英语四级模拟

Part I Writing (30 minutes)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic." One Way to Solve the Problem. You should write at least 120 words according to the outline given below in Chinese."

1．机动车被看作是空气污染的首要原因

2．提出解决这一问题的方法

3．并说明原因

One Way to Solve the Problem

Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked E A I, I B 3, I C I and IDa. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

Story Reader

About Story Reader

Parents dearly hope their children learn to read well. They also hope their children learn to read quickly and easily, so th at they’re ready for the demands put on them by school and the world.

Kids want to learn how to read, but they also crave entertainment, whether it’s quiet and passive or dynamic and interactive. The aims of the Story Reader line of electronic books are to entertain children and to introduce them to the process

of learning how to read in a gentle and enjoyable way. In this article, we’ll show you how Story Reader works and if it accomplishes that goal.

Story Reader is a compact, roughly 12-inch-by-12-inch plastic case (with a carrying handle ) that opens to reveal an actual book that fits snugly into the Reader itself. Story Reader’s core feature is that it "reads" the book aloud to a child as he follows along. The child turns the pages when prompted by the Story Reader or at his own pace.

Books have both text and illustrations. The electronic book responds to the child’s wishes. The Story Reader speaks the text for the current page. If the child turns back a few pages, the Reader recognizes that page and reads it again. Kids react well to this interactivity because it instills a sense of cuntrol over the story.

There are Three Story Reader Products

The basic Story Reader, introduced in 2003, is as described above and is intended for kids three years of age and older.

Each book has a small companion cartridge that slides into a port on the case and contains the audio encoded into its memory for the story.

The device has a volume control but no on/off switch--a deliberate choice so kids can simply open it up and begin reading. It takes four AAA batteries (or operates on household current with an optional adaptor) and retails for around $20.

Find out more information about the more than 60 titles at the Story Reader website.

Early in 2006, Publications International, Ltd.--Story Reader’s publisher--introduced My First Story Reader, designed for newborns to kids up to age three. As with the original, a narrator reads the story aloud, this time from a 12-page book made from a heavier paperstock that includes sound effects and music to enliven the experience.

My First Story Reader features two play modes, one with narration, the other that asks

questions about the images on each page. The child can press any of three buttons to answer basic questions about shapes and colors. The last two pages of

each My First Story Reader book features a sing-along rhyming melody. My First Story Reader retails for about $20.

Late in 2006, Publications International introduced a video version of Story Reader called Story Reader Video Plus for kids up to the age of seven. Retailing for about $35, it combines a stand-alone Story Reader with an "Animated Story Mode"

that plays through your television and includes a "Learning Game Mode".

The Animated Story Mode works just as it sounds--when you connect it to your television through color-coded cables, the story appears on screen and changes as your child turns the pages. Kids get to the Learning Game Mode by turning to the

last page of the book. There, they can choose from five educational games. While it depends on the story, generally there are pattern games, memory games, and platform games. Similar to Nintendo games like Super Mario Brothers, in a platform game the child uses the included controller to guide him through the environment and conquer obstacles.

Story Reader Video Plus isn’t a video game, technically, and Publications International bills the Story Reader line more as electronic books than toys. This reassures many parents, and it’s why Story Reader is sold in bookstores and in the book section of major retailers.

What about the Educational Underpinnings of Story Reader?

Studies show an alarming decline in reading rates among all age groups in America, especially among the young.

Children are bombarded on a daily basis with multiple forms of entertainment that compete with traditional learning.

Kids naturally emulate the adults in their lives, and seeing their parents and other family members enjoy reading is a powerful motivator. Establishing and keeping a Read-At-Home Night helps families spend time together and helps form lifelong reading habits in children.

Here’s how you do it:

·Set aside one night a week in your household and call it "Read-At-Home Hour"--or anything you prefer. Establish a time allotment that works for your family, for example, 30 minutes or an hour.

· Minimize interruptions from the TV, computer, and video games--and turn on the telephone answering machine.

·Choose one book for the entire family to read aloud together, or encourage individual family members to choose their own books to read quietly. Electronic books can work in this context, as well.

