新世纪大学英语视听说4听力原文

1、UNIT1 Our EarthTrack 4-1-1& 4-1-2Blake: What are you working on, Mary?Mary: I'm finishing my paper. It's due tomorrow, Blake.Blake: What's the topic?Mary: It's about Greenland.Blake: Greenland. Hmmm . . . that's part of Canada, right?Mary: I think you need to study your world

2、 geography, Blake.Blake: Well, isn't it near Canada?Mary: Yes, it's off the coast of northeast Canada, but it's part of Denmark.Blake: Oh, I didn't know that. Well, what's your paper about exactly?Mary: In my paper, I answer the question "Is Greenlandreally green?" In o

3、ther words, is Greenland covered by a lot of plants and trees?Blake: Is it?Mary: What do you think?Blake: Let's see . . . Greenland is in the Arctic Circle-way upnorth. It's cold, . . . so "Is Greenland really green?" I'd answer "probably not."Mary: You'd be corre

4、ct. It's too cold there. In the north, a lotof the ground is frozen. The summers are short, so only the surface thaws.Blake: That sounds tough.Mary: It's hard for the construction industry. It's not easy to build in Greenland.Blake: It sounds so harsh. Why would anyone want to go there?M

5、ary: There are big mountain ranges on the coasts. They're great for hiking and outdoor sports. And there are lots of animals there. You can sometimes see whales swimming in the harbors. Blake: That sounds cool! OK,so if it's not really a "green" place, why was it named "Greenl

6、and"?Mary: The first settlers wanted to attract other people. They gave it an attractive name.Track 4-1-3Bart:So what exactly did you do over the summer?Gustav:We worked as volunteers at Glacier National ParkBart: I've never been there. What's it like?Carolina: It's beautiful. There

7、 are mountains and lakes. and, of course, glaciers!Bart: How was the job?Gustav:We had to do a lot of physical work. It was kind of hard.Carolina:That's true, but it was exciting, too! We actually saw bears!Bart:Wow! That does sound exciting. Maybe I should apply. I'll need a job next summer

8、.Carolina: Sorry, Bart, but you can't apply to that program. It's a special program for international students.Track 4-1-41. Mt. Fuji is really beautiful from far away. When you climb it, it's just rocks and dirt . but it's really beautiful from far away.2. Last year I was in San Fra

9、ncisco and I had a chance to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. What an amazing feat of engineering. It gives you a chance to look through all of San Francisco and over San Francisco Bay and it's just a wonderful chance to see the city.Track 4-1-OL-1&4-1-OL-2Jay:Come in here, Elise. You sh

10、ould see this show!Elise:What is it?Jay:It's called "The Titanic of the Sky". It's about the Hindenburg, a great engineering feat.Elise:The Hindenburg . . .Jay:You know, that giant zeppelin that crashed in 1934.Thirty-five people died.Elise:Oh yeah, I remember now. It was flying fr

11、om Germany to the United States. It crashed as it was landing.Jay:Right. It's so funny looking, don't you think? It doesn'tlook anything like the airplanes we have today.Elise:That's true. Why would people ride in a zeppelinanyway? It seems so dangerous.Jay:Well, some people called t

12、he Hindenburg "man's greatest achievement in flight."They thought it was safe, I guess.Elise:Who rode in it anyway?Jay:Mostly wealthy people. It accommodated between 30 and 40 passengers and crew. One person said it waslike a "flying hotel."Elise:It sounds pretty great.Jay:Ye

13、ah, and it was fast. That's why people rode it. They wanted to get to their destination faster.Elise:Why didn't they just take a jet plane?Jay:Elise! You know they didn't have jets back then. Look, in 1934 it took five days to travel from Germany to the U.S. by ship. The zeppelin could d

14、o it in half that time.It was speedy.Elise:Well, maybe I'll sit down and watch a little bit. Maybe I'll learn something . . .Track 4-1-OL-3Jack: I think we should buy a bigger car. Big cars are safer.Kayla: Yes, but on the other hand, they consume more oil.Jack: They also look really cool.Ka

15、yla: Thats true, but there are some SUVs which are not big but also very beautiful.Jack: And I think big cars are more fun to drive.Kayla: But then again, its very expensive.Jack: Well, lets get more information about several kinds of cars, okay?Track 4-1-OL-4My country has two very famous buildings

16、 called the Petronas Towers. The buildings are made of glass, steel, and concrete. They were designed by an American architect, but he used a Malaysian style. They were finished in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings in the world at that time. Each tower has 88 floors, and is 452 meters high.

