[00:11.64]MODEL TEST 9
[00:14.50]Section A
[00:16.87]Directions: In this section,
[00:19.94]you will hear 8 short conversations
[00:22.63]and 2 long conversations.
[00:25.05]At the end of each conversation,
[00:27.75]one or more questions will be
[00:29.74]asked about what was said.
[00:31.76]Both the conversation
[00:33.56]and the questions will be spoken only once.
[00:36.77]After each question
[00:38.82]there will be a pause.
[00:40.74]During the pause,
[00:42.14]you must read the four choices
[00:44.31]marked A), B), C) and D),
[00:48.21]and decide which
[00:49.43]is the best answer.
[00:51.39]Then mark the corresponding letter
[00:54.10]on Answer Sheet 2
[00:56.17]with a single line
[00:57.50]through the centre.
[00:59.24]Now let's begin with the 8 short conversations
[01:04.68]11. W: I am pretty tired.
[01:09.68]It’s time for a coffee break.
[01:11.39]Let’s go out for some coffee, okay?
[01:13.77]M: I am trying to finish this program.
[01:16.07]Why don’t you sit down and relax right here
[01:18.95]and I’ll make you a cup of coffee
[01:20.61]several minutes later.
[01:22.56]Q: What does the man
[01:24.09]tell the woman to do?
[01:40.87]12. M: Has anything important
[01:43.86]come up yet?
[01:45.03]W: Yes, Mr. Smith called about
[01:46.66]fifteen minutes ago.
[01:48.51]He asked me to have you
[01:49.92]call him between 10：30 and 12：00
[01:52.27]if it’s convenient for you,
[01:54.14]otherwise he will call back this afternoon.
[01:57.60]I jotted his phone number down on your memo pad.
[02:00.94]Q: What can we infer from the conversation?
[02:18.84]13. W: Roger and I would like to go to a movie tonight.
[02:23.96]Have you seen any good ones lately?
[02:26.38]M: I saw The Last Explorer last night. It’s great.
[02:30.21]It’s about the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls.
[02:34.79]Q: What did the man say about the movie?
[02:52.30]14. W: Could you spare me a few minutes to go over a letter I have just written?
[03:00.59]You see I’ve never written a letter in English before,
[03:04.15]so I’ve probably made lots of mistakes.
[03:07.29]M: Okay. Please sit down. What’s the letter for?
[03:10.91]Q: What does the woman want?
[03:28.12]15. M: This book is just what I need for the paper I’m working on.
[03:35.74]Will you lend it to me?
[03:37.30]W: I need it too. That’s why I borrowed it.
[03:39.99]But I’ll lend it to you as soon as I’ve finished with it.
[03:44.40]Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
[04:01.86]16. M: There’s a McDonald’s right across the street.
[04:08.34]We can eat there.
[04:09.74]W: I’m sure it’s going to be packed. We’ll never find seats.
[04:13.83]Can you go over and pick up some stuff for all of us and bring it back here?
[04:18.20]Q: What does the woman ask the man to do?
[04:36.84]17. W: I spent so much money on photocopying this afternoon in the library
[04:45.31]that I don’t have enough money left for dinner.
[04:47.97]Can you end me a few dollars?
[04:50.14]M: Sorry. I am short of money at the moment.
[04:53.04]I was hoping to borrow some money from you.
[04:55.83]Q: What do we know from the conversation?
[05:14.17]18. M: Do you really think we can get good quality clothes at sales?
[05:21.49]The things might be out of season, out of style, or damaged.
[05:25.48]W: Naturally they have some reason to reduce the price,
[05:28.48]but if you look things over carefully, you can get good buys anyway.
[05:33.67]Q: What does the man think about the sales?
[05:52.15]Now you’ll hear the two long conversations.
[05:58.49]Conversation One
[06:03.29]W: Hello!
[06:04.62]M: Good evening.
[06:06.04]Is that Mrs.Philips?
[06:07.86]W: Yes, it is.
[06:08.86]M: Well, Mrs.Phillips.
[06:10.57]This evening, I'm calling to offer you a special discount on...
[06:14.66]W: Ah, no, let me guess.
[06:16.76]You want to sell a subscription to the newspaper
[06:19.81]or a great deal on the airfare to Hawaii,right?
[06:23.43]Or, you want to offer me an unbelievable bargain on dance lessons?
[06:28.62]M: No, no, actually...Mrs.Philips.
[06:32.30]Oh, sorry.
[06:33.56]That was the last guy.
[06:35.27]Uh, we want to offer you a free membership to our sports club downtown
[06:39.68]at the introductory price of $39.95...
