星火英語2008年6月版五套預(yù)測第2課
Model Test Two
Part III Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: In this section,
you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations.
At the end of each conversation,
one or more questions will be asked about what was said.
Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.
After each question there will be a pause.
During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D),
and decide which is the best answer.
Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2
with a single line through the centre.
Now let’s begin with the eight short conversations.
11. W: Hey, Mark, have you been able to sell your old piano yet?
M: Ah, you were right,
just posting notices on bulletin boards at a couple of supermarkets wasn’t enough.
I think I’ll have to place an advertisement in the local newspaper.
Q: What are the two people talking about?
12. M: Have you seen that girl sitting over there?
She looks like the girl whose photo is in the newspaper.
W: But it is said that the missing girl had black hair.
Her hair is red, I’d rather say.
Q: Why are they interested in that girl?
13. M: I wish I didn’t have to make a special trip to the post office to get my package.
W: Well, if you call them in the morning,
they’ll give your package to your mail carrier to bring it to you.
Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?
14. M: Since I came here, I’ve had to stay up most of the night for the last few days.
No matter what time I go to bed, I always wake up in the middle of the night.
W: Your biological rhythms probably haven’t adjusted to the time schedule here.
Q: What is the man’s trouble?
15. W: Will Jim be able to come to the meeting?
M: I don’t know yet. When I phoned just now,
his friend said he had taken his girlfriend out to the movies.
Q: What can we learn from the conversation?
16. M: Professor Linda, we were wondering if we could sit in on your English class.
W: I wish I could say yes, but if I accepted you two,
I wouldn’t know how to say no to a lot of others
who have made the same request.
Q: What does the woman mean?
17. M: I hear restaurants that specialize in food
from one particular country can be very expensive.
W: You’re right in a way.
But they can range widely in cost from inexpensive to very expensive.
Q: What does the woman think of such restaurants?
18. M: As usual, the lecture hall is in a complete mess this afternoon.
Newspapers, soda cans, used tissues, all of them,
just thrown all over the floor. I can’t understand how people can be so thoughtless.
W: Well, your professor should have the authority to get something done about it.
Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?
Now you’ll hear the two long conversations.
Conversation One
M: OK. Now we’d better make sure you enjoy your studies.
We offer a wide range of options on the foundation course,
but you can only take five courses. What have you selected?
W: Physical sciences, basic electronics, art and design CAD…
M: Oh, right. CAD and… English. That’s quite strange.
Don’t you want to do maths, or computer programming,
for example? Why did you choose art and design?
W: Well, I’m interested in electronics and in writing computer games.
I’d like to produce educational software and educational games.
I’ve taught myself a lot of programming.
So I don’t think I’d benefit much from a foundation level course.
M: Oh, no… I see that. Go on, please.
W: So, I want the basics—the physical science and electronics.
I was hopeless at physics in school and we didn’t have electronics.
But I was good at maths. I don’t think I need that.
M: Then what about the art and design?
W: That will be good for my graphics—I need that to produce games—
CAD too—I’ve never done CAD before.
M: Right. They’ve got some powerful packages in the computer graphics
and CAD offices. You’ll enjoy that. Then English.
I know your English is very good, but why did you take it?
W: In fact I don’t have any problem in speaking, but my writing is terrible.
M: Then I suggest you join the study skills class.
They’ll have lectures on report writing
and that may help you with how to structure your essays and so on.
W: Right. That sounds good.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. What are the two speakers talking about?
20. What is the woman’s favorite course?
21. Why did the woman take an English course?
Conversation Two
W: Good morning, Mr. Johnson. I’m Diana Huston.
M: Good morning. What can I do for you?
W: I’m a college student.
I’m taking a business course which needs three weeks’ work experience.
My lecturer, Mr. Armstrong, suggested I contact you
as you’ve allowed students before to practice in your company.
I’ve brought a letter of reference from Mr. Armstrong for you.
M: Thanks. Yes, our company has a good relationship with the university.
We’ve had many students here over the past years.
We usually take students who are in the second half of their courses.
What about you?
W: I’m almost at the halfway mark.
