《英语听力教程4》答案及原文

Unit 1 Shopping and Banking Oline

Part I Getting ready

B. Keys:

1: drop 2: shopping 3: mouse 4: feet 5: retailing 6: street 7: get 8: down 9: third-party 10: online 11:30% 12: malls 13: Britain 14: gift-buying 15:50% 16: net 17: peroid

C. Keys:

1 : the site

2 : merchant, addresses/phone numbers/call up

3 : strict safety measures

Part II Net shopping under fire

A. Keys:

1 : delivery, delivery

2 : delivery charges

3 : personal information, 87%

4 : returning goods, 47%

5 : order, 35%, dispatch, 87%

6 : money back, two

B. Keys:

1 : convenience

2 : choice

3 : obstacles

4 : complete trust

5 : build consummers' trust

6 : mature

7 : payment

8 : service

Part III Banking at home

A. Keys:

1 : limited opening hours

2 : Online banking services

3 : getting current information on products

4 : e-mailing questions to the bank

5 : competing for customers

6 : having no computers at home

B. Keys:

1 : It is banking through the Internet.

2 : 'Online banking' offers convenience which appeals to the kind of customer banks want to keep.

3 : Banks most want to keep people who are young, well-educated, and have good incomes.

Part IV More about the topic: Secret of Good Customer Service

B. Keys:

English Good Customer Service(Harrods)

1 : in a pleasant environment

2 : Second to none

3 : different customers, take a look at everything, alternatives, come to sales assistants

4 : first contact with the customer

American Good Customer Service(Saks)

1 : human side, family, occasions in life, a partnership

2 : repeat business, sales

Part V Do you know…?

Keys:

1 : c

2 : a、b、c

3 : a、b、c

4 : c

5 : c

6 : b

Tape script

Part I Getting ready

C.

Consumers who want to shop online are suggested to bear the following things in mind:Evaluate the site. Always buy goods from well-known and trustworthy companies. Deal with companies which offer customer service, a complaints procedure and have a refund policy.Talk to merchant. E-mail and wait for reponses. Take down the addresses and phone numbers of those companies and make sure they are real by calling them up before buying any products and services.Ensure secure connection. Since buyers must submit personal information like number and expiry date of the card there are fears over security. Deal with sites that apply strict safety measures that require shoppers to give specific data known only to card holders before making the transaction.Be extra careful at a cybercafe or other public connection.

Part II Net shopping under fire

There is an urgent need for e-commerce rules to boost confidence in buying online. Consumers International, a federation of 245 consumer organizations —including the UK's Consumers Association —said its survey showed that there were still obatacles to shopping online with complete trust.

The study, funded by the European Union, involved buying more than 150 items from 17 countries. Each consumer organization taking part tried to find one site in its own country and one abroad to buy a selection of items. These included a dictionary, a doll, jeans, a hairdryer, computer software and hardware, chocolates and champagne.

The key findings were:

Eight of the items ordered took more than a month to reach their destination and at least 11 (eight percent) never arrived.

Many sites did not give clear information about delivery charges.

Only 13% of the sites promised that they would not sell customers' personal information on to a third party.

Only 53% of the companies had a policy on returning goods.

Only 65% of the sites provided confirmation of the order and only 13% told customers when their goods had been dispatched.

In two cases,customers are still waiting for their money back more than four months after returning their goods.

Louis Sylvan, vice-president of Consumers International, said, "This study shows that, although buying items over the Internet can benefit the consumer by offering convenience and choice, there are still many obstacles that need to be overcome before consumers can shop in cyberspace with complete trust."

Chris Philips, Marketing Manager at a London based e-commerce security company commented, "This study confirms the difficulties of establishing consumers' trust in the Internet as a shopping experience. With statistics like these and Visa claiming 47% of disputes and fraud cases were Internet-related, it is little wonder that Internet commerce is not producing the profits predicted two or three years ago. Trust takes time to build, and the Internet will not mature as a retail channel until trusted brands, like the banks for example, start to offer ways of supporting trust relationships with guarantees payment and service."

In September, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development will hold a meeting to discuss a set of international guidelines for electronic commerce.

Part III Banking at home

Many people dislike walking to the bank, standing in long lines, and running out of checks. They are dissatisfied with their bank's limited hours, too. They want to do some banking at night, and on weekends. For such people, their problems may soon be over. Before long, they may be able to do their banking from the comfort of their own home, any hour of the day, any day of the week. Many banks are preparing "online branches," or Internet offices, which means that people will be able to take care of much of their banking business through their home computers. This process is called interactive banking. At these online branches, customers will be able to view all their accounts, move money between their accounts, apply for a loan, and get current information on products such as credit cards. Customers will also be able to pay their bills electronically, and even e-mail questions to the bank.

Banks are creating online services for several reasons. One reason is that banks must compete for customers, who will switch to another bank if they are dissatisfied with the service they receive. The convenience of online banking appeals to the kind of customer banks most want to keep —people who are young, well-educated, and have good incomes. Banks also want to take advantage of modern technology as they move into the twenty-first century.

Online banking may not be appropriate for everyone. For instance, many people do not have computers at home. Other people prefer to go to the bank and handle their accounts the traditional way. Even though online banking may never completely replace a walk-in bank, it is a service that many customers are going to want to use.

Part IV More about the topic: Secret of Good Customer Service

In Britain they ask you, "Are you being served?" Whilst in America they tell you to "Have a nice day." But what is the secret of good customer service? From Harrods in London and Saks New York, we're going to find out the dos and don'ts of selling protocol.

The reason that Harrods has been so successful over a hundred and fifty years is two fold. First of all they've offered their customers the products they want to buy in a pleasant environment. But secondly and more importantly, the level of customer service that they've given their customers, before sale, during sale and after sale, has been second to none. I think it's fair to say that if you compare the British with our cousins elsewhere in the world that we are actually quite a reserved lot. To a certain extent there are a lot of shrinking violets in this country who would rather just do their own thing. They'd rather wander around and browse and if they do need any help eventually, ask for it. So I think the way that we approach our own U.K. based customers is actually slightly different to the way we know we need to approach. For example, an American customer, or indeed a Japanese customer, or a Middle Eastern customer, who all have different ways of doing things. Well in serving different, I guess, nationalities, you do take very different approaches. With Europeans, for example, you do kind of let them take a look at everything. See what's being on offer and then ask them if they need any help. I think they'd probably much more prefer to come to you, rather than you so much to go to them. The American customer very much expects you to go to them, approach them, show them alternatives. Well I think maybe the more European or British customer can be almost turned off by that if someone is seen to be too aggressive, maybe too anxious to make a sale.

