专四听力passage11-15

专四听力passage11-15
11. Spy Cell Phones
①A 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. /②Spy phones can function in different ways. / ③They can be used as listening devices/ whereby secretive conversations can be tracked. / ④They are popularly used by secret agencies to track criminal activities / that are carried out over ne tworks. / ⑤They can be used for tracking periodic calls and recording the frequency of calls from certain suspicious numbers. / ⑥Also, they can be used for monitoring business and household activities / while the cell phone user is away. / ⑦Although spy ce ll phones have many positive sides, / they give rise to legal as well as moral concerns, / because spy cell phone software is easily available. / ⑧Cell phones are easily transferable to spy phones. / ⑨Their ready availability makes them subject to illegal use. (146 words)
12. Computer Eyeglasses
①As computers become a more and more vital part of today's lifestyle and practices,/ new medical conditions are developing as a result of their usage. / ②The most common to date is computer vision problems, / which include eye pain, tired and burning eyes, watering or dry eyes, eye strain. / ③One Would never imagine that such a useful and innovative tool could cause so much physical discomfort ! / ④As a result of these, science professionals seized the opportunity / to create computer eyeglasses to ease these common conditions / and make computer usage less painful and more comfortable. / ⑤The computer vision problems affect adults as well as children./
⑥Although children normally have different requirements for near and distance vision glasses, / computer eyeglasses can be used universally for both groups. / ⑦Please note that near and distance vision glasses / should not be used as replacements for computer glasses. /⑧They do not serve the same purpose, / and in some cases will cause more harm than good. (158 words)
13. Health Benefits of Red Wine
①We all know drinks containing alcohol are not good for health, / but when it comes to drinking red wine, / it is the other way around. / ②Recent studies have concluded that there are no negative effects on the body, / if red wine is not consumed excessively. / ③Certain compounds in red wine can play a very important role in protecting the heart. / ④It is a heart-healthy drink that can be enjoyed during evening meals. /⑤If you think that red wine is only good for the heart, / then you are wrong. / ⑥Studies have revealed that the substance found in the skin of red grapes, / can restrict cancer's development. /⑦However, the ideal consumption is not 7 to 8 glasses of red wine. /⑧S cientific studies on the potential benefits of red wine recommend that women should not have more than one drink per day; / whereas men can have 2 drinks per day. /⑨The word "moderate" is the key to maximize health benefits of red wine. (160 words)
14. How to Gain Fluency in Another Language
①To gain fluency in another language, / many people will tell you the only solution is / to travel to a foreign country and immerse yourself completely. / ②This advice may be greatly appealing for some people. / ③But fo r the majority of people, this solution is both inconvenient and costly. / ④Thankfully, the Internet has brought us new and exciting options for communicating in another language. / ⑤To expand your
vocabulary, try reading free articles and original books in another language. / ⑥To begin with, reading may be a slow and frustrating process / as you will have to stop to look up the meanings for many unfamiliar words. / ⑦Before you begin, find an online dictionary / that will offer you quick translations. /
⑧He aring a language is the key to learn how to speak it. /
⑨Popular music downloading sites offer free audio files / that you can download and take with you wherever you go. / ⑩And most importantly, one must actually practice speaking the language. (155 words)
15.Holidays in the US
①Like other nations, the United States sets aside a number of days each year / to commemorate events, people or public occasions. / ②These holidays typically are marked by a general suspension of work and business activity, / and by public or religious ceremonies. / ③Technically, the United States does not celebrate national holidays. / ④However, Congress has designated to legal public holidays. / ⑤During such public holidays, / most federal institutions are closed and most federal e mployees are excused from work. / ⑥Although the individual states and private businesses are not required to observe these, / in practice all states and nearly all employers observe the majority of them. / ⑦Since 1971, a number of these holidays have been fixed on Mondays / rather than on a particular calendar date / so as to afford workers a long holiday weekend. / ⑧Meanwhile, there are some US state holidays / particular to individual US states. (149 words)。