新标准大学英语复习

Unit 1Conversation 1Janet: What a wonderful view! This is such a great city. Do you ever get tired of living in London, Andy?Andy: When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.Janet: Thats a quotation by Samuel Johnson, isnt it?Andy: Correct! So do you have any plans when you finish at Oxford?Janet: Ive got another year to go, and then I suppose Ill go back home.Andy: And will you find a job?Janet: I think Ill have to do my Masters before I look for work. But I must admit London is very special. Do you think you would ever leave London?Andy: Sure! Id love to come to China one day, and I like travelling. But I think Ill always come back here.Janet: Well, your roots are here, and there are so many opportunities.Andy: But have you ever thought of living in London for a year or two?Janet: Yes, but what could I do here? I had planned to become a teacher. But Ive often thought if there was a job I could do here in publishing, maybe as an editor, Id go for it.Andy: That sounds like a great idea. I think that would really suit you.Janet: Maybe I should update my CV and send it to one or two publishers.Andy: Dont make it look too good!Janet: Why not?Andy: Well, if you enjoy working with London Time Off, we dont want you working with anyone else!Janet: Oh, working with you and Joe, its great fun, and really interesting. I couldnt think of a better way to find out about a city.Andy: So maybe you should think about applying for a job with us.Janet: But do you think Id stand a chance? I mean, Im not sure if Joe likes me.Andy: Dont even think about it! Joe is very straight talking, and I promise you that youd know if he didnt like you!Janet: Perhaps we should both update our CVs and look for jobs together.Andy: Hey, right! That would be fun.Conversation 2Janet: Talking about future plans, how do you see your career developing?Andy: My career? Well, I like working for London Time Off. Its part of a larger media company called Lift Off USA, so there are lots of opportunities. But.Janet: But what?Andy: Its not always very easy working with Joe. I mean, I kind of think he has a different agenda. I like his work, but sometimes I dont think his hearts in his job.Janet: How did he end up in London?Andy: He did media studies in the States, and then found work as a gofer at Lift Off in New York.Janet: Whats a gofer?Andy: Go for this, go for that. Its a word for the least experienced person in the film and TV industry. Then he came to London and got a proper job as a researcher at Lift Off UK, and then after a few years he got the producers job on London Time Off.Janet: Hes good at his job, isnt he?Andy: Yes. Hes confident and very competent at what he does, so the people who work with him rate him quite highly.Janet: Except you?Andy: No, I rate him too. And I get on with him quite well, although were not best buddies or anything like that. Its just that. I want his job!Janet: Now we know your little secret. I promise I wont tell anyone!Andy: Its OK, I suspect he knows it too. But if I cant be a producer on London Time Off, then I guess Ill find something elsewhere. Janet, there was something I was going to ask you.Janet: Sure, what is it?Andy: I was wondering. oh, its nothing. Anyway, all this talk about your future career is making me thirsty. Lets go for a drink.Janet: Whose round?Andy: Yours!Unit 2Conversation 1Joe: OK, when youve finished chatting, lets get down to work.Andy: OK, sure.Janet: Fine by me. Whats on the agenda?Joe: First up today is Read all about it! Now, I assume everyone has read all the books for the feature? Has anyone read any of the books?Andy: Well, Joe, there are over 20 new books coming out next month, so.Joe: Im sorry, I really think thats quite unacceptable. Its your job! What about you, Janet?Janet: Im sorry but this is the first time Ive worked on Read all about it, and I didnt know I was meant to read all the books.Andy: Have you read them?Joe: No, but thats why youre my assistants. Youre meant to assist me.Andy: Its true that we need to read the books, Joe, but we havent.Joe: OK, here you go. Youre always making excuses!Andy: And whats more, we havent even chosen the books yet.Joe: OK, lets get on with it. Whats on the list?Janet: I suppose were looking for books with a London angle?Andy: Not necessarily.Janet: Is it OK to look for non-fiction too?Joe: Absolutely.Janet: OK, heres an idea. Theres a new biography of Charles Dickens which Im reading.Andy: Sounds goodhis books are always on TV.Janet: You see Im studying Dickens at university, and I noticed it in the bookshop last week. Its really interesting.Joe: OK, tell us more.Janet: Well, its a description of the London locations