大学英语6级听力20天20分阶段--TEST

[00:00.00]大学英语6级 听力20天20分 中国对外翻译出版公司

[00:01.28]第 20 天

[00:02.54]Passage Two

[00:04.53]According to a new study done at the Medical School of the University

[00:08.36]of California at Los Angeles, left-handed people may be more likely to

[00:13.84]have accidents than the right-handed.

[00:16.25]One reason may be: left-handers tend to make minor mental mistakes.

[00:22.50]In the study of 2, 000 sailors,

[00:25.34]those who had more mental errors also had more accidents,

[00:29.30]and left-handers were reported to have more mental errors

[00:33.15]and more accidents than right-handers.

[00:36.06]The author of the study, Jim Watson said,

[00:38.97]"Minor mental mistakes are mistakes that any adults would make

[00:43.58]when they were tired or careless and they could lead to accidents

[00:47.06]because we lose track of what we are doing.

[00:49.75]" Paul White, chief of the study program said

[00:53.09]that he found the study interesting and exciting.

[00:56.15]But he warned that the conclusions

[00:58.20]should not be accepted without further investigation.

[01:01.69]He said the study had limitations,

[01:03.81]and limitations could have influenced the results.

[01:07.71]Jim Watson, who is right-handed himself,

[01:10.42]stressed that the study was not an official project

[01:14.03]and said that the findings cannot be applied to every lett-hander.

[01:18.87]He said minor mental mistakes could be

[01:21.35]regarded as evidence of lack of concentration.

[01:23.76]But in the past, it was believed that

[01:26.31]left-handers tended to have more accidents largely

[01:29.52]because most equipment "was designed for righthanders.

[01:34.20]Questions 14 to 16 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[01:39.02]14.   What is said about left-handers in the study?

[01:53.08]15.   What was said about the study program?

[02:06.57]16. What was the traditional explanation of

[02:10.47]left-handers having more accidents?

[02:22.46]Passage Three Science fiction writers have often

[02:25.87]imagined humans going to live on the Mars.

[02:28.37]But these days, scientists are taking the idea seriously.

[02:32.63]It has a great deal to recommend it,

[02:34.93]since it might solve the problem of overcrowding on the earth.

[02:38.70]But obviously,it would not be worth making the effort

[02:42.00]unless people could live there naturally.

[02:44.25]If the atmosphere were like that of the earth,this might be possible.

[02:48.81]But in fact,  it is mostly carbon dioxide.

[02:51.97]Apart from that, there are other problems to overcome.

[02:55.93]For example, the temperature would

[02:58.04]have to be raised from 6 degrees below zero to 15 degrees above it.

[03:02.54]Scientists who study Mars have laid down the program that they can follow.

[03:07.55]To begin with, they will have to find out

[03:09.52]whether life has ever existed on the planet of Mars in the past.

[03:13.93]Secondly,they will have to make a reliable map of its surface.

[03:18.84]And finally, they will have to make a list of the gases.

[03:22.50]Above all, they will have to discover how much nitrogen it possesses.

[03:26.95]Since nitrogen is four fifths of the air we breathe,

[03:29.80]they are surprisingly optimistic about raising the temperature on Mars

[03:33.66]and believe it could be done in a hundred years.

[03:36.77]It will take a bit longer, though,

[03:38.63]to transform the atmosphere so that human beings could live there.

[03:42.68]Scientists estimate this will take one hundred thousand years.

[03:46.25]Questions 17 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[03:51.25]17.   Why are scientists interested in Mars?

[04:05.13]18.   What is one of the things that must be done if a man can live on Mars?

[04:21.72]19.   Why do scientists want to find out whether

[04:25.22]there is sufficient nitrogen on Mars?

[04:38.20]20.   What is the prospect of people living on Mars?

[05:03.11]Model Test Four

[05:05.36]Section A 1) W: I hope you have a good flight.

[05:10.73]M: The weather is supposed to be clear all down the coast,

[05:14.03]so it should be pretty smooth.

[05:16.29]Q:  Where is this conversation probably taking place?

[05:30.22]2) W: How did you do on your math exam, John? M: I barely made it.

[05:35.77]It was just a passing score, but better than I'd expected.

[05:39.63]Q:  What do we learn from the conversation?

[05:53.15]3) M: Do you know how to make this green cabbage soup?

[05:56.52]W: There's a recipe over there. Q: What will the man probably do next?

[06:12.01]4) W: Hi,Robbie,so you're back from Tibet!

[06:15.98]I hear that people still die climbing mountains in Tibet.

[06:20.04]How did you avoid the dangers?

[06:22.21]M: The best way is to train and take the right equipment.

[06:25.45]You should always do your homework before you start something like this.

[06:29.80]Q: How did the man avoid the dangers?

[06:43.18]5) M:  You didn't go to the meeting last night either?

[06:48.36]W:  No. I had a slight headache.

[06:50.93]Q: What do we know from the conversation?

[07:05.19]6) W: Suppose the company offered you a pay rise of 50%.

[07:11.21]Would you be so determined to look for a job elsewhere?

[07:14.67]M: Yes, I've set my mind on it.

[07:17.81]I'd like to find a job with full scope to show my ability.

[07:21.57]Q: Why has the man decided to leave the company?

[07:35.63]7) M: Did you hear the neighborhood convenience store was held up last night?

[07:40.29]W:  Yes,  I heard it on the radio this morning.

[07:42.99]Q:  What happened at the convenience store last night?

[07:57.65]8) M: The vacation would have been good

[08:00.73]if the last few days of it had been sunny and pleasant.

[08:04.11]W:  But that's not what they forecast, is it?

[08:06.59]Q:  What can we learn about the weather?

[08:20.04]9) M: How much did you pay for this recorder?

[08:23.42]W; I paid $ 12; it is one-fourth of the regular price.

[08:28.53]Q:  How much does the recorder cost at the regular price?

[08:43.70]10) W: Oh,  my God! I completely forgot my science project that is due today.

[08:49.34]What should I do?

[08:50.99]M: How about telling our teacher the truth and asking for an extension?

[08:54.97]Q: What does the man advise the woman to do?

[09:09.39]Section B From good reading, we can derive pleasure,

[09:16.84]companionship, experience, and instruction.

[09:21.20]A good book may absorb our attention so completely that for the time being,

[09:26.61]we forget our surroundings and even our identity.

[09:30.29]Reading good books is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

[09:33.88]It increases our contentment when we are cheerful,

[09:37.43]and lessens our troubles when we are sad.

[09:40.81]Whatever may be our main purpose in reading,

[09:43.81]our contact with good books should never fail to give us enjoyment

[09:49.15]and satisfaction With a good book in our hands, we need never be lonely.

[09:55.15]Whether the characters portrayed are taken from real life

[09:59.13]or are purely imaginary, they may become our companions and friends.

[10:03.86]In the pages of books,

[10:05.75]we can walk with the wise and the good of all lands and all times.

[10:10.93]The people we meet in books may delight us either

[10:14.77]because they resemble human friends whom we hold dear or

[10:18.67]because they present unfamiliar types

[10:21.68]whom we are glad to welcome as new acquaintances.

[10:25.65]Our human friends sometimes may bore us,

[10:28.73]but the friends we make in books need never weary us with their company.

[10:34.29]By turning the page we can dismiss them

[10:37.15]without any fear of hurting their feelings.

[10:39.70]When human friends desert us,good books are always ready to give us friendship,

[10:45.11]sympathy and encouragement

[10:47.38]Through books, the whole world is ours for the asking.

[10:51.20]The possibilities of our literary experience are almost unlimited.

[10:56.02]The beauties of nature, the enjoyment of music, the treasures of art,

[11:01.58]the triumphs of architecture, the marvels of engineering,

[11:05.55]are all open to the wonder and enjoyment of those who read.

[11:11.56]From good reading, we can derive pleasure,

[11:16.75]companionship, experience, and instruction.

[11:21.04]A good book may absorb our attention so completely that for the time being,

[11:26.67]we forget our surroundings and even our identity.

[11:30.04]Reading good books is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

[11:33.81]It increases our contentment when we are cheerful,

[11:37.41]and lessens our troubles when we are sad.

[11:40.27]Whatever may be our main purpose in reading,

[11:43.79]our contact with good books should never fail to give us enjoyment

[11:48.61]and satisfaction. With a good book in our hands, we need never be lonely.

[11:54.91]Whether the characters portrayed are taken from real life.

[11:59.06]or are purely imaginary, they may become our companions and friends.

[12:03.85]In the pages of books,

[12:05.59]we can walk with the wise and the good of all lands and all times.

[12:10.77]The people we meet in books may delight us either

[12:15.06]because they resemble human friends whom we hold dear or

[12:18.59]because they present unfamiliar types

[12:21.67]whom we are glad to welcome as new acquaintances.

