研究生公共英语听力原文-Lesson1 Music.doc

Lesson 1 MusicPART A 1. M: By the way, Jane, did you talk to the consultant about our new health program? W: I contacted his office but his secretary said he would be out for lunch until two. Q: What does the woman mean? 2. W: We need to let everyone know about the charity concert, but we dont have much money for advertising.M: How about using the school radio station? They broadcast free public service announcements.Q: What does the man suggest they do?3. W: I dont understand why this book for self-study doesnt have answers to the questions. M: But it does. You can find them at the back of the book.Q: What does the man say about the self-study book?4. M: The new sales manager says he has never met you before. W: Weve been introduced about three times. He seems a little forgetful.Q: What do we learn about the new sales manager?5. M: Have you had the brakes and tires checked? And do you have enough money?W: I have taken care of everything. And Im sure its going to be a wonderful trip. Q: Whats the woman going to do? 6. M: Ive had my new stereo for a whole week, but I havent yet figured out how to record music.W: Didnt any instruction manual come with it? Q: What does the woman imply?7. W: I want to pay you for that long-distance call I made. But, I suppose you havent gotten your phone bill yet, M: Oh, but I have. Q: What does the man mean?8. M: Professor Smith assigned us three more novels to read.W: He must think you dont have any other classes.Q: What can be inferred about Professor Smith?9. M: Lets go watch the fireworks tonight.W: I have tickets to the theater. Q: What does the woman mean?10. M: I am exhausted. I stayed up the whole night studying for my history midterm exam. W: Why do you always wait till the last minute?Q: What can be inferred about the man?11. M: Ill be coming straight from work, so Ill have to pack a change of clothes. W: Its only a barbecue. Jeans and T-shirts will be fine.Q: What does the woman imply?12. W: Im going to the snack bar for a cup of coffee. Would you like me to bring you back something?M: Not from the snack bar, but could you pick up a paper for me? Q: What does the man mean?13. M: I dont understand how this budget was calculated.W: Let me have a look, OK? Q: What does the woman mean?14. W: We need a fourth player for tennis this morning. Do you want to join us？ M: Ive got a class at nine, but Carol is free and she is really good.Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?15. W: Have you saved enough to buy that new printer for your computer yet? M: You know, money seems to be burning a hole in my pocket lately. Maybe next month. Q: What does the man mean?PART B Passage I American Music One of Americas most important exports is her modern music. American music is played all over the world. It is enjoyed by the people of all ages in all countries. Al-though the lyrics are English, people not speaking English enjoy it. The reasons for its popularity are its fast pace and rhythmic beat. The music has many origins in the United States. Country music, coming from the rural areas in the southern United States, is one source. Country music features simple themes and melodies describing day-to-day situations and the feelings of country people. Many people appreciate this music because of the emotions expressed by country music songs. A second origin of American popular music is the blues. It depicts mostly sad feelings reflecting the difficult lives of American blacks. It is usually played and sung by black musicians, but it is popular with all Americans. Rock music is a newer form of music. This music style, featuring fast and repetitious rhythms, was influenced by the blues and country music. It was first known as rock-and-roll in the 1950s. Since then there have been many forms of rock music: hard rock, soft rock, disco music and others. Many performers of popular music are young musicians. American popular music is marketed to a demanding audience. Now popular songs are heard on the radio several times a day. Some songs have become popular all over the world. People hear these songs sung in their original English or sometimes translated into other languages. The words may differ but the enjoyment of the music is universal.Exercises with KeyI. Listen to the passage and choose the best answer (a, b, c, or d) to each question youve heard.2. Why is American music so popular in all countries?3; What can be learned from the passage?.4. What do you know from the passage?5. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?Passage II: Music in Different Cultures In western culture music is regarded as good by birth, and sounds that are welcome are said to be music to the ears. In some other cultures - for example, Islamic culture - it is of low value, associated with sin and evil. In the West and in the high cultures of Asia, it is said that there are three types of music. First, classical music, composed and performed by trained professionals originally under the support of courts and religious establishments; second, folk music, shared by the population at large and passed on orally, and third, popular music, performed by professionals, spread through radio, television, records, film, and print, and consumed by the urban mass public. Music is a major component in religious services, theater, and entertainment of all sorts. The most universal use of music is as a part of religious ritual. In some tribal societies, music appears to serve as a special form of communication with supernatural beings, and its prominent use in modern Christian and Jewish services may be the left-over of just such an original purpose. Another less obvious function of music is social adherence. For most social groups, music can serve as a