新编大学英语4视听说教程听力原文

Unit1 part1

Talking About DVDs

Nathan: Good morning, everybody.

Dora &

Good morning.

Jason:

Julia: Good morning, Nathan. You look refreshed after the spring break.

Dora: So what did you do during the break? Did you go skiing like Jason?

Nathan: No, in fact I didn't go anywhere. After I handed in my Computer 201 assignment right before the break, I decided I wouldn't go anywhere, but

stay right here... I slept a lot the first three days and then I watched movies

on my DVD player for the rest of the break. I had a great time watching the

movies I'd planned to watch for so long. What did you guys do during the

spring break?

Jason: I went north with some friends for a ski trip. We also had a great time, except that Bill broke his left leg and we had to carry him all the way down

the ski slope. He's still on crutches now.

Julia: I visited a friend in Yiwu, a small town about an hour from here, and saw the markets there. Oh, what a busy and interesting place! You guys have to go

there some day. Then I had a DVD party at my place with a whole bunch of

friends.

Dora: I did some schoolwork I had to catch up on. I also watched some DVDs at home.

Julia: Nowadays most families have DVD players, and there are lots of places where you can buy or rent DVDs. Watching them is becoming very popular. Nathan: I think one reason for the popularity of DVDs is that it is very convenient to watch them. You can watch one at any time you like, and also do other things

at the same time instead of sitting still in front of the big screen for two

hours. If you have to do something else, you can stop it. It's not like when you

are in the movie theater, for instance, if you have to go to the restroom, you

can't say, "Stop, wait a minute, please!"

(Everyone laughs.)

Dora: Yes, it is really convenient to watch DVDs. You can stop anytime you want, fix

a snack, make a phone call, and then come back to the movie. You can replay it

as many times as you like. Also it's cheap. If you go to the movie theater, it

may cost you 20 yuan or more, but if you buy a DVD, you just have to pay

about 10 yuan and you can share it with others. Of course, you can rent DVDs.

That's even cheaper.

Julia: I agree with you. It costs much less to watch DVDs at home than go to the movies.

Dora: I think it's more relaxing to watch DVDs. You don't have to worry about bothering others, especially if the movie is sad and makes you feel like crying. Jason: Well, you have to get good DVDs. Once I rented Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Unfortunately the DVD player couldn't read the end. I was very

disappointed.

Dora: As a matter of fact, the quality of DVDs is often poorer than that of the movies in the theater. That's one of the reasons why people still go to the

movies. Movies in theaters have better visual and sound effects. If you want

to appreciate the authentic art of movies, then you should go to the cinema. Nathan: I think it is more romantic to go to the cinema. That's why many young couples like to go to the movies.

Dora: You're right. It is convenient for young couples to go on a date. Once one of my roommates, she went to the movies with her boyfriend. And when she

came back, I asked her what the movie was about. She shrugged and said, "I

don't know." Young lovers have a lot of fun being together in the movie

theater. They don't really care about the movie.

Jason: But I don't go to the movies. For one thing, I don't have a girlfriend, and seeing couples around makes me feel sad. And for another, couples may talk

during the movies. Sometimes they may talk loudly. And that really bothers

me.

Julia: So you prefer to watch DVDs at home?

Jason: Yes.

Julia: And what about you two?

Nathan: I prefer watching DVDs because they are cheaper and more convenient. One more thing, I can choose the DVDs I like. You don't have too many choices

when you go to the cinema.

Dora: Mmm, me too. And sometimes it's so crowded. It's hard to find a good seat.

Julia: So do you all prefer to watch DVDs? Do you think that DVDs might take the place of movies in the future?

Nathan: No, I don't think so. Just as we've all said, they both have their own fans.

They meet the needs of different people at different times.

Julia: Some day when you have a girlfriend, you may prefer going to the movies. Nathan: Maybe.

Dora: I read in the newspaper that something new has come out. It's called an EDVD player. It has better sound and visual quality than a DVD player. Of course

it's more expensive.

Nathan: How much does it cost?

Julia: Mmm, currently it costs about 2,000 yuan. Oh, here's a newspaper. You can find out more about it yourself.

(Julia hands the newspaper over to Nathan.)

Jason: That's too expensive for me. I'll stick with my DVD player for now. Perhaps we could exchange our DVD movies.

...

1.2.1

In one town, there were three longtime friends, Pat, Mike and Bob. Pat and Bob were quite bright, but Mike was rather dull.

One day as Pat and Mike were walking down the sidewalk together, Pat put his hand on a solid brick wall and said, "Mike, hit my hand as hard as you can." Mike struck a hard blow, but Pat pulled his hand away from the wall just before Mike's fist hit it. Of course, it hurt Mike's hand very much when he hit the wall, but Pat said, "That was a good joke on you, wasn't it?" Mike agreed, but was not too happy.

The following day Mike and Bob were walking in the town square. Mike decided to play the joke on Bob. He looked around, and seeing no solid object, he placed his hand over his face and said, "Bob, hit my hand as hard as you can." Bob agreed, and as he struck a hard blow with his fist, Mike quickly pulled his hand away and was knocked to the ground, unconscious. After a few minutes Mike recovered, and saw Bob worriedly looking down at him. Mike said, "That was a good joke on you, wasn't it?"

Questions:

1. Who was NOT clever?

2. What did Pat ask Mike to do?

3. Who was hurt finally?

4. On whom was Mike going to try this joke?

5. Where did Mike put his hand when he asked Bob to hit him?

6. What happened to Mike after Bob struck a hard blow with his fist?

1.2.2

If you like, you can do tricks at a party and be announced as, "The Magician". When everybody wants a bit of fun but nothing really happens, it could be the time to play one of these tricks. You won't need any special materials, nor will you need to practice them very much.

A trick with a coin, a handkerchief and a friend:

Put the coin on your palm. Cover the coin with the handkerchief. Ask several people to put their hands beneath the handkerchief and feel the coin, to make sure that it is

still there. Then take the corner of the handkerchief and pull it rapidly off your hand.

The coin has gone! How? You must make sure the last friend knows the trick! Your last friend removes the coin when he or she seems to be just feeling it. And nobody knows where it has gone!

A trick with a piece of paper and a pencil:

Say that you can communicate your thoughts to people. Write on the piece of paper the word No. Don't let your friends see what you have written. Say, "Now I will communicate this word into your minds." Pretend to concentrate. Ask someone if he or she knows what is written on the paper. They will say, "No!" And you say, "Quite correct! I wrote on the paper No!"

A trick with an egg and some salt:

Ask your friends to stand the egg upright on the table. They won't manage to do it.

Say that you can speak to the chicken inside. Say, "Chicken! Can you hear me? Get ready to balance your egg!"

When you first get the egg back from your friends, pretend to kiss the egg at the base. Make the base wet. Then put the base into salt which is in your other hand. The salt will stick to the egg. Then put the egg on the table. Twist the egg around a few times as this will arrange the grains of salt. Then it will stand up. Don't forget to thank the chicken.

