聽力原文： Snow is a subject of great interest to weather experts. Experts sometimes have difficulty estimating where, when or how much snow will fall. One reason is that heavy amounts of snow fall in surprisingly small areas. Another reason is that a small change in temperature can mean the difference between snow and rain.

Snow falls in extreme northern and southern areas of the world throughout the year. However, the heaviest snowfalls have been reported in the mountains of other areas during winter. These areas include the Alps in Italy and Switzerland, the coastal mountains of western Canada, and the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains in the United States. In warmer climates, snow is known to fall in areas over four thousand nine hundred meters above sea level.

Snow can be beautiful to look at, but it can also be dangerous.

Snow is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people in the United States every year. Many people die in traffic accidents on roads that are covered with snow or ice. Others die from being out in the cold or from heart attacks caused by extreme physical activity.

A few years ago, a major storm caused serious problems in the eastern United States. It struck the Southeast in January 1996, before moving up the East Coast. The storm was blamed for more than one hundred deaths. It forced nine states to declare emergency measures.

Virginia and West Virginia were hit hardest. In some areas, snowfall amounts were more than one meter high. Several states limited driving to emergency vehicles. Most major airports were closed for at least a day or two.

A week later, two other storms brought additional snow to the East Coast. In the New York City area, the added weight of the snow forced the tops of some buildings to collapse. Many travelers were forced to walk long distances through deep snow to get to train stations.

People may not be able to avoid living in areas where it snows often. However, they can avoid becoming victims of winter snowstorms.

People should stay in their homes until the storm has passed. While removing large amounts of snow, they should stop and rest often. Difficult physical activity during snow removal can cause a heart attack. It is always a good idea to keep a lot of necessary supplies in the home even before winter begins. These supplies include food, medicine, clean water, and extra power supplies.

Some drivers have become trapped in their vehicles during a snowstorm. If this happens, people should remain in or near their car unless they see some kind of help. They should get out and clear space around the vehicle to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide gas poisoning.

People should tie a bright-colored object to the top of their car to increase the chance of rescue. Inside the car, they should open a window a little for fresh air and turn on the engine for ten or fifteen minutes every hour for heat.

People living in areas with winter storms should carry emergency supplies in their vehicles. They should include food, emergency medical supplies, and extra clothing to stay warm and dry. People in these areas should always be prepared for winter emergencies.

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Section B

Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.

聽力原文：Winter weather has arrived in northern areas of the world. In much of the United States, winter means the return of mow. Snow is a subject of great interest to weather experts. Experts sometimes have difficulty estimating where, when or how much snow will fall.

Snow is a form. of frozen water. It contains many groups of tiny ice particles, called snow crystals. These crystals grow from water panicles in cold clouds. They usually grow around a piece of dust. All snow crystals have six sides, but they grow in different shapes. The shape depends mainly on the temperature and water levels in the air. The shape of a snow crystal may change from one form. to another as the crystal passes through levels of air with different temperatures. When melting snow crystals or raindrops fall through very cold air, they freeze to form. mall particles of ice, called sleet.

When snow crystals stick together, they produce snowflakes. Snowflakes come in different sizes. As many as 100 crystals may join together to form. a snowflake larger than two-and-one-half centimeters. Snow contains much less water than rain. About 15 centimeters of wet snow has as much water as 2.5 centimeters of rain. Each year, the continental United States has an average of 100 snow storms. An average storm produces snow for two to five days. Almost every part of the country has received snowfall at one time or another. Even parts of southern Florida have reported a few snowflakes.

Why are weather experts greatly interested in snow?

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A．Because the shape of snow crystal(晶體) is still a mystery for experts.

B．Because the snowfall is a blessing for human beings.

C．Because experts have different ideas about the formation of snowflakes.

D．Because it is not easy to judge the time or place of snowfall.

聽力原文：W: I have eaten in so many restaurants during the past week that the idea of eating out makes me sick.

M: I feel the same way, but there is no way for us to get out of this invitation.

Q: What is the speakers' attitude towards eating out again?

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A．They feel too tired to accept the invitation.

B．They have eaten out too much that they are used to it.

C．They have no alternative but to go.

D．They have different opinions about whether to eat out or not.

聽力原文：M: It's so crowded here. I want to go out for a breath of fresh air. Well, the smoking section looks so empty!

W: Oh, dear, you can find a better excuse!

Q: What does the man want to do?

(14)

A．He wants to find an empty room.

B．He wants to take some fresh air.

C．He wants to stay away from the crowd.

D．He wants to smoke.

聽力原文：W: Oh, Ken, I have been meaning to talk to you.

M: Hi, Denise! What's up?

W: I have this great job lined up to manage a clothing store at the mall.

M: Oh, say in detail, please.

W: Well, one of the professors in my department just told me about a summer practice program that is available. She thinks I might be able to practice in the office at the Wayfarer Hotel here in town.

M: That sounds like a great opportunity, too. Why not take advantage of it?