[12:25.35]Our human friends sometimes may bore us,

[12:28.43]but the friends we make in books need never weary us with their company.

[13:07.73]By turning the page we can dismiss them

[13:10.88]without any fear of hurting their feelings.

[13:13.35]When human friends desert us,good books are always ready to give us friendship,

[13:19.14]sympathy and encouragement

[13:54.84]Through books, the whole world is ours for the asking.

[13:58.97]The possibilities of our literary experience are almost unlimited.

[14:36.00]The beauties of nature, the enjoyment of music, the treasures of art,

[14:41.65]the triumphs of architecture, the marvels of engineering,

[14:46.00]are all open to the wonder and enjoyment of those who read.

[14:51.25]From good reading, we can derive pleasure,

[14:55.84]companionship, experience, and instruction.

[15:00.12]A good book may absorb our attention so completely that for the time being,

[15:05.38]we forget our surroundings and even our identity.

[15:08.92]Reading good books is one of the greatest pleasures in life.

[15:12.75]It increases our contentment when we are cheerful,

[15:16.51]and lessens our troubles when we are sad.

[15:19.73]Whatever may be our main purpose in reading,

[15:22.89]our contact with good books should never fail to give us enjoyment

[15:28.14]and satisfaction. With a good book in our hands, we need never be lonely.

[15:33.86]Whether the characters portrayed are taken from real

[15:38.00]life or are purely imaginary, they may become our companions and friends.

[15:42.72]In the pages of books,

[15:44.75]we can walk with the wise and the good of all lands and all times.

[15:49.86]The people we meet in books may delight us either

[15:53.93]because they resemble human friends whom we hold dear or

[15:57.75]because they present unfamiliar types

[16:00.38]whom we are glad to welcome as new acquaintances.

[16:04.21]Our human friends sometimes may bore us,

[16:07.75]but the friends we make in books need never weary us with their company.

[16:12.64]By turning the page we can dismiss them

[16:15.64]without any fear of hurting their feelings.

[16:18.42]When human friends desert us,good books are always ready to give us friendship,

[16:23.97]sympathy and encouragement

[16:26.30]Through books, the whole world is ours for the asking.

[16:30.21]The possibilities of our literary experience are almost unlimited.

[16:34.95]The beauties of nature, the enjoyment of music, the treasures of art,

[16:40.59]the triumphs of architecture, the marvels of engineering,

[16:44.86]are all open to the wonder and enjoyment of those who read.

[16:59.22]Model Test Five

[17:03.05]Section A 1) W: Do you really mean you want to quit this job?

[17:11.17]M; Well, maybe I'd better give it a second thought.

[17:14.92]Q:  What is the man going to do?

[17:29.12]2) M:  Didn't you promise not to say a word about that secret party?

[17:35.74]W: I did, but it just slipped out.

[17:39.11]I let the cat out of the bag with only one day to go.

[17:44.08]Q:  What does the woman mean?

[17:57.52]3) M:  Are you through with the term paper? W :  I wish I were.

[18:03.52]Q:  What can we infer from the conversation?

[18:18.26]4) W: We really need to replace the typewriter.

[18:23.13]M: Why not the typist, too?

[18:25.54]Q:  What does the man suggest?

[18:39.97]5) M:  I still need to wait for the clerk to come back

[18:44.86]and make some copies of this paper for me.

[18:48.15]Why bother him? I'll show you how easy it is to work the machine.

[18:53.50]Q.  What is the woman going to do?

[19:07.92]6) M:Excuse me, Amy, is it possible for us to switch our shifts this week?

[19:15.67]W:  Which day do you want to switch to? Q:  What does the woman imply?

[19:32.04]7) M: I did my best to stop the bleeding, but I couldn't make it stop.

[19:39.18]W: Oh.  sir, your right index finger is almost completely cut off.

[19:45.04]You'll have to have surgery to reattach your finger.

[19:49.70]Q:  What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?

[20:04.88]8) W: I need to advertise for another roommate for next semester.

[20:11.42]M: Why bother? Sandy is interested. Q:  What does the man mean?

[20:28.02]9) M: I hadn't realized that I was driving at a speed of 60 miles per hour

[20:34.93]before the police stopped me yesterday.

[20:37.70]W:  Oh, that's twice the speed allowed in a residential area.

[20:43.27]Q: What is the speed limit in a residential area?

[20:58.59]10) W: Well,how did you like the movie? M:  Not too much.

