2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第3套)及答案详解

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2016年12月英语四级真题及答案第三套

2016年12月英语四级真题及答案第三套Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to work in a state-ownedbusiness and the other in a joint venture.You are to make a choice betweenthe two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You shouldwrite at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news reportand 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 singleline through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) To satisfy the curiosity of tourists.B) To replace two old stone bridges.C) To enable tourists to visit Goat Island.D) To improve utility services in the state.2. A) Countless tree limbs.B) A few skeletons.C) Lots of wrecked boats and ships.D) Millions of coins on the bottom.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.B) It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.C) It shut down two border crossings with Libya.D) It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.4. A) Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.B) Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.C) Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.D) Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) An environment-friendly battery.B) An energy-saving mobile phone.C) A plant-powered mobile phone charger.D) A device to help plants absorb sunlight.6. A) While sitting in their schools courtyard.B) While playing games on their phones.C) While solving a mathematical problem.D) While doing a chemical experiment.7. A) It increases the applications of mobile phones.B) It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C) It improves the reception of mobile phones.D) It collects the energy released by plants.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversationand 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 singleline through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.B) He called the woman and left her a message.C) He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.D) He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.9. A) It is the most modern production line.B) It assembles super-intelligent robots.C) It has stopped working completely.D) It is going to be upgraded soon.10. A) To seek her permission.B) To place an order for robots.C) To request her to return at once.D) To ask for Tom’s phone number.11. A) She is on duty.B) She is having her day off.C) She is on sick leave.D) She is abroad on business.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) He saved a baby boy’s life.B) He wanted to be a superhero.C) He prevented a train crash.D) He was a witness to an accident.13. A) He has a 9-month-old boy.B) He is currently unemployed.C) He enjoys the interview.D) He commutes by subway.14. A) A rock on the tracks.B) A misplaced pushchair.C) A strong wind.D) A speeding car.15. A) She stood motionless in shock.B) She cried bitterly.C) She called the police at once.D) She shouted for help.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questionswill be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose thebest answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then markthe corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line throughthe centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.B) She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.C) She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter’s education.D) She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.17. A) To preserve a tradition.B) To amuse her daughter.C) To help local education.D) To make some extra money.18. A) To raise money for business expansion.B) To make her truck attractive to children.C) To allow poor kids to have ice-cream too.D) To teach kids the value of mutual support.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) The reasons for imposing taxes.B) The various services money can buy.C) The various burdens on ordinary citizens.D) The function of money in the modern world.20. A) Educating and training citizens.B) Improving public transportation.C) Protecting people’s life and property.D) Building hospitals and public libraries.21. A) By asking for donations.B) By selling public lands.C) By selling government bonds.D) By exploiting natural resources.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) It is located at the center of the European continent.B) It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.C) It contains less than a square mile of land.D) It is surrounded by France on three sides.23. A) Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.B) Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.C) It is where many American movies are shot.D) It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.24. A) Tobacco.B) Potatoes.C) Machinery.D) Clothing.25. A) European history.B) European geography.C) Small countries in Europe.D) Tourist attractions in Europe.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a wordbank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully beforemaking your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 witha single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words inthe bank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.The ocean is heating up. That’s the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth’s oceans now 26 heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 has taken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to 27 to coral bleaching (珊瑚白化) and they take up more space than cooler waters, raising sea 28 . While the top of the ocean is well studied, its depths are more difficult to 29 . The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get a better 30 of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readings collected by everything from a 19th century 31 of British naval ships to modern automated ocean probes. The extensive data sources, 32 with computer simulations (计算机模拟), created a timeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming from fossil fuel 33 .About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now resides at a 34 of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they’re 35 whether the deep-sea warming canceled out warming at the sea’s surface.Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of theparagraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived.You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked witha letter. Answer the question by marking the corresponding letter onAnswer Sheet 2.The Secret to Raising Smart Kids[A] I first began to investigate the basis of human motivation—and how peoplepersevere after setbacks—as a psychology graduate student at Yale University in the 1960s. Animal experiments by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania had shown that after repeated failures, most animals conclude thata situation is hopeless and beyond their control. After such an experience ananimal often remains passive even when it can effect change—a state they called learned helplessness.[B] People can learn to be helpless, too. Why do some students give up when theyencounter difficulty, whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn? One answer, I soon discovered, lay in people’s beliefs about why theyhad failed.[C]In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depressesmotivation more than does the belief that lack of effort is to blame. When I told a group of school children who displayed helpless behavior that a lack of effort led to their mistakes in math, they learned to keep trying when the problems got tough. Another group of helpless children who were simply rewarded for their success on easier problems did not improve their ability to solve hard math problems. These experiments indicated that a focus on effort can help resolve helplessness and generate success.[D]Later, I developed a broader theory of what separates the two general classesof learners-helpless versus mastery-oriented. I realized these different types of students not only explain their failures differently, but they also hold different “theories” of intell igence. The helpless ones believe intelligence is a fixed characteristic: you have only a certain amount, and that’s that. I call this a “fixed mind-set (思维模式) .” Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors to a lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. They avoid challenges because challenges make mistakes more likely.The mastery-oriented children, on the other hand, think intelligence is not fixed and can be developed through education and hard work. Such children believe challenges are energizing rather than intimidating (令人生畏); they offer opportunities to learn. Students with such a growth mind-set were destined (注定) for greater academic success and were quite likely to outperform their counterparts.[E] We validated these expectations in a study in which two other psychologists andI monitored 373 students for two years during the transition to junior high school,when the work gets more difficult and the grading more strict, to determine how their mind-sets might affect their math grades. At the beginning of seventh grade,we assessed the students’ mind-sets by asking them to agree or disagree with statements such as “Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can’t really change.” We then assessed their beliefs about other aspects of learning and looked to see what happened to their grades.[F] As predicted, the students with a growth mind-set felt that learning was a moreimportant goal than getting good grades. In addition, they held hard work in high regard. They understood that even geniuses have to work hard. Confronted by a setback such as a disappointing test grade, students with a growth mind-set said they would study harder or try a different strategy. The students who held a fixed mind-set, however, were concerned about looking smart with less regard for learning. They had negative views of effort, believing that having to work hard was a sign of low ability. They thought that a person with talent or intelligence did not need to work hard to do well. Attributing a bad grade to their own lack of ability, those with a fixed mind-set said that they would study less in the future, try never to take that subject again and consider cheating on future tests.[G] Such different outlooks had a dramatic impact on performance. At the start ofjunior high, the math achievement test scores of the students with a growth mind-set were comparable to those of students who displayed a fixed mind-set.But as the work became more difficult, the students with a growth mind-set showed greater persistence. As a result, their math grades overtook those of the other students by the end of the first semester—and the gap between the two groups continued to widen during the two years we followed them.[H]A fixed mind-set can also hinder communication and progress in the workplaceand discourage or ignore constructive criticism and advice. Research shows that managers who have a fixed mind-set are less likely to seek or welcome feedback from their employees than are managers with a growth mind-set.[I] How do we transmit a growth mind-set to our children? One way is by telling storiesabout achievements that result from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniuses who were more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but descriptions of great mathematicians who fell in love with math and developed amazing skills produce a growth mind-set.[J] In addition, parents and teachers can help children by providing explicit instruction regarding the mind as a learning machine. I designed an eight-session workshop for 91 students whose math grades were declining in their first year of junior high. Forty-eight of the students received instruction in study skills only, whereas the others attended a combination of study skills sessions and classes in which they learned about the growth mind-set and how to apply it to schoolwork. In the growth mind-set classes, students read and discussed an article entitled “You Can Grow Your Brain.” They were taught that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use and that learning prompts the brain to grow new connections. From such instruction, many students began to see themselves as agents of their own brain development. Despite being unaware that there were two types of instruction, teachers reported significant motivational changes in 27% of the children in the growth mind-set workshop as compared with only 9% of students in the control group.[K] Research is converging (汇聚) on the conclusion that great accomplishment and even genius is typically the result of years of passion and dedication and not something that flows naturally from a gift.36. The author’s experiment shows that students with a fixed mind-set believe havingto work hard is an indication of low ability.37. Focusing on effort is effective in helping children overcome frustration andachieve success.38. We can cultivate a growth mind-set in children by telling success stories thatemphasize hard work and love of learning.39. Students’ belief about the cause of their failure explains the ir attitude towardsetbacks.40. In the author’s experiment, students with a growth mind-set showed greaterperseverance in solving difficult math problems.41. The author conducted an experiment to find out about the influence of students’mind-sets on math learning.42. After failing again and again, most animals give up hope.43. Informing students about the brain as a learning machine is a good strategy toenhance their motivation for learning.44. People with a fixed mind-set believe that one’s intelli gence is unchangeable.45. In the workplace, feedback may not be so welcome to managers with a fixedmind-set.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are fourchoices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choiceand mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single linethrough the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on following passage.“Sugar, alcohol and tobacco,” economist Adam Smith once wrote, “are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which have become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are, therefore, extremely popular subjects of taxation.”Two and a half centuries on, most countries impose some sort of tax on alcohol and tobacco. With surging obesity levels putting increasing strain on public healthsystems, governments around the world have begun to toy with the idea of taxing sugar as well.Whether such taxes work is a matter of debate. A preliminary review of Mexico’s taxation found a fall in purchases of taxed drinks as well as a rise in sales of untaxed and healthier drinks. By contrast, a Danish tax on foods high in fats was abandoned a year after its introduction, amid claims that consumers were avoiding it by crossing the border to Germany to satisfy their desire for cheaper, fattier fare.The food industry has, in general, been firmly opposed to such direct government action. Nonetheless, the renewed focus on waistlines means that industry groups are under pressure to demonstrate their products are healthy as well as tasty.Over the past three decades, the industry has made some efforts to improve the quality of its offerings. For example, some drink manufactures have cut the amount of sugar in their beverages.Many of the reductions over the past 30 years have been achieved either by reducing the amount of sugar, salt or fat in a product, or by finding an alternative ingredient. More recently, however, some companies have been investing money in a more ambitious undertaking: learning how to adjust the fundamental make-up of the food they sell. For example, having salt on the outside, but none on the inside, reduces the salt content without changing the taste.While reformulating recipes (配方) is one way to improve public health, it should be part of a multi-sided approach. The key is to remember that there is not just one solution. To deal with obesity, a mixture of approaches—including reformulation, taxation and adjusting portion sizes—will be needed. There is no silver bullet.46. What did Adam Smith say about sugar, alcohol and tobacco?A) They were profitable to manufacture.B) They were in ever-increasing demand.C) They were subject to taxation almost everywhere.D) They were no longer considered necessities of life.47. Why have many countries started to consider taxing sugar?A) They are under growing pressures to balance their national budgets.B) They find it ever harder to cope with sugar-induced health problems.C) They practice of taxing alcohol and tobacco has proved both popular andprofitable.D) The sugar industry is overtaking alcohol and tobacco business in generatingprofits.48. What do we learn about Danish taxation on fat-rich foods?A) It did not work out as well as was expected.B) It gave rise to a lot of problems on the border.C) It could not succeed without German cooperation.D) It met with firm opposition from the food industry.49. What is the more recent effort by food companies to make foods and drinks bothhealthy and tasty?A) Replacing sugar or salt with alternative ingredients.B) Setting a limit on the amount of sugar or salt in their products.C) Investing in research to find ways to adapt to consumers’ needs.D) Adjusting the physical composition of their products.50. What does the author mean by saying, at the end of the passage, “There is nosilver bullet” (Line 4, Para. 7)?A) There is no single easy quick solution to the problem.B) There is no hope of success without public cooperation.C) There is no hurry in finding ways to solve the obesity problem.D) There is no effective way to reduce people’s sugar consumption.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.You may have heard some of the fashion industry horror stories: models eating tissues or cotton balls to hold off hunger, and models collapsing from hunger-inducedheart attacks just seconds after they step off the runway.Excessively skinny models have been a point of controversy for decades, and two researchers say a model’s body mass should be a workplace health and safety issue. In an editorial released Monday in the American Journal of Public Health, Katherine Record and Bryn Austin made their case for government regulation of the fashion industry.The average international runway model has a body mass index (BMI) under 16-low enough to indicate starvation by the World Health Organization’s standard. And Record and Austin are worried not just about the models themselves, but about the vast number of girls and women their images influence.“Especially girls and teens”, says Record. “Seventy percent of girls aged 10 to 18 report that they define perfect body image based on what they see in magazines.” That’s especially worrying, she says, given that anorexia (厌食症) results in more deaths than does any other mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.It’s commonly known that certain diseases are linked with occupations like lung disease in coal miners. Professional fashion models are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders resulting from occupational demands to maintain extreme thinness.Record’s suggestion is to prohibit agents from hiring models with a BMI below 18.In April, France passed a law setting lower limits for a model’s weight. Agents and fashion houses who hire models with BMI under 18 could pay $82,000 in fines and spend up to 6 months in jail. Regulating the fashion industry in the United States won’t be easy, Record says. But with the new rules in France, U.S. support could make a difference. “A designer can’t survive without participating in Paris Fashion Week,” she says, adding, “Our argument is that the same would be true of New York Fashion Week.”51. What do Record and Austin say about fashion models’ body mass?A) It has caused needless controversy.B) It is but a matter of personal taste.C) It is the focus of the modeling business.D) It affects models’ health and safety.52. What are Record and Austin advocating in the Monday editorial?A) A change in the public’s view of female beauty.B) Government legislation about models’ weight.C) Elimination of forced weight loss by models.D) Prohibition of models eating non-food stuff.53. Why are Record and Austin especially worried about the low body mass index ofmodels?A) It contributes to many mental illnesses.B) It defines the future of the fashion industry.C) It has great influence on numerous girls and women.D) It keeps many otherwise qualified women off the runaway.54. What do we learn about France’s fashion industry?A) It has difficulty hiring models.B) It has now a new law to follow.C) It allows girls under 18 on the runway.D) It has overtaken that of the United States.55. What does Record expect of New York Fashion Week?A) It will create a completely new set of rules.B) It will do better than Paris Fashion Week.C) It will differ from Paris Fashion Week.D) It will have models with a higher BMI.Part Ⅳ Translation (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.随着中国的改革开放，如今很多年轻人都喜欢举行西式婚礼。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第3套)及答案详解

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第3套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have twooptions upon graduation: one is to work in a state-owned business and the other in ajoint venture. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain thereasons for your choice.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180words.Part IIListening Comprehension(25 minutes）说明：由于2016年12月四级考试全国共考了2套听力，本套真题听力与前2套内容完全一样，只是顺序不一样，因此在本套真题中再也不重复显现。

Part ⅢReading Comprehension(40 minutes）Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are "male" and "female" brains,believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. A new study26that belief,questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers27for sex differences throughout the entirehuman brain.And what did they find Not much. Rather than offer evidence for28brains as "male" or"female," research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in themiddle.Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based29, many different types of brain can't always be distinguished by gender.While the "average" male and "average" female brains were30different, youcouldn't tell itby looking at individual brain scans. Only a small31of people had "all-male" or "all-female"characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist ( 神经科学家), said the study is an important addition toa growing body of research questioning32beliefs about gender and brain function. But hecautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,33of gender."There's a mountain of evidence34the importance of sex influences at all levels of brainfunction," he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study35that gender plays a very important role in the brain--" evenwhen we are not clear exactly how. "A.abnormalB.appliedC.brieflyD.categorizingE.challengesF.figureG.percentageH.provingI.regardlessJ.searchedK.similaritiesL.slightlyM.suggestsN. tastes0.traditionalSection BDirections：In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs．Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived．You may choose a paragraph more than once．Each paragraph is marked with a letter．Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2．Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?A.Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination．So it isn’t surprising thatyou’11 find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home—security systems．B.The most likely type of burglary(人室盗窃)by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity，usuallyinvolving a broken window or some forced entry．According to the FB1．crimes like these accounted forroughly two．thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2021．The wide majority of the rest were illegal．unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open．The odds of a criminal usingtechnical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics．C.One of the main theoretical home—security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to beingblocked from working altogether．With wired setups，the fear is that a burglar(人室盗贼)might be ableto shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable．With a wireless setup．you stick battery—powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows。

2023年12月大学英语四级真题试卷及答案(三套全)

2023年12月大学英语四级真题试卷及答案(三套全) 一、听力理解第一套第一节(共5小题)1. What does the woman ask the man to do?A. Turn the television off.B. Turn the volume down.C. Turn the radio on.Answer: B2. Where does the conversation most probably take place?A. At the post office.B. At the bank.C. At the hotel.Answer: C3. What does the man imply about the woman?A. She hasn’t been to New York City.B. She needs to find a new job.C. She travels a lot for work.Answer: A4. How long has the man been waiting?A. For an hour.B. For half an hour.C. For ten minutes.Answer: B5. What is the woman doing?A. She is looking for her keys.B. She is waiting for someone to arrive.C. She is talking on the phone.Answer: C第二节(共5小题)6. What is the woman asking the man to do?A. Fix her computer.B. Help her find a job.C. Visit her tomorrow.Answer: A7. What does the man offer to do next?A. Take the woman to the restaurant.B. Prepare dinner for the woman.C. Look for a restaurant on the Internet.Answer: C8. What does the man say abo ut the woman’s computer?A. It can’t be fixed.B. It needs a software update.C. It needs a new battery.Answer: B9. What does the woman suggest doing after dinner?A. Go for a walk.B. Watch a movie at home.C. Go to a movie theater.Answer: B10. How do es the woman feel about the man’s suggestion?A. Excited.B. Indifferent.C. Annoyed.Answer: A二、阅读理解第一套An important part of a child’s development is the acquisition of social skills. Social skills help children to interact effectively with others and build healthy relationships. These skills are vital for success in school, work, and life in general.One of the best ways to help children develop social skills is through play. Play allows children to practice andmaster social, emotional, and cognitive skills in a relaxed and enjoyableenvironment. Through play, children learn valuable skills such as cooperation, sharing, problem-solving, and communication.There are different types of play that help in the development of social skills. Cooperative play is when children play and work together towards a common goal. This type of play helps children to learn teamwork and collaboration. Pretend play, on the other hand, allows children to develop empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives. They learn to take on different roles and pretend to be someone else, which helps in developing their social and emotional intelligence. Board games and group activities also promote social interaction and help children learn important skills such as taking turns, following rules, and resolving conflicts in a fair manner.Parents and educators play a crucial role in promoting social skills development. They can create opportunities for play and provide guidance and support. It is important for parents to encourage their children to engage in various types of play and provide them with age-appropriate toys and games. Educators can incorporate play-based learning activities in the classroom to foster social skills development.In conclusion, play is a valuable tool for social skills development. It allows children to practice and master important skills while having fun. Parents and educators should recognize the importance of play and provide opportunities and support for children to engage in different types of play.第二套The concept of time management is essential in today’s fast-paced world. Effective time management helps individuals to prioritize tasks, handle multiple responsibilities, and increase productivity. It allows individuals to make the most out of their time and achieve their goals efficiently.Here are some tips for effective time management:1.Set goals: Identify your long-term and short-termgoals. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks.This will help you stay focused and motivated.2.Prioritize tasks: Determine which tasks are mostimportant and urgent. Focus on completing these tasks first.3.Create a schedule: Use a planner or online calendarto schedule your tasks and activities. Set deadlines for each task to stay organized and keep track of your progress.4.Avoid multitasking: Multitasking may seem like atime-saving technique, but it can actually decreaseproductivity. Focus on one task at a time and give it yourfull attention.5.Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate tasks to others.This will free up your time and allow you to focus on more important tasks.6.Take breaks: Schedule regular breaks to rest andrecharge. This will help you maintain focus and preventburnout.7.Avoid procrastination: Procrastination can lead tounnecessary stress and missed deadlines. Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts and tackle them one at a time.8.Learn to say no: Don’t overcommit yourself. Learn tosay no to tasks that are not essential or do not align withyour goals.e technology: Take advantage of technology toolssuch as productivity apps and time tracking apps. Thesecan help you stay organized and manage your time moreeffectively.10.Review and adjust: Regularly review your scheduleand tasks. Adjust as needed to accommodate unexpectedevents or changes in priorities.By implementing these tips, you can improve your time management skills and achieve greater success in your personal and professional life.第三套The importance of physical exercise cannot be overstated. Regular exercise has numerous health benefits and plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Physical exercise helps to strengthen the cardiovascular system, improve lung function, and increase muscle strength and endurance. It also promotes weight loss and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, andcertain types of cancer. It can also improve mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.In addition to the physical benefits, exercise is also important for cognitive function. Studies have shown that regular exercise improves memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It can also enhance creativity and productivity.Exercise is not only beneficial for adults but also for children and adolescents. Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence helps to develop healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It improves coordination and balance, and reduces the risk of childhood obesity. It also has a positive impact on academic performance, including improved concentration and focus.There are many different forms of exercise that individuals can choose from, including aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility exercises, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It is important to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and can incorporate into your daily routine.In conclusion, regular physical exercise is essential for overall health and well-being. It has numerous physical and mental health benefits and should be a priority for individuals of all ages. Make exercise a part of your daily routine and reap the rewards of a healthy and active lifestyle.三、写作题目及答案第一套写作题目：Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案

