现代大学英语听力4答案-Unit3

现代大学英语听力4答案-Unit3 Unit 3 Task 1: 【答案】 A. 1) voice signals，video images，computer data 2) 1983，four million，game-playing，educational，financial，budgeting,，accounting 3) 1983，52 percent，16 percent 4) 18—19，25 percent，18 percent，over-60s，3 percent，87 percent B. 1) ISDN stands for the integrated services digital network. 2) Some people attribute this growth industry to the recession which led to redundancies and a shorter working week, and this in turn led to more leisure time. Then people began indulging in home entertainment in their extra free time. Hundreds of companies have sprung up to fill this gap, and the sports, DIY and home entertainment industries are achieving phenomenal success. 3) Having teenagers in the home was a decisive factor in the purchase of a personal computer. 4) Users become more knowledgeable and want more expensive machines with all kinds of new things. 5) With more time on their hands people tend to spend more time keeping fit with the help of all kinds of new gadgets. 6) Rubik's cube is a famous toy of the early 1980s, which has six sides, each composed of nine rotating faces, with 43 quintillion combinations. 7) Hacker means an enthusiast who breaks into computers. They use their home computers to break into supposedly secure government and business computers, for example in banks, labs and research centers. 【原文】 Just before I give a few details about the fun aspect of computers—that is, for use at home and for entertainment—I'd like to mention a couple of facts about the outlook for ISDN—that's the integrated services digital network—and it foresees a world-wide telecommunications network which could transmit telex and voice signals and, indeed, full-color video images and high-speed computer data. Now, can you just imagine having a meeting with your colleagues around the world without even leaving your office? Well, that's what world-wide video teleconferencing can do, and it's on the cards that internal toll-free telephones may be available and also faster computer transmission with a digital network. And how are all these marvelous things achieved? Well, there are satellite relays, and digital packet switching, and laser devices which transmit over fiber-optic cables. But more about that another time. And after that slight diversion I'll get back to a totally different aspect of modern technology—home computers, or PCs—that stands for personal computers. First, a bit of background. Some people attribute this growth industry to the recession which led to redundancies and a shorter working week, and this in turn led to more leisure time. So what are people doing with this extra free time that's on their hands? They're indulging in home entertainment, that's what! Hundreds of companies have sprung up to fill this gap, and the sports, DIY and home entertainment industries are achieving phenomenal success. In 1983 in the US, there were four million PCs, and game-playing was the principal use, with educational use a close second; and in third place was the financial function for things like budgeting, balancing cheque books, accounting and forecasting and so on. To illustrate this with a few concrete figures, from the States again, in 1983, 52 per cent of the software was for entertainment programs, whereas only 16 percent was educational. Possibly this could be explained by the short life span of computer games, and having teenagers in the home was a decisive factor in the purchase of a personal computer, as households with children in this age-range were 50 per cent more likely to buy them. As far as the interest versus disapproval statistics go, in the 18-19 age-group, 25 per cent expressed interest in PCs and 18 per cent disapproval; and at the other end of the scale, the over-60s showed only 3 per cent interest and a resounding 87 per cent disapproval! And this trend towards PCs is likely to continue as users become more knowledgeable and want more expensive machines with all kinds of new things. And there's a wide range in sizes, too, as the portable market expands, and now you can buy a featherweight lap-size model that's less than 2 kg, or something larger at around 12 kg but still portable. Just to digress slightly, I'd like to point out that microtechnology has hit other aspects of the home and leisure industry as well. With more time on our hands it seems we're spending more time keeping fit, and fitness has become a real growth industry, and it seems prone to gadgetry as well! There are all sorts of new things on the market these days. Take, for example, the watches that monitor your pulse rate as you jog or do aerobics, or exercise bicycles with sensors in the handgrips to check your pulse rate and then display it on a screen. And for those of you who remember that famous toy of the early 80s—Rubik's cube, the one with six sides, each composed of nine rotating faces, with 43 quintillion combinations—well, anyway, in a lab in the US they're working on a Cubot—that's a self-contained robot using microprocessors and mechanics—to solve it. But I'm getting off the track again, so back to our home computers with a final warning. The technical innovations of the last couple of decades have led to a host of new words in our vocabulary, and one of these is hacker—that's H-A-C-K-E-R—and it