· Finally, sit down, relax, and read.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答；8-10题在答题卡1上。

1. The aims of the Story Reader line of electronic books are __

[A] to entertain and teach children

[B] to play with the child

[C] to ease the parents’ burden

[D] to ease the teachers’ burden

2. Story Reader’s key characteristic is that __

[A] it "reads" the book which the child likes

[B] it "reads" the book while the child plays

[C] it "reads" the book while the child follows along

[D] it "reads" the book while the parent works

3. Children __ are suitable users of the basic Story Reader.

[A] up to six months old

[B] up to age one

[C] up to age two

[D] up to age three

4. The basic Story Reader for sale is about __

[A] 12 dollars

[B] 20 dollars

[C] 35 dollars

[D] 60 dollars

5. My First Story Reader is characteristic with

[A] two play modes

[B] three play modes

[C] four play modes

[D] five play modes

6. Story Reader Video Plus is a video version of Story Reader designed for __

[A] newborns to kids up to age three

[B] newborns to kids up to age seven

[C] children up to the age of five

[D] children up to the age of seven

7. How many games can children choose from the Animated Story Mode?

[A] four

[B] five

[C] six

[D] seven

8. If the Story Reader speaks the text for the current page, but the child tums back a few pages, it will __________

9. Late in 2006, we can infer that there were Story Reader products___________.

10. Like Super Mario Brothers, children in a platform game use the included controllers to__________

Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.

Americans are a very energetic and mobile people, always on the run, rushing from one appointment to another, from a PTA meeting to a social planning committee. They have very little time to spend preparing elaborate everyday meals to be eaten at leisure. In many homes it is rare for the whole family to sit down at supper together. Clubs and commitments force them to grab a

quick meal rather than a sit-down supper.

When they do have the chance to eat at home often the working housewife prefers to prepare meals which can be quickly heated and consumed. It is no wonder, therefore, that America has become a sanctuary for fast food consumption.

This great transformation occurred after World War II when many women began to work full-time jobs and were spending less time at home with their families. Women, however, wanted to function well in the capacity of home-maker, as well as that of career woman but time became a precious commodity which had to be carefully used.

Therefore, it was necessary to make her life easier at home in the preparation of the family dinner. Simultaneously with women entering the job market there was also a shifting of the focus of home entertainment from the radio to the television.

Television became the latest fad in the fifties and no one wanted to miss his or her favorite televised program. The place for the evening’s supper shifted from the dining room to the living room.

As the customs changed, so did the culture. The immediate solution for this was the invention of the TV dinner. These were frozen meals which were sectioned off into portions of meat and vegetables. They could easily be popped into an oven and prepared within minutes. The tin trays in which they were served were conveniently carried into the living room and dinner was consamed in front of a TV set. Cleaning up afterwards was no problem. The tin trays were easily tossed into the garbage.

From fast dinners at home the next step was quick eating while on the road. At this time also the love for TV was combined with the fascination for the automobile. It is not odd that with the development of the superhighways America saw the beginning of fast food chains. McDonald’s paved the way with its variety of burgers and shakes soon to be followed by all kinds of other foods. Today dozens of fast-food chain franchises can be found along highways, in modem shopping malls and scattered throughout neighborhoods in America. Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Roy Roger’s, Burger King and Wendy’s are just a few of the fast-food chains which are now part of American culture. They offer chicken, donuts, tacos and pizza, all quickly produced in great quantities for the masses. These establishments have given shape to the modern lifestyles and diet of the American people.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

57. Why Americans cannot eat elaborately prepared meals at leisure?

[A] Because they don’t like cooking themselves,

[B] Because there are more choices in the restaurants.

[C] Because they have many things to do.

[D] Because they can do nothing at leisure.

58. Americans have been the consumers of fast food since

[A] many women began to work full-time jobs

[B] the invention of fast food

[C] few women would like to be homemakers any more

[D] the great reform after World War II

59. Americans began to have supper in the living rooms because of

[A] the attraction of the radio

[B] their preference in fast food

[C] the shift of home focus

[D] the attraction of the television

60. The fast food chains began to flourish with __

[A] the development of the shopping malls

[B] the development of the superhighways

[C] the beginning of fast food chain franchises

[D] the change of Americans’ lifest yles

61. The main topic of the passage is __

[A] the beginning of fast food chains

[B] the changes of Americans’ eating customs

[C] the transformation of lifestyles

[D] the dieting of the American people

Passage Two

Questions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.

Car crashes are the leading cause of injury and death among U.S. children, and though most of us now think of car seats as standard baby equipment, about half of all children under the age of four who died in vehicle accidents last year were not

restrained. It is calculated that only about two-thirds of children aged five to fifteen buckle their seat belts.