Questions:

1. What does the magician ask people to do in the first trick?

2. What happens to the coin?

3. How does the magician prove that he can communicate thoughts to the audience in

the second trick?

4. What is the first step to make the egg stand?

5. What else is needed to make the egg stand?

1.3.1

John: Do you feel like going to the cinema, Liz?

Liz: Oh...yes...yes, let's do that, John.

John: Well, what shall we go and see?

Liz: What kind of film do you like?

John: Well, I like all sorts of films really... My favorite films are like Star Wars, you know, the...the fantasy, special effect ones that you can escape into another world with. Um...I also like mystery films. Do you like mystery films?

Liz: I really like mystery films, yes, but I don't like horror films because they give me nightmares.

John: Yes, I know. I don't like horror films either. I tell you, I just think they're sort of stupid and unbelievable. I do like...um...crime films, you know, ones where you follow the detective and try to guess who the murderer is. Like...like Agatha

Christie stories, you know. And also where you take the side of the criminals. Do you know the ones I mean? You know, where you wonder if you're going to get...if they're going to get caught. You know, like a bank robbery or something like that. Liz: Haha. Do you think there's a film with Robert Redford or Paul Newman in it? John: Oh, I hope not.

Liz: 'Cause I really... Oh, don't you like them?

John: Well, I tend to prefer people like Clint Eastwood and...

Liz: Oh, no! I'm not keen on him at all!

John: Really?

Liz: No... What about a good comedy or a good musical, something like that?

John: No, no, I don't like films like that really.

Liz: The trouble is there are not many very good ones around these days...

John: Then what shall we go and see?

Liz: Why don't we ring up the ABC Cinema and find out what's on? Then we can decide.

John: That's a good idea...but I haven't got an evening paper. That's definitely the thing to do.

1.3.2

Gerry: I've just been to see Gone with the Wind. It was fantastic. Well worth seeing.

Have you ever seen it?

Judy : No, but I've read the book. I don't think I would like to see the film really. It would spoil the story for me.

Gerry: Really? Oh, give me a film any day. Honestly, if I had to choose between the film of a story and the book of it, I'd go for the film.

Judy : Would you?

Gerry: Yes. It's much more real. You can get the atmosphere better. You know, the photography and location shots, period costumes, the right accents. All that.

Don't you think so?

Judy : Not really, no. I much prefer to use my own imagination. I can imagine how I want it, rather than how someone makes me see it. Anyway, I think you get much more insight into the characters when you read a book. Part of a person's character is lost on film because you never know what he or she is thinking.

Gerry: True, but...well... I don't know. It's much easier going to the cinema. It takes less time. I can get the whole story in two hours but it might take me a week to read the book.

Judy : I know, but it's so expensive to go to the cinema nowadays.

Gerry: I know, but it's a social event. It's fun. You can go with your friends. When you read a book you have to do it on your own.

Judy : All right. Let's agree to differ. I'll get some coffee... 1.3.3

The following is an interview from a weekly sports program.)

Presenter: Good morning, listeners. Welcome to our weekly sports program aimed at all those under-active

youngsters with time on their hands! Listen to what

our two guests have to say about their own sporting

pursuits and how sport made a difference to their

lives. Debbie first, then, Jonathan.

Debbie: I like doing something that gets you out into the countryside. So I'm for horse-riding whenever I

can! It's quite an expensive hobby, though. You have

to pay for the instruction and the hire of the horse

and the equipment—and there is quite a lot of that,

but I think it's a great sport because you're out of

doors and working with animals. I used to be actually

scared of horses until I took up riding; now I adore

them! When I've saved up enough money I'm going

to buy a pony of my own. Another advantage of

riding is that disabled people can enjoy it too. It's

great fun teaching them to ride; it makes you feel

you're doing something really worthwhile. It's made

me more aware of other people's problems and now

I don't worry about my own so much.

Presenter: Thank you, Debbie. Now Jonathan.

Jonathan: The trouble with riding is that you can injure yourself if you fall! I don't like that at all! I prefer

canoeing because you've always got the water there

for support. If you're a good swimmer, have a good

sense of balance and strong arms, you'll like

canoeing! The main trouble is transporting your

canoe to the right places—my father takes it on the

roof of the car—or sometimes I put it on the roof

of the Club Land Rover. What it's taught me most is

to be independent. It's just you and the canoe

against the wind, the weather and the water. It

gives you a lot of self-confidence and it can be

really exciting as long as you don't mind getting

soaked, of course! It makes you feel close to nature

somehow. I hope to run my own canoeing center

when I'm qualified.

1.3.4

The game of football may have started in Roman times. It seems that the Romans played a game very much like our modern rugby but with a round ball.

English villagers played football in the 16th century and they often had almost a hundred players on each side. It was a very common game, which was very rough and even dangerous until the early part of the 19th century. In the 18th century a Frenchman who had watched a rough game of football in a village wrote, "I could not believe that those men were playing a game. If this is what Englishmen call playing, I would not like to see them fighting!"

From the mid 19th century, it was played in schools in England and soon spread all over Britain and Europe. Until in 1850, it was not possible to have football matches between one school and another, because each school had different rules! So set rules had to be made. They were not formalized though until, in 1863, when those who preferred to play with hands as well as feet formed the Rugby Union while the others started the Football Association (F.A.). It was only in 1863 that the first set of rules for all football clubs was agreed upon.

Nearly 150 years later, football has become by far the most popular sport in the entire world. Would that 18th century Frenchman have believed it possible?

1.4.1

Receptionist: Good morning. Can I help you?

Cathy:Er...a friend told me that you have exercise and dance classes here.

Receptionist: That's right.

Cathy: Er...can you give me some information about days and times, please? Receptionist: Yes, there are four classes a day, every day from Monday to Saturday—nothing on Sunday.

Cathy: Yeah.

Receptionist: The first one is an aerobics class from 8:30 to 9:30 in the morning. Then there's another aerobics class at lunchtime from 12:30 to 1:30.

Cathy: Right.

Receptionist: Then in the evening from 5:30 to 6:30—that's aerobics too. And there's a jazz dance class from 6:30 to 7:30.

Cathy: Right. And what level are they for? I mean, would they be OK for a beginner?

Receptionist: The morning aerobics—8:30 to 9:30—is advanced. All the others are kind of beginner to intermediate level. But let me give you an information

sheet.

Cathy: Thanks. And how much does it cost for a class?

Receptionist: You pay a ￡1 entrance fee and then the classes are ￡2.50 each and ￡3.50 for the jazz dancing. It's there on the sheet.

Cathy: Oh, yes, I see.

Receptionist: If you become a member, entrance is free and...

Cathy: Oh, no, it's OK. I'm only in London for two weeks.

Receptionist: Oh, right. That's no good then.

Cathy: And I guess you have showers and everything?

Receptionist: Yes, sure, and in the evenings you can use the sauna free, too.

Cathy: Oh, great. Right. So the next class is at 5:30? Well, I'll see you then. Receptionist: Fine. See you later!

