大学英语四级听力“信不信由你”的“魔鬼定律”
听力理解对话部门的内容凡是取材于人们的日常生活，除了上述的语言情景和常考题型外，还有许多“信不信由你”的出题法例。笔者根据日常平凡听力教学的理论，总结出如下几条：
1 不论是学生仍是工做人员，“忙”似乎是人们生活的永久主题；
实题佐证：
① W: Jack, would you like to go to the club with us tomorrow
night?（1993-01-9）
M: I wish I could, but I have to work on my term paper.
Q: Is Jack going to the club?
A: No. He has to finish his homework.
② M: Can you stay for dinner?（1997-01-8）
W: I’d love to, but I have to go and send some registered mail
before picking up the children from school.
Q: Where will the woman go first?
A: To the post office.
③ W: Are you coming with me to the history museum, George?（1999-01-8）
M: I already have my hands full with this book report.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: He is too busy to go with her.
④ W: Excuse me, Professor Hill. May I ask you a few
questions?（1999-06-3）
M: Yes, of course. But I’m sorry I have a class at 10. Why don’t you
come in my office hours? That’s 4 to 5 pm, Monday, Thursday and
Friday.
Q: Why can’t Professor Hill answer her questions now?
A: He doesn’t have time.
⑤ M: Would you get me through to Dr. Lemon please?（2000-01-10）
W: I’m sorry, he’s with a patient.
Q: What does the woman mean?
A: Dr. Lemon is busy at the moment.
⑥ W: When will you be through with your work, John?（2001-06-8）
M: Who knows! My boss usually finds something for me to do at the
last minute.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The man is complaining.
2 因为日常平凡很忙，学校放假或旅游度假等休闲活动老是魅力十足，受人欢送，以至掰着指头数日子；
实题佐证：
① M: Well, the holiday is well soon be here.（1998-01-7）
W: Yes, isn’t it exciting by this time next week, we’ll be on the
plane.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: They’ll be flying somewhere for their vacation.
② W: I’m thinking of going to Austin for a visit. Do you think it’s
worth seeing?（1998-06-2）
M: Well, I wish I had been there.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The man has not been to Austin before.
③ M: Is Jane looking forward to going home for this
summer?（1999-06-7）
W: She is counting the days.
Q: What does the woman imply?
A: Jane is eager to go home for the vacation.
3 学生要修学的课程老是良多，往往到了最初期限还不晓得该选修哪门课程。实正起头上课后，又发现所选课程比预期的要罕见多；
实题佐证：
① W: Hi, Tony. How did your experiment go yesterday?（2001-06-2）
M: Well, it wasn’t as easy as I had thought. I have to continue
doing it tonight.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: Tony had expected the experiment to be easier.
② W: Is that optional course is as hard as everybody
says?（2003-06-10）
M: Exactly even worse, believe it or not.
Q: What did the man say about the course?
A: It’s much more difficult than people think.
③ W: You took an optional course this semester, didn’t you? How’s it
going?（2002-06-5）
M: Terrible! It seems like the more the professor talks, the less I
understand.
Q: How does the man feel about the course?
A: He finds it hard to follow the teacher.
④ W: Is that optional course is as hard as everybody
says?（2003-06-10）
M: Exactly even worse, believe it or not.
Q: What did the man say about the course?
A: It’s much more difficult than people think.
4 学生的功课老是良多，要准时完成似乎远远无期，出格是阅读，但只要艰辛勤奋，最末仍是能搞定的；
实题佐证：
① W: It looks like the English course is going to be a lot of
work.（1989-01-3）
M: Didn’t you see the reading list is enormous?
Q: What did they think of the English course?
A: It’s going to require a lot of reading.
② W: Jack, how are you doing with your paper?（1989-01-8）
M: I’ve written and rewritten it so many times that I wonder when I
can finish it.
Q: What can we learn about the man?
A: He is upset.
③ M: How are you getting on with your essay, Mary? I’m having a real
hard time with mine.（2000-06-5）
W: Well, after two sleepless nights, I am finally through with it.
Q: What do we learn from this conversation?
A: They both had a hard time writing the essay.
