Unit 1

Long conversation

M: I love working out!

W: Ugh! You’re sweating all over the floor …

M: I just ran five miles! A friend told me about this great park on Jefferson Street. I love exploring new parks!

W: I try running at the gym three days a week, but it’s so boring looking at the TV monitor or the wall in front of me for an hour.

M: You should run outside! Being in nature, enjoying the beautiful flowers and the trees, I feel my mind relax and the stress just falls away.

W: It is nice outside. My mom loves t’ai chi and a nearby t’ai chi group meets every morning at 6

a.m. I’ve tried going, but it’s too early for me to get out of bed …

M: T’ai chi is really good. You need some kind of exercise. It’s unhealthy for you to sit in front of your computer all day, every day!

W: Well, I recently spend my weekends away from my computer.

M: Oh really? And what have you done recently that didn’t involve a computer or TV screen?

W: Pandas! I just went to the San Diego Zoo with my sister on Saturday! They have one of the best panda exhibits in the US. The mother panda is from Wolong, China, and had had six baby pandas by 2012 since arriving at the San Diego Zoo in September of 1996.

M: Oh, I bet baby pandas are amazing! Hey! Maybe you should get a zoo membership and go jogging in the zoo!

W: A zoo membership! Now that’s a great idea! I love the San Diego Zoo. It’s near my house, I can get good exercise and I can watch the baby pandas grow up!

1 Q: What has made the man sweat 流汗 all over the floor?

    C Running in a park.

2 Q: Why doesn’t the woman go to practice t’ai chi with  her mom?

    B Because getting up early is too difficult for her.

3 Q: What does the woman normally do on weekends?

    D Sitting before her computer.

4 Q: Why does the man suggest the woman get a zoo  membership?

    A For exercise like jogging in the zoo.

Passage 1

Have you ever felt you don’t have enough hours in the day? Or that you’d give anything for a whole day to catch up with yourself? Well, here are some ideas that work for me.

First of all, make a to-do list every day and set clear priorities. The trick here isn’t making the list; that’s the easy part. The trick诀窍 is making the priorities优先次序. I look at my list and put a star next to anything that is really urgent. Then I put the number “2” next to anything that will just take a couple of minutes. I actually do these quick tasks before I get on with the urgent ones; it’s a bit like clearing off the top of your desk before sitting down to write that important letter.

Second, know when is the most productive time of day for you and do your work or study then. One of the shocking discoveries I made about myself is that if I get up at 5 a.m., I can do a day’s work and even fit breakfast in before half past nine. Of course, if you are an early bird, it can be difficult to accomplish tasks that involve phoning “night owls”, but that’s what email’s for!

Finally, do not let your inbox run your life. I just realized recently how frequently I interrupted my real work to check my inbox and respond to the most trivial of emails. So, now I only open it when absolutely necessary and this saves me hours. If your work depends on you being constantly accessible by email, then you can’t do this; but be honest and ask yourself, “Am I an email addict?”

With these simple, practical techniques, you will become more efficient, less stressed and be able to win some “me-time” for yourself.

1 Q: What tasks does the speaker tend to do first every day?

    A The quick tasks. 

2 Q: How to work more efficiently according to the speaker?

    C Make use of your most productive time of day.

3 Q: How does the speaker deal with emails now?

    D He opens his inbox only when it’s necessary.

4 Q: What is the purpose of the talk?

    C To give some tips on how to manage time.

Unit 2

Long conversation

M: Nancy, time to make a birthday wish!

W: I wish ... hmm. OK! I want a high-paying job, a husband with a perfect face and body, and a big house ... with a swimming pool!

M: Wow, Nancy! Those are your three wishes?

W: Of course! If I have those three things, I’ll be happy!

M: Now, Nancy. Let me tell you my story, and you may see things differently.

W: “See things differently?” What do you mean, Uncle Charlie?

M: Here is what I once experienced in life. When I married, 32 years ago, we had a happy marriage, a beautiful house, two expensive cars, and $200,000 in the bank!

W: See, just like now!

