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听写满分突破50篇(星火英语)

听写满分突破50篇(星火英语)

passage 1 What a Firefighter's Job Is Like(1)The damage that a fire can cause is obvious / (2)and this is why the firefighters' jobs are so important. /(3)Firefighters are usually the first ones responding to any type of emergency and perform many tasks, /(4)which include putting out burning buildings, / (5)helping out with medical emergencies, vehicle accidents and many other incidents. / (6)They must make sure their equipment is clean / (7)and all the items they use are in proper working order. / (8)Keeping their skills up to date is necessary. / (9)Therefore, they will be continually trained with new equipment and techniques. / (10)Because of the extreme conditions / (11)and also the stress associated with the emergency situations that arise, /(12) the firefighters definitely need to stay in shape for the work they must do. / (13)They will stay in the fire station while on duty. / (14)Unless they need to work on the trucks or respond to a call, / (15)they can eat, sleep, shower and watch TV at the fire station, just like at home. (160 words)passage 2 Aliens(1)For a long time, aliens have often been in the news. / (2)They have always been surrounded by mystery / (3)and interest of people all around the world. / (4)People have claimed to have been abducted by aliens. / (5)Some have claimed to have actually seen them. / (6)But is there a sound proof that can prove aliens to be real? / (7)Alien sightings have mostly been accompanied by sightings of lights in the night sky. / (8)Some of them have also believed that / (9)the lights came from the spaceships used by the aliens. / (10)Disk-like objects traveling across the sky / (11)have often been taken as aliens' vehicles. / (12) At times, people have found blood or hair at the locations / (13)where aliens were sighted. / (14) Researchers say alien sightings could have probably been a result of human imagination accompanied by fear, / (15)and some of these sightings might have been a result of certain astronomical phenomena. (145 words)passage 3 Computer Eyeglasses(1)As computers become a more and more vital part of today's lifestyle and practices, / (2)new medical conditions are developing as a result of their usage. / (3)The most common to date is computer vision problems, /(4) which include eye pain, tired and burning eyes, watering or dry eyes, eye strain. / (5)One would never imagine that such a useful and innovative tool could cause so much physical discomfort! / (6)As a result of these, science professionals seized the opportunity / (7)to create computer eyeglasses to ease these common conditions / (8)and make computer usage less painful and more comfortable. / (9)The computer vision problems affect adults as well as children. / (10)Although children normally have different requirements for near and distance vision glasses, / (11)computer eyeglasses can be used universally for both groups. / (12) Please note that near and distance vision glasses / (13)should not be used as replacements for computer glasses. / (14)They do not serve the same purpose, / (15)and in some cases will cause more harm than good. (158 words)passage 4 Labor Day(1) International Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day, /(2) is scheduled for May 1 st of each year. / (3)It is a holiday in celebration of the eight-hour workday. / (4)It evolved from efforts of the labor union movement /(5) to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. / (6)It is celebrated as a national holiday across many countries around the world. / (7)The idea for a workers' holiday began in Australia in 1856 / (8)but was celebrated on May 1st in 1886 in Chicago. / (9)In China, Labor Day was extended to three days during the 1990s. / (10)The Chinese government made it aseven-day holiday / (11)by moving the prior and upcoming weekends together with these three days. / (12) This holiday allowed millions of Chinese people to travel/(13)or take other activities during this period. /(14) However, China has reduced the Golden Week holiday down to one day in 2008, / (15)while at the same time reviving some traditional holidays such as Mid-Autumn Festival. (158 words)passage 5 Audio book(1)An audio book is a recording that is primarily spoken word. / (2)It is often based on a recording of commercial printed material. / (3)1t is not necessarily an exact audio version of a book. / (4)Spoken audio was available in school and public libraries /(5) and to a lesser extent in music shops. / (6)1t was not untilthe 1980s that there began a concerted effort to attract book retailers. / (7)As publishers entered the field of spoken word publishing, / (8)the transition to book retailers carrying audio books became commonplace on bookshelves rather than in separate displays. / (9)With the development of portable cassette recorders, / (10)audiotapes had become very popular / (11)and by the late 1960s libraries became a source of free audio books. / (12) 1nstructional and educational recordings carne first, / (13)followed by self-help tapes and then by literature. / (14)1n 1975 audio books gained popularity with commuters and travelers. / (15) By the middle of 1980s the audio publishing business grew to several billion dollars a year in retail value. ( 155 words)passage 6Family Life in India(1)Family life is equally varied in Indian states. / (2)India is a country with many states / (3)in which people are from different cultures, and so on. / (4)The languages, clothing, customs, and traditions of people are influenced by the respective regions they live in. / (5)Most of the families in India are extended ones, / (6)in which every member has his or her own role, often influenced by age and gender. / (7)Children are cherished and considered as gifts from God. /(8)Children can look forward to continual family support throughout their lives. / (9)However, they are expected to respect their elders and parents, their wishes and family relationships. / (10)The family structure in India is typical, /(11) in which there are many wedding customs, / (12) which have to be strongly followed by people. / (13) Religion, social status, traditional practices, and regional differences influence family structures. / (14)Indians are more emotionally attached to the members of their family. / (15)Husbands and wives are not allowed to openly display their affection for one another. (160 words)passage 7 Society's Influence on Education(1)Society plays an important role in education, and influences it both positively and negatively. / (2)Social inequalities and unhealthy educational practices are some of the negative influences of society on our lives. / (3)Customs and traditions prevent certain sections of society from exercising their fundamental rights / (4)and get in the way of the well-being of society, /(5) shatter the basic ideas of education and social awareness. / (6)Some social groups deny women's right to education, /(7) while others force children to work, / (8)depriving them from a healthy environment / (9)which is good to their growth and development. / (10)Education is one of the basic human rights. / (11)If social norms come in the way of social welfare, / (12) it defeats the purpose of education. /(13)Society is an entity that can't be separated from us. / (14)It is we who make up the society. / (15) It is entirely in our hands whether to add value to our education or devalue it. (149 words)passage 8 Choosing the Perfect Hair Color(1)Coloring your hair is one way to express your individuality. / (2)Choosing the right hair color can be confusing / (3)whether you want to cover gray hair or give yourself a new fresh look. / (4)lf you are clear about what you want exactly, / (5)it can help while choosing the hair color that is right for you. / (6)You can achieve the most flattering look, /(7) if you consider your skin makeup and eye color. / (8)Hair color that balances your complexion gives the best results. / (9)For covering gray hair, you can select a shade close to your natural hair color. / (10)Hair highlights are another way to improve your overall look. /(11)Highlights can look fascinating and make an attractive impression. / (12) They add depth and dimension to the base color or natural hair. / (13)Different hair colors suit different complexions. / (14)In order to choose a suitable hair color, / (15)you need to identify the right combination. (148 words)passage 9 Traditional Brazilian Clothing(1)Brazil is known internationally for its stylish and sophisticated clothing. / (2)Brazilian clothes are comfortable, vivid, beautifully crafted and decorated with attractive laces. / (3)Traditional Brazilian clothing is influenced by a combination of different races and immigrants from all over the world. / (4)A true traditional Brazilian clothing can be seen in the countryside, /(5) where men's clothing includes shirt, jeans and dresses made from inexpensive cotton. / (6)In the south of Brazil, the cowboys wear a distinctive dress including loose-fitting trousers, /(7) while in the northeast region they wear coat, hat and leather trousers. / (8)In the urban areas of Brazil, most people prefer modern clothing. / (9)Young men wear jeans and T-shirts. / (10)Short skirts and dresses are very popular among women. / (11)Brazilian jeans are verycommon / (12) and they come in a wide variety of styles and textures. / (13)Jeans made for women are tight-fitting and loose fitting near the feet. / (14)Due to abundance of beautiful beaches, / (15)beachwear is a very popular clothing in Brazil. (156 words)passage 10 Cosmetics(1)Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. / (2)A subset of cosmetics is called makeup, / (3)which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user's appearance. / (4)Cosmetic use was frowned upon at many points in Western history, /(5) especially during the 19th century when social etiquette was rigid. / (6)During the 20th century, however, /(7) the popularity of cosmetics increased rapidly. / (8)Cosmetics are now in widespread use by women in nearly all industrial societies around the world. / (9)In the United States, cosmetics are used by girls at an increasingly young age. / (10)The social consequences of younger and younger beautification /(11) have had much attention in the media over the last few years. / (12) The cosmetic industry is a profitable business for most manufacturers of cosmetic products. / (13)Given the technological development and the improvement of the manufacturing process, / (14)and not least due to the constantly increasing demand of such products, / (15)this industry reported an important growth in terms of profit. (161 words)passage 11 Spy Cell Phones(1)A spy phone is a mobile phone or a spy device / (2)that allows a user to monitor and hear or record conversations and other activities taking place over the phone. / (3)Spy phones can function in different ways. / (4)They can be used as listening devices / (5)whereby secretive conversations can be tracked. / (6)They are popularly used by secret agencies to track criminal activities / (7)that are carried out over networks. / (8)They can be used for tracking periodic calls and recording the frequency of calls from certain suspicious numbers. /(9)Also, they can be used for monitoring business and household activities / (10)while the cell phone user is away. / (11)Although spy cell phones have many positive sides, / (12) they give rise to legal as well as moral concerns, / (13)because spy cell phone software is easily available. / (14) Cell phones are easily transferable to spy phones. / (15)Their ready availability makes them subject to illegal use. (146 words)passage 12 Water Pollution(1)Water pollution is an undesirable change in the state of water, / (2)polluted with harmful substances. / (3)It is the second most important environmental issue next to air pollution. / (4)Any change in the physical, chemical or biological properties of water will have a harmful effect on living things. / (5)Water pollution affects all the major water bodies of the world / (6)such as lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. /(7)Polluted water is unfit for drinking and for other consumption processes. / (8)It is also no! suitable for agricultural and industrial use. / (9)The effects of water pollution are harmful to human beings, plants, animals, fishes and birds. / (10)Water problems in the future will become more intense and more complex. /(11)Our increasing population will tremendously increase urban wastes, primarily sewage. / (12) On the other hand, increasing demands for water / (13)will decrease the amount of water available for dealing with wastes. / (14)Due to water pollution, / (15)the entire ecosystem gets disturbed. (I50 wordpassage 13Health Benefits of Red Wine(1)We all know drinks containing alcohol are not good for health, /(2) but when it comes to drinking red wine, /(3) it is the other way around. /(4)Recent studies have concluded that there are no negative effects on the body, /(5) if red wine is not consumed excessively. / (6)Certain compounds in red wine can play a very important role in protecting the heart. /(7)It is a heart-healthy drink that can be enjoyed during evening meals. / (8)If you think that red wine is only good for the heart, /(9)then you are wrong. /(10)Studies have revealed that the substance found in the skin of red grapes, /(11) I can restrict cancer's development. /(12) However, the ideal consumption is not 7 to 8 glasses of red wine. / (13)Scientific studies on the potential benefits of red wine recommend that women should not have more than one drink per day; / (14) whereas men can have 2 drinks per day. / (15)The word" moderate" is the key to maximize health benefits of red wine. (160 words)passage 14 How to Gain Fluency in Another Language(1)To gain fluency in another language, / (2)many people will tell you the only solution is / (3)to travel to a foreign country and immerse yourself completely. / (4)This advice may be greatly appealing for some people. / (5)But for the majority of people, this solution is both inconvenient and costly. / (6)Thankfully, the Internet has brought us new and exciting options for communicating in another language. / (7) To expand your vocabulary, try reading free articles and original books in another language. / (8)To begin with, reading may be a slow and frustrating process / (9)as you will have to stop to look up the meanings for many unfamiliar words. / (10)Before you begin, find an online dictionary /(11) that will offer you quick translations. / (12) Hearing a language is the key to learn how to speak it. / (13)Popular music downloading sites offer free audio files / (14)that you can download and take with you wherever you go. / (15)And most importantly, one must actually practice speaking the language. (155 words)passage 15 Holidays in the US(1)Like other nations, the United States sets aside a number of days each year/(2)to commemorate events, people or public occasions. /(3)These holidays typically are marked by a general suspension of work and business activity, /(4) and by public or religious ceremonies. /(5)Technically, the United States does not celebrate national holidays. /(6)However, Congress has designated 10 legal public holidays. /(7)During such public holidays, /(8)I most federal institutions are closed and most federal employees are excused from work. /(9)Although the individual states and private businesses are not required to observe these,/(10)in practice all states and nearly all employers observe the majority of them. /(11)Since 1971, a number of these holidays have been fixed on Mondays/ (12) I rather than on a particular calendar date/(13)so as to afford workers a long holiday weekend. / (14)Meanwhile, there are some US state holidays / (15)particular to individual US states. (149 words)passage 16 Harvard University(1)Harvard College was established in 1636. / (2)Harvard is America's oldest institution of higher learning, /(3) founded 140 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. / (4)The University has grown from nine students with a single master / (5)to an enrollment of more than 18,000 degree candidates, / (6)including undergraduates and students in 10 principal academic units. / (7)An additional 13 ,000 students are enrolled in one or more courses / (8)in the Harvard Extension School. / (9)Over 14,000 people work at Harvard, including more than 2,000 faculty. / (10)There are also 7,000 faculty ap-pointments in affiliated teaching hospitals. / (11)Our mission, to advance new ideas and promote enduring knowledge, has kept the University young. / (12) We strive to create an academic environment in which outstanding students and scholars from around the world / (13)are continually challenged and inspired to do their best possible work. / (14)It is Harvard's collective efforts that make this university such a vibrant place / (15)to live, to learn, to work, and to explore. (155 words)passage 17Organic Coffee(1)Today many agricultural products are grown using organic methods / (2)and coffee is no exception. / (3) Organic products have a very minimal effect on the environment / (4)because there is no use of pesticides and fertilizers. / (5)All organic produces are certified to ensure that / (6)their products are grown in such a way. / (7)Organic coffee is a multimillion dollar industry / (8)and each year the sales of this coffee are increasing. / (9)Exports of organic coffee are up in most of Europe and North America. / (10)Organic coffee is usually grown in many countries such as Africa, Asia and South America. / (11)All over the world people have become organic coffee drinkers, / (12) but Americans consume the majority of it. / (13)All organic coffee products in the USA are certified for quality. / (14)The organic coffee is produced in a very specific way / (15) and all operators are at random inspected to ensure that they meet US Department of Agriculture standards. (149 words)passage 18 White Pollution(1)White pollution refers to plastic pollution. / (2)It is a new member of pollution family, but it grows fast. / (3) Unrecyclable plastic lunch boxes line along railroads. / (4)Plastic shopping bags dance in the wind. / (5)When leaders are busy mapping out blueprints for the future, / (6)one color "WHITE" from white pollution becomes their headache. / (7)Everything in the life circle deserves its place on earth. / (8)1£ we continue using plastic lunch boxes, shopping bags and other unrecyclable plastic products, / (9)whatwould happen? / (10)One day they might bury us in an ocean of white rubbish. / (11)Then the earth, our common home, would be a dustbin. / (12) To prevent this nightmare from coming true, /(13) governments need to work closely with each other and back up their verbal commitment by actions. / (14)However, it is not enough only to ask what governments can do to get rid of white pollution. / (15)We must ask ourselves what we as individuals can do to color the earth green instead of white. (159 words)passage 19 Vertical Farms(1)By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth's population will have resided in urban centers. (2)An estimated 109 hectares of new and will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, (3) if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. (4)So, an entirely new approach to farming must be invented, (5)employing cutting edge technologies. (6)The concept of indoor farming is not new.(7)What is new is the urgent need to scale up this technology (8)to accommodate a fast growing number of people. (9)Vertical farming was thus invented. (10)Rice on the seventh floor, wheat on the twelfth, (11) and enough food within an eighteen-story tower to feed a small city of 50,000. (12) Vertical farms must be cheap to construct and safe to operate. (13)1f successfully implemented, they will offer the promise of urban renewal, (14) sustainable production of a safe and varied food supply, (15)and the eventual repair of ecosystems that have been sacrificed for horizontal farming. (157 words)passage 20 Overpopulation(1)Overpopulation is the condition /(2) where the number of organisms exceeds the carrying capacity of their habitat. / (3)We are facing the effects of overpopulation in our daily lives. / (4)Overpopulation has affected the life of common man / (5)and has proved to be one of the most serious difficulties that have to be fought. / (6)Overpopulation implies a shortage of resources and economic inflation. / (7)Living through the negative effects of overpopulation /(8) has made us realize serious problems associated with it. / (9)It is high time we waken up /(10) and found the causes of overpopulation and worked on them. /(11)Generally, the causes of overpopulation include decline in the death rate, rise in the birth rate, migration and lack of education. / (12) Not every nation is capable of providing its people with the adequate amount of resources. / (13)The ever-increasing population will eventually fail to provide its people with the resources they need to thrive. / (14)When the environment fails to accommodate the living beings that inhabit it, / (15)overpopulation becomes a disaster. (160 words)passage 21 The Bottled Water(1)The bottled water used can be sourced from public water sources, /(2)and the purity and safety depend largely on the regulation of quality adopted within a country. / (3)The regulation conducted and recorded ensures that / (4) the bottled water's quality is safe. / (5)The label on the bottled water container or bottle accurately reflects bottle contents, /(6) or at least it is expected to. / (7)In many developing andunder-developed nations, / (8) these standards are variable. / (9)This makes the safety of the bottled water controversial. / (10)There is no doubt about the convenience of bottled water relative to boiling. / (11)However, bottled water may provide a possibility to unsafe drinking water / (12) only for those who can afford it. / (13)The sales of bottled water have surpassed the sales of all other drinks, except some soft drinks. / (14)And the bottled water companies make a good money / (15)even though the popularity of bottled water has been criticized by environmentalist, economists and care-takers and -givers. (151 words)passage 22 Online Education(1)Online education, or distance learning, has really taken on a life of its own in the past few years. /(2)With the availability of the Internet, /(3) it is becoming easier and easier to join one of the approved online colleges / (4)and to get your degree online. / (5)These colleges are spread out all over the world. / (6) If you are truly getting your education online, / (7)then you don't have to be in the same city / (8)as if you were getting your degree locally. / (9)You simply log into the classroom every day to get your assign-ments, / (10)then you upload them in order to get your grade. / (11)There isn't even a need to meet the teachers or other students /(12) and you can do it at any time of the day. / (13)Therefore, it won't interfere with your work schedule or your life in general. / (14)And the great news is that employers are recognizing more and more that / (15)an online education is a great way to go. (160 words)passage 23Red Wolves(1)Red wolves present a characteristic red colored fur /(2) which is more obvious behind the ears and in the neck and legs. / (3)Other than these parts, / (4)the fur color of red wolves is brown with black shading in the back and tail. / (5)Their big ears help them overcome hot and humid climatic conditions. / (6)The average size of red wolves is 4 feet in length, 20 inches tall and weight about 45 to 80 pounds. /(7)Generally, red wolves attain sexual maturity at the age of 22 months; / (8)however, there are some spe-cies that attain within 10 months. /(9)The breeding season of red wolves is during February and March / (10)and their pregnancy period is about 2 months. / (11)Females give birth to about 1 to 10 children one time around March to April. / (12) The newly borns usually stay with their parents about two years, / (13)after which, they spread around the wild. / (14)The lifespan of red wolves is around 7 or 8 years in the wild / (15) and about 1 years in captivity. (160 words)passage 24 Martin Luther King Jr. Day(1)Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday / (2)marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / (3)It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, / (4)which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. / (5)King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, / (6)which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. / (7)He was assassinated in 1968. / (8)The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination. / (9)The idea of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday / (10)was promoted by labor unions in contract negotiations. / (11)Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, /(12) and it was first observed in 1986. / (13)At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, / (14) giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. / (15)It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000. (152 words)passage 25 Car Alarm System(1)Car alarm systems are basic ways to keep thieves away. / (2)The first car alarm system was designed in 1896. / (3)Nowadays every car is fitted with advanced electronic sound alarm system. / (4)Though car alarm systems do not always stop the theft from happening but they do create troubles, / (5)which act as alarms for both the owner of the car and the thief. / (6)There have been innumerable cases / (7)when in spite of the car alarm system being there, / (8)the vehicle has been stolen, /(9) because at times the car alarm system fails to understand what exactly is a car theft. / (10)Experts are of the opinion that /(11) nowadays thefts occur in spite of the alarm system being there / (12) because nobody bothers much about it. / (13)People do not pay attention because alarm systems sound / (14)even when there is a strong wind or a pet trying to interfere with the vehicle. / (15)Moreover, thieves are designing newer ways to make new technologies that are being used failed. (160 words)passage 26 Domestic Violence and Abuse(1)Domestic abuse OCCUIS when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. / (2)An abuser doesn't play fair. / (3)He or she uses fear, guilt, and shame to wear you down and gain complete power over you. / (4)He or she may threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you. / (5)Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. / (6)Victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be men or women, / (7)although women are more commonly victimized. / (8)Except for the gender difference, domestic abuse doesn't discriminate. / (9)It happens within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and financial levels. / (10)The abuse may occur during a relationship, / (11)while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended. / (12) Despite what many people believe, /(13) domestic violence is not due to the abuser's loss of control over his behavior. / (14)Actually, violence is a deliberate choice made by the abuser / (15)in order to take control over his wife or partner. (165 words)passage 27Ice Cream(1)Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream. /(2)It is often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavors. / (3)Ice cream recipes first appeared in 18th-century England and America. / (4)Most current varieties contain sugar, / (5)although some are made with other。

考研英语阅读高分必背60篇 第48期-美并不容易

考研英语阅读高分必背60篇 第48期-美并不容易

考研英语阅读高分必背60篇第48期:美并不容易Beauty is Not Easy美并不容易Have you, like me, drooled over French model Noemi Lenoir's perfect body on all those M&S billboards?你是否也像我一样曾对玛莎百货广告牌上的法国名模爱米诺的完美身躯垂涎三尺呢?She is always the one chosen to wear the bikinis and lingerie: men lust after her because she looks like a sexy woman, not an emaciated child.她总是穿着性感的比基尼和女士内衣,男人们追捧她,因为她并不是瘦的皮包骨,而是非常性感。

Gazing at the pictures of Noemi, you'd think she led an enchanted life.望着她的照片你会想她的生活该多么美妙啊,She is not only beautiful, she is famous and rich-M&S won't tell me what they pay Noemi,又漂亮又富有,玛莎百货不会告诉你它们每年给爱米诺多少钱,but their contract with fellow face Myleene Klass is reportedly worth 1million a year.但是我们可以从它们和另一位模特克拉斯的价值一百万英镑合同上推测出来。

Who would not want to look like Noemi Who would not want to be her?谁不想变得跟爱米诺一样呢?Yet last week she was found slumped in a suburban Paris park after an overdose of drugs and alcohol.然而就在上周有人发现她因过度吸食毒品和酒精晕倒在巴黎的一个城郊公园里。

