星火英语篇章听写50

Dictation1. What a Firefighter’s Job Is LikeThe damage that a fire can cause is obvious/ and this is why the firefighters’ jobs are so important../ Firefighters are usually the first ones responding to any type of emergency and perform many tasks, / which include putting out burning buildings,/helping out with medical emergencies, vehicle accidents and many other incidents./They must make sure their equipment is clean/and all the items they use are in proper working order. / Keeping their skills up to date is necessary. / Therefore, they will be continually trained with new equipment and techniques./ Because of the extreme conditions /and also the stress associated with the emergency situations that arise, /the firefighters definitely need to stay in shape for the work they must do. / They will stay in the fire station while on duty. / Unless they need to work on the trucks or respond to a call,/ they can eat, sleep, shower and watch TV at the fire station, just like at home.2. AliensFor a long time, aliens have often been in the news. / They have always been surrounded by mystery / and interest of people all around the world. / People have claimed to have been abducted by aliens. / Some have claimed to have actually seen them. / But is there a sound proof that can prove aliens to be real? / Alien sightings have mostly been accompanied by sightings of lights in the night sky. / Some of them have also believed that / the lights came from the spaceships used by the aliens. / Disk-like objects traveling across the sky / have often been taken as aliens’vehicles. / At times, people have found blood or hair at the locations / where aliens were sighted. / Researchers say alien sightings could have probably been a result of human imagination accompanied by fear, / and some of these sightings might have been a result of certain astronomical phenomena.3. Computer EyeglassesAs computers become a more and more vital part of today’s lifestyle and practices, / new medical conditions are developing as a result of their usage. / The most common to date is computer vision problems, / which include eye pain, tired and burning eyes, watering or dry eyes, eye strain. / One would never imagine that such a useful and innovative tool could cause so much physical discomfort! / As a result of these, science professionals seized the opportunity / to create computer eyeglasses to ease these common conditions / and make computer usage less painful and more comfortable. / The computer vision problems affect adults as well as children./ Although children normally have different requirements for near and distance vision glasses, / computer eyeglasses can be used universally for both groups. / Please note that near and distance vision glasses / should not be used as replacements for computer glasses. / They do not serve the same purpose, / and in some cases will cause more harm than good.4. Labor DayInternational Labor Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, / is scheduled for May 1st of each year. / It is a holiday in celebration of the eight-hour workday. / It evolved from efforts of the labor union movement / to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. / It is celebrated as a national holiday across many countries around the world. / The idea for a worker s’ holiday began in Australia in 1856 / but was celebrated on May 1st in 1886 in Chicago. / In China, Labor Day was extended to three days during the 1990s. / The Chinese government made it a seven-day holiday / by moving the prior and upcoming weekends together with these three days. / This holiday allowed millions of Chinese people to travel / or take other activities during this period. / However, China has reduced the Golden Week holiday down to one day in 2008, / while at the same time reviving some traditional holidays such as Mid-Autumn Festival.Passage Dictation5. Negative Effects of TelevisionSpending too many hours watching television wastes the precious time / that can rather be spent in fruitful and healthy activities like exercise or reading. / It also uses up the time / that you can rather spend with your family and friends. / Chatting with your near ones, spending time with your close ones / is a better way of spending time than watching TV. / People watching television, especially children and youngsters, / start identifying with what is shown on TV. / They relate to television shows and films to such an extent that / they get bored of living a normal and simple life. / They are eager for fame and money; / they long for living the lives of their favorite TV characters. / This may lead to a high amount of dissatisfaction for the real world. / As real life is the contrast of the life shown on TV, / such TV addicts become hungry for power, money and status.6. Family Life in IndiaFamily life is equally varied in Indian states. / India is a country with many states / in which people are from different cultures, and so on. / The languages, clothing, customs, and traditions of people are influenced by the respective regions they live in. / Most of the families in India are extended ones, / in which every member has his or her own role, often influenced by age and gender. / Children are cherished and considered as gifts from God. / Children can look forward to continual family support throughout their lives. / However, they are expected to respect their elders and parents, their wishes and family relationships. / The family structure in India is typical, / in which there are many wedding customs, / which have to be strongly followed by people. / Religion, social status, traditional practices, and regional differences influence family structures. / Indians are more emotionally attached to the members of their family. / Husbands and wives are not allowed to openly display their affection for one another.7. Society’s Influence on EducationSociety plays an important role in education, and influences it both positively and negatively. / Social inequalities and unhealthy educational practices are some of the negative influences of society on our lives. / Customs and traditions prevent certain sections of society from exercising their fundamental rights / and get in the way of the well-being of society, / shatter the basic ideas of education and social awareness. / Some social groups deny women’s right to education, / while others force children to work, / depriving them from a healthy environment / which is good to their growth and development. / Education is one of the basic human rights. / If social norms come in the way of social welfare, / it defeats the purpose of education. / Society is an entity that can’t be separated from us. / It is we who make up the society. / It is entirely in our hands whether to add value to our education or devalue it.8. Choosing the Perfect Hair ColorColoring your hair is one way to express your individuality. / Choosing the right hair color can be confusing / whether you want to cover gray hair or give yourself a new fresh look. / If you are clear about what you want exactly, / it can help while choosing the hair color that is right for you. / You can achieve the most flattering look, / if you consider your skin make-up and eye color. / Hair color that balances your complexion gives the best results. / For covering fray hair, you can select a shade close to your natural hair color. / Hair highlights are another way to improve your overall look. / Highlights can look fascinating and make an attractive impression. / They add depth and dimension to the base color or natural hair. / Different hair colors suit different complexions. / In order to choose a suitable hair color, / you need to identify the right combination.9. Traditional Brazilian ClothingBrazil is known internationally for its stylish and sophisticated clothing. / Brazilian clothes are comfortable, vivid, beautifully crafted and decorated with attractive laces. / Traditional Brazilian clothing is influenced by a combination of different races and immigrants from all over the world. / A true traditional Brazilian clothing can be seen in the countryside, / where men’s clothing includes shirt, jeans and dresses made from inexpensive cotton. / In the south of Brazil, the cowboys wear a distinctive dress including loose-fitting trousers, / while in the northeast region they wear coat, hat and leather trousers. / In the urban areas of Brazil, most people prefer modern clothing. / Young men wear jeans and T-shirts. / Short skirts and dresses are very popular among women. / Brazilian jeans are very common / and they come in a wide variety of styles and textures. / Jeans made for women are tight-fitting and loose-fitting near the feet. / Due to abundance of beautiful beaches, / beachwear is a very popular clothing in Brazil.10. Sunday SchoolSunday School is a practice designed to help children, after church, / to adhere to the path of justice and truth. / However, today, the approach is very unlike the older one / which forcused on the classroom-bound mode of interaction and reflection / on the values of Christianity and the Holy Word. / Now, children are being allowed to experiment with ideas / and develop a result-based resource base, / with the help of planned and directed effort. / Sunday School is now being held within and out of church./ The children and youth are allowed to interact with peers / outdoors, at picnics, workshops and camping. / This calls for a redress of security and safety equipment. / As a matter of fact, with activities such as these, / Sunday School security and safety is the concern of every parent. / And the safety and security of the children is the prime responsibility of the public.11. Spy Cell PhoneA spy phone is a mobile phone or a spy device / that allows a user to monitor and hear or record conversations and other activities taking place over the phone. / Spy phones can function in different ways. / They can be used as listening devices / whereby secretive conversations can be tracked. / They are popularly used by secret agencies to track criminal activities / that are carried out over networks. / They can be used for tracking periodic calls and recording the frequency of calls from certain suspicious numbers. / Also, they can be used for monitoring business and household activities / while the cell phone user is away. / Although spy cell phones have many positive sides, / they give rise to legal as well as moral concerns, / because spy cell phone software is easily available. / Cell phones are easily transferable to spy phones. / Their ready availability makes them subject to illegal use.12. Water PollutionWater pollution is an undesirable change in the state of water, / polluted with harmful substances. / It is the second most important environmental issue next to air pollution. / Any change in the physical, chemical or biological properties of water / will have a harmful effect on living things. / Water pollution affects all the major water bodies of the world / such as lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. / Polluted water is unfit for drinking and for other consumption processes. / It is also not suitable for agricultural