04.9 上海市英语中级口译资格证书第一阶段文本

SECTION 1: LISTENING TEST (40 minutes)

Part A: Spot Dictation

Traveling by air is one of the major conveniences of modern times. So last summer when we planned a holiday abroad, we decided to take advantage of such a modern, convenient means of transportation (1). We began preparations for our trip early by calling the airline and making the reservation (2). A few days later we received our tickets telling us our flight number and the time of departure (3) from our city and arrival at our destination. We were advised to arrive at the airline terminal an hour before takeoff in order to check in (4) for our flight, receive our seat assignments (5), and check our baggage. It is important not to be late, or you might miss the flight. On the day of the flight, we went to the ticket counter (6) where we were directed to the waiting area (7) of the gate from which the airplane would depart. As we entered this area we were checked through security system (8). While we were waiting, I noticed how busy everyone was. The mechanics (9) were checking the plane for last minute repairs, and a large truck was fueling the plane with gasoline to make it ready for take off (10). When our flight was called we boarded the airplane (11). We were pleasantly greeted by the flight attendants and offered newspapers and magazines (12), drinks and food. The weather was good, and there was no air turbulence (13) to cause us worry or discomfort. Although our flight was trouble-free (14), during the holidays air travel becomes more hectic. Often airlines sell to many tickets for a flight and are then overbooked (15). Some unlucky passengers will e bumped and asked to reschedule (16) on a later flight. Bad weather might also cause a later takeoff, and this delay often results in missed connections (17) at the next stop. One of the most annoying aspects of air travel at holiday season is the possibility of losing your luggage (18). I always try to carry with me enough (19) for several days. On the whole, however, traveling by air is worth the expense (20). It is fast, safe, and usually reliable. Part B: Listening Comprehension 1. The chairman was supposed to turn up half an hour ago to preside over the board meeting, maybe someone should give him a ring. 2. After considering and interviewing a dozen or so short list of candidates, I selected Mr. Johnson to assume the position of accounting manager for our downtown branch. 3. Please don’t get annoyed over what I said now, I’m just anxious for the delay. In no way do I blame you for what happened. You have tried your best. 4. I didn’t want to discourage Charlie from doing his research project. But as far as I know, his approaches are the same as those by our rival companies. 5. Thanks to the testimony of health food experts and a number of doctors, the sales of Vitamin E have doubled in the past 5 years. 6. You Visa expired in September, but don’t worry, you are eligible to get a 3 month’s extension if you apply for it 3 weeks earlier. 7. Come on, Let’s read this article, it says that the scientist have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 centuries to develop an effective cure for the common flu, isn’t that amazing? 8. To be qualified for an on campus apartment, you must be a graduate student at this university and you must have a total income of less than 1,700 dollars per month. 9. In cities all over the United States, workers spend several hours a day in cars crawling along in traffic to get to office many miles from home. They experience stress, waste of time and parking. 10. As it has been stipulated in our contract, the microwave ovens must be delivered within 14 days after it has been signed by both parties. 2. Talks and Conversations Questions 11-14 M: Have another cup of tea before you go, Betty? W: I should be off really, I want to catch the 10 o’clock bus into town and it’s nearly a quarter to already. M: You may as well have another cup and catch the 10:30, you’d have to run to catch the 10 o’clock now and you might miss it even then. W: All right then, thank you. And can I have another of those chocolate biscuits M: Of course, you can. Here you are. W: Did you read about that awful business at the new comprehensive school last week? M: Yes, I did. A boy assaulted a teacher with a knife. What ever next, you never know. W: He ought to be given a good beating. I think they are too soft on children these days. The children can do what ever they like in the classroom and at school. And the teachers can do anything to punish them and to make them behave themselves. M: Yes, I don’t know why they abolish corpora punishment. Things like that didn’t happen when we were at the school because the teachers could keep these hooligans under strict control by using a kin. The newspaper editorial says that corpora punishment should be