simply means an enthusiast who breaks into computers. And, not so long ago in the States, teenagers who were hackers used their home computers to break into supposedly secure government and business computers, for example in banks, labs and research centers. They just tried out different passwords until they found the right one. And as one seventeen-year-old said, 'It was like child's play.' And all that's needed is a home computer and a modem—that's M-O-D-E-M—which is a device that allows computers to transmit data over the phone lines—and, of course, a basic knowledge of how to operate a computer! And this has led to tangled legal and ethical problems—but we won't go into that here. But, as you can see, home computers are indeed a handy thing to have around, not only for entertainment but also for educational value. And no doubt in future... Task 2: 【答案】 A. Time Name of the Programme Content Channel 7:15 Authors Now Interview with Pat Ellison Radio 3 The second episode of Charles 7:45 Mystery Hour Richards' exciting thriller She Radio 2 Died on Monday 8:00 Monday concert Classical music of Beethoven Radio 3 and Brahms 8:50 Postbag Opinions of the audience Radio 3 Bedtime Reading Pat Ellison's most famous novel 10:30 Book A Cousin from Birmingham will Radio 4 be read by Catherine Jeavons. From 11:30 p.m. Caroline Peel will be playing onwards Swing the Day some of the records the audience Radio 1 tomorrow night Away have requested for relatives and triends. B. 1) c 2) b 3) d 4) b 5) d 【原文】 Announcer: The time now is 5:52 and in 3 minutes here on Radio 4 we have the weather forecast followed at 6 o'clock by the news, which means we have time for a look at programmes for this evening and for the week ahead with Bernard Mitchell. Bernard Mitchell: For classical music lovers, tonight's Monday concert on Radio 3 will be broadcast live from the Royal Festival Hall and includes works by Beethoven and Brahms, starting at 8 o'clock. In the interval, Peter Simpson will be giving some of your opinions on radio programmes in "postbag" at 8:50. Fans of the writer Pat Ellison may be interested to know that she's being interviewed on tonight's edition of "Authors Now" at 7:15 on Radio 3 prior to our concert. Pat Ellison's most famous novel A Cousin from Birmingham is also our "Bedtime Reading Book", starting tonight at 10:30 after the news on Radio 4, and will be read by Catherine Jeavons. In "Mystery Hour" on Radio 2 starting at 7:45 you can hear the second episode of Charles Richards' exciting thriller She Died on Monday and that's followed by another edition of "Sports Desk" which will bring you an up-to-the-minute report of tonight's Portugal versus England match, as well as details of all today's other main sporting events. Those of you who enjoyed last month's programme "The Animals Came to Tea" on Radio 2 and would like to hear it again, or may have missed the broadcast altogether, may like to know that we are repeating the programme on Radio 4 on Thursday morning at 10:15. In case you don't already know, naturalist and explorer David Woods recounts some of his experiences in the Amazon jungle. If you fancy a little late-night music, you can "Swing the Day Away" with Caroline Peel on Radio 1 from 11:30 p.m. onwards tomorrow night, when she will be playing some of the records you have requested for relatives and friends. Also for pop music lovers, most of Tuesday evening on Radio 1 will be devoted to a rock concert recorded last week in the Albert Hall, featuring many well-known groups, and that will start at 7:30. If you are thinking of buying a home computer in the near future, in "Watchout" this Friday on Radio 4 at 10:45, Michael Sharp will be delving into this world of microtechnology and giving listeners advice on all the latest models available and what to look out for. And now back to you, Evelyn. Task 3: 【答案】 1) Yes, but it doesn't exist the same as it used to. It was totally based on the star system before. And now, it is more a matter of the talent and the people that would live to have the exposure. 2) a) They live in a totally different life style than they used to. b) They work in different motion pictures, but are not necessarily contracted to a studio. So the studios don't have as many contract players now as they used to have. 3) Not as much importance has been placed on the star career of the actors and actresses as there used to be, because their career now can rise and fall with a season on television. It rose and fell with almost their entire lifetime with the studio before. 