大学英语专八听力考试难点提升

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大学英语专八听力考试难点提升

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大学英语专八听力考试难点提升

　　In this section, you will hear a mini-lecture. You willhear the lecture ONCE ONLY. While listening, takenotes on the important points. Your notes will not bemarked, but you will need them to complete a gap-filling task after the mini-lecture. When the lecture isover, you'll be given two minutes to check yournotes, and another 10 minutes to complete thegap-filling task. Now listen to the mini-lecture.

　　English has the largest vocabulary and the most synonyms of any language in the world. Thisrichness is due to the fact that the English language has grown over the centuries byconstantly incorporating words from other languages. Even before the Norman Conquest in1066, the Anglo-Saxon vocabulary included words borrowed from Latin, Greek, Celtic andScandinavian. After the Norman Conquest, the English vocabulary was doubled by the additionof French words, especially those words reflecting a higher standard of living and a morecomplex social life: for example, words connected with food, such as sugar, vinegar, boil, fry,roast, etc.; and words connected with clothing such as garment, robe, mantle, gown, etc.; andwords connected with law, such as plaintiff, legacy, and words connected with social rank andorganization, such as prince, duke, mayor etc.

　　While much of the new French vocabulary described new ideas and activities, much of itduplicated the pre-existing Anglo-Saxon vocabulary, thus giving the writer or speaker a choiceof synonyms: cure or heal, labour or work, assemble or meet, burglary or stealing, assault orhitting.

　　With the enormous expansion of classical learning in the Renaissance, there was a greatinflux of words of Latin and Greek origin into the English language. Also, the larger worlddiscovered through travel and exploration was a great stimulus to culture and language. In thesixteenth century, there also arose a fashion to ornamenting one's discourse with what werethen called "aureate" terms drawn from Greek and Latin. As some English-speaking peopletraded and traveled around the world in modern times-in Europe, North America, India,Australia, Africa; their adventures also expanded the vocabulary. Words were borrowed fromDutch, Spanish, American Indian, Eastern Indian, Italian, Australian, Mexican, Japanese, Malayand many others.

　　Furthermore, the United States, as a separate nation with its own life and character andinstitutions, has added vastly to the English vocabulary. With the rise of the United States to aposition of world influence in politics, science, industry, trade and popular arts, American wordsand phrases have gained recognition and prestige everywhere. Ice cream, jeep and rock-and-roll are internationally known terms. Moreover, American terminology for many things existsside by side with an English terminology, thus placing another whole group of synonyms at ourservice. For example, sidewalk in American English refers to the same thing as the British termpavement does. More examples are railroad and railway, elevator and lift, fall and autumn,druggist and chemist, gasoline and petrol, installment plan and hire-purchase system and soon through an almost interminable list.

　　So we can see that synonyms in English are of many kinds. Some groups of synonyms are justwords of different origins but refer to the same thing. For example, foreword, preface,andintroduction. Foreword is an Anglo-Saxon word; preface is from French, and introduction fromLatin. Some groups, like plain, prairie, tundra, refer to geographical variants of the same kindof thing. Other groups of synonyms, like teach, educate, instruct, school, tutor, differ fromone another principally in degrees of abstraction: teach is certainly the most general word ofthis group, while the others are more specialized in application.

　　It can be argued that there really are no exact synonyms-no exact equivalences of meaning.By "meaning" here we refer to the total range of contexts in which a word may be used.Certainly there are no two words that are interchangeable in all contexts. But within a givencontext, there is often exact synonymy. For example: I mislaid my wallet and I misplaced mywallet. However, in a slightly different context the two words are not interchangeable: itwould not be idiomatic to say I mislaid my suitcase. Because mislay applies only to smallobjects while misplace is applicable to both small and large objects. This example shows againthat words which are synonymous in one of their meanings may be different considerably intheir other meanings.

　　Some groups of words describe the same actions, but imply different relationships among theparties concerned. We accompany our equals; we attend or follow those to whom we aresubordinate; we conduct those who need guidance, and escort those who need protection;merchant ships are convoyed in time of war. Womanly and womanish are much alike inreferring to female characteristics, but the second applies only to males, and in a derogatorysense.

　　Some differences in locution reveal differences in the degree of formality of the occasionsdescribed. For example, a luncheon as distinguished from a lunch. Sometimes differentlocutions reveal differences not in the situations described but in the formality of discourseabout them. For instance, He went to bed as compared to He hit the sack.

　　Semanticists and linguistic scholars continue to remind us that words change in meaningaccording to time and place and circumstance. Such warnings are certainly not to be ignored.Yet there are remarkable elements of stability in a vocabulary. The distinctions between furyand rage, between thought and deliberation, have remained remarkably constant sinceShakespeare's day in all English-speaking countries.

