新视野大学英语视听说 4 第四单元 MP3及文本
新视野大学英语视听说4 第四单元
Unit 4 Solving problems & seeking happiness
Listening to the world
Sharing
Scripts
V = Val; M1 = Man 1, etc.; W1 = Woman 1, etc.
Part 1
V: Hi. I’m Val and I work as a producer for the BBC here in London. I like living in London, but
it can be quite expensive. Today I’m talking to people about money and happiness. Do you
think money makes you happy?
Part 2
M1: No. Money can enhance happiness, but happiness is about family, friends, enjoyment, and
money can only help that – it doesn’t make you happy.
W1: I don’t think that money makes you happy, but it can enable you to do more things which
could make you a happier person.
M2: I think that lack of money makes people unhappy, and I think that people need money in
order to get the things that make them happy, but money itself I don’t think makes people
happy.
W2: I think money wouldn’t make you happy, er, won’t give you happiness directly, but I think it
could give you a little help, sometimes, to do things that you like. Yes.
W3: I think money can’t make you happy at the end of the day if you don’t have family and
friends to share your money with and to have a good time with.
W4: Um, money would probably contribute to my happiness, but certainly not make me fully
happy.
M3: Er, money makes a huge difference as to how happy you can be, er, but fundamentally
happiness doesn’t come from just having money: Happiness comes from being able to do the
things that content you.
Part 3
V: What things are more important than money?
M1: Family. I believe family is more important than money. Family can enhance your life: your
parents, your siblings, your children. Hearing your child laugh on a bad day will brighten
your mood: It does for me. My, my sons’ laughing together makes me feel wonderful.
W1: Love is more important than money. I think family is really important and, and having, like, a
nurturing environment to grow up in.
M2: Security, er, having a stable family, feeling at ease with yourself, feeling at ease with other
people.
W4: I believe that health is much more important than money.
M3: Being able to er, enjoy your particular set of circumstances: Feel contentment. Er, if you’re a
family man, being able to spend time with the family: Er, money is there, but it’s the family
itself that makes the difference.
W3: Your family, your friends, having good health and feeling satisfied with what you’re doing in
your life and I think money can’t give you that.
Part 4
V: Should wealthy people be taxed more to support the poor?
M1: Um, depending on how rich they are: I think the richer they are, the more they should pay.
M2: Yes, undoubtedly. Ah, I’m a strong believer in a progressive system of taxation.
W3: I think that some people just come from a much more disadvantaged background and they
need an extra push and some extra money to be able to get ahead.
M3: Whether the poor could do anything for themselves is, is the crucial question. And if the poor
can’t do er, anything for themselves, then finding a way in which er, the other end of the
spectrum can help them is important, yes. I would stop short at saying, “Yes, you should tax
the rich,” though “to pay for the poor.”
W2: I think, yes, there is a big difference in between the rich and the poor, and I think, if, if it’s
possible, the rich are supposed to give a little bit more for the poor and then perhaps we can
have a more equal world.
Listening
Scripts
S1 = Speaker 1, etc.
S1: I really can’t see the problem. The first thing I did when it all began was I tried to find my
house on the website but they hadn’t brought the camera van down our road yet, so I was
quite disappointed. For me, it’s great because it means I can go and look at things like hotels
or even cities before I go on holiday ... and anyway if someone wanted to look at my house,
they could just drive past it or walk past it, so I can’t see the problem.
S2: It’s obvious, isn’t it? I mean, they’re (they’ve) nothing to do with safety. They’re just used by
the government to make money. I mean, look at the statistics. In the last year, in my area four
cameras have been placed along one stretch of road, and you know what, the number of
accidents has doubled. So they obviously don’t work as a deterrent. And now your car
number plate can be logged so that they can keep track of you wherever you go. I hate it – I
hate being watchedlike that. It’s just another example of our surveillance society.
S3: The way I see it, it’s an invasion of privacy. It means whenever I go to the supermarket, it’s
recorded on a chip somewhere and they can find out exactly what I’ve bought. Why should
people have the right to know what kind of food I eat? Or get my details and then send me
junk mail? I certainly don’t want to be sent adverts from companies I don’t know. And this is
just the start ... I expect next thing you know, the technology will be used to tell us what we
can and can’t eat.
S4: Me, I’m glad they’re there. A few months ago I was robbed by two men at a bus stop not far
from where I live, but thanks to CCTV, the people who did it were all arrested. Um, it was a
bad experience, but at least they didn’t get away with it. And you see it in the news all the
time – that more crimes are being solved because of CCTV cameras. I think we should have
more of them. Most people are law-abiding anyway so they’ve got no need to worry.
S5: I actually think it’s an important development. There was a case recently, where there was
this big demonstration and lots of people took photos and these were sent to the media. So it
means that demonstrators and the police – everyone has to be more careful because their
photos might be sent to the newspapers or posted online. So in general, yeah, I feel it’s a
good thing.
Viewing
Scripts
M = Mark Easton; K = Professor Kahneman; I = Interviewee; T = Professor Tim Jackson
M: We work, we buy, consume, and die. We don’t know why. The science of happiness says the
answer is to rethink everything. The rat race: Give it up. The rich: Tax them. Holidays: Take
more. In short, transform the way we live. New York City, capital of the consumerist world
where status has a designer label sewn inside, but does happiness come in a gift-wrapped box?
And if it doesn’t, what on earth are we all doing?
K: It’s a fundamental fact in the happiness research: The standard of living has increased
dramatically and, ah, happiness has increased not at all, and in some cases has diminished
slightly. I mean there is a lot of evidence that, ah, being richer hasn’t made us, that isn’t
making us happier at least in the Western world, so we clearly need something else.
M: It’s a huge claim. Put simply, the science shows that once average incomes are more than
10,000 pounds a year, extra riches don’t make a country any happier. We are stuck on a
treadmill. In our search for happiness we work longer, commute further, to get richer, to buy
more. And yet the science of happiness suggests we should do exactly the opposite.
I: If only we could learn as a society to slow down we might all be able to become happier if we
could all take more leisure together.
T: The, the assumption that economic growth delivers happiness is suspect. The assumption that
consumer goods can fulfill all these tasks for us – social, psychological tasks, a sense of the
meaning of my life through material possessions, is deeply suspect, and if we want to make
progress in human terms, if we want to approach happiness in any degree, then it is these
assumptions that we have to re-examine.
M: It is starting to happen. Politicians are realizing that making people happy is as important as
making people rich. The next task, though, is working out how to convince us all to change the
way we live.
Speaking for communication
Role-play
Scripts
Conversation 1
W: Do you think you would ever have cosmetic surgery?
M: Me? No, I don’t think so. I’m really against it. Actually, I think it’s stu (stupid).
W: Really, why?
M: What? It can be quite dangerous – some of the implants you can have, from.
W: Yeah, I know what you mean.
M: Well, take the case of Mike’s girlfriend. She actually had some Botox injections in her
forehead.
W: Did she?
M: Yeah, and she couldn’t, you know she couldn’t.
W: Couldn’t move her face?
M: Yeah, she couldn’t smile or frown – her face was just frozen solid.
W: Hmm, although if someone’s really, really overweight and it becomes a health problem, do
you think maybe then they should have some kind of surgery, you know, such as liposuction to
get rid of fat?
M: Oh I see, for health reasons maybe, yes, I suppose so. I, I mean you’ve got a point there, but I
still don’t like the sound of it. I wouldn’t do it myself.
W: Hmm, I might, if it was to do with my health.
Conversation 2
W: Do you ever download music for free?
M: What? You mean illegally? No, I think I’m probably one of the few people that don’t do it.
I’ve always paid whether it’s the track price or the album price.
W: Why? I mean nobody I know pays.
M: Yeah, well, the way I see it, it’s just theft, isn’t it? I mean.
W: Oh, I totally disagree.
M: I mean, artists have copyright on their songs, so you’re stealing from them. It’s as simple as
that.
W: But it’s a well-known fact that musicians get very little money from CD sales anyway. So they
don’t lose out. I mean, they want people to hear their music.
M: Hmm. I’m not so sure about that. If people share the music without paying, how can musicians
make any money?
W: Well, the famous ones, they don’t need more money and for newer groups, file sharing is the
way they get known, so they don’t have to spend a fortune, you know, on things like record
companies and managers and ...
M: What? Yeah, but ...
W: ... anyway, nowadays singers and groups make most of their money from concerts.
M: Hmm. I’m still not convinced. Are, aren’t you worried about being found out? For instance,
what about that woman in America? Because of the hundreds of tracks she downloaded
illegally, she got fined something like two million dollars.
W: Two million dollars? Ouch!
M: Yeah, so maybe you’d better think again.
W: Hmm.
Conversation 3
M: Have you seen this plan in the local paper for changes to the city center?
W: Um, oh, you mean the idea to ban cars from the center?
M: Yes, and only allowing buses. What do you think of the idea?
