Dictation exercise
Passage one
Katharine Graham 1 from the University of Chicago in 1938，and got a job as a news reporter in San Francisco. Katharine’s father used to be a successful 2 banker. In 1938 he bought a 3 newspaper-The Washington Post. Then Katharine returned to Washington and got a job – editing letters in her father’s newspaper. She married Philip Graham who took over his 4 position shortly after and became publisher of The Washington Post. But for many years her husband suffered from 5 and killed himself in 1963.
After her husband’s death，Katharine operated the newspaper. In the 1970s，the newspaper became famous around the world. And Katharine was also 6 an important leader in newspaper publishing. She was the first woman to head a major American publishing company – The Washington Post Company. In a few years，she 7 the company to include newspapers，magazines，broadcasting and cable companies.
She died of head injuries after a fall when she was 84. More than 3,000 people attended her 8
including many government and business leaders. Her friends said she would be remembered as a woman who had 9 on events in the United States and the world. Katharine once wrote：“The world without newspapers would not be the same kind of world.” After her death 10 of The Washington Post wrote:” The world without Katharine will not be the same at all.”
Passage two
_______1_____good health insurance is a real necessity while you are studying overseas. It protects you from minor and major 2 that can wipe out not only your savings，but you dreams of an education abroad.
There are often two different types of health insurance you can consider buying：international travel insurance and student insurance in the country where you will be going. An international travel insurance policy 3 in your home country before you go abroad. It generally covers 4 of medical services，and are often gives a list of doctors in the area where you will travel who may even speak your native language. The 5
might be that you may not get your money back immediately. In other words，you may have to pay all your medical expenses and then later 6 to the insurance company.
On the other hand，getting student health insurance in the country where you will study might allow you to only pay 7 of the medical cost at the time of service and thus，you don’t have to have 8 to pay the entire bill at once.
Whatever you decide， 9 some form of health insurance is something you should consider before you go overseas. You shouldn’t wait until you are sick with 10
to pay off.
Passage three
During a 1995 roof collapse, a firefighter named Donald Herbert was 1 . For ten years, he was unable to speak. Then, one Saturday morning, he did something that shocked his family and doctors. He started speaking. “I want to talk to my wife.” Donald Herbert said 2 . Staff members of the nursing home where he has lived for more than seven years, raced to get Linda Herbert on the telephone. “It was the first of many conversations the 44-year-old patient had with his family and friends during the 3 ” Herbert’s uncle Simon Menka said. “How long have I been away?” Herbert asked. “We told him almost ten years,” the uncle said, “he thought it was only three months.” Herbert was fighting a house fire December 29, 1995 when the roof collapsed, 4 After going without air for several minutes, Herbert was 5 for two and a half months and has undergone therapy ever since. News accounts in the days and years after his injury, described Herbert as blind and with little if any memory. A video shows him receiving physical therapy but apparently unable to communicate and with 6 of his surroundings. Menka declined to discuss his nephew’s current condition or whether the apparent progress is continuing. “The family was 7 while doctors evaluated Herbert”, he said. As word of Herbert’s progress spread, visitors 8 the nursing home. “He’s resting comfortably,” the uncle told them.
Long conversations
Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the conversation.
1. Mark is unhappy because of
A. his Chemistry homework. B. a girl in his class.
C. Linda’s words. D. Friday night’s party.
2. Which of the following is CORRECT?
A. Linda is Jane’s friend. B. Mark is Jane’s boyfriend.
C. John is Jane’s boyfriend. D. Mark and John are good friends.
3. Did Mark eventually take Linda’s advice?
A. No. B. Partly. C. Completely. D. Not mentioned.
Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the conversation.
4. About the scratch on the product, the shop assistant thinks that
A. the customer made it himself. B. there was definitely not one then.
C. the customer should have checked. D. the customer was making trouble.
5. The customer was ______ when told he might not have worn the headphones properly.
A. annoyed B. surprised C. indifferent D. worried
6. How many complaints did the customer make about the product altogether?
A. Five. B. Four. C. Three. D. Two.
7. The shop could exchange the product if the customer
A. makes no more complaints. B. can produce the receipt.
C. is still unhappy with it. D. brings it back within a week.
Questions 8 to 10 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you
will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the conversation.
8. Joe Smith telephoned Victoria for
A. the menu. B. the place. C. the reception. D. the campaign.
9. When will the lunch be held?
A. Friday next week. B. Thursday next week.
C. April 30th. D. This week.
10. All the following information is new to Victoria EXCEPT
A. how many people to attend it. B. why to hold it.
C. where to hold it. D. what to cook.
SECTION B PASSAGES
In this section, you will hear several passages. Listen to the passages carefully and the你
answer the questions that follow.
Questions 11 to 13 are based on the following passage. ,at the end of the passage, you will be
given 15 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the passage.