听写50篇文本

听写50篇文本

1 T own and Country Life in EnglandThere is a big difference between town life and country life in England. In the country, everybody knows everybody else. They know what time you get up, what time you go to bed and what you have for dinner. If you want help, you will always get it and you will be glad to help others.In a large town like London, however, it can sometimes happen that you have never seen your next door neighbor and you do not know his name or anything about him. People in London are often very lonely. This is because people go to different places in the evenings and at weekends. If you walk through the streets in the centre of London on Sunday, it is like a town without people. One is sorry for old people living on their own. They could die in their homes and would not be discovered for weeks or even months.2 A Change in Women’s LifeThe important change in women’s life-pattern has only recently begun to have its full effect on women’s economic position. Even a few years ago most girls le ft school at the first opportunity, and most of them took a full-time job. However, when they married, they usually left work at once and never returned to it. Today the school-leaving age is sixteen, many girls stay at school after that age, and though women tend to marry younger, more married women stay at work at least until shortly before their first child is born. V ery many more afterwards return to full-time or part-time work. Such changes have led to a new relationship in marriage, with the husband accepting a greater share of the duties and satisfactions of family life and with both husband and wife sharing more equally in providing the money, and running the home, according to the abilities and interests of each of them.Useful Words and expressions:1. life-pattern生活方式 2. share3 A Popular Pastime of the English PeopleOne of the best means of understanding the people of any nation is watching what the do with their non-working time.Most English men, women and children love growing things, especially flowers. V isitors to England in spring, summer or autumn are likely to see gardens all they way along the railway lines. There are flowers at the airports and flowers in factory grounds, as well as in gardens along the roads. Each English town has at least one park with beautifully kept flower beds. Public buildings of every kind have brilliant window boxes and sometimes baskets of flowers are hanging on them.But what the English enjoy most is growing things themselves. If it is impossible to have a garden, then a wi ndow box or something growing in a pot will do. Looking at each other’s gardens is a popular pastime with the English.Useful Words and expressions:1. window box:窗台上的花盆箱2.pastime 消遣,娱乐Swimming is my favorite pastime.4 British and American Police OfficersReal policemen, both in Britain and the U.S., hardly recognize any common points between their lives and what they see on TV—if they ever get home in time.Some things are almost the same, of course, but the policemen do not think much of them.The fir st difference is that a policeman’s real life deals with the law. Most of what he learns is the law. He has to know actually what actions are against the law and what facts can be used to prove them in court. He has to know nearly as much law as a lawyer, and what’s more, he has to put it into practice on his feet, in the dark and running down a narrow street after someone he wants to talk to.Little of his time is spent in talking with beautiful girls or in bravely facing cruel criminals. He will spend most of his working life arranging millions of words on thousands of forms about hundreds of sad, ordinary people who are guilty-or not of stupid, unimportant crimes.Useful Words and expressions:1. think much of 重视,尊重2. in court 在法庭上3. criminal 罪犯,犯罪者4. guilty 犯罪的,有罪的5 Living SpaceHow much living space does a person need? What happens when his space needs are not met? Scientists are doing experiments on rats to try to determine the effects of overcrowded conditions on man. Recent studies have shown that the behavior of rats is greatly affected by space. If rats have enough living space, they eat well, sleep well and produce their young well. But if their living conditions become too crowded, their behavior and even their health change obviously. They can not sleep and eat well, and signs of fear and worry become clear. The more crowded they are, and more they tend to bite each other and even kill each other. Thus, for rats, populations and violence are directly related. Is this a natural law for human society as well? Is enough space not only satisfactory, but necessary for human survival? These are interesting questions.6 The United NationsIn 1945, representatives of 50 nations met to plan this organization. It was called the United Nations. After the war, many more nations joined.There are two major parts of the United Nations. One is called the General Assembly. In the General Assembly, every member nation is represented and has an equal vote.The second part is called the Security Council. It has representatives of just 15 nations. Five nations are permanent members: the United States, Russia, France, Britain, and China. The 10 other members are elected every two years by the General Assembly.The major job of the Security Council is to keep peace in the world. If necessary, it can send troops from member nations to try to stop little wars before they turn into big ones.It is hard to get the nations of the Security Council to agree on when this is necessary. But they did vote to try to stop wars.Useful Words and expressions:1. representative 代表 2. General Assembly 联合国大会3. permanent 永久的,持久的4. Security Council 联合国安全理事会7 PlasticWe use plastic wrap to protect our foods. We put our garbage in plastic bags or plastic cans. We sit on plastic chairs, play with plastic toys, drink from plastic cups, and wash our hair with shampoo from plastic bottles!Plastic does not grow in nature. It is made by mixing certain things together. We call it a produced or manufactured material. Plastic was first made in the 1860s from plants, such as wood and cotton. That plastic was soft and burned easily.The first modern plastics were made in the 1930s. Most clear plastic starts out as thick, black oil. That plastic coating inside a pan begins as natural gas.Over the years, hundreds of different plastics have been developed. Some are hard and strong. Some are soft and bendable. Some are clear. Some are many-colored. There is a plastic for almost every need. Scientists continue to experiment with plastics. They hope to find even ways to use them!8 Display of GoodsAre supermarkets designed to persuade us to buy more?Fresh fruit and vegetables are displayed near supermarket entrances. This gives the impression that only healthy food is sold in the shop. Basic foods that everyone buys, like sugar and tea, are not put near each other. They are kept in different aisles so customers are taken past other attractive foods before they find what they want. In this way, shoppers are encouraged to buy products that they do not really need.Sweets are often placed at children’s eye level at the checkout. While parents are waiting to pay, children reach for the sweets and put them in the trolley.More is bought from a fifteen-foot display of one type of product than from a ten-foot one. Customersalso buy more when shelves are full than when they are half empty. They do not like to buy from shelves with few products on them because they feel there is something wrong with those products that are there. Useful Words and expressions:1. aisle 走廊,过道2. trolley 手推车3. checkout 收款台9 Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879. His father owned a factory that made electrical devices. His mother enjoyed music and books. His parents were Jewish but they did not observe many of the reli gion’s rules. Albert was a quite child who spent much of his time alone. He was slow to talk and had difficulty learning to read. When Albert was five years old, his father gave him a compass. The child was filled with wonder when he discovered that the compass needle always pointed in the same direction- to the north. He asked his father and his uncle what caused the needle to move. Their answers about magnetism and gravity were difficult for the boy to understand. Y et he spent a lot of time thinking about them. He said later that he felt something hidden had to be behind things.Useful expressions and words:1. device 装置,设备2. compass 指南针3.magnetism 磁力10 Private CarsWith the increase in the general standard of living, some ordinary Chinese families begin to afford a car. Y et opinions of the development of a private car vary from person to person.It gives a much greater degree of comfort and mobility. The owner of a car is no longer forced to reply on public transport, and hence no irritation caused by waiting for buses or taxis. However, others strongly object to developing private cars. They maintain that as more and more cars are produced and run in the street, a large volume of poisonous gas will be given off, polluting the atmosphere and causing actual harm to the health of people.Whether private cars should be developed in China is a difficult question to answer, yet the desire for the comfort and independence a private car can bring will not be eliminated.11 A Henpecked Husband and His WifeThere was once a large, fat woman who had a small, thin husband. He had a job in a big company and was given his weekly wages every Friday evening. As soon as he got home on Fridays, his wife used to make him give her all his money, and then she used to give him back only enough to buy his lunch in his company every day.One day, the small man came home very excited. He hurried into the living-room. His wife was listening to the radio and eating chocolates there.“Y ou will never guess what happened to me today, dear.” he said.He waited for a few seconds and then added, “I won ten thousand dollars on the lottery!”“That is wonderful!” said his wife delightedly. But then she pulled a long face and added angrily, “But how could you afford to buy the ticket?”Useful Words and expressions:1. henpecked 怕老婆的,妻管严的2. lottery 彩票 a great lottery 虚无缥缈的事3. pull a long face 拉下脸来have a face to say that脸皮厚得竟能讲出这种话12 A Y oung Man’s PromiseOne day, a young man was writing a letter to his girlfriend who lived just a few miles away in a nearby town. He was telling her how much he loved her and how wonderful he thought she was. The more he wrote the more poetic he became. Finally he said that in order to be with her, he would suffer the g reatest difficulties, he would face the greatest dangers that anyone couldn’t imagine. In fact, to spend only one minute with her, he would swim across the widest river, he would enter the deepest forest, and he would fight against the fiercest animals with his bare hands.He finished the letter, signed his name and then suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to mention something quite important. So, in a postscript below his name, he added, “By the way, I’ll be overto see you on Wednesday night, if it doesn’t rain.”13 A Kind NeighborMr. and Mrs. Jones’ apartment was full of luggage, packages, furniture and boxes. Both of them were very busy when they heard the doorbell ring. Mrs. Jones went to open it and she saw a middle-aged lady outside. The lady said she lived next door. Mrs. Jones invited her to come in and apologized because there was no place for her to sit. “Oh, that’s OK.” said the lady. “I just come to welcome to your new home. As you know, in some parts of this city, neighbors are not friendly at all. They are some apartment houses where people don’t know any of their neighbors, not even the ones next door. But in this building, everyone is very friendly with everyone else. We are a big happy family. I am sure you will be very happy here.” Mr. and Mrs. Jones said, “But madam, we are not new dwellers in this apartment. We’ve lived here for two years. We are moving out tomorrow.”14 That Isn’t Our FaultMr. and Mrs. Williams got married when he was twenty-three, and she was twenty. Twenty-five years later, they had a big party, and a photographer came and took some photographs of them.Then the photographer gave Mrs. Williams a card and said, “They’ll be ready next Wednesday. Y ou can get them from studio.”“No,” Mrs. Williams said, “please send t hem to us.”The photographs arrived a week later, but Mrs. Williams was not happy when she saw them. She got into her car and drove to the photographer’s studio. She went inside and said angrily, “Y ou took some photographs of me and my husband last week, but I’m not going to pay for them.”“Oh, why not?” the photographer asked.“Because my husband looks like a monkey,” Mrs. Williams said.“Well,” the photographer answered, “that isn’t our fault. Why didn’t you think of that before you married him?”15 A Gui de’s AnswerIn 1861, the Civil War started in the United States between the Northern and the Southern states. The war continued with great bitterness until 1865, when the Northerners were victorious. However, even today, many Southerners have not forgotten their defeat, or forgiven the Northerners.A few years ago, a party of American tourists were going round one of the battlefields of the Civil War with a guide who came from one of the Southern states. At each place, the guide told the tourists stirring stories about how a few Southern soldiers had conquered powerful forces of Northerners there.At last, one of the tourists, a lady who came from the North, stopped the guide and said to him, “But surely that the Northern army must have won at least one vict ory in the Civil War?”“Not as long as I’m the guide here, madam,” answered the Southern guide.16 A Qualified PilotThe captain of a small ship had to go along a rocky coast, but he was unfamiliar with it, so he tried to find a qualified pilot to guide him. He went ashore in one of the small ports, and a local fisherman pretended that he was a pilot because he needed some money. The captain took him on board and asked him where to steer the ship.After half an hour, the captain began to suspect that the fisherman did not really know what he was doing and where he was going.“Are you sure you are a qualified pilot?” he asked.“Oh, yes,” answered the fisherman. “I know every rock on this part of the coast.”Suddenly there was a terrible crash from under the s hip. At once the fisherman added, “And that’s one of them.”17 Living Things ReactY ou and all organisms live an environment. An environment is made up of everything that surrounds an organism. It can include the air, the water, the soil, and even other organisms.An organism responds to changes in its environment. When an organism responds to a change, it reacts in certain ways. All living things respond in some way.Have you ever noticed how plants and insects respond to light? Plants bend toward light. Insects fly toward light.Living things also respond in other ways. The leaves on some trees respond to a change in season. In autumn, they change colors and then fall off the branches. Animals also respond to a change in season. Squirrels save nuts for the winter. Bears sleep through the winter in a cave.Y ou respond to your environment in many ways, too. Y ou may shiver if you are cold. What other ways do you respond to changes in your environment?18 Flowering PlantsWhat are the parts of a flower?Flowers can have male parts and female parts. The female parts make eggs that become seeds. The male parts make pollen. Pollen is a powdery material that is needed by the eggs to make seeds. To make seeds, pollen and eggs must come together. The wind, insects, and birds bring pollen to eggs. Many animals love flowers’ bright colors. They also like a sugary liquid in flowers. This is called nectar. While they drink nectar, pollen rubs off on their bodies. As they move, some of this pollen gets delivered to the female flower parts.Over time, the female parts turn into fruits that contain seeds. Animals often eat the fruits and the seeds pass through their bodies as waste. The animals do no know they are working for the plants by planting seeds as they travel to different places!Useful words and expressions:1. flowering 开花的 2. pollen 花粉 3. powdery 粉状的4. sugar 含糖的,甜的5. nectar花蜜,甘露6. rub 磨擦19 Finding the Direction and LocationHow can you tell which direction? By day, look for the Sun. It is in the east in the morning and the west in the afternoon. At night, use the Big Dipper to help you find the North Star. It would be better to bring a compass because its needle always points north.How do you know how far you have gone? Y ou could count every step. Each step is about two feet. Y ou’d better wear a pedomet er which is a tool that counts steps. If you know where you started, which direction you are heading, and how far you have gone, you can use a good map to figure out exactly where you are.Today there is a new way for travelers to figure out where they are. It is the GPS. It has 24 satellites that orbit the earth and constantly broadcast their positions. Someday you may carry a small receiver as you hike and use GPS to find out if you are there yet!Useful Words and expressions:1. dipper北斗七星 2. compass 罗盘 3. pedometer 步数计4. GPS= Global Position System全球定位系统5. orbit 轨道,绕……轨道而行6. receiver 接收器20 WavesHow does light get from the sun to the earth? How does music get from the stage to the audience? They move the same way-in waves!Light and sound are forms of energy. All waves carry energy, but they may carry it differently. Light and sound travel through different kinds of matter. For example, light waves cannot move through walls, but sound waves can. That is why you can hear people talking in another room even though you cannot see them. The energy of some waves is destructive. An earthquake produces seismic waves.Catch a wave. Ask a friend to stand a few feet away from you. Stretch a spring between you. Shake the spring to transfer energy to it. What happens? The spring bounces up and down in waves. When thewaves reach your friend, they bounce back to you!Light waves travel 300,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) per second! They can also travel through a vacuum. That is why light from the sun and distant stars can travel through space to the earth!Useful Words and expressions: 1. destructive 破坏的 2. seismic地震的 3. vacuum真空21 SoilsThere are many different kinds of soils. Different soils have different types of rock and minerals in them. Some soils have more water in them than others. Some soils might have more plant and animal material in them, too.Different kinds of soils are found in different parts of the world. There are several kinds of soils found in the United States. In some areas, the soil has a lot of clay. Other soils are very sandy. Loam is a kind of soil that has a good mixture of clay and sand.In some places, soil layers are very thick. Lots of plants grow in places with a thick soil layer. In dry and windy places soil layers are much thinner. Layers of soil on mountains are thin because gravity pulls the soil downhill.The type of soil in a particular place affects what kinds of plants can grow there.Useful Words:1. clay泥土2. loam 肥土3. layer 层4. gravity 地心引力,重力5. downhill 往下22 CrisisLife is a contest! Who will win? A bluebird and sparrow both compete for space to build their nests. A fast-growing maple tree and slower-growing dogwood compete for the sunlight they both need. Oil competes with coal and nuclear power as an energy source for electric power plants!There is a problem. There is a limited amount of space for birds, sunlight for trees, and energy for people! If we do not cut back on our uses of some of our resources, someday they will be gone!How can we use energy today and know we will have enough to go around in the future? We can choose alternate, or replacement energy resources. It takes the earth millions of years to create coal, oil, and gas. They are nonrenewable resources.Solar energy, wind energy and water energy are renewable. What other ways can we conserve our sources? How can we make sure there is always enough to go around?Useful words and expressions:1. bluebird 蓝知更鸟2. sparrow 麻雀3. dogwood 山茱萸4. power plant 发电厂,发电站5. alternate 替换物6. nonrenewable resources 不可再生资源7. conserve 保存,保藏23 America’s Worst SurpriseDecember 7, 1941 was one of the worst days in American history. Nearly all Americans who are old enough to re member that day can still remember what they were doing at the moment they heard “the news”. The news was that America had been attacked!Shortly before 2:00 P.M., a radio dispatch came into Washington from Honolulu, Hawaii. “Air Raid, Pearl Harbor-This is no drill.” Japanese planes had begun an attack on the largest American military base in the Pacific. They first destroyed planes on the ground. Then they bombed the ships in the harbor.No one had expected the attack. So no one was prepared for it. And it did not take long for Japanese to do their damage. When the smoke cleared, the Navy counted its losses. Eighteen ships had been sunk or badly damaged. Nearly 150 planes had been destroyed. More than 2,400 Americans had been killed and more than 1,200 wounded.Useful Words and expressions:1. dispatch 派遣,急件2. air raid 空袭3. drill 军事训练,操练4. Pearl Harbor 珍珠港24 Great Depression in the U.S.In 1929, the bills started to come in. American industry had produced too many goods. Americans could not afford to buy all of them. So factories had to cut down on their production. Many workers lost their jobs. Investors tried to get their money back. But businesses did not have enough money to pay them.Banks tried to get their money back from investors. But the investors could not pay, either. Too many people owed money. And few of them could pay their bills.During the next few years, business got worse and worse. By 1932, banks all over the country were closing.People without money could not buy goods, so more businesses closed. More and more people lost their jobs. By 1932, more than 12 million Americans were jobless. Millions more were earning barely enough to live on. The country was in a great depression they had never experienced before.Useful Words and expressions:1. bill 帐单,票据foot the bill付账,负责 2. cut down on 减少3. depression 沮丧,萧条Great Depression大萧条25 A Place of Our OwnWe are all usually very careful when we buy something for the house. Why? Because we have to live with it for a long time. We paint a room to make it brighter, so we choose the colors carefully.We buy new curtains in order to match the newly decorated room, so they must be the right color. We move the furniture round so as to make more space-or we buy new furniture-and so on. It is an endless business.Rich or poor, we take time to furnish a room. Perhaps some people buy furniture in order to impress their friends. But most of us just want to enjoy our surroundings. We want to live as comfortably as we can afford to. We spend a large part of our lives at home. We want to make a small corner in the world which we can recognize as our own.26 T ravel for WorkY ou can see them in every airport in the world. They are businessmen and women who have to travel for their work.When they first applied for the job, they may have thought of good food and hotels, huge expense accounts and fashionable cities. Now they have to sit in airport lounges, tired and uncomfortable in their smart clothes, listening to the loudspeaker announce “The fight to Tokyo, or Berlin, or New Y ork is delayed for another two hours.” Some people say to me, “How lucky you are to be able to travel abroad in your work! Y ou can go sightseeing without paying any money by yourself!” They think that my job is like a continual holiday. It is not.There are advantages, of course, and I do think I am lucky, but only because I can go to places I would never visit if I was a tourist.27 IntelligenceAre some people born clever, and others born stupid? Or is intelligence developed by our environment and our experience?Strangely enough, the answer to these questions is yes. To some extent our intelligence is given us at birth, and no amount of special education can make a genius out of a child born with low intelligence. On the other hand, a child who lives in a boring environment will develop his intelligence less than one who lives in rich and varied surroundings. Thus, the limits of a person’s intelligence are fixed at birth, whether or not he reaches those limits will depend on his environment. This view, held by most experts now, can be supported in a number of ways. As is easy to show that intelligence is to some extent something we are born with. The closer the blood relationship between two people is, the closer they are likely to be in intelligence.28 A Free Dress Every W eekThe temptation to steal is greater than ever before, especially in large shops and people are not so honest as they once were.A detective recently watched a well-dressed woman who always went into a large store on Monday mornings. One Monday, there were fewer people in the shop than usual when the woman came in, so itwas easier for the detective to watch her. The woman first bought a few small articles. After a little time, she chose one of the most expensive dresses in the shop and handed it to an assistant who wrapped it up for her as quickly as possible. The woman simply took the parcel and walked out of the shop without paying. When she was arrested, the detective found out that the shop assistant was her daughter. Believe it or not, the girl “gave” her mother a free dress every week!29 TimeTime is tangible. One can gain time, spend time, waste time, save time, or even kill time. Common questions in American English reveal this concrete quality as though time were a p ossession. “Do you have any time?”, “Can you get some time for this?”, “How much free time do you have?” The treatment of time as a possession influences the way that time is carefully divided.Generally, Americans are taught to do one thing at a time and may be uncomfortable when an activity is interrupted. In businesses, the careful scheduling of time and the separation of activities are common practices. Appointment calendars are printed with 15-, 30-, and 60-minute time slots. The idea that “there is a time and place for everything” extends to American social life. Visitors who drop by without prior notice may interrupt their host’s personal time. Thus, calling friends on the telephone before visiting them is generally preferred to visitors’ dropping by.Useful words and expressions:1. tangible 切实的 2. kill time 消磨时间 3. reveal 显示,揭示4. scheduling 行程安排5. slot 缝隙6. drop by 随便访问7. preferred 首选的30 CartoonistsIn a good cartoon, the artist can tell in a few lines as much as a writer can tell in half a dozen paragraphs. The cartoonist not only tells a story but he also tries to persuade the reader to his way of thinking. He has great influence on public opinion. In a political campaign, he plays an important part. Controversial issues in Congress or at meetings of the United Nations may keep the cartoonist well-supplied with current materials.A clever cartoonist may cause laughter because he often uses humor in his drawings. If he is sketching a famous person, he takes a prominent feature and exaggerates it. Cartoonists, for instance, like to lengthen an already long nose and to widen an already broad grin. This exaggeration of a person’s characteristics is called caricature. The artist uses such exaggeration to put his message across.Useful Words and expressions:1. cartoonist 漫画家2. campaign 活动3. controversial 争论的,争议的4. sketch 素描 5. prominent 卓越的 6. exaggerate 夸张7. lengthen 延长8. grin 露齿笑31 Water PollutionWater is very important to us. Factories and plants need water for industrial uses and large piec es of farmland need it for irrigation. Without water to drink, people die in a short time.Today most water sources are so dirty that people must purify water before drinking. Water becomes dirty in many ways: industrial pollution is one of them. With the development of industry, plants and factories pour tons of industrial wastes into rivers every day. The rivers have become seriously polluted, and the water is becoming unfit for drinking or irrigation. The same thing has also happened to our seas and oceans. So, the problem of water pollution is almost worldwide.Scientists of many countries have done a lot of work to stop pollution. The polluted water in some places has become clean and drinkable again. Perhaps one day the people in all towns and cities w ill be drinking clean water. That day, we believe, is not very far off.32 Making a ComplaintComplaining about faulty goods or bad service is never easy. But if something you have bought is faulty or does not do what was claimed for it, you are not asking for a favor to get it put right.Complaints should be made to a responsible person. Go back to the shop where you bought the goods, taking with you any receipt you may have. In a small store the assistant may also be the owner so you can。

华研专四听力1500题电子版

华研专四听力1500题电子版

华研专四听力1500题电子版1.《英语专四听力1500题试题本》第一章英语专四听力基础训练275题第一节专四听力语音基础知识一、避免看懂听不懂(1)连读避免看懂听不懂(2)失爆抓住关键信息弱读与重读听音就能写自然拼读法辨识多种口音英音、美音、澳音第二节英语专四听力词汇基础知识一、专四听力常考的数字专四听力常考的人名和地名专四听力常考的国家和国籍专四听力常考同音词专四听力常考近音词专四听力易拼错的词本章练习答案及录音原文英语专四听力精听训练420题五类主题词汇听写训练社会生活类词汇听写学习教育类词汇听写医疗保健类词汇听写商业经济类词汇听写科学研究类词汇听写句子填空听写训练句子01-200语篇填空听写训练Passage1Passage22第三章英语专四听写10套第一节英语专四听写2大注意事项注意事项1:听写怎么评分注意事项2:听写3大步骤第二节英语专四听写5大技巧技巧1:抓标题和首句技巧2:区分英音和美音技巧3:分辨同音词技巧4:掌握标点符号的正确用法技巧5:学会取舍第三节英语专四听写训练10套Test1Test10第四章英语专四听力微型讲座170题第一节英语专四听力讲座7大解题技巧技巧1:抓主题,记实词技巧2:表示顺序或层次的词句后是要点技巧3:表示强调、重申的词句后是要点技巧4:逻辑关系词(转折、因果等)后是要点技巧5:表达观点的词句后是要点技巧6:表示举例的词句后是要点技巧7:合理利用速记方法第二节英语专四听力微型讲座训练170题Test11Test27第五章英语专四听力会话100题第一节英语专四听力会话听前预读技巧技巧1:研读选项关键词,判断会话主题技巧2:分析选项语法结构,判断提问方式第二节英语专四听力会话5大命题规律规律1:事实细节常考规律2:推理判断常考规律3:主旨大意常考规律4:比较处常考规律5:观点态度常考第三节英语专四听力会话训练100题Test28Test37第六章英语专四听力标准模拟525题ModelTest1ModelT est252.《英语专四听力1500题题解本》Part1英语专四听力微型讲座170题·答案详解Part2英语专四听力会话100题·答案详解Part3英语专四听力标准模拟525题·答案详解。

