搜档网
当前位置:搜档网 › 2010年12月英语四级真题

2010年12月英语四级真题

2010年12月英语四级真题
2010年12月英语四级真题

Part I Writing (30 minutes)

Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled How Should Parents Help Children to Be Independent? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.

1. 目前不少父母为孩子包办一切

2. 为了让孩子独立, 父母应该……

How Should Parents Help Children to Be Independent?

.

.

.

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, choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

A Grassroots Remedy

Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world. To this end, we walk the dog, play golf, go fishing, sit in the garden, drink outside rather than inside the pub, have a picnic, live in the suburbs, go to the seaside, buy a weekend place in the country. The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk. And when joggers (慢跑者) jog, they don’t run the streets. Every one of them instinctively heads to the park or the river. It is my profound belief that not only do we all need nature, but we all seek nature, whether we know we are doing so or not.

But despite this, our children are growing up nature-deprived (丧失). I spent my boyhood climbing trees on Streatham Common, South London. These days, children are robbed of these ancient freedoms, due to problems like crime, traffic, the loss of the open spaces and odd new perceptions about what is best for children, that is to say, things that can be bought, rather than things that can be found.

The truth is to be found elsewhere. A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD—attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (多动症). Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.

A study in Sweden indicated that kindergarten children who could play in a natural environment had less illness and greater physical ability than children used only to a normal playground. A US study suggested that when a school gave children access to a natural environment, academic levels were raised across the entire school.

Another study found that children play differently in a natural environment. In playgrounds, children create a hierarchy (等级) based on physical abilities, with the tough ones taking the lead. But when a grassy area was planted with bushes, the children got much more into fantasy play, and the social hierarchy was now based on imagination and creativity.

Most bullying (恃强凌弱) is found in schools where there is a tarmac (柏油碎石) playground; the least bullying is in a natural area that the children are encouraged to explore. This reminds me unpleasantly of Sunnyhill School in Streatham, with its harsh tarmac, where I used to hang

about in corners fantasising about wildlife.

But children are frequently discouraged from involvement with natural spaces, for health and safety reasons, for fear that they might get dirty or that they might cause damage. So, instead, the damage is done to the children themselves: not to their bodies but to their souls.

One of the great problems of modern childhood is ADHD, now increasingly and expensively treated with drugs. Yet one study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children. However, we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.

The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature. The increasing emphasis for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years. And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.

In wider and more difficult areas of life, there is evidence to indicate that natural surroundings improve all kinds of things. Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.

Dr William Bird, researcher from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, states in his study, “A natural environment can reduce violent behaviour because its restorative process helps reduce anger and impulsive behaviour.”Wild places need encouraging for this reason, no matter how small their contribution.

We tend to look on nature conservation as some kind of favour that human beings are granting to the natural world. The error here is far too deep: not only do humans need nature for themselves, but the very idea that humanity and the natural world are separable things is profoundly damaging.

Human beings are a species of mammals (哺乳动物). For seven million years they lived on the planet as part of nature. Our ancestral selves miss the natural world and long for contact with non-human life. Anyone who has patted a dog, stroked a cat, sat under a tree with a pint of beer, given or received a bunch of flowers or chosen to walk through the park on a nice day, understands that.

We need the wild world. It is essential to our well-being, our health, our happiness. Without the wild world we are not more but less civilised. Without other living things around us we are less than human.

Five ways to find harmony with the natural world

Walk: Break the rhythm of permanently being under a roof. Get off a stop earlier, make a circuit of the park at lunchtime, walk the child to and from school, get a dog, feel yourself moving in moving air, look, listen, absorb.

Sit: Take a moment, every now and then, to be still in an open space. In the garden, anywhere that’s not in the office, anywhere out of the house, away from the routine. Sit under a tree, look at water, feel refreshed, ever so slightly renewed.

Drink: The best way to enjoy the natural world is by yourself; the second best way is in company. Take a drink outside with a good person, a good gathering: talk with the sun and the wind with birdsong for background.

Learn: Expand your boundaries. Learn five species of bird, five butterflies, five trees, five bird songs. That way, you see and hear more: and your mind responds gratefully to the greater amount of wildness in your life.

Travel: The places you always wanted to visit: by the seaside, in the country, in the hills. Take a weekend break, a day-trip, get out there and do it: for the scenery, for the way through the

woods, for the birds, for the bees. Go somewhere special and bring specialness home. It lasts forever, after all.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

1. What is the author’s profound belief?

[A] People instinctively seek nature in different ways.

[B] People should spend most of their lives in the wild.

[C] People have quite different perceptions of nature.

[D] People must make more efforts to study nature.

2. What does the author say people prefer for their children nowadays?

[A] Personal freedom.

[B] Things that are natural.

[C] Urban surroundings.

[D] Things that are purchased.

3. What does a study in Sweden show?

[A] The natural environment can help children learn better.

[B] More access to nature makes children less likely to fall ill.

[C] A good playground helps kids develop their physical abilities.

[D] Natural views can prevent children from developing ADHD.

4. Children who have chances to explore natural areas ________.

[A] tend to develop a strong love for science

[B] are more likely to fantasise about wildlife

[C] tend to be physically tougher in adulthood

[D] are less likely to be involved in bullying

5. What does the author suggest we do to help children with ADHD?

[A] Find more effective drugs for them.

[B] Provide more green spaces for them.

[C] Place them under more personal care.

[D] Engage them in more meaningful activities.

6. In what way do elderly people benefit from their contact with nature?

[A] They look on life optimistically. [C] They are able to live longer.

[B] They enjoy a life of better quality. [D] They become good-humoured.

7. Dr William Bird suggests in his study that ________.

[A] humanity and nature are complementary to each other

[B] wild places may induce impulsive behaviour in people

[C] access to nature contributes to the reduction of violence

[D] it takes a long time to restore nature once damaged

8. It is extremely harmful to think that humanity and the natural world can be________________________.

9. The author believes that we would not be so civilised without ________________________.

10. The five suggestions the author gives at the end of the passage are meant to encourage people to seek _________________ with the natural world.

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 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.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

11. [A] The man should visit the museums. [C] The beach resort is a good choice.

[B] She can’t stand the hot weather. [D] She enjoys staying in Washington.

12. [A] Her new responsibilities in the company.

[B] What her job prospects are.

[C] What the customers’feedback is.

[D] The director’s opinion of her work.

13. [A] Combine her training with dieting.

[B] Repeat the training every three days.

[C] Avoid excessive physical training.

[D] Include weightlifting in the program.

14. [A] When she will return home.

[B] Whether she can go by herself.

[C] Whether she can travel by air.

[D] When she will completely recover.

15. [A] The woman knows how to deal with the police.

[B] The woman had been fined many times before.

[C] The woman had violated traffic regulations.

[D] The woman is good at finding excuses.

16. [A] Switch off the refrigerator for a while.

[B] Have someone repair the refrigerator.

[C] Ask the man to fix the refrigerator.

[D] Buy a refrigerator of better quality.

17. [A] He owns a piece of land in the downtown area.

[B] He has got enough money to buy a house.

[C] He can finally do what he has dreamed of.

[D] He is moving into a bigger apartment.

18. [A] She is black and blue all over.

[B] She has to go to see a doctor.

[C] She stayed away from work for a few days.

[D] She got hurt in an accident yesterday.

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

19. [A] She was a bank manager.

[B] She was a victim of the robbery.

[C] She was a defence lawyer.

[D] She was a witness to the crime.

20. [A] A tall man with dark hair and a moustache.

[B] A youth with a distinguishing mark on his face.

[C] A thirty-year-old guy wearing a light sweater.

[D] A medium-sized young man carrying a gun.

21. [A] Identify the suspect from pictures. [C] Have her photo taken for their files.

[B] Go upstairs to sign some document. [D] Verify the record of what she had said.

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

22. [A] By reading a newspaper ad. [C] By listening to the morning news.

[B] By seeing a commercial on TV. [D] By calling an employment service.

23. [A] She could improve her foreign languages.

[B] She could work close to her family.

[C] She could travel overseas frequently.

[D] She could use her previous experiences.

24. [A] Taking management courses. [C] Working as a secretary.

[B] Teaching English at a university. [D] Studying for a degree in French.

25. [A] Prepare for an interview in a couple of days.

[B] Read the advertisement again for more details.

[C] Send in a written application as soon as possible.

[D] Get to know the candidates on the short list.

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 centre.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

Passage One

Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.

26. [A] They cannot see the firefighters because of the smoke.

[B] They do not realize the danger they are in.

[C] They cannot hear the firefighters for the noise.

[D] They mistake the firefighters for monsters.

