大学体验英语自主学习系统6级答案10~20.doc

Unit 10 Too many to choose fromVocabulary TaskScript and Answers1. A: Its hard to tell someone shes wrong to her face.B: Why are you so depressed?A: Its my friend, Joan. She was very rude to her boyfriend yesterday. I told her she was wrong and she got angry?B: No, that wont do. How could she be so narrow-minded? Shell wind up losing her boyfriend.2. A: A change of pace will probably do you good.B: Im thinking about it. But what can I do?A: Oh, you have a wide diversity of choices. Variety is the spice of life.B: You can say that again.3. A: Junk emails are one of the fastest-growing problems on the Internet. The netizens are getting up in arms about it.B: But Im just wondering how they could get the email addresses of Internet users.A: Its most likely that the programs simply generate millions of random addresses, hoping for a match.B: No wonder.4. A: Are you all ready for Christmas?B: Are you kidding? I havent even started. Ive done zero shopping.A: Well, youd better get going. Christmas is only a week away.B: I have to tell you that Im one of those people who really gets stressed out by the Christmas rush. I hate cutting through the clutter.5. A: I dont like the romantic love stories churned out in Korean TV dramas. There are always three major characters in the same old eternal triangle.B: You are right, usually the hero is either very successful or at the bottom of life.A: The girls will be the same with one pure, innocent and another sophisticated.B: I can always guess the endings.Listening Task2. Listening ActivityAnswersJunk emails message spam message / spammeremail account email user / address / program / boxinternet connection connection costfilter blockmessage board chat roomnewest version of . Microsoft Outlooksoftware robot2) Second ListeningAnswers1. An average email account received 1 300 spam messages last year.2. Marketing groups have collected consumers phone numbers and addresses for years.3. Besides software robots, other programs simply generate millions of random personal email addresses.4. Most new email programs include filters for blocking junk emails.5. Many governments have passed laws that impose stiff fines on spammers.ScriptThe war against spamMake millions with no work! Lose 5kg overnight! Clear your credit history! The secrets to getting hot girls! Get out of debt!Junk email messages like these, also known as spam, are familiar to anyone with an email account. On average, each email user received 1 300 spam messages last year, and that number is expected to increase to 3 900 by the year 2007.Junk mail is nothing new. For years, marketing groups have collected consumer information, including addresses and phone numbers, and sold them as lists to interested advertisers. But with junk mail, the high cost of mailing packages to large groups of people kept it down to a manageable level. But with email, anyone with a computer and Internet connection can now send messages around the world for free.But its the people who receive spam who wind up paying. It is estimated that spam costs companies millions of dollars every year due to wasted time, connection costs and lost emails.Spammers spend much of their time collecting new email addresses. Software robots check message boards and chat-rooms for personal email addresses, while other programs simply generate millions of random addresses, hoping for a match. These email boxes are then stuffed with offers, some of them so bizarre that its hard to believe anyone would think they could be true.Because of this, almost all the newest versions of email programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, include filters designed to block spam and many governments have passed laws that impose stiff fines on spammers. But spammers have fought back with more sophisticated methods to hide where their emails are coming from, making them almost impossible to track. So it seems the battle for control of your email is just beginning.Real World Listening1. PredictAnswerThey argue about what too many product variations bring to people.2. Get the Main IdeasAnswers 1. Though it is hard to believe that the number of new consumer products introduced each year is dramatically increasing, it is a true fact.2. No one can forget the great loss of the Coca Cola Company in 1985 due to the new taste of coke they developed.3. People usually feel lost when they stupidly stare at that many different kinds of Tylenol and have no idea how to choose which one they need.4. Its impossible to expect the situation to change.5. Besides, people have much more trouble in making choices.6. Variety is the extra interest and excitement of life.Script and Answers to Self-studyToo many productsMasayuki: I cant believe how many brands of cold (1) breakfast cereals there are in America.Joe: Its pretty amazing, isnt it? I read that over 13 000 new (2) consumer products were introduced in 1992. And it is increasing each year. The average grocery store carries over 18 000 items, up from 7 800 in 1970.Masayuki: No wonder I have such a hard time trying to decide what I want to buy.Joe: I know what you mean. Look at all the different kinds of (3) Coke there are: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Classic, Caffeine Free Coca-Cola, Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Caffeine Free Diet Coke, Cherry Coke, Diet Cherry Coke. Fifteen years ago, there was just one, regular Coca-Cola.Masayuki: Who can forget the 1985 “New Coke disaster” Why do companies make so many (4) product variations?Joe: Companies (5) churn out new products or new versions of products for the same reason they do most everything: to make money. Thats why coke (6) diversified. Once Tylenol became a hit, its maker, Johnson & Johnson, used the trusted, strong brand name to (7) spin out childrens (8) pain relievers, expanding sales