听力题Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard

听力题 London taxi drivers know the capital like the back of their hands. No matter how small and indistinct the street is, the driver will be able to get you there without any trouble. The reason London taxi drivers are so efficient is that they have all gone through a very tough training period to get a special taxi driving license. During this period, which can take from two to four years, the would-be taxi driver has to learn the most direct route to every single road and every important building in London. To achieve this, most learners go around the city on small motorbikes, practicing how to move to and from different points of the city. Learner taxi-drivers are tested several times during their training period by government officers. Their exams are a terrible experience. The officers ask you, "How do you get from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London?" and you have to take them there in a direct line. When you get to the Tower, they would say "Well done." They would quickly move on the next question, after five or six questions, they would just say, "See you in two months'' time," and then you know the exam is over. Learner drivers are not allowed to work and earn money as drivers. Therefore, many of them keep their precious jobs until they obtain their license. The training can cost quite a lot, because learners have to pay for their own expense on the tests and medical exam. London taxi drivers know the capital like the back of their hands. No matter how small and indistinct the street is, the driver will be able to get you there without any trouble. The reason London taxi drivers are so efficient is that they have all gone through a very tough training period to get a special taxi driving license. During this period, which can take from two to four years, the would-be taxi driver has to learn the most direct route to every single road and every important building in London. To achieve this, most learners go around the city on small motorbikes, practicing how to move to and from different points of the city. Learner taxi-drivers are tested several times during their training period by government officers. Their exams are a terrible experience. The officers ask you, "How do you get from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London?" and you have to take them there in a direct line. When you get to the Tower, they would say "Well done." They would quickly move on the next question, after five or six questions, they would just say, "See you in two months'' time," and then you know the exam is over. Learner drivers are not allowed to work and earn money as drivers. Therefore, many of them keep their precious jobs until they obtain their license. The training can cost quite a lot, because learners have to pay for their own expense on the tests and medical exam.

听力题M: Hey, Jane! What''s so interesting? W: What? Oh

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听力题W: Good morning, Tom! How are you

听力题M: You''re probably wondering why I asked you to come see me. W: Yes, I am. I have been a little worried about it all morning. M: Oh, I should have told you more when I saw you after class, but there were so many students waiting to ask questions. Jean, I wanted to tell you that I have nominated you for the outstanding student award. W: Really? M: You are clearly the best student in my class, and, as I understand, in the rest of your classes as well. I have talked with your other professors. You see, in order to be chosen for the award, you need to have three professors sign the nomination. Dr. Jones, Dr. Harvey, and Dr. Small were more than glad to do so. W: This is such a surprise. I can hardly take it in. M: Well, I think you have a very good chance to win it. W: Dr. Foley, the fact that you think highly enough of me to make the nomination is more than enough for me. I''m really happy just to be nominated. M: You deserve it. The selection committee will be calling you to set up an interview. Call me when they do, and I''ll meet with you to give you some suggestions on how to prepare. If you get the award, you''ll receive five hundred dollars along with the certificate of honor. W: Thank you so much, Dr. Foley, I''m really honored. M: You''re probably wondering why I asked you to come see me. W: Yes, I am. I have been a little worried about it all morning. M: Oh, I should have told you more when I saw you after class, but there were so many students waiting to ask questions. Jean, I wanted to tell you that I have nominated you for the outstanding student award. W: Really? M: You are clearly the best student in my class, and, as I understand, in the rest of your classes as well. I have talked with your other professors. You see, in order to be chosen for the award, you need to have three professors sign the nomination. Dr. Jones, Dr. Harvey, and Dr. Small were more than glad to do so. W: This is such a surprise. I can hardly take it in. M: Well, I think you have a very good chance to win it. W: Dr. Foley, the fact that you think highly enough of me to make the nomination is more than enough for me. I''m really happy just to be nominated. M: You deserve it. The selection committee will be calling you to set up an interview. Call me when they do, and I''ll meet with you to give you some suggestions on how to prepare. If you get the award, you''ll receive five hundred dollars along with the certificate of honor. W: Thank you so much, Dr. Foley, I''m really honored.

