新发展大学英语听力教程 2(全新修订版)答案及听力原文

Unit One Colorful Life on Campus

Ⅰ. Pre-listening Activities

Part 1

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Part 2 a part-time job (an on-campus job); clubs; other organizations

■Script：

If you are attending college on a tight budget, you will most likely want a part-time job to ease your daily living expenses. Living on campus makes access to an on-campus job much easier as you will be only minutes away from your job. You don’t have to worry about driving to a job and days when there is bad weather. You will make that extra bit of cash while meeting and interacting new people.

Living on campus will give you the ability to take part in many clubs and organizations. This can include organizations that focus on education, cultural diversity, gender issues, recreational activities, spiritual activities, political clubs, sports activities, and much more. As well, the convenience of living on campus makes it more likely that you will participate in clubs and other organizations. Most colleges also have various college sports teams that one can try out for. Campus life is a unique experience that one should take full advantage of before they actually get out in the work world where they will have their whole lives to be fully independent.

Ⅱ. Listening Tasks

Task 1 Understanding News Reports

News Item One

1. C

2. D

News Item Two

1. B

2. D

News Item Three

1. B

2. B

3. C

■Script

News Item One

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

An estimated 80 percent of American adults think music lessons improve chi ldren’s ability to learn or their performance in school. They say that the satisfaction for learning to play a new song helps a child express creativity.

Researchers at Harvard University, however, have found that there’s one thing musical training does not do. They say it does not make children more intelligent.

Samuel Mehr is a graduate student at Harvard’s School of Education. He said it is wrong to think that learning to play a musical instrument improves a child’s intellectual development.

He says the evidence comes from studies that measured the mental ability of two groups of 4-year-olds and their parents. One group attended music class, and the other went to a class that places importance on the visual arts—arts that can be seen. The result is that they found no evidence for any advantage on any of these tests for the kids participating in these music classes. Questions:

1. What have the researchers at Harvard University found?

2. Who participated in the studies conducted by Samuel Mehr?

News Item Two

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

American colleges face what some people are calling a “perfect storm” of problems: college costs are rising, and there are not enough jobs for all those completing study programs. Yet employers say they cannot find enough workers with technical skills.

One solution may be found in the growing number and quality of online classes, such classes might revolutionize colleges the way the Internet has already changed music, publishing, sales, and other businesses.

“This is pretty amazing.” That is David Evans of the University of Virginia. He is teaching a Computer Science class on the Internet.

Many top universities now offer online classes; they teach everything from computer programming to the science of cooking. Many classes are at little or no cost, they are restructured more often than traditional college programs.

Questions:

1. Which of the following is not mentioned as the problems American colleges face?

2. What do we learn about online classes from the news report?

News Item Three

Questions 1 to 3 will be based on the following news item.

Nigeria has one of the world’s highest rates of people who cannot read or write, but a government agency is taking steps to help more than 400,000 Nigerians in Kano state become literate.

Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike reported on the situation last September. The minister said the number of illiterate Nigerian adults has increased by 10 million over the past 20 years, the current total is 35 million; the nation also has more than 10 million children who are not in school.

To improve that situation, Kano’s educational agency has joined with Education for All (EFA), a project of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Working together, they have launched more than 8,074 adult literacy classes in 44 local government councils. The effort is expected to reach about 403,700 people. Success would mean a 90 percent adult literacy level by 2015.

Questions:

1. What is the news report mainly about?

2. How many illiterate adults were there in Nigeria 20 years ago?

3.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the news?

Task 2 Understanding Long Conversations

Conversation One

1. B

2. A

3. A

4. D

5. B

Conversation Two

1. B

2. C

3. D

4. A

■Script

Conversation One

M: You should have seen the line at the housing office. It took me an hour to make my dormitory deposit for next year. Have you made yours yet?

W: No, I’m not sure I’m going to.

M: There’s not much time left. The deadline’s May 1st. That is just two weeks from now. Are you short of cash?

W: No, I’m Okay.

M: You’d better hurry up if you want a dorm room next September. There aren’t enough rooms fo r every one, and first year students have priority.

W: Well, I’ve been thinking about living off campus.

M: Have you got any idea of how much that would cost? There is the rent, utilities, and you’d probably need a car.

