2012年12月英语四级真题试卷(第三套)

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2012年12月英语四级真题及答案(卷3)

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案(卷3)

Doctoral degree1,5501,2721,038712626444Master’s degreeBachelor’s degreeSome college,no degreeHigh school diplomaLess than high school degree 2012年12月大学英语四级真题(3)Part ⅠWriting (30minutes)注意:此部分试题在答题卡1上,请在答题卡1上作答。

Direction:For this part,you are allowed 30minutes to write a composition entitled E ducation Pays based on the statistics provided in the chart below (Weekly earnings of 2010).Please write at least 120words but no more than 180words.Education:A Worthy InvestmentWeekly earnings in 2010($)Source:U.S.Bureau of Labor StatisticsEducation PaysPart ⅡReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes)Di rections:In this part,you will have 15minutes 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.Suffering in silenceDespite a law designed to protect them,many people with disabling conditions are unaware of their rights.Carole Concha-Bell tells of her experiences.Being diagnosed with a disabling condition is always a shock.Learning to live without the guarantee of health is like having to unlearn a previous life.The implications for your working life may seem intimidating.There is the disability Discrimination Act (DDA),of course.But does it really provide theprotection in the workplace that parliament intended?Are employers merely paying lip service to the DDA?Or are they even aware of an employer’s legal duties and responsibilities?In my experience,it is the latter.I have received little support from employers to whom I have revealed my condition.This has often left me feeling at a disadvantage and wondering why I bothered doing so in the first place.I had been struggling with illness long before I was diagnosed.In practical terms the diagnosis did little to aid me.Of course,it enabled me to understand my body,my limitations and set me on a course to stabilize my symptoms.But it brought a new dilemma.Where I had previously struggled to work while ill,ignorant of why my body was misbehaving,I now had a name for my daily struggle:Lupus(狼疮).This is a chronic(慢性的),auto-immune disorder that can affect virtually any system in the body.It also leaves a huge,dark question hanging over my head when seeking employment:should I tell my employers I have a condition?It is a dilemma that continues to be a root cause of anxiety both for myself and for thousands of other UK employees.The rocky road to my unfortunate enlightenment about work and disability began just after graduation when I’d set my sights on a career in communications and landed my dream job with a respected public relations consultancy(咨询公司)in Bristol.But while I was learning the art of media relations,my body wasn’t quite making it in health terms.I often went to work with swollen limbs and fevers.At my first and last performance review,my boss was amazed that, despite my many capabilities,I hadn’t quite taken control of my responsibilities.A few months later,my contract wasn’t renewed and I plunged further into new depths of ill health.However,I was determined not to be beaten and returned to the interview trail.My next job was in publishing.But despite a shining performance at the interview,I felt like a fraud.How long would it be before I sank into ill health and depression again?The job was to end with a monumental bang when I became so poorly I could no longer function.A few feverish weeks in bed ended in a specialist appointment,where I was diagnosed with Lupus and rushed into hospital for fear that it may have attacked my internal organs.The next12months were filled with confusion.I had no idea about benefits,felt alienated (被视为另类)by the medical establishment and lived off my savings until I was broke.I realized I needed help from my family and moved to London.As soon as I felt better,I marched into a marketing recruitment consultancy and,within10 minutes,I had impressed the interviewer enough to be offered a job with the agency.We agreed on a decent salary and I told him had arthritis(关节炎)and would need to work a four-day week.Things went well at the start but soon the client meetings began to fall on my day off,and I rarely left the office on time.I began to slip both in health and professional terms.The10-hour days crashed around my head;no amount of make-up could disguise my ill health as I battled against the odds to prove to myself that I cold still make it in the business world.I often cried on the bus on the way back from work.Not long before my contract was due to be made permanent,I was called to the boss’s office and given the“talk”abut how my performance was slipping,how awful I looked.I felt too weak to fight back and agreed to leave.No attempts to offer adjustments to my job,such as being able to work from home,were ever made.I had a case for unfair dismissal under the DDA,but was ignorant of this at the time.An estimated10million people in UK,or17%of the population,qualify for disability statusunder the DDA.I have encountered a number of them:the liver-diseased boss;the co-worker with a heart condition;and my asthmatic(哮喘的)trainee-teacher friend.None had disclosed(透露) their conditions to employers,and all were feeling the strain of not doing so.To access your rights under the DDA and to request“reasonable adjustments”to your working conditions or your workplace requires disclosure.I had warned my former employer about my condition but it served little purpose.They were ignorant about their obligations to their disabled staff.However,there are plenty of forward-thinking organizations that have inclusive recruitment policies;are more likely to employ a worker with a disability;and are more aware of their legal duties.The public sector out-performs the private,but not always the voluntary,according to studies for the Disabilities Rights Commission.I decided to give the voluntary sector a go and was surprised to be offered flexible working conditions and other solutions to meet my needs as an employee.But given the choice,I would still prefer a career in the private sector,which for me is more dynamic,has more attractive salaries and offers better prospects than the voluntary or public sectors.Despite the advances of the DDA,there will always be an army of workers who will soldier on,maybe aware of their rights but choosing to remain silent for personal reasons.It is important, though,to recognize the significance of the act,the protection it affords and the obligations that employers have to us as employees and as human beings.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案解析

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案解析

2012年12月英语四级真题答案解析Part I Writing标准版:The above bar chart clearly shows us education pays in 2010. We see that one with higher education background earns more money weekly than those with lower ones. For instance, the college students with no degree get paid$712 per week whereas those with a Bachelor’s degree can earn $1038.Several reasons, in my opinion, can be identified to account for this phenomenon. To begin with, compared with those with comparatively lower education degree, people who have received higher education possess considerably wider knowledge, more remarkable learning and research ability, greater innovation and most of all, resourceful social network, all of which are essential to a high-income work. Also, the higher one’s education degree is, the bigger platform he will have to show his ability. For example, his college, university, or research institute will organize various job fairs for them to communicate face to face with employers.This phenomenon tells us that education is a worthy investment. Therefore, substantial education investment should be strengthened while we, as college students, should study harder to build our country and strive for a better life for ourselves.高分版:Education PaysJudging from the table, we can see that people’s income increases along with their education levels. Above all,the average college graduates earn much more than the typical high-school graduates.The fact revealed by these data is obvious: a degree does bring distinctive financial benefits to its holders. But is it true that a degree alone can ensure a bright future? I don’t think so because, on the one hand, the financial value of high education depends heavily on what skills graduates can gain from it instead of the degree itself. After all, an employer only pays for your ability and performance, not for your certificate. On the other hand, the most valuable bless high education brings to graduates is the ability to learn quickly and efficiently. People received more education tend to keep lifelong learning habits after their graduation, which would help them gain more opportunities in their career path.In conclusion, what accounts for education pays is not the degree alone, but the graduate’s ability and leaning habit.作文B:标准版:Education PaysThe above bar chart clearly shows us education pays in 2010. We see that unemployment rate of those with higher education background is much lower than those with lower education degree. For instance, the unemployment rate of college students with no degree is as high as 14.9% while that of those with doctoral degree is only 1.9%.The followingreason, in my opinion, is the most important one to account for this phenomenon. Compared with those with comparatively lower education degree, people who have received higher education possess considerably wider knowledge, more remarkable learning and research ability, greater innovation and most of all, resourceful social network, all of which make them more qualified and competent for their task. Thus, they are less likely to lose their jobs.This phenomenon tells us that education is a worthy investment. Therefore, education investment should be strengthened while we, as college students, should study harder to avoid unemployment.高分版:Education PaysAs is shown in the table, the unemployment rate decreases steadily as the education level increases. The fact revealed by the statistics is obvious: graduates with a degree are less likely to be unemployed.What has brought about this effect? I believe there are three main reasons. To begin with, the education level is still the top factor that employers would take into account when selecting job candidates. It is believed that people with a college degree tend to be more intelligent and qualified. In addition, as a result of good learning habit formed during college, job hunters with high education background are also more efficient in acquiring and processing job hunting information. Finally, college education equips graduates with specialized skills, leading to greater attachment to the company they are employed and higher possibility to be reemployed even if they leave their previous company.In conclusion, it is the qualifications, learning habit and specialized skills that high education equip a graduate that make one distinctive in labor market.【标准版点评】这次四级作文出了图表题,可能让大家有些意外,但是四六级考察图表作文已经并不是第一次,早在2002年的时候就已经出现过,是图表+提纲的形式,图表反应的是大学生使用计算机的情况。

