英语专业八级考试真题及答案(5)
英语专八考试试题及参考答案
英语专八考试试题及参考答案英语专八考试试题及参考答案试卷是接受考试者学习情况而设定的并规定在一定时间内必须完成的试题。
一般是有老师集体讨论决定出的试卷，下面店铺为大家收集有关英语专八考试试题及参考答案，供大家参考。
英语专八考试试题及参考答案篇1第一部分听力测试（共25分）一、听句子选择图片。
共5小题，计5分。
A B CD E F 1， 2， 3， 4， 5，二、听对话回答问题。
共10小题，计10分。
请听第一段对话，回答第6小题。
6，How does the man keep in touch with（保持联系）his old friends?A. By sending e-mailsB. By meeting each other.C. By talking on the Internet. 请听第二段对话，回答第7小题。
7，What’s the man going to do this weekend?A.Chat online.B. Buy a computer.C. T ake classes.请听第三段对话，回答第8小题。
8，When did the boy use to play soccer?A. In the morning.B.At noon.C.After school.请听第四段对话，回答第9和10小题。
9，What’s Tom’s problem?A. His parents fought last night.B. He fought with his father last night.C. He fought with his brother last night.10,What’s Linda’s advice for Tom?A.Talking with his teacher.B.Talking with his friend.C.Talking with his parents. 请听第五段对话，回答第11和12小题。
TEM8历年真题参考答案
TEM8历年真题1996-2010年英语专业八级真题参考答案参考答案（1996）PART I LISTENING COMPREHENSION 1.D 2.C 3.A 4.B 5.D 6.B 7.D 8.C 9.C 10.B 11.B 12.D 13.B 14.D 15.C SECTION D NOTE-TAKING AND GAP-FILLING （1）Three (2).Historical (3).plant (4).Sugar (5).fall (6).production (7).potato (8).corn (9).profitable (10).Brazil PART II PROOFREADING AND ERROR CORRECTION 1.let 改为let alone 2.face 改为surface 3.planet 改为which planet 4.删除quite 或 fairly 5.out 改为outer 6.删除away 7.and 改为but 8.quater 改为quarters 9.when 改为until 10.fewer 改为less PART III READING COMPREHENSION 16.A 17.B 18.D 19.B 20.D 21.A 22.D 23.C 24.A 25.B 26.D 27.C 28.C 29.C 30.C 31.B 32.D 33.B 34.D 35.B 36.D 37.D 38.C 39.C 40.A PART IV TRANSLA TION SECTION A CHINESE TO ENGLISH In Paris, a variety of drinking and buffet parties offer a good opportunity for making friends. On such occasion, strangers meet to know each other. If they are Asians, they, usually respectfully with two hands, present their calling cards to the other person before they speak, which seems to be an indispensable formality. However, However, Frenchmen usually do not Frenchmen usually do not present present their cards initially. their cards initially. When they meet, they greet each other or even chat zealously about one topic and then excuse themselves. Only when they take interest in each other and hope to keep in further contact, will they exchange calling cards. It seems unnatural for them to present their calling cards before they speak to each other. SECTION B ENGLISH TO CHINESE 竞选本应是容易的。
英语专业八级真题完整答案及详细解析word版
英语专业八级真题完整答案及详细解析word版TEST FOR ***** MAJORS (20XX年)GRADE EIGHT TIME LIMIT: 195 MINPART I *****NG *****ENSION***** A MINI-*****In this section you will hear a mini-lecture. You will hear the lecture ONCE ONLY. While listening, take notes on the important points. Your notes will not be marked, but you will need them to complete a gap-filling task after the mini-lecture. When the lecture is over, you will be given two minutes to check your notes, and another ten minutes to complete the gap-filling task on ANSWER SHEET ONE. Some of the gaps may require a maximum of THREE words. Make sure the word(s) you fill in is (are) both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may refer to your notes while completing the task. Use the blank sheet for note-taking.Now, listen to the mini-lecture.Classifications of CulturesAccording to Edward Hall, different cultures result in different ideas about the world. Hall is an anthropologist. He is interested in relations between cultures.I. High-context cultureA. feature- context: more important than the message- meaning: (1)__________i.e. more attention paid to (2) ___________ than to the message itself B. examples- personal space- preference for (3)__________- less respect for privacy / personal space- attention to (4)___________- concept of time- belief in (5)____________ interpretation of time- no concern for punctuality- no control over timeII. Low-context cultureA. feature- message: separate from context- meaning: (6)___________B. examples- personal space- desire / respect for individuality / privacy- less attention to body language- more concern for (7)___________- attitude toward time- concept of time: (8)____________- dislike of (9)_____________- time seen as commodityIII. ConclusionAwareness of different cultural assumptions- relevance in work and lifee.g. business, negotiation, etc.- (10)_____________ in successful communication参考答案：(1) context of message(2) what's happening / the context(3) closeness to people(4) body language(5) poly-chronic(6) message itself(7) the message(8) mono-chronic(9) lateness(10) great influence / significanceTIPS：(1) 根据原文中一句“A high-context culture is a culture in which thecontext of the message, or the action, or an event carries a large part of its meaning and significance.”可知答案。
英语专业八级考试真题2023年
英语专业八级考试真题2023年2023年英语专业八级考试真题Part I Listening Comprehension (15 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.1. A) She has already booked a table for dinner.B) She will not attend the party tonight.C) She is still unsure about going out tonight.D) She will be late for the dinner appointment.2. A) The woman is determined to become a scientist.B) The woman still feels uncertain about her future career.C) The man is encouraging the woman to apply for a job.D) The woman must work diligently to achieve her goals.3. A) A black dress.B) A blue bag.C) A green umbrella.D) A red jacket.4. A) In a store.B) In a cafe.C) In a hotel.D) In a park.5. A) The man prefers to go by bus.B) The man has no interest in going to a party.C) The woman is willing to give the man a ride.D) The woman advises the man to take a taxi.6. A) The man does not believe the manager.B) The man thinks the manager is right.C) The man agrees with the woman.D) The man misunderstands the woman.7. A) The man enjoyed the movie.B) The man did not like the movie.C) The man only watched part of the movie.D) The man left the movie halfway through.8. A) A refund.B) A replacement.C) A discount.D) An upgrade.9. A) A cleaner's.B) A bookstore.C) A library.D) An office.10. A) At 4:30.B) At 4:45.C) At 5:00.D) At 5:15.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C), and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.Passage One11. A) He got a better job offer.B) The company refused to renew his contract.C) He wants to retire early.D) He decided to focus on his writing career.12. A) Freelance writer.B) Full-time reporter.C) Newspaper editor.D) College lecturer.13. A) He enjoys the flexibility of his jobs.B) He pays his bills with the money from his job.C) He writes articles for the local newspaper.D) He struggles to make a living as a freelancer.Passage TwoQuestions 14-17 are based on the passage you have just heard.14. A) Educators should not assign summer homework.B) Students should focus on reading during the summer.C) Students need a long break from their studies.D) Educators should encourage students to do voluntary work.15. A) The majority of students do not like reading.B) Teachers should encourage students to read more.C) Reading improves students' academic performance.D) Students hate being assigned compulsory reading.16. A) Read novels by contemporary authors.B) Share their reading experiences with classmates.C) Ask their teachers for book recommendations.D) Visit the library regularly during the summer break.17. A) To improve students' reading skills.B) To keep students occupied during the summer.C) To prepare students for the upcoming school year.D) To provide students with intellectual challenges.Passage ThreeQuestions 18-20 are based on the passage you have just heard.18. A) He is curious about the woman's cooking skills.B) He wants to know the woman's favorite recipe.C) He suggests the woman try a new cuisine.D) He hopes the woman will share her recipe with him.19. A) She dislikes cooking.B) She run a restaurant.C) She follows a strict diet.D) She enjoys experimenting with recipes.20. A) To try out the woman's recipe.B) To watch a cooking show on TV.C) To cook his favorite dish for the woman.D) To learn how to cook from the woman.Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes)Directions: There are 4 passages in this part. 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 1 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 21-25A weather forecast is a prediction of future weather conditions, such as rain, snow, temperatures, and wind. Meteorologists use complex computer models and historical data to help them forecast the weather.One of the most important tools meteorologists use is radar, which is a device that can detect precipitation, like rain or snow, in the atmosphere. By tracking the movement of precipitation, meteorologists can predict where and when it will rain or snow. Another important tool is a weather satellite, which orbits the Earth and provides images of clouds and weather patterns.Meteorologists also use weather stations to collect data, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and air pressure. Thisdata is used to create weather maps and forecasts. Meteorologists might also use weather balloons or drones to collect data in the atmosphere.Some weather phenomena, like hurricanes and tornadoes, are particularly difficult to forecast. Meteorologists use satellite data, radar, and computer models to predict the path and intensity of these storms.Meteorologists have made significant advancements in weather forecasting in recent decades. Improved technology and data collection methods have led to more accurate forecasts and faster warning times for severe weather events.21. What is the main topic of the passage?A) The tools meteorologists use to predict the weather.B) The history of weather forecasting.C) The impact of climate change on weather patterns.D) The difficulty of forecasting severe weather events.22. How do meteorologists predict where and when it will rain or snow?A) By tracking the movement of precipitation.C) By analyzing past weather patterns.D) By relying on historical data.23. What do weather satellites provide images of?A) Temperature and humidity.B) Weather balloons.C) Clouds and weather patterns.D) Air pressure and wind speed.24. What are some of the challenges meteorologists face when forecasting the weather?A) Collecting data from weather stations.B) Predicting the path and intensity of hurricanes.C) Using complex computer models.D) Increasing warning times for severe weather events.25. What has led to more accurate weather forecasts in recent years?A) Improved technology and data collection methods.B) A decrease in severe weather events.D) Satellite data.Passage TwoQuestions 26-30The concept of time is a fundamental aspect of human existence. Time governs our daily routines, decisions, and interactions with others. However, the way we perceive and measure time can vary across cultures.In Western cultures, time is often viewed as linear and precise. People are expected to arrive at appointments on time and adhere