17、I really like the Petronas Towers. They show both the modern and the traditional side of my countryTrack 4-1-OL-5&4-1-OL-6Modern buildings: We love them, We hate them The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris is almost 500 years old, and it faced a very modern problem: There simply wasnt enough sp

18、ace for six million visitors each year. In 1989, American architect I.M. Pei designed a striking glass pyramid in the buildings center to be a visitor entrance and shopping arcade. But he also started an angry debate. Some people felt his glass building was a piece of art, like the ones inside the m

19、useum. Others said it was just an ugly, modern mistake. Kyoto, Japan, is the countrys ancient capital, and the heart of its culture. Its railroad station was too small for the millions of visitors. In 1997, the city completed a new station in a huge shopping center, right in the oldest part of the c

20、ity. Designed by Hiroshi Hara, the building also contains a hotel and department store. Before it was built, critics said that the high, wide, modern building would destroy the citys traditional look. On the other hand, supporters said it would bring new life into the city center.Track 4-1-OL-7&

21、4-1-OL-8The future building boom?Interviewer: What do you think is the biggest problem facing our cities?Erika:I think it's overcrowding. Talk to anyone living in a major metropolitan area and they will say the same thing;There's no space. Even the suburbs are getting crowded.Interviewer: We

22、ll, in some places there simply isn't any land left for building, right?Erika:Yes, that's true, but you have to think creatively. You can't give up so easily.Interviewer: Think creatively? What do you suggest?Erika:What I'm saying is that we can build more structures underground. We

23、can add parking lots,malls, hotels, and even apartment buildings.There's plenty of space.Interviewer: Isn't it expensive?Erika:Yes, it can be. In the past building underground has been very expensive. However, we have newtechnology that will bring the cost down. It involves using robots. You

24、 don't have to pay robots a salary! Interviewer: Isn't "building down" more dangerous than other kind of construction?Erika:Actually, I think it's safer than building skyscrapers, for example. Remember, we already do it. We have subways and underground shopping malls. I'm j

25、ust suggesting we invest in a variety of bigger projects and that we dig deeper.Interviewer: What would you say to people who doubt your idea?Erika:I can understand their feelings. Whenever there'sa new idea, it can cause controversy. Butbuilding down" is not some kind of impractical idea.

26、It makes sense. There is so much space underground: It can accommodate a lot of traffic, storage, and people. With the new technology we have, we'd be crazy not to consider the idea -it's the wave of the future!UNIT2Track 4-2-1&4-2-2Situation 1Man: Oh no!Woman:What happened?Man: I can

27、9;t believe it! I was sending a message and I accidentally clicked on "Reply to All."Woman:So?Man: It was a personal message for my friend, Jerry. I wanted to send it to his e-mail address only.Woman:Oops.Man: Exactly. . Instead I sent it to everyone on the list.How embarrassing!Situation

28、2Man: I see you have a new keyboard. That's nice.Woman:Yes, the company bought me a new one.Man: That's good.Woman:Well, actually . I spilled coffee on my old keyboard,and it stopped working.Man:Oh, I see.Woman:Don't tell anyone. Drinking coffee near the computers is not allowed!Situatio

29、n 3Woman:Have you finished working on my computer?Man: Yes, I have. I'm afraid I don't have good news for you.Woman:Really?Man: Really. The problem is with your hardware.Woman:Oh. What do you suggest?Man: I think you should probably buy a new computer. This one can't be fixed.Woman:Well,

30、 I have had it for five years. It's time to replace it, I guess.Track 4-2-3Lea: I hate writing term papers! It takes forever!Steve: You're lucky, Lea. When I was young.Lea: Oh, I've heard this story before.Steve: Well, when I was young, we didn't have computers. We used to write our

