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2000年英语专业八级考试听力MP3
听力原文
PART Ⅰ LISTENING COMPREHENSION?
SECTION A TALK?
The earliest libraries existed thousands of years ago in China and Egypt where collections of records on tablets of baked clay were kept in temples and royal palaces. In the western world, libraries were first established is Ancient Greece. For example, Aristotle once had a research library in the 3rd century B. C
? The first library in the Unites States was a private library, which could only b e used by authorized readers. In 1633, John Harvard gave money and more than 300 books to a newly-established college in Massachusetts. In return for his generosity, the legislature voted the school be named Harvard College. The librarian t here set rules for the new library. Only college students and faculty members could use the books. No book could be lent for more than one month. ?
The earliest public library was established in Philadelphia in 1731. Although this library was open to every one, all readers had to pay a membership or subscription fee in order to borrow books. Very few subscription libraries exist today. Some book and stationary stores maintain small rental libraries, where anyone m ay borrow books for a daily charge. The first truly free public library that circulated books to every one at no cost was started at a small New England town in 1833. Today, there are more than 7,000 free public libraries throughout the US. They contain about 160 million books which were circulated to over 52 million readers.?
Historically, the major purpose of free public libraries was educational. They were expected to provide adults with the opportunity to continue their education after they left school. So the function of public library was once described as “less reservoir than a fountain”. In other words, emphasis was to be place d on wide circulation rather than on collecting and storing books. Over the year s public library services have greatly expanded. In addition to their continuing and important educational role, public libraries provide culture and recreation , and they are trying to fill many changing community needs. Most libraries offer browsing rooms where readers can relax on comfortable chairs and read current newspapers and magazines. Many also circulate music records. Library programs of films, lectures, reading clubs, and concerts also attract library users. In addition to books, records, periodicals, and reference material, libraries provide technical information such as books and pamphlets on gardening, carpentry and other specialized fields of interests. The largest public library in the US is the Library of Congress. It was originally planned as the reference library f or the federal legislature. Today in addition to that important function, it serves as the reference library for the public, and sends out many books to other libraries on inter-library-loan system.?
Unlike free pubic libraries, which open to everyone, private libraries can be used only by authorized readers. Many industrial and scientific organizations and business firms have collections of books, journals and research data for their staffs. Several private historical associations have research collections of special interest to their members. In addition, many elementary and secondary schools operate libraries for use by students and teachers. Prisons and hospitals maintain libraries too. The largest and the most important private libraries are operated by colleges an d universities, and axe used by students, faculty members, and occasionally by visiting scholars. Many universities have special libraries for research in particular fields, such as law, medicine and education. Recent surveys report that me re than 300 million books are available in these academic libraries and they are regularly used by over 8 million students.?
SECTION B INTERVIEW?
(I: Interviewer N: Nancy)?
I: Hello, Nancy, I know you are one of a few women taxi drivers in the city now, and you drive for a living.? What made you want to be a common taxi driver in the first place??
N: I took pride in driving well, even when I was young for I have to wait until I have a car to learn to drive. When I finally learned, it was something I really enjoyed and still enjoy. I remember how smart those taxi drivers have seemed driving so well, and dressed so neatly in their uniforms. I thought I’d like to do that myself.?
I: You really enjoy driving, I see. And how long have you been a taxi driver??
N: Eh, altogether 12 years.?
I: Mm, it’s been quite some time already, hasn’t it??
N: Yeah.?
I: Then, what did you find the most difficult about becoming a taxi driver??
N: I can still remember when I was first learning to drive. It was scary I didn’ t know yet how to judge distance. And when a big truck came near, it seemed like a wheel was just coming right over me. Anyway, soon I learned to judge distance. I began to look ahead, stopped worrying about trucks and about what was moving on either side.?
I: In your opinion, what does it take to become a good taxi driver??
N: Eh, besides driving well, the most important thing to a taxi driver needs to know is the streets and I know the city well because I have lived in it for a long time. I know all the main streets, and even the side streets. And of course, you have to keep updating your knowledge of the streets because the city changes. There might be a new road appearing somewhere one day.?
