专四听力材料[00:01.47]TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2011)[00:04.99]-GRADE FOUR-[00:05.67][00:06.53]PART I DICTATION[00:09.64]Listen to the following passage.[00:11.97]Altogether the passage will be read to you four times.[00:15.97]During the first reading,[00:17.40]which will be done at normal speed,[00:19.64]listen and try to understand the meaning.[00:22.50]For the second and third readings,[00:24.69]the passage will be read sentence by sentence,[00:27.80]or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds.[00:32.55]The last reading will be done[00:33.74]at normal speed again[00:35.67]and during this time[00:36.89]you should check your work.[00:38.49]You will then be given 2 minutes[00:40.71]to check through your work once more.[00:43.58]Please write the whole passage[00:45.34]on ANSWER SHEET ONE.[00:46.99][00:47.70]Now, listen to the passage.[00:49.73][00:51.46]British Holidaying Habits[00:54.46]In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable[00:58.37]for the average family in the UK,[01:01.53]and more people started traveling[01:03.04]abroad for their summer holidays.[01:06.48]After all, the British weather wasn’t very good, even in summer, [01:11.43]so a lot of people left the country for a vacation.[01:15.74]In the 1980s and 1990s, young people[01:19.42]in the UK became wealthier on average.[01:23.51]As a result, they started to go abroad in groups[01:27.30]to places such as Spain and Greece.[01:31.02]Once they arrived at their destination,[01:33.76]they met with other groups of young people,[01:36.23]and had one long party.[01:39.42]British holidaying habits have begun to change, however.[01:43.59]Climate change means that the UK now has a hotter climate,[01:48.87]so people do not need to go overseas to find good weather.[01:53.59]Also, going abroad is more expensive.[01:57.19]As a result, more British people are choosing[02:00.17]to spend their summer holidays in the UK.[02:03.81][02:04.89]The second and third readings,[02:07.67]you should begin writing now.[02:09.33][02:10.44]British Holidaying Habits[02:13.38]In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable[02:32.25]In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable[02:51.04]for the average family in the UK,[03:08.64]for the average family in the UK,[03:26.22]and more people started traveling[03:27.60]abroad for their summer holidays.[03:45.11]and more people started traveling[03:46.60]abroad for their summer holidays.[04:03.30]After all, the British weather wasn’t very good, even in summer, [04:23.23]After all, the British weather wasn’t very good, even in summer, [04:43.38]so a lot of people left the country for a vacation.[05:01.20]so a lot of people left the country for a vacation.[05:19.59]In the 1980s and 1990s, young people[05:23.12]in the UK became wealthier on average.[05:42.23]In the 1980s and 1990s, young people[05:46.09]in the UK became wealthier on average.[06:04.60]As a result, they started to go abroad in groups[06:23.37]As a result, they started to go abroad in groups[06:42.12]to places such as Spain and Greece.[06:59.94]to places such as Spain and Greece.[07:17.63]Once they arrived at their destination,[07:34.96]Once they arrived at their destination,[07:52.64]they met with other groups of young people,[07:55.12]and had one long party.[08:12.32]they met with other groups of young people,[08:14.72]and had one long party.[08:31.92]British holidaying habits have begun to change, however.[08:50.33]British holidaying habits have begun to change, however.[09:08.93]Climate change means that the UK now has a hotter climate,[09:28.70]Climate change means that the UK now has a hotter climate,[09:48.50]so people do not need to go overseas to find good weather.[10:07.74]so people do not need to go overseas to find good weather.[10:27.11]Also, going abroad is more expensive.[10:45.46]Also, going abroad is more expensive.[11:03.92]As a result, more British people are choosing[11:06.81]to spend their summer holidays in the UK.