2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this

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2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇一：2012年12月大学英语四级作文真题及答案

2012年12月大学英语四级作文真题及答案

【作文一】

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write A Letter Applying for a Bank Loan. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese。

1. 你的基本情况

your basic information1

2. 你申请贷款的原因、数额及用途

you reason for the loan, the amount and purpose

3. 你如何保证专款专用以及你的还款打算

2012年12月英语四级作文范文—高分版（沪江）考试采取“多题多卷”模式，试题顺序不统一，请依据试题进行核对。

Education Pays

As is shown in the table, the unemployment rate decreases steadily as the education level increases. The fact revealed by the statistics is obvious: graduates with a degree are less likely to be unemployed.

What has brought about this effect? I believe there are three main reasons. To begin with, the education level is still the top factor that employers would take into account when selecting job candidates. It is believed that people with a college degree tend to be more intelligent and qualified. In addition, as a result of good learning habit formed during college, job hunters with high education background are also more efficient in acquiring and processing job hunting information. Finally, college education equips graduates with specialized skills, leading to greater attachment to the company they are employed and higher possibility to be reemployed even if they leave their previous company.

In conclusion, it is the qualifications, learning habit and specialized skills that high education equip a graduate that make one distinctive in labor market.

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇二：2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题(三)

2012年12月大学英语四级真题（三）

Part I Writing

内容同2012年12月大学英语四级考试多题对卷（一）

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Education Pays based on the statistics provided in the chart below(Weekly earnings in 2010).Please give a brief description of the chart first and then make comments on it .You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

Education: A Worthy Investment

Weekly earnings in 2010($)

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡I上作答。

Education Pays

Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)

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.

Suffering in silence

Despite a law designed to protect them, many people with disabling conditions are unaware of their rights. Carole Concha-Bell tells of her experiences.

Being diagnosed with a disabling condition is always a shock. Learning to live without the guarantee of health is like having to unlearn a previous life. The implications for your working life may seem intimidating.

There is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).of course. But does it really provide the protection in the workplace that parliament intended? Are employers merely paying lip service to the DDA? Or are they even aware of an employer's legal duties and responsibilities?

In my experience, it is the latter. I have received little support from employers to whom I have revealed my condition. This has often left me feeling at a disadvantage and wondering why I

bothered doing so in the first place.

I had been struggling with illness long before I was diagnosed. In practical terms the diagnosis did little to aid me. Of course, it enabled me to understand my body. my limitations and set me on a course to stabilise my symptoms. But it brought a new dilemma. Where I had previously struggled to work while ill, ignorant of why my body was misbehaving, I now had a name for my daily

struggle: Lupus（狼疮）.This is a chronic（慢性的）auto-immune disorder that can affect virtually any system in the body. It also leaves a huge, dark question hanging over my head when seeking employment: should I tell my employers I have a condition? It is a dilemma that continues to be a root cause of anxiety both for myself and for thousands of other UK employees.

The rocky road to my unfortunate enlightenment about work and disability began just after graduation when I'd set my sights on a career in communications and landed my dream job with a respected public relations consultancy（咨询公司）in Bristol. But while I was learning the art of media relations, my body wasn't quite making it in health terms. I often went to work with swollen limbs and fevers. At my first and last performance review, my boss was amazed that, despite my many capabilities. I hadn't quite taken control of my responsibilities. A few months later, my contract wasn't renewed and I plunged further into new depths of ill health.

However, I was determined not to be beaten and returned to the interview trail. My next job was in publishing. But despite a shining performance at the interview, I felt like a fraud. How long would it be before I sank into ill health and depression again?

The job was to end with a monumental bang when I became so poorly I could no longer function.

A few feverish weeks in bed ended in specialist appointment, where I was diagnosed with Lupus and rushed into hospital for fear that it may have attacked my internal organs.

The next 12 months were filled with confusion. I had no idea about benefits, felt alienated（被视为另类）by the medical establishment and lived off my savings until I was broke. I realised I needed help from my family and moved to London.

As soon as I felt better, I marched into a marketing recruitment consultancy and, within 10 minutes, I had

四级多题多卷〔三）2012-12-1

impressed the interviewer enough to be offered a job with the agency. We agreed on a decent salary and I told him I had arthritis（关节炎）and would need to work a four-day week Things went well at the start but soon the client meetings began to fall on my day off, and I rarely left the office on time. I began to slip both in health and professional terms. The 10-hour days crashed around my head: no amount of make-up could disguise my ill health as I battled against the odds to prove to myself that I could still make it in the business world. I often cried on the bus on the way back from work.

Not long before my contract was due to be made permanent, I was called to the boss's office and given the "talk" about how my performance was slipping, how awful I looked. I felt too weak to fight back and agreed to leave. No attempts to offer adjustments to my job, such as being able to work from home, were ever made. 1 had a case for unfair dismissal under the DDA, but was ignorant of this at the time.

An estimated 10 million people in the UK, or 17% of the population, qualify for disability status under the DDA. I have encountered a number of them: the liver-diseased boss; the

co-worker with a heart condition; and my asthmatic（小船的）trainee-teacher friend. None had disclosed（透露）their conditions to employers, and all were feeling the strain of not doing so. To access your rights under the DDA and to request "reasonable adjustments" to your working conditions or your workplace requires disclosure. 1 had warned my former employer about my condition hut it served little purpose. They were ignorant about their obligations to their disabled staff.

However, there are plenty of forward-thinking organisations that have inclusive recruitment policies; are more likely to employ a worker with a disability; and are more aware of their legal duties. The public sector out-performs the private, but not always the voluntary, according to studies for the Disabilities Rights Commission.

I decided to give the voluntary sector ago and was surprised to be offered flexible working

conditions and other solutions to meet my needs as an employee. But given the choice, I would still prefer a career in the private sector, which for mc is more dynamic, has more attractive salaries and offers better prospects than the voluntary or public sectors.

Despite the advances of the DDA, there will always be an army of workers who will soldier on, maybe aware of their rights but choosing to remain silent for personal reasons. It is important, though, to recognize the significance of the act. the protection it affords and the obligations that employers have to us as employees and as human beings.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡l上作答。

1 .What is people's immediate response when they are first diagnosed with a disabling condition?

A) They report the situation to their employers.

B) They come to realise the value of good health.

C) They feel nervous about their work prospects.

D) They try to seek protection from the DDA.

2. When the author revealed her condition to her employers, they__.

A) were quite sympathetic toward her C) made adjustments to meet her needs

B) did not give her the support she needed D) were annoyed not to be informed earlier

3. When the author was diagnosed with Lupus, she was in a dilemma whether she should___.

A) ask for assistance from her fellow workers C) ignore her limitations and struggle to work

B) find employment at a different company D) inform her employers of her disability status

4. The author lost her job at the public relations consultancy in Bristol because___.

A) her boss had found a much better replacement

B) shc was in no mood at all to discharge her duties

C) her performance was disappointing to her boss

D) she failed to show up for her performance review

5. Why did the author feel like a fraud when she got her second job?

A) She knew she would fall ill any time again.

B) She was not as competent as she appeared to be.

C) She concealed the fact that she had just been fired.

D) She pretended to be very keen on the job.

四级多题多卷（三）2012-12-2

6. Why did the author move to London?

A) To get help from her family. C) To start a consulting business.

B) To receive better medical care. D) To seek a more suitable job.

7. The author worked hard at the marketing recruitment consultancy in order to_.

A) earn the boss's appreciation and clients' recognition

B) demonstrate her strong willpower to conquer illness

C) provide for herself without protection from the DDA

D) prove herself capable of success in the business world

8. Although many people qualify for disability status in the UK, they would rather not tell their employers about___.

9. The author was offered flexible working conditions in the voluntary sector, but if she had a choice, she would still like to work in_____.

10. The author stresses that it is important to recognise employers' ___to their disabled employees. Part III Listening Comprehension

内容同2012年12月大学英语四级考试多题多卷（一）

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) He needs another week for the painting. C) The building won't open until next week.

B) The painting was completed just in time. D) His artistic work has been well received 12 A) Go camping. C) Rent a tent.

B) Decorate his house. D) Organize a party.

13 A) She talked with Mr. Wright on the phone. C) She will see Mr. Wright at lunch time. B) She is about to call Mr. Wright's secretary. D) She failed to reach Mr. Wright.

14 A) He is actually very hardworking. C) He needs to spend more time in the lab.

B) He has difficulty finishing his project. D) He seldom tells the truth about himself.

15 A) Rules restricting smoking C) Smokers' health problems.

B) Ways to quit smoking. D) Hazards of passive smoking.

16 A) He is out of town all morning. C) He has been writing a report.

B) He is tied up in family matters. D) He has got meetings to attend.

