大学英语听说教程4听力原文及答案


答案在翻译处

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UNIT1

Listen To Understand

News report 1

Donna Nelson was so upset recently after giving up her US citizenship that she threw up. She said it was one of the saddest days of her life.

In 2011, Nelson was one of nearly 2,000 Americans to give up their citizenship. Last year, a record 4,279 people gave up their American citizenship, according to the US Department of the Treasury.

Most of those giving up their US citizenship do so for tax reasons. Peter Spiro, a law professor, said the surge is due to a law to increase enforcement of an existing law requiring US citizens to pay taxes on worldwide income, not just money earned in the United States. Spiro said the United States is the only major country that taxes its citizens on income earned overseas.

According to the US Department of the Treasury, Americans living abroad are required to pay income taxes based on their “worldwide income”. The State Department estimates 7.6 million Americans live outside the United States. Better enforcement can bring in an extra $800 million a year to the United States government, according to a congressional report.

Question 1. What do we learn about Donna Nelson from the news report?

Question 2. Why is the number of people giving up US citizenship increasing?

唐娜·尼尔森最近在放弃美国国籍后非常沮丧,以至于她呕吐了。她说那是她一生中最悲伤的日子之一。

2011年,纳尔逊是近2000名放弃国籍的美国人之一。根据美国财政部的数据,去年有创纪录的4279人放弃了美国国籍。

大多数放弃美国国籍的人都是出于税收原因。法学教授彼得斯皮罗(peterspiro)表示,这一增长是由于一项法律加强了对现有法律的执行力度,该法律要求美国公民对全球收入缴税,而不仅仅是在美国赚取的钱。斯皮罗说,美国是唯一一个对公民海外收入征税的主要国家。

根据美国财政部的说法,居住在国外的美国人需要根据他们的“全球收入”缴纳所得税。美国国务院估计有760万美国人居住在美国境外。根据一份国会报告,更好的执法每年可以为美国政府带来8亿美元的额外收入。

问题1.我们从新闻报道中了解到了唐娜·尼尔森什么?

A. She gave up her US citizenship.

问题2.为什么放弃美国国籍的人数在增加?

D. They are required to pay tax for income earned outside the United States.

News report 2

A few years ago, David, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a book agent. Then one day, he read an article that gave him an idea for his own book. He and his friend Piven produced an instant best-seller about life-and-death situations – and how to survive them.

The article that David was reading told people how they might safely land a small plane if the pilot passes out. It got him thinking about other hair-raising situations in movies and TV shows. Of course it’s one thing for an action hero to escape from such situations. But how would ordinary people do it?

David and Piven produced a pocket-sized book called The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. In its first eight months, it sold more than one million copies and has been reprinted at least a dozen times.

In the book they provide advice on how to survive in cases of dangerous situations. The solutions may sound like common sense, but it could come in handy. The authors have since produced a whole series of guides, reality television shows, and calendars about surviving everything from traveling to college to a game of golf.

Question 1. What is the book David and his friend wrote about?

Question 2. What do we learn about the authors of the book?

几年前,来自宾夕法尼亚州费城的大卫是一名图书代理商。后来有一天,他读了一篇文章,这篇文章给了他自己的书一个想法。他和他的朋友皮文出版了一本关于生死状况以及如何生存的畅销书。

大卫正在读的那篇文章告诉人们,如果飞行员昏倒了,他们怎样才能安全地让一架小飞机着陆。这让他想到了电影和电视剧中其他令人毛骨悚然的场景。当然,对于一个动作英雄来说,逃离这种情况是一回事。但普通人会怎么做呢?

大卫和皮文出版了一本名为《最坏情况下的生存手册》的袖珍书,在发行的头8个月里,这本书的销量超过了100万册,至少再版了12次。

在书中,他们提供了如何在危险情况下生存的建议。这些解决方案听起来像是常识,但可能会派上用场。从那以后,作者们制作了一整套指南、电视真人秀节目和历法,内容涉及从大学旅行到高尔夫球赛的各种生存方式。

问题1.大卫和他的朋友写的那本书是关于什么的?

C. How to survive dangerous situations.

问题2.我们对这本书的作者了解多少?

B. They have made a series of safety guides.

Listen To Communicate

Conversation 1

Sarah: Hi Andrew. What do you do?

Andrew: I work at Weber Shandwick Canada. We’re a leading PR firm and I work as a member of our rapidly growing digital communications team. In Canada, my role is to provide strategic support for our five offices.

Sarah: How long have you been there and what’s the career path that led you to your current role?

Andrew: My career started out when I was at university, studying television and writing. I then got into the industry and quickly shifted my focus to the storytelling side of things with a great company called Marble Media. After a while I moved on to a few tech start-ups but found myself drifting away from that storytelling aspect of my work that I loved so much. That brought me back to the entertainment side of the industry and I got the opportunity to work with Weber Shandwick.

Sarah: I think it is pretty reasonable to call you a networking pro. Have you always been this comfortable meeting new people, or did you have to work at it?

Andrew: If you’ve ever met my dad it’s obvious that talking to strangers runs in my family. I really think that if you’re genuinely interested in learning about other people, there’s very little work involved in meeting someone new.

Sarah: What advice can you give someone that would be looking to follow your career path?

Andrew: I’d say that “go with your heart” has been a saying that’s consistently served me well and I’d encourage others to do the same.

Question 1. What is the man’s main responsibility in his company?

Question 2. What do we learn about the man?

Question 3. What does the man say about dealing with strangers?

Question 4. What advice does the man give to those who want to follow his career path?

莎拉:嗨,安德鲁。你是做什么的?

安德鲁:我在加拿大韦伯山威克公司工作。我们是一家领先的公关公司,我作为我们快速发展的数字通信团队的成员工作。在加拿大,我的作用是为我们的五个办事处提供战略支助。

莎拉:你在那里呆了多久,你现在的工作道路是什么?

安得烈:我的职业生涯从大学开始,学习电视和写作。然后我进入了这个行业,很快就把我的注意力转移到了一家名为大理石媒体的伟大公司的故事方面。过了一会儿,我又开始了一些科技创业公司,但发现自己已经从我非常喜欢的工作中的讲故事的方面溜走了。这让我回到了娱乐圈,我有机会和韦伯·沙德威克合作。

莎拉:我认为把你叫做网络专业人士是很合理的。你是否总是这样舒适地认识新的人,还是必须在工作中工作?

安德鲁:如果你见过我爸爸,很明显,和陌生人谈话会在我家里跑。我真的认为如果你真的对了解别人感兴趣,那么在遇到新的人时,很少有工作要做。

莎拉:你能给一个想追随你职业道路的人什么建议?

安德鲁:我想说“用心去”一直是一句对我有好处的说法,我鼓励别人也这么做。

问题1.该男子在公司的主要责任是什么?

B. To provide strategic support.

问题2.我们对这个人了解多少?

C. He loved the storytelling aspect of his work.

问题3.这个人对与陌生人打交道有什么看法?

C. He is truly interested in learning about new people.

问题4.男人对那些想走自己职业道路的人有什么建议?

A. To follow your heart.

Conversation 2

W: Have you ever noticed that sometimes smart people do dumb things?

M: Yes. Even the smartest people pull dumb moves sometimes. I have a friend who is super smart, but when it comes to street smarts he’s lacking.

W: How does this happen?

M: The truth is that book smarts don’t make a person perfect. In fact, smart people seem prone to spectacular weaknesses in judgment more so than average people.

W: Why?

M: One study published in a journal gave logic problems to people to solve and found that smart people tended to make more mistakes than those of average intellect, because smart people were more likely to take shortcuts or make assumptions due to overconfidence.

W: I see. Overconfidence is what accounts for their making dumb decisions.

M: Yes, it’s the main reason. But overconfidence isn’t the only road to a dumb decision.

W: What are the other contributing factors?

M: Many of the dumb choices they make are motivated by greed, pride, stress, and even sheer laziness.

W: But when hiring, or just putting together a team, people tend to look for the smartest people in the room, right?

M: Yes. Intelligence is what they look for in that game. Once past that, too much intelligence can be a drawback.

W: That sounds bad.

M: Certainly, the job for which you’re hiring makes a difference. I do want big-time intelligence for researchers, analysts, and coders. You can lock those folks in a room and let them do their thing because they work on their own. If they lack emotional intelligence or interpersonal skills, any damage they do is limited because of their independent work. But if you are hiring a manager, it would be different.

W: That makes sense.

Question 1. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

Question 2. What does the man say about book smarts?

Question 3. What did a study find about smart people in solving logic problems?

Question 4. What is the main reason for smart people making dumb decisions according to the man?

W: 你有没有注意到有时候聪明人会做傻事?

M:是的。即使是最聪明的人也会做傻事。我有一个超级聪明的朋友,但说到街头的聪明,他却缺乏。

W: 怎么会这样?

M: 事实上,书的聪明并不能使人完美。事实上,聪明人似乎比一般人更容易在判断上出现惊人的弱点。

W:为什么?

M: 一项发表在杂志上的研究给人们解决逻辑问题,发现聪明人往往犯的错误比一般智力的人多,因为聪明人更容易走捷径或是由于过度自信而做出假设。

W:我明白了。过度自信是他们做出愚蠢决定的原因。

M: 是的,这是主要原因。但是过度自信并不是做出愚蠢决定的唯一途径。

W: 其他哪些因素是造成的?

M: 他们做出的许多愚蠢的选择都是出于贪婪、骄傲、压力,甚至纯粹的懒惰。

W: 但是,当雇佣或只是组建一个团队时,人们往往会在房间里寻找最聪明的人,对吧?

M:是的。智力是他们在那场比赛中所追求的。一旦过去,太多的智力可能是一个缺点。

W: 听起来很糟。

M: 当然,你所雇用的工作有很大的不同。我确实希望研究人员、分析人员和代码人员有大量的时间智力。你可以把那些人锁在房间里,让他们自己做他们的事情,因为他们自己工作。如果他们缺乏情感智力或人际交往技能,他们所做的任何伤害都是有限的,因为他们的独立工作。但是如果你要雇用一个经理,那就不一样了。

W: 这很有道理。

问题1.演讲者主要谈论什么?

