Part I Listening Comprehension (20 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question 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. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
Example: You will hear:
You will read: [A] 2 hours. [B] 3 hours.
[C] 4 hours. [D] 5 hours.
From the conversation we know that the two are talking about some work they will start at 9 o‘clock in the morning and have to finish at 2 in the afternoon. Therefore, [D] “5 hours” is the correct answer. You should choose [D] on the Answer Sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre.
Sample Answer [A] [B] [C] [D]
1. M: The dean just announced that Dr. Holden‘s going to take over as chairman of the history department.
W: I knew it all along! He‘s the obvious choice. All the other candidates are no match for him!
Q: What does the woman mean?
A) The dean should have consulted her on the appointment.
B) Dr. Holden should have taken over the position earlier.
C) She doesn‘t think Dr. Holden has made a wise choice.
{D) Dr. Holden is the best person for the chairmanship. }
2. W: Hey, let me know how your summer‘s going? I’ll miss you guys while I‘m working here in the library.
M: I‘ll be working, too, but I’ll send you an email or call you once in a while. When we all get back to school, we can have a party or something.
Q: What do we learn about the two speakers?
{A) They‘ll keep in touch during the summer vacation. }
B) They‘ll hold a party before the summer vacation.
C) They‘ll do odd jobs together at the school library.
D) They‘ll get back to their school once in a while.
3. W: I know it‘s the end of the season, but those peaches were such a bargain that I couldn’t help buying them! Have one please!
M: Thank you! Actually, they seem past their prime.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A) Peaches are in season now.
{B) Peaches are not at their best now.}
C) The woman didn‘t know how to bargain.
D) The woman helped the man choose the fruit.
4. M: The assignment on physics is a real challenge. I don‘t think I can finish it on time all by myself,.
W: Why don‘t we join our efforts together? It may be easier then.
Q: What does the woman suggest?
A) They join the physics club.
B) They ask for an extension of the deadline.
{C) They work on the assignment together. }
D) They choose an easier assignment.
5. M: Jean really lost her temper in Dr. Brown‘s class this morning.
W: Oh, did she? But I think her frankness is really something to be appreciated.
Q: What does the woman mean?
{A) She admires Jean‘s straightforwardness. }
B) She thinks Dr. Brown deserves the praise.
C) She will talk to Jean about what happened.
D) She believes Jean was rude to Dr. Brown.
6. W: We heard that when you were a kid, you submitted a story to Reader‘s Digest.
M: Well, I don‘t remember the story exactly, but my idea of a great time then was a pad of lined paper and a new blue pen. I thought of myself as a Reader’s Digest‘s staff member at the age of six.
Q: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?
{A) He liked writing when he was a child. }
B) He enjoyed reading stories in Reader‘s Digest.
C) He used to be an editor of Reader‘s Digest.
D) He became well known at the age of six.
7. M: Your son certainly shows a lot of enthusiasm on the tennis court.
W: I only wish he‘d show as much for his studies.
Q: What does the woman imply about her son?
A) He shows great enthusiasm for his studies.
B) He is a very versatile person.
C) He has no talent for tennis.
{D) He does not study hard enough. }
8. W: We‘re supposed to meet John here at the railway station.
M: That‘s like looking for a needle in a hay stack.
Q: What does the man imply?
A) John has lost something at the railway station.
B) There are several railway stations in the city.
{C) It will be very difficult for them to find John. }
D) The train that John is taking will arrive soon.
9. M: Professor Stevenson, as an economist, how do you look upon the surging Chinese economy? Does it constitute a threat to the rest of the w
