新编四级听力练习 第264期

Section B
Passage One
Television now plays such an important part in so many people's lives that it is essential for us to try to decide whether it is a blessing or a curse. Obviously television has both advantages and disadvantages. But do the former outweigh the latter? In the first place, television is not only a convenient source of entertainment, but also a comparatively cheap one. They just sit comfortably at home and enjoy endless series of programs rather than to go out in search of amusement elsewhere. Some people, however, maintain that this is precisely where the danger lies. The television viewer needs to do nothing. [26]He is completely passive and has everything presented to him without any effort on his part. Secondly, television keeps one informed about current events, allows one to follow the latest developments in science and politics. Yet here again there is a danger. The television screen itself has a terrible, almost physical fascination for us. [26]We get so used to looking at its movements, so dependent on its pictures that it begins to dominate our lives. There are many other arguments for and against television. [26]The poor quality of its program is often criticized. But it is undoubtedly a great comfort to many lonely elderly people. And does it corrupt or instruct our children? [27]I think we must realize that television in itself is neither good nor bad. [28]It is the uses to which it is put that determine its value to society.

Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as the disadvantages of TV?
正确答案：A
解析：本文分析电视的利弊，它带来益处的同时也有潜在的弊端。文章分别提到，观看电视是被动接受的行为（即B），它使人产生依赖性（即C），有些电视节目质量太差（即D）。未提到的弊端是A，故选A。此外，A“看电视会导致生理疾病”的说法闻所未闻。这是对原文中almost physical fascination“几乎有生理上的迷恋”的曲解。换言之，有些选项可据常识加以判断。
27. What is the speaker's opinion of television?
正确答案：D
解析：短文结尾处，作者在给出了正反观点后，给出了中允的观点：“我想我们必须认识到，电视本身无所谓好坏。”即D正确。C太绝对，可以排除；A、B针锋相对，D则不偏不倚。根据短文中作者的口吻，他是持中立态度的，应选D。本题可以“听到什么选什么”。
28. What determines the value of television to society?
正确答案：C
解析：文章最后说：电视本身无所谓好坏，人们使用它的方式决定了它对社会的价值。C与此同义。A（电视机的价格）、D（观看电视的人数）与全文中心无关，可以排除；B在文中有所提及，是某个细节，属于答非所问。