新编大学英语视听说教程第五册听力原文Unit2.doc

Unit 2Listen1-1 If you're invited to an American friend's home for dinner, keep in mind these general rules for polite behavior. First of all, arrive approximately on time (but not early). Americans expect promptness. Being a few minutes late might give the host more time to get dressed or finish preparing the dinner, so it's OK to be 10 or 15 minutes late but not 45 minutes late. Dinner might be overcooked and ruined by then. When you're invited to someone's home for a meal, it's polite to bring a small gift. Flowers or candies are always appropriate. If you have an attractive item made in your native country, your host would certainly enjoy receiving that as a gift.If you are served some food that you don't like or can't eat, don't make a fuss about it. If your host doesn't say anything about what you aren't eating, then you shouldn't, either. Simply eat what you can and hope that no one notices what you left. If you are questioned, you may have to admit that you don't eat meat (or whatever), but you can also say that you've enjoyed the other foods and have had "more than enough" to eat. Don't make the host feel obliged to prepare something else for you. Be sure to compliment the host on the food that you enjoyed.Don't leave immediately after dinner, but don't overstay your welcome, either. When your friend seems to be getting tired and running out of conversation, take their behavior as a cue to leave. The next day, call or write a thank-you note to say how much you enjoyed the evening.Listen2-1Americans are usually tolerant of non-native speakers who have some trouble understanding English. But they become annoyed when a person pretends to understand but doesn't really. This creates problems when he misunderstands what is said. No one wants soap when he asks for soup. So if you don't understand what is said to you, admit it and politely ask the person to repeat or explain. All you have to say is, "Excuse me, would you mind repeating what you said? I didn't understand."Second, it is quite rude to converse with a companion in your native language and leave your American friends standing there feeling uncomfortable because they can't understand the conversation. The Americans may also feel that you are talking about them or saying something you don't want them to hear. If you have to switch to your native language to explain something to a non-English-speaking companion, then at least translate for your American friends so they don't feel left out.Statements:1. Americans will get impatient if a person can't understand English.2. Sometimes it is wise to pretend to understand what one actually doesn't in order to avoid embarrassment.3. Asking for repetition or explanation is not considered good manners when talking with Americans.4. It is impolite for people to talk in their native language in the presence of Americans.5. Americans may feel uncomfortable when they can't understand the conversation of non-English speakers.Mlisten1-1One winter day in San Francisco, a woman in a red car drove up to a tollbooth. The back seat of her car had a pile of colorful Christmas gifts on it. She smiled at the tollbooth operator and said, "I'm paying for myself, and for the six cars behind me." She handed the operator seven toll tickets and drove on. As the next six cars arrived at the tollbooth, the operator told each driver, "A lady up ahead paid your toll. Have a nice day."Why did the lady do this? As she told her husband later, "I read a card taped on my friend's refrigerator. It said, 'Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.' I liked that phrase and copied it for myself. Paying the tolls was a little act of random kindness I could do."Now all over the U.S., it is becoming a popular phrase. One can see it on car bumper stickers, on walls, and even on business cards. Random acts of kindness are easy to perform if one is looking for opportunities. In Portland, a man might put a coin in a stranger's parking meter just in time to save that person from getting fined for overtime parking. In Chicago, a teenage boy may shovel snow not only from his driveway but also his neighbor's driveway. Undoubtedly thousands of random acts of kindness occur every day. What are some senseless acts of beauty? A person might plant flowers along a highway. Another might clean graffiti from a city park bench. Yet another might pick up litter from the street and put it in a trash can.You should remember this phrase and put it into action. Not only will you help others, but you will feel better yourself since you have helped the world to become a better place. And who knows? The people you help might well be inspired to help someone else later. It's a "win-win" situation.Statements:1. The