17 A) He is not easy-going. C) He is not at home this weekend.

B) He is the speakers' boss. D) He seldom invites people to his home.

18 A) Take a break. B) Refuel his car. C) Ask the way. D) Have a cup of coffee.

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

19 A) They are as good as historical films. C) They have greatly improved.

B) They give youngsters a thrill. D) They are better than comics on film.

20. A) The effects were very good. C) The plot was too complicated.

B) The acting was just so-so. D) The characters were lifelike.

21. A) They triumphed ultimately over evil in the battle.

B) They played the same role in War of the Worlds.

C) They are popular figures among young people.

D) They are two leading characters in the film.

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

22. A) It is scheduled on Thursday night. C) It takes place once a week.

B) It is supposed to last nine weeks. D) It usually starts at six.

23. A) To make good use of her spare time in the evening.

B) To meet the requirements of her in-service training.

C) To improve her driving skills as quickly as possible.

D) To get some basic knowledge about car maintenance.

24. A) Participate in group discussions. C) Listen to the teacher's explanation

B) Take turns to make presentations. D) Answer the teacher's questions.

25. A) Most of them are female. C) They plan to buy a new car.

B) Some have a part-time job. D) A few of them are old chaps.

Section B

Directions: In this section, you will hear ' 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) She is not good at making friends. C) She enjoys company.

B) She is not well off. D) She likes to go to concerts alone.

27. A) Their similar social status. C) Their common interest.

B) Their interdependence. D) Their identical character.

28. A) Invite Pat to a live concert. C) Help take care of Pat's kids.

B) Buy some gifts for Pat's kids. D) Pay for Pat's season tickets.

29. A) It can develop between people with a big difference in income.

B) It can be maintained among people of different age groups

C) It cannot last long without similar family background

D) It cannot be sustained when friends move far apart.

Passage Two

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

30. A) Priority of students' academic achievements.

B) Equal education opportunities to all children.

C) Social equality between teachers and students.

D) Respect for students' individuality.

31.A) Efficient. B) Complicated. C) Lengthy. D) Democratic.

32. A) To help them acquire hands-on experience. C) To provide part-time jobs for needy students.

B) To try to cut down its operational expenses. D) To enable them to learn to take responsibility Passage Three

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

33. A) The best way to work through a finger maze.

B) Individuals doing better in front of an audience.

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇三：2012年12月全国大学英语四级等级考试试题及答案(详解)

2012年12月全国大学英语四级等级考试试题及答案(详解)

Part I Writing (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 easy entitled How Will

Our Life Go on without Internet. You should write at least 120 words

following the outline given below in Chinese:

1. 网络提供给了人们丰富多彩和便捷的生活

2. 很多人开始感觉离开网络寸步难行

3. 你对网络依赖症的看法

How Will Our Life Go on without Internet

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Time Off from Work Gains in Importance

American workers are saying they need a break. As their number of hours clocked on the job has crept higher, more time off has become a bigger priority. In the past few years, human resources experts say time off has consistently placed among the top three employee concerns, along with compensation and staffing levels, whereas it used to be farther down the list. In a Salary.com poll taken online in November 2004, 39% of workers said if given

the choice, they would choose time off over the equivalent in additional base salary. Of

course, most of the 4,600 respondents are still opting for the bigger paycheck, but the desire for time off is up almost 20% from just three years ago when Salary.com conducted a similar poll.

The reasons for this shift are many and varied. Some have to do with the way a new

generation is thinking about work, while others are driven by how companies are responding to recent economic pressures.

A New Generation

The results may in part represent the needs of a new breed of workers. The average American is working one month (160 hours) more each year than a generation ago.

According to recruiting and human capital management expert John Sumser, younger

workers work for meaning first and money second. He goes on to warn employers that these are the people who are the foundation for the next workforce and they may not buy the existing paradigm (范例). A study released in late 2004 by the New York-based Families and Work Institute concludes that the new brand of young workers is rejecting the

work-centric style of their parents’ generation. The study, which examines changes in the workforce over the past 25 years, found that younger workers are more likely to be

“family-centric” or “dual-centric” (with equal priorities on both career and family) rather than “work-centric” when compared to members of the Boomer Generation.

September 11th and the End of the Roaring Nineties

The impact of the terrorist attacks of September 11th cut across all age groups of the workforce. We collectively entered a new era, reevaluating life’s priorities and making changes in our attitude toward time spent at work versus hobbies and family. “I started

looking at things completely differently. I’ve been far less willing to put in the 14-hour days necessary to get noticed and climb the corporate ladder,” said Tony Jackson, a 43-year-old employee of a New York City-based financial services company. “Frankly, I can’t see that changing.”

Even before September 11th, some experts say the slow shift in worker attitudes was already underway due to the end of the roaring 1990’s, when hours were long and significant personal wealth was created. For those who fared well financially, some opted for careers of contract work where they could call more of the shots pertaining to (与……有关的) time off, or new occupations with greater personal rewards. For others, even if their bank accounts were not spilling over from America’s economic heyday (全盛时期), their own energy had been depleted due to unrelenting (毫不松懈的) years of work hours and high stress. They were ready for something less taxing.

Families and Work Institute President and co-founder Ellen Galinsky agrees. She says the Salary.com poll numbers show evidence of an increase in need for time off and a shift in thinking due to the fact that workers have been pushed to their limit in recent years. “This new generation of workers is at the edge of how long they can work. It just feels like too much. They are not slackers (懒虫); they just don’t want more,” says Galinsky.

Monetary Needs Less Intense Due to Dual Income Households

“We’ve decided we prefer to have more time to ourselves,” says Carol Kornhaber, a

New England software programmer in her late twenties. Kornhaber and her husband are both working but have sought out jobs where they are not pressed to put in long hours. Instead, they have insisted upon eight-hour days and having enough vacation time to travel, a major interest they share. Financial pressures are eased by both of them working and keeping a careful watch on their expenses. “We are lucky in a lot of ways to have found bosses who understand our needs.”

Burnout

Trying to squeeze more productivity out of workers may be nothing new, but it has become particularly acute in recent years. This has been due in large measure to

recession-induced layoffs and other trends such as the rising cost of healthcare benefits. After a layoff, workers who remain behind are often asked to pick up most or even all the load of the people who were let go, requiring more and more hours at the office. As new

corporate initiatives are planned, the inverse is also true. As Sumser observes, “the additional workload, which runs across the economy from the office worker to the manufacturing line, seems to be a function of the cost of benefits. The regulations make it cheaper to add

workload for existing employees than to hire new players.” The Families and Work Institute reports that nearly one third of U.S. employees often or very often feel overworked or

overwhelmed by how much work they have to do. Nearly three out of four report that they frequently dream about doing something different from their current job.

Show Me the Money

Overworked or not, the majority in the Salary.com poll still chose to fatten their paycheck if given the choice. For many, it was a practical matter. Says Peggy Jones, an accountant in a Boston area business services company, “I already get three weeks a year that I can’t use up because I’m so busy. I’d definitely go for the extra money to pay some bills or make a big purchase I’ve been holding off on.” For Jones, the realities of running a household and saving up for college for her children simply need to take precedence over extra free time.

Companies Are Already Responding

To many human resources experts it is inevitable that, given the growing health of the economy and the upcoming population-driven labor shortages as the Boomer Generation moves into retirement, the pendulum of control in the employee-employer relationship will swing back to the employee side. That is expected to begin in just a few years. According to human resources expert, Larry Schumer, at Salary.com, “since most companies succeed based on a motivated and capable workforce, they have offered and will continue to offer more paid flexibility, whether it be through tried and tested time-off programs or the next great idea.” Where will that new balance of employer versus employee needs lie? Time, or perhaps time off, surely will tell.

1. Which of the following has been rising in importance in the past few years?

A) Compensation. B) Time off. C) Right to vote. D) Staffing levels.

2. According to the passage, we know that the Boomer Generation is concerned ________.

A) about family and work equally B) more about work

C) more about family D) about neither work nor family

3. What can be inferred about Tony Jackson?

A) He is 43 years old.

B) He works in a financial services company.

C) He has changed his life and work attitude.

D) He spends 14 hours a day on his work.

4. When did American workers gradually begin to change their attitudes towards work?

A) After September 11. B) In November 2004.

C) In late 2004. D) At the end of the roaring 1990’s.

5. According to Ellen Galinsky, why did workers change their mind about work?

A) They have been pushed to the limit of their working hours.

B) They increased their need to enjoy life.

C) They have more rights than before.

D) They don’t want to work for a living.

6. Carol Kornhaber and her husband don’t have too much financial pressure because ___________.

A) they have parents who are rich

B) they don’t have children to feed

C) they both have a high salary

D) they both have work and they are thrifty

7. After a layoff, the employees who keep their jobs usually have to ___________.

A) find another job in case they are fired

B) do what their bosses tell them to

C) work longer hours to avoid being fired

D) do the work left by the laid-off workers

8. According to Salary.com, compared with three years ago, the desire for time off is up almost ________________________.

