2014年12月英语四级听力真题原文
2014年12月英语四级考试真题及答案（第2套）
2014年12⽉英语四级考试真题及答案（第2套）2014年12⽉四级真题(第2套)Part IWriting(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write a short essay about a course thathas impressed you most in college.You should state the reasons and write at least120words but no more than180words.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
Part IIListening Comprehension(30minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear8short conversations and2long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what 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 Sheet1with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
2014年12月四级真题原文(第1套)
2014年12月四级真题（第1套）College English Test Band Four Part Two Listening ComprehensionSection A Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.A report on online consumption trends released by Amazon revealed that women, senior citizens and youngsters have become a major driving force for mobile purchases. The report was based on data analysis of buying behavior of more than 300 million users between 2011 and 2015. According to the report, more than 70 percent of buyers of baby products, cosmetics and garments, and 60 percent of buyers of food, home furnishings, shoes and bags are women. Women, mainly aged 23 to 35, also account for 70 percent of online buyers of imported commodities. Commodities believed to be popular among young people have attracted more elderly people. Statistics showed that perfume consumption among users aged 50 to 70 has been growing. They spent around 11 million dollars on perfume last year alone. According to the report, youngsters make a major contribution to mobile purchases. Users who were born after 1990 made around 70 percent of purchases on their mobile applications.1. What can we conclude from the statistics?2. How much money did the elderly spend on perfume last year?Questions 3 and 4 will be based on the following news item.Electric car sales in China are expected to reach 220 000 to 250 000 this year, surpassing the US to rank first worldwide, China Association of Automobile Manufactures (CAAM) forecast. Worldwide electric car sales will hit 600 000 and the figure for the US market is estimated to be 180 000, said Xu Yanhua, deputy secretary-general of CAAM. Although China has achieved rapid development in electric vehicles, quality instead of quantity should be focused on for the sustainable development of the industry, Xu told an industry conference. In particular, vehicle safety and the quality of batteries should be carefully examined and supervised, she added. China's new energy vehicle sector has seen explosive growth in the past two years, thanks to the government'ssupport policies including subsidies and tax cuts. In the first ten months, the sales of electric cars surged 290 percent year on year to 171 145, CAAM data showed.3. How many sales of electric cars are there in the US?4. What should be focused on for the sustainable development of electric vehicles?Questions 5 to 7 will be based on the following news item.As the traffic in Nairobi worsens, primary school pupils who depend on public transportation seem to be suffering the most as they try to keep up with the demands of school. Some private and public primary school pupils wake up as early as 4:00 am to beat the traffic and be in class on time. In the evening, they may arrive home as late as 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The current floods in the city have not made life easier for the pupils. Last week, 11 pupils from Makini Schools waited for 10 hours to be rescued when their school bus was nearly covered in water during a traffic jam. The students were rescued and taken to Boma Hotel. It was almost dawn when their parents came to pick them up. A few years ago, the IBM Commuter Pain Index Report listed Nairobi among cities with the world’s longest traffic jams. The report concluded that traffic jams increase the level of stress and anger. This can create negative attitudes for commuters and affect their performance at work or school. The long-term effect is that traffic problems can create a negative attitude in the pupils towards school.5. What is the main idea of the news report?6. What happened to the 11 pupils from Makini Schools last week?7. What can we learn about traffic jams from the IBM’s report?Section B Directions: In this section,you will hear two long conversations.At the end of each conversation,you will hear four questions.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1with a single line through the centre.Conversation OneM: Do you think there’s discrimination against women in England today?W: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example.M: Are women better off in other countries then?W: It depends on the country. There’s certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too.M: Do you think the position of English women will improve?W: In some ways it will of course. I’m sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years. But women have a much greater problem than this to solve.M: What’s that?W: The problem of men’s attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I’m not sure we can change men’s attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don’t think this means we are inferior. Then there’s another problem. M: Yes?W: The problem of women’s attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don’t want to fight for change. It could be that the women’s liberation movement has to spend more time changing women’s attitudes than it spends in changing men’s. M: One last question, some supporters of the women’s liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree?W: No, I don’t. It can’t happen. What may and should ha ppen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. Where are women said to be less discriminated against?9. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?10. What does the woman think the women’s liberation movement should do?11. What does the woman suggest at the end of the conversation?Conversation TwoM: Cheers, Shirley.W: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat.M: I’m sure you will when I tell you about my ideas.W: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you saidon the phone, everything is so sudden.M: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the Managing Director of Jayal Motors, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market.W: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?M: Of course I have.W: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?M: I’m almost sure of it.W: Preliminary studies are all very good, Paul. But if the product can’t sell,then there’s little use in expanding the factory.M: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just completed a new improved model.W: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputation and a market in Africa.M: Yes, of course. But the immediate problem is that my father-in-law wants a detailed report by next Monday. Two weeks isn’t enough time to prepare a report, so I need your help.W: OK, Paul, you’ve convinced me. I must say I admire your determination.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. Where does the conversation most probably take place?13. What do we learn about the man’s father-in-law?14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?15. What does the woman admire in the man?Section C Directions: In this section,you will hear three 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 1with a single line through the centre. Passage OneScientists understand how twins are born. Now though, they are trying to explain how being half of a biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t live near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separated when they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice. Their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen. Scientists want to know what influences our personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota studied 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believe that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not a result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know “Can twins really communicate without speaking?” “Can one twin really feel another twin’s pain?” Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families? Passage TwoToday I’m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over three million people take camping vacations, either here in Britain or abroad, mostly on the Continent. Obviously, camping can’t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with two bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for four people. There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabricand a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in groundsheet. The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fitted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn’t usually have a groundsheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary four-bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a s eparate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchen extension for many tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. What does the speaker say about camping?20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more thana few days?Passage ThreeAndorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, Rocky Mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourists began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provide 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in. Clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.-22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?25. What do most people in Andorra do nowadays?This is the end of listening comprehension.。
2014年12月四级-英语听力原文四级第三套
请配套英语四级听力第三套1.W: Simon,could you return the tools I lent youfor building the bookshelf last month?M: Oh,well, I hate to tell you this, but I can'tseem to find them.Q: Whatdo we learn from the conversation?2.W: I amgoing to Martha's house. I have a paper to complete. And I need to usehercomputer.M: Whydon't you buy one yourself? Think howmuch time you could save.Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?3.W: Daddy,I've decided to give up science and go to business school.M: Well, it is yourchoice as long as you pay your own way, but I should warn you that noteveryonewith a business degre e will make a successful manager.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?4.W: I justread in the newspaper that The Lord of the Rings is this year's greatest hit.Whydon't we go and see it at the Gr and Cinema?M: Don'tyou think that cinema is a little out of the way?Q: Whatdoes the man mean?5.W: Bobsaid that Seattle is a great place for conferences.M: He iscertainly in the position to make that comment. He has been there so often.Q: Whatdoes the man say about Bob?6.W: Mr.Watson, I wonder whether it's possible for me to take a vacation early nextmonth?M: Didyou fill out a request form?Q: Whatis the probable relationship between the two speakers?7.M: Do youwant to go to the lecture this weekend? I hear that the guy who is goingtodeliver the lecture spent a year livi ng in the rainforest.W: Great,I am doing a report on the rainforest. Maybe I can get some new informationtoadd to it.Q: Whatdoes the woman mean?8.M: Thisarticle is nothing but advertising for housing developers. I don't think thehouses forsale are half that good.W: Comeon, David. Why so negative? We are thinking of buying a home, aren't we? Justatrip to look at the place won't c ost us much.Q: What can be inferredfrom the conversation?【05分15秒】Conversation OneM: OK. Now we'd better make sure you enjoyyour studies. We offer a wide range ofoptions onthe foundation course, but you can only take fivecourses. What haveyou selected?W:Physical sciences, basic electronics, art and design CAD...M: Oh, right.CAD and English. That's quite strange. Don't you want to do maths,orcomputer programming, for example? Why did you choose art and design?W: Well,I'm interested in electronics and in writing computer games. I'd like toproduceeducational software and educational games. I've taught myself a lot ofprogramming. So I don'tthink I'd benefit much from a foundation level course.M: Oh,no. I see that. Go on, please.W: So, Iwant the basics-the physical science and electronics. I was hopeless at physicsinschool and we didn't have electronics. But I was good at maths. I don'tthink I need that.M: Thenwhat about the art and design?W: Thatwill be good for my graphics. I need that to produce games，and CAD too-I'venever done CAD before.M: Right.They've got some powerful packages in the computer graphics and CAD offices.You'llenjoy that. Then English. I know your English is very good, but why did youtake it?W: Infact, I don't have any problem in speaking, but my writing is terrible.M: Then I suggest you join the study skills class. They'll have lectures on reportwriting andthat may help you with how to structure your essays and so on.W: Right. That sounds good.9. Whatare the two speakers talking about?10. Whatis the woman's favorite course?11. Why did the woman takean English course?【08分05秒】Conversation TwoW: Good morning, Mr. Johnson. I'm Diana Huston.M: Good morning. What can I do for you?W: I'm acollege student. I'm taking a business course which needs three weeks'workexperience. My lecturer, Mr. Armstrong, suggested I contact you as you'veallowedstudents before to practice in your company. I've brought a letter ofreference from Mr.Armstrong for you.M:Thanks. Yes, our company has a good relationship with the university. We've hadmanystudents here over the past years. We usually take students who are in thesecond half of theircourses. What about you?W: I'malmost at the halfway mark. I've got some exams in two weeks. Then I'll beready tostart before the beginning of the second semester. But I thought I'dget this organized beforethe exams start.M: That'sa very responsible way of thinking. It's a good idea to get in early. I'm suretherewill be many students soon.W: Icould start in three weeks if you like.M: Do youunderstand what's involved in the practice?W: Ithink so. Mr. Armstrong explained the procedures to us. I have to work regularhours,and write a comprehensive report on what I've learnt as an assignmentfor Mr. Armstrong andthe personnel department of the company as well. And youwill send a report about my work toMr. Armstrong and that will also be part ofmy assessment.M: That'sright. But I'll have to discuss this application with the personneldepartment.And I will let you know as soon as possible if you've been accepted.W: Yes, please. If I'm not accepted, I'll have to apply somewhere else.12.What's the woman's main purpose of the visit?13. Which kind of students will the company usually accept?14. Whatwould the man do for the woman's practice if she were accepted?15. When will the woman's practice begin?【11分10秒】Passage OneIn thenext few decades, people are going to travel very differently from the way theydo today. Everyone is going to drive electrically-powered cars, so in the fewyears, people won't worry about running out of gas. Some of the largeautomobile companies are really moving ahead with this new technology. F& CMotors, a major auto company, for example, is holding apress conference nextweek. After the press conference, the company will present its newelectronically-operated models. Transportation in the future won't be limited to the ground. Many people predict that traffic will quickly move to the sky. Inthe coming years, instead of radio reports about road conditions and highwaytraffic, news reports will talk about traffic jams in the sky. But the skyisn't the limit. In the future, you will probably even be able to take a tripto the moon. Instead of listening to regular airplane announcements, you willhear someone say: the spacecraft to the moon leaves in ten minutes. Please check your equipment. And remember no more than ten ounces of carry-onbaggage are allowed.16. What will be used to power cars in the next few decades?17. What will future news reports focus on when talking about transportation?18. What will passengers be asked to do when they travel to the moon?【14分05秒】Passage TwoCountyfairs are a tradition in New England towns. They offer great entertainment. Onepopular event is the pie-eating contest. If you want to take part in thecontest, it is a good idea to remember these guidelines: first, make sure yourstomach is nearly empty of food. Eating a whole pie can be hard if you havejust finished a meal. Next, it is helpful to like the pie you are going to eat.The cream types are a good choice. They slide down the throat more easily. Placingyour hands in the right position adds to the chances of winning. There is atemptation to reach out and help the eating process. This will result inbecoming disqualified. Don't just sit on your hands, if your hands are tiedbehind your back, you will not be tempted to make use of them. Now you areready to show your talent at eating pies. The object, of course, is to get tothe bottom of the pie plate before the other people. It is usually better tostart at the outside and work toward the middle. This method gives you a goalto focus on. Try not to notice what the other people near you are doing. Letthe cheers from the crowd spur you on. But do not look up. All you should thinkabout is eating that pie.19. Whereis the pie-eating contest usually held?20. Whatshoulda person do before entering a pie-eating contest?21. Whereis the person advised to put his hands during the contest?22. Whatsuggestion is offered for eating up the pie quickly?【16分53秒】Passage ThreeTheperiod of engagement is the time between the marriage proposal and the weddingceremony. Two people agree to marry when they decide to spend their livestogether. The man usually gives the woman a diamond engagement ring. Thattradition is said to have started when an Austrian man gave a diamond ring tothe woman he wanted to marry. The diamond represented beauty. He placed it onthe third finger of her left hand. He chose that finger because it was thoughtthat the blood vessel in that finger went directly to the heart. Today we knowthat this is not true, yet the tradition continues. Americans generally areengaged for a period of about one year if they are planning a wedding ceremonyand a party. During this time, friends of the bride may hold a party at whichwomen friends and family members give the bride gifts that she will need as awife. These could include cooking equipment or new clothing. Friends of the manwho is gettingmarried may have a bachelor party for him. This usually takesplace the night before the wedding. Only men are invited to the bachelor party.During the marriage ceremony, the bride and her would-be husband usuallyexchange gold rings that represent the idea that their union will continueforever. The wife often wears both the wedding ring and the engagement ring onthe same finger. The husband wears his ring on the third finger of his lefthand. Many people say the purpose of the engagement period is to permit enoughtime to plan the wedding. But the main purpose is to let enough time pass, sothe two people are sure they want to marry each other. Either person may decideto break the engagement, if this happens, the woman usually returns the ring tothe man. They also return any wedding gifts they have received.23. Whatwas the diamond ring said to represent?24. Whydid the Austrian man place the diamond ring on the third finger of the lefthand of his would-be wife?25. What is the chiefadvantage of having the engagement period?【20分10秒】Section CIn the centerof a big city there are usually dozens of large office buildings that house bigbanks, corporation headquarters, and government agencies. Thousands of peoplework in these buildings. People who do all the office work are calledwhite-collar workers. Secretaries and receptionists, bookkeepers and computeroperators work for many different kinds of companies. Many office workers dreamof working their way up to the top, from clerk to president of a corporation. Theway lies through middle management. Middle management includes juniorexecutives, who may fill specialized jobs, supervise other workers in thecompany, recommend action to top management, or see that the company's policiesare being carried out. At the very top are the senior executives. Theyestablish the policies for their own companies, especially financial matters. TheChief Executive Officer, or CEO, of a large corporation has a great deal ofpower and influence. It is believed that one can start out at the bottom and goall the way to the top. Because financial matters are so important, someaccountants become top executives. In companies where technology is important, peoplewith an engineering background can also rise to the top. Nowadays, however,education plays a central part in the selection of people for management jobs. Universitiesin many countries offer courses in business administration. The graduates ofthese courses often start out in middle management jobs. From there, they caneasily get promoted if they show the necessary personality and ability.答案：Part II Listening ComprehensionSection A1.A2.C3.A4.B5.B6.D7.C8.A9.C 10.A 11.D 12.B 13.D 14.A 15.ASection B16.A 17.B 18.C 19.D 20.B 21.C 22.C 23.B 24.D 25.CSection C26.Secretaries 27.president 28.specialized 29.recommend 30.being carried out 31.establish 32.financialmatters 33.corporation 34.plays a central part 35.personality。