④ W: Hi, Tony. How did your experiment go yesterday?（2001-06-2）
M: Well, it wasn’t as easy as I had thought. I have to continue
doing it tonight.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: Tony had expected the experiment to be easier.
⑤ W: When will you be through with your work, John?（2001-06-8）
M: Who knows! My boss usually finds something for me to do at the
last minute.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The man is complaining.
5 “严师出高徒，”教师对学生必然十分严厉，令人敬畏；课程测验老是很难，不管进修多么吃苦认实，60分就高唤万岁；
实题佐证：
① W: You look upset. Anything wrong?（1995-06-6）
M: I failed in physics exam again in spite of all the efforts I
made.
Q: What do we know about the man from the conversation?
A: He didn’t pass the physics exam.
② W: Weren’t you nervous when the professor called on you in
class?（1996-01-4）
M: I’d say I was shaking all over.
Q: How did the man feel when he was called on?
A: Worried and frightened.
③ M: I’m exhausted. I stayed up the whole night studying for my
midterm maths exam.（2003-12-9）
W: But why do you always wait until the last minute?
Q: What does the woman imply?
A: The man has bad study habits.
6 讲座两极分化，不是超卓无限，就是无聊透顶，参与者不是想睡觉就是不断地看时间；
实题佐证：
① W: Professor White’s presentation seemed to go on forever. I was
barely able to stay awake.（2000-12-5）
M: How could you sleep through it? It is one of the best that I have
ever heard on this topic.
Q: What does the man think of Professor White’s presentation?
A: He speaks highly of the presentation.
② W: Mr. Long’s briefing seemed to go on forever. I was barely able
to stay awake.（2002-01-9）
M: How could you sleep through that? It was very important to the
mission we are going to carry out.
Q: What does the man imply?
A: The woman should have been more attentive.
③ W: The speech the blind girl gave this evening was extremely
moving.（1997-01-10）
M: I think everyone felt the same.
Q: How did the man feel about the girl’s speech?
A: It was touching.
④ M: What do you think of Professor Brown’s lecture?（1998-01-3）
W: The topic was interesting, but the lecture was much more
difficult to follow than I had expected.
Q: What does the woman say about the lecture?
A: It was not as easy as she had thought.
7 与英语国度日常生活息息相关的工具老是遭到人欢送，如：苹果派必然好食，音乐会必然人山人海，以至连走廊也站满了人；
实题佐证：
W: What do you think of the apple pie? I made it myself.（2000-01-2）
M: Very delicious indeed. Even my mother’s can’t match this.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: This apple pie tastes very good.
8 气候老是欠好，出格是户外活动，如：野餐、野营、远足、烧烤、探险、察看或游览等时，总能赶上坏气候（如起风或下雨等）而被迫延迟或取缔；
实题佐证：
① M: It’s a perfect day for staying inside.（1993-01-3）
W: This rain hasn’t let up for 2 weeks. I’m going crazy.
Q: What are they talking about?
A: The weather.
② W: It’s been very cold in the past two days.（1998-06-7）
M: We haven’t seen the worst of it yet. More snow is forecast next
week accompanied by strong winds.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Cold and windy.
③ W: Oh, it’s so cold. We haven’t had such a severe winter for so
long, have we?（2000-06-9）
M: Yes. The forecast says it’s going to get worse before it warms
up.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The weather may get even colder.
9 生病大都是像头痛或伤风等小病，但更好的办法是看医生，多歇息。揣度疾病痊愈的原则是：明天你能否能回到工做岗位；
实题佐证：
① M: You didn’t go to the concert last night either, did
you?（1991-06-4）
W: No. I had a slight headache.
Q: What do we learn from this conversation?
A: The speakers did not go to the concert.
② W: I heard you caught a cold. How are you feeling
today?（1994-01-8）
M: I can’t complain. At least I’m out of bed.
Q: How is the man today?
A: He’s better.
③ M: Hello, Mrs. White, what can I do for you?（2000-01-1）
W: I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I am always feeling
tired. I am usually worn out at the end of the day.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The woman is seeing a doctor.
