全国公共英语等级考试二级课文

1、Unit 1 personal Information 个人情况Dialogues1Yang is introducing John browns new house to BillYangBillYang: Have you heard about John Brown new house?Bill: What? I havent heard about it .Tell me something about it.Yang: All right .Yesterday, I got my invitation to the house warming party .They told me

2、that theyve bought a new house in the suburbs. Its about half an hour from the city.Bill: Have you seen the house? Yang: Yes, I have .I went out with them last weekend. They had to measure the rooms.Bill: Whats it like?Yang: It has four bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a big kitchen, and thre

3、e bathrooms .Theres a large garden and garage, too.Bill: That does sound nice .How do you like the house, yang?Yang: Well, everything looks fine except the three car garage.Bill: Do you mean its a little too large?Yang: Too large? Not at all. They have five cars .Theres not nearly enough room for th

4、en. Theyve got to go to do something about that.Bill: Have they moved in yet?Yang: They are moving today. I guess theyll have all the furniture in the house by tonight.Bill: When are they going to have the party?Yang: Next Friday night .Youll get you invitation today or tomorrow.Bill: Well, thatll b

5、e something to look forward to.2Smith is introducing her cousin to AliceAliceSmithMaryAlice: Hello, Smith. How are you?Smith: Fine, thank you. Id like you to meet Mary. She is my cousin. Alice: Nice to meet you, Mary.Mary: Same here. Are you a student here?Alice: An economic student.Mary: How long w

6、ill you be here?Alice: Ill be here four years.Smith: Its almost time for the bell.Mary: Hope to see you later.Alice: See you later.3Aaron asks Abel the situation about jack and BobAaronAbelAaron: Where is jack this evening?Abel: Hes not feeling very well.Aaron: Really? Whats the trouble?Abel: I thin

7、k he must have eaten something wrong.Aaron: Give him my regards and tell him to take things easy.Abel: Thank you very much. Ill tell him what you said.Aaron: I havent seen Bob lately, how is he?Abel: As a matter of fact, hes laid up.Aaron: Oh, dear! Whats up with him?Abel: We dont know, but were hav

8、ing the doctor tomorrow.Aaron: Let me know theres anything I can do.Abel: Thank you very much. Ill tell him you inquired about him.PassageMy fatherEvery one has a father .My father is of middle height .He is stout and strong ,with a severe look on his face and with keen expressive eyes .On first sig

9、ht you may feel he is hard to approach .In fact he is very kind and considerate .I believe my father is a talented man .He is decisive and efficient in doing things .By his own talents and efforts, he has a secured for the family a good social position and a comparatively rich life .People of all fi

10、elds come to my house, and from them I have gained a lot of valuable social experiences and seen a lot of joys and sorrows of the world.But at home, he is a harsh parent .He has high expectations of me .When I am idling away my time, I can see that it hurts him deeply. When I am riding something gre

11、at, such as writing a book, he is more than excited .With such a father, I always remind myself that I must go on and on, never give up.Unit 2 people 人物 Dialogues 1Alex and Darcy are talking about Alexander Bell.AlexDarcyAlex: I have read a book on Alexander Bell.Darcy: I dont know this name.Alex: H

12、e was a great inventor. He was born in Edinburgh, immigrated to Canada in 1870, three years later, he moved to Boston.Darcy: How old was he when he moved to America?Alex: He was twenty years old.Darcy: Did he become an inventor there?Alex: At the beginning he started a school to teach the deaf, in t

13、he same year he became professor of vocal physiology at Boston University.Darcy: What did he invent?Alex: He was interested in the telegraph, which is a device to send sounds by an electric current. It showed him that the current could transmit the voice. In 1876 he invented the telephone.Darcy: Whe

14、n did he complete the first telephone conversation?Alex: On April 3, 1877, he completed it between Boston and New York, a distance of more than two hundred miles.Darcy: Im sure that the people all over the world must thank him.Alex: His name will always live in the peoples memory.2Mr. Guo has not me