to schedules. Time is seen as a valuable resource that should not be wasted.In contrast, some cultures have a more fluid and flexible view of time. For example, in many African and Latin American cultures, time is seen as circular rather than linear. Meetings and events may start late or last longer than scheduled.The perception of time can also vary within a single culture. For example, different generations or social groups may have different views on punctuality and time management. Younger generations might prioritize efficiency and timeliness, while older generations might value tradition and patience.The impact of technology on our perception of time is also significant. Digital devices and social media have created a culture of instant gratification and constant connectivity. People are expected to respond to messages and emails quickly, blurring the boundaries between work and personal time.26. What is the main focus of the passage?A) The concept of time in Western cultures.B) The influence of technology on our perception of time.C) The variations in how time is perceived across cultures.D) The importance of punctuality in different cultures.27. How is time viewed in many African and Latin American cultures?A) As a linear and valuable resource.B) As circular and flexible.C) As a social construct.D) As an abstract concept.28. How might different social groups within a single culture perceive time differently?A) Younger generations prioritize tradition and patience.B) Older generations value efficiency and timeliness.C) Different social groups have the same view on punctuality.D) Younger generations might prioritize efficiency and timeliness.29. What impact has technology had on our perception of time?A) It has created a culture of instant gratification.B) It has made people less connected.C) It has increased the importance of tradition.D) It has made people less reliant on schedules.30. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?A) Different cultures have different views on time, and technology has influenced our perception of time.B) Time is an abstract concept that varies across cultures and social groups.C) Punctuality is valued in all cultures, regardless of their perception of time.D) Digital devices have made people more focused on personal time and less on work.Passage ThreeQuestions 31-35The modern workplace is undergoing significant changes due to technological advancements, globalization, and shifting demographics. Employers must adapt to these changes in order to attract and retain top talent.One major trend in the workplace is the rise of remote work. Advances in technology have made it easier for employees to work from anywhere, leading to a growing number of remote workers. This trend has benefits for both employees and employers, such as increased flexibility and reduced overhead costs.Another important trend is the emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Companies are recognizing the importance of creating a diverse workforce that reflects the perspectives and backgrounds of their customers. Diversity and inclusion initiatives can lead to greater innovation, better decision-making, and improved employee engagement.The gig economy is also reshaping the way people work. More workers are choosing to work on a freelance or contract basis, rather than traditional full-time employment. This trend provides workers with flexibility and autonomy, but it also presents challenges, such as income instability and lack of benefits.Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming the nature of work by replacing manual tasks and augmenting human capabilities. While this can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the future of work.31. What is one major trend in the modern workplace?A) The rise of outsourcing.B) The emphasis on traditional full-time employment.C) The increase in remote work.D) The decline of diversity and inclusion initiatives.32. What are some benefits of remote work for employees and employers?A) Increased oversight and micromanagement.B) Flexible work hours and reduced costs.C) Limited communication and collaboration.D) Strict enforcement of office dress codes.33. Why are companies emphasizing diversity and inclusion in the workplace?A) To reduce innovation and decision-making.B) To reflect the perspectives and backgrounds of their customers.C) To limit employee engagement.D) To promote traditional workforce initiatives.34. What is the gig economy?A) A term used to describe the decline of contract work.B) A trend in traditional full-time employment.C) The emphasis on automation and artificial intelligence.D) More workers choosing freelance or contract work.35. What impact has automation and artificial intelligence had on the nature of work?A) Increased manual tasks and reduced human capabilities.B) Improved job stability and decreased income instability.C) Concerns about job displacement and the future of work.D) A decline in productivity and efficiency.Passage FourQuestions 36-40The hospitality industry plays a vital role in the global economy by providing services such as accommodation, food and beverage, and entertainment. The industry encompasses a wide range of businesses, from hotels and restaurants to airlines and cruise ships.One of the key drivers of growth in the hospitality industry is the rise of international tourism. Travelers from around the world are increasingly seeking unique and personalized experiences, driving demand for high-quality hospitality services.Technological innovation is also transforming the hospitality industry by enhancing customer experiences and improving operational efficiency. For example, hotels are using mobile check-in apps and keyless entry systems to provide convenience and security for guests.Sustainability is another important trend in the hospitality industry. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and are seeking eco-friendly options when traveling.Hotels and restaurants are implementing green practices, such as energy-efficient lighting and waste reduction initiatives, to appeal to environmentally conscious guests.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the hospitality industry, with travel restrictions and safety concerns leading to a decline in tourism. Hotels and restaurants have had to adapt to new health and safety protocols to ensure thewell-being of guests and employees.36. What services does the hospitality industry provide?A) Entertainment and transportation.B) Accommodation, food and beverage, and entertainment.C) Transportation and energy.D) Food and beverage and accommodation.37. What is driving growth in the hospitality industry?A) A decline in international tourism.B) Increased focus on traditional customer experiences.C) Enhanced operational efficiency.D) Demand for personalized experiences.38. How is technological innovation changing the hospitality industry?A) By eliminating the need for personalized experiences.B) By reducing operational efficiency.C) By enhancing customer experiences.D) By decreasing security for guests.39. Why is sustainability an important trend in the hospitality industry?A) Consumers are seeking more environmentally conscious options.B) Hotels and restaurants want to increase waste production.C) It has no impact on the industry.D) It does not appeal to guests.40. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the hospitality industry?A) It has led to an increase in tourism.B) It has had no impact on the industry.C) It has resulted in new health and safety protocols.D) It has not affected the well-being of guests and employees.Part III Translation (30 minutes)41. 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 2.42. Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from English to Chinese. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.Part IV Writing (30 minutes)43. Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic Technology and Human Relationships. You should write at least 150 words and base your composition on the outline (given in Chinese) below:假设你是一名大学生，针对科技时代人际关系的变化，请谈谈你的看法。
2023英语专业八级真题及答案
Section B interviewin this section you will hear everything once only. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Mark the conect answer to each question on your colored answer sheet.Questions 1 to 5 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following five questions.Now listen to the following five questions.Now listen lo the interview1. According to Nigel, most problems of air travel are caused byA.Unfavorable weather conditions.B.Airports handling capacity.C.Inadequate ticketing service.D. Overbooking.2.Which of the following is not mentioned as compensation for volunteers for the next fight out?A. Free ticket.BFree phone callC. Cash rewardD. Scat reservationWhy does Nigel suggest that business travelers avoid big airports?A Because all flights in and out of there are full.B.Because the volume of traffic is heavy.C.Because there are more popular flights.D.Because there are more delays and cancellations.3.According to Nigel, inexperience travelers are likely to make the following mistakes except.A Booking on less popular flights.B.buying tickets at full price.C.carrying excessive luggage.D.planning long business trips.5. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?A.The possibility of discounts depends on a travel agent's volume of business.B.Longer flights to the same destination maybe cheaper.C.It is advisable to plan every detail of a trip in advance.D.arranging for stopovers can avoid overnight travel.SECTION C NEWS BROACASTIn this section you will hear everything once only. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Mark the correct answer to each question on your coloured answer sheet.Question 6 is based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will bepeople's outlook on lift.A.people's life styles.B.people's living standardpeople's social values.28.Changes in pension schemes were also part ofthe corporate lay-offs.A.the government cuts in welfare spending.B.the economic restructuring.C.the warning power of labors unions.29.Thousands of employees chose Enron as their sole investment option mainly becauseThe 401 (k) made them responsible for their own future.A.Enron offered to add company stock to their investment.B.their employers intended to cut back on pension spending.C.Enron's offer was similar to a defined-benefit plan.30.Which is NOT seen as a lesson drawn from the Enron disaster?A.401(k) assets should be placed in more than one investment option.B.Employees have to take up responsibilities for themselves.C.Such events could happen again as it is not easy to change people's mind.D.Economic security won't be taken for granted by future young workers.PART HI GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (1() MIN)The majority of the current population in the UK are decedents of all the following tribes respectively EXCEPTA.the Anglosthe CeltsB.the Jutesthe Saxons31.The Head of State of Canada is represented bythe MonarchA.the Presidentthe Prime MinisterB.the Governor-generalThe Declaration of Independence was written byA.Thomas JeffersonGeorge WashingtonB.Alexander HamiltonJames Madison32.The original inhabitants of Australia werethe Red IndiansA.the Eskimosthe AboriginesB.the MaorisWhich of the following novels was written by Emily Bronte?A.Oliver TwistMiddlemarchB.Jane EyreWuthering Heights33.William Butler Yeats was a(n)poet and playwright.A.AmericanCanadianB.IrishAustralian34.Death of a Salesman was written byArthur MillerA.Ernest HemingwayRalph EllisonB.James Baldwin38.refers to the study of the internal structure of words and the rules of word formation.A.PhonologyMorphologyB.SemanticsSociolinguistics39.The distinctive features of a speech variety may be all the following EXCEPTlexicalA.syntacticphonologicalB.psycholinguisticThe word tail once referred to “the tail of a horse” , but now it is use d to mean “the tail of any animal.This is an example ofA.widening of meaningnarrowing of meaningB.meaning shiftloss of meaning英译中Scientific and technological advances are enabling us to comprehend the furthest reaches of the cosmos, the most basic constituents of matter, and the miracle of life.At the same lime, today, the actions, and inaction, of human beings imperil not only life on the planet, but the very life of the planet.Globalization is making the world smaller, faster and richer. Still, 9/11, avian flu, and Iran remind us that a smaller, faster world is not necessarily a safer world.Our world is bursting with knowledge - but desperately in need of wisdom. Now, when sound bites are getting shorter, when instant messages crowd out essays, and when individual lives grow more frenzied, college graduates capable of deep reflection are what our world needs.For all these reasons I believed - and I believe even more strongly today - in the unique and irreplaceable mission of universities.科技进步正在使我们能够探索宇宙的边陲、物质最根本的成分及生命的奇迹.与此同时，今天，人类所做的及没能做到的事情，不仅危害到这个星球上的生命，也危害到该星球的寿命。
专业英语八级真题1998年+附答案详解
TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (1998)—GRADE EIGHTPAPER ONEPART ⅠLISTENING COMPREHENSION (40 MIN. )In Sections A, B and C you will hear everything once only. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow.SECTION A TALKQuestions 1 to 5 refer to the talk in this section. At the end of the talk you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the talk.1. According to the talk, compulsive gambling and alcoholic addiction share similarities becauseA. no actual figure of addicts has been reported.B. no scientific studies have yielded effective solutions.C. both affect all sectors of society.D. both cause serious mental health problems.2. The development of the gambling compulsion can be described as beingA. gradual.B. slow.C. periodic.D. radical.3. G. A. mentioned in the talk is believed to be a(n)A. anonymous group.B. charity organization.C. gamblers' club.D. treatment centre.4. At the end of the talk, the speaker's attitude towards the cure of gambling addiction isA. unclear.B. uncertain.C. optimistic.D. pessimistic.5. Throughout the talk, the speaker examines the issue of gambling in a ____________ way.A. balancedB. biasedC. detachedD. lengthySECTION B INTERVIEWQuestions 6 to 10 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the interview.6. What strikes the woman most about the male robber is hisA. clothes.B. age.C. physique.D. appearance.7. The most detailed information about the woman robber is herA. manners.B. talkativeness.C. height.D. jewelry.8. The interviewee is believed to be a bankA. receptionist.B. manager.C. customer.D. cashier.9. Which of the following about the two robbers is NOT true?A. Both were wearing dark sweaters.B. Neither was wearing glasses.C. Both were about the same age.D. One of them was marked by a scar.10. After the incident the interviewee soundedA. calm and quiet.B. nervous and numb.C. timid and confused.D. shocked and angry.SECTION C NEWS BROADCASTQuestions 11 and 12 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions. Now listen to the news.11. According to the news, the enormous food shortage in Iraq has the most damaging effect on itsA. national economy.B. adult population.C. young children.D. national currency.12. The WFP is appealing to donor nations toA. double last year's food-aid.B. raise $ 122 million for Iraqi people.C. provide each Iraqi family with $ 26 a month.D. help Iraq's 12 million population.Question 13 is based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the question. Now listen to the news.13. As a result of the agreement, the two countries' arsenals are to beA. upgraded in reliability and safety.B. reduced in size and number.C. dismantled partly later this year.D. maintained in their present conditions.Questions 14 and 15 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the two questions. Now listen to the news.14. We can infer from the news that ____________ of teenagers under survey in 1993 were drug users.A. 28%B. 22%C. 25%D. 21%15. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?A. Parents are asked to join in the anti-drug efforts.B. The use of both cocaine and LSD are on the increase.C. Teenagers hold a different view of drugs today.D. Marijuana is as powerful as it used to be.SECTION D NOTE-TAKING AND GAP-FILLINGIn this section you will hear a mini-lecture. You will hear the lecture once only. While listening to the lecture, take notes on the important points. Y our notes will not be marked, but you will need them to complete a 15-minute gap-filling task on ANSWER SHEET after the mini-lecture. Use the blank paper for note-taking.ANSWER SHEETThe Rise of RPHistorical reasonsReceived pronunciation was originally associated with a (1) spoken in the region between central England and London, including Oxford and Cambridge.Its survival was due to its use by the (2) in the 14th century and by university students in the (3) Ages.Its rise in importance resulted from its application in government and official documents.The prestige of its (4) pattern of pronunciation came about with its use in (5) schools in the 19th century.As a result, its (6) is accepted by television and the radio, the professions and teaching English as a foreign language. Three characteristics of RP1)its speakers don't regard themselves as connected with any geographical region;2) RP is largely used in England;3) RP is a "class" accent, associated with (7) social classes.Its present statusDecline in the prestige of RP is the result of a) loss of monopoly of education by the privileged; b) (8) of high education in the post-war period.However, it still retains its eminence among certain professional people.There is a rise in the status of all (9) accents.We are moving towards the (10) position: general acceptance of all regional accents and absence of a class accent that transcends all regions.PART ⅡPROOFREADING AND ERROR CORRECTION (15 MIN. )Proofread the given passage on ANSWER SHEET as instructed.The following passage contains TEN errors. Each line contains a maximum of one error. In each case, only oneword is involved. You should proofread the passage and correct it.When a human infant is born into any community in any part of theworld it has two things in common with any infant, provided neither of them (1) ________have been damaged in any way either before or during birth. Firstly, and (2) ________most obviously, new born children are completely helpless. Apart from apowerful capacity to pay attention to their helplessness by using sound, there (3) ________is nothing the new born child can do to ensure his own survival. Withoutcare from some other human being or beings, be it mother, grandmother, orhuman group, a child is very unlikely to survive. This helplessness of humaninfants is in marked contrast with the capacity of many new born animals toget on their feet within minutes of birth and run with herd within a few (4) ________hours. Although young animals are certainly in risk ,sometimes for weeks (5) ________or even months after birth, compared with the human infant they very quicklygrow the capacity to fend for them. (6) ________It is during this very long period in which the human infant is totallydependent on the others that it reveals the second feature which it shares (7) ________with all other undamaged human infants, a capacity to learn language. Forthis reason, biologists now suggest that language be "species specific" to the (8) ________human race, that is to say, they consider the human infant to be genetic (9) ________programmed in such way that it can acquire language. (10) ________This suggestion implies that just as human beings are designed to seethree-dimentionally and in colour, and just as they are designed to standupright rather than to move on all fours, so they are designed to learn anduse language as part of their normal developments as well-formedhuman beings.PART ⅢREADING COMPREHENSION (40 MIN. )SECTION A READING COMPREHENSION (30 MIN. )In this section there are five reading passages followed by a total of fifteen multiple choice questions. Read the passages and then answer the questions.TEXT AOn Society1 Low self-esteem pops up regularly in academic reports as an explanation for all sorts of violence, from hate crimes and street crimes to terrorism. But despite the popularity of the explanation, not much evidence backs it up. In a recent issue of Psychological Review, three researchers examine this literature at length and conclude that a much stronger link connects high self-esteem to violence. "It is difficult to maintain belief in the low self-esteem view after seeing that the more violent groups are generally the ones with higher self-esteem," write Roy Baumeister of Case Western Reserve University and Laura Smart and Joseph Boden of the University of Virginia.2 The conventional view is that people without self-esteem try to gain it by hurting others. The researchers find that violence is much more often the work of people with unrealistically high self-esteem attacking others who challenge their self-image. Under this umbrella come bullies, rapists, racists, psychopaths and members of street gangs and organized crime.3 The study concludes, "Certain forms of high self-esteem seem to increase one's proneness to violence. An uncritical endorsement of the cultural value of self-esteem may therefore be counterproductive and even dangerous... The societal pursuit of high self- esteem for everyone may literally end up doing considerable harm. "4 As for prison programs intended to make violent convicts feel better about themselves, "perhaps it would bebetter to try instilling modesty and humility," the researchers write.5 In