reintroduced. It says it saves time and more effective. W: That’s true. I think the education commissioner should consider the alternative. Well.., Oh dear, is your clock right, it can’t be 20 past ten already. M: I’m afraid it is, you’ve missed the 10:30 to now. You may as well stay here for a chat and go into town after lunch. W: Yes, I might as well. But the landlady is expecting me. I really ought to ring her and tell her that I won’t be turning up. Could I use your phone, Jack? M: Certainly. Questions 11-14 11. As the conversation began, what was the woman going to do? 12. According to the man, what happened at the new comprehensive school the previous week? 13. What does the newspaper editorial say about the corpora punishment? 14. Why does the woman want to make a phone call? Questions 15-18 In Britain, very few British girls go into domestic service, they prefer jobs in industry and trades because the wages are higher and there is more freedom. So the very few people who can afford living in servants often employ foreigners who have come to Britain in search of jobs. Many middle income group family employ dailies, and dailies are those people who come in during the week to do the cleaning and other house chores for a fixed couple of hours and in turn, they receive hourly or weekly payments Many of these families may also have opair-girls from a foreign country. Officially, an opair-girl is supposed to live in as one of the family, receiving her keep, entertainment and pocket money. In return, the opair-girls should help with the housework and care of any children. Hours and money are usually decided between the opair-girl and her employer. Opair-girls are actually put in about 5 hours day including baby-sitting and must have at least one day off each week as a time to attend English class, which is, after all, their main reason for being in Britain. Questions 15-18 15. According to the talk, what job does a British girl least likely go into? 16. What are the dailies employed by the British families. 17. Which of the following is not true about the o-pair in her employer’s family. 18. What is the main reason for the o-pair girl to choose to live in a British family? Questions 19-22 W: Did you take your car to Sampson’s Garage to be repaired, Bill? M: yes, the day before yesterday, it’s in good shape again now. Apparently, I needn’t have to worry about that the terrible rattling noise underneath. It was only a loose wire and they fixed it in 2 minutes. W: Was there anything else wrong? M: They found about a dozen other things that needed replacing. W: That’s always the way. You take the car in for one reason and they find everything else is wrong. In the end, you pay twice as much as you bargained for. But at least Sampson’s people are fast workers. M: Yes, thanks goodness, my wife and I had to go to Cambridge, family issues, you know. And I thought I have hire a car or borrow someone else’s. but my own car was ready in time so I didn’t need to hire one after all. W: Of course, Sampson’s may be fast, but he’s expensive too. I didn’t have to go to him, of course. I think I’ll try someone else next time it goes wrong. M: It doesn’t matter what else you try. All garages are expensive these days, you just have to pay up. there’s nothing else you can do. W: and sometimes you can’t even be sure that they’ve done the job you’ve asked them to do. Last year, I have to take my car into a garage for an emergency repair and I was not even allowed to stand in the repair shop and watch while they did it. Union’s rule or something. M: Well, they probably didn’t want you to see the how simple the job was before they give you bill. Questions 19-22 19. Why did the man take his car to Sampson’s Garage? 20. How did the man and his wife go to Cambridge before? 21. What does the man think the garage these days? . 22. Which of the following about the garage in Britain according to the woman? Questions 23-26 Many people may have heard pidgin English or “Yang Jing Bang” English, as it is so named in China. In the late 19 century, “Yang Jing Bang” was originally a little river parallel to the city wall of Shanghai and was seldom recorded in history. However, it has left such a deep mark in the history of Shanghai that “Yang Jing Bang” has a become a symbol of amalgamation of Chinese and foreign culture. During the Qing Dynasty, British consulate George Bafor persuaded merchants to build British concessions to the

