Section B

　　Passage One

　　Good morning. My name is Miriam Walker, and this is the History 105. Since this is our first meeting, let me begin by going over the requirements of the class. You can see on your handout that you’ll be graded on your attendance and participation in class, your grades on the three quizzes, and your final research paper. I’ll give you more information about the research paper next week. For now, be sure that you have the textbook. It’s at the campus bookstore. Begin reading the first chapter. I expect you to do all the readings and be prepared to discuss them in class and in your section meeting. The section meetings, by the way, are required. If you haven’t already signed up for one, you can do so right after this class. The sections meet on Wednesdays, right after class, or on Thursdays at 8 am or 4 pm. You only need to sign up for one of the section meetings, and then you need to attend that one regularly. In the section you’ll have a smaller group than this large group, so you’ll have a better chance to express your ideas. And that’s what this class is all about. We’re not only looking at the historical events that took place during the nineteenth century; we’re examining them in relation to events that are occurring now, in the twentieth century. I expect you to develop critical reading, thinking, and discussion skills, and to express these skills in your writing, also. I’ve always had fun with this class, and I’m looking forward to it again this year. Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　26. What will happen next week according to the speaker?

　　【解析】选[A]。由说话人提到的I’ll give you more information about the research paper next week可知，下周学生们可以了解到一些有关final research paper的情况，选项[A]正确。

　　27. What is the focus of the class?

　　【解析】选[C]。说话人在文中指出：We’re not only looking at the historical events that took place during the nineteenth century; we’re examining them in relation to events that are occurring now, in the twentieth century，这表明课程的重点是研究十九世纪与二十世纪之间的联系，选项[C]正确。

　　28. What does the professor emphasize?

　　【解析】选[D]。根据文中的I expect you to develop critical reading, thinking, and discussion skills...可知，说话人很注重批critical reading, critical thinking和critical discussion这三方面的技能。[D]项是其中之一，故为本题答案。

Passage Two

　　Senators are people who are elected every 6 years and they represent a whole state. This means there are fewer Senators than Congress Representatives but they do have the power to defeat any bill that has been passed by the Congress. Their function is to provide more scrutiny over the decisions and actions of the Congress Representatives, and to make sure that bills, passed by the House of Representatives, are not driven by narrow local interests. In England, the British have an appointed House of Lords to provide a “second sober thought” about new laws. In America, Senators are thought to do the same thing but the primary difference is that they are elected and very responsive to public opinion. However, because they do not have to face elections for 6 years, it was thought that they may be more rational than populists, although in practice the Senate and the Congress are still very much swayed by the views of public opinion or by powerful lobby groups. If the bill is passed in the Senate, then it goes to the President to either sign or reject. If he signs it, it becomes law, but if he rejects it, that is to say he vetoes the bill, or refuses to sign it, or as they say, “pocket vetoes it”, it will be sent back to the Congress. If the Congress disagrees with the President enough and does not want to change or amend the bill, they can override the President’s rejection — called overriding the veto.

　　Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　29. What aspect of Senators is discussed in the lecture?

　　【解析】选[C]。文中提到，Their function is to provide more scrutiny over the decisions and actions of the Congress Representatives, and to make sure that bills...are not driven by narrow local interests，由此可知，本文主要讨论的是参议院议员的职责(function)问题，选项[C]正确。

　　30. According to the professor, what is the main difference between the American and British Senate?

　　【解析】选[D]。文中在提到英国的House of Lords时指出，because they do not have to face elections for 6 years, it was thought that they may be more rational than populists，这表明英国议员不需要像美国的参议院议员那样每隔六年面临一次选举，因此选项[D]正确。

　　31. How often are Senators elected?

　　【解析】选[C]。根据文中的Senators are people who are elected every 6 years and they represent a whole state可知，参议院议员每隔六年选举一次，选项[C]为本题答案。

Passage Three

　　We’re interrupting this program for a special announcement. Please listen carefully to the following safety information. We’ve just received word that Hurricane Harry has changed its course and is now headed straight for the mainland. We expect to have winds of over 150 miles per hour so it’s important that you are prepared. The hurricane should arrive at about 3 p.m. this afternoon. Please follow these safety instructions. In your house, board up your windows as much as possible. If you have a boat, go to the harbor and tie it down well. We cannot allow any camping on the beach; it is far too dangerous. Some of you may be planning to leave town in order to avoid the hurricane. That’s fine, but please try to get out of town before 3 today so that the roads are clear. For those of you who are staying in town, please stay indoors and out of your car.

　　This hurricane should pass through fairly quickly, and we hope that no damage will be done. But after the hurricane dies down, be aware of possible loose electric wires. The electric company will be keeping a close watch on the situation, and they will come out to repair any damage as soon as possible. If you see any downed wire, don’t touch it. And if the electricity goes out in your house, be patient. The Electric Repair Service Department will be quite busy, but you can be assured that they will be working as quickly as possible to get everything back to normal. Please pass this information on to your friends and neighbors, and keep your radio tuned to the station for more updated information.

　　Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　32. What is the main purpose for making this announcement?

　　【解析】选[D]。这则公告预报了最新的飓风动向，就相关的安全措施给予了人们指导，所以其主要目的应是警告人们防范危险，[D]项为答案。

　　33. What does the speaker advise not to do when hurricane is coming?

　　【解析】选[C]。由说话人提到的We cannot allow any camping on the beach; it is far too dangerous可知，他建议人们在飓风来临之前不要在海边露营，[C]项为答案。

　　34. If your electricity goes out, what should you do?

　　【解析】选[A]。根据说话人的建议if the electricity goes out in your house, be patient可知，如果屋子里断电了，应该耐心等待，选项[A]正确。

　　35. What does the speaker suggest in the end of the talk?

　　【解析】选[B]。说话人在最后提出建议：Please...keep your radio tuned to the station for more updated information，即要求人们继续收听广播以便得到最新讯息，选项[B]正确。

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