Passage Two
For years, international swimming has been controlled by a small number of powerful nations. The U.S., Russia, Germany and Australia have produced some of the sport’s finest players and have won most of the top competitions and medals. But the results of this month’s world championships, which are being held in the Australian city of Perth, will not be so easy to predict. Since the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, many new names and nationalities have emerged to take on the world leaders.
The 1996 Olympics should have been an opportunity for the U.S. to display its great swimming power, but instead it faced some embarrassing defeats. The surprises started on the first day of the competitions, when Fred of Belgium (比利时) set a world record in the competition for 100-metres breast-stroke (蛙泳). Never before had Belgium produced an Olympic champion swimmer. Two other countries also won swimming gold medals for the first time on the opening day. Ireland’s Michell Smith delighted her country with her first of her three gold medals. New Zealand also celebrated with Danyon Loader’s gold in the men’s 200-metre free style. Loader went on to win the 400 meters later in the competition.
By late on the second day, the U.S. team’s officials and coaches were starting to be surprised. Penny Heyns of South Africa had broken the women’s 100-metre breast-stroke record in the morning competitions before claiming gold in the final.
6. It is hard to predict the results of this month’s championships because _____________.
A. players from different countries have sprung up as new champions
B. many names of the players haven’t been heard
C. a few countries have won international swimming competitions
D. the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta was a success
7. What the U.S. had to face at the 1996 Olympics was _____________.
A. new swimming power B. a big success
C. several unpleasant failures D. a great deal of embarrassment
8. The player of Belgium broke a world record in 100-metre breast-stroke which _____________.
A. it had won before B. it has not gained before
C. it had won many times D. the U.S. had never won before
9. How many gold medals have the other countries won on the opening day?
A. Three. B. Four. C. Five. D. Six.
10. It can be inferred from the passage that _____________.
A. the U.S. is still the only powerful country in swimming
B. the U.S. has been a great swimming power
C. Ireland once controlled international swimming
D. Belgium had won several world swimming championships
Part Two Listening Comprehension (35’)
Section A (1’×15 = 15’)
Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
11. A. He watched television with his friend.
B. He stayed at home talking with his friend.
C. He went to see a film with his friend.
D. He went to see his schoolmate.
12. A. 5:10. B. 5:00. C. 4:30. D. 5:15.
13. A. At a booking office. B. In a Hong Kong hotel.
C. On a busy street. D. At an airport.
14. A. The next bus is coming soon.
B. The bus will wait a few minutes at the stop.
C. There are only two or three passengers waiting for the bus.
D. They can catch this bus without running.
15. A. The wind stopped, but it’s still raining.
B. The rain stopped.
C. It is still raining, and the wind is blowing.
D. Both the rain and wind stopped.
16. A. He decided not to go to New York.
B. They won an award recently.
C. They are going to organize a dinner.
D. No one expected him to move.
17. A. A sunny day. B. A nice raincoat.
C. An attractive dress. D. A lovely hat.
18. A. No one can find the Department.
B. He helps people find the Department here.
C. He has no idea where to find the Department.
D. He is working at the university.
Conversation One
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. A. He is not satisfied with his present job.
B. He worries too much about his grandmother.
C. People dislike his food.
D. He is going to be fired.
20. A. He learned it in a training center of cooking.
B. He learned it from his grandmother.
C. He learned it from his mother.
D. He learned it from his wife.
21. A. He dislikes other businessmen.
B. He wants to have more chances to go on business.
C. He doesn’t want to trouble others.
D. He wants to be self-employed.
22. A. Whether he would have enough funds.
B. Whether his food is to the customers’ taste.
C. Whether his family members would support him.
D. Whether he can pay less tax to the government.
Conversation Two
Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
23. A. Tap dancing and square dancing. B. Tap dancing and belly dancing.
C. Folk dancing and square dancing. D. Folk dancing and belly dancing.
24. A. Interesting. B. Time-wasting.
C. Very tiring. D. Inspiring.
25. A. He does not like to interact with people.
B. He doesn’t thinks the dancing course will help him interact with other people.
C. He hates the dancing course very much.
D. He also wants to take the dancing course so that he could be more confident.