27. [A] He travels all over America to help put out fires.

[B] He often teaches children what to do during a fire.

[C] He teaches Spanish in a San Francisco community.

[D] He provides oxygen masks to children free of charge.

28. [A] He saved the life of his brother choking on food.

[B] He rescued a student from a big fire.

[C] He is very good at public speaking.

[D] He gives informative talks to young children.

29. [A] Firefighters play an important role in America.

[B] Kids should learn not to be afraid of monsters.

[C] Carelessness can result in tragedies.

[D] Informative speeches can save lives.

Passage Two

Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.

30. [A] To satisfy the needs of their family.

[B] To fully realize their potential.

[C] To make money for early retirement.

[D] To gain a sense of their personal worth.

31. [A] They may have to continue to work in old age.

[B] They may regret the time they wasted.

[C] They may have nobody to depend on in the future.

[D] They may have fewer job opportunities.

32. [A] Making wise use of your time.

[B] Enjoying yourself while you can.

[C] Saving as much as you can.

[D] Working hard and playing hard.

Passage Three

Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

33. [A] Hardworking students being accused of cheating.

[B] Boy students being often treated as law-breakers.

[C] Innocent people being suspected groundlessly.

[D] Junior employees being made to work overtime.

34. [A] Forbidding students to take food out of the restaurant.

[B] Requesting customers to pay before taking the food.

[C] Asking customers to leave their bags on the counters.

[D] Allowing only two students to enter at a time.

35. [A] He was taken to the manager. [C] He was asked to leave.

[B] He was closely watched. [D] He was overcharged.

Section C

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 your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.

注意:此部分试题在答题卡2上作答。

Writing keeps us in touch with other people. We write to communicate with relatives and friends. We write to (36) _____________ our family histories so our children and grandchildren can learn and (37) _____________their heritage (传统). With computers and Internet connections in so many (38) _____________, colleges, business, people e-mailing friends and relatives all the time—or talking to them in writing in online (39) _____________ rooms. It is cheaper than calling long distance, and a lot more (40) _____________ than waiting until Sunday for the telephone (41) _____________ to drop. Students are e-mailing their professors to (42) _____________ and discuss their classroom assignments and to (43) _____________ them. They are e-mailing classmates to discuss and collaborate (合作) on homework. (44) __________________________________________________________.

Despite the growing importance of computers, however, there will always be a place and need for the personal letter. (45) ____________________________________________________.

No matter what the content of the message, its real point is, “I want you to know that I care about you.” (46) ____________________________________________________________________, but only in the success of human relationships.

Part ⅣReading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)

Section A

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.

Questions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.

What determines the kind of person you are? What factors make you more or less bold, intelligent, or able to read a map? All of these are influenced by the interaction of your genes and the environment in which you were 47 . The study of how genes and environment interact to influence 48 activity is known as behavioral genetics. Behavioral genetics has made important 49 to the biological revolution, providing information about the extent to which biology influences mind, brain and behavior.

Any research that suggests that 50 to perform certain behaviors are based in biology is controversial. Who wants to be told that there are limitations to what you can 51 based on something that is beyond your control, such as your genes? It is easy to accept that genes control physical characteristics such as sex, race and eye color. But can genes also determine whether people will get divorced, how 52 they are, or what career they are likely to choose? A concern of psychological scientists is the 53 to which all of these characteristics are influenced by nature and nurture(养育), by genetic makeup and the environment. Increasingly, science 54 that genes lay the groundwork for many human traits. From this perspective, people are born 55 like undeveloped photographs: The image is already captured, but the way it 56 appears can vary based on the development process. However, the basic picture is there from the beginning.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

[A] abilities [I] extent

[B] achieve [J] indicates

[C] appeal [K] proceeds

[D] complaints [L] psychological

[E] contributions [M] raised

[F] displayed [N] smart

[G] essentially [O] standard

[H] eventually

Section B

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.

Passage One

Questions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.

It is pretty much a one-way street. While it may be common for university researchers to try their luck in the commercial world, there is very little traffic in the opposite direction. Pay has always been the biggest deterrent, as people with families often feel they cannot afford the drop in salary when moving to a university job. For some industrial scientists, however, the attractions of academia (学术界) outweigh any financial considerations.

Helen Lee took a 70% cut in salary when she moved from a senior post in Abbott Laboratories to a medical department at the University of Cambridge. Her main reason for returning to academia mid-career was to take advantage of the greater freedom to choose research questions. Some areas of inquiry have few prospects of a commercial return, and Lee’s is one of them.