专四听写训练20篇

专四听写训练20篇

1专四听写训练20篇Dictation 1 Forest Fire 150 wordsForest fire or wildfire is often used to signify an uncontrolled intense fire / that breaks out inthe wooded areas / due to many factors ranging from natural to manmade causes. / Wildfires canbe witnessed throughout the world and they usually occur in cycles. / Mild forest fires are often considered beneficial, / as growth of many plant species depend on it. / Many plant species also depend on wildfires for reproduction. / However, the large fore st fires can have serious damagingeffect on the surrounding environment. /Due to the extensive size and the immense speed, / a forest fire can easily spread to a vast area. / Besides, it can also change its direction / and overcome occasional barriers like roads, rivers and fire breaks. / Forest fires break out in areas like grassland, woodland and bush. / Some important causes of it are lightning and volcanic eruptions. / Besides these, sparks from rock falls can also ignite forest fires. /Dictation 2 Job Hunting 150 wordsJob hunting is a stressful problem for everyone. / Whether someone getting a job right out of school / or someone seeking a better position than the one they just left, / it is not something thatcomes easy to most people. / However, with preparation and planning, / the difficulties can be focused on / and the situation can become less stressful. / For example, dressing correctly is an important step for any applicant. / Also, if you dress correctly, / you will feel more confident in your ability to get the job. / Men should wear a dress shirt and tie or even a suit if they possess one./ Women should wear a suit or other clothing suitable for the occasion. / It is better to dress too conservatively than not conservatively enough. / Always use honesty as some interviewers will beable to detect problems in your resume. / Good manners and correct speech are essential in impressing the interviewer. /Dictation 3 Vocational Schools 150 wordsThe universities are not able to meet / all the growing needs of the society for future development. / Vocational schools have arisen to fill these needs / by providing a more detailed knowledge than that provided by universities. / This has led to a weak base of theory for many workers. / Their focus, practical application, is much more detailed / than the theory provided at college. / Many students choose to go to vocational schools instead of universities. / This has led many college graduates to question the value of their degrees. / They should not, as the levels of education offered by different vocational schools are unequal. / Some of these schools are privateand offer a flexible schedule for students / who may be working or are even in school at university./ On the other hand, because they are run by individuals, / the teaching quality and the teaching resources / offered by many vocational schools maybe of low quality. /2Dictation 4 National Race 150 wordsThe whole question of the changing role of Blacks in American society / as been the sub jectof newspaper articles around the world so frequently / that visitors to the United States do not know / what to expect when they arrive. / They may be surprised when they see that Blacks and Whites work side by side / in offices, factories, and schools across the country. / The majority of Blacks in the United States, however, / live in and around only a small number of American cities./Many dark-skinned visitors arrive in the United States / fearing personal attack or expecting various degrees of racial prejudice. / Some forms of discrimination still exist, unfortunately, / especially in the areas of the housing, schools, and jobs. / The school equality is still more a dreamthan a reality. / There are still too many areas of the country / where Black Americans do not enjoythe same full opportunities as White Americans. /Dictation 5 A Positive View of Every Day 149 wordsIf your life feels like it is lacking the power that you want and the motivation that you need, / sometimes all you have to do is shift your point of view. /By training your thoughts to concentrate on the bright side of things, / you are more likely to have the incentive to follow through on your goals. / You are less likely to be held back by negative ideas / that might limit your performance. /Your life can be enhanced, and your happiness enriched, / when you choose to change your perspective. / Don’t leave your future to chance, / or wait for things to get better mysteriously ontheir own. / You must go in the direction of your hopes and aspirations. / Begin to build your confidence, / and work through problems rather than avoid them. / Remember that power is not necessarily control over situations, / but the ability to deal with whatever comes your way. / Dictation 6 Languages in America 151 wordsThe United States is primarily an English speaking country. / The majority of the population speaks English as their native language. / Business, education and most public aspects of life are conducted in English. / Across the country, people pronounce English sounds in several different ways / and some regional vocabulary differences exist, / but for the most part, Americans speak one common language. / This language is sometimes called American English. / However, not everyone in the U.S. is a native speaker of English. / Most immigrants to the country are speakers of other languages. / There are hundreds of communities around the U.S. / where English is not the most commonly used language. / Chinese, Italian, German, Armenian, Greek, Vietnamese andFrench / are all spoken in numerous communities in the U.S. / Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after English in the U. S. / It is widely spoken in New York and across the southern part of the country. /Dictation 7 Halloween 151 wordsIt’s October the 31st, and across Britain and the USA, / thousands of children are dressing up3as monsters, ghosts / and witches and going to their neighbors’ houses / to ask for sweets or to play tricks on them if they refuse. /Many houses have lanterns made from pumpkins in their windows. / These lanterns have frightening faces cut into them. /What is the reason for all of this? It’s Halloween! / To an outsider, this may seem a strange festival, / but it is a very popular one and an important part of the culture in Britain and the USA. /The holiday once had a religious significance. / November the 1st is All Saint’s Day, / and October the 31st was believed to be a day / when all the spirits came back to the world of the living. / In modern times, this has changed to be a day / when children dress up as monsters, ghosts and witches. /Dictation 8 Universities in the UK 151 wordsUniversities in Britain are a magnet for overseas students. / There are currently over 200 000 from outside Britain studying at British universities. / The largest single group is Chinese students./ There are currently 50 000 in the UK. /The British government expects the total number of overseas students to be around 900 000by 2020, / and also thinks that a quarter of these will be Chinese. / But why is the UK such a popular destination for university students? /Well, the quality of your course is guaranteed. / All courses are assessed by an independent system, / so you can be assured that your course is officially approved / and has wide internationalrecognition. / The British education system is very flexible / in order to provide for the needs of a modern, complex society. / Degree courses are usually 3 years long, which is shorter and more intensive than in other countries. / There are lots of scholarships available. /Dictation 9 Money and Happiness 151 wordsIt seems only natural that happiness should flow from having more money. / Even if theydon’t admit it, / people still be have as though it were true. / More money means you can have what you want and do what you want. / The house you dream of? It’s yours. / The new car you desire? Here are the keys. / The freedom to enjoy your favorite pastimes? / Here’s your racket, thecourt is down there, just past the pool. /So the puzzle is this: why do social scientists consistently find only moderate relationships / between having more money and being happy? / Some have even suggested that this moderate connection might be exaggerated. / In reality money might have very little to do with happiness atall. /Most puzzling, though, is that people often seem aware at some level / that money won’tmake them happy. / And yet they continue to work away earning money they don’t objectively need. /Dictation 10 Tea Party Food 151 wordsA tea party without good food is just as distasteful as a cake without sugar. / So along with4cups of tea, / you need to arrange variety of party foods, / like cookies, snacks, chips and starters. /A bite of sugar and spice will always enhance the flavor of tea party. / Sandwiches, pizzas, finger chips and French fries serve as good side dishes for tea. / Cream cheese salad, pudding and saladsare good delicacies for tea parties. / Children love to relish chicken pies, apple pies, cakes and chocolates. / Above all, remember it’s a tea party, / so serve different varieties of tea to your guests./ Black, green and white will be the ideal for your guests. / You can also brew some spicy herbal tea or flavored tea. / For kids, you can serve cream, honey, milk and sugar. / You can organize glasses of wine late in the evening / or punch a bottle of champagne also. /Dictation 11 Adventure 151 wordsThe idea of adventure has always captured the imagination. / The idea that just over the nexthill there will be excitement and mystery / is a big part of what makes us human. / This is just as true of ancient times as it is today. / Famous explores set out in small boats / or journeyed across immense deserts and oceans. / Early explorers like Christopher Columbus or Zheng He / traveled to foreign places for the glory of their nations. / More importantly, they set out to test themselvesagainst the forces of nature and the pursuit of knowledge. / Other explorers today do the same thing. / People are going to space in pursuit of the last frontier / or seeking in the depths of sciencefor new knowledge. / Most people, in their daily lives, / do not have the opportunity to truly test themselves in these ways. / Modern living has given them the opportunity, however, with adventuring events. /Dictation 12 Office Conflict 148 wordsThe office can be very demanding on the lives of the workers. / Stress can build up andexplode into problems. / This can seriously influence the productivity and efficiency of a business./ The problems that upset an office can vary drastically / depending on the nature of the employeesor even the employers. / Employees may feel that they are being overworked or underpaid. / Theymay also feel that this signals the loss of appreciation on their work, / causing increasing tension as they complain about work. / They may also have personality differences which can cause conflict. / This can be seen in offices where too close relationships develop. / People in authority may tend to place more value / on these relationships than on the work itself. / They may have lostsight of the goal / of forwarding the development of the company. / Gossiping about co-workers and the company is a frequent example of this. /Dictation 13 Food and Culture 148 wordsThe culture of food and dining in the West is a little different from that in China. / The proper western dinner at a fine restaurant / is one of manners, focusing on conversation. / You are expected to have knowledge of table manners / such as what folk or knife to use as these are essential in western dining. / The meal would consist of several courses including a soup or salad,/ an appetizer, the main dish, and a dessert. / The atmosphere will be filled with light music / thatwould only serve as background as people converse with each other. / The decorations are usually5sparse / and are only meant to highlight the atmosphere / that is being created by the music. / Thistype of dining is different from the dining experience in most restaurants in China. / However, with the increase in internationalism, / more restaurants are opening which reflect the more western dining style. /Dictation 14 In-service Education and Vocational Development 148wordsMany people feel that the successful finding of a job is the end of their schooling. / This ideais rarely true, however, / as each field of work requires a thorough knowledge of it. / This may go beyond that which could be learned in high school or university. / Universities, with their complete curriculum, / are intended to first teach us about everything. / Later studies fill in the gapof knowledge by offering more specialized courses. / Universities, however, are meant to teach thetheories of any particular field, / not the practical knowledge needed to do our jobs. / The rise of vocational school has risen / to fill a gap of practical knowledge. / Vocational schools can aid us in this / by teaching us to be especially good at one thing. / If a person has enough health and energy,as well as determination, / he may go to Night School or take a self-teaching program. / Dictation 15 Hospitality 148 wordsAn American friend has invited you to visit his family. / You’ve never been to an American’s home before, / and you’re not sure what to do. / Should you take a gift? How should you dress? / What time should you arrive? / What should you do when you get there? Glad you asked. / Whenyou’re the guest, you should just make yourself at home. / That’s what hospitality is al l about: / making people feel at home when they’re not. /The question of whether or not to bring a gift often makes guests nervous. / Giving your hosta gift is not just a social nicety in some culture it’s expected. / But in American culture, a guestis not obligated to bring a present. / Of course, some people do bring a small token of appreciationto their host. / Appropriate gifts for general occasions might be flowers, candy or / if the family has small children toys. /Dictation 16 The Football Field Length 148 wordsKnowledge about the football field length / does not seem like something fans and players have to be aware of, / but it is certainly something that the most passionate fans will know. / The length of a football field, / be it American football or soccer, / is universally known and all professional stadiums and grounds adopt these measurements. / In soccer, there may be some minor differences in the football field length from stadium to stadium, / and this occurs because these stadiums are historical monuments / that have been around before the measurementswerestandardized. /On the other hand, American football requires that the football field length / be uniformacross all the grounds and the stadiums in the country. / The National Football League has laid down / particular guidelines and rules about the football field length, / and this cannot be altered. /6As a player, one must be completely aware about these football field dimensions. /Dictation 17 Culture 152 wordsThe cultural values of a community give it an identity of its own. / A community gains a character and a personality of its own, / because of the culture of its people. / Culture is shared bythe members of a community. / It is learned and passed from the older generations to the newer ones. / For an effective transfer of culture from one generation to another, / it has to be translatedinto symbols. / Language, art and religion serve as the symbolic means of / transfer of cultural values between generations. /Culture is a bond that ties the people of a region or community together. / It is that one common bond, / which brings the people of a community together. / The customs and traditions that the people of a community follow, / the festivals they celebrate, the kind of clothing they wear,the food they eat, / and most importantly, the cultural values they adhere to, bind them together. /Dictation 18 Fashion 152 wordsEvery year London Fashion Week attracts retailers, fashion leaders, / and the press to showsof all that’s new in British fashion. / Outrageous designs, original fabrics, and beautiful slim models / are displayed on the catwalk / in an atmosphere of extravagant elegance. / However, howmuch of this gets translated into street fashion, appearing in high street shops? / And how many ofus actually follow the trends we see? /We all need to be comfortable with what we wear. / After all, first impressions count, / andwe want our appearance to be consistent with the image we would like to project. / How can we do this without becoming a fashion slave? / We are bombarded with magazines that show us the new fashions for each season, / and where we can buy trendy clothes for reasonable prices. / Thedistinction between what we see on the catwalk / and what’s on displ ay in the high street is becoming increasingly blurred. /Dictation 19 American Society 147 wordsThe United States, like other countries has its rich and poor people, its rich and poor neighborhoods. /Americans love and many are themselves living example s of the “self-made man.” /You will hear this expression often. / But for every person who is successful, / they are usually better educated than their parents / and therefore more likely to have good, well paying jobs. /In addition to the fact that the United States includes people / whose families originally came from many other parts of the world, / Americans move across the nation in great numbers. / One study reported that one of every five families / in the United States moves every three years. / Thiscontinuous mixing of people into new communities is an important observation / to consider whentrying to understand the meaning of class in America. / We have already discussed the questioning,/ “do-it-yourself” American personality that is another important consideration. /7Dictation 20 Recreation 147 wordsRecreations are an important part of people’s life. / For example, after hours of attentive study, / students feel like having a football game to relax their nerves. / Workers, too, find it very satisfying to sit in front of a TV set for an hour or two / when they come back from a day’s tiring work. / Besides, recreations serve as a pleasing way for the retired people / to pass their excessivetime. / Everywhere you go, you will find that during their spare time, / people are engaged in recreational activities of one kind or another. /Generally speaking, there are two kinds of recreations: / physical activities and intellectual activities. / Physical activities, on the one hand, keep one fit and develop team spirit. / Basketball is an example. / On the other hand, intellectual activities such as playing chess and reading novels/ can train one’s brains and provide temporary escape from one’s troubles. /。

2023年英语专业四级听写50篇完整版

2023年英语专业四级听写50篇完整版

英语专业四级听写50篇前言听写在英语专业四级统考中占有15%的比重,是考试的重要组成部分。

说起听写,正在准备和已经参与过英语专业四级考试的同学会说:“我能明白听写的内容,可写的时候就是跟不上!”“短文大意我明白,可是有的语我不会写。

”这只反映出了问题的两个方面。

一是听写速度不够快。

二是词汇量不够或词汇掌握得不够准确。

这些无疑是影响听写成绩的重要因素。

但是,这些不是问题的所有。

在从事听写教学及听写问卷过程中,很容易发现学生失分的具体问题:(1)没听懂,没听好,听写速度跟不上,写出的内容断断续续不连贯,学生因此大量失分;(2)有的词汇没听懂,拼写不够准确,这导致听写失分;(3)时态错误导致失分;(4)单复数不准确导致失分;(5)没有注意断句或专有名词,句子开头单词或专有名词错误使用大小写导致失分;(6)没有注意原文冠词的使用,书写时漏掉冠词导致失分;(7)没有注意单数第三人称形式导致失分;(8)没有注意单数复数名词的形式导致失分。

上述问题的产生有的是缺少训练导致的,如书写速度跟不上。

有的则是语言基础较差导致的,如听力较差没有完全听懂或没有掌握好词汇。

而单复数、大小写、冠词漏写等则多是粗心大意导致的。

听写部分能提高吗?当然能!并且提高的空间很大。

笔者从事英语专业基础教学与研究,从一开始所带的教学班参与四级考试超过全国院校平均通过率28.2个百分点,超过全国专业外语院校平均通过率12.5个百分点开始,所带的教学班在全国英语专业④级统考中通过率始终ito%,平均成绩、优秀率始终名列前茅。

最近一次所带的教学班参与四级统考,又考出了很好的成绩,通过率超过全国院校平均水平26石个百分点,超过全国专业外语院校13.6个百分点,并且在十几个平行班中平均成绩是最高的,优秀人数也是最多的。

