**
前四单元
1、Access to success
短对话：
Conversation 1
W: Hello, Mr. Williams. This is John Barrett’s secretary. I’m calling to cancel his appointment with you at 10 today as he is not feeling well.
M: Thanks for calling. It’s quite all right. We’ll arrange some other time to meet.
Q: What is the man going to do?
Conversation 2
M: I need to use more than just my math skills for these questions but I don’t have a calculator. Shall I go and buy one?
W: Actually, I’ve got two. And I’ll let you have one for the price of a coffee.
Q: What do we learn about the woman from this conversation?
Conversation 3
M: Professor Smith, I’d like to have your advice as to my career development in the future.
W: It’s my pleasure. I think you are good at abstract thinking. I am sure you’ll make it if you pursue your graduate work in theoretical physics.
Q: What does the woman advise the man to do?
Conversation 4
W: I can’t believe Ken missed such an important lecture even though I reminded him the day before yesterday.
M: You should know him better by now. He’s known for taking everything in one ear and straight out the other.
Q: What does the man imply?
Conversation 5
W: I hear you’re working as a market surveyor this summer. It’s got to be awfully difficult going to so many places in such hot summer days.
M: Well, it is challenging, but I get to meet lots of new people and the pay is decent enough.
Q: What does the man think of his job?
答案：
- Make another appointment.
- She will give the man a calculator for a coffee.
- Go to graduate school.
- Ken is always absent-minded.
- The job is challenging but rewarding.
长对话：
W: Thanks for meeting with me, Dr. Pearl. I need permission to drop your class, Literature and Writing.
M: It’s only the second week of class, Stacey, why are you giving up so quickly? We’ve only written one essay so far, and you won’t get your grade back until next Wednesday!
W: I know, sir. But as a third-year engineering student, I don’t want to risk lowering my grade point average by scoring poorly in a writing class!
M: OK … What’s worrying you?
W: I spent two weeks reading Great Expectations, and then it took me 10 hours to write the three-page essay. Well, engineering courses are easy but important, as we know. But a writing course … I don’t know. I’ll just take a film class next semester, not hard at all – a two-paragraph review for each film. That will cover my humanities requirements.
M: OK Stacey, listen: In college, I was the opposite. Math was hard; literature was easy. But later, when I opened my coffee shop, The Found Librarian, located on the 15th street, math helped me!
W: Wait! You own The Found Librarian? That’s our favorite coffee place. We get coffee and dessert there every week — and work on math homework.
M: Yeah, that’s my shop. Stacey, let’s reconsider. Success in life needs a variety of skills. Humanities majors need math. Engineering majors need writing skills. This writing class will serve you well. Go to the University Writing Center and sign up for free tutoring. Then stop by my office each Friday at 11 a.m. and I’ll work with you. Together you can succeed in becoming a strong writer. A good deal?
W: Yes! Thank you, Dr. Pearl!
Q1: Why does Stacey come to Dr. Pearl’s office?
Q2: What is worrying Stacey about her studies?
Q3: Which of the following does Dr. Pearl suggest Stacey do?
Q4: What is Dr. Pearl’s attitude toward Stacey?
答案：
- To get permission to quite his class.
- She faces the danger of lowering her grade point average.
- Sign up for free tutoring in writing.
- Patient.
2、Emotions speak louder than words
短对话：
Conversation 1
W: What’s up? You look so upset and tired.
M: To be frank, I am getting a little tired of my sister’s vanishing without any explanation, especially when there is a lot of work to do around the house.
Q: How does the man feel about his sister?
Conversation 2
W: What’s wrong with Professor Smith? I can’t imagine that he lost his temper this morning. When I first met him, he looked so gentle and kind.
M: Oh, don’t make a fuss about it. If you know him, then you’ll also know it’ll pass very soon.
Q: What does the man say about Professor Smith?
Conversation 3
W: You mean Horace is still angry about that joke you made about his name?
M: Yes. But I couldn’t help it. It just occurred to me at that moment. I didn’t mean to offend him at all!
Q: What do we know about the man?
Conversation 4
W: By the way, did you hear that Jack failed his mid-term exam? It’s too bad because it will disqualify him for next year’s scholarship, and his parents will be really disappointed with him.
M: He deserved it. He’s never really studied since last semester.
Q: How does the man feel about Jack’s failing the exam?