2016 年 12 月大学英语四级考试真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30 minutes)( 请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试 )Directions:For this part,you are allowed30 minutes to write an essay.Suppose you have two options upon graduation:one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school.You are to make a choice between the two.Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but nomore than 180 words.Much controversy has been aroused about whether the students should find a job or start their own business after graduation.Taking a look around,we can find that some graduates bustle around job markets,while others choose to run a shop on TMall. However, I prefer the former choice.From my perspective, there are good reasons to find a job in the first severalyears after their graduation.First and foremost, if a graduate intends to accumulate working experience and learn from the seniors, it is advisable for him to find ajob. It is an undeniable fact that the theoretical knowledge will provide thegraduates with the ability to consider things comprehensively,however,only under the integration with practice can the rigid knowledge be useful for their futuredevelopment. Inevitably, doing something small is the premise of undertakingsomething great. Take Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and taobao, for example. Healso finds some jobs before establishing his own career,laying a solid foundation for his later success.Consequently,it is of great necessity to find a job after graduation.I firmly believe that it will continue to bring about more returns to our life and future.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1.A) It was going to be renovated.B) He could no longer pay the rent.C) It was dangerous to live in.D) He had sold it to the royal family.【答案】 C2.A) A storm.B) A strike.C) A forest fire.D) A terrorist attack.【答案】 AQuestions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B)They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C)They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D)They were trapped in an underground elevator.【答案】 D4.A) They provided the miners with food and water.B)They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C)They released the details of the accident.D)They tried hard to repair the elevator.【答案】 BQuestions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) Raise postage rates.B) Improve its services.C)Close some of its post offices.D)Redesign delivery routes.【答案】 C6.A) Closing offices on holidays.B)Shortening business hours.C)Computerizing mail sorting processes.D)Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.【答案】 D7.A) A lot of controversy will arise.B)Taxpayers will be very pleased.C)Many people will begin to complain.D)Many post office staff will lose their jobs.【答案】 DSection BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B)y C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) He will lose part of his pay.B)He will go through retraining.C)He will be given a warning.D)He will be kept from promotion.【答案】 A9.A) He is an experienced press operator.B)He is a trustworthy guy.C)He is always on time.D)He is on good terms with his workmates.【答案】 B10.A) She is a trade union representative.B)She is a senior manager of the shop.C)She is better at handling such matters.D)She is in charge of public relations.【答案】 C11.A) He is always trying to stir up trouble.B)He is skilled and experienced.C)He is very close to the manager.D)He is always complaining about low wages.【答案】 AQuestions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Open.B)Reserved.C)Selfish.D)Friendly.【答案】 B13.A) They read a book.B)They talk about the weather.C)They stay quiet.D)They chat with fellow passengers.【答案】 C14.A) She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B) She was never invited to a colleague’ s home.C)She was eager to visit an English castle.D)She was always treated as a foreigner.【答案】 B15.A) Houses are much more quiet.B)They want to have more space.C)They want a garden of their own.D)Houses provide more privacy.【答案】 DSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of eachpassage, you will hear three or four questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letteron Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B)They don ’ t have to go through job interviews.C)They are likely to get much higher pay.D)They don ’ t have much choice of jobs.【答案】 A17.A) Visit the school careers service.B)Ask their professors for help.C)Look at school bulletin boards.D)Go through campus newspapers.【答案】 A18.A) Providing students with information about the library.B)Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C)Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D)Helping students find the books and journals they need.【答案】 CQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It tastes better.B)It may be sold at a higher price.C)It is easier to grow.D)It can better survive extreme weathers.【答案】 B20. A) It can grow in drier soil.B)It is immune to various diseases.C)It will replace green tea one day.D)It is healthier than green tea.【答案】 D21. A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.C)It does not bring the promised health benefits.D)It has been well received by many tea drinkers.【答案】 AQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) They care more about environment.B)They decorate their homes themselves.C)They prefer unique objects of high quality.D)They need decorations to show their status.【答案】 C23.A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C)They were proud of their creations.D)They focused on the quality of their products.【答案】 B24.A) Identify fake crafts.B)Make wise choices.C)To arouse public interest in crafts.D)To boost the local economy.【答案】 B25.A) To attract foreign investments.B)To preserve the traditional culture.C)Design handicrafts themselves.D)Learn the importance of creation.【答案】 DPart III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Eachchoice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letterfor each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may notuse any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are“ male” and “female” brains,believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. A new study __26__ that belief, questioning whether brains really canbe distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers __27__ for sex differencesthroughout the entire human brain.27._____A)abnormalB)appliedC)brieflyD)categorizingE)challengesF)figureG)percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditionalAnd what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for __28__ brains as “ male” or“ female,” research shows that b rains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.28._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalDaphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there aresome gender-based—__29__ , many different types of brain can’ t always be distinguished by gender.29._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditionalWhile the “average ” male and “ average ” female brains were __30__ different, you couldn ’ t tell it by looking at individual brain scans. Only a small __31__ ofpeople had“ all-male” or“ all-female” characteristics.30._____31._____A)abnormalB)appliedC)brieflyD)categorizingE)challengesF)figureG)percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditionalLarry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家), said the study is an important addition to a growing body of research questioning __32__ beliefs aboutgender and brain function.But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same, __33__ of gender.32._____33._____A)abnormalB)appliedC)brieflyD)categorizingE)challengesF)figureG)percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditional“There’ s a mountain of evidence __34__ the importance of sex influences at alllevels of brain function, M he told The Seattle Times.34._____A) abnormalB)appliedC)brieflyD)categorizingE)challengesF)figureG)percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditionalIf anything, he said, the study __35__ that gender plays a very important role in the brain—“ even when we are not clear exactly how.”35._____A)abnormalB)appliedC)brieflyD)categorizingE)challengesF)figureG)percentageH)provingI)regardlessJ)searchedK)similaritiesL)slightlyM)suggestsN)tastesO)traditionalSection BDirections:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose aparagraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer thequestions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?A)Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination. So it isn't surprising that you ’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.B)The most likely type of burglary(入室盗窃 )by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. Accordingto the FBI, crimes like these accounted for roughly two-thirds of all householdburglaries in the US in 2013. The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforcedentries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds ofcriminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that theFBI doesn ’ t even track those statistics.C)One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups,the fear is that a burglar(入室盗贼 )might be able to shut your system down simplyby cutting the right cable.With a wireless setup,you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If theydetect something wrong while the system is armed, they ’ ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm.That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns —but what about their wireless equivalent,jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency,what ’ s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?D)Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they ’ re not unique to security systems. Any device that ’ s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency canbe overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency.For comparison, let ’ s say you wanted to“ jam ” a conversation between two people — all you’ d need to do is yell in the listener’ s ear.E)Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimalGoogling. They will,however,need to know what system they ’ re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that’ d point them in theright direction, though at that point, we’ re talking about a highly targeted,semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort of forced-entry attack that makes upthe majority of burglaries.It’ s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.F)Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threatof jamming attacks.SimpliSafe,winner of our Editors ’ Choice distinction,utilizesa special system that’ s capable of separating incidental RF interference fromtargeted jamming attacks.When the system thinks it’ s being jammed, it ’ ll notify you via push alert( 推送警报 ).From there,it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.G)SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete witha video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measure to contain the RF interference to ourtest lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that itis possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe’s anti-jamming system works. It caught us in the act,sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system ’ s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not itdetected them.H)We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likely wouldn ’t be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around itEven if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and thatit varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn ’ t be a universal magic formula for cracking it Other systems also seem confident on the subject ofjamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citingtheir own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’ t any documented cases of a successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.I)Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the rightequipment and the right know-how,it’ s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your homeand steal your stuff?J)Let ’ s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need totarget your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technicaldetails of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you'reaway, so the thief will still need to break in.That means defeating the lock somehow,or breaking a window. He’ ll or opened door would normally need to be jamming you at thisrelease the alarm. So, too,point, as a broken windowwould the motion detectorsin your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping theanti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does not have access to.K) At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries.They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like soundlocks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and nonecan promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them hasvulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A goodsystem is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible whilealso offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36.It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessaryequipment and skill.【答案】 I37.Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering witha conversation.【答案】 D38.A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device toavoid triggering the alarm, both inside and outside the house.【答案】 J39.SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radiointerference from targeted jamming attacks.【答案】 F40.Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.【答案】 B41.It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.【答案】 H42.Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm oncesomething wrong is detected.【答案】 C43.Different measures should be taken to protect one’ s home from burglary in addition to the wireless security system.【答案】 K44.SimpliSafe’ s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.【答案】 G45.Burglars can easily get a security device ’s frequency by Internet search.【答案】 ESection CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed bysome questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choicesmarked 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 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living, I couldn ’ t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. ButI can tell you that I like this guy. That ’ s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’ s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it forthe post-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly,I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply leftup to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggestsotherwise.You actually love tipping!You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistentlyview restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough:the service is better when waiters depend on tips,presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this weretrue,we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips whenthey do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers ofhumanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said theydidn ’ t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay alittle more up-front for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’ s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’ t ask you to do drunken math.46.What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A)He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B)He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C)He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D)He lives comfortably without getting any tips.【答案】 B47.What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?A)It sets a bad example for other industries.B)It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C)It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D)It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.【答案】 C48.Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A)They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B)They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C)They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D)They can have some say in how much their servers earn.【答案】 D49.What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A)Service quality has little effect on tip size.B)It is in human nature to try to save on tips.C)Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D)Tips benefit the boss rather than the employees.【答案】 A50.What does the author argue for in the passage?A)Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B)Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C)Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D)Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.【答案】 DPassage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they ’ re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things,which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China,Japan, and India. But doesn’ t the extra money in the pockets of those countries,consumers mean an equal loss in oil-producing countries,cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily,says economic researcher Sara Johnson.“Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw ontheir reserves to support government spending and subsidies (补贴 )for their consumers. ”But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil pricesare overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharpdecline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil- producing nationscan’ t afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oilprices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the prices drop accountfor a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is stillfresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming theirgasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers isnot as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51.What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A)The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B)Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C)The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D)The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.【答案】 C52.Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A)Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B)Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C)Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D)Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities.【答案】 D53.What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A)They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B)They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C)They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D)They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.【答案】 C54.How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A)It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B)Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C)It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D)Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.【答案】 B55.Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A)People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B)The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C)Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D)People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.【答案】 APart IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passagefrom Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福。

2023年12月英语四级真题及答案(第3套)

Part2023年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案（第3套）I Writing(30minutes)Directions:Suppose the university newspaper is inviting submissions from the students for its coming edition on a campus event that has impressed them most.You are now to write an essay for submission.You will have30 minutes to write the essay.You should write at least120words but no more than180words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25minutes) 提示：2023年12月四级全国只考两套听力，本套听力内容与第一二套相同，故本套未重复显示。

Part III Reading Comprehension(40minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.When people set out to improve their health,they usually take a familiar path:starting a healthy diet, getting better sleep,and doing regular exercise.Each of these behaviors is important,of course,but they all 26 on physical health—and a growing body of research suggests that social health is just as,if not more, important to27 well-being.One recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE,for example,found that the strength of a person’s social circle was a better28 of self-reported stress,happiness and well-being levels than fitness tracker data on physical activity,heart rate and sleep.That finding suggests that the“ 29 self”represented by endless amounts of health data doesn’t tell the whole30 .There’s also a qualified self,which is who I am,what are my activities,my social network,and all of these aspects are not31 in any of these measurements.This idea is supported by plenty of32 research.Studies have shown that social support—whether it comes from friends,family members or a spouse—is33 associated with better mental and physical health.A rich social life,these studies suggest,can lower stress levels,improve mood,encourage positive health behaviors and discourage damaging ones,boost heart health and improve illness34 rates.Social isolation,meanwhile,is linked to higher rates of physical diseases and mental health conditions. It’s a significant problem,35 since loneliness is emerging as a widespread public health problem in many countries.Section BDirections:In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs.Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2.Teenagers and social networkingA.As a parent of two boys at primary school,I worry about the issues associated with teenagers and socialmedia.Newspapers are constantly filled with frightening accounts of drug addiction and aggressive behaviour supposedly caused by violent videogames.But even when these accounts touch on real concerns, they do not really reflect the great mass of everyday teenage social behaviour:the online chat,the texting, the surfing,and the emergence of a new teenage sphere that is conducted digitally.B.New technologies always provoke generational panic,which usually has more to do with adult fears thanwith the lives of teenagers.In the1930s,parents worried that radio was gaining“an irresistible hold of their children”.In the80s,the great danger was the Sony Walkman(随身听).When you look at today’s digital activity,the facts are much more positive than you might expect.”C.Indeed,social scientists who study young people have found that their digital use can be inventive andeven beneficial.This is true not just in terms of their social lives,but their education too.So if you use a ton of social media,do you become unable,or unwilling,to engage in face-to-face contact?The evidence suggests not.Research by Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Centre,a U.S.think tank,found that the most passionate texters are also the kids most likely to spend time with friends in person.One form of socialising doesn’t replace the other.It expands it.D.“Kids still spend time face to face,”Lenhart says.Indeed,as they get older and are given more freedom,they often ease up on social networking.Early on,the web is their“third space”,but by the late teens,it’s replaced in reaction to greater independence.They have to be on Facebook,to know what’s going on among friends and family,but they are ambivalent(有矛盾心理的)about it,says Rebecca Eynon,a research fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute,who has interviewed about200British teenagers over three years.As they gain experience with living online,they begin to adjust their behaviour,struggling with new communication skills,as they do in the real world.E.Parents are wrong to worry that kids don’t care about privacy.In fact,they spend hours changingFacebook settings or using quick-delete sharing tools,such as Snapchat,to minimise their traces.Or they post a photograph on Instagram,have a pleasant conversation with friends and then delete it so that no traces remain.F.This is not to say that kids always use good judgment.Like everyone else,they make mistakes—sometimes serious ones.But working out how to behave online is a new social skill.While there’s plenty of drama and messiness online,it is not,for most teens,a cycle of non-stop abuse:a Pew study found only 15%of teens said someone had bullied them online in the last12months.G.But surely all this short-form writing is affecting literacy?Certainly,teachers worry.They say that kids useoverly casual language and text-speak in writing,and don’t have as much patience for long reading and complex arguments.Yet studies of first-year college papers suggest these anxieties may be partly based on misguided nostalgia(怀旧).When Stanford University scholar Andrea Lunsford gathered data on the rates of errors in“freshman composition”papers going back to1917,she found that they were virtuallyidentical to today.H.But even as error rates stayed stable,student essays have blossomed in size and complexity.They are nowsix times longer and,unlike older“what I did this summer”essays,they offer arguments supported by evidence.Why?Computers have vastly increased the ability of students to gather information,sample different points of view and write more fluidly.I.When linguist Naomi Baron studied students’instant messaging even there she found surprisingly rareusage of short forms such as“u”for“you”,and as students got older,they began to write in more grammatical sentences.That is because they want to appear more adult,and they know how adults are expected to write.Clearly,teaching teens formal writing is still crucial,but texting probably isn’t destroying their ability to learn it.J.It is probably true that fewer kids are heavy readers compared with two generations ago,when cheap paperbacks boosted rates of reading.But even back then,a minority of people—perhaps20%—were lifelong heavy readers,and it was cable TV,not the internet,that struck a blow at that culture in the1980s.Still,15%or more of kids are found to be deeply bookish.In fact,the online world offers kids remarkable opportunities to become literate and creative because young people can now publish ideas not just to their friends,but to the world.And it turns out that when they write for strangers,their sense of“authentic audience”makes them work harder,push themselves further,and create powerful new communicative forms.K.Few would deny that too much time online can be harmful.Some of the dangers are emotional:hurting someone from a distance is not the same as hurting them face to face.If we’re lucky,the legal environment will change to make teenagers’online lives less likely to haunt them later on.Just last week, California passed a law allowing minors to demand that internet firms erase their digital past and the EU has considered similar legislation.L.Distraction is also a serious issue.When kids switch from chat to music to homework,they are indeed likely to have trouble doing each task well.And studies show that pupils don’t fact-check information online—“smart searching”is a skill schools need to teach urgently.It’s also true that too much social networking and game playing can cut into schoolwork and sleep.This is precisely why parents still need to set firm boundaries around it,as with any other distraction.M.So what’s the best way to cope?The same boring old advice that applies to everything in parenting: moderation.Rebecca Eynon argues that it’s key to model good behaviour.Parents who stare non-stop at their phones and don’t read books are likely to breed kids who will do the same.As ever,we ought to be careful about our own behaviour.36.Research has found the use of digital technology benefits not only teenagers’social lives but also theirstudies.37.It is urgent that schools teach kids how to verify online information.38.Students now write longer and more complex essays than their counterparts in previous decades while theerror rates remain unchanged.39.Newspaper reports of teenagers give a false picture of their behaviour.40.Parents are advised to mind their own digital behaviour and set a good example for their kids.41.Contrary to parents’belief,kids try hard to leave as few traces as possible on the web.42.Students’ability to learn formal writing is unlikely to be affected by texting.43.Historically,new technologies have always caused great fears among parents.44.The reading culture was seriously affected by cable television some four decades ago.45.Teachers say that kids’writing is too casual,using language characteristic of text messages.Section CDirections:There are2passages in this section.Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements.For each of them there are four choices marked A),B),C)and D).You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions46to50are based on the following passage.In the history of horse racing,few horses have captured the affection of the British public like Red Rum. Today,three decades after his retirement,he is still one of the best-known and most beloved racehorses of all time.Red Rum was passed around to several owners before being purchased for Noel Le Mar.The agent who made the purchase was the now-legendary horse trainer Donald“Ginger”McCain.It wasn’t apparent at the time,but Red Rum had a serious bone disease in his foot.For many horses(and many trainers)this would mean the end of a racing career before it even began.For Ginger and Red Rum, though,it was just an obstacle to greatness that had to be overcome.Red Rum’s true talent came out in steeplechases(障碍赛马).His power,speed and jumping ability carried him to his first Grand National title in1973.The very next year,Red Rum returned to take his second title.He was the first horse to take successive firsts since Reynoldstown in1935-1936.Red Rum’s spirit and grace had already begun to charm the leagues of Grand National fans.In the following two years,Red Rum lost out on the title,coming in second both times.When he returned in1977to try again,he was largely regarded as past his prime.He was12years old and not expected to place highly.He surprised sporting fans around the world when he came in a remarkable25lengths ahead of the nearest horse,taking his third Grand National win.To this day,Red Rum’s third win is known as one of the greatest moments in horse racing history.Red Rum was headed for the Grand National once again in1978but suffered an injury in one of his heels shortly before the race.He was retired soon after,but his public life and fame by no means decreased with the end of his career.Red Rum traveled all over the country for various engagements.He often led pre-race parades at Aintree Racecourse and was a popular guest at charity benefits and public events.46.What do we learn from the passage about Red Rum the racehorse?A.He captured public affection long before he won national titles.B.He won enormous fame and love from British people.C.He became a myth three decades after his retirement.D.He owed his great success to several well-known horse trainers.47.What did the serious bone disease in Red Rum’s foot mean to himself and his trainer?A.It was simply a hindrance they had to get over to excel.B.It was surely a disadvantage though not considered fatal.C.It was actually the end of a racing career that had just begun.。