听力题 Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, think the auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urban travel in the foreseeable future. The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer, and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types. Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the main problem in urban traffic jams. One proposed solution to this problem is the automated highway system. When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable arm will drop from the auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail, the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car''s movements. The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, think the auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urban travel in the foreseeable future. The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer, and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types. Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the main problem in urban traffic jams. One proposed solution to this problem is the automated highway system. When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable arm will drop from the auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail, the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car''s movements. The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway.

听力题M: You should have seen the line at the housing office. It took me an hour to make my dormitory deposit for next year. Have you made yours yet? W: No, I''m not sure I am going to. M: There is not much time left. The deadline is May 1st. That''s just two weeks from now. Are you short of cash? W: No, I''m OK. M: You''d better hurry up if you want a dorm room next September. There aren''t enough rooms for everyone. And first year students have priority. W: Well, I''ve been thinking of living off campus. M: Have you any idea how much that will cost? There''s the rent, utilities and you probably need a car to commute. W: I know it''ll be more expensive, but I think I can handle it, though. This dorm is just so noisy that I can''t get anything done. Maybe my grades would be better if had some peace and quiet in a place of my own. M: You should study in the library the way I do. Think of the money you''ll save. W: I''ve got to think it over some more. There are still two weeks left in April. M: You should have seen the line at the housing office. It took me an hour to make my dormitory deposit for next year. Have you made yours yet? W: No, I''m not sure I am going to. M: There is not much time left. The deadline is May 1st. That''s just two weeks from now. Are you short of cash? W: No, I''m OK. M: You''d better hurry up if you want a dorm room next September. There aren''t enough rooms for everyone. And first year students have priority. W: Well, I''ve been thinking of living off campus. M: Have you any idea how much that will cost? There''s the rent, utilities and you probably need a car to commute. W: I know it''ll be more expensive, but I think I can handle it, though. This dorm is just so noisy that I can''t get anything done. Maybe my grades would be better if had some peace and quiet in a place of my own. M: You should study in the library the way I do. Think of the money you''ll save. W: I''ve got to think it over some more. There are still two weeks left in April.

听力题W: Next patient, please! ...Come in. M: Morning

听力题 Sometimes the simplest of tools is the most useful. Consider, for example, the ruler. A ruler is mainly used to measure and draw straight lines on flat surfaces. It does not have a great many uses, especially since parents and teachers have given up trying to instruct children through spankings. Some rulers are clear and can be seen through, some made of metal, and some provide both metric and American measurements. People carry them in their shirt pockets, briefcases, or purses, to have them available for use any time. Of course, the ruler is not only simple but very useful device. Consider, for instance, the pencil, the doorknobs and hinges, and glass. Jet planes and computers are fine, but not necessary for survival. Who, on the other hand, could survive without the simple tools mentioned here? Sometimes the simplest of tools is the most useful. Consider, for example, the ruler. A ruler is mainly used to measure and draw straight lines on flat surfaces. It does not have a great many uses, especially since parents and teachers have given up trying to instruct children through spankings. Some rulers are clear and can be seen through, some made of metal, and some provide both metric and American measurements. People carry them in their shirt pockets, briefcases, or purses, to have them available for use any time. Of course, the ruler is not only simple but very useful device. Consider, for instance, the pencil, the doorknobs and hinges, and glass. Jet planes and computers are fine, but not necessary for survival. Who, on the other hand, could survive without the simple tools mentioned here?