B. Why smart people do dumb things.

问题2.那个人对书的聪明有什么看法?

C. Book smarts have their own weaknesses.

问题3.一项研究发现聪明人在解决逻辑问题方面发现了什么?

A. They tended to do worse than average people.

问题4.聪明人根据男人的说法做出愚蠢决定的主要原因是什么?

D. They are too confident.

Listen To Share

Passage 1

Have you ever made a choice or decision by following your gut, even when you know that you are making a mistake? Chances are you have done so at some point in your life, and according to new research, logic plays a much larger role than believed.

In a new study, researchers examined the logic process in subjects. The study focused on the conflict between making a gut decision, and the knowledge that the choice was wrong from the beginning. Researchers posed questions while measuring brain activity – the scans showed that people not only tended to go with their intuition, resulting in the wrong choices, but also were aware of being wrong as they made those choices.

For people who think with their guts, the common answers involved making assessments that were not provided. This shows that gut thinking adds details from the provided information to make a judgment on the situation. This type of thinking was not altered by the intelligence of the individual, meaning that every person is capable of making these mistakes, regardless of education.

This type of biased thinking can be dangerous at higher levels, as well as in our personal relationships. For example, we believe that our leaders are using logic and resources to make decisions, but if they are making policy decisions based on gut reactions, we could be making huge mistakes as a nation. On the other hand, the bias and gut instincts discussed in this study could end up playing a positive role if people realize them in decision-making and make a conscious effort to avoid them.

Question 1. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

Question 2. What did researchers find in the new study?

Question 3. What do we learn about biased thinking?

即使你知道自己在犯错,你是否也曾凭直觉做出过选择或决定?很有可能你在生活中的某个时候就这样做了,根据最新的研究,逻辑所起的作用比人们所相信的要大得多。

在一项新的研究中,研究人员检查了受试者的逻辑过程。这项研究关注的是做出直觉决定和一开始就知道选择是错误的这两者之间的冲突。研究人员在测量大脑活动时提出了问题——扫描显示,人们不仅倾向于按照自己的直觉行事,导致错误的选择,而且在做出这些选择时也意识到自己错了。

对于那些有勇气思考的人来说,常见的答案是做出没有提供的评估。这表明直觉思维从提供的信息中添加了细节,从而对形势做出判断。这种思维方式并没有被个人的智力所改变,这意味着无论受教育程度如何,每个人都有能力犯这些错误。

这种有偏见的思维在更高层次上是危险的,在我们的人际关系中也是如此。例如,我们相信,我们的领导人是在运用逻辑和资源做出决策,但如果他们是根据直觉做出决策,作为一个国家,我们可能会犯巨大的错误。另一方面,如果人们在决策时意识到这些偏见和直觉,并有意识地努力避免它们,那么这项研究中讨论的偏见和直觉最终可能会起到积极的作用。

问题1.演讲者主要谈论什么?

A. Everyone may make a mistake at some point in their life.

问题2.研究人员在新研究中发现了什么?

B. The subjects tended to follow their intuition.

问题3.关于偏见思维,我们学到了什么?

A. It may affect anyone.

Passage 2

We may all face hard choices at one time or another in our lives. What makes a choice hard is the way the alternatives relate. In an easy choice, one alternative is better than the other. In a hard choice, however, one alternative is better in some ways, the other alternative is better in other ways, and neither is better than the other overall. You don’t know whether to stay in your current job in the city or accept a more challenging work in the country because staying is better in some ways, moving is better in others, and neither is better than the other overall.

We shouldn’t think that hard choices are hard because we are stupid. They are hard because there is no best option. When I graduated from college, I couldn’t decide between two careers: philosophy and law. There are amazing things I can learn as a philosopher, and there are things about being a lawyer that attract me.

As I couldn’t figure out which was better, I did what many of us do in hard choices: I took the safest option. Fear of being an unemployed philosopher led me to become a lawyer, and as I soon discovered, being a lawyer didn’t quite fit me. So now I’m a philosopher, and I applaud the choice.

Far from being sources of agony and dread, hard choices are precious opportunities for us to celebrate what is special about the human condition. It is in the space of hard choices that we have the power to create reasons for ourselves to become the distinctive people that we are. And that’s why hard choices are not a curse but a gift.

Question 1. What makes a choice hard according to the speaker?

Question 2. What do many people do when facing hard choices?

Question 3. What does the speaker think of hard choices?

我们都可能在生活中的某个时刻面临艰难的选择。使选择变得困难的是选择之间的关系。在一个简单的选择中,一个选择比另一个好。然而,在一个艰难的选择中,一个选择在某些方面更好,另一个选择在其他方面更好,两者都不比另一个更好。你不知道是继续在城里工作还是在乡下接受一份更具挑战性的工作,因为在某些方面留下来更好,在另一些方面搬家更好,而且两者都不比另一个好。

我们不应该因为愚蠢而认为艰难的选择是艰难的。他们很难,因为没有最好的选择。当我大学毕业时,我无法在两种职业之间做出抉择:哲学和法律。作为一个哲学家,我可以学到很多奇妙的东西,而作为一名律师,我也有很多吸引我的地方。

因为我不知道哪一个更好,我做了我们很多人在艰难抉择中所做的:我选择了最安全的选择。我害怕成为一个失业的哲学家,于是我成为了一名律师,不久我就发现,当律师并不适合我。所以现在我是一个哲学家,我为这个选择鼓掌。

艰难的选择绝非痛苦和恐惧的来源,而是我们庆祝人类处境特殊之处的宝贵机会。正是在艰难选择的空间里,我们才有能力为自己创造理由,成为与众不同的人。这就是为什么艰难的选择不是诅咒而是礼物。

问题1.根据演讲者的说法,是什么让选择变得困难?

A. Neither of the two alternatives is better than the other.

问题2.很多人在面临艰难抉择时会怎么做?

B. They take the safest option.

问题3.演讲者如何看待艰难的选择?

B. They are a gift for us.

UNIT2

Listen To Understand

News report 1

We all know that models give the impression of being slim and thin. “Thin was in and fat was out” in the not too distant past. But things certainly are changing. Plus-size modeling in the fashion industry has taken on a new dimension.

Today, the modeling industry is not only using curvy women for clothing designs, its doors are now opened wide to plus-size figures that most of today’s women can identify with.

Because of the past conception, plus-size women never considered themselves suitable to become fashion models. They hardly considered the modeling profession and barely desired to become a model.

This is hardly surprising. The fashion industry used to regard being fat as being undesirable, and they never considered fashion for the everyday woman. But then, their attention focused only on the minority. The majority of women the world over are curvy. As a matter of fact, every woman wants to have curves to be proud of.

Looking on the bright side, this is a good development for very young models. They no longer need to take dangerous diet paths to become or remain thin.

Question 1. What change is taking place in the modeling industry?

Question 2. Why has plus-size modeling become popular?

我们都知道模特给人的印象是苗条而苗条。”在不远的过去,“瘦在里面,胖在外面”。但情况确实在改变。加大尺寸的模特在时尚界已经有了新的发展。

如今,模特行业不仅在服装设计中使用曲线优美的女性,如今,大多数现代女性都能认同的加码身材也为模特行业敞开了大门。

由于过去的观念,身材偏大的女性从不认为自己适合成为时装模特。他们几乎不考虑模特职业,也几乎不想成为模特。

这并不奇怪。时尚界过去认为肥胖是不受欢迎的,他们从来没有考虑过日常女性的时尚。但后来,他们的注意力只集中在少数人身上。世界上大多数女性都是曲线型的。事实上,每个女人都想拥有值得骄傲的曲线。

从好的方面来看,这对于非常年轻的车型来说是一个很好的发展。他们不再需要采取危险的饮食方式来变瘦或保持苗条。

问题1.模特行业正在发生什么变化?

B. It is using plus-size women as models.

问题2.为什么加大尺寸的造型变得流行?

C. Plus-size modeling focuses on the everyday woman.

News report 2

London Fashion Week has always been an affair accessible to few. Those who are interested in fashion have had to wait for glossy magazines and blogs to tell them what to wear next. But this year the Fashion Week was starting to change. Around half the shows were broadcast live on the Internet and TV channels.

This effort to bring Fashion Week to a wider audience is likely to pay off. More wearable versions of the transparent outfits that entertained audiences in London this month will soon appear in shops across the country. In the week following last September’s shows, online fashion sales were up 45%.

The changes seen at the shows are part of a wider effort to bring a businesslike approach to British fashion. London has long been a breeding ground for brilliant designers. But a tendency to focus on art over business has meant that too many designers have failed to make the most of their critical acclaim.

The British Fashion Council wants to change that. Since 2009, the council has pushed to make young designers more market-oriented and encourage greater investment in fashion.

Question 1. What was the change about this year’s London Fashion Week?

Question 2. Why does the British Fashion Council want to make the change?

伦敦时装周一直是很少人能接触到的事情。那些对时尚感兴趣的人不得不等待光鲜的杂志和博客来告诉他们下一步该穿什么。但今年时装周开始发生变化。大约一半的节目是通过互联网和电视频道直播的。

为使时装周吸引更多观众所做的努力可能会有回报。本月在伦敦吸引观众的透明服装的更多可穿戴版本将很快出现在全国的商店里。在去年9月时装秀之后的一周里,网上时装销售增长了45%。

在时装秀上看到的这些变化是更广泛努力的一部分,旨在为英国时尚带来一种商业化的方式。长期以来,伦敦一直是培养杰出设计师的温床。但是,一种将注意力放在艺术而非商业上的趋势意味着太多的设计师未能充分利用他们的评论赞誉。

英国时装协会希望改变这种状况。自2009年以来,该委员会一直致力于让年轻设计师更具市场导向性,并鼓励在时尚领域加大投资。

问题1.今年伦敦时装周有什么变化?

C. Some of the shows could be seen live online.

问题2.英国时尚协会为什么要做出改变?

A. To promote fashion sales.

Listen To Communicate

Conversation 1

Hostess: Hello, Dr Kevin. We know you are a famous plastic surgeon with many years’ experience in the field of facial surgery. Tell us what impressed you most.

