2012英语四级阅读理解预测题及答案
2012年12月大学英语四级快速阅读真题及答案
Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) Why Integrity Matters What is Integrity? "Integrity" is defined as "adherence to moral and ethical principles; honesty." The key to integrity is consistency--not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but also living up to those standards each day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptation. What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We feel disappointed in ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of integrity also affects our relationships with others. Trust is essential in any important relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals. Risky Business We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of character is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we acted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future. Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense. "But Everybody Does It" Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fool themselves about the risks they’re taking by using excuses: "Everyone else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions. To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your actions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your actions? If you'd rather hide your actions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself. Evaluating Risks To decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive, and to others as well as to yourself. Those who take risks they later regret usually focus on immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"), and simply haven't considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious, and may include a "0" on a test or assignment; an "F" in the class; Suspension or Dismissal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished reputation. In fact, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give others the power to impose punishment: you have no control over what that punishment might be. This is an extremely precarious and vulnerable position. There may be some matters of life and death, or highest principle, which might justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category. Getting Away With It--Or Not Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't learn from the test, depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines confidence and independence: the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self-esteem and integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught. Worst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats again, not only because he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems "easier." This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets caught, the worse the consequences. Students have been dismissed from school because they didn't get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy that works. Cheating Hurts Others, Too Cheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions "don't count" and don't really hurt anyone. But individual choices have aprofound cumulative effect. Cheating can spread like a disease, and a cheater can encourage others just by being seen from across the room. Recent statistics suggest 30% or more of college students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurts others' grades. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others may feel pressured to join in. ("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those who do.") Cheating also has a destructive impact on teachers. The real reward of good teaching is seeing students learn, but a cheater says, "I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about is stealing a grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a blatant and destructive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt the reputation of the University, and harm those who worked hard for their degree. Why Integrity Matters If cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. We must rely on the honesty and good faith of others every day. If not, we couldn't put money in the bank, buy food, clothing, or medicine from others, drive across a bridge, get on a plane, go to the dentist--the list is endless. There are many examples of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget or ignore the effect their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock market and junk bond swindles, and, of course, Watergate, have undermined the faith of many Americans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and society as a whole. Such incidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's economy and our individual well-being. For example, but for the savings and loan debacle, there might be funds available to reduce the national debt and pay for education. In sum, we all have a common stake in our school, our community, and our society. Our actions do matter. It is essential that we act with integrity in order to build the kind of world in which we want to live. 1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but also _______. A) sticks to them in their daily life B) makes them known to others C) understands their true values D)sees that others also follow them 2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships? A) It helps to create team spirit B) It facilitates communication C) It is the basis of mutual trust D) It inspires mutual respect 3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take? A. To ensure we make responsible choices. B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress. C. so that we don’t break any rules. D. so that we don’t run into trouble. 4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if _______? A. it has caused no harm. B. it is claimed to be unintentional. C. it has gone unnoticed. D. it is committed with good intentions. 5. What should one do if he doesn’t wish to fool himself? A. Avoid making excuses. B. Listen to other people’s advice. C. Make his intensions public. D. Have others watch over his shoulder. 6. Those who take risks they regret later on _______. A. will often become more cautious B. are usually very aggressive C. value immediate benefits most. D. may lose everything in the end 7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn’t get caught right away will _______. A) pay more dearly B) become more confident C) be widely admired D) feel somewhat lucky 8. Cheaters at exam don’t care about their education, all they care about is how to _______ 9. Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people’s _______ 10. Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders as a result of _______.。
2012年6月英语四级真题及答案(含解析)
2012年6月大学英语四级真题答案解析Part I Writing标准版Doing Shopping OnlineWith the development of the Internet, shopping is no longer a tiring thing. Just click your mouse to choose the articles you like, and the purchase is done. You don't even have to step out of the room. It seems all easy and quick.However, people's opinions vary on this trend. Some believe that on line shopping is time and money saving. With plentiful selection options, they can buy whatever they like at any time convenient. Still others insist that mis-purchasing alone is annoying enough, not to mention the credibility of the sellers and the safety of their accounts.In my opinion, the convenience and excitement of on line shopping is beyond all doubts. In the meantime, we must always bear in mind that certain traps do exist, so we'd better make sure the sellers are trustworthy before buying. In addition, we should also guard ourselves from the potential hackers who might steal our account information.文章点评：这是一篇“中等偏上”的学生作文。
2012年6月英语四级真题及答案详细解析绝对完整版
2012年6月大学英语四级考试真题试题及答案解析(完整版) Part Ⅰ Writing (30minutes ) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Excessive Packaging Packaging following following following the the the outline outline outline given given given below. below. below. Y Y ou ou should write should write at at least least least 120 words 120 words but but no no no more more than 180 words. 1.目前许多商品存在过度包装的现象目前许多商品存在过度包装的现象2.出现这一现象的原因出现这一现象的原因3.我对这一现象的看法和建议我对这一现象的看法和建议On Excessive Packaging Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes) Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer sheet 1. For questions 1-7,choose the best answer from the four choices marked A)，B)，C)and D). For questions 8-10,complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. Small Schools Rising This year‟s list of the top 100 high schools shows that today, those with fewer students are flourishing. Fifty years ago, they were the latest thing in educational reform: big, modern, suburban high schools with students counted in the thousands. As baby boomers(二战后婴儿潮时期出生的人) came of high-school age, big schools promised economic efficiency. A greater choice of courses, and, and, of of of course, course, course, better better better football football football teams. teams. teams. Only Only Only years years years later later later did did did we we we understand understand understand the the the trade-offs trade-offs trade-offs this this involved: involved: the the the creation creation creation of of of excessive excessive excessive bureaucracies(bureaucracies(官僚机构)，the the difficulty difficulty difficulty of of of forging forging forging personal personal connections between teachers and students.SA T scores began dropping in 1963;today,on average,30% of students do not complete high school in four years, a figure that rises to 50% in poor urban neighborhoods. While the emphasis on teaching to higher, test-driven standards as set in in No No No Child Child Child Left Left Left Behind Behind Behind resulted resulted resulted in in in significantly significantly significantly better better better performance performance performance in in in elementary(and elementary(and elementary(and some some middle)schools, high schools for a variety of reasons seemed to have made little progress. Size isn‟t isn‟t everything, everything, but it does matter, and the past decade has has seen seen a noticeable countertrend countertrend toward toward toward smaller smaller smaller schools. This schools. This has has been been been due due due ,in ,in ,in part part part ,to ,to ,to the the the Bill Bill Bill and and and Melinda Melinda Melinda Gates Gates Foundation, Foundation, which which which has has has invested invested invested $1.8 $1.8 $1.8 billion billion billion in in in American American American high high high schools, schools, schools, helping helping helping to to to open open open about about 1,000 small schools-most of them with about 400 kids each with an average enrollment of only 150 per grade, About 500 more are on the drawing board. Districts all over the country are taking notice, notice, along along along with with with mayors mayors mayors in in in cities cities cities like like like New New New Y Y ork, ork, Chicago Chicago Chicago and and and San San San Diego. Diego. Diego. The The The movement movement includes includes independent independent independent public public public charter charter charter schools, schools, schools, such such such as as as No.1 No.1 No.1 BASIS BASIS BASIS in in in Tucson, Tucson, Tucson, with with with only only only 120 120 high-schoolers and 18 graduates this year. It embraces district-sanctioned magnet schools, such as the Talented and Gifted School, with 198 students, and the Science and Engineering Magnet,with383,which share a building in Dallas, as well as the City Honors School in Buffalo, N.Y ., ., which which which grew grew grew out out out of of of volunteer volunteer volunteer evening evening evening seminars seminars seminars for for for students. students. students. And And And it it it includes includes includes alternative alternative schools with students students selected selected selected by by by lottery(lottery(抽签)，such such as as as H-B H-B H-B Woodlawn Woodlawn Woodlawn in in in Arlington, Arlington, Arlington, V V a. a. And And most most noticeable noticeable noticeable of of of all, all, all, there there there is is is the the the phenomenon phenomenon phenomenon of of of large large large urban urban urban and and and suburban suburban suburban high high high schools schools schools that that have split up into smaller units of a few hundred, generally housed in the same grounds that once boasted thousands of students all marching to the same band. Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif, is one of those, ranking No.423—among the top 2% in the country —on Newsweek‟s annual ranking of America‟s top high schools. The success of small small schools schools schools is is is apparent apparent apparent in in in the the the listings. listings. listings. T en T en years years years ago, when ago, when the the first first first Newsweek Newsweek Newsweek list list list based based based on on college-level college-level test test test participation participation participation was was was published, published, published, only only only three three three of of of the the the top top top 100 100 100 schools schools schools had had had graduating graduating Classes smaller than 100 students. This year there are 22. Nearly 250 schools on the full ,Newsweek list of the top 5% of schools nationally had fewer than 200 graduates in 2007. Although Although many many many of of of Hillsdale‟s Hillsdale‟s Hillsdale‟s students students students came came came from from from wealthy wealthy wealthy households, households, households, by by by the the the late late late 1990 1990 average test scores were sliding and it had earned the unaffectionate nickname (绰号) “Hillsjail. ” Jeff Jeff Gilbert. Gilbert. Gilbert. A A Hillsdale Hillsdale teacher teacher teacher who who who became became became principal principal principal last last last year, year, year, remembers sitting remembers sitting with with other other teachers watching students file out of a graduation ceremony and asking one another in astonishment, “How did that student graduate?”So So in in in 2003 2003 2003 Hillsdale Hillsdale Hillsdale remade remade remade itself itself itself into into into three three three “houses,” “houses,” “houses,” romantically romantically named named Florence, Florence, Marrakech and Kyoto. Each of the 300 arriving ninth graders are randomly(随机地) assigned to one of the houses. Where they will keep the same four core subject teachers for two years, before moving on to another for 11th and 12th grades. The closeness this system cultivates is reinforced by the institution of “advisory” classes Teachers meet with students in groups of 25, five mornings a week, for open-ended discussions of everything from homework problems to bad Saturday-night dates. The advisers also meet with students privately and stay in touch with parents, so they are deeply deeply invested in the students‟ success.“We‟re constantly talking about one another‟s advisers,” invested in the students‟ success.“We‟re constantly talking about one another‟s advisers,” says English teacher Chris Crockett. “If you hear that yours isn‟t doing well in math, or see them sitt sitting outside the dean‟s office, it‟s like a personal failure.” Along with the new structure came a ing outside the dean‟s office, it‟s like a personal failure.” Along with the new structure came a more demanding academic program, the percentage of freshmen taking biology jumped from 17 to 95.“It was rough for some. But by senior year, two -thirds have mo v ed up to physics,” says Gilbert ved up to physics,” says Gilbert “Our kids are coming to school in part because they know there are adults here who know them and care for them.”But not all schools show advances after downsizing, and it remains to be seen whether smaller schools will be a cure-all solution. The Newsweek list of top U.S. high schools was made this year, as in years past, according to a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams. Over the years this system has come in for its share of criticism fo r its simplicity. B ut that is also its strength: it‟s easy for But that is also its strength: it‟s easy for readers to understand, and to do the arithmetic for their own schools if they‟d like.Ranking schools is always controversial, and this year a group of 38 superintendents(地区教育主管)from five sta states wrote to tes wrote to ask ask that that that their their their schools schools schools be be be excluded excluded excluded from from from the calculation.“It the calculation.“It is impossible impossible to to to know which know which high high schools schools schools are are are …the …the best‟ in in the the the nation, nation, nation, ”their ”their ”their letter letter letter read. read. read. in in in part. part. “Determining “Determining whether whether whether different schools different schools do do or or or don‟t don‟t offer offer a a a high high high quality quality quality of of of educatio educatio education n n requires requires requires a a look at man different measures, including students‟ overall academic accomplishments and their subsequent subsequent performance performance performance in in in college. college. college. And And And taking taking taking into into into consideration consideration consideration the the the unique unique unique needs needs needs of of of their their communities.”In In the the the end, end, end, the the the superintendents superintendents superintendents agreed agreed agreed to to to provide provide provide the the the data data data we we we sought, which sought, which is, is, after after after all, all, public information. There is, in our view, no real dispute here, we are all seeking the same thing, which is schools that better serve our children and our nation by encouraging students to tackle tough subjects under the guidance of gifted teachers. And if we keep working toward that goal, someday, perhaps a list won‟t be necessary.注意：此部分试题请在答卡1上作答. 1. 1. Fifty Fifty Fifty years years years ago. ago. ago. big. big. big. Modern. Modern. Modern. Suburban Suburban Suburban high high high schools schools schools were were were established established established in in in the the the hope hope hope of of __________. A) ensuring no child is left behind B) increasing economic efficiency C) improving students‟ performance on SAT D) providing good education for baby boomers 2. What happened as a result of setting up big schools? A) Teachers‟ workload increased.B) Students‟ performance declined.C) Administration became centralized. D) Students focused more on test scores. 3. What is said about the schools forded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation? A) They are usually magnet schools. B) They are often located in poor neighborhoods. C) They are popular with high-achieving students. D) They are mostly small in size. 4. What is most noticeable about the current trend in high school education? A) Some large schools have split up into smaller ones. B) A great variety of schools have sprung up in urban and suburban areas. C) Many schools compete for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds. D) Students have to meet higher academic standards. 5. Newsweek ranked high schools according to . A) their students‟ academic achievementB) the number of their students admitted to college C) the size and number of their graduating classes D) their college-level test participation 6. What can we learn a bout Hillsdale‟s students in the late 1990s?A) They were made to study hard like prisoners. B) They called each other by unaffectionate nicknames. C) Most of them did not have any sense of discipline,D) Their school performance was getting worse. 7. According to Jeff Gilbert, the “advisory” classes at Hillsdale were set up so that students could . A) tell their teachers what they did on weekends B) experience a great deal of pleasure in learning C) maintain closer relationships with their teachers D) tackle the demanding biology and physics courses 8. is still still considered considered considered a a a strength strength strength of of of Newsweek‟s Newsweek‟s Newsweek‟s school school school ranking ranking ranking system system system in in in spite spite spite of of of the the criticism it receives. 9. 9. According According According to to to the the the 38 38 38 superintendents, superintendents, superintendents, to to to rank rank rank schools schools schools scientifically, scientifically, it it is is is necessary necessary necessary to to use . 10. To better serve the children and our nation, schools students to take . Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension (35minutes)Section A Directions: in this section you will hear 8 short conversations, one or more questions will be asked asked about what was about what was s aid. said. said. Both Both Both the conversation the conversation and and the the the questions will questions will be be spoken spoken spoken only only only once. once. After After each each each question question question there there there will will will be be be a a a pause. pause. pause. During During During the the the pause, pause, pause, you you you must must must read read read the the the four four four choices choices marked A)、B)、C)and D)、and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. 注意：此部分试题请在答案卡2上作案。
2012年英语四级阅读真题及答案解析(12月).