and industrial use. / The effects of water pollution are harmful to human beings, plants, animals, fishes and birds. / Water problems in the future will become more intense and more complex. / Our increasing population will tremendously increase urban wastes, primarily sewage. / One the other hand, increasing demands for water / will decrease the amount of water available for dealing with wastes. / Due to water pollution, the entire ecosystem gets disturbed.13. Health Benefits of Red WineWe all know drinks containing alcohol are not good for health, / but when it comes to drinking red wine, / it is the other way around. / Recent studies have concluded that there are no negative effects on the body, / if red wine is not consumed excessively. / Certain compounds in red wine can play a very important role in protecting the heart. / I a heart-healthy drink that can be enjoyed during evening meals. / If you think that red wine is only good for the heart, / then you are wrong./ Studies have revealed that the substance found in the skin of red grapes, / can restrict cancer’s development. / However, the ideal consumption is not 7 to 8 glasses of red wine. / Scientific studies on the potential benefits of red wine recommend that women should not have more than one drink per day; / whereas men can have 2 drinks per day. / The word “moderate” is the key to maximize health benefits of red wine.14. How to Gain Fluency in Another LanguageTo gain fluency in another language, / many people will tell you the only solution is / to travel to a foreign country and immerse yourself completely. / This advice may be greatly appealing for some people. / But for the majority of people, this solution is both inconvenient and costly. / Thankfully, the Internet has brought us new and exciting options for communicating in another language. / To expand your vocabulary, try reading free articles and original books in another language. / To begin with, reading may be a slow and frustrating process / as you will have to stop to look up the meanings for many unfamiliar words. / Before you begin, find an online dictionary / that will offer you quick translations. / Hearing a language is the key to learn how to speak it. / Popular music downloading sites offer free audio files / that you can download and take with you wherever you go. / And most importantly, one must actually practice speaking the language.15. Benefits of Going to CollegeOne of the primary benefits of going to college / is being able to obtain a college degree. / A college degree helps you push your career in the right direction / and opens doors for good job opportunities. / The college years are filled with academic / as well as extra curricular activities./ The projects, the oral and practical exams and demonstrations that are parts of college education / help you build self-confidence and enhance your communication skills. / College education plays a vital role in the development of analytical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills. / These skills help you throughout life. / However, the most important benefit of going to college is / perhaps the environment it offers. / It gives you an opportunity to be a part of a huge group. / College education helps you develop skills of working in a team. / It gives you an opportunity to understand different points of view on different issues in life.16. Benefits of Becoming a TeacherBecoming a teacher gives you a chance to spend a major portion of your day with children or youngsters. / With kids around, you are a part of their world of innocence and purity. / It indeed creates a healthy work environment for you. / On becoming a teacher, / you get a chance to be with children laughing with them, / think their way and enjoy their innocently silly and healthily naughty behavior. / Apart from this, the nature of your job is such that / you do not work on weekends / and you get your share of holidays. / Becoming a teacher / entitles you for receiving private scholarships and sponsorships for teaching programs. / However, one of the most important benefits of becoming a teacher is that / teachers contribute to the shaping of the future generations. / They make a difference to society / by playing a vital role in nurturing young minds.17. Organic CoffeeToday many agricultural products are grown using organic methods / and coffee is no exception. / Organic products have a very minimal effect on the environment / because there is no use of pesticides and fertilizers. / All organic produces are certified to ensure that / their products are grown in such a way. / Organic coffee is a multimillion dollar industry / and each year the sales of this coffee are increasing. / Exports of organic coffee are up in most of Europe and North America. / Organic coffee is usually grown in many countries such as Africa, Asia and South America. / All over the world people have become organic coffee drinkers,/ but Americans consume the majority of it. / All organic coffee products in the USA are certified for quality. / The organic coffee is produced in a very specific way / and all operators are at random inspected to ensure that they meet US Department of Agriculture standards.18. The RiversThe rivers are formed when group of springs and streams, / which are known as headwaters / and having their origin in the mountains, / flow down to form a large stream or springs. / The stream bed of a river lies between the banks of a river. / The large streams are called as rivers / while the smaller ones are called as creeks. / The rivers form the major