlantic. /Hurricanes are ocean storms that strike mainly in the Southeast. / The hurricane season is, officially, June through November. / Tornadoes are a risk across the country. / These are locally severe windstorms in the spring and summer. /flatland 平原moderate 适中的hurricane 飓风tornado龙卷风windstorm 暴风mild 温和的Passage 53TornadoesA tornado is a violently turning tube of air suspended from a thick cloud. / It extends from a thunderstorm in the sky down to the ground. / The shape is like a funnel: / wide at the top, narrower at the bottom. /Tornadoes form when winds blowing in different directions / meet in the clouds and begin to turn in circles. / Warm air rising from below causes the wind tube to reach toward the ground. / Because of their circular movement, / these windstorms are also known as twisters. / The most severe tornadoes can reach wind speeds of 320 kilometers an hour or more. /Weather experts can identify the conditions to form a tornado. / And when they observe them, / they can advise people that tornadoes might develop. / But they are not able to tell exactly where or when a tornado will hit. / Tornado warnings still depend in large part on human observations. /suspend 悬，吊wind tube 风筒twister旋风Passage 54Global W armingGlobal warning is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface air and oceans./ Climate change is any major change in measures of climate, / such as temperature, rainfall and wind./Scientists have debated about global warming for years. / Many have different opinions about the extent to which greenhouse gases are responsible for it. / Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide,/ are produced by factories, power stations and vehicles./ They trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.Research shows the level of carbon dioxide gas in the Earth's atmosphere / has increased by more than 30% in the last 250 years. / Carbon dioxide is produced by burning oil and coal. /An increase in global temperatures has led to other problems. / Scientists have observed a rise in sea levels and a melting of ice in the Earth's Polar areas. / Scientists also believe that global warming is affecting endangered plants and animals, / sea life and the seasonal activities of organisms. /rainfall 降雨量greenhouse gas 温室气体carbon dioxide二氧化碳trap 挡住，拦住melting 融化的power station 发电站Polar area 极地organism 生物体Passage 55RainbowA rainbow is a circle of colors that appears in the sky when sunlight shines on raindrops. / The sunlight and water work together to form rainbows. / Think of sunlight flowing out in many lines, called rays. / The rays are an equal distance from each other. /The tight energy of the rays acts similar to waves, which have different lengths. / Sunlight is made up of several wave lengths. I People see the mix of lengths as what is called white light. /But things change when a ray of white light hits a raindrop. / That is when the colors that make up white light slow to different speeds. / The light bends as it enters the raindrop. / This bending separates the white light into colors, / each color weakening as it moves into the next color. / The light rays turn or bend again / when they come out of the raindrop. / This continuous bending through an area of raindrops is what makes the rainbow a perfect circle. /wave length 波长ray 光线，射线Passage 56The Solar W ater HeaterSolar water heaters are used around the world and are not very difficult to build. / The system is based on a design developed some years ago. / It can heat seventy liters of water to sixty degrees Celsius. / It can do this between sunrise and noon on a clear day / with an average air temperature of thirty-two degrees Celsius. /There are two parts to the solar water heater. / One part is made of a sheet of metal painted black./ Black surfaces become hotter in the sun than surfaces painted any other color. / The second part of the solar water heater holds the water for the system. / This storage tank can be a container that holds about one hundred liters. / Two rubber pipes are attached to the water storage tank. / One pipe lets water flow into the system. / The other lets water flow out. / The solar water heater will last about two years / before the rubber pipes need to be replaced./rubber pipe橡皮管be attached to连在……上Celsius摄氏度Passage 57Applications of LasersLasers have numerous applications in various fields. / They have made measurement an exact science. / Astronomers have used lasers to measure the moon's distance from Earth to within a few centimeters. / Mappers and builders use laser technology every day' / For example, drawing a perfectly level straight line on a construction site is easy using a laser. /Manufacturers have used lasers for years to cut and join metal parts. / And the jewelry industry uses lasers / to write on the surface of the world's hardest substance, diamonds. / Lasers have also changed the way we live. / Super-fast Internet connections let people watch movies / and send huge amounts of information at the speed of light. / Laser printers can print out forms and documents quickly and are relatively low in cost. / Laser barcode scanners have changed how stores record almost everything. / They help businesses keep track of products. / They help in storage and every detail of the supply process. /laser激光centimeter厘米manufacturer制造商barcode 条形码keep track of 记录，追踪supply process 供应流程numerous 众多的mapper 制图人construction site 建筑工地scanner 扫描Passage 58MP3sAn MP3 is a kind of file used for sending music or other material