新世纪大学英语听力课本听力原文视听说4

Unit1 our earthAudio Track 4-1-2/Audio Track 4-1-3Blake: What are you working on, Mary?Mary: I’m finishing my paper. It’s due tomorrow, Blake.Blake: What’s the topic?Mary: It’s about Greenland.Blake: Greenland. Hmmm … that’s part of Canada, right?Mary: I think you need to study your world geography, Blake.Blake: Well, isn’t it near Canada?Mary: Yes, it’s off the coast of northeast Canada, but it’s part of Denmark.Blake: Oh, I didn’t know that. Well, what’s your paper about exactly?Mary: In my p aper, I answer the question “Is Greenland really green?” In other words, is Greenland covered by a lot of plants and trees?Blake: Is it?Mary: What do you think?Blake: Let’s see … Greenland is in the Arctic Circle —way up north. It’s cold, … so “Is Greenland really green?” I’d answer “probably not.”Mary: You’d be correct. It’s too cold there. In the north, a lot of the ground is frozen. The summers are short, so only the surface thaws.Blake: That sounds tough.Mary: It’s hard for the construction industry. It’s not easy to build in Greenland. Blake: It sounds so harsh. Why would anyone want to go there?Mary: There are big mountain ranges on the coasts. They’re great for hiking and outdoor sports. And there are lots of animals there. You can sometimes see whales swimming in the harbors.Blake: That sounds cool! OK, so if it’s not really a “green” place, why was it named “Greenland”?Mary: The first settlers wanted to attract other people. They gave it an attractive name. Audio Track 4-1-4/Audio Track 4-1-5Jay: Come in here, Elise. You should see this show!Elise: What is it?Jay: It’s called “The Titanic of the Sky.” It’s about the Hindenburg, a great engineering feat.Elise: The Hindenburg …Jay: You know, that giant zeppelin that crashed in 1934. Thirty-five people died. Elise: Oh yeah, I remember now. It was flying from Germany to the United States. It crashed as it was landing.Jay: Right. It’s so funny looking, don’t you think? It doesn’t look anything like the airplanes we have today.Elise: Th at’s true. Why would people ride in a zeppelin anyway? It seems so dangerous.Jay: Well, some people called the Hindenburg “man’s greatest achievement in flight.” They thought it was safe, I guess.Elise: Who rode in it anyway?Jay: Mostly wealthy people. It accommodated between 30 and 40 passengers and crew. One person said it was like a “flying hotel.”Elise: It sounds pretty great.Jay: Yeah, and it was fast. That’s why people rode it. They wanted to get to their destination faster.Elise: Why didn’t they just take a jet plane?Jay: Elise! You know they didn’t have jets back then. Look, in 1934 it took five days to travel from Germany to the US by ship. The zeppelin could do it in half that time. It was speedy.Elise: Well, maybe I’ll sit down and watch a little bit. Maybe I’ll learn something …A udio Track 4-1-6/Audio Track 4-1-7/Audio Track 4-1-8Jack: I think we should buy a bigger car. Big cars are safer.Kayla: Yes, but on the other hand, they consume more oil.Jack: They also look really cool.K ayla: That’s true, but there are some SUVs which are not that big but also very beautiful.Jack: And I think big cars are more fun to drive.Kayla: But then again, it’s very expensive.Jack: Well, let’s get more information about several kinds of cars, oka y?Audio Track 4-1-9My country has two very famous buildings called the Petronas Towers. The buildings are made of glass, steel, and concrete. They were designed by an American architect, but he used a Malaysian style. They were finished in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings in the world at that time. Each tower has 88 floors, and is 452 meters high. I really like the Petronas Towers. They show both the modern and the traditional side of my country.Audio Track 4-1-10/Audio Track 4-1-11Modern buildings: We love them, we hate them.The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris is almost 500 years old, and it faced a very modern problem: There simply wasn’t enough space for six million visitors each year. In 1989, American architect I.M. Pei designed a striking glass pyramid in the building’s center to be a visitor’s entrance and shopping arcade. But he also started an angry debate. Some people felt his glass building was a piece of art, like the ones inside the museum. Others said it was just an ugly, modern mistake.Kyoto, Japan, is the country’s ancient capital, and the heart of its culture. Its railroad station was too small for the millions of visitors. In 1997, the city completed a new station in a huge shopping center, right in the oldest part of the city. Designed by Hiroshi Hara, the building also contains a hotel and department store. Before it was built, critics said that the high, wide, modern building would destroy the city’s traditional look. On the other hand, supporters said it would bring new life into the city center.Audio Track 4-1-12/Audio Track 4-1-13Interviewer: What do you think is the biggest problem facing our cities?Erika: I think it’s overcrowding. Talk to anyone living in a major metropolitan area and they will say the same th ing. There’s no space. Even the suburbs are getting crowded.Interviewer: Well, in some places there simply isn’t any land left for building, right? Erika: Yes, that’s true, but you have to think creatively. You can’t give up so easily. Interviewer: Think creatively? What do you suggest?Erika: What I’m saying is that we can build more structures underground. We can add parking lots, malls, hotels and even apartment buildings. There’s plenty of space. Interviewer: Isn’t it expensive?Erika: Yes, it can be. In the past building underground has been very expensive. However, we have new technology that will bring the cost down. It involves using robots. You don’t have to pay robots a salary.Interviewer: Isn’t “building down” more dangerous than other kinds of construction? Erika: Actually, I think it’s safer than building skyscrapers, for example. Remember, we already do it. We have subways, and underground shopping malls. I’m just suggesting we invest in a variety of bigger projects and that we dig deeper. Interviewer: What would you say to people who doubt your idea?Erika: I can understand their feelings. Whenever there’s a new idea, it can cause controversy. But “building down” is not some kind of impractical idea. It makes sense. There is so much space underground: it can accommodate a lot of traffic, storage, and people. With the new technology we have, we’d be crazy not to consider the idea —it’s the wave of the futureUnit2 Technology TodayAudio Track 4-2-1 第25 页Situation 1Man: Oh no!Woman: What happened?Man: I can’t believe it! I was sending a message and I accidentally clicked on “Reply to All.” Woman: So?Man: It was a personal message for my friend, Jerry. I wanted to send it to his e-mail addressonly.Woman: Oops.Man: Exactly. …Instead I sent it to everyone on the list. How embarrassing! Situation 2Man: I see you have a new keyboard. That’s nice.Woman: Yes. The company bought me a new one.Man: That’s good.Woman: Well, actually …I spoiled coffee on my old keyboard, and it stopped working. Man: Oh, I seeWoman: Don’t tell anyone. Drinking coffee near the computer is not allowed! Situation 3Woman: Have you finished working on my computer?Man: Yes I have. I’m afraid I don’t have good news for you.Woman: Really?Man: really. The problem is with you hardware.Woman: Oh. What do you suggest?Man: I think you should probably buy a new computer. This one can’t be fixed. Woman: Well. I have had it for five years. It’s time to replace it, I guess.Audio Track 4-2-3 第26页Conversations 1Pam: Well, Lynn, I must be going. It was great to see you-Lynn: Bye Pam.Pam: What’s that?Lynn: Oh… that’s Ollie.Pam: Ollie? I didn’t know you had a dog!Lynn: Well we don’t … really.Pam: What do you mean?Lynn: Come here.Pam: Oh my goodness. It’s a robot!Lyn n: That’s right. It’s a dog robot. They call it a “dogbot”.Pam: How interesting! ... But it’s a little strange, don’t you think?Lynn: Well, I wanted get an interactive toy for the kids. They love it. So I’m happy. Pam: How much did it cost?Lynn: Don’t ask. It wasn’t very affordable. It’s cheaper than having a real dog, though. We don’t ever to buy dog food! And the batteries are rechargeable.Conversation 2Juliana: Hey, Henrik. Look.Henrik: What is it, Juliana ?Juliana: What’s that guy doing over the re?Henrik: Which guy?Juliana: The one over there. Wearing a suit. He’s punching so many buttons on his cell phone. Henrik: Oh, him. He’s probably playing a game.Juliana: Really?Henrik: A lot of people have games on their phones. It’s really popular her e in Finland. Theyplay them everywhere.Juliana: Do you play them, too?Henrik: Yes, I do.Audio Track 4-2-5 第27页In today’s report, we look at a new technology called pervasive computing. Pervasive computing means putting tiny computers into everyday electronic appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. With pervasive computing, appliances can communicate with their users-and with other appliances! Some companies now sell pervasive computing products like a “smart” coffee toaster. It remembers you favor ite king of toast: light or dark. Companies are designing a “smart” coffee and maker and a “smart” clock. The coffee maker