unit 4 The American Dream

Unit 4 The American dreamPart listening comprehensionSection ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 1 long conversation. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A),B),C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. 1. A) He should start to find a new apartment right now. B) He should buy an apartment right away. C) He should start to find a new apartment in a few weeks. D) He should buy an apartment near the campus. 2. A) Hes surprised she chose that agency. B) He wonders why she is still keeping the job. C) He doesnt know when her classes started. D) He doubts if she makes much money now. 3. A) Writing an essay. B) Studying for a test. C) Shopping for shoes. D) Reading a magazine. 4. A) Because she cant watch TV. B) Because her ears were hurt. C) Because she cant hear anything on the telephone. D) Because her eyes were hurt. 5. A) William is just starting the violin lessons. B) William cant ply the violin. C) William is very modest about his performance. D) William is very proud of his performance. 6. A) Children learn by example. B) Children must not tell lies. C) Children dont like discipline. D) Children must control their temper. 7. A) At the computer center. B) At home. C) At his company. D) At oak street. 8. A) He has refused another dinner appointment. B) He doesnt eat out very often. C) He knows the way to the restaurant. D) He does not like to eat out either.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) Knife. B) Fork. C) Chopsticks. D) Knife and fork.10. A) Sharks fin. B) Seafood. C) Sweet and sour pork. D) Eight-jewel rice pudding.11. A) Tender and crisp. B) Fresh and tasty. C) Tender and tasty. D) Fresh and crisp.12. A) Today. B) Tomorrow. C) This evening. D) The day after tomorrow.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 2 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Passage oneQuestions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A) 100 B) 107. C) 148 D) 48.14. A) Public transportation. B) Elevators. C) Exercise. D) Parking.15. A) By bicycle. B) By car. C) By motorbike. D) By walking.Passage twoQuestions 16 to 16 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) Charles Dickens. B) William Shakespeare. C) Daniel Defoe. D) Virginia Woolf.17. A) We use all the words, phrases and quotations from Shakespeares writings. B) Shakespeares writings have become the property of those who are learning to speak English. C) It is likely that people often do not know the origins of the words they use. D) All the words people use are taken from the writings of Shakespeare.18. A) About twenty thousand. B) About twenty-five thousand. C) About five thousand. D) About twenty-five.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 20 to 27 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 28 to 30 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written. Then, during the war a (20)_ came from my company. Tony had passed away.I asked our people to check on his family and see that everything was properly (21)_. They found the farm green with vegetables, the little house livable and (22)_. There was a tractor and a good a car in the yard. The children were educated and working, and Tony didnt (23)_ a cent.After he passed away, I thought more and about Tonys (24)_.He grew in (25)_ in my mind. In the end ,I think he stood as tall, and as proud, as the greatest American (26)_.They had all reached their success by the same (27)_ and by the same values and principles: vision, (28)_ , self-control, optimism, self-respect and, above all, integrity.Tony did not begin on the bottom rung of the ladder. He began in the basement. Tonys (29)_ were tiny; the greatest industrialists affairs were giant. But , after all, the balance sheets were exactly the same. The only difference was where you put the decimal point.Tony Trivisonno came to American seeking the American dream. But he didnt find it - he created it for himself. All he had were 24 (30)_ hours a day, and he wasted none of them.Part Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions.For questions 31-37, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage;For questions 38-40, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. When Denis Hennequin took over as the European boss of McDonalds in January , the worlds biggest restaurant chain was showing signs of recovery in America and Australia, but sales in Europe were sluggish or declining. One exception was France, where Mr. Hennequin had done a sterling job as head of the groups French subsidiary in selling more Big Macs to his compatriots .His task was to replicate this success in all 41 of the European countries where anti-globalisers favourite enemy operates, So far Mr. Hennequin is doing well. Last year , European sales increased by 5.8% and the number of customers by 3.4%, the best annual in nearly 15 year. Europe accounted for 36% of the groups profits and for 28% of its sales. December was an especially good month as customers took to seasonal menu offerings in France and Britain, and to a promotion in Germany based on the game of Monopoly. Mr. Hennequins recipe for revival is