2016年12月17日大学英语四、六级真题答案解析

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2016年12月大学英语四级真题及完整答案(共两卷)(20200629082958)

2016年 12月大学英语四级真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose youhave two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other togo to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay toexplain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no morethan 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each newsreport, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions willbe spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answerfrom the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1with a single line through the centre.Questions 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard.C) A forest fire. D) A Terrorist attack.Questions 3and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3. A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.4. A) They provided the miner with food and water.1. A) It was going to be renovated.B) He could no longer pay the rent.C) It was dangerous to live in. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2. A) A storm.B) A strike.B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C) They released the details of the accident.D) They tried hard to repair the accident.Question5 to7 are based on the news report you have just hea . rdC) Close some of its post offices. D) Redesign delivery routes.C) Computerizing mail sorting processes. D) Stopping maildelivery on Saturdays.7. A )A lot of controversy will ariseB) Taxpayers will be very pleasedC) Many people will begin to complainD) Many post office staff will lose their jobsSection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A)He will lose part of his pay. C)He will be given a warning.B) He will go through retraining. D)He is go good terms with his workmates.9. A)He is an experienced press operator. C)He is always on time.B) He is trustworthy guy. D )He is go good terms with hisworkmates.10. A)She is a trade union representative. C)She is better at handing such matters.B) She is a senior manager of the shop. D)She is in charge of public relation.11. A)He is always trying to stir up trouble.B) He is skilled and experienced.C) He is very close to the manager.D) He is always complaining about low wages.Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A) Raise postage rates.B) Improve its services. 6. A) Closing offices on holidays. B) Shortening business hours. 12. A)Open. B)Reserved. C)Selfish. D)Friendly.13. A)They read a book. C)They stay quiet.B) They talk about the weather D)They chat with fellow passengers.14. A)She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B) She was never invited to a colleague ' s home.C) She was eager to visit an English castle.D) She was always treated as a foreigner.15. A) House are much more quiet. C) They want a garden of their own.B) They want to have more space. D) Houses provide more privacy.Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B) They don ' t have to go through job interviews.C) They are likely to get much higher pay.D) They don ' t have much choice of jobs.17. A) Visit the school careers services. C) Look at school bulletin boards.B) Ask their professors for help. D) Go through campus newspapers.18. A) Providing students with information about the library.B) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D) Helping students find the books and journals they need.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) It tastes better. C) It is easier to grow.B) It may be sold at a higher price. D) It can better survive extreme weathers.20. A) It can grow in drier soil. C) It will replace green tea one day.B) It is immune to various diseases. D) It is healthier than green tea.21. A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers ' life easier.C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They care more about environment.B) They decorate their homes themselves.C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.D) They need decorations to show their status.23. A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C) They were proud of their creations.D) They focused on the quality of their products.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passagethrough carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea thatthere are “ male ” and“ female ” brains, believing that explains just about every differebnectweeen the sexes. A new stud (y 26)that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers (27)for sex differences the entire human brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidenee for( 28) brains as“ male ” or “ female, ” research shows that brains fall in to a wide ran ge, with most people falli ng right in the middle.Daph na Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there aresome gender-base (29) , many different types of brain can' t always be distinguishedby gen der.While the “average ” male and “average ” female bfOiO S wefi e rent, you could n ' t tell it bydxk 24. A) Identify fake crafts.B) Make wise choices.25. A) To attract foreign investments.B) To preserve the traditional culture.C) Design handicrafts themselves. D) Learn the importance of creation. C) To arouse public interest in crafts. D) To boost the local economy.ing at in dividual brain sca ns. Only a small (31) of people had“ a-male” or -feallale ” characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is animporta nt additi on to a grow ing body of research questi oning( 32) beliefs about gen der and brain fun cti on. But he cauti oned aga in st con clud ing from this study that all brains are the same,( 33) of gender.“ There' s a moun tai n of evide((34) the importa nee of sex in flue nces at alllevels of brain fun ctio n, ” he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the stud(35) that gender plays a very important role in the brain “ eve n whe n we are not clear exactly how. ”Directi ons: In this secti on, you are going to read a passage with ten stateme nts attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more tha n on ce. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. An swer the questi ons by marki ng the corresp onding letter on Answer Sheet 2Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?[A] Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn' t surprising that you ' ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.[B] T he most likely type of burglary （入室盗窃） by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013.The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds of a criminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn' t even track those statistics.[C] One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar （入室盗贼） might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the system is armed, they ' ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what ' s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?[D] Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they 'nirqeuneottousecuritysystems. Any device that ' s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequencycan be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let ' s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation betweeanll two people —you'd need to do is yell in the listener ' s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast o—nthat means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling. They will, however, need so know what system they ' re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that ' d point them in the right direction,though at that point, we ' re talking about a highly targe-steodp,hsisetmicai ted attack,and not the sort forced-entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. It ' seasier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks.SimpliSafe,winner of our Editor ' s Choice distinction, utilizes aspecial system that ' s capable of separating incidental RF interference from targetedjamming attacks. When the system thinks it ' s being jammed, it ' ll notify you via push alert（推送警报）.From there, it tOyo u pto sound the alarm manu ally.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete witha video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that it possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe 's anti-jamming system works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system 's event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not in detected them.[H] We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn 't be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and that it varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn a universal 't be magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing theirown jam protection software and claiming that there aren ' tc a sneysd o fcumented successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it 's possible to jam any wireless mtraisnssion. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let 's imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup thatoffers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need to target your home, specifically. Then, he 's going to need to know the technical details of yoursystem and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and wheil you 're away. So the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He 'll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or openeddoor would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he ' s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he ' ll need to do so without trippin-jgamthme ianngtisystem,the details of which he almost certainly does now have access to.[K] A t the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They 're also only a single layer in what should ideally be -asimdeadny approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipment and skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with a conversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggeringthe alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radio interference from targetedjamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once something wrong isdetected.43. Different measures should be taken to protect one ' s home from burglary inaddition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe ' s device can send a warning to the house owner ' s cellphone.45. Burglars can easily get a security device ' s frequency by Internet search.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices markedA) ,B),C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living. I couldn first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it ' s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for thepost-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggests otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this were true, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn' t believthey did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more upfront for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry' s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn ' t ask you to do drunken math. 46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer. t tell you theyou that I like this guy. That use 'B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human mature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather that the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when thye' re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China, Japan, and India, But doesn 't the extra money in the pockets of those cocuo n tsriuems ers 'mean an equal loss in oil producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “ Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support gover nment spe nding and subsidies 占)for their con sumers. ”But not all oil producers have big reserves, In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oilp-roducing nations can 't afford toimport as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming their gasolinesubsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A) The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B) Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D) The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A) They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B) They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D) They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven ' t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C) Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D) People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IV Translation (30minutes)Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30minutes to transtate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福，在春节和其他喜庆场合，红色到处可见。

2016年12月大学英语四级第一套真题试题和答案.doc

2016年12月大学英语四级试题（第一套）。

Part I Writing （30minutes）（请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试）Directions：For this part，you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay .Suppose you are two options upon graduation：one is to find a job somewhere and the other to start a business of your own. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section，you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report，you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C）. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard.1. A）It was dangerous to live in.C）He could no longer pay the rent.B）It was going to be renovated. D）He had sold it to the royal family.2. A）A strike. B）A storm. C）A forest fire. D）A Terrorist attack. Questions 3and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A）They lost contact with the emergency department.B）They were trapped in an underground elevator.C）They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.D）They sent calls for help via a portable radio.4. A）They tried hard to repair the accident.B）They released the details of the accident.C）They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.D）They provided the miner with food and water.Question5 to7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A）Raise postage rates. C）Redesign delivery routes.B）Improve its services. D）Close some of its post offices.6. A）Shortening business hours. C）Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.B）Closing offices on holidays. D）Computerizing mail sorting processes. 7. A）Many post office staff will lose their jobsB）Many people will begin to complainC）Taxpayers will be very pleasedD）A lot of controversy will ariseSection BDirections：In this section，you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation，you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from fourchoice marked A），B），C）and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1 with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A）He will be kept from promotion. C）He will be given a warning.B）He will go through retraining. D）He will lose part of his pay.9. A）He is always on time. C）He is an experienced press operator.B）He is trustworthy guy. D）He is on good terms with his workmates. 10. A）She is a trade union representative.C）She is a senior manager of the shop.B）She is in charge of public relation. D）She is better at handing such matters. 11. A）He is skilled and experienced. C）He is always trying to stir up trouble.B）He is very close to the manager. D）He is always complaining about low wages. Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A）Open. B）Friendly. C）Selfish. D）Reserved.13. A）They stay quiet. C）They talk about the weatherB）They read a book. D）They chat with fellow passengers.14. A）She was always treated as a foreigner.B）She was eager to visit an English castle.C）She was never invited to a colleague’s home.D）She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.15. A）House are much more quiet. C）They want to have more space.B）Houses provide more privacy.D）They want a garden of their own.Section CDirections：In this section，you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage，you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C）and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A）They don’t have much choice of jobs.B）They are likely to get much higher pay.C）They don’t have to go through job interviews.D）They will automatically be given hiring priority.17. A）Ask their professors for help. C）Visit the school careers services.B）Look at school bulletin boards. D）Go through campus newspapers.18. A）Helping students find the books and journals they need.B）Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.C）Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.D）Providing students with information about the library.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A）It tastes better. C）It may be sold at a higher price .B）It is easier to grow. D）It can better survive extreme weathers.20. A）It is healthier than green tea. C）It will replace green tea one day.B）It can grow in drier soil. D）It is immune to various diseases.21. A）It has been well received by many tea drinkers.B）It does not bring the promised health benefits.C）It has made tea farmers’ life easier.D）It does not have a stable market.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A）They need decorations to show their status.B）They prefer unique objects of high quality.C）They decorate their homes themselves.D）They care more about environment.23. A）They were proud of their creations.B）They could only try to create at night.C）They made great contributions to society.D）They focused on the quality of their products.24. A）Make wise choices. C）Design handicrafts themselves.B）Identify fake crafts. D）Learn the importance of creation.25. A）To boost the local economy. C）To arouse public interest in crafts.B）To attract foreign investments. D）To preserve the traditional culture.PARTⅢReading Comprehension （40 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section，there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.When someone commits a criminal act, we always hope the punishment will match the offense. But when it comes to one of the cruelest crimes —animal fighting —things 26 work out that way. Dog fighting victims are 27 and killed for profit and “sport,” yet their criminal abusers often receive a 28 sentence for causing a lifetime of pain. Roughly half of all federally-convicted animal fighters only get probation(缓刑).Some progress has been made in the prosecution(起诉) of animal fighters. But federal judges often rely heavily on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines when they 29penalties, and in the case of animal fighting, those guidelines are outdated and extremely30.The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which31these sentencing guidelines, is revisiting them, proposing to raise the minimum sentence from 6-12 to 21-27 months. This is a step in the right 32, but we’d like to see the U.S. Sentencing Commission make further guidelines.Simultaneous to this effort, we’re working with animal advocates and state and federal lawmakers to 33 anti-cruelty laws across the country, as well as supporting laws and policies that assist overburdened animal34that care for animal fighting victims. This help is35 important because the high cost of caring for animal victims is a major deterrent to intervening in cruelty cases in the first place.Directions：In this section，you are gonging to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2.When Work Becomes a Game[A]What motivates employees to do their jobs well? Competition with coworkers, for some. The promise of rewards, for others. Pure enjoyment of problem-solving, for a lucky few. [B]Increasingly, companies are tapping into these desires directly through what’s come to be known as “gamification:” essentially, turning work into a game. “Gamification is about understanding what it is that makes games engaging and what game designers do to create a great experience in games, and taking those learnings and applying them to other contexts such as the workplace and education,” explains Kevin Werbach, a gamification expe rt who teaches at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States..[C]It might mean monitoring employee productivity on a digital leaderboard and offering prizes to the winners, or giving employees digital badges or stars for completing certain activities. It could also mean training employees how to do their jobs through video game platforms. Companies from Google to IBM to Wells Fargo are known to use some degree of gamification in their workplaces. And more and more companies are joining them. A recent report suggests that the global gamification market will grow from $1.65 billion in 2015 to $11.1 billion by 2020.[D]The concept of gamification is not entirely new, Werbach says. Companies, marketers and teachers hav e long looked for fun ways to engage people’s reward-seeking or competitive spirits. Cracker Jacks has been “gamifying” its snack food by putting a small prize inside for more than 100 years, he adds, and the turn-of-the-century steel magnate Charles Schwab is said to have often come into his factory and written the number of tons of steel produced on the past shift on the factory floor, thus motivating the next shift of workers to beat the previous one.[E]But the word “gamification” and the widespread, co nscious application of the concept only began in earnest about five years ago, Werbach says. Thanks in part to video games, the generation now entering the workforce is especially open to the idea of having their work gamified. “We’re at a point where in m uch of the developed world the vast majority of young people grew up playing [video] games, and an increasingly high percentage of adults play these video games too,” Werbach says.[F]A number of companies have sprung up—GamEffective, Bunchball and Badgeville, to name a few—in recent years offering gamification platforms for businesses. The platforms that are most effective turn employees’ ordinary job tasks into part of a rich adventurenarrative. “What makes a game game-like is that the player actually ca res about the outcome,” Werbach says. “The principle is understanding what is motivating to this group of players, which requires some understanding of psychology.”[G]Some people, Werbach says, are motivated by competition. Sales people often fall into this category. For them, the right kind of gamification might be turning their sales pitches into a competition with other team members, complete with a digital leaderboard showing who’s winning at all times.Others are more motivated by collaboration and social experiences. One company Werbach has studied uses gamification to create a sense of community and boost employee morale. When employees log in to their computers, they’re shown a picture of one of their coworkers and asked to guess that person’s name.[H]Gamification does not have to be digital. Monica Cornetti runs a company that gamifies employee trainings. Sometimes this involves technology, but often it does not. She recently designed a gamification strategy for a sales training company with a storm-chasing theme. Employees formed “storm chaser teams” and competed in storm-themed educational exercises to earn various rewards.“Rewards don’t have to be stuff,” Cornetti says. “Rewards can be flextime. Rewards can be extension time.”Another training, thi s one for pay roll law, used a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theme. Snow White is public domain, but the dwarfs are still under copyright, so Cornetti invented sound-alike characters (Grumpy Gus, Dopey Dan) to illustrate specific pay roll law principles.[I]Some people don’t take as naturally to gamified work environments, Cornetti says. In her experience, people in positions of power or people in finance or engineering don’t tend to like the sound of the word.“If we’re designing for engineers, I’m not talking about a ‘game’ at all,” Cornetti says. “I’m talking about a ‘simulation,’ I’m talking about ‘be ing able to solve this problem.”[J]Gamification is “not a magic bullet,” Werbach cautions. A gamification strategy that’s not sufficiently thought through or tailored to its players may engage people for a little while, but it won’t motivate in the long term. It can also be exploitative, especially when used with vulnerable populations. For workers, especially low-paid workers, who desperately need their jobs yet know they can be easily replaced, gamification may feel more like the Hunger Games. Werbach gives the example of several Disneyland hotels in Anaheim, California, which used large digital leaderboards to display how efficiently laundry workers were working compared to one another. Some employees found the board motivating. To others, it was the opposite of fun. Some began to skip bathroom breaks, worried that if their productivity fell they would be fired. Pregnant employees struggled to keep up. In a Los Angeles Times article, one employee referred to the board as a “digital whip.”“It actually had a very negative effect on morale and performance,” Werbach says.[K]Still, gamification only stands to become more popular, he says, “as more and more people come into the workforce who are intuitively familiar with the structures and expressions of digital games.” “We are way ahead of the tipping point,” Cornetti agrees. “There’s no reason this will go away.”36.some famous companies are already using gamification and more are trying to do the same.37.Gamification is not a miracle cure for all workplaces as it may have negative results.38.To enhance morale, one company asks its employees to identify their fellow works whenstarting their computers.39.The idea of gamification was practiced by some businesses more than a century ago.40.There is a reason to believe that gamification will be here to stay.41.Video games contributed in some ways to the wide application of gamification.42.When turning work into a game, it is necessary to understand what makes games interesting.43.Gamification in employee training does not always need technology.44.The most successful gamification platforms transform daily work assignments into fun experiences.45.It is necessary to use terms other than “gamification” for some professions.Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section .Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices maked A），B），C）and D）.You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Recently I attended several meetings where we talked about ways to retain students and keep younger faculty members from going elsewhere.It seems higher education has become an industry of meeting-holders whose task it is to " solve" problems-real or imagined. And in my position as a professor at three different colleges, the actual problems in educating our young people and older students have deepened, while the number of people hired-not to teach but to hold meetings-has increased significantly. Every new problem creates a new job for an administrative fixer. Take our Center for Teaching Excellence. Contrary to its title, the center is a clearing house (信息交流中心)for using technology in classrooms and in online courses. It's an administrative sham (欺诈) of the kind that has multiplied over the last 30 years.I offer a simple proposition in response: Many of our problems-class attendance, educationalsuccess, student happiness and well-being-might be improved by cutting down the bureaucratic (官僚的) mechanisms and meetings and instead hiring an army of good teachers. lf we replaced half of our administrative staff with classroom teachers, we might actually get a majority of our classes back to 20 or fewer students per teacher This would be an environment in which teachers and students actually knew each other.The teachers must be free to teach in their own way-the curriculum should be flexible enough so that they can use their individual talents to achieve the goals of the course. Additionally; they should be allowed to teach, and be rewarded for doing it well. Teachers are not people who are great at and consumed by research and happen to appear in a classroom. Good teaching and research are not exclusive, but they are also not automatic companions. Teaching is an art and a craft, talent and practice; it is not something that just anyone can be good at. It is utterly confusing to me that people do not recognize this, despite the fact that pretty much anyone who has been a student can tell the difference between their best and worst teachers.46.What does the author say about present-day universities?A)They are effectively tackling real or imagined problems.B)They often fail to combine teaching with research.C)They are over-burdened with administrative staff.D)They lack talent to fix their deepening problems.47.According to the author, what kind of people do universities lack most?A)Good classroom teachers. C) Talented researchers.B)Efficient administrators. D) Motivated students.48.What does the author imply about the classes at present?A)They facilitate students independent learning.B)They help students form closer relationships.C)They have more older students than before.D)They are much bigger than is desirable.49.What does the author think of teaching ability?A)It requires talent and practice.B)It is closely related to research.C)It is a chief factor affecting students 'learning.D)It can be acquired through persistent practice.50.What is the author’s suggestion for improving university teaching?A)Creating an environment for teachers to share 'their teaching experiences.B)Hiring more classroom teachers and allowing them to teach in their own way.C)Using high technology in classrooms and promoting exchange of information.D)Cutting down meetings and encouraging administrative staff to go to classrooms. Passage TwoQuestions 51to 55 are based on the following passage.The secret to eating less and being happy about it may have been cracked years ago-by McDonald's. According to a new study from Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab, small non-food rewards-like the toys in McDonald's Happy Meals-stimulate the same reward centers in the brain as food does.The researchers, led by Martin Reimann, carried out a series of experiments to see if people would choose a smaller meal if it was paired with a non-food items.They found that the majority of both kids and adults opted for a half-sized portion when combined with a prize. Both options were priced the same.Even more interesting is that the promise of a future reward was enough to make adults choose the smaller portion.\One of the prizes used was a lottery ticket（彩票）, with a $ 10, $ 50 or $ 100 payout, and this was as effective as a tangible gift in persuading people to eat less."The fact that participants were willing to substitute part of a food item for the mere prospect of a relatively small monetary award is interesting.”says Reimann.He theorizes that it is the emotional component of these intangible prizes that make them effective. In fact, vaguely-stated possibilities of winning a prize were more effective than options with hard odds included.“One explanation for this finding is that possible awards may be more emotionally provoking than certainty awards," says Reimann. " The uncertainty of winning provides added attraction and desirability through emotional ‘thrills.' The possibility of receiving an awardalso produces a state of hope一a state that is in itself psychologically rewarding·"In other words, there’s a reason why people like to gambleHow might it’s knowledge be used to help people eat more healthily?One possibility is a healthy that offers the chance to win a spa (温泉疗养) weekend. Or maybe the reward of a half-sized portion could be a half-sized dessert to be claimed only on a future date. That would get you back in the restaurant-and make you eat a little less.51.What do we learn about McDonald’s inclusion of toys in its Happy Meals?A)It may shed light on people’s desire to crack a secret.B)It has proved to be key to McDonald’s business success.C)It appeals to kid’s curiosity to find out what is hidden inside.D)It may be a pleasant way for kids to reduce their food intake.52. What is the finding of the researchers led by Martin Reimann?A)Reducing food intake is not that difficult if people go to McDonald’s more.B)Most kids and adults don’t actually feel hungry when they eat half of their meal.C)Eating a smaller does good to the health of kids and adults alike.D)Most kids and adults would choose a smaller meal that came with a non-food item.53.What is most interesting in Martin Reimann’s finding?A)Kids preferred an award in the form of money to one in the form of a toy.B)Adults chose the smaller portion on the mere promise of a future awardC)Both kids and adults felt satisfied with only half of their meal portions.D)Neither children nor adults could resist the temptation of a free toy.54.How does Martin Reimann interpret his finding?A)The emotional component of the prizes is at work.B)People now care more about quality than quantity.C)People prefer certainty awards to possible awards.D) The desire for a future reward is overwhelming.55.What can we infer from Martin Reimann’s finding?A)·People should eat much less if they ·wish to stay healthy and happy.B)More fast food restaurants are likely to follow McDonald’s example.C)We can lead people to eat less while helping the restaurant business.D)More studies are needed to find out the impact of emotion on behavior.Part IV Translation （30 minutes）Directions：For this part，you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English .You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福.在春节和其他喜庆场合，红色到处可见.人们把现金作为礼物送给家人或亲密朋友时，通常放在红色信封里.红色在中国流行的另一个原因是人们把它与中国革命和共产党相联系.然而，红色并不总是代表好运和快乐.因为从死前者名字通常用红色书写，用红墨水书写中国人名被看成是一种冒犯行为.2016年12月大学英语四级答案（第一套）Part1 writing (30 minutes)破题思路：第一段：话题描述. 第二段：表明观点+阐述原因. 第三段：观点结论.参考范文：(选择就业还是创业)Finding a Job FirstUpon graduation，virtually all college students will confront the problem of the career choice，which is truly a tough choice. Students’ opinions differ greatly on this issue. Some hold that priority should be given to start a business of your own，but others take the attitude that finding a job is the best choice influencing their future.As to myself，I prefer the latter view. An opportunity to start a business exerts a tremendous fascination on a great number of people，with no exception to me. In my view，With the competition in the job market becoming increasingly fierce for college graduates，some ambitious students have tried their hands at launching their own businesses. Over the years，there have been many successful cases of student entrepreneurship and such attempts should be encouraged and promoted by both the universities and the society at large. What’s more ，College students who start businesses are pioneers，among wh om will be born China’s future business leaders. Faced with unknown challenges，they are audacious enough to embark on a perilous journey while most of their peers enjoy stable salaries by working as white-collars at high-end office buildings.All in all，the essential difference between the students who find a job or those students who create their own businesses is that the former are docile followers whereas the latter are aggressive trailblazers. For this reason，business-launching college graduates are more admirable，and thus they command our deep respect.Part II Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）【英语四级听力真题解析】听力作为一种考试题型，目的在于考查应试者对英语语言的把握，自从英语四级题型改革后，所选题材侧重新闻稿和演讲稿，比如这次英语四级考试的Section A 部分，主要是关于采盐工人的相关新闻报导，文章稍难，我们在作答之前，一定要快速浏览各题目的选项，先把核心关键词划出来，比如重要的名词，名词性短语等，这样可以帮助我们预知要听的重点，提高捕捉信息的准确度，降低听力材料的难度.在听录音的过程中，快速作标记，锁定正确答案.1.(A)It was dangerous to live in.2.(B)A storm3.(B)They were trapped in an underground elevator.4.(C)They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.5.(D)Close some of its post office.6.(C)Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7.(A)Many post office staff will lose their jobs.Section B8.(D)He will lose part of his pay.9.(B)He is a trustworthy guy. 10.(D)She is better at handling such matters.11.(C)He is always trying to stir up trouble. 12.(D)Reserved13.(A)They stay quiet14.(C)She was never invited to a colleague’s home.15.(B)Houses provide more privacySection C16.(D)They will automatically be given hiring priority.17.(C)Visit the school careers service.18.(B)Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.19.(C)It may be sold at a higher price. 20.(A)It is healthier than green tee.21.(D)It does not have a stable market.22.(B)They prefer unique objects of high quality.23.(B)They could only try to create at night.24.(A)Make wise choices.25.(A)To boost the local economy.Section AA 16th century castle in Scotland is close to collapsing after lumps of soils were washed away by floods, threatening its foundations.On Sunday, the castle’s owner John Gordon, 76, was forced to move out his property after the River Dee swept away about 60 feet of land, leaving the castle dangerous close to the river. According to the Scottish Daily Record.Abergeldie castle located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland was built by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly.The castle which is located on 11,700 acres was leased to members of the royal family between 1848 and 1970, including King Edward VII and George V.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 35 flood warnings covering several regions, as Scotland continues to clean up the after Storm Frank hit the country last Wednesday.“This means that rivers will rise more slowly, but then stay high for much longer.” the environmental agency said.Q1. Why did John Gordon move out of Abergeldie castle?Q2. What happened in Scotland last Wednesday?Section A - 2Rescue efforts were underway Thursday morning for 17 miners who were stuck in an elevator below ground at a Cargill rock salt mine near Lansing, New York, according to Marcia Lynch. Public information officer with Tompkins County’s emergency response department, emergency workers have made contact with the miners via a radio. And they all appear to be uninjured, said Jessica Verfuss, the emergency department’s assistant director.Crews have managed to provide heat packs and blankets to the miners so that they can keep warm during the rescue operation, Verfuss said. Details about what led to the workers’ being trapped in the elevator went immediately available. The mine, along New Yo rk’s Cayuga Lake, processes salt used for road treatment. It produces about 2 million tons of salt that is shipped to more than 1,500 places in the northeastern United States, the rock salt mine is one of three operated by Cargill with the other two in Louisiana and Ohio.。