W: Oh, I’m in favor of it. I think it’d be really good for the environment, you know for cutting
down pollution.
M: Hmm. Well, I don’t know, apparently it’s been shown that buses are more polluting than cars.
W: How can they be? But, well, even if they are at the moment, it seems to me that they’re bound
to get better, you know, they’ll get replaced with electric buses or something like that.
M: Hmm, maybe.
W: Does that mean you’re against it?
M: Yes, on balance, I think I am. I mean, according to the article, when they did a trial in another
town, there was a reduction in shop sales – apparently almost 10 percent.
W: That doesn’t sound right, if more people came in on buses. I suppose the main thing is to put
money into making sure you have a good public transport system.
M: OK, I mean I agree to some extent, but actually, I think the town center works perfectly fine as
it is.
W: But it’s clogged up. You know, you can’t move; it’s polluted.
M: It’s a bit clogged up, but if you’re patient you eventually find somewhere to park.
W: Ah, I just hope they decide soon.
M: Yeah.
Group discussion
Scripts
W = Woman; M = Man
W: Excuse me. Hello, sorry to bother you. Have you got a minute?
M: Ah, yeah sure.
W: Um, do you mind if I ask you some questions? I’m just doing a survey on happiness.
M: Right.
W: I’ll read out the questions to you, and you can just tell me what you think if that’s OK.
M: Yeah, fine.
W: Great. Um, could you look at this list of five things, so you’ve got, ah, number one car, then
two is friendship, three good food, four money, and five free time. So which two of these
would you find it (find) the most difficult to live without?
M: Um, which two, the most difficult to live without?
W: Yes.
M: Ah, well I couldn’t live without friendship. I’m, I’m a very social animal. I need, um, family
and friends around me, so it can’t be that one. Um – oh no sorry that is, to live without ...
yes ...
W: That’s one.
M: That is one, so ...
W: Then we just need one more.
M: ... friendship is definitely one of them. Ah ...
W: Yes, number two, OK.
M: Oh, that’s difficult. Free time, I don’t have any anyway. Ah, I could lose the car. I think that
wouldn’t be a problem. Um, do you know what ...
W: How about money?
M: ... sad as it is, it’s probably money, because money actually ...
W: Money, yeah, most people ...
M: ... you know leads to happiness in, in indirect ways I think.
W: OK, so I’m gonna put number two and number four for that one. And also how happy would
you say you are, on a scale of one to five, five being very happy?
M: Today or just generally?
W: I think generally.
M: Oh generally OK, um, oh, ah, three or four, um – three and a half.
W: Ah.
M: Can I have half?
W: No.
M: Oh, OK. Um, well you’ve made me laugh. I’ll have four.
W: Oh, lovely. I’ll put you down for four. And what would you say is missing from your life, so
what would make you happier?
M: Ah, probably, ah, working nearer to home?
W: OK.
M: That’s, I think you know ... just generally the time that would give me ...
W: Right.
M: ... with family.
W: So maybe it’s free time then ...
M: Yeah, yeah.
W: ... more of that. OK that’s lovely. Thank you ever so much for taking part. Really do appreciate
it.
M: You’re welcome.
W: OK, bye-bye.
Further practice in listening
Short conversations
Scripts
Conversation 1
M: I think the government could provide some money for homeless people to build their own
homes. Homeless people would find it easier to get jobs if they had an address.
W: It’s not a bad idea. But I wonder where the money will come from.
Q: What does the man think the government could do?
Conversation 2
W: You see, some colleagues are not as active and efficient as usual and few have made any
progress in their business recently.
M: Why don’t we organize some social activities, such as a baseball match? Our colleagues can
learn to help and cooperate with one another.
Q: What does the man suggest to change the situation?
Conversation 3
W: I need to go across town, but the traffic is so heavy at this time of day.
M: When you take the subway, you don’t have to deal with traffic. I never drive home. Driving at
this time may be slower than walking.
Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?
Conversation 4
W: Have you heard? Kate quit her job and went to Africa to work as a volunteer!
M: Really? I really admire her courage. I think we should all extend an arm of help, love and
compassion to help poor people become self-reliant financially and psychologically.
Q: What does the man think we all should do?
Conversation 5
W: You know there are many creative ways to reuse items. For example, old shoe boxes can be
used for storage and plastic containers can be used for growing plants.
M: I never realized that we could be so green. I just learned to recycle glass bottles.
Q: What are the two speakers talking about?
Long conversation
Scripts
W: Hey, John! Everything OK? You look upset.