[11:25.29]As a result, more British people are choosing[11:28.26]to spend their summer holidays in the UK.[11:31.74][11:46.83]The last reading.[11:47.68][11:48.79]British Holidaying Habits[11:51.74]In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable[11:55.51]for the average family in the UK,[11:58.67]and more people started traveling[12:00.27]abroad for their summer holidays.[12:03.29]After all, the British weather wasn’t very good, even in summer, [12:08.49]so a lot of people left the country for a vacation.[12:12.92]In the 1980s and 1990s, young people in the UK became wealthier on average. [12:20.58]As a result, they started to go abroad in groups[12:24.74]to places such as Spain and Greece.[12:28.30]Once they arrived at their destination,[12:31.09]they met with other groups of young people, and had one long party. [12:37.24]British holidaying habits have begun to change, however.[12:41.76]Climate change means that the UK now has a hotter climate,[12:47.08]so people do not need to go overseas to find good weather.[12:51.70]Also, going abroad is more expensive.[12:55.49]As a result, more British people are choosing[12:58.55]to spend their summer holidays in the UK.[13:01.31][13:02.21]Now,you have two minutes to check through your work.[13:05.11][15:06.41]That is the end of PartⅠ Dictation.[15:09.58][15:22.57]PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION[15:26.00]In Sections A, B and C[15:28.51]you will hear everything ONCE ONLY.[15:31.16]Listen carefully and then answer[15:32.62]the questions that follow.[15:34.78]Mark the correct answer to each question[15:36.84]on ANSWER SHEET TWO.[15:38.57][15:39.75]SECTION A CONVERSATIONS[15:42.88]In this section[15:43.68]you will hear several conversations.[15:46.10]Listen to the conversations carefully[15:48.04]and then answer the questions that follow.[15:50.10][15:51.21]Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following conversation.[15:55.19]At the end of the conversation,[15:56.95]you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.[16:00.50]Now, listen to the conversation.[16:03.62]W: Good afternoon, International Trade Center Exhibition Services.[16:07.70]How can I help?[16:08.59]M: Oh, hello. I'd like some information about the exhibiting [16:11.65]of the international automobile show.[16:14.32]W: The auto show?[16:15.59]So, what would you like to know?[16:17.76]M: First, can you give me an idea of[16:19.74]how big the fair is?[16:21.52]W: Well, 121 companies had stands last year,[16:25.62]and that figure should be up to 140 this time.[16:29.37]M: Sorry, how many?[16:31.10]W: 140.[16:32.54]M: What about visitor numbers?[16:34.41]W: Over the 2 days, we had 16,500 visitors.[16:39.62]So, with more stands, we'd hope for more people this time. [16:43.99]M: And where did they typically come from?[16:46.42]W: About 57% were from overseas,[16:49.47]America and Europe, Japan, Singapore,[16:52.89]and South Korea. The remainder were local people.[16:56.35]M: That’s interesting.[16:57.42]Now, a few practical questions.[16:59.38]We are thinking of taking a stand of about 45 square meters. [17:03.95]How much would that cost us?[17:06.62]W: 400 dollars per square meter.[17:09.20]M: Sorry, can you give me the cost again?[17:11.80]W: Yes, it’s 400 dollars.[17:14.39]So, if you are looking at 45 square meters,[17:17.58]it would be, let me see, 18,000 dollars.[17:21.79]But that’s just the cost for a basic stand.[17:24.74]M: What does the price include?[17:27.09]W: You’ll get an listing in the catalogue[17:29.15]in both Chinese and English, some basic furniture,[17:32.74]a desk and four chairs, and electricity and lighting.[17:36.72]M: So anything else would be extra, like a poster?[17:40.00]W: That's right.[17:41.42][17:57.19]Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation. [18:01.00]At the end of the conversation,[18:02.88]you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions.[18:06.26]Now, listen to the conversation.[18:09.33]M: Hello, Linda.[18:10.37]W: Hello, Jim.