Conversation Two
Tutor: Hello Angela, I was expecting you. Welcome to the university. Take a seat。
Angela: Thanks。
Tutor: Now, as you know we held the introductory session yesterday…so I’m going to run through
the main points for you again. Just let me see… OK, so you are going on to do a master de
gree。
Angela: Yes, that’s right, I already have a first degree in Economics, so my master will be in Business Studies and Marketing。
Tutor: Well, I’m sure this preparation course will help you with that! So, let me tell you something
about it. Basically, the course is divided into two main components: Academic Writing and
Study Skills—both nine hours per week, and in addition you will get two hours of Social
English。
Angela: Oh, that sounds like a lot of hours. I wasn’t expecting as many as that! Are there lessons
every day?
Tutor: Yes, the Academic Writing classes are in the mornings and the Study Skills sessions are in
the afternoons—but not every afternoon, Wednesday is free. And you are free at the weekends, of course。
Angela: And the Social English?
Tutor: That’s mornings too—in fact let me give you your timetable and then you will be clear
about when your classes are and who will be teaching you。
Angela: Thanks. Are there a lot of students on this course?
Tutor: Oh, about 35—between them I think we have twenty four different nationalities—and there
are 3 different groups. These groups are divided according to level. Anyway, to get back to
the course, the writing classes will focus on academic writing and grammar and you will
have to do a final piece of writing at the end of the course。
Angela: What, you mean like a dissertation, or a long essay?
Tutor: Well, more of a project report, really. So it doesn’t have to be too long—usually about 2,000
words, presenting findings from some research you will be expected to do。
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard。
Question 22. In which field is Angela going to further her studies?
Question 23. What does the preparation course consist of?
Question 24. When will Angela have classes?
Question 25. For which course will Angela write a project report?
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear
some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you
hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B),
C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line
through the center。
Passage One
Our electric car is the way of the future. Automobile manufacturers are under the pressure to
develop cars that do not pollute. One powerful motive is a California law requiring that by the year
2000, 10% of the new cars sold in the state be so-called zero emission vehicles. These cars must put
no pollutants whatsoever into the atmosphere. California is a huge market for the automobile companies. So they are working hard to meet this standard. So far the electric car seems to be the best
alternative. So the biggest advantage of electric cars is that they don’t pollute. However they will be
in competition with gas-powered cars. And that’s where the weaknesses come out. The big problem
is that the batteries in electric cars weigh a lot relative to the amount of power they deliver. For instance in one electric car the batteries weigh four hundred kilograms and they provide enough energy
to go 250 km before recharging, which takes 8 hours. Compare that to a moderately fuel efficient
conventional car it can go 400-700 km on a tank of gas. And refilling takes just minutes. If there are
other drains on an electric car’s batteries besides a motor, headlights, air-conditioning or a heater, its
already limited range would be significantly reduced. So automobile engineers are trying to make
more powerful batteries that would increase the car’s range and make them more attractive to buyers。
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard。
Question 26. What is the talk mainly about?
2009-10-30 9:45:12
Question 27. What is the main advantage of electric cars over gas-powered cars?
Question 28. What is the main drawback of an electric car?