W: I know it would be more expensive. I think I can handle it though. The dorm is just so noisy that I can’t get anything done. Maybe my grades would be better if I had some peace and quiet in a place of my own.

M: You should study in the library the way I do. Think of the money you’d sa ve.

W: I’ve got to think it over some more. There’s still two weeks left in April.

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. What are the two speakers discussing about?

2. Where do the two speakers live now?

3. Why does the woman want to live off campus?

4. Where does the man usually study?

5. According to the woman, how much time does she still have to decide where to live?

Conversation Two

W: Guess what came in the mail today?

M: What?

W: My acceptance letter to Yale!

M: Wow! Congratulations! When do classes start?

W: Freshman orientation is the last week of August, but I want to go two weeks before that to get settled in.

M: Y ou’re so lucky! Do you have to do many things before you leave?

W: Yes. I’ll be very busy! I have to get a visa, buy a plane ticket, and pack my things. But first, I want to register for classes.

M: When can you do that?

W: Well, they sent me their prospectus, so I can start looking now. Do you want to help me decide which classes to take?

M: Sure. What can you choose from?

W: Well, I have to take all the foundation courses, plus a few from my major.

M: What is your major?

W: I hope to major in English literature, but the admissions counselor told me that many people change their major many times in their first year, so we will see.

M: What are the fundamental courses?

W: In order to graduate, every student must take a certain amount of classes in history, math, English, philosophy, science and art.

M: I nteresting. That’s very different from the Chine se education system.

W: Yes, it is. It is also very different from the British education system.

M: Really?

W: Oh, sure. In Britain, students don’t have to take the foundation course s.

M: Why not?

W: Maybe because they think they know everything already! Ha!

Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. When will the woman go to Yale to get settled in?

2. What does the woman plan to do before she leaves?

3. Which of the following courses is not included in the foundation courses?

4. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the conversation?

Task 3 Understanding Passages

Passage One

Listening for general comprehension

1. A

2. C

Listening for specific information

1. A

2. D

3. B

4. C

5. D

■Script

Listening for general comprehension

Your student ID can be a very powerful tool when it comes to retail shopping. Think about all of the things you have bought in college. Was one of them a computer? Have you gone to see a movie lately? All of these things, and many more, become more affordable by simply presenting your student ID when you get to the register.

Apple is a company bursting into the lives of college students everywhere through its numerous electronic devices. When you go to buy a computer and some other items as well, Apple will take money off the bill if you just tell them that you are a college student. They even make it so that you can shop with your student discount right on their website; all you have to do is find

your school in their database.

You can also try your local movie theater to see if they offer a student discount. Often, the bigger chain cinemas will have a program to save you a couple dollars when you go see a movie. Museums will typically cut you a break as well. You can often find reduced admission to museums, and you can also check to see if your school has a membership with them, as this can allow you to even get in for free.

Being a college student doesn’t have to mean that you can’t afford to buy or do nice things. It simply means that you need to shop smart. Always ask if there is a student rate available, the worst that can happen is they say no.

Listening for specific information

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the passage you have just heard.

1. What can be a powerful tool when it comes to retail shopping?

2. How can one enjoy the student discount when shopping on the Apple website?

3. According to the passage, on what kind of condition is a student admitted to museums free?

4. Which of the following places probably won’t offer a student discount according to the passage?

5. According to the passage, what does being a college student mean?

Passage Two

Listening for general information

1. a small city

2. activities and services provided by universities

Listening for specific information

1. D

2. B

3. A

4. A

5. B

■Script

Listening for general comprehension

The campus of a large American university resembles a small city. With stores, restaurants, and banks, most can meet your most immediate needs. Many campuses also offer numerous forms of entertainment, including sporting events, live theater, movies, and concerts. Typically, the larger the institution, the more activities it supports.

Universities also have a wide variety of support services available to their students, and to international students in particular. Some provide assistance in finding housing and childcare facilities or in improving your spoken or written English. They may have on-campus healthcare facilities and provide information on current health issues and health insurance. You may also be able to get advice on tax issues and personal or career counseling.

