关于全国大学英语四、六级考试听力试题调整的说明

为了适应新的形势下社会对大学生英语听力能力需求的变化，进一步提高听力测试的效度，全国大学英语四、六级考试委员会自2016年6月考试起将对四、六级考试的听力试题作局部调整。调整的相关内容说明如下。

【解读】2015年3月四六级考委会（官方命题机构）完成换届，此次改革说明新官上任三把火已经开始点燃。

一、四级听力试题的调整

取消短对话

取消短文听写

新增短篇新闻（3段）

其余测试内容不变。调整后四级听力部分的试题结构见下表：

测试内容        测试题型       题量      分值比例

短篇新闻3段   选择题（单选）   7题        7%（每题1分）

长对话2篇     选择题（单选）   8题        8%（每题1分）

听力篇章3篇   选择题（单选）   10题       20%（每题2分）

【解读】取消短对话和短文听写表明难度下降，但增加短篇新闻又意味着难度上升，并向英语专四听力靠拢。所以，整体难度还是略微上升。

 

PartII            ListeningComprehension           (25minutes)

Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both thenews report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear aquestion, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B),C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 witha single line through the centre.

Questions 1 and 2will be based on the following news item.

1.   A)Christmas-time attacks made by Somali rebels.
B) An explosion at a bus station in central Nairobi.
C) The killing of more than 70 Ugandans in Kampala.
D) Blasts set off by a Somali group in Uganda’s capital.

2.   A) OnChristmas Eve.                         

B) Just before midnight.

C) During a security check.
D) In the small hours of the morning.

Questions 3 and 4will be based on the following news item.

3.   A) It islikely to close many of its stores.
B) It is known for the quality of its goods.
C) It remains competitive in the recession.
D) It will expand its online retail business.

4.   A)Expand its business beyond groceries.
B) Fire 25,000 of its current employees.
C) Cut its DVD publishing business.
D) Sell the business for one pound.

Questions 5 to 7will be based on the following news item.

5.   A) Alltaxis began to use meters. 
B) All taxis got air conditioning.
C) Advertisements were allowed on taxis.
D) Old taxis were replaced with new cabs.

6.   A) A lowinterest loan scheme.           

B) Environmentalists’ protests.

C) Taxi passengers’ complaints.

D)Permission for car advertising.

7.   A) Thereare no more irregular practices.
B) All new cabs provide air-conditioning.
C) New cabs are all equipped with meters.
D) New legislation protects consumer rights.

Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two longconversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 witha single line through the centre.

Conversation One
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

8.   A) Ithas a partnership with LCP.        

B) It is headquartered in London.             

C) It specializes in safety from leaks.

D) It has a chemical processing plant.

9.   A) He isa chemist.                              

B) He is a salesman.                           

C) He is a safety inspector.

D) He is Mr. Grand’s friend.

10.  A) Thepublic relations officer.           
B) Mr. Grand’s personal assistant.       

C) Director of the safety department.

D) Headof the personnel department.

11. A) Wait forMr. Grand to call back. 
B) Leave a message for Mr. Grand.
C) Provide details of their products and services.
D) Send a comprehensive description of their work.

Conversation Two
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

12.  A)Teacher.                                         C) Editor.
B) Journalist.                                       

D) Typist.

13.  A) Somenewly discovered scenic spot.
B) Big changes in the Amazon valley.
C) A new railway under construction.
D) The beautiful Amazon rainforests.

14.  A) Innews weeklies.                          

C) In newspapers’ Sunday editions.
B) In a local evening paper.                 

D) In overseas editions of U.S. magazines.

15.  A) Tobecome a professional writer.    

C) To get her life storypublished soon.
B) To be employed by a newspaper.    

D) To sell her articles toa news service.

Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. Atthe end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choosethe best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through thecentre.

Passage One
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

16.  A) Sheis both a popular and a highly respected author.
B) She is the first writer to focus on the fate of slaves.
C) She is the most loved African novelist of all times.
D) She is the most influential author since the 1930’s.

17.  A) TheBook Critics Circle Award.     

C) The Pulitzer Prize forfiction.
B) The Nobel Prize for literature.       

D) TheNational Book Award.

18.  A) Sheis a relative of Morrison’s.

C) She is a skilled storyteller.
B) She is a slave from Africa.             

