30篇听写原文

1 College LifeAmerican college and university students who live away from their familiesare generally housed in dormitories at least for their first year.Men and women often live in the same building,though they may live on separate floors.Some dorms have a theme, like an international house,where students can learn about other cultures.In language houses, students try to avoid speaking their native language.The idea is to learn a different language.Colleges and universities often have many clubs that students can join.These include political, religious and service clubs,as well as groups for activities like singing, dancing, cooking, even learning how to play magic.Schools may also have internal sports clubs.These are for students who do not play for a school teambut want organized sports with other students.And schools will often recognize a new club or activity if enough students are interested.2 Names in AmericaMost parents in the United States give their babies a first, middle and last name when they are born. The last name is generally their family name. First names are a different story. Some childrens names are also the names of cities, plants or flowers. Religious names from the Bible are also common. Americans even choose names from other countries. Americans are interested in the names that famous actors, entertainers and athletes give their children. Some famous people like names that have been around for many years. Last names as first names are also popular. Middle names have become important because many famous people use them. A middle name is also a way for parents to honor a family member or hero. Some parents give a girl a boys middle name. Some American women use their former last name as a middle name after they marry.3 The Space RaceThe space race between the United States and the former Soviet Union began in October of 1957, when the Soviets launched the first man-made satellite into orbit around Earth. Weeks later the second satellite was launched. Their success added to the tensions of what was known as the Cold War, which many people worried could lead to nuclear war. And it pushed Americans to work harder to reach outer space. Three months later, the United States launched its own satellite. Then, in 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first person into space. An American astronaut followed less than a month later. The space race continued. The finish line was the moon. And it was reached when the crew of American spaceship landed in 1969. Today, there is cooperation between the Russian and American space programs. Astronauts share duties on the International Space Station. And other countries are expanding their space programs.4 Summer for College StudentsCollege students spend their summers in many different ways. Many students work hard at summer jobs. They realize it can be difficult to balance college classes and a job during the school year. Summer is a good time to save up some money. Restaurants, swimming pools, stores and other businesses are always looking for hardworking students. Some students get jobs in the field they hope to enter after college. The experience gives students a taste of the world outside of college. Other college students choose to take summer classes. Students usually do not take a full set ofclasses. Instead, they take just one or two. The extra classes can help students to get ahead in their studies. However, summers are not all work. Students spend time with friends, go to a movie or take a trip. A relaxing day under the summer sun will help students forget all about tests and studying.5 The English LanguageEnglish is the most widespread language in the world and is more widely spoken and written than any other language. More people are trying to learn English in the world. English is the language of political negotiations and international business. It has become the international language of science and medicine. International treaties say passenger airplane pilots must speak English. English is the major foreign language taught in most schools in South America and Europe. School children in the Philippines and Japan begin learning English at an early age. English is the official language of more than 75 countries including Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa. In countries where many different languages are spoken, English is often used as an official language to help people communicate. India is a good example. English is the common language in this country where at least 24 languages are spoken by more than one million people.6 DatingDating is the traditional first step toward marriage.But dating and establishing a relationship can be hard work.So a lot of people want to go where they can meet people with similar interests.They might look for someonewho shares a common interest in religion or books, for example.A lot of bookstores now have places that serve coffee and food.Many offer special programs and social activities for single people.Singles may join health clubs, or sports teamsor maybe even a group for people who like to take long walks in the woods.If nothing else, at least they will have gotten some exercise.Some people use dating services,which help people choose a person they might like.Many newspapers and magazines publish messagesfrom people who are seeking someone to date.There are also telephone dating services, video dating services and online dating services.7 National Spelling BeeEvery year, the best young English language spellers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. for the National Spelling Bee. They spell complex words that most English speakers have never even heard of. The national spelling bee takes place over two intense days of competition in a large hotel meeting room. The spellers sit together in front of several judges. Each speller stands when it is his or her turn. When the judge calls out the