新世纪研究生英语听说教程原文答案 Unit9.doc

Unit 9 Survival EnvironmentPart I Video TimeTask 1TranscriptBarack Obama: Energy and Environment The eyes of the world have always turned to this nation as the last bestowal of the earth. From the moment I take office as president, I will call together scientists and entrepreneurs; heads of industry and labor; Democrats, Republicans and Americans from all walks of life to help develop and deploy the next generation of energy that will allow us to build the next generations economy. The days of the debate about whether or not the globe is getting warmer are over. We know that global warming is real, that if we dont do anything about global climate change, that we could see catastrophic results. Right now we could increase the fuel efficiency standard to our cars to 43 miles a gallon, if we increase our fuel efficiency to 43 miles a gallon, then we will import zero oil from the Middle East. Thats something that we could do right now. We take a national low-carbon fuel standard and increase fuel efficiency standards. We could take the equivalent of 50 million cars worth of pollution off the road by the year 2020. The question is not if a renewable energy economy will thrive in the future, its where. And if we want that place to be the United States of America, we can no longer afford to wait. You say 20% of our energy would come from new more sources like wind, like solar, like biomass, like tidal energy. And by setting those high standards, suddenly, you start to see more investment in these areas, technology improves and over the long run, you start to see significant changes. Were just up to understand we get more obligations to the next generation, to make sure theyve got a planet which is sustainable and admirable the same way we inherit the sustainable and admirable planet from our parents, and our grandparents. And I think young people, in particular, recognize the importance of this issue, and in the long day-to-day lives, they are trying to make sure they are carbon neutral, make sure they are not wasteful, and almost things add up. I want our children and our childrens children to point to this generation and this moment as the time when America found its way again. As the time when America overcame the division and the politics and the pettiness of an earlier era so that a new generation could come together and take on the most urgent challenge of this era. I am running for the presidency of the United States to lead us toward this new era.Exercise 1 Watching for Specific Information1) The eyes of the world have always turned to this nation as the last bestowal of the earth.2) We know that global warming is real, that if we dont do anything about global climate change, that we could see catastrophic results.3) Right now we could increase the fuel efficiency standard of our car to 43 miles a gallon, if we increase the fuel efficiency to 43 miles a gallon, then we will import zero oil from the Middle East.4) You say 20% of our energy would come from new more sources like wind, like solar, like biomass, like tidal energy. 5) And by setting those high standards, suddenly, you start to see more investment in these areas, technology improves and over the long run, you start to see significant changes.6) And I think young people, in particular, recognize the importance of this issue, and in the long day-to-day lives, they are trying to make sure they are carbon neutral, make sure they are not wasteful, and almost things add up.Task 2TranscriptGlobal WarmingFor 2.5 million years, the earth climate has fluctuated, cycling from ice ages to warmer periods. But in the last century, the planets temperature has risen unusually fastabout 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists believe its humans activity thats driving the temperatures up; a process known as global warming. Ever since the industrial revolution began, factories, power plants and eventually, cars, have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal, releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. These green house gases trap heat near the earth through a naturally occurring process called the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect begins with the sun and the energy it radiates to the earth. The earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this energy, while the rest is radiated back into space. Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, warming the earth. Scientists now believe that the greenhouse effect is being intensified by the extra greenhouse gases that humans have released. Evidence for global warming includes a recent string of very warm years. Scientists report that 1998 was the warmest year in measured history, with 2005 coming in second. Meanwhile, readings taken from ice cores show that the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane have hit their highest level in the past 420,000 years. Arctic sea ice is also shrinking. According to NASA studies, the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined about 10% in the last 30 years. As long as industrialized nations consume energy and developing countries increase their fossil fuel consumption, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise. Researchers predict that temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. Whats less certain is what rising temperatures mean for the planet. Some climate models predict subtle changes. Others forecast rising sea level which could flood coastal areas around the world. Weather patterns could change, making hurricanes more frequent. Severe droughts could become more common in warm areas and species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction. Although much remains to be learned about global warming, many organizations advocate cutting greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impact of global warming. Consumers can help. By saving energy around the house, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and driving fewer miles in the car each week. These simple changes may help keep the earth cooler in the future. Exercise 1 Making a Sound Judgment T 1) For 2.5 million years, the earth climate has fluctuated, cycling from ice ages to warmer periods F 2) Ever since the industrial revolution began, factories, power plants and eventually, cars, have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal, releasing huge amounts of carbon monoxide and other gases into the atmosphere. F 3) Scientists report that 1988 was the warmest year in measured history, with 2005 coming in second. T 4) According to NASA studies, the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined about 10% in the last 30 years. F 5) Researchers predict that the temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the next century.Part II Listening ActivitiesTask 1Tapescript Cemetery Is Solar SourceCatalans are famous throughout Spain for their spirit of innovation. That ingenuity has recently been extended to the creation of what, the Associated Press reports, is the Barcelonan areas largest solar energy plant. The solar panels have been installed on top of several mausoleums at a cemetery located in the suburb of Santa Coloma de Gramanet. It is one of a few open sunny places in the crowded city of more than 120,000 where space can be at a premium.