在四级考试中,听写一项的成绩也不例外,每次均位居第一,本项目满分15分,所带班级平均成绩可以达成14分。

是不是学生基础很好?登记表白,和平行班相比所带班级入学时并不存在什么特别优势。

51-100 Test for English majors grade 4 part I dictation 51-100

51-100 Test for English majors grade 4 part I dictation 51-100

Test for English majors grade 4 part I dictation100 Global warmingGlobal warming 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. 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 seasonal activities of organisms.99 TornadoesA tornado is violently turning tube of air suspended from a thick cloud. It extends from a thunder storm 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 towards the ground. Because of their circular movement, these wind storms are also known as twisters. The most severe tornadoes can reach wind speeds of 320 km per h or more.98 US climateThe United States is one of the biggest countries in the world. It has all sorts of geography from deserts to beaches, mountains to flat lands. These conditions help create all sorts of weather: mild,轻徽的moderate中等的, and extreme. In the summer, some areas get very hot and the air is very wet. But others have dry air so the heat does not feel so bad. In the winter, parts of country get cold and snowy while others stay warm and sunny. Hurricanes are ocean storms that strike mainly in the southeast. Tornadoes 龙卷风are a risk across the country.Tropical cyclone热带气旋97 Earwax耳垢Experts 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. Earwax is normally expelled and it falls out the ear or gets washed away. But extra earwax 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 is necessary. But you have to use a safe method or you could do a lot of damage.96 The coffee culture in AmericaIn America the number of specialty coffee shops has increased greatly over the years. It is hard to walk down the street without coming across a coffee shop. And chances are that coffee shop might be a Starbucks. The Starbucks Company has helped make coffee culture a popular part of people’s daily lives. Its stores se ll all kinds of coffee, food, music and books. But there is much more to making and enjoying coffee than Starbucks. In fact there are many smaller independent coffee shops. They usually have a strong and loyal following, although large companies like Starbucks have made business difficult for them.95 Currency in the UKThe currency in the UK is pound sterling英磅. It is the oldest currency in the world still in use. A pound consists of one hundred pence (便士penny的复数形式). The word pence is often shortened to the letter P. These notes are usually issued in the name of bank of England. And the notes and coins are accepted throughout the UK. You may occasionally find some bank notes bearing the names of banks in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Although these are legal tender法定货币throughout the UK, some traders may refuse to accept them outside of the issuing country.94 HalloweenIt’s October 31 and across Britain and the USA thousands of children are dressing up as monsters, ghosts and witches and going to their neighbor’s houses to ask for sweets or to play tricks on them if they refuse. Many houses have lanterns made from pumpkins in their windows. These lanterns have frightening faces cutting into them. What’s the reason for all of this? It’s Halloween. To an outsiders, this may seem a strange festival. But it’s a very popular one and an important part of the culture in Britain and the USA.Zombie, skeleton, wizard, spook, spooky93 AdventureThe idea of adventure has always captured the imagination激起…的想象(力);引人遐想, kindle. The idea that just over the next hill there will be excitement and mystery is a big part of what makes us human. This is just as true of ancient times as it is today. Famous explorers set out in small boats or journeyed across immerse oceans and deserts. More importantly they set out to test themselves against the force of nature in pursuit of knowledge. Many explorers today do the same thing. They are going to space in pursuit of the last frontier or seeking in the depth of science for new knowledge.Be true of 适合于,符合92 Sports medicine运动医学Sports medicine is the part of the medical profession that provides health care for people who take part in physical training or sports 体育训练/体育锻炼. The purpose is to reduce the chance of injury and to effectively treat injuries that do happen. Sports medicine doctors must understand general medicine. They must also understand sports training, and the athletes’ thoughts and feelings involved in that training. Sports medicine experts are deeply concerned about training. They do research to find better and safer methods of training athletes and design sports equipment and ways to use it to get the best effects.Attitudes, emotions, ideas, opinions91 ColdsColds are more common in winter but not because of low temperatures. People tend to congregate and be together. And the way the common cold virus is transmitted from one person to another is through hand-shakes, through sneezing or coughing on one another. There is still no cure for the common cold, but there are ways to feel better sooner. If get a cold and on day 1 you start taking about 2 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.90 Soap operasA soap opera is a serial 电视剧on television or radio where each episode links to the next episode. So you are 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 soap products and they devised little stories to sell these soap products and they called them soap operas.Advert/Ad/Ads89 CheerleadingCheerleaders are part of athletic competitions throughout America. They lead the crowd in cheering for the team it likes best. Most cheerleaders in the early years were men. But that changed during World War II when large numbers of young men left the country to fight. From that time on, more than 90% 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.88 A Scottish new yearIf you are invited to a Scottish home on New Year’s Eve, it’s important to know what to bring with you: a lump of coal一块煤, some shortbread (cookie, biscuit), and some whisky. The coal signifies warmth, so you are wishing that the people you visit will have enough heat in the coming year过上温暖的生活. The shortbread represents food, so you are hoping that the people will have enough to eat不愁吃. Whiskey was called the water of life by Scots. So it means you want the hosts to have enough to drink不愁喝.87 Adult educationMillions of people are enrolled in evening adult education programs across America. Community colleges have become popular and their enrollments have increased rapidly. Larger 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 the high costs 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.86 Vocational 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 中学and trade schools中等职业学校can earn degrees in many areas including nursing, engineering, accounting, biotechnologies, web design and auto mechanics. Career and technical education is different from traditional school, because it is much more hands-on动手的; 实际操作的.85 Education 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 students who suffer mental or physical problems. To help blind students learn, schools are also required to provide special books published for the blind. Schools also provide services and equipment to help blind people learn. Children with sight problems can attend their local public schools with other students. They are also taught the same subjects as other students their age. But they also receive special life skills training.84 Working while studying in the U.S.International students are permitted to work for the college or university they attend or for a business at the school. But the business must directly provide a service to students. Also a foreign student can’t displace an American citizen in a job. Foreign students normally can’t take jobs that have no connection to the school. But government may give permission if students are suddenly faced with a situation that is out of their control. Examples include large medical bills, the loss of financial aid, or an unexpected changes in the financial condition of their source of support.83 On campus housing校内住宿Housing polies differ from school to school in American universities. Some schools have limited housing or none at all. Dormitory buildings might house a small number of students or many hundreds. Some dorms have suites套房. A suite has several bedrooms, a common area, and a bath room. Other dorms have rooms along a common hallway. Two, three, or four students might share a room. Male and female often live on different floors of the same building. Or they might live on the same floor, or in some cases even share a suite if permitted. But single-sex housing is usually also available.82 West pointWest point is a four year military school in New York State that educates future army officers. Students do not have to pay for their education, but they do have to agree to serve on active duty in the army for at least five years after they graduate. It is difficult to become a student at West point. Only about 15% of students who apply are accepted. They are nominated to the academy by federal or state lawmakers. The nominees must also satisfy the entrance requirements. These include excellent physical conditions and high marks in schools.Military school=military academy军事院校81 The international student exchange programThe international student exchange program or ISEP was started in 1979. ISEP is a group of colleges and universities around the world. They cooperate to provide international educational experiences for their students. To take part in the ISEP program, students must attend a member college or university. Each school has an ISEP coordinator who helps students apply to the ISEP office in Washington D.C. Students are asked to list up to ten choices of American schools they would like to attend. The officials at the ISEP office then place students in the openings offered in colleges and universities.80 The graduation ceremonyIn American high schools and universities, the last day of the school year is the graduation day. The graduation ceremony is usually in the school gymnasium. The people who come to watch the graduation are the teachers, parents, and friends of the graduates. Those students who will graduate wear long ropes and caps with square tops. The graduate who has the best record in school will make a speech. The school principal and other officials will also make speeches. Then each graduate will receive a diploma or degree which has his name and the name of the school.79 DictionaryA dictionary is a reference book that focuses on defining words and phrases including multiple meanings. The most frequently-used dictionary is the language dictionary that includes the majority of words frequently used in a language. There are competing dictionaries put out by different companies. Not only do they have difference in their forms, but they differ in other ways. Each company, for example, uses their own version of phonetic respellings. Many dictionaries include their experts’ guidance on grammars, usage, or the history of the language. Definitions differ slightly and sample sentences may be the work of the editorial staff or taken from real-world usage, probably the first known written news.78 TOEICTOEIC, which stands for the test of English for international communication, measures the ability of people to communicate in the workplace using everyday English. More than 9000 universities use the test in more than 90 countries. Non-native English sparkers take the test to demonstrate their English skills when seeking a new job or a promotion. Some organizations use the TOEIC to measure progress in English training programs and as placement test. TOEIC is really two tests. One is the paper-and-pencil test which measures listening and reading skills. The other given on a computer measures speaking and writing skills.placement test 分级考试,分班考试77 Educational technologySchools are almost all connected to the internet. But some have more technology and use it more than others. For example, some schools use computers for activities like video conferencing to bring the world into the classroom. And some classrooms are equipped with things like an interactive white board. Interactive white boards are large displays for presentations. They connect to a computer and can operate by touch. They can be used for documents, or writing, or to project video. Some teachers are trying creative new ways to teach with devices like mobile phones. But educators say the most important thing is the content.76 Memory and agingMany people worry about their memory as they get older. But progressive memory loss is inevitable as the years pass. Changes do occur in how the brain works and how you will remember things. And diseases contributing to a decline in mental powers do become more common. Nevertheless, the majority of people reach their eighties or nineties without significant problems. Although the way the brain stores memory is far from(副词短语,根本不; 远远不) understood, there seems to be several types of memory including very recent memory, short term memory and long term memory. The older you get, the less efficient the brain becomes at storing and recalling memory.75 In service education and vocational development在职教育和职业发展Universities with their complete curriculum are intended to first teach us (teachers???) about everything. Later studies fill in the gap of knowledge by offering more specialized courses. Universities however are meant to teach the theories of any particular field, not the practical knowledge needed to do our jobs. V ocational school has arisen to fill this particular gap of knowledge. V ocational schools can aid us in this by teaching us to be especially good at one thing. If a person has enough health and energy as well as determination, he may go to night school to take a self-teaching program.74 National museum of natural historyThe national museum of natural history is one of the most visited museums. It has the largest collection of any natural history museum in the world. (It houses the largest natural history collection in the world). Scientists have been collecting specimens for almost 200 years. Scientists working for the museum are doing research in many countries to find new information about the natural world and its organisms. Each year they report important discoveries to the public. Now the expansion of internet has made it possible for people around the world to get this information. People who are unable to visit this museum can use the computer to explore the museum.73 RaceThe whole question of the changing role of blacks in American society has been the subject of newspaper articles around the world so frequently that visitors to the United States do not what to expect when they arrive. Many dark skin visitors arrive in the United States, fearing personal attack and expecting various degrees of racial prejudice. Some forms of discriminations still exist unfortunately, especially in the areas of the housing, schools, and jobs. There are also too many areas of the country where black Americans cannot enjoy the same full opportunities as white Americans.72 Choosing a good passwordLots of confusion surrounds the choice of strong passwords. Here is simple way to create strong passwords that you can remember and that will make you less vulnerable to online attackers. The ideal password is a random sequence of characters. But such a password is not so human friendly, as you may find it tricky to remember. One good technique is to choose a memorable phrase and use the first letter of each word to create an acronym to use as your password. The chosen phrase should not be well-known. And using capitals and lowercase can add quite a lot of strength.71 Nonprofit organizationsSeveral well-known nonprofit organizations are international. Nonprofit means these groups do not seek to make money from their efforts. Nonprofits usually have a focus or shared interest, such as the environment, humanitarian aid or entertainment. The national geographic society is one of the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational institutions in the world. It is primarily focused on exploration, geography, and natural science. It also supports interactional research and exploration. The projects it has sponsored or assisted with are more than 9000. The Red Cross is probably the most recognizable aid organization in the world. It provides food and other a id to people and areas in distress.in distress 英[ɪn dɪˈstres]美[ɪn dɪˈstres]遇险; 悲痛; 遇难; 处于危难中; 窘迫70 Test of English as a foreign languageIt is the most widely respected English language test in the world, recognized by more than 8000 colleges and universities in more than 130 countries. It is called TOEFL which stands for test of English as a foreign language. TOEFL is an important test for foreign students who want to study in America. More than 4000 American universities and other schools require students seeking admission to take the test. Every year, nearly a million individuals of all ages take the TOEFL the test to demonstrate their English language proficiency. It measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level.69 Hydroelectric energyHydroelectric energy is made by flowing water. Most hydroelectric power plants are located on dams which block the river and create an artificial lake. A controlled amount of water is forced through the tunnel of the dam to produce electricity. Hydroelectric energy has some advantages. First it’s fairly inexpensive. Dams don’t need to be complex and the resources to build them are not difficult to obtain. Second, its source is available to many people as rivers flow all over the world. Third, it’s fairly reliable. The flow of water doesn’t depend on the weath er but is controlled by engineers.turbine [ˈtɜːbaɪn] n. 涡轮机; 汽轮机68 Personal safety while travellingWhen you are on holiday in strange places, you need to keep your safety in mind. In many holiday destinations, personal safety is a matter of staying alert, being sensible, and taking necessary precautions. The risk of violent assault varies from country to country. Some countries have certain areas that are unsafe to visit, while other countries should be avoided entirely or only visited on essential business. Here is some advice for a traveler. First, carry the minimum amount of cash anddon’t show off valuables. Second, dress sensibly and respect local traditions. Third, be careful around areas or buildings of religious significance.taboo 英[təˈbuː] n. (文化或宗教习俗方面的) 禁忌,忌讳,adj. 禁忌的,忌讳的67 University days大学时光British universities start in September or October. Courses normally last three years. But some such as languages, engineering, and medicine can take much longer to complete. Universities in Britain used to be free. But many students now have to pay for part of their course. Similarly, students used to receive a grant from the government. Nowadays they have to apply for student loans or take part time jobs. University life is not about just studying however. Many students take part in drama productions or play music; others of course take part in a wide range of sports.66 Environmental protest (ˈprəʊtest) group抗议; 抗议书(或行动); 反对Facts about global environment read like quotes on a poster for an epic (叙事诗;史诗;史诗般的作品)movies. Many people feel that the governments of countries around the world are not taken environmental issues seriously enough. To allow the voices of concerned people to be heard, many protest groups have been set up by ordinary people to raise awareness of the issues. A few of them have become household names. Today many of these groups have extensive websites providing information about their activities. The internet helps more and more people work together to find solutions to the problems that the modern world faces.65 Carers for the elderlyOne of the defining features of growing old is a gradual decline in the ability to do everything for yourself. Some people remain independent long into their late years, but many increasingly need help with these activities essential for daily living. Some people prefer to make their own informal arrangements with a relative or friend to do the task they need help with. Others would employ someone directly themselves. There are also many people who prefer to get a care agency to manage their care needs. Each of these options has both advantages and disadvantages, no matter which one people choose.64 Music in British schoolsMusic plays a big part in British schools. Pupils can learn an instrument at school. Traditionally, school children learn classical instruments. British schools do not just offer lessons for instruments, but they have music classes for all pupils. In the past, the focus of classes was very much western classical music. But the classes now cover a far wider range of styles, including folk music and world music. Many schools have orchestras and put on 举办(演出、展览) concerts each term. It’s also common for pupils themselves to form their own bands.63 Rock climbingMany people take part in rock climbing around the world. Some do it just for fun while others compete. Rock climbing takes strength, control and good balance. Climbers have to be strong enough to pull themselves straight up the face of high rocks or walls. There are several kinds of rock climbing. Traditional climbing is done outside. Climbers wear ropes and attach devices to the rocks as they climb up. Sport climbing is similar but with the protective devices permanently placed in the rock. There is also indoor climbing in which rock walls made of wood or concrete have place s for the climber’s hands and feet.62 Thanksgiving in AmericaThe American thanksgiving, by law on the fourth Thursday of November, has a long tradition in the United States. The first American thanksgiving occurred in 1621 with early North American settlers celebrating their first harvest after a harsh winter in the new world. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln made it an official holiday. Today thanksgiving serves as a day for family gatherings with luxurious feasts accompanied by a wide array (连读)of side dishes and pies. So this holiday is one of the busiest times for travel in America. Millions of people travel by car, train, and air to feast with family.61 GuitarProbably no other musical instrument is as popular around the world as the guitar. Musicians use the guitar for almost every kind of music. Country and western music would not be the same without a guitar. The traditional Spanish folk music could not exist without a guitar. The sound of American blues music would not be the same without the sad cry of the guitar. Rock and roll music would almost be impossible without this instrument. Music experts do not agree about where the guitar first was played. Many agree it is ancient.60 Community gardensUK residents have relied on community gardens (花园,园圃,菜园)as an important source of food for many years. And the contemporary community gardening movement began in the late 1960s, with the renewed interest in green spaces and cities. Today the gardens come in all shapes and sizes. They can by tiny plots (专用的) 小块土地, gardens on (the) roofs, and school gardens, private or open to the public. Besides, the scope of what community gardens can achieve also varies widely. They can provide fresh fruit and vegetables, a place for wildlife, improved play areas, an outdoor classroom and safe public spaces that are well maintained. Moreover, community gardens often bring different cultures and generations together.59 Peace symbolsThe concept of peace is a very important one in cultures all over the world. There are certain symbols which people in different cultures recognize as representing peace. The dove has been a symbol of peace and innocence for long in many different cultures. But it did not become a modern symbol of peace until it was used on a poster for the World Peace Congress 世界和平大会in 1949. The rainbow is also an ancient and universal symbol, often representing the connection between human beings and their gods. Nowadays, it is used by many movements (具有共同思想或目标的) 运动for peace and the environment, representing the possibility of a better world in the future.58 American education systemThe education system is the United States is controlled by State and local governments. But education laws are similar in each State. Public schools are free of charge for grades one through twelve. Private schools also operate in all States and territories (地区;领土,范围). Some private schools are operated by churches and religious groups; other private schools are not linked to any religious organization. The school years usually begins in September and continues until June. Most states require a school year of 180 days. But some schools have changed this schedule and require students to attend schools throughout the year.57 Personal loansA personal loan involves borrowing a lump sum (一次总付的钱款)from a lender which you agree to pay back with interest over fixed periods. There are two main types of personal loans: secured and unsecured. Unsecured loans are not tied to any of your assets. But secured loans are usually tied to your property. If you default on (拖欠)a secured loan, your lender can force you to sell the assets to pay off your debt. Interest rate on loans can be fixed or variable. A fixed rate will remain the same for the term of the loan, while a variable rate will be subject to change. 可变汇率将随时变动56 Effects of smokingFor many years, scientists have warned that smoking tobacco is bad for your health. Yet people around the world continue to smoke. It is estimated that almost 5 million people around the world die each year from the effects of smoking. Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of lung disease and it also has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and many kinds of cancer. Scientists have identified more than 40 chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer. Experts say that smoking affects not only the smoker but also the people who do not smoke.。

英语专业四级考试历年听写原文(doc 页)

英语专业四级考试历年听写原文(doc 页)

英语专业四级考试历年听写原文(doc 页)专业四级考试听写评分标准1. 听写共分15小节,每节1分,扣分一律写在试卷右边的空白处。

大错误下面画线。

小错误用圆圈表示,重复错误用三角记号表示。

2. 每节最多扣1分。

3. 重复错误,仅扣一次分。

4. 错误共分两类:小错误(minor mistakes)和大错误(major mistakes),分别扣0.25分和0. 5分。

A. 小错误:1)单词拼写错一到两个字母。

例:steadily →staedily;harbor →habor两个字母以下的词、次序颠倒算小错。

2)标点符号错误(含大小写)。

例:World War I →world war one, and then adopted →. And then adopte d3) 冠词、单复数错误。

例:until the beginning →until beginning; p arent →parents4)小错误扣分标准:小错误在一节中出现一次,留作总计;出现两次:扣0.5分;出现三次:扣0.5分后留作总计;出现四次:扣1分。

5)未扣分小错误的扣分标准:累计2 ~ 4 个:扣0.5分累计5 ~ 8 个:扣1分B. 大错误:漏写、加词、造词、换词(冠词作小错计)、大移位、时态错误,每个错误扣0.5分。

例:loved →love;task —test;trip —trap;flee —flea;have finished —finsh(ed)5. 一些特例的扣分标准:下列情况不扣分:World War I →World War Onerace car →racecarwell-balanced →well balanced90 percent →90%6. 总分只有0.5分时,以1分计算;其余总分中如含小数点的,小数舍去,保留整数,如12.5 →12;7.5 →77. 空白卷一律打0分。

英语专业四级考试历年听写原文(1993年——2006年)Package Holidays (1993)Package holidays, covering a two weeks' stay in an attractive place, are increasingly popular. Once you get to the airport, it is up to the tour operator to see that you get safely to your destination.Everything is laid on for you.There is, in fact, no reason for you to bother to arrange anything yourselve s.You make friends and have a good time. But there is very little chance that you will really get to know the local people.This is even less likely on a coach tour, when you s pend almost your entire time traveling.Of c ourse, there are carefully planned stops for you to visit historic buildings and monument s. You may visit the beautiful, the historic, t he ancient. But time is always short.There i s also the added disadvantage of being oblig ed to spend you holiday with a group of pe ople you have never met before.The American Family (1994)The American family unit is changing. There used to be mainly two types of famili es, the extended and the nuclear. The forme r included mother, father, children, and som e other relatives such as grandparents, living in the same house or nearby. Then as the economy progressed from agricultural to ind ustrial, people began moving to different par ts of the country in order to search for job opportunities. These moves split up the exte nded family.The nuclear family consisting o f only parents and children has therefore be come far more wide spread. Today’s family, however, can be composed of diverse combi nations. With the divorce rate nearly one in two, there's an increase in single-parent ho mes—a father or mother living with one or more children.Blended families occur when divorced men and women remarry and com bine the children from former marriages into a new family. On the other hand, there is an increase in childless couples while one i n rive Americans lives alone.Unidentified Flying Objects (1995)There are many explanations for why U FOs visit the Earth. / The most popular one is that they maybe visitors from other plan ets./ To fly such aircraft, their builders must develop different forms of aviation,/because they seem to fly much faster than normal ai rcraft./ The UFOs, it is believed, must contai n scientists/ from other planets who are stud ying life on earth./ It is even believed that s everal such aircraft may have landed on ear th/ and the space visitors may be living amo ngst us./ But there are also less fantastic ex planations available./ Although some sighting s of UFOs are difficult to explain, most can be explained quite easily./ In many cases th e observers might have made a mistake./ Th ey might have seen a weather balloon or anaircraft./ Or the light they saw in the sky might have been light from the ground,/ refl ected on to the clouds./ However, the exact cause of many sightings still remained a mys tery.The Indian Medicine Man (1996)Among the Indians of North America, t he medicine man was a very important pers on. He could cure illness and he could spea k to the spirits. The spirits were the supern atural forces that controlled the world. The Indians believed that bad spirits made peopl e ill. So when people were ill, the medicine man tried to help them by using magic. He spoke to the good spirits and asked for thei r help. Many people were cured, because th ey thought the spirits were helping them, bu t really these people cured themselves. Somet imes your own mind is the best doctor for you. The medicine men were often successful for another reason, too. They knew about plants that really can cure illness. A lot ofmedicines are made from the plants that we re used by medicine men hundred of years ago.Legal Age for Marriage (1997)Throughout the United States, the legal age for marriage shows some difference. The most common age without parents’ consent is 18 for both females and males. However, persons who are under age in their home s tate can get married in another state, and t hen return to the home state legally married. Each state issues its own marriage license. Both residents and non-residents are qualifie d for such a license. The fees and ceremonie s vary greatly from state to state. Most state s, for instance, have a blood test requiremen t, but a few do not. Most states permit eith er a civil or religious ceremony, but a few r equire the ceremony to be religious. In most states a waiting period is required before t he license is issued. This period is from oneto five days depending on the state. A thre e-day-wait is the most common. In some stat es there is no required waiting period.The Railways in Britain (1998)The success of early railways, such as t he lines between big cities,/ led to a great in crease in railway building in Victorian times. / Between 1835 and 1865 about 25000 kilo meters of track were built,/ and over 100 ra ilway companies were created. /Railway travel transformed people's lives. / Trains were first designed to carry goods. / However, a law in the 19th century force d railway companies to run one cheap train a day / which stopped at every station and cost only a penny a mile. / Soon working c lass passengers found they could afford to tr avel by rail. / Cheap day excursion trains b ecame popular and seaside resorts grew rapi dly. / The railways also provided thousands of new jobs:/ building carriages, running therailways and repairing the tracks. / Railwa ys even changed the time. / The need to run the railways on time meant that local time was abolished/ and clocks showed the same t ime all over the country. /United Nations Day(1999)The 24th of October is celebrated as Un ited Nations Day. h is a day that belongs to everyone. And it is celebrated in most coun tries of the world. Some countries celebrate for a week instead of a day. In many parts of the world, schools have special programs for the day. Boys and girls in some commun ities decorate a UN tree. In other communiti es, young people put on plays about the UN. Some libraries exhibit childr en’s art worksth the songs and dances of other countries o r give parties where foods of other countries are served. No matter how the day is celeb rated, the purpose of these celebrations is to help everyone understand the UN, and the important roles it plays in world affairs. Th e UN encourages people to learn about othe r lands and their customs. In this way, peop le can gain a better understanding and appr eciation of peoples all over the world.What We Know About Language(2000) Many things about language are a mys tery and will remain so. However, we now d o know something about it. First, we know t hat all human beings have a language of so me sort. No human race anywhere on earth is so backward that it has no language of i ts own at all. Second, there is no such thing as a primitive language. There are many phe languages they speak are by no means p rimitive. In all the languages existing in the world today, there are complexities that mus t have been developed for years. Third, we know that all languages are perfectly adequa te. Each is a perfect means of expressing its culture. And finally, we know that language changes over time, which is natural and no rmal if a language is to survive. The langua ge which remains unchanged is nothing but dead.Characteristics of A Good Reader(2001) To improve your reading habits, you must understand the characteristics of a goo d reader. First, the good reader usually read s rapidly. Of course, he does not read every piece of material at the same rate. But whe ther he is reading a newspaper or a chapterely fast. He has learned to read for ideas ra ther than words one at a time. Next, the go od reader can recognize and understand gen eral ideas and specific details. Thus he is ab le to comprehend the material with a minim um of effort and a maximum of interest. Fi nally, the good reader has in his command s everal special skills, which he can apply to r eading problems as they occur. For the colle ge student, the most helpful of these skills i nclude making use of the various aids to un derstanding that most text books provide an d skim-reading for a general survey. Disappearing Forests(2002)The world’s forests are disappearing. Aen lost since agriculture began some 10,000 years ago. The remaining forests are home t o half of the world’s species, thus becoming the chief resource for their survival. Tropica l rain forests once covered 12% of the land of the planet, as well as supporting at least half of the world’s species of plants and an imals. These rain forests are home to million s of people. But there are other demands on them. For example, much has been cut for timber. An increasing amount of forest lan d has been used for industrial purposes or f or agricultural development such as crop-gro wing. By the 1990’s less than half of the ear th’s original rain forests remained, and they continued to di sapp ear at an alarming rate every year. As a result the world’s forests are now facing gradual extinction.Salmon (2003)Every year, millions of salmon swim fro m the ocean into the mouths of rivers and t hen steadily up the rivers. Passing through waters, around rocks and waterfalls, the fish finally reach their original streams or lakes. They dig out nests in the riverbed and lay their eggs. Then, exhausted by their journe y, the parent salmon die. They have finished the task that nature has given them. Month s, or years later, the young fish start their t rip to the ocean. They live in the salt water from 2-7 years, until they, too are ready to swim back to reproduce. Their life cycle he lps man provide himself with a basic food-fi sh. When the adult salmon gather at the riv er mouths for the annual trip up the rivers, they are in the best possible condition, and nearly every harbor has its salmon fishing fleet ready to catch thousands for markets. Money (2004)Money is accepted across the world as payment for goods or services. People use m oney to buy food, clothes and hundreds of o ther things. In the past, many different thin gs were used as money. People on Pacific isl ands once exchanged shells for goods. The C hinese used cloth and knives. In Africa, elep hant tusks or salt were used. Even today, so me people in Africa are still paid in salt. C oins were first invented by the Chinese. Ori ginally, they were round pieces of metal wit h a hole in the center, so that a piece of str ing could keep them together. This made doi ng business much easier, but people still fou nd coins inconvenient to carry when they w anted to buy something expensive. To solve t his problem, the Chinese again came up wit h the solution. They began to use paper mo ney for coins. Now paper notes are used thr oughout the world.The Wrist Watch (2005)It is generally believed that wrist watch es are an exception / to the normal sequenc e in the evolution of man's jewelry. / Revers ing the usual order, they were first worn by women, / and then adopted by men. / In t he old days, queens included wrist watches a mong their crown jewelry. / Later, they wer e worn by Swiss workers and farmers. / Unt il World War I, Americans associated the w atch with fortune hunters. / Then army offic ers discovered that the wrist watch was mos t practical for active combat. / Race car dri vers also loved to wear wrist watches, / and pilots found them most useful while flying. / Soon men dared to wear wrist watches wit hout feeling self-conscious. / By 1924, some 30 percent of man's watches were worn on tAnd they are now worn by both men and women / for practical purposes rather than for decoration.The Internet (2006)The Internet is the most significant prog ress in the field of communications. / Imagin e a book that never ends, a library with a million floors, / or imagine a research projec t with thousands of scientists / working arou nd the clock forever. / This is the magic of the Internet. / Yet the Internet has the pote ntial for good and bad. / One can find well-organized, information-rich websites. / At the same time, one can also find wasteful websi tes. / Most websites are known as different I nternet applications. / These include online g ames, chat rooms (chatrooms) and so on. / These applications have great power, too. / Sometimes the power can be so great / that young people may easily become victims tothe seriousness of the problem. / We must w ork together to use its power for better end s.专业四级标准听写二十篇TEM 4 Dictation Practices Passage 1SaltWe do not know when man first began to use salt, / but we do know that it has b een used in many different ways throughout history. / Historical evidence shows, for exa mple, that people who lived over 3,000 years ago ate slated fish. / Thousands of years ag o in Egypt, salt was used to preserve the de ad. /Stealing salt was considered a major cri me during some periods of history. / In 18th century, for instance, / if a person was cautory records that about ten thousand people were put in jail during that century for ste aling salt. / About 150 years before, in the year 1553, / taking more salt that one was a llowed 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 f ront of the king when he sat down to eat. / Important guests at th e king’s table were s eated near the salt. / Less important guests were given seats farther away from it. / (17 5 words)Passage 2 Per ceptionsAsk three people to look out of the same window at a busy street and tell you what t hey see. / Probably you will receive three di fferent answers. / Each person sees the samescene, but each perceives something differen t about it. /Perceiving goes in our minds. / Of the thr ee 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 s ees a rush –hour traffic jam at the street c orner. / The third may tell you that he sees a woman trying to cross the street with fo ur children. / For perception is the mind’s i nterpretation / of what the senses –in this case our eyes –tell us. /Many psychologists today are working to t ry to explain / just how a person experience s or perceive the world around him. / Using a scientific method these psychologists set u p experiments: / they are trying to find out what makes different people / perceive totall y different things about the same scene. / (1 64 words)Passage 3 Ball oonsBalloons have been used for sport for a bout one hundred years. / There are two ki nds 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 the United States because of their safety. / They are al so cheaper and easier to manager than gas balloons. / Despite the ease of operating a b alloon, / pilots must watch the weather caref ully. / Sport balloon flights are best early in the morning / or late in the afternoon, whe n the wind is light. / Over the years, balloo nists have tried unsuccessfully to cross the A tlantic. / It wasn't until 1978 that three Ame rican balloonists succeeded. / It took them j ust six days to make the trip / from their h omes in the United States to Paris, France. /Their voyage captured the imagination of t he 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 rat her than saving, / I certainly had a tough ti me 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 spe nding 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 th e money, / I would deposit at least 50% of the money into my saving account. / That w ay, 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 t o buy things when I saw them. / When I sa w a CD or video game that looked appealin g, / I learned to ask myself, “Do I really ne ed this?” / Asking this question helped me a ppreciate my money and not let it slip out of my wallet quite so fast. / (173 words) Passage 5 Online He alth ForumThere are many aspects to health, illness a nd healing. / Among all the teachings there is one theme that is universal to them all / and that is the unquestionable benefit achiev ed by communicating with others about heal th and its related issues. / It is with this sin gle philosophy in mind / that we have devel oped this site as a forum for communication. / Dealing with a medical concern is often d ifficult. / Connecting with others who are going through the same thing / can make a w orld of difference. / Our mission is to develo p online communities to help you make thos e connections. / You can post questions, com ments and respond to messages from others. / We’ve got various topics, and we’re add in g more all the time. / If you don’t see the t opic 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 Wo rdsHow men first learn to invent words is un known, / in other words, the origin of langu age is a mystery. / All we really know that is men, unlike animals, / somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelin gs, / actions and things, so that they can co mmunicate with each other; / and that laterthey agreed upon certain signs, called letter s, / which could be represent those sounds, and which could be written down. / Those s ounds, 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 b ecome filled with meaning for us by experie nce; / and the longer wer live, the more we reminded of the glad and sad events / of o ur past by certain words wer read and lear n, / the more the number of the words / th at means something to us increase. / (149 w ords)Passage 7 Teacher-stude nt RelationshipThe relationship between a teacher and a student can be either good or bad, helpful o r 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 rela tionship can discourage the student from lea rning / and make teaching an unpleasant tas k. /In order to have a good teacher-student re lationship, / respect between teacher and stu dent is very important. / If the teacher is to o strict, he frightens the student. / If the tea cher is too friendly, the student may become lazy and stop learning hard. / The teacher’s attitude and approach should be in betwee n those two extremes. / As for the student, his proper respect to the teacher must be sh own all the time. / He should be eager to le arn and willing to work hard. /In conclusion, a good teacher-student relati onship can be beneficial to both. / The stude nt absorbs knowledge eagerly and enjoyable, / and the teacher gains satisfaction from hi s work. / (163 words)Passage 8 Nearsight ednessWeak eyesight is a term that is generall y used to refer to nearsighted eyes. / People who are nearsighted can see well at a shor t range, / but anything very far away is like ly to be unclear. / The term “weak eyesigh t” is misleadin g, / for in nearsighted eyes th e lens of the eye is actually too strong. / Th e nearsighted lens is so powerful that it focu ses the light coming onto the eye so quickly. / Nearsightedness is common, and its growt h may be graded; / often the unclearness of distant object is so slight at first / that a p erson may not recognize the condition. / Nearsightedness is frequently discovered first at school. / It is here that a student fir st realizes the difficulty of seeing words on t he blackboard, / whereas others in the class have no trouble reading the blackboard at all. / After discovery, nearsightedness can ea sily be corrected. / You just needs a pair ofglasses / which can decrease the power of t he lens of the eye. / (161 words)Passage 9 Rice CookingRice is very much under appreciated in th e United States. / With the exception of Asia n cooking, / rice is usually a side dish or co mbined with other ingredients. / Rice is very nutritious, low cost and easy-to prepare foo d. / There are different types of rice availab le and the cooking time varies by type of ri ce. / 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 rem ove the hull comes in long, medium and sho rt grains. / Long grained rice is the best for all-purpose use. / Brown rice has a pleasan t 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 aresome excellent recipes, which use cooked rice. / (151 words)Passage 10 First Sig n of AIDSThe virus causing AIDS enters the blood a nd quickly penetrates certain white cells in t he body. / At first there is often little or no trace of the virus at all. / This situation us ually lasts for six to twelve weeks. / During this time the person is free of symptoms / a nd antibody tests are negative. / The first th ing that happens after infection / is that ma ny people develop a flue-like illness. / This may be severe enough to look like glandular fever / with swollen glands in the neck and armpits, / tiredness, fever and night sweats. / Some of those white cells are dying, / vir us 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 whe n 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 Librar y of CongressThe Library of Congress is the national li brary of the United States. / It was founded in 1800 to serve the needs of the congress men. / Today, it contains books, articles and documents on every subject imaginable. / B esides senators, congressmen and other gover nment officials, / it serves libraries, research ers, artists and scientists throughout the cou ntry and the world. /The Library is one of the largest libraries in the world. / It has a collection of 74 mil lion items which are housed in three buildin gs. / The bookshelves stretch for 350 miles. /Of the 18 million books, more than half ar e in languages other than English. /The main reading room is a great hall of marble pillars. / It is the center of activity i n the library. / There is a computer catalog center with six terminals for quick access t o information. / For greater speed and effici ency, / the library has installed an electric b ook –carrying system / that carries books f rom one building to another in only a few s econds. / (160 words)Passage 12 A Car Soccer RaceAmerican football is different from the Eu ropean football / and some people think that it is better. / Now there’s a new kind of fo otball 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 th an the usual one and the players are protect ed, too. / In 1985, the First European car so ccer match took place in West Germany. / Teams from some countries in European pla yed in the match. / The Beetles raced aroun d the ground madly / while the spectators s houted “The ball is behind you”. / When th e match ended, three cars had been crashed into pieces. / And the players as well as m any of the spectators were badly hurt and h ad to be taken to hospital. / Will this car so ccer 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 tim es, several generations lived together in clans, / which consisted of all living descendents a nd their husbands or wives. / These clans were almost totally self-sufficient, / every mem ber contributing in some way toward the su rvival of the group. / The men hunted and f ished for food or sometimes maintained floc ks of sheep or goats. / The women baked br ead and roasted the meat their men provide d. / Special members of the community were selected to make products like pottery, bask ets and home weapons. / But with the devel opment of greater varieties of food, clothing and shelter, / a single clan could no longer develop all the individual skills the group re quired. / Clans merged into larger societies and at the same time broke into smaller uni ts consisting of married couples and their ch ildren. / Later the Industrial Revolution bro ught about even more important changes in family life. / New inventions brought shorter working hours for men and easier housekee ping routines for women. / Today a producti ve family life suggests not the group’s coope rative efforts of working together, / but the pleasant and meaningful sharing of its leisur e. / (185 words)Passage 14 Vitami nsIt was not until the beginning of this ce ntury that it was recognized / that certain s ubstances were essential in the diet to preve nt or cure some diseases. / These substances are now known as vitamins. / They are vit al for growth, good health, / and maintenan ce of the normal functions of the body. / A well-balanced diet should provide all the vita mins we normally require. / Those of us wh o are fortunate enough to be able to buy su fficient food / should not suffer from vitami n deficiency. / However, for various reasons, / some people do not maintain a balanced diet. / People often lose their appetite becaus e of illness. / People living alone may not bo ther to eat proper meals, / and people on a diet may not eat sufficient quantities of nec essary foods. / Moreover, modern methods o f preserving, freezing, and long-term storageof food, / together with overcooking, can de stroy many of the vitamins. / (145 words) Passage 15 Com etsIn recent years scientists’ investigation o f comets has increased / because of growing interest in the origin of the sun and planet s. / Scientists want to learn how comets are formed. / They think that such information will help explain the origin of the solar syst em. / The word “comet” comes from Greek and means “hairy object”. / In history come ts have a special place. / People believed tha t they brought news of death, destruction or military victories. / The tails of comets pro vide viewers with spectacular sights at night. / Comet tails are millions of kilometers lon g. / The tails frequently reach lengths of 250 million kilometers and more. / The most fa mous comet of history is called Halley’s Co met, which appears every 76 years. / It was named for Edward Halley, a British astron omer. / He predicted the appearance of the。