The impact of a salary cut is probably less severe for a scientist in the early stages of a career. Guy Grant, now a research associate at the Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics at the University of Cambridge, spent two years working for a pharmaceutical (制药的) company before returning to university as a post-doctoral researcher. He took a 30% salary cut but felt it worthwhile for the greater intellectual opportunities.

Higher up the ladder, where a pay cut is usually more significant, the demand for scientists with a wealth of experience in industry is forcing universities to make the transition (转换) to academia more attractive, according to Lee. Industrial scientists tend to receive training that academics do not, such as how to build a multidisciplinary team, manage budgets and negotiate contracts. They are also well placed to bring something extra to the teaching side of an academic role that will help students get a job when they graduate, says Lee, perhaps experience in manufacturing practice or product development. “Only a small number of undergraduates will continue in an academic career. So someone leaving university who already has the skills needed to work in an industrial lab has far more potential in the job market than someone who has spent all their time on a narrow research project.”

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

57. By “a one-way street”(Line 1, Para. 1), the author means ________.

[A] university researchers know little about the commercial world

[B] there is little exchange between industry and academia

[C] few industrial scientists would quit to work in a university

[D] few university professors are willing to do industrial research

58. The word “deterrent”(Line 2, Para. 1) most probably refers to something that ________.

[A] keeps someone from taking action [C] attracts people’s attention

[B] helps to move the traffic [D] brings someone a financial burden

59. What was Helen Lee’s major consideration when she changed her job in the middle of her career?

[A] Flexible work hours. [C] Her preference for the lifestyle on campus.

[B] Her research interests. [D] Prospects of academic accomplishments.

60. Guy Grant chose to work as a researcher at Cambridge in order to ________.

[A] do financially more rewarding work

[B] raise his status in the academic world

[C] enrich his experience in medical research

[D] exploit better intellectual opportunities

61. What contribution can industrial scientists make when they come to teach in a university?

[A] Increase its graduates’competitiveness in the job market.

[B] Develop its students’potential in research.

[C] Help it to obtain financial support from industry.

[D] Gear its research towards practical applications.

Passage Two

Questions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.

Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man’s life and two to a woman’s. The effect holds for all causes of death, whether illness, accident or self-harm.

Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn’t smoke. There’s a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse’s deat h, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects.

So how does it work? The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner.

A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: “People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected.”

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

62. William Farr’s study and other studies show that _________.

[A] social life provides an effective cure for illness

[B] being sociable helps improve one’s quality of life

[C] women benefit more than men from marriage

[D] marriage contributes a great deal to longevity

63. Linda Waite’s studies support the idea that _________.

[A] older men should quit smoking to stay healthy

[B] marriage can help make up for ill health

[C] the married are happier than the unmarried

[D] unmarried people are likely to suffer in later life

64. It can be inferred from the context that the “flip side”(Line 4, Para. 2) refers to

_________.

[A] the disadvantages of being married

[B] the emotional problems arising from marriage

[C] the responsibility of taking care of one’s family

[D] the consequence of a broken marriage

65. What does the author say about social networks?

[A] They have effects similar to those of a marriage.

[B] They help develop people’s community spirit.

[C] They provide timely support for those in need.

[D] They help relieve people of their life’s burdens.

66. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

[A] It’s important that we develop a social network when young.

[B] To stay healthy, one should have a proper social network.

[C] Getting a divorce means risking a reduced life span.

[D] We should share our social networks with each other.

Part ⅤCloze (15 minutes)

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.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

Over half the world’s people now live in cities. The latest “Global Report on Human Settlements”says a significant change took place last year. The report 67 this week from U.N. Habitat, a United Nations agency.

A century ago, 68 than five percent of all people lived in cities. 69 the middle of this century it could be seventy percent, or 70 six and a half billion people.

Already three-fourths of people in 71 countries live in cities. Now most urban population 72 is in the developing world.

Urbanization can 73 to social and economic progress, but also put 74 on cities to provide housing and 75 . The new report says almost two hundred thousand people move 76 cities and towns each day. It says worsening inequalities, 77 by social divisions and differences in 78 , could result in violence and crime 79 cities plan better.

Another issue is urban sprawl (无序扩展的城区). This is where cities 80 quickly into rural areas, sometimes 81 a much faster rate than urban population growth.