9. According to the poll from Salary.com, the majority of employees preferred to ________________________ if they had the choice.

10. Larry Schumer said that most companies succeeded based on a motivated and capable __________________________.

Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension (35 minutes) Section A

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

11. A) She used to be in poor health. B) She was popular among boys.

C) She was somewhat overweight. D) She didn’t do well at high school.

12. A) At the airport. B) In a restaurant.

C) In a booking office. D) At the hotel reception.

13. A) Teaching her son by herself. B) Having confidence in her son.

C) Asking the teacher for extra help. D) Telling her son not to worry.

14. A) Have a short break. B) Take two weeks off.

C) Continue her work outdoors. D) Go on vacation with the man.

15. A) He is taking care of his twin brother.

B) He has been feeling ill all week.

C) He is worried about Rod’s health.

D) He has been in perfect condition.

16. A) She sold all her furniture before she moved house.

B) She still keeps some old furniture in her new house.

C) She plants to put all her old furniture in the basement.

D) She bought a new set of furniture from Italy last month.

17. A) The woman wondered why the man didn’t return the book.

B) The woman doesn’t seem to know what the book is about.

C) The woman doesn’t find the book useful any more.

D) The woman forgot lending the book to the man.

18. A) Most of the man’s friends are athletes.

B) Few people share the woman’s opinion.

C) The man doesn’t look like a sportsman.

D) The woman doubts the man’s athletic ability.

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇四：2012年12月大学英语四级考试CET-4真题及答案超详解汇总

2012年12月英语四级考试真题及答案超详解汇总

Part I Writing

标准版：

The above bar chart clearly shows us education pays in 2010. We see that one with higher education background earns more money weekly than those with lower ones. For instance, the college students with no degree get paid$712 per week whereas those with a Bachelor‟s degree can earn $1038.

Several reasons, in my opinion, can be identified to account for this phenomenon. To begin with, compared with those with comparatively lower education degree, people who have received higher education possess considerably wider knowledge, more remarkable learning and research ability, greater innovation and most of all, resourceful social network, all of which are essential to a high-income work. Also, the higher one‟s education degree is, the bigger platform he will have to show his ability. For example, his college, university, or research institute will organize various job fairs for them to communicate face to face with employers.

This phenomenon tells us that education is a worthy investment. Therefore, substantial education investment should be strengthened while we, as college students, should study harder to build our country and strive for a better life for ourselves.

高分版：

Education Pays

Judging from the table, we can see that people‟s income increases along with their education levels. Above all，the average college graduates earn much more than the typical high-school graduates.

The fact revealed by these data is obvious: a degree does bring distinctive financial benefits to its holders. But is it true that a degree alone can ensure a bright future? I don‟t think so because, on the one hand, the financial value of high education depends heavily on what skills graduates can gain from it instead of the degree itself. After all, an employer only pays for your ability and performance, not for your certificate. On the other hand, the most valuable bless high education brings to graduates is the ability to learn quickly and efficiently. People received more education tend to keep lifelong learning habits after their graduation, which would help them gain more opportunities in their career path.

In conclusion, what accounts for education pays is not the degree alone, but the graduate‟s ability and leaning habit.

作文B：

标准版：

Education Pays

The above bar chart clearly shows us education pays in 2010. We see that unemployment rate of those with higher education background is much lower than those with lower education degree. For instance, the unemployment rate of college students with no degree is as high as 14.9% while that of those with doctoral degree is only 1.9%.

The followingreason, in my opinion, is the most important one to account for this phenomenon. Compared with those with comparatively lower education degree, people who have received higher education possess considerably wider knowledge, more remarkable learning and research ability, greater innovation and most of all, resourceful social network, all of which make them more qualified and competent for their task. Thus, they are less likely to lose their jobs.

This phenomenon tells us that education is a worthy investment. Therefore, education investment should be strengthened while we, as college students, should study harder to avoid unemployment.

高分版：

Education Pays

In conclusion, it is the qualifications, learning habit and specialized skills that high education equip a graduate that make one distinctive in labor market. Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)

1. B showmanship

细节题。这道题的答案对应原文第一句话，从putting on a show 可以推出showmanship。

when it came to putting on a show, nobody else in the computer industry, or any other industry for that matter, could match Steve Jobs.题干与原文的匹配度比较高，仔细阅读不难得出选择是B

2. A He invented lots of functional gadgets.

细节题。原文第2段第2句话提到了乔布斯突出的三个方面，第三句话明确指出最后一个方面，也就是他在functional gadgets 上的贡献对人们的生活影响最大，对比第二题的选项，应选A

He stood out in three ways—as a technologist, as a corporate leader and as somebody who was able to make people love what had previously been impersonal, functional gadgets. Strangely, it is this last quality that may have the deepest effect on the way people live.

3. B His keen interest in designing elegant and user-friendly gadgets.

细节题。答案在第三段第二句，“obsessed with product design and aesthetics, and with making advanced technology simple to use”。讲到乔布斯痴迷于产品的设计和美学上，以及使高科技简单易用。所以选B

As a technologist, Mr Jobs was different because he was not an engineer—and that was his great strength. Instead he was obsessed with product design and aesthetics, and with making advanced technology simple to use.

4. A One of the greatest chief executives of his time.

细节题。答案在第4段第一句话的后半句“many of those corporate giants as one of the greatest chief executives of his time.”所以选A，其他的选项均不正确。

Within the wider business world, a man who liked to see himself as a hippy, permanently in revolt against big companies, ended up being hailed by many of those corporate giants as one of the greatest chief executives of his time.

5. D an inspiration

细节题。答案在第四段第三句话。“is an inspiration to any businessperson”。所以选D

His fall from grace in the 1980s, followed by his return to Apple in 1996 after a period in the wilderness, is an inspiration to any businessperson whose career has taken a turn for the worse.„

6. C He commanded absolute loyalty from Apple users.

细节题。由关键词fanatical loyalty 定位到低段第一句话。所以乔布斯成功最令人震惊的地方在于它获得了苹果用户的绝对忠诚。选C

But what was perhaps most astonishing about Mr Jobs was the fanatical loyalty he managed to inspire in customers.

7. D It originates in the consumer market.

细节题。由关键词special report定位到第6段第一句，

As our special report in this week's issue (printed before Mr Jobs's death) explains, innovation used to spill over from military and corporate laboratories to the consumer market, but lately this process has gone into reverse. Many people's homes now have more powerful, and more flexible, devices than their offices do; consumer gizmos and online services are smarter and easier to use than most companies' systems.过去创新是从部队和公司实验室再拓展到消费者市场，现在的情况是反过来。所以选D

8. closed and inflexible

细节题。由关键词 “critics complained”定位到第七段第一句，可知空格处应填写“closed and inflexible”。

Mr Jobs had a reputation as a control freak, and his critics complained that the products and systems he designed were closed and inflexible, in the name of greater ease of use.

9. combined

细节题，由关键词“Amazon”定位到原文第8段，所以空格处填combined。

At the recent unveiling of a tablet computer by Jeff Bezos of Amazon, whose company is doing the best job of following Apple's lead in combining hardware, software, content and services in an easy-to-use bundle,

10. reshaping entire industries

细节题，由关键词the magic of computing定位到原文最后一段，空格处填reshaping entire industries.

But in the end he conjured up a reality of his own, channelling the magic of computing into products that reshaped entire industries. PartIV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)

Section A

47. N taking

48. D concern

49. M stop

50. B available

51. I prefer

52. L specify

53. O variety

54. G nationwide

55. F items

56. E criteria

这是一篇新闻报道类的文章，关于美国一些著名餐公司开始意识到快餐对对其青少年健康的不良影响，并开始采取相应措施改变这一现状。这是美国最近的热门话题，沪江经济学人新闻听写12月16日的的听写内容关于麦当劳的一篇文章与之就是类似的主题。对于考生来说这一话题也并不陌生，从内容上来还是比较容易理解的。

47.N take a cue from 固定搭配，表示按…的指点行事。

48.D 在快餐在儿童中引起肥胖症的现象受到越来越多关注的背景之下，19家公司宣誓将为儿童提供更多健康的菜单选择，结合上下文可知空格处应填concern

49.M 因为上一段刚刚提到快餐引起儿童肥胖的问题获得了越来越多的重视，第2段顺承上面的内容，讲到汉堡王采取的相应措施：将从本月起停止提供儿童快餐里的炸薯条和苏打汽水.所以填stop 。

50前面说了将停止提供儿童快餐里的炸薯条和苏打汽水，根据although知道内容上应该是一个转折，所以后面应该是still available，仍然可以买得到。

51. 这句话涉及到一个比较，whether...or, 选项中只有prefer一个课用于比较，所以空格处填prefer.

