2001年英语专业四级真题试卷及其参考答案

TEXT B

I am one of the many city people who are always saying that given the choice we would prefer to live in the country away from the dirt and noise of a large city. I have managed to convince myself that if it weren’t for my job I would immediately head out for the open spaces and go back to nature in some sleepy village buried in the county. But how realistic is the dream?

Cities can be frightening places. The majority of the population live in massive tower blocks, noisy, dirty and impersonal. The sense of belonging to a community tends to disappear when you live fifteen floors up. All you can see from your window is sky, or other blocks of fiats. Children become aggressive and nervous - cooped up at home all day, with nowhere to play; their mothers feel isolated from the rest of the world. Strangely enough, whereas in the past the inhabitants of one street all knew each other, nowadays people on the same floor in tower blocks don’t even say hello to each other.

Country life, on the other hand, differs from this kind of isolated existence in that a sense of community generally binds the inhabitants of small villages together. People have the advantage of knowing that there is always someone to turn to when they need help. But country life has disadvantages too. While it is true that you may be among friends in a village, it is also true that you are cut off from the exciting and important events that take place in cities. There’s little possibility of going to a new show or the latest movie. Shopping becomes a major problem, and for anything slightly out of the ordinary you have to goon an expedition to the nearest large town. The city-dweller who leaves for thecountry is often oppressed by a sense of unbearable stillness and quiet.

What, then, is the answer? The country has the advantage of peace and quiet, but suffers from the disadvantage of being cut off the city breeds a feeling of isolation, and constant noise batters the senses. But one of its main advantages is that you are at the centre of things, and that life doesn’t come to an end at half-past nine at night. Some people have found (or rather bought) a compromise between the two they have expressed their preference for the “quiet life” by leaving the suburbs and moving to villages within commuting distance of large cities. They generally have about as much sensitivity as the plastic flowers they leave behind—they are polluted with strange ideas about change and improvement which they force on to the unwilling original inhabitants of the villages.

What then of my dreams of leaning on a cottage gate and murmuring “morning”to the locals as they pass by. I’m keen on the idea, but you see there’s my cat, Toby. I’m not at all sure that he would take to all that fresh air and exercise in the long grass. I mean, can you see him mixing with all those hearty malesdown the farm? No, he would rather have the electric imitation-coal fire any evening.

70.  We get the impression from the first paragraph that the author___.

A. used to live in the country

B. used to work in the city

C. works in the city 

D. lives in the country

71.  In the author’s opinion, the following may cause city people to be unhappy EXCEPT___.

A. a strong sense of fear   

B. lack of communication

C. housing conditions   

D. a sense of isolation

72.  The passage implies that it is easy to buy’ the following things in the country EXCEPT___

A. daily necessities   

B. fresh fruits

C. designer clothes   

D. fresh vegetables

73.  According to the passage, which of the following adjectives best describes those people who work in large cities and live in villages?

A. Original.   

B. Quiet.   

C. Arrogant.   

D. Insensitive.

74.  Do you think the author will move to the country?

A. Yes, he will do so.   

B. No, he will not do so.

C. It is difficult to tell.   

D. He is in two minds.

TEXT C

Traditionally, the woman has held a low position in marriage partnerships. While her husband went his way, she had to wash, stitch and sew. Today the move is to liberate the woman, which may in the end strengthen the marriage union.

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to friendship in marriage is the amount a couple usually see of each other. Friendship in its usual sense is not tested by the strain of daily, year-long cohabitation. Couples need to take up separate interests (and friendship) as well as mutually shared ones, if they are not to get used to the more attractive elements of each other’s personalities. Married couples are likely to exert themselves for guests - being amusing,discussing with passion and point —and then to fall into dull exhausted silence when the guests have gone.

As in all friendship, a husband and wife must try to interest each other, and to spend sufficient time sharing absorbing activities to give them continuing common interests. But at the same time they must spend enough time on separateinterests with separate people to preserve and develop their separate personalities and keep their relationship fresh.

For too many highly intelligent working women, home represents chore obligations, because the husband only tolerates her work and does not participate in household chores. For too many highly intelligent working men, home represents dullness and complaints - from an over-dependent wife who will not gather courageto make her own life.

In such an atmosphere, the partners grow further and further apart, both love and liking disappearing. For too many couples with children, the children are allowed to command all time and attention, allowing the couple no time to develop liking and friendship, as well as love, allotting them exclusive parental roles.

