06年12月大學(xué)英語四級考試模擬試題

 

　　Directions: For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a composition on the topic: Aid?Education in China. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given in Chinese below:

1.     每年，高校許多大學(xué)生受到鼓舞去貧困地區(qū)支教。

2. 支教活動的意義。

　　3. 我的看法。

　　提示:在實(shí)考試卷中，該試題在答題卡1上。

　　Aid--Education in China

　　Directions:In this part,you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7,mark

　　Y(for YES)if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;

　　N(for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;

　　NG(for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage.

　　For questions 8-10,complete the sentences with information given in the passage.

　　Will We Run Out of Water?

　　Picture a “ghost ship” sinking into the sand, left to rot on dry land by a receding sea. Then imagine dust storms sweeping up toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers from the dry seabed and spewing them across towns and villages.

　　Seem like a scene from a movie about the end of the world? For people living near the Aral sea (咸海) in Central Asia, it’s all too real. Thirty years ago, government planners diverted the rivers that flow into the sea in order to irrigate (provide water for ) farmland. As a result, the sea has shrunk to half its original size, stranding (使擱淺) ships on dry land. The seawater has tripled in salt content and become polluted, killing all 24 native species of fish.

　　Similar large--scale efforts to redirect water in other parts of the world have also ended in ecological crisis, according to numerous environmental groups. But many countries continue to build massive dams and irrigation systems, even though such projects can create more problems than they fix. Why? People in many parts of the world are desperate for water, and more people will need more water in the next century.

　　“Growing populations will worsen problems with water,” says Peter H.Gleick, an environmental scientist at the Pacific Institute for studies in Development, Environment, and Security, a research organization in California. He fears that by the year 2025, as many as one--third of the world’s projected (預(yù)測的) 8.3 billion people will suffer from water shortages.

　　Only 2.5 percent of all water on Earth is freshwater, water suitable for drinking and growing food, says Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project in Amherst, Mass. Two--thirds of this freshwater is locked in glaciers (冰山) and ice caps （冰蓋）. In fact, only a tiny percentage of freshwater is part of the water cycle, in which water evaporates and rises into the atmosphere, then condenses and falls back to Earth as precipitation (rain or snow).

　　Some precipitation runs off land to lakes and oceans, and some becomes groundwater, water that seeps into the earth. Much of this renewable freshwater ends up in remote places like the Amazon river basin in Brazil, where few people live. In fact, the world’s population has access to only 12,500 cubic kilometers of freshwater―about the amount of water in Lake Superior(蘇必利爾湖). And people use half of this amount already. “If water demand continues to climb rapidly,” says Postel, “there will be severe shortages and damage to the aquatic (水的) environment.”

　　Water woes(災(zāi)難) may seem remote to people living in rich countries like the United States. But Americans could face serious water shortages, too especially in areas that rely on groundwater. Groundwater accumulates in aquifers (地下蓄水層)，layers of sand and gravel that lie between soil and bedrock. (For every liter of surface water, more than 90 liters are hidden underground.) Although the United States has large aquifers, farmers, ranchers, and cities are tapping many of them for water faster than nature can replenish(補(bǔ)充) it. In northwest Texas, for example, overpumping has shrunk groundwater supplies by 25 percent, according to Postel.

　　Americans may face even more urgent problems from pollution. Drinking water in the United States is generally safe and meets high standards. Nevertheless, one in five Americans every day unknowingly drinks tap water contaminated with bacteria and chemical wastes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In Milwaukee, 400,000 people fell ill in 1993 after drinking tap water tainted with cryptosporidium (隱孢子蟲)，a microbe (微生物) that causes fever, diarrhea (腹瀉) and vomiting.

　　Where so contaminants come from? In developing countries, people dump raw (未經(jīng)處理的) sewage(污水) into the same streams and rivers from which they draw water for drinking and cooking; about 250 million people a year get sick from water borne (飲水傳染的) diseases.