Figuring out where to go for specific needs can be confusing, especially at larger institutions—but it’s worth it to pursue the information you ne ed. Knowing who to go to for information is a great place to start if you’re a bit lost. Departmental secretaries are often a fount of information, as are international student advisers, graduate student government officers, and graduate school staff.

Most universities have an office for international students to provide orientation and information about vital services, such as healthcare and health insurance. However, sometimes the best source of information in graduate school is other students. Talking with other students may

help you realize that your struggles are also faced by many other graduate students. Your peers may have already dealt with and found solutions to the adjustment concerns typical of graduate student life.

Listening for specific information

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the passage you have just heard.

1. What kind of entertainment do many campuses offer?

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as services offered by universities?

3. According to the passage, how does one feel when figuring out where to go for specific needs?

4. Where can students obtain the best source of information in graduate school?

5. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Passage Three

Listening for general comprehension

1. C

2. A

Listening for specific information

1. D

2. D

3. D

4. A

5. C

■Script

Listening for general comprehension

In recent years, a degree from an elite university has become more important for getting a good job, and as a result competition for entering these universities has become more intense in America.

America’s college admission process is very different from China’s examination system. Rather than relying only on test scores to determine college admission, most American colleges consider several factors in making the decision. In addition to test scores, these factors include grades from high school, high school activities, letters of recommendation from teachers and an interview. Students are also often asked to write essays that describe themselves, their experiences and their goals for the future. American colleges feel that this system gives them an overall picture of the applicant’s character. This system can be complicated and it is the source of much worry among American high school students and their parents.

Another factor worrying students and their parents is the rising cost of sending their children to college. The cost of college education has risen higher than that of inflation for over twenty years. In addition, the government aid for college tuition has decreased severely in recent years. The elite private universities are the most expensive, and many families are worried that they will not be able to afford an education that will help their children get a good job in the future. Such universities often seek private donations so that they can give scholarships to students who are qualified but cannot afford the high tuition rates. The number of private scholarship available has increased in recent years, but paying for college is likely to remain one of the financial burdens that American families must bear.

Listening for specific information

1. According to the passage, what has become more important for getting a good job?

2. Which of the following is NOT the factor that determines college admission in American colleges?

3. What should be included in the essays that students are asked to write?

4. What happened to the government aid for college tuition in recent years?

5. Why do some universities seek private donations sometimes?

Ⅴ. Radio Program

1. getting a job

2. are permitted to work

3. attending classes

4. has no connection to

5. out of their control

6. graduate school

7. in return 8. office hours 9. an English speaking test 10. without permission

■Script

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Ⅵ. Song

1. matters

2. shattered

3. confused

4. worthwhile

5. rush

■Script

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Unit Two Advice on Making Friends

Ⅰ. Pre-listening Activities

Part 1

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Part 2: how much you appreciate their friendship; a small present; a special day together

■Script

How to celebrate Friendship Day and show your friends that they are truly special to you? Here are some suggestions you could use.

Write a nice card for your friend telling them how much you appreciate their friendship. Spill out your heart to them as though there is no tomorrow. Or you could send them a Happy Friendship Day greeting online to brighten their day.

Also, you may buy or make them a small present—flowers, chocolates, friendship bands, a cake, a dream catcher, friendship journal or anything that catches your imagination! Consider leaving the gift anonymously for added intrigue! One of the greatest gifts you can make your friend is a mixed CD of all the songs that define your friendship or ones that you just happen to mutually like!

For your best friends, plan a special day together. A picnic is always a fun idea, and great for all ages. If you’re physically-inclined, try an activity such as bowling, golf, rollerblading, cricket or going to the beach. Remember, there’s no just one way to celebrate this great relationship, anything that demonstrates your love for them will do perfectly.

Ⅱ. Listening Tasks

Task 1 Understanding News Reports

News Item One

1. D

2. D

News ItemTwo

1. A

2. D

News Item Three

1. A

2. B

3. C

■Script

News Item One

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

President Barack Obama will visit Cuba on March 21 and 22, the White House announced Thursday. It will be the first time in nearly 90 years that a U.S. president visits Havana, the capital of the island nation.

Diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States have improved in the past 14 months. The countries have re-opened embassies, and commercial airlines will fly between the two countries soon. Plus, the U.S. removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro have talked via telephone and have met in person twice. Obama will meet with Castro during the March visit. He will also meet with Cuban activists who work for social causes.

