Section C

Directions: In this section, you will hear three 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 ques- tion, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D) . Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

There is a saying that goes something along the lines of ‘You must love yourself first before you can love someone else.’ Similarly, I personally believe that you must be comfortable and happy in your own company before you can truly be yourself in the company of others. There is a massive difference between being lonely and being alone. Loneliness is a horrible feeling. However, you don’t have to actually be alone to feel that way. Many times, I’ve felt lonely when surrounded by a big group of people. In contrast, being alone can actually be a blessing, particularly, when you’ve actively chosen it. In my experience, being bored and alone is dangerous and can easily lead to the feeling of loneliness. The trick is to be active. Get outside, stretch your legs, do something cultural, buy yourself something tasty to eat or something pretty to wear. You don’t have to take anyone else into consideration and can do whatever you please. Spending time alone also allows you to more efficiently take care of problems. And then, when it’s time to be social and meet up with your friends, you will be fully there, because you won’t have too much other stuff floating around in your mind. Having been alone for a bit, you will also appreciate your friends’ company more and chances are your time spent together will be more worthwhile.

Question 16: What does the speaker say about being alone?

Question 17: What does the speaker say how to reduce one’s feeling of loneliness?

Question 18: What is an advantage of spending one’s time alone?

2020年7月英语四级听力真题原文：短文2

Section C

Passage Two

When I turned twelve, I worked summers at my father’s small brick cleaning business. I remember the harsh acid smell of the cleaning solution, and the scraping sound of stiff iron brushes against rough brick. It was tempting to have your job just finish. But anybody who worked for Thomas Kahoon had to meet his standards, and that include of me. If I messed up, he made me stay late until I got it right.

My father wasn’t been me. He demanded the same at himself. Every brick he cleaned on the house stood out like a red jewel in a white setting. It was his signature.

In 1970, when I was twenty, I got married. I moved out my parent's modest place into a housing project.

Drugs and gang violent were just beginning to plague the projects.

Some of my friend went to jail. Some were killed. My wife Verllen, was 18, and nobody gave our marriage a chance. But we believed in each other. And our faith made us strong.

When we married, I worked as a stock clerk at Southwest Super Food. It was hard, tedious work. Each Friday night a truck came, with cases of food that had to be unloaded, priced and placed on shelves.

Most of stock clerks try to get Friday night off. But I was always ready to work. By Saturday morning, all the kinds and drawers in my aisle would place with a label facing smartly out, like a line of soldiers on review. That was my signature. I took pride in a job nobody wanted.

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

19. What do we learn about the speaker’s father?

20. What does the speak say about the housing project?

21. What do we learn about the speaker as a stock clerk?

2020年7月英语四级听力真题原文：短文3

Section C

Passage Three

Watching more than 3 hours of television a day doubles memory loss in older people, a new study of more than 3,000 adults suggests. Scientist at University College London used memory and fluency tests on the same group of people 6 years apart. They found that those who watched on average less than 3 hours television a day showed a decline ever round 4 to 5 percent, while those who tended to watch more than 3 hours a day declined by an average of 8 to 10 percent. The research team say they believe the alert but passive nature of television watching maybe creating stress on the mind, which contributes to memory decline.

Older people who watch more television are also less likely to undertake activities knowing to preserve mental functioning, such as reading or interactive screen base pursuits, such as using the internet or playing video games. The researchers say that television viewing maybe a risk factor for all Alzheimer’s disease, but more researches needed to establish a link.

While watching television may have educational benefits and relaxation benefits, the researchers advise that adults over the age of 50 should try and ensure that television viewing is balanced with other contrasting activities. If you’re concerned that the amount of television you’re watching could have a negative impact on your health, you should eliminate the amount of TV watch each day and undertake some healthy hobbies.

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.

22. By what means does scientist at University College London measure memory lost?

23. What contributed to memory decline in the participants?

24. What did the researchers say about their finding concerning the link between TV viewing and xxx this disease?

25. What do the researchers suggest older people do?