M: Wait! I would suggest three different wishes!

W: Well ... What would you wish for? You’re older and wiser!

M: What happens if you lose your job, lose your house, and your husband becomes sick? I suggest these three wishes: patience, courage and love!

W: Patience, courage and love?

M: Yes! If you have patience and courage, you and your husband will have good jobs and a nice house. And if you have true love, you and your husband will be beautiful to each other no matter how old you become together.

W: This is good.

M: Within six years of our marriage, we had three beautiful children, but we lost our jobs, our house, all our money, and then I got really sick for nine years. But we didn’t lose  anything  truly valuable, because we always said: “Wherever the five of us are together, we are at home!” And, little by little things did improve, and I finally got well. Patience, courage and love!   These are what make life full, strong and happy!

W: Hmm, I will remember. Patience, courage and love! Thanks, Uncle Charlie!

Q1: What are the two speakers talking about?

C What to wish for in life.

Q2: According to the man, why is true love important for a happy life?

B It makes couples appreciate each other.

 Q3: What difficulties did the man experience in his life?

A He lost his job and house and was sick for years.

Q4: What is the man doing in the talk?

    D Giving the woman advice on important things in life.

Passage 1

If you think that you have to live up a remote mountain in order to live a long and healthy life, a religious community in Loma Linda, California, may prove you wrong. Its members are a group of Christians known as the Seventh-day Adventists. The Adventists enjoy a much higher life expectancy预期值 than average Californians. Adventist men can expect to live about seven years longer than other Californian men. Adventist women are likely to live around four years longer than other Californian women. The Adventists also act much younger than they are and see doctors much  less than ordinary people.

So what’s the secret of the Adventists’ longevity? It is not all in their genes. Nor is their good health a mere仅仅 accident. The Adventists live longer partly because they have a vegetable-based diet. Around 35 percent of them are vegetarian, and around one half eat meat only rarely. Tobacco烟 and alcohol酒 consumption消费 are discouraged. So are rich or spicy foods, meat, and drinks containing caffeine. The Adventist diet基督复临安息日会饮食 is high in fruit and vegetables. It also includes plenty of whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans, and water is the drink of choice.

The longevity of the Adventists is also related to their lifestyle and natural environment. They believe in having regular exercise, helping others, and maintaining strong social and familial ties. They live in a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters. Interestingly, the air quality of Loma Linda, however, is not as good as in other longevity hot spots. This should give us all hope, as it suggests that we don’t have to have every single factor in place in order to achieve excellent health. Despite this, the Adventists’ good health certainly provides strong evidence that diet and lifestyle choices have a great impact on health and longevity.

Q1: In what way are the Adventists different from ordinary people?

B They live to a much older age.

Q2: How much longer do Adventist women expect to live than other Californian women?

C About four years.

Q3: What is characteristic of the Adventists’ diet?

D It is high in fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

Q4: What is the main idea of the passage?

A Diet and lifestyle are crucial to good health.

Unit 3

Long conversation

M: Rebecca, I just learned of an amazing park right here near our city!

W: Really? Is it a nature park or an entertainment park?

M: It’s a beautiful nature park, located 15 miles from our home.

W: What’s it called?

M: It is called Big Sky Park and has nice walking trails and camping sites!

W: Bill, this is perfect! We can have a vacation and still keep saving money to visit my family sometime. But, can we get to Big Sky Park without a car?

M: Yes, easily. We just take the No. 32 bus that goes right to the park. The only problem will be getting all of our camping stuff with us on the bus.

W: Well, I did just buy that new cart to help carry groceries home on the bus, plus we have your big backpack. Together, I think we will be fine. All of our camping equipment should easily fit on the bus.

M: Good. Good! I know we can make it a really special weekend. I have longed for a time when we could walk alone together in the quiet beauty of nature. I’m so, so happy to have this chance to be with you at the park.

W: I know me too! I know what I’ll do! I’ll pack all of our favorite food, and I’ll bake a small chocolate cake. Your favorite! Then we can drink tea and eat the chocolate cake around a campfire. I’m so happy you found Big Sky Park. I can’t wait, just two more days for the weekend to come!