While normalizing relations, Obama said his administration promises to monitor Cuba’s communist government on human rights issues. First Lady Michelle Obama will accompany the president on the Latin American trip. The Obamas will travel to Argentina after Cuba. Questions:

1. Which of the following is not a sign of improvement in the diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba?

2. What did the Obama administration promise to do according to the news?

News Item Two

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

Scientists have found strong evidence of salt water on the planet Mars, the U.S. space agency NASA announced Monday.

NASA has found lines of “hydrated” salt minerals on Mars. Scientists say the se minerals would require liquid water to be created. And where there’s liquid water, they say, there could be life.

Jim Green is the director of planetary science at NASA Headquarters. He said during a news conference that “today, we are revolutionizing our understanding of this planet.”

Doug McCuistion is the former head of NASA’s Mars program. He told the Boston Herald that “if they are announcing that they have found easily accessible, freely flowing liquid water under the surface... that has massive implications both for the potential for life on that planet and sustainability of humans.”

NASA has found evidence of water on Mars in the past. In March, NASA said there was once more water on Mars than in Earth’s Arctic Ocean. They say more than four billi on years ago; Mars was covered with water 137 meters deep. But nearly all of it has since evaporated into space.

Questions:

1. Why do scientists say they have found strong evidence of salt water on Mars?

2. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the news?

News Item Three

Questions 1 to 3 will be based on the following news item.

Authorities say everyone has been evacuated from a luxury hotel in Dubai that was still burning early Friday.

The city’s police chief says all residents were ou t of the 63-story hotel, known as “The Address”.

The hotel had been packed with people celebrating New Year’s Eve when fire broke out at about 9:30 p.m., (about 1730 UTC). At least 14 people were injured.

The hotel stands across from the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa. The Burj Khalifa is more than 800 meters tall. It is the center of spectacular fireworks along the Dubai waterfront for New Year’s. Fireworks went on as planned.

Flames quickly moved through more than 20 stories of the hotel. It could be seen for kilometers in all directions.

Within 30 minutes, flames raced to the top of the hotel tower, and the sky was full of thick black smoke. Burning pieces of the hotel fell to the ground from the tower.

Witnesses said tens of thousands of people were crowded into the downtown area near the blazing hotel and the Burj Khalifa.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said earlier Thursday that thousands of security personnel were on duty because of the New Year’s events.

Questions:

1. How many people were injured in the fire?

2. What were people doing when the fire broke out?

3. According to the authorities, why were thousands of security personnel on duty?

Task 2 Understanding Long Conversations

Conversation One

1. D

2. B

3. D

4. A

5. B

Conversation One

1. C

2. C

3. D

4. B

■Script

Conversation One

W: Jack, I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve been trying to call you but you’re never home. Where have you been hiding lately?

M: Actually I’ve been very busy recently. I’m getting ready to go to the States for Christmas and I have a million things to do.

W: Since you are leaving, we should get together and have a party before you go. I can call some people… maybe Friday night, okay?

M: Actually, I’m trying to avoid that sort of thing. I would like to see everyone before I go, but I really don’t think I have time.

W: By the way, what do you plan to do when you go back?

M: Well, by the time I leave Hong Kong I’ll be broke, so I’ll probably have to look for some work when I get home. I’ll also be hanging out with old friends. I may take a trip to New York. W: Do you think you’ll come back to Guangzhou?

M: I plan to come back in February, unless someone offers me a great job. That is unlikely to happen, so I’ll probably be back.

W: OK, I’m getting off this shop. Why don’t you give me a buzz on Thursday and we’ll have dinner before you go?

M: Excellent. I’ll definitely do that. See you later.

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. Where has the man been recently?

2. What is the man busy with?

3. What does the man plan to do when he goes back?

4. When will the man plan to come back to Guangzhou?

5. Where does the woman probably make the phone call?

Conversation Two

W: Nice to meet you.

M: Good to meet you, too. What’s your major?

W: Oh, I’m supposed to be in pre-med, but I’ve been taking a lot of electives. I might change it.

What’s yours?

