听力文本

W: Exercise, exercise, exercise. We hear so much about it these days, yet even the experts can’t agree on which exercises are best. Now some doctors are strongly encouraging arm exercises.

M: Arm exercises? Is that because our arms are too fat or flabby?

W: Actually, that’s not the main reason. They say that arm exercises are an ideal way to become physically fit.

M: But don’t arm exercises raise your blood pressure?

W: That they do. But the article I read mentioned ways to compensate for that. M: How?

W: By adding leg exercises, so the arms don’t do all the work. Arm exercises alone aren’t enough to increase metabolism before fatigue sets in. The more of the body that’s involved in the exercise, the better.

M: And in turn, I’m sure that there’s a greater chance of losing weight. W: Sounds right to me.

M: So what exercises do the experts recommend?

W: They mentioned quite a few, but some of the more popular ones are cycling with special bicycles that make you use both your arms and legs. And walking vigorously while you wear arm weights. M: I must try that. I like to walk a lot.

W: I hope you could get the result you want. And then I may follow your step to do arm exercises. M: No problem.

Conversation Two

W: Professor Keyes? May I come in?

M: Jessica, sure. Have a seat. What can I do for you?

W: It’s the lab experiments, Professor. I’m getting different results from everyone else, so I thought I’d better ask for your advice or else I’ll fail the class.

M: Not everyone gets the right results. I thought you might’ve discovered on your own what you were doing wrong.

W: Well, I’ve gone over every step of every experiment we did in the lab, and I haven’t been able to figure out where I went wrong in any of them.

M: OK. I think you probably study the steps carefully. But I’ve observed something in my classes ever since I started teaching chemistry. Some students know the steps involved in an experiment but they don’t understand the purpose and the objectives of the experiment. Do you actually read through the reference and the handouts I give?

W: Um, not really. I just find it very difficult reading.

M: Well, Jessica. Knowing what the steps are will help you when you write up a lab report, but would you be able to write a conclusion about the results if you didn’t understand what you were doing? W: No, I guess not.

M: So why not spend just half an hour going through the material and if it isn’t clear to you, you can either ask me or you can go over to the chemistry club. W: OK. I’ll do that.

M: There’s something else. I’ve noticed that you aren’t always precise in your measurements. You’re not going to get the results you’re looking for if you don’t measure things right or heat an ingredient at the right heat or heat it for the exact amount of time required.

W: OK, Professor. I see what I’m doing wrong.

Passage One

Jack’s friend, Kate Smith kept birds. One day Kate phoned and told Jack she was going away for a week. She asked Jack to feed the birds for her and said that she would leave the key in Jack’s mailbox.

Unfortunately, Jack forgot all about the birds until the night before Kate was going to return. What was worse, it was already dark when Jack arrived at Kate’s house. Jack soon found the key Kate gave him could not unlock either the front door or the back door. He was getting desperate. He kept thinking of what Kate would say when she came back.

Jack was just going to give up when he noticed that one bedroom window was slightly open. He found a barrel and pushed it under the window. As the barrel was very heavy, Jack made a lot of noise. But in the end, he managed to climb up and open the

window. Jack actually had one leg inside the bedroom when he suddenly realized that someone was shining a torch up at him. He looked down and saw a policeman and an old lady, one of Kate’s neighbors. “What are you doing up there?” said the policeman. Feeling like a complete fool, Jack replied, “I was just going to feed Mrs. Smith’s birds.”

Passage Two

When you turn on the radio, you hear an advertisement. When you watch television, you hear and see an advertisement. If you turn the pages of a newspaper or magazine, again you find an advertisement. If you walk down the street, you see one advertising board after another. All day, every day, people who want to sell you something compete to catch your attention. As a result, advertisements are almost everywhere. In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media work. The government does not give money to mass media such as TV stations, newspapers, magazines and radio stations. They are all owned privately, so where does the money come from? From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses.

Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of “keeping your name before the public”. And some people thought that advertising was “truth well told”. Now more and more people describe it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive description of goods, services and ideas through various media.