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题版

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题版

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题:第二套Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) Make phone calls to promote sales.B) Arrange business negotiations.C) Handle complaints from customers.D) Take orders over the phone.20. A) They had different business strategies.B) Customers often mistook one for the other.C) Conflicts between them could not be properly solved.D) Customers' questions could not be answered on the same day.21. A) They each take a week.B) They like to spend it together.C) They have to take it by turns.D) They are given two weeks each.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A) At a road crossing.B) Outside a police station.C)D) In front of a kindergarten.23. A) He drove too fast to read it.B) He did not notice it.C) It says 45 miles an hour.D) It is not clearly visible. 24. A) It should have been renewed two months ago.B) It actually belongs to somebody else.C) It is no longer valid.D) It is not genuine.25. A) He got a ticket.B) He was fined $35.C) He had his driver's license canceled.D) He had to do two weeks' community service.Section BPassage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the conversation you have just heard.26. A) They care more about an item's price than its use.B) They grab whatever they think is a good bargain.C) They become excited as if they had never been there.D) They behave as if their memories have failed totally.27. A) Those with a VIP card. C) Those needing assistance.B) Those with 15 items or less. D) Those paying in cash.28. A) Go back and pick up more items. C) Change the items they have picked up.B) Take out some unwanted purchases. D) Calculate the total cost of the groceries...29. A) It calls for carefulness. C) It needs a good knowledge of math.B) It requires tolerance. D) It involves communication skills.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) A package of ideas formally presented.B) A short presentation clearly delivered.C) A natural and spontaneous style ot speech.D) A clever use of visual aids in presentation.31. A) The skillful use of gestures and facial expressions.B) Differences in style between writing and speaking.C) Different preferences of audiences.D) The importance of preparation.32. A) The differences between American and Asian cultures.B) The significance of cross-cultural communication.C) The increasing importance of public speaking.D) The key to becoming a good speaker.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) By comparing his performance with others'.B) By being repeatedly .C) By observing what their teachers do. D) By being given constant praise.34. A) The best students are usually smart by nature.B) It is only natural for children to make errors.C) Children cannot detect their own mistakes.D) All children should have equal opportunities.35. A) It is favorable to knowledge accumulation.B) It is beneficial to independent children.C) It is unhealthy to students' upbringing.D) It is unhelpful to students' learning.Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.I've worked in the factories surrounding my hometown every summer since I graduated from high school. but making the transition(转变)between school and full-time blue-collar work during the break never gets any easier. For a student like me who considers any class before noon to be uncivilized, getting to a factory by 6 o'clock each morning is torture. My friends never seem to understand why I'm so relieved to be back at school or that my summer vacation has been anything but a vacation.There're few people as self-confident as a college student who has never been out in the real world. People my age always seem to overestimate the value of their time and knowledge. In fact, all the classes did not prepare me for my battles with the machine 1 ran in the plant, which would jam whenever I absent-mindedly put in a part backward .The most stressful thing about blue-collar life is knowing your job..could disappear overnight. Issues like downsizing(裁员)and overseas relocation had always seemed distant to me until my co-workers told me that the unit I was working in would shut down within six months and move to Mexico, where people would work for 60 cents an hour.After working 12-hour shifts in a factory, the other options have become only too clear. When I'm back at the university, skipping classes and turning in lazy re-writes seems too irresponsible after seeing what I would be doing without school. All the advice and public-service announcements about the value of an education that used to sound stale now ring true.These lessons I'm learning, however valuable, are always tinged(带有)with a sense of guilt. Many people pass their lives in the places I briefly work, spending 30 years where I spend only two months at a time. "This job pays well, but it's hell on the body," said one co-worker. "Study hard and keep reading," she added.My experiences in the factories have inspired me to make the most of my college years before I enter the real world for good.57. How did the author look back on his summer days while at college?A) They brought him nothing but torture.B) They were no holiday for him at all.C) They were a relief from his hard work at school.D) They offered him a chance to know more people.58. What does the author say about college students?A) They expect too much from the real world.B) They have little interest in blue-collar life.C) They think too highly of themselves. D) They are confident of their future.59. What, according to the author, is most frustrating for blue-collar workers?A) They do not get decent pay.B) They do not have job security.C) They have to work 12-hour shifts.D) They have to move from place to place.60. In what important way has the author's work experience changed him?A) He learned to be more practical.B) He acquired a sense of urgency.C) He came to respect blue-collar workers.D) He came to appreciate his college education61. Why does the author feel somewhat guilty?A) He realizes there is a great divide between his life and that of blue-collar workers.B) He looks down upon the mechanical work at the assembly line.C) He has not done much to help his co-workers at the factory.D) He has stayed at school just for the purpose of escaping from the real world.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Are people suffering from gadget(小器具)overload? Are they..exhausted by the consumer equivalent of the brain fatigue-information overload that is caused by constant updates of devices and online media?Underwriters Laboratories issued a report last week that found 48% of consumers "feel high-tech manufacturers bring new products to market faster than people need them."There are two possible explanations. The first, obvious one is that the pace of innovation(创新)is too fast for consumers. The second less obvious one is that, in fact, innovation is too slow. That is, the new offerings companies are pushing out the door every six months or so are me-too products or ones with just a couple of new features. Marketing schedules, not product innovation, are driving the corporate(公司的)train. Manufacturers in America valued "speed to market" more than in other countries, the report found.Sara Greenstein, Underwriters Laboratories' chief strategy officer, offered her interpretation of the survey results. "Innovation is too fast only if corners are cut."For the high-tech sector, there are a few other interesting findings. Consumers are less concerned about safety in high-tech products than categories like fresh and processed food. But their top safety concerns are emissions and wireless radio waves. Many people, it seems, are uneasy living in a thickening cloud of radio waves from mobile phone towers and the gadgets they communicate with.A finding that was a hit surprising is that to consumers, the inner parts of high-tech devices do apparently matter. Some 55% of consumers, according to the report, said they are "more concerned about where high-tech components come from than where the product was assembled."The report doesn't really say how that information would affect consumer buying decisions. It could be complicated. Manufacturing companies on average rely on more than 35 contract suppliers around the world to create a single product. That number would be higher for a laptop.But maybe some sort of supply-chain labeling showing where parts come from in a product? "We're working on it," Ms. Greenstein said.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

2012年12月英语四级真题试卷(第三套)

2012年12月英语四级真题试卷(第三套)

Suffering in silenceDespite a law designed to protect them, many people with disabling conditions are unaware of their rights. Carole Concha-Bell tells of her experiences.Being diagnosed v. 诊断;被诊断为(diagnose的过去分词)with a disabling condition is always a shock. Learning to live without the guarantee of health is like having to unlearn vt. 忘却;抛掉以前的想法;去掉…的弊习a previous life. The implications n. 蕴涵式;暗指,暗示;含蓄,含意;卷入for your working life may seem intimidating 吓人的、令人不安的.There is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 残障歧视法, of course. But does it really provide the protection in the workplace that parliament n. 议会,国会intended v. 打算;准备? Are employers merely paying lip service to 口头上承认the DDA? Or are they even aware of an employer's legal duties and responsibilities义务与责任?In my experience, it is the latter. I have received little support from employers to whom I have revealed v. 透露(reveal的过去式);显示my condition. This has often left me feeling at a disadvantage and wondering adj. 疑惑的;觉得奇怪的why I bothered doing so in the first place 首先,第一,原本.I had been struggling with illness long before 很早以前;在…以前很久I was diagnosed. In practical terms 实际上;在实践中the diagnosis did little to aid me有助于. Of course, it enabled me to understand my body, my limitations and set me on a course to stabilize vt. 使…坚固;使…安定;装稳定器my symptoms. But it brought a new dilemma n. 困境;进退两难;两刀论法. Where I had previously struggled to work while ill, ignorant adj. 无知的;愚昧的of why my body was misbehaving vi. 作弊;行为不礼貌, I now had a name for my daily struggle: Lupus (狼疮). This is a chronic (慢性的) auto-immune 自身免疫的disorder that can affect virtually adv. 事实上,几乎;实质上any system in the body. It also leaves a huge, dark question hanging over my head when seeking employment: should I tell my employers I have a condition? It is a dilemma that continues to be a root cause of anxiety [æŋ'zaɪətɪ] both for myself and for thousands of other UK employees.The rocky road 坎坷崎岖的路to my unfortunate enlightenment about work and disability began just after graduatio n n. 毕业;毕业典礼;when I'd set my sights on a career in communications and landed my dream job with a respected p ublic relations consultancy (咨询公司) in Bristol. But while I was learning the art of media relations, my body w asn't quite making it in health terms. I often went to work with swollen limbs n. [解剖] 四肢and fevers. At my first a nd last performance review 服务表现检讨;业绩评价, my boss was amazed that, despite my many capabilities, I hadn't quite taken control of my responsibilities. A few months later, my contract n. 合同;婚约wasn't renewed and I plunged 投入;跳进;使陷入further into new depths of ill health.However, I was determined not to be beaten and returned to the interview trail. My next job was in publishing. But despite a shining adj. 光亮的;华丽的performance at the interview, I felt like a fraud n. 欺骗;骗子;诡计. How long would it be before I sank into ill health and depression n. 沮丧;洼地;不景气;忧愁again?The job was to end with a monumental adj. 不朽的;纪念碑的;非常的bang when I became so poorly I could no longer f unction n. 功能;[数] 函数;vi. 运行;活动;. A few feverish adj. 发热的;极度兴奋的weeks in bed ended in specialist appointment, where I was diagnosed with Lupus and rushed into hospital for fear that 生怕,唯恐;以免;以防万一it may have attacked my interna l adj. 内部的;内在的;国内的organs.The next 12 months were filled with confusion n. 混淆,混乱;困惑. I had no idea about benefits, felt alienated (被视为另类) by the medical establishment 医疗机构and lived off 靠……生活my savings until I was broke. I realized 意识I needed help from my family and moved to London.As soon as I felt better, I marched into a marketing recruitment n. 补充;征募新兵consultancy n. 咨询公司;顾问工作and, within 10 minutes, I had impressed the interviewer enough to be offered a job with the agency. We agreed on a decent adj. 正派的;得体的;相当好的salary and I told him I had arthritis (关节炎) and would need to work a four-day week.Things went well at the start but soon the client 客户meetings began to fall on my day off, and I rarely le ft the office on time. I began to slip both in health and professional terms n. 术语;学期;期限;条款. The 10-hour days cras hed around my head; no amount of make-up 化装化妆组成could disguise my ill health as I battled against the odds迎难而上,成败之际,冲破万重的困难to prove to myself that I could still make it in the business world. I often cried on the bus on不久前my contract was due to be made permanent adj. 永久的,永恒的;不变的, I was called to the boss's office and given the "talk" about how my performance n. 性能;绩效;表演;执行was slipping, how awful I looked. Ifelt too weak to fight back and agreed to leave. No attempts to 尝试企图offer adjustments to my job, such as bein g able to work from home, were ever made. I had a case for unfair dismissal n. 解雇;免职under the DDA, but was i gnorant of this at the time.An estimated 10 million people in the UK, or 17% of the population, qualify for disability status under the DDA. I have encountered v. 遇到;曾遭遇a number of them: the liver-diseased boss; the co-worker with a heart condition; and my asthmatic (哮喘的) trainee-teacher friend. None had disclosed (透露) their conditions to employers, and all were feeling the strain n. 张力;拉紧;负担;扭伤;血缘of not doing so.To access your rights under the DDA and to request " reasonable adjustments" to your working conditions or your workplace requires disclosure 披露;揭发. I had warned my former employer about my condition but it served li ttle purpose收效甚微. They were ignorant about their obligations 债务义务责任to their disabled staff.However, there are plenty of forward-thinking organisations that have inclusive recruitment n. 补充;征募新兵policies; are more likely to employ a worker with a disability; and are more aware of their legal duties. The public secto r 公共部门out-performs the private, but not always the voluntary, according to studies for the Disabilities Rights Co mmission委员会.I decided to give the voluntary sector a go and was surprised to be offered flexible working conditions and other solutions to meet my needs as an employee. But given the choice, I would still prefer a career in the private sector, which for me is more dynamic n. 动态;动力, has more attractive salaries and offers better prospects n. 前景;预期;潜在顾客;远景展望than the voluntary or public sectors.Despite the advances of the DDA, there will always be an army of workers who will soldier on 继续服役;坚持着干;迎着困难干, maybe aware of their rights but choosing to remain silent for personal reasons. It is important, though, to recognize the significance of the act, the protection n. 保护;防卫;护照it affords and the obligations that employers have to us as employees and as human beings.。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案。

Doctoral degree1,550 1,272 1,038712 626 444 Master ’s degreeBachelor ’s degreeSome college, no degreeHigh school diplomaLess than high school degree 2012年12月大学英语四级(CET-4)真题试卷Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes)注意:此部分试题在答题卡1上,请在答题卡1上作答。

Direction: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition entitled E ducation Pays basedon the statistics provided in the chart below (Weekly earnings of 2010). Please write atleast 120 words but no more than 180 words.Education: A Worthy InvestmentWeekly earnings in 2010($)Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsEducation PaysPart Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Di rections: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions onAnswer 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 T obacco?Sugar poses enough health risks that it should be considered a controlled substance just like alcohol andtobacco, argue a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).In an opinion piece called “The T oxic (毒性的) Truth About Sugar ” published Feb.1 in Nature, Robert“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 o r tobacco shouldn’t come as a surprise. But it’s doubtful that Americans will look favorably upon regulating their favorite vice. We’re a nation that’s sweet on sugar: the average U.S. 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 U.S. children and teens are obese (肥胖), 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. Li nda 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 aregood 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 calo ries.”The food industry tries to imply that “a calorie is 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 su gar,” says Brownell.The UCSF report emphasizes the metabolic (新陈代谢) 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 vo dka 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 caloriesthan 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 U.S. 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-punce 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 — and drink — 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, forapple 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 cult ural 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 hazardsof 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 machines(自动售货机) and snack-bars 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 does. 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。

2012年12月四级考试真题汇总版真题+听力原文+答案详解

2012年12月四级考试真题汇总版真题+听力原文+答案详解

2012年12月四级考试真题汇总版Part I Writing汀仁业弔分试!ML 聲题匸T I'.DirectionFor this part, you are allowed 30 minu tes to write a short essayentitled Education PaysYou should write at least 120 words but no more than Education PaysPart II Readi ng Comprehe nsion (Skim ming and Scanning)Why In tegrity MattersWhat is In tegrity?"Integrity" is defined as "adherenee to moral and ethical principles; The key to in tegrity is con siste ncy--not only sett ing high pers onal sta ndards for on eself (hon esty, resp on sibility, respect for others, fair ness) but also to those sta ndards each day. One who has in tegrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptati on.What happe ns if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical sta ndards? We feeldisappo in ted in ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of in tegrity also affects our relati on ships with others. Trust is esse ntial in any importa nt relati on ship, whether pers onal or professi on al. Whoca n trust some one who is dish on est Thus, in tegrity must be one of our most importa nt goals.Risky Businesswwkiy gmi 叩t In IQll (in 沖 DwistAl A H }** U** Sanw nddhqvw I h4k>Mf > -1 謝 180 words.hon esty." livi ng up or unfair?We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of characteris whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we acted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future.Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense."But Everybody Does It"Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fool themselves about the risks they ' re taking by using excuses: "Everyone else doesit," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keepmy eyes on myown paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking myanswers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions.To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your actions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your actions? If you'd rather hide your actions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.Evaluating RisksTo decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive, and to others as well as to yourself. Those who take risks they later regret usually focus on immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"), and simply haven't considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious, and may include a "0" on a test or assignment; an "F" in the class; Suspension or Dismissal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished reputation. In fact, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give others the power to impose punishment: you have no control over what that punishment might be. This is an extremely precarious and vulnerable position. There may be some matters of life and death, or highest principle, which might justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category.Getting Away With It--Or NotThose who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't learnfrom the test, depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines confidence and independence: the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self-esteem and integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught. Worst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats again, not only because he/she is fartherbehind, but also because it seems "easier." This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets caught, the worse the consequences. Students have been dismissed from school because they didn't get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy that works.Cheating Hurts Others, TooCheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions "don't count" and don't really hurt anyone. But individual choices have a profound cumulative effect. Cheating can spread like a disease, and a cheater can encourage others just by being seen from across the room. Recent statistics suggest 30%or more of college students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurts others' grades. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others may feel pressured to join in. ("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those who do.") Cheating also has a destructive impact on teachers. The real reward of good teaching is seeing students learn, but a cheater says, "I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; allI care about is stealing a grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a blatant and destructive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt the reputation of the University, and harm those who worked hardfor their degree.Why Integrity MattersIf cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. We must rely on the honesty and good faith of others every day. If not, we couldn't put money in the bank, buy food, clothing, or medicine from others, drive across a bridge, get on a plane, go to the dentist--the list is endless. There are many examples of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget or ignore the effect their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock market and junk bond swindles, and, of course, Watergate, have undermined the faith of many Americans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and society as a whole. Such incidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's economy and our individual well-being. For example, but for the savings and loan debacle, there might be funds available to reduce the national debt and pay for education.In sum, we all have a commonstake in our school, our community, and our society. Our actions do matter. It is essential that we act with integrity in order to build the kind of world in which we want to live.1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but also .A) sticks to them in their daily lifeB) makes them known to othersC) understands their true valuesD) sees that others also follow them2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?A) It helps to create team spiritB) It facilitates communicationC) It is the basis of mutual trustD) It inspires mutual respect3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take ?A. To ensure we make responsible choices.B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.C. so that we don ' t break any rules.D. so that we don t run into trouble.4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if ____ ?A. it has caused no harm.B. it is claimed to be unintentional.C. it has gone unnoticed.D. it is committed with good intentions.5. What should one do if he doesn ' t wish to fool himself?A. Avoid making excuses.B. Listen to other people ' s advice.C. Make his intensions public.D. Have others watch over his shoulder.6. Those who take risks they regret later on ____ .A. will often become more cautiousB. are usually very aggressiveC. value immediate benefits most.D. may lose everything in the end7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn ' t get caught right away willA) pay more dearlyB) become more confidentC) be widely admiredD) feel somewhat lucky8. Cheaters at exam don ' t care about their education, all they care about is how to9. Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people ' s _______10. Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders as a result of .Part III Listening ComprehensionSection ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 longconversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11.W: I just heard about a really beautiful park in the east end of the town. There are a lot of roses in bloom.M: Why don ' t we walk over there and see for ourselves?Q: What will the speakers probably do?12.M: My presentation is scheduled for 9:30 tomorrow morning at the lecture hall.I hope to see you there.W: Oh, sorry. I was about to tell you that I have an appointment with my dentist at 9:00 o ' clock tomorrow.Q: What do we learn about the woman?13.W: How long have you been running this company?M: Twenty years if you can believe that. I brought it from a small operationto what it is today.Q: What do we learn about the man?14.M: Have you read the news on the campus net? Susan has won the scholarship for next year.W: I knew she would from the very beginning. Such a brilliant and diligent girl! She certainly deserves it.Q: What does the woman mean?15.W: Taking a bus to Miami, it ' s cheaper than going by train.M: That 's true. But I ' d rather pay a little more for the added comfort and convenience.Q: What does the man mean?16.M: I think it ' s time we got rid of all this old furniture.W: You' re right. Weneed to promote our image besides it 's not a real antique.Q: What do the speakers mean?17.M: That was some storm yesterday. How was I afraid I couldn ' t make it home.W: Yeah, most of the roads to my house were flooded. I didn ' t get home fromthe lab until midnight.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?18.W: My boys are always complaining that they ' re bored.M: Whydon't you get them into some team sports? My son and daughter play soccer every Saturday. And they both look forward to it all week.Q: What does the man mean?Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.W: I don ' t know what to do. I can ' t seem to get anyone in the hospital tolisten to my complaints and this outdated equipment is dangerous. Just look at it.M: Hmm, uh, are you trying to say that it presents a health hazard?W: Yes, I am. The head technician in the lab tried to persuade the hospital administration to replace it, but they are trying to cut costs.M: You are pregnant, aren ' t you?W: Yes, I am. I made an effort to get my supervisor to transfer me to another department, but he urged me not to complain too loudly. Because the administration is more likely to replace me than an X-ray equipment, I ' m afraid to refuse to work. But I ' m more afraid to expose my unborn child to the radiation.M: I see what you mean. Well, as your union representative, I have to warn you that it would take quite a while to force management to replace the old machines and attempt to get you transferred may or may not be successful.W: Oh, what am I supposed to do then?M: Workers have the legal right to refuse certain unsafe work assignments under two federal laws, the Occupation or Safety and Health Act and the National Labor Relations Act. But the requirements of either of the Acts may be difficult to meet.W: Do you think I have a good case?M: If you do lose your job, the union will fight to get it back for you along with back pay, your lost income. But you have to be prepared for a long wait, maybe after two years.Q19. What does the woman complain about?Q20. What has the woman asked her supervisor to do?Q21. What does the man say about the two federal laws?Q22. What will the union do if the woman loses her jobQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.W: Mr. Green, is it fair to say that negotiation is an art?M: Well, I think it ' s both an art and science. You can prepare for a negotiation quite scientifically, but the execution of the negotiation has quite a lot to do with one' s artistic q uality. The scientific part of a negotiation is in determiningyour strategy. What do you want out of it? What can you give? Then of course there are tactics. Howdo you go about it? Do you take an opening position in a negotiation which differs from the eventual goal you are heading for? And then of course there are the behavioral aspects.W: What do you mean by the behavioral aspects?M: Well, that ' s I think where the art comes in. In your behavior, you can either be an actor. You can pretend that you don' t like things which you are actually quite pleased about. Or you can pretend to like things which you are quite happy to do without. Or you can be the honest type negotiator who ' s known to his partners in negotiation and always plays everything straight. But the artistic part of negotiation I think has to do with responding immediately to cues one gets in the process of negotiation. These can be verbal cues or even body language. This is where the artistic quality comes in.W: So really, you see two types of negotiator then, the actor or the honest one.M: That ' right. And both can work. I would say the honest negotiator can be quite effective in some circumstances. In other circumstances you need an actor.Q23. When is a scientific approach best embodied in a negotiation according to the man?Q24. In what way is a negotiator like an actor according to the man?Q25. What does the man say about the two types of negotiator?Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Passage 1Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.Since I started working part-time at a grocery store, I have learned that a customer is more than someonewho buys something. To me, a customer is a person whose memory fails entirely once he or she starts to push a shopping cart. One of the first things customers forget is how to count. There is no other way to explain how so many people get in their express line, which is clearly marked 15 items or less, with 20, 25 or even a cart load of items. Customers also forget why they came to the store in the first place. Just as I finish ringing up an order, a customer will say, “ Oops, I forgot to pick up a fresh loaf of bread. I hope you don' t mind waiting while I go get it. ” Five minutes later, he is back with the bread, a bottle of milk, and three rolls of paper towels. Strange as it seems, customers also seem to forget that they have to pay for their groceries. Instead of writing a check or looking for a credit card while I am ringing up the groceries, my customers will wait untilI announce the total. Then, in surprise, she says, “ Oh no, what did I do with my check book?” After 5 minutes of digging through her purse, she borrows my pen because she' s forgotten hers. But I have to be tolerant of customers because they pay my salary, and that ' s something I can ' t afford to forget.Q26. What does the speaker say about customers ' entering the grocery store?Q27. Which customers are supposed to be in the express line?Q28. What does the speaker say some customers do when they arrive at the check-out counter?Q29. What does the speaker say about his job at the end of the talk?Passage 2Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.The speech delivery style of Europeans and Asians tends to be very formal.Speakers of these cultures often read oral presentations from carefully written manuscripts. On the other hand, American speakers are generally more informal relative to speakers in other cultures. American audiences prefer natural, spontaneous delivery that conveys a lively sense of communication. They don't relate well to speakers who read from a manuscript. If you use an outline of your ideas instead of a prepared text, your speech will not only sound more natural, but you will also be able to establish better relationship with your listeners and keep their attention. The language and style you use when making an oral presentation should not be the same as the language and style you use when writing. Well-written information, that is meant to be read, does not work as well when it is heard. It is, therefore, important for you to adapt written texts or outlines for presentations.Good speakers are much more informal when speaking than when writing. They also use their own words and develop their own speaking styles. Whenever possible, they use short words. Listeners appreciate it when speakers use simple, everyday words in a presentation. One advantage is that it' s much easier for speakers to pronounceshort words correctly. Another is that long and sophisticated vocabulary choices make listening more difficult.Question 30 to 3230. What does the speaker say American audiences prefer?31. What should one pay attention to when making an oral presentation?32. What does the speaker focus on in the talk?Passage 3Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Let children learn to judge their own work. A child learning to talk does notlearn by being corrected all the time. If corrected too much, he will stop talking. He compares a thousand times a day the difference between language as he uses it and language as those around him use it. Bit by bit, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other people 's. In the same way, kids learning to do all the other things they learn without adult teachers, to walk, run, climb, ride a bike, play games, compare their own performance with what more skilled people do, and slowly make the needed changes. But in school we never give a child a chance to detect his mistakes. We do it all for him. We act as if we thought he would never noticea mistake unless it was pointed out to him. Soon he becomes dependent on the expert. Weshould let him do it himself. Let him figure out, with the help of other children if he wants it, what this word says, what is the answer to that problem, whether this is a good way of saying or doing this or that. If right answers need to be given, as in mathematics or science, give him the answer book. Let him correct his own papers. Why should we teachers waste time on such tedious work? Our job should be to help children when they tell us that they can ' t find a way to get the right answer.Question 33 to 3533. How does a child learn to do something according to the speaker?34. What belief do teachers commonly hold according to the speaker?35. What does the speaker imply about the current way of teaching?Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to43 with the exact words you have just heard. Fo r blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing inform ation. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just hear d or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage i s read for the third time, you should check what you have written.(听力原文)Time is, for the average American, of utmost importanee. To theforeig n visitor, America ns seem to be more concerned with gett ing things accomplished on time (accord ing to a predeterm ined schedule) tha n they are with developing deep interpersonalrelations. Schedules, for the American, are meant tobe pla nned and the n followed in the smallest detail. It may seem to you that most America ns are completely con trolled by the little mach ines they wear on their wrists,cutting their discussions off abruptly to make it to their next appointment on time. America ns ' Ian guage is filled with refere nces to time, givi ng a clear in dicati onof how muchit is valued. Time is something to be “on, ” to be “kept, ”“filled, ”saved, wasted, gain ed, pla nn ed, give n, made the most of,even “ killed. ” The international visitor soon learns that it is considered very rude to be late -- even by 10 minutes -- for an appointment in America. Time is so valued in America, because by considering time to be important one can clearly achieve more than if one “ wastes ” time and doesn ' t keep busy. This philosophyhas prove n its worth. It has en abled America ns to be extremely productive, and productivity itself is highly valued in America. Many American proverbs stress the value of guarding time, using it wisely, and setting and working toward specific goals. America ns believe in spe nding their time and en ergy today so that the fruits of their labor may be enjoyed at a later time.Part IV Read ing Comprehe nsion (Readi ng in Depth)Sectio n ADirections: In this sect ion, there is a passage with ten bla nks. You are required to select one word for each bla nk from a list of choices give n in a wordbank follow ing the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making yourchoices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the correspondingletter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may notuse any of the words in the bank more tha n once.Questi ons 47 to 56 is based on the follow ing passage.So many people use the cell phones so freque ntly every day. But 47 little _________is certa in about the health effects of its use. Manufacturers 48 that cell ___________phones meet gover nment sta ndards for safe radio-freque ncy radiati on emissi on, but eno ugh studies are begi nning to docume nt a possible 49 in rare brain tumors (脑瘤),headaches and behavioral disorders in children to cause concern. So far, theevide nee isn ' t 50 on whether the use of cell phones 51 to any in creasedrisk of can cer . In a new trial, researchers asked 47 volun teers to 52 in a _______ project to censure glucose (葡萄糖)consumption in the brain by scanning the brain to see how cells use energy. For both 50-minute scans, the volunteers had a cellphone 53 to each ear. During the first scan, the devices were turned off, but for the sec ond sca n, the phone on the right ear was 54 on and received arecorded-message call, although the volume was muted (消音) so the no ise would n 't bias the results. The results of the second scan showed that the 55 of the brain n earest to the device had higher rates of glucose con sumpti on tha n the restof the brain. The study shows that cell phones can cha nge brain activity,and 56 a whole new avenue for scientific inquiry, though it doesn ' t say anything about whether cell-ph one radiati on can cause cancer.Section B ( 略)Part V Cloze (略)Part W Tran slati onDirections: Complete the sentences by tran slat ing into En glish the Chin esegive n in brackets. Please write your tran slati on on An swer Sheet 2注意:此部分试题清在答题卡2上作答,只需写出译文部分。