　　In developed countries, manufacturers use 100,000 chemical compounds to make a wide range of products.Toxic chemicals pollute water when released untreated into rivers and lakes. (Certain compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (多氯化聯(lián)二苯)，or PCBs, have been banned in the United States.)

　　But almost everyone contributes to water pollution. People often pour household cleaners, car antifreeze, and paint thinners (稀釋劑) down the drain; all of these contain hazardous chemicals. Scientists studying water in the San Francisco Bay reported in 1996 that 70 percent of the pollutants could be traced to household waste.

　　Farmers have been criticized for overusing herbicides and pesticides, chemicals that kill weeds and insects but insects but that pollute water as well. Farmers also use nitrates, nitrogen--rich fertilizer that helps plants grow but that can wreak havoc (大破壞) on the environment. Nitrates are swept away by surface runoff to lakes and seas. Too many nitrates “over?enrich” these bodies of water, encouraging the buildup of algae, or microscopic plants that live on the surface of the water. Algae deprive the water of oxygen that fish need to survive, at times choking off life in an entire body of water.

　　Water expert Gleick advocates conservation and local solutions to water--related problems; governments, for instance, would be better off building small--scale dams rather than huge and disruptive projects like the one that ruined the Aral Sea.

　　“More than 1 billion people worldwide don’t have access to basic clean drinking water,” says Gleick. “There has to be a strong push on the part of everyone―governments and ordinary people―to make sure we have a resource so fundamental to life.”

　　1. That the huge water projects have diverted the rivers causes the Aral Sea to shrink.

　　2. The construction of massive dams and irrigation projects does more good than harm.

　　3. The chief causes of water shortage are population growth and water pollution.

　　4. The problems Americans face concerning water are ground water shrinkage and tap water pollution.

　　5. According to the passage all water pollutants come from household waste.

　　6. The people living in the United States will not be faced with water shortages.

　　7. Water expert Gleick has come up with the best solution to water―related problems.

　　8. According to Peter H. Gleick, by the year 2025, as many as of the world’s people will suffer from water shortages.

　　9. Two?thirds of the freshwater on Earth is locked in .

　　10. In developed countries, before toxic chemicals are released into rivers and lakes, they should be treated in order to avoid .

　　Directions:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A),B),C) and D),and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　11. A) Talk to his sister.

　　B) Look at a map.

　　C) Go on a diet.

　　D) Tell the man why.

　　12. A) Do whatever has been planned.

　　B) Have a picnic and go camping.

　　C) Eat out and see a play.

　　D) Go to the beach.

　　13. A) The weather was better.

　　B) The weather was a little bit warmer.

　　C) The weather was a little bit colder.

　　D) The weather was cooler than expected.

　　14. A) Mr. Steward is honest.

　　B) Mr. Steward looks honest.

　　C) Mr. Steward looks dishonest.

　　D) Mr. Steward is dishonest.

　　15. A) He did quite well with it.

　　B) He has money problem now.

　　C) He is in need of qualified staff.

　　D) He could not carry it on any more.

　　16. A) ＄2.00. B) ＄6.00. C) ＄4.00. D) ＄5.00.

　　17. A) They will spend the summer in Italy.

　　B) They are both from Europe.

　　C) They are both students.

　　D) They are both interested in art.

　　18. A) Not getting what she wants.

　　B) A custom that is new to her.

　　C) Calling up customers.

　　D) Some of her good friends.

　　Question 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

　　19. A) A more economical diesel fuel.

　　B) Characteristics of a new type of fuel.

　　C) Where a new energy source is located.

　　D) How to develop alternative energy sources.

　　20. A) He’s studying for a test.

　　B) He lost his notes.

　　C) He missed the class.

　　D) He’s doing research on alternative.

　　21. A) It will reduce the amount of pollutants in the air.

　　B) It will increase the amount of unpleasant odors from vehicles.

　　C) It will eventually destroy the ozone layer.

　　D) It will reduce the cost of running large vehicles.

　　22. A) To help him explain the information to his roommate.

　　B) To help him write a paper.

　　C) To prepare for a test.

　　D) To tell her if the notes are accurate.

　　Question 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

　　23. A) The woman has passed her final exams.

　　B) The woman wants to know how to write term papers.

　　C) The woman is going to visit Gettysburg.

　　D) The man introduces his experiences in Gettysburg.

　　24. A) Because her parents like traveling.

　　B) Because her parents like history.

　　C) Because traveling in such places costs less.

　　D) Because her parents want to reinforce the stuff they learned in school about history.

　　25. A) It is far away from the city she lives in.

　　B) It is a place where many great people were born.

　　C) It has a certain political influences in the United States right after the battle at Gettysburg.

　　D) It is worth reading history about Gettysburg.

　　Directions:In this section,you will hear 3 short passages.At the end of each passage,you will hear some questions.Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question,you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D) .Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　26. A) A plate. B) A pear. C) A ball. D) An egg.

　　27. A) How most mathematicians work.

　　B) Accidental discovery about the earth’s shape.

　　C) How to track an orbit.

　　D) How astronauts use computers to measure the size of satellite.

　　28. A) To prove the earth was round.

　　B) To gather information for planning space flights.

　　C) Because all spacecraft had to carry computers.

　　D) Because it can measure the size of the satellite.

　　Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　29. A) About 30,000.

　　B) Around 300,000.

　　C) Over 300,000.

　　D) More than 330,000.

　　30. A) He had promised to do so.

　　B) He had this kind of training before.

　　C) He didn’t want to make the crowd disappointed.

　　D) He needed the great amount of money.

　　31. A) Three times.

　　B) Four times.

　　C) Six times.

　　D) Seven times.

　　Passage Three

　　Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　32. A) One in a billion digits.

　　B) Zero.

　　C) One mistake per two hundred digits.

　　D) One in a million digits.

　　33. A) It is the nerve cells of a computer.

　　B) It is the brain of a computer.

　　C) It is the eye of a computer.

　　D) It is the heart of a computer.

　　34. A) One second.

　　B) Two years.

　　C) One minute.

　　D) A day.

　　35. A) Human beings make fewer errors.

　　B) Human beings do not have to be programmed.

　　C) Human beings work more quickly.

　　D) Human beings have to be programmed.

　　Directions:In this section,you will hear a passage three times.When the passage is read for the first time,you should listen carefully for its general idea.When the passage is read for the second time,you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard.For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information.For these blanks,you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in you own words.Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,you should check what you have written.

　　If parents bring up a child with the aim of turning the child into a (36) , they will cause a (37) . According to several leading (38) psychologists, this is one of the biggest mistakes which ambitious parents make. Generally, the child will be only too (39) of what the parent expects, and will fail. Unrealistic parental expectations can cause great (40) to children. However, if parents are not too (41) about what they expect their children to do, but are ambitious in a sensible way, the child may (42) in doing very well―especially if the parents are very (43) of their child.

　　Michael Li is very lucky. (44) .

　　Although Michael’s mother knows very little about music, Michael’s father plays the trumpet in a large orchestra. However, he never makes Michael enter music competitions if he is unwilling.

　　Michael’s friend, Winston Chen, however, is not so lucky.(45) .

　　They want their son to be as successful as they are and so they enter him in every piano competition held. They are very unhappy when he does not win.“(46) ”. Winston’s father tells him. Winston is always afraid that he will disappoint his parents and now he always seems quiet and unhappy.

　　Directions: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.

　　If our society ever needed a reading renaissance（復(fù)興）, it’s now. The National Endowment for the Arts released “Reading at Risk” last year, a study showing that adult reading47 have dropped 10 percentage points in the past decade, with the steepest drop among those 18 to 24. “Only one half of young people read a book of any kind in 2002. We set the bar almost on the ground. If you read one short story in a teen―ager magazine, that would have48 ,” laments a director of research and analysis. He49 the loss of readers to the booming world of technology, which attracts would―be leisure readers to E―mail, IM chats, and video games and leaves them with no time to cope with a novel.

　　“These new forms of media undoubtedly have some benefits,” says Steven Johnson, author of Everything Bad Is Good for You.Video games

　　50 problem―solving skills; TV shows promote mental gymnastics by

　　51 viewers to follow complex story lines. But books offer experience that can’t be gained from these other sources, from52 vocabulary to stretching the imagination. “If they’re not reading at all,” says Johnson, “that’s a huge problem.”

　　In fact, fewer kids are reading for pleasure. According to data53 last week from the National Center for Educational Statistic’s long―term trend assessment, the number of 17―year―olds who reported never or hardly ever reading for fun

　　54 from 9 percent in 1984 to 19 percent in 2004. At the same time, the

　　55 of 17―year―olds who read daily dropped from 31 to 22.

　　This slow but steady retreat from books has not yet taken a toll on reading ability. Scores for the nation’s youth have56 constant over the past two decades (with an encouraging upswing among 9―year―olds). But given the strong apparent correlation between pleasure reading and reading skills, this means poorly for the future.

　　Directions: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.

　　Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.

　　There is a new type of small advertisement becoming increasingly common in newspaper classified columns. It is sometimes placed among “situations vacant”, although it does not offer anyone a job, and sometimes it appears among “situations wanted”, although it is not placed by someone looking for a job, either. What it does is to offer help in applying for a job.

　　“Contact us before writing your application”, or “Make use of our long experience in preparing your curriculum vitae or job history”, is how it is usually expressed. The growth and apparent success of such a specialized service is, of course, a reflection on the current high levels of unemployment. It is also an indication of the growing importance of the curriculum vitae (or job history), with the suggestion that it may now qualify as an art form in its own right.

　　There was a time when job seekers simply wrote letters of application. “Just put down your name, address, age and whether you have passed any exams”, was about the average level of advice offered to young people applying for their first jobs when I left school. The letter was really just for openers, it was explained, everything else could and should be saved for the interview. And in those days of full employment the technique worked. The letter proved that you could write and were available for work. Your eager face and intelligent replies did the rest.

　　Later, as you moved up the ladder, something slightly more sophisticated was called for. The advice then was to put something in the letter which would distinguish you from the rest. It might be the aggressive approach. “Your search is over. I am the person you are looking for”, was a widely used trick that occasionally succeeded. Or it might be some special feature specially designed for the job interview.

　　There is no doubt, however, that it is increasing number of applicants with university education at all points in the process of engaging staff that has led to the greater importance of the curriculum vitae.

　　57. The new type of advertisement which is appearing in newspaper columns .

　　A） informs job hunters of the opportunities available

　　B） promises to offer useful advice to those looking for employment

　　C） divides available jobs into various types

　　D） informs employers of the people available for work

　　58. Nowadays a demand for this specialized type of service has been created because .

　　A） there is a lack of jobs available for artistic people

　　B） there are so many top?level jobs available

　　C） there are so many people out of work

　　D） the job history is considered to be a work of art

　　59. In the past it was expected that first job hunters would .

　　A) write an initial letter giving their life history

　　B) pass some exams before applying for a job

　　C) have no qualifications other than being able to read and write

　　D) keep any detailed information until they obtained an interview

　　60. Later, as one went on to apply for more important jobs, one was advised to include in the letter .

　　A) something that would distinguish one from other applicants

　　B) hinted information about the personality of the applicant

　　C) one’s advantages over others in applying for the job

　　D) an occasional trick with the aggressive approach

　　61. The curriculum vitae has become such an important document because .

　　A) there has been an increase in the number of jobs advertised

　　B) there has been an increase in the number of applicants with degrees

　　C) jobs are becoming much more complicated nowadays

　　D) the other processes of applying for jobs are more complicated

　　In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent―controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.

　　Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low―paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.

　　Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.

　　Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if “other things are equal”. Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.

　　62. There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may .

　　A) cause a shortage of apartments

　　B) worry those who rent apartments as homes

　　C) increase the profits of landlords

　　D) encourage landlords to invest in building apartment

　　63. According to the critics, rent control .

　　A) will always benefit those who rent apartments

　　B) is unnecessary

　　C) will bring negative effects in the long run

　　D) is necessary under all circumstances

　　64. The problem of unemployment will arise .

　　A) if the minimum wage is set too highB) if the minimum wage is set too low

　　C) if the workers are unskilledD) if the maximum wage is set

　　65. The passage tells us .

　　A) the relationship between supply and demand

　　B) the possible results of government controls

　　C) the necessity of government control

　　D) the urgency of getting rid of government controls

　　66. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

　　A) The results of economic decisions can not always be predicted.

　　B) Minimum wage can not always protect employees.

　　C) Economic theory can predict the results of economic decisions if other factors are not changing.

　　D) Economic decisions should not be based on economic theory.

　　Directions:There are 20 blanks in the following passage.For each blank there are four choices marked A),B),C) and D) on the right side of the paper.You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　In recent years, more and more foreigners are involved in the teaching programs of the United States. Both the advantages and the disadvantages67 using

　　foreign faculty(教師總稱）68 teaching positions have

　　to be69 , of course. It can be said that the foreign

　　70 that makes the faculty member from abroad an

　　asset also71 problems of adjustment, both for the university and for the individual. The foreign research scholar usually isolates72 in the laboratory as a

　　means of protection;73 , what he needs is to be fitted

　　74 a highly organized university system quite different

　　from75 at home. He is faced in his daily work

　　76 differences in philosophy, arrangements of courses and methods of teaching. Both the visiting professor and his students77 a common ground in each other’s

　　cultures, some78 of what is already in the minds of

　　American students is79 for the foreign professor.

　　While helping him to80 himself to his new

　　environment, the university must also81 certain

　　67. A) with B) for

　　C) of D) at

　　68. A) in B) on

　　C) for D) within

　　69. A) thought B) measured

　　C) balanced D) considered

　　70. A) situation B) circumstances

　　C) background D) condition

　　71. A) carries B) create

　　C) emerges D) solves

　　72. A) himself B) oneself

　　C) him D) one

　　73. A) otherwise B) moreover

　　C) however D) whatever

　　74. A) into B) by

　　C) to D) with

　　75. A) those B) which

　　C) what D) that

　　76. A) toward B) with

　　C) toD) at

　　77. A) have B) possess

　　C) need D) lack

　　78. A) concept B) feeling

　　C) plan D) intelligence

　　79. A) ordered B) asked

　　C) put D) required

　　80. A) place B) adapt

　　C) put D) direct

　　81. A) remain B) keep

　　C) make D) cause

　　adjustments in order to82 full advantage of what the

　　newcomer can83 . It isn’t always known how to make

　　84 use of foreign faculty, especially at smaller

　　colleges. This is thought to be a85 where further

　　study is called86 . The findings of such a study will be of value to colleges and universities with foreign faculty.

　　82. A) take B) make

　　C) do D) be

　　83. A) show B) afford

　　C) express D) offer

　　84. A) powerful B) creative

　　C) imaginary D) advanced

　　85. A) scope B) range

　　C) field D) district

　　86. A) on B) for

　　C) upon D) at

　　Direction:Complete the sentences on Answer Sheet 2 by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.

　　87. She (對我們的警告充耳不聞) and got lost.

　　88. That Canadian speaks Chinese (和他說英語一樣流利).

　　89. (Tony 是否來) doesn?t matter much. We can rely on ourselves.

　　90. On hearing the news, I （忍不住笑起來）and spread it among the class.

　　91. Not until Alice had a baby of her own （她才了解）how hard it was for her mother to have brought up her sister and her on her own.