Model Test Two
Model Test Two
Part II Listening Comprehension
Section A
1. W: If it is hot tomorrow, we may give up the idea of playing tennis in the afternoon.
M: Oh, I don' think it will last long. The weather forecast says it will cloud over by mid-afternoon.
Q: What are they talking about?
2. W: Did you hear that Henry is leaving the company? I was under the impression he was on a fast track to the top.
M: It surely looked that way. I was always surprised what a good job he was doing. He must have done something wrong.
Q: What's the man's opinion about Henry?
3. W: Have you heard the terrible news? Nobody was survived in the traffic accident caused by a drunk driver!
M: I had a hard time getting through such news. I think it's high time we turned our attention to the danger of drunk driving now.
Q: How does the man say about the news?
4. W: I really can't stand the way Harry dominates the conversation all the time. If he's going to be at the party, I just won't come.
M: I'm sorry you feel that way, but my wife insists that he come.
Q: What does the man intend to do?
5. W: Have you been able to understand that German novel without any help from the teacher?
M: I have done pretty well, but I had to fall back on my dictionary occasionally.
Q: What does the man mean?
6. W: Maybe we should take Front Street this morning. The radio announcer said that traffic was very heavy on the freeway.
M: Well, if he says "to take Front Street" we should go the other way!
Q: What can we learn about the man from the conversation?
7. W: Mr. Brown is fluent in French and now he's beginning to study Spanish.
M: He also picked up a few words in Japanese when he stayed there and became interested in Chinese.
Q: Which language does Mr. Brown speak well?
8. W: When can we have our next English film? Will Friday afternoon be all right? M: Let me see. There's a lecture and the students won't be free until four o'clock. We may show it at seven o'clock in the evening.
Q: Why will the next English film not be shown until seven o'clock?
Conversation One
W: It's a lovely day, isn't it?
M: Yes, nice and sunny, with a fresh breeze blowing.
W: I hope the weather stays this way.
M: I think it will. At least the weather forecast says so, anyway.
W: That's good. It means we'll be able to have picnic again. That's something to look forward to.
M: How about taking a trip to the West Hill this Saturday?
W: That's great! Shall we have a picnic on the top of the hill? You like picnics very much, don't you?
M: Yes, you know me very well. What should we take there? Should we take some fruit?
W: Yes, of course. I will take my favorite fruit-- strawberries! Don't you think it is very delicious?
M: Yes, but I think hamburgers are more delicious. Let's take some drinks with us, too. What drinks do you like?
W: I always drink water. I think it is supposed to be the healthiest drink. And I am afraid we must take a camera there. You know, it is very beautiful on the hill at this time of year.
M: That sounds exciting. I like to take photos very much and I will be the best photographer for you. Let me make thorough preparations in case that we run out of
film. When and where shall we meet?
W: Let's meet at my home. I can ask my father to take us there in his car.
M: OK. Let's meet at 900 then.
W: That's too late for a hike!
M: But I'm afraid I can't get up so early. I always like to stay in bed till late in the morning.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
9. What are the two speakers talking about?
10. Why does the woman prefer to take water?
11. What would the man do to make full preparations for taking photos? Conversation Two
W: Mr. Brown, I'd like to talk to you about something that is getting to be a problem. I'd like, if possible, to see it settled at this meeting.
M: What is it, Mrs. Green?
W: It's about the quality of 300 cartons of dried mushrooms. They reached us two weeks ago, and were immediately examined after they arrived. To our astonishment, about 20% of them had gone bad.
M: Is that so? So far we haven't had any complaint of this kind. Our mushrooms have enjoyed a good reputation for their superior quality for years. As you know, before shipment, the Commodity Inspection Bureau inspected the goods in question. They concluded that the goods were well dried from fresh and up to standard for export. We are really at a loss to understand why your lot was found bad. Do you have any evidence?
W: Certainly. Here's a survey report by a well-known lab in London, whose evidence is absolutely reliable.
M: Though everything may be as what you say, there are many factors involved. What's more, your surveyors have not mentioned any cause for the damage.
W: The mushrooms were packed in small one-pound plastic bags, sixty of these bags to a carton. It is stated on the surveyor's report that external conditions of goods at the time of survey are all sound. So the mushrooms may not be dried properly and it
is obvious the cause of the damage.
M: We'll make further investigation on what happened. I assure you we will do everything possible to find out why it happened. Please give us some time.
W: Ok. Thanks for your action. Goodbye, Mr. Green.
M: Goodbye.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. What problem are the speakers discussing?
