2016年6月大学英语四级考试真题(第1套)
2016年6月大学英语四级考试真题（第1套） Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to express your thanks to one of your friends who helped you most when you were in difficulty. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.
Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. 1. A) How college students can handle their psychological problems. B) Why college students are more likely to have stress problems. C) Why sufficient sleep is important for college students. D) How college students can improve their sleep habits. 2. A) It is not easy to improve one's sleep habits. B) It is not good for students to play video games. C) Making last-minute preparations for tests may be less effective than sleeping. D) Students who are better prepared generally get higher scores in examinations. Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3. A) Whether adequate investment is being made to improve airport facilities B) Whether the British Airports Authority should sell off some of its assets. C) Whether the Spanish company could offer better service. D) Whether more airports should be built around London. 4. A) Poor ownership structure. C) Lack of innovation and competition. B) Inefficient management. D) Lack of runway and terminal capacity. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard. 5. A) Study the effects of nicotine on young smokers. B) Set a limit to the production of their cigarettes. C) Take steps to reduce nicotine in their products. D) Report the nicotine content of their cigarettes. 6. A) The biggest increase in nicotine content tended to be in brands young smokers like. B) Brands which contain higher nicotine content were found to be much more popular. C) Tobacco companies refused to discuss the detailed nicotine content of their products. D) Big tobacco companies were frank with their customers about the hazards of smoking. 7. A) They will pay more attention to the quality of their products. B) They were not prepared to comment on the cigarette study. C) They promised to reduce the nicotine content in cigarettes. D) They have not fully realized the harmful effect of nicotine.
Section B Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 8. A) Holland. C) England. B) Indonesia. D) Sweden. 9. A) Talking with her boyfriend in Dutch. B) Getting a coach who can offer real help. C) Acquiring the necessary ability to socialize. D) Learning a language where it is not spoken. 10. A) Practicing reading aloud as often as possible. B) Listening to language programs on the radio. C) Trying to speak it as much as one can. D) Making friends with native speakers. 11. A) It provides opportunities for language practice. B) It trains young people's leadership abilities. C) It offers various courses with credit points. D) It creates an environment for socializing. Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 12. A) A sense of freedom driving gives. C) The role policemen play in traffic safety. B) Rules and regulations for driving. D) The impact of engine design on road safety. 13. A) Make cars with automatic control. C) Make cars that are less powerful. B) Make cars with higher standards. D) Make cars that have better brakes. 14. A) They follow traffic rules closely. C) They like to go at high speed. B) They keep within speed limits. D) They tend to drive responsibly. 15. A) It is a bad idea. C) It is not useful.
四六级真题解析2016年12月四级第1套
2016年12月大学英语四级真题（第1套）Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.听力原文：A 16th century castle in Scotland is close to collapsing after lumps of soil were washed away by floods, threatening its foundations. On Sunday, the castle's owner John Gordon, 76, was forced to move out of his property after the River Dee swept away about 60 feet of land, leaving the castle dangerously close to the river, according to the Scottish Daily Record.Abergeldie Castle, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was built by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly. The castle, which is located on 11,700 acres, was leased to members of the royal family between 1848 and 1970, including King Edward VII and George V. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 35 flood warnings covering several regions, as Scotland continues to clean up after Storm Frank hit the country last Wednesday. “This means that rivers will rise more slowly, but then stay high for much longer, ” the environmental agency said.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. Why did John Gordon move out of the Abergeldie Castle?2. What happened in Scotland last Wednesday?音频：翻译：在大量土壤被洪水冲走，地基受到严重威胁之后，苏格兰的一座16世纪的城堡即将崩塌。
2016年6月大学英语四级第三套真题及答案
2016年6月大学英语四级第三套真题及答案Physical activity ______ that children who engage in more physical activity。
either at school or on their own。
tend to have higher GPAs and perform better on ___ 14 ___ een physical activity and academic performance found that the more children moved。
the better they performed in school。
particularly in core subjects such as math。
English。
and reading.However。
the benefits of physical activity are not ___ cognitive n and ce the risk of ___。
___ by the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise can actually increase the size of the hippocampus。
the part of the ___.While the benefits of physical activity are clear。
many children are not ___。
only about one in four children get the mended amount of physical activity each day。
This is a worrying trend。
___ 30 years.___ trend。
2023年6月英语四级真题听力原文(第1套)
2023年6月英语四级真题听力原文(第1套)News Report 1A woman was charged with allegedly violating a Rhode Island city law against feeding wild animals.The 55-year-old woman's neighbors blame her for making the area's rat problem worse.Newly installed cameras captured several rats active in the middle of the day.Neighbors say that it's even worse during the night.The woman and her parents who own the home told reporters that she's being charged for feeding birds."Who would have known just loving animals gets you that much trouble," she said.It is prohibited to feed any wild animals, including birds in Rhode Island city.Nevertheless, while the woman's intention was to feed birds, it is clear that rats were also benefiting.Anthony Maretti, director of the City Administration, said he saw more than 20 rats near the woman's home.He said it will take months to get the problem under control.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.Question 1: What do we learn from the report about the 55-year-old woman?Question 2: What did the director of the City Administration say at the end of the news report?News Report 2To prepare for eventually sending astronauts to Mars, NASA began taking applications Friday for four people to live for a year in Mars Dune Alpha.That's a 1,700-square-foot Martian habitat inside a building in Houston.The paid volunteers will work in environment similar to Mars.They will have limited communications with family, restricted food and resources.NASA is planning three experiments with the first one starting in the fall next year.Food will all be ready-to-eat space food.Some plants will be grown, but not potatoes like in the movie "The Martian"."We want to understand how humans perform in them," said lead scientist Grace Douglas. "We're looking at Mars realistic situations."The application process opened Friday and they're not seeking justanybody.The requirements are strict, including a master's degree in a science, engineering or math field or pilot experience.Only American citizens or permanent U.S. residents are acceptable.Applicants must be between 30 and 55 and in good physical health."Attitude is key," said former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.He said the participants need to be super competent, resourceful, and not rely on other people to feel comfortable.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.Question 3: What does NASA require the paid volunteers to do?Question 4: What will the participants in the project eat?News Report 3A Japanese mayor apologize Thursday for biting the Olympic gold medal of a softball player.Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura had praised athlete Neo Goto during a public media event.He asked her to put the medal around his neck. Kawamura then bit into it.Biting a medal in front of journalists and photographers has become a common pose for Olympic medalists.However, it is only for the winners themselves, not others."I'm really sorry that I hurt the treasure of the gold medalist," Kawamura told reporters Thursday.The mayor said the medal was undamaged, though he offered to pay for the cost of a new one.Goto, however, has accepted the international Olympic committee's offer of a replacement, according to Japanese media reports.The scene broadcast on television prompted thousands of complaints to city hall.Some Olympians said they treat their medals as treasures and that it was disrespectful and unacceptable for Kawamura to bite one.“I would cry if that happened to me,” said another athlete.Now he said to Goto, I handle my own gold medal so gently that I would not scratch it.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.Question 5: What does the news report say about the Japanese Mayor Tekashi Kawamura?Question 6: What did Mayor Takashi Kawamura offer to do?Question 7: What did some Olympians say they would do with their medals?Conversation 1What's that orange thing on your computer screen?It's something I bought yesterday. It's plastic sheet that blocks blue light. I have one that I use to cover my phone screen too.What do you mean by blue light?Blue light includes natural light, but it also includes light that isn't natural, for example, from computers, phones, televisions, and other electronic devices.So blue light is harmful, and that's why you want to block it?It isn't that simple. Blue light isn't necessarily bad for us.In fact, we need blue light during the day to be healthy, but too much blue light, especially from electronic devices, can harm our health by weakening our vision and making it harder for us to fall asleep.And poor sleep can cause all sorts of health problems.I'm not so sure that sleep is nearly as important as people always say it is.I haven't slept enough in months because I have too much work to do.And I feel fine. It's the same for most of my friends.Poor sleep might be a problem for older people, but surely young people can handle late nights.Well, the research I've read shows that sleep is probably even more important than we thought.And that not having enough sleep can contribute to serious health problems like obesity and heart disease.And all the artificial blue light from electronic devices means we have to try harder to sleep well.Maybe you're right. I'm on my computer very late most nights and that's probably why I don't sleep enough.