It's most important that the first contact, the first initial meeting with the customer is a good and successful one because on that basis, the customer will make up their mind what they want to do next.

I quite like the English sales assistants because they definitely have better thing to do than talk to you, which I like. It's very terrifying when you go to America. "Can I help you?" they're like licking you. You're just like, "No, I'm fine. I just want to look." That puts me off. I love the English sales assistant.

So where have you experienced the very best in customer service?

Umm, probably America. In terms of best as in, they give you so much attention it's almost embarrassing. They treat you, you know, the "have a nice day" thing. They' want to help you. They want you to buy, 'cause they often work on a commission basis. That's if you like best. But I prefer the ... like, being ignored.

Tamara:

I think England's still way behind in terms of, like America for example. I can call in America

from London and they'll track the item down. It's not like, "Sorry madam we don't have that in your size." I just got the Gucci boots, which mine had actually broken. And in England they said, "Sorry" you know, that's it. So this woman in Los Angeles tracked them down and, in fact got them for me. That's because they work on commission. And the sooner we learn that, the better the service will get.

So what do the Americans have to say? They may speak with a different accent. But is the sales pitch a foreign language to the rest of the world?

I think part of the reason Americans are known as experts is that we tend to focus a lot more in the human side of selling, not the mechanical side, which is the register and knowing about the product. We really want to know about your lifestyle. We want to know about your family. We want to know about your income. We want to know about your occasions in your life. And that's very different outside of the United States. Our consumer actually is comfortable with forming a partnership with a sales associate and giving up that information, very personal information, very personal information. I think that best part about Saks sales associate training that we actually develop customers, five different types of customers and we videotape them and put them up in front of every new sales associate and say, "This is our customers." They're very different. Each one of them is a top customer at Saks but they shop in a very different way. A lot of stores in this industry really measure selling effectiveness by sales and quite frankly that's not what Saks is about. I think the way you measure good quality staff is by repeat business. Obviously if you have someone on your selling floor that has a clientele, that is the measure of a good sales associate. Part V Do you know…?

"Everybody loves a bargain, "this is a common American saying. A bargain is something you buy for less than its true vale. It is something you might not buy if it costs more.One person's useless ugly object can be another person's bargain. So many Americans put it outside with a "for sale" sign on it and they have a yard sale.

Just about anything can be sold at a yard sale: clothing, cooking equipment, old toys, tools, books and chairs, even objects you think are extremely ugly or useless. You may have an electric light shaped like a fish. You may greatly dislike its looks, but it may be beautiful to someone else. Usually the seller puts a price on each object. But the price can almost always be negotiated. The price of a table, for example, might be marked $10. But the seller may accept 8. If the table has not been sold by the end of the day, the seller probably will take much less.

Some people go to yard sales because it is part of their job. They earn their livings by buying old things at low prices then selling them at higher prices. Many others, however, go to yard sales just to have fun. They say it is like going on a treasure hunt. Sometimes they really do find the treasure.

Ned Jaudere did. The Boston Globe newspaper says Mr. Jaudere has been collecting native American Indian objects since he was a young man. Last year, he stopped at a yard sale in the northeastern city of Worcester, Massachusertts. He paid $125 for what everyone thought was an old wooden club. Mr. Jaudere thought it was something else. Two days later, he confirmed that the club had been used by the Wampanoag Indian leader known as King Philip. King Philip used it during his war with the white settlers at eastern Massachusetts in 1675. The historic weapon had been stolen from a museum in 1970 and had been missing ever since. Mr. Jardere learnt the war club was valued at about $150 000 but he did not sell it or keep it. Mr. Jaudere returned the club to the museum near Boston Massachusetts from which it was stolen.

Questions:

1. Which of the following is a common American saying?

2. What can be sold at a yard sale?

3. Why do people go to a yard sale?

4. When was the old wooden club stolen?

5. What was the real value of the club?

6. Why was the club at a great value?

Unit 2 Hotel or B&B

Part I Getting ready

B. Keys:

1 : 35%, 60%

2 : 45%, 20%

3 : 60%, 80%

4 : 30%, 15%

5 : 50%, 70%

6 : 30%, 20%

C. Keys:

(1)1 : ￡30/single; ￡60/double, children under 12 2 : ￡29/full board3 : ￡28/double+bath, excluded

(2) 1 : hot food, fried egg 2 : coffee, tea, jam, cooked 3 : dinner, bed and breakfast 4 : the room plus all meals 5 : Value Added Tax

Part II A touch of home

Outline I : bed and breakfast, 15 000, advantages over big hotels II : meeting different people III : features, 1883, guests IV : B&Bs not suitable for some people

Part III Renting a car

A. Keys: 1 : three 2 : Mon. July 10th 3 : station wagon 4 : $79.95 5 : $59.95 6 : 4 p.m. 7 : 10 a.m.

8 : ' free 9 : 12 cents 10 : $10 11 : 8% 12 : '$100

B. Keys: a compact car/a station wagon/ automatic transmission/ current models/ pick up/return the car/special weekend rate/regular rate/ unlimited mileage/ insurance/ sales tax/ a full tank of gas/ deposit/ lowest rates.

Part IV More about the topic: What Type of Room Do You Want?

A. Keys: 1: 5 2: 2 3: 6 4: 4 5: 3 6: 1

B. Keys: 1 : ￡40, all grades 2 : ￡55, Sales 3 : ￡150, Managerial, entertaining private guest, the lake 4: ￡220, privacy, country-side, kitchen

Part V Do you know…?

A. Keys: (France)Italy, (2)3, (3)2, (4)8 (Loudon,UK)Paris,France, (8)4

B. Keys: 1 : F 2 : T 3 : F 4 : F 5 : T

Tape script

Part I Getting ready

B.

A: Good morning. I'd like some information about tourist figures, please. First, about accommodation. What proportion of tourists stay in hotels? B: Well, in an average year 60% of tourists stay in hotels, but this year 35% are staying in hotels. A: What proportion of tourists stay in holiday camps? B: Well, in an average year 20% of tourists stay in holiday camps, but this year 45% are staying in holiday camps. A: Now, about places visited. What proportion of tourists visit Europe? B: Well, in an average year 80% of tourists visit Europe, but this year 60% are visiting Europe. A: And what proportion of tourists visit the U.S.A.? B: Well, in an average year 15% of tourists visit the U.S.A., but this year 30% are visiting the U.S.A.. A: Now, about methods of transport. What proportion of tourists go by

plane? B: Well,in an average year about 70% of tourists go by plane, but this year about 50% are going by plane. A: What proportion of tourists take their own car? B: Well, in an average year about 20% of tourists take their own car, but this year about 30% are taking their own car. A: Thank you very much for your help.