to be more open about his companys operations, to be “locally relevant”, and to improve the eaperience of visiting his 6,400 restaurants. McDonalds is blamed for making people fat, exploiting workers, treating animals cruelly, polluting the environment and simply for being American. Mr. Hennequin says he wants to engage in a dialogue with the public to address these concerns. He introduced “open door” visitor days in each country, which became hugely popular. In Poland alone some 50,000 visitors came to McDonalds through the visitors programme last year.The Nutrition Information Initiative, launched last year, put detailed labels on McDonalds packaging with date on calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and salt content. The details are also printed on tray-liners. Mr. Hennequin also wants people to know that “McJobs”, the low-paid menial jobs at McDonalds restaurants, are much better than people think. But some of his efforts have backfired: Last year he sparked a controversy with the introduction of a “McPassport” that allows McDonalds employees to work anywhere in the European Union. Politicians accused the firm of a ploy to make cheap labor from eastern Europe more easily available to McDonalds managers across the continent. To stay in touch with local needs and preferences, McDonalds employs local bosses as much as possible. A Russian is running McDonalds in Russia, though a Serb is in charge of Germany. The group buys mainly from local suppliers. Four-fifths of its supplies un France come from local farmers, for example. ( Some of the French farmers who campaigned against the company in the late 1990s subsequently discovered that it was, in fact, buying their produce.) And it hires celebrities such as Heidi Klum, a German model, as local brand ambassadors. In his previous job, Mr. Hennequin established a “design studio” in France to spruce up his companys drab restaurants and adapt the interior to local tastes. The studio is now masterminding improvements everywhere in Europe. He also set up a “food studio”, where cooks devise new recipes in response to local trends. Given Frances reputation as the most anti-American country in Europe, it seems odd that McDonalds revival in Europe is being led by a Frenchman, using ideas cooked up in the French market. But France is in fact the companys most profitable market after America. The market where McDonalds is weakest in Europe is not France, but Britain. “Fixing Britain should be his priority,” says David Palmer, a restaurant analyst at UBS. Almost two-thirds of the 1,214 McDonalds restaurants in Britain are company-owned, compared with 40% in Europe and 15% in America. The company suffers from the volatility of sales at its own restaurants, but can rely on steady income from franchisees. So it should sell as many underperforming outlets as possible, say Mr. Palmer.31. McDonalds was showing signs of recovery in Asia, but sales in Europe were sluggish or declining.32. Mr. Hennequins key to successful revival includes the “ open door” visitor days and the Nutrition Information Initiative.33. Mr. Hennequin partly owes his success to the “ MrPassport ” program.34. Some French farmers complained that McDonalds monopoly was the cause of the decline of their business in the late 1990s.35. Mr Hennequin, as the European boss of McDonalds, established a “design studio” in France to spruce up his companys drab restaurants and adapt the interior to local tastes.36. America tops the list of McDonalds most profitable market, followed by France.37. 40% of the McDonalds restaurants in Europe are company-owned, compared with 15% in America.33. Y N NG 34. Y N NG 35. Y N NG36. Y N NG 37. Y N NG 38. Y N NG39. Y N NG38. Mr.Hennequin wants people to understand that “McJobs”, _, are much better than people think.39. Given _, it is ironical that a Frenchman restored McDonalds vigor in Europe with ideas cooked up in the French market.40. According to David Palmer, it is advisable for McDonalds to sell as many _ as possible.Part Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one world for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please fill in each blank with a letter. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. The name Prometheus refers to a wise person who can foresee everything, and the name Epimetheus means the opposite, so he always regretted over what he had done. Prometheus was warm-hearted, who was always willing to_41_ human beings. One time, he ascended to heaven, lighted his torch at the chariot of the sun, and brought down fire. When gods and men were in dispute, Zeus availed himself of this dispute as an excuse for punishing mankind, deprived the race of _42_ but Prometheus regained the treasure, stealing it from heaven in a hollow tube. By Zeus order, Prometheus was chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, and subjected to the attack of an eagle which, for ages, _43_ upon his liver, yet succeeded not in consuming it. In his steadfastness to withstand the _44_ the Titan was supported by the knowledge that in the thirteenth generation there should arrive a hero, sprung from Zeus himself, to release