2014年12月英语四级真题 第二套
2014年12月英语四级真题第二套【短对话听力原文】1. W: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?M: When was the last time my mother came over?Q: What does the man imply?2. W: Hurry up Mark, there‟s a bus coming now.M: Why run? There‟ll be another one in 2 or 3 minutes.Q: What does the man mean?3. M: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work. How come you‟ve been so busy?W: Miss Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days.Q: What do we learn about the woman?4. W: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring.M: Why don‟t you quit and deliver the flowers with me?Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?5. W: Rod, you said you‟d take this package to the post office yesterday.M: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind.Q: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?6. M: I‟m not surprised that you didn‟t like that movie. I find it really scary myself.W: So did I. I don‟t care much for horror movies as a rule.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?7.M: My life experience tells methat love is filled with happinessbut it hurts you too.W: Your words remind me of thesayi ng, “Honey is sweet but the bee stings.”Q: What do we learn from theconversation?8. M: How many more chairs should I bring in for the forum, six or seven?W: Bring in all you can find. I‟mexpecting at least 20 participants.Q: What are the speakers talkingabout?长对话Conversation 1Man: Do you think there's discrimination against women in England today?Woman: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example.Man: Are women better off in other countries then?Woman: It depends on the country. There's certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too.Man: Do you think the position of English women will improve? Woman: In some ways it will of course. I'm sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years.But the women have a much greater problem than this to solve.Man: What's that?Women: The problem of men's attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I'm not sure we can change men' attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don't think this means we are inferior. Then there's another problem.Man: Yes?Women: The problem of women's attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don't want to fight for change. It could be that the women's liberation movement has to spend more timechanging women's attitudes than it spends in changing men's.Man: One last question, some supporters of the woman's liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree? Women: No, I don't. It can't happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework.Q09: Where are women said to be less discriminated against?Q10: What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?Q11: What does the woman think the women's liberation movement should do?Conversation 2Man: Cheers, Shirley.Women: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat.Man: I will sure you will when I tell you about my ideas.Woman: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden.Man: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the Managing Director of Jayal Motors, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market. Woman: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?Man: Of course I have.Woman: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?Man: I'm almost sure of it. Woman: Preliminary studies are very good, Paul. But if the product can't sell, then there's little use in expanding the factory.Man: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. Thechief designer has just completed anew improved model.Woman: I know your bikes have avery good reputation here, but youhave to build up a reputation andmark it in Africa.Man: Yes, of course. But theimmediate problem is that myfather-in-law wants a detailed report by next Monday. Two weeks isn'tenough time to prepare a report, so I need your help.Woman: OK, Paul, you'veconvinced me. I must say I admireyour determination.12. Where does the conversation most probably take place?13. What do we learn about the men's father-in-law?14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?15. What does the woman admire in the man?【短文理解听力原文】Passage 1Scientists know how twins were born, now though, they are trying to explain how being half of the biological pair influences a twin‟s identity.They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don‟t leave near each other.For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separated when they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice, their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen.Scientists want to know what influences are personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, studies 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believed that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know …cantwins really communicate without speaking‟, …can one twin really feel another twin‟s pain‟. Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers.16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?Passage 2Today I‟m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over 3 million people take camping vocations, either here in Britain or aboard, mostly on the continent. Obviously, camping can‟t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with 2 bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for 4 people.There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric and a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in ground sheet.The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fittedtogether. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn‟t usually have a ground sheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary 4 bed frame tent doesn‟t usually have a separate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchen extension for many tents, and it‟s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.19. What does the speaker say about camping?20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days?Passage 3Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers haddifficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra‟s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the roughmountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade.22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?【听力填空原文】DictationCompound Dictation“Don‟t take may English courses, they won‟t help you get a decent job.”“Sign up for management classes, so you willbe ready to join the family business when you graduate.”Sound (26) familiar? Many of us have heard suggestions like these (27) put forward by parents or others close to us. Such comments often seem quite reasonable. Why then should suggestions like these be taken with (28) caution? The reason is they relate to the decisions you should make. You are the one who must (29) live with their consequences. One of the worst reasons to follow a particular path in life is that other people want you to. Decisions that affect your life should be your decisions. Decisions you make after you‟ve considered various (30) alternatives and chosen the path that suits you best. Making yourown decisions does not mean that you should (31) ignore the suggestions of others. For instance, your parents do have their own unique experiences that may make their advice helpful and having (32) participated in a great deal of your personal history. They may have a clear view of your strength and weaknesses. Still, their views are not necessarily accurate. They may still see you as a child, and (33) in need of care and protection. Or they may see only your strength or in some unfortunate cases, they may (34) focus only on your flaws and shortcomings. People will always be giving your advice, ultimately, though you have to make your own (35) judgments.1-8. BCCA DBCA9-15. BDD ACBD16-20.ABADB21-25. CADCB36-45. HNKFJ ELMBG 46-55. FDJCI MBHEG 56-60. ACBDB61-65. DDABC【翻译】①大熊猫（giant panda）是一种温顺的动物，长着独特的黑白皮毛。
2014年12月英语四级答案及解析(第2套)
2014年12月四级真题答案详解(第2套)Part IWritingThe Most Impressive Course in My College Life写作指南本年度的作文文体比较自由，不再局限于议论文。
题目要求考生介绍自己“印象最深刻的一门课”，并阐述原因。
根据题目要求，文章的结构可安排如下：第一段：引出话题，指出大学的课程各有各的作用，但是“我”个人印象最深刻的一门课程是“文学鉴赏”。
第二段：具体描述该门课，注意重点介绍其特别之处，如老师独特的阅读及讨论要求。
第三段：简要说明自己学习该门课程后的收获，如锻炼了分析能力和批判思维能力。
范文与译文万能句型1．Among…．the one that has impressed me mostis………之中．令我印象最为深刻的是……2．Among…，the one that has left me the deepestimpression is………之中．令我印象最为深刻的是……3．Among…,…has been very impressive onme．……之中，……确实令我印象深刻。
1．I find…quite beneficial as well as impressive，because…我觉得……不仅令我印象深刻，同时还让我受益匪浅．因为……2…．is not only very beneficial but also impres-sive in that．．．．…．．不仅令人印象深刻，同时还让人受益匪浅，原因在于……3．I anl very much impressed by…while at thesame time benefit a lot from it．because…我对……印象深刻，并且从中受益匪浅，因为……写作模板In college，we(引出话题)．Some(某类事物lare meant to(发挥的作用)；others are de- signed to(发挥的另一种作用)．Among all those(相关事物)，the one that has impressed me most is(印象最深刻的事物)．(该事物)is unique in thatf概述该事物的独特之处)．(分点详述该事物的独特之处)．I find(该事物)quite beneficial as well as impressive，because it(阐述原因l)．Thanks to(该事物)，I am now(阐述原因2)．Part HListening ComprehensionSection A1. W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her fromhigh school?M: Yeah. She was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of weight? Q: What does the man remember of Sally?[C]【解析】男士说Sally当时体形有点不成样子，随后问“她是不是减肥了”，说明她当时体重超重，即C。
2014年12月全国大学英语四级真题答案
