2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题 新闻报道(2)_3
2021年12月四级真题第二套-听力（精心汇编）
Question 1 and 21.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. Question 3 and 43.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 organizationresponsible for the terrorist attack.C) Train qualified security personnel forthe Tunisian government.D) Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.Question 5 to 75.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 application of mobile phones.B) It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C) It improves the reception of mobilephones.D) It collects the energy released by plants.Section BQuestion 8-118. 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 times.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 number11. A) She is on duty.B) She is having her day off.C) She is on sick leave.D) She is abroad on business. Question 12-15.12. A) He saved a baby boy’s lifeB) 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 CQuestion 16-1816. 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 educationD) 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.Question 19-2119. 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 modern world.20. A) Educating and training citizens.B) Improving public transportation.perty.C) Protecting people’s life and proD) 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. Question 22-2522. 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 threesides.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.。
2021年12月大学英语四级CET4真题(第2套)听力原文精选全文
可编辑修改精选全文完整版News Report One(1) A 22-year-old Chinese woman who suffered from a persistent cough was sh ocked to learn that she had a piece of chicken bone lodged in her lung. The unn amed woman from the province of Shandong started have coughing problems w hen she was 7 or 8 years old. For 14 years, she made numerous hospital visits. However, no doctor could identify any problem. Her uncontrollable coughing w as a mystery. Finally, the woman got a full body scan at a hospital in the city of Qingdao. This special medical procedure revealed she had a chicken bone stuc k in her lung. (2) Doctors performed surgery and removed the bone. The simple procedure went smoothly and the woman has recovered fully with the bone fin ally removed from her lung, the woman is very happy that she no longer suffers from that annoying cough.1. What was the woman’s problem?2. How was the woman’s problem eventually solved?News Report Two(3) A white shape named Prickles that ran away from an Australian farm during the 2013 bush fires recently returned home. According to farmer Alice Gray, P rickles was only a lamb when she ran away. The bush fires that hit the area bac k then destroyed a large part of her family’s massive property. They thought Pri ckles had died in the fire. But instead, the young sheep escaped into a 200-acre forest near the farm. (4) Once the fires were over, the family had to fix the dam age done to the farm as it was such a large property, which included rebuilding about 40 kilometers of fencing. It was this huge fencing that prevented Pickles from finding her way back. Over the years, the family spotted her a few times. They even recorded her with cameras installed to monitor the activity. But whe n they knew Pringles was alive, they couldn’t find her and never expected her t o return by herself. Seven years later, they were proven wrong.3. What does the news say about the white sheep Prickles?4.What the family do of the bush fires?News Report Three(5) Tons of gold have fallen out of the sky in Russia after a cargo plane malfun ctioned in midair this morning. The aircraft was carrying 265 million pounds w orth of gold and diamonds, when the door flew open, sending the precious meta l back to earth. According to the official news agency, Russian authorities have recovered more than 170 gold bars weighing 20 kilograms each. The plane was traveling from Yakutsk airport in a major diamond producing region to the city Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. (6)However, the aircraft made an emergency landing i n Magan after began losing some of its valuable cargo. Reports suggest some b ars of gold were scattered up to fifteen miles away from the airport. Nine tons o f gold on plane AN12 belonged to a gold mine company. Police have sealed off the runway and say it is unclear if it was an accident or an attempted robbery. ( 7) Technical engineers who worked on the plane prior to takeoff are reportedly going to be questioned by the police.5. What is the news report mainly about?6. What did the aircraft do when the incident happened?7. What does the news report say about the technical engineers who worked on the plane before takeoff?Conversation One8. Why does the man have this conversation with the man recorded?His job is related to the customer service.9. What is the woman’s purpose of calling to the furniture company?She wants to know when she can get her money back.10. What does the woman say about her bank card?The new bank card will be sent to her on Tuesday, and the bank may has cancel ed the old one before the man made the payment.11. What does the man advise the woman to do?She needs to update the card details directly on the website.Conversation Two12. Why isn’t the man going to cook?He’s worn out.13. What does the man say he’ll do on his phone?He’ll use the food delivery app on his phone.14. What does the woman think of the Indian food?That’s not the kind of the hot she means. She needs something mild.15. What does the man think of the woman?She’s really difficult to please.Passage One(16) A new study carried out by the university of Lincoln has found a link betw een the personalities of cat owners and the behavior and wellbeing of their cats. The findings suggest that just as apparent personality can affect the personality of a child, the same is true for a cat and its owner. Owners defined as individu als with high levels of anxiety, fear, anger, depression and loneliness were mor e likely to have cats with behavioral issues. Such cats display more aggressive and anxious behavioral styles as well as more stress related sickness. They will also more likely to have an ongoing medical condition and be overweight. The research also found that mentally well-adjusted owners had come from happier and healthier cats. Researchers explained that many owners regard their pets as a family member and form close social bonds with them. (17) The majority of o wners want to provide the best care for their pets and is therefore possible that pets could be affected by the way their owners interact with and manage them. The study highlights an important relationship between our personalities and th e well-being of our pets. (18) Further research is needed to investigate the caus e of nature of this relationship and look at how owners’ personalities are directl y influencing their pet’s behavior and well-being. It is possible that the well-be ing of pets is driven by the underlying nature of the owner not simply by their c onscious decisions and behaviors.16. What do we learn from the new study by the University of Lincoln?17. What does the passage say most pet owners want to do?18. What does the passage say it’s still needed to understand the effects of own ers’ personalities on their pets?Passage Two(19) One 50-minute run can add seven hours to your life. This was a claim made by The Times last week. The claim was based on a new review of studies abo ut the effects of running. The review concluded that an average runners live thr ee years longer than non-runners and that running does more to extend life than any other form of exercise. But there’s more to running than its health benefits . (20) Research published in recent years have shown that running changes your brain and mind in some fascinating ways from increasing your brain function t o regulating your emotions. However, the precise effects vary according to whe ther you engage in short fast running or long distance running. For example, in one study, researchers compared participants’ ability to learn new words after s everal minutes of intense running, and after 40 minutes of gentle running, parti cipants were able to learn 20 percent faster after the intense running and they s howed a superior memory when tested again a week later. In another study, res earchers asked volunteers to jog for 30 minutes and then showed them clips fro m a sad movie. Participants who usually struggled to handle negative emotions were more intensely affected by the sad clips just as you’d expect. But cruciall y, this was less so if they had completed the 30 minutes jog. (21) The researche rs said moderate exercise appears to have helped those participants to be less v ulnerable to the impact of the sad movie.19. What did the new review of studies claim?20. What is one effect that running has on people according to recent research?21. What did another study find about the participant after they had a 30 minute s jog?Passage ThreeWelcome to the tour of the Hill House. This house built in 1904 is one of the m ost well-known works of Charles Hill, the famous architect. It was designed and built for local entrepreneur and his family. Before starting the tour, let me give you a brief introduction about the design of this amazing building. (23) Prior to beginning his design, the architect spends sometime in the client’s old home, observing their life and studying their habits. This meant that he could design t he house according to the needs of the family. (24) The client’s main desire wa s to have a home with unique design, so the architect was given complete freed om. The building style is radically different from what was the fashion of the p eriod. At the time, most large homes were constructed of timber and brick. Thisone, however, is made of concrete, a novel construction material in those days. The interior of the house, including the fittings and furniture, was also designe d by the same person. Most of the furniture you will see is original and in good condition. However, (25) both pieces in the children’s bedrooms are copies buil t to the designs of the architect. Fortunately, all the blueprints for both the buil ding and its contents have been preserved, so we’ve been able to replace badly damaged furniture. Let’s begin our tour, starting from the rooms.22. What do we learn about the speaker?He is the guide of the tour.23. What dis the architect do before beginning his design?24. What did the architect’s client mainly want?25. What do we learn about the pieces of furniture in the children’s bedrooms?。
2021年12月英语四级真题及答案【共3套】
2021年12月英语四级真题及答案【共3套】第一套试题：一、听力理解1. A) He couldn't find his mobile phone.B) He was late for work.C) He missed the train.D) He had a traffic accident.2. A) The woman is a manager.B) The man is a customer.C) The woman is a sales assistant.D) The man is a repairman.3. A) He is a football player.B) He is a basketball player.C) He is a swimmer.D) He is a runner.4. A) The man wants to buy a new car.B) The woman is interested in buying a car.C) The man wants to sell his old car.D) The woman is a car salesman.5. A) The man is going to a party.B) The woman is going to a party.C) The man is going to a concert.D) The woman is going to a concert.二、阅读理解1. A) The importance of education.B) The benefits of exercise.C) The dangers of smoking.D) The value of friendship.2. A) They help students learn faster.B) They make students more confident.C) They improve students' health.D) They make students more creative.3. A) He has a strong sense of responsibility.B) He is very kind and helpful.C) He is very intelligent and hardworking.D) He is very popular among his classmates.4. A) It is very expensive.B) It is very difficult to find.C) It is very popular among students.D) It is very useful for learning English.5. A) He is a famous scientist.B) He is a famous actor.C) He is a famous writer.D) He is a famous musician.三、写作The Importance of English Learning英语学习在当今社会变得越来越重要。
2021年12月大学英语四级考试题(第2套)
2021 年12 月大学英语四级考试真题（第2 套）Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions: Suppose you have just participated in a school project of collecting used books on campus. You are now to write a report about the project, which may include its aim, organizers, participants and activities. You will have 30 minutes to write the report. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.PartⅡListening Comprehension (30 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 questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.B)It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong a irportC)It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.D)It had two of its domestic flights mixed up2.A) Correct their mistake as soon as possible.B)Give the two pets a physical c heckup.C)Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.D)Send another plane to continue the flight.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) She weighs 130 kilograms B) She has had babies beforeC) She was brought from Africa. D) She has a big family of six.4.A) It took 22 hours. B) It had some complicationsC) It was smooth. D) It was monitored by Dr. Sue Tygielski Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) It enjoyed great popularity. B) It started business three years ago.C) It was frequented by newly-weds D) It was built above the sea-water.6.A) Expand his business on the beach.B)Replace the restaurant’s wooden deck.C)Post a picture of his restaurant online.D)Celebrate his silver wedding anniversary.7.A) She sold it for two thousand dollarsB)She took it to the restaurant m anagerC)She posted its picture on F acebookD)she returned it to its owner right awaySection BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) The number of ducks has declined sharply in recent years.B)Climate change has little effect on the lives of wild ducks.C)Duck meat is not eaten in Australia, Canada and the U.S.D)Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9.A) Droughts. B) Bushfires.C) Farming. D) Hunting.10.A) They are not easy to domesticate. B) Their meat is not that popular.C) It is not environmentally friendly D) It is not considered cost-effective11 A) They hunted ducks as a traditional sport. B) They killed wild ducks and geese for food.C) They raised ducks and geese for their eggs. D) They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Have her house repainted B) Replace some of her old furnitureC) Move into a newly-painted house D) Calculate the cost of the paint j ob13.A) How long the work will take B) How much the work will cost.C) How the paint job is to be done. D) How many workers are needed14.A) Cover up her furniture B) Ask some friends for helpC)Stay somewhere else D) Oversee the work herself15.A) She could have asked a friend for help with the paint jobB)Painting a house involves more trouble than she thoughtC)she should have repainted her house much earlierD)Moving her furniture is harder than the paint jobSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) To cultivate good habits.B)To prepare for secondary school.C)To review what is learned in classD)To stimulate interest in learning.17.A) Discuss their academic achievements with themB)Create an ideal study environment for themC)Allow them to learn independentlyD)Check their homework promptly18.A) Finish them before they get tiredB)Tackle the most difficult task firstC)Start with something they enjoyD)Focus on the most important onesQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) Workers who meet its body weight standardsB)Workers who can lose 30 pounds in a yearC)Workers who try the hardest to lose weightD)W orkers who are in the top 10% of the slimmest20.A) ImpracticalB)InconsistentC)UnmanageableD)Unfair21.A) Offer them much fatter bonuses.B)Improve working environment.C)Encourage healthy behaviorsD)Provide free lunch and snacksQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) It has not done enough to help left-handed children.B)It has treated left-handed children as being d isabled.C)It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.D)It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.23.A) They are as intelligent as other children.B)They have a distinctive style of handwritingC)They sometimes have psychological problems.D)They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24.A) Punish teachers discriminating against left-handed studentsB)Lay more emphasis on improving children’s mental healthC)Encourage students to develop various professional skillsD)Keep track of left-handed children’s school performance,25.A) How they can be reduced in number.B)Why their numbers are so highC)What percentage they account forD)If their percentage keeps increasingPart ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select oneword 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.It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564. But it is impossible to know the 26 day on which he was born. Church records show he was baptized( 施洗礼)on April 26, and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newly born bab y. Shakespeare’s date of death is 27 known, however: it was April 23, 1616. He was 52 and had retired to Stratford three years before.Although few plays have been performed or analyzed as extensively as the 38 plays Shakespeare wrote, there are few surviving details about his life.This 28 of biographical information is due primarily to his social 29 ; he was not a noble, but the son of a leather trader.Shakespeare 30 attended the grammar school in Stratford, where he would have studied Latin and read 31 literature. He did not go to university and at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his 32 .They had four children, including the twins, Hamnet and Judith. Nothing is known of the period between the birth of the twins and Shakespeare’s 33 as a dramatist in London in the early 1590sIn a million words written over 20 years, he 34 the full range of human emotions and conflicts with a 35 that remains sharp today. As his great contemporary the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson said, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”A)captured I)precisionB)classical J)probablyC)conclusively K)qualityD)emergence L)scarcityE)exact M) seniorF)generated N)separatedG)particular O) systematicallyH)positionSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.How to not be boring[A]Humans are creatures of habit. We love to establish a routine and stick with it. Then we often put ourselves on auto-pilot. Routines can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done. However, too much of a routine can also make you incredibly boring. Nevertheless, many people live lives that are boringly predictable, or live a life where everything is outlined or planned.[B]To tell the truth, interesting people are more popular among their friends. If you don’t arouse someone's curiosity or brighten someone’s day, you probably come across as being a little bit dull. But that doesn’t mean your life has ended and you can't do anything to change it. If you find yourself searching for something to say beyond small talk, try these tactics to find more interesting approaches to conversation.[C]Recently, I was at a gathering of colleagues when someone turned to me and asked, "So, what's new with you?” Ordinarily, I think I’m a good conversationalist. After all,it's literally my job to talk to people and tell their stories or share their advice. And that's not exactly an unexpected question. Still, the only “new-lo-me” topics that came to mind were my daughter’s basketball tournament （锦标赛）and my feelings about that morning’s political headlines neither amusing nor appropriate topics at that moment.[D]Oh, no, I thought.Have I become boring? But sharing our experiences in an authentic way to connect with other people is what makes us interesting, says associate professor Michael Pirson.The hesitation I felt in not sharing the ordinary things that were happening in my life, and the wild mental search for something more interesting, may have backfired and made me seem less interesting.[E]“If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting, it’s probably not going to land well,” says Pirson, whose expertise includes trust and well-being, mindfulness, and humanistic management. “It’s going to feel like a made-up conversation that people don’t necessarily want to tune in to.”[F]The most interesting people aren’t those who've gone on some Eat, Pray, Love journey to find themselves. Instead, Pirson says, they’re those who examine the ordinary.” Often, the ‘boring things’ may not be boring at all. Maybe they are actually little miracles," he says. Share yourobservations about the world around you --- interesting stories you heard or things you noticed---and you may be surprised by the universal connection they inspire.[G]This is essentially how Jessica Hagy starts her day. The author of How to Be Interesting: An Instruction Manual, Hagy spends a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her. People who are interesting are persistently curious, she says.[H]Think about the everyday things around you and ask questions about them. What is that roadside monument I sec on my way to work every day? Who built that interesting building in my city? What nearby attractions haven’t I visited? Why do people do things that way? Use what you find to ask more questions and learn more about the world around you. “Having that sort of curiosity is almo st like a protective gear from getting into boredom,” she says. And when you find things that are truly interesting to you, share them.[I]Television veteran Audrey Morrissey, executive producer of NBC’s The Voice, is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers. It’s usually a matter of individuality. “Having a strong point of' view, signature style, or being a super-enthusiast in a particular field makes someone interesting," she says. That means embracing what is truly interest ing or unique about yourself. “Many people are ‘not boring’ in the way that they can carry a conversation or can be good at a social gathering, etc. To be interesting means that you have lived life, taken risks, traveled, sought out experience to learn for yourself and share with others," she says.[J]Of course, it’s possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person, says public relations consultant Andrea Pass, Paying attention to the listener is an important part of having a conversation that’s inte resting to both parties. Talking on and on about what’s interesting to you isn’t going to make you an interesting person, she says.[K]“If the listener is not paying attention, it’s your sign to shorten the story or change direction. Make sure to bring the audience into the conversation so that it is not one-sided,” Pass says. Be a better listener yourself, and give others opportunities to participate in the conversation by inviting them with questions or requests to share their own experiences or thoughts.(e.g., “Now,tell me about your favorite book,” or “Have you ever been to that attraction?”) Questions are a powerful tool, especially when they encourage others to disclose information about themselves. A 2012 study from the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that roughly 40% of the time we are talking, we’re disclosing subjective information about our experience. And when we’re doing so, our brains are more engaged. So one strategy to leave others with the impression that you’re a sparkling conversation partner is to get others to talk. about themselves.[L]Being relatable is also essential, Morrissey says."The best entertainment and storytelling comes from people who are relatable---those who don’t shy away from opening up but freely share who they are and what they care about.These are the people viewers most relate to and find interesting. Being authentic, honest, and vulnerable is always interesting."[M]I have now come to realize that being boring, in actuality, is not only about who you are as aperson, but also how you present yourself. No matter what, make sure you are having fun in life. Because when you are enjoying, people around you will begin to enjoy as well. Show some interest in them and they will definitely show some in you. If' you are a very reserved person, this could be a little difficult at first. But with a little effort, you can definitely improve.36.Pirson claims that some ordinary things may often prove to be miraculously interesting.37.To make a conversation interesting, it is important that you listen to the other party attentively.38.A person who is unable to stimulate others’ curiosity or make their life enjoyable may appear somewhat boring.39.Interesting people usually possess certain unique qualities, according to a TV program producer.40.Be interested in others and they are sure to be interested in you.41.The author considers himself usually good at conducting conversations.42.Interesting people are always full of curiosity.43.Falling into a routine can turn a person into an utter bore.44.One strategy to be a good conversationalist is to morivate your partner to tell their own stories.45.lnteresting as it might appear, a made-up conversation will probably turn out to be dull. Section CDirections: There 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.With obesity now affecting 2% of the population in England, and expected to rise to 35% by 2030, should we now recognise if as a disease? Obesity, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected, meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding. He points out that more than 200 genes influence weight. “Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology----it is not an individual’s fault if they develop obesity." Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual's responsibility to do something about it. Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice “should help reduce the stigma ( 耻辱）and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity.” he adds.Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services, pointing out that other common diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, require people to take action to manage their condition. He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications. “But unless we accept that obesity is a disease, we are not going to be able to tackle it.” he concludes.But Dr.Richard Pile, a physician with a special interest in diabetes, argues that adopting this approach"could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society.” He believes that he dictionary definition of disease “is so vague that we can classify almost a nything as a disease” and says the question is not whether we can, but whether we should, and to what end.If labelling obesity as a disease was harmless then it wouldn’t really matter, he writes. But labelling obesity as a disease “risks reducing autonomy, disempowering and robbing people of the intrinsic(内在的)motivation that is such an important enabler of change.” What’s more, making obesity a disease “may not benefit patients, but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical(制药的)industry when health insurance and clinical guidelines promote treatment with drugs and surgery,”he warns.46.What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?A)Its impact on society is expected to rise.B)It is now too widespread to be neglected.C)It should be regarded as a genetic disease.D)I ts dictionary definition should be updated.47.What is the popular view of obesity?A)It is difficult to define.B)It is a modem disease.C)It has much to do with one’s genes.D)It results from a lack of self-control.48.Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?A)Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.B)Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.C)Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.D)O bese people would be discriminated against.49.What does Dr. Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?A)It is of no use in understanding obesity.B)It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.C)It helps little to solve patients’ problems.D)It matters little to the debate over obesity.50.What is Dr. Richard Pile's concern about classifying obesity as a disease?A)It may affect obese people’s quality of life.B)It may accelerate the spread of obesity.C)It may cause a shortage of doctors.D)It may do little good to patients.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Nationwide, only about three percent of early childhood teachers are male in the U.S. Expertssay this can have an impact on young children whose understanding of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming. Research has found that having access to diverse teachers is beneficial for children. For the youngest learners, it means they are more likely to get exposed to different varieties of play and communication. It also helps them develop healthy ideas around gender.“In our world and our society, we have very specific stereotypes（模式化形象）of gender roles,”said Mindi Reich-Shapiro, an assistant professor in the teacher education department of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, and one of the authors of a recent study.” It’s important for children to see other possibilities and other paths they can take.”Despite mostly feeling supported by colleagues and family members,many of the male educators surveyed in the study reported facing social or cultural resistance in their careers as early education teachers. Some also reported that there were parents surprised or concerned that their child had a male teacher. And they had been advised by colleagues or other staff not to hug children.Reich-Shapiro and fellow researchers made several recommendations lo increase male representation in the field. Low pay has long been acknowledged as a major issue in the early childhood field. Over 70% of male educators who said they intended to stay in the early education workforce noted an increased salary was a major motivating factor for them to commit to the career long-term. The report suggests paying all early childhood educators the way elementary school teachers are paid.Cities and programs should establish support groups for male early childhood educators and provide mentoring and professional development advice for male educators and their program leaders.The authors also suggest that traditional recruitment approaches for early childhood educators “do not address the gender gap in the field.” They recommend providing young men opportunities to work with children through training and volunteer programs, targeting groups of men who are considering a career change, such as fathers.51.What do we learn from the first paragraph about early childhood education in the U.S.?A)It helps raise children’s awareness of gender roles.B)It exposes children to different ways of interaction.C)It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.D)It clearly aims to form children’s identity through play.52.What does Mindi Reich-Shapiro emphasize in her comment on childhood education?A)The importance of broadening children’s horizons.B)The responsibilities of fathers for children’s growth.C)T he urgency of creating teacher education programs.D)T he role of teachers in motivating children to learn.53.What do we learn about male teachers from their responses in the study?A)Some of them find it awkward when hugging children.B)They feel pressured to keep up with female colleagues.C)They find it hard to meet the expectations of kids’ parents.D)M any of them feel prejudiced against socially and culturally.54.What is needed for men to commit to early childhood education?A)Higher pay.B)Job security.C)Social recognition.D)Better working conditions.55.What do the authors of the study recommend to bridge the gender gap in early childhood education?A)Recruiting young men who have a passion for educating young children.B)Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.C)Persuading prospective fathers to consider a change in their c areer.D)Providing male teachers with more opportunities for advancement.Part ⅣTranslation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.大运河(Grand Canal)是世界上最长的人工河，北起北京，南至杭州。
12月英语四级考试第2套真题试卷及答案
12月英语四级考试第2套真题试卷及答案大学英语四级考试涉及的语法知识点多、涉及面宽，对不少考生来说都是一个难题。
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12月英语四级考试真题试卷(完整版第2套)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short easy on how to besthandle the relationship between teachers and students. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)听力音频MP3文件，点击进入听力真题页面Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each newsreport, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions willbe spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer fromthe four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It tries entertain its audience.B) It tries to look into the distance.C) It wants to catch people's attention.D) It has got one of its limbs injured.2. A) It was spotted by animal protection officials.B) It was filmed by a local television reporter.C) Its videos Were posted on social media.D) Its picture won a photography prize.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) The distance travelled.B) The incidence of road accidents.C) The spending on gas.D) The number of people travelling.4. A) Fewer people are commuting.B) Gas consumption is soaring.C) Job growth is slowing down.D) Rush-hour traffic is worsening.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) He told a stranger the sad story about himself.B) He helped a stranger to carry groceries to his car.C) He went up to a stranger and pulled at his sleeves.D) He washed a stranger's car in return for some food.6. A) He ordered a lot of food for his family.B) He gave him a job at his own company.C) He raised a large sum of money for him.D) He offered him a scholarship for college.7. A) He works hard to support his family.B) He is an excellent student at school.C) He is very good at making up stories.D) He has been disabled since boyhood.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questionswill be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answerfrom the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) Attended an economics lecture.B) Taken a walk on Charles Street.C) Had a drink at Queen Victoria.D) Had dinner at a new restaurant.9. A) Treat a college friend to dinner.B) Make preparations for a seminar.C) Attend his brothers birthday party.D) Visit some of his high school friends.10. A) Gather statistics for his lecture.B) Throw a surprise birthday party.C) Meet with Jonathan's friends on the weekend.D) Join him in his brother's birthday celebration.11. A) By car.B) By train.C) By taxi.D) By bus.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Taking a vacation abroad.B) Reviewing for his last exam.C) Saving enough money for a rainy day.D) Finding a better way to earn money.13. A) Preparing for his final exams.B) Negotiating with his boss for a raise.C) Working part time as a waiter.D) Helping the woman with her courses.14. A) Finish her term paper.B) Save enough money.C) Learn a little bit of Spanish.D) Ask her parent's permission.15. A) He has rich sailing experience.B) He speaks Spanish fluently.C) He is also eager to go to Spain.D) He is easy to get along with.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spokenonly once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She went to the same university as her mother.B) She worked as a nurse in the First World War.C) She won the Nobel Prize two times.D) She was also a Nobel Prize winner.17. A) She fought bravely in a series of military operations.B) She developed X-ray facilities for military hospitals.C) She helped to set up several military hospitals.D) She made donations to save wounded soldiers.18. A) Both died of blood cancer.B) Both fought in World War I.C) Both won military medals.D) Both married their assistants.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They were the first settlers in Europe.B) They were the conquerors of Norway.C) They discovered Iceland in the ninth century.D) They settled on a small island north of England.20. A) It was some five hundred miles west of Norway.B) It was covered with green most time of the year.C) It was the Vikings' most important discovery.D) It was a rocky mass of land covered with ice.21. A) The Vikings' ocean explorations.B) The making of European nations.C) The Vikings' everyday life.D) The Europeans' Arctic discoveries.