[21:04.61]I wish the acting had been as good as the special effects.

[21:09.64]Q:  What's the man's opinion of the movie?

[21:24.75]Section B

[21:26.39]Passage One

[21:27.97]Last August, Susan and 42 other students got wet and dirty while

[21:33.54]removing six tons of garbage from the river running across their city.

[21:38.56]They cleaned up the river as part of a week-long environmental camp.

[21:44.43]Like one in three American rivers,

[21:47.20]this river is so polluted that it's unsafe for swimming and fishing.

[21:53.06]Still, Susan, who has just completed her third summer on the river clean-up,

[21:59.00]has seen a change in this river. " Since we started three years ago,

[22:04.63]the river is getting a lot cleaner. " she says.

[22:07.94]Environmental scientists praised the teenagers for removing garbage

[22:13.89]that can harm wild life.

[22:15.76]Water birds, for example, can choke on plastic bottle rings

[22:20.42]and get cut by scrap metal. Three years ago.

[22:24.78]when the clean-up started, garbage was everywhere, but this year,

[22:30.63]the teenagers had to hunt for garbage.

[22:33.72]They turned the clean-up into a competition to see who could find the

[22:38.97]most garbage and unload their boats fastest.

[22:43.63]By the end of the six hour shift,

[22:46.79]they had removed enough garbage to fill more than two large trucks.

[22:52.65]"Seeing all their garbage in the river makes people begin to care

[22:58.13]about environmental issues," Susan says. She hopes that when others read that she

[23:04.90]and her peers care enough to clean it up,

[23:08.65]maybe they will think twice before they throw garbage in the river.

[23:16.39]Questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[23:21.95]11.   What does the passage tell us about American rivers?

[23:36.45]12.   What did the students find when they came to the river this year?

[23:52.84]13.   What is the expected reaction of the local people to the students' efforts?

[24:10.42]Passage Two

[24:12.81]When I am waiting in an airport, I always wonder about the people whom I

[24:17.26]see there and about the funny things that happen.

[24:20.40]Yesterday, while Peter and I were waiting for his mother's plane,

[24:25.45]we saw something that was really odd, and I think Peter learned a lesson.

[24:29.64]We were sitting on a bench, which was just outside the coffee shop.

[24:34.61]A woman who was wearing a hat with a large flower on it

[24:37.91]went into the coffee shop, sat down, and put her hat on a chair.

[24:43.09]The table she chose was near a window through

[24:46.02]which we could see what was going on.

[24:48.50]A young man whose hair needed combing got up from another table

[24:53.16]and went to talk to the woman with the hat.

[24:56.09]Peter thought that the conversation was an argument.

[24:59.70]Suddenly the young man picked up the woman's flowered hat

[25:03.76]and ran out of the coffee shop.

[25:05.63]Next we saw the woman leave the cafeteria yelling at the young man,

[25:10.60]who, at this point, was far away.

[25:13.31]Peter, whose curiosity sometimes gets him into trouble, stopped her.

[25:18.79]"What's so important about that hat?" he said.

[25:22.62]For an answer the woman brushed Peter's face with her purse

[25:26.97]which was made of heavy leather. Then she disappeared in the crowd.

[25:31.42]I laughed and looked at Peter, whose face was very red.

[25:36.29]He didn't laugh but said,

[25:38.40]"I'll never again talk to a woman who wears a flowered hat.

[25:42.61]I wonder whether Peter didn't learn another lesson; however,

[25:46.97]I also wonder what happened to the woman, to the young man, and to the hat.

[25:53.95]Questions 14 to 16 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[25:58.45]14.   What does the speaker like to do in an airport?

[26:13.27]15. Who went to talk to the woman with the hat at the beginning?

[26:29.50]16. How did the woman respond after Peter asked her about her hat?

[26:45.79]Passage Three To be successful in a job interview,

[26:50.97]you should demonstrate certain personal and  profe- ssional qualities.

[26:54.74]You need to create a good image in the limited time available,

[26:57.97]usually from 30 to 45 minutes.

[27:01.64]You must make a positive impression which the interviewer will remember

[27:05.94]while he interview other candidates.

[27:08.18]The following are some qualities you should especially

[27:10.89]pay attention to during an interview.

[27:13.52]First of all, you should take care to appear to be properly dressed.

[27:17.57]The right clothes worn at the right time can win respect of the interviewer

[27:22.01]and his confidence in your judgment.