11. People choose London for post-Christmas shopping because
A. shops open early in the morning. B. shops stay open for longer hours.
C. they can buy really cheap things. D. they can shop with their friends.
12. We learn from the passage that
A. people are very keen on sales. B. post-Christmas sales start at 3:30am.
C. post-Christmas sales last for a day. D. sales include only a few items.
13. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. Some people buy Christmas presents in the sales.
B. Some people shop online during the sales.
C. Some people buy presents for next Christmas.
D. Online retailers offer better post-Christmas sales.
Questions 14 to 17 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage, you will be
given 20 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the passage.
14. Ballroom dancing used to be associated with
A. TV shows. B. old people.
C. celebrities. D. professional dancers.
15. According to the passage, recent popularity of ballroom dancing is the result of
A. the participation of celebrities. B. the designing of colorful costumes.
C. the benefits it brings. D. a TV programme.
16. Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the TV show?
A. Performers have to be formally dressed on the show.
B. Each professional dancer dances with a celebrity.
C. People on the show perform a different dance every week.
D. The show runs for about four months.
17. According to the passage, the TV show has the greatest impact on
A. old people. B. middle-aged people.
C. kids and young people. D. all of the above.
Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage, you will be
given 15 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the passage.
18. According to New Zealand’s rules about naming children, which of the following names is
NOT acceptable?
A. Spiderman. B. Gandalf. C. 2win. D. Arsenal.
19. According to the passage, unusual names come from
A. popular culture. B. parents’ invention.
C. sports. D. all of the above.
20. All of the following countries have strict rules about naming children EXCEPT
A. Algeria. B. Germany. C. Japan. D. Argentina.
REFLECTION (by Christina Aguilera)
_________me，you may you see who I really am
but you’ll never know me
every day, it’s as if I play a
now I see if I wear a I can fool the but i cannot fool my
who is that girl I see staring back at me?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I am now in a world where I have to hide my and I believe in
but somehow I will show the what’s inside my heart and be _____for who I am
who is that girl I see staring back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don’t know?
Must I _________that I’m someone else for all time
when will my reflection show who I am inside?
There’s a that must be free to fly
That burns with a to know the reason why
why must we all conceal what we________, how we feel?
Must there be a secret me I’m forced to hide
I won’t ________that I’m someone else for all time
when will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
Transcript
Part One
2006 1971 1875 1919 1265 2019 2020 1890 2009 1764
Part Two
23.4% 30.14% 40% 21℃ 18㎝ 50ml 70km 0.07 0.18 20.1
Part Three
1 million 23 thousand 100 thousand one billion and 20 million
132 4323 3,290 32,120 679,452 7,652,211 156,256,897 1,732,878,657
News
Chinese railway authorities confirmed that the death toll is at least 70 after an early Monday train collision in east China’s Shandong Province. More than 400 passengers were hospitalized including 4 foreigners. When the accident occurred, the rear part of the train from Beijing, coded T195 derailed and hit train 5034 from Yantai, and caused the front part of the latter train to derail, too. The casualties were from two passengers’ trains, one of which was en route from Beijing to Qingdao, a famous summer resort in Shandong and venue of the Olympic sailing competition, and the other, from Shandong’s Yantai to Xuzhou in eastern Jiangsu Province. The accident happened by a village near the city of Zibo in Shandong Province at around 4:40 a.m. Altogether 15 carriages derailed. Rescue teams, consisting of medical workers and policemen have been sent to the neighboring cities of Jinan and Weifang. Top Chinese leaders including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao heard the news, and Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun are at the site, coordinating the rescue work. Initial investigation says the accident was caused by human error. Two railway officials have been let go after the accident.
Passage one
graduated investment failing father – in – law’s mental illness recognized as successfully expanded funeral an important influence
the employees
Passage two
Obtaining medical expenses is usually purchased a wide variety drawback
submit your receipts a certain percentage sufficient cash obtaining major medical bills
Passage three
left brain damaged out of the blue 14-hour stretch burying him underneath.
Unconscious little awareness seeking privacy streamed into
Section A CONVERSATIONS
Conversation One
W: Hi, Mark. How are you?
M: Actually, I’m really fed up, Linda. It’s Jane.
W: Jane? Who’s Jane?
M: No, nobody really. Just the most astoundingly attractive girl in my year of school.
W: Oh, is that all? So, what’s the problem?
M: Well, the thing is I just don’t know how to make her notice me or….
W: Wait a minute. I’ve got a brilliant idea. Why don’t you try talking to her?
M: But I wouldn’t know what to say. I ….
W: Look, she is in your chemistry class, isn’t she? You are good at chemistry. You could offer to help her with her chemistry homework. How about that?
M: Not that. Just one problem.
W: What?
M: She’s better than me at the chemistry.
W: OK, then, well, there’s that party at John’s on Friday night. You could invite her.
M: Just another small problem. John’s her boyfriend.
1.B 2.C 3.A
Conversation Two
W: Yes. Can I help you?
M: Yes. You see, I’ve bought this personal stereo at your shop three days ago. And I’m afraid it hasn’t really matched up to what I was told about it
W: I see. What exactly is the matter?