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Work hard for a better life.B) Make mistakes now and then.C) Dream about the future.D) Save against a rainy day.23. A) Teach foreign languages for the rest of his life.B) Change what he has for his past imaginary world.C) Exchange his two-story house for a beach cottage.D) Dwell on the dreams he had dreamed when young.24. A) Criminal law.B) City planning.C) Oriental architecture.D) International business.25. A) Dream and make plans.B) Take things easy in life.C) Be content with what you have.D) Enjoy whatever you are doing.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passagewith ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choicesgiven in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully beforemaking your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark thecorresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through thecentre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Technological changes brought dramatic new options to Americans living in the 1990s. During this decade new forms of entertainment, commerce, research, andcommunication became commonplace in the U.S. The driving force behind much ofthis change was a(n) 26 popularly known as the Internet.The Internet was developed during the 1970s by the Department of Defense. In the caseof an attack, military advisers suggested the 27 of being able to operate one computerfrom another terminal. In the early days, the Internet was used mainly by scientists tocommunicate with other scientists. The Internet28 under government control until1984.One early problem faced by Internet users was speed. Phone lines could only transmitinformation at a 29 rate. The development of fiber-optic (光纤) cables allowed for billionsof bits of information to be received every minute. Companies like Intel developed fastermicroprocessors, so personal computers could process the 30 signals at a more rapidrate.In the early 1990s, the World Wide Web was developed, in large part, for 31 purposes.Corporations created home pages where they could place text and graphics tosell products. Soon airline tickets, hotel 32 , and even cars and homes could bepurchased online. Universities 33 research data on the Internet, so students could find 34 information without leaving their dormitories. Companies soon discovered that workcould be done at home and 35 online, so a whole new class of telecommuters began toearn a living from home offices unshaven and wearing pajamas (睡衣).A) advantage B) commercial C) conservation D) equipped E) incoming F) innovationG) limited H) local I) maintained J) occupations K) posted L) remained M) reservationsN) submitted O) valuableSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statementsattached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose aparagraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questionsby marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Health Benefits of KnittingA) About 15 years ago, I was invited to join a knitting group.I agreed to give it a try.B) My mother had taught me to knit at 15, and I knitted in class throughout college andfor a few years thereafter. Then decades passed without my touching a knitting needle. But within two Mondays in the group, I was hooked, not only on knitting but also oncrocheting (钩织), and I was on my way to becoming a highly productive crafter.C) I've made countless baby blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, caps for newborns. I takea knitting project with me everywhere, especially when I have to sit still and listen. As Idiscovered in college, when my hands are busy, my mind stays focused on the here andnow.D) It seems, too, that I'm part of a national renewal of interest in needle and otherhandicrafts (手工艺). The Craft Yarn Council reports that a third of women ages 25-35 now knit or crochet. Even men and schoolchildren are swelling the ranks, among themmy friend's three small grandsons. Last April, the council created a "Stitch Away Stress" campaign in honor of National Stress Awareness Month. Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneerin mind/body medicine and author of The Relaxation Response, says that the repetitiveaction of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation(沉思) and yoga. Once you get beyond the initial learning curve, knitting and crochetingcan lower heart rate and blood pressure.E) But unlike meditation, craft activities result in tangible and often useful productsthat can enhance self-esteem. I keep photos of my singular accomplishments on mycellphone to boost my spirits when needed.F) Since the 1990s, the council has surveyed hundreds ofthousands of knitters andcrocheters, who routinely list stress relief and creative fulfillment as the activities'main benefits. Among them is the father of a prematurely born daughter who reportedthat during the baby's five weeks in the intensive care unit, "learning how to knit infanthats gave me a sense of purpose during a time that I felt very helpless. It's a hobbythat I've stuck with, and it continues to help me cope with stress at work, provide asense of order in hectic (忙乱的) days, and allow my brain time to solve problems."G) A recent email from the yarn (纺纱) company Red Heart titled "Health Benefits ofCrocheting and Knitting" prompted me to explore what else might be known about thehealth value of activities like knitting. My research revealed that the rewards go wellbeyond replacing stress and anxiety with the satisfaction of creation.H) For example, Karen Hayes, a life coach in Toronto, conducts knitting therapyprograms, including Knit to Quit to help smokers give up the habit, and Knit to Heal forpeople coping with health crises, like a cancer diagnosis or serious illness of a familymember. Schools and prisons with craft programs report that they have a calmingeffect and enhance social skills. And having to follow instructions on complex craftprojects can improve children's math skills.I) Some people find that craftwork helps them control their weight. Just as it'schallenging to smoke while knitting, when hands are holding needles and hooks, there'sless snacking and mindless eating out of boredom.J) I've found that my handiwork with yarn has helped my arthritic (患关节炎的) fingersremain more dexterous (灵巧的) as I age. A woman encouraged to try knitting andcrocheting afterdeveloping an autoimmune disease that caused a lot of hand painreported on the Craft Yarn Council site that her hands are now less stiff and painful.K) A 2009 University of British Columbia study of 38 women with an eating disorder whowere taught to knit found that learning the craft led to significant improvements. Seventy-four percent of the women said the activity lessened their fears and kept themfrom thinking about their problem.L) Betsan Corkhill, a wellness coach in Bath, England, and author of the book Knit forHealth & Wellness, established a website, Stitchlinks, to explore the value of whatshe calls therapeutic knitting. Among her respondents, 54 percent of those who wereclinically depressed said that knitting made them feel happy or very happy. In a studyof 60 self-selected people with persistent pain, Ms. Corkhill and colleagues reported thatknitting enabled them to redirect their focus, reducing their awareness of pain. Shesuggested that the brain can process just so much at once, and that activities likeknitting and crocheting make it harder for the brain to register pain signals. Perhapsmost exciting is research that suggests that crafts like knitting and crocheting may helpto keep off a decline in brain function with age. In a 2011 study, researchers led by Dr. Yonas Geda at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester interviewed a random (随机的) sample of1,321 people ages 70-89, most of whom were cognitively (在认知方面) normal, about thecognitive activities they engaged in late in life. The study, published in the Journal ofNeuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, found that those who engaged in craftslike knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitivedisorder and memory loss.M) Although it is possible that only people who arecognitively healthy would pursuesuch activities, those who read newspapers or magazines or played music did not showsimilar benefits. The researchers speculate that craft activities promote thedevelopment of nerve pathways in the brain that help to maintain cognitive health.N) In support of that suggestion, a 2014 study by Denise C. Park of the University ofTexas at Dallas and colleagues demonstrated that learning to knit or do digitalphotography enhanced memory function in older adults. Those who engaged inactivities that were not intellectually challenging, either in a social group or alone, did not show such improvements.O) Given that sustained social contacts have been shown to support health and a longlife, those wishing to maximize the health value of crafts might consider joining a groupof like-minded folks. I for one try not to miss a single weekly meeting of my knittinggroup.36. When the author was a college student, she found that knitting helped herconcentrate.37. Knitting can help people stay away from tobacco.38. Even men and children are now joining the army of knitters.39. Being a member of a crafts group enhances one's health and prolongs one's life.40. Knitting diverts people's attention from their pain.41. The author learnt to knit as a teenager, but it was not until she was much older thatshe became keenly interested.42. When people are knitting, they tend to eat fewer snacks.43. Survey findings show that knitting can help people relieve stress.44. According to a study, knitters and crocheters are lesslikely to suffer mild cognitivedamage.45. The products of knitting can increase one's sense of self-respect.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by somequestions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 and 50 are based on the following passage.Nobody really knows how big Lagos is. What's indisputable is that it's growing veryquickly. Between now and 2050, the urban population of Africa could triple. Yet cities insub-Saharan Africa are not getting richer the way cities in the rest of the world have. Most urban Africans live in slums (贫民窟); migrants are often not much better off thanthey were in the countryside. Why?The immediate problem is poverty. Most of Africa is urbanising at a lower level ofincome than other regions of the world did. That means there's little money around forinvestment that would make cities liveable and more productive. Without upgrades andnew capacity, bridges, roads and power systems are unable to cope with expandingpopulations. With the exception of South Africa, the only light rail metro system in sub-Saharan Africa is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Traffic jam leads to expense andunpredictability, things that keep investors away.In other parts of the world, increasing agricultural productivity and industrialisationwent together. More productive farmers meant there was a surplus that could feedcities; in turn, that created a pool of labour for factories. But African cities aredifferent. They are too often built around consuming natural resources. Government isconcentrated in capitals, so is the money. Most urban Africans work for a smallminority of the rich, who tend to be involved in either cronyish (有裙带关系的) businesses or politics. Since African agriculture is still broadly unproductive, food isimported, consuming a portion of revenue.So what can be done? Though African countries are poor, not all African cities are. InLagos, foreign oil workers can pay as much as $65,000 per year in rent for a modestapartment in a safe part of town. If that income were better taxed, it might provide therevenue for better infrastructure. If city leaders were more accountable to their residents, they might favour projects designed to help them more. Yet even as new roads are built, new people arrive. When a city's population grows by 5% a year, it is difficult to keepup.46. What do we learn from the passage about cities in sub-Saharan Africa?A) They have more slums than other cities in the world.B) They are growing fast without becoming richer.C) They are as modernised as many cities elsewhere.D) They attract migrants who want to be better off.47. What does the author imply about urbanisation in other parts of the world?A) It benefited from the contribution of immigrants.B) It started when people's income was relatively high.C) It benefited from the accelerated rise in productivity.D) It started with the improvement of peopled livelihood.48. Why is sub-Saharan Africa unappealing to investors?A) It lacks adequate transport facilities.B) The living expenses there are too high.C) It is on the whole too densely populated.D) The local governments are corrupted.49. In what way does the author say African cities are different?A) They have attracted huge numbers of farm labourers.B) They still rely heavily on agricultural productivity.C) They have developed at the expense of nature.D) They depend far more on foreign investment.50. What might be a solution to the problems facing African cities?A) Lowering of apartment rent.B) Better education for residents.C) More rational overall planning.D) A more responsible government.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.For the past several decades, it seems there's been a general consensus on how to getahead in America: Get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy your own home. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?The most recent National Journal poll asked respondents about the American dream, what it takes to achieve their goals, and whether or not they felt a significant amount ofcontrol over their ability to be successful. Overwhelmingly, the results show that today， the idea of the American dream—and what it takes to achieve it—looks quite differentthan it did in the late 20th century.By and large, people felt that their actions and hard work—not outside forces—were thedeciding factor in how their lives turned out. But respondents had decidedly mixedfeelings aboutwhat actions make for a better life in the current economy.In the last seven years, Americans have grown more pessimistic about the power ofeducation to lead to success. Even though they see going to college as a fairly achievablegoal, a majority—52 percent—think that young people do not need a four-year collegeeducation in order to be successful.Miguel Maeda, 42, who has a master's degree and works in public health, was the first inhis family to go to college, which has allowed him to achieve a sense of financialstability his parents and grandparents never did.While some, like Maeda, emphasized the value of the degree rather than the educationitself, others still see college as a way to gain new perspectives and life experiences. Sixty-year-old Will Fendley, who had a successful career in the military and neverearned a college degree, thinks "personal drive" is far more important than just going tocollege. To Fendley, a sense of drive and purpose, as well as an effective high-schooleducation, and basic life skills, like balancing a checkbook, are the necessaryingredients for a successful life in America.51. It used to be commonly acknowledged that to succeed in America, one had to have .A) an advanced academic degreeB) an ambition to get aheadC) a firm belief in their dreamD) a sense of drive and purpose52. What is the finding of the latest National Journal poll concerning the Americandream?A) More and more Americans are finding it hard to realize.B) It remains alive among the majority of American people.C) Americans' idea of it has changed over the past fewdecades.D) An increasing number of young Americans are abandoning it.53. What do Americans now think of the role of college education in achieving success?A) It still remains open to debate.B) It has proved to be beyond doubt.C) It is no longer as important as it used to be.D) It is much better understood now than ever.54. How do some people view college education these days?A) It promotes gender equality.B) It needs to be strengthened.C) It adds to cultural diversity.D) It helps broaden their minds.55. What is one factor essential to success in America, according to Will Fendley?A) A desire to learn and to adapt.B) A strong sense of responsibility.C) A willingness to commit oneself.D) A clear aim and high motivation.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chineseinto English. You should write your answer onAnswer Sheet 2.华山位于华阴市，据西安120公里。
2021年12月全国大学英语四级真题试卷卷二
2021年12月全国大学英语四级真题试卷卷二1、听力2、选词填空∶It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet.26.E)exact27.C)conclusively28.L)scarcity29.H)position30.Jprobably31.B)classical32.M)senior33.D)emergence34.A)captured35.I)precision3、信息匹配：How to no be boring36.(F)The most interesting people aren't those who've gone on some Eal,Pray,Love jourmey to find themsclves.Instead,Pirson says,they're those who examine the ordinary.37.(J)Of course,it's possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person,says public relations consultant Andrea Pass.Paying attention to the listener is an important part of。
38.[B]To tell the truth,interesting people are more popular among their friends.If you don't arouse somcone's curiosity or brighten somcone's day,you probably come.…..39.(I)Television veteran Audrey Morrissey,executive producer of NBC's The Voice,is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers…..40.(M)I have now come to realize that being boring,in actuali-ty,is not only about who you are as a person,but also how you present yourself……41.(C)Recently,I was at a gathering of colleagues when some-one turned to me and asked,"So,what's new with you?"Ordi narily,I think I'm a good conversationalist……..42.(G)This is essentinlly how Jessica Hagy starts her day a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her.....43.(A)Humans are creatures habit.We love to establish a rou-tine and stick with it.Then we often put ourselves on auto-pi-lot.Routincs can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done….44.(K)"If the listener is not paying attention,it's your sign to shorten the story or change direction.45.(E)"If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting,it's probably not going to land well,"says Pirson,whose expertise includes trust and….4、仔细阅读：With obesity now affecting29%of the population in England,and expected to rise to35%by2030, should we now recognise it as disease?46.C)It should be regarded as a genetic disease.47.D)It results from a lack of self-control.48.A)Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.49.B)It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.50.D)It may do little good to patients.Nationwide,only about three percent of early childhood teach-51.C)It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.52.A)The importance of broadening children's horizons.53.D)Many of them feel prejudiced against socially and cultur-ally.54.A)Higher pay.55.B)Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.5、翻译：大运河(GrandCanal)是世界上最长的人工河，北起北京，南至杭州。