15、t with Mr. Li for some time. They are meeting in the street today.Mr. GuoMr. LiMr. Guo: Mr. Li! Fancy meeting you here! Ive not seen you for a long time. Where are you working now?Mr. Li: Im now working in a foreign company.Mr. Guo: How many days do you work every week?Mr. Li: I work only 5 days a w

16、eek, from Monday to Friday.Mr. Guo: Its good to have 2 days off every week. Mr. Li: Yes, Ive taken advantage of these 2 free days to study so that I can do my job better.Mr. Guo: What courses do you take now?Mr. Li: Im taking two courses: Business Management and Accounting.Mr. Guo: Do you have to wo

17、rk overtime at the company?Mr. Li: Yes, sometimes not very often. If I put in extra hours, I can receive overtime pay.3An interview with Michael, a hackerInterviewMichaelInterview: Michael, when did you firmly get interested in computers?Michael: When I was 11. They fascinated me so much that I majo

18、red in computer science in college.Interview: And is that when you began hacking?Michael: Thats right. I broke into the school administration files.Interview: It must have been difficult to get into the governments defense networks.Michael: Its was easy. You see, the security administrators dont do

19、enough to protect the systems. Besides no matter what kind of protection they install, there are always some hackers there who like the challenge of breaking in anyway.Interview: What did you do when you got into these systems?Michael: Well, at college I was tempted to give myself a big scholarship,

20、 but I didnt. And when I got into national defense network, it was really just the satisfaction of doing it. They should thank me for pointing out the weaknesses in their system.Interview: But you got arrested instead. And what are you planning to do when you get out of prison?Michael: Well, Id like

21、 to work as a consultant advising on security systems.Passage My motherMy mother is a kind and gentle woman. She is very busy from morning till night. As a teacher she works hard and efficiently. As a mother, she takes good care of us and gives us every comfort. I have an elder brother. He and I bot

22、h love her dearly, and she loves us affectionately.My mother has been teaching math at a middle school in my hometown .She goes to school early in the morning and returns home until late in the afternoon. She loves her students, cares for them, and teaches them patiently and well enough .For her exc

23、ellent qualities and very good teaching results, she is always praised and respected by her students and colleagues alike. And she has been chosen or elected as a model teacher several times My mother is a thrifty and industrious woman .She never buys any expensive and fancy dresses for herself exce

24、pt that she goes occasionally to buy some cheap and high quality clothes for us. She never goes to any luxurious restaurant to have an expensive meal .She merely rats a humble meal outside when she is too busy .She lives a busy and simple life ,without any complaints .As soon as she comes back from

25、school ,she sets about doing housework: sweeping the living room and bedrooms or cleaning the furniture ,and putting everything in good order .Beside ,she prepares nice dishes for us to eat .She seems to be on the go all the time .She is very busy working hard every day ,she looks older than she rea

26、lly is. Her face is wrinkled, and her hair has turned silver white. But she looks as cheerful and happy as even.Often she says to us, “work while you work, and play while you play .That is the way to be happy and happy .If you do not work, you will become lazy and of no use to society. What a piece

27、of good advice this is! I never forget it and always bear it in my mind. This advice of hers will always serve as a guide to my action .My mother is great indeed, and I always feel proud of her.Unit 3 families 家庭Dialogues1Joyce and Linda go to Jacks house for dinner Friday evening.JoyceJackLinda Joy

28、ce: You have a lovely house, Jack.Jack: Thank you. Yeah, its home, but a number of things have been going wrong lately.Linda: Thats too bad. What problems are you having?Jack: Oh, the whole house needs repainting, for starters. The carpet in the living room is worn out, and Id like to put in new wal

29、l-to wall carpeting. Last week, I had to call the plumber to fix the toilet. Anyway, all par for the course when you own a house, I guess. I think Im going to hire an interior decorator to look the place over.Joyce: Ive studied Western home decoration as a hobby. Could I make some suggestions?Jack:

30、Go right ahead.Joyce: Well, I think a crystal chandelier would look great in your living room, and maybe some new drapes for the windows. Also, a grandfather clock would look great in the den. Perhaps you could buy some potted plants for the dining room.Jack: Wow! You really do have a talent for thi

31、s, Joyce. Thanks for your suggestions. Joyce: Youre welcome, Jack. Glad to be of help.2Sally and Sue are looking at pictures.SallySueSally: And heres a picture of you in high school.Sue: Emily will think I look funny.Sally: You do.Sue: Sally!Sally: Well, I do, too. Heres one of me. Look at my hair!S

32、ue: Youre not going to give those to Emily, are you?Sally: Why not? She needs to have photos of her mom and her aunt.Sue: Lets see if we can find some better ones than these.Sue: Shell need photos of her dads family, too.Sally: I know. Youll have to find those.Sue: OK. But I dont know if I have phot

33、os of all her dads brothers and sisters.Sally: How many did he have?Sue: Three brothers and two sisters.Sally: Thats a lot. Oh, look. Heres a picture of Moms brother, Uncle Thomas.Sue: And hes making a face. You know, you look a lot like him.Sally: Only without a mustache!Sally: You know, its fun to

34、 look at old pictures.Sue: It is. You can see how people change.Sally: Look how weve changed.Sue: We sure have. Im not as thin as I used to be.Sally: Neither am I. But we still look pretty good.Sue: Time really does go by fast, doesnt it?Sally: Yes, especially when youre old like us!Sue: Speak for y

35、ourself!3Father is paying pocket money to the children.DadBettyTedNanDad: Today is Friday. Who wants their allowance?Betty: I do. I get one dollar, dont I?Dad: Yes, you do, Betty. Have you been a good girl this week and helped your Mom?Betty: Ive been real good. I helped vacuum the carpet and feed t

36、he kitty every day.Dad: How about you, Ted? How much do I owe you?Ted: I usually get $5.00, but it would be nice if I could have a couple of extra dollars this week?Dad: Why is that, Ted?Ted: My friend Jim is having a birthday this week; I dont think I have enough money to get him a present.Dad: Ted

37、, you know your mother and I have asked if you want extra money when you needed it. Thats what your mother and I do.Ted: I know, Dad, but last week I needed extra money and the week before it was the same. I dont think I get enough for my allowance.Dad: Well have to go over your expenses with you, T

38、ed, and see if you do need more. If your lack of money is because you havent spent your money wisely, then you might consider getting a job mowing lawns, so you will have extra money. Maybe, if you had to work harder for you money, you would appreciate its value and be more careful with how you spen

39、d it.Nan: Dad, you remember that you are getting a “clothes allowance now. Dont you?Dad: Yes, I remember that you are getting a “clothing allowance Now. How is that working out?Nan: It seems to be all right so far. I dont spend anything for clothes some weeks, so I can save for the times when I need

40、 to buy something that is expensive.Dad: Are you still earning money babysitting?Nan: Yes, I earn all the money I need for spending money and Im saving money every week.Dad: Im glad to hear that, Nan. Its very important learn how to spend money wisely and save for a rainy day. That is one of the rea

41、sons why we give you children an allowance. We want you to have experience in budgeting money.PassageAmerican family“Please pass the turkey and dressing. What does this simple request make you think about? If you are an American, you think about thanksgiving .A turkey dinner symbolizes Thanksgiving

42、for Americans. What does Thanksgiving remind Americans of? Their families. Thanksgiving is a family time. On this holiday, families gather to gobble up the gobbler and stuff themselves with stuffing .Family members enjoy watching parades and football games on TV and just being together .What does “f

43、amily mean to Americans?The traditional American family is “nuclear family. A nuclear family refers to a husband an wife and their children .The average American family today has two or three children (and maybe a few pets). In some cultures ,people live close to their extended family .Several gener