where he set many of his books, like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.Andy: Sounds right up your street!Joe: Well done, Janet. Maybe you can show Andy how to plan the feature. OK, thats it everyone. Lets get to it!Conversation 2Janet: Whats the matter with Joe today?Andy: No idea. Hes a bit like that sometimes. He gets annoyed with me, but I dont really know why.Janet: He wasnt being at all fair. How often does he get like this?Andy: Well, I suppose its not very often. But sometimes he really gets on my nerves.Janet: Dont let it get to you. Hes probably got too much work, and hes stressed.Andy: Well, he should keep his problems away from the studio. Anyway, youre the expert on Dickens, tell me something about him.Janet: Well, Charles Dickens was one of the most popular novelists in 19th century Britain. Many of his novels first appeared in magazines, in short episodes. Each one had a cliffhanger at the end that made people want to read the next episode.Andy: And was he a Londoner?Janet: He was born in Portsmouth but his family moved to London when he was ten years old.Andy: And he set most of his stories in London, didnt he?Janet: Thats right. He knew the city very well.Andy: Whereabouts in London are his stories set?Janet: Around the Law Courts in the centre of London. He worked as a court reporter and many of the real life stories he heard in court inspired some of the most famous characters in his novels.Andy: I think some of his stories take place south of the river?Janet: Thats right, especially around Docklands. The thing was. Dickens was a social commentator as much as he was a novelisthis stories describe the hardship, the poverty, and crime which many Londoners experienced in the 19th century. It makes me want to read some Dickens again. Maybe Ill just go shopping for a copy of Great Expectations.Andy: Anyway, you did me a huge favour. That was a real brainwave to suggest the new biography.Janet: Cheer up, Andy. It wasnt your fault.Andy: No, its OK. Ill get over it. Go on, off you go and enjoy your shopping!Unit 3Conversation 1Tanya: Hey! That looks good on you! You should try it on!Janet: No thanks, Im just looking.Tanya: Go on, try it on. I can tell it suits you.Janet: You seem to want me to buy something. And Im not sure I want to buy anything at all.Tanya: Well, yes, Im pretty sure you want to buy something.Janet: How do you know?Tanya: Well, its my job to know what women want to wear.Janet: How do you know what I want to wear?Tanya: I can just tell. Most women dont hold things up like that unless they know they want to buy it, but either they havent got the money or they are nervous about impulse buying.Janet: So what type of woman am I then?Tanya: No money!Janet: Yeah! Youre right, but how do you know?Tanya: If you were nervous about impulse buying, youd try it on. That way youll feel good that youve made a careful decision.Janet: Thats pretty smart. What is your job then?Tanya: Im a buyer for a store in New York City. Im here for London Fashion Week. Hey, do you want to go? I have some free tickets for the catwalk show this afternoon.Janet: Well, Im not sure. Im waiting for a friend, actually, and.Joe: Hi Janet!Janet: Joe! What are you doing here?Joe: Why the surprise?Janet: Its just. I didnt expect to see you. Thats all. Er, this is.Tanya: Hello, Im Tanya Feinstein. Is this the friend you were waiting for.Janet: No. Yes!Tanya: So would you both like to come this afternoon?Janet: Tanya has invited us to the catwalk show this afternoon.Tanya: Look at this. Oh, its perfect. Ill just try it on. Ill leave you two to make up your minds.Conversation 2Joe: Who is she? Is she a friend of yours?Janet: No, she just came up to me and started talking about fashion. Shes a buyer for some New York fashion store.Joe: But why has she invited us to a catwalk show?Janet: Shes giving out free tickets. Part of her job I think.Joe: So, do you want to go?Janet: I suppose so. Havent got any money for shopping, so why not?Tanya: OK, you guys made up your mind?Joe: You sure you got a couple of tickets for us?Tanya: Sure!Joe: Thanks. So whats your take on the London fashion scene then?Tanya: As far as Im concerned, the clothes shops in London are some of the best in the world. The way I see it, if I want haute couture I can go to Paris or Milan. But if I want street fashion that will look good in New York too, I come to London. The kids here all have this unique style.Joe: But they cant afford designer prices.Tanya: In London the fashion tends to start on the streets. It gets popular among the kids, and then the designers come and pick up on their style, turn it into designer clothes. Whereas in