M: I’m so happy as well. Big Sky Park will be wonderful. The fire, the dinner and spending time with you make me such a happy, happy man, Rebecca!

Q1: What makes Big Sky Park a nice vacation place for the couple?

D It has nice paths and camping sites.野营场所

Q2: How can the couple get买 all their camping stuff物品 on the bus?

D By using both their cart手推车 and backpack背包.

Q3: What will the woman probably do before their trip?      

B Bake烤 a chocolate cake.

Q4: What does the couple long to do at the park?

C Walk together in the beauty of nature.

Passage 1

A new museum entirely dedicated to laziness has opened in the capital city of Colombia. But you have to hurry if you want to see the exhibits and find out about being lazy because the exhibition lasts only for one week. The unusual show displays a whole range of things such as sofas, beds and anything that makes you feel like taking a rest. There are also plenty of televisions for those visiting couch potatoes to watch as they move around relaxingly in the museum.

It is no coincidence but rather an intentional decision for the museum to have opened right after the holiday season. The idea is for people to think about laziness, and perhaps change their behavior and lifestyle throughout the rest of the year. It offers a practical experience to make us think about laziness in our high-speed, fast-paced societies.

The museum’s founder Marcela Arrieta said she wanted people to rethink about laziness and decide whether it really is a bad thing. She told the media that people today always think about

laziness as an enemy of work. For example, they may feel guilty if they sleep late, or they may feel they are wasting time after taking a nap or having a holiday.

Ms. Arrieta may not be proposing that we should have a shorter working week, but she could have a point in that we do need more leisure time than our jobs allow us, and change our lifestyle to a type that is more relaxing. Besides, according to scientists, avoiding the pressure and stress of work can make us healthier and live longer. So, why not try out Ms. Arrieta’s advice for yourself, slow down, and think about being lazy?

Q1: Why should visitors be hurried if they want to see the exhibits in the new museum in Colombia’s capital?

B Because the exhibition will last for no more than a week.

Q2: What are exhibited in the new museum?

C Beds and sofas that you can try out.

Q3: What is the purpose of the exhibition?

A It provides a practical experience for us to think about laziness.

  Q4: What did the museum’s founder advise us to do?

C Sit down, relax and be lazy for a while.

Unit 4

Long conversation

W: Hey, John! Everything OK? You look upset.

M: Oh, hi Kate. I was in the cafeteria自助餐厅 eating alone. James from accounting会计部门 walked by, sat down to eat at the table right next to me – didn’t say a single word to me. I wondered why.

W: Is that the main thing stressing you out, John?

M: No, I was silly to feel bad about that. What I am stressed about is my workload工作量. My manager, Steven, is a great guy. He always counts on me to get the work done. But I have five meetings this week and two big projects to complete by next Monday. I don’t see how I can finish. I’m really worried I’ll let my team down.

W: I have some free time on Friday and over the weekend. I can help you with your extra work if you’d like. I know that feeling of being overwhelmed压垮 with work. It’s awful. I’d like to help.

M: Really? You’d do that for me?

W: Of course I will! John, a lot of us really admire your work. Some of us have asked to work on your team. You’re a great example to us, John. You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I’m glad to help out.

M: Wow, Kate. Thanks!

W: We could ... discuss it over dinner on Thursday. My treat! 我请客

M: Wow. No ... I mean I get to buy dinner, Kate! How about the new restaurant on 6th Street, 365? It’s called 365 because it offers local, seasonal foods – fall, winter, spring, and summer – healthy choices with wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Let’s meet at 7 p.m.

W: Sounds wonderful! Thursday, 7 p.m. at the new restaurant 365 on 6th Street. Perfect!

Q1: Why does the man look upset?

B  Because he has too much work to complete.

Q2: How does the woman say she can help the man?

A  To help him do his work in her free time.

Q3: What advice does the woman give to the man?

B  He should have confidence in himself.