2016年12月英语四级真题及答案解析(卷二)

2016年12月英语四级真题及答案卷二英语四级考试采取“多题多卷”模式，试题顺序不统一，请依据试题进行核对！作文题目：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.参考范文：Upon graduation, virtually all college students will confront the problem of the career choice，which is truly a tough choice. Students' opinions differ greatly on this issue. Some hold that priority should be given to take a job, but others take the attitude that going to a graduate school is the most critical factor influencing their future career choices.As to myself, I prefer the latter view. A higher educational background exerts a tremendous fascination on a great number of people, with no exception to me. This phenomenon that the graduates have difficulties in finding job after their graduation can easily be found anywhere in our daily life, especially on campus. On the one hand, with the improved high education of Chinese college students which directly brought the result that there are more and more graduates every year. On the contrary, job vac ancies don’t increase that fast. More people, less food, which is the exact description of the hard condition. On the other hand, more and more people go on to pursue their master and doctor degree; more and more Chinese oversea students come back to China to hunt better working chances. It is sure that the competition is more and more fierce.Therefore, it is high time that we took effective measures to improve our own competitiveness. That is the secret of success in the future employment market after our graduation.Part ⅢReading Section A(卷二)The ocean is heating up. That's the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth's oceans now (27)heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 has taken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to (28)to coral bleaching(珊瑚白化) and they take up more space than cooler waters, raising sea (29). While the top of the ocean is studied, its depths are more difficult to (30)The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get better (31)of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readings collected by everything from a 19th century (32)of British naval ships to modern automated ocean probes. The extensivedata sources, (33)with computer simulations(计算机模拟), created a timeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming from fossil fuel (34).About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now residents at a (35)of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they're unsure(36)whether the deep-sea warming canceled out warming at the sea's surface.A absorbB combinedC contributeD depthE emissionF.exploreG exploreH.floorI.heightsJ.indifferentK levelL.mixedM pictureN unsureO voyage参考答案：(26)A absorb(27)C contribute(28)K level(29)G explore(30)M picture(31)O voyage(32)B combined(33)E emission(34)D depth(35)N unsure参考解析文章第一句讲到海洋正在升温，不难推断出第26题应该是选absorb，absorb 为吸收的意思。