经典英语专业四级听写100篇

经典英语专业四级听写100篇

英语专业四级考试听写自我测试100篇(1-50为英式发音;51-100为美式发音)1. Education in ChinaEducation in China today has been developing rapidly. In many provinces, it is compulsory and free. Most children start school at the age of six. They attend 5 years of elementary school and 6 years of high school.After graduation from high school, a student can start his higher education in a two-year college, a four-year college, a university, or a specialized professional school. Most colleges admit students on the basis of their entrance examination records. The cost of a college education is not very high. And the greater part of it is met by their families, though students can get support from their college. Many students receive scholarships from the school, the government, private foundations and organizations.Though great progress has been made in China in the field of education, there is still a comparatively large part of the population in the country who cannot read and write.2.DreamsDreams are a product of the sleeper’s mind. They include events and feelings that he has experienced. Most dreams are related to events of the day before the dream and the strong wishes of the dreamer. Many minor incidents of the hours before sleep appear in dreams. Few events more than two days old turn up. Deep wishes or fears, especially those held since childhood, often appear in dreams, and many dreams fulfill such wishes. Events in the sleeper’s surroundings, a loud noise, for example, may become part of a dream, but they do not cause dreams.Some dreams involve deep feelings that a person may not realize he has. Psychiatrists often use material from a patient’s dreams to help the person understand himself better.Dreaming may help maintain good learning ability, memory, and emotional adjustment.3. EmotionsAccording to psychologists, an emotion is aroused when a man or animal views something as either bad or good. When a person feels like running away from something he thinks will hurt him, we call this emotion fear. If the person wants to remove the danger by attacking it, we call the emotion anger. The emotions of joy and love are aroused when we think something can help us. An emotion does not have to be created by something in the outside world. It can be created by a person’s thoughts.Everyone has emotions, but many psychologists believe that infants are born without emotions. They believe children learn emotions just as they learn to read and write. A growing child not only learns his emotions but learns how to act in certain situations because of an emotion.4. Re-employment of Laid-off WorkersThe issue of re-employment has emerged with large numbers of surplus laborers having been laid off. There is no doubt that it would lead to endless trouble if the surplus were not reorganized properly. In order to maintain social stability and to secure people’s normal living standards, it is essential to work out solutions to the problem.Solving the problem is a two-way operation as far as the government and workers are concerned.On the one hand, the government at all levels should try every possible means to create a wide range of employment options open to laid-off workers; on the other hand, these workers ought not to sit idle and wait for opportunities to come. So long as they don’t lose heart and constantly strive to better themselves, their futures will be bright.5. Describing PeopleFaces, like fingerprints, are unique. Did you ever wonder how it is possible for us to recognize people? Even a skilled writer probably could not describe all the features that make one face different from another. Yet a very young child- even an animal, such as a pigeon—can learn to recognize faces. We all take this ability for granted.We also tell people apart by how they behave. When we talk about someone’s personality, we mean the ways in which he or she acts, speaks, thinks and feels that make that individual different from others.Like the human face, human personality is very complex. But describing someone’s personality in words is somewhat easier than describing his face. If you were asked to describe what a “nice face”looked like, you probably would have a difficult time doing so. But if you were asked to describe a “nice person”, you might begin to think about someone who was kind, considerate, friendly and warm.6. Physical ActivityMost young people enjoy some form of physical activity. It might be walking, cycling or swimming, or in winter, skating or skiing. It might be a game of some kind like football, hockey, golf or tennis, or it might be mountaineering.Those who have a passion for climbing high and difficult mountains are often looked upon with astonishment why are men and women willing to suffer cold and hardship, and to take risks on high mountains? This astonishment is probably caused by the difference between mountaineering and other forms of activity to which men give their leisure.If we compare mountaineering and other more familiar sports, we might think that one big difference is that mountaineering is not a “team sport”. We should be mistaken in this. There are, it is true, no “matches” between “t eams” of climbers. However, when climbers are on a rock face linked by a rope on which their lives may depend, there is obviously teamwork.7. The Clever Man NasreddinAn old man died and left his son a lot of money. But the son was a foolish young man: he quickly spent all the money, and soon he had nothing left. Of course, when that happened, all his friends left him. When he was quite poor and alone, he went to see Nasreddin, who was a kind, clever old man and often helped people when they had troubles.“My money is finished and my friends have gone,” said the young man. “What will happen to me now?”“Don’t worry, young man,”answered Nasreddin, “Everything will soon be all right again and you will soon feel much happier.”The young man was very glad. “Am I going to get rich again then?” he asked Nasreddin.“No, I didn’t mean that, ” said the old man. “I meant that you would soon get used to being poor and to having no friends.”8. A Man and His CarA man was traveling abroad in a small red car. One day he left the car and went shopping. When he came back, its roof was badly damaged.Some boys told him that an elephant had damaged it. The man did not believe them, but theytook him to a circus which was near there. The owner of the elephant said, “I am very sorry! My elephant has a big, round, red chair. He thought that your car was his chair, and he sat on it!” then he gave the man a letter, in which he said that he was sorry and that he would pay for all the damage.When the man got back to his own country, the customs officers would not believe his story. They said, “You sold your new car while you were abroad and bought this old one!” it was only when the man showed them the letter from the man at the circus that they believed him.9. The SunA long time ago people thought that the sun went round the earth. In some countries people even said that the sun was a god. They thought the god drove across the sky each day on a golden horse. Now we know the earth goes round the sun. It takes the earth a year to go all the way round the sun. Today men even know how far it is for the earth to go round the sun. They tell us that the earth travels over a thousand miles a minute on its journey round the sun.The sun is really a star. It is much bigger than the earth and it is very hot. Some people have been to the moon but we know that no one can ever go to the sun. It is far too hot for people to live anywhere near it. The sun is three hundred thousand times heavier than the earth and more than a million times larger.10. Can Animals Be Made to Work for Us?Can animals be made to work for us? Some scientists think that one day animals may be taught to do a number of simple jobs. They say that in a film or on TV we may see elephants, or monkeys, dogs, bears, or other animals doing a lot of things. If you watch carefully, you may find that those animals are always given something to eat in return for doing them. The scientists say that many different animals may be taught to do a number of simple jobs if they know they will get something to eat in return. Of course, as we know, dogs can be used to guard a house, and elephants can be used to do some heavy jobs. And we can also teach animals to work in factories. Apes, for example, have been used in America to help make cars and scientists believe that these large monkeys may one day get in crops and even drive trains.11. Man’s Best FriendAlmost everyone likes dogs, and almost everyone likes reading stories about dogs. I have a friend who has a large police dog. Its name is Jack. Police dogs are often very clever. Every Sunday afternoon my friend takes Jack for a long walk in the park. Jack likes these long walks very much. One Sunday afternoon a young man came to visit my friend. He stayed a long time. He talked and talked. Soon it was time for my friend to take Jack for his walk. But the visitor still stayed. Jack became very worried. He walked around the room several times and then sat down in front of the visitor and looked at him. But the visitor paid no attention. He continued talking. Finally Jack couldn’t stand it. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later. He sat down again in front of the visitor but this time he held the visitor’s hat in his mouth.12. CommunicationYou speak, write a letter, make a telephone call. Your words carry a message. People communicate with words. Do you think you can communicate without words? A smile on your face shows you are happy or friendly. Tears in your eyes tell others that you are sad. When you raise your hand in class, the teacher knows you want to say something or ask questions. You shake your head, and people know you are saying “No”. You nod and people know you are saying, “Yes”. Other things can also carry messages. For example, a sign at the bus stop helps you to know which bus totake. A sign on the wall of your school helps you to find the library. Signs on doors tell you where to go in or out. Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of signs around you and that you receive messages from them all the time?13. Weather and MenEverybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. It is true. People usually begin their conversations with “Isn’t it a nice day?”“Do you think it will rain?”“What a fine day!”etc.Many people think they can tell what the weather is going to be like. But they rarely agree with each other. One man may say, “Do you see how cloudy it is in the east? It’s going to rain tomorrow.”Another man will say, “No, it’s going to be fine tomorrow.”People often look for the weather they want. When a farmer needs water, he looks for something to tell him it’s going to rain; he won’t believe anything else. When friends have planned a trip, they are sure the weather is going to clear up very quickly.Almost everyone listens to what the weatherman says. But he does n’t always tell us what we want, and once in a while he makes a mistake.14. A Selfish ManSmith was a landlord. He loved money very much and never gave anything to anybody. One day the landlord was walking along a river with his friends and fell into it. He cried, “Help! Help!” one of his friends held out his hand and said, “Give me your hand and I will pull you out.” But he did not give his hand to his friend. Then another of his friends tried but the same thing happened. Just then a farmer came over and saw all this. He knew the landlord very well. He said to the others, “Let me try.” He held out his hand and said to the landlord, “Take my hand and I will pull you out.” Hearing this, the landlord took the farmer’s hand, and in a minute the farmer pulled the landlord out of the water. All the others were very surprised at this and asked the farmer, “Why did he give his hand to you but not to us? The farmer said, “You don’t know your friend very well, when you say ‘give’ to him, he does nothing, but when you say ‘take’, he takes.”15. The Benefits of Class ParticipationDifferent teachers have different styles of teaching. Some prefer to deliver a prepared lecture, while others expect some participation from their students. Likewise, some students learn best in the former situation, while others do so in the latter. Perhaps the best learning environments is one in which the preferred styles of teacher and students match. For me, that is a class in which the teacher encourages class participation.I prefer to participate in class for several reasons. One is that students’ participation makes the class more lively and interesting. I can hear not only my teacher’s opinions on a subject, but also those of my classmates. Another reason is that I believe the teacher can better understand the students when they interact with him in class. Rather than wait for exam results to indicate how much the students have absorbed, the teacher can learn immediately whether the students understand what he is talking about. Finally, I acquire more knowledge in this kind of class. I can ask more in-depth questions and satisfy my curiosity.16. OilAlmost everyone in the world uses oil in some way. Cars, buses, planes and many trains and ships also need oil. Even our bicycles need oil. Indeed the whole world would stop if there was no oil.Today there is a growing need for oil in the world. So people are looking for it everywhere. Theylook for oil in deserts, in the mountains and under the sea. Quite often they find nothing, but the search for oil always goes on.Who are the largest oil producers in the world? The U. S., the former Soviet Union, and the countries of the Middle East. But China is catching up fast. Before liberation we used to buy nearly all our oil from the U S.. Many foreign people said China was “oil-poor”. But since liberation oil has been found in many parts of the country. Today everyone agrees that China is rich in oil. Our oil not only meets the great need in our country, but also be sold to other countries.17. Time ZonesStrange things happen from time to time when you travel, because people divide the earth into twenty-four time zones, one hour apart. You can have days with more or fewer than twenty-four hours, and weeks with more or less than seven days. If you make a five-day trip across the Atlantic Ocean, your ship enters a different time zone every day. As you enter each zone, the time changes one hour. If you travel westward, you put your watch back; and if you travel eastward, you put it ahead. Each day of your trip has either twenty-five or twenty-three hours. If you travel by ship across the Pacific, you cross the International Date Line. By agreement a new day begins at this line. When you cross the line, you change your calendar one full day, backward or forward. If traveling eastward, today becomes yesterday; if westward, it is tomorrow.18. Building Houses in the Early DaysIn the early days of the old west in North America, life was difficult. People lived on farms far away from other families. They went to town once a week or one time a month. Then they saw their friends and neighbors. On their farms everyone had lots of work. But there were some big problems. How did one family make a house? How could they build a barn alone? Those were big jobs.What did families do to build houses? They asked for help. They asked their friends and neighbors. They invited them to a work party for a few days. The women cooked together. They made breakfast, lunch and dinner. The men worked on the building. For the children it was like a holiday. They enjoyed it very much. They all helped one another for the good of everyone.19. FriendshipFriendship is one of the greatest pleasures that people can enjoy. It is very difficult to find a better definition of friendship. A true friend does indeed find pleasure in our joy and share sorrow in our grief. In times of trial, he or she is always at our side to give us his or her help and comfort.Knowing how valuable friendship is, we should be very careful in our choice of a friend. We must choose someone who has a good character, whose actions are good and who shows kind-heartedness. We should avoid those shallow people who change in the face of adversity or misfortune.A true friend can always be trusted, loved and respected. The most important thing is that a friend always understands you. In conclusion, when you have made a good friend, don’t forget him or her.20.Maintaining Your MemoryIf you do not use your arms or your legs for some time, they will become weak. When you start using them again, they slowly become strong again. Everybody knows this. Yet many people do not seem to know that memory works in the same way.When someone says that he has a good memory, he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by using it. When someone else says that his memory is poor, he really means that he does not give it enough chance to become strong.Have you ever found that some people can’t read or write, but usually they have better memories?This is because if they cannot read or they cannot write things down in a small notebook, then they have to remember them by heart. So if you want to have a good memory, learn from the people: practice remembering things in the way other people do.21.SOS Children’s VillagesIn Europe many people died during the Second World War. As a result, at the end of the war there were many orphans there. A man called Hermann V oss wanted to help these children. His idea was simple. He wanted the orphans to have a home, and he wanted them to have the care and kindness of parents. V oss asked people to give him some money. With this money he built the first SOS Children’s Village started. The letters SOS stand for “Save Our Souls”. This means “Please help us!” and SOS Children’s Villages gives help to orphans.Hermann V oss’s idea for helping orphans soon spread all over the world. By 1983 there were 170 SOS Children’s Villages in the world. People in many countries give money to help the villages. Today the children from the first village are gown up. Now some of them work in other SOS Children’s Villages.putersWe are already familiar with computers. Computers work for us at home, in offices and in factories. But it is also true that children today are using computers at school before they can write. What does this mean for the future? Are these children lucky or not?Many people who do not know about computers think of them as machines that children play with. They worry that children do not learn from experience, but just from pressing a button. They worry that this is not good for them. They think children are growing up not knowing about the real world.But people who understand more about computers see that computers can be very good for children. A computer can help them to learn about the real world more quickly, to learn what then want to learn and to think for themselves. And for the future, don’t we need people who can think clearly, who know how to get information quickly?23.Dick’s JobDick was a clever and hard-working student, but his parents were poor, so he had to work after class and during his holidays to get enough money for his studies.One summer he got a job in a butcher’s shop during the daytime, and another in a hospital at night. In the shop, he learned to cut and sell meat. In the hospital, of course, Dick was told to do only the easiest jobs. He helped to lift people and carry them from one part of the hospital to another. Both in the butcher’s shop and in the hospital, Dick had to wear white clothes.One evening in the hospital, Dick had to help to carry a woman from her bed to the operating room. The woman already felt frightened when she thought about the operation. When she saw Dick coming to get her, she felt even more frightened. “No! No!” she said, “Not my butcher! I won’t let my butcher operate on me!” with these words, she fainted away.24. OpportunityOpportunities don’t come often. They come every once in a while. Very often, they come quietly and go by without being noticed. Therefore, it is advisable that you should value and treat them withcare. When an opportunity comes, it brings a promise but never realizes it on its own. If you want to achieve something or intend to fulfill one of your ambitions, you must work hard, make an effort and be prepared. Otherwise, you will take no advantage of opportunities when they come to visit you. The difference between a man who succeeds and one who does not lies only in the way each treats opportunities. The successful person always makes adequate preparations to meet opportunities as they duly arrive. The unsuccessful person, on the other hand, works little and just waits for opportunities to pass by. In my opinion, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone in our society, but only those who are adequately prepared and highly qualified can make use of them for their own purposes.25.Living Life at a Slower PaceIt seems that everyone is in a hurry these days. In our fast-paced and competitive society, many people feel that they must do things as quickly as possible or they will fall behind. Certainly, there are many things for us to do. However, it is not necessary to always hurry to get them done. In fact, living life at a slower pace has many advantages.First of all, slowing down allows us to think more clearly about what we must do. With careful consideration we will make better decisions and make fewer mistakes. And when we do not have to correct the mistakes that we make in haste, we will actually save time. Secondly, when we take our time we can do things more carefully and thoroughly. And when we do a better job we feel more satisfied with our efforts. Finally, if we do not rush through life, we will have more time to enjoy the things that we do. And when we take pleasure in our work, we will live happier lives.26.Owning a CarNowadays, any Chinese can enjoy the luxury of owning a private car, if he or she can afford it. Having a car of your own means no more traveling to work on crowded buses or subway trains, and you can drop the children off at school on the way. Moreover, it also means that you can enjoy the weekends and holidays better, because with a car you can go to places where the regular buses and trains do not go, and so you can find a quiet scenic spot with no crowds.However, there are drawbacks to owning a car. For on thing, with the increase in car ownership in recent years, the roads are becoming more and more crowded. This often makes the journey to work more of a nightmare than a dream. For another, it is not cheap to run a car, as the prices of petrol and repairs are constantly rising, not to mention the price you have to pay for a license and insurance coverage.27.TourismTourism, a “smokeless industry”, is developing rapidly in China. With the “open and reform”policy being carried out, thousands upon thousands of foreign visitors are crowding into our country. They are eager to see this old mysterious land with a splendid culture of more than 5,000 years. Tourism is bringing China a lot of benefits. First, it enables the Chinese people to learn more about the outside world and promotes friendship and mutual understanding. Second, it is financially beneficial to China, which needs more foreign currency for its modernization program. Tourism, however, is giving rise to a number of problems. For instance, it is becoming a burden on our inefficient transport system. Besides, the standard of living of the average Chinese person is still not high enough to be able to afford the many different sorts of expenses met on long distance travel.But it is believed that with the development of our national economy, all these problems will certainly be solved step by step. A much better and brighter future awaits us.28.TimeAs a popular saying goes, “Time is money.” In fact, time is more precious than money. When money is spent, you can earn it back if you want to. However, when time is gone, it will never come back. As the pace of modern life continues to accelerate, the time at our disposal is quite limited. But there are a lot of things to be done in our lives. We should make full use of our time to complete what is useful to us. For instance, as students we should devote most of our time to our academic studies. In this way we can acquire the new knowledge and skill necessary for our future careers. In my opinion, wasting time means wasting our valuable life. But many of us don’t realize this. They think time is inexhaustible. I’m not in favour of such a view. Hence, my conclusion is that we should never put off what can be done today until tomorrow.29.Keeping a Diary in EnglishKeeping a diary in English is one effective way to improve our English writing ability. Compared with other forms of writing, it is shouter and takes less time. If we persist in this practice, gradually we’ll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we inevitably come up against a lot of difficulties. In the first place, it often happens that we have trouble finding appropriate words and phrases to express ourselves. Secondly, there are many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. And it is extremely hard for us to put them into English properly. Certainly, there are some other obstacles we may come across in keeping a diary in English. So I suggest we should always have a notebook and a Chinese-English dictionary within easy reach. Whenever something gets the better of us, we can first put it down in our notebook and then consult our dictionary. We can also turn to our English teacher for help, if necessary.30 The Tuition Fee System in ChinaThe system of tuition fees has become one of the hottest topics in China since it was put into effect. Different people have different opinions of it. Some people think that there is no university in the world which is open to students without tuition fees. The Chinese government is unable to allocate enough funds to pay for various teaching facilities and many different kinds of expenses. One of the ways to relieve the problem is for students to pay tuition fees. The money raised in this way can be used to improve school’s operating conditions. Others, however, are opposed to the system of tuition fees. They argue that compared with that in the Western World, the living standard of Chinese people, especially of those in the poor rural areas, is still low. The university tuition fees will certainly add to the already heavy burden on parents, who live on their salaries or wages. Moreover, tuition fees hinder some talented people from entering university only on account of their poverty.31. SmokingIt is known to almost all that smoking is bad for people’s health. Scientific research has shown that smoking can lead to heart disease, cancer and other problems. The World Health Organization says diseases linked to smoking kill at least two million five hundred thousand people each year.Still, many people find it difficult to stop smoking. One reason is that smoking usually becomes a habitual behavior, and habits, whether good or bad are not easy to give up. Another reason is that the effect of nicotine, the substance found in cigarettes works on people somewhat as drugs do.Measures have been taken to help people keep away from the harmful effects of smoking. In many cities, smoking is forbidden in public places. The danger of smoking is warned of everywhere. And newspapers are asked not to publish advertisements for cigarettes. World “No Tobacco Day” is observed every year as the biggest campaign against smoking.32. My First JobBefore I started at university, I took my first job as a waitress in a nice restaurant. The night before my first day, I was too excited to go to sleep and as a result, I got up late in the morning. I threw on my clothes and rushed over to the restaurant.In a great hurry, I didn’t hear clearly the head waiter’s instruction that we should go into the kitchen through one door and out from the other. So when I took two plates of eggs and bacon and an orange juice out to the restaurant, I went straight towards the wrong door and collided with another waiter coming in!Worst of all was that I wore a pair of smart shoes with high heels! A few hours later I was in agony, yet had no time to change them. By the time we finished serving dinner at about 10: 30, I was completely exhausted. Nevertheless, I learnt something from my experience.33. Birth ControlSince the Chinese government singled out family planning as one of the basic state policies in 1978, the country has adopted various measures and achieved great success in birth control. The total birth rate has been decreasing gradually.However, at present China’s population is still growing very rapidly. It is reported that every year the population of this country increases by an extra 15 million. And China encountered a birth peak during the 1990s. it is obvious that China’s economic development and the improvement of people’s standards of living have been and will be greatly affected by the size of population.Therefore, to control population growth more strictly is clearly essential to the country’s reforms and economic development. We should restress the importance of birth control and call on the whole nation to take more effective action.34. AdvertisementsAdvertisements are making their way into people’s lives. People depend on advertisers in their daily lives because they are consumers. The advertisers are not always manufacturers. Sometimes they are salesmen. Their merchandise needs advertising. Thus nearly every product is advertised. To some extent, good advertising means success while bad advertising can mean failure. There are many ways to advertise and “ads” come in different forms. Newspapers carry advertisements. Some products are announced on TV and radio, both of which have a wide audience. Billboards also carry advertising. Advertising is a big industry now and many agencies have been set up to provide a variety of related services. However, advertising is not always truthful. A product is often misrepresented. The advertiser exaggerates the benefits of the merchandise he wants to sell. Thus, he misrepresents the truth. The consumer falls victim to such advertising. Millions of people have。

