12月四级第二套

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1、2017 年 12 月大学英语四级考试真题 （第 2 套 ）Part I(30 minutes)WritingDirections: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on how to best handle the relationship between teachers and students. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25

2、 minutes) Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices ma

3、rked A), B),C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.1. A) It tries to entertain its audience.C) It wants to catch people s attention.B) It tries to look into the distance.

4、D) It has got one of its limbs injured.2. A) It was spotted by animal protection officials.B) It was filmed by a local television reporter.C) Its videos were posted on social media.D) Its picture won a photography prize.Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.3. A) The dis

5、tance travelledC) The spending on gas.B) The incidence of road accidents.D) The number of people travelling.4. A) Fewer people are commuting.C) Job growth is slowing down.B) Gas consumption is soaring.D) Rush-hour traffic is worsening.Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard

6、.5. A) He told a stranger the sad story about himself.B) He helped a stranger to carry groceries to his car.C) He went up to a stranger and pulled at his sleeves.D) He washed a stranger s car in return for some food.6. A) He ordered a lot of food for his family.B) He gave him a job at his own compan

7、y.7. A) He works hard to support his family.B) He is an excellent student at school. Section BC) He raised a large sum of money for him.D) He offered him a scholarship for college.C) He is very good at making up stories.D) He has been disabled since boyhood.Directions: In this section, you will hear

8、 two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 An

9、swer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.8. A) Attended an economics lecture.C) Had a drink at Queen Victoria.B) Taken a walk on Charles Street.D) Had dinner at a new restaurant.9. A) Treat a college friend to dinner.C) At

10、tend his brother s birthday party.B) Make preparations for a seminar.D) Visit some of his high school friends.10. A) Gather statistics for his lecture.B) Throw a surprise birthday party.C) Meet with Jonathan s friends on the weekend.D) Join him in his brother s birthday celebration.11. A) By car.B)

11、By train.C) By taxi. D) By bus.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Taking a vacation abroad.B) Reviewing for his last exam.13. A) Preparing for his final exams.B) Negotiating with his boss for a raise.14. A) Finish her term paper.B) Save enough money.15. A) He

12、 has rich sailing experience.B) He speaks Spanish fluently.Section CC) Saving enough money for a rainy day.D) Finding a better way to earn money.C) Working part time as a waiter.D) Helping the woman with her courses.C) Learn a little bit of Spanish.D) Ask her parent s permission.C) He is also eager

13、to go to Spain.D) He is easy to get along with.Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mast choose the best answer from th

14、e four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She went to the same university as her mother.B) She worked as a nurse in the First World War.C)

15、She won the Nobel Prize two times.D) She was also a Nobel Prize winner.17. A) She fought bravely in a series of military operations.B) She developed X-ray facilities for military hospitals.C) She helped to set up several military hospitals.D) She made donations to save wounded soldiers.18. A) Both d

16、ied of blood cancer.C) Both won military medals.B) Both fought in World War I.D) Both married their assistants.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They were the first settlers in Europe.B) They were the conquerors of Norway.C) They discovered Iceland in the ninth c

17、entury.D) They settled on a small island north of England.20. A) It was some five hundred miles west of Norway.B) It was covered with green most time of the year.C) It was the Vikings most important discovery.D) It was a rocky mass of land covered with ice.21. A) The Vikings, ocean explorations.C) T

18、he Vikings everyday life.B) The making of European nations. D) The Europeans Arctic discoveries. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) Work hard for a better life.C) Dream about the future.B) Make mistakes now and then.D) Save against a rainy day.23. A) Teach foreig

19、n Ian guages for the rest of his life.B) Change what he has for his past imagi nary world.C) Excha nge his two-story house for a beach cottage.D) Dwell on the dreams he had dreamed whe n young.24. A) Crimi nal law.C) Orie ntal architecture.B) City pla nning.D) Intern ati onal bus in ess.25. A) Dream

20、 and make pla ns.C) Be content with what you have.B) Take things easy in life,D) Enjoy whatever you are doing.Part IIIReadi ng Comprehe nsion(40 minu tes)Section ADirections: In this secti on, there is a passage with ten bla nks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choi

21、ces given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the cen tre. You may not use any of the wo

22、rds in the bank more tha n once.Questio ns 26 to 35 are based on the follow ing passage.Tech no logical cha nges brought dramatic new opti ons to America ns livi ng in the 1990s. During this decade new forms of en terta inment, commerce, research, and com muni cati on became com mon place in the U.

