公共英语四级考试真题试卷
2023年12月英语四级考试真题及答案第1套
2023年12月四级真题（第1套）注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
Part ⅡListening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions 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． andD．, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
1. A． The woman is fussy about the cleanness of the apartment.B． He has not cleaned the apartment since his mother's visit.C． He does not remember when his mother canoe over.D． His mother often helps him to clean the apartment.2. A． The bus stop is only two minutes' walk.B． The nmning made him short of breath.C． They might as well take the next bus.D． The woman is late by a couple of minutes.3. A． She is suffering a pain in her neck.B． She is likely to replace Miss Smith.C． She has to do extra work for a few days. D． She is quite sick of working overtime.4. A． Change her job.B． Buy a dishwasher.C． Open a flower shop.D． Start her own business.5. A． He forgot where he had left the package. B． He slipped on his way to the post office. C． He wanted to deliver the package himself. D． He failed to do what he promised to do.6. A． The speakers do not agree with each other. B． The woman does not like horror films.C． The man pays for the tickets as a rule.D． The speakers happened" to meet in the cinema.7. A． The woman is just as unlucky as the man. B． The woman is more sensitive than the man. C． The speakers share a common view on love.D． The speakers are unhappy with their marriage.8. A． Preparations for a forum.B． Participants in the forum.C． Organizers of a forum.D． Expectations of the forum.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A． France.B． Scandinavia.C． Russia.D． East Europe.10. A． More women will be promoted in the workplace.B． More women will overcome their inadequacies.C． More women will receive higher education.D． More women will work outside the family.11. A． Try hard to protect women's rights.B． Educate men to respect women more.C． Help women acquire more professional skills.D． Spend more time changing women's attitudes.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A． In a restaurant.B． In a hotel lobby.C． At the man's office.D． At the woman's place.13. A． He is the chief designer of the latest bike model.B． He has completed an overseas market survey.C． He is the Managing Director of Jayal Motors.D． He has just come back from a trip to Africa.14. A． To select the right model.B． To get a good import agent.C． To convince the board members.D． To cut down production costs.15. A． His flexibility.B． His vision.C． His intelligence.D． His determination.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hoar 3 short passages. At tho end of each passage, you will hoar some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose tho best answer from tho four choices marked A．, B．, C．andD．. Then mark tho correspondingletter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through tho centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
公共英语四级-397_真题-无答案
公共英语四级-397(总分100,考试时间90分钟)Section Ⅰ Listening ComprehensionDirections:This section is designed to test your ability to understand spoken English. You will hear a selection of recorded materials and you must answer the questions that accompany them. There are three parts in this section, Part A, Part B and Part C.Remember, while you are doing the test, you should first put down your answers in your test booklet. At the end of the **prehension section, you will have 5 minutes to transfer all your answers from your test booklet to ANSWER SHEET 1.Now look at Part A in your test booklet.Part ADirections:For Questions 1—5, you will hear a radio program. While you listen, fill out the table with the information you've heard. Some of the information has been given to you in the table. Write only 1 word or number in each numbered box. You will hear the recording only once.Name of Program ______ for Today 1Topic Experiment on AnimalsGuest Jeff SachsPercentage of doctors supportingexperiments on animals ______ 2Jeff's idea Whether we experiment on animals or not is a ______ question. 3We experiment on animals because they are ______ to stop us. 4It's dangerous to say that we use animals in experiments because they lack our intelligence.Animals have ______. 51.2.3.4.5.Part BDirections:For questions 6—10, you will hear a talk on cloning. While you listen, complete the sentences or answer the questions. Use not more than 3 words for each answer. You will hear the recording only once.【点此下载音频文件】6. The author thinks on the problem of cloning, Ms. Macklin is too7. In some cases, people support human cloning because they are unwilling to8. If life were endless, the world would be full of9. Cloned people would be more likely to have10. Cloning would lead to the human beings'Part CDirections:You will hear three pieces of recorded material. Before listening to each one, you will have time to read the questions related to it. While listening, answer each question by choosing A, B, C or D. After listening, you will have time to check your answers. You will hear each piece once only.Questions 11—13 are based on the passage about malls in the US. You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 11—13.【点此下载音频文件】11.A. One spends so much time at malls.B. One steals at malls.C. One sees dentists at malls.D. One eats a lot at malls.12.A. They feel safe because malls have police station of private security guards.B. They can be served free meals after doing shopping.C. They can do about everything at malls.D. The weather inside is always fine.13.A. 350B. 2750C. 7500D. 1965Questions 14—16 are based on a report about a book, "Paris: Capital of the World." You now have 15 seconds to read Questions 14—16.【点此下载音频文件】14.A. Stanford UniversityB. Harvard UniversityC. Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyD. University of Michigan15.A. AppreciationB. DislikeC. IndifferenceD. Anger16.A. 1925B. 1935C. 1945D. 1955Questions 17—20 are based on the following interview on freezing human being. You now have 20 seconds to read Questions 17—20.【点此下载音频文件】17.A. He is a film director of Science Fiction.B. He is a writer of Science Fiction.C. He is a scientist who researches on how to freeze a body and bring it back to life later.D. He is a doctor who treats terminal illnesses.18.A. A certain chemical in their bodies.B. The change of certain circumstances around them.C. A certain temperature.D. A certain season in the year.19.A. About ten years.B. About two years.C. About twenty years.D. About thirteen years.20.A. It can be used to prolong everyone's life.B. It can help find cures for terminal illnesses.C. It can cure cancer and Aids.D. It can help freeze people with terminal illnesses and bring them back to life when the cure appears.Section Ⅱ Use of EnglishDirections:Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET 1.Most people would be (21) by the high quality of medicine (22) to most Americans. There is a lot of specialization, a great deal of (23) to the individual, a (24) amount of advanced technical equipment, and (25) effort not to make mistakes because of the financial risk which doctors and hospitals must (26) in the courts if they (27) things badly.But the Americans are in a mess. The problem is the way in (28) health care is organized and (29) . (30) to pubic belief it is not just a **petition system. The private system has been joined a large public system, because private care was simply not (31) the less fortunate and the elderly.But even with this huge public part of the system, (32) this year will eat up 84.5 billion dollars—more than 10 percent of the U.S. Budget—large number of Americans are left (33) . These include about half the 11 million unemployed and those who fail to meet the strict limits (34) income fixed by a government trying to make savings where it can.The basic problem, however, is that there is no central control (35) the health system. There is no (36) to what doctors and hospitals charge for their services, other than what the public is able to pay. The number of doctors has shot up and prices have climbed. When faced with toothache, a sick child, or a heart attack, all the unfortunate persons concerned can do is (37) up. Two thirds of the population (38) covered by medical insurance. Doctors charge as much as they want (39) that the **pany will pay the bill.The rising cost of medicine in the U. S. A. is among the most worrying problems facing the country. In 1981 the country's health bill climbed 15.9 percent—about twice as fast asprices (40) general.21.A. extensionB. retentionC. attentionD. exertion22.A. knowingB. to knowC. they knowD. known23.A. intensiveB. absorbedC. intenseD. concentrated24.A. overB. outC. offD. away25.A. treatB. dealC. maneuverD. handle26.A. forB. inC. withD. on27.A. to payB. payingC. payD. to have paid28.A. availableB. attainableC. achievableD. amenable29.A. compressedB. impressedC. obsessedD. repressed30.A. to financeB. financedC. the financeD. to be financed31.A. ContraryB. Opposed toC. AverseD. Objected32.A. is beingB. areC. have beenD. is33.A. run intoB. encounterC. faceD. defy34.A. countlessB. titanicC. broadD. vast35.A. whichB. thatC. whatD. when36.A. inB. withC. onD. for37.A. whichB. whatC. thatD. it38.A. boundaryB. restrictionC. confinementD. limit39.A. overB. onC. underD. behind40.A. looking forB. looking intoC. looking afterD. looking overSection Ⅲ Reading ComprehensionPart ADirections:Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.Passage 1The history of English is conventionally, if perhaps too neatly, divided into three periods usually called Old (or Anglo-Saxon)English, Middle English, and Modern English. The earliest period begins with the migration of certain Germanic tribes from the continent to Britain in the fifth century A. D, though no records of their language survive from before the seventh century, and it continues until the end of the seventh century or a bit later. By that time, Latin, Old Norse(the language of the Viking invaders), and especially the Anglo-Norman French of the dominant class after the Norman Conquest in 1066 had begun to have a substantial impact on the vocabulary, and the well-developed inflectional (词尾变化的) system that typifies the grammar of Old English had begun to break down.The period of Middle English extends roughly form the twelfth century through the fifteenth. The influence of French(and Latin, often by way of French)upon the vocabulary continued throughout the period, the loss of some inflections and the reduction of others accelerated, andmany changes took place within the grammatical systems of the language. A bypical prose passage, specially one from the later part of the period, will not have such a foreign look to us as the prose of Old English, but it will not be mistaken for contemporary writing either.The period of Modern English extends from the sixteenth century to our own day. The early part of this period saw **pletion of a revolution in vowel distribution that had be gun in late Middle English and that effectively brought the language to something resembling its present pattern. Other important early developments include the stabilizing effect on spelling of the printing press and the beginning of the direct influence of Latin, and to a lesser extent, Greek on the vocabulary. Later, as English came into contact with other cultures around the world and distinctive dialects of English developed in the many areas which Britain had colonized, numerous other languages made small but interesting contributions to our word stock.41. Which of the following is NOT mentioned?A. French.B. Latin.C. Greek.D. German.42. What is the most remarkable characteristic of Modern English?A. Numerous additions to its vocabulary.B. Completion of a revolution in vowel distribution.C. Gradual changes in its grammatical system.D. The direct influence of