Dr Kevin: Patients hide the fact they are having plastic surgery on their face from their husbands and children. Most women decide to have plastic surgery without consulting their nearest and dearest.

Hostess: But why? Are women ashamed of getting plastic surgery? Do they think their husbands will try and talk them out of it?

Dr Kevin: Well, their husbands tend to be unhappy about surgery. They would say “I love her the way she is, why would she risk doing that?”

Hostess: If the husband loves his wife the way she is, then why is she getting plastic surgery? Is she mad?

Dr Kevin: People have surgery not to impress others; they do it to impress themselves. For many people, it’s about getting their confidence back. They’re doing it purely for themselves and their own self-esteem.

Hostess: Still, self-esteem comes from inside, not the way you look. Shouldn’t we be learning to love our inner selves, not give in to the endless pressure from Hollywood films, TV adverts and gossip magazines?

Dr Kevin: In an ideal world, yes, but that doesn’t usually happen in real life. In real life we’re paying too much attention to one’s look.

Hostess: Do you select your patients? Or would you accept anyone that comes to you?

Dr Kevin: I only operate on those women who are mature enough to know what they’re doing and handle the consequences in the rare event something should go wrong. My youngest patient has been a 16-year-old girl who wanted a nose job, but more common are middle-aged women asking for surgery to improve the bags under their eyes.

Question 1. What impressed Dr Kevin most as a plastic surgeon?

Question 2. What is the reason for women to have plastic surgery?

Question 3. What does the hostess think about people who have plastic surgery?

Question 4. Which of the following can be Dr Kevin’s common patients?

女主人:你好,凯文医生。我们知道你是一位著名的整形外科医生,在面部外科领域有多年的经验。告诉我们你印象最深的是什么。

凯文医生:病人对丈夫和孩子隐瞒他们正在做面部整形手术的事实。大多数女性决定在没有咨询最亲近的人的情况下进行整形手术。

女主人:但是为什么?女人为整形感到羞耻吗?他们认为他们的丈夫会劝他们放弃吗?

凯文医生:他们的丈夫往往对手术不满意。他们会说:“我爱她现在的样子,她为什么要冒险这么做?”

女主人:如果丈夫是这样爱他的妻子,那么她为什么要做整形手术呢?她疯了吗?

凯文医生:人们做手术不是为了给别人留下深刻印象;他们这样做是为了给自己留下深刻印象。对很多人来说,这是为了找回信心。他们这样做纯粹是为了自己和自尊。

女主人:不过,自尊来自内心,而不是你的外表。难道我们不应该学会爱自己的内心,不应该屈服于好莱坞电影、电视广告和八卦杂志的无尽压力吗?

凯文博士:在一个理想的世界里,是的,但现实生活中通常不会发生这种情况。在现实生活中,我们太注重外表了。

女主人:你选病人吗?或者你愿意接受任何来找你的人?

凯文医生:我只给那些足够成熟的女性做手术,她们知道自己在做什么,并能在罕见的情况下处理出问题的后果。我最小的病人是一个16岁的女孩,她想做鼻子整形手术,但更常见的是中年妇女要求做手术来改善眼袋。

问题1.作为一名整形外科医生,凯文医生印象最深的是什么?

B. Many women lie to their families about the surgery.

问题2.女性做整形手术的原因是什么?

B. To gain self-confidence.

问题3.女主人对做整形手术的人怎么看?

A. They can get their confidence back by inner beauty.

问题4.以下哪一项是凯文医生的常见病患?

D. Women who know what they are doing.

Conversation 2

Ruth: What is beauty in your eyes?

Paul: Hard to say. It’s a highly subjective concept, and different cultures may have different ideas and standards of beauty.

Ruth: Absolutely. In the US and in much of Europe, the ideal physical shape for a woman is to be very thin with large breasts. But in other countries, thinness is actually the opposite of ideal.

Paul: Indeed so. I read somewhere that in South Africa, a mid-level weight is desired, neither too heavy nor too thin.

Ruth: And the beauty of skin. It’s also culturally different. In the US, tanned skin is considered beautiful and healthy. In many other countries, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, paler skin is considered much more beautiful.

Paul: That’s why plenty of women in the US spend money on self-tanning creams, and in other parts of the world women spend money on creams that make them look paler.

Ruth: You are right. In many places, people who feel that they do not live up to their culture’s standards for beauty will choose plastic surgery to make themselves attractive.

Paul: Yes. But this is something I am against. Because beauty standards vary so much between cultures, we truly are able to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no matter where you are.

Ruth: Women don’t think so. Being beautiful is the No.1 thing for them.

Paul: Well. Outer beauty is skin deep. Inner beauty is what really counts.

Question 1. What does the man think about beauty?

Question 2. Which of the following is true in South Africa?

Question 3. What do many American women do to look beautiful?

Question 4. What is the man’s attitude toward plastic surgery?

露丝:你眼中的美是什么?

保罗:很难说。这是一个高度主观的概念,不同的文化对美可能有不同的观念和标准。

露丝:当然。在美国和欧洲大部分地区,女性理想的体形是非常瘦,胸部很大。但在其他国家,瘦实际上是理想的反面。

保罗:确实如此。我在某个地方读到,在南非,中等体重是理想的,既不太重也不太瘦。

露丝:还有皮肤的美丽。这在文化上也是不同的。在美国,晒黑的皮肤被认为是美丽和健康的。在许多其他国家,特别是在亚洲和中东,苍白的皮肤被认为更美丽。

保罗:这就是为什么在美国很多女性会花钱买自晒面霜,而在世界其他地方,女性会花钱买面霜,让面霜看起来更苍白。

露丝:你说得对。在许多地方,人们如果觉得自己没有达到自己文化中的审美标准,就会选择整形手术来吸引自己。

保罗:是的。但这是我反对的。因为不同文化的人对美的标准差异很大,我们真的可以说,美是在旁观者的眼中,无论你在哪里。

露丝:女人不这么认为。美丽是他们的头等大事。

保罗:嗯。外表美是肤浅的。内在美才是真正重要的。

问题1.男人怎么看待美?

C. Beauty has different cultural standards.

问题2.以下哪项在南非是正确的?

A. A mid-level weight is desired.

问题3.很多美国女人做什么才能看起来漂亮?

A. They use self-tanning creams.

问题4.男士对整形手术的态度如何?

B. Negative.

Listen To Share

Passage 1

Beauty has always been regarded as something praiseworthy. Almost everyone thinks attractive people are happier and healthier, have better marriages and have more respectable occupations. Even judges are softer on attractive defendants.

While attractiveness is a positive factor for a man on his way up the executive ladder, it is harmful to a woman.

Handsome male executives were thought as having more integrity than plainer men; effort and ability were thought to account for their success. Attractive female executives were considered to have less integrity than unattractive ones; their success was attributed not to ability but to factors such as luck.

Why are attractive women not thought to be able? An attractive woman is thought to be more feminine than the less attractive ones. Thus, an attractive woman has an advantage in traditionally female jobs, but an attractive woman in a traditionally masculine position appears to lack the “masculine” qualities required.

This is true even in politics. “When the only clue is how he or she looks, people treat men and women differently,” says Anne Bowman, who recently published a study on the effects of attractiveness on political candidates. She asked 125 undergraduate students to rank two groups of photographs, one of men and one of women, in order of attractiveness. Then the students were told the photographs were of candidates for political offices. They were asked to rank them again, in the order they would vote for them.

The results showed that attractive males utterly defeated unattractive men, but the women who had been ranked most attractive invariably received the fewest votes.

Question 1. What is the purpose of the speaker in making the speech?

Question 2. What does “attractiveness” mean for women in traditionally female jobs?

Question 3. What did Bowman’s experiment reveal about attractiveness in politics?

美一直被认为是值得称赞的。几乎每个人都认为有魅力的人更幸福、更健康、婚姻更美满、职业更体面。即使是法官对有吸引力的被告也比较温和。

虽然吸引力是一个男人晋升行政级别的一个积极因素,但对女人来说却是有害的。

英俊的男性高管被认为比普通男性更正直;努力和能力被认为是他们成功的原因。有魅力的女性高管被认为比没有魅力的高管更缺乏诚信;他们的成功不是因为能力,而是因为运气等因素。

为什么有魅力的女人不被认为是有能力的?有魅力的女人被认为比没有魅力的女人更有女人味。因此,一个有魅力的女人在传统的女性工作中有优势,但一个有魅力的女人在传统的男性职位上似乎缺乏所需的“男性”品质。

即使在政治上也是如此。”安妮·鲍曼最近发表了一项关于吸引力对政治候选人影响的研究,她说:“当唯一的线索是他或她长相如何时,人们对待男人和女人就不同了。”。她让125名本科生将两组照片按吸引力排序,一组是男性,一组是女性。然后学生们被告知照片是政治职位候选人的照片。他们被要求按照投票的先后顺序对他们重新排序。

结果显示,有魅力的男性完全击败了没有魅力的男性,但是那些被认为最有魅力的女性获得的选票总是最少的。

问题1.演讲者演讲的目的是什么?

D. To discuss the negative aspects of being attractive.

问题2.“吸引力”对从事传统女性工作的女性意味着什么?

A. It is an advantage to them.

问题3.鲍曼的实验揭示了政治吸引力的哪些方面?

B. It is more of an obstacle to women.

Passage 2

As part of the brand’s “Choose Beautiful” campaign, Dove set up signs above side-by-side doors in five cities around the world. In each city, one door read “Beautiful” and the other “Average”. A camera crew then observed the way women reacted to the marked doors – and which one they ultimately walked through. The results will show how women perceive their own beauty.

Most of the women walked through the “Average” door. Some laughed and walked through their chosen entrance quickly, while others paused and thought about the choice they were about to make.

“Women make thousands of choices each day – related to their careers, their families, and, let’s not forget, themselves,” Dove said in a press release. “Feeling beautiful is one of those choices that women are entitled to make for themselves.”