75.  According to the passage, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

A. Friendship in marriage means daily, year-long cohabitation.

B. Friendship can be kept fresh by both separate and shared interests.

C. Friendship in marriage is based on developing similar interests.

D. Friendship in marriage is based on developing separate interest.

76.  The passage suggests that married couples become___.

A. unfriendly with guests

B. uninterested in guests

C. hostile when guests have left

D. quiet when guest have left

77.  The passage seems to indicate at the end that children___.

A. help couples reinforce their friendship

B. make no impact on the quality of friendship

C. may pose obstacles in marital friendship

D. command less time and care than expected

TEXT D

Sending a child to school in England is a step which many parents do not find easy to take. In theory, at least, the problem is that there are very many choices to make. Let us try to list some of the alternatives between which parents are forced to decide. To begin with, they may ask themselves whether they would like their child to go to a single-sex school or a co-educational school. They may also consider whether he should go to a school which is connected to a particular church or religious group, or whether the school should have no such connections. Another decision is Whether the school should be one of the vast majority financed by the State or one of the very small but influential minority of private schools, though this choice is, of course, only available to the small number of those who can pay. Also connected with the question of money is whether the child should go to a boarding school or live at home. Then there is the question of what the child should do at school. Should it be a school whose curriculum lays emphasis, for instance, on necessary skills, such as reading, writing and mathematics, or one which pays more attention to developing the child’s personality, morally, emotionally and socially. Finally, with dissatisfaction with conventional education as great as it is in some circles in England and certainly in the USA, the question might even arise in the parents’ minds as to whether the child should be compelled to go to school at all. Although in practice, some parents may not think twice about any of these choices and send their child to the only school available in the immediate neighbourhood, any parent who is interested enough can insist that as many choices as possible be made open to him, and the system is theoretically supposed to provide them.

78.  Parents find choosing a school hard because___.

A. there is a limited number of choices

B. some schools are very expensive

C. some schools are government schools

D. they are faced with a variety of offers

79.  According to the passage, some parents, if allowed, might let their children stay at home    because they___.

A. don’t find conventional education satisfactory

B. don’t know how to choose among different schools

C. intend to educate their children themselves

D. find conventional education too expensive to pay for 

80.  What is implied at the very end of the passage ?

A. Most parents are unconcerned about the choices available to them.

B. Interested parents can request more school choices be open to them.

C. The educational system may not provide as many choices as expected.

D. Most parents usually send their children to the schools nearby.

SECTION B SKIMMING AND SCANNING  〔5 MIN.〕

In this section there are seven passages with a total of ten multiple-choice questions. Skim or scan them as required and then mark your answers.

TEXT E

First read the following question.

81.  The main purpose of the passage is to___.

A. warn people of pickpockets.         

B. tell people what to wear.

C. describe how to catch thieves.     

D. explain how to contact the police.

Now, go through TEXT E quickly and answer question 81.

Pickpockets operate in crowded places in the hope of getting easy pickings. Don’t make it easy for them. Keep wallets, purses and other valuables out of sight. If wearing a jacket, an inside pocket is the best place to use. If not, your possessions are safest in a pocket with a button-down flap.

Please co-operate with the police by reporting any crime or suspicious activity immediately, either by dialling 110 or calling at your nearest police station.

TEXT F

First read the following question.

82.  The main topic of the passage is ___.

A. agricultural products             

B. irrigation methods

C. natural resources                 

D. water shortages

Now, go through TEXT F quickly and answer question 82.

It is widely accepted that China is a country faced with severe water shortages. Insufficient water resources have slowed agricultural development. And to

make matters worse, some of the traditional Chinese irrigation methods have wasted an astonishing amount of water.

In China today, the utilization efficiency of farming water is about 30-40 per cent. This figure stands in sharp contrast to developed countries’ utilization average of 70-80 per cent. The low utilization efficiency has resulted from the adoption of some traditional Chinese irrigation methods.

Only by using modern irrigation methods can we reduce water shortage in agriculture.

One of the advantages of modern irrigation methods is that they alone can save 20-30 per cent of the present volume of wasted irrigation water.

TEXT G

First read the following question.

83.  The letter is about___.

A. cities in South-east Asia     

B. holiday greetings

C. sightseeing                   

D. travel plans

Now, go through TEXT G quickly and answer question 83.

May 5th 2002

Dear Mark,

Hello again! Here are my holiday plans. I’ll leave on a tour of South-east Asia in August and will arrive in Singapore in September. Hope we’ll be able to

meet there. These are my travel plans

August 28th London-Tokyo

September 1st Tokyo-Bangkok

September 4th                    Bangkok-Singapore

September 7th                    Singapore-Manila

September 9th                    Manila-London

Looking forward to seeing you again.

Best wishes

Christopher

TEXT H

First read the following question.

84.  Who will read the following excerpt from a pamphlet?

A. Travellers.                     

B. Baby-sitters.

C. Insurance agents.               

D. Trattic police.

Now, go through TEXT H quickly and answer question 84.

DAY TRIPS

Even if you are only going on a day trip to another country , accidents can happen. So please make sure you have adequate travel insurance.

TAKE CARE IN WATER

Bathing will cool you but remember that fatal accidents can happen very easily and in the most unexpected conditions. Adults should watch each other for signs of trouble when in water. Children should always be supervised by an adult who can swim well. Young children should never be left unattended near a stretch of water.