C.

C:… so here's a brochure with the hotels in Midford. It gives you all the rates …

T:I'm sorry, my English isn't so good. Can you explain this to me?

C:Yes, of course. First of all we have the Castle Inn …here …it's the cheapest. It will cost you only ￡12 for a single room and ￡15 for a double. The price includes continental breakfast. If you want a full English breakfast you'll have to pay extra …

T:What is this "English breakfast"?

C:Oh, you know, hot food: fried egg, fried bacon, porridge … w hereas the continental breakfast is coffee, tea, rolls, jam and honey — nothing cooked, you see.

T:I think I would prefer the continental breakfast.

C:Well, yes, that's included. And then we have the Dalton Hotel, more expensive, but very nice, a bathroom attached to every room. The Dalton charges ￡30 for a single room and ￡60 for a double. But there is no charge for children under 12 who stay in the same room as their parents.

T:I won't have my children with me. But maybe my husband will come a little later …

C:Well, the Park Hotel is very reasonably priced. ￡16 per person. Every room has a bath. There's a special rate of ￡25 which includes dinner, bed and breakfast —what we call half board. Or you can have full board, that's the room plus all meals for ￡29 per person per night.

T:We would only want breakfast.

C:I see. Mm …you could try the fourth hotel here, the Phoenix. It will cost you ￡28 for a double room with bath. Breakfast is ￡5 per person.

T:Yes. But what about the extra money, what do you call it in English, the service...

C:All these rates include a service charge of 10%. They also include VAT - that's Value Added Tax.

T:If we come later in the year will it be cheaper?

C:Yes. These are the rates for June to September. You would pay less at other times of the year.

T:I'll talk about it with my husband. Thank you for explaining everything to me.

C:You're very welcome.

Part II A touch of home

Bev Rose is a very good hostess. She tells the guests in her home there are sodas in the refrigerator, snacks in the kitchen, and videos next to the TV.

But Rose's guests aren't out-of-town family or friends. Her guests are from all over the world. Rose's house is like a small hotel. It is called a bed and breakfast or B&B for short. The name of Rose's B&B is Suits Us.

Rose and her husband have joined a growing number of people who are operating B&Bs in their homes. B&Bs offer the charm, comfort, and hospitality that is often missing in big hotels. That's why there are many people who would rather stay at a B&B than a hotel when they travel.

There are about 15 000 B&Bs across the U.S. Each year they welcome millions of visitors. And the number is increasing. "I think guests are looking for the personal touch," said Pat Hardy,

the director of the American Bed and Breakfast Association. "In a B&B, you don't have a room number. The owner knows who you are and helps you enjoy your trip," Hardy said. Travelers often want more than just a place to sleep. They like B&Bs because the owner takes a personal interest in them.

Rose said one of the best things about owning a B&B is meeting all the different people. She loves watching the guests meet each other for the first time at breakfast. "It's really fun to stand in the kitchen and talk with my guests. Even though most of them have just met for the first time, the conversations at the breakfast table are really interesting and lively."

Many B&Bs are older homes with interesting histories. Suits Us was built in 1883. The rooms are filled with antiques and 19th-century decorations. The Roses rent three of the upstairs bedrooms to guests. Every room at Suits Us has its own personality. The Roses have named several of the rooms for previous guests. For example, one of the rooms is named the Woodrow Wilson Room because the former U.S. President stayed there. Another room is called the Annie Oakley Room because the famous cowgirl was once a guest there.

Bed and breakfasts aren't for everyone. Some people aren't comfortable staying in someone else's home. And other people don't care for the personal interaction. But for a quiet, romantic place to stay, many people are checking into bed and breakfasts instead of hotels. Once people have stayed in a B&B, they often find it hard to go back to hotels.

Part III Renting a car

A:Good afternoon. U-Drive-It rentals. May I help you?

C:Hi, yeah. I'm interested in, uh, renting a car for the weekend, and I'm wondering if you have a special weekend rate?

A:Yes, we do. [Mm-hmm.] Uh … what sort of car were you i nterested in?

C:Well, we're a family of three and we have camping equipment. Now, I'm used to driving a small car, but I might need something a little larger because of the family and, uh … all the equipment that we have. A:Well, um … I could suggest a compact car for/to you. [Mm-hmm.] Some of our compacts have … have large trunks, [OK.] or, uh … Oh, better yet, why not a small station wagon? [Oh, good.] Um … all our cars are current models and, uh, have automatic transmission.

C:Oh, well, I'm used to driving a standard, but I guess there's no problem with automatic transmission.

A:No, no. If you can drive a standard you can drive an automatic. [Mh-hmm.] Uh, now, listen, when were you … uh … interested in … in renting this?

C:Uh, well, we'll be leaving on a Friday, that's the … let's see, that's Friday, July 7th, and then returning on the Monday. That would be the tenth.

A:Mm-hmm. Well, let's see … uh … we have … uh … Oh! We have a Pinto station wagon for those dates. [Mm-hmm. Good.] Um … yeah, I think … I think that's your best bet.

C:OK. Uh … well, then when would we have to pick up the car and when would we have to return the car to get that special weekend rate?

A:Well, for the weekend rate you have to pick up the car after four o'clock on Friday afternoon [Uh-huh.] and then return it by ten o'clock on Monday morning.

C:After four on Friday and returning by ten o'clock on Monday morning. [Mm-hmm.] OK. What … uh … uh, what would be the price for that?

A:OK, now, our … our regular rate is seventy-nine ninety-five. [Ooh!] but the special weekend rate w… you can get that for fifty-nine ninety-five. [Oh, Great.] Um … now the first three

hundred miles are free, [Mm-hmm…] after that it's twelve cents per mile.

C:Oh, so it's twelve cents a mile extra after the first three hundred miles?

A:That's right.

C:OK. Uh … do you have any … um … rentals with unlimited mileage?

A:Well, we do, but you can't get that special weekend rate.

C:Uh-huh. OK. Well, then does the fifty-nine ninety-five - that was the rate, right? [Mm-hmm.] —does that include insurance?

A:No … um … the insurance is ten dollars more, but I really recommend it.

C:Yeah.

A:OK, now there's a … there's a sales tax of eight percent, [Mm-hmm…] and … um … you have to return the car with a full tank of gas. [Uh-huh.] Also, we require a deposit of a hundred dollars.

C:Oh boy. It sure adds up!

A:Well, our rates are still the lowest in town.

C:Uh-huh. OK. Well, I tell you what. I'd like to think about it, if that's right, and then I'll call you back…uh…

A:Sure, that's fine. Uh, listen, when you … when you do call back, ask for Doug. That's me.