Conversation 5
W: I have been thinking about the interview all week. I’m so desperate for this job, I can’t afford any mistakes.
M: Take it easy. You’ve made enough preparations. What you really need is a little bit of confidence. I’m sure you’ll get the job.
Q: What do we learn about the woman?
答案：
- He’s very unhappy at his sister’s housework.
- He often loses his temper.
- He didn’t make the joke about Horace on purpose.
- He feels unsympathetic.
- She is worried about the interview.
长对话：
W: Happy Friday Chris! Isn’t that mountain beautiful today … Gosh Chris, are you OK? Are you crying? Did I say something?
M: No, it’s fine, Sally. It’s just that today is the one-year anniversary of my father’s death.
W: I’m so sorry. Today must be especially difficult.
M: I woke up this morning, looked out at Mount Rainier for 45 minutes thinking about him. It was his favorite mountain, and from the time when I was seven years old until he died last year, every year, every year we would go hiking and camping together up that mountain at least three or four times.
W: Wow. That’s my favorite place too. I love all the blue and yellow flowers that cover the slopes in early summer.
M: He loved those flowers too, and we had baskets and bunches of them at the funeral.
W: That sounds really special. Those little details can be such a comfort.
M: Yes, it was a reminder of our happiest memories together. Honestly, I hope to die as peacefully as he did. We had just come home from a five-day hiking and camping trip in June. We had caught six fish for dinner and mom was preparing them in the kitchen. Dad sat down in his favorite green chair and had a heart attack and died quickly and peacefully.
W: It’s tough to lose someone you love, but it sounds like he had a great life.
M: He certainly did. He was 78 when he died. A good life, though, a very good life.
W: Chris, take the day off. Maybe go hiking on Mount Rainier. It’s beautiful weather. It might make you feel better to hike up the mountain.
M: Sally, you’re a good boss and a good friend. Thanks.
Q1: How often did the man go hiking and camping with his father on Mount Rainier every year?
Q2: Why is Mount Rainier so special to the man?
Q3: What happened to the man’s father after a trip to the mountain?
Q4: What is the relationship between the two speakers?
答案：
- Three or four times.
- Because he and his father had a lot of happy memories there.
- He had a heart attack and died peacefully.
- Boss and employee.
3、Love your neighbor
短对话：
Conversation 1
M: It’s considerate of the community to offer us old people so many chances. As you can see from my curriculum schedule, I have one music theory class and one piano lesson in the afternoon.
W: I still have no idea which class I should choose. I think I may take music theory class with you.
Q: What are the speakers doing?
Conversation 2
W: Let’s talk about the preparations for the coming Christmas party.
M: I think we really need a good plan and to arrange everything well in advance this time. Do you remember what a mess it was last year?
Q: What do we know about the Christmas party last year?
Conversation 3
W: John, could you look after the children for me while I go to the doctor? The only appointment I could get is at 11:00.
M: All right. But I have to leave at 1 p.m. I’m going to a party in the afternoon.
Q: What is the man supposed to do now according to the conversation?
Conversation 4
M: It’s said that you have a new handsome neighbor from Australia. How are you getting along with him, Mary?
W: Oh, quite well. He is a person who always speaks his mind, and I guess he gets along well with the entire neighborhood.
Q: What does the woman think of her new neighbor?
Conversation 5
W: I’ve heard that Mr. Smith is moving to a new apartment house at the end of this month.
M: That’s wonderful. He’s been looking forward to moving to a new house for a long time. Let’s give him a hand this weekend.
Q: What is the man going to do this weekend?
答案：
- They are discussing their curriculum schedules.
- It was not well-organized.
- Look after the woman’s children.
- She thinks he is always very frank.
- He is going to help Mr.Smith move to a new house.
长对话：
W: Hello, Mr. Lucas, I’m here to ask for 10 days off work, next month, in August. Together with the two weekends, I’ll have a full 14 days off from work.
M: Two weeks in August? Lucy, as the election season is coming, the news and stories are catching the eye of the public. We may need our best news producers — like you — to be here for interviews. What’s so important?
W: I know it is a busy season, but I’ve been taking two weeks off every year to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity — it’s a commitment I’ve kept every year, no matter what. It’s such a great organization that builds low-cost homes for people in need. The work is all volunteering and most of the supplies to build the houses are provided for free. It’s a great way to build community and make friends.