Paris or Milan, its more of a top down process.Janet: Top down?Tanya: Sure. The big name designers create these wonderful clothes but theyre really only for a few rich people.Joe: So you think its different in London?Tanya: I sure do. And, if you ask me, New York as well. Anyway, you ready?Joe: Sure. Why not? Janet?Janet: Well. Oh well, its getting late. So, I suppose so.Tanya: OK, follow me. Lets get a cab.Unit 4Conversation 1Andy: So what happened then?Janet: I saw some wonderful clothes, and had a wonderful day.Andy: But what were you doing there with Joe? I thought you were meeting me.Janet: You were late.Andy: Ah, yes. Youve got me there.Janet: Joe is right you know. You are late quite often.Andy: OK.Janet: I didnt know what to do because I didnt know you were on your way, and Tanya offered me the free tickets and then Joe just turned up.Andy: Oh well, look Im really sorry I didnt. Oh, Id better take this. Hi, Andy speaking. Oh, yes of course. Hi, Mr Pearson. Are we still on for today? Its the guy were meeting today. Yes, were already here. Something unexpected has come up, OK. Sure, well have to make another arrangement to meet. Thats fine, no problem. So when would it be convenient for you? I think thats OK, but can I just check my schedule? Can you hold on for a moment, please? He cant make it this morning. Are we clear this afternoon?Janet: I think so, yes.Andy: Thats OK. Could we make it at 2.30 rather than 2? Well, let me think, how about at our local, the Duke of York? Would that be OK with you? . Sure, no problem. See you this afternoon. Bye!Janet: Whats he coming to talk about?Andy: The City. The financial capital of the world. next to New York, of course. Id better tell Joe about the change of plan.Conversation 2Janet: So what does the world of high finance have to do with our website?Joe: Well, I thought we could do something on the Bank of England Museumits really quite interesting.Janet: So who exactly is Tim Pearson?Joe: He works there and hes coming along today to plan an interview and a tour round the museum.Janet: So were not actually doing any filming?Andy: No, just asking him more about the Bank and the museum.Tim: Hi.Joe: Hi, Tim.Tim: Hi.Andy: Hi, Tim.Janet: Hi, Im Janet.Tim: Hi, Janet. Right, so where do you want to begin?Joe: Ive got a plan of the museum. Can we go through it with you?Tim: Fine. Basically, the Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England. Theres also a collection of bank notes and gold bars.Andy: Any free samples?Tim: Sorry, no chance! Now, you come in here on the left, past the museum shop. Then the first room you enter is a reconstruction of a late 18th century banking hall.Janet: And moving through to this room, on the top right hand side?Tim: Thats the story of the early years at the Bank from when it was founded in 1694.Janet: What about this room on the left?Tim: Thats the Banks collection of silver goods, a pile of gold bars. And this room here below contains a description of how the modern economy works.Janet: So is our paper money always backed by its value in gold?Tim: Yes, the notes they gave or received were originally receipts for the loans in gold. But gradually these paper receipts replaced the gold and became bank notes.Janet: So is the Bank independent or controlled by the government?Tim: The Bank was given its independence in 1997.Janet: And why didnt the Bank help the economy during the credit crunch in 2008?Tim: Well, its a bit difficult to explain.Andy: Take your time, Tim, wed really like to know.Tim: Well, uh.Unit 5Conversation 1Andy: I loved the question you asked Tim Pearson about the financial crisis.Janet: Well, I shouldnt have asked it. After all, hes an expert!Andy: There you go again, youre always putting yourself down. You dont know how to take a compliment.Janet: True. I never find it easy to accept praise. Do you think woman have been conditioned to accept criticism?Andy: Well, I think thats gender stereotyping. Do you think that men are good at accepting compliments?Janet: Well, they seem to be able to deal with criticism much better.Andy: Dont you believe it!Janet: Anyway, thank you, I accept your compliment.Andy: Not only that, but I think youd make a really good TV presenter.Janet: Im not so sure. I havent seen many women in television here.Andy: Well, in the media in general, I can assure you that there are lots of women in presenting and management roles.Janet: Well, maybe, but Im Chinese as well. I dont think Ill be accepted as a presenter on a British TV programmed.Andy: Gender AND racial stereotyping. I mean, it depends on what job and sometimes where you work in London, of course, but generally, Londoners are proud of their multi-ethnic community. Especially the Chinese, because you cook great food!Janet: Now whos doing the stereotyping! But seriously, look at all these smart women walking to work. Are they all secretaries or managers?Andy: OK, its a good point. I think that many women manage to get middle management jobs in most professions. But its true that a lot of them talk about the glass ceiling.Janet: Whats the glass ceiling?Andy: Its the situation where a woman is successful in a company, but then she hits the glass ceilingthis invisible barrier which stops her going any higher in her career.Conversation 2Janet: So what do you think causes the glass ceiling?Andy: Its partly prejudice by men about womens abilities in management. But its also when women take time off to have children, they dont always recover the same power when they return to work.Janet: Its not fair.Andy: Youre right, its not fair. I read here that only five to ten per cent of the top companies in America and Britain are run by women.Janet: Thats extraordinary! In China there appears to be more women in top jobs, but I may be wrong.Andy: And look, here are some more statistics. About 60 per cent of university graduates in Europe and North America are women. And something like 75 per cent of the eight million new jobs in Europe have been filled by women.Janet: So the percentage of women in the total workforce is growing.Andy: You got it! But women in the UK are in a slight majoritythere are more women than men.Janet: Do you think its especially bad in the UK, and in London especially?Andy: Not really. Some jobs which were traditionally done by women, like nursing, are now also done by men, and there are traditional mens jobs, like engineering, which are done by women. And there are plenty of womens football teams!Janet: Womens football! We have womens football in China too.Andy: Mind you, their matches dont get many spectators!Janet: I give up. What else has changed?Andy: I think fathers spend more quality time with their children today. But I bet you its still the women who spend most time looking after the children and the home.Janet: I guess thats true everywhere.Andy: Anyway, Im going home to watch the match on TV. The local womens team, of course.Janet: Its typical of you men! You always bring it back to football!Andy: And thats typical of you women! You always bring it back to gender stereotyping.Unit 6Conversation 1Joe: I think this is my favorite view in the whole of London. Big Ben is a really important part of the life of the country.Andy: Its well worth a visit.Janet: So are you saying that you can go up Big Ben?Andy: Sure. I went up when I was a kid. I can highly recommend it.Joe: That would be a great idea for the website. Do a report on a visit to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.Janet: So you mean, I can just go to the entrance and ask to go up the tower?Andy: Well, Im not too sure, actually. But I can try and find out. Come to think of it, Im pretty sure you need to get permission from your Member of Parliament.Joe: Ah, you and I dont have one, because we arent UK residents. So I guess that means we cant go up Big Ben.Andy: I dont really know, to be honest. But its also well worth taking a tour round the Houses of Parliament.Janet: So, what youre saying is that visitors like myself can go into the most important government building in the country? Wow! Id love to do that.Andy: I think they do tours in the summer. But heres a trick question: can you actually see Big Ben from here?Joe: I havent a clue.Janet: Well. yes. Thats it up there, isnt it?Andy: Wrong. In fact, Big Ben is the name of the bell, and not the clock tower.Joe: I had no idea.Andy: So if you can do tours round Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, why dont we put something about it on the website?Joe: Fine by me. You OK to do the research?Andy: No problem. But can we get someone from the Houses of Parliament to update us?Joe: Sure. Actually, I know someone who works there, Ill give her a call now and see if she can meet us at lunch time.Conversation 2Joe: Oh, hi, Sarah!Sarah: Hi, guys.Joe: Thanks for coming.Andy: So, can you tell us what you know about the Houses of Parliament?Sarah: Sure.Joe: So tell us about Big Ben.Sarah: Big Ben is widely believed to be the clock tower, but in fact, its the bell at the top.Andy: And when was the tower built?Sarah: In 1859.Joe: And how old are the Houses of Parliament?Sarah: They were completed in 1870.Joe: So none of these buildings we can see are really old?Sarah: No, thats not what Im trying to say. Er The oldest part of the ancient Palace of Westminster is Westminster Hall, which dates