大学英语四级模拟试题(2)

　　Questions 81 to 85 are based on the following passage：
　　In the English educational system, students take three very importantexaminations. The first is the eleven-plus, which is taken at the age ofeleven or a little past. At one time the ability or aptitude shown on theeleven-plus would have determined if a child stayed in school. Now, however,all children continue in“comprehensive”schools, and the eleven-plus determines which courses of study the child will follow. At the age offifteen or sixteen, the students are tested for the Ordinary Level ofthe General Certificate of Education. This examination covers a widerange of subjects； once students have passed this exam, they are allowedto specialize, so that two-thirds or more of their courses will be inphysics, chemistry, classical languages, or whatever they wish to studyat greater length. The final examination, at eighteen, covers only thecontent of the special subjects. Even at the universities, students studyonly in their concentrated area, and very few students ever venture out-side that subject again； in a real sense, the English boy or girl is aspecialist from the age of fifteen.
　　81. The purpose of this passage is to ______. A） show why most English students are“specialists”B） show the superiority of the English educational system C） describe the three tests that the English educational system is basedon D） discuss the inequalities of the English educational system
　　82. The exam for the Ordinary Level of the General Certificate of Education is administrated at the age of ______. A） fifteen B） eighteen C） eleven D） thirteen
　　83. We may conclude from the passage that______. A） the exam that is taken at age eighteen is easier than the other two exams B） failure on the eleven-plus exam excludes a student from further schooling C） higher education is much narrower in scope in England than in American D） physics and chemistry are the two most popular courses of study
　　84. The passage suggests that ______. A） most people in England are college educated B） schooling is very closely controlled in England C） the failure rate on eleven-plus exam is quite high D） England's structured educational system has reduced the illiteracy rate in that country dramatically
　　85. As used in the passage, the word “content” （in Line 12） means______. A） difficulties B） framework C） material D） pleasure
　　Questions 86 to 90 are based on the following passage：
　　What makes it rain？ Rain falls from clouds for the same reason any-thing falls to Earth. The Earth's gravity pulls it. But every cloud ismade of water droplets or ice crystals. Why doesn't rain or snow fallconstantly from all clouds？ The droplets or ice crystals in clouds areexceedingly small. The effect of gravity on them is minute. Air currentsmove and lift droplets so that the net downward displacement （¨°？？？￥） iszero, even though the droplets are in constant motion. Droplets and ice crystals behave somewhat like dust in the air madevisible in a shaft of sunlight. To the casual observer, dust seems to actin a totally random fashion, moving about chaotically without fixed direc-tion. But in fact dust particles are much larger than water droplets andthey finally fall. The cloud droplet of average size is only 1/2500 inchin diameter. It is so small that it would take sixteen hours to fall halfa mile in perfectly still air, and it does not fall out of moving air atall. Only when the droplet grows to a diameter of 1/125 inch or largercan it fall from the cloud. The average raindrop contains a million timesas much water as a tiny cloud droplet. The growth of a cloud droplet toa size large enough to fall out is the cause of rain and other forms ofprecipitation. This important growth process is called“coalescence.”
　　86. What is the main topic of the passage？
　　A） The mechanics of rain. B） The climate of North America. C） How gravity affects air current. D） Types of clouds.
　　87. The word “minute”in Line 5 is closest in meaning to which for the following？
　　A） Second. B） Tiny. C） Smooth. D） Predictable.
　　88. Why don't all ice crystals in clouds immediately fall to Earth？
　　A） They are balanced by the pressure of rain droplets. B） The effect of gravity at high altitude is random. C） They are kept in the sky by air currents. D） They are moving about without fixed directions.
　　89. What can be inferred about drops of water larger than 1/125 inch in diameter？
　　A） They never occur. B） They are not affected by the force of gravity. C） In still air they would fall to earth. D） In moving air they fall at a speed of thirty-two miles per hour.
　　90. In this passage, what does the term “coalescence” （in Paragraph 2）refer to？
　　A） The gathering of small clouds to form larger clouds. B） The growth of droplets. C） The fall of raindrops and other precipitation. D） The movement of dust particles in the sunlight.
　　WRITING
　　Directions： For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a compositionon Reading —— The Best means To Acquire Knowledge in three paragraphs. Youare given the main idea of each paragraph in Chinese. You are required todevelop these ideas in English. Your composition should be no less than 120words. Remember to write clearly.