31、papers on typewriters.Lea: Oh, really? That sounds difficult!Steve: It was, especially because I made a lot of mistakes.Lea: Did it take a long time?Steve: Yes. Computers are so much faster and easier to use.Track 4-2-41.I like the laptop because it's very, very thin. It's maybe less than on

32、e inch and it's about four pounds and I can carry it anywhere I want.2.My favorite feature of my computer is the Instant Messenger. The reason for this is that it's very affordable, fun and convenient and allows me to chat with my friends from all over the world.Track 4-2-OL-1&4-2-OL-2Pa

33、m: Well, Lynn, I must be going. It was great to see you Lynn: By, Pam.Pam: Whats that?Lynn: Oh thats Ollie.Pam: Ollie:?I didnt know you had a dog!Lynn: Well, we dont really.Pam: What do you mean?Lynn: Come here.Pam: Oh my goodness. Its a robot!Lynn: Thats right. Its a dog robot. They call it a “dogb

34、ot.”Pam: How interesting! But its a little strange, dont you think?Lynn: Well, I wanted to get an interactive toy for the kids. They love it. So Im happy.Pam: How much did it cost?Lynn: Dont ask. It wasnt very affordable. Its cheaper than having a real dog, though. We dont ever have to buy dog food!

35、 And the batteries are rechargeable.Juliana: Hey, Henrik. Look.Henrik: What is it, Juliana?Juliana: Whats that guy doing over there?Henrik: Which guy?Juliana: The one over there. Wearing a suit. Hs punching so many buttons on his cell phone.Henrik: Oh, him. Hes probably playing a game.Juliana: Reall

36、y?Henrik: A lot of people have games on their cell phones. Its really popular here in Finland. They play them everywhere.Juliana: Do you play them, too?Henrik: Yes, I do.Juliana: I only use my phone to make telephone calls. I guess Im old-fashioned.Henrik: I heard that some people play games even at

37、 work. They can play quietly during business meetings. No one knows about it.Juliana: Id like to try it.Henrik: Here, use mine!Track 4-2-OL-3Penny: Hello. Your Computer World sales department.Ted: Hi, Penny. Its Ted.Penny: Oh, hi, Ted. Whats up?Ted: well, my computer has crashed again.Penny: Oh no!T

38、ed: Oh, yes. Thats why Im calling. You know, its five years old. And I need to speak to Scott about getting a new one.Penny: well, youve called at a good time. We have some attractive new models.Ted: Great! Im looking for something affordable. And I want to get something portable this time.Penny: Im

39、 sure Scott can help you with that Lets see, he is in a meeting until 3:30. Ill ask him to call you.Ted: No, thats OK. Ill call him after 3:30. Please give him the message.Track 4-2-OL-4 E-mail is my favourite way to communicate. I think it is as fast as a fax machine, and it is as easy as a cell ph

40、one. Of course, e-mail has some problems, too. It isnt as affordable as ordinary mail, because you need a computer and Internet service. And I dont think it is as reliable as a fax machine. Sometimes e-mail messages get lost. But in my opinion, e-mail is as convenient as a cell phone. I can send a m

41、essage from my home or office, and my friends can read it when they have time.Track 4-2-OL-5&4-2-OL-6 In todays report, we look at a new technology called pervasive computing. Pervasive computing means putting tiny computers into everyday electronic appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. W

42、ith pervasive computing, appliances can communicate with their users and with other appliances! Some companies now sell pervasive computing products like a “smart” toaster. It remembers your favourite kind of toast: light or dark. Companies are designing a “smart” coffee maker and a “smart” clock. T

43、he coffee maker can measure the water and coffee. It can even put milk in your breakfast coffee and make black coffee in the afternoon. The clock will check the time on other clocks in your house, and give information about other appliances. For example, it can tell you, “Your coffee maker needs mor

44、e water.” And thats only the beginning. One company is now advertising “Save time phone your washing machine!” engineers are making a “smart” house. In this house, the lights, heater, and air conditioner change automatically when family members come home. This makes the home comfortable, and it save

45、s a lot of energy. Pervasive computing could change many parts of our daily lives. But do people really want pervasive computing? Do they really need technology everywhere? One company asked people about their opinions on “smart” appliances. There were surprises. A “smart” refrigerator can buy more