2014年12月英语四级考试听力(第二套)
[00:02.46]College English Test (Band 4)[00:07.15]Part ⅡListening Comprehension[00:12.74]Section A[00:14.95]Directions: In this section,[00:18.70]you will hear 8 short conversations[00:21.36]and 2 long conversations.[00:24.36]At the end of each conversation,[00:26.45]one or more questions will be asked[00:29.40]about what was said.[00:31.54]Both the conversation and the questions [00:33.79]will be spoken only once.[00:36.63]After each question[00:38.07]there will be a pause.[00:39.90]During the pause,[00:41.26]you must read the four choices[00:43.44]marked A), B), C) and D),[00:47.06]and decide which is the best answer.[00:50.49]Then mark the corresponding letter[00:52.76]on Answer Sheet 1[00:54.15]with a single line through the centre. [00:57.20]Now let’s begin with[00:59.32]the eight short conversations.[01:03.62]1. M: Take a look at this catalogue.[01:08.13]Maybe we can find some gifts[01:10.54]for Jane’s new house.[01:12.90]W: OK. But remember,[01:14.97]we can’t afford a lot.[01:18.18]Q: What does the woman mean?[01:34.89]2. W: I'm getting absolutely nowhere [01:38.44]with these statistics.[01:40.63]M: How about my[01:41.63]going through them with you?[01:44.34]Q: What does the man mean?[02:00.35]3. M: We're ready to start the recording, [02:05.49]aren’t we?[02:06.72]Let’s begin on Page 55.[02:10.57]W: Sorry.[02:11.91]I'm afraid I can’t begin right now.[02:14.04]I forgot to bring my scripts.[02:16.61]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [02:34.68]4. W: Remember. Carl’s wedding is on June 26. [02:39.83]M: Oh, thanks for reminding me.[02:43.01]I thought it wasn’t to be[02:44.59]until sometime in July.[02:47.78]Q: What are the speakers talking about?[03:04.22]5. M：Please excuse me for[03:08.86]not attending the meeting yesterday.[03:11.41]I'm afraid[03:12.20]I forgot to check my schedule.[03:15.00]W: That’s all right.[03:16.80]We had to hold the weekly meeting as scheduled. [03:19.86]And everything went well.[03:22.54]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [03:40.48]6. W: I’ve just put our lunch in the oven[03:44.08]and it won’t be ready[03:45.01]for at least half an hour.[03:47.17]M: Mmm, it smells marvelous,[03:50.74]but what can I have right now?[03:54.35]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [04:11.93]7. M: I got some bad news today.[04:15.83]The store where I work[04:17.75]is laying off staff.[04:20.40]W: Are they going to let you go?[04:23.47]Q: What does the woman want to know? [04:40.67]8. W: John, you swim like a fish.[04:44.36]I wish I knew how to swim.[04:46.94]M: Why not sign up for the lessons[04:49.09]offered by the physical education department? [04:53.30]Q: What does the man mean?[05:10.77]Now you will hear the two long conversations. [05:15.65]Conversation One[05:18.43]W: Hi, Eric. How was your weekend?[05:21.14]M: Great! I met Maria’s parents.[05:24.10]And we told them we want to be engaged. [05:28.13]W: Eric, that’s wonderful. Congratulations! [05:32.31]M: Thanks, Alice.[05:34.00]I really like her parents too.[05:36.12]They're very nice.[05:37.82]Mrs. Carmona speaks four languages,[05:40.34]and Mr. Carmona is a diplomat.[05:42.56]In fact, he gave a speech[05:44.97]at the law school on Saturday morning.[05:47.72]W: Oh, that was Maria’s father?[05:50.69]I heard his speech.[05:52.09]M: You did?[05:53.55]W: Well, I heard part of it.[05:56.34]I listened to it for ten minutes[05:58.61]and then I fell asleep.[06:00.57]I thought I was in class.[06:02.52]Anyway, tell me about your weekend.[06:05.30]M: Saturday evening we saw a play.[06:08.13]And Sunday afternoon,[06:09.73]we watched a soccer game.[06:12.05]Then Sunday night[06:13.53]we all went out for dinner,[06:15.47]Maria, her parents and me.[06:17.91]That was the first chance[06:19.68]we had to talk.[06:21.59]W: Were you nervous?[06:24.10]M: At first I was.[06:26.10]We didn’t say much.[06:28.36]Mr. Carmona told us some good stories[06:30.84]about his experiences as a diplomat.[06:34.00]And he asked me about my hobbies.[06:36.97]W: And what did you say?[06:39.28]M: Well, I didn’t tell him about[06:41.49]my flying lessons.[06:43.40]I told him about[06:44.26]my chess playing and my classical music collection. [06:48.45]W: Good idea.[06:50.32]Her parents really approve of you,[06:52.19]don’t they?[06:53.35]M: I guess so.[06:55.28]Maria called this morning[06:56.74]and said: “My father told me[06:58.98]he’d like you for a son-in-law right now.”[07:01.82]W: That’s great.[07:03.77]M: Not exactly.[07:05.72]I want to get married[07:06.68]after graduate school[07:07.82]in about three years.[07:10.93]Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation [07:13.62]you have just heard.[07:15.80]9. What does Eric say about Maria’s father? [07:34.68]10. What did Eric and Maria do[07:38.16]last Sunday afternoon?[07:54.67]11. What do we learn from[07:57.57]Maria’s phone call this morning?[08:15.61]Conversation Two[08:17.52]M: You're going to[08:18.64]wear out the computer’s keyboard.[08:21.81]W: Oh. Hi.[08:23.98]M: Do you have any idea[08:25.13]what time it is?[08:27.35]W: About 10:00 or 10:30?[08:30.54]M: It’s nearly midnight.[08:32.97]W: Really? I didn’t know it was so late.[08:36.74]M: Don’t you have an early class[08:38.31]to teach tomorrow morning?[08:40.51]W: Yes, at 7:00.[08:42.79]My commuter class—[08:44.36]the students who go to work[08:45.56]right after their lesson.[08:47.60]M: Then you ought to go to bed.[08:50.32]What are you writing anyway?[08:52.40]W: An article I hope I can sell.[08:54.98]M: Oh, another of your newspaper pieces. [08:59.23]What’s this one about?[09:01.37]W: Do you remember that trip[09:02.78]I took last month?[09:04.51]M: The one up to the Amazon?[09:07.17]W: Well, that’s what I’m writing about.[09:10.41]The new highway and the changes[09:12.16]it’s making in the Amazon valley.[09:14.78]M: It should be interesting.[09:17.06]W: It is. I guess that’s why[09:19.85]I forgot all about the time.[09:22.26]M: How many articles have you sold now? [09:24.97]W: About a dozen so far.[09:28.85]M: What kind of newspapers buy them?[09:32.10]W: The papers that carry a lot of foreign news. [09:35.48]They usually appear in[09:36.69]the big Sunday editions[09:38.25]where they need a lot of background stories [09:40.10]to help fill up the space between the ads. [09:42.95]M: Is there any future in it?[09:46.17]W: I hope so.[09:48.18]There's a chance[09:48.83]I may sell this article to a news service.[09:52.32]M: Then your story would be published[09:53.99]in several papers, wouldn't it?[09:56.46]W: That’s the idea.[09:58.11]And it might even be able to[09:59.83]do other stories on a regular basis.[10:03.12]M: That would be great.[10:06.72]Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation[10:09.47]you have just heard.[10:11.66]12. What is the woman’s occupation?[10:30.40]13. What is the woman writing about?[10:49.10]14. Where did the woman’s articles usually appear? [11:08.48]15. What does the woman expect?[11:27.33]Section B[11:28.64]Directions: In this section,[11:30.77]you will hear 3 short passages.[11:33.07]At the end of each passage,[11:34.86]you will hear some questions.[11:36.82]Both the passage and the questions[11:38.58]will be spoken only once.[11:40.60]After you hear a question,[11:42.41]you must choose the best answer[11:44.04]from the four choices[11:45.57]marked A), B), C) and D).[11:48.83]Then mark the corresponding letter[11:51.35]on Answer Sheet 1[11:52.52]with a single line through the centre.[11:56.77]Passage One[11:58.62]Body language, especially gestures,[12:01.83]varies among cultures.[12:04.18]For example, a nod of the head[12:07.25]means “yes” to most of us.[12:09.69]But in Bulgaria and Greece[12:12.37]a nod means “no”[12:14.24]and a shake of the head means “yes”.[12:17.56]Likewise, a sign for OK,[12:21.16]forming a circle with our forefinger and thumb, [12:24.10]means zero in France and money in Japan. [12:28.81]Waving or pointing to an Arab business person [12:32.56]would be considered rude[12:34.11]because that is how Arabs call their dogs over. [12:37.93]Folded arms signal pride in Finland,[12:41.27]but disrespect in Fiji.[12:44.11]The number of bows[12:45.79]that the Japanese exchange[12:47.54]on greeting each other,[12:48.93]as well as[12:49.95]the length and the depth of the bows,[12:52.37]signals the social status[12:54.75]each party feels towards the other.[12:57.67]Italians might think you’re bored[13:00.20]unless you use a lot of gestures[13:02.16]during discussions.[13:04.13]Many American men[13:06.17]sit with their legs crossed[13:07.72]with one ankle resting over the opposite knee. [13:11.06]However, this would be considered[13:13.50]an insult in Muslim countries,[13:16.11]where one would never[13:17.30]show the sole of the foot to a guest.[13:20.76]Likewise, Americans consider[13:23.83]eye contact very important,[13:26.21]often not trusting someone[13:28.29]who is afraid to look you in the eye.[13:30.89]But in Japan and[13:32.47]many Latin American countries,[13:35.10]keeping the eyes lowered[13:36.93]is a sign of respect.[13:39.00]To look a partner full in the eye[13:41.01]is considered a sign of ill breeding[13:43.59]and is felt to be annoying.[13:47.94]Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage [13:50.53]you have just heard.[13:52.60]16. What gesture do Bulgarians and Greeks use [13:56.61]to express negative responses?[14:14.29]17. What is likely to[14:17.33]offend Arab business people?[14:34.02]18. What is considered[14:36.98]to be impolite in Muslim countries?[14:55.69]Passage Two[14:57.68]Three years ago,[14:59.18]Puncha Maya, her husband and five children [15:02.11]lived in a shaky flat in Southern Nepal. [15:04.87]Every morning,[15:06.12]the parents walked the dirt roads[15:08.17]seeking work in the rice fields.[15:10.41]After the harvest,[15:12.12]the family went begging for food.[15:14.80]Today, the Mayas own[15:16.49]a small paper-bag making company.[15:19.26]With the money they've earned,[15:20.98]the Mayas have purchased a small plot, [15:23.31]on which they grow vegetables[15:25.11]and raise goats for additional income.[15:27.63]In fact, the family has saved $68.[15:31.85]This is remarkable in a country[15:33.99]with an average annual income of $160.[15:38.27]Grace Mbakwa, her husband and eight children [15:42.01]once lived hand-to-mouth in Cameroon.[15:44.71]Today, the Mbakwas run[15:47.12]a clothing manufacturing business[15:49.02]and own a home.[15:50.84]They are able to[15:51.84]send their children to school,[15:53.57]at a costly annual sum of $2 800.[15:58.40]The idea of starting her own business[16:01.50]seemed impossible to Pilar Moya,[16:03.97]a poor woman from[16:05.26]Atahualpa high in Ecuador's Andes Mountains. [16:09.12]Today, however,[16:10.31]she is one of the proud owners[16:12.14]of a bakery specializing in sweet cakes.[16:15.46]These businesses are[16:17.04]part of economic revolution[16:18.68]sweeping the developing world.[16:21.26]The sponsor is the Trickle Up Program—[16:23.97]a non-profit organization founded by[16:26.64]New Yorkers Glen and Mildred Leet.[16:29.51]This organization offers people[16:31.52]like the Mayas, the Mbakwas and Moyas[16:34.98]modest $100 grants.[16:37.32]Since 1979, the program has[16:40.38]helped over 130,000 of[16:42.80]the world’s neediest people[16:44.18]in 90 countries[16:45.77]win small life-saving victories over poverty. [16:49.02]And it has turned conventional thinking[16:51.26]about foreign aid on its head.[16:54.94]Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage [16:58.74]you have just heard.[17:01.61]19. What do we learn about Puncha Maya’s family [17:06.50]of three years ago?[17:22.96]20. What are the Mbakwas[17:26.26]able to do now?[17:43.30]21. What does the speaker[17:46.41]mainly talk about?[18:04.36]Passage Three[18:06.56]Take care of your teeth[18:09.15]and your teeth will take care of you.[18:12.05]Your teeth are a living part of your body.[18:15.48]They have nerves and blood vessels.[18:18.74]Diseased teeth can cause[18:20.54]pain, die and fall out.[18:23.49]Plaque is the main enemy of healthy teeth. [18:27.51]Everyone has plaque.[18:29.83]It is a sticky colorless film[18:31.95]that coats the teeth.[18:34.33]Plaque is always forming on the teeth, [18:36.84]especially at the gum line.[18:39.10]If plaque is not removed,[18:41.46]it builds up and gets under the gum line. [18:44.83]Plaque that is left on the teeth[18:47.17]for some time hardens;[18:49.34]the result is tooth decay and gum disease. [18:53.60]The bacteria in plaque live on sugar.[18:57.32]They change sugar into acids,[19:00.40]which break down the tooth's[19:01.76]harder outer covering.[19:03.80]If left untreated,[19:05.86]decay goes deeper and deeper[19:07.99] into the tooth.[19:09.77]After a while,[19:11.06]the decay reaches the nerves and blood vessels [19:13.72]of the inner tooth.[19:15.45]By the time this happens,[19:17.21]the tooth has probably[19:18.32]started to ache.[19:20.15]In addition to tooth decay,[19:22.41]there are also gum diseases[19:24.51]to watch out for.[19:26.51]The bacteria in plaque[19:28.28]make poisons that attack the gums.[19:31.10]Small pockets form around the teeth.[19:34.12]The pockets trap[19:35.52]more bacteria and food particles.[19:38.45]Finally, the bone supporting the teeth[19:41.46]is attacked and starts to shrink.[19:44.25]Teeth become loose and may fall out.[19:47.25]Adults lose most teeth this way.[19:50.88]Keep your mouth healthy.[19:53.15]When you brush your teeth,[19:54.87]do a good job.[19:57.86]Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage [20:00.74]you have just heard.[20:02.77]22. What does the speaker say about our teeth? [20:22.45]23. What does the speaker say about plaque? [20:41.54]24. Why is sugar harmful to teeth?[21:00.56]25. What causes adults to[21:03.66]lose most of their teeth[21:05.05]according to the speaker?[21:21.95]Section C[21:23.33]Directions: In this section,[21:25.53]you will hear a passage three times.[21:27.88]When the passage is read[21:29.22]for the first time,[21:30.48]you should listen carefully[21:31.77]for its general idea.[21:33.71]When the passage is read[21:35.47]for the second time,[21:36.87]you are required to[21:38.05]fill in the blanks with the exact words[21:40.25]you have just heard.[21:41.72]Finally, when the passage is read[21:43.98]for the third time,[21:45.25]you should check what you have written. [21:47.25]Now listen to the passage.[21:51.97]Stunt people are not movie stars,[21:54.34]but they are the hidden heroes[21:56.23]of many movies.[21:57.99]They were around long before films.[22:01.28]Even Shakespeare may[22:02.82]have used them in fight scenes.[22:04.87]To be good,[22:06.39]a fight scene has to look real.[22:09.01]Punches must land on enemies’ jaws.[22:12.34]Sword fights must be fought[22:14.40]with sharp swords.[22:16.41]Several actors are usually[22:18.46]in a fight scene.[22:20.35]Their moves must be set up[22:22.32]so that no one gets hurt.[22:24.50]It is almost like planning[22:26.46]a dance performance.[22:28.51]If a movie scene is dangerous,[22:30.75]stunt people usually fill in for the stars.[22:34.63]You may think[22:35.60]you see Tom Cruise[22:36.90]running along the top of a train,[22:39.23]but it is probably his stunt double. [22:42.48]Stunt people must resemble[22:44.72]the stars they stand in for.[22:47.05]Their height and build[22:48.79]should be about the same.[22:51.17]But when close-ups are needed,[22:53.29]the film focuses on the star.[22:55.98]Some stunt people[22:57.52]specialize in certain kinds of scenes. [23:00.69]For instance,[23:02.11]a stunt woman named Jane Davis[23:04.49]does all kinds of jumps.[23:07.02]She has leapt from planes[23:08.82]and even off the top of waterfall.[23:12.20]Each jump required[23:13.94]careful planning and expert timing. [23:17.52]Yakima Canutt was a famous[23:19.63]cowboy stunt man.[23:21.27]Among other stunts,[23:22.84]he could jump from a second story window [23:25.66]onto a hors e’s back.[23:27.60]He invented the famous trick[23:29.85]of sliding under a moving stagecoach. [23:32.99]Canutt also figured out a new way [23:35.63]to make a punch look real.[23:37.92]He was the only stunt man ever[23:40.46]to get an Oscar.[23:43.92]Now the passage will be read again. [23:46.62]Stunt people are not movie stars,[23:48.91]but they are the hidden heroes[23:50.46]of many movies.[23:52.31]They were around long before films. [23:55.70]Even Shakespeare may[23:56.65]have used them in fight scenes.[23:58.60]To be good,[23:59.65]a fight scene has to look real.[24:02.11]Punches must land on enemies’ jaws. [24:05.31]Sword fights must be fought[24:07.12]with sharp swords.[24:09.13]Several actors are usually[24:10.54]in a fight scene.[24:12.06]Their moves must be set up[24:13.69]so that no one gets hurt.[24:15.61]It is almost like planning[24:17.09]a dance performance.[24:19.00]If a movie scene is dangerous,[24:21.37]stunt people usually fill in for the stars. [24:24.74]You may think[24:25.62]you see Tom Cruise[24:26.92]running along the top of a train,[24:29.31]but it is probably his stunt double.[24:31.88]Stunt people must resemble[24:33.49]the stars they stand in for.[24:35.73]Their height and build[24:36.89]should be about the same.[24:38.65]But when close-ups are needed,[24:40.54]the film focuses on the star.[24:42.98]Some stunt people[24:43.92]specialize in certain kinds of scenes.[24:46.58]For instance,[24:47.93]a stunt woman named Jane Davis[24:50.19]does all kinds of jumps.[24:52.03]She has leapt from planes[24:53.60]and even off the top of waterfall.[24:56.05]Each jump required[24:57.84]careful planning and expert timing.[25:00.44]Yakima Canutt was a famous[25:02.96]cowboy stunt man.[25:04.51]Among other stunts,[25:06.24]he could jump from a second story window [25:08.56]onto a horse’s back.[25:10.66]He invented the famous trick[25:12.26]of sliding under a moving stagecoach.[25:15.30]Canutt also figured out a new way[25:17.70]to make a punch look real.[25:19.73]He was the only stunt man ever[25:21.75]to get an Oscar.[25:25.42]Now the passage will be read for the third time. [25:29.45]Stunt people are not movie stars,[25:32.31]but they are the hidden heroes[25:34.07]of many movies.[25:36.14]They were around long before films.[25:39.47]Even Shakespeare may[25:40.96]have used them in fight scenes.[25:42.74]To be good,[25:44.28]a fight scene has to look real.[25:47.02]Punches must land on enemies’ jaws.[25:50.26]Sword fights must be fought[25:52.53]with sharp swords.[25:54.50]Several actors are usually[25:56.39]in a fight scene.[25:58.16]Their moves must be set up[26:00.30]so that no one gets hurt.[26:02.56]It is almost like planning[26:04.34]a dance performance.[26:06.24]If a movie scene is dangerous,[26:08.63]stunt people usually fill in for the stars. [26:12.41]You may think[26:13.50]you see Tom Cruise[26:14.80]running along the top of a train,[26:17.03]but it is probably his stunt double. [26:20.23]Stunt people must resemble[26:22.54]the stars they stand in for.[26:25.10]Their height and build[26:26.63]should be about the same.[26:29.26]But when close-ups are needed,[26:31.22]the film focuses on the star.[26:33.77]Some stunt people[26:35.31]specialize in certain kinds of scenes. [26:38.59]For instance,[26:39.93]a stunt woman named Jane Davis[26:42.39]does all kinds of jumps.[26:44.83]She has leapt from planes[26:46.75]and even off the top of waterfall.[26:50.09]Each jump required[26:51.87]careful planning and expert timing. [26:55.39]Yakima Canutt was a famous[26:57.54]cowboy stunt man.[26:59.19]Among other stunts,[27:00.90]he could jump from a second story window [27:03.39]onto a horse’s back.[27:05.64]He invented the famous trick[27:07.73]of sliding under a moving stagecoach. [27:10.86]Canutt also figured out a new way [27:13.56]to make a punch look real.[27:15.67]He was the only stunt man ever[27:17.56]to get an Oscar.[27:21.74]This is the end of listening comprehension.。