D) She is a black woman.

Passage Two
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

19.  A) Theyare very generous in giving gifts.
B) They refuse gifts when doing business.
C) They regard gifts as a token of friendship.
D) They give gifts only on special occasions.

20.  A) Theyenjoy giving gifts to other people.
B) They spend a lot of time choosing gifts.
C) They have to follow many specific rules.
D) They pay attention to the quality of gifts.

21.  A)Gift-giving plays an important role in human relationships.
B) We must be aware of cultural differences in giving gifts.
C) We must learn how to give gifts before going abroad.
D) Reading extensively can make one a better gift-giver.

Passage Three
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.

22.  A) Shetenderly looked after her sick mother.
B) She developed a strong interest in finance.
C) She learned to write for financial newspapers.
D) She invested in stocks and shares on Wall Street.

23.  A) Sheinherited a big fortune from her father.
B) She sold her restaurant with a substantial profit.
C) She got 7.5 million dollars from her ex-husband.
D) She made a wise investment in real estate.

24.  A) Shewas dishonest in business dealings.
B) She frequently ill-treated her employees.
C) She abused animals including her pet dog.
D) She was extremely mean with her money.

25.  A) Shecarried on her family’s tradition.
B) She made huge donations to charities.
C) She built a hospital with her mother’s money.
D) She made a big fortune from wise investments.

Tape Script ofListening Comprehension

 

Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both thenews report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear aquestion, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B),C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 witha single line through the centre.

Questions 1 and 2will be based on the following news item.

Kenyan police sayone person was killed and 26 injured in an explosion at a bus station incentral Nairobi. The blast hit a bus about to set off for the Ugandan capitalKampala. Last July, the Somali group al-Shabab said it was behind the blasts inthe Ugandan capital which killed more than 70 people. Will Ross reports fromthe Kenyan capital.
The explosion happened beside a bus which was about to set off for an overnightjourney from Nairobi to the Ugandan capital Kampala. Some eyewitnesses reportthat a bag was about to be loaded on board, but it exploded during a securitycheck. Windows of the red bus were left smashed, and blood could be seen on theground beside the vehicle. Just hours earlier, Uganda’s police chief had warnedof possible Christmas-time attacks by Somali rebels.

1. What is thenews report mainly about?
2. When did the incident occur?

Questions 3 and 4will be based on the following news item.

Woolworths is oneof the best known names on the British High Street. It’s been in business nearlya century. Many of its 800 stores are likely to close following the company’sdecision to call in administrators after an attempt to sell the business for atoken £1 failed.
The company has huge debts. The immediate cause for the collapse has been Britain’sslide toward recession, which has cut into consumer spending. However, thebusiness had been in trouble for years.
Known for low-priced general goods, Woolworths has struggled in the face ofcompetition from supermarkets expanding beyond groceries and a new generationof internet retailers. 
Many of the store group’s 25,000 employees are likely to lose their jobs. Someprofitable areas such as the DVD publishing business will survive.

3. What do welearn about Woolworths from the news report?
4. What did Woolworths attempt to do recently?

Questions 5 to 7will be based on the following news item.

Cairo is known forits overcrowded roads, irregular driving practices and shaky old vehicles, butalso for its air pollution. In recent months, though, environmental studiesindicate there have been signs of improvement. That’s due in part to theremoval of many of the capital’s old-fashioned black and white taxis. Most ofthese dated back to the 1960s and 70s and were in a poor state of repair.
After new legislation demanded their removal from the roads, a low interestloan scheme was set up with three Egyptian banks so drivers could buy new cars.The government pays about $900 for old ones to be discarded and advertising onthe new vehicles helps cover repayments.
The idea has proved popular with customers ― they can now travel inair-conditioned comfort and because the new cabs are metered, they don’t haveto argue over fares. Banks and car manufacturers are glad for the extrabusiness in tough economic times. As for the taxi drivers, most are delightedto be behind the wheel of new cars, although there have been a few complaintsabout switching from black and white to a plain white colour.

5. What changetook place in Cairo recently?
6. What helped bring about the change?
7. Why do customers no longer argue with new cab drivers?

Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two longconversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 witha single line through the centre.