2012年12月大学英语四级试卷及答案解析汇总

2012年12月大学英语四级试卷及答案解析汇总

【作文一】1. 你的基本情况your basic information12.你申请贷款的原因、数额及用途you reason for the loan, the amount and purpose3. 你如何保证专款专用以及你的还款打算【作文:图表】图表作文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.The MagicianThe revolution that Steve Jobs led is only just beginningWhen it came to putting on a show, nobody else in the computer industry, or any other industry for that matter, could match Steve Jobs. His product launches, at which he would stand alone on a black stage and produce as if by magic an “incredible” new electronic gadget (小器具)in front of an amazed crowd, were the performances of a master showman. All computers do is fetch and work with numbers, he once explained, but do it fast enough and “the results appear to be magic”. Mr Jobs, who died recently aged 56, spent his life packaging that magic into elegantly designed, easy-to-use products.The reaction to his death, with people leaving candles and flowers outside Apple stores and politicians singing praises on the internet, is proof that Mr Jobs had become something much more significant than just a clever money-maker. He stood out in three ways-as a technologist, as a corporate (公司的)leader and as somebody who was able to make people love what had previously been impersonal, functional gadgets. Strangely, it is this last quality that may have the deepest effect on the way people live. The era of personal technology is in many ways just beginning.As a technologist, Mr Jobs was different because he was not an engineer-and that was his great strength. Instead he was keenly interested in product design and aesthetics (美学), and in making advanced technology simple to use. He repeatedly took an existing but half-formed idea-the mouse-driven computer, the digital music player, the smartphone, the tablet computer(平板电脑)-and showed the rest of the industry how to do it properly. Rival firms competed with each other to follow where he led. In the process he brought about great changes in computing, music, telecoms and the news business that were painful for existing firms but welcomed by millions of consumers.Within the wider business world, a man who liked to see himself as a hippy (嬉皮士), permanently in revolt against big companies, ended up being hailed by many of those corporate giants as one of the greatest chief executives of his time. That was partly due to his talents: showmanship, strategic vision, an astonishing attention to detail and a dictatorial management style which many bosses must have envied. But most of all it was the extraordinary trajectory (轨迹)of his life. His fall from grace in the 1980s, followed by his return to Apple in 1996 after a period in the wilderness, is an inspiration to any businessperson whose career has taken a turn for the worse. The way in which Mr Jobs revived the failing company he had co-founded and turned it into the world’s biggest tech firm (bigger even than Bill Gates’s Microsoft, the company that had outsmarted Apple so dramatically in the 1980s), sounds like something from a Hollywood movie.But what was perhaps most astonishing about Mr Jobs was the absolute loyalty he managed to inspire in customers. Many Apple users feel themselves to be part of a community, with Mr Jobs as its leader. And there was indeed a personal link. Apple’s products were designed to accord with the boss’s tastes and to meet his extremely high standards. Every iPhone or MacBook has his fingerprints all over it. His great achievement was to combine an emotional spark with computer technology, and make the resulting product feel personal. And that is what put Mr Jobs on the right side of history, as technological innovation (创新)has moved into consumer electronics over the past decade.As our special report in t his issue (printed before Mr Jobs’s death) explains, innovation used to spill over from military and corporate laboratories to the consumer market, but lately this process has gone into reverse. Many people’s homes now have more powerful, and more flexible, devices than their offices do; consumer gadgets and online services are smarter and easier to use than most companies’ systems. Familiar consumer products are being adopted by businesses, government and the armed forces. Companies are employing in-house versions of Facebook and creating their own “app stores” to deliver software to employees. Doctors use tablet computers for their work in hospitals. Meanwhile, the number of consumers hungry for such gadgets continues to swell. Apple’s products are now bei ng snapped up in Delhi and Dalian just as in Dublin and Dallas.Mr Jobs had a reputation as a control freak (怪人), and his critics complained that the products and systems he designed were closed and inflexible, in the name of greater ease of use. Yet he also empowered millions of people by giving them access to cutting-edge technology. His insistence on putting users first, and focusing on elegance and simplicity, has become deep-rooted in his own company, and is spreading to rival firms too. It is no longer just at Apple that designers ask: “What would Steve Jobs do?”The gap between Apple and other tech firms is now likely to narrow. This week’s announcement of a new iPhone by a management team led by Tim Cook, who replaced Mr Jobs as chief executive in August, was generally regarded as competent but uninspiring. Without Mr Jobs to shower his star dust on the event, it felt like just another product launch from just another technology firm. At the recent unveiling of a tablet computer by Jeff Bezos of Amazon, whose company is doing the best job of following Apple’s lead in combining hardware, software, content and services in an easy-to-use bundle, there were several attacks at Apple. But by doing his best to imitate Mr Jobs, Mr Bezos also flattered (抬举)him. With Mr Jobs gone, Apple is just one of many technology firms trying to arouse his uncontrollable spirit in new products.Mr Jobs was said by an engineer in the early years of Apple to emit a “reality distortion (扭曲)field”, such were his powers of persuasion. But in the end he created a reality of his own, channeling the magic of computing into products that reshaped entire industries. The man who said in his youth that he wanted to “put a ding in the universe” did just that.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