component of the water cycle. / The water in a river is accumulated from gathering of ground water / and also through the release of stored water in natural reservoirs such as icebergs. / Rivers have been one of the sources of food, water and transport since prehistoric times. / The rivers aid the cultivation of crops by supplying water. / Historians claim that shipping dates back to a very long time ago. / Rivers of the world are the major source of fresh water / and they maintain their own food chain.19. Environmentally Friendly CarsEnvironmentally friendly cars are supposed to be the vehicles of future generations./ Nevertheless, such cars exist now / and becoming more popular in the modern car market than traditional vehicles / which work on fossil fuels. / The advantages of such cars are not only in their lower harmfulness for the environment and people’s health / but also in the lower fuel costs. / However, their production is rather expensive, / so it is still a controversial point / both for the customers and the automobile manufacturers. / Although they are more expensive to buy, / they pay for themselves in a period of about 5 years / because they consume less expensive fuels./ The common types of environmentally friendly cars include electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars, crossbreed cars and solar cars. / And environmentally friendly cars have become the choice of many people / who decided to reduce the influence of burning fossil fuels on the nature.20. OverpopulationOverpopulation is the condition / where then number of organisms exceeds the carrying capacity of their habitat. / We are facing the effects of overpopulation in our daily lives. / Overpopulation has affected the life of common man / and has proved to be one of the most serious difficulties that have to be fought. / Overpopulation implies a shortage of resources and economic inflation. / Living through the negative effects of overpopulation / has made us realize serious problems associated with it. / It is high time we waken up / and found the causes of overpopulation and worked on them. / Generally, the causes of overpopulation include decline in the death rate, rise in the birth rate, migration and lack of education. / Not every nation is capable of providing its people with the adequate amount of resources. / The ever-increasing population will eventurlly fail to provide its people with the resources they need to thrive. / When the environment fails to accommodate the living beings that inhabit it, / overpopulation becomes a disaster.21. The Bottled WaterThe bottled water used can be sourced from public water sources, / and the purity and safety depend largely on the regulation of quality adopted within a country. / The regulation conducted and recorded ensures that / the bottled water’s quality is safe. / The label on the bottled water container or bottle accurately reflects bottle contents, / or at least it is expected to. / In many developing and under-developed nations, / these standards are variable. / This makes the safety of the bottled water controversial. / There is no doubt about the convenience of bottled water relative to boiling. / However, bottled water may provide a possibility to unsafe drinking water / only for those who can afford it. / The sales of bottled water have surpassed the sales of all other drinks, except some soft drinks. / And the bottled water companies make a good money / even though the popularity of bottled water has been criticized by environmentalist, economists and care-takers and –givers.22. Online EducationOnline education, or distance learning, has really taken on a life of its own in the past few years. / With the availability of the Internet, / it is becoming easier and easier to join one of the approved online colleges / and to get your degree online. / These colleges are spread out all over the world. / If you are truly getting your education online / then you don’t have to be in the same city / as if you were getting your degree locally. / You simply log into the classroom every day to get your assignments, / then you upload them in order to get your grade. / There isn’t even a need to meet the teachers or other students / and you can do it at any time of the day. / Therefore, it won’t interfere with your work schedule or your life in general./ And the great news is that employers are recognizing more and more that / an online education is a great way to go.23. Red WolvesRed wolves present a characteristic red colored fur / which is more obvious behind the ears and in the neck and legs. / Other than these parts, / the fur color of red wolves is brown with black shading in the back and tail. / Their big ears help them overcome hot and humid climatic conditions. / The average size of red wolves is 4 feet in length, 20 inches tall and weight about 45 to 80 pounds. / Generally, red wolves attain sexual maturity at the age of 22 months; / however, there are some species that attain within 10 months. / The breeding season of red wolves is during February and March / and their pregnancy period is about 2 months. / Females give birth to about 1 to 10 children one time around March to April. / The newly borns usually stay with their parents about two years, / after which, they spread around the wild. / The lifespan of red wolves is around 7 or 8 years in the wild / and about 15 years in captivity.24. The Earth DayOur Planet Earth has so much to give us. / From the beautiful natural surroundings to the rich types of creatures, / Planet Earth has loads of things to offer / that