woman paid for the six cars behind her as a Christmas gift.2. The woman taped a card on her refrigerator that reads: Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.3. Random acts of kindness are not difficult to perform.4. One can see graffiti everywhere in the U.S.5. People sometimes do good unconsciously.6. The world can become a better place because of the little acts of kindness and beauty.7. The people you help may well help someone else later.8. Random acts of kindness and beauty do good to all parties involved.Mlisten2-1Don't talk with your mouth full.Keep your elbows off the table.Say "thank you".Any of those sound familiar?Chances are, if you observe a parent, he or she has repeated at least one of those lines a few thousand times. Etiquette experts and people who work with children tend to agree that teaching the children good manners is more than worth the effort. Good manners can definitely begin at home. Veronica tries to teach her 5-year-old son Matthew about the importance of the Golden Rule in words that he can understand. "You need to treat people the way you want to be treated," she tells Matthew.According to etiquette experts, teaching by example is the best approach. By using good manners, parents can be role models for their children, who often learn by imitation. "At 2 years old, they're watching," experts say. "You know, monkey see, monkey do." They also advise parents to begin introducing their toddlers to simple words like "please", "thank you", "excuse me", and "I'm sorry"."It's never too soon to start teaching them," they say. "When they're sitting up in the high chair, you can start."By teaching children good manners and then helping them practice, parents are doing their children a great service. It's not just about being polite and well-mannered in the short run. Ultimately, as they grow and they're better-behaved, they'll go on to greater success in their lives and be better liked.But home is not the only teaching environment when it comes to manners and etiquette. More and more schools are looking for ways to instill good manners in their students.Statements:1. All parents try to teach their children good manners.2. You need to treat people the way you want to be treated.3. Monkeys are especially good at imitating small children.4. Parents should set an example to their children when teaching them good manners.5. Parents are helping their children in the long run by teaching them good manners.6. Both parents and teachers are responsible for the teaching of etiquette. Questions:1. What manners do parents teach their children?2. What is the Golden Rule?3. What is the best way for parents to teach their children good manners?4. What's the appropriate time to start teaching children manners?5. What is the ultimate goal of teaching children good manners?Mlisten3-1(Four students are sitting in a dorm lounge, casually watching TV.) Wayne: You know, people lie to us all the time! That advertiser on TV just told me that all I have to do to be attractive is to drink the right kind of beer. I don't evenlike beer!Celia: And I've seen the same kind of ads for different clothing brands. I don't see how anyone can believe all of that stuff.Heather: It's not just TV ads. Religious leaders tell us that if we attend their church we'll be happy and politicians tell us if we vote for their party members thenation's problems will disappear. Not true!!Randy: I think most of us are smart enough to figure out that these things are lies.But it really irritates me when people have the arrogance to start theirsentences to others by saying "You need to" do something when they reallymean "I need you to" or "I want you to". That's a kind of lying too.Celia: You're right. In fact it's really rude because it implies that other people lack the intelligence to determine for themselves where their interests are and toact accordingly.Heather: My dad has talked about a person in his office who does this a lot. He's creating a bad work environment and it's obvious that the co-workers aregetting tired of being ordered around like this. They know what they shoulddo and want to do it their way.Wayne: I imagine that even the boss should be careful in this respect. If he's rude to his employees by implying they don't know what they're doing, they won't putforth their best effort.Celia: Since we started talking now, I've been thinking about a friend I had in high school. She kept telling me what I "needed" to do. After a while I realized itwas her way of getting me to do what she wanted. Needless to say, ourfriendship ended. And it was a kind of lying on her part because she wasn'tsaying that what I "needed" to do was really what she "wanted" me to do. Ittook me a while to figure that out.Randy: I