2014年12月全国大学英语四级考试（第一套）-- 参考答案(仅供参考)【作文范文】The Classmate Who Has Influenced Me Most in CollegeClassmates play an essential role in our life. When it comes to the classmate who has influenced me most in college, undoubtedly. Zhao Lei is the one who comes to my mind first. Zhao Lei is my roommate and my best friend. The reasons why I deem that Zhao Lei has influenced me most are as follows: firstly, one can always find a smile on his face which not only reflects his pleasant and optimistic character but also gives others a good impression. This is what I need to learn from Zhao Lei first. Secondly, Zhao Lei is diligent. He does well in all his subjects. However, he is no bookworm. He joins societies such as basketball club and poetry society. He never plays computer games, and only spends time-and energy on things that are conducive to personal development. Thirdly, Zhao Lei is always ready to help others. I never saw him turn a deaf ear to other's request for help.Thanks to Zhao Lei, I have learned the importance of optimism, diligence and kindness, the indispensable virtues in life.1-8：BDCCCBAA9-11：CBD12-15：BCBC16-18：ADC19-21：ADA22-25：CDAB27. sharp28. fill in for29. probably30. resemble31. focuses on32. specialize33. timing34. invented35. figured out36-45：NOIKJ MHLCB46-55：FIDOK BECLG56-65：BBCAD BCBADTranslationMore and more Chinese young people are gaining interest in tourism, which is a new trend recently. The rising number of young tourists can be attributed to their rapidly increasing income and the curiosity of exploring the outside world. With the increase of traveling, young people spend less time in big cities and famous scenic spots, instead they are more attracted by remote locations. Some even choose long-distance backpacking trip. A recent survey shows that many young people want to experience different culture, enrich knowledge and expand their horizon via traveling.2014年12月全国大学英语四级考试（第二套）-- 参考答案(仅供参考)A Course that Has Impressed Me Most in CollegeDuring my college life, there were so many fantastic courses impressing me deeply. Among them the course which impressed me most is Fundamentals of Law given by Professor Lin Xuezheng.At first I was not very interested in the course. As time goes on, the course and Professor Lin's lecture attracted me greatly. Firstly, in this course, for the first time in my life did I realize that law is related closely lo everyone's life. 1 get to know that people need to know law to turn our country a legal society, and that everyone need the weapon of law to protect his lawful rights and interests. Secondly, in his wonderful lectures Professor Lin cited many vivid examples which have really happened so that we not only grasped knowledge but also learn how to analyze and settle the matters by law. It was in this course that we cultivated legal consciousness.Overall, this course exerted great influence on me and my life. I believe it will still have far-reaching effects on me in the days to come.1-8：BCCADBCA9-11：BDD12-15：ACCD16-18：ABA19-21：DBC22-25：ADCB26. familiar27. put forward28. caution29. live30. alternatives31. ignore32. participated33. in need of34. focus35. judgments36-45：FDKNC EBIGH46-55：BNMAE CGCHL56-65：BCBAD CBCADTranslationGiant panda is a kind of tame animal with unique black-and-white fur. It has been listed as an endangered species due to its very limited number. Panda has a special meaning to WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature). Panda has been its symbol ever since WWF's establishment in 1961. Panda, which lives in the forest of Southwest China, is the rarest member in the bear family. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 giant pandas in the world. These bamboo-eating creatures are now facing many threats. Therefore, to ensureits survival is of greater importance2014年12月全国大学英语四级考试（第三套）-- 参考答案(仅供参考)【作文范文】A Campus Activity that Benefited Me MostUniversity provides many interesting activities to enrich our life on campus. In the past two years, I attended a couple of student societies such as mountain-climbing club andliterature society. The most beneficial activity I participated is attending English Comer. First, attending English Comer offers a great opportunity to draw my attention away from busy studies so that 1 can relax, since the Comer is held in a square. As a college student, most of my time is killed in the classroom and library. At the Corner, I can talk in English with my peers on topics of our interest, so it's a relaxation in tedious school life. Second, joining English Corner significantly improved my oral English as well as English listening comprehension. It's the most efficient way for me to practice spoken English because mine is far better now than before.Third, it is a terrific way of socializing. I can get to know unacquainted students, and make friends with them.Therefore, it is safe to conclude that, attending English Corner has benefited me most among campus activities.1-8：BDCCCBAA9-11：CBD12-15：BCBC16-18：ADC19-21：ADA22-25：CDAB26. land on27. sharp28. fill in for29. probably30. resemble31. focuses on32. specialize33. timing34. invented35. figured out36-45：HNKFJ ELMBG46-55：FDJCI MBHEG56-65：ACBDB DDABCTranslationThe Internet community in China develops fastest in the world. China has about 420 million netizens in 2010, and the number is still growing rapidly. The increasing popularity of Internet has produced a significant social changc. The Chinese netizens are often different from the American netizens. Driven by practical needs, American netizens often use the Internet to send emails, buy and sell goods, do research, plan trips or pay for the bills. While Chinese netizens use the Internet more out of social reasons, therefore, the Internet is more widely used in forums, blogs, chat rooms, and so on.。
2014年12月英语四级仔细阅读真题（总三套题）及答案
2014年12月英语四级仔细阅读真题（总三套题）及答案2014年12月四级真题（第1套）第一套：Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.The rise of the Internet has been one of the most transformative developments in human history,comparable in impact to the invention of the printing press and the telegraph. Over two billion people worldwide now have access to vastly more information than ever before, and can communicate with each other instantly, often using Web-connected mobile devices they carry everywhere. But the Internet's tremendous impact has only just begun. "Mass adoption of the Internet is driving one of the most exciting social, cultural, and political transformations in history, and unlike earlier periods of change, this time the effects are fully global,"Schmidt and Cohen write in their new book, The New Digital Age.Perhaps the most profound changes will come when the five billion people worldwide who currently lack Internet access get online. The authors do an excellent job of examining the implications of the Internet revolution for individuals, governments, and institutions like the news media. But ff the book has one major shortcoming, it's that the authors don't spend enough time applying a critical eye to the role of Internet businesses in these sweeping changes.In their book, the authors provide the most authoritative volume to date that describes--and more importantly predicts--how the Internet will shape our lives in the coming decades. Theypaint a picture of a world in which individuals, companies, institutions, and governments must deal with two realities,one physical, and one virtual. At the core of the book is the idea that"technology is neutral, but people aren't." By using this concept as a starting point, the authors aim to move beyond the now familiar optimist vs. pessimist dichotomy (对立观点) that has characterized many recent debates about whether the rise of the Internet will ultimately be good or bad for society. In an interview with TIME earlier this week, Cohen said although he and his co-author are optimistic about many aspects of the Internet, they're also realistic about the risks and dangers that lie ahead when the next five billion people come online, particularly with respect to personal privacy and state surveillance (监视).注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2014年12月四级真题(第2套)
