Long Conversation 2:

W: So why exactly does your job have a reputation for being stressful?

M: Stress is generally driven by the feeling of being out of control of a situation, and a feeling of a situation controlling you. Trading in financial markets combines both.

W: How do you relax in the evening?

M: I very rarely do anything work-related. So it’s easy to escape the markets. I generally go to the gym or go for a run, especially if I’ve had a bad day. I always cook a meal, rather than have a take-away., to do something my brain would regard as creative.

W: Do you think what you do to relax is an effective way to beat stress?

M: I don’t think there’s a specific rule about how to beat stress. I generally find that what I do is effective for me.

W: Would you consider changing your job because of the high-stress factor?

W: I have considered leaving my job due to stress-related factors. However, I do think that an element of stress is a good thing, and if use the right way, can actually be a positive thing.

W: What do you enjoy about the stressful aspects of your job?

M: Having said all that, I do actually enjoy and element of uncertainty. I enjoy a mental challeng. Trading generates a wide range of emotions second by second. How you deal with and manage those emotions dictates short, medium, and long term trading perfomance and success.

Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you’ve just herad.

23. What is the man’s job?

24. Why does the man prefer to cook a meal rather than have a take-away?

25. What does the man say about an element of stress in his job?

Passage 1

Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believe that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water

Passage 2

In her early days as an emergency room physician, Doctor Joanna Myer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated and was being prepared for discharge, Doctor Myer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home. Also listening to her were a half a dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’d been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed.” she said, ”All of them had heard the simple instructions I have given just a few hours before, but they have three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.” This episode gave Doctor Myer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later- most people just don’t listen very well. Nowadays, she says she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients. She asks them to tell her what they think they are supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets which are computer printouts tailored to the patients’ situation. Doc. Myer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with the challenge because human speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.

Question 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard：

29. What did the child’s family members argue about in the hospital?

30. What did Doc. Myer do to insure her patients understand her instructions?

31. What does the speaker say about human speech?

Passage 3

It’s logical to suppose that things like good labor relations, good working conditions, good wages

Compound Dictation

In the humanities, authors write to inform you in many ways. These methods can be classified into three types of informational writing: factual, descriptive, and process. Factual writing provides background information on an author, composer or artist, or on a type of music, literature, or art. Examples of factual writing include notes on a book jacket or album cover, and longer pieces such as an article describing a style of music, which you might read in a music appreciation course. This kind of writing provides a context for your study of the humanities. As its name implies, descriptive writing simply describes, or provides an image of a piece of music, art or literature. For example, descriptive writing might list the colors an artist used in a painting or the instruments a composer included in a musical composition. So estimate pictures or sounds in a reader’s mind by calling up specific details of the work. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing. Process writing explains a series of actions that bring about a result. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique to shoot a film. This kind of writing is often found in art, where understanding how an artist created a certain effect is important. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.