23、S. The driv ing force beh ind much of this cha nge was a (n)26 popularly known as the Intern et.The Internet was developed duri ng the 1970s by the Departme nt of Defen se. In the case of an attack, military advisers suggested the 27 of being able to operate one computer from ano ther termi nal. I n

24、 the early days, the Internet was used mai nly by scie ntists to com muni cate with other scie ntists. The Internet 28un der gover nment con trol un til 1984.One early problem faced by Internet users was speed. Phone lines could only transmit information at a 29 rate. The development of fiber-optic

25、( 光纤)cables allowed for billions of bits of in formatio n to be received every minu te. Compa nies like In tel developed faster microprocessors, so pers onal computers could process the 30 sig nals at a more rapid rate.In the early 1990s, the World Wide Web was developed, in large part, for 31 purpo

26、ses. Corporati ons created home pages where they could place text and graphics to sell products. Soon airline tickets, hotel32, and even cars and homes could be purchased online. Universities33research data on the Internet, so students could find 34information without leavingtheir dormitories. Compa

27、 nies soon discovered that work could be done at home and 35 on li ne, so a whole new class of telecommuters bega n to earn a liv ing from home offices un shave n and weari ng pajamas (睡衣).A) adva ntageI) maintainedB) commercialJ) occupatio nsC) con servati onK) postedD) equippedL) rema inedE) incom

28、ingM) reservati onsF) inno vati onN) submittedG) limitedO) valuableH) localSection BDirections: 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 i

29、s 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 2.The Health Benefits of KnittingA） About 15 years ago, I was invited to join a knitting group. I agreed to give it a try.B） My mothe

30、r had taught me to knit at 15, and I knitted in class throughout college and for a few years thereafter. Then decades passed without my touching a knitting needle. But within two Mondays in the group, I was hooked, not only on knitting but also on crocheting （ 钩织）, and I was on my way to becoming a

31、highly productive crafter.C）Ivme ade countless baby blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, caps for newborns. I take a knitting project with me everywhere, especially when I have to sit still and listen. As I discovered in college, when my hands are busy, my mind stays focused on the here and now.D）It s

32、eems, too, that Im part of a national renewal of interest in needle and other handicrafts（手工艺 ）.The Craft Yam Council reports that a third of women ages 25-35 now knit or crochet.Even men and schoolchildren are swelling the ranks, among them my Mends three small grandsonsLast April, the council crea

33、ted a Stitch Away Stress ”campaign in honor of National Stress Awareness Month. Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneer in mind/body medicine and author of The Relaxation Response, says that the repetitive action of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation （ 沉思） and yoga. Onc

34、e you get beyond the initial learning curve, knitting and crocheting can lower heart rate and blood pressure.E）But unlike meditation, craft activities result in tangible and often useful products that can enhance self-esteem. I keep photos of my singular accomplishments on my cellphone to boost my s

35、pirits when needed.F）Since the 1990s, the council has surveyed hundreds of thousands of knitters and crocheters, who routinely list stress relief and creative fulfillment as the activities main benefits. A is the father of a prematurely born daughter who reported that during the baby s five weeks in

36、tensive care unit, “ learning how to knit infant hats gave me a sense of purpose during a time that I felt very helpless. Its a hobby that Ive stuck with, and it continues to help me cope with stress atwork, provide a sense of order in hectic （忙乱的 ）days, and allow my brain time to solve problems. ”G

37、）A recent email from the yam （纺纱 ） company Red Heart titled “ HealthBenefits of Crocheting and Knitting ” prompted me to explore what else might be known about the health value of activities like knitting. My research revealed that the rewards go well beyond replacing stress and anxiety with the sat

38、isfaction of creation.H）For example, Karen Hayes, a life coach in Toronto, conducts knitting therapy programs, including Knit to Quit to help smokers give up the habit, and Knit to Heal for people coping with health crises, like a cancer diagnosis or serious illness of a family member. Schools and p

39、risons with craft programs report that they have a calming effect and enhance social skills. And having to follow instructions on complex craft projects can improve children s math skills.I）Some people find that craftwork helps them control their weight. Just as it s challe smoke while knitting, whe

40、n hands are holding needles and hooks, there s less snacking and mind eating out of boredom.J）I ve found that my han diwork with yam has helped my arthritiC（关节炎的 fingers remain more dexterous （灵巧的 ）as I age. A woman encouraged to try knitting and crocheting afterdeveloping an autoimmune disease that

41、 caused a lot of hand pain reported on the Craft Yam Council site that her hands are now less stiff and painful.K)A 2009 University of British Columbia study of 38 women with an eating disorder who were taught to knit found that learning the craft led to significant improvements. Seventy-four percen

42、t of the women said the activity lessened their fears and kept them from thinking about their problem.L) Betsan Corkhill, a wellness coach in Bath, England, and author of the book Knit for Health & Wellness, established a website, Stitchlinks, to explore the value of what she calls therapeutic knitt

43、ing. Among her respondents, 54 percent of those who were clinically depressed said that knitting made them feel happy or very happy. In a study of 60 self-selected people with persistent pain, Ms. Corkhill and colleagues reported that knitting enabled them to redirect their focus, reducing their awa

