15 2016年12月SAT北美卷【只有阅读和语法答案】
【备考干货】2016年12月SAT写作考情回顾
12月SAT考试已经落下帷幕，下面对本次考试写作部分进行回顾和分析。
本次写作考题选自Americans’ Future Has toBe Multilingual，作者Linda Moore，全文共10段，作者论点是美国学校应该给学生提供第二语言课程。
一、试题全文Americans’ Future Has to Be Multilingualby Linda MooreP1 We Americans must confront a stark disadvantagewe face when it comes to the global economy. Some eight in 10 Americans speakonly English, and the number of schools teaching a foreign language is indecline, according to a new study by the Council on Foreign Relations. But theopposite is true among our economic competitors.P2 While some 200 million Chinese students arelearning English, only 24,000 Americans are studying Chinese, U.S. Departmentof Education statistics say. Foreign language degrees account for only 1percent of all U.S. undergraduate degrees. And fewer than 2 percent of U.S.undergraduates study abroad in a given year, the Education Department says.P3 Our nation is largely monolingual but isentering an increasingly multilingual world. More than half of European Unioncitizens speak a language other than their mother tongue, and more than aquarter speak at least threelanguages. This is because additional languagesare studied in European primary and secondary schools, and are taken up byEuropean college students in much larger numbers than in the United States.P4 The Council on Foreign Relations-sponsored taskforce report, headed by former New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein andformer Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, concluded: "Education failure puts the United States' future economic prosperity, globalposition, and physical safety at risk." It warned that the country"will not be able to keep pace — much less lead —globally unless it movesto fix the problems it has allowed to fester for too long."P5 For decades, our children were deprived of bilingualor multilingual education out of a mistaken belief that it took time away fromother subjects, hindering students' academic development. But recent researchhas shown that learning another language is a wise investment, rather than awaste. Research from the University of Georgia found that bilingual schoolchildren perform better on standardized tests including the Scholastic AptitudeTest (SAT) than their monolingual peers. A George Mason University studydiscovered that younger students who had enrolled in a second languageimmersion program outperformed those who did not in coursework, aswell as on standardized tests, throughout their scholastic careers.P6 Educators now conclude that learning additionallanguages improves one's ability to focus, plan and solve problems. Among otherbenefits, this means that such students are better able to move efficientlyfrom one subject to another. The D.C.-based Center for Applied Linguistics hasascertained that the earlier we learn a foreign language, the greater thebenefits. Moreover, these benefits can last a lifetime. Learning anotherlanguage can help people stave off the effects of aging,including preventing the onset of dementia and other age-related conditionslike Alzheimer's, according to research done by University of Californianeuroscientists.P7 The benefits of learning a new language gobeyond the classroom. When students graduate, being fluent in a second languageimproves their career prospects. The Bureau of LaborStatistics reports that a number of emerging occupations need workers whocan speak and write in more than one language.A Universityof Floridastudy revealed that in large, linguistically diverse cities suchas Miami and San Antonio, the ability to speak a second language translatesinto more than $7,000 of increased annual income. We want our students to haveaccess to these opportunities and more.P8 The economic importance of being bilingual ishighlighted by the fact that 31 percent of company executives can speak atleast two languages, according to international executive search firm.P9 Using multilingualism, we are expanding thescope of children's learning at a time when public policy limits schoolaccountability to math and reading. Most policymakers want their children tohave global skill sets but do not encourage this in our public schools.P10 Other countries have learned this lesson andhave made the necessary commitments to teach their students additionallanguages. Their students' exposure to additional languages is payingdividends. I would like to see the U.S. Department of Education encourage localeducation authorities to invest in bilingual and multilingual education. Giventhe global competition for good jobs, this is not a luxury, but a necessity. Itwill help our children, and our nation, to succeed in the economy of tomorrow.二、文章分析P1：给出现状/问题，即十分之八的美国人只说一种语言（英语），而其他国家恰恰相反。
2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案(共三套)
2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案（共三套）听力答案Section A Conversation1. [C] It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.2. [B] It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.3. [A] The transition to low-carbon energy systems.4. [C] Plan well in advance.5. [B] What determines success.6. [D] It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. [D] Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. [C] Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.Section B Passage9. [A] To stump of a giant tree.10. [B] Wind and water.11. [D] It was created by supernatural powers.12. [C] By lifting them well above the ground.13. [A] They will buy something from the convenience stores.14. [A] They can bring only temporary pleasures.15. [D] Small daily savings an make a big difference in one's life.Section C Lecture16. [B] They are necessary in our lives.17. [B] They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problem.18. [A] They expand our mind.19. [B] It came from a 3D printer.20. [C] When she was studying at a fashion design school.21. [C] It was hard and breakable.22. [D] It marks a breakthrough in printing material.23. [A] They arise from the advances in technology.24. [D] It is intensively competitive.25. [D] Sharing of costs with each other.阅读答案Section A26. [O] vanished27. [M] undergone28. [D] expanding29. [K] survived30. [H] process31. [L] terminals32. [E] industrialized33. [F] perceived34. [B] conveniences35. [G] practiceSection BCountries Rush for Upper Hand in Antarctica36. [J]37. [C]38. [E]39. [G]40. [D]41. [I]42. [B]43. [H]44. [Q]45. [L]Section Cpassage one46. [D] It has little impact on their decision whether or not to quit smoking.47. [A] Pass a law to standardise cigarette packaging.48. [B] The number of smokes has dropped more sharply than in the UK.49. [A] Prime Minister Cameron has been reluctant to take action.50. [C] They made more British people obese.passage two51. [A] It is worthwhile after all.52. [D] Most of them take jobs which don't require a college degree.53. [C] Interactions among themselves outside the classroom.54. [B] Meting people who will be helpful to you in the future.55. [D] The prestige of the university influences employers' recruitment decisions.翻译范文翻译一随着中国经济的蓬勃发展，学汉语的人数迅速增加，使汉语成了世界上人们最爱学的语言之一。
2016年12月大学英语六级考试答案与解析(第2套)
2016年12月大学英语六级考试答案与解析(第2套）Part I Writing【范文】Throughout the ages, we have concluded a number of factors that contribute to success, among which is creation. Just as the saying goes, ^There is no doubt that creation is the most important human res ou rc e of all.”Not only is creation the force driving economy and society to advance, but it is also essential to the development of individuals. Those who often come up with new i d e as often turn out to be easy to achieve success while a man who always sticks to h a b i t and e x p erie n c e can hardly c r e at e new t h in g s.In t er ms of g ivin g m e a s u r es to en c ou ra ge c reatio n, I w ill lis t t he f ollo w in g on e s. O n t he one hand, the public are expected to realize the significance of creation, so the social media should play its d ue role in ad v o catin g the value of innovation and encouraging the public to c ultivat e awareness of creation. On the other hand, those who are equipped with creative thinking d eserv e some kind of praise, both materially and s p irit u ally.Creation has been a hot word for a long ti me and we cannot emphasize the importance of creation too much. Therefore, we should spare no effort to learn knowledge as much as possible to prepare ourselves to be creative people.Pari II L iste n in g Comprehension1 〜5 : CCABC 6〜10 : ADACD 11 〜15 : BBDAB16〜20:DP)CBD 21〜25:CAADDSection AConversation OneM: Guess what? The worst food Ive ever had was in France.W: Really? That’s odd. (1) I thought the French were all good cooks.M: Yes. That’s right. I suppose it’s really like anywh ere else，though You know, some places are good. Some bad.Put it’s r e ally all our own fault.W: What d o you mean?M: Well it was the first time Id been to France. This was years ago when I was at school. (2)I went there with my parents5friends, from my f ather’s school. They’d hired a coach to take them toSw itzerla nd.W: A school trip?M: Right. Most of them had never been abroad before. We?d crossed the English Channel at night, and we set off through France, and breakfast time arrived, and the coach driver had arranged for us to stop at this litt l e cafe. There we all were tir ed and hungry, and then we made the great discovery.W: Wh a t was t h at?女士认为法国人怎么样？ A) 他们为他们的菜肴而自豪。