Sprawl is 82 in the United States. Americans move a lot. In a recent study, Art Hall at the University of Kansas found that people are moving away from the 83 cities to smaller ones. He sees a 84 toward “de-urbanization”across the nation.

85 urban economies still provide many 86 that rural areas do not.

67. [A] came on [C] came over

[B] came off [D] came out

68. [A] more [C] less

[B] other [D] rather

69. [A] By [C] Along

[B] Through [D] To

70. [A] really [C] ever

[B] barely [D] almost

71. [A] flourishing [C] thriving

[B] developed [D] fertile

72. [A] extension [C] raise

[B] addition [D] growth

73. [A] keep [C] lead

[B] turn [D] refer

74. [A] pressure [C] restraint

[B] load [D] weight

75. [A] surroundings [C] concerns

[B] communities [D] services

76. [A] onto [C] around

[B] into [D] upon

77. [A] pulled [C] drawn

[B] driven [D] pressed

78. [A] situation [C] treasure

[B] wealth [D] category

79. [A] when [C] unless

[B] if [D] whereas

80. [A] expand [C] invade

[B] split [D] enlarge

81. [A] in [C] with

[B] beyond [D] at

82. [A] common [C] ordinary

[B] conventional [D] frequent

83. [A] essential [C] primitive

[B] prior [D] major

84. [A] trend [C] direction

[B] style [D] path

85. [A] Then [C] For

[B] But [D] While

86. [A] abilities [C] possibilities

[B] qualities [D] realities

Part VI Translation (5 minutes)

Directions: Complete the sentences by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets. Please write your translation on Answer Sheet 2.

注意:此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答,只需写出译文部分。

87. ________________________________________________________(为了确保他参加会议), I called him up in advance.

88. The magnificent museum ________________________________________(据说建成于) about a hundred years ago.

89. There would be no life on earth ___________________________________________(没有地球独特的环境).

90. ___________________________________(给游客印象最深的) was the friendliness and warmth of the local people.

91. They requested that __________________________________________(我借的书还回图书馆) by next Friday.

2009年12月大学英语四级真题及答案解析

2009年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案 Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes) 注意:此部分试题在答题卡1上。 Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the topic of Creating a Green Campus. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below: 1. 建设绿色校园很重要 2. 绿色校园不仅指绿色的环境…… 3. 为了建设绿色校园,我们应该…… Creating a Green Campus Part ⅡReading 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, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For question 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. Colleges taking another look at value of merit-based aid Good grades and high tests scores still matter—a lot—to many colleges as they award financial aid. But with low-income students projected to make up an ever-larger share of the college-bound population in coming years, some schools are re-examining whether that aid, typically known as “merit aid”, is the most effective use of precious institutional dollars. George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for example, said last week that it would cut the value of its average merit scholarships by about one-third and reduce the number of recipients(接受者), pouring the savings, about $2.5 million, into need-based aid. Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., made a similar decision three years ago. Now, Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., says it will phase out merit scholarships altogether. No current merit-aid recipients will lose their scholarships, but need-based aid alone will be awarded beginning with students entering in fall 2008. Not all colleges offer merit aid; generally, the more selective a school, the less likely it is to do so. Harvard and Princeton, for example, offer generous need-based packages, but many families who don’t meet need eligibility(资格)have been willing to pay whatever they must for a big-name school. For small regional colleges that struggle just to fill seats, merit aid can be an important revenue-builder because many recipients still pay enough tuition dollars over and above the scholarship amount to keep the institution running. But for rankings-conscious schools in between, merit aid has served primarily as a tool to recruit top students and to improve their academic profits. “They’re trying to buy students,”says Skidmore College economist Sandy Baum. Studies show merit aid also tends to benefit disproportionately students who could afford to enroll without it. “As we look to the future, we see a more pressing need to invest in need-based aid,”says Monica Inzer, dean of admission and financial aid at Hamilton, which has offered merit scholarships for 10 years. During that time, it rose in US News & World Repor t’s ranking of the best liberal arts colleges, from 25 to 17.