Questions:

1. Where does the dialog most probably take place?

2. How many classes are there everyday except Sunday?

3. At what time does the last class end?

4. How much is the entrance fee?

5. Which class will Cathy come for most probably?

6. What can we learn about Cathy from the dialog?

1.4.2

Woman: Why don't we go abroad for a change? I'd like to go to

France, Spain, or even Italy.

Man: Mm. I'm not all that keen on traveling really. I'd

rather stay at home.

Woman: Oh, come on, Steve. Think of the sun!

Man: Yes, but think of the cost! Going abroad is very

expensive.

Woman: Oh, it isn't, Steve. Not these days.

Man: Of course it is, Juliet. The best thing about having a

holiday here in Britain is that it's cheaper. And

another thing, traveling in Britain would be easier. No

boats, planes or anything.

Woman: Even so, we've been to most of the interesting places

in Britain already. What's the point in seeing them

again? Anyway, we can travel round Britain whenever

we like. There's no point in wasting our summer holiday

here.

Man: Mm, I suppose you're right. Nevertheless, what I

can't stand is all the bother with foreign currency,

changing money and all that when we go abroad. I hate

all that. And it's so confusing.

Woman: Oh, don't be silly, Steve.

Man: And what's more, I can't speak any of the

languages—you know that. It's all right for you. You

can speak foreign languages.

Woman: Exactly. You see, what I'd really like to do is practice

my French and Spanish. It would help me a lot at work.

Man: Mm, but that's no use to me.

Woman: But just think of the new places we'd see, the people

we'd meet!

Man: But look, if we stayed here, we wouldn't have to plan

very much.

Woman: I'm sorry, Steve. No. I don't fancy another cold

English summer.

Questions:

1. Where does the man want to spend the summer holiday?

2. What is considered important in planning vacation according to the man?

3. What is confusing for the man to travel abroad?

4. What will help the woman in her work according to her?

5. What does the woman think of summer in Britain?

6. What can we learn about the man from the dialog?

1.4.3

Sally Marino gets married. After the wedding, there is a big party—a wedding reception. All the guests eat dinner. There is a band and, after dinner, everyone dances. Sally's mother and father pay for everything. At the end of the reception, Sally and her new husband cut the wedding cake and all the guests get a piece.

Pete and Rose buy a new house. After moving in, they invite their friends and family to a party—a house-warming party. Everybody comes to see the new house. They look at the bedrooms, the dining room, even the garage. Pete and Rose serve drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. The party is on a Saturday afternoon.

It is Christmas time. Ted and Sarah Robinson want to see many of their friends over the holiday. So they invite their friends to an open house. The hours of the party are from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The guests arrive and leave whenever they want. The Robinsons serve

sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Some guests stay for just 20 minutes, others stay for 3 hours. About fifty people come to the open house.

Mr. and Mrs. Todd ask their neighbors to come to an evening drinks party. They don't serve much food, just snacks—pretzels, chips, peanuts. No one dances. Conversation is important

2.1

How Would God Reply to Him?

Fred: So, how are things going at work these days?

Keith: Can't complain. We receive plenty of donations of food, toys, medicine,

books, and clothing from individuals and organizations all over the

country. Last week, a company, a big company, offered to provide

scholarships for 30 of our orphans. And we've got 10 volunteers who

dedicate lots of time and resources to the care of our orphans.

Mary: Well, the children now live in a loving and caring environment. But it

seems to me that nowhere is like a home.

Keith: Yeah, you're right. Actually we try to find foster parents for them.

Quite a few of our kids have been adopted or got foster parents, but

new orphans keep coming. Erm...it's...it's great for those who can enjoy a

family life, but it creates problems for those who can't. Oh, for

example, this is a letter written to God by one of our orphans named

Tom. I just wonder how God would respond to him.

(In a classroom, Tom is writing a letter to God.)

Overhead voice of Tom: Dear God,

You know I've been a good boy. But yesterday you sent Harley a Dad and

a Mom, but you sent me nothing, not even an auntie. It's really not fair.

Yours,

Tom

(In Keith's living room.)

Keith: Harley was Tom's best friend and he was adopted a few days ago. That's

why Tom wrote this letter to God.

Fred: Do you think I would tell Tom that only the best child will get a Dad and a

Mom from Him and that he's not good enough?

Keith: Hardly! But by adoption we try to match the best family for the child

rather than the best child for the family. Tom would feel really terrible

if we told him he wasn't good enough. And, besides, he's actually a very

good boy.

Rosemary: I agree. Maybe Tom can be told that the best always comes late and God

will keep the best for him.

Mary: That sounds like a lie.

Rosemary: Yes, but it's a white lie and it may make him feel better about himself.

Fred: Then maybe God could explain to him that being adopted by a family is not always a good thing for a child: He may find it very difficult to adjust

himself to the new family or to get along with everyone in the family.

Keith: Now, he may still want a Mom or Dad even when he's been told that he might not necessarily be happy in the new family. Just as many adults

choose to get married rather than stay single even though they know

very well that marriage does not always bring happiness.

Mary: I have an idea: Why don't we find a foster family for Tom? And when all the formalities are completed, Tom will receive a letter from God,

saying, "Tom, my boy! It is really unfair for a good boy like you not to

have a Dad or Mom. I'll send them to you tomorrow." Imagine how he

would feel reading the letter! It would be a lovely surprise for him.

Rosemary: I believe that Tom would be very happy reading the letter. But won't he think that he can get anything he wants by writing to God? What if he

wants a good job, or a beautiful wife, or a lovely child when he grows up?

Would God make all his wishes come true?

Keith: Yeah, I agree. Giving Tom what he's asked God for may not be the best idea. But how would God reply to him? What would be the best reply? It

would need to be a letter that tells Tom the truth and helps his

understanding of the way life really is.

Fred: Maybe God could tell him something about life, about real life.

Keith: Can you be more specific?

Fred: Well, for example, God may tell him that life is fair to everyone in this world because everyone, rich or poor, male or female, famous or obscure,

got his life for free. And everyone can have their own beliefs and goals

for free. But, maybe he's too young to fully understand this.

Mary: Or God may tell him that life is fair because life is unfair to everyone, at some point or another.

Keith: Yeah, good ideas, good ideas. I believe God must have heard what we've been talking about today and will give Tom the best reply.

(Keith leaves and comes back with some paper.)

Yes, you are going to help me?

Rosemary &

Yeah, yes. Write that letter.

Mary:

Dear Tom,

...

(Tom is reading the letter in the classroom.) Keith's voice (off scene ): My Dearest Tom,

I don't expect you to fully understand this letter right now, but I do

hope it will help you to understand. It may seem unfair that I haven't

sent you a Mom and Dad, but I want you to know that I am always fair.

I'm fair because everyone in the world can get three things from me for

free: They are life, beliefs, and goals.

Do you know that each of you has your life for free? No one has to pay

a penny for his life before birth. The same is true with beliefs and goals:

You can have them from me at any time. Anyone can have them as long as

he wants them, be he a prince or a beggar, a man or a woman, a child or an

adult. I would like you to think about these three things because they

are the real key to a successful life.