As a part of the campaign, Dove interviewed 6,400 women between the ages of 18 and 64 in 20 countries around the world about how they perceive beauty in themselves and other women. Ninety-six percent of women surveyed said they don’t see themselves as beautiful, but 80 percent believed every woman has something beautiful about her. While many women can see the beauty in other women, it’s sometimes harder to see it in ourselves.

“Women around the world have the power to embrace their beauty, and yet many of us do not,” Dove’s Senior Global Director Victoria said. “Dove wanted to inspire women to seize the opportunity to choose what makes us feel beautiful every day – because when we do, it unlocks confidence and happiness.”

Question 1. What is the purpose of the “Choose Beautiful” campaign?

Question 2. What is the finding of the campaign?

Question 3. What is found about the women interviewed?

作为品牌“选择美丽”活动的一部分,多夫在全球五个城市的并排门上方设置了标志。在每个城市,一扇门都写着“美丽”,另一扇门则是“普通”。然后,一个摄制组观察了女性对标记门的反应——以及她们最终走过的门。结果将显示女性如何看待自己的美丽。

大多数女性都是走过“普通”的门。有些人笑着,很快穿过他们选择的入口,而另一些人则停下来,想着他们即将做出的选择。

多夫在一份新闻稿中说:“女性每天都会做出成千上万的选择——与她们的职业、家庭以及他们自己有关,让我们不要忘记自己。”感觉美丽是女性有权为自己做出的选择之一。”

作为这项运动的一部分,多夫在世界20个国家采访了6400名18至64岁的妇女,介绍她们如何看待自己和其他女性的美丽。96%的受访女性表示自己并不认为自己漂亮,但80%的女性认为每个女人都有自己美丽的一面。虽然很多女人能看到其他女人的美丽,但有时候我们自己也很难看到它。

多夫的全球高级总监维多利亚说:“世界各地的女性都有权拥抱她们的美丽,但我们中的许多人却没有。”鸽子想激励女性抓住机会选择让我们每天都感觉美丽的东西,因为当我们这样做的时候,它会释放自信和幸福。”

问题1,“选择美丽”运动的目的是什么?

A. To test how women evaluate their own beauty.

问题2.竞选的结果是什么?

B. Most women thought themselves to be average.

问题3.被采访的妇女有什么发现?

D. Many of them see more beauty in other women.

UNIT3

Listen To Understand

News report 1

Women entrepreneurs are getting more help and resources from governments, universities and corporations.

The number of women-owned businesses in the US increased 45 percent from 2001 to 2011, says the Center for Women’s Business Research.

Raising capital is a major problem for start-ups because they need money to grow. In the US, only 2 percent of women-run start-ups receive funding from venture capitalists.

Now more organizations are providing funding for women-owned start-ups. Springboard Enterprises in Washington, D.C. is one of them. The organization introduces women-owned start-ups to investors.

Golden Seeds in New York City is another organization that focuses on investing in women-owned businesses. Golden Seeds has more than 285 women angel investors in the US. Another factor fueling women’s entrepreneurship is the rise of “incubators” for start-up companies. Incubators are often located at universities. They provide expert entrepreneurs as mentors and introduce investors.

Technology is another factor driving women’s entrepreneurship. Tools like Skype, social media and web programs that share documents help. It is now easier and cheaper to work globally for both men and women entrepreneurs.

Question 1. What happened to women-owned businesses in the US from 2001 to 2011?

Question 2. How do incubators help women entrepreneurs?

女企业家正从政府、大学和企业获得更多的帮助和资源。

美国女性商业研究中心表示,从2001年到2011年,美国女性拥有的企业数量增加了45%。

对于初创企业来说,筹集资金是一个主要问题,因为它们需要资金来发展。在美国,只有2%的女性经营的初创企业获得了风险资本家的资助。

现在,更多的组织正在为女性拥有的初创企业提供资金。华盛顿特区的跳板企业就是其中之一。该组织向投资者介绍女性拥有的初创企业。

纽约市的金种子是另一个专注于投资女性企业的组织。Golden Seeds在美国有超过285名女性天使投资人。推动女性创业的另一个因素是初创企业“孵化器”的兴起。孵化器通常设在大学里。他们提供专家企业家作为导师,并介绍投资者。

科技是推动女性创业的另一个因素。Skype、社交媒体和共享文档的网络程序等工具都有帮助。现在,无论对男性还是女性企业家来说,在全球范围内工作都更容易、更便宜。

问题1.从2001年到2011年,美国女性拥有的企业发生了什么?

B. They increased in number by 45 percent.

问题2.孵化器如何帮助女企业家?

A. They help introduce investors.

News report 2

Here’s a chance for Indian children as young as 11 to learn how to start a company. The US-based Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) is set to launch its first program in India. It looks to transform local middle and high school students into real, confident entrepreneurs.

The 25-week classes will be launched in Delhi and Mumbai with 30 students each. YEA seeks to prepare students to launch their own companies.

“Increasingly, the youth want to learn skills and they take risks at a much earlier age,” said an Indian American entrepreneur. “This program is aimed at providing them experiential learning early on.”

In each day’s session students will generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans and present them to a panel of investors for start-up funding. By the end of the course, students launch their own real companies. Most of the ideas will get funded by YEA.

The program will help in creating an entrepreneurial mindset for youngsters, and it will give them an understanding of how businesses operate and what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Question 1. What is the goal of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy program in India?

Question 2. What will the students do in the classes every day?

这是一个让印度11岁的孩子学习如何创办公司的机会。总部设在美国的青年企业家学院(YEA)将在印度启动其第一个项目。它希望把当地的中学生转变成真正、自信的企业家。

为期25周的课程将在德里和孟买启动,每个班有30名学生。YEA旨在让学生为创办自己的公司做好准备。

一位印裔美国企业家说:“越来越多的年轻人想学习技能,他们在更早的年龄就开始冒险。”该项目旨在为他们提供早期体验式学习。”

在每天的课程中,学生将产生商业想法,进行市场研究,撰写商业计划书,并将其提交给投资者小组,以获得启动资金。课程结束时,学生们将创办自己真正的公司。大多数创意都会得到YEA的资助。

这个项目将有助于为年轻人创造一种创业心态,让他们了解企业如何运作,成为一名企业家意味着什么。

问题1.印度青年企业家学院项目的目标是什么?

C. To support young entrepreneurs.

问题2.学生们每天在课堂上做什么?

A. Write business plans.

Listen To Communicate

Conversation 1

Cathy: What’s up, Ben? You look tired.

Ben: Yes, I’m too tired. My company has been holding too many training sessions lately.

Cathy: That’s good. Not every company provides employees with training opportunities. It seems that your company wants to further develop its employees and encourage lifelong learning.

Ben: Yes. You know, I am a project manager, and the training classes are very helpful for my work. But it sometimes makes me feel tired.

Cathy: What’s the problem?

Ben: We have to participate in training after a busy day and during the weekend. You know, after work all you want to do is throw yourself onto your bed. And during the weekend, you just want to stay at home and enjoy a family dinner.

Cathy: Yes, you’re right. But we should keep learning daily to keep ourselves informed and expand our intellectual capacity. Constant learning can drive us to sharpen our power of reasoning, analysis and judgment.

Ben: Yes, I agree with you on that point. But couldn’t the training be held during the working day instead of weekend? You can imagine what it’s like to attend training classes after a whole week’s work. It’s simply hard to concentrate.

Cathy: Yes, you’re right. Weekend is the time for family gathering and relaxation. Haven’t you ever talked to your boss? Tell him frankly how you feel and see if the company can make a change.

Ben: The problem is the boss himself is at the training during the weekend. That’s why we’ve wanted to talk to him but restrained ourselves.

Cathy: Then save your complaint. You’ve got to adjust yourself. If others can live with the weekend training, you can too.

Question 1. What does the man think of the training sessions?

Question 2. Why do we need to learn according to the woman?

Question 3. What suggestion does the woman give to the man?

Question 4. What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?

凯茜:怎么了,本?你看起来很累。

本:是的,我太累了。我的公司最近举办了太多的培训班。

凯茜:那很好。并非每家公司都为员工提供培训机会。看来贵公司想进一步发展员工,鼓励终身学习。

本:是的。你知道,我是个项目经理,培训班对我的工作很有帮助。但有时会让我觉得累。

凯茜:有什么问题吗?

本:忙碌了一天后,周末我们要参加训练。你知道,下班后你只想躺在床上。在周末,你只想呆在家里享受一顿家庭晚餐。

凯茜:是的,你说得对。但是我们应该每天坚持学习,让自己了解情况,扩大我们的智力。不断的学习可以促使我们提高推理、分析和判断的能力。

本:是的,我同意你的观点。但是培训不能在工作日而不是周末进行吗?你可以想象一周工作后参加培训班的感觉。很难集中注意力。

凯茜:是的,你说得对。周末是家庭聚会和放松的时间。你没跟你老板谈过吗?坦率地告诉他你的感受,看看公司能否做出改变。

本:问题是老板自己周末也在训练。这就是为什么我们想和他谈谈却克制自己。

凯茜:那就别抱怨了。你得调整一下自己。如果其他人能接受周末的训练,你也可以。

问题1.男士对培训课程有何看法?

C. They make him feel tired.

问题2.为什么我们要按照女人的话来学习?

C. To keep ourselves informed.

问题3.女人给男人什么建议?

A. To talk it over with his boss.

问题4.两位发言者之间可能的关系是什么?

A. Friends.

Conversation 2

Sarah: Hi Peter. What’s your start-up and what do you do there?

Peter: My start-up is Star Tech, which seeks to improve companies’ performance in the market.

Sarah: Have you always wanted to work in a start-up?

Peter: I haven’t really set out to work in a start-up. I won an award for a business plan exactly a decade ago and really haven’t looked back. I competed in a few other business plan competitions and then started this company. I have had a couple of jobs in economics and finance but that type of work never fulfilled me. So, I feel much more comfortable in start-up environments.

Sarah: Currently, you divide your focus between start-up life and modeling. What’s the biggest challenge of splitting your time?

Peter: The biggest challenge is dealing with the different mindsets in each sector. There is very little overlap between fashion and entrepreneurship. The expectations are so opposite, one physical and the other mental, that it’s a challenge going from one to the other.

