问答题 Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be read at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The list reading will be read at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more.
Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE.

【正确答案】

【答案解析】[听力原文]
American Characteristics
Individualism, independence, and soft-reliance are perhaps the most distinctive American characteristics. American "individualism" is considered a good thing, and is regarded as a good quality; it does not mean being selfish. Each person is expected to make decisions for himself about all aspects of life. The nuclear family is an important aspect of American society, but usually has much less influence on the behavior of any individual in it than is generally true in Eastern countries. Children are encouraged from an early age to be self-reliant. Parents provide advice and assistance, especially when their children are young, but the importance of the individual is stressed. This is reflected in American expression such as "You are the master of your own fate." Americans assume a greater responsibility for the decisions they make and the actions they take. This principle applies to all aspects of life, including the family, social relations, finance, business, law and medicine.