44、reness of pain. She suggested that the brain can process just so much at once, and that activities like knitting and crocheting make it harder for the brain to register pain signals. Perhaps most exciting is research that suggests that crafts like knitting and crocheting may help to keep off a decli

45、ne in brain function with age. In a 2011 study, researchers led by Dr. Yonas Geda at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester interviewed a random ( 随机的 )sample of 1,321 people ages 70-89, most of whom were cognitively ( 在认知方面 )normal, about the cognitive activities they engaged in late in life. The study, publ

46、ished in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, found that those who engaged in crafts like knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitive disorder and memory loss.M)Although it is possible that only people who are cognitively healthy would pursue such

47、 activities, those who read newspapers or magazines or played music did not show similar benefits. The researchers speculate that craft activities promote the development of nerve pathways in the brain that help to maintain cognitive health.N)In support of that suggestion, a 2014 study by Denise C.

48、Park of the University of Texas at Dallas and colleagues demonstrated that learning to knit or do digital photography enhanced memory function in older adults. Those who engaged in activities that were not intellectually challenging, either in a social group or alone, did not show such improvements.

49、O)Given that sustained social contacts have been shown to support health and a long life, those wishing to maximize the health value of crafts might consider joining a group of like-minded folks.I for one try not to miss a single weekly meeting of my knitting group.36. When the author was a college

50、student, she found that knitting helped her concentrate.37. Knitting can help people stay away from tobacco.s life.38. Even men and children are now joining the army of knitters.39. Being a member of a crafts group enhances one s health and prolongs one40. Knitting diverts people s attention from th

51、eir pain.41. The author learnt to knit as a teenager, but it was not until she was much older that she became keenly interested.42. When people are knitting, they tend to eat fewer snacks.43. Survey findings show that knitting can help people relieve stress.44. According to a study, knitters and cro

52、cheters are less likely to suffer mild cognitive damage.45. The products of knitting can increase one s sense of self-respect.Section C Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marke

53、d A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage One Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Nobody really knows how big Lagos is. What s indisputable is that it s growing very qu

54、ickBetween now and 2050, the urban population of Africa could triple. Yet cities in sub-Saharan Africa are not getting richer the way cities in the rest of the world have. Most urban Africans live in slums ( 贫民窟 ); migrants are often not much better off than they were in the countryside. Why?The imm

55、ediate problem is poverty. Most of Africa is urbanising at a lower level of income than other regions of the world did. That means there s little money around for investment that wouldmake cities liveable and more productive. Without upgrades and new capacity, bridges, roads and power systems are un

56、able to cope with expanding populations. With the exception of South Africa, the only light rail metro system in sub-Saharan Africa is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Traffic jam leads to expense and unpredictability, things that keep investors away.In other parts of the world, increasing agricultural pro

57、ductivity and industrialization went together. More productive farmers meant there was a surplus that could feed cities; in turn, that created a pool of labour for factories. But African cities are different. They are too often built around consuming natural resources. Government is concentrated in

58、capitals, so is the money. Most urban Africans work for a small minority of the rich, who tend to be involved in either cronyish (有裙带关系的 )businesses or politics. Since African agriculture is still broadly unproductive, food is imported, consuming a portion of revenue.So what can be done? Though Afri

59、can countries are poor, not all African cities are. In Lagos, foreign oil workers can pay as much as $65,000 per year in rent for a modest apartment in a safe part of town. If that income were better taxed, it might provide the revenue for better infrastructure. If city leaders were more accountable

60、 to their residents, they might favour projects designed to help them more. Yet even as new roads are built, new people arrive. When a city s population grows5% a year, it is difficult to keep up.46. What do we learn from the passage about cities in sub-Saharan Africa?A) They have more slums than ot

61、her cities in the world.B) They are growing fast without becoming richer.C) They are as modernised as many cities elsewhere.D) They attract migrants who want to be better off.47. What does the author imply about urbanisation in other parts of the world?A) It benefited from the contribution of immigr

62、ants.B) It started when people s income was relatively high.C) It benefited from the accelerated rise in productivity.D) It started with the improvement of people s livelihood.48. Why is sub-Saharan Africa unappealing to investors? A) It lacks adequate transport facilities.B) The living expenses the

63、re are too high.C) It is on the whole too densely populated.D) The local governments are corrupted.49. In what way does the author say African cities are different?A) They have attracted huge numbers of farm labourers.B) They still rely heavily on agricultural productivity.C) They have developed at

64、the expense of nature.D) They depend far more on foreign investment.50. What might be a solution to the problems facing African cities?A) Lowering of apartment rent.C) More rational overall planning.B) Better education for residents.D) A more responsible government.Passage Two Questions 51 to 55 are

65、 based on the following passage.For the past several decades, it seems there s been a general consensus on how to get ahead inAmerica: Get a college education, find a reliable job, and buy your own home. But do Americans still believe in that path, and if they do, is it attainable?The most recent National J