Sarah: What do you love most about doing the two?

Peter: I love the creative aspects of fashion. It’s always inspiring to see artists at work, whether they are designers, makeup artists or photographers. Start-ups are more about the challenge of setting goals and meeting them. It’s really fulfilling to see a product add value for the consumer.

Sarah: What advice would you give someone looking to follow in your footsteps?

Peter: I think you have to do what you love and always strive to create more. Another important piece of advice is not to compare yourself to other people. Sometimes it takes longer to succeed as an entrepreneur and that’s okay.

Question 1. What does the man’s company Star Tech aim to do?

Question 2. What job has the man once given up?

Question 3. What is most challenging for the man when doing two jobs at the same time?

Question 4. How to achieve success as advised by the man?

莎拉:嗨,彼得。你的初创公司是什么?你在那里做什么?

彼得:我的初创公司是星空科技,它致力于提高公司在市场上的表现。

莎拉:你一直想在初创公司工作吗?

彼得:我还没有真正开始在初创企业工作。整整十年前,我因为一份商业计划书而获奖,但我真的没有回头看。我参加了其他一些商业计划竞赛,然后创办了这家公司。我曾在经济和金融领域做过几份工作,但那类工作从未使我满意。所以,我在创业环境中感觉舒服多了。

莎拉:目前,你的重点是创业生活和模特。分配时间最大的挑战是什么?

彼得:最大的挑战是处理每个部门的不同心态。时尚和创业之间几乎没有重叠。期望是如此的相反,一个身体上的,另一个心理上的,这是一个挑战,从一个到另一个。

莎拉:做这两件事你最喜欢什么?

彼得:我喜欢时尚的创意。无论是设计师、化妆师还是摄影师,在工作中看到艺术家总是令人振奋的。初创企业更关心的是设定目标和实现目标的挑战。看到一个产品为消费者增加了价值,真的很满足。

莎拉:你会给那些想追随你脚步的人什么建议?

彼得:我认为你必须做你喜欢做的事,并且总是努力创造更多。另一条重要的建议是不要把自己和别人比较。有时候,作为一个企业家,成功需要更长的时间,这没关系。

问题1.这位男士的公司Star Tech的目标是什么?

D. To help companies perform better in the market.

问题2.这个人曾经放弃过什么工作?

A. Finance

问题3.当一个人同时做两份工作时,对他来说最具挑战性的是什么?

B. Switching mindsets.

问题4.如何按照男人的建议取得成功?

A. To be more creative.

Listen To Share

Passage 1

Is “entrepreneur” just another term for former troublemaker? A new study exploring the personality traits of successful entrepreneurs suggests that people like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg might share similar pasts as well as high salaries.

A recent study found that entrepreneurs actually earn about 50 percent more than their salaried counterparts working in the same industry with the same level of education.

And researcher Ross Levine found that entrepreneurs are identifiable not only by their earning potential, but also by certain character traits that appear throughout their youth.

The study showed that many people who succeed in novel ventures have high IQs, come from stable families with parents who earn higher than average incomes, and have exceptional confidence and self-esteem. However, people who become entrepreneurs also have some more surprising traits in common.

“Our data revealed that many successful entrepreneurs exhibited aggressive behavior and got in trouble as teenagers,” Levine said. “This is the person who wasn’t afraid to break the rules, take things by force or even be involved in minor drugs.”

The study found that young people who possessed these trouble-making qualities went on to become high-earning salaried workers. And when opening their own businesses, they made 70 percent more money than they ever had as employees.

“What we find is that a particular set of traits turns out to be a strong predictor of who is going to become an entrepreneur later in life and whether that person is going to be a high-earner when he or she launches a business,” Levine said.

Question 1. What do successful entrepreneurs have in common?

Question 2. What did Ross Levine find out about entrepreneurs?

Question 3. What is found about young people with aggressive behavior?

“企业家”只是对前麻烦制造者的另一个称呼吗?一项研究成功企业家性格特征的新研究表明,像比尔·盖茨和马克·扎克伯格这样的人可能有着相似的过去,也有着高薪。

最近的一项研究发现,企业家的实际收入比在同一行业工作、受教育程度相同的受薪员工高出50%左右。

研究人员罗斯·莱文发现,企业家的身份不仅取决于他们的收入潜力,还取决于他们整个青年时期所表现出来的某些性格特征。

这项研究表明,许多在创新创业中取得成功的人智商很高,他们来自稳定的家庭,父母收入高于平均水平,而且有非凡的自信和自尊。然而,成为企业家的人也有一些更令人惊讶的共同点。

莱文说:“我们的数据显示,许多成功的企业家表现出攻击性行为,在青少年时期就遇到了麻烦。”这是一个不怕违反规则、强忍甚至卷入轻微毒品的人。”

研究发现,拥有这些制造麻烦的特质的年轻人会成为高收入的工薪阶层。当他们自己开公司的时候,他们赚的钱比他们当员工时多了70%。

莱文说:“我们发现,一组特定的特质最终成为一个强有力的预测因素,可以预测谁将在以后的生活中成为一名企业家,以及这个人在创业时是否会成为一名高收入者。”。

问题1.成功的企业家有什么共同点?

A. Past experience.

问题2.罗斯·莱文对企业家有何发现?

C. They have some special personality traits.

问题3.有攻击行为的年轻人有什么发现?

A. They earn more money.

Passage 2

Family businesses need to bridge three key gaps – generation, credibility and communication, to ensure clean succession, says a new research based on a survey of more than 200 next generation family members in 21 countries worldwide.

According to the findings, the next generation is ambitious, with 85% wanting to do something significant and special. Around 80% have big ideas for change and growth while 60% say gaining the respect of their co-workers is the biggest challenge.

The survey focused on the issue of succession: how family firms are planning for this, how the next generation views this, and the challenges all family firms face in implementing this.

Globally, only 12% of family firms make it to a third generation, and only 1% beyond the 5th. The transition from one generation to the next is a potential danger: It can make or break the business.

The current generation is not always confident that their children are ready and able to take over, which explains why more family firms are bringing in external CEOs. The next generation can no longer be confident about running the business one day: 73% of those likely to take over the business one day said they are looking forward to doing this, while only 35% thought it was definite, and as many as 29% thought it likely.

The key is clarity of roles and responsibilities, and openness in communication, especially in relation to succession planning, where an independent mediator can help bridge the gap, and ensure the next generation is prepared to succeed, suggests the study.

Question 1. What is the survey mainly about?

Question 2. Why do many family firms employ external CEOs?

Question 3. What does the study suggest for the development of family firms?

一项基于对全球21个国家200多名下一代家庭成员的调查的新研究称,家族企业需要弥合三个关键差距:世代、信誉和沟通,以确保干净的继任。

根据调查结果,下一代人雄心勃勃,85%的人想做一些有意义和特别的事情。大约80%的人对变革和增长有远大的想法,而60%的人说,赢得同事的尊重是最大的挑战。

这项调查的重点是接班问题:家族企业如何规划接班,下一代如何看待接班,以及所有家族企业在实施接班时面临的挑战。

在全球范围内,只有12%的家族企业发展到了第三代,只有1%的家族企业超过了第五代。从一代人到下一代人的转变是一个潜在的危险:它可以使企业成功,也可以使企业破产。

当代人并不总是对自己的孩子做好接班的准备和能力充满信心,这也解释了为什么越来越多的家族企业会引进外部CEO。下一代人再也不能对有一天经营这项业务充满信心:73%有可能有一天接管这项业务的人表示,他们期待着这样做,而只有35%的人认为这是肯定的,多达29%的人认为这是可能的。

研究表明,关键在于角色和责任的明确性,以及沟通的开放性,特别是在继任计划方面,独立的调解人可以帮助弥合差距,确保下一代做好成功的准备。

问题1.调查的主要内容是什么?

B. Succession of family businesses.

问题2.为什么许多家族企业会聘请外部CEO?

D. The next generation may not be competent.

问题3.研究对家族企业的发展有何建议?

D. To seek advice from a mediator.

UNIT 4

Listen To Understand

News report 1

“Here’s your prescription, walk in the forest five times a week for an hour.”

According to experts, it is expected that doctors will be giving health advice like this in the not too distant future.

After decades of research, the scientific world is moving closer to explaining how exposure to nature seems to promote well-being.

A recent US study found that being close to nature might soothe the mind by reducing negative thoughts in the mind.

A team at Stanford University compared the effects of taking a nature walk through a green space with a walk in an urban environment. They found reduced risk of mental illness in participants who took a 90-minute walk among oaks, birds and squirrels.

Gregory Batman, one of the researchers on the study, says never before have so many of us been removed from nature. Some cities and nations are already thinking about the mental health benefits of nature when designing urban areas.

The Stanford University team is looking at ways to make use of the nature experience to find ways to bring nature into the city.

Question 1. What health advice may doctors give in the future?

Question 2. What do we learn from the study by Stanford University?

“这是你的处方,每周在森林里散步五次,每次一小时。”

据专家们说,在不远的将来,医生们会给出这样的健康建议。

经过几十年的研究,科学界正越来越接近于解释接触大自然似乎如何促进幸福。

美国最近的一项研究发现,亲近大自然可以通过减少大脑中的负面想法来安抚心灵。

斯坦福大学的一个小组比较了在城市环境中散步和穿越自然环境的效果。他们发现,在橡树、鸟类和松鼠中间散步90分钟的参与者患精神疾病的风险降低。

格雷戈里·蝙蝠侠是这项研究的研究人员之一,他说,我们中从来没有这么多人离开过大自然。一些城市和国家在设计城区时已经开始考虑大自然对心理健康的好处。

斯坦福大学团队正在寻找利用自然体验的方法来寻找将大自然带入城市的方法。

问题1.未来医生会给出什么健康建议?

A. Walk in a forest.

问题2:我们从斯坦福大学的研究中学到了什么?

B. A walk in nature is good for mental health.

News report 2

Japan is looking to recycle old technology, including smartphones, to create Olympic medals for Tokyo 2020.

