-
听力原文：M: Don" t you think it would have been very nice to have lived in the 19th century？ They didn’t have this terrible stress and pace that we have.
W: Yes, but what did they do with that leisurely pace. ？ All that most people had to think about was where the next meal was coming from.
What problem did she mention？
A．They had too much stress.
B．They had nothing to do in their spare time.
C．They were worried about their meals.
D．The pace was terrible.
-
听力原文：F: Paul, nice to see you back from the university. How do you like your new university？ I remember your mom had wanted you to go to London University so that you can live at home and walk or cycle to attend the lectures.
M: Well, you know I didn't go to London University after all. My new university is on the suburbs of an ancient cathedral city and it is almost 8 miles from the city center. The university is planned on the so called American campus system. That is to say, students live in halls of residence grouped around the main university buildings.
F: You mean you live, eat and study within the university proper？
M: Yes, I like it. Because we are a real community. We've got comfortable common rooms and bars. We arrange dances and parties. We've got clubs, theater groups, choirs and so on. And we've got an orchestra. I played the drums in it. By the way, how about your university days, Betty？
F: I rented a house with two other girls in the middle of the city about ten minutes walk from the university. The house is falling to pieces. It is damp and there is no proper heating. M: That sounds awful. I couldn't work in a place like yours. The district is poor and could almost be classed as a slum.
F: I don't think so. We live among real people who treat us as real people. We've got an electrician living next door, who is always coming in and mending our cooker and electric fires. We could try to get into one of the halls of the residents. But we prefer to be independent. It's nice to belong to the city and to do things outside the university.
M: What sort of things do you do outside the university？
M: Well, there is a group of us who go and help in a home for handicapped children. And I sing in the city bar "Choir". We get on well with the local people, not like you in that suburban district.
W: Well, I like history. And my university is one of the best universities for that subject. Besides, it is an ancient city with a lot of historical relics and sightseeing spots. If you can drop by by any chance, I can show you around.
F: You bet.
(47)
A．In Bath.
B．In London.
C．In York.
D．In the suburbs.
-
听力原文：W：Read the report？ The：tuition fee was increased to ￡ 3000 a year. And other living expenses are on average ￡3000 a year.
M：Yeah, it's a huge increase. How are you managing your budget？
W：Well, (23)I got a student loan, which is just over ￡3 000, but also I get some money from my parents as well. They're happy to help out because it's towards an education；as long as we're not just wasting it all in drinking it all away. I am in the 3rd year.1 went to the end of my overdraft a couple of times and I'm lucky to have middle class parents who can help me out really.
M：But mostly your finances have been poor!
W：(24)That's because of the summer. If I just 1ived as a normal student and then worked during the summer it wouldn't be so bad—but I go on big holidays and things. This year I went to the Philippines and then came back overland from Singapore, which is a wicked experience, but eats into your finances obviously. What about you？
M：My parents came to the arrangement that first of all they paid the fees for me；secondly they paid my hall fees； and thirdly they gave me an allowance.
W：That's quite practical. But can you manage？
M：Yeah, I did excellently. I decided first of all I was going to get a first, which I did, and secondly 1 was not going to have any debts.(25)I put the money in a high interest account, so I came out with no debts at all. But I did live on Marmite sandwiches almost for three years.
(20)
A．She earned a scholarship which covers all her studies.
B．She got both a student loan and support from parents.
C．She received a student loan and had a part-time job.
D．She had overdrawn her loan and let parents help out.
-
听力原文： Tuesday's Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland, put Israelis and Palestinians back on the road map to peace. Now the question is how far will they get？
The "road map" is the name for a plan that is supposed to lead to a permanent, two-state solution to the conflict. The Quartet of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations launched the plan in two thousand three. The plan did not go far.
But this week Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert agreed to immediately restart negotiations. They promise to seek a peace treaty that furthers the goal of an independent Palestine.
The two sides have not held serious negotiations in seven years. A committee that will guide the talks will hold its first meeting December twelfth. The aim is to reach an agreement by the end of next year.
Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Syria, attended the international conference held by the United States. Iran was not invited.
Which did not launch the "road map" plan in 2003？
A．United States.