[18:11.78]M: I'm thinking of investing in your new educational computer [18:15.10]that your company has produced.[18:17.28]And I’m interested in the advertising campaign.[18:20.11]W: Oh, thank you.[18:22.14]What would you like to know?[18:23.82]M: I've read your campaign plan.[18:25.87]It looks OK. I only have a couple of questions,[18:29.48]mainly about where you intend to place these advertisements. [18:33.16]W: Well, as you can see from the plan,[18:36.12]we intend to place them in family magazines[18:39.12]and on early evening television.[18:41.66]We want whole families,[18:43.37]that's parents and children, to see them.[18:46.49]M: Um, but are you sure they will be the right families? [18:50.62]W: The right families? Well…[18:53.25]M: I mean, are you certain that the parents[18:55.21]who read those magazines and watch those television programs [18:59.54]are the people who will buy[19:00.99]an educational computer for their children?[19:03.72]W: Yes, we are quite certain.[19:06.02]Our market research shows that...[19:08.00]M: Good. I'm sure you are right.[19:10.43]And I see that you are thinking of placing advertisements [19:13.27]in teenage magazines as well.[19:15.75]W: Yes. We intend to place them in some teenage magazines, [19:19.48]the more serious ones, you know.[19:22.27]And we are also thinking of putting them[19:24.04]in Sunday newspapers, because it is likely[19:26.53]that the whole family will be together on Sundays.[19:30.04]M: I see. But do you really think[19:32.35]that parents and their children[19:34.00]will like the same advertisements?[19:36.57]W: We've done research and we think[19:38.64]they'll like our advertisements.[19:40.98]M: Good.[19:41.97][20:01.71]Questions 8 to 10 are based on the following conversation. [20:05.70]At the end of the conversation,[20:07.54]you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.[20:11.04]Now, listen to the conversation.[20:14.41]W: Hello. I’m Sue Green. You must be John Fox.[20:18.12]M: Yes, I am.[20:19.59]W: Thanks for coming to the job interview.[20:21.70]Let me ask you a few questions.[20:23.84]M: Yes, please.[20:25.23]W: Have you got any work experience?[20:27.22]M: Yes.I had a job in a paper factory[20:30.46]for a few months after I left school.[20:32.60]Then I worked in the summer holidays of the university,[20:35.79]first in a fast food restaurant, then in a bookshop.[20:38.99]W: OK. Do you drive? Have you got a driving license?[20:43.03]M: Yes, I have.[20:44.68]W: That's fine then.[20:46.18]So what kind of interests do you have?[20:48.85]M: Interests? Well, I like traveling.[20:52.41]I play a lot of sports, and I play the piano.[20:55.96]W: What sorts of sports do you like?[20:58.33]M: Football, tennis and swimming.[21:00.96]W: Right. And what sort of music do you play?[21:04.27]M: Oh, a lot of different types, classical, jazz...[21:08.63]W: OK. The most important question now,[21:11.89]what experience have you had with children?[21:14.64]M: Well, I've looked after my brother and sister as babies and as young children.[21:19.82]W: Um.[21:20.67]M: And I've also worked with children in a youth club.[21:23.85]W: A youth club?[21:25.32]M: Yes. I've been working as a helper at a youth club[21:28.06]since I started at the university[21:29.99]as a sort of a volunteer, with teenagers.[21:32.72]W: Good. OK. We'll let you know our decision in a few days.[21:36.91]M: Thank you.[21:37.95][21:52.57]SECTION B PASSAGES[21:55.06]In this section,[21:55.82]you will hear several passages.[21:57.78]Listen to the passages carefully[21:59.36]and then answer the questions that follow.[22:01.36][22:02.09]Questions 11 to 13 are based on the following passage.[22:05.86]At the end of the passage,[22:07.66]you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.[22:11.09]Now, listen to the passage.[22:13.62]Few people expect luxury while flying,[22:16.12]but these days, even the basics seem to be in bad shape.[22:20.38]It's not uncommon to find your tray table broken,[22:23.44]the in-flight entertainment system not working and your seat cushion worn. [22:28.67]All of this can make you think:[22:30.23]how old is this plane anyway?