Moreover, the traffic-safety agency estimates that even among parents who always strap their children in, 85% are not doing it properly. They often don’t know where best to place the kids, don’t use the proper restraint for their age and weight, or don’t install the safety seats properly. Despite the reports about front seats collapsing onto back seats when certain car models get in accidents, the safest place in the car for any child up to the age of 12 is still the back seat. Babies up to 9 kg and one year old should ride in rear-facing infant seats.

Never place a child under age 12 in the front seat with a working passenger-side air bag. These devices are discharged at 320 km/h and can be triggered by low-speed fender benders. They have killed 77 kids in the U.S. since 1993. If you must place a child in front, make sure the passenger-side bag is switched off.

Children over age one should ride in forward-facing safety seats with a five-point harness system. A child who weighs at least 18 kg or at least lm high can graduate to a booster seat that elevates her so that the standard shoulder and lap belt fits properly.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

62. What does the author mainly discuss in this passage?

[A] How to avoid car crash.

[B] How to design safer baby equipment.

[C] How to educate children properly.

[D] How to properly secure children in the ear.

63. Which of the following is NOT among the "improper ways" mentioned in the passage?

[A] They don’t know where best to place the child.

[B] They don’t have the safety equipment for the child.

[C] They don’t use the proper restraint for the kid’s age and weight.

[D] They don’t install the safety seats properly.

64. Which of the following is the best seat for the children under 12?

[A] Forward-facing seats.

[B] Rear-facing seats.

[C] Front seats.

[D] Back seats.

65. The author indicates that a passenger-side air bag __

[A] might not be dangerous if switched off

[B] is designed for the safety of children

[C] is discharged at 320 km/h and will not triggered by other factors

[D] is not working ifa child sits in the seat

66. What does the word "graduate" (Line 2, Para. 4) mean?

[A] Finish schooling.

[B] Change to something else.

[C] Collapse.

[D] Stand.

Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.

There is a new type of small advertisement becoming increasingly common in newspaper classified columns. It is sometimes placed among “situations vacant”, although it does not offer anyone a job, and sometimes it appears among “situations wanted”, although it is not placed by someone looking for a job, either. What it does is to offer help in applying for a job.

“Contact us before writing your application”, or “Make use of our long experience in preparing your curriculum vitae or job history”, is how it is usually expressed. The growth and apparent success of such a specialized service is, of course, a reflection on the current high levels of unemployment. It is also an indication of the growing importance of the curriculum vitae (or job history), with the suggestion that it may now qualify as an art form in its own right.

There was a time when job seekers simply wrote letters of application. “Just put down your name, address, age and whether you have passed any exams”, was about the average level of advice offered to young people applying for their first jobs when I left school. The letter was really just for openers, it was explained, everything else could and should be saved for the interview. And in those days of full employment the technique worked. The letter proved that you could write and were available for work. Your eager face and intelligent replies did the rest.

Later, as you moved up the ladder, something slightly more sophisticated was called for. The advice then was to put something in the letter which would distinguish you from th e rest. It might be the aggressive approach. “Your search is over. I am the person you are looking for”, was a widely used trick that occasionally succeeded. Or it might be some special feature specially designed for the job interview.

There is no doubt, however, that it is increasing number of applicants with university education at all points in the process of engaging staff that has led to the greater importance of the curriculum vitae.

57. The new type of advertisement which is appearing in newspaper columns .

A）informs job hunters of the opportunities available

B）promises to offer useful advice to those looking for employment

C）divides available jobs into various types

D）informs employers of the people available for work

58. Nowadays a demand for this specialized type of service has been created because .

A）there is a lack of jobs available for artistic people

B）there are so many top level jobs available

C）there are so many people out of work

D）the job history is considered to be a work of art

59. In the past it was expected that first job hunters would .

A) write an initial letter giving their life history

B) pass some exams before applying for a job

C) have no qualifications other than being able to read and write

D) keep any detailed information until they obtained an interview

60. Later, as one went on to apply for more important jobs, one was advised to include in the letter .

A) something that would distinguish one from other applicants

B) hinted information about the personality of the applicant

C) one’s advantages over others in applying for the job

D) an occasional trick with the aggressive approach

61. The curriculum vitae has become such an important document because .

A) there has been an increase in the number of jobs advertised

B) there has been an increase in the number of applicants with degrees

C) jobs are becoming much more complicated nowadays

D) the other processes of applying for jobs are more complicated

Passage Two

Questions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.

