Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)

Section A

Directions:In this section, you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.

1.A) It was going to be renovated.

B) He could no longer pay the rent.

C) It was dangerous to live in.

D) He had sold it to the royal family.

2.A) A storm.

B) A strike.

C) A forest fire.

D) A terrorist attack.

Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.

3.A) They lost contact with the emergency department.

B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.

C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.

D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.

4.A) They provided the miners with food and water.

B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.

C) They released the details of the accident.

D) They tried hard to repair the elevator.

Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.

5.A) Raise postage rates.

B) Improve its services.

C) Close some of its post offices.

D) Redesign delivery routes.

6.A) Closing offices on holidays.

B) Shortening business hours.

C) Computerizing mail sorting processes.

D) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.

7.A) A lot of controversy will arise.

B) Taxpayers will be very pleased.

C) Many people will begin to complain.

D) Many post office staff will lose their jobs.

Section B

Directions:In this section, you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

8.A) He will lose part of his pay.

B) He will go through retraining.

C) He will be given a warning.

D) He will be kept from promotion.

9.A) He is an experienced press operator.

B) He is a trustworthy guy.

C) He is always on time.

D) He is on good terms with his workmates.

10.A) She is a trade union representative.

B) She is a senior manager of the shop.

C) She is better at handling such matters.

D) She is in charge of public relations.

11.A) He is always trying to stir up trouble.

B) He is skilled and experienced.

C) He is very close to the manager.

D) He is always complaining about low wages.

Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

12.A) Open.

B) Reserved.

C) Selfish.

D) Friendly.

13.A) They read a book.

B) They talk about the weather.

C) They stay quiet.

D) They chat with fellow passengers.

14.A) She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.

B) She was never invited to a colleague's home.

C) She was eager to visit an English castle.

D) She was always treated as a foreigner.

15.A) Houses are much more quiet.

B) They want to have more space.

C) They want a garden of their own.

D) Houses provide more privacy.

Section C

Directions:In this section, you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.

B) They don't have to go through job interviews.

C) They are likely to get much higher pay.

D) They don't have much choice of jobs.

17.A) Visit the school careers service.

B) Ask their professors for help.

C) Look at school bulletin boards.

D) Go through campus newspapers.

18.A) Providing students with information about the library.

B) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.

C) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.

D) Helping students find the books and journals they need.

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

19.A) It tastes better.

B) It may be sold at a higher price.

C) It is easier to grow.

D) It can better survive extreme weathers.

20.A) It can grow in drier soil.

B) It is immune to various diseases.

C) It will replace green tea one day.

D) It is healthier than green tea.

21.A) It does not have a stable market.

B) It has made tea farmers' life easier.

C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.

D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.

22.A) They care more about environment.

B) They decorate their homes themselves.

C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.

D) They need decorations to show their status.

23.A) They made great contributions to society.

B) They could only try to create at night.

C) They were proud of their creations.

D) They focused on the quality of their products.

24.A) Identify fake crafts.

B) Make wise choices.

C) Design handicrafts themselves.

D) Learn the importance of creation.

25.A) To attract foreign investments.

B) To preserve the traditional culture.

C) To arouse public interest in crafts.

D) To boost the local economy.