Compound Dictation: (31’43’’-33’55’’)
Crime is increasing worldwide. There is every reason to believe the trend will continue through the next few decades. Crime rates have always been high in multi-cultural industrialized societies such as the United States. But a new phenomenon has appeared on the world scene: rapidly rising crime rates in nations that previously reported few offences. Street crimes such as robbery, rape, murder and auto theft are clearly rising, particularly in Eastern European countries, such as Hungary, and in Western European nations, such as the Untied Kingdom. What is driving this crime explosion? There are no simple answers. Still, there are certain conditions associated with rising crime. Increasing heterogeneity of population, greater cultural pluralism, higher immigration, democratization of governments, changing national borders, greater economic growth and the lack of accepted social ideas of right and wrong. These conditions are increasingly observable around the world. For instance, cultures that were previously isolated and homogenous, such as Japan, Denmark and Greece, are now facing the sort of cultural variety that has been common in America for most of its history. Multiculturalism can be a rewarding, enriching experience, but it can also lead to a clash of values. Heterogeneity in societies will be the rule in the 21st century, and failure to recognize and plan for such diversity can lead to serious crime problems.
四级听力
Short Conversations
11.M: I just received an Email from one of my former classmates. I was surprised, I hadn’t heard from him for ages.
W: Well, I’ve been out of touch with most of my old friends, only one or two still drop me a line occasionally,
Q: What does the woman mean?
12. M: If you can make up your mind about the color, I can start on the outside of your house early next week.
W: Well, right now I think I want white for the window frames and yellow for the walls, but I’ll let you know tomorrow.
Q: Who is the woman talking to?
13. W: Excuse me, do you have any apartments available for under 500 dollars a month? I need to move in next week when my new job starts.
M: The only vacant one I have is 600 dollars, have you inquired at the apartment complex down the street?
Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?
14. W: You bought a pair of jeans yesterday, didn’t you? What are they like?
M: Oh, they are pretty much like my other ones, except with a larger waist. I guess I haven’t spent much time exercising lately.
Q: What can we infer from the conversation about the man?