[06:43.77]W: Thirty-nine ninety-five?
[06:45.84]I thought you said free!
[06:47.72]Uh,listen, I'm not interested.
[06:50.13]M: Well, it includes unlimited access to all our facilities,
[06:53.98]including the gym,weight room,tennis courts,and swimming pool.
[06:58.53]W: Again, I'm not interested.
[07:00.97]I have my own fitness program I do around the house anyway.
[07:05.17]M: Well, this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
[07:07.60]In addition, the location of the sports club is near your house.
[07:11.74]That will be convenient for you.
[07:13.93]W: Like I said,
[07:14.90]I'll pass this time.
[07:16.33]And please put me on your “don't call” list.
[07:19.71]M: Okay.
[07:20.96]It'll take between four and six months
[07:23.55]before your name will be removed from our database.
[07:26.42]You might be called by another representative during that time.
[07:30.10]W: Ah, man.
[07:30.90]Ah, great.
[07:32.59]M: Have a nice evening,Mrs.Philips.
[07:35.42]Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
[07:41.59]19. What is the man doing?
[08:01.49]20. What does the man want to offer the woman?
[08:22.67]21.What does the woman request at the end of the conversation?
[08:45.00]Conversation Two
[08:49.31]W: Good morning
[08:50.02]and welcome to today's program.
[08:52.47]Have you always wanted to invest,
[08:54.99]but didn't know where to get started?
[08:57.20]Today's show will help you with this problem.
[09:00.40]Very happily, we have Mr.Brown as our guest.
[09:04.30]Welcome to our program,Mr.Brown.
[09:07.23]M: It's a pleasure to be here.
[09:09.21]W: Now, Mr.Brown.
[09:10.47]Can you give us some suggestions on how to invest wisely?
[09:14.36]M: Well, I think there are three basic guidelines to smart investment.
[09:20.09]W: What are they?
[09:20.95]M: Number one is to have clear goals.
[09:24.06]Decide how many years you will invest for,
[09:27.02]and what your needs will be in the future.
[09:29.44]W: I see.
[09:30.55]First, we should have a clear goal.
[09:32.55]That's definitely important.
[09:34.82]Then what is the second guideline?
[09:37.07]M: Number two is to understand the range of possibilities.
[09:41.56]You'll want diversified investments: one with a mix of stocks,
[09:46.34]mutual funds,
[09:47.40]bonds, and cash.
[09:49.47]It's a jungle out there.
[09:51.38]Each of these products has different risks associated with them
[09:55.30]and also different potential rewards.
[09:57.89]Understand them before you buy,
[10:00.31]so there won't be any big surprises later.
[10:03.22]W: That sounds quite reasonable.
[10:05.11]Well, what about the third guideline?
[10:07.25]M: Finally, number three is to have realistic expectations.
[10:11.69]Keep this in mind:
[10:13.31]he who wishes to be rich in a day
[10:15.80]will be hanged in a year.
[10:17.67]You should invest for the long term
[10:19.93]since the stock market has both up and down years.
[10:23.17]W: That's quite true.
[10:24.61]For example, over the past several years,
[10:27.38]New York stocks have averaged 30% annual returns,
[10:31.64]but this may not continue for long.
[10:34.61]Well, that's today's show.
[10:36.75]Thank you, Mr.Brown, for joining us.
[10:39.63]M: My pleasure.
[10:41.97]Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
[10:49.22]22. What are the two speakers mainly talking about?
[11:11.34]23. What is the first guideline to smart investment?
[11:32.81]24. What should investors understand before they invest?
[11:54.36]25. What do we learn about the stock market from the conversation?
[12:13.17]Section B
[12:17.70]Directions: In this section,you will hear 3 short passages.
[12:23.71]At the end of each passage,you will hear some questions.
[12:28.17]Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.
[12:34.06]After you hear a question,
[12:35.70]you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).
[12:43.65]Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet 2
[12:48.73]with a single line through the centre.
[12:52.12]Passage One
[12:54.22]The world is not only hungry,
[12:56.76]but thirsty for water.
[12:58.43]That may seem strange to you,
[13:00.71]since nearly 75% of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
[13:05.08]But about 97% of this huge amount is seawater,
[13:09.54]or salt water.
[13:10.90]Man can only drink and use the other 3%—
[13:14.89]the fresh water from rivers,
[13:16.58]lakes, underground and other sources.
[13:19.81]In addition we can’t even use all of that,
[13:23.85]because some of it is in the form of iceberg and glaciers.
[13:27.92]Even worse, some of it has been polluted.
