12月四级真题(第2套) - 360文档中心

2023年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版)

2023年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版)As an AI language model, I am unable to provide you with an exact English version of the "2023年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版)" as mentioned in the prompt. However, I can provide you with a sample article as an example. Please note that the following article is fictional and unrelated to the actual test:2023年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套（网络整理版）Introduction:The 2023 December edition of the English four-level test aims to assess students' language proficiency. This article provides a summary of the test questions and their corresponding answers. Please note that this article is a fictional representation and not an actual representation of the test.Reading Comprehension:The reading comprehension section of the test consists of five passages. Each passage is followed by several questions.Passage 1: "The Importance of Education"The passage emphasizes the vital role of education in shaping individuals and societies. It discusses the benefits of education, ranging from personal growth to economic development. The questions test students' understanding of the main idea, supporting details, and vocabulary usage.Passage 2: "Climate Change and Its Effects"This passage explores the impact of climate change on the environment and human life. It discusses the causes, consequences, and possible solutions. The questions assess students' ability to infer information, understand complex scientific terms, and analyze data.Passage 3: "The Benefits of Exercise"Focusing on physical health, this passage highlights the positive effects of regular exercise on individuals' well-being. It discusses the benefits of exercise, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving mental health. The questions challenge students' comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to identify cause-effect relationships.Passage 4: "The Influence of Social Media"Addressing the rise of social media platforms, this passage explores their impact on society, relationships, and personal privacy. It presents both positive and negative aspects of social media usage. The questions evaluate students' ability to distinguish between fact and opinion, understand figurative language, and draw conclusions.Passage 5: "The Power of Artificial Intelligence"This passage discusses the growth and influence of artificial intelligence in various fields, such as healthcare, transportation, and entertainment. It debates the ethical concerns and potential consequences of AI advancement. The questions test students' comprehension, critical thinking, and ability to interpret information.Listening Comprehension:The listening comprehension section consists of multiple audio recordings, including conversations, lectures, and interviews. Students are required to answer questions based on the content of the recordings.Listening Section 1: Conversation between two friends planning a trip.Listening Section 2: Lecture on the history of cinema.Listening Section 3: Interview with a renowned scientist.Listening Section 4: Academic discussion on the impact of technology on society.Writing Section:The writing section of the test requires students to compose an essay on a given topic within a specified time frame. The prompt and essay topic are not provided in this article.Conclusion:This article provides an overview of the 2023 December English four-level test. It includes a summary of the reading comprehension passages, listening comprehension recordings, and mentions the writing section. Please note that the content presented here is entirely fictional and bears no resemblance to the actual test.Please remember to consult official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the 2023 December English four-level test. Good luck with your preparation!。

2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题第二套

2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)Part I Writing (30minutes)Directions: Suppose your university student union is planning to hold a speech contest. You are now to write a proposal for organizing the contest. The proposal may include the topic, aim, procedure and selection of contestants. You will have 3 mimutes to write the propasal. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 18 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)SectionADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B). C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) She was pierced by a chicken bone. C) She suffered from lung cancer.B) She was coughing all the time D) She suffered from shock.2. A) By eating chicken soup daily. C) Through a surgical operation.B) Through regular exercising. D) By using traditional Chinese medicine.Qnestions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) It was born 13 years ago. C)It got injured in a big bushfire.B) It was Alice Gray's lovely pet. D) It ran away into a nearby forest.4.A) They rebuilt the fencing around their farm.B) They spent seven years replanting their farm.C) They claimed damages for their heavy losses.D) They installed a camera to monitor sheep activity.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) The disappearance of some gold and diamonds.B) The transfer of tons of precious metal by air.C) The crash of a Russian cargo airplane.D) The loss of gold from an airplane.6.A) It made an emergency landing. C) It contacted the goldmine company.B) It informed the local police at once. D) It had a crew member fix the problem.7.A) They will cooperate with the police.B) They had checked the plane carefully.C) They will be questioned by the police.D) They took some gold bars and diamonds.B) Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversahe four choices marked A). B). C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) For the company's records. C) To follow the company's rule.B) For future training purposes. D) To ensure information security.9. A) To check her customer reference number.B) To inquire about the price of office chairs.C) To get her money back for the returned chair.D) To make complaints about its customer service.10.A) She had to update its information. C) She lost it about three days ago.B) She forgot where she had left it. D) She was issued a new card.11. A) Reconsider her options for payment methods.B) Make a specific note on the company's system.C) Update her bank card details on the company's website.D) Upload her personal information to the company's website.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) He is feeling exhausted. C) He has to work late.B) He is tired of cooking. D) He wants to try Asian foods.13. A) Book a table C) Download a menu.B) Order a delivery. D) Locate a restaurant.14. A) It is not tasty C) It is too oily.B) It is not healthy. D) It is too spicy.15. A) She is too concerned about money. C) She is too picky about food.B) She is too weight-conscious. D) She is too eager to please.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) Owners' personalities affect their cats'behaviour and wellbeing.B) Parents' personalities can affect the personalities of their children.C) Parents and cat owners alike experience high levels of anxiety.D) More and more people are treating pet cats like their children.17. A) Give their pets behavioural training.B) Provide their pets with the best care.C) Know their pets' feelings and desires.D) Interact with their pets in novel ways.18. A) More convincing explanation. C) Collection of more data.B) More extensive sampling D) Further investigation. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) People should do more running than mere walking.B) Running is the best exercise for extending one's life.C) People should exercise at least 60 minutes every day.D) Running is the easiest form of exercise for most people.20.A) Improving their brain function.B) Regulating their breathing rate.C) Slowing down their ageing process.D) Accelerating their blood circulation.21. A) They found it easy to control their emotions.B) They struggled to handle negative emotions.C) They were more eager to enjoy a movie.D) They were less affected by sad movies.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) He is a tour guide.B) He is a famous architect.C) He is a local entrepreneur.D) He is the owner of the Hill House.23.A) He studied the blueprints of other famous buildings.B) He inquired about his client's family background.C) He observed his client's life and habits.D) He took a tour of his client's old home.24. A) A house made of timber and brick.B) A house with a lot of free space.C) A house of the current fashion.D) A house of a unique design.25. A) They are well preserved and in pretty good shape.B) They are copies built to the architect's designs.C) They were designed by another architect.D) They were badly damaged but restored.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices, Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564. But it is impossible to know the 26_dayon which he was born.Church records show he was baprized (施洗礼) on April 26, and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newly born baby. Shakespeare'sdate of death is 27 known, however: it was April 23,1616.He was 52 and had retired to Stratford three years before.Although few plays have been performed or analyzed as extensively as the38 plays Shakespeare wrote, there are few surviving details about his life. This 28 of biographical information is due primarily to his social 29; he was not a noble,but the son of a leather trader.Shakespeare 30 attended the grammar school in Stratford,where he would have studied Latin and read 31 literature. He did not go to university and at age 18 married Anne Hathaway,who was eight years his 32.They had four children, including the twins, Hamnet and Judith. Nothing is known of the period between the birth of the twins and Shakespeare's 33 as a dramatist in London in the early 1590s.In a million words written over 20 years, he 34 the full range of human emotions and conflicts with a 35 that remains sharp today. As his great contemporary the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson said, “He was not of an age, but for all time.A) captured I) precision B) classical J) probablyC) conclusively K) quality D) emergence L) scarcityE) exact M senior F) generated N) separatedG) particular O) systematically H) positionSection BDirections: In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2How to not be boringA) Humans are creatures of habit. We love to establish a routine and stick with it.Then we often put ourselves on auto-pilot. Routines can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done. However, too much of a routine can also make you incredibly boring. Nevertheless, many people live lives that are boringly predictable, or live a life where everything is outlined or planned.B)To tell the truth,interesting people are more popular among their friends. If you don't arouse someone's curiosity or brighten someone's day,you probably come across as being a little bit dull. But that doesn't mean your life has ended and you can't do anything to change it. If you find yourself searching for something to say beyond small talk, try these tactics to find more interesting approaches to conversation.C) Recently, I was at a gathering of colleagues when someone turned to me and asked,“So, what's new with you?"Ordinarily, I think I'm a good conversationalist. After all, it's literally my job to talk to people and tell their stories or share their advice. And that's not exactly an unexpected question. Still, the only “new-to-me" topics that came to mind were my daughter's basketball tournament (锦标赛) and my feelings about that morning's political headlines- neither amusing nor appropriate topics at that moment. D) Oh, no, I thought. Have I become boring? But sharing our experiences in an authentic way to connect with other people is what makes us interesting, says associate professor Michael Pirson. The hesitation I felt in not sharing the ordinary things that were happening in my life, and the wild mental search for something more interesting, may have backfired and made me seem less interesting.E)“If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting, it's probably not going to land well," says Pirson, whose expertise includes trust and well-being. mindfulness, and humanistic management. “It's going to feel like a made-up conversation that people don't necessarily want to tune in to."F) The most interesting people aren't those who've gone on some Eat, Pray, Love journey to find themselves. Instead, Pirson says, they're those who examine the ordinary."Often, the "boring things' may not be boring at all. Maybe they are actually little miracles," he says. Share your observations about the world around you-interesting stories you heard or things you noticed—and you may be surprised by the universal connection they inspire.G)This is essentially how Jessica Hagy starts her day.The author of How to Be Interesting: An Instruction Manual, Hagy spends a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her. People who are interesting are persistently curious, she says.H) Think about the everyday things around you and ask questions about them. What is that roadside monument I see on my way to work every day? Who built that interesting building in my city? What nearby attractions haven't I visited? Why do people do things that way? Use what you find to ask more questions and learn more about the world around you.“Having that sort of curiosity is almost like a protective gear from getting into boredom," she says. And when you find things that are truly interesting to you, share them.I)Television veteran Audrey Morrissey, executive producer of NBC's The Voice, is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers: It's usually a matter of individuality. “Having a strong point of view, signature style, or being a super-enthusiast in a particular field makes someone interesting,” she says.That means embracing what is truly interesting or unique about yourself. "Many people are ‘notboring' in the way that they can carry a conversation or can be good at a social gathering, etc. To be interesting means that you have lived life, taken risks, traveled, sought out experience to learn for yourself and share with others,“she says. J)Of course, it's possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person, says public relations consultant Andrea Pass. Paying attention to the listener is an important part of having a conversation that's interesting to both parties.Talking on and on about what's interesting to you isn't going to make you an interesting person, she says.K) “If the listener is not paying attention, it's your sign to shorten the story or change direction. Make sure to bring the audience into the conversation so that it is not one-sided,"Pass says.Be a better listener yourself,and give others opportunities to participate in the conversation by inviting them with questions or requests to share their own experiences or thoughts.(e.g.,“Now,tell me about your favorite book,” or “Haveyou ever been to that attraction?”)Questions are a powerful tool,especially when they encourage others to disclose information about themselves. A 2012 study from the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that roughly 40% of the timewe are talking, we're disclosing subjective information about our experience. And when we're doing so, our brains are more engaged. So one strategy to leave others with the impression that you're a sparkling conversation partner is to get others to talk about themselves.L) Being relatable is also essential, Morrissey says. “The best entertainment and storytelling comes from people who are relatable- those who don't shy away from opening up but freely share who they are and what they care about. These are the people viewers most relate to and find interesting. Being authentic, honest,and vulnerable is always interesting.”M) I have now come to realize that being boring, in actuality,is not only about who you are as a person, but also how you present yourself. No matter what, make sure you are having fun in life. Because when you are enjoying, people around you will begin to enjoy as well. Show some interest in them and they will definitely show some in you. If you are a very reserved person, this could be a little difficult at first. But with a little effort, you can definitely improve.36. Pirson claims that some ordinary things may often prove to be miraculously interesting.37. To make a conversation interesting, it is important that you listen to the other party attentively.38. A person who is unable to stimulate others' curiosity or make their life enjoyable may appear somewhat boring.39. Interesting people usually possess certain unique qualities, according to a TV program producer.40. Be interested in others and they are sure to be interested in you.41. The author considers himself usually good at conducting conversations.42. Interesting people are always full of curiosity.43. Falling into a routine can turn a person into an utter bore.44. One strategy to be a good conversationalist is to motivate your partner to tell their own stories.45. Interesting as it might appear, a made-up conversation will probably turn out to be dull.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.With obesity now affecting 29% of the population in England, and expected to rise to35% by 2030, should we now recognise it as a disease? Obesity, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected, meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding. He points out that more than 200 genes influence weight.“Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology- it is not an individual's fault if they develop obesity." Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual's responsibility to do something about it. Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice “should help reduce the stigma (耻辱) and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity,” he adds.Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services, pointing out that other common diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, require people to take action to manage their condition. He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications. “But unless we accept that obesity is a disease, we are not going to be able to tackle it," he concludes.But Dr. Richard Pile, a physician with a special interest in diabetes, argues that adopting this approach “could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society." Hebelieves that the dictionary definition of disease “is so vague that we can classify almost anything as a disease" and says the question is not whether we can,but whether we should, and to what end.If labelling obesity as a disease was harmless then it wouldn't really matter, he writes. But labelling obesity as a disease “risks reducing autonomy, disempowering and robbing people of the intrinsic(内在的) motivation that is such an important enabler of change." What's more, making obesity a disease "may not benefit patients, but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical(制药的)industry when health insurance and clinical guidelines promote treatment with drugs and surgery,” he warns.46. What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?A) Its impact on society is expected to rise.B) It is now too widespread to be neglected.C) It should be regarded as a genetic disease.D) Its dictionary definition should be updated.47. What is the popular view of obesity?A) It is difficult to define.B) It is a modern disease.C) It has much to do with one's genes.D) It results from a lack of self-control.48. Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?A) Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.B) Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.C) Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.D) Obese people would be discriminated against.49.What does Dr. Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?A)It is of no use in understanding obesity.B) It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.C) It helps little to solve patients' problems.D)It matters little to the debate over obesity.50. What is Dr. Richard Pile's concern about classifying obesity as a disease?A) It may affect obese people's quality of life.B) It may accelerate the spread of obesity.C) It may cause a shortage of doctors.D) It may do little good to patients.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Nationwide, only about three percent of early childhood teachers are male in the U. S. Experts say this can have an impact on young children whose understanding of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming. Research has found that having access to diverse teachers is beneficial for children. For the youngest learners it means they are more likely to get exposed to different varieties of play and communication. It also helps them develop healthy ideas around gender.“In our world and our society, we have very specific stereotypes (模式化形象)ofgender roles,” said Mindi Reich-Shapiro, an assistant professor in the teacher education department of the Borough of Manhattan Community College,and one of the authors of a recent study. “It's important for children to see other possibilities and other paths they cantake.”Despite mostly feeling supported by colleagues and family members, many of the male educators surveyed in the study reported facing social or cultural resistance in their careers as early education teachers. Some also reported that there were parents surprised or concerned that their child had a male teacher. And they had been advised by colleagues or other staff not to hug children.Reich-Shapiro and fellow researchers made several recommendations to increase male representation in the field. Low pay has long been acknowledged as a major issuein the early childhood field. Over 70% of male educators who said they intended to stay in the early education workforce noted an increased salary was a major motivating factor for them to commit to the career long-term. The report suggests paying all early childhood educators the way elementary school teachers are paid.Cities and programs should establish support groups for male early childhood educators and provide mentoring and professional development advice for male educators and their program leaders.The authors also suggest that traditional recruitment approaches for early childhood educators “do not address the gender gap in the field." They recommend providing young men opportunities to work with children through training and volunteer programs, targeting groups of men who are considering a career change, such as fathers.51. What do we learn from the first paragraph about early childhood education in the U. S.?A) It helps raise children's awareness of gender roles.B) It exposes children to different ways of interaction.C) It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.D) It clearly aims to form children's identity through play.52. What does Mindi Reich-Shapiro emphasize in her comment on childhood education?A) The importance of broadening children's horizons.B) The responsibilities of fathers for children's growth.C) The urgency of creating teacher education programs.D) The role of teachers in motivating children to learn.53.What do we learn about male teachers from their responses in the study?A) Some of them find it awkward when hugging children.B) They feel pressured to keep up with female colleagues.C) They find it hard to meet the expectations of kids' parents.D) Many of them feel prejudiced against socially and culturally.54.What is needed for men to commit to early childhood education?A) Higher pay.B) Job security.C) Social recognition.D) Better working conditions.55. What do the authors of the study recommend to bridge the gender gap in early childhood education?A) Recruiting young men who have a passion for education young children.B) Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.C) Persuading prospective fathers to consider a change in their career.D) Providing male teachers with more opportunities for advancement.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.坎儿井(Karez)是新疆干旱地区的一种水利系统，由地下渠道将水井连接而成。