C:OK. Well, thanks a lot. Doug. Goodbye.

A:Take care.

Part IV More about the topic: What Type of Room Do You Want?

S: If the terms are favorable, we could come to an arrangement for regular accommodation. Now, I wanted to discuss the types of room with you, and rates for their use.

M:Certainly. The rates I’ll quote to you first of all are what we call "rack rates" , that is the normal rates quoted to the public. But obviously we would discuss a discount rate for you. Now, as regards the rooms, they are all of a very high standard. All our rooms have central heating. Most of them are with bathroom, and they all have a washbasin and a toilet.

S:That sounds fine. Can you tell me about your single rooms?

M:Yes. Our single rooms are very comfortable, and the rates are very reasonable. I think you'd find them suitable for visiting staff of all grades. The rack rate is ￡40 a night.

S: ￡40 a night …

M:Yes. Or for real economy, let's suppose you have a sales conference. You could double up your sales staff and put them into twin rooms. That would work out very cheaply. The normal rate is ￡55 per twin or double room per night.

S: Well, we might consider that possibility. But we also have some quite important visitors sometimes. Have you any really special accommodation we can offer them?

M: Well, suppose you have visiting managerial staff. For something more luxurious, we can offer our Delphos Suite. It's delightful, and convenient for entertaining private guests. It has its own private terrace where guests can sit outside and enjoy the view over the lake …

S: That sou nds most attractive …

M: The normal rate is ￡150 per night …

S: ￡150.

M: … but for total luxury, the finest accommodation of any hotel in this area, I can recommend our Bella Vista Penthouse. From the balcony, there's a magnificent view over the whole countryside.

S: Oh, lovely.

M: It has a bedroom connecting to a large sitting room, with a separate study, a bathroom, and a fully-fitted kitchen. It combines total luxury with total privacy. For example, if your Company Director and his wife wanted to stay for a few days it would be ideal.

S: And the rate?

M: The normal rate would be ￡220 a night.

Part V Do you know…?

Five U.S. hotels were voted among the world's top ten, with the Halekulani in Honolulu ranking first, a survey of Gourmet magazine readers released last Friday said.

Coming in second was the Oriental, in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by Villa d'Este, Cernobbio, Italy; The Regent Hong Kong, and Hotel Ritz, Paris.

The Greenbriar, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia ranked No. 8. The 10th-ranked hotel was the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, in Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies.

More than 150 hotels, resorts and inns in 27 countries and regions were ranked in general and specific categories that rated such things as dining, bars, pools, workout centers and romantic atmosphere. This is the third year that Gourmet, which has more than 5 million readers, has conducted the survey.

Another U.S. hotel, the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, topped the list for restaurant dining, beating out the Connaught in London, Italy's Villa d'Este and Bangkok's the Oriental. The Four Seasons in Philadelphia was No. 5.

In the specific category of best business hotels, the Regent Hong Kong ranked first as it has for the past three years. In other categories, Paris' Hotel Ritz with its Roman thermal baths was voted to have the best pools and The Green- briar in West Virginia was found to have the best workout center, golf and tennis.

Unit 3 “Planting” Money

Part I Getting ready

C. Keys:1 : Sincere; Y 2 : Doubtful; N 3 : Sarcastic; N 4 : Doubtful; N 5 : Sincere; Y 6 : Skeptical; N 7 : Surprised; Y 8 : Sincere; Y 9 : Emphatic; Y 10 : Sarcastic; N

Part II National teach children to save day

A. Keys: 1 : Thursday, April 17 2 : teaching children how to save money 3 : 2 500 4 : 5 000 presentations

B. Keys:1: 4; 2: 3; 3: 2; 4: 1

Part III Credit cards

Keys: 1 : importance 2 : later 3 : The potential disadvantages 4 : lots of purchases 5 : interest 6 : The benefits 7 : emergencies 8 : travel

Part IV More about the topic: Gulf Between the Rich and Poor

A. Keys: 1 : 3 2 : 1 3 : 2 4 : so much of their income 5 : ever larger houses and cars 6 : social programs or infrastructure repairs 7 : happier 8 : fewer disputes of work 9 : lower levels of stress hormones 10 : less often 11 : at an older age

B. Keys: 1 : vice president 2 : Myths of Rich and Poor 3 : positive side 4 : increased prosperity 5 : better off 6 : 30 years ago 7 : hundreds of gadgets 8 : easier 9 : more pleasurable 10 : cellular and cordless phones 11 : computers 12 : answering machines 13 : microwave ovens 14 : 3/4 15 : washing machines 16 : half 17 : clothes dryers 18 : 97% 19 : color televisions 20 : 3/4 21 : VCRs 22 : 2/3 23 : microwaves and air conditioners 24 : 3/4 25 : automobile 26 : 40% 27: home 28 :

half 29 : stereo systems

Part V Do you know…?

A. Keys: 1 : Tokyo 2 : Osaka 3 : Oslo 4 : Zurich 5 : Hong Kong 6 : Copenhagen 7 : Geneva

8 :Paris 9 : Reykjavik 10 : London

B. Keys: 1 : The Euro has appreciated against the US dollar. 2 : Persistent economic turmoil. 3 : Tehran. 4 : The economist team checks prices of a wide range of items from bread and milk cars and utilities to compile this report. 5 : Business clients use it to calculate the amount of allowances granted to overseas executives and their families.

Tape script

Part I Getting ready

B.

Narrator: What would you reply to these people? Man: Well, as I see it, millions of people in the world are worse off than us, but there's nothing we can do about it.

Woman:I'd say that if you do have plenty of money, there's no point in spending it on private education for your children. Man:It seems to me that the only way to help the poor in the world is to find ways of helping them to help themselves. … er … not … by … er … giving them free food. Women:If you ask me, taxes for rich people should be really high —95% or something - so that everyone is at the same economic level. Man:Er … in my view it … it's worth making a lot of money … er … so that you can leave it to your children when you die. Man:Don't you agree that if people are starving or have nowhere to live, it's the duty of better-off people to give them food and shelter? Woman:Look, let's face it, there's only one reason why people work and that's to make as much money as possible. Man:Surely, as long as you've got enough to live on, there's no point in making more and more money. Woman:If you're earning a good salary, surely you should save as much as you can for a rainy day. Man:I must say that one thing is certain: money doesn't buy happiness.

C.

Narrator: You'll hear some people reacting to various opinions — decide if they are agreeing or disagreeing with the opinions expressed. Pay attention to the tone of voice they use.

1.Woman: Aren't you glad you're not a millionaire?

Man:Sure!