Q4: Why is the restaurant called 365?

D  Because it offers seasonal foods.

Passage 1

More than half of working Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs, according to a survey. That’s bad news for employers because workers’ discontent can hurt productivity and hinder innovation.

Lynn Franco, co-author of the report, says Americans’ job satisfaction is at its lowest level in more than two decades: Only 45.3 percent of workers say they are satisfied with their jobs compared with 61 percent in 1987.

The report was produced by the Conference Board, a non-profit organization that helps businesses strengthen their performance. It is based on a survey of 5,000 US households. It shows a drop in satisfaction in many aspects of an employee’s work life, including interest in the job, dealing with co-workers and bosses, commuting and job security. As a group, neither young people who are just entering the workforce nor employees who are about to retire, Franco says, are happy with what they do.

Only about 36 percent of workers under the age of 25 say they are currently satisfied with their jobs. And it’s not much better among baby boomers. Twenty years ago, more than 50 percent of baby boomers were satisfied. Today, that’s down to 46 percent.

The most satisfied group of workers in the survey was those aged 25 to 34. Franco suggests that they may see some opportunities for upward mobility as baby boomers retire.

The Conference Board survey also asked about the reasons behind job dissatisfaction. There are economic reasons such as wages, promotion policy and bonus policy that are sort of adding to this level of dissatisfaction. In addition, workers are also dissatisfied with the benefits: vacation policy, family-related leave time, work schedule flexibility, and a variety of other factors as well.

Q1: What negative effect can be caused by workers’ discontent? 

A  Less innovation创新 efforts.

Q2: What percentage of American workers are satisfied with their jobs as found by the survey?

D  45.3 percent.

Q3: Why is it that people aged 25 to 34 are most satisfied with their jobs?

D  Because they see more opportunities for promotion as baby boomers retire.

Q4: What can we conclude about the reasons behind job dissatisfaction?

C  The reasons for job dissatisfaction are found to be various.

Unit 5

Long conversation

W: This feels like a dream ... The last time I was in San Francisco was 30 years ago, when I was your age, 15 years old. So much has changed in the city–but you know–many of the sites are just the same.

M: Wow! San Francisco is as beautiful as a picture! I can’t believe it! Let’s get going! Let’s look  at the map and take the streetcar to the Golden Gate Bridge.

W: Yes, of course. But, wait–let’s just take a moment to look at the Golden Gate Bridge from here–up high on the hill. See how amazing the sun looks, shining on the bridge there high above the water? Sometimes the best way to really enjoy something is to see it from different angles and perspectives.

M: Yes! Just beautiful from here! OK! Let’s get going! Wait! You know what, Aunt Lucy, I’m really, really hungry! May we eat before we head out to see the Golden Gate Bridge?

W: Yes, of course we can. We’re already here in Chinatown and near my favorite Chinese restaurant. Even after 30 years have passed since I last visited, it’s still busy and active.

M: That’s great, Aunt Lucy!

W: And, it’s right here!

M: Wow! This is amazing! The man inside the window is making noodles by hand–just by pulling on the flour dough. I’ve never seen anything like it before. How?

W: Yes, I know. It’s amazing, right? And the food is delicious, too! Sometimes the best way to

enjoy culture is to simply slow down and truly experience it. We have five full days here in San Francisco. Let’s go slowly and enjoy every moment!

Q1: What is the woman’s impression of San Francisco when visiting this time?

B She finds many sites stay unchanged.

Q2: What does the woman suggest they do before going to the Golden Gate Bridge? D Viewing the bridge from a hill.

Q3: What does the man want to do?

C Eat before continuing their tour.

Q4: What does the woman consider to be the best way to enjoy culture?

A To truly experience it in no rush.

Passage 1

The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous painting in the world. It was created by Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Italian artist, between around 1503 and 1506. The subject is the wife of a wealthy silk merchant of Italy. The woman’s husband requested Da Vinci to portray her as a celebration of their home’s completion and the birth of their second son. What is it about this painting that has created such a lasting impact on the artistic world?