M: I’m just an aggie. We’ve got a ranch out west of Houston, and I’m thinking I might become a vet. You’re pre-med? Th en you’ve taken Chemistry One Twenty-one? It’s a required course for me, and I’m not good in chemistry at all. Maybe I could borrow your notes?

W: Hah! “Bonehead Chemistry”—no, sorry. I still have to take that, too. Hey, maybe we could sign up for the same sections.

M: Yeah, that’s a good idea!

W: When do you register?

M: Oh. Let me see. Wait a sec. Uh...ah, here it is: ten a.m. Monday.

W: Great! I register at nine. The Bonehead lectures are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the labs are Monday-Wednesday-Friday afternoons. I can register first and then let you know which sections I’ve got before you register at ten. What times are good for you?

M: Oh gosh. Maybe, early lectures and a Friday lab? I think better in the morning, and that’s going to be a tough course.

W: I know. That’s why I’m thinking about switching majors—the science prerequisites are really awful. But I’ll give it one more semester before I pack it in. You sure you want a Friday lab?

It’ll cut your weekend short.

M: Yeah, but I’m gonna have a full load this semester, so I gotta take something Friday anyway.

Might as well be something I can cut.

W: OK then. So, should I meet you back here Monday about nine-thirty? I can give you my schedule then.

M: Uh, how about in the cafeteria? I’d like to get som e coffee before I start—I’ll need the energy.

And it’s handier anyway.

W: Sure, that’s fine—let’s do that, then.

Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. Why does the man take Chemistry One Twenty-one?

2. When will the woman register according to the conversation?

3. What time does the man prefer to go to the labs?

4. Where will the woman meet the man to give him her schedule?

Task 3 Understanding Passages

Passage One

Listening for general information

1. how to end/dissolve a friendship (or how to dump a friend)

2. Three.

Listening for specific comprehension

1. A

2. B

3. D

4. C

5. C

■Script

Listening for general information

There are as many reasons for ending a friendship as there are for starting one. Think about how you feel when you are around this person. Do they put you down? Do they annoy you? Assess clearly why you no longer want this person in your life and be firm in your decision.

If you are dumping a friend because they are unreliable, the easiest solution is to gradually cut them out of your life. If he or she never makes time for you then they probably won’t notice that you are not making time for them either. People who don’t value your time do not value you; leave them out of your life. If you have dec ided that you want to dump a friend because you don’t want to share their lifestyle, then you need to make yourself very clear. You need to set clear boundaries. And if the person has committed some unforgivable mistakes, you also need to speak up. You need to clearly explain that whatever they did was unacceptable and you cannot pretend that it did not happen. You need to tell them that this was not OK and the friendships can no longer move on.

It might be tempting to give someone the silent treatment, but remember that everything that seems self-evident to you is not always equally obvious to others. The other person might not even know that they hurt your feelings! If someone’s behavior is really bothering you and they are more than a casual acquaintance, you should carefully but surely speak up.

Listening for specific comprehension

1. What is the easiest solution when you want to dump a friend who is unreliable?

2. What does the speaker think of people who don’t value other people’s time?

3. What need you do if you are dumping a friend whose lifestyle you don’t want to share?

4. What does the speaker suggest you do if your friend’s behavior is really bothering you?

5. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

Passage Two

Listening for general information

1. A

2. D

Listening for specific comprehension

1. A

2. D

3. B

4. D

5. B

■Script

Listening for general information

Many students want to find friends on the Internet as a way of practicing their language skills and learning more about new cultures. Traditional pen pals were the primary source for such contacts, and students could write each other letters. With the Internet, finding friends has become much easier, and such relationship is called key pals.

However, care and consideration should be given when finding friends on the Internet. Below

are several tips you could use when looking for friends online. First, search the Internet for reputable services. Look for reviews of such sites to learn more about other stu dents’ experiences. Don’t join a service until you have done your research. Second, check to see if you can use a nickname, rather than your real name, to protect your identity. Third, never give personal information to anyone, including your home address, phone number, and birthday. Fourth, stop contacting with others if you feel uncomfortable with the topics of the conversation. Again, if you protect your identity, this will be easier to do. Tell your teachers, parents, or even local law enforcement if problems arise. Last but not least, try to use the language you are studying in the classroom in your communications with others. Ask appropriate questions that will also help you learn about other cultures.

