考级英语听力材料（专四）24 短文

Now the weather forecast.

Now the weather forecast.

It's a mixed picture over the next few days.

It's a mixed picture over the next few days.

Today, very wet and windy in northern Europe.

Today, very wet and windy in northern Europe.

You can see from the satellite picture That the highest temperatures, as they so often are, are in the southern parts of Europe, where it's also quite dry, particularly over the eastern parts of the Mediterranean.

You can see from the satellite picture That the highest temperatures, as they so often are, are in the southern parts of Europe, where it's also quite dry, particularly over the eastern parts of the Mediterranean.

The forecast suggests that it's going to be quite cold over northwestern parts of Europe for the rest of the day. Even some snow on the Scandinavian mountains.

The forecast suggests that it's going to be quite cold over northwestern parts of Europe for the rest of the day. Even some snow on the Scandinavian mountains.

So that's today's weather, with showery conditions in many parts of northern Europe, but the best of the sunshine in the south and throughout the Mediterranean.

So that's today's weather, with showery conditions in many parts of northern Europe, but the best of the sunshine in the south and throughout the Mediterranean.

And pretty good, but cool in the eastern parts of Europe too.

And pretty good, but cool in the eastern parts of Europe too.

Now let's look at tomorrow's weather chart.

Now let's look at tomorrow's weather chart.

Very much the same in the south.

Very much the same in the south.

Except that the rain is starting to push down into the northern parts of the Mediterranean there.

Except that the rain is starting to push down into the northern parts of the Mediterranean there.

Elsewhere, staying fine in eastern Europe, and fine in central and eastern parts of the Mediterranean as well.

Elsewhere, staying fine in eastern Europe, and fine in central and eastern parts of the Mediterranean as well.

But still wet and windy in many northwestern parts of Europe, including southern parts of Scandinavia, and a bit cool too.

But still wet and windy in many northwestern parts of Europe, including southern parts of Scandinavia, and a bit cool too.

Once upon a time, societies were organized around religion, farming, trade or industry.

Once upon a time, societies were organized around religion, farming, trade or industry.

In many parts of the world today, this is still true.

In many parts of the world today, this is still true.

But something else is becoming more important, the exchange of information, and the technology that we use to do this.

But something else is becoming more important, the exchange of information, and the technology that we use to do this.

24 hour news E-commerce, mobile phones, global positioning systems, all these are making the world smaller and faster.

24 hour news E-commerce, mobile phones, global positioning systems, all these are making the world smaller and faster.

The growth in telecommunications Is giving more and more people access to the science that will help their country to develop or to acquire the medical knowledge that can fight disease.

The growth in telecommunications Is giving more and more people access to the science that will help their country to develop or to acquire the medical knowledge that can fight disease.

But how can everybody in the world share the recent technological advances?

But how can everybody in the world share the recent technological advances?

Millions of people cannot read these words, because they don't have access to a computer.

Millions of people cannot read these words, because they don't have access to a computer.

They don't understand English either.

They don't understand English either.

They don't even have a telephone.

They don't even have a telephone.

They are more worried about how far they will have to walk today to get clean water, or if they can feed themselves and their families.

They are more worried about how far they will have to walk today to get clean water, or if they can feed themselves and their families.

For most people on this planet, in Information is not a priority.

For most people on this planet, in Information is not a priority.

The United Nations is now trying to make the information society a reality for more of the developing world.

The United Nations is now trying to make the information society a reality for more of the developing world.

Ten years from now, the plan is that everybody in the world will have a radio or television, and that 50 percent of the world's population will have access to the internet from schools and universities.

Ten years from now, the plan is that everybody in the world will have a radio or television, and that 50 percent of the world's population will have access to the internet from schools and universities.

Health centers and hospitals, libraries and museums.

Health centers and hospitals, libraries and museums.

This will improve medical care and education, science and agriculture, business opportunities and employment.

This will improve medical care and education, science and agriculture, business opportunities and employment.

People worldwide celebrate New Year in different ways.

People worldwide celebrate New Year in different ways.

In Latin America, people express their hopes through the color of their underwear.

In Latin America, people express their hopes through the color of their underwear.

If you wore yellow That supposedly enhances your chances for abundance and earning more money.

If you wore yellow That supposedly enhances your chances for abundance and earning more money.

If it was red, then you'll more likely find love in the new year.

If it was red, then you'll more likely find love in the new year.

And if you were wearing white underpants, preferably new and clean, then peace will be your top priority for the coming year.

And if you were wearing white underpants, preferably new and clean, then peace will be your top priority for the coming year.

In the Philippines, people eat round fruits to bring good fortune.

In the Philippines, people eat round fruits to bring good fortune.

While they are noisily banging together pots and pans.

While they are noisily banging together pots and pans.

However, some New Year's traditions have nothing to do with luck.

However, some New Year's traditions have nothing to do with luck.

In Denmark, people throw their old dishes at the doors of their friends' homes.

In Denmark, people throw their old dishes at the doors of their friends' homes.

Each New Year's Eve, thus, a front doorstep covered with broken plates suggests that the person inside has a lot of friends.

Each New Year's Eve, thus, a front doorstep covered with broken plates suggests that the person inside has a lot of friends.

Still, for all those who take part in grand New Year's events There are many more who make their own traditions.

Still, for all those who take part in grand New Year's events There are many more who make their own traditions.

It may be a small gathering of family and friends watching New York's Times Square ball drop on TV, or loudly running through the neighborhood.

It may be a small gathering of family and friends watching New York's Times Square ball drop on TV, or loudly running through the neighborhood.

Some may simply go to sleep early, so they can be energized for an early New Year's Day hike, perhaps while wearing underwear that suits their mood and wishes for the new year.

Some may simply go to sleep early, so they can be energized for an early New Year's Day hike, perhaps while wearing underwear that suits their mood and wishes for the new year.