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Passage 1Digital Cameras00:45.70 According to a standard definition, / 00:48.34a digital camera is a camera that produces digital images / 00:53.63that can be stored in a computer, displayed on a screen and printed. / 01:00.17 Years ago people used to possess two different devices /01:04.47 in order to take pictures and make videos. / 01:08.42 The creation of digital cameras was motivated mainly by two factors. /01:14.04 First, need to spare space. / 01:17.78 Second, make it more comfortable for people 01:21.07to do both things with higher quality results. / 01:25.49 The multi-functionalism of digital cameras01:28.62and the combination of several devices in one / 01:32.12make it a popular choice for a modern man. / 01:35.99 For years a digital camera has been unaffordable for many families. / 01:41.39 However, the variety of digital cameras and various prices nowadays / 01:47.06make it possible for almost every single family to buy a digital camera. / 01:52.92 With increasingly fierce competition, /01:55.51 the digital camera manufacturers satisfy customers 02:00.35with lower prices but best quality standards.Passage 2The Migration of Birds00:48.91 The most obvious feature of birds is that they can fly. / 00:52.81 This facility gives them great mobility and control over their movements. / 00:58.39 Many species can travel quickly and economically over long distances / 01:04.28up to thousands of kilometers, / 01:07.14if necessary, crossing seas, deserts or other inhospitable areas. / 01:13.46 They also have great orientation and navigational skills, / 01:18.14and are able to remember and re-find 01:21.42remote places they have previously visited. / 01:24.61 Birds can thereby occupy widely separated areas at different seasons, / 01:30.80returning repeatedly to the same localities from year to year. /01:35.76 Although migration is evident in other animal groups, /01:40.09including insects, mammals, and fish, / 01:43.49in none is it as widely and well developed as in birds. / 01:48.22 The collective travel routes of birds span almost the entire planet. / 01:53.69 As a result of migration, bird distributions are continually changing / 02:00.05on regular seasonal patterns, and on local, regional or global scales.Passage 3Benefits of Becoming a Teacher00:48.55 Becoming a teacher gives you a chance / 00:50.69to spend a major portion of your day with children or youngsters. / 00:55.26 With kids around, 00:56.63you are a part of their world of innocence and purity. / 01:01.01 It indeed creates a healthy work environment for you. / 01:05.14 On becoming a teacher, / 01:07.19you get a chance to be with children, 01:09.38laugh with them, think their way / 01:12.00and enjoy their innocently silly and healthily naughty behavior. / 01:18.17 Apart from this, the nature of your job is that / 01:22.11you do not work on weekends and you get your share of holidays. / 01:28.07 Becoming a teacher entitles you / 01:31.03for receiving private scholarships and sponsorships 01:35.23for teaching programs. / 01:37.10 However, one of the most important benefits 01:40.69of becoming a teacher is that / 01:43.17teachers contribute to the shaping of the future generations. / 01:48.39 They make a difference to society / 01:51.09by playing a vital role in nurturing young minds.Passage 4Computer00:47.10 With the development of computer technology, / 00:51.02computers are becoming increasingly popular all over the world. / 00:55.78 The computer is being used in many fields. / 00:59.64 In industry, business, education, medicine, 01:04.59nearly all walks of life, / 01:06.99computers have made their appearance, 01:09.32providing great speed and accuracy for our work. / 01:13.85 Computers have been used in the home, offices, 01:17.45laboratories and research institutions, / 01:21.25acting as the most efficient and multifunctional instruments / 01:25.94for calculating, sorting, filing, recording and distributing. / 01:32.70 And they have also become a window 01:35.23through which we can understand the world better. / 01:39.17 During the past fifty years, 01:41.61the computer has been rapidly advanced. / 01:45.21 Ever since the computer came into being, 01:48.42it has experienced the development of several generations. / 01:53.74 The earliest computers were of great size, / 01:57.04and had no match for the latest electronic computers 02:00.93in speed and accuracy. / 02:03.60 Now efforts are being made 02:05.83not only to bring the hardware to perfection, / 02:08.84but also to improve the quality of the software.Passage 5Computer Addiction00:45.84 