Conversation One

W: Morning, thisis TGC. 
M: Good morning. Walter Barry here, calling from London. Could I speak to Mr.Grand, please? 
W: Who’s calling, please? 
M: Walter Barry, from London.
W: What is it about, please?
M: Well, I understand that your company has a chemical processing plant. My owncompany, LCP, Liquid Control Products, is a leader in safety from leaks in thefield of chemical processing. I would like to speak to Mr. Grand to discussways in which we could help TGC protect itself from such problems and savemoney at the same time.
W: Yes, I see. Well, Mr. Grand is not available just now. 
M: Can you tell me when I could reach him?
W: He’s very busy for the next few days – then he’ll be away in New York. Soit’s difficult to give you a time.
M: Could I speak to someone else, perhaps?
W: Who in particular?
M: A colleague for example?
W: You’re speaking to his personal assistant. I can deal with calls for Mr.Grand.
M: Yes, well, could I ring him tomorrow?
W: No, I’m sorry he won’t be free tomorrow. Listen, let me suggest something.You send us details of your products and services, together with referencesfrom other companies and then we’ll contact you.
M: Yes, that’s very kind of you. I have your address.
W: Very good, Mr….
M: Barry. Walter Barry from LCP in London.
W: Right, Mr. Barry. We look forward to hearing from you. 
M: Thank you. Goodbye. 
W: Bye.

Questions 8 to 11are based on the conversation you have just heard.

8. What do welearn about the woman’s company?
9. What do we learn about the man?
10. What is the woman’s position in her company?
11. What does the woman suggest the man do?

Conversation Two

M: You’re going towear out the computer’s keyboard!
W: Oh, hi.
M: Do you have any idea what time it is?
W: About ten or ten-thirty?
M: It’s nearly midnight.
W: Really? I didn’t know it was so late.
M: Don’t you have an early class to teach tomorrow morning?
W: Yes, at seven o’clock. My commuter class, the students who go to work rightafter their lesson.
M: Then you ought to go to bed. What are you writing, anyway?
W: An article I hope I can sell.
M: Oh, another of your newspaper pieces? What’s this one about?
W: Do you remember the trip I took last month?
M: The one up to the Amazon?
W: Well, that’s what I’m writing about—the new highway and the changes it’smaking in the Amazon valley.
M: It should be interesting.
W: It is. I guess that’s why I forgot all about the time.
M: How many articles have you sold now?
W: About a dozen so far.
M: What kind of newspapers buy them?
W: The papers that carry a lot of foreign news. They usually appear in the bigSunday editions where they need a lot of background stories to help fill up thespace between the ads.
M: Is there any future in it?
W: I hope so. There’s a chance I may sell this article to a news service.
M: Then your story would be published in several papers, wouldn’t it?
W: That’s the idea. And I might even be able to do other stories on a regularbasis.
M: That would be great.

Questions 12 to 15are based on the conversation you have just heard.

12. What is thewoman’s occupation?
13. What is the woman writing about?
14. Where do the woman’s articles usually appear?
15. What does the woman expect?

Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. Atthe end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choosethe best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through thecentre.

Passage One

In today’s class,we’ll discuss Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved. As I’m sure youall know, Morrison is both a popular and a highly respected author, and it’snot easy to be both. Born in 1931, Morrison has written some of the mosttouching and intelligent works on the African-American experience ever writtenby anyone, and yet to call her an “African-American writer” doesn’t seem to doher justice. In many ways, she’s simply an American writer—and certainly one ofour best.
Beloved is a truly remarkable work. It was recommended for nearlyevery major literary prize, including the National Book Award and the NationalBook Critics Circle Award, and it in fact won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in1988. Morrison herself is distinguished for having won the Nobel Prize forliterature in 1993.
What makes Beloved unique is the skillful, sure way in whichMorrison blends intensely personal storytelling and American history, racialthemes and gender themes, the experience of Blacks with the experience of allpeople everywhere, the down-to-earth reality of slavery with a sense ofmysterious spirituality.
We’ll be paying special attention to these themes as we discuss this work. I’mparticularly interested in your views on the relative importance of race andgender in this book. Is it more important that Sethe, the main character, isblack or that she’s a woman? Which contributes more to her being? What doesMorrison tell us about both?