and (9) grabbing up market share. Masayuki: Yeah, but sometimes having so many choices is bad. Its (10) frustrating to go to the drugstore and gawk at 41 sizes and varieties of Tylenol. It takes time and effort to (11) figure out what to buy.Joe: Thats true. But dont (12) look for things to change. Hard as it is to admit, consumers want it this way. A greater variety means shoppers can find exactly what they want. People who spend a lot of time choosing enjoy the process. People who dont enjoy it find ways to (13) cut through the clutter.Masayuki: Unfortunately, Im in the latter category. I dont like spending a lot of time shopping. Too many choices mean consumers have to work harder. And it doesnt end there. There are too many (14) versions of cars, brands of prescription drugs, movies, CDs, and TV channels.Joe: Come on, my friend. Variety is (15) the spice of life.Masayuki: What really irks me is that despite all the thousands of products they carry, Ill be damned if I can ever find my favorite brand of pretzels in this store! Unit 11Vocabulary TaskScript and Answers1. A: Im really stressed-out. Ive been sitting in front of the computer all day.B: Why dont you call it a day? You need to rest.A: I like my job and am good at it. But it surely grinds me down sometimes.B: Its not wise to overwork. The last thing you need to take home is a headache.2. A: You know what? I slept fourteen hours after Id finished that experiment. I was worn out. Its too much.B: How are you feeling now? Refreshed?A: Yes, Im full of energy and ready to catch up on my report.B: Good. Theres another report for you to write. And this one is urgent.3. A: Youre all smiles. Something good must have happened to you.B: Youre absolutely right. I got a great job at Microsoft.A: How wonderful. What do you do there?B: Im in research and development. But I felt a bit worried. You know, lack of interpersonal skills puts me at a disadvantage.4. A: Can you believe it? Martin has taken over my slot.B: Oh, Im really sorry to hear that.A: Id been a news reader for ten years. I thought my work had been valued. But I was fired just because I turned up late.B: I sympathize with you. But its not the end of the world. Cheer up! With your experience, Im sure many TV stations would be only too glad to have you.5. A: So what did you think about the movie?B: It was really not very good. It disappointed me.A: Oh, what didnt you like?B: I didnt like the ending. It confused me. And the performance of that stand-in was the pits.Listening TaskScriptTardiness is not appropriateThe word “sorry” seems to be overused these days, especially by people who are in the habit of being late for meetings.It has become so freely used that one doubts the credibility and sincerity of these habitually “unpunctual” people.Why cant people be more punctual and responsible in life?Some people think that everyone will wait for them. Well, they are wrong. There are many activities that do not wait for latecomers.Airlines take off as punctually as possible, leaving you behind if you do not check in early. Operas and stage plays usually start on time, with ushers closing doors till an appropriate time to allow latecomers to go in. Such latecomers disturb the audience, so it is a good idea for theatres to proceed as scheduled.Newspapers have deadlines for advertisements. If you miss the deadlines in some countries, you might have a blank space the next day.News on radio and TV is always read at fixed times daily. If you are the newsreader and you are late, someone has to take over your slot.I remember once when a TV newsreader turned up late because of a traffic jam and an inexperienced member of the studio crew had to read the news, the stand-in was unprepared and was so nervous that she made many mistakes. The regular newsreader was not seen on that TV station after that incident.Golf tee-off times in many countries are fixed on weekends to prevent jam-ups. If you are late, your golfing partners will have to tee-off without you.In sports, athletes have to report on time too. I remember once a famous runner could not participate in his favorite race because he was late for his race.A teacher or lecturer has time slots too. Students will be kept waiting if a teacher is late.There are people who are habitually late for everything because of lack of discipline. Ive heard excuses such as “my father forgot to wake me up on time” or “I cant get up early in the morning.” Often, its because of a lack or absence of planning. If a meeting is fixed for a certain day and time, one has to plan, implement and check all the requirements needed for the meeting. Not planning properly and not being disciplined enough would result in things being rushed at the last minute and leaving for the meeting very late.Latecomers can disrupt the schedules of busy people and they can be put at a disadvantage too. So its better to be 15 or more minutes early. You wont be stressed out from rushing to the meeting or coping with traffic jams. You can have time to check the meeting room, facilities and materials. You can rehearse one more time for a more effective presentation.What else can you do with the spare time when you are early or when you are kept waiting? You can catch up on your reading or plan your other activities.I have a simple philosophy. Dont keep other people waiting. If they keep me waiting, I can use the time to think, reflect, plan, pray, read or write.Its unfair and rude to be habitually late. Its more polite and courteous to be always on time.Real World ListeningScript: In an average lifetimeJudy: Youd better jump in the shower, or youll be late for your meeting.David: Im always running late. I never seem to have enough time. I wonder how much time Ive spent in meetings in my life.Judy: You ought to read this book. It tells how much time we spend (1) doing a particular activity