All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service advertised can do well to them. Advertisements exist everywhere in our lives.

Passage Three

During the American War of Independence (1775—1783) and in the first days after the founding of the nation, there was a dispute between the northern and southern states as to where the capital of the new country should be located.

For most of the Revolutionary War period, the rebels’ capital was Philadelphia. The First Continental Congress of 1774 was held there, so was the second one in 1776, the one which proclaimed The Declaration of Independence; and in 1787 the federal Constitution was adopted there, too. Larger New York served as the capital for a while. From 1790 to 1800, however, Philadelphia was once more the capital.

To solve the problem, George Washington, the first President of the United States, personally selected an area on the northeastern shore of the Potomac River between the states of Maryland and Virginia as the new capital. This was as early as 1791. He appointed Pierre L’Enfant, a French engineer who had fought in the Revolution, to prepare a plan for the new city. George Washington died in 1799, so it was John Adams, the second President, who moved the capital to the new seat, which was yet to be completed. To commemorate George Washington, the new capital was named after him.

Conversation Two

W: Hey, Geff. Have you been to the new library yet?

M: Oh, hi, Jen. Yes, I went last week to check it out. I really like it.

W: Yes, I like it too. I like the study areas. There seems to be a lot of room just to spread out and focus on the books. It’s much better than the old library where it seemed like we were all jammed into one area. Sometimes it was even hard to find a spot to study because it was so crowded, especially during exams. I even like the chairs at the new place. They’re super comfy.

M: You’re right. The only bad thing about it is that it’s pretty far away. It takes me about twenty minutes to get there by bus. So, I can see myself not going all the way downtown if I’m in a pinch for time. I’d probably just stay in residence and study there.

W: I was thinking that too. It’s too bad it takes so long to get there. I don’t like being dependent on the buses. Have you tried riding your bike there? It might take a little longer but at least you’re getting a bit of exercise.

M: That’s a good idea, Jen. Maybe I’ll try riding this week. I just have to make sure I’m good and rested. Sometimes, when I’m overtired I’m not too coordinated. Knowing me, I’d have a load of books in my backpack and get distracted by something and crash my bike.

W: Hmm. Well, you’ve just got to keep an eye out for those potholes. Oh, wow. Look at the time! I’ve got to get to my next class. I’ll see you around, Geff. M: Good talking to you, Jen. I’ll be seeing you.

Passage One

There are about thirty species of dolphins, which measure from 1.5 to 9 meters. They are found in warm and tropical oceans and are extremely fast swimmers, often reaching a speed of twenty knots. In spite of their size, they dive in and out of the water in a most agile manner. They are, in fact, mammals and belong to the family of toothed whales. They possess extremely acute hearing and use an echolocation system to find prey. The best-known species, the one familiar to anybody who has visited a dolphinarium, is the grey-brown, bottle-nosed dolphin.

The idea that the dolphin is one of man’s best friends goes back a long way in history. But why are dolphins so appealing? What makes them such lovable and entertaining creatures? The fact is that they are intelligent, inquisitive and quick to learn. They also have a curious expression, rather like a human smile, which is particularly attractive.

Dolphins are especially fond of children. A dolphin near Melbourne in Australia recognized one little girl in particular and kept returning to see her. They are also capable of forming long-lasting relationships, and one school of dolphins, which arrived at a bay in New Zealand, stayed for over a year and had regular contact with the local inhabitants. However, despite the widespread belief that dolphins can talk, the truth is that they are only able to imitate sounds.

Passage Two

“First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.” This was a description given of George Washington shortly after his death. It remains the prevailing opinion of him today. Washington was born in colonial Virginia in 1732. He had little formal schooling but he was educated in the practical life of his day. He first became a surveyor, then a frontier soldier for Britain in its struggle against the French. After this, he settled into the comfortable life of a planter and a legislator. When the American colonies rebelled against England in 1775, Washington was selected as America’s senior general. His greatest contribution was in keeping his army alive and the rebellion going. He was an adequate tactician and a farseeing strategist. His personal courage, character, and determination were important in seeing America through the war. At conflict’s end, he retired to the quiet of his plantation. As America’s most respected leader, Washington played an important role in developing the American constitution. He was unanimously elected as his country’s first president. As president, he strictly limited the power of the presidency. It was his great joy to give up the presidency and become a private citizen again.