【原文】 Interviewer: There's an image of Hollywood around the world... Mickennon: Uh-hmm. Interviewer: Is that uh...image - does it exist anymore? Mickennon: Not as much as it used to. Interviewer: All the glamour and the rest of it? Mickennon: I don't think it exists the same as it used to. Uh...it was based on the star system so totally before. And now, it is more a matter of uh...the talent, and the people and the uh...exposure of uh...those that would like to have the exposure. Interviewer: What has happened to Hollywood actors and actresses then? Obviously, they're still making motion picture material for television. Bat it's almost like a different medium, isn't it? Mickennon: Well, they like in a different life style—totally different life style that they used to. It used to be they all lived in fabulous mansions, and they had all kinds of uh...servants and that sort of thing. Uh...and their uh...their car status, and their...their beach home status... Interviewer: Uh-huh... Mickennon: ...and uh...their status with the studio. It...it no longer is a matter of... Interviewer: It's just different... Mickennon: ...what studio you're with. It's a matter that you're working in this picture or that picture, but not necessarily contracted to studio. They don't have as many contract players now as they used to have. Interviewer: But is it that there is not the need to create as much of an image or something with the television era as it was with motion pictures? Because a lot of the - Mickennon: I don't think as much importance has been placed on their... their star career as there used to be. Because uh...their careers now can rise and fall with a season on television... Interviewer: Uh-huh. Mickennon: But it rose and fell with almost their entire lifetime with the studio before... (To be continued) Task 4: 【答案】 1) Some people complain that television is not entertainment, but simply a commercial enterprise, which considers what it likes rather than what the masses like. 2) The broadcast stations are granted a license to ensure that they aim to educate as well as entertain. Otherwise, they are likely to lose sight of this fact, and strictly entertain. 3) A fair rating system would be one that the majority could control, rather than the few. Then the rating system would be an indication of what the people really want. 4) That's because he thinks that the cartoon is a less violent medium. And it gives an actor an opportunity to express himself in a way that he can't do on live action in front of the camera. 【原文】 Interviewer: Some people are very cynical about television as a medium. I've heard it said that it's, it's not entertainment—it's simply a commercial enterprise. Mickennon: It has a tendency to make you feel that way, and I think that more and more all the time, the producers are being made aware of this... Interviewer: Uhmmm. Mickennon: That's why the broadcast stations are granted a license--to educate as well as entertain. And in many cases, they lose sight of this fact, and they strictly entertain. And they don't consider the masses. They consider what they like rather than what the masses like. So, who's going to say what's a fair rating system? Interviewer: Uh-huh. Mickennon: I wish somebody could create one that the people could control, rather than the few— because then it would be an indication of what the people really want. Interviewer: You would think that they have... People complain about violence.., on... on television... Mickennon: No, I don't go for the violent stuff too much. I think that's one of the reasons I like to work cartoons—they're a less violent medium. And it...it gives an actor an opportunity to express himself in a way that you can't do on live action in front of the camera. Interviewer: Uh-huh Mickennon: Because you can do voices, and you can do interpretations—wild characters that you could never do otherwise, because nobody would ever cast you for that sort of thing. Especially, they cast you for the way you look on camera... Interviewer: Right. Mickennon: They cast you for the way you sound on cartoons! Task 5: 【答案】 A. single unifying，integrated a) play，story，interesting，cogent b) songs，dances，carry it forward c) dancing，of equal importance B. 1) It is often said that the modem musical show is America's most original and dynamic contribution to world theater. 2) When Oklahoma! burst into popularity in 1943, Broadway audiences and critics were struck by its originality, vitality, and excitement. 3) It proves that literature need not be coarsened by musicalization nor its spirit distorted. When the music is skillful and inspired and the collaborators well matched, the results are triumphant. 【原文】 It is often said that the modern musical show is America's most original and dynamic contribution to world theater. Certainly in the last quarter of a century, America has produced a spate of musical plays that have been phenomenally popular abroad as well as at home. Yet it is very difficult to explain what is new or characteristically American about them, for the ingredients are centuries old. For hundreds of years, drama and dance, music and verse have been combined in different ways to compose grand and light operas, operettas, musical reviews, and musical comedies. Perhaps the uniqueness of America's contribution to the genre can best be characterized through brief descriptions of several of the most important and best-known musicals. One of these is surely "Oklahoma!" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. When "Oklahoma!" burst into popularity in 1943, Broadway audiences and critics were struck by its originality, vitality, and excitement. This “new” type of musical was conceived as a kind of total theater which the play (or "book"), the music and lyrics, the dancing, and the scenic background were assembled not merely to provide entertainment and variety, but to share intimately in a single unifying concept. This meant that the play or story that provides the structure of the piece must be itself an interesting and cogent drama, not merely a skeleton on which to hang a series of unrelated songs and dances and jokes. It also meant that the songs and dances should arise (or seem to arise) naturally out of the situations of the story and should not interrupt the action but carry it forward. At last dancing had become more than an extra and entertaining frill, it had become a partner of equal importance. The choreographer of Oklahoma!, Agnes de Mille, was given free reign to create the dances in an American folk-dance style expanded by all the virtuosity of classical ballet and modern dance. The result was a brilliantly integrated performance by the talented dancers and singing actors. Oklahoma! also marked a new direction in the choice of story on which a musical is based. No longer were writers and composers content with a simple love story in a sentimentally picturesque or aristocratic setting. After Oklahoma! most musicals were based on plays or novels that had already proven themselves and that contained more realistic stories of young love in authentic social and cultural contexts. "Oklahoma!" itself was based on Lynn Rigg's successful and esteemed "folk play" Green Grow the Lilacs; its story dealt not only with the vicissitudes of young love, but also with opening of the American West. As in all genres, the musical has had its share of failures. Some worthy dramas have been pressed into service and musicalized and sometimes butchered in the process, and audiences have had to watch a fine play diluted into a mediocre musical. But the successes have been many and spectacular. Musicals such as My Fair Lady (1956), based on Shaw's delightful Pygmalion, have repeatedly proved that literature need not be coarsened by musicalization nor its spirit distorted. Indeed, when the music is skillful and inspired and the collaborators well matched, the results are triumphant. Task 6: 【答案】 A. About Corrie Clifton’s Latest Novel Tables in White Speaker General Opinion Further Explanation The plot is pathetic/far-fetched, the Rosie Wasn't impressed at all. characters have absolutely no credibility and the settings are just too simplistic/completely unrealistic. Maybe the main character was a bit Rick It was a really good read. wishy-washy, but the pace is fast-moving and it sure kept me up late at night finishing it. Inclined to agree with Rosie The characterization and the settings are a Toby about the characterization and the bit superficial and lacking the depth of settings; but couldn't put it down. description of the author's previous best-seller, but it's got a fast- moving plot. The author should have done far more Penny So unrealistic. research into the subject of hospitals and medicine and tried to present a more authentic picture. About the Film Hidden Treasures Speaker General Opinion Further Explanation It had exactly the right blend of suspense Toby and romance; the music was evocative but Thoroughly enjoyed it. not overpowering, and the photography was beautiful, especially the underwater scenes. Would heartily recommend It was a fascinating film, both amusing and Rosie it. educational, though the music was a trifle soppy at times. Penny Refreshing; quite good fun. Lack of violence and horror. Rick Average. There is little plot, but the music is a pure joy. B. 1) b 2) c 【原文】 Luke: It's our weekly round-up of what's new on the entertainment scene, and our panel will be giving you their opinions. This is Luke Greatwich, your regular host, and this evening our guests are Rosie Davis, the drama critic of the National Times. Rosie: Good evening! Luke: And Penny Williams, an up-and-coming British opera star. Penny: Hello! Luke: And Toby Price, the director of the Grimston Gallery. Toby: Good evening! Luke: And Rick Sun, who is an agent for several pop groups. Rick: Hi! Luke: So, a big welcome to all of you! Penny: Nice to be here. Toby: Glad to be on the programme. Rick: Pleasure. Luke: I'm sure our listeners are dying to hear your reactions to Corrie Clifton's latest novel Tables in White, the sequel to last year's blockbuster Rain on the Panes. So let's start with you, Rosie. Rosie: Frankly, I wasn't impressed at all! The plot is pathetic, the characters have absolutely no credibility and the settings are just too simplistic! Rick: Hey, hang on a minute, Rosie! I thought it was a really good read! Maybe the main character-that young doctor from Rain on the Panes—was a bit wishy-washy, but the pace is fast-moving and it sure kept me up late at night finishing it! Rosie: That's all very well, Rick, but the plot is so far-fetched and it's totally impossible to identify with any of the characters; and the descriptions of the places are like something out of a travel brochure for a holiday at rock-bottom prices! Completely unrealistic! Luke: Yes. Well, Toby, perhaps you could give us your comments on this novel. Toby: Well, I'm inclined to agree with Rosie about the characterization and the settings--a bit superficial and lacking the depth of description of her previous best-seller but, like Rick, I couldn't put it down It's got a fast moving plot. Penny: Ah, maybe so, but it's so unrealistic! Can you actually imagine real people getting involved in situations like that? Seriously, though, as the main character is a doctor, I felt she—Corrie Clifton, that is—should have done far