2012年12月大学英语四级考试试题

2012年12月大学英语四级考试试题

2012年12月大学英语四级考试试题COLLEGE ENGLISH TEST—Band Four —Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.1. A) She can count on the man for help.B) She can lend the man a sleeping bag.C) She has other plans for this weekend.D) She has got camping gear for rent.2. A) The man should keep his words.B) Karen can take her to the airport.C) Karen always supports her at work.D) She regrets asking the man for help.3. A) His trip to Hawaii has used up all his money.B) He usually checks his brakes before a trip.C) His trip to Hawaii was not enjoyable.D) He can’t afford to go traveling yet.4. A) There was nothing left except some pie.B) The woman is going to prepare the dinner.C) The man has to find something else to eat.D) Julie has been invited for dinner.5. A) Send Professor Smith a letter.B) Apply to three graduate schools.C) Present a new letter of reference.D) Submit no more than three letters.6. A) He is a professional gardener in town.B) He declines to join the gardening club.C) He prefers to keep his gardening skills to himself.D) He wishes to receive formal training in gardening.7.A) Many people do not appreciate modern art.B) The recent sculpture exhibit was not well organized.C) Modern art cannot express people’s true feelings.D) Sculpture is not a typical form of modern art.8.A) Bob cannot count on her vote.B) She will vote for another candidate.C) Bob does not have much chance to win.D) She knows the right person for the position.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) Poor management of the hospital.B) The outdated medical testing procedures.C) Decisions made by the head technician.D) The health hazard at her work place.10. A) Cut down her workload.B) Repair the x-ray equipment.C) Transfer her to another department.D) Allow her to go on leave for two months.11.A) They are virtually impossible to enforce.B) Neither is applicable to the woman’s case.C) Their requirements may be difficult to meet.D) Both of them have been subject to criticism.12.A) Organize a mass strike.B) Try to help her get it back.C) Compensate for her loss.D) Find her a better paying job.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.13.A) In the preparatory phase.B) In the concluding part.C) In stating your terms.D) In giving concessions.14.A) He uses lots of gestures to help make his points clear.B) He presents his arguments in a straightforward way.C) He responds readily to the other party’s proposals.D) He behaves in a way contrary to his real intention.15. A) Both can succeed depending on the specific situation.B) The honest type is more effective than the actor type.C) Both may fail when confronting experienced rivals.D) The actor type works better in tough negotiations.Section BPassage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) The weight of the boxes moving across the stage.B) The number of times of repeating the process.C) The size of the objects shown.D) The shape of the cubes used.17. A) Girls seem to start reasoning earlier than boys.B) Girls tend to get excited more easily than boys.C) Boys enjoy playing with cubes more than girls.D) Boys pay more attention to moving objects than girls.18. A) It is a breakthrough in the study of the nerve system.B) Its findings are quite contrary to previous research.C) Its result helps understand babies’language ability.D) It may stimulate scientists to make further studies.19. A) They talk at an earlier age.B) Their bones mature earlier.C) They are better able to adapt to the surroundings.D) The two sides of their brain develop simultaneously.Passage TwoQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20. A) The city’s general budget for the coming year.B) The blueprint for the development of the city.C) The controversy over the new office regulations.D) The new security plan for the municipal building.21. A) Whether the security checks were really necessary.B) Whether the security checks would create long queues at peak hours.C) How to cope with the huge crowds of visitors to the municipal building.D) How to train the newly recruited security guards.22. A) Confrontational. B) Straightforward. C) Ridiculous. D) Irrelevant.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A) He considers himself a blessed man. C) He used to work as a miner in Nevada.B) He works hard to support his five kids. D) He once taught at a local high school.24. A) To be nearer to Zac’s school. C) To look after her grandchildren.B) To cut their living expenses. D) To help with the household chores.25. A) Skeptical. C) Indifferent. B) Realistic. D) OptimisticSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Mountain climbing is becoming a popular sport, but it is also a (26) ____________ dangerous one. People can fall; they may also become ill. One of the most common dangers to climbers is altitude sickness, which can affect even very (27) ____________ climbers.Altitude sickness usually begins when a climber goes above 8,000 or 9,000 feet. The higher one climbs, the less oxygen there is in the air. When people don’t get enough oxygen, they often begin to (28) ____________. They may also feel (29) ____________. Besides these symptoms of altitude sickness, others such as headache and (30) ____________ may also occur. At heights of over 18,000 feet, people may be climbing in a (31) ____________ daze (恍惚). This state of mind can have an (32) ____________ effect on their judgment.A few (33) ____________ can help most climbers avoid altitude sickness. The first is not to go too high too fast. If you climb to 10,000 feet, stay at that height for a day or two. Your body needs to (34) ____________ a high altitude before you climb to an even higher one. Or if you do climb higher sooner, come back down to a lower height when you sleep. Also, drink plenty of liquids and avoid tobacco and alcohol. When you reach your top height, do light activities rather than sleep too much. You breathe less when you sleep, so you get less (35) ____________.。

2012年12月大学英语四级真题答案与解析

2012年12月大学英语四级真题答案与解析

2012年12月大学英语四级真题答案与解析Part I Writing参考范文:第一种图表(即我们试题部分的图表)Education PaysThe bar graph describes the unemployment rates in 2010 for social groups with different education degrees in theUnited States. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,the better you are educated,the more likely you are to get employed. For example,there are only about 1.9% and 4% of people with doctoral degree and master s degree respectively who are unemployed,while people with only a high school diploma or less suffer a much higher unemployment rate (14.9% and 10.3% respectively).These data clearly indicate that education pays in the long run and it is a worthy investment. In this IT age especially,when knowledge of science and technology is power,people need to be well equipped with knowledge and skills in order to be competitive in job hunting and be better paid. A higher degree is definitely an advantage in the first place in the job market.It must be added,however,a high degree alone is not enough. It will not ensure a better employment opportunity. In order to succeed in the career,people must also develop practical skills and techniques as well as good communication,teamwork and social experience.第二种图表(这也是本次考试的另一份试卷的图表)(见图表2)Education PaysAs is shown in the bar chart above,the social groups with higher degree are not only more likely to be employed in the first place,but they are also better paid later in the workplace. Those with doctoral and professional degrees enjoy a much higher weekly median earning ($1551 and 1665 respectively)and suffer a much lower unemployment rate (2.5% and 2.4%). On the other hand,those with less education suffer a considerably higher unemployment rate and have a much lower weekly income. For example,there are a total of 23.5% (9.4%+14.1%)of people unemployed with high school diploma or less,who have only a median weekly income of $545,as compared with the average $797.These data clearly indicate that education pays in the long run and it is a worthy investment. In this IT age especially,when knowledge of science and technology is power,people need to be well equipped with knowledge and skills in order to be competitive in job hunting and be better paid. A higher degree is definitely an advantage in the first place in the job market and a competitive edge for workplace promotions.It must be added,however,a high degree alone is not enough. It will not ensure a better employment opportunity and higher salary. In order to succeed in the career,people must also develop practical skills and techniques as well as good communication,teamwork and social experience.概述四级考试主要的作文命题形式是“文示”提纲作文,但不时也考应用文(书信、演讲词等)和图表作文,图表作文曾在1991年6月(表格:Changes in People s Diet)和2002年6月(柱状图:Student Use of Computers),似乎是10年考一次,但不排除今后会更频繁地考到。

