听力材料Unit8.docx

1、听力材料Unit8Unit8Part 1 Spot DictationOnce upon a time, all- or almost all- businesses were (1) greedy and rapacious*, sparing a thought for their (2) workers or the environment only in order to (3) work out how to exploit them. Then bosses found their (4) consciences, guided (or sometimes forced) by (

2、5) customers or critics from the (6) non-profit world. They discovered the idea that companies should not exist only to make a profit but to (7) serve society. Thus corporate social responsibility (CSR) got its (8) start as a business fashion, and it is now hard to find a firm that has not (9) come

3、up with an earnest (10) statement about its relations with the wider world. Thanks to this development, everyone, both (11) within and outside the business, will live happily (12) ever after. Or will they? In the past two (13) decades, as CSR has become more and more popular, its (14) virtues have p

4、assed more or less (15) unquestioned. That is a pity. Even if it (16) turns out to be a good development for businesses and society alike, it ought to be able to (17) stand a little more rigorous* scrutiny*. Should company managers be allowed to (18) divert potential profits - money that would other

5、wise be returned to shareholders - to (19) charities? Should firms refuse to do business in troubled countries? Are (20) recycling efforts, if more expensive and less efficient, worth pursuing?ExerciseDirections: Listen to the passage and fill in the blanks with what you hear. (Refer to Tapescript)

6、Part 2 listening for GistSmall retailers across the United States are facing the same challenge: competition from shopping malls and chain stores. But, in downtown Dickson, Tennessee, a group of retail merchants have banded together to win back their customers who have been attracted to shopping are

7、as in the neighboring big city. Dickson is a typical small American city. It has quiet residential areas and a nice little downtown that was once a thriving retail center. But according to David Hamilton, president of Dicksons Chamber of Commerce, highway construction over the past several years cha

8、nged that. Being just 65 kilometers away from a big city like Nashville, Mr Hamilton says, presents another challenge to Dicksons downtown shopping area. Because were so close to Nashville, and because so many people work in Nashville, when they think about shopping, they think of going to Nashville

9、 malls. But small business owners in downtown Dickson didnt give up. Instead, they decided to fight back. More than 40 of them founded the Retail Merchants Association of Downtown Dickson. Members of the new association are committed to success; they pay monthly dues and meet periodically to suggest

10、 and discuss creative ways of attracting more shoppers to downtown. Mr Williams says one idea is creating events modeled on the annual Christmas parade through the downtown area that attracts a large number of city residents. Free refreshments and giveaways will be part of these regular events. Mr W

11、illiams says the group is also planning to beautify the downtown area with plants and paint. Though it might seem hard to compete with big chain stores, small retailers have an advantage. They have a personal approach in serving customers. Chamber of Commerce president David Hamilton agrees. He says

12、 retailers in his city serve customers well, and customers in return, should support them by shopping in their stores. The downtown area is the heart of a city. And members of Dicksons new Retail Merchants Association are determined to work together to keep the heart beating - to revitalize downtown

13、 Dickson so it is once again a busy, welcoming place for people to come and shop. Exercise Directions: Listen to the passage and find its topic sentence. The topic sentence is In downtown Dickson. Tennessee. a group of retail merchants have banded together to win back their customers who have been a

14、ttracted to shopping areas in the neighboring big city.Section Two Listening ComprehensionPart 1 Dialogue Having Their Babies at Home- What about . um . the number of mothers who are now choosing to have their babies at home. Is that a, a growing number in Australia? - Its still a very very small pr

15、oportion at the moment and therefore many, um, hospitals are thinking of actually introducing birthing centres, birthing units. We have one at our hospital at the moment, where the, the unit is set up as a bedroom and a kitchen and the woman can actually walk around in comfort and just pretend its h

16、er own home. - So its like a home in the hospital? - Yeah, its like a little maisonette* in the hospital and, er, its so close by to the theatre* and delivery suites* that if anything should go wrong and did go wrong they could be moved around quite quickly and safely. - Margaret, do you think its s

17、afe to have a baby at home? - There are risks involved, er, I personally would prefer not to have my baby at home. I mean it would be well youre a midwife* . I know it would be quite ideal but the risk of something going wrong and if I was to lose that baby I think that I would be quite devastated.

