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superstitions .They may wear a ring as a talisman or often say,” touch wood” for good luck.
Chris: Then, what about the unlucky people? Do you mean if they think they ate unlucky, they tend to believe in superstitions abut bad luck.
Susan: Yeah. They worry a lot about a broken mirror, a black cat running across their path, and so on. Chris: So what is his point?
Susan: His point is that people make their own luck by their attitude to life. So, 49 percent of lucky people regularly cross their fingers, compared to 30 percent of unlucky people. And only 18 percent of lucky people are anxious if they break a mirror. Chris: So, our fate is linked to our attitude rather than to our superstitions.
Susan: I think that’s what he is suggesting.
Chris: This research seems too complicates. If I were a psychologist, I would conduct a survey to find whether 13 really is an unlucky number. I f there ere traffic accidents or murders on the 13th than on other days, then we have to believe in superstitions. Susan: What if there weren’t?
Chris: Then I wouldn’t be superstitious.
Susan: What a brilliant idea! I never expected you to be as wise as Solomon.
Chris: Well as long as you don’t think I’m a fool. MODEL3 I believe ETs have visited the earth before. Script
Nora: Hey, what’s this picture of yours? It looks like a flying saucer.
Chris: It is. I was visited by aliens last week and this is a picture of their spacecraft.
Nora: When I look closer, it resembles a liver Frisbee.
Chris: But it could have been aliens. I believe ETs have visited the earth before. What do you think? Nora: It would be hard to believe otherwise. Projects like the pyramids are difficult to explain away, given the level of technology that was available at the time Chris: That’s for sure. They are mysterious.
Nora: When you consider all those “impossibilities, it’s tempting to infer that some highly advanced civilization assisted humans in their construction. Chris: Think about this: if you were abducted by aliens and taken up to their spaceship or something …well…
Nora: What do you mean?
Chris: I mean, who would believe you? You’d go nuts telling everyone: “It’s true! I was abducted by aliens!” Nora: And everyone would think you were crazy, or just making up a story to get attention.
Chris: From what I understand, sometimes these people do go crazy, trying to convince people about their experiences.
Nora: I believe that in some cases they offer pretty good evidence.
Chris: So, take a closer look at this picture. Do you still think it’s a Frisbee? Now Your Turn Task 1
SAMPLE DIALOG
Simon: Eliza, do you know why people say” keep your fingers crossed” when they want to wish others luck? Eliza: It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it’s a lot to do with an ancient Christian belief. Simon: Uh, go on.
Eliza: In the Christian belief “making the sign of the cross” would keep away evil spirits and bad luck. Simon: I see. When you think about the cross, sign of
Christianity, that belief seems to make some sense. Eliza: That’s true. That’s why children often cross their fingers when they tell a small lie. They want to keep bad luck away, or to avoid being punished. Simon: Sounds interesting. So, I’ll cross my fingers for you before you take the final examination. Eliza: Thank you.
Simon: But those who don’t understand this superstition might be puzzled
Eliza: With interesting communications among nations, more and more people can understand it now. V. Let’s Talk Script
Thanks, perhaps, to falling stock markets and unrest in the Middle East, Britons have become even more superstitious than usual, according to a report published today. “There has been a significant increase in superstition over the last month, possible as a result of current economic and political uncertainties,” stated Dr. Dick Armstrong. He launched an Internet Survey of national superstition, and found it to be surprisingly high, even among those with a scientific background. Only more in ten of those surveyed claimed not to be superstitious at all. Three out of four people in Britain feel the need to touch wood, and 65% cross their fingers.
It is interesting to note that lucky people were much less superstitious and tended to take constructive action to improve their lives. Conversely, superstitious people tended to regard themselves as among the less lucky, worried about life, had a strong need for control, and could not tolerate ambiguity. The survey also revealed some unexpected beliefs. For example, one respondent could not stay in the bathroom once a toilet had been flushed.
There was no evidence that superstitious ever worked, even, when people were instructed to carry lucky charms for a week. They didn’t feel any luckier or more stratified with their lives at the end of that week than when they started.