[22:33.05]The reality for many U.S. air travellers is that[22:36.20]most of their journeys take place on planes[22:38.26]that have been in service for a decade or more.[22:40.90]The average age of the fleet of the seven large U.S.[22:44.54]passenger airlines is about 14 years old,[22:47.54]according to The Airline Monitor.[22:49.45]It found American and Delta/Northwest had the oldest fleets,[22:53.86]at about 16 years on average.[22:56.36]As of the end of 2008, a small percentage of the merged Delta/Northwest's planes[23:02.46]dated back to the late 1960s.[23:05.07]U.S. fleets are among the oldest in the world,[23:08.15]said Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst.[23:11.92]"I'm not really sure that people[23:13.44]should read that much into that," Aboulafia said.[23:16.56]"From a safety standpoint, a lot of the older planes[23:19.56]were built tougher and with proper maintenance.[23:21.88]There's no reason why a plane can't stay safe for 25 to 30 years." [23:26.25]It's also important to remember[23:27.79]that a plane may be 20 years old,[23:29.77]but its engines and other major systems could[23:33.02]have been recently manufactured or upgraded, said Aboulafia.[23:37.09]There's less pressure on the airlines to upgrade the interior,[23:40.53]unless it's a safety issue or a redesign that will save money.[23:45.07][23:59.86]Questions 14 to 17 are based on the following passage.[24:04.20]At the end of the passage,[24:05.66]you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions.[24:09.10]Now, listen to the passage.[24:12.30]Higher education isn't for everyone,[24:15.05]and people have a variety of paths[24:17.59]to choose from once they graduate from high school.[24:20.83]They might know from the start[24:22.38]that they want to go straight to the professional world.[24:25.63]If you are in the market for a job[24:27.83]that doesn't require a degree but does come[24:30.35]with a nice salary, here are a few jobs to consider.[24:34.21]Assembly supervisors oversee workers[24:37.23]who put together products by using power tools[24:40.47]or other dangerous equipment.[24:42.67]The annual salary is 59,926 dollars.[24:48.43]At a construction site, assistant site managers report[24:51.99]to the head site manager and plan, direct[24:55.87]and coordinate the necessary tasks[24:58.45]to complete that day's activities. Salary: 86,584 dollars.[25:05.82]An automobile service station manager draws up guidelines[25:10.69]for gas stations and automotive repair shops[25:13.81]and decides on hours of operations,[25:16.15]assigns job duties and sets prices for services and products.[25:21.30]Salary: 81,793 dollars.[25:26.41]Carpenter supervisors oversee carpentry[25:29.22]work on a specified project to ensure[25:32.25]that workers are on schedule and executing plans accordingly.[25:36.46]The supervisors also perform some of the carpentry duties if time permits. [25:42.03]Salary: 70,565 dollars.[25:46.94]Airlines flight service managers ensure[25:49.46]that flight attendance adhere to personal appearance[25:52.75]and preflight requirements.[25:55.16]They also compile flight reports.[25:57.87]Salary: 67,766 dollars.[26:03.50]Illustrators design fonts and images for a variety of media,[26:08.76]from websites to print campaigns and video.[26:12.26]They often work for advertisement agencies.[26:15.52]Salary: 54, 995 dollars.[26:20.37][26:40.11]Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage.[26:44.29]At the end of the passage,[26:45.74]you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.[26:49.22]Now, listen to the passage.[26:52.46]The police released the first video images yesterday[26:55.35]of the two men believed to have been involved[26:58.20]in robbing a jewelry shop in the city seven days ago.[27:01.45]But the video pictures taken a week ago were not very clear.[27:05.71]The camera which filmed the men[27:07.74]was about 200 meters away from a parked lorry[27:10.82]which the robbers later used as a getaway vehicle.