“The project includes the installation of 462 solar panels over an area of 700 square meters that generate 202 kilowatts of power. To put it in colloquial terms, this amounts to the amount of electricity that 60 families consume in a year.”The city has several other solar parks which have mostly been installed on top of the buildings, but the cemetery is by far the largest. That does not seem to worry Juan Arroyo Garcia who is a regular visitor to the cemetery.“When I learned from the media that they were going to install solar panels in the cemetery, I thought that it wasnt a bad idea at all. It doesnt spoil the landscape. On the other hand, they dont disturb our private grief when we visit our deceased loved ones, and on the top of that all, we are talking about clean energy. I fully support this.”Garcias reaction reflects the community-wide support for the project even though there were some initial concerns.“The first reaction from the public was one of surprise. They didnt understand why we put solar panels in the cemetery. They asked if they were built to light their homes. So when we explained to them why the panels were put there, they understood and thought that was a very good idea.”Row after row of solar panels now cover the tops of the mausoleums. They soak up the maximum amount of the sunshine as the panels almost face south. They are also tilted at a low angle, making them unobtrusive.“When I got here, I was really surprised, mainly because I hadnt been here for a long time. I thought to myself, look at thatnow theyll be able to watch television and to get heating during the winter time. But when I learned about this initiative, then I thought it was a very good idea, because the energy generated here will provide electricity to many families. It is ingenious.”According to the Associated Press, the project helps reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by 62 tons each year. Authorities now hope to install solar plants in most cemeteries in Catalonia as well as elsewhere in Spain.Exercise 1 Listening for Details1) The cemetery is one of a few open sunny places in the crowded city of more than 120,000 where space can be at a premium.2) The project includes the installation of 462 solar panels over an area of 700 square meters that generate 202 kilowatts of power.3) The city has several other solar parks which have mostly been installed on top of the buildings, but the cemetery is by far the largest.Exercise 2 Listening for Specific Information1) What are Catalans famous for throughout Spain? The spirit of innovation. 2) Where are these solar panels put? On the tops of the mausoleums. 3) Which direction do these solar panels face? South. 4) According to the Associated Press, how many tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be reduced each year? 62 tons. Task 2Tapescript Cutting the Greenhouse GasesUnidentified CNN Correspondent: Its another Republican revolt. This time the battle is on global warming. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and New Yorks Mayor Michael Bloomberg have joined forces on the front lines. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: You can see a perfect example of how much hes getting done in New York, of how much we get done here in California, and how little is getting done in Washington. It is unbelievable. They are frozen. Unidentified CNN Correspondent: That slap at the federal government came while the pair toured a plant that makes alternative energy, namely hydrogen power. There, Bloomberg announced a plan to cut carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in New York City, while Schwarzenegger reminded the media hes about to sign a bill which will cut California emissions of harmful gases 25 percent by the year 2020. Schwarzenegger is running for reelection this year, and its up to him, say California political watchers, to distance himself from President Bush, who is unpopular in this state. Many voters still remember that Schwarzenegger campaigned for President Bush in the last presidential race. They may also remember his 2003 campaign for governor, driving around in a Hummer, a gas-guzzler compared to most vehicles. The Governors Office says Schwarzenegger still owns four Hummers, but has not used them much since taking office. Hes often driven around by state vehicles. So will this new campaign help Arnolds image?Unidentified Expert Analyst: Well, I mean, clearly California is our largest state. Its the sixth or seventh largest economy in the world. New York is our largest city; its the financial capital of the world. The symbolic effect of the two of them getting together and saying this is a real issue and were going to show some leadership because Washington isntUnidentified CNN Correspondent: Administration officials say the White House is addressing global warming through increased research and incentives to businesses to cut emissions. Exercise 1 Listening for Specific Information1) B 2) C 3) DExercise 2 Listening for Details 1) Its another Republican revolt. This time the battle is on global warming.2) Schwarzenegger is running for reelection this year, and its up to him, say California political watchers, to distance him from President Bush, who is unpopular in this state.3) They may also remember his 2003 campaign for governor, driving around in a Hummer, a gas-guzzler compared to most vehicles. 4) Administration officials say the White House is addressing global warming through increased research and incentives to businesses to cut emissions.Additional Listening From the Toilet to the TapCNNs Kara Finnstrom reports on Orange County, Californias latest source for water.Clean, clear water, it is in short supply here in Orange County, so any new source, like this one, is warmly welcomed. That is, if you can get password where this water comes from. Thats rightwhats now destined to become Orange Countys drinking water started out as sewer water, brown wastewater from toilets, dishwashers, bathtubs, you name it. “Weve explained from the beginning, this is actually sewer water thats been treated by the sanitation district and then purified even more by us, till its really uh, almost distilled water.” To do that, Orange County launched a first of its kind facility, a nearly half billion dollar reclamation plant that can turn 70 million gallons of treated sewage into drinking water every day. “Its gonna become a model for the entire world, uh, Singapore has already built a smaller version of our exact plant, and there are several others around the United States that ar