[13:31.52]However, the need for water is increasing rapidly.
[13:35.59]Only if we take steps to deal with this problem now,
[13:39.92]can we avoid a severe worldwide water shortage later on.
[13:43.82]One of the first steps is to develop ways of reusing it.
[13:49.46]Today water is used only once
[13:52.25]and then discharged into a sewer system,
[13:54.88]and it finally returns to the sea or runs underground.
[13:59.21]However it is possible to pipe used water to the plant
[14:03.76]where water can be filtered and treated with chemicals
[14:06.68]so that it can be used again.
[14:09.18]However, even if every city reused its water,
[14:13.28]we still would not have enough.
[14:15.60]All we’d have to do is to make use of the seawater in the world.
[14:20.86]If we take these steps,
[14:22.78]we’ll be in no danger of drying up.
[14:25.54]Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[14:32.63]26. How much of the earth’s water can man really use?
[14:53.42]27. How can we avoid a worldwide water shortage in the future?
[15:14.86]28. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
[15:34.96]Passage Two
[15:37.79]The next carbon-based energy source
[15:39.93]we’ll talk about is coal.
[15:41.74]As you probably know,
[15:43.45]coal is formed from the remains of freshwater plants.
[15:46.98]Dead tree limbs,trunks, leaves and spores
[15:50.55]often fall into the densely vegetated stagnant swamps.
[15:54.67]Gradually they become water-logged and sink.
[15:57.53]Once this plant material is covered with water
[16:00.97]and protected from the atmosphere,
[16:03.16]bacterial digestion begins,
[16:05.52]turning the woody plant remains
[16:07.34]into a jelly-like mass of peat.
[16:09.67]As this happens
[16:11.25]oxygen supplies in the water are quickly consumed.
[16:14.95]Then, as the oxygen is used up,
[16:17.51]the bacteria die and the decay stops.
[16:20.64]The gelatinous peat is considered the first stage
[16:24.99]in the formation of coal.
[16:26.98]We classify the peat as the low-rank material.
[16:30.49]A low-rank material has a relatively low carbon content
[16:34.71]and a low heat-producing value.
[16:37.08]When peat is varied and compacted,
[16:40.37]a series of reactions occurs,
[16:42.32]and much of the water,
[16:43.71]oxygen, nitrogen and other plant elements
[16:46.70]that were originally present are expelled.
[16:49.93]These reactions result in an increasingly dense
[16:53.29]and carbon rich coal.
[16:54.93]The process of coalification continues over time,
[16:58.78]bringing in an increase in rank
[17:00.93]so that the older and most deeply varied coals
[17:03.82]generally have a higher rank
[17:05.50]than the younger and shallower ones.
[17:07.71]The chart on page 72 illustrates
[17:10.66]how the action usually progresses.
[17:14.04]Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[17:21.30]29. What is the main topic of the talk?
[17:41.25]30. According to the speaker,
[17:45.07]how is older coal usually different from younger coal?
[18:03.38]31. What will the lecture probably discuss next?
[18:24.67]Passage Three
[18:26.74]It is often claimed
[18:28.77]that nuclear energy is something we cannot do without.
[18:31.53]Many people believe
[18:33.88]that nuclear energy provides an inexhaustible and economically
[18:37.99]realistic source of power
[18:39.70]and so it is essential for an industrially developing country.
[18:44.14]There are a number of other advantages in the use of nuclear energy.
[18:49.07]Firstly, nuclear power is clean.
[18:53.00]Secondly, a nuclear power station can be run and maintained
[18:57.33]by relatively few technical and administrative staff.
[19:01.24]A further advantage is that
[19:03.53]the nuclear reactor represents an enormous step
[19:06.33]in our scientific evolution.
[19:08.45]However, opponents of nuclear energy point out that
[19:12.55]nuclear power stations make a direct threat
[19:15.50]not only to the environment
[19:17.43]but also to civil liberties.
[19:19.53]Furthermore,
[19:20.78]it is questionable
[19:22.18]whether nuclear power is a cheap source of energy.
[19:25.10]Perhaps, for example,
[19:27.46]been very costly accidents in the US,
[19:31.01]in the UK and,
[19:32.76]of course,in the former Soviet Union.
[19:35.46]The possibility of increases in the cost of uranium,
[19:39.56]in addition to the cost of greater safety provisions,
[19:43.02]could price nuclear power out of the market.
[19:46.87]In the long run,
[19:48.61]environmentalists argue,
[19:50.77]nuclear energy wastes valuable resources
[19:53.88]and disturbs the ecology to an extent
[19:56.72]which could bring about the extinction of the human race.
