题目内容
听力原文： Every culture has many sayings that give advice about life. These sayings are part of what is commonly called folk wisdom. Of course, folk wisdom is also expressed in other ways, such as myths, fairy tales, legends, and songs. Often however, folk wisdom is shared in the form. of short sayings about the best ways to approach life's joys and sorrows.
One characteristic of American folk wisdom is its humor. Humor makes the bitter medicine of life easier to swallow. It sometimes makes the harsh realities of life more attractive. For example, Benjamin Franklin's clever saying, "A full belly makes a dull brain" means "People who are well-fed or self-satisfied can become lazy and stupid." But this paraphrasing loses the elegance and humor of Franklin's original saying. Some moralists in the United States are successful because they are able to say wise things humorously.
Abraham Lincoln expressed similar opinions about life but in a different way. Lincoln continued the tradition of "horse sense" humor. This type of humor appeals to people who are hungry for practical common sense. Lincoln, both a politician and an idealist, understood the need for horse sense. He knew how to use common sense to influence people's opinion. He could take the highest moral principles or the most critical observations and use them in folksy—or simple commonsense—humor to make them better understood and more easily accepted. Take, for example, this quote, which is one of the best known in the United States. "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. " Another of Lincoln's wise, folksy statements is: "The Lord prefers common-looking people. That's why he makes so many of them. "
There is no doubt that people need a little push sometimes to help them see the folly of their ways. Mark Twain used humor to reveal that many popular ideas were false, foolish, or even harmful. Twain thought that most human beings didn't examine why they believe certain things, and that they were too easily influenced by the opinions of people in power. He felt that it was easier for people to be "misled" than to be led correctly, so he tried to show the foolishness of those in power. For example, he said, "Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side and ain't that a big enough majority in any town？"
Now you may get the impression that Twain was a misanthrope, a person who saw everyone's mistakes and never noticed their good qualities. It's true that his humor was sometimes harsh, but it was used to reveal truths about human relationships. Twain thought the result would be a better, more just society. However, he also realized that he irritated a lot of people. He was aware that when newspapers reported his death, many people might be happy to hear the news. The telegram he sent from Europe to the Associated Press is typical of his humor. It read, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. "
Questions:
16. According to the talk, what is major characteristic of "folk wisdom"？
17.According to the talk, what is the major difference between Franklin and Lincoln when composing short sayings of folk wisdom？
18.According to the talk, which of the following statements is TRUE about "horse sense" humor？
19.According to the talk, what was Mark Twain's purpose for using humor？
20.According to the talk, why did Mark Twain send the telegram which said, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. "？
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Why are the transactions in many banks claimed to be safe？
听力原文：M: Did Henry paint the whole house himself？
W: He had it painted, because he doesn't like climbing ladders.
What do we learn from the conversation？
Every object tells a story. Even the most ordinary objects can present us with powerful images. Sometimes it is the ordinary nature of these objects that actually makes them so extraordinary. Such is the case with an old leather shoe in a museum in Alaska. At first glance it does not look like much. It is a woman's shoe of a style. popular in 1890s. But what is unique about this shoe is where it was found. It was discovered on the Chilkoot Pass, the famous trail used by the people seeking gold in Alaska. Who it belonged to or why it was left there is not known. Was it perhaps dropped by accident as the woman climbed up the 1, 500 stairs carved out of ice？ Or did she throw away goods that she didn't need or order to travel lighter？
Over 100, 000 people with "gold fever" made this trip hoping to become millionaires. Few of them understood that on their way they would have to cross a harsh wilderness. Unprepared for such a dangerous journey, many died of starvation and exposure to the cold weather. The Canadian government finally started requiting the gold seekers to bring one ton of supplies with them. This was thought to be enough for a person to survive for one year. They would carry their supplies in backpacks each weighing up to fifty pounds; it usually took at least 40 trips to get everything to the top and over the pass. Whoever dropped the shoe must have been a brave and determined woman. Perhaps she was successful and made it to Alaska. Perhaps she had to turn back in defeat. No one will ever know for sure, but what we do know is that she took part in one of the greatest adventures in the 19th century.
Why was the ordinary woman's leather shoe considered unusual？
Part A
Directions: Read the following three texts. Answer the questions on each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.
Most of us have perfectly good ears.
So why, then, are we such perfectly awful listeners-listening on the average at a 25% level of efficiency？
The fact is there's a lot more to listening than hearing.
After we hear something, we must interpret it. Evaluate it. And finally respond to it. That's listening.
And it's during this complex process that we run into all kinds of trouble.
For example: We prejudge sometimes even disregard-a speaker based on his appearance or delivery.
We let personal ideas, emotions or prejudices distort what a person has to say.
We ignore subjects we consider too difficult or uninteresting.
And because the brain works four times faster than most people speak, we too often wander into distraction.
Yet as difficult as listening really is, it's the one communication skill we're fiver really taught.
Well, as a corporation with more than 80, 000 employees, we at Sperry are making sure we use our ears to full advantage.
We've set up expanded listening programs that Sperry personnel from our divisions worldwide can attend. Sales representatives, Sperry Univac computer engineers. Even the Chairman of the Board.
We're convinced that effective listening adds a special dimension to what we can do for our customers. And when you speak to someone from Sperry we think you'll be equally convinced.
It's amazing what more than two good ears can do.
What is the company trying to teach its employees to do？
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