英语四级模拟训练题四(附答案).doc

Model Test 4
Part I Writing
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter. Suppose you are Li Feng who is going to reply to your sister Li Hong (who is in high school) on how to study English. Write to her to give her some suggestions based on your own experience. Please follow the outline given below in Chinese:
1.学习英语很重要。

2.简要介绍你的英语学习经验。

3.鼓励她学好英语。

Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)
Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer sheet 1.
Rocket Renaissance
------ T he Ear of Private Spaceflight Is About to Start
Background
Two years ago, people witnessed the first space travel by Spaceship One. Three people were involved in this flight: Burt Rutan, who designed the craft, and Mike Melvill, who flew it—although they were ably assisted by Paul Allen, one of the founders of Microsoft, who paid for it. Certainly, people have long been known that manned spaceflight was possible. What they showed was that it is not just a game for governments. Private individuals can play, too.
People involved
Now, lots of people want to join in, and most of them have just met up at the International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles, to engage in that mixture of camaraderie and competition that characterises the beginnings of a new technology. And, as might be expected, they have two of the necessary ingredients of success: ideas and money.
First, the money. So far, more than $1 billion is known to have been committed to building private spaceships and the infrastructure to support them. For example, Mr.. Rum's follow-up vehicle, Spaceship Two, is expected to cost its backers, Virgin Galactic, $240m for a fleet of five. The spaceport in New Mexico from which these are intended to fly will account for another $225m, although New Mexico's government is planning to raise this money itself.
These are not small sums, of course. On the other hand, Virgin Galactic has already banked $14m of deposits towards the $200,000 fare from people who want to travel on Spaceship Two, even though it has yet to be built, let alone flown.
All this suggests that spaceflight, if not exactly entering the age of the common man, is at least entering the age of the moderately prosperous enthusiast, For entrepreneurs, it is no longer necessary to have billions of dollars to get into space; millions will now do. And for those who merely wish to travel there, and have enough money in their bank account, reality is favourable.
Get started
As with aircraft a century ago, a lot of designs are competing with each other, and there is no certainty about which will succeed. The initial goal is to build a "suborbital" vehicle. This will not have to develop the tremendous speed needed to go into orbit around the Earth, instead, it will travel briefly into space, offering a short thrilling ride out of the atmosphere, a few minutes of weightlessness, and a spectacular view of the planet from about lOOkin. Four important criteria are how you take off, what fuel you use, what your craft is made of, and how you come back.
Most people's vision of a rocket launch is straight up from the ground. But, of the five vehicles most likely to be developed, two will actually be launched from the air. Spaceship Two will be carded to high altitude by a purpose-built aircraft known as Eve before its rocket motor is ignited. And Explorer, a vehicle being designed by Space Adventures, will be launched from the top of a high-altitude Russian research plane called the M-55X, according to Eric Anderson, the firm's president and chief executive.
As Dennis Jenkins, a consultant engineer at NASA, America's space agency, points out, this is similar to using a two-stage rocket to get into space, with the aircraft acting as the first stage. However, a plane offers several advantages over a throw-away booster rocket. First, it can be used again. Second, it uses oxygen from the air, rather than having to carry its own oxidant, which saves weight. Third, it is lifted by wings. That means the atmosphere is an advantage, rather than a
hindrance. All this means that the spacecraft itself can be lighter and cheaper.
Not everyone wants to run two vehicles, though. Jeff Greason, president of XCOR Aerospace, a firm based in Mojave, California, is developing a two-person, ground-launched suborbital rocketplane called Xerus. Launching from the ground, says Mr. Greason, is more difficult than air launching, but he reckons that in this case it has significantly lower operating costs.
Fuel choices
The second important design choice is the type of fuel. Unlike a jet engine, a rocket carries its own oxidant （氧第剂）.This is why it can operate in space. Sometimes that oxidant is oxygen itself, in liquid form. In that case the fuel, too, is usually liquid-either kerosene （煤油）or liquid hydrogen （氢）一and the two liquids are stored in separate tanks until they meet in the rocket's combustion chamber. Alternatively, both fuel and oxidant are solid, and are loaded pre-mixed, like the propellant of a firework rocket.
Spaceship Two, though, follows the design of Spaceship One and is powered by a mixture of the two. The combustion chamber of a mixture is partly filled with solid fuel but no oxidant. However, the fuel is coated round the inside of the chamber, leaving a hole through the middle into which a liquid or gaseous oxidant can be pumped, and out of which the exhaust emerges. In Spaceship One, the fuel was rubber and the oxidant a liquefied gas called nitrous oxide （一氧化二氮）.