guess there are all sorts of ways to lie. We'd better watch out, right? Others: Right.Mlisten4-1(Paul and Joyce are going to a movie.)Paul: Hurry up, Joyce. We need to leave now if we're going to get to the theater a half hour before the feature begins.Joyce: Why on earth do we need to be there that early? The theater is never even half full. I've also been wondering if we should take the kids with us, eventhough Mom is here with them.Paul: Leave the kids at home. We're not going to a kid's movie like Harry Potter.When I went to the movies that night you went to play bridge it looked like aday care center in the theater. Strollers were flying down the aisle, kids wererestless and obviously bored, so started whining for candy, and there was evena fight.Joyce: My goodness! What happened?Paul: One other patron who was trying to enjoy the movie told the parents of some noisy children behind him to shut their kids up. The father of the noisy kids hitthe complainer and that led to a fight. The police had to be brought in. Joyce: I'm ready to go, but you still haven't told me why we need to be so early.Paul: Actually I like to watch the people. For some just choosing a seat is a major decision. They stand in the middle of the aisle juggling coats, popcorn andCokes, almost overwhelmed by having to choose. You can almost read theirthoughts. Should I sit down in front, or will that be too close? Is this too farback? That man is tall. I won't be able to see the movie if I sit behind him. I'dlove to sit close to the middle, but then I'd have to sit close to that big groupof teenagers. Oh, dear! The lights are dimming and I haven't made up my mind.I won't be able to see where I'm going.Joyce: You aren't the only one to notice such things. Many people choose their seats, find they are unsatisfied, so move. I've watched a few couples go from onespot to another four or five times before settling down.Paul: While we're on the topic, my other pet peeve is people who won't be quiet during the movie. They comment on everything. "What a cute puppy," they saywhen they see a dog appear. "I have a lamp like that at home but mine's red."And on it goes.Joyce: I don't like the people behind me to sit and chew popcorn noisily. It's possible to be quiet but they don't try. They just keep on chewing and then start on abig box of candy.Paul: So let's go! We'll try to find a good seat, look around us a bit, and then we'll sit down and shut up.Questions:1. Why does Paul decide not to take kids to the movie?2. Why was there a fight the other night?3. Why do some people find it difficult to decide which seat totake?4. What problem troubles the couple at the theater?5. Which of the following is true according to the dialog?Quiz1-1China is known as a state of etiquette and ceremonies. Many proverbs have been passed down from generation to generation such as "Civility costs nothing" or "Courtesy demands reciprocity" and so on. For instance, there is an interesting short story. Once upon a time, a man went on a long tour to visit his friend with a swan as a gift. But it escaped from the cage on the way and in his effort to catch it, he got hold of nothing but a feather. Instead of returning home, he continued his journey with the swan feather. When his friend received this unexpected gift, he was deeply moved by the story as well as the sincerity. And the saying "The gift is nothing much, but it's the thought that counts" was spread far and wide.Chinese used to cup one hand in the other before the chest as a salute. This tradition has a history of more than 2,000 years and nowadays it is seldom used except in the Spring Festival. And shaking hands is more popular and appropriate on some formal occasions. Bowing, to convey respect to the higher level, was often used by the lower like subordinates and attendants. But at present, things are quite different. Chinese youngsters tend to simply nod as a greeting. To some extent this evolution reflects the ever-increasing pace of modern life.Quiz2-1Writing a thank-you letter after an interview doesn't just show a candidate's manners—it can also make or break their chances of landing a job. Nearly 15 percent of hiring managers say they would not hire someone who failed to send a thank-you letter after the interview. 32 percent say they would still consider the candidate, but would think less of him or her, according to a recent survey. The survey, "How to Get in the Front Door", included more than 650 hiring managers.Although most hiring managers expect to receive a thank-you note, format preferences differ. One-in-four hiring managers prefer to receive a thank-you note in e-mail form only, 19 percent want the e-mail followed up with a hard copy, 21 percent want a typed hard copy only and 23 percent prefer just a handwritten note.According to the survey, no matter which format you choose, it's crucial to act quickly when sending a thank-you letter to your interviewer. 