52. 这是紧接着上一句的，上面刚刚讲到问顾客是选择套餐时是更喜欢选牛奶还是苹果片，这是一种将顾客的需求具体化，所以填specify。

53. a variety of 固定搭配，各种各样的。在这句话中是指其他参与将为美国儿童提供更健康的事物的快餐店，也提供各种各样的菜单选择。

54. 结合上下文可知，(Kid Live Well)“让孩子们生活的更好”运动应该是全国范围内展开的一场大型运动，所以填nationwide。

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇五：2012年12月英语四级真题及答案。

2012年12月大学英语四级(CET-4)真题试卷

PartⅠ Writing (30 minutes)

注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上，请在答题卡1上作答。

Direction: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition entitled Education Pays based

on the statistics provided in the chart below (Weekly earnings of 2010). Please write at

least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

Education: A Worthy Investment

Weekly earnings in 2010($)

Doctoral degree

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Some college, no degree

High school diploma

Less than high school degree 444 712 626 1,550 1,272 1,038

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Education Pays

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.

Should Sugar Be Regulated like Alcohol and Tobacco?

Sugar poses enough health risks that it should be considered a controlled substance just like alcohol and tobacco, argue a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

In an opinion piece called “The Toxic (毒性的) Truth About Sugar” published Feb.1 in Nature, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis argue that it’s wrong to consider sugar just “empty calories.” They write:

“There is nothing empty about these calories. A growing body of scientific evidence is showing that fructose (果糖) can trigger processes that lead to liver toxicity and a host of other chronic diseases. A little is not a problem, but a lot kills — slowly.”

Almost everyone’s heard of — or personally experienced — the well-known sugar high, so perhaps the comparison between sugar and alcohol or tobacco shouldn’t come as a surprise. But it’s doubtful that Americans will look favorably upon regulating their favorite vice. We’re a nation that’s sweet on sugar: the average U.S. adult downs 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, according to the American Heart Association, and surveys have found that teens swallow 34 teaspoons.

To counter our consumption, the authors advocate taxing sugary foods and controlling sales to kids under 17. Already, 17% of U.S. children and teens are obese (肥胖), and across the world the sugar intake (摄入) has increased three times in the past 50 years. The increase has helped create a global obesity plague that contributes to 35 million annual deaths worldwide from noninfectious diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Linda Matzigkeit, a senior vice president at Children’s Healthcare, said “We have to do something about this or our country is in danger. It’s not good if your state has the second-highest obesity rate. Obese children turn into obese adults.”

“There are good calories and bad calories, just as there are good fats and bad fats, good amino acids (氨基酸) and bad amino acids,” Lustig, director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health program at UCSF, said in a statement. “But sugar is toxic beyond its calories.”

The food industry tries to imply that “a calorie is a calorie is a calorie,” says Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. “But this and other research suggests there is something different about sugar,” says Brownell.

The UCSF report emphasizes the metabolic (新陈代谢) effects of sugar. Excess sugar can alter metabolism, raise blood pressure, affect the signaling of hormones and damage the liver — outcomes that sound suspiciously similar to what can happen after a person drinks too much alcohol. Schmidt, co-chair of UCSF’s Community Engagement and Health Policy program, noted on CNN: “When you think about it, this actually makes a lot of sense. Alcohol, after all, is simply made from sugar. Where does vodka come from? Sugar.”

But there are also other areas of impact that researchers have investigated: the effect of sugar on the brain and how liquid calories are interpreted differently by the body than solids. Research has suggested that sugar activates the same reward pathways in the brain as traditional drugs of abuse like morphine or heroin. No one is claiming the effect of sugar is quite that strong, but, says Brownell, “it helps confirm what people tell you sometimes, that they hunger for sugar and have withdrawal symptoms when they stop eating it.”

There’s also something particularly tricky about sugary drinks. “When calories come in liquids, the body doesn’t feel as full,” says Brownell. “People are getting more of their calories than ever before from sugared drinks.”

Other countries, including France, Greece and Denmark, impose soda taxes, and the concept is being considered in at least 20 U.S. cities and states. Last summer, Philadelphia came close to passing a 2-cents-per-ounce soda tax. The Rudd Center has been a strong advocate of a more modest 1-cent-per-punce tax. But at least one study, from 2010, has raised doubts that soda taxes would result in significant weight loss: apparently people who are determined to eat — and drink — unhealthily will find ways to do it. Teens — no surprise — are good at finding ways to get the things they can’t have, so state policies banning all sugar-sweetened drinks from public schools and providing only water, milk or 100% fruit juices haven’t had the intended effect of steering kids away from drinking sugared drinks: the average teen consumes about 300 calories per day — that’s nearly 15% of his daily calories — in sweetened drinks, and the food and drink industry is only too happy to feed this need.

Ultimately, regulating sugar will prove particularly tricky because it goes beyond health concerns; sugar, for so many people, is love. A plate of cut-up vegetables just doesn’t pack the same emotional a cupcake and not an

apple as an after-school treat today. We don’t do that regularly — it’s the first time this school year, actually — and that’s what made it special. As a society, could we ever reach the point where we’d think apples — not a cupcake — are something to get excited over? Says Brindis, one of the report’s authors and director of UCSF’s Philip R.Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies: “We recognize that there are cultural and celebratory aspects of sugar. Changing these patterns is very complicated.”

For inroads (进展) to be made, say the authors in their statement, people have to be better educated about the hazards of sugar and agree that something’s got to change:

Many of the interventions (干预) that have reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption can be models for addressing the sugar problem, such as imposing special sales taxes, controlling access, and tightening licensing requirements on vending machines (自动售货机) and snack-bars sell high sugar products in schools and workplaces.

“We’re not talking prohibition,” Schmidt said. “We’re not advocating a major imposition of the government into people’s lives. We’re talking about gentle ways to make sugar consumption slightly less convenient, thereby moving people away from the concentrated does. What we want is to actually increase people’s choices by making foods that aren’t loaded with sugar comparatively easier and cheaper to get.”

注意: 此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

1. Why do some researchers think sugar should be considered “a controlled substance”?

[A] It contains nothing but empty calories.

[B] It is as harmful as morphine and heroin.

[C] It works the same way as alcohol and tobacco in the human body.

[D] Excessive intake of sugar results in liver toxicity and various diseases.

2. What might be Americans’ attitude towards government regulation of sugar consumption?

[A] Enthusiastic. [B] Indifferent. [C] Disapproving. [D] Supportive.

3. What is a consequence of excessive sugar intake worldwide?

[A] It contributes to35 million noninfectious disease-related deaths a year.

[B] It has increased the death toll nearly three times in the past 50 years.

[C] It contributes to the rise of prices of sugar and sugary foods.

[D] It has increased the global obesity rate to some 17 percent.

4. The food industry tries to relieve the public worry about sugar intake by suggesting that [A] sugar is no more than a source of energy

[B] sugar is not harmful like alcohol or tobacco

[C] the hazard of sugar to the body is exaggerated

[D] the consumption of sugar is easily controllable

5. According to Brownell, liquid sugar .

[A] is especially attractive to young children

[B] is much easier and quicker to absorb than solid sugar

[C] effectively stimulates people’s appetite

[D] increases your calorie intake without your knowing it

6. What does the author think of the practice of imposing sugar taxes?

[A] It will harm the food and drink industry. [B] It is unlikely to yield the intended effect.

[C] It is likely to alter people’s eating habits. [D] It can steer kids away from sugar foods.

7. Regulating sugar will prove tricky because [A] people consume sugar in large quantities [B] nothing has been found to replace sugar

[C] sugar may convey a sense of love [D] many foods will become tasteless

8. In order to reduce sugar consumption, education should be conducted to raise people’s awareness of its

9. To address the sugar problem, the author suggests that the licensing requirements on vending machines and snack-bars selling high sugar products be .

10. A gentle way to steer people away from sugar is to make inexpensive, low-sugar foods

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 decide which is the best answer. Then

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

11. [A] He needs another week for the painting. [B] The painting was completed just in time.

[C] The building won’t open until next week. [D] His artistic work has been well received.

12. [A] Go camping. [B] Rent a tent.

[C] Decorate his house. [D] organize a party.

13. [A] She talked with Mr. Wright on the phone. [B] She is about to call Mr. Wright’s secretary.

[C] She will see Mr. Wright at lunch time. [D] She failed to reach Mr. Wright.

14. [A] He is actually very hardworking. [B] He has difficulty finishing his project.

[C] He needs to spend more time in the lab. [D] He seldom tells the truth about himself.

15. [A] Rules restricting smoking. [B] Ways to quit smoking.