an interview with the Boston Globe, Baumeister said he believes the "self'- promoting establishment is starting to crumble. "What would work better for the country is to forget about self-esteem and concentrate on self-control,' he said.6 In the schools, this would mean turning away from psychic boosterism and emphasizing self-esteem as a by-product of real achievement, not as an end in itself. The self-esteem movement, still entrenched in schools of education, is deeply implicated in the dumbing down of our schools, and in the spurious equality behind the idea that it is a terrible psychic blow if one student does any better or any worse than another. Let's hope it is indeed crumbling.16. The researchers find that there are stronger connections betweenA. low self-esteem and violence.B. low self-cotrol and violence.C. high self-image and violence.D. high self-control and violence.17. The researchers would most probably agree with the following EXCEPTA. self-esteem should be promoted and encouraged.B. schools should change their concept of self-esteem.C. the traditional view is beginning to lose ground.D. prisons should change their present practice.TEXT B1 Social change is more likely to occur in heterogeneous societies than in homogeneous ones, simply because there are more diverse points of view available in the former. There are more ideas, more conflicts of interest, and more groups and organizations of different persuasions. In addition, there is usually a greater worldly interest and tolerance in heterogeneous societies. All these factors tend to promote social change by opening more areas of life to decision rather than subjecting them to authority. In a quite homogeneous society, there are fewer occasions for people to perceive the need or the opportunity for change, because everything seems to be the same and, if not satisfactory, at least customary and undisputed.2 Within a society, social change is also likely to occur more frequently and more readily (1) in the material aspects of the culture than in the non-material, for example, in technology rather than in values; (2) in what has been learned later in life rather than what was learned early; (3) in the less basic, less emotional, or less sacred aspects of society than in their opposites, like religion or a system of prestige; (4) in the simple elements rather than in the complex ones; (5) in form rather than in substance; and (6) in elements congenial to the culture rather than in strange elements.3 Furthermore, social change is easier if it is gradual. For example, it comes more readily in human relations on a continuous scale rather than one with sharp dichotomies. This is one reason why change has not come more quickly to Black Americans as compared to other American minorities, because of the sharp difference in appearance between them and their white counterparts.18. According to the passage, the main difference between a homogeneous society and a heterogeneous one lies inA. the number of opportunities offered.B. the nature of conflicts of interest.C. the awareness of the need for change.D. the role of social organizations.19. The author would most probably agree that changes are more likely to be successful inA. production methods.B. ideological concepts.C. religious beliefs.D. social behaviour.TEXT C1 One argument used to support the idea that employment will continue to be the dominant form of work, and that employment will eventually become available for all who want it, is that working time will continue to fall.People in jobs will work fewer hours in the day, fewer days in the week, fewer weeks in the year, and fewer years in a lifetime, than they do now. This will mean that more jobs will be available for more people. This, it is said, is the way we should set about restoring full employment.2 There is no doubt that something of this kind will happen. The shorter working week, longer holidays, earlier retirement, job-sharing — these and other ways of reducing the amount of time people spend on their jobs — are certainly likely to spread. A mix of parttime paid work and part-time unpaid work is likely to become a much more common work pattern than today, and a flexi-life pattern of work — involving paid employment at certain stages of life, but not at others — will become widespread. But it is surely unrealistic to assume that this will make it possible to restore full employment as the dominant form of work.3 In the first place, so long as employment remains the overwhelmingly important form of work and source of income for most people, it is very difficult to see how reductions in employees' working time can take place on a scale sufficiently large and at a pace sufficiently fast to make it possible to share out the available paid employment to everyone who wants it. Such negotiations as there have recently been, for example in Britain and Germany, about the possibility of introducing a 35-hour working week, have highlighted some of the difficulties. But, secondly, if changes of this kind were to take place at a pace and on a scale sufficient to make it possible to share employment among all who wanted it, the resulting situation — in which most people would not be working in their jobs for more than two or three short days a week —could hardly continue to be one in which employment was still regarded as the only truly valid form of work. There would be so many people spending so much of their time on other activities, including other forms of useful work, that the primacy of employment would be bound to be called into question, at least to some extent.20. The author uses the negotiations in Britain and Germany as an example toA. support reductions in employees' working time.B. indicate employees are unwilling to share jobs.C. prove the possibility of sharing paid employment.D. how that employment will lose its dominance.21. At the end of the passage the author seems to imply that as a result of shorter working timeA. employment may not retain its usual importance.B. employment may not be regarded as valid work.C. people can be engaged in far less unpaid work.D. people can be engaged in far more unpaid work.22. The author's attitude towards future full employment is generallyA. supportive.B. wavering.C. skeptical.D. unclear.TEXT D1 During the early stages of the Industrial Revolution, advertising was a relatively straightforward means of announcement and communication and was used mainly to promote novelties and fringe products. But when factory production got into full swing and new products, e. g. processed foods, came onto the market, national advertising campaigns and brandnaming of products became necessary. Before large-scale factory production, the typical manufacturing unit had been small and adaptable and the task of distributing and selling goods had largely been undertaken by wholesalers. The small non-specialized factory which did not rely on massive investment in machinery had been flexible enough to adapt its production according to changes in public demands.2 But the economic depression which lasted from 1873 to 1894 marked a turning point between the old method of industrial organization and distribution and the new. From the beginning of the nineteenth century until the 1870s, production had steadily expanded and there had been a corresponding growth in retail outlets. But the depression brought on a crisis of over-production and under-consumption — manufactured goods piled up unsold and prices and profits fell. Towards the end of the century many of the small industrial firms realized that theywould be in a better position to weather economic depressions and slumps if they combined with other small businesses and widened the range of goods they produced so that all their eggs were not in one basket. They also realized that they would have to take steps to ensure that once their goods had been produced there was a market for them. This period ushered in the first phase of what economists now call "monopoly capitalism", which, roughly speaking, refers to the control of the market by a small number of giant, conglomerate enterprises. Whereas previously competitive trading had been conducted by small rival firms, after the depression the larger manufacturing units and combines relied more and more on mass advertising to promote their new range of products.3 A good example of the changes that occurred in manufacture and distribution at the turn of the century can be found in the soap trade. From about the 1850s the market had been flooded with anonymous bars of soap, produced by hundreds of small manufacturers and distributed by wholesalers and door-to-door sellers. Competition grew steadily throughout the latter half of the century and eventually the leading companies embarked on more aggressive selling methods in order to take customers away from their rivals. For instance, the future Lord Leverhulme decided to "brand" his soap by selling it in distinctive packages in order to facilitate recognition and encourage customer loyalty.4 Lord Leverhulme was one of the first industrialists to realize that advertisements should contain "logical and considered" arguments as well as eye-catching and witty slogans. Many advertisers followed his lead and started to include "reason-why" copy in their ads. For example, one contemporary Pears soap ad went into great detail about how the product could enhance marital bliss by cutting down the time the wife had to spend with her arms in a bowl of frothy suds. And an ad for Cadbury's cocoa not only proclaimed its purity but also detailed other benefits. "for the infant it is a delight and a supports for the young girl, a source of healthy vigour; for the young Miss in her teens a valuable aid to development..." and so on. As the writer E. S. Turner rightly points out, the advertising of this period had reached the "stage of persuasion as distinct from proclamation". Indeed advertise or bust seemed to be the rule of the day as bigger and more expensive campaigns were mounted and smaller firms who did not, or could not, advertise, were squeezed or bought out by the larger companies.23. An example of a product which might well have been advertised during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution isA. a cooking utensil.B. new child's toy.C. tinned fruit.D. household soap.24. One of the more aggressive selling methods in the soap trade by the leading companies was toA. buy out small firms.B. take over distribution.C. resort to product designing.D. keep contact with their customers.25. In addition to distinctive packaging, contemporary products should alsoA. draw customers' attention to their benefits.B. make customers aware of their attractiveness.C. display details of the main ingredients.D. focus on proclamation and promotion.TEXT EPardon me: how are your manners?1 