north of “Yang Jing Bang” river, the west of “Huangpu” River, and the south of “Wusong” River by the middle of the nineteen century. Concessions in Shanghai became the largest region in the world for immigrants from other countries. And to the north of “Yang Jing Bang” river, a flourishing new city took shape. In those days, Southern Shanghai was ruled by the Chinese government, whereas those concession in northern Shanghai was ran according to the European rules. On both sides of the rivers, the two sets of practices competed, clashed and blended. In the trail between north and south of Shanghai, “Yang Jing Bang” was direct frontier, and people there spoke of a variety of languages and dialects, including the native dialect and the English language. As both sides got closer, so were the Chinese culture and western culture. Although the river was filled in 1914 to make way for the widest street, “Yang Jing Bang” remain the frontier of communication between the Chinese and foreigners. And thus came “Yang Jing Bang” English, a kind of business English used by local people and people from European countries. 23. What was “Yang Jing Bang” in the late nineteen century. 24. According the man, what did the British merchants do in Shanghai during the Qing Dynasty 25. Why was “Yang Jing Bang” a direct frontier between the Chinese and the westerners. 26. For what purpose did local people use “Yang Jing Bang” English? Questions 27-30 M: Good morning, Ms Brown. W: Yes, you are here quickly. M: I believed you reported a break in early this morning. W: Yes, come in. I was on the night shift and when I got home I found the front door open. Someone’s foot step it. Look at these footprints on it. M: And is there anything missing? Have you had a look to see if there’s anything has been taken? I don’t know, I don’t think so. The only room I went into was my bedroom as far as I can tell. And the only that’s been moved, as far as I can tell, is that box over on the dressing table. M: Which box, this Japanese type one. W: Yes, it’s just got a few earrings and things like that in it. M: And are they all here. W: Well…as far as I can remember, yes…It’s odd, there are these two watches here. You’d think they had picked them up. M: They would have normally take jewelry unless it’s a value. Have you checked you petty cash. W: My what…? M: No. cash that you keep around the house. W: Oh, there wasn’t any. M: And What about your check book? Where do you keep it? W: Gosh, I hadn’t thought of that. Hang on, I keep it in my desk. No it’s Ok. Still here. That’s a relief, isn’t here? M: What about credit card? W: That’s all right. I had it with me in my purse. You think they will come back? I can only assume that they just got in and come in to the bedroom and saw me drive back. That’s my car in front of the window, which why they left empty handed. M: Well, it’s hard to say. They are usually after Videos CD-Rom players, notebook computers and things like that. Got anything like that? W: Pardon me? I’ve got a television, but it’s black and white and elderly stereo system. M: I don’t imagine they’ll be interested in things like that. Who knows, they are in and out very quickly and they are after stuff they know they can get rid of easily. 27. What happened to the woman last night? 28. As far as the woman could tell, what have been moved by the thief. 29. Where did the woman keep her check book? 30. According to the woman, why did the thief leave her house empty handed? Part C Sentence Translation: 1. If we interest children, they learn much better, therefore, we have set up a natural science club. Many children stay behind after school to join the club activities. 2. At present , the company is having 70% of its employees involved outside Europe. Now, that, in itself, gives you the indication of how international our company has become. 3. Our products are mainly for exports to North America, Southeast Asia, and North Europe. So we are seeking overseas partners and hoping to set up more agencies abroad. 4. People feel good when they have a rising standard of living with low taxation, when public services are comprehensive and efficient, and infrastructure well-maintained. 5. Working together, our people have done well. Our economy is breaking records, with more than 22 million new jobs and lowest employment in 30 years. Passage Translation 1. My grandfather was a farmer with no aspiration for fashions. He married at the age of 20, and went into business for himself in 1936. With a loan from a local bank, he bought a small piece of land and started to raise hens, vegetables and such fresh foods as plums and strawberries. He sold the eggs, the vegetables and foods to the local grocers. It was hard labor. He did his work mostly with his hands, and it afforded him a very meagre living. 2. In America, shopping malls are designed only for one thing: encouraging people to buy, buy and buy. In the shopping mall, big department stores are usually kept well apart because they are the major attractions that encourage people to come. Stores selling the same items and also kept far apart so that everyone who is comparing the prices has to go past as many other stores as possible. After all, up to 60% of all items bought in malls are purchased on impulse.