[20:00.27]Thus, if we wish to survive,
[20:03.41]we cannot afford nuclear energy.
[20:05.75]In spite of the case against nuclear energy outlined above,
[20:10.00]nuclear energy programs are increasing.
[20:13.06]However,
[20:14.18]it is doubtful whether this growth will or can continue.
[20:18.99]Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage
[20:24.37]you have just heard.
[20:26.21]30. To what kind of country,
[20:29.59]is nuclear energy necessary?
[20:46.55]31. How many advantages of nuclear energy
[20:51.80]are mentioned in the passage?
[21:08.36]32. Which is NOT the opinion of the opponents of nuclear energy?
[21:30.77]33. Which country is not mentioned about its nuclear accidents?
[21:53.26]Section C
[21:55.16]Directions: In this section,
[21:58.08]you will hear a passage three times.
[22:01.63]When the passage is read for the first time,
[22:04.21]you should listen carefully for its general idea.
[22:08.12]When the passage is read for the second time,
[22:10.80]you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43
[22:17.21]with the exact words you have just heard.
[22:21.02]For blanks numbered from 44 to 46
[22:24.70]you are required to fill in the missing information.
[22:28.58]For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard
[22:33.50]or write down the main points in your own words.
[22:37.95]Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,
[22:41.41]you should check what you have written.
[22:44.46]Now listen to the passage
[22:47.86]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[22:51.19]the bridal couple promise each other lifelong devotion.
[22:55.33]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[22:59.82]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[23:05.72]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[23:12.38]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[23:16.31]perhaps even the highest.
[23:18.25]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[23:22.31]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[23:27.50]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[23:30.29]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[23:34.34]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[23:37.34]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[23:42.04]With typical American optimism,
[23:44.42]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[23:47.83]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[23:51.19]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[23:53.92]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[23:57.19]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[24:00.66]to support themselves and their children.
[24:03.07]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[24:06.86]they can make it alone without a husband.
[24:09.72]All things considered,
[24:11.15]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[24:15.19]If a divorcing couple has children,
[24:17.50]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[24:21.46]and who will provide for their support.
[24:23.79]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[24:26.80]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[24:31.16]when this arrangement seems to be in the children’s best interest.
[24:36.19]Now the passage will be read again.
[24:40.24]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[24:42.98]the bridal couple promise each other lifelong devotion.
[24:47.07]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[24:51.78]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[24:57.67]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[25:04.34]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[25:08.37]perhaps even the highest.
[25:10.74]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[25:14.25]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[25:19.36]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[25:22.07]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[25:26.18]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[25:29.17]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[25:34.17]With typical American optimism,
[25:36.33]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[25:39.94]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[25:43.16]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[25:45.80]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[25:49.03]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[25:52.86]to support themselves and their children.
[25:54.14]
[26:54.53]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[26:59.71]they can make it alone without a husband.
[27:02.66]All things considered,
[27:04.06]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[27:07.50]
[28:08.43]If a divorcing couple has children,
[28:11.45]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[28:15.40]and who will provide for their support.
[28:17.84]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[28:20.85]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[28:25.01]when this arrangement seems to be in the children's best interest.
[28:28.76]
[29:29.73]Now the passage will be read for the third time.
[29:34.53]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[29:37.24]the bridal couple promises each other lifelong devotion.
[29:41.34]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[29:45.83]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[29:51.82]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[29:58.88]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[30:02.75]perhaps even the highest.
[30:04.60]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[30:08.47]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[30:13.67]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[30:16.47]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[30:20.31]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[30:23.33]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[30:28.32]With typical American optimism,
[30:30.53]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[30:34.14]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[30:37.34]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[30:40.09]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[30:43.36]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[30:46.84]to support themselves and their children.
[30:49.50]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[30:52.73]they can make it alone without a husband.
[30:55.77]All things considered,
[30:57.26]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[31:01.29]If a divorcing couple has children,
[31:03.78]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[31:07.58]and who will provide for their support.
[31:10.08]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[31:13.01]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[31:17.33]when this arrangement seems to be in the children’s best interest.
[31:22.96]This is the end of the listening comprehension.
[00:14.50]Section A
[00:16.87]Directions: In this section,
[00:19.94]you will hear 8 short conversations
[00:22.63]and 2 long conversations.
[00:25.05]At the end of each conversation,
[00:27.75]one or more questions will be
[00:29.74]asked about what was said.
[00:31.76]Both the conversation
[00:33.56]and the questions will be spoken only once.
[00:36.77]After each question
[00:38.82]there will be a pause.