M: I love Habitat for Humanity! In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, over 150,000 volunteers helped build more than 2,200 homes. My daughter worked with them in New Orleans and my brother has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for five years.
W: Wow! You know my husband and I have been volunteering for six years here in Seattle. When I started, I didn’t even know how to hold a hammer, but now I’ve learned how to paint, build roofs, and even install kitchen sinks! I love the feeling of community we develop with our fellow volunteers and with the communities that benefit from our work.
M: Alright! We’ll work it out. I’ll give you the time off. Maybe this year you can learn how to install doors as well!
Q1: Why is the woman asking for two weeks off from work?
Q2: Which of the following statements is true?
Q3: According to the woman, why is she willing to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity?
Q4: What do we know about the man from the conversation?
答案：
- Because she wants to volunteer for an organization.
- Over 150,000 volunteers worked for the building of houses after hurricane.
- Because she enjoys developing friendships and building communities through volunteer work.
- He finally agreed to let the woman take 14 days off.
4、What’s the big idea?
短对话：
Conversation 1
M: Ted said he’d made up his mind to quit school and set up his own computer company.
W: He’s told many people about his plan but I wonder where he could get so much money. Besides, he never showed any real curiosity in our computer class. He is a complete layman as far as the computer is concerned.
Q: What does the woman mean?
Conversation 2
W: It is reported that researchers have developed tiny engines which are able to break down the pollutants in wastewater to create clean water. I think that’ll be great news to people in areas lacking water.
M: Well, I am thinking that whether people in those areas can afford the engines.
Q: What is the man worried about?
Conversation 3
W: Driving all the way to work and back every day really makes me exhausted. If only the cars could drive automatically.
M: Well, haven’t you heard that some engineers are working on intelligent cars? I suppose that you will soon be able to purchase one as long as you can afford it.
Q: What can we infer from the conversation?
Conversation 4
M: A Dutch airline rolled out a new program recently. It enables travelers to choose their seat partners based on the online profiles of those sharing the flight. Passengers can make a match by offering their Facebook data, depending on whether they’re looking for a potential personal or business relationship.
W: Aha, that’s really a fantastic idea. I’d like to have a try as early as possible.
Q: What are they talking about?
Conversation 5
M: I am thinking of starting my own business. But I haven’t got any idea of what to do. It seems that many young people are pouring into the online business.
W: If I were you, I’d like to offer the online video editing service. Many people shoot videos but don’t know how to edit. Maybe this is the online business opportunity for you!
Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?
答案：
- Ted is not capable of setting up his computer company.
- He is worried about the price of the tiny engines.
- The man thinks intelligent cars might be expensive.
- A business idea brought forth by an airline.
- She suggests the man edit videos for people online.
长对话：
M: Alas! This creative writing class is too much! I have to write a five-page short story by October 8th, and I have no idea what to write about.
W: We’re already two months into the semester, you must have written stories before now. What did you write about last time?
M: That’s just it — we’ve only had to write true stories so far, funny little things that happened to us or our families. My first three stories were about hunting or fishing with my childhood dog, Brownie, and visiting my grandmother during the summers when I was in high school. This time, it has to be fictional. Hey! You’re a great artist, how do you get your ideas?
W: Thank you, but I’m not sure painting and writing are exactly the same. When I’m ready to start a new painting, I usually go for long walks along the beach or out in the woods. I find most of my inspiration in nature.
M: Hmm … I don’t think that would really work for me. I need characters and a plot.
W: You should try hanging out at the train station. There are always interesting people with odd hats or accents coming and going, dramatic goodbyes and romantic reunions. Just sit in the lobby for an hour or two and watch everyone. Try to imagine who they are, where they’re going, why they’re in such a hurry.
M: The train station? That’s actually a pretty good idea! How did you come up with such a great idea?
W: I’m glad you like it, but I can’t take any credit. It’s an old trick I learned from many artists and writers. You just need something new and exciting to get those creative ideas flowing.
Q1: What’s the problem with the man?
Q2: How does the woman get her ideas before painting?
Q3: What is the man’s attitude toward the woman’s way of getting inspiration?
Q4: What does the woman suggest the man do at the train station?
答案：
- He has no idea about his new writing assignment.
- She draws inspiration by taking long walks in nature.
- Disapproving.
- Get creative ideas from real daily life.