历年英语四级真题及答案详解

2009年6月英语四级考试真题与答案真题: Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: F or this part, you are allowed 30 minute to write a short essay on the topic of students selecting their lectures. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given bellow: 1. 越来越多的博物馆免费对外开放的目的是什么? 2. 也会带来一些问题 3. 你的看法? Free admission to museums 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, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the

sentences with the information given in the passage. How Do You See Diversity? As a manager, Tiffany is responsible for interviewing applicants for some of the positions with her company .During one interview, she noticed that the candidate never made direct eye contact. She was puzzled and somewhat disappointed because she liked the individual otherwise. He had a perfect resume and gave good responses to her questions, but the fact that he never looked her in the eye said “untrustworthy,” so she decided to offer the job to her second choice. “It wasn’t until I attended a diversity workshop that I realized the person we passed over was the perfect person,” Tiffany confesses. What she hadn’t known at the time of the interview was that the candidate’s “different” behavior was simply a cultural misunde rstanding . He was an Asian-American raised in a household where respect for those in authority was shown by averting(避开) your eyes. “I was just thrown off by the lack of ye contact; not realizing it was cultural,” Tiffany says. “I missed out ,but will not miss that opportunity again.” Many of us have had similar encounters with behaviors we perceive

2015年6月大学英语四级真题(CET4)及答案解析

CET4 2015年6月份英语四级真题(CET4)

未得到监考老师指令前,不得翻阅该试题册! Part 1 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 based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and them comment on this kind of modern life. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. THIS MODERN LIFE: WORK HOME PLAY SLEEP 请用黑色签字笔在答题卡1指定区域作答作文题,在试题册上的作答无效。

Part II Listening Comprehension (30minutes) Section A Directions: In this section, you will bear 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 questions 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 1 with a single line through the center. 注意:此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答 1. A) He is pleased to sit on the committee C) He will tell the woman his decision later B) He is willing to offer the woman a hand D) He would like to become a club member 2. A) Their planned trip to Vancouver is obviously overpriced B) They should borrow a guide book instead of buying one C ) The guide books in the library have the latest information D) The library can help order guide books about Vancouver 3. A) He regrets having taken the history course B) He finds little interests in history books

2010年英语四级真题

M: Oh my god! The heat is simply unbearable here. I wish we’ve gone to the beach instead. W: Well, with the museums and restaurants in Washington I’ll be happy here no matter what the temperature. Q:What does the woman mean? 12. M: How’s the new job go ing? W: Well, I’m learning a lot of new things, but I wish the director would give me some feedback. Q:What does the woman want to know? 13. M: Can you help me work out a physical training program John? W: Sure, but whatever you do be careful not to overdo it. Last time I had two weeks’ worth of weight-lifting in three days and I hurt myself. Q: What does the man suggest the woman do? 14. M: I have an elderly mother and I’m worried about her going on a plane. Is there any risk? W: Not if her heart is all ri ght. If she has a heart condition, I’d recommend against it. Q: What does the man want to know about his mother? 15. M: Why didn’t you stop when we first signaled you at the crossroads? W: Sorry, I was just a bit absent-minded. Anyway, do I have to pay a fine? Q: what do we learn from the conversation? 16. M: I’m no expert, but that noise in your refrigerator doesn’t sound right. Maybe you should have it fixed. W: You’re right. And I suppose I’ve put it off long enough. Q: What will the woman probably do? 17. M: I did extremely well on the sale of my downtown apartment. Now, I have enough money to buy that piece of land I’ve had my eye on and build a house on it. W: Congratulations!Does that mean you’ll be moving soon? Q: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?

2018年12月英语四级真题(第一套)

2018年12月英语四级真题(第一套) Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the challenges of starting a career after graduation. You should write at least 120 words but no more than180 words. PartⅡ Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) 关注公众号“春秋大道”,无偿得到全部英语四六级历年真题(更新至2018年12月)+听力原频 Section A Directions: 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 then 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 single line through the centre. Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. 1.A) Land a space vehicle on the moon in 2019. B) Design a new generation of mobile phones. C) Set up a mobile phone network on the moon. D) Gather data from the noon with a tiny device. 2.A) It is stable. B) It is durable. C) It is inexpensive. D) It is sophisticated.

