2008年全国大学生英语竞赛B类初赛真题
2008 National English Contest for College Students(Level B - Sample)2008 National English Contest for College Students(Level B - Sample)Part I Listening Comprehension (25 minutes, 30 marks)Section A (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be read only once. After each question, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.1. A. Mild. B. Draughty. C. Hot.2. A. The woman inquiring the man is probably a judge.B. The man was stopped by the police because he was driving too fast.C. The man hit one of the kids on the corner of the first turning.3. A. Tired. B. Lonely. C. Sad.4. A. Take the dictionary out the library.B. Buy a new dictionary for herself.C. Borrow the dictionary for herself.5. A. All of them landed safely.B. Some were wounded, but there were no deaths.C. Some were kidnapped.6. A. He doesn't know if there is a photocopy machine there.B. The woman can make copies at the post office.C. The photocopy machine isn't in the office any more.7. A. Invite everyone. B. Have two parties. C. Take a few classes.8. A. Three quarters of an hour. B. Half an hour.C. A quarter of an hour.9. A. He's got a stomachache. B. He's got a headache.C. He is alcoholic.10. A. Suspicious. B. Relaxed. C. Upset.Section B (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear one long conversation. The conversation will be read only once. At the end of the conversation, there will be a one-minute pause. During the pause, you must read the five questions, each with three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 11 - 15 are based on the long conversation you've just heard.11. What are the speakers mainly discussing?A. A lecture.B. An examination.C. A course. w w w .100y i n g y u .co m12. Why is the man watching television?A. Because he wanted to take a break.B. Because he didn't want to study.C. Because he had a headache.13. Why is the man surprised that the woman wants to study linear algebra with him?A. Because he didn't do well on the last test.B. Because he isn't going to take the exam.C. Because she is better than him at the course.14. Why doesn't the man want to call Elizabeth?A. Because he doesn't know her.B. Because he doesn't like her.C. Because it is too late to call her.15. What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?A. Brother and sister.B. Classmates.C. Teacher and student.Section C (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short news items. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the question and then the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.16. How many people were killed in the bomb attack in London?A. Dozens of people.B. Hundreds of people.C. None.17. What is the top priority of NASA's mission?A. A tear in one of the station's solar wings.B. A spacewalk on Thursday.C. Get new equipment.18. How many billionaires are there in China according to Forbes?A. 54.B. 66.C. More than 100.19. What is one of the highlights for many visitors in the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum?A. A full-scale replica of the Oval Office.B. Two million photographs.C. 76 million pages of documents.20. What is the news item mainly about?A. The World Bank's Economic Indicators report will be issued.B. Economic growth rates in Africa.C. The stagnation and decline of African economy from 1975 to 1995.Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear a man introducing the history of Oxford. For questions 21 - 30, listen to what he says and complete the notes. You will need to write a word or a short w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mphrase. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Oxford became a town before (21) ________. Oxford University began to establish itself in the middle of the (22) ________ century and by 1300 there were 1,500 students. At this time Oxford was a (23) ________ town, but by the middle of the 14th century it was poorer because of (24) ________ in trade and the terrible plague. Relations between the students and the townspeople were very (25) ________ and there was often (26) ________ in the streets. On 10th February 1355, a (27) ________ began, which lasted two days. Sixty-two students were killed. One of the punishments was that the University was given (28) ________ of the town for nearly 600 years. There are some special Oxford words in the Oxford English Dictionary. For example, (29) ________ and (30) ________.Part II Multiple Choice (10 minutes, 15 marks)Section A (10 marks)Directions: There are 10 incomplete sentences in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31． The government gave a very ________ explanation of its plan for economic development.A. comprehensiveB. compoundC. considerableD. complacent32. An ambulance must have priority as it usually has to deal with some kind of ________.A. urgencyB. dangerC. emergencyD. crisis33. It is a common theme in many science fiction stories that the world may one day be ________ by insects.A. broken inB. run overC. taken overD. filled in34. In the meantime, the question facing business is whether such research is ________ the costs.A. worthB. worth ofC. worthyD. worthwhile35. ________ does he know that the police are about to arrest him.A. FewB. OnlyC. SeldomD. Little36. He asked his sister to look after his children ________ his death.A. in the event ofB. in view ofC. on account ofD. on the edge of37. ________ about the bookkeeper's honesty, the company asked him to resign.A. There be some questionsB. There are some questionsC. There have been some questionsD. There being some questions38. But for his courage, the battle ________.A. was lostB. will be lostC. would loseD. would have been lost39. When the young man walked into the office to see the headmaster, he had ________.A. butterflies in his heartB. butterflies in his mindC. butterflies in his stomachD. butterflies in his spirit40. - Could you lend me some money, Jack?- Sorry, Mike. I myself can't earn enough to ________.A. make the ends meetB. make ends meetC. keep the ends meetD. keep ends meetSection B (5 marks)Directions: There are 5 incomplete statements or questions about some English speaking w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mcountries in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the most suitable answer from the given choices. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.41. Britain is a ________ country.A. CatholicB. ChristianC. OrthodoxD. Mormon42. The Tories were the forerunners of ________, which still bears this nickname today.A. the Labour PartyB. the Conservative PartyC. the Liberal PartyD. the Social Democratic Party43. ________ is the most popular sport in Britain in summer.A. FootballB. TennisC. BasketballD. Cricket44. The New Deal was started by ________.A. John F. KennedyB. Franklin RooseveltC. George WashingtonD. Thomas Jefferson45. ________ is the only branch that that can make federal laws and levy federal taxes.A. The executiveB. The legislativeC. The judicialD. The presidentPart III Reading Comprehension (20 minutes, 40 marks)Section A (5 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 5 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 46 - 50 are based on the following passage.The Supreme Court's decisions on physician-assisted suicide carry important implications for how medicine seeks to relieve dying patients of pain and suffering.Although it ruled that there is no constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, the Court in effect supported the medical principle of “double effect ”, a centuries-old moral principle holding that an action having two effects - a good one that is intended and a harmful one that is foreseen - is permissible if the actor intends only the good effect.Doctors have used that principle in recent years to justify using high doses of morphine to control terminally ill patients' pain, even though increasing dosages will eventually kill the patient. Nancy Dubler, director of Montefiore Medical Center, contends that the principle will shield doctors who “until now have very, very strongly insisted that they could not give patients sufficient mediation to control their pain if that might hasten death.”George Annas, chair of the health law department at Boston University, maintains that, as long as a doctor prescribes a drug for a legitimate medical purpose, the doctor has done nothing illegal even if the patient uses the drug to hasten death. “It's like surgery,” he says. “We don't call those deaths homicides because the doctors didn't intend to kill their patients, although they risked their death. If you're a physician, you can risk your patient's suicide as long as you don't intend their suicide.”On another level, many in the medical community acknowledge that the assisted-suicide debate has been fueled in part by the despair of patients for whom modern medicine has prolonged the physical agony of dying.Just three weeks before the Court's ruling on physician-assisted suicide, the National w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mAcademy of Science (NAS) released a two-volume report - Approaching Death: Improving Care at the End of Life. It identifies the undertreatment of pain and the aggressive use of “ineffectual and forced medical procedures that may prolong and even dishonor the period of dying ” as the twin problems of end-of-life care.The profession is taking steps to require young doctors to train in hospices, to test knowledge of aggressive pain management therapies, to develop a Medicare billing code for hospital-based care, and to develop new standards for assessing and treating pain at the end of life.Annas says lawyers can play a key role in insisting that these well-meaning medical initiatives translate into better care. “Large numbers of physicians seem unconcerned with the pain their patients are needlessly and predictably suffering,” to the extent that it constitutes “systematic patient abuse ”. He says medical licensing boards “must make it clear... that painful deaths are presumptively ones that are incompetently managed and should result in license suspension.”Questions:46. From the first three paragraphs, we learn that ________.A. doctors used to increase drug dosages to control their patients' painB. it is still illegal for doctors to help the dying end their livesC. the Supreme Court strongly opposes physician-assisted suicideD. patients have no constitutional right to commit suicide47. Which of the following statements is true according to the text?A. Doctors will be held guilty if they risk their patients' death.B. Modern medicine has assisted terminally ill patients in painless recovery.C. The Court ruled that high-dosage pain-relieving medication can be prescribed.D. A doctor's medication is no longer justified by his intentions.48. According to the NAS's report, one of the problems in end-of-life care is ________.A. prolonged medical proceduresB. inadequate treatment of painC. systematic drug abuseD. insufficient hospital care49. Which of the following best defines the word “aggressive ” (line 3, paragraph 6)?A. Bold.B. Harmful.C. Careless.D. Desperate.50. George Annas would probably agree that doctors should be punished if they ________.A. manage their patients incompetentlyB. give patients more medicine than neededC. reduce drug dosages for their patientsD. prolong the needless suffering of the patientsSection B (15 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet.For questions 51 - 55, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.For questions 56 - 60, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. w w w .100y i n g y u .co mHighwaysEarly in the 20th century, most of the streets and roads in the U.S. were made of dirt, bricks, and cedar wood blocks. Built for horse, carriage, and foot traffic, they were usually poorly cared for and too narrow to accommodate (容纳) automobiles.With the increase in auto production, private turnpike (收费公路) companies under local authorities began to spring up, and by 1921 there were 387,000 miles of paved roads. Many were built using specifications of 19th century Scottish engineers Thomas Telford and John MacAdam (for whom the macadam surface is named), whose specifications stressed the importance of adequate drainage. Beyond that, there were no national standards for size, weight restrictions, or commercial signs. During World War I, roads throughout the country were nearly destroyed by the weight of trucks. When General Eisenhower returned from Germany in 1919, after serving in the U.S.Army's first transcontinental motor convoy (车队), he noted, “The old convoy had started me thinking about good, two-lane highways, but Germany's Autobahn or motorway had made me see the wisdom of broader ribbons across the land.”It would take another war before the federal government would act on a national highway system. During World War II, a tremendous increase in trucks and new roads were required. The war demonstrated how critical highways were to the defense effort. Thirteen percent of defense plants received all their supplies by truck, and almost all other plants shipped more than half of their products by vehicle. The war also revealed that local control of highways had led to a confusing variety of design standards. Even federal and state highways did not follow basic standards. Some states allowed trucks up to 36,000 pounds, while others restricted anything over 7,000 pounds. A government study recommended a national highway system of 33,920 miles, and Congress soon passed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944, which called for strict, centrally controlled design criteria.The interstate highway system was finally launched in 1956 and has been hailed as one of the greatest public works projects of the century. To build its 44,000-mile web of highways, bridges and tunnels, hundreds of unique engineering designs and solutions had to be worked out. Consider the many geographic features of the country: mountains, steep grades, wetlands, rivers, deserts, and plains. V ariables included the slope of the land, the ability of the pavement to support the load, the intensity of road use, and the nature of the underlying soil. Urban areas were another problem. Innovative designs of roadways, tunnels, bridges, overpasses, and interchanges that could run through or bypass urban areas soon began to weave their way across the country, forever altering the face of America.Long-span, segmented-concrete, cable-stayed bridges such as Hale Boggs in Louisiana and the Sunshine Skyway in Florida, and remarkable tunnels like Fort McHenry in Maryland and Mt. Baker in Washington, met many of the nation's physical challenges. Traffic control systems and methods of construction developed under the interstate program soon influenced highway construction around the world, and were invaluable in improving the condition of urban streets and traffic patterns.Today, the interstate system links every major city in the U.S., and the U.S. with Canada and Mexico. Built with safety in mind, the highways have wide lanes and shoulders, dividing medians or barriers, long entry and exit lanes, curves engineered for safe turns, and limited access. The death rate on highways is half that of all other U.S. roads (0.86 deaths per 100 million w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mpassenger miles compared to 1.99 deaths per 100 million on all other roads).By opening the North American continent, highways have enabled consumer goods and services to reach people in remote and rural areas of the country, spurred the growth of suburbs, and provided people with greater options in terms of jobs, access to cultural programs, health care, and other benefits. Above all, the interstate system provides individuals with what they cherish most: personal freedom of mobility.The interstate system has been an essential element of the nation's economic growth in terms of shipping and job creation: more than 75 percent of the nation's freight deliveries arrive by truck; and most products that arrive by rail or air use interstates for the last leg of the journey by vehicle. Not only has the highway system affected the American economy by providing shipping routes, it has led to the growth of spin-off industries like service stations, motels, restaurants, and shopping centers. It has allowed the relocation of manufacturing plants and other industries from urban areas to rural.By the end of the century there was an immense network of paved roads, residential streets, expressways, and freeways built to support millions of vehicles. The highway system was officially renamed for Eisenhower to honor his vision and leadership. The year construction began he said, “Together, the united forces of our communication and transportation systems are dynamic elements in the very name we bear-United States. Without them, we would be a mere alliance of many separate parts.”Questions:51. National standards for paved roads were in place by 1921.52. General Eisenhower felt that the broad German motorways made more sense than the two-lane highways of America.53. It was in the 1950s that the American government finally took action to build a national highway system.54. Many of the problems presented by the country's geographical features found solutions in innovative engineering projects.55. In spite of safety considerations, the death rate on interstate highways is still higher than that of other American roads.56. The interstate highway system provides access between major city in America, and ________.57. The interstate highway system promoted the development of ________.58. The greatest benefit brought about by the interstate system was ________.59. Trucks using the interstate highways deliver more than ________.60. The interstate system was renamed after Eisenhower in recognition of ________.Section C (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions in a maximum of 10 words. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 61 - 65 are based on the following passage.Could the bad old days of economic decline be about to return? Since OPEC agreed to supply-cuts in March, the price of crude oil has jumped to almost $26 a barrel, up from less than $10 last December. This near-tripling of oil prices calls up scary memories of the 1973 oil shock, when prices quadrupled, and 1979-1980, when they also almost tripled. Both previous shocks resulted in w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mdouble-digit inflation and global economic decline. So where are the headlines warning of gloom and doom this time?The oil price was given another push up this week when Iraq suspended oil exports. Strengthening economic growth, at the same time as winter grips the northern hemisphere, could push the price higher still in the short term.Yet there are good reasons to expect the economic consequences now to be less severe than in the 1970s. In most countries the cost of crude oil now accounts for a smaller share of the price of petrol than it did in the 1970s. In Europe, taxes account for up to four-fifths of the retail price, so even quite big changes in the price of crude have a more muted effect on pump prices than in the past.Rich economies are also less dependent on oil than they were, and so less sensitive to swings in the oil price. Energy conservation, a shift to other fuels and a decline in the importance of heavy, energy-intensive industries have reduced oil consumption. Software, consultancy and mobile telephones use far less oil than steel or car production. For each dollar of GDP (in constant prices) rich economies now use nearly 50% less oil than in 1973. The OECD estimates in its latest Economic Outlook that, if oil prices averaged $22 a barrel for a full year, compared with $13 in 1998, this would increase the oil import bill in rich economies by only 0.25-0.5% of GDP . That is less than one-quarter of the income loss in 1974 or 1980. On the other hand, oil-importing emerging economies - to which heavy industry has shifted - have become more energy-intensive, and so could be more seriously squeezed.One more reason not to lose sleep over the rise in oil prices is that, unlike the rises in the 1970s, it has not occurred against the background of general commodity-price inflation and global excess demand. A sizable portion of the world is only just emerging from economic decline. The economist's commodity price index is broadly unchanging from a year ago. In 1973 commodity prices jumped by 70%, and in 1979 by almost 30%.Questions:61. What is the main reason for the latest rise of oil price?62. What are the results of the 1970s' oil shock?63. It can be inferred from the text that the retail price of petrol will go up dramatically if ________.64. According to the passage, reduction in oil consumption is due to ________, a shift to other fuels and a decline in the importance of heavy, energy-intensive industries.65. According to the passage, compared with those in the 1970s, oil-price shocks are ________ now.Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing no more than three words from the passage. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 66 - 70 are based on the following passage.The City of the FutureWhat will city life be like in the future? Some people think that life in the cities is going to be w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mhorrible. They predict that cities will become more and more crowded. As the number of people increases, there will be less space for each person. This overcrowding will cause other problems - more crime, dirtier streets, and worse problems with traffic than we have now. How will people find enough drinking water, energy (such as gas and electricity), and housing? Because life will be hard, people who live in cities will worry more, and they may become sick. For these reasons, some say that nobody will want to live in urban areas.How can we solve such problems as overcrowding, crime, and traffic? In some cities, thousands of people are already sleeping in the streets because there is so little suitable housing - and because rents are so high. The crime rate isn't going down. Instead, it is increasing so fast that many people are afraid to go out at night. Traffic is also getting worse. More and more often, traffic jams are so bad that cars don't move at all for several blocks. These urban problems have been getting worse, not better, so many people see no hope for the future of the city.Los Angeles, California, for instance, has no subway system and the buses are slow. Instead, most commuters drive many miles from their homes to work. Many of these drivers spend several hours each day on busy freeways. New York, by contrast, has a mass transit system - buses, commuter trains, and subways. Because the public transportation is crowded and dirty, however, many people drive private cars, and the traffic jams are worse than in Los Angeles.On the other hand, some cities have clean, fast, and pleasant public transportation systems. In Paris, France, and Toronto, Canada, for example, anyone can use mass transit to move quickly from one part of the city to another.The disadvantages of any modern city are not unique to that city - that is, cities all over the world have to solve the problems of traffic jams, crime, housing, energy, drinking water, and overcrowding. Yet many cities have found answers to one or more of these difficulties. Some European cities, such as Stockholm, Sweden, or London, England, have planned communities that provide people with apartments, jobs, shopping centers, green space, entertainment, and transportation. Many U.S. cities are rebuilding their downtown areas. Urban planners can learn from one another. They can try solutions that have been successful in other parts of the world. Summary:Some people think that life in the cities is going to be horrible. They say that cities will become more and more crowded and many other problems will be caused by this (66) ________. Due to the hard life, people do not want to live in (67) ________. These urban problems such as overcrowding, crime and traffic have been getting worse, so many people (68) ________ for the future of the city. However, these disadvantages of any modern city are not unique to that city. All the cities all over the world must solve the problems and fortunately, many of them have found answers to one or more of these difficulties. For example, (69) ________ or London has planned communities providing people with apartments, jobs and so on. Besides, many U. S. cities (70) ______. In a word, solutions that have been successful in a place should be adopted and tried in another place.Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A (5 marks)Directions: There are 5 blanks in the passage. For each blank, some letters of the word has been given (not exceeding 3 letters). Read the passage below and think of the word which best fits each blank. Use only one word in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet. w w w .100y i n g y u .c o mFormal education for girls historically has been secondary to that for boys. In colonial America girls could (71) a________ schools for boys only when there was room, usually during the summer when most of the boys were working. By the end of the 19th century, however, the number of women students had increased (72) gr________. Higher education particularly was broadened by the rise of women's colleges and the (73) ad________ of women to regular colleges and universities. In 1870 an estimated one fifth of resident college and university students were women. By 1900 the (74) pr________ had increased to more than one third. In 1985 about 53 percent of all college students were women, more than one (75) q________ of whom were above age 29.Section B (10 marks)Directions: There are 10 blanks in the passage. Use the word given in each blanket to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Financial Synergy, one of Australia's (76) ________ (lead) financial services industry and an NGIV member, today announced the (77) ________ (appoint) of Robert Gould to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr Gould brings to Financial Synergy a (78) ________ (wealth) of financial services experience from prior executive positions at RACV , BP Credit Union and ANZ. As Financial Synergy's CEO, Mr Gould will focus on (79) ________ (far) developing the business to achieve best outcomes for all shareholders.“I am (80) ________ (extreme) pleased to welcome Rob Gould to the Financial Synergy team,” said David Orford, (81) ________ (manage) Director of Financial Synergy.“His executive experience and industry knowledge, (82) ________ (combine) with his track record in business success, make him an ideal leader for Financial Synergy.”Mr Gould has over twenty years' experience in the financial services sector. (83) ________ (priority) to joining the Financial Synergy team, he was General Manager of RACV's Finance Company completing a major acquisition, he served as CEO of BP Credit Union achieving business growth, and spent nine years in a (84) ________ (serial) of roles at the ANZ Banking Group. This included a position at ANZ Funds Management where he developed the ANZ Superannuation Savings account together with enhancement to their product range and customer experience.“This is a great opportunity,” Mr Gould said and (85) ________ (continue),“Financial Synergy is experiencing tremendous growth and I welcome the challenge of developing the business to maintain its leading position into the future.”Part V Translation (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A (8 marks)Directions: Translate the underlined sentences of the following passage into Chinese. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Suppose you are driving on a highway with three lanes going in your direction and you come upon a toll plaza with six toll booths. Three toll booths are straight ahead in the three lanes of traffic, and the three other booths are off to the right. Which lane should you choose? (86) There are usually enough people searching for the shortest line so as to make all the lines about the same length.The term profit in economics has a very precise meaning. Economists, however, often loosely w w w .100y i n g y u .c o m。
全国大学生英语竞赛b类试题及答案
全国大学生英语竞赛b类试题及答案全国大学生英语竞赛B类试题及答案一、听力理解（共20分）1. 听下面一段对话，回答以下问题。
（每题2分，共4分）(1) What is the man going to do?A. Go to the cinemaB. Go to the libraryC. Go to the supermarketAnswer: B(2) Why does the woman suggest going to the library?A. It's closerB. It's quieterC. It's cheaperAnswer: B2. 听下面一段短文，回答以下问题。
（每题2分，共4分）(1) What is the main topic of the passage?A. Environmental protectionB. EducationC. TechnologyAnswer: A(2) What does the speaker suggest we should do?A. Reduce wasteB. Use public transportationC. Plant more treesAnswer: A二、阅读理解（共30分）1. 阅读下面短文，回答以下问题。
（每题2分，共10分）(1) What is the author's opinion about the new policy?A. PositiveB. NegativeC. NeutralAnswer: A(2) What is the main purpose of the new policy?A. To increase revenueB. To reduce pollutionC. To improve public healthAnswer: B2. 阅读下面短文，回答以下问题。
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛真题[1]
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2008年全国大学生英语竞赛真题Part IListening Comprehension (25 minutes, 30 marks)Section A(5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be read only once. After each question, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.1. A. The man is not suitable for the position.B. The job has been given to someone else.C. She hadn't received the man's application.2. A. He is going to see his section chief.B. He is going to have a job interview.C. He is going to see his girlfriend.3. A. Ask to see the man's ID card.B. Get the briefcase for the man.C. Show the man her documents.4. A. The dorm room is too crowded.B. There is no kitchen in the building.C. No one looks after the dorm building.5. A. She was always in good shape.B. She stopped exercising one year ago.C. She lost a lot of weight in one year.Section B (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. Each conversation will be read only once. At the end of each conversation, there will be a one-minute pause. During the pause, you must read the five questions, each withthree choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Conversation One6. What is soon to open in China?A. The French Movie Festival.B. The French Cultural Year.C. The French Food Festival.7. How many exhibitions will be held for this activity?A. 200.B. 20.C. 100.8. What will be held at the foot of the Great Wall?A. The City Concert.B. The Opening Ceremony.C. The Great Lunch.9. Which of the following cities is not included in this activity?A. Chongqing.B. Wuhan.C. Shenzhen.10. What will certainly make great contributions to this activity?A. Internet.B. TV shows.C. Newspapers.Conversation Two11. What sound more like a native speaker in a casual conversation?A. Examples.B. Verbs.C. Idioms.12. Which of the following sounds more informal and more natural?A. Get together.B. Meet.C. See.13. Which of the following means that you cannot interrupt me?A. I'm tied up.B. I have a lot on my plate.C. I'm busy.14. In American culture, what is considered important in a conversation?A. Using proper languageB. Making eye contact.C. Looking at your own feet.15. In business, how might Americans feel about you if you are looking away?A. You're feeling ashamed.B. You're telling the truth.C. You're telling a lie.Section C (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short news items. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the question and then the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.16. How long will it take for new forests to grow back?A. 65 years.B. 20 years.C. 40 years.17. What did Jimmy Carter plan to focus his efforts on after leaving the White House in 1981?A. A presidential library.B. Camp David.C. Winning a second term.18. What was regarded as the lifeblood of the country of the Maldives?A. Oil.B. Agriculture.C. Tourism.19. What is responsible for the death of many people in developing countries?A. The development of resistance to diseases.B. The difficulty to cure new emerging diseases.C. The inability of the poor to afford medicine.20. What released an estimated 8.7 million tons of the global warming gas?A. Cars.B. Wildfires.C. Wars.Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear a short passage. There are ten missing words or phrases in it. Fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear on the tape. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.A researcher says lead in the environment could be a major cause of violence by young people. Doctor Herbert Needleman is a (21) ________ at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and he (22) ________ his findings at the yearly meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Doctor Needleman says the presence of lead in the (23) ________ changes the neurons that control actions and that can cause a person to act in antisocial and (24) ________ ways.In the 1970s, Doctor Needleman found lower scores on (25) ________ even in children who did not have such signs of lead poisoning. After that, lead was (26)________ gasoline and paint in the United States. Yet many homes still have old lead paint. Lead was also used in older (27) ________. In fact, officials just announced stronger testing and reporting requirements as from next year for lead in American drinking water.The newest research shows that even very small amounts of lead in bones can affect brain development. A simple (28)________ can measure lead except that an X-ray process is needed to measure levels in bone. In 2004, such tests were done on 190 young people who were (29) ________ and the findings showed that their average levels were higher than normal. And, in 1998, three hundred children were studied and the test scores showed higher levels of (30) ________ problems in those with increased levels of lead. Yet these levels were still considered safe by the government.Part II Vocabulary and Structure (10 minutes, 15 marks)Directions: There are 15 incomplete sentences in this part. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31. So nervous ________ that she didn't know how to start her speech.A. since she becameB. would she becomeC. that she becameD. did she become32. He ________ another career but, at the time, he just wanted to earn money to study abroad.A. might have chosenB. might chooseC. had to chooseD. must have chosen33. The second report was ________ by August 2005, but one year later it was still nowhere in sight.A. submittedB. to have submittedC. to submitD. to have been submitted34. In this experiment, the students studied are stopped several times during the listening test and asked to report what they ________ during the pause before answering the questions.A. had just been thinking aboutB. have just been thinking aboutC. are just thinking aboutD. had just thought about35. I was always taught that it was ________ to interrupt.A. rudeB. coarseC. roughD. crude36. Small boys are ________ questioners. They ask questions all the time.A. originalB. peculiarC. imaginativeD. persistent37. We regret to inform you that the materials you ordered are ________.A. out of workB. out of reachC. out of stockD. out of practice38. The bomb will ________ the moment it is touched.A. go onB. go offC. go outD. go over39. The car won't ________; I've tried it several times, but it won't work.A. beginB. launchC. startD. drive40. Children and old people do not like having their daily ________ upset.A. habitB. routineC. practiceD. custom41. In your first few days at school you'll be given a test to help the teachers to ________ you to a class at your level.A. locateB. assignC. deliverD. place42. China only started its nuclear power industry in recent years, and should ________ no time in catching up.A.loseB.delayC. spareD. relieve43. — You did an excellent job yesterday, Jim! I really enjoyed your presentation.— ________— Oh yeah, it was fabulous. It seems the English program is a great way to practice English.— Yeah. It is fun and motivating.A. Did you really?B. Oh, thank you. You are so kind.C. Really? What about yours?D. Not at all. My pleasure.44. — What kind of music do you like?— Well, I like different kinds.— ________— Er, I especially like punk rock.A. I beg your pardon?B. Are you serious?C. Any in particular?D. Why do you think so?45. — How did you like the fashion show last night?— ________—I didn't see anything wrong with the clothes; they looked pretty nice to me.— Do you really think people can wear that stuff and walk around in streets?A. Impressive. It's a good way to show off women's sense of style and wealth.B. It was cool. The clothes are more beautiful than the people wearing them.C. Nothing serious. It's only a show to attract the eyes of fashion fans.D. It was dumb. I think it's stupid for women to wear clothes like that.Part III Reading Comprehension (20 minutes, 40 marks)Section A (4 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 4 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 46-49 are based on the following passage.The ability to “see” oneself in the future is a remarkable human trait - some would say unique - that is not well understood. That's despite the fact that we probably spend as much time thinking about the future as we do thinking about the present.Now new research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that it's precisely because we can remember the past that we can visualize the future. “Our findings provide convincing support for the idea that memory and future thought are highly interrelated and help explain why future thought may be impossible without memories,” says doctoral candidate Karl Szpunar. The findings are consistent with other research showing that persons with little memory of the past, such as young children or individuals suffering from loss of memory, are less able to see themselves in the future.The researchers base their conclusions on brain scans of 21 college students who were cued to think about something in their past, and anticipate the same event in the future, like a birthday or getting lost. The experiment was carried out as each student lay on their stomach in a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a dreadful but very useful piece of equipment that can show which areas of the brain are stimulated during specific thought processes.The students were also asked to picture former President Bill Clinton in a past and future setting. Clinton was chosen because he was easily recognized and familiar to all the students.The researchers found a “surprisingly complete overlap” among regions of the brain used for remembering the student's past and those used for picturing the future. And every region involved in remembering was also used in anticipating the future.In short, the researchers isolated the area of the brain that “lit up” when the students thought about an event in their own past. And more importantly, that same area lit up again when they thought about a similar event in their future. In fact, the researchers report that the brain activity was so similar in both cases that it was “indistinguishable.”The findings were reinforced when students imagined Bill Clinton. Since none of them knew him personally, their memories were not autobiographical. And the brain scans showed “significantly less” correlation between memories of having seen pictures of Clinton in the White House and projecting him into the future.So this “time machine,” as the researchers describe it, allows us to use the past to see ourselves in the future, and both our memories and our anticipation are interdependent.46. A remarkable human trait that is not well understood is the ability ________.A. to think about the pastB. to see the futureC. to remember the pastD. to control the present47. The findings support that ________.A. future goals will greatly influence a person's present performanceB. a person's present performance is determined by his / her past knowledgeC. future thought depends to a great degree on the memory of the pastD. present thought is impossible without the ability to imagine the future48. The conclusion of the experiment on students was that ________.A. the students could picture themselves better than Bill Clinton in a past and future settingB. the students could imagine themselves as well as Bill Clinton in a past and future settingC. the students could anticipate Bill Clinton better than themselves in a past and future settingD. the students could only picture themselves in a past and future setting but not Bill Clinton49. This “time machine” in the last paragraph most probably refers to ________.A. clockB. brain scanningC. magnetic resonance imagingD. memorySection B (14 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet. For questions 50-55, mark Y (for YES)if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 56-59, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Visiting the White HouseWhite House Tours Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday , and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.White House Visitor CenterAll tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, before or after their tour. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Please note that restrooms are available, but food service is not.Mobility-Impaired / Using a WheelchairGuests requiring the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building upon arrival.Wheelchairs loans are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not possible.Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, on the Congressional guided or self-guided tours, between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon, use the same Visitor entrance and, with up to four members of their party, are admitted without waiting in line and without tickets.Visitors in wheelchairs are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the ground floor, and by elevator from the ground to the state floor. Guests generally wait in line with their family or group.Hearing-ImpairedTours for hearing-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. Tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer conducts the tour in sign language. Signed tours are available to groups of 8 to 20. Groups are also encouraged to bring their own interpreters.Signing interpretation is also available for individual visitors with advance notice. A Congressional office first issues guided tour tickets to a guest who is hearing-impaired and then contacts the Visitors Office at least 2 weeks in advance to request interpreter service.The Visitors Office TDD (telephone device for the deaf) is 202-456-2121. Messages may be left outside normal business hours.Visually-ImpairedTours for visually-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. The tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer permits visitors to touch specific objects in the House. Touch tours are currently available only to groups of 8 to 20, not to individual visitors. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.General Tour InformationAll White House tours are free. Changes in tour schedules are occasionally made because of official events. Notice may not be given until that morning. The Visitors Office 24-hour Information Line recording at 202-456-7041 provides the most up-to-date information. The TDD is 202-456-2121. Visitors should confirm tour schedules by calling the information line the night before and the morning that they plan to visit. It is occasionally necessary to close individual rooms on the tour; however, notice about closed rooms is not possible. Prohibited ItemsProhibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons / devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.ParkingThe closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House, and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.Restrooms / Public TelephonesThe nearest restrooms and public telephones to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House) and in the White House Visitor Center. Restrooms or public telephones are not available at the White House.50. Both Congressional guided and self-guided tours need to be scheduled in advance.51. All White House tours are free of charge except on federal holidays.52. The White House Visitor Center provides free drinks but not food service.53. Wheelchair reservation service is provided by the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building.54. Hearing-impaired visitors can request signing interpretation service from the Visitors Office.55. Touch tours are currently only offered to visually-impaired groups of 8 to 20.56. Sometimes official events make it necessary to close ________________ without notice.57. The personal items permitted to be carried into the White House are________________.58. The transportation visitors are encouraged to use is ________________.59. Inside the White House, visitors cannot find or use restrooms or________________.Section C (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions in as few words as possible (not more than 10 words). Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 60-64 are based on the following passage.If you were on a distant planet, and if you had instruments that could tell you the composition of Earth's atmosphere, how would you know there was life on this planet?Water in the atmosphere would suggest there could be water on the surface, and as we all know water is considered crucial to life. But water would only suggest that life is possible. It wouldn't prove it's there.Carbon? That basic component of “life as we know it?” Not necessarily. A diamond is pure carbon, and it may be pretty, but it isn't alive.What really sets Earth apart is nitrogen, which makes up 80 percent of the planet's atmosphere. And it's there only because there is abundant life on Earth, say scientists at the University of Southern California.The report grew out of a class discussion two years ago in a course taught by Capone and Kenneth Nealson, professor of earth sciences. Students were asked to come up with different ideas about searching for life on other planets. What is a distinct “signature,” as Capone puts it, that would show there is life on another planet?That's a question that has been kicked around in many quarters in recent decades, especially since all efforts to find some form of life, no matter whether on Mars or in the distant reaches of space, have failed. At least so far.The current effort to search for some evidence of life on Mars focuses primarily on the search for water, because it has long been believed that water, or at least some fluid, is necessary for the chemical processes that lead life to take place. But that's probably the wrong approach, the USC group argues.“It's ha rd to imagine life without water, but it's easy to imagine water without life,” says Nealson, who was on the Mars team before moving to USC.But nitrogen would be a much clearer signature of life. Only about 2 percent to 3 percent of the Martian atmosphere is nitrogen. That's just a trace, and it probably means there is no life on Mars today, and if there was in the past, it probably ended many, many years ago.But, the USC team adds quickly, that doesn't mean there's no life anywhere else in the universe. They don't know where, of course, but they may have found a wayto narrow down the search. Look first for nitrogen, then look for biological activity that should be there.So if life exists elsewhere, and is similar to life as we know it, there should be nitrogen, and that's what we should be looking for first, the researchers say.If they don't find nitrogen on Mars, Capone says, “that will probably bring us to the conclusion that there likely never was life on Mars.”But how about elsewhere? Could this technique be used to search for life in other solar systems?Maybe. It might be possible to detect a nitrogen-rich atmosphere around a planet orbiting another star, but not yet. Current instruments aren't that sensitive.If they ever are, the search for life might be narrowed down to the most promising prospects, chiefly because of the presence of nitrogen. And won't that be fun!Questions:60. What can suggest life is possible but cannot be proved according to the author?61. What is a cl ear “signature” of life on another planet according to Capone?62. What is considered as a wrong way to search for evidence of life on Mars?63. What can probably prove there is no life on Mars today based on the new theory?64. Why is it impossible to use the new technique to search for life in other solar systems now?Section D (12 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing a maximum of three words from the passage to fill in the spaces 65-70. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 65-70 are based on the following passage.In August 2008, athletes from the United States and around the world will compete in the Beijing Olympics. But did you know that in September of next year, disabled athletes will compete in the Paralympic Games in Beijing?The Olympics and the Paralympics are separate movements. But they have always been held in the same year, and since 1988, they have also been held in the same city. The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed an agreement in 2001 to secure this connection. The next winter games will take place in Vancouver, Canada, in 2010.The Paralympic Games grew out of a sports competition held in 1948 in England and a doctor named Ludwig Guttmann organized it for men who suffered spinal cord injuries in World War II. Four years later, it became an international event as competitors from the Netherlands took part. Then, in 1960, the first Paralympics were held in Rome. 400 athletes from 23 countries competed. By 2004, the Paralympic Games in Athens had almost 4000 athletes from 136 countries, who may have physical or mental limitations and may be blind or in wheelchairs. Yet sometimes they perform better than athletes without disabilities.In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, started the Special Olympics, which are just for children and adults with mental limitations and whose programs currently serve more than two million people in 160 countries. In November 2006, in Mumbai, India, teams competed in the First Special Olympics International Cricket Cup. In addition to India, there were men's teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. There were also women's cricket teams from India and Pakistan.There are many organizations in the United States that help people with disabilities play sports. Wheelchair tennis is a popular sport. So is basketball. In fact, there are more than one hundred professional teams playing wheelchair basketball thanks to the special wheelchairs for athletes that are lightweight and designed for quick moves. For people who want to go really fast in their chairs, there is a Power Wheelchair Racing Association.In the state of Utah there is a place called the National Ability Center, which teaches all kinds of sports to people with all kinds of physical and mental disabilities and even gives friends and family members a chance to try a sport as if they were disabled.A reporter from the Washington Post wanted to know what it would be like for a blind person to use a climbing wall. So, protected by a safety line, the newspaper reporter closed his eyes and started to feel for places to put his hands and feet.Trainers on the ground urged him on: “Take your time. You can do it.” Finally he reached the top.At the National Ability Center people can learn to ride horses and mountain bikes. They can try winter mountain sports, and learn scuba diving and other water activities. The center also prepares athletes for the Paralympics.These days, the first place many people go when they want to travel is the Internet, where they can get information about hotels, transportation and services like tour companies. The Internet can also help travelers find special services for the disabled. For example, there are groups that help young people with disabilities travel to different countries.Susan Sygall, who uses a wheelchair herself, leads an organization called Mobility International USA, and has traveled to more than twenty-five countries to talk about the rights of people with disabilities. She says people with disabilities are all members of a global family and working together across borders is the most powerful way of making changes.Summary:Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A: There are 5 blanks in the passage. Use the word given on the right side to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.。
大学生英语竞赛(NECCS)B类英语专业初赛真题2008年(无听力)
全国大学生英语竞赛B类考试2008年初赛试题Part I Listening ComprehensionSection AIn this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be read only once. After each question, there will be a pause. During the pause, read the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.1. A. Rent a car. B. Buy a car. C. Sell his car.2. A. Every day. B. Twice a week. C. Twice a month.3. A. He wants to see a lot of people this week.B. He's going away on holiday next week.C. He has a lot of meetings this week.4. A. Tomorrow evening.B. Tomorrow afternoon.C. Tomorrow morning.5. A. In the kitchen. B. In the bathroom. C. In the bedroom.6. A. At the dentist's.B. At a doctor's surgery.C. In a teacher's office.7. A. Because he didn't finish the proposal.B. Because his proposal wasn't mentioned in the report.C. Because his report was too long.8. A. From a guide book B. From the Internet. C. From a friend.9. A. It became too big.B. It no longer interested her.C. She wanted to sell it.10. A. In a station. B. In a shop. C. In a restaurant.Section BIn this section, you will hear an interview. The conversationwill be played only once. At the end of the conversation, there will be a one-minute pause. During the pause, read the five questions, each with three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.11. What made one firm of publishers refuse to accept Dominic's first book?A. Its subject.B. Its style.C. Its length.12. What did Dominic want from the characters in his books?A. To be as realistic as possible.B. To change as the story developed.C. To be knowledgeable and lovable.13. What happened after Dominic finished writing his series of books?A. Readers wanted more books in that series.B. He got tired of receiving letters.C. Many publishers offered him contracts.14. What is Dominic's ambition at the moment?A. To win an award in the science-fiction field.B. To get more people to read his novels.C. To improve his story-telling skills.15. Why did Dominic agree to have his book series made into a film?A. He wanted a rest from writing.B. He was promised high earnings.C. He was the first ever to be offered the chance.Section CIn this section, you will hear 5 short news items. Each item will be read only once. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, read the question and the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.16. What is the new discovery about?A. Converting A, B and AB blood types into type O blood.B. A safe way of transfusing blood.C. An important use of type O blood.17. When did Castro last appear in a live broadcast?A. More than 7 months ago.B. 5 months ago.C. Less than 3 months ago.18. What is the winner going to do with the money?A. Give all of it to other people.B. Spend all of it on himself.C. Give some of it to other people and spend some of it on himself.19. What kind of mixture is the new treatment?A. Raw olive leaves and milk.B. Raw olive leaves and water.C. Raw olive leaves and beer.20. What is David Burke now using to teach foreign languages to American children?A. Fairy tales.B. American idioms.C. American slang.Section DIn this section, you will hear two students who want to be chosen as student representative in their college. It will be played onlyonce. For answers 21-30, complete the notes by writing a word or a short phrase. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.LINDA:Linda wants the college to offer better advice on (21)Students need more information about jobs (22)She thinks the college should develop closer ties with (23)She'd like students to raise money for people who are (24)She wants to improve the facilities in the (25)DARREN:Darren intends to prevent a rise in the price of (26)He wants to set up (27)He thinks students need a centre where they can go for (28)He criticizes the way the college handles (29)He'd like to invite a greater variety of (30)Part II Multiple ChoiceSection AThere are 10 incomplete sentences in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31. Shaka ______ power and became the king of the Zulus upon the death of his father.A. assumedB. resumedC. consumedD. presumed32. To say that a soldier fought in battle like a lion may be a good descriptive ______, but it does not mean that he was on all fours, roaring and wagging his tail!A. anecdoteB. analogueC. analogyD. analysis33. Many people living around the stadium ______ about theviolent behaviour of the Soccer fans.A. complainB. disapproveC. criticizeD. object34. Astronomy has to deal with the largest bodies and the greatest distances in the universe; ______, chemistry has to deal with the smallest particles and the shortest distances in the universe.A. likewiseB. consequentlyC. on the other handD. so35. Tony's salary as a plumber is much higher than ______.A. a teacherB. a teacher hasC. that of a teacher doesD. that of a teacher36. If you took more than your share of the money, you should at once ______ by returning the extra.A. give upB. make amendsC. feel ashamedD. get punished37. In this experiment, they are wakened several times during the night, and asked to report what they ______.A. had just been dreamingB. had just dreamtC. are just dreamingD. have just been dreaming38. Detectives ______ from the clues who had committed the crime.A. deductedB. deducedC. deemedD. doomed39. After a whole day' s heavy work, the old worker returned home, ______.A. being hungry and exhaustingB. hungry and exhaustedC. being hungry and exhaustedD. hungry and exhausting40. Salesperson: Can I help you, sir?Customer: Yes, I bought this watch from you last week and I've been having a few problems with it.Salesperson: ______Customer: When I bought this you said it was waterproof, but when1 wore it in the swimming pool it filled with water.A. That's impossible.B. I'm sure it's all right.C. Did you buy it here?D. What's the trouble?Section BThere are 5 incomplete statements or questions about some English speaking countries in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the most suitable answerer from the given choices. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.41. ______ is the core leadership committee of the British government.A. ParliamentB. Privy councilC. Central governmentD. The Cabinet42. In the 1960s, pop music underwent a revolution when ______ became world famous and turned their home town of Liverpool into a place of pilgrimage.A. the Beach BoysB. the Rolling StoneC. the AnimalsD. the Beatles43. Who was the leader of the Federalists in the early history of the United States?A. JeffersonB. HamiltonC. WashingtonD. Lincoln44. Shakespeare's greatest tragedies are ______.A. Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and MacbethB. Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and King JohnC. Hamlet, Cymbeline, King Lear and The Merchant of VeniceD. Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Othello and Macbeth45. The period ranging from 1865 to 1914 has been referred to as ______ in American literature.A. the Age of ColonialismB. the Age of RomanticismC. the Age of RealismD. the Age of ModernismPart III Reading ComprehensionSection AThere is one passage in this section with 5 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Halliday's writing leaned very much back to the left. He was the only pupil in the class who wrote in this way. He was a nuisance in poetry lessons as he would giggle and make faces and could never be persuaded to read aloud. His silly behaviour made me believe that he didn't like poetry. However, When I gave the class a test in which they had to write down some poetry they had learned by heart, Halliday seemed to know the most.Halliday had a special dislike for art and I allowed him to read during this period. He never volunteered for drama and refused to make a speech. Football was the one thing at which he excelled, but the sports teacher decided that he did not assert himself enough and he made another boy captain. This boy, named John Jones, could hardly read or write. All attempts to make him work failed, but he captained the team with amazing skill.I remember an occasion when he led our school eleven out of the changing rooms for a cup match against our fiercest rivals, the team from nearby Winterton School. The Winterton girls' hockey team had already beaten our own girls' team and this—plus their excellent start to the season—had raised their morale to a fearsome level. Even so, John played like a true professional. Our only scorer, he made good use of Halliday's passes and scored a goal for every two that the Winterton players could manage between them. Though Kingston lost, the match was a triumph for Captain Jones!In spite of all this, the pupil who impressed me most in the end was David Halliday. He gained my admiration on a day when I had his class for art. They came into the hut shouting and pushing and I sent them out again and told them they would not have a lesson until they walked in properly. They thought it was fun to waste as much time as possible, and they jeered and cheered outside the hut. I let them go on for a minute. Suddenly the noise stopped and in marched Halliday.'They' re all right now,' he said. 'I've got them lined up.' I looked outside and sure enough the pupils of class 2D were arranged like well drilled soldiers; they were in order of size and in perfect line and so still I could see them shivering in the chilly air. 'Walk in quietly,' Halliday commanded. They obeyed their superior officer and the lesson began. Halliday himself, as usual, refused to work.'Can I just sit and have a nap?' he asked. After the help he had given me, I could hardly refuse.QUESTIONS:46. Halliday stood out from the other pupils because of his______.A. beautiful handwritingB. poor results in poetry testsC. good behaviourD. football skills47. The match against Winterton was a triumph for John Jones because ______.A. his team wonB. he scored all Kingston's goalsC. he organized the team wellD. he was chosen as Kingston's captain instead of Halliday.48. After being turned out of the hut, class 2D started behaving themselves because ______.A. the teacher asked them to behaveB. they thought they might be punishedC. David Halliday took control of the situationD. they wanted to start the lesson49. How did the teacher react when Halliday asked to have a napin class?A. He was furious.B. He was amused.C. He gave a permission.D. He refused permission.50. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?A. The Big Match.B. Jones to the Rescue!C. A Difficult Class.D. A memorable student!Section BThere is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Read the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet.[1] For some people it is extreme education: 10-hour days, contracts with parents and very strict rules on behaviour in small, 200-pupil academies. The result in a new type of school in the US is 100% acceptance to college, test results as good as those in private schools, and teenagers from New York's South Bronx district who play the viola like their neighbours in Manhattan.[2] James Verrilh, principal of the North Star Academy in Newark, America's second poorest city, said: 'These kids know drugs. These kids know crime and violence. Their fathers are in jail. We have a school culture here which is very different from the attitude they have when they first walk through the door. It's a culture that tells them they can go to college.'[3] At the North Star Academy children like Charism and Queen-Area smile politely as they shake your hand and welcome you in. About 85% of pupils are African-American and 90% get free school meals. Last year 80% got 'proficient or advanced' grades in maths, compared with just 28% in the local neighbourhood school. This was above thestate average. Pupils work in silence with a professionalism theyhave learned during a three-day process. From the beginning pupilsare taught to speak clearly, answer questions in full sentences and look the teacher in the eye.[4] Parents have to sign a three-way contract with their childand the principal, and must promise to participate themselves. When a child's homework isn't handed in by 8 am, there is a phone call home. When the parent doesn't turn up for a meeting, their child is not allowed back into school until they turn up. There are signs saying'No excuses' on the walls. 'I was working until 11 last night. I'm tired, but I know I've got to work,' says one 11-year-old, as she finishes up her homework over breakfast. 'Even my mother's gone backto school since I've been here.' Pupils are tested every six weeksand their results are examined carefully.[5] 'As a principal of a small school, I know how every child is progressing and how they are behaving,' says Mr. Verrilh. He alsosits in on classes himself, observing the students and writing notes for the teachers.[6] North Star and other small schools like it have developedfrom the charter school move- ment in the US. The 3,500 charter schools are independent schools, funded by the state, and al- lowed more freedom to set policies, including their admissions procedures. North Star runs a lottery for admissions and has 1,800 children onthe waiting list. Parents have to put their child's name into the lottery ; three times more girls apply than boys.[7] Mr. Verrilli strongly rejects the idea that his studentsmight not be the ones most in need. 'It's quite wrong to say that parents from disadvantaged backgrounds don't care about their kids' education. Ninety five percent of parents just want a bettereducation for their children. We're not taking the best kids. I'm defensive about that. It's something a lot of people say. How hard is it to put your child's name down on a piece of paper?' he said.[8] Every child who attends the Kipp (Knowledge is Power Programme) academy in south Bronx, New York, plays in its orchestra, the best school orchestra in New York. Every child can read music. Shirley Lee, a director of the Kipp academy in the Bronx, says the school works because there is a consistent structure throughout the school. 'The truth and reality is that kids like structure,' she said. 'It's about telling them what's appropriate and them learning when to use it. I wouldn't talk to you like I am now if I was out in some of these areas. But if we teach them to look in my eyes when I'mspeaking to them, they will use that if they get stopped by thepolice and that will protect them.'[9] In the UK, there is a growing political debate about the differences in academic achieve- ment between rich and poor in schools in big cities. A recent report highlighted the growing gap in achievement and the government is trying to deal with this problem. Three London academies are experimenting with small school principles and last week a group of British teachers in training visited the US looking for methods they could use to deal with the problems of'complex urban education'.[10] Ark, a UK educational charity, is taking key components of the small school model into London academies. Lucy Heller, managing director of Ark, says : 'It's small schools, strict rules on behaviour and a firm belief that inner city children can be just as successful.' The UK schools minister says small schools can teach disadvantaged children the skills that middle class children take for granted: 'High ambition, zero tolerance of failure, an expectation that children will go to u niversity and that schools will give them the education to go to university.'[11] Ark is also helping to fund the 30 'Future Leaders' group on the school leadership training scheme visiting the US. The trainees are expected to take some of the ideas they experience in the US back home to the UK. Many of them think it will be difficult to transfer the model to the UK, however. They talk about the fact that most of the US schools are middle schools, for 10-14 year-olds. The model has been tested less in the secondary school age group (11-18). They also ask where the money to fund smaller schools will come from, though others point out the fact that in the US facilities are basic. 'They don't even have interactive whiteboards,' says one of the group's mentors. 'They just teach. Small schools might not be practical in the UK, but what I really want these new school leaders to take back is the sense of culture in these schools.'QUESTIONS 51-55:For answers 51-55, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.51. Newark is the poorest city in the US.52. Pupils at the North Star Academy are better at maths thankids in the local neighborhood school.53. If a pupil doesn't hand in their homework by 8 am, the school calls their parents.54. Mr. Verrilli graduated from Harvard University in 1989.55. The UK is planning to start academies like the US schools.QUESTIONS 56-60:For answers 56-60, find these words or expressions in the text. Paragraph numbers are given to help you.56. A phrasal verb meaning arrive. ( Para 4)57. A verb meaning provide the money for something that costs a lot. (Para 6)58. An adjective meaning not changing. (Para 8)59. A verb meaning emphasize. (Para 9)60. A three-word expression meaning expect something always to happen without thinking about any possible problems. (Para 10) Section CIn this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, and then answer the questions in a maximum of 10 words. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Pavarotti Dies Aged 71The Italian opera star Luciano Pavarotti died at his home in Modena, aged 71. The tenor, who helped take opera to a new mass audience, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and had further treatment in August 2007.His manager, Terri Robson, said Pavarotti died at 5 am on September 6. 'The maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. Characteristically, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness,' Mr. Robson said in a statement.Pavarotti was considered by some critics to have been the greatest tenor since Enrico Caruso. He made his professional debut in 1961, as Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohemeat the opera house in Reggio Emilia. His most celebrated performance came at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, where he hit nine high Cs in Donizetti's La fille du regiment.But Pavarotti reached a new global audience during the 1990 football World Cup, when his interpretation of the Puccini aria Nessun Dorma was chosen as the tournament's theme tune. It became an international hit. Later, Essential Pavarotti became the first classical album to reach number 1 in the UK charts.The 1990 World Cup was also the venue of the first of the hugely popular Three Tenor concerts that Pavarotti performed with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. His most high-profile performance in Britain was the Pavarotti in the Park concert, in a rain-sodden Hyde Park in 1991. His friend, Diana, Princess of Wales, was in the front row.Like many opera stars, Pavarotti also had a reputation for being demanding. At a Royal Variety performance in Edinburgh, he reportedly demanded a fully fitted kitchen to be built into his hotel suite. He also frequently cancelled concerts at short notice. But he also raised millions of pounds for good causes around the world in a number of charity performances.Domingo led the tributes to his fellow tenor. 'I always admired the God-given glory of his voice,' he said. 'I also loved his wonderful sense of humor and on several occasions during our concerts with Jose Carreras we had trouble remembering that we were giving a concert before a paying audience, because we had so much fun between ourselves.'The British tenor Russell Watson told GMTV that Pavarotti was'without question' the man who brought opera to the people. "The World Cup was the Three Tenors led by Pavarotti, with a very entertaining version of Nessun Dorma. In fact, it's now called'Pavarotti's Nesson Dorma' ," Watson said. 'His voice was so distinctive you only needed to listen to a couple of bars and you knew it was him, he had incredible power and control.'QUESTIONS:61. What was the cause of Pavarotti's death?62. Where did Pavarotti first perform professionally?63. Who were The Three Tenors?64. How did Pavarotti raise money for good causes?65. Which piece of operatic music do people usually associate with Pavarotti?Section DIn this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing no more than four words from the passage. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.As a result of all these factors, when the recession eases and people find more confidence, there will be an explosion of employeesseeking new opportunities to escape their current jobs. This will be led by younger, less-experienced employees and the hard-headed young graduates. 'Headhunters' confirm that older staff are still cautious, having seen so many good companies 'go to the wall' , and arereluctant to jeopardize their redundancy entitlements. Past experience, however, suggests that, once triggered, the expansion in recruitment will be very rapid.The problem which faces many organizations is one of strategic planning; of not knowing who will leave and who will stay. Often itis the best personnel who move on whilst the worst cling to thelittle security they have. This is clearly a problem for companies, who need a stable core on which to build strategies for future growth.Whilst this expansion in the recruitment market is likely to happen soon in Britain, most employers are simply not prepared. With the loss of middle management, in a static marketplace, personnel management and recruitment are often conducted by junior personnel. They have only known recession and lack the experience to plan ahead and to implement strategies for growth. This is true of many other functions, leaving companies without the skills, ability or vision to structure themselves for long-term growth. Without this ability to recruit competitively for strategic planning, and given the speed at which these changes are likely to occur, a real crisis seems imminent.SUMMARY:Taking all of these various factors into consideration, when the economy picks up and people (66) , there will be a very rapid expansion in recruitment. Younger employees and graduates will lead the search for new jobs, older staff being more (67) Not knowing who will leave creates a problem for companies ; they need a (68) of personnel to plan and build future strategies. This is a serious matter, as (68) are often conducted by inexperienced staff, owing to the loss of many middle management positions. This inability torecruit strategically will leave many companies without the skillsand vision to plan ahead and (70) to achieve long-term growth.Part IV ClozeSection AThere are 5 blanks in the passage. For each blank, two or three letters of the word have been given. Read the passage below anddecide which word best fits each blank using only one word in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.An Important English TownThe site of the town of Winchester was a natural place for a settlement at the point where a river cut through the chalk of the southern hillsides. A simple camp at St Catherine's Hill was the ear (71) known use of the site. This was followed by an Iron Age hill-fort, but this was left uninhabited by 100 BC. It was the Romans who finally established the town and sur (72) it with a defensive wallfor the protection of their people and trade.With the bu (73) of its first cathedral in the seventh century, the town became an important religious centre. Later, King Alfred, who had sue (74) pushed back the invading Danes, moved his palace to Winchester. The town then experienced rapid dev (75) and its central role in English history was underlined in 1066, when the conquering Normans, under King Alfred the great, made Winchester their capital.Section BThere are 10 blanks in the passage. Use the word given in each set of brackets to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.The ABC of CookingIt's a marvellous idea for children to do some cooking at an early age. Generally (76) (SPEAK) , most children can't wait to help in the kitchen and love getting involved in the (77) (PREPARE) of their meals. They should be (78) (ENCOURAGE) to do so, and care should be taken to (79) (SURE) they enjoy the experience. It is important to show them how to do things (80) (CORRECT) but they shouldn't be criticized too much. Although the finished result may not be quite to your (81) (LIKE), the young cook will undoubtedlyfind it quite the (82) (TASTY) food he or she has ever eaten. Kitchens can, of course, be (83) (DANGER) places and so the absolute (84) (IMPORTANT) of keeping an eye on children at all times cannot be emphasized too (85) (HEAVY). Sharp knives, for example, should be avoided until children are old enough to handle them safely.Part V TranslationSection ATranslate the underlined sentences of the following passage into Chinese. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.How to find true love?As a writer of romance novels, I create exotic fantasies. My heroines are beautiful, my heroes gilded with a touch of the legendary, my plots larger than life.Fans sometimes think of me as an 'expert' on love, but mychildren never ask my advice. When I try to give it anyway, they roll their eyes. (86) To them, I'm just Morn—too impossibly old-fashioned and ordinary to understand the winds of their times.Since they have reached their teens, however, their often painful searches for that special someone have left me sleepless many a night. There are so many things I wish for them that I am utterly powerlessto provide. Sometimes I imagine a little scene, Robby and Johanna ask me, 'Morn, how do I find true love?' here is what I say:1. Understand that love is a state of mind and heart.It is not dependent on beauty, physical strength or the romantic settings I use in my books. Though it may begin with infatuation, it moves from physical attraction in a golden curve, often involving sacrifice, to the deepest bond between two people.2. Settle for nothing less than total commitment.(87) A marriage certificate won't solve all your problems, but until you have the guarantee of one, you can't begin the struggle to forge yourselves into one unit against the world—the ultimate goal.A mate is the post you lean on, the person who, when you've really screwed up, loves you anyway. The only way to get that kind of mateis to make the dreadful leap of trust and be that kind of mate.3. Talk about everything—except divorce.I was not a talker when I met your dad. In my childhood, I'd learned that it was best to remain silent around my alcoholic father, who could twist any statement into a weapon. But Robert stubbornly refused to accept my silence. It was my first intimation of tile strength of his love. Your father and I learned this the hard way. During a trying period years ago, I found myself calmly saying,'Maybe we should get a divorce.' He answered, 'Maybe we should.' The day we frankly confronted the divorce option, we were not terribly angry with each other, but we had gradually let divorce become a real choice in our thinking. We made a pact, then and there, never againto mention the word 'divorce' in association with us. We haven'tdared break the pact in 17 years.4. Want the best for each other.Being married doesn't mean that you are glued together. One ofthe wonderful things about love is that it binds without crippling. Remember not all your activities, friends or enthusiasm will be the。
2008年6月PRETCO考试B级真题试卷
2008年6月PRETCO考试B级真题试卷Part I Listening ComprehensionDirections: This part is to test your listening ability. It consists of 3 sections.Section ADirections: This section is to test your ability to give proper responses. There are 5 recorded questions in it. After each question, there is a pause. The questions will be spoken two times. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer from the 4 choices marked A), B), C) and D) given in your test paper. Then you should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.Now the test will begin.1. A) A good idea.B) No problem.C) My pleasure.D) Of course not.2. A)B) In East Europe.C) In the countryside.D) After December 24.3. A) It was impossible.B) It was wonderful.C) So do I.D) I see.4. A) You are welcome.B) Sure. Where?C) How are you?D) Long time no see.5. A) Glad to meet you.B) I’m not sure.C) Go ahead.D) No, thanks.Section B6. A) Tea.B) Coffee.C) Water.D) Beer.7. A) He can’t call a taxi for her.B) There is no taxi.C) The traffic is heavy.D) The line is busy.8. A) Husband and wife.B) Patient and doctor.C) Teacher and student.D) Manager and secretary.9. A) On foot.B) By bus.C) By car.D) By bike.10. A) Buy a new computer.B) Try the computer again.C) Use her computer.D) Have .Section CDirections: In this section you will hear a recorded short passage. The passage is printed in the test paper, but with some words or phrases missing. The passage will be read three times. During the second reading, you are required to put the missing words or phrases on the Answer Sheet in order of the numbered blanks according to what you hear. The third reading is for you to check your writing. Now the passage will begin.Today more and more people begin to understand that study does not come to an end with school graduation. Education is not just a college -11- ; it is life itself. Many people are notinterested in studying at a college, and they are interested in -12- of learning. They may go to a -13- in their own field; they may improve their -14- skills by following television courses. They certainly more or learn more, they can get -15- jobs or earn more money.答案：11.degree 12.other kinds 13.training class 14.work 15.betterPart II —— Vocabulary & StructureDirections: This part is to test your ability to use words and phrases correctly to construct meaningful and grammatically correct sentences. It consists of 2 sections.Section ADirections: There are 10 incomplete statements here. You are required to complete each statement by choosing the appropriate answer from the 4 choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.16. Please keep a detailed ________ of the work that you have done.A) paperB) ideaC) exerciseD) record17. ________ our great surprise, speak four foreign languages.A) OfB) InC) ToD) For18. The department manager ________ a new plan to promote sales at the meeting.A) took awayB) put forwardC) looked afterD) got on19. What he told me to do was ________ I should get fully prepared before the interview.A) whatB) ifC) whichD) that20. When dealing with a ________ task, Alice always asks for help from people around her.A) difficultB) wonderfulC) funnyD) simple21. Location is the first thing customers consider when ________ to buy a house.A) planningB) plannedC) to planD) having planned22. Soft drink sales in this city have ________ by 8% compared with last year.A) pickedB) movedC) increasedD) pushed23. If I hadn’t attended an important meeting yesterday, I ________ to see you.A) will have comeB) would have comeC) have comeD) had come24. To obtain a visa to enter that country for the first time, you need to apply ________.A) in partB) in personC) in turnD) in place25. car was put into production in 2007, ________ helped to provide another 1400 jobs.A) thatB) whenC) whatD) whichSection BDirections: There are also 10 incomplete statements here. You should fill in each blank with the proper form of the word given in brackets. Write the word or words in the corresponding space on the Answer Sheet.26. My impression is that the sales of this company have (great) ________ increased this year.27. This picture (take) ________ by a young reporter in Beijing last month.28. Tom has made the (decide) ________ to apply for a job in the company.29. No reader is allowed (take) _________ any reference book out of the reading room.30. Although you may not (success) ________ in the beginning, you should keep on trying.31. Because light travels (fast) ________ than sound, lightning is seen before thunder (雷) is heard.32. The doctor recommended that Mary (start) ________ the health program as soon as possible.33. It took me several weeks to get used to (drive) ________ on the left side of the road in London.34. This medicine is highly (effect) _______ in treating skin cancer if it is applied early enough.35. Now who are working at home on the Internet (be) ________ still very small.