Questions 16 to 18are based on the passage you have just heard.

16. What do welearn about Toni Morrison?
17. What honor did Toni Morrison receive in 1993?
18. What does the speaker tell us about Sethe, the main character in Morrison’snovelBeloved?

Passage Two

The topic of mytalk today is gift-giving. Everybody likes to receive gifts, right? So you maythink that gift-giving is a universal custom. But actually, the rules ofgift-giving vary quite a lot, and not knowing them can result in greatembarrassment. In North America, the rules are fairly simple. If you’re invitedto someone’s home for dinner, bring wine or flowers or a small item from yourcountry. Among friends, family, and business associates, we generally don’tgive gifts on other occasions except on someone’s birthday and Christmas. TheJapanese, on the other hand, give gifts quite frequently, often to thanksomeone for their kindness. The tradition of gift-giving in Japan is veryancient. There are many detailed rules for everything from the color of thewrapping paper to the time of the gift presentation. And while Europeans don’tgenerally exchange business gifts, they do follow some formal customs whenvisiting homes, such as bringing flowers. The type and color of flowers,however, can carry special meaning.
Today we have seen some broad differences in gift-giving. I could go on withadditional examples. But let’s not miss the main point here: If we are notaware of and sensitive to cultural differences, the possibilities formiscommunication and conflict are enormous. Whether we learn about thesedifferences by reading a book or by living abroad, our goal must be to respectdifferences among people in order to get along successfully with our globalneighbors.

Questions 19 to 21are based on the passage you have just heard.

19. What does thespeaker say about gift-giving of North Americans?
20. What do we learn about the Japanese concerning gift-giving?
21. What point does the speaker make at the end of the talk?

Passage Three

Hetty Green was avery spoilt, only child. She was born in Massachusetts, USA, in 1835. Herfather was a millionaire businessman. Her mother was often ill, and so from theage of two her father took her with him to work and taught her about stocks andshares. At the age of six she started reading the daily financial newspapersand opened her own bank account.
Her father died when she was 21 and she inherited $7.5 million. She went to NewYork and invested on Wall Street. Hetty saved every penny, eating in thecheapest restaurants for 15 cents. She became one of the richest and most hatedwomen in the world. At 33 she married Edward Green, a multi-millionaire, andhad two children, Ned and Sylvia.
Hetty’s meanness was well known. She always argued about prices in shops. Shewalked to the local grocery store to buy broken biscuits which were muchcheaper, and to get a free bone for her much loved dog. Once she lost atwo-cent stamp and spent the night looking for it. She never bought clothes andalways wore the same long, ragged black skirt. Worst of all, when her son Nedfell and injured his knee, she refused to pay for a doctor and spent hourslooking for free medical help. In the end Ned lost his leg.
When she died in 1916 she left her children $100 million. Her daughter built ahospital with her money.

Questions 22 to 25are based on the passage you have just heard.

22. What do welearn about Hetty Green as a child?
23. How did Hetty Green become rich overnight?
24. Why was Hetty Green much hated?
25. What do we learn about Hetty’s daughter?

参考答案

Part II      Listening Comprehension

Section A

1.   B                 2.   C                 3.    A                 4.   D                 5.    D
6.   A                 7.    C

Section B

8.   D                 9.    B               10.  B                11. C                 12.  A
13. B                 14. C                 15.  D

Section C

16. A                 17. B                 18.  D                 19. D                 20.  C
21. B                 22. B                 23.  A                 24. D                 25.  C

大学英语六级考试听力样题

PartII            ListeningComprehension           (30minutes)

Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear two longconversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear some questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.

Conversation One
Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1.   A) Heinvented the refrigerator.          C) He was admitted to a university.
B) He patented his first invention.       D) He got adegree in Mathematics.

2.   A) Hestarted to work on refrigeration.
B) He became a professor of Mathematics.
C) He fell in love with Natasha Willoughby.
D) He distinguished himself in low temperature physics.

3.   A)Discovering the true nature of subatomic particles.
B) Their explanation of the laws of cause and effect.
C) Their work on very high frequency radio waves.
D) Laying the foundations of modern mathematics.

4.   A) Tohave a three-week holiday.       C) To patent hisinventions. 
B) To spend his remaining years.         D) To teach at a university.

