新视野英语听力原文及答案(unit 4).doc

UNIT 4 The Telecommunications Revolution

UNDERSTANDING SHORT CONVERSATIONS
1. M: The article entitled "A Transformation Is Occurring in the Developing World" is helpful for me to write my paper.
W: What transformation?
M: Telecommunications. The up-to-date telecommunication technologies help people in those countries boost their living standards greatly.
Q: What are the speakers talking about?
2. W: Computers are being widely used and changing our world today.
M: Yes. In America and many other countries, wherever a person turns, he finds a computer working somewhere.
W: That is why I chose to major in computer science at the university.
Q: What did the woman decide to study?
3. M: Operator! Operator!
W: This is the operator. May I help you?
M: Yes, operator... ! This is 6241 Chester Road. Please send an ambulance fight away. We need a doctor.
Q: Why does the man call the operator?
4. M: Many developing regions see advanced communications as a way to leap over many stages of economic development.
W: That's quite true. Widespread access to information technology can reduce the time required to catch up with Western countries.
M: China and Vietnam are just such a case in point.
Q: Why are China and Vietnam mentioned in the conversation?
5. W: If I had enough money, I would buy a mobile phone. But as it is I can't do it.
M: You've said it several times. Are you desperate for one?
W: Yes. The phone in the dormitory is always busy. I can't have access to it when I need to.
6. M: The New York Times reports that Russia is determined to thrive in the Information Age.
W: I also read that article. Russia has a strategic plan to pump $40 billion into various communication projects and is starting to install optical fiber.
M: But the problem is that its economy is stuck in recession. How could it have the money to put its plans into practice?
Q: What does the man imply?
7. W: As far as telecommunications are concerned, China sets a good example of taking advantage of it.
M: Exactly. In a sense, China's backwardness is an advantage.
W: What do you mean by saying that?
Q: What does the woman want the man to explain?
8. W: In the 1920s and 1930s, Shanghai was a financial center around the world.
M: Now Shanghai is dreaming of becoming a top financial center again.
W: But how?
M: Perhaps the telecommunication industry will play a key role in this process.
Q: What are the speakers mainly talking about?
9. W: How did you spend your summer holidays?
M: I went to Hungary. I had a wonderful time there.
W: Oh, really? I am doing research on telecommunications in developing countries. Would you like to give me some information?
Q: What does the woman mean?
10. M: Nowadays telephones are so widely used that we can't imagine what life would be like without them.
W: That's just what I am thinking.
M: Do you happen to know how the telephone was invented?
W: On March 10, 1876, Bell and Watson were working in separate rooms. Bell spilled some acid on his clothes by accident and said, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you! "Watson heard the message through the telephone and came immediately. This was the first complete sentence transmitted over the telephone.
Q: What is the conversation mainly about?
11. W: What time does your train leave?
M: At 6: 30. I want to make some phone calls. Then I'll pack my suitcase.
W: But you have a meeting with Mr. Powers at 3: 30, remember?
M: That's right. I nearly forgot about it.
Q: What will the man do before going to the railway station?
12. M: My son went to study in Northeastern University last month.
W: Northeastern University? Where is it located?
M: In Shenyang, the biggest city in the northeast of China. Frankly, I do not know much about that university. My son told me that students there had a well-stocked library at their disposal.
Q: What does the man mean?
13. W: Now people almost everywhere in the world can speak to each other over the telephone. A special telephone can also transmit a picture of the speaker as well as the voice. This device allows deaf people to use the telephone.
M: And how is this used?
W: By reading lips, or watching the movements of the speaker's lips, a deaf person can actually see what the person on the other telephone is saying.
Q: How can deaf people use the special telephone?
14. W: I am going to work as a secretary next week. I feel a little nervous because this is my first job. What aspect should I pay special attention to?
M: Office calls.
W: Office calls?
M: Yeah. The first impression that a customer receives of a company is very often through a telephone contact. A caller who is left hanging on "hold" will get the feeling that he or she has been forgotten or ignored. And if a call is answered rudely, the caller may become angry.
Q: What is the conversation mainly about?