Armstrong attempted to explain this phenomenon: “When students are preparing for exams with a lucky charm, they may trust the charm, rather than doing some extra revision.” Reasons foe More Thanks, perhaps, to falling Superstitions stock markets and unrest in the Middle East, Britons have become even more superstitious than usual Lucky people were much less superstitious and tended to take constructive action to improve Who are more their lives. Conversely, superstitious? superstitious people tended to regard themselves as among the less lucky There was no evidence that superstitious ever worked, even, Do superstitions when people were instructed to work? carry lucky charms for a week. They didn’t feel any luckier or more stratified Explanation When students are preparing for exams with a lucky charm, they may trust the charm, rather than doing some extra revision. VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task1: Horseshoes as a Sign of Good Luck
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Script
Horseshoes are a traditional sign of good luck. Most people believe this comes from the fact that the horseshoe is shaped like the crescent moon, a period of prosperity and good fortune. One legend has it that the Devil was in disguise and wandering at large, looking for trouble. He happened to call on St. Dunstan, who ea skilled in shoeing horses. St. Dunstan recognized the Devil and tied him to a wall with only his feet free to move. He then set to work shoeing him as though he were a horse, but with such roughness the Devil cried out for mercy. St. Dunstan stopped his work and released the Devil after making him promise never to enter a home on which a horseshoe was fixed. Witches fear horses, so they are also turned away by a door with a horseshoe mounted on it. The big issue regarding horseshoes is whether they should be hung points up or points down.
The original superstition was that the horseshoe is points up to keep the luck from pouring out. Despite this view most buildings with horseshoes in their sign hang them the opposite way. The Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas hangs its horseshoe with the arc on top. They may be hoping their customers’ luck runs out, but this is usually not something you advertise in your sign. Finger rings made of horseshoe nail are said to keep away bad luck. Also, robbing two horseshoes together is said to bring good luck.
6. According to the passage, what does the crescent moon represent?
7. What did St. Dunstan do to the Devil? 8. What did the Devil promise?
9. What is the big issue concerning the horseshoe?
10. Why is the arc of the horseshoe up at the casino in Las Vegas?
Keys: 1.A 2.C 3.D 4.C5.B
Task 2: Superstitions or real bad lucks? Script
Joan: Pass me that mirror, would you? I’ll see if my makeup is OK.
Dick: OOOPS!! Sorry I dropped it…but is it you or me that gets the seven years of bad luck? Joan: You, I hope, but probable neither of us. I wonder where that “old wives’ tale” originated anyway. Dick: There used to be a lot of superstitions: black cats, ladders, numbers. My parent and grandparents are full of them.
Joan: I agree. People today are much more educated than before. These superstitions are just amusing pieced of history rather than beliefs, don’t you think so? Dick: Perhaps, but some people today still go for them. People whose livelihoods depend more on luck—like professional athletes, or fishermen—often they have superstitious routines.
Joan: It’s rue. I have heard of athletes who wear lucky socks or a treasured medal to bring them good fortune. Dick: And let’s not forget lucky numbers. We all know about the number4,6, and 8 in China.
Joan: I know 4 is death and 8 is wealth, but what is the significance of 6? Dick: 6 means good luck. Some people include 6 in their e-mail address just for luck.
Joan: Maybe we are not as smart as we think we are. Dick: Well, there are many things in the universe that we cannot control, and that’s why people are superstitious. Keys: TTFFT
Task3: Career Transitions
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Script
There was a king in Africa who has a close friend that he grew up with. The friend has a habit of looking at every situation in his life and saying, “This is good!”
One day the king and his friend were out hunting. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation, the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” to which the king replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied him to a stake surrounded by wood. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king had but one thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So they set the king free.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb off and felt badly sorry about his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. “You were right,” he said, “it was good for my thumb was blown off.” Then he apologized, “I’m very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.” “No,” his friend replied, “this is good!”
“What do you mean, ‘this is good’? How could it be good that I sent you, my good friend, to jail for all this time?”