13. Why have the mushrooms enjoyed a good reputation?
14. What may be the main cause for the damage?
15. What measures will the man take according to this passage?
Section B
Passage One
How do you know sport at the international level? I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or basketball, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples, the 1936 Olympic Games, for instance, that international sporting contests lead to hatred, one could deduce it from general principles. Nearly all the sports practised nowadays are competitive. You play to win, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win. On the village green, where you pick up sides and no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise. But as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly something like warfare. But the significant thing is not the behavior of the players but the attitude of the spectators and, behind the spectators, of the nations. The nations work themselves into angry over these absurd contests, and seriously believe at any rate for short periods that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. What makes the speaker amazed according to the passage?
17. What is the characteristic of all the sports practised today?
18. What is the significant thing in the sports?
Passage Two
The story of how the song "Happy Birthday to You came to be, began as a sweet one, that later soured. Two sisters, Mildred Hill, a teacher at the Louisville, Kentucky Experimental Kindergarten, and Dr. Patty Hill, the principal of the same school, together wrote a song for the children, entitled "Good Morning to All." When Mildred combined her musical talents, as the resident expert on spiritual songs, with her sister's expertise in the area of Kindergarten Education, "Good Morning to All" was sure to be a success. The sisters published the song in a collection entitled "Song Stories of the Kindergarten" in 1893. Thirty-one years later, after Dr. Patty Hill became the head of the Department of Kindergarten Education at Columbia University's Teacher College, a gentleman by the name of Robert H. Coleman published the song, without the sisters' permission. What's worse for the sisters is he added a second verse, the familiar "Happy Birthday to You." Mr. Coleman's addition of the second verse popularized the song and, eventually, the sisters' original first verse disappeared. "Happy Birthday to You," the one and only birthday song, had altogether replaced the sisters' original title, "Good Morning to All."After Mildred died in 1916, Patty, together with a third sister named Jessica, sprang into action and took Mr. Coleman to court. In court, they proved that they, indeed, owned the melody. Because the family legally owns the song, it is entitled to royalties from it, whenever it is sung for commercial purposes.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
19. Why was "Good Morning to All" sure to be a success?
20. How did the song become popular?
21. How did Pat and Jessica do in court?
Passage Three
Problems are always encountered in one's life to be faced and overcome. We cannot achieve anything with an easy life. One of the main decisive factors of success in life is our attitude. While we cannot choose the adversity, we can choose our attitude towards it. Helen Keller was the first deaf and blind person to gain a University degree. Her activity and writing proved inspirational. She wrote, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." Douglas Bader was 21 in 1931 when he had both legs cut off following a flying accident. He was determined to fly again and went on to become one of the leading flying heroes in the Battle of Britain with 22 aerial victories over the Germans. He was an inspiration to others during the war. He said, "Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you can't do this or that. Make up your mind, you'll never use a stick, then have a go at everything. But never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible." The biographies of great people are littered with examples of how they took these kinds of steps to overcome the difficulties they faced. The common thread is that they did not become defeatist or depressed, but chose their attitude to be positive.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
22. What can we do when we face difficulties in lives?
23. How can the soul be strengthened according to Helen Keller?
24. What role did Douglas Bader play during the war?
25. How do great people teach us?
Section C
Would-be language teachers everywhere have one thing in common: they all want some recognition of their professional status and skills, and a job. The former requirement is obviously important on a personal level, but it is vital if you are to have any chance of finding work. Ten years ago, the situation was very different. In virtually every developing country, and in many developed countries as well, being a
native English speaker was enough to get you hired as an English teacher. Now employers will only look at teachers who have the knowledge, the skills and attitudes to teach English effectively. The result of this has been to raise non-native English teachers to the same status as their native counterparts-- something they have always deserved but seldom enjoyed. Non-natives are now happy linguistic discrimination is a thing of the past. An ongoing research project, funded by the University of Cambridge, asked a sample of teachers, teacher educators and employers in more than 40 countries a question: whether they regard the native and non-native speakers distinction as being at all important. "No" was the answer. They would ignore who the teachers were and where they came from. As long as candidates could teach and had the required level of English, it didn't matter. Thus, a new form of discrimination-- this time justified because it singled out the unqualified--liberated the linguistically oppressed. But the Cambridge project did more than just that: it confirmed that the needs of native and non-native teachers are extremely similar.
Model Test Five
Section A
1. M: Our English teacher gave me an “F” in the final exam last semester. It is the third time that she has given me an “F”.
W: As a matter of fact, it is not the teacher but you who decide whether you pass or fail in every exam.
