2014 National English Competition for College Students
(Level D - Preliminary)
听力原文

Part I Listening Comprehension Section A (5 marks)
In this section, you will hear five short conversations. Each conversation will be read only once. A t the end of each conversation, there will be a twenty - second pause. During the pause, read the question and the four choices marked A, B, C and D, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.

1.F: You mean you study extra after school?
M: Actually, I get up at 6 a.m. every morning and spend an hour on it.
F: Wow, you’re really working hard. Maybe I should try doing that, too.
2.M: We’re going to France tomorrow.
F: Really? What’re you going to do there, James?
M: We’re going to Provence. I’m really looking forward to it.
F: Why?
M: Because it’s famous for its grape yards. I hear that there are many of them.
F: That sounds nice. Have a good time.
3.M: Listen. Do you want to go up to the mountain tomorrow?
F: I’m not sure if we’ll be able to. It’s supposed to rain.
M: Really? Where did you hear that?
F: On the news. It’s going to get a little warmer and we should expect rain in the morning.
M: Well, if the sky clears up, let’s go up to the mountain in the afternoon.
4.M: What’s the matter, Amy? You seem kind of down.
F: Oh, it’s nothing major, but I’m a little worried about my mom.
M: Why, is she sick? Did something happen?
F: No, nothing special has happened. But she’s been really tired lately, so she went to the hospital for a check- up.
M: Is she there now?
F: No, she went yesterday. She’s getting the results today by phone. I hope it’s not bad news.
5.M: Your surname is Sanders, right?
F: That’s right, Sanders. It’s an old English name.
M: It must have something to do with sand. Maybe someone in your family lived near the ocean.
F: Actually, it comes from the name Alexander. People just say“Sanders”for short.

Section B (10 marks)
In this section, you will hear two long conversations. Each conversation will be read only once. A t the end of each conversation, there will be a one - minute pause. During the pause, read the questions and the four choices marked A, B, C and D, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.

Conversation 1
M: There was an accident on Oak Road and Maple Street.
F: Yeah, I saw it. A van hit the car that was going down Oak Road. The van driver didn’t even stop before he went on Oak Road.
M: Was anybody hurt?
F: Nobody was seriously hurt.
M: They are lucky. We have lots of accidents at that place. F: Is there anything we can do to prevent these accidents? M: I suppose we might put a stop sign there.
F: That’s a good idea. That will at least alert drivers to possible dangers.

Conversation 2
M: Saffron, you’re leaving school soon, aren’t you?
F: Yes, my A- levels will start next week, but I’m not too bothered about the results, because when I leave school, I’m going to concentrate on my music career. I’m lead singer in a band and I don’t need any qualifications to be a pop star. I see my future very clearly—I’m going to be incredibly famous and fabulously rich.
M: So you’ve already got a contract then?
F: Er, no, not as such. Actually, we haven’t got a manager yet, but the minute I’ve taken my last exam, I’m going to find a really good one.
M: So, do you intend to continue living at home?
F: No way. I’ll have moved to London just as soon as I’ve left school. London’s where it all happens in the music  industry.
M: Do you think you’ll be able to live off your music right from the start?
F: Well, if we don’t make it straight away we might have to get part- time jobs for a few months or something.
I know it’s going to be hard at first, but I bet you, by this time next year, we’ll have had a record in the charts.
M: And where do you see yourself in five years from now?
F: In five years from now, I’ll be staying in posh hotels and won’t be able to walk down the street without being recognized. In fact, I’ll give you my autograph now if you like—it’ll be worth a fortune in a few years’ time!
 
Section C (5 marks)
In this section, you will hear a monologue. The monologue will be read twice. A fter the monologue, there will be a one- minute pause. During the pause, read the questions and the four choices marked A, B, C and D, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.

Never Again!
    I hate travelling. It’s not that I’m unwilling. It’s just that I’ve got a problem. Three problems actually, and they’re called Charlie, Ella and Jack. Ranging in age from eleven down to three, they’re irresistible when they’re asleep. But when they’re awake they’re relentless. Individually they’re hard- working; in twos they’re a handful; all together, they’re a nightmare. More often than not, they’re disobedient and seem to have endless competitions to see who can behave in the most devilish way. On top of that, they all want my undivided attention at the same time.
    Under these stressful circumstances, you may think that it would be foolish of me to even consider travelling alone with my children. Well, I know now that it wasn’t just foolish, but downright irresponsible.
I wanted to visit my parents. My husband couldn’t come, so I set off on the five- hour train journey with a bagful of toys, a pocketful of sweets and a headful of songs, stories and games.
    But regardless of my careful preparations, the journey was hellish: it was one of the worst experiences of my life. The final straw was when I arrived, exhausted and tearless, at my parents’ house. Instead of being sympathetic, they took great delight in telling me how awful I had been as a child. Thank, Mum and Dad.
That was really helpful!

Section D (10 marks)
In this section, you will hear a short passage. There are 10 missing words or phrases. Fill in the blanks with the exact words or phrases you hear. The passage will be read twice. Remember to write the answers on the answer sheet.

A Day In My Very Wealthy Life
    The first thing I did just as I woke up in my favorite house this morning was to admire the fabulous view from my bedroom window. Then I did an hour’s exercise with my personal fitness trainer while my housekeeper prepared my breakfast. After a luxurious bath, I spent some time with my secretary and told her to send cheques to all the charities I support. By the time I was leaving the house, a special delivery arrived. It was a present from my secret admirer.
    I didn’t get to the airport until midday, so I instructed the pilot to use our fastest plane and take me to my favorite city. During the flight, I had a light lunch and looked at photographs of my last holiday. As soon as we landed, I contacted a dear friend of mine who has just finished her latest film and arranged to meet her for dinner later. I spent the afternoon doing what I love doing most.
    When I met my friend at the restaurant, I was starving, so I ordered all my favorite things on the menu. As we were leaving the restaurant, I spotted somebody I’d always wanted to meet. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Part I Listening Comprehension (30 marks)
Section A (5 marks) 
1—5  BBACD
Section B (10 marks) 
6—10 ACACD 11—15 BCCAB
Section C (5 marks) 
16—20 BDCDA
Section D (10 marks)
21. woke up 
22. admire 
23. bath 
24. charities 
25. By the time
26. instructed 
27. flight 
28. contacted 
29. starving 
30. spotted