One factor is the artist himself. Leonardo da Vinci was not only an artist, but also a scientist, an architect and an engineer. His knowledge of the human form came from the study of actual human bodies, so he was able to draw and paint it more accurately.

Another factor is the material used for the painting. The Mona Lisa is an oil painting, but unlike other paintings, which are usually created on canvas, the Mona Lisa has a wood panel as the surface. The use of a wood panel makes it possible for the work to have survived for centuries. Lastly, the style and techniques used for the painting make the Mona Lisa a masterpiece. Da Vinci presented precise details in the subject’s hands and face. He applied a shadowing technique at the corners of her lips and her eyes, which gives her an unbelievably lifelike appearance. He also created a background with aerial views and a beautiful landscape. His remarkable skills left behind no visible brush marks at all.

All these factors–Da Vinci’s talent, the medium used for the painting, the style and  techniques applied in the work–contribute to the lasting and mysterious beauty of the Mona Lisa.

Q1: Who is the person painted in the Mona Lisa?

C The wife of a wealthy merchant.

Q2: What made it possible for the Mona Lisa to survive for centuries?

A The use of a wood panel.面板

Q3: What is mentioned as one of the techniques used for painting the Mona Lisa?

D Drawing the subject with accurate details.

Q4: What does the passage mainly discuss?

B The reasons for the fame of the Mona Lisa.

Unit 6

Long conversation

W: Hey Billy! It’s 7:30 p.m.! Turn off your TV and computer. Come down to dinner. It seems your father is finishing his conference call with his team in China.

M: OK Mom. Coming. But why is Dad on his computer while I can’t be on mine!

W: Billy, your father is working. But you are chatting with your friends about celebrities!

So your father needs to be on his computer. And you don’t! M: OK. Sorry, Mom. What are we having for dinner? Pizza?

W: Pizza?! I’ve made us a nice dinner of roast chicken, mushroom soup and vegetable salad. I even made chocolate cake for dessert – and you want pizza!

M: Just kidding Mom! I love your cooking! Mmm I’m hungry, and it smells delicious! W: Billy! I told you to shut down all electronics!

M: Mom! This isn’t fair. You told me to turn off my computer and my TV – you didn’t say all electronics – and you didn’t mention my cell phone! I have to check the news! My favorite golf player just got in trouble for drunk driving! Please Mom! I have to find out!

W: You can’t go five minutes without having your eyes on a screen! Hand me your phone. Now! I am turning it off so we can have a nice dinner.

M: OK Mom. Fine! Here’s my phone. W: Now, where is your father?

M: Will you make Dad do the same? We never have family dinner anymore without Dad being on electronics!

W: Hmm, you know, Billy, you have a very good point. I think it’s time we had family dinner without any electronics. Here’s our new rule: Just for 45 minutes over dinner, no electronics!

Q1: Why is the son required to turn off his computer while his father is not?

C  Because the father is meeting with his colleagues online.

Q2: Why doesn’t the son want to turn off his cell phone?

D  Because he wants to check the news about a golf player.

Q3: What rule does the mother decide to set for the family?
     A  Having dinner without any electronics.

Q4: What can we learn from the conversation?

C  Electronics sometimes cause family disagreements.

Passage 1

We as a society have intense interest in the celebrity news prevalent in our media. One of the key reasons is that in a world of constant death and disasters, celebrity news allows us to escape from the “real news”. After all, the job of celebrities is to entertain us, so it’s only natural that news about them would be a source of entertainment as well.

Of course the world isn’t always a depressing place filled with death, danger and sad events. But the media presents a dominant coverage of them. Watching hours of that news makes you depressed and want something different. This is why celebrity news fills that need for “happy news” or “light news”.

Celebrities also tend to live life on the edge and overdo everything they are engaged in. They long for attention and will do whatever to get it. We watch them with fascination as they party, do drugs, escape the law, get caught by the law, get married or divorced, and so forth.