I: Now, what about annual leaves? Do you have them??
N: Oh, yes. When I first started, I had only 10 days. Now I have 3 weeks every year with pay.?
I: Just out of curiosity. When you go on vacation to another place or city, do you drive there as well??
N: In most cases, not. I prefer to be driven by others if I go by car. I would also prefer to go by train or plane, if there is a choice. I have already had too much driving in my life, so when I’m on holiday, I just want to relax.?
I: Oh, I see. Let’s come back to your work. Are there any unpleasant aspects in your job??
N: The only serious difficulty in this work is that it’s sometimes dangerous to drive at night. But you have choices, and I always choose to work days rather than at night.?
I: What’ s the best part of your job??
N: I soon found that what I like best about the job was being outdoors, seeing how this city changes from season to season. And there are places of scene I would probably never have seen in another job. And I love all kinds of weather. I like to leave the window down in a fine rain, and, and when I have a long drive, maybe end-of the day, I sometimes go pass my home to tell my two little children I’ll be home soon, when they always want to come along in my car.?
I: Do they? I guess kids all like to be taken for a ride sometimes.?
N: Yes, but you can not take any all along, and thus they pay or you pay for the m. So I’ve to pay their fares one of these days, and take them out in my taxi, because I really think it is fun out into the country side on the long drive, wit h the fresh air and sun shining. You just seem to want to drive for ever. At least that is how it’s for me.?
I: Being a taxi driver, you have to meet all kinds of people. How do you feel about that??
N: I enjoy meeting many different people. I might not have met some of them if not for this job. I learned a lot how people behave in these years.?
I: Can you tell us a bit more about it??
N: The biggest advantage is that you come across various characters in your work . Some people are interesting, some rushed, some pleasant, some funny, some talkative, some so pressed for time that they change clothes in the taxi. Those who are in greatest rush would sometimes forget to pay.?
I: Have you ever met some people who don’t like women drivers??
N: Yeah. Once a passenger really objected to having a woman driver. That I laugh ed him so much that he stopped his fussing. Although there has been one or two cases like this, I still think most people are nice to woman drivers. So this is really an interesting part of my work.?
I: Now my last question. Have you ever thought of changing your job??
N: Not yet. I might in a few years time, but not at this moment, because I really enjoy my work. And I do get lots of satisfaction out of it. So why should I??
I: Ok. Our interview is coming to the end. I’d like to wind up our interview by wishing you good luck in your job. Thank you very much for your time, Nancy.?
N: Pleasure.?
SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST?
News Item 1(For Question 11)?
President Clinton has renewed his attacks on the American tobacco industry. Accusing of using delaying tactics to block anti-smoking legislation, the US congress is considering a bill which will place tight restrictions on tobacco advertising and impose penalties on tobacco companies if they continue to sell cigarettes to children. Mr. Clinton said, it was a fight with the lives of the American children, and he urged congress to move ahead with the bill. But a spokesman f or one of the big tobacco companies called the legislation totally unreasonable, and he said the process had become wholly politicized.??
News Item 2(For Questions 12-13)?
The French President Jacques Chirac is to discuss the efforts to stimulate Japan’s economy during his visit to Japan which begins today. The French President is no stranger to Japan. He’s visited the country 40 times before and t h is will be his second visit as President. Mr. Chirac will hold summit talks wit h Japanese Prime Minister next Monday. He is expected to discuss efforts to boos t Japanese economy as well as investment by Japanese companies in France. He’ll also meet the Emperor and Empress at a luncheon on Tuesday. But perhaps the event that will draw most attention is the launch of a-year-long festival of French art and culture in Japan. A replica of Arch de Triomphe that usually stands in Pad s has been transported to Tokyo Bay for the festival. And Mr. Chirac will unveil it. The festival includes films, theatrical performance, dance and exhibitions, as well as promotions for French food and wine, both of which are very popular in Japan.??
News Item 3(For Questions 14-15)?