The decline of civility and good manners may be worrying people more than crime, according to Gentility Recalled, edited by Digby Anderson, which laments the breakdown of traditional codes that once regulated social conduct. It criticizes the fact that "manners" are scorned as repressive and outdated.2 The result, according to Mr. Anderson — director of the Social Affairs Unit, an independent think-tank —is a society characterized by rudeness, loutish behavior on the streets, jostling in crowds, impolite shop assistants and bad-tempered drivers.3 Mr. Anderson says the cumulative effect of these —apparently trivial, but often offensive- is to makeeveryday life uneasy, unpredictable and unpleasant. As they are encountered far more often than crime, they can cause more anxiety than crime.4 When people lament the disintegration of law and order, he argues, what they generally mean is order, as manifested by courteous forms of social contact. Meanwhile, attempts to re-establish restraint and self-control through "politically correct" rules are artificial.5 The book has contributions from 12 academics in disciplines ranging from medicine to sociology and charts what it calls the "coarsening" of Britain. Old-fashioned terms such as "gentleman" and "lady" have lost all meaningful resonance and need to be re-evaluated, it says. Rachel Trickett, honorary fellow and former principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford, says that the notion of a "lady" protects women rather than demeaning them.6 Feminism and demands for equality have blurred the distinctions between the sexes, creating situations where men are able to dominate women because of their more aggressive and forceful natures, she says, "Women, without some code of deference or respect, become increasingly victims."7 Caroline Moore, the first woman fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge, points out that "gentleman" is now used only with irony or derision.8 "The popular view of a gentleman is poised somewhere between the imbecile parasite and the villainous one: between Woosteresque chinless wonders, and those heartless capitalist toffs who are... the stock-in-trade of television."9 She argues that the concept is neither class-bound nor rigid conventions of gentlemanly behavior enable a man to act naturally as an individual within shared assumptions while taking his place in society.10 "Politeness is no constraint, precisely because the manners.., are no 'code' but a language, rich, flexible, restrained and infinitely subtle."11 For Anthony O'Hear, professor of philosophy at the University of Bradford, manners are closely associated with the different forms of behavior appropriate to age and status. They curb both the impetuosity of youth and the bitterness of old age.12 Egalitarianism, he says, has led to people failing to act their age. "We have vice- chancellors with earrings, aristocrats as hippies... the trendy vicar on his motorbike."13 Dr. Athena Leoussi, sociology lecturer at Reading University, bemoans the deliberate neglect by people of their sartorial appearance.14 Dress, she says, is the outward expression of attitudes and aspirations. The ubiquitousness of jeans "displays a utilitarian attitude" that has "led to the cultural impoverishment of everyday life".15 Dr. Leoussi says that while clothes used to be seen as a means of concealing taboo forces of sexuality and violence, certain fashions — such as leather jackets — have the opposite effect.16 Dr. Bruce Charlton, a lecturer in public health medicine in Newcastle upon Tyne, takes issue with the excessive informality of relations between professionals such as doctors and bank managers, and their clients. He says this has eroded the distance and respect necessary in such relationships. For Tristam Engelhardt, professor of medicine in Houston, Texas, says manners are bound to morals.17 "Manners express a particular set of values," he says, "Good manners interpret and transform social reality. They provide social orientation."26. According to the passage, the decline of good manners is more worrying becauseA. it leads to more crime in society.B. people view manners as old-fashioned.C. rudeness on the street cannot be stemmed out.D. it can seriously affect our daily life.27. Rachel Trickett seems to indicate the term "lady"A. has acquired a different meaning.B. is too old-fashioned to use.C. is preferred by feminists.D. victimizes women in society.28. According to Caroline Moore, the media has projected a __________ image of the gentleman.A. humorousB. favorableC. negativeD. traditional29. In Anthony O' Hear's view, a well mannered personA. acts rashly when he is young.B. tends to be bad-tempered in old age.C. behaves with a sense of appropriacy.D. attaches importance to his status.30. Dr. Bruce Charlton would probably prefer to see a more fomal relationshipA. among doctors.B. among managers.C. between doctors and managers.D. between doctors and patients.SECTION B SKIMMING AND SCANNING (10 MIN. )In this section there are seven passages followed by ten multiple-choice questions. Skim or scan them as required and then answer the questions.TEXT FFirst read the following question.31. The President of Association of American railroads wrote the letter toA. complain about public ignorance of its efforts to improve the service.B. criticize U. S. News for not reporting its efforts to improve the safety record.C. inform the public of what it has achieved over the past decade.D. thank U. S. News for informing the public of its efforts to reduce accident rate.Now go through TEXT F quickly and answer question 31.December 20th 199_ Dear Editor,The American railroad industry's commitment to safety is demonstrated by a steadily declining accident rate over the past decade. The accident rate per million train miles has been reduced by 55 percent since 1981 and 21 percent since 1990. In 11 of the past 16 years, the rail passenger fatality rate was lower than or the same as the airline rate. In addition, rail employees had half the number of lost workday injuries per 100 full-time employees as did airline workers.Nowhere does U. S. News mention that America's railroads have spent more than US $ 90 billion just since 1990 to maintain and improve tracks and equipment. Nowhere do you mention that railroads —on their own initiative and at their own expense —developed and installed a new type of wheel that is much less likely to fracture and cause accidents. Nowhere do you mention how railroads are now testing a new type of electronically assisted brake that can reduce stopping distance by 40 percent. Nowhere do you explain that more than 90 percent of rail-related fatalities involve highway-rail grade crossing accidents or trespassers—accidents over which railroads have almost no control. "Facts are stubborn things", wrote John Adams more than 200 years ago. Stubborn, that is, unless you choose to ignore them. That is what U. S. News has chosen to do.Edwin L. HarperPresident and Chief Executive OfficerAssociation of American Railroads TEXT GFirst read the following question.32. The author of the passage is ___________ Johannesburg.A. concerned aboutB. critical ofC. nostalgic aboutD. hopeful aboutNow go through TEXT G quickly and answer question 32.For a city purported to be dying, Johannesburg looks pretty lively on a Saturday morning. Fleets of minivans deliver black shoppers from Sweto to the teeming sidewalks downtown, where Zairian hawkers peddle everything from kiwis to toaster-ovens. Mozambican barbers shear locks under colored plastic tents. The Carlton Center mall buzzes with chatter in English, French, Zulu and Tswana. At the fast-food Africa Hut,。
专业英语八级真题附答案详解
专业英语八级真题附答案详解TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (1999)—GRADE EIGHTPAPER ONEPART ⅠLISTENING COMPREHENSION (40 MIN. )In Sections A, B and C you will hear everything once only. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow.SECTION A TALKQuestions 1 to 5 refer to the talk in this section. At the end of the talk you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the talk.1. The technology to make machines quieterA. has been in use since the 1930's.B. has accelerated industrial production.C. has just been in commercial use.D. has been invented to remove all noises.2. The modern electronic anti-noise devicesA. are an update version of the traditional methods.B. share similarities with the traditional methods.C. are as inefficient as the traditional methods.D. are based on an entirely new working principle.3. The French company is working on anti-noise techniques to be used in all EXCEPTA. streets.B. factories.C. aircraft.D. cars.4. According to the talk, workers in "zones of quiet" canA. be more affected by noise.B. hear talk from outside the zone.C. work more efficiently.D. be heard outside the zone.5. The main theme of the talk is aboutA. noise-control technology.B. noise in factories.C. noise-control regulations.D. noise-related effects.SECTION B INTERVIEWQuestions 6 to 10 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. Now listen to the interview.6. Employees in the US are paid for their time. This means that they are supposed toA. work hard while their boss is around.B. come to work when there is work to be done.C. work with initiative and willingness.D. work through their lunch break.7. One of the advantages of flexible working hours is thatA. pressure from work can be reduced.B. working women can have more time at home.C. traffic and commuting problems can be solved.D. personal relationships in offices can be improved.8. On the issue of working contracts in the US, which statement is NOT correct?A. Performance at work matters more than anything else.B. There are laws protecting employees' working rights.C. Good reasons must be provided in order to fire workers.D. Working contracts in the US are mostly short-term ones.9. It can be assumed from the interview that an informalatmosphere might be found inA. small firms.B. major banks.C. big corporations.D. law offices.10. The interview is mainly about __________ in the USA.A. office hierarchiesB. office conditionsC. office rules.D. office life.SECTION C NEWS BROADCASTQuestion 11 is based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given15 seconds to answer the question. Now listen to the news.11. Senator Bob Dole's attitude towards Clinton's anti-crime policy is that ofA. opposition.B. support.C. ambiguity.D. indifference.Questions 12 and 13 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions. Now listen to the news.12. Japan and the United States are nowA. negotiating about photographic material.B. negotiating an automobile agreement.C. facing serious problems in trade.D. on the verge of a large-scale trade war.13. The news item seems to indicate that the agreementA. will end all other related trade conflicts.B. is