According to the report, organizers of the next Olympic Games would like gold, silver and bronze medals to be sourced purely from donated electronics.

The idea isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds: Our smartphones contain the gold, silver and copper that can be recycled for use in new electronics, though in small amounts. But all those small amounts add up, and Japan is looking to use those metals to make the most memorable medals in sport.

The organizers are asking Japanese firms to design recycling schemes to help encourage citizens to donate. If the schemes are successful it would mean the usual practice of getting precious material mines to donate the metal for the medals would cease, or at least be dramatically reduced.

And knowing that part of your old smartphone has become one of the most memorable medals in sport may be enough to persuade people to donate to the cause.

Question 1. Why are people asked to donate electronics in Japan?

Question 2. Where does the raw material for Olympic medals normally come from?

日本希望回收旧技术,包括智能手机,为2020年东京奥运会创造奖牌。

据报道,下届奥运会的组织者希望金牌、银牌和铜牌完全来自捐赠的电子产品。

这个想法并不像听起来那么牵强:我们的智能手机中含有金、银和铜,它们可以回收用于新的电子产品,尽管数量很少。但所有这些少量的金属加起来,日本正试图用这些金属制造出体育界最令人难忘的奖牌。

组织者要求日本公司设计回收方案,以帮助鼓励公民捐款。如果这些计划成功的话,这将意味着让珍贵的材料矿捐赠奖牌金属的惯例将停止,或者至少将大幅减少。

而知道你的旧智能手机的一部分已经成为体育界最令人难忘的奖牌之一,或许足以说服人们为这项事业捐款。

问题1.为什么在日本人们被要求捐赠电子产品?

C. To use the metals for Olympic medals.

问题2.奥运奖牌的原材料通常来自哪里?

A. Gained from mines.

Listen To Communicate

Conversation 1

Cindy: I saw a program about space travel yesterday. It is amazing!

Bill: Sure it is! I’ve always had a fascination with space. I really hope I can travel in space one day.

Cindy: Wow, you’re really in a world of your own! The only people who get to do that are going to have training for years as an astronaut beforehand.

Bill: Of course not! People have been paying to travel into space since the early 2000s.

Cindy: A trip like that would be out of this world! Why haven’t I heard about this?

Bill: Since it’s an expensive trip, few people have done it. The first commercial tourist to the International Space Station reportedly paid $20 million. I’m sure the price has continued to rise since then.

Cindy: I’m shocked anyone would spend so much for such a trip!

Bill: Well, Virgin Galactic is due to launch its space flight program soon. The trip will be shorter, but at $200,000 a seat. It will be a cheaper option once it’s operational. Hopefully, the 500 people who already made bookings won’t have been waiting long before they get to orbit the planet.

Cindy: I know you’re trying to get me excited, but I always have both feet on the ground. I’ll make it to space when pigs fly!

Bill: I know. You will be the last person to take a space tour, I bet.

Cindy: You’re right. But I will hope to see you take it. Then you can tell me what it is like.

Bill: It gives me a thrill just imagining it! I can’t wait to take it!

Question 1. What does the woman think of the man’s space travel plan?

Question 2. What does the woman think of the price?

Question 3. What do we learn about the woman?

Question 4. What do we learn about the space flight program?

辛迪:我昨天看了一个太空旅行的节目。太棒了!

比尔:当然是!我一直对空间有着迷。我真的希望有一天我能在太空旅行。

辛迪:哇,你真的在一个属于自己的世界里!唯一能做到这一点的人,将在宇航员的身份之前接受多年的训练。

比尔:当然不是!自从20世纪初以来,人们一直在为太空旅行付费。

辛迪:这样的旅行就要离开这个世界了!为什么我没听说过这个?

比尔:因为这是一次昂贵的旅行,很少有人这样做。据报道,第一位前往国际空间站的商业游客支付了2000万美元。我相信从那以后价格一直在上涨。

辛迪:我很震惊,有人会花这么多钱来做这样的旅行!

比尔:维珍银河公司即将启动太空飞行计划。这次旅行会短一些,但一个座位20万美元。一旦它投入使用,它将是一个更便宜的选择。希望已经预订的500人在进入地球轨道之前不会等很久。

辛迪:我知道你想让我兴奋,但我总是脚踏实地。猪飞的时候我会飞到太空的!

比尔:我知道。我敢打赌,你将是最后一个去太空旅行的人。

辛迪:你说得对。但我希望你能接受。你就可以告诉我是什么样子了。

比尔:我只是想象一下就兴奋了!我等不及要拿了!

问题1.女人对男子的太空旅行计划有何看法?

B. Unrealistic.

问题2.这个女人对价格有什么看法?

A. It is shocking.

问题3.我们对这个女人了解多少?

C. She has no interest in taking a space tour.

问题4.我们对太空飞行计划了解多少?

C. It is in the near future.

Conversation 2

Mindy: So, Charles, we are talking about your time in Alaska. Now you are from New York, correct?

Charles: Yes.

Mindy: What is it like going from a big city to a place in the wilderness in Alaska?

Charles: A lot of people think I had problems, but actually I did not. I just loved it. I did not have any problems.

Mindy: Maybe, by nature, you are actually more of a nature person.

Charles: Exactly. Actually when I had problems was when I came back to the big city. Then I had a lot of problems.

Mindy: You missed the wilderness?

Charles: I missed the silence. We just have too many sounds in the city. In the city we are surrounded by some sort of noise all the time, and I just couldn’t stand it.

Mindy: I feel the same in that point. You know I grew up in a small town and then I moved and I lived in some major cities: London, Tokyo. I missed the quietness of the small town.

Charles: Neither of us is a city person.

Mindy: So would you like to move back to Alaska someday?

Charles: I would love to. It could be a little difficult because it’s very cold in the winter. But I would love to. I miss nature.

Mindy: That’s a real problem for me, the coldness. I prefer a warm place.

Charles: Then you can move to, say, California. It’s an ideal place for a creature like you.

Mindy: Maybe someday I will move back to the small town where I grew up. It’s a cozy town.

Charles: Sounds good.

Question 1. Where does the man live now?

Question 2. What couldn’t the man stand about cities?

Question 3. Why does the man recommend California to the woman?

Question 4. What does the woman think of living in Alaska?

明迪:查尔斯,我们在谈论你在阿拉斯加的时光。现在你是从纽约来的,对吗?

查尔斯:是的。

明迪:从一个大城市到阿拉斯加荒野的一个地方是什么感觉?

查尔斯:很多人认为我有问题,但实际上我没有。我就是喜欢。我没有任何问题。

明迪:也许,从本质上来说,你其实更像一个天生的人。

查尔斯:没错。其实我遇到问题的时候是回到大城市的时候。然后我有很多问题。你错过了荒野?

查尔斯:我错过了沉默。我们只是城市里的声音太多了。在城市里,我们总是被某种噪音包围着,我实在受不了。

明迪:我在这一点上也有同感。你知道我在一个小镇长大,然后我搬到了一些大城市:伦敦,东京。我怀念小镇的宁静。

查尔斯:我们俩都不是城里人。

明迪:那你想有一天搬回阿拉斯加吗?

查尔斯:我很乐意。可能有点困难,因为冬天很冷。但我很乐意。我想念大自然。

明迪:那对我来说真是个问题,寒冷。我喜欢温暖的地方。

查尔斯:那你可以搬到,比方说,加利福尼亚。对你这样的生物来说这是个理想的地方。

明迪:也许有一天我会搬回我长大的小镇。这是一个舒适的小镇。

查尔斯:听起来不错。

问题1.这个人现在住在哪里?

D. New York.

问题2.这个人在城市里站不住什么?

D. Noise.

问题3.为什么男人向女人推荐加州?

A. It is a warm place.

问题4.这个女人觉得住在阿拉斯加怎么样?

A. It is too cold.

Listen To Share

Passage 1

The ancient view is that humans should somehow conquer nature, as if that were ever possible.

I have recently heard the BBC radio advertising its coverage of the Winter Olympics by saying that the athletes would “conquer nature”. It is almost unbelievable that people should talk about nature in these terms. It was the whole theme of my book Nature’s Web that we should cooperate with nature, not conquer it. In my examination of Western philosophy, I found that the dominant view was that human beings were set apart from the rest of nature and that they should conquer it for their own ends. The result of this way of thinking and acting has been an ecological crisis throughout the world. On the other hand, the wise among us understand that they do not lead to greater happiness but the further plundering of the planet.

Climate change means that we will inevitably experience more extreme weather. As the recent flooding in the British Isles has shown, water will break sea defenses and cover the land with lakes. It is therefore absurd to think that we can still conquer nature, however hard we might try.

Indeed, we are all an integral part and we have no right to use the rest of nature to our own ends. If we ruin the environment, we will destroy ourselves. We should therefore be no conquerors but fellow voyagers in the grand journey of evolution.

Question 1. What is the ancient view about the relationship between humans and nature?

Question 2. What is the book Nature’s Web about?

Question 3. What has the wrong view about nature led to?

古代的观点认为,人类应该以某种方式征服自然,就好像这是可能的一样。

我最近听到英国广播公司(BBC)电台在宣传冬奥会时说,运动员们将“征服自然”。人们用这些术语来谈论自然几乎是难以置信的。我们应该与自然合作,而不是征服自然,这是我这本书的主题。在我考察西方哲学时,我发现主流观点是,人与自然的其他部分是分开的,他们应该为了自己的目的而征服自然。这种思维方式和行为方式的结果是全世界出现了生态危机。另一方面,我们中的智者明白,他们不会带来更大的幸福,而是对地球的进一步掠夺。

气候变化意味着我们将不可避免地经历更多的极端天气。正如最近不列颠群岛的洪水所显示的那样,水将破坏海防,并用湖泊覆盖土地。因此,无论我们多么努力,认为我们仍然可以征服自然是荒谬的。

事实上,我们都是不可分割的一部分,我们没有权利利用大自然的其他部分来达到我们自己的目的。如果我们破坏环境,我们就会毁灭自己。因此,在伟大的进化之旅中,我们不应该成为征服者,而应该成为同行的航海家。

问题1.古代关于人与自然关系的观点是什么?