大学英语四级考试真题及答案(完整版)

大学英语四级考试真题及答案(绝对完整) Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minute to write a short essay on the topic of students selecting their lectures. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given bellow: 1. 越来越多的博物馆免费对外开放的目的是什么? 2. 也会带来一些问题 3. 你的看法? 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, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A),B),C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. How Do You See Diversity? As a manager, Tiffany is responsible for interviewing applicants for some of the positions with her company .During one interview, she noticed that the candidate never made direct eye contact. She was puzzled and somewhat disappointed because she liked the individual otherwise. He had a perfect resume and gave good responses to her questions, but the fact that he never looked her in the eye said “untrustworthy,” so she decided to offer the job to her second choice. “It wasn’t until I attended a diversity workshop that I realized the person we passed over was the perfect person,” Tiffany confesses. What she hadn’t known at the time of the interview was that the candidate’s “different” behavior was simply a cultural misunderstanding . He was an Asian-American raised in a household where respect for those in authority was shown by averting(避开) your eyes. “I was just thrown off by the lack of ye contact; not realizing it was cultural,” Tiffany says. “I missed out ,but will not miss that opportunity again.” Many of us have had similar encounters with behaviors we perceive as different. As the world becomes smaller and our workplaces more diverse, it is becoming essential to expand our under-standing of others and to reexamine some of our false assumptions . Hire Advantage At a time when hiring qualified people is becoming more difficult ,employers who can eliminate invalid biases(偏爱) from the process have a distinct advantage .My company, Mindsets LLC ,helps organizations and individuals see their own blind spots . A real estate recruiter we worked with illustrates the positive difference such training can make .

大学英语四级真题及完整答案(共两卷).pdf

2016年12月大学英语四级真题(第一套) Part I Writing (30minutes) 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 no more than 180 words. Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section A Directions: 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 1and 2 are based on the news report you have just the heard. 1. A) It was going to be renovated. C) It was dangerous to live in. B) He could no longer pay the rent. D) He had sold it to the royal family. 2. A) A storm. C) A forest fire. B) A strike. D) A Terrorist attack. Questions 3and 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. 4. A) They provided the miner with food and water.

2010年英语专业四级真题试卷及其参考答案

SECTION A CONVERSATIONS In this section you will hear several conversations. Listen to the conversations carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the conversation. 1. The following details have been checked during the conversation EXCEPT A. number of travelers. B. number of tour days. C. flight details. D. room services. 2. What is included in the price? A. Air tickets and local transport. B. Local transport and meals. C. Air tickets, local transport and breakfast. D. Air tickets, local transport and all meals. 3. Which of the following statements is CORRECT? A. The traveler is reluctant to buy travel insurance. B. The traveler is ready to buy travel insurance. C. The traveler doesn't have to buy travel insurance. D. Travel insurance is not mentioned in the conversation. Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation. At the end of'the conversation, you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions. Now, listen to the conversation.

2011年12月英语四级真题及答案

2011年12月英语四级真题 Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes) 注意:此部分试题在答题卡1上. For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Nothing Succeeds Without a Strong Will by commenting on the humorous saying, "Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I've done it hundreds of times." You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) Why Integrity Matters What is Integrity? The key to integrity is consistency--not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but also living up to those standards each day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptation. What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We feel disappointed in ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of integrity also affects our relationships with others. Trust is essential in any important relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals. Risky Business We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of character is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we acted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future. Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense. "But Everybody Does It" Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fool themselves about the risks they're taking by using excuses: "Everyone else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad decisions. To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your actions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your actions? If you'd rather hide your actions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.

英语四级真题及答案

2017年6月英语四级真题 作文一: For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on the way people communicate and then explain whether electronic communication can replace face-to-face contact.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. “Dear Andy-How are you? Your mother and I are fine.We both miss you and hope you are doing well.We look forward to seeing you again the nest time your computer crashes and you come down-stairs for something to eat,Love,Mom and Dad.” 作文二: For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on learning and then explain why doesn’t simply mean learning to obtain information. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

2017年6月大学英语四级真题试卷及答案(第3套)

2017年6月大学英语四级真题及答案(三) 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 advertisement on your campus website to sell some of the course books you used at college. Your advertisement may include a brief description of their content,their condition ,their price and your contact information. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) 说明:2017年6月大学英语四级考试全国共考了两套听力.本套的听力内容与第二套相同,因此本套听力部分不再重复给出。 Part ⅢReading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section A 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. Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage. As if you needed another reason to hate the gym, it now turns out that exercise can exhaust not only your muscles, but also your eyes. Fear not, however, for coffee can stimulate them again. During (26)_______ exercise, our muscles tire as they run out of fuel and build up waste products. Muscle performance can also be affected by a (27)_______ called "central fatigue,” in which an imbalance in the

相关主题