第十二期 2009年6月真题 文章(4/6)-英语听力

[00:00.00]Passage 1 [00:02.67]Attracting and feeding wild birds are entertaining activities [00:07.90]that have long been enjoyed by people all over the world. [00:12.39]Feeding birds has become so popular that prepared feed mixtures are readily available. [00:18.94]We feed birds for many reasons. Many pleasant hours can come from watching birds. [00:27.04]A hobby often develops into a serious study of their habits. [00:31.79]Accurate identification of birds is usually the first goal. [00:37.92]But observations that an amateur bird-watcher can make are really limitless. [00:44.29]There is, however, responsibility associated with bird feeding, including a disease hazard. [00:53.30]Attracting numbers of birds continually to the same spot can be harmful to them, [01:00.06]particularly species that pick food from the ground contaminated by the droppings of other birds. [01:06.95]In winter feeding efforts are most satisfying to people and are of greatest benefit to birds. [01:14.65]During this time when fewer natural foods are available and air temperatures are lower, [01:21.37]extra feeding can keep a bird warm and well. [01:25.79]Once begun, feeding should never stop during these lean months. [01:31.06]If you start a local increase of birds, [01:35.10]be prepared to do what may be required to eliminate hazards to those you want to be friend. [01:42.48]A constant supply of food should be given until the cold is over and spring has come. [01:49.70]If feeding is stopped during severe weather, birds used to relying upon the feeders must starve. [01:57.92]Passage 2 [02:00.22]My friend Leo makes up weak and poor excuses whenever there is something he doesn't want to do. [02:08.32]Just two weeks ago, he was at my house when he decided he didn't want to go into work. [02:16.18]He called his boss and said he had to get a new set of tires put on his truck. [02:21.96]Then he sat down and watched TV with me. [02:26.81]Not only had he lied but his excuse wasn't a very convincing one. [02:33.39]Another time,he cancelled a date with his girlfriend at the last minute [02:38.05]telling her he had to get a new battery for his truck. [02:43.41]She was angry and refused to go out with him again until he apologized. [02:48.82]Last weekend, Leo offered the poorest excuse yet. [02:54.35]He'd promised he'd help me move some furniture, from my parents' house to my new apartment. [03:01.22]He was supposed to bring his truck over about 8 o'clock Saturday morning. [03:06.65]I waited, and then called and left a message on his machine. [03:12.62]About 11:30, he called and said he was sorry but he'd been getting a new set of tires put on his truck. [03:22.64]I guess he'd forgotten he used the same excuse when he called his boss from my house. [03:29.00]I think I need a new set of friends. I'm beginning to get tired of Leo's excuses.