over the Internet. / These files are compressed, or reduced in size, / compared to songs on a compact disc, or CD. / MPB files are played on a computer using media programs. /MP3s can also be played on small players / as well as some wireless telephones that can store music. / Many players can hold thousands of songs / yet are small enough to carry in your pocket ./ Music fans can change their music collections from CDs to MP3s. / They are also able to download MP3 music files from the Internet much faster / because of the MP3's smaller file size. /File-sharing services make it possible for people to exchange copyrighted music at no cost. / However, the record industry starts to get concerned / because people are trading free music on the internet / instead of buying it in music stores. /wireless 无线的copyrighted 收版权保护的compact紧凑的，压紧的file sharing 文件共享Passage 59E-booksAn e-book is the electronic version of a traditional print book. / Instead of words on paper, it is words on a screen. /Anyone who uses the Internet can find e-books. / But a copyright makes it illegal to sell or copy an e-book / without the permission of the writer or publisher. / Many e-books do have copyright protection. / Some writers even write books that sold only as e-books. /In the coming years, the number of e-books is expected to continue to increase. / Many now include music and images. / And many come with links to other e-books on the same subject./Some people are happy to sit at their computer when they read an e-book. / But others like to be able to carry a book with them. / These people may want to buy ane-book reader./ This is a small device that can link with a computer / to load the contents of a book. /Passage 60Flash MobsA flash mob is where young people suddenly gather in a large group for no apparent reason./ Flash mobs can involve hundreds of people who do not all know each other. / But they all meet at the same time, then leave the area quickly. / A flash mob can be held for any reason, / but usually just to have some fun. /The people involved in a flash mob do not know the time or place of the meeting / until just minutes before it takes place. / They get the details from a web site, / or by e-mail or as a text message on their wireless phone. /What do people do at flash mobs? / Flash mobbers in a store will all ask for the same product./ On a street, they may sing a song at the same time, / shout meaningless words, hug each other or make some kind of noise. / Then, just as quickly as they came, they leave. / It all happens in a flash. /Passage 61EngagementsThe period of engagement is the time between the marriage proposal and the wedding ceremony. /Two people agree to marry when they decide to spend their lives together. / The man usually gives the woman a diamond engagement ring / and places it on the third finger of her left hand. / It is thought that a blood vessel or nerve in that finger goes directly to the heart. /Americans generally are engaged for a period of about one year / if they are planning a wedding ceremony and party. / During this time, friends of the bride may hold a party. / Women friends and family members give the bride gifts / she will need as a wife. / These could include cooking equipment or new clothing. /Friends of the groom may have a bachelor party for him. / This usually takesplace the night before the wedding. / Only men are invited to the bachelor party. / It is considered the groom's last night out as an unmarried man. /the third finger 无名指bachelor party 单身汉聚会Passage 62Unusual NamesIn many countries around the world, unusual names for children are becoming more popular, /especially since the increasing trend for celebrities to give their children odd names. / In Britain, you call a child almost anything you like / --- the only restrictions on parents relate to offensive words such as swear words. /Some parents choose names which come from popular culture. / For example, some babies are named after the character in hot novels and films. / Equally, names related to sport are fairly common. / Other parents like to make up names, / or combine names to make their own unique version. /Other countries have much stricter rules / when it comes to naming children. / Countries including Japan, Denmark, Spain, Germany and Argentina / have an approved list of names from which parents must choose. / In China, there are some rules about what you may call a child / ---- no foreign letters or symbols are allowed. /restriction 限制swear words 脏话Argentina 阿根廷celebrity 名人offensive冒犯的Denmark 丹麦Passage 63Left-HandersInternational Left-Handers Day is August 13th. / The Left-Handers Club startedthe holiday in 1992./ It wanted left-handers around the world to celebrate. / And it wanted to bring attention to everyday problems of people who use their left hands. /One of these problems is difficulty using equipment and tools, like scissors. / In general, most and equipment are made for people who are right-handed. / The Left-Handers Club tries to educate designers and manufacturers / to consider the safety of left-handed people when producing their products. /Another problem is that many societies have considered it bad to be left-handed. / Some teachers and parents have tried to force children who used their left hand / to use their right one instead. /Scientists do not really know why some people are left-handed. / They have believed the reason genetic. / Researchers in Britain recently identified a gene that helps confirm this. / They say