“If I had not been in jail, I would have been with you—and eaten.!” For Reference
1. He had a habit of looking at every situation in his life and saying, “This is good!” 2. After taking the gun, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
3. They set the king free, because being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole
4. He felt sorry for his friend and went to the jail to apologize to him. 5. If he had not been in jail, I would have been with you—and eaten. News Report Egyptian Tombs Script
Archaeologist have uncovered two tombs that date back more than 2,500 years in the part of Cairo where the ancient city of Heliopolis once stood, according to Egyptian antiquity authorities.
Although there is a modern suburb of Heliopolis in Cairo southeast of its ancient namesake, the original Heliopolis was known as a center of learning and academic study in ancient Mediterranean times.
The 26-century-old tombs that date back to the years 664 to 625 BC were developed during a routine archaeological inspection of an empty plot of land in the Eins Shams district of northwestern Cairo. This district covers part of the ground that used to be the ancient city of Heliopolis.
The owner of the land was seeking construction rights and by law, construction cannot begin without a permit certifying that the site has no historical significance.
The first of the two limestone tombs to be opened contained a sarcophagus and sixteen statuettes, said the chief state archaeologist for the Cairo-Giza area,
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Zahi Hawass.
Hawass said in a statement that the tombs were found in a downtown residential area, three meters below the ground.
[SOUND BITE]
Hawass went on to give a more detailed account of the important find. [SOUND BITE] It appears that the tombs have not been raided by grave robbers, but they have been damaged by leaking sewage water.
The first tomb to be uncovered belonged to a builder named Waja-Hur. His name was engraved on the statuettes, which the ancient Egyptians placed in tombs to answer questions for them in the afterlife. Te process of recovering these artifacts can be long and tedious, but the historical significance of these pieces makes the painstaking work worthwhile. [SOUND BITE]
Egyptian archaeologists plan to open the second tomb on Sunday. Uint7
II. Basic Listening Practice 1. Script
M: We offer all kinds of tours and excursions. DO you have anything particular in mind?
W: Not really, we’d just like to see the local sights and have an English speaking guide. It would be good if they were someone local too. My husband is interested in the local stories and folklore.
Q: What does the woman mention as one of her preferences? 2. Script
M: Are you joining a tour group when you go to Indonesia?
W: No, I’m going to backpack my way round. I like being independent and seeing things at my own pace. Besides, there’s more chance of meeting local people that way. I’ve just got to be careful. Q: what dose the woman want? 3. Script W: Hey, could you bring your video camera to the kids’ concert tomorrow? I’d love to capture it on film. M: No problem. I’ll burn it to a DVD for you afterwards, then you can watch it at home.
Q: How will the woman watch the concert later in the week? 4. Script
W: I can’t find that track I really like anywhere. It’s not on CDs in any of the shops, and I really want it on a CD. M: Well, let’s look online. Maybe we can download it, then burn it to a CD.
Q: What does the man suggest doing to get the track? 5. Script
W: Here’s a riddle: You love deep-sea finishing in Florida, and you’re crazy about skiing in Canada, but you can’t afford even one vacation home. What do you do?
M: I buy a share in two holiday homes, so I own a week or more at each place. Timesharing is the way many people afford seemingly expensive holidays.
Q: What advice does the man give for people unable to afford expensive holiday homes? Keys: 1.A 2.A 3. D 4.B 5.C III. Listening In
Task 1: I’m doing a lot of things on the computer! Script
Barbara: Jack, you’re sitting in front of your computer again! The sea and the sand are only steps only away. Why are you wasting these beautiful
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holidays? The summer will be over before you know it. Jack: I’m not wasting the holidays as you say. The computer is a good thing. On the Internet you can go to any part of the world; I can see everything in the world. It’s more real than reality.
Barbara: But…but you can’t spend your entire summer watching that screen. You’ll get a big bottom. Jack: I’m not just watching the screen. I’m doing a lot of things—I’m sending e-mails, I’m learning things, I’m chatting in chat rooms… Barbara: Right! But I’ll bet you’re spending most of your time playing computer games—a time-wasting, mindless activity that I’ll turn your brain into Chinese doufoo.