[00:02.31]College English Test (Band 4)[00:05.58]Part ⅡListening Comprehension[00:09.72]Section A[00:11.23]Directions: In this section,[00:14.08]you will hear 8 short conversations[00:16.87]and 2 long conversations.[00:19.07]At the end of each conversation,[00:21.28]one or more questions will be asked[00:23.65]about what was said.[00:25.44]Both the conversation and the questions[00:28.18]will be spoken only once.[00:30.69]After each question there will be a pause. [00:34.29]During the pause,[00:35.75]you must read the four choices[00:37.82]marked A), B), C) and D),[00:40.30]and decide which is the best answer.[00:43.51]Then mark the corresponding letter[00:45.85]on Answer Sheet 1[00:47.57]with a single line through the centre.[00:50.17]Now let's begin with the eight short conversations. [00:55.11]1. W: When was the last time[00:58.02]you dusted the apartment?[01:00.28]M: When was the last time[01:01.72]my mother came over?[01:03.97]Q: What does the man imply?[01:21.38]2. W: Hurry up, Mark.[01:24.50]There's a bus coming now.[01:26.29]M: Why run?[01:27.64]There'll be another one[01:29.21]in 2 or 3 minutes.[01:31.32]Q: What does the man mean?[01:48.40]3. M: Laura, it seems that[01:51.33]you are up to your neck in work.[01:53.35]How come you've been so busy?[01:55.44]W: Miss Smith has asked for a sick leave,[01:58.42]and I have to take over her work[02:00.72]for a couple of days.[02:02.79]Q: What do we learn about the woman?[02:19.26]4. W: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day [02:24.65]is really boring.[02:26.54]M: Why don't you quit[02:27.83]and deliver flowers with me?[02:29.96]Q: What does the man suggest[02:32.01]the woman do?[02:48.01]5. W: Rod, you said you'd take this package [02:52.76]to the post office yesterday.[02:54.84]M: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind. [02:58.33]Q: What do we learn about the man[03:00.16]from the conversation?[03:16.29]6. M: I'm not surprised[03:19.84]you didn't like that movie.[03:21.60]I found it really scary myself.[03:24.04]W: So did I.[03:25.43]I don't care much for[03:26.85]horror movies as a rule.[03:29.43]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [03:47.19]7. M: My life experience tells me[03:50.80]that love is filled with happiness,[03:52.95]but it hurts you too.[03:55.17]W: Your words remind me of the saying: [03:57.73]Honey is sweet,[03:59.35]but the bee stings.[04:01.47]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [04:19.45]8. M: How many more chairs[04:22.02]should I bring in for the forum,[04:24.00]six or seven?[04:25.56]W: Bring in all you can find.[04:27.58]I'm expecting at least 20 participants. [04:30.98] Q: What are the speakers talking about? [04:48.81]Now you will hear the two long conversations. [04:52.30]Conversation One[04:54.14]M: Do you think there's discrimination [04:56.11]against women in England today?[04:58.30]W: Certainly,[04:59.35]and not just in education and work either, [05:02.75]in many other fields as well.[05:05.22]The tax situation for women[05:07.20]is very unfair, for example.[05:09.89]M: Are women better off[05:11.24]in other countries then?[05:13.10]W: It depends on the country.[05:14.73]There's certainly much less discrimination [05:17.44]in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too. [05:21.30]M: Do you think[05:22.22]the position of English women will improve? [05:25.31]W: In some ways it will of course.[05:27.74]I'm sure more women will go out to work [05:30.63]in the next 20 years.[05:32.66]But women have a much greater problem [05:35.31]than this to solve.[05:36.92]M: What's that?[05:38.25]W: The problem of men's attitudes.[05:40.83]We can earn more money in the future, [05:43.29]but I'm not sure[05:44.53]we can change men's attitudes.[05:47.20]You see, most men really think[05:49.76]that women are inferior.[05:51.95]Maybe we are physically weaker,[05:54.47]but I don't think[05:55.48]this means we are inferior.[05:57.47]Then there's another problem.[05:59.62]M: Yes?[06:00.64]W: The problem of women's attitudes.[06:03.10]Lots of women are unhappy with[06:05.40]their present situation,[06:07.29]but most of them probably[06:08.98]don't want to fight for change.[06:11.53]It could be that[06:13.60]the women's liberation movement[06:15.59]has to spend more time[06:17.12]changing women's attitudes[06:18.85]than it spends in changing men's.[06:21.76]M: One last question,[06:23.43]some supporters of[06:24.67]the women's liberation movement[06:26.36]believed that marriages should be abolished. [06:29.16]You agree?[06:30.08]W: No, I don't.[06:31.56]It can't happen.[06:33.40]What may and should happen is that[06:36.12]we teach men to spend more time[06:38.14]looking after children and doing housework. [06:41.88]Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation [06:45.75]you have just heard.[06:47.62]9. Where are women said[06:50.61]to be less discriminated against?[07:08.51]10. What will happen in England in 20 years [07:12.23]according to the conversation?[07:29.38]11. What does the woman think[07:32.22]the women's liberation movement should do? [07:50.44]Conversation Two[07:52.25]M: Cheers, Shirley.[07:53.56]W: Cheers, Paul.[07:54.89]What a lovely place for a business lunch.[07:57.57]I hope I can concentrate in this heat.[08:00.63]M: I'm sure you will[08:01.92]when I tell you about my ideas.[08:04.07]W: You know, I must say[08:05.95]I was pleased to hear from you,[08:08.00]but from what you said on the phone,[08:10.15]everything is so sudden.[08:12.40]M: Well, my father-in-law,[08:14.29]who is also the managing director of Jayal Motors, [08:17.84]has given me two weeks to[08:19.35]prepare a report on the possibility[08:21.52]of moving into the export market.[08:23.91]W: Ah, now, just one thing, Paul.[08:26.88]Have you really thought the whole idea through? [08:29.99]M: Of course I have.[08:31.31]W: Now the key thing in the whole operation [08:34.02]is to get a good import agent,[08:36.53]and you say the bank will help?[08:38.57]M: I'm almost sure of it.[08:40.45]W: Preliminary studies are all very good, Paul. [08:43.81]But if the product can't sell,[08:45.85]then there's little use[08:47.27]in expanding the factory.[08:49.47]M: Yes, I realize that, Shirley.[08:51.57]But we have a very good product.[08:53.36]The chief designer has just[08:54.79]completed a new improved model.[08:57.24]W: I know your bikes[08:58.89]have a very good reputation here,[09:01.14]but you have to build up a reputation[09:03.36]and a market in Africa.[09:05.19]M: Yes, of course.[09:06.52]But the immediate problem is that[09:08.41]my father-in-law wants a detailed report[09:10.88]by next Monday.[09:12.20]Two weeks isn't enough time[09:14.18]to prepare a report,[09:15.83]so I need your help.[09:17.56]W: OK, Paul, you've convinced me.[09:20.40]I must say I admire your determination.[09:26.19]Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation [09:29.51]you have just heard.[09:31.34]12. Where does the conversation[09:34.54]most probably take place?[09:51.47]13. What do we learn about the man's father-in-law? [10:12.41]14. What does the woman think is important[10:17.19]in the whole operation?[10:33.38]15. What does the woman admire in the man?[10:54.36]Section B[10:55.92]Directions: In this section,[10:58.54]you will hear 3 short passages.[11:01.37]At the end of each passage,[11:03.80]you will hear some questions.[11:05.72]Both the passage and the questions[11:08.34]will be spoken only once.[11:10.92]After you hear a question,[11:13.01]you must choose the best answer[11:15.26]from the four choices[11:16.74]marked A), B), C) and D).[11:20.24]Then mark the corresponding letter[11:22.63]on Answer Sheet 1[11:24.38]with a single line through the centre.[11:27.42]Passage One[11:29.13]Scientists understand how twins are born.[11:32.73]Now though,[11:33.92]they are trying to explain[11:35.39]how being half of a biological pair[11:37.99]influences a twin's identity.[11:40.66]They want to know[11:41.85]why many identical twins make similar choices[11:45.59]even when they don't live near each other.[11:48.32]For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. [11:53.67]They were separated[11:54.76]when they were only 4-month old.[11:57.24]The two Jims grew up in different families[12:00.49]and did not meet for 39 years.[12:03.61]When they finally met,[12:05.41]they discovered some surprising similarities between them. [12:09.18]Both men were married twice.[12:11.87]Their first wives were named Linda,[12:14.31]and their second wives were both named Betty.[12:17.24]Both twins named their first sons James Allen.[12:21.38]Scientists want to know[12:23.72]what influences their personality.[12:26.36]They study pairs of identical twins[12:29.17]who grew up in different surroundings,[12:31.71]like Jim Springer and Jim Louis.[12:34.30]These twins help scientists[12:36.74]understand the connection[12:38.45]between environment and biology.[12:41.12]Researchers at the University of Minnesota,[12:44.18]studied 350 sets of identical twins[12:48.05]who did not grow up together.[12:50.14]They discovered many similarities[12:52.46]in their personalities.[12:54.25]Scientists believe that personality characteristics[12:57.67]such as friendliness, shyness and fears[13:00.45]are not a result of environment.[13:03.19]These characteristics are probably inherited.[13:06.52]Scientists continue to study identical twins[13:10.30]because they are uncertain about them[13:12.30] and have many questions.[13:14.30]For example, they want to know[13:16.44]“Can twins really communicate without speaking? ”[13:20.18]“Can one twin really feel another twin's pain? ”[13:24.13]Perhaps with more research,[13:26.57]scientists will find the answers.[13:29.88]Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage[13:33.66]you have just heard.[13:35.84]16. What are scientists trying to explain[13:40.24]according to the passage?[13:57.24]17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?[14:17.97]18. Why are scientists interested in[14:21.90]studying identical twins raised in different families?[14:41.27]Passage two[14:43.09]Today I'm going to talk about tents.[14:46.07]Camping is still one of the cheapest ways[14:49.53]of having a holiday.[14:51.26]And each year,[14:52.47]over three million people take camping vacations,[14:56.25]either here in Britain or abroad,[14:59.36]mostly on the Continent.[15:01.41]Obviously, camping can't be[15:03.95]as comfortable as living in a permanent house,[15:07.11]but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed,[15:11.05]with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. [15:15.98]The most popular tent sold in Britain[15:18.90]is the frame tent with[15:20.73]two bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for four people. [15:25.55]There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric[15:29.76]and a lighter inner tent[15:31.60]or tents with a built-in groundsheet.