can measure the water and coffee. It can even put up milk in your breakfast coffee and make black coffee in the afternoon. The clock will check the time on other clocks in your houses and give information about other appliances. For example, it can tell you,” Your coffee maker needs more water.”And that’s only the beginning. Once company is now advertising“Save time-phone your washing machine!” Engineers are making a “smart” house. In this house, the lights, heater, and air conditioner change automatically when family members come home. This makes the home comfortable, and it saves a lot of energy. Pervasive computing could change many parts of our daily lives.But do people really want pervasive computing? Do they really need technology everywhere? One company asked people about their opinions on “smart” appliances. There were surprises. A “smart” refrigerator can buy more food on the I nternet, but people didn’t want it, because it might make mistakes.“Pervasive computing is as important as a telephone”, says Rebecca Blair, presidentof InnoTech Corporation. But some of these products are not useful, or even practical. Companies should learn more about the technology that people really want.A udio Track 4-2-7 第27 页The appetite for newer, smarter mobile technology is growing. Hungry consumers are no longer satisfied with making calls and sending text messages, and people developers aretaking notice. Your modern day smartphone is not just a communications device; It also offers a banquet of features such as a music player, gaming apps, Internet browser, electronic dictionary, camera, and video recorder.It’s hard to argue with the merits of having access to such entertainment on the go. And it’s harder to argue with the convenience of having multiple entertainment and communication functions served up in a signal device. However, some would argue that these phones are eating up too much of people’s time. It’s certainly food for thought. As phones becomesmarter they might indeed devour what’s left of our social and interpersonal skills. We’ll have to wait and see.Audio Track 4-2-9 P28Local girl rescuedShe may have a broken leg, but she c an’t be happier. Morgan Bailey, 11, is happy to be alive. Tuesday was like any other day for Morgan. She was at school. It was fourth period, and she was the first student to arrive in the gymnasium for her physical education class.Suddenly there was a loud noise.“There was a sharp cracking noise and then a loud boom. After that, I don’t remember anything,” said Morgan.There roof of the gymnasium had collapsed under the heavy snow. Morgan was trapped underneath. She could not escape.“I woke up and there was a big piece of wood on my leg. I could not move it. I was starting to get cold.”Fortunately, help was nearby. A new program using “rescue robots” was tired for the first time. “We were nervous about using the robot,” said Derrick Sneed, the man in ch arge of the program. “But in the end, the robot gave us reliable information. It went extremely well.” The rescue robot was able to go into the gym and locate Morgan’s exact position.“We send in robots first because it may not be safe for humans,” said Mr. Sneed. Human beings are not as useful as robots in some situations. “A gas leak, for example, could kill you or me but would not hurt a robot.”Although it did not happen in Morgan’s case, some rescue robots can bring fresh air or water to people who are trapped.Rescue robots go into rough, dangerous places. They work in life or death situations. They have to be durable.Doctors say that Morgan is doing well. She should be going home in two or three days. What is the first thing she wants to do after she gets out of the hospital? “I want to meet my hero,” laughs Morgan. “That little robot that saved my life!”Audio Track 4-2-11 P29An increasing number of companies and individuals are now opting to purchase virtual storage for their computer files and programs.Accessibility is generally cited as the single most persuasive factor when making the switch. Being virtual, Clouds can be accessed from any computer with a Internet connection, and at any time. For those with slower Internet connections, sophisticated software accelerates upload and download times.Cost is always a mitigating factor when it comes to choosing which technology solution to adopt. And Clouds offer maximum flexibility when purchasing storage space. No longer do companies have to make long-term investments in expensiveserver equipment. They can purchase only the space they require now, with the knowledge that they can easily upgrade and expand at any point in the