2008年大学英语四级考试听力部分长对话原文

    听力长对话1 
    F: Simon, how does it feel to be retired?

    M: Well, not so bad.

    F: How have you been spending your time?

    M: I have been spending more time with my family. I’ve also travelled a bit, you know, off season when everywhere is less crowded and hotels cost less.

    F: Great.

    M: You know I haven’t stopped work completely.

    F: Yes, could you tell us more about this?

    M: I’m on a scheme that’s called phased retirement; I had a six-month break from work, after that I could apply for project work with the company I used to work for.

    F: How does the scheme work?

    M: Well, it’s a trial at the moment. Instead of hiring temporary stuff, the company advertises posts on its website that retired employees like myself can access.

    F: What sort of works advertised?

    M: Well, all sorts of things, really. Administrative work and more specialized work, the sort of thing I can do. Some of the projects can last five or six months, and others can just be a couple of days. I can decide more or less when to work. So I can manage my own time.

    F: I can see it’s good for you. What is your company get out of this?

    M: Well, I still have all my old contacts at work, so I know who to contact to get something done. The company gets flexibility, too. Once the job’s over, that’s it. I’m not on their books any more. 
    Questions 19-21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

    19. Why does Simon find his retired life enjoyable?

    20. How does Simon get to know about the company’s available posts?

    21. Why does the company adopt the phased retirement scheme?
    长对话2
    W: Oh, where are we going?

    M: I want to show you something.

    W: I know, but what is it?

    M: A farm. It’s just down this road. It’s a small place, but at least it would be our own.

    W: A farm? How can we afford to buy a farm?

    M: It isn’t very large, only 40 acres. We wouldn’t have to pay very much right now.

    W: Is there a house on the place?

    M: A small one, two bedrooms, but it needs to be fixed up a little. I can do the job myself.

    W: OK. Is there enough space for a kitchen garden?

    M: There is about half an acre around the house. That’s plenty of space.

    W: Then we can grow our own fresh vegetables. And maybe keep a few chickens, couldn’t we?

    M: Yes, and we can probably grow a lot of our own food.

    W: What are you thinking about growing, if we do take this place?

    M: Well, it really isn’t big enough for corn. I thought we might try to raise a crop of potatoes.

    W: Potatoes? There are a lot of work.

    M: We are used to hard work, aren’t we?

    W: Yes, we are, but the money. Do we have enough to get started? It seems like a dream.

    M: I think we’ve saved enough. We can pay a little on the farm and maybe put a few dollars down on the tractor, too.

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

    Q 22: What are the speakers going to do at the time of the conversation?

    Q 23: What does the man say about the farm?

    Q 24: Why does the man intend to grow potatoes rather than corn on the farm?

    Q 25: What is the woman’s greatest concern about the man’s plan?