[15:35.25]The outer tent fits over the frame work. [15:38.09]This is made of metal poles[15:40.28]which are fitted together.[15:42.34]The inner tent is attached to this frame. [15:45.87]Generally, the inner tent is about[15:48.70]half the area of the outer tent.[15:51.56]The other half of the outer tent[15:53.99]is the living area.[15:55.74]This doesn't usually have a groundsheet [15:58.51]but you can buy one to fit,[16:00.78]though it costs extra.[16:03.04]The ordinary 4-bed frame tent[16:05.52]doesn't usually have a separate kitchen area, [16:08.65]but the larger ones often do.[16:11.33]You can buy a kitchen extension[16:13.72]for many tents,[16:14.95]and it's worth buying one[16:16.39]if you plan to stay camping[16:18.45]in one place for more than a few days. [16:23.04]Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage [16:26.41]you have just heard.[16:28.60]19. What does the speaker say about camping? [16:48.66]20. What does the passage tell us[16:52.48] about the most popular tent sold in Britain? [17:10.28]21. What does the speaker suggest buying [17:15.27]if you plan to stay camping in one place [17:18.36]for more than a few days?[17:36.05]Passage Three[17:37.48]Andorra, one of the smallest countries [17:40.64]in the world,[17:41.65]is located high in the mountains[17:43.62]between France and Spain.[17:45.46]The country covers only 179 square miles. [17:50.23]That is less than[17:51.32]half the size of New York City.[17:53.92]High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. [17:57.56]Until the 1930s,[17:59.79]travelers had difficulty reaching the country. [18:02.87]Up until that time,[18:04.54]people in Andorra lived the way[18:06.92]they had lived for centuries.[18:08.92]Most Andorrans worked as farmers.[18:11.63]Things did not change quickly.[18:14.23]When roads were built[18:16.35]from France and Spain to Andorra[18:18.50]in the 1930s,[18:20.09]life picked up speed.[18:22.38]Tourists began to visit the small country.[18:25.40]These tourists brought in a lot of money[18:28.39]to spend while visiting.[18:29.96]Many people in Andorra[18:31.75]found new jobs in shops or hotels.[18:35.04]These changes helped to[18:36.55]keep young people in Andorra.[18:38.92]There were many more jobs[18:40.58]than before the roads were built.[18:42.66]Today tourists provide[18:44.73]80 to 90 percent of Andorra's income.[18:47.81]More than a million people visit each year.[18:50.72]They come to view the rough mountains.[18:53.01]They enjoy the quiet way of life.[18:55.77]Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. [19:00.17]There are many shops for tourists to browse in. [19:02.95]Clothes, watches, wines and other items[19:06.14]are sold at low prices in Andorra.[19:08.99]Import fees are low,[19:10.90]so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping.[19:14.16]Most of the businesses in Andorra[19:16.60]are owned by its citizens.[19:18.91]There are not many foreign businesses.[19:21.36]Some Andorrans still[19:23.13]farm and raise sheep and cattle.[19:25.53]But most are now involved with the tourist trade. [19:29.15]Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage[19:34.05]you have just heard.[19:36.58]22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?[19:56.75]23. What can be said about Andorra[20:00.92]before the 1930s?[20:18.47]24. What event changed the situation in Andorra? [20:39.87]25. What do most people in Andorra do nowadays? [21:01.82]Section C[21:03.30]Directions: In this section,[21:05.74]you will hear a passage three times.[21:08.92]When the passage is read[21:10.32]for the first time,[21:11.58]you should listen carefully[21:13.12]for its general idea.[21:15.34]When the passage is read[21:17.25]for the second time,[21:18.71]you are required to fill in the blanks[21:21.19]with the exact words[21:22.67]you have just heard.[21:24.45]Finally, when the passage is[21:26.46]read for the third time,[21:28.17]you should check what you have written.[21:31.02]Now listen to the passage.[21:34.75]“Don't take many English courses；[21:36.83]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[21:39.25]“Sign up for management classes,[21:41.99]so you'll be ready to[21:43.17]join the family business when you graduate. ”[21:45.59]Sound familiar?[21:47.52]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [21:50.56]put forward by parents[21:52.30]or others close to us.[21:54.17]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [21:58.12]Why, then should suggestions like these[22:01.26]be taken with caution?[22:03.21]The reason is they relate to decisions[22:05.85]you should make.[22:07.34]You are the one[22:08.41]who must live with their consequences.[22:11.16]One of the worst reasons[22:12.82]to follow a particular path in life[22:15.14]is that other people want you to.[22:17.90]Decisions that affect your life[22:19.84]should be your decisions—[22:21.80]decisions you make[22:22.97]after you've considered various alternatives [22:25.76]and chosen the path that suits you best.[22:28.83]Making your own decisions does not mean [22:31.16]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [22:34.66]For instance,[22:35.87]your parents do have their own unique experiences [22:39.16]that may make their advice helpful,[22:41.58]and having participated in[22:43.71]a great deal of your personal history,[22:46.23]they may have a clear view of[22:48.28]your strengths and weaknesses.[22:50.23]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[22:54.22]They may still see you as a child,[22:56.54]in need of care and protection.[22:58.96]Or they may see only your strengths.[23:01.70]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[23:04.13]they may focus only on[23:05.36]your flaws and shortcomings.[23:07.74]People will always be giving you advice.[23:10.95]Ultimately, though,[23:12.19]you have to make your own judgments.[23:17.23]Now the passage will be read again.[23:21.29]“Don't take many English courses；[23:23.47]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[23:27.04]“Sign up for management classes,[23:29.38]so you'll be ready to[23:30.61]join the family business when you graduate. ”[23:33.81]Sound familiar?[23:35.28]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [23:39.04]put forward by parents[23:40.95]or others close to us.[23:43.03]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [23:46.70]Why, then should suggestions like these[23:50.09]be taken with caution?[23:52.04]The reason is they relate to decisions[23:55.24]you should make.[23:57.03]You are the one[23:58.17]who must live with their consequences.[24:01.15]One of the worst reasons[24:03.01]to follow a particular path in life[24:05.68]is that other people want you to.[24:08.51]Decisions that affect your life[24:10.77]should be your decisions—[24:12.72]decisions you make[24:14.13]after you've considered various alternatives [24:17.49]and chosen the path that suits you best.[24:20.82]Making your own decisions does not mean [24:24.06]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [24:27.53]For instance,[24:29.04]your parents do have their own unique experiences [24:33.25]that may make their advice helpful,[24:35.81]and having participated in[24:38.15]a great deal of your personal history,[24:41.01]they may have a clear view of[24:43.22]your strengths and weaknesses.[24:45.67]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[24:52.70]in need of care and protection.[24:55.61]Or they may see only your strengths.[24:59.08]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[25:02.20]they may focus only on[25:04.11]your flaws and shortcomings.[25:06.49]People will always be giving you advice.[25:09.65]Ultimately, though,[25:11.03]you have to make your own judgments.[25:15.00]Now the passage will be read for the third time. [25:19.26]“Don't take many English courses；[25:21.20]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[25:23.56]“Sign up for management classes,[25:26.35]so you'll be ready to[25:27.30]join the family business when you graduate. ”[25:29.99]Sound familiar?[25:31.85]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [25:34.90]put forward by parents[25:36.53]or others close to us.[25:38.25]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [25:42.47]Why, then should suggestions like these[25:45.51]be taken with caution?[25:47.55]The reason is they relate to decisions[25:50.04]you should make.[25:51.67]You are the one[25:52.80]who must live with their consequences.[25:55.53]One of the worst reasons[25:57.06]to follow a particular path in life[25:59.36]is that other people want you to.[26:01.97]Decisions that affect your life[26:03.93]should be your decisions—[26:06.23]decisions you make[26:07.12]after you've considered various alternatives [26:09.93]and chosen the path that suits you best.[26:13.09]Making your own decisions does not mean [26:15.84]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [26:18.74]For instance,[26:19.97]your parents do have their own unique experiences [26:23.16]that may make their advice helpful,[26:25.59]and having participated in[26:27.77]a great deal of your personal history,[26:30.26]they may have a clear view of[26:32.34]your strengths and weaknesses.[26:34.31]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[26:40.49]in need of care and protection.[26:42.97]Or they may see only your strengths. [26:45.73]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[26:48.20]they may focus only on[26:49.36]your flaws and shortcomings.[26:51.76]People will always be giving you advice. [26:55.09]Ultimately, though,[26:56.31]you have to make your own judgments. [27:00.26]This is the end of listenning comprehension.。
