英语专业四级高分听力强化dictaion 1-10

DICTATION ONE Basic to any understanding of Canada in the 20 years after the Second World War is the countrys impressive population growth. For every three Canadians in 1945, there were over five in 1996. in September 1996, Canadas population passed the 10 million mark. Most of this growth came from natural increase. The depression of the 1930s and the war had held back marriages. The catching up process began after 1945. The baby boon continued through the 1950s. Increasing the population by nearly fifteen percent from 1951 to 1956. This rate of increase had been exceeded only once before in Canadas history, in the decade before 1911. Undoubtedly, the good economic conditions of the 1950s supported a growth in the population, but the expansion also derived from a trend toward earlier marriages and an increase in the average family size. In 1957 the Canadian birth rate stood at 28 per thousand, one of the highest in the world. DICTATION TWO The growing interest of consumers in the safety and more nutritional quality of the typical North American diet is a welcome development. However, much of interest has been sparked by sweeping claims that the food supply is unsafe or inadequate in meeting nutritional needs. Although most of these claims are not supported by scientific evidence, such claims make it difficult for the general public to separate fact from fiction. As a result, claims that eating a diet consisting entirely of organically grown foods prevents or cures disease or provides other benefits to health have become widely publicized and form the basis for folklore. Almost daily the public is besieged for “no-aging” diets, new vitamin, and other wonderful foods. There are numerous unconfirmed reports that natural vitamins are superior to synthetic ones, that fertilized eggs（受精卵） are nutritionally superior to unfertilized eggs, that untreated grains are better than treated grains and the like. DICTATION THREE Most European nations follow the parliamentary system of government. Britain has the most well known parliamentary system. Because Great Britain was once a pure monarchy, the function of the head of state was given to the royal family, while the role of chief executive was established with parliament. Some parliaments, however, do not have a history of monarchy. Israel is a parliamentary system with a president. The president, however, does not hold the same power as a president in a presidential system, but function s as the head of a state. In both presidential and parliamentary systems, the chief executive can be removed from office by the legislature. Parliamentary systems use a vote of no confidence where a majority of parliament members vote to remove the prime minister from office. A new election is then called. In presidential systems, a similar process is used where legislators vote to impeach the president from office. DICTATION FOUR Nineteenth-century writers in the United States were powerfully drawn to the railroad in its golden years. In fact, writers responded to the railroads as soon as they began to be built in the 1830s. By the 1850s, the railroad was major presence in the life of the nation. Most writers saw the railroad both as a benefit to democracy and as an object of suspicion. The railroad could ruin nature. Furthermore, in its manifestation of speed and noise, it might ruin human nature as well. By the 1850s and the 1860s, there was a great distrust among writers and intellectuals of the rapid industrialization of which the railroad was a leading force. Some philosophical historians lamented the role that the new passion for business was playing in eroding traditional values. A distrust of industry and business continued among writers throughout the rest of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth. DICTATION FIVE In 1847 the United States post office department adopted the idea of a postage stamp, much to the objection of those who did not like to pay beforehand. Besides, the stamp covered only delivery to the post office and did not include carrying it to a private address. It is no wonder that, during the years that followed private letter- carrying and express businesses developed. As a result, the government postal service lost volume to private competition. Finally, in 1863, congress provided that the government should pay the mail carries for delivering mail to private addresses, and that there should be no extra charge for that delivery. But this delivery service was at first confined to cities. As of 1890, of the 75 million people in the United States, fewer that 20 million had mail delivered free to their doors. The rest of the population still received no mail unless they went to their post office. DICTATION SIX Some advertisements are not very useful to the customers. Instead of helping him to satisfy his real needs, they set out to make him want things. They set out to create a need. These advertisements are cleverly done. The people who produce them understand our weaknesses. They set out to make us believe that what they advertise will make us cleverer, prettier, more handsome, if only we use it. The voice on TV says, New York people use such-and-such gasoline. The screen shows a picture of gasoline pump and a fast expensive car owned by a boy with a pretty girlfriend. They drive off to the wonderful park or a lovely beach. Some people may feel that clever, successful people use such-and-such gasoline. Some might choose that gasoline next time they fill up their cars. Often the TV advertisement is backed up in newspapers and billboards. We should be on guard. Its our money theyre after. DICTATION SEVEN Many of the leaders who helped to found the United States were highly cultured, yet even among them Thomas Jefferson stood out for his learning and his talents. He was learned in Greek philosophy and in ancient literature; he was a successful lawyer; and as a gifted architect, he designed his own beautiful home in Virginia as well as the buildings of the University of Virginia. He was also a musician and a very clever inventor, who originated many useful devices including folding doors, revolving chairs and an improved plow. Jeffersons most outstanding achievement was chief author of the Declaration of Independence. This document has inspired people who believe in freedom all over the world and all through the years. In his remaining years he founded the University of Virginia and acted as its administrator, which he considered as his most important work, above all his political achievements. DICTATION EIGHT Legal Age for Marriage Throughout the United States, the legal age for marriage shows some difference. /The most common age without parents consent is eighteen for both females and males./ However, persons who are underage in their home state can get married /in another state and then return to the home state legally married./ Each state issues its own marriage license. /Both residents and nonresidents are qualified for such a license. /The fees and ceremonies vary greatly /from state to state. /Most states, for instance, have a blood test requirement, /but a few do not. /Most states permit either a civil or religious ceremony, /but a few require the ceremony to be religious. /In most states, a waiting period is required before the license is issued. /This period is from one to five days, depending on the state. /A three-day wait is the most common. /In some states, theres no required waiting period. / DICTATION NINE House and Home “House” and “home” are two words that have similar meanings./ “House” and “home” both refer to places where people live. /However, there is a difference between them. / “Home” is often referred to as the place /that we live in with our families. /Sadly, in our society, people can hardly distinguish a home from a house/ because they often see no difference between them. /This confusion can be traced back to the indifference between family members. /Therefore, we can say that love is an important factor in a home./ A home is a shelter, not only for our bodies but also for our minds. /Whenever we are depressed, /we can go home for comfort. /Everyone in the family will do his best to take care of each other