the gene increases the chance of being left-handed. /International Left-Handers Day 国际左撇子节Manufacturer 制造商Passage 64SkyscrapersSkyscrapers were invented in the United States. / As early as the 1880s, two new technical developments made these taller buildings possible. /One development was the mechanical elevator. / It meant that people would not have to climb many steps to reach the upper floors of tall buildings. /The development of steel building technology also helped make taller buildings possible. /Many experts consider the Home Insurance Building in Chicago to be the first skyscraper. / This tower was about 55meters tall. / Today this would not be considered much of a skyscraper. / But at the time, this height was striking. / The structure was built using a steel frame. / This frame was load-bearing, / meaning that the steel skeleton would support the building's weight, not its walls. / Before this technology, a taller building required creating thicker stone walls to support its weight. / Thick walls are extremely heavy, / and allow less room for windows and light. /Skyscraper摩天大楼a the upper floors 较高的楼层Home Insurance Building家庭保险大楼load-bearing 承重的elevator 电梯striking 引人注目的，显著的steel frame 钢铁框架skeleton 框架Passage 65US Federal CourtsThe United States court system includes federal and state courts. / Federal courts deal with criminal and civil actions / involving the United States Constitution or federal laws. / Federal courts try cases involving the United States government. / They hear cases between people from different states /and cases involving other countries or their citizens. / They also hear cases involving situations that took place on the sea and violations of ownership rights. /Each state has at least one federal district court. / District courts are the first courts to hear cases involving violations of federal laws. / Then the cases may be heard again in appeals courts. / The United States is divided into 12 district areas. / Each one has a court of appeals. / There is also a federal court of appeals. /The federal court system also includes special courts. / They try cases involving claims against the federal government, tax disputes, and military questions. /criminal and civil actions 刑事及民事诉讼ownership 所有权tax dispute 税务争端the United States Constitution 美国宪法violation 违反，违背appeals court 上诉法庭military 军事的Passage 66The Baby BoomThe baby boom is what Americans call the period between 1946 and 1964, / when the number births in the United States increased sharply. / Population experts say a law helped create the baby boom. / The law gave soldiers who served in World War II and the Korean War / the financial support they needed to start families./ It also provided education, loan guarantees and other assistance former soldiers. / Millions received education and bought homes through the plan. /The phrase baby boom describes more than just population growth. / It also describes a period of change in American culture. / Many baby boomers were less conservative than their parents. / During the 60s and 70s, these young people had their own ideas about sex and drugs. /Baby boomers also became politically active. / Some fought in Vietnam. / But others protested the war, or found ways not to serve. / America continues to feel the political and social effects of the baby boom. /boom 繁荣，激增Vietnam越南conservative 保守Passage 67Social NetworkingSocial networking and blogs have now become more popular than sending personal emails. / The idea behind these sites is that of global online communities. / To join a community you need to create a personal profile. / Then you can connect with your friends, / share pictures, music and your thoughts. /Social networks are not new but they are evolving. / Almost all the networks can now be accessed from a mobile phone. / Sites seem popular with a broad audience largely thanks to bolt-on applications /which allow everything from photo-sharing to online gaming. / Whether this is a clever public relations stunt / or a means of directlycommunicating with friends or fans, / it is undoubtedly fascinating social commentary./Of course, there are those who fear that these online communities may in fact be anti-social. /They are anxious that the more time people spend on these sites, / the more difficult it will become for them to communicate in face-to-face situations. /Profile 概况，简介stunt 花招，特技Passage 68Online ShoppingOnline shopping has a lot of advantages over going in person to the shops. / Shoppers can check reviews and recommendations on the Internet / before they make their decisions, / without having someone sort of breathing down their necks. / Online shopping is truly global so people can buy the best products from Europe, America, or Africa, / depending on what their specialty is. / Distance is no longer a problem. / Most sellers provide an express service. / Goods get delivered straight to the door quickly. / Shoppers don't even need to step out of the house and go to the shops. / They can stay at home with a nice cup of tea and buy their shopping online. /However, there axe certain disadvantages too. / Some people don't buy stuff online because security reasons. / Compared to traditional business, / e-business is very easy for people to hack intosites and get details.hack into 黑客入侵breathe down sb.'s neck 严密监视某人Passage 69American Health PlanThere is no national health plan for Americans. / But there are many programs available for this purpose. / Marty people have health plans at the companies where。