答案：26.greatly 27.was taken 28.decision 29.to take 30.succeed31.faster 32.(should)start 33.driving 34.effective 35.isPart III Reading ComprehensionDirections: This part is to test your reading ability. There are 5 tasks for you to fulfill. You should read the reading materials carefully and do the tasks as you are instructed.Task 1Directions: After reading the following passage, you will find 5 questions or unfinished statements, numbered 36 to 40. For each question or statement there are 4 choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should make the correct choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.Falls are the number one cause of death to old people at home. Most old people can live safely at home if they make a few changes. Falls are common as people are getting older. Up to half of home accidents could be prevented simple changes. Here are a few suggestions:Mark trouble spots with bright tapes. The first and last steps on stairs are usually high-risk accident areas. Applying bright tapes and using bright light in these areas would make these spots easier to see.Put grab bars (扶手) in the bathroom. A large number of falls occur in the bathroom. This is unfortunate (不幸的) because it’s easy to make the area safe from accidents. Putting grab bars in the bathroom gives people something to hang on to.Invest in a personal alarm. A personal alarm can be started if a person falls or otherwise gets in trouble. With the push of a button, the alarm automatically sends a signal, which gets someone to call and see if the person needs help.36. By making some very simple changes at home, old people ________.A) are free from home accidentsB) can improve their healthC) are likely to live longerD) can live more safely37. Last steps on stairs may become a high-risk accident area if they are ________.A) not painted in a different colorB) not marked with bright tapesC) fixed with grab barsD) very brightly lit38. Falls in the bathroom are considered to be unfortunate because ________.A) they can easily be avoidedB) old people seldom fall in bathroomsC) grab bars do not help to prevent fallsD) bathroom accidents are difficult to prevent39. A personal alarm is designed for old people to ________.A) detect safety conditions at homeB) avoid falls in the bathroomC) send out signals for helpD) make phone calls easily40. The purpose of this passage is to tell people that ________.A) most old people die from accidents at homeB) up to half of home accidents could be preventedC) falls at home can be avoided by taking some simple measuresD) protection be the first concern for the publicTask 2Directions: This task is the same as Task 1. The 5 questions or unfinished statements are numbered 41 to 45.We have created a special rate that will let you travel actually thousands of miles on your vacation at no extra cost.In most of our US and Canadian offices, we’ll rent you cars of high quality for seven days for $99.You can drive as far as you like without paying us a penny over the $99 as long as you return the car to the city from which you rented it. Insurance (保险) is included, gas is not.If you rent the car in Florida or in California, the rate is the same, but you can return the car to any city in the state.If you’d like some suggestions on what to do with the car once you’ve got it, we have driving and touring guides for almost every part of the country. No matter which rate you choose, the company comes at no extra cost. You don’t just rent a car. You rent a company!41. According to the advertisement, $99 is the rate offered for ________.A) traveling a limited distanceB) renting a car for seven daysC) hiring a driving guideD) driving within a state42. Which of the the car-renting rate?A) Gas used.B) Car repairs.C) The hotel charge.D) Insurance fee.43. The car-renting rate remains $99 if you ________.A) return the car to where you rent itB) drive within the same cityC) buy the insuranceD) pay for the gas44. The last sentence of the passage “You rent a company” means that ________.A) you have to be responsible for the companyB) you should obey the rules set by the companyC) you can enjoy all-round services of this companyD) you may choose the best car from the company45. The purpose of the passage is to advertise ________.A) car-renting services in the USB) a special rate of car-rentingC) the advantages of car-rentingD) a US car-renting companyPart IV Translation -- English into ChineseDirections: This part, numbered 61 to 65, is to test your ability to translate English into Chinese. Each of the four sentences (N0.61 to No.64) is followed by four choices of suggested translation marked A), B), C) and D). Make the best choice and write the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet. Write your translation of the paragraph (No.65) in the corresponding space on the Translation/Composition Sheet.61. Two assistants reporters’ names when they arrive at the press conference.A) 两位助手要求记者在到达新闻发布会时通报他们的姓名。
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛真题
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛真题Part IListening Comprehension (25 minutes, 30 marks)Section A(5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be read only once. After each question, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.1. A. The man is not suitable for the position.B. The job has been given to someone else.C. She hadn't received the man's application.2. A. He is going to see his section chief.B. He is going to have a job interview.C. He is going to see his girlfriend.3. A. Ask to see the man's ID card.B. Get the briefcase for the man.C. Show the man her documents.4. A. The dorm room is too crowded.B. There is no kitchen in the building.C. No one looks after the dorm building.5. A. She was always in good shape.B. She stopped exercising one year ago.C. She lost a lot of weight in one year.Section B (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. Each conversation will be read only once. At the end of each conversation, there will be a one-minute pause. During the pause, you must read the five questions, each withthree choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Conversation One6. What is soon to open in China?A. The French Movie Festival.B. The French Cultural Year.C. The French Food Festival.7. How many exhibitions will be held for this activity?A. 200.B. 20.C. 100.8. What will be held at the foot of the Great Wall?A. The City Concert.B. The Opening Ceremony.C. The Great Lunch.9. Which of the following cities is not included in this activity?A. Chongqing.B. Wuhan.C. Shenzhen.10. What will certainly make great contributions to this activity?A. Internet.B. TV shows.C. Newspapers.Conversation Two11. What sound more like a native speaker in a casual conversation?A. Examples.B. Verbs.C. Idioms.12. Which of the following sounds more informal and more natural?A. Get together.B. Meet.C. See.13. Which of the following means that you cannot interrupt me?A. I'm tied up.B. I have a lot on my plate.C. I'm busy.14. In American culture, what is considered important in a conversation?A. Using proper languageB. Making eye contact.C. Looking at your own feet.15. In business, how might Americans feel about you if you are looking away?A. You're feeling ashamed.B. You're telling the truth.C. You're telling a lie.Section C (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short news items. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the question and then the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.16. How long will it take for new forests to grow back?A. 65 years.B. 20 years.C. 40 years.17. What did Jimmy Carter plan to focus his efforts on after leaving the White House in 1981?A. A presidential library.B. Camp David.C. Winning a second term.18. What was regarded as the lifeblood of the country of the Maldives?A. Oil.B. Agriculture.C. Tourism.19. What is responsible for the death of many people in developing countries?A. The development of resistance to diseases.B. The difficulty to cure new emerging diseases.C. The inability of the poor to afford medicine.20. What released an estimated 8.7 million tons of the global warming gas?A. Cars.B. Wildfires.C. Wars.Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear a short passage. There are ten missing words or phrases in it. Fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear on the tape. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.A researcher says lead in the environment could be a major cause of violence by young people. Doctor Herbert Needleman is a (21) ________ at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and he (22) ________ his findings at the yearly meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Doctor Needleman says the presence of lead in the (23) ________ changes the neurons that control actions and that can cause a person to act in antisocial and (24) ________ ways.In the 1970s, Doctor Needleman found lower scores on (25) ________ even in children who did not have such signs of lead poisoning. After that, lead was (26)________ gasoline and paint in the United States. Yet many homes still have old lead paint. Lead was also used in older (27) ________. In fact, officials just announced stronger testing and reporting requirements as from next year for lead in American drinking water.The newest research shows that even very small amounts of lead in bones can affect brain development. A simple (28)________ can measure lead except that an X-ray process is needed to measure levels in bone. In 2004, such tests were done on 190 young people who were (29) ________ and the findings showed that their average levels were higher than normal. And, in 1998, three hundred children were studied and the test scores showed higher levels of (30) ________ problems in those with increased levels of lead. Yet these levels were still considered safe by the government.Part II Vocabulary and Structure (10 minutes, 15 marks)Directions: There are 15 incomplete sentences in this part. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31. So nervous ________ that she didn't know how to start her speech.A. since she becameB. would she becomeC. that she becameD. did she become32. He ________ another career but, at the time, he just wanted to earn money to study abroad.A. might have chosenB. might chooseC. had to chooseD. must have chosen33. The second report was ________ by August 2005, but one year later it was still nowhere in sight.A. submittedB. to have submittedC. to submitD. to have been submitted34. In this experiment, the students studied are stopped several times during the listening test and asked to report what they ________ during the pause before answering the questions.A. had just been thinking aboutB. have just been thinking aboutC. are just thinking aboutD. had just thought about35. I was always taught that it was ________ to interrupt.A. rudeB. coarseC. roughD. crude36. Small boys are ________ questioners. They ask questions all the time.A. originalB. peculiarC. imaginativeD. persistent37. We regret to inform you that the materials you ordered are ________.A. out of workB. out of reachC. out of stockD. out of practice38. The bomb will ________ the moment it is touched.A. go onB. go offC. go outD. go over39. The car won't ________; I've tried it several times, but it won't work.A. beginB. launchC. startD. drive40. Children and old people do not like having their daily ________ upset.A. habitB. routineC. practiceD. custom41. In your first few days at school you'll be given a test to help the teachers to ________ you to a class at your level.A. locateB. assignC. deliverD. place42. China only started its nuclear power industry in recent years, and should ________ no time in catching up.A.loseB.delayC. spareD. relieve43. — You did an excellent job yesterday, Jim! I really enjoyed your presentation.— ________— Oh yeah, it was fabulous. It seems the English program is a great way to practice English.— Yeah. It is fun and motivating.A. Did you really?B. Oh, thank you. You are so kind.C. Really? What about yours?D. Not at all. My pleasure.44. — What kind of music do you like?— Well, I like different kinds.— ________— Er, I especially like punk rock.A. I beg your pardon?B. Are you serious?C. Any in particular?D. Why do you think so?45. — How did you like the fashion show last night?— ________—I didn't see anything wrong with the clothes; they looked pretty nice to me.— Do you really think people can wear that stuff and walk around in streets?A. Impressive. It's a good way to show off women's sense of style and wealth.B. It was cool. The clothes are more beautiful than the people wearing them.C. Nothing serious. It's only a show to attract the eyes of fashion fans.D. It was dumb. I think it's stupid for women to wear clothes like that.Part III Reading Comprehension (20 minutes, 40 marks)Section A (4 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 4 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 46-49 are based on the following passage.The ability to “see” oneself in the future is a remarkable human trait - some would say unique - that is not well understood. That's despite the fact that we probably spend as much time thinking about the future as we do thinking about the present.Now new research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that it's precisely because we can remember the past that we can visualize the future. “Our findings provide convincing support for the idea that memory and future thought are highly interrelated and help explain why future thought may be impossible without memories,” says doctoral candidate Karl Szpunar. The findings are consistent with other research showing that persons with little memory of the past, such as young children or individuals suffering from loss of memory, are less able to see themselves in the future.The researchers base their conclusions on brain scans of 21 college students who were cued to think about something in their past, and anticipate the same event in the future, like a birthday or getting lost. The experiment was carried out as each student lay on their stomach in a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a dreadful but very useful piece of equipment that can show which areas of the brain are stimulated during specific thought processes.The students were also asked to picture former President Bill Clinton in a past and future setting. Clinton was chosen because he was easily recognized and familiar to all the students.The researchers found a “surprisingly complete overlap” among regions of the brain used for remembering the student's past and those used for picturing the future. And every region involved in remembering was also used in anticipating the future.In short, the researchers isolated the area of the brain that “lit up” when the students thought about an event in their own past. And more importantly, that same area lit up again when they thought about a similar event in their future. In fact, the researchers report that the brain activity was so similar in both cases that it was “indistinguishable.”The findings were reinforced when students imagined Bill Clinton. Since none of them knew him personally, their memories were not autobiographical. And the brain scans showed “significantly less” correlation between memories of having seen pictures of Clinton in the White House and projecting him into the future.So this “time machine,” as the researchers describe it, allows us to use the past to see ourselves in the future, and both our memories and our anticipation are interdependent.46. A remarkable human trait that is not well understood is the ability ________.A. to think about the pastB. to see the futureC. to remember the pastD. to control the present47. The findings support that ________.A. future goals will greatly influence a person's present performanceB. a person's present performance is determined by his / her past knowledgeC. future thought depends to a great degree on the memory of the pastD. present thought is impossible without the ability to imagine the future48. The conclusion of the experiment on students was that ________.A. the students could picture themselves better than Bill Clinton in a past and future settingB. the students could imagine themselves as well as Bill Clinton in a past and future settingC. the students could anticipate Bill Clinton better than themselves in a past and future settingD. the students could only picture themselves in a past and future setting but not Bill Clinton49. This “time machine” in the last paragraph most probably refers to ________.A. clockB. brain scanningC. magnetic resonance imagingD. memorySection B (14 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet. For questions 50-55, mark Y (for YES)if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 56-59, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Visiting the White HouseWhite House Tours Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday , and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.White House Visitor CenterAll tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, before or after their tour. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Please note that restrooms are available, but food service is not.Mobility-Impaired / Using a WheelchairGuests requiring the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building upon arrival.Wheelchairs loans are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not possible.Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, on the Congressional guided or self-guided tours, between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon, use the same Visitor entrance and, with up to four members of their party, are admitted without waiting in line and without tickets.Visitors in wheelchairs are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the ground floor, and by elevator from the ground to the state floor. Guests generally wait in line with their family or group.Hearing-ImpairedTours for hearing-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. Tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer conducts the tour in sign language. Signed tours are available to groups of 8 to 20. Groups are also encouraged to bring their own interpreters.Signing interpretation is also available for individual visitors with advance notice. A Congressional office first issues guided tour tickets to a guest who is hearing-impaired and then contacts the Visitors Office at least 2 weeks in advance to request interpreter service.The Visitors Office TDD (telephone device for the deaf) is 202-456-2121. Messages may be left outside normal business hours.Visually-ImpairedTours for visually-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. The tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer permits visitors to touch specific objects in the House. Touch tours are currently available only to groups of 8 to 20, not to individual visitors. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.General Tour InformationAll White House tours are free. Changes in tour schedules are occasionally made because of official events. Notice may not be given until that morning. The Visitors Office 24-hour Information Line recording at 202-456-7041 provides the most up-to-date information. The TDD is 202-456-2121. Visitors should confirm tour schedules by calling the information line the night before and the morning that they plan to visit. It is occasionally necessary to close individual rooms on the tour; however, notice about closed rooms is not possible. Prohibited ItemsProhibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons / devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.ParkingThe closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House, and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.Restrooms / Public TelephonesThe nearest restrooms and public telephones to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House) and in the White House Visitor Center. Restrooms or public telephones are not available at the White House.50. Both Congressional guided and self-guided tours need to be scheduled in advance.51. All White House tours are free of charge except on federal holidays.52. The White House Visitor Center provides free drinks but not food service.53. Wheelchair reservation service is provided by the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building.54. Hearing-impaired visitors can request signing interpretation service from the Visitors Office.55. Touch tours are currently only offered to visually-impaired groups of 8 to 20.56. Sometimes official events make it necessary to close ________________ without notice.57. The personal items permitted to be carried into the White House are________________.58. The transportation visitors are encouraged to use is ________________.59. Inside the White House, visitors cannot find or use restrooms or________________.Section C (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions in as few words as possible (not more than 10 words). Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 60-64 are based on the following passage.If you were on a distant planet, and if you had instruments that could tell you the composition of Earth's atmosphere, how would you know there was life on this planet?Water in the atmosphere would suggest there could be water on the surface, and as we all know water is considered crucial to life. But water would only suggest that life is possible. It wouldn't prove it's there.Carbon? That basic component of “life as we know it?” Not necessarily. A diamond is pure carbon, and it may be pretty, but it isn't alive.What really sets Earth apart is nitrogen, which makes up 80 percent of the planet's atmosphere. And it's there only because there is abundant life on Earth, say scientists at the University of Southern California.The report grew out of a class discussion two years ago in a course taught by Capone and Kenneth Nealson, professor of earth sciences. Students were asked to come up with different ideas about searching for life on other planets. What is a distinct “signature,” as Capone puts it, that would show there is life on another planet?That's a question that has been kicked around in many quarters in recent decades, especially since all efforts to find some form of life, no matter whether on Mars or in the distant reaches of space, have failed. At least so far.The current effort to search for some evidence of life on Mars focuses primarily on the search for water, because it has long been believed that water, or at least some fluid, is necessary for the chemical processes that lead life to take place. But that's probably the wrong approach, the USC group argues.“It's ha rd to imagine life without water, but it's easy to imagine water without life,” says Nealson, who was on the Mars team before moving to USC.But nitrogen would be a much clearer signature of life. Only about 2 percent to 3 percent of the Martian atmosphere is nitrogen. That's just a trace, and it probably means there is no life on Mars today, and if there was in the past, it probably ended many, many years ago.But, the USC team adds quickly, that doesn't mean there's no life anywhere else in the universe. They don't know where, of course, but they may have found a wayto narrow down the search. Look first for nitrogen, then look for biological activity that should be there.So if life exists elsewhere, and is similar to life as we know it, there should be nitrogen, and that's what we should be looking for first, the researchers say.If they don't find nitrogen on Mars, Capone says, “that will probably bring us to the conclusion that there likely never was life on Mars.”But how about elsewhere? Could this technique be used to search for life in other solar systems?Maybe. It might be possible to detect a nitrogen-rich atmosphere around a planet orbiting another star, but not yet. Current instruments aren't that sensitive.If they ever are, the search for life might be narrowed down to the most promising prospects, chiefly because of the presence of nitrogen. And won't that be fun!Questions:60. What can suggest life is possible but cannot be proved according to the author?61. What is a cl ear “signature” of life on another planet according to Capone?62. What is considered as a wrong way to search for evidence of life on Mars?63. What can probably prove there is no life on Mars today based on the new theory?64. Why is it impossible to use the new technique to search for life in other solar systems now?Section D (12 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing a maximum of three words from the passage to fill in the spaces 65-70. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 65-70 are based on the following passage.In August 2008, athletes from the United States and around the world will compete in the Beijing Olympics. But did you know that in September of next year, disabled athletes will compete in the Paralympic Games in Beijing?The Olympics and the Paralympics are separate movements. But they have always been held in the same year, and since 1988, they have also been held in the same city. The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed an agreement in 2001 to secure this connection. The next winter games will take place in Vancouver, Canada, in 2010.The Paralympic Games grew out of a sports competition held in 1948 in England and a doctor named Ludwig Guttmann organized it for men who suffered spinal cord injuries in World War II. Four years later, it became an international event as competitors from the Netherlands took part. Then, in 1960, the first Paralympics were held in Rome. 400 athletes from 23 countries competed. By 2004, the Paralympic Games in Athens had almost 4000 athletes from 136 countries, who may have physical or mental limitations and may be blind or in wheelchairs. Yet sometimes they perform better than athletes without disabilities.In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, started the Special Olympics, which are just for children and adults with mental limitations and whose programs currently serve more than two million people in 160 countries. In November 2006, in Mumbai, India, teams competed in the First Special Olympics International Cricket Cup. In addition to India, there were men's teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. There were also women's cricket teams from India and Pakistan.There are many organizations in the United States that help people with disabilities play sports. Wheelchair tennis is a popular sport. So is basketball. In fact, there are more than one hundred professional teams playing wheelchair basketball thanks to the special wheelchairs for athletes that are lightweight and designed for quick moves. For people who want to go really fast in their chairs, there is a Power Wheelchair Racing Association.In the state of Utah there is a place called the National Ability Center, which teaches all kinds of sports to people with all kinds of physical and mental disabilities and even gives friends and family members a chance to try a sport as if they were disabled.A reporter from the Washington Post wanted to know what it would be like for a blind person to use a climbing wall. So, protected by a safety line, the newspaper reporter closed his eyes and started to feel for places to put his hands and feet.Trainers on the ground urged him on: “Take your time. You can do it.” Finally he reached the top.At the National Ability Center people can learn to ride horses and mountain bikes. They can try winter mountain sports, and learn scuba diving and other water activities. The center also prepares athletes for the Paralympics.These days, the first place many people go when they want to travel is the Internet, where they can get information about hotels, transportation and services like tour companies. The Internet can also help travelers find special services for the disabled. For example, there are groups that help young people with disabilities travel to different countries.Susan Sygall, who uses a wheelchair herself, leads an organization called Mobility International USA, and has traveled to more than twenty-five countries to talk about the rights of people with disabilities. She says people with disabilities are all members of a global family and working together across borders is the most powerful way of making changes.Summary:Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A: There are 5 blanks in the passage. Use the word given on the right side to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.。
2008年6月高校英语B级考试真题答案详解
2008年6月高校英语B级考试真题答案详解2008年6月听力原文:1. It's a fine day. Why not go to the zoo?2. When can I take my winter vacation?3. Did you enjoy the performance last night?4. Can we have dinner together this weekend?5. Professor Smith, may I ask you a few questions?6. M: I prefer coffee to tea. What about you, Jane?W: Just water.Q: What would the woman like to have?7. M: Excuse me. Can you call a taxi for me?W: Sorry, the telphone is out of order.Q: What does the man mean?8. M: What's wrong with me, doctor?W: Just a cold, nothing serious.Q: What's the probable relationship between the two speakers?9. M: Don't you usually drive to work?W: No, I walk to work every day.Q: How does the woman usually go to work?10. M: My computer doesn't work.W: Why don't you have it repaired?Q: What does the woman think the man should do?Today more and more people begin to understand that study does not come to an end with school gradu ation. Education is not just a college degree; it is life itself. Many people are not interested in studying at a college, and they are interested in other kinds of learning. They may go to a training class in their own field; they may improve their work skills by following television courses. They certainly know that if they know more or learn more, they can get better jobs or earn more money.答案与详解Part ⅠListening Comprehension1. 【答案】A【解析】本题是说天气很好，“Why not go to the zoo?”,回答当然是“好主意”。
大学生英语竞赛(NECCS)B类英语专业初赛真题2008年(无听力)
大学生英语竞赛(NECCS)B类英语专业初赛真题2008年(无听力)(总分：117.98，做题时间：90分钟)一、{{B}}Part Ⅰ Listening Comperhension{{/B}}(总题数：10，分数：10.00)1.Shaka ______ power and became the king of the Zulus upon the death of his father.（分数：1.00）A.assumed √B.resumedC.consumedD.presumed解析：assume 接管，承担。
resume 重新获得，恢复。
consume 消耗，浪费，使全神贯注。
presume 假设，认为，意味着。
2.To say that a soldier fought in battle like a lion may be a good descriptive ______, but it does not mean that he was on all fours, roaring and wagging his tail!（分数：1.00）A.anecdoteB.analogueC.analogy √D.analysis解析：analogy 类比，比喻。
anecdote轶事，奇闻。
analogue 类似物，模拟。
analysis分析，解析3.Many people living around the stadium ______ about the violent behaviour of the Soccer fans. （分数：1.00）plain √B.disapproveC.criticizeD.object解析：complain about 对…进行抱怨，发牢骚，强调对某事不满。
disapprove 谴责，不赞成，常与of连用。
criticize 批评，指责，常用搭配为criticize sb. for sth. 。
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛样题及答案
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛样题及答案（C级）Part II V ocabulary and Structure (10 minutes, 15 marks)Directions: There are 15 incomplete sentences in this part. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31. So nervous ________ that she didn't know how to start her speech.A. since she becameB. would she becomeC. that she becameD. did she become32. He ________ another career but, at the time, he just wanted to earn money to study abroad.A. might have chosenB. might chooseC. had to chooseD. must have chosen33. The second report was ________ by August 2005, but one year later it was still nowhere in sight.A. submittedB. to have submittedC. to submitD. to have been submitted34. In this experiment, the students studied are stopped several times during the listening test and asked to report what they ________ during the pause before answering the questions.A. had just been thinking aboutB. have just been thinking aboutC. are just thinking aboutD. had just thought about35. I was always taught that it was ________ to interrupt.A. rudeB. coarseC. roughD. crude36. Small boys are ________ questioners. They ask questions all the time.A. originalB. peculiarC. imaginativeD. persistent37. We regret to inform you that the materials you ordered are ________.A. out of workB. out of reachC. out of stockD. out of practice38. The bomb will ________ the moment it is touched.A. go onB. go offC. go outD. go over39. The car won't ________; I've tried it several times, but it won't work.A. beginB. launchC. startD. drive40. Children and old people do not like having their daily ________ upset.A. habitB. routineC. practiceD. custom41. In your first few days at school you'll be given a test to help the teachers to ________ you to a class at your level.A. locateB. assignC. deliverD. place42. China only started its nuclear power industry in recent years, and should ________ no time in catching up.A.loseB.delayC. spareD. relieve43. — You did an excellent job yesterday, Jim! I really enjoyed your presentation.— ________— Oh yeah, it was fabulous. It seems the English program is a great way to practice English.— Yeah. It is fun and motivating.A. Did you really?B. Oh, thank you. You are so kind.C. Really? What about yours?D. Not at all. My pleasure.44. — What kind of music do you like?— Well, I like different kinds.— ________— Er, I especially like punk rock.A. I beg your pardon?B. Are you serious?C. Any in particular?D. Why do you think so?45. — How did you like the fashion show last night?— ________— I didn't see anything wrong with the clothes; they looked pretty nice to me.— Do you really think people can wear that stuff and walk around in streets?A. Impressive. It's a good way to show off women's sense of style and wealth.B. It was cool. The clothes are more beautiful than the people wearing them.C. Nothing serious. It's only a show to attract the eyes of fashion fans.D. It was dumb. I think it's stupid for women to wear clothes like that.Part III Reading Comprehension (20 minutes, 40 marks)Section A (4 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 4 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 46-49 are based on the following passage.The ability to “see” oneself in the future is a remarkable human trait - some would say unique - that is not well understood. That's despite the fact that we probably spend as much time thinking about the future as we do thinking about the present.Now new research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that it's precisely because we can remember the past that we can visualize the future. “Our findings provide convincing support for t he idea that memory and future thought are highly interrelated and help explain why future thought may be impossible without memories,” says doctoral candidate Karl Szpunar. The findings are consistent with other research showing that persons with little memory of the past, such as young children or individuals suffering from loss of memory, are less able to see themselves in the future.The researchers base their conclusions on brain scans of 21 college students who were cued to think about something in their past, and anticipate the same event in the future, like a birthday or getting lost. The experiment was carried out as each student lay on their stomach in a magnetic resonance imaging machine, a dreadful but very useful piece of equipment that can show which areas of the brain are stimulated during specific thought processes. The students were also asked to picture former President Bill Clinton in a past and future setting. Clinton was chosen because he was easily recognized and familiar to all the students.The researchers found a “surprisingly complete overlap” among regions of the brain used for remembering the student's past and those used for picturing the future. And every region involved in remembering was also used in anticipating the future.In short, the researchers isolated the area of the brain that “lit up” when the students thought about an event in their own past. And more importantly, that same area lit up again when they thought about a similar event in their future. In fact, the rese archers report that the brain activity was so similar in both cases that it was “indistinguishable.” The findings were reinforced when students imagined Bill Clinton. Since none of them knew him personally, their memories were not autobiographical. And th e brain scans showed “significantly less” correlation between memories of having seen pictures of Clinton in the White House and projecting him into the future.So this “time machine,” as the researchers describe it, allows us to use the past to see ourse lves in the future, and both our memories and our anticipation are interdependent.46. A remarkable human trait that is not well understood is the ability ________.A. to think about the pastB. to see the futureC. to remember the pastD. to control the present47. The findings support that ________.A. future goals will greatly influence a person's present performanceB. a person's present performance is determined by his / her past knowledgeC. future thought depends to a great degree on the memory of the pastD. present thought is impossible without the ability to imagine the future48. The conclusion of the experiment on students was that ________.A. the students could picture themselves better than Bill Clinton in a past and future settingB. the students could imagine themselves as well as Bill Clinton in a past and future settingC. the students could anticipate Bill Clinton better than themselves in a past and future settingD. the students could only picture themselves in a past and future setting but not Bill Clinton49. This “time machine” in the last paragraph most probably refers to ________.A. clockB. brain scanningC. magnetic resonance imagingD. memorySection B (14 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet. For questions 50-55, mark Y (for YES)if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 56-59, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Visiting the White HouseWhite House Tours Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more people. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and are scheduled on a first come, first served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.White House Visitor CenterAll tours are significantly enhanced if visitors stop by the White House Visitor Center located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets, before or after their tour. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders, as well as a thirty-minute video. Allow between 20 minutes to one hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association also sponsors a sales area. Please note that restrooms are available, but food service is not.Mobility-Impaired / Using a WheelchairGuests requiring the loan of a wheelchair should notify the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building upon arrival. Wheelchairs loans are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not possible.Visitors in wheelchairs, or with other mobility disabilities, on the Congressional guided or self-guided tours, between 8:00 a.m. and 12 noon, use the same Visitor entrance and, with up to four members of their party, are admitted without waiting in line and without tickets.Visitors in wheelchairs are escorted by ramp from the entrance level to the ground floor, and by elevator from the ground to the state floor. Guests generally wait in line with their family or group.Hearing-ImpairedTours for hearing-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. Tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer conducts the tour in sign language. Signed tours are available to groups of 8 to 20. Groups are also encouraged to bring their own interpreters.Signing interpretation is also available for individual visitors with advance notice. A Congressional office first issues guided tour tickets to a guest who is hearing-impaired and then contacts the Visitors Office at least 2 weeks in advance to request interpreter service.The Visitors Office TDD (telephone device for the deaf) is 202-456-2121. Messages may be left outside normal business hours.Visually-ImpairedTours for visually-impaired groups may be arranged in advance by writing to the Visitors Office, White House, Washington, DC 20502. The tours are usually scheduled at 9:30 a.m., between the Congressional and public tour times. Participants enter at the East Appointment gate. A U.S. Secret Service / Uniformed Division Tour Officer permits visitors to touch specific objects in the House. Touch tours are currently available only to groups of 8 to 20, not to individual visitors. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.General Tour InformationAll White House tours are free. Changes in tour schedules are occasionally made because of official events. Notice may not be given until that morning. The Visitors Office 24-hour Information Line recording at 202-456-7041 provides the most up-to-date information. The TDD is 202-456-2121. Visitors should confirm tour schedules by calling the information line the night before and the morning that they plan to visit. It is occasionally necessary to close individual rooms on the tour; however, notice about closed rooms is not possible.Prohibited ItemsProhibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, food and beverages of any kind, strollers, cameras, video recorders or any type of recording device, tobacco products, personal grooming items (make-up, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.), any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, etc.), aerosol containers, guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons / devices, or knives of any size. The U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items. Umbrellas, wallets, cell phones and car keys are permitted.Please note that no storage facilities are available on or around the complex. Individuals who arrive with prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.ParkingThe closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, and red lines) and McPherson Square (blue and orange lines). On-street parking is not available near the White House, and use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.Restrooms / Public TelephonesThe nearest restrooms and public telephones to the White House are in the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (the park area south of the White House) and in the White House Visitor Center. Restrooms or public telephones are not available at the White House.50. Both Congressional guided and self-guided tours need to be scheduled in advance.51. All White House tours are free of charge except on federal holidays.52. The White House Visitor Center provides free drinks but not food service.53. Wheelchair reservation service is provided by the officer at the Visitors Entrance Building.54. Hearing-impaired visitors can request signing interpretation service from the Visitors Office.55. Touch tours are currently only offered to visually-impaired groups of 8 to 20.56. Sometimes official events make it necessary to close ________________ without notice.57. The personal items permitted to be carried into the White House are ________________.58. The transportation visitors are encouraged to use is ________________.59. Inside the White House, visitors cannot find or use restrooms or ________________.Section C (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions in as few words as possible (not more than 10 words). Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 60-64 are based on the following passage.If you were on a distant planet, and if you had instruments that could tell you the composition of Earth's atmosphere, how would you know there was life on this planet?Water in the atmosphere would suggest there could be water on the surface, and as we all know water is considered crucial to life. But water would only suggest that life is possible. It wouldn't prove it's there.Carbon? That basic component of “life as we know it?” Not necessarily. A diamond is pure carbon, and it may be pretty, but it isn't alive.What really sets Earth apart is nitrogen, which makes up 80 percent of the planet's atmosphere. And it's there only because there is abundant life on Earth, say scientists at the University of Southern California.The report grew out of a class discussion two years ago in a course taught by Capone and Kenneth Nealson, professor of earth sciences. Students were asked to come up with different ideas about searching for life on other planets. What is a distinct “signature,” as Capone puts it, that would show there is life on another planet?That's a question that has been kicked around in many quarters in recent decades, especially since all efforts to find some form of life, no matter whether on Mars or in the distant reaches of space, have failed. At least so far.The current effort to search for some evidence of life on Mars focuses primarily on the search for water, because it has long been believed that water, or at least some fluid, is necessary for the chemical processes that lead life to take place. But that's probably the wrong approach, the USC group argues.“It's hard to imagine life without water, but it's easy to imagine water without life,” sa ys Nealson, who was on the Mars team before moving to USC.But nitrogen would be a much clearer signature of life. Only about 2 percent to 3 percent of the Martian atmosphere is nitrogen. That's just a trace, and it probably means there is no life on Mars today, and if there was in the past, it probably ended many, many years ago.But, the USC team adds quickly, that doesn't mean there's no life anywhere else in the universe. They don't know where, of course, but they may have found a way to narrow down the search. Look first for nitrogen, then look for biological activity that should be there.So if life exists elsewhere, and is similar to life as we know it, there should be nitrogen, and that's what we shouldbe looking for first, the researchers say.If they don't find nitrogen on Mars, Capone says, “that will probably bring us to the conclusion that there likely never was life on Mars.”But how about elsewhere? Could this technique be used to search for life in other solar systems?Maybe. It might be possible to detect a nitrogen-rich atmosphere around a planet orbiting another star, but not yet. Current instruments aren't that sensitive.If they ever are, the search for life might be narrowed down to the most promising prospects, chiefly because of the presence of nitrogen. And won't that be fun!Questions:Section D (12 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing a maximum of three words from the passage to fill in the spaces 65-70. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 65-70 are based on the following passage.In August 2008, athletes from the United States and around the world will compete in the Beijing Olympics. But did you know that in September of next year, disabled athletes will compete in the Paralympic Games in Beijing? The Olympics and the Paralympics are separate movements. But they have always been held in the same year, and since 1988, they have also been held in the same city. The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed an agreement in 2001 to secure this connection. The next winter games will take place in Vancouver, Canada, in 2010.The Paralympic Games grew out of a sports competition held in 1948 in England and a doctor named Ludwig Guttmann organized it for men who suffered spinal cord injuries in World War II. Four years later, it became an international event as competitors from the Netherlands took part. Then, in 1960, the first Paralympics were held in Rome. 400 athletes from 23 countries competed. By 2004, the Paralympic Games in Athens had almost 4000 athletes from 136 countries, who may have physical or mental limitations and may be blind or in wheelchairs. Yet sometimes they perform better than athletes without disabilities.In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, started the Special Olympics, which are just for children and adults with mental limitations and whose programs currently serve more than two million people in 160 countries. In November 2006, in Mumbai, India, teams competed in the First Special Olympics International Cricket Cup. In addition to India, there were men's teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. There were also women's cricket teams from India and Pakistan.There are many organizations in the United States that help people with disabilities play sports. Wheelchair tennis is a popular sport. So is basketball. In fact, there are more than one hundred professional teams playing wheelchair basketball thanks to the special wheelchairs for athletes that are lightweight and designed for quick moves. For people who want to go really fast in their chairs, there is a Power Wheelchair Racing Association.In the state of Utah there is a place called the National Ability Center, which teaches all kinds of sports to people with all kinds of physical and mental disabilities and even gives friends and family members a chance to try a sport as if they were disabled.A reporter from the Washington Post wanted to know what it would be like for a blind person to use a climbing wall. So, protected by a safety line, the newspaper reporter closed his eyes and started to feel for places to put his hands and feet. Trainers on the ground urged him on: “Take your time. You can do it.” Finally he reached the top. At the National Ability Center people can learn to ride horses and mountain bikes. They can try winter mountain sports, and learn scuba diving and other water activities. The center also prepares athletes for the Paralympics. These days, the first place many people go when they want to travel is the Internet, where they can get information about hotels, transportation and services like tour companies. The Internet can also help travelers find special services for the disabled. For example, there are groups that help young people with disabilities travel to different countries.Susan Sygall, who uses a wheelchair herself, leads an organization called Mobility International USA, and has traveled to more than twenty-five countries to talk about the rights of people with disabilities. She says people with disabilities are all members of a global family and working together across borders is the most powerful way of making changes.Summary:Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A: There are 5 blanks in the passage. Use the word given on the right side to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Maria Callas was one of the best-known opera singers in the world, who became famous internationally for her beautiful voice and intense (71)________ during the 1950s, and the recordings of her singing the well-known operas remain very popular today.Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923 and her real name was Maria Kalogeropoulous. Her parents were Greek and when she was fourteen, she and her mother returned to Greece, where Maria studied singing at the national conservatory in Athens and the well-known opera (72)________ Elvira de Hidalgo chose Maria as her student.In 1941, when she was 17, Maria Callas was paid to sing in a major opera for the first time. She sang the (73)________ role in several operas in Athens during the next three years. In 1943, Callas was invited to perform in Italy, which was the real beginning of her profession as an opera singer. She performed major parts in several of the most (74)________ operas. In 1949, she married an Italian (75)________, Giovanni Battista Meneghini, who was twenty years older and became her adviser and manager. person singlead fame industrySection B: There are 10 blanks in the passage. For each blank, some letters of the word has been given (not exceeding 3 letters). Read the passage below and think of the word which best fits each blank. Use only one word in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Part V Translation (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A (8 marks)Directions: Translate the underlined sentences of the following passage into Chinese. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.When you talk about China and India's seemingly unstoppable growth, nobody's surprised. After all, the increasing economic strength of the two countries has dominated the news for the past few years. But both China and India face some substantial demographic hurdles to continued expansion. Despite the billion-plus citizens of each country, both may simply lack sufficient qualified workers.(86) China is a rapidly aging society whose current challenges of unemployment and overpopulation will, within a decade, shift to different problems: labor shortages and an elderly population with too few children. In fact, China may be the first country to go gray before it reaches developed status. The World Bank estimates that by 2020 the mainland will face a lack of even unskilled labor due to aging.China is already facing a shortage of skilled labor. Construction sites lack welders, skilled machine operators, and plumbers. And a recent report said the country is short some 750,000 managers. Despite a 95% literacy rate among all but the oldest citizens, there are not enough well-educated Chinese. (87) This is in part due to a lack of schools that combine basic theory with practical skills and a focus on passing the elite university exams. So despite rising salaries, many of those entering China's workforce cannot learn the skills they need.India seems to have an age advantage, with half its population under 25. In the long run, this gives them the upper hand. But at present, India shares China's problem of an insufficiently educated workforce. Citigroup reports that India's talent pool isn't deep enough to meet demand in industries including textiles, aviation, telecom, retail, and engineering.By some other measures, both countries look pretty good. China graduates about 1.7 million students from 1,500 colleges and universities annually, of whom 350,000 are engineers. India produces about 3 million college and university graduates, including 440,000 engineers. Those numbers, though, don't tell the whole story.(88) Only 10% to 25% of these graduates are employable by multinationals, and this is only partially because of language challenges, which every human resources executive I've met who works in China or India agrees with.The source of the problem is cultural. Young people in these countries are highly motivated to study and learn, but only in theory. There is no tradition of practical application. So engineers don't go into operations, factories, or mines, and don't really know the machines and conditions for which they are designing processes. (89) Chinese and Indian students who have just earned BAs want to pursue MBAs right away, and neither they nor their parents understand the value of practical experience. The degree is seen as a trophy, a traditional ticket to higher status. Section B (7 marks)Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets. Remember to write your answers on the Answer Sheet.90. 如果你告诉他们真相，你就可以获得这次机会而不被他们误解。
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛样题及答案(ABCD各级)
2008年全国大学生英语竞赛样题及答案（A级）Part I Listening Comprehension (25 minutes, 30 marks)Section A (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be read only once. After each question, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.1. A. At a bank. B. At a department store. C. At a lawyer's office.2. A. Jealous. B. Indifferent. C. Negative.3. A. A party invitation.B. A tour of the house.C. A dinner party.4. A. Policeman and driver.B. Teacher and pupil.C. Driver and actress.5. A. To attend a party.B. To the beauty salon.C. To the school.6. A. 1,090. B. 530. C. 1,060.7. A. Dec. 13th, 1906. B. Dec. 30th, 1906. C. Nov. 13th, 1916.8. A. Nothing. B. Dinner. C. A snack.9. A. In less than three days.B. In more than three days.C. In three days.10. A. To a friend's house.B. To the kindergarten.C. Do some shopping.Section B (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear one long conversation. The conversation will be read only once. At the end of the conversation, there will be a one-minute pause. During the pause, you must read the five questions, each with three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.11. What does Susan have to do on Saturday morning?A. Walk the dog.B. Clean the house.C. Go to the doctor's.12. What will Susan do at noon?A. Go shopping.B. Watch TV.C. Go to the dentist's.13. What time is Susan meeting with Julie?A. 12:30 am.B. 2:00 pm.C. 4:30 pm.14. How does Susan feel about her schedule on Saturday?A. Exciting.B. Disappointing.C. Exhausting.15. Why can't they watch a video at Susan's house?A. The machine doesn't work.B. They can't decide on a video.C. Susan's mother is going to use it.Section C (5 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear 5 short news items. After each item, there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the question and then the three choices marked A, B and C, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.16. Who got to move to the next step?A. Andre Agassi.B. Rogen Fidow.C. Roger Federer.17. What did the gunman force the charity to do?A. Delay the operation in this area.B. Operate on their own staff.C. Attack the Sans Frontieres.18. Why were the Iraqi detainees made to pick up garbage?A. Because the serviceman abused the detainees.B. Because the commander gave the order to the serviceman.C. Because the detainees were accused.19. Where did the clash happen?A. In the West Bank.B. Near Israeli.C. Near Ariel.20. Why do the Israeli forces threaten to carry out a massive offensive against the Palestinians?A. Because Israeli troops were besieged by the Palestinians.B. Because the military operation began since last November.C. Because Palestinians killed Israelis in a suicide attack.Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, you will hear a short passage. There are ten missing words or phrases in it. Fill in the blanks with the exact words or phrases you hear on the tape. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.There are two types of people in the world. Although they have (21) ________ degrees of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, and the other becomes (22) ________. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, and events, and the resulting effects upon their minds. People who are to be happy fix their attention on the (23) ________ of things, the pleasant part of convention, the fine weather. They enjoy all the (24) ________ things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the (25) ________ things. Therefore, they are continually (26) ________. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend many people, and make themselves (27) ________ everywhere. If this turn of mind were found in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The tendency to criticize and to be disgusted is perhaps taken up originally (28) ________. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but itmay be cured when those who have it are convinced of its bad effects (29) ________. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit. Although in fact it is chiefly (30) ________, it has serious consequences in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck.Part II Vocabulary and Structure (10 minutes, 15 marks)Directions: There are 15 incomplete sentences in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.31. Essentially, a theory is an abstract, symbolic representation of ________ reality.A. what it is conceivedB. that is conceivedC. what is conceived to beD. that is being conceived of32. New York City collects garbage ________ $209 per family per year.A. at the cost ofB. at sacrifice ofC. in demand ofD. in support of33. I would just as soon ________ rudely to her.A. you not speakB. you won't speakC. you not speakingD. you didn't speak34. ________ so many people been out of work as today.A. More than ever beforeB. Never before haveC. In the past, there never haveD. Formerly, there never were35. We got home late last night, ________, early this morning.A. namelyB. in other wordsC. or ratherD. in any case36. The miners escaped the danger by ________.A. a hair breadthB. hair breadthC. hair's breadthD. a hair's breadth37. Praise is like warm sunshine. It not only brings joy to ________ who are praised but also adds pleasure to ________ who praise.A. these; theseB. we; usC. them; themD. those; those38. When our imports ________ our exports, we say we have a favorable trade balance; however, when our imports and exports are the other way round we say we have an unfavorable trade balance.A. fall shortB. fall short ofC. run out ofD. are lack of39. ________ that distinguish human beings from other primates are related to the ability of people to stand upright and walk on two legs.A. Many of the physical characteristicsB. Of the many physical characteristicsC. The physical characteristicsD. There are many physical characteristics40. Classical logic is characterized by a concern for the structure and elements of argument ________ that thought, language, and reality are interrelated.A. based on the beliefB. on the belief basedC. belief based on theD. the based belief on41. ________ fashioned from a wick floating in a bowl of oil functioned according to the principle of capillary action.A. All lamps earlyB. Lamps all earlyC. All early lampsD. Early all lamps42. In 1964 ________ of Henry Osaka Tanner's paintings was shown at the Smithsonian Institution.A. was a major collectionB. that a major collectionC. a collection was majorD. a major collection43. Traditionally, ________ on Thanksgiving Day in New England.A. when served is sweet ciderB. when sweet cider is servedC. is served sweet ciderD. sweet cider is served44. Richard: This class is so boring. When will it end?Drew: I don't know. I don't think I can take it much longer.Teacher: ________Richard: Oh, nothing. We were discussing the text.A. Hey you two! What are you talking about?B. Do one of you know what the answer to this problem is?C. Am I boring you two?D. The two of you go to the principal's office right now!45. Delivery man: I have a package here for Beverly Beaver.Beverly: That is me. ________Delivery man: Yes, please sign here on the line.Beverly: Thank you. These must be the new drapes I ordered.A. Where is the receipt?B. Do you have the sender's address?C. Do you take a credit card?D. Do I have to sign for it?Part III Reading Comprehension (20 minutes, 40 marks)Section A (5 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 5 questions. For each question, there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice. Then mark the corresponding letter on theAnswer Sheet with a single line through the centre.Questions 46-50 are based on the following passage.No matter what our work is, we all have to face that choice - in my field no less than in others. There may not be a more important field for the dissemination of values in our country than the entire communications industry - most strikingly, television. Networks are very sensitive to that fact, and they employ dozens of censors to prevent all of us from using language on television that an eight year old might have to explain to his parents. But the point that censors miss, I think, is that it is not so much what we say that teaches as what we don't say. Even programs that attempt to make a moral point don't always make the point that they intended to. Because when we sense we are being sole something, we automatically defend ourselves against it. I think it may be the unspoken assumptions that mold an audience.Look at the way, for instance, that violence is treated on television. It is not only the quantity that offends. There probably is no more violence on television than there is in a Shakespearean tragedy. But on television you find unfelt violence and in Shakespeare you tend to find felt violence. In Shakespeare the characters react with a human response: They fear, they hurt, they mourn. Most of the time on television, violence is dealt with by sweeping it under the rug as fast as possible and by having people go on about their business as if nothing had happened. (If I can't have less violence, I want at least a better grade of violence.) One of the unspoken assumptions is that violence can be tolerated as long as you ignore it and have no reaction to it. But that seems to me to be dangerously close to psychopathic behavior. I wonder if there is any connection between the longacceptance by our people of the Vietnam War and the thousands and thousands of deaths that we have seen on television over the years that were never mourned, never even paused for except to sell shampoo for sixty seconds.Maybe our greatest problem is that we have two separate sets of value systems that we use - the one we talk about and the one we live by. We seem to place a very high value on fairness and on human concerns. And yet we still have widespread discrimination based on race, sex and religion. You still don't find Jews, blacks or other minorities in any significant numbers in decision-making positions in the banking industry, for instance. You think that's an accident? I think somebody puts a value on that. And you don't find women in any significant numbers in decision-making capacities in any industry. Why? Because we place a higher value on appeasing the fragile male ego than we do on fairness and decency. Maybe what we need is a declaration of interdependence.Questions:46. It can be concluded from the first paragraph that ________.A. we won't buy things that are recommendedB. we become defensive whenever we are taught to do somethingC. television is the most important part of the communication industryD. TV programs can never successfully convey a moral point47. What is the author's attitude toward violence on television?A. He thinks that violence on television should be totally banned.B. Violence on television is more tolerable than the one in Shakespeare's plays.C. Violence can be tolerated if you pretend that it doesn't exist.D. Violence, if unavoidable, should be presented on television in a more appropriate way.48. The word “appeasing” (line 6 in paragraph 3) most probably means ________.A. attackingB. accusingC. soothingD. satisfying49. By citing the examples of the Jews, blacks, and other minorities in the last paragraph, the author aims to show that ________.A. it's an accident that they are out-numbered in the decision-making positions in the banking industryB. they stand for one set of value systemC. what we talk about and what we actually do might be totally differentD. fairness is well respected in our life50. The author's tone in writing the text is ________.A. neutralB. matter-of-factC. criticalD. questioningSection B (15 marks)Directions: There is one passage in this section with 10 questions. Go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on the Answer Sheet.For questions 51 - 55, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.For questions 56 - 60, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.You hear the same complaint all the time as people get older: “My memory is terrible.” Is it all in the m ind, or do real changes take place in the brain with age to justify such grumbling (抱怨)? The depressing answer is that the brain's cells, the neurons, die and decline in efficiency with age.Professor Arthur Shimamura, of the University of California at Berkeley, says there are three main ways in which mental function changes. The first is mental speed, for example how quickly you can react tofast-moving incidents on the road. Drivers in their late teens react quickly but tend to drive too fast, while the over sixties are more cautious but react more slowly. The near-inevitable slowing with age also partly explains why soccer players are seen as old in their thirties, while golf professionals are still in their prime at that age. This type of mental slowing results from a reduction in the efficiency with which the brain's neurons work.The fact that adults find it harder to learn musical instruments than children points to a second type of mental loss with age - a reduction in learning capacity. The parts of the brain known as the temporal lobes control new learning, and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of aging. This means that, as we get older, we take longer to learn a new language, and slower to master new routines and technologies at work, and we have to rely more on diaries and other mental aids.“Working memory” is the third brain system which is vulnerable to the effects of aging. Working memory is the brain's “blackboard”, where we juggle from moment to moment the things we have to keep in mind when solving problems, planning tasks and generally organizing our day-to-day life. Absent-mindedness occurs at all ages because of imperfections in the working memory system - so, for instance, you may continually lose your glasses, or find yourself walking into a room of your house only to find that you cannot remember what you came for.Such absent-mindedness tends to creep up on us as we age and occurs because our plans and intentions, which are chalked up on the mental blackboard, are easily wiped out by stray thoughts and other distractions. Stress and preoccupation can also cause such absent-mindedness, in addition to age-related changes in the brain. The frontal lobes of the brain - located behind the forehead and above the eyes - are where the working memory system is located. Like the temporal lobes, which handle new learning, the frontal lobes are more vulnerable to the aging process than other parts of the brain.The news, however, is not all bleak. Although neurons reduce in number with age, the remaining neurons send out new and longer connection fibers (dendrites) to maintain connections and allow us to function reasonably well with only relatively small drops in ability.This and other evidence sugge sts that the principle “use it or lost it” might apply to the aging brain. Professor Shimamura studied a group of university professors who were still intellectually active, and compared their performance on neuropsychological tests with that of others of their age group, as well as with younger people. He found that on several tests of memory, the mentally active professors in their sixties and early seventies were superior to their contemporaries, and as good as the younger people.Research on animals provide even stronger evidence of the effects of stimulation on the brain structure. Professor Bryan Kolb, of the University of Lethbridge in Canada, has shown that animals kept in stimulating environments show sprouting (生长) and lengthening of the connecting nerve fibers in comparison with animals kept in unstimulating environments.The beneficial effects of continued mental activity are shown by the fact that older contestants in quiz shows are just as fast and accurate in responding to general knowledge questions as younger competitors, suggesting that at least part of their intellectual apparatus is spared the effects of aging because of practice and skill.Such findings lead to the intriguing possibility of “mental fitness training” to acco mpany jogging and workouts for the health conscious. Research in Stockholm by Professor Lars Backman and his colleague has shown that older people can be trained to use their memory better, with the effects of this training lasting several years.Just as people go bald or grey at different rates, so the same is true for their mental faculties. Why this should be the case for memory and other mental functions is not yet clear. If Professor Shimamura is right, then the degree to which people use and stretch their mental faculties may also have a role to play.Questions:51. The passage gives a description of several methods of testing mental ability.52. Professor Shimamura identified a number of areas in which mental function may change.53. As the temporal lobes of the brain are affected by aging, it becomes harder to pick up new skills.54. Research indicates that physical training can help to improve memory.55. Taking part in quizzes is the best way to stimulate the brain.56. Absent-mindedness is not necessarily ________.57. Scientists do not understand why people's ________ decline at different rates.58. If a person is under stress, ________ may become more frequent.59. When the frontal lobes of the brain are affected by aging, there is a gradual deterioration in ________.60. If an animal's brain is kept active and stimulated, ______________.Section C (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by 5 questions. Read the passage carefully, then answer the questions in a maximum of 10 words. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet. Questions 61 - 65 are based on the following passage.Alarmed by a 20-year decline in student achievement, American schools are considering major upheavals in the career structure of teachers, school boards around the country are planning to abandon traditional salary schedules and single out outstanding teachers for massive pay rise.The idea is regarded with deep suspicion by the United States' biggest teachers' unions, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. They say the creation of a cadre of eliteteachers will sour professional relationships and encourage teachers to compete instead of cooperate; they also question whether a fair way can be devised to tell which teachers really do perform better than their colleagues.But heightened public anxiety about secondary education appears to have given the master teacher concept unstoppable political momentum. Florida and Tennessee are racing to introduce ambitious statewide master teacher schemes before the end of the year. Less grandiose proposals to pay teachers on the basis of merit instead of seniority have already been implemented in countless school districts. And the Secretary of Education, Mr. Terrel Bell, recently promised substantial incentive grants to states which intend to follow their example.Low pay is believed to be the single most important reason for the flight from teaching. The average salary of a teacher in the United States is just under $19,000, much less than that of an engineer ($34,700) and not much more than that of a secretary($16,500). To make ends meet it is common for teachers to take second jobs in the evening and in their summer holidays, and women, who used to make up the bulk of teacher candidates are turning to better paid professions.The unions insist that the answer to this problem is to increase the basic pay of all teachers, but most states would find that too expensive, they would be better able to afford schemes that confine pay increases to a small number of exceptional teachers. Champions of the idea say it would at least hold out the promise of high pay and status to bright graduates who are confident of their ability to do well in the classroom, but are deterred by the present meager opportunities for promotion.One of the first large-scale tests of this approach will come in Tennessee, where a year of painstaking negotiations has just overcome bitter union opposition to a wide-ranging master teacher scheme. Tennessee promised that they will allocate $300 million as education budget. In return for a chance to earn bigger salaries and faster promotion, teachers will subject themselves to closer scrutiny.The Tennessee plan will make it harder for poor teachers to join the profession. Beginners will have to serve a probationary year before qualifying, and another three apprentice years before receiving tenure. Apprentice teachers who fail to reach a required standard will not be allowed to stay on. Survivors will be designated “career teachers” and given a chance to climb through three career rugs and earn bonuses of up to $7,000. Advancement will not be automatic. The performance of each teacher will be closely assessed by committees of teachers drawn from other districts.Questions:61. What support is the federal government offering to states that set up a master teacher scheme?62. What's the purpose of the master teacher scheme?63. In the state of Tennessee, how will teachers be assessed?64. What is the main idea of the text?65. What can be inferred from the text about the master teacher scheme?Section D (10 marks)Directions: In this section, there is one passage followed by a summary. Read the passage carefully and complete the summary below by choosing no more than three words from the passage. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Questions 66 - 70 are based on the following passage.The United KingdomBritain (or Great Britain) is an island that lies off the north-west coast of Europe. The nearest country is France, which is 20 miles away and from which Britain is separated by the English Channel. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the North Sea to the east. It comprises the mainlands of England, Wales and Scotland, that is, three countries. Scotland is in the north, while Wales is in the west. Ireland, which is also an island, lies off the west coast of Britain. It consists of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Britain together with Northern Ireland constitute the United Kingdom (UK). Thus, the United Kingdom is composed of four countries, the largest of which is England. The capital city is London, which is situated in south-east England.The UK has a total area of about 244,100 square kilometres (94,248 square miles). About 70% of the land area is devoted to agriculture, about 7% is wasteland, moorland and mountains, about 13% is devoted to urbandevelopment, and 10% is forest and woodland. The northern and western regions of Britain, that is Scotland and Vales, are mainly mountainous and hilly. Parts of the north-west and centre of England also consist of mountains and hills.Britain has a generally mild and temperate climate. It is, however, subject to frequent changes. It has an average annual rainfall of about 120 centimetres (47 inches).In 1998 the population of the United Kingdom was nearly 59 million. The density of population was approximately 240 people per square kilometre. However, in England, where 83% of the population live, the density was much higher, about 363 per square kilometre.In the UK, English is the first language of the vast majority of people. However, in western Wales, Welsh is the first language for many of the people. In Scotland only a small number of people speak Gaelic.In Britain about 66% of the population say that they are Christian, while fewer than 5% say that they belong to other religions.Summary:Britain is an island that (66) ________ the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. It comprises the mainlands of England, Wales and Scotland. Ireland (67) ________ the west coast of Britain. It (68) ________ Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. The United Kingdom consists of Britain together with Northern Ireland. The capital city is London which (69) ________ south-east England.In 1998 the population of the UK was nearly 59 million. The density of population was 240 people per square kilometre. In the UK English is the first language of most people. In western Wales, Welsh (70) ________ many of the people, but few people in Scotland speak Gaelic.Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 15 marks)Section A (5 marks)Directions: There are 5 blanks in the passage. For each blank, some letters of the word have been given (not exceeding 3 letters). Read the passage below and think of the word which best fits each blank. Use only one word in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Language is learned primarily through communication with other people. Research shows that the more communication children (71) exp________ at home, the better developed their language skills will be. Children need to talk well in order to learn well. This is especially important for the development of native language skills since the language is often reinforced by the child's environment outside school.However, the (72) qu________ of communication is just as or more important than quantity alone. The language adults use helps children become aware of the many different aspects of objects and events around them. For example, during a shopping trip to the market or store, adults can develop children's concepts by bringing their attention to the shapes, colors, sounds, textures, and sizes of objects and events around them.Parents can do this naturally through conversation without (73) di________ teaching. In other words, conversation with children in everyday situations expands their minds and develops their thinking skills.In addition to conversing with children, adults can help prepare their children to succeed in school by (74) en________ them to take an active interest in books and in the print that surrounds them in the environment. The child's first major task in school is learning to read. Children who come to school with knowledge that the print aroundthem carries important meaning and with an interest in books and stories will usually (75)su________ in learning to read rapidly.Section B (10 marks)Directions: There are 10 blanks in the passage. Use the word given in each blanket to form a word that fits in each blank. Remember to write the answers on the Answer Sheet.Forensic science (法庭科学) means (76) ________ (use) science to solve crime. But what exactly does a forensic scientist do?At the scene of crime, the crime scene (77) ________ (investigator) will thoroughly examine the area. They will look for fingerprints and palm prints; marks of tools and weapons; marks from shoes; fibers from (78)______ (cloth); body fluids.。
大学生英语竞赛(NECCS)B类英语专业决赛真题2008年
大学生英语竞赛(NECCS)B类英语专业决赛真题2008年(无听力)Part Ⅰ Listening C o m p e r h e n s i o n(略)Part Ⅱ Multiple C h o iceSection AThere are 10 incomplete sentences in this section. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the ce n t r e.1. The government is and will take the necessary steps to maintain security and stability.A.on standbyB.at riskC.out of controlD.on the alertAon standby严阵以待，随时准备着。
at risk处境危险。
out of control失去控制。
on the alert处于戒备状 态，保持警觉。
2. Being an experienced inventor, Jackson knew all his money in a risky venture.A.better than puttingB.rather than puttingC.better than to putD.rather than to put.Cknow better than to do明白事理(而不至于…)，不至于蠢到…。
3. , a man who expresses himself effectively is sure to succeed more rapidly than a man whose command of language is poor.A.Other things being equalB.Were other things equalC.To be equal to other thingsD.Other things to be equalAother things being equal在其他条件都相同的情况下。