2014年12月大学英语四级考试听力原文
2014年12月大学英语四级考试听力原文(完整版) 2014年12月20日全国大学英语四级考试开考，本次考试为多题多卷，文都教育第一时间收集整理不同版本试题，供考生参考，以下是2014年12月英语四级听力原文：【短对话原文】1. M: take a look at this cater. Maybe we can find some gifts for Jean’snew house.W: Ok, but remember we can afford a lot.Q: what does the woman mean?2. W：I am absolutely going nowhere about this statistics.M: How about going through them with you?Q: what does the man mean?3. M: are you just starting the record, a ren’t you ? Let’s begin on Page 55.W: Sorry. I am afraid I can begin right now.Q: What mean from the conversation?4. W: remember. Carl’s arriving is at 226W: thanks to reminding me. I thought it would be sometime in July.Q: what are the speakers talking about?5. M：please excuse me for not attending the meeting yesterday. I amafraid I forgot to check the schedule.W: that’s all right. We have to rearrange the meeting at weekend.And everything went wrong.Q：what does it mean from the conversation.6. W: I didn’t fall sleep at least to 5 tomorrow.Q: what do we learn from the conversation?7. ,M: I got some bad news today. The star we are in is going to fallW: I am going to let you go.Q: What does the woman want to know?8 W: what’s wrong? You smell like a fish.M:......Q: what’s man mean?M:......Q: what’s man mean?【长对话原文】Conversation 1M:That’s Marria’s families and we want to be engaged. W：It’s wonderful, Erik! Congratulations!M: I really like her families, too, very nice. Ms Comona speaks four languages and Mr. Comona a diplomat. In fact, he gives the speech at the Saturday morning. W: OH, that’s was N’s father? I heard the speech. M: You did?W: Well, I heard part of it and listened to it for ten minutes, and then I fell asleep. I saw it was in class. Anyway, tell me about your weekend.M：Saturday evening we saw a play. And Sunday afternoon we saw the soccer game. Then Sunday night we all went out for dinner. Marria, her parents, and me. That was the first chance we had to talk. W: Would you know this?M: That’s first I was. We didn’t say much. Mr. Comona told some good stories about his experiences as a diplomat and he asked about my hobbies. W: And what did you say?M: Well, I didn’t tell him about my flying lessons. I told him about my chess play and my classical music collection.W: Good idea! Her parents really approval of you. Don’t they?M: I guess so. Marria called this morning and said,” My father told me he’ll like you sunny right now”W: That was great.M: Not exactly. I want to get married after I graduated school in about three years.Q9: what does the conversation about Marria’s father?Q10:What does Marria and Erik do last Sunday afternoon?Q11:What do we learn from Marria’s phone call this morning?Conversation 2M:You’re going to wear out computer’s keyboard. W: Oh, hi!M: Do you have any idea what time it is? W: About ten or ten thirty? M: It’s merely midnight.W: Really? I didn’t know it was so late.M: Don’t you have an early class to teach tomorrow morning?W: Yes, at seven o’clock, my computer class. The students go to work right after their lesson.M: Then you ought to go to bed. What are you writing anyway? W: An article, I hope I can sell.M:Oh, another view of newspaper pieces. What’s this one about? W:Do you remember the trip I took last month? M: The one up to the Amazon?W: Well, that’s what I’m writin g about. The new high-way and the changes is making in the Amazon valley.W：It should be interesting.W：It is. I guess that’s why I forgot all about the time. M:How many articles have you solve now? W:About a dozen so far.M:What kind of newspapers by them?W:The paper is carrying a lot of foreign news. They usually appear in the big Sunday editions where they need a lot background stories to help develop the space between the ads.M：Is there any future in it?W: I hope so. There’s a c hance I may sell this article to a newsservice.M:Then your papers will be published in several papers winter.W: that’s the idea. And they might even be able to do other stories the on a regular basis.M:That would be great.Q12: what is the woman’s occupation?Q13:what is the woman writing about?Q14:where did the woman’s articles usually appear?Q15:what does the woman expect?【短文理解原文】Passage 1Body language, especially gestures, varies among cultures. For example, a node of the head means “yes” to most of us. But in Bulgaria and Greece a node means “no” and a shake of the head means “yes”. Likewise, a sign for OK, forming a circle with our forefinger and thumb, means zero in France and money in Japan. Waving or pointing to an Arab business person would be considered rude b ecause that is how Arabs call their dogs over.Folded arms signal pride in Finland,but disrespect in Fiji.The number of bows that the Japanese exchange on greeting each other,as well as the length and the depth of the bows,signals the social status each party feel s towards each other.Italians might think your bored unless you us e a lot of gestures during discussions.Many American men sit withtheir legs crossed with one ankle resting over the opposite knee. However,this would be considered an insult in Muslim countries,w here one will never show the sole of the foot to a gust.Likewise, Americans consider eye contact very important,often not trusting so meone who is afraid to look at you in the eye.But in Japan and m any Latin American countries,keeping the eyes lowered is a sign of respect.To look apart in the eye is considered a sign of ill breedi ng and is felt to be annoying.Q16:What gesture do Bulgarians and Greeks use to express neg ative responses?Q17:What is likely to offend Arab business people?Q18:What is considered impolite in Muslim countries?2014年12月四级考试选词填空原文及答案大学英语四级考试在2014年12月20日上午已经结束了，文都教育为大家搜集整理了英语四级选词填空的原文及答案，供大家参考。
2014年12月英语四级听力真题短文（三篇）
2014年12月英语四级听力真题短文（三篇）2014年12月英语四级已经结束，接下来带大家回顾本次听力真题，同时为大家提供2014年12月英语四级听力真题及答案，供大家参考！Passage 1Scientists know how twins were born, now though, they are trying to explain how being half of the biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t leave near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separatedwhen they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice, their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen. Scientists want to know what influences are personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, studies 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believed that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know ‘can twins really communicate without speaking’, ‘can one twinreally feel another twin’s pain’. Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers.16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?Passage 2Today I’m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over 3 million people take camping vocations, either here in Britain or aboard, mostly on the continent. Obviously, camping can’t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with 2 bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for 4 people. There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric and a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in ground sheet. The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fitted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn’t usually have a ground sheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary 4 bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a separate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchen extension for m any tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.19. What does the speaker say about camping?20. What does the passage tell us about the most populartent sold in Britain?21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days?Passage 3Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade.22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?。
2014年12月四级真题(第2套)
[00:02.31]College English Test (Band 4)[00:05.58]Part ⅡListening Comprehension[00:09.72]Section A[00:11.23]Directions: In this section,[00:14.08]you will hear 8 short conversations[00:16.87]and 2 long conversations.[00:19.07]At the end of each conversation,[00:21.28]one or more questions will be asked[00:23.65]about what was said.[00:25.44]Both the conversation and the questions[00:28.18]will be spoken only once.[00:30.69]After each question there will be a pause. [00:34.29]During the pause,[00:35.75]you must read the four choices[00:37.82]marked A), B), C) and D),[00:40.30]and decide which is the best answer.[00:43.51]Then mark the corresponding letter[00:45.85]on Answer Sheet 1[00:47.57]with a single line through the centre.[00:50.17]Now let's begin with the eight short conversations. [00:55.11]1. W: When was the last time[00:58.02]you dusted the apartment?[01:00.28]M: When was the last time[01:01.72]my mother came over?[01:03.97]Q: What does the man imply?[01:21.38]2. W: Hurry up, Mark.[01:24.50]There's a bus coming now.[01:26.29]M: Why run?[01:27.64]There'll be another one[01:29.21]in 2 or 3 minutes.[01:31.32]Q: What does the man mean?[01:48.40]3. M: Laura, it seems that[01:51.33]you are up to your neck in work.[01:53.35]How come you've been so busy?[01:55.44]W: Miss Smith has asked for a sick leave,[01:58.42]and I have to take over her work[02:00.72]for a couple of days.[02:02.79]Q: What do we learn about the woman?[02:19.26]4. W: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day [02:24.65]is really boring.[02:26.54]M: Why don't you quit[02:27.83]and deliver flowers with me?[02:29.96]Q: What does the man suggest[02:32.01]the woman do?[02:48.01]5. W: Rod, you said you'd take this package [02:52.76]to the post office yesterday.[02:54.84]M: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind. [02:58.33]Q: What do we learn about the man[03:00.16]from the conversation?[03:16.29]6. M: I'm not surprised[03:19.84]you didn't like that movie.[03:21.60]I found it really scary myself.[03:24.04]W: So did I.[03:25.43]I don't care much for[03:26.85]horror movies as a rule.[03:29.43]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [03:47.19]7. M: My life experience tells me[03:50.80]that love is filled with happiness,[03:52.95]but it hurts you too.[03:55.17]W: Your words remind me of the saying: [03:57.73]Honey is sweet,[03:59.35]but the bee stings.[04:01.47]Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [04:19.45]8. M: How many more chairs[04:22.02]should I bring in for the forum,[04:24.00]six or seven?[04:25.56]W: Bring in all you can find.[04:27.58]I'm expecting at least 20 participants. [04:30.98] Q: What are the speakers talking about? [04:48.81]Now you will hear the two long conversations. [04:52.30]Conversation One[04:54.14]M: Do you think there's discrimination [04:56.11]against women in England today?[04:58.30]W: Certainly,[04:59.35]and not just in education and work either, [05:02.75]in many other fields as well.[05:05.22]The tax situation for women[05:07.20]is very unfair, for example.[05:09.89]M: Are women better off[05:11.24]in other countries then?[05:13.10]W: It depends on the country.[05:14.73]There's certainly much less discrimination [05:17.44]in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too. [05:21.30]M: Do you think[05:22.22]the position of English women will improve? [05:25.31]W: In some ways it will of course.[05:27.74]I'm sure more women will go out to work [05:30.63]in the next 20 years.[05:32.66]But women have a much greater problem [05:35.31]than this to solve.[05:36.92]M: What's that?[05:38.25]W: The problem of men's attitudes.[05:40.83]We can earn more money in the future, [05:43.29]but I'm not sure[05:44.53]we can change men's attitudes.[05:47.20]You see, most men really think[05:49.76]that women are inferior.[05:51.95]Maybe we are physically weaker,[05:54.47]but I don't think[05:55.48]this means we are inferior.[05:57.47]Then there's another problem.[05:59.62]M: Yes?[06:00.64]W: The problem of women's attitudes.[06:03.10]Lots of women are unhappy with[06:05.40]their present situation,[06:07.29]but most of them probably[06:08.98]don't want to fight for change.[06:11.53]It could be that[06:13.60]the women's liberation movement[06:15.59]has to spend more time[06:17.12]changing women's attitudes[06:18.85]than it spends in changing men's.[06:21.76]M: One last question,[06:23.43]some supporters of[06:24.67]the women's liberation movement[06:26.36]believed that marriages should be abolished. [06:29.16]You agree?[06:30.08]W: No, I don't.[06:31.56]It can't happen.[06:33.40]What may and should happen is that[06:36.12]we teach men to spend more time[06:38.14]looking after children and doing housework. [06:41.88]Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation [06:45.75]you have just heard.[06:47.62]9. Where are women said[06:50.61]to be less discriminated against?[07:08.51]10. What will happen in England in 20 years [07:12.23]according to the conversation?[07:29.38]11. What does the woman think[07:32.22]the women's liberation movement should do? [07:50.44]Conversation Two[07:52.25]M: Cheers, Shirley.[07:53.56]W: Cheers, Paul.[07:54.89]What a lovely place for a business lunch.[07:57.57]I hope I can concentrate in this heat.[08:00.63]M: I'm sure you will[08:01.92]when I tell you about my ideas.[08:04.07]W: You know, I must say[08:05.95]I was pleased to hear from you,[08:08.00]but from what you said on the phone,[08:10.15]everything is so sudden.[08:12.40]M: Well, my father-in-law,[08:14.29]who is also the managing director of Jayal Motors, [08:17.84]has given me two weeks to[08:19.35]prepare a report on the possibility[08:21.52]of moving into the export market.[08:23.91]W: Ah, now, just one thing, Paul.[08:26.88]Have you really thought the whole idea through? [08:29.99]M: Of course I have.[08:31.31]W: Now the key thing in the whole operation [08:34.02]is to get a good import agent,[08:36.53]and you say the bank will help?[08:38.57]M: I'm almost sure of it.[08:40.45]W: Preliminary studies are all very good, Paul. [08:43.81]But if the product can't sell,[08:45.85]then there's little use[08:47.27]in expanding the factory.[08:49.47]M: Yes, I realize that, Shirley.[08:51.57]But we have a very good product.[08:53.36]The chief designer has just[08:54.79]completed a new improved model.[08:57.24]W: I know your bikes[08:58.89]have a very good reputation here,[09:01.14]but you have to build up a reputation[09:03.36]and a market in Africa.[09:05.19]M: Yes, of course.[09:06.52]But the immediate problem is that[09:08.41]my father-in-law wants a detailed report[09:10.88]by next Monday.[09:12.20]Two weeks isn't enough time[09:14.18]to prepare a report,[09:15.83]so I need your help.[09:17.56]W: OK, Paul, you've convinced me.[09:20.40]I must say I admire your determination.[09:26.19]Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation [09:29.51]you have just heard.[09:31.34]12. Where does the conversation[09:34.54]most probably take place?[09:51.47]13. What do we learn about the man's father-in-law? [10:12.41]14. What does the woman think is important[10:17.19]in the whole operation?[10:33.38]15. What does the woman admire in the man?[10:54.36]Section B[10:55.92]Directions: In this section,[10:58.54]you will hear 3 short passages.[11:01.37]At the end of each passage,[11:03.80]you will hear some questions.[11:05.72]Both the passage and the questions[11:08.34]will be spoken only once.[11:10.92]After you hear a question,[11:13.01]you must choose the best answer[11:15.26]from the four choices[11:16.74]marked A), B), C) and D).[11:20.24]Then mark the corresponding letter[11:22.63]on Answer Sheet 1[11:24.38]with a single line through the centre.[11:27.42]Passage One[11:29.13]Scientists understand how twins are born.[11:32.73]Now though,[11:33.92]they are trying to explain[11:35.39]how being half of a biological pair[11:37.99]influences a twin's identity.[11:40.66]They want to know[11:41.85]why many identical twins make similar choices[11:45.59]even when they don't live near each other.[11:48.32]For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. [11:53.67]They were separated[11:54.76]when they were only 4-month old.[11:57.24]The two Jims grew up in different families[12:00.49]and did not meet for 39 years.[12:03.61]When they finally met,[12:05.41]they discovered some surprising similarities between them. [12:09.18]Both men were married twice.[12:11.87]Their first wives were named Linda,[12:14.31]and their second wives were both named Betty.[12:17.24]Both twins named their first sons James Allen.[12:21.38]Scientists want to know[12:23.72]what influences their personality.[12:26.36]They study pairs of identical twins[12:29.17]who grew up in different surroundings,[12:31.71]like Jim Springer and Jim Louis.[12:34.30]These twins help scientists[12:36.74]understand the connection[12:38.45]between environment and biology.[12:41.12]Researchers at the University of Minnesota,[12:44.18]studied 350 sets of identical twins[12:48.05]who did not grow up together.[12:50.14]They discovered many similarities[12:52.46]in their personalities.[12:54.25]Scientists believe that personality characteristics[12:57.67]such as friendliness, shyness and fears[13:00.45]are not a result of environment.[13:03.19]These characteristics are probably inherited.[13:06.52]Scientists continue to study identical twins[13:10.30]because they are uncertain about them[13:12.30] and have many questions.[13:14.30]For example, they want to know[13:16.44]“Can twins really communicate without speaking? ”[13:20.18]“Can one twin really feel another twin's pain? ”[13:24.13]Perhaps with more research,[13:26.57]scientists will find the answers.[13:29.88]Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage[13:33.66]you have just heard.[13:35.84]16. What are scientists trying to explain[13:40.24]according to the passage?[13:57.24]17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?[14:17.97]18. Why are scientists interested in[14:21.90]studying identical twins raised in different families?[14:41.27]Passage two[14:43.09]Today I'm going to talk about tents.[14:46.07]Camping is still one of the cheapest ways[14:49.53]of having a holiday.[14:51.26]And each year,[14:52.47]over three million people take camping vacations,[14:56.25]either here in Britain or abroad,[14:59.36]mostly on the Continent.[15:01.41]Obviously, camping can't be[15:03.95]as comfortable as living in a permanent house,[15:07.11]but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed,[15:11.05]with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. [15:15.98]The most popular tent sold in Britain[15:18.90]is the frame tent with[15:20.73]two bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for four people. [15:25.55]There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric[15:29.76]and a lighter inner tent[15:31.60]or tents with a built-in groundsheet.[15:35.25]The outer tent fits over the frame work. [15:38.09]This is made of metal poles[15:40.28]which are fitted together.[15:42.34]The inner tent is attached to this frame. [15:45.87]Generally, the inner tent is about[15:48.70]half the area of the outer tent.[15:51.56]The other half of the outer tent[15:53.99]is the living area.[15:55.74]This doesn't usually have a groundsheet [15:58.51]but you can buy one to fit,[16:00.78]though it costs extra.[16:03.04]The ordinary 4-bed frame tent[16:05.52]doesn't usually have a separate kitchen area, [16:08.65]but the larger ones often do.[16:11.33]You can buy a kitchen extension[16:13.72]for many tents,[16:14.95]and it's worth buying one[16:16.39]if you plan to stay camping[16:18.45]in one place for more than a few days. [16:23.04]Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage [16:26.41]you have just heard.[16:28.60]19. What does the speaker say about camping? [16:48.66]20. What does the passage tell us[16:52.48] about the most popular tent sold in Britain? [17:10.28]21. What does the speaker suggest buying [17:15.27]if you plan to stay camping in one place [17:18.36]for more than a few days?[17:36.05]Passage Three[17:37.48]Andorra, one of the smallest countries [17:40.64]in the world,[17:41.65]is located high in the mountains[17:43.62]between France and Spain.[17:45.46]The country covers only 179 square miles. [17:50.23]That is less than[17:51.32]half the size of New York City.[17:53.92]High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. [17:57.56]Until the 1930s,[17:59.79]travelers had difficulty reaching the country. [18:02.87]Up until that time,[18:04.54]people in Andorra lived the way[18:06.92]they had lived for centuries.[18:08.92]Most Andorrans worked as farmers.[18:11.63]Things did not change quickly.[18:14.23]When roads were built[18:16.35]from France and Spain to Andorra[18:18.50]in the 1930s,[18:20.09]life picked up speed.[18:22.38]Tourists began to visit the small country.[18:25.40]These tourists brought in a lot of money[18:28.39]to spend while visiting.[18:29.96]Many people in Andorra[18:31.75]found new jobs in shops or hotels.[18:35.04]These changes helped to[18:36.55]keep young people in Andorra.[18:38.92]There were many more jobs[18:40.58]than before the roads were built.[18:42.66]Today tourists provide[18:44.73]80 to 90 percent of Andorra's income.[18:47.81]More than a million people visit each year.[18:50.72]They come to view the rough mountains.[18:53.01]They enjoy the quiet way of life.[18:55.77]Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. [19:00.17]There are many shops for tourists to browse in. [19:02.95]Clothes, watches, wines and other items[19:06.14]are sold at low prices in Andorra.[19:08.99]Import fees are low,[19:10.90]so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping.[19:14.16]Most of the businesses in Andorra[19:16.60]are owned by its citizens.[19:18.91]There are not many foreign businesses.[19:21.36]Some Andorrans still[19:23.13]farm and raise sheep and cattle.[19:25.53]But most are now involved with the tourist trade. [19:29.15]Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage[19:34.05]you have just heard.[19:36.58]22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?[19:56.75]23. What can be said about Andorra[20:00.92]before the 1930s?[20:18.47]24. What event changed the situation in Andorra? [20:39.87]25. What do most people in Andorra do nowadays? [21:01.82]Section C[21:03.30]Directions: In this section,[21:05.74]you will hear a passage three times.[21:08.92]When the passage is read[21:10.32]for the first time,[21:11.58]you should listen carefully[21:13.12]for its general idea.[21:15.34]When the passage is read[21:17.25]for the second time,[21:18.71]you are required to fill in the blanks[21:21.19]with the exact words[21:22.67]you have just heard.[21:24.45]Finally, when the passage is[21:26.46]read for the third time,[21:28.17]you should check what you have written.[21:31.02]Now listen to the passage.[21:34.75]“Don't take many English courses；[21:36.83]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[21:39.25]“Sign up for management classes,[21:41.99]so you'll be ready to[21:43.17]join the family business when you graduate. ”[21:45.59]Sound familiar?[21:47.52]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [21:50.56]put forward by parents[21:52.30]or others close to us.[21:54.17]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [21:58.12]Why, then should suggestions like these[22:01.26]be taken with caution?[22:03.21]The reason is they relate to decisions[22:05.85]you should make.[22:07.34]You are the one[22:08.41]who must live with their consequences.[22:11.16]One of the worst reasons[22:12.82]to follow a particular path in life[22:15.14]is that other people want you to.[22:17.90]Decisions that affect your life[22:19.84]should be your decisions—[22:21.80]decisions you make[22:22.97]after you've considered various alternatives [22:25.76]and chosen the path that suits you best.[22:28.83]Making your own decisions does not mean [22:31.16]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [22:34.66]For instance,[22:35.87]your parents do have their own unique experiences [22:39.16]that may make their advice helpful,[22:41.58]and having participated in[22:43.71]a great deal of your personal history,[22:46.23]they may have a clear view of[22:48.28]your strengths and weaknesses.[22:50.23]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[22:54.22]They may still see you as a child,[22:56.54]in need of care and protection.[22:58.96]Or they may see only your strengths.[23:01.70]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[23:04.13]they may focus only on[23:05.36]your flaws and shortcomings.[23:07.74]People will always be giving you advice.[23:10.95]Ultimately, though,[23:12.19]you have to make your own judgments.[23:17.23]Now the passage will be read again.[23:21.29]“Don't take many English courses；[23:23.47]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[23:27.04]“Sign up for management classes,[23:29.38]so you'll be ready to[23:30.61]join the family business when you graduate. ”[23:33.81]Sound familiar?[23:35.28]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [23:39.04]put forward by parents[23:40.95]or others close to us.[23:43.03]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [23:46.70]Why, then should suggestions like these[23:50.09]be taken with caution?[23:52.04]The reason is they relate to decisions[23:55.24]you should make.[23:57.03]You are the one[23:58.17]who must live with their consequences.[24:01.15]One of the worst reasons[24:03.01]to follow a particular path in life[24:05.68]is that other people want you to.[24:08.51]Decisions that affect your life[24:10.77]should be your decisions—[24:12.72]decisions you make[24:14.13]after you've considered various alternatives [24:17.49]and chosen the path that suits you best.[24:20.82]Making your own decisions does not mean [24:24.06]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [24:27.53]For instance,[24:29.04]your parents do have their own unique experiences [24:33.25]that may make their advice helpful,[24:35.81]and having participated in[24:38.15]a great deal of your personal history,[24:41.01]they may have a clear view of[24:43.22]your strengths and weaknesses.[24:45.67]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[24:52.70]in need of care and protection.[24:55.61]Or they may see only your strengths.[24:59.08]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[25:02.20]they may focus only on[25:04.11]your flaws and shortcomings.[25:06.49]People will always be giving you advice.[25:09.65]Ultimately, though,[25:11.03]you have to make your own judgments.[25:15.00]Now the passage will be read for the third time. [25:19.26]“Don't take many English courses；[25:21.20]they won't help you get a decent job. ”[25:23.56]“Sign up for management classes,[25:26.35]so you'll be ready to[25:27.30]join the family business when you graduate. ”[25:29.99]Sound familiar?[25:31.85]Many of us have heard suggestions like these [25:34.90]put forward by parents[25:36.53]or others close to us.[25:38.25]Such comments often seem quite reasonable. [25:42.47]Why, then should suggestions like these[25:45.51]be taken with caution?[25:47.55]The reason is they relate to decisions[25:50.04]you should make.[25:51.67]You are the one[25:52.80]who must live with their consequences.[25:55.53]One of the worst reasons[25:57.06]to follow a particular path in life[25:59.36]is that other people want you to.[26:01.97]Decisions that affect your life[26:03.93]should be your decisions—[26:06.23]decisions you make[26:07.12]after you've considered various alternatives [26:09.93]and chosen the path that suits you best.[26:13.09]Making your own decisions does not mean [26:15.84]that you should ignore the suggestions of others. [26:18.74]For instance,[26:19.97]your parents do have their own unique experiences [26:23.16]that may make their advice helpful,[26:25.59]and having participated in[26:27.77]a great deal of your personal history,[26:30.26]they may have a clear view of[26:32.34]your strengths and weaknesses.[26:34.31]Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.[26:40.49]in need of care and protection.[26:42.97]Or they may see only your strengths. [26:45.73]Or, in some unfortunate cases,[26:48.20]they may focus only on[26:49.36]your flaws and shortcomings.[26:51.76]People will always be giving you advice. [26:55.09]Ultimately, though,[26:56.31]you have to make your own judgments. [27:00.26]This is the end of listenning comprehension.。
2014年12月英语四级听力原文(完整版25题)
【短对话听力原文】1. M: take a look at this cater. Maybe we can find some gifts for Jean’s new house.W: Ok, but remember we can afford a lot.Q: what does the woman mean?2. W：I am absolutely going nowhere about this statistics.M: How about going through them with you?Q: what does the man mean?3. M: are you just starting the record, aren’t you ? Let’s begin on Page 55. W: Sorry. I am afraid I can begin right now.Q: What mean from the conversation?4. W: remember. Carl’s arriving is at 226W: thanks to reminding me. I thought it would be sometime in July.Q: what are the speakers talking about?5. M：please excuse me for not attending the meeting yesterday. I am afraid I forgot to check the schedule.W: that’s all right. We have to rearrange the meeting at weekend. And everything went wrong.Q：what does it mean from the conversation.6. W: I didn’t f all sleep at least to 5 tomorrow.Q: what do we learn from the conversation?7. ,M: I got some bad news today. The star we are in is going to fallW: I am going to let you go.Q: What does the woman want to know?8 W: what’s wrong? You smell like a fish.M:......Q: what’s man mean?Long conversationsConversation 1Man: Do you think there's discrimination against women in England today? Woman: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many otherfields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example.Man: Are women better off in other countries then?Woman: It depends on the country. There's certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too.Man: Do you think the position of English women will improve?Woman: In some ways it will of course. I'm sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years. But the women have a much greater problem than this to solve.Man: What's that?Women: The problem of men's attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I'm not sure we can change men' attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don't think this means we are inferior. Then there's another problem.Man: Yes?Women: The problem of women's attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don't want to fight for change. It could be that the women's liberation movement has to spend more time changing women's attitudes than it spends in changing men's.Man: One last question, some supporters of the woman's liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree?Women: No, I don't. It can't happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework.9. Where are women said to be less discrimina ted against?10. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?11. What does the woman think the women's liberation movement should do?Conversation 2Man: Cheers, ShirleyWomen: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat.Man: I will sure you will when I tell you about my ideas.Woman: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden.Man: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the managing director of Jayal Motors, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into theexport market.Woman: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?Man: Of course I have.Woman: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?Man: I'm almost sure of it.Woman: Preliminary studies are very good, Paul. But if the product can't sell, then there's little use in expanding the factory.Man: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just comple ted a new improved model.Woman: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputation and mark it in Africa.Man: Yes, of course. But the immediate problem is that my father-in-law wants a detailed report by next Monday. Two weeks isn't enough time to prepare a report, so I need your help.Woman: OK, Paul, you've convinced me. I must say I admire your determination.12. Where does the conversation most probably take place?13. What do we learn about the men's father-in-law?14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?15. What does the woman admire in the man?【短文理解听力原文】Passage 1Body language, especially gestures, varies among cultures. For example, a node of the head means “yes” to most of us. But in Bulgaria and Greece a node means “no” and a shake of the head means “yes”. Likewise, a sign for OK, forming a circle with our forefinger and thumb, means zero in France and money in Japan. Waving or pointing to an Arab business person would be considered rude bec ause that is how Arabs call their dogs over. Folded arms signal pride in Finland, but disrespect in Fiji. The number of bows that the Japanese exchange on greeting each other, as well as the length and the depth of the bows, signalsthe social status each party feels towards each other. Italians might think your bored unless you use a lot of gestures during discussions. Many American men sit with their legs crossed with one ankle resting over the opposite knee. However, this would be considered an insult in Muslim countries, where one will never show the sole of the foot to a gust. Likewise, Americans consider eye contact very important, often not trusting someone who is afraid to look at you in the eye. But in Japan and many Latin American countries, keeping the eyes lowered is a sign of respect. To look apart in the eye is considered a sign of ill breeding and is felt to be annoying.Q16: What gesture do Bulgarians and Greeks use to express negative responses?Q17: What is likely to offend Arab business people?Q18: What is considered impolite in Muslim countries?Passage 2Today I’m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over 3 million people take camping vocations, either here in Britain or aboard, mostly on the continent. Obviously, camping can’t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with 2 bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for 4 people. There is usually an outer tent ofwater-proofed fabric and a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in ground sheet. The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fit ted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn’t usually have a ground sheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary 4 bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a separate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchenex tension for many tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.19. What does the speaker say about camping?20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days?Passage 3Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is loca ted high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade.22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?。
2014年12月英语四级听力真题(1-3套试题-原文-答案)
2014年12月英语四级听力真题(1-3套试题-原文-答案)2014年12月英语四级听力真题第一套(试题+原文+答案) 试题Section A1.A) She will go purchase the gift herself.B) The gift should not be too expensive.C) The man is not good at balancing his budget.D) They are going to Jane’s house-warming party.2.A) It takes patience to go through the statistics.B) He has prepared the statistics for the woman.C) The woman should take a course in statistics.D) He is quite willing to give the woman a hand.3.A) The man wants to make some change in the scripts.B) The woman does not take the recording seriously.C) They cannot begin their recording right away.D) Page 55 is missing from the woman’s scripts.4.A) A significant event in July.B) Preparations for a wedding.C) The date of Carl’s wedding.D) The birthday of Carl’s bride.5.A) The man was in charge of schedulingmeetings.B) The man was absent from the weekly meeting.C) They woman was annoyed at the man’s excuse.D) The woman forgot to tell the man in advance.6.A) The woman is a marvelous cook.B) The man cannot wait for his meal.C) The woman has just bought an oven.D) The man has to leave in half an hour.7.A) Whether the man can keep his job.B) Where the man got the bad news.C) What items sell well in the store.D) How she can best help the man.8.A) The woman can sign up for a swimming class.B) He works in the physical education department.C) The woman has the potential to swim like a fish.D) He would like to teach the woman how to swim.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A) He teaches in a law school.B) He loves classical music.C) He is a diplomat.D) He is a wonderful lecturer.10.A) Went to see a play.B) Watched a soccer game.C) Took some photos.D) Attended a dance.11.A) She decided to get married in three years.B) Her mother objected to Eric’s flying lessons.C) She insisted that Eric pursue graduate studies.D) Her father said she could marry Eric right away.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Editor.B) Teacher.C) Journalist.D) Typist.13.A) The beautiful Amazon rainforests.B) A new railway under construction.C) Big changes in the Amazon valley.D) Some newly discovered scenic spot.A) In news weeklies.B) In newspapers’ Sunday editions.C) In a local evening paper.D) In overseas editions of U.S. magazines.15.A) To be employed by a newspaper.B) To become a professional writer.C) To sell her articles to news service.D) To get her life story published soon.Section BPassage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16.A) Nodding one’s head.B) Waving one’s hand.C) Holding up the forefinger.D) Turning the right thumb down.17.A) Looking away from them.B) Forming a circle with fingers.C) Bowing one’s head to them.D) Waving or pointing to them.18.A) Looking one’s superior in the eye.B) Keeping one’s arms folded while talking.C) Showing the sole of one’s foot to a guest.D) Using a lot of gestures during a conversation.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) They had to beg for food after the harvest.B) They grew wheat and corn on a small farm.C) They shared a small flat with theirrelatives.D) The children walked to school on dirt roads.20.A) Tour Ecuador’s Andes Mountains.B) Earn an animal income of $2,800.C) Purchase a plot to build a home on.D) Send their children to school.21.A) The achievements of the Trickle Up Program.B) A new worldwide economic revolution.C) Different forms of assistance to the needy.D) The life of poor people in developing countries.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) They are highly sensitive to cold.B) They are vitally important to our life.C) They are a living part of our body.D) They are a chief source of our pain.23.A) It has to be removed in time by a dentist.B) It is a rare oral disease among old people.C) It contains many nerves and blood vessels.D) It is a sticky and colorless film on the teeth.24.A) It can change into acids causing damage to their outer covering.B) It greatly reduces their resistance to the attacks of bacteria.C) It makes their nerves and blood vessels more sensitive to acid food.D) It combines with food particles to forma film on their surface.25.A) Food particles.B) Gum disease.C) Unhealthy living habits.D) Chemical erosion.Section CStunt people (替身演员) are not movie stars, but they are the hidden heroes of many movies. They were around long before films. Even Shakespeare may have used them in fight scenes. To be good, a fight scene has to look real. Punches must __26__ enemies’jaws. Sword fights must be fought with __27__ swords. Several actors arc usually in a fight scene. Their moves must be set up so that no one gets hurt. It is almost like planning a dance performance.If a movie scene is dangerous, stunt peopleusually __28__ the stars. You may think you see Tom Cruise running along the top of a train. But it is __29__ his stunt double. Stunt people must __30__ the stars they stand in for. Their height and build should be about the same. But when close-ups are needed, the film __31__ the star. Some stunt people __32__ in certain kinds of scenes. For instance, a stunt woman named Jan Davis does all kinds of jumps. She has leapt from planes and even off the top of a waterfall. Each jump required careful planning and expert __33__.Yakima Canutt was a famous cowboy stunt man. Among other stunts, he could jump from a second story window onto a horse’s back. He __34__ the famous trick of sliding under a moving stagecoach. Canutt also __35__ a new way to make a punch look real. He was the only stunt man ever to get an Oscar.