In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note-taking.
General criteria to follow in choosing a proper graduate school:
1. Reputation
2. (1)
• cost of study
— large cities: (2)
— medium-sized cities: charming
— choose the one you appreciate
• social environment
— students in small towns: (3)
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
Revise for components of the essay:
• (1) by breaking up some longer sentences
• use short sentences to make important points
• use long sentences to (2)
• eliminate (3) expressions
• use fresh and interesting descriptions
• write with (4) as much as possible
• write in the active voice
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note-taking.
Lab work
Research focus:
• How babies learn sounds in the first critical period
Results:
• Babies can (1) of all languages.
• Babies become language-bound before (2) .
— sound reaction between American and Japanese babies
— 6 to 8 months old: (3)
— two months later: (4)
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
Components of online education
• no constraints of (1)
— content design for online courses
— short, modular units each discussing (2)
— different ways of dealing with the material
— a much more (3)
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
Class attendance
• (1) attendance is required
Not doing so: no attendance certificate
• (2) : being taken in assigned groups
• Individual work: (3)
• Private study: (4) hours per day
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
1. What the most effective people and teams always do:
Go through life alternating between two zones:
• The learning zone:
— Goal: to (1)
— Features:
do activities (2) improvement
concentrate on what we haven't mastered
expect to make mistakes
maximize our growth and our future performance
• (3) :
— Goal: to do something as best as we can
— Features:
Concentrate on what we have mastered
(4) mistakes
Maximize our immediate performance
2. The reason why many hard-working people don't improve much:
Spending most of the time in the performance zone: (5) our growth and our performance
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
1. The meaning of confidence:
• Believe you are valuable, (1) and capable.
• Be certain of your abilities.
• Face a challenge head-on (2) .
2. Some (3) of cultivating confidence:
• A quick fix.
— Picture your success when starting a hard task.
• Believe in your ability to improve.
— Try to have (4) instead of a fixed mindset.
• Practice failure.
— When facing failure, try different strategies, ask others for advice, and (5) .
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
1. Current problem:
• Sitting too long: sit (1) a day
• Health consequences: breast cancer, colon cancer, (2) , type 2 diabetes
2. Walking meeting:
• Meaning: have a meeting while walking instead of going to coffee meetings or (3) meetings
• Benefits of walking:
— Improve your (4) : such as heart health, circulation and endurance
— Boost your creativity and (5)
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
Six beneficial aspects of playing sports:
1. (1) of character.
• Implement sports in education when a student learns about leadership.
2. Improvement of physical health.
3. Responsibility matters.
4. Improvement of (2) .
• Improve skills about memory, attention span, coordination, and focus.
5. (3) improvement.
• Let the accumulated energy out.
• Allow one's brain and stress to come out in a good way.
6. (4) improvement.
• Overcome various challenges.
In this section you will hear part of a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note- taking.
1. A survey about exam anxiety:
• 1,300 people were questioned.
• (1) have experienced exam anxiety.
2. Tips to help people beat exam anxiety:
• Get at least (2) of sleep before an exam.
• Have a (3) up to one week before an exam.
• Develop positive self-imagery.
• Picture yourself in (4) .
• (5) yourself with the exam room in advance.
【答案】
(1) Location (2) exciting but expensive (3) value social bonding
【听力原文】
[1] The second criterion lies in location of the school. OK. Why do we need to consider location of the school? Let me give you some reasons. Which part of the country you would prefer to be in for three years determines the cost of your study. [2] Living in a big city is exciting with a lot of varieties, but it should also be expensive. A medium-sized city located in a scenic spot can be charming but not exciting. So do not ignore the fact that you are about to spend two or three years of your life in the graduate school you choose. Try to spend it somewhere you will appreciate. And the location of a school helps determine its social environment. [3] Schools in large cities tend not to foster the degree of social bonding among classmates that schools in small towns do , largely due to the lack of other entertainment options in the latter.
【答案】
(1) provide variety (2) explain complex ideas (3) imprecise or wordy (4) nouns and verbs
【听力原文】
As for revision of sentences and words, most essay writers pile on one long sentence after another. [1] Well, I suggest you avoid this by breaking up some of the longer sentences to provide variety. [2] Use short sentences to make important points and long sentences to explain complex ideas. Also, try to use a variety of sentence structures to maintain reader interest. Eliminate sentences that sound awkward when read aloud.
[3] For diction, a very important tip is to eliminate imprecise or wordy language. For example, use “although” instead of “despite the fact that”. Try to add vigor to your writing by removing clichés, and use fresh and interesting descriptions. [4] Try to write as much as possible with nouns and verbs, rather than primarily with adjectives that slow the pace and reduce impact. Similarly, write in the active not the passive voice.
【答案】
(1) discriminate the sounds (2) their first birthdays (3) totally equivalent (4) incredible difference occurs / incredibly different
【听力原文】
Well, babies all over the world are what I like to describe as “citizens of the world”. [1] They can discriminate all the sounds of all languages, no matter what country we're testing and what language we're using, and that's remarkable because you know I can't do that. We're culture-bound listeners. We can discriminate the sounds of our own language, but not those of foreign languages.