2.2.1

My name is Atsuko Saeki. I work as a salesclerk in a big department store in Fuji, Japan. Six years ago when I was 21 years old, I went to California to attend college. Life in the United States was much more difficult than I had ever imagined. It wasn't like the descriptions I had read in my textbooks. People often seemed tense. I felt very alone.

One of my hardest classes was physical education. We often played volleyball. All the other students were good at it, but I wasn't. One afternoon, the teacher asked me to hit the ball to my classmates. For most people, this would be easy but I was terrified that I would make a fool of myself. One of the boys on my team saw how nervous I was. He walked up to me and whispered, "Come on, you can do that." You can't imagine how those words of encouragement made me feel. I was so happy; I almost cried. I managed to hit the ball and I think I thanked the young man, but I'm not sure.

I have never forgotten his kind words of encouragement. He probably doesn't even remember what he said to me or how much his kindness meant to me. Whenever things aren't going well, I think of those simple words of encouragement: Come on, you can do that.

We often forget that our words can have a powerful impact on other people. Even a simple word—good or bad—can have a lasting effect.

2.2.2

The first part:

Dear Miss Austen,

I was so happy to receive your letter. It is a valuable letter of reply to me. I never expected such a detailed response. I am eighty years old and I am blind. There is little I can do except knit and that is why I knit so many caps, sweaters and scarves. Of course, I can't write, so my daughter-in-law is writing this letter for me.

I know a little bit about the work you are doing. At the age of nineteen I married a man who was going as a missionary to China. For 40 years, with an occasional year at home in America, we worked in China. We had two sons, only one of whom is still alive. After 40 years, my husband's health began to fail. We moved back to the States where he took charge of a settlement house in Brooklyn, New York. When my husband died, I came to Toronto to live with my son and daughter-in-law.

Unit2 part3 practice1

Two Belgians and two Dutchmen traveled regularly to work on the same train.

After a while the Dutchmen saw that the two Belgians only had one ticket between them and asked how they managed to achieve this. They explained that when they heard the conductor approaching from the other end of the carriage, the two of them left their seats, went into the toilet and locked the door. When the conductor knocked on the toilet door, saying, "Tickets, please!", they pushed one ticket under the door. It was then stamped and pushed back under the door again.

The Dutchmen thought this was a very good idea and the following morning bought one ticket between them. When they got to their carriage there was only one Belgian. They told him what they had done and asked the Belgian if he had a ticket as he was traveling on his own.

He said he didn't have a ticket at all and when they asked him how he planned to travel for free, he told them they would have to wait and see until the conductor arrived, but he had no doubt that he would manage it without difficulty.

As soon as they heard the conductor coming, the two Dutchmen immediately went to the toilet and locked the door.

A few moments later the Belgian followed them down the corridor and knocked on the toilet door, saying, "Tickets, please!" One ticket appeared under the door.

Unit2 part3 practice2

"My name is Jim Shelley, and I am an addict..." With these words I began to solve the problem, the problem of my telephone addiction.

It started socially I suppose—a few calls each day. It seemed harmless, just a quick chat. Gradually though, the situation got worse. Soon it was frequent use, then compulsive calling, until, finally, addiction.

And it began to affect my work. I was spending all of my lunchtime phoning. During the day I would disappear for a quick call. I spent days waiting for the phone to ring. I got agitated. In the end, I would ring someone, then someone else, telling myself "just one more".

I was phoning people and leaving messages to guarantee enough calls to see me through the day. I used to arrive at friends' homes and before the door was closed, go straight for the phone with the words "Is it OK if I just use the phone..." One night I found it impossible to sleep, thinking the phone was ringing downstairs. I jumped out of bed and then discovered it hadn't rung at all.

Things were so bad I often rang people and asked them if they had been trying to ring me. I had a business line and a private line installed. I bought an answerphone, then borrowed money so I could buy a car and have a carphone. At work, I became hostile and violent when colleagues tried to stop me using the phone. And one day I hit my supervisor with the phone. I was dismissed. Finally the police caught me destroying a phone box that had taken my last ￡1 coin, and I was ordered to see a psychiatrist.

I haven't had a phone in the house for three weeks so far, and it's several days since I used a phone box. I also try not to watch TV because there are always people on it making phone calls. My name is Jim Shelley and I am an addict.

Unit2 part3 practice3

Our ability to speak language is an inborn characteristic of our species. We carry in

our genes and our brains the capacity for spoken language. If the day ever arrives when we abandon spoken language and the sign language used by people with hearing and speaking disabilities, we will be waving goodbye to the species of human beings that we are.

In contrast to written language, spoken and sign languages are user-friendly. As very young children, we just start speaking or signing; we don't have to spend years in school learning to speak. Nor does spoken language divide humanity into those who can read and write and those who are nonliterate. Everyone who is mentally and physically able can speak a language.

Historically, spoken language came to humans before written language. Biologically, speech or sign language comes to each child before literacy. This is because written languages are symbolic representations of spoken languages. If we had no spoken language, we could not have created written language. Written language may have emerged as the primary method used to store and retrieve information in certain areas of the world, but it is based on and derived from spoken language.

In the 21st century, people with access to voice-in/voice-out computer technology will once again be able to use spoken language to access all stored information. Talking computers are going to make writing and reading obsolete.

The obituary for written language will not be written. It will be spoken by someone talking to a voice-in/voice-out computer in 2050.

2.3.4

Interviewer: You experienced a misunderstanding when you worked in Singapore, didn't you?

Carol: Mmm, yes—quite a few, actually.

Interviewer: Tell us about one, then.

Carol: Um, well, I had this red lump on my left leg. One night the pain was really bad and I got so scared. Next day I went to the hospital and they

cut out the lump and stitched me up. Then I heard the doctor say to his

assistant, "Get it to the lab for tests right away." I was told to return

in five days to have my stitches out and get my result. On the day I was

going to the hospital I realized I'd missed my appointment! It had been

on the day before!

Interviewer: Go on...

Carol: I phoned up the hospital and the receptionist said the doctor wasn't in, but she'd put me through to his assistant. Oh, my heart was pounding

by this time and my mouth was all dry.

Interviewer: With stress?

Carol: Yes. I was really nervous. Anyhow, the assistant said "OK" and told me "Hold on" while she got my card. When she got back to the phone she

said, "I think you'd better come in and talk to the doctor in person." I

was really shocked.

Interviewer: Oh dear!

Carol: "Why?" I asked. "Is there something wrong?" "Well," she said. "The doctor'll tell you about the treatment." So...there's me thinking: Oh my

God, this is it. I've got cancer. I felt literally sick. "So when can I talk

to the doctor?" I asked. She said she'd get him to call me when he got

in later that morning.

Interviewer: Oh, no, poor you! What did you do?