华研专四听力答案

华研专四听力答案
connected with the change in the calendar in the 16th century, / which meant that 1st April was no longer the beginning of the year. / Those who still celebrated the New Year on 1st April were called fools. / So what kind of pranks do people play on April Fool’s Day? / Well, there are lots of simple tricks / that you can play on your friends. / For example, you could wear a black sweater / and pull a piece of white thread through it, / so that people try to pull it off. / You could change the time on someone’s alarm clock / so that they’re late for work. /
Dictation 4 Living Online 网上生活(159 words) How do you meet new people, make new friends, or find out about the latest bands? / Here in the UK young people have traditionally done their socializing in bars, pubs and clubs. / However, there is a new generation growing up / that finds it easier to manage their social lives on the net, / using free websites like MySpace, Bebo or MSN Spaces. / Welcome to the social networking website / ? a place where you can present yourself to the digital community and meet other like-minded people. / The most successful social networking website in the UK is . / As of July 2006, MySpace is the world’s fourth most popular English-language website, / attracting almost 3 million visitors per month. / MySpace claims to have 95 million members / with 500,000 new members joining the community each week. / So how has it become so successful? / Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity. / Each new member can build their own page simply ? uploading photos, videos and MP3 files. / Dictation 5 Mother’s Day 母亲节(160 words) 母亲节( ) Does your mother know how much you appreciate her? / Well, Mother’s Day is the time to show her. / It’s a chance to say ‘thank you’, or to tell your mum how much you love her. / In Britain, Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday, / falls on a different day each year, / because it takes place a few weeks before the festival of Easter. / But it is always in the early springtime, which seems appropriate, / as the season when new plants emerge, / and baby birds and animals are born. / In the USA, Mother’s Day takes place a little later, in May, / and many other countries also celebrate their mothers on different days of the year. / It began many years ago, when children, / especially girls, as young as 10 would live and work away from home / as housemaids and other types of servant. / Mothering Sunday was a day

专四英语听力听写后50篇听力原文

专四英语听力听写后50篇听力原文

9 Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879,His father owned a factory that made electrical devices。

His mother enjoyed music and books。

His parents were Jewish but they did not observe many of the religion’s rules. Albert was a quite child who spent much of his time alone。

He was slowto talk and had difficulty learning to read。

When Albert was five yearsold, his father gave him a compass. The child was filled with wonder whenhe discovered that the compass needle always pointed in the same direction—to be north。

He asked his father and his uncle what caused the needle to move. Their answers about magnetism and gravity were difficultfor the boy to understand。

Yet he spent a lot of time thinking about them。

He said later that he felt something hidden had to be behind things.Useful expressions and words1。

华研外语a级模拟试题及答案

华研外语a级模拟试题及答案

华研外语a级模拟试题及答案华研外语A级模拟试题及答案一、听力理解(共20分)1. 根据所听对话,选择正确答案。

A. 他去了图书馆。

B. 他去了电影院。

C. 他去了超市。

D. 他去了医院。

[答案] B2. 根据所听短文,回答以下问题:- 短文中提到了几个人物?- 他们去的地点是哪里?[答案]- 短文中提到了三个人物。

- 他们去的地点是公园。

二、阅读理解(共30分)1. 阅读以下短文,判断下列句子是否正确。

- 短文讲述了一个关于友谊的故事。

[答案] 正确2. 阅读以下短文,选择最佳标题。

A. 环保的重要性B. 科技的进展C. 教育的力量D. 健康的生活方式[答案] A三、完形填空(共20分)阅读下面的短文,从所给的选项中选择最佳答案填空。

In the past, people used to think that the Earth was flat. However, now we know that it is a sphere. The reason for this change in understanding is the development of science and technology.[答案]41. A. because42. C. technology43. B. understanding四、语法填空(共15分)根据所给句子,填入适当的词或短语。

1. He is interested in _______ (学习) English.2. The teacher asked us _______ (不要迟到) for the class.[答案]1. learning2. not to be late五、翻译(共15分)1. 将下列中文句子翻译成英文。

- 他每天花两个小时阅读。

[答案] He spends two hours reading every day.2. 将下列英文句子翻译成中文。

stress management专八听力答案华研英语

stress management专八听力答案华研英语

stress management专八听力答案华研英语【听力原文、答案】Text 1 去马略卡岛见朋友;32词细节题W: I was in Mallorca last week.M: Oh, what were you doing there?W: My best friend worked there. And I went to visit her. It was a good chance to practice my Spanish.Text 2 请同学帮忙提交报告;47词,细节题M: Ruth, I've got this terrible cold and I have to see a doctor. I am afraid I can't go to the class. Could you help me hand in my lab report to Dr. Davidson?W: Sure, no problem. Just take care of yourself and don't worry about the class.Text 3 提议照顾孩子;42词,推理判断题M: Marie, if no one takes care of your children while you're away, Jennifer and I will be glad to have them stay with us.W: That's very kind of you. But they've already left for their Grandma's. You know, Suzy lives close by.Text 4 暴风雨来临前証回家;36词,推理判断题M: Hurry up with your food, Sally. They say there's a big storm coming. We'd better get home before that.W: Okay, I'm done. Let's get back to the car. Could you carry these shopping bags?M: Oh, sure.Text 5 除去厨房异味;44词,主旨大意题M: We deep fried fish three days ago in the kitchen, but the unpleasant smell stays.W: There is a method you can try. Every time you make coffee, dry the leftover coffee grounds and keep them in small bowls, then place the bowls in the kitchen.第二节Text 6(6-7)对论看球赛:79词,事实细节题*2W: Are you a football fan, Gomez?M: Yes. I go to the stadium whenever there is a good game. And if I can't get a ticket, I watched the game on TV. That way, they are less exciting, though.W: Is the ticket expensive?M: It depends. It usually costs about 20 to 50 dollars. Last time I paid 25.W: That's not very expensive. Maybe we can go together some time.M: Great. It'll be more fun to watch the game with a friend.Text 7 (8-10)谈论下午做了什么;121词,事实细节题*3W: You were out the whole afternoon, Alex. What did you do?M: I took a walk by myself.W: You just kept walking and walking for 4 hours?M: Actually, it's not so boring. Walking in the woods is a grand adventure. Your feet can take you to the most amazing places.W: What do you do in the woods?M: I smelled the flowers, looked at the birds. And yeah, I pitched many tree leaves. I will make bookmarks with them. Look!W: Aren't they beautiful?M: Then I met Bob at the lake. He was fishing while his kids were having a swim.W: Did you talk to him?M: No, I walked on and took a lot of pictures. There's just somuch out there to see.Text 8(11-13)假期过得怎么样:168词,事实细节题*3W: David, how was your holiday?M: Great, I climbed Mount Fuji. It was really beautiful. Now I can check one more thing off my list.W: Your list?M: Yes. When I was 12, I made a list of things I wanted to do some day.W: That's interesting. How many of the things on your list have you done so far?M: Almost half. I have pictures. Would you like to see them?W: Yes, sure.M: Here I am on top of Mount Fuji. And here I am in a hot air balloon.W: When did you do that? I've always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon.M: It was two years ago, in August, in California.W: What are your plans for the next holiday?M: I'm thinking of deep-sea diving in Australia. Do you have anyother suggestions?W: You really ought to take a boat down the Amazon. You'll see a lot of interesting animals and beautiful trees. It's one of the best places I've been to.M: OK. I'll put it on my list.Text 9(14-17)接同事开会;161词,细节*2+推理判断*2W: Hello, Michael.M: Hi, Sarah.W: Are you attending the conference tomorrow morning at the Shelton Hotel?M: Yes. Are you?W: Yeah, but when I arrived home five minutes ago, I found that my car wouldn't start. And John is in Brighton on business.M: Do you know what's wrong with the car?W: I'm not exactly sure. I think there is a problem with the engine. Err… I wonder if you could give me a ride to the hotel tomorrow morning.M: Sure. When shall I be at your place?W: Well, what about 8:00? From my place to Shelton, we haveto drive through the quarters, so we'd better leave early to avoid the traffic.M: OK. No problem. It takes twenty minutes to reach your place. So I'll set off at 7:40. By the way, do you also need me to drive you home tomorrow afternoon?W: No, John will be back then, and he'll get me home. Thank you, Michael.M: That's okay. See you tomorrow.Text 10(18-20),练习发音的建议;163词,事实细节*3W: Hello, everyone. Today I'll talk about how to improve your pronunciation. Language researchers say pronunciation and fluency are the biggest barriers, followed by grammar, in effective spoken English. However, most people don't regard pronunciation as a very important part of communication skills. They're more focused on vocabulary. One reason is that most people are not even aware of their mispronunciations. So it's important to first find out the words you mispronounce. You should listen to experts, by experts, I mean those who are less likely to make pronunciation mistakes. When listening to them, pay attention to words that sound strange,strange because you pronounce the same words differently. When you come across such words, check a dictionary to confirm their exact pronunciations. You can also search for difficult-to-pronounce words and names, and make a list of them. The last suggestion is to read aloud. Now you've got the correct pronunciations of the words, it's time to practice reading them every day.第一部分听力第一节听下面5段对话。

华研外语英语二阅读120篇怎么样

华研外语英语二阅读120篇怎么样

《华研外语英语二阅读120篇》的优点与不足之处
以下我个人对《华研外语英语二阅读120篇》的优点和不足之处的看法:
【优点】
1. 精选文章:这本书选取了大量的优质文章,涵盖了社会、经济、科技、文化等各个领域,有助于学生了解不同主题的背景知识和语言表达方式。

2. 解析详细:每篇文章都配有详细的解析,包括重点词汇、短语、语法知识点以及文章结构的分析等,这有助于学生更好地理解文章,同时也可以增加学生的词汇量和语法知识。

3. 题型丰富:这本书包含了多种题型,如选择题、判断题、填空题等,可以帮助学生适应不同的阅读理解题型,提高答题技巧。

4. 难度适中:华研外语英语二阅读120篇的难度比较适中,既不过于简单,也不过于困难,适合大多数学生的水平。

【不足】
1. 文章数量较多但重复率较高:虽然这本书包含了大量的文章,但其中一些文章的题材和主题比较相似,有些文章的语言难度也比较类似,因此学生可能会在某些文章上花费过多的时间和精力,而忽略了其他更重要的知识点。

2. 部分解析不够详细:虽然每篇文章都配有解析,但有些解析的内容并不够详细,学生可能还需要查阅其他资料才能更好地理解文章中的某些难点。

3. 个别答案存在争议:有些题目的答案可能存在争议,学生可能会对某些答案产生疑问,需要查阅更多的资料或者询问老师才能得到正确的解答。

【总结】
总体来说,华研外语英语二阅读120篇是一本比较实用的阅读练习册,可以帮助学生提高阅读能力和答题技巧。

但是,由于每个人的学习情况和需求不同,因此建议学生在使用这本书时要有选择性地进行练习,同时也要结合其他资料进行全面复习。

华研外语听力1000题难度

华研外语听力1000题难度

华研外语听力1000题难度摘要:I.引言- 介绍华研外语听力1000题- 阐述该题库对于提高外语听力的作用和重要性II.听力练习的重要性- 说明听力在语言学习中的地位- 强调听力练习对于提高外语水平的重要性III.华研外语听力1000题的特点- 介绍华研外语听力1000题的内容及难度设置- 分析题库的优点,如题型丰富、针对性强等IV.如何利用华研外语听力1000题提高听力水平- 建议学习者采取有针对性的练习方法- 说明通过不断总结、反馈和调整来提高听力技能V.结论- 总结华研外语听力1000题的价值- 鼓励学习者积极利用该题库提高外语听力水平正文:随着全球化的发展,外语听力能力的重要性日益凸显。