Latin.43. What is the main feature of the grammar of Old English?A. The influence of Latin.B. A revolution in vowel distribution.C. A well-developed inflectional system.D. Loss of some inflections.44. The earliest written record of English available to us started ______.A. from the seventh centuryB. from the fifth centuryC. from the twelfth centuryD. from the ninth century45. what can be inferred from the passage?A. Even an educated person can not read old English without special training.B. A person who knows French well can understand old English.C. An educated person can understand old English but can not pronounce it.D. A person can pronounce old English words but can't understand them.Passage 2Whether work should be placed among the causes of happiness or among the causes of unhappiness may perhaps be regarded as a doubtful question. There is certainly much work which is exceedingly weary and an excess of work is always very painful. I think, however, that, provided work is not excessive in amount, even the dullest work is to most people less painful then idleness. There are in work all grades, from mere relief of tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker. Most of the work that most people have to do is not in itself interesting, but even such work has certain great advantages. To begin with, it fills a good many hours of the day without the need of deciding what one shall do. Most people, when they are left free to fill their own time according to their own choice, are at a loss to think of anything sufficiently pleasant to be worth doing. And whatever they decide, they are troubled by the feeling that something else would have been pleasanter. To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level. Moreover the exercise of choice is in itself tiresome. Except to people with unusual initiative it is positively agreeable to be told what to do at each hour of the day, provided the orders are not too unpleasant. Most of the idle rich suffer unspeakable boredom as the price of their freedom from toil. At times they may find relief by hunting big game in Africa, or by flying round the world, but the number of such sensations is limited, especially after youth is past. Accordingly the more intelligent rich men work nearly as hard as if they were poor, while rich women for the most part keep themselves busy with innumerable trifles of those earth-shaking importance they are firmly persuaded.Work therefore is desirable, first and foremost, as a preventive of boredom, for the boredom that a man feels when he is doing necessary though uninteresting work is as nothing in comparison with the boredom that he feels when he has nothing to do with his days. With this advantage of work another is associated, namely that it makes holidays much more delicious when **e. Provided a man does not have to work so hard as to impair his vigor, he is likely to find far more zest in his free time than an idle man could possibly find.The second advantage of most paid work and of some unpaid work is that it gives chances of success and opportunities for ambition. In most work success' is measured by income, and while our capitalistic society continues, this is inevitable. It is only where the best work is concerned that this measure ceases to be the natural one to apply. The desire than men feel to increase their income is quite as much a desire for success as for the **forts that a higher income can acquire. However dull work may be, it becomes bearable if it is a means of building up a reputation, whether in the world at large or only in one's own circle.46. According to the passage, to be told to do something is generally ______.A. respectableB. acceptableC. insultingD. disgusting47. According to the passage, success can mostly be measure in terms of ______.A. relationshipB. enjoymentC. incomeD. promotion48. In the author's opinion, what is the last product of civilization?A. To make wise use of leisureB. To be free from hard workC. To keep oneself busy with triflesD. To work to some extent49. As put by the author, most of the work that most people have to do is ______.A. delightful but time consumingB. exceedingly dull and always painfulC. not worth doing and bearable at allD. not interesting but very rewarding50. What is the author's opinion about work?A. Work can keep people busy as if they were poor.B. Work is a cause of the greatest delight of life.C. Work is very tiresome, especially when too excessive.D. Work can at least give relief from boredom.Passage 3Every second in the United States alone, more than 250 animals are slaughtered for food, adding up to more than 8 billion animals each year. Reducing the amount of meat in one's diet is nutritionally, environmentally, and ethically beneficial.People who eat meat usually have weaker immune **pared to those of vegetarians. Meat has been directly linked to diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and many other illnesses. Furthermore, meat-esters are at a higher risk for diseases, including cancer, and they are more likely to die from these diseases. Critics say that a meatless diet does not provide enough nutrients, especially protein and iron. Actually, according to A Teen's Guide to Going Vegetarian, by Judy Krizmanic, protein is found in almost every food, and iron appears in many vegetables. Getting enough nutrients in a meat-reduced diet should not be difficult. A 1988study found that some of the highest pesticide residues appear in meat and eggs. Diets including more fruits and vegetables will only make people healthier.Some skeptics believe that there will be a shortage of food if animals are not eaten. In fact, the opposite is true. More than 80% of the corn and 95% of the oats grown in the U.S. are fed tolivestock. The world's cattle alone consume enough food to equal the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people, more than the entire human population. One half of the water used in the Unites States also goes to livestock; 2,50 gallons of water produces only 1 lb. of beef. If people eat less meat and more plants, the amount of available food will increase.Many people become vegetarians because they feel that eating animals is unethical. 90% of these animals are raised in confinement. Chickens and other birds have only about half a square foot of space each, and since they are raised so close together, a lot blade is used to cut off their beaks to prevent them from pecking each other to death. Likewise, pigs that are repressed will bite each other's tails, so both their teeth and tails are removed as soon as they are born.Eating animals is hazardous in numerous ways. Even a slight reduction in meat intake is better than nothing at all. Consuming less meat is beneficial to the health of animals, the health of people, and to the health of the world.51. Which of the following statements is true according to the book A Teen's Guide to Going Vegetarian?A. Some of the highest pesticide residues appear in meat and eggs.B. A meatless diet does not provide enough nutrients.C. Protein can be found in almost every food.D. More than 80% of the corn in the U.S. are fed to livestock.52. What is the attitude the author has toward eating meat?A. Positive.B. Negative.C. Indifferent.D. None of the above.53. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?A. The Advantage of Eating Less Meat.B. Why People Become Vegetarian?C. Environmental Protection and Meatless Diet.D. Save Chickens, Save Birds.54. Why does the author say reducing the amount of meat in one's diet is environmentally beneficial?A. People who eat meat usually have weaker immune **pared to those of vegetarians,B. A lot of food and water are consumed in order to raise livestock.C. 90% of animals are raised in confinement.D. Raising Animals causes most of the destruction of the nature.55. Why do some people become vegetarians?A. They feel that eating animals is Unethical.B. There are fewer livestock available due to the environmental pollution.C. The consumption of meat will lead to financial problem.D. Being a vegetarian is beneficial to the protection of water.Passage 4Every culture attempts to create a "universe of discourse" for its members, a way in which people can interpret their experience and convey it to one another. Without a common system of codifying sensations, life would be absurd and all efforts to share meanings would be doomed to failure. This universe of discourse—one of the most precious of all cultural legacies is transmitted to each generation in part consciously and in part unconsciously. Parents and teachers give explicit instruction in it by praising or criticizing certain ways of dressing, of thinking, of gesturing, of responding to the acts of others. But the most significant aspects of any cultural code may be conveyed implicitly, not by rule or lesson but through modeling behavior. He child is surrounded by others who, through the mere consistency of their actions as males and females, mothers and fathers, salesclerks and policemen, display what is appropriate behavior. Thus the grammar of any culture is sent and received largely unconsciously, making one's own cultural assumptions and biases difficult to recognize. They seem so obviously right that they require no explanation.In The Open and Closed Mind, Milton Rokeach poses the problem of cultural understanding in its simplest form, but one that can readily demonstrate **plication of communication between cultures. It is called the "Denny Doodlebyg Problem." Readers are given all the rules that govern this culture: Denny is an animal that always faces North, and can move only by jumping; he can jump large distances or small distances, but can change direction only after jumping four times I any direction; he can jump North, South, East or West, but not diagonally. Upon concluding a jump his master places some food three feet directly West of him. Surveying the situation, Denny concludes he must jump four times to reach the food. No more or less. And he is right. All the reader has to do is to explain the circumstances that make his conclusion correct.The large majority of people who attempt this problem fail to solve it, despite the fact that they are given all the rules that control behavior in this culture. If there is difficulty in getting inside the simplistic world of Denny Doodlebug—where the cultural code has already been broken and handed to us—imagine **plexity of comprehending behavior in societies whose codes have to yet been deciphered. And where even those who obey these Codes are only vaguely aware and can rarely describe the underlying sources of their own actions.56. It can be inferred from the passage that ______.A. in some societies, people's behaviors are not governed by cultural codesB. there are still societies whose cultural codes still remain a mystery to usC. once people accept a cultural code, they'll have a full understanding of their behaviorD. The Open and Closed Mind exerts great impact on people's behavior57. Which one of the following statements about cultural code is TRUE?A. People in the same society may be governed by different cultural codes.B. Cultural codes are passed on from one generation to another either in written form or in oral form or in both.C. Cultural codes in different cultures may differ sharply from one another.D. The influence of cultural codes on an individual may decrease as he becomes older.58. By reading The Open and Closed Mind, we may ______.A. find a way of solving the Denny Doodlebug problemB. realize how little we know about **plexity of human behaviorC. bring to light codes of some societies which we didn't know beforeD. be aware of the difficulties of communications between different cultures59. We acquire the greater part of our cultural codes by ______.A. creating a universe of discourseB. imitating the behavior of others, especially those of the previous generationC. sharing the same experiences with other peopleD. taking in the various information we're given with no discrimination60. What does "the grammar of any culture" refer to in the first paragraph?A. The grammatical rules in the language used by the largest population in a culture.B. Rules in a culture that can be modeled on by another culture.C. Any rules that people in a culture receive throughout his life time.D. Rules and codes that shape one's cultural perspective and behavior.Part BDirections:Read the following text carefully and then translate the underlined segments into Chinese. Your translation should be written clearly on ANSWER SHEET 2.American and Japanese researchers are developing a smart car that will help drivers avoid accidents by predicting when they are about to make a dangerous move.The smart car of the future will be able to tell if drivers are going to turn, change lanes, speed up, slow down or pass another car.If the driver's intended action could lead to an accident, the car will activate a warning system or override the move.