12月英语四级考试第2套真题试卷及答案

12月英语四级考试第2套真题试卷及答案大学英语四级考试涉及的语法知识点多、涉及面宽，对不少考生来说都是一个难题。

考生要多刷真题巩固练习考点内容，下面小编就跟大家聊聊关于12月英语四级考试第2套真题试卷及答案吧，希望能帮助到大家。

12月英语四级考试真题试卷(完整版第2套)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short easy on how to besthandle the relationship between teachers and students. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)听力音频MP3文件，点击进入听力真题页面Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each newsreport, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions willbe spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer fromthe four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It tries entertain its audience.B) It tries to look into the distance.C) It wants to catch people's attention.D) It has got one of its limbs injured.2. A) It was spotted by animal protection officials.B) It was filmed by a local television reporter.C) Its videos Were posted on social media.D) Its picture won a photography prize.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) The distance travelled.B) The incidence of road accidents.C) The spending on gas.D) The number of people travelling.4. A) Fewer people are commuting.B) Gas consumption is soaring.C) Job growth is slowing down.D) Rush-hour traffic is worsening.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) He told a stranger the sad story about himself.B) He helped a stranger to carry groceries to his car.C) He went up to a stranger and pulled at his sleeves.D) He washed a stranger's car in return for some food.6. A) He ordered a lot of food for his family.B) He gave him a job at his own company.C) He raised a large sum of money for him.D) He offered him a scholarship for college.7. A) He works hard to support his family.B) He is an excellent student at school.C) He is very good at making up stories.D) He has been disabled since boyhood.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questionswill be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answerfrom the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) Attended an economics lecture.B) Taken a walk on Charles Street.C) Had a drink at Queen Victoria.D) Had dinner at a new restaurant.9. A) Treat a college friend to dinner.B) Make preparations for a seminar.C) Attend his brothers birthday party.D) Visit some of his high school friends.10. A) Gather statistics for his lecture.B) Throw a surprise birthday party.C) Meet with Jonathan's friends on the weekend.D) Join him in his brother's birthday celebration.11. A) By car.B) By train.C) By taxi.D) By bus.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Taking a vacation abroad.B) Reviewing for his last exam.C) Saving enough money for a rainy day.D) Finding a better way to earn money.13. A) Preparing for his final exams.B) Negotiating with his boss for a raise.C) Working part time as a waiter.D) Helping the woman with her courses.14. A) Finish her term paper.B) Save enough money.C) Learn a little bit of Spanish.D) Ask her parent's permission.15. A) He has rich sailing experience.B) He speaks Spanish fluently.C) He is also eager to go to Spain.D) He is easy to get along with.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spokenonly once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She went to the same university as her mother.B) She worked as a nurse in the First World War.C) She won the Nobel Prize two times.D) She was also a Nobel Prize winner.17. A) She fought bravely in a series of military operations.B) She developed X-ray facilities for military hospitals.C) She helped to set up several military hospitals.D) She made donations to save wounded soldiers.18. A) Both died of blood cancer.B) Both fought in World War I.C) Both won military medals.D) Both married their assistants.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They were the first settlers in Europe.B) They were the conquerors of Norway.C) They discovered Iceland in the ninth century.D) They settled on a small island north of England.20. A) It was some five hundred miles west of Norway.B) It was covered with green most time of the year.C) It was the Vikings' most important discovery.D) It was a rocky mass of land covered with ice.21. A) The Vikings' ocean explorations.B) The making of European nations.C) The Vikings' everyday life.D) The Europeans' Arctic discoveries.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Work hard for a better life.B) Make mistakes now and then.C) Dream about the future.D) Save against a rainy day.23. A) Teach foreign languages for the rest of his life.B) Change what he has for his past imaginary world.C) Exchange his two-story house for a beach cottage.D) Dwell on the dreams he had dreamed when young.24. A) Criminal law.B) City planning.C) Oriental architecture.D) International business.25. A) Dream and make plans.B) Take things easy in life.C) Be content with what you have.D) Enjoy whatever you are doing.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passagewith ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choicesgiven in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully beforemaking your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark thecorresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through thecentre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Technological changes brought dramatic new options to Americans living in the 1990s. During this decade new forms of entertainment, commerce, research, andcommunication became commonplace in the U.S. The driving force behind much ofthis change was a(n) 26 popularly known as the Internet.The Internet was developed during the 1970s by the Department of Defense. In the caseof an attack, military advisers suggested the 27 of being able to operate one computerfrom another terminal. In the early days, the Internet was used mainly by scientists tocommunicate with other scientists. The Internet28 under government control until1984.One early problem faced by Internet users was speed. Phone lines could only transmitinformation at a 29 rate. The development of fiber-optic (光纤) cables allowed for billionsof bits of information to be received every minute. Companies like Intel developed fastermicroprocessors, so personal computers could process the 30 signals at a more rapidrate.In the early 1990s, the World Wide Web was developed, in large part, for 31 purposes.Corporations created home pages where they could place text and graphics tosell products. Soon airline tickets, hotel 32 , and even cars and homes could bepurchased online. Universities 33 research data on the Internet, so students could find 34 information without leaving their dormitories. Companies soon discovered that workcould be done at home and 35 online, so a whole new class of telecommuters began toearn a living from home offices unshaven and wearing pajamas (睡衣).A) advantage B) commercial C) conservation D) equipped E) incoming F) innovationG) limited H) local I) maintained J) occupations K) posted L) remained M) reservationsN) submitted O) valuableSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statementsattached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose aparagraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questionsby marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Health Benefits of KnittingA) About 15 years ago, I was invited to join a knitting group.I agreed to give it a try.B) My mother had taught me to knit at 15, and I knitted in class throughout college andfor a few years thereafter. Then decades passed without my touching a knitting needle. But within two Mondays in the group, I was hooked, not only on knitting but also oncrocheting (钩织), and I was on my way to becoming a highly productive crafter.C) I've made countless baby blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, caps for newborns. I takea knitting project with me everywhere, especially when I have to sit still and listen. As Idiscovered in college, when my hands are busy, my mind stays focused on the here andnow.D) It seems, too, that I'm part of a national renewal of interest in needle and otherhandicrafts (手工艺). The Craft Yarn Council reports that a third of women ages 25-35 now knit or crochet. Even men and schoolchildren are swelling the ranks, among themmy friend's three small grandsons. Last April, the council created a "Stitch Away Stress" campaign in honor of National Stress Awareness Month. Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneerin mind/body medicine and author of The Relaxation Response, says that the repetitiveaction of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation(沉思) and yoga. Once you get beyond the initial learning curve, knitting and crochetingcan lower heart rate and blood pressure.E) But unlike meditation, craft activities result in tangible and often useful productsthat can enhance self-esteem. I keep photos of my singular accomplishments on mycellphone to boost my spirits when needed.F) Since the 1990s, the council has surveyed hundreds ofthousands of knitters andcrocheters, who routinely list stress relief and creative fulfillment as the activities'main benefits. Among them is the father of a prematurely born daughter who reportedthat during the baby's five weeks in the intensive care unit, "learning how to knit infanthats gave me a sense of purpose during a time that I felt very helpless. It's a hobbythat I've stuck with, and it continues to help me cope with stress at work, provide asense of order in hectic (忙乱的) days, and allow my brain time to solve problems."G) A recent email from the yarn (纺纱) company Red Heart titled "Health Benefits ofCrocheting and Knitting" prompted me to explore what else might be known about thehealth value of activities like knitting. My research revealed that the rewards go wellbeyond replacing stress and anxiety with the satisfaction of creation.H) For example, Karen Hayes, a life coach in Toronto, conducts knitting therapyprograms, including Knit to Quit to help smokers give up the habit, and Knit to Heal forpeople coping with health crises, like a cancer diagnosis or serious illness of a familymember. Schools and prisons with craft programs report that they have a calmingeffect and enhance social skills. And having to follow instructions on complex craftprojects can improve children's math skills.I) Some people find that craftwork helps them control their weight. Just as it'schallenging to smoke while knitting, when hands are holding needles and hooks, there'sless snacking and mindless eating out of boredom.J) I've found that my handiwork with yarn has helped my arthritic (患关节炎的) fingersremain more dexterous (灵巧的) as I age. A woman encouraged to try knitting andcrocheting afterdeveloping an autoimmune disease that caused a lot of hand painreported on the Craft Yarn Council site that her hands are now less stiff and painful.K) A 2009 University of British Columbia study of 38 women with an eating disorder whowere taught to knit found that learning the craft led to significant improvements. Seventy-four percent of the women said the activity lessened their fears and kept themfrom thinking about their problem.L) Betsan Corkhill, a wellness coach in Bath, England, and author of the book Knit forHealth & Wellness, established a website, Stitchlinks, to explore the value of whatshe calls therapeutic knitting. Among her respondents, 54 percent of those who wereclinically depressed said that knitting made them feel happy or very happy. In a studyof 60 self-selected people with persistent pain, Ms. Corkhill and colleagues reported thatknitting enabled them to redirect their focus, reducing their awareness of pain. Shesuggested that the brain can process just so much at once, and that activities likeknitting and crocheting make it harder for the brain to register pain signals. Perhapsmost exciting is research that suggests that crafts like knitting and crocheting may helpto keep off a decline in brain function with age. In a 2011 study, researchers led by Dr. Yonas Geda at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester interviewed a random (随机的) sample of1,321 people ages 70-89, most of whom were cognitively (在认知方面) normal, about thecognitive activities they engaged in late in life. The study, published in the Journal ofNeuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, found that those who engaged in craftslike knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitivedisorder and memory loss.M) Although it is possible that only people who arecognitively healthy would pursuesuch activities, those who read newspapers or magazines or played music did not showsimilar benefits. The researchers speculate that craft activities promote thedevelopment of nerve pathways in the brain that help to maintain cognitive health.N) In support of that suggestion, a 2014 study by Denise C. Park of the University ofTexas at Dallas and colleagues demonstrated that learning to knit or do digitalphotography enhanced memory function in older adults. Those who engaged inactivities that were not intellectually challenging, either in a social group or alone, did not show such improvements.O) Given that sustained social contacts have been shown to support health and a longlife, those wishing to maximize the health value of crafts might consider joining a groupof like-minded folks. I for one try not to miss a single weekly meeting of my knittinggroup.36. When the author was a college student, she found that knitting helped herconcentrate.37. Knitting can help people stay away from tobacco.38. Even men and children are now joining the army of knitters.39. Being a member of a crafts group enhances one's health and prolongs one's life.40. Knitting diverts people's attention from their pain.41. The author learnt to knit as a teenager, but it was not until she was much older thatshe became keenly interested.42. When people are knitting, they tend to eat fewer snacks.43. Survey findings show that knitting can help people relieve stress.44. According to a study, knitters and crocheters are lesslikely to suffer mild cognitivedamage.45. The products of knitting can increase one's sense of self-respect.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by somequestions 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 onAnswer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 and 50 are based on the following passage.Nobody really knows how big Lagos is. What's indisputable is that it's growing veryquickly. Between now and 2050, the urban population of Africa could triple. Yet cities insub-Saharan Africa are not getting richer the way cities in the rest of the world have. Most urban Africans live in slums (贫民窟); migrants are often not much better off thanthey were in the countryside. Why?The immediate problem is poverty. Most of Africa is urbanising at a lower level ofincome than other regions of the world did. That means there's little money around forinvestment that would make cities liveable and more productive. Without upgrades andnew capacity, bridges, roads and power systems are unable to cope with expandingpopulations. With the exception of South Africa, the only light rail metro system in sub-Saharan Africa is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Traffic jam leads to expense andunpredictability, things that keep investors away.In other parts of the world, increasing agricultural productivity and industrialisationwent together. More productive farmers meant there was a surplus that could feedcities; in turn, that created a pool of labour for factories. But African cities aredifferent. They are too often built around consuming natural resources. Government isconcentrated in capitals, so is the money. Most urban Africans work for a smallminority of the rich, who tend to be involved in either cronyish (有裙带关系的) businesses or politics. Since African agriculture is still broadly unproductive, food isimported, consuming a portion of revenue.So what can be done? Though African countries are poor, not all African cities are. InLagos, foreign oil workers can pay as much as $65,000 per year in rent for a modestapartment in a safe part of town. If that income were better taxed, it might provide therevenue for better infrastructure. If city leaders were more accountable to their residents, they might favour projects designed to help them more. Yet even as new roads are built, new people arrive. When a city's population grows by 5% a year, it is difficult to keepup.46. What do we learn from the passage about cities in sub-Saharan Africa?A) They have more slums than other cities in the world.B) They are growing fast without becoming richer.C) They are as modernised as many cities elsewhere.D) They attract migrants who want to be better off.47. What does the author imply about urbanisation in other parts of the world?A) It benefited from the contribution of immigrants.B) It started when people's income was relatively high.C) It benefited from the accelerated rise in productivity.D) It started with the improvement of peopled livelihood.48. Why is sub-Saharan Africa unappealing to investors?A) It lacks adequate transport facilities.B) The living expenses there are too high.C) It is on the whole too densely populated.D) The local governments are corrupted.49. In what way does the author say African cities are different?A) They have attracted huge numbers of farm labourers.B) They still rely heavily on agricultural productivity.C) They have developed at the expense of nature.D) They depend far more on foreign investment.50. What might be a solution to the problems facing African cities?A) Lowering of apartment rent.B) Better education for residents.C) More rational overall planning.D) A more responsible government.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.For the past several decades, it seems there's been a general consensus on how to getahead in America: Get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy your own home. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?The most recent National Journal poll asked respondents about the American dream, what it takes to achieve their goals, and whether or not they felt a significant amount ofcontrol over their ability to be successful. Overwhelmingly, the results show that today， the idea of the American dream—and what it takes to achieve it—looks quite differentthan it did in the late 20th century.By and large, people felt that their actions and hard work—not outside forces—were thedeciding factor in how their lives turned out. But respondents had decidedly mixedfeelings aboutwhat actions make for a better life in the current economy.In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic about the power ofeducation to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievablegoal, a majority—52 percent—think that young people do not need a four-year collegeeducation in order to be successful.Miguel Maeda, 42, who has a master's degree and works in public health, was the first inhis family to go to college, which has allowed him to achieve a sense of financialstability his parents and grandparents never did.While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of the degree rather than the educationitself, others still see college as a way to gain new perspectives and life experiences. Sixty-year-old Will Fendley, who had a successful career in the military and neverearned a college degree, thinks "personal drive" is far more important than just going tocollege. To Fendley, a sense of drive and purpose, as well as an effective high-schooleducation, and basic life skills, like balancing a checkbook, are the necessaryingredients for a successful life in America.51. It used to be commonly acknowledged that to succeed in America, one had to have .A) an advanced academic degreeB) an ambition to get aheadC) a firm belief in their dreamD) a sense of drive and purpose52. What is the finding of the latest National Journal poll concerning the Americandream?A) More and more Americans are finding it hard to realize.B) It remains alive among the majority of American people.C) Americans' idea of it has changed over the past fewdecades.D) An increasing number of young Americans are abandoning it.53. What do Americans now think of the role of college education in achieving success?A) It still remains open to debate.B) It has proved to be beyond doubt.C) It is no longer as important as it used to be.D) It is much better understood now than ever.54. How do some people view college education these days?A) It promotes gender equality.B) It needs to be strengthened.C) It adds to cultural diversity.D) It helps broaden their minds.55. What is one factor essential to success in America, according to Will Fendley?A) A desire to learn and to adapt.B) A strong sense of responsibility.C) A willingness to commit oneself.D) A clear aim and high motivation.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chineseinto English. You should write your answer onAnswer Sheet 2.华山位于华阴市，据西安120公里。

2020年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版)

2020年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版）作参考一、四级听力部分：听力原文：1. A) A deadly fish has been spotted in the Mediterranean waters.2. C) It could poses a threat to other marine species.3. B) About half of its city center will be closed to ears.4. A) The rising air pollution in Paris5. B) His houses has burnt down in a fire.6. D) Sell the pearl he had kept for years.7. C) His monstrous pearl was extremely valuable.8. A) It boasts a farily long history.9. C) It is a family business.10. D) Loss of competitive edge.11. A) Conducting a financial analysis for it.12. D) She is really impressed by the man's house.13. B) From home design magazine.14. C) The cost was affordable.15. B) She wants him to share his renovation experiences with her.16. D) Removing objects from patients' noses and ears.17. C) Five to nine-year-olds were the most likely to put things in their ears.18. D) They are curious about these body parts.19. B) It gave her a used bicycle.20. A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.21. B) It is a charity organization.22. D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.23. A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.24. C) They already felt at home in the new environment.25. B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.纯视听一致 40% 10道题视听一致+同义替换 48% 12道题纯同义替换 12% 3道题（有一道是全文理解）Passage 1主题：孩子往耳朵和鼻子里塞东西，去医院取出16. D) Removing objects from patients' noses and ears.听力原文：Removing foreign objects from ears and nosescosts England almost 3 million pounds a year, a study suggests.考点：视听一致17. C) Five to nine-year-olds were the most likely to put things in their ears.听力原文：five to nine-year-olds come to the hospital with something in their ears the most.考点：视听一致18. D) They are curious about these body parts.听力原文：考点：视听一致+同义替换According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse to explore their noses and ears.Passage 2主题：二手自行车做慈善，送给有需要的人，教他们骑19. B) It gave her a used bicycle.听力原文：At this time, rebicycle got involved and gave Layla a second-hand bicycle.考点：视听一致+同义替换20. A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.听力原文：And there's now expanding bike riding lessonsas demand source. 考点：视听一致21. B) It is a charity organization.听力原文：无考点：全文理解Passage 3主题：老鼠在低重力环境下的试验22. D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.听力原文：To that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice.考点：视听一致+同义替换23. A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.听力原文：As you'll notice in the video, the mice definitely seemuncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment.考点：同义替换24. C) They already felt at home in the new environment.听力原文：Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls.考点：同义替换25. B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.The scientist wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on earth. The study showed that the mice kept much of the routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.考点：视听一致+同义替换听力原文：Passage 1Removing foreign objects from ears and noses costs England almost 3 million pounds a year, a study suggests. Children were responsible for the vast majority of cases. 95% of objects removed from noses and 85% from ears. Every year, an average of 1,218 nose and 2,479 ear removals took place between 2010 and 2016. According to England's hospital episodes statistics, children aged one to four, were the most likely to need help from doctors for a foreign object in their nose, five to nine-year-olds come to the hospital with something in their ears the most. Jewelry items accounted for up to 40% of cases in both the ears and noses of children, paper and plastic toys, where the items removed next most from noses, cotton beds and pencils were also found in ears. According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse toexplore their noses and ears. This results in the accidental entry of forei gn objects. Any ear, nose and throat surgeon has many weird stories about wonderful objects found in the noses and ears of children and adults. Batteries can pose a particular danger. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. This is why many toys contain warnings about small parts. Recognizing problems early and seeking medical attention is important.Question 16 to 18, are based on the passage you've just heard .16. What does England spend an annual 3 million pounds on?17. What do we learn from England's hospital episodes statistics?18. What is generally believed to account for children putting things in their ears or noses?Passage 2Today, I would like to talk to you about my charity rebicycle. But before that, let me introduce someone. This is Layla Rahimi. She was so scared when she first moved to New Zealand, that she struggled to leave the house and would spend days working up the courage to walk to the supermarket for basic supplies.After a few months of being quite down and unhappy, she was invited to join a local bike club. At this time, rebicycle got involved and gave Layla a second-hand bicycle. Within weeks, her depression had begun to ease as she cycled. The bicycle totally changed her life, giving her hope and a true feeling of freedom.To date, rebicycle has donated more than 200 bikes to those in need. And there's now expanding bike riding lessons as demand source. With a bike, newcomers here can travel farther, but for almost no cost. The three hours a day, they used to spend walking to and from English language lessons has been reduced to just one hour.Our bike riding lessons are so successful that we are urgently looking for more volunteers, learning to ride a bike is almost always more difficult for an adult, and this can take days and weeks rather than hours. So if any of you have some free time during the weekend, please come join us at re bicycle and make a difference in someone's life.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage. You have just heard 19. What did rebicycle do to help Layla Rahimi?20. What is Rebicycle doing to help those in need?21. What do we learn from the passage about rebicycle?Passage 3Thanks to the international space station, we know quite a bit about the effects of low gravity on the human body, but NASA scientists want to learn more. To that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice. The results are both interesting and humorous. The scientists first sent some mice and especially designed cage to the international space station. The cage allowed them to study the behavior of the mice remotely from earth via video. As you'll notice in the video, the mice definitely seem uncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment. They move around clumsily, drifting within the small confines of the cage, and do their best to figure out which way is up.But without success, however, it's not long before the mice begin to catch on. They adapt remarkably well to their new environment and even use the lack of gravity to their advantage as they push themselves around the cage. That's when things really get wild. The 11th day of the experiment shows the mice are not just dealing with the gravity change, but actually seem to be enjoying it. Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls. The scientist wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on earth. The study showed thatthe mice kept much of the routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.22 to 25 are based on the paths that you have just heard question.22. What do NASA scientists want to learn about?23. What does the passage say about the mice at the beginning of the experiment?24. What was observed about the mice on the 11th day of the experiment?25. What did the scientists find about the mice from the experiment?二、四级选词填空部分：When my son completes a task, I can't hlep but praise him.26. B. constant27. G. negative28. K. repeatedly29. L. rewarded30. C disappointing31 .H. outcome32.1. pattern33. D. distinguish34. N. simply35.0. undertaken三、四级信息匹配部分：The History of the Lunch Box36. [F] City kids,on the other hand,went home for lunch and came back.37. [j] The company sold 600, 000 units the first year.38. [〇] The introduction of backpacks changed the lunch box scene abit^he adds.39. [C] Lunch boxes have been connecting kids to cartoons and TV shows and super-heroes for decades.40. [H] And then everything changed in the year of 1950.41 .[L] The new trend was also a great example of planned obsolescence,that is,to design a product so that it will soon become unfashionable or impossible to use and will need replacing.42. [D] Let's start back at the beginning of the 20th century-the beginning of the lunch box story,really.43. [A] It was made of shiny,bright pink plastic with a Little Mermaid sticker on the front,and I carried it with me nearly every single day.44. [M] The metal lunch box craze Lasted until the mid-1980s,when plastic took over.45. [I] But these containers were really sting years on end.四、四级仔细阅读部分：P146 A When they don* t have the chance to do what they want47 D Harmful conduct48 B Many volunteers choose to hurt themselves rather than endure boredom49 C It may promote creative thinking.50 D Allow oneself some time to be bored.P251 .B Forests are fast shrinking in many developing countries.52. C Those that used to have the lowest forest coverage.53. A The government’ s advocacy54. C Their capability of improving air quality55. D Developed and developing countries are moving in opposite directions五、四级作文部分：WritingDirections：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write on the topic Changes in the Way of Transportation.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.范文：Changes in the way of transportationAs the internet is developing so rapidly, the way of transportation keeps changing surprisingly. New applications on transportation emerge abundantly, contributing to the fact that people* s lifestyle has been changed as well.The changes in the way of transportation can be listed as follows. First of all, with the development of technology, the price of transportation is much cheaper than before. Moreover, compared with traditional ways of buying tickets, transportation applications and websites give passengers the opportunity to book tickets online without going outside to particular ticket offices. Besides, highspeed railways gradually replace the oldfashioned green trains, which can tremendously improve travelers’ comfort during the journey and shorten the time spent on the way.From my perspective, the changes in the way of transportation mainly lie in the good respects. As one of the fortunate passengers who live in the age of internet and can get access to online service of transportation, I can* t help exclaiming: it is the best of times.六、四级翻译部分：春节前夕吃团圆饭是中国人的传统。

2020年12月英语四级真题第2套

Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
5. A) To investigate whether people are grateful for help.
B) To see whether people hold doors open for strangers.
the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
8. A) To order a solar panel installation.
corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. A) Bring their own bags when shopping.
C) Driving along the Great Ocean Road.
•I
D) Learning more about wine making.
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or

2019年12月四级考试真题及参考答案完整版(第二套)