Nowadays, computer users have started developing 00:49.94some bad habits regarding using computers, / 00:53.41which have led to significant problems in their lives. / 00:57.32 The negative consequences from computer addiction / 01:01.30are similar to those of many other known addictive disorders / 01:05.62that cause mental and physical disturbances. / 01:09.00 As a result, the term “computer or Internet addiction”01:14.39 has come into use. / 01:16.39 It is also known as cyberspace addiction 01:19.55and Internet addiction disorder. / 01:22.47 Its not an easy task 01:24.59to identify which type of computer addiction 01:27.40is responsible for most computer addicts, / 01:30.81as there are many types of computer addictions, / 01:34.24such as online games, chat, e-mail, online shopping, 01:39.50online gambling and so on. / 01:42.11 No one knows in the future, / 01:44.40which technology would attract more people 01:47.31to become computer addicts. / 01:49.29 However, there are various organizations / 01:52.55that specifically deal with computer addiction / 01:55.50and have helped many thousands of people 01:57.95to get rid of this damaging addiction.Passage 6Listening Skills00:47.69 Communication with others involves learning listening skills. /00:52.92 Its a good feeling when someone listens to you /00:56.64when youre talking to them. /00:58.54 It makes you feel like they care about you01:01.04and what youre saying. /01:02.92 The same respect should be given to people01:05.33that are speaking to you. /01:07.03 Controlling the conversation or interrupting constantly01:11.74with your views or suggestions /01:14.30is not listening to the other person. /01:17.39 Listening closely and then responding at the appropriate time01:22.06makes a good conversation. /01:24.64 Making comments at the correct time01:27.10lets the speaker know youre interested /01:29.94and can help you stay centered on the conversation. /01:34.24 Asking good questions about the subject01:37.00will show you want to know more about it. /01:40.44 Try not to ask too many questions with the word “why”. /01:44.71 People might not know the answer01:47.12and wont be able to respond to the question. /01:50.65 Always, let people finish what theyre saying /01:54.03before you talk about something else.Passage 7Book Review00:48.11 The determination of the book review 00:50.69is to communicate to the readers mind / 00:53.49the ideas and sensations book reviewer experienced /00:58.35 while researching the content. / 01:00.76 Professional book reviews are important in all professions. / 01:06.17 But they are especially important in the sciences, / 01:10.22which define the specialization of the book reviewer. / 01:15.11 That is because the basic unit of scientific communication, 01:20.64the primary research paper, / 01:23.12is typically five to eight printed pages in most fields, / 01:28.58which is short and narrowly specific. / 01:32.50 Therefore, to provide a general overview 01:36.16of a significant slice of science, / 01:39.15professional writers of scientific books have to 01:43.03organize and join the reported knowledge in a field / 01:46.85into a much larger, more meaningful package. / 01:51.26 In other words, new scientific knowledge is made meaningful / 01:56.99by sorting the bits and pieces into book reviews 02:00.81to provide a larger picture. / 02:03.49 Thus, the individual plants and flowers, 02:07.18and even the weeds, become a landscape.Passage 8Television Advertisements00:46.76 A television advertisement or television commercial 00:51.00is a span of television programming / 00:54.43produced and paid for by an organization 00:58.32that conveys a message. / 01:00.88 Advertisement revenue provides 01:02.71a significant portion of the funding / 01:06.23for most privately owned television networks. / 01:10.14 The vast majority of television advertisements today 01:14.33consist of brief advertising spots, / 01:18.17ranging in length from a few seconds to several minutes. / 01:23.45 Advertisements of this sort have been used to 01:26.96sell every product imaginable over the years, / 01:31.32from household products to goods and services, 01:35.12to political campaigns. / 01:37.79 The effect of television advertisements upon the viewing public / 01:42.84has been greatly successful and pervasive. / 01:46.97 In some countries, like the United States, / 01:49.96it is considered impossible for a politician 01:53.77to wage a successful election campaign / 01:57.20without the purchase of television advertising. / 02:00.97 In other countries, such as France, 02:03.98political advertising is strictly