(61)"By shifting the emphasis of car safety away from design of the vehicle itself and looking more toward the driver's behavior, the developers believe that they can start to build cars that adapt to suit people's needs," New Scientist magazine said.Alex Pentland of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology collaborated on the project with Andrew Liu who works for the Japanese carmaker Nissan.(62) Tests of their smart car using a driving simulator have shown that it is 95 percent accurate in predicting a driver's move 12 seconds in advance.(63) The system is based on driving behavior which the researchers say can be divided into chains of sub-actions which include preparatory moves.It monitors the driver's behavior patterns to predict the next move."To make its predictions, Nissan's smart car uses a computer and sensors on the steering wheel, accelerator and brake to monitor a person's driving patterns. (64) A brief training session, in which the driver is asked to perform certain maneuvers, allows the system to calculate the probability of particular actions occurring in two-second time segments," the magazine said.Liu has also done work on tracking eye movement to predict driving behavior. (65) He said the smart car could be adapted to monitor eye movement which could give even earlier predictions of when a driver is about to make a wrong move.61.62.63.64.65.Section Ⅳ WritingDirections:There has been a discussion recently on the issue of communication in a newspaper. Write an essay of about 200 words to the newspaper to1. show your understanding of the symbolic meaning of the picture below1) the content of the picture2) the symbolic meaning3) the special understanding2. give a specific **ment, and3. give your suggestion as to the best way to communicate.。
2024四级英语考试试卷
2024四级英语考试试卷Part I：Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay on the topic "The Importance of Cultural Heritage Protection". You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II：Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section A.Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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).News Report 1.Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.A new study has found that the number of endangered species in the world is increasing at an alarming rate. The research, which was conducted by a team of international scientists, surveyed over 10,000 species across the globe. It was discovered that factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal hunting are the main reasons for this increase.1. What is the main topic of this news report?A) The success of international scientific research.B) The increase in the number of endangered species.C) The methods of conducting a global survey.D) The importance of protecting habitats.2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the increase in endangered species?A) Habitat destruction.B) Climate change.C) Illegal hunting.D) Over - population.News Report 2.Questions 3 and 4 will be based on the following news item.In a major step towards sustainable transportation, a new type of electric bus has been launched in a large city. This bus is equipped with advanced battery technology that allows it to travel longer distances without recharging. The local government hopes that this will encourage more people to use public transportation and reduce the city's carbon footprint.3. What is special about the new electric bus?A) It has a very low cost.B) It is very small in size.C) It can travel long distances without recharging.D) It is made of recycled materials.4. What is the goal of the local government in launching this new bus?A) To make more money from public transportation.B) To attract more tourists to the city.C) To encourage people to use public transportation and reduce carbon footprint.D) To show off their advanced technology.News Report 3.Questions 5 to 7 will be based on the following news item.A famous university has announced a new scholarship program for international students. The program aims to attract talented students from all over the world to study in various fields such as science, technology, and engineering. The scholarship will cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses for the selected students.5. Who is the scholarship program aimed at?A) Domestic students.B) International students.C) Students in science only.D) Students in engineering only.6. Which of the following is NOT covered by the scholarship?A) Tuition fees.B) Accommodation.C) Travel expenses.D) Living expenses.7. What fields are included in this scholarship program?A) Only science.B) Only technology.C) Only engineering.D) Science, technology, and engineering.Section B.Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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).Conversation 1.Questions 8 to 11 will be based on the following conversation.M: Hi, Lisa. How was your weekend?W: It was great. I went to a music concert.M: Oh, really? Who was performing?W: It was a local band. They play really good rock music.M: That sounds interesting. How did you find out about this concert?W: I saw an advertisement on the Internet.8. What did Lisa do last weekend?A) She went to a movie.B) She went to a music concert.C) She stayed at home.D) She went shopping.9. Who was performing at the concert?A) A famous singer.B) A foreign band.C) A local band.D) A group of dancers.10. How did Lisa know about the concert?A) From a friend.B) From a newspaper.C) From an advertisement on the Internet.D) From the radio.11. What kind of music does the band play?A) Pop music.B) Classical music.C) Rock music.D) Jazz music.Conversation 2.Questions 12 to 15 will be based on the following conversation.M: Have you started your project yet?W: Yes, I have. But I'm having some problems with it.M: What kind of problems?W: Well, I'm not sure about the research methods. I don't know if I should use questionnaires or interviews.M: Hmm, that's a difficult choice. Questionnaires can reach a large number of people, but interviews can get more in - depth information.W: Yes, that's exactly my dilemma. And also, I'm not sure how to analyze the data once I collect it.12. What is the woman's problem?A) She hasn't started her project yet.B) She is not sure about the research methods and data analysis.C) She doesn't have enough time for the project.D) She doesn't know what her project is about.13. What are the two research methods the woman is considering?A) Surveys and experiments.B) Questionnaires and interviews.C) Observations and tests.D) Case studies and focus groups.14. What is an advantage of questionnaires according to the man?A) They can get more in - depth information.B) They are easier to analyze.C) They can reach a large number of people.D) They are more accurate.15. What else is the woman not sure about?A) How to collect data.B) How to start the project.C) How to write the report.D) How to analyze the data.Section C.Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three 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).Passage 1.Questions 16 to 18 will be based on the following passage.The Internet has changed the way we communicate and access information. It has made it possible for people all over the world to connect with each other instantly. However, it also has some negative effects. For example, the spread of false information has become a major problem. People need to be more careful when using the Internet and verify the information they receive.16. What has the Internet changed?A) Only the way we communicate.B) Only the way we access information.C) The way we communicate and access information.D) The way we live our lives completely.17. What is a negative effect of the Internet?A) It is too expensive to use.B) It takes too much time.C) The spread of false information.D) It is difficult to learn how to use.18. What should people do when using the Internet?A) Use it as much as possible.B) Ignore all the information.C) Be more careful and verify information.D) Only use it for entertainment.Passage 2.Questions 19 to 21 will be based on the following passage.Reading is an important activity that can enrich our knowledge and imagination. It can take us to different worlds and introduce us to different cultures. However, in modern society, many people are spendingless time reading. There are many reasons for this, such as the popularity of electronic devices and the fast - paced lifestyle.19. What can reading do?A) Only enrich our knowledge.B) Only enrich our imagination.C) Enrich our knowledge and imagination.D) Make us more popular.20. What is the situation of reading in modern society?A) More people are reading than before.B) People are spending less time reading.C) Reading has become more popular.D) Reading is only for students.21. Which of the following is a reason for people spending less time reading?A) Lack of good books.B) The unpopularity of electronic devices.C) The slow - paced lifestyle.D) The popularity of electronic devices and fast - paced lifestyle.Passage 3.Questions 22 to 24 will be based on the following passage.Exercise is essential for our physical and mental health. It can helpus maintain a good body shape, improve our cardiovascular function, and relieve stress. There are many different types of exercise, such as running, swimming, and cycling. People should choose the type of exercise that suits them best.22. What is exercise essential for?A) Only physical health.B) Only mental health.C) Physical and mental health.D) To look more beautiful.23. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of exercise?A) Maintaining a good body shape.B) Improving cardiovascular function.C) Causing more stress.D) Relieving stress.24. What should people do regarding exercise?A) Do the same exercise every day.B) Choose the type of exercise that suits them best.C) Only do running.D) Avoid exercise if they are busy.Part III：Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section A.Directions: 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 word bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2. You may not use any of the words in the word bank more than once.The development of modern technology has had a great impact on ourdaily lives. One of the most significant changes is in the way we communicate. With the _(25)_ of the Internet and mobile phones, we can now communicate with people all over the world instantly. This has made the world seem smaller and has brought people closer together.However, this also has some _(26)_ effects. For example, people may become too _(27)_ on electronic devices and neglect face - to - face communication. In addition, the _(28)_ of false information on the Internet has become a serious problem.Another area where technology has had a major impact is in transportation. New forms of transportation such as high - speed trains and electric cars are becoming more and more _(29)_. These new technologies are more environmentally friendly and can help reduce _(30)_ emissions.In the field of education, technology has also brought many changes. Online courses are now widely available, which allows people to study at their own _(31)_ and from anywhere in the world. However, some people worry that this may lead to a decrease in the quality of education as there may be less _(32)_ interaction between teachers and students.Overall, while modern technology has brought many benefits, we also need to be aware of its _(33)_ and take steps to address them.Word Bank:A) advent.B) addicted.C) adverse.D) availability.E) carbon.F) close.G) convenient.H) direct.I) disadvantages.J) emergence.K) environmental.L) pace.M) pollution.N) prevalent.O) spread.25. A) advent.26. C) adverse.27. B) addicted.28. O) spread.29. N) prevalent.30. E) carbon.31. L) pace.32. H) direct.33. I) disadvantages.Section B.Directions: 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.The Future of Work.A) The world of work is changing rapidly. Technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are transforming the way we work. These changes are not only affecting the types of jobsthat are available but also the skills that are required for success in the workplace.B) One of the most significant changes is the increasing automation of routine tasks. Machines are now able to perform many jobs that were previously done by humans, such as data entry, manufacturing, and customerservice. This has led to concerns about job losses, especially inindustries that rely heavily on manual labor.C) However, while some jobs may be disappearing, new jobs are alsobeing created. For example, the development of artificial intelligence has led to the emergence of new fields such as machine learning and data analytics. These fields require highly skilled workers who can develop, manage, and interpret complex algorithms.D) Another trend in the future of work is the increasing importance of soft skills. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem - solving are becoming more and more essential in the workplace. This is because as machines take over routine tasks, humans will need to focus on tasks that require human interaction and creativity.E) The rise of the gig economy is also changing the nature of work. In the gig economy, people work on a freelance or contract basis, oftenthrough online platforms. This gives workers more flexibility and control over their work, but it also means that they may not have the same job security or benefits as traditional employees.F) Technology is also enabling more remote work. With the developmentof high - speed Internet and communication tools, more and more people are able to work from home or other locations outside of the traditional office. This can improve work - life balance for employees and also reduce costsfor employers.G) However, remote work also has its challenges. For example, it can be difficult to maintain team cohesion and communication when employees arenot physically in the same location. Employers need to find ways to overcome these challenges, such as through the use of video conferencingand project management tools.H) In order to succeed in the future of work, individuals need to be adaptable and continuously learn new skills. Lifelong learning will be essential as the skills required for work are constantly evolving. Educational institutions and employers also need to play a role in providing training and development opportunities for workers.I) The future of work is likely to be more globalized. With the increasing ease of communication and transportation, companies are more likely to hire workers from all over the world. This means that individuals will need to be able to work effectively in a multicultural environment.J) Overall, the future of work is full of opportunities and challenges. While technological advancements are changing the nature of work, they also offer the potential for new jobs, greater flexibility, and improved productivity.34. Machines are taking over many jobs that were previously done by humans. B.35. New fields like machine learning and data analytics are emerging due to artificial intelligence. C.36. Soft skills are becoming more important as machines do routine tasks. D.37. The gig economy gives workers more flexibility but less job security. E.38. Remote work can improve work - life balance but has challenges in communication. F.39. Lifelong learning is necessary for individuals to succeed in the future of work. H.40. Companies are more likely to hire globally in the future. I.41. The future of work has both opportunities and challenges. J.42. Automation is not only affecting job types but also required skills.A.43. Employers need to use tools to overcome remote work challenges. G.Section C.Directions: 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.Passage 1.The concept of "green jobs" has become increasingly popular in recent years. Green jobs are those that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. These jobs can be found in a variety of sectors, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainable agriculture.One of the main drivers of the growth of green jobs is the increasing concern about climate change. As countries around the world strive toreduce their carbon emissions, they are investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power. This has led to the creationof many jobs in the renewable energy sector, from research and developmentto installation and maintenance.In addition to renewable energy, energy efficiency is also an important area for green jobs. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings, for example, can reduce energy consumption and costs. Jobs in this area includeenergy auditors, who assess the energy use of buildings and recommend improvements, and insulation installers, who install energy - saving materials in buildings.Waste management is another sector with significant potential for green jobs. Recycling and composting are two important waste management methods that can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Jobs in waste management include waste collectors, recyclers, and composting operators.Sustainable agriculture is also an emerging area for green jobs. Organic farming, for example, uses natural fertilizers and pesticides, which are better for the environment. Jobs in sustainable agriculture include farmers, agricultural technicians, and food processors who work with organic products.44. What are green jobs?A) Jobs that are only related to renewable energy.。
公共英语等级考试四级真题及答案
公共英语等级考试四级真题及答案1.Directions:Read the following text and fill each of the numbered spaceswith ONE suitable word. Write your answers on the ANSWER SHEET.In the years after World War II, Americans typically assumed the full responsibilities of adulthood by their late teens or early 20s. Most young men had (21 )__ school and were working full-time, and most young women were (22)__ and raising children. People who grew (23) __in this era of growing affluence wereeconomically serf-sufficient and able to take care of others by the time they had weathered adolescence. Today, adulthood no longer (24) __ when adolescence ends.Social scientists are beginning to recognize a new phase of life: early adulthood. Some features of this stage resemble coming of age (25) __ the late 19th and early 20th centuries,(26)__ youth fingered in a state of semi-autonomy, waiting (27)__ they were sufficiently well-offto marry, have children and establish an independent (28) __ However, there are important differences (29)__ how young people today define and achieve adulthood from those of both the recent and the more distant past.This new stage is not merely an extension of adolescence, (30)__ has been maintained in the mass media. Young adults are physically mature and often (31) __ impressive intellectual,social and psychological skills. Nor are young people today reluctant to accept adult responsibilities. Instead, they are busy (32) __ up their educational credentials and practical skills in an ever more demanding labor market. Yet, many have not become fully adult, (33) __ they are not ready, or perhaps not permitted, to do (34) __ . For a growing number, this will not happen until their late 20s or even early 30s. In (35) __, American society will have to revise upward the “normal” age of full adulthood, and develop ways to assist youngpeople through the ever-lengthening transition.答案解析:pleted/finished【精析】本题考查句意推断。
2023年12月英语四级真题及答案(共三套)
2023年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第1套)Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions:Suppose the university newspaper is inviting submissions from the students for its coming edition on a campus event that has impressed them most. You are now to write an essay forsubmission. You will have 30 minutes to write the essay. You should write at least 120 wordsbut no more than 180 words._____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section ADirections:In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report，you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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 1with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A. Their brains work in harmony. B. They are generally the same age.C. Their interests are quite similar.D. They have the same ethnic background.2. A. It can be touching. B. It is hard to predict.C. It can work both ways.D. It resembles family ties.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A. Search for their half-brothers. B. Identify their biological fathers.C. Find out more about their ancestry.D. See whether they are actually related.4. A. They were both given up for adoption. B. They were born to the same mother.C. They flew 737 airplanes as pilots.D. They were both 60 years of age.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A. One of his friends was caught littering.B. Other tourists refused to join in the cleanup.C. The beautiful beach was spoiled with lots of trash.D. The kilometer-long beach was practically deserted.6. A. A passerby. B. A local woman.C. The beach authorities.D. One of the five tourists.7. A. The tourists’ good deed was not noticed by the locals.B. Some natives were selling poor-quality food to tourists.C. The number of tourists to the beach is on a steady decline.D. It was tourists not natives who were cleaning up the beach.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 1with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A. He has to play football with workmates. B. He has got some books to read.C. He is going to visit a friend.D. He is physically unfit for it.9. A. To teach kids about animal protection. B. To learn how popular zoos could be.C. To see some rare animals in cages.D. To give her little nephew a treat.10. A. He enjoys excellent health. B. He is keen on extreme sports.C. He coaches tennis players every week.D. He spends most of his time in the gym.11. A. Tending to his swollen ankle. B. Concentrating on reading.C. Writing three book reports.D. Planning Christmas celebrations.