2012年英语四级阅读真题及答案解析（12月）Part II (15 minutes)1、根据以下内容，回答1-11题。
The Magician The revolution that Steve Jobs led is only just beginning． When it came to putting on a show,nobody else in the computer industry,or any other industry for that matter，could match Steve Jobs．His product launches，at which he would stand alone on a black stage and produce as if by magic an“incredible”new electronic gadget(小器具)in front of an amazed crowd，were the peril,rmances of a master showman．All computers do is fetch and work with numbers，he once exp lained，but do it fast enough and “the results appear to be magic”．Mr．Jobs，who died recently aged 56，spenthis life packaging that magic into elegantly designed，easy-to-use products． The reaction to his death，with people leaving candles and flowers outside Apple stores and politicians singing praises on the internet，is proof that Mr．Jobs had become something much more significant than just a clever money-maker．He stood out in three ways-as a technologist，as a corporate(公司的)leader and as somebody who was able to make people love what had previously been impersonal，functional gadgets．Strangely,it is this last qualitythat may have the deepest effect on the way people live．The era of personal technology is in many ways just beginning． As a technologist，Mr．Jobs was different because he was not an engineer-and that was his great strength．Instead he was keenly interested in product design and aesthetics(关学)，and in making advanced technology simple to use．He repeatedly took an existing but half-formed idea-the mouse-driven computer,the digital musicplayer,the smart phone，the tablet computer(平板电脑)-and showed the rest of the industry how to do it properly．Rival firms competed with each other to follow where he led. In the process he brought about great changes in computing，music，telecoms and the news businessthat were painful for existing firms but welcomed by millions of consumers．Within the wider business world，a man who liked to see himself as fl hippy(嬉皮士)，permanently in rev(It against big companies，ended up being hailed by many of those corporate giants as one of the greatest chief executives of his time．That was partly due to his talents：showmanship，strategic vision，an astonishing attention to detailand，a dictatorial management style which many bosses must have envied，But most of all it was the extraordinary trajectory(轨迹)of his life．His fall from grace in the 1980s followed by his return to Apple in l 996 after a period in the wilderness，is an inspiration to any business sperson whose career has taken a turn for the worse．The way in which Mr．Jobs revived the failing company he had co—founded and turned it into the world’s biggest tech firm (bigger even thanBill Gates’sMicrosoft，the company that had outsmarted Apple so-dramatically in the l980s)，sounds like something from a Hollywood movie． But what was perhaps most astonishing about Mr．Jobs was the absolute loyalty he managed to inspire in customers．Many Apple users feel themselves to be part of a community，with Mr．Jobs as its leader．And there was indeed a personal link．Apple’s products were designed to accord with the boss，s tastes and to meet his extremely high standards．Every iPhone or MacBook has his fingerprints all over it．H is great achievement was to combine an emotional spark with computer technology,and make the resulting product feel personal．And that is what put Mr．Jobs on the right side of history,as technological innovation(创新)has moved into consumer electronics over the past decade. As our special report in this issue(printed before Mr．Jobs’s death)explains，innovation used to spill over from military and corporate laboratories to the consumer market，but lately this process has gone into reverse．Many people’s homes now have more powerful，and more flexible，devices than their offices do；consumer gadgets and online services are smarter and easier to use than most companies’ systems．Familiar consumer products are being adopted by businesses，government and the armed forces．Companies are employing in．house versions of Facebook and creating their own“app stores”to deliver software to employees．Doctors use tablet computers for their work in hospitals．Meanwhile，the number of consumers hungry for such gadgets continues to swell．Apple’s products are now being snapped up in Delhi and Dalian just as in Dublin and Dallas． Mr．Jobs had a reputation as a control freak(怪人)，and hiscritics complained that the products and systems he designed were closed and inflexible，in the name of greater ease of use.Yet he also empowered millions of people by giving them access to cutting-edge technology. His insistence onputting users first，and focusing on elegance and simplicity，has become deep。
2012.12cet4考题：英语四级测试阅读模拟考题
2012.12cet4考题：英语四级测试阅读模拟考题Part II Reading Comprehension (skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.For questions 1-7, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.精品 2012年英语四级备考资料高清名师精品课程推荐2012年英语四级报考指南历年英语四级真题汇总For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Robot Cars to Do Battle in Desert RaceWhen 15 competitors lined up in Nevada last year for the U.S. Defense Department’s firstmillion-dollar robot race, hopes were high. The challenge: to drive a vehicle without a human driver or remote control some 150 miles (241 kilometers) through the Mojave Desert.But those hopes quickly went up in a cloud of dust as most robots barely managed to get off the starting line. The best performer, a modified Humvee built by engineers at Pennsylvania’s Carnegie Mellon University, traveled 7 miles (11 kilometers) before breaking down.To robot devotees(热爱者), however, it was a minor hiccup.No surprise, then, that 43 teams showed up to try out for this year’s race, dubbed(被称作) the Grand Challenge. For the past week, teams ranging from garage enthusiasts to well-funded university engineers have been fine-tuning their machines at qualifying rounds here at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. (Watch the robots in action in our exclusive video.)Twenty-three finalists were announced Thursday for Saturday’s Grand Challenge. The 175-mile(282-kilometer) course starts and finishes in Primm, Nevada.The race promises to be even tougher than last year’s run. But 18 months is an eternity in the robotics world, and the technology has vastly improved.Organizers believe several teams have a real shot of finishing the race in less than ten hours to earn the grand prize of two million U.S. dollars.“When the first team out of the chute(斜道)—Mojavaton, a small team out of Colorado—made it successfully around the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) qualification course, I knew right there and then that we had something special,” said Ron Kurjanowicz, the chief of staff for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is sponsoring the race.Unknown CourseThe aim of the Grand Challenge, Defense Department officials say, is to spur development of autonomous ground vehicles that can operate indangerous environments, such as war zones, keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.A U.S. Congress mandate(训令)requires thatone-third of military ground vehicles drive themselves by 2015, but the technology to meet that mandate does not yet exist.So the government looked to enterprising teams to develop the technology for driverless vehicles, sweetening its offer with the two-million-dollar purse.None of the 23 teams knows what lies ahead for this year’s race. DARPA won’t reveal the exact route until two hours before the start of the race on Saturday.But the obstacles on the Fontana qualification course-including a steel—enforced tunnel that wipes out a vehicle’s global positioning system—are made to resemble the rugged, real-life conditions that the vehicles will have to navigate.The vehicles use sensors such as lasers, cameras, and radar to help them avoid obstacles such as rocks and cliffs. The computer’s brain has to figure out howto resolve unexpected conflicts, like a boulder sitting in the middle of the road.“Think about all the decisions that you and I have to make when we drive from our house to the store,” Kurjanowicz said. “These vehicles have to do the same thing, without a driver.”Among the top contenders in Saturday’s race is TerraMax, a massive truck originally built by the Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Truck Corporation for the U.S. Marine corps.In last year’s race, TerraMax managed to go only 1.2 miles (2 kilometers). Team leader Gary Schmiedel expects to do much better this year. He pointed to the new all-wheel steering feature on the truck as an important addition.“We can move this large, 15-ton (13.5-metric ton) payload vehicle in a turn that’s equivalent to that of a Humvee,” he said.GhostriderThe resources of teams like TerraMax or Carnegie Mellon University, which has two vehicles in the race this year, are a far cry from those of some of the othercompetitors, including inventors, electricians, and even a high school team.One entry, from a Southern California team of engineers, racers, and hot-rodders, is called It Came From the Garage. It has a beer keg(小桶)stuck on the back and an on-off switch that says “brain.”“Most of the schools and organizations we’re up against are just accessorizing conventional vehicles,” said team leader Chris “C.J.” Pedersen, a former actor. “Our [vehicle] is a custom-built, 21st-century hot rod... complete with hood scoop and exhaust coming off the side.”Anthony Levandowski, a robotics builder from Berkeley, California, is back with Ghostrider, the only motorcycle robot in the qualifications. Studded with sensors and computers, it toppled (翻倒)over after 3 feet (1 meter) in last year’s race.Levandowski, who had to postpone his graduate studies when he couldn’t find a faculty advisor who believed it would be possible to build the motorcycle robot, says his vehicle has some distinct advantages.“We’re smaller and go a lot more places,” hesaid while tinkering with the robot before another trial run. “We’re also a lot less expensive. This bike costs as much as a tire or a wheel of some of these other guys’ machines.”Smart MoneyNeither Ghostrider nor It Came From the Garage made the final cut this week’s qualifying races.However, another crowd-pleaser, Cajunbot—or the Ragin’ Cajun—a converted all-terrain vehicle developed by a team from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, did.The smart money in Saturday’s race may be on Stanley, a converted Volkswagen Touareg made by a team at California’s Stanford University. It was the only vehicl e that didn’t hit an obstacle in the trial runs.Even if none of the vehicles finishes the race this year, DARPA’s Kurjanowicz said, the event has succeeded in galvanizing robotics developers and pushing the creation of new technologies.“The beauty of the Grand Challenge is that it doesn’t tell people how to solve the problem,” he said. “The community has come up with its own elegantsolutions.”1. The passage mainly describes the advantages and disadvantages of robot car races.2. Last year’s robot race in Nevada was a great success.3. It is a surprise that up to 43 teams came for this year’s race called the Grand Challenge.4. The Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA) is sponsoring the race.5. The aim of the Grand Challenge is to spur development of autonomous ground vehicles.6. Ghostrider and It Came From the Garage both made the final cut at this week’s qualifying races.7. TerraMax will finish the race and win the grand prize of two million U.S. dollars.8. The obstacles on the Fontana qualification course are made to resemble the ________________.9. The only motorcycle robot in the qualifications is ________________.10. The only vehicle that didn’t hit an obstacle in the trial runs is ________________.Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning)1. N 本题考察文章的大意，可在做完后面9题后再解答。
2012年12英语四级阅读全真模拟试题
以下为2012年英语四级阅读全真模拟试题，后附参考答案，考生可根据此进行考前的练习，熟悉题型、命题等。
While still in its early stages, welfare reform has already been judged a great success in many states—at least in getting people off we lfare. It‘s estimated that more than 2 million people have left the rolls since 1994.In the past four years, welfare rolls in Athens Country have been cut in half. But 70 percent of the people who left in the past tow years took jobs that paid less than $6 an hour. The result:The Athens County poverty rate still remains at more than 30 percent—twice the national average.For advocates (代言人)for the poor, that‘s an indication much more needs to be done.“More people are getting jobs, but it‘s not making their lives any better, 〞says Kathy Lairn, a policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington.A center analysis of US Census data nationwide found that between 1995 and 1996, a greater percentage of single, female-headed households were earning money on their own, but that average income for these households actually went down.But for many, the fact that poor people are able to support themselves almost as well without government aid as they did with it is in itself a huge victory.“Welfare was a poison. It was a toxin (毒素)that was poisoning the family, 〞says Robert Rector, a welfare-reform policy analyst. “The reform in changing the moral climate in low-income communities. It‘s beginning to rebuild the work ethic (道德观), which is much more important. 〞Mr. Rector and others argued that once “the habit of dependency is cracked, 〞then the country can make other policy changes aimed at improving living standards.26.From the passage, it can be seen that the author ________.A) believes the reform has reduced the government‘s burdenB) insists that welfare reform is doing little good for the poorC) is overenthusiastic about the success of welfare reformD) considers welfare reform to be fundamentally successful27.Why aren‘t people enjoying better lives when they have jobs?A) Because many families are divorced.B) Because government aid is now rare.C) Because their wages are low.D) Because the cost of living is rising.28.What is worth noting from the example of Athens County is that ________.A) greater efforts should be made to improve people‘s living standardsB) 70 percent of the people there have been employed for two yearsC) 50 percent of the population no longer relies on welfareD) the living standards of most people are going down29.From the passage we know that welfare reform aims at ________.A) saving welfare fundsB) rebuilding the work ethicC) providing more jobsD) cutting government expenses30.According to the passage before the welfare reform was carried out, ________.A) the poverty rate was loverB) average living standards were higherC) the average worker was paid higher wagesD) the poor used to rely on government aid答案：26.D 27.C 28.A 29.B 30.D考生可对照答案进行复习，预祝大家在2012年英语四级阅读中取得高分！。
2012年英语专业四级阅读理解及答案.docx
2012 TEM4TEXT ASaying “thank you ”is probably the first thing most of uslearn to do in a foreign language．After all，we’re brought up to be polite，and it is important to make a good impression upon other people—especially across national divides．So．what exactly are you supposed to say when "thank you" is only the 20th most popular way to express gratitude? According to a recent survey,19 other ways of expressing appreciation finished ahead of "thank you" in a poll of 3,000people ．Pollsters found almost half of those asked preferred themore informal“cheers”，while others liked to use such expressions as“ta”,“great" and“nice one”．So，just what is the appropriate form of words toexpress your thanks?Fortunately, the clue is in the languageitself ．“ Cheers”， despite its popularity，is considered an informal way to say thank you—and this is a definite clue asto when you can best use it．For instance ，when going for a drink with friends，a smile and a“cheers ”by way of thanks is not only appropriate to t hesituation ，it is also culturally accurate．“Ta”， originated from the Danish word“tak”, was the second-most popular expression of thanks ，and is also commonlyused in informal situations，along with phrases such as“niceone”， and“brilliant”．Interestingly,one word that didn ’t makeit into the top 20 was“thanks ”． Thank you's shorter, moreinformal cousin．“Thanks”can be useful ， as it is able to bridge the divide between the formality of“thank you" and the downrightrelaxed “cheers ”．Certain words can double as an expression of thanks as well as delight．Again，the words themselves offer the clue as towhen best to use them．For example，words like “awesome”，“ brilliant"and“you star" featured highly in the new poll and they can hint at bothyour pleasure at someone's action ，as well as serving to expressyour thanks ．If you are on the receiving end of a“new”thankyou，you can respond with a simple “no problem ”, or “sure ”．Of course ，in certain circumstances ，a simple wave，nod or smile may be appropriate．For instance，if a car driver slowsdown to let you cross the road，simply raising your hand in acknowledgement is enough to show that you appreciate thedriver's consideration．Sometimes，formality is necessary, and“thank you”isstill the best choice in such situations．But students should not worry about when exactly to usecertain expressions．Many people in Western countries are worried that goodmanners are in decline．People aretired of seeing their acts of kindness and service passwithout comment ．So don’t think that your“thank you ”was clumsy or awkwardly formal．The chances are ，if you said“thank you”，youmade someone’s day ．You star ．81．We can tell from the results of the poll thatA．people are unconcerned about politeness nowadays．B．“ thank you”r emains the best expression of gratitude ．C．there is a variety of expressions of appreciation．D．there are more formal expressions than informal ones．82．Which word/phrase does NOT appear in the top 20?A．Cheers． B ．Thanks． C．Brilliant ． D．You star．83．According to the passage．which is an appropriate response to “awesome”or “brilliant”?A．