[27:24.34]It may not be true that clothes make the man, but the first and

[27:28.47]often last impression of you is determined by the clothes you wear.

[27:32.38]Secondly, you should pay close attention. to your manner of speaking,

[27:37.49]since speech is a reflection of personality.

[27:40.41]You should reflect confidence by speaking in a clear voice,

[27:44.63]loud enough to be heard, without being aggressive or overpowering.

[27:48.38]You should be prepared to talk knowledgeably about the requirements of

[27:52.97]the position you are applying for, to be really impressive,

[27:57.33]you must convey a sense of self- confidence and enthusiasm for work.

[28:01.99]If you display these characteristics, with just a little luck,

[28:05.59]you'll certainly succeed in the typical personnel interview.

[28:10.39]Questions 17 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[28:15.81]17.   How long does an interview usually last according to the speaker?

[28:32.11]18. How can one give the interviewer a good first impression?

[28:47.74]19. What should  be the best manner of speaking

[28:51.34]for a job seeker during an interview?

[29:04.57]20. What is the main idea of the passage you have just heard?

[29:30.79]最新真题

[29:35.38]Section A

[29:38.20]1. Hub, Dick. You're wearing a black jacket, but yellow trousers.

[29:44.20]It's the strangest combination I've ever seen.

[29:47.15]I know. I got up late and dressed in a hurry.

[29:51.02]I didn't realize my mistake until I entered the office.

[29:56.40]What does the woman think of the way Dick's dressed?

[30:14.77]2.Excuse me, but has anyone turned in a brown leather wallet?

[30:21.79]I've lost my wallet. It contains my driver's license

[30:26.17]and also some family pictures that are pretty important to me.

[30:30.67]Oh, yes. We had a wallet brought in this morning.

[30:34.54]Wait here just a minute, please. What will the woman probably do?

[30:53.86]3.Excuse me, Madam. Is the air- conditioning on?

[30:59.56]This room is getting as hot as a furnace. Sorry, sir.

[31:03.93]A new epidemic called SARS is threatening us right now.

[31:07.80]As a preventative measure, we are told to let in fresh air by opening the windows

[31:12.75]and not using air-conditioners. What does the woman mean?

[31:31.70]4. You look quite different from what you used to.

[31:36.81]Sure. I started exercising regularly two years ago

[31:41.00]and went from 253 pounds to a healthy 160 pounds

[31:46.77]and that's the only thing I did not give up halfway.

[31:50.83]What do we know about the woman?

[32:07.15]5.I wonder if you find my experience relevant to the job.

[32:13.84]Yes, certainly, but if only you had sent in your application letter a week earlier.

[32:19.96]What does the woman imply?

[32:36.04]6. Shouldn't someone go pick up the clothes from the laundry?

[32:41.54]They were ready three hours ago. Don't look at me, mom.

[32:45.72]What does the boy mean?

[33:01.41]7.Uh, hi! Could you tell me "where electronic products are displayed?

[33:09.55]I want to see some TVs, digital video cameras, DVD players. That sort of thing.

[33:16.05]Well. Several countries are displaying electronic products.

[33:20.12]China's selection is very large this year.

[33:23.19]You might as well go to the east wing first to take a look at the Chinese booth.

[33:28.55]Where is the conversation most probably taking place?

[33:47.00]8.Well, what did you think of the movie?

[33:52.00]I don't know "why I let you talk me into going.

[33:54.75]I just don't like violence.

[33:56.88]Next time you'd better choose a comedy.

[33:59.70]What can we infer from the conversation?

[34:16.77]9. Who do you think should get the job? How about Mr. Beckett?

[34:22.78]Mr. Beckett? I'm not sure.

[34:25.34]He's a nice fellow, of course, and easy to get along with.

[34:30.21]But I doubt his professional expertise.

[34:32.90]I want someone who can get the job done.

[34:36.72]What do you learn from the conversation about Mr. Beckett?

[34:55.34]10.Do you think home video players will replace movie theatres

[35:01.41]and force them out of the entertainment business?

[35:04.42]We're certainly faced with the grave challenge from DVD industry.

[35:08.97]That's why I think we have to revoluti- onize our concept of movie showing.

[35:13.18]As I see it, the movie theatre should not just be a place

[35:17.11]to watch a film but a place to meet people.

[35:20.43]What does the woman think of the movie theatre?

[35:37.36]Section B

[35:40.00]Passage One Few people can stand for the spirit of

[35:44.38]early America as much as Benjamin Franklin.