Carol: Oh, I went to work. But I couldn't concentrate or work straight. Every time the phone rang, I nearly passed out. I kept ringing the hospital,

but the doctor was late. Eventually, he rang me up. Oh, I was really

shaking. He said, "Ms Smith?" I said, "Yes?" "Oh, everything's fine," he

said. "No further treatment necessary." What? I made him say it three

times. I said, "So why didn't your assistant tell me that? It would have

saved me all this worry!" "I don't know," he said. He did apologize,

though.

Interviewer: How scary!

Carol: Yeah. A couple of days later I got a letter from the hospital with the results of the tests. It said that I'd had some kind of "tumor". I looked

it up in a medical dictionary and it explained that it was a benign kind of

tumor. I think the assistant must have seen the word "tumor" and

immediately thought it meant cancer. That was a day I'll never forget.

2.4.1

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. Questions:

1. Where did the story take place?

2. What happened to two of the frogs?

3. What did the other frogs say to the two frogs?

4. What happened to the two frogs?

5. What made one of the frogs ignore the other frogs' advice?

2.4.2

All of us would like our friends to know our moods and our needs instinctively. That rarely happens and never happens regularly. No one will ever be able to meet your needs if they don't know what your needs are. It is true that you take risks when you let your needs be known. You may be turned down and hurt. However, when you are expecting your friends to read your mind and satisfy your needs without your input, you are going to be disappointed and hurt without your friends ever knowing why.

This is a common misconception of friendships and even marriages. When asked if he had told his wife he wanted her to ride bicycles with him, one husband said, "Of course I didn't tell her. After all these years of marriage, she should know!" The sad thing is she will probably never know unless he tells her. So, tell your friends what you want and what you need. Otherwise you will be stuck in relationships that can never grow to be "best friends".

2.4.3

I am an American English professor who has spent a lot of time in China. In fact, my husband and I have made sixteen trips to China since 1990. We have made many friends, especially since we started working on New College English with Chinese colleagues. These colleagues made me aware of a word I use in one particular situation. Let me tell you about it.

My husband and I have come to Hangzhou during the Spring Festival twice and worked on the English texts with our colleagues. During this time we have eaten all of our meals together, enjoying good food and conversation. The first year my friends noticed that when I seemed to think we had talked long enough and should go back to our work, I would say "Well?" and they understood I thought it was time to leave. I didn't realize I was giving this signal until later when they started teasing me about it. As a joke, I continued doing this.

After we returned to the United States, I noticed I did the same thing. I decided to stop saying "Well?". This year we returned for the Spring Festival. Again, the same group was eating meals together. At the end of the first lunch, I did not say "Well?". Everyone else just sat there until finally someone said, "Aren't you going to say 'Well'?" Everyone laughed. After that, it was my word that signaled the end of each meal, always with laughter.

3.1

Creative Ways of Preventing Burglary

Policeman: (He comes into the boutique.) Good morning. I've come about your call about a burglary.

Assistant: Oh, I'm so glad you're here. We really don't know what to do. Policeman: When did this happen?

Assistant: Well, it happened sometime last night. I came to work this morning and found everything in such a mess. So I called the police first, and then I

called to tell the owner about it. Mmm, he'll be here in a minute. Policeman: Mmm, OK.

Owner: (He comes in hurriedly.) Oh, bloody hell! This is just too much! I'd love to get my hands on those thieves! This is the third time in less than a year!

What in the world can be done to stop them?

Assistant: This is the policeman who's come to investigate last night's robbery.

Owner: Hello. I hope you can help us this time. Did they take all the clothes? It's really frustrating, we thought we'd put an end to it.

Policeman: When did the other two burglaries happen?

Owner: The first was during the winter holiday season.

Policeman: I see. Did it happen at night that time too?

Owner: Yes. It was at night and no one was here, so they took everything we had.

The second occurred only a month ago, and everything was stolen again,

but an even greater loss because our new line of spring clothing had just

arrived and those dresses were far more expensive than the ones taken

previously.

Policeman: I see. Look at these marks on the window frame. It seems as if the burglars broke into the shop through the window. Did you lock the

windows before you left last night? (The owner looks at the shop

assistant.)

Assistant: Well, I was the last one here last night. So I checked that all the doors and windows were closed and locked, just as I always do. So I know it was

the burglars who opened that window and made those marks.

Owner: I'm sure she did. She's a dependable worker, and it happened the same way the other two times. The burglars came through the window and into

the shop. After the first time we installed security bars on the window,

but that didn't stop the next burglary. As you can see, they sawed

through the steel bars. After the second burglary we installed an alarm

system.

Policeman: Well, it hasn't seemed to work. I can see where they cut the wires to the alarm, so that's why the alarm didn't go off. It's important to install the

alarm system where it can't easily be seen.

Assistant: Oh! Those burglars must have known what they were doing.

Owner: The alarm system cost me a lot of money, but the company that installed it said nothing about hiding the wires from view. We can do that. But what

else can we try?

Assistant: Next time, if they come again, I'd like to catch them. I could sleep here and hear them when they try to break in.

Owner: We can't afford any more burglaries! We've just got to come up with a really good way to keep them out of the shop. It should be so creative

that they wouldn't have thought of it and can't prepare for it. Assistant: I've a good idea! I could lock all the clothes up every day when the shop closes and lay them out again the next morning.

Owner: No, that's not feasible. It would take too much time and energy. And I can't pay you for all the extra work.

Policeman: There are a lot of security systems, like video cameras, or a night watchman, but most of the effective systems would cost too much. Assistant: Mmm, what about keeping the lights on all night? It wouldn't cost much and the burglars might think that there was someone here. Policeman: I don't think the burglars are that stupid. And they wouldn't think someone was awake just because the lights were on.

Assistant: What about putting some glue on the floor to make it sticky? Then if they came again, we could catch them stuck to the floor the next morning.

Owner: That's just nonsense! Burglars don't come everyday. I would probably be the one to get stuck in the glue. Why do the burglars always rob my place

instead of others?

Assistant: Well, for one thing, it's because we carry such expensive clothes. And, for another, we don't have the security systems that they do. Policeman: I don't think that those are the reasons. I think it's because the burglars know your place very well. They know they can break into your shop easily,

because as we both know, you don't have effective security at night.

Owner: Yes, that's true.

Policeman: And, the way you hang your clothes is inviting them to be stolen.

Assistant: What do you mean by that? What...what are we doing wrong? Policeman: Oh, I...I've noticed that you have all the hooks facing in the same direction.

Assistant: Yes, but is there something wrong with that?

Policeman: Well, that makes it very easy for the burglars to grab many hangers with clothes off the rack at the same time.

Owner: Yeah. We hadn't thought of that before. What do you suggest we do instead?

Policeman: Well, to make it more difficult, I suggest you place some hangers with the hook facing out and some with the hook facing in. And I would suggest you

repair and reinstall your alarm system in a place where it's more difficult

to see.

Owner: It sounds like it's worth trying. But are you sure it'll work?

Policeman: Let's wait and see. Shall we look at the alarm system?

Owner: Yes.

Policeman: Now what I would suggest is that...