④ W: My headache is killing me. I thought it was going away. But
now, it’s getting worse and worse.（2003-12-5）
M: I told you yesterday to make an appointment.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: The woman should have seen the doctor earlier.
10
交通问题令人头疼。泊车难，出格是在闹市区，公车要么拥挤不胜或半路抛锚，要否则就是交通障碍；幸运的是，交通变乱老是小事一桩，并能幸免于难；
实题佐证：
① M: If the traffic wasn’t so bad, I could have been home by
6:00.（1990-01-7）
W: What a pity! John was here to see you.
Q: What happened to the man?
A: He was held up in traffic.
② M: What happened to you? You are so late.（1998-01-8）
W: The bus I took broke down in front of the hospital and I had to
walk from there.
Q: Why was the woman so late?
A: Something went wrong with the bus.
③ W: Hello, is that Steve? I’m stuck in a traffic jam. I’m afraid I
can’t make it before 7 o’clock.（2002-12-7）
M: Never mind. I’ll be here waiting for you.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The man and the woman have an appointment at 7 o’clock.
④ M: I can’t understand why Bob isn’t here yet. Do you think we
should try to call him or go look for him?（2003-09-1）
W: He probably just got held up in traffic. Let’s give him a few
more minutes.
Q: What are the speakers probably going to do?
A: Wait for Bob.
⑤ W: It’s surprising that Tom came out of the accident
alive.（1991-06-8）
M: That’s true. The car crashed into the wall and was completely
damaged.
Q: What was the consequence of the accident?
A: Tom survived the accident.
⑥ W: Were you hurt in the accident?（1996-06-8）
M: I was shocked at the time, but wasn’t hurt at all. My bike was
totally damaged though.
Q: What do we know about the man?
A: He was unharmed.
⑦ W: Hi, John. Haven’t seen you for quite a while. Are you
fine?（2003-06-8）
M: Oh, yes. But luck seemed to go against me. I had a car accident.
Only some minor injuries, though.
Q: What happened to John?
A: She was slightly injured in a traffic accident.
11 火车或飞机经常因为恶劣气候而被迫推延以至取缔；
实题佐证：
① W: Excuse me. Do you know when the train will arrive?（1989-01-10）
M: I’m sorry. The train is behind schedule. You have to wait another
twenty minutes.
Q: What do we learn from this conversation?
A: The train is late.
② W: I’m sorry, Sir. The train is somewhat behind schedule. Take a
seat, and I’ll tell you as soon as we know something
definite.（1991-06-9）
M: Thank you. I’ll just sit here and read a magazine in the
meantime.
Q: What can we conclude about the train from the conversation?
A: The train is late.
③ M: Is this the check-in counter for Flight 914 to Los
Angeles?（2002-06-8）
W: Yes. But I’m sorry the flight is delayed because of a minor
mechanical problem. Please wait for further notice.
Q: What so we learn from this conversation?
A: The plane’s departure time remains unknown.
12 想要的工具老是缺货，急用的工具总出弊端，如汽车抛锚，电脑瘫痪等；
实题佐证：
① W: Has your brother bought his books yet?（1991-06-5）
M: He bought a history book, but the Chinese and English textbooks
were sold out.
Q: Which book has the man’s brother got?
A: A history book.
② M: I sent a letter to make a reservation for a single room a few
days ago.（1991-06-10）
W: I’m sorry, your request arrived too late. There are some
conferences in town this week and we’re full up.
Q: Are there any spare rooms at the hotel?
A: No, all the rooms are taken.
③ W: I need a car this weekend, but mine has broken down.（1993-06-4）
M: I’m sorry to hear it, but you can always rent one if you have a
license.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: She can’t borrow his car.
④ M: If I were you, I’d ride a bike to work. Taking a crowded bus
during rush hours is really terrible.（1997-06-10）
W: Thank you for your advice. But my bike has got a flat tire.
Q: How would the woman most probably get to work?
A: By bus.
⑤ M: I would like two tickets for the 9 o’clock show this
evening.（1998-01-1）
W: I’m sorry, Sir. They are sold out. But we have a few left for
tomorrow.
Q: What do we learn from this conversation?