2016年12 月英语四级真题阅读及翻译全三套集
2016 年12 月英语四级真题（第一套）Section BDirections:In this section, you are gonging to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify theparagraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraphmore than once.Each paragraph is markedwith a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter onAnswer sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your wireless Security System?[A] Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn’t surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinion about the potential vulnerabilities ofpopular home-security systems.[B] The most likely type of burglary(入室盗窃) by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted for roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2003. The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The FBI doesn’t even track those statistics.[C] One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar(入室盗窃）might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensor up around your home that keeps aneye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the system is armed,they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to aa base station that will then raise the alarm. Thatapproach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns-but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station? [D] Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not unique to security systems. Any deviceThat’s built to re ceive a wireless signal at a specific can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to ―jam‖ a conversation between two people-all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on-that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling. They will, however, need to know what system they’ are looking for. If you have a sign in your yard decl aring what setup you use, that’d point them in the right direction, thought at that point, we’ are talkingabout a highly targeted, semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort of forced-entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment forsome frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, winner of our Editors’ Choice distinction, utilizes a special system that’s capableof separating incidental RF interference form targeted jamming attacks. When the systemthinks it’s being jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert（推送警报）. From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete with a video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment .After taking appropriate measure to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out foro urselves, and were able to verify that it’ is possible with the right equipment. However, wealso verified that SimpliSafe’s anti-jamming system words. It caught us in the act, sent an alertto my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the syst em’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not it detected them.[H] We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how the system words, then figure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and that it varies slightly form system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a universal magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing their own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented cases of a successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam theirway into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need to target your home, specifically.Then, he’s goi ng to need to know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you’re away, so the thief will still need to break in. That mean s defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window .He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or opened door would normally release the alarm .So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping the anti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does not have access to.[K] At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home,one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exploit lighting at night.No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely.Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipment and skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with a conversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggering the alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radio interference from targeted jamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once something wrong is detected.43. Different measures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary in addition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.45.Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internetsearch.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section .Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices maked A),B),C)andD).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writers abou t food and drink for a living, I couldn’t tell you the first thingabout Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual livin g wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for the post-dinner mathit requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggest otherwise. Youactually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money you server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a letter value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough:the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you .Well , if this were true we would all be slipping a few 100 dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are , are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more up–front for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant thatdoesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human nature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather than the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China,Japan，and India.But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss inoil-producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily,says economic researcher Sara Johnson. ―Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support spend and subsidies(补贴）for their consumers.‖But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil-producing nations cant’s afford to import as much as they used to. Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the prices drop account for a larger share of the global economy. Consumers, in the U.S. at least, acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number ofoil-producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A)The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B)Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C)The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D)The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A)They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B)They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C)They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D)They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C)Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D)People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IVTranslation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese intoEnglish .You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福。