46、food on the internet, but people didnt want it, because it might make mistakes. “Pervasive computing is as important as a telephone,” says Rebecca Blair, president of InnoTech Corporation. But some of these products are not useful, or even practical. Companies should learn more about the technology

47、that people really want.Track 4-2-OL-7&4-2-OL-8Local girl rescued She may have a broken leg, but she cant be happier. Morgan Bailey, 11, is happy to be alive. Tuesday was like any other day for Morgan. She was at school. It was fourth period, and she was the first student to arrive in the gymnas

48、ium for her physical education class. Suddenly there was a loud noise. “There was a sharp cracking noise and then a loud boom. After that, I dont remember anything,” said Morgan. The roof of the gymnasium had collapsed under the heavy snow. Morgan was trapped underneath. She couldnt escape. “I woke

49、up and there was a big piece of wood on my leg. I couldnt move it. I was starting to get cold.” Fortunately, help was nearby. A new program using “rescue robots” was tried for the first time. “We were nervous about using the robot,” said Derrick Sneed, the man in charge of the program. “But in the e

50、nd, the robot gave us reliable information. It went extremely well.” The rescue robot was able to go into the gym and locate Morgans exact position. “We send in robots first because it may not be safe for humans,” said Mr. Sneed. “Human beings are not as useful as robots in some situations. A gas le

51、ak, for example, could kill you or me but wouldnt hurt a robot.” Although it didnt happen in Morgans case, some rescue robots can bring fresh air or water to people who are trapped.Rescue robots go into rough, dangerous places. They work in life or death situations. They have to be durable.Doctors s

52、ay that Morgan is doing well. She should be going home in two or three days. What is the first thing she wants to do after she gets out of the hospital? “I want to meet my hero,” laughs Morgan. “That little robot that saved my life!”UNIT3Track 4-3-1&4-3-2Conversation 1Woman 1:What are you watchi

53、ng?Woman 2:Oh, just the news.Woman 1:Can I change the channel?Woman 2:In just a minute. I want to see the end of this report.Woman 1:I didn't know you were interested in the news.Woman 2:Well, it's Christiane Amanpour. She's really great. She usually reports from London - the city where

54、she was born.Woman 1:I don't know her.Woman 2:She's an international correspondent. She goes to some really dangerous places. When there's a war, she's usually there.Woman 1:Sounds scary.Woman 2:Yeah. And - get this - she's a wife and mother, too.Woman 1:That's very impressiv

55、e!Conversation 2Man 1: That's a strange - looking book. What is it?Man 2: It's the writings and photos of Dan Eldon. He was a photojournalist.Man 1: A photojournalist?Man 2: Yeah. A photographer and a journalist. He was born in London in 1970. The book tells all about his life and his danger

56、ous adventures.Man 1: Well, the book certainly looks interesting. Has he written anything else?Man 2: He wrote a book when he was younger. Unfortunately, he won't be writing anything else - he was killed.Man 1: He died?Man 2: Yeah. It's really sad. He was only 22. He was killed while working

57、 in Africa.Track 4-3-3Peter: Hello. I'm Peter Daniels. I'm a reporter from the Center City NewsPeggy: It's nice to meet you, Mr. Daniels. My name is Peggy Sims.Peter:Hi, Peggy. I'm looking for the owner of the Golden Pearl Restaurant. Do you know him?Peggy: Yes. He's standing ove

58、r there.Peter: That tall man in the sweater?Peggy: No, that's an employee. The owner is the man wearing the suit.</QuestionText>Peter: Oh, I see him. Thanks a lotTrack 4-3-41. I usually always get my news online. I use the Internet because I think it's a very useful tool and it's a

59、lways up to date.2. I don't watch TV or use the Internet, but I read the newspaper starting on the front page and going to the international section.Track4-3-OL-1&4-3-OL-2Joe: What are you reading, Maria?Maria: The Daily News.Joe: The News? Ugh! Thats a terrible paper.Maria: Oh, Joe, its not so bad.Joe: Not so bad? Look at that headline on the front page! Its