2020年12月英語六級聽力原文：講座1

Recording 1

Did you know that Americans have approximately three times the amount of space we had 50 years ago? Therefore, you'd think we'd have sufficient room for all of our possessions. On the contrary, the personal storage business is now a growing industry. We've got triple the space, but we've become such enthusiastic consumers that we require even more. This phenomenon has resulted in significant credit card debt, enormous environmental footprints, and perhaps not coincidentally, our happiness levels have failed to increase over the same half century. 【Q16】

I'm here to suggest an alternative – that having less, might actually be a preferable decision. Many of us have experienced, at some stage, the pleasure of possessing less. I propose that less stuff and less space can not only help you economize, but also simplify your life. I recently started an innovative project to discover some creative solutions that offered me everything I required. By purchasing an apartment that was 40 square meters instead of 60, I admittedly saved $ 200,000. Smaller space leads to reduce utility bills, and also a smaller carbon footprint. Because it is designed around an edited collection of possessions, limited to my favorite stuff, I'm really excited to live there.

How can we live more basically? Firstly, we must ruthlessly cut the unnecessary objects out of our lives. To extend consumption, we should think before we buy, and ask yourselves, "will it truly make me happier?" Obviously, we should possess some great stuff, but we want belongings that we're going to love for years.【Q17】 Secondly, we require space efficiency. We want appliances that are designed for use most of the time, not for occasional use. Why own a six-burner stove when you rarely use even three burners? Finally, we need multifunctional spaces and housewares.

I combined a movable wall with transforming furniture to get more out of my limited space.【Q18】 Consider my coffee table. It increases in size to accommodate ten. My office is tugged away, easily hidden. My bed simply pops out the wall. For gas, I can relocate the movable wall and utilize the foldable guest beds I installed.

I'm not saying that we should all live in tinier apartments, but consider the benefits of an edited life. When you return home and walk through your front door, take a moment to ask yourselves, "could I do with a little life editing? Will that give me more freedom and more time?

Q 16: What has prevented Americans happiness levels from increasing?

Q 17: What things should we possess according to the speaker?

Q 18: What do we learn about the items in the speaker's home?

2020年12月英語六級聽力原文：講座2

Now, believe it or not. People sometimes lie in order to maintain a good honest reputation, -- even if it hurts them to do so. At least, this is what a team of scientists is suggesting, with evidence to prove it.

Picture this scenario: You often drive for work and can be compensated for up to 400 miles per month. Most people at your company drive about 300 miles each month. But this month, you drove 400 miles. How many miles do you think you'd claim in your expense report?

The scientist asked this exact question as part of the study we’re discussing today. With surprising results, they found that 12% of respondents reported the distance they drove as less than the actual figure, giving an average answer of 384 miles. In other words, they lied about their number of miles, even though they would forfeit money they were owed.

The researchers believe this was to seem honest, with the assumption being that others would be suspicious of a high expense claim. But why would people fabricate numbers to their own detriment? The researchers explained that many people carry a great deal about their reputation and how they’ll be judged by others. If they care enough, they concerned about appearing honest and not losing their respect of others. Maybe greater than their desire to actually be honest.

The researchers assert that they find a new suggest that when people obtain very favorable outcomes. They anticipate other people's suspicious reactions and prefer lying and appearing honest to telling the truth and appearing as selfish liars.

So why is this research important? Well, experts generally agreed there are two main types of lie, selfish liars and liars that are meant to benefit others. The first, as you may predict, is for selfish gain, such as submitting a fraudulent claim to an insurance company, while the second involves lying to help others or not offend others. For example, telling a friend whose outfit you don’t like that they look great.

But the researchers are suggesting a third type of lying, lying to maintain a good reputation. Now this hypothesis is new and some skeptics argue that this isn’t a whole new category of lie.

The findings seem intuitive to me. After all, one of the main motivations for lying is to increase our worth in the eyes of others, so it seems highly likely that people will lie to seem honest.

Q19: What did the team of scientist find in their study?

Q20: Why would people fabricate numbers to their own detriment according to the researchers?

Q21: What does the speaker think of the researchers’ findings?