2016年12月CET 4 仔细阅读及答案
Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writers about food and drink for a living, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for the post-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggest otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money you server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a letter value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you .Well , if this were true we would all be slipping a few 100 dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are , are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more up–front for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human nature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather than the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world econom y. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China,Japan，and India.But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss inoil-producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily,says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support spend and subsidies(补贴)for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil-producing nations cant’s afford to import as much as t hey used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the prices drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number ofoil-producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A)The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B)Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C)The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D)The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A)They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B)They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C)They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D)They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did b efore?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C)Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D)People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Answer:Section CPassage One46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?B) He intends to get rid of tipping practice.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?C) It forces the consumers to compensate the waiter.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage Two51. What does the author, mainly discuss in the passage?C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?D) Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?B) Its negative effects more than cancel cut its positive effects55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?C) oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy。
2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案
2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第1套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Youressay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourageinvention. You are required to writeat least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A. It tries to predict the possible trends of global climate change.B. It studies the impacts of global climate change on people's lives.C. It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.D. It focuses on the efforts countries can make to deal with global warming.2. A. It will take a long time before a consensus is reached on its impact.B. It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.C. It is the most pressing issue confronting all countries.D. It is bound to cause endless disputes among nations.3. A. The transition to low-carbon energy systems.B. The cooperation among world major powers.C. The signing of a global agreement.D. The raising of people's awareness.4. A. Carry out more research on it.B. Cut down energy consumption.C. Plan well in advance.D. Adopt new technology.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. When luck plays a role.B. what determines success.C. Whether practice makes perfect.D. How important natural talent is.6. A. It knocks at your door only once in a while.B. It is something that no one can possibly create.C. It comes naturally out of one's self-confidence.D. It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. A. Luck rarely contributes to a person's success.B. One must have natural talent to be successful.C. One should always be ready to seize opportunities.D. Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. A. Putting time and effort into fun things is profitable.B. People who love what they do care little about money.C. Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.D. People in need of money work hard automatically.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, must choose the bestyou answer from the four choices markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the passage you have just heard.9. A. The stump of a giant tree.B. A huge piece of rock.C. The peak of a mountain.D. A tall chimney.10. A. Human activity.B. Wind and water.C. Chemical processes.D. Fire and fury.11. A. It is a historical monument.B. It was built in ancient times.C. It is Indians' sacred place for worship.D. It was created by supernatural powers.12. A. By sheltering them in a cave.B. By killing the attacking bears.C. By lifting them well above the ground.D. By taking them to the top of a mountain.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. They will buy something from the convenience stores.B. They will take advantage of the time to rest a while.C. They will have their vehicles washed or serviced.D. They will pick up some souvenirs or gift items.14. A. They can bring only temporary pleasures.B. They are meant for the extremely wealthy.C. They should be done away with altogether.D. They may eventually drive one to bankruptcy.15. A. A good way to socialize is to have daily lunch with one's colleagues.B. Retirement savings should come first in one's family budgeting.C. A vacation will be affordable if one saves 20 dollars a week.D. Small daily savings can make a big difference in one's life.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three recordings oflectures or talks followed by three orfour questions. The recordings be playedwill only once. After you hear a question, youmust choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. Thenmark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.16. A. They should be done away with.B. They are necessary in our lives.C. They enrich our experience.D. They are harmful to health.17. A. They feel stressed out even without any challenges in life.B. They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problems.C. They are anxious to free themselves from life's troubles.D. They are exhausted even without doing any heavy work. ~18. A. They expand our mind.B. They prolong our lives.C. They narrow our focus.D. They lessen our burdensQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. It is not easily breakable.B. It came from a 3D printer.C. It represents the latest style.D. It was made by a fashion designer.20. A. When she had just graduated from her college.B. When she attended a conference in New York.C. When she was studying at a fashion design school.D. When she attended a fashion show nine months ago.21. A. It was difficult to print.B. It was hard to come by.C. It was hard and breakable.D. It was extremely expensive.22. A. It is the latest model of a 3D printer.B. It is a plastic widely used in 3D printing.C. It gives fashion designers room for imagination.D. It marks a breakthrough in printing material.