Listening for specific comprehension

1. According to the speaker, why do many students want to find friends on the Internet?

2. According to the speaker, how can students find reputable services?

3. What does the speaker advice students to do in order to protect their identity?

4. Who can students turn to if they are in trouble?

5. According to the speaker, which of the following statements is TRUE?

Passage Three

Listening for general comprehension

1. A

2. D

Listening for specific comprehension

1. D

2. C

3. D

4. C

5. A

■Script

Listening for general comprehension

Sometimes we have a fight with a friend. You just seem to argue, and then stop talking to each other. Time goes by and you realize that you miss the friendship, and wish you could talk to your friend again. If so, the following tips may be helpful.

Tip one: It’s always better to let the argument simmer a little before confronting the person. If you talk right after the fight, many things are said out of anger.

Tip two: Allowing bad feelings to brew for too long creates a situation that becomes more difficult to make up. So after the fight calms down, make sure you talk to the person before it’s too late.

Tip three: It’s okay to be the first to give in and apologize. The other person probably wants to do it too, but it shows your courage and that you are a dedicated friend. Yet, if you’re constantly in fights and always making up first, then take time to reconsider if this person is really a friend.

Tip four: If the friends are unforgiving then try to look back and see what you could have done. Read past emails, chats and something like that. This will help you understand their point of view.

Listening for specific comprehension

1. What should one do right after the fight with a friend according to the speaker?

2. What will be the result of waiting too long after the fight with a friend?

3. Which of the following is true when it comes to apologizing to a friend?

4. What is suggested if one is constantly in fights and always making up first?

5. If a friend is unforgiving, what should one do?

Ⅴ. Radio Program

1. similar needs

2. reduce disease

3. in their roots

4. harm each other’s development

5. being harvested

6. easily affected

7. sensitive to the gas

8. too firm to eat

9. get the job done faster 10. out of direct sunlight

■Script

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Ⅵ. TV Series Learn English Through TV Series

1. pulling

2. cheer

3. keyhole

4. emergency

5. swear

6. obviously

7. responsibility

8. yell

9. stuck 10. choice

■Script

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Unit Three Colorful and Healthy Lifestyle

Ⅰ. Pre-listening Activities

Part 1

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Part 2 1; 6; 13; 14; 17; 18

■Script

There are many dance clubs in urban areas throughout the United States. Most dance clubs have darkened dance floors and loud music. Music played there may vary between hip hop, salsa, pop, or rock. Some dance clubs may have multiple floors and different types of music may be played in different areas.

Most dance clubs have a cover charge or entrance fee. There may be a VIP entrance available in order to avoid the long lines. Some dance clubs may stamp your hand with invisible (visible with infrared light) ink for reentry.

The atmosphere of some clubs may be more suitable for teenage and college crowds, while others may be more suitable for adults. Some clubs also offer dinner and some form of entertainment.

Most dance clubs have a dress code, i.e., you must wear shoes, a shirt (no T-shirts), and pants (no jeans) to be allowed inside.

Ⅱ. Listening Tasks

Task 1 Understanding News Reports

News Item 1

1. D

2. A

News Item 2

1. C

2. B

News Item 3

1. D

2. A

3. C

■Script

News Item One

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

Earlier this summer, a young woman in Baltimore, died as a result of taking part in a medical study. The study was designed to learn how people with healthy lungs and people who have the breathing problem, react to particles or substances. The medical researchers at Johns Hopkins University had a number of healthy people breathe into their lungs a drug called hexamethonium. Twenty-four-year-old Ellen Roche was one of the nine people who agreed to take part in the study. She died on June second as a result of the drug. In July, the federal government criticized the

univers ity’s system that is supposed to protect people involved in such studies. An investigation found that the researchers failed to consider information about the possible harmful effects of the drug on the lungs. The people who took part in the study were never told that the drug is not approved for human use, and they were not warned about possible dangers.

Questions:

1. What is the news mainly about?

2. Why did the government criticize the university’s system?

News Item Two

Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.

It’s not unusual in the United States for a new mother to quit her job after giving birth to a child. Sam is only 9 months old, and his mother, Lora, dreaded the thought of going back to work. “I got only six weeks with him, and it is just not enough time. We needed someone to take care of him, but the cost of day care in D.C. is high. I would not be bringing home enough money to cover day-care bills,” she said.

