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II. Basic Listening Practice
1. Script
M: I?m beside myself with joy. I?m so lucky. Guess what? I?ve won a lit of money in the lottery.
W: Yeah? Well, you do know that money is the root of all evil, right? Q: What does the woman mean?
2. Script
W: Mary was furious. Her son wrecked up her car.
M: He shouldn?t have driven a car without a driver?s license. He?s still taking driving lesson.
Q: What do we know about Mary?s son?
3. Script
M: Susan, I hear you?re going to marry that guy. Some people think you?ll regret it. W: Is that so? Only time tell. Q: What does the woman imply?
4. Script
M: Mary, I just want to say how sorry I was to learn of your mother?s passing. I know how close you two were?
W: Thank you. It was so sudden. I?M still in a state of shock I don?t know what to do. Q: Which of following is true?
5. Script
W: I get furious at work when my opinions aren?t considered just because I?m a woman.
M: You should air your view more emphatically and demand that your vice be heard. Q: What is the woman complaining about?
Keys: 1.C 2.B 3. D 4.A 5.D
III. Listening In
Task 1: What a clumsy man!
Script Maria: Jack, can you help me move this heavy box?
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Jack: No problem, Maria. Here let me lift this end... Oops! Maria: Ouch! My foot! Come on, can't you be a little more cautious? Jack: I'm so sorry. It was an accident. No need to be furious! Maria: You're always so clumsy, Jack. I'm really losing my patience with all the stupid mistakes you make around the office.
Jack: Calm down, Maria; I'll certainly be more careful next time. This was just an accident. Maria: If you aren't more careful, then next time someone could be badly hurt. Oh, look! The glass in the box is all broken now. Mr. Johnson is going to fly into a rage.
Jack: Oh no! What can I do to keep him from hitting the roof? Maria: Well, you can begin by helping me clean up the mess and then honestly tell him about your mistake.
Jack: Maybe if I offer to pay for the damage, he won't be so angry. What do you think? Maria: That might help solve the problem, though it could be quite expensive to replace it.
Jack: Well, I'm willing to do what it takes to keep Mr. Johnson from exploding. I need to keep my job!
1.Why did Maria get angry with Jack?
2.What can you infer about Jack from the dialog?
3.Judging from the dialog, who is MR.Johnson mostly like to be 4.What does Maria advise Jack to do?
5.Which of the following is not mentioned as a reason why Jack wants to pay for the damage?
Keys: ACBCB
Task 2: Causes of depression Script
Hello, everyone. Today I invite you to join me in an exploration off the causes of depression. There ate many factors involved, but I believe some deserve special attention.
Heredity certainly plays a role. .The tendency to develop depression may be inherited; there is evidence that this disorder may run in families.
Physiology is another factor related to depression. There may be changes or imbalances in chemicals which transmit information in the brain called neurotransmitters. Many modern antidepressant drugs attempt to increase levels of
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certain neurotransmitters so as to increase brain communication. While the causal relationship is unclear; it is known that antidepressant medications do reliever certain symptoms of depression.
Researchers also study psychological factors. They include the complex development of one?s personality and how one has learned to cope with external environmental factors, such as stress. It is freeqently observed that low self-esteem and self-defeating thinking are connected with depression. While it is not clear which is the cause and which is the effect, it is known that sufferers who are able to make corrections to their thinking patterns can show improved mood and self-esteem.
Another factor causing depression is one?s early experiences. Events such as the death of a parent, the divorce of the parents, neglect, chronic illness, and severe physical abuse can also increase the likelihood of depression later in life.
Some present experiences may also lead to depression. Job loss, financial difficulties, long periods of unemployment, the loss of a spouse or other family member, or other painful events may trigger depression. Long-term stress at home, work, or school can also be involved.