Proponents of mixture say they are safer than either pure solid or pure liquid rockets. George Whittinghill, Virgin Galactic*s chief technologist, says that they are safer than solid rockets because the flow of oxidant can be controlled, and combustion halted, if there is a problem. Solid rockets, like the fireworks they resemble, cannot be stopped until they run out of fuel. On the other hand liquid-fuelled engines, though they can be shut down, are complex and temperamental. As Mr. Whittinghill observes, "they have pumps, seals, valves and lines everywhere, and there is a lot that potentially could go wrong."
All this rather irrates those working on liquid propulsion. Richard Pournelle, head of investor relations at XCOR Aerospace, says the comparison is unfair. Liquid propulsion is routine in rocketry while hybrids are still rare. Numbers alone, therefore, mean that liquid-fuelled rockets blow up more often. That, Mr. Poumelle argues, does not prove that they are inherently unsafe. Chuck Lauer, vice- president of business development for Rocketplane, another firm going down the liquid-fuelled route, agrees and argues that kerosene is widely used as aviation fuel and nobody complains that it is unsafe.
1.It is only two years ago that people became aware of the fact that manned spaceflight was actually possible.
2.Spaceflight is possible for individuals who want to fly in the space and who have the money.
3.The initial goal of building an aircraft is to make the vehicle fly, and speed was not such a primary consideration.
4.All of the five vehicles most likely to be developed will be launched from the air.
5.Although it is possible to launch the spaceship both from ground and from the air, some people believe it's more cost-effective to launch it from ground.
6. A consultant engineer at NASA points out that using aircraft acting as the first Stage provides several advantages over a throw-away booster rocket.
7.In the design considerations of a spaceship, fuel choice is as important as the method of launching.
8. A rocket carries its own oxidant, and its fuel is usually either kerosene or.
9.Proponents of mixture say that they are than either pure solid or pure liquid rockets.
10.Proponents of kerosene cite the example of using it as fuel
Part III Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the
[C] $100.00 a piece. [D] He did not tell the girl. [B] They will have dinner together first. There will be a heavy traffic. [B]、[C] and [D]. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 [B] After the causes of the victim's suffering becomes clear.
[D] As soon as possible after the accident or illness. [C] Keep energy. conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must rend 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] He did not know. [B] He thought it was very successful.
[C] He thought it was bad. [D] He thought others perform better.
12. [A] It was reported on the radio. [B] She read it in the morning news.
[C] The man called her immediately. [D] She was in the neighborhood.
13. [A] Playing a piano. [B] Making a photocopy. [C] Typing. [D] Taking a picture.
14. [A] He talked with the consultant until two. [B] The consultant was leaving at two.
[C] The consultant wanted to talk to him, too. [D] He couldn't talk to the consultant before two.
15. [A] The man doesn*t want to take any more courses. [B] The bank needs some new employees.
[C] The woman suggests that the man get a loan from a bank.
[D] The man does not know how to get financial aids.
16. [A] Better. [B] Tired. [C] Bored. [D] Sick.
17. [A] $160.00. [B] $150.00. [C] $180.00. [D] $120.00.
18. [A] He is forgetful. [B] His class is easy. [C] He is looking for an assistant. [D] His course is difficult. Conversation 1
19. [A] Invite the girl to join a party. [B] Invite the girl to go shopping.
[C] Invite the girl to have dinner. [D] Invite the girl to watch a movie.
20. [A] From his friend. [B] From his neighbor. [C] From his roommate. [D] From a sponsor of the movie.
21. [A] For free. [B] $50.00 a piece.
22. [A] There will be a lot of people.
[C] They live far from the theatre.
Conversation 2
23. [A] Italy. [B] England. [C] Australia. [D] Thailand.
24. [A] The cost is low. [B] She wants to study English. [C] She wants to see kangaroos. [D] She wants to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery there.
25. [A] Two weeks. [B] Three weeks. [C] Two months. [D] Three months.
Section B
Directions: 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]、 with a single line through the centre. Passage One
26. [A] After the victim is sent to hospital. [C] After the arrival of the ambulance.
27. [A] Relieve pain.
[B] Preserve life. [C] Keep energy. [D] Prevent further harm.