[C] Smokers’ health problems. [D] Hazards of passive smoking.

16. [A] He is out of town all morning. [B] He is tied up in family matters.

[C] He has been writing a report. [D] He has got meetings to attend.

17. [A] He is not easy-going. [B] He is the speakers’ boss.

[C] He is not at home this weekend. [D] He seldom invites people to his home. mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.

18. [A] Take a break. [B] Refuel his car.

[C] Ask the way. [D] Have a cup of coffee.

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

19. [A] They are as good as historical films. [B] They give youngsters a thrill .

[C] They have greatly improved. [D] They are better than comics on film.

20. [A] The effects were very good. [B] The acting was just so-so.

[C] The plot was too complicated. [D] The characters were lifelike.

21. [A] They triumphed ultimately over evil in the battle.

[B] They played the same role in War of the Worlds.

[C] They are popular figures among young people.

[D] They are two leading characters in the film.

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

22. [A] It is scheduled on Thursday night. [B] It is supposed to last nine weeks.

[C] It takes place once a week. [D] It usually starts at six.

23. [A] To make good use of her spare time in the evening.

[B] To meet the requirements of her in-service training.

[C] To improve her driving skills as quickly as possible.

[D] To get some basic knowledge about car maintenance.

24. [A] Participate in group discussions. [B] Take turns to make presentations.

[C] Listen to the teacher’s explanation. [D] Answer the teacher’s questions.

25. [A] Most of them are female. [B] Some have a part-time job.

[C] They plan to buy a new car. [D] A few of them are old chaps.

Section B

Direction: 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

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. Passage One Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.

26. [A] She is not good at making friends. [B] She is not well off.

[C] She enjoys company. [D] She likes to go to concerts alone.

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇六：2012年12月大学英语四级真题及其答案

2012年12月大学英语四级真题及其答案

Part Ⅰ Writing (30minutes)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Excessive Packaging following the outline given below. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

1.目前许多商品存在过度包装的现象

2.出现这一现象的原因

3.我对这一现象的看法和建议

On Excessive Packaging

Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes) 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.

Small Schools Rising

This year's list of the top 100 high schools shows that today, those with fewer students are flourishing.

Fifty years ago, they were the latest thing in educational reform: big, modern,

suburban high schools with students counted in the thousands. As baby boomers(二战后婴儿潮时期出生的人) came of high-school age, big schools promised economic efficiency.

A greater choice of courses, and, of course, better football teams. Only years later did we understand the trade-offs this involved: the creation of excessive bureaucracies(官僚机构)，the difficulty of forging personal connections between teachers and students.SAT scores began dropping in 1963;today,on average,30% of students do not complete high school in four years, a figure that rises to 50% in poor urban neighborhoods. While the emphasis on teaching to higher, test-driven standards as set in No Child Left Behind

resulted in significantly better performance in elementary(and some middle)schools, high schools for a variety of reasons seemed to have made little progress.

Size isn't everything, but it does matter, and the past decade has seen a noticeable countertrend toward smaller schools. This has been due ,in part ,to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has invested $1.8 billion in American high schools, helping to open about 1,000 small schools-most of them with about 400 kids each with an average enrollment of only 150 per grade, About 500 more are on the drawing board. Districts all over the country are taking notice, along with mayors in cities like New York, Chicago and San Diego. The movement includes independent public charter schools, such as No.1 BASIS in Tucson, with only 120 high-schoolers and 18 graduates this year. It embraces district-sanctioned magnet schools, such as the Talented and Gifted School, with 198

students, and the Science and Engineering Magnet,with383,which share a building in Dallas, as well as the City Honors School in Buffalo, N.Y., which grew out of volunteer evening seminars for students. And it includes alternative schools with students selected by lottery(抽签)，such as H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, Va. And most noticeable of all, there is the phenomenon of large urban and suburban high schools that have split up into

smaller units of a few hundred, generally housed in the same grounds that once boasted thousands of students all marching to the same band.

Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif, is one of those, ranking No.423-among the top 2% in the country-on Newsweek's annual ranking of America's top high schools. The success of small schools is apparent in the listings. Ten years ago, when the first

Newsweek list based on college-level test participation was published, only three of the top 100 schools had graduating Classes smaller than 100 students. This year there are 22. Nearly 250 schools on the full ,Newsweek list of the top 5% of schools nationally had fewer than 200 graduates in 2007.

Although many of Hillsdale's students came from wealthy households, by the late 1990 average test scores were sliding and it had earned the unaffectionate nickname (绰号) "Hillsjail. " Jeff Gilbert. A Hillsdale teacher who became principal last year, remembers sitting with other teachers watching students file out of a graduation ceremony and asking one another in astonishment, "How did that student graduate?"

So in 2003 Hillsdale remade itself into three "houses," romantically named Florence, Marrakech and Kyoto. Each of the 300 arriving ninth graders are randomly(随机地)

assigned to one of the houses. Where they will keep the same four core subject teachers for two years, before moving on to another for 11th and 12th grades. The closeness this system cultivates is reinforced by the institution of "advisory" classes Teachers meet with students in groups of 25, five mornings a week, for open-ended discussions of everything from homework problems to bad Saturday-night dates. The advisers also meet with students privately and stay in touch with parents, so they are deeply invested in the

students' success."We're constantly talking about one another's advisers," says English teacher Chris Crockett. "If you hear that yours isn't doing well in math, or see them sitting outside the dean's office, it's like a personal failure." Along with the new structure came a more demanding academic program, the percentage of freshmen taking biology jumped from 17 to 95."It was rough for some. But by senior year, two-thirds have moved up to physics," says Gilbert "Our kids are coming to school in part because they know there are adults here who know them and care for them."But not all schools show advances after downsizing, and it remains to be seen whether smaller schools will be a cure-all solution. The Newsweek list of top U.S. high schools was made this year, as in years past, according to a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams. Over the years this system has come in for its share of criticism for its simplicity. But that is also

its strength: it's easy for readers to understand, and to do the arithmetic for their own schools if they'd like.

Ranking schools is always controversial, and this year a group of 38

superintendents(地区教育主管)from five states wrote to ask that their schools be excluded from the calculation."It is impossible to know which high schools are 'the best' in the nation, "their letter read. in part. "Determining whether different schools do or don't offer a high quality of education requires a look at man different measures, including students' overall academic accomplishments and their subsequent performance in college. And taking into consideration the unique needs of their communities."

In the end, the superintendents agreed to provide the data we sought, which is, after all, public information. There is, in our view, no real dispute here, we are all seeking the same thing, which is schools that better serve our children and our nation by encouraging students to tackle tough subjects under the guidance of gifted teachers. And if we keep working toward that goal, someday, perhaps a list won't be necessary.

注意：此部分试题请在答卡1上作答.

1． Fifty years ago. big. Modern. Suburban high schools were established in the hope of __________.

A) ensuring no child is left behind

B) increasing economic efficiency

C) improving students' performance on SAT

D)providing good education for baby boomers

2. What happened as a result of setting up big schools?

A)Teachers' workload increased.

B)Students' performance declined.

C)Administration became centralized.

D)Students focused more on test scores.

3.What is said about the schools forded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation?

A)They are usually magnet schools.

B)They are often located in poor neighborhoods.

C)They are popular with high-achieving students.

D)They are mostly small in size.

4.What is most noticeable about the current trend in high school education?

A)Some large schools have split up into smaller ones.

B)A great variety of schools have sprung up in urban and suburban areas.

C)Many schools compete for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds.

D)Students have to meet higher academic standards. 5.Newsweek ranked high schools according to . A)their students' academic achievement B)the number of their students admitted to college

C)the size and number of their graduating classes

D)their college-level test participation

6.What can we learn about Hillsdale's students in the late 1990s?

A)They were made to study hard like prisoners.

B)They called each other by unaffectionate nicknames. C)Most of them did not have any sense of discipline, D)Their school performance was getting worse. 7.According to Jeff Gilbert, the "advisory" classes at Hillsdale were set up so that students could .

A)tell their teachers what they did on weekends

B)experience a great deal of pleasure in learning

C)maintain closer relationships with their teachers

D)tackle the demanding biology and physics courses

8.________is still considered a strength of Newsweek's school ranking system in spite of the criticism it receives.

9.According to the 38 superintendents, to rank schools scientifically, it is necessary to use________.

10.To better serve the children and our nation, schools students to take________.

Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension (35minutes)

Section A

Directions: in this section you will hear 8 short conversations, 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：此部分试题请在答案卡2上作案。

11. A)Trying to sketch a map C)Discussing a house plan.

B)Painting the dining room. D)Cleaning the kitchen.

12.A)She is tired of the food in the canteen.

B)She often eats in a French restaurant.

C) She usually takes a snack in the KFC.