in a lifetime. It says the (2) average American spends 3 years of their life in business meetings.David: Three years? Good grief! I wonder how much time I spend (3) commuting to work.Judy: It says here you spend 10 months commuting to and from work.David: Thats depressing. Hey, arent the (4) NBA playoffs on TV tonight?Judy: Yes. Did you know that the average American spends 13 years and 4 months watching TV, but they only spend 12 years and 8 months in school.David: 13 years (5) in front of the tube? Thats about one sixth of our life!Judy: One sixth if you lived to be 78. But the average American only lives to be 74. (6) Dont fret. The average American earns $1.3 million dollars in his lifetime.David: Is that all? There are people who make more than that in one year! Look out! The baby is getting into my (7) CD collection.Judy: The average person buys 232 records, tapes, and CDs in their life.David: I wont have any if you dont stop the baby. Theres the phone. Would you get that, honey?Judy: Sure. The book says that we spend the (8) equivalent of 2 years on the telephone in our lives.David: No wonder our phone bill is so high. Who was it?Judy: I dont know. I didnt answer it in time.David: So what are we having for dinner tonight?Judy: The average family spends over 17 000 hours eating meals at home.David: I wonder how many stomachaches Ive had in a lifetime.Judy: Because of my cooking? Is that the thanks I get for (9) slaving over a hot stove to make your dinner?David: Just kidding. Ill take you out to dinner this weekend.Judy: The average American eats out at restaurants 14 411 times.David: That much? I dont care where we go as long as we dont have to (10) stand in line.Judy: It says here that the average person spends about 5 years of their life waiting in line.David: Well, I guess Id better get in the shower.Judy: Did you know that the average American spends 7 years in the bathroom and takes nearly 26 000 showers? But because you shower longer than the average person, you probably spend 8 years in the bathroom.David: I think Ill just (11) skip the shower today. Ill just have a cup of coffee.Judy: This book says the average American spends $3 342 on coffee in their lifetime.David: Wow, thats expensive, weve got to (12) cut down on coffee. Have you seen my cigarettes?Judy: Yeah. There on the piano. Did you know the average American smoker consumes over 590 000 cigarettes, while the average nonsmoker (13) inhales the equivalent of 13 600 cigarettes?David: I had no idea that I smoked that many cigarettes. No wonder smokers get cancer. I swear Im gonna quit this year. Well, Id better run. Ill see you tonight.Judy: Drive carefully. The average American (14) is involved in 6 motor vehicle accidents in their lifetime.David: Would you do me a favor?Judy: Whats that?David: (15) Get rid of that damn book! Unit 12Vocabulary TaskScript and Answers1. A: Terrible day, isnt it? I dont feel like doing anything.B: You must be under the weather. It is depression that you are suffering from.A: Thats rubbish. Youre exaggerating.B: Dont fidget. Even some celebrities have struggled with depression. Taking anti-depressants could make a difference.2. A: Look at all that frost on the lawn. Its so beautiful!B: Thats the work of the Seven Sisters. They are shedding off icicles they brought from the earth.A: What? Seven Sisters? Im put in a fog! Frost is formed out of water vapor in the air when the temperature drops below freezing. B: Just kidding! Sometimes water vapor may change directly to ice without going through this liquid state of frost first.3. A: Where is Tom? I remember you two have always been together.B: We used to do things together but not any more. He is simply a fair weather friend.A: No, hes not like that, is he? What did he do?B: He didnt do anything but he hasnt turned up ever since my business went into bankruptcy.4. A: Ben looks exhausted. What has he been doing?B: You can tell. Influenza completed its west-to-east sweep like a storm front, sowing chills and fever nationwide and knocking down so many people.A: Do you mean hes fallen prey to the flu?B: Dont play dumb. Hes a doctor and hes been snowed under with the most serious cases.5. A: Hey! Long time no see. Lets go to dinner together.B: I cant tonight, but Ill take a rain check.A: You make me sad. Whats kept you rushing around?B: Im shaping up for another storm chasing. This is the best season of storms. I cant miss it.Listening TaskScript Freak weather incidentsIf your weather forecaster said it would rain frogs you might think they had gone mad. But rains of fish or frogs or other animals have been reported for centuries. On August 8, 2000 (1) a shower of dead but still fresh sprats rained down on the fishing port of Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, England, (2) after a thunderstorm. The fish shower would have been caused by a small tornado out to sea, which (3) trawls up water and any fish near the surface. When the tornado touches the land it begins to lose energy and (4) its contents are thrown to the ground.(5) In June 1997 it rained toads in the town of Villa Angel Flores in Mexico. A small tornado whirled up (6) a cluster of toads from a local body of water Saturday night and dropped them over the town. Motorists reported them dropping from the sky around 11 p.m. In March 1998, it rained frogs in Croydon, England. A woman reported the sudden appearance of hundreds of dead frogs in her and her neighbors gardens when there was no known pond or lake (7) in the immediate vicinity.Over the years all sorts of animals and plants have showered down during thunderstorms, possibly (8) sucked up from rivers and lakes by tornadoes into thunderclouds and then dumped miles away in heavy rain. Tornadoes pick up anything they find in their path but some scientists think that many animals of the same type or size m