B．Russia.
C．European Union.
D．Saudi Arabia.
-
听力原文：W: Hello.
M: Hi, Sally, this is Phil.
W: Great to hear from you Phil! How have you been doing？
M: To tell you the truth, I'm very worried about our final examinations next month. For one thing, I can't sleep.
W: I sympathize! I went through the same thing last year.
M: That's exactly why I'm calling you. Do you have any suggestions for coping with anxiety？ You know how I hate exams!
W: Well, last year the university offered a stress-management course at about this time. Have you been in contact with the student health services？
M: No, I haven't had time!
W: Funny, isn't it？ Just when students need help most, we can't afford the time to get it!
M: Well, perhaps I should find out more about this stress-management course. Things have got to get better!
W: I suggest you call the health services tomorrow. They open at nine a. m.
M: Thanks, ally. I'll let you know how it goes.
W: Best of luck! And have a good night's sleep!
M: That's easier said than done!
(20)
A．Anxiety.
B．Truth.
C．Sympathy.
D．Time.
-
听力原文： Former Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet is living in a gilded cage as he waits under house arrest in a luxury villa for Britain's highest court to rule on his fate for a second time.
The Conservative British paper The Daily Telegraph, granted an exclusive opportunity to photograph the 83-year-old former general, counted up to nine armed policemen in and around the property in Surrey, to the southwest of London.
Three inspectors from Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist unit are permanently posted in one of the building's nine rooms, close to the main door which is guarded by two porters.
Other officers patrol with police dogs, searching visitors and their vehicles.
Members of the Surrey police force also maintain surveillance on the property in the exclusive suburb of Wentworth. Home Secretary Jack Straw allocated an additional 200,000 pounds in early March to cover policing costs.
That sum is trifling, however, compared to the millions of pounds already spent on legal costs.
Police keep bystanders, including journalists, at a distance, as well as the protesters who each Saturday beat drums and chant "murderer" in Pinochet's direction.
Authorities are also alert to the possibility of a commando operation aimed at freeing the former general, though this is considered improbable given the good relations between Britain and Chile.
In permitting Pinochet to stay in the villa, British officials relaxed his conditions of detention. Pinochet is also allowed to step out onto the patio once the yard has been combed by inspectors with sniffer dogs.
"The police follow him everywhere, even when he goes to the toilet. It's an intolerable situation, 'an unidentified person close to Pinochet complained to The Daily Telegraph.
Until now, the former leader has only left Wentworth once, to hear Spain's formal request for extradition, while a request to attend Christmas Mass was refused.
He receives visitors--Chilean political allies, diplomats, officials or supporters of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who are indignant at how a man they call a "friend of Great Britain" is being treated.
Thatcher has spoken out in Pinochet's defense and cited support he gave Britain during its 1982 war with Argentina over the Malvinas Islands.
Pinochet starts his day scouring the newspapers and surfing the Internet in search of items concerning himself.
How many armed policemen were stationed to protect Augusto Pinochet？
A．9.
B．12.
C．14
D．11.
-
听力原文： Israel is speeding up construction of its controversial West Bank barrier. The Palestinians say it's a land grab.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered quicker work to complete construction of Israel's West Bank separation barrier, especially in the area of Jerusalem. Israel began building the nearly 700 kilometer long barrier two years ago, but only a third has been completed. Israeli officials say that's way too slow.
"Let's just get it done," said Cabinet Minister and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."This is a security fence, it is not a political border, it is not meant to keep people in like the Berlin Wall, it is meant to keep terrorists out."
It is not clear how the government will speed up construction of the barrier in light of previous rulings by the Israeli Supreme Court. In the past, the Court has ruled that the government is illegally confiscating West Bank land and creating hardship for Palestinians.
Israeli analyst Dan Schueftan told VOA that many Israelis believe the court is favoring the Palestinians over Israeli security.
"And the more they take decisions in this direction, the more Israelis will question the wisdom of the Supreme Court."
So by ordering rapid construction of the barrier, Mr. Sharon is responding to public opinion. But the Palestinians say it's a land grab.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat: "The only thing that's growing on the ground now is more Israeli settlements, more walls, and more dictations and more harming of the Palestinian people."