limited on television. / 02:08.76 Some countries, like Norway, even completely ban it.Passage 9Waste00:46.63 Waste is sometimes a subjective concept, / 00:50.53because items that some people discard may have value to others. / 00:56.78 It is widely recognized that waste materials 01:00.77are a valuable resource, / 01:03.41while there is debate as to how this value is best realized. / 01:09.99 Governments need to define what waste is / 01:14.04in order that it can be safely and legally managed. / 01:18.65 Different definitions need to be combined / 01:22.48in order to ensure the safe and legal disposal of the waste. / 01:27.89 The European Union has started a discussion / 01:31.60that will end in an End-of-Waste directive. / 01:36.44 It will clarify the distinction between waste 01:39.29that shall be treated for disposal / 01:42.04and raw materials that can be reused for other purposes. / 01:47.58 All over the world, America generates more waste 01:51.36than any other nation in the world, / 01:54.17with 4. 5 pounds of municipal solid waste per person per day, / 02:01.3855 percent of which is contributed as residential garbage.Passage 10Getting Paid to Shop00:48.71 Advertising in our days has joined our lives quite well. / 00:53.16 Getting paid to shop is another form of advertising. / 00:57.61 A contractor evaluates products and services 01:01.87offered by various companies / 01:04.55in order to become known to the public / 01:07.12with the main purpose to increase their sales. / 01:12.56 Getting paid to shop, 01:14.67users have the opportunity to shop favorite products / 01:19.40like jewelry, handbags, clothes, shoes and other things, / 01:26.26and create an income01:28.28 that might later lead them to financial freedom. / 01:31.74 To be more clear and specific, /01:34.34 anyone who joins a getting paid to shop program / 01:37.97will have the opportunity to shop things that you wish for free / 01:42.50while at the end of the campaign 01:44.63might those things become yours. / 01:47.14 In addition, those companies that offer such opportunity 01:51.63will pay their members to do that. / 01:54.39 Getting paid to shop is certainly the ideal solution / 01:58.19that fits perfectly with most women 02:00.59who like to shop often or see shopping as a hobby.Passage 11Negative Effects of Television00:49.82 Spending too many hours watching television 00:53.23wastes the precious time /00:55.67that can rather be spent in fruitful and healthy activities 01:00.37like exercise or reading. / 01:03.27 It also uses up the time / 01:05.63that you can rather spend with your family and friends. / 01:09.99 Chatting with your near ones, 01:12.88spending time with your close ones / 01:15.27is a better way of spending time than watching TV. / 01:19.01 People watching television, 01:21.51especially children and youngsters, / 01:24.24start identifying with what is shown on TV. / 01:28.06 They relate to television shows and films to such an extent / 01:33.15that they get bored of living a normal and simple life. / 01:37.70 They are eager for fame and money; / 01:40.33they long for living the lives of their favorite TV characters. / 01:44.94 This may lead to a high amount of dissatisfaction 01:49.08for the real world. / 01:51.11 As real life is the contrast of the life shown on TV, / 01:56.08such TV addicts become hungry for power, money and status.Passage 12Culture Shock00:47.96 Culture shock isnt a clinical term or medical condition. / 00:51.89 Its simply a common way to describe 00:54.48the confusing and nervous feelings a person may have / 00:57.87after leaving a familiar culture 00:59.88to live in a new and different culture. / 01:02.73 When you move to a new place, / 01:05.25youre bound to face a lot of changes. / 01:07.72 That can be exciting and stimulating, / 01:10.45but it can also be overwhelming. / 01:13.33 You may feel sad, anxious, frustrated, and want to go home. / 01:18.69 Its natural to have difficulty adjusting to a new culture. / 01:22.76 People from other cultures may have grown up 01:25.69with values and beliefs that differ from yours. / 01:28.96 Because of these differences, / 01:30.97the things they talk about, the ways they express themselves, / 01:34.53and the importance of various ideas / 01:37.10may be very different from what you are used to. / 01:40.88 But the good news is that culture shock is usually temporary.Passage 13Environmentally Friendly Cars00:48.54 Environmentally friendly cars are supposed to be 00:52.42the vehicles of future generations. / 00:55.93 Nevertheless, such cars exist now / 00:59.29and are becoming more popular in the modern