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A. It is being debated by hundreds of retirees. B. It is attracting many people’s attention.C. It partly records his own experience.D. It argues for postponing retirement.13. A. One should foresee a financial crisis. B. One should trust financial planners’ figures.C. One should have one million dollars to retire.D. One should start saving as early as possible.14. A. It doesn’t need to be permanent. B. It shouldn’t be considered risky.C. It helps to reduce travel expenses.D. It is the way to quit a job one hates.15. A. By keeping close contact with one’s employers.B. By retiring when one reaches sixty years old.C. By investing half of one’s monthly income.D. By following the counsel of financial planners.Section CDirections:In this section，you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear 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 thecentre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A. They tended to be easily anticipated by those belonging to their own race.B. They tended to be arbitrarily judged by individuals of opposing groups.C. They were readily shared among members of the same social or racial group.D. They were influenced by the presence of someone from an outsider group.17. A. When they tried to make a positive impression on the researchers.B. When an unknown student from another university was present.C. When an experimenter from the research team took notice.D. When they were offered both candy and fruit as a snack.18. A. By advertising its social benefits. B. By teaching consumers diet strategies.C. By supporting struggling consumers.D. By maintaining its positive image. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A. The academic and learning issues struggling students encounter.B. The risk students face due to a history of mental health problems.C. The effect of interacting with therapy dogs on students under pressure.D. The work universities are doing to help students succeed academically.20. A. Their communicative skills. B. Their executive functioning.C. Their academic networking.D. Their leadership capacities.21. A. Rid students of their anxiety. B. Add to some students’ stress.C. Contribute little to typical students’ success.D. Help students with mental issues pull through. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A. Work hard and plan carefully. B. Attempt to succeed at any cost.C. Aim high and expect great results.D. Remain optimistic even in difficult.23. A. Regarding failure as something inevitable. B. Trying out innovative marketing strategies.C. Venturing into sectors never explored before.D. Being willing to experiment with novel ideas.24. A. Expect future success so as to move forward. B. Learn from our failure and forge ahead.C. Distinguish between good and bad risks.D. Examine our strategies and find out weaknesses.25. A. Fresher offers. B. Safer operation.C. More challenges.D. Less competition.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 thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identifiedby a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2with asingle 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.Exercising for just 10 minutes a week is linked to a longer life, according to a new study published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine.Several recent studies have found that even low-intensity exercise, done for a short amount of time, can have a meaningful 26 on health. Still, the idea that exercising for just 10 minutes a week may be enough to increase your lifespan is novel. It’s also somewhat 27 , since the federal physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of 28 exercise each week.The study was based on data from more than 88,000 U.S. adults who 29 in the National Health Interview Survey between 1997 and 2008.Contrary to some research that has found an 30 limit to the amount of exercise that is healthy, the researchers found that there was 31 no limit to the longevity (长寿) benefits of exercise. Even the small group of people who got 10 times the amount of exercise recommended by the federal government had a 46% lower 32 of death than the least active group.Still, observational studies like this one cannot prove cause and effect; they can only find 33 . The researchers also were not able to 34 for certain lifestyle factors that could affect lifespan, including dietary habits and changes in physical activity over time. Despite these 35 , the study’s results are yet another indication of the power of physical activity, even in small amounts.Section 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 paragraph fromwhich the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Eachparagraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letteron Answer Sheet 2.How Climate Change Will Affect What You EatA) Earlier this year, scientists warmed that one in six animal species could go extinct (灭绝的) due toclimate change. Could the same thing happen to our crops and other foodstuffs too?B) It’s clear that farmers in many parts of the world are going to find things harder in the comingdecades. Last week, BBC Future explored one scientist’s efforts to help crops cope with the increased probability of droughts. By using the genes from resurrection (复活) plants, Jill Farrant of the University of Cape Town is exploring whether she can design crops to survive for much longer periods without water.C) But if we can’t find ways to protect other foods, will they survive climate change? Fortunately, thereis some good news on this front. Despite alarmist headlines about “foods that are going extinct,” there is no evidence that major food types like beans, chocolate, wine, corn or wheat will cease to exist.D) But that doesn’t mean it’s all good news for future food. We will probably have to change where wegrow certain crops, as some regions get too hot. The disadvantage, obviously, is that local farmers will suffer under this situation. And some people may struggle to get the same access to certain foods. “Even if overall food production may be unaffected, food security can still be impacted,” says Margaret Walsh, a scientist at the US Department of Agriculture’s Climate Change Program Office. In other words, even if a certain food is still grown on some corner of the Earth, it doesn’t mean that everyone will continue to have the same degree of access as today.E) Overall, the yields of many foods, from staples to life-enhancing extras such as coffee and chocolate,will likely be impacted by climate change too. How those decreases will be felt will depend on the degree of warming and the crop in question, but in general, “anything over about 30°C is very bad for crops,” says Wolfram Schlenker, an associate professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University. For example, statistical studies that he and a colleague built of corn and soybean (大豆) production in the US show a steep decline after crossing the 30°C temperature threshold (临界点).F) In the US —the world’s largest producer of corn and soybeans—farms can move north to somedegree, Schlenker says. But eventually, yields will likely suffer because the soil north ofIowadeclines in quality-a legacy of glacial (冰川的) expansion. Other studies, including studies of wheat in India and corm in Africa, also found that there is a threshold above which yields sharply decline: crops can adapt and move, but only to a point. “What’s common to all studies is the finding that extreme heat is damaging to crop growth, although exact cutoffs vary by crop,” Schlenker says. “If predictions for the end of the century are true, though, I think a lot of agricultural areas in the US will see significant hits.”G) Under current conditions, about 4% of the world’s croplands experience drought in any given year,but by the end of the century those conditions are forecasted to jump to about 18% per year. Some studies indicate that horticulture crops—generally, everything besides staples—may be impacted most severely, largely because they tend to be confined to a smaller geographic area. Researcher Andrew Jarvis and his colleagues found that 80% of coffee-growing zones in Central America and Brazil could become unsuitable by 2050, for example, while climate change will likely have “great impacts” on cocoa (可可粉) production in West Africa. “High quality chocolate will be less available in the future, and if you want it, you’ll have to pay a lot more for it,” Jarvis says.H) This means that for those who can afford it, some foods will simply cost them more in the future. Butfor poorer people, those same price jumps will likely cause certain foods to go extinct from their diets.“The more you reduce, the shorter the supply, and the higher the price will jump,” Schlenker says.I) Another potential climate change induced problem is our dependence on commodity crops—wheat,soybeans, corn and rice—which currently provide humanity with 75% of its calories, either directly or indirectly through the animals we raise on those crops. Jarvis and his colleagues also found that, over the past five decades, the world has seen an increasing standardisation of diets; the foods we eat globally today are 36% more similar than they were in 1961. While this can be good news for the world’s poorest people who now consume more calories, protein and fat than in the past, homogeneity (同一性) and over-dependence on a handful of staples leaves us vulnerable to threats such as drought, disease and pests- all of which are predicted to worsen in many parts of the world asa result of climate change.J) There are ways we could soften the coming blow to the global food supply, however. Like Farrant’s work with resurrection crops, a number of companies, organisations and researchers are aiming to create drought-and temperature-resistant crops through genetic engineering and conventional breeding. For now, the jury is still out as to how successful those endeavours will be. “The people at Monsanto who I’ve talked to are much more optimistic that they’ll be able to engineer heat-tolerant crops,” Schlenker says. “On the other hand, scientists at the USDA who I’ve spoken with are much more cautious.”K) Until genetic engineering comes to fruition, other strategies might also help in some places, including applying more fertiliser, implementing better irrigation, using machinery that gets crops out of the field faster or installing storage facilities to delay spoilage. “Many places could benefit a great deal just by using technologies that already exist,” Walsh says. “General farm management can go a long way toward easing changes.”L) Finally, diversifying our diet away from heat-sensitive wheat, corn, rice and other crops could also help. “We’ve seen profound changes in the last decades in what we eat largely as a result of international trade, and I think that trend toward more diversification will continue,” Jarvis says.“Depending on a greater number of plant species creates a more vigorous and less risky food system—and one that provides a broader range of nutritional requirements.”36. O ne consequence of climate change is that some people may not have adequate access to certainfoods.37. P eople around the world are eating foods more similar than what they used to eat.38. A recent news report talked about scientific efforts to help crops survive droughts through geneticengineering.39. I t is predicted that climate change will affect the availability and price of quality chocolate.40. P eople wonder if certain crops and foodstuffs could disappear like some animal species due toclimate change.41. A lthough farms in the US can move a bit northward, crop yields may decrease.42. O ne possible solution to the food security problem is diversification of diet.43. I t remains unsettled whether the global food supply problem can be solved by creating heat-tolerantcrops through genetic engineering.44. P oor people may have to give up eating certain foods because of their high prices.45. A number of existing farming technologies could be used to reduce the negative effect of climatechange on food production.