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.23. A. They arise from the advances in technology.B. They have not been examined in detail so far.C. They are easy to solve with modern technology.D. They can't be solved without government support.24. A. It is attractive to entrepreneurs.B. It demands huge investment.C. It focuses on new products.D. It is intensely competitive.25. A.Cooperation with big companies.B. Recruiting more qualified staff.C. In-service training of IT personnel.D. Sharing of costs with each other.Part 皿Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. Youare required to select one word foreach blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bankmore than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.It is important that scientists be seen as normal people asking and answering important questions.Good, sound science depends on 26, experiments and reasoned methodologies. It requires awillingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experiencefailures. But good science also requires 27 understanding,clear explanation and concisepresentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 and offer theiropinions on important matters. Weneed more scientists whocan explain what they are doing inlanguage that is 29 and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should alsobe prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 scientific knowledge into ourpublic communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do notunderstand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the1960s, the United States 31 nearly 17% of discretionary ( 可酌情支配的) spending to research anddevelopment,32 decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single33This occurs at a time whenother nations have made significant gains in their own researchcapabilities.At the University of California (UC), we 34 ourselves not only on the quality of our research,but also on its contribution to improving our world. To 35 the development of science from the labbench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A. ArenaB. contextualC. ConvincingD. devotedE. DigitsF. hastenG. HypothesesH. impairingI. IncorporateJ. indefiniteK. IndulgeL. inertiaM. PrideN. reapingO. WarrantSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph ismarked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Are We in an Innovation Lull?[A] Scan the highlights of this year's Consumer Electronics Show（ CES）, and you may get a slightfeeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as thecoolest gadgets last year--or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demosare still just as crazy. It is still easy to be dazzled by the display of drones （无人机）,3D printers,virtual reality goggles （眼镜） and more "smart" devices than you could ever hope to catalog.Upon reflection, however, it is equally easy to feel like you have seen it all before. And it is hardnot to think: Are we in an innovation lull （间歇期） ?[B] In some ways, the answer is yes. For years, smartphones, televisions, tablets, laptops anddesktops have madeup a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segmentsare looking at slower growth curves--or shrinking markets in somecases--as consumers are notas eager to spend moneyon newgadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies--the drones,3Dprinters and smart-home devices of the world--now seema bit too old to be called "the next bigthing. "[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. "There is not any one-hitwonder, and there will not be one for years tocome," said Gary Shapiro, president and chiefexecutive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn'tnecessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. "Many industries aregoing out of infancy and becoming adolescents," Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found theirfooting well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in manycases, they need to workeffectively with other devices to realize their full appeal. Take the evolution of the smart home,for example. Companies are pushing it hard but make it almost overwhelming even to dip a toe inthe water for the average consumer, because there are so manycompatibility issues to thinkabout. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendar software works withtheir fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different appfor each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manageeverything together.And while you mayforgive your smartphone an occasional fault, youprobably have less patience for error messages from your door lock.[E] Companies are promoting their own standards, and the market has not had time to choose awinner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have tothink of ecosystems insteadto give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems."The dialogue ischanging from what is technologically possible to what is technologicallymeaningful," said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA--which puts on theshow each year--and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as heresearched his predictions for 2016.[F] "So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets,"said John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. "But over the last couple of years,and in in particular, we are starting to see companies shift from what is the largest screensize, the smallest form factor or theshiniest object and more into what all of these devices do thatis practical ina consumer's life. " Even the technology press conferences, which havebeen high-profile in the past and reached a level of drama and theatricsfor a Las Vegas stage, have adifferent bent to them. Rather than justdazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on thepractical. forexample, released its first smartwatch Monday, selling with aclearpurpose--to improve your fitness--and promoting it as a "tool, not a toy. " Not only that, itsupports a number of platforms: Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows phone.this one fitting Fitbit,[G] That seemsto be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasinglybored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries releasedby Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. Forexample, when asked whether they would buy a new smartphone this year, only 48 percent saidyes--a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are paintingfor us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amountsof consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies needto improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seemto bestrengthening their talk of the practicality of their devices.[I] Companies have already won part of the battle, having driven tech into every part of our lives,tracking our steps and our very heartbeats. Yet the persistent question of " Why do I needthat?"--or, perhaps more tellingly, "Why do you need to know that?"--dogs the steps of manynew ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying asmartwatch in 2016, for example--an increase of just one percent from the previous year despite ayear of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smartwatches canmake up ground for maturing smartphone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demandfor fitness monitors, smart thermostats （恒温器） and connected home cameras, as well.[J] According to the survey, that lack of enthusiasm could stem from concerns about privacy andsecurity. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind,37 percent saidthat they are going to be more cautions about using these devices and services in the future. A full18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against havingtheir sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year's show, as these new technologiesintrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Tradeand Federal Communications commissions, this year's list of policy makers also includesappearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and FederalAviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes senseas technology becomes a larger part of our lives. "There is an incompatibility in the rate at whichthese are advancing relative to the way we're digesting it," he said. "Technology is becomingbigger and more aspirational, and penetrating almost everyaspect of our lives. Wehave tounderstand and think about the implications, and balance these great innovations with thepotential downsides they naturally carry with them. "36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they areworried aboutcompatibility problems.37. This year's electronics show featured the presence of many officials from the federal government.38. The market demand for electronic devices is now either declining or not growing as fast as before.39. One analyst suggests it is necessary to accept both tlie positive and negative aspects of innovativeproducts.40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practical value thanthe showiness of electronic devices.41. Fewer innovative products were found at this year's electronic products show.42. Consumers are becoming more worried about giving personal information to tech companies to getcustomized products and services.43. The Consumer Technology Association is the sponsor of the annual Consumer Electronics Show.44. Manyconsumers wonder about the necessity of having their fitness monitored.45. The electronic industry is maturing even though no wonder products hit the market.