[00:40.74]During the pause,
[00:42.14]you must read the four choices
[00:44.31]marked A), B), C) and D),
[00:48.21]and decide which
[00:49.43]is the best answer.
[00:51.39]Then mark the corresponding letter
[00:54.10]on Answer Sheet 2
[00:56.17]with a single line
[00:57.50]through the centre.
[00:59.24]Now let's begin with the 8 short conversations
[01:04.68]11. W: I am pretty tired.
[01:09.68]It’s time for a coffee break.
[01:11.39]Let’s go out for some coffee, okay?
[01:13.77]M: I am trying to finish this program.
[01:16.07]Why don’t you sit down and relax right here
[01:18.95]and I’ll make you a cup of coffee
[01:20.61]several minutes later.
[01:22.56]Q: What does the man
[01:24.09]tell the woman to do?
[01:40.87]12. M: Has anything important
[01:43.86]come up yet?
[01:45.03]W: Yes, Mr. Smith called about
[01:46.66]fifteen minutes ago.
[01:48.51]He asked me to have you
[01:49.92]call him between 10：30 and 12：00
[01:52.27]if it’s convenient for you,
[01:54.14]otherwise he will call back this afternoon.
[01:57.60]I jotted his phone number down on your memo pad.
[02:00.94]Q: What can we infer from the conversation?
[02:18.84]13. W: Roger and I would like to go to a movie tonight.
[02:23.96]Have you seen any good ones lately?
[02:26.38]M: I saw The Last Explorer last night. It’s great.
[02:30.21]It’s about the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls.
[02:34.79]Q: What did the man say about the movie?
[02:52.30]14. W: Could you spare me a few minutes to go over a letter I have just written?
[03:00.59]You see I’ve never written a letter in English before,
[03:04.15]so I’ve probably made lots of mistakes.
[03:07.29]M: Okay. Please sit down. What’s the letter for?
[03:10.91]Q: What does the woman want?
[03:28.12]15. M: This book is just what I need for the paper I’m working on.
[03:35.74]Will you lend it to me?
[03:37.30]W: I need it too. That’s why I borrowed it.
[03:39.99]But I’ll lend it to you as soon as I’ve finished with it.
[03:44.40]Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
[04:01.86]16. M: There’s a McDonald’s right across the street.
[04:08.34]We can eat there.
[04:09.74]W: I’m sure it’s going to be packed. We’ll never find seats.
[04:13.83]Can you go over and pick up some stuff for all of us and bring it back here?
[04:18.20]Q: What does the woman ask the man to do?
[04:36.84]17. W: I spent so much money on photocopying this afternoon in the library
[04:45.31]that I don’t have enough money left for dinner.
[04:47.97]Can you end me a few dollars?
[04:50.14]M: Sorry. I am short of money at the moment.
[04:53.04]I was hoping to borrow some money from you.
[04:55.83]Q: What do we know from the conversation?
[05:14.17]18. M: Do you really think we can get good quality clothes at sales?
[05:21.49]The things might be out of season, out of style, or damaged.
[05:25.48]W: Naturally they have some reason to reduce the price,
[05:28.48]but if you look things over carefully, you can get good buys anyway.
[05:33.67]Q: What does the man think about the sales?
[05:52.15]Now you’ll hear the two long conversations.
[05:58.49]Conversation One
[06:03.29]W: Hello!
[06:04.62]M: Good evening.
[06:06.04]Is that Mrs.Philips?
[06:07.86]W: Yes, it is.
[06:08.86]M: Well, Mrs.Phillips.
[06:10.57]This evening, I'm calling to offer you a special discount on...
[06:14.66]W: Ah, no, let me guess.
[06:16.76]You want to sell a subscription to the newspaper
[06:19.81]or a great deal on the airfare to Hawaii,right?
[06:23.43]Or, you want to offer me an unbelievable bargain on dance lessons?
[06:28.62]M: No, no, actually...Mrs.Philips.
[06:32.30]Oh, sorry.
[06:33.56]That was the last guy.
[06:35.27]Uh, we want to offer you a free membership to our sports club downtown
[06:39.68]at the introductory price of $39.95...
[06:43.77]W: Thirty-nine ninety-five?
[06:45.84]I thought you said free!
[06:47.72]Uh,listen, I'm not interested.
[06:50.13]M: Well, it includes unlimited access to all our facilities,
[06:53.98]including the gym,weight room,tennis courts,and swimming pool.
[06:58.53]W: Again, I'm not interested.
[07:00.97]I have my own fitness program I do around the house anyway.
[07:05.17]M: Well, this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal.
