2009年12月英語四級聽力考試全真模擬題(5)

　　Passage Three

　　Despite the presence of workaholics, there is a growing realization in the United States that too much work demand can be physically and mentally hamp3ful. Many people have been rebelling against the work ethic, saying that no job is so important as to damage personal relationships and rob people of relaxation. There has been a shift in values, with more emphasis being given to personal relationships and relaxation. Leisure time provides opportunities to find personal satisfaction and freedom from the routine of work.

　　Increased leisure time in the United States has not altered the idea that work and play are distinct activities. This distinction is clear-cut; there are “work-hours” and “afterwork-hours”. There is a belief that it is desirable “to work hard and play hard” and undesirable to combine the two. In many offices, stores, and factories socializing among employees is discouraged. An employee under pressure at work often cannot afford to respond to social calls and visits. However, the amount of personal contact on the job depends on the nature of the work. There may be more social interaction between teachers in a school than between scientists doing independent research. Nevertheless, work and play are usually perceived and maintained as separate activities.

　　Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　32. What is the result of too much work demand?

　　【解析】選[C]。本文開頭就說too much work demand can be physically and mentally hamp3ful(工作量過大在體力上和腦力上都是有害的)，即[C]。

　　33. In order to rebel against the work ethic, what do many people believe now?

　　【解析】選[B]。文中claiming(宣稱)即表明人們是這樣認(rèn)為(believe)的，no job is so important as to...表明工作并不是最重要的，人們應(yīng)該多注意與人的交往和放松自己，即[B]。

　　34. What do people expect an employee under pressure at work to do?

　　【解析】選[B]。這個(gè)例子出現(xiàn)在to work hard and play hard這個(gè)概念被引出之后，文中原話說：處于工作重壓下的職員是不能進(jìn)行社交拜訪活動(dòng)(意即休閑)的，與[B]表達(dá)的意思是一樣的。

　　35. What does the speaker imply by saying “the distinction is clear-cut”?

　　【解析】選[A]。文中clear-cut一詞出現(xiàn)前有work and play are distinct (不同的) activities，之后又出現(xiàn)了work-hours and afterwork-hours和 to work �瞙ard and play hard等詞句，均說明美國人認(rèn)為工作和休閑是截然分開的。