【正确答案】[听力原文] A: People, almost everybody I think, are talking about the ever developing society and the effects of these developments at some time or other. B: Of course they are, because people are busier and better-informed than before. A: Besides, they're also more pressured, hurried and most importantly, more money-oriented. Don't you think the only thing people are interested in today is earning more money? B: They are making more money, but they deserve it and they should take full advantage of the many opportunities for making more money. I don't think there's anything wrong with making more money by working harder. A: I'm not saying there's something wrong with their doing this. I'm just afraid people will get lost in this crazy pursuit for more money. You know, everyone has something deep in his/her heart that he/she has been dreaming of for quite a while. B: We do have something we want to do during our lifetime and we could do it if we want. We could enjoy it better if we have more money. A: But what do you think is "more money" and when do you think you've made "enough" money to enjoy your long-dreamed pleasure? B: I've no clear idea about it, but maybe most people think the time will come when they have had a house, a car and some savings that will suffice their daily consumption as well as their hobbies. But before this they will surely focus on making more money. A: It does need money to do all you've mentioned, but people mustn't be lost in the pursuit for more money. Money and material comfort can never be the only elements of life and not everyone in the world could become rich. B: It's true that not everyone could be rich or wealthy but they should work hard to live a better life. A: Then comes the problem in people's addiction in making more money without paying attention to all the blessings from nature. B: So what? A: You see, no one can foresee the end of his life but he could decide how to pass the lifetime. When we're alive, we should do what's dreamed of (It must be righteous of course.) while making a living, instead of getting lost in making money. B: What you said does make some sense to me now. Human beings should never become slaves of money. In nature, money is only a way to get what we want with hard work. A: You're right. I want to quote from you "get what we want". So that means we should know what we really want from life and in most cases it's not money. B: I hope everybody could realize this and have a joyful, balanced and fulfilled life.

【答案解析】[解析] 在对话前，考生最好先商量好谁问、谁答。尽量选择双方都熟悉的题目。本题可以从生活中的故事下手，因为生活里的小事更能反映出人生的哲理，比泛泛的评论要更令人信服。同时此类题目要注意以下几个方面：是否同意此观点、生活中有没有类似的事例、为什么你是这样认为的等。

【正确答案】[听力原文] A: Oh it's really an annoyance! You see I hardly have the chance to watch TV since I focus myself almost solely on schoolwork and other activities, but when I have the time.... B: I understand you. You want to say the commercials on TV, right? A: You know what I mean. Really! B: I hate the ads, too, not only from TV programs but also in newspapers, buses and even everywhere on the streets wherever you go. A: I'm just wondering why there haven't been any actions taken to stop all the disturbing ads. I don't think there are many people who love them. As far as I have observed, people usually neglect them and sometimes pay no attention at all. B: In fact, there aren't many people who really look at the ads attentively. But advertisers are just influencing and impressing people in this unconscious way. A: Are you saying that we're actually being persuaded by these ads while feeling annoyed or bored by them? B: Believe it or not, advertisers just want ads to work this way. And in this way advertisers are providing very useful information to the audience or readers. A: I don't understand. Just now you were saying that you hate these ads and now you're defending the advertisers, saying that they're providing useful service to the community. So now you're beginning to like the non-stop ads that suddenly pop out while you're dying to know the end of the story. B: Don't misunderstand me. Let me explain. When you say you hate ads, you're just talking about the ones you don't expect to see. Tell me, are there ads of any kind that attract you? A: Hm ... Yes. I like ads for cars and for movies or TV serials newly produced. B: People could be influenced by ads to some extent, but do these ads benefit us in some way? A: Undoubtedly! With ads advertisers could better inform the potential consumers of the information of certain products. As we all know, sometimes we don't have enough or appropriate knowledge of the items we want to buy. Advertisers could tell us more about the nature or functionality of certain products. B: Yes, they're informing us of something, but I don't think all of their propaganda is well intended. It's widely recognized that some ads give exaggerated or even false information that will mislead the consumers. A: Every coin has two sides. There's truly something not so good from the advertisers, but they are doing more good than bad. Besides promoting for their goods and letting the potential consumers have a better understanding of what to buy and the functions required from the purchase, these advertisers are also contributing to the perfection of art. B: You're pulling my leg! I agree that these advertisers are informing the audiences or readers of certain products, but how could they contribute to the perfection of art? And will you be so nice to say they are also contributing to the peace and development of the world, too?