unlikely to solve the dispute once and for all.C. is linked to other trade agreements.D. is the last of its kind to be reached.Question 14 and 15 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 30 seconds to answer the questions. Now listen to the news.14. According to the news, the ice from Greenland provides information aboutA. oxygen.B. ancient weather.C. carbon dioxide.D. temperature.15. Which of the following statement is CORRECT?A. Drastic changes in the weather have been common since ancient times.B. The change in weather from very cold to very hot lasted over a century.C. The scientists have been studying ice to forecast weather in the future.D. The past 10,000 years have seen minor changes in the weather.SECTION D NOTE-TAKING AND GAP-FILLINGIn this section you will hear a mini-lecture. You will hear the lecture once only. While listening to the lecture, take notes on the important points. Y our notes will not be marked, but you will need them to complete a 15-minute gap-filling task on ANSWER SHEET after the mini-lecture. Use the blank sheet for note-taking ANSWER SHEETAt present companies and industries like to sponsor sports events. Two reasons are put forward to explain this phenomenon.The first reason is that they get (1) throughout the world.The second reason is that companies and industries (2) money as they get reductions in the tax they owe if they sponsor sports or arts activities.As sponsorship is (3) careful thinking is required in deciding which events to sponsor.It is important that the event to be sponsored (4) the product(s) to be promoted. That is, the right (5) and maximum product coverage must be guaranteed in the event.Points to be considered in sports sponsorship.Popularity of the eventInternational sports events are big (6) events, which get extensive coverage on TV and in press.Smaller events attract fewer people.Identification of the potential audienceAiming at the right audience is most important for smaller events.The right audience would attract manufacturers of related products like (7) , etc.Advantages of sponsorshipAdvantages are longer-term.People are expected to respond 8 to the products promoted and be more likely to buy them.Advertising is 9 the mind.Sponsorship is better than straight advertising:a) less 10b) tax-freePART ⅡPROOFREADING AND ERROR CORRECTION (15 MIN. )Proofread the given passage on ANSWER SHEET asinstructed.The hunter-gatherer tribes that today live as our prehistoric (1) __________human ancestors consume primarily a vegetable diet supplementing (2) __________with animal foods. An analysis of 58 societies of modern hunter-gatherers, including the Kung of southern Africa, revealed thatone-half emphasize gathering plant foods, one-third concentrate onfishing, and only one-sixth are primarily hunters. Overall, two-thirds and (3) __________more of the hunter-gatherer's calories come from plants. Detailed studiesof the Kung by the food scientists at the University of London, showedthat gathering is a more productive source of food than is hunting. Anhour of hunting yields in average about 100 edible calories, (4) __________as an hour of gathering produces 240. (5) __________ Plant foods provide for 60 percent to 80 percent of the Kung diet, (6) __________and no one goes hungry when the hunt fails, interestingly, if they escapefatal infections or accidents, these contemporary aborigines live to oldages despite of the absence of medical care. They experience no obesity, (7) __________and no middle-aged spread, little dental decay, no high blood pressure, noheart disease, and their blood cholesterol level are very low (about half of (8) __________the average American adult. ) If no one is suggesting that we return to (9) __________an aboriginal life, we certainly could use their eating habits as a model for healthier diet. (10) __________ PART ⅢREADING COMPREHENSION (40 MIN. )SECTION A READING COMPREHENSION (30 MIN. )In this section there are four reading passages followed by a total of fifteen multiple- choice questions. Read the passages carefully and then answer the questions.TEXT ARicci's "Operation Columbus"1 Ricci, 45, is now striking out on perhaps his boldest venture yet. He plans to market an English-language edition of his elegant monthly art magazine, FMR, in the United States. Once again the skeptics are murmuring that the successful Ricci has headed for a big fall. And once again Ricci intends to prove them wrong.2 Ricci is so confident that he has christen quest "Operation Columbus" and has set his sights on discovering an American readership of 300,000. That goal may not be too far- fetched. The Italian edition of FMR —the initials, of course, stand for Franco Maria Ricci— is only 18 months old. But it is already the second largest artmagazine in the world, with a circulation of 65,000 and a profit margin of US $ 500,000. The American edition will be patterned after the Italian version, with each 160-page issuecarrying only 40 pages of ads and no more than five articles. But the contents will often differ. The English-language edition will include more American works, Ricci says, to help Americans get over "an inferiority complex about their art". He also hopes that the magazine will become a vehicle for a two-way cultural exchange —what he likes to think of as a marriage of brains, culture and taste from both sides of the Atlantic.3 To realize this version, Ricci is mounting one of the most lavish, enterprising — and expensive promotional campaigns in magazine-publishing history. Between November and January, eight jumbo jets will fly 8 million copies of a sample 16-page edition of FMR across the Atlantic. From a warehouse in Michigan, 6.5 million copies will be mailed to American subscribers of various cultural, art and business magazines. Some of the remaining copies will circulate as a special Sunday supplement in the New York Times. The cost of launching Operation Columbus is a staggering US $ 5 million, but Ricci is hoping that 600% of the price tag will be financed by Italian corporations. "To land in America Columbus had to use Spanish sponsors," reads one sentence in his promotional pamphlet. "We would like Italians."4 Like Columbus, Ricci cannot know what his reception, will be on foreign shores. In Italy he gambled —and won —on a simple concept: it is more important to show art than to write about it. Hence, one issue of FMR might feature 32 full-colour pages of 17th-century tapestries, followed by 14 pages of outrageous eyeglasses. He is gambling that the concept is exportable. "I don't expect that more than 30% of my readers.., will actually read FMR," he says. "The magazine is such a visual delight that they don't have to. "Still, he is lining up an impressive stable of writers and professors for the American edition,including Noam Chomsky, Anthony Burgess, Eric Jong and Norman Mailer. In addition, he seems to be pursuing his own eclectic vision without giving a moment's thought to such established competitors as Connosisseur and Horizon. "The Americans can do almost everything better than we can, "says Ricci," But we (the Italians) have a 2,000 year edge on them in art."16. Ricci intends his American edition of FMR to carry more American art works in order toA. boost Americans' confidence in their art.B. follow the pattern set by his Italian edition.C. help Italians understand American art better.D. expand the readership of his magazine.17. Ricci is compared to Columbus in the passage mainly becauseA. they both benefited from Italian sponsors.B. they were explorers in their own ways.C. they obtained overseas sponsorship.D. they got a warm reception in America.18. We get the impression that the American edition of FMR will probablyA. carry many academic articles of high standard.B. follow the style of some famous existing magazines.C. be read by one third of American magazine readers.D. pursue a distinctive editorial style of its own.TEXT BUncle Geoff1 My mother's relations were very different form the Mitfords. Her brother, Uncle Geoff, who often came to stay at Swinbrook, was a small, spare man with thoughtful blue eyes and a rathersilent manner. Compared to Uncle T ommy, he was an intellectual of the highest order, and indeed his satirical pen belied his mild demeanor. He spent most of his waking hours composing letters to The Times and other publications in which he outlined his own particular theory of the development of English history. In Uncle Geoff's view, the greatness of England had risen and waned over the centuries in direct proportion to the use of natural manure in fertilizing the soil. TheBlack Death of 1348 was caused by gradual loss of the humus fertility found under forest trees. The rise of the Elizabethans two centuries later was attributable to the widespread use of sheep manure.2 Many of Uncle Geoff's letters-to-the-editor have fortunately been preserved in a privately printed volume called Writings of A Rebel. Of the collection, one letter best sums up his views on the relationship between manure and freedom. He wrote:3 Collating old records shows that our greatness rises and falls with the living fertility of our soil. And now, many years of exhausted and chemically murdered soil, and of devitalized food from it, has softened our bodies and still worse, softened our national character. It is an actual fact that character is largely a product of the soil. Many years of murdered food from deadened soil has made us too tame. Chemicals have had their poisonous day. It is now the worm's turn to reform the manhood of England. The only way to regain our punch, our character, our lost virtues, and with them the freedom natural to islanders, is to compost our land so as to allow moulds, bacteria and earthworms to remake living soil to nourish Englishmen's bodies and spirits.4 The law requiring pasteurization of milk in England was aparticular target of Uncle Geoff's. Fond of alliteration, he dubbed it "Murdered Milk Measure," and established the Liberty Restoration League, with headquarters at his house in London, for the specific purpose of organizing a counteroffensive. "Freedom not Doctordom" was the League's proud slogan. A subsidiary, but nevertheless important, activity of the League was advocacy of a return to the " unsplit, slowly smoked fish" and bread made with "English stone-ground flour, yeast, milk, sea salt and raw cane-sugar."19. According to Uncle Geoff, national strength could only be regained byA. reforming the manhood of England.B. using natural manure as fertilizer.C. eating more bacteria-free food.D. granting more freedom to Englishmen.20. The tone of the passage can most probably be described asA. facetious.B. serious.C. nostalgic.D. factual.TEXT CInterview1 So what have they taught you at college about interviews? Some courses go to town on it, others do very little. You