Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short news items. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the question and the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer.

单选题 What action does Microsoft intend to take? A. To keep the code for its Windows operating system a secret. B. To design some new computer software. C. To persuade more PC users to adopt the Windows operating system.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[听力原文] The military in Israel has carried out more air attacks on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian medical workers say at least four people were killed in one Israeli airstrike east of Gaza City. Witnesses say three of the dead were Hamas militants.
单选题 What is a pantomime? A. It is an old form of entertainment. B. It is a newly created form of entertainment. C. It is a modem form of entertainment.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[听力原文] India, a special court has sentenced the first five of one hundred people found guilty of involvement in deadly bomb attacks fourteen years ago. More than two hundred fifty people died in the bombings in Mumbai in 1993. The court sentenced the five men to three years each in prison.
单选题 How many people died from the bird flu in Indonesia?
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[听力原文] Japanese officials have confirmed a case of the H5N1 bird flu virus at a farm in southwestern Japan. There have been no reported human infections. It is the first time in three years that Japan had reported a case of this form of the H5N1 virus. Last Week, four people in Indonesia died from bird flu infections. At least sixty-one people there have died from the disease.
单选题 Where did the earthquake take place?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[听力原文] In Indonesia, a strong earthquake has struck the western island of Sumatra. At least 70 people were killed. Officials say hundreds of others were injured. The earthquake struck 50 kilometers from West Sumatra's capital Padang.
单选题 How many British students joined the University Boat Race?
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[听力原文] The University Boat Race is a uniquely British institution but it's taken on a distinctly international character. It dates back to 1829 and is now broadcast on television in more than a hundred countries. And of the sixteen rowers in the two boats, only five were British this year. It was the first time a French rower had taken part for at least a century. There were also four Americans, three Germans, two Canadians and an Australian.