2016年12月四级听力原文第一套.doc

College English Test Band FourPart ⅡⅡ Listening Comprehension Section A News Report One A 16th century castle in Scotland is close to collapsing after lumps of soil were washed away by floods,threatening its foundations.On Sunday,the castle's owner John Gordon, 76,was forced to move out of his property after the River Dee swept away about 60 feet of land,leaving the castle dangerously close to the river,according to the Scottish Daily Record. Abergeldie Castle,located in Aberdeenshire,Scotland,was built by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly.The castle, which is located on 11,700 acres, was leased to members of the royal family between 1848 and 1970,including King Edward VII and George V.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 35 flood warningscovering several regions,as Scotland continues to clean upafter Storm Frank hit the country last Wednesday.“This means that rivers will rise more slowly,but then stay high for much longer,“the environmental agency said. Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news reportyou have just heard. 1. Why did John Gordon move out of Abergeldie Castle? 2. What happened in Scotland last Wednesday? News Report Two Rescue efforts were underway Thursday morning for 17 miners who were stuck in an elevator below ground at Cargill rock salt mine near Lansing, New York,according to Marcia Lynch,public information officer with Tompkins County's emergency response department.Emergency workers have made contact with the miners via a radio,and they all appear to be uninjured,said Jessica Verfuss,the emergency department's assistant director.Crews have managed to provide heat packs and blankets to the miners so that they can keep warm during the rescue operation,Verfuss said.Details about what led tothe workers' being trapped in the elevator weren't immediately available.The mine, along New York's Cayuga Lake,processes salt used for road treatment.It produces about 2 million tons of salt that is shipped to more than 1,500 places in the northeastern United States. The rock salt mine is one of three operated by Cargill with the other twoin Louisiana and Ohio. Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3. What does the news report say about the salt miners?4. What did the rescue team do? News Report Three The U.S.Postal Service announced todaythat it is considering closingabout 3,700 post offices over the next yearbecause of falling revenues.Facing an $8.3 billion budget deficit this year, closing post offices is one of several proposalsthe Postal Service has put forth recently to cut costs.Last week, for example,Postmaster General Pat Donahoe announced plansto stop mail delivery on Saturdays,a move he says could save $3 billion annually.“We are losing revenue as we speak,“Donahoe said.“We do not want taxpayer money.We want to be self-sufficient. So like any other business,you have to make choices.“Dean Granholm,the vice president for deliveryand post office operations,said the first wave of closingswould begin this fall.He estimated that about 3,000 postmasters,500 station managers andbetween 500 and 1,000 postal clerkscould lose their jobs.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news reportyou have just heard. 5. What is the U.S.Postal Service planning to do? 6. What measure has been planned to save costs? 7. What will happen when the proposed measurecomes into effect? Section B Conversation One M: Mrs.Hampton, we've got trouble in the press room this morning. W: Oh dear, what about? M: One of the press operators arrived an hour and a half late. W: But that's a straightforward affair. He will simply lose part of his pay. That's why we have a clock-in system. M: But the point is the man was clocked inat 8 o'clock.We have John standing by the time clock,and he swears he saw nothing irregular. W: Is John reliable? M: Yes, he is.That's why we chose him for the job. W: Have you spoken to the man who was late? M: Not yet.I thought I'd have a word with you first.He's a difficult man,and I think there's been some troubleon the shop floor.I've got a feeling that trade union representative is behind this.The manager told me thatJack Green's been very active around the shop the last few days. W: Well, what do you want me to do? M: I was wondering if you'd see Smith—the man who was late—because you are so much better at handling things like this. W: Oh, alright.I'll see him.I must say I agree with youabout there being bad feelings in the works.I've had the idea for some timethat Jack Green's been busy stirring things up in connection with the latest wage claim.He's always trying to make trouble.Well, I'll get the manager to send Smith up here. Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 8. What will happen to the press operator who was late for work according to the woman? 9. What does the man say about John who stands by the time clock? 10. Why does the man suggest the woman 。