[27:13.63]The men were also filmed wearing hoods[27:16.21]as they ran towards the lorry after the robbery.[27:19.11]The pictures are timed at 9:05 a.m. last Saturday—[27:23.95]just half an hour before the robbery occurred.[27:26.72]Witnesses have confirmed that at some time[27:29.17]during this half-hour, they saw the two men,[27:31.45]without hoods, leave the lorry separately.[27:34.69]Despite the quality of the video,[27:37.06]the police believe the robbers are distinct enough to be identified. [27:41.07]The first suspect, who got out of the driver's side of the lorry, [27:44.57]was about five-foot-six inches tall and fat.[27:48.18]He was wearing a grey jacket with a hood and dark trousers.[27:52.33]The passenger was slimmer, and slightly taller,[27:55.58]about five foot eight inches,[27:57.84]and was wearing light-blue jeans and a white jacket[28:00.99]with a hooded jogging top.[28:03.53]According to the police, the lorry,[28:05.34]stolen in the parking lot of the City Mall last month,[28:08.19]had been repainted from white to silver,[28:11.16]and fitted with false registration plates.[28:13.83][28:29.53]SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST[28:32.31]In this section, you will hear several news items.[28:35.37]Listen to them carefully[28:36.88]and then answer the questions that follow.[28:39.04][28:40.20]Questions 21 and 22 are based on the following news.[28:44.34]At the end of the news item,[28:45.89]you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.[28:49.31]Now, listen to the news.[28:51.66]American astronauts will not return to the moon[28:54.23]as planned if U.S. Congress passes President Obama's proposed budget. [28:59.19]Obama's budget—which aims to cut funding in certain areas[29:02.55]while increasing money used to create jobs—[29:05.27]would cancel NASA's Constellation Programme.[29:08.68]The programme has sought to send astronauts back to the moon by 2020. [29:12.85]NASA’s programme also intended[29:14.79]to study the idea of establishing a moon colony.[29:18.16]The programme was set to follow the U.S. space agency's shuttle missions, [29:21.94]which are due to end in September.[29:24.23]On its Website, the White House Budget Office[29:27.05]says the programme to send astronauts to the moon[29:29.33]is behind schedule, over budget[29:31.48]and overall less important than other space investments.[29:35.17]"Using a broad range of criteria,[29:37.36]an independent review panel determined[29:39.86]that even if fully funded,[29:41.32]NASA’s programme to repeat many of the achievements[29:44.06]of the Apollo era 50 years later,[29:46.32]was the least attractive approach[29:48.07]to space exploration as compared[29:50.49]to potential alternatives,” the site says.[29:53.62][30:04.92]Questions 23 and 24 are based on the following news.[30:09.22]At the end of the news item,[30:10.82]you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.[30:13.83]Now, listen to the news.[30:16.48]A Russian cargo ship with about 30 crew members aboard[30:20.57]was in danger of sinking off Russia's eastern coast[30:24.06]while stormy weather interfered with rescue efforts,[30:27.50]state-run ITAR-TASS news agency said Friday.[30:31.73]Ice had formed on the outside of the ship,[30:34.89]and the crew was chipping it off.[30:37.17]The crew sent out a distress signal,[30:39.57]but there was no explanation of the problem.[30:42.44]Because of the severe weather,[30:44.40]aircraft can't be used to rescue the crew.[30:47.48]According to ITAR-TASS, the vessel is about 90 miles[30:51.83]from an oil rig where rescue vessels are based,[30:55.24]while a tugboat dispatched from land was[30:57.45]still about four times farther away.[31:00.41]The cargo ship had been on route to a fishing area[31:03.63]when it experienced problems, the news agency reported.[31:08.36]The ship hauls fish from boats to ports.[31:11.50][31:22.40]Questions 25 and 26 are based on the following news.[31:26.97]At the end of the news item,[31:28.41]you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.