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Question 8: What did the woman do to her computer?Question 9: What does the woman say about the blue light?Question 10: Why does the man say he hasn't slept enough for months?Question 11:What has the woman learned from the research she has read?Conversation 2As a kid, did you know what job you wanted to do when you grew up?No, I didn't. And I got sick every time adults asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.It's the same with me. And I'm tired of people asking that question of my 10-year-old daughter.My daughter's stock answers are basketball player, pop singer, mechanical engineer.Adults love that last one. As it's the perfect mix of the sensible and the ambitious.When she was much younger, my daughter used to say she wanted to be queen of the clouds which I loved.That's the kind of goal-setting I like to see in children springing from their boundless imaginations.Yes, we grown-ups can be tedious and limiting in our need for reality.We teach a very gloomy image of adulthood that whatever our children's future holds, it must be seen within the context of a job.How utterly overwhelming and dull.When people ask my son what he wants to be when he grows up, I have to swallow the urge to say: "Hey, back off my kids dreams".We can't dismiss the idea that teenagers have to plan to do something after they finish school.And parents are entitled to hope it's more than simply spending 10 hours a day playing computer games.But asking "what do you want to be?" isn't going to lead a child to fulfilled life, rather at least false expectations and a high chance of disappointment.Exactly. We should be helping our kids understand who they are, even if that means letting go of who we think they should be.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Question 12: What question were both speakers fed up with when they were kids?Question 13: What occupation do adults see as both sensible and ambitious according to the woman?Question 14: What kind of goal-setting does the woman like to see in children?Question 15: What does the woman suggest adults should do?Passage 1Greater internet access correlate directly with improved health care, education and economic development.People living in rural areas, however, lag behind in online use, which limits their access to government services, banking and job opportunities.Nowhere is this challenge clearer than in Africa.Most Africans live in rural areas that are tough to wire for Internet access.Now some phone companies are trying to introduce Intemet ready phones into African markets.Certain companies have started selling simple smartphones for only $20.Previously, the lowest price had been around $40. Well out of reach for many people.These devices are powered by software from the Giant Electronics company, KaiOS technologies limited.Most companies are trying to make phones ever more powerful andcapable, but KaiOS went the other way.It made every effort to keep the essential capabilities of smartphones, but strip out costs and preserve battery life for people who likely have inadequate access to electricity.The KaiOS devices offer an alternative to the more expensive models that remain out of reach of many Africans and contribute to the digital divide.The body of KaiOS phones is as basic as it gets. Instead of a touchscreen, they're controlled wit an old school keypad.They're designed for 3G networks because 4G coverage doesn't reach two thirds of Africa's customers.In total, KaiOS phones are made from about $15 worth of parts while Apple's top of the line iPhone has $390 worth of stuff.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 16: What are a number of phone companies trying to do in Africa?Question 17:How do KaiOS smartphones differ from smartphones of most other companies?Question 18: What are KaiOS smartphones equipped with?Passage 2For years, using recycled plastic to make plastic products was cheap.By contrast, fossil fuel plastic was more expensive.Thus, the sustainable option was an economic option, too.But now it is cheaper for major manufacturers to use new plastic.According to one recent business report, recycled plastic now costs an extra $72 a ton compared with newly made plastic.This may be because of consumer demands.They are pushing for more recycled plastics in new products.Meanwhile, new plastic is becoming cheaper.This is because of a boom in petroleum chemical production from the U.S..The price increase of recycled plastic could cost sustainable manufacturers an extra $250 million a year.Smaller manufacturers may also be forced to use new plastic to reduce costs.Makers of clear plastic bottles may also opt for new fossil-fuel based plastic to save money.Plastic packaging makers are being pressured to use more recycled plastic.This is done in hopes of reducing the enormous amount of plastic pollution in the oceans.The UK government plans to tax companies which don't use at least 30 % recycled plastic in their products.Additionally, the government is planning to increase the quantity of recycled plastic in the market.This could mean incentives for new recycling plants.Additionally, recycling facilities may be improved at a local council level, and recycled plastic could be imported.This would help increase the amount of recycled plastic in circulation.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 19:What is said about using recycled plastic to make plastic products in the past?Question 20:What has led to a more competitive price for new plastic?Question 21: What does the UK government plan to do about plastic?Passage 3At the Dreamory, a business in Manhattan, naps are for sale.A 45-minutes session in a darkened enclosure with peace and quiet costs $25.To be clear, this institution is no hotel. This is a nap joint.It sells the idea of the nap as much as the nap itself.Is a nap worth $25? The answer is obviously yes.Here at this point in the argument.It's traditional for me to bring up all the studies that show the benefits of napping.But do you really need experts to tell you that?Just look at the world around you at 2:30 in the afternoon.I've been working from home for more than 10 years now, and the quality and quantity of work I can do emerges directly from my ability to concentrate.I don't understand how people have creative careers without napping.Every day at about 1 pm, everyone faces the same choice: sleep until 2 pm and then work until 5 pm, or daydream and drift around social media and attend pointless meetings until 7 pm.The friends I have who still work in offices inform me their bosses insist that they take the second option, and that napping is associated with laziness.I genuinely find it odd for if you nap properly, it's like waking up from a full night sleep, you can double your day's worth of concentration.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 22: What do we learn about the Dreamory, a business in Manhattan?Question 23: Why does the speaker ask us to look at the world around us at 2:30 in the afternoon?Question 24: What do we learn about the quantity and quality of the speaker's work?Question 25: What does the speaker say he finds odd?。
2016年12月四级考试真题(第一套)参考答案
2016年12月四级考试真题参考答案作文话题一-简版You have two choices upon graduation：you can find a job somewhere or go to graduate school. State your choices and explain your reasons.【简析】毕业之际是找工作还是继续读研？答案：找工作当英语老师或读研当兼职英语老师，因为英语很重要，而且很多人学英语有困难，我相信自己会成为一个好的英语老师；如果写继续读研，那就是【考前五篇必备作文】中第三篇“教育回报”的翻版！范文1【找工作当英语老师】Suppose I have two options upon graduation: find a job somewhere or go to graduate school, I will hunt for a job as an English teacher.In the contemporary world, English learning has gained great popularity and it is of great significance for youngsters to learn English well.Based on a survey, a majority of international organizations or firms acknowledge that they prefer recruiting employees who can speak English fluently. However, a host of English learners may have a variety of difficulties or troubles in learning. For instance, a large number of students find it difficult to memorize new words. Frequently, it is also difficult for them to understand rules of English grammar. In addition, though some are good at reading or writing, they fail to express themselves freely in oral English.Then, how can I be an excellent English teacher? I am convinced that practice makes perfect. I deem that if I try my utmost to help them to practice English every day, the future of my students’ English learning will be promising and hopeful.【范文2：读研】Suppose I have two options upon graduation: find a job somewhere or go to graduate school, I will choose to further my study as a postgraduate.Obviously, my choice is naturally based on the importance of education: if I intend to acquire or get better earnings, it is advisable for me to gain higher degrees. In the contemporary China, it is a common phenomenon for a host of companies, corporations or organizations to recruit doctors and masters and pay them better salaries. Thus, I find it rather difficult to get better jobs with higher salaries, if I do not get better education. It is further education that enables me to build up adequate knowledge, skills and ability to deal with important tasks. As a matter of fact, employees and employers in large numbers have come to realize the significance of higher degrees.As a college student, I am convinced that it is of great necessity for all youngsters, including me, to enhance themselves by studying hard and getting better degrees. I will bear in mind: education is/means a worthy investment.作文话题二-简版You have two choices upon graduation: you can find a job a in state-owned company or you can go to ajoint-venture company. State your choices and explain your reasons.【简析】毕业之际进国企还是进外企？答：进外企，因为在外企工作英语很重要，我英语学的好有优势，而且外企带给我更多机会，唤起我对未来的热情，帮助我得到更好的收入；【范文】Provided that I have two choices upon graduation: find a job in a state-owned company or go to a joint-venture company, I will choose to work in a joint-venture corporation.In the contemporary China, it is a common phenomenon for a host of graduates to prefer working instate-owned companies, because they may find it quite comfortable and enjoyable to gain a stable salary. However, as a youngster, I am convinced that it is of great necessity for me to join in a joint-venture corporation. Firstly, it is my fluent English that enables me to communicate with colleagues from all over the world. Secondly, working in an international firm or organization will bring me more opportunities to see the world, arouse my enthusiasm for success and help me to gain higher salaries.As a matter of fact, I deem that suppose young people intend to achieve success in future, it is advisable for them to cultivate their awareness and habit of diligence, cooperation, communication, a strong will and leadership, no matter they work in a state-owned company or a joint-venture corporation. Do bear in mind: all successful people are alike.作文话题三-简版You have two choices upon graduation: you can find a job somewhere or start your own business. State your choices and explain your reasons.【简析】毕业之际找工作还是创业？答：创业，开办英语培训学校，英语很重要，但很多人学不好英语，我相信熟能生巧，能帮助大家学好英语！当然，找工作当英语老师也没问题呀【范文】Suppose I have two options upon graduation: find a job somewhere or start your own business, I will choose to create my own company—an English training school.In the contemporary world, English learning has gained great popularity and it is of great significance for youngsters to learn English well.Based on a survey, a majority of international organizations or firms acknowledge that they prefer recruiting employees who can speak English fluently. However, a host of English learners may have a variety of difficulties or troubles in learning. For instance, a large number of students find it difficult to memorize new words. Frequently, it is also difficult for them to understand rules of English grammar. In addition, though some are good at reading or writing, they fail to express themselves freely in oral English.Then, how can my training school help them to master English? I am convinced that practice makes perfect. In my training school, there will be various activities and foreign teachers, which bring them opportunities to practice English, arouse their enthusiasm for study and help them to make progress every day.翻译--考虫顶级写译名师石雷鹏权威撰写--翻译一-红色在中国红色代表着祝福、好运和长寿。
6月英语四级考试真题试卷及答案（第一套）
6月英语四级考试真题试卷及答案（第一套）2015年6月英语四级考试真题试卷及答案(第一套)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then comment on the kid's understanding of going to school. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________1.A) He will give the woman some tips on the game.B) The woman has good reason to quit the game.C) He is willing to play chess with the woman.D) The woman should go on playing chess.2.A) The man can forward the mail to Mary.B) She can call Maiy to take care of the mail.C) Mary probably knows Sally's new address.D) She would like to resume contact with Sally.3.A) His handwriting has a unique style.B) His notes are not easy to read.C) He did not attend today's class.D) He is very pleased to be able to help.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 will clean the woman's boots for spring.D) He will help the woman put things away.6.A) The woman is rather forgetful.B) The man appreciates the woman's help.C) The man often lends books to the woman.D) The woman often works overtime at weekends.7.A) Go to work on foot.B) Take a sightseeing trip.C) Start work earlier than usual.D) Take a walk when the weather is nice.8.A) The plane is going to land at another airport.B) All flights have been delayed due to bad weather.C) Temporary closing has disturbed the airport's operation.D) The airport's management is in real need of improvement.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A) It specializes in safety from leaks.B) It is headquartered in London.C) It has a partnership with LCP.D) It has a chemical processing plant.10.A) He is Mr. Grand's Mend.B) He is a safety inspector.C) He is a salesman.D) He is a chemist.11.A) Director of the safety department.B) Mr. Grand's personal assistant.C) Head of the personnel department.D) The public relations officer.12.A) Wait for Mr. Grand to call back.B) Leave a message for Mr. Grand.C) Provide details of their products and services.D) Send a comprehensive description of their work.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13.A) She learned playing the violin from a famous French musician.B) She dreamed of working and living in a European country.C) She read a lot about European musicians and their music.D) She listened to recordings of many European orchestras.14.A) She began taking violin lessons as a small child.B) She was a pupil of a famous European violinist.C) She gave her first performance with her father.D) She became a professional violinist at fifteen.15.A) It gave her a chance to explore the city.B) It was the chance of a lifetime.C) It was a great challenge to her.D) It helped her learn classical French music.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation 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) Theft.B) Cheating.C) Air crash.D) Road accidents.20.A) Leam the local customs.B) Make hotel reservations.C) Book tickets well in advance.D) Have the right documents.21.A) Contact your agent.B) Get a lift if possible.C) Use official transport.D) Have a friend meet you.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) Cut down production cost.B) Sell inexpensive products.C) Specialise in gold ornaments.D) Refine the taste of his goods.23.A) At a national press conference.B) During a live television interview.C) During a local sales promotion campaign.D) At a meeting of top British businesspeople.24.A) Insulted.B) Puzzled.C) Distressed.D) Discouraged.25.A) The words of some businesspeople are just rubbish.B) He who never learns from the past is bound to fail.C) There should be a limit to one's sense of humour.D) He is not laughed at, that laughs at himself first.Looking at the basic biological systems, the world is not doing very well. Yet economic indicators show the world is __26__ . Despite a slow start at the beginning of the eighties, global economic output increased by more than a fifth during the __27__ . The economy grew, trade increased, and millions of new jobs were created. How can biological indicators show the __28__ of economic indicators?The answer is that the economic indicators have a basic fault: they show no difference between resource uses that __29__ progress and those uses that will hurt it. The main measure of economic progress is the gross national product (GNP). __30__ , this totals the value of all goods and services produced and subtracts loss in value of factories and equipment. Developed a half-century ago, GNP helped __31__ a common way among countries of measuring change in economic output. For some time, this seemed to work __32__ well, but serious weaknesses are now appearing. As indicated earlier, GNP includes loss in value of factories and equipment, but it does not __33__ the loss of natural resources, including nonrenewable resources such as oil or renewable resources such as forests.This basic fault can produce a __34__ sense of national economic health. According to GNP, for example, countries that overcut forests actually do better than those that preserve their forests. The trees cut down are counted as income is made for __35__ the forests.参考答案：26. prospering27. decade28. opposite29. sustain30. In simple terms31. establish32. reasonably33. take into account34. misleading35. using upQuestions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.The U. S. Department of Education is making efforts to ensure that all students have equal access to a quality education. Today it is __36__ the launch of the Excellent Educators for All Initiative. The initiative will help states and school districts support great educators for the students who need them most."All children are __37__ to a high-quality education regardless of their race, zip code or family income. It is __38__ important that we provide teachers and principals the support they need to help students reach their full __39__ ," U. S. Secretary of Education Ame Duncan said. " Despite the excellent work and deep __40__ of our nation's teachers and principals, students in high-poverty, high-minority schools are unfairly treated across our country. We have to do better. Local leaders and educators will __41__ their own creative solutions, but we must work together to __42__ our focus on how to better recruit, support and __43__ effective teachers and principals for all students, especially the kids who need them most. "Today's announcement is another important step forward inimproving access to a quality education, a __44__ of President Obama's year of action. Later today, Secretary Duncan will lead a roundtable discussion with principals and school teachers from across the country about the __45__ of working in high-need schools and how to adopt promising practices for supporting great educators in these schools.A) announcingB) beneficialC) challengesD) commitmentE) componentF) contestsG) criticallyH) developI) distributingJ) enhanceK) entitledL) potentialM) properlyN) qualifiedO) retain参考答案：AKGLD HJOECThe Changes Facing Fast FoodA) Fast-food firms have to be a thick-skinned bunch. Health experts regularly criticise them severely for selling food that makes people fat. Critics even complain that McDonald's, whose logo symbolises calorie excess, should not have been allowed to sponsor the World Cup. These are things fast-food firms have leamt to cope with. But not perhaps for much longer. The burger business faces more pressure from regulators at a time when it isalready adapting strategies in response to shifts in the global economy.B) Fast food was once thought to be recession-proof. When consumers need to cut spending, the logic goes, cheap meals like Big Macs and Whoppers become even more attractive. Such "trading down" proved true for much of the latest recession, when fast-food companies picked up customers who could no longer afford to eat at casual restaurants. Traffic was boosted in America, the home of fast food, with discounts and promotions, such as $1 menus and cheap combination meals.C) As a result, fast-food chains have weathered the recession better than their more expensive competitors. In 2009 sales at full-service restaurants in America fell by more than 6% , but total sales remained about the same at fast-food chains. In some markets, such as Japan, France and Britain, total spending on fast food increased. Same-store sales in America at McDonald's, the world's largest fast-food company, did not decline throughout the downturn. Panera Bread, an American fast-food chain known for its fresh ingredients, performed well, too, because it offers higher-quality food at lower prices than restaurants.D) But not all fast-food companies have been as fortunate. Many, such as Burger King, have seen sales fall. In a severe recession, while some people trade down to fast food, many others eat at home more frequently to save money. David Palmer, an analyst at UBS, a bank, says smaller fast-food chains in America, such as Jack in the Box and Carl's Jr., have been hit particularly hard in this downturn because they are competing with the global giant McDonald's, which increased spending on advertising by more than 7% last year as others cut back.E) Some fast-food companies also sacrificed their own profitsby trying to give customers better value. During the recession companies set prices low, hoping that once they had tempted customers through the door they would be persuaded to order more expensive items. But in many cases that strategy did not work. Last year Burger King franchisees (特许经营人) sued (起诉) the company over its double-cheeseburger promotion, claiming it was unfair for them to be required to sell these for $1 when they cost $1.10 to make. In May a judge ruled in favour of Burger King. Nevertheless, the company may still be cursing its decision to promote cheap choices over more expensive ones because items on its "value menu" now account for around 20% of all sales, up from 12% last October.F) Analysts expect the fast-food industry to grow modestly this year. But the downturn is making companies rethink their strategies. Many are now introducing higher-priced items to entice (引诱) consumers away from $1 specials. KFC, a division of Yum! Brands, which also owns Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, has launched a chicken sandwich that costs around $5. And in May Burger King introduced barbecue (烧烤) pork ribs at $7 for eight.G) Companies are also trying to get customers to buy new and more items, including drinks. McDonald's started selling better coffee as a challenge to Starbucks. Its "McCafe" line now accounts for an estimated 6% of sales in America. Starbucks has sold rights to its Seattle's Best coffee brand to Burger King, which will start selling it later this year.H) As fast-food companies shift from "super size" to "more buys" , they need to keep customer traffic high throughout the day. Many see breakfast as a big opportunity, and not just for fatty food. McDonald's will start selling porridge (粥) in America next year. Breakfast has the potential to be very profitable, saysSara Senatore of Bernstein, a research firm, because the margins can be high. Fast-food companies are also adding midday and late-night snacks, such as blended drinks and wraps. The idea is that by having a greater range of tilings on the menu, "we can sell to consumers products they want all day," says Rick Carucci, the chief financial officer of Yum! Brands.I) But what about those growing waistlines? So far, fast-food firms have cleverly avoided government regulation. By providing healthy options, like salads and low-calorie sandwiches, they have at least given the impression of doing something about helping to fight obesity (肥胖症) . These offerings are not necessarily loss-leaders, as they broaden the appeal of outlets to groups of diners that include some people who don't want to eat a burger. But customers cannot be forced to order salads instead of fries.J) In the future, simply offering a healthy option may not be good enough. "Every packaged-food and restaurant company I know is concerned about regulation right now," says Mr. Palmer of UBS. America's health-reform bill, which Congress passed this year, requires restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets to put the calorie-content of items they serve on the menu. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which tracked the effects on Starbucks of a similar calorie-posting law in New York City in 2007, found that the average calorie-count per transaction fell 6% and revenue increased 3% at Starbucks stores where a Dunkin Donuts outlet was nearby-a sign, it is said, that menu-labelling could favour chains that have more healthy offerings.K) In order to avoid other legislation in America and elsewhere, fast-food companies will have to continue innovating (创新). Walt Riker of McDonald's claims the change it has madein its menu means it offers more healthy items than it did a few years ago. " We probably sell more vegetables, more milk, more salads, more apples than any restaurant business in the world," he says. But the recent proposal by a county in California to ban McDonald's from including toys in its high-calorie "Happy Meals" , because legislators believe it attracts children to unhealthy food, suggests there is a lot more left to do.46. Some people propose laws be made to stop McDonald's from attaching toys to its food specials for children.47. Fast-food firms may not be able to cope with pressures from food regulation in the near future.48. Burger King will start to sell Seattle's Best coffee to increase sales.49. Some fast-food firms provide healthy food to give the impression they are helping to tackle the obesity problem.50. During the recession, many customers turned to fast food to save money.51. Many people eat out less often to save money in times of recession.52. During the recession, Burger King's promotional strategy of offering low-priced items often proved ineffective.53. Fast-food restaurants can make a lot of money by selling breakfast.54. Many fast-food companies now expect to increase their revenue by introducing higher-priced items.55. A newly-passed law asks big fast-food chains to specify the calorie count of what they serve on the menu.参考答案：KAGIB DEHFJPassage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.If you think a high-factor sunscreen (防晒霜) keeps you safe from harmful rays, you may be wrong. Research in this week's Nature shows that while factor 50 reduces the number of melanomas (黑瘤) and delays their occurrence, it can't prevent them. Melanomas are the most aggressive skin cancers. You have a higher risk if you have red or blond hair, fair skin, blue or green eyes, or sunburn easily, or if a close relative has had one. Melanomas are more common if you have periodic intense exposure to the sun. Other skin cancers are increasingly likely with long-term exposure.There is continuing debate as to how effective sunscreen is in reducing melanomas-the evidence is weaker than it is for preventing other types of skin cancer. A 2011 Australian study of 1,621 people found that people randomly selected to apply sunscreen daily had half the rate of melanomas of people who used cream as needed. A second study, comparing 1,167 people with melanomas to 1,101 who didn't have the cancer, found that using sunscreen routinely, alongside other protection such as hats, long sleeves or staying in the shade, did give some protection. This study said other forms of sun protection-not sunscreen-seemed most beneficial. The study relied on people remembering what they had done over each decade of their lives, so it's not entirely reliable. But it seems reasonable to think sunscreen gives people a false sense of security in the sun.Many people also don't use sunscreen properly-applying insufficient amounts, failing to reapply after a couple of hours and staying in the sun too long. It is sunburn that is most worrying-recent research shows five episodes of sunburn in the teenage years increases the risk of all skin cancers.The good news is that a combination of sunscreen andcovering up can reduce melanoma rates, as shown by Australian figures from their slip-slop-slap campaign. So if there is a heat wave this summer, it would be best for us, too, to slip on a shirt, slop on (抹上) sunscreen and slap on a hat.56. What is people's common expectation of a high-factor sunscreen?A) It will delay the occurrence of skin cancer.B) It will protect them from sunburn.C) It will keep their skin smooth and fair.D) It will work for people of any skin color.57. What does the research in Nature say about a high-factor sunscreen?A) It is ineffective in preventing melanomas.B) It is ineffective in case of intense sunlight.C) It is ineffective with long-term exposure.D) It is ineffective for people with fair skin.58. What do we learn from the 2011 Australian study of 1,621 people?A) Sunscreen should be applied alongside other protection measures.B) High-risk people benefit the most from the application of sunscreen.C) Irregular application of sunscreen does women more harm than good.D) Daily application of sunscreen helps reduce the incidence of melanomas.59. What does the author say about the second Australian study?A) It misleads people to rely on sunscreen for protection.B) It helps people to select the most effective sunscreen.C) It is not based on direct observation of the subjects.D) It confirms the results of the first Australian study.60. What does the author suggest to reduce melanoma rates?A) Using both covering up and sunscreen.B) Staying in the shade whenever possible.C) Using covering up instead of sunscreen.D) Applying the right amount of sunscreen.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Across the rich world, well-educated people increasingly work longer than the less-skilled. Some 65% of American men aged 62 - 74 with a professional degree are in the workforce, compared with 32% of men with only a high-school certificate. This gap is part of a deepening divide between the well-educated well-off and the unskilled poor. Rapid technological advance has raised the incomes of the highly skilled while squeezing those of the unskilled. The consequences, for individuals and society, are profound.The world is facing an astonishing rise in the number of old people, and they will live longer than ever before. Over the next 20 years the global population of those aged 65 or more will almost double, 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 persuaded many observers that this shift will lead to slower economic growth, while the swelling ranks of pensioners 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 arefalling among younger unskilled people, whereas older skilled folk are working longer. The divide is most extreme in America, where well-educated baby-boomers (二战后生育高峰期出生的.美国人) are putting off retirement while many less-skilled younger people have dropped out of the workforce.Policy is partly responsible. Many European governments have abandoned policies that used to encourage people to retire early. Rising life expectancy (预期寿命), combined with the replacement of 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 the changing nature of work also plays a big role. Pay has risen sharply for the highly educated, and those people continue to reap rich rewards into old age because these days the educated elderly are more productive than the preceding generation. Technological change may well reinforce that shift: the skills that complement computers, from management knowhow to creativity, do not necessarily decline with age.61. What is happening in the workforce in rich countries?A) Younger people are replacing the elderly.B) Well-educated people tend to work longer.C) Unemployment rates are rising year after year.D) People with no college degree do not easily find work.62. What has helped deepen the divide between the well-off and the poor?A) Longer life expectancies.B) A rapid technological advance.C) Profound changes in the workforce.D) A growing number of the well-educated.63. What do many observers predict in view of theexperience of the 20th century?A) Economic growth will slow down.B) Government budgets will increase.C) More people will try to pursue higher education.D) There will be more competition64. What is the result of policy changes in European countries?A) Unskilled workers may choose to retire early.B) More people have to receive in-service training.C) Even wealthy people must work longer to live comfortably in retirement.D) People may be able to enjoy generous defined-benefits from pension plans.65. What is characteristic of work in the 21st century?A) Computers will do more complicated work.B) More will be taken by the educated young.C) Most jobs to be done will be the creative ones.D) Skills are highly valued regardless of age.中国是世界上最古老的文明之一。
2016年6月大学英语四级第三套真题及答案
2016年6月大学英语四级真题（第3套）PartIII Reading ComprehensionSection ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Physical activity does the body good, and there‟s growing evidence that it helps the brain too. Researchers in the Netherlands report that children who get more exercise, whether at school or on their own, 26to have higher GPAs and better scores on standardized tests. In a 27of 14 studies that looked at physical activity and academic28, investigators found that the more children moved, the better their grades were in school, 29in the basic subjects of math, English and reading.The data will certainly fuel the ongoing debate over whether physical education classes should be cut as schools struggle to 30on smaller budgets. The arguments against physical education have included concerns that gym time may be taking away from study time. With standardized test scores in the U.S. 31in recent years, some administrators believe students need to spend more time in the classroom instead of on the playground. But as these findings show, exercise and academics may not be 32exclusive. Physical activity can improve blood 33to the brain, fueling memory, attention and creativity, which are 34to learning. And exercise releases hormones that can improve 35and relieve stress, which can also help learning. So while it may seem as if kids are just exercising their bodies when they‟re running around, they may actually be exercising their brains as well.Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph ismarked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Finding the Right Home—and Contentment, Too[A] When your elderly relative needs to enter some sort of long-term care facility—a moment fewparents or children approach without fear—what you would like is to have everything made clear.[B] Does assisted living really mark a great improvement over a nursing home, or has the industrysimply hired better interior designers? Are nursing homes as bad as people fear, or is that an out-moded stereotype（固定看法)? Can doing one‟s homework really steer families to the best places? It is genuinely hard to know.[C] I am about to make things more complicated by suggesting that what kind of facility an olderperson lives in may matter less than we have assumed. And that the characteristics adult children look for when they begin the search are not necessarily the things that make a difference to the people who are going to move in. I am not talking about the quality of care, let me hastily add. Nobody flourishes in a gloomy environment with irresponsible staff and a poor safety record. But an accumulating body of research indicates that some distinctions between one type of elder care and another have little real bearing on how well residents do.[D] The most recent of these studies, published in The journal of Applied Gerontology, surveyed150 Connecticut residents of assisted living, nursing homes and smaller residential care homes（known in some states as board and care homes or adult care homes). Researchers from the University of Connecticut Health Center asked the residents a large number of questions about their quality of life, emotional well-being and social interaction, as well as about the quality of the facilities.[E] “We thought we would see differences based on the housing types,” said the lead author of thestudy, Julie Robison, an associate professor of medicine at the university. A reasonable assumption—don‟t families struggle to avoid nursing homes and suffe r real guilt if they can‟t?[F] In the initial results, assisted living residents did paint the most positive picture. They wereless likely to report symptoms of depression than those in the other facilities, for instance, and less likely to be bored or lonely. They scored higher on social interaction.[G] But when the researchers plugged in a number of other variables, such differences disappeared.It is not the housing type, they found, that creates differences in residents‟ responses. “It is the characteristics of the specific environment they are in, combined with their own personal characteristics—how healthy they feel they are, their age and marital status,” Dr. Robison explained. Whether residents felt involved in the decision to move and how long they had lived there also proved significant.[H] An elderly person who describes herself as in poor health, therefore, might be no lessdepressed in assisted living（even if her children preferred it) than in a nursing home. A person who had input into where he would move and has had time to adapt to it might do as well in a nursing home as in a small residential care home, other factors being equal. It is an interaction between the person and the place, not the sort of place in itself, that leads to better or worse experiences. “You can‟t just say, …Let‟s put this person in a residential care home instead of a nursing home—she will be much better off,‟” Dr. Robison said. What matters, she added, “is a combination of what people bring in with them, and what they find there.”[I] Such findings, which run counter to common sense, have surfaced before. In a multi-state studyof assisted living, for instance, University of North Carolina researchers found that a host of variables—the facility‟s typ e, size or age；whether a chain owned it；how attractive the neighborhood was—had no significant relationship to how the residents fared in terms of illness, mental decline, hospitalizations or mortality. What mattered most was the residents‟ physical health and mental status. What people were like when they came in had greater consequence than what happened once they were there.[J] As I was considering all this, a press release from a respected research firm crossed my desk, announcing that the five-star rating system that Medicare developed in 2008 to help families compare nursing home quality also has little relationship to how satisfied its residents or theirfamily members are. As a matter of fact, consumers expressed higher satisfaction with the one-star facilities, the lowest rated, than with the five-star ones.（More on this study and the star ratings will appear in a subsequent post.)[K] Before we collectively tear our hair out—how are we supposed to find our way in a landscape this confusing?—here is a thought from Dr. Philip Sloane, a geriatrician（老年病学专家)at the University of North Carolina:“In a way, that could be liberating for families.”[L] Of course, sons and daughters want to visit the facilities, talk to the administrators and residents and other families, and do everything possible to fulfill their duties. But perhaps they don‟t have to turn themselves into private investigators or Congressional subcommittees.“Families can look a bit more for where the residents are going to be happy,” Dr. Sloane said.And involving the future resident in the process can be very important.[M] We all have our own ideas about what would bring our parents happiness. They have their ideas, too. A friend recently took her mother to visit an expensive assisted living/nursing home near my town. I have seen this place—it is elegant, inside and out. But nobody greeted the daughter and mother when they arrived, though the visit had been planned；nobody introduced them to the other residents. When they had lunch in the dining room, they sat alone at a table.[N] The daughter feared her mother would be ignored there, and so she decided to move her into a more welcoming facility. Based on what is emerging from some of this research, that might have been as rational a way as any to reach a decision.36.Many people feel guilty when they cannot find a place other than a nursing home for theirparents.37.Though it helps for children to investigate care facilities, involving their parents in thedecision-making process may prove very important.38.It is really difficult to tell if assisted living is better than a nursing home.39.How a resident feels depends on an interaction between themselves and the care facility theylive in.40.The author thinks her friend made a rational decision in choosing a more hospitable place overan apparently elegant assisted living home.41.The system Medicare developed to rate nursing home quality is of little help to finding asatisfactory place.42.At first the researchers of the most recent study found residents in assisted living facilities gavehigher scores on social interaction.43.What kind of care facility old people live in may be less important than we think.44.The findings of the latest research were similar to an earlier multi-state study of assisted living.45.A resident‟s satisfaction with a care facility has much to do with whether they had participatedin the decision to move in and how long they had stayed there.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As Artificial Intelligence(AI) becomes increasingly sophisticated, there are growing concerns that robots could become a threat. This danger can be avoided, according to computer science professor Stuart Russell, if we figure out how to turn human values into a programmable code.Russell argues that as robots take on mor e complicated tasks, it‟s necessary to translate our morals into AI language.For example, if a robot does chores around the house, you wouldn‟t want it to put the pet cat in the oven to make dinner for the hungry children. “You would want that robot prelo aded with a good set of values,” said Russell.Some robots are already programmed with basic human values. For example, mobile robots have been programmed to keep a comfortable distance from humans. Obviously there are cultural differences, but if you were talking to another person and they came up close in your personal space, you wouldn‟t think that‟s the kind of thing a properly brought-up person would do.It will be possible to create more sophisticated moral machines, if only we can find a way to set out human values as clear rules.Robots could also learn values fromdrawing patterns from large sets ofdata on human behavior. They are dangerous only if programmers are careless.The biggest concern with robots going against human values isthat human beings fail to do sufficient testing and they‟ve produced a system that will break some kind of taboo（禁忌).One simple check would be to program a robot to check the correct course of action with a human when presented with an unusual situation.If the robot is unsure whether an animal is suitable for the microwave, it has the opportunity to stop, send out beeps（嘟嘟声), and ask for directions from a human. If we humans aren‟t quite sure about a decision, we go and ask somebody else.The most difficult step in programming values will be deciding exactly what we believe in moral, and how to create a set of ethical rules. But if we come up with an answer, robots could be good for humanity.46.What does the author say about the threat of robots?A)It may constitute a challenge to computer programmers.B)It accompanies all machinery involving high technology.C)It can be avoided if human values are translated into their language.D)It has become an inevitable peril as technology gets more sophisticated.47.What would we think of a person who invades our personal space according to the author?A)They are aggressive.B)They are outgoing.C)They are ignorant.D)They are ill-bred.48.How do robots learn human values?A)By interacting with humans in everyday life situations.B)By following the daily routines of civilized human beings.C)By picking up patterns from massive data on human behavior.D)By imitating the behavior of property brought-up human beings.49.What will a well-programmed robot do when facing an unusual situation?A)Keep a distance from possible dangers.B)Stop to seek advice from a human being.C)Trigger its built-in alarm system at once.D)Do sufficient testing before taking action.50.What is most difficult to do when we turn human values into a programmable code?A)Determine what is moral and ethical.B)Design some large-scale experiments.C)Set rules for man-machine interaction.D)Develop a more sophisticated program.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Why do some people live to be older than others? You know the standard explanations: keeping a moderate diet, engaging in regular exercise, etc. But what effect does your personality have on your longevity（长寿）?Do some kinds of personalities lead to longer lives? A new study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society looked at this question by examining the personality characteristics of 246 children of people who had lived to be at least 100.The study shows that those living the longest are more outgoing, more active and less neurotic （神经质的) than other people. Long-living women are also more likely to be sympathetic and cooperative than women with a normal life span. These findings are in agreement with what you would expect from the evolutionary theory: those who like to make friends and help others can gather enough resources to make it through tough times.Interestingly, however, other characteristics that you might consider advantageous had no impact on whether study participants were likely to live longer. Those who were more self-disciplined, for instance, were no more likely to live to be very old. Also, being open to new ideas had no relationship to long life, which might explain all those bad-tempered old people who are fixed in their ways.Whether you can successfully change your personality as an adult is the subject of a longstanding psychological debate. But the new paper suggests that if you want long life, you should strive to be as outgoing as possible.Unfortunately, another recent study shows that your mother‟s personality may also help determine your longevity. That study looked at nearly 28,000 Norwegian mothers and found that those moms who were more anxious, depressed and angry were more likely to feed their kids unhealthy diets. Patterns of childhood eating can be hard to break when we‟re adults, which may mean that kids of depressed moms end up dying younger.Personality isn‟t destiny（命运), and everyone knows that individuals can learn to change. But both studies show that long life isn‟t just a matter of your physical health but of your mental health.51. The aim of the study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is____.A)to see whether people‟s perso nality affects their life spanB)to find out if one‟s lifestyle has any effect on their healthC)to investigate the role of exercise in living a long lifeD)to examine all the factors contributing to longevity52. What does the author imply about outgoing and sympathetic people?A)They have a good understanding of evolution.B)They are better at negotiating an agreement.C)They generally appear more resourceful.D)They are more likely to get over hardship.53. What finding of the study might prove somewhat out of our expectation?A)Easy-going people can also live a relatively long life.B)Personality characteristics that prove advantageous actually vary with times.C)Such personality characteristics as self-discipline have no effect on longevity.D)Readiness to accept new ideas helps one enjoy longevity.54. What does the recent study of Norwegian mothers show?A)Children‟s personality characteristics are invariably determined by theirmothers.B)People with unhealthy eating habits are likely to die sooner.C)Mothers‟ influence on children may last longer than fathers‟.D)Mothers‟ negative personality characteristics may affect their children‟s life spans.55.What can we learn from the findings of the two new studies?A)Anxiety and depressio n more often than not cut short one‟s life span.B)Longevity results from a combination of mental and physical health.C)Personality plays a decisive role in how healthy one is.D)Health is in large part related to one‟s lifestyle.Part IV TranslationDirections: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.乌镇是浙江的一座古老水镇，坐落在京杭大运河畔。
2023年6月英语四级真题及答案(第3套)
Part2023年6月大学英语四级考试真题及答案（第3套）I Writing(30minutes)Directions:Suppose your university is conducting a survey to collect students’opinions of online classes.You are to write a response to the survey about their advantages and disadvantages,and what improvements can be made.You will have30minutes for the task.You should write at least120words but no more than180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25minutes) 提示：2023年6月全国只考两套听力，故本套未重复显示。
Part III Reading Comprehension(40minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Morocco is responding to increasing energy demands by setting up one of the largest solar plants in the world.The Noor solar power station is26 in the city of Ouarzazate and,once completed,will generate 580million watts of electricity.The World Bank estimates it will serve1.1million people.It’s27 to be completed soon.Morocco’s current energy comes28 from imports.The nation hopes to get50percent of its energy from renewable sources by2030.With demand for energy29 at an annual rate of7percent, the new solar plant could be a30 part of that goal.“This makes Morocco a big31 in the field of solar energy in the Arab region and the African continent.It could also be a forerunner for many other countries in the world that32 on foreign imports of energy,”said Ali Hajji,a solar energy specialist and engineering professor.Experts believe that the Middle East and North Africa have huge33 for solar energy projects. This is partly because of adequate sunlight and partly because technology has become more34 in the region.“The last few years have seen a realization of35 how competitive solar technologies can be,”said Michael Taylor,a senior analyst at the International Renewable Energy Agency.Section BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.New Formula One Chief Hopes to Grab Americans’AttentionA.For the past four decades,the leader of Formula One car racing,one of the biggest annual sportingseries in the world,was Bernie Ecclestone,a former motorcycle parts dealer who built it into an international presence essentially on his own.B.A skilled backroom operator who speaks without a filter,Ecclestone said often that in his opinion,thesport was at its best when he was allowed to act as“a dictator.”C.Yet now the dictator is gone.After an American company,Liberty Media,acquired the Formula Onecompetition recently,Chase Carey—a former executive with Fox Broadcasting Company and DirecTV who by his own admission is not a fierce racing fan—was named to replace Ecclestone and to try to renovate the organization’s management,reach and ambition.D.Among the goals,Carey said in an interview on Tuesday,is one that just about every global sportseems interested in chasing:increasing interest in the United States.“People have said we’re going to ‘Americanize’it,”Carey said.“And we’re not going to do that totally.But realistically,there are some elements of Americanization that the sport could use.”E.While Formula One commands enormous audiences throughout much of the world,many Americansports fans know it as that other motorsport,the one that is not Nascar(纳斯卡车赛).Formula One teams race far more technologically advanced vehicles around tracks all over the world—in magnificent events in places like Malaysia,Monaco,Singapore and the United Arab Emirates,and on tradition-rich tracks like Silverstone in England and Monza in Italy too.F.The series has an annual race in Austin,Texas.But within“a few years,”Carey said,he plans to bringanother to a destination American city,like New York,Los Angeles,Miami or Las V egas.Carey’s ambitious plan is two-fold:first,change the business model of Formula One,which he said was a “one-man show”under Ecclestone that had a largely narrow vision when it came to negotiating partnership deals;and second,alter the way fans experience the sport,both in person and remotely,so that connections between the audience and people within the series are easier to make.G.Increased digital access for fans,a more behind-the-scenes experience for broadcast viewers andinnovation in areas like virtual reality—what is it like to speed around a track inside a Ferrari?—are among the possibilities.“The sport has clearly been underserved,”Carey said.“It doesn’t do anything digitally.There’s no marketing.It doesn’t tell any stories.The goal in this is to make the fans connect to the live experience as much as possible,and the tools you have to do that,we’re not using at all.”H.The larger question,though,is a familiar one:Is there room for Formula One in the ever-crowdedsports landscape of the United States?Opinions vary,particularly because viewing habits among consumers continue to evolve.John Bloom,a professor at Shippensburg University who has studied American sports history,said the biggest challenge for any sport trying to increase its presence in the United States was framing itself in a way that had lasting appeal.“Sports generally become popular in some way because they establish a narrative,”Bloom said.“When I think of motorsports in the U.S., what we all think of is Nascar,and the narrative of Nascar is sort of rural,white,working-class Americans,mostly in the South,connecting with the atmosphere of those races.That’s the narrative.When I think of the narrative of Formula One,it’s a very different kind of audience.”I.That difference,Carey said,is significant.While some might immediately link Formula One toNascar in terms of American growth,Carey said Formula One’s brand research had indicated there was very little crossover;rather,Formula One fans generally cite other so-called elite events,like Wimbledon or the Ryder Cup,as competitions they enjoy.“Other than they’re both cars,the Nascar fan base is a very different fan base,”Carey said.“It’s a very regional fan base.Formula One is a global,famous brand of stars.These are machines that shock and awe you.”J.Carey’s background is in deal making and innovation.At Fox Broadcasting Company,he was a top advisor for years,known for his skill in helping to lead the launch of company into sports,as well as the start of Fox News Channel.After going to DirecTV,he positioned the satellite provider as a mainstream option in millions of households.K.Now,after Liberty Media paid$4.4billion to acquire Formula One,he is charged with making the investment pay off.“I think they can build Formula One in the U.S.,”said Patrick Crakes,an executive at InVivo Media Group who spent25years at Fox Broadcasting Company before leaving in 2016as a senior manager at Fox Sports.“People don’t work on their cars anymore.They don’t want that connection anymore.It’s about technology and pushing the limits.It’s about speed,danger and risk.And Formula One has that more than any other racing series.”L.That is what hooked Carey,and he said he thought his experience was not unusual.He recalled attending Formula One’s Monaco race last year and being overwhelmed by the ceremony leading up to the event,the way the race charmed the city for days ahead of the start.In his mind it felt like a Super Bowl(超级碗橄榄球赛).M.Then,on race day,he watched as the cars rocketed out of a tunnel and went screaming toward a tight turn with the city’s harbor and the Mediterranean Sea in the background framing the scene.He was fascinated.“You can’t help but be awed,”he said,“and I think that feeling can be translated to the viewer.”N.He added:“The broader sport is a little too inward-looking,and we need to be more open.In some ways,I’m glad to be coming from the outside.The guys who are in the sport forever are sitting there saying:‘We can’t do that.We can’t do that because it’s never been done that way.’”36.Chase Carey believes greater use should be made of digital technology to make Formula One moreaccessible to its fans.37.Chase Carey was deeply impressed by the ceremony preceding last year’s Monaco race.38.One of Chase Carey’s goals is to make Formula One more appealing to Americans.39.A former motorbike parts dealer led Formula One for the past forty years.40.Chase Carey thought the audience of Formula One could be made to share his feeling about the race.41.Chase Carey used to serve as a top advisor for a major broadcasting company.42.Chase Carey intends to make connections easier between the audience and the Formula One racers.43.The new leader of Formula One admitted he was not super interested in car racing.44.People’s opinions differ as to whether Formula One can be promoted in the U.S.pared with other racing series,Formula One focuses more on speed and involves more danger. 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 centre.Passage OneQuestions46to50are based on the following passage.Supermarkets have long been suffering as one of the thinnest-margined businesses in existence and one of the least-looked-forward-to places to work or visit.For more than a decade,they have been under attack from e-commerce giants,blamed for making Americans fat,and accused of contributing to climate change.Supermarkets can technically be defined as giants housing15,000to60,000different products.The revolutionary idea of a self-service grocery,where people could hunt and gather food from aisles rather than asking a clerk to fetch items from behind a counter,first came about in America.There is some debate about which was the very first,but over the years a consensus has built around King Kullen Supermarket,founded in New York in1930.For some300years,Americans had fed themselves from small stores and public markets.Shopping for food involved mud,noisy chickens,clouds of flies,nasty smells,bargaining,and getting short-changed.The supermarket imitated the Fordist factory,with its emphasis on efficiency and standardization,and reimagined it as a place to buy food.Supermarkets may not feel cutting-edge now, but they were a revolution in distribution at the time.They were such strange marvels that,on her first official state visit to the United States in1957,Queen Elizabeth II insisted on an impromptu(即兴的) tour of a suburban-Maryland Giant Food.The typical supermarket layout has barely changed over the past90years.Most stores open with。
2016年12月大学英语四级真题及完整答案(共两卷)
2016年12月大学英语四级真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard.1. A) It was going to be renovated. C) It was dangerous to live in.B) He could no longer pay the rent. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2. A) A storm. C) A forest fire.B) A strike. D) A Terrorist attack.Questions 3and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.4. A) They provided the miner with food and water.B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C) They released the details of the accident.D) They tried hard to repair the accident.Question5 to7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) Raise postage rates. C) Close some of its post offices.B) Improve its services. D) Redesign delivery routes.6. A) Closing offices on holidays. C) Computerizing mail sorting processes.B) Shortening business hours. D) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7.A）A lot of controversy will ariseB) Taxpayers will be very pleasedC) Many people will begin to complainD) Many post office staff will lose their jobsSection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1 with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)He will lose part of his pay. C)He will be given a warning.B)He will go through retraining. D)He is go good terms with his workmates.9.A)He is an experienced press operator. C)He is always on time.B)He is trustworthy guy. D）He is go good terms with his workmates.10.A)She is a trade union representative. C)She is better at handing such matters.B)She is a senior manager of the shop. D)She is in charge of public relation.11.A)He is always trying to stir up trouble.B)He is skilled and experienced.C)He is very close to the manager.D)He is always complaining about low wages.Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)Open. C)Selfish.B)Reserved. D)Friendly.13.A)They read a book. C)They stay quiet.B)They talk about the weather D)They chat with fellow passengers.14.A)She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B)She was never invited to a colleague’s home.C)She was eager to visit an English castle.D)She was always treated as a foreigner.15.A) House are much more quiet. C) They want a garden of their own.B) They want to have more space. D) Houses provide more privacy. Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B) They don’t have to go through job interviews.C) They are likely to get much higher pay.D) They don’t have much choice of jobs.17.A) Visit the school careers services. C) Look at school bulletin boards.B) Ask their professors for help. D) Go through campus newspapers.18.A) Providing students with information about the library.B) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D) Helping students find the books and journals they need.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It tastes better. C) It is easier to grow.B) It may be sold at a higher price. D) It can better survive extreme weathers.20.A) It can grow in drier soil. C) It will replace green tea one day.B) It is immune to various diseases. D) It is healthier than green tea.21.A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They care more about environment.B) They decorate their homes themselves.C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.D) They need decorations to show their status.23. A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C) They were proud of their creations.D) They focused on the quality of their products.24. A) Identify fake crafts. C) Design handicrafts themselves.B) Make wise choices. D) Learn the importance of creation.25. A) To attract foreign investments. C) To arouse public interest in crafts.B) To preserve the traditional culture. D) To boost the local economy.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes.A new study（26）that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers（27）for sex differences the entire human brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for（28）brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based（29）, many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.While the “average” male and “average” female brains were（30）different, you couldn’t tell it by lo oking at individual brain scans. Only a small（31）of people had “all-male” or “all-female” characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is an important addition to a growing body of research questioning（32）beliefs about gender and brain function. But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,（33）of gender.“There’s a mountain of evidence（34）the importance of sex influences at all levels of brain function,” he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study（35）that gender plays a very important role in the brain “even when we are not clear exactly how.”Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?[A]Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn’t surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.[B]The most likely type of burglary (入室盗窃) by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013.The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds of a criminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics.[C]One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar (入室盗贼) might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the syste m is armed, they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequ ency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?[D]Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not unique to security systems. Any device that’s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation between two people—all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling. They will, however, need so know what system they’re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what se tup you use, that’d point them in the right direction, though at that point, we’re talking about a highly targeted, semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort forced-entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, winner of our Editor’s Choice distinction, utilizes a special system that’s capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it’s being jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert(推送警报).From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete with a video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that it’s possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe’santi-jamming system works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not in detected them.[H]We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how the system works, then fig ure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and that it varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a universal magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing their own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented cases of successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need to target your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you’re away. So the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or openeddoor would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping the anti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does now have access to.[K]At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipmentand skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with aconversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggeringthe alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radiointerference from targeted jamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once somethingwrong is detected.43. Different measures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary inaddition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.45. Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet search.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for thepost-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggests otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this were true, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more upfront for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human mature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather that the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China, Japan, and Ind ia, But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss in oil producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies(补贴) for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves, In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil-producing nations can’t af ford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming their gasolinesubsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A) The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B) Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D) The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A) They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B) They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D) They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the glo bal economy as they did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C) Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D) People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IV Translation (30minutes)Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30minutes to transtate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福，在春节和其他喜庆场合，红色到处可见。
2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题及解析第一套(1)
through the centre.
(25 minutes)
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
1. A) It was going to be renovated.
C) It was dangerous to live in.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
8. A) He will be kept from promotion.
C) He will be given a warning.
B) He will go through retraining.
D) He will lose part of his pay.
9. A) He is an experienced press operator. C) He is always on time.
B) He is trustworthy guy.
D) He is on good terms with his workmates.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
19. A) It tastes better.
C) It is easier to grow.
B) It may be sold at a higher price. D) It can better survive extreme weathers.
Part II
Listening Comprehension
2016年12月四级英语听力真题第一套(含答案及原文)
2016 年12 月英语四级听力真题第1 套Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Section AQuestions 1 to 2 are based on the conversation you have just heard.A)It was dangerous to live in. C) He could no longer pay the rent.B)It was going to be renovated. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2.A) A strike. C) A forest fire.B)A storm. D) A terrorist attack.Questions 3 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.3.A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B)They were trapped in an underground elevator.C)They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.D)They sent calls for help via a portable radio.4.A) They tried hard to repair the elevator.B)They released the details of the accident.C)They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.D)They provided the miners with food and water.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5.A) Raise postage rates.B)Improve its services.C)Redesign delivery routes.D)Close some of its post offices.6.A) Shortening business hours.B)Closing offices on holidays.C)Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.D)Computerizing mail sorting processes.7.A) Many post office staff will lose their jobs.B)Many people will begin to complain.C)Taxpayers will be very pleased.D)A lot of controversy will arise.Section B8.A) He will be kept from promotion.B)He will go through retraining.C)He will be given a warning.D)He will lose part of his pay.9.A) He is always on time.B)He is a trustworthy guy.C)He is an experienced press operator.D)H e is on good terms with his workmates.10.A) She is a trade union representative.B)She is in charge of public relations.C)She is a senior manager of the shop.D)She is better at handling such matters.11.A) He is skilled and experienced.B)He is very close to the manager.C)He is always trying to stir up trouble.D)He is always complaining about low wages.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Open.B)Selfish.C)Friendly.D)Reserved.13.A) They stay quiet.B)They read a book.C)They talk about the weather.D)They chat with fellow passengers.14.A) She was always treated as a foreigner.B) She was eager to visit an English castle.C)She was never invited to a colleague's home.D)She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.15.A) Houses are much more quiet.B) Houses provide more privacy.C)They want to have more space.D)They want a garden of their own.答案1.A It was dangerous to live in.2.B A storm3.B They were trapped in an underground elevator.4.C They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.5.D Close some of its post office.6.C Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7.A Many post office staff will lose their jobs.8.D He will lose part of his pay.9.B He is a trustworthy guy.10. D She is better at handling such matters11. C He is always trying to stir up trouble.12.D Reserved13.A They stay quiet14.C She was never invited to a colleague 's home.15.B Houses provide more privacy16.D They will automatically be given hiring priority.17.C Visit the school careers service.18.B Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.19.C It may be sold at a higher price.20.A It is healthier than green tee.21.D It does not have a stable market.22.B They prefer unique objects of high quality.23.B They could only try to create at night.24.A Make wise choices.25.A To boost the local economy.2016年12 月英语四级听力真题第1套原文Section AA 16th century castle in Scotland is close to collapsing after lumps of soils were washed away by floods, threatening its foundations.On Sunday, the castle 's owner John Gordon, 76, was rfcoed to move out his property after the River Dee swept away about 60 feet of land, leaving the castle dangerous close to the river. According to the Scottish Daily Record. Abergeldie castle located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland was built by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly.The castle which is located on 11,700 acres was leased to members of the royal family between 1848 and 1970, including King Edward VII and George V.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 35 flood warnings covering several regions, as Scotland continues to clean up the after Storm Frank hit the country last Wednesday.“ Thism eans that rivers will rise more slowly, but then stay high for much longer. ” the environmental agency said.Q1. Why did John Gordon move out of Abergeldie castle?Q2. What happened in Scotland last Wednesday?Section A - 2Rescue efforts were underway Thursday morning for 17 miners who were stuck in an elevator below ground at a Cargill rock salt mine near Lansing, New York, according to Marcia Lynch.Public information officer with Tompkins County'se mer gency response department, emergency workers have made contact with the miners via a radio. And they all appear to be uninjured, said Jessica Verfuss, the emergency department 'sassistant director.Crews have managed to provide heat packs and blankets to the miners so that they can keep warm during the rescue operation, Verfuss said. Details about what led to the workers ' being trapped in the elevator went immediately available. The mine, along New York 's Cayuga Lake, processes salt used for road treatment. It produces about 2 million tons of salt that is shipped to more than 1,500 places in the northeastern United States, the rock salt mine is one of three operated by Cargill with the other two in Louisiana and Ohio.Q3. What does the news report say about the salt miners?Q4.What did the rescue team do?新闻3 Section A - 3 The U.S. Postal Service announced today that it is considering closing about 3,700 post offices over the next year because of falling revenues.Facing an $8.3 billion budget deficit this year, closing post officers is one of several proposals the Postal Service has put forth recently to cut costs. Last week, for example, Postmaster General Pat Donahoe announced plans to stop mail delivery on Saturdays, a move he says could save $3 billion annually.“Wea re losing revenue as we speak, ” Donahoe said. “Wed o not want taxpayer money. We want to be self-sufficient. So like any other business you have to make choices. ”Dean Granholm the vice president for delivery and post office operations said the first waves of closings would begin this fall. He estimated that about 3,000 postmasters, 500 station managers and between 500 and 1,000 postal clerks could lose their jobs.Q5.What is the U.S. Postal Service planning to do?Q6.What measure has been planned to save costs?Q7.What will happen when the proposed measure come into effect?长对话1&2Conversation 1A: Mrs. Hampton, we've got trouble in the press room this morning.B: Oh dear. What about?A: One of the press operators arrived an hour and a half late.B: But that's a straightforward affair. He will simply lose part of his pay.That's why we have a clock-in system.A: But the point is the man was clocked-in at 8 o'clock. We have John standing by the time clock, and he swears he saw nothing irregular.B: Is John reliable?A: Yes, he is. That's why we chose him for the job.B: Have you spoken to the man who was late?A: Not yet. I thought I'd have a word with you first. He's a difficult man, and I think there's been some trouble on the shop floor. I've got a feeling that trade union representative is behind this. The manager told me that Jack Green's been very active around the shop the last few days.B: Well, what do you want me to do?A: I was wondering if you'd see Smith, the man who was late, because you are so much better at handling things like this.B: Oh, alright. I'll see him. I must say I agree with you about there being bad feelings in the works. I've had the idea for some time that Jack Green's been busy stirring things up in connection with the latest wage claim. He's always trying to make trouble. Well, I'll get the manager to send Smith up here.Q8. What will happen to the press operator who was late for the work according to the woman?Q9. What does the man say about John who stands by the time clock?Q10. Why does the man suggest the woman see the worker who was late?Q11. What does the woman say about Jack Green?Conversation 2A: Our topic today is about somethings that foreigners nearly always say when they visit Britain. It's 'Why are the British so cold?' And they're talking about the British personality –the famous British 'reserve'. It means that we aren't very friendly, we aren't very open.B: So do you think it's true?A: It's a difficult one. So many people who visit Britain say it's difficult to make friends with British people. They say we're cold, reserved, unfriendly...B: I think it's true. Look at Americans or Australians. They speak the same language, but they're much more open. And you see it when you travel, people - I mean strangers - speak to you on the street or on the train. British people seldom speak on the train. Or the bus. Not in London, anyway.A: 'Not in London'. That's it. Capital cities are full of tourists and are never very friendly. People are different in other parts of the country.B: Not completely. I met a woman once, an Italian. She's been working in Manchester for two years,and no one - not one of her colleagues - had ever invited her to their home. They were friendly to her at work, but nothing else. She couldn't believe it. She said that would never happen in Italy.A: You know what they say –'an Englishman's home is his castl e'. It 's really difficult to get inside.B: Yeah. It's about being private. You go home to your house and your garden and you close the door. It's your place.A: That's why the British don't like flats. They prefer to live in houses.B: That 's true.Q12. What do foreigners generally think of British people according to the woman?Q13. What may British people typically do one the train according to the man?Q14. What does the man say about the Italian woman working in Manchester?Q15. Why do British people prefer houses to flats?听力篇章Passage OneIn college, time is scarce, and consequently, very precious. At the same time, expenses in college pile up surprisingly quickly. A part time job is a good way to balance costs while ensuring there is enough time left over for both academic subjects and after-class activities.If you are a college student looking for a part time job, the best place to start your job search is right on campus. There are tons of on-campus job opportunities, and as a student, you 'all utomatically be given hiring priority. Plus, on-campus jobs eliminate commuting time, and could be a great way to connect with academic and professionalresources at your university. Check with your school 'csa reer service or employment o ffice for help to find a campus job. Of course, there are opportunities for part-time work off-campus, too. If you spend a little time digging for the right part time jobs, you ' ll save yourself time when you find a job that leaves you with enough time to get your school work done, too. If you are a college student looking for work but worry you won 't have enough time to devote to academic subjects, consider working as a study hall or a library monitor. Responsibilities generally include supervising study sp aces to ensure that a quiet atmosphere is maintained. It a pretty easy job, but one with lots of downtime-which means you will have plenty of time to catch up on reading, do homework or study for an exam.Q16: What does the speaker say about college students applying for on-campus jobs?Q17: What can students do to find a campus job according to the speaker ？Q18: What does the speaker say is a library monitor 's responsibility?Passage TwoAgricultural workers in green tea fields near Mt. Kenya are gathering the tea leaves. It is beautiful to see. The rows of tea bushes are straight. All appears to be well. But the farmers who planted the bushes are worried. Nelson Kibara is one of them. He has been growing tea in the Kerugoya area for 40 years.He says the prices this year have been so low that he has made almost no profit. He says he must grow different kinds of tea if he is to survive.Mr. Kibara and hundreds of other farmers have been removing some of their tea bushes and planting a new kind of tea developed by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya. Its leaves are purple and brown. When the tea is boiled, the drink has a purple color. Medical researchers have studied the health benefits of the new tea. They say it is healthier than green tea and could be sold for a price that is three to four times higher than the price of green tea.But Mr. Kibara says he has not received a higher price for his purple tea crop.He says the market for the tea is unstable and he is often forced to sell his purple tea for the same price as green tea leaves. He says there are not enough buyers willing to pay more for the purple tea.Q19. Why have tea farmers in Kenya decided to grow purple tea?Q20. What do researchers say about purple tea?Q21. What does Mr. Kibara find about purple tea?Passage ThreeToday's consumers want beautiful handcrafted s to wear and to have for their home environment. They prefer something unique and they demand quality. Craftsmen today are meeting this demand. People and homes are showing great change as more and more unique handcrafted items become available. Handcrafts are big business. No long does a good craftsman have to work in a job he dislikes all day and then try to create at night. He has earned his professional status. He is now a respected member of society. Parts of the fun of being a craftsman is meeting other craftsmen. They love to share their ideas and materials and help others find markets for their work. Craftsmen have helped educate consumers to make wise choices. They help them become aware of design and technique. They help them relate their choice to its intended use. They often involve consumers in trying the craft themselves. When a group of craftsmen expends to include more members, a small craft organization is formed. Such an organization does a lot in training workshops in special media, craft marketing techniques, craft fairs and sales, festivals, TV appearances and demonstrations. State art councils help sponsor local arts and crafts festivals which draw crowds of tourist consumers. This boosts the local economy considerably because tourists not only buy crafts, but they also use the restaurants and hotels and other services of the area.Q22. What does the speaker say about today's consumers?Q23. What does the speaker say about a good craftsman in the past?Q24. What do craftsmen help consumers do?Q25. Why do state art council 'sh elp sponsor local arts and crafts festivals?。