[35:48.13]He lived through almost the whole of the 18th century.

[35:51.75]He was born six years after the century began

[35:55.18]and died ten years before it ended.

[35:58.38]During this time, he saw the American colonies grow from the tiny settlements

[36:02.70]into a nation and he also contributed much to the new state.

[36:08.01]He was deeply interested in science and natural history.

[36:11.94]And his experiments in electricity

[36:14.19]and lightning led directly to the invention of the lightning  rod.

[36:18.95]He was also interested in improving the conditions of his fellowmen.

[36:23.63]He was involved in a number of  projects in his native Philadelphia,

[36:27.95]including the setting up of  a library, a university,

[36:31.84]a philosophical society and a fire prevention service.

[36:36.90]He worked hard to enable the American

[36:39.09]colonies to gain independence from Britain.

[36:42.65]As an ambassador to France,he encouraged the French to help George Washington.

[36:48.72]After the war, he attended the American constitutional congress.

[36:53.15]This was his last contribution, for he died later that year.

[36:57.90]He is still fondly remembered by

[36:59.72]Americans as one of the creators of the United States.

[37:05.03]11.   What did the speaker say about Benjamin Franklin?

[37:30.73]12. How did Franklin help George Washington?

[37:49.61]13. According to the passage, what is Franklin still well remembered as?

[38:10.63]Passage Two Yuppies are young people who earn a lot of money

[38:17.01]and live in a style that is too expensive for most people.

[38:21.32]If you are invited to a yuppie dinner party,

[38:24.57]don't be surprised if you are offered freshly-cooked

[38:27.70]insects as a first course.

[38:30.07]While the idea of eating fried insects fills most of us with horror,

[38:35.27]insect eating is becoming highly fashionable.

[38:38.77]For example,in the media industry, successful executives are often seen to

[38:43.84]eat fried or boiled insects from time to time while working at their desks.

[38:50.52]These safe-to-eat insects can be found and ordered on the Internet.

[38:56.02]And young people are logging on to exotic food websites

[39:00.02]and ordering samples of prepared insects to serve at their dinner parties.

[39:06.53]Although the idea of eating insects is probably disgusting to most of us.

[39:12.28]few people would claim that pigs, chickens and some kinds of seafood

[39:17.22]we often eat are examples of great beauty.

[39:21.54]One day insects could be marketed and sold as a food item in supermarkets.

[39:27.92]According to their fans, they are not only high in protein and low in fat,

[39:33.11]but also very tasty. But until our attitudes to food change fundamentally,

[39:39.36]it seems that insect eaters will remain a select few.

[39:45.43]14.   Why did the speaker say we might be surprised at a yuppie dinner party?

[40:13.75]15. Where can people order the unusual food mentioned by the speaker?

[40:35.00]16.   Why are some yuppies attracted by the unusual food?

[40:54.84]17.   What does the speaker say about the future of this type of unusual food?

[41:16.15]Passage Three Many people dislike walking to the bank,

[41:21.21]standing in long lines and running out of checks.

[41:24.85]They are dissatisfied with their bank's limited hours, too.

[41:28.85]They want to do some banking at night and on weekends.

[41:32.84]For such people, their problems may soon be over.

[41:37.04]Before long, they may be able to do their banking from

[41:40.29]the comfort of their own home, any hours of the day, any day of the week.

[41:45.91]Many banks are preparing online branches or Internet offices,

[41:50.41]which means people will be able to take

[41:52.86]care of much of their banking business through their home computers.

[41:57.49]This process is called interactive banking.

[42:01.12]At these online branches, customers will be able to view all their accounts,

[42:06.67]move money between their accounts, apply for a loan

[42:10.00]and get current information on products, such as credit cards.

[42:14.56]Customers "will also be able to pay their bills electronically

[42:18.55]and even email questions to the bank.

[42:21.30]Banks are creating online services for several reasons.

[42:25.81]One reason is that banks must compete for customers,

[42:30.06]who will switch to another bank if they are dissatisfied

[42:33.06]with the service they receive.

[42:35.06]The convenience of online banking appeals to the kind

[42:38.70]of customer banks most want to keep.

[42:40.81]That is, people who are young, well- educated and have good incomes.

[42:46.25]Banks also want to take advantage of modem technology

[42:50.08]since they have moved into the 21st century.

[42:54.27]18.  What is one of the reasons

[43:04.07]for people's dissatisfaction with traditional banks?

[43:21.53]19.   What kind of customer does online banking most appeal to?