Washington was a great man in every respect. His character is unquestioned, his ideals lofty. He led his country through a difficult war and the complex job of creating a government.

Passage Three

Since Erling Persson began H&M, a women’s clothing store in 1947, the company has always wanted to expand across continents. In 1964, it took its first step outside Sweden, moving into Norway. In 1974, it went public on the Swedish Stock Exchange, and two years later it opened its first store in Britain. The company now has more than 950 stores in 18 countries. In less than four years, H&M has opened 66 stores in the United States, starting in New York, in an aggressive expansion that has focused on the East Coast. However, it is not as profitable in Poland, Italy, and Czech Republic, Portugal and the United States as those countries it has entered relatively a long time ago. Much of the company’s success so far hinges on getting the fashion right. The company is adept at knowing what is attractive and desirable and puts merchandise in the stores at low prices before tastes change. But whether the company can make money in the United States with this strategy is still unclear. Competitors, industry experts and shoppers wonder how the company can maintain high-cost locations and sell products at Wal-Mart-style prices. So far, its American operation is not profitable. A good part of H&M’s attraction for young American shoppers lies in its low prices. H&M’s stores are concentrated in 12 Eastern States: two new stores in Chicago are an exception. As a result, discount retailers like Old Navy say they don’t constitute a threat. “They are certainly a relatively new player on the landscape,” said Susan Wayne, Old Navy’s executive vice president for marketing. Nevertheless, H&M’s executives say they are fairly confident that their formula is solid and the company will eventually be a national and global player.

Conversation One

M: I hear that the make-up in Beijing opera is almost an art form in itself, isn’t it?

W: That’s true. Apart from the costumes, the characters are differentiated by their faces.

M: In what way?

W: There are four main types of character; the lead, the female lead, the painted face and the clown. Take a careful look at the actors and see if you can tell which is which.

M: That man there with a white nose is the clown. That beautiful girl is the female lead. W: That’s right. By the way, how old do you think the actress is? M: She looks as if she’s in her teens. W: In fact, she is in her late forties.

M: My goodness, it’s almost unbelievable!

W: That’s where the art comes in Mei Lanfang, a very famous actor, who used to play the role of a young female lead until he was in his seventies.

M: Really? He must be an excellent actor! Well, I can’t tell which the painted face is. W: There are actually more than one. They paint their faces in different patterns with different colors to reveal their characters. Red stands for loyalty, and white for the opposite meaning, black for uprightness and integrity. M: Yes, the make-up seems as much fun as the performance. W: I’m glad you enjoy it.

Conversation Two

M: Time to eat!

W: Coming. Oh, I’m starving. M: Good, good.

W: Oh yuck! What’s that? M: Ah, now don’t complain!

W: But what is it, and where is mom?

M: Now, your mom put me in charge of dinner because she’s not feeling well tonight. W: But what is it… and that smell!

M: It’s pizza. I just followed an old family recipe here, and… W: Let me see that… Oh, Dad.

M: What?

W: You’re missing a page!

M: Oh, uh, well, uh… well I couldn’t find the second page of the recipe, but don’t worry. I have plenty of experience around the house. Plenty of experience of cooking.

W: That’s not what mom says.

M: Well, wait, wait, here let me try a piece first. Here, let me, let me cool this off here. Oh, yeah. Oh, this is great stuff.

W: Yeah right. Why are you making that face?

M: Well, well, it’s just, just a little rich for me. That’s all.

W: Let me try it Dad. Uh. Dad. You put a little too much salt in it and besides it’s burned. M: Well…

W: And what’s that?

M: Oh, well, well, that’s just part of my own adaptation to the recipe. I added some pumpkin.