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage isfollowed by somequestions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C andD. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The Paris climate agreement finalised in Decemberlast year heralded a newera for climate action.For the first time, the world's nations agreed to keep global warm ing well below 2 °C.This is vital for climate-vulnerable nations. Fewer than 4% ofcountries are responsible for morethan half of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. In a study published in Nature Scientific Reports,we reveal just how deep this injustice runs.Developed nations such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and European countries areessentially climate "free-riders": causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gasemissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change's impact on food and water. In otherwords, a few countries are benefiting enormously from the consumption of fossil fuels, while at thesame time contributing disproportionately to the global burden of climate change.On the flip side, there are many "forced riders", who are sufferingfrom the climate changeimpacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world's most climatevulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very smallquantity of emissions. This is muchlike a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, whilethe heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Paris agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate changefor all, although the details on addressing "climate justice" can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2~C is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Paris talks are very unlikely to deliver onthis.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations toreduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction betweendeveloped and developing nations in their responsibility to cut emissions, effectively ignoring historicalemissions. There is also very little detail on who will provide the funds or, importantly, who isresponsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishing who is responsible for raisingthem will also be vital for the future of climate-vulnerable countries.The most climate-vulnerable countries in the world have contributed very little to creating theglobal disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisationof the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions whilehelping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decidewhether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement becauseA. it is unfair to those climate-vulnerable nationsB. it aims to keep temperature rise below 2 °C onlyC. it is beneficial to only fewer than 4% of countriesD. it burdens developed countries with the sole responsibility47. Why does the author call some developed countries climate "free-riders"?A. They needn't worry about the food and water they consume.B. They are better able to cope with the global climate change.C. They hardly pay anything for the problems they have caused.D. They are free from the greenhouse effects affecting "forced riders".48. Why does the author compare the "forced riders" to second-hand smokers?A. They have little responsibility for public health problems.B. They are vulnerable to unhealthy environmental conditions.C. They have to bear consequences they are not responsible for.D. They are unaware of the potential risks they are confronting.49. What does the author say about the $100 billion funding?A. It will motivate all nations to reduce carbon emissions.B. There is no final agreement on where it will come from.C. There is no clarification of how the money will be spent.D. It will effectively reduce greenhouse emissions worldwide.50. what urgent action must be taken to realise the Paris climate agreement?A. Encouraging high-emitting nations to take the initiative.B. Calling on all the nations concerned to make joint efforts.C. Pushing the current world leaders to come to a consensus.D. Putting in effect the policies in the agreement at once.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon （霓虹灯）sign. Their risky behaviors--drinking toomuch alcohol, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes andskipping school--can alert parents and teachers that serious problems are brewing.But a new study finds that there's another group of adolescents who are in nearly as muchdangerof experiencing the samepsychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleepand have a sedentary （不爱活动的）lifestyle.Of course, that may sound like a description of every teenager on the planet. But the study warnsthat it is teenagers who engage in all three of these practices in the extreme who are truly in jeopardy.Because their behaviors are not usually seen as a red flag, these young people have been dubbed the"invisible risk" group by thestudy's authors."In someways they're at greater risk of falling through the cracks," says researcher VladimirCarli. "While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or gettingdrunk, they may easily overlook teenagers who are engaging in inconspicuous behaviors."The study's authors surveyed 12,395 students and analyzed nine risk behaviors, including excessivealcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy （逃学）. Their aim was todetermine the relationship between these risk behaviors and mental health issues in teenagers.About 58% of the students demonstrated none or few of the risk behaviors. Some13%scored highon all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the "invisible risk" group, scored high on three inparticular: They spent five hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night orless. And they neglected "otherhealthy activities."The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms ofdepression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4%of thelow-risk group. But the invisible group wasn't far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of themexhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. "Wewere very surprised," he says. "The high-risk group andlow-risk group are obvious. But this third group was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and solarge--nearly one third of our sample--that it became a key finding of the study. "Carli says that one of the most significant things about his study is that it provides new early-warning signs for parents, teachers and mental health-care providers. And early identification, supportand treatment for mental health issues, he says, are the best ways to keep them from turning into full-blown disorders.51. What does the author mean by saying "Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide oftenwear their troubles like a neon sign" (Lines 1 - 2, Para.1 )A. Mental problems can now be found in large numbers of teenagers.B. Teenagers' mental problems are getting more and more attention.C. Teenagers' mental problems are often too conspicuous not to be observed.D. Depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms of mentalproblems.52. What is the finding of the new study?A. Teenagers' lifestyles have changed greatly in recent years.B. Many teenagers resort to drugs or alcohol for mental relief.C. Teenagers experiencing psychological problems tend to use a lot of media.D. Many hitherto unobserved youngsters may have psychological problems.53. Whydo the researchers refer to teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleep and have asedentary lifestyle as the "invisible risk" group?A. Their behaviors can be an invisible threat to society.B. Their behaviors do not constitute a warning signal.C. Their behaviors do not tend towards mental problems.D. Their behaviors can be found in almost all teenagers on earth.54. What does the new study find about the invisible group?A. They are almost as liable to depression as the high-risk group.B. They suffer from depression without showing any symptoms.C. They do not often demonstrate risky behaviors as their peers.D. They do not attract the media attention the high-risk group does.55. What is the significance of Vladimir Carli's study?A. It offers a new treatment for psychological problems among teenagers.B. It provides new early-warning signals for identifying teens in trouble.C. It mayhave found an ideal way to handle teenagers with behavioral problems.D. It sheds newlight on howunhealthy behaviors trigger mental health problems.Part IV Translation(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translatea passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet2.随着生活水平的提高，度假在xx 人生活中的作用越来越重要。
