发布时间 : 星期一 文章2014年专四真题听力及原文更新完毕开始阅读20f4c0d9162ded630b1c59eef8c75fbfc77d9437
29. What is the main idea of the news item?
A. Foreign investment in unstable regions. B. BP’s presence in North Africa. C. Security concerns in risky countries. D. Protection for foreign oil workers.
Questions 30 is based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 5seconds to answer the question. Now, listen to the news.30. What is the main message of thenews item?
A. London attracts shoppers from all over the world. B. Most people in Nigeria live in poverty. C. Wealthier Nigerians become a big spender. D. People from the Middle East are the mostwealthy.
PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION SECTION A 1-5. CBBBD 6-10. CCDBC;
SECTION B 11-15. BAADB 16-20. BCACB; SECTION C 21-25. BABBB 26-30. CBBAC 听力材料原文
PART Ⅱ LISTENING COMPREHE (20 MIN) SECTION A CONVERSATIONS
Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following conversation.
M: We have to move the company to a new office. W: I think that's a great idea, Tim. M: Good.
W: We should be in the centre of town.We'll be nearer to our customers. M: Jane, I...
W: The transport is better... M: Jane, I...
W: ... and there are lots of good restaurants. M: Jane, I think we should move to the country. W: Oh!
M: For... against.For: cheaper rent,cheaper houses,cleaner air.It's quieter.There's not so muchnoise.And parking's easier.Do you agree that these are all good reasons for moving?
W: Yes, I agree.But let's talk about the things against moving.Number one.A long way from someclients.
M: Yes, but that's not a problem. W: What about communications?
M: There's an airport near the new location as well as a motorway.And there are fast trains toeverywhere from there.
W: So communications are better than they are from here? M: I think so.
W: But what do we do with our spare time?I know we can go for walks in the country.Perhaps gohorse-riding.But we can only do that in summer.What do we do in winter? When it's cold andwet.It's not like here in the city, is it?
M: I agree.But in the town over there---twenty minutes by car---there are cinemas,theatres, goodrestaurants and there's a jazz club.So, I think our company should move to the country.Do youagree?
W: I am afraid I don't.
Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation.
M: So, Miss Parkinson,you organize fitness training and beauty treatments for working women? W: That's right, Mr. Cruise.
M: Could you tell me how you first got the idea for the business?
W: Certainly. I suppose it all started about 5 years ago.I was on holiday and had a very bad skiingaccident.I found that the only thing that helped the pain was massage and gentle exercise,likeyoga or stretching exercises.So I used to go to therapists and classes after work. M: Where did you work at that time?
W: In the training department of a media company. M: I see.
W: But then I got a promotion to training manager.That meant I worked longer hours and wasdifficult to get to classes.I asked some of my teachers if they would come to my house instead,andmost of them agreed.It was more expensive but I thought it was worth it.Lots of my friends lovedthe idea too.So I recommended people to them.That's when I began to realize that maybe I couldmake a business out of it.
M: Did you give up your job then?
W: No, not immediately.The idea was too scary.I had a good job with a good salary,and startingmy own business seemed a bit risky.So I just did it at a hobby really. M: So why did you leave your job in the end?
W: Well, the decision was made for me really.My company decided to relocate to a differenttown.They offered me the choice of relocating with themor quite a large sum of money if Ipreferred to leave.I know an opportunity when I see it.So I took the money! M: Good for you.
Questions 8 to 10 are based on the following conversation.
M: Good afternoon, madam.
W: Good afternoon.I'd like to buy a camera.
M: We have all kinds of cameras here, madam.What sorts of camera are you thinking you arebuying?
W: Well, I don't know anything about cameras.But my friend tells me that 35-millimeter camerasare the best.
M: Well, they are certainly the much popular.Would you like a rangefinder type or a single-lensreflex?
W: What's the difference?
M: With a single-lens reflex,you actually look through the lens when you're taking a photo.So youcan see exactly what you are taking. W: That seems a good idea.
