Spot Dictation

The internet is an excellent source for finding many types of information and for keeping up with new developments in the world. Today, an ever-increasing number of people are using the Internet to dig up related information, conduct business or personal activities, access electronic data basis, send email and network with relatives, colleagues or friends. Frequently referred to as the information superhighway, the Internet is actually a network of computer networks. You may think of the Internet as analogies to the Interstate highway system. Just as the Interstate system connects to you different cities via many different routes, the Internet connects computers around the world via a number of different electronic pathways. At the most basic level, a computer, a modem and the right type of software can a person onto the Internet. Through the Internet, you can access massive amounts of information by accessing computers that are linked together. Generally speaking, two types of information available on the Internet are the most useful for people. That is conversational resources and reference resources. Conversational resources allow users to have conversations with individuals anywhere in the world.

Mailing lists and news groups are the primary types of conversational resources. Mailing lists include electronic mail whereby the user can read messages, send to any other individual or group of individuals who have subscribed by having their names and electronic mail address placed on the sender’s list of addresses. News groups are essentially electronic bulletin boards. Anyone with Internet access can post an article to the board, and anyone with Internet access can read the board. The reference resources you most frequently encounter are the worldwide web---www, or the web for short. The web uses HTML---hypertexted markup language to transfer text, sound, graphics and video. Of course, you need browsers to view documents, and navigate through the intricate link structure. The most popular and well known browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer.Statements

Q 1

Our firm is planning to startup a new branch in Australia early next year. And we are making a feasibility study of the proposal.

Q2

You would like me to describe our chief accountant? Well, I could never stay away any of his briefings without first drinking at least 3 cups of coffee.

Q3

Miss. Brown hasn’t had any previous working experience. She graduated from college 3yrs ago, and started to work for us right away.

Q4

When the secretary said that the memorandum would be ready by Wednesday, the general manager told her to take her time.

Q5

If you give us a 10% discount on this product, we will place a 2nd order immediately after we received the 1st one next month.

Q6

Scientists believe that some animals become extinct because of changes in climate. When the places they live become hotter or colder, and they can’t adapt to the new surroundings, they die.

Q7

I have been looking into the question of having the products delivered by air. It’s quick, the goods are less liable to damage than by sea, and there is less risk of holdups.

Q8

Today with the rapid social and economic changes of modern times, generation gap is found within the same generation between people of different age groups, sometimes with only a few years apart.

Q9

Last yr’s annual sales conference was a great success. We have an attendance of almost 100 agents and influential customers. This time we are accounting on more than 180.

Q10

Originally, we had planned to invest 3.5million in that project, but just look at this figure, it has almost doubled that amount.

Q11-14

W: Now, what seems to be the trouble?

M: I don’t know. I often get dizzy when I climb any stairs, and I feel as though I’m going to faint.

W: Uhm, well, your blood pressure is up.

M: Is it?

W: Do your parents have hypertension problems?

M: Well, my father used to have low blood pressure, but after his retirement, he’s got kind of hypertension problem. My mother is ok.

W: You’ll have to be more careful, as it is in the family.

M: What can I do about it?

W: Well, you’ll have to stay off fatty or fried foods, less salty and less spicy, if possible.

M: Can I have fish and chips? I like it ever since my childhood.

W: Not any more, I’m afraid. One more thing, no more smoking and alcohol drinking. It’s important for you to eat properly and keep to regular time and healthy styles.

M: I see. I don’t smoke, but I sometimes drink a bit of red wine. Is that ok?

W: Yes, and I’ll give you some tablets to take twice a day. I’ll put all this down in your case history. Come back in a week or so.

Q11: What is the most likely relationship between the man and the woman?

Q12: According to the man, who used to have low blood pressure?

Q13: What kind of foods does the man like most?

Q14: What does the woman give the man?

Q15-18

The Universal Expo, also known as World's Fair, is one of the three largest events in the world in terms of economic and cultural impact. However, compared with the other two great events: the modern Olympic Games and World Cup, the Expo has the longest history.

In 1851, the first Expo was held in London, under the title "Great Exposition of the works of the industry of all nations".

At the Expo, participating countries will set up their national pavilions in distinctive archetectual styles with a view to attracting business people and tourists all over the world. The cost for building such a pavilion could amount to millions of dollars. But it is often far outweighed by benefits and potential revenues thus generated.

Usually an Expo will last between three and six months. The character of World Expositions has developed through history. Three stages are identified, namely the eras of industralization, of cultural exchange and of nation branding.

The first era covered roughly the period from 1800 to 1950. In these days, World Expositions were especially focused on trade and famous for the display of scientific and techonological advancements.

The second era started with the 1939 New York World's Fair. From then on, World's Fairs became more strongly based on its specific theme of cultural significance. Technology and inventions remained important, but no longer as the principal subjects. The defining elements of the Expos were cross-cultural communications and exchanges.

Finally, in the early 1990s, countries started to use World Expositions more widely and strongly as a platform. to improve their national images. A study shows that improving national image was the primary participation goal for 73% of the countries at Expo 2000.

Today's World Expositions embody elements of all three eras. They present new inventions, facilitate cultural exchange and are used for city, region and nation branding.

Q15: When was the first World Expo held?

Q16: According to the talk, why do participating countries build their national pavilions at the Expo?

Q17: At Expo 2000, what was the primary goal for the majority of participating countries?

Q18: Which of the following is not an element represented in the Expo?

Q19-22

M: 2624344, David Carter speaking.

W: Hello, David. It’s Joyce, Joyce Cook.

