【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析]
The news media in the U. S. consists of radio, television, magazines, and newspapers which are pervasive in the lives of many Americans and influential in their daily routines. Many Americans begin their day reading the newspaper or watching a morning news program on television while drinking their coffee. While driving to work, the news can be heard on the car radio. Throughout the day the news is a prime feature on the television with up to two hours of news in the early evening and more news late at night. For those who prefer reading, the evening newspaper offers the reader the possibility of reading the news others see and hear on television.
The news media in the U. S. are free of government control. It is up to the general public to choose what to read, watch or listen to. Therefore, the media must have sensitivity to the interests of the public...therefore news is a big business. However, it is a very competitive business, as each station or each paper competes for audiences and readers. Each tries to present to the news Americans want to know. When an item becomes newsworthy, such as an election or a war, Americans will become familiar with the most minute details as the news media scrambles to provide as much information as possible. The result though is that the news often becomes repetitive. As the news media reports the same news items thought to be the most interesting and impressive, listeners, viewers or readers might find it difficult to be selective. Nevertheless, most Americans will not criticize their news media too harshly. The credibility of the news media is generally acknowledged and accepted by the American public, although some people are more skeptical.
One of the three (ABC, NBC, and CBS) major commercial networks, CBS was organized in 1928 when its founder, William Paley, acquired ownership of a group of radio stations. As the Columbia Broadcasting System expanded its operations, soon becoming the largest radio network in the United States, it recognized the potential in the rapidly evolving television broadcasting technology. On July 13, 1931, it began experimental television broadcasting in New York, and then ten years later began regular black-and-white weekly broadcasts over its WCBW-TV station in the same city, which became WCBS-TV in November 1946. With Television City in Hollywood, CBS launched the industry's first full-scale production studio.
Today, CBS owns television stations, radio stations, and home-video production and distribution interests. The CBS Broadcasting Group is composed of six divisions: network television, entertainment, sports, news, local television stations, and radio.
For most of commercial television history, CBS has been the network leader in prime-time ratings, having the highest-rated shows in almost every year from the mid-1950s through the mid-1980s; however recently CBS lost its top position to NBC.
CBS has traditionally been strong in the TV news area. The network began the first regular TV news program in 1948 with Douglas Edwards as anchor. Journalism legends such as Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite have given CBS its reputation as quality news broadcaster.
Professor Well do any of you know a journalist working in CBS? Ok, uh, my friend Tom is a popular journalist.
Student A Yes, I know him. I really enjoyed the pieces he had in the paper. That was good journalism.
Professor Well, you know, it's always nice to get a pat on the back once in a while for their hard work.
Student A They deserve it. I can't say that for all journalists, however.
Professor I'm sorry to admit that many reporters are giving the profession a bad name.
Student B There is a desire on the part of many papers to go for the sensational. They're always looking for the headlines that will attract the readers' attention.
Professor And reporters like to have their story be the one that is noticed. I'm glad you appreciated mine even if it wasn't sensational.
Student A You're right. It wasn't sensational, but it was some good investigative reporting on a subject that is of interest to everyone.
Professor It seems like bad things people do get a lot more attention than the good things they do.
Student B I have been thinking about another aspect of journalism. Do you think reporters should express their opinions?
Professor That's a "biggie". It's one of the big questions in the profession. Many people think that a reporter should just give the facts and nothing more. I think, however, it is almost impossible to report on an issue without slanting it toward your personal beliefs, especially if you have strong feelings. I guess it's a good thing that not all newspapers are printed from the same point of view.
[解析] 本题为要点题，此类题主要考查考生是否能理解听力材料中的关键词汇、词组或事实，并通过综合分析来确定听力材料的要点。题目问：该讲座谈论的主要话题是什么?选项A(美国大众传媒的发展)、选项B(新闻业的利弊)和选项C(哥伦比亚传播体系的发展)都过于片面。这篇讲座主要讲美国大众传媒的特色，故选项D为正确答案。
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题还是细节题，考查考生理解并记住听力材料中的细节或事实的能力。题目问：关于CBS，下列哪一选项的描述不符合讲座的内容?句子“On July 13, 1931, it began experimental television broadcasting in New York (1931年7月13日，CBS在纽约开始其试验性的电视播放)”说明正确答案为选项C(1946年7月13日，CBS在纽约开始其试验性的电视播放)。因为选项C年代有错，不符合文章内容。
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 本题为语用理解题，考查考生对听力材料的语用理解，主要是理解说话者的目的。题目问：为什么报刊杂志总还包含个人意见?听力材料的最后一段说“I think, however, it is almost impossible to report on an issue without slanting it toward your personal beliefs (然而，我认为毫无个人偏见地报道一件事是几乎不可能的)”。由此得出正确答案为选项A(因为不这样做是不可能的)。