2019年12月大学英语四级考试真题完整版（第二套）Part Ⅰ Writing （30 minutes）Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to a foreign friend who wants to teach English in China. Please recommend a city to him. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）, B）, C） and D）. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions l and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A）Many facilities were destroyed by a wandering cow.B） A wandering cow knocked down one of its fences.C） Some tourists were injured by a wandering cow.D） A wandering cow was captured by the police.2. A） It was shot to death by a police officer.B）It found its way back to the park’s zoo.C） It became a great attraction for tourists.D） It was sent to the animal control department.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A） It is the largest of its kind.B） It is going to be expanded.C） It is displaying more fossil specimens.D） It is staring an online exhibition.4. A）A collection of bird fossils from Australia.B） Photographs of certain rare fossil exhibits.C） Some ancient wall paintings from Australia.D） Pictures by winners of a wildlife photo contest.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A） Pick up trash.B） Amuse visitors.C） Deliver messages.D） Play with children.6. A） They are especially intelligent.B）They are children’s favorite.C They are quite easy to tame.D） They are clean and pretty.7. A） Children may be harmed by the rooks.B） Children may be tempted to drop litter.C） Children may contract bird diseases.D） Children may overfeed the rooks.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）, B）, C） and D）. Thenmark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A） It will be produced at Harvard University.B） It will be hosted by famous professors.C） It will cover different areas of science.D） It will focus on recent scientific discoveries.9. A）It will be more futuristic.B） It will be more systematic.C） It will be more entertaining.D） It will be easier to understand.10. A） People interested in science.B） Youngsters eager to explore.C） Children in their early teens.D） Students majoring in science.11. A） Offer professional advice.B） Provide financial support.C） Help promote it on the Internet.D） Make episodes for its first season.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A） Unsure.B） Helpless.C） Concerned.D） Dissatisfied.13. A） He is too concerned with being perfect.B） He loses heart when faced with setbacks.C） He is too ambitious in achieving goals.D） He takes on projects beyond his ability.14. A） Embarrassed.B） Unconcerned.C） Miserable.D） Resentful.15. A） Try to be optimistic whatever happens.B） Compare his present with his past only.C）Always learn from others’ achievements.D） Treat others the way he would be treated.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）, B）, C） and D）. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A） They have a stronger sense of social responsibility.B） They are more likely to succeed in the humanities.C） They are more likely to become engineers.D） They have greater potential to be leaders.17. A） Praise girls who like to speak up frequently.B） Encourage girls to solve problems on their own.c） Insist that boys and girls work together more.D）Respond more positively to boys’ comments.18. A） Offer personalized teaching materials.B） Provide a variety of optional courses.C） Place great emphasis on test scores.D） Pay extra attention to top students.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A） It often rains cats and dogs.B） It seldom rains in summer time.C） It does not rain as much as people think.D） It is one of the most rainy cities in the US.20. A） They drive most of the time.B） The rain is usually very light.C） They have got used to the rain.D） The rain comes mostly at night.21. A） It has a lot of places for entertainment.B） It has never seen thunder and lighting.C） It has fewer cloudy days than any other coastal city.D） It has mild weather both in summer and in winter.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A） It occurs when people are doing a repetitive activity.B）It results from exerting one’s muscles continuously.C） It happens when people engage in an uncommon activity. D）It comes from staining one’s muscle s in an unusual way.23. A） Blood flow and body heat increase in the affected area. B） Body movements in the affected area become difficult.C） They begin to make repairs immediately.D） They gradually become fragmented.24. A） About one week.B） About two days.C） About ten days.D） About four weeks.25. A） Apply muscle creams.B） Drink plenty of water.C） Have a hot shower.D） Take pain-killers.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension （40 minutes）Section AFinally, some good news about airplane traverl. If you are on a plane with a sick passenger, you are unlikely to get sick. That is the 26 of a new study that looked at how respiratory（呼吸道）viruses 27 on airplanes. Researchers found that only people who were seated in individual – had a high risk of catching the illness. All other passengers had only a very 28 chance of getting sick ,accordingto the findings. Media reports have not necessarily presented 29 information about the risk of getting infected on an airplane in the past. Therefore , these new findings should help airplane passengers to feel less 30 to catching respiratory infections while traveling by air.Prior to the new study, litter was known about the risks of getting 31 infected by common respiratory viruses, such as the flu or common cold, on an airplane, the researchers said. So, to 32 the risks of infection, the study team flew on 10 different 33 in the U.S. 34 side of a person infected with flu, as well as those sitting one roe in front of or behind this individual, had about an 80 person chance of getting sick. But other passengers were 35 safe from infection. They had a less than 3 percent chance of catching the flu.A） accurateB） conclusionC） directlyD） eitherE） evaluateF） explorationsG） flightsH） largelyI） nearbyJ） respondK） slimL） spreadM） summitN） vividlyO） vulnerableSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.A South Korean city designed for the future takes on a life of its ownA） Getting around a city is one thing —and then there’s the matter of getting from one city to another. One vision of the perfect city of the future: a place that offers easy access to air travel.In 2011, a University of North Carolina business professor named John Kasarda published a book called Aerotropolis: The Way We’ll Live Next. Kasarda says future cities should be built intentionally around or near airports. The idea, as he has put it, is to offer businesses “rapid, long-distance connectivity on a massive scale.”B）“The 18th century really was a waterborne （水运的） century, the 19th century a rail century. the 20th century a highway, car, truck century一and the 21st century will increasingly be an aviation century, as the globe becomes increasi ngly connected by air,” Kasarda says. Songdo, a city built from scratch in South Korea, is one of Kasarda’s prime examples. It has existed for just a few years.“ From the get-go, it was designed on the basis of connectivity and competitiveness,”says Kasada. “The government built the bridge directly from the airport to the Songdo International Business District. And the surface infrastructure was built in tandem with the new airport.”C）Songdo is a stone’s throw from South Korea’s Incheon Airport, its main international hub （枢纽）. But it takes a lot more than a nearby airport to be a city of the future. Just building a place as an “international business district” doesn’t mean it will become one. Park Yeon Soo conceived （构想） this city ofthe future back in 1986. He considers Songdo his baby. “I am a visionary,” he says. Thirty years after he imagined the city, Park’s baby is close to 70 percent built, with 36.000 people living in the business district and 90,000 residents in greater Songdo. It’s about an hour outside Seoul, built on reclaimed tidal flats along the Yellow Sea, There’s a Coast Guard building and a tall trade tower, as well as a park, golf course and university.D）Chances are you’ve actually seen this place. Songdo appears in the most famous musi c video ever to come ou of South Korea. “Gangnam Style” refers to the fashionable Gangnam district in Seoul. But some of the video was filmed in Songdo.“I don’t know if you remember, there was a scene in a subway station. That was not Gangnam. That was act ually Songdo,” says Jung Won Son, a professor of urban development at London’s Bartlett School of Planning, “Part of the reason to shoot there is that it’s new and nice.”E） The city was supposed to be a hub for global companies, with employees from all ov er the world. But hat’s not how it has turned out. Songdo’s reputation is as a futuristic ghost town. But the reality is more complicated. A bridge with big, light-blue loops leads into the business district. In the center of the main road, there’s a long line of flags of the world. On the corner, there’s a Starbucks and a 7-Eleven--all of the international brands that you see all over the world nowadays.F） The city is not empty. There are mothers pushing strollers, old women with walkers -- even in the mi ddle of the day. when it’s 90 degrees out. Byun Young-Jin chairs the Songdo real estate association and started selling property here when the first phase of the city opened in 2005. He says demand has boomed in the past couple of years. Most of his clients are Korean. In fact, the developer says, 99 percent of the homes here are sold to Koreans. Young families move here because the schools are great. And that’s the problem: Songdo has become a popular Korean city 一more popular as a residential area than a business one. It’s not yet the futuristic international business hub that planners imagined. “It’s a great place to live. And it’s becoming a great place to work,” says Scott Summers, the vice president of Gale International, the developer of the city. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his company’s offices overlook Songdo Central Park, with a canal full of kayaks and paddle boats. Shimmering （闪烁的）glass towers line the canal’s edge.G）“What’s happened is, because we focused on creating that quality of life first, which enabled the residents to live here, what has probably missed the mark is for companies to locate here,” he says. “There needs to be strong economic incentives.” The city is still unfinished, and it feels a bit like a theme park. It doesn’t feel all that futuristic. There’s a high-tech underground trash disposal system. Buildings are environmentally friendly. Everybody’s television set is connected to a system that streams personalized language or exercise classes.H） But Star Trek this is not. And to some of the residents, Songdo feels hollow. “I’m, like, in prison for weekdays. That’s what we call it in the workplace,” says a woman in her 20s. She doesn’t want to use her name for fear of being fired from her job. She goes back to Seoul every wee kend. “I say I’m prison-breaking on Friday nights.” But she has to make the prison break in her own car. There’s no high-speed train connecting Songdo to Seoul, just over 20 miles away.I） The man who first imagined Songdo feels frustrated. too. Park says he built South Korea a luxury vehicle, “like Mercedes or BMW. It’s a good car now. But we’re waiting for a good driver to accelerate.”But there are lots of other good cars out there, too. The world is dotted with futuristic, high-tech cities trying to attract the biggest international companiesJ）Songdo’s backers contend that it’s still early, and business space is filling up—about 70 percent of finished offices are now occupied. Brent Ryan, who teaches urban design at MIT, says Songdo proves a universal principle. “There have been a lot of utopian （乌托邦的）cities in history. And the reason we don’t know about a lot of them is that a lot of them have vanished entirely.” In other words, when it comes to cities—or anything else—it is hard to predict the future.36. Songdo’s popularity lies more in its quality of life than its business attraction.37. The man who conceives Songdo feels disappointed because it has fallen short of his expectations.38. A scene in a popular South Korean music video was shot in Songdo.39. Songdo still lacks the financial stimulus for businesses to set up shop there.40. Airplanes will increasingly become the chief means of transportation, according to a professor.41. Songdo has ended up different from the city it was supposed to be.42. Some of the people who work in Songdo complain about boredom in the workplace.43. A business professor says that a future city should have easy access to international transportation.44. Acording to an urban design professor, it is difficult for city designers to foresee what happen in the future.45. Park Yeon So. Who envisioned Songdo, feels a parental connection with the city.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A）, B）, C） and D）. You should decide on the best choiceand mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The fifth largest city in the US passed a significant soda tax proposal that will levy （征税）1.5 cents per liquid ounce on distributors.Philadelphia’s new measure was approve d by a 13 to 4 city council vote. It sets a new bar for similar initiatives across the county. It is proof that taxes on sugary drinks can win substantial support outside super-liberal areas. Until now, the only city to successfully pass and implement a soda tax was Berkeley, California, in 2014.The tax will apply to regular and diet sodas, as well as other drinks with added sugar, such as Gatorade and iced teas. It’s expected to raise $410 million over the next five years, most of which will go toward funding a universal pre-kindergarten program for the city.While the city council vote was met with applause inside the council room, opponents to the measure, including soda lobbyists made sharp criticisms and a promise to challenge the tax in court.“The ta x passed today unfairly singles out beverages—including low- and no-calorie choices,” said Lauren Kane, spokeswoman for the American Beverage Association. “But most importantly, it is against the law. So we will side with the majority of the people of Philadelphia who oppose this tax and take legal action to stop it.”An industry backed anti-tax campaign has spent at least $4 million on advertisements. The ads criticized the measure. characterizing it as a“grocery tax.”Public health groups applauded the approved tax as a step toward fixing certain lasting health issues that plague Americans. “The move to recapture a small part of the profits from an industry that pushes a product that contributes to diabetes, obesity and heart disease in poorer communities in order to reinvest in those communities will sure be inspirational to many other places,” said Jim Krieger, executive director of Healthy Food America. “Indeed, we are already hearing from some of them. It’s not just Berkeley’ anymore.”Similar measures in California’s Albany, Oakland, San Francisco and Colorado’s Boulder are becoming hot-button issues Health advocacy groups have hinted that even more might be coming.46. What does the passage say about the newly-approved soda tax in Philadelphia?A） It will change the lifestyle of many consumers.B） It may encourage other US cities to follow suit.C） It will cut soda consumption among low-income communities.D）It may influence the marketing strategies of the soda business.47. What will the opponents probably do to respond to the soda tax proposal? A） Bargain with the city council.B） Refuse to pay additional tax.C） Take legal action against it.D） Try to win public support.48. What did the industry-backed anti-tax campaign do about the soda tax proposal?A） It tried to arouse hostile feelings among consumers.B）It tried to win grocers’ support against the measure.C） It kept sending letters of protest to the media.D） It criticized the measure through advertising.49. What did public health groups think the soda tax would do?A） Alert people to the risk of sugar-induced diseases.B） Help people to fix certain long-time health issues.C） Add to the fund for their research on diseases.D） Benefit low-income people across the country.50. What do we learn about similar measures concerning the soda tax in some other cities?A） They are becoming rather sensitive issues.B） They are spreading panic in the soda industry.C） They are reducing the incidence of sugar-induced diseases.D）They are taking away lot of profit from the soda industry.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Popping food into the microwave for a couple of minutes may seem utterly harmless, but Europe’s stock of these quick-cooking ovens emit as much carbon as nearly 7 million cars, a new study has found. And the problem is growing. Withcosts falling and kitchen appliances becoming “status” items, owners are throwing away microwaves after an average of eight years. This is pushing sales of new microwaves which are expected to reach 135 million annually in the EU by the end of the decade.A study by the University of Manchester calculated the emissions of CO2—the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change—at every stage of microwaves, from manufacture to wast e disposal. “It is electricity consumption by microwaves that has the biggest impact on the environment,” say the authors. The authors also calculate that the emissions from using 19 microwaves over a year are the same as those from using a car. According to the same study, efforts to reduce consumption should focus on improving consumer awareness and behaviour. For example, consumers could use appliances in a more efficient way by adjusting the time of cooking to the type of food.However, David Reay, professor of carbon management, argues that, although microwaves use a great deal of energy, their emissions are minor compared to those from cars. In the UK alone, there are around 30 million cars. These cars emit more than all the microwaves in the EU. Backing this up, recent data show that passenger cars in the UK emitted 69 million tons of CO2 in 2015. This is 10 times the amount this new microwave oven study estimates for annual emissions for all the microwave ovens in the EU. Further, the energy used by microwaves is lower than any other from of cooking. Among common kitchen appliances usedfor cooking, microwaves are the most energy efficient, followed by a stove and finally a standard oven. Thus, rising microwave sales could be seen as a positive thing.51. What is the finding of the new study?A） Quick-cooking microwave ovens have become more popular.B） The frequent use of microwaves may do harm to our health.C） CO2 emissions constitute a major threat to the environment.D） The use of microwaves emits more CO2 than people think.52. Why are the sales of microwaves expected to rise?A） They are becoming more affordable.B） They have a shorter life cycle than other appliances.C） They are getting much easier to operate.D） They take less time to cook than other appliances.53. What recommendation does the study by the University of Manchester make?A） Cooking food of different varieties.B）Improving microwave users’ habits.C） Eating less to cut energy consumption.D） Using microwave ovens less frequently.54. What does Professor David Reay try to argue?A） There are far more emissions from cars than from microwaves. B） People should be persuaded into using passenger cars less often. C） The UK produces less CO2 than many other countries in the EU. D） More data are needed to show whether microwaves are harmful.55. What does Professor David Reay think of the use of microwaves? A） It will become less popular in the coming decades.B） It makes everyday cooking much more convenient.C） It plays a positive role in environmental protection.D） It consumes more power than conventional cooking.Part Ⅳ Translation （30 minutes）Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.中国的家庭观念与其文化传统有关。

2021年12月大学英语四级CET4真题(第2套)听力原文

News Report One(1) A 22-year-old Chinese woman who suffered from a persistent cough was sh ocked to learn that she had a piece of chicken bone lodged in her lung. The unn amed woman from the province of Shandong started have coughing problems w hen she was 7 or 8 years old. For 14 years, she made numerous hospital visits. However, no doctor could identify any problem. Her uncontrollable coughing w as a mystery. Finally, the woman got a full body scan at a hospital in the city of Qingdao. This special medical procedure revealed she had a chicken bone stuc k in her lung. (2) Doctors performed surgery and removed the bone. The simple procedure went smoothly and the woman has recovered fully with the bone fin ally removed from her lung, the woman is very happy that she no longer suffers from that annoying cough.1. What was the woman’s problem?2. How was the woman’s problem eventually solved?News Report Two(3) A white shape named Prickles that ran away from an Australian farm during the 2013 bush fires recently returned home. According to farmer Alice Gray, P rickles was only a lamb when she ran away. The bush fires that hit the area bac k then destroyed a large part of her family’s massive property. They thought Pri ckles had died in the fire. But instead, the young sheep escaped into a 200-acre forest near the farm. (4) Once the fires were over, the family had to fix the dam age done to the farm as it was such a large property, which included rebuilding about 40 kilometers of fencing. It was this huge fencing that prevented Pickles from finding her way back. Over the years, the family spotted her a few times. They even recorded her with cameras installed to monitor the activity. But whe n they knew Pringles was alive, they couldn’t find her and never expected her t o return by herself. Seven years later, they were proven wrong.3. What does the news say about the white sheep Prickles?4.What the family do of the bush fires?News Report Three(5) Tons of gold have fallen out of the sky in Russia after a cargo plane malfun ctioned in midair this morning. The aircraft was carrying 265 million pounds w orth of gold and diamonds, when the door flew open, sending the precious metal back to earth. According to the official news agency, Russian authorities have recovered more than 170 gold bars weighing 20 kilograms each. The plane was traveling from Yakutsk airport in a major diamond producing region to the city Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. (6)However, the aircraft made an emergency landing i n Magan after began losing some of its valuable cargo. Reports suggest some b ars of gold were scattered up to fifteen miles away from the airport. Nine tons o f gold on plane AN12 belonged to a gold mine company. Police have sealed off the runway and say it is unclear if it was an accident or an attempted robbery. ( 7) Technical engineers who worked on the plane prior to takeoff are reportedly going to be questioned by the police.5. What is the news report mainly about?6. What did the aircraft do when the incident happened?7. What does the news report say about the technical engineers who worked on the plane before takeoff?Conversation One8. Why does the man have this conversation with the man recorded?His job is related to the customer service.9. What is the woman’s purpose of calling to the furniture company?She wants to know when she can get her money back.10. What does the woman say about her bank card?The new bank card will be sent to her on Tuesday, and the bank may has cancel ed the old one before the man made the payment.11. What does the man advise the woman to do?She needs to update the card details directly on the website.Conversation Two12. Why isn’t the man going to cook?He’s worn out.13. What does the man say he’ll do on his phone?He’ll use the food delivery app on his phone.14. What does the woman think of the Indian food?That’s not the kind of the hot she means. She needs something mild.15. What does the man think of the woman?She’s really difficult to please.Passage One(16) A new study carried out by the university of Lincoln has found a link betw een the personalities of cat owners and the behavior and wellbeing of their cats. The findings suggest that just as apparent personality can affect the personality of a child, the same is true for a cat and its owner. Owners defined as individu als with high levels of anxiety, fear, anger, depression and loneliness were mor e likely to have cats with behavioral issues. Such cats display more aggressive and anxious behavioral styles as well as more stress related sickness. They will also more likely to have an ongoing medical condition and be overweight. The research also found that mentally well-adjusted owners had come from happier and healthier cats. Researchers explained that many owners regard their pets as a family member and form close social bonds with them. (17) The majority of o wners want to provide the best care for their pets and is therefore possible that pets could be affected by the way their owners interact with and manage them. The study highlights an important relationship between our personalities and th e well-being of our pets. (18) Further research is needed to investigate the caus e of nature of this relationship and look at how owners’ personalities are directl y influencing their pet’s behavior and well-being. It is possible that the well-be ing of pets is driven by the underlying nature of the owner not simply by their c onscious decisions and behaviors.16. What do we learn from the new study by the University of Lincoln?17. What does the passage say most pet owners want to do?18. What does the passage say it’s still needed to understand the effects of own ers’ personalities on their pets?Passage Two(19) One 50-minute run can add seven hours to your life. This was a claim made by The Times last week. The claim was based on a new review of studies abo ut the effects of running. The review concluded that an average runners live thr ee years longer than non-runners and that running does more to extend life than any other form of exercise. But there’s more to running than its health benefits . (20) Research published in recent years have shown that running changes your brain and mind in some fascinating ways from increasing your brain function t o regulating your emotions. However, the precise effects vary according to whe ther you engage in short fast running or long distance running. For example, in one study, researchers compared participants’ ability to learn new words after s everal minutes of intense running, and after 40 minutes of gentle running, parti cipants were able to learn 20 percent faster after the intense running and they s howed a superior memory when tested again a week later. In another study, res earchers asked volunteers to jog for 30 minutes and then showed them clips fro m a sad movie. Participants who usually struggled to handle negative emotions were more intensely affected by the sad clips just as you’d expect. But cruciall y, this was less so if they had completed the 30 minutes jog. (21) The researche rs said moderate exercise appears to have helped those participants to be less v ulnerable to the impact of the sad movie.19. What did the new review of studies claim?20. What is one effect that running has on people according to recent research?21. What did another study find about the participant after they had a 30 minute s jog?Passage ThreeWelcome to the tour of the Hill House. This house built in 1904 is one of the m ost well-known works of Charles Hill, the famous architect. It was designed and built for local entrepreneur and his family. Before starting the tour, let me give you a brief introduction about the design of this amazing building. (23) Prior to beginning his design, the architect spends sometime in the client’s old home, observing their life and studying their habits. This meant that he could design t he house according to the needs of the family. (24) The client’s main desire wa s to have a home with unique design, so the architect was given complete freed om. The building style is radically different from what was the fashion of the p eriod. At the time, most large homes were constructed of timber and brick. This one, however, is made of concrete, a novel construction material in those days.The interior of the house, including the fittings and furniture, was also designe d by the same person. Most of the furniture you will see is original and in good condition. However, (25) both pieces in the children’s bedrooms are copies buil t to the designs of the architect. Fortunately, all the blueprints for both the buil ding and its contents have been preserved, so we’ve been able to replace badly damaged furniture. Let’s begin our tour, starting from the rooms.22. What do we learn about the speaker?He is the guide of the tour.23. What dis the architect do before beginning his design?24. What did the arc hitect’s client mainly want?25. What do we learn about the pieces of furniture in the children’s bedrooms?。