2016年12月英语四级真题附答案解析第三套

2016年12月全国英语六级考试试卷及答案解析第三套

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第3套)Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on creation. Your essay should include the importance of creation and measures to be taken to encourage creation. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part ⅡListening Comprehension (30 minutes)（说明：由于2016年12月六级考试全国共考了2套听力，本套真题听力与前2套内容完全一样，只是顺序不一样，因此在本套真题中不再重复出现）Part ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections : In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.Small communities, with their distinctive character--where life is stable and intensely human—are disappearing. Some have 26 from the face of the earth, others are dying slowly, but all have 27 changes as they have come into contact with an 28 machine civilization. The merging of diverse peoples into a common mass has produced tension among members of the minorities and the majority alike.The Old Order Amish, who arrived on American shores in colonial times, have 29 in the modem world in distinctive, small communities. They have resisted the homogenization 30 more successfully than others. In planting and harvest time one can see their bearded men working the fields with horses and their women hanging out the laundry in neat rows to dry. Many American people have seen Amish families, with the men wearing broad-brimmed black hats and the women in long dresses,in railway or bus 31 Although the Amish have lived with 32 America for over two and a half centuries, they have moderated its influence on their personal lives, their families, communities, and their values.The Amish are often 33 by other Americans to be relics of the past who live a simple, inflexible life dedicated to inconvenient out-dated customs. They are seen as abandoning both modem 34 and the American dream of success and progress. But most people have no quarrel with the Amish for doing things the old-fashioned way. Their conscientious objection was tolerated in wartime, for after all, they are good farmers who 35 the virtues of work and thrift.A. accessingB. conveniencesC. destinedD. expandingE. industrializedF. perceivedG. practiceH. processI. progressJ. respectiveK. survivedL. terminalsM. undergoneN. universalO. vanished 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 whichthe information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is markedwith a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2. Countries Rush for Upper Hand in Antarctica[A] On a glacier-filled island with fjords (峡湾) and elephant seals, Russia has built Antarctica's first Orthodox church on a hill overlooking its research base. Less than an hour away by snowmobile,Chinese labourers have updated the Great Wall Station, a vital part of China's plan to operate five bases on Antarctica, complete with an indoor badminton court and sleeping quartersfor 150 people. Not to be outdone, India's futuristic new Bharathi base, built on stilts (桩子) using 134 interlocking shipping containers, resembles a spaceship. Turkey and Iran have announced plans to build bases, too.[B] More than a century has passed since explorers raced to plant their flags at the bottom of the world, and for decades to come this continent is supposed to be protected as a scientific preserve,shielded from intrusions like military activities and mining. But an array of countries are rushing to assert greater influence here, with an eye not just towards the day those protective treaties expire,but also for the strategic and commercial opportunities that already exist.[C] The newer players are stepping into what they view as a treasure house of resources. Some of the ventures focus on the Antarctic resources that are already up for grabs, like abundant sea life.South Korea, which operates state-of-the-art bases here, is increasing its fishing of krill (磷虾),found in abundance in the Southern Ocean, while Russia recently frustrated efforts to createone of the world's largest ocean sanctuaries here.[D] Some scientists are examining the potential for harvesting icebergs from Antarctica, which is estimated to have the biggest reserves of fresh water on the planet. Nations are also pressing ahead with space research and satellite projects to expand their global navigation abilities.[E] Building on a Soviet-era foothold, Russia is expanding its monitoring stations for Glonass, its version of the Global Positioning System (GPS). At least three Russian stations are already operating in Antarctica, part of its effort to challenge the dominance of the American GPS, andnew stations are planned for sites like the Russian base, in the shadow of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity.[F] Elsewhere in Antarctica, Russian researchers boast of their recent discovery of a freshwater reserve the size of Lake Ontario after drilling through miles of solid ice. "You can see that we'rehere to stay," said Vladimir Cheberdak,57, chief of the Bellingshausen Station, as he sipped tea under a portrait of Fabian Gottlieb yon Bellingshausen, a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Russian Navy who explored the Antarctic coast in 1820.[G] Antarctica's mineral, oil and gas wealth are a longer-team prize. The treaty banning mining here, shielding coveted ( 令人垂涎的) reserves of iron ore, coal and chromium, comes up for review in 2048. Researchers recently found kimberlite (金伯利岩) deposits hinting at the existence of diamonds. And while assessments v ary widely, geologists estimate that Antarctica holds at least 36 billion barrels of oil and natural gas.[H] Beyond the Antarctic treaties, huge obstacles persist to tapping these resources, like drifting icebergs that could jeopardise offshore platforms. Then there is Antarctica's remoteness, with some mineral deposits found in windswept locations on a continent that is larger than Europe and where winter temperatures hover around minus 55 degrees Celsius.[I] But advances in technology might make Antarctica a lot more accessible three decades from now. And even before then, scholars warn, the demand for resources in an energy-hungry world could raise pressure to renegotiate Antarctica's treaties, possibly allowing more commercialendeavours here well before the prohibitions against them expire. The research stations on King George Island offer a glimpse into the long game on this ice-blanketed continent as nations assert themselves, eroding the sway long held by countries like the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.[J]Being stationed in Antarctica involves adapting to life on the planet's driest, windiest and coldest continent, yet each nation manages to make itself at home. Bearded Russian priests offer regular services at the Orthodox church for the 16 or so Russian speakers who spend the winter at the base, largely polar scientists in fields like glaciology and meteorology. Their number climbs to about 40 in the warmer summer months. China has arguably the fastest-growing operations in Antarctica. It opened its fourth station last year and is pressing ahead with plans to build a fifth. Itis building its second ice-breaking ship and setting up research drilling operations on an ice dome13,422 feet above sea level that is one of the planet's coldest places. Chinese officials say the expansion in Antarctica prioritises scientific research, but they also acknowledge that concerns about "resource security" influence their moves.[K] China's newly renovated Great Wall Station on King George Island makes the Russian and Chilean bases here seem outdated. "We do weather monitoring here and other research," Ning Xu,53, the chief of the Chinese base, said over tea during a fierce blizzard (baofengxuE. in late November.The large base he leads resembles a snowed-in college campus on holiday break, with the capacity to sleep more than 10 times the 13 people who were staying on through the Antarctic winter.Yong Yu, a Chinese microbiologist, showed off the spacious building, with empty desks under an illustrated timeline detailing the rapid growth of China's Antarctic operations since the1980s. "We now feel equipped to grow," he said.[L] As some countries expand operations in Antarctica, the United States maintains three year-round stations on the continent with more than 1,000 people during the southern hemisphere's summer, including those at the Amundsen-Scott station, built in 1956 at an elevation of 9,301 feeton a plateau at the South Pole. But US researchers quietly complain about budget restraints and having far fewer icebreakers than Russia, limiting the reach of the United States in Antarctica.[M] Scholars warn that Antarctica's political drift could blur the distinction between military and civilian activities long before the continent's treaties come up for renegotiation, especially in partsof Antarctica that are ideal for intercepting (拦截) signals from satellites or retasking satellite systems, potentially enhancing global electronic intelligence operations.[N] Some countries have had a hard time here. Brazil opened a research station in 1984, but it was largely destroyed by a fire that killed two members of the navy in 2012, the same year that a diesel-laden Brazilian barge sank near the base. As if that were not enough, a Brazilian C-130 Hercules military transport plane has remained stranded near the runway of Chile's air base here since it crash-landed in 2014.[O] However, Brazil's stretch of misfortune has created opportunities for China, with a Chinese company winning the $100 million contract in 2015 to rebuild the Brazilian station.[P] Amid all the changes, Antarctica maintains its allure. South Korea opened its second Antarctic research base in 2014, describing it as a way to test robots developed by Korean researchers for use in extreme conditions. With Russia's help, Belarus is preparing to build its first Antarctic base. Colombia said this year that it planned to join other South American nations with bases in Antarctica.[Q] "The old days of the Antarctic being dominated by the interests and wishes of white men fromEuropean, Australasian and North American states are over," said Klaus Dodds, a politics scholarat the University of London who specialises in Antarctica. "The reality is that Antarctica is geopolitically contested."36. According to Chinese officials, their activities in Antarctica lay greater emphasis on scientific research.37. Efforts to create one of the world's largest ocean sanctuaries failed because of Russia's obstruction.38. With several monitoring stations operating in Antarctica, Russia is trying hard to counter America's dominance in the field of worldwide navigational facilities.39. According to geologists' estimates, Antarctica has enormous reserves of oil and natural gas.40. It is estimated that Antarctica boasts of the richest reserves of fresh water on earth.41. The demand for energy resources may compel renegotiation of Antarctica's treaties before their expiration.42. Many countries are racing against each other to increase their business and strategic influence on Antarctica.43. Antarctica's harsh natural conditions constitute huge obstacles to the exploitation of its resources.44. With competition from many countries, Antarctica is no longer dominated by the traditionalwhite nations.45. American scientists complain about lack of sufficient money and equipment for their expansion in Antarctica.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Any veteran nicotine addict will testify that fancy packaging plays no role in the decision to keep smoking. So, it is argued, stripping cartons of their branding will trigger no mass movementto quit.But that isn't why the government--under pressure from cancer charities, health workers and the Labour party--has agreed to legislate for standardised packaging. The theory is that smoking should be stripped of any appeal to discourage new generations from starting in the first place. Plain packaging would be another step in the reclassification of cigarettes from inviting consumer products to narcotics (麻醉剂).Naturally, the tobacco industry is violently opposed. No business likes to admit that it sells addictive poison as a lifestyle choice. That is why government has historically intervened, banning advertising, imposing health warnings and punitive ( 惩罚性的) duties. This approach has led over time to a fall in smoking with numbers having roughly halved since the 1970s. Evidence from Australia suggests plain packaging pushes society further along that road. Since tobacco isone of the biggest causes of premature death in the UK, a measure that tames the habit even by a fraction is worth trying.So why has it taken so long? The Department of Health declared its intention to consider themove in November 2010 and consulted through 2012. But the plan was suspended in July 2013. It did not escape notice that a lobbying firm set up by Lynton Crosby, David Cameron's election campaign director, had previously acted for Philip Morris International. (The prime minister denied there was a connection between his new adviser's outside interests and the change in legislative programme.) In November 2013, after an unnecessary round of additional consultation, health minister Jane Ellison said the government was minded to proceed after all. Now we are told Members of Parliament (MPs) will have a free vote before parliament is dissolved in March.Parliament has in fact already authorised the government to tame the tobacco trade. MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of Labour amendments to the children and families bill last February that included the power to regulate for plain packaging. With sufficient will in Downing Street this would have been done already. But strength of will is the missing ingredient where Mr. Cameron and public health are concerned. His attitude to state intervention has looked confused ever since his bizarre 2006 lament (叹惜) that chocolate oranges placed seductively at supermarket checkouts fueled obesity.The government has moved reluctantly into a sensible public health policy, but with such obvious over-cautiousness that any political credit due belongs to the opposition. Without sustained external pressure it seems certain Mr. Cameron would still be hooked on the interests of big tobacco companies.46. What do chain smokers think of cigarette packaging?A. Fancy packaging can help to engage new smokers.B. It has little to do with the quality or taste of cigarettes.C. Plain packaging discourages non-smokers from taking up smoking.D. It has little impact on their decision whether or not to quit smoking.47. What has the UK government agreed to do concerning tobacco packaging?A. Pass a law to standardise cigarette packaging.B. Rid cigarette cartons of all advertisements.C. Subsidise companies to adopt plain packaging.D. Reclassify cigarettes according to packaging.48. What has happened in Australia where plain packaging is implemented?A. Premature death rates resulting from smoking have declined.B. The number of smokers has dropped more sharply than in the UK.C. The sales of tobacco substitutes have increased considerably.D. Cigarette sales have been falling far more quickly than in the UK.49. Why has it taken so long for the UK government to consider plain packaging?A. Prime Minister Cameron has been reluctant to take action.B. There is strong opposition from veteran nicotine addicts.C. Many Members of Parliament are addicted to smoking.D. Pressure from tobacco manufacturers remains strong.50. What did Cameron say about chocolate oranges at supermarket checkouts?A. They fueled a lot of controversy.B. They attracted a lot of smokers.C. They made more British people obese.D. They had certain ingredients missing.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.What a waste of money! In return for an average of ~44,000 of debt, students get an averageof only 14 hours of lecture and tutorial time a week in Britain. Annual fees have risen from ￡1,000 to ￡9,000 in the last decade, but contact time at university has barely risen at all. And graduating doesn't even provide any guarantee of a decent job : six in ten graduates today are in non-graduate jobs.No wonder it has become fashionable to denounce many universities as little more than elaborate con-tricks (骗术). There's a lot for students to complain about: the repayment threshold for paying back loans will be frozen for five years, meaning that lower-paid graduates have to start repaying their loans; and maintenance grants have been replaced by loans, meaning that students from poorer backgrounds face higher debt than those with wealthier parents.Yet it still pays to go to university. If going to university doesn't work out, students pay verylittle--if any--of their tuition fees back: you only start repaying when you are earning ￡21,000 a year.Almost half of graduates--those who go on to earn less--will have a portion of their debt written off.It's not just the lectures and tutorials that are important. Education is the sum of what students teach each other in between lectures and seminars. Students do not merely benefit while at university; studies show- they go on to be healthier and happier than non-graduates, and also far more likely to vote.Whatever your talents, it is extraordinarily difficult to get a leading job in most fields without having been to university. Recruiters circle elite universities like vultures (兀鹰). Many top firms will not even look at applications from those who lack a 2.1, i. e., an upper-second class degree, from an elite university. Students at university also meet those likely to be in leading jobs in the future, forming contacts for life. This might not be right, but school-leavers who fail to acknowledge as much risk making the wrong decision about going to university.Perhaps the reason why so many universities offer their students so little is they know studying at a top university remains a brilliant investment even if you don't learn anything. Studying at university will only become less attractive if employers shift their focus away fromwhere someone went to university--and there is no sign of that happening anytime soon. School leavers may moan, but they have little choice but to embrace university and the student debt that comes with it.51. What is the author's opinion of going to university?A. It is worthwhile after all.B. It is simply a waste of time.C. It is hard to say whether it is good or bad.D. It is too expensive for most young people.52. What does the author say about the employment situation of British university graduates?A. Few of them are satisfied with the jobs they are offered.B. It usually takes a long time for them to find a decent job.C. Graduates from elite universities usually can get decent jobs.D. Most of them take jobs which don't require a college degree.53. What does the author say is important for university students besides classroom instruction?A. Making sure to obtain an upper-second class degree.B. Practical skills they will need in their future careers.C. Interactions among themselves outside the classroom.D. Developing independent and creative thinking abilities.54. What is said to be an advantage of going to university?A. Learning how to take risks in an ever-changing world.B. Meeting people who will be helpful to you in the future.C. Having opportunities of playing a leading role in society.D. Gaining up-to-date knowledge in science and technology.55. What can we infer from the last paragraph?A. It is natural for students to make complaints about university education.B. Few students are willing to bear the burden of debt incurred at university.C. University education is becoming attractive to students who can afford it.D. The prestige of the university influences employers' recruitment decisions.Part ⅣTranslation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.农业是中国的一个重要产业，从业者超过3亿。

2015年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案（第三套）

2015年12⽉⼤学英语四级考试真题及答案（第三套）2015年12⽉⼤学英语四级考试真题及答案(第3套)Part Ⅰ Writing ( 30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying" Never go out there to see what happens, go out there to make things happen." You can cit examples to illustrate the importance of being participants rather than mere onlookers in life. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension ( 30 minutes)Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.1 A. Children should be taught to be more careful.B. Children shouldn't drink so much orange juice.C. There is no need for the man to make such a fuss.D. Timmy should learn to do things in the right way.2. A. Fitness training. B. The new job offer.C. Computer programming.D. Directorship of the club.3. A. He needs to buy a new sweater.B. He has got to save on fuel bills.C. The fuel price has skyrocketed.D. The heating system doesn't work.4. A. Committing theft. B. Taking pictures.C. Window shopping.D. Posing for the camera.5. A. She is taking some medicine.B. She has not seen a doctor yet.C. She does not trust the man's advice.D. She has almost recovered from the cough.6. A. Pamela's report is not finished as scheduled.B. Pamela has a habit of doing things in a hurry.C. Pamela is not good at writing research papers.D. Pamela's mistakes could have been avoided.7. A. In the left-luggage office. B. At the hotel reception.C. In a hotel room.D. At an airport.8. A. She was an excellent student at college.B. She works in the entertainment business.C. She is fond of telling stories in her speech.D. She is good at conveying her message.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A. Arranging the woman's appointment with Mr. Romero.B. Fixing the time for the designer's latest fashion show.C. Talking about an important gathering on Tuesday.D. Preparing for the filming on Monday morning.10.A. Her travel to Japan.B. The awards ceremony.C. The proper hairstyle for her new role.D. When to start the make-up session.11.A. He is Mr. Romero's agent.B. He is an entertainment journalist.C. He is the woman's assistant.D. He is a famous movie star.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A. Make an appointment for an interview.B. Send in an application letter.C. Fill in an application form.D. Make a brief self-introduction on the phone.13.A. Someone having a college degree in advertising.B. Someone experienced in business management.C. Someone ready to take on more responsibilities.D. Someone willing to work beyond regular hours.14.A. Travel opportunities. B. Handsome pay.C. Prospects for promotion.D. Flexible working hours.15.A. It depends on the working hours.B. It is about 500 pounds a week.C. It will be set by the Human Resources.D. It is to be negotiated.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 center.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A. To give customers a wider range of choices.B. To make shoppers see as many items as possible.C. To supply as many varieties of goods as it can.D. To save space for more profitable products.17.A. On the top shelves. B. On the bottom shelves.C. On easily accessible shelves.D. On clearly marked shelves.18.A. Many of them buy things on impulse.B. A few of them are fathers with babies.C. A majority of them are young couples.D. Over 60% of them make shopping lists.19.A. Sales assistants promoting high margin goods.B. Sales assistants following customers around.C. Customers competing for good bargains.D. Customers losing all sense of time.Passage TwoQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20.A. Teaching mathematics at a school.B. Doing research in an institute.C. Studying for a college degree.D. Working in a hi-tech company21.A. He studied the designs of various clocks.B. He did experiments on different materials.C. He bought an alarm clock with a pig face.D. He asked different people for their opinions.22.A. Its automatic mechanism.B. Its manufacturing process.C. Its way of waking people up.D. Its funny-looking pig face.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23.A. It is often caused by a change of circumstances.B. It actually doesn't require any special treatment.C. It usually appears all of a sudden.D. It generally lasts for several years.24.A. They cannot mix well with others.B. They irrationally annoy their friends.C. They depend heavily on family members.D. They blame others for ignoring their needs.25.A. They lack consistent support from peers.B. They doubt their own popularity.C. They were born psychologically weak.D. They focus too much on themselves.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given, in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each. choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.Children do not think the way adults do. For most of the first year of life, if something is out of sight, it's out of mind. If you cover a baby's36toy with a piece of cloth, the baby thinks the toyhas disappeared and stops looking for it. A 4-year-old may 37 that a sister has more fruit juice when it is only the shapes of the glasses that differ, not the38 of juice.Yet children are smart in their own way. Like good little scientists, children are always testing their child-sized39 about how things work. When your child throws her spoon on the floor for the sixth time as you try to feed her, and you say, "That's enough! I will not pick up your spoon again!" the child will 40 test your claim. Are you serious? Are you angry? What will happen if she throws the spoon again? She is not doing this to drive you41; rather, she is learning that her desires and yours can differ, and that sometimes those42 are important and sometimes they are not.How and why does children's thinking change? In the 1920s, Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget proposed that children's cognitive (认知的) abilities unfold 43, like the blooming of a flower, almost independent of what else is44in their lives. Although many of his specific conclusions havebeen45 or modified over the years, his ideas inspired thousands of studies by investigators all over the world. A. advocate B. amount C. confirmed D. crazy E. definiteF. differencesG. favoriteH. happeningI. ImmediatelyJ. NaturallyK. Obtaining L. Primarily M. Protest N. Rejected O. theoriesSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with, ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Perfect EssayA. Looking back on too many years of education, I can identify one truly impossible teacher. She cared about me, and my intellectual life, even when I didn't. Her expectations were high--impossibly so. She was an English teacher. She was also my mother.B. When good students turn in an essay, they dream of their instructor returning it to them in exactly the same condition, save for a single word added in the margin of the final page : "Flawless." This dream came true for me one afternoon in the ninth grade. Of course, I had heard that genius could show itself at an early age, so I was only slightly taken aback that I hadachieved perfection at the tender age of 14.Obviously, I did what any professional writer would do; I hurried off to spread the good news. I didn't get very far. The first person I told was my mother.C. My mother, who is just shy of five feet tall, is normally incredibly soft-spoken, but on the rare occasion when she got angry, she was terrifying. I am not sure if she was more upset by my hubris(得意忘形) or by the fact that my English teacher had let my ego get so out of hand. In any event, my mother and her red pen showed me how deeply flawed a flawless essay could be. At the time, I am sure she thought she was teaching me about mechanics, transitions (过渡), structure, style and voice. But what I learned, and what stuck with me through my time teaching writing at Harvard, was a deeper lesson about the nature of creative criticism.D. First off, it hurts. Genuine criticism, the type that leaves a lasting mark on you as a writer, also leaves an existential imprint (印记) on you as a person. I have heard people say that a writer should never take criticism personally. I say that we should never listen to these people.E. Criticism, at its best, is deeply personal, and gets to the heart of why we write the way we do. The intimate nature of genuine criticism implies something about who is able to give it, namely, someone who knows you well enough to show you how your mental life is getting in the way of good writing. Conveniently, they are also the people who care enough to see you through this painful realization. For me it took the form of my first, and I hope only, encounter with writer's block--I was not able to produce anything for three years.F. Franz Kafka once said: "Writing is utter solitude (独处), the descent into the cold abyss (深渊) of oneself." My mother's criticism had shown me that Kafka is right about the cold abyss, and when you make the introspective (内省的) descent that writing requires you are not always pleased by what you find. But, in the years that followed, her sustained tutoring suggested that Kafka might be wrong about the solitude. I was lucky enough to find a critic and teacher who was willing to make the journey of writing with me."It is a thing of no great difficulty," according to Plutarch, "to raise objections against another man's speech, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome." I am sure I wrote essays in the later years of high school without my mother's guidance, but I can't recall them. What I remember, however, is how she took up the "extremely troublesome" work of ongoing criticism.G. There are two ways to interpret Plutarch when he suggests that a critic should be able to produce "a better in its place." In a straightforward sense, he could mean that a critic must be more talented than the artist she critiques (评论).My mother was well covered on this count. But perhaps Plutarch is suggesting something slightly different, something a bit closer to Marcus Cicero's claim that one should "criticize by creation, not by finding fault." Genuine criticism creates a precious opening for an author to become better on his own terms--a process that is often extremely painful, but also almost always meaningful.H. My mother said she would help me with my writing, but first I had to help myself. For each assignment, I was to write the best essay I could. Real criticism is not meant to find obvious mistakes, so if she found any--the type I could have found on my own--I had to start from scratch. From scratch. Once the essay was "flawless," she would take an evening to walk me through my errors. That was when true criticism, the type that changed me as a person, began.I. She criticized me when I included little-known references and professional jargon (⾏话).Shehadno patience for brilliant but irrelevant figures of speech."Writers can't bluff (虚张声势) their way through ignorance." That was news to me--I would need to freed another way to structure my daily existence.J. She trimmed back my flowery language, drew lines through my exclamation marks and argued for the value of restraint in expression."John," she almost whispered. I leaned in to hear her: "I can't hear you when you shout at me." So I stopped shouting and bluffing, and slowly my writing improved.K. Somewhere along the way I set aside my hopes of writing that flawless essay. But perhaps I missed something important in my mother's lessons about creativity and perfection. Perhaps the point of writing the flawless essay was not to give up, but to never willingly finish. Whit man repeatedly reworked "Song of Myself' between 1855 and 1891.Repeatedly.We do our absolute best with a piece of writing, and come as close as we can to the ideal. And, for the time being, we settle. In critique, however, we are forced to depart, to give up the perfection we thought we had achieved for the chance of being even a little bit better. This is the lesson I took from my mother: If perfection were possible, it would not be motivating.46.The author was advised against the improper use of figures of speech.47.The author's mother taught him a valuable lesson by pointing out lots of flaws in his seemingly perfect essay.48.A writer should polish his writing repeatedly so as to get closer to perfection.49.Writers may experience periods of time in their life when they just can't produce anything.50.The author was not much surprised when his school teacher marked his essay as "flawless".51.Criticizing someone's speech is said to be easier than coming up with a better one.52.The author looks upon his mother as his most demanding and caring instructor.53.The criticism the author received from his mother changed him as a person.54.The author gradually improved his writing by avoiding fancy language.55.Constructive criticism gives an author a good start to improve his writing.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C. and D .You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.Could you reproduce Silicon Valley elsewhere, or is there something unique about it?It wouldn't be surprising if it were hard to reproduce in other countries, because you couldn't reproduce it in most of the US either. What does it take to make a Silicon Valley?It's the right people. If you could get the right ten thousand people to move from Silicon Valley to Buffalo, Buffalo would become Silicon Valley.You only need two kinds of people to create a technology hub (中⼼) : rich people and nerds (痴迷科研的⼈).Observation bears this out. Within the US, towns have become star, up hubs if and only if they have both rich people and nerds. Few startups happen in Miami, for example, because although it's full of rich people, it has few nerds. It's not the kind of place nerds like.Whereas Pittsburgh has the opposite problem: plenty of nerds, but no rich people.The top US Computer Science departments are said to be MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, and Carnegie-Mellon. MIT yielded Route 128.Stanford and Berkeley yielded Silicon Valley. But what did Carnegie-Mellon yield in Pittsburgh? And what happened in Ithaca, home of Cornell University, which is also high on the list?I grew up in Pittsburgh and went to college at Cornell, so I can answer for both. The weather isterrible, particularly in winter, and there's no interesting old city to make up for it, as there is in Boston. Rich people don't want to live in Pittsburgh or Ithaca. So while there're plenty of hackers (电脑迷) who could start startups, there's no one to invest in themDo you really need the rich people? Wouldn't it work to have the government invest in the nerds?No, it would not. Start up investors are a distinct type of rich people. They tend to have a lot of experience themselves in the technology business. This helps them pick the right startups, and means they can supply advice and connections as well as money. And the fact that they have a personal stake in the outcome makes them really pay attention.56.What do we learn about Silicon Valley from the passage?A. Its success is hard to copy anywhere else.B. It is the biggest technology hub in the US.C. Its fame in high technology is incomparable.D. It leads the world in information technology.57.What makes Miami unfit to produce a Silicon Valley?A. Lack of incentive for investment.B. Lack of the right kind of talents.C. Lack of government support.D. Lack of famous universities.58.In what way is Carnegie-Mellon different from Stanford, Berkeley and MIT?A. Its location is not as attractive to rich people.B. Its science departments are not nearly as good.C. It does not produce computer hackers and nerds.D. It does not pay much attention to business startups.59.What does the author imply about Boston?A. It has pleasant weather all year round.B. It produces wealth as well as high-tech.C. It is not likely to attract lots of investors and nerds.D. It is an old city with many sites of historical interest.60.What does the author say about startup investors?A. They are especially wise in making investments.B. They have good connections in the government.C. They can do more than providing money.D. They are rich enough to invest in nerds.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.It's nice to have people of like mind around. Agreeable people boost your confidence and allow you to relax and feel comfortable. Unfortunately, that comfort can hinder the very learning that can expand your company and your career.It's nice to have people agree, but you need conflicting perspectives to dig out the truth .If everyone around you has similar views, your work will suffer from confirmation bias (偏颇).Take a look at your own network. Do your contacts share your point of view on most subjects? If yes, it's time to shake things up .As a leader, it can be challenging to create an environment in which people will freely disagree and argue, but as the saying goes: From confrontation comes brilliance.It's not easy for most people to actively seek conflict. Many spend their lives trying to avoid arguments. There's no need to go out and find people you hate, but you need to do some self-assessment to determine where you have become stale in your thinking. You may need to start by encouraging your current network to help you identify your blind spots.Passionate, energetic debate does not require anger and hard feelings to be effective. But it does require moral strength. Once you have worthy opponents, set some ground rules so everyone understands responsibilities and boundaries. The objective of this debating game is not to win but to get to the truth that will allow you to move faster, farther, and better. Fierce debating can hurt feelings, particularly when strong personalities are involved. Make sure you check in with your opponents so that they are not carrying the emotion of the battles beyond the battlefield. Break the tension with smiles and humor to reinforce the idea that this is friendly discourse and that all are working toward a common goal.Reward all those involved in the debate sufficiently when the goals are reached. Let your sparring partners (拳击陪练) know how much you appreciate their contribution. The more they feel appreciated, the more they'll be willing to get into the ring next time.61.What happens when you have like-minded people around you all the while?A. It will help your company expand more rapidly.B. It will create a harmonious working atmosphere.C. It may prevent your business and career from advancing.D. It may make you feel uncertain about your own decisions.62.What does the author suggest leaders do?A. Avoid arguments with business partners.B. Encourage people to disagree and argue.C. Build a wide and strong business network.D. Seek advice from their worthy competitors.63.What is the purpose of holding a debate?A. To find out the truth about an issue.B. To build up people's moral strength.C. To remove misunderstandings.D. To look for worthy opponents.64.What advice does the author give to people engaged in a fierce debate?A. They listen carefully to their opponents' views.B. They show due respect for each other's beliefs.C. They present their views clearly and explicitly.D. They take care not to hurt each other's feelings.65.How should we treat our rivals after a successful debate?A. Try to make peace with them.B. Try to make up the differences.C. Invite them to the ring next time.D. Acknowledge their contribution.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.今年在长沙举⾏了⼀年⼀度的外国⼈汉语演讲⽐赛.这项⽐赛证明是促进中国和世界其他地区⽂化交流的好⽅法.它为世界各地的年轻⼈提供了更好地了解中国的机会.来⾃87个国家共计126位选⼿聚集在湖南省省会参加了从7⽉6⽇到8⽉5⽇进⾏的半决赛和决赛.⽐赛并不是唯⼀的活动.选⼿们还有机会参观了中国其他地区的著名景点和历史名胜.2015年12⽉⼤学英语四级考试真题答案与详解(第3套)Part ⅠWriting这是⼀篇四级考试中常见的议论⽂.话题围绕“Never go out there to see what happens，go out there to make things happen.”这句话展开，要求考⽣进⾏评论，同时在题⽬要求中也明确给出了作⽂主题the importance of being participants rather than mere onlookers in life.考⽣应该明确这⼀主题，并围绕其展开论述.⼀、点明主题：不做看客，要做实践者(being participants instead of onlookers in life)⼆、分析原因三、提出问题和建议主题词汇put…into practice将……付诸实践carry out执⾏；实现gain获得accumulate积累gradually逐渐地make a progress取得进步theory理论action⾏动would rather…than⽐起……更情愿……stand by袖⼿旁观句式拓展1.For some people, watching what happens to others is good enough to learn a lesson, while for others, only practicing by themselves can finally make them get the real skills in对⼀些⼈⽽⾔，看发⽣在别⼈⾝上的事情⾜以让他们吸取教训，⽽对于其他⼈⽽⾔，他们只有亲⾝实践才能最终得到⽣活中的真正技能.2.No matter how many authentic theories you've got before,nothing will happen until you put them into practice.⽆论你曾经接受了多少权威的理论，若不付诸实践，⼀切都⽆济于事.Part ⅡListening ComprehensionM: I don't know what to do with Timmy. This morning I found orange juice spilled all over the kitchen floor.W: Don't be so hard on him. He's only four.Q: What does the woman mean?C.四个选项中出现了children，careful，juice和Timmy等词，故推测本题考查的内容与孩⼦的⾏为相关.对话中，男⼠抱怨说他都不知道该拿蒂⽶怎么办了，今天早上，他发现桔⼦汁在厨房洒了⼀地，⽽⼥⼠则说，别对蒂⽶太严厉了，他才四岁.由此可见，⼥⼠认为男⼠不⽤⼩题⼤做，故答案为C..2.W: Excuse me, sir. I would like to know about the fitness training program in your club.M: I'll have you speak with the director in charge of new accounts.Q: What is the woman interested in?A.四个选项均为名词短语，且出现了fitness，job，computer和club等词，故推测本题考查的内容与健⾝或者⼯作相关.对话中，⼥⼠向男⼠询问俱乐部健⾝锻炼的事情，男⼠则说他会带着⼥⼠去找专门负责新会员的经理.由此可知，⼥⼠是对俱乐部健⾝锻炼感兴趣，故答案为A..3.W: It's really cold in this apartment. Can we turn up the heat a little bit?M: Sorry. I've run out of money and can hardly pay the fuel bill. Maybe you'd better put on a sweater. Q: what does the man mean?B.四个选项中出现了sweater，save，fuel bills和heating等词，故推测本题考查的内容与寒冷天⽓以及取暖相关.对话中，⼥⼠说她觉得很冷，问能不能把暖⽓开⼤⼀点，⽽男⼠则表⽰抱歉，说⾃⼰没钱了，都快付不起燃料费账单了，建议⼥⼠穿上⽑⾐.由此可知，男⼠想要节省燃料费，故答案为B.4.M: I'm sorry, Miss. But you have to come with me to the security office. The video cameras in our shop have recorded everything you did.W: No, no. I...I didn't do anything. I'll call the police if you dare insult me.Q: What does the man think the woman was doing?A.四个选项均为动名词短语，且出现了theft，pictures，shopping和camera等词，故推测本题考查的内容与商店⾥发⽣的事情相关.对话中，男⼠要将⼥⼠带到保安室去，并说商店⾥的摄像头已经把⼥⼠所做的事都录下来了，⽽⼥⼠则表⽰⾃⼰什么都没有做，如果男⼠敢侮辱她的话，她就报警.由此可知，男⼠认为⼥⼠偷了商店⾥的东西，故答案为A.5.M: I think you ought to see a doctor right away about that cough.W: Well, I'll wait a few more days.I'm sure I'll get over it soon.Q: What do we learn about the woman?B.选项均以she开头，且出现了medicine，doctor和cough等词，故推测本题考查的内容与⼥⼠的健康状况相关.男⼠说⼥⼠应该马上去看医⽣，⽽⼥⼠则说再等⼏天，她相信⾃⼰的咳嗽很快就会好的.由此可知，直到本对话发⽣时，⼥⼠都还没有去看医⽣，故答案为B..6.M: I've heard that Pamela made quite a few mistakes in her lab report.W: Well, she wouldn't have if she hadn't been in such a hunt to get it done.Q: What does the woman imply?D.四个选项均提到了Pamela，且出现了report，hurry，writing和mistakes等词，故推测本题考查的内容与帕⽶拉的报告相关.对话中，男⼠说他听说帕⽶拉的实验报告出了很多错，⽽⼥⼠则说，如果她不是那么急着做完的话，就不会出这么多的错.由此可知，帕⽶拉实验报告中的错误本来是可以避免的，故答案为D..7.M: We'd better check out before 12 o'clock, Marry. And now there are only 30 minutes left.W: Let's hurry up. You go pay the bill and I'll call the reception to have our luggage taken downstairs. Q : Where did this conversation most probably take place?C.四个选项均是表⽰地点的介词短语，故推测本题考查的内容与对话发⽣的地点相关.对话中，男⼠说他们最好能在中午l2点之前退房，现在只剩半⼩时了，⼥⼠建议加快速度，并让男⼠去付账，她⾃⼰给前台打电话，叫⼈把⾏李送到楼下.由此可知，对话发⽣的时候，两⼈还没有开始办理退房⼿续，还在宾馆的房间⾥，故答案为C..8.W: Have you ever heard this speaker before?M: Yeah. She's excellent. She gets her point across and it's entertaining at the same time.Q: what does the man say about the speaker?D.四个选项均以she开头，且出现了college，works，speech和message等词，可以推测本题考查的内容与⼥⼠的情况相关.对话中，⼥⼠问男⼠以前是否听过这个演讲者的讲座，男⼠说他听过，并认为这位演讲的⼥⼠很棒，她不仅将⾃⼰的观点表达得很清楚，⽽且讲得很有趣.