Jack: No, it isn’t a single mindless pastime. It’s many activities: role-playing games, arcade games, adventure games, strategy games…
Barbara: I understand the computer is a wonderful thing, but you have to be careful not to get too much of a good thing. Every life needs some variety in it. It would be a lot healthier if you played a chess game outdoors, in the park.
Jack: It wouldn’t be the same. In those games in the park I can’t play against the grandmaster of Moscow, can I? And there are creative games in the computer, where I can learn city planning and psychology.
Barbara: Well, what about me? Don’t you think I’d like a little attention?
Jack: Now, Baby, that’s no way to talk. After all this time together, you know I love you. Barbara: I’m not so sure any more. It’s time you made a choice. Is it going to be more me or the computer?
Jack: Well…
1. Where does this dialog probably take place?
2. What dose the man like to do according to the dialog?
3. What does the woman mean when she says the man’s brain will turn into Chinese doufoo? 4. What does the man think about a chess game outdoors?
5. What does the woman mean when she says, “Don’t you think I’d like a little attention?” Keys: 1.A 2.B 3. C 4.D 5.C For Reference
1. He says that in those games in the park he can’t play against the grandmaster of Moscow. And there are creative games in the computer, where he can learn city planning and psychology, 2. She asks him to make a choice between her and the computer.
Task 2: A Magician and a Parrot Script
A magician was working on a deluxe cruise ship in the Caribbean. The (S1) audience was different each week, so the magician did the same (S2) tricks over and over again. He felt he could cast a spell over the audience (S3) whenever he wanted to. There was only one problem: The captain’s (S4) parrot watched every show and began to understand what the (S5) magician did in each trick. Once he understood that, he started shouting in the middle of the show. “Look, it’s not the same (S6) hat!” “Look, he’s hiding the flowers under the table!” “Hey, why are all the (S7) cards the Ace of Spades?”
(S8) The magician was furious. Each time the parrot revealed one of his secrets, the audience roared with laughter. The performance he intended to be dark and mysterious turned into a comedy. He was in a rage. (S9)
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He dreamed of various ways he could do away with the troublesome bird. But he didn’t dare to touch it. It was the captain’s parrot after all.
One foggy night the ship collided with an enormous iceberg and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood, in the middle of the ocean, and the parrot was by his side. (S10) They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for several days.
After a week the parrot finally said, “Okay, I give up. But I hope you’ll tell me what trick you are going to do with the boat.” Task3: The Modern Circus Script
The first modern circus was staged in London in 1768 by Philip Astley, a former English cavalry officer, who performed as a trick ride. Beginning with a visit to Paris in 1772, Astley introduced the circus in cities throughout continental Europe and was responsible for establishing permanent circuses in a number of European countries as well as in England. A circus was first presented in 1793 at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg.
By the early 19th century, several permanently-based circuses were located in larger European cities. In addition, small traveling shows moved from town to town in covered wagons in which the performers lived. The traveling shows were usually simple affairs, featuring a fiddler or two, a juggler, a ropedancer, and a few acrobats. In the early circuses such performers gave their shows in open spaces and took up a collection for pay; later, the performers used elaborate shows. In the earlier part of the 19th century a main feature of the permanent circus program was the presentation of grams that included displays of horsemanship. Throughout the 19th century the circus evolved in programming and management. Initially, trained horse and horsemanship performances dominated circuses, but ropedancing, juggling, acrobatic acts, wild-animal acts, and clowning were all introduced within the first few decades. The flying trapeze, an important part of the modern circus, was not invented until 1858, and the street parade and sideshow did not become standard circus events until later in the 19th century. Tents are believed to have come into use in the 1820s, but it is uncertain whether they appeared first in Europe or in the United States.
Nowadays, the entertainment activities offered at a circus are more elaborate, generally consisting of displays of horsemanship, exhibitions by gymnasts, aerialists, wild-animal trainer, performing animals, and comic performance by clowns.