Thanks． B ．Cheers． C．Nice one ． D．Sure．84．According to the passage ，the way in which we expressour gratitude depends on all the following EXCEPTA．gender． B ．formality．C．culture．D．circumstance．85．In the last paragraph the author encourages people toA．continue their acts of kindness．B．behave themselves well．C．show their gratitude to others．D．stop worrying about bad manners．TEXT BFrom 2007 to 2010 ，American households lost $l1 trillionin real estate，savings, and stocks More than half of all U．S．workers either lost their jobs or were forced to take cuts in hours or pay during the recession．The worst may be behind them now, but the shocking losses of the past few years have reshaped nearly every facet of their lives—how they live，work，and spend —even the way they think about the future．For Cindy, the recession began when her husband wasrelocated to Rhinelander,Wisconsin ．by his companyforcing the family to move in a hurry．The couple bought a new house butwere unable to sell their two-bedroom home in Big Lake，Minnesota ．With two mortgages( 抵押借款 ) and two young childrento care for, Cindy couldn't imagine how to stretch her husband'spaycheck to keep her family fed．Then she stumbled upon an online community calledBlotanical ，a forum for gardeners，many with an interest insustainability．“ The more I read and discussed thesepractices，the more I realized this would help not only ourbudget but also our health，” she says．Cindy admits that before the recession ，she was a city girl with no interest in growing her own dinner．“ I grew flowersmostly —I didn ’t think about plants that weren’t visuallyinteresting." But to stretch her budget，she began putting in vegetables and fruit—everything from strawberry beds to appletrees —and as her first seedlings grew，her spirits lifted．She no longer thinks of gardening and making her own jams as justa moneysaver ；they ’re a genuine pleasure ．“ It ’s brought uscloser together as a family, too，” she says．Her kidsvoluntarily pitch in with(主动帮助)the garden work，and thefamily cooks together instead of eating out．The food tastesbetter —it's fresher and organic—and the garden handilyfulfills its original purpose：cost cutting．Now she spendsabout $200 to $300 a month on groceries．less than half of the$650 a month that she used to lay out．After discovering how resourceful she can be in toughtimes ，Cindy is no longer easily discouraged ．“It makesmefeelproud to be able to s ay I made it myself,”she says．“ I feelaccomplished ，and I'm more confident about attempting thingsI've never done before ．" Nowshe avoids convenience stores and has begun learning to knit，quilt，and make her own soap．"I don't think I would have ever begun t his journey if it weren’tfor the recession ，” she says．“ I have a feeling that f rom now on，it will affect my family’s health and happiness for thebetter ．"86．We learn from the first paragraph that the recessionA．affected Americans in certain occupations．B．had great impact on Americans’work and life．C．had only brought huge losses in savings and stocks．D．is over with some of the losses recovered.87．What madethe family's financial situation even worse was that theyA．moved to Rhinelander in a hurry．B．had two children to raise．C．didn't know anyone in Rhinelander．D．couldn't sell their home in Big Lake．88．Which of the following statements is CORRECT?A．Cindy had seen the benefits of gardening in a different way．B．Cindy had developed a hobby of gardening before the recession ．C．Cindy had already had a keen interest in sustainability．D．Cindy had already planned to meet the gardeners．89．In addition, Cindy views gardening as a genuine pleasure because gardeningA．helped her cut living costs almost by half．B．enabled her to make her own jams．C．built up family ties and kids’enthusiasm．D．enabled her to know more about plants．90．What does Cindy think of the difficult times she hasgone through?A．It gave the couple and their kids a tough lesson．B．It gave her confidence and optimism．C．It would come again and affect the family．D．It left a lasting psychological impact on the family．TEXT C“I'm a little worried about my future，” said Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate．He should be so lucky．All he had to worry about was whether to have an affair with Mrs Robinson．In the sixties，that was the sum total of post-graduation anxiety syndrome．Hoffman's modern counterparts are not so fortunate．The Mrs Robinsons aren't sitting around at home any more，seducing graduates ．They are out in the workplace ，doing the high-powered jobs the graduates want，but cannot get ．For those fresh outof university, desperate for work but unable to get it，there is a big imbalance between supply and demand．And there is no narrowing of the gap in sight．The latest unemployment figures show that746,000 of 18-24 year-olds are unemployed— a record rate of 18 per cent．Many of those will have graduated this summer．They are not panicking yet ，but as the job rejections mount up，they are beginning to feel alarmed．Of course ，it is easy to blame the Government and，in particular,the target that Labour has long trumpeted---50per cent of school-leavers in higher education．That was not too smart ．The Government has not only failed to meet itstarget —the actual figure is still closer to 40 per cent — butit has raised expectations to unrealistic levels．Parents feel as badly let down as the young peoplethemselves ．Middle-class families see their graduate offspringon the dole(救济金)queue and wonder why they bothered payingschool fees．Working-class families feel an even keener sense of disappointment ．For manysuch families，getting a child into university was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream．Itrepresented upward social and financial mobility．It was proof that they were living in a dynamic，economically successfulcountry ．That dream does not seem so rosy now．Graduate unemployment is not，ultimately, a political problem ready to be solved ．Job-creation schemes for graduates are very low down in ministerial in-trays．If David Cameron'sConservatives had a brilliant idea for guaranteeing everygraduate a well-paid job ，they would have unveiled it by now．It is a social problem，though a more deep-seated social problemthan people perhaps realize．91．The author begins with an episode from The Graduate in order toA．support the fact that more women are working now．B．show that few graduates started working right aftergraduation ．C．demonstrate that there were much fewer graduates thannow．D．emphasize the sharp contrast between now and then．92．With regard to job opportunities for young graduates ，the author soundsA．pessimistic．B．hopeful．C．indifierent．D．furious．93．The author is ____ the Labour Government's target：50% of school leavers in higher education．A．in favour of B．doubtful aboutC．strongly critical of D．mildly critical of94．Which of the following statements aboutparents ’feelings is CORRECT?A．Working—class parents feel just as disappointed．B．Parents and their children feel equally disappointed．C．Middle —class parents feel more disappointed．D．Parents feel more disappointed than their children．95．Towards the end of the passage，the author implies that A．there will be job-creation schemes for graduates．B．graduate unemployment is more of a political issue．C．graduate unemployment is both a political and a socialissue ．D．the Conservatives are doing far from enough to solve the issue ．TEXT DNo matter how many times you have seen images of the golden mask of boyking Tutankhamen，comeface to face with it in Egypt's Cairo museum，and you will suck in your breath．It was on Nov 4 ，1923，that British archaeologist HowardCarter stumbled on a stone at the base of the tomb of anotherpharaoh( 法老 )in Luxor that eventually led to a sealed doorway．Then，on Nov 23，Carter found a second door and when he stuck his head through it ，what he saw was to stun the world ．Insidelay the great stone coffin，enclosing three chests of gilded wood．A few months later, when a crane lifted its granite coverand one coffin after another was removed, Carter found a solid block of gold weighing 110kg．In it was the mummy(木乃伊 ) of the 19-year-old Tutankhamen，covered in gold with that splendid funeral mask．And all this lay buried for more than3,000 years ．Months after my trip to Egypt, I can relive the rush ofemotion I felt and sense the hush that descended on the crammed Cairo museum's Tutankhamen gallery．Cairo ，a dusty city of 20 million people ，is a place where time seems to both stand still and rush into utter chaos．Itis a place where the ancient and contemporary happily go alongon parallel tracks．Take the Great Pyramids of Giza，sitting on the western edge of the city ．Even as the setting sun silhouettes these gigantic structures against the great desert expanse，a call for prayer floats over semi-finished apartment blocks filled with theactivity of city life．While careful planning for the afterlife may lie buriedunderground in Cairo，it is noise and confusion on the streets．Donkey carts b attle for space with pedestrians and the only operative road rule is “might is right ．” But it is a citythat is full of life—from the small roadside restaurants tothe coffee shops where men and womensmoke the shisha( 水烟壶 ) ． Donkey carts piled high with flat-breads magically find their way in and out the maddening traffic；young womenin longskirts and headscarves hold hands with young menin open collarshirts，while conversations dwell on Kuwait's chances at thesoccer World Cup ．96．According to the context,“suck in yourbreath ”means“feel a sense of ____"．A．awe B．horror C ．doubt D ．delight97．Which of the following statements about the discovery of the mummy is INCORRECT?A．The mummy was first discovered by a Britisharchaeologist．B．The discovery of the mummy came as a surprise．C．The mummywas found lying right inside the stone coffin．D．The masked mummy was covered in gold．98．Which word CANNOTbe used to describe the city of Cairo?A．Crowdedness． B ．Quiet ． C．Noise ． D．Confusion ．99．Which pair of words/phrases indicates contrast?A．Gigantic structure；great desert expanseB．A call for prayer；men and women with the shishaC．Chaos；maddeningD．Coffee shops ；pyramids100．What is the author's attitude towards Cairo?A．Positive．B．Objective．C．Negative．D. Not clear 81. CBDAC 86. B DACB 91. D ADBC96. ACBAB.。
2012年12月英语四级考前预测3套题+答案!
2012年12月大学英语四级考试全真预测试卷一Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition one topic: City Problems. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1. 越来越多的人涌入大城市，有些问题随之产生2. 比较明显的大问题有……3. 我对这种现象的想法City ProblemsPart II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.For questions 1-7, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Scientists Weigh Options for Rebuilding New OrleansAs experts ponder how best to rebuild the devastated (毁坏)city, one question is whether to wall off—or work with—the water.Even before the death toll from Hurricane Katrina is tallied, scientists are cautiously beginning to discuss the future of New Orleans. Few seem to doubt that this vital heart of U.S. commerce and culture will be restored, but exactly how to rebuild the city and its defenses to avoid a repeat catastrophe is an open question. Plans for improving its levees and restoring the barrier of wetlands around New Orleans have been on the table since 1998, but federal dollars needed to implement them never arrived. After the tragedy, that's bound to change, says John Day, an ecologist at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. And if there is an upside to the disaster, he says, it's that 'now we've got a clean slate to start from."Many are looking for guidance to the Netherlands, a country that, just like bowl-shaped New Orleans, sits mostly below sea level, keeping the water at bay with a construction of amazing scale and complexity. Others, pointing to Venice's long-standing adaptations, say it's best to let water flow through the city, depositing sediment to offset geologic subsidence—a model that would require a radical rethinking of architecture. Another idea is to let nature help by restoring the wetland buffers between sea and city.But before the options can be weighed, several unknowns will have to be addressed. One is precisely how the current defenses failed. To answer that, LSU coastal scientists Paul Kemp and Hassan Mashriqui are picking their way through the destroyed city and surrounding region, reconstructing the size of water surges by measuring telltale marks left on the sides of buildingsand highway structures. They are feeding these data into a simulation of the wind and water around New Orleans during its ordeal."We can't say for sure until this job is done," says Day, "but the emerging picture is exactly what we've predicted for years." Namely, several canals—including the MRGO, which was built to speed shipping in the 1960s—have the combined effect of funneling surges from the Gulf of Mexico right to the city's eastern levees and the lake system to the north. Those surges are to blame for the flooding. "One of the first things we'll see done is the complete backfilling of the MRGO canal," predicts Day, "which could take a couple of years."The levees, which have been provisionally repaired, will be shored up further in the months to come, although their long-term fate is unclear. Better levees would probably have prevented most of the flooding in the city center. To provide further protection, a mobile dam system, much like a storm surge barrier in the Netherlands, could be used to close off the mouth of Lake Pontchartrain. But most experts agree that these are short-term fixes.The basic problem for New Orleans and the Louisiana coastline is that the entire Mississippi River delta is subsiding and eroding, plunging the city deeper below sea level and removing a thick cushion of wetlands that once buffered the coastline from wind and waves. Part of the subsidence is geologic and unavoidable, but the rest stems from the levees that have hemmed in the Mississippi all the way to its mouth for nearly a century to prevent floods and facilitate shipping. As a result, river sediment is no longer spread across the delta but dumped into the Gulf of Mexico. Without a constant stream of fresh sediment, the barrier islands and marshes are disappearing rapidly, with a quarter, roughly the size of Rhode Island, already gone.After years of political wrangling, a broad group pulled together by the Louisiana government in 1998 proposed a massive $14 billion plan to save the Louisiana coasts, called Coast 2050 (now modified into a plan called the Louisiana Coastal Area project). Wetland restoration was a key component. "It's one of the best and cheapest hurricane defenses," says Day, who chaired its scientific advisory committee.Although the plan was never given more than token funding, a team led by Day has been conducting a pilot study since 2000, diverting part of the Mississippi into the wetlands downstream of the city. "The results are as good as we could have hoped," he says, with land levels rising at about 1 centimeter per year—enough to offset rising sea levels, says Day.Even if the wetlands were restored and new levees were built, the combination of geologic subsidence and rising sea levels will likely sink New Orleans another meter by 2100. The problem might be solved by another ambitious plan, says Roel Boumans, a coastal scientist at the University of Vermont in Burlington who did his ph.D. at LSU: shoring up the lowest land with a slurry of sediment piped in from the river. The majority of the buildings in the flooded areas will have to be razed anyway, he says, "so why not take this opportunity to fix the root of the problem?" The river could deposit enough sediment to raise the bottom of the New Orleans bowl to sea level "in 50 to 60 years," he estimates. In the meantime, people could live in these areas Venice-style, with buildings built on stilts. Boumans even takes it a step further: "You would have to raise everything about 30 centimeters once every 30 years, so why not make the job easier by making houses that can float."Whether that is technically or politically feasible—Day, for one, calls it "not likely" —remains to be seen, especially because until now, the poorest residents lived in the lowest parts of the city. Any decision on how best to protect the city in the future will be tied to how many people will live there, and where. "there may be a large contingent of residents and businesses who choose not to return," says Bill Good, an environmental scientist at LSU and manager of the Louisiana Geological Survey's Coastal Processes section. It is also not yet clear how decisions about the reconstruction will be made, says Good, "Since there is no precedent of comparable magnitude." Every level of government is sure to be involved, and "the process is likely to be ad hoc."Even with the inevitable mingling of science and politics, we still have "a unique chance to back out of some bad decisions," says Good, who grew up in New Orleans. "I hope that we don't let this once-in-history opportunity slip through our fingers in the rush to rebuild the city:"1. The passage gives a general description of the suggestions to reconstruct New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.2. Two examples to deal with water are Netherlands and Venice.3. The canals have nothing to do with the flooding.4. The levees will be shored up further with clear long-term fate.5. The basic problem for New Orleans is the subsidence of Mississippi River delta.6. The key component of Coast 2050 is wetland restoration.7. The plan of Coast 2050 will get billions of federal funding.8. New Orleans will likely sink ________________ by 2100.9. Another ambitious plan is to shoring up the lowest land with a slurry of sediment________________.10. How decisions about the reconstruction will be made is also ________________.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D], and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. [A] The man doesn't want to see Mr. Williams.[B] Mr. Jones is in an inferior position to Mr. Williams.[C] Mr. Jones used to be in charge.[D] Mr. Williams doesn't want to see the man.12. [A] They need to make more efforts. [C]The others have done the greater part of it.[B] She felt a bit annoyed. [D] They've finished more than half of it.13. [A] She felt very sorry. [C] She was in a hurry.[B] She felt a bit annoyed. [D] She was surprised.14. [A] The knife belongs to him. [C] The man once borrowed Bob's knife.[B] Bob should mind his own business. [D] Bob's knife isn't as good as that of the man.15. [A] He'll miss the meeting that afternoon. [C] He won't miss the meeting.[B] He can't have an appointment with the host. [D] He is a hardworking man.16. [A] Because she didn't fulfill her promise.[B] Because her mother would be very angry.[C] Because she can't finish the job ahead of schedule.[D]Because she would be the last to finish the job.17. [A] He always talks on the phone for that long if it's toll free.[B] They had so much free time to talk on the phone for that long.[C] They talked on the phone for too long.[D] He wants to know what they talked about.18. [A] At a restaurant. [C] In the office.[B] At the cinema. [D] At a department store.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. [A] He is a teacher of English in Cambridge. [C] He is a consultant to a Scottish company.[B] He is a specialist in computer science. [D] He is a British tourist to China.20. [A] 22℃ [C] 25℃[B] 23℃ [D] 34℃21. [A] With an English family. [C] With a language teacher.[B] In a flat near the college. [D] In a student dormitory.22. [A] Certain things cannot be learned from books.[B] Foreign students had better live on campus.[C] Choice of where to live varies from person to person.[D] British families usually welcome foreign students.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. [A] Ways to determine the age of a fossil. [C] A comparison of two shellfish fossils.[B] The identity of a fossil the woman found. [D] Plans for a field trip to look for fossils.24. [A] He has never seen a fossil that old. [C] It is probably a recent specimen.[B] It could be many millions of years old. [D] He will ask the lab how old it is.25. [A] Take it to class. [C] Take it to the lab.[B] Put it in her collection. [D] Leave it with her professor.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. [A] She didn't want to be a typist. [C] She was not enthusiastic about typing.[B] She was not energetic enough to do the job. [D] She never went to a university.27. [A] Because nobody wanted to hire her as a pilot.[B] Because she wanted to prove that a woman could fly an airplane.[C] Her parents didn't want to hire a pilot.[D] She did not have enough money to hire a pilot.28. [A] Vienna. [C] India.[B] Baghdad. [D] Australia.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. [A] Reading magazine articles. [C] Writing research papers.[B] Reviewing book reports. [D] Selecting information sources.30. [A] Gathering non-relevant materials. [C] Sharing notes with someone else.[B] Stealing another person's ideas. [D] Handing in assignments late.31. [A] In the student's own words. [C] In short phrases.[B] In direct quotations. [D] In shorthand.32. [A] It should be assimilated thoroughly. [C] It should be paraphrased by the author.[B] It should be enclosed in quotation marks. [D] It should be authorized by the source.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. [A] Seasonal variations in nature.[B] How intelligence changes with the change of seasons.[C] How we can improve our intelligence.[D] Why summer is the best season for vacation.34. [A] Summer. [C] Fall.[B] Winter. [D] Spring.35. [A] All people are less intelligent in summer than in the other seasons of the year.[B] Heat has no effect on people's mental abilities.[C] People living near the equator are the most intelligent.[D] Both climate and temperature exert impact on people's intelligence.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exactwords you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blank, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Building after building under water. (36) ________ in shelters. Thousands of others unsure where to go. (37) ________ for help. Anarchy. Bodies in streets. This is what one of America's historic cities was (38) ________ to this week by a powerful storm, Katrina.Officials want everyone still left in New Orleans, Louisiana, to leave for now. The (39) ________ of New Orleans says thousands may be dead. (40) ________ Katrina also caused death and (41) ________ in parts of Mississippi and Alabama along the Gulf of Mexico. Federal officials reported Friday that more than one million five hundred thousand homes and businesses (42) ________ without electric power.New Orleans is famous for its wild Mardi Gras (43) ________ and night life in the French Quarter.(44) ________________________. New Orleans has depended on levees, dams made of earth, to control floods from the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain.Katrina struck on Monday. New Orleans avoided a direct hit. But two of the levees failed the next day. Most of the city was flooded. Helicopters dropped huge sandbags to fill the breaks.(45) ________________________.America faces one of the worst natural events in its history. President Bush says the recovery will take years. (46) ________________________. The Bush administration is expected to ask for more in the weeks to come.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 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 bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.Blue is the world's favorite color. It is also the color most often 47 with intellect and authority.Most uniforms are blue. In Greek and Roman mythology, blue is the color of sky gods. In the Old Testament, God is 48 by deep blue. Blue and turquoise (青绿色)are represented by the Islamic religion. It is the 49 color in the mosques of the world.Blue symbolizes truth, peace and cooperation. It is the color of the flag of the United Nations and of Europe. As the coolest color of the spectrum, it is the hue most likely to have a receding effect. As in the skies and water that 50 us, blue is seen as a peaceful and 51 color. Blue lighthas seen to 52 blood pressure by calming the nervous system hence relaxing the body and mind. Blue creates large airy spaces. It makes rooms bigger.The wrong shade of blue can be uncomfortable. It can also be cold and sterile(枯燥的)unless 53 with warmer colors.Light and soft blue makes us feel quiet and protected from the bustle(喧闹)and 54 of the day. Blue bedrooms are restful. Blue bath rooms are appropriately watery. Blue 55 depth with greens and reds. Dark blue represents the night making us calm. Its apparently calming effect makes it the perfect tone for the quieter 56 of your living space.[A] represented [I] activity[B] engage [J] zones[C] refreshing [K] foolish[D] surround [L] line[E] curved [M] acquires[F] dominant [N] associated[G]lower [O] rash[H] balancedSection BDirections: There are 2 passages in the 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 center.Passage OneQuestion 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Most shoplifters (商店扒手)agree that the January sales offer wonderful opportunities for the hard-working thief. With the shops so crowded and the staff so busy, it does not require any extraordinary talent to help you to take one or two little things and escape unnoticed. It is known, in the business, as "hoisting".But the hoisting game is not what it used to be. Even at the height of the sales, shoplifters today never know if they are being watched by one of those evil little balls that hang from the ceilings of so many department stores above the most desirable goods.As if that was not trouble enough for them, they can now be filmed at work and obliged to attend a showing of their performance in court.Selfridges was the first big London store to install closed-circuit videotape equipment to watch its sales floors. In October last year the store won its first court case for shoplifting using a evidence a videotape clearly showing a couple stealing dresses. It was an important test case which encouraged other stores to install similar equipment.When the balls, called sputniks, first make an appearance in shops, it was widely believed that their only function was to frighten shoplifters. Their somewhat ridiculous appearances, the curious holes and red lights going on and off, certainly make the theory believable.It did not take long, however, for serious shoplifters to start showing suitable respect. Soon after the equipment was in operation at Selfridges, store detective Brian Chadwick was sitting in the control room watching a woman secretly putting bottles of perfume into her bag."As she turned to go," Chadwick recalled, "she suddenly looked up at the 'sputnik' and stopped. She could not possibly have seen that the camera was trained on her because it is completely hidden, but she must have had a feeling that I was looking at her.""For a moment she paused, but then she returned to counter and started putting everything back. When she had finished, she opened her bag towards the camera to show it was empty and hurried out of the store."57. January is a good month for shoplifters because ________.[A] they don't need to wait for staff to serve them[B] they don't need any previous experience as thieves[C] there are so many people in the store[D] January sales offer wonderful opportunities for them58. The sputniks hanging from the ceiling are intended ________.[A] to watch the most desirable goods [C] to frighten shoplifters by their appearance[B] to make films that can be used as evidence [D] to be used as evidence against shoplifters59. The case last October was important because ________ .[A] the store got the dresses back[B] the equipment was able to frighten shoplifters[C] other shops found out about the equipment[D] the kind of evidence supplied was accepted by court60. The woman stealing perfume ________.[A] guessed what the sputniks were for [C] could see the camera filming her[B] was frightened by its shape [D] knew that the detective had seen her61. The woman's action before leaving the store shows that she ________.[A] was sorry for what she had done[B] was afraid she would be arrested[C]decided she didn't want what she had picked up[D] wanted to prove she had not intended to steal anythingPassage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based in the following passage.The largest shark known to us, Megalodon, is extinct. Or is it? Carcharodon Megalodon, commonly known as Megalodon, is believed to have lived between 1 million and 5 million years ago and thought to have been 52 feet long. It is (or was) a shark that had a jaw 7 or more feet wide. Fairly recently, there has been some speculation about whether it is extinct or just out of reach. But few people believe that Megalodon has found a home deep in the ocean.There are many known "Living Fossils": Coelacanth, Sea Cucumbers, Sea Urchins, Lobsters, Sea Stars. The common ones like lobsters and sea urchins are not really looked on as anything amazing. They've been around for thousands of years or more, and are easily accessible to us. What if they weren't accessible and yet still existed? We would label them extinct. The discovery of a live Coelacanth, a fish long believed extinct, challenged some scientists' long-held beliefs on extinction. There have been recent discoveries of incredibly large squid, and deep-sea fish never before seen by scientists.In the 1960s the U.S. Navy set up underwater microphones around the world to track Soviet submarines. The network, known as the Sound Surveillance System, still lies deep below the ocean's surface in a layer of water known as the "deep sound channel". The temperature and pressure of the channel allow sound waves to travel undisturbed. NOAA's Acoustic Monitoring Project has been using the Sound Surveillance System to listen for changes in ocean structure like ocean currents or volcanic activity. Most of the sounds recorded are common and of no concern. One sound,identified in 1977 by U.S. Navy "spy" sensors, was odd. It was obviously a marine animal but the call was more powerful than any of the calls made by any other reported sea creature. It was too big for a whale. Could it be a deep-sea monster? One possibility was a giant squid, but no one is sure. It was named "Bloop". Could it be Megalodon? If Megalodon is still alive down in the bottom of the ocean, we may some day soon discover it. Then what? Deep sea diving will never be the same, that's for sure!62. The following is commonly known EXCEPT ________.[A] Megalodon, the largest shark, is extinct[B] Megalodon is not extinct but just out of reach[C] Megalodon was 52 feet long and had a jaw 7 or more feet wide[D] Megalodon lived between several million years ago.63. What makes scientists doubt about the belief that Megalodon is extinct?[A] The discovery of many "Living Fossils". [C] The discovery of a live Coelacanth.[B] The discovery of the fossils of lobsters. [D] The discovery of the fossils of sea urchins.64. What was special in their recorded sounds?[A] To listen for changes in ocean structure.[B] To listen for changes of ocean currents or volcanic activity.[C] To Make sure whether there was a giant squid deep in the ocean.[D] To follow the track of the Soviet warships under water.65. What was special in their recorded sounds?[A] A strange, powerful animal sound was heard. [C] A sea monster's sound was heard.[B] A big whale's sound was heard. [D] A giant squid's sound was heard.66. What can be concluded from the passage?[A] Scientists' discoveries always change people's belief.[B] There are too many secrets to be discovered.[C] Megalodon may be still alive deep in the ocean.[D] "Deep sound channel" allows sound waves to travel undisturbed.Part V Cloze (15 minutes)Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] on the right side of the paper. You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Before the 20th century the horse provided day to day transportation in the United States. Trains were used only for long-distance transportation.Today the car is the most popular 67 of transportation in all of the United States. It has completely 68 the horse as a means of everyday transportation. Americans use their car for 69 90 percent of all personal 70 .Most Americans are able to 71 cars. The average price of a 72 made car was, 500 in 1950, 740 in 1960 and up 73 750 in 1975. During this period American ear manufacturers set about 74 their products and work efficiency.Meanwhile, the yearly income of the 75 family increased from 1950 to 1975 76 than the price of cars. For this reason, 77 a new car takes a smaller 78 of a family's total earnings today.In 1951 79 it took 8.1 months of an average family's 80 to buy a new car. In 1962, a new car 81 8.3 of a family's annual earnings. By 1975 it only took 4.75 82 income. In addition, the 1975 cars were technically 83 to models from previous years.The 84 of the automobile extends throughout the economy 85 the car is so important to Americans. Americans spend more money 86 their cars running than on any other item.67. [A] kinds [B] means [C] mean [D] types68. [A] denied [B] reproduced [C] replaced [D] ridiculed69. [A] hardly [B] nearly [C] certainly [D] somehow70. [A] trip [B] works [C] business [D] travel71. [A] buy [B] sell [C] race [D] see72. [A] quickly [B] regularly [C] rapidly [D] recently73. [A] on [B] to [C] in [D] about74. [A] raising [B] making [C] reducing [D] improving75. [A] unusual [B] interested [C] average [D] big76. [A] slowest [B] equal [C] faster [D] less77. [A] bringing [B] obtaining [C] having [D] purchasing78. [A] part [B] half [C] number [D] side79. [A] clearly [B] proportionally [C] obviously [D] suddenly80. [A] income [B] work [C] plants [D] debts81. [A] used [B] spent [C] cost [D] needed82. [A] months [B] dollar [C] family [D] year83. [A] famous [B] quick [C] superior [D] inferior84. [A] running [B] notice [C] influence [D] discussion85. [A] then [B] so [C] as [D] which86. [A] starting [B] leaving [C] keeping [D] repairingPart VI Translation (5 minutes)Directions: Complete the sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.87. The chairman requested ________________________(所有书面资料都要储存在电脑硬盘上).88. ________________________ (如果我是你)，I would have accepted such an offer given by the manager.89. Do you mind ________________________(推迟这次会议到本季度末)?90. ________________________(考虑到各种各样的因素)， our subjects should be rearranged to meet the requirements of the curriculum.91. ________________________(理完发之后)，Professor Smith went straightly to the laboratory to proceed with his experiments.2010年6月大学英语四级考试全真预测试卷一答案详解Part I WritingCity ProblemsNowsdays, millions of migrant workers flock into cities in search of jobs and better living. However, with the sharp rise in the urban population, many problems arise in the development of cities.。
2012年下半年大学英语四级阅读预测解析