M: Yes, focusing is easier, too.Try this one.It's a good mate. W: Yes, I see what you mean.The image is very clear and bright.
M: That's right.Moreover,you can use a number of different lenses.Let me put a telephoto lens onfor you to try.
W: My world! That's very good.I can see the people across the street as if they are inside theshop!
M: Being able to change the lens is very important,in my opinion.You can't do that with mostrangefinder cameras though they smaller and cheaper. W: How much is this camera?
M: The list price is 5,000.But I can let you have it for 4,500.
W: That's far too much! Did you say that rangefinder cameras are cheaper? M: Yes, they are much cheaper. W: Good! Show me some, please.
SECTION B PASSAGES
Questions 11 to 13 are based on the following passage.
This is a picture.In the foreground there's a house built into the side of a bare hill.The house isactually cut out of the rock,and the front is painted white.There's a single window with a pinkcurtain across it and a wooden door.This rock house is clearly inhabited because in front of thehousethere is washing hanging on a washing line in what looks like the front yard.Then, above thepainted front of the house,they've built a chimney.It's quite possible that at the back of this samehill there's another door---or the front of another house, perhaps.At the side of the house,to theleft there's a flat area.They've got chairs there and one person appears to be serving food.They'rewearing casual summer clothes.Further to the left is another chimney,which probably belongs to adifferent house.In the background of the picture,a long way from this particular bare hill,there'sanother hill.Then, in between there's a relatively flat plain,and then there's a small town.It lookslike a town because there are a lot of white housesand each one is quite close to the nextbuilding.This must be a hot country because the sky is blue and there isn't much vegetation.Ishould think that rock houses are actually really cool and pleasant to live in.
Questions 14 to 17 are based on the following passage.
Ben became interested in Mongolia early in life.When he was nine years old he read a book aboutMarco Polo,about how Marco Polo traveled with his uncles on the ultimate business tripto theMongol Empire at its height.Marco Polo's trip lasted almost a quarter of a century,during which hegrew up,mastered Mongolian,gained the confidence of the Mongol emperor,and then eventuallyreturned home with fantastic tales of strange lands and stranger people.The story of Marco Polofascinated Ben.Ben tried to save money from his first job delivering newspaperswith an eye towarda $3,000 trip to Mongolia.But in those days it would take him years to have the money ready.Sohe continued to read about Mongolia in the meantimebut spent most of his teenage years in theArab world,where he learned the language and became interested in journalism.He took courses inclassical and modern Mongolianwhile studying for his master's degree and found it verydifficult.But he still wants to visit Mongolia in the spring or summer, he said.\atures drop to -30 °C are not for me.\said,%ugh still a large sum,is, in terms of inflation,a good bargain.\
Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage.
Less than 20 miles from Singapore's skyscrapers is a completely different set of high-risetowers.Much smaller in scale but with a big ambition,over 100 nine-meter tall towers at SkyGreens vertical
farmoffer a new vision of urban sustainability.Green vegetables like Chinesecabbage are grown,stacked in greenhouses,and sold at local supermarkets.The farm was built in2009 and since October this yearthe fully operating farm has been supplying one of city'ssupermarketswith weekly deliveries of its greens.The Sky Greens produce costs around 40% morethan an imported equivalent.However, the small amount of energy and water needed to grow thevegetables,and the close proximity to the consumer,means that carbon dioxide emitted inproduction and transportation is kept to a minimum.The Sky Greens venture is supported by theSingaporean governmentand has another advantage over other urban farms around theworld:abundant natural heating and light.Singapore has year-round temperatures of around 30degrees Celsiusand the farm is set in an open area designated by the government as an agro-technology park,miles away from the shadow of city skyscrapers.And there are plans for thecurrent site to expand to produce up to two tons of greensa week next year and build over 2,000towers in the next few years. SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST
News Item 1 (For Questions 21 and 22)
The family of Sarai Sierra, an American womanwho wentmissing in Istanbul nearly two weeks ago,is in mourning afterlearning that Turkish police found her body Saturday.Turkishpolice found the woman's body near ancient stone walls inIstanbul's Sarayburnu district.Police suspected she had beenkilled at another location.Police told CNN's sister network CNNTurkthat the body of the 33-year-old mother of two showedsigns of stab wounds.However, the police chief of Istanbul,Huseyin Capkin,said Sierra died from ablow to her head.Nine suspects had been detained in connection with the woman's disappearanceand death.Sierra's family and friends first sounded the alarm last weekafter she did not arrive on areturn flight from Istanbul on January 22.