Conversation Two
Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

5.   A) Theinjury of some students.
B) A school bus crash on the way.
C) The collapse of a school building.
D) A fire that broke out on a school campus.

6.   A)Teaching.                                       C) Having lunch.
B) On vacation.                                  D) Holding a meeting.

7.   A) Amalfunctioning stove.                C) Violation of traffic rules.
B) Cigarettes butts left by workers.      D) Negligence inschool maintenance.

8.   A) Senta story to the local newspaper.
B) Threw a small Thanksgiving party.
C) Baked some cookies as a present.
D) Wrote a personal letter of thanks.

Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two passages. At theend of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choosethe best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through thecentre.

Passage One
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard.

9.   A) It is a trait of a generous character. C) It is an indicator of highintelligence.
B) It is a reflection of self-esteem.        D)It is a sign of happiness and confidence.

10.  A) Itwas self-defeating.                     C) It was the essence of comedy.
B) It was aggressive.                           D) It was something admirable.

11.  A) It isa double-edged sword.            C) It is aunique gift of human beings.
B) It is a feature of a given culture.      D) It is aresult of both nature and nurture.

Passage Two
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.

12.  A) Sheis a tourist guide.                   C) She is a domestic servant.
B) She is an interpreter.                       D) She is from the royal family.

13.  A) It issituated at the foot of a beautiful mountain.
B) It was used by the family to hold dinner parties.
C) It was frequently visited by heads of state.
D) It is furnished like one in a royal palace.

14.  A) It iselaborately decorated.             C) Itis very big, with only six slim legs.
B) It has survived some 2,000 years.    D) It is shaped like anancient Spanish boat.

15.  A) Theyare interesting to look at.
B) They have lost some of their legs.
C) They do not match the oval table at all.
D) They are uncomfortable to sit in for long.

 

Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear recordings oflectures or talks followed by some questions. The recordings will be playedonly once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from thefour choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 16 to 19.

16.  A) Theyinvestigate the retirement homes in America.
B) They are on issues facing senior citizens in America.
C) They describe the great pleasures of the golden years.
D) They are filled with fond memories of his grandparents.

17.  A) Theloss of the ability to take care of himself.
B) The feeling of not being important any more.
C) Being unable to find a good retirement home.
D) Leaving the home he had lived in for 60 years.

18.  A) Theloss of identity and self-worth.
B) Fear of being replaced or discarded.
C) Freedom from pressure and worldly cares.
D) The possession of wealth and high respect.

19.  A) Theurgency of pension reform.
B) Medical care for senior citizens.
C) Finding meaningful roles for the elderly in society.
D) The development of public facilities for senior citizens.

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 20 to 22.

20.  A) Itseriously impacts their physical and mental development.
B) It has become a problem affecting global economic growth.
C) It is a common problem found in underdeveloped countries.
D) It is an issue often overlooked by parents in many countries.

21.  A) Theywill live longer.                     C) They get along well with people.
B) They get better pay.                       D) They develop much higher IQs.

22.  A)Appropriated funds to promote research of nutrient-rich foods.
B) Encouraged breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
C) Recruited volunteers to teach rural people about health and nutrition.
D) Targeted hunger-relief programs at pregnant women and young children.

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 23 to 25.

23.  A) Theguaranteed quality of its goods.
B) The huge volume of its annual sales.
C) The service it provides to its customers.
D) The high value-to-weight ratio of its goods.

24.  A) Thosehaving a taste or smell component.
B) Products potentially embarrassing to buy.
C) Those that require very careful handling.
D) Services involving a personal element.

25.  A) Thosewho live in the virtual world.
B) Those who have to work long hours.
C) Those who are used to online transactions.
D) Those who don’t mind paying a little more.

Tape Script of Listening Comprehension

Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear two longconversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear some questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.