2020年12月英语四级真题第2套

Par t I Wri t ing ( 30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write on the topic Changes in the W ay of T ransportation. You should write at least 120 word s but no mor e than 180 words.Part I Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. Af ter you hear a question, you must choo se the best answer from the f our choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre .Questions 1 and 2 are based on th e news report you have just heard.1.A) He wanted to buy a home.C)He lost a huge sum of money.B)He suffered from a shock.D)He did an unusual good deed.2.A) Invite the waiter to a fancy dinner.C)Give some money to the waiter.B)Tell her story to the Daily News.D)Pay the waiter's school tuition.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) Whether or not to move to the state's mainland.B)How to keep the village from sinking into the sea.C)Where to get the funds for rebuilding their village.D)What to do about the rising level of the seawater.4.A) It takes too long a time.C)It has to wait for the state's final approval.B)It costs too much money.D)It faces strong opposition from many villagers. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have Just heard.5.A) To investigate whether people are grateful for help.B)To see whether people hold doors open for strangers.C)To explore ways of inducing gratitude in people.D)To find out how people express gratitude.6.A) They induced strangers to talk with them.B)They helped 15 to 20 people in a bad mood.C)They held doors open for people at various places.D)They interviewed people who didn't say thank you.7.A) People can be educated to be grateful.C)Most people have bad days now and then.B)Most people express gratitude for help.D)People are ungrateful when in a bad mood.llYfJ! 2020 • 12 J3 24Section BDirections: Jn this section, Jt'U will hear two long conversations. At the,end of each conversation, Jt'U will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Que tions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) To order a solar panel installation.C)To enquire about solar pai;iel installations.B)To report a serious leak in his roof.D)To complain about the faulty solar panels.' ' .9.A) He plans to install solar pl:lnels.C)He saves $ 300 a year. .B)He owns a four-bedroom house.D)He has a large family._10.A) The service of the solar panel company.C)The maintenance of the solar panels.B)The cost of a solar panel installation.D)The quality of the solar panels.11.A) One year and a half.C)Roughly six years.B)Less than four years.D)About five years.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard12.A) At a travel agency.C)At an airline transfer service.B)At an Australian airport.D)At a local transportation authority.13.A) She would be able to visit more scenic spots.B)She wanted to save as much money as possible.C)She would like to have everything taken care of.D)She wanted to spend more time with her family.14.A) Four days.C)One week.B)Five days.D)Two weeks.15.A) Choosing some activities herself.C)Driving along the Great Ocean Road.,·1 .•B)Spending Christmas with Australians.D)Leaming more about wine making. Section CDirections: Jn this section, Jt'U will hear three pzssages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After ycu hear a question , Jt'U must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A ) , B),C)and D ) . Then mark the co"esponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre .Questions 16 to 18 are based on the p�e you have just heard.16.A) Bring their own bags when shopping.C)Dispose .o f their trash properly.' ' 'B)Use public transport when traveling.D)Pay a green tax upon arrival.17.A) It has not been doing a good job in recycling.B)It has witnessed a rise in accidental drowning.C)It has not attracted many tourists in recent years.D)It has experienced an overall decline in air quality.18.A) To charge a small fee on plastic products in supermarkets.B)To ban single-use plastic bags and straws on Bali Island.C) · To promote the use of paper bags for shopping.D)To impos e a penalty on anyone caught littering.-2020 � 12 � 25Questions 19 to 21 are based OD the passage you have just heard.19.A) It gives birth to several babies at a time.C)Its breeding grounds are now b tter preserved.B)It is the least protected mammal s pe cies.D)Its population is.now showing signs of increase.20.A) Global warming.C)Commercial hunting.B)Polluted seawaters.D)Decreasing birthrates.21.A) To mate.C)To escape hunters.B)To look for food.D)To seek breeding grounds.Questions 22 to 25· are based OD the passage you have just heard.22.A) They prefer to drink low-fat milk.C)They consume less milk these days.B)They think milk is good for health.' ;23.A) It is not as healthy as once thought.,B)It is not easy to stay fresh for long.24.A) They drink too many pints every day.B)They are sensitive to certain minerals.25.A) It is easier for sick people to digest.B)It provides,some necessary nutrients.Part][ Section A Reading ComprehensionD)They buy more milk than the British.C)It benefits the elderly more.D)It tends to make people fat.C)They lack the necessary proteins to digest it.D)They have eaten food inco�patible with milk.C)It is healthier than other animal products.D)It supplies the body with enough calories.( 40 minutes)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 pas:sage through carefully bef ore making 30ur 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 we any of the wor ds in the bank more than once.When my son completes a task, I can't help but praise him. It's only natural to give praise where praise is due, right? But is there ·s uch a thing as too much praise?According to psychologist Katherine Phillip, children don't-benefit from 26 'praise as much as w'd like to think. "Parents' often praise, believing they are building their child's self-confidence. However, over-praising can have a 27 effect," says Phillip. "When we use the same praise28 , it may become emp�y and no longer valued·by the child. �t can also become an ex pe ctation that anything they do must be 29 with praise. This may lead to the child avoiding taking risks due to fear of 30 their parents. "Does this mean we should do away with all the praise? Phillip says no. "The key to healthy praise is to focus on the process rather than the 31 . It is the recognition of a child's attempt, or the process in which they achieved something, that is essential," she says. "Parents should encourage their child to take the risks needed to learn and grow. "So how do we break the 32 of praise we're all so accustomed to? Phillip says it's important to33 between "pe rson praise" and "process praise". "Person praise is 34 saying how great someone is. It's a form of personal approval. Process praise is acknowledgement of the efforts the personlmU! 2020 � 12 � 26has just 35 . Children who receive person praise are more likely to feel shame after losing,"·says ----Phillip.A)chooseB)constantC)disappointingD)distinguishE)exhausting Section B F)experiencedG)negativeH)outcomeI)patternJ)pluralK)repeatedlyL)rewardedM)separatelyN)simply0)undertakenDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten·statements aitached to it. Each statement contains information given in one o f the paragraphs. I dentify the paragraph f rom which the inf ormation is derived. Y ru may choose a paragraph'more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding·letter on Answer Sheet 2.Poverty i s a story about us , not themA)Too often still, we think we know what poverty looks like. It's the way we've been taught, the imageswe've been force-fed for decades. The chronically homeless. The undocumented immigrant. Theurban poor, usually personified as a woman of color, the "welfare queen" politicians stil too often reference.B)But as income inequality rises to record levels in the United States, even in the midst of a recordeconomic expansion, those familiar images are outdated, hurtful, and counterproductive to focusing attention on solutions and building ladders of opportunity.C)Today's faces of income inequality and lack of opportunity look like all of us. It's Anna Landre, adisabled Georgetown University student fighting to keep health benefits that allow her the freedom tolive her life. It's Tiffanie Standard, a counselor for young women of color in·i>hiladelphia'w ho want tobe tech entrepreneurs-but who must work multiple jobs to stay afloat. It's Ken Outlaw, a welder in rural North Carolina whose dream of going back to school at a local community-college was dashed by Hurricane Florence-just one of the extreme weather events that have tipped the balance for strugglingAmericans across the nation.D)If these are the central characters of our story about poverty, what layers of perceptions, myths, andrealities must we unearth to find meaningful solutions and support? In pursuit of revealing thiscomplicated reality, Mothering Justice, led by women of color, went last year to the·state capital in Lansing, Michigan, to lobby on issues that affect working mothers. One of the Mothering Justice ·organizers went to the office of a state representative to talk about the lack of affordable childcarethe vestiges (�:ii.) of a system that expected mothers to stay home with their children while their husbands worked. A legislative staffer dismissed the activist's concerns, telling her "my husband took care of that-I stayed home. "E)That comment, says Mothering Justice director Danielle Atkinson, '"was meant to sham e" and reliedon the familiar notion that a woman of color concerned about income inequality and programs thatpromote mobility must by definition be a single·morn, probably with multiple kids. In this case, theMothering Justice activist happened to be married. And in most cases in the America of 2019, theimages that come to mind when we hear the words poverty or income'inequality fail miserably inlmf!t 2020 ¥ 12 � 27reflecting a complicated reality: poverty touches virtually all of us. The face of income inequality, for all but a very few of us, is the one we each see in the mirror.F)How many of us are poor in the U.S.? It depends on who you ask. According to the Census Bureau,' .38 million peo p le in the U.S. are living b low the official poverty thresholds. Taking into accounteconomic need beyond that absolute measure, the Institute for Policy Studies found that 140 million people are poor or low-income. That's almost half the U.S. population.G)Whatever the measure, within that massive group, poverty is extremely diverse. We know that somepeople are more affected than others, like children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and people of color.H)But the fact that 4 in 10 ;Americans can't co�e up with $ .400 in an emergency is a commonly citedstatistic for good reason: economic ins�bility stre�ches across race, gender, and geography. It even reacbes into the middle classes, as real wages �ave stagnated (�JI-!(;.) for all but the very wealthy and temporary spells of financial instability are not uncommon.I)Negative images remain of who is living in poverty as well as what is needed to move out of it. The bigAmerican myth is that you can pull yourse l f up by your own efforts and change a bad situation into a good one. The reality is that finding opportunity without help from families, friends, schools, and community is virtually impossible. And the playing fiel4 is nothing close to level.J)The Frame W orks Institute, a research group that focuses on public framing of issues, has studied what sustains stereotypes an� narratives of poverty in the United Kingdom. "People view economic success and wellbeing in life as a pro�uct of choice, willpower, and drive," says Nat Kendall-Taylor, CEO of Frameworks. "When we see people who are struggling," he says, those assumptions '.'lead us to the perception that.peqple in poverty are lazy, they don't care, and they haven't made the right decisions. "K)Does this soun d familiar? Similar ideas surround poverty in the U ..S .. And these assumptions give a false picture of reality .. "When people enter into that pattern of thinking," says Kendall-Taylor, "it's cognitively comfortable to make sense of issues of poverty in that way. It creates a kind of cognitive blindness-all of the f�ctors external to a person's drive and choices that they've made become invisibleIand fade from view. "L)Those ex_ternal factors include the difficulties accompanying low-wage work or structural discrimination based on race, gender, or ability. Assumptions get worse when people who are poor use government benefits to help them surviye. There is a great tension between "the poor" and those who are receiving what has become a dirty word: "welfare. "M)According to the General Social Sqrvey, 71 percent of respondents believe the country is spending too ·little on "assistance to the. poor.�, On the other hand, 22 percent think we are spending too little on "welfare": 37 percent -believe we are spending too much.N)" Poverty has been interchangeable with people of color-specifi c ally black women and black mothers," says Atkinson of Mothering Justice. It's true that black mothers are more affected by poverty than many other groups, yet they are.disproportionately the face of poverty. For example, Americans routinely overestimate the share of black recipients·of public assistance programs.0)In reality, most people.will experience some form of financial hardship at some point in their lives.Indeed, people tend t o dip in and out of poverty, perhaps due to unexpected obstacles like losing a job,Im� 2020 • 12 _ij 28or when hours of a low-wage job fluctuate.P)Something each of us can do is to treat each other with the dignity and sympathy that is dese rv ed and to understand deeply that the issu e of poverty touches all of us.36.One legislative staffer assumed that a woman of color who advocated affordable childcare must be asingle mother.37.People from different races, genders, and regions all suffer from a lack of financial security.38.According to a survey, while the majority believe too little assistance is given to the poor, more thana third believe too much is spent on welfare.39.A research group has found that Americans who are struggling are ·t hought to be lazy and to have madethe wrong decisions.40.Under the old system in America, a mother was supposed to stay home and take care of her children.41. It was found that nearly 50% of Americans are poor or receive low pay.42.Americans usually overestimate the number of blacks receiving welfare be n efits.43.It is impossible for Americans to lift themselves out of poverty entirely on their own.44.Nowadays, it seems none of us can get away from income inequality.45.Assumptions about poor people become even more negative when-they live on welfare.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by 9Jme questions or unfinished sta tements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 46 to SO are based on the following pasuge.Boredom has, paradoxically, become quite interesting to academics lately. In early May, London's Boring Conference celebrated seven years of delighting in dullness. At this event, people flocked to talks about weather, traffic jams, and vending-machine sounds, among other sleeirinducing topics.What, exactly, is everybody studying? One widely accepted psychological definition of boredom is "the distasteful experience of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity." But how can you quantify a perso n's boredom level and compare it with someone else's? In 1986, psychologists introduced the Boredom Proneness Scale, designed to measure an individual's overall tendency to feel bored. By contra t, the Multidimensional State Boredom Sc le, developed in 2008, measures a person's feelings of boredom in a given situation.Boredom has been linked to behavior issues including inattentive driving, mindless sna�king, excessive drinking, and addictive gambling. In fact, many of us would choose pain over boredom. One team of psychologists discovered that two-thirds of men and a quarter of women would rather self-administer electric shocks than sit alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes. Researching this phenomenon, another team asked volunteers to watch boring, sad, or neutral films, during which they could self-administer electric shocks. Th e bored volunteers shocked ·themselves more and harder than the sad or neutral ones did.But boredom isn't all bad. By encouraging self-reflection and daydreaming, it can spur creativity. An early study gave participants abundant time to complete problem-solving and word-association exercises. On c e all the obvious answers were exhausted, participants gave more and more inventive answers ton 29IDI 1t2020 4 12combat boredom. A British stu d y took these findings one step further, asking subjects to complete a creative challenge (coming up with a list of alternative uses for a household item). One group of subjects did a boring activity first, while the others went straight to the creative task. Those whose boredom pumps had been primed were more productive.In our always-connected world, boredom may be a hard-to-define state, but it is a fertile one. Watch paint dry or water boil, or at least put away your smartphone for a while, and you might unlock your next big idea.46.When are people likely to experience boredom, according to an accepted psychological definition?A)When they don't have the chance to do what they want.B)When they don't enjoy the materials they are studying.C)When they experience something unpleasant ..D)When they engage in some routine activities.47.What does the author say boredom can lead to?A)Determination.C)Mental deterioration.B)Concentration.D)Harmful conduct.48.What is the finding of one team of psychologists in their experiment?A)Volunteers prefer watching a boring movie to sitting alone deliberating.B)Many volunteers choose to hurt themselves rather than endure boredom.C)Male volunteers are more immune to the effects of boredom than females.D)Many volunteers are unable to resist boredom longer than fifteen minutes.49.Why does the author say boredom isn't all bad?A)It stimulates memorization.C)It may promote creative thinking.B)It allows time for relaxation.D)It may facilitate independent learning.50.What does the author suggest one do when faced with a challenging problem?A)Stop idling and think big.C)Look around oneself for stimulation.B)Unlock one's smartphone.D)Allow oneself some time to be bored. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to SS are based on th e following passage.Forests in countries like Brazil and the Co n go get a lot of attention· from environmentalists, and it is easy to see why. South America and sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing deforestation on an enormous scale: every year almost 5 million hectares are lost. But forests are·also changing in rich Western countries. They are growing larger, both in the sense that they occupy more land and that the trees in them are bigger� What is going on?Forests are spreading in almost all Western countries, with the fastest growth in places that historically had rather few trees. In 1990 28% of Spain was forested; now the proportion is 37%. In b th Greece and Italy, the growth was from 26% to 32% over the same period. Forests are gradually taking more land in America and Australia. Perhaps mo t astonishing is the trend in Ireland. Roughly 1 % of that country was forested when it became independent in 1922. Now forests cover 11 %of the land, and the government wants to push the proportion to 18% by the 2040s.Two things are fertilising this growth. The first is the abandonment of farmland, especially in high, dry places where nothing grows terribly well. When farmers give up trying to earn a living from farming or herding, tre s simply move in; The second is government policy and subsidy. Throughout history,tmfl 2020 � 12 J.I 30governments have protected and promoted forests for diverse reasons, ranging from the need for wooden wars h ips to a desire to promote suburban house-building. Nowadays forests are increasingly welcome because they suck in carbon pollution from the air. The justifications change; the desire for more trees remains constant.The greenin� of the West does not delight everyone. Farmers complain that land is being taken out of use by generously subs i dised tree plantations. Parts of Spain and Portugal suffer from terrible forest fires. Others simply dislike the appearance of forests planted in neat rows. They will have to get used to the trees, however. The growth of Western forests seems almost as unstoppable as deforestation elsewhere.51. What is catching environ.mentalists' attention nowadays?A)Rich cou n tries are stripping poor ones of their resources.B)Forests are fast shrinking in many developing countries.C)Forests are eating away the fertile farmland worldwide.D)Rich cou n tries are doing little to address deforestation.52.Which countries have the fastest forest growth?A)Those that have newly achieved independence.B)Those that have the greatest demand for timber.C)Those that used to have the lowest forest coverage.D)Those that provide enormous government subsidies.53. What has encouraged forest growth historically?A)The government's advocacy.B)The use of wood for fuel.C)The favourable climate.D)The green movement.54.What accounts for our increasing desire for forests?A)Their unique scenic beauty.B)Their use as fruit plantations.C)Their capability of improving air quality.·D) Their stable supply of building materials.55. What does the author conclude about the prospects of forestation?A)Deserts in sub-Saharan Africa will diminish gradually.B)It will play a more and more important role in people's lives.C)Forest destruction in the developing world will quickly slow down.D)Developed and developing countries are moving in oppos i te directions.Part N Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part , )OU are allowed 80 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into Fnglish . You should write )OUT answer on Answer Sheet 2.��7�ffl l��t OOA��o ffl a��-�+A��•,��£ffl·�-{!��'�A ��A��a ffl l��·4�j#,�t��·�#�¼�o��,A�� 4i!?"�-ut�, � �vt:ii-t�"A" !j!flr"¼" !j!11Ji' �-¼-#a � t 00 �it j ��,�-=f-d!.�-il��{!*'*� a;fi", B"J � � "T f-.fi}. �}ij-i;llll tl 2020 ¥ 12 J.j 31。

2019年12月四级真题及答案第2套

2019 年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to a foreign friend who wants to learn Chinese. Please recommend a place to him. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part ⅡListening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) The number of male nurses has gone down.B)There is discrimination against male nurses.C)There is a growing shortage of medical personnel.D)The number of nurses has dropped to a record low.2. A) Working conditions.B) Educational system.C) Inadequate pay.D) Cultural bias.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) He fell out of a lifeboat.B) He was almost drowned.C) He lost his way on a beach.D) He enjoyed swimming in the sea.4.A) The lifeboats patrol the area round the clock.B)The beach is a good place to watch the tide.C)The emergency services are efficient.D)The beach is a popular tourist resort.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) It climbed 25 storeys at one go.B) It broke into an office room.C) It escaped from a local zoo.D) It became an online star.6.A) Release it into the wild. .B) Return it to its owner.C) Send it back to the zoo.D) Give it a physical checkup.7. A) A raccoon can perform acts no human can.B) A raccoon can climb much higher than a cat.C) The raccoon did something no politician could.D) The raccoon became as famous as some politicians.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversations, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) She received a bonus unexpectedly.B) She got a well-paying job in a bank.C) She received her first monthly salary.D) She got a pay raise for her performance.9. A) Two decades ago.B) Several years ago.C) Just last month.D) Right after graduation.10.A) He sent a small check to his parents.B)He treated his parents to a nice meal.C)He took a few of his friends to a gym.D)He immediately deposited it in a bank.11. A) Join her colleagues for gym exercise.B) Visit her former university campus.C) Buy some professional clothes.D) Budget her salary carefully.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) He has just too many things to attend to.B) He has been overworked recently.C) He has a difficult decision to make.D) He has just quarreled with his girlfriend.13. A) Turn to his girlfriend for assistance.B) Give priority to things more urgent.C) Think twice before making the decision.D) Seek advice from his family and advisor.14.A) His girlfriend does not support his decision.B) He is not particularly keen on the job offered.C) He lacks the money for his doctoral program.D) His parents and advisor have different opinions.15.A) They need time to make preparations.B)They haven't started their careers yet.C)They need to save enough money for it.D)They haven't won their parents’ approval.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questionswill be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose thebest answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then markthe corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through thecentre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) Expressing ideas and opinions freely.B) Enriching social and intellectual lives.C) Acquiring information and professional knowledge.D) Using information to understand and solve problems.17. A) Traveling to different places in the world.B) Playing games that challenge one 's mind.C) Improving mind-reading strategies.D) Reading classic scientific literature.18.A)Participate in debates or discussions.B) Expose themselves to different cultures.C) Discard personal biases and prejudices.D) Give others freedom to express themselves.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Why dogs can be faithful friends of humans.B) The nature of relationships between dogs.C) The reason a great many people love dogs.D) How dogs feel about their bonds with humans.20. A) They behave like other animals in many ways.B) They have an unusual sense of responsibility.C) They can respond to humans’ questions.D) They can fall in love just like humans.21. A) They stay with one partner for life.B) They have their own joys and sorrows.C) They experience true romantic love.D) They help humans in various ways.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) A rare animal.B) A historical site.C) A cow bone.D) A precious stone.23.A) Dating it.B) Preserving it.C) Measuring itD) Identifying it.24. A) The channel needs to interview the boy.B) The boy should have called an expert.C) The boy's family had acted correctly.D) The site should have been protected.25.A) Conduct a more detailed search.B) Ask the university to reward Jude.C) Search for similar fossils elsewhere.D) Seek additional funds for the search.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bankfollowing the passage. Read the passage through carefully before makingyour choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please markthe corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single linethrough the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more thanonce.Finally, some good news about airplane travel. If you are on a plane with a sick passenger, you are unlikely to get sick. That is the 26 of a new study that looked at how respiratory（呼吸道）viruses 27 on airplanes. Researchers found that only people who were seated in individual —had a high risk of catching the illness. All other passengers had only a very 28 chance of getting sick ,according to the findings. Media reports have not necessarily presented 29 information about the risk of getting infected on an airplane in the past. Therefore, these new findings should help airplane passengers to feel less 30 to catching respiratory infections while traveling by air.Prior to the new study, litter was known about the risks of getting 31 infected by common respiratory viruses, such as the flu or common cold, on an airplane, the researchers said. So, to 32 the risks of infection, the study team flew on 10 different 33 in the U.S. during the flu season. The researchers found that passengers sitting within two seats on 34 side of a person infected with flu, as well as those sitting one row in front of or behind this individual, had about an 80 percent chance of getting sick. But other passengers were 35 safe from infection. They had a less than 3 percent chance of catching the flu.Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of theparagraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is markedwith a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 2.Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal of the Day?[A] Along with old classics like “carrots give you night vision” and “Santa doesn't bring toys to misbehaving children”, one of the most well-worn phrases of tired parents everywhere is that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Many of us grow up believing that skipping breakfast is a serious mistake, even if only two thirds of adults in the UK eat breakfast regularly, according to the British Dietetic Association, and around three-quarters of Americans.[B] “The body uses a lot of energy stores for growth and repair through the night,” explains diet specialist Sarah Elder. Eating a balanced breakfast helps to up our energy, as well as make up for protein and calcium used throughout the night. “But there’s widespread disagreement over whether breakfast should keep its top spot in the hierarchy (等级) of meals. There have been concerns around the sugar content of cereal and the food industry’s involvement in pro-breakfast research- -and even one claim from an academic that breakfast is “dangerous”.[C] What’s the reality? Is breakfast a necessary start to the day or a marketing tactic by cereal companies? The most researched aspect of breakfast (and breakfast- skipping) has been its links to obesity. Scientists have different theories as to why there’s a relationship between the two. In one US study that analysed the health data of 50,000 people over seven years, researchers found that those who made breakfast the largest meal of the day were more likely to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who ate a large lunch or dinner.The researchers argued that breakfast helps reduce daily calorie intake and improve the quality of our diet--since breakfast foods are often higher in fibre and nutrients.[D] But as with any study of this kind, it was unclear if that was the cause or if breakfast-skippers were just more likely to be overweight to begin with. To find out, researchers designed a study in which 52 obese women took part in a 12-week weight loss programme. All had the same number of calories over the day, but half had breakfast, while the other half did not, What they found was that it wasn’t breakfast itself that caused the participants to lose weight: it was changing their normal routine.[E] If breakfast alone isn't a guarantee of weight loss, why is there a link between obesity and breakfast-skipping? Alexandra Johnstone, professor of appetite research atthe University of Aberdeen, argues that it may simply be because breakfast-skippers have been found to be less knowledgeable about nutrition and health. There are a lot of studies on the relationship between breakfast eating and possible health outcomes, but this maybe because those who eat breakfast choose to habitually have health- enhancing behaviours such as regular exercise and not smoking,” she says.[F] A 2016 review of 10 studies looking into the relationship between breakfast and weight management concluded there is “limited evidence” supporting or refuting (反驳) the argument that breakfast influences weight or food intake, and more evidence is required before breakfast recommendations can be used to help prevent obesity.[G] Researchers from the University of Surrey and University of Aberdeen are halfway through research looking into the mechanisms behind how the time we eat influences body weight. Early findings suggest that a bigger breakfast is beneficial to weight control. Breakfast has been found to affect more than just weight. Skipping breakfast has been associated with a 27% increased risk of heart disease, a 21% higher risk of type 2 diabetes in men, and a 20% higher risk of type 2 diabetes in women. One reason may be breakfast's nutritional value partly because cereal is fortified (增加营养价值) with vitamins. In one study on the breakfast habits of 1,600 young people in the UK, researchers found that the fibre and micronutrient intake was better in those who had breakfast regularly. There have been similar findings in Australia, Brazil, Canada and the US.[H] Breakfast is also associated with improved brain function, including concentration and language use. A review of 54 studies found that eating breakfast can improve memory, though the effects on other brain functions were inconclusive. However, one of the review’s researchers, Mary Beth Spitznagel, says there is “reasonable” evidence breakfast does improve concentration- there just needs to be more research. "Looking at studies that tested concentration, the number of studies showing a benefit was exactly the same as the number that found no benefit," she says. “And no studies found that eating breakfast was bad for concentration.”[I] What's most important, some argue, is what we eat for breakfast. High-protein breakfasts have been found particularly effective in reducing the longing for food andconsumption later in the day, according to research by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. While cereal remains a firm favorite among breakfast consumers in the UK and US, a recent investigation into the sugar content of ‘adult’ breakfast cereals found that some cereals contain more than three- quarters of the recommended daily amount of free sugars in each portion, and sugar was the second or third highest ingredient in cereals.[J] But some research suggests if we’re going to eat sugary foods, it’s best to do it early. One study recruited 200 obese adults to take part in a 16-week-long diet, where half added dessert to their breakfast, and half didn't. Those who added dessert lost an average of 40 pounds more however, the study was unable to show the long-term effects.A review of 54 studies found that there is no consensus yet on what type of breakfast is healthier, and concluded that the type of breakfast doesn't matter as much as simply eating something.[K] While there's no conclusive evidence on exactly what we should be eating and when, the consensus is that we should listen to our own bodies and eat when we’re hungry. “Breakfast is most important for people who are hungry when they wake up,” Johnstone says. “Each body starts the day differently-and those individual differences need to be researched more closely,” Spitznagel says. “A balanced breakfast is really helpful, but getting regular meals throughout the day is more important to leave blood sugar stable through the day, which helps control weight and hunger levels,” says Elder. Breakfast isn’t the only meal we should be getting right.”36.According to one professor, obesity is related to a lack of basic awareness of nutrition and health.37.Some scientists claim that people should consume the right kind of food at breakfast.38. Opinions differ as to whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day.39. It has been found that not eating breakfast is related to the incidence of certain diseases in some countries.40. Researchers found it was a change in eating habits rather than breakfast itself that induced weight loss.41. To keep oneself healthy, eating breakfast is more important than choosing what to eat.42. It is widely considered wrong not to eat breakfast.43. More research is needed to prove that breakfast is related to weight loss or food intake.44. People who prioritise breakfasts tend to have lower calorie but higher nutritional intake.45. Many studies reveal that eating breakfast helps people memorise and concentrate.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choicesmarked A), B), C) and D.. You should decide on the best choice and markthe corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through thecentre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Textbooks represent an 11 billion dollar industry, up from＄8 billion in 2014. Textbook publisher Pearson is the largest publisher-of any kind-in the world.It costs about $1 million to create a new textbook. A freshman textbook will have dozens of contributors, from subject-matter experts through graphic and layout artists to expert reviewers and classroom testers. Textbook publishers connect professors, instructors and students in ways that alternative, such as open e-textbooks and open educational resources, simply do not. This connection happens not only by means of collaborative development, review and testing, but also at conferences where faculty regularly decide on their textbooks and curricula for the coming year.It is true that textbook publishers have recently reported losses, largely due to students renting or buying used print textbooks. But this can be chalked up to the excessively high cost of their books- -which has increased over 1,000 percent since 1977. A restructuring of the textbook industry may well be in order. But this does not mean the end of the textbook itself.While they may not be as dynamic as an iPad, textbooks are not passive or lifeless. For example, over the centuries, they have simulated (模拟) dialogues in a number of ways. From 1800 to the present day, textbooks have done this by posing questions for students to answer inductively (归纳性地). That means students are asked to use their individual experience to come up with answers to general questions. Today’s psychology texts, for example, ask “how much of your personality do you think you inherited?” while ones in physics say: “How can you predict where the ball you tossed will land?”Experts observe that “textbooks come in layers, something like an onion.” For anactive learner, engaging with a textbook can be an interactive experience. Readers proceed at their own pace. They “customize” their books by engaging with different layers and linkages. Highlighting, Post-It notes, dog-ears and other techniques allow for further customization that students value in print books over digital forms of books.46. What does the passage say about open educational resources?A)They contribute to teaching as much as to learning.B) They don’t profit as much as traditional textbooks do.C) They can’t connect professors and students as textbooks do.D) They compete fiercely for customers with textbook producers.47. What is the main cause of the publishers’ losses?A)Failure to meet student need.B)Industry restructuring.C)Emergence of e-books.D)Falling sales.48. What does the textbook industry need to do?A) Reform its structures.B) Cut its retail prices.C) Find replacements for printed textbooks.D) Change its business strategy periodically.49. What are students expected to do in the learning process?A) Think carefully before answering each question.B) Ask questions based on their own understanding.C) Answer questions using their personal experience.D) Give answers showing their respective personality.50. What do experts say about students, using textbooks?A)They can digitalize the prints easily.B)They can learn in an interactive way,C)They can purchase customized versions.D)They can adapt the material themselves.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.When we think of animals and plants, we have a pretty good way of dividing them into two distinct groups: one converts sunlight into energy and the other has to eat food to make its energy. Well, those dividing lines come crashing down with the discovery of a sea slug(海蛞蝓) that’s truly half animal and half plant. It’s pretty incredible how it has managed to hijack the genes of the algae (藻类)on which it feeds.The slugs can manufacture chlorophyll, the green pigment (色素) in plans that captures energy from sunlight, and hold these genes within their body. The term kleptoplasty is used to describe the practice of using hijacked genes to create nutrients from sunlight. And so far, this green sea slug is the only known animal that can be truly considered solar-powered, although some animals do exhibit some plant-like behaviors. Many scientists have studied the green sea slugs to confirm that they are actually able to create energy from sunlight.In fact, the slugs use the genetic material so well that they pass it on to their future generations. Their babies retain the ability to produce their own chlorophyll, though they can’t generate energy from sunlight until they’ve eaten enough algae to steal the necessary genes, which they can’t yet produce on their own.“There’s no way on earth that genes from an alga should work inside an animal cell,” says Sidney Pierce from the University of South Florida. “And yet here, they do. They allow the animal to rely on sunshine for its nutrition. So if something happens to their food source, they have a way of not starving to death until they find more algae to eat.”The sea slugs are so good at gathering energy from the sun that they can live up to nine months without having to eat any food. They get all their nutritional needs met by the genes that they’ve hijacked from the algae.51.What is the distinctive feature of a sea slug?A) It looks like both a plant and an animal.B) It converts some sea animals into plants.C) It lives half on animals and half on plants.D) It gets energy from both food and sunlight.52. What enables the sea slug to live like a plant?A) The genes it captures from the sea plant algae.B) The mechanism by which it conserves energy.C) The nutrients it hijacks from other species.D) The green pigment it inherits from its ancestors.53. What does the author say about baby sea slugs?A) They can live without sunlight for a long time.B) They can absorb sunlight right after their birth.C) They can survive without algae for quite some time.D) They can produce chlorophyll on their own.54. What does Sidney Pierce say about genes from an alga?A) They are stolen from animals like the sea slug.B) They can't function unless exposed to sunlight.C) They don't usually function inside animal cells.D) They can readily be converted to sea slug genes.55. What do we learn about sea slugs from the passage?A) They behave the way most plant species do.B) They can survive for months without eating.C) They will turn into plants when they mature.D) They will starve to death without sunlight.Part IV Translation (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.中国的家庭观念与其文化传统有关。