44、ations may even live together .In America ,only in a few cases does more than one household live under one roof .American values receive a warn welcome in the home .Many homes are run like a democracy .Each family member can have a say .A sense of equality often exists in American homes .Instead of

45、fearing Mom and Dad ,children may think of them as good friends .husbands and wives often share household chores .In many cases ,a child can enjoy privacy in his or her own bedroom .From an early age ,children gain responsibility in handling money .They may receive a weekly allowance or even work pa

46、rt-time jobs ,Often parents give children freedom to make their own decisions .Preschoolers choose what clothes to wear or which toys to buy .Young adults generally make their own choices about what career to pursue and whom to marry .Families in America, like those in every culture, face many probl

47、ems .Social pressures are breaking apart more and more American homes .Over half of U.S. marriages now end in divorce. More than one in four American children are growing up in single-parent homes. As a result, many people believe the American family is in trouble.Unit 4 Environment 环境Dialogues1Ted

48、is fishing with his father. And he finds that the water has been polluted.TedFatherTed: Dad, whats that thick black foam on the river?Father: Thats the waste from some factories.Ted: But its forbidden to let waste into river directly.Father: Of course. But some factories just dont obey the law.Ted:

49、Why do they run such a risk?Father: The factories can save a lot of money by that.Ted: But the river is polluted?Father: Not only the rivers, but also the air and the soil.Ted: The air is also polluted?Father: Dont you see so many people cough day and night? Do your eyes water when you are near the

50、factory?Ted: Yes, they do. I just dont know why.Father: Because there is too much sulfur dioxide in the air.Ted: What should we do?Father: Perhaps next time when we come fishing we need some masks.2Bob is seeing the environment of the new house accompanied by Julia.BobJuliaBob: I wonder if there is

51、a pool or recreation here.Julia: Heres our pool. Its right outside the house. And the recreation room is just inside, right next to this house.Bob: Look, the water is dripping in the kitchen sink.Julia: Well, I didnt notice that. Yeah, Ill have maintenance man come out and fix that tomorrow.Bob: Is

52、this a gas stove?Julia: Yeah, you can cook with gas.Bob: What about air-conditionings?Julia: There are newly refurbished air-conditionings units. In 10 minutes, the whole apartment will be cooled down!Bob: How safe is this area? Are there any crime problems in this apartment complex?Julia: This is a

53、 very safe is this area. We havent had any crime problems here. We had a car-theft last year, but thats unusual.Bob: Is there a parking garage here?Julia: We dont have a parking garage; come with me, and Ill show you the parking facilities.Bob: OK.Julia: Well, as you can see, we have plenty of open

54、parking spaces. But if your friends come and visit, they may come up to the office and get a parking tag.Bob: I see. Can we do laundry here?Julia: Oh, yes. Come and Ill show you. Bob: Thanks.3Xu and Li are talking about the world environment issues.XuLiXu: The more I learn about the world around me,

55、 the more aware I become of the problems we face.Li: Do you mean the problems here in China?Xu: Yes, here and all over the world.Li: Well, theres one problem Im certainly aware of and that is the environmental pollution all around us.Xu: That is one of the great problems, but in many parts of the wo

56、rld, as people become more aware and apply new technology to solving the pollution problem; there is hope for the future.Li: What technology will help with pollution control?Xu: Well, for example, Ive recently read an article about using certain types of bacteria to help control some pollution probl

57、ems.Li: How could that be? I thought bacteria just caused illness.Xu: Thats not true. Bacteriologists have identified certain strains of bacteria that “eat petroleum products, such as oil and gasoline.Li: That sounds very strange. How does it work?Xu: They ingest the petroleum and excrete hydrogen and oxygen, leaving a clean environment behind them.Li: Could they use those little bugs to clean up big oil spills?Xu: Yes, as a matter of fact, they are being proven to be the most successful meth