Conversation One

W: Hello.
M: Hello, is that the reference library?
W: Yes. Can I help you?
M: I hope so. I rang earlier and asked for some information about Denys Hawtin,the scientist. You asked me to ring back.
W: Oh, yes. I have found something.
M: Good. I’ve got a pencil and paper. Perhaps you could read out what it says.
W: Certainly. Hawtin, Denys. Born: Darlington 1836; died New York 1920. 
M: Yes. Got that.
W: Inventor and physicist. The son of a farm worker, he was admitted to theUniversity of London at the age of fifteen. 
M: Yes.
W: He graduated at seventeen with a first class degree in Physics andMathematics. All right?
M: Yes, all right.
W: He made his first notable achievement at the age of eighteen. It was amethod of refrigeration which arose from his work in low temperature physics.He became professor of Mathematics at the University of Manchester attwenty-four, where he remained for twelve years. During that time he marriedone of his students, Natasha Willoughby.
M: Yes. Go on.
W: Later, working together in London, they laid the foundation of modernPhysics by showing that normal laws of cause and effect do not apply at thelevel of subatomic particles. For this he and his wife received the Nobel Prizefor Physics in 1910, and did so again in 1912 for their work on very highfrequency radio waves. In his lifetime Hawtin patented 244 inventions. Do youwant any more?
M: Yes. When did he go to America?
W: Let me see. In 1920 he went to teach in New York, and died there suddenlyafter only three weeks. Still, he was a good age.
M: Yes. I suppose so. Well, thanks.

Questions 1 to 4are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. What do welearn about Denys Hawtin when he was 15?
2. What did Denys Hawtin do at the age of 24?
3. For what were Denys Hawtin and his wife awarded the Nobel Prize a secondtime?
4. Why did Denys Hawtin go to New York?

Conversation Two

W: This is LisaMeyer in the WBZ newsroom, talking with Mike Bassichis, who is the director ofthe Gifford School, about the cleanup from last week’s fire and what thepossible cause of that blaze may have been.
M: We’re getting ready for our entire staff to return early from vacationtomorrow whereupon we are going to move into temporary classrooms. And theother buildings that did not burn are being de-smoked. As to the cause of thefire, all we know is that we were having trouble with the pilot lights since webought the stove in July and it had been serviced three times. Well, as amatter of fact, we think it was a malfunctioning stove that may have caused thefire. Nothing definite yet has been determined.
W: Have you heard from other schools or other institutional users of this stovethat have had the same problem?
M: No. I wouldn’t know anything more about the stove itself. All I know is thatthis fire went up so quickly that there’s been a suspicion about why it went upso quickly. And it may be that there was a gas blast. But, again, this has notbeen determined officially by anybody.
W: I got you. When do kids come back to school?
M: Next Monday, and we will be ready for them. Monday January 4. We’re justextremely thrilled that no one was hurt and that’s because of the fire fightersthat were here, nine of them. They’re wonderful.
W: And I’m sure you send your thanks out to them, uh?
M: Well, we’re sending out thanks to them in a letter or in any other way wecan. I heard a story today where one of our kids actually baked some cookiesand is taking it to the fire department, to give it to them.  

Questions 5 to 8 arebased on the conversation you have just heard.

5. What were thespeakers talking about? 
6. What were the school staff doing at the time of the accident?
7. What was supposed to be the cause of the accident?
8. What did one of the kids do to show gratitude?

Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two passages. At theend of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choosethe best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1with a single line through thecentre.

Passage One

In today’spersonality stakes, nothing is more highly valued than a sense of humor. Weseek it out in others and are proud to claim it in ourselves, perhaps even morethan good looks or intelligence. If someone has a great sense of humor, wereason, it means that they are happy, socially confident and have a healthyperspective on life.
This attitude would have surprised the ancient Greeks, who believed humor to beessentially aggressive. And in fact, our admiration for the comically gifted isrelatively new, and not very well-founded, says Rod Martin, a psychologist atthe University of Western Ontario. Being funny isn’t necessarily an indicatorof good social skills and well-being, his research has shown. It may just aslikely be a sign of personality flaws.
He has found that humor is a double-edged sword. It can forge betterrelationships and help you cope with life, or it can be corrosive, eating awayat self-esteem and irritating others. “It’s a form of communication, likespeech, and we all use it differently,” says Martin. We use bonding humor toenhance our social connections, but we also may employ it as a way of excludingor rejecting an outsider.
Though humor is essentially social, how you use it says a lot about your senseof self. Those who use self-defeating humor, making fun of themselves for theenjoyment of others, tend to maintain that hostility toward themselves evenwhen alone. Similarly, those who are able to view the world with amusedtolerance are often equally forgiving of their own shortcomings.

Questions 9 to 11are based on the passage you have just heard.

9. How do peopletoday view humor according to the speaker?
10. What did the ancient Greeks think of humor?
11. What has psychologist Rod Martin found about humor?

Passage Two(female voice)

   Andnow, if you’ll walk this way, ladies and gentlemen, the next room we’re goingto see is the room in which the family used to hold their formal dinner partiesand even occasionally entertain heads of state and royalty. However, theymanaged to keep this room friendly and intimate and I think you’ll agree it hasa very informal atmosphere, quite unlike some grand houses you visit. Thecurtains were never drawn, even at night, so guests got a view of the lake andfountains outside, which were lit up at night. A very attractive sight.
As you can see, ladies and gentlemen, the guests were seated very informallyaround this oval table, which would add to the relaxed atmosphere. The tabledates from the eighteenth century and is made of Spanish oak. It’s ratherremarkable for the fact that although it is extremely big, it’s supported byjust six rather slim legs. However, it seems to have survived like that for twohundred years, so it’s probably going to last a bit longer. The chairs which gowith the table are not a complete set—there were originally six of them. Theyare interesting for the fact that they are very plain and undecorated for thetime, with only one plain central panel at the back and no arm-rests. I myselffind them rather uncomfortable to sit in for very long, but people were used tomore discomfort in the past.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, if you’d like to follow me into the Great Hall …

Questions 12 to 15are based on the passage you have just heard.

12. What do welearn about the speaker?
13. What does the speaker say about the room they are visiting?
14. What is said about the oval table in the room?
15. What does the speaker say about the chairs?

Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear recordings oflectures or talks followed by some questions. The recordings will be playedonly once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from thefour choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 16 to 19.

Moderator:
Hello Ladies and Gentleman, it gives me great pleasure to introduce our keynotespeaker for today’s session, Dr. Howard Miller. Dr. Miller, Professor ofSociology at Washington University, has written numerous articles and books onthe issues facing older Americans in our graying society for the past 15 years.Dr. Miller:

Dr. Miller:
Thank you for that introduction. Today, I’d like to preface my remarks with astory from my own life which I feel highlights the common concerns that bring ushere together. Several years ago when my grandparents were well into theireighties, they were faced with the reality of no longer being able toadequately care for themselves. My grandfather spoke of his greatest fear, thatof leaving the only home they had known for the past 60 years. Fighting backthe tears, he spoke proudly of the fact that he had built their home from theground up, and that he had pounded every nail and laid every brick in theprocess. The prospect of having to sell their home and give up theirindependence, and move into a retirement home was an extremely painfulexperience for them. It was, in my grandfather’s own words, like having a limb cutoff. He exclaimed in a forceful manner that he felt he wasn’t importantanymore.
For them and some older Americans, their so-called “golden years” are at timesnot so pleasant, for this period can mean the decline of not only one’s healthbut the loss of identity and self-worth. In many societies, this self-identityis closely related with our social status, occupation, material possessions, orindependence. Furthermore, we often live in societies that value what is “new”or in fashion, and our own usage of words inthe English language is often a sign of bad news for older Americans. I meanhow would your family react if you came home tonight exclaiming, “Hey, come tothe living room and see the OLD black and white TV I brought!” Unfortunately,the word “old” calls to mind images of the need to replace or discard.
Now, many of the lectures given at this conference have focused on the issuesof pension reform, medical care, and the development of public facilities forsenior citizens. And while these are vital issues that must be addressed, I’dlike to focus my comments on an important issue that will affect the overallsuccess of the other programs mentioned. This has to do with changing ourperspectives on what it means to be a part of this group, and findingmeaningful roles the elderly can play and should play in our societies.
First of all, I’d like to talk about . . .

16. What does theintroduction say about Dr. Howard Miller’s articles and books?
17. What is the greatest fear of Dr. Miller’s grandfather?
18. What does Dr. Miller say the “golden years” can often mean?
19. What is the focus of Dr. Miller’s speech?

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 20 to 22.