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第1套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Youressay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourageinvention. You are required to writeat least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A. It tries to predict the possible trends of global climate change.B. It studies the impacts of global climate change on people's lives.C. It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.D. It focuses on the efforts countries can make to deal with global warming.2. A. It will take a long time before a consensus is reached on its impact.B. It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.C. It is the most pressing issue confronting all countries.D. It is bound to cause endless disputes among nations.3. A. The transition to low-carbon energy systems.B. The cooperation among world major powers.C. The signing of a global agreement.D. The raising of people's awareness.4. A. Carry out more research on it.B. Cut down energy consumption.C. Plan well in advance.D. Adopt new technology.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. When luck plays a role.B. what determines success.C. Whether practice makes perfect.D. How important natural talent is.6. A. It knocks at your door only once in a while.B. It is something that no one can possibly create.C. It comes naturally out of one's self-confidence.D. It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. A. Luck rarely contributes to a person's success.B. One must have natural talent to be successful.C. One should always be ready to seize opportunities.D. Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. A. Putting time and effort into fun things is profitable.B. People who love what they do care little about money.C. Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.D. People in need of money work hard automatically.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, must choose the bestyou answer from the four choices markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the passage you have just heard.9. A. The stump of a giant tree.B. A huge piece of rock.C. The peak of a mountain.D. A tall chimney.10. A. Human activity.B. Wind and water.C. Chemical processes.D. Fire and fury.11. A. It is a historical monument.B. It was built in ancient times.C. It is Indians' sacred place for worship.D. It was created by supernatural powers.12. A. By sheltering them in a cave.B. By killing the attacking bears.C. By lifting them well above the ground.D. By taking them to the top of a mountain.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. They will buy something from the convenience stores.B. They will take advantage of the time to rest a while.C. They will have their vehicles washed or serviced.D. They will pick up some souvenirs or gift items.14. A. They can bring only temporary pleasures.B. They are meant for the extremely wealthy.C. They should be done away with altogether.D. They may eventually drive one to bankruptcy.15. A. A good way to socialize is to have daily lunch with one's colleagues.B. Retirement savings should come first in one's family budgeting.C. A vacation will be affordable if one saves 20 dollars a week.D. Small daily savings can make a big difference in one's life.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three recordings oflectures or talks followed by three orfour questions. The recordings be playedwill only once. After you hear a question, youmust choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. Thenmark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.16. A. They should be done away with.B. They are necessary in our lives.C. They enrich our experience.D. They are harmful to health.17. A. They feel stressed out even without any challenges in life.B. They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problems.C. They are anxious to free themselves from life's troubles.D. They are exhausted even without doing any heavy work. ~18. A. They expand our mind.B. They prolong our lives.C. They narrow our focus.D. They lessen our burdensQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. It is not easily breakable.B. It came from a 3D printer.C. It represents the latest style.D. It was made by a fashion designer.20. A. When she had just graduated from her college.B. When she attended a conference in New York.C. When she was studying at a fashion design school.D. When she attended a fashion show nine months ago.21. A. It was difficult to print.B. It was hard to come by.C. It was hard and breakable.D. It was extremely expensive.22. A. It is the latest model of a 3D printer.B. It is a plastic widely used in 3D printing.C. It gives fashion designers room for imagination.D. It marks a breakthrough in printing material.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.23. A. They arise from the advances in technology.B. They have not been examined in detail so far.C. They are easy to solve with modern technology.D. They can't be solved without government support.24. A. It is attractive to entrepreneurs.B. It demands huge investment.C. It focuses on new products.D. It is intensely competitive.25. A.Cooperation with big companies.B. Recruiting more qualified staff.C. In-service training of IT personnel.D. Sharing of costs with each other.Part 皿Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. Youare required to select one word foreach blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bankmore than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.It is important that scientists be seen as normal people asking and answering important questions.Good, sound science depends on 26, experiments and reasoned methodologies. It requires awillingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experiencefailures. But good science also requires 27 understanding,clear explanation and concisepresentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 and offer theiropinions on important matters. Weneed more scientists whocan explain what they are doing inlanguage that is 29 and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should alsobe prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 scientific knowledge into ourpublic communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do notunderstand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the1960s, the United States 31 nearly 17% of discretionary ( 可酌情支配的) spending to research anddevelopment,32 decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single33This occurs at a time whenother nations have made significant gains in their own researchcapabilities.At the University of California (UC), we 34 ourselves not only on the quality of our research,but also on its contribution to improving our world. To 35 the development of science from the labbench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A. ArenaB. contextualC. ConvincingD. devotedE. DigitsF. hastenG. HypothesesH. impairingI. IncorporateJ. indefiniteK. IndulgeL. inertiaM. PrideN. reapingO. WarrantSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph ismarked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Are We in an Innovation Lull?[A] Scan the highlights of this year's Consumer Electronics Show（ CES）, and you may get a slightfeeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as thecoolest gadgets last year--or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demosare still just as crazy. It is still easy to be dazzled by the display of drones （无人机）,3D printers,virtual reality goggles （眼镜） and more "smart" devices than you could ever hope to catalog.Upon reflection, however, it is equally easy to feel like you have seen it all before. And it is hardnot to think: Are we in an innovation lull （间歇期） ?[B] In some ways, the answer is yes. For years, smartphones, televisions, tablets, laptops anddesktops have madeup a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segmentsare looking at slower growth curves--or shrinking markets in somecases--as consumers are notas eager to spend moneyon newgadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies--the drones,3Dprinters and smart-home devices of the world--now seema bit too old to be called "the next bigthing. "[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. "There is not any one-hitwonder, and there will not be one for years tocome," said Gary Shapiro, president and chiefexecutive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn'tnecessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. "Many industries aregoing out of infancy and becoming adolescents," Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found theirfooting well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in manycases, they need to workeffectively with other devices to realize their full appeal. Take the evolution of the smart home,for example. Companies are pushing it hard but make it almost overwhelming even to dip a toe inthe water for the average consumer, because there are so manycompatibility issues to thinkabout. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendar software works withtheir fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different appfor each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manageeverything together.And while you mayforgive your smartphone an occasional fault, youprobably have less patience for error messages from your door lock.[E] Companies are promoting their own standards, and the market has not had time to choose awinner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have tothink of ecosystems insteadto give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems."The dialogue ischanging from what is technologically possible to what is technologicallymeaningful," said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA--which puts on theshow each year--and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as heresearched his predictions for 2016.[F] "So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets,"said John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. "But over the last couple of years,and in in particular, we are starting to see companies shift from what is the largest screensize, the smallest form factor or theshiniest object and more into what all of these devices do thatis practical ina consumer's life. " Even the technology press conferences, which havebeen high-profile in the past and reached a level of drama and theatricsfor a Las Vegas stage, have adifferent bent to them. Rather than justdazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on thepractical. forexample, released its first smartwatch Monday, selling with aclearpurpose--to improve your fitness--and promoting it as a "tool, not a toy. " Not only that, itsupports a number of platforms: Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows phone.this one fitting Fitbit,[G] That seemsto be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasinglybored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries releasedby Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. Forexample, when asked whether they would buy a new smartphone this year, only 48 percent saidyes--a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are paintingfor us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amountsof consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies needto improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seemto bestrengthening their talk of the practicality of their devices.[I] Companies have already won part of the battle, having driven tech into every part of our lives,tracking our steps and our very heartbeats. Yet the persistent question of " Why do I needthat?"--or, perhaps more tellingly, "Why do you need to know that?"--dogs the steps of manynew ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying asmartwatch in 2016, for example--an increase of just one percent from the previous year despite ayear of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smartwatches canmake up ground for maturing smartphone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demandfor fitness monitors, smart thermostats （恒温器） and connected home cameras, as well.[J] According to the survey, that lack of enthusiasm could stem from concerns about privacy andsecurity. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind,37 percent saidthat they are going to be more cautions about using these devices and services in the future. A full18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against havingtheir sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year's show, as these new technologiesintrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Tradeand Federal Communications commissions, this year's list of policy makers also includesappearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and FederalAviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes senseas technology becomes a larger part of our lives. "There is an incompatibility in the rate at whichthese are advancing relative to the way we're digesting it," he said. "Technology is becomingbigger and more aspirational, and penetrating almost everyaspect of our lives. Wehave tounderstand and think about the implications, and balance these great innovations with thepotential downsides they naturally carry with them. "36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they areworried aboutcompatibility problems.37. This year's electronics show featured the presence of many officials from the federal government.38. The market demand for electronic devices is now either declining or not growing as fast as before.39. One analyst suggests it is necessary to accept both tlie positive and negative aspects of innovativeproducts.40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practical value thanthe showiness of electronic devices.41. Fewer innovative products were found at this year's electronic products show.42. Consumers are becoming more worried about giving personal information to tech companies to getcustomized products and services.43. The Consumer Technology Association is the sponsor of the annual Consumer Electronics Show.44. Manyconsumers wonder about the necessity of having their fitness monitored.45. The electronic industry is maturing even though no wonder products hit the market.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage isfollowed by somequestions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C andD. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The Paris climate agreement finalised in Decemberlast year heralded a newera for climate action.For the first time, the world's nations agreed to keep global warm ing well below 2 °C.This is vital for climate-vulnerable nations. Fewer than 4% ofcountries are responsible for morethan half of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. In a study published in Nature Scientific Reports,we reveal just how deep this injustice runs.Developed nations such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and European countries areessentially climate "free-riders": causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gasemissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change's impact on food and water. In otherwords, a few countries are benefiting enormously from the consumption of fossil fuels, while at thesame time contributing disproportionately to the global burden of climate change.On the flip side, there are many "forced riders", who are sufferingfrom the climate changeimpacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world's most climatevulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very smallquantity of emissions. This is muchlike a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, whilethe heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Paris agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate changefor all, although the details on addressing "climate justice" can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2~C is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Paris talks are very unlikely to deliver onthis.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations toreduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction betweendeveloped and developing nations in their responsibility to cut emissions, effectively ignoring historicalemissions. There is also very little detail on who will provide the funds or, importantly, who isresponsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishing who is responsible for raisingthem will also be vital for the future of climate-vulnerable countries.The most climate-vulnerable countries in the world have contributed very little to creating theglobal disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisationof the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions whilehelping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decidewhether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement becauseA. it is unfair to those climate-vulnerable nationsB. it aims to keep temperature rise below 2 °C onlyC. it is beneficial to only fewer than 4% of countriesD. it burdens developed countries with the sole responsibility47. Why does the author call some developed countries climate "free-riders"?A. They needn't worry about the food and water they consume.B. They are better able to cope with the global climate change.C. They hardly pay anything for the problems they have caused.D. They are free from the greenhouse effects affecting "forced riders".48. Why does the author compare the "forced riders" to second-hand smokers?A. They have little responsibility for public health problems.B. They are vulnerable to unhealthy environmental conditions.C. They have to bear consequences they are not responsible for.D. They are unaware of the potential risks they are confronting.49. What does the author say about the $100 billion funding?A. It will motivate all nations to reduce carbon emissions.B. There is no final agreement on where it will come from.C. There is no clarification of how the money will be spent.D. It will effectively reduce greenhouse emissions worldwide.50. what urgent action must be taken to realise the Paris climate agreement?A. Encouraging high-emitting nations to take the initiative.B. Calling on all the nations concerned to make joint efforts.C. Pushing the current world leaders to come to a consensus.D. Putting in effect the policies in the agreement at once.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon （霓虹灯）sign. Their risky behaviors--drinking toomuch alcohol, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes andskipping school--can alert parents and teachers that serious problems are brewing.But a new study finds that there's another group of adolescents who are in nearly as muchdangerof experiencing the samepsychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleepand have a sedentary （不爱活动的）lifestyle.Of course, that may sound like a description of every teenager on the planet. But the study warnsthat it is teenagers who engage in all three of these practices in the extreme who are truly in jeopardy.Because their behaviors are not usually seen as a red flag, these young people have been dubbed the"invisible risk" group by thestudy's authors."In someways they're at greater risk of falling through the cracks," says researcher VladimirCarli. "While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or gettingdrunk, they may easily overlook teenagers who are engaging in inconspicuous behaviors."The study's authors surveyed 12,395 students and analyzed nine risk behaviors, including excessivealcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy （逃学）. Their aim was todetermine the relationship between these risk behaviors and mental health issues in teenagers.About 58% of the students demonstrated none or few of the risk behaviors. Some13%scored highon all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the "invisible risk" group, scored high on three inparticular: They spent five hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night orless. And they neglected "otherhealthy activities."The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms ofdepression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4%of thelow-risk group. But the invisible group wasn't far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of themexhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. "Wewere very surprised," he says. "The high-risk group andlow-risk group are obvious. But this third group was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and solarge--nearly one third of our sample--that it became a key finding of the study. "Carli says that one of the most significant things about his study is that it provides new early-warning signs for parents, teachers and mental health-care providers. And early identification, supportand treatment for mental health issues, he says, are the best ways to keep them from turning into full-blown disorders.51. What does the author mean by saying "Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide oftenwear their troubles like a neon sign" (Lines 1 - 2, Para.1 )A. Mental problems can now be found in large numbers of teenagers.B. Teenagers' mental problems are getting more and more attention.C. Teenagers' mental problems are often too conspicuous not to be observed.D. Depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms of mentalproblems.52. What is the finding of the new study?A. Teenagers' lifestyles have changed greatly in recent years.B. Many teenagers resort to drugs or alcohol for mental relief.C. Teenagers experiencing psychological problems tend to use a lot of media.D. Many hitherto unobserved youngsters may have psychological problems.53. Whydo the researchers refer to teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleep and have asedentary lifestyle as the "invisible risk" group?A. Their behaviors can be an invisible threat to society.B. Their behaviors do not constitute a warning signal.C. Their behaviors do not tend towards mental problems.D. Their behaviors can be found in almost all teenagers on earth.54. What does the new study find about the invisible group?A. They are almost as liable to depression as the high-risk group.B. They suffer from depression without showing any symptoms.C. They do not often demonstrate risky behaviors as their peers.D. They do not attract the media attention the high-risk group does.55. What is the significance of Vladimir Carli's study?A. It offers a new treatment for psychological problems among teenagers.B. It provides new early-warning signals for identifying teens in trouble.C. It mayhave found an ideal way to handle teenagers with behavioral problems.D. It sheds newlight on howunhealthy behaviors trigger mental health problems.Part IV Translation(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translatea passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet2.随着生活水平的提高，度假在xx 人生活中的作用越来越重要。

2016年12月大学英语六级真题及答案（完整版））

【参考范文】
It is universally acknowledged that innova on refers to being crea ve, unique and diﬀerent. In fact, today it is impossibly diﬃcult for us to image a 21st century without innova on.
And for this to happen, we may need ac on on a global scale from a poli cal perspec ve. We need to understand the terms on which major countries like China and the USA might sign up to a global agreement because at the moment we don't have that consensus.
【参考译文】
众所周知创新意味着有创造力，独一无二和不同。事实上，今天我们已经很难想想一个没有创新的 21 世纪。
我们应该重视创新首先是因为创新精神可以让一个人完善自身，这样他才能具备见他人所未见的能力，未来才有资格得到职业生涯的进步，才能做好准备迎接以后的挑战。另外，我们也应该重视创新在经济发展方面的作用。在这个多变的时代，创新对于经济增长就像水对于鱼一样重要。换言之，如果我们以任何可能的形式无视创新的重要性，我们将遭受非常巨大的损失。
B Cut down energy consump on.
C Plan well in advance.
D Adopt new technology.

2016年12月大学英语四级真题答案及解析

2016年12月大学英语四级作文真题及解析2016年12月英语四级考试作文范文：听比说重要(1)2016年12月大学英语四级考试已经结束。

针对本次的四级作文话题“听比说重要”，文都四六级辅导老师第一时间为大家解读分析。

话题贴近生活，难度一般，方便同学们考场上展开论述。

下面，我们给大家提供一篇参考范文，供参考。

As we all known, talking and listening are commonly used in communication, but how can you talk without listening to others? Good conversation skills include much more than simply talking to others, listening is also a necessary quality of a successful person.I firmly believe that listening is of greater significance than talking. For one thing, If you can not listen correctly, you can not talk properly. Just imagine a world where everyone keep talking but nobody listening, it's useless to say anything then. For another, if you want to make achievement in social settings, relationships and business, one way to ensure your success is to be a great listener.Therefore, in order to enhance our conversation skills, here are a few simple rules we can follow to help us become a better listener, such as stopping talking endlessly, giving your full attention to the speaker and making an effort to shift the focus of the conversation to the other person. All in all, nothing can instead of listening! (169 words)2016年12月英语四级作文范文：活到老学到老(1)2016年12月大学英语四级考试如期而至，今年四级作文题目之一是“活到老学到老”。

2016年12四级答案解析

2016年12四级答案解析【篇一：2016年12月16日英语4级考试真题及答案】txt>作文真题一：就业or创业作文题目：for this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. suppose you have two options upon graduation: one isto find a job somewhere and the other to start a business ofyour own. you are to make a decision. write an essay toexplain the reasons for your decision. you should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.参考范文：upon graduation, virtually all college students will confront the problem of the career choice，which is truly a tough choice. students opinions differ greatly on this issue. some hold that priority should be given to start a business of your own, but others take the attitude that finding a job is the best choice influencing their future.as to myself, i prefer the latter view. an opportunity to start a business exerts a tremendous fascination on a great numberof people, with no exception to me. in my view, with the competition in the job market becoming increasingly fierce for college graduates， some ambitious students have tried their hands at launching their own businesses. over the years，there have been many successful cases of student entrepreneurship and such attempts should be encouragedand promoted by both the universities and the society at large. what’smore ,college students who start businesses are pioneers，among whom will be born china’s future business leaders.faced with unknown challenges， they are audacious enoughto embark on a perilous journey while most of their peersenjoy stable salaries by working as white-collars at high-end office buildings.all in all, the essential difference between the students whofind a job or those students who create their own businessesis that the former are docile followers whereas the latter are aggressive trailblazers. for this reason， business-launching college graduates are more admirable， and thus they command our deep respect.听力section adirections: in this section, you will hear three news reports. at the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. after you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markeda), b), c) and d). then mark the corresponding letter on answer sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.questions 1 to 2 are based on the conversation you have just heard.. a) it was dangerous to live in.b) it was going to be renovated.c) he could no longer pay the rent.d) he had sold it to the royal family.2. a) a strike.c) a forest fire.b) a storm.d) a terrorist attack.questions 3 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.3. a) they lost contact with the emergency department.b) they were trapped in an underground elevator.c) they were injured by suddenly falling rocks.d) they sent calls for help via a portable radio.4. a) they tried hard to repair the elevator.b) they released the details of the accident.c) they sent supplies to keep the miners warm.d) they provided the miners with food and water.questions 5 to 7 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. a) raise postage rates.b) improve its services.c) redesign delivery routes.d) close some of its post offices.6. a) shortening business hours.b) closing offices on holidays.c) stopping mail delivery on saturdays.d) computerizing mail sorting processes.7. a) many post office staff will lose their jobs.b) many people will begin to complain.c) taxpayers will be very pleased.d) a lot of controversy will arise.section bdirections: in this section, you will hear two long conversations. at the end of each conversation you will hear four questions. both the conversations and the question-s 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 sheet1 with a single line through the centre.questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. a) he will be kept from promotion.b) he will go through retraining.c) he will be given a warning.d) he will lose part of his pay.9. a) he is always on time.b) he is a trustworthy guy.c) he is an experienced press operator.d) he is on good terms with his workmates.10. a) she is a trade union representative.b) she is in charge of public relations.c) she is a senior manager of the shop.d) she is better at handling such matters.11. a) he is skilled and experienced.b) he is very close to the manager.c) he is always trying to stir up trouble.d) he is always complaining about low wages.questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. a) open.b) selfish.c) friendly.d) reserved.13. a) they stay quiet.b) they read a book.c) they talk about the weather.d) they chat with fellow passengers.14. a) she was always treated as a foreigner.b) she was eager to visit an english castle.c) she was never invited to a colleague’s home.d) she was unwilling to make friends with workmates.15. a) houses are much more quiet.b) houses provide more privacy.c) they want to have more space.d) they want a garden of their own.section cdirections: in this section, you will hear three passages. at the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. after you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked a), b), c) andd).then mark the corresponding letter on answer sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. questions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16. a) they don’t have much choice of jobs.b) they are likely to get much higher pay.c) they don’t have to go through job interviews.d) they will automatically be given hiring priority.17. a) ask their professors for help.b) look at school bulletin boards.c) visit the school careers service.d) go through campus newspapers.18. a) helping students find the books and journals they need.b) supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.c) helping students arrange appointments with librarians.d) providing students with information about the library.questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. a) it tastes better.b) it is easier to grow.c) it may be sold at a higher price.d) it can better survive extreme weathers.20. a) it is healthier than green tea.b) it can grow in drier soil.c) it will replace green tea one day.d) it is immune to various diseases.21. a) it has been well received by many tea drinkers.b) it does not bring the promised health benefits.c) it has made tea farmers’ life easier.d) it does not have a stable market.questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. a) they need decorations to show their status.b) they prefer unique objects of high quality.c) they decorate their homes themselves.d) they care more about environment.23. a) they were proud of their creations.b) they could only try to create at night.c) they made great contributions to society.d) they focused on the quality of their products.24. a) make wise choices.b) identify fake crafts.c) design handicrafts themselves.d) learn the importance of creation.25. a) to boost the local economy.b) to attract foreign investments.c) to arouse public interest in crafts.d) to preserve the traditional culture.听力答案：section a1. [a] it was dangerous to live in.2. [b] a storm3. [b] they were trapped in an underground elevator.4. [c] they sent supplies to keep the miners warm.5. [d] close some of its post office.6. [c] stopping mail delivery on saturdays.7. [a] many post office staff will lose their jobs.section b8. [d] he will lose part of his pay.9. [b] he is a trustworthy guy.10.[d] she is better at handling such matters.11.[c] he is always trying to stir up trouble.12. [d] reserved13. [a] they stay quiet14. [c] she was never invited to a colleague’s home.15. [b] houses provide more privacysection c16. [d] they will automatically be given hiring priority.17. [c] visit the school careers service.18. [b] supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.19. [c] it may be sold at a higher price.20. [a] it is healthier than green tee.21. [d] it does not have a stable market.22. [b] they prefer unique objects of high quality.23. [b] they could only try to create at night.24. [a] make wise choices.25. [a] to boost the local economy.阅读理解（选词填空）section adirections: in this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. you are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. read the passage through carefully before making your choices. each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. please mark the corresponding letter for each item on answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. you may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. a new study （26）that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.in the study, tel aviv university researchers（27）for sex differences the entire human brain. and what did they find? not much. rather than offer evidence for（28）brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.daphna joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based（29）, many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.while the “average” male and “average” female brains were （30）differe nt, you couldn’t tell it by looking at individual brain scans. only a small（31）of people had “all-male” or “all-female” characteristics.larry cahill, an american neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is an important addition to a growing body of researchquestioning（32） beliefs about gender and brain function. but he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,（33）of gender.“there’s a mountain of evidence（34）the importance of sex influences at all levels of brain function,” he told the seattle times.if anything, he said, the study（35） that gender plays a very important role in the brain “even when we are not clear exactly how.”a) abnormalb) appliedc) brieflyd) categorizinge) challengesf) figureg) percentageh) provingi) regardless【篇二：2016年12月四级真题作文题目及参考答案】or this part， you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay。

2016年12月,大学英语四级,考试真题附答案,(第二套.)