(The next time the police arrive after the alarm goes off, they find the young burglars still trying to remove the clothes on the hangers all at a time. They are caught on the spot.)

Unit3part2 practice1

Three guys are out having a relaxing day fishing. Out of the blue, they catch a mermaid who begs to be set free in return for granting each of them a wish.

Now one of the guys just doesn't believe it, and says, "OK, if you can really grant wishes, then double my IQ." The mermaid says, "Done." Suddenly, the guy starts to recite flawless Shakespeare followed by a short pause and an extremely insightful analysis of it. The second guy is so amazed that he says to the mermaid, "Hey, triple my IQ." The mermaid says, "Done." The guy begins pouring out all the mathematical solutions to problems that have puzzled scientists of varying fields: physics, chemistry and astronomy.

The last guy is so interested in the changes in his friends that he says to the mermaid, "Quintuple my IQ." The mermaid looks at him and says, "You know, I normally don't try to change people's minds when they make a wish, but I really wish you'd reconsider."

新标准大学英语视听说教程听力原文Unit+

新标准大学英语视听说 教程听力原文U n i t+ Document number【AA80KGB-AA98YT-AAT8CB-2A6UT-A18GG】

Unit 1-Conversation 1**（1）Janet: So this is the Cherwell Boathouse — it's lovely! And look at those people punting! It looks quite easy. Mark: I'm not so sure about that! Janet, there's something Kate and I wanted to discuss with you. Some people in college are organizing charity events this term. We've decided to get involved. Janet: Raising money for charity Right. In China, people raise money for charity but students don't usually do that. Mark: Students often do that here. Anyway, we're thinking of doing sponsored punting. Janet: Sponsored punting! What's that Kate: Sponsoring is when people pay you to do something — like run a long distance. So people would be sponsoring students to punt. Janet: What a great idea! I'd love to join you! Mark: That's why we're telling you about it. So that's decided then. Let's make a list of things we need to do. Kate: I'll do that. One of the first things we should do is choose the charity. Mark: Yes. And choose a day for the event. And we need to design the sponsorship form. I've got one here. Kate: That looks fine, but we must change the wording. Who wants to do that Mark: I'll do that. What have we got so far Kate: Choose a charity. Also a day for the event. Change the wording on the sponsorship form... Um ...

新编大学英语4课文翻译(包括课后文章翻译)和答案

Reading comprehension 1略 2 BDCAC AADBB Vocabulary 1. 1) A. entertaining B. entertainment C. entertained D. entertainer 2) A. recognizable B. recognized C. recognition 3) A. tempting B. temptation C. tempt 4) A. reasoned B. reasoning C. reasonable D. reason 5) A. analyzed B. analytical C. analyst D. analysis 6) A. valuable B. valuation C. valued/values D. values 7) A. humorist B. humor C. humorous D. humorless 8) A. understandable B. understanding C. understand D. misunderstood 2. 1) a sense of responsibility 2) a sense of safety/security 3) a sense of inferiority 4) a sense of superiority 5) a sense of rhythm 6) a sense of justice 7) a sense of shame 8) a sense of helplessness 9) a sense of direction 10) a sense of urgency 3. 1) Lively behavior is normal 2) Fast cars appeal to 3) diverse arguments 4) I asked my boss for clarification 5) sensitive to light 6) Mutual encouragement 7) made fun of him 8) persists in his opinion/viewpoint 9) to be the focus/center of attention 10) we buy our tickets in advance 4. 1）certain/sure 2) involved 3) end 4) behavior 5) disciplining 6) agreed 7) individually 8) first 9) response 10) question 11) attempt 12) voice 13) directly 14) followed 15) trouble Unit 2 便笺的力量 Reading comprehension 1略 2 FFTFTFTFTTFTFT Vocabulary 1. Creating Compound Words

新视野大学英语视听说第4册听力原文及答案

Uint1 II. Basic Listening Practice M: I’m beside myself with joy. I’m so lucky. Guess what? I’ve won a lit of money in the lottery. W: Yeah? Well, you do know that money is the root of all evil, right? Q: What does the woman mean? W: Mary was furious. Her son wrecked up her car. M: He shouldn’t have driven a car without a driver’s license. He‘s still taking driving lesson. Q: What do we know about Mary’s son? 3.M: Susan, I hear you’re going to marry that guy. Some people think you’ll regret it. W: Is that so? Only time tell. Q: What does the woman imply? 4. M: Mary, I just want to say how sorry I was to learn of your mother’s passing. I know how close you two were? W: Thank you. It was so sudden. I’M still in a state of shock I don’t know what to do. Q: Which of following is true? 5. W: I get furious at work when my opinions aren’t considered just because I’m a woman. M: You should air your view more emphatically and demand that your vice be heard. Q: What is the woman complaining about? Keys: 1.C 2.B 3. D 4.A 5.D III.Listening in Task 1.What a clumsy man! Maria: Jack, can you help me move this heavy box? Jack: No problem, Maria. Here let me lift this end... Oops! Maria: Ouch! My foot! Come on, can't you be a little more cautious? Jack: I'm so sorry. It was an accident. No need to be furious! Maria: You're always so clumsy, Jack. I'm really losing my patience with all the stupid mistakes you make around the office. Jack: Calm down, Maria; I'll certainly be more careful next time. This was just an accident. Maria: If you aren't more careful, then next time someone could be badly hurt. Oh, look! The glass in the box is all broken now. Mr. Johnson is going to fly into a rage. Jack: Oh no! What can I do to keep him from hitting the roof? Maria: Well, you can begin by helping me clean up the mess and then honestly tell