2021年12月英语英语四级听力第二套听力材料
2021年12月英语四级听力第二套听力材料1. 听力原文第一篇Speaker 1: Good morning, everyone, wee to the conference. I'm here to talk to you about the latest developments in the field of renewable energy. As we all know, the demand for clean and sust本人nable energy sources is increasing, and it's crucial for us to find alternative solutions to traditional fossil fuels. Today, we'll be discussing the potential of wind power as a reliable and efficient energy source.Speaker 2: Thank you for the introduction. Wind power has seen significant growth in recent years, with many countries investing in large-scale wind farms. These farms have the capacity to generate a substantial amount of electricity, and they have the added benefit of being environmentally friendly. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed in order to make wind power more viable on a global scale.Speaker 1: That's right. One of the m本人n challenges is the intermittent nature of wind energy. Wind doesn't blowconsistently, which means that we need to develop storage solutions to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply. Another issue is the impact that wind farms can have on local wildlife and ecosystems. It's important for us to consider these factors when planning and implementing new wind projects.2. 第二篇Speaker 1: Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to be talking about the future of transportation. With the rapid advancement of technology, we are seeing some exciting developments in this field. One of the most promising innovations is the concept of self-driving cars. These vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the way we travel, making our roads safer and reducing traffic congestion.Speaker 2: Self-driving cars cert本人nly have the potential to transform the transportation industry. However, there are still some concerns that need to be addressed before they can be more widely adopted. Firstly, there are ethical and legal considerations surrounding the use of autonomous vehicles. Who is responsible in the event of an accident, for example? These areplex questions that need to be carefully considered.Speaker 1: Absolutely. In addition to these concerns, there are also technical challenges that need to be ovee. Self-driving cars rely on aplex network of sensors and algorithms to navigate the road, and there are still limitations to their capabilities. For example, they may struggle to operate in cert本人n weather conditions or in areas with poor infrastructure. It's important for us to continue research and development in this area to ensure that self-driving cars are safe and reliable.3. 第三篇Speaker 1: Good evening, everyone. Today, we're going to be discussing the impact of digital technology on education. The internet and digital devices have transformed the way we access and consume information, and they have the potential to revolutionize the education system as well. However, there are both opportunities and challenges associated with this.Speaker 2: That's right. The internet has made it possible for students to access a wealth of resources and learning materials from anywhere in the world. This has the potential to democratize education and make it more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds. However, it's important for us to ensure that all students have equal access to these resources,regardless of their socioeconomic status.Speaker 1: Absolutely. In addition to these opportunities, there are also concerns about the impact of digital technology on students' attention spans and critical thinking skills. With the constant exposure to digital devices, there is a risk of students bing overly reliant on technology for their learning, which could have long-term consequences for their cognitive development.2. 文章正文2021年12月英语四级听力第二套听力材料共分为三篇，分别涉及可再生能源、自动驾驶汽车以及数字科技对教育的影响三个主题。
2021年12月英语四级真题听力 第2期 短对话(2)_3
2021年12月英语四级真题听力第2期短对话(2)Question 15. Why didn't you stop when we first signaled you at the crossroads?问题15. 当我们在十字路口给你信号的时候，你为什么不停止？Sorry, I was just a bit absent-minded. Anyway, do I have to pay a fine?对不起，我当时有点心不在焉。
我必须要支付罚款吗？What do we learn from the conversation?从谈话中，我们可以了解到什么？Question 16. I'm no expert, but that noise in your refrigerator doesn't sound right. Maybe you should have it fixed.问题16. 我不是专家，但是你冰箱发出的声音不对劲。
也许你应该修修它。
You're right. And I suppose I've put it off long enough.你说得对。
我想我已经耽搁很长时间了。
What will the woman probably do?女人可能做什么？Question 17. I did extremely well on the sale of my downtown apartment. Now, I have enough money to buy that piece of land I've had my eye on and build a house on it.问题17. 我把市中心的那个公寓卖了一个好价钱。
现在，我有足够的钱买那块我留意很久的地了，我很想在那里盖所房子。
Congratulations! Does that mean you'll be moving soon?祝贺你！是不是意味着你马上要搬走了？What do we learn about the man from the conversation?从对话中我们能了解到这位男士的什么？Question 18. My hand still hurts from the fall on the iceyesterday. I wonder if I broke something.问题18. 我昨天摔倒在冰面上，手到现在还疼。
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题 听力短文(2)
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题听力短文(2)We know we have to pay for what we get.我们都知道我们获得的时候得付出点什么。
If we buy food, we have to pay for it.如果我们买吃的，我们得付钱。
If a doctor treats us, we know there will be a bill to pay. These are private bills.如果医生给我们看病，我们也要付钱。
这都是个人账单。
But there are also public bills to be paid. They are paid by the government.但也有公共账单。
这些账单由政府买单。
In turn we get the needed services. We pay for these services through taxes.作为享受服务的交换，我们赋税。
What would happen if everyone stopped paying taxes?如果大家都不交税的话，会发生什么？The water supply would stop; the streets might not be cleaned; schools would be closed.供水会被中断，街道不会再有人清扫，学校会被关闭。
We would not want to live in such a city.我们不会想要住在一个这样的城市里的。
The chief duty of every government is to protect persons and property.每个政府的主要职责就是保护每一个人及其财产。
More than three-fourths of government expenses are used for this purpose.超过政府支出的四分之三都是用于这个目的。
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题 新闻报道(2)
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题新闻报道(2)The Tunisian government said Monday that 45 people have been killed after gunmen attacked a town near the border with Libya.突尼斯政府声称，周一发生在利比亚边境一座村镇的枪击事件造成45人丧生。
The Interior and Defense ministries said that the Tunisian government has closed its two border crossings with Libya because of the attack.国土防卫部表示，由于袭击，突尼斯政府已经关闭了通往利比亚的两处关卡。
The Tunisian military has sent reinforcements and helicopters to the area, and authorities have been hunting several attackers who were still at large.突尼斯军方已经派出增援部队及直升机到该区域，官方也正在追捕几名在逃人员。
The violence came amid increasing international concern about Islamic State extremists in Libya.这次的暴力事件发生后，使国际社会更加关注在利比亚的伊斯兰国极端分子。
Officials of the Tunisian government are especially worried after dozens of tourists were killed in the attacks in Tunisia last year.在去年的袭击当中有数十名游客丧生，这让突尼斯政府官员尤为担心。
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题 新闻报道(3)
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题新闻报道(3)Three university students in Santiago, Chile, have developed a plant-powered device to charge their mobile phones.智利圣地亚哥的三个大学生发明了能给手机充电的植物供能设备。
The three engineering students got the idea for the device while sitting in their school's courtyard.这三个工程系学生是在学校操场上坐着的时候有的灵感。
Their invention is a small biological circuit they call E-Kaia.他们的发明是一个小的生物电路，取名叫E-Kaia。
It captures the energy which plants produce during photosynthesis— a process of converting sunlight into energy.当植物光合作用产能的时候，这个电路就会汲取能量。
光合作用是把光能转化为植物自身的能量。
A plant uses only a small part of the energy produced by that process.植物本身只会利用光合过程中的一小部分能量。
The rest goes into the soil.其余的部分就进入了土壤。
E-Kaia collects that energy.E-Kaia就收集那一部分能量。
The device plugs into the ground and then into a mobile phone.这个设备先插入土壤中然后再插入手机里。
The E-Kaia solved two problems for the engineering students.E-Kaia 为工程系学生解决了两个问题。
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题 短文(3)_2
2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题短文(3)Where do you think you will be in ten years?你认为自己10年后会在哪里呢？It is difficult to know exactly where you will be and where you will be doing.很难准确地知道未来你会在哪里、在做什么。
But everyone dreamed about the future.但每个人都憧憬着未来。
You might imagine the job you will get, when you finish school.你可能会设想自己毕业后从事的工作。
You may daydream about meeting your life partner or living in a big house by the sea.你可能会梦想着遇见人生伴侣，或是居住在海边的大房子里。
In my dreams, I would have twins, a boy and a girl.在我的梦里，我将会有一对双胞胎，一个男孩、一个女孩。
We would live in a large two-story house with floors and staircases made of wood.我们将居住在铺有木质地板和楼梯的两层大房子里。
Now at the age of 46, I look back on those dreams and smile.现在我46岁了，回看这些梦想，感觉很好笑。
Things haven't turned out exactly as I imagined, but I would not change what I have now for that imaginary world.事情的发展并没有与我想象的完全一样，但是我不会用现有的世界去换取那个设想的世界。
2021年12月英语四级听力真题材料及答案
2021年12月英语四级听力真题材料及答案转眼2022上半年英语四级考试即将来临，不少同学也正在准备2022上半年英语四级考试，以下是店铺整理的'关于2021年12月的英语四级听力真题，供大家备考。
一、2021年12月英语四级真题试卷卷一【完整版】News Report One(1) A 22-year-old Chinese womanwho suffered from a persistent cough was shocked to learn that she had a piece of chicken bone lodged in her lung.The unnamed woman from the province of Shandong started have coughing problems when she was 7 or 8 years old. For 14 years, she made numerous hospital visits. However, no doctor could identify any problem. Her uncontrollable coughing was a mystery. Finally, the woman got a full body scan at a hospital in the city of Qingdao. This special medical procedure revealed she had a chicken bone stuck in her lung.(2) Doctors performed surgery and removed the bone.The simple procedure went smoothly and the woman has recovered fully with the bone finally removed from her lung, the woman is very happy that she no longer suffers from that annoying cough.1. What was the woman’s problem?2. Howwas the woman’s problem eventually solved?News Report Two(3) A white shapenamed Prickles that ran away from an Australian farm during the 2013 bush fires recently returned home.According to farmer Alice Gray, Prickles was only a lamb when she ran away. The bush fires that hit the area back then destroyed a large part of her family’s massive property. They thought Prickles had died in the fire. But instead, the young sheep escaped into a 200-acre forest near the farm.(4) Once thefires were over, the family had to fix the damage done to the farm as it was such a large property, which included rebuilding about 40 kilometers of fencing.It was this huge fencing that prevented Pickles from finding her way back. Over the years, the family spotted her a few times. They even recorded her with cameras installed to monitor the activity. But when they knew Pringles was alive, they couldn’t find her and never expected her to return by herself. Seven years later, they were proven wrong.3. Whatdoes the news say about the white sheep Prickles?4.What the family do of the bush fires?News Report Three(5) Tons of gold have fallen out of the sky in Russia after a cargo plane malfunctioned in midair this morning.The aircraft was carrying 265 million pounds worth of gold and diamonds, when the door flew open, sending the precious metal back to earth. According to the official news agency, Russian authorities have recovered more than 170 gold bars weighing 20 kilograms each. The plane was traveling from Yakutsk airport in a major diamond producing region to the city Krasnoyarsk in Siberia.(6)However, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Magan after began losing some of its valuable cargo.Reports suggest some bars of gold were scattered up to fifteen miles away from the airport. Nine tons of gold on plane AN12 belonged to a gold mine company. Police have sealed off the runway and say it is unclear if it was an accident or an attempted robbery.(7) Technical engineers who worked on the plane prior to takeoff are reportedly going to be questioned by the police.5. What is the news report mainly about?6. What did the aircraft do when the incident happened?7. Whatdoes the news report say about the technicalengineers who worked on the plane before takeoff?Conversation One8. Why does the man have this conversation with the man recorded?His job is related to the customer service.9. What is the woman’s purpose of calling to the furniture company?She wants to know when she can get her money back.10. What does the woman say about her bank card?The new bank card will be sent to her on Tuesday, and the bank may has canceled the old one before the man made the payment.11. What does the man advise the woman to do?She needs to the card details directly on the website.Conversation Two12. Why isn’t the man going to cook?He’s worn out.13. What does the man say he’ll do on his phone?He’ll use the food delivery app on his phone.14. What does the woman think of the Indian food?That’s not the kind of the hot she means. She needs something mild.15. What does the man think of the woman?She’s really difficult to please.Passage One(16) A new study carried out by the university of Lincoln has found a link between the personalities of cat owners and the behavior and wellbeing of their cats.The findings suggest that just as apparent personality can affect the personality of a child, the same is true foracat and its owner. Owners defined asindividuals with high levels of anxiety, fear, anger, depression and loneliness were more likely to have cats with behavioral issues. Such cats display more aggressive and anxious behavioral styles as well as more stress related sickness. They will also more likely to have an ongoing medical condition and be overweight. The research also found that mentally well-adjusted owners had come from happier and healthier cats. Researchers explained that many owners regard their pets as a family member and form close social bonds with them.(17) The majority of owners want to provide the best care for their petsand is therefore possible that pets could be affected by the way their owners interact with and manage them. The study highlights an important relationship between our personalities and the well-being of our pets.(18) Further research is needed to investigate the cause of nature of this relationship and look at how owners’ personalities are directly influencing their pet’s behavior and well-being.Itis possible that the well-being of pets is driven by the underlying nature of the owner not simply by their conscious decisions and behaviors.16. What do we learn from the new study by the University of Lincoln?17. What does the passage say most pet owners want to do?18. What does the passage say it’s still needed to understand the effects of owners’ personalities on their pets?Passage Two(19) One 50-minute run can add seven hours to your life. This was a claim made byThe Timeslast week.The claim was based on a new review of studies about the effects of running. The review concluded that an average runners live three years longer than non-runners and that running does more to extend life than anyother form of exercise. But there’s more to running than its health benefits.(20) Research published in recent years have shown that running changes your brain and mind in some fascinating ways from increasing your brain function to regulating your emotions.However, the precise effects vary according to whether you engage in short fast running or long distance running. For example, in one study, researchers compared participants’ ability to learn new words after several minutes of intense running, and after 40 minutes of gentle running, participants were able to learn 20 percent faster after the intense running and they showed a superior memory when tested again a week later. In another study, researchers asked volunteers to jog for 30 minutes and then showed them clips from a sad movie. Participants who usually struggled to handle negative emotions were more intensely affected by the sad clips just as you’d expect. But crucially, this was less so if they had completed the 30 minutes jog.(21) The researchers said moderate exercise appears to have helped those participants to be less vulnerable to the impact of the sad movie.19. What did the new review of studies claim?20. What is one effect that running has on people according to recent research?21. What did another study find about the participant after they had a 30 minutes jog?Passage ThreeWelcome to the tour of the Hill House. This house built in 1904 is one of the most well-known works of Charles Hill, the famous architect. It was designed and built for local entrepreneur and his family. Before starting the tour, let me give you a brief introduction about the design of this amazing building.(23) Priorto beginning his design, the architect spends sometime in the client’s old home, observing their life and studying their habits.This meant that he could design the house according to the needs of the family.(24) The client’s main desire was to have a home with unique design, so the architect was given complete freedom. The building style is radically different from what was the fashion of the period. At the time, most large homes were constructed of timber and brick. This one, however, is made of concrete, a novel construction material in those days. The interior of the house, including the fittings and furniture, was also designed by the same person. Most of the furniture you will see is original and in good condition. However,(25) both pieces in the children’s bedrooms are copies built to the designs of the architect.Fortunately, all the blueprints for both the building and its contents have been preserved, so we’ve been able to replace badly damaged furniture. Let’s begin our tour, star ting from the rooms.22. What do we learn about the speaker?He is the guide of the tour.23. What dis the architect do before beginning his design?24. What did the architect’s client mainly want?25. What do we learn about the pieces of furniture in the children’sbedrooms?二、2021年12月英语四级真题试卷卷二【完整版】1、听力：News Report One(1) A 22-year-old Chinese womanwho suffered from a persistent cough was shocked to learn that she had a piece of chicken bone lodged in her lung.The unnamed woman from the province of Shandong started have coughing problems when shewas 7 or 8 years old. For 14 years, she made numerous hospital visits. However, no doctor could identify any problem. Her uncontrollable coughing was a mystery. Finally, the woman got a full body scan at a hospital in the city of Qingdao. This special medical procedure revealed she had a chicken bone stuck in her lung.(2) Doctors performed surgery and removed the bone.The simple procedure went smoothly and the woman has recovered fully with the bone finally removed from her lung, the woman is very happy that she no longer suffers from that annoying cough.1. What was the woman’s problem?2. Howwas the woman’s problem eventually solved?News Report Two(3) A white shapenamed Prickles that ran away from an Australian farm during the 2013 bush fires recently returned home.According to farmer Alice Gray, Prickles was only a lamb when she ran away. The bush fires that hit the area back then destroyed a large part of her family’s massive property. They thought Prickles had died in the fire. But instead, the young sheep escaped into a 200-acre forest near the farm.(4) Once the fires were over, the family had to fix the damage done to the farm as it was such a large property, which included rebuilding about 40 kilometers of fencing.It was this huge fencing that prevented Pickles from finding her way back. Over the years, the family spotted her a few times. They even recorded her with cameras installed to monitor the activity. But when they knew Pringles was alive, they could n’t find her and never expected her to return by herself. Seven years later, they were proven wrong.3. Whatdoes the news say about the white sheep Prickles?4.What the family do of the bush fires?News Report Three(5) Tons of gold have fallen out of the sky in Russia after a cargo plane malfunctioned in midair this morning.The aircraft was carrying 265 million pounds worth of gold and diamonds, when the door flew open, sending the precious metal back to earth. According to the official news agency, Russian authorities have recovered more than 170 gold bars weighing 20 kilograms each. The plane was traveling from Yakutsk airport in a major diamond producing region to the city Krasnoyarsk in Siberia.(6)However, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Magan after began losing some of its valuable cargo.Reports suggest some bars of gold were scattered up to fifteen miles away from the airport. Nine tons of gold on plane AN12 belonged to a gold mine company. Police have sealed off the runway and say it is unclear if it was an accident or an attempted robbery.(7) Technical engineers who worked on the plane prior to takeoff are reportedly going to be questioned by the police.5. What is the news report mainly about?6. What did the aircraft do when the incident happened?7. Whatdoes the news report say about the technical engineers who worked on the plane before takeoff?Conversation One8. Why does the man have this conversation with the man recorded?His job is related to the customer service.9. What is the wom an’s purpose of calling to the furniture company?She wants to know when she can get her money back.10. What does the woman say about her bank card?The new bank card will be sent to her on Tuesday, and the bank may has canceled the old one before the man made thepayment.11. What does the man advise the woman to do?She needs to the card details directly on the website.Conversation Two12. Why isn’t the man goin g to cook?He’s worn out.13. What does the man say he’ll do on his phone?He’ll use the food delivery app on his phone.14. What does the woman think of the Indian food?That’s not the kind of the hot she means. She needs something mild.15. What does the man think of the woman?She’s really difficult to please.Passage One(16) A new study carried out by the university of Lincoln has found a link between the personalities of cat owners and the behavior and wellbeing of their cats.The findings suggest that just as apparent personality can affect the personality of a child, the same is true foracat and its owner. Owners defined as individuals with high levels of anxiety, fear, anger, depression and loneliness were more likely to have cats with behavioral issues. Such cats display more aggressive and anxious behavioral styles as well as more stress related sickness. They will also more likely to have an ongoing medical condition and be overweight. The research also found that mentally well-adjusted owners had come from happier and healthier cats. Researchers explained that many owners regard their pets as a family member and form close social bonds with them.(17) The majority of owners want to provide the best care for their petsand is therefore possible that pets could be affected by the way their owners interact with andmanage them. The study highlights an important relationship between our personalities and the well-being of our pets.(18) Further research is needed to investigate the cause of nature of this relationship and look at how owners’ personalities are directly influencing their pet’s behavior and well-being.Itis possible that the well-being of pets is driven by the underlying nature of the owner not simply by their conscious decisions and behaviors.16. What do we learn from the new study by the University of Lincoln?17. What does the passage say most pet owners want to do?18. What does the passage say it’s still needed to understand the effects of owners’ personalities on their pets?Passage Two(19) One 50-minute run can add seven hours to your life. This was a claim made byThe Timeslast week.The claim was based on a new review of studies about the effects of running. The review concluded that an average runners live three years longer than non-runners and that running does more to extend life than any other form of exercise. But there’s more to running than its health benefits.(20) Research published in recent years have shown that running changes your brain and mind in some fascinating ways from increasing your brain function to regulating your emotions.However, the precise effects vary according to whether you engage in short fast running or long distance running. For example, in one study, researchers compared participants’ ability to learn new words after several minutes of intense running, and after 40 minutes of gentle running, participants were able to learn 20 percent faster after the intense running and they showed a superior memory whentested again a week later. In another study, researchers asked volunteers to jog for 30 minutes and then showed them clips from a sad movie. Participants who usually struggled to handle negative emotions were more intensely affected by the sad clips just as you’d expect. But crucially, this was less so if th ey had completed the 30 minutes jog.(21) The researchers said moderate exercise appears to have helped those participants to be less vulnerable to the impact of the sad movie.19. What did the new review of studies claim?20. What is one effect that running has on people according to recent research?21. What did another study find about the participant after they had a 30 minutes jog?Passage ThreeWelcome to the tour of the Hill House. This house built in 1904 is one of the most well-known works of Charles Hill, the famous architect. It was designed and built for local entrepreneur and his family. Before starting the tour, let me give you a brief introduction about the design of this amazing building.(23) Prior to beginning his design, the architect spends sometime in the client’s old home, observing their life and studying their habits.This meant that he could design the house according to the needs of the family.(24) The client’s main desire was to have a home with unique design, so the architect was given complete freedom. The building style is radically different from what was the fashion of the period. At the time, most large homes were constructed of timber and brick. This one, however, is made of concrete, a novel construction material in those days. The interior of the house, including the fittings and furniture, was also designed by the same person. Most of the furniture you will seeis original and in good condition. However,(25) both pieces in the children’s bedrooms are copies built to the designs of the architect.Fortunately, all the blueprints for both the building and its contents have been preserved, so we’ve been able to replace badly damaged furniture. Let’s begin our tour, starting from the rooms.22. What do we learn about the speaker?He is the guide of the tour.23. What dis the architect do before beginning his design?24. What did the architect’s client mainly want?25. What do we learn about the pieces of furniture in the children’sbedrooms?英语四级听力答案(第一套)：1、C) It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.2、A) Correct their mistake as soon as possible.3、B) She has had babies before.4、C) It was smooth.5、D) It was built above the sea-water.6、B) Replace the restaurant5 s wooden deck.7、C) She posted its picture on Facebooks.8、D) Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9、A) Droughts.10、B) Their neat is not that popular.11、D) They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers.12、A) Have her house repainted.13、B) How much the work will cost.14、C) Stay somewhere else.15、B ) Painting a house involves more trouble than she thought.16、A) To cultivate good habits.17、B) Create an ideal study environment for them.18、C) Start with something they enjoy.19、A) Workers who meet its body weight standards.20、D) Unfair.21、C) Encourage healthy behaviors.22、A) It has not done enough to help left-handed children.23、D) They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24、D) Keep track of left-handed children' s school performance.25、B) Why their numbers are so high.英语四级听力答案(第二套)：1.B)She was coughing all the time.2.C)Through a surgical operation.3. D) lt ran away into a nearby forest.4.A)They rebuilt the fencing around their farm.5. D)The loss of gold from an airplane.6.A) lt made an emergency landing.7.C)They will be questioned by the police.8.B)For future training purposes.9.C)To get her money back for the returnedchair.10.D)She was issued a new card.11.C) Update her bank card details on thecompany's website.12.A)He is feeling exhausted.13.B)Order a delivery.14.D) lt is too spicy.14.D) lt is too spicy.15.C)She is too picky about food16.A)Owner's personalities affect their cats'behavior and wellbeing.17.B)Provide their pets with the best care.18.D)Further investigation.19.B)Running is the best exercise for extendingone’s life.20.A) lmproving their brain function.21.D)They were less affected by sad movies.22.A)He is a tour guide.23.C)He observed his client’s life and habits.24.D)A house of a unique design.25.B)They are copies built to the architect'sdesigns.。
【英语真题】2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第二套)
2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第二 套）PartⅠWriting(30 minutes)Directions:Suppose you have just participated in a school project of collecting used books on campus.You are now to write a report about the project,which may include its aim,organizers, participants and activities.You will have30minutes to write the report.You should write at least 120words but no more than180words.PartⅡListening Comprehension(30minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear three news reports.At the end of each news report,you will hear two or three questions.Both the news report and questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions1and2are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A)It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.B)It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong airportC)It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.D)It had two of its domestic flights mixed up2.A)Correct their mistake as soon as possible.B)Give the two pets a physical checkup.C)Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.D)Send another plane to continue the flight.Questions3and4are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A)She weighs130kilograms B)She has had babies beforeC)She was brought from Africa.D)She has a big family of six.4.A)It took22hours.B)It had some complicationsC)It was smooth.D)It was monitored by Dr.Sue Tygielski Questions5to7are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A)It enjoyed great popularity.B)It started business three years ago.C)It was frequented by newly-weds D)It was built above the sea-water.6.A)Expand his business on the beach.B)Replace the restaurant’s wooden deck.C)Post a picture of his restaurant online.D)Celebrate his silver wedding anniversary.7.A)She sold it for two thousand dollarsB)She took it to the restaurant managerC)She posted its picture on FacebookD)she returned it to its owner right awaySection BDirections:In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre.Questions8to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A)The number of ducks has declined sharply in recent years.B)Climate change has little effect on the lives of wild ducks.C)Duck meat is not eaten in Australia,Canada and the U.S.D)Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9.A)Droughts.B)Bushfires.C)Farming.D)Hunting.10.A)They are not easy to domesticate.B)Their meat is not that popular.C)It is not environmentally friendly D)It is not considered cost-effective11A)They hunted ducks as a traditional sport.B)They killed wild ducks and geese for food.C)They raised ducks and geese for their eggs.D)They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)Have her house repainted B)Replace some of her old furnitureC)Move into a newly-painted house D)Calculate the cost of the paint job13.A)How long the work will take B)How much the work will cost.C)How the paint job is to be done.D)How many workers are needed14.A)Cover up her furniture B)Ask some friends for helpC)Stay somewhere else D)Oversee the work herself15.A)She could have asked a friend for help with the paint jobB)Painting a house involves more trouble than she thoughtC)she should have repainted her house much earlierD)Moving her furniture is harder than the paint jobSection CDirections:In this section,you will hear three passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet1with a single line through the centre. Questions16to18are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A)To cultivate good habits.B)To prepare for secondary school.C)To review what is learned in classD)To stimulate interest in learning.17.A)Discuss their academic achievements with themB)Create an ideal study environment for themC)Allow them to learn independentlyD)Check their homework promptly18.A)Finish them before they get tiredB)Tackle the most difficult task firstC)Start with something they enjoyD)Focus on the most important onesQuestions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)Workers who meet its body weight standardsB)Workers who can lose30pounds in a yearC)Workers who try the hardest to lose weightD)Workers who are in the top10%of the slimmest20.A)ImpracticalB)InconsistentC)UnmanageableD)Unfair21.A)Offer them much fatter bonuses.B)Improve working environment.C)Encourage healthy behaviorsD)Provide free lunch and snacksQuestions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A)It has not done enough to help left-handed children.B)It has treated left-handed children as being disabled.C)It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.D)It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.23.A)They are as intelligent as other children.B)They have a distinctive style of handwritingC)They sometimes have psychological problems.D)They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24.A)Punish teachers discriminating against left-handed studentsB)Lay more emphasis on improving children’s mental healthC)Encourage students to develop various professional skillsD)Keep track of left-handed children’s school performance,25.A)How they can be reduced in number.B)Why their numbers are so highC)What percentage they account forD)If their percentage keeps increasingPartⅢReading Comprehension(40minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter:Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon on April23,1564.But it is impossible to know the26day on which he was born.Church records show he was baptized(施洗礼)on April26,and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newly born baby.Shakespeare’s date of death is27known,however:it was April23,1616.He was52and had retired to Stratford three years before.Although few plays have been performed or analyzed as extensively as the38plays Shakespeare wrote,there are few surviving details about his life.This28of biographical information is due primarily to his social29;he was not a noble,but the son of a leather trader.Shakespeare30attended the grammar school in Stratford,where he would have studied Latin and read31literature.He did not go to university and at age18married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his32.They had four children,including the twins,Hamnet and Judith. Nothing is known of the period between the birth of the twins and Shakespeare’s33as a dramatist in London in the early1590sIn a million words written over20years,he34the full range of human emotions and conflicts with a35that remains sharp today.As his great contemporary the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson said,“He was not of an age,but for all time.”A)captured I)precisionB)classical J)probablyC)conclusively K)qualityD)emergence L)scarcityE)exact M)seniorF)generated N)separatedG)particular O)systematicallyH)positionSection BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.How to not be boring[A]Humans are creatures of habit.We love to establish a routine and stick with it.Then we often put ourselves on auto-pilot.Routines can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done. However,too much of a routine can also make you incredibly boring.Nevertheless,many people live lives that are boringly predictable,or live a life where everything is outlined or planned. [B]To tell the truth,interesting people are more popular among their friends.If you don’t arouse someone's curiosity or brighten someone’s day,you probably come across as being a little bit dull. But that doesn’t mean your life has ended and you can't do anything to change it.If you find yourself searching for something to say beyond small talk,try these tactics to find more interesting approaches to conversation.[C]Recently,I was at a gathering of colleagues when someone turned to me and asked,"So, what's new with you?”Ordinarily,I think I’m a good conversationalist.After all,it's literally my job to talk to people and tell their stories or share their advice.And that's not exactly an unexpected question.Still,the only“new-lo-me”topics that came to mind were my daughter’s basketball tournament（锦标赛）and my feelings about that morning’s political headlines----neither amusing nor appropriate topics at that moment.[D]Oh,no,I thought.Have I become boring?But sharing our experiences in an authentic way to connect with other people is what makes us interesting,says associate professor Michael Pirson.The hesitation I felt in not sharing the ordinary things that were happening in my life,and the wild mental search for something more interesting,may have backfired and made me seem less interesting.[E]“If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting,it’s probably not going to land well,”says Pirson,whose expertise includes trust and well-being,mindfulness,and humanistic management.“It’s going to feel like a made-up conversation that people don’t necessarily want to tune in to.”[F]The most interesting people aren’t those who've gone on some Eat,Pray,Love journey to find themselves.Instead,Pirson says,they’re those who examine the ordinary.”Often,the‘boring things’may not be boring at all.Maybe they are actually little miracles,"he says.Share yourobservations about the world around you---interesting stories you heard or things you noticed---and you may be surprised by the universal connection they inspire.[G]This is essentially how Jessica Hagy starts her day.The author of How to Be Interesting:An Instruction Manual,Hagy spends a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her.People who are interesting are persistently curious,she says.[H]Think about the everyday things around you and ask questions about them.What is that roadside monument I sec on my way to work every day?Who built that interesting building in my city?What nearby attractions haven’t I visited?Why do people do things that way?Use what you find to ask more questions and learn more about the world around you.“Having that sort of curiosity is almost like a protective gear from getting into boredom,”she says.And when you find things that are truly interesting to you,share them.[I]Television veteran Audrey Morrissey,executive producer of NBC’s The Voice,is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers.It’s usually a matter of individuality.“Having a strong point of'view,signature style,or being a super-enthusiast in a particular field makes someone interesting,"she says.That means embracing what is truly interesting or unique about yourself.“Many people are‘not boring’in the way that they can carry a conversation or can be good at a social gathering,etc.To be interesting means that you have lived life,taken risks,traveled,sought out experience to learn for yourself and share with others," she says.[J]Of course,it’s possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person,says public relations consultant Andrea Pass,Paying attention to the listener is an important part of having a conversation that’s interesting to both parties.Talking on and on about what’s interesting to you isn’t going to make you an interesting person,she says.[K]“If the listener is not paying attention,it’s your sign to shorten the story or change direction. Make sure to bring the audience into the conversation so that it is not one-sided,”Pass says.Be a better listener yourself,and give others opportunities to participate in the conversation by inviting them with questions or requests to share their own experiences or thoughts.(e.g.,“Now,tell me about your favorite book,”or“Have you ever been to that attraction?”)Questions are a powerful tool,especially when they encourage others to disclose information about themselves.A2012 study from the University of California,Santa Barbara,found that roughly40%of the time we are talking,we’re disclosing subjective information about our experience.And when we’re doing so, our brains are more engaged.So one strategy to leave others with the impression that you’re a sparkling conversation partner is to get others to talk.about themselves.[L]Being relatable is also essential,Morrissey says."The best entertainment and storytelling comes from people who are relatable---those who don’t shy away from opening up but freely share who they are and what they care about.These are the people viewers most relate to and find interesting.Being authentic,honest,and vulnerable is always interesting."[M]I have now come to realize that being boring,in actuality,is not only about who you are as aperson,but also how you present yourself.No matter what,make sure you are having fun in life. Because when you are enjoying,people around you will begin to enjoy as well.Show some interest in them and they will definitely show some in you.If'you are a very reserved person,this could be a little difficult at first.But with a little effort,you can definitely improve.36.Pirson claims that some ordinary things may often prove to be miraculously interesting.37.To make a conversation interesting,it is important that you listen to the other party attentively.38.A person who is unable to stimulate others’curiosity or make their life enjoyable may appear somewhat boring.39.Interesting people usually possess certain unique qualities,according to a TV program producer.40.Be interested in others and they are sure to be interested in you.41.The author considers himself usually good at conducting conversations.42.Interesting people are always full of curiosity.43.Falling into a routine can turn a person into an utter bore.44.One strategy to be a good conversationalist is to morivate your partner to tell their own stories.45.lnteresting as it might appear,a made-up conversation will probably turn out to be dull. Section CDirections:There are2passages in this section.Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements.For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C)and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions46to50are based on the following passage.With obesity now affecting2%of the population in England,and expected to rise to35%by 2030,should we now recognise if as a disease?Obesity,in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected,meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding.He points out that more than200genes influence weight.“Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology----it is not an individual’s fault if they develop obesity."Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual's responsibility to do something about it.Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice“should help reduce the stigma(耻辱）and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity.”he adds.Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services,pointing out that other common diseases,such as high blood pressure and diabetes,require people to take action to manage their condition.He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications.“But unless we accept that obesity is a disease,we are not going to be able to tackle it.”he concludes.But Dr.Richard Pile,a physician with a special interest in diabetes,argues that adopting this approach"could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society.”He believes that he dictionary definition of disease“is so vague that we can classify almost anything as a disease”and says the question is not whether we can,but whether we should,and to what end.If labelling obesity as a disease was harmless then it wouldn’t really matter,he writes.But labelling obesity as a disease“risks reducing autonomy,disempowering and robbing people of the intrinsic(内在的)motivation that is such an important enabler of change.”What’s more,making obesity a disease“may not benefit patients,but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical(制药的)industry when health insurance and clinical guidelines promote treatment with drugs and surgery,”he warns.46.What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?A)Its impact on society is expected to rise.B)It is now too widespread to be neglected.C)It should be regarded as a genetic disease.D)Its dictionary definition should be updated.47.What is the popular view of obesity?A)It is difficult to define.B)It is a modem disease.C)It has much to do with one’s genes.D)It results from a lack of self-control.48.Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?A)Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.B)Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.C)Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.D)Obese people would be discriminated against.49.What does Dr.Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?A)It is of no use in understanding obesity.B)It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.C)It helps little to solve patients’problems.D)It matters little to the debate over obesity.50.What is Dr.Richard Pile's concern about classifying obesity as a disease?A)It may affect obese people’s quality of life.B)It may accelerate the spread of obesity.C)It may cause a shortage of doctors.D)It may do little good to patients.Passage TwoQuestions51to55are based on the following passage.Nationwide,only about three percent of early childhood teachers are male in the U.S.Expertssay this can have an impact on young children whose understanding of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming.Research has found that having access to diverse teachers is beneficial for children.For the youngest learners,it means they are more likely to get exposed to different varieties of play and communication.It also helps them develop healthy ideas around gender.“In our world and our society,we have very specific stereotypes（模式化形象）of gender roles,”said Mindi Reich-Shapiro,an assistant professor in the teacher education department of the Borough of Manhattan Community College,and one of the authors of a recent study.”It’s important for children to see other possibilities and other paths they can take.”Despite mostly feeling supported by colleagues and family members,many of the male educators surveyed in the study reported facing social or cultural resistance in their careers as early education teachers.Some also reported that there were parents surprised or concerned that their child had a male teacher.And they had been advised by colleagues or other staff not to hug children.Reich-Shapiro and fellow researchers made several recommendations lo increase male representation in the field.Low pay has long been acknowledged as a major issue in the early childhood field.Over70%of male educators who said they intended to stay in the early education workforce noted an increased salary was a major motivating factor for them to commit to the career long-term.The report suggests paying all early childhood educators the way elementary school teachers are paid.Cities and programs should establish support groups for male early childhood educators and provide mentoring and professional development advice for male educators and their program leaders.The authors also suggest that traditional recruitment approaches for early childhood educators“do not address the gender gap in the field.”They recommend providing young men opportunities to work with children through training and volunteer programs,targeting groups of men who are considering a career change,such as fathers.51.What do we learn from the first paragraph about early childhood education in the U.S.?A)It helps raise children’s awareness of gender roles.B)It exposes children to different ways of interaction.C)It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.D)It clearly aims to form children’s identity through play.52.What does Mindi Reich-Shapiro emphasize in her comment on childhood education?A)The importance of broadening children’s horizons.B)The responsibilities of fathers for children’s growth.C)The urgency of creating teacher education programs.D)The role of teachers in motivating children to learn.53.What do we learn about male teachers from their responses in the study?A)Some of them find it awkward when hugging children.B)They feel pressured to keep up with female colleagues.C)They find it hard to meet the expectations of kids’parents.D)Many of them feel prejudiced against socially and culturally.54.What is needed for men to commit to early childhood education?A)Higher pay.B)Job security.C)Social recognition.D)Better working conditions.55.What do the authors of the study recommend to bridge the gender gap in early childhood education?A)Recruiting young men who have a passion for educating young children.B)Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.C)Persuading prospective fathers to consider a change in their career.D)Providing male teachers with more opportunities for advancement.PartⅣTranslation(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English.You should write your answer on Answer Sheet2.大运河(Grand Canal)是世界上最长的人工河，北起北京，南至杭州。
2021年12月大学英语四级考试题(第2套)
2021 年12 月大学英语四级考试真题（第2 套）Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions: Suppose you have just participated in a school project of collecting used books on campus. You are now to write a report about the project, which may include its aim, organizers, participants and activities. You will have 30 minutes to write the report. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.PartⅡListening Comprehension (30 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 questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) It found a pet dog on board a plane to a city in Texas.B)It had one of its cargo planes land at a wrong a irportC)It sent two dogs to the wrong destinations.D)It had two of its domestic flights mixed up2.A) Correct their mistake as soon as possible.B)Give the two pets a physical c heckup.C)Hire a charter jet to bring the pets back.D)Send another plane to continue the flight.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) She weighs 130 kilograms B) She has had babies beforeC) She was brought from Africa. D) She has a big family of six.4.A) It took 22 hours. B) It had some complicationsC) It was smooth. D) It was monitored by Dr. Sue Tygielski Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) It enjoyed great popularity. B) It started business three years ago.C) It was frequented by newly-weds D) It was built above the sea-water.6.A) Expand his business on the beach.B)Replace the restaurant’s wooden deck.C)Post a picture of his restaurant online.D)Celebrate his silver wedding anniversary.7.A) She sold it for two thousand dollarsB)She took it to the restaurant m anagerC)She posted its picture on F acebookD)she returned it to its owner right awaySection BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) The number of ducks has declined sharply in recent years.B)Climate change has little effect on the lives of wild ducks.C)Duck meat is not eaten in Australia, Canada and the U.S.D)Duck hunting remains legal in many parts of the world.9.A) Droughts. B) Bushfires.C) Farming. D) Hunting.10.A) They are not easy to domesticate. B) Their meat is not that popular.C) It is not environmentally friendly D) It is not considered cost-effective11 A) They hunted ducks as a traditional sport. B) They killed wild ducks and geese for food.C) They raised ducks and geese for their eggs. D) They poisoned wild ducks in large numbers Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Have her house repainted B) Replace some of her old furnitureC) Move into a newly-painted house D) Calculate the cost of the paint j ob13.A) How long the work will take B) How much the work will cost.C) How the paint job is to be done. D) How many workers are needed14.A) Cover up her furniture B) Ask some friends for helpC)Stay somewhere else D) Oversee the work herself15.A) She could have asked a friend for help with the paint jobB)Painting a house involves more trouble than she thoughtC)she should have repainted her house much earlierD)Moving her furniture is harder than the paint jobSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) To cultivate good habits.B)To prepare for secondary school.C)To review what is learned in classD)To stimulate interest in learning.17.A) Discuss their academic achievements with themB)Create an ideal study environment for themC)Allow them to learn independentlyD)Check their homework promptly18.A) Finish them before they get tiredB)Tackle the most difficult task firstC)Start with something they enjoyD)Focus on the most important onesQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) Workers who meet its body weight standardsB)Workers who can lose 30 pounds in a yearC)Workers who try the hardest to lose weightD)W orkers who are in the top 10% of the slimmest20.A) ImpracticalB)InconsistentC)UnmanageableD)Unfair21.A) Offer them much fatter bonuses.B)Improve working environment.C)Encourage healthy behaviorsD)Provide free lunch and snacksQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) It has not done enough to help left-handed children.B)It has treated left-handed children as being d isabled.C)It has not built facilities specially for the left-handed.D)It has ignored campaigns on behalf of the left-handed.23.A) They are as intelligent as other children.B)They have a distinctive style of handwritingC)They sometimes have psychological problems.D)They tend to have more difficulties in learning.24.A) Punish teachers discriminating against left-handed studentsB)Lay more emphasis on improving children’s mental healthC)Encourage students to develop various professional skillsD)Keep track of left-handed children’s school performance,25.A) How they can be reduced in number.B)Why their numbers are so highC)What percentage they account forD)If their percentage keeps increasingPart ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select oneword 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.It is commonly believed that the great English dramatist and poet William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564. But it is impossible to know the 26 day on which he was born. Church records show he was baptized( 施洗礼)on April 26, and three days was a customary amount of time to wait before baptizing a newly born bab y. Shakespeare’s date of death is 27 known, however: it was April 23, 1616. He was 52 and had retired to Stratford three years before.Although few plays have been performed or analyzed as extensively as the 38 plays Shakespeare wrote, there are few surviving details about his life.This 28 of biographical information is due primarily to his social 29 ; he was not a noble, but the son of a leather trader.Shakespeare 30 attended the grammar school in Stratford, where he would have studied Latin and read 31 literature. He did not go to university and at age 18 married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his 32 .They had four children, including the twins, Hamnet and Judith. Nothing is known of the period between the birth of the twins and Shakespeare’s 33 as a dramatist in London in the early 1590sIn a million words written over 20 years, he 34 the full range of human emotions and conflicts with a 35 that remains sharp today. As his great contemporary the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson said, “He was not of an age, but for all time.”A)captured I)precisionB)classical J)probablyC)conclusively K)qualityD)emergence L)scarcityE)exact M) seniorF)generated N)separatedG)particular O) systematicallyH)positionSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.How to not be boring[A]Humans are creatures of habit. We love to establish a routine and stick with it. Then we often put ourselves on auto-pilot. Routines can be incredibly useful in helping you get things done. However, too much of a routine can also make you incredibly boring. Nevertheless, many people live lives that are boringly predictable, or live a life where everything is outlined or planned.