答案1.B2.D3.C4.C5.C6.B7.A8.A9.C10.B11.D12.B13.C14.B15.C16.A17.D18.C19.A20.D21.A22.C23.D24.A25.B26. land on27. sharp28. fill in for29. probably30. resemble31. focuses on32. specialize33. timing34. invented35. figured out2014年12月英语四级听力真题第二套(试题+原文+答案)听力试题Section A1.A) He was ordered to clear the apartment by his mother last time.B) He has not cleared the apartment since his mother’s visit.C) He has cleared the apartment several times since his mother’s visiting.D) He asked his mother to clear the apartment last time.2.A) They might as well catch the coming bus.B) They will also miss the next bus.C) They might as well take the next bus.D) They hurry up to catch the coming bus.3.A) She asked for a sick leave because of neck pain.B) Mrs. Smith will take over her work for several days.C) She has to do extra work for a few days.D) Mrs. Smith was too busy to take over her work.4.A) Change her job.B) Sell her cafeteria.C) Plant flowers.D) Wash dishes.5.A) He remembered to take the package to the post office.B) He was told to have something wrong with his mind.C) He is a deliver man working in the postoffice.D) He failed to do what he promised to do.6.A) The woman has a rule to select horror films.B) The woman does not like horror films.C) The woman cares much for horror films.D) The woman like the film the man mentioned.7.A) The speakers disagree with each other about love.B) Love in the woman’s eye is happy and sweet.C) The speakers share a common view on love.D) Love hurts the man from time to time.8.A) Preparations for a forum.B) Preparations for an interview.C) Preparations for a banquet.D) Preparations for making chairs.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A) England.B) Scandinavia.C) South America.D) Scotland.10.A) More women will stay at home.B) More women will run for higher posts.C) Marriages will be abolished.D) More women will work outside the family.11.A) Spending more time improving women’s income.B) Spending more time changing men’s attitudes.C) Spending more time improving marriagequality.D) Spend more time changing women’s attitudes.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) In a restaurant.B) In a meeting room.C) In an office.D) In a factory.13.A) He is a salesman of J.R. Motors.B) He is the boss of the restaurant.C) He is the Managing Director of J.R. Motors.D) He is the managing director of the big factory.14.A) To get a good export agent.B) To expand the factory.C) To get a good import agent.D) To design a new product.15.A) His family background.B) His reputation.C) His designing talent.D) His determination.Section BPassage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.16.A) How being an identical twin influences one’s identity.B) How twins are born and have the same identity.C) Why many identical twins make different choices.D) Why many identical twins don’t live near each other.17.A) They didn’t meet each other for 4 months.B) They grew up in different surroundings.C) They were separated when they are 39 years old.D) They all have two wives and two daughters.18.A) They want to find out the relationship between environment and biology.B) They want to find out the connection between hobby and personalities.C) They want to find out the connection between surroundings and personality characteristics.D) They want to find out the connection between communication and talents.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It isn’t one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday.B) It is the most comfortable ways of spending a holiday.C) It is the most popular ways of having a holiday.D) It is an inexpensive way of spending a holiday.20.A) It is the frame tent for two people.B) It consists of an inner and an outer tent.C) It is the kind of the outer tent with a ground sheet.D) It is comfortable with windows, kitchens and sitting rooms.21.A) A ground sheet.B) A bedroom extension.C) A kitchen extension.D) A water-proof sheet.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) It covers 179 square miles.B) It is larger than New York City.C) It is located between France and Italy.D) It only covers 197 square miles.23.A) Travelers were easy to reach the country.B) The living way of the people changed quickly.C) It has a small number of farmer population.D) It was cut off from the rest of the world.24.A) The investment of tourism from its neighboring countries.B) The lowest import fees for tourists cheapest shopping.C) The building of roads connecting it with neighboring countries.D) The permission to visit so many ancient buildings.25.A) They work in foreign business.B) They work in the tourist industry.C) They farm and raise sheep.D) They work in transportation industry.Section CDon’t take many English courses, they won’t help you get a decent job. Sign up for management classes, so you will be ready to join the family business when you graduate.Sound __26__? Many of us have heard suggestions like these __27__ by parents or others close to us. Such comments often seem quite reasonable. Why then? Should suggestions like these be taken with __28__? The reason is they relate to the decisions you should make. You are the one who must 29 their consequences. One of the worst reasons to follow a particular path in life is that other people want you to. Decisions that affect your life should be your decisions. Decisions you make after you’ve considered various __30__ and chosen the path that suits you best. Making your own decisions does not mean that you should __31__ the suggestions of others. For instance, your parents do have their own unique experiences that may make their advice helpful and having __32__ in a great deal of your personal history. They may have a clear view of your strength and weaknesses. Still, their views are not necessarily accurate.They may still see you as a child __33__ caring and protection. Or they may see only your strength, or in some unfortunate cases they may __34__ only your flaws and shortcomings. People will always be giving your advice, ultimately though, you have to make your own __35__.听力原文1.Woman: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?Man: When was the last time my mother came over?Question: What does the man imply?2.Woman: Hurry up Mark, there’s a bus coming now.Man: Why run? There’ll be another one in 2 or 3 minutes.Question: What does the man mean?3.Man: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work, how come you’ve been so busy? Woman: Ms Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days.Question: What do we learn about the woman?4.Woman: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring.Man: Why don’t you quit and deliver the flowers with me?Question: What does the man suggest the woman do?5.Woman: Rod, you said you’d take this package to the post office yesterday.Man: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind. Question: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?6.Man: I’m not surprised that you didn’t like that movie. I find it really scary myself. Woman: So did I. I don’t care much for horror movies as a rule.Question: What do we learn from the conversation?7.Man: My life experience tells me that love is filled with happiness but it hurts you too. Woman: Your words remind me of the saying honey is sweet but the bee stings. Question: What do we learn from the conversation?8.Man: How many more chairs should I bring in for the forum, six or seven?Woman: Bring in all you can find. I’m expecting at least 20 participants. Question: What are the speakers talking about?Conversation 1Man: Do you think there’s discrimination against women in England today?Woman: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example.Man: Are women better off in other countries then?Woman: It depends on the country. There’s certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too. Man: Do you think the position of English women will improve?Woman: In some ways it will of course. I’m sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years. But the women have a much greater problem than this to solve.Man: What’s that?Women: The problem of men’s attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I’m not sure we can change men’ attitudes. You see, most men really think that women areinferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don’t think this means we are inferior. Then there’s another problem.Man: Yes?Women: The problem of women’s attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don’t want to fight for change. It could be that the women’s liberation movement has to spend more time changing women’s attitudes than it spends in changing men’s.Man: One last question, some supporters of the woman’s liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree?Women: No, I don’t. It can’t happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework.9. Where are women said to be less discriminated against?10. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?11. What does the woman think the women’s liberation movement should do?Conversation 2Man: Cheers, ShirleyWomen: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat.Man: I will sure you will when I tell you about my ideas.Woman: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden.Man: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the managing director of J.R. Motives, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market. Woman: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through? Man: Of course I have.Woman: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?Man: I’m almost sure of it.Woman: Preliminary studies are very good, Paul. But if the product can’t sell, then there’s little use in expanding the factory. Man: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just completed a new improved model. Woman: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputation and mark it in Africa.Man: Yes, of course. But the immediate problem is that my father-in-law wants a detailed report by next Monday. Two weeks isn’t enough time to prepare a report, so I need your help.Woman: OK, Paul, you’ve convinced me. I must say I admire your determination.12. Where does the conversation mostprobably take place?13. What do we learn about the men’s father-in-law?14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?15. What does the woman admire in the man?Passage 1Scientists know how twins were born, now though, they are trying to explain how being half of the biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t leave near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separated when they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice, their first wives were namedLinda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen. Scientists want to know what influences are personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, studies 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believed that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know ‘can twins really communicate without speaking’, ‘can one twin reallyfeel another twin’s pain’. Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers.16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?Passage 2Today I’m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over 3 million people take camping vocations, either here in Britain or aboard, mostly on the continent. Obviously, camping can’t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with 2bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for 4 people. There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric and a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in ground sheet. The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fitted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn’t usually have a ground sheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary 4 bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a separate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchen extension for many tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.19. What does the speaker say about camping?20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days?Passage 3Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changeshelped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade.22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?24. What event changed the situation inAndorra?25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?clozeDictation：Compound DictationDon’t take may English courses, they won’t help you get a decent job. Sign up for management classes, so you will be ready to join the family business when you graduate. Sound familiar? Many of us have heard suggestions like these put forward by parents or others close to us. Such comments often seem quite reasonable. Why then should suggestions like these be taken with caution? The reason is they relate to the decisions you should make. You are the one who must live with their consequences. One of the worst reasons to follow a particular path in life is that other people want you to. Decisions that affect your life should be your decisions. Decisions you make afteryou’ve considered various alternatives and chosen the path that suits you best. Making your own decisions does not mean that you should ignore the suggestions of others. For instance, your parents do have their own unique experiences that may make their advice helpful and having participated in a great deal of your personal history. They may have a clear view of your strength and weaknesses. Still, their views are not necessarily accurate. They may still see you as a child, and need care and protection. Or they may see only your strength or in some unfortunate cases, they may focus only on your flaws and shortcomings. People will always be giving your advice, ultimately, though you have to make your own judgments.听力答案1. 女士问男士最近一次是什么时候为公寓除尘的，应该是嫌男士家里不干净，结果男士的回答却是那得看我妈上次是什么时候来的。
2014年12月CET4听力原文及答案
Section A1. W: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?M: When was the last time my mother came over?Q: What does the man imply? [B]2. W: Hurry up, Mark. There's a bus coming now.M: Why run? There will be another one in two or three minutes.Q: What does the man mean? [C]3. M: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work. How come you’ve been so busy? W: Miss Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days. Q: What do we learn about the woman? [C]4. W: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring.M: Why don’t you quit and deliver flowers with me?Q: What does the man suggest the woman do? [A]5. W: Rod, you said you’d take this package to the post office yesterday.M: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind.Q: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?[D]6. M: Tm not surprised that you didn't like that movie. I found it really scary myself.W: So did I. I don’t care much for horror movies as a rule.Q: What do we learn from the conversation? [B]7. M: My life experience tells me that love is filled with happiness but it hurts you too.W: Your words remind me of this saving "honey is sweet but the bee stings".Q: What do we learn from the conversation?[C]8. M: How many more chairs should I bring in for the forum, six or seven?W: Bring in ail you can find, I’m expecting at least 20 participants.Q: What are the speakers talking about?[A]Now you'll hear the two long conversations. Conversation OneM: Do you think there^ discrimination against women in England today?W: Certainly. And not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well.The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example.M: Are women better off in other countries then?W: It depends on the country. [9]There’s certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too.M: Do you think the position of English women will improve?W: In some ways it will, of course. [l0]I’m sure more women will go out to work in the next 20years. But women have a much greater problem than this to solve.M: What’s that?W: The problem of men's attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but Fm not sure we can change men's attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don't think this means we are inferior. Then there’s another problem. M: Yes?W: The problem of women’s attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don’t want to fight for change. It could be that [11]the women’s liberation movement has to spend more time changing women’s attitudes than it spends inchanging men’s.M: One last question. Some supporters of the women’s liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree?W: No, I don't. It can't happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework.9. Where are women said to be less discriminated against? [B]10. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation? [D]11. What does the woman think the women’s liberation movement should do? [D] Conversation TwoM: Cheers, Shirley.W: Cheers, Paul, [12]What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat.M: I’m sure you will when I tell you about my ideas.W: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you. But from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden.M: Well, [l3]my father-in-law, who is also the Managing Director of Jayal Motors, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market.W: Ah, now, just one thing, Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?M: Of course, I have.W: [14]Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent and you say the bank will help?M: Fm almost sure of it.W: Preliminary studies are all very good, Paul. But if the product can't sell, then there's little use in expanding the factory.M: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just completed a new improved model.W: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputationand a market in AfricaM: Yes, of course. But the immediate problem is that my father-in-law wants a detailed report by next Monday. Two weeks isn't enough time to prepare a report, so I need your help.W: OK, Paul. You’ve convinced me. I must say [15]I admire your determination.12. Where does the conversation most probably take place?[A]13. What do we learn about the man’s father-in-law?[C]14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?[B]15. What does the woman admire in the man?[D]Section BPassage OneScientists understand how twins are born. [16]Now, though, they are trying to explain how being half of a biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t live near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separated when they were only four months old. [17]The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice.Their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named theirfirst sons James Allan. Scientists want to know what influences our personality. [17]They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. [18]These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota studied 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believe that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not a result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want know “Can twins really communicate without speaking?”“Can one twin really feel another twin’s pain?”Perhaps with more research scientists will find the answers.16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?[A]17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?[B]18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?[A] Passage TwoToday I’m going to talk about tents. [19 ] Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over three million people take camping vacations, either here in Britain or abroad, mostly on the Continent. Obviously, camping can't be as comfortable as living in a permanent house,but modem tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting-rooms. [20]The most popular tent sold in Britain is the terne tent with two bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for four people. There is usually an outer tent of water-proof fabric and a lighter inner tent or tents with a built-in groundsheet. The outer tent fits over the framework. This is made of metal poles which are fitted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame.Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent The other half of the outer tent is the living area This doesn’t usually have a groundsheet,but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary four-bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a separate kitchen area» but the larger ones often do.[211 You can buy a kitchen extension for many tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.19. What does the speaker say about camping?[D]20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?[B]21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more thana few days?Passage ThreeAndorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. [22]The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the sizeof New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. [23]Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived the way they hadlived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. [24] When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourists began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built Today tourists provide 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in. Clothes,watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping.Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. [25]But most are now involved with the tourist trade.22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?[A]23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?[D]24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?[C]25. What do most people in Andorra do nowadays?[B]Section C26. familiar 【解析】此空格需要填人系动词sound的表语。
2014年12月大学英语四级真题试卷(二)(题后含答案及解析)
2014年12月大学英语四级真题试卷（二）(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. Writing 2. Listening Comprehension 3. 4. Reading Comprehension 5. TranslationPart I Writing1．For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay about a course that has impressed you most in college. You should state the reasons and write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.正确答案： A Course That Has Impressed Me Most in College There are a variety of courses in college which provide students with multiple options to broaden their knowledge. They can choose different courses according to their own preference.It goes without saying that students really benefit from it in many respects. As far as I am concerned, I do harvest a lot from the courses I choose. Last semester, as a junior student, I chose the course of British Literature which has impressed me most. In the first place, I was deeply charmed by the scholarly image of the professor for this course—his broad range of knowledge and unusual but interesting teaching method.In the second place, my vision has been definitely broadened by this course. Apart from the basic knowledge in our textbook, I have also learnt something practical and got an in-depth understanding of Britain. Last but not least, this course has aroused my enthusiasm for studying English well. This will help perfect my knowledge system. In general, I am satisfied with the broad range of courses offered by my college.And I am glad to have chosen the course of British Literature. It surely has a great effect on me.解析：一、描述现象：大学课程丰富(a variety of courses。
2014年12月四级英语听力真题
★⽆忧考英语听⼒频道为⼤家整理的2014年12⽉四级英语听⼒真题，供⼤家参考。
更多阅读请查看本站频道。
Short conversations 1.Woman: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?Man: When was the last time my mother came over?Question: What does the man imply?2.Woman: Hurry up Mark, there’s a bus coming now。
Man: Why run? There’ll be another one in 2 or 3 minutes。
Question: What does the man mean?3.Man: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work, how come you’ve been so busy?Woman: Ms Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days。
Question: What do we learn about the woman?4.Woman: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring。
Man: Why don’t you quit and deliver the flowers with me?Question: What does the man suggest the woman do?5.Woman: Rod, you said you’d take this package to the post office yesterday。
2014年12月英语四级真题答案及解析(卷一)
2014年12月大学英语六级考试真题(一)答案与详解Part Ⅰ Writing审题思路本篇题目一改过去常写的议论文，要求写对自己影响最大的大学同学。
根据题目要求，写作重点应当是描述，而不是议论。
考生首先应直接或间接地引出主题，然后通过具体事例阐释该同学对“我”产生重大影响的原因,最后发表议论，照应前文，升华主题。
由此可知，题目要求写一篇夹叙夹议，以叙述为主的作文。
写作提纲一、提出观点：同学“Tom ”改变了“我”（be subject to being pessimistic ，strive to encourage, appreciate)二、阐释主题：1、在他的帮助下，我发现英语没那么难(be confused about ，make progress)2、他教我如何面对挫折(live through setbacks) 三、升华主题：l 、“Tom”让我认识到了自信和乐观的重要性(the significance of self-confidence and optimism )2、这种态度使人受益终身(benefit people all his life)范文点评全文翻译对我影响最大的大学同学我曾经对自己的学习并不那么自信，而且遇到挫折时就容易悲观。
然而，当我的一个大学同学汤姆竭尽全力鼓励我的时候，我发现自己渐渐地有所改变。
我非常感激他对我的帮助。
以前我的英语不好，然而每当我对老师的讲解感到迷惑不解时，汤姆总是用清晰明了的方式给我解释。
渐高分范文 精彩点评A Classmate Who Has Influenced Me Most in College ① Once upon a time, I was not so confident about my study and was subject to being pessimistic when confronted with frustrations. ② However, I found myself gradually changing as Tom, one of my classmates in college, strived to encourage me. ③ I really appreciate his help. ④ I used not to be good at English ； however, whenever I was confused about the teacher’s explanation, he always interpreted it to me in- an explicit way. Gradually, I found English not so difficult and made progress day by day. ⑤ In addition, it was Tom who kept guiding me how to live through all kinds of setbacks in life. ⑥ I’l l never forget the very day when I failed my speech contest and I was overwhelmed and ashamed.⑦ Tom told me that nobody can defeat a person if he is determined to stand upto every failure. ⑧With his encouragement, I regained confidence, realizing that optimism was always the key to success. ⑨ Thanks to Tom, I eventually learned the significance ofself-confidence and optimism. They not only serve as indispensable characteristics of personality but also will benefit people all his life.① ②通过描述那个曾经缺乏自信而且悲观的 “我”渐渐地有所改变引出文章主题——对 “我”影响最大的大学同学，他竭尽全力鼓励“我”。
2014年12月四级真题听力题+答案+原文
2014年12⽉四级真题听⼒题+答案+原⽂2014年12⽉四级真题第⼀套听⼒题+答案+原⽂Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
1. A) The woman is fussy about the cleanness of the apartment,B) He has not cleaned the apartment since his mother’s visit.C) He does not remember when his mother came over.D) His mother often helps him to clean the apartment.2. A) The bus stop is only two minutes’ walk.B) The running made him short of breath.C) They might as well take the next bus.D) The woman is late by a couple of minutes.3. A) She is suffering a pain in her neck.B) She is likely to replace Miss Smith.C) She has to do extra work for a few days.D) She is quite sick of working overtime.4. A) Change her job.B) Buy a dishwasher.C) Open a flower shop.D) Start her own business.5. A) He forgot where he had left the package.B) He slipped on his way to the post office.C) He wanted to deliver the package himself.D) He failed to do what he promised to do.6. A) The speakers do not agree with each other.B) The woman does not like horror films.C) The man pays for the tickets as a rule.D) The speakers happened to meet in the cinema7. A) The woman is just as unlucky as the man.B) The woman is more sensitive than the man.C) The speakers share a common view on love.D) The speakers are unhappy with their marriage.8. A) Preparations for a forum.B) Participants in the forum.C) Organizers of a forum.D) Expectations of the forum.Questions 9 to 11are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) France.B) Scandinavia.C) Russia.D) East Europe.10. A) More women will be promoted in the workplace.B) More women will overcome their inadequacies.C) More women will receive higher education.D) More women will work outside the family.11. A) Try hard to protect women's rights.B) Educate men to respectwomenmore.C) Help women acquire moreprofessional skills.D) Spend more time changingwomen's attitudes.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) In a restaurant.B) In a hotel lobby.C) At the man’s office.D) At the woman’s place.13. A) He is the chief designer of the latest bike model.B) He has completed an overseas market survey.C) He is the Managing Director of Jayal Motors.D) He has just come back from a trip to Africa14. A) To select the right model.B) To get a good import agent.C) T o convince the board members.D) T o cut down production costs.15. A) His flexibility.B) His vision.C) His intelligence.D) His determination.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 1 with a single line through the centre. 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
2014年12月英语四级真题及答案(word版)
2014年12月英语四级真题及答案（文字版）考试采取“多题多卷”模式，试题顺序不统一，请依据试题进行核对Part I WritingDirections: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the following topic. You shoul d write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.作文题一：印象最深的活动AA campus activity that has benefited most.作文题二：印象最深的课程A course that has impressed you most in college.作文题三:印象最深的同学A classmate of yours who has influenced you most in college．Part II ListeningSection ADirections：In this section，you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the en d 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. Th en mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.Question 1A.The man is not good at balancing his budget.B.She will go purchase the gift herself.C.The gift should not be too expensive.D.They are gonging to Jane's house-warming party.Question 2A.He is quite willing to give the woman a hand.B.It takes patience to go through the statistics.C.He has prepared the statistics for the woman.D.The woman should take a course in statistics.Question 3A.Page 55 is missing from the woman's scripts.B.They cannot begin their recording right away.C.The woman does not take the recording seriously.D.The man wants to make some changes in the scripts.-Question 4A.The date of Carl's wedding.B.The birthday of Carl's bride.C.A significant event in July.D.Preparation for a wedding.Question 5A.The woman forgot to tell the man in advance.B.The man was absent from the weekly meeting.C.The woman was annoyed at the man's excuse.D.The man was in charge of scheduling meetings.Question 6A.The woman is a marvelous cook.B.The woman has just bought an oven.C.The man has to leave in half an hour.D.The man cannot want for his meal.Question 7A.How she can best help the man.B.Where the man got the bad news.C.What items sell well in the store.D.Whether the man can keep his job.Question 8A.The woman can sign up for a swimming class.B.He works in the physical education department.C.The woman has the potential to swim like a fish.D.He would like to teach the woman how to swim.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Question 9A.He teaches in a law school.B.He loves classical music.C.He is a diplomat.D.He is a wonderful lecturer.Question 10A.Went to see a play.B.Watched a soccer game.C.Took some photos.D.Attended a dance.Question 11-A.She decided to get married in three years.B.Her mother objected to Eric’s flying lessons.C.She insisted that Eric pursue graduate studies.D.Her father said she could marry Eric right away.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Question 12A.Editor.B.Teacher.C.JournalistD.Typist.Question 13A.The beautiful Amazon rainforests.B.A new railway under construction.C.Big changes in the Amazon valley.D.Some newly discovered scenic spot.Question 14A.In news weeklies.B.In newspapers' Sunday editions.C.In a local evening paper.D.In overseas editions of U.S. magazines.Question 15A.To be employed by a newspaper.B.To become a professional writer.C.To sell her articles to a news service.D.To get her life story published soon.Section BDirections：In this section，you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage，you will he ar some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a questi on，you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the c orresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 16A.Nodding one's head.B.Waving one's hand.C.Holding up the forefinger.-D.Turning the right thumb down.Question 17A.Looking away from them.B.Forming a circle with fingers.C.Bowing one's head them.D.Waving or pointing to them.Question 18A.Looking one's superior in the eye.B.Keeping one's arms folded while talking.C.Showing the sole of one's foot to a guest.ing a lot of gestures during a conversation.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 19A.They had to beg for foot after the harvest.B.They grew wheat and corn on a small farm.C.They shared a small flat with their relatives.D.The children walked to school on dirt roads.Question 20A.Tour Ecuador's Andes Mountains.B.Earn an annual income of $2800.C.Purchase a plot to build a home on.D.Send their children to school.Question 21A.The achievements of the Trickle Up Program.B.A new worldwide economic revolution.C.Different forms of assistance to the needy.D.The life of poor people in developing countries.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 22A.They are highly sensitive to cold.B.They are vitally important to our life.C.They are a living part of our body.D.They are a chief source of our pain.Question 23A.It has to be removed in time by a dentist.B.It is a rare oral disease among old people.C.It contains many nerves and blood vessels.D.It is sticky and colorless film on the teeth.Question 24A.It can change into acids causing damage to their outer covering.B.It greatly reduces their resistance to the attacks of bacteria.C.It makes their nerves and blood vessels more sensitive to acid food.D.It combines with food particles to form a film on their surface.Question 25A.Food particles.B.Gum disease.C.Unhealthy living habits.D.Chemical crosion.Section CStunt people(替身演员) are not movie stars, but they are the hidden heroes of many movies.They were around long before films. Even Shakespeare may have used them in fight scenes. To be good, a fight scene has to look real. Punches must (26)______ enemies' jaws. Sword fights must be foug ht with(27)______ swords. Several actors are usually in a fight scene. Their moves must be set up so tha t no one gets hurt. It is almost like planning a dance performance.If a movie scene is dangerous, stun people usually(28)______the stars. You may think you see Tom Cruise running along the top of a train. But it is(29)______ his stunt double. Stunt people must(30)_____ _ the stars they stand in for. Their height and build should be about the same. But when close-ups are n eeded, the film(31)______ the star.Some stunt people(32)______ in certain kinds of scenes. For instance, a stunt woman named Jan Dav is does all kinds of jumps. She has leapt from planes and even off the top of a waterfall. Each jump req uired careful planning and expert(33)______.Yakima Canutt was a famous cowboy stunt man. Among other stunts, he could jump from a second story window onto a horse's back. He(34)______ the famous trick of sliding under a moving stagecoach. Canutt also(35)______ a new way to make a punch look real. He was the only stunt man ever to get an Oscar.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections：In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word f or each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage throu gh carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark th e corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may n ot use any of the words in the bank more than once.For decades, Americans have taken for granted the XXXX development of new technologies. The inn ovations(创新)XXXX opment during World War II and afterwards were(36)_____ to the prosperity of the nation in the second half of the 20th century. Those innovations, upon which virtually all aspects of(37)_ ____ society now depend, were possible because the United States then(38)_____ the world in mathematic s and science education. Today, however, despite increasing demand for workers with strong skills in mat hematics and science, the(39)_____ of degrees awarded in science, math, and engineering are decreasing.The deeling in degree production in what are called the STEM disciplines(science, technology, engine ering, and math.)seems to be(40)_____related to the comparatively weak performance by U.S. schoolchildr en on international assessments of math and science. Many students entering college have weak skills in mathematics. According to the 2005 report of the Business Higher Education Forum, 22 percent of colleg e freshmen must take remediat(补习的)math(41)_____, and less than half of the students who plan to maj or in science or engineering(42)_____complete a major in those fields.The result has been a decrease in the number of American college graduates who have the skills, (4 3)_____ in mathematics, to power a workforce that can keep the country at the forefront(前言)of innovati on and maintain its standard of living. With the(44)_____ performance of American students in math and science has come increased competition from students from other countries that have strongly supported e ducation in these areas. Many more students earn(45)_____ in the STEM disciplines in developing countri es than in the United States.A.acceleratingB.actuallyC.closelyD.contemporaryE.coursesF.criticalG.decliningH.degreesI.especiallyJ.futureK.ledL.metM.proceduresN.proportionsO.sphetesSection BDirections：In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the info rmation is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Ban sugary drinks that will add fuel to the obesity war[A] On a train last Thursday, I sat opposite a man who was so fat he filled more than one seat. He was pale and disfigured and looked sick to death, which he probably was: obesity(肥胖的)leads to many nasty ways of dying. Looking around the carriage, I saw quite a few people like him, including a coupl e of fatty children with swollen checks pressing against their eyes. These people are part of what is with out exaggeration an epidemic(流行病)of obesity.[B] But it is quite unnecessary: there is a simple idea- far from new- that could spare millions of su ch people a lifetime of chronic(长期的)ill health, and at the same time save the National Health Service (NHS)at least ￡14 billion a year in England and Wales. There would, you might think, be considerable public interest in it. This simple idea is that sugar is as good- or as bad- as poison and should be avoid ed. It is pure, white and deadly, as Professor John Yudkin described it 40 years ago in a revolutionary b ook of that name. The subtitle was How Sugar Is Killing Us.[C] In its countless hidden forms, in ready meals, junk food and sweet drinks, sugar leads to addicti on(瘾), to hormonal upsets to the appetite, to metabolic(新陈代谢的)malfunctions and obesity and from th ere to type 2 diabetes(糖尿病)and its many horrible complication. If people really grasped that, they woul d try to kick the habit, particularly as Britain is the “ fat man of Europe” . They might even feel driven to support government measures to prevent people from consuming this deadly stuff. Yet so far this idea has met little but resistance.[D] It is not difficult to imagine the vested interests(既得利益集团)lined up against any sugar control - all the food and drink manufacturers, processors, promoters and retailers who make such easy pickings out of the magic powers of sugar. Then there are the liberals, with whom I would normally side, who pr otest that government regulation would be yet another instance of interference in our lives.[E]That is true, but people should realize that you cannot have a welfare state without a nanny state (保姆国家), to some degree. If we are all to be responsible for one another’s health insurance, through so cialized medicine, then we are all closely involved in one another’s health, including everyone’s eating and drinking. That has already been admitted, finally, with smoking. But it has yet to be admitted with ove reating, even though one in four adults in this country is obese and that number is predicted to double b y the year 2050.Quite apart from anything else, obesity will cripple the NHS.[F]Recently, though, there have been signs that the medical establishment is trying to sound the alar m. Last month the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges(AMRC)published a report saying that obesity is t he greatest public health issue affecting the UK and urging government to do something.[G]The report offers 10 recommendations, of which the first is imposing a tax of 20 percent on suga ry drinks for at least a year, on top of the existing 20 percent value-added tax. That at least would be a n excellent start. The amounts of sugar in soft drinks are horrifying, and turn straight to fat. As Professor Terence Stephenson, head of the AMRC, has said, sugary soft drinks are “the ultimate bad food. You ar e just consuming neat sugar. Your body didn’t evolve to handle this kind of thing.”[H]Precisely. The risks of eating too much fat or salt(which are very different)pale into insignificant compared with the harm done by sugar. And it is everywhere.[I]It is difficult to buy anything in a supermarket, other than plain, unprepared meat, fish or vegetabl es, that doesn’t have a large amount of sugar in it. This has come about because the prevailing scientific views of the 1960s and 1970s ignored the evidence about sugar, and instead saw fat as the really seriou s risk, both to the heart and other organs, as well as the cause of obesity.[J]The fashion was to avoid fat. But finding that food with much of its fat removed is not very app etizing, food producers turned to sugar as a magic alternative flavor enhancer, often in the forms of syrup s(糖浆)that had recently been developed from corn, and put it generously into most prepared foods and so ft drinks.[K]This stuff is not just fattening. It is addictive. It interferes with the body’s metabolism, possibly v ia the activity of an appetite-controlling hormone. There’s plenty of evidence for this, for those who will accept the truth.[L]Theoretically, people ought to make “healthy choices” and avoid overeating. But sugar additives ar e not easy to identify and are hard to avoid. So the snacking, over-drinking and over eating that makes p eople fat is not really their own fault: obesity is in large part something that is being done to them. It s hould be stopped, or rather the government should stop it.[M]Going round my local supermarket, I am constantly astonished that it is still legal to sell all the poisons stacked high on the shelves. The problem is that they are worse than useless. They are poisonous. They are known to be addictive. They are known to make people obese. And giving small children swe et drinks or bottles of fake juice all day long is nothing less than child abuse.[N]Clearly, the sale of such stuff ought to be illegal. I hate to think of yet more government regulati on. But a bit of tax on sweet soda and a little more health education, a bit of cooking in schools and b anning vending machines(自动售货机)here and there —as suggested try the AMRC report —is not goin g to achieve very much. Labelling is quite inadequate. What is needed is legislation banning high levels of sugary syrups used in foods and drinks.[O]In June 2012, the then minister for public health said the government was not scared of the food industry and had not ruled out legislation, because of the costs of obesity to the NHS. However, nothing has happened yet. Why not have another Jammie Dodger biscuit and forget about it.46、Avoiding over-consumption of sugar can improve peo ple’s health as well as save medical expenses.47、Laws should be passed to make it illegal to produce overly sweet foods or drinks.48、Giving small children sweet juices to drink all the time is equal to child abuse.59、Looking around, the author found obesity quite widespread.50、The number of obese people is expected to increase quickly in the next few decades.51、If people really understood the horrible consequences of sugary foods and drinks, they would support government measures against sugar consumption.52、It would be a very good beginning wo improve an additional tax on sugary drinks.53、The government has not yet taken any action to regulate sugar consumption although it indicated its i ntention to do so some time ago.54、Sugar is far more harmful to health than fat and salt.55、Consumers of sweet foods are not really to blame because they cannot tell what food is sugary.Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfi nished 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 c entre.The rise of the Internet has been one of the most transformative developments in human history, co mparable in impact to the invention of the printing press and the telegraph. Over two billion people worl dwide now have access to vastly more information than ever before, and can communicate with each othe r instantly, often using Web-connected mobile devices they carry everywhere. But the Internet’s tremendou s impacts has only just begun.“Mass adoption of the Internet is driving one of the most exciting social, cultural, and political trans formations in history, and unlike earlier periods of change, this time the effects are fully global,” Schmidt and Cohen write in their new book. The New Digital Age.Perhaps the most profound changes will come when the five billion people worldwide who currentlylack Internet access get online. The authors do an excellent job of examining the implications of the Inter net revolution for individuals, governments, and institutions like the news media. But if the book has one major shortcoming, it’s that authors don’t spend enough time applying a critical eye to the role of Intern et businesses in these weeping changes.In their book, the authors provide the most authoritative volume to date that describes —and more i mportantly predicts —how the Internet will shape our lives in the coming decades. They paint a picture of a world in which individuals, companies, institutions, and governments must deal with two realities, on e physical, and one virtual.At the core of the book is the idea that “technology is neutral, but people aren’t.” By using this con cept as a starting point, the authors aim to move beyond the now familiar optimist vs. pessimist dichotom y(对立观点)that has characterized many recent debates about whether the rise of the Internet will ultimatel y be good or bad for society. In an interview with TIME earlier this week, Cohen said although he and his co-author are optimistic about many aspects of the Internet, they’re also realistic about the risks and d angers that lie ahead when the next five billion people come online, particularly with respect to personal privacy and state surveillance(监视).56、In what way is the rise of the Internet similar to the invention of the printing press and the tele graph?A.It transforms human history.B.It facilitates daily communication.C.It is adopted by all humanity.D.It revolutionizes people's thinking.57、How do Schmidt and Cohen describe the effects of the Internet?A.They are immeasurable.B.They are worldwide.C.They are unpredictable.D.They are contaminating.58、In what respect is the book The New Digital Age considered inadequate?A.It fails to recognize the impact of the Internet technology.B.It fails to look into the social implications of the Internet.C.It lacks an objective evaluation of the role of Internet businesses.D.It does not address the technical aspects of Internet communication.59、What will the future be like when everybody gets online?A.People will be living in two different realities.B.People will have equal access to information.C.People don’t have to travel to see the world.D.People don’t have to communicate face to face.60、What does the passage say about the authors of The New Digital Age?A.They leave many questions unanswered concerning the Internet.B.They are optimistic about the future of the Internet revolution.C.They have explored the unknown territories of the virtual world.D.They don’t take sides in analyzing the effects of the Internet.In 1950, a young man would have found it much easier than it is today to get and keep a job in th e auto industry. And in that year the average autoworker could meet monthly mortgage(抵押贷款)payment s on an average home with just 13.4 percent of his take-home pay. Today a similar mortgage would clai m more than twice that share of his monthly eamings.Other members of the autoworker’s family, however might be less inclined to tried the present for th e past. His retired parents would certainly have had less economic security back then. Through-out much of the 1960s,more than a quarter of men and women and women age 65 and older lived below the pover ty level, compared to less than 10 percent in 2010.In most stales, his wife could not have taken out a loan or a card in her own name. In 42 states, a homemaker had no legal claim on the earnings of her husband. And nowhere did a wife have legal prot ection against family violence.Most black workers would not want to return to a time when, on average they earned 40 percent les s than their white counterparts(职位相当的人),white racially restrictive agreements largely prevented them f rom buying into the suburban neighborhoods being built for white working –class families.Today, new problems have emerged in the process of resolving old ones, but the solution is not to go ba ck to the past. Some people may long for an era when divorce was still hard to come by. The spread of no -fault divorce has reduced the bargaining power of whichever spouse is more interested in continuing the relationship. And the breakup of such marriages has caused pain for many families.The growing diversity of family life comes with new possibilities as well as new challenges. Accordi ng to a recent poll, more than 80 percent of Americans believe that their current family is as close as th e one in which they grew up, or closer. Finding ways to imaginary golden age.61、What do we learn about American autoworkers in 1950?A.They had less job security than they do today.B.It was not too difficult for them to buy a house.C.Their earnings were worth twice as much as today.D.They were better off than workers in other industries.62、What does the author about retired people today?A.They invariably long to return to the golden past.B.They do not depend so much on social welfare.C.They feel more secure economically than in the past.D.They are usually unwilling to live with their children.63、Why couldn’t black workers buy a house in a whitc suburban neighborhood ?A.They lacked the means of transportation.B.They were subjected to racial inequality.C.They were afraid to break the law.D.They were too poor to afford it.64、What is the result of no-fault divorce ?A.Divorce is easier to obtain.B.Domestic violence is lessened.C.It causes little pain to either side.D.It contributes to social unrest.65 、What does the author suggest society do?A.Get prepared to face any new challenges.B.Try to better the current social security.C.Narrow the gap between blacks and whites.D.Improve the lives of families with problemsPart IV TranslationDirections: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into Englis h. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.翻译题一：大熊猫是一种温顺的动物，长着独特的黑白皮毛。
2014年12月四级真题听力题+答案+原文
2014年12月四级真题听力题+答案+原文Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
1. A) The woman is fussy about the cleanness of the apartment,B) He has not cleaned the apartment since his mother’s visit.C) He does not remember when his mother came over.D) His mother often helps him to clean the apartment.2. A) The bus stop is only two minutes’ walk.B) The running made him short of breath.C) They might as well take the next bus.D) The woman is late by a couple of minutes.3. A) She is suffering a pain in her neck.B) She is likely to replace Miss Smith.C) She has to do extra work for a few days.D) She is quite sick of working overtime.4. A) Change her job.B) Buy a dishwasher.C) Open a flower shop.D) Start her own business.5. A) He forgot where he had left the package.B) He slipped on his way to the post office.C) He wanted to deliver the package himself.D) He failed to do what he promised to do.6. A) The speakers do not agree with each other.B) The woman does not like horror films.C) The man pays for the tickets as a rule.D) The speakers happened to meet in the cinema7. A) The woman is just as unlucky as the man.B) The woman is more sensitive than the man.C) The speakers share a common view on love.D) The speakers are unhappy with their marriage.8. A) Preparations for a forum.B) Participants in the forum.C) Organizers of a forum.D) Expectations of the forum.Questions 9 to 11are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) France.B) Scandinavia.C) Russia.D) East Europe.10. A) More women will be promoted in the workplace.B) More women will overcome their inadequacies.C) More women will receive higher education.D) More women will work outside the family.11. A) Try hard to protect women's rights.B) Educate men to respectwomenmore.C) Help women acquire moreprofessional skills.D) Spend more time changingwomen's attitudes.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) In a restaurant.B) In a hotel lobby.C) At the man’s office.D) A t the woman’s place.13. A) He is the chief designer of the latest bike model.B) He has completed an overseas market survey.C) He is the Managing Director of Jayal Motors.D) He has just come back from a trip to Africa14. A) To select the right model.B) To get a good import agent.C) T o convince the board members.D) T o cut down production costs.15. A) His flexibility.B) His vision.C) His intelligence.D) His determination.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 1 with a single line through the centre. 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。
2014年12月上海英语四级听力之听写全文
Don`t take many English courses, they won`t help you to get a decent jobs. Sign on for management classes, so you be ready to join the family business when you graduate. Sound familiar? Many of us have heard the suggestions like these put forward by parents or other close to us. Such comments often seems quite reasonable. Why them should the suggestions like these be taken with caution? The reason is they relate to the decision you should make, you are the one who must live with the consequences. One of the worthiest reasons to follow the particular path and life is the other people want you to. Decisions that effect your life should be your decisions. Decisions you make after you considered varies or tentative and chosen the part that suit you best. Making your own decisions does not mean that you should ignore the suggestions of others. For instance, your parents do have their own unique experiences that may make the advice helpful and having participated and the great deal with your personal history they may have a clear view of your strength and weaknesses, still that view that are not necessarily accurate, they may still see you as a child, you need a care of protection, or they may only see your strength, or in sum unfortunate cases they may focus only on your flaws and short-comings. People will always be given the advice, ultimately though you have to make your own judgements.。
2014年12月四级听力原文+全文翻译
2014年12⽉四级听⼒原⽂+全⽂翻译2014年12⽉四级听⼒原⽂第⼀套Conversation OneW: Hi, Eric! How is your weekend?嗨，埃⾥克！你周末过得怎么样？M: Great! I met Maria’s parents and we told them we want to be engaged.男：伟⼤！我遇见了玛丽亚的⽗母，我们告诉他们我们想订婚。
W: Eric, that’s wonderful. Congratulations!⼥：埃⾥克，太棒了。
祝贺你!M: Thanks, Alice. I really like her parents, too. They are very nice. Mrs. Comona speaks four languages and Mr. Comona is a diplomat. In fact, he gave us a speech at the law school on Saturday morning.男：谢谢，爱丽丝。
我也很喜欢她的⽗母。
他们很好。
Comona太太会说四种语⾔，Comona 先⽣是⼀位外交官。
事实上，他星期六早上在法学院给我们做了演讲。
W: Oh, that was Maria’s father? I heard his speech.哦，那是玛丽亚的⽗亲？我听到他的演讲。
M: You did?男：你呢？W: Well, I heard part of it and listened to it for ten minutes, and then I fell asleep. I thought that was in class. Anyway, tell me about your weekend.⼥：嗯，我听到⼀部分，听了⼗分钟，然后我睡着了。
我以为那是在课堂上。
⽆论如何，告诉我你的周末。
2014年12月年大学英语四级考试真题(二)
2014年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第2套)Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions ：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay about a course that has impressed you most in college. You should state the reasons and write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections：In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spokenonly once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices markedA), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1with a single line through the centre.1.A) The man is not good at balancing his budget.B)She will go purchase the gift herself.C)The gift should not be too expensive.D)They are going to Jane^ house-warming party.2.A) He is quite willing to give the woman a hand.B)It takes patience to go through the statistics.C)He has prepared the statistics for the woman.D)The woman should take a course in statistics.3.A) Page 55 is missing from the woman’s scripts.B)They cannot begin their recording right away.C)The woman does not take the recording seriously.D)The man wants to make some changes in the scripts.4. A) The date of Carl’s wedding.C) A significant event in July.B)The birthday of Car l’s bride. D) Preparations for a wedding.5. A) The woman forgot to tell the man in advance.B)The man was absent from the weekly meeting.C)The woman was annoyed at the man’s excuse.D)The man was in charge of scheduling meetings.6. A) The woman is a marvelous cook. C) The man has to leave in half an hour.B)The woman has just bought an oven. D) The man cannot wait for his meal.7. A) How she can best help the man. C) What items sell well in the store.B)Where the man got the bad news. D) Whether the man can keep his job.8. A) The woman can sign up for a swimming class.B)He works in the physical education department.C)The woman has the potential to swim like a fish.D)He would like to teach the woman how to swim.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) He teaches in a law school. C) He is a diplomat.B)He loves classical music. D) He is a wonderful lecturer.10. A) Went to see a play. C) Took some photos.B) Watched a soccer game. D) Attended a dance.11. A) She decided to get married in three years.B)Her mother objected to Eric’s flying lessons.C)She insisted that Eric pursue graduate studies.D)Her father said she could marry Eric right away.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Editor. C) Journalist.B)Teacher. D) Typist.13. A) The beautiful Amazon rainforests. C) Big changes in the Amazon valley.B) A new railway under construction. D) In a local evening paper.14. A) In news weeklies. C) In a local evening paper.B) In newspapers5 Sunday editions. D) In overseas editions of U. S. magazines.15. A) To be employed by a newspaper. C) To sell her articles to a news service.B) To become a professional writer. D) To get her life story published soon.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 answerfrom the four choices marked A), B),C)and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) Nodding one’s head. C) Holding up the forefinger.B) Waving one’s hand. D) Turning the right thumb down.17.A) Looking away from them. C) Bowing one’s head to them.B) Forming a circle with fingers. D) Waving or pointing to them.18.A) Looking one’s superior in the eye.B)Keeping one’s arms folded while talking.C)Showing the sole of one’s foot to a guest.D)Using a lot of gestures during a conversation.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) They had to beg for food after the harvest. C) They shared a small flat with their relatives.B) They grew wheat and com on a small farm. D) The children walked to school on dirt roads.20.A) Tour Ecuador’s Andes Mountains.C) Purchase a plot to build a home on.B) Earn an annual income of $2,800. D) Send their children to school.21.A) The achievements of the Trickle Up Program.B) A new worldwide economic revolution.C)Different forms of assistance to the needy.D)The life of poor people in developing countries.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) They are highly sensitive to cold. C) They are a living part of our body.B)They are vitally important to our life. D) They are a chief source of our pain.23.A) It has to be removed in time by a dentist. C) It contains many nerves and blood vessels.B)It is a rare oral disease among old people. D) It is a sticky and colorless film on the teeth.24.A) It can change into acids causing damage to their outer covering.B)It greatly reduces their resistance to the attacks of bacteria.C)It makes their nerves and blood vessels more sensitive to acid food.D)It combines with food particles to form a film on their surface.25. A) Food particles. C) Unhealthy living habits.B) Gum disease. D) Chemical erosion.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 blankswith the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should checkwhat you have written.Stunt people(替身演员) are not movie stars, but they are the hidden heroes of many movies. They were around long before films. Even Shakespeare may have used them in fight scenes. To be good, a fight scene has to look real. Punches must26 enemies’ jaws. Sword fights must be fought with 27 swords. Several actors are usually in a fight scene. Their moves must be set up so that no one gets hurt. It is almost like planning a dance performance.If a movie scene is dangerous, stunt people usually 28 the stars. You may think you see Tom Cruise running along the top of a train. But it is 29 his stunt double. Stunt people must 30 the stars they stand in for. Their height and build should be about the same. But when close-ups are needed, the film 31 the star.Some stunt people 32 in certain kinds of scenes. For instance, a stunt woman named Jan Davis does all kinds of jumps. She has leapt from planes and even off the top of a waterfall. Each jump required careful planning and expert 33 .Yakima Canutt was a famous cowboy stunt man. Among other stunts, he could jump from a second story window onto a horse’s back. He 34 the famous trick of sliding under a moving stagecoach. Canutt also 35 a new way to make a punch look real. He was the only stunt man ever to get an Oscar.PartⅢ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections ：In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.As an Alaskan fisherman, Timothy June, 54, used to think that he was safe from industrial pollutants(污染物）at his home in Haines—a town with a population of 2,400 people and 4,000 eagles, with 8 million acres of protected wild land nearby. But in early 2007, June agreed to take part in a 36 of 35 Americans from seven states. It was a biomonitoring project, in which people’s blood and urine(尿) were tested for 37 of chemicals—in this case, three potentially dangerous classes of compounds found in common household 38 like face cream, tin cans, and shower curtains. The results— 39 in November in a report called “Is It in Us?” by an environmental group—were rather worrying. Every one of the participants, 40 from an Illinois state senator to a Massachusetts minister, tested positive for all three classes of pollutants. And while the 41 presence of these chemicals does not 42 indicate a health risk, the fact that typical Americans carry these chemicals at all 43 June and his fellow participants.Clearly, there are chemicals in our bodies that don’t 44 there. A large, ongoing study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found 148 chemicals in Americans of all ages. And in 2005, the Environmental Working Group found an 45 of 200 chemicals in the blood of 10 new-borns. “Our babies are being born pre-polluted,” says Sharyle Patton of Commonweal, which cosponsored “Is It in Us?” “This is going to be the next big environmental issue after climate change. ”Section BDirections：In this section, you are-going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You maychoose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.In Hard Economy for All Ages, Older Isn’t Better…It’s BrutalA)Young graduates are in debt, out of work and on their parents’ couches. People in their 30s and 40s can’t afford to buy homesor have children. Retirees are earning near-zero interest on their savings.B)In the current listless(缺乏活力的）economy, every generation has a claim to having been most injured. But the LaborDepartments latest jobs reports and other recent data present a strong case for crowning baby boomers(二战后生育高峰期出生的人）as the greatest victims of the recession and its dreadful consequences.C)These Americans in their 50s and early 60s—those near retirement age who do not yet have access to Medicare and SocialSecurity—have lost the most earnings power of any age group, with their household incomes 10 percent below what they made when the recovery began three years ago, according to Sentier Research, a data analysis company. Their retirement savings and home values fell sharply at the worst possible time: just before they needed to cash out. They are supporting both aged parents and unemployed young-adult children, earning them the unlucky nickname “ Generation Squeeze. ’’D)New research suggests that they may die sooner, because their health, income security and mental well-being were (重创)by recession at a crucial time in their lives. A recent study by economists at Wellesley College found that people who lost their jobs in the few years before becoming qualified for Social Security lost up to three years from their life expectancy(预期寿命),largely because they no longer had access to affordable health care.E)Unemployment rates for Americans nearing retirement are far lower than those for young people, who are recently out ofschool, with fewer skills and a shorter work history. But once out of a job, older workers have a much harder time finding another one. Over the last year, the average duration of unemployment for older people was 53 weeks, compared with 19 weeks for teenagers, according to the Labor Department’s jobs report released on Friday.F)The lengthy process is partly because older workers are more likely to have been laid off from industries that are downsizing,like manufacturing. Compared with the rest of the population, older people are also more likely to own their own homes and be less mobile than renters, who can move to new job markets.G)Older workers are more likely to have a disability of some sort, perhaps limiting the range of jobs that offer realistic choices.They may also be less inclined, at least initially, to take jobs that pay far less than their old positions.H)Displaced boomers also believe they are victims of age discrimination, because employers can easily find a young, energeticworker who will accept lower pay and who can potentially stick around for decades rather than a few years.I)In a survey of older workers who were laid off during the recession, just one in six had found another job, and half of thatgroup had accepted pay cuts. 14% of the re-employed said the pay in their new job was less than half what they earned intheir previous job. “I just say to myself：‘ Why me? What have I done to deserve this?’’’ said John Agati， 56，whose last full-time job, as a product developer, ended four years ago when his employer went out of business. That position paid $90,000, and his resume lists jobs at companies like American Express, Disney and USA Networks. Since being laid off, though, he has worked a series of part-time, low-wage, temporary positions, including selling shoes at Lord & Taylor and making sales calls for a car company.J)The last few years have taken a toll not only on his family’s finances, but also on his feelings of self- worth. “You just get sad,” Mr. Agati said. “I see people getting up in the morning, going out to their careers and going home. I just wish I was doing that. Some people don’t like their jobs, or they have problems with their jobs, but at least they’r e working. I just wishI was in their shoes.” He said he cannot afford to go back to school, as many younger people without jobs have done. Evenif he could afford it, economists say it is unclear whether older workers like him benefit much from more education.K)“It just doesn’t make sense to offer retraining for people 55 and older,” said Daniel Hamermesh, an economics professor.“Discrimination by age, long-term unemployment, and the fact that they’v e now at the end of the hiring queue just don’t make it sensible to invest in them.”L)Many displaced older workers are taking this message to heart and leaving the labor force entirely. The share of older people applying for Social Security early rose quickly during the recession as people sought whatever income they could find. The penalty they will pay is permanent, as retirees who take benefits at age 62 will receive as much as 30% less in each months check for the rest of their lives than they would if they had waited until full retirement age (66 for those born after 1942). M)Those not yet qualified for Social Security are increasingly applying for another, comparable kind of income support that often goes to people who expect never to work again： disability benefits. More than one in eight people in their late 50 s is now on some form of federal disability insurance program, according to Professor Mark Duggan at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.N)The very oldest Americans, of course, were battered by some of the same ill winds that tormented (折磨）those now nearing retirement, but at least the most senior were cushioned by a more readily available social safety net. More important, in astatistical twist, they may have actually benefited from the financial crisis in the most fundamental way: longer lives. O)Death rates for people over 65 have historically fallen during recessions, according to a November 2011 study by economistsat the University of California, Davis. Why? The researchers argue that weak job markets push more workers into accepting relatively undesirable work at nursing homes, leading to better care for residents.46.Greater mobility puts younger people at an advantage in seeking new jobs.47.Many of the older workers laid off during the recession had to accept lower pay in their new jobs.48.Those who lose their jobs shortly before retirement age live a shorter-than-average life.49.Seniors at nursing homes could benefit from the weak job market.50.Age discrimination in employment makes it pointless retraining older workers.51.According to recent reports and data analyses, boomers suffer most from the weak economy.52.Unemployed boomers are at a disadvantage in job-hunting because employers tend to hire younger workers.53.People in their fifties and early sixties bear the heaviest family burdens.54.People who take benefits from Social Security before official retirement age will get much less for the rest of their lives.55.Older workers5 choice of jobs can be limited because of disability.Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.New Yorkers are gradually getting used to more pedaling(骑车的) passengers on those shining blue Citi Bikes. But what about local bike shops? Is Citi Bike rolling up riders at their expense?At Gotham Bikes in Tribeca, manager W. Ben said the shop has seen an increase in its overall sales due to the bike-share program. “ It’s getting more people on the road,’’ he said. James Ryan, an employee at Danny’s Cycles in Gramercy also said Citi Bike is a good option for people to ease into biking in a city famed for its traffic jams and aggressive drivers. “They can try out a bike without committing to buying one,” he said.Rentals are not a big part of the business at either Gotham Bikes or Danny’s Cycles. But for Frank’s Bike Shop, a small business on Grand St. , the bike-share program has been bad news. Owner Frank Arroyo said his rental business has decreased by 90% since Citi Bike was rolled out last month. Arroyo’s main rental customers are European tourists, who have since been drawn away by Citi Bikes.However, Ben said the bike-share is good for bike sales at his shop. People have used the bike- share and realized how great it is to bike in the city, then decide that they want something nicer for themselves,’’ he noted.Christian Farrell of Waterfront Bicycle Shop, on West St. just north of Christopher St. , said initially he was concerned about bike-share, though, he admitted, “ I was happy to see people on bikes.”Farrel l’s early concerns were echoed by Andrew Crooks, owner of NYC Velo, at 64 Second Ave. “It seemed like a great idea, but one that would be difficult to implement,” Crooks said of Citi Bike. He said he worried about inexperienced riders’ lack of awareness of biking rules and strong negative reaction from non-cyclists. However, he said, ifs still too early to tell if his business has been impacted.While i t’s possible bike-share will cause a drop in business, Crooks allowed that the idea is a positive step forward for New York City.56.What is the author’s chief concern about the increasing use of Citi Bikes in New York?A)How non-cyclists will respond to it.B)Whether local bike shops will suffer.C)Whether local bike businesses will oppose it.D)How the safety of bike riders can be ensured.57.What happened to Gotham Bikes as a result of the bike-share program?A) It found its bike sales unaffected. C) It saw its bike sales on the rise.B) It shifted its business to rentals. D) It rented more bikes to tourists.58.Why is the bike-share program bad news for Franks Bike Shop?A)It cannot meet the demand of the bike-share program.B)Its customers have been drawn away by Citi Bikes.C)Its bike prices have to be lowered again and again.D)It has to compete with the city’s bike rental shops.59.Why did Andrew Crooks think that the bike-share program would be difficult to execute?A)Inexperienced riders might break biking rules.B)Conflicts might arise among bike rental shops.C)Traffic conditions might worsen in the downtown area.D)There are not enough lanes to accommodate the bikes.60.What is the general attitude of local bike shops towards Citi Bike?A) Wait-and-see. B) Negative. C) Indifferent. D) Approving.Passage TwoQuestions 61to 65 are based on the following passage.Various studies have shown that increased spending on education has not led to measurable improvements in learning.Between 1980 and 2008, staff and teachers at US public schools grew roughly twice as fast as students. Yet students showed no additional learning in achievement tests.Universities show similar trends of increased administration personnel and costs without greater learning, as documented in Richard Arum and Josipa Roks a’s recent book Academically Adrift： Limited Learning on College Campuses.A survey shows that 63% of employers say that recent college graduates don’t have the skills they need to succeed and 25% of employers say that entry-level writing skills are lacking.Some simplistically attribute the decline in our public education system to the drain of skilled students by private schools, but far more significant events were at work.Public schools worked well until about the 1970s. In fact, until that time, public schools provided far better education than private ones. It was the underperforming students who were thrown out of public schools and went to private ones.A prominent reason public schools did well was that many highly qualified women had few options for working outside the house other than being teachers or nurses. They accepted relatively low pay, difficult working conditions, and gave their very best.Having such a large supply of talented women teachers meant that society could pay less for their services. Womens liberation opened up new professional opportunities for women, and, over time, some of the best left teaching as a career option, bringing about a gradual decline in the quality of schooling.Also around that time, regulations, government, and unions came to dictate pay, prevent adjustments, and introduce bureaucratic(官僚的）standard for advancement. Large education bureaucracies and unions came to dominate the landscape, confusing activity with achievement. Bureaucrats regularly rewrite curriculums, talk nonsense about theories of education, and require ever more administrators. The end result has been that, after all the spending, students have worse math and reading skills than both their foreign peers and earlier generations spending far less on education—as all the accumulating evidence now documents.61.What do we learn from various studies on America’s public education?A)Achievement tests have failed to truly reflect the quality of teaching.B)Public schools lack the resources to compete with private schools.C)Little improvement in education has resulted from increased spending.D)The number of students has increased much faster than that of teachers.62.How do some people explain the decline in public education?A)Government investment does not meet schools’ needs.B)Skilled students are moving to private schools.C)Qualified teachers are far from adequately paid.D)Training of students, basic skills is neglected.63. What was a significant contributor to the past glory of public schools?A)Well-behaved students. C) Talented women teachers.B)Efficient administration. D) Generous pay for teachers.64.Why did some of the best women teachers leave teaching?A)New career oppor tunities were made available to them by women’s liberation.B)Higher academic requirements made it difficult for them to stay in their jobs.C)They were unhappy with the bureaucratic administration in their schools.D)The heavy teaching loads left them little time and energy for family life.65.What does the author think is one of the results of government involvement in education?A)Increasing emphasis on theories of education.B)Highly standardized teaching methods.C)Students’ improved academic performance.D)An ever-growing number of administrators.Part IV Translation (30 minutes) Directions：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.中国的互联网社区是全世界发展最快的。
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2014年12月英语四级听力真题原文Part II. Listening ComprehensionShort conversations1.Woman: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?Man: When was the last time my mother came over?Question: What does the man imply?2.Woman: Hurry up Mark, there’s a bus co ming now。
Man: Why run? There’ll be another one in 2 or 3 minutes。
Question: What does the man mean?3.Man: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work, how come you’ve been so busy?Woman: Ms Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days。
Question: What do we learn about the woman?4.Woman: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring。
Man: Why don’t you quit and deliver the flowers with me?Question: What does the man suggest the woman do?5.Woman: Rod, you said you’d take this package to the post office yesterday。
Man: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind.Question: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?6.Man: I’m not surprised that you didn’t like that movie. I find it reall y scary myself. Woman: So did I. I don’t care much for horror movies as a rule.Question: What do we learn from the conversation?7.Man: My life experience tells me that love is filled with happiness but it hurts you too.Woman: Your words remind me of the saying honey is sweet but the bee stings. Question: What do we learn from the conversation?8.Man: How many more chairs should I bring in for the forum, six or seven? Woman: Bring in all you can find. I’m expecting at least 20 participants. Question: What are the speakers talking about?Long conversationsConversation 1Man: Do you think there's discrimination against women in England today? Woman: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example。
Man: Are women better off in other countries then?Woman: It depends on the country. There's certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too。
Man: Do you think the position of English women will improve?Woman: In some ways it will of course. I'm sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years. But the women have a much greater problem than this to solve。
Man: What's that?Women: The problem of men's attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I'm not sure we can change men' attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior. Maybe we are physically weaker, but I don't think this means we are inferior. Then there's another problem。
Man: Yes?Women: The problem of women's attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don't want to fight for change. It could be that the women's liberation movement has to spend more time changing women's attitudes than it spends in changing men's。
Man: One last question, some supporters of the woman's liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished. You agree?Women: No, I don't. It can't happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework。
9. Where are women said to be less discriminated against?10. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?11. What does the woman think the women's liberation movement should do?Conversation 2Man: Cheers, ShirleyWomen: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat。
Man: I will sure you will when I tell you about my ideas。
Woman: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden。
Man: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the managing director of J.R. Motives, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market。
Woman: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?Man: Of course I have。
Woman: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?Man: I'm almost sure of it。
Woman: Preliminary studies are very good, Paul. But if the product can't sell, then there's little use in expanding the factory。
Man: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just completed a new improved model。
Woman: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputation and mark it in Africa。