2016年12，月大学英语四级，考试真题附答案，（第二套.）Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have twooptions upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to agraduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain thereasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180words.Part ⅡListening Comprehension(25 minutes )Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each newsreport, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A. To satisfy the curiosity of tourists.B. To replace two old stone bridges.C. To enable tourists to visit Goat Island.D. To improve utility services in the state.2. A. Countless tree limbs.B. A few skeletons.C. Lots of wrecked boats and ships.D. Millions of coins on the bottom.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A. It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.B. It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.C. It shut down two border crossings with Libya.D. It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.4. A. Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.B. Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.C. Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.D. Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A. An environment-friendly battery.B. An energy-saving mobile phone.C. A plant-powered mobile phone charger.D. A device to help plants absorb sunlight.6. A. While sitting in their school's courtyard.B. While playing games on their phones.C. While solving a mathematical problem.D. While doing a chemical experiment.7. A. It increases the applications of mobile phones.B. It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C. It improves the reception of mobile phones.D. It collects the energy released by plants.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken onlyonce. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choicesmarked A, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A. He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.B. He called the woman and left her a message.C. He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.D. He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.9. A. It is the most modern production line.B. It assembles super-intelligent robots.C. It has stopped working completely.D. It is going to be upgraded soon.10. A. To seek her permission.B. To place an order for robots.C. To request her to return at once.D. To ask for Tom's phone number.11. A. She is on duty.B. She is having her day off.C. She is on sick leave.D. She is abroad on business.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A. He saved a baby boy's life.B. He wanted to be a superhero.C. He prevented a train crash.D. He was a witness to an accident.13. A. He has a 9-month-old boy.B. He is currently unemployed.C. He enjoys the interview.D. He commutes by subway.14. A. A rock on the tracks.B. A misplaced pushchair.C. A strong wind.D. A speeding car.15. A. She stood motionless in shock.B. She cried bitterly.C. She called the police at once.D. She shouted for help.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with asingle line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A. She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.B. She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.C. She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter's education.D. She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.17. A. To preserve a tradition.B. To amuse her daughter.C. To help local education.D. To make some extra money.18. A. To raise money for business expansion.B. To make her truck attractive to children.C. To allow poor kids to have ice-cream too.D. To teach kids the value of mutual support.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A. The reasons for imposing taxes.B. The various services money can buy.C. The various burdens on ordinary citizens.D. The function of money in the modem world.20. A. Educating and training citizens.B. Improving public transportation.C. Protecting people's life and property.D. Building hospitals and public libraries.21. A. By asking for donations.B. By selling public lands.C. By selling government bonds.D. By exploiting natural resources.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A. It is located at the center of the European continent.B. It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.C. It contains less than a square mile of land.D. It is surrounded by France on three sides.23. A. Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.B. Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.C. It is where many American movies are shot.D. It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.24. A. Tobacco.B. Potatoes.C. Machinery.D. Clothing.25. A. European history.B. European geography.C. Small countries in Europe.D. Tourist attractions in Europe.Part ⅢReading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.The ocean is heating up. That's the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth's oceans now26heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 hastaken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to27 to coral bleaching (珊瑚白化) and they take up more spacethan cooler waters, raising sea28While the top of the ocean is well studied, its depths are moredifficult to 29The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get abetter30 of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readingscollected by everything from a 19th century31 of British naval ships to modem automated oceanprobes. The extensive data sources,32 with computer simulations ( 计算机模拟), created atimeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming fromfossil fuel33About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now resides at a34 of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they're35whether the deep-seawarming canceled out warming at the sea's surface.A. absorbB. CombinedC. ContributeD. depthE. emissionsF. excursionG. exploreH. floorI. heightsJ. indifferentK. levelsL. mixedM. pictureN. unsureO. voyageSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Secret to Raising Smart KidsA) I first began to investigate the basis of human motivation--and how people persevere aftersetbacks--as a psychology graduate student at Yale University in the 1960s. Animal experiments bypsychologists at the University of Pennsylvania had shown that after repeated failures, most animalsconclude that a situation is hopeless and beyond their control. After such an experience an animaloften remains passive even when it can effect change--a state they called learned helplessness.B) People can learn to be helpless, too. Why do some students give up when they encounter difficulty,whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn? One answer, I soondiscovered, lay in people's beliefs about why they had failed.C) In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depresses motivation more than doesthe belief that lack of effort is to blame. When I told a group of school children who displayedhelpless behavior that a lack of effort led to their mistakes in math, they learned to keep tryingwhen the problems got tough. Another group of helpless children who were simply rewarded fortheir success on easier problems did not improve their ability to solve hard math problems. Theseexperiments indicated that a focus on effort can help resolve helplessness and generate success.D) Later, I developed a broader theory of what separates the two general classes of learners--helplessversus mastery-oriented. I realized these different types of students not only explain their failuresdifferently, but they also hold different "theories" of intelligence.The helpless ones believeintelligence is a fixed characteristic: you have only a certain amount, and that's that. I call this a"fixed mind-set (思维模式). " Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors toa lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. They avoid challenges because challengesmake mistakes more likely. The mastery-oriented children, on the other hand, think intelligence isnot fixed and can be developed through education and hard work. Such children believe challengesare energizing rather than intimidating (令人生畏); they offer opportunities to learn. Studentswith such a growth mind-set were destined (注定) for greater academic success and were quitelikely to outperform their counterparts.E) We validated these expectations in a study in which two other psychologists andI monitored 373students for two years during the transition to junior high school, when the work gets more difficultand the grading more strict, to determine how their mind-sets might affect their math grades. At thebeginning of seventh grade, we assessed the students' mind-sets by asking them to agree or disagreewith statements such as "Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't reallychange. " We then assessed their beliefs about other aspects of learning and looked to see whathappened to their grades.F) As predicted, the students with a growth mind-set felt that learning was a more important goal thangetting good grades. In addition, they held hard work in high regard. They understood that evengeniuses have to work hard. Confronted by a setback such as a disappointing test grade, studentswith a growth mind-set said they would study harder or try a different strategy. The students whoheld a fixed mind-set, however, were concerned about looking smart with less regard for learning.They had negative views of effort, believing that having to work hard was a sign of low ability.They thought that a person with talent or intelligence did not need to work hard to do well.Attributing a bad grade to their own lack of ability, those with a fixed mind-set said that they wouldstudy less in the future, try never to take that subject again and consider cheating on future tests.G) Such different outlooks had a dramatic impact on performance. At the start of junior high, the mathachievement test scores of the students with a growth mind-set were comparable to those ofstudents who displayed a fixed mind-set. But as the work became more difficult, the students witha growth mind-set showed greater persistence. As a result, their math grades overtook those of theother students by the end of the first semester--and the gap between the two groups continued towiden during the two years we followed them.H) A fixed mind-set can also hinder communication and progress in the workplace and discourage orignore constructive criticism and advice. Research shows that managers who have a fixed mind-setare less likely to seek or welcome feedback from their employees than are managers with a growthmind-set.I) How do we transmit a growth mind-set to our children? One way is by telling stories aboutachievements that result from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniuses whowere more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but descriptions of greatmathematicians who fell in love with math and developed amazing skills produce a growth mind-set.J) In addition, parents and teachers can help children by providing explicit instruction regarding themind as a learning machine. I designed an eight-session workshop for 91 students whose mathgrades were declining in their first year of junior high.Forty-eight of the students receivedinstruction in study skills only, whereas the others attended a combination of study skills sessionsand classes in which they learned about the growth mind-set and how to apply it to schoolwork. Inthe growth mind-set classes, students read and discussed an article entitled "You Can Grow YourBrain. " They were taught that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use and thatlearning prompts the brain to grow new connections. From such instruction, many students beganto see themselves as agents of their own braindevelopment. Despite being unaware that there weretwo types of instruction, teachers reported significant motivational changes in 27% of the childrenin the growth mind-set workshop as compared with only 9% of students in the control group. K) Research is converging (汇聚) on the conclusion that great accomplishment and even genius istypically the result of years of passion and dedication and not something that flows naturally from agift.36. The author's experiment shows that students with a fixed mind-set believe having to work hard is an indication of low ability.37. Focusing on effort is effective in helping children overcome frustration and achieve success.38. We can cultivate a growth mind-set in children by telling success stories that emphasize hard work and love of learning.39. Students' belief about the cause of their failure explains their attitude toward setbacks.40. In the author's experiment, students with a growth mind-set showed greater perseverance in solving difficult math problems.41. The author conducted an experiment to find out about the influence of students' mind-sets on math learning.42. After failing again and again, most animals give up hope.43. Informing students about the brain as a learning machine is a good strategy to enhance their motivation for learning.44. People with a fixed mind-set believe that one's intelligence is unchangeable.45. In the workplace, feedback may not be so welcome to managers with a fixed mind-set.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A., B., C. AndD . You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage."Sugar, alcohol and tobacco," economist Adam Smith once wrote," are commodities which arenowhere necessaries of life, which have become objects of almost universal consumption, and whichare, therefore, extremely popular subjects of taxation. " Two and a haft centuries on, most countries impose some sort of tax on alcohol and tobacco. Withsurging obesity levels putting increasing strain on public health systems, governments around the worldhave begun to toy with the idea of taxing sugar as well.Whether such taxes work is a matter of debate. A preliminary review of Mexico's taxation found afall in purchases of taxed drinks as well as a rise in sales of untaxed and healthier drinks. By contrast,a Danish tax on foods high in fats was abandoned a year after its introduction, amid claims thatconsumers were avoiding it by crossing the border to Germany to satisfy their desire for cheaper, fattierfare.The food industry has, in general, been firmly opposed to such direct governmentaction.Nonetheless, the renewed focus on waistlines means that industry groups are under pressure todemonstrate their products are healthy as well as tasty.Over the past three decades, the industry has made some efforts to improve the quality of itsofferings. For example, some drink manufacturers have cut the amount of sugar in their beverages.Many of the reductions over the past 30 years have been achieved either by reducing the amount ofsugar, salt or fat in a product, or by finding an alternative ingredient. More recently, however, somecompanies have been investing money in a more ambitious undertaking: learning how to adjust thefundamental make-up of the food they sell. For example, having salt on the outside, but none on theinside, reduces the salt content without changing the taste.While reformulating recipes ( 配方) is one way to improve public health, it should be part of amulti-sided approach. The key is to remember that there is not just one solution. To deal with obesity,a mixture of approaches--including reformulation, taxation and adjusting portion sizes--will beneeded. There is no silver bullet.46. What did Adam Smith say about sugar, alcohol and .tobacco?A. They were profitable to manufacture.B. They were in ever-increasing demand.C. They were subject to taxation almost everywhere.D. They were no longer considered necessities of life.47. Why have many countries started to consider taxing sugar?A. They are under growing pressure to balance their national budgets.B. They find it ever harder to cope with sugar-induced health problems.C. The practice of taxing alcohol and tobacco has proved both popular and profitable.D. The sugar industry is overtaking alcohol and tobacco business in generating profits.48. What do we learn about Danish taxation on fat-rich foods?A. It did not work out as well as was expected.B. It gave rise to a lot of problems on the border.C. It could not succeed without German cooperation.D. It met with firm opposition from the food industry.49. What is the more recent effort by food companies to make foods and drinks both healthy and tasty?A. Replacing sugar or salt with alternative ingredients.B. Setting a limit on the amount of sugar or salt in their products.C. Investing in research to find ways to adapt to consumers' needs.D. Adjusting the physical composition of their products.50. What does the author mean by saying, at the end of the passage, "There is no silver bullet" ( Line 4, Para.7)?A. There is no single easy quick solution to the problem.B. There is no hope of success without public cooperation.C. There is no hurry in finding ways to solve the obesity problem.D. There is no effective way to reduce people's sugar consumption.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.You may have heard some of the fashion industry horror stories: models eating tissues or cottonballs to hold off hunger, and models collapsing from hunger-induced heart attacks just seconds afterthey step off the runway.Excessively skinny models have been a point of controversy for decades, and two researchers saya model's body mass should be a workplace health and safety issue. In an editorial released Monday inthe American Journal of Public Health, Katherine Record and Bryn Austin made their case forgovernment regulation of the fashion industry.The average international runway model has a body mass index (BMI) under 16--low enough toindicate starvation by the World Health Organization's standard. And Record and Austin are worried notjust about the models themselves, but about the vast number of girls and women their images influence."Especially girls and teens," says Record. "Seventy percent of girls aged 10 to 18 report that theydefine perfect body image based on what they see in magazines. " That's especially worrying, she says,given that anorexia (厌食症) results in more deaths than does any other mental illness, according tothe National Institute of Mental Health.It's commonly known that certain diseases are linked with occupations like lung disease in coalminers. Professional fashion models are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders resulting fromoccupational demands to maintain extreme thinness. Record's suggestion is to prohibit agents from hiring models with a BMI below 18. In April, France passed a law setting lower limits for a model's weight. Agents and fashion houseswho hire models with a BMI under 18 could pay $ 82,000 in fines and spend up to 6 months in jail.Regulating the fashion industry in the United States won't be easy, Record says. But with the new rulesin France, U.S. support could make a difference. "A designer can't survive without participating inParis Fashion Week", she says, adding," Our argument is that the same would be true of New YorkFashion Week. "51. What do Record and Austin say about fashion models' body mass?A. It has caused needless controversy.B. It is but a matter of personal taste.C. It is the focus of the modeling business.D. It affects models' health and safety.52. What are Record and Austin advocating in the Monday editorial?A. A change in the public's view of female beauty.B. Government legislation about models' weight.C. Elimination of forced weight loss by models.D. Prohibition of models eating non-food stuff.53. Why are Record and Austin especially worried about the low body mass index of models?A. It contributes to many mental illnesses.B. It defines the future of the fashion industry.C. It has great influence on numerous girls and women.D. It keeps many otherwise qualified women off the runway.54. What do we learn about France's fashion industry?A. It has difficulty hiring models.B. It has now a new law to follow.C. It allows girls under 18 on the runway.D. It has overtaken that of the United States.55. What does Record expect of New York Fashion Week?A. It will create a completely new set of rules.B. It will do better than Paris Fashion Week.C. It will differ from Paris Fashion Week.D. It will have models with a higher BMI.Part ⅣTranslation( 30 minutes )Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。

