Section C
Directions:In this section,you will hear a passage three times.When the passage is read for the first time,you should listen carefully for its general idea.When the passage is read for the second time,you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard.For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information.For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words.Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,you should check what you have written.
The RMS Titanic slipped out of the harbor in Southampton,England, on April 10, 1912.It was the first voyage of this huge (36)______liner said to be the largest and safest vessel on the seas.The pull of its (37)______ propellers almost caused an accident before it ever left the harbor.Another ship was pulled from its anchoring and came (38)______ close to hitting the Titanic.You might say this was an (39)______ of events to come.
Two of the ship’s builders were on board to make sure that no problems were found.They (40)______ everyone that this beautiful ship was practically(41)______,for it had been constructed to withstand what they believed would be the worst possible (42)______ the ship would face.Even if four of its watertight compartments were (43)______,it would stay afloat as usual.(44)__________________________.
On Sunday, April 14, 1912,the Titanic was sailing peacefully through the northern Atlantic Ocean.At two different times during the day,(45)________________________.For some unknown reason,neither of these messages reached the captain.At 11∶40 p.m., two lookouts spotted a large iceberg straight ahead.The first officer was in charge.He ordered the ship to turn left and the engines to be reversed.Engineers now believe that (46)____________________________. As it was,the ship hit the iceberg on its side and it sank eventually.