In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent—controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.

Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low—paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.

Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.

Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular

decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.

62. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may .

A) cause a shortage of apartments

B) worry those who rent apartments as homes

C) increase the profits of landlords

D) encourage landlords to invest in building apartment

63. According to the critics, rent control .

A) will always benefit those who rent apartments

B) is unnecessary

C) will bring negative effects in the long run

D) is necessary under all circumstances

64. The problem of unemployment will arise .

A) if the minimum wage is set too highB) if the minimum wage is set too low

C) if the workers are unskilledD) if the maximum wage is set

65. The passage tells us .

A) the relationship between supply and demand

B) the possible results of government controls

C) the necessity of government control

D) the urgency of getting rid of government controls

66. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A) The results of economic decisions can not always be predicted.

B) Minimum wage can not always protect employees.

C) Economic theory can predict the results of economic decisions if other factors are not changing.

D) Economic decisions should not be based on economic theory.

Part V Cloze (15 minutes)

Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked [A],[B],[C]and [D] on the right side of the paper. You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.

Reading involves looking at graphic symbols and formulating mentally the sounds and ideas they represent. Concepts of reading have changed 67 over the centuries. During the 1950s especially, increased attention has been devoted to 68 and describing the reading process. 69 specialists agree that reading 70 a complex organization of higher mental 71 , they disagree 72 the exact nature of the process. Some experts, who regard language primarily as a code using symbols to represent sounds, 73 reading as simply the decoding of symbols to the sounds they stand 74 .

These authorities 75 that meaning, being concerned with thinking, must be taught independently of the decoding process. Others maintain that reading is 76 related to thinking, and that a child who pronounces sounds without 77 their meaning is not truly reading. The reader, 78 to some, is not just a person with a theoretical ability to read but one who 79 reads.

Many adults, although they have the ability to read, have never read a book in its 80 . By some experts they would not be 81 as readers. Clearly, the philosophy, objectives, methods and materials of reading will depend on the definition one uses. By the most 82 and satisfactory definition, r eading is the ability to 83 the soundsymbols’ code of the language, to interpret meaning for various 84 , at various rates, and at various levels of difficulty, and to do 85 widely and enthusiastically. 86 short, reading is the interpretation of ideas through the use of symbols representing sounds and ideas.

67. [A] substantively [B] substantially [C] substitutively [D] subjectively

68. [A] distributing [B] promoting [C] defining [D] reporting0

69. [A] Although [B] If [C] Unless [D] Until

70. [A] involves [B] takes [C] reveals [D] invites

71. [A] opinions [B] effects [C] manners [D] functions

72. [A] of [B] about [C] for [D] into

73. [A] view [B] look [C] reassure [D] agree

74. [A] by [B] to [C] off [D] for

75. [A] content [B] contend [C] contempt [D] contact

76. [A] inexplicably [B] inexpressibly [C] inextricably [D] inexpediently

77. [A] interpreting [B] telling [C] explaining [D] reading

78. [A] like [B] for [C] according [D] as

79. [A] totally [B] usually [C] mainly [D] actually

80. [A] part [B] entirety [C] chapter [D] section

81. [A] claimed [B] said [C] classified [D] graded

82. [A] inclusive [B] inclinable [C] conclusive [D] complicated

83. [A] break [B] elaborate [C] define [D] unlock

84. [A] purposes [B] degrees [C] stages [D] steps

85. [A] such [B] so as [C] so [D] such as

86. [A] By [B] In [C] On [D] To

87．But for the assistance from the government，__________________ (这家公司可能已经在经济危机中倒闭了)．

88．The team seemsto__________________ (失去了竞争优势)recently because of the injury of its leading player．

89．He speaks English well indeed，but__________________ (当然没有像本国人说的那么流利)．

90．__________________ (我本该昨天离开北京)，but I didn’t because of somethingemergency．

91．That is__________________(我所读过的最有趣的书之一)．

87.__________ (幸亏遇到一位好心的出租车司机)，Amyarrived at the test room in time．

88．__________ (这是一个生死攸关的问题)and therefore we must pay more attention to it．89．The problem ofintemet crime__________ (近些年来引起了广泛关注)．

90．111e computer isn’t working properly；__________ (肯定有什么地方出了毛病)．91．__________(应当注意的是)that pollution has become one of the thorniest problems in many big cities．