D)She in very fussy about what she eats.

13.A) Listening to some loud music C)Talking loudly on the telephone.

B)Preparing for as oral examination. D)Practicing for a speech contest.

14.A)The man has left a good impression on her family.

B)The man can dress casually for the occasion.

C)The man should buy himself a new suit.

D)The man's jeans and T-shirts are stylish.

15.A)Grey pants made from pure cotton. C)100% cotton pants in dark blue.

B) Fashionable pants in bright colors. D)Something to match her brown pants.

16.A) Its price. C)Its comfort.

B)Its location D)Its facilities.

17.A)Travel overseas. C)Take a photo.

B)Look for a new job. D)Adopt a child.

18.A)It is a routine offer. C)It is quite healthy.

B)It is new on the menu. D)It is a good bargain.

Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you .

19.A）Hosting an evening TV program. C)Lecturing on business management.

B) Having her bicycle repaired. D)Conducting a market survey.

20.A) He repaired bicycles. C)He worked as a salesman.

B)He served as a consultant. D)He coached in a racing club.

21.A) He wanted to be his own boss.

B) He found it more profitable

C)He didn't want to start from scratch.

D)He didn't want to be in too much debt.

22.A)They work five days a week. C)They are paid by the hour.

B)They are all the man's friends. D)They all enjoy gambling.

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

23.A)It has gradually given way to service industry.

B)It remains a major part of industrial activity.

C)It has a history as long as paper processing.

D)It accounts for 80 percent of the region's GDP.

24.A) Transport problems. C)Lack of resources.

B)Shortage of funding. D)poor management.

25.A) Competition from rival companies. C)Possible locations for a new factory

B)Product promotion campaigns. D)Measures to create job opportunities. 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 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

26.A)They shared mutual friends in school.

B)They had known each other since childhood.

C)They shared many extracurricular activities.

D)They had many interests in common.

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇七：2012年12月大学英语四级真题答案与解析

2012年12月大学英语四级真题答案与解析

Part I Writing

参考范文：第一种图表（即我们试题部分的图表）

Education Pays

The bar graph describes the unemployment rates in 2010 for social groups with different education degrees in theUnited States. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics， the better you are educated， the more likely you are to get employed. For example， there are only about

1.9% and 4% of people with doctoral degree and masters degree respectively who are unemployed， while people with only a high school diploma or less suffer a much higher unemployment rate （14.9% and 10.3% respectively）.

These data clearly indicate that education pays in the long run and it is a worthy investment. In this IT age especially， when knowledge of science and technology is power， people need to be well equipped with knowledge and skills in order to be competitive in job hunting and be better paid. A higher degree is definitely an advantage in the first place in the job market.

It must be added， however， a high degree alone is not enough. It will not ensure a better employment opportunity. In order to succeed in the career， people must also develop practical skills and techniques as well as good communication， teamwork and social experience.

第二种图表（这也是本次考试的另一份试卷的图表）（见图表2）

Education Pays

As is shown in the bar chart above， the social groups with higher degree are not only more likely to be employed in the first place， but they are also better paid later in the workplace. Those with doctoral and professional degrees enjoy a much higher weekly median earning （$1551 and 1665 respectively） and suffer a much lower unemployment rate （2.5% and 2.4%）. On the other hand， those with less education suffer a considerably higher unemployment rate and have a much lower weekly income. For example， there are a total of 23.5% （9.4%+14.1%） of people unemployed with high school diploma or less， who have only a median weekly income of $545， as compared with the average $797.

It must be added， however， a high degree alone is not enough. It will not ensure a better employment opportunity and higher salary. In order to succeed in the career， people must also develop practical skills and techniques as well as good communication， teamwork and social experience.

概述

四级考试主要的作文命题形式是“文示”提纲作文，但不时也考应用文（书信、演讲词等）和图表作文，图表作文曾在1991年6月（表格： Changes in Peoples Diet）和2002年6月

（柱状图： Student Use of Computers），似乎是10年考一次，但不排除今后会更频繁地考到。图表作文包括表格作文（table）、曲线图作文（curve）、饼状图作文（pie）和柱状图作文（bar），图表作文既有图表为考生提供大量数据信息，有时又有文字提示对作文的要点和展开方向作出规定。

图表作文是一种特殊的提示作文，即通过图表提供作文的话题，写作的要点隐含在图表之中。所以这类作文的构思过程与普通的提示作文大同小异，主要的不同是要在构思前增加一个读图（即对图表的解读）的过程。考生必须先仔细研读图表，使图表中的数据、曲线、图形等成为与短文标题相关并能为我所用的有意义的信息。任何图表都含有表层信息和深层含义。考生读图时务必要把握这两方面的内容，仅对图表表层信息作一简单描述不是这类作文的命题目的。这类作文主要考的是考生对图表深层次信息（原因、根源、发展可能等）的挖掘和阐述。实践中，不论图表以何种方式出现，这类作文都可以采用下列统一的标准提纲：

第一段图表描述。概要描述图表所揭示的某种社会现象的变化发展情况，注意尽可能少地直接引用图表数据，要将图表数据进行分析，归纳后进行概括性综述；

第二段原因或根源。阐述导致该社会现象或发展变化的深层次原因；

第三段结论或评述。对该社会现象发展变化进行理性预测或利弊评述，也可阐述本人的看法或观点。

根据图表内容和写作指令的要求，图表作文大致有以下二种展开模式：

Pattern I揭示根源及潜在问题的图表

Title

As indicated by the figures/data given in the picture/graph， it is obvious that ① … fell/rose/climbed significantly （greatly/sharply/steadily） from （数字）in （时间）to （数字）in （时间）. It can also be seen that there was a sharp （great） rise （decline/drop） in（方面） from （数字）to （数字）（by n times/ n percent） during the same period.

There are several causes contributing to the development （change/rise/fall） shown in the graph. Among other things， ②…. Besides， ③…. And finally， ④…

But there are also some problems/advantages underlying/behind this development/ change， and ⑤… is one of them. Therefore， whether this trend is a blessing or a curse in the long run， only tell can tell.

① 插入名词性从句的主语；概述图表中变化的某个方面；

②、③、④ 插入名词性从句；揭示图表变化的三个内在原因；

⑤ 插入名词短语；提出这种变化背后可能引起的问题。

Sample

Health Gained in Developing Countries（见图表三）

As indicated by the data given in the graph， it is obvious that life expectancy in developing countries has climbed from about 40 years in the 1960s to around 60 in the 1990s， increasing by 20 years within 3 decades. It can also be seen， as a sharp contrast， that there was a sharp drop in infant mortality， by 15%， from 250 deaths per 1000 births to about 100 deaths per 1000 during the same period.

There are several causes contributing to the development shown in the graph. Among other things， the rapid advance in medical science has made it possible to cure a lot of originally incurable diseases and save the life of millions of newborns who might well have been choked or

killed before their birth. Besides， the general improvement of ordinary peoples living standard aroused their interest in healthy foods and healthy activities. They are feeding on a balanced diet and doing a lot of physical exercises. And finally， the rapid development of science and technology at large have wiped out famine and minimized the damages caused by floods， earthquakes and other natural disasters where mothers and children suffer most.

But there are also some problems underlying this change， andpopulation explosion is one of them. Therefore， whether this trend is a blessing or a curse in the long run， only time can tell.

Pattern II

揭示发展根源及积极趋势的图表

Title

According to the table （curve graph / bar chart / pie chart）， we can see that about（数字/ n percent of…）①…in （时间）， compared with nearly（数字）n years ago and this figure increases to n percent during a period of n years. It can be expected that ②… is/are going to ③…in the years to come. Why do ④…/ What has brought about the ⑤…?

There are many reasons/factors， I think， that underlie the change/ rise/ development. The primary reason/factor is， clearly，⑥…. Besides， ⑦…. And a third reason is probably that ⑧…. Obviously， with the development of ⑨…（and with more and more ⑩…）， I believe that …. So I am sure that … in the long run.

① 插入that从句中的主语和谓语；其中主语前有数字修饰语；

②、③ 插入that从句中的主语和谓语动词；陈述图表揭示的变化趋势；

④

⑤

⑥

⑦ 这是一句why 问句，引出下文对变化原因的探讨；插入名词短语；通常为change，development等表示变化的词；插入名词短语或that从句；提出第一个原因；插入完整句子，以小写开始，提出第二个原因；

⑧ 插入that从句，提出第三个原因；

⑨ 插入名词短语，概括图表涉及的现象；

⑩ 插入作with宾语的复合结构，可省略；

插入名词性句子，提出自己观点，评论这一变化的利弊；

插入名词性句子，进一步肯定自己的观点并判断未来发展趋势。

Colleges Open Their Doors Wider（见图表四）

According to the bar chart， we can see that about 3.4 million high school graduates entered university in 2000， compared with nearly 1.5 million 2 years ago and this figure increases to 227 percent during a period of 2 years. It can be expected that Chinese universities are going to enroll more students in the years to come. What has brought about the quick expansion?