2016年12月英语四级真题及答案解析（三套完整版）

【导语】以下是整理的2016年12⽉英语四级真题及答案解析（三套完整版），希望对⼤家备考有所帮助。

【作⽂】 innovation创新 Directions：For this part，you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on innovation. Your essay should include the importance of innovation and measures to be taken to encourage innovation/creation/invention. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words. 参考范⽂： In today's highly competitive world, innovation matters enormously to an organization or a country. It is the driving force behind increased competitiveness. Take growing a successful business as an example. In this day and age, social media are gaining popularity among the general public. A company that only relies on traditional media doing its marketing is more likely to get eliminated in the digital era. Put in another way, a company with its focus on social media to boost its brand recognition stands a better chance of standing out from the crowd. Clearly, innovation is a vital contributing factor to business success. What can be done to encourage innovation? To name only a few: Above all, a business or a country should strive to build a corporate culture or a social climate that values innovation. Second, anyone who participates in the innovation process should be rewarded. Third, we are in urgent need of an education system that stresses innovation over mechanical learning. Simply put, innovation is an important force that pushes our society forward. creation创造 Directions：For this part，you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on creation. Your essay should include the importance of innovation and measures to be taken to encourage innovation/creation/invention. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words. 参考范⽂： It is universally acknowledged that innovation refers to being creative, unique and different. In fact, today it is impossibly difficult for us to image a 21st century without innovation. We should place a high value on innovation firstly because innovative spirit can enable an individual to ameliorate himself, so he can be equipped with capacity to see what others cannot see, be qualified for future career promotion, and be ready for meeting the forthcoming challenges. What’s more, we ought to attach importance to the role played by innovation in economic advancement. Put it another way, in this ever-changing world, innovation to economic growth is what water is to fish. To sum up, if innovation misses our attention in any possible way, we will suffer a great loss beyond imagination. In order to encourage innovation, it is wise for us to take some feasible measures. For example, mass media should greatly publicize the significance of creative spirit and encourage the public to cultivate awareness of innovation. Besides, those who manage to innovate should be awarded generous prize. Though there is a long way ahead to go, I am firmly certain that the shared efforts will be paid off. 【参考译⽂】众所周知创新意味着有创造⼒，独⼀⽆⼆和不同。

201612月英语四级考试真题试题与答案解析【三套全】

2015 年 12 月英语四级考试真题及答案【三套全】Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying "Listening is more important than talking?" You can cite examples to illustrate the importance of paying attention to others' opinions. You should write at least 120words but no more than 180words.注意：此部分试题在答题卡 1 上________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1.A)They admire the courage of space explorers.B)They were going to watch a wonderful movie.C)They enjoyed the movie on space exploration.D)They like doing scientific exploration very much.2.A)In a school library.B)At a gift shop.D)At a graduation ceremony.3.A)He used to work in the art gallery.B)He does not have a good memoiy.C)He is not interested in any part-time jobs.D)He declined a job offer from the art gallery.4.A)He will be unable to attend the birthday party.B)The woman should have informed him earlier.C)He will go to the birthday party after the lecture.D)Susan has been invited to give a lecture tomorrow.5.A)Set a deadline for the staff to meet.B)Assign more workers to the project.C)Reward those having made good progress.D)Encourage the staff to work in small groups.6.A)Where she can leave her car.B)The rate for parking in Lot C.C)How far away the parking lot is.D)The way to the visitor's parking.7.A)He regrets missing the classes.B)He has benefited from exercise.C)He plans to take the fitness classes.D)He is looking forward to a better life.8.A)How to select secretaries.B)How to raise work efficiency.C)The responsibilities of secretaries.D)The secretaries in the man's company.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A)It is used by more people than English.B)It is more difficult to learn than English.C)It will be as commonly used as English.D)It will eventually become a world language.10.A)Its popularity with the common people.B)The effect of the Industrial Revolution.C)The influence of the British Empire.D)Its loan words from many languages.11.A)It has a growing number of newly coined words.B)It includes a lot of words from other languages.C)It is the largest among all languages in the world.D)It can be easily picked up by overseas travellers.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)To place an order.B)To apply for a job.C)To return some goods.D)To make a complaint.13.A)He works on a part-time basis for the company.B)He has not worked in the sales department for long.C)He is not familiar with the exact details of the goods.D)He has become somewhat impatient with the woman.14.A)It is not his responsibility.B)It win be free for large orders.C)It depends on a number of factors.D)It costs ￡ 15 more for express delivery. 15.A)Make inquiries with some other companies.B)Report the information to her superior.C)Pay a visit to the saleswoman in charge.D)Ring back when she comes to a decision.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16.A)No one knows for sure when they came into being.B)No one knows exactly where they were first made.C)No one knows for what purpose they were invented.D)No one knows what they will look like in the future.17.A)Measure the speed of wind.B)Give warnings of danger.C)Pass on secret messages.D)Carry ropes across rivers.18.A)To find out the strength of silk for kites.B)To test the effects of the lightning rod.C)To prove that lightning is electricity.D)To protect houses against lightning.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)She was born with a talent for languages.B)She was trained to be an interpreter.C)She can speak several languages.D)She enjoys teaching languages.20.A)They want to learn as many foreign languages as possible.B)They have an intense interest in cross-cultural interactions.C)They acquire an immunity to culture shock.D)They would like to live abroad permanently.21.A)She became an expert in horse racing.B)She learned to appreciate classical music.C)She was able to translate for a German sports judge.D)She got a chance to visit several European countries.22.A)Take part in a cooking competition.B)Taste the beef and give her comment.C)Teach vocabulary for food in English.D)Give cooking lessons on Western food.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23.A)He had only a third-grade education.B)He once threatened to kill his teacher.C)He often helped his mother do housework.D)He grew up in a poor single-parent family.24.A)Stupid.B)Active.C)Brave.D)Careless.25.A)Watch educational TV programs only.B)Write two book reports a week.C)Help with housework.D)Keep a diary.When you look up at the night sky, what do you see? There are other __26__bodies out there besides the moon and stars. One of the most __27__ of these is acomet (彗星).Comets were formed around the same time the Earth was formed. They are __28__ice and other frozen liquids and gases. __29__ these "dirty snowballs" begin to orbitthe sun, just as the planets do.As a comet gets closer to the sun, some gases in it begin to unfreeze. They __30__dust particles from the comet to form a huge cloud. As the comet gets even nearer tothe sun, a solar wind blows the cloud behind the comet, thus forming its tail.The tail and the __31__ fuzzy ( 模糊的 ) atmosphere around a comet are __32__ that canhelp identify this __33__ in the night sky.In any given year, about a dozen known comets come close to the sun in their orbits. The average person can't see them all, of course. Usually there is only one or twoa year bright enough to be seen with the __34__ eye. Comet Hale-Bopp, discoveredin 1995, was an unusually bright comet. Its orbit brought it __35__ close to theEarth, within 122 million miles of it. But Hale-Bopp came a long way on its earthly visit. It won't be back for another four .【参考答案】26.heavenly27.fascinating28.made up of29.Now and thenbine with31.generally32.characteristics33.phenomenon34.naked35.relativelyPartIII Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are requiredto select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a wordbank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully beforemaking your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 witha single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than onceQuestions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.Scholars of the information society are divided over whether social inequalitydecreases or increases in an information-based society. However, they generallyagree with the idea that inequality in the information society is __36__ different from that of an industrial society. As informatization progresses in society, the cause and structural nature ofsocial inequality changes as well.It seems that the information society__37__ the quantity of information availableto the members of a society by revolutionizing the ways of using and exchanginginformation.But such a view is a __38__ analysis based on the quantity of information supplied by various forms of the mass media. A different __39__ is possible whenthe actual amount of information__40__ by the user is taken into account.In fact, the more information__41__ throughout the entire society,the wider the gap becomes between "information haves"and "information have-nots", leading to digital divide.According to recent studies,digital divide has been caused by three major__42__:class, sex, and generation. In terms of class, digital divide exists among different types of workers and between the upper and middle classes and the lower class. With __43__ to sex, digital divide exists between men and women. The greatest gap, however, is between the Net-generation,__44__ with personal computers and the Internet,and the older generation, __45__ to an industrial society.A)accustomedB)acquiredC)assemblyD)attributeE)championsF)elementsG)expandsH)familiarI)flowsJ)fundamentallyK)interpretationL)passiveM)regardN)respectivelyO)superficialJoy: A Subject Schools LackBecoming educated should not require giving up pleasure.A) When Jonathan Swift proposed, in 1729, that the people of Ireland eat theirchildren,he insisted it would solve three problems at once: feed the hungry masses, reduce the population during a severe depression, and stimulate the restaurantbusiness.Even as a satire( 讽刺 ), it seems disgusting and shocking in America with its child-centered culture.But actually,the country is closer to his proposal than you might think.B) If you spend much time with educators and policy makers, you'll hear a lot of"accountability,"and so on. I have visited some of the newer supposedly "effective" schools, where children shout slogans in order to leam self-control or muststand behind their desk when they can't sit still.C)A look at what goes on in most classrooms these days makes it abundantly clearthat when people think about education, they are not thinking about what it feelslike to be a child,or what makes childhood an important and valuable stage of life in its own right.D) I'm a mother of three, a teacher,and a developmental psychologist.So I've watched a lot of children— talking, playing, arguing, eating, studying, and being young.Here's what I've come to understand.The thing that sets children apart from adults is not their ignorance,nor their lack of skills. It's their enormous capacity for joy.Think of a 3-year-old lost in the pleasures of finding out what he can and cannot sink in the bathtub, a 5-year-old beside herself with the thrill of putting together strings of nonsensical words with her best friends, or an 11-year-old completelyabsorbed in a fascinating comic strip. A child's ability to become deeply absorbed in something,and derive intense pleasure from that absorption,is something adults spend the rest of their lives trying to return to.E) A friend told me the following story.One day, when he went to get his 7-year-old son from soccer practice,his kid greeted him with a downcast face and a sad voice. The coach had criticized him for not focusing on his soccer drills. The little boywalked out of the school with his head and shoulders hanging down. He seemed wrapped in sadness.But just before he reached the car door,he suddenly stopped,crouching (蹲伏)down to peer at something on the sidewalk.His face went down lower and lower, and then, with complete joy he called out, "Dad. Come here. This is the strangestbug I've ever seen. It has, like, a million legs. Look at this. It's amazing. " Helooked up at his father, his features overflowing with energy and delight. "Can'twe stay here for just a minute?I want to find out what he does with all those legs. This is the coolest ever. "F) The traditional view of such moments is that they constitute a charming butirrelevant byproduct of youth— something to be pushed aside to make room for more important qualities, like perseverance (坚持不懈 ), obligation, and practicality.Yet moments like this one are just the kind of intense absoiption and pleasure adults spend the rest of their lives seeking. Human lives are governed by the desire toexperience joy.Becoming educated should not require giving up joy but rather lead to finding joy in new kinds of things:reading novels instead of playing with small figures, conductingexperiments instead of sinking cups in the bathtub, and debating serious issuesrather than stringing together nonsense words,for example.In some cases,schools should help children find new, more grown-up ways of doing the same things that are constant sources of joy: making art, making friends, making decisions.G) Building on a child's ability to feel joy,rather than pushing it aside,wouldn't be that hard. It would just require a shift in the education world's mindset (思维模式 ). Instead of trying to get children to work hard, why not focus on gettingthem to take pleasure in meaningful, productive activity, like making things,working with others, exploring ideas, and solving problems? These focuses are notso different from the things in which they delight.H) Before you brush this argument aside as rubbish,or think of joy as an unaffordable luxury in a nation where there is awful poverty,low academic achievement,and high dropout rates, think again. The more horrible the school circumstances, the moreimportant pleasure is to achieving any educational success.I) Many of the assignments and rules teachers come up with, often because they arepressured by their administrators,treat pleasure and joy as the enemies of competence and responsibility. The assumption is that children shouldn't chat inthe classroom because it hinders hard work; instead, they should leain to delaygratification( 快乐 ) so that they can pursue abstract goals,like going to college.J) Not only is this a boring and awful way to treat children, it makes no senseeducationally. Decades of research have shown that in order to acquire skills andreal knowledge in school, kids need to want to learn.You can force a child to stay in his or her seat,fill out a worksheet,or practice division.But you can't force the child to think carefully,er\joy books,digest complex information,or develop a taste for learning.To make that happen, you have to help the child find pleasure inlearning—to see school as a source of joy.K)Adults tend to talk about learning as if it were medicine; unpleasant, butnecessary and good for you. Why not instead think of learning as if it were food— something so valuable to humans that they have evolved to experience it asa pleasure?L) Joy should not be trained out of children or left for after-school programs. The more difficult a child's life circumstances,the more important it is for that child to find joy in his or her classroom. "Pleasure" is not a dirty word. And it doesn't run counter to the goals of public education. It is, in fact, the precondition.46.It will not be difficult to make learning a source of joy if educators changetheir way of thinking.47.What distinguishes children from adults is their strong ability to derive joyfrom what they are doing.48.Children in America are being treated with shocking cruelty.49.It is human nature to seek joy in life.50.Grown-ups are likely to think that learning to children is what medicine isto patients.51.Bad school conditions make it all the more important to turn learning into ajoyful experience.52.Adults do not consider children's feelings when it comes to education.53. Administrators seem to believe that only hard work will lead children to theireducational goals.54.In the so-called "effective" schools, children are taught self-controlunder a set of strict rules.55. To make learning effective,educators have to ensure that children want to leam.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.When it's five o'clock, people leave their office. The length of the workday, formany workers,is defined by time.They leave when the clock tells them they're done.These days,the time is everywhere-,not just on clocks or watches,but on cell-phones and computers. That may be a bad thing, particularly at work. New research showsthat clock-based work schedules hinder morale (士气 ) and creativity.Clock-timers organize their day by blocks of minutes and hours. For example: ameeting from9 a.m. to10 a. m. ,research from 10 a.m. to noon,etc. On the other hand, task-timers have a list of things they want to accomplish.They work down the list, each task starts when the previous task is completed. It is said that all ofus employ a mix of both these types of planning.What, then, are the effects of thinking about time in these different ways? Doesone make us more productive? Better at the tasks at hand? Happier? In experimentsconducted by Tamar Avnet and Anne-Laure Sellier, they had participants organizedifferent activities—from project planning,holiday shopping,to yoga— by time or to-do list to measure how they performed under "clock time" vs "task time. " Theyfound clock timers to be more efficient but less happy because they felt littlecontrol Over their lives. Task timers are happier and more creative, but lessproductive.They tend to enjoy the moment when something good is happening, and seize opportunities that come up.under-supported in business culture. Smart companies, they believe, will try to bake more task-based planning into their strategies.This might be a small change to the way we view work and the office, but theresearchers argue that it challenges a widespread characteristic of the economy:work organized by clock time. While most people will still probably need, and be,to some extent, clock-timers, task-based timing should be used when performing ajob that requires more creativity. It'll make those tasks easier, and the task-doers will be happier.56.What does the author think of time displayed everywhere?A) It makes everybody time-conscious.B) It is a convenience for work and life.C) It may have a negative effect on creative work.D) It clearly indicates the fast pace of modem life.57.How do people usually go about their work according to the author?A) They combine clock-based and task-based planning.B) They give priority to the most urgent task on hand.C) They set a time limit for each specific task.D) They accomplish their tasks one by one.58.What did Tamar Avnet and Anne-Laure Sellier find in their experiments aboutclock-timers?A)They seize opportunities as they come up.B)They always get their work done in time.C)They have more control over their lives.D)They tend to be more productive.59.What do the researchers say about today's business culture?A) It does not support the strategies adopted by smart companies.B) It does not attach enough importance to task-based practice.C)It places more emphasis on work efficiency than on workers' lives.D)It aims to bring employees' potential and creativity into full play.60. What do the researchers suggest?A)Task-based timing is preferred for doing creative work.B)It is important to keep a balance between work and life.C)Performing creative jobs tends to make workers happier.D)A scientific standard should be adopted in job evaluation.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Martha Stewart was charged, tried and convicted of a crime in 2004. As she nearedthe end of her prison sentence, a well-known columnist wrote that she was " payingher dues," and that " there is simply no reason for anyone to attempt to deny herright to start anew. "Surely, the American ideal of second chances should not be reserved only for therich and powerful. Unfortunately,many federal and state laws impose post-conviction restrictions on a shockingly large number of Americans, who are prevented from ever fully paying their debt to society.At least 65 million people in the United States have a criminal record. This canresult in severe penalties that continue long after punishment is completed.Many of these penalties are imposed regardless of the seriousness of theoffense or the person's individual circumstances. Laws can restrict or ban voting,access to public housing, and professional and business licensing. They canaffect a person's ability to get a job and qualification for benefits.In all,more than45,000 laws and rules serve to exclude vast numbers of people from fully participating in American life.Some laws make sense. No one advocates letting someone convicted of pedophilia(恋童癖 ) work in a school. But too often collateral (附随的 ) consequences bear no relation to public safety.Should a womanwho possessed a small amount of drugs years ago be permanently unable to be licensed as a nurse?These laws are also counterproductive, since they make it harder for people withcriminal records to find housing or land a job, two key factors that reducebacksliding.A recent report makes several recommendations, including the abolition of mostpost-conviction penalties, except for those specifically needed to protect publicsafety. Where the penalties are not a must, they should be imposed only if the facts of a case support it.The point is not to excuse or forget the crime. Rather, it is to recognize that inAmerica's vast criminal justice system, second chances are crucial. It is in no one's interest to keep a large segment of the population on the margins of society.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡 2 上作答。

12月四级考试真题答案3套全

12月四级考试真题答案3套全2016年12月四级考试真题答案（3套全）2016年12月份的四六级考试已经告一段落，为了方便大家查询答案，评估自己的.考试成绩，做考试后的总结。