2016年12月英语真题及答案
2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Your essay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourage invention. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.例文My View on Invention① Drawing a comparison between modern life and ancient life, we cannot imagine what life will be like now without invention. ②Invention must be attached great importance to, as it is invention that contributes to theadvancement of our society. ③There are several examples which can be cited to illustrate this concept. ④I can think of no betterillustration than the following one. ⑤If Ediso nhadn't invented thelight bulb, we would have lived a life asthe blind in the night.⑥Given that invention plays such an essential role in our life, what can we do to cultivate this precious spirit? ⑦ For one thing, it is advisable for the social media and publicity department to vigorously inform the public of the importance of invention. ⑧ For another, the relevant authorities should set up favorable regulations to encourage invention. ⑨ For example, they can set up the practice of giving premiums or issuing patent certificate to inventors.⑩Finally, I want to use the following saying as our mutual encouragement, "Invention is the spirit of human being's progress. "? At no time should we underestimate the power of invention. ? Therefore, when an idea comes to your mind, just make your own invention.Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.It is important that scientists be seen as normal people asking and answering important questions. Good, sound science depends on 26G , experiments and reasoned methodologies. It requires a willingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experience failures. But good science also requires 27 B understanding,clear explanation and concise presentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 A and offer their opinions on important matters. We need more scientists who can explain what they are doing in language that is 29 C and understandable to the public. Those of us who are notscientists should also be prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 I scientific knowledge into our public communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do not understand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the 1960s, the United States 31 D nearly 17% of discretionary (可酌情支配的) spending to research and development, 32 N decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single 33 E This occurs at a time when other nations have made significant gains in their own research capabilities.At the University of California (UC), we 34 M ourselves not only on the quality of our research, but also on its contribution to improving our world. To 35 F the development of science from the lab bench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A. ArenaB. contextualC. ConvincingD. devotedE. DigitsF. hastenG. Hypotheses H. impairingI. Incorporate J. indefiniteK. Indulge L. inertiaM. Pride N. reapingO. WarrantSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Are We in an Innovation Lull?[A] Scan the highlights of this year's Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ), and you may get a slight feeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as the coolest gadgets last year--or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demos are still just as crazy. It is still easy to be dazzled by the display of drones (无人机),3D printers,virtual reality goggles ( 眼镜) and more "smart" devices than you could ever hope to catalog.Upon reflection,however, it is equally easy to feel like you have seen it all before. And it is hard not to think: Are we in an innovation lull ( 间歇期) ?[B] In some ways, the answer is yes. For years, smartphones, televisions, tablets, laptops and desktops have made up a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segments are looking at slower growth curves--or shrinking markets in some cases--as consumers are not as eager to spend money on new gadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies--the drones,3D printers and smart-home devices of the world--now seem a bit too old to be called "the next big thing. "[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. "There is not any one-hit wonder, and there will not be one for years to come," said Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn't necessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. "Many industries are going out of infancy and becoming adolescents," Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found their footing well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in many cases, they need to work effectively with other devices to realize their full appeal. Take the evolution of the smart home,for example. Companies are pushing it hard but make it almost overwhelming even to dip a toe in the water for the average consumer, because there are so many compatibility issues to think about. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendarsoftware works with their fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different app for each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manage everything together. And while you may forgive your smartphone an occasional fault, you probably have less patience for error messages from your door lock.[E] Companies are promoting their own standards, and the market has not had time to choose a winner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have to think of ecosystems instead to give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems."The dialogue is changing from what is technologically possible to what is technologically meaningful," said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA--which puts on the show each year--and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as he researched his predictions for 2016.[F] "So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets," said John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. "But over the last couple of years,and in this one in particular, we are starting to see companies shift from what is the largest screen size, the smallest form factor or the shiniest object and more into what all of these devices do that is practical in a consumer's life. " Even the technology press conferences, which have been high- profile in the past and reached a level of drama and theatrics fitting for a Las Vegas stage, have a different bent to them.Rather than just dazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on the practical. Fitbit, for example, released its first smartwatch Monday, selling with a clear purpose--to improve your fitness--and promoting it as a "tool, not a toy. " Not only that, it supports a number of platforms: Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows phone. [G] That seems to be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasingly bored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries released by Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. For example, when asked whether they would buy a new smartphone this year, only 48 percent said yes--a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are painting for us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amounts of consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies need to improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seem to be strengthening their talk of the practicality of their devices.[I] Companies have already won part of the battle, having driven tech into every part of our lives, tracking our steps and our very heartbeats. Yet the persistent question of " Why do I need that?"