[31:31.50]Now, listen to the news.[31:33.97]Dozens of recording stars began converging[31:37.22]on a Hollywood studio Monday to add their voices[31:40.24]to a song they hope will raise millions of dollars[31:43.35]for Haitian earthquake relief.[31:45.65]The words and music are an updated version of "We Are the World," [31:50.05] a song that raised at least $30 million[31:52.87]for African humanitarian programs 25 years ago.[31:56.45]Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the first song with Michael Jackson, [31:59.93]is organizing the effort.[32:01.69]The original producer, Quincy Jones,[32:03.80]is using the same studio he used in 1985.[32:07.51]Reporters and security surrounded Henson Studios,[32:11.05]anticipating the arrival of limousines[32:13.33]delivering the stars Monday afternoon[32:15.96]for what is expected to be a marathon recording session.[32:19.34]Smokey Robinson, who sang on the original,[32:22.33]said the list of 100 singers asked to take part[32:25.24]does not include any of the 45 stars[32:28.18]from the previous version.[32:29.91]Organizers have not said when the song[32:32.71]might be ready for the world to hear.[32:34.91][32:45.15]Questions 27 and 28 are based on the following news.[32:49.25]At the end of the news item,[32:50.83]you will be given 10 seconds to answer the question.[32:54.05]Now, listen to the news.[32:56.73]AT&T plans to spend 18 billion dollars in 2010[33:00.66]upgrading its wireless networks[33:02.39]to handle the increasing amount of new traffic.[33:05.20]This is roughly $2 billion more than the company[33:07.41]had invested in the previous year.[33:09.54]Specifically, AT&T will add 2,000 new cell sites[33:14.02]and upgrade existing cell sites with three times[33:17.19]more fiber links than it had in 2009.[33:20.47]This will increase capacity[33:22.33]to connect the cell towers to AT&T’s main network.[33:25.70]AT&T, which is the only wireless operator[33:29.67]in the U.S. selling the iPhone,[33:31.52]has been the target of much criticism over this past year, [33:35.08]as many iPhone subscribers,[33:37.29]particularly in densely populated urban areas,[33:40.40]have complained about dropped calls,[33:42.70]slow Internet access, and poor service.[33:46.05]Some critics claim the company[33:48.05]has not been spending enough on network upgrades[33:51.02]to keep up with growing demand.[33:53.40]AT&T has acknowledged[33:55.06]that it has faced some difficulties,[33:56.66]particularly in big cities. But the company is "closing the gap." [34:01.43][34:11.94]Questions 29 and 30 are based on the following news.[34:16.44]At the end of the news item,[34:17.96]you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.[34:20.94]Now, listen to the news.[34:23.47]An Olympic security plan five years in the making[34:27.29]is taking shape in Vancouver this week.[34:29.82]The Canadian Police is heading up[34:31.88]the $900 million security operation,[34:34.95]the largest in Canada's history.[34:37.79]It involved 15,000 police, private security[34:41.55]and military personnel.[34:43.76]The Winter Olympics will take place[34:45.98]February 12 to 28 in 2010 in Vancouver.[34:50.66]Political protests may pose the biggest threat to the games. [34:54.80]The threat of a terrorist attack is rated as low.[34:58.11]But the memory of the 1972 Munich Olympics has not gone away. [35:04.20]That year, a terrorist group attacked the athletes' village,[35:08.38]eventually killing 11 Israeli athletes and coaches.[35:12.38]It is no coincidence that in Vancouver security patrols[35:16.05]are particularly evident around the low-rise apartment buildings [35:20.18]where the athletes will be housed.[35:22.46]In downtown Vancouver, some roads are already closed,[35:26.02]and rings of security fencing surround some key venues.[35:30.89]Perched on top of the fencing[35:33.10]is a network of 900 surveillance cameras[35:35.76]to detect intrusions.[35:37.66][35:48.88]This is the end of listening comprehension.[35:52.03]。