W: I'd love to, especially since I'm studying hotel management. It would be a great way to get some practical experience in my field.

M: And you never know, it might lead to something with them after graduation. They're one of the biggest hotel chains in the area.

W: You're right. But the problem is that I wouldn't be making nearly as much money as I would be working in the clothing store. Not to mention the discount I'd get on clothes there.

M: How much money can you get from your practice work?

W: Very little money. But I can get a free room and board for the summer.

M: Well, if I were you, I'd take it anyway. You can always get a job during the school year next year to make a few extra bucks.

(23)

A．To ask for help finding a job.

B．To ask him to give her some advice.

C．To invite him to go shopping with her later.

D．To find out what he's doing during the summer.

聽力原文：W: Oh, Ken, I have been meaning to talk to you.

M: Hi, Denise! What's up?

W: I have this great job lined up to manage a clothing store at the mall.

M: Oh, say in detail, please.

W: Well, one of the professors in my department just told me about a summer practice program that is available. She thinks I might be able to practice in the office at the Wayfarer Hotel here in town.

M: That sounds like a great opportunity, too. Why not take advantage of it?

W: I'd love to, especially since I'm studying hotel management. It would be a great way to get some practical experience in my field.

M: And you never know, it might lead to something with them after graduation. They're one of the biggest hotel chains in the area.

W: You're right. But the problem is that I wouldn't be making nearly as much money as I would be working in the clothing store. Not to mention the discount I'd get on clothes there.

M: How much money can you get from your practice work?

W: Very little money. But I can get a free room and board for the summer.

M: Well, if I were you, I'd take it anyway. You can always get a job during the school year next year to make a few extra bucks.

Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

19. Why does Denise like to talk to Ken?

20. Why might the summer practice be a good opportunity for Denise?

21. What's the main disadvantage of the summer practice for Denise?

22. What does Ken suggest Denise do?

(23)

A．To ask for help finding a job.

B．To ask him to give her some advice.

C．To invite him to go shopping with her later.

D．To find out what he's doing during the summer.

聽力原文：W: Oh, Ken, I have been meaning to talk to you.

M: Hi, Denise! What's up?

W: I have this great job lined up to manage a clothing store at the mall.

M: So what's the problem?

W: Well, one of the professors in my department just told me about a summer practice program that is available. She thinks I might be able to practice in the office at the Wayfarer Hotel here in town.

M: That sounds like a great opportunity, too. Why not take advantage of it?

W: I'd love to, especially since I am studying hotel management. It would be a great way to get some practical experience in my field.

M: And you never know, it might lead to something with them after graduation. They're one of the biggest hotel chains in the area.

W: You're right. But the problem is that I wouldn't be making nearly as much money as I would be working in the clothing store. Not to mention the discount I'd get on clothes there.

M: How much money can you get from your practice work?

W: Very little money. But I can get a free room and board for the summer.

M: Well, if I were you, I'd take it anyway. You can always get a job during the school year next year to make a few extra bucks.

(23)

A．To ask for help finding a job.

B．To ask him to give her some advice.

C．To invite him to go shopping with her later.

D．To find out what lie's doing during the summer.

聽力原文：M: Oh, Ken, I have been meaning to talk to you.

W: Hi, Denise! What's up?

M: I have this great job lined up to manage a clothing store at the mall.

W: So what's the problem?

M: Well, one of the professors in my department just told me about a summer practice program that is available. She thinks I might be able to practice in the office at the Wayfarer Hotel here in town.

W: That sounds like a great opportunity, too. Why not take advantage of it?

M: I'd love to, especially since I am studying hotel management. It would be a great way to get some practical experience in my field.

W: And you never know, it might lead to something with them after graduation. They're one of the biggest hotel chains in the area.

M: You're right. But the problem is that I wouldn't be making nearly as much money as I would be working in the clothing store. Not to mention the discount I'd get on clothes there.

W: How much money can you get from your practice work?

M: Very little money. But I can get a free room and board for the summer.

W: Well, if I were you, I'd take it anyway. You can always get a job during the school year next year to make a few extra bucks.

(23)

A．To ask for help finding a job.

B．To ask him to give her some advice.

C．To invite him to go shopping with her later.

D．To find out what he's doing during the summer.

聽力原文：W: I have eaten in so many restaurants during the past week that the thought of eating out again makes me sick.

M: I feel the same way, but there is no way to get out of this dinner appointment.

Q: What does the man mean?

(19)

A．He has refused another dinner appointment.

B．He doesn't eat out very often.

C．He knows the way to the restaurant.

D．He does not like to eat out either.

聽力原文：W：I have eaten in too many restaurants during the past month and now I feel it will make me weak when I think of eating out again．

M：I'm feeling that way too，but there's no way to get out of this appointment．

Q：What does the man think of the woman's feelings?

(16)

A．He is annoyed by her.

B．He agrees with her.

C．He expresses no opinion.

D．He disagrees with her.