[07:07.60]In addition, the location of the sports club is near your house.
[07:11.74]That will be convenient for you.
[07:13.93]W: Like I said,
[07:14.90]I'll pass this time.
[07:16.33]And please put me on your “don't call” list.
[07:19.71]M: Okay.
[07:20.96]It'll take between four and six months
[07:23.55]before your name will be removed from our database.
[07:26.42]You might be called by another representative during that time.
[07:30.10]W: Ah, man.
[07:30.90]Ah, great.
[07:32.59]M: Have a nice evening,Mrs.Philips.
[07:35.42]Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
[07:41.59]19. What is the man doing?
[08:01.49]20. What does the man want to offer the woman?
[08:22.67]21.What does the woman request at the end of the conversation?
[08:45.00]Conversation Two
[08:49.31]W: Good morning
[08:50.02]and welcome to today's program.
[08:52.47]Have you always wanted to invest,
[08:54.99]but didn't know where to get started?
[08:57.20]Today's show will help you with this problem.
[09:00.40]Very happily, we have Mr.Brown as our guest.
[09:04.30]Welcome to our program,Mr.Brown.
[09:07.23]M: It's a pleasure to be here.
[09:09.21]W: Now, Mr.Brown.
[09:10.47]Can you give us some suggestions on how to invest wisely?
[09:14.36]M: Well, I think there are three basic guidelines to smart investment.
[09:20.09]W: What are they?
[09:20.95]M: Number one is to have clear goals.
[09:24.06]Decide how many years you will invest for,
[09:27.02]and what your needs will be in the future.
[09:29.44]W: I see.
[09:30.55]First, we should have a clear goal.
[09:32.55]That's definitely important.
[09:34.82]Then what is the second guideline?
[09:37.07]M: Number two is to understand the range of possibilities.
[09:41.56]You'll want diversified investments: one with a mix of stocks,
[09:46.34]mutual funds,
[09:47.40]bonds, and cash.
[09:49.47]It's a jungle out there.
[09:51.38]Each of these products has different risks associated with them
[09:55.30]and also different potential rewards.
[09:57.89]Understand them before you buy,
[10:00.31]so there won't be any big surprises later.
[10:03.22]W: That sounds quite reasonable.
[10:05.11]Well, what about the third guideline?
[10:07.25]M: Finally, number three is to have realistic expectations.
[10:11.69]Keep this in mind:
[10:13.31]he who wishes to be rich in a day
[10:15.80]will be hanged in a year.
[10:17.67]You should invest for the long term
[10:19.93]since the stock market has both up and down years.
[10:23.17]W: That's quite true.
[10:24.61]For example, over the past several years,
[10:27.38]New York stocks have averaged 30% annual returns,
[10:31.64]but this may not continue for long.
[10:34.61]Well, that's today's show.
[10:36.75]Thank you, Mr.Brown, for joining us.
[10:39.63]M: My pleasure.
[10:41.97]Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
[10:49.22]22. What are the two speakers mainly talking about?
[11:11.34]23. What is the first guideline to smart investment?
[11:32.81]24. What should investors understand before they invest?
[11:54.36]25. What do we learn about the stock market from the conversation?
[12:13.17]Section B
[12:17.70]Directions: In this section,you will hear 3 short passages.
[12:23.71]At the end of each passage,you will hear some questions.
[12:28.17]Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.
[12:34.06]After you hear a question,
[12:35.70]you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).
[12:43.65]Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet 2
[12:48.73]with a single line through the centre.
[12:52.12]Passage One
[12:54.22]The world is not only hungry,
[12:56.76]but thirsty for water.
[12:58.43]That may seem strange to you,
[13:00.71]since nearly 75% of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
[13:05.08]But about 97% of this huge amount is seawater,
[13:09.54]or salt water.
[13:10.90]Man can only drink and use the other 3%—
[13:14.89]the fresh water from rivers,
[13:16.58]lakes, underground and other sources.
[13:19.81]In addition we can’t even use all of that,
[13:23.85]because some of it is in the form of iceberg and glaciers.
[13:27.92]Even worse, some of it has been polluted.
[13:31.52]However, the need for water is increasing rapidly.
[13:35.59]Only if we take steps to deal with this problem now,
[13:39.92]can we avoid a severe worldwide water shortage later on.
[13:43.82]One of the first steps is to develop ways of reusing it.
[13:49.46]Today water is used only once
[13:52.25]and then discharged into a sewer system,
[13:54.88]and it finally returns to the sea or runs underground.
[13:59.21]However it is possible to pipe used water to the plant
[14:03.76]where water can be filtered and treated with chemicals
[14:06.68]so that it can be used again.
[14:09.18]However, even if every city reused its water,
[14:13.28]we still would not have enough.
[14:15.60]All we’d have to do is to make use of the seawater in the world.
[14:20.86]If we take these steps,
[14:22.78]we’ll be in no danger of drying up.
[14:25.54]Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[14:32.63]26. How much of the earth’s water can man really use?
[14:53.42]27. How can we avoid a worldwide water shortage in the future?
[15:14.86]28. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
[15:34.96]Passage Two
[15:37.79]The next carbon-based energy source
[15:39.93]we’ll talk about is coal.
[15:41.74]As you probably know,
[15:43.45]coal is formed from the remains of freshwater plants.
[15:46.98]Dead tree limbs,trunks, leaves and spores
[15:50.55]often fall into the densely vegetated stagnant swamps.
[15:54.67]Gradually they become water-logged and sink.
[15:57.53]Once this plant material is covered with water
[16:00.97]and protected from the atmosphere,
[16:03.16]bacterial digestion begins,
[16:05.52]turning the woody plant remains
[16:07.34]into a jelly-like mass of peat.
[16:09.67]As this happens
[16:11.25]oxygen supplies in the water are quickly consumed.
[16:14.95]Then, as the oxygen is used up,
[16:17.51]the bacteria die and the decay stops.
[16:20.64]The gelatinous peat is considered the first stage
[16:24.99]in the formation of coal.
[16:26.98]We classify the peat as the low-rank material.
[16:30.49]A low-rank material has a relatively low carbon content
[16:34.71]and a low heat-producing value.
[16:37.08]When peat is varied and compacted,
[16:40.37]a series of reactions occurs,
[16:42.32]and much of the water,
[16:43.71]oxygen, nitrogen and other plant elements
[16:46.70]that were originally present are expelled.
[16:49.93]These reactions result in an increasingly dense
[16:53.29]and carbon rich coal.
[16:54.93]The process of coalification continues over time,
[16:58.78]bringing in an increase in rank
[17:00.93]so that the older and most deeply varied coals
[17:03.82]generally have a higher rank
[17:05.50]than the younger and shallower ones.
[17:07.71]The chart on page 72 illustrates
[17:10.66]how the action usually progresses.
[17:14.04]Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.
[17:21.30]29. What is the main topic of the talk?
[17:41.25]30. According to the speaker,
[17:45.07]how is older coal usually different from younger coal?
[18:03.38]31. What will the lecture probably discuss next?
[18:24.67]Passage Three
[18:26.74]It is often claimed
[18:28.77]that nuclear energy is something we cannot do without.
[18:31.53]Many people believe
[18:33.88]that nuclear energy provides an inexhaustible and economically
[18:37.99]realistic source of power
[18:39.70]and so it is essential for an industrially developing country.
[18:44.14]There are a number of other advantages in the use of nuclear energy.
[18:49.07]Firstly, nuclear power is clean.
[18:53.00]Secondly, a nuclear power station can be run and maintained
[18:57.33]by relatively few technical and administrative staff.
[19:01.24]A further advantage is that
[19:03.53]the nuclear reactor represents an enormous step
[19:06.33]in our scientific evolution.
[19:08.45]However, opponents of nuclear energy point out that
[19:12.55]nuclear power stations make a direct threat
[19:15.50]not only to the environment
[19:17.43]but also to civil liberties.
[19:19.53]Furthermore,
[19:20.78]it is questionable
[19:22.18]whether nuclear power is a cheap source of energy.
[19:25.10]Perhaps, for example,
[19:27.46]been very costly accidents in the US,
[19:31.01]in the UK and,
[19:32.76]of course,in the former Soviet Union.
[19:35.46]The possibility of increases in the cost of uranium,
[19:39.56]in addition to the cost of greater safety provisions,
[19:43.02]could price nuclear power out of the market.
[19:46.87]In the long run,
[19:48.61]environmentalists argue,
[19:50.77]nuclear energy wastes valuable resources
[19:53.88]and disturbs the ecology to an extent
[19:56.72]which could bring about the extinction of the human race.
[20:00.27]Thus, if we wish to survive,
[20:03.41]we cannot afford nuclear energy.
[20:05.75]In spite of the case against nuclear energy outlined above,
[20:10.00]nuclear energy programs are increasing.
[20:13.06]However,
[20:14.18]it is doubtful whether this growth will or can continue.
[20:18.99]Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage
[20:24.37]you have just heard.
[20:26.21]30. To what kind of country,
[20:29.59]is nuclear energy necessary?