26 percent of hiring managers expect to have the letter in hand two days after the interview, and 36 percent to have it within three to five days. Sending the letter quickly reinforces your enthusiasm for the job, and helps keep you top-of-mind for the interviewer.Statements:1. Sending a thank-you letter after the interview adds to one's chances of getting a job.2. 32 percent of hiring managers would not consider the applicant who does not write a thank-you letter.3. 650 hiring managers advise people on how to climb up the ladder in their career.4. As to the format of the thank-you note, most hiring managers prefer an e-mail.5. 19 percent of hiring managers want a thank-you note in e-mail form followed up with a hard copy.6. Sending a thank-you letter to the interviewer promptly is of vital importance.Quiz3-1One day many years ago, Swift Eagle visited some friends on an Indian reservation in central New York. While he was out walking, he heard sounds of boys playing in the bushes."There's another one. Shoot it!" said one of the boys.When he pushed through the bush to see what was happening, he found that they had been shooting small birds with a gun. They had already killed three. The boys looked up at him, uncertain what he was going to do or say.As an Indian bird lover, Swift Eagle might have given a stern lecture on the evil of killing birds or threatened to tell the boys' parents about their wrongdoing. However, he did something else."Ah," he said, "I see you have been hunting. Pick up your game and come with me." He led the boys to a place where they could make a fire and cook the birds. He made sure they said a thank-you to the spirits of the birds before eating them, and as they ate he told stories. It was important, he said, to be thankful to the birds for the gifts of their songs, their feathers, and their bodies as food. The last thing he said to them they never forgot—for it was one of those boys who told me this story many years later. "You know, our Creator gave the gift of life to everything that is alive. Life is a very sacred thing. But our Creator knows that we have to eat to stay alive. That is why it is permitted to hunt to feed ourselves and our people. So I understand that you boys must have been very, very hungry to kill those little birds..."Thus children were taught the values of their culture through example and stories. Instead of scolding or lecturing them, Swift Eagle showed the boys how to build a fire and cook the game they had shot, giving the birds the same respect he would have given a rabbit or deer. He told stories that pointed out the value of those birds as living beings. What he did taught the boys more than a hundred lectures would have done, and the lesson stayed with them all their lives.Questions:1. What is true about Swift Eagle?2. What did he do when he found the boys killing birds?3. What did the boys do afterwards?4. What did Swift Eagle tell the boys to do?5. What lessons did the boys learn from this experience?Sview1-1Tom: Hey, George. Still studying the textbooks, huh? When are you going to relax?George: I am relaxing! I happen to find textbooks interesting, especially the psychology course. This one is talking about some amazing experimentswith chimpanzees. Do you know, psychologists have taught somechimpanzees to communicate?Jess: What... you mean talk?George: No, they can't talk. They don't have the vocal equipment that we have.But they can be taught sign language, for example.Jess: Yes, they're certainly very intelligent.George: They're actually our nearest animal relatives. Do you know we share 98% of our DNA with chimpanzees?Tom: Wow, that's a lot. We really are cousins, aren't we?George: So, what have you pair been doing?Jess: Well, while you were reading about our nearest animal relatives, we've been actually visiting them!George: What do you mean?Tom: We've been to the City Zoo, and the most interesting animal there was probably Phyllis, the chimpanzee.George: Oh, yes, I've read about her. She enjoys interacting with the crowds.Tom: She certainly does. She was really taken with Jess, for example, and I think she must have been trained by one of your psychologists, becauseshe could do sign language.George: Really?Tom: Look, I'll demonstrate. Jess, I'm Phyllis, OK? Let's show George. (Tom waves his arms above head and hoots.)Jess: (She laughs.) Well, first I waved to her and then she waved back. (Tom waves his arms again.) Yeah, and then I waved both arms above myhead, and Phyllis did the same! (Tom waves his arms a third time.) Butthe funniest part was when I