　　Nothing is so important to clear and accurate expression as the ability to distinguish betweenwords of similar, but not identical meaning. In a given context, one particular word is certainto be more appropriate than the other. To choose wrongly is to leave the hearer or readerwith a fuzzy or mistaken impression. To choose well is to give both illumination and delight.The study of synonyms will help us come closer to saying what we really want to say.

　　Section B INTERVIEW

　　In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY.Listen carefully and then answer the questions thatfollow. Questions 1 to 5 are based on an interview.At the end of the interview, you will be given 10seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions.Now listen to the interview.

　　(W): Welcome everybody. And today I'd like tointroduce you to my guest, Steven Slater, who isgoing to talk to us something about cycling tours.Steven, welcome.

　　(M): Thank you. And welcome everybody.

　　W: So Steven, as a coach at the Sunshine Cycling Club, can you tell us something aboutpreparing for a cycling tour?

　　M: Well, for anyone who is considering going on a tour, the first thing to consider is safety.Because with the correct equipment, and good riding habits, cycling tours can be so much fun ,and indeed, very rewarding.

　　W: So what should people consider first?

　　M: It's very important indeed to consider what you wear. Naturally, this is largely determinedby the time of year and where it is you actually plan to travel to. So what I propose to give is ageneral guide. But whatever the weather, time of year or destination, a good quality helmet isessential. They are not expensive but have, in the past, saved many lives. But don't try to cutcorners by buying a secondhand helmet. They may look to be in perfect condition but you cannever tell. Always invest in a new one. Any good bicycle shop can advise you on one that willsuit your needs. So get advice from the shop. Tell them where you are going and why.

　　W: I see. So firstly, a good helmet. Then, what about clothes? I often see cyclists wear specialsportswear. Is that so?

　　M: You can buy special sportswear for cycling tours. But what is more important is that it canbe seen.

　　W: It can be seen? I don't understand well.

　　M: Well, you should always be aware that cyclists are notoriously difficult to spot, and manyaccidents happen because motorists simply fail to see the cyclist. Therefore wear somethingthat can easily be seen, something that stands out. Again, most good bicycle stores keep asupply of inexpensive, brightly colored vests. And if you are riding at night, do make sure youhave lamps securely fitted to your bicycle both front and back, and check your bicycle lampseach day to make sure they work properly. In fact, it is always a good idea to carry a spare setof batteries for the purpose. But to be safer still it is often best to avoid riding at night.

　　W: And Steven, how far would you advise someone to travel in one day?

　　M: That depends on your level of personal fitness. What is important is not to try to ride toofar, too quickly. Take your time, and if you feel tired, stop and rest. Remember that the joy ofcycling tours is the ride itself, getting close to nature and seeing things you wouldn't normallysee if you were traveling by car or bus. Therefore, plan your journey in short stages. No morethan ten or twenty miles per day. And if you are planning your journey in the summer, when itis likely to be hot, take plenty of water.

　　W: How much water should cyclists take in case of hot weather?

　　M: In fact, if it is a really hot day, like the sort of weather we had last summer, you are advisedto drink at least one liter of water every hour.

　　W: That is quite a lot of water. Are there any other things you have to prepare in summer?

　　M: Well, you have to protect yourself against sunshine. Sun cream is essential in hot weatherbecause you can very easily get sun burned without even realizing it. When you buy sun cream,make sure that it contains a high index of SPF and PA. SPF can resist UVB, which results inmelanin. You know, the thing that will cause the blackening of your complexion. And PA canresist UVA, which results in wrinkles and slack skin. So the ideal sun cream used for cyclingtours in summer should contain SPF30 and PA three plus.

　　W: Oh, I see. Then how about insect repellent?

　　M: It is also advisable. Spray some insect repellent on your arms and legs before setting off.And you needn't worry too much about insects when you cycle. Actually some insects areharmful. So you'd better not be bitten or stung by them.

　　W: Do you have any more general advice for your listeners?

　　M: What I would say is, prepare for the worst. Always keep a puncture repair kit handy and, ofcourse, don't forget to take a basic tool kit. You can get all kinds of repair kits and tool kits atmy club at a favorable price. After all, I'd like to say, ride safely. Use common sense. Respectother road users and adhere to the laws of the road. This is the best way to ensure your ownsafety. But also care for the environment. Don't leave your rubbish lying around. Keep it withyou and dispose of it in a rubbish bin whenever you get the chance.

　　W: Well, we all should protect the environment, shouldn't we? Steven, thank you very muchfor all the advice you gave us about cycling. I'm sure with these precautions, our listeners canhave a wonderful time when they take up this sport.

　　M: My pleasure.

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