only make the life more beautiful. / However, have you given a thought to how many individuals actually respect this planet? / April 22nd is known the world over as Earth Day. / It is celebrated to create more awareness about our planet / and situations that we need to take care of / to ensure our Planet Earth is well loved and cared for. / As things are, we need to celebrate it on one day / to remind us of the responsibilities we need to handle in the coming years. / The importance of Planet Earth is something / that should be taught to children in their early years, at home and in the school. / Only then will the young and old alike, understand the issues / such as global warming, energy conservation and the importance of recycling.25. Car Alarm SystemCar alarm systems are basic ways to keep thieves away. / The first car alarm system was designed in 1896. / Nowadays every car is fitted with advanced electronic sound alarm system. / Though car alarm systems do not always stop the theft from happening but they do create troubles, / which act as alarms for both the owner of the car and the thief. / There have been innumerable cases / when in spite of the car alarm system being there, / the vehicle has been stolen, / because at times the car alarm system fails to understand what exactly is a car theft. / Experts are of the opinion that / nowadays thefts occur in spite of the alarm system being there/ because nobody bothers much about it. / People do not pay attention because alarm systems sound / even when there is a strong wind or a pet trying to interfere with the vehicle. / Moreover, thieves are designing newer ways to make new technologies that are being used failed.26. Domestic Violence and AbuseDomestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. / An abuser doesn’t play fair. / He or she uses fear, guilt, and shame to wear you down and gain complete power over you. / He or she may threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you. / Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. / Victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be men or women, / although women are more commonly victimized. / Except for the gender difference, domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate./ It happens within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and financial levels. / The abuse may occur during a relationship, / while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended. / Despite what many people believe, / domestic violence is not due to the abuser’s loss of control over his behavior. / Actually, violence is a deliberate choice made by the abuser / in order to take control over his wife or partner.27. Differences between Chinese and Western Eating Habits.There are great differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. / Unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, / in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. / If you are being treated by a Chinese host, / be prepared for a ton of food. / Chinese are very proud of their culture of cuisine （烹饪）/ and will do their best to show their hospitality. / And sometimes the Chinese hosts use their chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate. / This is a sign of politeness. / The appropriate thing to do would be to eat the whatever-it-is / and say how tasty it is. / If you feel uncomfortable with this, / you can just say a polite thank-you and leave the food there. / And you should never tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, / which can be very insulting to the host.28. Water PollutionWhen toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and other water bodies, / they get dissolved or lie suspended in water or get deposited on bed. / This results in the pollution of water whereby the quality of the water deteriorates, / affecting aquatic ecosystems. / Pollutants can also go down and affect the groundwater deposits. / Water pollution has many sources. / The most polluting of them are the city sewage and industrial waste discharged into the rivers. / The facilities to treat waste water are not adequate in any city in India. / Presently, only about 10% of the waste water generated is treated; / the rest is discharged as it is into our water bodies. / Due to this, pollutants enter groundwater, rivers, and other water bodies. / Such water, which ultimately ends up in our households, / is often highly polluted and carries disease-causing bacteria. / Agricultural run-off, or the water from the fields that drains into rivers, / is another major water pollutant as it contains fertilizers and pesticides.29. Listening SkillsCommunication with others involves learning listening skills. / It’s a good feeling when someone listens to you / when you’re talking to them. / It makes you feel like they care about you and what you’re saying. / The same respect should be given to people that are speaking to you. / Controlling the conversation or interrupting constantly with your views or suggestions / is not listening to the other person. / Listening closely and then responding at the appropriate time makes a good conversation. / Making comments at the correct time lets the speaker know you’re interested / and can help you stay centered on the conversation. / Asking good questions about the subject will show you want to know more about it. / Try not to ask too many questions with the word why. / People might not know the answer and won’t be able to respond to the question. / Always, let the person finish what they’re saying / before you talk about something else.。