1. What was Phillip Astley especially good at?
2. According to the passage, what was true of the early traveling shows?
3. What acts were featured in permanent circus programs in the early 19th century?
4. When were wild-animal acts introduced? 5. What is the main idea of the passage? Keys: 1C 2.A3. B 4.B 5.D For Reference
They are more elaborate, generally consisting of displays of horsemanship, exhibitions by gymnasts, aerialists, wild-animal trainer, performing animals, and comic performance by clowns IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1 Would you like to do anything?
Amy: Would you like to go to see a movie tonight, say, The Lord of the Rings?
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Bill: Thanks for asking, but there’s too much violence in those blockbusters.
Amy: Then, let’s go roller-skating.
Bill: I don’t really like to now that I’m not so young any more. You know, my knees ache terribly. Amy: I’ m sorry to hear that. Hey, let’s go to see a country singer tonight?
Bill: No. I’m not really in the mood. Amy: Well, would you like to do anything? Bill: Sure, let’s stay home and watch TV. Amy: Is there anything worth watching tonight?
Bill: Let me look at the TV Guide first. Well, Survivor’s on Channel 3 at 7:30.
Amy: If I remember correctly, there’s a documentary about animals on another channel.
Bill: Yes, on Channel 10. Do you want to watch it? Amy: Do you mind if we watch it? Bill: Well. I really wanted to watch the Rocket game tonight.
MODEL2 I can’t make up my mind! Script John: Hey! Nora: Hey!
John: I see you’re reading travel brochures. Planning a holiday trip somewhere?
Nora: Once the warms up. I get itchy feet. I think about going places.
John: Will this be a trip abroad or some excursion close to home? Nora: Two tours are offered in May: one to big American cities; one to Europe.
John: Are these whirlwind tours that allow you a few hours in each place?
Nora: Oh, no, no, they’re both three-week three-city tours, with a week in each city.
John: That’s more like it. You can look around and not feel rushed. What cities?
Nora: I can’t make up my mind: London, Paris and Rome or New York, San…?
John: Stop there. Europe’s more interesting. America’s OK, but it’s all the same.
Nora: You didn’t let me finish. San Francisco and Chicago, a modern metropolis.
John: Big U.S. cities are so much alike. European cities differ from one anther.
Nora: Yeah, like, they’re in different countries. John: There are other differences in languages, architecture, food, and customs. Nora: All right. You convinced me. They say variety’s the spice of life. Variety, here I come.
MODEL3 You’d better get more exercise in your leisure time. Script
Amy: Look at you! You’re fat and flabby. You’d better get more exercise in your leisure time, or you’ll never be Governor of California.
Bill: That’s right. I’m no Schwarzenegger, no Mr. Universe, so don’t bug me.
Amy: He shows what exercise can do. He used to be a skinny kid from Austria. Bill: He likes exercise; I don’t. I was born tired, and I’ve been resting ever since.
Amy: Seeing a fine specimen like him, don’t you feel like exercising vigorously to stay in good shape? Bill: Whenever I feel like exercising, I lie down and rest until the feeling passes. Amy: Ha, ha, very funny. Surely you’ve read about the dangers of obesity. Bill: Scientists constantly find dangers: smoking, cholesterol. What else is new?
Amy: You must know an exercise like walking benefits
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the mind and body.
Bill: I do, and I walk every day—from my office to the parking lot, not-stop.
Amy: OK, have it your way. Eventually you’ll be a burden on our health system.
Bill: And just what do you mean by that? I’m not sick. My appetite is good.
Amy: If you stay fat, heart trouble or high blood pressure could hospitalized you.
Bill: Well, you may have a point there. I suppose we could go for a walk after dinner, slowly. Now Your Turn Task 1
SAMPLE DIALOG
Qiang: I see you’re reading travel brochures. Planning a holiday trip somewhere? Li: Once the warms up. I get itchy feet. I think about going places.
Qiang: Will this be a trip abroad or some excursion close to home?
Li: I prefer going abroad. We’ve never visited a foreign country before.
Qiang: What countries are advertised in the brochure?