[20:46.55]31. How many advantages of nuclear energy
[20:51.80]are mentioned in the passage?
[21:08.36]32. Which is NOT the opinion of the opponents of nuclear energy?
[21:30.77]33. Which country is not mentioned about its nuclear accidents?
[21:53.26]Section C
[21:55.16]Directions: In this section,
[21:58.08]you will hear a passage three times.
[22:01.63]When the passage is read for the first time,
[22:04.21]you should listen carefully for its general idea.
[22:08.12]When the passage is read for the second time,
[22:10.80]you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43
[22:17.21]with the exact words you have just heard.
[22:21.02]For blanks numbered from 44 to 46
[22:24.70]you are required to fill in the missing information.
[22:28.58]For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard
[22:33.50]or write down the main points in your own words.
[22:37.95]Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,
[22:41.41]you should check what you have written.
[22:44.46]Now listen to the passage
[22:47.86]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[22:51.19]the bridal couple promise each other lifelong devotion.
[22:55.33]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[22:59.82]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[23:05.72]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[23:12.38]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[23:16.31]perhaps even the highest.
[23:18.25]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[23:22.31]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[23:27.50]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[23:30.29]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[23:34.34]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[23:37.34]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[23:42.04]With typical American optimism,
[23:44.42]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[23:47.83]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[23:51.19]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[23:53.92]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[23:57.19]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[24:00.66]to support themselves and their children.
[24:03.07]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[24:06.86]they can make it alone without a husband.
[24:09.72]All things considered,
[24:11.15]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[24:15.19]If a divorcing couple has children,
[24:17.50]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[24:21.46]and who will provide for their support.
[24:23.79]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[24:26.80]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[24:31.16]when this arrangement seems to be in the children’s best interest.
[24:36.19]Now the passage will be read again.
[24:40.24]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[24:42.98]the bridal couple promise each other lifelong devotion.
[24:47.07]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[24:51.78]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[24:57.67]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[25:04.34]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[25:08.37]perhaps even the highest.
[25:10.74]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[25:14.25]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[25:19.36]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[25:22.07]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[25:26.18]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[25:29.17]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[25:34.17]With typical American optimism,
[25:36.33]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[25:39.94]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[25:43.16]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[25:45.80]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[25:49.03]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[25:52.86]to support themselves and their children.
[25:54.14]
[26:54.53]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[26:59.71]they can make it alone without a husband.
[27:02.66]All things considered,
[27:04.06]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[27:07.50]
[28:08.43]If a divorcing couple has children,
[28:11.45]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[28:15.40]and who will provide for their support.
[28:17.84]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[28:20.85]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[28:25.01]when this arrangement seems to be in the children's best interest.
[28:28.76]
[29:29.73]Now the passage will be read for the third time.
[29:34.53]During the traditional wedding ceremony,
[29:37.24]the bridal couple promises each other lifelong devotion.
[29:41.34]Yet, about one out of four American marriages ends in divorce.
[29:45.83]Since 1940, the divorce rate has more than doubled, and experts predict that,
[29:51.82]of all marriages that occurred in the 1970s, about 50% will end in divorce.
[29:58.88]The US. has one of the highest divorce rates in the world,
[30:02.75]perhaps even the highest.
[30:04.60]The fact that divorce is so common in the United States
[30:08.47]does not mean that Americans consider marriage a casual, unimportant relationship.
[30:13.67]Americans expect a great deal from marriage.
[30:16.47]They seek physical, emotional, and intellectual compatibility.
[30:20.31]They want to be deeply loved and understood.
[30:23.33]They prefer no marriage at all to a marriage without love and understanding.
[30:28.32]With typical American optimism,
[30:30.53]they end one marriage in hope that the next will be happier.
[30:34.14]With no-fault divorce laws in many states,
[30:37.34]it is easier than ever to get a divorce.
[30:40.09]Some American women stay in unhappy marriages
[30:43.36]because they don’t have the education or job experience
[30:46.84]to support themselves and their children.
[30:49.50]But most American women believe that, if necessary,
[30:52.73]they can make it alone without a husband.
[30:55.77]All things considered,
[30:57.26]Americans have little reason to continue an unhappy marriage.
[31:01.29]If a divorcing couple has children,
[31:03.78]the court must determine which parent the children will live with
[31:07.58]and who will provide for their support.
[31:10.08]In most cases, the children live with the mother.
[31:13.01]However, it is not uncommon for a father to be the guardian of his children
[31:17.33]when this arrangement seems to be in the children’s best interest.
[31:22.96]This is the end of the listening comprehension.