2012年12月英语四级考试真题及答案(第2套)

2012年12月英语四级考试真题及答案(第2套)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay. You should start your essay with a brief account of the increasing use of the mobile phone in people's life and then explain the consequences of overusing it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.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.Should Sugar Be Regulated like Alcohol and Tobacco?Sugar poses enough health risks that it should be considered a controlled substance just like alcohol and tobacco, argue a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).In an opinion piece called "The Toxic (毒性的) Truth About Sugar" published Feb. 1 in Nature, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis argue that it's wrong to consider sugar just "empty calories." They write: "There is nothing empty about these calories. A growing body of scientific evidence is showing that fructose (果糖) can trigger processes that lead to liver toxicity and a host of other chronic diseases. A little is not a problem, but a lot kills-slowly."Almost everyone's heard of-or personally experienced-the well-known sugar high, so perhaps the comparison between sugar and alcohol or tobacco shouldn't come as a surprise. But it's doubtfulthat Americans will look favorably upon regulating their favorite vice. We're a nation that's sweet on sugar: the average US adult downs 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, according to the American Heart Association, and surveys have found that teens swallow 34 teaspoons.To counter our consumption, the authors advocate taxing sugary foods and controlling sales to kids under 17. Already, 17% of US children and teens are obese (肥胖的), and across the world the sugar intake (摄入) has increased three times in the past 50 years. The increase has helped create a global obesity plague that contributes to 35 million annual deaths worldwide from noninfectious diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Linda Matzigkeit, a senior vice president at Children's Healthcare, said "We have to do something about this or our country is in danger. It's not good if your state has the second-highest obesity rate. Obese children turn into obese adults. ""There are good calories and bad calories, just as there are good fats and bad fats, good amino acids (氨基酸) and bad amino acids," Lustig, director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health program at UCSF, said in a statement. "But sugar is toxic beyond its calories."The food industry tries to imply that "a calorie is a calorie," says Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. "But this and other research suggests there is something different about sugar," says Brownell.The UCSF report emphasizes the metabolic (新陈代谢的) effects of sugar. Excess sugar can alter metabolism, raise blood pressure, affect the signaling of hormones and damage the liver-outcomes that sound suspiciously similar to what can happen after a person drinks too much alcohol. Schmidt, co-chair of UCSF's Community Engagement and Health Policy program, noted on CNN: "When you think about it, this actually makes a lot of sense. Alcohol, after all, is simply made from sugar. Where does vodka come from? Sugar. "But there are also other areas of impact that researchers have investigated: the effect of sugar on the brain and how liquid calories are interpreted differently by the body than solids. Research has suggested that sugar activates the same reward pathways in the brain as traditional drugs of abuse like morphine or heroin. No one is claiming the effect of sugar is quite that strong, but, says Brownell, "it helps confirm what people tell you sometimes, that they hunger for sugar and have withdrawal symptoms when they stop eating it."There's also something particularly tricky about sugary drinks. "When calories come in liquids, the body doesn't feel as full," says Brownell. "People are getting more of their calories than ever before from sugared drinks."Other countries, including France, Greece and Denmark, impose soda taxes, and the concept is being considered in at least 20 US cities and states. Last summer, Philadelphia came close to passing a 2-cents-per-ounce soda tax. The Rudd Center has been a strong advocate of a more modest 1-cent-per-ounce tax. But at least one study, from 2010, has raised doubts that soda taxes would result in significant weight loss: apparently people who are determined to eat- anddrink-unhealthily will find ways to do it. Teens-no surprise-are good at finding ways to get the things they can't have, so state policies banning all sugar-sweetened drinks from public schools and providing only water, milk or 100% fruit juices haven't had the intended effect of steering kids away from drinking sugared drinks: the average teen consumes about 300 calories per day-that's nearly 15% of his daily calories-in sweetened drinks, and the food and drink industry is only too happy to feed this need.Ultimately, regulating sugar will prove particularly tricky because it goes beyond health concerns; sugar, for so many people, is love. A plate of cut-up vegetables just doesn't pack the same emotional punch as a tin of home-made chocolate chip cookies (饼干), which is why I took my daughter out for a cupcake and not an apple as an after-school treat today. We don't do that regularly-it's the first time this school year, actually-and that's what made it special. As a society, could we ever reach the point where we'd think apples-not a cupcake-are something to get excited over? Says Brindis, one of the report's authors and director of UCSF's Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies: "We recognize that there are cultural and celebratory aspects of sugar. Changing these patterns is very complicated."For inroads (进展) to be made, say the authors in their statement, people have to be better educated about the hazards of sugar and agree that something's got to change:Many of the interventions (干预) that have reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption can be models for addressing the sugar problem, such as imposing special sales taxes, controlling access, and tightening licensing requirements on vending machine (自动售货机) and snack-bars that sell high sugar products in schools and workplaces."We're not talking prohibition," Schmidt said. "We're not advocating a major imposition of the government into people's lives. We're talking about gentle ways to make sugar consumption slightly less convenient, thereby moving people away from the concentrated dose. What we want is to actually increase people's choices by making foods that aren't loaded with sugar comparatively easier and cheaper to get."注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

2019年12月大学英语四级真题试卷(二)(题后含答案及解析)

2019年12月大学英语四级真题试卷（二）(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. Writing 2. Listening Comprehension 3. Reading Comprehension 4. TranslationPart I Writing1．For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to a foreign friend who wants to learn Chinese. Please recommend a place to him. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.正确答案：Dear Tom, I am delighted to learn that Chinese has a fascination for you and stimulates your enthusiasm. Now that you have asked for my advice about where to learn Chinese, I will try to put forward some useful suggestions here. From my perspective, the Confucius Institute is an ideal place for you to learn Chinese. Two reasons account for this. For one thing, the Confucius Institute boasts diverse and practical language learning programs, with plentiful standard modern Chinese teaching materials and the most qualified teaching staff. For another, you can enjoy various cultural activities in there. The Confucius Institute, more often than not, offers a good many displays and performances concerning aspects of Chinese culture, including Chinese festivals, movies, cooking, art and music, etc., which can not only boost your Chinese learning but also provide insights into traditional Chinese culture. I hope you will find my advice helpful and wish you all the best. Sincerely yours, Li HuaPart II Listening ComprehensionSection A听力原文：The British government has called for more men to consider a career in nursing. Figures show the number of male nurses has fallen in the last three years. Now, the number of men working in the nursing sector has reached a seven-year low. Numbers of male nurses increased between 2011 and 2014, and reached a peak of 7,168. This figure has dropped to only 6,924 in 2017. The UK Health Secretary said, “This is clearly a cultural problem, and probably one that exists in many parts of the world. But we can make efforts to change that now. We want to persuade males to think about career options of going into nursing. There is absolutely no reason why men can’t go into this profession.”The Health Secretary said that the government already has plans to attract a more varied workforce into nursing. She stated, “We are leading the way on workforce planning. We will become the first nation in Europe to publish a national health and care workforce plan.”Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. What problem is Britain facing?2. What is the cause of the problem according to the UK HealthSecretary?2．A．The number of nurses has dropped to a record low.B．There is a growing shortage of medical personnel.C．There is discrimination against male nurses.D．The number of male nurses has gone down.正确答案：D解析：事实细节题。

2019年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第 2 套)

2019年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2 套)Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to a foreign friend who wants to learn Chinese. Please recommend a place to him. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Part ⅡListening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and then 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 1with a single line through the centre. Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. 1. A) The number of nurses has dropped to a record low. B) There is a growing shortage of medical personnel. C) There is discrimination against male nurses. D) The number of male nurses has gone down.. 2. A) Cultural bias. B) Inadequate pay. C) Educational system. D) Working conditions. Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3. A) He fell out of alifeboat. B) He lost his way on a beach. C) He was almost drowned. D) He enjoyed swimming in the sea. 4. A) The beach is a popular tourist resort. B) The emergency services are efficient. C) The beach is a good place to watch the tide. D) The lifeboats patrol the area round the clock. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard. 5. A) It became an online star. B) It broke into an office room. C) It escaped from a local zoo. D) It climbed 25 storeys at one go. 6.A) Send it back to the zoo. B) Release it into the wild. C) Return it to its owner. D) Give it a physical checkup. 7. A) A raccoon can perform acts no human can. B) A raccoon can climb much higher than a cat. C) The raccoon became as famous as some politicians. D) The raccoon did something no politician could. Section B Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 8. A) She got a well-paying job in a bank. B) Shereceived a bonus unexpectedly. C She received her first monthly salary. D) She got a pay raise for her performance. 9.A) Several years ago. B) Two decades ago. C) Right after graduation. D) Just last month. 10. A) He sent a small check to his parents. B) He took a few of his friends to a gym. C) He immediately deposited it in a bank. D) He treated his parents to a nice meal. 11. A) Buy some professional clothes. B) Budget her salary carefully. C) Join her colleagues for gym exercise. D) Visit her former university campus. Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 12. A) He has a difficult decision to make. B) He has been overworked recently. C) He has just quarreled with his girlfriend. D) He has just too many things to attend to. 13. A) Give priority to things more urgent. B) Turn to his girlfriend for assistance. C) Think twice before making the decision. D) Seek advice from his family and advisor. 14. A) His parents and advisor have different opinions. B) He is not particularly keen on the job offered. C) He lacks the money for his doctoral program. D) His girlfriend does not support his decision. 15. A) They need time to make preparations. B) They need to save enough money for it. C) They haven’t started their careers yet.D) They haven’t won their parents’ approval. Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard. 16. A) Acquiring information and professional knowledge. B) Using information to understand and solve problems. C) Enriching social and intellectual lives. D) Expressing ideas and opinions freely. 17. A) Improvingmind-reading strategies. B) Reading classic scientific literature.C) Playing games that challenge one’s mind. D) Traveling to different places in the world. 18. A) Give others freedom to express themselves. B) Expose themselves to different cultures. C) Discard personal biases and prejudices. D) Participate in debates or discussions. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard. 19. A) The natureof relationships between dogs. B) The reason a great many people love dogs. C) Why dogs can be faithful friends of humans. D) How dogs feel about their bonds with humans. 20.A) They have an unusual sense of responsibility. B) They canr espond to humans ’ questions. C) They can fall in love just like humans. D) They behave like other animals in many ways. 21.A) They have their own joys and sorrows. B) They experience true romantic love. C) They help humans in various ways. D) They stay with one partner for life. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard. 22. A) A cow bone.B) A rare animal. C) A historical site. D) A precious stone. 23. A) Measuring it. B) Preserving it. C) Dating it. D) Identifying it. 24.A) The si te should have been protected. B) The boy’s family had acted correctly. C) The boy should have called an expert. D) The channel needs to interview the boy. 25. A) Search for similar fossils elsewhere. B) Ask the university to reward Jude.C) Conduct a more detailed search. D) Seek additional funds for the search. Part ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes) 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 . Questions 26 to35 are based on the following passage. Finally, some good news about airplane travel. If you are on a plane with a sick passenger, you are unlikely to get sick. That is the 26 of a new study that looked at how respiratory viruses 27 on airplanes. Researchers found that only people who were seated in the same row as a passenger with the flu, for example—or one row in front of or behind that individual—had a high risk of catching the illness. All other passengers had only a very 28 chance of getting sick, according to the findings. Media reports have not necessarily presented 29 information about the risk of getting infected on an airplane in the past. Therefore, these new findings should help airplane passengers to feel less 30 to catching respiratory infections while traveling by air. Prior to the new study, litter was known about the risks of getting 31 infected by common respiratory viruses, such as the flu or common cold, on an airplane, the researchers said. So, to 32 the risks of infection, the study team flew on 10 different 33 in the U.S. during the flu season. The researchers found that passengers sitting within two seats on 34 side of a person infected with flu, as well as those sitting one row in front of or behind this individual, had about an 80 person chance of getting sick. But other passengers were 35 safe frominfection. They had a less than 3 percent chance of catching the flu. Section B Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph A) accurate F) explorations K) slim B) conclusion G) flights L) spread C) directly H) largely M) summit D) either I) nearby N) vividly E) evaluate J) respond O) venerable from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2. Is Breakfast Really the Most Important Meal of the Day? [A] Along with old classics like “carrots give you night vision” and “Santa doesn’t bring toys to misbehaving children”, one of the mostwell-worn phrases of tired parents everywhere is that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Many of us grow up believing that skipping breakfast is a serious mistake—even if only two thirds of adults in the UK eat breakfast regularly, according to the British Dietetic Association, and around three-quarters of Americans. [B] “The body uses a lot of energy stores for growth and repair through the night,” explains diet specialist Sarah Elder. “Eating abalanced breakfast helps to up our energy, as well as make up for protein and calcium used thro ughout the night.” But there’s widespread disagreement over whether breakfast should keep its top spot in the hierarchy of meals. There have been concerns around the sugar content of cereal and the food industry’s involvement in pro-breakfast research — and even one claim from an academic that breakfast is “dangerous”. [C] What’s the reality? Is breakfast a necessary start to the day or a marketing tactic by cereal companies? The most researched aspect of breakfast (andbreakfast-skipping) has been its links to obesity. Scientists have different theories as to why there’s a relationship between the two. In one US study that analyzed the health data of 50,000 people over seven years, researchers found that those who made breakfast the largest meal of the day were more likely to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who ate a large lunch or dinner. The researchers argued that breakfast helps reduce daily calorie intake and improve the quality of our diet—since breakfast foods are often higher in fiber and nutrients. [D] But as with any study of this kind, it was unclear if that was the cause—or if breakfast-skippers were just more likely to be overweight to begin with. To findout, researchers designed a study in which 52 obese women took part in a 12-week weight loss program. All had the same number of calories over the day, but half had breakfast, while the other half did not. What they found was that it wasn’t breakfast itself that caused the participants to lose weight: it was changing their normal ro utine. [E] If breakfast alone isn’t a guarantee of weight loss, why is there a link between obesity and skipping breakfast? Alexandra Johnstone, professor of appetite research at the University of Aberdeen, argues that it may simply be because breakfast-skippers have been found to be less knowledgeable about nutrition and health. “There are a lot of studies on the relationship between breakfast eating and possible health outcomes, but this may be because those who eat breakfast choose to habitually have health-enhancing behaviors such as not smoking and regular exercise,” she says. [F] A 2016 review of 10 studies looking into the relationship between breakfast and weight management concluded there is “limited evidence” supporting or refuting the argument that breakfast influences weight or food intake, and more evidence is required before breakfast recommendations can be used to help prevent obesity. [G] Researchers from the University of Surrey andUniversity of Aberdeen are halfway through research looking into the mechanisms behind how the time we eat influences body weight. Early findings suggest that a bigger breakfast is beneficial to weight control. Breakfast has been found to affect more than just weight. Skipping breakfast has been associated with a 27% increased risk of heart disease, a 21% higher risk of type 2 diabetes men, and a 20% higher risk of type 2 diabetes in women. One reason may be breakfast’s nutritional value—partly because cereal is fortified with vitamins. In one study on the breakfast habits of 1,600 young people in the UK, researchers found that the fiber and micronutrient intake was better in those who had breakfast regularly. There have been similar findings in Australia, Brazil, Canada and the US. [H] Breakfast is also associated with improved brain function, including concentration and language use. A review of 54 studies found that eating breakfast can improve memory, though the effects on other brain functions were inconclusive. However, one of the review’s researchers, Mary Beth Spitznagel, says there is “reasonable” evidence breakfast does improve concentration—there just needs to be more research. “Looking at studies that tested concentration, the number ofstudies showing a benefit was exactly the same as the number that found no benefit,” she says. “And no studies found that eating breakfast was bad for concentration.” [I] What’s most important, some argue, is what we eat for breakfast.High-protein breakfasts have been found particularly effective in reducing food and consumption later in the day, according to research by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. While cereal remains a firm favorite among breakfast consumers in the UK and US, a recent investigation into the sugar content of “adult” breakfast cereals found that some cereals contain more than three quarters of the recommended daily amount of free sugars in each portion, and sugar was the second or third highest ingredient in cereals. [J] But some research suggests if we’re going to eat sugary foods, it’s best to do it early. One recruited 200 obese adults to take part in a 16-week-long diet, where half added dessert to their breakfast, and half didn’t. Those who added dessert lost an average of 40 pounds more—however, the study was unable to show the long-term effects. A review of 54 studies found that there is no consensus yet on what type of breakfast is healthier, and concluded that the type of breakfast doesn’t matter as muchas simply eating something. [K] While there’s no co nclusive evidence on exactly what we should be eating and when, the consensus is that we should listen to our own bodies and eat when we’re hungry. “Breakfast is most important for people who are hungry when they wake up,” Johnstone says. Every body starts the day differently—and those individual differences need to be researched more closely, Spitznagel says. “A balanced breakfast is really helpful, but getting regular meals throughout the day is more important to leave blood sugar stable through the day, which helps control weight and hunger levels,” says Elder, “Breakfast isn’t the only meal we should be getting right.” 36. According to one professor, obesity is related to a lack of basic awareness of nutrition and health. 37. Some scientists claim that people should consume the right kind of food at breakfast. 38. Opinions differ as to whether breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 39. It has been found that not eating breakfast is related to the incidence of certain diseases in some countries. 40. Researchers found it was a change in eating habits rather than breakfast itself that induced weight loss. 41. To keep oneself healthy, eating breakfast is more important than choosing what to eat. 42. It is widelyconsidered wrong not to eat breakfast. 43. More research is needed to prove that breakfast is related to weight loss or food intake. 44. People who priorities breakfasts tend to have lower calorie but higher nutritional intake. 45. Many studies reveal that eating breakfast helps people memories and concentrate. Section C Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices 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 Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage. Textbooks represent an 11 billion dollar industry, up from $8 billion in 2014. Textbook publisher Pearson is the largest publisher—of any kind—in the world. It costs about $1 million to create a new textbook. A freshman textbook will have dozens of contributors, from subject-matter experts through graphic and layout artists to expert reviewers and classroom testers. Textbook publishers connect professors, instructors and students in ways that alternatives, such as OpenE-Textbooks and Open Educational Resources, simply do not. This connection happens not only by means of collaborativedevelopment, review and testing, but also at conferences where faculty regularly decide on their textbooks and curricula for the coming year. It is true that textbook publishers have recently reported losses, largely due to students renting or buying used print textbooks. But this can be chalked up to the exorbitant cost of their books—which has increased over 1,000 percent since 1977. A reshuffling of the textbook industry may well be in order. But this does not mean the end of the textbook itself. While they may not be as dynamic as an iPad, textbooks are not passive or lifeless. For example, over the centuries, they have simulated dialogue in a number of ways. From 1800 to the present day, textbooks have done this by posing questions for students to answer inductively. That means students are asked to use their individual experience to come up with answers to general questions. Today’s psychology texts, for example, ask: “How much of your personality do you think you inherited?” while ones in physics say: “How can you predict wh ere the ball you tossed will land?” Experts observe that “textbooks come in layers, something like an onion.” For the active learner, engaging with a textbook can be an interactive experience: Readers proceed at their own pace. They “customize” theirbooks by engaging with different layers and linkages. Highlighting, Post-It notes, dog-ears and other techniques allow for further customization that students value in print books over digital forms of books. 46. What does the passage say about open educational resources? A) They contribute to teaching as much as to learning. B) They don’t profit as much as traditional textbooks do. C) They can’t connect professors and students as textbooks do. D) They compete fiercely for customers with textbook producers. 47. What is the main cause of the publishers’ losses? A) Failure to meet student need. B) Industry restructuring C) Emergence of e-books. D) Falling sales. 48. What does the textbook industry need to do?A) Reform its structures. B) Cut its retail prices. C) Find replacements for printed textbooks. D) Change its business strategy periodically. 49. What are students expected to do in the learning process? A) Think carefully before answering each question. B) Ask questions based on their own understanding.C) Answer questions using their personal experience. D) Give answers showing their respective personality. 50. What do experts say about students using textbooks? A) They can digitalize the prints easily. B) They can learn in an interactive way. C) They can purchase customized versions. D) They canadapt the material themselves. Passage Two Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage. When we think of animals and plants, we have a pretty good way of dividing them into two distinct groups: one converts sunlight into energy and the other has to eat food to make its energy. Well, those dividing lines come crashing down with the discovery of a sea slug that is truly half animal and half plant. It’s pretty incredible how it has managed to hijack the genes of the algae on which it feeds. The slugs can manufacture chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants that captures energy from sunlight, and hold these genes within their body. The term kleptoplasty is used to describe the practice of using hijacked genes to create nutrients from sunlight. And so far, this green sea slug is the only known animal that can be truly consideredsolar-powered, although some animals do exhibit someplant-like behaviors. Many scientists have studied the green sea slugs to confirm that they are actually able to create energy from sunlight. In fact, the slugs use the genetic material so well, they pass it on to their further generations. The babies retain the ability to produce their own chlorophyll, though they can’t generate energy from sunlight until they’ve eaten enough algae to steal the necessary genes, which theycan’t yet produce on their own.” “There is no way on earth that genes from an alga should work inside an animal cell,” says Sidney Pierce from the University of South Flori da. “And yet here, they do. They allow the animal to rely on sunshine for its nutrition. So if something happens to their food source, they have a way of not starving to death until they find more algae to eat.” The sea slugs are so good at gathering energ y from the sun that they can live up to 9 months without having to eat any food. They get all their nutritional needs met by the genes that they’ve hijacked from the algae. 51. What is the distinctive feature of a sea slug? A) It looks like both a plant and an animal. B) It converts some sea animals into plants. C) It lives half on animals and half on plants. D) It gets energy from both food and sunlight. 52. What enables the sea slug to live like a plant? A) The genes it captures from the sea plant algae. B) The mechanism by which it conserves energy. C) The nutrients it hijacks from other species. D) The green pigment it inherits from its ancestors. 53. What does the author say about baby sea slugs? A) They can live without sunlight for a long time. B) They can absorb sunlight right after their birth. C) They can survive without algae for quite some time. D) They can produce chlorophyll on their own. 54. What does SidneyPierce say about genes from an alga? A) They are stolen from animals like the sea slug. B) They can’t function unless exposed to sunlight. C) They don’t usually function inside animal cells. D) They can readily be converted to sea slug genes. 55. What do we learn about sea slugs from the passage?A) They behave the way most plant species do. B) They can survive for months without eating. C) They will turn intoplants when they mature. D) They will starve to death without sunlight. Part ⅣTranslation (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2. 中国的家庭观念与其文化传统有关。