店铺为大家整理了英语四级真题参考答案，供大家参考!第一套英语四级真题参考答案Part Ⅰ WritingFinding A Job FirstCollege students’options upon graduation vary from person to person. Some students choose to hunt for a job while others prefer to start their own businesses. As for me, I would rather find a job first.The reasons for my decision are as follows. For one thing, it is much easier for me to find a job compared with starting a business which demands fund, experience, and the market. As a green hand who has just graduated from college, it’s totally beyond my ability to handle such a complex situation. For another, working for others could develop my personalities such as perseverance and stress tolerance, which can help me become more prepared and qualified if I would like to start my own business.To conclude, chances always favor those who are prepared. And I don’t think a person could really “build up from nothing”. As a result, I will find a job first after graduation.Part Ⅱ Listening ComprehensionSection A1 A) It was dangerous to live in.2 B) A storm.3 B) They were trapped in an underground elevator.4 C) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.5 D) Close some of its post offices.6 C) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7 A) Many post office staff will lose their jobs.Section B8 D) He will lose part of his pay.9 B) He is a trustworthy guy.10 D) She is better at handling such matters.11 C) He is always trying to stir up trouble.12 D) Reserved.13 A) They stay quiet.14 C) She was never invited to a colleague’s home.15 B) Houses provide more privacy.Section C16 D) They will automatically be given hiring priority.17 C) Visit the school careers service.18 B) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.19 C) It may be sold at a higher price.20 A) It is healthier than green tea.21 D) It does not have a stable market.22 B) They prefer unique objects of high quality.23 B) They could only try to create at night.24 A) Make wise choices.25 A) To boost the local economy.Part Ⅲ Reading ComprehensionSection A26 K) rarely27 O) tortured28 J) minimal29 D) determine30 G) inadequate31 B) creates32 E) direction33 M) strengthen34 L) shelters35 C) criticallySection B36 C) It might mean monitoring employee productivity on a digital leaderboard and offering prizes to the winners, or giving employees digital badges or stars for completing certain activities.37 J) Gamification is “not a magic bullet,” Werbach warns.38 G) ]Some people, Werbach says, are motivated by competition.39 D) The concept of gamification is not entirely new, Werbach says.40 K) Still, gamification only stands to become more popular, he says, “as more and more people come into the workforce who are familiar with the structures and expressions of digital games.”41 E) But the word “gamification” and the widespread, conscious application of the concept only began in earnest about five years ago, Werbach says.42 B) Increasingly, companies are tapping into these desires directly through what has come to be known as “gamification”: essentially, turning work into a game.43 H) Gamification does not have to be digital. Monica Cornetti runs a company that gamifies employee trainings.44 F) A number of companies have sprung up—GamEffective, Bunchball and Badgeville, to name a few—in recent yearsoffering gamification platforms for businesses.45 I) Some people do not take naturally to gamified work environments, Cornetti says.Section C46 C) They are over-burdened with administrative staff.47 A) Good classroom teachers.48 D) They are much bigger than is desirable.49 A) It requires talent and practice.50 B) Hiring more classroom teachers and allowing them to teach in their own way.51 D) It may be a pleasant way for kids to reduce their food intake.52 D) Most kids and adults would choose a smaller meal that came with a non-food item.53 B) Adults chose the smaller portion on the mere promise of a future award.54 A) The emotional component of the prizes is at work.55 D) More studies are needed to find out the impact of emotion on behavior.Part Ⅳ TranslationThe color of red in Chinese culture usually symbolizes good luck，longevity, and happiness. Red can be found everywhere during Chinese Spring Festival and other joyous occasions. Cashes are often put in red envelopes and sent to family members or close friends as gifts. The popularity of red in China can also be attributed to the fact that people associate it with the Chinese Revolution and the Communist Party. However, red does not signify good luck and joy all the time in that the name of the dead used to be written in red. Thus it is regarded as an offense to write the names of Chinese people in red ink.。

2016年12月大学英语四级真题与完整答案(共两卷)

2016年12月大学英语四级真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard.1. A) It was going to be renovated. C) It was dangerous to live in.B) He could no longer pay the rent. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2. A) A storm. C) A forest fire.B) A strike. D) A Terrorist attack.Questions 3and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.4. A) They provided the miner with food and water.B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C) They released the details of the accident.D) They tried hard to repair the accident.Question5 to7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) Raise postage rates. C) Close some of its post offices.B) Improve its services. D) Redesign delivery routes.6. A) Closing offices on holidays. C) Computerizing mail sorting processes.B) Shortening business hours. D) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7.A）A lot of controversy will ariseB) Taxpayers will be very pleasedC) Many people will begin to complainD) Many post office staff will lose their jobsSection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1 with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)He will lose part of his pay. C)He will be given a warning.B)He will go through retraining. D)He is go good terms with his workmates.9.A)He is an experienced press operator. C)He is always on time.B)He is trustworthy guy. D）He is go good terms with his workmates.10.A)She is a trade union representative. C)She is better at handing such matters.B)She is a senior manager of the shop. D)She is in charge of public relation.11.A)He is always trying to stir up trouble.B)He is skilled and experienced.C)He is very close to the manager.D)He is always complaining about low wages.Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)Open. C)Selfish.B)Reserved. D)Friendly.13.A)They read a book. C)They stay quiet.B)They talk about the weather D)They chat with fellow passengers.14.A)She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B)She was never invited to a colleague’s home.C)She was eager to visit an English castle.D)She was always treated as a foreigner.15.A) House are much more quiet. C) They want a garden of their own.B) They want to have more space. D) Houses provide more privacy.Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B) They don’t have to go through job interviews.C) They are likely to get much higher pay.D) They don’t have much choice of jobs.17.A) Visit the school careers services. C) Look at school bulletin boards.B) Ask their professors for help. D) Go through campus newspapers.18.A) Providing students with information about the library.B) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D) Helping students find the books and journals they need. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It tastes better. C) It is easier to grow.B) It may be sold at a higher price. D) It can better survive extremeweathers.20.A) It can grow in drier soil. C) It will replace green tea one day.B) It is immune to various diseases. D) It is healthier than green tea.21.A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They care more about environment.B) They decorate their homes themselves.C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.D) They need decorations to show their status.23. A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C) They were proud of their creations.D) They focused on the quality of their products.24. A) Identify fake crafts. C) Design handicrafts themselves.B) Make wise choices. D) Learn the importance of creation.25. A) To attract foreign investments. C) To arouse public interest in crafts.B) To preserve the traditional culture. D) To boost the local economy.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every differencebetween the sexes. A new study（26）that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers（27）for sex differences the entire human brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for（28）brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based（29）, many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.While the “average” male and “average” female brains were（30）different, you couldn’t tell it by loo king at individual brain scans. Only a small （31）of people had “all-male” or “all-female” characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is an important addition to a growing body of research questioning（32）beliefs about gender and brain function. But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,（33）of gender.“There’s a mountain of evidence（34）the importance of sex influences at all levels of brain function,” he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study（35）that gender plays a very important role in the brain “even when we are not clear exactly how.”Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?[A]Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn’t surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.[B]The most likely type of burglary (入室盗窃) by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013.The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds of a criminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics.[C]One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar (入室盗贼) might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the system is armed, they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?[D]Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not unique to security systems. Any device that’s built to receive a wireless signal at aspecific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same f requency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation between two people—all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling. They will, however, need so know what system they’re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that’d point them in the right direction, though at that point, we’re talki ng about a highly targeted, semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort forced-entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, winner of our Editor’s Choice distinction, utilizes a special system that’s capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the syste m thinks it’s being jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert(推送警报).From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete with a video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out forourselves, and were able to verify that it’s possible with the right equipment. However, we also verifie d that SimpliSafe’s anti-jamming system works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not in detected them.[H]We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and that it varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a universal magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing their own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented cases of successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going toneed to target your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you’re away. So the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or opened door would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping theanti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does now have access to.[K]At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessaryequipment and skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with aconversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoidtriggering the alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radiointerference from targeted jamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm oncesomething wrong is detected.43. Different measur es should be taken to protect one’s home from burglaryin addition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.45. Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet search. Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for the post-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggests otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out,you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this were true, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more upfront for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human mature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather that the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China, Japan, and India, But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss in oil producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built u p huge reserve funds when prices werehigh, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies(补贴) for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves, In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly becauseoil-pro ducing nations can’t afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A) The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B) Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D) The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A) They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B) They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D) They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C) Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D) People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IV Translation (30minutes)Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30minutes to transtate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福，在春节和其他喜庆场合，红色到处可见。

【英语】2016年12月大学英语四级真题及完整答案共两卷

【关键字】英语2016年12月大学英语四级真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard.1. A) It was going to be renovated. C) It was dangerous to live in.B) He could no longer pay the rent. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2. A) A storm. C) A forest fire.B) A strike. D) A Terrorist attack.Questions 3and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.4. A) They provided the miner with food and water.B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C) They released the details of the accident.D) They tried hard to repair the accident.Question5 to7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) Raise postage rates. C) Close some of its post offices.B) Improve its services. D) Redesign delivery routes.6. A) Closing offices on holidays. C) Computerizing mail sorting processes.B) Shortening business hours. D) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.7.A）A lot of controversy will ariseB) Taxpayers will be very pleasedC) Many people will begin to complainD) Many post office staff will lose their jobsSection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1 with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)He will lose part of his pay. C)He will be given a warning.B)He will go through retraining. D)He is go good terms with his workmates.9.A)He is an experienced press operator. C)He is always on time.B)He is trustworthy guy. D）He is go good terms with his workmates.10.A)She is a trade union representative. C)She is better at handing such matters.B)She is a senior manager of the shop. D)She is in charge of public relation.11.A)He is always trying to stir up trouble.B)He is skilled and experienced.C)He is very close to the manager.D)He is always complaining about low wages.Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)Open. C)Selfish.B)Reserved. D)Friendly.13.A)They read a book. C)They stay quiet.B)They talk about the weather D)They chat with fellow passengers.14.A)She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B)She was never invited to a colleague’s home.C)She was eager to visit an English castle.D)She was always treated as a foreigner.15.A) House are much more quiet. C) They want a garden of their own.B) They want to have more space. D) Houses provide more privacy.Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B) They don’t have to go through job interviews.C) They are likely to get much higher pay.D) They don’t have much choice of jobs.17.A) Visit the school careers services. C) Look at school bulletin boards.B) Ask their professors for help. D) Go through campus newspapers.18.A) Providing students with information about the library.B) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D) Helping students find the books and journals they need.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It tastes better. C) It is easier to grow.B) It may be sold at a higher price. D) It can better survive extreme weathers.20.A) It can grow in drier soil. C) It will replace green tea one day.B) It is immune to various diseases. D) It is healthier than green tea.21.A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) They care more about environment.B) They decorate their homes themselves.C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.D) They need decorations to show their status.23. A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C) They were proud of their creations.D) They focused on the quality of their products.24. A) Identify fake crafts. C) Design handicrafts themselves.B) Make wise choices. D) Learn the importance of creation.25. A) To attract foreign investments. C) To arouse public interest in crafts.B) To preserve the traditional culture. D) To boost the local economy.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes.A new study（26）that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers（27）for sex differences the entire human brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for（28）brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based（29）, many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.While the “average” male and “average” female brains were（30）different, you cou ldn’t tell it by looking at individual brain scans. Only a small（31）of people had “all-male” or “all-female” characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is an important addition to a growing body of research questioning（32）beliefs about gender and brain function. But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,（33）of gender.“There’s a mountain of evidence（34）the importance of sex influences at all levels of brain function,” he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study（35）that gender plays a very important role in the brain “even when we are not clear exactly how.”Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?[A]Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it i sn’t surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.[B]The most likely type of burglary (入室盗窃) by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013.The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds of a criminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics.[C]One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar (入室盗贼) might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the system is armed, they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?[D]Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not u nique to security systems. Any device that’s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation between two people—all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling. They will, however, need so know wha t system they’re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that’d point them in the right direction, though at that point, we’re talking about a highly targeted, semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort forced-entry atta ck that makes up the majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, win ner of our Editor’s Choice distinction, utilizes a special system that’s capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it’s being jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert(推送警报).From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete with a video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that it’s possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe’santi-jamming system works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not in detected them.[H]We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and that it varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a u niversal magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing their own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented ca ses of successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmis sion. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need to target your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while y ou’re away. So the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or openeddoor would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping the anti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does now have access to.[K]At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipmentand skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with aconversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggeringthe alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radiointerference from targeted jamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once somethingwrong is detected.43. Different measures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary inaddition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.45. Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet search.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it for thepost-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggests otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this were true, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more upfront for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human mature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather that the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world ec onomy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China, Japan, and India, But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss in oil producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies(补贴) for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves, In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil-producing nations can’t afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming their gasolinesubsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A) The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B) Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D) The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A) They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B) They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D) They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as the y did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C) Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D) People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IV Translation (30minutes)Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30minutes to transtate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福，在春节和其他喜庆场合，红色到处可见。