2.Man:Don't you wish you could afford to spend our holidays in the Caribbean?

Woman:Mm, ye-es.

3.Woman: It's not worth saving your money, it's better to spend it.

Man:Oh, sure!

4.Man:It's better to be happy than rich.

Woman: Hmm.

5.Woman: Well, basically, in a job the most important thing is how much you earn.

Man:Oh, yes!

6.Man:It's really important to save a little money every month — you never know when you might need it.

Woman:I don't know about that!

7.Man:The only way to survive on a tight budget is to keep a record of all your expenses.

Man:I don't know about that!

8.Woman:Children these days get far too much pocket money.

Woman:Mmm!

9.Woman:In a family it should be the mother that controls the budget.

Woman:Yes!

10.Man:If I inherited a lot of money it wouldn't change my life at all.

Man:Oh, yes!

Part II National teach children to save day

On Thursday, April 17, "National Teach Children to Save Day," 2 500 bankers will make 5 000 presentations in elementary school classrooms across the country to teach children how to save money.

"Bankers are committed to investing in the future of children because we want them to be able to make smart financial decisions throughout their lifetime," said American Bankers Association Executive Vice-president Donald G. Ogilvie. "Education and money management skills are keys to a better life."

The ABA Education Foundation declared "National Teach Children to Save Day" as a way to show banking industry support for teaching children money management skills and encouraging them to save money for the future. In 1996, Americans saved only 4.9% of their disposable incomes, compared to 1970 when they saved 8%.

The Foundation coordinated a great effort with state bankers associations to encourage bankers to participate in "National Teach Children to Save Day." It also prepared a resource kit with tools to help bankers make presentations in classrooms. More than 125 000 students will be part of this national initiative.

The ABA Education Foundation also offers tips for parents to foster the savings habit in their children:

Give them an allowance with the understanding that part of it goes into their own savings — a first step towards learning to budget.

To make their savings visible and real, have them build up savings in a piggy bank. Then help them open their own bank savings account, and have them make deposits each month.

Use their monthly statements, or the record in their savings passbooks, to show them how their money is multiplying.

For every dollar your children earn, encourage them to spend 25 cents on what they want or need now, put 25 cents away for a bigger-item purchase later and save or invest the rest. (That's a 50% savings rate!)

Make savings and investing fun. Give your children play money to "invest" in stocks they can track in local newspapers. If the stocks go up, pay them in more play money; if the stocks decline, they pay you.

Part III Credit cards

Credit cards are an important part of American life. Whether we have a positive or negative image of credit cards, they are an inescapable part of our finances, either now or in the future.

Without a credit card, it's just about impossible to rent a car, make a hotel or airline reservation, or even get a membership at a video store.

Since credit cards are so important, yet so many people are in financial trouble because of them, we feel education is extremely important. We want to show our customers that credit cards are not toys; they are an important responsibility.

A credit card can be used to "charge" things like clothes, tapes or CDs, dinner at a restaurant, or maybe a hotel room while you're on vacation. When you charge something, you are agreeing to pay for your purchase at a later date. Basically, you are buying something now and paying for it later.

Credit cards come with a "limit." Let's say your credit card has a limit of $100. That means you can charge up to $100.00 worth of items on your card. You will get a statement in the mail each month that lists the charges you have made. You will also have to make a payment every month that you have a balance owing.

Since we're about educating our customers on the realities of credit and credit cards, we're going to be perfectly honest. First, using a credit card can be very expensive. Banks don't offer credit cards just because they like you. They offer them because they make money when customers use credit cards.

How do they make money? When you charge something on a credit card, you not only will have to pay for what you bought, but you will also have to pay interest, or a finance charge, if you don't pay your bill in full by the due date. The finance charge is your extra cost for having something now and paying for it later. The interest rate on a credit card can be 15% or even higher. If, however, you pay your bill in full every month by the due date, you do not have to pay interest. And of course, we highly recommend you do that!

It's very easy to make lots of purchases on your card and then be surprised at how quickly they add up when your bill arrives! If you're not careful when you use a credit card, you could find yourself in a lot of debt. And it always takes much longer to pay it off than to spend it.

You will also want to be careful about buying things with credit card you wouldn't normally be able to afford. Again, you can get in over your head and end up paying a tremendous amount of interest.

However, when used correctly, credit cards can be very helpful. It's sometimes hard to do certain things without a credit card. Credit cards are also helpful for emergencies and are good for travel. Some credit cards even insure your purchase, meaning if something is lost, stolen, or broken, it can be replaced.

We believe the best way to become responsible with credit is to learn through hands-on experience. If you begin at a young age with a low limit, you won't be likely to blow it and get in financial trouble later on.

Part IV More about the topic: Gulf Between the Rich and Poor

A. Woman: In 1998, the United Nation's Human Development Report contains some interesting statistical comparisons about global wealth. For example the report notes that the world's three richest people own assets which exceed the combined growth domestic products of the world's poorest 48 countries. In another amazing comparison the report says the statistics show that installing water and sanitation for all the world's poor would cost roughly the same amount of money as is spent annually on ice-cream in Europe. It also notes that basic education for everyone would cost slightly less than is spent annually for cosmetics in the United States. What's wrong with this picture? The author of a new book entitled Luxury Fever says the answer is "spending priorities". Robert Frank, a professor of economics at Cornell University in Ithyca, New York has written a book which says Americans are spending so much of their income on ever larger houses and cars that they can't afford to spend on social programs or infrastructure repairs.

Frank: It's a strange position really when you look back on it. Over the last 25 years, we've been

spending much more on building larger houses, we've been spending vastly more on automobiles. People in the middle of the income distribution don't have any more money in terms of real purchasing power than they did 25 years ago. People near the bottom of the income distribution have even less than they had. People at the top of course have done spectacularly well. There's been about a doubling in the real purchasing power that has been experienced by the top 1% of earners. So naturally, people at the top find it a perfectly reasonable thing to do to buy bigger houses or more expensive cars. But that's of the chain of imitative spending all the way down the income ladder, and many of the people in the middle who feel they desperately need larger houses because others have them really could be spending their money in other ways if we look back. Woman: The time required as you put it to earn enough money to pay for a larger house could be used and could be freed up to use for family and friends.

Frank: Well that's true. There is always a cost of buying more things. Instead of building a bigger house or buying a more expensive car, I can work fewer hours and spend time with family and friends. And what the behavioral studies show very clearly is that if everyone did that, people would be happier. They'd have fewer disputes of work. They'd have lower levels of stress hormones in their blood. They get sick less often. They die at an older age. (To) sum it up, there is no free lunch. If we spend more on one thing, that always means spending less on another. And the best evidence we have such as that rich and poor life would be both healthier and happier if we rearranged our spending patterns in these ways.