may get conflicting advice. Only one thing is certain: the key to success is preparation.2 There follow some useful suggestions from a teacher training course co-ordinator, a head of department anda headteacher. As they appear to be in complete harmonywith one another despite never having met, we may take their advice seriously.3 Oxford Brookes University's approach to the business of application and interview focuses on research and rehearsal. Training course co-ordinator Brenda Stevens speaks of the value of getting students "to deconstruct the advertisement, see what they can offer to that school, and that situation, and then write the letter, do their CVs and criticize each other's ". Finally, they role play interviewer and interviewee.4 This is sterling stuff, and Brookes students spend a couple of weeks on it. "The better prepared students won't be thrown by nerves on the day," says Ms. Stevens. "They'll have their strategies and questions worked out. "She also says, a trifle disconcertingly, "the better the student, the worse the interviewee. ' She believes the most capable students are less able to put themselves forward. Even if this were true, says Ms. Stevens, you must still make your own case.5 "Beware of informality," she advises. One aspirant teacher, now a head of department at a smart secondary school, failed his first job interview because he took his jacket off while waiting for his appointment. It was hot and everyone in the staffroom was in shirtsleeves but at the end of the day they criticized his casual attitude, which they had deduced from the fact that he took his jacket off in the staffroom, even though he put it back on for the interview.6 Incidentally, men really do have to wear a suit to the interview and women really cannot wear jeans, even if men never wear the suit again and women teach most days in jeans. Panels respond instantly to these indicators. But beware: it will not please them any better if you are too smart.7 Find out about the peope who will talk to you. In the early meetings they are likely to be heads of departments or heads of year. Often they may be concerned with pastoral matters. It makes sense to know their priorities and let them hear the things about you that they want to hear.8 During preliminary meetings you may be seen in groups with two or three other applicants and you must demonstrate that you know your stuff without putting your companions down. The interviewers will be watching how you work with a team.9 But remember the warning about informality: however friendly and co-operative the other participants are, do not give way to the idea that you are there just to be friends.10 Routine questions can be rehearsed, but "don't go on too long", advises the department head. They may well ask: "what have been your worst/best moments when teaching?" , or want you to "talk about some good teaching you have done". The experts agree you should recognize your weaknesses and offer a strategy for overcoming them. "I know I've got to work on classroom management. I would hope for some help," perhaps. No one expects a new teacher to know it all, but they hope for an objective appraisal of capabilities.11 Be warned against inexpert questioning. You may be asked questions in such a way that it seems impossible to present your best features. Some questions may be plain silly, asked perhaps by people on the panel who are from outside the situation. Do not be thrown, have ways of circumnavigating it, and never, ever let them see that you think they have said something foolish.12 You will almost certainly be asked how you see the future and it is important to have a good answer prepared. Some peopleare put off by being asked what they expect to be doing in five or ten year's time. On your preliminary visit, says the department head, be sure to give them a bit of an interview of your own, to see the direction the department is going and what you could contribute to it.13 The headteacher offers his thoughts in a eight-point plan.1. Iron the application form! Then it stands out from everyone else's, which have been folded and battered in the post. It gives an initial impression which may get your application to the top of the pile.2. Ensure that your application is tailored to the particular school. Make the head feel you are writing directly to him or her.3. Put yourself at ease before you meet the interviewing panel, if you are nervous, you will talk too quickly. Before you enter the room remember that the people are human beings too; take away the mystique of their roles.4. Listen. There is danger of not hearing accurately what is being said. Make eye contact with the speakers, and with everyone in the room.5. Allow your warmth and humanity to be seen. A sense of humour is very important.6. Have a portfolio of your work that can link theory to practice. Many schools want you to show work. Fora primary appointment, give examples from the range of the curriculum, not just art. (For this reason, taking pictures on your teaching practice is important. )7. Prepare yourself in case you are asked to give a talk. Have prompt cards ready, and don't waffle.8. Your speech must be clear and articulate, with correct grammar. This is important: they want to hear you and they wantto hear how well you can communicate with children. Believe in yourself and have confidence. Some of the people asking the questions don't know much about what you do. Be ready to help them.14 Thus armed, you should have no difficulty at all. Good luck, and keep your jacket on!21. Ms Brenda Stevens suggests that before applying job applicants shouldA. go through each other's CVs.B. rehearse their answers to questions.C. understand thoroughly the situations.D. go to town to attend training courses.22. Is it wise to admit some of your weaknesses relating to work?A. Yes, but you should have ideas for improvement in the future.B. Yes, because it is natural to be weak in certain aspects.C. No, admitting weaknesses may put you at a disadvantage.D. No, it will only prompt the interviewers to reject you.23. The best way to deal with odd questions from the interviewers is toA. remain smiling and kindly point out the inaccuracies.B. keep calm and try to be tactful in your answers.C. say frankly what you think about the issues raised.D. suggest something else to get over your nervousness.24. The suggestions offered by the head teacher areA. original.B. ambiguous.C. practical.D. controversial.TEXT DFamily Matters1 This month Singapore passed a bill that would give legal teeth to the moral obligation to support one's parents. Called the Maintenance of Parents Bill, it received the backing of the Singapore Government.2 That does not mean it hasn't generated discussion. Several members of the Parliament opposed the measure as un-Asian. Others who acknowledged the problem of the elderly poor believed it a disproportionate response. Still others believe it will subvert relations within the family: cynics dubbed it the "Sue Your Son" law.3 Those who say that the bill does not promote filial responsibility, of course, are right. It has nothing to do with filial responsibility. It kicks in where filial responsibility fails. The law cannot legislate filial responsibility any more than it can legislate love. All the law can do is to provide a safety net where this morality provide insufficient. Singapore needs this bill not to replace morality, but to provide incentives to shore it up.4 Like many other developed nations, Singapore faces the problems of an increasing proportion of people over 60 years of age. Demography is inexorable. In 1980, 7.2% of the population was in this bracket. By the turn of the century, that figure will grow to 11%. By 2030, the proportion is projected to be 260%. The problem is not old age per se. It is that the ratio of economically active people to economically inactive people will decline.5 But no amount of government exhortation or paternalism will completely eliminate the problem of old people who have insufficient means to make ends meet. Some people will fallthrough the holes in any safety net.6 Traditionally, a person's insurance against poverty in his old age was his family. This is not a revolutionary concept. Nor is it uniquely Asian. Care and support for one's parents is a universal value shared by all civilized societies.7 The problem in Singapore is that the moral obligation to look after one's parents is unenforceable. A father can be compelled by law to maintain his children. A husband can be forced to support his wife. But, until now, a son or daughter had no legal obligation to support his or her parents.8 In 1989, an Advisory Council was set up to look into the problems of the aged. Its report stated with a tinge of complacency that 95% of those who did not have their own income were receiving cash contributions from relations. But what about the 5% who aren't getting relatives' support? They have several options: (a) get a job and work until they die; (b) apply for public assistance (you have to be destitute to apply); or (c) starve quietly.None of these options is socially acceptable. And what if this 5% figure grows, as it is likely to do, as society ages?9 The Maintenance of Parents Bill was put forth to encourage the traditional virtues that have so far kept Asian nations from some of the breakdowns encountered in other affluent societies. This legislation will allow a person to apply to the court for maintenance from any or all of his children. The court would have the discretion to refuse to make an order if it is unjust.10 Those who deride the proposal for opening up the courts to family lawsuits miss the point. Only in extreme cases would any parent take his child to court. If it does indeed become law, the bill's effect would be far more subtle.11 First, it will reaffirm the notion that it is each individual's —not society's —responsibility to look after his parents. Singapore is still conservative enough that most people will not object to this idea. It reinforces the traditional values and it doesn't hurt a society now and then to remind itself of its core values.12 Second, and more important, it will make those who are inclined to shirk their responsibilities think twice. Until now, if a person asked family elders, clergymen or the Ministry of Community Development to help get financial support from his children, the most they could do was to mediate. But mediators have no teeth, and a child could simply ignore their pleas.13 But to be sued by one's parents would be a massive loss of face. It would be a public disgrace. Few people would be so thick-skinned as to say." Sue and be damned. "The hand of the conciliator would be immeasurably strengthened. It is far more likely that some sort of amicable settlement would be reached if the recalcitrant Son or daughter knows that the alternative is a public trial.14 It would be nice to think that Singapore doesn't need this kind of law. But that belief ignores the clear demographic trends and the effect of affluence itself on traditional bonds. Those of us who pushed for the bill will consider ourselves most successful if it acts as an incentive not to have it invoked in the first place.25. The Maintenance of Parents BillA. received unanimous support in the Singapore Parliament.B. was believed to solve all the problems of the elderly poor.C. was intended to substitute for traditional values in Singapore.D. was passed to make the young more responsible to theold.26. By quoting the growing percentage points of the aged in the population, the author seems to imply thatA. the country will face mounting problems of the old in future.B. the social welfare system would be under great pressure.C. young people should be given more moral education.D. the old should be provided with means of livelihood.27. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?A. Filial responsibility in Singapore is enforced by law.B. Fathers have legal obligations to look after their children.C. It is an acceptable practice for the old to continue working.D. The Advisory Council was dissatisfied with the problems of the old.28. The author seems to suggest that traditional valuesA. play an insignificant role in solving social problems.B. are helpful to the elderly when they sue their children.C. are very important in preserving Asian uniqueness.D. are significant in helping the Bill get approved.29. The author thinks that if the Bill becomes law, its effect would beA. indirect.B. unnoticed.C. apparent.D. straightforward.30. At the end of the passage, the author seems to imply that success of the Bill depends uponA. strict enforcement.B. public support.C. government assurance.。
英语专业八级试卷
英语专业八级试卷一、听力理解（35分）（一）Mini - lecture（10分）题目：The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Language Learning。
Fill in the blanks according to what you hear.The development of artificial intelligence has brought significant changes to language learning. AI - based language learning tools canprovide (1) _personalized_ learning experiences. For example, they can analyze learners' (2) _strengths and weaknesses_ and offer tailored study plans.These tools also offer a wide range of learning resources, such as (3) _interactive exercises_ and real - life language examples. Moreover, AI can simulate (4) _conversational partners_, which helps learners improve their speaking skills.However, there are also some challenges. One concern is the (5)_accuracy_ of the language models. Sometimes, they may generate incorrector inappropriate responses. Another issue is that over - reliance on AItools may lead to a lack of (6) _independent thinking_ in language learning.In conclusion, while AI has great potential in language learning, learners should use it (7) _wisely_ and combine it with traditionallearning methods.（二）Listening Comprehension（25分）Section A（15分）There are three news items in this section. Listen to each item carefully and answer the questions that follow.News Item 1.1. What is the main topic of this news item?A. A new scientific discovery.B. A political event.C. An environmental issue.2. Where did the event take place?A. In Asia.B. In Europe.C. In America.News Item 2.3. What has been announced by the company?A. A new product launch.B. A job cut.C. A merger.4. How will this announcement affect the employees?A. They will get a pay raise.B. Some of them may lose their jobs.C. They will have more working hours.News Item 3.5. What is the purpose of the new policy?A. To promote tourism.B. To protect local culture.C. To control population growth.6. What are the main measures of the policy?A. Restricting the number of visitors.B. Offering more cultural events.C. Building more hotels.Section B（10分）You will hear a conversation between a student and a professor. Listen carefully and answer the questions.1. Why did the student come to see the professor?A. To discuss a course assignment.B. To ask for a letter of recommendation.C. To complain about a grade.2. What is the student's main concern about the assignment?A. The topic is too difficult.B. He doesn't have enough time.C. He doesn't understand the requirements.3. What does the professor suggest the student do?A. Change the topic.B. Read more reference books.C. Ask for help from classmates.4. When is the assignment due?A. Next week.B. In two weeks.C. At the end of the semester.5. What will the student do next?A. Start working on the assignment immediately.B. Go to the library to find books.C. Talk to his classmates.二、阅读理解（30分）（一）Multiple - choice Questions（14分）Read the following passage and answer the questions.Passage 1.The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and do business. It has made information more accessible than ever before. However, it also brings some problems. One of the major issues is the spread offalse information.With the ease of sharing information on the Internet, anyone can post something without proper verification. This has led to the proliferation of fake news, which can have a significant impact on society. For example, false information about a company can cause its stock price to drop, or misinformation about a political candidate can influence an election.Another problem is privacy. As we use various online services, our personal information is often collected and sometimes misused. Companies may sell our data to third parties without our consent, which poses athreat to our privacy.1. What is the main idea of this passage?A. The advantages of the Internet.B. The problems caused by the Internet.C. The development of the Internet.2. According to the passage, what can fake news do?A. Improve a company's reputation.B. Increase a stock price.C. Influence an election.3. What is a threat to our privacy according to the passage?A. Using the Internet.B. Companies misusing our personal data.C. Sharing information online.（二）Short - answer Questions（16分）Read the following passage and answer the questions in no more than 10 words each.Passage 2.The concept of sustainable development has gained increasing attention in recent years. It aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.One of the key aspects of sustainable development is environmental protection. This includes reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, and protecting biodiversity. Another aspect is social development, which involves improving people's living standards, education, and health.Economic development is also an important part of sustainable development. However, it should be achieved in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable.1. What is the aim of sustainable development?2. What are the key aspects of it?3. How should economic development be achieved?三、语言知识（15分）（一）Error Correction（10分）The following passage contains ten errors. Identify and correct them.In modern society, the importance of education are widely recognized. Education not only imparts knowledge but also shape a person's character. A well - educated individual is more likely to contribute to society in positive ways.However, there are still some problems in the education system. One problem is that the curriculum is often too theoretical, lacking of practical applications. Another issue is that some students do not receive equal educational opportunities due to their family background or geographical location.To solve these problems, governments should invest more in education, especially in rural areas. Teachers should also be trained to improve their teaching methods, make the classroom more interesting and effective.（二）Word Formation（5分）Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the given words.1. (create) - The artist's _creativity_ is shown in his unique paintings.2. (lead) - A good _leader_ should be able to inspire his team.3. (decide) - His _decision - making_ ability is very important in this project.四、翻译（15分）（一）汉译英（8分）中国的茶文化源远流长。
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英语专业八级考试真题及答案(5)
PART V TRANSLATION （60 MIN）
提示：今年专八翻译部分的选材均出自《散文佳作108篇(汉英·英汉对照)》
作者：乔萍翟淑蓉宋洪玮，建议大家熟读此书。
点击查看该书简介及文章目录
SECTION A CHINESE TO ENGLISH
Translate the following text into English. Write your translation on ANSWER SHEET THREE.
提示：本文节选自文章《生命的三分之一》作者：马南邨该文原始出处为《燕山夜话》(北京出版社1980年版)。
初中语文自读课本七年级上册第8课《短文两篇》中也有此文。
一个人的生命究竟有多大意义，这有什么标准可以衡量吗？提出一个绝对的标准当然很困难；但是，大体上看一个人对待生命的态度是否严肃认真，看他对待劳动、工作等等的态度如何，也就不难对这个人的存在意义做出适当的估计了。
古来一切有成就的人，都很严肃地对待自己的生命，当他活着一天，总要尽量多劳动、多工作、多学习，不肯虚度年华，不让时间白白地浪费掉。
我国历代的劳动人民及大政治家、大思想家等等都莫不如此。
部分译文：Accomplished men of all ages treat their lives very seriously. As long as they are living, they always labor, work, and study
as hard as possible, unwilling to spend time in vain, let alone waste even a single moment of their lives.
SECTION B ENGLISH TO CHINESE
Translate the following underlined part of the text into Chinese. Write your translation on ANSWER SHEET THREE.
提示：本文原文标题About Reading Books 作者：Virginia Woolf 2004年6月大学四级考前预测模拟试卷阅读理解中有此文
It is simple enough to say that since books have classes fiction, biography,poetry—we should separate them and take from each what it is right that each should give us. Yet few people ask from books what books can give us. Most commonly we come to books with blurred and divided minds, asking of fiction that it shall be true, of poetry that it shall be false, of biography that it shall be flattering, of history that it shall enforce our own prejudices. If we could banish all such preconception when we read, that would be an admirable beginning. Do not dictate to your author; try to become him. Be his fellow worker and accomplice.If you hang back, and reserve and criticize at first, you are preventing yourself from getting the fullest possible value from what you read. But if you open your mind as widely as possible, then signs and hints of almost imperceptible finess, from the twist and turn of the first sentences, will bring you into the presence of a human being unlike any other. Steep yourself in this, acquaint yourself with this, and soon you will find that your author is
giving you, or attempting to give you, something far more definite.
谈读书
维吉尼亚·伍夫
既然书籍有不同的门类，如小说、传记、诗歌等，我们就应该把它们区分开来，并从每种中汲取它应当给我们提供的正确的东西;这话说起来固然容易，然而，很少有人要求从书籍中得到它们所能提供的东西，通常我们总是三心二意地带着模糊的观念去看书：要求小说情节真实，要求诗歌内容虚构，要求传记阿谀奉承，要求历史能加深我们自己的偏见。
如果我们读书时能抛弃所有这些成见，那将是一个极可贵的开端。
我们对作者不要指手划脚，而应努力站在作者的立场上，设想自己在与作者共同创作。
假如你退缩不前，有所保留并且一开始就批评指责，你就在妨碍自己从你所读的书中得到的益处, 然而，如果你能尽量敞开思想，那么，书中开头几句迂回曲折的话里所包含的几乎难以觉察的细微的迹象和暗示，就会把你引到一个与众不同的人物的面前去。
如果你深入下去，如果你去认识这个人物，你很快就会领悟作者正在给你或试图给你某些明确得多的东西。
倘若我们首先考虑怎样读小说，那么，一部小说中的三十二章就是企图创造出象一座建筑物那样既有一定的形式而各部分又受到控制的东西，不过词句要比砖块难以捉摸，阅读的过程要比看一看更费时、更复杂。
理解小说家创作工作的各项要素的捷径也许并不是阅读，而是写作，而是亲自试一试遣词造句中的艰难险阻。
那么，回想一下给你留下鲜明印象的某些事——比如，你怎样在大街的拐角处从两个正在交谈着的
人身边走过，树在摇曳、灯光在晃动，谈话的语气既喜又悲；这一瞬间似乎包含了一个完整的想象，一个整体的构思。