听力题M: You don''t look too happy

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听力题 Robert Provine of the University of Maryland says people are not the only creatures who laugh. Animals laugh too, especially monkeys and their laughter sounds different from human laughter. Professor Provine says human beings began laughing before they could speak. Laughing started about three million years ago, when early humans first stood on two legs. That made it possible for their lungs and chest to make different sounds as well as breathe. Professor Provine says people in all cultures begin laughing early in life. Babies start laughing about four months after they are born. Many researchers believe laughter is a social reaction that connects one person to another. Laughter spreads among people. Hearing someone else laugh can make you laugh. Some researchers say laughter may be a sign that we trust those around us. Professor Provine says people use laughter as a way to ease another person''s anger or make a threatening situation safer. Making a situation seem less serious reduces any threat. Yet one researcher says laughing is an aggressive act. He believes laughter began as a cry of victory after a fight, and this feeling exists every time some laughs. Still others say that laughing is healthy. It can relieve worry and tension. Studies have found that laughing releases natural painkillers in the body. Laughing for several minutes increases the heart rate, eases muscle tension and pumps carbon dioxide out of the lungs. It makes a person feel good. Robert Provine of the University of Maryland says people are not the only creatures who laugh. Animals laugh too, especially monkeys and their laughter sounds different from human laughter. Professor Provine says human beings began laughing before they could speak. Laughing started about three million years ago, when early humans first stood on two legs. That made it possible for their lungs and chest to make different sounds as well as breathe. Professor Provine says people in all cultures begin laughing early in life. Babies start laughing about four months after they are born. Many researchers believe laughter is a social reaction that connects one person to another. Laughter spreads among people. Hearing someone else laugh can make you laugh. Some researchers say laughter may be a sign that we trust those around us. Professor Provine says people use laughter as a way to ease another person''s anger or make a threatening situation safer. Making a situation seem less serious reduces any threat. Yet one researcher says laughing is an aggressive act. He believes laughter began as a cry of victory after a fight, and this feeling exists every time some laughs. Still others say that laughing is healthy. It can relieve worry and tension. Studies have found that laughing releases natural painkillers in the body. Laughing for several minutes increases the heart rate, eases muscle tension and pumps carbon dioxide out of the lungs. It makes a person feel good.

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听力题M: It''s good to see you back

听力题 Imaging this: You wake up each morning to find your sister lying beside you, to get dressed and tie your shoes, you use one hand and she uses another. You do everything out together, too, even sitting on the same chair at lunch and riding on the same bicycle. That''s what life is like for six-year-old Betty and Abby. Like most twins, the two girls look very much alike, but unlike most twins, Betty and Abby share parts of the same body. Twins like Betty and Abby are rare. Only about 40 sets are born in the United States each year. Few survive as long as Betty and Abby. That''s because twins often share vital organs, like a heart or brain. The shared organs are often badly shaped and may not be strong enough to support both twins. But Betty and Abby each has her own head, heart and stomach which function normally. Because she has three or four lungs which provide plenty of oxygen for both twins. Most of their completely shared organs lie below the waist. Betty and Abby live relatively normal lives. They attend a regular school, and each does her own school work. They prefer to do some projects together, though, for example, to cut out paper dolls, one twin holds the paper, while the other uses the scissors. But sometimes, the girls don''t want to do the same thing, for example, sometimes they want to play with different toys. What do they do then? "We toss a coin", says Abby. Imaging this: You wake up each morning to find your sister lying beside you, to get dressed and tie your shoes, you use one hand and she uses another. You do everything out together, too, even sitting on the same chair at lunch and riding on the same bicycle. That''s what life is like for six-year-old Betty and Abby. Like most twins, the two girls look very much alike, but unlike most twins, Betty and Abby share parts of the same body. Twins like Betty and Abby are rare. Only about 40 sets are born in the United States each year. Few survive as long as Betty and Abby. That''s because twins often share vital organs, like a heart or brain. The shared organs are often badly shaped and may not be strong enough to support both twins. But Betty and Abby each has her own head, heart and stomach which function normally. Because she has three or four lungs which provide plenty of oxygen for both twins. Most of their completely shared organs lie below the waist. Betty and Abby live relatively normal lives. They attend a regular school, and each does her own school work. They prefer to do some projects together, though, for example, to cut out paper dolls, one twin holds the paper, while the other uses the scissors. But sometimes, the girls don''t want to do the same thing, for example, sometimes they want to play with different toys. What do they do then? "We toss a coin", says Abby.