News Item 2 (For Questions 23 and 24)
French forces say they have entered Kidal in the north of Mali,the last major town they have yet tosecure in their drive against Islamist militants.French forces now control Kidal airport after anumber of aircraft,including helicopters,landed there last night.Islamist militants were reported tohave already left the townand it was unclear who was in charge.France --- the former colonialpower in Mali--- launched a military operation this month after Islamist militantsappeared to bethreatening the south.French army spokesman confirms that \dal\otection helicopters are in the sky.Kidal,
930 miles north-east of the capitalBamako,was until recently under the control of the Islamist militants.
News Item 3 (For Questions 25 and 26)
US President Barack Obama has said the time has comefor a review on the US immigrationsystem.He made his case at a high school in Las Vegas,Nevada, a day after a group of senatorsoutlined a framework for reform.The White House and senators envisage a path to citizenshipformany of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.He noted that the currentsystem was \out of date and badly broken\rolled out in 2011,though that did not go far.Mr Obama now backs the Senate planincluding making illegal immigrants pay taxes and fines,and sending them to the back of thequeue before they can become American citizens.His 2011 blueprint also focused on a path topermanent residency a
nd eventual citizenship.After eight years,individuals would be allowed tobecome legal permanent residentsand would eventually become citizens five years later,accordingto his 2011 blueprint.
News Item 4 (For Questions 27 and 28)
In a suburb in northern Johannesburg South Africa, Lorraine Melvillis running around trying toorganize hospital visits for her clients staying in her guest house.She started herbusiness,\d Safari,\cilitate their cosmetic procedures,and perhaps go on safari too.\ economies like the UK,and especially in America,their biggest desire is togo on African safari,\e explains,\wo together?\sis,particularly as a number of Melvill's clients were borrowingmoney to afford their procedures.However, whilst the United States and eurozone economies mayhave languished,Melvill says that she has benefited from the growth of some African countries'economies.\ence of local Africansthat chose to come to South Africa forelective surgery,whether it be breast reduction,tummy tucks,\
News Item 5 (For Question 29)
The bloodshed at In Amenas has left the oil and gas industrystruggling to come to terms withwhat it might mean for investment in risky countries.Bob Dudley,BP's chief executivesays thecompany is \orst tragedy of its kind in living memorydespite the energy industry's presence in manyunstable regions.BP has \ a top priority in countries such as Iraq,where there have been instances ofworkers being kidnapped.The perception of risk for foreign oil workers and their families in NorthAfrica,has soared.
News Item 6 (For Question 30)
Shopping is a serious business in London whatever the season--- but it doesn't get much moreserious than this time of year.The UK's capital January sales sees throngs of dedicatedshopaholicscram its countless department stores,quirky boutiques and market stalls,keen to gettheir hands on the latest fashion trends and product offers.But it's not just domestic spendingthat's keeping the tills ringing in London.While the vibrant city's high-end stores are no strangersto overseas visitors,with those from the Middle East typically spending the most,a surprising newcontender has emerged in recent times as a big spenderin the international market ---Nigeria.Nigeria's economic growth has averaged about 7.4% annually over the pastdecade,creating a wealthier Nigerian elite with a large spending power.At the same time,however,robust economic growth has not reduced poverty in the country,with about two thirds of itspopulation living on less than $1 per day.