新标准大学英语视听说教程听力原文

Unit 6-Conversation 1 Janet: What are you reading, Kate Kate:Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll. Do you know it Janet: I've heard of it, yes, but I've never read it. It's a 19th century children's story, isn't it K a te: That's right. It's very famous. It's set in Oxford. It starts with this young girl sitting on a river bank. The interesting thing is, the author, Lewis Carroll, he was an Oxford professor and he used to have tea with the girl's family on this river bank. Ja net: Oh, that's fascinating! I'll put it into my diary. Kate: Is that what you're writing I know you've been keeping a diary all the year. Janet: It's been a great year. I've had such a good time — so lucky to have Mark and Kate as friends. Feel I've been doing well with work. Much happier about asking questions in tutorials. Janet: My screen's gone dark. Mark: You're using the battery, remember. It's run out, obviously. Janet: It can't be the battery. It's still charged. Oh no it's still black. Oh dear, I hope it's nothing serious. I haven't backed anything up recently. Kate: That's not like you, Janet. Janet:I know, but I lost my memory stick. I really should have backed things up. How stupid of me not to do that! Supposing I've lost everything! Mark: Let me take a look. The power is still on. And also the operating system still seems to be working ... I think it has to be the graphics card ... But maybe that's not the problem ... Janet: If only I'd backed things up! Kate: Relax, Janet! We'll take it to the computer shop this afternoon. I'm sure it'll be OK. Janet: I hope so. Unit 6-Conversation 2 Janet: Tell me about Alice in Wonderland. Kate: I tell you what, I'll read it to you. Kate: Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank and having nothing to do: Once or twice, she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, "and what is the use of a book," thought Alice, "without pictures or conversation" So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid) ... Janet: Kate, Mark, where are you going You've got my laptop! Kate: It's all right, Janet, we're taking it to the computer shop. We'll be back soon. Mark: It's not like Janet to forget to back up her work. Kate: She should have been more careful. Janet: It was stupid of me, I know! Stupid, stupid! Janet: Oh! It was a dream! What a relief! Kate: You were talking in your sleep. Janet: What was I saying Kate: "Stupid, stupid." M ark: I've sorted out your computer. Janet: Have you Oh, thank goodness! What was the problem Mark:It was the graphics card, as I predicted ... Janet: Is that what it was! I'm so relieved! Thanks, Mark. Kate: He's great, isn't he Janet: Yes. So are you, Kate. Kate: You're such a good friend. Unit 6-Outside view Computers are a very important part of our lives. They tell us about delays to transport. They drive trains, analyze evidence and control buildings. Did you know that 60 per cent of homes in Britain have got a PC (a personal computer) For many young people, playing computer games is their favorite way of spending spare time. Computers are a very important part of most areas of life in Britain-libraries, the police and in school. But they are becoming more important in our homes as well. They’ll even control the way we live-in “smart homes” or computer-controlled houses. The smart home is now a real possibility. It will become very common. A central computer will adjust the temperature, act as a burglar alarm and switch on lights, ready for you to come back home. And of course you will be able to give new instructions to the computer from your mobile phone. So if your plans change, your home will react to match. Many homes have got lots of televisions and several computers. The smart home will provide TV and Internet sockets in every room, so you’ll be able to do what you want whenever you want. If the temperature outside changes, the smart home will adjust the temperature levels inside. The computer will also close the blinds when it gets dark or to stop so much sun from entering a room. And if you want to eat when you get home, the computer will turn the oven on for you! Are computers taking over our lives In a survey, 44 per cent of young people between 11 and 16 said their PC was a trusted friend. Twenty per cent said they were happier at their computer than spending time with family or friends. Another survey found that people in Britain spend so much time on the phone, texting and reading emails that they no longer have time for conversation. What do you think about that Unit 6-Listening in

新编大学英语4unit2book4听力原文和答案核对版

Part 1 Listening 1 Ex1: C A D C B Ex2: 1) approaching 2) left 3) toilet 4) locked 5) Tickets please 6) pushed 7) stamped Scripts: Two Belgians and two Dutchmen traveled regularly to work on the same train. After a while the Dutchmen saw that the two Belgians only had one ticket between them and asked how they managed to achieve this. The Belgians explained that when they heard the conductor approaching from the other end of the carriage, the two of them left their seats, went into the toilet and locked the door. When the conductor knocked on the toilet door, saying, "Tickets, please!", they pushed one ticket under the door. It was then stamped and pushed back under the door again. The Dutchmen thought this was a very good idea and the following morning bought one ticket between them. When they got to their carriage there was only one Belgian. They told him what they had done and asked the Belgian if he had a ticket as he was traveling on his own. The Belgian said he did not have a ticket at all and when they asked how he proposed to manage to travel free of charge, he told them they would have to wait and see until the conductor arrived, but he had no doubt that he would manage it without difficulty. As soon as they heard the conductor coming, the two Dutchmen immediately went to the toilet and locked the door. A few moments later, the Belgian followed them down the corridor and knocked on the toilet door, saying, "Tickets, please!" One ticket appeared under the door. Questions: 1. Where did the story take place 2. What did the two Dutchmen want to know from the two Belgians 3. How did the Dutchmen feel about the Belgians' behavior 4. What did the Belgian do when asked if he had a ticket 5. Who finally managed to travel free of charge Listening 2 Ex1: 1 department store 2. attend college 3. difficult 4. physical education 5. terrified Ex2: FTTFT Scripts: My name is Atsuko Saeki. I work as a salesclerk in a big department store in Fuji, Japan. Six years ago when I was 21 years old, I went to California to attend college. Life in the United States was much more difficult than I had ever imagined. It wasn't like the descriptions I had read in my textbooks. People often seemed tense and so I felt very alone. One of my hardest classes was physical education. We often played volleyball. All the other students were good at it, but I clearly wasn't. One afternoon, the teacher asked me to hit the ball to my classmates. For most people, this would be easy but I was terrified that I would make a fool of myself. When one of the boys on my team saw how nervous I was, he walked up to me and whispered, "Come on, you can do that." You can't imagine how those words of encouragement made me feel. I was so happy that I almost cried. I managed to hit the ball and I think I thanked the young man, but I'm not sure. I have never forgotten his kind words of encouragement. He probably doesn't even remember what he said to me or how much his kindness meant to me. Whenever things aren't going well, I think of those simple words of encouragement: Come on, you can do that.

新编大学英语视听说教程4听力原文及答案

视听说4 听力原文及答案 Unit 1 Leisure activities Part 1 listening one Ever wish you could do magic tricks, or introduce yourself as “magician” at a party? Imagine, everybody wants to have fun, but nothings’ really happening, it’s time for you to show one of your new tricks. Here, you can learn how, and without any need for special materials or much practice. A trick with a coin, a handkerchief and a friend: Put the coin on your palm. Cover the coin with the handkerchief. Ask several people to put their hands beneath the handkerchief and feel the coin, to make sure that it is still there. Then take the corner of the handkerchief and pull it rapidly off your hand. The coin has gone! How? You must make sure the last friend who feels the coin knows the trick and removes the coin when he seems to be just feeling it. And nobody knows where it has gone! A trick with a piece of paper and a pencil: Tell your friend that you can communicate your thoughts without speaking to other people. Write on the piece of paper the word No. Don't let your friends see what you have written. Say, "Now I will communicate this word into your minds." Pretend to concentrate. Ask them if they know what is written on the paper. They will say, "No!" And you say, "Quite correct! I wrote No on the paper!" A trick with an egg and some salt: Ask your friends to stand the egg upright on the table. They won't manage to do it. Say that you can speak to the chicken inside. Say, "Chicken! Can you hear me? Get ready to balance your egg!" When you first get the egg back from your friends, pretend to kiss the egg at the base. Make the base wet. Then put the base into salt which is in your other hand. The salt will stick to the egg. Then put the egg on the table. Twist the egg around a few times as this will arrange the grains of salt. Then it will stand up. Don't forget to thank the chicken. Questions: 1.What does the magician ask people to do in the first trick 2.What happens to the coin? 3.How does the magician prove that he can communicate his thoughts to the audience in the second trick? 4.What is the first step to make the egg stand upright? 5.What else is needed to make the egg stand upright? Keys: 1. B 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. D