Many people became attracted by the lifestyle of celebrities because they more or less wish they had the same lives as the stars. Celebrity news fuels people’s desire to look like the stars, dress like the stars, and even name children after the stars. It can be a source of making every life decision for some people. Although this may not be a healthy thing to do, it does boost the celebrity news business.

In a word, celebrity news gives us a well-needed break from the depressing and harsh news stories that we are flooded with daily. But as viewers and readers we need to keep in mind that celebrities are still common people, and that their lives are in many ways similar to ours, not merely to be shown for entertainment only.

Q1: Why is celebrity名人 news prevalent流行 in our media?

D  Because it gives us a break from the harsh realities.摆脱严酷的现实

Q2: What can we learn about celebrities from the conversation?

C  They do their utmost to gain attention.

Q3: Why are celebrities’ lifestyles attractive to people?

D  Because they contain things desired by common people.

Q4: What should we keep in mind when watching or reading celebrity news?

B  Celebrities' lives are similar to those of common people.

Unit 7

Long conversation

M: Have you heard? A big storm is coming!

W: Yes! The weatherman says a hurricane is coming! Even though our city is 50 miles from the ocean, we will still be in the path of the hurricane.

M: I heard it on the radio news, too! We need to prepare. There’s an Emergency Items list on the refrigerator. I’ll get it.

W: OK. Be prepared to be without food, water or electricity.

M: So the list says one gallon of water per person per day. It also says we need to get food that doesn’t need refrigeration.

W: How many days of supplies should we get?

M: It says to prepare emergency supplies for 10 days. W: Well, we have four flashlights already.

M: Yes, but we need batteries for the flashlights.

W: OK, so let’s get ready and go to the store. I hope everyone else in town hasn’t already bought out the store for their own supplies. Should we bring cash, in case the credit card machines don’t work?

M: Yep! I already went by the bank this morning. I have $1,500 cash on hand. So, scratch off flashlights and cash from our Emergency Items list.

W: Hmm, you know, if we don’t use the $1,500 cash for the storm – I could easily find a use for it shopping at the mall. There’s a beautiful new suit and shoes and an amazing long coat and ...

M: Hahaha. Hmm let’s see: $1,500 is $1,300 more than our budget for clothing expenses per month! Remember that we took this cash from our emergency savings account – my sweet love – so that we would be prepared in an emergency. Shopping in the mall is not an emergency!

Q1: What will the couple do to prepare for the storm?

D  Go to a store to get more emergency items.

Q2: What things do they have at home for emergency situations? B   Flashlights and cash.

Q3: Why does the woman suggest they bring cash with them?

D  Because the credit card machines may not work properly.

Q4: What’s their budget for clothing every month?

A  $200.

Passage 1

Shoplifting is a common problem faced by retail businesses that can have a bad effect on their profitability. Retail businesses earn revenue by purchasing goods from wholesalers and manufacturers, and then selling those goods to consumers in retail stores or over the Internet. When a shoplifter steals an item from a retailer, the business can no longer sell that item to consumers to pay for the purchasing cost of it, as well as other expenses like rent and employee wages. Depending on a store’s profit margin, it may have to sell dozens of units to make up for the revenue that is lost due to the stolen items. For instance, if a store has a two percent profit margin and a shoplifter steals an item that is worth $10, then the store will have to sell $500 worth of goods to recover the loss.

Shoplifting not only causes harm to retailers, but also has a negative effect on customers. Since businesses lose profit due to shoplifting, they may set prices higher than they would otherwise do to compensate for the losses. In a sense, shoplifting acts as a tax on retailers that is ultimately passed on to consumers. Small businesses that raise prices may lose customers to larger

competitors, who are often better equipped to absorb losses and keep their prices low.

Retail businesses can adopt a variety of measures to prevent theft and fight against shoplifting. Common prevention methods include: posting warning signs that shoplifters will be punished, installing security cameras, training employees to be aware of shoplifting, and putting security devices on products. Other measures like locking products away in display cases can also help to prevent shoplifting of valuable items.

Q1: What problem is commonly faced by retail businesses?