So the question arises: When do those citizens of the world turn into the language-bound listeners that we are? [2] And the answer: before their first birthdays. What you see here is performance on that head-turn task for babies tested in Tokyo and the United States, here in Seattle, as they listened to the “ra” and “la”—sounds important to English, but not to Japanese. [3] So at six to eight months, the babies are totally equivalent. [4] Two months later, something, something incredible occurs. The babies in the United States are getting a lot better, while babies in Japan are getting a lot worse.
【答案】
(1) a physical classroom (2) a coherent concept (3) personalized curriculum
【听力原文】
First, let's talk a little bit about some of the components that go into online education. [1] The first component is that when you move away from the constraints of a physical classroom and design content for an online format, you can break away from, for example, the one-hour lecture format. [2] You can break up the material, for example, into short modular units of 8 to 12 minutes, and each of the short units introduces a coherent concept. Students can deal with this material in different ways, depending on their background, their skills or their interests. So, for example, some students might benefit from a little bit of preparatory material that other students might already have. Other students might be interested in a particular topic that they want to pursue individually. [3] So this format allows students to break away from the one-size-fits-all model of education, and allows students to follow a much more personalized curriculum.
【答案】
(1) 80% (2) Compulsory courses (3) optional / in labs/computer rooms (4) 3~4
【听力原文】
I would first of all like to welcome you all to the college. I know you have all worked hard in order to get here and I hope you will find all your effort has been worthwhile and that we will be able to help you achieve your ambitions as far as possible.
Now, about class attendance. [1] You are required to attend 80% of classes. If you do not do so, we will not be able to give you a certificate of attendance. You may require one for any particular purpose. In other words, we will not regard you as having followed the course at all. [2] The compulsory courses are those classes you take in your assigned groups. In a minute, Mr. Lucas will tell you which group you are in. [3] The extra, individual work available in the laboratory or the computer room is, of course, optional. In addition to classwork, [4] you are supposed to put in 3~4 hours a day of private study .
【答案】
(1) improve (2) designed for (3) The performance zone (4) Minimize (5) hinder
【听力原文】
Most of us go through life trying to do our best at whatever we do, whether it's our job, family, school or anything else. I feel that way. I try my best. But some time ago, I came to a realization that I wasn't getting much better at the things I cared most about even though I was spending a lot of time working hard at them.
So I'd like to share with you some insights into why that is and what we can all do about it. What I've learned is that the most effective people and teams in any domain do something we can all imitate.
[3] They go through life deliberately alternating between two zones: the learning zone and the performance zone.
[1] The learning zone is when our goal is to improve. [2] Then we do activities designed for improvement , concentrating on what we haven't mastered yet, which means we have to expect to make mistakes, knowing that we will learn from them. That is very different from what we do when we're in our performance zone, which is when our goal is to do something as best as we can, to execute. [4] Then we concentrate on what we have already mastered and we try to minimize mistakes.
Both of these zones should be part of our lives, but being clear about when we want to be in each of them, with what goal, focus and expectations, helps us better perform and better improve. The performance zone maximizes our immediate performance, while the learning zone maximizes our growth and our future performance. The reason many of us don't improve much despite our hard work is that we tend to spend almost all of our time in the performance zone. [5] This hinders our growth, and ironically, over the long term, also our performance.
【答案】
(1) worthwhile (2) bravely/courageously (3) practical tips / effective tips (4) a growth mindset (5) persevere
【听力原文】
What is confidence? [1] Take the belief that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable , also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then empowered by these, [2] act courageously to face a challenge head-on .
This is confidence.
Then how to be confident? [3] By keeping in mind a few practical tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence.
Tip one: a quick fix. There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate confidence boost in the short term. Picture your success when you're beginning a difficult task, something as simple as listening to music with deep bass; it can promote feelings of power.
Tip two: believe in your ability to improve. If you're looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents. Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed like a muscle? These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you're faced with setbacks. If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you've discovered something you're not very good at. But if you have a growth mindset and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. [4] On average, people who have a growth mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges.
Tip three: practice failure. Face it. You're going to fail sometimes. Everyone does. J. K. Rowling was rejected by twelve different publishers before one picked up Harry Potter . The Wright Brothers built on history's failed attempts at flight, including some of their own before designing a successful airplane. Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better equipped to respond to challenges and setbacks in a constructive way. [5] They learn how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and persevere.
So, think of a challenge you want to take on, realize it's not going to be easy, accept that you'll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do. Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it. You'll feel the excitement, knowing that whatever the result. You'll have gained greater knowledge and understanding. This is confidence.
【答案】
(1) 9.3 hours (2) heart disease (3) conference room (4) physical health (5) productivity
【听力原文】
[1] Nowadays people are sitting 9.3 hours a day , which is more than we're sleeping, at 7.7 hours. Sitting is so incredibly prevalent that we don't even question how much we're doing it, and because everyone else is doing it, it doesn't even occur to us that it's not okay.