2023年12月英语四级第二套真题参考答案及解析(最新完整版)

2023年12月英语四级第二套真题参考答案及解析（最新完整版）2023年12月英语四级第二套真题参考答案及解析(最新完整版) 听力第二套00:00:00 说话者1:College english test，band four，part two，listening comprehension，section a directions。

In this section，you will hear three news reports。

At the end of each news report，you will hear two or three questions。

Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once。

After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked ab c and d then mark the corresponding letter on answer sheet one with a single line through the center。

00:00:39 说话者2:News report one。

How you noticed how similar you are to your friends。

It may be because your brains operate in harmony with each other。

We know that friends are more likely to be the same age，gender and ethnic background as each other。

Now it seems that brains are alike too。

2020年12月英语四级真题第2套

Par t I Wri t ing ( 30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write on the topic Changes in the W ay of T ransportation. You should write at least 120 word s but no mor e than 180 words.Part I Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. Af ter you hear a question, you must choo se the best answer from the f our choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre .Questions 1 and 2 are based on th e news report you have just heard.1.A) He wanted to buy a home.C)He lost a huge sum of money.B)He suffered from a shock.D)He did an unusual good deed.2.A) Invite the waiter to a fancy dinner.C)Give some money to the waiter.B)Tell her story to the Daily News.D)Pay the waiter's school tuition.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) Whether or not to move to the state's mainland.B)How to keep the village from sinking into the sea.C)Where to get the funds for rebuilding their village.D)What to do about the rising level of the seawater.4.A) It takes too long a time.C)It has to wait for the state's final approval.B)It costs too much money.D)It faces strong opposition from many villagers. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have Just heard.5.A) To investigate whether people are grateful for help.B)To see whether people hold doors open for strangers.C)To explore ways of inducing gratitude in people.D)To find out how people express gratitude.6.A) They induced strangers to talk with them.B)They helped 15 to 20 people in a bad mood.C)They held doors open for people at various places.D)They interviewed people who didn't say thank you.7.A) People can be educated to be grateful.C)Most people have bad days now and then.B)Most people express gratitude for help.D)People are ungrateful when in a bad mood.llYfJ! 2020 • 12 J3 24Section BDirections: Jn this section, Jt'U will hear two long conversations. At the,end of each conversation, Jt'U will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Que tions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) To order a solar panel installation.C)To enquire about solar pai;iel installations.B)To report a serious leak in his roof.D)To complain about the faulty solar panels.' ' .9.A) He plans to install solar pl:lnels.C)He saves $ 300 a year. .B)He owns a four-bedroom house.D)He has a large family._10.A) The service of the solar panel company.C)The maintenance of the solar panels.B)The cost of a solar panel installation.D)The quality of the solar panels.11.A) One year and a half.C)Roughly six years.B)Less than four years.D)About five years.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard12.A) At a travel agency.C)At an airline transfer service.B)At an Australian airport.D)At a local transportation authority.13.A) She would be able to visit more scenic spots.B)She wanted to save as much money as possible.C)She would like to have everything taken care of.D)She wanted to spend more time with her family.14.A) Four days.C)One week.B)Five days.D)Two weeks.15.A) Choosing some activities herself.C)Driving along the Great Ocean Road.,·1 .•B)Spending Christmas with Australians.D)Leaming more about wine making. Section CDirections: Jn this section, Jt'U will hear three pzssages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After ycu hear a question , Jt'U must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A ) , B),C)and D ) . Then mark the co"esponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre .Questions 16 to 18 are based on the p�e you have just heard.16.A) Bring their own bags when shopping.C)Dispose .o f their trash properly.' ' 'B)Use public transport when traveling.D)Pay a green tax upon arrival.17.A) It has not been doing a good job in recycling.B)It has witnessed a rise in accidental drowning.C)It has not attracted many tourists in recent years.D)It has experienced an overall decline in air quality.18.A) To charge a small fee on plastic products in supermarkets.B)To ban single-use plastic bags and straws on Bali Island.C) · To promote the use of paper bags for shopping.D)To impos e a penalty on anyone caught littering.-2020 � 12 � 25Questions 19 to 21 are based OD the passage you have just heard.19.A) It gives birth to several babies at a time.C)Its breeding grounds are now b tter preserved.B)It is the least protected mammal s pe cies.D)Its population is.now showing signs of increase.20.A) Global warming.C)Commercial hunting.B)Polluted seawaters.D)Decreasing birthrates.21.A) To mate.C)To escape hunters.B)To look for food.D)To seek breeding grounds.Questions 22 to 25· are based OD the passage you have just heard.22.A) They prefer to drink low-fat milk.C)They consume less milk these days.B)They think milk is good for health.' ;23.A) It is not as healthy as once thought.,B)It is not easy to stay fresh for long.24.A) They drink too many pints every day.B)They are sensitive to certain minerals.25.A) It is easier for sick people to digest.B)It provides,some necessary nutrients.Part][ Section A Reading ComprehensionD)They buy more milk than the British.C)It benefits the elderly more.D)It tends to make people fat.C)They lack the necessary proteins to digest it.D)They have eaten food inco�patible with milk.C)It is healthier than other animal products.D)It supplies the body with enough calories.( 40 minutes)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 pas:sage through carefully bef ore making 30ur 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 we any of the wor ds in the bank more than once.When my son completes a task, I can't help but praise him. It's only natural to give praise where praise is due, right? But is there ·s uch a thing as too much praise?According to psychologist Katherine Phillip, children don't-benefit from 26 'praise as much as w'd like to think. "Parents' often praise, believing they are building their child's self-confidence. However, over-praising can have a 27 effect," says Phillip. "When we use the same praise28 , it may become emp�y and no longer valued·by the child. �t can also become an ex pe ctation that anything they do must be 29 with praise. This may lead to the child avoiding taking risks due to fear of 30 their parents. "Does this mean we should do away with all the praise? Phillip says no. "The key to healthy praise is to focus on the process rather than the 31 . It is the recognition of a child's attempt, or the process in which they achieved something, that is essential," she says. "Parents should encourage their child to take the risks needed to learn and grow. "So how do we break the 32 of praise we're all so accustomed to? Phillip says it's important to33 between "pe rson praise" and "process praise". "Person praise is 34 saying how great someone is. It's a form of personal approval. Process praise is acknowledgement of the efforts the personlmU! 2020 � 12 � 26has just 35 . Children who receive person praise are more likely to feel shame after losing,"·says ----Phillip.A)chooseB)constantC)disappointingD)distinguishE)exhausting Section B F)experiencedG)negativeH)outcomeI)patternJ)pluralK)repeatedlyL)rewardedM)separatelyN)simply0)undertakenDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten·statements aitached to it. Each statement contains information given in one o f the paragraphs. I dentify the paragraph f rom which the inf ormation is derived. Y ru may choose a paragraph'more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding·letter on Answer Sheet 2.Poverty i s a story about us , not themA)Too often still, we think we know what poverty looks like. It's the way we've been taught, the imageswe've been force-fed for decades. The chronically homeless. The undocumented immigrant. Theurban poor, usually personified as a woman of color, the "welfare queen" politicians stil too often reference.B)But as income inequality rises to record levels in the United States, even in the midst of a recordeconomic expansion, those familiar images are outdated, hurtful, and counterproductive to focusing attention on solutions and building ladders of opportunity.C)Today's faces of income inequality and lack of opportunity look like all of us. It's Anna Landre, adisabled Georgetown University student fighting to keep health benefits that allow her the freedom tolive her life. It's Tiffanie Standard, a counselor for young women of color in·i>hiladelphia'w ho want tobe tech entrepreneurs-but who must work multiple jobs to stay afloat. It's Ken Outlaw, a welder in rural North Carolina whose dream of going back to school at a local community-college was dashed by Hurricane Florence-just one of the extreme weather events that have tipped the balance for strugglingAmericans across the nation.D)If these are the central characters of our story about poverty, what layers of perceptions, myths, andrealities must we unearth to find meaningful solutions and support? In pursuit of revealing thiscomplicated reality, Mothering Justice, led by women of color, went last year to the·state capital in Lansing, Michigan, to lobby on issues that affect working mothers. One of the Mothering Justice ·organizers went to the office of a state representative to talk about the lack of affordable childcarethe vestiges (�:ii.) of a system that expected mothers to stay home with their children while their husbands worked. A legislative staffer dismissed the activist's concerns, telling her "my husband took care of that-I stayed home. "E)That comment, says Mothering Justice director Danielle Atkinson, '"was meant to sham e" and reliedon the familiar notion that a woman of color concerned about income inequality and programs thatpromote mobility must by definition be a single·morn, probably with multiple kids. In this case, theMothering Justice activist happened to be married. And in most cases in the America of 2019, theimages that come to mind when we hear the words poverty or income'inequality fail miserably inlmf!t 2020 ¥ 12 � 27reflecting a complicated reality: poverty touches virtually all of us. The face of income inequality, for all but a very few of us, is the one we each see in the mirror.F)How many of us are poor in the U.S.? It depends on who you ask. According to the Census Bureau,' .38 million peo p le in the U.S. are living b low the official poverty thresholds. Taking into accounteconomic need beyond that absolute measure, the Institute for Policy Studies found that 140 million people are poor or low-income. That's almost half the U.S. population.G)Whatever the measure, within that massive group, poverty is extremely diverse. We know that somepeople are more affected than others, like children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and people of color.H)But the fact that 4 in 10 ;Americans can't co�e up with $ .400 in an emergency is a commonly citedstatistic for good reason: economic ins�bility stre�ches across race, gender, and geography. It even reacbes into the middle classes, as real wages �ave stagnated (�JI-!(;.) for all but the very wealthy and temporary spells of financial instability are not uncommon.I)Negative images remain of who is living in poverty as well as what is needed to move out of it. The bigAmerican myth is that you can pull yourse l f up by your own efforts and change a bad situation into a good one. The reality is that finding opportunity without help from families, friends, schools, and community is virtually impossible. And the playing fiel4 is nothing close to level.J)The Frame W orks Institute, a research group that focuses on public framing of issues, has studied what sustains stereotypes an� narratives of poverty in the United Kingdom. "People view economic success and wellbeing in life as a pro�uct of choice, willpower, and drive," says Nat Kendall-Taylor, CEO of Frameworks. "When we see people who are struggling," he says, those assumptions '.'lead us to the perception that.peqple in poverty are lazy, they don't care, and they haven't made the right decisions. "K)Does this soun d familiar? Similar ideas surround poverty in the U ..S .. And these assumptions give a false picture of reality .. "When people enter into that pattern of thinking," says Kendall-Taylor, "it's cognitively comfortable to make sense of issues of poverty in that way. It creates a kind of cognitive blindness-all of the f�ctors external to a person's drive and choices that they've made become invisibleIand fade from view. "L)Those ex_ternal factors include the difficulties accompanying low-wage work or structural discrimination based on race, gender, or ability. Assumptions get worse when people who are poor use government benefits to help them surviye. There is a great tension between "the poor" and those who are receiving what has become a dirty word: "welfare. "M)According to the General Social Sqrvey, 71 percent of respondents believe the country is spending too ·little on "assistance to the. poor.�, On the other hand, 22 percent think we are spending too little on "welfare": 37 percent -believe we are spending too much.N)" Poverty has been interchangeable with people of color-specifi c ally black women and black mothers," says Atkinson of Mothering Justice. It's true that black mothers are more affected by poverty than many other groups, yet they are.disproportionately the face of poverty. For example, Americans routinely overestimate the share of black recipients·of public assistance programs.0)In reality, most people.will experience some form of financial hardship at some point in their lives.Indeed, people tend t o dip in and out of poverty, perhaps due to unexpected obstacles like losing a job,Im� 2020 • 12 _ij 28or when hours of a low-wage job fluctuate.P)Something each of us can do is to treat each other with the dignity and sympathy that is dese rv ed and to understand deeply that the issu e of poverty touches all of us.36.One legislative staffer assumed that a woman of color who advocated affordable childcare must be asingle mother.37.People from different races, genders, and regions all suffer from a lack of financial security.38.According to a survey, while the majority believe too little assistance is given to the poor, more thana third believe too much is spent on welfare.39.A research group has found that Americans who are struggling are ·t hought to be lazy and to have madethe wrong decisions.40.Under the old system in America, a mother was supposed to stay home and take care of her children.41. It was found that nearly 50% of Americans are poor or receive low pay.42.Americans usually overestimate the number of blacks receiving welfare be n efits.43.It is impossible for Americans to lift themselves out of poverty entirely on their own.44.Nowadays, it seems none of us can get away from income inequality.45.Assumptions about poor people become even more negative when-they live on welfare.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by 9Jme questions or unfinished sta tements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 46 to SO are based on the following pasuge.Boredom has, paradoxically, become quite interesting to academics lately. In early May, London's Boring Conference celebrated seven years of delighting in dullness. At this event, people flocked to talks about weather, traffic jams, and vending-machine sounds, among other sleeirinducing topics.What, exactly, is everybody studying? One widely accepted psychological definition of boredom is "the distasteful experience of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity." But how can you quantify a perso n's boredom level and compare it with someone else's? In 1986, psychologists introduced the Boredom Proneness Scale, designed to measure an individual's overall tendency to feel bored. By contra t, the Multidimensional State Boredom Sc le, developed in 2008, measures a person's feelings of boredom in a given situation.Boredom has been linked to behavior issues including inattentive driving, mindless sna�king, excessive drinking, and addictive gambling. In fact, many of us would choose pain over boredom. One team of psychologists discovered that two-thirds of men and a quarter of women would rather self-administer electric shocks than sit alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes. Researching this phenomenon, another team asked volunteers to watch boring, sad, or neutral films, during which they could self-administer electric shocks. Th e bored volunteers shocked ·themselves more and harder than the sad or neutral ones did.But boredom isn't all bad. By encouraging self-reflection and daydreaming, it can spur creativity. An early study gave participants abundant time to complete problem-solving and word-association exercises. On c e all the obvious answers were exhausted, participants gave more and more inventive answers ton 29IDI 1t2020 4 12combat boredom. A British stu d y took these findings one step further, asking subjects to complete a creative challenge (coming up with a list of alternative uses for a household item). One group of subjects did a boring activity first, while the others went straight to the creative task. Those whose boredom pumps had been primed were more productive.In our always-connected world, boredom may be a hard-to-define state, but it is a fertile one. Watch paint dry or water boil, or at least put away your smartphone for a while, and you might unlock your next big idea.46.When are people likely to experience boredom, according to an accepted psychological definition?A)When they don't have the chance to do what they want.B)When they don't enjoy the materials they are studying.C)When they experience something unpleasant ..D)When they engage in some routine activities.47.What does the author say boredom can lead to?A)Determination.C)Mental deterioration.B)Concentration.D)Harmful conduct.48.What is the finding of one team of psychologists in their experiment?A)Volunteers prefer watching a boring movie to sitting alone deliberating.B)Many volunteers choose to hurt themselves rather than endure boredom.C)Male volunteers are more immune to the effects of boredom than females.D)Many volunteers are unable to resist boredom longer than fifteen minutes.49.Why does the author say boredom isn't all bad?A)It stimulates memorization.C)It may promote creative thinking.B)It allows time for relaxation.D)It may facilitate independent learning.50.What does the author suggest one do when faced with a challenging problem?A)Stop idling and think big.C)Look around oneself for stimulation.B)Unlock one's smartphone.D)Allow oneself some time to be bored. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to SS are based on th e following passage.Forests in countries like Brazil and the Co n go get a lot of attention· from environmentalists, and it is easy to see why. South America and sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing deforestation on an enormous scale: every year almost 5 million hectares are lost. But forests are·also changing in rich Western countries. They are growing larger, both in the sense that they occupy more land and that the trees in them are bigger� What is going on?Forests are spreading in almost all Western countries, with the fastest growth in places that historically had rather few trees. In 1990 28% of Spain was forested; now the proportion is 37%. In b th Greece and Italy, the growth was from 26% to 32% over the same period. Forests are gradually taking more land in America and Australia. Perhaps mo t astonishing is the trend in Ireland. Roughly 1 % of that country was forested when it became independent in 1922. Now forests cover 11 %of the land, and the government wants to push the proportion to 18% by the 2040s.Two things are fertilising this growth. The first is the abandonment of farmland, especially in high, dry places where nothing grows terribly well. When farmers give up trying to earn a living from farming or herding, tre s simply move in; The second is government policy and subsidy. Throughout history,tmfl 2020 � 12 J.I 30governments have protected and promoted forests for diverse reasons, ranging from the need for wooden wars h ips to a desire to promote suburban house-building. Nowadays forests are increasingly welcome because they suck in carbon pollution from the air. The justifications change; the desire for more trees remains constant.The greenin� of the West does not delight everyone. Farmers complain that land is being taken out of use by generously subs i dised tree plantations. Parts of Spain and Portugal suffer from terrible forest fires. Others simply dislike the appearance of forests planted in neat rows. They will have to get used to the trees, however. The growth of Western forests seems almost as unstoppable as deforestation elsewhere.51. What is catching environ.mentalists' attention nowadays?A)Rich cou n tries are stripping poor ones of their resources.B)Forests are fast shrinking in many developing countries.C)Forests are eating away the fertile farmland worldwide.D)Rich cou n tries are doing little to address deforestation.52.Which countries have the fastest forest growth?A)Those that have newly achieved independence.B)Those that have the greatest demand for timber.C)Those that used to have the lowest forest coverage.D)Those that provide enormous government subsidies.53. What has encouraged forest growth historically?A)The government's advocacy.B)The use of wood for fuel.C)The favourable climate.D)The green movement.54.What accounts for our increasing desire for forests?A)Their unique scenic beauty.B)Their use as fruit plantations.C)Their capability of improving air quality.·D) Their stable supply of building materials.55. What does the author conclude about the prospects of forestation?A)Deserts in sub-Saharan Africa will diminish gradually.B)It will play a more and more important role in people's lives.C)Forest destruction in the developing world will quickly slow down.D)Developed and developing countries are moving in oppos i te directions.Part N Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part , )OU are allowed 80 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into Fnglish . You should write )OUT answer on Answer Sheet 2.��7�ffl l��t OOA��o ffl a��-�+A��•,��£ffl·�-{!��'�A ��A��a ffl l��·4�j#,�t��·�#�¼�o��,A�� 4i!?"�-ut�, � �vt:ii-t�"A" !j!flr"¼" !j!11Ji' �-¼-#a � t 00 �it j ��,�-=f-d!.�-il��{!*'*� a;fi", B"J � � "T f-.fi}. �}ij-i;llll tl 2020 ¥ 12 J.j 31。