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 marked A), B), C) and D). Youshould decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 witha single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.One of my bad habits is saying “busy” when people ask me how I’m doing. Sometimes it’s because I actually am busy, but other times it’s because that’s what I think I’m supposed to say. That’s what important people say. That’s what people who get promoted say. But working long hours doesn’t drive better results. Never taking a vacation won’t lead to a promotion. So why are we so proud to talk about how busy we are all the time?In 2016, researchers from Columbia, Harvard, and Georgetown conducted a study to figure it out. They found busy people are perceived to be of high status, and interestingly, these status attributions are heavily influenced by our own beliefs about social mobility. In other words, the more we believe that one has the opportunity for success based on hard work, the more we tend to think that people who skip leisure and work all the time are of higher standing.That’s why we feel like we have to appear busy, and there’s a real perception that if someone is knee-deep in meetings, emails, and stress, then they’re probably a big deal. This culture of busyness is making it hard for employees to find work-life balance. According to a recent study, one in five highly engaged employees is at risk of burnout (精疲力竭).Personally, I’m going to stop saying “busy” when people ask me how 1 am. It sounds self-righteous (自以为是的) and sets the wrong tone. Phrases like “I have limited access to email” and “I’ll respond as soon as I get back” sound like you’re being held against your will from working as opposed to making the most of your time off.That’s why we recently launched the Out of Office Email Generator, a free tool you can use before your next long weekend or trip. You can share loud and proud that you won’t be checking email until you’re back. Managers need to think twice about emailing their teams on the weekend and talking abouthow busy they are. Leaders should take time off themselves and encourage employees to do the same.46. What is a reason for the author to be in the habit of saying “busy” when asked how he is doing?A. He just follows successful people’s example.B. He is actually proud to be fully occupied.C. He thinks everyone should be devoted to work.D. He believes busyness ensures accomplishments.47. Why do we tend to think that busy people are of high status?A. Our status can be attributed to our social mobility.B. We hold the belief that hard work leads to success.C. Our own opportunity for success never comes easily.D. We find few people of high status have time for leisure.48. What do we learn about the culture of busyness from a recent study?A. It places employees in endless meetings, emails and stress.B. It compels some 20% of employees to appear always busy.C. It distorts many employees’ belief of what a satisfying life is.D. It does much harm to many busy employees’ well-being.49. What do such utterances as “I have limited access to email” sound like according to the author?A. One is too busy to check all emails in time.B. One is opposed to the prevailing work culture.C. One is forced by circumstances to stop working.D. One is simply enjoying their time off work.50. Why did the author and his colleagues launch the Out of office Email Generator?A. To enable busy employees to spend less time checking emails.B. To ensure employees as well as employers truly have time off.C. To stop managers from talking about how busy their teams usually are.D. To encourage both employers and employees to answer emails promptly.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Female employees consistently pay lower airfares than men do for the same flights because they tend to book earlier.We compared the airfare paid by employees in the same position within a company for the same class of travel and used a common statistical technique to account for other factors that might affect differences in airfares. We found that women paid on average $18 less per ticket than their male colleagues. Further investigation allowed us to conclude that this gap is largely explained by the fact that women tended to book earlier than men, 1.8 days on average.We wanted to determine what was causing these gender differences in booking business trips so we tested a variety of possible explanations, such as women choosing to plan ahead or male frequent travelers being inclined to book late. None of these explained away the gender gap, so we applied data collected from surveys that express consumer preferences that play a central role in economic decisions, such as patience and risk avoidance.We found that only the concept of “negative reciprocity”—in which an employee who feels unfairly treated engages in negative behaviors, such as spending their company’s money less carefully—explains these differences. The surveys showed men tend to exhibit more of these negative behaviors than women. This isn’t to say that all men engage in these behaviors—or that booking relatively late is a sign of abnormal behavior. It only means that the gender gap disappears when we plug in the negative reciprocityvariable.Prior research on negative reciprocity among workers found that it can result in lower employee motivation, business performance and workplace morale (士气) and culture.Our results show another way these negative behaviors can manifest themselves, like in airline bookings, and add to evidence that women are less likely to engage in them.Companies spend significant sums of money on business travel. While that $18 difference per ticket may seem small, it adds up. Our analysis suggests early booking by women can translate into savings of $1 million a year for a large multinational company with 20,000 regular travelers.51. What did the author’s team conclude about the gender difference in airfares from their furtherinvestigation?A. It is largely attributed to women booking earlier than men.B. It is largely explained by women’s choosing cheaper fights.C. It is mainly accounted for by male employees’ readiness to pay more.D. It is due to the fact that women care more about their company’s money.52. What did the researchers want to determine by testing a variety of possible explanations?A. What made male frequent travelers book air tickets late.B. What caused women to plan ahead in booking business trips.C. What motivated women to book cheaper flights.D. What accounted for the gender gap in airfares.53. What happened when the negative reciprocity variable was taken into account?A. Both men and women were found to engage in negative behaviors.B. Neither men nor women viewed booking late as a bad behavior.C. The gender difference in airfare expenses no longer existed.D. The gender gap tended to narrow to a significant degree.54. What did prior research on negative reciprocity among workers find?A. It can do more harm to the workplace than to employees.B. It contributes to the male-female divide in the workplace.C. It proves to be counterproductive in a number of ways.D. It can result in increasing labor-management conflicts.55. What does the author emphasize about their analysis in the last paragraph?A. It can help companies increase their savings significantly.B. It can duly contribute to companies’ business performance.C. It can translate women’s booking practice into men’s behavior.D. It can enhance large multinational companies’ competitiveness.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.中国政府十分重视人民的健康饮食(diet)。
2023年12月英语四级真题及答案解析第二套
2023年12月英语四级真题及答案解析第二套第一部分：听力本套试卷第一部分是听力部分，包括长对话和短对话。
听力部分的目的是测试考生对英语听力的理解能力。
以下是第一部分的真题及答案解析。
长对话一：问题及答案解析Question 1: What will the woman use the vacation for?A. To visit her family.B. To study for exams.C. To work on a project.D. To learn a new language.答案：B. To study for exams.解析：从对话中可以听出，女士提到她要利用这个假期来准备考试，因此答案选B。
长对话二：问题及答案解析Question 2: Why is the man reluctant to use public transportation?A. It is not convenient in his area.B. The subway is always overcrowded.C. He prefers to ride a bicycle.D. He finds it expensive.答案：A. It is not convenient in his area.解析：从对话中可以听出，男士提到他所在的地区公共交通不方便，因此答案选A。
……第二部分：阅读本套试卷第二部分是阅读部分，包括阅读理解和完型填空。
阅读部分的目的是测试考生对英语阅读的理解能力。
以下是第二部分的真题及答案解析。
阅读理解一：问题及答案解析Question 1: What is the main topic of the passage?A. The benefits of yoga on physical health.B. The history of yoga and its origins.C. Different types of yoga and their benefits.D. The popularity of yoga in recent years.答案：D. The popularity of yoga in recent years.解析：从文章中可以得知，文章主要讨论了瑜伽在近年来的流行趋势，因此答案选D。
2023年12月大学英语四级考试真题
2023年12月大学英语四级考试真题一、听力理解第一节（共5小题）What does the woman ask the man to do?A. Turn the television off.B. Turn the volume down.C. Turn the radio on.Answer: BWhere does the conversation most probably take place?A. At the post office.B. At the bank.C. At the hotel.Answer: CWhat does the man imply about the woman?A. She hasn't been to New York City.B. She needs to find a new job.C. She travels a lot for work.Answer: AHow long has the man been waiting?A. For an hour.B. For half an hour.C. For ten minutes.Answer: BWhat is the woman doing?A. She is looking for her keys.B. She is waiting for someone to arrive.C. She is talking on the phone.Answer: C第二节（共5小题）What is the woman asking the man to do?A. Fix her computer.B. Help her find a job.C. Visit her tomorrow.Answer: AWhat does the man offer to do next?A. Take the woman to the restaurant.B. Prepare dinner for the woman.C. Look for a restaurant on the Internet.Answer: CWhat does the man say about the woman's computer?A. It can't be fixed.B. It needs a software update.C. It needs a new battery.Answer: BWhat does the woman suggest doing after dinner?A. Go for a walk.B. Watch a movie at home.C. Go to a movie theater.Answer: BHow does the woman feel about the man's suggestion?A. Excited.B. Indifferent.C. Annoyed.Answer: A二、阅读理解（由于阅读理解部分通常包含较长的文章和多个问题，以下仅提供部分示例问题的概述）第一篇阅读理解文章示例文章主题：儿童社交技能的发展文章内容概述：儿童社交技能的发展是其成长过程中的重要组成部分，这些技能有助于儿童与他人有效互动并建立健康的关系。
公共英语四级-111_真题-无答案
公共英语四级-111(总分100,考试时间90分钟)Reading ComprehensionIf you intend using humor in your talk to make people smile, you must know how to identify shared experiences and problems. Your humor must be relevant to the audience and should help to show them that you are one of them or that you understand their situation and are in sympathy with their point of view. Depending on whom you are addressing, the problems will be different. If you are talking to a group of managers, you may refer to the disorganized methods of their secretaries; alternatively if you are addressing secretaries, you may want to comment on their disorganized bosses.Here is an example, which I heard at a nurses" convention, of a story which works well because the audience all shared the same view of doctors. A man arrives in heaven and is being shown around by St. Peter. He sees wonderful accommodations, beautiful gardens, sunny weather, and so on. Everyone is very peaceful, polite and friendly until, waiting in a line for lunch, the new arrival is suddenly pushed aside by a man in a white coat, who rushes to the head of the line, grabs his food and stomps over to a table by himself. "Who is that?" the new arrival asked St. Peter. "On, that"s God," came the reply, "but sometimes he thinks he"s a doctor."If you are part of the group which you are addressing, you will be in a position to know the experiences and problems which **mon to all of you and it"ll be appropriate for you to make a passing remark about the inedible canteen food or the chairman"s notorious bad taste in ties. With other audiences you mustn"t attempt to cut in with humor as they will resent an outsider making disparaging remarks about their canteen or their chairman. You will be on safer ground if you stick to scapegoats like the Post Office or the telephone system.If you feel awkward being humorous, you must practice so that it becomes more natural. Include a few casual and apparently off-the-cuff remarks which you can deliver in a relaxed and unforced manner. Often it"s the delivery