Officials of the World Food Program (WFP) say they are receiving information that famine has great part of central Afghanistan. WFP officials say as the winter’s snow begins to melt and high mountain paths begin to clear, local leader s and international aid workers are reporting some people are dying of starvation. Officials say a major disaster affecting hundreds of thousands of people may be in the making. The Taliban are blocking food deliveries to central Afghanistan. The UN has warned for several months that more than one million people are suffering from blockade and 160,000 face starvation. An emergency air-lift of food to central Bombay province was cancelled earlier this year when the Taliban bom bed the local airport. WFP officials say the existing food stocks in that area a re exhausted and an emergency effort will be launched to bring wheat and potatoes into the area.??
SECTION D NOTE-TAKING AND GAP-FILLING?
Good morning. Today I’d like to discuss with you the secrets of good conversation, that is, how to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere.?
When someone tells you that you have to give a speech, your response maybe ”I’ve got to do what? But it’s important to remember that speeches are like anything else in life there’s always a “first time”. People, even those who are wonderful talkers in a conversational setting, are often terrified over the prospect of giving their first speech. Some are scared about it no matter how many speeches they have given before. I suspect you may have the same experience, or have seen others in similar situations. I give speeches many times a year to groups of every possible description. My secret is simply that I think of public speaking as no different from any other form of talk. It’s a way of sharing my though t with other people. You know, in one sense, it’s actually easier than social conversation because you are in complete control of where the talk is going. At the same time you have to have something to say, of course. This leads us to the first key of being a successful public speaker: Talk about something you know about.?
The second key to being a good speaker is to follow the motto of the Boy Sc outs-Be well prepared. Never go to a speech without some prior work on it. If you are talking about a subject you know well, as I’ve just advised, preparing the speech itself should not be too difficult. If you let the audience know where you’re going at the beginning, they will follow you more easily through the body of your speech. At the end of your speech, try to summarize your most important points in slightly different words from the ones you used in your opening.?
Here are some other key tips based on my own speaking experience and what I’ve noticed in other good speakers. Look at your audience. I’ve already said ho w important it is to make eye contact. First, be sure to look up from you text o r notes. Second, don’t talk to the wall in the back, or to the window or to the side. They are not your audience. Each time you look up from your text, look at a different part of the audience, so the whole group feels they’re being address ed. Note the pacing and inflection you want to use in speech. Some speakers, if they’re reading from a complete text, underline the words they want to emphasize . If you are using an outline or notes, highlight ideas or phrases you should stress in your speech with different-colored pen or something. This accomplishes t wo things: It guarantees that your emphasis will be where you intended it to be, and it assures your audience that you won’t be speaking in a dull monotone that will put them to sleep, especially if you’re talking after a heavy meal. Stand up straight. I don’ t mean that you have to assume a parade ground posture, but stand in a comfortable, natural way rather than hunching over the lectern. Hunching constricts your breathing, and it makes you look bad as well. If there’s a microphone in front of you, adjust it to the right height rather than forcing yourself to stoop during the speech. If you can, check this out before it’s your t urn to speak. Talk normally into the microphone. If you speak at a high volume in to it, you will actually be harder to hear. And be careful to keep your mouth in the range of the mike; don’t wave around or turn away to answer a question fro m the side. ?
Last but not the least, a speaker has to keep in mind the value of brevity. It’s not easy to be brief, especially on a topic you know a lot about. But in any kind of communication, it’s always worth taking the time to boil your message down to its essentials. That emphasis on brevity applies even more when you are delivering a speech. The show business expression “know when to get off” come s into play again. And the best public speakers always know when. Some of the longest speeches ever inflicted on the American public have been the inaugural addresses of their presidents. However one of the shortest inaugural addresses is also one of the best remembered and most often quoted. It was delivered on January 20,1960 by John F. Kennedy. Kennedy spoke for less than 15 minutes. We can learn from these speakers, whose ability to talk effectively was central to their suc cess, as is the case with so many successful people in every profession. Brevity is the first thing we can learn from them. If people like Kennedy are willing t o keep it short to maximize their effectiveness as speakers, we should be smart enough to do the same thing.?
To sum up, I’ve mentioned several key points in becoming a successful pub l ic speaker, such as good preparation, audience awareness, brevity, etc. I hope y ou find them very useful in making your speeches effective. Thank you.?
