2018年6月大学英语四级考试真题试卷(第2套)
2017年6月英语四级真题和参考答案(第2套)
2017年6月大学英语四级真题（卷二）Part I Writing(25minutes) (请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write an advertisement on your campus website to sell some of the course books you used at college.Your advertisement may include a brief description of their content,their condition,their price and your contact information.You should write at least120 words but no more than180words.Part II Listening Comprehension(30minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report,you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and questions will be spoken only once.After you hear questions,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions1to2are based on the conversation you have just heard.1.A)The majority of drivers prefer to drive and park themselves.B)Human drivers become easily distracted or tired while driving.C)Most drivers feel uncertain about the safety of self-driving cars.D)Most drivers have test driven cars with automatic braking features.2.A)Their drivers would feel safe after getting used to the automatic devices.B)They would be unpopular with drivers who only trust their own skills.C)Their increased comfort levels have boosted their sales.D)They are not actually as safe as automakers advertise.Questions3to4are based on the conversation you have just heard.3.A)Thefts of snowmobile dogs in Alaska.B)A series of injuries to snowmobile drivers.C)Attacks on some Iditarod Race competitors.D)A serious accident in the Alaska sports event.4.A)He stayed behind to look after his injured dogs.B)He has won the Alaska Iditarod Race four times.C)He received a minor injury in the Iditarod Race.D)He has quit the competition in Alaska for good.Questions5to7are based on the conversation you have just heard.5.A)It sank into the sea due to overloading.B)It ran into Nicaragua’s Big Corn Island.C)It disappeared between two large islands.D)It turned over because of strong winds.6.A)13.B)25.C)30.D)32.7.A)He has helped with the rescue effort.B)He is being investigated by the police.C)He was drowned with the passengers.D)He is among those people missing.Section BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions8to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)At a shopping centre.B)At a community college.C)At an accountancy firm.D)At an IT company.9.A)Helping out with data input.B)Arranging interviews.C)Sorting application forms.D)Making phone calls.10.A)He enjoys using computers.B)He needs the money badly.C)He wants to work in the city centre.D)He has relevant working experience.11.A)Purchase some business suits.B)Learn some computer language.C)Improve his programming skills.D)Review some accountancy terms.Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)They are keen on high technology.B)They are poor at technology skills.C)They often listen to National Public Radio.D)They feel superior in science and technology.13.A)Japanese.B)Germans.C)Poles.D)Americans.14.A)Emailing.B)Texting.C)Science.D)Literacy.15.A)It is undergoing a drastic reform.B)It lays emphasis on creative thinking.C)It has much room for improvement.D)It prioritizes training of practical skills.Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions.The recordings will be played only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions16to18are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A)They have small roots.B)They grow white flowers.C)They taste like apples.D)They come from Central Africa.17.A)They turned from white to purple in color.B)They became popular on the world market.C)They became an important food for humans.D)They began to look like modern-day carrots.18.A)They were found quite nutritious.B)There were serious food shortages.C)People discovered their medicinal value.D)Farm machines helped lower their prices.Questions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)She could update her family any time she liked.B)She could call up her family whenever she likedC)She could locate her friends wherever they were.D)She could download as many pictures as she liked.20.A)She liked to inform her friends about her success.B)She enjoyed reading her friends’status updates.C)She felt quite popular among them.D)She felt she was a teenager again.21.A)She could barely respond to all her500Facebook friends.B)She spent more time updating her friends than her family.C)She could barely balance Facebook updates and her work.D)She didn’t seem to be doing as well as her Facebook friends. Questions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A)They have strong muscles.B)They live a longer life than horses.C)They eat much less in winter.D)They can work longer than donkeys.23.A)It was a pet of a Spanish king.B)It was bought by George Washington.C)It was brought over from Spain.D)It was donated by a U.S.Ambassador.24.A)They met and exchanged ideas on animal breeding.B)They participated in a mule-driving competition.C)They showed and traded animals in the market.D)They fed mules with the best food they could find.25.A)The wider use of horses.B)The arrival of tractors.C)A shrinking animal trade.D)A growing donkey population.PartⅢReading Comprehension(40minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices,Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions26to35are based on the following passage.As if you needed another reason to hate the gym,it now turns out that exercise can exhaust not only your muscles,but also your eyes.Fear not,however,for coffee can stimulate them again.During (26)_______exercise,our muscles tire as they run out of fuel and build up waste products.Muscle performance can also be affected by a(27)_______called"central fatigue,”in which an imbalance in the body’s chemical messengers prevents the central nervous system from directing muscle movements （28)_______.It was not known,however,whether central fatigue might also affect motor systems not directly(29)_______in the exercise itself,such as those that move the eyes.To find out,researchers gave11volunteer cyclists a carbohydrate(碳水化合物的）(30)_______either with a moderate dose of caffeine(咖啡因)，which is known to stimulate the central nervous system,or as a placebo(安慰剂）without,during3hours of(31)_______.After exercising,the scientists tested the cyclists with eyetracking cameras to see how well their brains could still(32)_______their visual system.The team found that exercise reduced the speed of rapid eye movements by about8%,(33)_______their ability to capture new visual information.The caffeine,the equivalent of two strong cups of coffee,was (34)_______to reverse this effect,with some cyclists even displaying(35)_______eye movement speeds. So it might be a good idea to get someone else to drive you home after that marathon.A)cautiously B)commit C)control D)cyclingE)effectively F)increased G)involved H)limitedI)phenomenon J)preventing K)sensitive L)slowingSection BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.Team spirit[A]Teams have become the basic building blocks of organizations.Recruitment advertisements routinely call for“team players”.Business schools grade their students in part on their performance in group projects.Office managers knock down walls to encourage team building.Teams are as old as civilization,of course:even Jesus had12co-workers.But a new report by Deloitte,“Global Human Capital Trends”,based on a survey of more than7,000executives in over130countries,suggests that the fashion for teamwork has reached a new high.Almost half of those surveyed said their companies were either in the middle of restructuring or about to embark on(开始）it;and for the most part,restructuring meant putting more emphasis on teams.[B]Companies are abandoning conventional functional departments and organising employees into cross-disciplinary teams that focus on particular products,problems or customers.These teams are gaining more power to run their own affairs.They are also spending more time working with each other rather than reporting upwards.Deloitte argues that a new organisational form is on the rise:a network of teams is replacing the conventional hierarchy(等级体制).[C]The fashion for teams is driven by a sense that the old way of organising people is too rigid for both the modem marketplace and the expectations of employees.Technological innovation places greater value on agility(灵活性).John Chambers,chairman of Cisco Systems Inc.,a worldwide leader in electronics products,says that“we compete against market transitions(过渡)，not competitors.Product transitions used to take five or seven years;now they take one or two.”Digital technology also makes it easier for people to co-ordinate their activities without resorting to hierarchy.The“millennials”(千禧一代)who will soon make up half the workforce in rich countries were raised from nursery school onwards to work in groups.[D]The fashion for teams is also spreading from the usual corporate suspects(such as GE and IBM) to some more unusual ones.The Cleveland Clinic,a hospital operator,has reorganised its medical staffinto teams to focus on particular treatment areas;consultants,nurses and others collaborate closely instead of being separated by speciality(专业)and rank.The US Army has gone the same way.In his book,“Team of Teams'General Stanley McChrystal describes how the army’s hierarchical structure hindered its operations during the early stages of the Iraq war.His solution was to learn something from the insurgents it was fighting:decentralise authority to self-organising teams.[E]A good rule of thumb is that as soon as generals and hospital administrators jump on a management bandwagon,it is time to ask questions.Leigh Thompson of Kellogg School of Management in Illinois warns that,‘Teams are not always the answer—teams may provide insight,creativity and knowledge in a way that a person working independently cannot;but teamwork may also lead to confusion,delay and poor decision-making.”The late Richard Hackman of Harvard University once argued,“I have no question that when you have a team,the possibility exists that it will generate magic, producing something extraordinary...But don’t count on it.”[F]Hackman(who died in2013)noted that teams are hampered by problems of co-ordination and motivation that chip away at the benefits of collaboration.High-flyers forced to work in teams may be undervalued and free-riders empowered.Groupthink may be unavoidable.In a study of120teams of senior executives,he discovered that less than10%of their supposed members agreed on who exactly was on the team.If it is hard enough to define a team’s membership,agreeing on its purpose is harder still.[G]Profound changes in the workforce are making teams trickier to manage.Teams work best if their members have a strong common culture.This is hard to achieve when,as is now the case in many big firms,a large proportion of staff are temporary contractors.Teamwork improves with time:America’s National Transportation Safety Board found that73%of the incidents in its civil-aviation database occurred on a crew’s first day of flying together.However,as Amy Edmondson of Harvard points out, organisations increasingly use“team”as a verb rather than a noun:they form teams for specific purposes and then quickly disband them.[H]The least that can be concluded from this research is that companies need to think harder about managing teams.They need to rid their minds of sentimentalism(感情用事)：the most successful teams have leaders who are able to set an overall direction and take immediate action.They need to keep teams small and focused:giving in to pressure to be more“inclusive”is a guarantee of dysfunction.Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s boss,says that“If I see more than two pizzas for lunch,the team is too big.”They need to immunize teams against group-think:Hackman argued that the best ones contain“deviants”(离经叛道者）who are willing to do something that maybe upsetting to others.[I]A new study of12,000workers in17countries by Steelcase,a furniture-maker which also does consulting,finds that the best way to ensure employees are“engaged”is to give them more control over where and how they do their work―which may mean liberating them from having to do everything in collaboration with others.[J]However,organisations need to learn something bigger than how to manage teams better:they need to be in the habit of asking themselves whether teams are the best tools for the job.Teambuilding skills are in short supply:Deloitte reports that only12%of the executives they contacted feel they understand the way people work together in networks and only21%feel confident in their ability to build cross-functional teams.Loosely managed teams can become hotbeds of distraction―employees routinely complain that they can’t get their work done because they are forced to spend too much time in meetings or compelled to work in noisy offices.Even in the age of open-plan offices and social networks some work is best left to the individual.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2021年6月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)
2021年6月大学英语四级考试真题（第2套）Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay titled "Do violent video games lead to violence?" The statement given below is for your reference. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.A growing body of research finds that violent video games can make kids act aggressively in their real world relationships, causing an increase in violence.PartⅡListening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）, B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) See the Pope.B) Go to Newcastle.C) Travel to German.D) Tour an Italian city.2.A) He was taken to hospital in an ambulance.B) His car hit a sign and was badly damaged.C) His GPS system went out of order.D) He ended up in the wrong place.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) Scotland will reach the national target in carbon emissions reduction ahead of schedule.B) Glasgow City Council has made a deal with ScottishPower on carbon emissions.C) Glasgow has pledged to take the lead in reducing carbon emissions in the UK.D) First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged ScottishPower to reduce carbon emissions.4. A) Glasgow needs to invest in new technologies to reach its goal.B) Glasgow is going to explore new sources of renewable energy.C) Stricter regulation is needed in transforming Glasgow’s economy.D) It’s necessary to create more low-emission zones as soon as possible.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) It donates money to overpopulated animal shelters.B) It permits employees to bring cats into their office.C) It gives 5,000 yen to employees who keep pet cats.D) It allows workers to do whatever their hearts desire.6. A) Keep cats off the street.B) Rescue homeless cat.C) Volunteer to help in animal shelters.D) Contribute to a fund for cat protection.7. A) It has contributed tremendously to the firm’s fame.B) It has helped a lot of to improve animals’ well-being.C) It has led some other companies to follow the suit.D) It has resulted in damage to office equipment.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C)and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) Find out where Jimmy is.B) Borrow money from Jimmy.C) Make friends with Jimmy.D) Ask Jimmy what is to be done.9. A) He was unsure what kind of fellow Jimmy was.B) He was working on a study project with Jimmy.C) He wanted to make a sincere apology to Jimmy.D) He wanted to invite her to join in a study project.10. A) He got a ticket for speeding.B) He got his car badly damaged.C) He was involved in a traffic accident.D) He had an operation for his injury.11. A) He needed to make some donation to charity.B) He found the 60 pounds in his pocket missing.C) He wanted to buy a gift for his mother’s birthday.D) He wanted to conceal something from his parents.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Shopping delivery.B) Shopping online.C) Where he goes shopping.D) How often he does shopping.13. A) Searching in the aisles.B) Dealing with the traffic.C) Driving too long a distance.D) Getting one’s car parked.14. A) The after-sales service.B) The replacement policy.C) The quality of food products.D) The damage to the packaging.15. A) It saves money.B) It offers more choice.C) It increases the joy of shopping.D) It is less time-consuming.Section CDirections:In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) They have little talent for learning math.B) They need medical help for math anxiety.C) They need extra help to catch up in the math class.D) They have strong negative emotions towards math.17. A) It will gradually pass away without teacher’s help.B) It affects low performing children only.C) It is related to a child’s low intelligence.D) It exists mostly among children from poor families.18. A) Most of them have average to strong math ability.B) Most of them get timely help from their teachers.C) They will regain confidence with counselling.D) They are mostly secondary school students.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Social media addition is a threat to our health.B) Too many people are addicted to smartphones.C) Addiction to computer games is a disease.D) Computer games can be rather addictive.20. A) They prioritize their favored activity over what they should do.B) They do their favored activity whenever and wherever possible.C) They are unaware of the damage their behavior is doing to them.D) They are unable to get rid of their addiction without professional help.21. A) It may be less damaging than previously believed.B) There will never be agreement on its harm to people.C) It may prove to be beneficial to developing creativity.D) There is not enough evidence to classify it as a disease.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They are relatively uniform in color and design.B) They appear more formal than other passports.C) They are a shade of red bordering on brown.D) They vary in color from country to country.23. A) They must endure wear and tear.B) They must be of the same size.C) They must be made from a rare material.D) They must follow some common standards.24. A) They look more traditional.B) They look more official.C) They are favored by airlines.D) They are easily identifiable.25. A) For beauty.B) For variety.C) For visibility.D) For security.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once．Social isolation poses more health risks than obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to research published by Brigham Young University. The 26 is that loneliness is a huge, if silent, risk factor.Loneliness affects physical health in two ways. First, it produces stress hormones that can lead to many health problems. Second, people who live alone are less likely to go to the doctor 27 , to exercise or to eat a healthy diet.Public health experts in many countries are 28 how to address widespread loneliness in our society. Last year Britain even appointed a minister for loneliness. “Loneliness 29 almost every one of us at some point,” its minister for loneliness Baroness Barran said. “It can lead to very serious health 30 for individu als who become isolated and disconnected.”Barran started a “Let's Talk Loneliness” campaign that 31 difficult conversations across Britain. He is now suppor ting “ 32 benches,” which are public seating areas where people are encouraged to go and chat with one another. The minister is also 33 to stop public transportation from being cut in ways that leave people isolated.More than one-fifth of adults in both the United States and Britain said in a 2018 34 that they often or always feel lonely. More than half of American adults are unmarried, and researchers have found that even among those who are married, 30% of relationships are 35 strained. A quarter of Americans now live alone, and as the song says, one is the loneliest number.Section BDirections:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The start of high school doesn’t have to be stressfulA)This month, more than 4 million students across the nation will begin high school. Manywill do well. But many will not. Consider that nearly two-thirds of students will experience the “ninth-grade shock,” which refers to a dramatic drop in a student’s academic performance.Some students cope with this shock by avoiding challenges. For instance, they may drop difficult coursework. Others may experience a hopelessness that results in failing their core classes, such as English, science and math.B)This should matter a great deal to parents, teachers and policymakers. Ultimately it shouldmat ter to the students themselves and society at large, because students’ experience of transitioning (过渡)to the ninth grade can have long-term consequences not only for the students themselves but for their home communities. We make these observations as research psychologists who have studied how schools and families can help young people thrive.C)In the new global economy, students who fail to finish the ninth grade with passing grades incollege preparatory coursework are very unlikely to graduate on time and go on to get jobs.One study has calculated that the lifetime benefit to the local economy for a single additional student who completes high school is half a million dollars or more. This is based on higher earnings and avoided costs in health care, crime, welfare dependence and other things.D)The consequences of doing poorly in the ninth grade can impact more than students’ ability tofind a good job. It can also impact the extent to which they enjoy life. Students lose many of the friends they turned to for support when they move from the eighth to the ninth grade. One study of ninth-grade students found that 50 percent of friendships among ninth graders changed from one month to the next, signaling striking instability in friendships.E)In addition, studies find the first year of high school typically shows one of the greatestincreases in depression of any year over the lifespan. Researchers think that one explanation is that ties to friends are broken while academic demands are rising. Furthermore, most adult cases of clinical depression first emerge in adolescence(青春期). The World Health Organization reports that depression has the greatest burden of disease worldwide, in terms of the total cost of treatment and the loss of productivity.F)Given all tha t’s riding on having a successful ninth grade experience, it pays to explore whatcan be done to meet the academic, social and emotional challenges of the transition to high school. So far, our studies have yielded one main insight: Students’ beliefs about change—their beliefs about whether people are stuck one way forever, or whether people can change their personalities and abilities—are related to their ability to cope, succeed academically and maintain good mental health. Past research has called these beliefs “mindsets (思维模式) ,”with a “fixed mindset” referring to the belief that people cannot change and a “growth mindset”referring to the belief that people can change.G)In one recent study, we examined 360 adolescents’ beliefs about the nature of “smartness”—that is, their fixed mindsets about intelligence. We then assessed biological stress responses for students whose grades were dropping by examining their stress hormones (荷尔蒙). Students who believed that intelligence is fixed—that you are stuck being “not smart” if you struggle in school—showed higher levels of stress hormones when their grades were declining at the beginning of the ninth grade. If students believed that intelligence could improve—that is to say, when they held more of a growth mindset of intelligence—they showed lower levels of stress hormones when their grades were declining. This was an exciting result because it showed that the body’s stress responses are not determined solely by one’s grades. Instead, declining grades only predicted worse stress hormones among students who believed that worsening grades were a permanent and hopeless state of affairs.H)We also investigated the social side of the high school transition. In this study, instead ofteaching students that their smartness can change, we taught them that their social standing—that is, whether they are bullied or excluded or left out—can change over time. We then looked at high school students’ stress responses to daily social difficulties. That is, we taught them a growth mindset about their social lives. In this study, students came into the laboratory and were asked to give a public speech in front of upper-year students. The topic of the speech was what makes one popular in high school. Following this, students had to complete a difficult mental math task in front of the same upper-year students.I)Experiment results showed that students who were not taught that people can change showedpoor stress responses. When these students gave the speech, their blood vessels contracted and their hearts pumped less blood through the body—both responses that the body shows when it is preparing for damage or defeat after a physical threat. Then they gave worse speeches and made more mistakes in math. But when students were taught that people can change, they had better responses to stress, in part because they felt like they had the resources to deal with the demanding situation. Students who got the growth mindset intervention (干预)showed less-contracted blood vessels and their hearts pumped more blood—both of which contributed to more oxygen getting to the brain, and, ultimately, better performance on the speech and mental math tasks.J)These findings lead to several possibilities that we are investigating further. First, we are working to replicate (复制) these findings in more diverse school communities. We want to know in which types of schools and for which kinds of students these growth mindset ideas help young people adapt to the challenges of high school. We also hope to learn how teachers, parents or school counselors can help students keep their ongoing academic or social difficulties in perspective. We wonder what would happen if schools helped to make beliefsabout the potential for change and improvement a larger feature of the overall school culture, especially for students starting the ninth grade.36. The number of people experiencing depression shows a sharp increase in the first year of high school.37. According to one study, students’ academic performance is not the only decisive factor of their stress responses.38. Researchers would like to explore further how parents and schools can help ninth graders by changing their mindset.39. According to one study, each high school graduate contributes at least 500,000 dollars to the local economy.40. In one study, students were told their social position in school is not unchangeable.41. It is reported that depression results in enormous economic losses worldwide.42. One study showed that friendships among ninth graders were far from stable.43. More than half of students will find their academic performance declining sharply when they enter the ninth grade.44. Researchers found through experiments that students could be taught to respond to stress in a more positive way.45. It is beneficial to explore ways to cope with the challenges facing students entering high school.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Sugar shocked. That describes the reaction of many Americans this week following revelations that, 50 years ago, the sugar industry paid Harvard scientists for research that shifted the focus away from sugar’s role in heart disease — and put the spotlight (注意的中心) squarely on dietary fat.What might surprise consumers is just how many present-day nutrition studies are still funded by the food industry. Nutrition scholar Marion Nestle of New York University spent a year informally tracking industry-funded studies on food. “Roughly 90% of nearly 170 studies f avored the sponsor’s interest,” Nestle tells us. Other systematic reviews support her conclusions.For instance, studies funded by Welch Foods —the brand behind Welch’s 100% Grape Juice — found that drinking Concord grape juice daily may boost brain function. Another, funded by Quaker Oats, concluded, as a Daily Mail story put it, that “hot oatmeal(燕麦粥) breakfast keeps you full for longer.”Last year, The New York Times revealed how Coca-Cola was funding well-known scientists and organizations promoting a message that, in the battle against weight gain, people should paymore attention to exercise and less to what they eat and drink. Coca-Cola also released data detailing its funding of several medical institutions and associations between 2010 and 2015.“It’s certainly a problem that so much research in nutrition and health is funded by industry,” says Bonnie Liebman, director of nutrition at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “When the food indus try pays for research, it often gets what it pays for.” And what it pays for is often a pro-industry finding.Given this environment, consumers should be skeptical(怀疑的）when reading the latest finding in nutrition science and ignore the latest study that p ops up on your news feed. “Rely on health experts who’ve reviewed all the evidence,” Liebman says, pointing to the official government Dietary Guidelines, which are based on reviews of hundreds of studies.“And that expert advice remains pretty simple, ”says Nestle. “We know what healthy diets are — lots of vegetables, not too much junk food, balanced calories. Everything else is really difficult to do experimentally.”46. What did Harvard scientists do 50 years ago?A) They raised public awareness of the possible causes of heart disease.B) They turned public attention away from the health risks of sugar to fat.C) They placed the sugar industry in the spotlight with their new findings.D) They conducted large-scale research on the role of sugar in people's health.47. What does Marion Nestle say about present-day nutrition studies?A) They took her a full year to track and analyze.B) Most of them are based on systematic reviews.C) They depend on funding from the food industries.D) Nearly all of them serve the purpose of the funders.48. What did Coca-Cola-funded studies claim?A) Exercise is more important to good health than diet.B) Choosing what to eat and drink is key to weight control.C) Drinking Coca-Cola does not contribute to weight gain.D) The food industry plays a major role in fighting obesity.49. What does Liebman say about industry-funded research?A) It simply focuses on nutrition and health.B) It causes confusion among consumers.C) It rarely results in objective findings.D) It runs counter to the public interest.50. What is the author's advice to consumers?A) Follow their intuition in deciding what to eat.B) Be doubtful of diet experts' recommendations.C) Ignore irrelevant information on their news feed.D) Think twice about new nutrition research findings.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Success was once defined as being able to stay at a company for a long time and move up the corporate ladder. The goal was to reach the top, accumulate wealth and retire to a life of ease. My father is a successful senior executive. In 35 years, he worked for only three companies.When I started my career, things were already different. If you weren’t changing companies every three or four years, you simply weren’t getting ahead in your career. But back then, if you were a consultant or freelancer (自由职业者), people would wonder what was wrong with you. They would assume you had problems getting a job.Today, consulting or freelancing for five businesses at the same time is a badge of honor. It shows how valuable an individual is. Many companies now look to these “ultimate professionals” to solve problems their full-time teams can’t. Or they save money by hiring “top-tier (顶尖的) experts” only for particular proje cts.Working at home or in cafes, starting businesses of their own, and even launching business ventures that eventually may fail, all indicate “initiative,” “creativity,” and “adaptability,” which are desirable qualities in today’s workplace. Most importa nt, there is a growing recognition that people who balance work and play, and who work at what they are passionate about, are more focused and productive, delivering greater value to their clients.Who are these people? They are artists, writers, programmers, providers of office services and career advice. What’s needed now is a marketplace platform specifically designed to bring freelancers and clients together. Such platforms then become a place to feature the most experienced, professional, and creative talent. This is where they conduct business, where a sense of community reinforces the culture and values of the gig economy (零工经济), and where success is rewarded with good reviews that encourage more business.Slowly but surely, these platforms create a bridge between traditional enterprises and this emerging economy. Perhaps more important, as the global economy continues to be disrupted by technology and other massive change, the gig economy will itself become an engine of economic and social transformation.Part ⅣTranslation (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.普洱(Pu’er)茶深受中国人喜爱。
2023年6月大学英语四级考试真题试卷第2套(含答案及详细解析)
2023年6月英语四级真题第2套Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions:Suppose the student union of your university is organizing an online discussion on interpersonal relationships. You are to write an essay on ways to maintain a warm and friendly relationship with your classmates and on the benefits of such a relationship. You will have 30 minutes for the task. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B),C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) A man was bitten by a snake. C) A man kept a 4-foot snake as a pet.B) A man was taken to a hospital. D) A man fell off his toilet seat.2. A) Where the snake had been taken. C) How the snake was captured.B) Whether the snake was infected. D) Who owned the snake.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) Taking her trash out in fancy dresses. C) Sharing her photos with famous movie stars.B) Amusing herself by going to ball parties. D) Posting her daughter's photos on social media.4. A) To make herself popular. C) To please her daughter.B) To amuse people. D) To record her achievements.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) Eat as much as they want for $10. C) Have a meal even if they have no money.B) Have a chance of winning a $ 100 prize. D) Get a free meal after answering some questions.6. A) It was brought up by two staffers. C) It originated from a donation to her staff.B) It helped to popularize her restaurant. D) It was suggested by some of her customers.7. A) Fifty customers have offered donations. C) Many people have come to eat at the restaurant.B) More people have been giving than taking. D) Most staffers have received messages of kindness. Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He is a psychologist. C) He is a host for a TV program.B) He is a famous writer. D) He is a primary school teacher.9. A) Why social media accounts vanish without a trace.B) Why parents raise their children in different ways.C) Why people fail to respond to emails promptly.D) Why friends break off contact all of a sudden.10. A) They simply shut themselves down. C) They scream to get their parents back.B) They avoid showing their emotions. D) They attempt to ignore the whole situation.11. A) They may regard any difference as the end of a relationship.B) They are on better terms with friends and romantic partners.C) They try to express their feelings and thoughts effectively.D) They attach more value to their relationships with others.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Their price. C) Their quality.B) Their color. D) Their design.13. A) Jeans are a typical American garment.B). America makes the best-known brands of jeans.C) America has the best weaving tools in the world.D) Jeans are available in a greater variety in America.14. A) They are artificial. C) They are unique.B) They are natural. D) They are special.15. A) They are for casual wearing. C) They are much too pricey.B) They are popular with boys. D) They are worth the price.Section CDirections:In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passages and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) He desires more in life. C) He feels as inspired as other audience members.B) He wants to see it again. D) He longs to become a superstar himself.17. A) It is rather unrealistic. C) It is somewhat complicated.B) It is extremely artistic. D) It is relatively predictable.18. A) They are biased against women. C) They are full of shootings.B) They are basically misleading. D) They are too simple.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) It can highlight leadership. C) It is a means to inspire creative thinking.B) It can help connect people. D) It is an intuitive way to solidify friendship.20. A) Allow them to recite data points. C) Enable them to remember the main idea.B) Make them more open to learning. D) Stimulate them to engage in discussions.21. A) Inspire listeners' imagination. C) Convey fundamental values.B) Enrich their own experience. D) Explain insightful ideas.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Immigrants outnumber U.S.-born Americans.B) Immigrants have been contributing to the U.S.C) Another wave of immigrants is hitting the U.S.D) The number of immigrants to the U.S. is declining.23. A) More of them expect their children to succeed in business.B) They have fewer chances to be hired by U.S. companies.C) They have founded most Fortune 500 companies.D) More of them are successful business people.24. A) They have higher installment loan debt than native-born Americans.B) Nineteen percent of them borrow money from friends and family.C) Their level of debt is lower than that of native-born Americans.D) Thirty-four percent of them use credit for their daily purchases.25. A) Keep their traditional values and old habits. C) Borrow money from financial institutions.B) Find employment in competitive businesses. D) Collaborate with native-born Americans.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirection s: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Morocco is responding to increasing energy demands by setting up one of the largest solar plants in the world.The Noor solar power station is ___26___ in the city of Ouarzazate and, once completed, will generate 580 million watts of electricity. The World Bank estimates it will serve 1.1 million people. It's ___27___ to be completed soon.Morocco's current energy comes ___28___ from imports. The nation hopes to get 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. With demand for energy ___29___ at an annual rate of 7 percent, the new solar plant could be a ___30___ part of that goal."This makes Morocco a big ___31___ in the field of solar energy in the Arab region and the African continent. It could also be a forerunner for many other countries in the world that ___32___ on foreign imports of energy," said Ali Hajji, a solar energy specialist and engineering professor.Experts believe that the Middle East and North Africa have huge ___33___ for solar energy projects. This is partly because of adequate sunlight and partly because technology has become more ___34___ in the region."The last few years have seen a realization of ___35___ how competitive solar technologies can be," said Michael Taylor, a senior analyst at the International Renewable Energy Agency.A) affordable I) mostlyB) ancestor J) operatingC) crucial K) perhapsD) depend L) pioneerE) initial M) potentialF) insist N) risingG) just O) scheduledH) locatedSection BDirections:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by making the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.New Formula One Chief Hopes to Grab Americans' AttentionA) For the past four decades, the leader of Formula One car racing, one of the biggest annual sporting seriesin the world, was Bernie Ecclestone, a former motorcycle parts dealer who built it into an international presence essentially on his own.B) A skilled backroom operator who speaks without a filter, Ecclestone said often that in his opinion, thesport was at its best when he was allowed to act as "a dictator.”C) Yet now the dictator is gone. After an American company, Liberty Media, acquired the Formula Onecompetition recently, Chase Carey—a former executive with Fox Broadcasting Company and DirecTV who by his own admission is not a fierce racing fan—was named to replace Ecclestone and to try to renovate the organization's management, reach and ambition.D) Among the goals, Carey said in an interview on Tuesday, is one that just about every global sport seemsinterested in chasing: increasing interest in the United States. "People have said we're going to "Americanize' it," Carey said. "And we're not going to do that totally. But realistically, there are some elements of Americanization that the sport could use."E) While Formula One commands enormous audiences throughout much of the world, many Americansports fans know it as that other motorsport, the one that is not Nascar (纳斯卡车赛). Formula One teams race far more technologically advanced vehicles around tracks all over the world-in magnificent events in places like Malaysia, Monaco, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, and on tradition-rich tracks like Silverstone in England and Monza in Italy too.F) The series has an annual race in Austin, Texas. But within "a few years," Carey said, he plans to bringanother to a destination American city, like New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Las Vegas. Carey's ambitious plan is two-fold: first, change the business model of Formula One, which he said was a "one-man show" under Ecclestone that had a largely narrow vision when it came to negotiating partnership deals; and second, alter the way fans experience the sport, both in person and remotely, so that connections between the audience and people within the series are easier to make.G) Increased digital access for fans, a more behind-the-scenes experience for broadcast viewers andinnovation in areas like virtual reality-what is it like to speed around a track inside a Ferrari?-are among the possibilities. "The sport has clearly been underserved," Carey said. "It doesn't do anything digitally.There's no marketing. It doesn't tell any stories. The goal in this is to make the fans connect to the live experience as much as possible, and the tools you have to do that, we're not using at all."H) The larger question, though, is a familiar one: Is there room for Formula One in the ever-crowded sportslandscape of the United States? Opinions vary, particularly because viewing habits among consumers continue to evolve. John Bloom, a professor at Shippensburg University who has studied American sports history, said the biggest challenge for any sport trying to increase its presence in the United States was framing itself in a way that had lasting appeal. "Sports generally become popular in some way because they establish a narrative," Bloom said. "When I think of motorsports in the U.S., what we allthink of is Nascar, and the narrative of Nascar is sort of rural, white, working-class Americans, mostly in the South, connecting with the atmosphere of those races. That's the narrative. When I think of the narrative of Formula One, it's a very different kind of audience."I) That difference, Carey said, is significant. While some might immediately link Formula One to Nascar interms of American growth, Carey said Formula One's brand research had indicated there was very little crossover; rather, Formula One fans generally cite other so-called elite events, like Wimbledon or the Ryder Cup, as competitions they enjoy. "Other than they're both cars, the Nascar fan base is a very different fan base," Carey said. "It's a very regional fan base. Formula One is a global, famous brand of stars. These are machines that shock and awe you."J) Carey's background is in deal making and innovation. At Fox Broadcasting Company, he was a top advisor for years, known for his skill in helping to lead the launch of the company into sports, as well as the start of Fox News Channel. After going to DirecTV, he positioned the satellite provider as a mainstream option in millions of households.K) Now, after Liberty Media paid $4.4 billion to acquire Formula One, he is charged with making the investment pay off. "I think they can build Formula One in the U.S.," said Patrick Crakes, an executive at In Vivo Media Group who spent 25 years at Fox Broadcasting Company before leaving in 2016 as a senior manager at Fox Sports. "People don't work on their cars anymore. They don't want that connection anymore. It's about technology and pushing the limits. It's about speed, danger and risk. And Formula One has that more than any other racing series."L) That is what hooked Carey, and he said he thought his experience was not unusual. He recalled attending Formula One's Monaco race last year and being overwhelmed by the ceremony leading up to the event, the way the race charmed the city for days ahead of the start. In his mind, it felt like a Super Bowl （超级碗橄榄球赛).M) Then, on race day, he watched as the cars rocketed out of a tunnel and went screaming toward a tight turn with the city's harbor and the Mediterranean Sea in the background framing the scene. He was fascinated."You can't help but be awed," he said, "and I think that feeling can be translated to the viewer."N) He added: "The broader sport is a little too inward-looking, and we need to be more open. In some ways, I'm glad to be coming from the outside. The guys who are in the sport forever are sitting there saying: 'We can't do that. We can't do that because it's never been done that way.""36. Chase Carey believes greater use should be made of digital technology to make Formula One moreaccessible to its fans.37. Chase Carey was deeply impressed by the ceremony preceding last year's Monaco race.38. One of Chase Carey's goals is to make Formula One more appealing to Americans.39. A former motorbike parts dealer led Formula One for the past forty years.40. Chase Carey thought the audience of Formula One could be made to share his feeling about the race.41. Chase Carey used to serve as a top advisor for a major broadcasting company.42. Chase Carey intends to make connections easier between the audience and the Formula One racers.43. The new leader of Formula One admitted he was not super interested in car racing.44. People's opinions differ as to whether Formula One can be promoted in the U.S.45. Compared with other racing series, Formula One focuses more on speed and involves more danger.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C)and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Supermarkets have long been suffering as one of the thinnest-margined businesses in existence and one of the least-looked-forward-to places to work or visit. For more than a decade, they have been under attack from e-commerce giants, blamed for making Americans fat, and accused of contributing to climate change.Supermarkets can technically be defined as giants housing 15,000 to 60,000 different products. The revolutionary idea of a self-service grocery, where people could hunt and gather food from aisles rather than asking a clerk to fetch items from behind a counter, first came about in America. There is some debate about which was the very first, but over the years a consensus has built around King Kullen Supermarket, founded in New York in 1930.For some 300 years, Americans had fed themselves from small stores and public markets. Shopping for food involved mud, noisy chickens, clouds of flies, nasty smells, bargaining, and getting short-changed. The supermarket imitated the Fordist factory, with its emphasis on efficiency and standardization, and reimagined it as a place to buy food. Supermarkets may not feel cutting-edge now, but they were a revolution in distribution at the time. They were such strange marvels that, on her first official state visit to the United States in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II insisted on an impromptu (即兴的)tour of a suburban-Maryland Giant Food.The typical supermarket layout has barely changed over the past 90 years. Most stores open with flowers, fruit and vegetables at the front as a breath of freshness to arouse our appetite. Meanwhile, they keep the milk, eggs, and other daily basics all the way back so you'll travel through as much of the store as possible, and be tempted along the way.In the early days, as the supermarket multiplied, so did our suspicion of it. We have long feared that this "revolution in distribution" uses corporate black magic on our appetite. The book The Hidden Persuaders, published in 1957, warned that supermarkets were putting women in a "hypnoidal trance (催眠恍惚状态)," causing them to wander aisles bumping into boxes and "picking things off shelves at random."46. What problem have supermarkets been facing?A) They are actually on the way to bankruptcy.C) They are forced to use e-commerce strategies.B) They have been losing customers and profits.D) They have difficulty adapting to climate change.47. What does the passage say about the idea of a self-service grocery?A) It was put forward by King Kullen. C) It has been under constant debate.B) It originated in the United States. D) It proves revolutionary even today.48. What did supermarkets do by adopting the Fordist factory approach?A) They modernized traditional groceries in many ways.B) They introduced cutting-edge layout of their stores.C) They improved the quality of the food they sold.D) They revolutionized the distribution of goods.49. What is the typical supermarket layout intended to do?A) Arouse customers' appetite to buy flowers, fruit and vegetables.B) Provide customers easy access to items they want to buy.C) Induce customers to make more unplanned purchases.D) Enable customers to have a more enjoyable shopping experience.50. What have people long feared about supermarkets?A) They use tricky strategies to promote their business.B) They are going to replace the local groceries entirely.C) They apply corporate black magic to the goods on display.D) They take advantage of the weaknesses of women shoppers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.The traditional school year, with three months of vacation every summer, was first implemented when America was an agricultural society and the summer months were needed for farm work. Since then, we've completely changed as a nation. Students no longer spend summers farming, but they aren't in school, either. The average American student receives 13 weeks off from school each calendar year-with about 11 of those during the summer. Few other countries have more than seven weeks off in a school calendar.With the U.S. lagging behind other countries in academics, it's time to consider year-round schooling. One benefit of this change is that students will not fall victim to the "summer slide," or the well-documented phenomenon where students forget some of the knowledge they have acquired when too much time is taken off from school. Decades of research shows that it can take from 8 to 13 weeks at the beginning of every school year for students to get back to where they were before the summer holiday.But year-round schooling isn't just about academics. Teachers and students experience a closer relationship in year-round schools than they do in traditional schools and, in the absence of any long-term break, students do not feel detached from the school environment. These closer bonds and greater attachment pay off. Research shows that students in year-round schools are more self-confident and feel more positive about their schooling experience.But don't kids need time to relax? Some childhood development experts believe that time off from school is vital to healthy development as kids are not designed to spend so much of their time inside classrooms and the summer break provides a perfect opportunity to get outside. The problem with this argument is that most children aren't playing outside or even spending time with other kids. While some children visit summer camps, most stay at home, watching TV or playing games on electronic devices, which hardly benefits them.The U.S. has changed from a farming economy to a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, so it makes sense for the school year to change as well.51. Why did America's traditional school year have a three-month summer vacation?A) Students needed to help with farm work.B) Students needed time to learn necessary farming skills.C) The agricultural society then attached less importance to academics.D) America lagged behind other countries in making a scientific school calendar.52. What benefit will year-round schooling bring students in addition to improving their learning?A) It will help them get back to where their lessons started.B) It will enable them to absorb what they have learned.C) It will familiarize them with the school environment.D) It will strengthen their relationship with teachers.53. What do some childhood development experts believe about the long summer vacation?A) It meets students' need to study on their own.B) It enables students to learn about the outside world.C) It satisfies students' desire to stay longer at home.D) It contributes to students' healthy growth.54. What is the argument against the experts' idea of a long summer vacation?A) It does little good to most students.B) It benefits few students playing outside.C) It leads students to neglect their studies.D) It makes students addicted to computer games.55. What does the author think of the traditional school year in the U.S. today?A) Well-grounded. C) Outdated.B) Culture-bound. D) Welcomed.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.改革开放40多年以来,中国政府对高等教育越来越重视,高等教育已经进入稳步发展阶段。
英语四级真题2018年12月(第二套)试卷及答案解析
2018年12月四级考试真题（第二套）Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short es s ay on the challenges of s杠dy ing a ro叫.You should write at least 120 words but叩more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once.Afteryou hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) ,B),C) a nd D) . Then mark the co汀esponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on th e news report you have just heard.1.A) A man was pulled to safety after a building collapse.B) A beam about ten feet long collapsed to the ground.C) A rescue worker got trapped in the basement.D) A deserted 100-year-old building caught fire.2.A) H e suffered a fatal injury in an accident.B) H e once served in a fr r e department.C) H e was collecting building materials.D) H e moved into his neighbor's old house. Questions 3 and 4 are based on th e news report you have just beard.3.A)Improve the maths skills of high school teachers.C) H elp British people understand their paychecks.4.A) Children t吐e maths courses at an earlier age.B) T he public sees the value of maths in their life.C) B ritish people know how to do elementary calculations.D)阳mary school teachers understand basic maths concepts.B) Change British people's negative view of maths.D) L aunch a campaign to promote maths teaching.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A)He owns a fleet of aircraft.B)He is learning to be a pilot.C) H e regards his royal duties as a burden.D) H e held a part-time job for over 20 years.6.A) H e can demonstrate his superior piloting skills.C) H e can show his difference from other royalty.7.A) T hey enjoyed his company.C) T hey rarely recognised him.Section BB) H e can change his focus of attention and relax.D) H e can come into closer contact with his people.B) T hey liked him in his uniform.D) T hey were surprised to see him.． Directmns: In this ·uh zsection, you wi ear two ong conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear fourquestions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) . Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 8.A) T hey were skilled carpenters themselves.C) W ood supply was plentiful in Romania.9.A) P rovide quality furniture at affordable prices C) E nlarge their company by hiring more workers.10.A) T hey are from her hometown.C) T hey all come from Romania.11.A) A ll across Europe.C) M ostly in Bucharest.B) I t didn't need much capital to start with.D) T hey saw a business opportunity there.B) A ttract foreign investment to expand business. D) O pen some more branch companies in Germany.B) T hey are imported from Germany.D) T hey come from all over the continent.B) T hroughout the world.D) I n Romania only.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 12.A) G o to a concert with him and his girlfriend.C) G o with him to choose a pearl for Susan.13.A) I t is sponsored by local restaurants.C) I t is especially popular with the young.14.A) T hey design a special set of menus for themselves.B) T hey treat themselves to various entertainments.C) T hey go to eat at different stylish restaurants.D) T hey participate in a variety of social events.15.A) M ore restaurants will join Restaurant Week.B) T his year's Restaurant Week will start soon.C)) B igger discounts will be offered this Restaurant Week. D) M ore types of food will be served this Restaurant Week.Section CB) T ry out a new restaurant together in town.D) A ttend the opening of a local restaurant.B) I t specializes in food advertizing.D) I t provides information on local events.．Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages.At the end f h ·zz h h f oeac passage, you wi ear t ree or our questw 瓜．Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. A fter you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) . Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A)Rewarding them for eating vegetables.B)Exposing them to vegetables repeatedly.C) I mproving the taste of vegetable dishes for them.D) E xplaining the benefits of eating vegetables to them.17 .A) T hey were disliked most by children.C) T hey were least used in Belgian cooking.18.A) Vegetables differ in their nutritional value.C) P arents watch closely what children eat.B) T hey were considered most nutritious.D) T hey were essential to children's health.B) C hildren's eating habits can be changed.D) Children's choices of food vary greatly.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) Space exploration has serious consequences.C) T here is quite a lot to learn about the moon.20.A) It is costly to bring back.C) It is of no use on Earth.21.A) R ecord details of space exploration.B) M onitor the change of lunar weather.B) I ndia has many space exploration programs.D) A lot of garbage has been left on the moon.B) It is risky to destroy.D) It is damaged by radiation.ect of radiation and vacuum on its materials.C) Study the effD) E xplore the possibility of human settlement on the moon.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) I t is likely t o remam a means of busmess commumcat10n.B) I t is likely to be a competitor of various messaging apps.C) I t will gradually be replaced by social media.D) I t will have to be governed by specific rules.23.A) Save the message in their file.B) M ake a timely response.C) E xamine the information carefully.D) See if any action needs to be taken.24.A) I t is to be passed on.B) I t is mostly junk.C) I t requires no reply.D) It causes no concern.25.A) M ake it as short as possible.B) U se simple and clear language.C) Adopt an informal style of writing.D) A void using capitals for emphasis.Part ill Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is ident加d by a letter: Please mark the correspondi ng letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Have you ever used email to apologize to a colleague? Delivered a 26 to a subordinate (下属）with a voice-mail message? F1own by plane across the country just to deliver important news in person? The various communication options at our fingertips today can be good for 27 and productivity—and at the same time very troublesome. W ith so many ways to communicate, how should a manager choose the one that's best—28 when the message to be delivered is bad or unwelcome news for the recipient? We've 29 b·usmess commumcat1on consultants and etiquette (礼仪）experts to come up with the following guidelines for 30 using the alternative ways of delivering difficult messages.First of all, choose how personal you want to be. A face-to-face commumcatJ.on 1s the most 31 . 0止er choices, in descending order of personalization, are: a real-time phone call, a voice-m组1message, a handwritten note, a typewritten letter, and the most 32 is em叫Some of these may change order according to the 33 situation or your own preferences; for example, a handwritten note might seem more personal than voice-m叫How do you decide on the best choice for the difficult message you've got to deliver? "My 34 concern is: How can I soften or civilize this message?" says etiquette expert Dana Casperson. "So when I apologize, I usually choose in-person first, or a phone conversation as my top alternative, and maybe a handwritten note next. Apologizing by email is something I now totally 35 ."A)avoid B) c onvemence C) e ffectivelyD) e scape E)intimate F) p articularlyG)primary H)prompt!)rewardJ) s ilent K) s pecific L) s urveyedM) u nfriendly N)warning 0) w itnessedSection BDirectmns: In th· is section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.How a Poor, Abandoned Parisian Boy Became a Top ChefA) T he busy streets in Paris were uneven and caked in thick mud, but there was always a breathtaking sight to see in the shop windows of Patisserie de la Rue de la Paix.By 1814, people crowded outside the bakery, straining for aglimpse of the latest sweet food created by the young chef who worked inside.B) H is name was Marie-Antoine Careme, and he had appeared, one day, almost out of nowhere. But in his short lifetime, which ended exactly 184 years ago today, he would forever revolutionize French gourme汀ood(美食），write best-selling cook books and think up magical dishes for royals and other important people.C)Careme's childhood was one part tragedy, equal part mystery.Born the 16th child to poor parents in Paris in either1783 or 1784, a young Careme was suddenly abandoned at the height of the French Revolution.At 8 years old, he worked as a kitchen boy for a restaurant in Paris in exchange for room and board.By age 15, he had become an apprentice (学徒）to Sylvain Bailly, a well-known dessert chef with a successful bakery in one of Paris's most fashionable neighborhoods.D) C areme was quick at learning in the kitchen, Bailly encouraged his young apprentice to learn to read and write. C或me would often spend his free afternoons at the nearby National Library reading books on art and architecture.In the back room of the little bakery, his interest in design and his baking talent combined to work wonders—he shaped delicious masterpieces out of flour, butter and sugar.E) I n Iris teenage years, Careme fashioned eatable copies of the late 18th century's most famous buildings-cookies in the shape of ruins of ancient Athens and pies in the shape of ancient Chinese palaces and temples.Sylvain Bailly, his master, displayed these luxuriant creations—often as large as 4 feet tall—in his bakery windows.F) C areme's creations soon captured the discriminating eye of a French diplomat, Charles Maurice de TalleyrandPerigord.Around 1804, Talleyrand challenged C或me to produce a full menu for his personal castle, instructing the young baker to use local, seasonal fruits and vegetables and to avoid repeating main dishes over the course of an entire year.The experiment was a grand success and Talleyrand's association with French nobility would prove a profitable connection for Careme.G)French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was known to be unimpressed by the declining taste of early 18th centurycooking, but under pressure to entertain Paris's high society, he too called Careme to his kitchen at Tuileries Palace.In 1810, Careme designed the extraordinary cake for the wedding of Napoleon and his second bride, MarieLouise of Austria. He became one of the first modem chefs to focus on the appearance of his table, not just the flavor of his dishes. "I want order and taste.A well-displayed meal is enhanced one hundred percent in my eyes, " he later wrote in one of his cook books.H)ln 1816, C邱me began a culinary (烹任的）journey which would forever mark his place as history's first top chef. He voyaged to England to cook in the modem Great Kitchen of the prince regent (摄政主），George lV, and crossed continents to prepare grand banquets for the tables of Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Never afraid to talk up his own accomplishments, a boastful C邱me made a fortune as wealthy families with social ambitions invited him to their kitchens. Later, in his cook books, he would often include a sketch of himself, so that people on the street would be able to recognize—and admire—him.I)C邱me's cooking displays became the symbol of fine French dining; they were plentiful, beautiful and imposing. Guests would fall silent in wonder as servants carried Careme's fancy creations into the dining hall. F or a banquet celebrating the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia's visit to George IV's Brighton Pavillion on Jan.18, 1817, the menu featured 120 different dishes, highlighting eight different soups, 40 main courses, and 32 desserts.J) As he traveled through the homes of early 19th century nobility, Careme forged the new art of French gourmetfood.Locked in hot kitchens, C areme created his four "mother sauces." These sauces—bechamel, veloute, espagnole and allemande—formed the central building blocks for many French main courses.He also perfected the souffle—a baked egg dish, and introduced the standard chefs uniform—the same double-breasted white coat and tall white hat still worn by many chefs today. T he white clothing conveyed an image of cleanliness, according to Careme—and in his realm, appearance was everything.K) B etween meals, Careme wrote cook books that would be used in European kitchens for the next century. His manuals : including The Royal Parisian Baker and the massive five-volume Art of French Cooking Series (1833-1847, c ompleted after his death)first systematized many basic principles of cooking, complete with drawings and step-by-step directions. Long before television cooking shows, C邱me walked readers through common kitchen tasks, instructing them to "try this for yourself, at home" as famous American Chef Julia Child might do, many years later.L) I n the end, however, it was the kitchen that did Careme in. Decades of working over coal frres in tight, closed spaces with little fresh air (to ensure his dishes would not get cold) h ad fatally damaged his lungs. On Jan.12, 1833, Careme died just before he turned 50.M) B ut in his lifetime, Careme, ever confident, could see beyond his short domination in the kitchen.He wanted to"set the standard for beauty in classical and modem cooking, a nd prove to the distant future that the French chefs of the 19th century were the most famous in the world," as he wrote in his papers.N) D ecades later, chef Auguste Escoffier would build upon Careme's concept of French cuisine (烹任）. But in the very beginning, t here was just Careme, the top chef who elevated dining into art.36.Careme was among the first chefs who stressed both the appearance and flavor of dishes.37.Careme wanted to show to later generations that French chefs of his time were most outstanding in the world.38.Careme benefited greatly from serving a French diplomat and his connections,39.Careme learned his trade from a famous dessert chef in Paris.40.Careme's creative works were exhibited in the shop windows by his master.41.Careme's knowledge of art and architecture helped him create extraordinary desserts out of ordinary ingredients.42.Many people in Paris were eager to have a look at the latest sweet food made by Careme.43.Careme became extremely wealthy by cooking for rich and socially ambitious families.44.Careme's writings dealt with fundamental cooking principles in a systematic way.45.Careme's contribution to French cooking was revolutionary.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. E ach passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C)and DJ.You should decide on the best choice and markthe corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Roughly the size of a soda can, sitting on a bookshelf, a relatively harmless gadget may be turning friends awayfrom your home. The elephant in your living room is your Internet-connected security camera, a device people are increasingly using for peace of mind in their homes.But few stop to think about the effect these devices may have on house guests.Should you tell your friends, for instance, t hat they're being recorded while you all watch the big game together?"It's certainly new territory, especially as home security cameras become easier to install," says Lizzie Post, president of the Emily Post Institute, America's foremost manners advisors. "I think it will be very interesting to see what etiquette (礼仪）emerges in terms of whether you tell people you have a camera or not, a nd whether guests have a right to ask that it be turned off, if it's not a security issue."Post wants to make clear that she's not talking about legal rights, b ut rather personal preferences.She also wants to explain that there are no right or wrong answers regarding manners on this front yet, b ecause the technology is just now becoming mainstream.Besides, the Emily Post Institute doesn't dictate manners.When it comes to security cameras, Post says it's a host's responsibility to make sure guests feel comfortable within their home. "I'm always a fa n of being open and honest." For instance, if the host casually acknowledges that there is a camera in the room by telling a story about it, that may be enough to provide an opening for a guest to say if they are uncomfortable.However, if a contractor is working in your home. You don't need to tell them that there are cameras watching. Then again, the air of accountability that the camera generates can also work in contractors'favor. "If anything does go wrong while they're in the house, they don't want to be blamed for it, "she says. "In fa ct, the camera could be the thing that proves that they didn't steal the $ 20, or knock the vase off the table."46.For what reason may your friends feel reluctant to visit your home?A) The security camera installed may intrude into their privacy.B) They don't want their photos to be circulated on the Internet.C) The security camera may tum out to be harmful to their health.D) They may not be willing to interact with your family members.4 7. W hat does Lizzie Post say is new territory?A) The effect of manners advice on the public.C) The increasing use of home security devices.B) Cost of applying new technologies at home.D) Etiquette around home security cameras.48. W hat is Lizzie Post mainly discussing with regard to the use of home security cameras?A) Legal rights. B) Moral issues.C) Likes and dislikes of individuals.)D The possible impact on manners.49. W hat is a host's responsibility regarding security cameras, according to Lizzie Post?A) Making their guests feel at ease.B) Indicating where they are.C)Turning them off in time.D) Ensuring their guests'privacy.50.In what way can the home security camera benefit visitors to your home?A) It can satisfy their curiosity.B) It can prove their innocence.C) It can help them learn new technology.D) It can make their visit more enjoyable.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.PepsiCo is to spend billions of dollars to develop drinks and snacks and reformulate existing ones with lower sugar, salt and fat, as consumers demand healthier options and regulatory pressure intensifies amid an obesity epidemic （流行病）．The maker of Mountain Dew and Gatorade has been one of the earlier movers in the industry to offer products with reduced levels of unhealthy ingredients—PepsiCo claims a packet of its chips now contains less salt than a slice of white bread. However, its new 10-year plan makes clear it believes it still has a long way to go.Shifting eating habits, including a sharp drop in consumption of sparkling drinks, have forced radical change on the industry. B ut those shifts have yet to be reflected in record obesity levels, which stand at 36.5% overall in the US.Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo chairman, said the plan to make its products healthier was important for the company's grow山But on the subject of obesity, she pointed out that consumers'lifestyles have changed significantly, with many people being more sedentary (久坐不动的）not least because more time is spent in front of computers. She said PepsiCo's contribution was to produce healthier snacks that still tasted good." Society has to change its habits," she added. "We can't do much to alter sedentary lifestyles, but we can provide consumers with great-tasting products, low in salt, sugar and fat. In the past we had to have a taste trade-off. But we're breaking that trade-off."PepsiCo's plan for its foods and drinks is based on guidelines from the World Health Organisation, which last week backed using taxes on sparkling drinks to reduce sugar consumption. Initiatives also include efforts to reduce its , environmental impact, water consumption and materials used in packaging by 2025.PepsiCo did not say exactly how much it planned to invest to reach its goals. However, Dr Mehmood Khan, chief scientific officer, said the company had doubled research and development spending in the past five years and was " committed to sustaining investment", adding that companies cannot cost-cut their way to increasing sales. PepsiCo's research and development budget in 2015 was $ 754血llion.51.Why is PepsiCo making a policy change?A) To win support from the federal government.B) To be more competitive in the global market.C) To satisfy the growing needs for healthy foods.52.What does PepsiCo think it will have to do in the future?A) Invest more to develop new snacks.D) To invest more wisely in the soft drink industry.B) Reduce levels of obesity in the US.C) Change consumers'eating habits.D)Keep on improving its products.53.Why does PepsiCo plan to alter its products, according to Indra Nooyi?A) To ensure the company's future development.C) To help improve its consumers'lifestyles.54. W hat does Indra Nooyi say about the obesity epidemic?A) It is mainly caused by overconsumption of snacks.C) It is attributable to people's changed lifestyles.B) To adapt to its customers'changed taste.D) To break the trade-off in its product design.B) It results from high sugar and salt consumption.D) It has a lot to do with longer working hours.55.What has PepsiCo been doing to achieve its ob j ective?A)Studying WHO's guidelines.C) Expanding its market overseas. Part IVB) Increasing its research funding.D)Cutting its production costs. Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage fr om Chinese into English. You should write your an.swer on Answer Sheet 2.越来越多的中国人现在的确离不开手机了。
2023年6月英语四级真题及答案(第2套)
Part 2023年6月大学英语四级考试真题及答案（第2套）I Writing(30minutes)Directions:Suppose the student union of your university is organizing an online discussion on college students doing community service.You are to write an essay on its benefits and the service you can provide to the community.You will have30minutes for the task.You should write at least120words but no more than180words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report,you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions1and2are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A.She was involved in a conflict with bird lovers.B.She was charged with mistreating animals.C.She was on bad terms with her neighbors.D.She was accused of violating a city law.2.A.It will take time to solve the rat problem.B.All wild animals should be well protected.C.The woman was not to blame for the situation.D.No one should go unpunished for violating laws.Questions3and4are based on the news report you have just heard.municate with astronauts in Mars Dune Alpha.B.Work in an environment resembling Mars.C.Build a Martian habitat in Houston.D.Send in applications before Friday.4.A.Ready-made food.B.Food that is organic.C.Food they grow.D.Potatoes mostly.Questions5to7are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A.He apologized for scratching an athlete’s gold medal.B.He was asked to present a gold medal to Miu Goto.C.He bit a softball player’s Olympic gold medal.D.He attracted public attention at a media event.6.A.Have another picture taken with the Olympic medalist.B.Apologize to the International Olympic Committee.第１页，共１１页C.Get the damaged medal repaired.D.Pay for the cost of a new medal.7.A.Allow no one to touch them.B.See them as symbols of honor.C.Treat them as treasures.D.Keep them in a safe place.Section BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation,you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions8to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A.She covered its screen with a plastic sheet.B.She connected it with her smart phone.C.She decorated it with colorful stickers.D.She bought some new software for it.9.A.It may not be simply blue.B.It includes unnatural light.C.It is more harmful to young people.D.It induces people to fall asleep.10.A.He has had much trouble falling asleep.B.He has had some sort of health problems.C.He has stayed up playing computer games.D.He has been burdened with excessive work.11.A.Exposure to blue light is the chief cause of obesity.B.Sleep may be more important than people assumed.C.Sleep may also be negatively affected by natural light.D.Overuse of electronic devices may cause heart disease. Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A.What they wanted to be when grown up.B.What their favorite cartoon character was.C.What they learned from computer games.D.What they liked to do most after school.13.A.A stock broker.B.A pop singer.C.A mechanical engineer.D.A basketball player.14.A.Ambitious. B.Sensible. C.Imaginative. D.Practical.15.A.Relax their strict control of their kids.B.Help their kids understand themselves.C.Impose their own dreams on their kids.D.Dismiss their high expectations of their kids.第２页，共１１页Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions16to18are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A.Set up company branches.B.Improve its infrastructure.C.Introduce iPhones into its markets.D.Promote Internet-ready phones.17.A.They cater to Africans’needs.B.They are more expensive models.C.They are more powerful and capable.D.They boast the longest battery life.18.A.A large touchscreen.B.An old-school keypad.C.A voice-response device.D.A digitally-designed system.Questions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A.It ensured sustainable economic growth.B.It was strongly opposed by manufacturers.C.It was cheaper than using fossil fuel plastic.D.It satisfied consumer demands on the whole.20.A.The capacity to mass produce it.B.The US federal government’s regulations.C.A boom in market demand for clear plastic bottles.D.A rapid increase in US petroleum chemical production.21.A.Require companies to use30%of new plastic.B.Increase the supply of new plastic in the market.C.Reduce the amount of plastic pollution in local areas.D.Take measures to promote the use of recycled plastic. Questions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A.It studies dreams.B.It rents a place for nap-takers.C.It is a hotel for business people.D.It is a nap research institute.23.A.To find out creative people’s work performance.B.To see how many people can go without napping.C.To understand the obvious importance of napping.D.To feel how difficult it is to get his idea across.24.A.They decline due to pointless meetings.B.They depend on his ability to concentrate.C.They enable him to enjoy a creative career.D.They are affected by the overuse of social media.第３页，共１１页25.A.Some bosses associate napping with laziness.B.Many office workers nap during work hours.C.Some bosses can concentrate without napping.D.Many of his friends daydream in the office.Part III Reading Comprehension(40minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Whether you’re just having a down day or a down period,taking a walk can instantly lift your mood,especially when you go outdoors.Not only can walking make you less depressed,but according to a new study,depression sufferers who took a26 walk showed just as much improvement in their27 as people taking medicine.In fact,60-70percent of the participants in the study could no longer even be28 as depressed.Bone density may not be one of the most exciting health benefits of walking,but it’s an important one.People with stronger bones avoid osteoporosis(骨质疏松症)and all the problems that29 with it,like breaks and other disabilities.And the best way to get strong,healthy bones is by doing weight-bearing exercises like running,dancing and walking,according to a large study.But as regards bones,it’s30 use it or lose it:To keep your bones strong you have to keep exercising.The researchers found that adults who walked regularly had better bone density throughout their lives than their31 friends.Taking a walk can be great for32 your head or blowing off some steam.It also provides a great opportunity to33 with friends and family,far away from electronics and other34 at home.Even better,you set a powerful example because when they see you35 the benefits of walking,they’ll be encouraged to walk more,too.第４页，共１１页Section BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.A Club Where Lions Dance and Traditions Take RootA.The first thing you notice in the staircase to the fourth-floor studio on Canal Street inManhattan,New York,is the measured thumping(嘭嘭声)coming from behind a metal door.Just beyond the entrance,large lion masks were twisting and turning to the drum-beat.On a recent Friday evening,the teenagers made their way across the studio floor as they practiced Chinese lion dancing.B.“You want to play in a circle”Victor Fong,aged24,told his students at the New York ChineseFreemasons Athletic Club.“Take it slow and do it again.”The dance group,made up of60 members,performs throughout the year but was now preparing for its biggest events Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations,which will begin on Saturday and conclude on February15.Teenagers comprise about half of the group,many of whom began lion dancing at the age of14.About100current and past members of the dance group—which has been performingsince1956—will be among the220groups marching through Chinatown in Manhattan for the 18th Lunar New Year Parade on February5.C.Mr.Fong has been involved in the organization since he was15and began teaching liondancing three years ago.But the club also acts as a recreation center and safe haven(庇护所) for teenagers,with video games readily available.As many as20students show up after school.“The basic requirement for hanging out here is you have to learn how to lion dance,”Mr.Fong said.While that is not a formal requirement for being a member,everyone finds a way to participate in the Lunar New Year Parade,whether it’s by dancing,carrying a flag or beating a drum.D.Alvin Chau,aged26,is an environmental consultant by day and a lion dancer on weekends.He has been a club member for10years and joined because of an interest in lion dance.“We’re a big family,”he said,shaking hands with other members as they walked through the door.“You know everyone.”E.It is believed that the lion dance began in the third century.Stories vary about how liondancing came to be,but most of them include a monster named Nian who would terrorize a village.The villagers finally banded together and scared the beast away with firecrackers(爆竹) and drums.While lions are not native to China,some versions of the story include the villagers creating a monster of their own in the shape of a lion to fight off the beast.F.Today,the dancers travel across Chinatown going from business to business to bring good luckfor the coming year.The new year—according to the Chinese lunar calendar—will begin on Saturday and marks the Year of the Rooster(鸡年),which is thought to be a symbol of positivity.“It’s almost like the dark night is ending and the sun is coming up,”said Ya Yung第５页，共１１页。
2018年大学英语四级真题答案及解析
2018年6月大学英语四级真题（第1套)Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to write a short essay on the importance of reading ability and how to develop it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choicesmarked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) The return of a bottled message to its owner's daughter.B) A New Hampshire man's joke with friends on his wife.C) A father's message for his daughter.D) The history of a century-old motel.2. A) She wanted to show gratitude for his kindness.B) She wanted to honor her father's promise.C) She had been asked by her father to do so.D) She was excited to see her father's handwriting.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) People were concerned about the number of bees.B) Several cases of Zika disease had been identified.C) Two million bees were infected with disease.D) Zika virus had destroyed some bee farms.4. A) It apologized to its customers.B) It was forced to kill its bees.C) It lost a huge stock of bees.D) It lost 2.5 million dollars.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) It stayed in the air for about two hours.B) It took off and landed on a football field.C) It proved to be of high commercial value.D) It made a series of sharp turns in the sky.6. A) Engineering problems.B) The air pollution it produced.C) Inadequate funding.D) The opposition from the military.7. A) It uses the latest aviation technology.B) It flies faster than a commercial jet.C) It is a safer means of transportation.D) It is more environmentally friendly.Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will bespo ken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1witha single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) It seems a depressing topic.B) It sounds quite alarming.C) It has little impact on our daily life.D) It is getting more serious these days.9. A) The man doesn't understand Spanish.B) The woman doesn't really like dancing.C) They don't want something too noisy.D) They can't make it to the theatre in time.10. A) It would be more fun without Mr. Whitehead hosting.B) It has too many acts to hold the audience's attention.C) It is the most amusing show he has ever watched.D) It is a show inappropriate for a night of charity.11. A) Watch a comedy.B) Go and see the dance.C) Book the tickets online.D) See a film with the man.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Most of her schoolmates are younger than she is.B) She simply has no idea what school to transfer to.C) There are too many activities for her to cope with.D) She worries she won't fit in as a transfer student.13. A) Seek advice from senior students.B) Pick up some meaningful hobbies.C) Participate in after-school activities.D) Look into what the school offers.14. A) Give her help whenever she needs it.B) Accept her as a transfer student.C) Find her accommodation on campus.D) Introduce her to her roommates.15. A) She has interests similar to Mr. Lee's.B) She has become friends with Catherine.C) She has chosen the major Catherine has.D) She has just transferred to the college.Section CDirections:In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.Afte r you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) To investigate how being overweight impacts on health.B) To find out which physical drive is the most powerful.C) To discover what most mice like to eat.D) To determine what feelings mice have.17. A) When they are hungry.B) When they are thirsty.C) When they smell food.D) When they want company.18. A) They search for food in groups.B) They are overweight when food is plenty.C) They prefer to be with other mice.D) They enjoy the company of other animals.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Its construction started before World War I.B) Its construction cost more than $ 40 billion.C) It is efficiently used for transport.D) It is one of the best in the world.20. A) To improve transportation in the countryside.B) To move troops quickly from place to place.C) To enable people to travel at a higher speed.D) To speed up the transportation of goods.21. A) In the 1970s.B) In the 1960s.C) In the 1950s.D) In the 1940s.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Chatting while driving.B) Messaging while driving.C) Driving under age.D) Speeding on highways.23. A) A gadget to hold a phone on the steering wheel.B) A gadget to charge the phone in a car.C) A device to control the speed of a vehicle.D) A device to ensure people drive with both hands.24. A) The car keeps flashing its headlights.B) The car slows down gradually to a halt.C) They are alerted with a light and a sound.D) They get a warning on their smart phone.25. A) Installing a camera.B) Using a connected app.C) Checking their emails.D) Keeping a daily recordPart ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with10 blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with asingle line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.An office tower on Miller Street in Manchester is completely covered in solar panels.They are used to create some of the energy used by the insurance company inside. When the tower was first __26__ in 1962, it was covered with thin square stones. These small square stones became a problem for the building and continued to fall off the face for 40 years untila major renovation was __27__ . During this renovation the building's owners, CIS, __28__the solar panel company, Solar century. They agreed to cover the entire building in solar panels. In 2004, the completed CIS tower became Europe's largest __29__ of vertical solar panels. A vertical solar project on such a large __30__ has never been repeated since.Covering a skyscraper with solar panels had never been done before, and the CIS tower was chosen as one of the "10 best green energy projects". For a long time after this renovation project, it was the tallest building in the United Kingdom, but it was __31__ overtaken by the Mill bank Tower.Green buildings like this aren't __32__ cost-efficient for the investor, but it does produce much less pollution than that caused by energy __33__ through fossil fuels. As solar panels get __34__ , the world is likely to see more skyscrapers covered in solar panels, collecting energy much like trees do. Imagine a world where building the tallest skyscraper wasn't a race of __35__ , but rather one to collect the most solar energy.A) cheaper B) cleaner C) collection D) competed E) constructed F) consultedG)dimension H) discovered I) eventually J) height K) necessarily L) productionM) range N)scale O) undertakenSection BDirections:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify theparagraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Some College Students Are Angry That They Have to Pay to Do Their HomeworkA) Digital learning systems now charge students for access codes needed to complete coursework,take quizzes, and turn in homework. As universities go digital, students are complaining of a new hit to their finances that's replacing—and sometimes joining—expensive textbooks: pricey online access codes that are required to complete coursework and submit assignments.B) The codes—which typically range in price from $ 80 to $ 155 per course—give students onlineaccess to systems developed by education companies like McGraw Hill and Pearson. These companies, which long reaped big profits as textbook publishers, have boasted that their new online offerings, when pushed to students through universities they partner with, represent the future of the industry.C) But critics say the digital access codes represent the same profit-seeking ethos (观念) of thetextbook business, and are even harder for students to opt out of. While they could once buy second-hand textbooks, or share copies with friends, the digital systems are essentially impossible to avoid.D) "When we talk about the access code we see it as the new face of the textbook monopoly (垄断), a new way to lock students around this system," said Ethan Senack, the higher education advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, to BuzzFeed News. "Rather than $250 (for a print textbook) you're paying $ 120," said Senack. "But because it's all digital it eliminates the used book market and eliminates any sharing and because homework and tests are through an access code, it eliminates any ability to opt out."E) Sarina Harpet, a 19-year-old student at Virginia Tech, was faced with a tough dilemma whenshe first started college in 2015—pay rent or pay to turn in her chemistry homework. She told BuzzFeed News that her freshman chemistry class required her to use Connect, a system provided by McGraw Hill where students can submit homework, take exams and track their grades. But the code to access the program cost $ 120—a big sum for Harper, who had already put down $ 450 for textbooks, and had rent day approaching.F) She decided to wait for her next work-study paycheck, which was typically $ 150- $ 200, topay for the code. She knew that her chemistry grade may take a dive as a result. "It's a balancing act," she said. "Can I really afford these access codes now?" She didn't hand in her first two assignments for chemistry, which started her out in the class with a failing grade.G) The access codes may be another financial headache for students, but for textbook businesses,they're the future. McGraw Hill, which controls 21% of the higher education market, reported in March that its digital content sales exceeded print sales for the first time in 2015. The company said that 45% of its $ 140 million revenue in 2015 "was derived from digital products."H) A Pearson spokesperson told BuzzFeed News that "digital materials are less expensive and agood investment" that offer new features, like audio texts, personalized knowledge checks and expert videos. Its digital course materials save students up to 60% compared to traditional printed textbooks, the company added. McGraw Hill didn't respond to a request for comment, but its CEO David Levin told the Financial Times in August that "in higher education, the era of the printed textbook is now over."I) The textbook industry insists the online systems represent a better deal for students. "Thesedigital products aren't just mechanisms for students to submit homework, they offer all kinds of features," David Anderson, the executive director of higher education with the Association of American Publishers, told BuzzFeed News. "It helps students understand in a way that you can't do with print homework assignments."J)David Hunt, an associate professor in sociology at Augusta University, which has rolled out digital textbooks across its math and psychology departments, told BuzzFeed News that he understands the utility of using systems that require access codes. But he doesn't require his students to buy access to a learning program that controls the class assignments. "I try to make things as inexpensive as possible," said Hunt, who uses free digital textbooks for his classes but designs his own curriculum. "The online systems may make my life a lot easier but I feel like I'm giving up control. The discussions are the things where my expertise can benefit the students most."K) A 20-year-old junior at Georgia Southern University told BuzzFeed News that she normally spends $ 500-$ 600 on access codes for class. In one case, the professor didn't require students to buy a textbook, just an access code to turn in homework. This year she said she spent $ 900 on access codes to books and programs. "That's two months of rent," she said. "You can't sell any of it back. With a traditional textbook you can sell it for $ 30 - $ 50 and that helps to pay for your new semester's books. With an access code, you're out of that money. "L) Benjamin Wolverton, a 19-year-old student at the University of South Carolina, told BuzzFeed News that "it's ridiculous that after paying tens of thousands in tuition we have to pay for all these access codes to do our homework." Many of the access codes he's purchased have been required simply to complete homework or quizzes. "Often it's only 10% of your grade in class." he said. "You're paying so much money for something that hardly affects your grade—but if you didn't have it, it would affect your grades enough. It would be bad to start out at a B or C." Wolverton said he spent $ 500 on access codes for digital books and programs this semester.M) Harper, a poultry (家禽) science major, is taking chemistry again this year and had to buy a new access code to hand in her homework. She rented her economics and statistics textbooks for about $ 20 each. But her access codes for homework, which can't be rented or bought second-hand, were her most expensive purchases: $ 120 and $ 85.N) She still remembers the sting of her first experience skipping an assignment due to the high prices. "We don't really have a missed assignment policy," she said. "If you miss it, you just miss it. I just got zeros on a couple of first assignments. I managed to pull everything back up.But as a scared freshman looking at their grades, it's not fun."36. A student's yearly expenses on access codes may amount to their rent for two months.37. The online access codes may be seen as a way to tie the students to the digital system.38. If a student takes a course again, they may have to buy a new access code to submit theirassignments.39. McGraw Hill accounts for over one-fifth of the market share of college textbooks.40. Many traditional textbook publishers are now offering online digital products, which theybelieve will be the future of the publishing business.41. One student complained that they now had to pay for access codes in addition to the hightuition.42. Digital materials can cost students less than half the price of traditional printed booksaccording to a publisher.43. One student decided not to buy her access code until she received the pay for her part-time job.44. Online systems may deprive teachers of opportunities to make the best use of their expertisefor their students.45. Digital access codes are criticized because they are profit-driven just like the textbookbusiness.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) andD). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 and 50 are based on the following passage.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Losing your ability to think and remember is pretty scary. We know the risk of dementia (痴呆症) increases with age. But if you have memory slips, you probably needn't worry. There are pretty clear differences between signs of dementia and age-related memory loss.After age 50, it's quite common to have trouble remembering the names of people, places and things quickly, says Dr. Kirk Daffner of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.The brain ages just like the rest of the body. Certain parts shrink, especially areas in the brain that are important to learning, memory and planning. Changes in brain cells can affect communication between different regions of the brain. And blood flow can be reduced as blood vessels narrow.Forgetting the name of an actor in a favorite movie, for example, is nothing to worry about. But if you forget the plot of the movie or don't remember even seeing it, that's far more concerning, Daffner says.When you forget entire experiences, he says, that's "a red flag that something more serious may be involved." Forgetting how to operate a familiar object like a microwave oven, or forgetting how to drive to the house of a friend you've visited many times before can also be signs of something going wrong.But even then, Daffner says, people shouldn't panic. There are many things that can cause confusion and memory loss, including health problems like temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep, high blood pressure, or depression, as well as medications (药物) like antidepressants.You don't have to figure this out on your own. Daffner suggests going to your doctor to check on medications, health problems and other issues that could be affecting memory. And the best defense against memory loss is to try to prevent it by building up your brain's cognitive (认知的) reserve, Daffner says."Read books, go to movies, take on new hobbies or activities that force one to think in novel ways," he says. In other words, keep your brain busy and working. And also get physically active, because exercise is a known brain booster.46.Why does the author say that one needn't be concerned about memory slips?A.Not all of them are symptoms of dementia.B.They occur only among certain groups of people.C.Not all of them are related to one's age.D.They are quite common among fifty-year-olds.47.What happens as we become aged according to the passage?A.Our interaction skills deteriorate.B.Some parts of our brain stop functioning.munication within our brain weakens.D.Our whole brain starts shrinking.48.Which memory-related symptom should people take seriously?A.Totally forgetting how to do one's daily routines.B.Inability to recall details of one's life experiences.C.Failure to remember the names of movies or actors.D.Occasionally confusing the addresses of one's friends.49.What should people do when signs of serious memory loss show up?A.Check the brain's cognitive reserve.B.Stop medications affecting memory.C.Turn to a professional for assistance.D.Exercise to improve their well-being.50.What is Dr. Daffner's advice for combating memory loss?A.Having regular physical and mental checkups.B.Taking medicine that helps boost one's brain.C.Engaging in known memory repair activities.D.Staying active both physically and mentally.Passage TwoPassage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.A letter written by Charles Darwin in 1875 has been returned to the Smithsonian Institution Archives (档案馆) by the FBI after being stolen twice."We realized in the mid-1970s that it was missing," says Effie Kapsalis, head of the Smithsonian Insitution Archives. "It was noted as missing and likely taken by an intern (实习生), from what the FBI is telling us. Word got out that it was missing when someone asked to see the letter for research purposes," and the intern put the letter back. "The intern likely took the letter again once nobody was watching it."Decades passed. Finally, the FBI received a tip that the stolen document was located very close to Washington, D.C. Their art crime team recovered the letter but were unable to press charges because the time of limitations had ended. The FBI worked closely with the Archives to determine that the letter was both authentic and definitely Smithsonian's property.The letter was written by Darwin to thank an American geologist, Dr. Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, for sending him copies of his research into the geology of the region that would become Yellowstone National Park.The letter is in fairly good condition, in spite of being out of the care of trained museum staff for so long. "It was luckily in good shape," says Kapsalis, "and we just have to do some minor things in order to be able to unfold it. It has some glue on it that has colored it slightly, but nothing that will prevent us from using it. After it is repaired, we will take digital photos of it and that will be available online. One of our goals is to get items of high research value or interest to the public online."It would now be difficult for an intern, visitor or a thief to steal a document like this. "Archiving practices have changed greatly since the 1970s," says Kapsalis, "and we keep our high value documents in a safe that I don't even have access to."51.What happened to Darwin's letter in the 1970s?A.It was recovered by the FBI.B.It was stolen more than once.C.It was put in the archives for research purposes.D.It was purchased by the Smithsonian Archives.52.What did the FBI do after the recovery of the letter?A.They proved its authenticity.B.They kept it in a special safe.C.They arrested the suspect immediately.D.They pressed criminal charges in vain.53.What is Darwin's letter about?A.The evolution of Yellowstone National Park.B.His cooperation with an American geologist.C.Some geological evidence supporting his theory.D.His acknowledgement of help from a professional.54.What will the Smithsonian Institution Archives do with the letter according to Kapsalis?A.Reserve it for research purposes only.B.Turn it into an object of high interest.C.Keep it a permanent secret.D.Make it available online.55.What has the past half century witnessed according to Kapsalis?A.Growing interest in rare art objects.B.Radical changes in archiving practices.C.Recovery of various missing documents.D.Increases in the value of museum exhibits.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.过去，乘飞机出行对大多数中国人来说是难以想象的。
2017年6月大学英语四级真题试卷及答案（第2套）
2017年6月大学英语四级真题及答案(二) Part I Writing (25 minutes) )(请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an advertisement on your campus website to sell a bicycle you used at college. Your advertisement may include its brand, features,condition and 180 words. 120 words but no more than price, and your contact information. You should write at least Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes) Section A Directions:In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and questions will be spoken only once. After you hear questions, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. with a single line through the centre.上作答。
2018年6月大学英语四级阅读理解真题答案解析
2018年6月大学英语四级阅读理解真题答案解析A letter written by Charles Darwin in 1875 has been returned to the Smithsonian Institution Archives（档案馆）by the FBI after being stolen twice.“We realized in the mid-1970s that it was missing,” says Effie Kapsalis, head of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. “It was noted as missing and likely taken by an intern, from what the FBI is telling us. Word got out that it was missing when someone asked to see the l etter for research purposes,” and the intern put the letter back. “The intern likely took the letter again once nobody was watching it.”Decades passed. Finally the FBI received a tip that the stolen document was located very close to Washington, D.C. Their art crime team recovered the letter but were unable to press charges because the time of limitations had ended. The FBI worked closely with the Archives to determine that the letter was both authentic and definitely Smithsonian’s property.The letter was written by Darwin to thank an American geologist, Dr. Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, for sending him copies of his research into the geology of the region that would become Yellowstone National Park.The letter is in fairly good condition, in spite of being out of the care of trained museum staff for so long.“It was luckily in good shape,” says Kapsalis,“ and we just have to do some minor things in order to be able to unfold it. It has some glue on it that has colored it slightly, but nothing that will prevent us from using it. After it is repaired, we will take digital photos of it and that will be available online. One of our goals is to get items of high research value or interest to the public online.”It would now be difficult for an intern, visitor or a thief to steal a document like this. “Archiving practices have changed greatly since the 1970s,”says Kapsalis. “and we keep our high value documents in a safe that I don’t even have access to.”51.What happened to Darwin’s letter in the 1970s?A. It was recovered by the FBI.B. It was stolen more than once.C. It was put in the archives for research purposes.D. It was purchased by the Smithsonian Archives.52. What did the FBI do after the recovery of the letter?A. They proved its authenticity.B. They kept it in a special safe.C. They arrested the suspect immediately.D. They pressed criminal charges in vain.53.What is Darwin’s letter about?A. The evolution of Yellowstone National Park.B. His cooperation with an American geologist.C. Some geological evidence supporting his theory.D. His acknowledgement of help from a professional.54. What will the Smithsonian Institution Archives do with the letter according to Kapsalis?A. Reserve it for research purposes only.B. Turn it into an object of high interest.C. Keep it a permanent secret.D. Make it available online.55.What has the past half century witnessed according to Kapsalis?A. Growing interest in rare art objects.B. Radical changes in archiving practices.C. Recovery of various missing documents.D. Increases in the value of museum exhibits.51. B. It was stolen more than once. 根据文章第一段being stolen twice可以得知Darwin的信件被偷了一次以上。
2018年大学英语四级真题答案及解析
2018年6月大学英语四级真题（第3套)Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to write a short essay on the importanceof speaki ng ability and how to develop it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than180 words.________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)说明：由于2018年6月四级考试全国共考了两套听力, 本套真题听力与前两套内容相同, 只是选项顺序不同, 因此在本套真题中不再重复出现。
Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Neon (霓虹) is to Hong Kong as red phone booths are to London and fog is to San Francisco. When night falls, red and blue and other colors 26 a hazy (雾蒙蒙的) glow over a city lit up by tens of thousands of neon signs. But many of them are going dark, 27 by more practical, but less romantic, LEDs (发光二极管).Changing building codes, evolving tastes, and the high cost of maintaining those wonderful old signs have businesses embracing LEDs, which are energy 28 , but still carry great cost. "To me, neon represents memories of the past," says photographer Sharon Blance, whose series Hong Kong Neon celebrates the city's famous signs. "Looking at the signs now I get a feeling of amazement, mixed with sadness."Building a neon sign is an art practiced by 29 trained on the job to mold glass tubes into 30 shapes and letters. They fill these tubes with gases that glow when 31 . Neon makes orange, while other gases make yellow or blue. It takes many hours to craft a single sign.Blance spent a week in Hong Kong and 32 more than 60 signs; 22 of them appear in the series that capture the signs lighting up lonely streets—an 33 that makes it easy to admire their colors and craftsmanship. "I love the beautiful, handcrafted, old-fashioned 34 of neon," says Blance. The signs do nothing more than 35 a restaurant, theater, or other business, but do so in the most striking way possible.A)alternative B) approach C) cast D) challenging E) decorativeF)efficient G) electrified H) identify I) photographed J) professionalsK) quality L) replaced M) stimulate N) symbolizes O) volunteersSection BDirections: I n this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.New Jersey School District Eases Pressure on Students—Baring an Ethnic DivideA) This fall, David Aderhold, the chief of a high-achieving school district near Princeton, New Jersey, sent parents an alarming 16-page letter. The school district, he said, was facing a crisis. Its students were overburdened and stressed out, having to cope with too much work and too many demands. In the previous school year, 120 middle and high school students were recommended for mental health assessments and 40 were hospitalized. And on a survey administered by the district, students wrote things like, "I hate going to school," and "Coming out of 12 years in this district, I have learned one thing: that a grade, a percentage or even a point is to be valued over anything else."B) With his letter, Aderhold inserted West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District into a national discussion about the intense focus on achievement at elite schools, and whether it has gone too far. At follow-up meetings, he urged parents to join him in advocating a "whole child" approach to schooling that respects "social-emotional development" and "deep and meaningful learning" over academics alone. The alternative, he suggested, was to face the prospect of becoming another Palo Alto, California, where outsize stress on teenage students is believed to have contributed to a number of suicides in the last six years.C) But instead of bringing families together, Aderhold's letter revealed a divide in the district, which has 9,700 students, and one that broke down roughly along racial lines. On one side are white parents like Catherine Foley, a former president of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association at her daughter'smiddle school, who has come to see the district's increasingly pressured atmosphere as opposed to learning. "My son was in fourth grade and told me, 'I'm not going to amount to anything because I have nothing to put on my resume,'" she said. On the other side are parents like Mike Jia, one of the thousands of Asian-American professionals who have moved to the district in the past decade, who said Aderhold's reforms would amount to a "dumbing down" of his children's education. "What is happening here reflects a national anti-intellectual trend that will not prepare our children for the future," Jia said.D) About 10 minutes from Princeton and an hour and a half from New York City, West Windsor and Plainsboro have become popular bedroom communities for technology entrepreneurs, researchers and engineers, drawn in large part by the public schools. From the last three graduating classes, 16 seniors were admitted to MIT. It produces Science Olympiad winners, classically trained musicians and students with perfect SAT scores.E) The district has become increasingly popular with immigrant families from China, India and Korea. This year, 65 percent of its students are Asian-American, compared with 44 percent in 2007. Many of them are the first in their families born in the United States. They have had a growing influence on the district. Asian-American parents are enthusiastic supporters of the competitive instrumental music program. They have been huge supporters of the district's advanced mathematics program, which once began in the fourth grade but will now start in the sixth. The change to the program, in which 90 percent of the participating students are Asian-American, is one of Aderhold's reforms.F) Asian-American students have been eager participants in a state program that permits them to take summer classes off campus for high school credit, allowing them to maximize the number of honors and Advanced Placement classes they can take, another practice that Aderhold is limiting this school year. With many Asian-American children attending supplementary instructional programs, there is a perception among some white families that the elementary school curriculum is being sped up to accommodate them.G) Both Asian-American and white families say the tension between the two groups has grown steadily over the past few years, as the number of Asian families has risen. But the division has become more obvious in recent months as Aderhold has made changes, including no-homework nights, an end to high school midterms and finals, and an initiative that made it easier to participate in the music program.H) Jennifer Lee, professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine, and an author of the Asian American Achievement Paradox, says misunderstanding between first-generationAsian-American parents and those who have been in this country longer are common. What white middle-class parents do not always understand, she said, is how much pressure recent immigrants feelto boost their children into the middle class. "They don't have the same chances to get their children internships (实习职位) or jobs at law firms," Lee said. "So what they believe is that their children must excel and beat their white peers in academic settings so they have the same chances to excel later. "I) The issue of the stresses felt by students in elite school districts has gained attention in recent years as schools in places like Newton, Massachusetts, and Palo Alto have reported a number of suicides. West Windsor-Plainsboro has not had a teenage suicide in recent years, but Aderhold, who has worked in the district for seven years and been chief for the last three years, said he had seen troubling signs. In a recent art assignments, a middle school student depicted (描绘) an overburdened child who was being scolded for earning an A, rather than an A+ , on a math exam. In the image, the mother scolds the student with the words, "Shame on you!" Further, he said, the New Jersey Education Department has flagged at least two pieces of writing on state English language assessments in which students expressed suicidal thoughts.J) The survey commissioned by the district found that 68 percent of high school honor and Advanced Placement students reported feeling stressed about school "always or most of the time." "We need to bring back some balance," Aderhold said. "You don't want to wait until it's too late to do something. "K) Not all public opinion has fallen along racial lines. Karen Sue, the Chinese-American mother of a fifth-grader and an eighth-grader, believes the competition within the district has gotten out of control. Sue, who was born in the United States to immigrant parents, wants her peers to dial it back. "It's become an arms race, an educational arms race," she said. "We all want our kids to achieve and be successful. The question is, at what cost"36. Aderhold is limiting the extra classes that students are allowed to take off campus.37. White and Asian-American parents responded differently to Aderhold's appeal.38. Suicidal thoughts have appeared in some students' writings.39. Aderhold's reform of the advanced mathematics program will affect Asian-American students most.40. Aderhold appealed for parents' support in promoting an all-round development of children, instead of focusing only on their academic performance.41. One Chinese-American parent thinks the competition in the district has gone too far.42. Immigrant parents believe that academic excellence will allow their children equal chances to succeed in the future.43. Many businessmen and professionals have moved to West Windsor and Plainsboro because of the public schools there.44. A number of students in Aderhold's school district were found to have stress-induced mental health problems.45. The tension between Asian-American and white families has increased in recent years.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 and 50 are based on the following passage.For thousands of years, people have known that the best way to understand a concept is to explain it to someone else. "While we teach, we learn," said Roman philosopher Seneca. Now scientists are bringing this ancient wisdom up-to-date. They're documenting why teaching is such a fruitful way to learn, and designing innovative ways for young people to engage in instruction.Researchers have found that students who sign up to tutor others work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately and apply it more effectively. Student teachers score higher on tests than pupils who're learning only for their own sake. But how can children, still learning themselves, teach others" One answer: They can tutor younger kids. Some studies have found that first-born children are more intelligent than their later-born siblings (兄弟姐妹). This suggests their higher IQs result from the time they spend teaching their siblings. Now educators are experimenting with ways to apply this model to academic subjects. They engage college undergraduates to teach computer science to high school students, who in turn instruct middle school students on the topic.But the most cutting-edge tool under development is the "teachable agent"—a computerized character who learns, tries, makes mistakes and asks questions just like a real-world pupil. Computer scientists have created an animated (动画的) figure called Betty's Brain, who has been "taught" about environmental science by hundreds of middle school students. Student teachers are motivated to help Betty master certain materials. While preparing to teach, they organize their knowledge and improve their own understanding. And as they explain the information to it, they identify problems in their own thinking.Feedback from the teachable agents further enhances the tutors' learning. The agents' questions compel student tutors to think and explain the materials in different ways, and watching the agent solve problems allows them to see their knowledge put into action.Above all, it's the emotions one experiences in teaching that facilitate learning. Student tutors feel upset when their teachable agents fail, but happy when these virtual pupils succeed as they derive pride and satisfaction from someone else's accomplishment.46. What are researchers rediscovering through their studies"A) Seneca's thinking is still applicable today.B) Better learners will become better teachers.C) Human intelligence tends to grow with age.D) Philosophical thinking improves instruction.47. What do we learn about Betty's Brain"A) It is a character in a popular animation.B) It is a teaching tool under development.C) It is a cutting-edge app in digital games.D) It is a tutor for computer science students.48. How does teaching others benefit student tutors"A) It makes them aware of what they are strong at.B) It motivates them to try novel ways of teaching.C) It helps them learn their academic subjects better.D) It enables them to better understand their teachers.49. What do students do to teach their teachable agents"A) They motivate them to think independently.B) They ask them to design their own questions.C) They encourage them to give prompt feedback.D) They use various ways to explain the materials.50. What is the key factor that eases student tutors' learning"A) Their sense of responsibility.B) Their emotional involvement.C) The learning strategy acquired.D) The teaching experience gained.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.A new batch of young women—members of the so-called Millennial (千禧的) generation—has been entering the workforce for the past decade. At the starting line of their careers, they are better educated than their mothers and grandmothers had been—or than their young male counterparts are now. But when they look ahead, they see roadblocks to their success. They believe that women are paid less than men for doing the same job. They think it's easier for men to get top executive jobs than it is for them. And they assume that if and when they have children, it will be even harder for them to advance in their careers.While the public sees greater workplace equality between men and women now than it did 20-30 years ago, most believe more change is needed. Among Millennial women, 75% say this country needs to continue making changes to achieve gender equality in the workplace, compared with 57% of Millennial men. Even so, relatively few young women (15%) say they have been discriminated against at work because of their gender.As Millennial women come of age they share many of the same views and values about work as their male counterparts. They want jobs that provide security and flexibility, and they place relatively little importance on high pay. At the same time, however, young working women are less likely than men to aim at top management jobs: 34% say they're not interested in becoming a boss or top manager; only 24% of young men say the same. The gender gap on this question is even wider among working adults in their 30s and 40s, when many women face the trade-offs that go with work and motherhood.These findings are based on a new Pew Research Center survey of 2,002 adults, including 810 Millennials (ages 18-32), conducted Oct. 7-27, 2013. The survey finds that, in spite of the dramatic gains women have made in educational attainment and labor force participation in recent decades, young women view this as a man's world—just as middle-aged and older women do.51. What do we learn from the first paragraph about Millennial women starting their careers"A) They can get ahead only by striving harder.B) They expect to succeed just like Millennial men.C) They are generally quite optimistic about their future.D) They are better educated than their male counterparts.52. How do most Millennial women feel about their treatment in the workplace"A) They are the target of discrimination.B) They find it satisfactory on the whole.C) They think it needs further improving.D) They find their complaints ignored.53. What do Millennial women value most when coming of age"A) A sense of accomplishment.B) Job stability and flexibility.C) Rewards and promotions.D) Joy derived from work.54. What are women in their 30s and 40s concerned about"A) The welfare of their children.B) The narrowing of the gender gap.C) The fulfillment of their dreams in life.D) The balance between work and family.55. What conclusion can be drawn about Millennial women from the 2013 survey"A) They still view this world as one dominated by males.B) They account for half the workforce in the job market.C) They see the world differently from older generations.D) They do better in work than their male counterparts.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinesein toEnglish. You should write your answer onAnswer Sheet 2.近年来，中国有越来越多的城市开始建设地铁。
2024年6月大学英语四级考试真题和答案(第2套)
2024年6月大学英语四级考试真题和答案（第2套）Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: Suppose your university is seeking students’ opinions on whether university sports facilities should be open to the public. You are now to write an essay to express your view. You will have 30 minutes for the task. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.PartⅡ Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）, B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It hit a bird shortly after takeoff.B) Its crew members went on strike.C) It narrowly escaped a plane crash when turning around.D) Its captain got slightly injured during the forced landing.2. A) Panic.B) Nervous.C) Relieved.D) Contented.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) He is now kept in a secure area.B) He has escaped the zoo once again.C) He has been caught a second time.D) He finally disappeared six days ago.4. A) Squeezed.B) Threatened.C) Disappointed.D) Frustrated.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) It is condemned as a crazy idea.B) It is enriching the city’s night life.C) It is questioned by local residents.D) It is giving rise to safety concerns.6. A) Avoid entering one-way streets.B) Ensure the safety of pedestrians.C) Follow all the traffic rules drivers do.D) Give way to automobiles at all times.7. A) To ease the city’s busy traffic.B) To bring new life into the city.C) To add a new means of transport.D) To reduce the city’s air pollution.Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C)and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) Take it seriously.B) Discuss it regularly.C) Make it sound scary.D) Talk about it openly.9. A) By shopping around for the best deals.B) By making abstract sums relevant.C) By citing concrete examples.D) By visiting discount stores.10. A) Paying their kids to help with housework.B) Setting kids a good example by sharing chores.C) Giving kids pocket money according to their needs.D) Urging kids to deposit some of their gift money.11. A) The importance of cutting down family expenses.B) The need to learn important lessons from her elders.C) The delight in seeing their savings grow.D) The necessity of saving into a pension.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) He is a successful businessman.B) He reviews books on political affairs.C) He has published a new bestseller.D) He has worked in several banks.13. A) The man’s ideas about education.B) The man’s academic background.C) The man’s attempts at drawing public attention.D) The man’s proposals to solve economic problems.14. A) To reduce students’ financial burden.B) To motivate all students to be successful.C) To give students incentive to excel in economics.D) To provide remedies for students’ poor performance.15. A) Improving school budgeting.B) Increasing tuition fees.C) Seeking donations.D) Raising taxes.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) To show his sympathy towards people always being busy.B) To prevent people from complaining about being “busy”.C) To call on busy people to take care of themselves.D) To help busy people to sort out their priorities.17. A) Avoid saying we are busy.B) Reflect on their true purpose.C) Describe our schedule in detail.D) Respond as most busy people do.18. A) To show their achievements resulted from great efforts.B) To prove they stand out as accomplished professionals.C) To cover up their failure to achieve some purpose.D) To tell others a complete lie about their inability.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They will help one reduce fear.B) They should become so popular.C) They will be less challenging after a time.D) They should cover so many different types.20. A) To break one’s ultimate limits.B) To stop being extremely afraid.C) To avoid dangerous mistakes.D) To enjoy the sports to the full.21. A) By allowing our motivation to be at an all-time high.B) By stopping us hurting the same muscles repeatedly.C) By burning as many as 300 calories per hour.D) By enabling us to get an all-over workout.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) It is natural.B) It is instrumental.C) It is personal.D) It is vital.23. A) To guard against being perceived negatively.B) To prevent themselves from being isolated.C) To conceal personality preferences.D) To maintain workplace harmony.24. A) It helps to enhance team spirit.B) It stimulates innovative ideas.C) It helps to resolve problems.D) It facilitates policy-making.25. A) An innovative mind.B) Corporate culture.C) Mutual trust.D) A healthy mentality.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once．A team of researchers led by Priyanka Joshi examined the degree to which men and women relied on “communicative abstraction” to verbally convey their ideas and emotions. Communicative abstraction, according to the researchers, reflects the tendency of people to use “abstract speech that focuses on the broader picture and____26____purpose of action rather than concrete speech focusing on details and the meansof____27____action.” Interestingly, they found that men were far more likely to speak in the abstract than were women.To arrive at this____28____, the researchers examined the linguistic (语言的) patterns of men and women in over 600,000 blog posts written on websites. To do this, the researchers computed abstractness ratings for____29____40,000 commonly used words in the English language. Words considered to be concrete could be easily visualized, such as “table”or “chair”. Words that were more____30____to visualize, for example, “justice” or “morality” were considered to be more abstract. They found that men used____31____more abstract language in their blog posts.What is the____32____of this effect? The researchers suggest that power differences between the genders— that is, men having more power in society—might be a key determinant(决定因素). For instance, in a follow-up study conducted with a sample of 300 students, the researchers____33____power dynamics in an interpersonal setting to see if this would influence communicative abstraction. They found that participants in a high-power interviewer role were more likely to give abstract descriptions of behaviors than were participants in a low-power interviewee role. This suggests that communicating more abstractly does not reflect a____34____tendency of men or women butrather____35____within specific contexts.A) approximatelyB) attainingC) conclusionD) difficultE) emergesF) fixedG) ignoredH) legallyI) manipulatedJ) recommendedK) refrainingL) signalsM) significantlyN) sourceO) ultimateSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.How to better work towards long-term goalsA) Hal Hershfield, a psychologist at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, wanted to know why people weren’t saving for retirement. Across the board, people are living longer. Logically, they’ll need more money to live comfortably in their post-work years. And yet, savings rates in the U.S. have gone down in recent decades, not up.B) To help explain this seemingly irrational behavior, Hershfield and his team scanned the brains of study participants while asking them to what degree various traits (特征)—like “honorable” or “funny”—applied to their current self, their future self, a current other, or a futureother. As participants answered, Hershfield’s team recorded which parts of their brains lit up. Unsurprisingly, people’s brains were most active when thinking about their current selves and least active when thinking about a current other. But the team found that participants’ brain activity while considering their future selves more closely resembled their brain activity while thinking about a current other rather than the current self.C) Put in practical terms, when thinking of yourself in a month or a year or a decade, your brain registers that person in ways similar to how it would register Taylor Swift or the mailman. Understood in that way, saving for retirement is the equivalent of giving money away to someone else entirely.D) In light of Hershfield’s study, one simple question arises: Is it possible to make our present selves give a damn about our future selves? The answers are anything but simple.E) Seen through the lens of the present self versus the future self, our self-defeating actions—like choosing to watch television rather than go to the gym—suddenly make perfect sense. We get to enjoy the very concrete, immediate benefits of our actions while someone else (namely, our future selves) suffers the hypothetical(假设的), far-off consequences. As a result, the decisions we make for our present selves often look very different from our decisions for our future selves. We believe that tomorrow will be different. We believe that we will be different tomorrow; but in doing so, we prioritize our current mood over the consequences of our inaction for the future self.F) Understanding our procrastination (拖延) through the lens of the present and future selves, we’re left with three possible solutions: The first is to force your future self to do whatever your present self doesn’t want to do. The second is to convince your present self that your future self is, in fact, still you. If the central problem is that we think of our future selves as other people, it follows that trying to identify more closely with our future selves will encourage us to make better long-term decisions.G) In a follow-up study, Hershfield wanted to explore ways to bridge the disconnect between the present and future selves and encourage people to save more for retirement. He and his team took photos of study participants, and then used image processing to visually age their faces. Participants were then placed in a virtual reality setting where they could look into a mirror and see their aged selves looking back at them. Participants who saw their aged selves said they would save 30% more of their salary for retirement than the control group.H) Whatever your long-term goals may be—getting in better shape, launching your own business, writing a book—thinking about your deadline in terms of days rather than months or years can help you wrap your mindaround how close the future really is.I) The third solution is to forget about your future self and use your present self’s love of instant gratification (满足感) to your advantage. While the two tactics (手段) above can be effective in making better long-term choices, in the end, you’re still struggling against human nature. Our brains are hard-wired for instant gratification. Instead of fighting your present self’s need for immediate rewards, why not use it to your advantage? When most of us set goals, we focus on long-term results we want to see—e.g., losing weight, getting a promotion, retiring in comfort, etc. While those visions of our future selves can be inspiring, when it comes to actually doing the day-to-day work, it may be more effective to reframe activities in terms of their immediate, or at least very near-term, rewards.J) Take writing this article, for instance. It’s easy for me to imagine how amazing it will feel at the end of the workday to have this article done. This isn’t just my opinion. Research partners Kaitlin Woolley of Cornell University and Ayelet Fishbach of the University of Chicago have made a career out of studying the differences between the goals that people achieve and the ones that fall to the wayside.K) “In one study, we asked people online about the goals they set at the beginning of the year. Most people set goals to achieve delayed, long-term benefits, such as career advancement, debt repayment, or improved health. We asked these individuals how enjoyable it was to pursue their goal, as well as how important their goal was. We also asked whether they were still working on their goals two months after setting them. We found that enjoyment predicted people’s goal persistence two months after setting the goal far more than how important they rated their goal to be,” Woolley said.L) This pattern held true across a wide variety of goals from exercising to studying to eating healthier foods. For example, people ate 50% more of a healthy food when directed to focus on the good taste rather than the long-term health benefits. Other studies have shown a greater uptake of exercise in people who were told to think of the enjoyment of doing the exercise now rather than future health gains.M) These findings suggest that when it comes to achieving your goals, enjoying the process itself is more important than wanting the long-term benefits. In other words, present self trumps (战胜) future self. Who says instant gratification has to be a bad thing? By all means, set ambitious long-term goals for your future self, but when it comes to actually following through day-to-day, make sure your present self knows what’s in it for her too.36. Our brains are genetically determined to satisfy immediate desires.37. Taken in a practical way, saving for post-work years is like givingmoney away to others.38. Research found that, as regards achievement of one’s goals, it is important to focus more on enjoying the process than the long-term benefits.39. Regarding our future selves as still being ourselves will help us make better long-term decisions.40. Savings rates in America have dropped in recent decades even though people’s life expectancy has increased.41. Researchers found that enjoyment rather than importance enabled people to persist in their goals.42. When making decisions, we give priority to our current frame of mind without thinking much of the consequences.43. People ate more of a healthy food when they focused on its good taste instead of its longterm benefits.44. As was expected, when people thought of their present selves, their brains were observed to become more active.45. Researchers found that participants who saw the images of their aged selves would save more for their later years than those who didn’t.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.People often wonder why some entrepreneurs have greater success than others. Is it habits, connections, luck, work ethic or any other behavior?I believe the key to success is willpower. Willpower is the ability to control yourself. It is a strong determination that allows you to do something difficult. It is a behavior we are born with more than one we learn; however, it is possible to not only learn it, but also strengthen it with constant exercise.Willpower is just like a muscle; to keep it strong you need to constantly exercise it. People with a great amount of willpower have the discipline to develop positive, successful habits. Even with an incredible amount of talent, without the discipline and motivation to create positive habits, it can be difficult to achieve success.Willpower and habits go hand in hand. It is critical to create good habits and take the actions necessary to stick to those habits day in and day out for greater success. Almost half of our daily actions are part of our habits and not decisions, so once the correct habits are in place,you will automatically perform those tasks on a day-today basis.The best way to create and stick to a habit is to have strong motivation. It’s easier to change your habits to lose weight if you have a health issue and you want to be around longer for your kids, or if your business is something you’re passionate about. Having a valuable outcome associated with a habit will help you stick to that habit permanently.The art of self-control is one that most successful individuals have mastered. Self-control enables you to avoid behaviors that don’t contribute to your success and adopt those that do.Because there is a delayed satisfaction associated with self-control, it can be easy to get off track. However, if you work on sticking to those small positive habits one day at a time, it becomes easier to stay strong and achieve that delayed reward. Once a reward is achieved, it is much easier to continue sticking to your habits.46. What does the author say we need to do to strengthen our willpower?A) Keep it under control.B) Apply it continuously.C) Learn from entrepreneurs.D) Aim at success determinedly.47. How are almost half of our daily actions performed according to the passage?A) Out of habit.B) With determination.C) Like muscle building.D) By self-discipline.48. What will help people stick to doing something constructive automatically?A) Practising it on a day-to-day basis.B) Associating it with improving health.C) Possessing a reasonable amount of talent.D) Foreseeing the desired outcome it will yield.49. How does the art of self-control help us succeed?A) By allowing us to remain clear-headed permanently.B) By enabling us to alter our behaviors constantly.C) By enabling us to take positive actions.D) By allowing us to avoid taking risks.50. Why can it be difficult for us to maintain self-control?A) Most of us are not in the habit of exercising self-control.B) We may not get immediate rewards from self-control.C) Self-control tends to be associated with pains.D) Self-control only brings about small benefits.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Today, most scientific research is funded by government grants, companies doing research and development, and non-profit foundations. As a society, we reap the rewards from this science, but we also help pay for it. You indirectly support science through taxes you pay, products and services you purchase, and donations you make.Funding for science has changed with the times. Historically, science has been largely supported through private patronage (资助), church sponsorship, or simply paying for the research yourself. Today, researchers are likely to be funded by a mix of grants from various government agencies, institutions, and foundations. Other research is funded by private companies. Such corporate sponsorship is widespread in some fields. Almost 75% of U.S. clinical trials in medicine are paid for by private companies. And, of course, some researchers today still fund small-scale studies out of their own pockets. Most of us can’t afford to do nuclear research as a private hobby, but birdwatchers, rock collectors, and others can do real research on a limited budget.In a perfect world, money wouldn’t matter—all scientific studies would be completely objective. But in the real world, funding may introduce biases. Drug research sponsored by the pharmaceutical (制药的) industry is more likely to end up favoring the drug under consideration than studies sponsored by government grants or charitable organizations. Similarly, nutrition research sponsored by the food industry is more likely to end up favoring the food under consideration than independently funded research.So what should we make of all this? Should we ignore any research funded by companies or special interest groups? Certainly not. These groups provide invaluable funding for scientific research. Furthermore, science has many safeguards in place to catch instances of bias that affect research outcomes. Ultimately, misleading results will be corrected as science proceeds; however, this process takes time. Meanwhile, it pays to examine studies funded by industry or special interest groups with extra care. Are the results consistent with other independently funded studies? What do other scientists have to say about this research? A little examination can go a long way towards identifying bias associated with the funding source.51. What does the passage mainly discuss regarding scientific research?A) Its foundation.B) Its rewards.C) Its prospect.D) Its funding.52. What do we learn from the passage about researchers like birdwatchers and rock collectors?A) They have little access to government funding.B) They can do research with limited resources.C) They can do amateur work in their own fields.D) They have no means for large-scale research.53. What would scientific studies look like in a perfect world according to the author?A) They would be totally unbiased.B) They would be independently funded.C) They would be responsibly conducted.D) They would be strictly supervised.54. What does the author say about companies and special interest groups?A) They try hard to pull down the safeguards for research.B) They make extra efforts to research their own products.C) They provide valuable resources for scientific research.D) They reap the most benefits from scientific research.55. What does the author think of research funded by industry or special interest groups?A) Its recommendations should be examined for feasibility.B) Its misleading results should be corrected in time.C) Its validity should be checked with additional care.D) Its hidden biases should be identified independently.Part Ⅳ Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.农历（the lunar calendar）起源于数千年前的中国，根据太阳和月亮的运行规律制定。