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新动力英语 2008年12月英语四级全真模拟试题
2008-12-18来源:和谐英语
Part I Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of A Few Marks on Competition. You should write at least 120words following the outline given bellow:
1.竞争无处不在
2.竞争与合作之间的关系
3.由此我们应该......
Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)
Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, 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 the information given in the passage.
The American Character
When visitors from abroad undertake to describe the American character, the results are frequently puzzling to Americans.
"All Americans are Puritans; that’s what’s wrong with them," says one.
"They’re always thinking about enjoying themselves," says another.
"They spend too much time at work," a distinguished visitor tells us. "They don’t know how to play."
"Natural as little beasts. They have no manners, no respect for their elders."
There is, of course, no single pattern of American character any more than there is a single English or Turkish or Chinese character. Personality in America is further complicated by our diverse racial and origins, by successive waves of immigration from all parts of the world, by our regional diversities. It is complicated by several hundred varieties of religious beliefs with their varying impact on the believers. It is further diversified by the generation to which the person belongs-first generation immigrant, second generation child of immigrants, and on down the line.
The temptation is strong to lump all Americans together. Yet those who look a little deeper are puzzled by the seeming contradictions in American life. It is true that Americans as a whole work hard. But they also play hard. They spend more time and money in traveling, camping, hunting, watching sports, drinking, smoking, going to movies, watching television and reading newspapers and magazines than any other people in the world. Yet they also spend more money on churches, social services, hospitals and all kinds of charities. They are always in a hurry, yet they spend more time relaxing.
Success as a Goal
One thing almost everyone is agreed on, including Americans, is that they place a very high valuation upon success. Success does not necessarily mean material rewards, but recognition of some sort-preferably measurable.
In history, there was the richness of opportunity in a land waiting to be settled. There was the lack of a settled society with fixed ranks and classes, so that a man was certain to rise through achievement. So not to strive, not to take advantage of the opportunities in such a world, not to succeed where success was so available-these things naturally became a sort of crime against the state. To develop the resources of a new country required energetic people, bent upon using their energies-not only for the rewards that would result to themselves, but even more important, to the community. Therefore, material success in the United States is not looked upon as selfish. Its results are seen to have commercial value.
A society which values competition so highly is inevitably an aggressive one, even though the laws carefully limit the forms aggression may take. It has a toughness which is good for the development of the economy. Since high respects are given to the successful, the rewards are high. Money is rarely cherished for itself in America; it is rather a symbol and a tool. As a man’s status rises, the demands upon him also increase. He is expected to give generously to the hundreds of voluntary associations, which serve the community. Look at the Who’s Who entry for any prominent businessman, and you are likely to find him involved in an amazing number of committees and associations organized for the public good.
Since there are no limits of class, there are, in theory, no limits to what he can achieve. As any boy can become President, striving is a moral obligation. Achievement, not class, is the standard by which men are judged. The real test is how far you climb from where you started.
Americans love work. It is meat and drink to them. In recent years they have learned how to play, but they make work of that too. If it’s skiing, they throw themselves at it with an effort that would kill a horse. If it’s a vacation, they travel at sixty miles an hour, pause only long enough to snap pictures, and then discover what it was they went to see when they get home and look at the photographs.
Americans like to be handy at all things. Nearly everyone knows how to use tools, make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures, refinish furniture or paint a wall. Far from being thought a disgrace if he performs these "unskilled" tasks, a man is thought ridiculous if he does not know how to perform them.
Along with this urge to be jack-of-all-trades goes a willingness to change from one occupation to another. It surprises no one in America when the banker’s son becomes a farmer or vice versa. Or when a college professor shifts into industry, or a young man who starts out with a truck purchased on credit ends up running an enterprise with fleets of trucks spanning several states.
What is an American?
"I can’t make you out," Henry James has Mrs. Tristram say to the American, "whether you are very simple or very deep." This is a dilemma, which has often confronted Europeans. Usually they conclude that Americans are childish. But one cannot accurately call one society mature, another immature. Each has its own logic.
What is it then that makes Americans recognizable wherever they go? Free from the social restraints which would make them act very differently at home, they are bent on making the most of this freedom. Americans carry with them an appearance, which is more a result of attitude than of clothing. This attitude combines a lack of class consciousness, a somewhat cheerful optimism and an inquisitiveness(好打听别人的事情) which look to the European like naivety. Also a liking for facts and figures, and above all a desire to be friendly.
To sum up, American characteristics are the product of response to an unusually competitive situation combined with unusual opportunity.
Americans are a peculiar people. They work like mad, then give away much of what they earn. They play until they are exhausted, and call this a vacation. They love to think of themselves as tough-minded businessmen, yet they are pushovers(易于征服的人) for any hard luck story. They have the biggest of nearly everything including government, motorcars and debts, yet they are afraid of bigness. They also have the most traffic deaths, the most waste, the most racketeering(敲诈勒索).