While the U.S. is nowhere close to a federal law that mandates paid maternity leave, some states like New York, New Jersey, California and Rhode Island are addressing the issue.

“If you live in those four states, you would be covered and eligible to have paid leave, but if you live in the rest of the USA, it really just depends on whether or not your employer voluntarily offers those benefits, since we do not have any national programs to provide wage replacement,” said Sarah Jane Glynn from the Center for American Progress.

Questions:

1. Why did Lora dread the thought of going back to work?

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the news?

News Item Three

Questions 1 to 3 will be based on the following news item.

The government in China plans to end its one-child per family policy and instead let families have two children. The plan was announced Thursday after high-level political meetings in Beijing. The official of Xinhua News Agency says the country’s top legislature must approve the proposal before it becomes law. A Chinese Communist Party statement gave a number of reasons for the change in policy. The statement said the change is meant to balance population development. It said the move also attempts to stop a declining birth rate and strengthen the country’s work force. China—the world’s most popul ous country—launched the one-child policy in 1980. But the government permitted only a small number of couples to have two children. For example, some rural families were given approval to have two children.

In 2013, the Chinese government gave couples a chance to have two children. Families could have two if one parent was an only child. At the end of 2014, China had a population of 1.37 billion people. A total of 800 million of them are employed. But that job market population is expected to drop by 2050. With the two-child policy, an increase in births will ease the labor shortage, starting in 20 years.

Questions:

1. What is the news mainly about?

2. Which of the following is not the reason for the two-child per family policy?

3. What do we learn about the job market in China from the news report?

Task 2 Understanding Long Conversations

Conversation One

1. C

2. A

3. D

4. B

5. C

Conversation Two

1. D

2. C

3. A

4. B

■Script

Conversation One

M: Connie, do you have any plans to get married?

W: You know, Bill. I’m so busy with my job at the law firm that I never have much time left for a social life.

M: Well, we aren’t getting any younger. You have to make time for things like that.

W:But, for the time being, I’m focusing on my work. My car eer is really starting to blossom. I’m sure I’ll meet someone when the time is right.

M: You know, it’s harder to have kids after a certain age. Also, most men are married by the time they’re in their thirties.

W:I’m not sure I want to get married.

M:You’re not one of those feminists, are you? The kind that says “women belong in the office and not the kitchen”?

W:I wouldn’t put it like that. But, I am a feminist in that I believe a woman has a right to choose what to do with her life.

M: Sure, but e veryone should get married sooner or later, don’t you think?

W:Not necessarily. It isn’t for everyone.

M:It’s the normal thing to choose.

W:Speaking of choices, I’d like to change the subject.

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. Does the woman want to get married? Why?

2. How is the woman’s work going?

3. Which of the following statements will the man most probably object to?

4. What is the woman’s attitude towards the idea “women belong in the office and not the

k itchen”?

5. What does the woman think of Bill’s advice?

Conversation Two

M: Now, Shona, you said that you jog.

W: Yeah, I do.

M: I’m a jogger too.

W: Oh, are you? Fantastic. How often do you do it?

M: Well, I actually try to go every day.

W: OK. How long for?

M: Between thirty minutes and an hour, depending on the day. And you?

W: It depends on the day as well. Today it was only like half an hour, but I try to get out for an hour, maybe like four or five times a week. I used to be a lot fitter and I just realized today that I’m not as healthy as I used to be, so I’m probably gonna pump it up a little bit and do a little bit more.

M: So you said you’re not fit. What happened? Did you stop running?

W: Yeah, I guess I’ve not been doing as much as I used to re cently because I used to do more than just jogging. I went to the gym as well. I did yoga. But when you just stick to one exercise alone, it tends to make your fitness drop a little bit.

M: Right.

W: So I need to vary it a little more.

M: Well, actually, where do you run? Do you run on the river?

W: Yeah, I run down the river. Just along it, to the right-handed side. Just as far as, like fifteen or twenty minutes, and then back.

M: Actually, there’s a really nice park near here that has a really nice runnin g trail.

W: Oh, really.