powerful symbol. Members of most societies share keen feelings as to what kind of music they belong to. Indeed, some minorities including, in the U. S.A., black Americans and Euro-American racial groups use music as a major symbol of group identity. Music also symbolizes military, patriotic and funeral moods and events. In a more general sense, music may express the central social values of a society. In western music, the interrelationship of conductor and orchestra symbolizes the need for strong cooperation among various kinds of specialists in a modern industrial society.Exercises with KeyI. Listen to the passage and choose the best answer (a, b, c, or d) to each question youve heard.2. Which of the following is performed by professionals?3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?4. According to the passage, what is the most universal use of music?5. Which of the following is NOT symbolized by music?LESSON 2 HolidaysPART A 1. M: Do you still want to go to the graduate school after you get out of college?W: Ive changed my mind about that. I want to start working before I go back to school. Q: What does the woman mean? 2. M: Weve got a whole hour before the Browns come by to pick us up. W: Yeah. But wed better get moving. Q: What does the woman suggest they do?3. M: Im thinking of getting a new printer. W: Id invest in a laser printer. The print quality is much better. Q: What does the woman mean? 4. W: Ive got a coupon for half-off dinner at that new restaurant down the street. I think Ill use it when my cousin comes for a visit this weekend. M: Where did you get it? I wouldnt mind trying that place out too. Q: What does the man want to know?5. W: Whats Laura doing here today? I thought she was supposed to be out of the office on Mondays. W: She decided shed rather have Fridays off instead. Q: What can be inferred about Laura? 6. M: I need to find a new roommate. W: So Johns going to California after all. Q: What can be inferred from the conversation?7. M: My math assignments due tomorrow morning and I havent even started it yet. W: Ill miss you at the party tonight. Q: Why does the woman so? 8. W: Those packages took forever to arrive. M: But they did arrive, didnt they?Q: What does the man say about the packages? 9. M: My parents are coming to see our apartment this weekend. W: Looks as if Id better lend you my vacuum cleaner then. Q: What is the woman imply?10. M: Sarah, did you have a chance to buy that new novel you wanted? W: No, but I had Doris get it for me. Q: What does Sarah say about the novel?11. M: Ive been waiting all week for this concert. The philharmonic is supposed to be excellent and with our student discount the tickets will be really cheap. W: Uh - uh, Im afraid I left my student ID in my other purse. Q: What does the woman imply? 12. M: The university bookstore opens at 9 in the morning. W: Oh, dear. I need a textbook for my eight oclock class today. Q: What is the woman problem? 13. M: The storm last night damaged some of the neighbors roofs. W:No wonder. Q: What does the woman mean? 14. M: Youve certainly been reading that one page for a long time now. W: Well, Im being tested on it tomorrow. Q: What does the woman imply?15. W: Another thing we need to do is show the new students around town. You know, show them all the highlights of the area. M: I dont see why we need to do that ourselves. I understand the visitors center offers a wonderful bus tour. Q: What does the man suggest they do?PART B Passage I Holidays in Britain and the US People in the US get a two-week paid vacation from their job every year. Most British people have four or five weeks paid holiday a year. Americans often complain that two weeks is not enough especially when they hear about the longer holidays that Europeans enjoy. In addition, there are eight days in each European country, which are public holidays (the British call Bank Holiday) and many of these fall on a Monday giving people a long weekend. What do people do in Britain and the US when they are on holidays? In the US, outdoor vacations are popular, for example, at the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone or other national parks or forests. Young people may go walking or camping in the mountains. Many people have small trailers in which to travel, or if they are in a car, they may stay at motels on the journey. Disneyland and Disney world are also popular and people can go skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Some children go to summer camp for a holiday during the summer vacation from school, where they do special activities, such as sports or crafts. When Americans want a holiday for sun and rest, they usually go to Florida, Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. They may go to Europe for culture, for example, to see art, plays, and places of historic interest. In Britain, many people like to go to the seaside for holidays. There are places near the sea, such as Backpool, Scarborough and Bournemouth, where there is plenty to do even when it rains. People also like to go to the country, especially to walk, in places like Scotland, Wales and the Lake District. When the British go abroad they usually want to go somewhere warm. Spain and the Spanish islands of Majorea and Ibiza are popular as are other places in southern Europe. For skiing, people often go to the Alps.1. How long a paid vacation can Americans enjoy every year?2. How many days are there about public holidays for Europeans in a year? weeks.3. Where do Americans usually go for sun and rest? 4. Where do Americans usually spend their holidays for culture?5. British people usually go to Spain for holidays. What for?l. ( F ) Many of the public holidays are on Friday in Britain.2. ( T ) Americans like to have outdoor activities during their vacations.3. ( T ) Some American children do some special activities in the summer camps during their vacations.4. ( F ) When British people go abroad, they usually go for culture.5. ( T ) For the British, the Alps is a skiing resort.Passage II Welcoming the New Year Every country in the world celebrates New Year but not everyone does it on the same day. The countries of North and South America and Europe welcome the New Year on January 1. This practice began with the Romans. Julius Caesar, a Roman ruler, changed the date of the New Year from the first day of March to the first day of January. In the Middle East, New Year is on the day when spring begins. People in China celebrate it on the Spring Festival, which is the first day of their lunar calendar. The Spring Festival usually comes between January 21 and February 19. Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year, comes at the end of summer. In all of these cultures, there is a practice making noise. People made noise in ancient times to drive away the evil spirits from the home. Many people do it with fire-works. In Japan, people go from house to house making noise with drums and bamboo sticks. Young people in Denmark throw broken pieces of jars or pots against the sides of friends houses. In the United States, many people stay up until midnight on New Years Eve to watch the clock pass from one year to the next. Friends often gather together at a party on New Years Eve, and when the New Year comes, all ring bells, blow horns, blow whistle songs, and kiss each other. In many European countries, families start the new year by first attending church services, which is followed by paying calls on friends and relatives. Italian boys and girls receive gifts of money on New Years Day.New Years Day is more joyful than Christmas in France and Scotland. In these countries Christmas is a religious holiday only, while the New Year is the time for gifts-giving, parties, and visits.1. Who changed the date of the New Year from March 1 to January 172. When does the Jewish New Year begin?3. Why did people make noise in ancient times when they celebrated the New Year?4. According to the speaker, how do the children in Denmark celebrate the New Year?5. In which country do children receive gifts of money on New Years Day?1. ( F ) People in the Middle East welcome the New Year on January 1.2. ( T )The Spring Festival usually comes between January 21 and February 19.3. ( T ) On New Years Day, many people make noise with fireworks.4. ( F ) In all European countries, families start the new year by paying calls on friends and relatives.5. ( F ) Christmas is the most joyful and important festival of the year in France.Lesson 3 EconomyPART A1. W: The report says all departments are making a profit except the Asian department. M: Well, Mr. Smith seems to be the wrong person to head that department. One more step wrong and he will be removed from that office. Q: What do we learn from the conversation?2. W: During the last thunderstorm, I noticed several leaks in my bedroom ceiling and they really caused a mess. M: Maybe you have some broken tiles. I have the phone number of a good roofing company that could do a good repair job for you at a reasonable price. Q: What can we conclude from this conversation?3. W: How did you do on the math exam, John? M: I barely made it. It was just a passing score but better than I had expected.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?4. M: I wonder what makes Mother so upset these days? W: Father is canceling his vacation trip. He promised to take her abroad last year, but the company is again asking father to postpone his vacation. Q: Why is their mother unhappy?5. W: Fridays speaker is supposed to be wonderful. Are you going to attend the seminar that day? M: Yes, but I havent been able to get a ticket yet. Since the lecture is open to the public, I imagine the tickets may have already been sold out. Q: Why is the man afraid he wont be able to attend the seminar?6. M: Could you lend me your biology notes? W: Do you think youll be able to make out my handwriting? Q: What does the woman imply about the notes?7. W: Did you pick up my books from Rons house? M: Sorry. It slipped my mind. Q: What does the man mean?8. W: Would you like to go to the movies with us tonight? M: To the movies? Tonight is the biggest concert of the year. Q: What does the man mean?9. M: Just one person in the whole class got an A on the test! YOU! W: ALL RIGHT! Q: What does the woman mean?10. W: We are having a party at our house on the weekend of the 30th. Would you like to join us? M: That sounds like a lot of fun. But Ill need to check my calendar first. Q: What does the man imply?11. M: Ive been running a mile every afternoon for the past month. But I still havent been able to lose more than a pound or two. I wonder if its worth it. W: Oh, dont give up now. It always seems hard when you are just starting out. Q: What does the woman mean?12. M: Im going to the vegetable stand today. Can I pick up anything for you? W: No, thanks. I just came back from the market myself.Q: What does the woman mean?13. M: I dont understand why I received such a low grade on my term paper. W: You should make an appointment with the professor to discuss it. Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?14. M: The sound of all that traffic is driving me out of my mind. W: It is had. But the highway will reopen tomorrow, then we wont have all those cars passing by any more. Q: What does the woman imply?15. W: I invited your mother to lunch yesterday. But she said she didnt have any free time. M: Yeah. She just got a new job. Q: What does the man mean?PART BPassage I World Trade Organization (WTO)Established on