Li: Two overseas tours are offered during summer vacation. One is to a nearby country like Korea or Japan, and the other is to European countries. Qiang: Which tour do you prefer? Li: I’d like to go and see Korea. It’s close to China so that the tour is less expensive. Qiang: I prefer to spend our savings on the European tour. We can see very different people and architecture, enjoy different food, and appreciate different customs.
Li: All right. You convince me. They say variety’s the spice of life. But shall we take a long tour or a whirlwind tour that allow us only a few hours in each place? Qiang: In a long tour we can look around and not feel rushed, but it’s too expensive. So let’s take a whirlwind tour. That’s what we can afford.
Li: I agree. A whirlwind tour allows us to visit many important places we’ve heard and read so much about. That’s good enough for us. Qiang: Right on. V. Let’s Talk Script
The notion of a weekly rest is ancient. Christian religions celebrate a day of rest known as the Sabbath, also called the Lord’s Day. It is on Sunday. The weekend as a holiday is a rather modern invention. Before the industrial revolution the wage labor force was a small fraction of the population. The day of the Sabbath was viewed as one dedicated to God, not one of relaxation.
The early industrial period in Europe saw a six-day work week with only Sunday off, but some workers had no days off at all. Only the workers’ rights movements in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a five-day work week introduced as Saturday became a day of rest and relaxation. This movement began in England.
In many ways this has been a great boon to the economy as it leads to a great increase in consumer spending on Saturdays as restaurant visits, motorcar journeys, or trips to the movies became common on Saturday. Many jurisdictions continued to enforce strict Lord’s Day laws on Sunday, which meant that most places of recreation, such as stores and theaters, were forced to close on that day. These regulations began to weaken in the years after the Second World War, and
Sunday also became a day of recreation for many.
After centuries of development, the weekend is now a part of the week usually lasting two days in which most paid workers do not work. This is a time for leisure and recreation, and for religious activities. Christian religions celebrate a day of rest known as the Sabbath, also called the Lord’s Day. It is on Sunday. Before the industrial revolution the day of the Sabbath was viewed as one dedicated to God, not one of relaxation. The early industrial period in Europe saw a six-day work week with only Sunday off. Only the workers’ rights movements in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a five-day work week introduced as Saturday became a day of rest and relaxation In many ways this has been a great boon to the economy as it leads to a great increase in consumer spending on Saturdays. After the Second World War, and Sunday also became a day of recreation for many. The weekend is now a part of the week usually lasting two days in which most paid workers do not work. This is a time for leisure and recreation, and for religious activities. VI. Further Listening and Speaking Task1: The History of Chinese Acrobatics Script
Welcome to the magnificent world of the Beijing Acrobats! Here the impossible is made of possible, and “daring” only begins to describe their amazing performance. The Beijing Acrobats are comprised of the finest acrobatic troupes in China today and have received acclaim from countries around the world. An outgrowth of Great China Circus, popular during the 1920’s, this group became an integrated professional acrobatic company in 1958. Many of the magnificent and sophisticated feats we see today were performed even in ancient times. The history of Chinese acrobatics is rich in tradition and dates back over 2,000 years. It began with folk arts; tumbling, juggling ordinary household objects and balancing.
Myth and religion also influenced the acrobatic performing arts. The Lion Dance is Buddhist in origin. It was a symbol for the spirit of renewal and for avoiding bad luck. Throughout the history of China the acrobatic arts flourished, but in varying degrees. Originally, court entertainments were formal and monotonous, quite the opposite of the lively folk arts of the people. Eventually, however, the excitement of the acrobats’ amazing feats caught and held the attention of the ruling class. Acrobatic performers were routinely invited to the court to entertain and impress the Emperors. These varied acts of tumbling, singing, dancing and juggling became known as “The Hundred Entertainments” in the Han Dynasty, more than 2, 000 years ago. The acrobatic arts have always maintained their popularity with the people. Today the acrobatics of families carry on this highly-acclaimed tradition. Children begin training at a young age to do handstands on a chair, balance jar, spin plates and throw knives; they stick to a strict training schedule which they follow the rest of their lives.
Now let’s sit back, relax and enjoy the shows as our performers reveal to you their mastery of an ancient
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大学英语视听说教程原文及答案.doc