201612月大学英语四级第二套真题和答案解析

2016年12月大学英语四级试题（第二套）Part I Writing （30minutes）（请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试）Directions：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section，you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report，you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C）. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) To satisfy the curiosity of tourists. C) To enable tourists to visit GoatIsland.B) To replace two old stone bridges. D) To improve utility services in the state2. A) Countless tree limbs. C) Lots of wrecked boats and ships.B) A few skeletons. D) Millions of coins on the bottom.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard3. A)It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.B)It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.C)It shut down two border crossings with Libya.D)It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.4. A) Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.B)Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.C)Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.D)Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) An environment-friendly battery. C) A plant-powered mobile phone charger.B) An energy-saving mobile phone. D) A device to help plants absorb sunlight.6. A) While sitting in their school's courtyard. C) While solving a mathematical problem.B) While playing games on their phones. D) While doing a chemical experiment.7. A)It increases the applications of mobile phonesB)It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C)It improves the reception of mobile phones.D)It collects the energy released by plants.Section BDirections:In this section，you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation，you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A），B），C）and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1 with a single line though the centre.Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.B) He called the woman and left her a message.C)He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.D)He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.9. A)Itis the most modern production line. C)It has stopped working completelyB)It assembles super-intelligent robots. D)It is going to be upgraded soon.10. A) To seek her permission. C) To request her to return at once.B) To place an order for robots. D) To ask for Tom's phone number.11. A) She is on duty. C) She is on sick leave.B) She is having her day off. D) She is abroad on business.Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) He saved a baby boy's life. C) He prevented a train crash.B) He wanted to be a superhero. D) He was a witness to an accident13. A) He has a 9-month-old boy. C) He enjoys the interview.B) He is currently unemployed. D) He commutes by subway.14. A) A rock on the tracks. C) A strong wind.B) A misplaced pushchair. D) A speeding car.15. A) She stood motionless in shock. C) She called the police at once.B) She cried bitterly. D) She shouted for help.Section CDirections：In this section，you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage，you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C）and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.B)She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.C)She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter's education.D)She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.17. A)To preserve a tradition. C)To help local education.B)To amuse her daughter. D)To make some extra money.18. A)To raise money for business expansion. C)To allow poor kids to have ice-creamtoo.B)To make her truck attractive to children. D)To teach kids the value of mutual supportQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A)The reasons for imposing taxes. C)The various burdens on ordinary citizens.B)The various serious money can buy. D)The function of money in the modern world.20. A)Educating and training citizens. C)Protecting people’s life and property.C)Improving public translation. D)Building hospitals and public libraries.21. A)By asking for donations. C)By selling government bonds.B)By selling public lands. D)By exploiting natural resources.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A)It is located at the center of the European continent.B)It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.C)It contains less than a square mile of land.D)It is surrounded by France on three sides.23. A)Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.B)Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.C)It is where many American movies are shot.D)It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.24. A) Tobacco. B) Potatoes. C) Machinery. D) Clothing25. A)European history. C) Small countries in Europe.B)European geography. D) Tourist attractions in Europe.PARTⅢReading Comprehension （40 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section，there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.The ocean is heating up. That's the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth's oceans now(26)heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 has taken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to (27)to coral bleaching(珊瑚白化) and they take up more space than cooler waters, raising sea (28). While the top of the ocean is studied, its depths are more difficult to(29)The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get better (30)of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readings collected by everything from a 19th century (31)of British naval ships to modern automated ocean probes. The extensive data sources, (32)with computer simulations(计算机模拟), created a timeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming from fossil fuel (33).About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now residents at a (34)of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they're (35)whether the deep-sea warming canceled out warming at the sea's surface.Section BDirections：In this section，you are gonging to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer sheet 2.The Secret to Raising Smart Kids[A] I first began to investigate the basis of human motivation-and how people persevere after setbacks-as a psychology graduate student at Yale University in the 1960s. Animal experiments by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania had shown that after repeated failures, most animals conclude that a situation is hopeless and beyond their control. After such an experience an animal often remains passive even when it can effect change-a state they called learned helplessness.[B]People can learn to be helpless, too. Why do some students give up when encounter difficulty, whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn One answer, I soon discovered, lay in people’s beliefs about why they had failed.[C] In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depresses motivation more than does the belief that lack of effort is to blame. When I told a group of school children who displayed helpless behavior that a lack of effort led to their mistakes in math, they learned to keep trying when the problems got tough. Another group of helpless children who were simply rewarded for their success on easier problems did not improve their ability to solve harm math problems. These experiments indicated that a focus on effort can help resolve helplessness and generate success.[D]Later, I developed a broader theory of what separates the two general classes of learners-helpless versus mastery-oriented. I realized these different types of students not only explain their failures differently, but they also hold different “theories”of intelligence. The helpless ones believe intelligence is a fixed characteristic: you have only a certain amount, and that's that. I call this a "fixed mind-set(思维模式)."Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors to a lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. They avoid challenges because challenges make mistakes more likely. The mastery-orient children, on the other hand, think intelligence is not fixed and can be developed through education and hard work. Such children believe challenges are energizingrather than intimidating (令人生畏);they offer opportunities to learn. Students with such a growth mind-set were destined(注定)for great academic success and were quite likely to outperform their counterparts.[E]We validated these expectations in a study in which two other psychologists and I monitored 373 student for two years during the transition to junior high school, when the work gets more difficult and the grading more strict, to determine how their mind-sets might affect their math grades. At the beginning of seventh grade, we assessed the students' mind-sets by asking them to agree or disagree with statements such as "Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't really change." We then assessed their beliefs about other aspects of learning and looked to see what happened to their grades.[F] As predicted, the students with a growth mind-set felt that learning was more important goal than getting good grades. In addition, they held hard work in high regard, They understood that even geniuses have to work hard. Confronted by a setback such as a disappointing test grade, students with a growth mind-set said they would study harder or try a different strategy. The students who held a fixed mind-set, however, were concerned about looking smart with less regard for learning. They had negative views of effort, believing that having to work hard was a sign of low ability. They thought that a person with talent or intelligence did not need to work hard to do well. Attributing a bad grade to their own lack of ability, those with a fixed mind-set said that would study less in the future, try never to take that subject again and consider cheating on future tests.[G] Such different outlook had a dramatic impact on performance. At the start of junior high, the math achievement test scores of the students with a growth mind-set were comparable to the those of students who displayed a fixed mind-set. But as the work became more difficult, the students with a growth mind-set showed greater persistence. As a result, their math grades overtook those of the other students by the end of the first semester-and the gap between the two groups continued to widen during the two years we followed them. [H] A fixed mind-set can also hinder communication and progress in the workplace anddiscourage or ignore constructive criticism and advice. Research shows that managers who have a fixed mind-set are less likely to seek or welcome feedback from their employees than are managers with a growth mind-set.[I] How do we transmit a growth mind-set to our children One way is by telling stories about achievements that result from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniuses Who were more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but mathematicians who fell in love with math and developed amazing skills produce a growth mind-set.[J] In addition, parents and teachers can help children by providing explicit instruction regarding the mind as a learning machine, I designed an eight-session workshop for 91 students whose math grades were declining in their first year of junior high. Forty-eight of the students received instruction in study skills only, whereas the others attended a combination of study skills sessions and classes in which they learned about the growth mind-set and how to apply it to schoolwork. In the growth mind-set classes, students read and discussed an article entitled “You Can Grow Your Brain.” They were taught that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use and that learning prompts the brain to grow new connections. From such instruction, many students began to see themselves as agents of their own brain development. Despite being unaware that there were two types of instruction, teachers reported significant motivational changes in 27% of the children in the growth mind-set workshop as compared with only 9% of students in the control group. [K]Research is converging(汇聚)on the conclusion that great accomplishment and even genius is typically the result of years of passion and dedication and not something that flows naturally from a gift.author's experiment shows that students with a fixed mind-set believe having to work hard is an indication of low ability.on effort is effective in helping children overcome frustration and achieve success.can cultivate a growth mind-set in children by telling success stories that emphasize hard work love of learning.’ belief about the cause of their failure explains their attitude toward setbacks.the author’s experiment, student with a growth mind-set showed greater perseverance in solving difficult math problems.author conducted an experiment to find out about the influence of students’ mind-sets on math learning.failing again and again, most animals give up hope.students about the brain as a learning machine is a good strategy to enhance their motivation for learning.with a fixed mind-set believe that one’s intelligence is unchangeable.the workplace, feedback may not be so welcome to managers with a fixed mind-set. Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section .Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices maked A），B），C）and D）.You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage."Sugar, alcohol and tobacco," economist Adam Smith once wrote, "are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which have become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are, therefore, extremely popular subjects of taxation."Two and a half centuries on, most countries impose some sort of tax on alcohol and tobacco. With surging obesity levels putting increasing strain on public health systems, governments around the world have begun to toy with the idea of taxing sugar as well.Whether such taxes work is a matter of debate. A preliminary review of Mexico's taxation found a fall in purchases of taxed drinks as well as a rise in sales if untaxed and healthier drinks. By contrast, a Danish tax on foods high in fats was abandoned a year after its introduction, amid claims that consumers were avoiding it by crossing the border toGermany to satisfy their desire for cheaper, fattier fare.The food industry has, in general, been firmly opposed to such direct government action. Nonetheless, the renewed focus on waistlines means that industry groups are under pressure to demonstrate their products are healthy as well as tasty.Over the past three decades, the industry has made some efforts to improve the quality of its offerings. For example, some drink manufactures have cut the amount of sugar in their beverages.Many of the reductions over the past 30 years have been achieved either by reducing the amount of sugar, salt or fat in a product, or by finding an alternative ingredient. More recently, however.Some companies have been investing money in a more ambitious undertaking: learning how to adjust the fundamental make-up of the food they sell. For example, having salt on the outside, but none on the inside, reduces the salt content without changing the taste.While reformulating recipes(配方)is one way to improve public health, it should be part of a multi-sided approach. The key is to remember thatthere is not just one solution. To deal with obesity, a mixture of approaches-including reformulation, taxation and adjusting portion sizes-will be needed. There is no silver bullet.46. What did Adam Smith say about sugar, alcohol and tobaccoA)They were profitable to manufacture.B)They were in ever-increasing demand.C)They were subject to taxation almost everywhere.D)They were no longer considered necessities of life.have many countries started to consider taxing sugarA)They are under growing pressures to balance their national budgets.B)They find it ever harder to cope with sugar-induced health problems.C)They practice of taxing alcohol and tobacco has proved both popular and profitable.D)The sugar industry is overtaking alcohol and tobacco business in generating profits.do we learn about Danish taxation on fat-rich foodsA)It did not work out as well as was expected.B)It gave rise to a lot of problems on the border.C)It could not succeed without German cooperation.D)It met with firm opposition from the food industry.is the more recent effort by food companies to make foods and drinks both healthy and tastyA)Replacing sugar or salt with alternative ingredients.B)Setting a limit on the amount of sugar or salt in their products.C)Investing in research to find ways to adapt to consumers' needs.D)Adjusting the physical composition of their products.does the author mean by saying, at the end of the passage, "There is no silver bullet"(Line 4, Para 7)A)There is no single easy quick solution to the problem.B)There is no hope of success without public cooperation.C)There is on hurry in finding ways to solve the obesity problem.D)There is no effective way to reduce people's sugar consumption.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.You may have heard some of the fashion industry horror stories: models eating tissues or cotton balls to hold off hunger, and models collapsing from hunger-induced heart attacks just seconds after they step off the runway.Excessively skinny models have been a point of controversy for decades, and two researchers say a model's body mass should be a workspace health and safety issue. In an editorial released Monday in the American Journal of Public Health, Katherine Record and Bryn Austin made their case for government regulation of the fashion industry.The average international runway model has a body mass index (BMI) under 16-lowenough to indicate starvation by the World Health Organization's standard. And Record and Austin are worried not just about the models themselves, but about the vast number of girls and women their images influence."Especially girls and tens", says Record. "Seventy percent of girls aged 10 to 18 report that they define perfect body image based on what they see in magazines." That's especially worrying, she says, given that anorexia(厌食症)results in more deaths than does any other mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.It's commonly known that certain diseases are linked with occupations like lung disease in coal miners. Professional fashion models are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders resulting from occupational demands to maintain extreme thinness.Record's suggestion is to prohibit agents from hiring models with a BMI below 18.In April, France passed a law setting lower limits for a model's weight. Agents and fashion houses who hire models with BMI under 18 could pay $82,000 in fines and spend up to 6 months in jail. Regulating the fashion industry in the United States won't be easy, Record says. But with the new rules in France, . support could make a difference. "A designer can't survive without participating in Paris Fashion Week", she says, adding, "Our argument is that the same would be true of New York Fashion Week."do Record and Austin say about fashion models' body massA)It has caused needless controversy.B)It is focus of the modeling business.C)It is but a matter of personal taste.D)It affects models' health and safety.are Record and Austin advocating in the Monday editorialA)A change in the public's view of female beauty.B)Government legislation about models' weight.C)Elimination of forced weight loss by models.D)Prohibition of models eating non-food stuff.are Record and Austin worried about the low body mass index of modelsA)It contributes to many mental illnesses.B)It defines the future of the fashion industry.C)It has great influence on numerous girls and women.D)It keeps many otherwise qualified women off the runaway.54. What do we learn about France's fashion industryA)It has difficulty hiring models.B)It has now a new law to follow.C)It allows girls under 18 on the runway.D)It has overtaken that of the United States.55. What does Record expect of New York Fashion WeekA)It will create a completely new set of rules.B)It will do better than Paris Fashion Week.C)It will differ from Paris Fashion Week.D)It will have models with a higher BMI.Part IV Translation （30 minutes）Directions：For this part，you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English .You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题及详解(第二套)【圣才出品】

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题及详解（第二套）Part I Writing(30minutes)Directions:F or this part,you are allowed30minutes to write an essay.Suppose you have two options upon graduation:one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to agraduate school.You are to make a choice between the two.Write an essay toexplain the reasons for your choice.You should write at least120words but no morethan180words.【审题构思】本篇作文考察情景作文——正反对比型情景作文。

题目要求考生就与大学生生活极为紧密的话题——大学毕业后的选择：工作还是读研，进行讨论，并说明原因。

构思本题可以从以下思路入手：首先开篇明确自己的选择；中间具体阐述自己做出这样选择的原因；结尾得出结论，总结全文。

【参考范文】Take a Job or Go to a Graduate School?(1)As a large number of undergraduates do not balance with a limited number of jobs,it is really tough for undergraduates to make a choice between taking a job and going to a graduate school(2)From a personal perspective,I prefer pursuing the latter.It can(3)be attributed to the following two driving forces.On one hand,I want to(4)continue my studies for their own sake because further study can equip me with more solid and profound knowledge for my future work.In fact,having a passion for my subject is possibly the best reason to go into postgraduate education.On the other hand, the increasingly competitive job market is gradually raising its standards for job hunters.(5)Specializing at postgraduate level can make you a stronger job applicant.Actually,(6)when it comes time for university graduates to decide what to do next,there is no right or wrong choice but more proper.(7)Rather,each student must reach his or her own conclusion.【行文点评】(1)陈述事实，引出话题。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题答案

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题答案（卷一）Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (25minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 to 2 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A) It was dangerous to live in. C) He could no longer pay the rent.B) It was going to be renovated. D) He had sold it to the royal family.2. A) A strike. C) A forest fire.B) A storm. D) A terrorist attack.Questions 3 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.3. A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were trapped in an underground elevator.C) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.D) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.4. A) They tried hard to repair the elevator.B) They released the details of the accident.C) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.D) They provided the miners with food and water.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A) Raise postage rates.B) Improve its services.C) Redesign delivery routes.D) Close some of its post offices.6. A) Shortening business hours.B) Closing offices on holidays.C) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.D) Computerizing mail sorting processes.7. A) Many post office staff will lose their jobs.B) Many people will begin to complain.C) Taxpayers will be very pleased.D) A lot of controversy will arise.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the endof each conversation you will hear four questions. Both the conversations and the question-s will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He will be kept from promotion.B) He will go through retraining.C) He will be given a warning.D) He will lose part of his pay.9. A) He is always on time.B) He is a trustworthy guy.C) He is an experienced press operator.D) He is on good terms with his workmates.10. A) She is a trade union representative.B) She is in charge of public relations.C) She is a senior manager of the shop.D) She is better at handling such matters.11. A) He is skilled and experienced.B) He is very close to the manager.C) He is always trying to stir up trouble.D) He is always complaining about low wages.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Open.B) Selfish.C) Friendly.D) Reserved.13. A) They stay quiet.B) They read a book.C) They talk about the weather.D) They chat with fellow passengers.14. A) She was always treated as a foreigner.B) She was eager to visit an English castle.C) She was never invited to a colleague’s home.D) She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.15. A) Houses are much more quiet.B) Houses provide more privacy.C) They want to have more space.D) They want a garden of their own.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16. A) They don’t have much choice of jobs.B) They are likely to get much higher pay.C) They don’t have to go through job interviews.D) They will automatically be given hiring priority.17. A) Ask their professors for help.B) Look at school bulletin boards.C) Visit the school careers service.D) Go through campus newspapers.18. A) Helping students find the books and journals they need.B) Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.C) Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.D) Providing students with information about the library.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) It tastes better.B) It is easier to grow.C) It may be sold at a higher price.D) It can better survive extreme weathers.20. A) It is healthier than green tea.B) It can grow in drier soil.C) It will replace green tea one day.D) It is immune to various diseases.21. A) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.B) It does not bring the promised health benefits.C) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.D) It does not have a stable market.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A) They need decorations to show their status.B) They prefer unique objects of high quality.C) They decorate their homes themselves.D) They care more about environment.23. A) They were proud of their creations.B) They could only try to create at night.C) They made great contributions to society.D) They focused on the quality of their products.24. A) Make wise choices.B) Identify fake crafts.C) Design handicrafts themselves.D) Learn the importance of creation.25. A) To boost the local economy.B) To attract foreign investments.C) To arouse public interest in crafts.D) To preserve the traditional culture.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. A new study 26 that belief, questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers 27 for sex differences the entire human brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for 28 brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based 29 , many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.While the “average” male and “average” female brains were 30 different, you couldn’t tell it by looking at individual brain scans. Only a small31 of people had “all-male” or “all-female” character istics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家),said the study is an important addition to a growing body of research questioning 32 beliefs about gender and brain function. But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same, 33 of gender.“There’s a mountain of evidence 34 the importance of sex influences at all levels of brain function,” he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study 35 that gender plays a very important role in the brain “even when we are not clear exactly how.”A) abnormal I) regardlessB) applied J) searchedC) briefly K) similaritiesD) categorizing L) slightlyE) challenges M) suggestsF) figure N) tastesG) percentage O) traditionalH) provingSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?[A]Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn’t surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.[B]The most likely type of burglary (入室盗窃) by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. According to the FBI, crimes like these accounted roughly two-thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013.The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds of a criminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics.[C]One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups, the fear is that a burglar (入室盗贼) might be able to shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors,motion, and more. If they detect something wrong while the system is armed,they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?[D]Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not unique to security systems. Any device that’s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation between two people—all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.[E] Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimal Googling . They will, however, need so know what system they’re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that’d point them in the right direction, though at that point, we’re talking about a highly targeted, semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort forced-entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.[F] Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, winner of our Editor’s Choice distinction, utilizes a special system that’s capable of separating incidental RF interference from targeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it’s bei ng jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert(推送警报).From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.[G] SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete with a video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measures to contain the RF interference to our test lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that it’s possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified thatSimpliSa fe’s anti-jamming system works. It caught us in the act,sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not in detected them.[H]We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around it. Even if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving,and that it varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a universal magic formula for cracking it. Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citing their own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented cases of successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.[I] Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the right equipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?[J] Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless secur ity setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need to target your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you’re away. So the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or opened door would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However,he’ll need to do so without tripping the anti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does now have access to.[K]At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. T hey’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and none can promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A good system is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible while also offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36. It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipment and skill.37. Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering witha conversation.38. A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggering the alarm, both inside and outside the house.39. SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radio interference from targeted jamming attacks.40. Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.41. It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.42. Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once something wrong is detected.43. Different mea sures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary in addition to the wireless security system.44. SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.45. Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet sear ch. Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. But I can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an op tion. I hate it for the post-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply left up to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggests otherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistently view restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this were true, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips when they do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers of humanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said they didn’t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay a little more upfront for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub , and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46. What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A) He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B) He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.47. What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A) It sets a bad example for other industries.B) It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.48. Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A) They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B) They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C) They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D) They can have some say in how much their servers earn.49. What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A) Service quality has little effect on tip size.B) It is in human mature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather that the employees.50. What does the author argue for in the passage?A) Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B) Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C) Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D) Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China, Japan, and India, But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries’ consumers mean an equal loss in oil producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies(补贴) for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves, In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharpdecline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil-producing nations can’t afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A) The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B) Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C) The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D) The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A) Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B) Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C) Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D) Consumers will spend their saving from cheap oil on other commodities.53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A) They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B) They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C) They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D) They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.54. How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A) It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B) Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C) It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D) Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.55. Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A) People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B) The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C) Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D) People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minted to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案与详解(第1套)

