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 is the number of countries mentioned in this news report?

A、

A. Five.
B、

B. Six.
C、

C. Seven.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[听力原文] The list of countries known to have the relatively new and deadly strain of bird flu is rapidly growing. The focus now is on Indonesia where tests will soon confirm whether or not the bird flu which killed several million chickens there is the often fatal H5N1, already confirmed in 5 other countries in the region. Reports of an outbreak in Laos are also being investigated.

单选题 What can we learn from the news? A. The tsunamis killed more than 126,000 people. B. European health ministers reminded the southern Asia government to be alert of the emotional scars caused by tsunamis. C. In Helsinki, a meeting was held to discuss how much money should be provided for southern Asia countries.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文] The devastating southern Asia tsunamis that killed more than 162,000 people last month and left survivors prone to potentially deadly epidemics have created another severe health problem--psychological trauma. Meeting in Helsinki, Finland, European health ministers urged governments to be mindful of the emotional scars caused by the disaster.

单选题 Where does the International Energy Agency base in?

A、

A. In New York.
B、

B. In Pairs.
C、

C. In Tokyo.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文] The International Energy Agency, a multilateral research organization based in Paris, says the world oil and gas industry will require $4 trillion of investment during the next three decades to maintain current levels of production.

单选题 Why did Britain's Prince Harry cause wrath of the people? A. Because he called for a Europe-wide ban on Nazi insignia. B. Because he refused to attend to a fancy dress party. C. Because he wore a swastika armband and Nazi regalia.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[听力原文] German politicians have called for a Europe-wide ban on Nazi insignia after Britain's Prince Harry caused outrage by wearing a swastika armband and Nazi regalia at a fancy dress party.

单选题 Where was the American soldier killed?

A、

A. Central Iraq.
B、

B. Northern Iraq.
C、

C. East of Baghdad.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[听力原文] The United States military said an American soldier was killed in an attack east of Baghdad. Earlier, the military said coalition forces detained 19 suspected terrorists over the past two days in central and northern Iraq.