15. W: You have a telephone call, Mr. Smith.
M: Who is it?
W: He didn't say.
M: Tell him I'm out of the office until next Monday.
W: All right.
Q: What can be inferred from the conversation?
16. M: If indeed silence is golden, then it is becoming as rare as gold.
W: What do you mean by saying that?
M: It seems that man's progress includes a rising volume of noise and the calming effects of silence are nowhere to be found. Between sunrise and sunset, streets and highways are a constant source of noise from cars, buses, and trucks. Music is played in every supermarket, most restaurants, and many offices.
Q: What is the man complaining about?
17. W: Hi, Bob. I haven't seen you for a long time. Where have you been?
M: I went to Thailand. I worked in the National Telecommunications Corporation for two months and I've just come back.
W: What impressed you most in Thailand?
M: The traffic jams and the popularity of mobile phones.
Q: How long had the man worked in Thailand?
18. W: Are you attending the computer sales conference?
M: Yes, I am.
W: I'm from The Mirror.
M: The Mirror ...?
W: Yes. It's a newspaper. I'm writing an article about the conference. Could I interview you for my article?
Q: What does the woman want the man to do?
19. W: Long distance. May I help you?
M: Yes. I want to make a person-to-person call to Denver, please.
W: What is the name of the party, please?
M: Robert Ritchie.
W: And what is the number?
Q: Who is the woman?
20. M: Hi, what are you reading?
W: Oh, it's just an old Agatha Christie book, Death on the Nile. Have you read it?
M: No, not that one, but I saw the movie. Could I borrow it when you've finished?
W: Sure. I didn't know that you liked mysteries.
Q: What kind of books is the woman interested in?
Key: 1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (A) 4. (D) 5. (A)
6. (A) 7. (A) 8. (B) 9. (D) 10. (B)
11. (B) 12. (B) 13. (A) 14. (A) 15. (D)
16. (D) 17. (C) 18. (A) 19. (C) 20. (A)
UNDERSTANDING LONG CONVERSATIONS
What Can I Do?
W: Have a seat, Mr. Johnson. Now, what's the problem?
M: Well, as I told you on the phone, I'm having a bit of trouble with my landlord.
W: Oh! Yes. What sort of trouble?
M: Well, when I moved in six months ago, he said he was going to fix up a couple of things that needed doing.
W: What sort of things exactly?
M: Well, there was no ventilation in the kitchen and the hot water system wasn't working properly.
W: And he said he'd have them attended to?
M: Yes, that's right, he agreed to have them done. But now six months have gone by and nothing has been done.
W: Um so he's broken his promise.
M: Yes, and not only that. Now that the lease has run out, he says he wants to increase the rent The White House by $6.00 a week!
W: Well, he can't do that without your agreement, you know.
M: Yes, I know that, but the trouble is he can evict me if I don't agree.
W: Yes, that's true, he can. However, eviction is easier said than done.
M: You mean it could be difficult for him?
W: Yes, he can't just throw you out on the street. He has to give you reasonable notice, usually a month.
M: Yes. Well, that's comforting to know, but, you see, I don't want to move. I'd prefer to stay where I am.
W: Would you pay the increase if he actually did the work?
M: Yes, I would. I just want the work done. I'd do it myself and send him the bill, but...
W: No! Don't do that. A tenant can't make alterations or improvements without the landlord's approval. You won't have a leg to stand on if you do that.
M: Well, then, what can I do?
W: You've been a good tenant, I gather. I mean, are you up to date with your rent?
M: Yes, of course. We've never been behind with our rent, not even once.
W: Well, I suggest you go and see him again and tell him you'll agree to the increase if he has the work done.
M: And if he doesn't agree?
W: Well, tell him you've seen me at the Tenants' Action Union and I have advised you to take out a legal action against him to make him do the work.
M: I understand, sort of threatening him?
W: No, not exactly, just pointing out your legal rights. I think he'll get the message.
Questions 1 to 5 are based on the conversation you have just heard:
1. Who is the male speaker?
2, What did the landlord promise to do?