由此可知，这位⼥演讲者擅长传达⾃⼰想要传达的信息，故答案为D..Conversation OneM: (8) What should I do about Mr. Romero? Remember? He said it was important and couldn't wait. I think he may want you for that new movie he's directing.W: That's absolutely correct.(9) Now, we have to fit him in somewhere. Uh...what does Monday morning look like?M: That doesn't look so good. You have a make-up session starting at 6:00, then filming starts at 8:00, and that's going to take the whole morning.W: Well, what's after that?M: (10) You have lunch with your agent to discuss the awards ceremony and you'll have to meet him at one o'clock at the restaurant.W: Oh, terrific! Listen. I cannot miss that. But I still have to make time for Mr. Romero.M: Well, now, don't forget you got a three-o'clock appointment with your fashion designer.W: That's right. You know he's showing the latest fashions from Japan? You know that loose-fitting look?Those clothes are so in this year.M: At 4:30 you have an appointment with your hairdresser. Then at 7:00, you have dinner with a journalist. Now remember, be nice to that guy.W: Do I have to? That won't be easy and it's likely to run late. How does Tuesday look?M: Well, you have to spend the whole morning at the photographer's. They are taking photos to publicize your new movie. W: What about the afternoon? Am I free then?M: Let me see...Yes, you are free after 3:30.W: Then you can set up a meeting with Mr. Romero at 4:00.M: OK.(11) I'll get on it right away.预览三道题各选项，其中出现了the woman’s appointment，her travel，awards ceremony和make-up session等词，因此推测对话内容可能与⼥⼠的⼯作安排相关.。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第一套）Part I Writing (30 minutes) (请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to a graduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but nomore than 180 words.Much controversy has been aroused about whether the students should find a job or start their own business after graduation. Taking a look around, we can find that some graduates bustle around job markets, while others choose to run a shop on TMall. However, I prefer the former choice.From my perspective, there are good reasons to find a job in the first severalyears after their graduation. First and foremost, if a graduate intends to accumulate working experience and learn from the seniors, it is advisable for him to find ajob. It is an undeniable fact that the theoretical knowledge will provide thegraduates with the ability to consider things comprehensively, however, only under the integration with practice can the rigid knowledge be useful for their futuredevelopment. Inevitably, doing something small is the premise of undertakingsomething great. Take Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and taobao, for example. Healso finds some jobs before establishing his own career, laying a solid foundation for his later success.Consequently, it is of great necessity to find a job after graduation. I firmly believe that it will continue to bring about more returns to our life and future.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section A- Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end ofeach news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report andthe questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choosethe best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It was going to be renovated.B) He could no longer pay the rent.C) It was dangerous to live in.D) He had sold it to the royal family.【答案】C2. A) A storm.B) A strike.C) A forest fire.D) A terrorist attack.【答案】AQuestions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3.A) They lost contact with the emergency department.B) They were injured by suddenly falling rocks.C) They sent calls for help via a portable radio.D) They were trapped in an underground elevator.【答案】D4.A) They provided the miners with food and water.B) They sent supplies to keep the miners warm.C) They released the details of the accident.D) They tried hard to repair the elevator.【答案】BQuestions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5.A) Raise postage rates.-C) Close some of its post offices.D) Redesign delivery routes.【答案】C6.A) Closing offices on holidays.B) Shortening business hours.C) Computerizing mail sorting processes.D) Stopping mail delivery on Saturdays.【答案】D7.A) A lot of controversy will arise.B)Taxpayers will be very pleased.C) Many people will begin to complain.D) Many post office staff will lose their jobs.【答案】DSection BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the endof each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose thebest answer from the four choices marked A), B)y C) and D). Then mark thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8.A) He will lose part of his pay.B) He will go through retraining.C) He will be given a warning.D) He will be kept from promotion.【答案】A9.A) He is an experienced press operator.B) He is a trustworthy guy.C) He is always on time.D) He is on good terms with his workmates.-10.A) She is a trade union representative.B) She is a senior manager of the shop.C) She is better at handling such matters.D) She is in charge of public relations.【答案】C11.A) He is always trying to stir up trouble.B) He is skilled and experienced.C) He is very close to the manager.D) He is always complaining about low wages.【答案】AQuestions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A) Open.B) Reserved.C) Selfish.D) Friendly.【答案】B13.A) They read a book.B) They talk about the weather.C) They stay quiet.D) They chat with fellow passengers.【答案】C14.A) She was unwilling to make friends with workmates.B) She was never invited to a colleague’s home.C) She was eager to visit an English castle.D) She was always treated as a foreigner.【答案】B15.A) Houses are much more quiet.B) They want to have more space.C) They want a garden of their own.-【答案】DSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of eachpassage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letteron Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A) They will automatically be given hiring priority.B) They don’t have to go through job interviews.C) They are likely to get much higher pay.D) They don’t have much choice of jobs.【答案】A17.A) Visit the school careers service.B) Ask their professors for help.C) Look at school bulletin boards.D) Go through campus newspapers.【答案】A18. A) Providing students with information about the library.B)Helping students arrange appointments with librarians.C)Supervising study spaces to ensure a quiet atmosphere.D)Helping students find the books and journals they need.【答案】CQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A) It tastes better.B) It may be sold at a higher price.C) It is easier to grow.D) It can better survive extreme weathers.【答案】B-B) It is immune to various diseases.C) It will replace green tea one day.D) It is healthier than green tea.【答案】D21. A) It does not have a stable market.B) It has made tea farmers’ life easier.C) It does not bring the promised health benefits.D) It has been well received by many tea drinkers.【答案】AQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A) They care more about environment.B)They decorate their homes themselves.C) They prefer unique objects of high quality.D) They need decorations to show their status.【答案】C23. A) They made great contributions to society.B) They could only try to create at night.C)They were proud of their creations.D)They focused on the quality of their products.【答案】B24.A) Identify fake crafts.B)Make wise choices.C)To arouse public interest in crafts.D)To boost the local economy.【答案】B25.A) To attract foreign investments.B)To preserve the traditional culture.C)Design handicrafts themselves.D)Learn the importance of creation.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Eachchoice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letterfor each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may notuse any of the words in the bank more than once.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are “male” and “female” brains, believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. A new study __26__ that belief, questioning whether brains really can bedistinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers __27__ for sex differencesthroughout the entire human brain.27._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesAnd what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for __28__ brains as “male” or “female,” research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in the middle.28._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalDaphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there aresome gender-based —__29__ , many different types of brain can’t always be distinguished by gender.29._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalWhile the “average” male and “average” female brains were __30__ different, you couldn’t tell it by looking at individual brain scans. Only a small __31__ ofpeople had “all-male” or “all-female” characteristics.30._____31._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalLarry Cahill, an American neuroscientist (神经科学家), said the study is an- gender and brain function. But he cautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same, __33__ of gender.32._____33._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditional“There’s a mountain of evidence __34__ the importance of sex influences atall levels of brain function, M he told The Seattle Times.34._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalIf anything, he said, the study __35__ that gender plays a very important role in the brain—“even when we are not clear exactly how.”35._____A) abnormalB) appliedC) brieflyD) categorizingE) challengesF) figureG) percentageH) provingI) regardlessJ) searchedK) similaritiesL) slightlyM) suggestsN) tastesO) traditionalSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose aparagraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer thequestions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?A)Any product that promises to protect your home d eserves careful examination. So it isn't surprising that you’ll find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home-security systems.B)The most likely type of burglary(入室盗窃)by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity, usually involving a broken window or some forced entry. Accordingto the FBI, crimes like these accounted for roughly two-thirds of all householdburglaries in the US in 2013. The wide majority of the rest were illegal, unforcedentries that resulted from something like a window being left open. The odds ofcriminal using technical means to bypass a security system are so small that theFBI doesn’t even track those statistics.C)One of the main theoretical home-security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to being blocked from working altogether. With wired setups,the fear is that a burglar(入室盗贼)might be able to shut your system down simplyby cutting the right cable. With a wireless setup, you stick battery-powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows, doors, motion, and more. If theydetect something wrong while the system is armed, they’ll transmit a wireless alert signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm. That approach will eliminate most cord-cutting concerns—but what about their wireless equivalent, jamming? With the right device tuned to the right frequency, what’s to stop a thief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?D)Jamming concerns are nothing new, and they’re not unique to security systems. Any device that’s built to receive a wireless signal at a specific frequency canbe overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on the same frequency. For comparison, let’s say you wanted to “jam” a conversation between two people—all you’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear.E)Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—that means that a potential thief can find what they need to know with minimalGoogling. They will, however, need to know what system they’re looking for. If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use, that’d point them in theright direction, though at that point, we’re talking about a highly targeted,semi-sophisticated attack, and not the sort of forced-entry attack that makes upthe majority of burglaries. It’s easier to find and acquire jamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others.F)Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks. SimpliSafe, winner of our Editors’ Choice distinction, utilizesa special system that’s capable of separating incidental RF interference fromtargeted jamming attacks. When the system thinks it’s being jammed, it’ll notify you via push alert (推送警报). From there, it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually.G)SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming, complete witha video showing the entire system being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment. After taking appropriate measure to contain the RF interference to ourtest lab, we tested the attack out for ourselves, and were able to verify that itis possible with the right equipment. However, we also verified that SimpliSafe’s anti-jamming system works. It caught us in the act, sent an alert to my smartphone, and also listed our RF interference on the system’s event log. The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of the system, or whether or not itdetected them.H) We like the unique nature of that software. It means that a thief likelywouldn’t be able to Google how the system works, then figure out a way around itEven if they could, SimpliSafe claims that its system is always evolving, and thatit varies slightly from system to system, which means there wouldn’t be a universal magic formula for cracking it Other systems also seem confident on the subject ofjamming. The team at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site, citingtheir own jam protection software and claiming that there aren’t any documented cases of a successful jam attack since the company began offering wireless security sensors in the 1980s.I)Jamming attacks are absolutely possible. As said before, with the rightequipment and the right know-how, it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission. But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your homeand steal your stuff?J) Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti-jamming system. First, a thief is going to need totarget your home, specifically. Then, he’s going to need to know the technicaldetails of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming your specific setup. Presumably, you keep your doors locked at night and while you'reaway, so the thief will still need to break in. That means defeating the lock somehow, or breaking a window. He’ll need to be jamming you at this point, as a broken window or opened door would normally release the alarm. So, too, would the motion detectors in your home, so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside and searching for things to steal. However, he’ll need to do so without tripping theanti-jamming system, the details of which he almost certainly does not have access to.K) At the end of the day, these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort of opportunistic smash-and-grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries. They’re also only a single layer in what should ideally be a many-sided approach to securing your home, one that includes common sense things like soundlocks and proper exterior lighting at night. No system is impenetrable, and nonecan promise to eliminate the worst case completely. Every one of them hasvulnerabilities that a knowledgeable thief could theoretically exploit. A goodsystem is one that keeps that worst-case setting as improbable as possible whilealso offering strong protection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack.36.It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessaryequipment and skill.【答案】I37.Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering witha conversation.【答案】D38.A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoidtriggering the alarm, both inside and outside the house.【答案】J39.SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radiointerference from targeted jamming attacks.【答案】F40.Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means.【答案】B41.It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing.【答案】H42.Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm oncesomething wrong is detected.【答案】C43.Different measures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary in addition to the wireless security system.【答案】K44.SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone.【答案】G45.Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet search.【答案】ESection CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed bysome questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choicesmarked 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 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.As a person who writes about food and drink for a living, I couldn’t tell you the first thing about Bill Perry or whether the beers he sells are that great. ButI can tell you that I like this guy. That’s because he plans to ban tipping in favor of paying his servers an actual living wage.I hate tipping.I hate it because it’s an obligation disguised as an option. I hate it forthe post-dinner math it requires of me. But mostly, I hate tipping because I believe I would be in a better place if pay decisions regarding employees were simply leftup to their employers, as is the custom in virtually every other industry.Most of you probably think that you hate tipping, too. Research suggestsotherwise. You actually love tipping! You like to feel that you have a voice in how much money your server makes. No matter how the math works out, you persistentlyview restaurants with voluntary tipping systems as being a better value, which makes it extremely difficult for restaurants and bars to do away with the tipping system.One argument that you tend to hear a lot from the pro-tipping crowd seems logical enough: the service is better when waiters depend on tips, presumably because they see a benefit to successfully veiling their contempt for you. Well, if this weretrue, we would all be slipping a few 100-dollar bills to our doctors on the way out their doors, too. But as it turns out, waiters see only a tiny bump in tips whenthey do an exceptional job compared to a passable one. Waiters, keen observers ofhumanity that they are, are catching on to this; in one poll, a full 30% said theydidn’t believe the job they did had any impact on the tips they received.So come on, folks: get on board with ditching the outdated tip system. Pay alittle more up-front for your beer or burger. Support Bill Perry’s pub, and any other bar or restaurant that doesn’t ask you to do drunken math.46.What can we learn about Bill Perry from the passage?A)He runs a pub that serves excellent beer.B)He intends to get rid of the tipping practice.C) He gives his staff a considerable sum for tips.D) He lives comfortably without getting any tips.【答案】B47.What is the main reason why the author hates tipping?-A)It sets a bad example for other industries.B)It adds to the burden of ordinary customers.C) It forces the customer to compensate the waiter.D) It poses a great challenge for customers to do math.【答案】C48.Why do many people love tipping according to the author?A)They help improve the quality of the restaurants they dine in.B)They believe waiters deserve such rewards for good service.C)They want to preserve a wonderful tradition of the industry.D)They can have some say in how much their servers earn.【答案】D49.What have some waiters come to realize according to a survey?A)Service quality has little effect on tip size.B)It is in human nature to try to save on tips.C) Tips make it more difficult to please customers.D) Tips benefit the boss rather than the employees.【答案】A50.What does the author argue for in the passage?A)Restaurants should calculate the tips for customers.B)Customers should pay more tips to help improve service.C)Waiters deserve better than just relying on tips for a living.D)Waiters should be paid by employers instead of customers.【答案】DPassage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, butrecent forecasts for global growth have been toned down, even as oil prices sinklower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth hasweakened?Some e xperts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they’re paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China,Japan, and India. But doesn’t the extra money in the pockets of those countries,consumers mean an equal loss in oil-producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says economic researcher Sara Johnson. “Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw ontheir reserves to support government spending and subsidies (补贴)for their consumers.”But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free-fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil pricesare overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharpdecline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil- producing nationscan’t afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oilprices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the prices drop accountfor a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they’re getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is stillfresh in their mind. And a number of oil-producing countries are trimming theirgasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers isnot as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.51.What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?A)The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.B)Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.C)The impact of cheap oil on global economic growth.D)The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.【答案】C52.Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?A)Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.B)Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.C)Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.D)Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities.【答案】D53.What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?A)They suspend import of necessities from overseas.B)They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.C)They use their money reserves to back up consumption.D)They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.【答案】C54.How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A)It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B)Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C)It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D)Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.【答案】B55.Why haven’t falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A)People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B)The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C)Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D)People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.【答案】APart IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passagefrom Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，红色通常象征着好运、长寿和幸福。

2015年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案(第三套)

2015年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案(第3套)Part Ⅰ Writing ( 30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying" Never go out there to see what happens, go out there to make things happen." You can cit examples to illustrate the importance of being participants rather than mere onlookers in life. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension ( 30 minutes)Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.1 A. Children should be taught to be more careful.B. Children shouldn't drink so much orange juice.C. There is no need for the man to make such a fuss.D. Timmy should learn to do things in the right way.2. A. Fitness training. B. The new job offer.C. Computer programming.D. Directorship of the club.3. A. He needs to buy a new sweater.B. He has got to save on fuel bills.C. The fuel price has skyrocketed.D. The heating system doesn't work.4. A. Committing theft. B. Taking pictures.C. Window shopping.D. Posing for the camera.5. A. She is taking some medicine.B. She has not seen a doctor yet.C. She does not trust the man's advice.D. She has almost recovered from the cough.6. A. Pamela's report is not finished as scheduled.B. Pamela has a habit of doing things in a hurry.C. Pamela is not good at writing research papers.D. Pamela's mistakes could have been avoided.7. A. In the left-luggage office. B. At the hotel reception.C. In a hotel room.D. At an airport.8. A. She was an excellent student at college.B. She works in the entertainment business.C. She is fond of telling stories in her speech.D. She is good at conveying her message.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A. Arranging the woman's appointment with Mr. Romero.B. Fixing the time for the designer's latest fashion show.C. Talking about an important gathering on Tuesday.D. Preparing for the filming on Monday morning.10.A. Her travel to Japan.B. The awards ceremony.C. The proper hairstyle for her new role.D. When to start the make-up session.11.A. He is Mr. Romero's agent.B. He is an entertainment journalist.C. He is the woman's assistant.D. He is a famous movie star.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A. Make an appointment for an interview.B. Send in an application letter.C. Fill in an application form.D. Make a brief self-introduction on the phone.13.A. Someone having a college degree in advertising.B. Someone experienced in business management.C. Someone ready to take on more responsibilities.D. Someone willing to work beyond regular hours.14.A. Travel opportunities. B. Handsome pay.C. Prospects for promotion.D. Flexible working hours.15.A. It depends on the working hours.B. It is about 500 pounds a week.C. It will be set by the Human Resources.D. It is to be negotiated.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 center.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16.A. To give customers a wider range of choices.B. To make shoppers see as many items as possible.C. To supply as many varieties of goods as it can.D. To save space for more profitable products.17.A. On the top shelves. B. On the bottom shelves.C. On easily accessible shelves.D. On clearly marked shelves.18.A. Many of them buy things on impulse.B. A few of them are fathers with babies.C. A majority of them are young couples.D. Over 60% of them make shopping lists.19.A. Sales assistants promoting high margin goods.B. Sales assistants following customers around.C. Customers competing for good bargains.D. Customers losing all sense of time.Passage TwoQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20.A. Teaching mathematics at a school.B. Doing research in an institute.C. Studying for a college degree.D. Working in a hi-tech company21.A. He studied the designs of various clocks.B. He did experiments on different materials.C. He bought an alarm clock with a pig face.D. He asked different people for their opinions.22.A. Its automatic mechanism.B. Its manufacturing process.C. Its way of waking people up.D. Its funny-looking pig face.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23.A. It is often caused by a change of circumstances.B. It actually doesn't require any special treatment.C. It usually appears all of a sudden.D. It generally lasts for several years.24.A. They cannot mix well with others.B. They irrationally annoy their friends.C. They depend heavily on family members.D. They blame others for ignoring their needs.25.A. They lack consistent support from peers.B. They doubt their own popularity.C. They were born psychologically weak.D. They focus too much on themselves.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given, in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each. choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.Children do not think the way adults do. For most of the first year of life, if something is out of sight, it's out of mind. If you cover a baby's36toy with a piece of cloth, the baby thinks the toyhas disappeared and stops looking for it. A 4-year-old may 37 that a sister has more fruit juice when it is only the shapes of the glasses that differ, not the38 of juice.Yet children are smart in their own way. Like good little scientists, children are always testing their child-sized39 about how things work. When your child throws her spoon on the floor for the sixth time as you try to feed her, and you say, "That's enough! I will not pick up your spoon again!" the child will 40 test your claim. Are you serious? Are you angry? What will happen if she throws the spoon again? She is not doing this to drive you41; rather, she is learning that her desires and yours can differ, and that sometimes those42 are important and sometimes they are not.How and why does children's thinking change? In the 1920s, Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget proposed that children's cognitive (认知的) abilities unfold 43, like the blooming of a flower, almost independent of what else is44in their lives. Although many of his specific conclusions havebeen45 or modified over the years, his ideas inspired thousands of studies by investigators all over the world. A. advocate B. amount C. confirmed D. crazy E. definiteF. differencesG. favoriteH. happeningI. ImmediatelyJ. NaturallyK. Obtaining L. Primarily M. Protest N. Rejected O. theoriesSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with, ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Perfect EssayA. Looking back on too many years of education, I can identify one truly impossible teacher. She cared about me, and my intellectual life, even when I didn't. Her expectations were high--impossibly so. She was an English teacher. She was also my mother.B. When good students turn in an essay, they dream of their instructor returning it to them in exactly the same condition, save for a single word added in the margin of the final page : "Flawless." This dream came true for me one afternoon in the ninth grade. Of course, I had heard that genius could show itself at an early age, so I was only slightly taken aback that I had achieved perfection at the tender age of 14.Obviously, I did what any professional writer would do; I hurried off to spread the good news. I didn't get very far. The first person I told was my mother.C. My mother, who is just shy of five feet tall, is normally incredibly soft-spoken, but on the rare occasion when she got angry, she was terrifying. I am not sure if she was more upset by my hubris(得意忘形) or by the fact that my English teacher had let my ego get so out of hand. In any event, my mother and her red pen showed me how deeply flawed a flawless essay could be. At the time, I am sure she thought she was teaching me about mechanics, transitions (过渡), structure, style and voice. But what I learned, and what stuck with me through my time teaching writing at Harvard, was a deeper lesson about the nature of creative criticism.D. First off, it hurts. Genuine criticism, the type that leaves a lasting mark on you as a writer, also leaves an existential imprint (印记) on you as a person. I have heard people say that a writer should never take criticism personally. I say that we should never listen to these people.E. Criticism, at its best, is deeply personal, and gets to the heart of why we write the way we do. The intimate nature of genuine criticism implies something about who is able to give it, namely, someone who knows you well enough to show you how your mental life is getting in the way of good writing. Conveniently, they are also the people who care enough to see you through this painful realization. For me it took the form of my first, and I hope only, encounter with writer's block--I was not able to produce anything for three years.F. Franz Kafka once said: "Writing is utter solitude (独处), the descent into the cold abyss (深渊) of oneself." My mother's criticism had shown me that Kafka is right about the cold abyss, and when you make the introspective (内省的) descent that writing requires you are not always pleased by what you find. But, in the years that followed, her sustained tutoring suggested that Kafka might be wrong about the solitude. I was lucky enough to find a critic and teacher who was willing to make the journey of writing with me."It is a thing of no great difficulty," according to Plutarch, "to raise objections against another man's speech, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome." I am sure I wrote essays in the later years of high school without my mother's guidance, but I can't recall them. What I remember, however, is how she took up the "extremely troublesome" work of ongoing criticism.G. There are two ways to interpret Plutarch when he suggests that a critic should be able to produce "a better in its place." In a straightforward sense, he could mean that a critic must be more talented than the artist she critiques (评论).My mother was well covered on this count. But perhaps Plutarch is suggesting something slightly different, something a bit closer to Marcus Cicero's claim that one should "criticize by creation, not by finding fault." Genuine criticism creates a precious opening for an author to become better on his own terms--a process that is often extremely painful, but also almost always meaningful.H. My mother said she would help me with my writing, but first I had to help myself. For each assignment, I was to write the best essay I could. Real criticism is not meant to find obvious mistakes, so if she found any--the type I could have found on my own--I had to start from scratch. From scratch. Once the essay was "flawless," she would take an evening to walk me through my errors. That was when true criticism, the type that changed me as a person, began.I. She criticized me when I included little-known references and professional jargon (行话).Shehadno patience for brilliant but irrelevant figures of speech."Writers can't bluff (虚张声势) their way through ignorance." That was news to me--I would need to freed another way to structure my daily existence.J. She trimmed back my flowery language, drew lines through my exclamation marks and argued for the value of restraint in expression."John," she almost whispered. I leaned in to hear her: "I can't hear you when you shout at me." So I stopped shouting and bluffing, and slowly my writing improved.K. Somewhere along the way I set aside my hopes of writing that flawless essay. But perhaps I missed something important in my mother's lessons about creativity and perfection. Perhaps the point of writing the flawless essay was not to give up, but to never willingly finish. Whit man repeatedly reworked "Song of Myself' between 1855 and 1891.Repeatedly.We do our absolute best with a piece of writing, and come as close as we can to the ideal. And, for the time being, we settle. In critique, however, we are forced to depart, to give up the perfection we thought we had achieved for the chance of being even a little bit better. This is the lesson I took from my mother: If perfection were possible, it would not be motivating.46.The author was advised against the improper use of figures of speech.47.The author's mother taught him a valuable lesson by pointing out lots of flaws in his seemingly perfect essay.48.A writer should polish his writing repeatedly so as to get closer to perfection.49.Writers may experience periods of time in their life when they just can't produce anything.50.The author was not much surprised when his school teacher marked his essay as "flawless".51.Criticizing someone's speech is said to be easier than coming up with a better one.52.The author looks upon his mother as his most demanding and caring instructor.53.The criticism the author received from his mother changed him as a person.54.The author gradually improved his writing by avoiding fancy language.55.Constructive criticism gives an author a good start to improve his writing.Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C. and D .You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.Could you reproduce Silicon Valley elsewhere, or is there something unique about it?It wouldn't be surprising if it were hard to reproduce in other countries, because you couldn't reproduce it in most of the US either. What does it take to make a Silicon Valley?It's the right people. If you could get the right ten thousand people to move from Silicon Valley to Buffalo, Buffalo would become Silicon Valley.You only need two kinds of people to create a technology hub (中心) : rich people and nerds (痴迷科研的人).Observation bears this out. Within the US, towns have become star, up hubs if and only if they have both rich people and nerds. Few startups happen in Miami, for example, because although it's full of rich people, it has few nerds. It's not the kind of place nerds like.Whereas Pittsburgh has the opposite problem: plenty of nerds, but no rich people.The top US Computer Science departments are said to be MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, and Carnegie-Mellon. MIT yielded Route 128.Stanford and Berkeley yielded Silicon Valley. But what did Carnegie-Mellon yield in Pittsburgh? And what happened in Ithaca, home of Cornell University, which is also high on the list?I grew up in Pittsburgh and went to college at Cornell, so I can answer for both. The weather isterrible, particularly in winter, and there's no interesting old city to make up for it, as there is in Boston. Rich people don't want to live in Pittsburgh or Ithaca. So while there're plenty of hackers (电脑迷) who could start startups, there's no one to invest in themDo you really need the rich people? Wouldn't it work to have the government invest in the nerds?No, it would not. Start up investors are a distinct type of rich people. They tend to have a lot of experience themselves in the technology business. This helps them pick the right startups, and means they can supply advice and connections as well as money. And the fact that they have a personal stake in the outcome makes them really pay attention.56.What do we learn about Silicon Valley from the passage?A. Its success is hard to copy anywhere else.B. It is the biggest technology hub in the US.C. Its fame in high technology is incomparable.D. It leads the world in information technology.57.What makes Miami unfit to produce a Silicon Valley?A. Lack of incentive for investment.B. Lack of the right kind of talents.C. Lack of government support.D. Lack of famous universities.58.In what way is Carnegie-Mellon different from Stanford, Berkeley and MIT?A. Its location is not as attractive to rich people.B. Its science departments are not nearly as good.C. It does not produce computer hackers and nerds.D. It does not pay much attention to business startups.59.What does the author imply about Boston?A. It has pleasant weather all year round.B. It produces wealth as well as high-tech.C. It is not likely to attract lots of investors and nerds.D. It is an old city with many sites of historical interest.60.What does the author say about startup investors?A. They are especially wise in making investments.B. They have good connections in the government.C. They can do more than providing money.D. They are rich enough to invest in nerds.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.It's nice to have people of like mind around. Agreeable people boost your confidence and allow you to relax and feel comfortable. Unfortunately, that comfort can hinder the very learning that can expand your company and your career.It's nice to have people agree, but you need conflicting perspectives to dig out the truth .If everyone around you has similar views, your work will suffer from confirmation bias (偏颇).Take a look at your own network. Do your contacts share your point of view on most subjects? If yes, it's time to shake things up .As a leader, it can be challenging to create an environment in which people will freely disagree and argue, but as the saying goes: From confrontation comes brilliance.It's not easy for most people to actively seek conflict. Many spend their lives trying to avoid arguments. There's no need to go out and find people you hate, but you need to do some self-assessment to determine where you have become stale in your thinking. You may need to start by encouraging your current network to help you identify your blind spots.Passionate, energetic debate does not require anger and hard feelings to be effective. But it does require moral strength. Once you have worthy opponents, set some ground rules so everyone understands responsibilities and boundaries. The objective of this debating game is not to win but to get to the truth that will allow you to move faster, farther, and better.Fierce debating can hurt feelings, particularly when strong personalities are involved. Make sure you check in with your opponents so that they are not carrying the emotion of the battles beyond the battlefield. Break the tension with smiles and humor to reinforce the idea that this is friendly discourse and that all are working toward a common goal.Reward all those involved in the debate sufficiently when the goals are reached. Let your sparring partners (拳击陪练) know how much you appreciate their contribution. The more they feel appreciated, the more they'll be willing to get into the ring next time.61.What happens when you have like-minded people around you all the while?A. It will help your company expand more rapidly.B. It will create a harmonious working atmosphere.C. It may prevent your business and career from advancing.D. It may make you feel uncertain about your own decisions.62.What does the author suggest leaders do?A. Avoid arguments with business partners.B. Encourage people to disagree and argue.C. Build a wide and strong business network.D. Seek advice from their worthy competitors.63.What is the purpose of holding a debate?A. To find out the truth about an issue.B. To build up people's moral strength.C. To remove misunderstandings.D. To look for worthy opponents.64.What advice does the author give to people engaged in a fierce debate?A. They listen carefully to their opponents' views.B. They show due respect for each other's beliefs.C. They present their views clearly and explicitly.D. They take care not to hurt each other's feelings.65.How should we treat our rivals after a successful debate?A. Try to make peace with them.B. Try to make up the differences.C. Invite them to the ring next time.D. Acknowledge their contribution.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.今年在长沙举行了一年一度的外国人汉语演讲比赛.这项比赛证明是促进中国和世界其他地区文化交流的好方法.它为世界各地的年轻人提供了更好地了解中国的机会.来自87个国家共计126位选手聚集在湖南省省会参加了从7月6日到8月5日进行的半决赛和决赛.比赛并不是唯一的活动.选手们还有机会参观了中国其他地区的著名景点和历史名胜.2015年12月大学英语四级考试真题答案与详解(第3套)Part ⅠWriting这是一篇四级考试中常见的议论文.话题围绕“Never go out there to see what happens，go out there to make things happen.”这句话展开，要求考生进行评论，同时在题目要求中也明确给出了作文主题the importance of being participants rather than mere onlookers in life.考生应该明确这一主题，并围绕其展开论述.一、点明主题：不做看客，要做实践者(being participants instead of onlookers in life)二、分析原因三、提出问题和建议主题词汇put…into practice将……付诸实践carry out执行；实现gain获得accumulate积累gradually逐渐地make a progress取得进步theory理论action行动would rather…than比起……更情愿……stand by袖手旁观句式拓展1.For some people, watching what happens to others is good enough to learn a lesson, while for others, only practicing by themselves can finally make them get the real skills in对一些人而言，看发生在别人身上的事情足以让他们吸取教训，而对于其他人而言，他们只有亲身实践才能最终得到生活中的真正技能.2.No matter how many authentic theories you've got before,nothing will happen until you put them into practice.无论你曾经接受了多少权威的理论，若不付诸实践，一切都无济于事.Part ⅡListening ComprehensionM: I don't know what to do with Timmy. This morning I found orange juice spilled all over the kitchen floor.W: Don't be so hard on him. He's only four.Q: What does the woman mean?C.四个选项中出现了children，careful，juice和Timmy等词，故推测本题考查的内容与孩子的行为相关.对话中，男士抱怨说他都不知道该拿蒂米怎么办了，今天早上，他发现桔子汁在厨房洒了一地，而女士则说，别对蒂米太严厉了，他才四岁.由此可见，女士认为男士不用小题大做，故答案为C..2.W: Excuse me, sir. I would like to know about the fitness training program in your club.M: I'll have you speak with the director in charge of new accounts.Q: What is the woman interested in?A.四个选项均为名词短语，且出现了fitness，job，computer和club等词，故推测本题考查的内容与健身或者工作相关.对话中，女士向男士询问俱乐部健身锻炼的事情，男士则说他会带着女士去找专门负责新会员的经理.由此可知，女士是对俱乐部健身锻炼感兴趣，故答案为A..3.W: It's really cold in this apartment. Can we turn up the heat a little bit?M: Sorry. I've run out of money and can hardly pay the fuel bill. Maybe you'd better put on a sweater. Q: what does the man mean?B.四个选项中出现了sweater，save，fuel bills和heating等词，故推测本题考查的内容与寒冷天气以及取暖相关.对话中，女士说她觉得很冷，问能不能把暖气开大一点，而男士则表示抱歉，说自己没钱了，都快付不起燃料费账单了，建议女士穿上毛衣.由此可知，男士想要节省燃料费，故答案为B.4.M: I'm sorry, Miss. But you have to come with me to the security office. The video cameras in our shop have recorded everything you did.W: No, no. I...I didn't do anything. I'll call the police if you dare insult me.Q: What does the man think the woman was doing?A.四个选项均为动名词短语，且出现了theft，pictures，shopping和camera等词，故推测本题考查的内容与商店里发生的事情相关.对话中，男士要将女士带到保安室去，并说商店里的摄像头已经把女士所做的事都录下来了，而女士则表示自己什么都没有做，如果男士敢侮辱她的话，她就报警.由此可知，男士认为女士偷了商店里的东西，故答案为A.5.M: I think you ought to see a doctor right away about that cough.W: Well, I'll wait a few more days.I'm sure I'll get over it soon.Q: What do we learn about the woman?B.选项均以she开头，且出现了medicine，doctor和cough等词，故推测本题考查的内容与女士的健康状况相关.男士说女士应该马上去看医生，而女士则说再等几天，她相信自己的咳嗽很快就会好的.由此可知，直到本对话发生时，女士都还没有去看医生，故答案为B..6.M: I've heard that Pamela made quite a few mistakes in her lab report.W: Well, she wouldn't have if she hadn't been in such a hunt to get it done.Q: What does the woman imply?D.四个选项均提到了Pamela，且出现了report，hurry，writing和mistakes等词，故推测本题考查的内容与帕米拉的报告相关.对话中，男士说他听说帕米拉的实验报告出了很多错，而女士则说，如果她不是那么急着做完的话，就不会出这么多的错.由此可知，帕米拉实验报告中的错误本来是可以避免的，故答案为D..7.M: We'd better check out before 12 o'clock, Marry. And now there are only 30 minutes left.W: Let's hurry up. You go pay the bill and I'll call the reception to have our luggage taken downstairs. Q : Where did this conversation most probably take place?C.四个选项均是表示地点的介词短语，故推测本题考查的内容与对话发生的地点相关.对话中，男士说他们最好能在中午l2点之前退房，现在只剩半小时了，女士建议加快速度，并让男士去付账，她自己给前台打电话，叫人把行李送到楼下.由此可知，对话发生的时候，两人还没有开始办理退房手续，还在宾馆的房间里，故答案为C..8.W: Have you ever heard this speaker before?M: Yeah. She's excellent. She gets her point across and it's entertaining at the same time.Q: what does the man say about the speaker?D.四个选项均以she开头，且出现了college，works，speech和message等词，可以推测本题考查的内容与女士的情况相关.对话中，女士问男士以前是否听过这个演讲者的讲座，男士说他听过，并认为这位演讲的女士很棒，她不仅将自己的观点表达得很清楚，而且讲得很有趣.由此可知，这位女演讲者擅长传达自己想要传达的信息，故答案为D..Conversation OneM: (8) What should I do about Mr. Romero? Remember? He said it was important and couldn't wait. I think he may want you for that new movie he's directing.W: That's absolutely correct.(9) Now, we have to fit him in somewhere. Uh...what does Monday morning look like?M: That doesn't look so good. You have a make-up session starting at 6:00, then filming starts at 8:00, and that's going to take the whole morning.W: Well, what's after that?M: (10) You have lunch with your agent to discuss the awards ceremony and you'll have to meet him at one o'clock at the restaurant.W: Oh, terrific! Listen. I cannot miss that. But I still have to make time for Mr. Romero.M: Well, now, don't forget you got a three-o'clock appointment with your fashion designer.W: That's right. You know he's showing the latest fashions from Japan? You know that loose-fitting look?Those clothes are so in this year.M: At 4:30 you have an appointment with your hairdresser. Then at 7:00, you have dinner with a journalist. Now remember, be nice to that guy.W: Do I have to? That won't be easy and it's likely to run late. How does Tuesday look?M: Well, you have to spend the whole morning at the photographer's. They are taking photos to publicize your new movie.W: What about the afternoon? Am I free then?M: Let me see...Yes, you are free after 3:30.W: Then you can set up a meeting with Mr. Romero at 4:00.M: OK.(11) I'll get on it right away.预览三道题各选项，其中出现了the woman’s appointment，her travel，awards ceremony和make-up session等词，因此推测对话内容可能与女士的工作安排相关.9.What are the speakers doing?A.对话开头男士说罗梅罗先生急着见女士，可能是想让女士出演他导演的新电影，女士说一定得把他安排进来.由此可以推断，对话中的两人正在安排女士的时间，好让她能够与罗梅罗先生见面，故答案为A..10.What is the woman going to discuss with her agent over lunch on Monday?B.对话中，男士告诉女士她周一需要和自己的经纪人吃午饭，讨论一下关于颁奖仪式的事情，故答案为B..11.What do we learn from the conversation about the man?C.对话中，男士和女士一起讨论女士的日程安排，从第一句罗梅罗先生想要让女士出演他导演的新电影可知，女士是位电影演员，而男士对女士的日程安排非常了解，并且由最后一句可知，男士服从女士的安排.综合这些内容可以推断出，男士是女士的助理，故答案为C.. Conversation TwoM: I'm phoning up about this job you advertised in the paper. This...er...young sales manager?W: Oh, yes.M: I'd like to apply for it. Would you send me an application form?W: (12) No. You simply send in a written application, a letter.M: Can you tell me a bit more about the job?W: (13) Well, we are very looking for someone who isn't too concerned about working fairly long hours.M: What do you mean by long hours?W: (13) This is a job which does, as the advertisement says, have travel possibilities, and very often, one would be away at weekends, for instance.M: Oh, I thought you meant working in the evenings and working overtime.W: Well, it could also mean working in the evenings. But for a managerial post, I'm afraid we don't pay over time. Um...that's for other grades.M: Oh. What kind of money are you paying then?W: (15) Well, this is to be negotiated. Uh, it depends partly on your experience and education. Perhaps you can tell me briefly what that is?M: I've just left school and got A level in geography.。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题（第2套）及答案详解

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

大学英语四级真题及答案第三套

2016年6月英语四级真题第三套Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to express your thanks to one of your friends who helped you most when you were in should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension （25 minutes）Section ADirections： In this section， you will hear three news reports。

At the end of each news report， you will hear two or three questions。

Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once。

After you hear a question， you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A）， B）， C） and D）。

Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre。

Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard。

1。

A）The International Labor Organization’s key objective。

2016年12月英语四级真题及答案解析（三套完整版）

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

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

2016年12英语四级解析第3套

2016年12月大学英语四级考试答案与解析（第3套）Part I Writing【范文】In the past two years of my college life, I have never ceased to think what kind of work I shall take up upon graduation. Although my ideas are not consistent, I have now decided to start a business of my own as my lifelong career.A variety of factors have led me to make this decision over other more lucrative ones. To begin with, running my own business means freedom and independence. As a person having my own business, it can fully express myself and make my own decisions, a privilege not everyone can have, even those with highly-paid positions. More importantly, I like starting my own business in that it combines with interest and work. A person can only devote himself to doing the best when he is really interested in one thing. What's more, start a business of my own offers a certain peace of mind. No more rushing to catch a morning bus, no more worries about when I will get fired, no more anxious to please a boss.I do not want to miss this entrepreneurial era, and nothing, not even a big salary, can equal for the satisfaction of being your own boss and a gentle peace of life.Section A当有人犯罪时，我们总希望惩罚与罪行相当。

12月英语四级真题参考答案第3套

12月英语四级真题参考答案第3套2016年12月英语四级真题参考答案（第3套）经过一年的`准备复习，2016年12月英语四级考试已经告一段落了。

为了方便广大考生评估自己的考试成绩，店铺为大家提供了2016年12月第三套英语四级真题参考答案。

供大家参考!Part ⅠWritingWorking in a state-owned business or in a joint ventureUpon graduation, all college students will confront the problem of the career choice，which is truly a tough one. Some hold that there is no better way to get a decent job than working in a stated-owned business, which will guarantee their quality of life after retirement, [while others insist that working in a joint venture outweighs any other jobs as it may provide higher income. As for me, I prefer the latter.For one thing, a joint venture usually offers a more cooperative and competitive working atmosphere which is suitable for the beginners to develop their abilities. For another, joint ventures usually provide high salaries, which exerts a tremendous fascination on a great number of people, especially to the beginners who need to cover the expenses of transportation, the house-renting, and social activities. Besides the above two, I adore the diverse business culture in the joint ventures, immersed in which I can broaden my vision and expand my knowledge.Based on the above reasons, working in a joint venture will be my first and sole choice.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension听力真题只有以上两套，第三套听力真题只是ABCD顺序不同，故这一部分不重复。

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)及答案详解

2016年12月大学英语四级考试真题(第2套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have twooptions upon graduation: one is to take a job in a company and the other to go to agraduate school. You are to make a choice between the two. Write an essay to explain thereasons for your choice. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180words.Part ⅡListening Comprehension(25 minutes )Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each newsreport, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre. Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A. To satisfy the curiosity of tourists.B. To replace two old stone bridges.C. To enable tourists to visit Goat Island.D. To improve utility services in the state.2. A. Countless tree limbs.B. A few skeletons.C. Lots of wrecked boats and ships.D. Millions of coins on the bottom.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A. It suspended diplomatic relations with Libya.B. It urged tourists to leave Tunisia immediately.C. It shut down two border crossings with Libya.D. It launched a fierce attack against Islamic State.4. A. Advise Tunisian civilians on how to take safety precautions.B. Track down the organization responsible for the terrorist attack.C. Train qualified security personnel for the Tunisian government.D. Devise a monitoring system on the Tunisian border with Libya.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A. An environment-friendly battery.B. An energy-saving mobile phone.C. A plant-powered mobile phone charger.D. A device to help plants absorb sunlight.6. A. While sitting in their school's courtyard.B. While playing games on their phones.C. While solving a mathematical problem.D. While doing a chemical experiment.7. A. It increases the applications of mobile phones.B. It speeds up the process of photosynthesis.C. It improves the reception of mobile phones.D. It collects the energy released by plants.Section BDirections:In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken onlyonce. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choicesmarked A, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A. He visited the workshops in the Grimsby plant.B. He called the woman and left her a message.C. He used stand-ins as replacements on all lines.D. He asked a technician to fix the broken production line.9. A. It is the most modern production line.B. It assembles super-intelligent robots.C. It has stopped working completely.D. It is going to be upgraded soon.10. A. To seek her permission.B. To place an order for robots.C. To request her to return at once.D. To ask for Tom's phone number.11. A. She is on duty.B. She is having her day off.C. She is on sick leave.D. She is abroad on business.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A. He saved a baby boy's life.B. He wanted to be a superhero.C. He prevented a train crash.D. He was a witness to an accident.13. A. He has a 9-month-old boy.B. He is currently unemployed.C. He enjoys the interview.D. He commutes by subway.14. A. A rock on the tracks.B. A misplaced pushchair.C. A strong wind.D. A speeding car.15. A. She stood motionless in shock.B. She cried bitterly.C. She called the police at once.D. She shouted for help.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with asingle line through the centre. Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A. She inherited her family ice-cream business in Billings.B. She loved the ice-cream business more than teaching primary school.C. She started an ice-cream business to finance her daughter's education.D. She wanted to have an ice-cream truck when she was a little girl.17. A. To preserve a tradition.B. To amuse her daughter.C. To help local education.D. To make some extra money.18. A. To raise money for business expansion.B. To make her truck attractive to children.C. To allow poor kids to have ice-cream too.D. To teach kids the value of mutual support.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A. The reasons for imposing taxes.B. The various services money can buy.C. The various burdens on ordinary citizens.D. The function of money in the modem world.20. A. Educating and training citizens.B. Improving public transportation.C. Protecting people's life and property.D. Building hospitals and public libraries.21. A. By asking for donations.B. By selling public lands.C. By selling government bonds.D. By exploiting natural resources.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A. It is located at the center of the European continent.B. It relies on tourism as its chief source of revenues.C. It contains less than a square mile of land.D. It is surrounded by France on three sides.23. A. Its beauty is frequently mentioned in American media.B. Its ruler Prince Rainier married an American actress.C. It is where many American movies are shot.D. It is a favorite place Americans like to visit.24. A. Tobacco.B. Potatoes.C. Machinery.D. Clothing.25. A. European history.B. European geography.C. Small countries in Europe.D. Tourist attractions in Europe.Part ⅡReading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.The ocean is heating up. That's the conclusion of a new study that finds that Earth's oceans now26heat at twice the rate they did 18 years ago. Around half of ocean heat intake since 1865 hastaken place since 1997, researchers report online in Nature Climate Change.Warming waters are known to27 to coral bleaching (珊瑚白化) and they take up more spacethan cooler waters, raising sea28While the top of the ocean is well studied, its depths are moredifficultto 29The researchers gathered 150 years of ocean temperature data in order to get abetter30 of heat absorption from surface to seabed. They gathered together temperature readingscollected by everything from a 19th century31 of British naval ships to modem automated oceanprobes. The extensive data sources,32 with computer simulations ( 计算机模拟), created atimeline of ocean temperature changes, including cooling from volcanic outbreaks and warming fromfossil fuel33 About 35 percent of the heat taken in by the oceans during the industrial era now resides at a34 of more than 700 meters, the researchers found. They say they're35whether the deep-seawarming canceled out warming at the sea's surface.A. absorbB. CombinedC. ContributeD. depthE. emissionsF. excursionG. exploreH. floorI. heightsJ. indifferentK. levelsL. mixedM. pictureN. unsureO. voyageSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2. The Secret to Raising Smart KidsA) I first began to investigate the basis of human motivation--and how people persevere aftersetbacks--as a psychology graduate student at Yale University in the 1960s. Animal experiments bypsychologists at the University of Pennsylvania had shown that after repeated failures, most animalsconclude that a situation is hopeless and beyond their control. After such an experience an animaloften remains passive even when it can effect change--a state they called learned helplessness.B) People can learn to be helpless, too. Why do some students give up when they encounter difficulty,whereas others who are no more skilled continue to strive and learn? One answer, I soondiscovered, lay in people's beliefs about why they had failed.C) In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depresses motivation more than doesthe belief that lack of effort is to blame. When I told a group of school children who displayedhelpless behavior that a lack of effort led to their mistakes in math, they learned to keep tryingwhen the problems got tough. Another group of helpless children who were simply rewarded fortheir success on easier problems did not improve their ability to solve hard math problems. Theseexperiments indicated that a focus on effort can help resolve helplessness and generate success.D) Later, I developed a broader theory of what separates the two general classes of learners--helplessversus mastery-oriented. I realized these different types of students not only explain their failuresdifferently, but they also hold different "theories" of intelligence.The helpless ones believeintelligence is a fixed characteristic: you have only a certain amount, and that's that. I call this a"fixed mind-set (思维模式). " Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors toa lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. They avoid challenges because challengesmake mistakes more likely. The mastery-oriented children, on the other hand, think intelligence isnot fixed and can be developed through education and hard work. Such children believe challengesare energizing rather than intimidating (令人生畏); they offer opportunities to learn. Studentswith such a growth mind-set were destined (注定) for greater academic success and were quitelikely to outperform their counterparts.E) We validated these expectations in a study in which two other psychologists and I monitored 373students for two years during the transition to junior high school, when the work gets more difficultand the grading more strict, to determine how their mind-sets might affect their math grades. At thebeginning of seventh grade, we assessed the students' mind-sets by asking them to agree or disagreewith statements such as "Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can't reallychange. " We then assessed their beliefs about other aspects of learning and looked to see whathappened to their grades.F) As predicted, the students with a growth mind-set felt that learning was a more important goal thangetting good grades. In addition, they held hard work in high regard. They understood that evengeniuses have to work hard. Confronted by a setback such as a disappointing test grade, studentswith a growth mind-set said they would study harder or try a different strategy. The students whoheld a fixed mind-set, however, were concerned about looking smart with less regard for learning.They had negative views of effort, believing that having to work hard was a sign of low ability.They thought that a person with talent or intelligence did not need to work hard to do well.Attributing a bad grade to their own lack of ability, those with a fixed mind-set said that they wouldstudy less in the future, try never to take that subject again and consider cheating on future tests.G) Such different outlooks had a dramatic impact on performance. At the start of junior high, the mathachievement test scores of the students with a growth mind-set were comparable to those ofstudents who displayed a fixed mind-set. But as the work became more difficult, the studentswitha growth mind-set showed greater persistence. As a result, their math grades overtook those of theother students by the end of the first semester--and the gap between the two groups continued towiden during the two years we followed them.H) A fixed mind-set can also hinder communication and progress in the workplace and discourage orignore constructive criticism and advice. Research shows that managers who have a fixed mind-setare less likely to seek or welcome feedback from their employees than are managers with a growthmind-set.I) How do we transmit a growth mind-set to our children? One way is by telling stories aboutachievements that result from hard work. For instance, talking about mathematical geniuses whowere more or less born that way puts students in a fixed mind-set, but descriptions of greatmathematicians who fell in love with math and developed amazing skills produce a growth mind-set.J) In addition, parents and teachers can help children by providing explicit instruction regarding themind as a learning machine. I designed an eight-session workshop for 91 students whose mathgrades were declining in their first year of junior high.Forty-eight of the students receivedinstruction in study skills only, whereas the others attended a combination of study skills sessionsand classes in which they learned about the growth mind-set and how to apply it to schoolwork. Inthe growth mind-set classes, students read and discussed an article entitled "You Can Grow YourBrain. " They were taught that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger with use and thatlearning prompts the brain to grow new connections. From such instruction, many students beganto see themselves as agents of their own brain development. Despite being unaware that there weretwo types of instruction, teachers reported significant motivational changes in 27% of the childrenin the growth mind-set workshop as compared with only 9% of students in the control group.K) Research is converging (汇聚) on the conclusion that great accomplishment and even genius istypically the result of years of passion and dedication and not something that flows naturally from agift.36. The author's experiment shows that students with a fixed mind-set believe having to work hard is an indication of low ability.37. Focusing on effort is effective in helping children overcome frustration and achieve success.38. We can cultivate a growth mind-set in children by telling success stories that emphasize hard work and love of learning.39. Students' belief about the cause of their failure explains their attitude toward setbacks.40. In the author's experiment, students with a growth mind-set showed greater perseverance in solving difficult math problems.41. The author conducted an experiment to find out about the influence of students' mind-sets on math learning.42. After failing again and again, most animals give up hope.43. Informing students about the brain as a learning machine is a good strategy to enhance their motivation for learning.44. People with a fixed mind-set believe that one's intelligence is unchangeable.45. In the workplace, feedback may not be so welcome to managers with a fixed mind-set. Section CDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A., B., C. AndD . You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage."Sugar, alcohol and tobacco," economist Adam Smith once wrote," are commodities which arenowhere necessaries of life, which have become objects of almost universal consumption, and whichare, therefore, extremely popular subjects of taxation. "Two and a haft centuries on, most countries impose some sort of tax on alcohol and tobacco. Withsurging obesity levels putting increasing strain on public health systems, governments around the worldhave begun to toy with the idea of taxing sugar as well.Whether such taxes work is a matter of debate. A preliminary review of Mexico's taxation found afall in purchases of taxed drinks as well as a rise in sales of untaxed and healthier drinks. By contrast,a Danish tax on foods high in fats was abandoned a year after its introduction, amid claims thatconsumers were avoiding it by crossing the border to Germany to satisfy their desire for cheaper, fattierfare.The food industry has, in general, been firmly opposed to such direct government action.Nonetheless, the renewed focus on waistlines means that industry groups are under pressure todemonstrate their products are healthy as well as tasty.Over the past three decades, the industry has made some efforts to improve the quality of itsofferings. For example, some drink manufacturers have cut the amount of sugar in their beverages.Many of the reductions over the past 30 years have been achieved either by reducing the amount ofsugar, salt or fat in a product, or by finding an alternative ingredient. More recently, however, somecompanies have been investing money in a more ambitious undertaking: learning how to adjust thefundamental make-up of the food they sell. For example, having salt on the outside, but none on theinside, reduces the salt content without changing the taste.While reformulating recipes ( 配方) is one way to improve public health, it should be part of amulti-sided approach. The key is to remember that there is not just one solution. To deal with obesity,a mixture of approaches--including reformulation, taxation and adjusting portion sizes--will beneeded. There is no silver bullet.46. What did Adam Smith say about sugar, alcohol and .tobacco?A. They were profitable to manufacture.B. They were in ever-increasing demand.C. They were subject to taxation almost everywhere.D. They were no longer considered necessities of life.47. Why have many countries started to consider taxing sugar?A. They are under growing pressure to balance their national budgets.B. They find it ever harder to cope with sugar-induced health problems.C. The practice of taxing alcohol and tobacco has proved both popular and profitable.D. The sugar industry is overtaking alcohol and tobacco business in generating profits.48. What do we learn about Danish taxation on fat-rich foods?A. It did not work out as well as was expected.B. It gave rise to a lot of problems on the border.C. It could not succeed without German cooperation.D. It met with firm opposition from the food industry.49. What is the more recent effort by food companies to make foods and drinks both healthy and tasty?A. Replacing sugar or salt with alternative ingredients.B. Setting a limit on the amount of sugar or salt in their products.C. Investing in research to find ways to adapt to consumers' needs.D. Adjusting the physical composition of their products.50. What does the author mean by saying, at the end of the passage, "There is no silver bullet" ( Line 4, Para.7)?A. There is no single easy quick solution to the problem.B. There is no hope of success without public cooperation.C. There is no hurry in finding ways to solve the obesity problem.D. There is no effective way to reduce people's sugar consumption.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.You may have heard some of the fashion industry horror stories: models eating tissues or cottonballs to hold off hunger, and models collapsing from hunger-induced heart attacks just seconds afterthey step off the runway.Excessively skinny models have been a point of controversy for decades, and two researchers saya model's body mass should be a workplace health and safety issue. In an editorial released Monday inthe American Journal of Public Health, Katherine Record and Bryn Austin made their case forgovernment regulation of the fashion industry.The average international runway model has a body mass index (BMI) under 16--low enough toindicate starvation by the World Health Organization's standard. And Record and Austin are worried notjust about the models themselves, but about the vast number of girls and women theirimages influence."Especially girls and teens," says Record. "Seventy percent of girls aged 10 to 18 report that theydefine perfect body image based on what they see in magazines. " That's especially worrying, she says,given that anorexia (厌食症) results in more deaths than does any other mental illness, according tothe National Institute of Mental Health.It's commonly known that certain diseases are linked with occupations like lung disease in coalminers. Professional fashion models are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders resulting fromoccupational demands to maintain extreme thinness.Record's suggestion is to prohibit agents from hiring models with a BMI below 18.In April, France passed a law setting lower limits for a model's weight. Agents and fashion houseswho hire models with a BMI under 18 could pay $ 82,000 in fines and spend up to 6 months in jail.Regulating the fashion industry in the United States won't be easy, Record says. But with the new rulesin France, U.S. support could make a difference. "A designer can't survive without participating inParis Fashion Week", she says, adding," Our argument is that the same would be true of New YorkFashion Week. "51. What do Record and Austin say about fashion models' body mass?A. It has caused needless controversy.B. It is but a matter of personal taste.C. It is the focus of the modeling business.D. It affects models' health and safety.52. What are Record and Austin advocating in the Monday editorial?A. A change in the public's view of female beauty.B. Government legislation about models' weight.C. Elimination of forced weight loss by models.D. Prohibition of models eating non-food stuff.53. Why are Record and Austin especially worried about the low body mass index of models?A. It contributes to many mental illnesses.B. It defines the future of the fashion industry.C. It has great influence on numerous girls and women.D. It keeps many otherwise qualified women off the runway.54. What do we learn about France's fashion industry?A. It has difficulty hiring models.B. It has now a new law to follow.C. It allows girls under 18 on the runway.D. It has overtaken that of the United States.55. What does Record expect of New York Fashion Week?A. It will create a completely new set of rules.B. It will do better than Paris Fashion Week.C. It will differ from Paris Fashion Week.D. It will have models with a higher BMI.Part ⅡTranslation( 30 minutes )Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。

2016年12月英语四级真题 (第3套)

2016年12月英语四级真题第三套Part I Writing(30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay. Suppose you have two options upon graduation: one is to find a job somewhere and the other to start a business of your own. You are to make a decision. Write an essay to explain the reasons for your decision. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes改编自2015年12月份真题1) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C), and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 to 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. (test 2)1. A) The number of adult girls is expected to double by 2050.B) Child marriage in Africa will be ended by 2050.C) Half women will be married before reaching adulthood by 2050.D) The legal marriage age will set above 18 by 2050.2. A) Poverty and lack of education.B) Local culture that undervalues children.C) The low legal age for marriage.D) High risks of becoming teenage mothers.Questions 3 to 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.(test 1)3.A) They killed no more than 50 people.B) They fired against NATO troops.C) They attacked an airport in Afghanistan.D) They killed 10 children, and two police officers.4. A) Withdrawal of combat troops from other countries.B) False claims of foreign military troops.C) Decline of the local troops’ strength.D) Last year’s victory over foreign troops.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the conversation you have just heard.(test 2)5. A) Getting high skilled people.B) Promoting company’s technology.C) Finding enough employees.D) Increasing members of immigrants.6. A) The number of them decreases dramatically.B) They mainly move from south states.C) They come to Chicago without work visa.D) The number of them increases after the recession.7. A) The law of immigrants.B) The environment for companies.C) The number of work visas.D) High salary and better titles.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) From some of her friends.B) From the wanted column.C) From a telephone directory.D) From a television commercial.9. A) She finished her secondary school.B) She studied in a vocational college.C) She graduated from an open university.D) She received full-time education abroad.10. A) She teaches an evening class.B) She works as a tour guide.C) She is a policewoman.D) She is a shorthand-typist.11. A) A job in a travel agency.B) A job in the government.C) A job as a policeman.D) A job as a teacher.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) It was interrupted for four years.B) It has been off and on for ten years.C) It helps enlarge his customer network.D) It provides him with career opportunities.13. A) Traditional setting.B) Individualized service.C) Social games.D) Home-made beer.14. A) The quality of beer.B) The owner’s attitude.C) The atmosphere.D) The right location.15. A) It makes retirees feel useful.B) It helps old people kill time.C) It is a profitable business.D) It is a rather tough job.Section CDirections:In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) It helps the user to escape reality.B) It is becoming increasingly popular.C) It hurts a person and those around them.D) It gives rise to serious social instability.17. A) They take drugs to get high.B) They use drugs just for fun.C) They use drugs as medicine.D) They keep drug use a secret.18. A) It is fatal to the user.B) It is hard to get rid of.C) It is the cause of various social problems.D) It is quite common in entertainment circles.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) Taking up exercises after recovery.B) Finding new ways to cure heart disease.C) Going on a diet upon leaving the hospital.D) Producing tasty healthy frozen food.20. A) It was carefully tested with consumers.B) It was disapproved by many diet experts.C) It was promoted by health organizations.D) It was highly expected by the general public.21. A) Competitive price.B) Vigorous promotion.C) Low expectations.D) Unique ingredients.22. A) It has a positive implication for consumers.B) It tricks the elders into impulse purchasing.C) It matches the food’s dark green packaging.D) It was suggested by the firm’s vice-president.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A) It will be abolished sooner or later.B) It is practiced in most of the states.C) It has to be approved by the Supreme Court.D) It has drawn a lot of criticism from overseas.24. A) What effect it might have on youngsters.B) What type of criminals should receive it.C) Whether there should be a minimum age limit for execution.D) Whether the practice should be allowed to continue in future.25. A) The court sentenced him to life in prison for killing two friends.B) The governor changed his death sentence to life in prison.C) He was the first minor to be executed in South Carolina.D) He was sentenced to death for a crime he committed as a minor.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.When someone commits a criminal act, we always hope the punishment will match the offense. But when it comes to one of the cruelest crimes - animal fighting - things (26) work out that way. Dog-fighting victims are (27) and killed for profit and “sport,” yet their criminal abusers often receive a (28) sentence for causing a lifetime of pain. Roughly half of all federally-convicted animal fighters only get probation (缓刑).Some progress has been made in the prosecution (起诉) of animal fighters. But federal judges often rely heavily on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines when they (29) penalties, and in the case of animal fighting, those guidelines are outdated and extremely (30) .The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which (31) these sentencing guidelines, is revisiting them, proposing to raise the minimum sentence from 6-12 to 21-27 months. This is a step in the right (32) , but we’d like to see the U. S. Sentencing Commission make further changes to the guidelines.Along with t his effort, we’re working with animal advocates and state and federal lawmakers to (33) anti-cruelty laws across the country, as well as supporting laws and policies that assist overburdened animal (34) that care for animal fighting victims. This help is (35) important because the high cost of caring for animal victims is a major factor that prevents people from getting involved in cruelty cases in the first place.Section BDirections:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.When Work Becomes a Game[A] What motivates employees to do their jobs well? Competition with coworkers, for some.The promise of rewards, for others. Pure enjoyment of problem-solving, for a lucky few.[B] Increasingly, companies are tapping into these desires directly through what has come tobe known as “gamification”: essentially, turning work into a game. “Gamification is about understanding what it is that makes games engaging and what game designers do to create a great experience in games, and taking those learnings and applying them to other contexts such as the workplace and education,” explains Kevin Werbach, a gamification expert who teaches at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States.[C] It might mean monitoring employee productivity on a digital leaderboard and offeringprizes to the winners, or giving employees digital badges or stars for completing certain activities. It could also mean training employees how to do their jobs through video game platforms. Companies from Google to L’Oréal to IBM to Wells Fargo are known to use some degree of gamification in their workplaces. And more and more companies are joining them. A recent report suggests that the global gamification market will grow from $1.65 billion in 2015to $11.1 billion by 2020.[D] The concept of gamification is not entirely new, Werbach says. Companies, marketers andteachers have long looked for fun ways to engage people’s reward-seeking or competitive spirits. Cracker Jac ks has been “gamifying” its snack food by putting a small prize inside for more than 100 years, he adds, and the turn-of-the-century steel magnate (巨头) Charles Schwab is said to have often come into his factory and written the number of tons of steel produced on the past shift on the factory floor, thus motivating the next shift of workers to beat the previous one.[E] But the word “gamification” and the widespread, conscious application of the conceptonly began in earnest about five years ago, Werbach says. Thanks in part to video games, the generation now entering the workforce is especially open to the idea of having their work gamified. “We are at a point where in much of the developed world the vast majority of young people grew up playing video games, and an increasingly high percentage of adults play these video games too,” Werbach says.[F] A number of companies have sprung up—Gam Effective, Bunchball and Badgeville, toname a few--in recent years offering gamification platforms for businesses. The p latforms that are most effective turn employees’ ordinary job tasks into part of a rich adventure narrative. “What makes a game game-like is that the player actually cares about the outcome,” Werbach says. “The principle is about understanding what is moti vating to this group of players, which requires some understanding of psychology.”[G] Some people, Werbach says, are motivated by competition. Sales people often fall intothis category. For them, the right kind of gamification might be turning their sales pitches into a competition with other team members, complete with a digital leaderboard showing who is winning at all times. Others are more motivated by collaboration and social experiences. One company Werbach has studied uses gamification to create a sense of community and boost employees’ morale(士气). When employees log in to their computers, they’re shown a picture of one of their coworkers and asked to guess that person’s name.[H] Gamification does not have to be digital. Monica Cornetti runs a company that gamifiesemployee trainings. Sometimes this involves technology, but often it does not. She recently designed a gamification strategy for a sales training company with a storm-chasing theme. Employees formed “storm chaser teams” and competed in storm-themed educational exercises to earn various rewards. “Rewards do not have to be stuff,” Cornetti says. “Rewards can be flexible working hours.” Another training, this one for pay roll law, used a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theme. “Snow White” is available for everyone to use, but the “dwarfs” are still under copyright, so Cornetti invented sound-alike characters (Grumpy Gus, Dopey Dan) to illustrate specific pay roll law principles.[I] Some people do not take naturally to gamified work environments, Cornetti says. In herexperience, people in positions of power or people in finance or engineering do not tend to like the sound of the word. “If we are designing for engineers, I'm not talking about a ‘game’ at all,” Cornetti says. “I'm talking about a ‘simulation’(模拟), I’m talking about ‘being able to solve this problem.’”[J] Gamification is “not a magic bullet,” Werbach warns. A gamification strategy that is not sufficiently thought through or well-tailored to its players may engage people for a little while, but it will not motivate people in the long term. It can also be exploitative, especially when used with vulnerable populations. For workers, especially low-paid workers, who desperately need their jobs yet know they can be easily replaced, gamification may feel more like the Hunger Games. Werbach gives the example of several Disneyland hotels in Anaheim, California, which used large digital leaderboards to display how efficiently laundry workers were working compared to one another. Some employees found the board motivating. To others, it was the opposite of fun. Some began to stop taking bathroom breaks, worried that if their productivity fell they would be fired.Pregnant employees struggled to keep up. In a Los Angeles Times article, one employee referred to the board as a “digital whip.” “It actually had a very negative effect on morale and performance,” Werbach says.[K] Still, gamification only stands to become more popular, he says, “as more and more people come into the workforce who are familiar with the structures and expressions of digital games.” “We are far from reaching the peak,” Cornetti agrees. “There is no reason this will go away.”36. Some famous companies are already using gamification and more are trying to do the same.37. Gamification is not a miracle cure for all workplaces as it may have negative results.38. To enhance morale, one company asks its employees to identify their fellow workers when starting their computers.39. The idea of gamification was practiced by some businesses more than a century ago.40. There is reason to believe that gamification will be here to stay.41. Video games contributed in some ways to the wide application of gamification.42. When turning work into a game, it is necessary to understand what makes games interesting.43. Gamification in employee training does not always need technology.44. The most successful gamification platforms transform daily work assignments into fun experiences.45. It is necessary to use terms other than “gamification” for some professions.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C), and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Recently I attended several meetings where we talked about ways to retain students and keep younger faculty members from going elsewhere.It seems higher education has become an industry of meeting-holders whose task it is to “solve” problems--real or imagined. And in my position as a professor at three different colleges, the actual problems in educating our young people and older students have deepened, while the number of people hired--not to teach but to hold meetings--has increased significantly. Every new problem creates a new job for an administrative fixer. Take our Center for Teaching Excellence. Contrary to its title, the center is a clearing house (信息交流中心) for using technology in classrooms and in online courses. It's an administrative sham (欺诈) of the kind that has multiplied over the last 30 years.I offer a simple proposition in response: Many of our problems--class attendance, educational success, student happiness and well-being -- might be improved by cutting down the bureaucratic(官僚的) mechanisms and meetings and instead hiring an army of good teachers. If we replaced half of our administrative staff with classroom teachers, we might actually get a majority of our classes back to 20 or fewer students per teacher. This would be an environment in which teachers and students actually knew each other.The teachers must be free to teach in their own way--the curriculum should be flexible enough so that they can use their individual talents to achieve the goals of the course.Additionally, they should be allowed to teach, and be rewarded for doing it well. Teachers are not people who are great at and consumed by research and happen to appear in a classroom. Good teaching and research are not exclusive, but they are also not automatic companions. Teaching is an art and a craft, talent and practice; it is not something that just anyone can be good at. It is utterly confusing to me that people do not recognize this, despite the fact that pretty much anyone who has been a student can tell the difference between their best and worst teachers.46.What does the author say about present-day universities?A) They are effectively tackling real or imagined problems.B) They often fail to combine teaching with research.C) They are over-burdened with administrative staff.D) They lack talent to fix their deepening problems.47. According to the author, what kind of people do universities lack most?A) Good classroom teachers.B) Efficient administrators.C) Talented researchers.D) Motivated students.48. What does the author imply about the classes at present?A) They facilitate students’ independent learning.B) They help students form closer relationships.C) They have more older students than before.D) They are much bigger than is desirable.49. What does the author think of teaching ability?A) It requires talent and practice.B) It is closely related to research.C) It is a chief factor affecting students’ learning.D) It can be acquired through persistent practice.50. What is the author’s suggestion for improvin g university teaching?A) Creating an environment for teachers to share their teaching experiences.B) Hiring more classroom teachers and allowing them to teach in their own way.C) Using high technology in classrooms and promoting exchange of information.D) Cutting down meetings and encouraging administrative staff to go to classrooms. Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.The secret to eating less and being happy about it may have be cracked years ago--by McDona ld’s. According to a new study from Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab, small non-food rewards--like the toys in McDonald’s Happy Meals--stimulate the same reward centers in the brain as food does.The researchers, led by Martin Reimann, carried out a series of experiments to see if people would choose a smaller meal if it was paired with a non-food item.They found that the majority of both kids and adults opted for a half-sized portion when combined with a prize. Both options were priced the same.Even more interesting is that the promise of a future reward was enough to make adultschoose the smaller portion. One of the prizes used was a lottery ticket(彩票), with a $10, $ 50 or $100 payout, and this was as effective as a tangible gift in persuading people to eat less.“The fact that participants were willing to substitute part of a food item for the mere prospect of a relatively small monetary awar d is interesting,” says Reimann.He theorizes that it is the emotional component of these intangible prizes that make them effective. In fact, vaguely-stated possibilities of winning a prize were more effective than options with hard odds included.“One explanation for this finding is that possible awards may be more emotionally provoking than certainty awards,” says Reimann. “The uncertainty of winning provides added attraction and desirability through emotional ‘thrills.’ The possibility of receiv ing an award also produces a state of hope--a state that is in itself psychologically rewarding.” In other words, there's a reason why people like to gamble.How might this knowledge be used to help people eat more healthily?One possibility is a healthy option that offers the chance to win a spa (温泉疗养) weekend. Or maybe the reward of a half-sized portion could be a half-sized dessert to be claimed only on a future date. That would get you back in the restaurant--and make you eat a little less.51. What do we learn about McDonald’s inclusion of to ys in its Happy Meals?A) It may shed light on people’s desire to crack a secret.B) It has proved to be key to McDonald’s business success.C) It appeals to kid's curiosity to find out what is hidden inside.D) It may be a pleasant way for kids to reduce their food intake.52. What is the finding of the researchers led by Martin Reimann?A) Reducing food intake is not that difficult if people go to McDonald’s more.B) Most kids and adults don’t actually feel hungry when they eat half of their m eal.C) Eating a smaller portion of food does good to the health of kids and adults alike.D) Most kids and adults would choose a smaller meal that came with a non-food item.53. What is most interesting in Martin Reimann’s finding?A) Kids preferred an award in the form of money to one in the form of a toy.B) Adults chose the smaller portion on the mere promise of a future award.C) Both kids and adults felt satisfied with only half of their meal portions.D) Neither children nor adults could resist the temptation of a free toy.54. How does Martin Reimann interpret his finding?A) The emotional component of the prizes is at work.B) People now care more about quality than quantity.C) People prefer certainty awards to possible awards.D) The desire for a future reward is overwhelming.55. What can we infer from Martin Reimann’s finding?A) People should eat much less if they wish to stay healthy and happy.B) More fast food restaurants are likely to follow McDonald’s example.C) We can lead people to eat less while helping the restaurant business.D) More studies are needed to find out the impact of emotion on behavior.Part IV Translation (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在中国文化中，黄颜色是一种很重要的颜色，因为它具有独特的象征意义。

12月四级考试真题答案3套全

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

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

2016年12月大学英语四级考试多题多卷（三）答案详解【最新精选】

2012年12月大学英语四级考试多题多卷（三）答案详解Writing内容同2012年12月大学英语四级考试多题多卷（一）答案详解Reading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning)1.【线索词】diagnosed with a disabling conditionC)【定位】由线索词定位到第一段Being diagnosed with a disabling condition is always a shock... The implications for your working life mayseem intimidating.【精析】细节辨认题。

文章第一段开头提到被诊断患＿1二了致残性疾病总会给人沉重的打击，最后一句则指出这对一个人的职业生涯造成的影响可能会令人不安。

C)“他们对自己的工作前景感到十分紧张”，与原文的意思相符。

2.【线索词】the author, revealed her conditionB)【定位】由线索词定位到第花段第一、二句In my experience... I have received little support from employers to whom I have revealed mycondition.【精析】同义转述题。

文章第花段第二句提到“我”把身体情况告知用人单位后，“我”几乎没能从用人单位获得任何帮助。

B）中的did not give her the support是对原文中have received little support from employers的［rt］义转述，与原文意思相符。

3.【线索词】Lupus, dilemmaD)【定位】由线索词定位到第四段第五句后半句至七句I now had a name for my daily struggle:Lupus. . . It also leaves a huge. dark questionhanging over my head when seeking employment:should I tell my employers I have a condition?【精析】细节辨认题。

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Part ⅢReading Comprehension(40 minutes）Section ADirections:In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.Many men and women have long bought into the idea that there are "male" and "female" brains,believing that explains just about every difference between the sexes. A new study26that belief,questioning whether brains really can be distinguished by gender.In the study, Tel Aviv University researchers27for sex differences throughout the entirehuman brain.And what did they find? Not much. Rather than offer evidence for28brains as "male" or"female," research shows that brains fall into a wide range, with most people falling right in themiddle. Daphna Joel, who led the study, said her research found that while there are some gender-based29, many different types of brain can't always be distinguished by gender.While the "average" male and "average" female brains were30different, you couldn't tell itby looking at individual brain scans. Only a small31of people had "all-male" or "all-female"characteristics.Larry Cahill, an American neuroscientist ( 神经科学家), said the study is an important addition toa growing body of research questioning32beliefs about gender and brain function. But hecautioned against concluding from this study that all brains are the same,33of gender."There's a mountain of evidence34the importance of sex influences at all levels of brainfunction," he told The Seattle Times.If anything, he said, the study35that gender plays a very important role in the brain--" evenwhen we are not clear exactly how. "A.abnormalB.appliedC.brieflyD.categorizingE.challengesF.figureG.percentageH.provingI.regardlessJ.searchedK.similaritiesL.slightlyM.suggestsN. tastes0.traditionalSection BDirections：In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs．Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived．You may choose a paragraph more than once．Each paragraph is marked with a letter．Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2．Can Burglars Jam Your Wireless Security System?A.Any product that promises to protect your home deserves careful examination．So it isn’t surprising thatyou’11 find plenty of strong opinions about the potential vulnerabilities of popular home—security systems．B.The most likely type of burglary(人室盗窃)by far is the unsophisticated crime of opportunity，usuallyinvolving a broken window or some forced entry．According to the FB1．crimes like these accounted forroughly two．thirds of all household burglaries in the US in 2013．The wide majority of the rest were illegal．unforced entries that resulted from something like a window being left open．The odds of a criminal usingtechnical means to bypass a security system are so small that the FBI doesn’t even track those statistics．C.One of the main theoretical home—security concerns is whether or not a given system is vulnerable to beingblocked from working altogether．With wired setups，the fear is that a burglar(人室盗贼)might be ableto shut your system down simply by cutting the right cable．With a wireless setup．you stick battery—powered sensors up around your home that keep an eye on windows。

doors，motion，and more．If theydetect something wrong while the system is armed．they’ll transmit a wireless aleft signal to a base station that will then raise the alarm．That approach will eliminate most cord—cutting concerns--but what abouttheir wireless equivalent，jamming?with the fight device tuned to the fight frequency，what’s to stop athief from jamming your setup and blocking that alert signal from ever reaching the base station?D.Jamming concerns are nothing new，and they’re not unique to security systems．Any device that’s built toreceive a wireless signal at a specific frequency can be overwhelmed by a stronger signal coming in on thesame frequency．For comparison．1et’s say you wanted to“jam”a conversation between two people--allyou’d need to do is yell in the listener’s ear．E) Security devices are required to list the frequencies they broadcast on—mat means that a potential thief canfind what they need to know with minimal Googling．They will．however．needto know what systemthey’re looking for．If you have a sign in your yard declaring what setup you use，that’d point them in theright direction，though at that point，we’re talking about a highly targeted，semi—sophisticated attack，andnot the sort of forced—entry attack that makes up the majority of burglaries．It’s easier to find and acquirejamming equipment for some frequencies than it is for others．F)Wireless security providers will often take steps to help combat the threat of jamming attacks．SimpliSafe，winner of our Editors’Choice distinction．utilizes a special system that’s capable of separating incidental RFinterference from targeted jamming attacks．When the system thinks it’s being jammed，it’ll notify you viapush alert(推送警报)．From there，it’s up to you to sound the alarm manually．G)SimpliSafe was singled out in one recent article on jamming，complete with a video showing the entiresystem being effectively bypassed with handheld jamming equipment．After taking appropriate measures tocontain the RF interference to our test lab，we tested the attack out for ourselves，and were able to verify that it’s possible with the right equipment．However．we also verified that SimpliSafe’s anti-jammingsystem works．It caught us in the act，sent an alert to my smartphone，and also listed our RF interferenceon the system’s event log．The team behind the article and video in question make no mention of thesystem，or whether or not it detected them．H)We like the unique nature of that software．It means that a thief likely wouldn’t be able to Google how thesystem works．then figure out a way around it．Even if they could，SimpliSafe claims that its system isalways evolving，and that it varies slightly from system to system，which means there wouldn’t be auniversal magic formula for cracking it．Other systems also seem confident on the subject of jamming．Theteam at Frontpoint addresses the issue in a blog on its site，citing their own jam protection software andclaiming that there aren’t any documented cases of a successful jam attack since the company began offeringwireless security sensors in the l980s．I)Jamming attacks are absolutely possible．As said before．with the fight equipment and the right know—how，it’s possible to jam any wireless transmission．But how probable is it that someone will successfully jam their way into your home and steal your stuff?J)Let’s imagine that you live in a small home with a wireless security setup that offers a functional anti—jamming system．First，a thief is going to need to target your home，specifically．Then，he’s going to needto know the technical details of your system and acquire the specific equipment necessary for jamming yourspecific setup．Presumably，you keep your doors locked at night and while you’re away，so the thief willstill need to break in．That means defeating the lock somehow，or breaking a window．He’11 need to be jamming you at this point，as a broken window or opened door would normally release the alarm．S0，too，would the motion detectors in your home，so the thief will need to continue jamming once he’s inside andsearching for things to steal．However．he’11 need to do so without tripping the anti-jamming system，thedetails of which he almost certainly does not have access to．K)At the end of the day，these kinds of systems are primarily designed to protect against the sort ofopportunistic smash—and—grab attack that makes up the majority of burglaries．They’re also only a singlelayer in what should ideally be a many—sided approach to securing your home，one that includes commonsense things like sound locks and proper exterior lighting at night．No system is impenetrable，and none canpromise to eliminate the worst case completely．Every one of them has vulnerabilities that a knowledgeablethief could theoretically exploit．A good system is one that keeps that worst—case setting as improbable aspossible while also offering strongprotection in the event of a less-extraordinary attack．36．It is possible for burglars to make jamming attacks with the necessary equipment and skill．37．Interfering with a wireless security system is similar to interfering with a conversation．38．A burglar has to continuously jam the wireless security device to avoid triggering the alarm，both inside and outside the house．39．SimpliSafe provides devices that are able to distinguish incidental radio interference from targeted jamming attacks．40．Only a very small proportion of burglaries are committed by technical means．41．It is difficult to crack SimpliSafe as its system keeps changing．42．Wireless devices will transmit signals so as to activate the alarm once something wrong is detected．43．Different measures should be taken to protect one’s home from burglary in addition to the wireless security system．44．SimpliSafe’s device can send a warning to the house owner’s cellphone．45．Burglars can easily get a security device’s frequency by Internet search．Section CDirections：There are 2 passages in this section．Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished statements．For each of them there arefour choices marked A，B，CandD．You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre．Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based oil the following passage．As a person who writes about food and drink for a living。