Q: What does the woman mean?
2. W: It is reported that many companies are going to lay off some workers because of the recent economic recession.
M: Yeah, but no company can afford to dismiss such an excellent engineer like you.
Q: What does the man imply?
3. M: I finally submit myself to the computer. It goes down the minute I log on.
W: You mean the one you bought last week? The store guarantees it can be changed or refunded within two weeks so long as you have the invoice.
Q: What should the man do according to the woman?
4. W: The university opens a lot of optional courses. I'm wondering which one I should choose.
M: Many students choose those that they can easily pass, but it isn't sensible. In my opinion, a distinguished professor is more likely for you to pick up what you need.
Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?
5. M: How about your holiday travel plan?
W: My travel plan will be in vain. My parents ask me to attend a piano class, a dancing class, and I have to take a driving test, so I can't even spare one day for travel.
Q: What can we learn from the conversation?
6. W: What do you think of the present exposition?
M: Oh, it has been years since I have been exposed to such a wonderful scene. I think a revisit is worthwhile if possible.
Q: What does the man mean?
7. M: I'm really regretful. The clothes I received don't match those advertised.
W: I have told you many times that not all the advertisements on those shopping websites are reliable. A try-on is always more sensible.
Q: What can we learn from the conversation?
8. W: Hello, would you please send someone to my apartment? The heating system doesn't work here.
M: Sorry, Madam. All the workers here are rushing to repair the central heating plant. Yours will be all right when it goes well here.
Q: What does the man mean?
Conversation One
M: Have you ever visited a foreign country recently?
W: Yes, I went to Thailand this summer with my parents.
M: Are there any local customs that strike you as interesting or strange?
W: Sure. One thing I found interesting is how the Thai people attach different levels of importance to different part of the body. For example, head is considered the most important, so you aren't supposed to touch others' head in Thailand. Then the right hand is considered clean and the left hand unclean. You should use your right hand to eat food and never use left hand to shake hands or receive a gift.
M: That's interesting. Different cultures have different customs and rules of behavior. Do you think cultural differences can be a source of misunderstanding in communication?
W: Yes, I think so. I think we are so used to the ways we do things in our own culture that we tend to take them for granted. What are good manners in one culture may be bad ones in another. If you are ignorant of such differences, problems will surely arise.
M: But how can we deal with cultural differences?
W: I think first of all, we must learn about other cultures so as to avoid causing unnecessary misunderstanding. But more importantly, we should treat people from other cultures with respect.
M: How do we usually treat other cultures then?
W: We tend to view people who are different from us as odd or ever inferior, but we have to remember that all cultures are equal. In fact, if we are willing to put away our prejudices and try to see things from other people's perspectives, we'll find that they are not as different from us as they may seem.
M: Sure, thank you. I do appreciate your insight.
W: My pleasure.
9. What is considered to be polite in Thailand?
10. Why do cultural differences cause misunderstanding?
11. How should we deal with cultural differences according to the woman?
12. What will happen if we treat other cultures equally?
Conversation Two
M: I hear that you're looking for an apartment, and I just rented a two-bedroom downtown. I'm looking for a suitable roommate.
W: Great! I'm looking for a place right in that area. Your apartment sounds ideal.
M: Alright. So tell me, how would you describe yourself?
W: I'm pretty social and outgoing, and I like making new friends. But I'm not a party animal, and I like to keep the apartment clean.
M: I like that too. I like to invite friends over sometimes, but I don't want to have lots of crazy parties at the apartment. You know, I'm a pretty laid-back person. I don't like to have lots of arguments or worry about lots of things. For example, I like to keep the apartment clean too, but if it gets a little dirty once in a while, that's not a big deal.
W: I totally agree. I really like my lifestyle to be drama-free, and I don't want to argue about cleaning the apartment. My last roommate was a drama queen. Every time I forgot to take my shoes off, she got really mad and made a big deal out of it.
M: Well, I'm glad you're laid-back like me. But tell me, do you have any pet-peeves?
W: Actually, yes. I really hate living with those who eat all of your food and ask
you to pay for everything. I really think it's important for each roommate to pull his weight around the house. It's really unfair if only one of the roommates is doing all the work.