B   The stealing偷来的 of retail零售 items物品 from their stores by thieves.

Q2: What may retailers do to compensate补偿 for the losses caused by shoplifting?

A  Sell goods at higher prices than they normally do.

Q3: According to the speaker, who can usually better absorb the losses caused by shoplifting?        D  Larger retailers.

Q4: What prevention method against shoplifting is mentioned by the speaker?

C  Putting security devices on products.

Unit 8

Long conversation

M: I love this song, “Starry Starry Night”! I wonder who wrote it.

W: Oh! That’s a song from 1971 by a famous American songwriter, Don McLean. But do you know what it’s about?

M: No. Not really. I just like the words about the starry night.

W: It’s a great story! The song says “Starry Starry Night” because it’s about the famous Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh, who lived more than 100 years ago.

M: Oh! I’ve always liked Van Gogh’s art work, especially his Starry Night painting. But why did Don McLean write the song about Van Gogh over 80 years after Van Gogh died?

W: Well, the songwriter, Don McLean, read a book that told the story of the passionate life of Van Gogh. He loved painting–but people didn’t understand him or his art. Did you know that Van Gogh painted around 2,000 paintings but only sold one of them in his lifetime?

M: Gosh. That is a sad story,  especially since his paintings are incredibly popular today. Let’s   see ... Wow! A Van Gogh painting today is worth around 100 million dollars!

W: I know. And, listen to this: The songwriter, Don McLean, had 72 attempts to finally get a company who would produce his first music album.

M: What? 72 attempts?

W: Uh-huh. That’s right. All companies said “No, no, no” before one finally said “Yes! We love your music!”

M: That’s amazing. That’s a lot of “No’s!” to get to the one “Yes” he needed!

W: Yeah! I think that’s another reason Don McLean wrote the song about Van Gogh. They both had to work so hard on their art for people to notice them.

M: Wow! All right. Turn up the volume. Let’s listen again.

W: Wonderful … So, three cheers to the artists that never give up and keep on trying!

Q1: What does the man want to know about the song “Starry Starry Night”?   

B  The writer of the song.

Q2: Why did Don McLean write the song?

C  To show his respect for Van Gogh.

Q3: What can we learn about Van Gogh from the conversation?       A  He wasn't popular during his lifetime.

Q4: What did Van Gogh and Don Mclean have in common?
        D  They both showed persistence in their pursuit of art.

Passage 1

More than one million schoolchildren in the United States have gone through a program called Reading Recovery. The program is for six-year-olds who are struggling to learn to read. According to the Reading Recovery Council of North America, an association dedicated to literacy education in North America, more than 20 percent of United States public schools are using the program to help their first-grade students, and more than 99 percent of the students in the program passed the state reading examination.

The method used by Reading Recovery calls for a reading teacher to work with children one at a time. The lessons take half an hour each schoolday. The teacher helps students with reading, writing and the study of the alphabet. Reading Recovery lessons last for 12 to 20 weeks. During the lessons, the teacher looks for ways that the child learns best. Then he or she works to help the student develop effective strategies to solve their problems in reading. The idea behind this practice is for students to continue to use and extend these strategies each time they read.

Students participating in the program read many short books. Some of the books are written in a way similar to spoken language. They also read and write stories in their own words. The material gets harder with time. The lessons end when the student’s reading ability reaches the average level of the class. The Reading Recovery Council says 80 percent of students who finish the lessons can read and write within their class average.

However, not all schools embrace the Reading Recovery method happily. Some criticize it, saying that the cost of this method is much higher than other types of programs. But supporters say it saves money in the long run. They think it helps prevent the sad results and expense of letting children fail in school.

Q1: What does the program of Reading Recovery intend to do? A  To help first-grade students overcome reading problems.

Q2: How do teachers in the Reading Recovery program teach?
C  They help students find the best way to learn.

Q3: When will students stop taking Reading Recovery lessons?

B  When they have reached the average level of the class.

Q4: What is considered by some critics as a disadvantage of the program?.

D  It costs more than other programs.