新世纪视听说教程2答案听力原文

Directions: In this section, you will hear several conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. A: How are you getting along, Julie B: After the vacation Much refreshed. A．It is interesting. B．It is tiring. C．It is exciting. D．It is refreshing. A: Why are you so cheerful while I'm so stressed all day B: Well, you should work off your stress. A．work not so hard B．work on easier problems C．eat healthy D．get rid of her stress I see you laughing all the time. B: Oh Eric. I'm ... reading a comic book. A: Comic book I didn't know you are interested in it. B: Well, it's a recent interest. When I was low in spirit three months ago, a friend gave me a comic book to read. And I became instantly addicted to such books. You know ... the pictures are so funny ... now I feel much better. A: I didn't know that. No wonder you are always in good spirits these days. B: Yes, and maybe you should read them, too, Eric. A: I ... I don't know. I'm just too busy with my thesis. It's for my master's degree and time is running out ... Ah, pretty much stress on me. B: Now you see Eric That's why you need to give yourself a break to read something amusing. It helps, I promise. A: Really Can reading comic books reduce your stress B: Of course. I'm a living example. Actually I'm having stress too ... you know, the tests, the job, things like that. But when reading the fun stuff, I just forgot all my worries. Later I find myself more powerful to deal with the issues in my life. A: That sounds magical. I'd like to try. Er ... what are you reading now B: Garfields, the cat. It's good. There's another one and you can borrow it. A: Oh, thank you, Penny. You're very helpful. Questions 3 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard. months ago, a friend gave Penny _____ when she was in low spirits. （岭师分享群4发布） A．a flower B．a comic book C．a comic DVD

浙大出版社 英语答案(第四册)

新编大学英语4（浙大版）课后习题答案共同学们欣赏嘎嘎 编辑 | 删除 | 权限设置 | 更多▼ 更多▲ ?设置置顶 ?推荐日志 ?转为私密日志 转载自W～XなK¤转载于2010年03月15日 11:55 阅读(0) 评论(0) 分类：移花接木权限: 公开 Unit1 1. 1) A entertaining B entertainment C entertained D entertainer 2) A recognizable B recognized C recognition D 3) A tempting B temptation C tempt 4) A reasoned B reasoning C reasonable D reason 5) A analyzed B analytical C analyst D analysis 6) A valuable B valuation C valued/values D values 7) A humorist B humor C humorous D humorless 8) A understandable B understanding C understand D misunderstood 2. 1) a sense of responsibility 2) a sense of safety/security 3) a sense of inferiority 4) a sense of superiority 5) a sense of rhythm 6) a sense of justice 7) a sense of shame 8) a sense of helplessness 9) a sense of direction 10) a sense of urgency 3. 1) Lively behavior is normal 2) Fast cars appeal to 3) diverse arguments 4) I asked my boss for clarification 5) sensitive to light 6) Mutual encouragement

新编大学英语4课文翻译和答案-浙江大学

课内阅读参考译文及课后习题答案(Book 4) Unit 1 享受幽默—什么东西令人开怀？ 1 听了一个有趣的故事会发笑、很开心，古今中外都一样。这一现象或许同语言本身一样悠久。那么，到底是什么东西会使一个故事或笑话让人感到滑稽可笑的呢？ 2 我是第一次辨识出幽默便喜欢上它的人，因此我曾试图跟学生议论和探讨幽默。这些学生文化差异很大，有来自拉丁美洲的，也有来自中国的。我还认真地思考过一些滑稽有趣的故事。这么做完全是出于自己的喜好。 3 为什么听我讲完一个笑话后，班上有些学生会笑得前仰后合，而其他学生看上去就像刚听我读了天气预报一样呢？显然，有些人对幽默比别人更敏感。而且，我们也发现有的人很善于讲笑话，而有的人要想说一点有趣的事却要费好大的劲。我们都听人说过这样的话：“我喜欢笑话，但我讲不好，也总是记不住。”有些人比别人更有幽默感，就像有些人更具有音乐、数学之类的才能一样。一个真正风趣的人在任何场合都有笑话可讲，而且讲了一个笑话，就会从他记忆里引出一连串的笑话。一个缺乏幽默感的人不可能成为一群人中最受欢迎的人。一个真正有幽默感的人不仅受人喜爱，而且在任何聚会上也往往是人们注意的焦点。这么说是有道理的。 4 甚至有些动物也具有幽默感。我岳母从前经常来我们家，并能住上很长一段时间。通常她不喜欢狗，但却很喜欢布利茨恩—我们养过的一条拉布拉多母猎犬。而且，她们的这种喜欢是相互的。布利茨恩在很小的时候就常常戏弄外祖母，当外祖母坐在起居室里她最喜欢的那张舒适的椅子上时，布利茨恩就故意把她卧室里的一只拖鞋叼到起居室，并在外祖母刚好够不到的地方蹦来跳去，一直逗到外祖母忍不住站起来去拿那只拖鞋。外祖母从椅子上一起来，布利茨恩就迅速跳上那椅子，从它那闪亮的棕色眼睛里掠过一丝拉布拉多式的微笑，无疑是在说：“啊哈，你又上了我的当。” 5 典型的笑话或幽默故事由明显的三部分构成。第一部分是铺垫（即背景），接下来是主干部分（即故事情节），随后便是妙语（即一个出人意料或令人惊讶的结尾）。如果这个妙语含有一定的幽默成分，这个笑话便会很有趣。通常笑话都包含这三部分，而且每部分都必须交代清楚。如果讲故事或说笑话的人使用听众都熟悉的手势和语言，则有助于增强效果。 6 我们可以对幽默这种娱乐形式，进行分析，从而发现究竟是什么使一个有趣的故事或笑话令人发笑。举例来说，最常见的幽默有以下几种，包括了从最显而易见的幽默到比较微妙含蓄的幽默。 7 “滑稽剧”是最明显的幽默。它语言简单、直截了当，常常以取笑他人为乐。说笑打闹这种形式过去是、现在仍然是滑稽说笑演员和小丑的惯用技巧。它为不同年龄、不同文化背景的人们所喜爱。几乎本世纪的每个讲英语的滑稽说笑演员都曾以这样或那样的方式说过下面这则笑话。一位男士问另一位男士：“昨晚我看到的那位和你在一起的贵妇是谁？”那位男士回答道：“那可不是什么贵妇，那是我老婆。”这个笑话的幽默之处在于第二位男士说他的妻子不是一位贵妇，也就是说她不是一个高雅的女人。这个笑话并没有因为经常讲而变得不再那么好笑。由于这是一个经典笑话，观众都知道要说什么，而且因为大家对这个笑话很熟悉而更加珍爱它。 8 中国的相声是一种特殊的滑稽剧。相声中两名中国喜剧演员幽默地谈论诸如官僚主义者、家庭问题或其他一些有关个人的话题。相声随处都能听到，无论是在乡村的小舞台上，还是在北京最大的剧院里，抑或在广播、电视上。它显然是中国人家喻户晓的一种传统的幽默形式。 9 “俏皮话”不像滑稽剧那样浅显，它是因语言的误用或误解而引人发笑。我特别喜欢