2014年12月大学英语四级真题试卷(二)(题后含答案及解析)
2014年12月大学英语四级真题试卷（二）(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. Writing 2. Listening Comprehension 3. 4. Reading Comprehension 5. TranslationPart I Writing1．For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay about a course that has impressed you most in college. You should state the reasons and write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.正确答案： A Course That Has Impressed Me Most in College There are a variety of courses in college which provide students with multiple options to broaden their knowledge. They can choose different courses according to their own preference.It goes without saying that students really benefit from it in many respects. As far as I am concerned, I do harvest a lot from the courses I choose. Last semester, as a junior student, I chose the course of British Literature which has impressed me most. In the first place, I was deeply charmed by the scholarly image of the professor for this course—his broad range of knowledge and unusual but interesting teaching method.In the second place, my vision has been definitely broadened by this course. Apart from the basic knowledge in our textbook, I have also learnt something practical and got an in-depth understanding of Britain. Last but not least, this course has aroused my enthusiasm for studying English well. This will help perfect my knowledge system. In general, I am satisfied with the broad range of courses offered by my college.And I am glad to have chosen the course of British Literature. It surely has a great effect on me.解析：一、描述现象：大学课程丰富(a variety of courses。
2014年12月英语四级考试听力真题及答案
Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)
Section A
Directions: 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) and D)， and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre。
D) How she can best help the man。
8. A) The woman can sign up for a swimming class。
B) He would like to teach the woman how to swim。
C) The woman has the potential to swim like a fish。
D) He is quite willing to give the woman a hand。
2014年12月英语四级考试听力强化习题及答案(二套)
2014年12月英语四级考试听力强化习题及答案2014年12月英语四级考试《听力》强化习题及答案第一套（共二套）Listening ComprehensionSection 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) and D), and decide which is the best answer, then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 witha single line through the centre.11. A) How to use a camera.B) How to operate a washer.C) How to play piano.D) How to use a tape recorder.12. A) By going on a diet.B) By having fewer meals.C) By doing physical exercises.D) By eating fruits and vegetables.13. A) He didn’t see the movie.B) He was heartless.C) He isn’t moved by the movie.D) He didn’t think the film was true.14. A) She’s annoyed.B) She’s angry.C) She’s sympathetic.D) She’s worried.15. A) Offer the man a lift.B) Go with the man by bus.C) Borrow the man’s car.D) Check if he has a car.16. A) To send her a message.。
2014年12月英语四级考试真题试卷(三套全)
目录2014年12月英语四级考试真题试卷（第一套） (1)Part I Writing (30 minutes) (1)2014年12月英语四级考试真题试卷（第二套） (12)2014年12月英语四级考试真题试卷（第三套） (22)2014年12月英语四级考试真题试卷（第一套）Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay about a classmate of yours who has influenced you most in college. You should state the reasons and write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________1. A) She will go purchase the gift herself. B) The gift should not be too expensive.C) The man is not good at balancing his budget.D) They are going to Jane's house-warming party.2. A) It takes patience to go through the statistics.B) He has prepared the statistics for the woman.C) The woman should take a course in statistics.D) He is quite willing to give the woman a hand.3. A) The man wants to make some change in the scripts.B) The woman does not take the recording seriously.C) They cannot begin their recording right away.D) Page 55 is missing from the woman's scripts.4. A) A significant event in July. B) Preparations for a wedding.C) The date of Carl's wedding. D) The birthday of Carl's bride.5. A) The man was in charge of scheduling meetings.B) The man was absent from the weekly meeting.C) They woman was annoyed at the man's excuse.D) The woman forgot to tell the man in advance.6. A) The woman is a marvelous cook. B) The man cannot wait for his meal.C) The woman has just bought an oven. D) The man has to leave in half an hour.7. A) Whether the man can keep his job. B) Where the man got the bad news.C) What items sell well in the store. D) How she can best help the man.8. A) The woman can sign up for a swimming class.B) He works in the physical education department.C) The woman has the potential to swim like a fish.D) He would like to teach the woman how to swim.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A) He teaches in a law school. B) He loves classical music.C) He is a diplomat. D) He is a wonderful lecturer.10.A) Went to see a play. B) Watched a soccer game.C) Took some photos. D) Attended a dance.11. A) She decided to get married in three years. B) Her mother objected to Eric's flying lessons.C) She insisted that Eric pursue graduate studies.D) Her father said she could marry Eric right away.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Editor. B) Teacher. C) Journalist. D) Typist.13. A) The beautiful Amazon rainforests. B) A new railway under construction.C) Big changes in the Amazon valley. D) Some newly discovered scenic spot.14. A) In news weeklies. B) In newspapers' Sunday editions.C) In a local evening paper. D) In overseas editions of U.S. magazines.15. A) To be employed by a newspaper. B) To become a professional writer.C) To sell her articles to news service. D) To get her life story published soon.Passage One Questions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16. A) Nodding one's head. B) Waving one's hand.C) Holding up the forefinger. D) Turning the right thumb down.17. A) Looking away from them. B) Forming a circle with fingers.C) Bowing one's head to them. D) Waving or pointing to them.18. A) Looking one's superior in the eye. B) Keeping one's arms folded while talking.C) Showing the sole of one's foot to a guest. D) Using a lot of gestures during a conversation. Passage Two Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They had to beg for food after the harvest. B) They grew wheat and corn on a small farm.C) They shared a small flat with their relatives. D) The children walked to school on dirt roads.20. A) Tour Ecuador's Andes Mountains. B) Earn an animal income of $2,800.C) Purchase a plot to build a home on. D) Send their children to school.21. A) The achievements of the Trickle Up Program. B) A new worldwide economic revolution.C) Different forms of assistance to the needy. D) The life of poor people in developing countries. Passage Three Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They are highly sensitive to cold. B) They are vitally important to our life.C) They are a living part of our body. D) They are a chief source of our pain.23. A) It has to be removed in time by a dentist. B) It is a rare oral disease among old people.C) It contains many nerves and blood vessels. D) It is a sticky and colorless film on the teeth.24. A) It can change into acids causing damage to their outer covering.B) It greatly reduces their resistance to the attacks of bacteria.C) It makes their nerves and blood vessels more sensitive to acid food.D) It combines with food particles to form a film on their surface.25. A) Food particles. B) Gum disease. C) Unhealthy living habits. D) Chemical erosion.Stunt people (替身演员) are not movie stars, but they are the hidden heroes of many movies.They were around long before films. Even Shakespeare may have used them in fight scenes. To be good, a fight scene has to look real. Punches must __26__ enemies'jaws. Sword fights must be fought with __27__ swords. Several actors arc usually in a fight scene. Their moves must be set up so that no one gets hurt. It is almost like planning a dance performance.If a movie scene is dangerous, stunt people usually __28__ the stars. You may think you see Tom Cruise running along the top of a train. But it is __29__ his stunt double. Stunt people must __30__ the stars they stand in for. Their height and build should be about the same. But when close-ups are needed, the film __31__ the star. Some stunt people __32__ in certain kinds of scenes. For instance, a stunt woman named Jan Davis does all kinds of jumps. She has leapt from planes and even off the top of a waterfall. Each jump required careful planning and expert __33__.Yakima Canutt was a famous cowboy stunt man. Among other stunts, he could jump from a second story window onto a horse's back. He __34__ the famous trick of sliding under a moving stagecoach. Canutt also __35__ a new way to make a punch look real. He was the only stunt man ever to get an Oscar.