Of course there's health consequences to this, scary ones, besides the waist. [2] Things like breast cancer and colon cancer are directly tied to our lack of physical activity. Ten percent in fact, on both of those, six percent for heart disease, seven percent for type 2 diabetes. Now, any of those statistics should convince each of us to get off our duff more, but if you're anything like me, it won't.
What did get me moving was a social interaction. Someone invited me to a meeting, but couldn't manage to fit me into a regular sort of conference room meeting, and said, “I have to walk my dogs tomorrow. Could you come then?” It seemed kind of odd to do, and actually, that first meeting, I remember thinking, I have to be the one to ask the next question, because I knew I was going to huff and puff during this conversation. And yet, I've taken that idea and made it my own. [3] So instead of going to coffee meetings or conference room meetings , I ask people to go on a walking meeting, to the tune of 20 to 30 miles a week. It's changed my life.
Several hundred of these walking meetings later, I've found several benefits of walking meetings.
[4] Improving your physical health is of course one of the best benefits. Walking can improve your heart health, circulation, endurance, and overall fitness, as well as reduce symptoms of depression, pain, and your risk of various diseases.
[5] Walking boosts your creativity and productivity. Because walking gets the blood flowing throughout your brain and body, it can positively impact your creativity, too. Looking at your screen for too long or sitting in hours-long meetings can make you feel like you're in a rut, but going outside and getting your blood pumping allows you to focus when you return to your desk with refreshed energy.
【答案】
(1) Development (2) cognitive skills/functions (3) Mental well-being/health (4) Problem-solving skills/capabilities
【听力原文】
Doing sports as a college or middle school student is very important today because it is not only a matter of physical development but also an important aspect related to mental health and a person's ability to participate in a competition.
[1] Doing sports helps to develop one's character , which is why it is actively implemented in education as an average student learns how to become a leader and fight for the common good.
One of the clearest benefits of sports in education is an improvement of physical growth processes and the overall condition of each learner. Even if one mentions basic exercising or doing stretching, it will instantly change the situation in a positive way as there will be an inflow of oxygen to one's brain.
It cannot be denied that sports teach students (and educators as well) about personal responsibility. It all starts with attending the training sessions to offer help to other learners as they are struggling to score or achieve success. Even when there are challenges encountered in the learning process, those students who know how to compete and be the team players know well that they can share their time and skills to help others.
[2] Playing sports also improves cognitive skills like memory, attention span, coordination, and focus. Even when a person is reading through a complex book, coordination gained from sports plays a positive role for the brain as the students remain focused without extra effort.
Contrary to popular belief, sports are not only about physical skills or endurance that always come along. It is also about letting the accumulated energy out and allowing one's brain and stress to come out in a good way instead of turning to aggression or inner destruction. [3] So playing sports also has a positive impact on people's mental well-being.
[4] What's more, sports in education help to improve the already existing problem-solving capabilities of a person without the use of textbooks or AI-based tools. When a team or an individual student competes with others, they learn how to overcome various challenges by learning how it can be helpful in a learning environment. Since this process happens automatically, it is one of those important benefits that educators all over the world use in their practice.
【答案】
(1) 96% / 96% of people (2) 6 / six hours (3) balanced diet (4) a happy moment (5) Familiarize
【听力原文】
No matter how prepared you are for the exam, you can't help but feel some anxiety, you know, like the butterflies in your stomach and potentially forgetting everything. Exam anxiety is epidemic among students worldwide. [1] One study found that out of 1,300 people questioned, 96% say that they've experienced exam anxiety at some point in their lives.
Feeling some anxiety is normal as your body releases adrenaline in times of stress which actually triggers your “fight-or-flight” response. Here are some scientific tips to help you beat that exam anxiety.
[2] Getting at least six hours of sleep is crucial before an exam. Making sure you're well rested will give you the confidence to face the challenge at hand. Pulling an all-nighter is a huge no-no when it comes to your brain having the ability to succeed.
[3] Studies have actually shown that those who have a balanced diet up to one week before an exam actually performed better than those who have a high meat or high protein diet. In fact, it's best to have a breakfast that's high in fiber and high in carbohydrates, so that the energy is released slowly and your brain doesn't crash in the exam. Losing energy quickly means losing your concentration, which means you might start to panic when you can't even answer the easy questions.
Positive self-imagery has been known to boost confidence and lower exam anxiety. But, it only works if you set yourself realistic goals.
[4] Try to picture yourself in a happy moment , whatever that might be, and then quickly switch to imagining yourself in the exam room. This helps your brain to associate those happy feelings with writing the exam and primes you to be ready.
[5] It's also important that you familiarize yourself with the exam room. If the exam room isn't your classroom, make sure you take a short field trip there few days before. This will also ensure you aren't late. By seeing the setting beforehand, it will help your brain be at ease during the exam, help you feel more confident and perform better.
Hopefully these scientific tips will help you go into your exam with confidence and feel like much less anxious.