2012年12月大学英语四级真题

2012年12月大学英语四级真题

2012年12月大学英语四级真题Section A11. A) He needs another week for the painting. B) The painting was completed just in time.C) The building won’t open until next week.D) His artistic work has been well received.12. A) Go camping. B) Decorate his house.C) Rent a tent. D) Organize a party.13. A) She talked with Mr. Wright on the phone. B) She is about to call Mr. Wright’s secretary.C) She will see Mr. Wright at lunch time. D) She failed to reach Mr. Wright.14. A) He is actually very hardworking. B) He has difficulty finishing his project.C) He needs to spend more time in the lab. D) He seldom tells the truth about himself.15. A) Rules restricting smoking. B) Ways to quit smoking.C) Smoker s’ health problems.D) Hazards of passive smoking.16. A) He is out of town all morning. B) He is tied up in family matters.C) He has been writing a report. D) He has got meetings to attend.17. A) He is not easy-going. B) He is the speakers’ boss.C) He is not at home this weekend. D) He seldom invites people to his home.18. A) Take a break. B) Refuel his car.C) Ask the way. D) Have a cup of coffee.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you havejust heard.19. A) They are as good as historical films. B) They give youngsters a thrill.C) They have greatly improved. D) They are better than comics on film.20. A) The effects were very good. B) The acting was just so-so.C) The plot was too complicated. D) The characters were lifelike.21. A) They triumphed ultimately over evil in the battle. B) They played the same role in War of the Worlds.C) They are popular figures among young people. D) They are two leading characters in the film.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A) It is scheduled on Thursday night. B) It is supposed to last nine weeks.C) It takes place once a week. D) It usually starts at six.23. A) To make good use of her spare time in the evening. B) To meet the requirements of her in-service training.C) T o improve her driving skills as quickly as possible. D) To get some basic knowledge about car maintenance.24. A) Participate in group discussions. B) Take turns to make presentations.C) Listen to the teacher’s explanation.D) Answer the teacher’s questions.25. A) Most of them are female. B) Some have a part-time job.C) They plan to buy a new car. D) A few of them are old chaps.Section BPassage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on thepassage you have just heard.26. A) She is not good at making friends. B) She is not well off.C) She enjoys company. D) She likes to go to concerts alone.27. A) Their similar social status. B) Their interdependence.C) Their common interest. D) Their identical character.28. A) Invite Pat to a live concert. B) Buy some gifts for Pat’s kids.C) Help take care of Pat’s kids.D) Pay for Pat’s season tickets.29. A) It can develop between people with a big difference in income.B) It can be maintained among people of different age groups.C) It cannot last long without similar family background.D) It cannot be sustained when friends move far apart.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) Priority of students’ academic achievements.B) Equal education opportunities to all children.C) Social equality between teachers and students. D) Respect for students’ individuality.31. A) Efficient. B) Complicated.C) Lengthy. D) Democratic.32. A) T o help them acquire hands-on experience. B) To try to cut down its operational expenses.C) T o provide part-time jobs for needy students. D) T o enable them to learn to take responsibility.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) The best way to work through a finger maze. B) Individuals doing better in front of an audience.C) Researchers having contributed greatly to psychology.D) Improvements on the classification of human behavior.34. A) When you feel encouraged by the audience. B) When you try to figure out a confusing game.C) When you already know how to do something. D) When you complete with other people in a group.35. A) Practicing constantly. B) Working by oneself.C) Learning by doing. D) Using proven methods.Section CAmericans today have different eating habits than they had in the past. There is a wide (36) ______ of food available. They have a broader knowledge of nutrition (营养), so they buy more fresh fruit and (37) _______ than ever before. At the same time, Americans purchase increasing quantities of sweets and sodas. Statistics show that the way people live (38) ______ the way they eat. American lifestyles have changed. There are now (39) ______ people who live alone, single parents and children, and double-income families. These changing lifestyles are (40) ______ for the increasing number of people who must (41) ______ meals or sometimes simply go without them. Many Americans have less time than ever before to (42) ______. Partly as a consequence of this limited time, over half of all American homes now have microwave ovens. Moreover, Americans eat out nearly four times a week on average.It is easy to study the amounts and kinds of food that people consume.The United States Department of Agriculture and the food industry collect sales statistics and (43) ______. This information not only tells us what people are eating, but also tellsus about the changes in (44) ______and tastes. Red meat, which used to be the most popular choice for dinner, is no longer an American (45) ______. Instead, chicken, turkey and fish have become more popular. Sales of these foods have greatly increased in recent years.参考答案:11-15 BADAA 16-20 DBBCA21-25 DCDCA 26-30 BCDAC31-35 DDBCB36selection 37vegetables38 determines 39 growing number of 40 responsible 41 rush42 spend preparing food 43 keep accurate records 44 attitudes 45 favorite。

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题

2012年12月英语四级完整版真题:第二套Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) Make phone calls to promote sales.B) Arrange business negotiations.C) Handle complaints from customers.D) Take orders over the phone.20. A) They had different business strategies.B) Customers often mistook one for the other.C) Conflicts between them could not be properly solved.D) Customers' questions could not be answered on the same day.21. A) They each take a week.B) They like to spend it together.C) They have to take it by turns.D) They are given two weeks each.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A) At a road crossing.B) Outside a police station.C)D) In front of a kindergarten.23. A) He drove too fast to read it.B) He did not notice it.C) It says 45 miles an hour.D) It is not clearly visible. 24. A) It should have been renewed two months ago.B) It actually belongs to somebody else.C) It is no longer valid.D) It is not genuine.25. A) He got a ticket.B) He was fined $35.C) He had his driver's license canceled.D) He had to do two weeks' community service.Section BPassage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the conversation you have just heard.26. A) They care more about an item's price than its use.B) They grab whatever they think is a good bargain.C) They become excited as if they had never been there.D) They behave as if their memories have failed totally.27. A) Those with a VIP card. C) Those needing assistance.B) Those with 15 items or less. D) Those paying in cash.28. A) Go back and pick up more items. C) Change the items they have picked up.B) Take out some unwanted purchases. D) Calculate the total cost of the groceries.29. A) It calls for carefulness. C) It needs a good knowledge of math.B) It requires tolerance. D) It involves communication skills.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) A package of ideas formally presented.B) A short presentation clearly delivered.C) A natural and spontaneous style ot speech.D) A clever use of visual aids in presentation.31. A) The skillful use of gestures and facial expressions.B) Differences in style between writing and speaking.C) Different preferences of audiences.D) The importance of preparation.32. A) The differences between American and Asian cultures.B) The significance of cross-cultural communication.C) The increasing importance of public speaking.D) The key to becoming a good speaker.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) By comparing his performance with others'.B) By being repeatedly .C) By observing what their teachers do. D) By being given constant praise.34. A) The best students are usually smart by nature.B) It is only natural for children to make errors.C) Children cannot detect their own mistakes.D) All children should have equal opportunities.35. A) It is favorable to knowledge accumulation.B) It is beneficial to independent children.C) It is unhealthy to students' upbringing.D) It is unhelpful to students' learning.Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.I've worked in the factories surrounding my hometown every summer since I graduated from high school. but making the transition(转变)between school and full-time blue-collar work during the break never gets any easier. For a student like me who considers any class before noon to be uncivilized, getting to a factory by 6 o'clock each morning is torture. My friends never seem to understand why I'm so relieved to be back at school or that my summer vacation has been anything but a vacation.There're few people as self-confident as a college student who has never been out in the real world. People my age always seem to overestimate the value of their time and knowledge. In fact, all the classes did not prepare me for my battles with the machine 1 ran in the plant, which would jam whenever I absent-mindedly put in a part backward .The most stressful thing about blue-collar life is knowing your job欢迎下载 2could disappear overnight. Issues like downsizing(裁员)and overseas relocation had always seemed distant to me until my co-workers told me that the unit I was working in would shut down within six months and move to Mexico, where people would work for 60 cents an hour.After working 12-hour shifts in a factory, the other options have become only too clear. When I'm back at the university, skipping classes and turning in lazy re-writes seems too irresponsible after seeing what I would be doing without school. All the advice and public-service announcements about the value of an education that used to sound stale now ring true.These lessons I'm learning, however valuable, are always tinged(带有)with a sense of guilt. Many people pass their lives in the places I briefly work, spending 30 years where I spend only two months at a time. "This job pays well, but it's hell on the body," said one co-worker. "Study hard and keep reading," she added.My experiences in the factories have inspired me to make the most of my college years before I enter the real world for good.57. How did the author look back on his summer days while at college?A) They brought him nothing but torture.B) They were no holiday for him at all.C) They were a relief from his hard work at school.D) They offered him a chance to know more people.58. What does the author say about college students?A) They expect too much from the real world.B) They have little interest in blue-collar life.C) They think too highly of themselves. D) They are confident of their future.59. What, according to the author, is most frustrating for blue-collar workers?A) They do not get decent pay.B) They do not have job security.C) They have to work 12-hour shifts.D) They have to move from place to place.60. In what important way has the author's work experience changed him?A) He learned to be more practical.B) He acquired a sense of urgency.C) He came to respect blue-collar workers.D) He came to appreciate his college education61. Why does the author feel somewhat guilty?A) He realizes there is a great divide between his life and that of blue-collar workers.B) He looks down upon the mechanical work at the assembly line.C) He has not done much to help his co-workers at the factory.D) He has stayed at school just for the purpose of escaping from the real world.Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Are people suffering from gadget(小器具)overload? Are they欢迎下载 3exhausted by the consumer equivalent of the brain fatigue-information overload that is caused by constant updates of devices and online media?Underwriters Laboratories issued a report last week that found 48% of consumers "feel high-tech manufacturers bring new products to market faster than people need them."There are two possible explanations. The first, obvious one is that the pace of innovation(创新)is too fast for consumers. The second less obvious one is that, in fact, innovation is too slow. That is, the new offerings companies are pushing out the door every six months or so are me-too products or ones with just a couple of new features. Marketing schedules, not product innovation, are driving the corporate(公司的)train. Manufacturers in America valued "speed to market" more than in other countries, the report found.Sara Greenstein, Underwriters Laboratories' chief strategy officer, offered her interpretation of the survey results. "Innovation is too fast only if corners are cut."For the high-tech sector, there are a few other interesting findings. Consumers are less concerned about safety in high-tech products than categories like fresh and processed food. But their top safety concerns are emissions and wireless radio waves. Many people, it seems, are uneasy living in a thickening cloud of radio waves from mobile phone towers and the gadgets they communicate with.A finding that was a hit surprising is that to consumers, the inner parts of high-tech devices do apparently matter. Some 55% of consumers, according to the report, said they are "more concerned about where high-tech components come from than where the product was assembled."The report doesn't really say how that information would affect consumer buying decisions. It could be complicated. Manufacturing companies on average rely on more than 35 contract suppliers around the world to create a single product. That number would be higher for a laptop.But maybe some sort of supply-chain labeling showing where parts come from in a product? "We're working on it," Ms. Greenstein said.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

12月大学英语四级考试真题答案(3)

12月大学英语四级考试真题答案(3)

12月大学英语四级考试真题答案(3)12月大学英语四级考试真题答案(2012)Question 30 to 3230. What does the speaker say American audiences prefer?答案:D. A natural and spontaneous style of speech.31. What should one pay attention to when making an oral presentation?答案: B. Differences in style between writing and speaking.32. What does the speaker focus on in the talk?答案:A. The key to becoming a good speaker.点评:本篇文章重点分析了成为一名优秀的演讲者的关键因素。

欧洲人和亚洲人的演讲风格往往是趋于比较正式的,而美国人的演讲风格是自然、自发、生动地传递表达信息,这也正是听众所喜欢的方式。

同时,做口头报告时应注意写作和口语所要求的风格差异,有了这样的认识后,你才能在今后的演讲中运用简短贴近生活的言语表达自己的想法,形成自己的演讲风格,成为一名优秀的演讲者。

这篇文章相对简单,没有出现太难的生词,较容易理解。

整个内容就围绕一个主题展开,清晰明了,只要能抓住此主题线索,整篇文章的结构就一目了然了。

Passage 3A child learning to talk does not learn by being corrected all the time. If corrected too much, he will stop talking. He compares a thousand times a day the difference between language as he uses it and language as those around him use it. Bit by bit, he makes the necessary changes to make his language like other people’s. In the same way, kids learning to do all the other things they learn without adult teachers, to walk, run, climb, ride a bike, play games, compare their own performance with what more skilled people do, and slowly make the needed changes.But in school we never give a child a chance to detect his mistakes. We do it all for him. We act as if we thought he would never notice a mistake unless it was pointed out to him. Soon he becomes dependent on the expert. We should let him do it himself. Let him figure out, with the help of other children if he wants it, what this word says, what is the answer to that problem, whether this is a good way of saying or doing this or that.If right answers need to be given, as in mathematics or science, give him the answer book. Let him correct his own papers. Why should we teachers waste time on such tedious work? Our job should be to help the children when they tell us that they can’t find the way to get the right answer.Question 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Q33 How does a child learn to do something according to the speaker?答案:D. By comparing his performance with others.Q34 What belief do teachers commonly hold according to the speaker?答案:C. Children cannot detect their own mistakes.Q35 What does the speaker imply about the current way of teaching?答案:A. It is unhelpful to students’ learning.点评:本篇文章主要论述要让孩子们学着自己判断事情。

12月英语四级考试真题part3

12月英语四级考试真题part3

2012年12月大学英语四级(CET-4)真题试卷(3)PartⅢListening Comprehension (35minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear8short conversations and2long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what wassaid.Both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once.After eachquestion there will be a pause.During the pause,you must read the four choicesmarked A),B),C)and D),and decide which is the best answer.Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the center.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

11.[A]He needs another week for the painting.[B]The painting was completed just in time.[C]The building won’t open until next week.[D]His artistic work has been well received.12.[A]Go camping.[B]Rent a tent.[C]Decorate his house.[D]organize a party.13.[A]She talked with Mr.Wright on the phone.[B]She is about to call Mr.Wright’s secretary.[C]She will see Mr.Wright at lunch time.[D]She failed to reach Mr.Wright.14.[A]He is actually very hardworking.[B]He has difficulty finishing his project.[C]He needs to spend more time in the lab.[D]He seldom tells the truth about himself.15.[A]Rules restricting smoking.[B]Ways to quit smoking.[C]Smokers’health problems.[D]Hazards of passive smoking.16.[A]He is out of town all morning.[B]He is tied up in family matters.[C]He has been writing a report.[D]He has got meetings to attend.17.[A]He is not easy-going.[B]He is the speakers’boss.[C]He is not at home this weekend.[D]He seldom invites people to his home.18.[A]Take a break.[B]Refuel his car.[C]Ask the way.[D]Have a cup of coffee.Questions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.[A]They are as good as historical films.[B]They give youngsters a thrill.[C]They have greatly improved.[D]They are better than comics on film.20.[A]The effects were very good.[B]The acting was just so-so.[C]The plot was too complicated.[D]The characters were lifelike.21.[A]They triumphed ultimately over evil in the battle.[B]They played the same role in War of the Worlds.[C]They are popular figures among young people.[D]They are two leading characters in the film.Questions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.[A]It is scheduled on Thursday night.[B]It is supposed to last nine weeks.[C]It takes place once a week.[D]It usually starts at six.23.[A]To make good use of her spare time in the evening.[B]To meet the requirements of her in-service training.[C]To improve her driving skills as quickly as possible.[D]To get some basic knowledge about car maintenance.24.[A]Participate in group discussions.[B]Take turns to make presentations.[C]Listen to the teacher’s explanation.[D]Answer the teacher’s questions.25.[A]Most of them are female.[B]Some have a part-time job.[C]They plan to buy a new car.[D]A few of them are old chaps.Section BDirection:In this section,you will hear3short passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear some questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)andD).Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through thecenter.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

2012年12月英语四六级真题答案及详解(完整版)

2012年12月英语四六级真题答案及详解(完整版)

2012年12月英语六级试题答案(完整版)Part ⅠWritingMy View on University RankingIn recent years, all kinds of University Ranking Lists can be found on some educational websites, or newspapers. The ranking standards also vary. These lists have great influence on students. They are even becoming the only scale to evaluate the colleges and universities.People hold different views toward this phenomenon. Some believe that these lists help the students a lot, especially for those who will choose their university. While some other protest vigorously. In their points, the list is really ridiculous and harmful. In my view, the university ranking may have its own reference values, but its disadvantages overweigh its values.For those university-students-to-be, they are supposed to choose the school according to his or her own situation, but not the so-called Ranking List. What’s more, how about the university students? How do they feel about themselves when they see the ranking? The list may become some intangible shackles for them if their own school ranks poorly.In a nutshell, there is no easy method to rank these universities, but the Ranking, only helps students ignore the essentials, namely, their ninety-nine percent perspiration.此次六级作文的自由度很大,看似给出了提纲,实际上具体的观点全靠个人发挥。

2012年英语专业四级考试真题及答案(3)

2012年英语专业四级考试真题及答案(3)

2012年英语专业四级考试真题及答案(3) PART III CLOZE 【15 MIN】Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks. Mark the best choice for each blank on Answer Sheet Two.The earthquake of 26th December 2004 resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in living memory. It was a (31) _____ underwater quake and occurred in the Indian Ocean. It (32) ____ coastlines,communities and brought death to many people.Why do earthquakes happen?The surface of the earth has not always looked as it does today; it is moving(33)____ (although very slowly)and has done so for billions of years. This is one(34)____ of earthquakes,when one section of the earth (tectonic plate)(35)____ another. Scientists can predict where but not(36)____ this might happen and the area between plates is called a fault line. On one fault line in Kobe,Japan in 1923 over 200,000 people were killed.(37)____,earthquakes do not always happen on fault lines,(38)____ is why they are so dangerous and (39)____.Where do volcanoes happen?V olcanoes happen where the earth’s(40)____ is thin:lava,dust and gases(41)____ from beneath the earth. They can rise into a huge cone shape like a mountain and erupt,(42)____ they can be so violent(43)____ they just explode directly from the earth with no warning. There are 1511(44)’____’ volcanoes in the world. This means that they may(45)____ be dangerous. In 1985 the Colombian volcanoNevado del Ruiz erupted. The lava melted a glacier and sent tones of mud(46)____ the town below. Twenty thousand people died. Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are often unpredictable. We regularly do not know when they(47)____ pen,or (48)____ where they will happen. In the future,scientists may be able to watch and predict(49)____ before they happen.This could(50)____ many lives.31.A.massive B.significant C.great D.grand32.A.changed B.converted C.destroyed D.transformed33.A.frequently B.continuously C.regularly D.periodically34.A.source B.reason C.movement D.cause35.A.collides with B.confronts with C.meets with D.faces with36.A.how B.why C.when D.what37.A.Generally B.However C.Similarly D.Anyway38.A.that B.it C.this D.which39.A.unpredictable B.unaccountable C.inevitable D.irresistible40.A.surface B.appearance C.crust D.cover41.A.flowed out B.burst out C.1eaked out D.trickled out42.A.or B.and C.nor D.but43.A.like B.for C.as D.that44.A.living B.active C.alive D.live45.A.relatively B.hardly C.still D.gradually46.A.down B.on C.across D.beyond47.A.are to B.should C.must D.might48.A.else B.even C.though D.whether49.A.accidents B.incidents C.occasions D.events50.A.rescue B.save C.preserve D.shelter2012年英语专四完形填空答案31) massive32) destroyed33) continuously34) cause35) collides with36) when37) However38) which39) unpredictable40) crust41) burst out42) or43) that44) active45) still46) down47) might48) even49) events50) save。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案(完整版)

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案(完整版)

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案(完整版)2012年下半年英语四级考试作文真题及答案From the bar chart given above, we can observe that it reflects the statistics of income among people of different educational background. Those who possess a doctoral degree earn 1,551dollars median weekly, ranking first among people of other education level. The median weekly earnings of people with associate degree and below cannot reach the average of 797 dollars, ranking from 768 dollars to 451 dollars. As for the unemployment rate, 2.5 % of people with doctoral degree will suffer form unemployment. However, the unemployment rate of people with some college, no degree and lower degree surpass the mean value of 7.6%, ranking from 8.7% to 14.1%.The bar chart of Education Pays reveals a phenomenon that there exits some difference in incomes and unemployment rate among people with different educational level. Quite a few reasons can account for this phenomenon: for one thing, with the advancement of technology and the adjustment of industrial structure, quite a few high-tech industries emerge overnight, which leads to a soar demand of workforces with high educational degree, thus, it is natural that graduates with bachelor’ and higher degree get a high pay-packet and enjoy a stable job. Additionally, those with educational background under associate degree are easily dismissed and paid by low salary. They can be replaced any time due to the fact that their jobs are easy and can be finished by average people.Definitely, the higher education degree you get, the more likely you are to enjoy a competitive edge in the employment market. Thus, the authorities should enforce some policies to ensure the equity of education. Only in this way can more people lead a stable and comfortable life. 2012年英语四级答案:12月四级快速阅读答案第一套英语四级快速阅读答案1. A.soil erosion, landslides and floods。