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.As an Alaskan fisherman, Timothy June, 54, used to think that he was safe from industrial pollutants (污染物) at his home in Haines —a town with a population of 2,400 people and 4,000 eagles, with 8 million acres of protected wild land nearby. But in early 2007, June agreed to take part in a __36__ of 35 Americans from seven states. It was a biomonitoring project, in which people's blood and urine (尿) were tested for __37__ of chemicals —in this case, three potentially dangerous classes of compounds found in common household __38__ like face cream, tin cans, and shower curtains. The results —__39__ in November in a report called "Is It in Us?" by an environmental group —were rather worrying. Every one of the participants, __40__ from an Illinois state senator to a Massachusetts minister, tested positive for all three classes of pollutants. And while the __41__ presence of these chemicals does not __42__ indicate a health risk, the fact that typical Americans carry these chemicals at all __43__ June and his fellow participants. Clearly, there are chemicals in our bodies that don't __44__ there. A large, ongoing study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found 148 chemicals in Americans of all ages. And in 2005, the Environmental Working Group found an __45__ of 200 chemicals in the blood of 10 new-borns. "Our babies are being born pre-polluted," says Sharyle Patton of Commonweal, which cosponsored "Is It in Us?" "This is going to be the next big environmental issue after climate change."In Hard Economy for All Ages, Older Isn't Better... It's Brutal[A] Young graduates are in debt, out of work and on their parents' couches. People in their 30s and40s can't afford to buy homes or have children. Retirees are earning near-zero interest on their savings.[B] In the current listless (缺乏活力的) economy, every generation has a claim to having been mostinjured. But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的人) A) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.[C] These Americans in their 50s and early 60s — those near retirement age who do not yet haveaccess to Medicare and Social Security — have lost the most earnings power of any age group, with their household incomes 10 percent below what they made when the recovery began three years ago, according to Sentier Research, a data analysis company. Their retirement savings and home values fell sharply at the worst possible time: just before they needed to cash out.They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children, earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze."[D] New research suggests that they may die sooner, because their health, income security andmental well-being were battered (重创) by recession at a crucial time in their lives. A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy (预期寿命), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care. [E] Unemployment rates for Americans nearing retirement are far lower than those for youngpeople, who are recently out of school, with fewer skills and a shorter work history. But once out of a job, older workers have a much harder time finding another one. Over the last year, the average duration of unemployment for older people was 53 weeks, compared with 19 weeks for teenagers, according to the Labor Department's jobs report released on Friday.[F] The lengthy process is partly because older workers are more likely to have been laid off fromindustries that are downsizing, like manufacturing. Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.[G] Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range ofjobs that offer realistic choices. They may also be less inclined, at least initially, to take jobs that pay far less than their old positions.[H] Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers caneasily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.[I] In a survey by the center of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in sixhad found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts. 14% of the re-employedsaid the pay in their new job was less than half what they earned in their previous job. "I just say to myself: 'Why me? What have 1 done to deserve this?'" said John Agati, 56, whose last full-time job, as a product developer, ended four years ago when his employer went out of business. That position paid $90,000, and his resume lists jobs at companies like American Express, Disney and USA Networks. Since being laid off, though, he has worked a series of part-time, low-wage, temporary positions, including selling shoes at Lord & Taylor and making sales calls for a car company.[J] The last few years have taken a toll not only on his family's finances, but also on his feelings of self-worth. "You just get sad," Mr. Agati said. "I see people getting up in the morning, going out to their careers and going home. I just wish I was doing that. Some people don't like their jobs, or they have problems with their jobs, but at least they're working. I just wish I was in their shoes." He said he cannot afford to go back to school, as many younger people without jobs have done. Even if he could afford it, economists say it is unclear whether older workers like him benefit much from more education.[K] "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor. "Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."[L] Many displaced older workers are taking this message to heart and leaving the labor force entirely. The share of older people applying for Social Security early rose quickly during the recession as people sought whatever income they could find. The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).[M] Those not yet eligible for Social Security are increasingly applying for another, comparable kind of income support that often goes to people who expect never to work again: disability benefits. More than one in eight people in their late 50s is now on some form of federal disability insurance program, according to Mark Duggan, chairman of the department of business economics and public policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. [N] The very oldest Americans, of course, were battered by some of the same ill winds that tormented those now nearing retirement, but at least the most senior were cushioned by a more readily available social safety net. More important, in a statistical twist, they may have actually benefited from the financial crisis in the most fundamental way: prolonged lives.[O] Death rates for people over 65 have historically fallen during recessions, according to a November 2011 study by economists at the University of California, Davis. Why? The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2014年12月英语四级考试真题(第2套)
2014 12 ( 2 )Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay about a course thathas impressed you most in college.You should state the reasons and write at least 120words but no more than 180 words.1Part 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 and D , and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.11.A She used to be in poor health.B She was popular among boys.C She was somewhat overweight.D She didn't do well at high school.2. A At the airport.B In a restaurant.C In a booking office.D At the hotel reception.3. A T eaching her son by herself.B In a restaurant.C Asking the teacher for extra help.D T elling her son not to worry.4. A Have a short break.B T ake two weeks off.C Continue her work outdoors.D Go on vacation with the man.5. A He is taking care of his twin brother.B T ake two weeks off.C He is worried about Rod's health.D He has been in perfect condition.6. A She sold all her furniture before she moved house.B She still keeps some old furniture in her new house.C She plans to put all her old furniture in the basement.D She bought a new set of furniture from Italy last month.7. A The woman wondered why the man didn't return the book.B The woman doesn't seem to know what the book is about.C The woman doesn't find the book useful any more.D The woman forgot lending the book to the man.8. A Most of the man's friends are athletes.B Few people share the woman's opinion.C The man doesn't look like a sportsman.D The woman doubts the man's athletic ability.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A She has packed it in one of her bags.B She is going to get it at the airport.C She has probably left it in a taxi.D She is afraid that she has lost it.10. A It ends in winter.B It will cost her a lot.C It will last one week.D It depends on the weather.11. A The plane is taking off soon.B The taxi is waiting for them.C There might be a traffic jam.D There is a lot of stuff to pack.12. A At home.B At the airport.C In the man's car.D By the side of a taxi.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13. A She is thirsty for promotion.B She wants a much higher salary.C She is tired of her present work.D She wants to save travel expenses.14. A Translator.C Language instructor.B Travel agent.D Environmental engineer.15. A Lively personality and inquiring mind.B Communication skills and team spirit.C Devotion and work efficiency.D Education and experience.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A ,B , C and D .