him. And in fullness of time the hero did arrive: _45_ other than the mighty Hercules. He killed the eagle and set Prometheus free. Zeus made the first woman and sent her to Prometheus and his brother, to punish them for their caring so much for men. She was made in heaven, every god contributing something to perfect her. Venus gave her beauty, Mercury persuasion, Apollo music, etc. all gods gave her gifts, silvery raiment and a broidered veil, a wonder to behold, and bright garlands of blooming flowers and a crown of gold. Because of what they gave her they called her Pandora, which means “the _46_ of all”. The gods _47_ her with a box into which each had put something harmful, and forbade her ever to _48_ it. Then they sent her to Epimetheus, who took her gladly although Prometheus had warned him never to accept anything from Zeus. He took her, and afterward he understood how good his brothers _49_ had been. For Pandora, like all women, was possessed of a lively curiosity. She had to know what was in the box. One day she lifted the lid-and out flew plagues innumerable, sorrow and mischief for mankind. In terror Pandora clapped the lid down, but too_50_. One good thing, however, was there-Hope. It was the only good the casket had held among the many evils, and it remains to this day mankinds sole comfort in misfortune.A) advice F) help K) preyedB) vision G) none L) tormentC)early H) no M)integrityD)gift I)late N) openE)close J) fire O)presentedSection BDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C), D). You should decide on the best choice.Passage oneQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage. 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 congestion. 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 cars movements. The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reverse space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer that will warn him of his coming exit. It is estimated that an automated highway will be able to handle 10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles that can be carried by a present-day highway.51. One significant improvement in the future car will probably be_. A) its power source B) its driving system C) its monitoring system D) its seating capacity52. What is the authors main concern? A) How to render automobiles pollution-free. B) How to make smaller and safer automobiles. C) How to solve the problem of traffic jams. D) How to develop an automated subway system.53. What provides autos with electric power in an automated highway system? A) A rail. B) An engine. C）A retractable arm. D) A computer controller.54. In an automated highway system, all the driver needs to do is_. A) keep in the right lane B) wait to arrive at his destination C) keep in constant touch with the computer center D) inform the system of his destination by phone55. What is the authors attitude toward the future of autos? A) Enthusiastic B) Pessimistic C) Optimistic D) CautiousPassage twoQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage. For an increasing number of students at American universities, Old is suddenly in. The reason is obvious: The graying of America means jobs. Coupled with the aging of the baby boom generation, a longer life span means that the nations elderly population is bound to expand significantly over the next 50 years. By 2050, 25 percent of all Americans will be older than 65, up from 14 percent in 1995. The change poses profound questions for government and society, of course. But it also creates career opportunities in medicine and health professions and in law and business as well. “In addition to the doctors, were going to need more sociologists, biologists, urban planners and specialized lawyers,” says Professor Edward Schneider of the University of Southern Californias (USC) School of Gerontology. Lawyers can specialize in “elder law” , which covers everything from trusts and estates to nursing-home abuse and age discrimination. Businessmen see huge opportunities in the elder market because the baby boomers, 74 million strong, are likely to be the wealthiest group of retirees in human history. “ Any student who combines an expert knowledge in gerontology with, say, an MBA or law degree will have a license to print money,” one professor says. Mona Armstrong is a 22-year-old senior at USC. She began college as journalism major but found she was “really bored with news”. So she took a class in gerontology and discovered that she liked it. She says, “I did volunteer work in retirement homes and it was very satisfying.”56. The graying of America brings about job opportunities for _. A) doctors and nurses B) sociologists and biologists C) urban planners and specialized lawyers D) all of the above57. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned? A) There are 74,000,000 baby boomers in America. B) Baby boomers in America are usually in possession of a large fortune. C) One fourth of American population will be older than 65 in the middle of the 21st century. D) Most college students are interested in gerontology rather than other majors.58. Why can businessmen make money in the emerging elder market? A