听力题 The first step in stopping drug abuse is knowing why people start to use drugs. The reasons people abuse drugs are as different as people are from one another. But there seems to be one common thread: people seem to take drugs to change the way they feel. They want to feel better or to feel happy or to feel nothing. Sometimes they want to forget or to remember. People often feel better about themselves when they are under the influence of drugs. But the effects don''t last long. Drugs don''t solve problems. They just postpone them. No matter how far drugs may take you, it''s always a round trip. After a while, people who misuse drugs may feel worse about themselves and then they will use more and more drugs. If someone you know is using or abusing drugs, you can help. The most important part you can play is to be there. You can let your friend know that you care. You can listen and try to solve the problem behind your friend''s need to use drugs. Two people together can often solve a problem that seems too big for one person alone. Studies of heavy drug-users in the United States show that they felt unloved and unwanted. They didn''t have close friends to talk to. When you or your friends take the time to care for each other, you are all helping to stop drug abuse. After all, what are friends for? The first step in stopping drug abuse is knowing why people start to use drugs. The reasons people abuse drugs are as different as people are from one another. But there seems to be one common thread: people seem to take drugs to change the way they feel. They want to feel better or to feel happy or to feel nothing. Sometimes they want to forget or to remember. People often feel better about themselves when they are under the influence of drugs. But the effects don''t last long. Drugs don''t solve problems. They just postpone them. No matter how far drugs may take you, it''s always a round trip. After a while, people who misuse drugs may feel worse about themselves and then they will use more and more drugs. If someone you know is using or abusing drugs, you can help. The most important part you can play is to be there. You can let your friend know that you care. You can listen and try to solve the problem behind your friend''s need to use drugs. Two people together can often solve a problem that seems too big for one person alone. Studies of heavy drug-users in the United States show that they felt unloved and unwanted. They didn''t have close friends to talk to. When you or your friends take the time to care for each other, you are all helping to stop drug abuse. After all, what are friends for?

听力题 Many people catch a cold in the springtime or fall. It makes us wonder if scientists can send a man to the moon, why can''t they find a cure for the common cold? The answer is easy. There''re actually hundreds of kinds of cold viruses out there. You never know which one you will get, so there isn''t a cure for each one. When a virus attacks your body, your body works hard to get rid of it. Blood rushes to your nose and causes a blockage in it. You feel terrible because you can''t breathe well, but your body is actually eating the virus. Your temperature rises and you get a fever, but the heat of your body is killing the virus. You also have a running nose to stop the virus from getting to your cells. You may feel miserable, but actually your wonderful body is doing everything it can to kill the cold. Different people have different remedies for colds. In the United States and some other countries, for example, people might eat chicken soup to feel better. Some people take hot baths and drink warm liquids. Other people take medicines to relieve various symptoms of colds. There is one interesting thing to note: Some scientists say taking medicines when you have a cold is actually bad for you. The virus stays in you longer because your body doesn''t develop a way to fight it and kill it. Many people catch a cold in the springtime or fall. It makes us wonder if scientists can send a man to the moon, why can''t they find a cure for the common cold? The answer is easy. There''re actually hundreds of kinds of cold viruses out there. You never know which one you will get, so there isn''t a cure for each one. When a virus attacks your body, your body works hard to get rid of it. Blood rushes to your nose and causes a blockage in it. You feel terrible because you can''t breathe well, but your body is actually eating the virus. Your temperature rises and you get a fever, but the heat of your body is killing the virus. You also have a running nose to stop the virus from getting to your cells. You may feel miserable, but actually your wonderful body is doing everything it can to kill the cold. Different people have different remedies for colds. In the United States and some other countries, for example, people might eat chicken soup to feel better. Some people take hot baths and drink warm liquids. Other people take medicines to relieve various symptoms of colds. There is one interesting thing to note: Some scientists say taking medicines when you have a cold is actually bad for you. The virus stays in you longer because your body doesn''t develop a way to fight it and kill it.

听力题W: Dad, Dad, Dad! M: Uh, what, what, uh