北师大版高中英语必修2Unit4课文听力音频

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Lesson 1   Tomorrow’s World

The Future of Cyberspace

Peter Taylor finds out how computers and the Internet are going to affect our lives.

In last thirty years, the Internet has grown rapidly. In 1983, there were only 200 computers connected to the Internet; now there are around 50 million and this growth is clearly going to continue.

Some expert are pessimistic about the future. One worry is crime in cyberspace. Even now, young hackers can get into the computers of banks and governments. In the future, terrorists may “attack” the world’s computers, cause chaos, and make planes and trains crash.

However, many people are optimistic about the future of the Internet. Already, users can buy books, find out about holidays offers, books tickets, and get all sorts of information from the Internet. 

“In the next few years,” say Angela Rossetto of Cyberia magazine, “it is clear that we are going to see a huge growth in shopping on the Internet.” She also believes that, in the future, we will get entertainment from the Net and that television will probably disappear. The mail service may also disappear with the increasing use of e-mail.

Some experts see our future in virtual reality – the use of computers with sounds and pictures that make you feel as if you are in a real situation. “Personally, I think virtual reality will become a part of modern life,” say Australian expert Peter Anderson.

 “I see people living and working in a virtual world. We will work in virtual offices, shop in virtual supermarkets, and we will even study in virtual schools.”

Lesson 3       Virtual Reality

Tom: Hi, Cathy. What are you up to this weekend?

Cathy: Don’t ask, Tom. I have lots of work to do. If I don’t finish my project on the history of the Internet for next Monday’s lesson, the science teacher will be angry. What about you? Do you have anything planned for Saturday and Sunday?

Tom: It depends on the weather. If it’s good, Dad, and Mum and I will probably go camping. But we won’t go if it rains. Hey, if I stay home, I’ll help you help with you project if you like. 

Cathy: Thanks for the offer. Tom, can you suggest any good books for my project? If you tell me some titles, I’ll look for them in the library. 

Tom: Use the library computer, If you go to the Science Museum website, you’ll find lots of good information. I’ll send you the website address when I get home. 

Cathy: Thanks. Just think, if we had virtual reality holidays, we wouldn’t have any problem with the weather. What’s more, we wouldn’t have to spend a long time travelling in planes to get to our holiday destinations. 

Tom: What do you mean? 

Cathy: Well, in the future, we’ll be able to use modern technology to go anywhere we like. We won’t have to go there in the flesh at all! Wouldn’t that be great? I feel excited just thinking about it. 

Tom: I don’t understand. Cathy, do you mean we’ll use the computer to travel around the world, entering and exiting countries in seconds and visiting all the historical sites? 

Cathy: That’s right! Just imagine never having to pack a suitcase! We would not only be able to travel around the world, but also go to study in any world famous universities we wanted to. 

Tom: That could be really exciting! But I still find it hard to imagine. You would see it but you couldn’t dip your toes in the sea or eat the foods you saw. You would not experience it. 

Cathy: Well, if they invented virtual reality holidays, I’d go on an around-the-world tour. Tom, what would you like to do if someone gave you the change? 

Tom: I don’t really know. Personally, I’m more interested in virtual universities than virtual reality holidays. I’d like to go to a world-famous university, like Stanford. But I guess, a virtual university just wouldn’t be the same, would it? 

Cathy: True, but just think-you would be able to study in such a world-famous university without going out of your room!

Lesson 4       Virtual Tourism

AUCKLAND * new Zealand

                 a guide

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand. It has a population of just under a million people and is located on North Island. This seaside city is an important centre for business and industry. It is also the most exciting city in New Zealand with people of many different cultures living there.

The history of the city goes back 650 years when the Maoris settled in the area. European settlement began in 1840 when the British arrived, Auckland was the capital of New Zealand for some time. Later, the capital moved to Wellington, because it was more central. Since 1945, the city of Auckland has grown and it now has large modern suburbs. In 1985, the New Zealand government made the whole country a nuclear-free zone and since then Auckland has been a centre for protest against nuclear testing in Asia Pacific. 

Famous sights include Mt Eden, one of many large volcanoes, as well as the Auckland Harbour Bridge. At the Parnell Village, you can visit amazing view from the Sky Tower, which is the city’s tallest Tower. You can also see Maori traditional dances at the Auckland Museum. 

From anywhere in the city, you can see the sea. Auckland is called “the city of sails” because it has more boats than anywhere else in the world. It has a warm climate with plenty of sunshine – the average temperature in January (summer) is 23.4℃ and in July (winter) it is 7.8℃. It has some of the best beaches in New Zealand for doing water sports: swimming, diving, fishing, sailing and surfing. 

It is easy to travel between Auckland and the rest of New Zealand. There are regular international flights, too. However, flights from Europe take over twenty-four hours and are expensive. 

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