13. What's the woman's character?
14. What does the woman say about her last roommate?
15. What kind of person does the woman dislike?
Section B
Passage One
In 2010, the global population reached 6.9 billion, with nearly all the growth in the world's developing countries. According to the report, the world's poorest developing countries account for 20 million of the 80 million people being added to the global population every year. Carl Haub, lead author of the Data Sheet, says by 2050, population growth in Africa alone will boost world numbers by one billion, assuming that birth rates today are declining on that continent and continue to do so. But he also predicts that birth rates in developing countries will eventually decline following the trend in industrialized nations. Yet, as the Data Sheet documents, Asia is expected to add the most people, about 1.3 billion,by 2050. That is likely to impose greater burdens on governments to meet the health, education and economic needs of large and young populations. In the developed world, the numbers tell a very different story. Chronically low birth rates have created a shrinking pool of work-age people to support the wealthier countries' elderly populations. Europe is the first region of the world to see a long-term decline in workforce. Haub says, with its much lower birth rate, Germany faces escalating problems resulting from a smaller adult workforce. “And you can see that Germany already has only three people of working age for one person of the retirement age. So they have an immediate and growing crisis in their pension and health care system and they know it,for s ure.”
16. What can we learn about the added population in the poorest developing countries?
17. What will happen according to Carl Haub?
18. What may low birth rates lead to in developed countries?
19. What does the passage mainly tell us?
Passage Two
For many people trying to shed a few kilos, it's hard enough to lose the weight, but many experts say it's even harder to keep the weight off. Now, a new study indicates that the Internet can help. People in the study had already lost an average of 9 kilos. The challenge they faced was maintaining their new weight. To test various strategies, researchers randomly assigned participants to one of three groups. One group was told to meet with a counselor once a month. Another group was asked to try a weight management website. People in the third group were on their own. Those who got personal counseling did the best, regaining about 4 kilos. The website users regained about 5.2 kilos overall, not much better than the third group, which had no structured weight maintenance program. But study author Kristine says those averages conceal significant differences within the group of website users. She says the online tool was very effective for those who used it at least once a month. Users visiting the website created for this study were asked to enter their weight, the food they'd eaten, and their physical activity. She also says that, when the upfront costs of developing a website like that are spread over a lot of participants, the web approach would likely be cheaper than individual counseling. Kristine's study on Web-based weight loss management is published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
20. What's the main challenge for the participants in the study?
21. What did the test find in the end?
22. Which of the following does Kristine probably agree with?
Passage Three
Humans are social animals, and most of us treasure our relationships with family and friends. An emerging line of research suggests that relationships can keep us healthier. And a new study finds those social connections may also help us live longer. This new study combined a large number of previous studies and concluded
that a lack of social interactions ranks right up with smoking, obesity, and alcoholism as a risk factor for death. Researchers from Brigham Young University analyzed 148 studies with a total of some 300 thousand participants, tracking their social relationships and whether they survived to the end of their particular study, which averaged about seven years. Researchers pointed out several ways relationships can affect our health. They can help us cope with stress. They can help us maintain healthy habits like eating well, exercising or seeing a doctor. And there's increasing research that shows a direct but poorly-understood link between relationships and physiological processes in the body. Even though Susan and her colleagues looked at almost 150 different scientific studies, most of them didn't assess the quality of the relationships. “And certainly relationship quality mat ters, and not all relationships are entirely positive,” she conceded.“And so it's possible that the effects that we have reported may be a conservative estimate, and that the odds of survival associated with high-quality relationships may actually be larg er.”Susan said her research suggests that policy makers need to consider relationships as a health issue. Just as no-smoking zones have expanded over the years, she suggests that city planners, for example, should consider whether their decisions might promote or hinder the development of personal relationships.
23. What does the new research find according to the passage?
24. How do relationships affect our health according to the researchers?
25. What does Susan's research suggest?
Section C
Less than 60% of students now entering four-year American colleges are likely to graduate. The completion rate is lower than for almost any other wealthy country, and worst for poor and minority students. A new book about America's public universities explores the complex causes of the high dropout rate. The book is called Crossing the Finish Line. President Obama wants the United States to again have the world's highest percentage of college graduates by 2020. On Tuesday the president gave a nationally broadcast speech to students about the importance of staying in
school. He spoke on the first day of classes at a high school in Virginia. He talked about personal responsibility, and used himself as an example of someone who overcame difficulties. But he told students that problems in their own lives should not stop them from learning. But many conservatives criticized plans for the speech. Some called it “socialized education” or federal interference in local schools. Others feared it would be too political, so some schools decided not to show the speech. On Sunday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said 30% of students do not graduate from high school. According to him, more than a million students every year who entered ninth grade do not complete twelfth grade. The education secretary called the objections to the president's speech “silly.” It suggested that students write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. But after conservatives objected, the activity was changed to writing about personal goals.