【答案解析】[解析] 考生可以从广告对人们购买产品和服务的选择以及广告对人们行为习惯的影响两方面来讨论这个问题。

【正确答案】[听力原文] A: It's reported that a trend towards part-time work has been observed over recent years. B: Well, although it is often quoted as a "new" form of employment, its practice has a long history. But recently the incidence of part-time work has increased as part of the "new" recruitment policies adopted by companies. A: Part-time work has many advantages. It can be an alternative solution to the problem of unemployment or a means of finding a second job, and so it is easily adjustable to personal and family needs. B: The data reveal that both employers and employees alike agree that part-time work contributes to the fulfillment of the needs of the market and the saving of resources on the part of the enterprises involved. It promotes greater flexibility in companies. A: Part-time work contracts are indeed a useful means for making the management and organization of production more flexible. B: In the old times, the main motive for employees in choosing part-time work is the fear of long-term unemployment. But today many people choose part-time work voluntarily. It is an expression of the flexible organization of working time. A: That's perhaps why it is the option preferred by women, since it allows them to combine a job with housework and the family. In the recent appearance of part-time employment, women have a higher level of education. This trend is particularly noticeable in more skilled sectors like health and education. B: There are more male part-time workers, too. These male part-time workers tend to be young. Also, they have a higher level of education. A: Actually, there is indication that the higher the level of education and qualification, the greater the tendency towards part-time employment. B: But male part-time employment corresponds to a period of transition between studies, first job and professional stability while female part-time employment corresponds more to the situation of women returning to work after bringing up children. A: Nevertheless, we should notice that part-time employees have lower pay and worse social security coverage and may suffer from serious psychological problems on account of being "second-class" wage earners. B: A section amongst the employers, especially the more dynamic ones, recognizes that the long-term use of part-time work, leaving aside its positive effects, results in the reduction of competitiveness since it is directly connected to factors which have a negative impact on productivity, such as the lack of skills. A: As for me, people must have the free option to spend less time in paid employment and more time working in voluntary, co-operative and creative activities such as caring for children, self-fulfillment, and providing services to the community through social, environmental and cultural projects. B: Moreover, many people are demanding a reduction in working hours as a solution to the current unemployment crisis. Part-time employment is a way to achieve this reduction. Meanwhile, as far as employers are concerned, the positive results of part-time work in enterprises explain their interest in agreeing to its extension over recent years.

【答案解析】[解析] 这个话题是要求考生谈一谈当前择业的一种趋势——非全日制工作。考生可以从这种趋势出现的原因谈起，再谈谈对雇佣这些工人的公司的建议，以及个人为何作出这样的选择。最后谈谈它可能存在的弊端。

【正确答案】[听力原文] A: After learning English for so many years, I still find it is no easy task. B: Oh, come on, I think your English is quite proficient. A: No, I don't think so. My learning of English is incomplete. B: Then which aspect do you find is the most difficult for learners from non-English-speaking backgrounds? A: The idioms, without doubt. Non-native English speakers can often handle the spelling and grammar in English, but when it comes to the idiomatic usage, they will make various mistakes, sometimes even very foolish and ridiculous mistakes. B: Idioms are the essence of a language. No wonder it is the most difficult for a non-native speaker to master. A: Yes, take American movies for example. They are chock full of idioms—of course, so is American life. Sometimes I found I heard every word clearly, but I just couldn't make out what the speaker is talking about when the words are coined together. Also I lack the ability to produce native-like English. So I think idioms can be a more serious roadblock to someone learning English than anything else. B: It is said that anyone currently enrolled in a 300-level language course—or who has already completed one—could go to a foreign country where that language is spoken and be understood. Nonetheless, lack of knowledge of idioms and common slang make such a person easily identified as an outsider, a non-native speaker. A: Although one may have a very slight accent and appears to be quite proficient in English, he or she frequently produces language that has a definite non-English flavor, that is, not the conventionalized language that is genuinely idiomatic when compared with that of native speakers. B: Foreigners are liable to use some expressions that native speakers would never use. It is discovered that non-native-like features appear to remain in an individual's second language production even after many years of constant exposure to and use of a second language. A: To offset this unavoidable disadvantage, it's advisable to set up a number of programs to help students learn the intricacies of English and American culture and colloquial English. B: That will really be beneficial to the students of non-native backgrounds. As for me, I find sometimes it is difficult to choose the appropriate expression according to the situation. I tend to repeat similar phrases over and over and fail to vary the phrases just as a native speaker would. A: Right, situation also dictates language choice. In linguistics various terms have been coined for certain types of key expressions that are related to specific contexts or situations. These conversational routines, politeness formulae and situation-bound utterances could well be useful in raising our awareness about the relationship between language and culture. B: Exactly! So in order to have a high competence of English, it is also significant for us to have some understanding of the culture of the target country. A: Besides, we should notice the varieties of English nowadays. Sometimes Americans and British people will use different words for the same thing. It is really confusing. For example, the word "jumper" in Britain means a sweater. In the United States, it is a dress. And the British call potato chips "crisps". All of these differences led British writer George Bernard Shaw to joke that Britain and America are two countries separated by the same language! B: So native-like selection requires that an individual choose from among a number of grammatical and correct paraphrases, elements that are both natural and idiomatic. To achieve native-like English language proficiency, we still have a long way to go.

【答案解析】[解析] 本话题中，考生可以谈及语言学习的各个方面，如词汇、语法、语用等，而文化作为语言习得的重要背景也可以涉及。