2019年12月大学英语四级听力真题、答案和原文(第二套)

2019年12月大学英语四级真题(第2套)听力真题Section AQuestions l and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) The number of nurses has dropped to a record 1ow.B) There is a growing shortage of medical personnel.C) There is discrimination against male nurses.D) The number of male nurses has gone down.2.A) Cultural bias.B) Inadequate pay.C) Educational system.D) Working conditions.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) He fell out of a lifeboat.B) He lost his way on a beach.C) He was almost drowned.D) He enjoyed swimming in the sea.4.A) The beach is a popular tourist resort.B) The emergency services are efficient.C) The beach is a good place to watch the tide.D) The lifeboats patrol the are around the clock.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) It became an online star.B) It broke into an office room.C) It escaped from a local zoo.D) It climbed 25 storey sat one go.6.A) Send it back to the zoo.B) Release it into the wild.C) Re tum it to its owner.D) Give it a physical checkup.7.A) A racoon can perform acts no human can.B) A racoon can climb much higher than a cat.C) The racoon became as famous as some politicians.D) The racoon did something no politician could.Section BQuestions 8 to ll are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) She got a well-paying job in a bank.B) She received a bonus unexpectedly.C) She received her first monthly salary.D)She got a pay raise for her performance.9.A) Several years ago.B) Two decades ago.C) Right after graduation.D) Just 1ast month.10.A) He sent a small check to his parents.B) He took a few of his friends to a gym.C) He immediately deposited it in a bank.D) He treated his parents to a nice meal.11.A) Buy some professional clothes.B) Budget her salary carefully.C) Join her colleagues for gym exercise.D) Visit her former university campus.Questions 12 to l5 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) He has a difficult decision to make.B) He has been overworked recently.C) He has just quarreled with his girlfriend.D) He has just too many things to attend to.13.A) Give priority to things more urgent.B) Tum to his girlfriend for assistance.C) Think twice before making the decision.D) Seek advice from his family and advisor.14.A) His parents and advisor have different opinions.B) He is not particularly keen on the job offered.C) He lacks the money for his doctoral program.D) His girlfriend does not support his decision.15.A) They need time to make preparations.B) They need to save enough money for it.C) They haven't started their careers yet.D) They haven’t won their parents' approval.Section CQuestions l6 to l8 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) Acquiring information and professional knowledge.B) Using information to understand and solve problems.C) Enriching social and intellectual lives.D) Expressing ideas and opinions freely.17.A) Improving mind-reading strategies.B) Reading classic scientific literature.C) Playing games that challenge one's mind.D) Traveling to different places in the world.18.A) Give others freedom to express themselves.B) Expose themselves to different cultures.C) Discard personal biases and prejudices.D) Participate in debates or discussions.Questions 19 to 2l are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) The nature of relationships between dogs.B) The reason a great many people love dogs.C) Why dogs can be faithful friends of humans.D) How dogs feel about their bonds with humans.20.A) They have an unusual sense of responsibility.B) They can respond to humans' questions.C) They can fall in love just like humans.D) They be have like other animals in many ways.21.A) They have their own joys and sorrows.B) They experience true romantic love.C) They help humans in various ways.D) They stay with one partner for life.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) A cow bone.B) A rare animal.C) A historical site.D) A precious stone.23.A) Measuring it.B) Preserving it.C) Dating it.D) Identifying it.24.A) The site should have been protected.B) The boy’s family had acted correctly the boy should have called aexpert.C) The boy should have called an expert.D) The channel needs to interview the boy.25.A) Search for similar fossils elsewhere.B) Ask the university to reward Jude.C) Conduct a more detailed search.D) Seek additional funds for the search参考答案1.D) The number of male nurses has gone down.2.A) Cultural bias.3.C) He was almost drowned.4.B) The emergency services are efficient.5.A) It became an online star.6.B) Release it into the wild.7.D) The raccoon did something no politician could8.C) She received her first monthly salary.9.B) Two decades ago.10.D) He treated his parents to a nice meal.11.C) Join her colleagues for gym exercise.12.A) He has a difficult decision to make.13.C) Seek advice from his family and advisor.14.B) His girlfriend does not support his decision.15.C) They have not started their careers yet.16.B) Using information to understand and solve problems.17.C) Playing games that challenge one's mind.18.D) Participate in debates or discussions.19.A) The nature of relationships between dogs.20.C) They can fall in love just 1ike humans.21.D) They stay with one partner for life.22.A) A cow bone.23.B) Preserving it.24.B) The boy's family had acted correctly.25.C) Conduct a more detailed search.听力原文News report oneThe British government has called for more men 10 consider a career in nursing. Figures show the number of male nurses has fallen in the last three years. Now,the number of men working in the nursing sector has reached us seven-year low. Numbers of male nurses increased between 2011 and 2014 and reached a peak of 7168. This figure has dropped to only 6924in 2017. The UK Health Secretary said this is clearly a cultural problem，and probably one that exists in many parts of the world. But we can make efforts to change that now. We want to persuade males to think about career options of going into nursing. There is absolutely no reason why men cant go into this profession. The health secretary said that the government already has plans to attract a more varied workforce into nursing.She stated，we are leading the way on workforce planning. We will become the first nation in Europe to publish a national health and care workforce plan.Questions one and two are based on the news report you have just heard. Question1：What problem is Britain facing?Question2：What is the cause of the problem according to the UK Health Secretary?News report twoA man from Libya was enjoying a walk along the sands at south port beach. When he was about half a mile out from the dark，he felt a bit tired. So he lay down and fell asleep，but the tide swept in quickly at the beach. And the man was shocked to wake up and find the tide had come in and completely surrounded him，cutting him off from the shore. Fortunately for him，the beach life guards were quickly on the scene to stop him fromdrowning. The actor professionally to ensure the man was comfortable until an ambulance arrived. He was then taken to hospital. He is now in as table condition. When interviewed Keith porter of the southport beach said，our beach is so flat that it's very common for the tide come around the back of people and cut them off from the beach. Thankfully the emergency services have again worked well together to ensure a positive outcome. And we wish the gentleman a speedy recovery.Questions three and four are based on the news report you have just heard. Question3：What does the news reports say about the Libyan man? Question4：What did Keith Porter say at an interview?News report threeA raccoon，a small cat like animal climbed to the top of a 25-story skyscraper early on Wednesday. It was captured after becoming an online star across the world. At a little before three a.m，the animal made it to the roof of the building，after it took along break on a 17th floor window edge. At the top of the building，animal control officers put cat food in traps and captured the raccoon. A private wildlife management company will release the animal into the wild. The raccoons upward journey began on Monday. The brown animal was spotted stuck on a narrow window edge of the office tower. On Tuesday, the raccoon slowly climbed the building. It reached the 23rd floor，and it's legend continued to grow on social media with every floor it climbed.As it went up，people gathered on the sidewalk below to take photos and cheer for its safety. Online office workers posted photos and videos of the raccoon，resting on window edges and climbing up the building's concrete exterior. One online post said that the raccoon has succeeded in uniting the country the way no politician could.Questions five to seven are based on the news report you have just heard：Question5：What does the news report say about the raccoon，a small cat like animal?Question6：What will the wildlife management company do with the captured raccoon?Question7：What did one online post say?Conversation lW：I have really amazing news. I just got a text message from my bank，saying my salary has been deposited in my account.M：Getting paid as good. But I don’t understand why you’re so excited. It happens every month.W：Well，I've been working for a few years. In fact，I worked all through university，but I only had part time jobs then. So this is the first time I've ever been paid for a month of full time work.M：Well，then you must feel great. I mean，its been two decades，but I can still remember when I got my first real salary. I was happy for days.I felt like it was a small fortune，even though it wasn't.W：I've never earned so much money before. And there's so many things I'd like to do with it. What did you do with your first pay?M：I bought a new suit for work and took my parents to a nice restaurant to celebrate. Maybe you could do the same.W：I have enough professional clothes. And my parents are across the country. So seeing them is impossible. But some people from the office are members of a gym.I want to join. And my university classmates are arranging a trip to visit our old campus，and Id love to go with them，but I can’t afford both.M：If I were you.I join the gym because it's a good way to stay healthy，and it might help you build a stronger relationship with your colleagues. And good relationships are key to a successful career.W：Hm. You’re right. Thanks for the advice. I’m taking it.Question 8 to ll are based on the conversation you have just heard. Question8：Why did the woman feel excited?Question9：When did the man get his first full time job?Question10：What did the man do when he got his first pay? Questionll：What does the woman says he is going to?Conversation 2W：Whats going on with you lately? You seem so distracted. Like you aren't really listening to anything I say.M：I know.I’m sorry. I can't seem to focus on anything，because I still haven't decided if I should accept the offer for that phd program in London, or if I should take the job offer in New York.W：Look,it's a tough decision，but you’re running out of time，aren't you? I thought you said the company expected an answer by the end of the month.M： Actually，its the beginning of next month for the job，but the university needs a decision by the end of the week. So I have to act quickly.M：You definitely need advice for the important decision like this. So who have you talked to about it? What does your family think? And your adviser for your masters program?M：I've asked their advice and that's part of the problem. My parents want me to get the degree，but my advisor thinks it's time for me to get more work experience.W： What do you mean by part of the problem? Oh， wait，it's your girlfriend，isn’t it? You've been dating since your first year of university，so that six years now. She must have an opinion about all this. I mean isn’t it time for you to think about getting married?M：I do want to get married, but she thinks we need to wait until we'velaunched our careers. Plus，she's not sure what she’ll be doing next year. She's considering a job in England and one in Australia. And her parents are pushing for the latter.Questions l2 to l5 are based on the conversation you have just heard. Question12: Why does the man seem to be distracted?Questionl3: What does the woman say the man should do?Qucstion14: What does the man say is part of his problem?Question15: Why doesn't the man's girlfriend agree to get married right now?Passage OneAnalytical skills are our ability to understand and solve problems using information we have available. These skills are extremely important for our professional，social，and intellectual lives. What are the best ways to improve them? One way is to expand your worldview. Unfortunately，this takes time. Ultimately，it will help you better evaluate information and analyze different ideas and outcomes. Travelling is a great way to expand your world view，although it can be expensive. An entertaining way of enhancing your analytical skills is to engage them by playing brain games. These are games that challenge you to think deeply and to develop your analytical skills.These games will get you used to thinking in a certain way. As a result，they will help improve your ability to think. However，opinions vary on whether video games are effective. The general consensus is that the be stones avoid mindless violence，and instead focus on strategy and challenge us to solve problems and achieve broad goals.Joining a debate or reading club or group is also a good idea. This provides people with the opportunity to come together and discuss ideas，literature and problems. Groups like these will help you refine your analyticalskills and enable you to express yourself better. Any social group that encourages free exchange of ideas and pursuit of knowledge is beneficial. It helps you to actively develop your analytical skills.Questions l6 to l8 are based on the passage you have just heard. Question16: What kind of ability do analytical skills refer to in the passage?Question17: What does the passage say is an entertaining way of enhancing one's analytical skills?Question18: What else does the speaker advise people to do to improve their analytical skills?Passage TwoThere's an endless amount of scientific data proving that dogs can develop strong bonds with their owners. People aren’t kidding when they say they love their dog or their dog loves them，but were rather ignorant about the nature of the relationships that form between dogs.In an effort to understand the matter further，I spoke with doctor Mark Beckh off a researcher and former professor of animal behavior. The doctor's response to the question of whether or not dogs can fall in love like humans do was a straight“Of course!”. He went on to say that if love is defined as along term commitment，meaning dogs seek one another out when they're apart，they’re happy when they’re reunited，they protect one another，they feed one another，they raise their children together. Then，of course，dogs love each other.Now our fury friends don't really experience romantic love, like in the movies，but they can form deep and lasting bonds with their fellow dogs as well as humans.In fact，evidence shows that most dogs stay with one partner their whole lives.In actuality，love between dogs can be even more intimate than human relationships.When they interact，they aren't afraid to smell each other and will express themselves clearly and honestly. Once again，it seems we have a lot to learn from dogs.Questions 19 to 2l are based on the passage you have just heard. Question19: What does the passage say we don't know much about? Question20: What does Dr.Mark Beckh off say about dogs?Question21: What does the speaker say about most dogs?Passage ThreeApiece of history has been found thanks to a boy tripping on a rare，1.2-milion-year-old animal fossil. In November 2016，Jude Sparks，now 10，was on an outing with his family near their New Mexico home，when he tripped over what he thought was a cow bone. Now，researchers at New Mexico State University are preserving this discovery，which was identified as an ancient elephant-like animal Kyle Sparks，father of Jude，said he let his son decide what to do with the fossil.So Jude reached out to Peter Houde，a professor at new Mexico State University who had experience with the same type of fossil in the past. The next day Houde came out to see the fossil for himself. Houde told ABC News that he was quite excited about the find. It was fortunate that the family didn't try to dig up the fossil because that could destroy the specimen；they did the right thing by calling someone who would know what to do.“It's great for the community，because now everybody can appreciate it.”he added.Houde and his fellow faculty members dug up the fossil in late May. They hope to re tum to the site with geologists for an additional search as there could be more fossils near the site. Jude and his family had been invited by the researchers to see the fossil being preserved at the university.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard. Question22: What did the boy Jude Sparks think he had discovered? Question23: What are the researchers at New Mexico State University doing with the boy's discovery?Question24: What did professor Peter Houde say when interviewed by ABC News?Question25: What do the researchers plan to do?。

XXXX12月英语四级真题和答案解析(第二套)

XXXX12月英语四级真题和答案解析(第二套)1999年12月，大学英语四级(第二集)第一部分写作(30分钟)方向:针对这一部分。

你有30分钟的时间写一篇短文，讨论如何最好地处理师生关系。

你应该写至少120字，但不超过180字。

听力理解(25分钟)部分A方向:在这一部分，你将听到三条新闻报道。

在每个新闻报道的结尾，你会听到两三个问题。

新闻报道和问题只会说一次。

听到问题后，你必须从标有A)、B)、C)和D)的四个选项中选择最佳答案。

然后在答题卡1的相应字母中间划一条线。

问题1和2基于您刚刚听到的新闻报道。

1.它试图娱乐它的观众。

它想引起人们的注意。

它试图往远处看。

它的一条肢体受伤了。

2.它被动物保护官员发现了。

这是由当地一名电视记者拍摄的。

其视频发布在社交媒体上。

它的照片获得了摄影奖。

9问题3和4基于您刚刚听到的新闻报道。

3.a)行驶的距离C)汽油的花费。

道路事故的发生率。

旅游人数。

4.通勤的人越来越少。

就业增长正在放缓。

天然气消费正在飙升。

高峰时间的交通正在恶化。

问题5到7是基于你刚刚听到的新闻报道。

5.他给一个陌生人讲述了自己的悲惨故事。

他帮助一个陌生人把食品搬到他的车上。

他走向一个陌生人，拉了拉他的袖子。

他洗了一个陌生人的车以换取一些食物。

6.他为家人点了很多食物。

他为他筹集了一大笔钱。

他给了他一份在自己公司的工作。

他向他提供大学奖学金。

7.他努力工作养家。

他非常擅长编故事。

他是学校的优秀学生。

他从小就残疾了。

B部分方向:在这一部分，你将听到两个长对话。

每次对话结束时，你会听到四个问题。

对话和问题只会说一次。

听到问题后，你必须从标有A)、B)、C)和D)的四个选项中选择最佳答案。

然后在答题卡1的相应字母中间划一条线。

问题8至11基于您刚才听到的对话。

8.参加了一个经济学讲座。

在维多利亚女王酒店喝了一杯。

B)在查尔斯街散步。

在一家新餐馆吃饭。

9.请大学朋友吃饭。

参加他哥哥的生日聚会。

为研讨会做准备。

【英语真题】2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第二套)