which causes the audience to smile, so speak slowly and remember that a raised eyebrow or an unbelieving look may help to show that you are making a light-hearted remark.Look for the humor. It **es from the unexpected. A twist on a familiar quote "If at first you don"t succeed, give up" or a play on words or on a situation. Search for exaggeration and understatements. Look at your talk and pick out a few words or sentences which you can turn about and inject with humor.1. To make your humor work, you should ______A. take advantage of different kinds of audience.B. make fun of the disorganized people.C. address different problems to different people.D. show sympathy for your listeners.2. The joke about doctors implies that, in the eyes of nurses, they are ______A. impolite to new arrivals.B. very conscious of their godlike role.C. entitled to some privileges.D. very busy even during lunch hours.3. It can be inferred from the text that public services ______A. have benefited many people.B. are the focus of public attention.C. are an inappropriate subject for humor.D. have often been the laughing stock.4. To achieve the desired result, humorous stories should be delivered ______A. in well-worded language.B. as awkwardly as possible.C. in exaggerated statements.D. as casually as possible.5. The best title for the text may be______A. Use Humor Effectively.B. Various Kinds of Humor.C. Add Humor to Speech.D. Different Humor Strategies.Imagine waking up and finding the value of your assets has been halved. No, you"re not an investor in one of those hedge funds that **pletely. With the dollar slumping to a 26-year low against the pound, already-expensive London has become quite unaffordable. A coffee at Starbucks, just as unavoidable in England as it is in the United States, runs about $8.The once all-powerful dollar isn"t doing a Titanic against just the pound. It is sitting at a record low against the euro and at a 30-year low against the Canadian dollar. Even the Argentine peso and Brazilian real are thriving against the dollar.The weak dollar is a source of humiliation, for a nation"s self-esteem rests in part on the strength of its currency. It"s also a potential economic problem, since a declining dollar makes imported food more expensive and exerts upward pressure on interest rates. And yet there are substantial sectors of the vast U.S. economy-from **panies like Coca-Cola to mom-and-pop restaurant operators in Miami-for which the weak dollar is most excellent news.Many Europeans may view the U.S. as an arrogant superpower that has become hostile to foreigners. But nothing makes people think more warmly of the U.S. than a weak dollar. Through April, the total number of visitors from abroad was up 6.8 percent from last year. Should the trend continue, the number of tourists this year will finally top the 2000 peak? Many Europeans now apparently view the U.S. the way many Americans view Mexico-as a cheap place to vacation, shop and party, all while ignoring the fact that the poorer locals can"t afford to join the merrymaking.The money tourists spend helps decrease our chronic trade deficit. So do exports, which thanks in part to the weak dollar, soared 11 percent between May 2006 and May 2007. For first five months of 2007, the trade deficit actually fell 7 percent from 2006.If you own shares in large American corporations, you"re a winner in the weak-dollar gamble. Last week Coca-Cola"s stick bubbled to a five-year high after it reported a fantastic quarter. Foreign sales accounted for 65 percent of Coke"s beverage business. Other **panies profiting from this trend include McDonald"s and IBM.American tourists, however, shouldn"t expect any relief soon. The dollar lost strength the way many marriages break up- slowly, and then all at once. And currencies don"t turn on a dime. So if you want to avoid the pain inflicted by the increasingly pathetic dollar, cancel that summer vacation to England and look to New England. There, the dollar is still treated with a little respect.6. Why do Americans feel humiliated?A. Their economy is plungingB. They can"t afford trips to EuropeC. Their currency has slumpedD. They have lost half of their assets.7. How does the current dollar affect the life of ordinary Americans?A. They have to cancel their vacations in New England.B. They find it unaffordable to dine in mom-and-pop restaurants.C. They have to spend more money when buying imported goods.D. They might lose their jobs due to potential economic problems.8. How do many Europeans feel about the U.S with the devalued dollar?A. They feel contemptuous of itB. They are sympathetic with it.C. They regard it as a superpower on the decline.D. They think of it as a good tourist destination.9. what is the author"s advice to Americans?A. They treat the dollar with a little respectB. They try to win in the weak-dollar gambleC. They vacation at home rather than abroadD. They treasure their marriages all the more.10. What does the author imply by saying "currencies don"t turn on a dime" (Line 2, Para 7)?A. The dollar"s value will not increase in the short term.B. The value of a dollar will not be reduced to a dimeC. The dollar"s value will drop, but within a small margin.D. Few Americans will change dollars into other currencies.If ambition is to be well regarded，the rewards of ambition — wealth, distinction, control over one"s destiny —must be deemed worthy of the sacrifices made on ambition"s behalf. If the tradition of ambition is to have vitality, it must be widely shared; and it especially must be highly regarded by people who are themselves admired, the educated not least among them. In an odd way, however, it is the educated who have claimed to have given up on ambition as an ideal. What is odd is that they have perhaps most benefited from ambition — if not always their own then that of their parents and grandparents. There is a heavy note of hypocrisy in this, a case of closing the barn door after the horses have escaped — with the educated themselves riding on them. Certainly people do not seem less interested in success and its signs now than formerly. Summer homes, European travel, BMWs — the locations, place names and name brands may change, butsuch items do not seem less in demand today than a decade or two years ago. What has happened is that people cannot confess fully to their dreams, as easily and openly as once they could, lest they be thought pushing, acquisitive and vulgar. Instead, we are treated to fine hypocritical spectacles, which now more than ever seem in ample supply: the critic of American materialism with a Southampton summer home; the publisher of radical books who takes his meals in three-star restaurants; the journalist advocating participatory democracy in all phases of life, whose own children are enrolled in private schools. For such people and many more perhaps not so exceptional, the proper formulation is, "Succeed at all costs but avoid appearing ambitious." The attacks on ambition are many **e from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive. As a result, the support for ambition as a healthy impulse, a quality to be admired and fixed in the mind of the young, is probably lower than it has ever been in the United States. This does not mean that ambition is at an end, that people no longer feel its stirrings and promptings, but only that, no longer openly honored, it is less openly professed. Consequences follow from this, of course, some of which are that ambition is driven underground, or made sly. Such, then, is the way things stand: on the left angry critics, on the right stupid supporters, and in the middle, as usual, the majority of earnest people trying to get on in life.11. It is generally believed that ambition may be well regarded if ______.A. its returns **pensate for the sacrificesB. it is rewarded with money, fame and powerC. its goals are spiritual rather than materialD. it is shared by the rich and the famous12. The last sentence of the first paragraph most probably implies that it is ______.A. customary of the educated to discard ambition in wordsB. too late to check ambition once it has been let outC. dishonest to deny ambition after the fulfillment of the goalD. impractical for the educated to enjoy benefits from ambition13. Some people do not openly admit they have ambition because ______.A. they think of it as immoralB. their pursuits are not fame or wealthC. ambition is not closely related to material benefitsD. they do not want to appear greedy and contemptible14. From the last paragraph the conclusion can be drawn that ambition should be maintained ______.A. secretly and vigorouslyB. openly and enthusiasticallyC. easily and momentarilyD. verbally and spirituallyHawaii"s native minority is demanding a greater degree of sovereignty over its own affairs. But much of the archipelago"s political establishment, which includes the White Americans who dominated until the second world war and people of Japanese, Chinese and Filipino origins, is opposed to the idea.The islands were annexed by the US in 1898 and since then Hawaii"s native peoples have fared worse than any of its other ethnic groups. They make up over 60 percent of the state"s homeless, suffer higher levels of unemployment and their life span is five years less than the average Hawaiians. They are the only major US native group without some degree of autonomy.But a sovereignty **mittee set up by Hawaii"s first native governor, Joahn Waihee, has given the natives" cause a major boost by recommending that the Hawaiian natives decide by themselves whether to reestablish a sovereign Hawaiian nation.However, the Hawaiian natives are not united in their demands. Some just want greater autonomy within the state -- as enjoyed by many American Indian natives over matters such as education. This is a position supported by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA. , a state agency set up in 1978 to represent the natives" interests and which has now become the moderate face of the native sovereignty movement. More ambitious is the Ka Lahui group, which declared itself a new nation in 1987 and wants full, official independence from the US.But if Hawaiian natives are given greater autonomy, it is far from clear how many people this will apply to. The state authorities only count as native those people with more than 50 percent Hawaiian blood.Native demands are not just based on political grievances, though. They also want their claim on 660,000 hectares of Hawaiian crown land to be accepted. It is on this issue that native groups are facing most opposition from the state authorities. In 1933, the state government paid the OHA US 136 million in back rent on the crown land and many officials say that by accepting this payment the agency has given up its claims to legally own the land. The OHA has vigorously disputed this.15. Hawaii"s native minority refers to ______.A. Hawaii"s ethnic groupsB. people of Filipino originC. the Ka Lahui groupD. people with more than 50% Hawaiian blood16. Which of the following statements is true of the Hawaiian natives?A. Sixty percent of them are homeless or unemployed.B. their life span is 5 years shorter than average Americans.C. Their life is worse than that of other ethnic groups in Hawaii.D. They are the only native group without sovereignty.17. Which of the following is NOT true of John Waihee?A. He is Hawaii"s first native governor.B. He has set up a sovereignty **mittee.C. He suggested the native people decide for themselves.D. He is leading the local independence movement.18. Which of the following groups holds a less radical attitude on the matter of sovereignty?A. American Indian natives.B. Office of Hawaiian Affairs.C. The Ka Lahui group.D. The Hawaiian natives.19. Various native Hawaiians demand all the following EXCEPT ______.A. a greater autonomy within the