B. Woman 1: Another economist and author, however, see the positive side to the increased prosperity of Americans. W. Michael Cox is the vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas. And his book is entitled Myths of Rich and Poor. Mr. Cox disputes the widely held notion that there's a huge gap between the rich and poor in America. He says all Americans are better off than they were 30 years ago.

Woman 2: Technological advances have created hundreds of gadgets that did not exit 30 years ago. Mr. Cox contains in his new book, appliances like cellular and cordless phones, computers, answering machines, microwave ovens. He says these new inventions make life today both easier and more pleasurable. And he says these conveniences are available to a broader cross-section of the general public in the United States than in any other country in the world. That's because improvements in productivity and the openness of the U.S. market has made them affordable for just about anybody.

Cox: Today of all the people in poverty in America, almost 3/4 have washing machines, half have clothes dryers, 97% have color televisions, 3/4 have VCRs, 2/3 have microwaves and air conditioners, 3/4 own their own automobile, 40% own their own home, half have stereo systems.

Part V Do you know…?

Europe ranks as the most expensive region in the world in the latest survey by a prestigious London research group, the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Seven of the world's 10 most expensive cities are in Europe, according to the report released Monday.

The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Oslo as the third most expensive city in the world. Other European cities in the top 10 include Zurich, Copenhagen, Geneva, Paris, Reykjavik and London. Tokyo and Osaka remain on top of the list, as they have for a decade. Hong Kong ranked fifth. The editor of the report, Bill Ridgers, says strong European currencies, led by the euro, account

for the continent's high cost of living.

"We've seen an increase in the relative cost of living in the euro-zone countries as the euro has appreciated against the U.S. dollar, the prices have become relatively more expensive. And the flip side to that is that we've seen U.S. cities actually slipping down in the list because they are becoming relatively cheaper as the dollar becomes slightly weaker," Mr. Ridgers said.

New York City has dropped out of the top 10, and now ranks as the 13th costliest city. Latin American cities also have slipped down the ranks amid persistent economic turmoil in the region. Mexico City is in 56th place and Sao Paulo is 120th, just fourth from the bottom of the list. Tehran remains the world's cheapest city, with a cost of living less than one-quarter that of Tokyo. The Economist team checks prices of a wide range of items, from bread and milk to cars and utilities, to compile the semi-annual cost of living report.

Business clients use the service to calculate the amount of allowances granted to overseas executives and their families.

Unit 4 Loans for the Dream

Part I Getting ready

B. Keys:

Items Items

Charities Theatre and other arts events

Eating out √Stocks and shares

Hobbies (DIY, sailing, etc.) √Antiques √

Food and groceries √Cars

Items Same Up Down Figures

Entertainment √2566

Depreciation √300

Secretarial expenses √——

...

Motor expenses √2612

Audit & accountancy costs √——

Telephone & postage √Half as much as last year

Part II Raising money for buying a car

A. Keys: 1 ：college 2 ：repairing 3 ：a hundred pounds 4 ：three hundred fifty to four hundred 5 ：interest rates 6 ：an Ordinary Loan 7 ：24 months

B. Keys: 1 ：X 2 ：√3 ：7% 4 ：A day-to-day basis

1 ：overdraft

2 ：repay

3 ：lenders in the short term

4 ：pay interest on

5 ：collateral

6 ：life policy

7 ：deeds of the house

8 ：Government Securities

9 ：certificate 10 ：on a day-to-day basis

Part III Housing in the U.S.A.

A. Keys: 1 ：cost of housing 2 ：1/4-1/3 3 ：size and location 4 ：mortgage 5 ：easy to get things repaired 6 ：mortgage 7 ：condominium

B. Keys: 1 ：borrows, mortgages, shares, mortgage-based securities 2 ：They control about half the home loans in America. 3 ：Hiding the changes in the value; Poor supervision; Not carefully reporting its finances.4 ：The price of Fannie Mae has dropped.

Part IV More about the topic: Consumer Rights

A. Keys: 1: a. merchantable quality b. fitting for particular purpose /seller c. as described 2: no/ retailer's responsibility/take to shop 3: item/ too large/ fragile 4: evidence of purchase/ date of purchase 5: go to court/ sue the seller

B. Keys: 1 : F 2 : T 3 : F 4 : F

Part V Do you know…?

Keys: 1：any federal tax 2：tax on whiskey and other alcoholic drink; farmers refused 3：George Washington;13000 troops; defeated the Whiskey Rebellion. 4：personal income 5：rejected 6：The 16th Amendment 7：income

8: taxed at 35%;highest rate 9：10：no income tax 11：7%: income tax on business 12：over 40%: personal income tax 13: 35%: retirement programs 14: below 18%: customs

Tape script

Part I Getting ready

Dialogue one

A:You asked me where all the money goes. It's difficult to say exactly, but obviously we spend a lot of money on groceries. I enjoy cooking, and as we have a large family — four children — our food bill is quite big. We also like eating out — my wife and I probably go out to a restaurant about once a week. Unfortunately, there are no theatres round here, so we don't go to the theatre as much as we'd like. But we do spend money on our hobbies. I like doing jobs around the house —I'm one of the local DIY center's best customers — and I'm very keen on sailing — that's a very expensive hobby. I'm also very interested in antiques, especially clocks. You must let me show you my collection one day ...

B: I'd like that. I wanted to ask you about holidays. Do you usually go abroad or stay in this coutry?

A:We usually stay here. In fact, we spend very little on holidays. We have a small house near the sea and we usually go there. That's where I do my sailing. We did go away for a week last year, but that was exceptional.

Dialogue two

A:So how much did we spend on entertainment this year? B: 2566. A:That's down a little on last year. And what's the figure for depreciation? B:300, the same as last year.

A:Hm, expenditure on secretarial expenses is up. B: Yes, there's a big increase there.

A:What's the figure of 2612 for? B: Where's that? A: Six figures down. B: That's motor expenses. A: And what does this figure represent? B: Audit and accountancy costs. A: They're both up a lot. B:Yes, but expenditure on telephone and postage is down.It's half as much as last year.

Part II Raising money for buying a car

B:Well, good afternoon, Mr. Jackson. J:Good afternoon. I've come to see you to see whether it's possible to ... get an overdraft. I'm ... I want some money. [Yes] I'll tell you quite frankly what it is. I'm wanting to buy a new car. [Yes] I don't know whether it's possible to raise any money from the bank in this way. B:Er, I see no reason why not. J:I've got an old car ...

