英语周报：2008年12月六级听力模拟试题(三)

　　Although it is better now for old people, we have to admit that the body does change as we grow older. The immune system starts to decline and there are changes in metabolism, lungs, the senses, the brain and the skin.

　　So what should an old person do to counter-act these changes?

　　He or she should eat a balanced diet: not too much fat. Chicken or fish should be eaten rather than eggs or beef. More high fiber and vitamin rich foods should be eaten, such as vegetables and fruit.

　　Old people should give up smoking if they haven’t already done so. They should also do regular exercise: at least half an hour, three times a week. No section of the population can benefit more from exercise than the elderly.

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

　　29. Which of the following statements is true about the health of old people?

　　30. Which is a much more common problem with old people’s health?

　　31. What should old people do in order to have good health?

　　Passage Three

　　In our modern days, too many people depend on their cars to get to work or to drop their children off at school. However, is it safe to have an increasing number of cars on our roads?

　　Research shows that cars create serious pollution. Exhaust from all combustion engines produces harmful effects on the health of both car users and all innocent walkers. Cities have become islands of toxic chemicals from the unrestrained use of vehicles burning fossil fuels. The harmful health effects of car exhaust are pervasive and difficult to measure. For example, people with asthma would suffer with attacks due to the pollution. The world wild life also suffers from the cars’ toxic emissions. No matter how many manufacturers try to make cars environmentally friendly, it will damage our earth in one way or another.

　　Additionally, cars are very dangerous for our community. Careless drivers put themselves and others in danger. Cars are critical to walkers especially to children if the driver is not looking at the road or is somehow distracted. Have you known someone whose toes or feet have been run over by cars while crossing the street?

　　Lastly, cars create social problems, which could lead to poor health. A few drivers suffer “Road Rage” and put themselves, loved ones and others in a threatening situation. Some cars create disturbing noises, and disturb people living near highways, freeways, etc. as they do not get enough sleep. People depend on their cars so much they forget to exercise their bodies and end up being obese or having heart problem.

　　As a result of the excessive number of cars on our roads, everyone’s life is in danger. In order to create an environmentally friendly and safe world, it is necessary for each country to limit the permits in number to control regional air pollution. Secondly, car manufacturers should try to improve the efficiency of vehicles, such as finding solutions to emissions of combustion engines, developing new power sources such as new fuels like natural gas. Thirdly, try to improve efficiency of traffic by setting up dedicated bus lanes and giving priority to car-pools and vehicles with 3 or more persons. Besides, traffic can be scheduled; for example, commercial traffic at night; large companies can shift working hours and decentralize administrative operations.

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

　　32. Which one of the following statements is not one of the effects of cars?

　　33. Who are the major victims in car accidents?

　　34. Which of the following is not a problem caused by cars?

　　35. Which of the following is not true as to handling car problems?

　　Section C

　　Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.

　　The human nose is an underrated tool. Humans are often thought to be insensitive smellers (36) compared with animals, but this is largely because, unlike animals, we stand (37) upright. This means that our noses are limited to (38) perceiving those smells that float through the air, (39) missing the majority of smells which stick to (40) surfaces. In fact though, we are extremely sensitive to smells, even if we do not generally realize it. Our noses are capable of (41) detecting human smells even when these are (42) diluted to far below one part of one million.