[B]To tell the truth, interesting people are more popular among their friends. If you don’t arouse someone's curiosity or brighten someone’s day, you probably come across as being a little bit dull. But that doesn’t mean your life has ended and you can't do anything to change it. If you find yourself searching for something to say beyond small talk, try these tactics to find more interesting approaches to conversation.[C]Recently, I was at a gathering of colleagues when someone turned to me and asked, "So, what's new with you?” Ordinarily, I think I’m a good conversationalist. After all,it's literally my job to talk to people and tell their stories or share their advice. And that's not exactly an unexpected question. Still, the only “new-lo-me” topics that came to mind were my daughter’s basketball tournament （锦标赛）and my feelings about that morning’s political headlines neither amusing nor appropriate topics at that moment.[D]Oh, no, I thought.Have I become boring? But sharing our experiences in an authentic way to connect with other people is what makes us interesting, says associate professor Michael Pirson.The hesitation I felt in not sharing the ordinary things that were happening in my life, and the wild mental search for something more interesting, may have backfired and made me seem less interesting.[E]“If someone is making up some conversation that might be interesting, it’s probably not going to land well,” says Pirson, whose expertise includes trust and well-being, mindfulness, and humanistic management. “It’s going to feel like a made-up conversation that people don’t necessarily want to tune in to.”[F]The most interesting people aren’t those who've gone on some Eat, Pray, Love journey to find themselves. Instead, Pirson says, they’re those who examine the ordinary.” Often, the ‘boring things’ may not be boring at all. Maybe they are actually little miracles," he says. Share yourobservations about the world around you --- interesting stories you heard or things you noticed---and you may be surprised by the universal connection they inspire.[G]This is essentially how Jessica Hagy starts her day. The author of How to Be Interesting: An Instruction Manual, Hagy spends a lot of time thinking about what's interesting to her. People who are interesting are persistently curious, she says.[H]Think about the everyday things around you and ask questions about them. What is that roadside monument I sec on my way to work every day? Who built that interesting building in my city? What nearby attractions haven’t I visited? Why do people do things that way? Use what you find to ask more questions and learn more about the world around you. “Having that sort of curiosity is almo st like a protective gear from getting into boredom,” she says. And when you find things that are truly interesting to you, share them.[I]Television veteran Audrey Morrissey, executive producer of NBC’s The Voice, is always looking for what will make a person or story interesting to viewers. It’s usually a matter of individuality. “Having a strong point of' view, signature style, or being a super-enthusiast in a particular field makes someone interesting," she says. That means embracing what is truly interest ing or unique about yourself. “Many people are ‘not boring’ in the way that they can carry a conversation or can be good at a social gathering, etc. To be interesting means that you have lived life, taken risks, traveled, sought out experience to learn for yourself and share with others," she says.[J]Of course, it’s possible to be a fountain of knowledge and a boring person, says public relations consultant Andrea Pass, Paying attention to the listener is an important part of having a conversation that’s inte resting to both parties. Talking on and on about what’s interesting to you isn’t going to make you an interesting person, she says.[K]“If the listener is not paying attention, it’s your sign to shorten the story or change direction. Make sure to bring the audience into the conversation so that it is not one-sided,” Pass says. Be a better listener yourself, and give others opportunities to participate in the conversation by inviting them with questions or requests to share their own experiences or thoughts.(e.g., “Now,tell me about your favorite book,” or “Have you ever been to that attraction?”) Questions are a powerful tool, especially when they encourage others to disclose information about themselves. A 2012 study from the University of California, Santa Barbara, found that roughly 40% of the time we are talking, we’re disclosing subjective information about our experience. And when we’re doing so, our brains are more engaged. So one strategy to leave others with the impression that you’re a sparkling conversation partner is to get others to talk. about themselves.[L]Being relatable is also essential, Morrissey says."The best entertainment and storytelling comes from people who are relatable---those who don’t shy away from opening up but freely share who they are and what they care about.These are the people viewers most relate to and find interesting. Being authentic, honest, and vulnerable is always interesting."[M]I have now come to realize that being boring, in actuality, is not only about who you are as aperson, but also how you present yourself. No matter what, make sure you are having fun in life. Because when you are enjoying, people around you will begin to enjoy as well. Show some interest in them and they will definitely show some in you. If' you are a very reserved person, this could be a little difficult at first. But with a little effort, you can definitely improve.36.Pirson claims that some ordinary things may often prove to be miraculously interesting.37.To make a conversation interesting, it is important that you listen to the other party attentively.38.A person who is unable to stimulate others’ curiosity or make their life enjoyable may appear somewhat boring.39.Interesting people usually possess certain unique qualities, according to a TV program producer.40.Be interested in others and they are sure to be interested in you.41.The author considers himself usually good at conducting conversations.42.Interesting people are always full of curiosity.43.Falling into a routine can turn a person into an utter bore.44.One strategy to be a good conversationalist is to morivate your partner to tell their own stories.45.lnteresting as it might appear, a made-up conversation will probably turn out to be dull. Section CDirections: There 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.With obesity now affecting 2% of the population in England, and expected to rise to 35% by 2030, should we now recognise if as a disease? Obesity, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected, meets the dictionary definition of disease, argues Professor John Wilding. He points out that more than 200 genes influence weight. “Thus body weight is strongly influenced by biology----it is not an individual’s fault if they develop obesity." Yet the widespread view is that obesity is self-induced and that it is entirely the individual's responsibility to do something about it. Recognising obesity as a chronic disease with severe complications rather than a lifestyle choice “should help reduce the stigma ( 耻辱）and discrimination experienced by many people with obesity.” he adds.Professor Wilding disagrees that labelling a high proportion of the population as having a disease removes personal responsibility or may overwhelm health services, pointing out that other common diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, require people to take action to manage their condition. He suggests that most people with obesity will eventually develop complications. “But unless we accept that obesity is a disease, we are not going to be able to tackle it.” he concludes.But Dr.Richard Pile, a physician with a special interest in diabetes, argues that adopting this approach"could actually result in worse outcomes for individuals and society.” He believes that he dictionary definition of disease “is so vague that we can classify almost a nything as a disease” and says the question is not whether we can, but whether we should, and to what end.If labelling obesity as a disease was harmless then it wouldn’t really matter, he writes. But labelling obesity as a disease “risks reducing autonomy, disempowering and robbing people of the intrinsic(内在的)motivation that is such an important enabler of change.” What’s more, making obesity a disease “may not benefit patients, but it will benefit healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical(制药的)industry when health insurance and clinical guidelines promote treatment with drugs and surgery,”he warns.46.What does Professor John Wilding argue about obesity?A)Its impact on society is expected to rise.B)It is now too widespread to be neglected.C)It should be regarded as a genetic disease.D)I ts dictionary definition should be updated.47.What is the popular view of obesity?A)It is difficult to define.B)It is a modem disease.C)It has much to do with one’s genes.D)It results from a lack of self-control.48.Why are some people opposed to labelling obesity as a disease?A)Obese people would not feel responsible to take any action.B)Obese people would not be able to afford the medical costs.C)Obese people would be overwhelmed with anxiety.D)O bese people would be discriminated against.49.What does Dr. Richard Pile think of the dictionary definition of disease?A)It is of no use in understanding obesity.B)It is too inclusive and thus lacks clarity.C)It helps little to solve patients’ problems.D)It matters little to the debate over obesity.50.What is Dr. Richard Pile's concern about classifying obesity as a disease?A)It may affect obese people’s quality of life.B)It may accelerate the spread of obesity.C)It may cause a shortage of doctors.D)It may do little good to patients.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Nationwide, only about three percent of early childhood teachers are male in the U.S. Expertssay this can have an impact on young children whose understanding of gender roles and identity are rapidly forming. Research has found that having access to diverse teachers is beneficial for children. For the youngest learners, it means they are more likely to get exposed to different varieties of play and communication. It also helps them develop healthy ideas around gender.“In our world and our society, we have very specific stereotypes（模式化形象）of gender roles,”said Mindi Reich-Shapiro, an assistant professor in the teacher education department of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, and one of the authors of a recent study.” It’s important for children to see other possibilities and other paths they can take.”Despite mostly feeling supported by colleagues and family members,many of the male educators surveyed in the study reported facing social or cultural resistance in their careers as early education teachers. Some also reported that there were parents surprised or concerned that their child had a male teacher. And they had been advised by colleagues or other staff not to hug children.Reich-Shapiro and fellow researchers made several recommendations lo increase male representation in the field. Low pay has long been acknowledged as a major issue in the early childhood field. Over 70% of male educators who said they intended to stay in the early education workforce noted an increased salary was a major motivating factor for them to commit to the career long-term. The report suggests paying all early childhood educators the way elementary school teachers are paid.Cities and programs should establish support groups for male early childhood educators and provide mentoring and professional development advice for male educators and their program leaders.The authors also suggest that traditional recruitment approaches for early childhood educators “do not address the gender gap in the field.” They recommend providing young men opportunities to work with children through training and volunteer programs, targeting groups of men who are considering a career change, such as fathers.51.What do we learn from the first paragraph about early childhood education in the U.S.?A)It helps raise children’s awareness of gender roles.B)It exposes children to different ways of interaction.C)It is negatively impacted by a lack of male teachers.D)It clearly aims to form children’s identity through play.52.What does Mindi Reich-Shapiro emphasize in her comment on childhood education?A)The importance of broadening children’s horizons.B)The responsibilities of fathers for children’s growth.C)T he urgency of creating teacher education programs.D)T he role of teachers in motivating children to learn.53.What do we learn about male teachers from their responses in the study?A)Some of them find it awkward when hugging children.B)They feel pressured to keep up with female colleagues.C)They find it hard to meet the expectations of kids’ parents.D)M any of them feel prejudiced against socially and culturally.54.What is needed for men to commit to early childhood education?A)Higher pay.B)Job security.C)Social recognition.D)Better working conditions.55.What do the authors of the study recommend to bridge the gender gap in early childhood education?A)Recruiting young men who have a passion for educating young children.B)Taking measures to attract prospective male teachers to work in the field.C)Persuading prospective fathers to consider a change in their c areer.D)Providing male teachers with more opportunities for advancement.Part ⅣTranslation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.大运河(Grand Canal)是世界上最长的人工河，北起北京，南至杭州。
662.12月大学英语四级考试真题第2套
2021年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying “Listening is more important than talking.〞You can cite examples to illustrate the importance of listening. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words。
PartⅡListening Comprehension (30minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) B) C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on. Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.1.What did NASA's Constellation Programme originally plan to do?A) To set up a moon colony by 2021.B) To send astronauts again to the moon by 2021.C) To continue the current shuttle missions till 2021.D) To create more jobs for NASA till 2021.2.What is the major reason for NASA's Constellation Programme to be canceled?A) There were import space missions.B) The space agency lacked funding for the programme.C) The current shuttle missions would continue.D) Congress failed to pass President Obama's budget.Questions 3 and 4 will be based on the following news item.3.What is the percentage of common shares of Blackberry does Fairfax hold?A) 10% B) 20% C) 40% D) Unknown4.According to this passage, what is the most likely or direct reason that is said for Blackberry being ailing?A) The economic crisis happening around the world.B) The stiff competition from other companies.C) The unwise decisions made by the company's managing team.D) Their smart phones are not well produced.Questions 5 to 7 will be based on the following news item.5.Why were the fishing crew stranded on Oct.10th?A) They went to a remote area B) Their fishing boats collidedC) They tried to repair their boats D) They decided to stay in the boats.6.How did they survive during those three months?A) On supplies they brought with them.B) On supplies sent to them by rescue teams.C) On supplies left at the military base.D) Not mentioned in the passage.7. How were the crew rescued eventually?A) By helicopter. B) By boat.C) By radio contact. D) By a search team.Section BDirection: In this section，you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Conversation OneQuestions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He has taught Spanish for a couple of years at a local school.B) He worked at the Brownstone Company for several years.C) He owned a small retail business in Michigan years ago.D) He has been working part-time in a school near Detroit.9. A) He prefers a full-time job with more responsibility.B) He is eager to find a job with an increased salary.C) He likes to work in a company close to home.D) He would rather get a less demanding job.10. A) Sports. B) Travel.C) Foreign languages. D) Computer games.11. A) when he is supposed to start work.B) What responsibilities he would have.C) When he will be informed about his application.D) What career opportunities her company can offer.Conversation TwoQuestions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Bring him up to date on the current situation in Milan,B) Inform him of the arrangements for his trip in Italy.C) Fetch the documents signed by Mr. Gartner.D) Accompany Mr. Gartner to the Linate airport.13. A) About 8:30. B) About 6:30.C) About 5:30. D) About 4:15.14. A) Mr. Gartner from Milan.B) Gianni Riva at Megastar.C) The company’s sales representative.D) Gavin from the Chamber of Commerce.15. A) Travel agent. B) Business manager.C) Secretary. D) Saleswoman.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question. you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C)and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on answer Sheet1 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) It is lined with tall trees. B) It was widened recentlyC) It has high buildings on both sides. D) It used to be dirty and disorderly.17. A)They repaved it with rocks B)They built public restrooms on itC) They beautified it with plants D) They set up cooking facilities near it18.A)What makes life enjoyable B〕How to work with toolsC) What a community means D) How to improve health19. A) They were obliged to fulfill the signed contractB) They were encouraged by the city officials’ praiseC) They wanted to prove they were as capable as boysD) They derived happiness from the constructive workPassage TwoQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20. A) The majority of them think it less important than computersB) Many of them consider it boring and old-fashionedC) The majority of them find it interestingD) Few of them read more than ten books a year21. A) Novels and stories C) History and science booksB) Mysteries and detective stories D) Books and culture and tradition22. A) Watching TV C) Reading magazinesB)Listening to music D〕Playing computer gamesPassage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A) Advice on the purchase of carsB) Information about the new green-fuel vehiclesC) Trends for the development of the motor carD〕Solutions to global fuel shortage24. A) Limited driving range B) Huge recharging expensesC) The short life of batteries D) The unaffordable high price25. A) They need to be further improvedB) They can easily switch to natural gasC) They are more cost-effective than vehicles powered by solar energyD) They can match conventional motor cars in performance and safetyPart III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections：In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.For many Americans, 2021 ended with an unusually bitter cold spell. Late November and December 26 early snow and bone-chilling temperatures in much of the country, part of a year when, for the first time in two 27 , record-cold days will likely turn out to have outnumbered record-warm ones. But the U.S. was the exception：November was the warmest ever 28, and current data indicates that 2021 is likely to have been the fourth hottest year on record.Enjoy the snow now, because 29 are good that 2021 will be even hotter, perhaps the hottest year since records have been kept. That’s because, scientists are predicting, 2021 will be an EI Nino year.EI Nino, Spanish for “the child〞, 30 when surface ocean waters in the southern Pacific become abnormally warm. So large is the Pacific, covering 30％of the planet’s surface, that the 31 energy generated by its warming is enough to touch off a series of weather changes around the world. EI Ninos are 32 with abnormally dry conditions in Southeast Asia and Australia. They canlead to extreme rain in parts of North and South America, even as southern Africa 33 dry weather. Marine life may be affected too：EI Nino can 34 the rising of the cold, nutrient-rich(营养丰富的) water that supports large fish 35 , and the unusually warm ocean temperatures can destroy coral(珊瑚).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.How to Eat WellA) Why do so many Americans eat tons of processed food, the stuff that is correctly called junk(垃圾) and should really carry warning labels?B) It’s not because fresh ingredients are hard to come by Supermarkets offer more variety than ever, and there are over four times as many famers’ markets in the U.S. as there we re 20 years ago. Nor is it for lack of available information. There are plenty of recipes(食谱), how-to videos and cooking classes available to anyone who has a computer, smartphone or television. If anything the information is overwhelming.C) And yet we aren’t cooking. If you eat three meals a day and behave like most Americans, you probably get at least a third of your daily calories(卡路里) outsides the home. Nearly two-thirds of us grab fast food once a week, and we get almost 25% of our daily calories from snacks. So we’re eating out or taking in, and we don’t sit down—or we do, but hurry.D) Shouldn’t preparing—and consuming—food be a source of comfort, pride, health, well-being, relaxation, sociability? Something that connects us to other humans? Why should we want to outsource(外包) this basic task, especially when outsourcing it is so harmful?E) When I talk about cooking, I’m not talking about creating elaborate dinner parties or three-day science projects. I’m talking about simple, easy, everyday m eals. My mission is to encourage green hands and those lacking time or money to feed themselves. That means we need modest, realistic expectation, and we need to teach people to cook food that’s good enough to share with family and friends.F) Perhaps a return to real cooking needn’t be far off. A recent Harris poll revealed that 79% of Americans say they enjoy cooking and 30% “love it〞; 14% admit to not enjoying kitchen work and just 7% won’t go near the stove at all. But this doesn’t necessarily transla te to real cooking and the result of this survey shouldn’t surprise anyone; 52% of those 65 or older cook at home five or more times per week; only a third of young people do.G) Back in the 1950s most of us grew up in households where Mom cooked virtually every night. The intention to put a home-cooked meal on the table was pretty much universal. Most people couldn’t afford to do otherwise.H) Although frozen dinners were invented in the 40s, their popularity didn’t boom until televisions became popular a decade or so later. Since then packaged, pre-prepared meals have been what’s for dinner. The microwave and fast-food chains were the biggest catalysts(催化剂),but the big food companies—which want to sell anything except the raw ingredients that go into cooking—made the home cook an endangered species.I) Still, I find it strange that only a third of young people report preparing meals at home regularly. Isn’t this the same crowd that rails against processed junk and champions craft cooking? And isn’t this the generation who say they’re concerned about their health and the wee-being of the planet? If these are truly the values of many young people, then tier behavior doesn’t match their beliefs.J) There have been half-hearted but well-publicized efforts by some food campaigns to reduce calories in their processed foods, but the Standard American Diet is still the polar opposite of the healthy, mostly plant-based diet that just about every expert says we should be eating. Considering that the governments standards are not nearly ambitious enough, the picture is clear:by nor cooking at home, we’re not eating the right things, and the consequences are hard to overstate.K) To help quantify(量化) the costs of a poor diet, I recently tried to estimate this impact in terms of a most famous food, the burger(汉堡包). I concluded that the profit from burgers is more than offset(抵消) by the damage they cause in health problems and environmental harm.L) Cooking real food is the best defense —not to mention that any meal you’re likely to eat at home contains about 200 fewer calories than one you would cat in a restaurant.M) To those Americans for whom money is a concern, my advice is simple; Buy what you can afford, and cook it yourself. The common prescription is to primarily shop the grocery store, since that’s where fresh produce, meat and seafood, and dairy are. And to save money and still eat well you don’t need local organic ingredients; all you need is real food. I’m not saying local food isn’t better, it is. But there is plenty of decent food in the grocery stores.N) The other sections you should get to know are the frozen foods and the canned goods. Frozen produce is still produce; canned tomatoes are still tomatoes. Just make sure you’re getting real food without tons of added salt or sugar. Ask yourself, Would Grandma consider this food? Does it look like something that might occur in nature? It’s pretty much common sense: you want to buy food, not unidentifiable foodlike objects.O) You don’t have to h it the grocery store daily, nor do you need an abundance of skill. Since fewer than half of Americans say they cook at an intermediate level and only 20% describe their cooking skills as advanced, the crisis is one of confidence. And the only remedy for that is practice. There’s nothing mysterious about cooking the evening meal. You just have to do a little thinking ahead and redefine what qualifies as dinner. Like any skill, cooking gets easier as you do it more; every time you cook, you advance your level of skills. Someday you won’t even need recipes. My advice is that you not pay attention to the number of steps and ingredients, because they can be deceiving.P) Time, I realize, is the biggest obstacle to cooking for most people. You must adjust you priorities to find time to cook. For instance, you can move a TV to the kitchen and watch your favorite shows while you’re standing at the sink. No one is asking you to give up activities you like, but if you’re watching food shows on TV, try cooking instead.36. Cooking benefits people in many ways and enables them to connect with one another.37. Abundant information about cooking is available either online or on TV.38. Young people do less cooking at home than the elderly these days.39. Cooking skills can be improved with practice.40. In the mid-20th century, most families ate dinner at home instead of eating out.41. Even those short of time or money should be encouraged to cook for themselves and their family.42. Eating food not cooked by ourselves can cause serious consequences.43. To eat well and still save money, people should buy fresh food and cook it themselves.44. We get a fairly large portion of calories from fast food and snacks.45. The popularity of TV led to the popularity of frozen food.Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A)、B).C) And D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The wallet is heading for extinction. As a day-to.day essential, it will die off with the generation who read print newspapers. The kind of shopping--where you hand over notes mad count out change in return—now happens only in the most minor of our retail encounters, like buying a bar of chocolate or a pint of milk from a comer shop. At the shops where you spend any real money, that money is increasing abstracted. And this is more and more true, the higher up the scale you go. At the most cutting-edge retail stores—Victoria Beckham on Dover Street, for instance--you don't go and stand at any kind of cash register when you decide to pay, The staff are equipped with iPads to take your payment while you relax on a sofa.Which is nothing more or less than excellent service, if you have the money. But across society, the abstraction of the idea of cash makes me uneasy. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned. But earning money isn’t q uick or easy for most o f us. Isn’t it a bit weird that spending it should happen in half a blink of an eye? Doesn’t a wallet--that time-honoured Friday-night feeling of pleasing,promising fatness—represent something that matters?But I’ll leave the economics to the experts. What bothers me about the death of the wallet is the change it represents in our physical environment. Everything about the look and feel of a wallet—the way the fastenings and materials wear and tear and loosen with age, the plastic and paper and gold and silver, and handwritten phone numbers and printed cinema tickets--is the very opposite of what our world is becoming. The opposite of a wallet is a smartphone or an iPad. The rounded edges, cool glass, smooth and unknowable as a pebble(鹅卵石).Instead of digging through pieces of paper and peering into corners, we move our fingers left and right. No more counting out coins. Show your wallet, if you still have one. It may not be here much longer.46. What is happening to the wallet?A) It is disappearing. C) It is becoming costly.B) It is being fattened. D) It is changing in style.47. How are business transactions done in big modern stores?A) Individually. C) In the abstract.B) Electronically. D) Via a cash register.48. What makes the author feel uncomfortable nowadays?A) Saving money is becoming a thing of the past.B) The pleasing Friday-night feeling is fading.C) Earning money is getting more difficult.D) Spending money is so fast and easy.49. Why does the author choose to write about what’s happening to the wallet?A) It represents a change in the modern world.B) It has something to do with everybody’s life.C) It marks the end of a time-honoured tradition.D) It is the concern of contemporary economists.50. What can we infer from the passage about the author?A) He is resistant to social changes.B) He is against technological progress.C) He feels reluctant to part with the traditional wallet.D) He feels insecure in the ever-changing modern world.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Everybody sleeps. But what people stay up late to catch--or wake up early in order not to miss—varies by culture.From data collected, it seems the things that cause us to lose the most sleep, on average, are sporting events, time changes, and holidays.Around the world, people changed sleep patterns thanks to the start or end of daylight savings time. Russians, for example, began to wake up about a half-hour later each day after President Vladimir Putin shifted the country permanently to “winter time〞starting on October 26.Russia’s other late nights and early mornings generally correspond to public holidays. On New Year’s Eve, Russians have the world’s latest bedtime, hitting the hay at around 3：30 a.m.Russians also get up an hour later on International Women’s Day, the day for treating and celebrating female relatives.Similarly, Americans’late nights, late mornings, and longest sleeps fall on three—day weekends.Canada got the least sleep of the year the night it beat Sweden in the Olympic hockey(冰球) final.The World Cup is also chiefly responsible for sleep deprivation(剥夺).The worst night for sleep in the U.K. was the night of the England-Italy match on June 14.Brits stayed up a half-hour later to watch it, and then they woke up earlier than usual the next morning thanks to summer nights, the phenomenon in which the sun barely sets in northern countries in the summertime. That was nothing, though, compared to Germans, Italians, and the French, who stayed up around an hour and a half later on various days throughout the summer to watch the Cup.It should be made clear that not everyone has a device to record their sleep patterns；in some of these nations, it’s likely that only the richest people do. And people who elect to track their sleep may try to get more sleep than the average person. Even if that’s the case, though, the above findings are still striking. If the most health conscious among US have such deep swings in our shut-eye levels throughout the year, how much sleep are the rest of us losing?51. What does the author say about people’s sleeping habits?A) They are culture—related. C) They change with the seasons.B) They affect people’s health. D) They vary from person to person.52. What do we learn about the Russians regarding sleep?A) They don’t fall asleep until very late. C) They get less sleep on public holidays.B) They don’t sleep much on weekends. D) They sleep longer than people elsewhere.53. What is the major caus e for Europeans’ loss of sleep?A) The daylight savings time. C) The World Cup.B) The colorful night life. D) The summertime.54. What is the most probable reason for some rich people to use a device to record their sleep patterns?A) They have trouble falling asleep. C) They are involved in a sleep research.B) They want to get sufficient sleep. D) They want to go to bed on regular hours.55.What does the author imply in the last paragraph?A) Sleeplessness does harm to people’s health.B) Few people really know the importance of sleep.C) It is important to study our sleep patterns.D) Average people probably sleep less than the rich.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.中国父母往往过于关注孩子的学习，以至于不要他们帮助做家务。
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2021年12月英语四级(第2套)听力真题新闻报道(2)
A man from Libya was enjoying a walk along the sands at Southport beach. When he was about half a mile out from the dock, he felt a bit tired. So he lay down and fell asleep, but the tide swept in quickly at the beach. And the man was shocked to wake up and find the tide had come in and completely surrounded him, cutting him off from the shore. Fortunately for him, the beach lifeguards were quickly on the scene to stop him from drowning. They act professionally to ensure the man was comfortable until an ambulance arrived. He was then taken to hospital. He is now in a stable condition. When interviewed, Keith porter of the Southport beach said, our beach is so flat that it's very common for the tide come around the back of people and cut them off from the beach. Thankfully the emergency services have again worked well together to ensure a positive outcome. And we wish the gentleman a speedy recovery.一名来自利比亚的男子正在南港海滩的沙滩上散步。
当他在离码头半英里的地方时，他感到有点累。
于是他躺下睡着了，但是潮水在海滩上很快就涌了进来。
那人一觉醒来，发现潮水已经涌上来了，让他感到震惊的是他被完全包围并脱离了海岸。
幸运的是，为防止他溺水，海滩救
生员迅速赶到现场。
在救护车到达之前，他们以专业的救援方式确保这名男子自身感到舒适。
然后他被送进了医院。
他现在情况稳定。
南港海滩的基斯·波特在接受采访时说，我们的海滩很平坦，潮水会涌到游客们的后背，会使人脱离沙滩，发生这种情况是很常见的。
幸运的是，我们再次与紧急救援机构合作，取得良效，确保了没有发生什么不良后果。
我们祝愿这位先生早日康复。
Questions three and four are based on the news report you have just heard.请根据刚才所听到的新闻报道回答3-4题。
Question 3: What does the news report say about the Libyan man?问题3：关于那个利比亚人，这篇新闻报道是怎么描述的？Question 4: What did Keith Porter say at an interview?问题4：基斯·波特在采访中说了些什么？。