The International Court of Justice in the Hague ruled last year that the barrier is illegal and must be torn down. But after more than a hundred suicide bombings during the past four-and-a-half years of conflict, Israel is determined to build the barrier as quickly as possible.
The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that ______.
A．building West Bank barrier is legal
B．building West Bank barrier is illegal
C．building West Bank barrier is reasonable
D．building West Bank barrier is welcomed
-
听力原文：F: What I can't make out you is why you are so keen on the Layer-de-la-Haye house. Why on earth should we choose, actually choose, to live out in a village, even if it is a popular village. You know that I would love to live in town and...
M: ...and be boxed in by a thousand other houses I suppose~ Surrounded by a thousand faceless neighbors. No, let' s go for the village. After all I'm the one who has to do all the traveling. Back and forth to London every day. And I would rather add a 15 minutes bus ride to the train ride than be--How does it go？--cabin' d, cribb' d confi' d.
F: That' s all very well...all very well to take that romantic attitude. You know... you think you can get out of everything...wriggle out of any argument...by quoting Shakespeare. What about my preferences？ You are being selfish you know.
M: Selfish？ Me？
F: Yes. Think of the children. Its seems to me that you are so carried away with the idea that your personal likes and dislikes are making you anything but practical.
What's the relations between the speakers？
A．Friends.
B．Colleagues.
C．Husband and wife.
D．Landlord and tenant.
-
听力原文： Scientists say sharks have lived in the world's oceans for millions of years. Scientists say there are more than 350 different kinds of sharks.
Sharks do not have bones, and a shark has an extremely good sense of smell. It can find. small amounts of substances in the water, such as blood, body liquids and chemicals produced by animals. Sharks also sense electrical and magnetic power linked to nerves and muscles of living animals. These powerful senses help them find their fond. Some sharks will eat just about anything. Many unusual things have been found in the stomachs of some large sharks. They include shoes, dogs, a cow's foot and metal protective clothing.
About forty percent of the different kinds of sharks lay eggs. The others give birth to live young. Some sharks carry their young inside their bodies like humans do.
Scientists are beginning to understand the importance of sharks to humans. Medical researchers want to learn more about the shark's body defense system against disease. They know that sharks recover quickly from injuries. Sharks appear never to suffer infections, cancer or heart diseases.
What is this passage mainly about？
A．The necessity of protecting sharks.
B．The living environment of sharks.
C．The dangers of sharks to human beings.
D．An introduction to sharks.
-
听力原文：Stonefish live among rocks in the sea. They have wide, turned-down mouths and sma
听力原文： Stonefish live among rocks in the sea. They have wide, turned-down mouths and small eyes. Their skin is the same colours as rocks. This makes a stonefish took like one of the rocks.
Sometimes a swimmer will step on a stonefish. Then the fish will shoot some liquid into the swimmer's foot. The foot will become bigger and start to hurt. It may hurt for a long time. Because of the fish like the stonefish, the sea floor is sometimes not peaceful as it looks.
How are the eyes of a stonefish？
A．They are wide.
B．They are small.
C．They are turned-down.
-
听力原文：Stephen stayed up last night watching a soccer live broadcast. Now he can hardly keep his eyes open.
Which of the following statements is true about Stephen？
A．He watched a soccer match last night and did not go to bed until very late.
B．He went to a club to watch a soccer match last night.
C．He could not fall asleep until very late last night because of the noise made by people watching a soccer match.
D．He has been so immersed in the exciting soccer match last night that he is now not in the mood for work.
-
听力原文：W: Why are you living on campus？ I thought you said it would be over your head body before you moved here.
W: I changed my mind. Living so close is a good change of pace from rushing around.
Q: What does the man mean？
(19)
A．He doesn't have time living on campus.
B．He wants to change his home.
C．He wanted more free time so he moved on campus.
D．He prefers the more interesting life-style. on campus.