more research into the subject of hospitals and medicine and tried to present a more authentic picture. Luke: Thanks, Penny. Well, from those controversial opinions let's move on to the film that everybody's been talking about and queuing up to see as well. Hidden Treasures. Toby... Toby: I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it—so much that I sat through it twice! It had exactly the right blend of suspense and romance; the music was evocative but not overpowering, and the photography was beautiful, especially the underwater scenes. Rosie: Here I'm in complete agreement with Toby. Toby: Well, thank you, Rosie. Rosie: It was a fascinating film, both amusing and educational. I hadn't realized before just how much treasure can be found at the bottom of the sea, and the historical perspective was well presented. Although I must confess that the music was a trifle soppy at times. But on the whole I'd heartily recommend it. Luke: Yes, I share your enthusiasm, Rosie. It's certainly a good film for all the family. Penny? Penny: What I found so refreshing was the lack of violence and horror. So often the papers, video films, TV and so on are just chock-a-block with nasty scenes of death and destruction, and here you have a delightful story that keeps your attention and doesn't have the slightest hint of murder or violence—quite good fun, I'd call it. Luke: And what about you, Rick? Rick: Well, I'd just rate it as average. I honestly can't see what you're getting so excited about! Why would anyone want to queue for hours just to see some underwater scenes of old ships and lost treasure? The plot is a bit thin on the ground and, going back to what Toby mentioned about a blend of suspense and romance, well, for me it was about as exciting as the Siberian weather report on the radio, and the romance seemed to consist of walking hand-in- hand along the beach in the sunset. Now, Toby, you really can't call that a plot, can you? But just before you all jump to defend your points of view, let me say that I did find the music a pure joy! And not at all over-sentimental as Rosie did. Luke: Well, you certainly have made your point, Rick! And now I think it's your turn to defend the plot, Toby. Toby: With deference to Rick's youth and my advanced age, perhaps he just needs a stronger dose of blood and thunder before he'll respond to a plot. Penny: I'm inclined to support you there, Toby. Luke: And back to you, Rosie. Any more comments about the music? Rosie: Considering Rick is so exposed to the pop environment, it's rather refreshing that he enjoyed the soundtrack with all those singing violins. Rick: Now just a minute, Rosie! Surely someone in your position ought to have a little more respect for the sociological trends of the youth of today! Rosie: Now that's totally unfair, Rick, because I happen to like... Luke: Ahem, we... before we come to blows, perhaps we should move on to something that's more in Rick's line--the new disc that's just been released by Dead-Eye Dick and the Grim Den featuring the hit single that's rapidly moving to the top of the charts, called Motive for Melancholy. Task 7: 【答案】 A. 1) c 2) d 3) a B. 1) F 2) F 3) T C. landscapes，portraits，take notice，soul 【原文】 Rick: Actually, Luke, it's Dead-Eye Dan, and for anyone who's interested, the name of the album is The Den Depressed. Rosie: May I get a word in here? Luke: By all means, Rosie... Rosie: Just because I happen to be over 30, it doesn't mean I'm automatically excluded from appreciating the pop scene.., and I think this group has got a lot going for it. The lyrics have a message which can appeal to a wide age range, and the music—when it isn't at a deafening volume—gets through to your soul. Rick: Nice one, Rosie! Luke: Any other comments? Toby? Toby: Well, I'm afraid this music isn't really what I'd choose to listen to. However, for the sake Of this programme I must admit I tried to sit through it. But the.., words certainly didn't manage to—what was it you said, Rosie? Rosie: Penetrate your soul. Toby: Precisely. The words didn't quite manage to penetrate my soul. Rick: That's probably because it's buried under too many layers of conventionality! Look, Toby—these guys have got a message they're trying to get across, and it's not only to young people: Anyone can suffer from depression these days. It's not a monopoly of youth! Luke: Er, now I think it's time we moved on to the exhibition that's now on at the Moore An Gallery featuring artists and sculptors born after 1950. Penny... Penny: To tell the truth, I went expecting to see a lot of paintings in the pop style that could have been produced by a chimpanzee—you know the sort of thing—a huge white canvas with a black blob in the middle. Rosie: And probably titled Black Blob on White! Penny: Yes, that's it exactly, Rosie. Well, I was certainly in for a surprise—no black blobs, no plastic pizzas, no old car parts wired together. The whole exhibit was bright and cheerful and you could actually... 