作为国内著名的英语教育品牌,华研外语推出的听力1000题为广大外语学习者提供了一个优秀的练习平台。

本文将围绕华研外语听力1000题的难度及如何提高外语听力水平展开讨论。

首先,听力在语言学习中的地位举足轻重。

语言学家们普遍认为,听、说、读、写四项技能中,听力和口语是相辅相成的。

只有通过大量的听力输入,才能更好地掌握语言的语音、语调、节奏等要素,从而提高口语表达能力。

同时,良好的听力能力对于提高阅读和写作水平也具有重要意义。

其次,华研外语听力1000题具有很高的实用性和针对性。

该题库涵盖了各类题型,如短对话、长对话、短文听力、篇章听力等,帮助学习者全面提高听力技能。

同时,题目难度分级设置,满足了不同学习阶段的需求。

此外,华研外语听力1000题紧跟时代潮流,选取了大量真实场景和语境,让学习者在轻松愉快的氛围中提高听力水平。

那么,如何利用华研外语听力1000题提高听力水平呢?首先,学习者要根据自己的实际水平选择合适的题目,避免盲目练习。

其次,要有计划地进行听力训练,每天坚持练习一定数量的题目,形成良好的学习习惯。

此外,要及时总结自己在听力练习中的问题和不足,并通过反馈和调整不断改进。

总之,华研外语听力1000题是一款非常实用的听力训练工具,对于提高外语学习者的听力水平具有重要作用。

华研听写120篇-30篇基础篇

华研听写120篇-30篇基础篇

Passage 1College LifeAmerican college and university students who live away from their families/ are generally housed in dormitories at least for their first year. / Men and women often live in the same building, / though they may live on separate floors. /Some dorms have a theme, like an international house, / where students can lean about other cultures. / In language houses, students try to avoid speaking their native language. / The idea is to lean a different language. /Colleges and universities often have many clubs that students can join. / These include political, religious and service clubs, / as well as groups for activities like singing, dancing, cooking, even leaning how to play magic. / Schools may also have internal sports clubs. / These are for students who do not play for a school team / but want organized sports with other students. / And schools will often recognize a new club or activity if enough students are interested. /Passage 2Names in AmericaMost parents in the United States give their babies a first, middle and last name when they are born. / The last name is generally their family name. / First names are a different story. / Some children's names are also the names of cities, plants or flowers. / Religious names from the Bible are also common. / Americans even choose names from other countries. / Americans are interested in the names / that famous actors, entertainers and athletes give their children. / Some famous people like names that have been around for many years. / Last names as first names are also popular. /Middle names have become important because many famous people use them. / A middle name is also a way for parents to honor a family member or hero. / Some parents give a girl a boy's middle name. / Some American women use their former last name / as middle name after they marry. /Passage 3The Space RaceThe space race between the United States and the former Soviet Union began in October of 1957, / when the Soviets launched the first man-made satellite into orbit around Earth. / Weeks later the second satellite was launched. /Their success added to the tensions of what was known as the Cold War, / which manypeople worried could lead to nuclear war. / And it pushed Americans to work harder to reach outer space. / Three months later, the United States launched its own satellite. / Then, in 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first person into space. / An American astronaut followed less than a month later. /The space race continued. / The finish line was the moon. / And it was reached when the crew of American spaceship landed in 1969. / Today, there is cooperation between the Russian and American space programs. / Astronauts share duties on the International Space Station. / And other countries are expanding their space programs. /Passage 4Summer for College StudentsCollege students spend their summers in many different ways. / Many students work hard at Summer jobs. / They realize it can be difficult to balance college classes and a job during the school year. / Summer is a good time to save up some money. /Restaurants, swimming pools, stores and other businesses are always looking for hardworking students. / Some students get jobs in the field they hope to enter after college. /The experience gives students a taste of the world outside of college. / Other college students choose to take summer classes. /Instead, they take just one or two. / The extra classes can help students to get ahead in their studies. /However, summers are not all work. / Students spend time with friends, go to a movie or take a trip. / A relaxing day under the summer sun / will help students forget a]l about tests and studying' /Passage 5The English LanguageEnglish is the most widespread language in the world /and is more widely spoken and written than any other language. / More people are trying to lean English in the world. / English is the language of political negotiations and international business. / It has become the international language of science and medicine. / International treaties say passenger airplane pilots must speak English. /English is the major foreign language taught in most schools in South America and Europe. / School children in the Philippines and Japan begin learning English at an early age. / English is the official language of more than 75 countries / including Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa. /In countries where many different languages are spoken,/ English is often used as an official language to help people communicate./ India is a good example./ English is the common language in this country/ where at least 24 languages are spoken by more than one million people./Passage 6DatingDating is the traditional first step toward marriage. /But dating and establishing a relationship can be hard work. . /So a lot of people want to go where they can meet people with similar interests. /They might look for someone/ who share a common interest in religion or books, for example. / A lot of bookstores now have places that serve coffee and food. /Many offer special programs and social activities for single people. /Singles may join health clubs, or sports teams or maybe even a group for people who like to take long walks in the wood. /If nothing else, at least they will have gotten some exercise. / Some people use dating services, /which help people choose a person they might like. /Many newspapers and magazines publish message/ from people who are seeking someone to date./ There are also telephone dating services, video dating services and online dating services./Passage 7National Spelling BeeEvery year, the best young English language spellers from around the world / gather in Washington, D.C. for the National spelling Bee. / They spell complex words / that most English speakers have never even heard of'. /The national spelling bee takes place over two intense days of competition in a large hotel meeting room. / The spellers sit together in front of several judges./ Each speller stands when it is his or her turn. / When the judge calls out the word, / spellers can ask for help. / They can ask for the definition of the word or for it to be used in a sentence. / They can also ask which language the word came from. / This can often help them decide how it is spelled. /Students who spell the word correctly remain in the competition. / But if the speller makes a mistake, / a bell rings and the child must leave the group. /Passage 8SalesWhen a store sells goods or services at a cost lower than usual, it is called a sale./ Sales last for a limited time. / Then the cost is retuned to its usual amount. /There are many kinds of sales. / For example, a “back-to-school sale” is held near the beginning of the school year. / Parents can save money on clothes and school supplies for their children. / A “midnight madness” event Starts very late at night. / An “early bird special” sale starts very early in the morning, /usually before the sunrises. /This kind of sale is popular the day after Thanksgiving in Novembe r. / A favorite sale among many people is the “buy one, get one free,” sale. / You buy one thing and get a second one with out cost. / Another kind of sale is a “going out of business” sale. / This is when a store owner tries to sell all the goods in the s tore / before closing the business permanently. /buy one, get one free买一送一permanently 永久地Passage9Test of English as a Foreign LanguageIt is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, / recognized by more than 8,000 colleges and universities in more than 130 countries. / It is called TOEFL, which stands for Test English as a Foreign Language. / TOEFL is an important test for foreign students who want to study America. / More than 4,000 American universities and other schools / require students seek admission to take the test. / Each year, nearly a million individuals of all ages take the TOEFL level to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. / It measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. / And it evaluates how well you combine your four skills, / listening reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. / There are two formats for the TOEFL test. / The format you take depends on the location of your test center. / Nowadays, most test takers take the Internet-based Test. / Test centers that do not have Internet access offer the Paper-based TestTOEFL 托福考试demonstrate 说明,显示evaluate评估;评价format形式Internet-based 基于互联网的proficiency 熟练,精通Passage10Heat StressThe most common health problem linked to hot weather is heat stress. / The causes of heat stress include wearing heavy clothing, / physical work or exercise, hot weather and high humidity./If several of these conditions are present at the same time, / a person's body temperature may rise above safe levels. /Most people suffer only muscle pain because of heat stress. / The pain is a warning that thebody is becoming too hot. / Doctors say those suffering muscle pains should stop all activity and rest in a cool place. / Doctors say not to return to physical activity for a few hours / because serious conditions could develop. /Some people face an increased danger from heat stress. / They may have a weak or damaged heart, / high blood pressure or other problems of the blood system. / Severe heat is also dangerous for people who weigh too much and have too much body fat, / and for people who drink alcohol. / humidity 湿度,潮湿Passage11Foreign Language Study in AmericaForeign language study starts at a very young age for many students in America. / Some students start language training at age six. / States do not require foreign language training this early in education. / But many students choose to study languages in elementary school. / The most popular languages for young students are Spanish, French and German. /Almost 7 million students in public secondary schools in the United States / are studying a foreign language. / Each state sets its own requirements for foreign language study / at the junior high and high school level. / Many students graduate high school with at least two years of foreign language study. / Some study a foreign language for four years. / There are different foreign language requirements at colleges and universities. / Some universities require students to have had several years of language education in high school. / In addition, many colleges and universities require students / to complete at least two years of foreign language study before graduating. /Passage 12Variations in British AccentsLanguage changes over time as people try to express themselves in different ways to different people. / And English, although broadly the same language, / is spoken in lots of different ways buy lots of different people. / Normally this is because people live far apart. / However, even in Britain, a relatively small place, / there are huge variations in the way people speak English. / And that is not to forget the large numbers of people who speak other languages as their first language. /Written English is much more fixed, / and changes much less quickly than spoken English. / People across Britain speak English using not only different accents, but different expressions. /For example, people of different ages and from different parts of Britain / may greet you with asmany different words. / As people migrate into Britain, and as people move around Britain more freely, / accents change more quickly. / However, most British people can guess where another British person from because of their accent. /broadly 广泛地relatively 相对地variation 变化,变体migrate 移居Passage 13Teaching AssistantsForeign students at American colleges and universities may earn money / after they successfully complete an entry-level study program. / Those wishing to continue their education could work as a teaching assistant, or T.A /A teaching assistant usually works about twenty hours each week. / Teaching assistants are paid to help professors teach students in entry-level study programs. /Generally, the professor gives a talk, or lecture, / to a large group of students one or two times a week. / The teaching assistant meets with smaller groups of students during the week. / The T.A. gives tests and reads any homework or reports the students may be required to write. / Teaching assistants also meet with students who seek help. / They attend teaching meetings / And some working with science professors help to organize laboratory equipment. / Most American colleges and universities must honor legal requirements / when employing foreign students as teaching assistants. / One of these is that the T.A. must speak English well. / entry-level入门级的legal requirement 法定条件Passage 14Open-source SoftwareOpen-source software is computer software / that is available to the general public in source code form. / If a person has enough knowledge about computers and computer programming, / he or she can change the program's source code. / The source code is like a set of directions that show the gram how to operate. /People change the codes so that the program will operate / in a way that will meet their needs. / Some changing the code will make the program run faster. / Or it will take problems out of the program. / These problems can cause a computer program to shut down. /People who change the source code of a computer program / share these programs with each other on the Internet. / Programmers enjoy being able to improve computer programs on their own. / They enjoy being able to ask other people on the Internet for help with their programs. / Working together, people can improve computer programs for the good of the group. /source code 源代码the general public 公众operate 运行shut down (机器)关闭on one's own 独自地Passage 15Party TimeAmericans plan parties for marry reasons. / As in other cultures, many Americans attend parties for weddings and religious and national holidays. / But some parties are especially American. /For example, a group of neighbors may gather on their street to eat food, play music and visit with one another. / This is called a block party. / A woman might invite a group of women to a party / called a baby shower for a friend who is about to give birth. / Guests bring presents for the new baby. /Birthday parties are also very popular. / Many parents organize a party for their child around a theme. / Rock star parties axe very popular for young girls and boys' / Birthday parties usually include gifts and a birthday cake with candles. / Birthday parties can be low cost or very costly. /Some parents take their children's birthday parties very seriously, / even when the child is too young to fully understand the celebration. /block party街头聚会give birth (to) 产生costly 昂贵的Passage 16TimeIf you can read a clock, you can know the time of day. / But no one knows what time itself is. / For all our success in measuring the smallest parts of time, / time remains one of the great mysteries of the universe. /One way to think about time is to imagine a world without time. / There could be no movement, / because time and movement cannot be separated. / A world without time could exist only as long as there were no changes, / for time and change are linked. / We know that time has passed when something changes. /In the real world with time, however, changes never stop. /Some changes happen only once in a while, like an eclipse of the moon. / Others happen repeatedly, like the rising and setting of the sun. / Humans always have noted natural events that repeat themselves. / When people began to count such events, they began to measure time. /eclipse(日,月)食rising and setting of the sun日出和日落Passage 17PatentPatents are meant to protect the chances of inventors / to make money from their creations. / The term of a patent is up to 20 years. / During that time, the inventor controls the legal right / to make, use or sell the invention. / After 20 years, anyone can make or sell the invention. /A patent gives both inventors and investors time to develop and market a product. / Patents also provide a way to share and spread technical information. /Suppose you have an idea for an invention. / How do you get a patent to protect your rights? / The first step is to record your idea on paper. / You must be sure no one else has invented a device just like yours. / So you must examine the descriptions of similar devices that already have patents. / This can be a big job and take a long time. / Many inventors pay patent lawyers to do this job. / patent 专利up to 到达……之多Passage l8Central ParkCentral Park in New York City is the first m4ior city park in America. / It contains more than 340 hectares of land. / The designer's goal is to make a beautiful natural environment / with lakes, woods and open areas for all the people of New York to enjoy. /About 25 million people visit Central Park each year. / These include people from other areas of America and from foreign countries. / Millions of people who live in New York love Central Park / as a place to escape from their small apartments in high-rise buildings. /Every day, people walk, run or ride bicycles along the paths in Central Park. / Others walk their dogs, play baseball, / row a boat on the lake or eat a meal on the grass. / Bird-watchers can observe more than 200 kinds of birds in the park. / Many people also use the park for special events. / For example, some people choose one of the beautiful natural areas in the park / as the perfect place to get married. /hectare 公顷special event 特别事件Passage l9Yard SalesYard sales do not have to be huge. / One family, or even one person, can hold a yard sale People simply collect some things they no longer want / and put them in the yard outside their home. / They might also place handmade signs on nearby streets to direct people to the sale. / Yard sales are a good way for people without much money / to find things for their family. / But even people with a lot of money like to look around. / Professional dealers might also go toyard sales. / If they find something valuable at a low price, they can re-sell it for more. / Still other people go to yard sales because they enjoy the hunt. / They like to find beautiful or unusual things / that are being sold for less than the value. / For example, they may find a piece of old furniture / that is worth a lot of money after it is repaired. /dealer 商人Passage 20Pressing Oil from SeedsOil is separated from seeds by using pressure. / A machine called a press is often used. / The first step in pressing the oil from seeds is to crush the seeds between two stones./ A cloth container or bag is filled with the crushed seeds. / Then the bag is hung up. / Some of the oil will flow out of the bag and can be collected. / But some oil will remain in the crushed seeds inside the bag. / The easiest way to get the rest of the oil out / is to place heavy rocks on the crushed material. / Another method is to place several cloth bags on top of each other in a box, / Then a long wooden stick is used to slowly push a heavy cover down on the bags' / Great pressure is produced in this way. / Much greater pressure can be produced by using a machine. / The greater the pressure, / the more oil will be produced. /seed 种子hang up 挂起来press 榨油机,压榨flow out of 从……中流出Passage 21University DaysBritish universities start in September or October. / Courses normally last 3 years, / but some, such as languages, engineering or medicine, can take much longer to complete. / Students usually go to university in a different town, / so they need to get used to living alone, paying bills and washing their own clothes! / For many, this is a difficult time, but everyone soon becomes used to it! /Universities in Britain used to be free, / but many students now have to pay for part of their course. / Similarly, students used to receive a grant from the government. / Nowadays, they have to apply for student loans or take part-time jobs. / Either way, it can be difficult and many students have money problems. /University life is not just about studying, however. / Many students take part in drama productions or play music. / Others, of course, take part in a wide range of sports, / such as football, rugby and cricket. /grant 助学金,补助金loan 贷款cricket 板球rugby 橄榄球Passage 22American Education SystemThe education system in the United States is controlled by state and local governments. / But education laws are similar in each state. / For example, in all 50 states and 6 territories, / all children must attend school from the age of 6 or 7 to the age of 16. / Public schools are free of charge for grades 1 through 12. /Private schools also operate in a1l states and territories. / Some private schools are operated by churches and religious groups./ Other private schools are not linked to any religious organization/. Private schools must be approved by the state in which they operate. / Most private schools do no receive government money. / The parents of private school students pay the school. /The school year usually begins in September and continues until June. / Most states require a school year of 180 days. / Some schools have changed this schedule / and require students to attend school throughout the year. /territory领土,领域Passage 23Universities in the USThere are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States. / Nearly half of the high school graduates in America go on to college. / Most go to large state universities. / Some of these universities have 40,000 or more students. / There are also many small universities with only a few hundred students. / Large universities have many buildings, / each building for a particular subject. / Students often must go from one class in one building to the next class in another building across campus. / They may have only a few minutes between classes to go from one building to another. /When students begin the university, they must take classes in many subjects. / These are the required courses. / English and math are usually required courses, / and often a history and a science course are required too. / Students will study mostly required courses during their first year. / Later, they will specialize, and take courses in one subject. /graduate 毕业生specialize 专攻state university 州立大学required course 必修课Passage 24Music in British SchoolsMusic plays a big part in British schools. / Pupils can learn an instrument at school. / Traditionally, school children learn classical instruments. / Younger children often learn the recorder. / As they get older, they start to play the violin or piano. / In fact, nearly one out of five music students is learning the violin. / The piano, or keyboard, is more popular with older children at secondary school, / However, more pupils than ever before are now learning the guitar, / as they think playing the guitar is cool. /British schools do not just offer lessons for instruments, / but they have music classes for all pupils. / In the past, the focus of classes was very much Western classical music. / But the classes now cover a far wider range of styles, including folk music and world music. / Many schools have orchestras and put on concerts each term. / It is also common for pupils themselves to form their own bands. /recorder八孔长笛folk music 民乐orchestra 管弦乐队Passage 25Summer School and Online ClassesIn the United States, summer school used to be seen mainly as a place / for high school students to repeat classes they failed. / But summer programs have expanded. / Students often go to summer school / so they can ease their class load during the school year. / Or it might give them more freedom / to choose the classes they want during the regular term. /Summer school students do the same amount of work / as if they took the class during the school year. / But they do it in just one to two months. /Another choice for many students is to take classes online. / However, some online classes require students to come to a classroom to take tests. / Students may also have to take part in group discussions with the teacher online. / And there may be a required number of hours to spend logged on each day. / Yet there may also be freedom to do the work anytime, day or night. / summer program暑假课程ease the class load 减轻学业负担regular term常规学期log on 登录Passage 26American MoviesAmerican Movies do not attempt to show the lives of all the people of the United States. /Many movies contain some truth. / But even a movie that deals with true subjects / represents the ideas of the person who wrote it, / the people who acted in it and the person who directed it. / Over the years, some Americans have tried to ban some kinds of movies. / These include movies that are violent or show people having sexual relations. / People have taken legal action to stop such movies. / But court decisions have said that the right to make any kind of movie / is protected by the part of the United States Constitution / that guarantees freedom of speech. / In the United States, people have the right / to produce a bad movie or write a bad book. / People who make movies try to provide entertainment and excitement. / However, entertainment are excitement often have nothing to do with the real world. /the United States Constitution 美国宪法Passage 27The Library of CongressThe Library of Congress is America's national library. / It has more than 120 million books and other objects. / It has newspapers, popular publications and letters of historical interest. / It also has maps, photographs, art prints, movies, sound recordings and musical instruments. / The Library of Congress is open to the public Monday through Saturday, / except for government holidays. / Anyone may go there and read anything in the collection. / But no one is permitted take books out of the building. /The Library of Congress provides books and materials to the United States Congress. / It also lends books to other American libraries, government agencies and foreign libraries. / It buys some of its books and gets others as gifts. / It also gets materials through its copyright office. / Anyone who wants copyright protection for a publication / must send two copies to the library. / This means the Library of Congress receives almost everything published in the United States. / of historical interest 有历史意义的sound recording 录音copyright protection 版权保护United States Congress 美国国会Passage 28TheatreIn many parts of the world, "going to the theatre" is seen as an activity / which only a very few people do. /"Theatre" is not often seen as being a pastime that many ordinary people do. / Ordinary people watch TV, or go to the cinema, / or go out to eat with friends. / The theatre is for rich, upper-class intellectuals. /Like a lot of obvious remarks, there is some truth in this. / Theatre tickets are quite expensive. /They cost more than cinema tickets. / Theatres which show new plays are usually only in big cities. /However, even though this is true, / there are a lot of theatre companies who are challenging this idea. / And the way they are challenging this idea is by working with schools. / In the UK, many theatre companies now have an "educational department". / They go into schools and help students to understand and e4ioy the plays they do. /intellectual 知识分子pastime 消遣娱乐upper-class 上层社会的remark /话语Passage 29GuitarProbably no other musical instrument is as popular around the world as the guitar. / Musicians use the guitar for almost every kind of music. / Country and western music would not be the same without a guitar. / The traditional Spanish folk music could not exist without a guitar. / The sound of American blues music would not be the same / without the sad cry of the guitar. / And rock and roll music would almost be impossible without this instrument. /Music experts do not agree about where the guitar first was played. / Most agree it is ancient. /Some experts say an instrument very much like a guitar / was played in Egypt more than 1,000 years ago. / Some other experts say that the ancestor of the modem guitar was brought to Spain / from the ancient Iran sometime in the 12th century. / The guitar continued to develop in Spain. / In the 1700s it became similar to the instrument we know today. /folk music民间音乐Iran 伊朗Passage 30American's Leisure ActivitiesLeisure activities include things like watching television, seeing friends or exercising. / Both men and women reported that they spent about half their leisure time watching television. / Visiting friends and attending social events / was the next most common leisure activity for both sexes. /The average adult spends almost two hours a day on household activities / like cooking, cleaning and paying bills. /Women spend more time on child care and housework than men do / even when the women are employed. / Men, however, spend more time at work. / Men also spend more time on leisure。

专四听写50篇 www

专四听写50篇    www

专四听写50篇Dictation 1 Superstition 迷信One person in four in Britain is, apparently, superstitious, and they'll do everything from hanging horseshoes ,touching wood and absolutely never walking under a ladder. And they're careful about cats. Black cats are supposed to be the familiars of witches, so if one is following you it's definitely bad luck a witch is after you! On the other hand, if one crosses your path and continuesthen it's good luck because it hasn't noticed you.However, in some places the beliefs are different - so it pays to know where your black cat comes from! Old superstitions linger even in today's modern world. The author Philip Pullman drew on them ,in his award winning novel "His Dark Materials".The novel, which appeals to both children and adults, has been adapted for radio and also the theatre.Dictation 2 Graduate Student 研究生Graduate students specialize in a particular field of study.They study to become experts in this field and to learn new advances in their fields while they earn an M.A. or Ph.D. Sometimes when they get an M. A. in one field,they begin studying another field. They hope that when they earn their graduate degrees they will succeed in finding important jobs. They hope to get jobs that are interesting and high paying. The life of a graduate student is often difficult. They are usually too busy studying to make a good living.Often they have to pay high tuition fees for their education. Some give up studying before they get their degrees. But most keep on working at their studies until they graduate. In today's world, most graduate students don't regret spending time with their studies. They are finding that new developments are occurring in all fields.For many graduate study has become a necessity.Dictation 3 April Fool's Day 愚人节1st April is a day to be careful, or you could easily get tricked by someone. It's April Fool's Day, a day when people traditionally like to try to make a fool of someone else and laugh at them. There are lots of theories surrounding the origins of the day,but one explanation is connected with the change in the calendar in the 16th century, which meant that 1st April]was no longer the beginning of the year. Those who still celebrated the New Y ear on 1st April were called fools. So what kind of pranks do people play on April Fool's Day?Well, there are lots of simple tricks that you can play on your friends. For example, you could wear a black sweater and pull a piece of white thread through it, so that people try to pull it off. Y ou could change the time on someone's alarm clock so that they're late for work.Dictation 4 Living Online 网上生活How do you meet new people, make new friends, or find out about the latest bands? Here in the UK young people have traditionally done their socializing in bars, pubs and clubs. However, there is a new generation growing up that finds it easier to manage their social lives on the net,using free websites like MySpace, Bebo or MSN Spaces. Welcome to the social networking website a place where you can present yourself to the digital community and meet other like-minded people. The most successful social networking website in the UK is .As of July 2006, MySpace is the world's fourth most popular English-language website, attracting almost 3 million visitors per month. MySpace claims to have 95 million members with 500,000 new members joining the community each week. So how has it become so successful?Perhaps its secret is in its simplicity. Each new member can build their own page simply uploading photos, videos and MP3 files. Dictation 5 Mother's Day 母亲节Does your mother know how much you appreciate her? Well, Mother's Day is the time to show her.mIt's a chance to say 'thank you', or to tell your mum how much you love her. In Britain, Mother's Day, or Mothering Sunday, falls on a different day each year, because it takes place a few weeks before the festival of Easter. But it is always in the early springtime, which seems appropriate, as the season when new plants emerge, and baby birds and animals are born.In the USA, Mother's Day takes place a little later, in May, and many other countries also celebrate their mothers on different days of the year. It began many years ago, when children, especially girls, as young as 10 would live and work away from home as housemaids and other types of servant. Mothering Sunday was a day when everyone was allowed to go to their home village or town, and visit their mothers.Dictation 6 Online Shopping 网上购物With only two weeks to go before Christmas,buying presents is a high priority for a lot of people. However, this year not so many people are leaving their homes to browse around the shops. These days lots of people can do their shopping in the comfort of their own home with the help of the internet.Online shopping is becoming more and more popular for a number of reasons; prices are often lower online, you don't have to queue up in busy shops and you can buy almost any product imaginable with just a few clicks of your mouse.Computer trends are often male-dominated but this year women are expected to do more shopping on the internet than men. It seems women are now more attracted to the convenience of online shopping than they used to be. Average spending online this Christmas by women will rise to 240 pounds compared to the slightly lower average of 233 pounds for men.。

华研2013年专四作文真题

华研2013年专四作文真题

华研2013年专四作文真题SECTION A COMPOSITIONMost of us,as students,are careful with our money in daily life:we collect all kinds of coupons(优惠券);we look for group-buy deals if we eat out or travel;we don't buy clothes unless in a sale.However,some people think that all this may not make us smart consumers.What is your opinion?Write on ANSWER SHEET THREE a composition of about 200 words.You are to write in three parts.In the first part,state specifically what your view is.In the second part,provide one or two reasons or your experience(s)to support your opinion.In the last part,bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or a summary.You should supply an appropriate tittle for your composition.Marks will be awarded for content,organization,grammar and appropriateness.Failure to follow the instructions may result in a loss of marks.SECTION B NOTE-WRITINGWrite on ANSWER SHEET THREE a note of about 50—60 words based on the following situation:Your former high-school classmate(Mathew or Grace)is coming to visit you in the dorm.But,you have got something urgent to do and thus cannot wait for him/her there.Leave a note on the door,expressing your apology and telling him/her how to find you.You must make clear where you are in the note.Marks will be awarded for content,organization,grammar and appropriateness.。

专四指南听写50篇华研外语

专四指南听写50篇华研外语

专四指南听写50篇华研外语【最新版】目录1.专四指南听写 50 篇华研外语的概述2.专四听写的重要性和作用3.华研外语的背景和特点4.50 篇听写的具体内容和难度5.如何有效地使用华研外语的听写材料正文一、专四指南听写 50 篇华研外语的概述专四指南听写 50 篇华研外语是一本针对英语专业四级考试的听力教材。

本书由华研外语编写,旨在帮助学生提高英语听力水平,以便在专四考试中取得好成绩。

全书共收录了 50 篇听写材料,覆盖了各种常见场景和话题,供学生在备考过程中进行练习。

二、专四听写的重要性和作用在英语专业四级考试中,听写是一项重要的测试内容。

通过听写,可以检验学生对英语语音、语调、速度的适应能力,以及对英语表达的理解能力。

因此,在备考过程中,进行听写训练是非常必要的。

听写不仅可以提高学生的听力水平,还可以帮助学生熟悉考试形式,增强应试信心。

三、华研外语的背景和特点华研外语是一家专业从事外语教育研究和教材编写的机构。

该机构拥有一支经验丰富、专业素质高的编写团队,所编写的教材具有很高的质量和权威性。

华研外语的教材特点如下:1.针对性强:针对英语专业四级考试,为学生提供实用的备考材料。

2.内容丰富:收录了大量的听写材料,涵盖了各种场景和话题。

3.难度适中:适合英语专业四级水平的学生进行练习。

4.实用性高:听写材料贴近实际考试,有利于学生熟悉考试形式。

四、50 篇听写的具体内容和难度本书共收录了 50 篇听写材料,内容涵盖日常生活、校园生活、社会话题等各个方面。

难度方面,这些材料既有简单的句子,也有稍复杂的对话和短文。

学生在练习过程中,可以逐步提高自己的听力水平。

五、如何有效地使用华研外语的听写材料要想有效地使用华研外语的听写材料,学生需要注意以下几点:1.坚持练习:听写是一项需要长时间积累和训练的技能,学生需要坚持每天练习,逐步提高自己的水平。