There are many factors， I think， that underlie the development. The primary one is， clearly，a direct response to the increasing demand for highquality skilled workers to further develop the countrys economy. Besides， expansion of college enrollment will enlarge the domestic demand and stimulate economic development through education consumption. And a third reason is probably that the Chinese job market cannot absorb the big army of high school

graduates.

Obviously， with the development ofhigher education and with more and more people graduated from colleges， I believe that the national education will reach a new， higher level and our country will become more powerful and prosperous in the world. So I am sure that the rise in college enrollment will do us more good than harm in the long run.

Part II Reading Comprehension （Skimming and Scanning）

篇章层次分析：

这是一篇评述英年早逝的著名IT创始人Steve Jobs的说明文。短文把Jobs 喻作魔术大师来阐述他一生在苹果电脑领域的建树。全文共9个自然段。除大标题外短文还附一小标题以明示本文不是介绍一般魔术师的文章。第一段解题，把产品推介会上的Jobs直接比作魔术师，

第二段从世界对他突然离世的反应回顾他一生的三大成就；接下来三段分别对这三大成就进行展开：第三段阐述他作为技术大师的与众不同；第四段分析他作为领袖人物的天赋；第五段介绍他最突出的第三大成就：如何培育消费者对其产品的忠诚迷恋；第六段由上述四段进一步展开，谈论Jobs对创新这一理念和过程的逆转性影响；第七段剖析他作为“控制怪人”背后的初衷：使他的电脑最大限度的变得userfriendly；第八段暗示他的去世对苹果公司乃至整个IT领域的损失；最后一段借一位工程师的评述对Jobs作出结论性评述——他创造了一个自己的真实世界并真的做到了“青史留名”。

前面7道选择题分布在前面六段；填空题8～10题集中在7～9三段。

1 ［解析］B）showmanship. 本题明确问及第一段，题干之nobody could match...指向第一句，答案见该句when it comes to putting on a show，...，再结合下文对他在product launches上的评述： performances of a master showman，不难确定答案。

2 ［解析］C）He started the era of personal technology.题干之most deeply affected peoples way of life指向第二段倒数第二句，答案见该段最后一句。

3 ［解析］B）His keen interest in designing elegant and userfriendly gadgets. 题干之Mr Jobs’ great strength指向第三段第一句；答案见第二句：...he was keenly interested in product design and aesthetics， and in making advanced technology simple to use。

4 ［解析］A）one of the greatest chief executives of his time. 题干之corporate giants指向第四段第一句，其中being hailed ...as ...相当于题干的saw ...as，答案就是该句最后as引导的短语。

5 ［解析］D）an inspiration. 题干之suffered failure相当于第六句中的fall from grace和take a turn for the worse.答案即在句中。

6 ［解析］B）He set up personal links with many of his customers. 题干之astonishing指向短文第五段第一句，注意不能因句中有absolute loyalty就选C） He commanded absolute loyalty from Apple users. 这种loyalty不是他向用户“强求”的，而是他通过自己的人性化产品和他和用户建立的personal link激发的。

7 ［解析］D）It originates in the consumer market. 根据题干之this issues special report about innovation nowadays，确定答案在第六段，理解该段可知如今的创新源于千家万户，是consumer gadgets， online services， consumer products， inhouse versions of Facebook... 8 ［解析］closed and inflexible由题干之“critics complained” 和 “userfriendliness of Apple products”可知答案在短文第七段第一句。

9 ［解析］combined题干之“Amazon“和 “did the best job in following Apples lead”指向第八段倒数第三句，由 “hardware， software， content and service ...in an easytouse bundle”可知本题是采用have sth. done这一句式对该句的改写。

10 ［解析］creating a reality of his own或putting a ding in the universe题干之“channelling the magic of computing into products”出现在最后一段倒数第二句，答案可以是该句中的created a reality of his own，也可以是最后一句的结论性评述。

Part III Listening Comprehension

Section A

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

11

W： I just heard about a really beautiful park in the east end of the town. There are a lot of roses in bloom.

M： Why dont we walk over there and see for ourselves?

Q： What will the speakers probably do?

12

M： My presentation is scheduled for 9： 30 tomorrow morning at the lecture hall. I hope to see you there.

W： Oh， sorry. I was about to tell you that I have an appointment with my dentist at 9： 00 o’clock tomorrow.

Q： What do we learn about the woman?

13

W： How long have you been running this company?

M： Twenty years if you can believe that. I brought it from a small operation to what it is today. Q： What do we learn about the man?

14

M： Have you read the news on the campus net? Susan has won the scholarship for next year. W： I knew she would from the very beginning. Such a brilliant and diligent girl! She certainly deserves it.

Q： What does the woman mean?

15

W： Taking a bus to Miami is cheaper than going by train.

M： Thats true. But I’d rather pay a little more for the added comfort and convenience. Q： What does the man mean?

16

M： I think its time we got rid of all this old furniture.

W： Youre right. We need to promote our image besides its not as if its a real antique. Q： What do the speakers mean?

17

W： That was some storm yesterday. I was afraid I couldnt make it home.

M： Yeah， most of the roads to my house were flooded. I didnt get home from the lab until midnight.

Q： What do we learn from the conversation?

18

W： My boys are always complaining that theyre bored.

M： Why dont you get them into some team sports? My son and daughter play soccer every

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇八：2013年12月全国大学英语四级考试真题

2013年12月全国大学英语四级考试真题

Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled What Electives to Choose. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words following the outline given below in Chinese:

1. 各大学开设了各种各样的选修课;

2. 学生因为各种原因选择了不同的选修课;

3. 以你自己为例„„

What Electives to Choose

__________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (30 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 1 with a single line through the centre.

1. A) She used to be in poor health. C) She was somewhat overweight.

B) She was popular among boys. D) She didn’t do well at high school.

2. A) At the airport. C) In a booking office.

B) In a restaurant. D) At the hotel reception.

3. A) Teaching her son by herself. C) Asking the teacher for extra help.

B) Having confidence in her son. D) Telling her son not to worry.

4. A) Have a short break. C) Continue her work outdoors.

B) Take two weeks off. D) Go on vacation with the man.

5. A) He is taking care of this twin brother. C) He is worried about Rod’s health.

B) He has been feeling ill all week. D) He has been in perfect condition.

6. A) She sold all her furniture before she moved house.

B) She still keeps some old furniture in her new house.

C) She plans to put all her old furniture in the basement.

D) She brought a new set of furniture from Italy last month.

7. A) The woman wondered why the man didn’t return the book.

B) The woman doesn’t seem to know what the book is about.

C) The woman doesn’t find the book useful any more.

D) The woman forgot lending the book to the man.

8. A) Most of the man’s friends are athletes.

C) The man doesn’t look like a sportsman.

B) Few people share the woman’s opinion.

D) The woman doubts the man’s athletic ability.

Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

9. A) She has packed it in one of her bags. C) She has probably left it in a taxi.

B) She is going to get it at the airport. D) She is afraid that she has lost it.

10. A) It ends in winter, C) It will last one week.

B) It will cost her a lot. D) It depends on the weather.

11. A) The plane is taking off soon. C) There might be a traffic jam.

B) The taxi is waiting for them. D) There is a lot of stuff to pack.

12. A) At home. C) At the airport.

B) In the man’s car. D) By the side of a taxi.

Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

13. A) She is thirsty for promotion. C) She is tired of her present work.

B) She wants a much higher salary. D) She wants to save travel expenses.

14. A) Translator. C) Language instructor.

B) Travel agent. D) Environmental engineer.

15. A) Lively personality and inquiring mind. C) Devotion and work efficiency.

B) Communication skills and team spirit. D) Education and experience. Section B

Directions: In this section, you will hear3 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 1with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.

16. A) They care a lot about children.

B) They need looking after in their old age.

C) They want to enrich their life experience.

D) They want children to keep them company.

17. A) They are usually adopted from distant places.

B) Their birth information is usually kept secret.

C) Their birth parents often try to conceal their birth information.

D) Their adoptive parents don’t want them to know their birth parents.

18. A) They generally hold bad feelings towards their birth parents.

B) They do not want to hurt the feelings of their adoptive parents.

C) They have mixed feelings about finding their natural parents.

D) They are fully aware of the expenses involved in the search.

19. A) Early adoption makes for closer parent-child relationship.

B) Most people prefer to adopt children from overseas.

C) Understanding is the key to successful adoption.

D) Adoption has much to do with love.

Passage Two

Questions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.