There is, of course, no typical American. But if you added them all together and then divided by 226,000,000 they would look something like what this essay has tried to portray.
Questions:
1. Unlike the English, Turkish, or Chinese, Americans don’t have a uniform pattern of character.
2. Americans attach great importance to success though they don’t equate success with materials rewards.
3. Generally speaking, Americans don’t think there is anything wrong with personal material success.
4. Americans like skiing better than any other physical activity.
5. People in different societies have different patterns of character. There is no way to decide which society is superior.
6. Americans attribute the forming of their characteristics to the influence of different cultures.
7. From the passage, we can come to a conclusion that there is little or no glory attached to being born wealthy or privileged in the United States
8. Americans spend _____________on entertainment than people elsewhere in the world.
9. It is _______________that makes Americans recognizable wherever they go.
10. Besides naïve, Europeans use another word to describe Americans. The word is "___________".
Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)
Section A
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 question 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 decided which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.
11. A) They forgot all about their departure that morning.
B) They were late by fifteen minutes.
C) They got up late by fifteen minutes.
D) The man’s watch slowed down.
12. A) He’s unhappy because the progress is slow.
B) He’s making steady progress.
C) He’s a good swimmer already.
D) He’s quite satisfied with his progress.
13. A) He performed better than the secretary.
B) He exaggerated his part
C) He was not dramatic enough.
D) He played his part quite well.
14. A) There’s no one willing to work on this committee.
B) No one is willing to work with them.
C) The man knows several people on the committee.
D) The man should be on the committee.
15. A) The man will probably do the woman a favor.
B) It was just half an hour ago that the man met Mr. Smith.
C) The woman forgot to write own the phone number.
D) The woman needed a sheet of paper to put down the number.
16. A) He feels sorry for those students.
B) He thinks it right to punish those students.
C) He thinks those students should be expelled from college.
D) He thinks the punishment is too severe.
17. A) She has to think about it.
B) The fish is safe to eat.
C) The man shouldn’t eat the fish.
D) She doesn’t like fish.
18. A) Short hair looks fashionable.
B) Short hair is more comfortable.
C) Short hair looks nicer.
D) She doesn’t have an air conditioner.
Questions 19 to 22 are based on he conversation you have just heard.
19. A) Proteins.
B) Genes.
C) Gene therapy.
D) Genetic disorders.
20. A) Proteins.
B) Cells.
C) Nerves.
D) Genes.
21. A) The gene therapy is very essential to human body.
B) The gene therapy is to alter cellular structures.
C) The gene therapy is to correct imperfect genes.
D) The gene therapy is to cure all human diseases.
22. A) The gene therapy has gone through the experimental stage.
B) The gene therapy is still in its trial stage.
C) The gene therapy has proven very successful so far.
D) Many patients have benefited from the gene therapy.
23. A) She bought it at a retailer’s.
B) She bought it on sale.
C) She bought via the net.
D) She bought at a department store.
24. A) low price and safety.
B) safety and convenience.
C) safety and efficiency.
D) low price and convenience.
25.A) Theft.
B) Robbery.
C) Quality of goods.
D) Security about personal information.
Section B
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 center.
Passage One
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26.A) Just before she fastened her seat belt.
B) Ten minutes after she was sitting on board.
C) When the plane was up in the sky.
D) As she was enjoying the beauty of the sky.
27. A) police officers.
B) airline officials.
C) passengers.
D) an airline official and a police officer.
28. A) Because a ticking sound came from the suitcase of the woman.
B) Because the woman took an alarm clock with her.
C) Because she continued to smoke despite the warning.
d) Because she was found to be a suspect.
Questions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Passage Two
29. A) books, art , music and handicraft.
B) books, art , handicraft and toys.
C) art, music, handicraft and toys.
D) books, art, music and toys.
30. A) A new method of making toys .
B) A new method of selling toys.
C) A new library service.
D) A new way of advertising.
31.A) A toy library.
B) A science library.
C) An art library.
D) A record library .
32. A) Books to read.
B) Paintings.
C) A place to receive education.
D) A place to meet and play with other children.
Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Passage Three
33.A) Because they want to avoid using words like "old" .
B) Because they know the United States is a country.
C) Because old people are looked down upon everywhere.
D) Because they wish that they could be turned younger..
34. A) There is better medical care.
B) There are better living conditions.
C) People are doing more exercises..
D) Old people are being taken good care of by their children.
35. A) Because they don’t know any other way of spending money.
B) Because they are happy to accept the fact they are old.
C) Because they know it’s worth every penny of it to look young..
D) Because they know the government will cover the cost.
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of A Few Marks on Competition. You should write at least 120words following the outline given bellow:
1.竞争无处不在
2.竞争与合作之间的关系
3.由此我们应该......
Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)
Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, 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 the information given in the passage.
The American Character
When visitors from abroad undertake to describe the American character, the results are frequently puzzling to Americans.
"All Americans are Puritans; that’s what’s wrong with them," says one.
"They’re always thinking about enjoying themselves," says another.
"They spend too much time at work," a distinguished visitor tells us. "They don’t know how to play."
"Natural as little beasts. They have no manners, no respect for their elders."
There is, of course, no single pattern of American character any more than there is a single English or Turkish or Chinese character. Personality in America is further complicated by our diverse racial and origins, by successive waves of immigration from all parts of the world, by our regional diversities. It is complicated by several hundred varieties of religious beliefs with their varying impact on the believers. It is further diversified by the generation to which the person belongs-first generation immigrant, second generation child of immigrants, and on down the line.
The temptation is strong to lump all Americans together. Yet those who look a little deeper are puzzled by the seeming contradictions in American life. It is true that Americans as a whole work hard. But they also play hard. They spend more time and money in traveling, camping, hunting, watching sports, drinking, smoking, going to movies, watching television and reading newspapers and magazines than any other people in the world. Yet they also spend more money on churches, social services, hospitals and all kinds of charities. They are always in a hurry, yet they spend more time relaxing.
Success as a Goal
One thing almost everyone is agreed on, including Americans, is that they place a very high valuation upon success. Success does not necessarily mean material rewards, but recognition of some sort-preferably measurable.
In history, there was the richness of opportunity in a land waiting to be settled. There was the lack of a settled society with fixed ranks and classes, so that a man was certain to rise through achievement. So not to strive, not to take advantage of the opportunities in such a world, not to succeed where success was so available-these things naturally became a sort of crime against the state. To develop the resources of a new country required energetic people, bent upon using their energies-not only for the rewards that would result to themselves, but even more important, to the community. Therefore, material success in the United States is not looked upon as selfish. Its results are seen to have commercial value.
A society which values competition so highly is inevitably an aggressive one, even though the laws carefully limit the forms aggression may take. It has a toughness which is good for the development of the economy. Since high respects are given to the successful, the rewards are high. Money is rarely cherished for itself in America; it is rather a symbol and a tool. As a man’s status rises, the demands upon him also increase. He is expected to give generously to the hundreds of voluntary associations, which serve the community. Look at the Who’s Who entry for any prominent businessman, and you are likely to find him involved in an amazing number of committees and associations organized for the public good.
Since there are no limits of class, there are, in theory, no limits to what he can achieve. As any boy can become President, striving is a moral obligation. Achievement, not class, is the standard by which men are judged. The real test is how far you climb from where you started.
Americans love work. It is meat and drink to them. In recent years they have learned how to play, but they make work of that too. If it’s skiing, they throw themselves at it with an effort that would kill a horse. If it’s a vacation, they travel at sixty miles an hour, pause only long enough to snap pictures, and then discover what it was they went to see when they get home and look at the photographs.
Americans like to be handy at all things. Nearly everyone knows how to use tools, make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures, refinish furniture or paint a wall. Far from being thought a disgrace if he performs these "unskilled" tasks, a man is thought ridiculous if he does not know how to perform them.
Along with this urge to be jack-of-all-trades goes a willingness to change from one occupation to another. It surprises no one in America when the banker’s son becomes a farmer or vice versa. Or when a college professor shifts into industry, or a young man who starts out with a truck purchased on credit ends up running an enterprise with fleets of trucks spanning several states.
What is an American?
"I can’t make you out," Henry James has Mrs. Tristram say to the American, "whether you are very simple or very deep." This is a dilemma, which has often confronted Europeans. Usually they conclude that Americans are childish. But one cannot accurately call one society mature, another immature. Each has its own logic.
What is it then that makes Americans recognizable wherever they go? Free from the social restraints which would make them act very differently at home, they are bent on making the most of this freedom. Americans carry with them an appearance, which is more a result of attitude than of clothing. This attitude combines a lack of class consciousness, a somewhat cheerful optimism and an inquisitiveness(好打听别人的事情) which look to the European like naivety. Also a liking for facts and figures, and above all a desire to be friendly.
To sum up, American characteristics are the product of response to an unusually competitive situation combined with unusual opportunity.
Americans are a peculiar people. They work like mad, then give away much of what they earn. They play until they are exhausted, and call this a vacation. They love to think of themselves as tough-minded businessmen, yet they are pushovers(易于征服的人) for any hard luck story. They have the biggest of nearly everything including government, motorcars and debts, yet they are afraid of bigness. They also have the most traffic deaths, the most waste, the most racketeering(敲诈勒索).
There is, of course, no typical American. But if you added them all together and then divided by 226,000,000 they would look something like what this essay has tried to portray.
Questions:
1. Unlike the English, Turkish, or Chinese, Americans don’t have a uniform pattern of character.
2. Americans attach great importance to success though they don’t equate success with materials rewards.
3. Generally speaking, Americans don’t think there is anything wrong with personal material success.
4. Americans like skiing better than any other physical activity.
5. People in different societies have different patterns of character. There is no way to decide which society is superior.
6. Americans attribute the forming of their characteristics to the influence of different cultures.
7. From the passage, we can come to a conclusion that there is little or no glory attached to being born wealthy or privileged in the United States
8. Americans spend _____________on entertainment than people elsewhere in the world.
9. It is _______________that makes Americans recognizable wherever they go.
10. Besides naïve, Europeans use another word to describe Americans. The word is "___________".
Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)
Section A
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 question 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 decided which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.
11. A) They forgot all about their departure that morning.
B) They were late by fifteen minutes.
C) They got up late by fifteen minutes.
D) The man’s watch slowed down.
12. A) He’s unhappy because the progress is slow.
B) He’s making steady progress.
C) He’s a good swimmer already.
D) He’s quite satisfied with his progress.
13. A) He performed better than the secretary.
B) He exaggerated his part
C) He was not dramatic enough.
D) He played his part quite well.
14. A) There’s no one willing to work on this committee.
B) No one is willing to work with them.
C) The man knows several people on the committee.
D) The man should be on the committee.
15. A) The man will probably do the woman a favor.
B) It was just half an hour ago that the man met Mr. Smith.
C) The woman forgot to write own the phone number.
D) The woman needed a sheet of paper to put down the number.
16. A) He feels sorry for those students.
B) He thinks it right to punish those students.
C) He thinks those students should be expelled from college.
D) He thinks the punishment is too severe.
17. A) She has to think about it.
B) The fish is safe to eat.
C) The man shouldn’t eat the fish.
D) She doesn’t like fish.
18. A) Short hair looks fashionable.
B) Short hair is more comfortable.
C) Short hair looks nicer.
D) She doesn’t have an air conditioner.
Questions 19 to 22 are based on he conversation you have just heard.
19. A) Proteins.
B) Genes.
C) Gene therapy.
D) Genetic disorders.
20. A) Proteins.
B) Cells.
C) Nerves.
D) Genes.
21. A) The gene therapy is very essential to human body.
B) The gene therapy is to alter cellular structures.
C) The gene therapy is to correct imperfect genes.
D) The gene therapy is to cure all human diseases.
22. A) The gene therapy has gone through the experimental stage.
B) The gene therapy is still in its trial stage.
C) The gene therapy has proven very successful so far.
D) Many patients have benefited from the gene therapy.
23. A) She bought it at a retailer’s.
B) She bought it on sale.
C) She bought via the net.
D) She bought at a department store.
24. A) low price and safety.
B) safety and convenience.
C) safety and efficiency.
D) low price and convenience.
25.A) Theft.
B) Robbery.
C) Quality of goods.
D) Security about personal information.
Section B
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 center.
Passage One
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26.A) Just before she fastened her seat belt.
B) Ten minutes after she was sitting on board.
C) When the plane was up in the sky.
D) As she was enjoying the beauty of the sky.
27. A) police officers.
B) airline officials.
C) passengers.
D) an airline official and a police officer.
28. A) Because a ticking sound came from the suitcase of the woman.
B) Because the woman took an alarm clock with her.
C) Because she continued to smoke despite the warning.
d) Because she was found to be a suspect.
Questions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Passage Two
29. A) books, art , music and handicraft.
B) books, art , handicraft and toys.
C) art, music, handicraft and toys.
D) books, art, music and toys.
30. A) A new method of making toys .
B) A new method of selling toys.
C) A new library service.
D) A new way of advertising.
31.A) A toy library.
B) A science library.
C) An art library.
D) A record library .
32. A) Books to read.
B) Paintings.
C) A place to receive education.
D) A place to meet and play with other children.
Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
Passage Three
33.A) Because they want to avoid using words like "old" .
B) Because they know the United States is a country.
C) Because old people are looked down upon everywhere.
D) Because they wish that they could be turned younger..
34. A) There is better medical care.
B) There are better living conditions.
C) People are doing more exercises..
D) Old people are being taken good care of by their children.
35. A) Because they don’t know any other way of spending money.
B) Because they are happy to accept the fact they are old.
C) Because they know it’s worth every penny of it to look young..
D) Because they know the government will cover the cost.
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