18、- Arent there dangers in hospital because there are more people involved? - There are dangers in hospital, I mean you, you wouldnt want to know that there is a particularly resistant staphylococcal* infection running around the hospital and, er, that would be quite a risk. In some countries its been

19、 proven that having the baby at home is as safe as having a baby in hospital. - Does it get a lot of encouragement having, er, a baby at home? - I dont think so, no, it doesnt. I think . um . doctors and . I think mainly doctors probably, I think they scare the women saying, well this might go wrong

20、 or that might go wrong at home so its better for you to come into hospital. Exercise Directions: Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions. Its like a little maisonette, a home in the hospital. , Because its still a very small proportion of mothers who are now choosing to have their

21、 babies at home at the moment and the birthing unit is set up as a bedroom and a kitchen and the woman can actually walk around in comfort and just pretend its her own home. 3. Because its so close by to the theatre and delivery suites that if anything should go wrong and did go wrong they could be

22、moved around quite quickly and safely. 4. Something may go wrong during the delivery and that would be quite devastating. 5. There could be a particularly resistant staphylococcal infection running around the hospital. Part2 PassageBridging Generations1. Seniors today are better educated, healthier,

23、 and more vivacious than at any time in our nations history. 2. They are active, energetic, and willing and can meet many program needs through their volunteer efforts. 3. Because they are living longer than ever before, seniors can anticipate up to 30 years of productive activity after retirement.

24、4. When choosing where and how to volunteer, seniors should pick the type of activity that best suits their personal goals as well as the needs of the recipients. 5. We want to help them embrace the world with their numerous gifts and talents, instead of the world embracing them with handcuffs and i

25、ncarceration. Mention the word retirement, and youll likely invoke a range of reactions. Some think of retirement as a rite of passage, others as a time to relax. The cynical * may view it as a point beyond which one can no longer contribute to society. This is far from the truth! Seniors today are

26、better educated, healthier, and more vivacious* than at any time in our nations history. They are active, energetic, and willing and can meet many program needs through their volunteer efforts. Seniors are a valuable resource with many gifts to offer - among them, experience, patience, skills, time,

27、 and wealth - that are unique to them. The senior population, and its proportion relative to the rest of the population, is increasing rapidly. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNS) estimates that, in 2000, some 35 million people aged 65 or older were living in the United States,

28、accounting for 13% of the total population. The aging baby boom generation is expected to double the senior population over the next 30 years. And because they are living longer than ever before, seniors can anticipate* up to 30 years of productive activity after retirement. Seniors share their gift

29、s and life experiences to address issues in school systems, public safety, the environment, and other human needs. Many seniors do not volunteer through formal programs. Some are one-time volunteers; others volunteer for a seasonal or special event. When choosing where and how to volunteer, seniors

30、should pick the type of activity that best suits their personal goals as well as the needs of the recipients * . Most importantly, be creative, selective, and have fun -like the volunteers featured here. Like many Americans, Eloise Bowers and Joan Gross recognized the need for additional support for

31、 juveniles as they develop and mature into adults. These seniors, however, decided to give back to their community and develop positive relationships with juveniles through FGP*. The grandmas, now in their second year with the program, have helped more than 50 of the most at-risk youth in the Distri

32、ct of Columbia turn their lives around. It is our job to help youth link with their peers and the community, as well as help their community and their peers link with them, they stress. For the link to be strong, it must be mutual. Some youth in the program have children of their own and need child-rearing tips. Others use inappropriate language and need to expand their vocabulary. Many respond with violence and need avenues to vent* anger, whereas others dress inappropriately and need fashion tips. We are committed to helpin