1 suppose "understand" is the right word. Yes, you could actually understand what the artists were depicting. Rosie: Mmm. It did make a welcome change from some of the rubbish that gets passed off as an these days. There was a real sensitivity in the paintings, especially those by the German artist, Nico Rocholl. Penny: Yes, his landscapes were beautiful and his portraits had an ethereal quality. They really made me stop and take notice. They got to my soul, as the saying goes. Rosie: Well, Toby, did they get through to your soul? Toby: Indeed, for me the sculptures were quite exquisite. That Scottish girl—er, Nora Comer, her name was—has considerable talent and her marble animals, especially tile cats, were most attractive. But what really caught my eye 'were the bronze works by Charles Vernon—English I believe. He... his appreciation of anatomy is superb, and the faces particularly were, splendid so evocative and reflecting the total expression of the bodies. Luke: Any comments, Rick? Rick: I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this one as I didn't have time to see it. But I'll definitely pop in next week. But returning to Penny's comments about chimpanzees and art, 1 think that if the public and the galleries are crazy enough to pay through the nose for creations done by chimps, or cats, or whatever, then we ought to be giving art grants to zoos! It's the gallery directors and the public who are conned by some critics into thinking that this stuff is great! Rosie: Hear! Hear! You're absolutely right! Rick: Well, maybe it can be called art but it certainly isn't worth thousands of dollars if a monkey splashes paint on a canvas! Luke: Er, um, we're getting a bit sidetracked here... And now, looking at the clock, there's just time to give you a quick rundown of next week's topics. We'll be discussing the all-Beethoven concert at the Symphony Hall, the exhibition of old coins and stamps at the Antiques Museum, the new production of the well-loved opera Flora Fidelis—the one that's been such a success in Paris and opens here tomorrow at the Opera House—and also the TV programme that everyone's on about—Astra on Astrology. All those are in store for you next week. And now I'd like to thank our panel for their stimulating comments. Rosie: Not at all. Penny: Pleasure. Toby: You're welcome. Luke: And to our listeners, I hope you'll tune in again next week at the same time for another interesting and perhaps controversial discussion on "Arts Review". Task 8: 【答案】 A. 1) a 2) c 3) c 4) b B. 1) Health and love, crime, secrets from the past are some of the subjects that readers in the United States currently like best. 2) The South Beach Diet suggests ways that people can get thinner while still eating foods they like best. 3) Phillip McGraw is a mental health specialist and television personality known as Doctor Phil. His book is called The Ultimate Weight Solution. It offers seven ways to lose weight. 4) This is a storybook for children aged four to eight, and deals with feelings and emotions. 5) The books get their name from the traditional idea that chicken soup makes people feel better. Some of the stories make readers cry, but others make them smile or laugh. 6) Steven King writes mystery and horror stories. 【原文】 Health and love, crime, secrets from the past—these are some of the subjects that readers in the United States currently like best. Newspapers and magazines tell us what books people are buying. What the lists of best sellers clearly show is that Americans are worried about their health, especially the risks of being too fat. Several books of advice about how to lose weight are among America's top selling books. Arthur Agatston and Phillip McGraw are the authors of two of them. In The South Beach Diet, Doctor Agatston suggests ways that people can get thinner while still eating foods they like best. Phillip McGraw is a mental health specialist and television personality known as Doctor Phil. His book is called The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution. It offers seven ways to lose weight. Mitch Albom has written a best-selling novel about an old man named Eddie. Eddie repairs rides in an amusement park. He is bitter that he has not lived a more meaningful life. Then, on his eighty-third birthday, Eddie dies. He loses his own life as he tries to save the life of a little girl. After the man dies, five people who played a part in his life explain to Eddie his existence on Earth. The book is called The Five People You Meet in Heaven. People who like mysteries have made several books into best sellers. One is The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. This story tells what happens to an American professor when a museum director in Paris asks to meet with him. Clues linked to works of art by Leonardo da Vinci lead to ancient secrets. James Patterson is another popular author. He wrote the best-selling mystery Four Blind Mice. As the story begins, investigator Alex Cross prepares to resign from his job as a policeman in Washington, D.C. Just then, Cross learns that an old friend in the military is accused of murder. Cross and the officer he works with, John Sampson, go to work to save the soldier. Many lists of best sellers in America also include books for children. One of these is the first book for young people by Madonna. The singer, and mother, has written the storybook The English Roses. It is for ages four to eight, and deals with feelings and emotions. Some books continue to sell many copies years after they were first published. The books in the Chicken Soup series are a good example. They are among