听力短文原文

Passage One

In thenext few decades, people are going to travel very differently from the way theydo today. Everyone is going to drive electrically-powered cars, so in the fewyears, people won't worry about running out of gas. Some of the largeautomobile companies are really moving ahead with this new technology. F&CMotors, a major auto company, for example, is holding a press conference nextweek. After the press conference, the company will present its newelectronically-operated models. Transportation in the future won't be limitedto the ground, many people predict that traffic will quickly move to the sky. Inthe coming years, instead of radio reports about road conditions and highwaytraffic, news reports will talk about traffic jams in the sky. But the skyisn't the limit. In the future, you will probably even be able to take a tripto the moon. Instead of listening to regular airplane announcements, you willhear someone say: the spacecraft to the moon leaves in ten minutes. Please check your equipment. And remember no more than ten ounces of carry-onbaggage are allowed.

Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

26. What will be used to power cars in the next few decades?

27. What will future news reports focus on when talking about transportation?

28. What will passengers be asked to do when they travel to the moon?

Passage Two

Countyfairs are a tradition in New England towns. They offer great entertainment. Onepopular event is the pie-eating contest. If you want to take part in thecontest, it is a good idea to remember these guidelines: first, make sure yourstomach is nearly empty of food. Eating a whole pie can be hard if you havejust finished a meal. Next, it is helpful to like the pie you are going to eat.The cream types are a good choice. They slide down the throat more easily. Placingyour hands in the right position adds to the chances of winning. There is atemptation to reach out and help the eating process. This will result inbecoming disqualified. Don't just sit on your hands, if your hands are tiedbehind your back, you will not be tempted to make use of them. Now you areready to show your talent at eating pies. The object, of course, is to get tothe bottom of the pie plate before the other people. It is usually better tostart at the outside and work toward the middle. This method gives you a goalto focus on. Try not to notice what the other people near you are doing. Letthe cheers from the crowd spur you on. But do not look up. All you should thinkabout is eating that pie.

Questions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you havejust heard.

29. Whereis the pie-eating contest usually held?

30. Whatshould a person do before entering a pie-eating contest?

31. Whereis the person advised to put his hands during the contest?

32. Whatsuggestion is offered for eating up the pie quickly?

Passage Three

Theperiod of engagement is the time between the marriage proposal and the weddingceremony. Two people agree to marry when they decide to spend their livestogether. The man usually gives the woman a diamond engagement ring. Thattradition is said to have started when an Austrian man gave a diamond ring tothe woman he wanted to marry. The diamond represented beauty. He placed it onthe third finger of her left hand. He chose that finger because it was thoughtthat the blood vessel in that finger went directly to the heart. Today we knowthat this is not true, yet the tradition continues. Americans generally areengaged for a period of about one year if they are planning a wedding ceremonyand a party. During this time, friends of the bride may hold a party at whichwomen friends and family members give the bride gifts that she will need as awife. These could include cooking equipment or new clothing. Friends of the manwho is getting married may have a bachelor party for him. This usually takesplace the night before the wedding. Only men are invited to the bachelor party.During the marriage ceremony, the bride and her would-be husband usuallyexchange gold rings that represent the idea that their union will continueforever. The wife often wears both the wedding ring and the engagement ring onthe same finger. The husband wears his ring on the third finger of his lefthand. Many people say the purpose of the engagement period is to permit enoughtime to plan the wedding. But the main purpose is to let enough time pass, sothe two people are sure they want to marry each other. Either person may decideto break the engagement, if this happens, the woman usually returns the ring tothe man. They also return any wedding gifts they have received.

Questions33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

33. Whatwas the diamond ring said to represent?

34. Whydid the Austrian man place the diamond ring on the third finger of the lefthand of his would-be wife?

35. What is the chiefadvantage of having the engagement period?

听力填空

In the centerof a big city there are usually dozens of large office buildings that house bigbanks, corporation headquarters, and government agencies. Thousands of peoplework in these buildings. People who do all the office work are calledwhite-collar workers. Secretaries and receptionists, bookkeepers and computeroperators work for many different kinds of companies. Many office workers dreamof working their way up to the top, from clerk to president of a corporation. Theway lies through middle management. Middle management includes juniorexecutives, who may fill specialized jobs, supervise other workers in thecompany, recommend action to top management, or see that the company's policiesare being carried out. At the very top are the senior executives. Theyestablish the policies for their own companies, especially financial matters. TheChief Executive Officer, or CEO, of a large corporation has a great deal ofpower and influence. It is believed that one can start out at the bottom and goall the way to the top. Because financial matters are so important, someaccountants become top executives. In companies where technology is important, peoplewith an engineering background can also rise to the top. Nowadays, however,education plays a central part in the selection of people for management jobs. Universitiesin many countries offer courses in business administration. The graduates ofthese courses often start out in middle management jobs. From there, they caneasily get promoted if they show the necessary personality and ability.