B:What's your proposition? J:Well, I've got this old car which is an eight-year-old Morris

1000, and I don't think there's any point in having it repaired any more because it just isn't worth it.

I feel that I could probably get about a hundred pounds for it and then that means that I would need about another four hundred-odd, three hundred and fifty ... [Mhm] er, on top of that, to buy a, a, not a new car exactly, but a newer one. [Mhm] Um, ... B:Do you use the car for your business, for your work? J:Er; yes I do, up to a point. That is to say, sometimes I take it to work and sometimes I don't, because I'm almost within walking distance of the College. [Mhm] Does this have some bearing on the, on the question of whether I can get an overdraft? B:No, I don't think so. I, er, it was just a matter of interest that I asked you, really. You think three hundred and fifty? J:I would say about three hundred and fifty to four hundred. With the other, with the other [Yes] hundred pounds then it would be about, er, five hundred pounds; well, one can get quite a decent car for five hundred pounds [Quite] — second hand, of course. B:Quite. And what sort of period of time could you repay us? J:Well, erm, this rather depends on you. Um, I would like to ... I, er, what is the normal procedure for such a sum of money? B:Well, for such a sum of money we could expect repayment within twenty-four months.

J:Two years. B:Two years. J:I see. B:We are lenders in the short term, remember, not long term. J:Yes. Er, is there ... Do you, do I pay interest on this?

B:You will pay interest on — well, the type of loan I have in mind is a Personal Loan, as I assume you've got no form of collateral to offer. J:What is — what is collateral? B:Well, have you any shares in any companies or life policies, deeds of houses, or anything like that?

J:I have some Government Securities, is ... would this be ... sufficient? B:You have some Government Securities, and what is their value? J:Er, it's about ... B:Have you got the certificates? J:... eight hundred pounds or so. B:About eight hundred pounds?

J:Yes, but I don't want to ... B:You don't want ... J:... cash them. B:No. No, well you wouldn't ... that wouldn't involve you in cashing them. I could grant you an Ordinary Loan where the interest to you would be less than on a Personal Loan, if you were willing to charge that Share Certificate to us. J:Yes. I see, um, er, is it, is it possible to er ... what's ... that, that would be the only security which you would need, in fact? B:I shouldn't need any other security, other than that ... [I see] not on a loan, not on a loan of that size. Or if you would agree to do it on a Personal Loan basis which [cough] I would not require any security whatever, as on a Personal Loan we have death cover and you are in regular employment, er, in, er, good-salaried employment, with a with a good, with a good salary, therefore I would not ask you for erm, any security. [Yes. Yes.] But the interest rate would be higher than on an Ordinary Loan. [Yes] I should charge you seven percent on a Personal Loan and that's on the original amount taken, whereas on an Ordinary Loan it would be at one and a half percent over Bank Rate, minimum six percent, and that would be calculated on a, on a day-to-day basis, so it does in fact work out cheaper. J:I see. Yes.

Part III Housing in the U.S.A.

A. In the U.S. today, the cost of housing is very high. It is common to pay one fourth to one third of a family's income on the place to live. The price of a house depends on its size and location. Big houses are more expensive than smaller ones. And houses closer to the center of big cities are more expensive than ones in the suburbs or in small towns.Regardless of the cost, it's usual for people to buy their houses over a period of time. When a family buys a house, it is necessary to borrow money from a bank to pay for it. Then they repay the bank in regular payments. This kind of bank loan is called a mortgage. Families can take 30 years to pay off the

mortgage. Without a mortgage, it would be impossible for most people to own their houses. Many Americans don't own their own homes. They pay landlords to live in their homes. The money they pay for this is called rent. Usually it is cheaper to rent than it is to buy and to pay a mortgage. Also when something needs to be repaired, it is easy for the renter to ask the landlord to fix it.Some people rent houses, but most renters live in apartments. Apartment buildings are located in cities where it is too costly to build houses. Recently, it has become common for renters to buy their apartments. When this happens, the cost usually increases, but the money goes to pay off the mortgage. Apartments bought this way are called condominiums.

B. Americans say owning a home is part of the American dream. But many people may not recognize the part that a company called Fannie Mae plays in the home loan industry. Now government financial investigators have found serious problems at the company. Fannie Mae began as the Federal National Mortgage Association. Congress established it in nineteen thirty-eight. It became a private corporation in nineteen seventy, and later changed its name to Fannie Mae.

A mortgage is a loan secured by property. A person goes to a lender, usually a bank, to borrow money for a home. The person pays the loan back, with interest, over a period of long as thirty years. The bank must wait a long time to get its money back. So Fannie Mae buys mortgages from lenders. This supplies them with money to use for other loans.

Investors buy shares in Fannie Mae so the company has money to pay for mortgages. Fannie Mae also sells and trades what are called mortgage-backed securities. Bonds based on mortgages are considered low-risk investments. However, these are not guaranteed by the government.

Fannie Mae and a similar company, Freddie Mac, control about half the home loans in America. Experts say the market is worth almost eight million million dollars.

Last year, investigators found problems with financial record-keeping at Freddie Mac. But they say the problems at Fannie Mae are a lot more serious.

An agency called the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight accused Fannie Mae of hiding changes in its value. The agency criticized the company for poor supervision and not carefully reporting its finances. Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department are also investigating Fannie Mae.

Franklin Raines, the chief executive officer, defends the actions of the company. Mister Raines says Fannie Mae did not falsely represent its financial condition.

Industry experts say the work of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helps keep mortgage rates lower, so more Americans can own homes. But the price of Fannie Mae stock has dropped after news of the investigations.

Experts say the company could have to pay more when it needs to borrow money. They say the situation could also lead to higher mortgage rates for home buyers in the future.

Part IV More about the topic: Consumer Rights

P:Many consumers are unaware of their rights in buying goods from shops and stores. Dave Watts of the Office of Fair Trading is here to explain exactly what your rights are under English law. Dave, first of all, what are the Acts that give the buyer rights? D:Well, Sandy, there are two Acts: there's the Sale of Goods Act and the Trades Descriptions Act and both cover the rights of a buyer in contracts that he or she enters into with traders. P:And ... um ... who are the "traders" exactly? D:Well, "traders" means any shop, doorstep salesman, street market stall or mail order firm. P:And so what is a "contract" then in ... in this respect? D:Well, if you

buy anything from a trader, you have in fact entered into a contract with him. P:And do traders have obligations? D:Yes, they have three main obligations. The first one is that the goods are "of merchantable quality" ... P:Er ... hang on, what does "merchantable" mean? D:Well, that means "fit for the purpose", bearing in mind the price that you've paid for it, the nature of the goods and how they're described. For example, a pair of shoes which fall apart after two weeks' normal wear are not of merchantable quality. Very cheap or secondhand goods needn't be top quality but they must still fulfill this obligation. And the second obligation is that the goods are "fit for any particular purpose made known to the seller". And the third one is that the goods are "as described". P:"As described"? D:Yes, on the package or as illustrated or described on a display sign, or verbally by the seller himself. P:And ... um ... if you think you have cause for complaint, what should you do?