M: Hello, Joyce. How are you?

W: I’m very well, thanks. How are you?

M: Oh, not so bad, you know.

W: Good. I rang to ask if you know anything about hotels on the Costa Brava.

M: No, I’m afraid I can’t be a very much help to you there. Why?

W: Well, it’s just that we’ve been thinking of taking the family to Spain this summer. And at this rather late stage, we are trying to organize ourselves a suitable hotel. But I thought that you’d been to the Costa Brava.

M: I have, several times. But I’ve always taken a tent and do it the hard way.

W: Oh, I see. I didn’t realize that.

M: Yes. Great one for the open area, you know.

W: Oh, It must be nice. But we could never contemplate it with our lot. We’re terribly disorganized as a family, you know and we’d be in chaos at no time. And in any case, the car isn’t big enough to get all of us in and camping equipment as well. So we simply must find ourselves a nice hotel where they’ll put up with noisy kids.

M: Hm…You have got a problem. I’ll tell you what, Joyce, it’s just occurred to me Mr. and Mrs. Simpson from over the road have been to that part of Spain several times and I seem to remember them saying they always use some hotel.

W: Do they?

M: Yes. At least I think that’s what they said. I’ll pop round later this evening and if they do know anything that might be of use to you, I’ll get one or the other of them to give you a ring.

W: Would you? That’s very kind of you.

Q 19: Why did Joyce telephone David?

Q 20: Which of the following is true about the man?

Q 21: What is Joyce’s problem according to the man?

Q 22: What does David promise to do in the evening?

Q23-26

We are so used to our life on the surface of the earth that it is not easy for our minds to break free of all the ideas that we take for granted. For example, we can feel things are heavy, so we think of weight as being a fixed quality in an object. But actually, it is not fixed at all. If you could take a one-pound packet of butter four thousand miles out from the earth, it would weigh only a quarter of a pound. The reason for such a change of weight is this: all objects have a natural attraction for all other objects. This is called gravitational attraction, but this power of attraction between two objects gets weaker as they get farther apart. So the weight of an object on the surface of the earth is not the same as its weight 4000 miles out in space. What about the weight of a one-pound of butter on the surface of the moon? There won’t be attraction between the butter and the moon, but the butter will weigh only about 1/6 as much as it does on the earth. This is because the moon is so much smaller than the earth. The amount of a gravitational pull that a body produces depends on the amount of material in it. A packet of butter has a gravitational pull of its own, but it is very small in relation to the pull of something as large as the moon or the earth.

Q23: According to the speaker, what quality of an object is taken for granted by people?

Q24: How much will a pound of butter weigh if it is brought 4000 miles into space?

Q25: What is the gravitational attraction?

Q26: Why does an object weigh much less on the moon than it does on the earth?

Q27-30

M: Hellen, come and look at this.

W: Oh! Is this the new catalogue?

M: Yes, it is. I had a design by an advertising agency this year.

W: It’s beautiful. I love the colors. It’s certainly going to make everybody take notice of our products.

M: well, I think they did a good job. I’m going to get several thousand extra copies printed for the Expo. That is coming up this spring.

W: I’m sure we can use them at the Expo. But do we have enough money in the budget for them?

M: No, but I think I can get the finance office to approve our budget supplement.

W: when they see this, those certainly be impressed. Are you going to be able to get all the colors we produced?

M: Oh yes, it wouldn’t be nearly as effective without them

W: When will it be ready? Are you going to have it in time?

M: I’m going to see Mrs. Carter in the finance office this afternoon. If she says we can go over the budget, I will get the catalogue printed right away. They will be ready in a couple of days.

W: you have to mail most of those to our regular customers, won’t you?

M: we will need a lot of them for the mailing, but there will be enough left for you to give out at the Expo.

W: I hope so, because this catalogue is a real eye-catcher.

M: but don’t worry about it. I’m sure I can make Mrs. Carter see why we need a little more money for the extra copies.

W: I think anyone will be able to see what a wonderful catalogue this is.

Q27: what are the man and woman talking about?

Q28: what is the speaker’s major concern?

Q29: when will the man see Mrs. Carter in the finance office?

Q30: what is the finance office expected to do?

Listening and Translation

1. My parents never interfered with my plans too much. They advised me, but never forced me into doing anything I didn’t want to do.

2. Weddings in the United States vary greatly, there are weddings in the church，on mountain tops or even on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But no matter where and how, they all include certain traditional customs.

3. According to government statistics, in 1990, there were twice as many men smokers as women smokers in the country. But now, women smokers have far outnumbered men smokers.

4. Since it is a big order, I’ll accept your price of $ 8.50. However, it is a very special offer and it leaves us little profit.

5. Communication is much more than speaking and reading. True communication takes place when an understanding has been transferred from one party to another. Therefore, communication can be defined as the transfer of information.

1. America is a nation on wheels. Most Americans are car owners, and some are even obsessive about the subject. They can spend hours discussing whether to buy a foreign car or an American car, and deciding on the best family car or the best sports car. Car repair is also a popular topic. You can participate in their discussion by talking about cars you have owned or by sharing information you’ve read in automotive magazines such as “car and driver” or “popular mechanics”.

2. Not long ago, individuals joined an organization and often stayed with it for their entire working career. And organizations frequently rewarded loyal employees. However, this concept of organizational loyalty has already faded. Starting in the mid-1980s the average 20-year old employees were expected to change jobs approximately six or seven times during his or her lifetime. According to current statistics, today’s college graduates will, on average, have eight to ten jobs and as many as three careers in their lifetimes.