It is worth nothing that those living with someone suffering from \\depression experience increased anxiety which adds to the possibility of their also becoming depressed. Depression-causing Description Factors Heredity The tendency to develop depression is inherited and may run in families. Physiology Depression may be caused by changes or imbalances in chemicals called neurotransmitters, which transmit information in the brain Antidepressant medication relieve certain symptoms of depression. Psychological Factors Low self-esteem and self-defeating thinking are connected with depression. Sufferers who make correction to their thinking patterns can show improved mood and self-esteem. Early Experiences Event like the death of a parent, the divorce of parents, neglect, chronic illness, and severe physical abuse can increase the likelihood of depression. Present Experiences Job loss, financial difficulties, long periods of unemployment, the loss of a spouse or other family member, or long-term stress may trigger depression. Living with somebody This causes increased anxiety, for those who live with them. with depression
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Task3:Happiness index
Script
Australians were the happiest people in the world according to a survey undertaken by two market researchers. They conducted door-to-door surveys and interviews with nearly 30,000 people in 30 countries. They asked respondents how satisfied they were with their overall quality of life. Forty-six percent of Australians proclaimed to be \them in the \(34 percent) and the UK and Canada (32 percent). Hungary got the wooden spoon, finishing bottom of the happiness chart. Thirty-five percent of its citizens said they were either \ The research demonstrated that money and age were key determinants in how happy people are. Although the study did not indicate money could buy happiness, it did reveal a link between a lack of money and unhappiness. Less happy populations were found among lower-income groups or the unemployed.
The study also suggested that on the whole, the older we become, the less happy we are. Globally, teenagers are the happiest people. The age group with the lowest levels of happiness was 50-59. Only 16 percent of those in their 50s said they were very happy.
The factors that make us happy include good health, financial security and a happy marriage. Material comforts such as cars, clothes and gadgets ranked comparatively low.
1.Which country ranks to the second happiest?
2.What conclusion can we draw from the passage about money and happiness? 3.Which age group is the least happy?
4.Which of the following is the least important in making people happy? 5.What is the passage mainly about?
Keys: BDAAC
IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1 Don’t let it get to you!
Susan: You look so angry. What happened?
Chris: Nothing I?d rather not talk about it. Just don?t ask.
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Susan: Come on. Relax. Talk to me.
Chris: All right. This morning I took my car to the garage to check the air conditioner.
They only gave it a quick look, refilled it with some Freon, and charged me 300bucks!
Susan: No wonder you?re livid. I?d be mad too if someone ripped me of like that. Chris: Yeah. And they were rude. They said I didn?t know anything about cars, which
I don?t, but they didn?t have to be so blunt!
Susan: Sounds like you got a raw deal!
Chris: What?s worse, as I was leaving, I herd then saying, “Don?t trust that guy. He
looks broke.” When I heard that, I almost hit the roof. Susan: Don?t let it get to you. Better ignore them. Chris: I agree. I did manage to keep my cool.
Susan: Well, the best thing you can do is to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency.
Chris: Sounds like a good idea.
MODEL2 I’m too depressed. Script
Susan: Chris, I hear you?ve been down in the dumps, so I?ve come to cheer you up. Chris: It?s not gong o work. I?m too depressed Susan: Come, on. Tell me what?s on your mind. Chris: Everything. My girlfriend left me; my dog ran away; my wallet was stolen. Susan: Don?t worry. I?ll help you solve the biggest problem: finding you a new
girlfriend.
Chris: Forget it. Anyway, I?m getting bad grades, and I was told that I?d have to
repeat a lot of courses next year. When I heard that, I almost lost it. Susan: Look, relax. I?ll help you with those courses.
Chris: Yeah, but I also have three week?s laundry to do., and my room is a pigsty. Susan: Forget it. You?re on your own. Chris: Come, on. What are friends for?
Susan: To keep you in high spirits; not to do your laundry.
MODEL3 You seem to be on top of the world. Script
Nora: Oh, hey, John! John: Hey!
Nora: You seem to be on top of the world tonight. What?s up?
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