--or, perhaps more tellingly, "Why do you need to know that?"--dogs the steps of many new ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying a smartwatch in 2016, for example--an increase of just onepercent from the previous year despite a year of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smartwatches can make up ground for maturing smartphone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demand for fitness monitors, smart thermostats (恒温器) and connected home cameras, as well.[J] According to the survey, that lack of enthusiasm could stem from concerns about privacy and security. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind,37 percent said that they are going to be more cautions about using these devices and services in the future. A full 18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against having their sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year's show, as these new technologies intrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Trade and Federal Communications commissions, this year's list of policy makers also includes appearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes sense as technology becomes a larger part of our lives. "There is an incompatibility in the rate at which these are advancing relative to the way we're digesting it," he said. "Technology is becoming bigger and more aspirational, and penetrating almost every aspect of our lives. We have to understand and think about theimplications, and balance these great innovations with the potential downsides they naturally carry with them. "36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they are worried about compatibility problems.D37. This year's electronics show featured the presence of many officials from the federal government.K38. The market demand for electronic devices is now either declining or not growing as fast as before.B39. One analyst suggests it is necessary to accept both tlie positive and negative aspects of innovative products.L40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practical value than the showiness of electronic devices.F 41. Fewer innovative products were found at this year's electronic products show.A42. Consumers are becoming more worried about giving personal information to tech companies to get customized products and services.H 43. The Consumer Technology Association is the sponsor of the annual Consumer Electronics Show.E44. Many consumers wonder about the necessity of having their fitness monitored.I45. The electronic industry is maturing even though no wonder products hit the market.CSection CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The Paris climate agreement finalised in December last year heralded a new era for climate action.For the first time, the world's nations agreed to keep global warming well below 2℃.This is vital for climate-vulnerable nations. Fewer than 4% of countries are responsible for more than half of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. In a study published in Nature Scientific Reports, we reveal just how deep this injustice runs.Developed nations such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and European countries are essentially climate "free-riders": causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gas emissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change's impact on food and water. In other words, a few countries are benefiting enormously fromthe consumption of fossil fuels, while at the same time contributing disproportionately to the global burden of climate change.On the flip side, there are many "forced riders", who are suffering from the climate change impacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world's most climatevulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very small quantity of emissions. This is much like a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, while the heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Paris agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate change for all, although the details on addressing "climate justice" can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2~C is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Paris talks are very unlikely to deliver on this.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations to reduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction between developed and developing nations in their responsibility to cut emissions, effectively ignoring historical emissions. There is also very little detail on who will provide the funds or, importantly, who is responsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishingwho is responsible for raising them will also be vital for the future of climate-vulnerable countries.The most climate-vulnerable countries in the world have contributed very little to creating the global disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisation of the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions while helping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decide whether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement becauseA. it is unfair to those climate-vulnerable nationsB. it aims to keep temperature rise below 2℃ onlyC. it is beneficial to only fewer than 4% of countriesD. it burdens developed countries with the sole responsibility47. Why does the author call some developed countries climate "free-riders"?A. They needn't worry about the food and water they consume.B. They are better able to cope with the global climate change.C. They hardly pay anything for the problems they have caused.D. They are free from the greenhouse effects affecting "forced riders".48. Why does the author compare the "forced riders" to second-hand smokers?A. They have little responsibility for public health problems.B. They are vulnerable to unhealthy environmental conditions.C. They have to bear consequences they are not responsible for.D. They are unaware of the potential risks they are confronting.49. What does the author say about the $100 billion funding?A. It will motivate all nations to reduce carbon emissions.B. There is no final agreement on where it will come from.C. There is no clarification of how the money will be spent.D. It will effectively reduce greenhouse emissions worldwide.50. what urgent action must be taken to realise the Paris climate agreement?A. Encouraging high-emitting nations to take the initiative.B. Calling on all the nations concerned to make joint efforts.C. Pushing the current world leaders to come to a consensus.D. Putting in effect the policies in the agreement at once.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon (霓虹灯)sign. Their risky behaviors--drinking too much alcohol, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes and skippingschool--can alert parents and teachers that serious problems are brewing. But a new study finds that there's another group of adolescents who are in nearly as much danger of experiencing the same psychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleep and have a sedentary (不爱活动的) lifestyle.Of course, that may sound like a description of every teenager on the planet. But the study warns that it is teenagers who engage in all three of these practices in the extreme who are truly in jeopardy.Becausetheir behaviors are not usually seen as a red flag, these young people have been dubbed the "invisible risk" group by the study's authors."In some ways they're at greater risk of falling through the cracks," says researcher Vladimir Carli. "While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or getting drunk, they may easily overlook teenagers who are engaging in inconspicuous behaviors."The study's authors surveyed 12,395 students and analyzed nine risk behaviors, including excessive alcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy (逃学). Their aim was to determinethe relationship between these risk behaviors and mental health issuesin teenagers.About 58% of the students demonstrated none or few of the risk behaviors. Some 13% scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the "invisible risk" group, scored high on three in particular: They spentfive hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night or less. And they neglected "other healthy activities."The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms of depression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4% of the low-risk group.But the invisible group wasn't far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of them exhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. "We were very surprised," he says. "The high-risk group and low-risk group are obvious. But this thirdgroup was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and so large--nearly one third of our sample--that it became a key finding of the study. "Carli says that one of the most significant things about his study isthat it provides new early-warning signs for parents, teachers andmental health-care providers. And early identification, support andtreatment for mental health issues, he says, are the best ways to keep them from turning into full-blown disorders.51. What does the author mean by saying "Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon sign" (Lines 1 - 2, Para.1 ) ?A. Mental problems can now be found in large numbers of teenagers.B. Teenagers' mental problems are getting more and more attention.C. Teenagers' mental problems are often too conspicuous not to be observed.D. Depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms of mental problems.52. What is the finding of the new study?A. Teenagers' lifestyles have changed greatly in recent years.B. Many teenagers resort to drugs or alcohol for mental relief.C. Teenagers experiencing psychological problems tend to use a lot of media.D. Many hitherto unobserved youngsters may have psychological problems.53. Why do the researchers refer to teens who use tons of media, don'tget enough sleep and have a sedentary lifestyle as the "invisible risk" group?A. Their behaviors can be an invisible threat to society.B. Their behaviors do not constitute a warning signal.C. Their behaviors do not tend towards mental problems.D. Their behaviors can be found in almost all teenagers on earth.54. What does the new study find about the invisible group?A. They are almost as liable to depression as the high-risk group.B. They suffer from depression without showing any symptoms.C. They do not often demonstrate risky behaviors as their peers.D. They do not attract the media attention the high-risk group does.55. What is the significance of Vladimir Carli's study?A. It offers a new treatment for psychological problems among teenagers.B. It provides new early-warning signals for identifying teens in trouble.C. It may have found an ideal way to handle teenagers with behavioral problems.D. It sheds new light on how unhealthy behaviors trigger mental health problems.Part Ⅳ Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.随着生活水平的提高，度假在中国人生活中的作用越来越重要。
2016年12月英语四级阅读真题及答案（卷一）
2016年12月英语四级阅读真题及答案（卷一）2016年12月英语四级阅读真题及答案（卷一）Passage OneIn college, time is scarce, and consequently, very precious. At the same time, expenses in college pile up surprisingly quickly. A part time job is a good way to balance costs while ensuring there is enough time left over for both academic subjects and after-class activities.If you are a college student looking for a part time job, the best place to start your job search is right on campus. There are tons of on-campus job opportunities, and as a student, you’ll automatically be given hiring priority. Plus, on-campus jobs eliminate commuting time, and could be a great way to connect with academic and professional resources at your university. Check with your school’s career service or employment office for help to find a campus job. Of course, there are opportunities for part-time work off-campus, too. If you spend a little time digging for the right part time jobs, you’ll sa ve yourself time when you find a job that leaves you with enough time to get your school work done, too. If you are a college student looking for work but worry you won’t have enough time to devote to academic subjects, consider working as a study hall or a library monitor. Responsibilities generally include supervising study spaces to ensure that a quiet atmosphere is maintained. It’s a pretty easy job, but one with lots of downtime-which means you will have plenty of time to catch up on reading, do homework or study for an exam.Q16: What does the speaker say about college students applying for on-campus jobs?Q17: What can students do to find a campus job accordingto the speaker?Q18: What does the speaker say is a library monitor’s responsibility?Passage TwoAgricultural workers in green tea fields near Mt. Kenya are gathering the tea leaves. It is beautiful to see. The rows of tea bushes are straight. All appears to be well. But the farmers who planted the bushes are worried. Nelson Kibara is one of them. He has been growing tea in the Kerugoya area for 40 years.He says the prices this year have been so low that he has made almost no profit. He says he must grow different kinds of tea if he is to survive.Mr. Kibara and hundreds of other farmers have been removing some of their tea bushes and planting a new kind of tea developed by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya. Its leaves are purple and brown. When the tea is boiled, the drink has a purple color. Medical researchers have studied the health benefits of the new tea. They say it is healthier than green tea and could be sold for a price that is three to four times higher than the price of green tea.But Mr. Kibara says he has not received a higher price for his purple tea crop.He says the market for the tea is unstable and he is often forced to sell his purple tea for the same price as green tea leaves. He says there are not enough buyers willing to pay more for the purple tea.Q19. Why have tea farmers in Kenya decided to grow purple tea?Q20. What do researchers say about purple tea?Q21. What does Mr. Kibara find about purple tea?Passage ThreeToday's consumers want beautiful handcrafted s to wear and to have for their home environment. They prefer something unique and they demand quality. Craftsmen today are meeting this demand. People and homes are showing great change as more and more unique handcrafted items become available. Handcrafts are big business. No long does a good craftsman have to work in a job he dislikes all day and then try to create at night. He has earned his professional status. He is now a respected member of society. Parts of the fun of being a craftsman is meeting other craftsmen. They love to share their ideas and materials and help others find markets for their work. Craftsmen have helped educate consumers to make wise choices. They help them become aware of design and technique. They help them relate their choice to its intended use. They often involve consumers in trying the craft themselves. When a group of craftsmen expends to include more members, a small craft organization is formed. Such an organization does a lot in training workshops in special media, craft marketing techniques, craft fairs and sales, festivals, TV appearances and demonstrations. State art councils help sponsor local arts and crafts festivals which draw crowds of tourist consumers. This boosts the local economy considerably because tourists not only buy crafts, but they also use the restaurants and hotels and other services of the area.Q22. What does the speaker say about today's consumers?Q23. What does the speaker say about a good craftsman in the past?Q24. What do craftsmen help consumers do?Q25. Why do state art councils help sponsor local arts andcrafts festivals?参考答案Section A26. [E] challenges27. [J] searched28. [D] categorizing29. [K] similarities30. [L] slightly31. [G] percentage32. [O] traditional33. [ I ] regardless34. [H] proving35. [M] suggestsSection B36. [I]37. [D]38. [J]39. [F]40. [B]41. [H]42. [C]43. [K]44. [G]45. [E]Section Cpassage one46. [B] He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.47. [C] It forces the customer to comensate the waiter.48. [D] They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. [A] Services quality has little effect on tip size.50. [D] Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.passage two51. [C] The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.52. [D] Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities.53. [C] They use their money reserves to back up consumption.54. [B] Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.55. [A] People are not spending all the money they save on gas.William PuSunday, December 18, 2016。