M: I highly recommend it. Yeah. But you’re gonna take the train, and it’s four stops. You have to pay a little money, but it’s worth it.

W: Wow. Cool. You’ll have to tell me where it is.

M: Sure. I can draw you a map.

W: OK, cool.

Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

1. How long does the man usually jog?

2. How often does the woman jog?

3. Where does the woman usually run?

4. How will the woman get to the park that the man recommends?

Task 3 Understanding Passages

Passage One

Listening for general information

1. you love to hate

2. our attitude is everything

Listening for specific information

1. C

2. B

3. C

4. C

5. D

■Script

Listening for general information

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to ask him, “I don’t get it. You can’t be positive all the time. How do you do it?”

Michael replied: “Each mor ning I wake up and say to myself ‘Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.’ I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or choose to

learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.”

“Yeah, right. It isn’t that easy. ” I protested.

“Y es, it is,” Michael said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line is: It’s your choice how you live life.” I reflected on what Michael said. Finally, I 1ea rned from him that every day we have a choice to live fully and our attitude is everything.

Listening for specific information

1. Which of the following descriptions about Michael is NOT true?

2. What is the speaker’s attitude towards Michael’s behavior?

3. When something bad happens, what will Michael do?

4. When someone complains to him, what will Michael do?

5. What is the bottom line of life?

Passage Two

Listening for general information

1. The passage is about how to eat smart.

2. Four.

Listening for specific information

1. D

2. D

3. A

4. B

5. A

■Script

Listening for general information

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Paying attention to what you eat and choosing foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable helps support an overall healthy diet.

Take time to chew your food: Chew your food slowly. We tend to rush through our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths.

Avoid stress while eating: Avoid eating while working, driving, arguing, or watching TV. Try taking some deep breaths prior to beginning your meal, or light candles and play soothing music to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Listen to your body: Ask yourself if you are really hungry, and stop eating when you feel full. Eating just enough to satisfy your hunger will help you remain alert, relaxed and feeling your best.

Eat early, eat often: Starting your day with a healthy breakfast can jump-start your metabolism. Also, eating small, healthy meals throughout the day, rather than the standard three large meals, can help keep your metabolism going and ward off snack attacks.

Listening for specific information

1. How can people eat smart according to the speaker?

2. Which of the following eating habits is correct according to the passage?

3. Why should one stop eating when one feels full?

4. What is the advantage of eating breakfast?

5. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Passage Three

Listening for general information

1. Most Americans do not do everything they can to lead a healthy lifestyle.

2. No, not very popular.

Listening for specific information

1. D

2. D

3. B

4. A

5. A

■Script

Listening for general information

A study performed in 2005 by an epidemiologist at Michigan State University found that most Americans do not do everything they can to lead a healthy lifestyle. The study that was published in journal Archives of Internal Medicine looked at four basic characteristics that are part of a healthy lifestyle:

First, being a non-smoker.

Second, exercising 30 minutes or more five days per week.

Third, eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Fourth, maintaining a healthy weight with a BMI under 25.

The researcher was quite surprised with his findings: of 153,000 adults, only three percent followed all four steps for a healthy lifestyle. “I was really quite surprised at how low that number was,” said Mathew Reeves, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Michigan State University. “These results illustrate the extraordinary low prevalence of healthy lifestyles in the United States adult population.”

This is really a bad news, because an unhealthy lifestyle means more illnesses and more expense to treat those illnesses. This means a bigger burden on an already challenged healthcare system. Poor health also means more time lost at work, less quality recreational time, and even shorter lifespan. The good news is that all of these lifestyle changes are reversible and not at a great cost. Remember that changing your unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one will lower your risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases.

Listening for specific information

1. Which of the following is not the characteristic of a healthy lifestyle?

2. How does the researcher feel about the findings of the study?

3. How many adults in America followed all four steps for a healthy lifestyle?

4. According to the passage, what does leading an unhealthy lifestyle mean?

5. What is the good news suggested by the research?

V. Radio Program

1. came from a survey

2. mental or emotional stress

3. dropped sharply

4. the youngest adults

5. report feeling negative emotions

6. grow more thankful

7. be linked to

8. brain chemistry

9. being unemployed or being single10. well-being related to age

■Script