这篇关于2012年下半年⼤学英语四级阅读预测解析，是⽆忧考特地为⼤家整理的，希望对⼤家有所帮助！Passage One Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage. Global warming may or may not be the great environmental crisis of the 21st century, but—regardless of whether it is or isn’t - we won’t do much about it. We will argue over it and may even, as a nation, make some fairly solemn-sounding commitments to avoid it. But the more dramatic and meaningful these commitments seem, the less likely they are to be observed. Al Gore calls global warming an “inconvenient truth,” as if merely recognizing it could put us on a path to a solution. But the real truth is that we don’t know enough to relieve global warming, and—without major technological breakthroughs—we can’t do much about it. From 2003 to 2050, the world’s population is projected to grow from 6.4 billion to 9.1 billion, a 42% increase. If energy use per person and technology remain the same, total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, CO2) will be 42% higher in 2050. But that’s too low, because societies that grow richer use more energy. We need economic growth unless we condemn the world’s poor to their present poverty and freeze everyone else’s living standards. With modest growth, energy use and greenhouse emissions more than double by 2050. No government will adopt rigid restrictions on economic growth and personal freedom (limits on electricity usage, driving and travel) that might cut back global warming. Still, politicians want to show they’re “doing something.” Consider the Kyoto Protocol (京都议定书). It allowed countries that joined to punish those that didn’t. But it hasn’t reduced CO2 emissions (up about 25% since 1990), and many signatories (签字国) didn’t adopt tough enough policies to hit their 2008-2012 targets. The practical conclusion is that if global warming is a potential disaster, the only solution is new technology. Only an aggressive research and development program might find ways of breaking our dependence on fossil fuels or dealing with it. The trouble with the global warming debate is that it has become a moral problem when it’s really an engineering one. The inconvenient truth is that if we don’t solve the engineering problem, we’re helpless. 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2012年英语专业四级考试真题与答案解析
2012年英语专业四级考试真题PART III CLOZE 【15 MIN】Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks．Mark the best choice for each blank on Answer Sheet Two．The earthquake of 26th December 2004 resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in living memory．It was a (31) _____ underwater quake and occurred in the Indian Ocean．It (32) ____ coastlines，communities and brought death to many people．Why do earthquakes happen?The surface of the earth has not always looked as it does today；it is moving(33)____ (although very slowly)and has done so for billions of years．This is one(34)____ of earthquakes，when one section of the earth (tectonic plate)(35)____ another．Scientists can predict where but not(36)____ this might happen and the area between plates is called a fault line．On one fault line in Kobe，Japan in 1923 over 200,000 people were killed．(37)____，earthquakes do not alwayshappen on fault lines，(38)____ is why they are so dangerous and (39)____．Where do volcanoes happen?Volcanoes happen where the earth's(40)____ is thin：lava，dust and gases(41)____ from beneath the earth．They can rise into a huge cone shape like a mountain and erupt，(42)____ they can be so violent(43)____ they just explode directly from the earth with no warning．There are 1511(44)'____' volcanoes in the world．This means that they may(45)____ be dangerous．In 1985 the Colombian volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupted．The lava melted a glacier and sent tones of mud(46)____ the town below．Twenty thousand people died．Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are often unpredictable．We regularly do not know when they(47)____ pen，or (48)____ where they will happen．In the future，scientists may be able to watch and predict(49)____ before they happen．This could(50)____ many lives．31．A．massive B．significant C．great D．grand32．A．changed B．converted C．destroyed D．transformed33．A．frequently B．continuously C．regularly D．periodically34．A．source B．reason C．movement D．cause35．A．collides with B．confronts with C．meets with D．faces with36．A．how B．why C．when D．what37．A．Generally B．However C．Similarly D．Anyway38．A．that B．it C．this D．which39．A．unpredictable B．unaccountable C．inevitable D．irresistible40．A．surface B．appearance C．crust D．cover41．A．flowed out B．burst out C．1eaked out D．trickled out42．A．or B．and C．nor D．but43．A．like B．for C．as D．that44．A．living B．active C．alive D．live45．A．relatively B．hardly C．still D．gradually46．A．down B．on C．across D．beyond47．A．are to B．should C．must D．might48．A．else B．even C．though D．whether49．A．accidents B．incidents C．occasions D．events50．A．rescue B．save C．preserve D．shelterPART IV GRAMMAR ＆VOCABULARY 【15 MIN】There are thirty sentences in this section．Beneath each sentence there are four words, phrases or statements marked A，B, C and D．Choose one word, phrase or statement that best completes the sentence．Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two．51．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT?A．Twenty miles seems like a long walk to him．B．No one except his supporters agree with him．C．Neither Julia nor I were going to the party．D．Few students in my class are really lazy．52．Which of the following determiners(限定词)can be placed before both singular count nouns and plural count nouns?A．many a B．few C．such D．the next53．Which of the following reflexive pronouns(反身代词)is used as an appositive(同位语)?A，He promised himself rapid progress．B．The manager herself will interview Mary．C．I have nothing to say for myself．D．They quarreled themselves red in the face．54．My boss ordered that the legal documents ____ to him before lunch．A．be sent B．were sent C．were to be sent D．must be sent55．Which of the following sentences expresses WILLINGNESS?A．By now she will be eating dinner．B．I shall never do that again．C．My brother will help you with the luggage．D．You shall get a promotion．56．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT?A．How strange feelings they are!B．How dare you speak to me like that!C．What noise they are making!D. What a mess we are in!57．which of the italicized parts functions as a subject?A．We never doubt that her brother is honest．B．The problem is not who will go but who will stay．C．You must give it back to whoever it belongs to。
2012英语专业四级考试阅读理解习题及答案
专业英语四级阅读理解辅导：先读文章后看题目有的考生在做阅读理解题的时候，喜欢先看题目后读文章。
他们认为这样会节省时间，但是大多数情况下结果与他们的初衷相反。
实际上，在做阅读理解题的时候先看题目不会节省时间，反而会浪费时间。
这是因为如果你先看题目，在你阅读文章的时候你的脑中就会充斥着这些题目，那么你就不能集中注意力。
你就会集中注意力寻找这些题目的答案，从而影响对文章整体的理解。
因此在做阅读理解时要先读文章，后看题目。
以下是一些具体的方法：1.在阅读文章时不要担心时间不够，否则就不能全神贯注于文章内容。
在阅读文章开头几句时，你要联想一下文章的大意：文章是关于什么内容、写的谁、谈论什么事物等。
2.当你继续阅读文章时，要努力识别出文章的文体，即是科普文章、文学作品，还是新闻报道或是别的;同时要识别出作者的写作手法，文章是写给谁看的，作者是带着一种什么样的感情写这篇文章的。
3.在读完文章一遍后，你会对文章的主题和文章的结构有了一定的印象，但是为了准确起见，在你回答问题的时候一定要回过头来再看一遍该文，以确认你的答案。
不要根据自己第一遍阅读时的印象答题，也不要根据自己所掌握的文章以外的知识答题。
4.在阅读题目的时候，要注意一些关键字眼，比如EXCEPT, CANNOT, NOT, INCORRECT 等出题者为了引起考生特别注意的大写词英语专业四级阅读理解面面观一、专四阅读理解十大话题社会话题:如商场偷窃(2004),体育商业化(2002)教育话题:如儿童择校(2001),大学教育(1997),教学方法(1997),科技话题:如轻型飞机(1993), 昆虫思维(1994),人物传记;某小说家(1992),个人历史(1996),姓氏溯源(2000)历史研究:北爱尔兰问题(1992),法国变化(1993)妇女话题:夫妻关系(2001),家电与妇女(2002)种族话题:民族矛盾(1998)自然话题:雪崩(1996),海啸(1997),潮汐(1992)健康话题:饮酒与心脏病(1995),经济话题:如瑞士银行(2000),中国经济特区(2004)二、阅读理解五种材料说明文、记叙文、议论文、描写文、应用文(尤其是新闻报道)三、题型分析及应对策略1．主旨类(1)What is the main idea (subject) of this passage ?(2)What does this passage mainly (primarily)concerned ?(3)The main theme of this passage is ___________.(4)The main point of the passage is__________.(5)Which of the following is the best title for the passage ?(6)The title that best expresses thetheme of the passage is ___________.我要收藏(7)On which of the following subject would the passage most likely be found in a textbook ?(8)The purpose of the writer in writing this passage _________.(9)Which of the following best describes the passage as a whole ?应对策略：跳读（skimming）文章的开头、结尾及段落的首句和尾句。
2012年英语专业四级考试真题及答案
2012年英语专业四级考试真题PART I DICTATION ［15 MIN］Listen to the following passage．Altogether the passage will be read to you four times．During the first reading，which will be done at normal speed，listen and try to understand the meaning．For the second and third readings,the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase,with intervals of 15 seconds．The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work．You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more．Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE．PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION [20 MIN］In Sections A，B and C you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow．Mark the best answer to each question on Answer Sheet Two．SECTION A CONVERSATIONSIn this section you will hear several conversations．Listen to the conversations carefully and then answer the questions that follow．Questions l to 3 are based on the following conversation．At the end of the conversation, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions．Now，listen to the conversation。
2012年6月大学英语四级真题+听力原文+答案(完整版)
2012年6月大学英语四级真题Part ⅠWriting (30minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Excessive Packaging following the outline given below. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.1.目前许多商品存在过度包装的现象.2.出现这一现象的原因.3.我对这一现象的看法和建议.On Excessive PackagingPart Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer sheet 1. For questions 1-7,choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked A)，B)，C）and D). For questions 8-10,complete the sentences with theinformation given in the passage.Small Schools RisingThis year's list of the top 100 high schools shows that today, those with fewer students are flourishing.Fifty years ago, they were the latest thing in educational reform: big, modern, suburban high schools with students counted in the thousands. As baby boomers(二战后婴儿潮时期出生的人) came of high-school age, big schools promised economic efficiency. A greater choice of courses, and, of course, better football teams. Only years later did we understand the trade-offs this involved: the creation of excessive bureaucracies(官僚机构)，the difficulty of forging personal connections between teachers and students.SAT scores began dropping in 1963;today,on average,30% of students do not complete high school in four years, a figure that rises to 50% in poor urban neighborhoods. While the emphasis on teaching to higher, test-driven standards as set in No Child Left Behind resulted in significantly better performance in elementary(and some middle)schools, high schools for a variety of reasons seemed to have made little progress.Size isn't everything, but it does matter, and the past decade has seen a noticeable countertrend toward smaller schools. This has been due ,in part ,to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has invested $1.8 billion in American high schools, helping to open about 1,000 small schools-most of them with about 400 kids each with an average enrollment of only 150 per grade, About 500 more are on the drawing board. Districts all over the country are taking notice, along with mayors in cities like New York, Chicago and San Diego. The movement includes independent public charter schools, such as No.1 BASIS in Tucson, with only 120 high-schoolers and 18 graduates this year. It embraces district-sanctioned magnet schools, such as the Talented and Gifted School, with 198 students, and the Science and Engineering Magnet,with383,which share a building in Dallas, as well as the City Honors School in Buffalo, N.Y., which grew out of volunteer evening seminars for students. And it includes alternative schools with students selected by lottery(抽签)，such as H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Va. And most noticeable of all, there is the phenomenon of large urban and suburban high schools that have split up into smaller units of a few hundred, generally housed in the same grounds that once boasted thousands of students all marching to the same band.Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif, is one of those, ranking No.423-among the top 2% in the country-on Newsweek's annual ranking of America's top high schools. The success of small schoolsis apparent in the listings. Ten years ago, when the first Newsweek list based on college-level test participation was published, only three of the top 100 schools had graduating Classes smaller than 100 students. This year there are 22. Nearly 250 schools on the full ,Newsweek list of the top 5% of schools nationally had fewer than 200 graduates in 2007.Although many of Hillsdale's students came from wealthy households, by the late 1990 average test scores were sliding and it had earned the unaffectionate nickname (绰号) "Hillsjail. " Jeff Gilbert. A Hillsdale teacher who became principal last year, remembers sitting with other teachers watching students file out of a graduation ceremony and asking one another in astonishment, "How did that student graduate?"So in 2003 Hillsdale remade itself into three "houses," romantically named Florence, Marrakech and Kyoto. Each of the 300 arriving ninth graders are randomly(随机地) assigned to one of the houses. Where they will keep the same four core subject teachers for two years, before moving on to another for 11th and 12th grades. The closeness this system cultivates is reinforced by the institution of "advisory" classes Teachers meet with students in groups of 25, five mornings a week, for open-ended discussions of everything from homework problems to bad Saturday-night dates. The advisers also meet with students privately and stay in touch with parents, so they are deeply invested in the students' success."We're constantly talking about one another's advisers," says English teacher Chris Crockett. "If you hear that yours isn't doing well in math, or see them sitting outside the dean's office, it's like a personal failure." Along with the new structure came a more demanding academic program, the percentage of freshmen taking biology jumped from 17 to 95."It was rough for some. But by senior year, two-thirds have moved up to physics," says Gilbert "Our kids are coming to school in part because they know there are adults here who know them and care for them."But not all schools show advances after downsizing, and it remains to be seen whether smaller schools will be a cure-all solution.The Newsweek list of top U.S. high schools was made this year, as in years past, according to a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams. Over the years this system has come in for its share of criticism for its simplicity. But that is also its strength: it's easy for readers to understand, and to do the arithmetic for their own schools if they'd like.Ranking schools is always controversial, and this year a group of 38 superintendents(地区教育主管)from five states wrote to ask that their schools be excluded from the calculation."It is impossible to know which high schools are 'the best' in the nation, "their letter read. in part. "Determining whether different schools do or don't offer a high quality of education requires a look at man different measures, including students' overall academic accomplishments and their subsequent performance in college. And taking into consideration the unique needs of their communities."In the end, the superintendents agreed to provide the data we sought, which is, after all, public information. There is, in our view, no real dispute here, we are all seeking the same thing, which is schools that better serve our children and our nation by encouraging students to tackle tough subjects under the guidance of gifted teachers. And if we keep working toward that goal, someday, perhaps a list won't be necessary.注意：此部分试题请在答卡1上作答.1．Fifty years ago. big. Modern. Suburban high schools were established in the hope of .A) ensuring no child is left behind.B) increasing economic efficiency.C) improving students' performance on SA T.D)providing good education for baby boomers.2. What happened as a result of setting up big schools?A)Teachers' workload increased.B)Students' performance declined.C)Administration became centralized.D)Students focused more on test scores.3. What is said about the schools forded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation?A)They are usually magnet schools.B)They are often located in poor neighborhoods.C)They are popular with high-achieving students.D)They are mostly small in size.4. What is most noticeable about the current trend in high school education?A)Some large schools have split up into smaller ones.B)A great variety of schools have sprung up in urban and suburban areas.C)Many schools compete for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds.D)Students have to meet higher academic standards.5. Newsweek ranked high schools according to .A)their students' academic achievement.B)the number of their students admitted to college.C)the size and number of their graduating classes.D)their college-level test participation.6. What can we learn about Hillsdale's students in the late 1990s?A)They were made to study hard like prisoners.B)They called each other by unaffectionate nicknames.C)Most of them did not have any sense of discipline,D)Their school performance was getting worse.7. According to Jeff Gilbert, the "advisory" classes at Hillsdale were set up so that students could .A)tell their teachers what they did on weekends.B)experience a great deal of pleasure in learning.C)maintain closer relationships with their teachers.D)tackle the demanding biology and physics courses.8. is still considered a strength of Newsweek's school ranking system in spite of the criticism it receives.9.According to the 38 superintendents, to rank schools scientifically, it is necessary to use .10.To better serve the children and our nation, schools students to take .Part ⅢListening Comprehension (35minutes)Section ADirections:in this section you will hear 8 short conversations, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choicesmarked A)、B）、C）and D)、and decide which is the best answer. Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答案卡2上作案。
2012年9月全国英语等级考试四级模拟预测卷及答案
全国英语等级考试四级模拟预测卷及答案21.[A]keep[B]feel to]put[D]remain22.[A]and[B]so[C]hut[D]therefore23.[A]if[B]that[C]whether[D]until24.[A]task[B]achievement [D]success[D]decision25.[A]without[B]with[C]by[D]to26.[A]seriously[B]ultimately[C]frequently[D]actively27.[A]absorbs[B]sinks[C]acquaints[D3surrounds28.[A]on[B]above[C]at[D]with29.[A]when[B]how[C]why[D]whether30.[A]refuses[B]denies[C]invites[D]accepts31.[A]his[B]her[C]our[D]their32.[A]experiencing[B]following[C]performing[D]going33.[A]as[B]for[C]as if[D]about34.[A]why[B]when[C]how[D]where35.[A]order[B]make[C]expect[D]hope36.[A]He[B]This[C]That[D]It37.[A]criticize[B]complain[C]talk[D]discuss38.[A]express[B]speak[C]ease[D]create39.[A]whenever[B]though[C]if[D]unless40.[A]other[B]another[C]the other[D]othersSection III Reading Comprehension(60 minutes)Part ADirections：Read thefollowing four texts.Answer the questions below each text by choosing[A]，[B]，[C]or[D].Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET l.Text lNo man has been more harshly judged than Machiavelli，especially in the two centuries following his death.But he has since found many able champions and the tide has turned.The Prince has been termed a manual for tyrants，the effect of which has been most harmful.But were Machiavelli’s doctrines really new? Did he discover them?He merely had the frankness and courage to write down what everybody was thinking and what everybody knew.He merely gives us the impressions he had received from a long and intimate inter—course with princes and the affairs of state.It was Lord Bacon who said that Machiavelli tells us what princes如。
2012年英语专业四级考试试题及参考答案
2012年英语专业四级考试试题及参考答案TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS(2012)-GRADE F O UR-TIME LIMIT：135 MlNPART I DICTATION [15 MIN]．During the first Listen to the following passage．Altogether the passage will be read to you four timesreading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning．For the second and third readings，the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase，with intervals of 15 seconds．The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work．You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more．Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE．PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION [20 MIN]In Sections A,B and C you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answerthe questions that follow．Mark the best answer to each question on Answer Sheet Two．SECT I ON A CONVERSAT IO NSIn this section you will hear several conversations．Listen to the conversations carefully andthen answer the questions that follow．Questions l to 3 are based on the following conversation．At the end of the conversation, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions．Now, listen to the conversation.l．The Ethical Consumer Research Association will provide information to shoppers onA．product price．B．product quality．C．manufacturers．D．production methods．2．According to the conversation，an ethical shopper shouldA．ask for others’advice before buying things．．B．consider the worth of something to be boughtC．postpone buying things whenever possible．．D．search for things that are less costly3．According to the conversation，ethical shoppers can be best described asA．shrewd．B．thrifty．C．extravagant．D．cautious．Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation．At the end of the conversation，youwill be given 20 seconds to answer the questions．Now,listen to the conversation．4．Which of the following statements is CORRECT about Mary?A．She is enjoying her language study．．B．She is enjoying her management study．C．She is not feeling very well at the moment．D．She is not happy about her study pressure5．What does Mary think of the course initially?A．It is useful．B．It is difficult．C．It is challenging．D．It is interesting．6．What is Mary’s problem of living in a family house?．A．She dislikes the food she eats．B．She is unable to sleep wellC ．She has no chance to make friends ．D ．She finds the rent high ．7．Which of the following is Mr ．Davies ’advice?A ．To tryto make more friends ．B ．To try to change accommodation ．C ．To spend more time on English ．D ．To stop attending language classes ．Questions 8 to 10 are based on the following conversation ．At the end of the conversation ，you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions ．Now,listen to the conversation ．8．According to the conversation ，the day is special becauseA ．many people are surfing the net on that day ．B ．it is an anniversary of the internet ．C ．the net brought about no changes until that day ．D ．big changes will take place on that day ．9．We learn from the conversation that peopleA ．cannot Jive without the internet ．B ．cannot work without the internet ．C ．all use the internet to keep in touch ．D ．have varied opinions about internet use ． 10．At the end of the conversation ．the speakers talk aboutA ．the future of the internet ．B ．the type of office furniture ．C ．when changes will come ．D ．how people will use the internet ．SECTION B PASSAGES In this section ，you will hear several passages ．Listen to the passages carefully and then answer the questions that follow ．Questions 11 to 13 are based on the following passage ．At the end of the passage, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions ．Now, listen to the passage ．11．In order to open a bank account ，you need to produce____in addition to your passport ．A ．a library card B ．a registration form C ．a telephone bill D ．a receipt 12．Which of the following might NOT be included in the ‘utility bill ’? A ．Rent ．B ．Gas ．C ．Water ．D ．Telephone ．13．According to the passage ，what can one do in the post office? A ．Getting contact details ．B ．Obtaining tax forms ．C ．Paying housing rents ．D ．Applying for loans ．Questions 14 to 17 are are based on based on the the following following following passage passage ．At At the the the end end end of of of the the the passage, passage, passage, you you you will will will be be given given 20 20 seconds to answer the questions ．Now, listen to the passage ．14．According to the passage ，‘scheduling ’means that you A ．need to be efficient in work ．B ．plan your work properly ．C ．try to finish work ahead of time ．D ．know how to work in teams ．15．According to the passage, one of the activities to relax could be A ．protecting wild animals ．B ．spending time with your family ．C．learning how to read efficiently．D．learning how to do gardening．16．One of the ways to reduce stress is to A．do better than anyone else．B．fulfill high ambitions in one's work．C．work and have reasonable aims．D．start with a relatively low aim．17．According to the passage，to reduce stress has something to do with the following EXCEPT A．one's position．B．one's interest．C．one's health．D．one's mood．Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage．At the end of the passage, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions．Now, listen to the passage．18．According to the passage，new words tend to come from A．world politics．B．advances in science．C．areas of life．D．all the above．19．The passage explains the larger and richer vocabulary of English mainly from a viewpoint．A．historical B．cultural C．commercial D．colonial 20．According to the passage，which of the following statements best describes the English language? A．It is outdated in grammar．B．It accepts new words from science．C．It has begun taking in new words．D．It tends to embrace new words．SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST In this section，you will hear several news items．Listen to them carefully and then answer the questions that follow．Questions 21 and 22 are based OH the following news．At the end of the news item，you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions．Now listen to the news．21．Where was the marble statue found? A．Out in the sea．B．Inside a bath house．C．On a cliff along the coast．D．On the coast outside Jerusalem．22．Which of the following best describes the condition of the statue? A．It was incomplete．B．It was recent artwork．C．It was fairly tall．D．It was in pieces．Questions 23 and 24 are based on the following news．At the end of the news item．you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions．Now, listen to the news．23．The rescue efforts concentrated mainly on A．the U．S．-Canada border B．snow-stricken regions．C．highways．D．city streets．24．According to the news，the last group of people might have been stranded in their vehicles for more than ____ hours before being rescued．A．24 B．25 C．40 D．48 Questions 25 and 26 are based on the following news．At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions．Now, listen to the news．25．According to the 2006 anti-smoking restrictions，smoking was NOT allowed in A．offices．B．restaurants．C．bars．D．school playgrounds．26．According to the news，which of the following groups reacts negatively to the new law? A．Television producers．B．Hotel owners．C．Medical workers．D．Hospital management．Questions 27 and 28 are based on the following news，you will be ．At the end of the news itemgiven 10 seconds to answer the questions．Now, listen to the news．27．According to the news，who first discovered the fraud? A．A client．B．A bank manager．C．The police．D．Bank headquarters．28．When did the bank employee hand himself in? A．A month before the fraud was discovered．B．A day before the fraud was discovered．C．A day after the police launched investigation．D．A month after he transferred the money．Question 29 is based on the following news．At the end of the news item, you will be given 5 seconds to answer the question．Now, listen to the news．29．What is this news item mainly about? A．How to open Hotmail accounts．B．How to retrieve missing e-mails．C．New e-mail service by Microsoft．D．Problems and complaints about e-mails．Question30 is based on the following news．At the end of the news item, you will be given 5 seconds to answer the question．Now, listen to the news．30．Compared with 2009，which of the following figures remained about the same in 2010? A．Number of tickets sold．B．Box office revenues．C．Attendance rate．D Number of cinemas．PART III CLOZE 【15 MIN】Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in thecorresponding．blanks．Mark the best choice for each blank on Answer Sheet TwoThe earthquake of 26th December 2004 resulted in one of the worstnatural disasters in living．It (32) ____ coastlines，memory．It was a (31) _____ underwater quake and occurred in the Indian Oceancommunities and brought death to many people．Why do earthquakes happen?The surface of the earth has not always looked as it does today；it is moving(33)____ (although very slowly)and has done so forbillions of years．This is one(34)____ of earthquakes，when one section of the earth (tectonic plate)(35)____ another．Scientists can predict where but not(36)____ this might happen and the area between plates is called a fault line．On one fault line in Kobe，Japan in 1923 over 200,000 people were killed．(37)____，earthquakes do not always happen on fault lines，(38)____ is why they are so dangerous and (39)____．Where do volcanoes happen?Volcanoes happen where the earth's(40)____ is thin：lava，dust and gases(41)____ from beneath the earth．They can rise into a huge cone shape like a mountain and erupt，(42)____ they can be so violent(43)____ they just explode directly from the earth with．This no warning．There are 1511(44)'____' volcanoes in the worldmeans that they may(45)____ be dangerous．The lava ．In 1985 the Colombian volcano Nevado del Ruiz eruptedmelted a glacier and sent tones of mud(46)____ the townbelow．Twenty thousand people died．Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are often unpredictable，or (48)____ ．We regularly do not know when they(47)____ penwhere they will happen ．In the future ，scientists may be able to watch and predict(49)____ before they happen ．This could(50)____ many lives ．31．A ．massive B ．significant C ．great D ．grand32．A ．changed B ．converted C ．destroyed D ．transformed 33．A ．frequently B ．continuously C ．regularly D ．periodically34．A ．source B ．reason C ．movement D ．cause35．A ．collides with B ．confronts with C ．meets with D ．faces with36．A ．how B ．why C ．when D ．what37．A ．Generally B ．However C ．Similarly D ．Anyway38．A ．that B ．it C ．this D ．which39．A ．unpredictable B ．unaccountable C ．inevitable D ．irresistible 40．A ．surface B ．appearance C ．crust D ．cover41．A ．flowed out B ．burst out C ．1eaked out D ．trickled out42．A ．or B ．and C ．nor D ．but43．A ．like B ．for C ．as D ．that44．A ．living B ．active C ．alive D ．live45．A ．relatively B ．hardly C ．still D ．gradually46．A ．down B ．on C ．across D ．beyond 47．A ．are to B ．should C ．must D ．might48．A ．else B ．even C ．though D ．whether49．A ．accidents B ．incidents C ．occasions D ．events50．A ．rescue B ．save C ．preserve D ．shelterP ART IV GRAMMAR ＆VOCABULARY 【15 MIN 】There are thirty sentences in this section ．Beneath each sentence there are four words, phrases or or statements statements statements marked marked marked A A ，B, B, C C C and and and D D ．Choose Choose one one one word, word, word, phrase phrase phrase or or or statement statement statement that that that best best best completes completes completes the the sentence ．Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two ．51．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT? A ．Twenty miles seems like a long walk to him ．B ．No one except his supporters agree with him ．C ．Neither Julia nor I were going to the party ．D ．Few students in my class are really lazy ．52．Which of the following determiners(限定词)can be placed before both singular count nouns and plural count nouns? A ．many a B ．few C ．such D ．the next 53．Which of the following reflexive pronouns(反身代词)is used as an appositive(同位语)? A ，He promised himself rapid progress ．B ．The manager herself will interview Mary ．C ．I have nothing to say for myself ．D ．They quarreled themselves red in the face ．54．My boss ordered that the legal documents ____ to him before lunch ．A ．be sent B ．were sent C ．were to be sent D ．must be sent 55．Which of the following sentences expresses WILLINGNESS? A ．By now she will be eating dinner ．B ．I shall never do that again ．C ．My brother will help you with the luggage ．D ．You shall get a promotion ．56．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT? A．How strange feelings they are! B．How dare you speak to me like that! C．What noise they are making! D. What a mess we are in! 57．which of the italicized parts functions as a subject? A．We never doubt that her brother is honest．B．The problem is not who will go but who will stay．C．You must give it back to whoever it belongs to。
2012年12月英语四级阅读理解解析
这篇关于2012年12⽉英语四级阅读理解解析，是特地为⼤家整理的，希望对⼤家有所帮助！Passage One Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage. If you’re a male and you’re reading this, congratulations: you’re a survivor. According to statistics, you’re more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman, than nine times more likely to die of AIDS. Assuming you make it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you’ll die on average five years before a woman. There’re many reasons for this – typically, men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke – but perhaps more importantly, men don’t go to the doctor. “Men aren’t seeing doctors as often as they should,” says Dr. Gullotta. “This is particularly so for the over-40s, when diseases tend to strike.” Gullotta says a healthy man should visit the doctor every year or two. For those over45, it should be at least once a year. Two months ago Gullotta saw a 50-year-old man who had delayed doing anything about his smoker’s cough for a year. “When I finally saw him it had already spread and he has since died from lung cancer,” he says. “Earlier detection and treatment may not have cured him, but it would have prolonged (延长) his life.” According to a recent survey, 95%of women aged between 15and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group. “A lot of men think they’re invincible (不可战胜的),” Gullotta says. “They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, ‘Geez, if it could happen to him, …’” Then there’s the ostrich approach.“Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,” says Dr, Ross Cartmill. “Most men get their cars serviced more regularly than they service their bodies,” Cartmill says. He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be addressed by preventive check-ups. Regular check-ups for men would inevitable place strain on the public purse, Cartmill says. “But prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the ultimate cost far greater; it’s called premature death.” 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。
2012年6月大学英语四级CET4真题及参考答案解析
2012年6月大学英语四级CET4真题Part Ⅰ Writing (30minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Excessive Packaging following the outline given below. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.1.目前许多商品存在过度包装的现象2.出现这一现象的原因3.我对这一现象的看法和建议On Excessive PackagingPart Ⅱ Reading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer sheet 1. For questions 1-7,choose the best answer from the four choices marked A)，B)，C)and D). For questions 8-10,complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Small Schools RisingThis year‟s list of the top 100 high schools shows that today, those with fewer students are flourishing.Fifty years ago, they were the latest thing in educational reform: big, modern, suburban high schools with students counted in the thousands. As baby boomers(二战后婴儿潮时期出生的人) came of high-school age, big schools promised economic efficiency. A greater choice of courses, and, of course, better football teams. Only years later did we understand the trade-offs this involved: the creation of excessive bureaucracies(官僚机构)，the difficulty of forging personal connections between teachers and students.SAT scores began dropping in 1963;today,on average,30% of students do not complete high school in four years, a figure that rises to 50% in poor urban neighborhoods. While the emphasis on teaching to higher, test-driven standards as set in No Child Left Behind resulted in significantly better performance in elementary(and some middle)schools, high schools for a variety of reasons seemed to have made little progress.Size isn‟t everything, but it does matter, and the past decade has seen a noticeable countertrend toward smaller schools. This has been due ,in part ,to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has invested $1.8 billion in American high schools, helping to open about 1,000 small schools-most of them with about 400 kids each with an average enrollment of only 150 per grade, About 500 more are on the drawing board. Districts all over the country are taking notice, along with mayors in cities like New York, Chicago and San Diego. The movement includes independent public charter schools, such as No.1 BASIS in Tucson, with only 120 high-schoolers and 18 graduates this year. It embraces district-sanctioned magnet schools, such as the Talented and Gifted School, with 198 students, and the Science and Engineering Magnet,with383,which share a building in Dallas, as well as the City Honors School in Buffalo, N.Y., which grew out of volunteer evening seminars for students. And it includes alternative schools with students selected by lottery(抽签)，such as H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Va. And most noticeable of all, there is the phenomenon of large urban and suburban high schools that have split up into smaller units of a few hundred, generally housed in the same grounds that once boasted thousands of students all marching to the same band.Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif, is one of those, ranking No.423—among the top 2% in the country—on Newsweek‟s annual ranking of America‟s top high s chools. The success of small schools is apparent in the listings. Ten years ago, when the first Newsweek list based on college-level test participation was published, only three of the top 100 schools had graduating Classes smaller than 100 students. This year there are 22. Nearly 250 schools on the full ,Newsweek list of the top 5% of schools nationally had fewer than 200 graduates in 2007.Although many of Hillsdale‟s students came from wealthy households, by the late 1990 average test scores were sliding and it had earned the unaffectionate nickname (绰号) “Hillsjail. ” Jeff Gilbert. A Hillsdale teacher who became principal last year, remembers sitting with other teachers watching students file out of a graduation ceremony and asking one another in a stonishment, “How did that student graduate?”So in 2003 Hillsdale remade itself into three “houses,” romantically named Florence, Marrakech and Kyoto. Each of the 300 arriving ninth graders are randomly(随机地) assigned to one of the houses. Where they will keep the same four core subject teachers for two years, before moving on to another for 11th and 12th grades. The closeness this system cultivates is reinforced by the institution of “advisory” classes Teachers meet with students in groups of 25, five mo rnings a week, for open-ended discussions of everything from homework problems to bad Saturday-night dates. The advisers also meet with students privately and stay in touch with parents, so they are deeply invested in the students‟ success.“We‟re constantl y talking about one another‟s advisers,” says English teacher Chris Crockett. “If you hear that yours isn‟t doing well in math, or see them sitting outside the dean‟s office, it‟s like a personal failure.” Along with the new structure came a more demanding academic program, the percentage of freshmen taking biology jumped from 17 to 95.“It was rough for some. But by senior year, two-thirds have moved up to physics,” says Gilbert “Our kids are coming to school in part because they know there are adults here who know them and care for them.”But not all schools show advances after downsizing, and it remains to be seen whether smaller schools will be a cure-all solution.The Newsweek list of top U.S. high schools was made this year, as in years past, according to a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams. Over the years this system has come in for its share of criticism for its simplicity. But that is also its strength: it‟s easy for readers to understand, and to do the arithmetic f or their own schools if they‟d like.Ranking schools is always controversial, and this year a group of 38 superintendents(地区教育主管)from five states wrote to ask that their schools be excluded from the calculation.“It is impossible to know which high schools are …the best‟ in the nation, ”their letter read. in part. “Determining whether different schools do or don‟t offer a high quality of education requires a look at man different measures, including students‟ overall academic accomplishments and their subs equent performance in college. And taking into consideration the unique needs of theircommunities.”In the end, the superintendents agreed to provide the data we sought, which is, after all, public information. There is, in our view, no real dispute here, we are all seeking the same thing, which is schools that better serve our children and our nation by encouraging students to tackle tough subjects under the guidance of gifted teachers. And if we keep working toward that goal, someday, perhaps a list wo n‟t be necessary.注意：此部分试题请在答卡1上作答.1. Fifty years ago. big. Modern. Suburban high schools were established in the hope of __________.A) ensuring no child is left behindB) increasing economic efficiencyC) improving students‟ performance on SATD)providing good education for baby boomers2. What happened as a result of setting up big schools?A)Teachers‟ workload increased.B)Students‟ performance declined.C)Administration became centralized.D)Students focused more on test scores.3.What is said about the schools forded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation?A)They are usually magnet schools.B)They are often located in poor neighborhoods.C)They are popular with high-achieving students.D)They are mostly small in size.4.What is most noticeable about the current trend in high school education?A)Some large schools have split up into smaller ones.B)A great variety of schools have sprung up in urban and suburban areas.C)Many schools compete for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds.D)Students have to meet higher academic standards.5.Newsweek ranked high schools according to .A)their students‟ academic achievementB)the number of their students admitted to collegeC)the size and number of their graduating classesD)their college-level test participation6.What can we learn about Hillsdale‟s students in the late 1990s?A)They were made to study hard like prisoners.B)They called each other by unaffectionate nicknames.C)Most of them did not have any sense of discipline,D)Their school performance was getting worse.7.According to Jeff Gilbert, the “advisory” classes at Hillsdale were set up so that students could .A)tell their teachers what they did on weekendsB)experience a great deal of pleasure in learningC)maintain closer relationships with their teachersD)tackle the demanding biology and physics courses8. is still considered a strength of Newsweek‟s school ranking system in spite of the criticism it receives.9.According to the 38 superintendents, to rank schools scientifically, it is necessary to use .10.To better serve the children and our nation, schools students to take .Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension (35minutes)Section ADirections: in this section you will hear 8 short conversations, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A)、B)、C)and D)、and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答案卡2上作案。
2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题与答案完整版
Part II Reading comprehension (skimming and scanning)Universities Branch OutAs never before in their long history, universities have become instruments of national competition as well as instruments of peace. They are the place of the scientific discoveries that move economies forward, and the primary means of educating the talent required to obtain and maintain competitive advantage. But at the same time, the opening of national borders to the flow of goods, services, information and especially people has made universities a powerful force for global integration, mutual understanding and geopolitical stability.In response to the same forces that have driven the world economy, universities have become more self-consciously global: seeking students from around the world who represent the entire range of cultures and values, sending their own students abroad to prepare them for global careers,offering course of study that address the challenges of an interconnected world and collaborative (合作的)research programs to advance science for the benefit of all humanity.Of the forces shaping higher education none is more sweeping than the movement across borders. Over the past three decades the number of students leaving home each year to study abroad has grown at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, from 800,000 in 1975 to 2.5 million in 2004.Most travel from one developed nation to another, but the flow from developing to developed countries is growing rapidly. The reverse flow, from developed to developing countries, is on the rise, too. Today foreign students earn 30 percent of the doctoral degrees awarded in the United States and 38 percent of those in the United Kingdom. And the number crossing borders for undergraduate study is growing as well, to 8 percent of the undergraduates at America‘s best institutions and 10 percent of all undergraduates in the U.K.In the United States,20 percent of the newly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born, and in China many newly hired faculty members at the top research universities received their graduate education abroad.Universities are also encouraging students to spend some of their undergraduate years in another country. In Europe, more than 140,000 students participate in the Erasmus program each year, taking courses for credit in one of 2,200 participating institutions across the continent. And in the United States, institutions are helping place students in the summer internships (实习)abroad to prepare them for global careers. Yale and Harvard have led the way, offering every undergraduate at least oneinternational study or internship opportunity—and providing the financial resources to make it possible.Globalization is also reshaping the way research is done. One new trend involves sourcing portions of a research program to another country. Yale professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Tian Xu directs a research center focused on the genetics of human disease at Shanghai‘s Fudan University, in collaboration with faculty colleagues from both schools. The Shanghai center has 95 employees and graduate students working in a 4,300-square-meter laboratory seminars with scientists from both campuses. The arrangement benefits both countries; Xu’s Yale lab is more productive, thanks to t he lower costs of conducting research in China, and Chinese graduate students, postdoctors and faculty get on-the-job training from a world -class scientist and his U.S. team.As a result of its strength in science, the United States has consistently led the world in the commercialization of major new technologies, from the mainframe computer and the integrated circuit of the 1960s to the Internet infrastructure (基础设施)and applications software of the 1990s.the link between university-based science and industrial application is often indirect but sometimes highly visible: Silicon Valley was intentionally created by Stanford University, and Route 128 outside Boston has long housed companies spun off from MIT and Harvard. Around the world, governments have encouraged copying of this model, perhaps most successfully in Cambridge, England, where Microsoft and scores of other leading software and biotechnology companies have set up shop around the university.For all its success, the United States remains deeply hesitant about sustaining the research -university model. Most politicians recognize the link between investment in science and national economic strength, but support for research funding has been unsteady. The budget of the National Institutes of Health doubled between 1998 and 2003,but has risen more slowly than inflation since then. Support for the physical sciences and engineering barely kept pace with inflation during that same period. The attempt to make up lost ground is welcome, but the nation would be better served by steady, predictable increases in science funding at the rate of long-term GDP growth, which is on the order of inflation plus 3 percent per year.American politicians have great difficult recognizing that admitting more foreign students can greatly promote the national interest by increasing international understanding. Adjusted for inflation, public funding for international exchanges and foreign-language study is well below the levels of 40 years ago, in the wake ofSeptember 11,changes in the visa process caused a dramatic decline in the number of foreign students seeking admission to U.S. universities, and a corresponding surge in enrollments in Australia, Singapore and the U.K. Objections from American university and the business leaders led to improvements in the process and reversal of the decline, but the United States is still seen by many as unwelcoming to international students.Most Americans recognize that universities contribute to the nation‘s well-being through their scientific research, but many fear that foreign students threaten American competitiveness by taking their knowledge and skills back home. They fail to grasp that welcoming foreign students to the United States has two important positive effects: first, the very best of them stay in the States and—like immigrants throughout history—strengthen the nation; and second, foreign students who study in the United States become ambassadors for many of its most cherished (珍视)values when they return home. Or at least they understand them better. In America as elsewhere, few instruments of foreign policy are as effective in promoting peace and stability as welcoming international university students.1. From the first paragraph we know that present-day universities have become ________.A)more popularized than ever beforeB)in-service training organizationsC)a powerful force for global integrationD)more and more research-oriented2. Over the past decades, the enrollment of overseas students has increased ________.A)at an annual rate of 8 percentB)at an annual rate of 3.9 percentC)by 800,000D)by 2.5 million3. In the United States, how many of the newly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born?A)38% B)10% C)30% D)20%4. How do Yale and Harvard prepare their undergraduates for global careers?A)They give them chances for international study or internship.B)They arrange for them to participate in the Erasmus program.C)They offer them various courses in international politics.D)They organize a series of seminars on world economy.5. An example illustrating the general trend of universities ‘globalization is ________.A)Yale‘s establishing branch campuses throughout the worldB)Yale‘s student exchange program with E uropean institutionsC)Yale‘s helping Chinese universities to launch research projectsD)Yale‘s collaboration with Fudan University on genetic research.6. What do we learn about Silicon Valley from the passage?A)It is known to be the birthplace of Microsoft Company.B)It was intentionally created by Stanford University.C)It is where the Internet infrastructure was built up.D)It houses many companies spun off from MIT and Harvard.7. What is said about the U.S. federal funding for research?A)It has increased by 3 percent.B)It doubled between 1998 and 2003.C)It has been unsteady for years.D)It has been more than sufficient.8. The dramatic decline in the enrollment of foreign students in the U.S. after September 11 was caused by ________.9. Many Americans fear that American competitiveness may be threatened by foreign students who will ________.10. The policy of welcoming foreign students can benefit the U.S. in that the very best of them will stay and ________.PartⅢ Reading Comprehension （Skimming and Scanning）（15 minutes）Section A11.A) He has proved to be a better reader than the woman.B) He has difficulty understanding the book.C) He cannot get access to the assigned book.D) He cannot finish his assignment before the deadline.12.A) She will drive the man to the supermarket.B) The man should buy a car of his own.C) The man needn't go shopping every week.D) She can pick the man up at the grocery store.13.A) Get more food and drinks.B) Ask his friend to come over.C) Tidy up the place.D) Hold a party.14.A) The talks can be held any day except this Friday.B) He could change his schedule to meet John Smith.C) The first-round talks should start as soon as possible.D) The woman should contact John Smith first.15.A) He understands the woman's feelings.B) He has gone through a similar experience.C) The woman should have gone on the field trip.D) The teacher is just following the regulations.16.A) She will meet the man halfway.B) She will ask David to talk less.C) She is sorry the man will not come.D) She has to invite David to the party.17.A) Few students understand Prof. Johnson's lectures.B) Few students meet Prof. Jonson's requirements.C) Many students find Prof. Johnson's lectures boring.D) Many students have dropped Prof. Johnson's class.18.A) Check their computer files.B) Make some computations.C) Study a computer program.D) Assemble a computer.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19.A) It allows him to make a lot of friends.B) It requires him to work long hours.C) It enables him to apply theory to practice.D) It helps him understand people better.20.A) It is intellectually challenging.B) It requires him to do washing-up all the time.C) It exposes him to oily smoke all day long.D) It demands physical endurance and patience.21.A) In a hospital.B) At a coffee shop.C) At a laundry.D) In a hotel.22.A) Getting along well with colleagues.B) Paying attention to every detail.C) Planning everything in advance.D) Knowing the needs of customers.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23.A) The pocket money British children get.B) The annual inflation rate in Britain.C) The things British children spend money on.D) The rising cost of raising a child in Britain.24.A) It enables children to live better.B) It goes down during economic recession.C) It often rises higher than inflation.D) It has gone up 25% in the past decade.25.A) Save up for their future education.B) Pay for small personal things.C) Buy their own shoes and socks.D) Make donations when necessary. 来源:考试大-英语四级考试Section BPassage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the conversation you have just heard.26.A) District managers.B) Regular customers.C) Sales directors.D) Senior clerks.27.A) The support provided by the regular clients.B) The initiative shown by the sales representatives.C) The urgency of implementing the company's plans.D) The important part played by district managers.28.A) Some of them were political-minded.B) Fifty percent of them were female.C) One third of them were senior managers.D) Most of them were rather conservative.29.A) He used too many quotations.B) He was not gender sensitive.C) He did not keep to the point.D) He spent too much time on details.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30.A) State your problem to the head waiter.B) Demand a discount on the dishes ordered.C) Ask to see the manager politely but firmly.D) Ask the name of the person waiting on you.31.A) You problem may not be understood correctly.B) You don't know if you are complaining at the right time.C) Your complaint may not reach the person in charge.D) You can't tell how the person on the line is reacting.32.A) Demand a prompt response.B) Provide all the details.C) Send it by express mail.D) Stick to the point.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33.A) Fashion designerB) Architect.C) City planner.D) Engineer.34.A) Do some volunteer work.B) Get a well-paid part-time job.C) Work flexible hours.D) Go back to her previous post.35.A) Few baby-sitters can be considered trustworthy.B) It will add to the family's financial burden.C) A baby-sitter is no replacement for a mother.D) The children won't get along with a baby-sitter.Section CAlmost every child, on the first day he sets foot in a school building, is smarter, more (36)______, less afraid of what he doesn't know, better at finding and (37) ______ things out, more confident, resourceful (机敏的), persistent and (38) ______ than he will ever be again in his schooling – or, unless he is very (39) ______ and very lucky, for the rest of his life. Already, by paying close attention to and (40) ______ with the world and people around him, and without any school-type (41)______ instruction, he has done a task far more difficult, complicated and (42)______ than anything he will be asked to do in school, or than any of his teachers has done for years. He has solved the (43) ______ of language. He has discovered it – babies don't even know that language exists –and (44) ________________________________________________. He has done it by exploring, by experimenting, by developing his own model of the grammar of language, (45) ________________________________________________ until it does work. And while he has been doing this, he has been learning other things as well, (46) ________________________________________________, and many that are more complicated than the ones they do try to teach him.Part ⅣReading Comprehension（Reading in Depth）（25 minutes）Section AQuestions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.If our society ever needed a reading renaissance（复兴）, it's now. The National Endowment for the Arts released “Reading at Risk” last year, a study showing that adult reading47 have dropped 10 percentage points in the past decade, with the steepest drop among those 18 to 24. “Only one half of young people read a book of any kind in 2002. We set the bar almost on the ground. If you read one short story in a teen—ager magazine, that would have 48 ,” laments a director of research and analysis. He49 the loss of readers to the booming world of technology, which attracts would—be leisure readers to E—mail, IM chats, and video games and leaves them with no time to cope with a novel.“These new forms of media undoubtedly have some benefits,” says Steven Johnson, author of Everything Bad Is Good for You.Video games50 problem—solving skills; TV shows promote mental gymnastics by 51 viewers to follow complex story lines. But books offer experience that can't be gained from these other sources, from52 vocabulary to stretching the imagination. “If they're not reading at all,” says Johnson, “that's a huge problem.”In fact, fewer kids are reading for pleasure. According to data53 last week from the National Center for Educational Statistic's long—term trend assessment, the number of 17—year—olds who reported never or hardly ever reading for fun54 from 9 percent in 1984 to 19 percent in 2004. At the same time, the55 of 17—year—olds who read daily dropped from 31 to 22.This slow but steady retreat from books has not yet taken a toll on reading ability. Scores for the nation's youth have56 constant over the past two decades with an encouraging upswing among 9—year—olds. But given the strong apparent correlation between pleasure reading and reading skills, this means poorly for the future.A. percentB. remainedC. roseD. ratesE. percentageF. countedG. relievedH. presentI. BelievingJ. releasedK. forcing L. improve M. Styles N. building O. attributesSection BPassage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.There is a new type of small advertisement becoming increasingly common in newspaper classified columns. It is sometimes placed among “situations vacant”, alth ough it does not offer anyone a job, and sometimes it appears among “situations wanted”, although it is not placed by someone looking for a job, either. What it does is to offer help in applying for a job.“Contact us before writing your application”, or “Make use of our long experience in preparing your curriculum vitae or job history”, is how it is usually expressed. The growth and apparent success of such a specialized service is, of course, a reflection on the current high levels of unemployment. It is also an indication of the growing importance of the curriculum vitae （or job history）, with the suggestion that it may now qualify as an art form in its own right.There was a time when job seekers simply wrote letters of application. “Just put down your n ame, address, age and whether you have passed any exams”, was about the average level of advice offered to young people applying for their first jobs when I left school. The letter was really just for openers, it was explained, everything else could and should be saved for the interview. And in those days of full employment the technique worked. The letter proved that you could write and were available for work. Your eager face and intelligent replies did the rest.Later, as you moved up the ladder, something slightly more sophisticated was called for. The advice then was to put something in the letter which would distinguish you from the rest. It might be the aggressive approach. “Your search is over. I am the person you are looking for”, was a widely used trick that occasionally succeeded. Or it might be some special feature specially designed for the job interview.There is no doubt, however, that it is increasing number of applicants with university education at all points in the process of engaging staff that has led to the greater importance of the curriculum vitae.57. The new type of advertisement which is appearing in newspaper columns.A）informs job hunters of the opportunities availableB）promises to offer useful advice to those looking for employmentC）divides available jobs into various typesD）informs employers of the people available for work58. Nowadays a demand for this specialized type of service has been created because. A）there is a lack of jobs available for artistic peopleB）there are so many top level jobs availableC）there are so many people out of workD）the job history is considered to be a work of art59. In the past it was expected that first job hunters would.A）write an initial letter giving their life historyB）pass some exams before applying for a jobC）have no qualifications other than being able to read and writeD）keep any detailed information until they obtained an interview60. Later, as one went on to apply for more important jobs, one was advised to include in the letter.A）something that would distinguish one from other applicantsB）hinted information about the personality of the applicantC）one's advantages over others in applying for the jobD）an occasional trick with the aggressive approach61. The curriculum vitae has become such an important document because.A）there has been an increase in the number of jobs advertisedB）there has been an increase in the number of applicants with degreesC）jobs are becoming much more complicated nowadaysD）the other processes of applying for jobs are more complicatedPassage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time,rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent—controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low—paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages. Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictio ns. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.62. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may.A）cause a shortage of apartmentsB）worry those who rent apartments as homesC）increase the profits of landlordsD）encourage landlords to invest in building apartment63. According to the critics, rent control.A）will always benefit those who rent apartmentsB）is unnecessaryC）will bring negative effects in the long runD）is necessary under all circumstances64. The problem of unemployment will arise.A）if the minimum wage is set too highB）if the minimum wage is set too lowC）if the workers are unskilledD）if the maximum wage is set65. The passage tells us.A）the relationship between supply and demandB）the possible results of government controlsC）the necessity of government controlD）the urgency of getting rid of government controls66. Which of the following statements is NOT true?A）The results of economic decisions can not always be predicted.B）Minimum wage can not always protect employees.C）Economic theory can predict the results of economic decisions if other factors are not changing.D）Economic decisions should not be based on economic theory.Part ⅤCloze （15 minutes）Rumor is the most ___67___way of spreading stories—by passing them on from mouth___68___mouth. But civilized countries in normal times have better ___69___ of news than rumor. They have radio, television, and newspapers. In times of stress and___70___, ___71___, rumor ___72__ and becomes widespread. At such ___73___ the different kinds of news are in___74___,the press, television, and radio versus the grapevine.Especially ___75___ rumors spread when war requires censorship(审查，检查) on many important matters. The customary news sources no longer ___76___ enough information. Since the people cannot learn ___77___ legitimate(合法的，正规的) channel s all ___78___ they are anxious to learn, they pick up “news”___79___they can and when this ___80___, rumor thrives.Rumors are often repeated ___81___ by those who do not believe the tales. There is a fascination about them. The reason is ___82___the cleverly designed rumor gives expression to something deep in the hearts of the victims—the fears, suspicions, forbidden hopes, or daydreams which they hesitate to___83___directly. Pessimistic(悲观的) rumors about defeat and disasters show that the people who repeat them are___84___and anxious. ___85___rumors about record production orpeace soon coming point to complacency(满足，自得) or confidence—and often to ___86___.67. A) primitive B) important C) impossible D) outstanding68. A) till B) to C) for D) by69. A) means B) ways C) sources D) resource70. A) confusion B) peace C) prosperity D) worried71. A) and B) however C) so D) therefore72. A) emerges B) immerge C) immerse D) immense73. A) time B) the times C) times D) the time74. A) compete B) competition C) common D)harmony75. A) do B) did C) are D) were76. A) give up B) give off C) give out D) send off77. A) through B) by C) in D) across78. A) what B) why C) which D) that79. A) wherever B) where C) whatever D) what80. A) happened B) would happen C) happens D) happen81. A) ever B) even C) forever D) much82. A) that B) what C) why D) how83. A) act B) voice C) behave D) do84. A) happy B) relieved C) crazy D) worried85. A) Bad B) Pessimistic C) Optimistic D) Good86. A) overconfidence B) overweight C) overconsiderate D) overproducePart ⅥTranslation （5 minutes）Direction:Complete the sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.87.There are so many kinds of tape-recorders on sale that __________________________ (我都拿不定主意买哪一种).88. The light in the office is still on._________________________ (他忘记关了).89. His composition was so confusing that _____________________________ (我简直看不懂).90.As the saying goes, reading without reflecting is like __________________________ (吃饭不消化).91._______________________ (他的回答是这样) that he didn’t say yes and he didn’t say no.。
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2012英语四级阅读理解预测题及答案The typical pre-industrial family not only had a good many children, but numero us other dependents as well---grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousions. Such "e xtended" families were suited for survival in slow paced __1__ societies. But s uch families are hard to __2__. They are immobile.Industrialism demanded masses of workers ready and able to move off the land in pursuit of jobs, and to move again whenever necessary. Thus the extended family __3__ shed its excess weigh t and the so-called "nuclear" family emerged---a stripped-down, portable family unit __4__ only of parents and a small set of children. This new style family, far more __5__ than the traditional extended family, became the standard model in all the industrial counties. Super-industrialism, however, the next stage o f eco-technological development, __6__ even higher mobility. Thus we may expect many among the people of the future to carry the streamlinling process, a steP further by remaining children, cutting the family down to its more __7__ compon ents, aman and a woman. Two people, perhaps with matched careers, will prove mo re efficient at navigating through education and social status, through job cha nges and geographic relocations, than teh ordinarily child-cluttered family.A _ _8__ may be the postponement of children, rather than childlessness. Men and wo men today are often torn in __9__ between a commitment to career and a commitme nt to children. In the future, many __10__ will sidestePthis problem by deferri ng the entire task of raising children until after retirement.A)transplant B)so lution C)gadually D)transportE)elemental F)conflict G)continually H)mobileI)cou ples J)agricultural )including L)compromiseM)requires N)primary O)consisting1. 选J)。
此处应填形容词，修饰名次societies。
文章第一句就说The typical pre-industrial family...“工业化之前的典型家庭模式......”，即“extended" family存在于工业化之前的社会，即agricultural society。
故J)正确。
选项中的primary”最初的，原始的“不符合原文意思。
2. 选A)。
由be hard to do sth.可知，此处应填动词原形。
They are immobile“这样的家庭很难流动”，这说明这样的家庭are hard to...，选项中由transplant和trans port两个动词原形，前者指的是“迁居，迁移”，后者指的是运输，不难推断前者符合原文意思，故A)transplant正确。
3. 选C)。
因为这句话的句子结构完整，固此处应填副词。
选项中的副词有gradually和continually,原文中...and the so-called "nuclear" fami ly emerged.所谓的“核心家庭”便出现了“，emerge的意思是“浮现" ，强调经过一个过程后出现的。
由此可以判断，这句话坏死说明核心家庭从无到有逐渐出现，而不是连续不断地出现，故选择C)gradually>4. 选O)。
该句可拆分理解，即a family unit... of parents and a smell set of children "一个家庭单元......父母和不多的孩子“，由此可以推出这里要填的词是表示”包含，由......组成“的。
选项中的including和consisting均可以表示此意，但由原文中的of可排除including,consist of为固定刺诸，故O)为正确答案。
5. 选H)。
从原文中的more...than可知，此处应填形容词，构成形容词的比较级结构。
由第一段最后一句可知the traditional extended family是immobile,那么新型的家庭模式比旧的因该是更有流动性，故应选H)mobile，说明新型的家庭模式的优点。
6. 选M)。
此处应填动词，作这句话的谓语。
Super-industrialism“(更发达的)超级工业化”......更具流动性的家庭。
可推知空格处应填表示“需要，需求”的词。
require s表示出自一种迫切的需要而提出的要求，很明显选择M)requires。
7. 选E)。
此处应填形容词，用来修饰名词components。
文中说明家庭被减缩到最......的成员，即由男人和女人组成，男人和女人是一个家庭最基本的成员。
选项中的E)element al“基本的，本质的”，而N)primary“主要的，最早的”，原文强调的是男人和女人是一个家庭最basic的组成部分，故E)更符合原文意思。
8.选l)。
此处应填名词。
上段说两人家庭的优点，本句中提到rather than childles sness“而不是不要孩子”，说明晚要孩子是解决工作和孩子的折中的办法，故选项中的L) compromise“妥协，折中”符合文意。
而solution虽然也表示解决办法，但不能表达夫妇们无可奈何的心情，故排除。
9.选F)。
上题中已提到工作和要孩子之间存在矛盾即conflict，根据上下文意思，这个题相对容易。
10.选I)。
这段一直在说一个家庭里男人和女人因为工作和要孩子的事情发生争吵，那么将来要解决这个问题的仍然是家庭中的夫妻两人，故这里应填I)couples。
导读：The typical pre-industrial family not only had a good many children, but numerous other dependents as well---grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousion s. Such "extended" families were suited for survival in slow paced J)agricultur al societies. But such families are hard to A)transplant. They are immobile.(Th e typical pre-industrial family="extended" family)，第一段说明工业化前的大家庭模式的特点：很难流动。
)Industrialism demanded masses of workers ready and able to move off the lan d in pursuit of jobs, and to move again whenever necessary. Thus the extended f amily C)gradually shed its excess weight and the so-called "nuclear" family eme rged---a stripped-down, portable family unit O)consisting only of parents and a small set of children. This new style family, far more H)mobile than the tradi tional extended family, became the standard model in all the industrial countie s. Super-industrialism, however, the next stage of eco-technological development, M)requires even higher mobility. Thus we may expect many among the people of the future to carry the streamlinling process, a stePfurther by remaining chil dren, cutting the family down to its more E)elemental components, aman and a wo man. Two people, perhaps with matched careers, will prove more efficient at nav igating through education and social status, through job changes and geographic relocations, than teh ordinarily child-cluttered family.(第二段与第一段形成对比，说明industrialism“工业化”要求家庭必须流动，导致大家庭变得越来越小，甚至只剩下最基本的成员：男人和女人。