A: There aren’t any tickets left for tonight’s show.
⑥ M: What happened to you? You are so late.（1998-01-8）
W: The bus I took broke down in front of the hospital and I had to
walk from there.
Q: Why was the woman so late?
A: Something went wrong with the bus.
⑦ M: Excuse me, I have a ticket for the 6 o’clock flight to New
York. But I’m afraid I can’t make it. Is there a seat available for
tomorrow morning?（1998-06-4）
W: Let me see. I’m sorry. All the morning flights have been booked
up. The earliest we can get for you is the two o’clock flight in the
afternoon.
Q: What does the conversation tell us?
A: The man can’t manage to go to New York as planned.
⑧ W: I’d like to buy a copy of Professor Franklin’s book on
seashells.（1998-06-8）
M: I’m sorry, Miss. That book has been out of print for some time
now.
Q: What does the man say about the book?
A: It is no longer available.
⑨ M: Jessica, could you forward this email to all the club
members?（2002-01-1）
W: Sorry, the computer broke down this morning. I’ll do it for you
as soon as I have it fixed.
Q: What does the woman imply?
A: She can’t send the message right now.
⑩ W: Good afternoon! I’m calling to inquire about the four-bedroom
house you advertised in newspaper.（2002-12-2）
M: I’m sorry. But it’s already sold.
Q: What do we learn about the house from the conversation?
A: It’s no longer available.
⑾ M: I’d like to buy a copy of Professor Franklin’s book on American
culture.（2003-09-3）
W: I’ m sorry. The book has been out of print for some time now.
Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?
A: At a bookstore.
⑿ M: Look! The view is fantastic. Could you take a picture of me
with the lake in the background?（2003-12-2）
W: I’m afraid I just run out of film.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
A: The woman can’t take a photo of the man.
13 买工具总能赶上促销或减价而买到实正的廉价货，但从久远考虑，大城市舍弃二手货而买崭新的；
实题佐证：
① M: Do you have the paperback edition of this
dictionary?（1999-01-6）
W: Yes, we do. But the hard cover is on sale for the same price as
the paperback.
Q: What does the woman say about the dictionary?
A: Both editions are the same price now.
② W: You’ve got your apartment furnished, haven’t you?（2003-06-4）
M: Yes. I bought some used furniture at the Sunday market and it was
a real bargain.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: The furniture he bought was very cheap.
14 崇奉平静致远，人们老是憧憬平静宁静的处所以遁藏喧哗的情况；
实题佐证：
① M: I don’t think we can find a better hotel around here at this
time.（1997-01-1）
W: Let’s walk a little further to see if there is another one. I
just can’t bear the traffic noise here.
Q: What will the speakers most probably do?
A: Try to find a quiet place.
② M: I hear you are moving into a new apartment soon.（2001-06-3）
W: Yes, but it is more expensive. My present neighbor plays the
piano all night long.
Q: Why is the woman moving?
A: She can’t put up with the noise.
③ M: The food in this restaurant is horrible. If only we’d gone to
the school dining hall.（2003-12-3）
W: But the food isn’t everything. Isn’t it nice just to get away
from all the noise?
Q: What can we learn from the conversation?
A: It’s quiet in the restaurant.
15 打公用德律风总没带够零钱；
实题佐证：
M: Hi, Jane. Do you have some changes? I have to make a call on the
pay phone.（2000-12-1）
W: Pay phone? Why not use my mobile phone? Here you are.
Q: What will the man most probably do?
A: Use the woman’s phone.
16 身段老是欠安，需要节食减肥或参与体育运动；
实题佐证：
M: Hi, Susan. I hear that you walk all the way to the office these
days.（1997-06-3）
W: Yes. I have found great pleasure in walking. That’s the type of
exercise I enjoy very much.
Q: Why does the woman walk all the way to the office?
A: She takes it as a kind of exercise.
17 想看片子时票老是难买，要么人多要么没票，若好不随便买到片子票而往看了，成果老是令人失看，不值得一看；
实题佐证：
① M: Did you like the film?（1990-01-5）
W: Not particularly. I was rather disappointed. I’d expected it to
be much more exciting.