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案与详解（第1套）Part I Writing审题思路本篇写作话题invention（发明）是考生日常生活中非常熟悉的话题，因此写起来并不困难。

根据写作要求，范文应分三段展开论述，且写作重点应该放在阐述发明的重要性和为鼓励发明应采取的措施两方面。

众所周知，发明对于推动社会进步具有重要意义，若要鼓励发明，首先应该使公众具备创造意识，了解发明的重要性，其次对发明者应给予奖励以鼓励其将创造精神发扬光大。

写作提纲一、引出话题并阐明发明的重要性1. 由古今生活的对比引出发明的重要性（modern life, ancient life, great importance, contributes to, advancement, society）2. 引用爱迪生发明灯泡的实例论证发明的重要性（examples, illustrate, Edison, light bulb, a life as the blind）二、为鼓励发明应采取的措施1. 社会传播媒介和宣传部门向公众宣扬发明的重要性（social media, publicity department, inform, importance of invention）2. 相关部门应该对发明者进行奖励（authorities, favorable regulations, encourage invention, giving premiums, issuing patent certificate）三、得出结论1. 引用名言强调发明的重要性（Invention, spirit, human being's progress）2. 要求我们不能低估发明的重要性,并号召大家发挥自己的创造精神（At no time should we underestimate the power of invention, make your own invention）高分范文My View on Invention①Drawing a comparison between modern life and ancient life, we cannot imagine what life will be like now without invention. ②Invention must be attached great importance to, as it is invention that contributes to the advancement of our society. ③There are several examples which can be cited to illustrate this concept. ④I can think of no better illustration than the following one. ⑤If Edison hadn't invented the light bulb, we would have lived a life as the blind in the night.⑥Given that invention plays such an essential role in our life, what can we do to cultivate this precious spirit? ⑦For one thing, it is advisable for the social media and publicity department to vigorously inform the public of the importance of invention. ⑧For another, the relevant authorities should set up favorable regulations to encourage invention. ⑨For example, they can set up the practice of giving premiums or issuing patent certificate to inventors.⑩Finally, I want to use the following saying as our mutual encouragement, “Invention is the spirit of human being's progress.”11 At no time should we underestimate the power of invention. 12 Therefore, when an idea comes to your mind, just make your own invention.精彩点评①②由古今生活的对比强调发明的重要性。

201612月大学英语四级第二套真题和答案解析

2016年12月大学英语四级试题（第二套）Part I Writing （30minutes）（请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试）Directions：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section， you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report， you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question， you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）， B）， C）. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) To satisfy the curiosity of tourists. C) To enable tourists to visit GoatIsland.B) To replace two old stone bridges. D) To improve utility services in the state2. A) Countless tree limbs. C) Lots of wrecked boats and ships.B) A few skeletons. D) Millions of coins on the bottom. Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard3. A)It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.B)It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.C)It shut down two border crossings with Libya.D)It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.4. A) Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.B)Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.C)Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.D)Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) An environment-friendly battery. C) A plant-powered mobile phone charger.B) An energy-saving mobile phone. D) A device to help plants absorb sunlight.6. A) While sitting in their school's courtyard. C) While solving a mathematical problem.B) While playing games on their phones. D) While doing a chemical experiment.7. A)It increases the applications of mobile phonesB)It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C)It improves the reception of mobile phones.D)It collects the energy released by plants.Section BDirections: In this section，you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation，you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question， you must choose the best answer from four choice marked A），B），C） and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter an Answer sheet1with a single line though the centre. Question8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.B) He called the woman and left her a message.C)He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.D)He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.9. A)Itis the most modern production line. C)It has stopped working completelyB)It assembles super-intelligent robots. D)It is going to be upgraded soon.10. A) To seek her permission. C) To request her to return at once.B) To place an order for robots. D) To ask for Tom's phone number.11. A) She is on duty. C) She is on sick leave.B) She is having her day off. D) She is abroad on business. Question12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) He saved a baby boy's life. C) He prevented a train crash.B) He wanted to be a superhero. D) He was a witness to an accident13. A) He has a 9-month-old boy. C) He enjoys the interview.B) He is currently unemployed. D) He commutes by subway.14. A) A rock on the tracks. C) A strong wind.B) A misplaced pushchair. D) A speeding car.15. A) She stood motionless in shock. C) She called the police at once.B) She cried bitterly. D) She shouted for help.Section CDirections：In this section，you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage，you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A），B），C） and D）.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.B)She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.C)She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter's education.D)She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.17. A)To preserve a tradition. C)To help local education.B)To amuse her daughter. D)To make some extra money.18. A)To raise money for business expansion. C)To allow poor kids to haveice-cream too.B)To make her truck attractive to children. D)To teach kids the value of mutual supportQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A)The reasons for imposing taxes. C)The various burdens on ordinary citizens.B)The various serious money can buy. D)The function of money in the modern world.20. A)Educating and training citizens. C)Protecting people’s life and property.C)Improving public translation. D)Building hospitals and public libraries.21. A)By asking for donations. C)By selling government bonds.B)By selling public lands. D)By exploiting natural resources. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A)It is located at the center of the European continent.B)It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.C)It contains less than a square mile of land.D)It is surrounded by France on three sides.23. A)Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.B)Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.C)It is where many American movies are shot.D)It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.24. A) Tobacco. B) Potatoes. C) Machinery. D) Clothing25. A)European history. C) Small countries in Europe.B)European geography. D) Tourist attractions in Europe.PARTⅢ Reading Comprehension （40 minutes）Section ADirections：In this section， there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.The ocean is heating up. That's the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth's oceans now(26)heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 has taken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to (27)to coral bleaching(珊瑚白化) and they take up more space than cooler waters, raising sea (28). While the top of the ocean is studied, its depths are more difficult to (29)The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get better (30)of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readings collected by everything from a 19th century(31)of British naval ships to modern automatedocean probes. The extensive data sources, (32)with computer simulations(计算机模拟), created a timeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming from fossil fuel (33).About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now residents at a (34)of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they're (35)whether the deep-sea warming canceled out warming at the sea's surface.Section BDirections：In this section， you are gonging to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2.The Secret to Raising Smart Kids[A] I first began to investigate the basis of human motivation-and how people persevere after setbacks-as a psychology graduate student at Yale Universityin the 1960s. Animal experiments by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania had shown that after repeated failures, most animals conclude that a situation is hopeless and beyond their control. After such an experience an animal often remains passive even when it can effect change-a state they called learned helplessness.[B]People can learn to be helpless, too. Why do some students give up when encounter difficulty, whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn? One answer, I soon discovered, lay in people’s beliefs about why they had failed.[C] In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depresses motivation more than does the belief that lack of effort is to blame. When I told a group of school children who displayed helpless behavior that a lack of effort led to their mistakes in math, they learned to keep trying when the problems got tough. Another group of helpless children who were simply rewarded for their success on easier problems did not improve their ability to solve harm math problems. These experiments indicated that a focus on effort can help resolve helplessness and generate success.[D]Later, I developed a broader theory of what separates the two general classes of learners-helpless versus mastery-oriented. I realized these different types of students not only explain their failures differently, but they also hold differe nt “theories” of intelligence. The helpless ones believe intelligence is a fixed characteristic: you have only a certain amount, and that's that. Icall this a "fixed mind-set(思维模式)."Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors to a lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. They avoid challenges because challenges make mistakes more likely. The mastery-orient children, on the other hand, think intelligence is not fixed and can be developed through education and hard work. Such children believe challenges are energizing rather than intimidating (令人生畏);they offer opportunities to learn. Students with such a growth mind-set were destined(注定)for great academic success and were quite likely to outperform their counterparts.[E]We validated these expectations in a study in which two other psychologists and I monitored 373 student for two years during the transition to junior high school, when the work gets more difficult and the grading more strict, to determine how their mind-sets might affect their math grades. At the beginning of seventh grade, we assessed the students' mind-sets by asking them to agree or disagree with statements such as "Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't really change." We then assessed their beliefs about other aspects of learning and looked to see what happened to their grades.[F] As predicted, the students with a growth mind-set felt that learning was more important goal than getting good grades. In addition, they held hard work in high regard, They understood that even geniuses have to work hard. Confronted by a setback such as a disappointing test grade, students with a growth mind-set said they would study harder or try a different strategy. The students who helda fixed mind-set, however, were concerned about looking smart with less regard for learning. They had negative views of effort, believing that having to work hard was a sign of low ability. They thought that a person with talent or intelligence did not need to work hard to do well. Attributing a bad grade to their own lack of ability, those with a fixed mind-set said that would study less in the future, try never to take that subject again and consider cheating on future tests.[G] Such different outlook had a dramatic impact on performance. At the start of junior high, the math achievement test scores of the students with a growth mind-set were comparable to the those of students who displayed a fixed mind-set. But as the work became more difficult, the students with a growth mind-set showed greater persistence. As a result, their math grades overtook those of the other students by the end of the first semester-and the gap between the two groups continued to widen during the two years we followed them.[H] A fixed mind-set can also hinder communication and progress in the workplace and discourage or ignore constructive criticism and advice. Research shows that managers who have a fixed mind-set are less likely to seek or welcome feedback from their employees than are managers with a growth mind-set.[I] How do we transmit a growth mind-set to our children? One way is by telling stories about achievements that result from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniusesWho were more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, butmathematicians who fell in love with math and developed amazing skills produce a growth mind-set.[J] In addition, parents and teachers can help children by providing explicit instruction regarding the mind as a learning machine, I designed an eight-session workshop for 91 students whose math grades were declining in their first year of junior high. Forty-eight of the students received instruction in study skills only, whereas the others attended a combination of study skills sessions and classes in which they learned about the growth mind-set and how to apply it to schoolwork. In the growth mind-set classes, students read and discussed an article entitled “You Can Grow Your Brain.” They were taught that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use and that learning prompts the brain to grow new connections. From such instruction, many students began to see themselves as agents of their own brain development. Despite being unaware that there were two types of instruction, teachers reported significant motivational changes in 27% of the children in the growth mind-set workshop as compared with only 9% of students in the control group.[K]Research is converging(汇聚)on the conclusion that great accomplishment and even genius is typically the result of years of passion and dedication and not something that flows naturally from a gift.36.The author's experiment shows that students with a fixed mind-set believe having to work hard is an indication of low ability.37.Focusing on effort is effective in helping children overcome frustration andachieve success.38.We can cultivate a growth mind-set in children by telling success stories that emphasize hard work love of learning.39.Students’ belief about the cause of their failure expla ins their attitude toward setbacks.40.In the author’s experiment, student with a growth mind-set showed greater perseverance in solving difficult math problems.41.The author conducted an experiment to find out about the influence of students’ mind-sets on math learning.42.After failing again and again, most animals give up hope.rming students about the brain as a learning machine is a good strategy to enhance their motivation for learning.44.People with a fixed mind-set believe that one’s intell igence is unchangeable.45.In the workplace, feedback may not be so welcome to managers with a fixed mind-set.Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section .Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices maked A），B），C）and D）.You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage."Sugar, alcohol and tobacco," economist Adam Smith once wrote, "are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which have become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are, therefore, extremely popular subjects of taxation."Two and a half centuries on, most countries impose some sort of tax on alcohol and tobacco. With surging obesity levels putting increasing strain on public health systems, governments around the world have begun to toy with the idea of taxing sugar as well.Whether such taxes work is a matter of debate. A preliminary review of Mexico's taxation found a fall in purchases of taxed drinks as well as a rise in sales if untaxed and healthier drinks. By contrast, a Danish tax on foods high in fats was abandoned a year after its introduction, amid claims that consumers were avoiding it by crossing the border to Germany to satisfy their desire for cheaper, fattier fare.The food industry has, in general, been firmly opposed to such direct government action. Nonetheless, the renewed focus on waistlines means that industry groups are under pressure to demonstrate their products are healthy as well as tasty.Over the past three decades, the industry has made some efforts to improve the quality of its offerings. For example, some drink manufactures have cut the amount of sugar in their beverages.Many of the reductions over the past 30 years have been achieved either by reducing the amount of sugar, salt or fat in a product, or by finding an alternative ingredient. More recently, however.Some companies have been investing money in a more ambitious undertaking: learning how to adjust the fundamental make-up of the food they sell. For example, having salt on the outside, but none on the inside, reduces the salt content without changing the taste.While reformulating recipes(配方)is one way to improve public health, it should be part of a multi-sided approach. The key is to remember that there is not just one solution. To deal with obesity, a mixture of approaches-including reformulation, taxation and adjusting portion sizes-will be needed. There is no silver bullet.46. What did Adam Smith say about sugar, alcohol and tobacco?A)They were profitable to manufacture.B)They were in ever-increasing demand.C)They were subject to taxation almost everywhere.D)They were no longer considered necessities of life.47.Why have many countries started to consider taxing sugar?A)They are under growing pressures to balance their national budgets.B)They find it ever harder to cope with sugar-induced health problems.C)They practice of taxing alcohol and tobacco has proved both popular and profitable.D)The sugar industry is overtaking alcohol and tobacco business in generating profits.48.What do we learn about Danish taxation on fat-rich foods?A)It did not work out as well as was expected.B)It gave rise to a lot of problems on the border.C)It could not succeed without German cooperation.D)It met with firm opposition from the food industry.49.What is the more recent effort by food companies to make foods and drinks both healthy and tasty?A)Replacing sugar or salt with alternative ingredients.B)Setting a limit on the amount of sugar or salt in their products.C)Investing in research to find ways to adapt to consumers' needs.D)Adjusting the physical composition of their products.50.What does the author mean by saying, at the end of the passage, "There is no silver bullet"(Line 4, Para 7)?A)There is no single easy quick solution to the problem.B)There is no hope of success without public cooperation.C)There is on hurry in finding ways to solve the obesity problem.D)There is no effective way to reduce people's sugar consumption. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.You may have heard some of the fashion industry horror stories: models eatingtissues or cotton balls to hold off hunger, and models collapsing from hunger-induced heart attacks just seconds after they step off the runway.Excessively skinny models have been a point of controversy for decades, and two researchers say a model's body mass should be a workspace health and safety issue. In an editorial released Monday in the American Journal of Public Health, Katherine Record and Bryn Austin made their case for government regulation of the fashion industry.The average international runway model has a body mass index (BMI) under 16-low enough to indicate starvation by the World Health Organization's standard. And Record and Austin are worried not just about the models themselves, but about the vast number of girls and women their images influence."Especially girls and tens", says Record. "Seventy percent of girls aged 10 to 18 report that they define perfect body image based on what they see in magazines." That's especially worrying, she says, given that anorexia(厌食症)results in more deaths than does any other mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.It's commonly known that certain diseases are linked with occupations like lung disease in coal miners. Professional fashion models are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders resulting from occupational demands to maintain extreme thinness.Record's suggestion is to prohibit agents from hiring models with a BMI below 18.In April, France passed a law setting lower limits for a model's weight. Agents and fashion houses who hire models with BMI under 18 could pay $82,000 in fines and spend up to 6 months in jail. Regulating the fashion industry in the United States won't be easy, Record says. But with the new rules in France, U.S. support could make a difference. "A designer can't survive without participating in Paris Fashion Week", she says, adding, "Our argument is that the same would be true of New York Fashion Week."51.What do Record and Austin say about fashion models' body mass?A)It has caused needless controversy.B)It is focus of the modeling business.C)It is but a matter of personal taste.D)It affects models' health and safety.52.What are Record and Austin advocating in the Monday editorial?A)A change in the public's view of female beauty.B)Government legislation about models' weight.C)Elimination of forced weight loss by models.D)Prohibition of models eating non-food stuff.53.Why are Record and Austin worried about the low body mass index of models?A)It contributes to many mental illnesses.B)It defines the future of the fashion industry.C)It has great influence on numerous girls and women.D)It keeps many otherwise qualified women off the runaway.54. What do we learn about France's fashion industry?A)It has difficulty hiring models.B)It has now a new law to follow.C)It allows girls under 18 on the runway.D)It has overtaken that of the United States.55. What does Record expect of New York Fashion Week?A)It will create a completely new set of rules.B)It will do better than Paris Fashion Week.C)It will differ from Paris Fashion Week.D)It will have models with a higher BMI.Part IV Translation （30 minutes）Directions：For this part， you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English .You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。