Why do old people dislike new music? As I’ve grown older, I often hear people my age say things like they just don’t make good music like they used to. Why does this happen? Luckily, psychology can give us some insights into this puzzle. Musical tastes begin to crystallize as early as age 13 or 14. By the time we’re in our early 20s, these tastes get locked into place pretty firmly. 【22】

In fact, studies have found that by the time we turn 33, most of us have stopped listening to new music. Meanwhile, popular songs released when you’re in your early teens are likely to remain quite popular among your age group for the rest of your life . 【23】

There could be a biological explanation for this, as there’s evidence that the brain’s ability to make subtle distinctions between different chords, rhythms, and melodies deteriorates with age. So to older people, newer, less familiar songs might all “sound the same.”

But there’ re maybe some simpler reasons for older people’s aversion to newer music. One of the most researched laws of social psychology is something called the “mere exposure effect.” , which in essence means that the more we’re exposed to something, the more we tend to like it. 【24】

This happens with people we know, the advertisements we see and, the songs we listen to.

When you’re in your early teens, you probably spend a fair amount of time listening to music or watching music videos. Your favorite songs and artists become familiar, comforting parts of your routine.

For many people over 30, job and family obligations increase, so there’s less time to spend discovering new music. Instead, many will simply listen to old, familiar favorites from that period of their lives when they had more free time.

Of course, those teen years weren’t necessarily carefree. They’re famously confusing, which is why so many TV shows and movies revolve around the high school turmoil.

Psychology research has shown that the emotions that we experience as teens seem more intense than those that come later. And we also know that intense emotions are associated with stronger memories and preferences. Both of these might explain why the songs we listen to during this period become so memorable and beloved. 【25】

So there’s nothing wrong with your parents because they don’t like your music. Rather it’s all part of the natural order of things.

22. What does the speaker mainly discuss in this talk?

23. What have studies found about most people by the time they turned 33?

24. What do we learn from one of the most researched laws of social psychology?

25. What might explain the fact that songs people listen to in their teen years are memorable and beloved?

2020年12月英語六級聽力原文：講座3

Why do old people dislike new music? As I’ve grown older, I often hear people my age say things like they just don’t make good music like they used to. Why does this happen? Luckily, psychology can give us some insights into this puzzle. Musical tastes begin to crystallize as early as age 13 or 14. By the time we’re in our early 20s, these tastes get locked into place pretty firmly. (22)

In fact, studies have found that by the time we turn 33, most of us have stopped listening to new music. Meanwhile, popular songs released when you’re in your early teens are likely to remain quite popular among your age group for the rest of your life . (23)

There could be a biological explanation for this, as there’s evidence that the brain’s ability to make subtle distinctions between different chords, rhythms, and melodies deteriorates with age. So to older people, newer, less familiar songs might all “sound the same.”

But there’ re maybe some simpler reasons for older people’s aversion to newer music. One of the most researched laws of social psychology is something called the “mere exposure effect.” , which in essence means that the more we’re exposed to something, the more we tend to like it. (24)

This happens with people we know, the advertisements we see and, the songs we listen to.

When you’re in your early teens, you probably spend a fair amount of time listening to music or watching music videos. Your favorite songs and artists become familiar, comforting parts of your routine.

For many people over 30, job and family obligations increase, so there’s less time to spend discovering new music. Instead, many will simply listen to old, familiar favorites from that period of their lives when they had more free time.

Of course, those teen years weren’t necessarily carefree. They’re famously confusing, which is why so many TV shows and movies revolve around the high school turmoil.

Psychology research has shown that the emotions that we experience as teens seem more intense than those that come later. And we also know that intense emotions are associated with stronger memories and preferences. Both of these might explain why the songs we listen to during this period become so memorable and beloved. (25)

So there’s nothing wrong with your pare nts because they don’t like your music. Rather it’s all part of the natural order of things.

22. What does the speaker mainly discuss in this talk?

23. What have studies found about most people by the time they turned 33?

24. What do we learn from one of the most researched laws of social psychology?

25. What might explain the fact that songs people listen to in their teen years are memorable and beloved?

答案：

Recording 1

Q16: ATheir obsession with consumption.

Q17: DThings that we cherish most.

Q18: AThey serve multiple purposes.

Recording 2

Q19: COver 10% of the respondents lied about the distance they drove.

Q20: CThey wanted to protect their reputation.

Q21: BThey seem intuitive.

Recording 3

Q22: Dolder people's aversion to new music.

Q23: AThey no longer listen to new music.

Q24: DThe more you experience something, the better you'll appreciate it.

Q25: BTeenagers' emotions are more intense.