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.1Passage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A They care a lot about children.B They need looking after in their old age.C They want to enrich their life experience.D They want children to keep them company.17. A They are usually adopted from distant places.B Their birth information is usually kept secret~C Their birth parents often try to conceal their birth information.D Their adoptive parents don't want them to know their birth parents.18. A They generally hold bad feelings towards their birth parents.B They do not want to hurt the feelings of their adoptive parents.C They have mixed feelings about finding their natural parents.D They are fully aware of the expenses involved in the search.19. A Early adoption makes for closer parent-child relationship.B Most .people prefer to adopt children from overseas.C Understanding is the key to successful adoption.D Adoption has much to do with love.Passage T woQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20. A He suffered from mental illness.B He bought The Washington Post.C He turned a failing newspaper into a success.D He was once a reporter for a major newspaper.21. A She was the first woman to lead a big U.S. publishing company.B She got her first job as a teacher at the University of Chicago.C She committed suicide because of her mental disorder.D She took over her father's position when he died.22. A People came to see the role of women in the business world.B Katharine played a major part in reshaping Americans' mind.C American media would be quite different without Katharine.D Katharine had exerted an important influence on the world.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A It'll enable them to enjoy the best medical care.B It'll allow them to receive free medical treatment.C It'll protect them from possible financial crises.D It'll prevent the doctors from overcharging them.24. A They can't immediately get back the money paid for their medical cost.B They have to go through very complicated application procedures.C They can only visit doctors who speak their native languages.D They may not be able to receive timely medical treatment.25. A They don't have to pay for the medical services.B They needn't pay the entire medical bill at once.C They must send the receipts to the insurance company promptly.D They have to pay a much higher price to get an insurance policy.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Final- ly, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.1More and more of the world's population are living in towns or cities. The speed at which cities are growing in the less developed countries is (26)__________. Between 1920 and 1960 big cities in developed countries increased two and a half times in size, but in other parts of the world the growth was eight times their size.The (27) __________size of growth is bad enough, but there are now also very disturb-ing signs of trouble in the (28)__________ of percentages of people living in towns and per-centages of people working in industry. During the nineteenth century cities grew(29)__________ the growth of industry. In Europe the proportion of people livingin citiesWasalwayssmallerthanthatoftheworkForceworkinginfactories.Now,however,the(30) __________ is almost always tree in the newly industrialised world: the percentage of people living in cities is much higher than the percentage working in industry.Without a base of people working in industry, these cities cannot(31) __________their growth;thereis not enough money tobuildadequatehousesfor thepeoplethatlivethere, (32)__________ the new arrivals. There has been little opportunity to build water s u p p l i e s o r o t h e r (33) __________ So,thefiguresforthegrowthoftownsandcities(34)__________ proportional growth of unemployment and underemployment, a growth in the number of hopeless and (35)__________ parents and starving children.Part ⅡIReading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.As an Alaskan fisherman, Timothy June,54, used to think that he was safe from industrial pollutants( ) at his home in Haines--a town with a population of 2,400 people and 4,000 eagles,with 8 million acres of protected wild land nearby. But in early 2007, June agreed to take part in a 36 of 35 Americans from seven states. It was a biomonitoring project, in which people's blood and ur/ne ( ) were tested for 37 of chemicals--in this case, three potentially dangerous classes of compounds found in common household 38 like face cream, tin cans, and shower curtains. Theresults--39 in November in a report called"Is It in Us?" by an environmental group--were rather worrying. Every one of the participants,40 from an minois state senator to a Massachusetts minister, tested positive for all three classes of pollutants. And while the 41 presence of these chemicals does not 42 indicate a health risk, the fact that typical Americans carry these chemicals at all 43 June and his fellow participants.Clearly, there are chemicals in our bodies that don't 44 there. A large, ongoing study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found 148 chemicals in Americans of all ages.And in 2005, the Environmental Working Group found an 45 of 200 chemicals in the blood of 10 new-borns."Our babies are being born pre-polluted," says Sharyle Patton of Commonweal, which cosponsored "Is It in Us?This is going to be the next big environmental issue after climate change."2A analysesB averageC belongD demonstratedE excessF extendingG habituallyH necessarilyI productsJ rangingK releasedL shockedM simpleN surveyO tracesSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.In Hard Economy for All Ages, Older Isn't Better... It's Brutal[A] Young graduates are in debt, out of work and on their parents' couches. People in their 30s and 40s can't afford to buy homes or have children. Retirees are earning near-zero interest on their savings.[B] In the current listless ( ) economy, every generation has a claim to having been most injured. But the Labor Department's latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers ( ) as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.[C] These Americans in their 50s and early 60s--those near retirement age who do not yet have access to Medicare and Social Security--have lost the most earnings power of any age group, with their household incomes 10 percent below what they made when the recovery began three years ago, according to Sentier Research, a data analysis company. Their retirement savings and home values fell sharply at the worst possible time: just before they needed to cash out. They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children,earning them the unlucky nickname "Generation Squeeze."[D] New research suggests that they may die sooner, because their health, income security and mental well-being were battered ( ) by recession at a crucial time in their lives. A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectanv'y ( ), largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.[E] Unemployment rates for Americans nearing retirement are far lower than those for young people, who are recently out of school, with fewer skills and a shorter work history. But once out of a job, older workers have a much harder time finding another one. Over the last year, the average duration of unemployment for older people was 53 weeks, compared with 19 weeks for teenagers, according to the Labor Department's jobs report released on Friday.[F] The lengthy process is partly because older workers are more likely to have been laid off from industries that are downsizing, like manufacturing. Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.[G] Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices. They may also be less inclined, at least initially, to take jobs that pay far less than their old positions.[H] Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energetic worker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.[I]In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of that group had accepted pay cuts.14% of the re-employed said the pay in their new job was less than half what they earned in their previous job. "I just say to myself: 'Why me? What have I done to deserve this?'" said John Agati,56, whose last full-time job, as a product developer, ended four years ago when his employer went out of business. That position paid $90,000, and his resume lists jobs at companies like American Express, Disney and USA Networks. Since being laid off, though, he has worked a series of part-time, low-wage, temporary positions, including selling shoes at Lord & T aylor and making sales calls for a car company.[J] The last few years have taken a toil not only on his family's finances, but also on hisfeelings of self-worth. "You just get sad," Mr. Agati said. "I see people getting up in the morning, going out to their careers and going home. I just wish I was doing that. Some people don't like their jobs, or they have problems with their jobs, but at least they're working. I just wish I was in their shoes."He said he cannot afford to go back to school, as many younger people without jobs have done. Even if he could afford it, economists say it is unclear whether older workers like him benefit much from more education.[K] "It just doesn't make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older," said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor."Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they're now at the end of the hiring queue just don't make it sensible to invest in them."[L]Many displaced older workers are taking this message to heart and leaving the labor force entirely. The share of older people applying for Social Security early rose quickly during the recession as people sought whatever income they could find. The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each month's check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942).