28. [A] Immediate action. [B] Accurate diagnosis. [C] Medical knowledge. [D] Expert experience. 29. [A] How space station works.
[B] The differences between space and the earth. [C] How can people build a space station. [D] The reason why people want a space station.
30. [A] Scientists are curious about the space. [B] Scientists are trying to find a new planet for human beings.
[C] Scientists need to study the influence of gravity on different species.
[D] Scientists are experimenting with species that can survive only in space.
31. [A] Materials science. [B] Biotechnology. [C] Biomedicine. [D] Fluid physics.
Passage Three
32. [A] Influence of mass media on our lives. [B] Profitability of mass media.
[C] Mass media and its short history. [D] Mass media and politics.
33.[A] 1940s. [B] 1910s. [C] 1930s. [D] 1920s.
34.[A] Printing. [B] Television. [C] Record pressing. [D] Film duplication.
35.[A] People can know everything. [B] People can have access to large amount of information.
[C] People no longer read newspaper. [D] People began to rely heavily on computer.
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks 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 you own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.
The modem society has witnessed amazing development in astrology. In recent years scientific investigation of comets has (36) because of a growing interest in the origin of the sun and (37) . Scientists want to learn how comets are formed. They think that such information will be (38) to man's understanding of the origin of the (39) system.
The word "comet" comes from the Greek and means "hairy object". In history comets have a special place. People believed that they brought news of death, (40) or military victories.
The tails of comets provide (41) with spectacular sights at night. Comets tails are millions of kilometers long. The tail
(42) reaches lengths of 250 kilometers and more.
There was a written (43) of comet as early as 1770 B.C. The Chinese kept careful record and so did the
B abylonians. (44).
The most famous comet in history is called Halley*s Comet. (45).It was named after Edmond Halley, an English scientist. (46)The comet appeared in 1758, as he predicted, 16 years after his death and will return again in 1986.
Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)
Section A
Directions: 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.
There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is (47) on the assumption that drama (48) from ritual. People might wonder the relationship between these two things. However, the argument for this view goes as follows.
In the beginning, human beings viewed the (49) forces of the word一even seasonal changes 一as unpredictable, and they sought through various means to control these feared powers. Those (50) which appeared to bring the desired results were then (51) and repeated until they hardened into fixed rituals. Though it is simple to describe the process, they believe, the actual happening might last long. (52) stories arose which explained or veiled the (53) of the rites.
As time passed, some rituals were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, (54) and provided material for art and drama. Those who believe that drama came from ritual also argue that those rites contained the seed of theater (55) music, dance, and masks were almost always used. Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for (56) and there was clear division between the "acting area" and "auditorium". In addition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in the enactment of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task.
A) evolved B) because C) Eventually D) natural E) mysteries F) stopped
G) questions H) performances I) singing J) persisted K) based L) measures
M) effectiveness N) Firstly O) retained
Section B
Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices 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 One
A feature of US education that we have not yet discussed is continuous classroom interaction between teacher and students. From Los Angeles to New York, and from Chicago to Houston, educators believe that students master information by discovering it for themselves. They believe that teachers do not actually teach, but simply help students learn. In this view, learning takes place through a process of challenging old ideas and asking questions. The faculty member aims to exchange ideas with students, rather than simply tell them what they should know.
The concept of constantly exchanging ideas may seem strange to you at first. Perhaps you come from a country where people believe that whatever is written in a book must be true, and that teachers are always right in matters of learning. If so, you will probably find the United States system disquieting. Of course, American students know that their textbooks are mostly right and that their teachers are better informed than they are. But they think for themselves and their teachers expect them to ask questions and challenge ideas. The point, again, is not that Americans have the "right" approach to learning, but that the interactive classroom is a strong feature of US education.
Comparatively few courses in the university classroom are so clearly organized for interaction. Nevertheless, the course in which a professor lectures steadily to hundreds of silent students is relatively rare in the United States. Enrollments are often limited (many classes will have fewer than 30 students), so that all students have a chance to participate. Where the lecture format is necessary, as in a freshman chemistry course, the large class meets once or twice a week, then divides into small group meetings. The lecture is used to present information efficiently 一for example, through slides and demonstrations as well as actual lecturing 一but group meetings provide important sessions where homework can be reviewed and questions answered.
57.Which is the best summary of the information in the text?
[A]How to adapt to classrooms in the United States.
[B]Classroom in the United States: advantages and disadvantages.
[C]Features of classrooms in the United States. [D] Students-teacher relationship in the United States.
58.Which of the following is rare in a typical American classroom?
[A] Intense interaction. [B] Heated discussion.
[C] Listening to a lecture. [D] Frequent questions from students.
59.What does the word "disquieting" (Line 3, Para. 2) mean?
[A] Uncomfortable. [B] Great. [C] Noisy [D] Difficult.
60.What is the aim of faculty members in the US universities?
[A] To give students freedom. [B] To give them challenging tasks.
[C] To tell the students what they should know. [D] To exchange ideas with the students.
61.What is the propose of having a lecture course?
[A] To present information effectively. [B] To encourage students exchange ideas with each other.
[C] To save time and space. [D] To review homework-
Passage Two
A boy aged eight who suffered brain damage at birth has spoken his first words after making friends with a dolphin. Well-wishers raised more than $10,000 to send Nikki Brice to Miami for treatment at a therapy center where handicapped youngsters are encouraged to swim with dolphins.
After eight years of silence, Nikki's mother, Tabitha was astonished to hear him say "in" as she helped him out of the pool where he had been swimming with four dolphins, including their most famous, Flipper. Since that first breakthrough, eight days ago, he has learnt to say "please" and "duck".
Family, friends and celebrities including the Spice Girls, the musician Ben Elton and film-actress Deborah Kerr helped to raise the money for him to spend nearly three weeks at the Human Dolphin Therapy Center at Miami's Sea-quarium. The center uses 40-minute sessions with trained dolphins alongside intensive conventional therapies. The conventional therapies included the usual one-to-one speech therapy sessions.
Although Nikki had been nervous, his mother said that he soon enjoyed playing with the dolphins. Mrs. Brice, 30, said:
"On the third day he was swimming in the dolphin enclosure. We hadn't been there for long when Nikki was told to get out of the water, at the end of the session, and he stood very quietly at the edge of the tank."
"Nikki must have thought he wasn't going to be allowed to go swimming with the dolphins again because he suddenly pointed at the water and said 'in*. He was telling us he wanted to get back in to the water. We just stood there in shock because it was so unexpected. Once we got over it we quickly told him he could go in again and he soon cheered up. For years, I have hoped to hear Nikki speak."
The person in charge of Nikki's treatment is David Nathanson, who pioneered dolphin therapy 20 years ago. The center claims to have helped more than 1,000 children to overcome problems, from brain damage to learning difficulties. However, the reasons behind is still unknown.
62.According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE about the boy in the story?
[A] He has a heating problem. [B] He suffered brain damage at birth.
[C] He is afraid of dolphins. [D] He cannot swim.
63.How much money has been raised for the boy's treatment in the therapy center?
[A] More than $10,000. [B] Less than $10,000. [C] More than $1,000. [D] Less than $1,000.
64.What are the treatments used at the center?
[A] Swimming sessions with dolphins. [B] Conventional therapies. [C] Both A and B. [D] Not mentioned.
65.Which of the following words or phrases can best describe the results of the treatment?
[A] Pessimistic. [B] Surprisingly good. [C] Opposite to people's expectation. [D] Unknown.
66.Why is the treatment so helpful?
[A] The children love to play with dolphins. [B] Conventional therapies are helpful.
[C] Swimming helps. [D] The masons are still unknown.
Part V Cloze
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.
During the 1980s, unemployment(失业人数)and underemployment(不充分就业)in some countries was so high as 90 percent. Some countries did not (67) enough food； basic needs in housing and clothing were not (68) . Many of these countries looked (69) the industrial processes of the developed nations for solution.
, problems cannot always be solved by (71) the industrialized nations. Industry in the developed nations is highly automated and very (72) . It provides fewer jobs than labor-intensive industrial (73) , and highly skilled workers are needed to (74) and repair the equipment. These workers must be
trained, (75) many nations do not have the necessary training institutions. Thus, tha (76) of importing industry becomes higher. Students must be sent abroad to receive vocational and (77) training. (78) , just to begin training, the students must (79) learn English, French, Germans, or Japanese. The
students then spend many years abroad, and (80) do not return home.
All nations agree that science and technology should be shared. The point is: countries (81) the industrial processes of the developed nations need to look carefully (82) the costs, because many of these costs are (83) Students from these nations should (84) the problems of the industrialized countries closely. (85) care，they will take home not the problems of science and technology, (86) the benefits.
67.[A] generate [B] boost [C] produce [D] manufacture
68.[A] done [B] met [C] reached [D] dealt
69.[A] to [B] for [C] into [D] out
70. [A] Moreover [B] Therefore [C] Anyway [D] However
71. [A] issuing [B] forging [C] copying [D] repeating
72. [A] expensive [B] mechanical [C] flourishing [D] intensive
73. [A] ways [B] processes [C] procedures [D] methods
74. [A] keep [B] retain [C] maintain [D] reserve
75. [A] still [B] so [C] and [D] yet
76. [A] charge [B] price [C] cost [D] value
77. [A] institutional [B] professional [C] universal [D]
fundamental
78. [A] Frequently [B] Gradually [C] Presumably [D] Eventually
79. [A]soon [B] then [C] later [D] first
80. [A] others [B] any [C] some [D] none
81. [A] adopting [B] conducting [C] adapting [D] adjusting
82. [A] for [B] at [C] on [D] about
83. [A] exposed [B] vague [C] uncovered [D] hidden
84. [A] tackle [B] learn [C] study [D] realize
85. [A] Through [B] With [C] In [D] Under
86. [A] except [B] nor [C] or [D] but
Part VI Translation
Directions: Complete the sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.
87.1 know a lot of people（迫不及待地要出国）,but I prefer to stay in my own country.
88.There is no time limitation in such classes so students can repeat exercises（想要多少次都可以）
89.The media are（起着越来越重要的作用）in leading fashions and trend.
90.（这件夹克不但太大），the jacket don't match my trousers either.
91.Now that the cold war is over, we must begin to（集中更多的精力来谋求世界和平）.
Part I Writing ［范文］
A Letter to My Sister
April 30, 2006 Dear Li Hong,
I am so pleased to hear from you and notice that you are paying great attention to English learning. As you may have felt, learning English has become increasingly important, even though it is not your major. Don't be surprised. Just think about the need to communicate with foreign experts in the future work, or the need to read information and materials in English in your future work. Actually, learning English also provides an access to another culture. That being said, I would like to share with you my own experience of how to learn English.
The most important thing in learning English, I believe, is to learn to use it. It means that English learning should not be regarded as an isolated learning activity in classrooms. It should be integrated into your daily life. In fact, more opportunities are presented to you in our everyday life. First, it provides more up-to-date language usages. Second, it gives you the context of language usage. After all, language is about communication. Thus, to learn to use it in real situations will help you better master it. Therefore, you should grasp every opportunity of using English. Moreover, you should also be aware of the learning that might occur in our daily life. For example, when you notice a brand name, or when you watch a foreign movie, try to identify useful expressions or usages.
Of course, learning English is not easy. However, the process is full of fun. So long as you make efforts and find your ways, you will surely learn it well.
Yours, Li Fang Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)
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 , mark
Y (for YES)if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;
N (for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;
NG (for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage.
For questions, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.
题 1 - 10
Rocket Renaissance
The Ear of Private Spaceflight Is About to Start Background Two years ago, people witnessed the first space travel by Spaceship One. Three people were involved in this flight: Burt Rutan, who designed the craft, and Mike Melvill, who flew it—although they were ably assisted by Paul Allen, one of the founders of Microsoft, who paid for it. Certainly, people have long been known that manned spaceflight was possible. What they showed was that it is not just a game for governments. Private individuals can play, too.
People involved
Now, lots of people want to join in, and most of them have just met up at the International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles, to engage in that mixture of camaraderie and competition that characterises the beginnings of a new technology. And, as might be expected, they have two of the necessary ingredients of success: ideas and money.
First, the money. So far, more than $1 billion is known to have been committed to building private spaceships and the infrastructure to support them. For example, Mr.. Rum's follow-up vehicle, Spaceship Two, is expected to cost its backers, Virgin Galactic, $240m for a fleet of five. The spaceport in New Mexico from which these are intended to fly will account for another $225m, although New Mexico*s government is planning to raise this money itself.
These are not small sums, of course. On the other hand, Virgin Galactic has already banked $14m of deposits towards the $200,000 fare from people who want to travel on Spaceship Two, even though it has yet to be built, let alone flown.
All this suggests that spaceflight, if not exactly entering the age of the common man, is at least entering the age of the moderately prosperous enthusiast. For entrepreneurs, it is no longer necessary to have billions of dollars to get into space;。