put on my sunglasses, Phyllis pretended todo the same! (Tom imitates a chimp putting on sunglasses.) George: Yes, those are all excellent examples of chimps imitating human beings, though whether it can be called sign language or communication isdebatable. And Tom, you do a great chimpanzee!Tom: Well, whatever it was, it was really funny, and the crowd just loved it, especially the little kids.Jess: Yeah, it was really great, and up to that point it looked as if Phyllis was enjoying herself too. (She looks suddenly sad and uncomfortable.) Butthen something really rather gross happened.George: Oh? What was that?Jess: Well, there was a young man smoking a cigarette. Phyllis went up as close as she could get and started to peer at the guy. Then she startedto imitate him smoking, which of course made everyone laugh again.George: So, what was wrong with that?Jess: Well, then the young man deliberately dropped the cigarette into the enclosure. Phyllis picked it up and started smoking it herself!Tom: Yeah, it was hilarious! You know, she coughed a bit at first (He imitates the chimp smoking and coughing.), but... but then she seemed to startenjoying it. And the crowd loved it!Jess: Yes, but I didn't. I thought it was terrible. I mean, smoking is not good for humans, it can't possibly be good for apes! I thought the young manwas really... very stupid.George: Yes, there are notices up all over the place, aren't there? You mustn't feed the animals, and certainly not give them anything harmful.Jess: But what happened next was even more upsetting. Phyllis finished the cigarette, and wanted another one. But the young man just lit one forhimself and taunted her with it, you know? (She demonstratestaunting.) He wouldn't even give it to her, and she began behavingreally badly.George: Behaving... badly?Tom: Yes, she started screaming (He imitates the chimp being angry), and she's making threatening gestures, then she began throwing things atthe crowd, like... branches from the tree, or stones. It was as if shewas being deliberately rude.George: Oh, come on, Tom, animals can't be rude. And she wasn't behaving badly; she was just reacting with aggression to a situation that wasfrustrating her. It wasn't her fault. She didn't ask to be locked in acage, and have crowds come and laugh at her, did she?Jess: I agree. I think the one who was behaving badly was the idiot with the cigarette.George: And you, what about your behavior?Tom & Jess: Our behavior?George: Yes, did you tell that young man he shouldn't behave like that to an animal, that it was cruel and possibly dangerous?Jess: (She looks shamefaced.) No, I'm afraid we didn't... we just walkedaway. I suppose we didn't want to get into a fight.Tom: Oh, come on, Jess, lighten up. It was only a bit of fun!Jess: I don't agree, Tom. I take George's point. No matter how intelligent chimpanzees are, they are still only wild animals. We shouldn't treatthem badly. It reflects badly upon us. We're supposed to be thesuperior animal.George: Excuse me a second, you guys, I just want to catch the news. I want to know the result of the big match. (He turns on his transistor radio andholds it to his ear.)(It sounds tinny in the background as Jess and Tom continue.) Tom: OK, I accept that it was bad behavior on the part of the guy with the cigarette, and I suppose we could have been a bit more responsibleourselves and said something. But after all, nobody got hurt, nobodydied for heaven's sake...George: Oh no! My gosh! Listen to this! (He turns up his radio.)News Reporter:... Phyllis was taken to the City Animal Clinic where veterinarians aretrying to save her life. It appears that someone had dropped or throwna full pack of cigarettes into the animal's enclosure, and thechimpanzee had eaten most of the pack. She is now suffering fromacute nicotine poisoning. Doctors have administered a stomach pump,and say that there is only a fifty-fifty chance of the animal surviving.At a meeting in Scotland, the Prime Minister has met with theAmerican President... (The voice fades out as Jess turns the set off.The three look at each other, shocked. )Jess: Oh, I feel terrible.Tom: Eating a whole pack of cigarettes! What a stupid thing to do!George: That's not the stupid thing, Tom. She is just an animal. The really stupid action was done by whoever threw the pack into the cage.Jess: Do you think it was the same guy?Tom: Don't know. Probably. (He sighs.) We should have done something, shouldn't we?Jess: (She sighs.) Yes. It was us human beings who have acted badly, not the chimp.George: But it's the poor animal that is suffering.Jess: Poor Phyllis. I do hope she recovers.Tom: Yeah. And I hope next time I have the courage to speak up if I see something like that happening again.Jess: Mm. Me too.。