I’ve got some exams in two weeks.
Then I’ll be ready to start before the beginning of the second semester.
But I thought I’d get this organized before the exams start.
M: That’s a very responsible way of thinking.
It’s a good idea to get in early.
I’m sure there will be many students soon.
W: I could start in three weeks if you like.
M: Do you understand what’s involved in the practice?
W: I think so. Mr. Armstrong explained the procedures to us.
I have to work regular hours,
and write a comprehensive report on what I’ve learnt as an assignment for
Mr. Armstrong and the personnel department of the company as well.
And you will send a report about my work to Mr. Armstrong and
that will also be part of my assessment.
M: That’s right. But I’ll have to discuss this application
with the personnel department. And I will let you know as soon as possible
if you’ve been accepted.
W: Yes, please. If I’m not accepted, I’ll have to apply somewhere else.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
22. What’s the woman’s main purpose of the visit?
23. Which kind of students will the company usually accept?
24. What would the man do for the women’s practice if she were accepted?
25. When will the woman's practice begin?
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages.
At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions.
Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.
After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices
marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2
with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
In general, city life is relatively convenient and comfortable.
The supply of water and electricity is continuous.
Whenever one wants, all he has to do is just turn on a tap or press a button.
There is also a variety of vehicles for transportation,
from buses and cars to trains and planes, which help people move about efficiently.
Shopping centers are seen here and there in cities.
Thanks to the amazing diversity of commodities,
going shopping is often fun for city dwellers.
Besides the fun of making purchases, there are also countless theatres, cinemas,
art galleries and restaurants providing residents with various kinds of fascinating entertainment.
It is true that to some extent, city life is divorced from nature.
It is sometimes very exhausting because of its fast-moving pace.
But on the other hand, nothing in the world is perfect;
neither is city life. Viewed positively, the disadvantages should still be outweighed
by its attractions. In fact, the disadvantages can be regarded as challenges to
make life in the city more interesting, more exciting and more meaningful.
To me, moving away from the city would mean the loss of excitement
and the dynamic nature of modern life.
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. How does the speaker feel when shopping in cities?
27. What does the speaker think of the disadvantages of city life?
28. Where will the speaker live according to the passage?
Passage Two
Many suffer from shyness. In order to give other people a chance to know more about you,
you need to get over it. Then how to control shyness?
First, make decisions not to hold back in conversations.
What you have to say is just as important as what other people say.
And don’t turn down party invitations just because of your shyness.
Second, prepare yourself for being with others in groups.
Make a list of the good qualities you have.
Then make a list of ideas, experiences, and skills you would like to share with other people.
Think about what you would like to say in advance. Then say it.
Third, if you start feeling self-conscious in a group,
take a deep breath and focus your attention on other people.
Remember, you are not alone. Other people are concerned about the impression
they are making, too. Don’t be afraid to speak up and give your point of view.
Moreover, remember everyone experiences failures and disappointments.
Regard them as lessons instead of frustrations.
As each of us is an individual, we behave in our own personal ways.
No one gets over being shy completely, but most people do learn to
live with their shyness. Even entertainers admit that they often feel shy.
They work at fighting their shy feelings so they can face the cameras and the public.
Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.
29. Why does the speaker suggest making a list of ideas in advance?
30. What should you do when you feel nervous?
31. What does the speaker say about entertainers?
Passage Three
Few buildings on earth can compete with the legendary beauty of the Taj Mahal.
Towering over the ancient Indian city of Agra,
the Taj Mahal is the grandest monument to love ever created.
The lovers in this story are the 17th-century Indian emperor Shah Jehan
and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She took a leading role in advising him,
which is something unique for a woman to do for a husband who’s an emperor.
Over the course of their nineteen-year marriage she gave birth to 14 children.
But in 1631 while trying to deliver their fifteenth — she tragically died.
He was heartbroken when she died.And after her death,
he decided to build the world’s greatest monument ever built, for love.
He ordered the royal architects to design the most beautiful building
the world had known and decided to name it after his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal.
He summoned twenty thousand laborers and sent wagons to all corners of his empire
in search of precious metals and jewellery.