word, spellers can ask for help. They can ask for the definition of the word or for it to be used in a sentence. They can also ask which language the word came from. This can often help them decide how it is spelled. Students who spell the word correctly remain in the competition. But if the speller makes a mistake,a bell rings and the child must leave the group.8 SalesWhen a store sells goods or services at a cost lower than usual, it is called a sale.Sales last for a limited time. Then the cost is returned to its usual amount.There are many kinds of sales. For example, a back-to-school sale is held near thebeginning of the school year. Parents can save money on clothes and school supplies for their children. A midnight madness event starts very late at night. An early bird special sale starts very early in the morning, usually before the sun rises. This kind of sale is popular the day after Thanksgiving in November. A favorite sale among many people is the buy one, get one free sale. You buy one thing and get a second one without cost. Another kind of sale is a going out of business sale. This is when a store owner tries to sell all the goods in the store before closing the business permanently.9 Test of English as a Foreign LanguageIt is the most widely respected English-language test in the world,recognized by more than 8,000 colleges and universities in more than 130 countries.It is called TOEFL, which stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language.TOEFL is an important test for foreign students who want to study in America.More than 4,000 American universities and other schools require students seeking admission to take the test.Each year, nearly a million individuals of all ages take the TOEFL testto demonstrate their English-language proficiency.It measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level.And it evaluates how well you combine your four skills,listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.There are two formats for the TOEFL test.The format you take depends on the location of your test center.Nowadays, most test takers take the Internet-based Test.Test centers that do not have Internet access offer the Paper-based Test.10 Heat StressThe most common health problem linked to hot weather is heat stress.The causes of heat stress include wearing heavy clothing,physical work or exercise, hot weather and high humidity.If several of these conditions are present at the same time,a persons body temperature may rise above safe levels.Most people suffer only muscle pain because of heat stress.The pain is a warning that the body is becoming too hot.Doctors say those suffering muscle pain should stop all activity and rest in a cool place.Doctors say not to return to physical activity for a few hoursbecause serious conditions could develop.Some people face an increased danger from heat stress.They may have a weak or damaged heart,high blood pressure or other problems of the blood system.Severe heat is also dangerous for people who weigh too much and have too much body fat,and for people who drink alcohol.11 Foreign Language Study in AmericaForeign language study starts at a very young age for many students in America.Some students start language training at age six.States do not require foreign language training this early in education.But many students choose to study languages in elementary school.The most popular languages for young students are Spanish, French and German.Almost 7 million students in public secondary schools in the United Statesare studying a foreign language.Each state sets its own requirements for foreign language studyat the junior high and high school level.Many students graduate high school with at least two years of foreign language study.Some study a foreign language for four years.There are different foreign language requirements at collegesand universities.Some universities require students to have had several years of language education in high school.In addition, many colleges and universities require studentsto complete at least two years of foreign language study before graduating.12 Variations in British AccentsLanguage changes over time as people try to express themselves in different ways to different people.And English, although broadly the same language,is spoken in lots of different ways by lots of different people.Normally this is because people live far apart.However, even in Britain, a relatively small place,there are huge variations in the way people speak English.And that is not to forget the large numbers of people who speak other languages as their first language.Written English is much more fixed,and changes much less quickly than spoken English.People across Britain speak English using not only different accents, but different expressions.For example, people of different ages and from different parts of Britainmay greet you with as many different words.As people migrate into Britain, and as people move around Britain more freely,accents change more quickly.However, most British people can guess where another British person is from because of their accent.13 Teaching AssistantsForeign students at American colleges and universities may earn money after they successfully complete an entry-level study program. Those wishing to continue their education could work as a teaching assistant, or T.A. A teaching assistant usually works about twenty hours each week. Teaching assistants are paid to help professors teach students in entry-level study programs. Generally, the professor gives a talk, or lecture, to a large group of students one or two times a week. The teaching assistant meets with smaller groups of students during the week. The T.A. gives tests and reads any homework or reports the students may be required to write. Teaching assistants also meet with students who seek help. They attend teaching meetings. And some working with science professors help to organize laboratory