future. Apprehensions, about the security of date, have now been put at ease as globally recognized software firms are building in the necessary security solutionsUnit3 Nespaper and NewsTrack 4-3-2Conversation 1Woman 1: What are you watching?Woman 2: Oh, just the news.Woman 1: Can I change the channel?Woman 2: In just a minute. I want to see the end of this report.Woman 1: I didn't know you were interested in the news.Woman 2: Well, it's Christiane Amanpour. She's really great. She usually reports from London -- the city where she was born.Woman 1: I don't know her.Woman 2: She's an international correspondent. She goes to some really dangerous places. When there's a war, she's usually there.Woman 1: Sounds scary.Woman 2: Yeah. And -- get this -- she's a wife and mother, too.Woman 1: That's very impressive!Conversation 2Man 1: That's a strange -- looking book. What is it?Man 2: It's the writings and photos of Dan Eldon. He was a photojournalist.Man 1: A photojournalist?Man 2: Yeah. A photographer and a journalist. He was born in London in 1970. The book tells all about his life and his dangerous adventures.Man 1: Well, the book certainly looks interesting. Has he written anything else? Man 2: He wrote a book when he was younger. Unfortunately, he won't be writing anything else -- he was killed.Man 1: He died?Man 2: Yeah. It's really sad. He was only 22. He was killed while working in Africa. Track4-3-4Joe: What are you reading, Maria?Maria: The Daily News.Joe: The News? Ugh! That‟s a terrible paperMaria: Oh, Joe, it‟s not so bad.Joe: Not so bad? Look at that headline on the front page! It‟s so sensational. Maria: Well, they‟ve got great comics. I can‟t live without my comics.Joe: I know. But the news coverage is so poor, ... especially the international news. It‟s a joke, really.Maria: I‟m not so interested in the international news. Besides, they have so many other good features. Joe: Like what?Maria: Like… the daily horoscope, for example. I love it.Joe: That‟s not a good reason to buy a newspaper … for the horoscope!Maria: Look, the newspaper only costs 50 cents. What so you expect?Joe: Good point.Maria: Besides the horoscope, I also like the entertainment news. I like to read about the stars and their love affairs.Joe: Well, you can keep The Daily News. I‟m going to stick with The Times.Track 4-3-6Amy: John, I‟ve never notice this old photo of your family before.John: My mother just found it in the attic. She decided to hang it up.Amy: It‟s a nice picture of your family.John：I think it‟s embarrassing. And I look stupid.Amy: Well, you could…ve combed your hair … it‟s a nice shot, though. Look at how young you are! How old were you in the photo?John: Eight … no wait, I‟d just turned nine.Amy: I guess these two people are your parents.John: Yep. They were married when that picture was taken. Now they‟re divorced. Amy: Oh. What do they do?John: My father‟s retired. Mom works in a hospital. Amy: What are their names? John： Well, my father‟s name is Joseph. My mother is Olivia---she was named after a popular actress.Amy: How great! I have an aunt with the same name. I love the name Olivia …Who‟s that guy? John: Which one?Amy: The guy standing behind you. Is that your brother, Tom?John: No, that's my Uncle Randy. He‟s only two years older than my brotherAmy: He‟s cute. I love a guy with a moustache.John: Um, sorry, but he‟s married now. His wife just had a baby.Amy: I was just making a comment … So the other young g uy must be your brother. John: Yes. That‟s Tom.Amy: How old is he in the picture?John: Let‟s see … he‟s nine years older than me … so he would…ve been 18 then. Amy: And there‟s your little sister, Tina. She‟s so cute!John: Yeah. She‟s two years younger than me. It‟s hard to believe she‟s in high school now!Track 4-3-81. A bank robbery in Virginia, USA, was stopped when the robber and the bank teller couldn‟t reach an agreement. The robber pushed a holdup note under the window, but the tel ler looked at it, said,” I can‟t read this,” and gave it back. The robber pushed the note through a second time. The teller crumpled the note up and threw it at the robber. He picked it up and walked out of the bank.2. A professional ice hockey player will miss the rest of this season‟s games because he injured himself. National Hockey League goalie Jean-Louis Blanchard went on the injured list after he fell and seriously hurt his back. He was walking out ofa restaurant in Ottawa, Canada, when he slipped on some ice.3. The first international camel beauty contest was held last week in Alxa, in western China. More than 100 dressed-up camels entered the contest. The