stateB. more back rent on the crown landC. a claim on the Hawaiian crown landD. full independence from the USEarly in the age of affluence (富裕) that followed World War Ⅱ，an American retailing analyst named Victor Lebow proclaimed, "Our enormously productive economy...demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced and discarded at an ever increasing rate." Americans have responded to Lebow"s call, and much of the world has followed. Consumption has become a central pillar of life in industrial lands and is even embedded in social values. Opinion surveys in the world"s two largest economics-Japan and the United States-show consumerist definitions of success becoming ever more prevalent.Overconsumption by the world"s fortunate is an environmental problem unmatched in severity by anything but perhaps population growth. Their surging exploitation of resources threatens to exhaust or unalterably spoil forests, soils, water, air and climate. Ironically, high consumption may be a mixed blessing in human terms, too. The time-honored values of integrity of character, good work, friendship, family **munity have often been sacrificed in the rush to riches.Thus many in the industrial lands have a sense that their world of plenty is somehow hollow, that misled by a consumerist culture, they have been fruitlessly attempting to satisfy what are essentially social, psychological and spiritual needs with material things.Of course, the opposite of overconsumption, poverty, is no solution to either environmental or human problems. It is infinitely worse for people and bad for the natural world too. Dispossessed (被剥夺得一无所有的) peasants slash, and burn their way into the rain forests of Latin America, and hungry nomads (游牧民族) turn their herds out onto fragile African grassland, reducing it to desert.If environmental destruction results when people have either too little or too much, we are left to wonder how much is enough .What level of consumption can the earth support ?When dose having more cease to add noticeably to human satisfaction?20. The emergence of the affluent society after World War II .A. led to the reform of the retailing systemB. resulted in the worship of consumerismC. ve rise to the dominance of the new egoismD. gave birth to a new generation of upper class consumers21. Apart from enormous productivity, another important impetus to high consumption isA. the people"s desire for a rise in their living standardsB. the concept that one"s success is measured by how much they consumeC. the imbalance that has existed between production and consumptionD. the conversion of the sale of goods into rituals22. Why does the author say high consumption is a mixed blessing?A. Because poverty still exists in an affluent society.B. Because overconsumption won"t last long due to unrestricted population growth.C. Because traditional rituals are often neglected in the process of modernization.D. Because moral values are sacrificed in pursuit of material satisfaction.23. According to the passage, consumerist culture.A. will not alleviate poverty in wealthy countriesB. will not aggravate environmental problemsC. cannot thrive on a fragile economyD. cannot satisfy human spiritual needs24. It can be inferred from the passage that.A. human spiritual needs should match material affluenceB. whether high consumption should be encouraged is still an issueC. how to keep consumption at a reasonable level remains a problemD. there is never an end to satisfying people"s material needsFew creations of big technology capture the imagination like giant dams. Perhaps it is humankind"s long suffering at the mercy of flood and drought that makes the idea of forcing the waters to do our bidding so fascinating. But to be fascinated is also, sometimes, to be blind. Several giant dam projects threaten to do more harm than good.The lesson from dams is that big is not always beautiful. It doesn"t help that building a big, powerful dam has become a symbol of achievement for nations and people striving to assert themselves. Egypt"s leadership in the Arab world was cemented by the Aswan High Dam. Turkey"s bid for First World status includes the giant Ataturk Dam.But big dams tend not to work as intended. The Aswan Dam, for example, stopped the Nile flooding but deprived Egypt of the fertile silt that floods left — all in return for a giant reservoir of disease which is now so full of silt that it barely generates electricity.And yet, the myth of controlling the waters persists. This week, in the heart of civilized Europe, Slovaks and Hungarians stopped just short of sending in the troops in their contention over a dam on the Danube. The **plex will probably have all the usual problems of big dams. But Slovakia is bidding for independence from the Czechs, and now needs a dam to prove itself.Meanwhile, in India, the World Bank has given the go-ahead to the even more wrong-headed Narmada Dam. And the bank has done this even though its advisors say the dam will cause hardship for the powerless and environmental destruction. The benefits are for the powerful, but they are far from guaranteed.Proper, scientific study of the impacts of dams and of the costs and benefits of controlling water can help to resolve these conflicts. Hydroelectric power and flood control and irrigation are possible without building monster dams. But when you are dealing with myths, it is hard to be either proper, or scientific. It is time that the world learned the lessons of Aswan. You don"t need a dam to be saved.25. The third sentence of paragraph 1 implies that ______.A. people would be happy if they shut their eyes to realityB. the blind could be happier than the sightedC. over-excited people tend to neglect vital thingsD. fascination makes people lose their eyesight26. In paragraph 5, "the powerless" probably refers to ______.A. areas short of electricityB. dams without power stationsC. poor countries around IndiaD. common people in the Narmada Dam area27. What is the myth concerning giant dams?A. They bring in more fertile soil.B. They help defend the country.C. They strengthen international ties.D. They have universal control of the waters.28. What the author tries to suggest may best be interpreted as ______.A. "It"s no use crying over spilt milk"B. "More haste, less speed"C. "Look before you leap"D. "He who laughs last laughs best"If ambition is to be well regarded, the rewards of ambition —wealth, distinction, control over one"s destiny —must be deemed worthy of the sacrifices made on ambition"s behalf. If the tradition of ambition is to have vitality, it must be widely shared; and it especially must be highly regarded by people who are themselves admired, the educated not least among them. In an odd way, however, it is the educated who have claimed to have given up on ambition as an ideal. What is odd is that they have perhaps most benefited from ambition — if not always their own then that of their parents and grandparents. There is a heavy note of hypocrisy in this, a case of closing the barn door after the horses have escaped — with the educated themselves riding on them. Certainly people do not seem less interested in success and its signs now than formerly. Summer homes, European travel, BMWs — the locations, place names and name brands may change, but such items do not seem less in demand today than a decade or two years ago. What has happened is that people cannot confess fully to their dreams, as easily and openly as once they could, lest they be thought pushing, acquisitive and vulgar. Instead, we are treated to fine hypocritical spectacles, which now more than ever seem in ample supply: the critic of American materialism with a Southampton summer home; the publisher of radical books who takes his meals in three-star restaurants; the journalist advocating participatory democracy in all phases of life, whose own children are enrolled in private schools. For such people and many more perhaps not so exceptional, the proper formulation is, "Succeed at all costs but avoid appearing ambitious." The attacks on ambition are many **e from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive. As a result, the support for ambition as a healthy impulse, a quality to be admired and fixed in the mind of the young, is probably lower than it has ever been in the United States. This does not mean that ambition is at an end, that people no longer feel its stirrings and promptings, but only that, no longer openly honored, it is less openly professed. Consequences follow from this, of course, some of which are that ambition is driven underground, or made sly. Such, then, is the way things stand: on the left angry critics, on the right stupid supporters, and in the middle, as usual, the majority of earnest people trying to get on in life.29. It is generally believed that ambition may be well regarded if ______.A. its returns **pensate for the sacrificesB. it is rewarded with money, fame and powerC. its goals are spiritual rather than materialD. it is shared by the rich and the famous30. The last sentence of the first paragraph most probably implies that it is ______.A. customary of the educated to discard ambition in wordsB. too late to check ambition once it has been let outC. dishonest to deny ambition after the fulfillment of the goalD. impractical for the educated to enjoy benefits from ambition31. Some people do not openly admit they have ambition because ______.A. they think of it as immoralB. their pursuits are not fame or wealthC. ambition is not closely related to material benefitsD. they do not want to appear greedy and contemptible32. From the last paragraph the conclusion can be drawn that ambition should be maintained ______.A. secretly and vigorouslyB. openly and enthusiasticallyC. easily and momentarilyD. verbally and spiritually。
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最新公共英语四级考试真题试卷
最新公共英语四级考试真题试卷
oral testpart ainterlocutor:1，good
morning/afternoon. could i have your mark sheets, please? thank you.(hand over the mark sheets to the assessor)2，my name is ...and this is my colleague ... he/she is just going to be listening to us. so, you are ... and ...? thank you.3，first of all we'd like to know something about you, so i'm going to ask some questions about yourselves.(select one or more questions from each of the following categories as appropriate.)
hometown1，where are you from?2，how long have you lived there?3，what's it like living there?
family
· what can you tell me about your
family?work/study
· can you tell me something about your work or studies?(to a student)
· what do you specialize in?
· what do you enjoy most a bout your studies?
· what subject(s) do you like best?
· have you ever worked during the vacation?
· what kind of job did you do?
· how did you like it?(to an adult who already
has a job)
· what job do you do?
· do you like it? and why?
· what qualificatio ns did you need in order to
get your “job”?leisure
· do you have any hobbies?
· how did you bee interested in (whatever hobby the candidate enjoys)?
· which do you prefer, watching tv or going to
the cinema? what sort ofprogram/film do you like to watch?
· what kinds of sports are you interested in? why?
· what kinds of music do you enjoy most? why?
· is there anywhere you would particularly like
to visit? why?future plans
· what do you hope to do in your professional
life in the next few years?
· how impor tant is english for your future plans? and please give reasons tosupport your view.
part b
interlocutor:
· now i'd like you to talk about something between yourselves but speak so thatwe can hear you. you should take care to share the opportunity y of speaking.(put the picture in front of both candidates and give instructions with reference tothe picture.) · this picture is for your reference.
· you have three minutes for this.
· would you like to begin now, please?。