equipment. Most American colleges and universities must honor legal requirements when employing foreign students as teaching assistants.One of these is that the T.A. must speak English well.14 Open-source SoftwareOpen-source software is computer softwarethat is available to the general public in source code form.If a person has enough knowledge about computers and computer programming,he or she can change the programs source code.The source code is like a set of directions that show the program how to operate.People change the codes so that the program will operatein a way that will meet their needs.Sometimes changing the code will make the program run faster.Or it will take problems out of the program.These problems can cause a computer program to shut down.People who change the source code of a computer programshare these programs with each other on the Internet.Programmers enjoy being able to improve computer programs on their own.They enjoy being able to ask other people on the Internet for help with their programs.Working together, people can improve computer programs for the good of the group.15 Party TimeAmericans plan parties for many reasons. As in other cultures, many Americans attendparties for weddings and religious and national holidays. But some parties are especially American. For example, a group of neighbors may gather on their street to eat food, play music and visit with one another. This is called a block party.A woman might invite a group of women to a party called a baby shower for a friend who is about to give birth. Guests bring presents for the new baby. Birthday parties are also very popular. Many parents organize a party for their child around a theme. Rock star parties are very popular for young girls and boys. Birthday parties usually include gifts and a birthday cake with candles. Birthday parties can be low cost or very costly. Some parents take their childrens birthday parties very seriously, even when the child is too young to fully understand the celebration.16 TimeIf you can read a clock, you can know the time of day.But no one knows what time itself is.For all our success in measuring the smallest parts of time,time remains one of the great mysteries of the universe.One way to think about time is to imagine a world without time.There could be no movement,because time and movement cannot be separated.A world without time could exist only as long as there were no changes,for time and change are linked.We know that time has passed when something changes.In the real world with time, however, changes never stop.Some changes happen only once in a while, like an eclipse of the moon.Others happen repeatedly, like the rising and setting of the sun.Humans always have noted natural events that repeat themselves.When people began to count such events, they began to measure time.17 PatentPatents are meant to protect the chances of inventorsto make money from their creations.The term of a patent is up to 20 years.During that time, the inventor controls the legal rightto make, use or sell the invention.After 20 years, anyone can make or sell the invention.A patent gives both inventors and investors time to develop and market a product.Patents also provide a way to share and spread technical information.Suppose you have an idea for an invention.How do you get a patent to protect your rights?he first step is to record your idea on paper.You must be sure no one else has invented a device just like yours.So you must examine the descriptions of similar devices that already have patents.This can be a big job and take a long time.Many inventors pay patent lawyers to do this job.18 Central ParkCentral Park in New York City is the first major city park in America. 、It contains more than 340 hectares of land. The designers goal is to make a beautiful natural environment with lakes, woods and open areas for all the people of New York to enjoy.About 25 million people visit Central Park each year. These include people from other areas of America and from foreign countries. Millions of people who live in New York love Central Park as a place to escape from their small apartments in high-rise buildings. Every day, people walk, run or ride bicycles along the paths in Central Park. Others walk their dogs, play baseball, row a boat on the lake or eat a meal on the grass. Bird-watchers can observe more than 200 kinds of birds in the park. Many people also use the park for special events. For example, some people choose one of the beautiful natural areas in the park as the perfect place to get married.19 Yard SalesYard sales do not have to be huge.One family, or even one person, can hold a yard sale.People simply collect some things they no longer wantand put them in the yard outside their home.They might also place handmade signs on nearby streets to direct people to the sale.Yard sales are a good way for people without much moneyto find things for their family.But even people with a lot of money like to look around.Professional dealers might also go to yard sales.If they find something valuable at a low price, they can re-sell it for more.Still other people go to yard sales because they enjoy the hunt.They like to find beautiful or unusual thingsthat are being sold for less than the value.For example, they may find a piece of old furniturethat is worth a lot of money after it is repaired.20 Pressing Oil from SeedsOil is separated from seeds by using pressure. A machine called a press is often used. The first step in pressing the oil from seeds is to crush the seeds between two stones.A cloth container or bag is filled with the crushed seeds. Then the bag is hung up. Some of the oil will flow out of the bag and can be collected. But some oil will remain in the crushed seeds inside the bag. The easiest way to get the rest of the oil out is to place heavy rocks on the crushed material. Another method is to place several cloth bags on top of each other i