M: Well, first of all, there’s this large scratch across the front of it.
W: But you should have noticed that when you bought it.
M: But it was in the box, all sealed up.
W: Well, I’m sorry. But it really is your responsibility to check the goods when you buy them. How are we to know that it wasn’t you who made the scratch?
M: That’s ridiculous. But, anyway, it’s not the most important thing. I really am not happy about this other thing.
W: And, what is that?
M: Look, it says here that the noise from it should undetectable by other people.
W: Yes, that’s right.
M: But people can hear it. And it’s really embarrassing on the bus in the underground.
W: Well, I’m sorry. But it must be the way you’re wearing the headphones.
M: Look, I know how to put earphones in my ears. Thank you very much. But what I want to know is what you’re going to do about it at all.
W: Well, I suppose we could exchange it for another model if you really aren’t happy with it.
M: No. I certainly am not.
W: Well, if I just could have the receipt.
M: Ah, yes. Well, there is a slight problem about the receipt.
4.A 5.A 6.C 7.B
Conversation Three
W: Hello. Happy Time Catering Services. Victoria’s speaking. How can I help you?
M: Hello, Victoria. This is Joe Smith from Country Holidays. I wonder if you could do some catering for us next week. We’re having a small reception. It’s to launch our summer holiday advertising campaign. Would you be free?
W: When exactly is it, Mr. Smith?
M: Apr.21st. That’s Thursday. Oh, sorry, no. It should be Friday.
W: Oh, yes, I can do that. Where will you be holding it?
M: We thought we’d have it at head office and use the conference room because there is enough room for every one there.
W: Ok. What sort of things would you like?
M: Just a light lunch, I think. So that people can eat while they move around and talk to each other. You did something similar for us last year. We’ll be happy to have the same menu again.
W: Right. I’ll look at my diary and see what you had last time. Oh, I nearly forgot to ask you. How many should I cater for?
M: Well, I think most people would be able to come, perhaps around 30. No, let’s say 35 to be sure.
W: Right. Thank you for getting in touch, Mr. Smith. I’ll send you confirmation of the arrangements by the end of this week.
M: OK.
8.C 9.A 10.D
Section B PASSAGES
Passage One
For shopaholics, the post-Christmas period means only one thing — sales! Across the country, prices are slashed on clothing, electronics, home furnishings and more, but London is the place for serious shopping, and you can certainly pick up some amazing bargains.
The sales start on Boxing Day — 26th December, and continue for the month of January, but the keenest bargain hunters get there early to be first through the doors. In Oxford Street queues formed outside shops ahead of pre-dawn openings for the start of their sales. At Brent Cross, in north London, more than 1,000 people were queuing at 3:30am for the “Next” clothing store’s sale which began at 4am. Some people even camped outside the shops to be first in the line.
Some people are taking their friends shopping with them, and buying their Christmas presents in the sales — a practical but unromantic way of making sure you get the gift you really want. For a less exciting but less stressful shopping experience, online retailers are also getting in on the act with January sales of their own. The most organized of all are those who are already doing their present shopping for next Christmas, in the January sales!
11. C 12. A 13.D
Passage Two
Ballroom dancing used to be seen as something rather unfashionable that old people might do. For the past five years though, the popularity of ballroom dancing has soared thanks to a reality TV show. “Strictly Come Dancing” is one of the big TV shows. Millions of people tune in every Saturday night to watch the show which airs from September right up to Christmas. In the show a number of professional ballroom dancers each dance with a celebrity. Every week they have to learn a different ballroom dance and perform it live on TV on the Saturday night.
The show demonstrates how glamorous ballroom dancing is. The celebrities get to wear colorful dresses and suits to dance in, and it looks like a lot of fun. The TV programme also shows what good exercise it can be to ballroom dance and what hard work is involved in learning the dances and performing them properly.
Dance schools around the country have seen a boost in the numbers of people wanting to learn how to dance. And it’s not only older people who’re interested. Lots of children and young people in their 20s are keen to learn.
14.B 15.A 16.A 17.C
Passage Three
Recently a couple in New Zealand were forbidden from naming their baby son 4Real. (18) Even though New Zealand has quite liberal rules about naming children, names beginning with a number are not allowed. They decided to call him Superman instead.
In many countries around the world, unusual names for children are becoming more popular, especially since the increasing trend for celebrities to give their children unusual names.
Some parents choose names which come from popular culture. For example, there have been six boys named Gandalf after the character in the Lord of the Rings novels and films. Equally, names relating to sport are fairly common — since 1984, 36 children have been called Arsenal after the football team.
Other parents like to make up names, or combine names to make their own unique version, a method demonstrated by Jordan, the British model, who recently invented the name Tiáamii for her daughter by combining the names Thea and Amy (the two grandmothers). She was quoted as saying that the accent and double letters were added to make the name “more exotic”.
Other countries have much stricter rules when it comes to naming children. Countries including Japan, Denmark, Spain, Germany and Argentina have an approved list of names from which parents must choose.
18.C 19.D 20.A