judges examined them for shiny hair, tall humps, and beautiful costumes. Unlike human beauty contests, though, there were no interviews with the contestants.4. Police in Sheffield, England, arrested a 41-year-old man for stealing five cars. Graham Owens went to car dealers and said he wanted to buy a car, and borrowed a car to test-drive. Each time, he drove the car around, then cleaned it inside and washed it outside---before leaving it at the side of the road, and walking home. P 49 Track 4-3-10Nutty newsLulu is a kangaroo. For 10 years she has lived with the Richards family. Lulu was adopted by the family after they found her next to her dead mother. Mr. KenRichards is a farmer. He was working on his farm when a heavy tree branch suddenly fell on top of him.Lulu stood next to Mr. Richards‟ body. She started barking and didn‟t leave Mr. Richards‟ side. I‟ve never heard Lulu bark like that---she sounded like a dog. She barked and barked and she didn‟t stop, “said Celeste, Mr. Richards‟ daughter. After 15 minutes, the Richards family went to investigate. They found Ken on the ground and he was unconscious. “Lulu is a hero, “said Celeste. “She saved my father.” Mr. Middleton, an expert veterinarian, said that Lulu‟s story is rare. “I have never seen a kangaroo act like that. Maybe lulu helped Ken Richards because the Richards family is the only family she has ever known.” Lulu has always followed Ken around the farm. She‟s a loyal, friendly, and very intelligent kangaroo. After Ken leaves the hospital, he is planning to go everywhere with Lulu.Approximately 175,000 people live in the Republic of Vanuatu, an island chain east of Australia. It is a popular tourist destination because there‟s a lot to do there: you can visit waterfalls, go horseback riding, take an aerial tour, or visit a traditional Ni-Vanuatu village. Vanuatu is most famous for its scuba diving and snorkeling. In an effort to draw attention to these popular water sports, Vanuatu has created a world‟s “first”: the government has opene d an underwater post office. You have to be a certified scuba driver to work there. The office is three meters below the surface in an area on the outskirts of Port Vila, the capital city. So far, the post office has hired four workers. They will work in a room surrounded by the beauty of Vanuatu‟s underwater world. Customers will buy waterproof postcards on land and then drive down to the post office to receive a special waterproof stampUnit 4 The World of WorkAudio Track 4-4-1/Audio Track 4-4-2Alic e: I work six days a week. My shift is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. I’m on my feet all day long. It’s a very active job. Most of my customers are nice. I try to be friendly to everyone, but it’s difficult sometimes. My customers give me good tips. That’s nice. Di ane: I’m very punctual —actually, I can’t be late! You know what they say, “The show must go on!” I like being on stage. Something always happens, though. During the show last week, the lights went out. I couldn’t believe it! You definitely have to be flexible.Mimi: My students are eight years old. I have to be careful about what I say and do. They are always watching me and copying my behavior. I’m like a big sister. The kids have a lot of energy. I need patience in this job, that’s for sure!Audio Track 4-4-3/Audio Track 4-4-4Man: So, I see here that you went to college.Camille: Yes, sir. For two years. I didn’t graduate.Man: Do you speak any languages besides English?Camille: Yes, I speak conversational French.Man: Any other languages?Camille: No, that’s it.Man: Well, that’s great. As you know, we fly to Paris twice a week. We always need people who can speak French. Let’s see … have you worked for an airline before? Camille: No. I have no job experience.Man: So, this would be your first job.Camille: Yes.Man: Well, I only have two more questions. Are you healthy and physically fit? Can you lift heavy objects?Camille: Yes, I think so.Man: Well, the emergency window exit on the plane weighs about 50 pounds. And the meal cart is very heavy, too. You need to move those objects sometimes. Camille: I think I can do that.Man: Wonderful. Let me tell you about the next step. We have a six-week training program that takes place in the summer. You have to …Audio Track 4-4-5I plan to become a teacher after I finish my studies. I decided to study at this university because the teaching program is very good. We have a lot of practice working with children. I love to work with young kids. I expect to graduate from the university next June, and I hop e to find a job in a kindergarten. I’ll try to