[M] Those not yet qualified for Social Security are increasingly applying for another, comparable kind of income support that often goes to people who expect never to work again: disability benefits. More than one in eight people in their late 50s is now on some form of federal disability insurance program, according to Professor Mark Duggan at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.[N] The very oldest Americans, of course, were battered by some of the same ill winds that tormented( ) those now nearing retirement, but at least the most senior were cushioned by a more readily available social safety net. More important, in a statistical twist, they may have actually benefited from the financial crisis in the most fundamental way: longer lives.[O] Death rates for people over 65 have historically fallen during recessions, according to a November2011 study by economists at the University of California, Davis. Why? The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.246. Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.47. Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.48. Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.49. Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.50. Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.51. According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.52. Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.53. People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.54. People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.55. Older workers' choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.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 .You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.New Yorkers are gradually getting used to more pedaling ( ) passengers on those shining blue Citi Bikes. But what about local bike shops? Is Citi Bike rolling up riders attheir expense?At Gotham Bikes in Tribeca, manager W. Ben said the shop has seen an increase in its overall sales due to the bike-share program."It's getting more people on the road," he said. James Ryan, an employee at Danny's Cycles in Gramercy also said Citi Bike is a good option for people to ease into biking in a city famed for its traffic jams and aggressive drivers."They can try out a bike without committing to buying one," he said. Rentals are not a big part of the business at either Gotham Bikes or Danny's Cycles. But for Frank's Bike Shop, a small business on Grand St., the bike-share program has been bad news. Owner Frank Arroyo said his rental business has decreased by 90 since Citi Bike was rolled out last month.Arroyo's main rental customers are European tourists, who have since been drawn away by Citi Bikes.However, Ben said the bike-share is good for bike sales at his shop."People have used the bike- share and realized how great it is to bike in the city, then decide that they want something nicer for themselves," he noted.Christian Farrell of Waterfront Bicycle Shop, on West St. just north of Christopher St., said initially he was concerned about bike-share, though, he admitted, "I was happy to see people on bikes."Farrell's early concerns were echoed by Andrew Crooks, owner of NYC Velo, at 64 Second Ave. "It seemed like a great idea, but one that would be difficult to implement," Crooks said of Citi Bike. He saidhe worried about inexperienced riders' lack of awareness of bildng rules and strong negative reaction from non-cyclists. However, he said, it's still too early to tell ff his business has been impacted.While it's possible bike-share will cause a drop in business, Crooks allowed that the idea is a positive step forward for New York City.256. What is the author's chief concern about the increasing use of Citi Bikes in New York?A How non-cyclists will respond to it.B Whether local bike shops will suffer.C Whether local bike businesses will oppose it.D How the safety of bike riders can be ensured.57. What happened to Gotham Bikes as a result of the bike-share program?A It found its bike sales unaffected.B It shifted its business to rentals.C It saw its bike sales on the rise.D It rented more bikes to tourists.58. Why is the bike-share program bad news for Frank's Bike Shop?A It cannot meet the demand of the bike-share program.B Its customers have been drawn away by Citi Bikes.C Its bike prices have to be lowered again and again.D It has to compete with the city's bike rental shops.59. Why did Andrew Crooks think that the bike-share program would be difficult to execute?A Inexperienced riders might break biking rules.B Conflicts might arise among bike rental shops.C Traffic conditions might worsen in the downtown area.D There are not enough lanes to accommodate the bikes.60. What is the general attitude of local bike shops towards Citi Bike?A Wait-and-see.B Negative.C Indifferent.D Approving.Passage T woQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Various studies have shown that increased spending on education has not led to measurable improvements in learning. Between 1980 and 2008, staff and teachers at U.S. public schools grew roughly twice as fast as students. Yet students showed no additional learning in achievement tests.Universities show similar trends of increased administration personnel and costs without greater learning, as documented in Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa's recent book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses.A survey shows that 63% of employers say that recent college graduates don't have the sldlls they need to succeed and 25% of employers say that entry-level writing skills are lacking.Some simplistically attribute the decline in our public education system to the drain of skilled students by private schools, but far more significant events were at work. Public schools worked well until about the 1970s. In fact, until that time, public schools provided far better education than private ones. It was the underperforming students who were thrown out of public schools and went to private ones.A prominent reason public schools did well was that many highly qualified women had few options for worldng outside the house other than being teachers or nurses. They accepted relatively low pay,difficult working conditions, and gave their very best. Having such a large supply of talented women teachers meant that society could pay less for their services. Women's liberation opened up new professional opportunities for women, and, over time, some of the best left teaching as a career option, bringing about a gradual decline in the quality of schooling.Also around that time, regulations, government, and unions came to dictate pay, prevent ac~ustments,and introduce bureaucratic ( ) standard for advancement. Large education bureaucracies and unions came to dominate the landscape, confusing activity with achievement. Bureaucrats regularly rewrite curriculums, talk nonsense about theories of education, and require ever more admires" trators. The end result has been that, after all the spending, students have worse math and reading skills than both their foreign peers and earlier generations spending far less on education--as all the accumulating evidence now documents.261. What do we learn from various studies on America's public education?A Achievement tests have failed to truly reflect the quality of teaching.B Public schools-lack the resources to compete with private schools.C Little improvement in education has resulted from increased spending.D The number of students has increased much faster than that of teachers.62. How do some people explain the decline in public education?A Government investment does not meet schools' needs.B Skilled students are moving to private schools.C Qualified teachers are far from adequately paid.D Training of students' basic skills is neglected.63. What was a significant contributor to the past glory of public schools?A Well-behaved students.B Efficient admirestration.C T alented women teachers.D Generous pay for teachers.64. Why did some of the best women teachers leave teaching?A New career opportunities were made available to them by women's liberation.B Higher academic requirements made it difficult for them to stay in their jobs.C They were unhappy with the bureaucratic administration in their schools.D The heavy teaching loads left them little time and energy for family life.65. What does the author think is one of the results of government involvement in education?A Increasing emphasis on theories of education.B Highly standardized teaching methods.C Students' improved academic performance.D An ever-growing number of administrators.Part IVTranslation (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 2.2010 4 2 (netizen)。
2014年12月四级考试真题第二套答案
2014年12月四级考试真题第二套答案第一套题目：【真题第35题】在学校、社会和网络环境中，大家所处的环境越来越复杂多元和不确定。
因此你更希望你能拥有一个稳定的生活环境为你服务。
请根据以下哪一选项分析出以上信息？填入下面的横线部分最恰当的一项是：【答案】 C。
一、“环境”这个词，一般用于指个人，是一个整体(bound),可以直接替换成名词或形容词解析：“环境”这个词一般用于指环境，是一个整体，可以替换成名词或形容词。
这个“环境”中有可能包含有各种类型的人或事物。
而在“复杂多元和不确定”之前，“环境”这个词就可以直接替换成“环境”。
所以此处应该选择“生活环境"而不是“环境”。
所以本题答案为 C。
二、“一个稳定的生活环境”表述为“拥有一个稳定的生活环境为你服务”。
“复杂多元”表示的是环境中的复杂多样、不确定。
如“复杂多元”表示复杂多元的环境。
“不确定”表示不确定性的环境。
这两个部分构成了“我们所处的环境”。
因此该选项中“不确定”体现于“我们所处的环境”中。
三、“稳定”这个词可直接替换成“稳定的物质生活条件”第四套题目：【真题第36题】一些人想在毕业后找到一份工作。
您是否也是这么想的？下面列出了以下选项：根据以上分析，以下选项均符合题意。
四、“复杂多元和不确定”一词所表达的信息是非常模糊的“复杂多元和不确定”一词中最重要的是“不确定性”(intractive),但是它并不包含“复杂多元和不确定”概念中非常具体的含义（因为它常常是不明确的）。
从结构上来说，这个词包含一个“不确定”(decreated)的概念：“由于不确定性而产生的各种现象”和“由于不确定性而产生的各种后果”。
这个词表明，只有当不确定性变得更加突出时情况才会发生变化。
所以说是不确定在某种程度上更加突出。
因此，可以确定的不说出来“不确定性”是没有意义的。
这个词通常是从动词 he引申而来，一般情况下用来表示不确定性更好使用，而且如果这个词很少出现在动词 he后面，就表示这个词很少出现在动词 he后面或者是不是可以确定是一种状态，也就是不确定，很少出现在动词 he后面或者是不被确定为“不确定性”的状态。