TAKE CARE ON THE ROADS

Traffic accidents are the major cause of death among travellers. Whetherdriver or pedestrian, always check on local traffic regulations.

TEXT I

First read the following questions.

85.  How many performances will the Irish dancing troupe give between June 23 and 25?

 A. One.          

B. Two.         

C. Three.          

D. Four.

86.  Whose works will NOT be played at the concert?

A. Chopin.           

B. Schumann.       

C. Beethoven.     

D. Liszt.

Now, go through TEXT I quickly and answer questions 85 and 86.

Irish dance The Irish International Dance Company, one of the most dynamic dance troupes in the world, will tour China with its classic production“ Spirit of the Dance—the New Millennium.”

The dancers include such famous names as Patricia Murray, one of the Irish dancing champions, and first rate ballerina Claire Holding.

    Sponsored by China National Culture and Art Company Ltd., the dancing troupe will give three performances at the Century Theatre.

    Time730 pm, June 23-25

    Place Century Theatre, 40 Liangmaqiaolu, Chaoyang District

    Telephone 6551 - 8888

    Piano solos twenty Chinese and foreign piano music works will be playedby three young, promising pianists from the China Central Conservatory of Music.

    Programmes include “Consolation No 3 in D-flat major”by Liszt,“For Elise”by Beethoven, “Turkish March”by Mozart, “Waltz in C-sharp minor”and “A Minute Waltz”by Chopin, and “Hungarian Dance”by Brahms.

    Time730 pm, June 16

    Place Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

    Telephone 6605- 5812

TEXT J

First read the following questions.

87.  When is the deadline for the competition?

A. May 7.       

B. May 5.         

C. June 18.       

D. June 15.

88.  The six lucky winners will ___.

A. visit Guiyang City.               

B. contact the Press Office 

C. go to China Daily.                    

D. take an overseas trip.

Now, go through TEXT J quickly and answer questions 87 and 88.

Guiyang Customs and Scenery Competition

Notice

Fifteen questions for the Guigyang Customs and Scenery Competition were published in China Daily on May 5 and 7, and on China Daily’ s web edition on May 7. Participants, please answer the questions and mail the answer card toPress Office, Guiyang Municipal People’s Government46 Zhongshan Xilu, Guiyang 550003, Guizhou, China or find the competitionon www. chinadaily, com. cn. Then answer the questions, fill in all information  needed and click the button below to send it back.The deadline for the competition is June 15(subject to postmark).

The prize-drawing Ceremony will be held on June 18 in Guiyang City ,and six  luck winners(three living in China,three from abroad)will be drawn from those who give correct answers to all questions. Their names will be published in China  Daily and its web edition on June 19.

The six lucky winners will be invited to visit Guiyang from August 8 to 18.

TEXT K

First read the following questions.

89.  If you want to travel to Shanghai on Air France on a Saturday, which flight would you take?

A. AF129.

B. AF128.           

C. AF111.     

D. AF112.

90.  Does Lufthansa operate a flight between Beijing and Frankfurt everyday?

A. No.       

B. Yes.

C. Yes, except on Saturdays.        

D. No, only three days a week.

Now, go through TEXT K quickly and answer questions 89 and 90.

Flight Schedule

Air France  ..............................................  Tel  (010)6588 1388

(020)6360 6688

Day      From    To    Flight    Departure    Arrival

1 - 7 Beijing Paris AFl29 09 40 1415

1 - 7 Paris Beijing AFl28 1555 0740

2,4,7 Shanghai Paris AFlll 1055 1705

1,3,6 Paris Shanghai AFl12 1555 0905

Lufthansa  ......................  Tel  (010)6465 4488

  Tel  (010)6465 4488

(021)6248 1100

Day From To Flight Departure Arrival

1 - 7 Beijing Frankfurt LH721 1030 1425

1 - 7 Frankfurt Beijing LH720 1725 0830

1,2,3,4,5,7 Shanghai Frankfurt LH729 1115 1630

1,2,3,4,5,7 Frankfurt Shanghai 111728 1710  092

Part ⅠWRITING  〔45 MIN.〕

SECTION A COMPOSITION

Travel has become part of our life. And more and more of us have come to know the significance of travel through our own experience.Write on ANSWER SHEET ONE a composition of about 150 words on the following topic

TRAVEL BROADENS THE MIND

You are to write in three parts.

In the first part, state what the topic actually means to you.

In the second part, give one or two examples to illustrate your ideas.

In the last part, bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or a summary.

Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriacy. Failure to follow the instructions may result in a loss of marks.

SECTION B  NOTE-WRITING  〔10 MIN.〕

Write on ANSWER SHEET ONE a note of about 50-60 words based on the following situation

Yesterday you failed to turn up for the appointment with your teacher, Profess or Wang. Write him a note of apology and make a request for another meeting. You should also suggest the time for the requested meeting.Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriacy.