2015年英语四级阅读模拟试题及答案解析(精品四)
2015年英语四级阅读模拟试题 2015年英语四级阅读模拟试题及答案
（精品试卷四） Section C Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices markedA．,B．, C． andD．. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One Questions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage. An industrial society, especially one as centralized and concentrated as that of Britain, is heavily dependent on certain essential services: for instance, electricity supply, water, rail and road transport, the harbors. The area of dependency has widened to include removing rubbish, hospital and ambulance services, and, as the economy develops, central computer and information services as well. If any of these services ceases to operate, the whole economic system is in danger. It is this economic interdependency of the economic system which makes the power of trade unions (工会)such an important issue. Single trade unions have the ability to cut off many countries' economic blood supply. This can happen more easily in Britain than in some other countries, in part because the labor force is highly organized. About 55 percent of British workers belong to unions, compared to under a quarter in the United States. For historical reasons, Britain's unions have tended to develop along trade (行业) and occupational lines, rather than on an industry-by-industry basis, which makes a wages policy, democracy in industry and the improvement of procedures for fixing wage levels difficult to achieve. There are considerable strains and tensions in the trade union movement, some of them arising from their outdated and inefficient structure. Some unions have lost many members because of their industrial changes. Others are involved in arguments about who should represent workers in new trades. Unions for skilled trades are separate from general unions, which means that different levels of wages for certain jobs are often a source of bad feelings between unions. In traditional trades which are being pushed out of existence by advancing technologies,unions can fight for their members' disappointing jobs to the point where the jobs of other union members are threatened or destroyed. The printing of newspapers both in the United States and in Britain has frequently been halted by the 2015年英语四级阅读模拟试题 efforts of printers to hold on to their traditional highly-paid jobs. Trade unions have problems of internal communication just as managers in companies do, problems which multiply in very large unions or in those which bring workers in very different industries together into a single general union. Some trade union officials have to be re-elected regularly; others are elected, or even appointed, for life. Trade union officials have to work with a system of "shop stewards" (工厂工人代表) in many unions, "shop stewards" being workers elected by other workers as their representatives at factory or work level.
56. Why is the trade union power crucial in Britain? A． Because the economy is very interdependent. B． Because the unions have been established a long time. C． Because there are more unions in Britain than elsewhere. D． Because there are many essential services offered by the unions. 57. Because of their out-of-date organization, some unions find it difficult to __________. A． bargain for high enough wages B． get new members to join C． learn new technologies D． change as industries change 58. Disagreements arise between unions because some of them__________. A． try to win over members of other unions B． ignore agreements C． protect their own members at the expense of others D． take over other unions' jobs 59. Why does the author compare the trade unions with managers in companies? A． They are both influential in company affairs. B． They both face problems of internal communication. C． They both work with a system of "shop stewards". D． They both work efficiently. 60. The title which best expresses the idea of the text would be __________. A． British Trade Unions and Their Drawbacks B． A Centralized and Concentrated Society C． The Power of Trade Unions in Britain D． The Structure of British Trade Unions
Passage Two Questions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage. One of the most interesting paradoxes in America today is that Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, is now engaged in a serious debate about what a university should be, and whether it is measuring up (符合标准). Like the Roman Catholic Church and other ancient institutions, it is
2015年6月英语四级阅读模拟题03及答案
2015年6月英语四级阅读模拟题03及答案D23editing much easier on it. One can alter, insert, or delete just by pressing a few keys, thus eliminating the need to rewrite or re-type. Furthermore, since the revision process is less burdensome, students are more likely to revise as often as is necessary to end up with the best paper possible. For these reasons, many freshman English courses require the use of a word processor.Computers are also useful in the context of language courses, where they are used to drill students in basic skills. Software programs reinforce ESL(English as a Second Language ) instruction, as well as instruction in French, German, Spanish, and other languages. By using these programs on a regular basis, students can improve their proficiency in a language while proceeding at their own pace.Science students take advantage of computers in many ways. Using computer graphic capabilities, for example, botany students can represent and analyze different plant growth patterns. Medical students can learn to interpret computerized images of internal body structures. Physics students can complete complex calculations far more quickly than they could without the use of computer.Similarly, business and accounting students find that computer spreadsheet programs are all but indispensable to many aspects of their work, while students pursuing careers in graphic arts. marketing, and public relations find that knowledge of computer graphic is important. Education majors learn to develop grading systems using computers, while social science students use computers for analyzing and graphically displacing their research results.It is no wonder, then, that educators support the purchase and use of microcomputers by students. A versatile tool, the computer can help students learn. And that is, after all, the reason for going to college.56. The word "literacy" (Line 1, Paragraph 1) means__________. A． the ability to read and writeB． the ability to use4C． literatureD． the knowledge of language57. The main purpose of this passage is to __________.A． persuade the educators to increase computer use in their own classroomB． analyze advantages and disadvantages of computer use among college studentsC． identify some of the ways that computers benefit college students D． describe how computers can be used to teach foreign languages 58. According to the author, a word processor can be used to __________. A． revise papersB． retype papersC． reduce the psychological burden of writing papersD． improve the writing skills of a student59. In this passage, the writer's argument is developed primarily through the use of __________.A． cause-effect analysisB． comparison and contrastC． inductionD． examples60. According to the author, the reason for students to go to college is__________.A． to learn somethingB． to perfect themselvesC． to improve computer skillsD． to make the best use of computersPassage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Language is, and should be, a living thing, constantly enriched with new words and forms of expression. But there is a vital distinction between good developments, which add to the language, enabling us to5say things we could not say before, and bad developments, which subtract from the language by rendering it less precise. A vivacious, colorful use of words is not to be confused with mere slovenliness. The kind of slovenliness in which some professionals deliberately indulge is perhaps akin to the cult (迷信) of the unfinished work, which has eroded most of the arts in our time. And the true answer to it is the same that art is enhanced, not hindered, by discipline. You cannot carve satisfactorily in butter.The corruption of written English has been accompanied by an even sharper decline in the standard of spoken English. We speak very much less well than was common among educated Englishmen a generation or two ago.The modem theatre has played a baneful (有害的) part in dimming our appreciation of language. Instead of the immensely articulate dialogue of, for example, Shaw (who was also very insistent on good pronunciation),audiences are now subjected to streams of barely literate trivia, often designed, only too well, to exhibit 'lack of communication', and larded (夹杂) with the obscenities (下流的话) and grammatical errors of the intellectually impoverished. Emily Post once advised her readers: "The theatre is the best possible place to hear correctly-enunciated speech. " Alas, no more. One young actress was recently reported to be taking lessons in how to speak badly, so that she should fit in better.But the BBC is the worst traitor. After years of very successfully helping to raise the general standard of spoken English, it suddenly went into reverse. As the head of the Pronunciation Unit coyly (含蓄地) put it, "In the 1960s the BBC opened the field to a much wider range of speakers." To hear a BBC disc jockey talking to the latest ape-like pop idol is a truly shocking experience of verbal squalor. And the prospect seems to be of even worse to come. School teachers are actively encouraged to ignore little Johnny's incoherent grammar,6atrocious spelling and haphazard punctuation, because worrying about such things might inhibit his creative genius.61. The writer relates linguistic slovenliness to tendencies in the arts today in that they both __________.A． occasionally aim at a certain fluidityB． appear to shun perfectionC． from time to time show regard for the finishing touchD． make use of economical short cuts62. "Art is enhanced, not hindered, by discipline" (Lines 6～7, Paragraph 1 ) means __________.A． an artist's work will be finer if he observes certain aesthetic standardsB． an unfinished work is bound to be comparatively inferiorC． the skill of certain artists conceals their slovenlinessD． artistic expression is inhibited by too many roles63. Many modem plays, the author finds, frequently contain speech which__________.A． is incoherent and linguistically objectionableB． is far too ungrammatical for most people to followC． unintentionally shocks the audienceD． tries to hide the author's intellectual inadequacies64. The author says that the standard of the spoken English of BBC__________.A． is the worst among all broadcasting networksB． has raised English-speaking up to a new levelC． has taken a turn for the worse since the 1960sD． is terrible because of a few popular disc jockeys65. Teachers are likely to overlook the linguistic lapses in their pupils since__________.A． they find that children no longer respond to this kind of discipline nowadays7B． they fear the children may become less coherentC． more importance is now attached to oral expressionD． the children may be discouraged from expressing their ideas【参考译文】[56]现在，越来越多的教育专家认为大学生一定要懂电脑。
大学英语四级阅读理解试题及答案(四)含答案解析
大学英语四级阅读理解试题及答案（四）含答案解析六As the pace of life continues to increase ,we are fast losing the art of relaxation. Once you are in the habit of rushing through lift,being on the go from morning till night, it is hard to slow down. But relaxation is essential for a healthy mind and body.Stress is an natural part of everyday lift and there is no way to avoid it. In fact ,it is not the bad thing it is often supposed to be .A certain amount of stress is vital to provide motivation adn give purpose to life. It is only when the stress gets out of control that it can lead to poor performance and ill health.The amount of stress a person can withstand depends very much on the individual. Some people are not afraid of stress,and such characters are obviously prime material for managerial responsibilities. Others lose heart at the first signs of unusual difficulties. When exposed to stress,in whatever form,we react both chemically and physically. In fact we make choice between "fight" or "flight" and in more primitive days the choice made the difference between life or death. The crises we meet today are unlikely to be so extreme,but however little the stress,it involves the same response. It is when such a reaction lasts long,through continued exposure to stress,that health becomes endangered.Such serious conditions as high blood pressure and heart disease have established links with stress.Since we cannot remove stress from our lives(it would be unwise to do so even if we could),we need to find ways to deal with it.1.People are finding less and less time for relaxing themselves because_____.a.they do not know how to enjoy themselvesb.they do not believe that relaxation is important for healthc.they are travelling fast all the timed.they are becoming busier with their work2.According to the writer ,the most important character for a good manager is his ________.a.not fearing stressb.knowing the art of relaxationc.high sense of responsibilityd.having control over performance3.Which of the follwing statements is ture?a.We can find some ways to avoid stressb.Stress is always harmful to peoplec.It is easy to change the hagit of keeping oneself busy with work.d.Different people can withstand different amounts of stress4.In Paragraph 3, "such a reaction" refers back to_______.a."making a choice between 'flight' or 'fight'"b."reaction to stress both chemically and physically"c."responding to crises quickly"d."losing heart at the signs difficulties"5.In the last sentence of the passage,"do so " refers to ______.a."expose ourselves to stress"b."find ways to deal with stress"c."remove stress from our lives"d."established links between diseases and stress"答案：dadbc七In the 1960s, many young Americans were dissatisfied with American society. They wanted to end the Vietnam War and to make all of the people in the U.S. epual.Some of them decided to "drop out" of American society and form their own societies . They formed utopian communities , which they called "communes," where they could follow their philosophy of "do your own thing." A group of artists founded a commune in southern Colorado called "Drop City." Following the ideas of philosopher and architect Buckminster Fuller they built domeshaped houses from pieces of old cars. Other groups, such as author Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, the followers fo San Francisco poet Steve Gakin, and a group that called itself the Hog Farm, lived in old school huses and traveled around the United States. The Hog Farm become famous when they helped organize the Woodstock Rock Festival in 1969. Steve Gaskin's followers tried to settle down on a farm in Tennessee, but they had to leave when some members of the gruop were arrested for growing marijuana.Not all communes believed in the philosophy of "do you own thing," however . Twin Oaks , a commune founded in Virgiania in the late 1960s, was based on the ideas of psychologist B.F.Skinner. The people who lived at Twin Oaks were carefully controlled by Skinner's "conditioning" techniques to do things that were good for the community. In 1972, Italian architect Paolo Soleri began to build Arcosanti, a utopian city Arizsona where 2500 people will live closely together in one large building called an "archology" Soleri believes that people must live closely together so that they will all become one.1.Why did some young Americans decide to "drop out" of scoiety during the 1960s?a.They were not satisfied with American society.b.They wanted to grow marijuana.c.They wanted to go to the Vietnam War.d.They did not want all people to be equal.2.Where did the members of the Hog Farm commune live?a.In dome-shaped houseb.In old school husesc.On a farm inTennesseed.In an archology in Arizona3.Who gave the people of Drop City the idea to bulid dome-shaped house?a.Paolo Solerib.B.G.Skinnerc.Steve Gaskind.Buckminster Fuller4.What was the Twin Oaks commune base on ?a.The philosophy of "do your own thing"b.Virginaia in the late 1960sc.The ideas of psychologistd.The belief that people must live closely togerher.5.What is an "archology"?a.A person who studies archaeologyb.A large building where people live closely togetherc.A city in A rizonad.A technique to contorl people答案：abdcb八There are two factors which determine an individual's intelligence. The first is the sort of brain he is born with. Human brains differ considerably, some being more capable than others. But no matter how good a brain he has to begin with, an individual will have a low order of intelligence unless he has opportunities to learn. So the second factor is what happens to the individual—the sort of environment inwhich he is reared. If an individual is handicapped envionmentally ,it is likely that his brain will fail to develop and he will never attain the level of intelligence of which he is capable.The importance of environment in determining an individual's intellingence can be demonstrated by the case history of the identical twins, Peter and Mark X. Being identical, the twins had identical brains at birth, and their growth processes were the same. When the twins were three months old , their parents died, and they were placed in separate foster homes. Peter was reated by parents of low intelligence in an isolatedcommunity with poor educational pooprtunities.Mark was reared inthe home of well-to-do parents who had been to college. He was read to as a child , sent to good schools, and given every opportunity to be stimulated intellectually.This enviromental difference continued until the twins were in their late teens, when they were giben tesets to measure their intelligence. Mark's I.Q. was 125, twenty-five points higher than the average and fully forty points higher than his identical brother. Given equal opportunities , the twins , having identical brains,would have tested at roughly the same level.1.This selection can best be titled_________.a.Measuring Your Intelligenceb.Intelligence and Environmentc.The Case of Peter and Markd.How the brain Influences Intelligence2.The beststatement of the main idea of this passage is that _____.a.human brains differ considerablyb.the brain a person is born with is improtant in determining his intelligencec.environment is crucial in determining a person's intelligenced. persons having identical brains will have roughly the same intelligence3.According to the passage , the average I.Q.is _____.a.85b.100c.110d.1254.The case history of the twins appears to support the conclusion that _______.a.individual with identical brains seldom test at same levelb.an individual's intelligence is determined only by his enviromentck of opportunity blocks the growth of intelligenced.changes of enviroment produce changes in the structure of the brain5.This passage suggests that an individual 's I.Q.______.a.can be predicted at birthb.stays the same throuthout his lifec.can be increased by educationd.is determined by his childhood答案：bcbcc九As she walked round the huge department store,Edith reflected how difficult it was to choose a suitable Christmas present for her father.She wish that he was as easy to please as her mother, who was always delighted with perfumeBesides,shoppong at this time of the year was a most disgreeableexperience :people trod on your toes,poked you with their elbows and almost knocked you overin their haste to get to a bargain ahead of you.Partly to have a rest, Edith paused in front of a counter where some attracive ties were on display. "They are real silk," the assistant assured her, trying to tempt her. "Worth double the price." But edit knew from past experience that her choice of ties hardly ever pleased her father.She moved on reluctantly and then quite by chance, stopped where a small crowd of man had gathered round a counter. She found some good quality pipes onsale-----and the prices were very reasonable. Edith did not hesitate for long : although her father only smoked a pipe occasionally, she knew that this was a present which was bund to please him.When she got home,with her small well-chosen present concealed in her handbag, her parents were already at the supper table. Her mother was in an especially cheerful mood, "Your father has at last to decided to stop smoking." She informed her daughter.1.Edith's father _______.a.did not like presentb.never got presentc.preferred tiesd.was difficult to choose a present for2.The assistant spoke to Edith because she seemed_______.a.attractiveb.interested in tiesc.tiredd.in need of comfort3.Edith stopped at the next counter_________.a.puroselyb.suddenlyc.unwillinglyd.accidentally4.Edith's father smoked a pipe_______.a.when he was obligedb.on social occasionsc.from time to timed.when he was delighted5.Shopping was very disagreeable at that time of the year because_______.a.coustomers trod on each other's toesb.coustomers poked each other with their elbowsc.customers knocked each otherd.customers were doing their shopping in a great hurry答案：dbdcd十If the population of the earth goes on increasing at its present rate, there will eventually not be enough resources left to sustain life on the planet.By the middle of the 21st century,if present trends continue, we will have used up all the oil that drives our cars,for example.Even if scientists develop new ways of feeding the human race,the crowded conditions on earth will make it necessary for lus to look for open space somewhere else. But none of the other planets in our solar system are capable of supporting life at present. One possible solution to the problem, however,has recently been suggested by American scientist, Professor Carl Sagan.Sagan believes that before the earth's resources are compleetely exhausted it will be possible to change the atmophere of Venus and so create a new world almost as large as earth itself. The difficult is that Venus is much hotter than the earth and there is only a tiny amount of water there.Sagan proposes that algae organisms that can live in extremely hot or cold atmospheres and at the same time produce oxygen,should be bred in condition similar to those on Venus.As soon as this has been done, the algae will be placed in small rockets. Spaceship will then fly to Venus and fire the rockets into the atmosphere .In a fairly short time, the alge will break down the carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon.When the algae have done theri work, the atmosphere will become cooler,but befor man can set foot on Venus it will be neccessary for the oxygen to produce rain. The surface of the planet will still be too hot for man to land on it but the rain will eventually fall and in a few years something like earth will be reproduced on Venus.1.Inte long run, the most insoluble problem caused by population growth on earth will probably be the lack of ______.a.foodb.oilc.spaced.resources2.Carl Sagan believes that Venus might be colonized from earth because _____a.it might be possible to change its atmosphereb.its atmosphere is the same as the earth'sc.there is a good supply of water on Venusd.the days on Venus are long enough3.On Venus there is a lot of ________.a.waterb.carbon dioxidec.carbon monoxided.oxygen4.Algae are plants that can____.a.live in very hot temperaturesb.live in very cold temperaturesc.manufacture oxygend.all of the above5. Man can land on Venus only when_______.a.the algae have done their workb.the atmosphere becomes coolerc.thereis oxygend.it rains there答案：cabdd。
大学英语专业四级阅读理解模拟试题(含答案)(04)_共5页
PART V READING COMPREHENSION [25 MIN]In this section there are four passages followed by questions or unfinished statements, each with four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that you think is the best answer.TEXT ARacket, din clamor, noise, whatever you want to call it, unwanted sound is America's most widespread nuisance. But noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes a real and present danger to people's health. Day and night, at home, at work, and at play, noise can produce serious physical and psychological stress. No one is immune to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to noise by ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the body still responds—sometimes with extreme tension, as to a strange sound in the night.The annoyance we feel when faced with noise is the most common outward symptom of the stress building up inside us. Indeed, because irritability is so apparent, legislators have made public annoyance the basis of many noise abatement programs. The more subtle and more serious health hazards associated with stress caused by noise traditionally have been given much less attention. Nevertheless, when we are annoyed or made irritable by noise, we should consider these symptoms fair warning that other thing may be happening to us, some of which may be damaging to our health.Of many health hazards to noise, hearing loss is the most clearly observable and measurable by health professionals. The other hazards are harder to pin down. For many of us, there may be a risk that exposure to the stress of noise increases susceptibility to disease and infection. The more susceptible among us may experience noise as a complicating factor in heart problems and other diseases. Noise that causes annoyance and irritability in health persons may have serious consequences for these already ill in mind or body.Noise affects us throughout our lives. For example, there are indications of effects on the unborn child when mothers are exposed to industrial and environmental noise. During infancy and childhood, youngsters exposed to high noise levels may have trouble falling asleep and obtaining necessary amounts of rest.Why, then, is there not greater alarm about these dangers? Perhaps it is because the link between noise and many disabilities or diseases has not yet been conclusively demonstrated. Perhaps it is because we tend to dismiss annoyance as a price to pay for living in the modern world. It may also be because we still think of hearing loss as only an occupational hazard.1. In Paragraph 1, the phrase "immune to" are used to mean ___.A.unaffected byB.hurt byC.unlikely to be seen byD.unknown by2.3. The author's attitude toward noise would best be described as ___.A.unrealisticB.traditionalC.concernedD.hystericalWhich of the following best states the main idea of the passage?A.Noise is a major problem; most people recognize its importance.B.Although noise can be annoying, it is not a major problem.C.Noise is a major problem and has not yet been recognized as such.D.Noise is a major problem about which nothing can be done.4.5. The author condemns noise essentially because it ___.A.is against the lawB.can make some people irritableC.is a nuisanceD.in a ganger to people's healthThe author would probably consider research about the effects noise has on people to be ___.A.unimportantB.impossible.C.a waste of moneyD.essentialTEXT BWhat we know of prenatal development makes all this attempt made by a mother to mold the character ofher unborn child by studying poetry, art, or mathematics during pregnancy seem utterly impossible. How could such extremely complex influences pass from the mother to the child? There is no connection between their nervous systems. Even the blood vessels of mother and child do not join directly. An emotional shock to the mother will affect her child, because it changes the activity of her glands and so the chemistry her blood. Any chemical change in the mother's blood will affect the child for better or worse. But we can not see how a looking for mathematics or poetic genius can be dissolved in blood and produce a similar liking or genius in the child.In our discussion of instincts we saw that there was reason to believe that whatever we inherit must be of some very simple sort rather than any complicated or very definite kind of behavior. It is certain that no one inherits a knowledge of mathematics. It may be, however, that children inherit more or less of a rather general ability that we may call intelligence. If very intelligent children become deeply interested in mathematics, they will probably make a success of that study.As for musical ability, it may be that what is inherited is an especially sensitive ear, a peculiar structure of the hands or the vocal organs connections between nerves and muscles that make it comparatively easy to learn the movements a musician must execute, and particularly vigorous emotions. If these factors are all organized around music, the child may become a musician. The same factors, in other circumstance might be organized about some other center of interest. The rich emotional equipment might find expression in poetry. The capable fingers might develop skill in surgery. It is not the knowledge of music that is inherited, then nor even the love of it, but a certain bodily structure that makes it comparatively easy to acquire musical knowledge and skill. Whether that ability shall be directed toward music or some other undertaking may be decided entirely by forces in the environment in which a child grows up.6. Which of the following statements is not true?A. Some mothers try to influence their unborn children by studying art and other subjects during theirpregnancy.B. It is utterly impossible for us to learn anything about prenatal development.C. The blood vessels of mother and child do not join directly.D. There are no connection between mother's nervous systems and her unborn child's.A mother will affect her unborn baby on the condition that ____.A. she is emotionally shocked7.B.she has a good knowledge of inheritanceC. she takes part in all kind of activitiesD. she sticks to studying8.9. According to the passage, a child may inherit____.A. everything from his motherB. a knowledge of mathematicsC. a rather general ability that we call intelligenceD. her mother's musical abilityIf a child inherits something from his mother, such as an especially sensitive ear, a peculiar structure of the hands or of the vocal organs, he will ____.A. surely become musicianB. mostly become a poetC. possibly become a teacherD. become a musician on the condition that all these factors are organized around music10. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?A. Role of Inheritance.B. An Unborn Child.C. Function of instincts.D. Inherited Talents.TEXT CThere are two factors which determine an individual's intelligence. The first is the sort of brain he is born with. Human brains differ considerably , some being more capable than others. But no matter how good a brain he has to begin with, an individual will have a low order of intelligence unless he has opportunities to learn. So the second factor is what happens to the individual— the sort of environment in which he is brought up. If an individual is handicapped(不利) environmentally, it is likely that his brain will fail to develop and he will never attain the level of intelligence of which he is capable.The importance of environment in determining an individual's intelligence can be demonstrated by the case history of the identical twins, Peter and Mark. Being identical, the twins had identical brains at birth, and their growth processes were the same. When the twins were three months old, their parents died, and they were placed in separate foster(抚养) homes. Peter was raised by parents of low intelligence in an isolated community with poor educational opportunities. Mark was reared in the home of well-to-do parents who had been to college. He was read to as a child, sent to good schools, and given every opportunity to be stimulated intellectually. This environmental difference continued until the twins were in their late teens, when they were given tests to measure their intelligence. Mark's I. Q. was 125, twenty-five points higher than the average and fully forty points higher than his identical brother. Given equal opportunities, the twins, having identical brains, would have tested at roughly the same level.11. This selection can best be titled____________.A. Measuring Your IntelligenceB. Intelligence and EnvironmentC. The Case of Peter and MarkD. How the Brain Influences Intelligence12.13. The best statement of the main idea of this passage is that _______.A. human brains differ considerablyB. the brain a person is born with is important in determining his intelligenceC. environment is crucial in determining a person's intelligenceD. persons having identical brains will have roughly the same intelligence According to the passage, the average I. Q. is_______.A. 85 .B. 100C. 110D. 12514. The case history of the twins appears to support the conclusion that_______.A. individuals with identical brains seldom test at the same levelB. an individual's intelligence is determined only by his environmentC. lack of opportunity blocks the growth of intelligenceD. changes of environment produce changes in the structure of the brain15. This passage suggests that an individual's I. Q. _______.A. can be predicted at birthB. stays the same throughout his lifeC. can be increased by educationD. is determined by his childhoodTEXT DPersonality is，to large extent, inherent --A-type parents usually bring about A-type offspring. But the environment must also have a profound effect, since if competition is improtant to the parents, it is likely to become a major factor lives of their children.One place where children soak up A characteristics is school, which is, by its very nature, a highly competitive institution. Too many schools adopt the "win at all costs" moral standard and measure their success by sporting achievements. The current passion for making children compete against their classmates or against the clock produces a two-layer system, in which competitive A types seem in some way better than their B-type fellows. Being too keen to win can have dangerous consequences:remember that Pheidippides ,the first marathon runner, dropped dead seconds after saying:"Rejoice, we conquer!".By far the worst form of competition in school is the disproportionate emphasis on examinations . It is a rare school that allows pupils to concentrate on those things they do well.The merits of competition by examination are somewhat questionable, but competition in the certain knowledge of failure is positively harmful.Obviously, it is neither practical nor desirable that all A youngsters change into 'B's. The would needs types, and schools have an important duty to try to fit a child's personality to his possible future employment. It is top management.16. According to the author, what factors contribute to the building of personality?A. inheritanceb. inheritance, competition and environmentc. competitiond. environment17. Which of the following statements is not true according to the author of the passage?A.Schools usually adopt severe competitive policies.B. Students are often divided by competition results.C. School is place where children cultivate their characteristics.D. The stronger desire for winning, the better.18. The phrase "soak up" is closest in meaning to ____.A. pull upb. take upc. take ind. pull in19. What attitude does the author hold toward examinations in schools?A. positiveb. negativec. doubtfuld. neutral20. what suggestion does the author make concerning the management of schools?A. All students be made into competitive A types.B. A child's personality be considered in regard to his possible future job.C. All students be changed into B characteristics.D. Schools abolish all forms of examinations.答案：1-5 ACCDD 6-10 BACDA 11-15 B C B C C 16-20 BDCCB。
英语四级真题2015年12月英语四级考试真题(第3套)大学英语四级(CET-4)真题试卷及参考答案
2015年12月英语四级考试真题试卷（第三套）Part I Writing(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying "Never go out there to see what happens,go out there to make things happen."You can cite examples to illustrate the importance of being participants rather than mere onlookers in life.You should write at least120words but no more than180words.注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上_______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ PartⅡListening Comprehension(30minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear8short conversations and2long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be a pause.During the pause,you must read the four choices marked A,B,C,and D.and decide which is the best answer.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer.Sheet I with a single line through the center.1.A)They admire the courage of space explorers.B)They were going to watch a wonderful movie.C)They enjoyed the movie on space exploration.D)They like doing scientific exploration very much.2.A)In a school library.B)At a gift shop.C)In the office of a travel agency.D)At a graduation ceremony.3.A)He used to work in the art gallery.B)He does not have a good memory.C)He is not interested in any part-time jobs.D)He declined a job offer from the art gallery.4.A)He will be unable to attend the birthday party.B)The woman should have informed him earlier.C)He will go to the birthday party after the lecture.D)Susan has been invited to give a lecture tomorrow.5.A)Set a deadline for the staff to meet.B)Assign more workers to the project.C)Reward those having made good progress.D)Encourage the staff to work in small groups.6.A)Where she can leave her car.B)The rate for parking in Lot C.C)How far away the parking lot is.D)The way to the visitor's parking.7.A)He regrets missing the classes.B)He has benefited from exercise.C)He plans to take the fitness classes.D)He is looking forward to a better life.8.A)How to select secretaries.B)How to raise work efficiency.C)The responsibilities of secretaries.D)The secretaries in the man's company. Questions9to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A)It is used by more people than English.B)It is more difficult to learn than English.C)It will be as commonly used as English.D)It will eventually become a world language.10.A)Its popularity with the common people.B)The effect of the Industrial Revolution.C)The influence of the British Empire.D)Its loan words from many languages.11.A)It has a growing number of newly coined words.B)It includes a lot of words from other languages.C)It is the largest among all languages in the world.D)It can be easily picked up by overseas travellers.Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)To place an order.B)To apply for a job.C)To return some goods.D)To make a complaint.13.A)He works on a part-time basis for the company.B)He has not worked in the sales department for long.C)He is not familiar with the exact details of the goods.D)He has become somewhat impatient with the woman.14.A)It is not his responsibility.B)It win be free for large orders.C)It depends on a number of factors.D)It costs￡15more for express delivery.15.A)Make inquiries with some other companies.B)Report the information to her superior.C)Pay a visit to the saleswoman in charge.D)Ring back when she comes to a decision.Section BDirections：In this section,you will hear3short passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear some questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A,B,C.and D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the center.Questions16to18are based on the conversation you have just heard.16.A)No one knows for sure when they came into being.B)No one knows exactly where they were first made.C)No one knows for what purpose they were invented.D)No one knows what they will look like in the future.17.A)Measure the speed of wind.B)Give warnings of danger.C)Pass on secret messages.D)Carry ropes across rivers.18.A)To find out the strength of silk for kites.B)To test the effects of the lightning rod.C)To prove that lightning is electricity.D)To protect houses against lightning. Passage TwoQuestions19to22are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)She was born with a talent for languages.B)She was trained to be an interpreter.C)She can speak several languages.D)She enjoys teaching languages.20.A)They want to learn as many foreign languages as possible.B)They have an intense interest in cross-cultural interactions.C)They acquire an immunity to culture shock.D)They would like to live abroad permanently.21.A)She became an expert in horse racing.B)She learned to appreciate classical music.C)She was able to translate for a German sports judge.D)She got a chance to visit several European countries.22.A)Take part in a cooking competition.B)Taste the beef and give her comment.C)Teach vocabulary for food in English.D)Give cooking lessons on Western food. Passage ThreeQuestions23to25are based on the passage you have just heard.23.A)He had only a third-grade education.B)He once threatened to kill his teacher.C)He often helped his mother do housework.D)He grew up in a poor single-parent family.24.A)Stupid.B)Active.C)Brave.D)Careless.25.A)Watch educational TV programs only.B)Write two book reports a week.C)Help with housework.D)Keep a diary.Directions:In this section,you will hear a passage three times.When the passage is read for the first time,you should listen carefully for its general idea.When the passage is read for the second time,you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard.Finally,when the passage is read for the third time,you should check what you have written.When you look up at the night sky,what do you see?There are other__26__bodies out there besides the moon and stars.One of the most__27__of these is a comet(彗星).Comets were formed around the same time the Earth was formed.They are__28__ice and other frozen liquids and gases.__29__these"dirty snowballs"begin to orbit the sun,just as the planets do.As a comet gets closer to the sun,some gases in it begin to unfreeze.They__30__dust particles from the comet to form a huge cloud.As the comet gets even nearer to the sun,a solar wind blows the cloud behind the comet,thus forming its tail.The tail and the__31__fuzzy(模糊的) atmosphere around a comet are__32__that can help identify this__33__in the night sky.In any given year,about a dozen known comets come close to the sun in their orbits.The average person can't see them all,of ually there is only one or two a year bright enough to be seen with the__34__et Hale-Bopp,discovered in1995,was an unusually bright comet. Its orbit brought it__35__close to the Earth,within122million miles of it.But Hale-Bopp came a long way on its earthly visit.It won't be back for another four thousand years or so.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 center.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions36to45are based on the following passage.Children do not think the way adults do.For most of the first year of life,if something is out of sight,it's out of mind.If you cover a baby's__36__toy with a piece of cloth,the baby thinks the toy has disappeared and stops looking for it.A4-year-old may__37__that a sister has more fruit juice when it is only the shapes of the glasses that differ,not the__38__of juice.Yet children are smart in their own way.Like good little scientists,children are always testing their child-sized__39__about how things work.When your child throws her spoon on the floor for the sixth time as you try to feed her,and you say,"That's enough!I will not pick up your spoon again!"the child will__40__test your claim.Are you serious?Are you angiy?What will happen if she throws the spoon again?She is not doing this to drive you__41__;rather,she is learningthat her desires and yours can differ,and that sometimes those__42__are important and sometimes they are not.How and why does children's thinking change?In the1920s,Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget proposed that children's cognitive(认知的)abilities unfold__43__,like the blooming of a flower, almost independent of what else is__44__in their lives.Although many of his specific conclusions have been__45__or modified over the years,his ideas inspired thousands of studies by investigators all over the world.A)advocate B)amount C)confirmed D)crazy E)definiteF)differences G)favorite H)happening I)immediately J)naturallyK)obtaining L)primarily M)protest N)rejected O)theoriesSection 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.The Perfect EssayA)Looking back on too many years of education,I can identify one truly impossible teacher.She cared about me,and my intellectual life,even when I didn't.Her expectations were high-impossibly so.She was an English teacher.She was also my mother.B)When good students turn in an essay,they dream of their instructor returning it to them in exactly the same condition,save for a single word added in the margin of the final page:" Flawless."This dream came true for me one afternoon in the ninth grade.Of course,I had heard that genius could show itself at an early age,so I was only slightly taken aback that I had achieved perfection at the tender age of14.Obviously,I did what any professional writer would do;I hurried off to spread the good news.I didn't get very far.The first person I told was my mother.C)My mother,who is just shy of five feet tall,is normally incredibly soft-spoken,but on the rare occasion when she got angry,she was terrifying.I am not sure if she was more upset by my hubris(得意忘形)or by the fact that my English teacher had let my ego get so out of hand.In any event,my mother and her red pen showed me how deeply flawed a flawless essay could be.At the time,I am sure she thought she was teaching me about mechanics,transitions(过渡), structure,style and voice.But what I learned,and what stuck with me through my time teaching writing at Harvard,was a deeper lesson about the nature of creative criticism.D)First off,it hurts.Genuine criticism,the type that leaves a lasting mark on you as a writer,also leaves an existential imprint(印记)on you as a person.I have heard people say that a writer should never take criticism personally.I say that we should never listen to these people.E)Criticism,at its best,is deeply personal,and gets to the heart of why we write the way we do. The intimate nature of genuine criticism implies something about who is able to give it,namely, someone who knows you well enough to show you how your mental life is getting in the way of good writing.Conveniently,they are also the people who care enough to see you through this painful realization.For me it took the form of my first,and I hope only,encounter with writer's block-I was not able to produce anything for three years.F)Franz Kafka once said:"Writing is utter solitude(独处),the descent into the cold abyss(深渊) of oneself."My mother's criticism had shown me that Kafka is right about the cold abyss,and when you make the introspective(内省的)descent that writing requires you are not always pleased by what you find.But,in the years that followed,her sustained tutoring suggested that Kafka might be wrong about the solitude.I was lucky enough to find a critic and teacher who was willing to make the journey of writing with me."It is a thing of no great difficulty,"according to Plutarch,"to raise objections against another man's speech,it is a very easy matter;but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome."I am sure I wrote essays in the later years of high school without my mother's guidance,but I can't recall them.What I remember,however,is how she took up the"extremely troublesome"work of ongoing criticism.G)There are two ways to interpret Plutarch when he suggests that a critic should be able to produce"a better in its place."In a straightforward sense,he could mean that a critic must be more talented than the artist she critiques(评论).My mother was well covered on this count. But perhaps Plutarch is suggesting something slightly different,something a bit closer to Marcus Cicero's claim that one should"criticize by creation,not by finding fault."Genuine criticism creates a precious opening for an author to become better on his own terms-a process that is often extremely painful,but also almost always meaningful.H)My mother said she would help me with my writing,but first I had to help myself.For each assignment,I was to write the best essay I could.Real criticism is not meant to find obvious mistakes,so if she found any-the type I could have found on my own-I had to start from scratch. From scratch.Once the essay was"flawless,"she would take an evening to walk me through my errors.That was when true criticism,the type that changed me as a person,began.I)She criticized me when I included little-known references and professional jargon(行话)?She had no patience for brilliant but irrelevant figures of speech."Writers can't bluff(虚张声势)their way through ignorance."That was news to me-I would need to find another way to structure my daily existence.J)She trimmed back my flowery language,drew lines through my exclamation marks and argued for the value of restraint in expression."John,"she almost whispered.I leaned in to hear her:"I can't hear you when you shout at me."So I stopped shouting and bluffing,and slowly my writing improved.K)Somewhere along the way I set aside my hopes of writing that flawless essay.But perhaps I missed something important in my mother's lessons about creativity and perfection.Perhaps thepoint of writing the flawless essay was not to give up,but to never willingly finish.Whitman repeatedly reworked"Song of Myself'between1855and1891.Repeatedly.We do our absolute best with a piece of writing,and come as close as we can to the ideal.And,for the time being,we settle.In critique,however,we are forced to depart,to give up the perfection we thought we had achieved for the chance of being even a little bit better.This is the lesson I took from my mother.. If perfection were possible,it would not be motivating.46.The author was advised against the improper use of figures of speech.47.The author's mother taught him a valuable lesson by pointing out lots of flaws in his seemingly perfect essay.48.A writer should polish his writing repeatedly so as to get closer to perfection.49.Writers may experience periods of time in their life when they just can't produce anything.50.The author was not much surprised when his school teacher marked his essay as"flawless".51.Criticizing someone's speech is said to be easier than coming up with a better one.52.The author looks upon his mother as his most demanding and caring instructor.53.The criticism the author received from his mother changed him as a person.54.The author gradually improved his writing by avoiding fancy language.55.Constructive criticism gives an author a good start to improve his writing.Section CDirections:There are2passages 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.Sheet2with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions56to60are based on the following passage.Could you reproduce Silicon Valley elsewhere,or is there something unique about it?It wouldn't be surprising if it were hard to reproduce in other countries,because you couldn't reproduce it in most of the US either.What does it take to make a Silicon Valley?It's the right people.If you could get the right ten thousand people to move from Silicon Valley to Buffalo,Buffalo would become Silicon Valley.You only need two kinds of people to create a technology hub(中心):rich people and nerds(痴迷科研的人)Observation bears this out.Within the US,towns have become startup hubs if and only if they have both rich people and nerds.Few startups happen in Miami,for example,because although it's full of rich people,it has few nerds.It's not the kind of place nerds like.Whereas Pittsburgh has the opposite problem:plenty of nerds,but no rich people.The top USComputer Science departments are said to be MIT,Stanford,Berkeley,and Carnegie-Mellon.MIT yielded Route128.Stanford and Berkeley yielded Silicon Valley.But what did Cainegie-Mellon yield in Pittsburgh?And what happened in Ithaca,home of Cornell University,which is also high on the list?I grew up in Pittsburgh and went to college at Cornell,so I can answer for both.The weather is terrible,particularly in winter,and there's no interesting old city to make up for it,as there is in Boston.Rich people don't want to live in Pittsburgh or Ithaca.So while there're plenty of hackers (电脑迷)who could start startups,there's no one to invest in them.Do you really need the rich people?Wouldn't it work to have the government invest in the nerds? No,it would not.Startup investors are a distinct type of rich people.They tend to have a lot of experience themselves in the technology business.This helps them pick the right startups,and means they can supply advice and connections as well as money.And the fact that they have a personal stake in the outcome makes them really pay attention.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2015年12月英语四级真题及答案
2015年12月英语四级真题及答案1.They admire the courage of space explorers.They enjoyed the movie on space exploration.They were going to watch a wonderful movie.They like doing scientific exploration very much.2.At a gift shop.At a graduation ceremony.In the office of a travel agency.In a school library.3.He used to work in the art gallery.He does not have a good memory.He declined a job offer form the art gallery.He is not interested in any part-time jobs.4.Susan has been invited to give a lecture tomorrow.He will go to the birthday party after the lecture.The woman should have informed him earlier.He will be unable to attend the birthday party.5.Reward those having made good progress.Set a deadline for the staff to meet.Assign more workers to the project.Encourage the staff to work in small groups.6.The way to the visitor’s parking.The rate for parking in Lot C.How far away the parking lot is.Where she can leave her car.7.He regrets missing the classes.He plans to take the fitness classes.He is looking forward to a better life.He has benefited form exercise.8.A. How to ? work efficiency.B. How to select secretaries.C. The responsibilities of secretaries.D. The secretaries in the man’s company.Conversation 19.It is more difficult to learn than English.It is used by more people than English.It will be as commonly used as English.It will eventually become a world language.10.It has words words from many languages,Its popularity with the common people.The influence of the British Empire.The effect of the Industrial Revolution,11.It includes a lot of words form other languages.It has a growing number of newly coined words,It can be easily picked up by overseas travellers.It is the largest among all languages in the world. Conversation 212.To return some goods.To apply for a job.To place an order.To make a complaint.13. He has become somewhat impatient with the woman. He is not familiar with the exact details of goods.He has not worked in the sales department for long.He works on a part-time basis for the company.14.It is not his responsibility.It will be free for large orders.It costs 15 more for express delivery.It depends on a number of factors.15.Report the information to her superior.Pay a visit to the saleswoman in charge.Ring back when she comes to a decision.Make inquiries with some other companies.Section BPassage 116.No one knows exactly where they were ?No one knows for sure when thy came into being.No one knows for what purpose they were ?No one knows what they will ?17.Carry ropes across rivers.Measure the speed of wind.Pass on secret messages.Give warnings of danger.18.To protect houses against lightning.To test the effects of the lightning rod.To find out the strength of silk for kites.To prove the lightning is electricity.Passage 219.She enjoys teaching languages,She can speak several languages,She was trained to be an interpreter.She was born with a talent for languages.20.They acquire an immunity to culture shock.They would like to live abroad permanently.They want to learn as many foreign languages as possible. They have an intense interest in cross-cultural interactions.21.She became an expert in horse racing.She got a chance to visit several European countries.She was able to translate for a German sports judge.She learned to appreciate classical music.22.Taste the beef and give her comment.Take part in a cooking competition.Teach vocabulary for food in ?Give cooking lessons on ?Passage 323.He had only a third-grade education.He once threatened to kill his teacher.He grew up in a poor ?He often helped his24.Careless.Stupid.Brave.Active.25.Write two book reports a week.Keep a diary.Help with housework.Watch education??Section CWhen you look up at the night sky, what do you see? There are other… besides the moon and stars. One of the most 27___ of the …Comets were formed around the same time the Earth was formed. …and other frozen liquids and gases. 29___ these “dirty snow…” just as the planets do.As a comet get closer to the sun, some gases in it begin to unfreeze…particles form the comet to form a huge cloud. As the comet gets …wind blows the cloud behind the comet, thus forming its tail. The tail…(模糊的) atmosphere around a comet are 32____ that can help… in the night sky.In any given year, about a dozen known comets come close to … average person can’t see them all, of course. Usually there is only one … to be seen with 34___ eye. Comet Hale-Bopp, discovered… bright comet. Its orbit brought it 35___ close to the Earth, … But Hale-Bopp came a long way an its earthly visit. It won’t be back…or so.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 a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.Scholars of the information society are divided over whether social inequality decreases or increases in an information-based society, However, they generally agree with the idea that equality in the information society is 36 different from that of an industrial society. As informatization progresses in society, the cause and structural nature of social inequality changes as well.It seems that the information society 37 the quantity of Information available to themembers of a society by revolutionizing the Ways of using and exchanging information. But such a view is a 38 analysis based on the quantity of information supplied by various forms of the mass media. A different 39 is possible when the actual amount of information 40 by the user is taken into account. In fact, the more information 41 throughout the entire society, the wider the gap becomes between "information haves" and "information have-nots," leading to digital divide.According to recent studies, digital divide has been caused by three major 42 classy, sex, and generation. In terms of class, digital divide exists among different types of workers and between the upper and middle classes and the lower class. With 43 to sex, digital divide exists between men and women. The greatest gap, however, is between the Net-generation, 44 with personal computers and the Internet, and the older generation, 45 to an industrial society.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2015年6月英语四级真题仔细阅读原文及答案
2015年6月英语四级真题仔细阅读原文及答案下面是必胜高考网小编整理的2015年6月英语四级真题仔细阅读1原文及答案，希望对大家有帮助。
Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.Across the rich world, well-educated people increasingly work longer than the less-skilled. Some65% of American men aged 62-74 with a professional degree are in the workforce, compared with32% of men with only a high-school certificate. This gap is part of a deepening divide between thewell-educated well-off and the unskilled poor. Rapid technological advance has raised the incomesof the highly skilled while squeezing those of the unskilled. The consequences, for individuals andsociety, are profound.The world is facing an astonishing rise in the number of old people. And they will live longer thanever before. Over the next 20 years the global population of those aged 65 or more will almostdouble, from 600 million to 1.1 billion. The experience of the 20th century, when greater longevity(长寿) translated into more years in retirement rather than more years at work, has persuadedmany observers that this shift will lead to slower economic growth, while the swelling ranks ofpensioners will create government budget problems.But the notion of a sharp division between the working young and the idle old misses a new trend,the growing gap between the skilled and the unskilled. Employment rates are falling among youngerunskilled people, whereas older skilled folk are working longer. The divide is most extreme inAmerica, where well-educated baby-boomers(二战后生育高峰期出生的美国人)are putting offretirement while many less-skilled younger people have dropped out of the workforce.Policy is partly responsible. Many European governments have abandoned policies that used toencourage people to retire early. Rising life expectancy(预期寿命), combined with the replacementof generous defined-benefit pension plans with less generous defined-contribution ones,means that even the better-off must work longer to have a comfortable retirement. But thechanging nature of work also plays a big role. Pay has risen sharply for the highly educated, andthose people continue to reap rich rewards into old age because these days the educated elderlyare more productive than the preceding generation. Technological change may well reinforce thatshift: the skills that complement computers, from management knowhow to creativity, do notnecessarily decline with age.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2015年12月大学英语四级考试模拟题
2015年12月大学英语四级考试模拟题Part IIListening Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections : In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations.At the end ofeach conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Both theconversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will bea pause.During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A., B), C.and D),and decide which is the best answer.Then mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 1 with a single line through the centre..1. A) Go to a place he has visited.B) Make her own arrangements.C) Consult a travel agent.D) Join in a package tour.2. A) They are on a long trip by car.B) They are stuck in a traffic jam.C) They are used to getting up early.D) They are tired of eating out at night.3. A) He is a person difficult to deal with.B) He dislikes any formal gathering.C) He is unwilling to speak in public.D) He often keeps a distance from others.4. A) Work in another department.B) Pursue further education.C ) Recruit graduate students.D) Take an administrative job.5. A) He would not be available to start the job in time.B) He is not quite qualified for the art director position.C) He would like to leave some more time for himself.D) He will get his application letter ready before May 1.6. A) Cleaner.B) Mechanic.C) Porter.D) Salesman.7. A) Request one or two roommates to do the cleaning.B) Help Laura with her term paper due this weekend.C) Get Laura to clean the apartment herself this time.D) Ask Laura to put off the cleaning until another week.8. A) A problem caused by the construction.B) An accident that occurred on the bridge.C) The building project they are working on.D) The public transportation conditions.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) To look for a job as a salesperson.B) To have a talk with Miss Thompson.C) To place an order for some products.D) To complain about a faulty appliance.10. A) The person in charge is not in the office.B) The supplies are out of stock for the moment.C) They failed to reach an agreement on the price.D) The company is re-cataloguing the items.11. A) 0743, 12536 extension 15.B) 0734, 21653 extension 51.C) 0734, 38750 extension 15.D) 0743, 62135 extension 51.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Since he found a girlfriend.B) Since he took to heavy smoking,C) Since he began to exercise regularly.D) Since he started to live on his own.13. A) He is getting too, fat.B) He smokes too much.C) He doesn't eat vegetables.D) He doesn't look well at all.14. A) They are overweight for their age.B) They are respectful to their parents.C) They are still in their early twenties.D) They dislike doing physical exercise.15. A) To quit smoking,B) To reduce his weight.C) To find a girlfriend.D) To follow her advice.Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A ), B), C) and D ). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre..Passage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She had a desire to help others.B) She wanted to learn a foreign language.C) She could not find another job.D) She wanted to visit Brazil.17. A) Study the history and culture of BrazilB) Work on an agricultural project.C)Build a new village in northeastern Brazil.D) Help plant and water the crops.18. A) She wanted to practice her Portuguese.B) The Peace Corps asked her to go back.C) She was needed in another project.D) She could not get the country out of her mind.19. A) By renting out her apartment.B) By writing stories for American newspapers.C) By doing translation work for the Peace Corps.D) By doing part-time jobs on a farm.Questions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20. A) Peaceful.B) Considerate.C) Generous.D) Cooperative.21. A) Someone dumped the clothes left in the washer and dryer.B) Someone broke the washer and dryer by overloading them.C) Mindy Lance's laundry blocked the way to the laundry room.D) Mindy Lance threatened to take revenge on her neighbors.22. A) Asking the neighborhood committee for help.B) Limiting the amount of laundry for each wash.C) Informing the building manager of the matter.D) Installing a few more washers and dryers.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A) She is both a popular and highly respected author,B) She is the most love African novelist of a J1 times.C) She is the most influential author since the 1930's.D) She is the first writer to focus on the fate of slaves.24. A) The Book Critics Circle Award.B) The Nobel Prize for literature.C) The Pulitzer Prize for fiction.D) The National Book Award.25. A) She is a relative of Morrison's.B) She is a slave from Africa.C) She is a skilled storyteller.D) She is a black woman.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Many college students today own personal computers that cost anywhere from $1,000 to perhaps $ 5,000 or more. (26 )____, it is not uncommon for them topurchase( 27 )_____costing another several hundred dollars, Twenty years ago, computers were （28）_____ , but they were very large and extremely expensive. Few, if any, （29）_____ purchased computers for home use..Over the years the price of the "guts" of a computer-its memory-has declined to less than a thousandth of the price per unit of memory that prevailed twenty years ago. This is the main reason why computers cost so much less today than they used to. Moreover, （30）_____ improvements have made itpossible to （31 ）_____memory circuitry that is small enough to fit into the portable personal computers that many of us own and use.（32 ）_____, as the price of computation has declined the average consumer and business have spent more on purchasing computers.(33)_____ , improved agricultural technology, hybrid (杂交) seeds, (34)_____ animal breeding, and so on have vastly increased the amount of output a typical farmer can produce. The prices of goods such as meats and grains have fallen sharply relative to the prices of most other goods and services. As agricultural prices have fallen, many households have decreased their total expenses on food. Even though the (35)_____of a product purchased generally increase when its price falls, total expenses on it may decline.Part III Reading Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You arerequired to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.For decades, Americans have taken for granted the United States' leadership position in the development of new technologies. The innovations (创新) that resulted from research and development during World War Ⅱ and afterwards were 36 to the prosperity of the nation in the second half of the 20th century. Those innovations, upon which virtually all aspects of37society now depend,were possiblebecause the United States then38the world in mathematics and science education.Today, however, despite increasing demand for workers with strong skills in mathematics and science,the 39 of degrees awarded in science, math, and engineering are decreasing.The decline in degree production in what are called the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math) seems to be 40 related to the comparatively weak performance by U.S.schoolchildren on international assessments of math and science. Many students entering college have weak skills in mathematics. According to the 2005 report of the Business-Higher Education Forum,22percent of college freshmen must take remedial (补习的) math 41 , and less than half of the students who plan to major in science or engineering 42 complete a major in those fields.The result has been a decrease in the number of American college graduates who have the skills,43 in mathematics, to power a workforce that can keep the country at the forefront (前沿)of innovation and maintain its standard of living. With the 44performance of American students in math and science has come increased competition from students from other countries that have strongly supported education in these areas. Many more students earn 45 in the STEM disciplines in developing countries than in the United States.Section BDirections: 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 2with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.The rise of the Internet has been one of the most transformative developments in human history,comparable in impact to the invention of the printing press and the telegraph. Over two billion people worldwide now have access to vastly more information than ever before, and can communicate with each other instantly, often usingWeb-connected mobile devices they carry everywhere. But the Internet's tremendous impact has only just begun."Mass adoption of the Internet is driving one of the most exciting social, cultural, and political transformations in history, and unlike earlier periods of change, this time the effects are fully global,"A ． acceleratingB ． actuallyC ． closelyD ． contemporaryE ． coursesF ． criticalG ． decliningH ． degreesI ． especiallyJ ． futureK ． ledL ． metM ． proceduresN ． proportionsO ． spheresSchmidt and Cohen write in their new book, The New Digital Age.Perhaps the most profound changes will come when the five billion people worldwide who currently lack Internet access get online. The authors do an excellent job of examining the implications of the Internet revolution for individuals, governments, and institutions like the news media. But ff the book has one major shortcoming, it's that the authors don't spend enough time applying a critical eye to the role of Internet businesses in these sweeping changes.In their book, the authors provide the most authoritative volume to date that describes--and more importantly predicts--how the Internet will shape our lives in the coming decades. They paint a picture of a world in which individuals, companies, institutions, and governments must deal with two realities,one physical, and one virtual.At the core of the book is the idea that"technology is neutral, but people aren't." By using this concept as a starting point, the authors aim to move beyond the now familiar optimist vs. pessimist dichotomy (对立观点) that has characterized many recent debates about whether the rise of the Internet will ultimately be good or bad for society. In an interview with TIME earlier this week, Cohen said although he and his co-author are optimistic about many aspects of the Internet, they're also realistic about the risks and dangers that lie ahead when the next five billion people come online, particularly with respect to personal privacy and state surveillance (监视).46. In what way is the rise of the Internet similar to the invention of the printing press and the telegraph?A． It transforms human history.B． It facilitates daily communication.C． It is adopted by all humanity.D． It revolutionizes people's thinking.47. How do Schmidt and Cohen describe the effects of the Internet?A． They are immeasurable.B． They are worldwide.C． They are unpredictable.D． They are contaminating.48. In what respect is the book The New Digital Age considered inadequate?A． It fails to recognize the impact of the Internet technology.B． It fails to look into the social implications of the Internet.C． It lacks an objective evaluation of the role of Internet businesses.D． It does not address the technical aspects of Internet communication.49. What will the future be like when everybody gets online?A． People will be living in two different realities.B． People will have equal access to information.C． People don't have to travel to see the world.D． People don't have to communicate face to face.50. What does the passage say about the authors of The New Digital Age?A． They leave many questions unanswered concerning the Internet.B． They are optimistic about the future of the Internet revolution.C． They have explored the unknown territories of the virtual world.D． They don't take sides in analyzing the effects of the Internet.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.In 1950, a young man would have found it much easier than it is today to get and keep a job in the auto industry. And in that year the average autoworker could meet monthly mortgage (抵押贷款)payments on an average home with just 13.4 percent of his take-home pay. Today a similar mortgage would claim more than twice that share of his monthly earnings.Other members of the autoworker's family, however, might be less inclined to trade the present for the past. His retired parents would certainly have had less economic security back then. Throughout much of the 1960s, more than a quarter of men and women age 65 and older lived below the poverty level, compared to less than 10 percent in 2010.In most states, his wife could not have taken out a loan or a credit card in her own name. In 42 states, a homemaker had no legal claim on the earnings of her husband. And nowhere did a wife have legal protection against family violence.Most black workers would not want to return to a time when, on average, they earned 40 percent less than their white counterparts (职位相对的人), while racially restrictive agreements largely prevented them from buying into the suburban neighborhoods being built for white working-class families.Today, new problems have emerged in the process of resolving old ones, but thesolution is not to go back to the past. Some people may long for an era when divorce was still hard to come by. The spread of no-fault divorce has reduced the bargaining power of whichever spouse is more interested in continuing the relationship. And the breakup of such marriages has caused pain for many families.The growing diversity of family life comes with new possibilities as well as new challenges. Accord-ing to a recent poll, more than 80 percent of Americans believe that their current family is as close as the one in which they grew up, or closer. Finding ways to improve the lives of the remaining 20 percent seems more realistic than trying to restore an imaginary golden age.51. What do we learn about American autoworkers in 1950?A． They had less job security than they do today.B． It was not too difficult for them to buy a house.C． Their earnings were worth twice as much as today.D． They were better off than workers in other industries.52. What does the author say about retired people today?A． They invariably long to return to the golden past.B． They do not depend so much on social welfare.C． They feel more secure economically than in the past.D． They are usually unwilling to live with their children.53. Why couldn't black workers buy a house in a white suburban neighborhood?A． They lacked the means of transportation.B． They were subjected to racial inequality.C． They were afraid to break the law.D． They were too poor to afford it.54. What is the result of no-fault divorce?A． Divorce is easier to obtain.B． Domestic violence is lessened.C． It causes little pain to either side.D． It contributes to social unrest.55. What does the author suggest society do?A． Get prepared to face any new challenges.B． Try to better the current social security net.C． Narrow the gap between blacks and whites.D． Improve the lives of families with problems.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.中国应进一步发展核能，因为核电目前只占其总发电量的2％。
2015-2014TEM4英语专业四级完整真题及答案详解
2015英语专业四级真题及答案解析TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2015 -GRADE FOUR-PART I DICTATIONPART II LISTENING COMPREHENSIONSECTION A CONVERSATIONSConversation one1. Why is the trip to Mars a one-way trip?A. The return trip is too expensive.B. There is no technology to get people back.C. People don’t want to return.D. The return trip is too risky.2. According to the man, what is more important for those recruits?A. Intelligence.B. Health.C. Skills.D. Calmness.3. What is the last part of the conversation about?A. The kind of people suitable for the trip.B. Interests and hobbies of the speakers.C. Recruitment of people for the trip.D. Preparation for the trip to Mars.Conversation Two4. What is showrooming?A. Going to the high street.B. Visiting everyday shops.C. Buying things like electrical goods.D. Visiting shops and buying online.5. According to the conversation, the man had bought all the following things online EXCEPTA. shoesB. CDsC. cameraD. food6. According to the conversation, the percentage of people who showroomed while Christmas shopping wasA. 3%B. 33%C. 42%D. 24%7. One reason for people to showroom is that theyA. want to know more about pricingB. can return the product laterC. want to see the real thing firstD. can bargain for a lower shop priceConversation Three8. What is the conversation mainly about?A. How to avoid clashes of exams.B. How to schedule exams.C. How to use the faculty lounge.D. How to choose the courses.9. What does the student have to do first in order to take the exams?A. To choose a date on the draft schedule.B. To find the information on the bulletin board.C. To draw up the final schedule.D. To arrange an invigilator.10. According to the conversation, the Dean willA. sign the sheet in the faculty loungeB. take care of the bulletin boardC. consult the studentsD. finalize the exam scheduleSECTION B PASSAGESPassage One11. Which of the following cities has the oldest Chinatown in North America?A. New York.B. San Francisco.C. Boston.D. San Diego.12. The Chinatown in San Francisco attracts tourists a year.A. 20 ,000B. 100 ,000C. 7 millionD. 17 million13. Where can tourists see the fish markets?A. In Stockton Street.B. In Grant Avenue.C. In Portsmouth Square.D. In Bush Street.Passage Two14. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?A. Obesity can damage one’s health.B. Obesity is a growing problem all over the world.C. Obesity is directly related to one’s habit.D. Obesity has affected both boys and girls.15. The purpose of the three-year study is to .A. find out why some children find it difficult to go to sleepB. learn more about the link between sleep and weightC. identify the ways parents reduce their kids’ weightD. see if there is difference in sleep patterns over the period16. According to the study, the daily healthy sleep time for the 3rd to 6th graders should be around ___ hours.A. 8B. 9C. 10D. 1117. According to the passage, obesity is most likely related to __ .A. sleep timeB. genderC. raceD. parentsPassage Three18. According to a number of students, __ __ is the main factor for early-age smoking.A. genderB. personalityC. environmentD. money19. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?A. Very few continue smoking throughout their teenage years.B. Most early-age smokers soon stop experimenting.C. Some early-age smokers never go beyond experimenting.D. Children quickly become regular smokers by carrying cigarettes.20. All the following are features of smokers EXCEPT ___ .A. strong peer influenceB. low sense of achievementC. high sense of rebellionD. close family relationshipSECTION C NEWS BROADCASTNews Item 121. Why were some children offered only fruit and milk for lunch?A. The school stopped providing school lunch.B. Their parents failed to pay for school lunch.C. Some parents preferred fruit and milk for lunch.D. These children chose to have something different.22. How did parents react to the school’s way of handling the situation?A. They were upsetB. They were furious.C. They were surprised.D. They were sad.News Item 223. According to the news, what is the main advantage of the digital key?A. Guests can pay without going to the front desk.B. Guests can go direct to their rooms.C. Guests can check out any time.D. Guests can make room reservations.24. The hotel company intends to have the system in ___ of its hotels in the next three months.A. 2B. 3C. 100D. 150News Item 325. According to the court ruling, Shrien Dewani _ ___ .A. will return to the U.K. for medical treatmentB. will remain in South Africa for medical treatmentC. will stand trial in South Africa once proved fitD. will be extradited even if he is unfit to stand trial26. What was Dewani accused of?A. Having his wife killed.B. Killing his wife in the U.K.C. Being involved in a taxi accident.D. Hiring a crew of hit men.News Item 427. The U.N. new vote would allow all the following EXCEPT ___ .A. the use of force by European Union troopsB. the suspension of an existing arms embargoC. the extension of U.N. peacekeeping missionD. the ban on travel and freeze of assetsNews Item 528. What is the news mainly about?A. Causes of early death in Russia.B. Behavior of alcoholics.C. Causes of alcohol poisoning.D. Number of death over 10 years.News Item 629. The total investment in film-making in Britain in 2012 was __ __ .A. £945 millionB. £1.07 billionC. £500,000D. £87,00030. Hollywood studios prefer to make films in Britain because ___ .A. The UK is a good film locationB. The cast usually comes from BritainC. Hollywood emphasizes qualityD. Production cost can be reducedPART III CLOZEElectricity is such a part of our everyday lives and so much taken for granted nowadays 31 ___ we rarely think twice when we switch on the light or turn on the TV set. At night, roads are brightly lit, enabling people and32 ___ to move freely. Neon lighting used in advertising has become part of the 33 ___ of every modern city. In the home, many 34 ___ devices are powered by electricity. 35 ___ when we turn off the bedside lamp and are 36 ___ asleep, electricity is working for us, 37 ___ ourrefrigerators, heating our water, or keeping our rooms air-conditioned. Every day, trains, buses and subways take us to and from work. We rarely 38 ___ to consider why or how they run——39 ___ so mething goes wrong.In the summer of 1959, something 40 ___ go wrong with the power-plant that provided New York with electricity. For a great many hours, life came almost to a 41 ___. Trains refused to move and the people in them sat in the dark, 42 ___ to do anything; lifts stopped working, so that 43 ___ you were lucky enough not to be 44. ___ between two floors, you had the unpleasant task of finding your way down 45 ___ of stairs. Famous streets like Broadway and Fifth Avenue in a(n) 46 ___ became as gloomy and uninviting 47 ___ the most remote back streets. People were afraid to leave their houses, 48 ___ . although the police had been ordered to 49 ___ in case of emergency, they were just as confused and50 ___ as anybody else.31. A. that B. thus C. as D. so32. A. car B. truck C. traffic D. pedestrians33. A. appearance B. character C. distinction D. surface34. A. money-saving B. time-saving C. energy-saving D. labor-saving35. A. Only B. Rarely C. Even D. Frequently36. A. fast B. quite C. closely D. quickly37. A. moving B. starting C. repairing D. driving38. A. trouble B. bother C. hesitate D. remember39. A. when B. if C. until D. after40. A. did B. would C. could D. Should41. A. pause B. terminal C. breakdown D. standstill42. A. incompetent B. powerless C. hesitant D. helpless43. A. although B. when C. as D. even if44. A. trapped B. placed C. positioned D. locked45. A. steps B. levels C. flights D. floors46. A. time B. instant C. point D. minute47. A. like B. than C. for D. as48. A. for B. and C. but D. or49. A. stand aside B. stand down C. standby D. stand in50. A. aimless B. helpless C. unfocused D. undecidedPART IV GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY51. When you have finished with that book, don’t forget to put it back on the shelf, ____?A. don’t youB. do youC. will youD. won’t you52. Mary is __ ___ hardworking than her sister, but she failed in the exam.A. no lessB. no moreC. not lessD. not so53. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?A. Only one out of six were present at the meeting.B. Ten dollars was stolen from the cash register.C. Either my sister or my brother is wrong.D. Five miles seem like a long walk to me.54. Which of the italicized parts expresses a future tense?A. My friend teaches chemistry in a school.B. I’ll give it to you afte r I return.C. What is the matter with you?D. London stands on the River Thames.55. It is not so much the language ____ the cultural background that makes the film difficult to understand.A. butB. norC. likeD. as56. There is no doubt ____ the committee has made the right decision on the housing project.A. whyB. thatC. whetherD. when57. All the President’s Men ____ one of the important books for scholars who study the Watergate Scandal.A. remainsB. remainedC. remainD. is remaining58. If you explained the situation to your lawyer, he ___ __ able to advise you much better thanI can.A. will beB. wasC. would beD. were59. Which of the following is a stative verb (静态动词)?A. DrinkB. CloseC. RainD. Belong60. Which of the following italicized parts indicates a subject-verb relation?A. The man has a large family to support.B. She had no wish to quarrel with her brother.C. He was the last guest to leave.D. Mary needs a friend to talk to.61. The following are all correct responses to “Who told the news to the teacher?” EXCEPT __ ___?A. Bob did itB. Bob did soC. Bob did thatD. Bob did.62. Which of the following is INCORRECT?A. Another two girlsB. Few wordsC. This workD. A bit of flowers63. Which of the following italicized words does NOT indicate willingness?A. What will you do when you graduate?B. They will be home by now.C. Who will go with me?D. Why will you go there alone?64. When one has good health, ___ should feel fortunateA. youB. sheC. heD. we65. There ____ nothing more for discussion, the meeting came to an end half an hour earlier.A. to beB. to have beenC. beD. being66. Two of her brothers were _ __ during the Second World War.A. called upB. called onC. called forD. called out67. Bottles from this region sell __ ____ at about $50 a case.A. entirelyB. totallyC. wholesaleD. together68. The product contains no ____ colours, flavours, or preservatives.A. fakeB. artificialC. falseD. wrong69. Davis accepted the defeat in the semi-final with good grace. The underlined part is closest in meaning to ___ ___.A. cheerfullyB. wholeheartedlyC. politelyD. quietly70. __ ___ and business leaders were delighted at the decision to hold the national motor fair inthe city.A. CivilB. CivilizedC. CivilianD. Civic71. The city council is planning a huge road-building programme to ease congestion. Theunderlined part means __ ___.A. calmB. relieveC. comfortD. still72. His unfortunate appearance was offset by an attractive personality. The underlined partmeans all the following EXCEPT ____.A. improvedB. made up forC. balancedD. compensated for73. The doctor said that the gash in his check required stitches. The underlined part means ____.A. lumpB. depressionC. swellingD. cut74. During the economic crisis, they had to cut back production and __ ___ workers.A. lay offB. lay intoC. lay downD. lay aside75. The university consistently receives a high __ ____ for the quality of its teaching and research.A. standardB. evaluationC. ratingD. comment76. To mark its one hundredth anniversary, the university held a series of activities includingconferences, film shows, etc. The underlined part means __ ___.A. signifyB. celebrateC. symbolizeD. suggest77. His fertile mind keeps turning out new ideas. The underlined part means _ ____.A. abundantB. unbelievableC. productiveD. generative78. The local news paper has a ___ __ of 100,000 copies a day.A. spreadB. circulationC. motionD. flow79. These issues were discussed at length during the meeting. The underlined part means _____.A. eventuallyB. subsequentlyC. lastlyD. fully80. A couple of young people were giving out leaflets in front of the department store. Theunderlined part means __ ___.A. distributingB. handlingC. dividingD. arrangingPART V READING COMPREHENSIONText AInundated by more information than we can possibly hold in our head, we're increasingly handing off the job of remembering to search engines and smart phones. Google is even reportedly working on eyeglasses that could one day recognize faces and supply details about whoever you're looking at. But new research shows that outsourcing our memory – and expecting that information will be continually and instantaneously available --is changing our cognitive habits.Research conducted by Betsy Sparrow, an assistant professor of psychology at Columbia University, has identified three new realities about how we process information in the Internet age. First, her experiments showed that when we don't know the answer to a question, we now think about where we can find the nearest Web connection instead of the subject of the question itself. A second revelation is that when we expect to be able to find information again later on, we don't remember it as well as when we think it might become unavailable. And then there is the researchers' final observation: the expectation that we'll he able to locate inf orination down the line leads us to form a memory not of the fact itself but of where we'II be able to find it.But this handoff comes with a downside. Skills like critical thinking and analysis must develop in the context of facts: we need something to think and reason about, after all. And these facts can't be Googled as we go;they need to be stored in the original hard drive, our long-term memory. Especially in the case of children, "factual knowledge must precede skill," says Daniel Willingham, a professor of psychology, at the University of Virginia -- meaning that the days of drilling the multiplication table and memorizing the names of the Presidents aren't over quite yet. Adults, too, need to recruit a supply of stored knowledge in order to situate and evaluate new information they encounter. You can't Google context.Last, there's the possibility, increasingly terrifying to contemplate, that our machines fail us. As Sparrow puts it, "The experience of losing our Internet connection becomes more and more like losing a friend." If you're going to keep your memory on your smart phone, better make sure it's fully charged.81. Google’s eyeglasses ar e supposed to _ __.[A]improve our memory[B]function like memory[C]help us see faces better[D]work like smart phones82. According to the passage, “cognitive habits” refers to _ __.[A] how we deal with information[B] functions of human memory[C] the amount of information[D] the availability of information83. Which of the following statements about Sparrow’s research is CORRECT?[A] We remember people and things as much as before.[B] We remember more Internet connections than before.[C] We pay equal attention to location and content of information.[D]We tend to remember location rather than the core of facts.84. What does the author mean by “context”?[A]It refers to long-term memory.[B]It refers to a new situation.[C]It refers to a store of knowledge.[D]It refers to the search engine.85. What is the implied message of the author?[A]Web connections aid our memory.[B]People differ in what to remember.[C]People keep memory on smart phones.[D]People need to exercise their memory.Text BI was a second-year medical student at the university, and was on my second day of rounds at a nearby hospital. My university's philosophy was to get students seeing patients early in their education. Nice idea,but it overlooked one detail:second-year students know next to nothing about medicine.Assigned to my team that day was an attending - a senior faculty member who was there mostly to make patients feel they weren't in the hands of amateurs. Many attendings were researchers who didn't have much recent hospital experience. Mine was actually an arthritis specialist. Also along was a resident (the real boss, with a staggering mastery of medicine, at least to a rookie like myself). In addition there were two interns(住院实习医生). These guys were just as green as I was，but in a scarier way: they had recently graduated from the medical school, so they were technically MDs.I began the day at 6:30 am. An intern and I did a quick check of our eight patients; later, wewere to present our findings to the resident and then to the attending. I had three patients and the intern had the other five - piece of cake.But when I arrived in the room of 71-year-old Mr. Adams，he was sitting up in bed, sweating heavily and panting (喘气). He'd just had a hip operation and looked terrible. I listened to his lungs with my stethoscope, but they sounded clear. Next I checked the logof his vital signs and saw that his respiration and heart rate had been climbing, but his temperature was steady. It didn't seem like heart failure, nor did it appear to be pneumonia. So I asked Mr. Adams what he thought was going on."It's really hot in here, Doc," he replied.So I attributed his condition to the stuffy room and told him the rest of the team would return in a few hours. He smiled and feebly waved goodbye.At 8:40 am., during our team meeting, "Code Blue Room 307!" blared from the loudspeaker.I froze.That was Mr. Adams's room.When we arrived, he was motionless.The autopsy (尸体解剖) later found Mr. Adams had suffered a massive pulmonary embolism (肺部栓塞). A blood clot had formed in his leg, worked its way to his lungs, and cut his breathing capacity in half. His symptoms had been textbook: heavy perspiration and shortness of breath despite clear lungs. The only thing was: I hadn't read that chapter in the textbook yet. And I was too scared, insecure, and proud to ask a real doctor for help.This mistake has haunted me for nearly 30 years, but what's particularly frustrating is that the same medical education system persists. Who knows how many people have died or suffered harm at the hands of students as naive as I, and how many more will?86. Why was the author doing rounds in a hospital?[A]He himself wanted to have practice.[B]Students of all majors had to do so.[C]It was part of his medical training.[D]He was on a research team.87. We learn that the author’s team members had __.[A]much practical experience[B]adequate knowledge[C]long been working there [D]some professional deficiency88. While the author was examining Mr. Adams, all the following symptoms caught hisattention EXCEPT __ __.[A]moving difficulty [B]steady temperature[C]faster heart rate [D]breathing problem89. “His symptoms had been textbook” means that his symptoms were _ ___.[A]part of the textbook[B]no longer in the textbook[C]recently included in the textbook[D]explained in the textbook90. At the end of the passage, the author expresses __ __ about the medical education system.[A]optimism[B]hesitation[C]concern[D]supportTEXT CThe war on smoking, now five decades old and counting, is one of the nation's greatest public health success stories - but not for everyone.As a whole, the country has made amazing progress. In 1964, four in ten adults in the US smoked; today fewer than two in ten do. But some states - Kentucky, South Dakota and Alabama to name just a few - seem to have missed the message that smoking is deadly.Their failure is the greatest disappointment in an effort to save lives that was started on Jan. 11, 1964, by the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. Its finding that smoking is a cause of lung cancer and other diseases was major news then. The hazards of smoking were just starting to emerge.The report led to cigarette warning labels, a ban on TV ads and eventually an anti-smoking movement that shifted the nation's attitude on smoking. Then, smokers were cool. Today, many are outcasts, rejected by restaurants, bars, public buildings and even their own workplaces. Millions of lives have been saved.The formula for success is no longer guesswork: Adopt tough warning labels, air public service ads, fund smoking cessation programs and impose smoke-free laws. But the surest way to prevent smoking, particularly among price-sensitive teens, is to raise taxes. If you can stop them from smoking, you've won the war. Few people start smoking after turning 19.The real-life evidence of taxing power is powerful. The 10 states with the lowest adult smoking rates slap an average tax of $2.42 on every pack -- three times the average tax in the states with the highest smoking rates.New York has the highest cigarette tax in the country, at $4.35 per pack, and just 12 percent of teens smoke, far below the national average of 18 percent. Compare that with Kentucky, where taxes are low (60 cents), smoking restrictions are weak and the teen smoking rate is double New York's. Other low-tax states have similarly dismal records.Enemies of high tobacco taxes cling to the tired argument that they fall disproportionately on the poor. True, but so do the deadly effects of smoking, far worse than a tax. The effect of the taxes is amplified further when the revenue is used to fund initiatives that help smokers quit or persuade teens not to start.Anti-smoking forces have plenty to celebrate this week, having helped avoid 8 million premature deaths in the past 50 years. But as long as 3,000 adolescents and teens take their first puff each day, the war is not won.91. What does "counting" mean in the context?[A] Continuing. [B] Including.[C] Calculating. [D] Relying on.92. According to the context, "Their failure" refers to__ _____.[A] those adults who continue to smoke[B] those states that missed the message[C] findings of the report[D] hazards of smoking93. The following are all efforts that led to the change of attitude on smoking EXCEPT_____.[A] rejecting by the public[B] cigarette warning labels[C] anti-smoking campaigns[D] anti-smoking legislation94. According to the author, raising tax on cigarettes___ ____.[A] is unfair to the poor [B] is an effective measure[C] increases public revenue [D] fails to solve the problem95. What is the passage mainly about?[A] How to stage anti-smoking campaigns.[B] The effects of the report on smoking and health.[C] Tax as the surest path to cut smoking.[D] The efforts to cut down on teenage smoking.TEXT DAttachment Parenting is not Indulgent Parenting. Attachment parents do not "spoil" their children. Spoiling is done when a child is given everything that they want regardless of what they need and regardless of what is practical. Indulgent parents give toys for tantrums(发脾气), ice cream for breakfast. Attachment parents don't give their children everything that they want, they give their children everything that they need. Attachment parents believe that love and comfort are free and necessary. Not sweets or toys.Attachment Parenting is not "afraid of tears" parenting. Our kids cry. The difference is that we understand that tantrums and tears come from emotions and not manipulation. And ourchildren understand this too, They cry and have tantrums sometimes, of course. But they do this because their emotions are so overwhelming that they need to get it out. They do not expect to be "rewarded" for their strong negative emotions; they simply expect that we will listen. We pick up our babies when they cry, and we respond to the tears of our older children because we believefirmly that comfort is free, love is free, and that when a child has need for comfort and love, it is our job to provide those things. We are not afraid of tears. We don't avoid them. We hold our children through them and teach them that when they are hurt or frustrated we are here to comfort them and help them work through their emotions.Attachment Parenting is not Clingy Parenting. I do not cling to my children, In feet, I'm pretty free-range. As soon as they can move they usually move away from me and let me set up a chase as they crawl, run, skip and hop on their merry way to explore the world, Sure, I carry them and hug them and chase them and kiss them and rock them and sleep with them, But this is not me following them everywhere and pulling them back to me. This is me being a home base. The "attachment" comes from their being allowed to attach to us, not from us attaching to them like parental leeches.Attachment Parenting is not Selfish Parenting. It is also not selfless parenting, We are not doing it for us, and we are not doing it to torment ourselves,Attachment parenting is not Helicopter Parenting. I don't hover, I supervise, I follow, I teach, I demonstrate, I explain. I don't slap curious hands away, I show how to do things safely, I let my child do the things that my child wishes to do, first with help and then with supervision and finally with trust, I don't insist that my 23 month old hold my hand when we walk on the sidewalk because I know that I can recall him with my voice because he trusts me to allow him to explore and he trusts me to explain when something is dangerous and to help him satisfy his curiosities safely.Most of the negative things that I hear about "attachment parents" are completely off-base and describe something that is entirely unlike Attachment Parenting. Attachment Parenting ischild-centric and focuses on the needs of the child. Children need structure, rules, and boundaries. Attachment Parents simply believe that the child and the parent are allies, not adversaries, And that children are taught, not trained.96. What makes attachment parents different from indulgent parents is that they .A. show more love to their childrenB. think love is more importantC. prefer both love and toys in parentingD. dislike ice cream or sweets97. According to the author, what should parents do when their kids cry?A. Providing comfort and love.B. Trying to stop kids crying.C. Holding them till they stop.D. Rewarding kids with toys.98. What does “free-range” mean according to the passage?A. Fond of providing a home base.B. Ready to play games with my kids.C. Curious to watch what games they play.D. Willing to give kids freedom of movement.99. Which of the following is NOT attachment parenting?A. Fostering their curiosity.B. Standing by and protecting.C. Showing them how things are done.D. Helping them do the right thing.100. What does the passage mainly discuss?A. How to foster love in children.B. How to build child confidence.C. Different types of parenting.D. Parent-child relationships.答案解析：PART I DICTATIONMale and Female Roles in MarriageIn the traditional marriage, the man worked to earn money for the family. / The woman stayed at home to care for the children and her husband. / In recent years, many couples continue to have a traditional relationship of this kind. / Some people are happy with it. But others think differently. / There are two major differences in male and female roles now. / One is that both men and women have many more choices. / They may choose to marry or stay single. / They may choose to work or to stay at home. / A second difference is that, within marriage many decisions are shared. / If a couple has children, the man may take care of them /some of the time, all of the time or not at all. / The woman may want to stay at home / or she may want to go to work. / Men and women now decide these things together in a marriage.听写指导：由题目可以判定，文章围绕男性和女性在婚姻中的角色展开，第一段介绍了传统婚姻中两性的角色，而第二段对当今社会中两性在婚姻中的角色进行了具体的论述。
2015年6月四级真题及答案解析(三套全)
2015年6月四级第一套Part II Listening ComprehensionSection A1. A) He is pleased to sit on the committee. B) He is willing to offer the woman a hand.C) He will tell the woman his decision later. D) He would like to become a club member.2. A) Their planned trip to V ancouver is obviously overpriced.B) They should borrow a guide book instead of buying one.C) The guide books in the library have the latest information.D) The library can help order guide books about Vancouver.3. A) He regrets having taken the history course.B) He finds little interest in the history books.C) He has trouble finishing his reading assignments.D) He has difficulty writing the weekly book report.4. A) The man had better choose another restaurant.B) The new restaurant is a perfect place for dating.C) The new restaurant caught her fancy immediately.D) The man has good taste in choosing the restaurant.5. A) He has been looking forward to spring. B) He has been waiting for the winter sale.C) He wi ll clean the woman’s boots for spring. D) He will help the woman put things away.6. A) At a tailor’s B) At Bob’s home.C) In a clothes store. D) In a theatre.7. A) His guests favor Tibetan drinks. B) His water is quite extraordinary.C) Mineral water is good for health. D) Plain water will serve the purpose.8. A) Report the result of a discussion. B) Raise some environmental issues.C) Submit an important document. D) Revise an environmental report.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) They pollute the soil used to cover them. B) They are harmful to nearby neighborhoods.C) The rubbish in them takes long to dissolve. D) The gas they emit is extremely poisonous.10. A) Growing population. B) Packaging materials.C) Changed eating habits. D) Lower production cost.11. A) By saving energy. B) By using less aluminum.C) By reducing poisonous wastes. D) By making the most of materials.12.A) We are running out of natural resources soon.B) Only combined efforts can make a difference.C) The waste problem will eventually hurt all of us.D) All of us can actually benefit from recycling.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13. A) Miami. B) Vancouver. C) Bellingham. D) Boston.14. A) To get information on one-way tickets to Canada.B) To inquire about the price of “Super Saver” seats.C) To get advice on how to fly as cheaply as possible.D) To inquire about the shortest route to drive home.15. A) Join a tourist group. B) Choose a major airline.C) Avoid trips in public holidays. D) Book tickets as early as possible.Section BPassage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) There are mysterious stories behind his works.B) There are many misunderstandings about him.C) His works have no match worldwide.D) His personal history is little known.17. A) He moved to Stratford-on-Avon in his childhood.B) He failed to go beyond grammar school.C) He was a member of the town council.D) He once worked in a well-known acting company.18. A) Writers of his time had no means to protect their works.B) Possible sources of clues about him were lost in a fire.C) His works were adapted beyond recognition.D) People of his time had little interest in him.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) It shows you have been ignoring you health.B) It can seriously affect your thinking process.C) It is an early warning of some illness.D) It is a symptom of too much pressure.20. A) Reduce our workload. B) Control our temper.C) Use painkillers for relief. D) Avoid masking symptoms.21. A) Lying down and having some sleep. B) Rubbing and pressing one’s back.C) Going out for a walk. D) Listening to light music.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Depending heavily on loans. B) Having no budget plans at all.C) Spending beyond one’s means.D) Leaving no room for large bills.23. A) Many of them can be cut. B) Alt of them have to be covered.C) Their payment cannot be delayed. D) The eat up most of the family income.24. A) Rent a house instead of buying one. B) Discuss the problem in the family.C) Make a conservation plan. D) Move to a cheaper place.25. A) Financial issues plaguing a family. B) Difficulty in making both ends meet.C) Family budget problems and solutions. D) New ways to boost family income.Section CPerhaps because going to college is so much a part of the American dream, many people gofor no(26)_____reason. Some go because their parents expect it, others because it’s what their friends are doing. Then, there’s the belief that a college degree will(27)____ensure a good job and high pay.Some students (28)____ through for years ,attending classes, or skipping(逃课) them as the case may be, reading only what can’t be avoided, looking for less(29)_____courses, and never being touched or changed in any important way. For a few of these people, college provides no (30)____, yet because of parental or peer pressure, they cannot voluntarily leave. They stop trying in the hope that their teachers will make the decision for them by (31)____ them.To put it bluntly(直截了当地)，unless you’re willing to make your college years count, you might be (32)_____ doing something else. Not everyone should attend college, nor should everyone who does attend begin right after high school. Many college students (33)_____ taking a year or so off. A year out in the world helps some people to (34)_____their priorities and goals. If you’re really going to get something out of going to college, you have to make it mean something, and to do that you must have some idea why you’re there, what you hope to get out of it, and (35)_____even what you hope to become.Part III Reading ComprehensionSection AQuestions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.It’s our guilty pleasure: Watching TV is the most common eve ryday activity, after work and sleep, in many parts of the world. Americans view five hours of TV each day, and while we know that spending so much time sitting 36 can lead to obesity(肥胖症) and other diseases, researchers have now quantified just how 37 being a couch potato can be.In an analysis of data from eight large 38 published studies, a Harvard-led group reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association that for every two hours per day spent channel 39 , the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (糖尿病) rose 20% over 8.5 years, the risk of heart disease increased 15% over a 40 , and the odds of dying prematurely 41 13% during a seven-year follow-up. All of these 42 are linked to a lack of physical exercise. But compared with other sedentary(久坐的) activities, like knitting, viewing TV may be especially 43 at promoting unhealthy habits. For one, the sheer number of hours we pass watching TV dwarfs the time we spend on anything else. And other studies have found that watching ads for beer and popcorn may make you more likely to 44 them.Even so, the authors admit that they didn’t compare different sedentary activities to45 whether TV watching was linked to a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease or early deathSection BEssay-Grading Software Offers Professors a Break[A] Imagine taking a college exam, and, instead of handing in a blue book and getting a gradefrom a professor a few weeks later, clicking the “send” button when you are clone and receiving a grade back instantly, your essay scored by a software program. And then, instead of being clone with that exam, imagine that the system would immediately let you rewrite the test to try to improve your grade.[B] EdX, the nonprofit enterprise founded by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT) to offer courses on the Internet, has just introduced such a system and will make its automated (自动的) software available free on the Web to any institution that wants to use it. The software uses artificial intelligence to grade student essays and short written answers, fleeing professors for other tasks.[C] The new service will bring the educational consortium (联盟) into a growing conflict over therole of automation in education. Although automated grading systems for multiple-choice and true-false tests are now widespread, the use of artificial intelligence technology to grade essay answers has not yet received widespread acceptance by educators and has many critics. [D] Anant Agarwal, an electrical engineer who is president of EdX, predicted that the instant-grading software would be a useful teaching tool, enabling students to take tests and write essays over and over and improve the quality of their answers. He said the technology would offer distinct advantages over the traditional classroom system, where students often wait days or weeks for grades. “There is a huge value in learning with instant feedback,” Dr. Agarwal said. “Students are telling us they learn much better with instant feedback.”[E] But skeptics (怀疑者) say the automated system is no match for live teachers. One longtimecritic, Les Perelman, has drawn national attention several times for putting together nonsense essays that have fooled software grading programs into giving high marks. He has also been highly critical of studies claiming that the software compares well to human graders.[F] He is among a group of educators who last month began circulating a petition (呼吁) opposingautomated assessment software. The group, which calls itself Professionals Against Machine Scoring of Student Essays in High-Stakes Assessment, has collected nearly 2,000 signatures, including some from famous people like Noam Chomsky.[G] “Let’s face the realities of automatic essay scoring,” the group’s statement reads in p art.“Computers cannot ‘read.’ They cannot measure the essentials of effective written communication: accuracy, reasoning, adequacy of evidence, good sense, ethical(伦理的) position, convincing argument, meaningful organization, and clarity, among others.”[H] But EdX expects its software to be adopted widely by schools and universities. It offers freeonline classes from Harvard, MIT and the University of California-Berkeley; this fall, it will add classes from Wellesley, Georgetown and the University of Texas. In all, 12 universities participate in EdX, which offers certificates for course completion and has said that it plans to continue to expand next year, including adding international schools.[I] The EdX assessment tool requires human teachers, or graders, to first grade 100 essays or essayquestions. The system then uses a variety of machine-learning techniques to train itself to be able to grade any number of essays or answers automatically and almost instantly. The software will assign a grade depending on the scoring system created by the teacher, whether it is a letter grade or numerical (数字的) rank.[J] EdX is not the first to use the automated assessment technology, which dates to early computers in the 1960s. There is now a range of companies offering commercial programs to grade written test answers, and four states—Louisiana, North Dakota, Utah and West Virginia—are using some form of the technology in secondary schools. A fifth, Indiana, has experimented with it. In some cases the software is used as a “second reader,” to check the reliability of the human graders.[K] But the growing influence of the EdX consortium to set standards is likely to give the technology a boost. On Tuesday, Stanford announced that it would work with EdX to developa joint educational system that will make use of the automated assessment technology.[L] Two start-ups, Coursera and Udacity, recently founded by Stanford faculty members to create “massive open online courses,” or MOOCs, are also committed to automated assessment systems because of the value of instant feedback. “It allows students to get immediate feedback on their work, so that learning turns into a game, with students naturally gravitating (吸引) to ward resubmitting the work until they get it right,” said Daphne Koller, a computer scientist and a founder of Coursera.[M]Last year the Hewlett Foundation, a grant-making organization set up by one of the Hewlett-Packard founders and his wife, sponsored two $100,000 prizes aimed at improving software that grades essays and short answers. More than 150 teams entered each category. A winner of one of the Hewlett contests, Vik Paruchuri, was hired by EdX to help design its assessment software.[N] “One of our focuses is to help kids learn how to think critically,” said Victor Vuchic, a program officer at the Hewlett Foundation. “It’s probably impossible to do that with multiple-choice tests. The challenge is that this requires human graders, and so they cost a lot more and they take a lot more time.”[O] Mark D. Shermis, a professor at the University of Akron in Ohio, supervised the Hewlett Foundation’s contest on automated essay scoring and wrote a paper about the experiment. I n his view, the technology—though imperfect—has a place in educational settings.[P] With increasingly large classes, it is impossible for most teachers to give students meaningful feedback on writing assignments, he said. Plus, he noted, critics of the technology have tended to come from the nation’s best universities, where the level of teaching is much better than at most schools.[Q] “Often they come from very famous institutions where, in fact, they do a much better job of providing feedback than a mac hine ever could,” Dr. Shermis said. “There seems to be a lack of appreciation of what is actually going on in the real world.”46. Some professionals in education are collecting signatures to voice their opposition toautomated essay grading.47. Using sof tware to grade students’ essays saves teachers time for other work.48. The Hewlett contests aim at improving essay grading software.49. Though the automated grading System is widely used in multiple-choice tests, automatedessay grading is still criticized by many educators.50. Some people don’t believe the software grading system can do as good a job as humangraders.51. Critics of automated essay scoring do not seem to know the true realities in less famousuniversities.52. Critics argue many important aspects of effective writing cannot be measured by computerrating programs.53. As class size grows, most teachers are unable to give students valuable comments as to how toimprove their writing.54. The automated assessment technology is sometimes used to double check the work of humangraders.Section CPassage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.Some of the world’s most significant problems never hit headlines. One example comes from agriculture. Food riots and hunger make news. But the trend lying behind these matters is rarely talked about. This is the decline in the growth in yields of some of the world’s major crops. A new study by the University of Minnesota and McGill University in Montreal looks at where, and how far, this decline is occurring.The authors take a vast number of data points for the four most important crops: rice, wheat, corn and soyabeans (大豆). They find that on between 24% and 39% of all harvested areas, the improvement in yields that took place before the 1980s slowed down in the 1990s and 2000s.There are two worrying features of the slowdown. One is that it has been particularly sharp in the world’s most populous (人口多的) countries, India and China. Their ability to feed themselves has been an important source of relative stability both within the countries and on world food markets. That self-sufficiency cannot be taken for granted if yields continue to slow down or reverse.Second, yield growth has been lower in wheat and rice than in corn and soyabeans. This is problematic because wheat and rice are more important as foods, accounting for around half of all calories consumed. Com and soyabeans are more important as feed grains. The authors note that “we have preferentially focused our crop improvement efforts on feeding animals and cars rather than on crops that feed people and are the basis of food security in much of the world.”The report qualifies the more optimistic findings of another new paper which suggests that the world will not have to dig up a lot more land for farming in order to feed 9 billion people in 2050, as the Food and Agriculture Organisation has argued.Instead, it says, thanks to slowing population growth, land currently ploughed up for crops might be able to revert (回返) to forest or wilderness. This could happen. The trouble is that the forecast assumes continued improvements in yields, which may not actually happen.56. What does the author try to draw attention to?A) Food riots and hunger in the world. B) News headlines in the leading media.C) The decline of the grain yield growth. D) The food supply in populous countries.57. Why does the author mention India and China in particular?A) Their self-sufficiency is vital to the stability of world food markets.B) Their food yields have begun to decrease sharply in recent years.C) Their big populations are causing worldwide concerns.D) Their food self-sufficiency has been taken for granted.58. What does the new study by the two universities say about recent crop improvement efforts?A) They fail to produce the same remarkable results as before the 1980s.B) They contribute a lot to the improvement of human food production.C) They play a major role in guaranteeing the food security of the world.D) They focus more on the increase of animal feed than human food grains.59. What does the Food and Agriculture Organisation say about world food production in thecoming decades?A) The growing population will greatly increase the pressure on world food supplies.B) The optimistic prediction about food production should be viewed with caution.C) The slowdown of the growth in yields of major food crops will be reversed.D) The world will be able to feed its population without increasing farmland.60. How does the author view the argument of the Food and Agriculture Organisation?A) It is built on the findings of a new study.B) It is based on a doubtful assumption.C) It is backed by strong evidence.D) It is open to further discussion.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.The endless debate about “work-life balance” often contains a hopeful footnote about stay-at-home dads. If American society and business won’t make it easier on future female leaders who choose to have children, there is still the ray of hope that increasing numbers of full-time fathers will. But based on today’s socioeconomic trends, this hope is, unfortunately, misguided.It’s true that the number of men who have left work to do their thing as full-time parents has do ubled in a decade, but it’s still very small: only 0.8% of married couples where the stay-at-home father was out of the labor force for a year. Even that percentage is likely inflated by men thrust into their caretaker role by a downsizing. This is simply not a large enough group to reduce the social stigma (污名) and force other adjustments necessary to supporting men in this decision, even if only for a relatively short time.Even shorter times away from work for working fathers are already difficult. A study found that 85% of new fathers take some time off after the birth of a child—but for all but a few, it’s a week or two at most. Meanwhile, the average for women who take leave is more than 10 weeks.Such choices impact who moves up in the organization. While you’re away, someone else is doing your work, mak ing your sales, taking care of your customers. That can’t help you at work. It can only hurt you. Women, of course, face the same issues of returning after a long absence. But with many more women than men choosing to leave the workforce entirely to raise families, returning from an extended parental leave doesn’t raise as many eyebrows as it does for men.Women would make more if they didn’t break their earning trajectory (轨迹) by leaving the workforce, or if higher-paying professions were more family-friendly. In the foreseeable future, stay-at-home fathers may make all the difference for individual families, but their presence won’t reduce the numbers of high-potential women who are forced to choose between family and career.61. What gives women a ray of hope to achieve work-life balance?A) More men taking an extended parental leave.B) People’s changing attitudes towards family.C) More women entering business management.D) The improvement of their socioeconomic status.62. Why does the author say the hope for more full-time fathers is misguided?A) Women are better at taking care of children.B) Many men value work more than their family.C) Their number is too small to make a difference.D) Not many men have the chance to stay at home.63. Why do few men take a long parental leave?A) A long leave will have a negative impact on their career.B) They just have too many responsibilities to fulfill at work.C) The economic loss will be too much for their family to bear.D) They are likely to get fired if absent from work for too long.64. What is the most likely reaction to men returning from an extended parental leave?A) Jealousy. B) Surprise. C) Admiration. D) Sympathy.65. What does the author say about high-potential women in the not-too-distant future?A) They will benefit from the trend of more fathers staying at home.B) They will find high-paying professions a bit more family-friendly.C) They are unlikely to break their career trajectory to raise a family.D) They will still face the difficult choice between career and children.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)据报道，今年中国快递服务(courier service)将递送大约120亿包裹。
2015年英语四级考试模拟试卷
2015年英语四级考试模拟试卷Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: Styles of Living. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1. 有些人愿意和父母居住在一起2. 有些人想自己独立居住3. 我的看法Styles of LivingSome people enjoy living together with their parents after the have grown up. They think that by living with parents they can take better care of their parents and vice versa. Meanwhile, they can turn to their parents for help if they get into trouble orhave some difficulties. To them, life in to be more enjoyable than that in a small one.Others, however, prefer They cherish the idea of being independent, and wish to have a place of their own. Besides, they don't want to be overprotected by their parents, but long for the opportunities to face the society by themselves.As for me, I like an independent life style. Different generations have different life styles and values. What one generation likes may not be another generation's fondness. In order to avoid conflicts, the best way is to live separately. In addition, by leading anindependent life, my own ability to deal with the difficulties in my life. So I want to live by myself. Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, markY (for YES) if the with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.How Ice Cream WorksThe U.S. ice cream industry sells about a million gallons of ice cream each year,dispensing cones, gallons, and other desserts through grocery stores and ice cream shops. In fact, eight percent of all the milk produced in the U.S. ends up in a frozen dairy product.Ice Cream or Frozen Dessert?Not just any frozen treat can be called ice cream. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has specific rules that define what can and can't be labeled "ice cream". To bear the "Meets USDA Ingredient Standard for Ice Cream" stamp, it has to containat least 10 percent minimum of six percent non-fat milk solids. A gallon has to weigh at least 4.5 pounds.The range of milk fat (sometimes referred to as butter fat) used in ice cream can go from the minimum 10 percent to a maximum of about 16 percent. Most premium ice creams use 14 percent milk fat. Higher fat content leads to better, richer taste and a creamier texture. Ice cream makers don't go higher than 16 percent because it would be costly and very high in calories. An ice cream with this much milk fat would also taste so rich that people would probably eat it in smaller amounts, which would be bad news for people who sell ice cream for a living.Other frozen desserts, such as sorbets (果汁冰糕), low-fat ice cream, and frozen yogurt, are not technically ice cream at all. Frozen custard is ice cream that has at least 1.4 percent egg yolk solids, and "soft serve" can be any frozen milkbased dessert that has not gone through the hardening process—more on that later.In terms of specific ingredients, the recipe for ice cream is simple. But in scientific terms, it's complicated stuff. Ice cream is a colloid, a type of emulsion(乳状液). An emulsion is a combination of two substances that don't normally mix together. Instead, one of the substances is dispersed throughout the other. In ice cream, molecules of fat are suspended in a water-sugar-ice structure along with air bubbles. The presence of air means that ice cream is also technically a foam.In addition to milk fat, non-fat milk solids, sugar, and air, ice cream also contains stabilizers and emulsifiers. Stabilizers help hold the air bubble structure together and give the ice cream a better texture. Although gelatin(凝胶) was originally used as a stabilizer, xanthan gum, guar gum, and other compounds are used today. Emulsifiers keep the ice cream smooth and aid the distribution of the fat molecules throughout the colloid. Egg yolks were once used, but ice cream manufacturers now tend to use other chemical compounds. These stabilizers and emulsifiers make up a very small proportion (less than one percent) of the ice cream.Making Ice CreamWhether it's being made in your kitchen with a hand crank, at a local homemade ice cream shop with a stand-alone ice cream maker, or in a factory that cranks out thousands of gallons of ice cream every day, the process of making ice cream is basically the same. The only difference is the scale of the operation.First, you need ice cream mix. You can buy commercially made ice cream mix that is set to a certain milk fat content. Ice cream factories usually make their own mix by combining milk, cream and sugar in a 3,000 gallon vat, with the proportions and mixing controlled by computers. The mix is then pasteurized(用巴氏法灭菌), or heated, to kill any harmful bacteria. If you were to make your own mix at home, you could pasteurize it by cooking it in a double boiler, or use an egg substitute or pasteurized egg product. This step is important because otherwise people who eat your homemade ice cream could get sick due to salmonella contamination. According to the Centers for Disease Control, those most at risk include the elderly, very young children, and people with compromised immune systems.The next step in production is adding flavor to the mix. There are thousands of varieties of ice cream, so just about any combination of flavors is possible. From vanilla to cinnamon, chocolate to triple chocolate fudge brownie, it all gets blended into the ice cream mix. In a factory, this step takes place in vats that hold hundreds of gallons of ice cream, while giant steel paddles do the mixing. In your kitchen, a large bowl and a food mixer will work, or even a wooden spoon and muscle power if you want some exercise. Solid chunks such as pieces of fruit, chocolate chunks, marshmallows, and candy are added later.The next step is where and ice cream making machine comes into play. The mix has to be simultaneously frozen and whipped. In a factory, this happens in a giant tube surrounded by pipes. The pipes contain chemicals such as ammonia that freeze the tube, but the ammonia never comes into contact with the ice cream. The ice cream mix is pumped through the tube, where it gets cold very quickly. A dasher, or blade, turns inside the tube. This whips the mixture, introducing the air bubbles that help give ice cream its structure. The dasher also scrapes the sides of the tube, clearing off ice crystals that form there. This prevents large ice crystals from ruining the flavor and texture of the ice cream. All the elements of this process are carefully monitored and controlled by computers. Most homemade ice cream shops use a batch freezer for this step, where the same process happens on a smaller scale.This step can be accomplished at home with a rock salt/ice mixture for freezing and a hand or electric cranked dasher to mix and scrape off the ice crystals.Once the ice cream has come out of the ice cream maker, the process isn't finished. At this point, the mixture is frozen, but still soft. Large chunks of candy and other goodies are now added. Then the ice cream is placed into containers. Factory machines pour it straight into cartons or buckets, or it can be extruded(挤压出)into shapes that have wooden sticks placed into them for individual treats.Now the ice cream needs to be reduced to a very low temperature, zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. Factories make it even colder since they need the ice cream to stay frozen while it is packaged and loaded onto trucks. It needs to be very cold to freeze the ice cream quickly and prevent the formation of large ice crystals. This process is known as hardening. "Soft-serve" is often simply ice cream that has not gone through this process.We'll learn about the ice cream industry in the next section.Ice Cream IndustryIn 1999, retail sales of ice cream in the U.S., the worldwide leader in ice cream production, topped $4 billion. In 2002, more that $20 billion was spent on frozen desserts. The leading states in ice cream consumption are California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and New York . Americans ate an average of 21.5 quarts of ice cream per person in 2004.With that much money to be made, the ice cream industry can be secretive and underhanded(秘密的). Deborah Hanny, owner of Sweet Jenny's Ice cream in Williamsville, NY, protects her recipes carefully. Her shop has been photographed by men in suits and she once caught someone in he upstairs office hurriedly trying to copy down her recipes.Ice cream making secrets are seldom passed down from generation to generation these days. So where do people in the ice cream industry learn their craft? At ice cream school. Pennsylvania State University offers a week-long "Ice Cream Short Course" intended for industry professionals. The course teaches the science and technology used to make ice cream. The also offer Ice Cream 101 for ice cream hobbyists who just want to learn more about their favorite frozen treat. The University of Guelph, Ontario's Dairy Science and Technology school, also has a long history of teaching ice cream science.1. Eight percent of all the milk produced in the U.S. ends up in a frozen dairy product.2. Any frozen treat can be called ice cream.3. In addition to milk fat, non-fat milk solids, sugar, and air, ice cream also contains stabilizers and emulsifiers.4. The process of making ice cream at home is different from that in a factory.5. Once the ice cream has come out of the ice cream maker, the process is finished.6. Ice cream making secrets are passed down from generation to generation these days.7. Many universities in U.S.A. offer courses of ice cream science.8. The range of milk fat used in ice cream can go ________.9. In 1999, retail sales of ice cream in the U.S. topped ________.10. With that much money to be made, the ice cream industry can be ________.Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)1. Y 根据题干中的信息词eight percent，在通读全文时注意百分比数字的信息。