W: Oh, not another one of your surprises. Pumpkin doesn’t go on pizza! M: Well, okay, well, so what? Uh, what do we do now?

W: Well, how about some cold cereal… You can’t mess up on that, Dad.

Passage One

If you find that believing in yourself is a challenge, it is time you build a positive self-image and learn to love yourself.

Self-image is your own mind’s picture of yourself. This image includes the way you look, the way you act, the way you talk and the way you think. Interestingly, our self-images are often quite different from the images others hold about us. Unfortunately, most of these images are more negative than they should be. Thus changing the way you think about yourself is the key to changing your self-image and your whole world.

The best way to defeat a passive self-image is to step back and decide to stress your successes. That is, make a list if you need to, but write down all of the great things you do every day. Don’t allow doubts to occur in it.

It very well might be that you are experiencing a negative self-image because you can’t move past one flaw or weakness that you see about yourself. Well, roll up your sleeves and make a change of it as your primary task. If you think you’re silly because you aren’t good at math, find a tutor. If you think you’re weak because you can’t run a mile, get to the track and practice. If you think you’re dull because you don’t wear the latest trends, buy some new clothes. But remember, just because you think it doesn’t mean it’s true. The best way to get rid of a negative self-image is to realize that your image is far from objective, and to actively convince yourself of your positive qualities. Changing the way you think and working on those you need to improve will go a long way towards promoting a positive self-image. When you can pat yourself on the back, you’ll know you’re well on your way. Good luck!

Passage Two

Traditionally, when a man invites a woman out on a date, he picks her up at her home, pays all the expenses for the evening, and takes her home at the end of the evening. Prior to Women’s Liberation, the woman was expected to sit at home by the phone and wait and hope for the man of her dreams to call her. Today’s liberated woman may take the initiative in suggesting an evening together by inviting a man she likes to a party, to a home-cooked meal, or to an evening at the theater. If she does the inviting, she pays for at least part of the evening’s expenses. Often, a man and a woman who are friends but not romantically involved go out together Dutch treat, which means that each person pays his or her own way.

Today many men working in the U.S.A. have a female boss. Men who come from countries in which the woman’s place is still in the home may find it difficult to take orders from a woman. But in the U.S.A., 44% of the work force is female, and many women are judges, doctors, company presidents, college presidents, and entrepreneurs. It is important for men to respect to a person who holds a position of responsibility and authority, whether that person is male or female. To treat a woman as inferior just because she is female is not only insulting but also out of step with contemporary American culture.

Passage Three

The literal meaning of philosophy is “love of wisdom”. But this meaning does not tell us very much. Unlike the other disciplines, philosophy cannot be defined by what you study, because it is actually unlimited. Anything can be the subject matter of philosophy — art, history, law, language, literature, mathematics, and in fact, the other academic disciplines are directly related to philosophy. For this reason you get a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in biochemistry, or computer science, or psychology.

Two broad sub-fields of philosophy are logic and the history of philosophy. Logic is the science of argument and critical thinking. It provides sound methods for distinguishing good from bad reasoning. The history of philosophy involves the study of major philosophers and period in the development of philosophy.

Of what use is philosophy? First it is useful in educational advancement. It is necessary for understanding other disciplines. Only philosophy questions the nature of the concepts used in a discipline and its relation to other disciplines. And through the study of philosophy, one develops sound methods of research and analysis that can be applied to any field.

There are a number of general uses of philosophy. It strengthens one’s ability to solve problems, to communicate, to organize ideas and issues, to persuade, and to take what is the most important from a large quantity of data. These general uses are of great benefit in the career field, not necessarily for obtaining one’s first job after graduation, but for preparing for positions of responsibility, management and leadership later on. It is very short-sighted after all, to take a course of studies only for the purpose of getting one’s first job. The useful skills developed through the study of philosophy have significant long-term benefits in career advancement. No other discipline systematically follows the ideals of wisdom, leadership, and capacity to resolve human conflict.