Q: What can we learn from this conversation?
A: The film wasn’t as good as she’d expected.
② W: The movie starts in 5 minutes and there’s bound to be a long
line.（1996-06-7）
M: Why don’t we come back for the next show? I’m sure it would be
less crowded.
Q: What is the man suggesting?
A: Coming back for a later show.
③ M: Mary, would you like to go to the movies with me after
dinner?（1997-06-9）
W: Well, I’ll go if you really want me to, but I’m rather tired.
Q: What can we conclude from this conversation?
A: The woman does not want to go to the movies.
④ M: I would like two tickets for the 9 o’clock show this
evening.（1998-01-1）
W: I’m sorry, Sir. They are sold out. But we have a few left for
tomorrow.
Q: What do we learn from this conversation?
A: There aren’t any tickets left for tonight’s show.
⑤ M: I heard there are a few seats left for the show
tonight.（2002-01-8）
W: Really? I was under the impression that the tickets were sold out
a long time ago.
Q: What do we know from the woman’s reply?
A: She thought there were no tickets left for the show.
18 预定方案因为种种原因老是被迫推延或取缔；
实题佐证：
① W: Did you go to the football match last Saturday?（1993-06-5）
M: Oh yes. It was supposed to start at 2:30, but it was delayed 15
minutes.
Q: When did the football match start?
A: At 2:45.
② W: Would you like to go to the dance with me tonight?（1994-01-3）
M: I’d love to, but I’m just getting over my cold.
Q: Will the man go dancing with the woman tonight?
A: He won’t go since he is not feeling well.
③ W: John, do you want to go swimming with me today?（1995-06-4）
M: Sure, but I can’t leave now. I have an appointment with my
professor at 3 o’clock.
Q: Why can’t John go swimming now?
A: He must meet his teacher.
19 人们老是乐于助人，为对方供给力所能及的搀扶帮助；
实题佐证：
① W: Could you lend me a pen? Mine has just run out of
ink.（1989-01-1）
M: I’m afraid I don’t have an extra one. Would a pencil do?
Q: How did the man respond to the woman’s request?
A: He offered her a pencil.
② W: Do you mind if I borrow your notes?（1994-01-2）
M: No, of course not. They are on my desk.
Q: What does the man mean?
A: He agrees to lend his notes.
③ M: I am worried about those classes I missed when I was
sick.（2000-12-3）
W: I will try to bring you up-to-date on what we’ve done.
Q: What does the woman mean?
A: She will help the man to catch up.
20 出于好意，人们老是定见对方凡事都不要焦急，“面包会有的，一切城市有的。”
实题佐证：
① M: I haven’t heard from my family since last month.（1989-01-7）
W: Don’t worry, Bill. Overseas mail is often slow.
Q: What can we learn about the man from the conversation?
A: He is expecting a letter from abroad.
② W: I’m really angry at John. He ever listens to me.（1995-01-1）
M: Take it easy, Allen. Things will work out.
Q: What does the man advise Allen to do?
A: Be calm and patient.
③ M: I haven’t received the furniture I ordered yet. Maybe I should
call to check on it.（1996-06-1）
W: Don’t worry. It takes at least a week to arrive.
Q: What does the woman think the man should do?
A: Wait patiently.
④ M: I haven’t got my scores on the GRE test yet. Do you think I
should call to make inquiries?（2003-06-6）
W: There is no hurry. The test scores are released at least eight
weeks after the test.
Q: What did the woman advise the man to do?
A: Be patient and wait.
类似的场景还有良多，如：从藏书楼借来的书老是超期而不能不交付罚金，学生的功课或学期论文往往会错过最初期限而被取缔学分或被迫重修等，期看广阔考生能从历年全实题中本身往总结，找出此中的奥秘与法例。
俗话说，“优良的初步是胜利的一半。”通过以上对对话部门常评语言情景、典范题型及典型发问体例和“信不信由你”定律的回纳与总结，相信考生对那部门的查核重点和题型都已洞若观火，心中有数。祝各人考出程度，获得优良功效！
(本文做者：外国语学院林明金副传授）