20. A) He suffered from mental illness.

B) He bought The Washington Post.

C) He turned a failing newspaper into a success.

D) He was once a reporter for a major newspaper.

21. A) She was the first woman to lead a big U. S. publishing company.

B) She got her first job as a teacher at the University of Chicago.

C) She committed suicide because of her mental disorder.

D) She took over her father’s position when he died.

22. A) People came to see the role of women in the business world.

B) Katharine played a major part in reshaping Americans’ mind.

C) American media would be quite different without Katharine.

D) Katharine had exerted an important influence on the world.

Passage Three

Questions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just beard.

23. A) It’ll enable them to enjoy the best medical care.

B) It’ll allow them to receive flee medical treatment.

C) It’ll protect them from possible financial crises.

D) It’ll prevent the doctors from overcharging them.

24. A) They can’t immediately get back the money paid for their medical cost.

B) They have to go through very complicated application procedures.

C) They can only visit doctors who speak their native languages.

D) They may not be able to receive timely medical treatment.

25. A) They don’t have to pay for the medical services.

B) They needn’t pay the entire medical bill at once.

C) They must send the receipts to the insurance company promptly.

D) They have to pay a much higher price to get an insurance policy. 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 with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written. You probably have noticed that people express similar ideas in different ways( 26 )the situation they are in. This is very natural. All languages have two general levels of usage: a formal level and an

informal level. English is no (27) . The difference in these two levels is the situation in which you use a (28 )level. Formal language is the kind of language you find in text books,. (29 )books and in business letters. You would also use formal English in (30) and essays that you write in school. Informal language is used in conversation with

(31) , family members and friends, and when we write personal notes or letters to close friends.

Formal language is different from informal language in several ways. First, formal language (32 )be more polite. What we may find interesting is that it usually takes more words to be polite. For example, I might say to a friend or a family member, "Close the door, please," but to a (33) , I probably would say "Would you mind closing the door?"

Another difference between formal and informal language is some of the( 34 ). There are bound to be some words and phrases that belong in formal language and others that are informal. Let’s say that I really like soccer. If I am talking to my friend, I might say "I am just (35) soccer!" But if I were talking to my boss, I would probably say "I really enjoy soccer. "

Part Ⅲ Reading 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 choice. Each choice in 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 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.

As war spreads to many comers of the globe, children sadly have been drawn into the center of conflicts. In Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Colombia, however, groups of children have been taking part in peace education（ 36 ）. The children, after learning to resolve conflicts, took on the（ 37） of peacemakers. The Children’s Movement for Peace in Colombia was even nominated (提名) for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. Groups of children （38 ）as peacemakers studied human rights and poverty issues in Colombia, eventually forming a group with five other schools in Bogotá known as The Schools of Peace.

The classroom （39 ）opportunities for children to replace angry, violent

behaviors with（ 40），peaceful ones. It is in the classroom that caring and respect for each person empowers children to take a step （41 ）toward becoming peacemakers. Fortunately, educators have access to many online resources that are （42 ）useful when helping children along the path to peace. The Young Peacemakers Club, started in 1992，provides a Website with resources for teachers and （43） on starting a Kindness Campaign. The World Centers of Compassion for Children International call attention to children’s rights and how to help the （44） of war. Starting a Peacemakers’ Club is a praiseworthy venture for a class and one that could spread to other classrooms and ideally affect the culture of the（ 45） school.

A) acting I) information

B) assuming J) offers

C) comprehensive K) projects

D) cooperative L) respectively

E) entire M) role

F) especially N) technology

G) forward O) victims

H) images

Section B

Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇九：2010年12月大学英语四级考试真题及完整版答案

2010年12月大学英语四级考试真题

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?

2012年12月大学英语四级考试真题for this篇十：2012年12月英语四级真题及答案

2012年12月英语四级真题及答案

Part Ⅰ Listening Comprehension (20 minutes)

Section A

Directions：In this section,you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation,a question 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 decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.

Example:

You will read: A) At the office. B) In the waiting room.

C) At the airport. D) In a restaurant.

From the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. This conversation is most likely to have taken place at the office. Therefore,A)“At the office” is the best answer. You should choose A) on the Answer Sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre.

Sample Answer ［A］［B］［C］［D］

1. A) The fourth floor. B) The fifth floor. C) The sixth floor. D) The seventh floor.

2. A) John bought a cheap computer. B) John bought Morris a computer.

C) Morris bought a computer from John. D) Morris bought a new computer.

3. A) Recognize Jane first. B) Tell the woman why.

C) Go on a diet. D) Feel at ease.

4. A) The white one. B) The brick one.

C) The prettier one. D) The better one.

5. A) The summer this year is terribly hot. B) Last summer was even hotter.

C) Hot weather helps lose weight. D) Light was stronger this morning.

6. A) No one on the bus was injured.

B) Everyone on the bus was injured.

C) Only one student on the bus was injured.

D) More than one student on the bus was injured.

7. A) Drawing some money. B) Opening a deposit account.

C) Saving much money. D) Putting money in the bank.

8. A) They have too little patience. B) They are not strict with students.

C) They are very hard on students. D) They are more hardworking than before.

9. A) The woman is very worried. B) The man doesn’t like thinking.

C) The man has done something wrong. D) The woman can do nothing for the man.

10. A) Because the waist was a bit too tight.

B) Because there wasn’t any of her size.

C) Because she didn’t look good in the dress.

D) Because the style was not what she liked.

Section B Compound Dictation

注意：听力理解的B节（Section B）为复合式听写（Compound Dictation），题目在试卷二上。

现在请取出试卷二。

A supermarket club card is a new way for people to save money on items they buy. People used to cut out coupons (赠券)to(S1) save money. Now they use a card that looks like a(S2)credit card when they pay for items. Only people with cards can get the(S3)lower price.

To get a card, people must give out their name, address, and other(S4)personal information. Everything club card-users buy is (S5)stored on a computer in a file with their name on it. In the coupon days, no one kept (S6)track of the things people bought. Now, computers allow huge(S7)amounts of information to be saved.

In order to save money with the cards, people could lose privacy. So far, the information, or data, is private. But that could change. There are many companies who might be interested in knowing what people buy. For instance, (S8)an insurance company might want to know if their clients buy healthy food, or if people buy a lot of medicine from the store.

A California Senator, Debra Bowen, wants to make sure there are laws to protect data kept on computers. She says,“(S9)The laws that govern privacy really haven’t caught up with technology. ”

Stores that use club cards have promised to keep the information private. (S10)Some people are afraid the stores might change their minds if companies offered enough money. Some people say the information is worth as much as treasure.

Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension(35 minutes)

Directions: There are 4 passages in this part. 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 the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage.

The predictability of our mortality rates is something that has long puzzled social scientists. After all, there is no natural reason why 2,500 people should accidentally shoot themselves each year or why 7,000 should drown or 55,000 die in their cars. No one establishes a quota for each type of death. It just happens that they follow a consistent pattern year after year.

A few years ago a Canadian psychologist named Gerald Wilde became interested in this phenomenon. He noticed that mortality rates for violent and accidental deaths throughout the Western world have remained oddly static throughout the whole of the century, despite all the technological advances and increases in safety standards that have happened in that time. Wilde developed an intriguing theory called “risk homeostasis”. According to this theory, people instinctively live with a certain level of risk. When something is made safer, people will get around the measure in some way to reassert the original level of danger. If, for instance, they are required to wear seat belts, they will feel safer and thus will drive a little faster and a little more recklessly, thereby statistically canceling out the benefits that the seat belt confers. Other studies have shown that where an intersection is made safer, the accident rate invariably falls there but rises to a compensating level elsewhere along

the same stretch of road. It appears, then, that we have an innate need for danger.

In all events, it is becoming clearer and clearer to scientists that the factors influencing our lifespan are far more subtle and complex than had been previously thought. It now appears that if you wish to live a long life, it isn’t simply a matter of adhering to certain precautions „ eating the right foods, not smoking, driving with care. You must also have the right attitude. Scientists at the Duke University Medical Center made a 15-year study of 500 persons personalities and found, somewhat to their surprise, that people with a suspicious or mistrustful nature die prematurely far more often than people with a sunny disposition. Looking on the bright side, it seems, can add years to your life span.

11. What social scientists have long felt puzzled about is why .

A) the mortality rate can not be predicted

B) the death toll remained stable year after year

C) a quota for each type of death has not come into being

D) people lost their lives every year for this or that reason

12. In his research, Gerald Wilde finds that technological advances and increases in safety standards .

A) have helped solve the problem of so high death rate

B) have oddly accounted for mortality rates in the past century

C) have reduced mortality rates for violent and accidental deaths

D) have achieved no effect in bringing down the number of deaths

13. According to the theory of “risk homeostasis”, some traffic accidents result from .

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