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案解析完整版英语点评

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案解析完整版英语点评

点击朗诵外语-需要启用宏后才能使用朗诵功能启用方法:先启用编辑,然后启用宏内容。

2003版启用方法如下:工具→宏→安全性→低或中→重启文档→启用宏)不会启用宏?点击查看帮助!Part I Writing【标准版】Nothing Succeeds Without a Strong WillNothing runs smoothly in our life. To achieve things successfully, a strong willis essential. Life is like a Marathon. Many people can’tget to the terminal. Thisis not because they are lack of vitality but because their will of success is notstrong enough.To take quitting smoking as an example, some regard it as a piece of cake. Theymake up their minds to quit it in the morning, but in the evening they feel thatthe smell of cigarettes is tempting. Their throats are sore, their mouths are thirsty,and their hands are shaking. After the painful mental struggle, they tell themselvesthat “One cigarette is enough. Just take one, and the next day I will quit it.”By doing this, they surrender to their weak will. In the end, they have quittedsmoking “a hundred times”, but in no time they succeed. Just like quitting smoking, nothing succeeds without astrong will. To besuccessful in one’s life, a strong will means that you know where you go and youwill persist on the road you choose. Undoubtedly success belongs to those whoovercome their weak will and who hang in there until thelast minute.【文章点评】strong will”考生会合戒烟屡次不成功的幽默引语对该话题进行分析阐述。

2012年12月四级三套翻译真题及答案

2012年12月四级三套翻译真题及答案

2012年12月四级翻译真题(此次考试参考人数达938万人)【第一套】87. I finally got the job I dreamed of. Never before in my life________(我感到如此激动).88. Y esterday Jane left the meeting early. Otherwise, ________(可能会说一些后来会后悔的话).89. With the noise going on outside the classroom, I had difficulty ________(集中注意力复习功课).90. This is the first time ________(我听到他们用法语交流).91. All the information you need to apply for your visa is________(可以免费索取的).【参考译文】87. did I feel so excited88. she might have seen something that she would feel regretful89. (in) concentrating on my review of lessons90. that I have heard them talking in French91. free for nothing【第二套】87. David turned away and walked quickly down the street, _____________(完全无视他的存在).88. It is man’s intel lect__________________(才使他区别于其他高等动物).89. I read the book last week, but now it is _______________(哪儿也找不到了).90. Hardly had John finished his introductory remark _________(他就被听众打断了).91. If the reaction were to take place_______________(巨大的能量就会被释放出来).【参考译文】87. totally ignoring his presence88. that distinguishes him from other higher animals89. found nowhere/nowhere to be found90. when he was interrupted by the audience91.enormous energy would be released【第三套】87. Only when you have passed the tests required ________(你才能申请驾驶执照).88. Working mothers today feel it is difficult to ________(保持事业和家庭之间的平衡).89. We________(本来可以避免犯这个愚蠢的错误), but we didn’t follow his advice.90. He is well into his thirties. It is about time he ____ _____(安顿下来,开始创业).91. If you ________(发现自己在排长队等候)at a supermarket checkout counter, are you likely to get impatient?【参考译文】1、can you apply for a driving license2、keep the balance between career and family3、could have avoided making stupid mistakes4、Settling down to start a business5、find yourselves in a queue。

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Suffering in silenceDespite a law designed to protect them, many people with disabling conditions are unaware of their rights. Carole Concha-Bell tells of her experiences.Being diagnosed v. 诊断;被诊断为(diagnose的过去分词)with a disabling condition is always a shock. Learning to live without the guarantee of health is like having to unlearn vt. 忘却;抛掉以前的想法;去掉…的弊习a previous life. The implications n. 蕴涵式;暗指,暗示;含蓄,含意;卷入for your working life may seem intimidating 吓人的、令人不安的.There is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 残障歧视法, of course. But does it really provide the protection in the workplace that parliament n. 议会,国会intended v. 打算;准备? Are employers merely paying lip service to 口头上承认the DDA? Or are they even aware of an employer's legal duties and responsibilities义务与责任?In my experience, it is the latter. I have received little support from employers to whom I have revealed v. 透露(reveal的过去式);显示my condition. This has often left me feeling at a disadvantage and wondering adj. 疑惑的;觉得奇怪的why I bothered doing so in the first place 首先,第一,原本.I had been struggling with illness long before 很早以前;在…以前很久I was diagnosed. In practical terms 实际上;在实践中the diagnosis did little to aid me有助于. Of course, it enabled me to understand my body, my limitations and set me on a course to stabilize vt. 使…坚固;使…安定;装稳定器my symptoms. But it brought a new dilemma n. 困境;进退两难;两刀论法. Where I had previously struggled to work while ill, ignorant adj. 无知的;愚昧的of why my body was misbehaving vi. 作弊;行为不礼貌, I now had a name for my daily struggle: Lupus (狼疮). This is a chronic (慢性的) auto-immune 自身免疫的disorder that can affect virtually adv. 事实上,几乎;实质上any system in the body. It also leaves a huge, dark question hanging over my head when seeking employment: should I tell my employers I have a condition? It is a dilemma that continues to be a root cause of anxiety [æŋ'zaɪətɪ] both for myself and for thousands of other UK employees.The rocky road 坎坷崎岖的路to my unfortunate enlightenment about work and disability began just after graduatio n n. 毕业;毕业典礼;when I'd set my sights on a career in communications and landed my dream job with a respected p ublic relations consultancy (咨询公司) in Bristol. But while I was learning the art of media relations, my body w asn't quite making it in health terms. I often went to work with swollen limbs n. [解剖] 四肢and fevers. At my first a nd last performance review 服务表现检讨;业绩评价, my boss was amazed that, despite my many capabilities, I hadn't quite taken control of my responsibilities. A few months later, my contract n. 合同;婚约wasn't renewed and I plunged 投入;跳进;使陷入further into new depths of ill health.However, I was determined not to be beaten and returned to the interview trail. My next job was in publishing. But despite a shining adj. 光亮的;华丽的performance at the interview, I felt like a fraud n. 欺骗;骗子;诡计. How long would it be before I sank into ill health and depression n. 沮丧;洼地;不景气;忧愁again?The job was to end with a monumental adj. 不朽的;纪念碑的;非常的bang when I became so poorly I could no longer f unction n. 功能;[数] 函数;vi. 运行;活动;. A few feverish adj. 发热的;极度兴奋的weeks in bed ended in specialist appointment, where I was diagnosed with Lupus and rushed into hospital for fear that 生怕,唯恐;以免;以防万一it may have attacked my interna l adj. 内部的;内在的;国内的organs.The next 12 months were filled with confusion n. 混淆,混乱;困惑. I had no idea about benefits, felt alienated (被视为另类) by the medical establishment 医疗机构and lived off 靠……生活my savings until I was broke. I realized 意识I needed help from my family and moved to London.As soon as I felt better, I marched into a marketing recruitment n. 补充;征募新兵consultancy n. 咨询公司;顾问工作and, within 10 minutes, I had impressed the interviewer enough to be offered a job with the agency. We agreed on a decent adj. 正派的;得体的;相当好的salary and I told him I had arthritis (关节炎) and would need to work a four-day week.Things went well at the start but soon the client 客户meetings began to fall on my day off, and I rarely le ft the office on time. I began to slip both in health and professional terms n. 术语;学期;期限;条款. The 10-hour days cras hed around my head; no amount of make-up 化装化妆组成could disguise my ill health as I battled against the odds迎难而上,成败之际,冲破万重的困难to prove to myself that I could still make it in the business world. I often cried on the bus on不久前my contract was due to be made permanent adj. 永久的,永恒的;不变的, I was called to the boss's office and given the "talk" about how my performance n. 性能;绩效;表演;执行was slipping, how awful I looked. Ifelt too weak to fight back and agreed to leave. No attempts to 尝试企图offer adjustments to my job, such as bein g able to work from home, were ever made. I had a case for unfair dismissal n. 解雇;免职under the DDA, but was i gnorant of this at the time.An estimated 10 million people in the UK, or 17% of the population, qualify for disability status under the DDA. I have encountered v. 遇到;曾遭遇a number of them: the liver-diseased boss; the co-worker with a heart condition; and my asthmatic (哮喘的) trainee-teacher friend. None had disclosed (透露) their conditions to employers, and all were feeling the strain n. 张力;拉紧;负担;扭伤;血缘of not doing so.To access your rights under the DDA and to request " reasonable adjustments" to your working conditions or your workplace requires disclosure 披露;揭发. I had warned my former employer about my condition but it served li ttle purpose收效甚微. They were ignorant about their obligations 债务义务责任to their disabled staff.However, there are plenty of forward-thinking organisations that have inclusive recruitment n. 补充;征募新兵policies; are more likely to employ a worker with a disability; and are more aware of their legal duties. The public secto r 公共部门out-performs the private, but not always the voluntary, according to studies for the Disabilities Rights Co mmission委员会.I decided to give the voluntary sector a go and was surprised to be offered flexible working conditions and other solutions to meet my needs as an employee. But given the choice, I would still prefer a career in the private sector, which for me is more dynamic n. 动态;动力, has more attractive salaries and offers better prospects n. 前景;预期;潜在顾客;远景展望than the voluntary or public sectors.Despite the advances of the DDA, there will always be an army of workers who will soldier on 继续服役;坚持着干;迎着困难干, maybe aware of their rights but choosing to remain silent for personal reasons. It is important, though, to recognize the significance of the act, the protection n. 保护;防卫;护照it affords and the obligations that employers have to us as employees and as human beings.。

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