C. Humans should conquer nature.

问题2.这本书是关于什么的?

A. Cooperation with nature.

问题3.错误的自然观导致了什么?

A. Ecological crisis.

Passage 2

It’s tempting to say that the announcement of liquid water on the surface of Mars marks a new era in Martian exploration.

You might think that the first human explorers on Mars will park next to a salty stream and use it to manufacture fresh drinking water. Maybe they could even find life in damp Martian areas where the dusty red planet can still fuel microbes.

However, finding evidence for flowing water is not the same as finding life. Right now, scientists don’t know where this water is coming from, or if the chemistry in these Martian seeps is life-friendly. And unfortunately, chances are it will be a long time before we can get there to find out.

“It’s hard to get a spacecraft clean enough to send a lander or rover there right now,” says scientist Betty Ehlman, referring to concerns about Earth microbes contaminating the Martian surface.

But there’s still reason for excitement. These seasonal seeps “are probably the best place to look for modern life,” she says.

Analyses have confirmed the streaks that appear in summertime on the planet’s slopes are produced by liquid water, perhaps capable of sustaining chemical reactions and even life.

What we know so far, based on the single example of Earth, is that life tends to show up wherever there’s water. That’s why search for life beyond Earth has been driven by “following the water”.

Question 1. What is the recent development in Martian exploration?

Question 2. What remains unknown to scientists right now?

Question 3. What do we know about the streaks on the planet’s slopes?

可以说,火星表面液态水的出现标志着火星探测进入了一个新纪元。

你可能会认为,火星上的第一批人类探险家将把车停在一条咸水小溪旁,并用它来制造新鲜的饮用水。也许他们甚至可以在火星潮湿的地区找到生命,在那里,布满灰尘的红色星球仍然可以为微生物提供燃料。

然而,找到流水的证据并不等于找到生命。现在,科学家们还不知道这些水是从哪里来的,也不知道这些火星渗出物中的化学成分是否对生命有益。不幸的是,我们很可能需要很长时间才能找到答案。

科学家贝蒂·埃尔曼(bettyehlman)在谈到地球微生物污染火星表面的担忧时说:“现在很难让航天器清洁到足以将着陆器或探测器送到火星。”。

但还是有理由兴奋的。她说,这些季节性渗漏“可能是寻找现代生活的最佳场所”。

分析证实,夏季出现在地球斜坡上的条纹是由液态水产生的,或许能够维持化学反应甚至生命。

到目前为止,基于地球的一个例子,我们所知道的是,生命往往在有水的地方出现。这就是为什么在地球之外寻找生命的动力是“随波逐流”。

问题1.火星探测的最新进展是什么?

A. The finding of liquid water.

问题2.科学家们现在还不知道什么?

B. Where the flowing water comes from.

问题3.我们对地球斜坡上的条纹了解多少?

A. They are produced by water.

UNIT 5

Listen To Understand

News report 1

What does it mean to be Asian-American? An exhibit in Washington features the work of seven Asian-American artists who attempt to address that complex question through their art. Each piece in the exhibit is an expression by the artist of what it means to be Asian-American.

Each of the artists was given an entire exhibit room in which to display their work, which includes photographs, drawings, paintings and even a short video.

One of those artists is Roger Shimomura. The third-generation Japanese-American has spent his career fighting racial stereotypes through his art. One of his paintings is about his experience of being sent to an internment camp during World War II, when it was argued that Japanese-Americans were a threat to the nation.

Several artists in the exhibit focus on the challenges of transitioning from Asia to America. Zhang Chunhong is a Chinese-born artist living and working in the US. She uses images of long, straight hair to examine her identity as an Asian-American woman.

And Tam Tran, who moved from Vietnam with her family to the US in the early 1990s, explores her ever-changing relationship to her own developing identity in a series of self-portrait photographs.

Question 1. What are the Asian-American artists attempting to do through their art?

Question 2. What does Japanese-American Roger Shimomura’s art reflect?

Question 3. What do we learn about artist Zhang Chunhong?

成为亚裔美国人意味着什么?华盛顿的一个展览展出了七位亚裔美国艺术家的作品,他们试图通过自己的艺术来解决这个复杂的问题。展览中的每一件作品都是艺术家对亚裔美国人意味着什么的表达。

每一位艺术家都有一个完整的展览室来展示他们的作品,其中包括照片、绘画、绘画,甚至还有一段短片。

其中一位艺术家是Roger Shimomura。这位第三代日裔美国人的职业生涯就是通过艺术与种族成见作斗争。他的一幅画是关于他在二战期间被送到拘留营的经历,当时有人认为日裔美国人是对国家的威胁。

展览中的几位艺术家关注从亚洲向美国过渡的挑战。张春红是一位在美国生活和工作的华裔艺术家。她用长直发的照片来检验自己作为亚裔女性的身份。

上世纪90年代初随家人从越南移居美国的谭川(Tam Tran)在一系列自画像照片中探讨了她与自己不断发展的身份之间不断变化的关系。

问题1.亚裔美国艺术家试图通过他们的艺术做什么?

D. To address what it means to be Asian-American.

问题2.日裔美国人Roger Shimomura的艺术反映了什么?

C. His struggle with racial stereotypes in America.

问题3.我们对艺术家张春红了解多少?

B. She used long straight hair to represent her identity.

News report 2

Foreign students earning their doctoral degrees in the United States can help revitalize innovation and economic growth. A new study says the US should make it easier for such students to enter and remain in the country.

Three economists gathered data on the contributions made by foreign students. The team was led by Keith Maskus, professor of economics at the University of Colorado.

After September 11th, 2001, the United States decided for a period of about two or three years to make it more difficult for foreign students to enter the United States and study graduate programs, especially in science and engineering.

At the time, many in Washington and at universities warned that policy would hinder scientific development and innovation. Maskus, along with two of his colleagues, set out to gather data to see whether this would be so.

Their research indicated that diversity – a mix of American and foreign students – can make a difference in productivity and efficiency.

“When these people can get together and bounce ideas off each other, the sort of outcome of that is more dynamic intellectual process. And you get more ideas with having some diversity like that,” Maskus said.

Question 1. Why was it more difficult for foreign students to enter the United States?

Question 2. What is the finding of the research by Maskus and his colleagues?

在美国获得博士学位的外国学生可以帮助振兴创新和经济增长。一项新的研究表明,美国应该让这些学生更容易进入和留在美国。

三位经济学家收集了外国学生所作贡献的数据。该小组由科罗拉多大学经济学教授Keith Maskus领导。

2001年9月11日之后,美国决定用大约两三年的时间,增加外国学生进入美国学习研究生课程的难度,特别是理工科。

当时,华盛顿和大学的许多人警告说,政策将阻碍科学发展和创新。马斯库斯和他的两位同事着手收集数据,看看是否会这样。

他们的研究表明,多样性——美国学生和外国学生的混合——可以在生产力和效率上产生差异。

“当这些人能够聚在一起,互相交流想法时,结果就是更具活力的思维过程。马斯库斯说:“拥有这样的多样性,你会得到更多的想法。”。

问题1.为什么外国学生进入美国更困难?

B. The US Government adjusted its policy after September 11th, 2001.

问题2.马斯库斯和他的同事们的研究发现是什么?

C. Diversity of students means greater productivity.

Listen To Communicate

Conversation 1

Tony: How long have you been in Greece, Linda?

Linda: Only a couple of weeks. I am still trying to figure things out.

Tony: What are you trying to figure out?

Linda: Mainly about the Greek culture and the local traditions. I want to understand the culture better and learn what is considered taboo so that I don’t offend anyone.

Tony: Well, the Greek people are known for their friendliness and openness to meeting new people. This is something they are extremely proud of.

Linda: I know that. Tell me something that I should pay special attention to.

Tony: Greeks are very proud of their culture and history. They are open to discussions and enjoy having conversations on cultural and historical topics, but tend to have strong beliefs on issues relating to religion and politics; therefore it would be a good idea to not bring up these topics.

Linda: I can remember that.

Tony: Subjects concerning Cyprus and Turkey should be avoided, since both are topics that Greeks find difficult to change their views on and may get very emotional about.

Linda: That’s new to me. Anything else?

Tony: Also, avoid criticizing Greece or the Greek people. Although they often like criticizing aspects of their own society and daily life, they don’t accept criticism from outsiders.

Linda: That’s good to know. Any other local customs I should know about?

Tony: There are certain hand gestures that could be misinterpreted by Greek people; therefore it is recommended to avoid: The American “OK” sign is usually considered an offensive gesture, and an open hand facing outward gesture, which is often used to mean “stop” in Western cultures, is considered offensive and insulting in Greece.

Linda: That’s very helpful, Tony. Thank you very much.

Question 1. What is the woman trying to figure out?

Question 2. What are the Greeks extremely proud of?

Question 3. Which of the following should be avoided when talking with Greeks?

Question 4. What is the Greeks’ attitude to criticism?

托尼:琳达,你在希腊多久了?

琳达:只有几个星期。我还在想办法。

托尼:你在想什么?

琳达:主要讲希腊文化和当地的传统。我想更好地了解文化,了解什么是禁忌,这样我就不会冒犯任何人。

托尼:嗯,希腊人民以友好和乐于结识新朋友而闻名。这是他们非常自豪的事情。

琳达:我知道。告诉我一些我应该特别注意的事情。

托尼:希腊人为他们的文化和历史感到骄傲。他们乐于讨论,喜欢谈论文化和历史话题,但往往对宗教和政治问题有强烈的信仰;因此,不提这些话题是个好主意。

琳达:我记得。

托尼:关于塞浦路斯和土耳其的话题应该避免,因为这两个话题希腊人很难改变他们的观点,而且可能会非常情绪化。

琳达:这对我来说是新鲜事。还有别的吗?

托尼:还有,不要批评希腊或希腊人民。尽管他们经常喜欢批评自己社会和日常生活的方方面面,但他们不接受外人的批评。

琳达:很高兴知道。还有什么我应该知道的地方风俗吗?