3. Has the man been a good tenant?
4. Why did the woman ask the man to go and see the landlord again?
5. Where does this conversation probably take place?
Conversation two
Advantages and Disadvantages of Telephones
W: Which topic are you going to talk about?
M: Well, I'd like to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the telephone.
W: What advantages does the telephone have in your opinion?
M: I think there're two main advantages. The first is speed and the second is directness.
W: That's quite true. It's obviously easier to phone someone rather than to write a letter to them.
M: I always think it's such a long process writing a letter. You have to sit down and write it out or type it out. Then you have to find a stamp, and then walk to the pillar-box to mail it. If you want information, it's often possible to get it very quickly by telephone, whereas a letter always takes several days.
W: I do agree with you.
M: I think another advantage of the telephone is that it's personal. If you want to speak or get in contact with a friend or a relative you feel much closer to them if you're talking to them on the telephone.
W: What about the disadvantages?
M: Obviously, there are some disadvantages. If you have a telephone at home, it often tings at an inconvenient time. At home, my telephone often rings when I'm sitting in my bath or when I'm watching my favorite TV program. And I find it very annoying. I think another disadvantage sometimes is that you can't easily get a record of a telephone conversation.
And sometimes you might misunderstand what somebody's saying.
W: Uh, if it's a matter of really important information, it's probably safer to have it in writing in a letter rather than on a telephone.
M: But telephone is very convenient. It is very swift, and I think it is also very personal. These are definite advantages. And I can't really imagine how we would get on without it.
Questions 6 to 10 are based on the conversation you have just heard:
6. What topic is the man going to talk about?
7. What are the advantages of the telephone?
8. Which one of the following is not mentioned by the man?
9. What is the man's opinion of writing a letter compared with making a phone call?
10. How does the man feel when his phone rings at an inconvenient time?
Key:
Conversation 1: 1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (A)
Conversation 2: 6. (B) 7. (A) 8. (C) 9. (C) 10. (A)
UNDERSTANDING PASSAGES
Passage 1
The Invention of the Telephone
In the nineteenth century, the invention of the telegraph made it possible to send noises, signals, and even music over wires from one place to another. However, the human voice had never traveled this way, many inventors tried to find a way to send voice over wires, and in 1876 some of their efforts were crowned with success. Two American inventors, Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray, succeeded at almost the same time. The United States Supreme Court finally had to decide which of the two was the first inventor of the telephone. The Court decided in Bell's favor.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Bell grew up in a family that was very interested in teaching people to speak. His grandfather had been an actor who left the theater to teach elocution; his father was a teacher who helped deaf people learn how to speak.
However, probably none of the later inventions gave Bell the same feeling of triumph as he has had on the day when he spilled some acid from his batteries. It was after he had worked for months to find ways to send something more than metallic twangs over the wires. Thinking Watson, his helper, was in the next room, Bell called, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you."
Watson was not in the next room. He was down in his laboratory, next to the receiver. To Watson's surprise, he heard the words perfectly. He ran to tell Bell the news: the wires had carried Bell's voice perfectly.
Questions 1 to 5 are based on the passage you have just heard:
1. What made it possible to send noises, signals and music over wires in the nineteenth century?
2. When was the human voice successfully sent over wires?
3. Who decided that Bell was the first inventor of the telephone?
4. What was the Bell family interested in?
5. What did Watson do after he heard Bell's voice?
Passage 2
Telecommunications Satellite Spins out of Control
People in most countries depend on communications technology more than ever before. One day in May, an accident forced millions of Americans to be silent. They had to live and work without the technology they depend on every day.
A telecommunication satellite experienced computer failure. The satellite, known as Galaxy Four, moved from its correct orbit and was unable to. receive signals from Earth. A backup computer failed to turn on, and the satellite began to spin out of control.
Galaxy Four was launched in 1993. It cost two hundred fifty million dollars. Galaxy Four provided the major link for millions of pagers, credit card operations, company communications systems, and home satellite equipment. The satellite also was used to send television and radio broadcasts.
The telecommunication satellite failure created big problems for many companies. At least eigh