M: Oh, hi Kate. I was in the cafeteria eating alone. James from accounting walked by, sat down to
eat at the table right next to me – didn’t say a single word to me. I wondered why.
W: Is that the main thing stressing you out, John?
M: No, I was silly to feel bad about that. What I am stressed about is my workload. My manager,
Steven, is a great guy. He always counts on me to get the work done. But I have five meetings
this week and two big projects to complete by next Monday. I don’t see how I can finish. I’m
really worried I’ll let my team down.
W: I have some free time on Friday and over the weekend. I can help you with your extra work if
you’d like. I know that feeling of being overwhelmed with work. It’s awful. I’d like to help.
M: Really? You’d do that for me?
W: Of course I will! John, a lot of us really admire your work. Some of us have asked to work on
your team. You’re a great example to us, John. You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I’m glad to help
out.
M: Wow, Kate. Thanks!
W: We could ... discuss it over dinner on Thursday. My treat!
M: Wow. No ... I mean I get to buy dinner, Kate! How about the new restaurant on 6th Street, 365?
It’s called 365 because it offers local, seasonal foods – fall, winter, spring, and summer –
healthy choices with wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Let’s meet at 7 p.m.
W: Sounds wonderful! Thursday, 7 p.m. at the new restaurant 365 on 6th Street. Perfect!
Q1: Why does the man look upset?
Q2: How does the woman say she can help the man?
Q3: What advice does the woman give to the man?
Q4: Why is the restaurant called 365?
Passage 1
Scripts
More than half of working Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs, according to a survey.
That’s bad news for employers because workers’ discontent can hurt productivity and hinder
innovation.
Lynn Franco, co-author of the report, says Americans’ job satisfaction is at its lowest level in
more than two decades: Only 45.3 percent of workers say they are satisfied with their jobs
compared with 61 percent in 1987.
The report was produced by the Conference Board, a non-profit organization that helps
businesses strengthen their performance. It is based on a survey of 5,000 US households. It shows
a drop in satisfaction in many aspects of an employee’s work life, including interest in the job,
dealing with co-workers and bosses, commuting and job security. As a group, neither young
people who are just entering the workforce nor employees who are about to retire, Franco says, are
happy with what they do.
Only about 36 percent of workers under the age of 25 say they are currently satisfied with
their jobs. And it’s not much better among baby boomers. Twenty years ago, more than 50 percent
of baby boomers were satisfied. Today, that’s down to 46 percent.
The most satisfied group of workers in the survey was those aged 25 to 34. Franco suggests
that they may see some opportunities for upward mobility as baby boomers retire.
The Conference Board survey also asked about the reasons behind job dissatisfaction. There
are economic reasons such as wages, promotion policy and bonus policy that are sort of adding to
this level of dissatisfaction. In addition, workers are also dissatisfied with the benefits: vacation
policy, family-related leave time, work schedule flexibility, and a variety of other factors as well.
Q1: What negative effect can be caused by workers’ discontent?
Q2: What percentage of American workers are satisfied with their jobs as found by the survey?
Q3: Why is it that people aged 25 to 34 are most satisfied with their jobs?
Q4: What can we conclude about the reasons behind job dissatisfaction?
Passage 2
Scripts and answers
In recent years, doctors have focused on the growing rate of diabetes among children and
young people. But the most common kind of diabetes, type II, is more 1) prevalent as people grow
older and gain more weight. Before you know it, there is more fat around the waist and hips than
you remembered. The statistics are 2) scary enough to make you want to stop eating immediately.
The World Health Organization says by 2015, more than two billion adults will be
overweight and 700 million will 3) be classified as obese. Being overweight or obese is an
expanding problem in many countries. Less physical activity and foods high in fat and sugar are
considered as causes for this global 4) epidemic.
Some researchers studied how body composition, the 5) ratio of lean tissue to fat, and
increased weight affected the risk of diabetes in more than 4,000 adults, aged 65 and older.
At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had been 6) diagnosed with diabetes.
Researchers assess the relationship between being overweight and the disease through 7) keeping
track of their body mass index.
According to researchers, even among adults over the age of 75, having a higher body mass
index 8) was still associated with a considerably higher risk of diabetes. Men who were obese had
a five and a half times higher risk of diabetes than those who were just overweight. For women,
the risk was about three and a half times higher.
As hard as it might be, making sure your weight stays at a healthy level is the only way to
keep the risk of diabetes down. The results 9) affirm the importance of weight control during the
middle and later stages of life 10) in terms of reducing diabetes risks. The study has sent a
warning signal to those who don’t think that there is much connection between their waists and
their health.