And after seventeen years of construction,
the monument was completed and his beloved empress
was moved to her final resting place.
Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
32. Why is the Taj Mahal so famous?
33. What is Mumtaz Mahal special for, according to the passage?
34. How did Mumtaz Mahal die?
35. Why did the Indian emperor have the Taj Mahal constructed?
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times.
When the passage is read for the first time,
you should listen carefully for its general idea.
When the passage is read for the second time,
you are required to fill in the blanks
numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard.
For blanks numbered from 44 to 46
you are required to fill in the missing information.
For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard
or write down the main points in your own words.
Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,
you should check what you have written.
Now listen to the passage.
In the center of a big city
there are usually dozens of large office buildings that house big banks,
corporation headquarters, and government agencies.
Thousands of people work in these buildings.
People who do all the office work are called white-collar workers.
Secretaries and receptionists, bookkeepers and computer operators
work for many different kinds of companies.
Many office workers dream of working their way up to the top,
from clerk to president of a corporation.
The way lies through middle management.
Middle management includes junior executives,
who may fill specialized jobs, supervise other workers in the company,
recommend action to top management,
or see that the company’s policies are being carried out.
At the very top are the senior executives.
They establish the policies for their own companies,
especially financial matters. The Chief Executive Officer, or CEO,
of a large corporation has a great deal of power and influence.
It is believed that one can start out at the bottom and go all the way to the top.
Because financial matters are so important, some accountants become top executives.
In companies where technology is important,
people with an engineering background can also rise to the top.
Nowadays, however,
education plays a central part in the selection of people for management jobs.
Universities in many countries offer courses in business administration.
The graduates of these courses often start out in middle management jobs.
From there, they can easily get promoted
if they show the necessary personality and ability.
Now the passage will be read again.
In the center of a big city
there are usually dozens of large office buildings that house big banks,
corporation headquarters, and government agencies.
Thousands of people work in these buildings.
People who do all the office work are called white-collar workers.
Secretaries and receptionists, bookkeepers and computer operators
work for many different kinds of companies.
Many office workers dream of working their way up to the top,
from clerk to president of a corporation.
The way lies through middle management.
Middle management includes junior executives,
who may fill specialized jobs, supervise other workers in the company,
recommend action to top management,
or see that the company’s policies are being carried out.
At the very top are the senior executives.
They establish the policies for their own companies,
especially financial matters. The Chief Executive Officer, or CEO,
of a large corporation has a great deal of power and influence.
It is believed that one can start out at the bottom and go all the way to the top.
Because financial matters are so important,
some accountants become top executives.
In companies where technology is important,
people with an engineering background can also rise to the top.
Nowadays, however,
education plays a central part in the selection of people for management jobs.
Universities in many countries offer courses in business administration.
The graduates of these courses often start out in middle management jobs.
From there, they can easily get promoted
if they show the necessary personality and ability.
Now the passage will be read for the third time.
In the center of a big city there are usually dozens of large office buildings
that house big banks, corporation headquarters, and government agencies.
Thousands of people work in these buildings.
People who do all the office work are called white-collar workers.
Secretaries and receptionists, bookkeepers and computer operators
work for many different kinds of companies.
Many office workers dream of working their way up to the top,
from clerk to president of a corporation.
The way lies through middle management.
Middle management includes junior executives,
who may fill specialized jobs, supervise other workers in the company,
recommend action to top management, or see that
the company’s policies are being carried out.
At the very top are the senior executives.
They establish the policies for their own companies,
especially financial matters. The Chief Executive Officer, or CEO,
of a large corporation has a great deal of power and influence.
It is believed that one can start out at the bottom and go all the way to the top.
Because financial matters are so important, some accountants become top executives.
In companies where technology is important,
people with an engineering background can also rise to the top. Nowadays, however,
education plays a central part in the selection of people for management jobs.
Universities in many countries offer courses in business administration.
The graduates of these courses often start out in middle management jobs.
From there, they can easily get promoted
if they show the necessary personality and ability.
This is the end of listening comprehension.