D:Well, you must take the item back to the shop, unless it's too large or fragile to move, in which case the trader must collect it from you. And you'll be entitled to all or part of your money back, a cash refund, plus compensation for any loss or personal injury. P:Instead of taking it back to the shop, would it be a good idea to send it to the manufacturer? D:No, definitely not. It's the retailer's responsibility. But you could sue the manufacturer if you've suffered personal injury, say.

P:Oh, and what about receipts — should you keep them or doesn't it matter if you throw them away? D:Well, the purpose of keeping receipts is so that you have some evidence of your purchase and also of the date of the purchase, which sometimes is very important. But the retailer's not within his rights to say "No refunds without a receipt". P:Suppose a retailer refuses to give a refund for faulty goods, even when he legally has to? D:Well, in that case you should go to your local Citizens' Advice Bureau or to the Trading Standards Office, sometimes called the "Consumer Advice Center". P:Oh, I see. And if the worst comes to the worst? D:Well, you may have to go to court and sue the seller for your money or for compensation. But that's very rare, I'm glad to say, as it's more costly for the retailer to defend themselves in court than it is to give you your money back. P:Dave, thank you very much.

D:Thank you.

Part V Do you know…?

April fifteenth is a special date for Americans. But it is no holiday. It is tax day. It is the last day to pay any federal taxes owed on earnings from the year before. The Constitution gives Congress the power to establish federal taxes. State and local governments can also tax. But the idea of national taxes took time to develop. Not everyone liked the idea. In seventeen-ninety-one Congress approved a tax on whiskey and other alcoholic drink. Farmers in western Pennsylvania who produced alcohol refused to pay. They attacked officials and burned the home of a tax collector. America's first president, George Washington, gathered almost thirteen-thousand troops. The soldiers defeated the so-called Whiskey Rebellion of seventeen-ninety-four. It was one of the first times that the government used its powers to enforce a federal law within a state. At first the United States government collected most of its money through tariffs. These are taxes on trade. In the late eighteen-hundreds, Congress began to tax people's pay. The Supreme Court rejected the personal income tax. But, in nineteen-thirteen, the states passed the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This gave Congress the right to tax income. Today, personal income tax provides the government with more than forty percent of its money. Taxes collected to pay for retirement programs and other services provide thirty -five percent. Income taxes on businesses provided seven percent of federal money in two-thousand-two. And the government collects other taxes,

including customs. The Internal Revenue Service collects federal taxes. The I.R.S. is part of the Treasury Department. Most taxpayers do not owe the agency any money on April fifteenth. Their employers have taken income taxes from their pay all year and already given it to I.R.S. In fact, most people get some money back. But tax laws are often criticized as too complex. The United States has what is called a progressive tax system. Tax rates increase as earnings increase. This year people who earn more than three-hundred-twelve-thousand dollars are taxed at thirty-five percent. That is the highest rate. Individuals who earn less than seven thousand dollars pay no income tax, but they do pay other taxes.

Unit 5 Briefing on Taxation and Insurance Policies

Part I Getting ready

A.

B. Keys:

a. 1 : 8000/half 2 : 4000

b. 3 : 2000/twice 4 : 4000

c. 5 : 2000/double 6 : 4000.

d. 7 : 8000/a quarter 8 : 2000

e. 9 : 4000/similiar 10 : 4000

C. Keys:

Dialogue one:

1 : $30000

2 : 24%

3 : overdraft

4 : sailing

Dialogue two:

1 : A brand new video was stolen.

2 : Yes.The speaker paid the premium last week.

Dialogue three:

1 : mortgage

2 : income

3 : saving money

4 : entertaining

5 : pension schemes

6 : insurance

Part II Briefing on personal taxation

A. Keys:

1 : Structure

2 : rates

3 : 25%

4 : 40%

5 : ￡3295

6 : ￡5015

7 : pension

8 : 40%

9

: 7%

10 : collection 11 : PAYE 12 : Insurance 13 : 9% 14 : 10%

B. Keys:

1 : 10%

2 : simple and relatively low

3 : separate taxation

4 : 40%, Pay As You Earn, the employer

5 : the employee

Part III Should I buy an insurance policy? (I)

A. Keys:

1 : insurance policy

2 : save money

3 : buying a house

B. Keys:

1 : a fixed objective in mind/how much to pay each month; a fixed objective each month in mind/how much to produce over some years

3 : No; regular & systematic/short term/bank/Building Society

Part IV More about the topic: Should I buy an insurance policy? (II)

A. Keys:

1 : unmarried

2 : dependents

3 : no need

4 : acumulate capital/expand business/end of term

5 : saving to produce a pension

Part V Do you know…?

A. Keys:

1 : T

2 : F

3 : F

4 : T

5 : T

B.

a.We expected about eight thousand, but it was half of that.

b.We estimated about two thousand, but it's twice as much as that.

c.Her salary is about two thousand, and his is about double that.

d.We thought about eight thousand, but it's not more than a quarter of that.

e.We thouht about four thousand, and it's similiar to that.

C. Dialogue one: A:About 24% of my income goes in tax, which is quite low — I don't know how they manage in places where tax rates are higher. I have a good job — I suppose I earn about thirty grand with bonuses, but I wouldn't say that we were well-off. We can't afford to run two cars. The cost of living is very high here.

B：Does your wife work?

A：She does at the moment. We're trying to clear our overdraft, and there isn't a lot left over. We do spend a lot on food, but then we are a big family —it's difficult to economize. We spend very little on holidays, we usually go camping, which the children prefer anyway. We did go abroad for a week last year but that was exceptional. I don't know where the money goes. We don't often go out.

B：What about hobbies?

A：I'm keen on sailing, but it's an expensive pastime. We do spend a bit on the children, Angela loves riding, but we're careful, we have to be.

Dialogue two：A：We were broken into yesterday. They took the video. It was brand new.

B：oh no,what was it worth? A:About ￡300.

B:I hope you're insured.

A：Yes, luckily I paid the premium last week. But I'll have to make a claim. It's a real nuisance.

B：Are you covered for electrical goods?

A：I assume so. I'll check —I have to call them to get a claim form.

2016年高考全国I卷英语听力(含听力音频、听力原文和答案)

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