The 2010 GlobalHunger Index report was released today by the International Food PolicyResearch Institute (IFPRI). It notes that, in recent years, experts have cometo the conclusion that undernourishment between conception and a child’s secondbirthday can have serious and long-lasting impacts. 
Undernourishment during this approximately 1,000-day window can seriously checkthe growth and development of children and render them more likely to get sick anddie than well-fed children. Preventing hunger allows children to develop bothphysically and mentally. 
Says IFPRI’s Marie Ruel, “They will be more likely to perform well in school.They will stay in school longer. And then at adulthood, IFPRI has actuallydemonstrated that children who were better nourished have higher wages, by apretty large margin, by 46 percent.”
Ruel says that means the productivity of a nation’s future generations dependsin a large part on the first 1,000 days of life.
“This is why we’re all on board in focusing on those thousand days to improvenutrition. After that, the damage is done and is highly irreversible.”
The data on nutrition and childhood development has been slowly coming togetherfor decades. But Ruel says scientific consensus alone will not solve theproblem. 
“It’s not enough that nutritionists know you have to intervene then, if wedon’t have the politicians on board, and also the...people that implement[programs] in the field.”
Ruel says there are encouraging signs that politicians and implementers arebeginning to get on board. Many major donors and the United Nations aretargeting hunger-relief programs at pregnant women and young children. Theyfocus on improving diets or providing micro-food supplements. They improveaccess to pre-birth care and encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the firstsix months of a child’s life. 
Ruel says in the 1980s Thailand was able to reduce child undernourishment byrecruiting a large number of volunteers to travel the countryside teachingabout health and nutrition.
“They really did very active promotion of diversity in the diet and good eatinghabits. So they were providing more food to people, but also educating peopleon how to use them, and also educating people on how to feed their youngchildren.”
Ruel says countries may take different approaches to reducing childundernutrition. But she says nations will not make progress fighting hunger andpoverty until they begin to focus on those critical first thousand days.

20. What is theexperts’ conclusion regarding children’s undernourishment in their earliestdays of life? 
21. What does IFPRI’s Marie Ruel say about well-fed children in their adultlife?
22. What did Thailand do to reduce child undernourishment in the 1980s?

Now listen to thefollowing recording and answer questions 23 to 25.

I’d like to lookat a vital aspect of e-commerce, and that is the nature of the product orservice. There are certain products and services that are very suitable forselling online, and others that simply don’t work.
Suitable products generally have a high value-to-weight ratio. Items such asCDs and DVDs are obvious examples. Books, although heavier and so moreexpensive to post, still have a high enough value-to-weight ratio, as thesuccess of Amazon, which started off selling only books, shows. Laptopcomputers are another good product for selling online.
Digital products, such as software, films and music, can be sold in a purelyvirtual environment. The goods are paid for by online transactions, and thendownloaded onto the buyer’s computer. There are no postage or delivery costs,so prices can be kept low.
Many successful virtual companies provide digital services, such as financialtransactions, in the case of Paypal, or means of communication, as Skype does.The key to success here is providing an easy-to-use, reliable service. Do thisand you can easily become the market leader, as Skype has proved.
Products which are potentially embarrassing to buy also do well in the virtualenvironment. Some of the most profitable e-commerce companies are those sellingsex-related products or services. For a similar reason, online gambling ishighly popular.
Products which are usually considered unsuitable for selling online includethose that have a taste or smell component. Food, especially fresh food, fallsinto this category, along with perfume. Clothes and other items that need to betried on such as diamond rings and gold necklaces are generally not suited tovirtual retailing, and, of course, items with a low value-to-weight ratio.
There are exceptions, though. Online grocery shopping has really taken off,with most major supermarkets offering the service. The inconvenience of notbeing able to see the food you are buying is outweighed by the time saved andconvenience of having the goods delivered. Typical users of online supermarketsinclude the elderly, people who work long hours and those without their owntransport.

23 What isimportant to the success of an online store?
24. What products are unsuitable for selling online?
25. Who are more likely to buy groceries online?

 

参考答案

Part II      Listening Comprehension

Section A

1.   C                 2.   B                 3.   C                 4.   D                 5.    D
6.    B                 7.   A                 8.    C

Section B

9.   D               10.  B               11.  A                 12. A                 13.  B
14. C                 15.  D

Section C

16. B                 17. D                 18.  A                 19. C                 20.  A
21. B                 22. C                 23.  D                 24. A                 25.  B