-
听力原文：We’ll all see them on TV commercials with that special gait looking out at us，from the covers of glossy magazines or showing off the latest creations by tailors from Paris and it must have seemed to us that they have lives which are all glamorous．
(16)
-
听力原文： A 3-year old Palestinian boy was killed and nine Palestinians were wounded late Tuesday in the northern Gaza Strip when rockets launched by militants misfired and landed in Palestinian areas, rescue workers said. Witnesses said militants fired three rockets at the Israeli town of Sderot where thousands of Israeli opponents of the planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza had gathered in a demonstration. Two of the rockets fell in Palestinian areas and the third fell in an open field near Sderot. Among the wounded were five children, aged 4 to 11.
Who were the rockets launched by？
A．Palestinians.
B．Rescue workers.
C．Children.
D．Militants.
-
听力原文： The Bolivian president Carlos Mesa has announced his resignation after mass protests calling for constitutional reform. and the nationalization of the energy industry. Mr. Mesa said in a live television address, that he could do no more for Bolivia.
Our South America correspondent Eliot Gotkin reports from La Paz:
In presenting his resignation an emotional President said that he bad gone as far as he could go. He blamed his decision on the intransigence of the protesters. For weeks they have blocked roads and paralyzed La Paz. Violence has grown and fuel in Bolivia's main city has pretty much run out. Mr. Mesa described the protestors as a minority trying to impose their will on the majority. He said they had taken advantage of his promise not to use force to crush the demonstrations. It is still unclear whether Congress will accept the President's resignation. The last time he presented it in March Parliament refused.
When did Bolivian president Carlos present his resignation to Parliament last time？
A．in February
B．in March
C．in April
D．in May
-
听力原文：The world is growing smaller each day. Globalization, information revolution, and communication have made our planet earth more closely-knit for the people who live on it.
(54)
-
听力原文：Woman: Whether in our personal or business lives, we are all at risk of having our privacy invaded. We can now offer a range of products designed to reduce the possibility of unwanted intrusion. Visit our new showroom for the latest specialist innovations including listening devices, communications equipment, personal protection, video cameras and much more.
(20)
-
听力原文：W: Todd, have you come up with more ideas on how to boost sales of this year's line of living room furniture？ We have already tried the local newspaper and radio.
M: Sponsoring a TV show would be effective, but it costs a lot.
W: I agree with you. However, It' s beyond our budget. Let' s see. What do you think of the idea of making community flyers？
M: Why couldn' t I think of that？ It won't cost a lot.
What are they talking about？
A．How to increase sales of their products
B．The naming of their new products
C．Famous TV shows
D．How to put an ad in the local paper
-
听力原文： An international children's charity says more than one-fourth of the children in Asia are living in absolute poverty and almost half of them are seriously deprived. In a report issued in Thailand, the group says that many Asian families are not benefiting from the region's booming economy and it has pledged $1 billion in aid over the next decade.
The charity group Plan International says 600 million Asian children are deprived of one of the seven basic needs used to define poverty, including food, safe water, shelter, health and education. And it says 350 million children, equivalent to the population of the European Union, are deprived of two or more basic needs, classifying them as absolutely poor.
The group's executive director, Tom Miller, compares these figures to those of the victims from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of southern Asia eight months ago. "Those numbers are absolutely staggering. The world has focused very much on Asia through the tsunami. But in many ways, what we're talking about is, this is a silent tsunami that is happening every single day."
The group, basing its figures on United Nations statistics, says some Asian countries, like China and parts of Southeast Asia, have considerably reduced their numbers of poor children. But it says significant populations of poor people remain in isolated rural areas and among ethnic minorities.
According to the news, which of the following is not among the basic needs used to define poverty？
A．food
B．health
C．education
D．freedom
-
听力原文： Palestinians continued to attack Israeli targets in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Friday, undermining efforts by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, to end the violence that has continued for nine months. Mr. Powell announced that there must be seven days of quiet to assess whether the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire agreement is holding and the two sides can take steps to return to peace talks. Violence flared just hours after Mr. Powell' s departure from Israel Friday.
Palestinian militants fired mortar bombs at Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. And in the divided West Bank town of Hebron, Palestinian youths hurled rocks and petrol bombs at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli troops, who are there to protect the small community of Jewish settlers, fired on the Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets.
Israeli leaders say that unless all such incidents are halted, they will not adopt the next steps in a plan promoted by Secretary of State Colin Powell to get the two sides back to the negotiating table.
How long has the violence continued？
A．Nine months.
B．One year.
C．Since last Friday.
D．A week.
-
听力原文： A new study says millions of the world' s children continue to live in poverty, disease and despair. VOA's correspondent Bmeck Ardery reports on the annual report from UNICEF, the United Nations Children' s Fund.
The report acknowledges great progress has been made in the eradication of certain childhood diseases such as polio and measles. However, it emphasizes that for millions of the world' s children, armed conflicts, disease and forced labor continue to take a heavy toll. Susan Surandon, the American film actress who is recently appointed UNICEF special representative, told reporters that 3 main factors are endangering the lives and futures of the world' s children. "Poverty is killing our children; HIV is killing our children, disproportionately in sub-Saharan Africa; armed conflict is killing our children. And when I say killing, I mean their bodies and their souls their futures, our futures." Ms. Surandon cited statistics which show that in the last decade 2 million children died in wars, 6 million were disabled as the result of armed conflicts, and 14 million have been orphaned by the disease AIDS. A special focus in this year' s UNICEF report is on the rights of adolescents. No longer children in the traditional sense, the report says adolescents still need positive support and guidance and the opportunity to finish school. Breck Ardery, VOA News, at the United Nations.
According to the UNICEF report, great progress has been made in the protection of world' s children from______.
A．some childhood diseases
B．AIDS
C．wars
D．forced labor
-
听力原文：By the year 2000, the population of the developing world living in urban areas had risen to about 46% and it is estimated to reach more than 57% by the year 2025.
(55)
-
听力原文： I am living in a small village in the country. My wife and I run a village shop. We have a very peaceful life, boring some might say. But we love it. We know all the people in the village and have plenty of time to stop and chat. I have plenty of time for my hobbies too—gardening, fishing, walking in the country side. I love the outdoor life.
It wasn’t always like this though I used to have a really stressful job, working till late in the office every evening and often bring work home at the week end. The advertising world is very competitive. And when I look hack, I can’t imagine how I stood it. I have no private life at all, no time for the really important things in life. Because of the pressure of the job, I used to smoke and drink too much. The crisis came when my wife left me. She complained that she never saw me and I had no time for, family life. This made me realize what is really important to me. I talked things through with her and decided to get back together again and to start a new and better life together. I gave up tobacco and alcohol and searched for new hobbies. Now I am afraid of looking back since the past life seemed a horrible dream.
(23)
A．He was a gardener.
B．He worked in an advertising agency.
C．He worked on a farm.
D．He ran a village shop.
-
听力原文：W: Excuse me. Do you live here？
M: Yes, I've lived here in Edinburgh all my life. My name's Rory McDonald. How do you do？
W: Hi, I'm Chris Hudson from Phoenix, Arizona. I'm an oil engineer. I'm on my way to London on business.
M: How long are you staying in Edinburgh？
W: Just a day. What can I see here in twenty-four hours？
M: Well, most tourists want to visit the Castle. It's on Castle Rock. It's where the Scottish government used to be. From there you can walk down the Royal Mile.
W: What's the Royal Mile？
M: It's a narrow street of medieval houses. It's worth seeing. Then you really should visit Holyrood Palace.
W: Who lives in the Palace？
M: No one, except the Queen when she comes to Edinburgh, which is usually once a year. But the kings and queens of Scotland used to live there be fore Scotland was united with England.
W: When was that？
M: That was...er, let me see 2. in 1603.
W: You seem to know a lot about Scottish history.
M: Aye, well, I'm a McDonald of the McDonald clan. You know there are clans in Scotland, and we're all proud of our history.
W: I'd like to buy something as a souvenir of the trip. What should I buy？
M: Why don't you buy some sweaters？ Scottish sweaters are famous for their quality. And you must buy some whiskey. Of course you know that's our national drink.
W: Yes, I've already bought the whiskey.
M: Good. But remember you mustn't put ice in it. That spoils the flavor!
W: Oh, we Americans put ice in everything!
(23)
A．She comes to visit this famous town.
B．She comes to visit her friend.
C．She comes to Edinburgh on business.
D．She is on her way to London on business.