car market 01:03.28than traditional vehicles / 01:05.47which work on fossil fuels. / 01:07.96 The advantages of such cars 01:10.27are not only in their lower harmfulness 01:13.39for the environment and people s health / 01:16.29but also in the lower fuel costs. / 01:19.28 However, their production is rather expensive, / 01:23.14so it is still a controversial point / 01:26.01both for the customers and the automobile manufacturers. / 01:30.31 Although they are more expensive to buy, / 01:32.95they pay for themselves in a period of about 5 years / 01:37.47because they consume less expensive fuels. / 01:41.31 The common types of environmentally friendly cars 01:44.95include electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars, 01:49.79crossbreed cars and solar cars. /01:53.47 And environmentally friendly cars 01:56.46have become the choice of many people / 01:59.20who decided to reduce the influence 02:01.90of burning fossil fuels on the nature.Passage 14The Earth Day00:47.84 Our Planet Earth has so much to give us. / 00:50.71 From the beautiful natural surroundings 00:53.64to the rich types of creatures, / 00:56.16Planet Earth has loads of things to offer / 00:59.74that only make the life more beautiful. / 01:02.76 However, have you given a thought to 01:05.94how many individuals actually respect this planet? / 01:11.20 April 22nd is known the world over as Earth Day. / 01:16.60 It is celebrated to create more awareness about our planet / 01:21.81and situations that we need to take care of / 01:24.83to ensure our Planet Earth is well loved and cared for. / 01:29.64 As things are, we need to celebrate it on one day / 01:33.84to remind us of the responsibilities 01:36.33we need to handle in the coming years. / 01:39.47 The importance of Planet Earth is something / 01:42.44that should be taught to children in their early years, 01:46.24at home and in the school. / 01:49.22 Only then will the young and old alike, 01:52.39understand the issues / 01:54.37such as global warming, energy conservation 01:59.30and the importance of recycling.Passage 15Differences Between Chinese and Western Eating Habits00:50.52 There are great differences 00:52.18between Chinese and Western eating habits. / 00:55.74 Unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, / 01:00.16in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. / 01:05.46 If you are being treated by a Chinese host, / 01:09.13be prepared for a ton of food. / 01:12.45 Chinese are very proud of their culture of cuisine / 01:16.07and will do their best to show their hospitality. / 01:19.90 And sometimes the Chinese hosts use their chopsticks 01:23.70to put food in your bowl or plate. / 01:26.99 This is a sign of politeness. / 01:30.07 The appropriate thing to do would be to eat whatever-it-is / 01:34.80and say how tasty it is. / 01:37.63 If you feel uncomfortable with this, / 01:40.04you can just say a polite thank-you and leave the food there. / 01:44.95 And you should never tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, / 01:48.79which can be very insulting to the host.Passage 16Artificial Intelligence00:48.81 Artificial Intelligence is the intelligence of machines 00:52.45and the branch of computer science 00:54.47which aims to create it. / 00:56.92 Textbooks define it 00:58.55as the study and design of intelligent agents, / 01:01.90where an intelligent agent is a system 01:04.96that perceives its environment / 01:07.03and takes actions which maximize its chances of success. / 01:12.23 The field was founded on the claim that 01:15.23human intelligence can be so precisely described / 01:18.89that it can be simulated by a machine. / 01:22.32 The discipline of Artificial Intelligence was born 01:25.92in the summer of 1956. / 01:29.16 Half of a century has passed, / 01:31.51and Artificial Intelligence has come a long way 01:34.86since its beginning. / 01:37.29 It has turned into an important field, / 01:39.59whose influence on our daily lives 01:42.71can hardly be underestimated. / 01:45.64 Many specialized Artificial Intelligence systems 01:49.30exist that are at work in our cars, / 01:51.87in our laptop computers, 01:54.28and in our personal and commercial technologies. / 01:57.71 There is no doubt that the impact of Artificial Intelligence 02:01.96on our lives in the future / 02:03.85will become even more general and universal.Passage 17Idioms00:46.45 An idiom is defined as a group of words / 00:49.47whose meaning must be known as a whole, / 00:53.14because it cannot be learned from the meaning 00:56.00of the same words used separa
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