the best selling books in the history of publishing. The series began in nineteen-ninety-three with Chicken Soup for the Soul. This book of stories was written by Jack Canfield and Mark David Hansen. The Chicken Soup books get their name from the traditional idea that chicken soup makes people feel better. Some of the stories make readers cry, but others make them smile or laugh. People loved the first Chicken Soup book. Another followed, called A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Since then there have been many other books. They have names like Chicken Soup for the Golfer's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul. Thirty publishers had rejected the first "Chicken Soup" book before it was finally printed. Today, about eighty million of these books have been printed in North America. And Chicken Soup books have been translated from English into thirty-five other languages. Mystery and horror stories by Steven King have also sold millions of copies. Some of his most famous—and most frightening—books are Carrie, The Shining, and The Green Mile. These and many others have been made into films. Task 9: 【答案】 A. 1) Oprah Winfrey started her book club in the late 1990s. 2) During the first years of her club, Ms. Winfrey often picked books that had not gained huge public interest. Now she is choosing books from the past. 3) East of Eden explores family relations over a long period of time. The story uses themes similar in some ways to the biblical story of the brothers Cain and Abel. 4) Cry the Beloved Country tells what happens when a black clergyman goes to Johannesburg to find his son. 5) a) Book clubs have blossomed in recent years. b) The publishing industry itself has changed. Many small, independent book sellers are struggling to survive. There are now huge book stores owned by a few national companies. c) Buyers can also order books through the Internet. 6) One thing that has not changed is that people can still borrow books from their local public library. B. 1) F 2) T 3) T 【原文】 In recent years, Oprah Winfrey and her television talk show have greatly influenced reading in America. Mizz Winfrey started a nationwide book club in the late nineteen-nineties. She suspended it for awhile. But now she is again helping Americans find what she believes is the best literature. Oprah Winfrey chooses a book she likes. She announces her choice on her show from Chicago. Then she asks people to read the book. During the first years of her club, Mizz Winfrey often picked books that had not gained huge public interest. That would immediately change, once the books became choices of Oprah's Book Club. Now Oprah Winfrey is choosing books from the past. For example, she suggests that club members read East of Eden, by the American author John Steinbeck. This huge novel explores family relations over a long period of time. The story uses themes similar in some ways to the biblical story of the brothers Cain and Abel. Alan Paton was a white man. He was born in South Africa in nineteen-oh-three. He worked as director of a corrections center for boys, where he made many reforms. He opposed colonialism and apartheid, the former system of racial separation in South Africa. A number of other television programs besides Oprah also have book clubs that reach millions of people. But there are thousands of small book clubs across the country. Members of these discussion groups may gather in homes, libraries, offices or religious centers. Some meet in eating and drinking places. Members of book clubs may read classics like The Odyssey of Homer. They may read poetry, or mystery stories, or love stories. Or, they may read books about politics and current events. There are also books that offer directions for book clubs. Book clubs are not the only big development in recent years. The publishing industry itself has changed. Many small, independent book sellers are struggling to survive. There are now huge book stores owned by a few national companies. Buyers can also order books through the Internet. One thing that has not changed, though, is that people can still borrow books from their local public library. Book clubs are more than just reading groups. They are social groups, too. Many book club members become friends. They discuss their families and jobs as well as the books they read. The meetings let people learn what other readers are thinking. As one book club member says, "It is very satisfying to talk about what you read with good friends." Task 10: 【原文】 When Superman burst onto the scene sixty years ago there had never been a character quite like him, and he remains unique today. The innumerable imitators who followed in his wake have acknowledged his primacy by taking on the title of super hero, but Superman did more than start the trend that came to define the American comic book. His influence spread throughout all known media as he became a star of animated cartoons, radio, recordings, books, motion pictures, and television, while his image appeared on products ranging from puzzles to peanut butter. He is perhaps the first fictional character to have been so successfully promoted as a universal icon, yet he also continues to remain a publishing phenomenon whose adventures appear in no less than five monthly comics magazines.