托尼:有些手势可能会被希腊人误解;因此,建议避免:美国的“OK”标志通常被认为是一种冒犯性的手势,而在西方文化中经常用来表示“停止”的张开的手朝外的手势在希腊被认为是冒犯和侮辱性的。

琳达:那很有帮助,托尼。非常感谢你。

问题1.女人想搞清楚什么?

B. How to avoid offending people.

问题2.希腊人最引以为豪的是什么?

B. Their friendliness.

问题3.与希腊人交谈时应避免下列哪项?

A. Greek politics.

问题4.希腊人对批评的态度是什么?

B. They accept criticism of their society by Greeks.

Conversation 2

Jimmy: What are some of the differences in Eastern and Western cultures that you’ve noticed, Wendy?

Wendy: The first thing I noticed is that people don’t line up here. Everyone just crowds around the door or counter. Also, people in the East are more aware of foreigners.

Jimmy: That’s understandable. Foreigners tend to stand out in a crowd.

Wendy: That’s very likely. There are big differences in personal philosophies as well.

Jimmy: Like what?

Wendy: Well, Americans and people from Western cultures believe more in individualism. In contrast, Eastern traditions encourage a collectivist attitude among its members.

Jimmy: Yes, that’s true. But both have their pros and cons, as westerners are more independent, whereas easterners have more support.

Wendy: I agree. As a result of this, easterners are much better at determining another person’s perspective, while westerners are particularly challenged in their ability to understand someone else’s point of view. And members of Eastern cultures tend to be interdependent and to have self-concepts defined in terms of relationships. In contrast, members of Western cultures tend to strive for independence and have self-concepts defined in terms of their own ambitions and achievements.

Jimmy: Is there anything else that you’ve noticed?

Wendy: When speaking to people, easterners are more conservative, while westerners are more expressive.

Jimmy: That’s true. Sometimes easterners attempt to hide their emotions.

Wendy: They solve problems differently too. Westerners like to break a problem down and solve it; on the other hand, easterners take a more holistic approach.

Jimmy: You sound like an expert, Wendy. You can give a lecture.

Wendy: You’re flattering me!

Question 1. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

Question 2. What difference has the woman noticed?

Question 3. What do we learn about westerners when speaking to people?

Question 4. What is the difference between the East and the West in problem-solving?

吉米:温迪,你注意到东西方文化的一些差异是什么?

温迪:我注意到的第一件事是人们不会在这里排队。每个人都挤在门口或柜台周围。而且,东方人更了解外国人。

吉米:这可以理解。外国人往往在人群中脱颖而出。

温迪:很有可能。在个人哲学上也有很大的不同。

吉米:像什么?

温迪:嗯,美国人和西方文化的人更相信个人主义。相反,东方传统鼓励其成员采取集体主义态度。

吉米:是的,那是真的。但两者都有各自的优点和缺点,因为西方人更独立,而东方人得到更多的支持。

温迪:我同意。因此,东方人更善于确定他人的观点,而西方人在理解他人观点的能力方面尤其受到挑战。东方文化的成员往往是相互依赖的,并且在关系方面有自己的概念。相比之下,西方文化的成员倾向于争取独立,并根据自己的抱负和成就来定义自己的概念。

吉米:还有什么你注意到的吗?

温迪:和人说话时,东方人比较保守,而西方人比较有表现力。

吉米:没错。有时东方人试图隐藏自己的情绪。

温迪:他们解决问题的方式也不同。西方人喜欢把问题分解并解决;另一方面,东方人采取更为全面的方法。

吉米:温迪,你听起来像个专家。你可以讲课。

温迪:你在奉承我!

问题1.演讲者主要谈论什么?

D. Differences in Eastern and Western cultures.

问题2.女人注意到了什么不同?

B. Easterners are more aware of foreigners.

问题3.当我们与人交谈时,我们从西方人身上学到了什么?

A. They are more expressive.

问题4.东西方在解决问题上有什么不同?

A. Westerners like to break a problem down.

Listen To Share

Passage 1

Cultural discrimination is a serious issue that many Americans face in their workplace each year. Although the United States is supposed to be a nation of freedom and tolerance, there historically have been strong conflicts between different cultural and ethnic groups. The workplace of the modern United States is no different. However, modern workers who are mistreated because of their beliefs may have the right to file a complaint against their employer in these situations.

Under laws protecting religious rights, which are often connected to cultural beliefs, a person’s beliefs must be respected in the workplace in most situations. Beliefs that are held with true faith should be accepted as an employee’s right. While there are some exceptions to this rule, an employee generally cannot be fired simply because they come from a Catholic background or a Muslim culture.

Dress is a major issue in many discrimination cases, as certain cultural groups require their members to wear certain articles of clothing or adopt a certain hairstyle. In some cases, companies have the right to force an employee to change their dress or hairstyle. However, if a cultural item or fashion doesn’t violate the dress code and doesn’t cause a noticeable distraction at work, the employee is often protected in their right to dress a certain way.

Employers and labor unions have a special role in guarding against unlawful cultural discrimination in the workplace. And the US government has an even bigger role to play in protecting individuals from discrimination because of their religion, ethnicity, or country of origin.

Question 1. What does the speaker say about cultural discrimination in America?

Question 2. What do we learn about dress from the speaker?

Question 3. Who plays a bigger role in guarding against cultural discrimination?

文化歧视是许多美国人每年在工作场所面临的一个严重问题。尽管美国本应是一个自由和宽容的国家,但历史上不同文化和民族之间存在着强烈的冲突。现代美国的工作场所也不例外。然而,由于信仰而受到虐待的现代工人可能有权在这种情况下对其雇主提出申诉。

根据保护宗教权利的法律,宗教权利往往与文化信仰有关,在大多数情况下,一个人的信仰必须在工作场所得到尊重。以真正的信仰持有的信念应被视为员工的权利。虽然这一规定有一些例外,但员工一般不能因为来自天主教背景或穆斯林文化就被解雇。

在许多歧视案件中,着装是一个主要问题,因为某些文化群体要求其成员穿某些服装或采用某种发型。在某些情况下,公司有权强迫员工改变服装或发型。然而,如果一个文化项目或时尚没有违反着装规定,也没有在工作中引起明显的分心,那么员工的穿着权通常会受到保护。

雇主和工会在防止工作场所的非法文化歧视方面发挥着特殊作用。而美国政府在保护个人不受宗教、种族或原籍国歧视方面发挥着更大的作用。

问题1.演讲者如何看待美国的文化歧视?

A. It has been a historic problem in the workplace.

问题2.我们从演讲者那里学到了什么?

C. Dress is a big issue in many discrimination cases.

问题3.谁在防范文化歧视方面发挥了更大的作用?

D. The US government.

Passage 2

The concept of cultural diversity has a very wide scope and is being practiced by people and organizations all over the world. Broadly this idea includes hiring people of diverse races, different religions and promoting the entry of working staff from different countries. Diversity is an element of society and has now become an important part of businesses as well.

Cultural diversity brings some tangible benefits to businesses all over the world. Cultural diversity at the workplace directly impacts productivity and profitability of the organization as well as the employees. With cultural diversity, there is an enhancement of both employee productivity and an organization’s profitability.

When any organization invests in diversity, it results in the creation of a bigger pool of talent. This is a win-win situation for both the employees and the organization. The employees exchange and learn each other’s positives and competencies. Such a pool of talent provides the organization with a competitive edge, which helps it to progress in a competitive environment.

When an organization is comprised of people with diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences, new creative and innovative ideas are more likely to appear. This is of immense value to both the organization and employees. Such dynamic exchanges that take place between people having different perceptions yield creative results. Such a situation is never created in groups of people who think similarly and belong to similar cultures.

Question 1. What is the speaker mainly talking about?

Question 2. What is the direct impact of cultural diversity in the workplace?

Question 3. How can the employees benefit from a bigger pool of talent?

文化多样性的概念范围很广,全世界的人和组织都在实践。从广义上讲,这一想法包括雇用不同种族、不同宗教的人,以及促进来自不同国家的工作人员入境。多样性是社会的一个要素,现在也已成为企业的重要组成部分。

文化多样性给世界各地的企业带来了一些实实在在的好处。工作场所的文化多样性直接影响组织和员工的生产力和盈利能力。随着文化的多样化,员工的生产力和组织的盈利能力都得到了提高。

当任何一个组织投资于多样性时,就会产生一个更大的人才库。这对员工和组织都是双赢的局面。员工们互相交流和学习对方的优点和能力。这样的人才库为组织提供了竞争优势,有助于组织在竞争环境中取得进步。

当一个组织由具有不同背景、文化和经验的人组成时,更有可能出现新的创造性和创新性的想法。这对组织和员工都有巨大的价值。这种动态的交流发生在不同认知的人之间,产生了创造性的结果。这种情况从来不会在思维相似、文化相似的人群中产生。

问题1.演讲者主要谈论什么?

B. The benefits of cultural diversity.

问题2.工作场所文化多样性的直接影响是什么?

A. Enhanced productivity.

问题3.员工如何从更大的人才库中获益?

D. They learn each other’s positives and competencies.**

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Unit1(BOOK4) Part B The Hospital Window Jack and Ben, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. Jack, whose bed was next to the room's only window, was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. But Ben had to spend all day and night flat on his bed. To kill time the two men began to talk. They talked for hours about their wives, families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, and where they had been on vacation. As days went by, a deep friendship began to develop between them. Every afternoon when Jack could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to Ben all the things he could see outside the window. And Ben began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees beautified the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As Jack described all this in exquisite detail, Ben would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scenes. One warm afternoon Jack described a parade passing by. Although Ben couldn't hear the band -- he could see it in his mind's eye as Jack portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of Jack, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. Ben was heart broken. Life without Jack was even more unbearable. How he longed to hear Jack's voice and his melodious descriptions of the outside world! As he looked at the window, an idea suddenly occurred to him. Perhaps he could see for himself what it was like outside. As soon as it seemed appropriate, Ben asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself! He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall! 'What could have compelled my roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window?' Ben asked the nurse when she returned. 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you to live on,' she said. 'You know, he was blind and could not even see the wall.'
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