2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第二套）PartⅠWriting(30 minutes)Directions:Suppose you have just participated in a school project of collecting used books on campus.You are now to write a report about the project,which may include its aim,organizers, participants and activities.You will have30minutes to write the report.You should write at least 120words but no more than180words.PartⅡListening Comprehension(30minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report,you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions1and2are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A)It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.B)It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong airportC)It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.D)It had two of its domestic flights mixed up2.A)Correct their mistake as soon as possible.B)Give the two pets a physical checkup.C)Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.D)Send another plane to continue the flight.Questions3and4are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A)She weighs130kilograms B)She has had babies beforeC)She was brought from Africa.D)She has a big family of six.4.A)It took22hours.B)It had some complicationsC)It was smooth.D)It was monitored by Dr.Sue Tygielski Questions5to7are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A)It enjoyed great popularity.B)It started business three years ago.C)It was frequented by newly-weds D)It was built above the sea-water.6.A)Expand his business on the beach.B)Replace the restaurant’s wooden deck.C)Post a picture of his restaurant online.D)Celebrate his silver wedding anniversary.7.A)She sold it for two thousand dollarsB)She took it to the restaurant managerC)She posted its picture on FacebookD)she returned it to its owner right awaySection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions8to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)The number of ducks has declined sharply in recent years.B)Climate change has little effect on the lives of wild ducks.C)Duck meat is not eaten in Australia,Canada and the U.S.D)Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9.A)Droughts.B)Bushfires.C)Farming.D)Hunting.10.A)They are not easy to domesticate.B)Their meat is not that popular.C)It is not environmentally friendly D)It is not considered cost-effective11A)They hunted ducks as a traditional sport.B)They killed wild ducks and geese for food.C)They raised ducks and geese for their eggs.D)They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)Have her house repainted B)Replace some of her old furnitureC)Move into a newly-painted house D)Calculate the cost of the paint job13.A)How long the work will take B)How much the work will cost.C)How the paint job is to be done.D)How many workers are needed14.A)Cover up her furniture B)Ask some friends for helpC)Stay somewhere else D)Oversee the work herself15.A)She could have asked a friend for help with the paint jobB)Painting a house involves more trouble than she thoughtC)she should have repainted her house much earlierD)Moving her furniture is harder than the paint jobSection CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre. Questions16to18are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A)To cultivate good habits.B)To prepare for secondary school.C)To review what is learned in classD)To stimulate interest in learning.17.A)Discuss their academic achievements with themB)Create an ideal study environment for themC)Allow them to learn independentlyD)Check their homework promptly18.A)Finish them before they get tiredB)Tackle the most difficult task firstC)Start with something they enjoyD)Focus on the most important onesQuestions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)Workers who meet its body weight standardsB)Workers who can lose30pounds in a yearC)Workers who try the hardest to lose weightD)Workers who are in the top10%of the slimmest20.A)ImpracticalB)InconsistentC)UnmanageableD)Unfair21.A)Offer them much fatter bonuses.B)Improve working environment.C)Encourage healthy behaviorsD)Provide free lunch and snacksQuestions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A)It has not done enough to help left-handed children.B)It has treated left-handed children as being disabled.C)It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.D)It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.23.A)They are as intelligent as other children.B)They have a distinctive style of handwritingC)They sometimes have psychological problems.D)They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24.A)Punish teachers discriminating against left-handed studentsB)Lay more emphasis on improving children’s mental healthC)Encourage students to develop various professional skillsD)Keep track of left-handed children’s school performance,25.A)How they can be reduced in number.B)Why their numbers are so highC)What percentage they account forD)If their percentage keeps increasingPartⅢReading Comprehension(40minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter:Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon on April23,1564.But it is impossible to know the26day on which he was born.Church records show he was baptized(施洗礼)on April26,and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newly born baby.Shakespeare’s date of death is27known,however:it was April23,1616.He was52and had retired to Stratford three years before.Although few plays have been performed or analyzed as extensively as the38plays Shakespeare wrote,there are few surviving details about his life.This28of biographical information is due primarily to his social29;he was not a noble,but the son of a leather trader.Shakespeare30attended the grammar school in Stratford,where he would have studied Latin and read31literature.He did not go to university and at age18married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his32.They had four children,including the twins,Hamnet and Judith. Nothing is known of the period between the birth of the twins and Shakespeare’s33as a dramatist in London in the early1590sIn a million words written over20years,he34the full range of human emotions and conflicts with a35that remains sharp today.As his great contemporary the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson said,“He was not of an age,but for all time.”A)captured I)precisionB)classical J)probablyC)conclusively K)qualityD)emergence L)scarcityE)exact M)seniorF)generated N)separatedG)particular O)systematicallyH)positionSection BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.How to not be boring[A]Humans are creatures of habit.We love to establish a routine and stick with it.Then we often put ourselves on auto-pilot.Routines can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done. However,too much of a routine can also make you incredibly boring.Nevertheless,many people live lives that are boringly predictable,or live a life where everything is outlined or planned. [B]To tell the truth,interesting people are more popular among their friends.If you don’t arouse someone's curiosity or brighten someone’s day,you probably come across as being a little bit dull. But that doesn’t mean your life has ended and you can't do anything to change it.If you find yourself searching for something to say beyond small talk,try these tactics to find more interesting approaches to conversation.[C]Recently,I was at a gathering of colleagues when someone turned to me and asked,"So, what's new with you?”Ordinarily,I think I’m a good conversationalist.After all,it's literally my job to talk to people and tell their stories or share their advice.And that's not exactly an unexpected question.Still,the only“new-lo-me”topics that came to mind were my daughter’s basketball tournament（锦标赛）and my feelings about that morning’s political headlines----neither amusing nor appropriate topics at that moment.[D]Oh,no,I thought.Have I become boring?But sharing our experiences in an authentic way to connect with other people is what makes us interesting,says associate professor Michael Pirson.The hesitation I felt in not sharing the ordinary things that were happening in my life,and the wild mental search for something more interesting,may have backfired and made me seem less interesting.[E]“If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting,it’s probably not going to land well,”says Pirson,whose expertise includes trust and well-being,mindfulness,and humanistic management.“It’s going to feel like a made-up conversation that people don’t necessarily want to tune in to.”[F]The most interesting people aren’t those who've gone on some Eat,Pray,Love journey to find themselves.Instead,Pirson says,they’re those who examine the ordinary.”Often,the‘boring things’may not be boring at all.Maybe they are actually little miracles,"he says.Share yourobservations about the world around you---interesting stories you heard or things you noticed---and you may be surprised by the universal connection they inspire.[G]This is essentially how Jessica Hagy starts her day.The author of How to Be Interesting:An Instruction Manual,Hagy spends a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her.People who are interesting are persistently curious,she says.[H]Think about the everyday things around you and ask questions about them.What is that roadside monument I sec on my way to work every day?Who built that interesting building in my city?What nearby attractions haven’t I visited?Why do people do things that way?Use what you find to ask more questions and learn more about the world around you.“Having that sort of curiosity is almost like a protective gear from getting into boredom,”she says.And when you find things that are truly interesting to you,share them.[I]Television veteran Audrey Morrissey,executive producer of NBC’s The Voice,is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers.It’s usually a matter of individuality.“Having a strong point of'view,signature style,or being a super-enthusiast in a particular field makes someone interesting,"she says.That means embracing what is truly interesting or unique about yourself.“Many people are‘not boring’in the way that they can carry a conversation or can be good at a social gathering,etc.To be interesting means that you have lived life,taken risks,traveled,sought out experience to learn for yourself and share with others," she says.[J]Of course,it’s possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person,says public relations consultant Andrea Pass,Paying attention to the listener is an important part of having a conversation that’s interesting to both parties.Talking on and on about what’s interesting to you isn’t going to make you an interesting person,she says.[K]“If the listener is not paying attention,it’s your sign to shorten the story or change direction. Make sure to bring the audience into the conversation so that it is not one-sided,”Pass says.Be a better listener yourself,and give others opportunities to participate in the conversation by inviting them with questions or requests to share their own experiences or thoughts.(e.g.,“Now,tell me about your favorite book,”or“Have you ever been to that attraction?”)Questions are a powerful tool,especially when they encourage others to disclose information about themselves.A2012 study from the University of California,Santa Barbara,found that roughly40%of the time we are talking,we’re disclosing subjective information about our experience.And when we’re doing so, our brains are more engaged.So one strategy to leave others with the impression that you’re a sparkling conversation partner is to get others to talk.about themselves.[L]Being relatable is also essential,Morrissey says."The best entertainment and storytelling comes from people who are relatable---those who don’t shy away from opening up but freely share who they are and what they care about.These are the people viewers most relate to and find interesting.Being authentic,honest,and vulnerable is always interesting."[M]I have now come to realize that being boring,in actuality,is not only about who you are as aperson,but also how you present yourself.No matter what,make sure you are having fun in life. Because when you are enjoying,people around you will begin to enjoy as well.Show some interest in them and they will definitely show some in you.If'you are a very reserved person,this could be a little difficult at first.But with a little effort,you can definitely improve.36.Pirson claims that some ordinary things may often prove to be miraculously interesting.37.To make a conversation interesting,it is important that you listen to the other party attentively.38.A person who is unable to stimulate others’curiosity or make their life enjoyable may appear somewhat boring.39.Interesting people usually possess certain unique qualities,according to a TV program producer.40.Be interested in others and they are sure to be interested in you.41.The author considers himself usually good at conducting conversations.42.Interesting people are always full of curiosity.43.Falling into a routine can turn a person into an utter bore.44.One strategy to be a good conversationalist is to morivate your partner to tell their own stories.45.lnteresting as it might appear,a made-up conversation will probably turn out to be dull. Section CDirections:There are2passages in this section.Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements.For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C)and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions46to50are based on the following passage.With obesity now affecting2%of the population in England,and expected to rise to35%by 2030,should we now recognise if as a disease?Obesity,in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected,meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding.He points out that more than200genes influence weight.“Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology----it is not an individual’s fault if they develop obesity."Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual's responsibility to do something about it.Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice“should help reduce the stigma(耻辱）and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity.”he adds.Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services,pointing out that other common diseases,such as high blood pressure and diabetes,require people to take action to manage their condition.He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications.“But unless we accept that obesity is a disease,we are not going to be able to tackle it.”he concludes.But Dr.Richard Pile,a physician with a special interest in diabetes,argues that adopting this approach"could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society.”He believes that he dictionary definition of disease“is so vague that we can classify almost anything as a disease”and says the question is not whether we can,but whether we should,and to what end.If labelling obesity as a disease was harmless then it wouldn’t really matter,he writes.But labelling obesity as a disease“risks reducing autonomy,disempowering and robbing people of the intrinsic(内在的)motivation that is such an important enabler of change.”What’s more,making obesity a disease“may not benefit patients,but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical(制药的)industry when health insurance and clinical guidelines promote treatment with drugs and surgery,”he warns.46.What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?A)Its impact on society is expected to rise.B)It is now too widespread to be neglected.C)It should be regarded as a genetic disease.D)Its dictionary definition should be updated.47.What is the popular view of obesity?A)It is difficult to define.B)It is a modem disease.C)It has much to do with one’s genes.D)It results from a lack of self-control.48.Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?A)Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.B)Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.C)Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.D)Obese people would be discriminated against.49.What does Dr.Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?A)It is of no use in understanding obesity.B)It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.C)It helps little to solve patients’problems.D)It matters little to the debate over obesity.50.What is Dr.Richard Pile's concern about classifying obesity as a disease?A)It may affect obese people’s quality of life.B)It may accelerate the spread of obesity.C)It may cause a shortage of doctors.D)It may do little good to patients.Passage TwoQuestions51to55are based on the following passage.Nationwide,only about three percent of early childhood teachers are male in the U.S.Expertssay this can have an impact on young children whose understanding of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming.Research has found that having access to diverse teachers is beneficial for children.For the youngest learners,it means they are more likely to get exposed to different varieties of play and communication.It also helps them develop healthy ideas around gender.“In our world and our society,we have very specific stereotypes（模式化形象）of gender roles,”said Mindi Reich-Shapiro,an assistant professor in the teacher education department of the Borough of Manhattan Community College,and one of the authors of a recent study.”It’s important for children to see other possibilities and other paths they can take.”Despite mostly feeling supported by colleagues and family members,many of the male educators surveyed in the study reported facing social or cultural resistance in their careers as early education teachers.Some also reported that there were parents surprised or concerned that their child had a male teacher.And they had been advised by colleagues or other staff not to hug children.Reich-Shapiro and fellow researchers made several recommendations lo increase male representation in the field.Low pay has long been acknowledged as a major issue in the early childhood field.Over70%of male educators who said they intended to stay in the early education workforce noted an increased salary was a major motivating factor for them to commit to the career long-term.The report suggests paying all early childhood educators the way elementary school teachers are paid.Cities and programs should establish support groups for male early childhood educators and provide mentoring and professional development advice for male educators and their program leaders.The authors also suggest that traditional recruitment approaches for early childhood educators“do not address the gender gap in the field.”They recommend providing young men opportunities to work with children through training and volunteer programs,targeting groups of men who are considering a career change,such as fathers.51.What do we learn from the first paragraph about early childhood education in the U.S.?A)It helps raise children’s awareness of gender roles.B)It exposes children to different ways of interaction.C)It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.D)It clearly aims to form children’s identity through play.52.What does Mindi Reich-Shapiro emphasize in her comment on childhood education?A)The importance of broadening children’s horizons.B)The responsibilities of fathers for children’s growth.C)The urgency of creating teacher education programs.D)The role of teachers in motivating children to learn.53.What do we learn about male teachers from their responses in the study?A)Some of them find it awkward when hugging children.B)They feel pressured to keep up with female colleagues.C)They find it hard to meet the expectations of kids’parents.D)Many of them feel prejudiced against socially and culturally.54.What is needed for men to commit to early childhood education?A)Higher pay.B)Job security.C)Social recognition.D)Better working conditions.55.What do the authors of the study recommend to bridge the gender gap in early childhood education?A)Recruiting young men who have a passion for educating young children.B)Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.C)Persuading prospective fathers to consider a change in their career.D)Providing male teachers with more opportunities for advancement.PartⅣTranslation(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet2.大运河(Grand Canal)是世界上最长的人工河，北起北京，南至杭州。

2021.12四级听力真题(第二套)

2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第2套）Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of 'each news report, you will hear or three questions. Both the news report and questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.B)It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong airportC)It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.D)I t had two of its domestic flights mixed up2. A) Correct their mistake as soon as possible.B)Give the two pets a physical checkup.C)Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.D)S end another plane to continue the flight.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) She weighs 130 kilogramsB) She has had babies beforeC) She was brought from Africa.D) She has a big family of six.4. A) It took 22 hours.B) It had some complicationsC) It was smooth.D) It was monitored by Dr. Sue TygielskiQuestions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) It enjoyed great popularity.B) It started business three years ago.C) It was frequented by newly-wedsD) It was built above the sea-water.6. A) Expand his business on the beach.B) Replace the restaurants wooden deck.C)Post a picture of his restaurant online.D)C elebrate his silver wedding anniversary.7. A) She sold it for two thousand dollarsB)She took it to the restaurant managerC)She posted its picture on FacebookD)s he returned it to its owner right awaySection BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the Jourchoices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the correspondingletter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have justheard.8. A) The number of ducks has declined sharply in recentyears.B)Climate change has little effect on the lives of wildducks.C)Duck meat is not eaten in Australia, Canada and the U.S.D)D uck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9. A) Droughts. B) BushfiresC) Farming. D) Hunting10. A) They are not easy to domesticate.B) Their meat is not that popular.C) It is not environmentally friendly.D) It is not considered cost-effective.11. A) They hunted ducks as a traditional sport.B) They killed wild ducks and geese for food.C) They raised ducks and geese for their eggs.D) They poisoned wild ducks in large numbersQuestions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you havejust heard.12. A) Have her house repainted.B) Replace some of her old furnitureC) Move into a newly-painted houseD) Calculate the cost of the paint job13. A) How long the work will takeB) How much the work will cost.C) How the paint job is to be done.D) How many workers are needed14. A) Cover up her furniture. B) Ask some friends for helpC)Stay somewhere else D) Oversee the work herself15. A) She could have asked a friend for help with the paintjobB)Painting a house involves more trouble than she thoughtC)she should have repainted her house much earlierD)M oving her furniture is harder than the paintjobSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the endof each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both thepassage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you heara question, you must choose the best answer from the four choicesmarked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) To cultivate good habits.B) To prepare for secondary school.C) To review what is learned in classD) To stimulate interest in learning.17. A) Discuss their academic achievements with themB) Create an ideal study environment for themC) Allow them to learn independentlyD) Check their homework promptly18. A) Finish them before they get tiredB) Tackle the most difficult task firstC) Start with something they enjoyD) Focus on the most important onesQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Workers who meet its body weight standardsB) Workers who can lose 30 pounds in a yearC) Workers who try the hardest to lose weightD)Workers who are in the top 10% of the slimmest20. A) Impractical B)InconsistentC) Unmanageable D)Unfair21. A) Offer them much fatter bonuses.B) Improve working environment.C) Encourage healthy behaviorsD) Provide free lunch and snacksQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) It has not done enough to help left-handed children.B) It has treated left-handed children as being disabled.C) It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.D) It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.23. A) They are as intelligent as other children.B) They have a distinctive style of handwritingC) They sometimes have psychological problems.D) They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24. A) Punish teachers discriminating against left-handedstudentsB) Lay more emphasis on improving children' s mentalhealthC) Encourage students to develop various professionalskillsD) Keep track of left-handed children' s schoolperformance.25. A) How they can be reduced in number.B) Why their numbers are so highC) What percentage they account forD) If their percentage keeps increasing。

2020年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套（网络整理版）

2020年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套（网络整理版）2020年12月英语四级真题及答案第二套(网络整理版）作参考一、四级听力部分：听力原文：1. A) A deadly fish has been spotted in the Mediterranean waters.2. C) It could poses a threat to other marine species.3. B) About half of its city center will be closed to ears.4. A) The rising air pollution in Paris5. B) His houses has burnt down in a fire.6. D) Sell the pearl he had kept for years.7. C) His monstrous pearl was extremely valuable.8. A) It boasts a farily long history.9. C) It is a family business.10. D) Loss of competitive edge.11. A) Conducting a financial analysis for it.12. D) She is really impressed by the man's house.13. B) From home design magazine.14. C) The cost was affordable.15. B) She wants him to share his renovation experiences with her.16. D) Removing objects from patients' noses and ears.17. C) Five to nine-year-olds were the most likely to put things in their ears.18. D) They are curious about these body parts.19. B) It gave her a used bicycle.20. A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.21. B) It is a charity organization.22. D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.23. A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.24. C) They already felt at home in the new environment.25. B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.纯视听一致 40% 10道题视听一致+同义替换 48% 12道题纯同义替换 12% 3道题（有一道是全文理解）Passage 1主题：孩子往耳朵和鼻子里塞东西，去医院取出16. D) Removing objects from patients' noses and ears.听力原文：Removing foreign objects from ears and nosescosts England almost 3 million pounds a year, a study suggests.考点：视听一致17. C) Five to nine-year-olds were the most likely to put things in their ears.听力原文：five to nine-year-olds come to the hospital with something in their ears the most.考点：视听一致18. D) They are curious about these body parts.听力原文：考点：视听一致+同义替换According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse to explore their noses and ears.Passage 2主题：二手自行车做慈善，送给有需要的人，教他们骑19. B) It gave her a used bicycle.听力原文：At this time, rebicycle got involved and gave Layla a second-hand bicycle.考点：视听一致+同义替换20. A) Expanding bike-riding lessons.听力原文：And there's now expanding bike riding lessonsas demand source. 考点：视听一致21. B) It is a charity organization.听力原文：无考点：全文理解Passage 3主题：老鼠在低重力环境下的试验22. D) How animals deal with lack of gravity.听力原文：T o that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice.考点：视听一致+同义替换23. A) They were not used to the low-gravity environment.听力原文：As you'll notice in the video, the mice definitely seemuncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment.考点：同义替换24. C) They already felt at home in the new environment.听力原文：Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls.考点：同义替换25. B) They behaved as if they were on Earth.The scientist wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on earth. The study showed that the mice kept much of the routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.考点：视听一致+同义替换听力原文：Passage 1Removing foreign objects from ears and noses costs England almost 3 million pounds a year, a study suggests. Children were responsible for the vast majority of cases. 95% of objects removed from noses and 85% from ears. Every year, an averageof 1,218 nose and 2,479 ear removals took place between 2010 and 2016. According to England's hospital episodes statistics, children aged one to four, were the most likely to need help from doctors for a foreign object in their nose, five to nine-year-olds come to the hospital with something in their ears the most. Jewelry items accounted for up to 40% of cases in both the ears and noses of children, paper and plastic toys, where the items removed next most from noses, cotton beds and pencils were also found in ears. According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity. Children have an impulse toexplore their noses and ears. This results in the accidental entry of forei gn objects. Any ear, nose and throat surgeon has many weird stories about wonderful objects found in the noses and ears of children and adults. Batteries can pose a particular danger. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. This is why many toys contain warnings about small parts. Recognizing problems early and seeking medical attention is important.Question 16 to 18, are based on the passage you've just heard .16. What does England spend an annual 3 million pounds on?17. What do we learn from England's hospital episodes statistics?18. What is generally believed to account for children putting things in their ears or noses?Passage 2Today, I would like to talk to you about my charity rebicycle. But before that, let me introduce someone. This is Layla Rahimi. She was so scared when she first moved to New Zealand, that she struggled to leave the house and would spend days workingup the courage to walk to the supermarket for basic supplies.After a few months of being quite down and unhappy, she was invited to join a local bike club. At this time, rebicycle got involved and gave Layla a second-hand bicycle. Within weeks, her depression had begun to ease as she cycled. The bicycle totally changed her life, giving her hope and a true feeling of freedom.To date, rebicycle has donated more than 200 bikes to those in need. And there's now expanding bike riding lessons as demand source. With a bike, newcomers here can travel farther, but for almost no cost. The three hours a day, they used to spend walking to and from English language lessons has been reduced to just one hour.Our bike riding lessons are so successful that we are urgently looking for more volunteers, learning to ride a bike is almost always more difficult for an adult, and this can take days and weeks rather than hours. So if any of you have some free time during the weekend, please come join us at re bicycle and make a difference in someone's life.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage. You have just heard 19. What did rebicycle do to help Layla Rahimi?20. What is Rebicycle doing to help those in need?21. What do we learn from the passage about rebicycle?Passage 3Thanks to the international space station, we know quite a bit about the effects of low gravity on the human body, but NASA scientists want to learn more. To that end, they have been studying how other species deal with low gravity, specifically focusing on mice. The results are both interesting and humorous. The scientists first sent some mice and especially designed cage to the international space station. The cage allowed them tostudy the behavior of the mice remotely from earth via video. As you'll notice in the video, the mice definitely seem uncomfortable at the beginning of the experiment. They move around clumsily, drifting within the small confines of the cage, and do their best to figure out which way is up.But without success, however, it's not long before the mice begin to catch on. They adapt remarkably well to their new environment and even use the lack of gravity to their advantage as they push themselves around the cage. That's when things really get wild. The 11th day of the experiment shows the mice are not just dealing with the gravity change, but actually seem to be enjoying it. Several of the mice are observed running around the cage walls. The scientist wanted to see whether the mice would continue doing the same kinds of activities they were observed doing on earth. The study showed thatthe mice kept much of the routines intact, including cleaning themselves and eating when hungry.22 to 25 are based on the paths that you have just heard question.22. What do NASA scientists want to learn about?23. What does the passage say about the mice at the beginning of the experiment?24. What was observed about the mice on the 11th day of the experiment?25. What did the scientists find about the mice from the experiment?二、四级选词填空部分：When my son completes a task, I can't hlep but praise him.26. B. constant27. G. negative28. K. repeatedly29. L. rewarded30. C disappointing31 .H. outcome32.1. pattern33. D. distinguish34. N. simply35.0. undertaken三、四级信息匹配部分：The History of the Lunch Box36. [F] City kids,on the other hand,went home for lunch and came back.37. [j] The company sold 600, 000 units the first year.38. [〇] The introduction of backpacks changed the lunch box scene abit^he adds.39. [C] Lunch boxes have been connecting kids to cartoons and TV shows and super-heroes for decades.40. [H] And then everything changed in the year of 1950.41 .[L] The new trend was also a great example of planned obsolescence,that is,to design a product so that it will soon become unfashionable or impossible to use and will need replacing.42. [D] Let's start back at the beginning of the 20th century-the beginning of the lunch box story,really.43. [A] It was made of shiny,bright pink plastic with a Little Mermaid sticker on the front,and I carried it with me nearly every single day.44. [M] The metal lunch box craze Lasted until the mid-1980s,when plastic took over.45. [I] But these containers were really /doc/1818387206.html,sting years on end.四、四级仔细阅读部分：P146 A When they don* t have the chance to do what they want47 D Harmful conduct48 B Many volunteers choose to hurt themselves rather than endure boredom49 C It may promote creative thinking.50 D Allow oneself some time to be bored.P251 .B Forests are fast shrinking in many developing countries.52. C Those that used to have the lowest forest coverage.53. A The government’ s advocacy54. C Their capability of improving air quality55. D Developed and developing countries are moving in opposite directions五、四级作文部分：WritingDirections：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write on the topic Changes in the Way of Transportation.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.范文：Changes in the way of transportationAs the internet is developing so rapidly, the way of transportation keeps changing surprisingly. New applications on transportation emerge abundantly, contributing to the fact that people* s lifestyle has been changed as well.The changes in the way of transportation can be listed as follows. First of all, with the development of technology, the priceof transportation is much cheaper than before. Moreover, compared with traditional ways of buying tickets, transportation applications and websites give passengers the opportunity to book tickets online without going outside to particular ticket offices. Besides, highspeed railways gradually replace the oldfashioned green trains, which can tremendously improve travelers’ comfort during the journey and shorten the time spent on the way.From my perspective, the changes in the way of transportation mainly lie in the good respects. As one of the fortunate passengers who live in the age of internet and can get access to online service of transportation, I can* t help exclaiming: it is the best of times.六、四级翻译部分：春节前夕吃团圆饭是中国人的传统。