We usually tune in to the news. 其它短语：

tune out 关掉；停止（收听、收看） tune up 调音

2. work tirelessly 孜孜不倦地工作

3. overwhelm vt. 征服，压倒；使受不了，使不知所措 eg:

He met with an accident that overwhelmed his career. The horror of it had overwhelmed me.

Understanding Short Conversations Now you will hear ten short conversations. A question will follow each conversation. Listen carefully and choose the best answer from the four possible choices.

1. M: You’ve been working so hard. I know you don’t want to rest because you love your job. But remember what people say: Relax or die.

W: Thanks for caring so much. But, really, I’m feeling fine. I don’t need time off.

Q: Why does the woman say she doesn’t need any rest?

2. M: Aren’t you taking on1 too much work? Life is meant for fun, you know? W: If I had less ambition2, I could relax more. But I want to get a better job. Q: Why does the woman work so much?

2. W: When did it become clear to you that the company president was working himself to death3?

M: I had no idea he was overwhelmed until he quit. Before that, I always thought he was happy.

Q: When did the man realize the company president was working too hard?

4. M: You look very tense4 these days! What’s going on?

W: Work! My new boss is giving me too much to do and a lot of pressure to get it done quickly.

Q: What makes the woman feel stressed?

5. W: Are you sure you want the job? The previous5 three managers developed psychological problems6 because of the stress.

M: I think I’ll be able to handle7 it OK because I’m much younger. Q: Why does the man think he can deal with the stress of the job?

6. W: From my viewpoint8, stress is best handled by taking regular9 vacations from work.

M: Are you kidding?10 If I did that, my work wouldn’t get done, and I’d have even more stress.

Q: What would give the man more stress?

7. M: The interviews will be tomorrow. What should we look for in a new employee? W: I think we need someone who looks physically healthy and able to deal with stress.

Q: According to the woman, what kind of employee should they look for?

8. W: I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. No matter how hard I work11, I can’t seem to catch up.

M: Well, you can’t work 24 hours a day. Set you priorities12, and only do what’s the

most important.

Q: According to the man, what should the woman do?

9. W: Oh, could you give me a break once in a while13? People can be worked to death if they don’t get a chance to relax.

M: I had no idea you were having such trouble. Why don’t you take a vacation? Q: What is the relationship between the two speakers?

10. W: I’m glad you came. Maybe I can suggest some ways to help you reduce your stress.

M: Thanks a lot, doctor. I didn’t know where else to go. I’ve just been feeling so stressed out14 lately.

Q: Where is this conversation taking place?

注释：

1. take on 开始做，承担；呈现；采用 eg:

She will take on a new job. The city took on a festive air. He soon took on new ways of life. 其它短语：

take up 拿起，开始，从事 take off 起飞，脱掉；取消 take over 接管，接任 take care 当心；注意 take care of 照顾；照料 take in 接受；包括；欺骗 take it easy 别着急；放轻松 take part in 参加

take…for granted 想当然

2. ambition n. （对名利等）的强烈欲望，野心，雄心；追求的目标 eg:

He was filled with ambition to become famous. Her ambition was to become a world champion. 派生词：

ambitious adj. 有野心的，有抱负的

3. …to death 极度；以致死亡 eg:

I have been worried to death about you. freeze to death/ beat sb. to death

4. tense adj. (心理或神经)紧张的；拉紧的； eg:

I don’t know why I am so tense.

With his body so tense, it seemed as though he were listening for something.

5. previous adj. 以前的，先前的 eg:

Have you had any previous experience, or is this kind of work new to you?

6. psychological problem 心理问题

7. handle vt. 处理，对付；操作；搬动，搬运 eg:

Can you handle the situation? Glass—handle with care!

8. from one’s viewpoint= in one’s opinion 从……的观点来看

9. regular adj. 定期的；正常的； eg:

His pulse is not very regular. 他的脉搏不很规则。

I am a regular reader of this newspaper. 我是这份报纸的长期读者。 He has very regular features. 他五官端正。

10. Are you kidding? 你开玩笑吧？ kid vi. 开玩笑 eg:

He’ s not really angry, he is only kidding. 其它短语：

no kidding 不骗你，我说的是真话

11. no matter +how/what/where/ when/who no matter how= however eg:

However much advice you give him, he does exactly what he wants. She looks pretty whatever she wears. He thinks of us, wherever he is. He smiles whenever he sees her.

Whoever breaks this law deserves a fine.

12. set one’s priorities 优先考虑 其它表达：

place/ put/ attach/ give top/first priority to

13. once in a while=every once in a day=every once in a while 有时，偶尔

14. stressed out 紧张的，有压力的 Understanding a Long Conversation

Now you will hear a long conversation followed by five questions. Listen carefully and choose the best answer from the four possible choices.

Audio Script:

W: What do you think should be done about the new employee?

M: The one that started last month? I didn’t realize there was a problem. He always gets all his work done before the deadline1, and he even does extra. W: That’s the problem. He’s doing too much. M: Why is that a problem?

W: Because on one is tough enough to handle a heavy workload2 forever. He’s bound to3 crack4 sooner or later, either physically or psychologically. M: So you’ve worried about his welfare5?

W: I suppose so. But I’m most concerned about his work. If he gets too tired it will suffer.

M: OK. So what do you recommend6?

W: Giving him a vacation might be a good idea.

M: But then we have another problem. He’s the only person in the office who can do that work.

W: Well, then what do you think should be done?

M: How about we give him a vacation but give him some work to do while he’s away?

Questions: