2009年12月四级试题答案
四级考试真题(2009年12月)
2009年12月大学英语四级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of Create a Green Campus. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below.1. 建设绿色校园十分重要2. 绿色校园不仅指绿色环境3. 为了建设绿色校园我们应该……Create a Green Campus________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)(15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Colleges taking another look at value of merit-based aid*Good grades and high test scores still matter — a lot — to many colleges as they award financial aid.But with low-income students projected to make up an ever-larger share of the college-bound population in coming years, some schools are re-examining whether that aid, typically known as “merit aid”, is the most effective use of precious institutional dollars.George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for example, said last week that it would cut the value of its average merit scholarships by about one-third and reduce the number of recipients(接受者), pouring the savings, about $2.5 million, into need-based aid. Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., made a similar decision three years ago.Now, Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., says it will phase out merit scholarships altogether. No current merit-aid recipients will lose their scholarships, but need-based aid alone will be awarded beginning with students entering in fall 2008.Not all colleges offer merit aid; generally, the more selective a school, the less likely it is to do so. Harvard and Princeton, for example, offer generous need-based packages, but many families who don’t meet need eligibility (资格) have been willing to pay whatever they must for a big-name school.For small regional colleges that struggle just to fill seats, merit aid can be an important revenue-builder because many recipients still pay enough tuition dollars over and above the scholarship amount to keep the institution running.But for rankings-conscious schools in between, merit aid has served primarily as a tool to recruit top students and to improve their academic profiles. “They’re trying to buy students,” says Skidmore College economist Sandy Baum.Studies show merit aid also tends to benefit disproportionately students who could afford to enroll without it.“As we look to the future, we see a more pressing need to invest in need-based aid,” says Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton, which has offered merit scholarships for 10 years. During that time, it rose in US News & World Report’s ranking of the best liberal arts colleges, from 25 to 17.Merit aid, which benefited about 75 students a year, or about 4% of its student body, at a cost of about $1 million a year, “served us well,” Inzer says, but “to be discounting the price for families that don’t need financial aid doesn’t feel right any more.”Need-based aid remains by far the largest share of all student aid, which includes state, federal and institutional grants. But merit aid, offered primarily by schools and states, is growing faster, both overall and at the institutional level.Between 1995-96 and 2003-04, institutional merit aid alone increased 212%, compared with 47% for need-based grants. At least 15 states also offer merit aid, typically in a bid to enroll top students in the state’s public institutions.But in recent years, a growing chorus (异口同声) of critics has begun pressuring schools to drop the practice. Recent decisions by Hamilton and others may be “a sign that people are starting to realize that there’s this destructive competition going on,” says Baum, co-author of a recent College Report that raises concerns about the role of institutional aid not based on need.David Laird, president of the Minnesota Private College Council, says many of his schools would like to reduce their merit aidbut fear that in doing so, they would lose top students to their competitors.“No one can take one-sided action,” says Laird, who is exploring whether to seek an exemption (豁免) from federal anti-trust laws so member colleges can discuss how they could jointly reduce merit aid. “This is a merry-go-round that’s going very fast, and none of the institutions believe they can sustain the risks of trying to break away by themselves.”A complicating factor is that merit aid has become so popular with middle-income families, who don’t qualify for need-based aid, that many have come to depend on it. And, as tuitions continue to increase, the line between merit and need blurs.That is one reason Allegheny College doesn’t plan to drop merit aid entirely.“We still believe in rewarding superior achievements and know that these top students truly value the scholarship,” says Scott Friedhoff, Allegheny’s vice president for enrollment.Emory University in Atlanta, which boasts a $4.7 billion endowment (捐赠), meanwhile, is taking another approach. This year, it announced it would eliminate loans for needy students and cap them for middle-income families. At the same time, it would expand its 28-year-old merit program.“Yeah, we’re playing the merit game,” acknowledges Tom Lancaster, as sociate dean for undergraduate education. But it has its strong points, too, he says. “The fact of the matter is, it’s not just about the lowest-income people. It’s the average American middle-class family who’s being priced out of the market.”*A few words about merit-based aid:Merit-based aid is aid offered to students who achieve excellence in a given area, and is generally known as academic, athletic and artistic merit scholarships.Academic merit scholarships are based on students’ grades, GPA and ov erall academic performance during high school. They are typically meant for students going straight to college right after high school. However, there are scholarships for current college students with exceptional grades as well. These merit scholarships usually help students pay tuition bills, and they can be renewed each year as long as the recipients continue to qualify. In some cases, students may need to be recommended by their school or a teacher as part of the qualification process.Athletic merit scholarships are meant for students that excel (突出) in sports of any kind, from football to track and field events. Recommendation for these scholarships is required, since exceptional athletic performance has to be recognized by a coach or a referee (裁判). Applicants need to send in a tape containing their best performance.Artistic merit scholarships require that applicants excel in a given artistic area. This generally includes any creative field such as art, design, fashion, music, dance or writing. Applying for artistic merit scholarships usually requires that students submit a portfolio (选辑) of some sort, whether that includes a collection of artwork, a recording of a musical performance or a video of them dancing.1. With more and more low-income students pursuing higher education, a number of colleges are ______.[A] offering students more merit-based aid [B] revising their financial aid policies[C] increasing the amount of financial aid [D] changing their admission processes2. What did Allegheny College in Meadville do three years ago?[A] It tried to implement a novel financial aid program.[B] It added $2.5 million to its need-based aid program.[C] It phased out its merit-based scholarships altogether.[D] It cut its merit-based aid to help the needy students.3. The chief purpose of rankings-conscious colleges in offering merit aid is to ______.[A] improve teaching quality [B] boost their enrollments[C] attract good students [D] increase their revenues4. Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton, believes ______.[A] it doesn’t pay to spend $1 million a year to raise its ranking[B] it gives students motivation to award academic achievements[C] it’s illogical to use so much money on only 4% of its students[D] it’s not right to give aid to those who can afford the tuition5. In recent years, merit-based aid has increased much faster than need-based aid due to ______.[A] more government funding to colleges [B] fierce competition among institutions[C] the increasing number of top students [D] schools’ improved financial situations6. What is the attitude of many private colleges toward merit aid, according to David Laird?[A] They would like to see it reduced. [B] They regard it as a necessary evil.[C] They think it does more harm than good. [D] They consider it unfair to middle-class families.7. Why doesn’t Allegheny College plan to drop merit aid entirely?[A] Rising tuitions have made college unaffordable for middle-class families.[B] With rising incomes, fewer students are applying for need-based aid.[C] Many students from middle-income families have come to rely on it.[D] Rising incomes have disqualified many students for need-based aid.8. Annual renewal of academic merit scholarships depends on whether the recipients remain ______________________.9.Applicants for athletic merit scholarships need a recommendation from a coach or a referee who ________________________________ their exceptional athletic performance.10. Applicants for artistic merit scholarships must produce evidence to show their _______________________________ in aparticular artistic field.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D], and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. [A] Get some small change. [B] Find a shopping center.[C] Cash a check at a bank. [D] Find a parking meter.12. [A] Shopping with his son. [B] Buying a gift for a child.[C] Promoting a new product. [D] Bargaining with a salesgirl.13. [A] Taking photographs. [B] Enhancing images.[C] Mending cameras. [D] Painting pictures.14. [A] He moved to Baltimore when he was young. [B] He can provide little useful information.[C] He will show the woman around Baltimore. [D] He will ask someone else to help the woman.15. [A] He is rather disappointed. [B] He is highly ambitious.[C] He can’t face up to the situation.[D] He knows his own limitations.16. [A] She must have paid a lot for the gym. [B] She is known to have a terrific figure.[C] Her gym exercise has yielded good results. [D] Her effort to keep fit is really praiseworthy.17. [A] Female students are unfit for studying physics. [B] He can serve as the woman’s tutor.[C] Physics is an important course at school. [D] The professor’s suggestion is constructive.18. [A] Indifferent. [B] Doubtful.[C] Pleased. [D] Surprised.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. [A] He prefers the smaller evening classes. [B] He has signed up for a day course.[C] He has to work during the day. [D] He finds the evening course cheaper.20. [A] Learn a computer language. [B] Learn data processing.[C] Buy some computer software. [D] Buy a few coursebooks.21. [A] Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 9:45. [B] From September 1 to New Year’s eve.[C] Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks. [D] Three hours a week, 45 hours in total.22. [A] What to bring for registration. [B] Where to attend the class.[C] How he can get to Frost Hall. [D] Whether he can use a check.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. [A] A training coach. [B] A trading adviser.[C] A professional manager. [D] A financial trader.24. [A] He can save on living expenses. [B] He considers cooking creative.[C] He can enjoy healthier food. [D] He thinks take-away is tasteless.25. [A] It is something inevitable. [B] It is frustrating sometimes.[C] It takes patience to manage. [D] It can be a good thing.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. [A] There were no planets without moons. [B] There was no air or water on Jupiter.[C] Life was not possible in outer space. [D] The mystery of life could not be resolved.27. [A] It has a number of active volcanoes. [B] It has an atmosphere like the earth’s.[C] It has a large ocean under its surface. [D] It has deep caves several miles long.28. [A] Light is not an essential element to it. [B] Life can form in very hot temperatures.[C] Every form of life undergoes evolution. [D] Oxygen is not needed for some life forms.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. [A] Whether they should take the child home. [B] What Dr. Meyer’s instructions exactly were.[C] Who should take care of the child at home. [D] When the child would completely recover.30. [A] She encourages them to ask questions when in doubt.[B] She makes them write down all her instructions.[C] She has them act out what they are to do at home.[D] She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.31. [A] It lacks the stability of the printed word. [B] It contains many grammatical errors.[C] It is heavily dependent on the context. [D] It facilitates interpersonal communication.Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. [A] Job security. [B] Good labour relations.[C] Challenging work. [D] Attractive wages and benefits.33. [A] Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually. [B] More and more unskilled workers will lose jobs.[C] Computers will change the nature of many jobs. [D] Boring jobs will gradually be made enjoyable.34. [A] Offer them chances of promotion. [B] Improve their working conditions.[C] Encourage them to compete with each other. [D] Give them responsibilities as part of a team.35. [A] They will not bring real benefits to the staff.[B] They concern a small number of people only.[C] They are arbitrarily set by the administrators.[D] They are beyond the control of ordinary workers.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.In the humanities, authors write to inform you in many ways. These methods can be (36) _______ into three types of informational writing: factual, descriptive, and process.Factual writing provides (37) _______ information on an author, composer, or artist or on a type of music, literature, or art. Examples of factual writing include notes on a book jacket or (38) _______ cover and longer pieces, such as an article describing a style of music which you might read in a music (39) _______ course. This kind of writing provides a (40) _______ for your study of the humanities.As its name (41) _______, descriptive writing simply describes, or provides an (42) _______ of, a piece of music, art, or literature. For example, descriptive writing might list the colors an artist used in a painting or the (43) _______ a composer included in a musical composition, so as to make pictures or sounds in the reader’s mind by calling up s pecific details of the work. (44) __________________________________________________________________________________.Process writing explains a series of actions that bring about a result. (45)__________________________________________________________________________________. This kind of writing is often found in art, where understanding how an artist created a certain effect is important. (46)__________________________________________________________________________________.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)(25 minutes) Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.In families with two working parents, fathers may have more impact on a child’s language development than mothers, anew study suggests.Researchers 47 92 families from 11 child care centers before their children were a year old, interviewing each to establish income, level of education and child care arrangements. Overall, it was a group of well-educated middle-class families, with married parents both living in the home.When the children were 2, researchers videotaped them at home in free-play sessions with both parents, 48 all of their speech. The study will appear in the November issue of The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology.The scientists measured the 49 number of utterances (话语) of the parents, the number of different words they used, the complexity of their sentences and other 50 of their speech. On average, fathers spoke less than mothers did, but they did not differ in the length of utterances or proportion of questions asked.Finally, the researchers 51 the children’s speech at age 3, using a standardized language test. The only predictors of high scores on the test were the mother’s level of education, the 52 of child care and the number of different words the father used.The researchers are 53 why the father’s speech, and not the mother’s, had an effect.“It’s well 54 that the mother’s language does have an impact,” said Nadya Pancsofar, the lead author of the study. It could be that the high-functioning mothers in the study had 55 had a strong influence on their children’s speech development, Ms. Pancsofar said, “or it may be that mothers are 56 in a way we didn’t measure in the study.”[A] already [F] describing [K] recruited[B] analyzed [G] established [L] total[C] aspects [H] quality [M] unconscious[D] characters [I] quoted [N] unsure[E] contributing [J] recording [O] yetSection BDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the preside ntial candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so. But selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would h ave the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing the ory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic (酗酒的) mothers.These images have helped define the way all black women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simply to be herself.It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have done in-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogs have written about what they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House — mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone — an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉着), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.57. Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?[A] She serves as a role model for African-American women.[B] She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.[C] She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.[D] She will pay closer attention to the interests of African-American women.58. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?[A] They are victims of family violence.[B] They are of an inferior social group.[C] They use quite a lot of body language.[D] They live on charity and social welfare.59. What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?[A] Whether Michelle can live up to the high expectations of her fans.[B] How Michelle should behave as a public figure.[C] How proud they are to have a black woman in the White House.[D] What Michelle should do as wife and mother in the White House.60. What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?[A] However many fans she has, she should remain modest.[B] She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.[C] However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.[D] She will give priority to African-American women’s concerns.61. What do many African-American women hope Michelle Obama will do?[A] Help change the prevailing view about black women.[B] Help her husband in the task of changing America.[C] Outshine previous First Ladies.[D] Fully display her fine qualities.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.When next year’s crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall of 2009, they’ll be joined by a new face: Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost (教务长) of Yale, who’ll become Oxford’s vice-chancellor — a position equivalent to university president in America.Hamilton isn’t the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc. have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Higher education has become a big and competitive business nowadays, and like so many businesses, it’s gone glob al. Yet the talent flow isn’t universal. High-level personnel tend to head in only one direction: outward from America.The chief reason is that American schools don’t tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the University of Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of the university’s budget. “We didn’t do any global consideration,” says Patricia Hayes, the board’s chair. The board ultimately picked Bruce Be nson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist(活动家) who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a distinctively American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependent on government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student numbers. The decline in government support has made fund-raising an increasingly necessary ability among administrators, and has hiring committees hungry for Americans.In the past few years, prominent schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2003, when Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the university publicly stressed that in her previous job she had overseen (监督) “a major strengthening of Yale’s financial position.”Of course, fund-raising isn’t the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking heads with international experience of some kind to promote international programs and attract a global student body. Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices.62. What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the passage?[A] Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.[B] A lot of political activists are being recruited as administrators.[C] American universities are enrolling more international students.[D] University presidents are paying more attention to fund-raising.63. What is the chief consideration of American universities when hiring top-level administrators?[A] Their political correctness.[B] Their ability to raise funds.[C] Their fame in academic circles.[D] Their administrative experience.64. What do we learn about European universities from the passage?[A] The tuitions they charge have been rising considerably.[B] Their operation is under strict government supervision.[C] They are strengthening their position by globalization.[D] Most of their revenues come from the government.65. Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard as its vice-chancellor chiefly because ______.[A] she was known to be good at raising money[B] she could help strengthen its ties with Yale[C] she knew how to attract students overseas[D] she had boosted Yale’s academic status66. In what way do top-level administrators from abroad contribute to university development?[A] They can enhance the university’s image.[B] They will bring with them more international faculty.[C] They will view a lot of things from a new perspective.[D] They can set up new academic disciplines.Part V Cloze (15 minutes)Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] on the right side of the paper. You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Older people must be given more chances to learn if they are to contribute to society rather than be a financial burden, according to a new study on population published recently.The current approach which 67 on younger people and on skills for employment is not 68 to meet the challenges of demographic (人口结构的) change, it says. Only 1% of the education budget is 69 spent on the oldest third of the population.The 70 include the fact that most people can expect to spend a third of their lives in 71 , that there are now more people over 59 than under 16 and that 11.3 million people are 72 state pension age.“ 73 needs to continue throughout life. Our historic concentration of policy attention and resources 74 young people cannot meet the new 75 ,” says the report’s author, Professor Stephen McNair.The major 76 of our education budget is spent on people below the age of 25. 77 people are changing their jobs, 78 , partners and lifestyles more often than 79 , they need opportunities to learn at every age. 80 , some people are starting new careers in their 50s and later.People need opportunities to make a “midlife review” to 81 to the later stages of employed life, and to plan for the transition (过渡) 82 retirement, which may now happen 83 at any point from 50 to over 90, says McNair.And there should be more money 84 to support people in establishing a 85 of identity and finding constructive 86 for the “third age”, the 20 or more years they will spend in healthy retired life.67. [A] operates [B] focuses[C] counts [D] depends68. [A] superior [B] regular[C] essential [D] adequate69. [A] currently [B] barely[C] anxiously [D] heavily70. [A] regulations [B] obstacles[C] challenges [D] guidelines71. [A] enjoyment [B] retirement[C] stability [D] inability72. [A] over [B] after[C] across [D] beside73. [A] Identifying [B] Learning[C] Instructing [D] Practicing74. [A] at [B] by[C] in [D] on75. [A] desires [B] realms[C] needs [D] intentions76. [A] measure [B] ratio[C] area [D] portion77. [A] When [B] Until[C] Whether [D] Before78. [A] neighbors [B] moods[C] homes [D] minds79. [A] ago [B] ever[C] previously [D] formerly80. [A] For example [B] By contrast。
2009年12月英语四级阅读理解真题与答案详解
Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so, but selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic (酗酒的) mothers.These images have helped define the way all women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simple to be herself.It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have done in-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogs have written about wh at they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House—mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone—an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉着), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.57. Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?A) She serves as a role model for African women.B) She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.C) She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.D) She will pay closer attention to the interests of African-American women.58. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?A) They are victims of violence. B) They are of an inferior violence.C) They use quite a lot of body language. D) They live on charity and social welfare.59. What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?A) Whether Michelle can live up to the high expectations of her fans.B) How Michelle should behave as a public figure.C) How proud they are to have a black woman in the White House.D) What Michelle should do as wife and mother in the White House.60. What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?A) However many fans she has, she should remain modest,B) She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.C) However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.D) She will give priority to African-American women’s concerns.61. What do many African-American women hope Michelle Obama will do?A) Help change the prevailing view about black women.B) Help her husband in the task of changing America.C) Outshine previous First Lady.D) Fully display her fine qualities.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.When next year’s crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall of 2009, they’ll be joined by a new face; Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost (教务长) of Yale, who’ll become Oxford’s vice-chancellor—a position equivalent to university president in America.Hamilton isn’t the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc, have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Higher education has become a big and competitive business nowadays, and like so many businesses, it’s gone global. Yet the talent flow isn’t universal. High-level personnel tend to head in only one direction: outward from America.The chief reason is that American schools don’t tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the University of Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of th e university’s budget. “We didn’t do any global consideration,” says Patricia Hayes, the board’s chair. The board ultimately picked Bruce Benson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist (活动家) who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a distinctively American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependent on government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student number. The decline in government support has made funding-raising an increasing necessary ability among administrators and has hiring committees hungry for Americans.In the past few years, prominent schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2003, when Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the university publicly stressed that in her previous job s he had overseen “a major strengthening of Yale’s financial position.”Of course, fund-raising isn’t the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking heads with international experience of some kind of promote international programs and attract a global student body.Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices.62. What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the passage?A) Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.B) A lot of political activists are being recruited as administrators.C) American universities are enrolling more international students.D) University presidents are paying more attention to funding-raising.63. What is the chief consideration of American universities when hiring top-level administrators?A) The political correctness. B) Their ability to raise funds.C) Their fame in academic circles. D) Their administrative experience.64. What do we learn about European universities from the passage?A) The tuitions they charge have been rising considerably.B) Their operation is under strict government supervision.C) They are strengthening their position by globalization.D) Most of their revenues come from the government.65. Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard as its vice-chancellor chiefly because _____.A) she was known to be good at raising moneyB) she could help strengthen its ties with YaleC) she knew how to attract students overseasD) she had boosted Yale’s academic status66. In what way do top-level administrators from abroad contribute to university development?A) They can enhance the university’s image.B) They will bring with them more international faculty.C) They will view a lot of things from a new perspective.D) They can set up new academic disciplines.参考答案：Passage One文章大意：本文是一篇议论文，选自《新闻周刊》2008年11月刊，题目为MICHELLE OBAMA IS A BLACK SKINNED BEAUTY!。
09年12月四级听力试题及详解
Section A11.Man: Excuse me, do you have change for a ten-dollar note? I need to pay the parking meter. Woman: I’m sorry. But I think you can get it through the money changer, in the shopping center across the street.Question: What is the man trying to do?12.Man: Can you recommend something that a school boy of seven or eight will really like? Woman: I suggest this toy train, sir. It’s an excellent brand, very popular, all over the world these days.Question: What is the man doing?13.Woman: Do you let people know when you are taking pictures of them?Man: I try not to. You know, any picture of a person who poses for the camera would look dull and unnatural.Question: What are the speakers talking about?14.Woman: I need to talk to someone who knows Baltimore well. I’m told you lived there.Man: Oh, but I was really young at the time.Question: What does the man mean?15.Woman: Aren’t you disappointed that you didn’t get the promotion?Man: Maybe a little. But I know I need more experi ence before I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.Question: What do we learn about the man from this conversation?16.Woman: I’ve been working out the gym since January. I was a bit out of shape.Man: You look terrific! It seems that your effort has paid off.Question: What does the man imply about the woman?17.Woman: Prof. Clark suggested that I get a tutor for advanced physics.Man: Well, that might help. Advanced physics is a pretty difficult course.Question: What does the man mean?18.Woman: Bill, have you heard the latest news? It appears we two won’t be laid off after all. Man: Oh, I’m somewhat tired of working here. I’ve been wondering whether I should resign. Anyway, the news seems to be good for you.Question: How does the man feel about the news?From: /englishlistening/cet4/zhenti/2009-12-20/97263.htmlConversation OneWoman: Hello, Parkson college. May I help you?Man: Yes. I’m looking for information on courses in computer programming. I would ne ed it for the fall semester.W: Do you want a day or evening course?M: Well, it would have to be an evening course since I work during the day.W: Aha. Have you taken any courses in data processing?M: No.W: Oh. Well, data processing is a course you have to take before you can take computer programming.M: Oh, I see. Well, when is it given? I hope it’s not on Thursdays.W: Well, there’s a class that meets on Monday evenings at seven.M: Just once a week?W: Yes. But that’s all most three hours from seven to nine forty-five.M: Oh. Well, that’s all right. I could manage that. How many weeks does the course last?W: Mmmm, let me see. Twelve weeks. You start the first week in September, and finish, oh, Just before Christmas. December 21st.M: And how much is the course?W: That’s three hundred dollars including the necessary computer time.M: Aha. Okay. Ah, where do I go to register?W: Registration is on the second and third of September, between 6 and 9 in Frost Hall.M: Is that the round building behind the parking lot?W: Yes. That’s the one.M: Oh, I know how to get there. Is there anything that I should bring with me?W: No, just your check book.M: Well, thank you very much.W: You are very welcome. Bye!M: Bye!19. Why does the man choose to take an evening course?20. What does the man have to do before taking the course of computer programming?21. What do we learn about the schedule of the evening course?22. What does the man want to know at the end of the conversation?Conversation TwoW: So, why exactly does your job have a reputation for being stressful?M: Stress is generally driven by the feeling of being out of control of a situation, and the feeling of a situation controlling you. Trading in financial markets combines both.W: How do you relax in the evening?M: I very rarely do anything work related. So it’s easy to escape the markets. I generally go to the gym or go for a run, especially If I’ve had a bad day. I always cook a meal rather than have a takeaway. To do something my brain would regard as creative.W: Do you think what you do to relax is an effective way to beat stress?M: I don’t think there’s a specific rule about how to beat stress. I generally find that what I do is effective for me.W: Would you consider changing your job because of the high stress factor?M: I have considered leaving my job due to stress related factors. However, I do think that an element of stress is a good thing, and if used the right way, can actually be a positive thing.W: What do you enjoy about the stressful aspects of your job?M: Having said all that, I do actually enjoy an element of uncertainty. I enjoy a mental challenge. Trading generates a wide range of emotions second by second. How you deal with and manage those emotions dictates short, medium and long term trading performance and success.23. What is the man’s job?24. Why does the man prefer to cook a meal rather than have a takeaway?25. What does the man say about an element of stress in his job?From: /englishlistening/cet4/zhenti/2009-12-20/97263_2.htmlSection BPassage OneSince early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planet was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made the scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may hav e already created life, or maybe about to. You may wonder if light is also need for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total in blackness, such as caves several miles beneath the ocean. And bacteria, primitiveforms of life have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s subsurface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.26. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?28. What have scientists come to know recently about the formation of life?Passage TwoIn her early days as an emergency room physician, Dr. Joanna Meyer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated, and was being prepared for discharge, Dr. Meyer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home, also listening to her were half a dozen family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’ve been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed.” she said, “All of them had heard the simple instructions I had given just a few hours before. But they had three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.”This episode gave Dr. Meyer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later – most people just do n’t listen very well.Nowadays, she says, she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients. She asks them to tell her what they think they’re supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets, which are computer printou ts, tailored to the patients’ situation.Dr. Meyer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with a challenge, because human’s speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.Question 29-31Q29. What did the child’s family members argue about in the hospital?Q30. What does Dr. Meyer do to ensure her patients understand her instructions?Q31. What does the speaker say about human speech?Passage 3It is logical to suppose that things like good labor relations, good working conditions, good wages and benefits, and job security motivate workers. But one expert, Frederick Herzberg argued that such conditions do not motivate workers, they are merely satisfiers.Motivators, in contrast, include things such as having a challenging and interesting job, recognition and responsibility. However, even with the development of computers and robotics, there are always plenty of boring, repetitive and mechanical jobs, and lots of unskilled people who have to do them. So how do managers motivate people in such jobs?One solution is to give them some responsibilities, not as individuals, but as a team. For example, some supermarkets combine office staff, the people who fill the shelves, and the people who work at the checkout into a team. And let them decide what product lines to stock, how to display them, and so on.Many people now talk about the importance of a company shared values or culture, with which all the staff can identify. For example, being the best hotel chain, or making the best, the most user friendly, or the most reliable products in a particular field. Such values are more likely to motivate workers than financial targets, which ultimately only concern a few people. Unfortunately, there is only a limited number of such goals to go around. And by definition, not all the competing companies in an industry can seriously play in to be the best.Question 32-35Q32. What can actually motivate workers according to Frederick Herzberg?Q33. What does the speaker say about jobs in the computer era?Q34. What do some supermarkets do to motivate employees?Q35. Why does the speaker say financial targets are less likely to motivate workers?From: /englishlistening/cet4/zhenti/200Section CIn the humanities, authors write to inform you in many ways. These methods can be classified into three types of informational writing: factual, descriptive and process.Factual writing provides background information on an author, composer or artist, or on a type of music, literature or art. Examples of factual writing include notes on a book jacket, or album cover and longer pieces, such as an article describing a style of music, which you might read in a music appreciation course. This kind of writing provides a context for your study of the humanities.As its name implies, descriptive writing simply describes, or provides an image of a piece of music, art or literature. For example, descriptive writing might list the colors an artists used in the painting, or the instrument a composer included in a musical composition, so as to make pictures or sound in the readers’ mind, by calling up specific details of the work. Descri ptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.Process writing explains a series of actions that bring about result. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film. This kind of writing is often found in art, where understanding how an art has created a certain effect is important. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.From:/englishlistening/cet4/zhenti/2009-12-20/97263_4.html9-12-20/97263_3.htm。
2009年12月 英语 四级 听力(原文+原题+答案)
2009121. A) Get some small change. B) Find a shopping center.C) Cash a check at a bank. D) Find a parking meter.2. A) Shopping with his son. B) Buying a gift for a child.C) Promoting a new product. D) Bargaining with a salesgirl.3. A) Taking photographs. B) Enhancing images.C) Mending cameras. D) Painting pictures.4. A) He moved to Baltimore when he was young.B) He can provide little useful information.C) He will show the woman around Baltimore.D) He will ask someone else to help the woman.5. A) He is rather disappointed. B) He is highly ambitious.C) He can't face up to the situation D) He knows his own limitation.6. A) She must have paid a lot for gym.B) She is known to have a terrific figure.C) Her gym exercise has yielded good results.D) Her effort to keep fit is really praiseworthy.7. A) Female students are unfit for studying physics.B) He can serve as the woman's tutor.C) Physics is an important course at school.D) The professor's suggestion is constructive.8. A) Indifferent. B) Doubtful. C) Pleased. D) Surprised.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) He prefers the smaller evening classes. B) He has signed up for a day course.C) He has to work during the day. D) He finds the evening course cheaper.10. A) Learn a computer language. B) Learn data processing.C) Buy some computer software. D) Buy a few coursebooks.11. A) Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 9:45. B) From September 1 to New Year's eve.C) Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks. D) Three hours a week, 45 hours in total.12. A) What to bring for registration. B) Where to attend the class.C) How he can get to Frost Hall. D) Whether he can use a check.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13. A) A training coach. B) A trading adviser.C) A professional manager. D) A financial trader.14. A) He can save on living expenses. B) He considers cooking creative.C) He can enjoy healthier food. D) He thinks take-away is tasteless.15. A) It is something inevitable.B) It is frustrating sometimes.C) It takes patience to manage. D) It can be a good thing.Section BPassage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) There were no planets without moons. B) There was no air or water on Jupiter.C) Life was not possible in outer space. D) The mystery of life could not be resolved.17. A) It has a number of active volcanoes. B) It has an atmosphere like the earth's.C) It has a large ocean under its surface. D) It has deep caves several miles long.18. A) Light is not an essential element to it. B) Life can form in very hot temperatures.C) Every form of life undergoes evolution. D) Oxygen is not needed for some life forms.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Whether they should take the child home.B) What Dr. Mayer's instructions exactly were.C) Who should take care of the child at home.D) When the child would completely recover.20. A) She encourages them to ask questions when in doubt.B) She makes them write down all her instructions.C) She has them act out what they are to do at home.D) She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.21. A) It lacks the stability of the printed word. B) It contains many grammatical errors.C) It is heavily dependent on the context. D) It facilitates interpersonal communication.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Job security. B) Good labour relations.C) Challenging work. D) Attractive wages and benefits.23. A) Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.B) More and more unskilled workers will lose jobs.C) Computers will change the nature of many jobs.D) Boring jobs will gradually be made enjoyable.24. A) Offer them chances of promotion.B) Improve their working conditions.C) Encourage them to compete with each other.D) Give them responsibilities as part of a team.25. A) They will not bring real benefits to the staff.B) They concern a small number of people only.C) They are arbitrarily set by the administrators.D) They are beyond the control of ordinary workers.11.M: Excuse me. do you have change for a ten-dollar note? I need lo pay the parking meter.W: I’m sorry, but I think you can get it through the money changer in the shopping center across the street.Q: What is the man trying to do?12.M: Can you recommend something that a school boy of 7 or 8 will really like?W; I’d suggest this toy train, sir. It’s an excellent brand. Very popular all over the world these days.Q: What is the man doing?13.W: Do you let people know when you’re taking pictures of them?M: 1 try not to. You know any picture of a person who poses look dull and unnatural.Q: What are the speakers talking about?14.W; I need to talk lo someone who knows Baltimore well. I’m told you lived the re.M: Oh, but I was really young at the limeQ: What docs the man mean?15.W: Aren’t you disappointed that you didn’t get the promotion?M: Maybe a little, but 1 know I need I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.Q: What do we learn about the man from this conversation?16.W: I’ve been working out the gym since January. I was a bit out of shape.M: You look terrific. It seems that your effort has paid off.Q: What does the man imply about the woman?17.W: Professor Clark suggested I get a tutor for advanced physics.M: Well, that might help. Advanced physics is a pretty difficult course.Q: What docs the man mean?18.W: Bill, have you heard the latest news? won’t be laid off after all.M: Oh, I’m somewhat tired of working here. I’ve been wondering whether I should resign. Anyway, the news seems to be good for you.Q: How docs the man feel about the news?Conversation 1W: Hello, Carlson College, may I help you?M: Yes. I’m looking for information on courses in com puter programming. I would need it for the fall semester.W: Do you want a day or evening course?M: Well, it would have to be an evening course since I work during the day.W: Aha. Have you taken any courses in data processing?M: No.W: Oh! Well, data processing is a course you have to take before you can take computer programming.M: Oh, I see. Well, when is it given? I hope it is not on Thursdays.W: Well ,there’s a class that meets on Monday evenings at 7.M: Just once a week?W: Yes. But tha t’s almost 3 hours from 7 to 9:45.M: Oh! Well, that’s all right, I could manage that. How many weeks does the course last?W: Mm, let me see. 12 weeks. You start the first and finish... Oh., just before Christmas, December 21st.M: And how much is the course?W: That’s 300 dollars including the necessary computer time.M: Ah-hum. Okay, Eh, where do 1 go to register?W: Registration is on the second and third of September between 6 and 9 in Frost Hall.M: Is that the round building behind the parking lot?W: Yes. that’s the one.M: Oh, I know how to get there. Is there bring with me?W; No, just your check book.M: Well, thank you so much.W: You’re very welcome. Bye!M: Bye!Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Q19: Why does the man choose to take an evening course?Q20: What does the man have to do before taking the course of computer programming?Q21: What do we learn about the course?Q22: What does the man want to know at the end of the conversation? Conversion 2W: So, why exactly does your job have reputation for being stressful?M: Stress is generally driven by the feeling of being out of control of a situation and the feeling of a situation controlling you. Trading in financial markets combines both. W: How do you relax in the evening?M: I very rarely do anything work-related so it’s easy to escape the markets. I generally go to the gym or go for a run, especially if I had a bad day. I always than have a take-away. To do will regard as creative.W: Do you think what you do to relax is an effective way to beat stress?M: I don’t think there is a specific rule about how to beat stress. I generally find out what I do is effective for me.W: Would you consider changing your job because of the high stress factor?M: I have considered leaving my job due to stress-related factors However, I do think that an element of stress is a good thing. And if used the right way can actually be a positive thing.W: What do you enjoy about the stressful aspects of your job?M: Having said all that, I do of uncertainty. I enjoy mental challenge. Trading generates a wide range of emotions second by second. How you deal with and manage those emotions dictates short medium and long term trading performance and success.Q23-25Q23. What is the man’s job?Q24. Why does the man prefer to than have a take-away?Q25. What does the man say about an element of stress in his job?Passage1Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believe that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heal. Water volcanic activity arc two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals King at the bottom of Europa ’s ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life. have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa ’s sub-surface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.Qucstions26 to 28:26. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?28. What have scientists come to know recently about formation of life?passage2In her early days as an emergency room physician. Doctor Joanna Myer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated and was being prepared for discharge. Doctor Myer parents about how they should care for the child at home. Also listening to her were a half a dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye. Ihe family asked her to settle an argument they* d been having over exaclly what advice she had given. "As I m. I was amazed." she said. All of them had heard the simple instructions I have given just a few hours before, but they have three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, were intelligent people." This episode gave Doctor Myer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later- most people just don’ tlisten very well. Nowadays, she her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients. She asks them to tell her what they think they are supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets which are computer printouts tailored to the patients’ situation. Doc. Myer’ s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with the challenge because human speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.Question 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard:29. What did the child’ s family members argue about in the hospital?30. What did Doc. Myer do to insure her patients understand her instructions?31. What does the speaker say about human speech?Passage 3It’s logical to suppose that things like good labor relations, good working conditions, good wages and benefits and job security motivate workers, but one expert, Fredrick Herzberg argued that such conditions do workers. They are merely satisfiers. Motivators, in contrast, include things such as having a challenging and interesting job, recognition and responsibility. However, even with the development of computers and robotics, there’re always plenty of boring, repetitive and mechanical unskilled people who have to do them. So how do mangers motivate people in such jobs? One solution is to give them some responsibilities, not as individuals, but team. For example, some supermarkets can buy office stuff to people who fill the shelves, and the people who work at the check out into a team, and let them decide what product lines to stock, how to display them and so on.Many peopl e now talk about the importance of a company’s shared values or culture with which all the staff can identify, for example, being the best hotel chain, or making the best, the most user-friendly or the most reliable products in a particular field. Such values are more likely to motivate workers than financial targets which automatically only concern a few people. Unfortunately, there’s only a limited number of such goals to go around and by definition, not all the competing companies in that industry can seriously plan to be the best.Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Q32: What can actually motivate workers according to Fredrick Herzberg?Q33: What does the speaker say about jobs in the computer era?Q34: What do some supermarkets do to motivate their employees?Q35: Why does the speaker say financial targets are less likely to motivate workers?11.A, get some small change12.B, buying a gift for a child13.A, taking photographs14.B, he can provide little used information15.D, he knows his own imitations16.C, her gym exercise has yielded good results。
2009年12月大学英语四级真命题及答案解析
2009年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上。
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of Creating a Green Campus. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:1. 建设绿色校园很重要2. 绿色校园不仅指绿色的环境……3. 为了建设绿色校园，我们应该……Creating a Green CampusPart ⅡReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For question 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Colleges taking another look at value of merit-based aid Good grades and high tests scores still matter—a lot—to many colleges as they award financial aid.But with low-income students projected to make up an ever-larger share of the college-bound population in coming years, some schools are re-examining whether that aid, typically known as “merit aid”, is the most effective use of precious institutionaldollars.George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for example, said last week that it would cut the value of its average merit scholarships by about one-third and reduce the number of recipients(接受者), pouring the savings, about $2.5 million, into need-based aid. Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., made a similar decision three years ago.Now, Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., says it will phase out merit scholarships altogether. No current merit-aid recipients will lose their scholarships, but need-based aid alone will be awarded beginning with students entering in fall 2008.Not all colleges offer merit aid; generally, the more selective a school, the less likely it is to do so. Harvard and Princeton, for example, offer generous need-based packages, but many families who don’t meet need eligibility(资格)have been willing to pay whatever they must for a big-name school.For small regional colleges that struggle just to fill seats, merit aid can be an important revenue-builder because many recipients still pay enough tuition dollars over and above the scholarship amount to keep the institution running.But for rankings-conscious schools in between, merit aid has served primarily as a tool to recruit top students and to improve their academic profits. “They’re trying to buy students,”says Skidmore College economist Sandy Baum.Studies show merit aid also tends to benefit disproportionately students who could afford to enroll without it.“As we look to the future, we see a more pressing need to invest in need-based aid,”says Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton, which has offered meritscholarships for 10 years. During that time, it rose in US News & World Report’s ranking of the best liberal arts colleges, from 25 to 17.Merit aid, which benefited about 75 students a year, or about 4% of its student body, at a cost of about $ 1 million a year, “served us well,”Inzer says, but “to be discounting the price for families that don’t need financial aid doesn’t feel right any more.”Need-based aid remains by far the largest share of all student aid, which includes state, federal and institutional grants. But merit aid, offered primarily by schools and states, is growing faster, both overall and at the institutional level.Between 1995-96 and 2003-04, institutional merit aid alone increased 212%, compared with 47% for need-based grants. At least 15 states also offer merit aid, typically in a bid to enroll top students in the state’s public institutions.But in recent years, a growing chorus(异口同声)of critics has begun pressuring schools to drop the practice. Recent decisions by Hamilton and others may be “a sign that people are starting to realize that there’s this destructive competition going on,”says Baum, co-author of a recent College Report that raises concerns about the role of institutional aid not based on need.David Laird, president of the Minnesota Private College Council, says many of his schools would like to reduce their merit aid but fear that in doing so, they would lose top students to their competitors.“No one can take one-sided action,”says Laird, who is exploring whether to seek an exemption(豁免)from federal anti-trust laws so member colleges can discuss how they could jointly reduce merit aid, “This is a merry-go-round that’s going very fast, and noneof the institutions believe they can sustain the risks of trying to break away by themselves.”A complicating factor is that merit aid has become so popular with middle-income families, who don’t qualify for need-based aid, that many have come to depend on it. And, as tuitions continue to increase, the line between merit and need blurs.That’s one reason Allegheny College doesn’t plan to drop merit aid entirely.“We still believe in rewarding superior achievements and know that these top students truly value the scholarship,”says Scott Friedhoff, Allegheny’s vice president for enrollment.Emory University in Atlanta, which boasts a $4.7 billion endowment(捐赠), meanwhile, is taking another approach. This year, it announced it would eliminate loans for needy students and cap them for middle-income families. At the same time, it would expand its 28-year-old merit program.“Yeah, we’re playing the merit game,”acknowledges Tom Lancaster, associate dean for undergraduate education. But it has its strong point, too, he says. “The fact of the matter is, it’s not just about the lowest-income people. It’s the average American middle-class family who’s being priced out of the market.”*A few words about merit-based aid:Merit-based aid is aid offered to students who achieve excellence in a given area, and is generally known as academic, athletic and artistic merit scholarships.Academic merit scholarships are based on students’grades, GPA and overall academic performance during high school. They are typically meant for students going straight to college right after high school. However, there are scholarships for currentcollege students with exceptional grades as well. These merit scholarships usually help students pay tuition bills, and they can be renewed each year as long as the recipients continue to qualify. In some cases, students may need to be recommended by their school or a teacher as part of the qualification process.Athletic merit scholarships are meant for students that excel(突出)in sports of any kind, from football to track and field events. Recommendation for these scholarships is required, since exceptional athletic performance has to be recognized by a coach or a referee(裁判). Applicants need to send in a tape containing their best performance.Artistic merit scholarships require that applicants excel in a given artistic area. This generally includes any creative field such as art, design, fashion, music, dance or writing. Applying for artistic merit scholarships usually requires that students submit a portfolio(选辑)of some sort, whether that includes a collection of artwork, a recording of a musical performance or a video of them dancing.1. With more and more low-income students pursuing higher education, a number of colleges are ________.A) offering students more merit-based aid B) revising their financial aid policiesC) increasing the amount of financial aid D) changing their admission processes2. What did Allegheny College in Meadville do three years ago?A) It tried to implement a novel financial aid program.B) It added $ 2.5 million to its need-based aid program.C) It phased out its merit-based scholarships altogether.D) It cuts its merit-based aid to help the needy students.3. The chief purpose of rankings-conscious colleges in offering merit aid is to ______.A) improve teaching quality B) boost their enrollmentsC) attract good students D) increase their revenues4. Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton, believes ______.A) it doesn’t pay to spend $ 1 million a year to raise its rankingB) it gives students motivation to award academic achievementsC) it’s illogical to use so much money on only 4% of its studentsD) it’s not right to give aid to those who can afford the tuition5. In recent years, merit-based aid has increased much faster than need-based aid due to ______.A) more government funding to colleges B) fierce competition among institutionsC) the increasing number of top students D) schools’improved financial situations6. What is the attitude of many private colleges toward merit aid, according to David Laird?A) They would like to see it reduced.B) They regard it as a necessary evil.C) They think it does more harm than good.D) They consider it unfair to middle-class families.7. Why doesn’t Allegheny College plan to drop merit aid entirely?A) Raising tuitions have made college unaffordable for middle-class families.B) With rising incomes, fewer students are applying for need-based aid.C) Many students from middle-income families have come to rely on it.D) Rising incomes have disqualified many students for need-based aid.8. Annual renewal of academic merit scholarships depends on whether the recipients remain ______.9. Applicants for athletic merit scholarships need a recommendation from a coach or a referee who ______ their exceptional athletic performance.10. Applicants for artistic merit scholarships must produce evidence to show their ______ in a particular artistic fieldPart ⅢListening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which the best answer is. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.11. A) Get some small change. B) Find a shopping center.C) Cash a check at a bank. D) Find a parking meter.12. A) Shopping with his son. B) Buying a gift for a child.C) Promoting a new product. D) Bargaining with a salesgirl.13. A) Taking photographs. B) Enhancing images.C) Mending cameras. D) Painting pictures.14. A) He moved to Baltimore when he was young.B) He can provide little useful information.C) He will show the woman around Baltimore.D) He will ask someone else to help the woman.15. A) He is rather disappointed. B) He is highly ambitious.C) He can’t face up to the situation D) He knows his own limitation.16. A) She must have paid a lot B) She is known to have a terrific figure.C) Her gym exercise has yielded good results.D) Her effort to keep fit is really praiseworthy.17. A) Female students are unfit for studying physics.B) He can serve as the woman’s tutor.C) Physics is an important course at school.D) The professor’s suggestion is constructive.18. A) Indifferent. B) Doubtful. C) Pleased. D) Surprised.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) He prefers the smaller evening classes. B) He has signed up for a day course.C) He has to work during the day. D) He finds the evening course cheaper.20. A) Learn a computer language. B) Learn data processing.C) Buy some computer software. D) Buy a few coursebooks.21. A) Thursday evening, from 7:00 to 9:45. B) From September 1 to New Year’s eve.C) Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks. D) Three hours a week, 45 hours in total.22. A) What to bring for registration. B) Where to attend the class.C) How he can get to Frost Hall. D) Whether he can use a check.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) A training coach. B) A trading adviser.C) A professional manager. D) A financial trader.24. A) He can save on living expenses. B) He considers cooking creative.C) He can enjoy healthier food. D) He thinks take-away is tasteless.25. A) It is something inevitable. B) It is frustrating sometimes.C) It takes patience to manage. D) It can be a good thing.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) There were no planets without moons. B) There was no air or water on Jupiter.C) Life was not possible in outer space. D) The mystery of life could not be resolved.27. A) It has a number of active volcanoes. B) It has an atmosphere like the earth’s.C) It has a large ocean under its surface. D) It has deep caves several miles long.28. A) Light is not an essential element to it. B) Life can form in very hot temperatures.C) Every form of life undergoes evolution. D) Oxygen is not needed for some life forms.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A) Whether they should take the child home.B) What Dr. Mayer’s instructions exactly were.C) Who should take care of the child at home.D) When the child would completely recover.30. A) She encourages them to ask questions when in doubt.B) She makes them write down all her instructions.C) She has them act out what they are to do at home.D) She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.31. A) It lacks the stability of the printed word. B) It contains many grammatical errors.C) It is heavily dependent on the context. D) It facilitates interpePassage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. A) Job security. B) Good labour relations.C) Challenging work. D) Attractive wages and benefits.33. A) Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.B) More and more unskilled workers will lose jobs.C) Computers will change the nature of many jobs.D) Boring jobs will gradually be made enjoyable.34. A) Offer them chances of promotion.B) Improve their working conditions.C) Encourage them to compete with each other.D) Give them responsibilities as part of a team.35. A) They will not bring real benefits to the staff.B) They concern a small number of people only.C) They are arbitrarily set by the administrators.D) They are beyond the control of ordinary workers.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.注意：此部分试题在答题卡2上。
2009年12月英语四级听力真题及答案
Short conversation11.M: Excuse me, do you have change for a ten-dollar note? I need to pay the parking meter.W: I’m sorry, but I think you can get it through the money changer in the shopping center across the street.Q: What is the man trying to do?12.M: Can you recommend something that a school boy of 7 or 8 will really like?W: I’d suggest this toy train, sir. It’s an excellent br and, very popular all over the world these days.Q: What is the man doing?13.W: Do you let people know when you’re taking pictures of them?M: I try not to. You know any picture of a person who poses for the camera would look dull and unnatural.Q: What are the speakers talking about?14.W: I need to talk to someone who knows Baltimore well. I’m told you lived the re.M: Oh, but I was really young at the time.Q: What does the man mean?15.W: Aren’t you disappointed that you didn’t get the promotion?M: Maybe a little, but I know I need more experience before I’m ready for that kind of responsibility.Q: What do we learn about the man from this conversation?16.W: I’ve been working out the gym since January. I was a bit out of shape.M: You look terrific. It seems that your effort has paid off.Q: What does the man imply about the woman?17.W: Professor Clark suggested I get a tutor for advanced physics.M: Well, that might help. Advanced physics is a pretty difficult course.Q: What does the man mean?18.W: Bill, have you heard the latest news? It appears we two won’t be laid off after all.M: Oh, I’m somewhat tired of working here. I’ve been wondering whether I should resign. Anyway, the news seems to be good for you.Q: How does the man feel about the news?Long Conversation 1W: Hello,k Parkson College. May I help you?M: Yes, I’m looking for information on courses in computer programming. I would need it for the forth semester.W: Do you want a day or evening course?M: Well, it would have to be an evening course, since I work during the day.W: Aha, have you taken any courses in data processing?M: No.W: Oh, well, data processing is a course you have to take before you can take computer programming.M: Oh, I see. Well, when is it given? I hope it’s not on Thursdays.W: Well, there’s a class that meets on Monday evenings at seven.M: Just once a week?W: Yes, but that’s almost 3 hours from 7 to 9:45.M: Oh, well, that’s alright. I could manage that. How many weeks does the course last?W: En…Let me see. 12 weeks. You start the first week in September, and finish…oh, just before Chirstmas, December 21.M: And how much is the course?W: That’s 300 dollars including the necessary computer time.M: Aha, ok, en…where do I go to register?W: Registration is on the second and third of September, between 6 and 9 in Frost Hall.M: Is that the round builing behind the parking lot?W: Yes. That’s the one.M: Oh, I know how to get here. Is there anything that I should bring with me?W: No, just your check book.M: Well, thank you so much.W: You’re very welcome. Bye.M: Bye.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversa tion you’ve just heard.19. Why does the man choose to take an evening course?20. What does the man have to do before taking the course of computer programming?21. What do we learn about the schedule of the evening course?22. What does the man want to know at the end of the conversation? Long Conversation 2:W: So why exactly does your job have a reputation for being stressful?M: Stress is generally driven by the feeling of being out of control of a situation, and a feeling of a situation controlling you. Trading in financial markets combines both.W: How do you relax in the evening?M: I very rarely do anything work-related. So it’s easy to escape the markets. I generally go to the gym or go for a run, especially if I’ve had a bad day. I always cook a meal, rather than have a take-away., to do something my brain would regard as creative.W: Do you think what you do to relax is an effective way to beat stress?M: I don’t think there’s a specific rule about how to beat stress. I generally find that what I do is effective for me.W: Would you consider changing your job because of the high-stress factor?W: I have considered leaving my job due to stress-related factors. However, I do think that an element of stress is a good thing, and if use the right way, can actually be a positive thing.W: What do you enjoy about the stressful aspects of your job?M: Having said all that, I do actually enjoy and element of uncertainty. I enjoy a mental challenge. Trading generates a wide range of emotions second by second. How you deal with and manage those emotions dictates short, medium, and long term trading performance and success.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you’ve just herad.23. What is the man’s job?24. Why does the man prefer to cook a meal rather than have a take-away?25. What does the man say about an element of stress in his job?Passage 1Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believe that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the botto m of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life, have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s sub-surface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.Questions26 to 2826. What did scientists once believe according to the passage?27. What have scientists found about Europa, a moon of Jupiter?28. What have scientists come to know recently about formation of life? Passage 2In her early days as an emergency room physician, Doctor Joanna Myer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated and was being prepared for discharge, Doctor Myer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home.Also listening to her were a half a dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’d been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed.” she said, ”All of them had heard the simple instructions I have given just a few hours before, but they have three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.” This episode gave Doctor Myer her first clue to somethin g every doctor learns sooner or later- most people just don’t listen very well. Nowadays, she says she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients. She asks them to tell her what they think they are supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets which are computer printouts tailored to the patients’ situation. Doc. Myer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with the challenge because human speech lacks the stability and permanence of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.Question 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard：29. What did the child’s family members argue about in the hospital?30. What did Doc. Myer do to insure her patients understand her instructions?31. What does the speaker say about human speech?Passage 3It’s logical to suppose that things like good labor relations, good working conditions, good wages and benefits and job security motivate workers, but one expert, Fredrick Herzberg argued that such conditions do not motivate workers. They are merely satisfiers. Motivators, in contrast, include things such as having a challenging and interesting job, recognition and responsibility. However, even with the development of computers and robotics, there’re always plenty of boring, repetitive and mechanical jobs and lots of unskilled people who have to do them. So how do mangers motivate people in such jobs? One solution is to give them some responsibilities, not as individuals, but as a part of a team. For example, some supermarkets can buy office stuff to people who fill the shelves, and the people who work at the check out into a team, and let them decide what product lines to stock, how to display them and so on. Many people now talk about the importance of a company’s shared values or culture wi th which all the staff can identify, for example, being the best hotel chain, or making the best, the most user-friendly or the most reliable products in a particular field. Such values are more likely to motivate workers than financial targets which autom atically only concern a few people. Unfortunately, there’s only a limited number of such goals to go around and by definition, not all the competing companies in that industry can seriously plan to be the best.Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Q32: What can actually motivate workers according to Fredrick Herzberg?Q33: What does the speaker say about jobs in the computer era?Q34: What do some supermarkets do to motivate their employees?Q35: Why does the speaker say financial targets are less likely to motivate workers? Compound DictationIn the humanities, authors write to inform you in many ways. These methods can be classified into three types of informational writing: factual, descriptive,and process. Factual writing provides background information on an author, composer or artist, or on a type of music, literature, or art. Examples of factual writing include notes on a book jacket or album cover, and longer pieces such as an article describing a style of music, which you might read in a music appreciation course. This kind of writing provides a context for your study of the humanities. As its name implies, descriptive writing simply describes, or provides an image of a piece of music, art or literature. For example, descriptive writing might list the colors an artist used in a painting or the instruments a composer included in a musical composition. So estimate pictures or sounds in a reader’s mind by calling up specific details of the work. Descriptive writing in the h umanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing. Process writing explains a series of actions that bring about a result. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique to shoot a film. This kind of writing is often found in art, where understanding how an artist created a certain effect is important. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.答案：11. A Get some small change12. B Buying a gift for a child.13. A Taking photographs.14. B He can provide little useful information.15. D He knows his own limitations.16. C Her gym exercise yield good results.17. D The professor’s suggestion is constru ctive.18. A Indifferent.19. C He has to work during the day.20. B Learn data processing.21. C Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks.22. A What to bring for registration.23. D A financial trader.24. B He considers cooking creative.25. D It can be a good thing.26. C Life was not possible in outer space.27. C It has a large ocean under its surface.28. A Light is not an essential element to it.29. B What Dr. Meyer’s instructions ex actly were.30. D She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.31. A It lacks the stability of the printed word.32. C Challenging work.33. A Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.34. D Give them responsibilities as a part of a team.35. B They concern a small number of people only.36. classified37. background38. album39. appreciation40. context41. implies42. image43. instrument44. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.45. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film.46. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.。
2009年12月英语四级阅读理解真题与答案详解
Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Throughout this long, tense election, everyone has focused on the presidential candidates and how they’ll change America. Rightly so, but selfishly, I’m more fascinated by Michelle Obama and what she might be able to do, not just for this country, but for me as an African-American woman. As the potential First Lady, she would have the world’s attention. And that means that for the first time people will have a chance to get up close and personal with the type of African-American woman they so rarely see.Usually, the lives of black women go largely unexamined. The prevailing theory seems to be that we’re all hot-tempered single mothers who can’t keep a man. Even in the world of make-believe, black women still can’t escape the stereotype of being eye-rolling, oversexed females raised by our never-married, alcoholic (酗酒的) mothers.These images have helped define the way all women are viewed, including Michelle Obama. Before she ever gets the chance to commit to a cause, charity or foundation as First Lady, her most urgent and perhaps most complicated duty may be simple to be herself.It won’t be easy. Because few mainstream publications have done in-depth features on regular African-American women, little is known about who we are, what we think and what we face on a regular basis. For better or worse, Michelle will represent us all.Just as she will have her critics, she will also have millions of fans who usually have little interest in the First Lady. Many African-American blogs have written about wh at they’d like to see Michelle bring to the White House—mainly showing the world that a black woman can support her man and raise a strong black family. Michelle will have to work to please everyone—an impossible task. But for many African-American women like me, just a little of her poise (沉着), confidence and intelligence will go a long way in changing an image that’s been around for far too long.57. Why does Michelle Obama hold a strong fascination for the author?A) She serves as a role model for African women.B) She possesses many admirable qualities becoming a First Lady.C) She will present to the world a new image of African-American women.D) She will pay closer attention to the interests of African-American women.58. What is the common stereotype of African-American women according to the author?A) They are victims of violence. B) They are of an inferior violence.C) They use quite a lot of body language. D) They live on charity and social welfare.59. What do many African-Americans write about in their blogs?A) Whether Michelle can live up to the high expectations of her fans.B) How Michelle should behave as a public figure.C) How proud they are to have a black woman in the White House.D) What Michelle should do as wife and mother in the White House.60. What does the author say about Michelle Obama as a First Lady?A) However many fans she has, she should remain modest,B) She shouldn’t disappoint the African-American community.C) However hard she tries, she can’t expect to please everybody.D) She will give priority to African-American women’s concerns.61. What do many African-American women hope Michelle Obama will do?A) Help change the prevailing view about black women.B) Help her husband in the task of changing America.C) Outshine previous First Lady.D) Fully display her fine qualities.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.When next year’s crop of high-school graduates arrive at Oxford University in the fall of 2009, they’ll be joined by a new face; Andrew Hamilton, the 55-year-old provost (教务长) of Yale, who’ll become Oxford’s vice-chancellor—a position equivalent to university president in America.Hamilton isn’t the only educator crossing the Atlantic. Schools in France, Egypt, Singapore, etc, have also recently made top-level hires from abroad. Higher education has become a big and competitive business nowadays, and like so many businesses, it’s gone global. Yet the talent flow isn’t universal. High-level personnel tend to head in only one direction: outward from America.The chief reason is that American schools don’t tend to seriously consider looking abroad. For example, when the board of the University of Colorado searched for a new president, it wanted a leader familiar with the state government, a major source of th e university’s budget. “We didn’t do any global consideration,” says Patricia Hayes, the board’s chair. The board ultimately picked Bruce Benson, a 69-year-old Colorado businessman and political activist (活动家) who is likely to do well in the main task of modern university presidents: fund-raising. Fund-raising is a distinctively American thing, since U.S. schools rely heavily on donations. The fund-raising ability is largely a product of experience and necessity.Many European universities, meanwhile, are still mostly dependent on government funding. But government support has failed to keep pace with rising student number. The decline in government support has made funding-raising an increasing necessary ability among administrators and has hiring committees hungry for Americans.In the past few years, prominent schools around the world have joined the trend. In 2003, when Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard, another former Yale provost, as its vice-chancellor, the university publicly stressed that in her previous job s he had overseen “a major strengthening of Yale’s financial position.”Of course, fund-raising isn’t the only skill outsiders offer. The globalization of education means more universities will be seeking heads with international experience of some kind of promote international programs and attract a global student body.Foreigners can offer a fresh perspective on established practices.62. What is the current trend in higher education discussed in the passage?A) Institutions worldwide are hiring administrators from the U.S.B) A lot of political activists are being recruited as administrators.C) American universities are enrolling more international students.D) University presidents are paying more attention to funding-raising.63. What is the chief consideration of American universities when hiring top-level administrators?A) The political correctness. B) Their ability to raise funds.C) Their fame in academic circles. D) Their administrative experience.64. What do we learn about European universities from the passage?A) The tuitions they charge have been rising considerably.B) Their operation is under strict government supervision.C) They are strengthening their position by globalization.D) Most of their revenues come from the government.65. Cambridge University appointed Alison Richard as its vice-chancellor chiefly because _____.A) she was known to be good at raising moneyB) she could help strengthen its ties with YaleC) she knew how to attract students overseasD) she had boosted Yale’s academic status66. In what way do top-level administrators from abroad contribute to university development?A) They can enhance the university’s image.B) They will bring with them more international faculty.C) They will view a lot of things from a new perspective.D) They can set up new academic disciplines.参考答案：Passage One文章大意：本文是一篇议论文，选自《新闻周刊》2008年11月刊，题目为MICHELLE OBAMA IS A BLACK SKINNED BEAUTY!。
2009年12月大学英语四级考试答案（A卷）
1. B2. D3. C4. C5. C6. A7. C 8. qualified 9. recognizes 10. portforlio 11. A 12. B 13. A 14. B 15. D 16. C 17. D 18. A 19. C 20. B 21. C 22. A 23. D 24. B 25. A 26—A 29—31.BDA 32—35.CADB 36. classified 37. background 38. album 39. appreciation 40. context 41. implies 42. image 43. instruments 44. Descriptive writing in humanity, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing. 45. It tells the reader how to do something, for example, explaining the techniques used to show a film 46. Authors may actually use more than one type of techniques in the given piece of informational writing 47. K recruited 48. J recording 49. L total 50. C aspects 51. B analyzed 52. H quality 53. N unsure 54. G established 55. A already 56. E contributing 57-61 CBBAC 62-66 ABDAC 67-71 DDACB 72-76 AADCD 77-81 AABAC 82-86 DBCAD 87.You would not have failed if you had followed my instructions(按照我的指令去做) 88.Despite the hardship he encountered,Mark never gave up pursuing knowledge(放弃对知识的追求) 89.Scientists agree that it will be a long time before we find the methods of curing cancers(我们找到治愈癌症的⽅法) 90.Production has to be increased considerably to keep pace with the constantly increasing demands of consumers(与消费者不断增长的需求保持同步) 91.The more exercise you take,the fewer chances you will have of catching a cold(你越不⼤可能感冒)。
2009年12月大学英语四级(CET-4)考试真题
2009年12月大学英语四级(CET-4)考试真题一、Writing （本大题1小题．每题14.0分，共14.0分。
For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a composition . You should write at least 100 words, and base your composition on the outline (given in Chinese) below: ）第1题A short essay on the topic of create a green campus.1. 建设绿色校园十分重要2. 绿色校园不仅指绿色环境3. 为了建设绿色校园我们应该……【正确答案】：答案:Creating a Green CampusRecently, with the idea of making and maintaining “a green earth”being the focus of the society, “green campus” has become a more and more popular concept in universities or colleges, which, undoubtedly, will bring us an ever-lasting benefit to both our campus and our society. The concept of “green campus” does not only mean a green environment but also refers to an environmental sense in people’s mind. Campus plays a crucial role in educating the young generation and the consciousness of “green campus” will definitely produce a profound effect on students’various environmental protection activities after their graduation. What’s more, the young generation is under the burden of severe environmental pollution and there are many problems waiting for them to solve.To make “green campus” come true, firstly, it is necessary to work out effective principles for the development of sustainable and recyclable campus. Secondly, it calls for people’s awareness of the serious pollution around us and actual action to reduce the waste. Last but not least, it is necessary to strengthen the ties between campus and society, so as to ensure that “green campus” can work smoothly with the co-effort of the whole society.建设绿色校园近来，随着建设并保持“绿色地球”的观念成为社会关注的焦点，“绿色校园”也成为校园里流行的话题。
2009年大学英语四级（CET-4）真题答案
2009年大学英语四级（CET-4）真题答案2009年大学英语四级(CET-4)真题答案真题试卷A卷Part I Writing (30 minutes)注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上。
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of Free Admission to Museums. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:1. 越来越多的博物馆免费开放的目的是什么？2. 也会带来一些问题3. 你的看法Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C )and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.How Do You See DiversityAs a manager, Tiffany is responsible for interviewing applicants for some of the positions with her company. During one interview, she noticed that the candidate never made direct eye contact. She was puzzled and somewhat disappointed because she liked the individual otherwise.He had a perfect resume and gave good responses to her questions, but the fact that he never looked her in the eye said “untrustworthy,” so she decided to offer the job to her second choice. “It wasn?t u ntil I attended a diversity workshop that I realized the person we passed over was the per fect person,”Tiffany confesses. What she hadn?t known at the time of the interview was Opt the candidate?s “different” behavior was simply a cultural misunderstanding. He was an Asian-American raised in a household where respect for those in authority was shown by averting(避开) your eyes.“I was just thrown off by the lack of eye contact; not realizing it was cultural,” Tiffany says. “I missed out, but will not miss t hat opportunity again.”Many of us have had similar encounters with behaviors we perceive as different. As the world becomes smaller and our workplaces more diverse, it is becoming essential to expand our understanding of others and to reexamine some of our false assumptions.Hire AdvantageAt a time when hiring qualified people is becoming more difficult, employers who can eliminate invalid biases(偏见) from the process have a distinct advantage. My company, Mindsets LLC, helps organizations and individuals see their own blind spots.A real estate recruiter we worked with illustrates the positive difference suchtraining can make.“During my Mindsets coa ching session, I was taught how to recruit a diversified workforce. I recruited people from different cultures and skill sets. The agents were able to utilize their full potential and experiences to build up the company. When the real estate teethes began to change, it was because we had a diverse agent pool that we were able to say in the real estate market much longer than others in the same profession.”…Blinded by GenderDale is an account executive who attended one of my workshops on supervising a dive rse workforce. “Through one of the sessions, I discovered my personal bias,” he recalls. “I learned I had not been looking at a person as a whole person, and being open to differences.” In his case, the blindness was not about culture but rather gender.“I had a management position open in toy department; and the two finalists were a man and a woman. lied I not attended this workshop, I would have automatically assumed the man was the best candidate because the position required quite a bit of extensive travel. My reasoning would have been that even though both candidates were great and could have been successful in the position, I assumed the woman would have wanted to he home with her children and not travel.” Dale?s assumptions are another example of the well-Intentioned but incorrect thinking that limits an organization?s ability to tap into the full potential of a diverse workforce.“I learned from the class that instead of imposing my gender biases into the situation.I needed to present the full range of duties, responsibilities and expectations to all candidates and allots them to make an informed dec ision.” Dale credits the workshop, “because it helped me make decisions based on fairness.”Year of the Know-It-AllDoug is another supervisor who attended one of my workshops. Fie recalls a major lesson learned from his own employee.“One of my most embar rassing moments was when I had a Chinese-American employee put in a request to take time off to celebrate Chinese New Year. In my ignorance, I assumed he hadhis dates wrong?, as the first of January had just passed. When I advised him of this, I gave him a tong talking-to about turning in requests early with the proper dates.“He patiently waited, then when I was done, he said he would like Chinese New Yea r off, not the Western New Year. He explained politely that in his culture the new year did not begin January first, and that Chinese New Year, which is tied to the lunar cycle, is one of the most celebrated holidays on the Chinese calendar. Needless to say, I felt very embarrassed in assuming he had his dates mixed up. But I learned a great deal about assumptions, and that the timing of holidays varies considerably from culture to culture.“Attending the diversity workshop helped me realize how much I coul d learn by simply asking questions and creating dialogues with toy employees, rather than making assumptions and trying to be a know-it-all,” Doug admits. “The biggest thing I took away from the workshop is learning how to be more …inclusive? to differences.”A Better Bottom LineAn open mind about diversity not only improves organizations internally, it is profitable as well. These comments from a customer service representative show how an inclusive attitude can improve sales. “Most of my customers speak English as a second language. One of the best things my company has done is to contract with a language service that offers translations over the phone. It wasn?t until my boss received Mindsets? training that she was able to understand how importantinclu siveness was to customer service. As a result, Oct customer base has increased.”Once we start to se e people asindividuals, and discard the stereotypes, we can move positively toward inclusiveness for everyone. Diversity is about coming together and taking advantage of our differences and similarities. It is about building better communities and organizations that enhance us as individuals and reinforce our shared humanity.When we begin to question our assumptions and challenge what we think we have learned from Oct past, from the media, peers, family, friends, etc., toe begin to realize that some of our conclusions are flawed(有缺陷的) or contrary to our fundamental values. We need to van) ourselves to think differently, shift our mindsets and realize that diversity opens doors for all of us, creating opportunities in organizations and communities that benefit everyone.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
2009年12月大学英语四级试题答案(A卷)
2009年12月大学英语四级试题答案（A卷）快速阅读1. B revising their financial aid policies2. D It cut its merit-based aid to help the needy students.3. C attract good students4. D it's not right to give aid to those who can afford the tuition5. B fierce competition among institutions6. A They would like to see it reduced.7. C Many students from middle-income families have come to rely on it.8. qualified9. recognizes10. portforlios听力答案(选项以A卷为标准)Section A短对话：11. A Get some small change.12. B Buying a gift for a child.13. A Taking photographs.14. B He can provide little useful information.15. D He knows his own limitations.16. C Her gym exercise has yielded good results.17. D The professor's suggestion is constructive.18. A Indifferent长对话：19. C He has to work during the day.20. B Learn data processing.21. C Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks.22. A What to bring for registration.23. D A financial trader.24. B He considers cooking creative.25. D It can be a good thing.Section B短文：26. C. Life was not possible in outer space.27. C. It has a large ocean under its surface.28. A. Light is not an essential element to it.29. B What Dr. Meyer's instructions exactly were30. D She askes them to repeat what they are supposed to do.31. A It lacks the stability of the printed word.32. C Challenging work.33. A Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.34. D Give them responsibilities as part of a team.35. B They concern a small number of people only.Section C36. classified37. background38. album39. appreciation40. context41. implies42. image43. instruments44. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.45. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film.46. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing来源:Section A 选词填空47. K recruited48. J recording49. L total50. C aspects51. B analyzed52. H quality53. N unsure54. G established55. A already56. E contributing Section B 阅读理解57. C58. B59. D60. C61. A62. A63. B64. D65. A66. C完型填空67-76.DDACB ABDCD77-86.AABAC DBCAD翻译答案：87. You would not have failed if_______ .(按照我的指令去做)参考答案：you had followed my instructions88. Despite the hardship he encountered, Mark never_______. (放弃对知识的追求)参考答案：gave up pursuing knowlege89. Scientists agree that it will be a long time_________.(我们找到治愈癌症的方法)a参考答案：before we find the methods to cure cancers90. Production has to be increased considerably to ______. (与消费者不断增长的需求保持同步)参考答案：keep pace with the constantly increasing demands of consumers91. The more exercise you take, _________.(你越不大可能感冒)新东方范文：Create a Green CampusIt is of great importance to make and maintain a green campus in our university or college. Obviously, a growing number of people are beginning to realize that it is our duty to do that in the present days, since the concept of “a green world” has become the focus of the society.The idea of “a green campus” is beyond a green environment. To begin with, the development on the campus is to besus tainable and recyclable. Some of the authorities’ budget should be on how to reduce of the waste. What’s more, we’d better be aware of the seriousness of pollution around us. Thus the idea of environmental protection may become a common occurrence in our daily life.It is necessary that effective actions should be taken to protect our campus from waste and pollution, ?and hence these activities are to play an increasingly important role in our day-to-day life. Certainly, there is little doubt that further consideration must be paid to our green campuses.本次作文还是延续四级一贯成熟的风格，偏重校园生活。
2009年12月英语四级听力试题参考答案及解析
2009年12月英语四级听力试题参考答案及解析Part Ⅲ Listening ComprehensionSection A试题详解11. A) Get some small change. A)换取零钱。
B) Find a shopping center. B)找一个购物中心。
C) Cash a check at a bank. C)在银行兑现支票。
D) Find a parking meter. D) 找一个停车计费器。
【听音指导】选项均缺少主语，属于细节题加转折题型，预读时无需关注句意，直接找相似场景即可，并且按照听力短对话规律，重点仍然在女士话语当中，典型的“转折”出答案题型。
【正确项分析】由but后的money changer可知男生需要换零钱，可快速排除选项B (购物中心)和选项D (停车) 二个场景，答案应在选项A、C当中。
C选项虽也和“钱”有关，但对话中对该选项中的银行只字未提，由此可知答案为选项A。
【原文及译文】M: Excuse me. Do you have change for a ten-dollar note? I need to pay the parking meter.W: I’m sorry, but I think you can get it through the money changer in the shopping center across the street.Q: What is the man trying to do?男士：打扰一下，你能给我换开一张10美元的钞票吗?我需要支付停车费。
女士：很抱歉，但我觉得你可以到马路对面的购物中心里的货币兑换中换取零钱。
问题：男士要干什么?【词汇点拨】parking meter 停车计费器;cash a check 支票兑现;change n. 零钱12. A) Shopping with his son. A) 与儿子一起购物。
2009年12月大学英语四级真题答案
technique in the given piece of informational writing.
Composition
Creating a Green Campus In recent years, extravagance and waste have become increasingly serious in some of the university campus. We can see that papers, bottles and cans are thrown away after use; food is wasted just because of its poor taste; clothes are discarded simply owing to their old fashion. As a consequence, people in mounting numbers put great \ emphasis on creating a green campus. There are at least two criteria to distinguish what is green campus. On the one hand, natural resources must be conserved and made full use of, for example , we, as college
60021/4/6
7
Part V Cloze
67. B 72. A 77. A 82. D
2009年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案.doc
2009年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 现在有不少家长送孩子参加各种艺术班2. 对这种做法有人表示支持，也有人并不赞成3. 我认为……Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes?Part ⅡReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Bosses Say “Yes” to Home WorkRising costs of office space, time lost to stressful commuting, and a slow recognition that workers have lives beyond the office—all are strong arguments for letting staff work from home.For the small business, there are additional benefits too—staff are more productive, and happier, enabling firms to keep their headcounts (员工数) and their recruitment costs to a minimum. It can also provide competitive advantage, especially when small businesses want to attract new staff but don’t have the budget to offer huge salaries.While company managers have known about the benefits for a long time, many have done little about it, sceptical of whether they could trust their employees to work to full capacity without supervision, or concerned about the additional expenses teleworking policies might incur as staff start charging their home phone bills to the business.Yet this is now changing. When communications provider Inter-Tel researched the use of remote working solutions among small-and-medium-sized UK businesses in April this year, it found that 28% more companies claimed to have introduced flexible working practices than a year ago.The UK network of Business Links confirms that it too has seen a growing interest in remote working solutions from small businesses seeking its advice, and claims that as many as 60-70% of the businesses that come through its doors now offer some form of remote working support to their workforces.Technology advances, including the widespread availability of broadband, are making the introduction of remote working a piece of cake.“If systems are set up properly, staff can have access to all the resources they have in the office wherever they have an internet connection,” says Andy Poulton, e-business advisor at Business Link for Berkshire and Wiltshire. “There are some very excit ing developments which have enabled this.”One is the availability of broadband everywhere, which now covers almost all of the country (BT claims that, by July, 99.8% of its exchanges will be broadband enabled, with alternative plans in placefor even the most remote exchanges). “This is the enabler,” Poulton says.Yet while broadband has come down in price too, those service providers targeting the business market warn against consumer services masquerading (伪装) as business-friendly broadband.“Broadband is available for as little as ￡15 a month, but many businesses fail to appreciate the hidden costs of such a service,” says Neil Stephenson, sales and marketing director at Onyx Internet, an internet service provider based in the north-east of England. “Providers offering broadband for rock-bottom prices are notorious for poor service, with regular breakdowns and heavily congested (拥堵的) networks. It is always advisable for businesses to look beyond the price tag and look for a business-only provider that can offer more reliability, with good support.” Such services don’t cost too much—quality services can be found for upwards of ￡30 a month.The benefits of broadband to the occasional home worker are that they can access email in real time, and take full advantage of services such as internet-based backup or even internet-based phone services.Internet-based telecoms, or V oIP (V oice over IP) to give it its technical title, is an interesting tool to any business supporting remote working. Not necessarily because of the promise of free or reduced price phone calls (which experts point out is misleading for the average business), but because of the sophisticated voice services that can be exploited by the remote worker—facilities such as voicemail and call forwarding, which provide a continuity of the company image for customers and business partners.By law, companies must “consider seriously” requests to work flexibly made by a parent with a child under the age of six, or a disabled child under 18. It was the need to accommodate employees with young children that motivated accountancy firm Wright Vigar to begin promoting teleworking recently. The company, which needed to upgrade its IT infrastructure (基础设施) to provide connectivity with a new, second office, decided to introduce support for remote working at the same time.Marketing director Jack O’Hern explains that the company has a relatively young workforce, many of whom are parents: “One of the triggers was when one of our tax managers returned from maternity leave. She was intending to work part time, but could only manage one day a week in the office due to childcare. By offering her the ability to work from home, we have doubled her capacity—now she works a day a week from home, and a day in the office. This is great for her, and for us as we retain someone highly qualified.”For Wright Vigar, which has now equipped all of its fee-earners to be able to work at maximum productivity when away from the offices (whether that’s from home, or while on the road), this strategy is not just about saving on commute time or cutting them loose from the office, but enabling them to work more flexible hours that fit around their home life.O’Hern says: “Although most of our work is client-based and must fit around this, we can’t see any reason why a parent can’t be on hand to deal with something important at home, if they have the ability to complete a project later in the day.”Supporting this new way of working came with a price, though. Although the firm was updating its systems anyway, the company spent 10-15% more per user to equip them with a laptop rather than a PC, and about the same to upgrade to a server that would enable remote staff to connect to the company networks and access all their usual resources.Although Wright Vigar hasn’t yet quantified the business benefits, it claims that, in addition to being able to retain key staff with young families, it is able to save fee-earners a substantial amount of “dead” time in their working days.That staff can do this without needing a fixed telephone line provides even more efficiency savings. “With Wi-Fi (fast, wireless internet connections) popping up all over the place, even on trains, our fee-earners can be productive as they travel, and between meetings, instead of having to kill time at the shops,” he adds.The company will also be able to avoid the expense of having to relocate staff to temporary offices for several weeks when it begins disruptive office renovations soon.Financial recruitment specialist Lynne Hargreaves knows exactly how much her firm has saved by adopting a teleworking strategy, which has involved handing her company’s data management over to a remote hosting company, Datanet, so it can be accessible by all the company’s consultants over broadband internet connections.It has enabled the company to dispense with its business premises altogether, following the realisation that it just didn’t need them any more. “The main motivation behind adopting home working was to increase my own productivity, as a single mum to an 11-year-old,” says Hargreaves. “But I soon realised that, as most of our business is done on the phone, email and at off-site meetings, we didn’t need our offices at all. We’re now saving ￡16,000 a year on rent, plus the cost of utilities, not to mention wh at would have been spent on commuting.”1. What is the main topic of this passage?A) How business managers view hi-tech.B) Relations between employers and employees.C) How to cut down the costs of small businesses.D) Benefits of the practice of teleworking.2. From the research conducted by the communications provider Inter-Tel, we learn that__________.A) more employees work to full capacity at homeB) employees show a growing interest in small businessesC) more businesses have adopted remote working solutionsD) attitudes toward IT technology have changed3. What development has made flexible working practices possible according to Andy Poulton?A) Reduced cost of telecommunications.B) Improved reliability of internet service.C) Availability of the V oIP service.D) Access to broadband everywhere.4. What is Neil Stephenson’s advice to firms contracting internet services?A) They look for reliable business-only providers.B) They contact providers located nearest to them.C) They carefully examine the contract.D) They contract the cheapest provider.5. Internet-based telecoms facilitates remote working by __________.A) offering sophisticated voice servicesB) giving access to emailing in real timeC) helping clients discuss business at homeD) providing calls completely free of charge6. The accountancy firm Wright Vigar promoted teleworking initially in order to __________.A) present a positive image to prospective customersB) support its employees with children to take care ofC) attract young people with IT expertise to work for itD) reduce operational expenses of a second office7. According to marketing director Jack O’Hern, teleworking enabled the company to __________.A) enhance its market imageB) reduce recruitment costsC) keep highly qualified staffD) minimise its office space8. Wright Vigar’s practice of allowing for more flexible working hours not only benefits thecompany but helps improve employees’ __________.9. With fast, wireless internet connections, employees can still be __________ while traveling.10. Single mother Lynne Hargreaves decided to work at home mainly to __________.Part ⅢListening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. A) They would rather travel around than stay at home.B) They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad.C) They usually carry many things around with them.D) They don’t like to spend much money on traveling.12. A) The selection process was a little unfair.B) He had long dreamed of the dean’s position.C) Rod was eliminated in the selection process.D) Rod was in charge of the admissions office.13. A) Applause encourages the singer.B) She regrets paying for the concert.C) Almost everyone loves pop music.D) The concert is very impressive.14. A) They have known each other since their schooldays.B) They were both chairpersons of the Students’ Union.C) They have been in close touch by email.D) They are going to hold a reunion party.15. A) Cook their dinner.B) Rest for a while.C) Get their car fixed.D) Stop for the night.16. A) Newly-launched products.B) Consumer preferences.C) Survey results.D) Survey methods.17. A) He would rather the woman didn’t buy the blouse.B) The woman needs blouses in the colors of a rainbow.C) The information in the catalog is not always reliable.D) He thinks the blue blouse is better than the red one.18. A) The course is open to all next semester.B) The notice may not be reliable.C) The woman has not told the truth.D) He will drop his course in marketing.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) A director of a sales department.B) A manager at a computer store.C) A sales clerk at a shopping center.D) An accountant of a computer firm.20. A) Handling customer complaints.B) Recruiting and training new staff.C) Dispatching ordered goods on time.D) Developing computer programs.21. A) She likes something more challenging.B) She likes to be nearer to her parents.C) She wants to have a better-paid job.D) She wants to be with her husband.22. A) Right away.B) In two months.C) Early next month.D) In a couple of days.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) It will face challenges unprecedented in its history.B) It is a resolute advocate of the anti-global movement.C) It is bound to regain its full glory of a hundred years ago.D) It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century.24. A) The lack of overall urban planning.B) The huge gap between the haves and have-nots.C) The inadequate supply of water and electricity.D) The shortage of hi-tech personnel.25. A) They attach great importance to education.B) They are able to grasp growth opportunities.C) They are good at learning from other nations.D) They have made use of advanced technologies.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) She taught chemistry and microbiology courses in a college.B) She gave lectures on how to become a public speaker.C) She helped families move away from industrial polluters.D) She engaged in field research on environmental pollution.27. A) The job restricted her from revealing her findings.B) The job posed a potential threat to her health.C) She found the working conditions frustrating.D) She was offered a better job in a minority community.28. A) Some giant industrial polluters have gone out of business.B) More environmental organizations have appeared.C) Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up.D) More branches of her company have been set up.29. A) Her widespread influence among members of Congress.B) Her ability to communicate through public speaking.C) Her rigorous training in delivering eloquent speeches.D) Her lifelong commitment to domestic and global issues.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) The fierce competition in the market.B) The growing necessity of staff training.C) The accelerated pace of globalisation.D) The urgent need of a diverse workforce.31. A) Gain a deep understanding of their own culture.B) Take courses of foreign languages and cultures.C) Share the experiences of people from other cultures.D) Participate in international exchange programmes.32. A) Reflective thinking is becoming critical.B) Labor market is getting globalised.C) Knowing a foreign language is essential.D) Globalisation will eliminate many jobs.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) Red-haired women were regarded as more reliable.B) Brown-haired women were rated as more capable.C) Golden-haired women were considered attractive.D) Black-haired women were judged to be intelligent.34. A) They are smart and eloquent.B) They are ambitious and arrogant.C) They are shrewd and dishonest.D) They are wealthy and industrious.35. A) They force people to follow the cultural mainstream.B) They exaggerate the roles of certain groups of people.C) They emphasize diversity at the expense of uniformity.D) They hinder our perception of individual differences.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems called mnemonics. The name is 36 from their Goddess of memory “Mnemosyne”. In the ancient world, a trained memory was an 37asset, particularly in public life. There were no 38devices for taking notes, and early Greek orators(演说家) delivered long speeches with great 39because they learned the speeches using mnemonic systems.The Greeks discovered that human memory is 40an associative process—that it works by linking things together. For example, think of an apple. The41your brain registers the word“apple”, it 42the shape, color, taste, smell and 43of that fruit. All these things are associated in your memory with the word “apple”.44. An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had. This could trigger a memory about what you’re talking about through that lecture, which can then trigger another memory.45. An example given on a website I was looking at follows: Do you remember the shape of Austria, Canada, Belgium, or Germany? Probably not. What about Italy, though? 46. You made an association with something already known, the shape of a boot, and Italy’s shape could not be forgotten once you had made the association.Part ⅣReading Comprehension(Reading in Depth)(25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer Sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.Many countries have made it illegal to chat into a hand-held mobile phone while driving. But the latest research further confirms that the danger lies less in what a motorist’s hands do when he takes a call than in what the conversation does to his brain. Even using a “hands-free”device can divert a driver’s attention to an alarming extent.Melina Kunar of the University of Warwick, and Todd Horowitz of the Harvard Medical School ran a series of experiments in which two groups of volunteers had to pay attention and respond to a series of moving tasks on a computer screen that were reckoned equivalent in difficulty to driving. One group was left undistracted while the other had to engage in a conversation using a speakerphone. As Kunar and Horowitz report, those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free call had an average reaction time 212 milliseconds slower than those who were not. That, they calculate, would add 5.7 metres to the braking distance of a car travelling at 100kph. They also found that the group using the hands-free kit made 83% more errors in their tasks than those who were not talking.To try to understand more about why this was, they tried two further tests. In one, members of a group were asked simply to repeat words spoken by the caller. In the other, they had to think of a word that began with the last letter of the word they had just heard. Those only repeating words performed the same as those with no distraction, but those with the more complicated task showed even worse reaction times—an average of 480 milliseconds extra delay. This shows that when people have to consider the information they hear carefully, it can impair their driving ability significantly.Punishing people for using hand-held gadgets while driving is difficult enough, even though they can be seen from outside the car. Persuading people to switch their phones off altogether when they get behind the wheel might be the only answer. Who knows, they might even come to enjoy not having to take calls.47. Carrying on a mobile phone conversation while one is driving is considered dangerous because itseriously distracts _______________________.48. In the experiments, the two groups of volunteers were asked to handle a series of moving taskswhich were considered _______________________.49. Results of the experiments show that those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free calltook _______________________ to react than those who were not.50. Further experiments reveal that participants tend to respond with extra delay if they are required todo _______________________.51. The author believes persuasion, rather than _______________________, might be the only way tostop people from using mobile phones while driving.Section BDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.There is nothing like the suggestion of a cancer risk to scare a parent, especially one of the over-educated, eco-conscious type. So you can imagine the reaction when a recent USA Today investigation of air quality around the nation’s schools singled out those in the smugly（自鸣得意的）green village of Berkeley, Calif., as being among the worst in the country. The city’s public high school, as well as a number of daycare centers, preschools, elementary and middle schools, fell in the lowest 10%. Industrial pollution in our town had supposedly turned students into living science experiments breathing in a laboratory’s worth of heavy metals like manganese, chromium and nickel each day. This in a city that requires school cafeterias to serve organic meals. Great, I thought, organic lunch, toxic campus.Since December, when the report came out, the mayor, neighborhood activists（活跃分子）and various parent-teacher associations have engaged in a fierce battle over its validity: over the guilt of the steel-casting factory on the western edge of town, over union jobs versus children’s health and over what, if anything, ought to be done. With all sides presenting their own experts armed with conflicting scientific studies, whom should parents believe? Is there truly a threat here, we asked one another as we dropped off our kids, and if so, how great is it? And how does it compare with the other, seemingly perpetual health scares we confront, like panic over lead in synthetic athletic fields? Rather than just another weird episode in the town that brought you protesting environmentalists, this latest drama is a trial for how today’s parents perceive risk, how we try to keep our kids safe—whether it’s possible to keep them safe—in what feels like an increasingly threatening world. It raises the question of what, in o ur time, “safe” could even mean.“There’s no way around the uncertainty,”says Kimberly Thompson, president of Kid Risk, a nonprofit group that studies children’s health. “That means your choices can matter, but it also means you aren’t going to know if they do.”A 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics explained that nervous parents have more to fear from fire, car accidents and drowning than from toxic chemical exposure. To which I say: Well, obviously. But such concrete hazards are beside the point. It’s the dangers parents can’t—and may never—quantify that occur all of sudden. That’s why I’ve rid my cupboard of microwave food packed in bags coated with a potential cancer-causing substance, but although I’ve lived blocks from a major fault line(地质断层) for more than 12 years, I still haven’t bolted our bookcases to the living room wall.52. What does a recent investigation by USA Today reveal?A) Heavy metals in lab tests threaten children’s health in Berkeley.B) Berkeley residents are quite contented with their surroundings.C) The air quality around Berkeley’s school campuses is poor.D) Parents in Berkeley are over-sensitive to cancer risks their kids face.53. What response did USA Today’s report draw?A) A heated debate.B) Popular support.C) Widespread panic.D) Strong criticism.54. How did parents feel in the face of the experts’ studies?A) They felt very much relieved.B) They were frightened by the evidence.C) They didn’t know who to believe.D) They weren’t convinced of the results.55. What is the view of the 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics?A) It is important to quantify various concrete hazards.B) Daily accidents pose a more serious threat to children.C) Parents should be aware of children’s health hazards.D) Attention should be paid to toxic chemical exposure.56. Of the dangers in everyday life, the author thinks that people have most to fear from __________.A) the uncertainB) the quantifiableC) an earthquakeD) unhealthy foodPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Crippling health care bills, long emergency-room waits and the inability to find a primary care physician just scratch the surface of the problems that patients face daily.Primary care should be the backbone of any health care system. Countries with appropriate primary care resources score highly when it comes to health outcomes and cost. The U.S. takes the opposite approach by emphasizing the specialist rather than the primary care physician.A recent study analyzed the providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries（老年医保受惠人）. The startling finding was that the average Medicare patient saw a total of seven doctors—two primary care physicians and five specialists—in a given year. Contrary to popular belief, the more physicians taking care of you don’t guarantee better care. Actually, increasing fragmentation of care results in a corresponding rise in cost and medical errors.How did we let primary care slip so far? The key is how doctors are paid. Most physicians are paid whenever they perform a medical service. The more a physician does, regardless of quality or outcome, the better he’s reimbursed (返还费用). Moreover, the amount a physician receives leans heavily toward medical or surgical procedures. A specialist who performs a procedure in a 30-minute visit can be paid three times more than a primary care physician using that same 30 minutes to discuss a patient’s disease. Combine this fact with annual government threats to indiscriminately cut reimbursements, physicians are faced with no choice but to increase quantity to boost income.Primary care physicians who refuse to compromise quality are either driven out of business or to cash-only practices, further contributing to the decline of primary care.Medical students are not blind to this scenario. They see how heavily the reimbursement deck is stacked against primary care. The recent numbers show that since 1997, newly graduated U.S. medical students who choose primary care as a career have declined by 50%. This trend results in emergency rooms being overwhelmed with patients without regular doctors.How do we fix this problem?It starts with reforming the physician reimbursement system. Remove the pressure for primary care physicians to squeeze in more patients per hour, and reward them for optimally (最佳地) managing their diseases and practicing evidence-based medicine. Make primary care more attractive to medical students by forgiving student loans for those who choose primary care as a career and reconciling the marked difference between specialist and primary care physician salaries.We’re at a point where primary care is needed more than ever. Within a few years, the first wave of the 76 million Baby Boomers will become eligible for Medicare. Patients older than 85, who need chronic care most, will rise by 50% this decade.Who will be there to treat them?57. The author’s chief concern about the current U.S. health care system is __________.A) the inadequate training of physiciansB) the declining number of doctorsC) the shrinking primary care resourcesD) the ever-rising health care costs。
2009年12月四级真题及答案
2009年12月四级真题及答案「四级翻译真题」Directions： For this part， you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.为了推动教育公平，中国已经资金投入360亿元，用作提升农村地区教育设施和强化中西部地区农村义务教育。
这些资金用作提升教学设施、出售书籍，并使16万多所中小学受惠。
资金还用作添置音乐和绘画器材。
现在农村和山区的儿童可以与沿海城市的`儿童一样上音乐和绘画课。
一些为拒绝接受更好教育而转至城市上学的学生如今又返回了本地农村学校就读于。
「四级翻译参考答案」In order to promote equity in education， China has invested 36 billion yuan for improving educational facilities in rural areas and strengthening rural compulsory education in the Midwest. These funds were used to improve the teaching facilities and purchase books， so that more than 160，000 primary and secondary schools benefit from it.These funds are also used to purchase musical instruments and painting equipments.Now children in rural and mountainous areas can learn music and painting like those children in coastal cities.Some students who transferred to the city schools in order to receive a better education now get back to the local rural schools.。
2009-12CET4答案
2009.12 CET4 answer11. A) Get some small change.12. B) Buying a gift for a child.13. A) Taking photographs.14. B) He can provide little used information.15. D) He knows his own imitations16. C) Her gym exercise has yielded good results.17. D) The professo r’s suggestion is constructive.18. A) Indifferent.19. C) He has to work during the day.20. B) Learn data processing.21. C) Every Monday, lasting for 12 weeks.22. A) What to bring for registration.23. D) A financial trader.24. B) He considers cooking creative.25. D) It can be a good thing.短文26. C) Live is not possible in outer space.27. C) It has a large ocean under its surface.28. A) Light is not an essential miles long.29. B) What Dr.Meyer's instructions exacty were.30. D) She asks them to repeat what they are supposed to do.31. A) It lacks the stability of the printed word.32. C) Challenging work.33. A) Many tedious jobs continue to be done manually.34. D) Give them responsibilities as part of team.35. B) They concern a small number of the people only.复合式听写36. classified37. background38. album39. appreciation40. context41. implies42. image43. instruments44. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.45. It tells the reader how to do something, for example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film.46. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.。
09年12月英语四级听力参考答案
09年12月英语四级听力参考答案Section A短对话：11. A Get some small change.12. B Buying a gift for a child.13. A Taking photographs.14.B He can provide little usefulinformation.15. D He knows his own limitations.16. C Her gym exercise has yieldedgood results.17. D The professor's suggestion isconstructive.18. A Indifferent长对话：19. C He has to work during the day.20. B Learn date processing.21. C Every Monday, lasting for 12weeks.22. A What to bring for registration.23. D A financial trader.24. B He considers cooking creative.25. D It can be a good thing.Section B短文：26. C. Life was not possible in outerspace.27. C. It has a large ocean under itssurface.28. A. Light is not an essential elementto it.29. B What Dr. Meyer's instructionsexactly were30. D She askes them to repeat whatthey are supposed to do.31. A It lacks the stability of theprinted word.32. C Challenging work.33. A Many tedious jobs continue tobe done manually.34. D Give them responsibilities as partof a team.35. B They concern a small number ofpeople only.Section C36. classified37. background38. album39. appreciation40. context41. implies42. image43. instrument44. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.45. It tells the reader how to do something. For example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film.46. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.。
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Part Ⅱ Skimming and Scanning:
1-7 B D C D B A C
8. qualified
9. recognizes
10. excellence
Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension
Section A
A B A B D C D A / C B C A / D B D
Section B
C C A / B
D A / C A D B
Section C
36. classified 37. background 38. album 39. appreciation 40. context 41. implies 42. image 43. instrument
44. Descriptive writing in the humanities, particularly in literature, is often mixed with critical writing.
45. It tells the reader how to do something, for example, explaining the technique used to shoot a film.
46. Authors may actually use more than one type of technique in a given piece of informational writing.
Part Ⅳ Reading Comprehension:
Section A:
K J L C B / H N G A E
Section B:
C B
D C A / A B D A C
Part Ⅴ. Cloze:
BDACB / ABDCD / ACBAC / DBCAD
Part Ⅵ. Translation:
1.had followed my instructions
2.gave up pursuing knowledge
3.before we find the cure for cancer
4.keep pace with consumers’ constantly increasing needs
5.the fewer chances you will have of catching a cold
Listening Part:
Passage 1:
Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. but scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place
scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life, or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness, such as caves several miles beneath the surface, and bacteria, primitive forms of life, have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s subsurface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.
Passage 2:
In her early days as an emergency room physician, Dr. Joanna Meyer treated a child who had suffered a second degree burn. After the child had been treated, and was being prepared for discharge, Dr. Meyer talked to the parents about how they should care for the child at home. Also listening to her were a half dozen other family members. A few hours later, when she came to say goodbye, the family asked her to settle an argument they’ve been having over exactly what advice she had given. “As I talked to them, I was amazed,” she said. “All of them had heard the simple instructions I had given just a few hours before. But they had three or four different versions. The most basic details were unclear and confusing. I was surprised, because these were intelligent people.” This episode gave Dr. Meyer her first clue to something every doctor learns sooner or later --- most people just don’t listen very well.
Nowadays, she says, she repeats her instructions, and even conducts a reality check with some patients: she asks them to tell her what they think they’re supposed to do. She also provides take-home sheets, which are computer printouts tailored to the patients’ situation.
Dr. Meyer’s listeners are not unusual. When new or difficult material is presented, almost all listeners are faced with a challenge because human speech lacks the stability and performance of the printed word. Oral communication is fast-moving and impermanent.。