start working in September.Audio Track 4-4-6Mr. Grant: Hello, Ms. Hale. I’m Mr. Grant, the advertising manager for the company. Do you have a résumé or curriculum vitae to give to me?Ms. Hale: Yes, Mr. Grant. Here it is.Mr. Grant: Thank you. Now, let me tell you a little bit about the job. We need someone to design brochures on the computer. Do you have up-to-date computer skills?Ms. Hale: Yes, I do. In my present position I use computer graphics all the time. I have experience with animation as well.Mr. Grant: Oh, that’s very good. We hope to launch a new group of animated ads next spring. Can you work with others in a pleasant manner, Ms. Hale?Ms. Hale: My co-workers seem to think so. I can also work independently by myself. Mr. Grant: That’s necessary, too. What about flexibility in working long hours on a project?Ms. Hale: I have a lot of energy and I’m willing to get the job done. The work I did last year won two awards at a national conference.Mr. Grant: Excellent. That’s very impressive. By the way, did I mention that we need someone to start next week?Ms. Hale: No, you didn’t, but it might be possible.Mr. Grant: Good. Thank you for coming today. We’ll be in touch soon.Audio Track 4-4-7/Audio Track 4-4-8You’ve never met Melissa Hayes, and you don’t know her name, but you know her voice. Melissa records information messages for the telephone company. When you hear “The number you called has been changed …” —that’s Melissa!“Yes, it’s true,” she says. “I’m the voice talent for National Telephone.” At least 50,000 people hear her voice every day. “I try to sound warm and friendly, even when I’m saying, I’m sorry, that number is incorrect. Please try again.”Melissa works only three days a w eek, but she has to practice a lot. “My voice has to sound the same at the end of eight hours.” She’s very careful about her voice. “I don’t go outside in cold weather, and I have to drink lots of hot water with honey. I can’t go to horror movies because I always scream, and I might hurt my voice!”How did she get her job? “A friend told me about it. I listened to all the telephone company messages on my phone, and then I recorded a cassette of those messages. After I sent it to the company, I called them e very day for a month!”She’s done this work for three years now, and she loves it. “It’s fun! And I’m helping people by using my voice.” Plus, people are always surprised when they hear about Melissa’s job. They say, “You’re a real person? I thought it was a computer!”Audio Track 4-4-9/Audio Track 4-4-10Interview 1Interviewer: What is your job, Ken?Ken: I’m a V. J. or “video jockey.”Interviewer: How would you describe your job?Ken: I’m on TV. I introduce music videos and talk about them. I also interview singers who appear in videos.Interviewer: What is the best part of your job?Ken: I get to meet a lot of famous people. That’s very exciting. Also, I love music, so it’s a lot of fun.Interviewer: What is the worst part of your job?Ken: I get to meet a lot of famous people. Some of them are not very nice. They think they are better than me. They can be very demanding.Interviewer: What was your most memorable moment?Ken: Last year, I presented an award on TV at a video music awards show. I cou ldn’t believe it. They flew me out to Los Angeles and I stayed in Beverly Hills. I was on the TV show for a whole 45 seconds! I got to meet a lot of stars.Interviewer: I want to be a V. J. How do I get the job?Ken: Well, first you have to make a videotape about yourself. You need to talk about certain things on the video. In my case, there was a list of questions, like “What did you do last weekend?” and “What’s in your CD player right now?” After you talk about yourself, you send the videotape in to the TV station. They call you if they like the tape.Interview 2Interviewer: What is your job, Steven?Steven: I’m a car courier.Interviewer: How would you describe your job?Steven: Sometimes a person or a company needs a car moved from one place to another. They may not have time to do it themselves. They hire me to drive the car. Interviewer: What is the best part of your job?Steven: I like to drive, so it’s fun for me. Last summer, I drove all the way from New York to California. The weather was great. I had the radio on and enjoyed my trip very much.Interviewer: What is the worst part of your job?Steven: I have to be very punctual. If I say I’ll arrive on Monday at 6:00, I have to be there by Monday at 6:00. I have to be dependable. It’s stressful at t imes. Interviewer: What was your most memorable moment?Steven: I drove across the desert as the sun was setting. It was incredible!。