【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[听力原文]
Every culture has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. These are the living speech of a people. The "soap" expressions in English are just one example.
Soap operas are radio and television plays about the problems and emotions in human relationships. They are called soap operas, because the first programs—years ago—were paid for by soap-making companies.
Like musical operas, soap operas are not about real people. And critics charge that they do not represent a balanced picture of real life. They note that almost every one in a soap opera has a serious emotional problem, or is guilty of a crime. And there are several crises in every program.
Yet, soap opera fans do not care about what the critics say. They love the programs and watch them every day. Such loyalty has made soap operas very popular in the United States. In fact, a few programs are so popular that they have been produced with the same actors for many years.
Another expression that uses the word soap is "soap box". There was a time when soap and other products were shipped in wooden boxes. The boxes were small, but strong. You could stand on one to see over the heads in a crowd. Soap boxes were a simple, easy way to make yourself taller if you wanted to give a public speech. Such soapbox speeches usually were political. The speakers shouted their ideas to anyone who walked by. Many talked for hours.
Today, you don"t need a wooden box to make a soapbox speech. Anyone, anywhere, who talks endlessly about a cause is said to be on a soap box.
Another, quieter way to win support or gain influence is to "soft-soap" a person. This means to use praise or other kind words to get the person to do what you want.