2.结合实际考试:在练习过程中,学生需要关注考试的题型和难度,以便更好地应对考试。

研究生英语听力练习1-8单元

研究生英语听力练习1-8单元

Unit1 ex 1A hobby is defined as an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure. An addiction is a recurring 反复出现的compulsion 强迫行为by an individual to engage in some specific activity. The word is also used colloquially to refer to some activity for which a person has an overwhelming passion. We usually think that hobbies are harmless and addictions are dangerous, because hobbies can make our lives more colorful while addictions inflict 造成physical or spiritual dependency on something to degrees that we cannot control. In reality though, the differences between hobbies and addictions can often be confusing.Most addictions begin as hobbies. Everyone spends time and energy on hobbies, but if excessive passion about a hobby affects one’s life in a negative way, it becomes addiction from which it is hard to escape.Unit1 ex 2Do you remember your favorite hobbies when you were a child? What do those mean to you? Luther, Sarah, and William are discussing their childhood hobbies.Luther: My hobby is stamp collecting. I started at the age of six, and I’ve been collecting stamps ever since. Stamps are tiny but amazing. They're miniature works of art, covering just about every subject you can think of. Sometimes stamps are worth more as they get older, and I guess that’s one of the reasons they are treasured by many collectors.Sarah: When I was a little girl, my friends were fond of dolls or cartoons, but I just loved yard work . My house had a big yard, which I regarded as my fantasy world. I helped my grandmother mow the lawn and spread fertilizer (肥料). Actually I was a little bit lazy in my schoolwork but never in yard work. Some of my friends said it was an activity that only retired people took. I didn’t mind. I enjoyed making my yard beautiful and I enjoyed sweating after a whole day's work. It's good for my health. Maybe I' ll spend most of my time in the yard after I retire.William: Transformers ! Optimus Prime擎天柱and Megatron! Those robots from the 1980s that would turn into cars and planes. That’s why I became a mechanical designer. Few people can claim to be as big a fan of Transformers as I am. I have an entire room in my house dedicated to them, over 700 Transformers from every generation, as well as many posters (海报) and tons of other collectible items. Transformer collecting is not just a hobby to me —they are a way of life.Unit1 ex 3Maria: Hello, everyone. This is Maria Wells. Every time the word "addiction” is mentioned , images of drug dependence, alcoholism and smoking come to mind. Buttoday, technology is breeding a new type of addiction which can be just as severe: Internet addiction. Here is our guest, Professor Luther Nicholson, a psychologist from Connecticut University. Good evening, Mr. Nicholson.Luther: Hi Maria. Addiction is not a word that should be taken lightly. Some argue that we are exaggerating concerns about Internet addiction. People don’t expect the computer and the Internet to be a problem.Maria: My colleagues here don't see it as a negative thing or something to be afraid of. They assume that web addiction is mostly a young persons' problem.Luther: No. My patients of web addiction vary widely in age. Our survey shows that millions of children and adults are now hooked, on what we call "Pathological Internet Use".Maria: Pathological? So it's really a disease.Luther: Absolutely. They use the web to the point where it can change moods or create negative consequences in relationships, financial situations or legal matters. Some online gamers play constantly, days in a row. Some spend days online murdering others in search of virtual possessions. Some remain isolated in their actual lives but only talk to strangers online to enter another life. Most addicts have a kind of fixation. They throw themselves into an imaginary world.Maria: And they will pay the ultimate price for their obsession(沉迷).Luther: Yes. And the price is always high and sad. Actually, we have had cases of suicide by web addicts. Their pastime turns into a costly habit. The Internet is a powerful technology. It creates access to all of the information on the planet. They're very powerful tools that can be abused.Maria: I get it. How can one know if one is addicted, Professor Nicholson?Luther: Take a break from your computer. Are you restless and frustrated? Do you wonder how many emails you’ve received? Take note of your behaviour, If you are feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, it may be time to monitor your Internet usage. Maria: I guess most of us are addicted to a certain extent. Thank you, Mr. Nicholson. Luther: Thank you.Unit2 ex 1With greater affluence and more leisure time, increasing numbers of people leave their homes to travel.The reasons that people travel are varied and numerous and usually more than just a desire to see other places.People leave their familiar surroundings to free their minds from the boundaries and pressures of work, to satisfy their curiosity, to try new experiences, and to increase their knowledge of the world.St Augustine, a wise philosopher of Hippo, said, " The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and join our trip to explore the world!Unit2 ex 2Fly away with us to your dream vacation place. Fly with International Airlines, and leave your worries behind.If you like mountain climbing, you can take our fabulous 2-week charter flight to Switzerland for only $850, including hotels and meals.Or perhaps you would rather relax on a beach in Bermuda, and enjoy swimming in the clear blue-green waters of the Altantic. Our special price until June Ist is only $ 579, for a marvellous 9-day vacation in the sun.If you are expedition, you can fly with International Airlines to the Amazon Jungle. South America is waiting for you. Our special excursion(远足旅行)fare(票价)for a thrilling 3-week expedition along the Amazon River, complete with an experienced guide, is only $ 1199, but hurry, this price can only be offered for a limited time.Don't miss a fantastic opportunity. The world is waiting for you. And the wild wonderful wings of International Airlines are waiting to welcome you aboard for an unforgettable vacation. Fly away with us. Fly away with International Airlines.Unit2 ex 3Philip: Hi, Lorraine! Did you have a good holiday?Lorraine: Hi, Philip! All right, thank you. We went to Spain.Philip: Oh? What was it like ?Lorraine: We enjoyed ourselves very much. The weather was fine and we just lay on the beach all day. I felt really marvellou s being thoroughly lazy for a change.Philip: Well, you're certainly looking brown. We toured around Italy. We saw a lot of interesting places. We ate spaghetti in Rome, drank coffee in Venice , and took a lot of pictures.Lorraine: Sounds terrific! What was the weather like there ?Philip: The sun was shining every day, but not as hot as in Spain, I suppose Fascinating country! I’d never realized how beautiful it was.Lorraine: Yes, I've always wanted to go there. What about you, John? Where did you go?John: Oh, I stayed at home and mow ed the lawn.Philip: That doesn't sound like much of a holiday.John: Well, with two small children, it's a bit of a problem to get away . Hotels are impossible and even camping’s is difficult, so we decided to stay at home and just go out for day trips.Lorraine: That sounds sensible.John: It's surprising how little one knows of one's own country. Do you know I’d never been to the Tower of London before?Philip: Are you serious?Unit3 ex 1Education is a basic human right. It is a means to enable the individual to gain access to knowledge, and to a better life in today’s complex world. Apart from that, education is also a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. The more we learn, the more we find out how little knowledge we have.Unit3 ex 2We usually think that school is the only place where people get an education. However, what we get from school is just a small part of what we learn. Education includes both formal learning at school and informal learning in society. So education is muchbroader than schooling.Education can take place anywhere, whether in the street or at a party. likewise, educators can be anyone, ranging from an elderly woman in the neighborhood to a young reporter on TV.The general patterns of teaching at school always remain relatively the same. Students arrive at school at the set time and take the assigned courses. The learning materials and the tests used at school are limited. We know what we can get from school education, but we can never give a full picture of what we can expect from education. For instance, while travelling if you have a chat with a local shopkeeper, you may discover more about local culture.Education starts from the moment a person is born. It lasts for a lifetime and becomes part of his/her lifeUnit3 ex 3Like most students at Fort Hays State University, Nola Ochs plans to spend some time reading and studying during this week's fall break. But she'll take time out on Wednesday to celebrate her 95th birthday.Ochs is living on campus while pursuing her degree in theology at the university. She has about 15 hours of classes to take next semester to get her bachelors’ degree.If she does it, Ochs will be The Guinness Book of World Records’ oldest college graduate. But it will also be the culmination of a lifetime of learning. She started at Fort Hays in 1930s, when it was known as Kansas State Teachers College. In the 1970s, she took classes part-time at a community college and completed a few virtual classes on the Internet before deciding to attend classes this semester.On Friday, her family and fellow classmates will throw her a birthday party. Her son Alan Ochs, flew in from Jetmore for the occasion. Her granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, didn't have to travel as far —she's in the same class as her grandmother. After the party, Alan Ochs will take his mother home for Thanksgiving break.“We’re happy to get her back home for a while, "he said. ‘We missed having her out there, especially through the fall harvest.”Though Nola is amused by her potential status as the world's oldest graduate, she said she's more excited about getting to walk at the graduation ceremony with her granddaughter.Unit4 ex 1We are often advised, “When in Rome, do as Romans do”.But do we really know local culture and customs?Is human behavior unpredictable? This is really a complex matter, and some of the complexities derive from an ignorance of culture.Culture may be defined as a set of shared ideas that characterize the way of life of a group of people.Culture is shared and acquired by any member of a society. It is so influential in our lives that it makes up the basis for science, religion, art and technology.Unit4 ex 2Components of CultureThe term culture has been defined in many ways. Howard defines it as the customary manner in which human groups learn to organize their behaviour and thoughts. I define culture as the way of life of a group of people. In that way, culture is in essence 本质上the moulder塑造者,形成者of human behaviour of a certain group. Culture has several major components.The first important one is material possessions, which refer to objects like books or clothes.The non-material component can be illustrated by the following parts: values价值观, norms准则, beliefs, emotions, attitudes, aspirations追求, laws, and symbols.The arrows in the figure图表point in both directions, suggesting that culture shapes these components.In turn, these aspects impact culture, which means culture is dynamic, always undergoing great changes.For example, people who share the same level of material possessions may have different values or beliefs. People who have similar beliefs may change the ways to express emotions. From birth to death, people are faced with cultural messages and change in these componentsUnit4 ex 3A recent survey shows that 95% of adult Chinese citizens write less than four handwritten letters per year. Two Chinese office workers, Huang and Zhao are talking about whether handwriting matters or not.Huang: Well, I' m a little bit worried about my Chinese handwriting skills. I use my computer to write e-mails and my cellphone to send messages. It's so easy to forget how to write Chinese characters.Zhao: Well, Huang, you are not alone in your worries. Last week, I was reading a postcard my father sent me. I was struck by how neat and clear it was. You know, he does not live with me, but his unique handwriting reminds me of my days with him. Sometimes, I wonder, will my son be impressed by my handwriting? My ugly handwriting!Huang: How can your handwriting be beautiful, Zhao, when we rely on computers, cellphones and other electronic tools to communicate? I am afraid that one day writing by hand will become very difficult because children may be unable to recall the stroke sequences笔划顺序to write some characters.Zhao: Quite possible. You see, traditional calligraphy draws less attention now. My teacher should have taught us more about traditional Chinese calligraphy. Huang: It's not the teacher’s fault. People now place less value on the importance of practicing calligraphy. They think computers can help people recognize and write characters.Zhao: Word processing has made it much easier to communicate, but Chinese handwriting is a tradition of nearly 4,000 years old. How can we abandon it? It's time to do something to help rescue the tradition of handwritten letters.Huang: Recently, an organization has advocated a movement entitled "Please Write Letters”, encouraging people to send more handwritten letters, to put pen to paper. In some companies, receiving a handwritten note is now seen as something of a compliment, for it’s more personal and sincere.Zhao: I hope that will work.Unit5 ex 1What would you do if you wanted to make a difference in the world —— the world in which so many people are in great need of help and care?Would you think big and pick the impressive act?Or would you quietly persevere each day, helping others, one act of kindness at a time, one person at a time?Many choose to devote themselves to true humanitarian causes.They believe that a person who gives great service also gets great returns.They believe the capacity to care is the thing that gives life its deepest meaning and significance.Unit5 ex 2In my recent travel to West Africa, I came to see how much in need so many people are/in this part of the world. Infectious disease and poverty kill more people than those who die in the continuing bloody conflicts. We live in a world filled withconditions that cry out for others to help.What can you do in a world that needs such help? Serving and volunteering, whether in your community or in a developing country overseas, is a wonderful way to fill real human needs. Being involved in serving others and true humanitarian causes can offer you experience and contact with others that will help you through the rest of your life. The biggest benefit is that you have a direct impact on helping other human beings. We should remember that serving the needs of the despondent of this world is a very worthy cause. Doing good, one act at a time, one person at a time, is an important part of being a light in a world of darkness and preparing for a greater cause in the future.Unit6 ex 1To love nature is to love mankind.However, much of our natural environment is now suffering from our human activities. For example, deforestation采伐森林, desertification荒漠化and pollution may be leading to global warming.This climate change and environmental degradation退化,降级is causing flooding, drought, storms, loss of species and disease, which are having an increasing impact on our lives.If the present damage to our natural environment continues, mankind could be committing a painful global suicide.In the 4th century BC, Zeno, the Greek philosopher said, " The goal of life is living in agreement with nature. "Today many people are reconsidering his words.In this unit we will consider how we may all help to make the natural environment a safer place in which to live.Unit6 ex 2Ice-storm Numbers Tell Chilling TaleIn January 1998, three successive连续的storms dropped more than 4 inches of freezing rain areas of New England and southern Canada.About 100000 people had to take refuge避难in shelters, while the Red Cross raised more than $10 million to help the victims.The ice brought down more than 1000 power transmission 电力传输towers and 30000 wooden utility poles电线杆.Nearly 1.7 million customers lost their electricity, in some areas for weeks.More than one-third of all farmland in the region was affected.Nearly 5.3 million sugar- maple trees were in the path of the storm, and it may take 30to 40 years for maple syrup production to return to normal.The hardest hit were dairy乳制品farmers, as nearly one-quarter of Canada's cows were subjected遭受to the storm.The ones that survived may never reach their previous level of production. Furthermore, 2.5 million gallons of milk, valued at more than $5 million, had to be dumped丢弃because there was no electricity.Unit6 ex 3Andrew McTagger is the director of a zoo located in a large North American city. In this interview he explains the type of work that is done in today's zoos.Tony: I’m Tony Brown from the local newspaper. Now, what was the purpose of the first modern zoos?Andrew: Well, those zoos were the only places where people could really see wild animals.Tony: And today that’s changed, right?Andrew: well, on the one hand, zoos are still the places for people to see live wild animals up close(近距离地). Seeing an animal touches people, especially young people. Most zoos today have great educational exhibits. On the other hand, now we can watch TV programs about animals living in the wild.Tony: Do you think zoos are good places for wild animals to live in?Andrew: Well, in some cases, yes. You see, we can build better cages笼子, or enclosures, for the animals. In the bear’s enclosure, for example, we recreate the forest with different kinds of plants, tree trunks, rocks, and waterfalls.Tony: Do you think the animal feel as if it were right at home?Andrew: No, probably not, but we try to do as much as possible. We create places where they can be private and hide away from people. We put in big rocks with spaces to crawl into(爬进去), or trees to go behind.Tony: What is the most important job for today's zoos?Andrew: conservation work.Tony: What do you mean by that, saving animals?Andrew: Exactly. We can help animals endangered in the wild to reproduce safely in zoos. Then we can return these animals to the wild.Tony: Is this an important job for zoos?Andrew: It's very important. Don't forget it's estimated that about 200 to 300 animals in the wild become extinct every year, and that number is increasing rapidly. I think zoos play an important part in saving animals from extinction. This is the future role of zoos.Unit7 ex 1Nowadays an international mania for celebrity worship is surging across the continents.Whenever we flip快速地翻过through newspapers and magazines or watch television, stories about celebrities capture our attention.Indeed, an increasing number of us are becoming fascinated with celebrities, and this fascination is perhaps sometimes a substitution for real life with the focus on celebrities replacing the focus that should be on our own lives.Unit7 ex 2This is Charlotte. She was born just a few hours ago. Like most of us at birth, there’s really nothing to her : a bit of fat, a little sugar, a bit of protein蛋白质; actually she's 75 per cent water. She’s really a collection of chemicals.And yet, she's the most complicated thing on Earth; and during her lifetime, she’ll achieve the most amazing things. She’ll eat for nearly three and a half years, consuming 7,300 eggs and 160 kilograms of chocolate.She’ll crawl爬行150 kilometers before she's two. From then on, she'll learn a new word every two hours for the next ten years.By the time she’s ten, her heart will have beaten 368 million times. She’ll spend a little over 12 years watching TV and two and half years on the telephone.During her life, she'll fall in love twice. If she gets married, there’s a 60% chance she’ll stay married to the same person for the rest of her life.And her chance of becoming a celebrity is less than 0.01%.Unit7 ex 3Reporter: Mr. Brosnan, you have said the past year was one of the most exciting of your life. Why?Brosnan: It's certainly been one of the most memorable years. There've been many productions. Production of a child. Production of a marriage. Production of films. It's been a celebration of life in every sense of the word(从任何意义上来说,不折不扣地). One of my old teachers used to say, "nothing comes from nothing. "After a lot of hard work, there's great happiness.Reporter: Die Another Day《择日而亡》is your fourth James Bond movie. How do you keep your enthusiasm for the role?Brosnan: I grew up on James Bond movies. And I have had the time of my life playing this role. You show up because you want to be the best, because Die Another Day is the 20th 007 film, because it brings great pleasure to people around the world, and— I don't know—just because I love it.Reporter: Does your son like your Bond movies?Brosnan: You mean my second son Dylan?Reporter: Yes, how old is he now?Brosnan: He's about five, and what Dylan really loves is motorcars.Reporter: Oh, did he see your acting?Brosnan: He came to the movie set one day. The setting was the bad guys’ headquarters and the bad guys had all these fancy cars— Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Dylan saw Dad run through 500 bad guys and bullets and bombs, with cars hitting each other and helicopters exploding, and jump into a boat and punch the bad guys out. Reporter: How did your son react?Brosnan: I looked across the set, saw my son and thought, “This is fantastic; my boy is here. I play my best 007 role, run across the set, don't trip, don't get blown up”. During the break, I asked my son," What did you think of that, Dylan? Did you like that? " He looked at me and said, “Dad, are the cars all right? Can we go and see the cars”?Unit7 ex 4Coco ChanelFrom her first hat shop, opened in 1912, to the 1920s, Coco Chanel rose to become one of the major fashion designers in Paris, France.Replacing the rigid traditional styles of women’s clothes with comfort and casual elegance, her fashion themes included simple suits and dresses, women’s trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.Chanel was a woman of ambition and determination. She introduced simple, elegant, relaxed and functional clothes that expressed the aspirations of women in the 20th century.She borrowed ideas from men's clothes and created clothes for modern women. Chanel's suits fit in with women’s changing lifestyles. They were not just trendy fashion, but a symbol of the new woman.Chanel said, " I make clothes women can live in, breathe in, feel comfortable in and look younger in.”The concept of her designs was exactly the opposite of high fashion in the past.Her unique sense of fashion also guided her jewellery designs. She combined real and imitation gems.Her famous perfume Chanel No.5 was an instant success and has remained highly popular ever since its introduction into the market.Coco Chanel was an inspirational person. She broke away from the traditional forms of women’s clothes, and contributed to a change in a woman’s sense of self through her clothes.Unit8 ex 1What is science and technology? Why are we so obsessed with the mystery of science and technology? Of course, it would be impossible to give one simple, well-accepted reason why every generation studies it. However, there is something fascinating about it, given it can change the world and the way we live, for good or bad. All our desires be realized with the help of science and technology. After so many years of engagement with science and technology, we have begun to realize that it is like a double-edged sword, which can help us discover what we want, while cutting our fingers at the same time. Whatever science and technology brings to us, people will never stop or hesitate on the road of scientific and technological exploration.Unit8 ex 2Essential Characteristics of ScienceEveryone has some notion about what "science" is, and we are all somewhat familiar with the world of science. Rarely does a week go by without a new scientific study or discovery being reported in the media.Science investigates natural phenomena of every sort —from the physical to the biological,from the psychological to the social. Judging by its subject matter, then, science is the study of very nearly everything. We cannot divorce the nature of science from its daily practice. Science is both practical and theoretical. Whatever the subject is, science is guided by natural law. It has to be explanatory and verifiable.Thus, to understand just what science is, two different perspectives are required. First, one must explore why scientists study what they do. Second, one must understand the way in which scientific inquiry is conducted, no matter what its subject is.Unit8 ex 3Charles Cookstone: Today we’ll talk about identity theft in America. None of us ever want to believe that others could ever guess our computer passwords. But the sad truth all too often is, you give an expert a few details about your life, and a few minutes later, they will be able to use your credit card. Bob, tell us what had happened to you.Bob Sullivan: I received a legitimate合法的email from Paypal, an online payment service. They asked for my user name and the password, and I gave it out. But it turned out it wasn't PayPal, it was a scam. They got into my Paypal account.Charles Cookstone: So they only stole information on your payment service?Bob Sullivan: I'm afraid not. They got all my account and insurance information, for whenever I buy on the Internet, I use the same user name and the same password. Charles Cookstone: Internet security experts say millions of Americans are vulnerableto identity theft like you because they use only one password for multiple accounts. Hackers count on that pattern.Bob Sullivan: Yes, I got to know that later. My password seems to be the passkey to my whole world for all those who want in.Charles Cookston: Sure, here, let’s just type “password cracker" into Google, and will get all sorts of results. Some are written by good guys, and some are written by bad guys. Tons of sites are devoted to figuring out what people's passwords are.Bob Sullivan: That's terrible. Some suggest that I protect myself by using longer passwords, ones that combine numbers and letters. Another effective approach, don't use your real name when you log on, make one up.Charles Cookstone: That's a good idea. Remember to use different passwords, which means more protection for you and your identity. Thank you very much, Bob.Bob Sullivan: Thank you.。

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Passage 31Educational TechnologyHow do American schools use educational technology? There is not a simple answer. It depends on the subject and level of students, of course. But it also depends on the interest and training of the teachers, and the goals and budgets of the schools. Schools are almost all connected to the Internet. But some have more technology, and use it more than others. For example, some schools use computers for activities like video conferencing, to bring the world into the classroom. And some classrooms are equipped with things like an interactive whiteboard. Interactive whiteboards are large displays for presentations. They connect to a computer and can operate by touch. They can be used for documents or writing or to project video. Some teachers are trying creative new ways to teach with devices like mobile phones. But educators say the most important thing is the content.Passage 32TOEICTOEIC, which stands for the Test of English for International Communication, measures the ability of people to communicate in the workplace using everyday English. More than 9,000 organizations use the test in more than 90 countries. Non-native English speakers take the test to demonstrate their English skills when seeking a new job or a promotion. Some organizations use the TOEIC to measure progress in English training programs and as a placement test. The cost of the test is set locally in each country. The TOEIC is really two tests. People can take one or both of them. One is a paper-and-pencil test, which measures listening and reading skills. The other test given on a computer measures speaking and writing skills. Eleven questions on the computer test require speaking. For example, the test taker is asked to read out loud or describe a picture. Eight other questions require written answers, including an opinion essay.Passage 33DictionaryA dictionary is a reference book that focuses on defining words and phrases, including multiple meanings. The most frequently used dictionary is a language dictionary that includes the majority of frequently used words in a language. Language dictionaries are made for different types of users: scholars, office workers, schools, and second language learners. There are many competing dictionaries put out by different companies. Not only do they have different forms - paperback, hardback, and online editions but they differ in other ways. Each company, for example, uses its own version of phonetic respelling based on the research done by its experts. Other differences between dictionaries show up in other features. Many dictionaries include their experts' guidance on grammar, usage, and the history of the language. Definitions differ slightly, and sample sentences may be the work of the editorial staff or taken from real-world usage, perhaps the first known written use./Passage 34Medical EducationIt is not easy to become a doctor in the United States. Students must attend a college or university and do well in their studies. Students who want to become doctors usually study large amounts of biology and chemistry in college. Some students work for a year or two in a medical or research job before they attempt to enter medical school. Once in medical school, students spend their first two years mainly in classroom study. They learn about the body and all its systems. They also begin studying how to recognize and treat disease. By the third year, students begin working with patients in hospitals. Experienced doctors who have treated many patients guide them as they work. During the fourth year, students begin applying to programs in hospitals for the additional training they will need after medical school. Competition to work at a top hospital can be fierce.Passage 35 The Graduation CeremonyIn American high schools and colleges, the last day of the school year is graduation day.The students who finish their last year in the school will graduate.The graduation ceremony is often in the school gymnasium. The people who come to watch the graduation are teachers, parents and friends of the graduates. Those students who will graduate will wear long robes and caps with square tops. The graduate who has the best record in school will make a speech. The school principal and other officials will also make speeches. Then each graduate will receive a a diploma or a degree which has his name and the name of the school. After the ceremony, students often chat with their teachers, friends and relatives who come to congratulate them. They take pictures of each other. They will show each other these pictures a few nights later at the graduation party. Graduation is a memorable event.Passage 6 The International Student Exchange ProgramThe International Student Exchange Program, or ISEP, was started in 1979. / ISEP is a group of colleges and universities around the world. / They cooperate to provide international educational experiences for their students.Students can study for up to one year in the United States / or any of the other countries involved. / They do not have to go through the usual application process to get into a school. / And they pay only what they would have to pay for a term at their own school at home.To take part in the ISEP program, / students must attend a member college or university. / Each school has an ISEP coordinator, / who helps students apply to the ISEP office in Washington, D.C. / To be accepted, students must have good grades. / They are asked to list up to ten choices of American schools they would like to attend. / Officials at the ISEP office then place students in the openings / offered in colleges and universities.Passage 37 Universitys' Grading SystemMost American colleges and universities use the grading system of A, B, C, D and F. An A is worth four points, a B three points, a C two points and a D one point. Getting a grade like a B-plus or a C-minus adds or subtracts a few tenths of a point. An F is a failing grade worth zero toward a student's grade point average. A small number of colleges reject the traditional grading system. They are organized into programs taught by teams of professors. Each program brings together different subjects and extends in length over two or three quarters. Students are required to do a major research project at the end of each program.The professors write detailed evaluations of the students. These are combined with evaluations written by the students themselves. Most teachers would probably agree that traditional grades are sometimes unfair. But professors at big schools say there is not enough time to write evaluations for each student in large classes. Passage 38 West PointWest Point is the four-year military school in New York State that educates future Army officers. The students are called cadets. They do not have to pay for their education. All student costs are paid by the United States Army. But the students do have to agree to serve on active duty in the Army for at least five years after they graduate. It is difficult to become a student at West Point. Only about 15 percent of students who apply are accepted. They must be nominated to the academy, usually by a federal or state lawmaker. Nominees also must satisfy the entrance requirements. These include excellent physical condition and high marks in school. West Point also accepts a limited number of international students nominated by their home government. They also must satisfy the physical and educational requirements. After graduation they return to their home countries to serve in their country's army. Passage 39 On-Campus HousingHousing policies differ from school to school in American universities.Some schools have limited housing or none at all.Dormitory buildings might house a small number of students or many hundreds.Some dorms have suites.A suite has several bedrooms, a common area and a bathroom.Other dorms have rooms along a common hallway.Two, three or four students might share a room.Males and females often live on different floors of the same building.Or they might live on the same floor, or in some cases even share a suite if permitted.But single-sex housing is usually also available.Different groups and organizations such as fraternities might have their own houses where their members live. And there is often housing for married students.Some dorms are nice, others are not so nice.But many students say they like the chance to make friends and be near their classes.Passage 40 Working While Studying in the USInternational students are permitted to work for the college or university they attend or for a business at the school. But the business must directly provide a service to students.You could work at the bookstore, for example, but not for a construction company that is building something on campus.Also, a foreign student cannot displace an American citizen in a job.Foreign students normally cannot take a job that has no connection to their school.But the government may give permission if students are suddenly faced with a situation that is out of their control. Examples include large medical bills, the loss of financial aid or an unexpected change in the financial condition of their source of support.Students must also meet other conditions.They must have attended their American school for at least one year.Government approval is given on a case-by-case basis.Students must re-apply after a year if they want to continue an off-campus job.Passage 41 Education 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 physical 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.Passage 42 Vocational 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 is much 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.Passage 43 Adult 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 costs 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.Passage 44 Father'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 advertisements 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.Passage 45 A Scottish New YearIf you're invited to a Scottish home on New Year'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! Passage 46 The 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 York City harbor.It is almost 93 meters tall,one of the tallest statues ever 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 York City celebrated with a huge parade.Since then, the Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of freedom for people all over the world.Passage 47 CheerleadingCheerleaders 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 competitions among 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.。

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