2012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 Education Pays based on the statistics provided in the chart below(Unemployment rate 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.
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 2 with a single line through the centre.
1. [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.
2. [A] Go camping.
[B] Rent a tent.
[C] Decorate his house.
[D] Organize a party.
3. [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.
4. [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.
5. [A] Rules restricting smoking. [C] Smokers’ health problems.
[B] Ways to quit smoking. [D] Hazards of passive smoking.
6. [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.
7. [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.
8. [A] Take a break.
[B] Refuel his car.
[C] Ask the way.
[D] Have a cup of coffee.
Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
9. [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.
10. [A] The effects were very good. [C] The plot was too complicated.
[B] The acting was just so-so. [D] The characters were lifelike.
11. [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 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. [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.
13. [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.
14. [A] Participate in group discussions. [C] Listen to the teacher’s explanation.
[B] Take turns to make presentations. [D] Answer the teacher’s questions.
15. [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 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.
Passage One
Questions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. [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.
17. [A] Their similar social status. [C] Their common interest.
[B] Their interdependence. [D] Their identical character.
18. [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.
19. [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 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.
20. [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.
21. [A] Efficient.
[B] Complicated.
[C] Lengthy.
[D] Democratic.
22. [A] To help them acquire hands-on experience.
[B] To try to cut down its operational expenses.
[C] To provide part-time jobs for needy students.
[D] To enable them to learn to take responsibility.
Passage Three
Questions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
23. [A] The best way to work through a finger maze.
[B] Individuals doing better in front of an audience.
[C] Researchers having contributed greatly to psychology.
[D] Improvements on the classification of human behavior.
24. [A] When you feel encouraged by the audience.
[B] When you try to figure out a confusing game.
[C] When you already know how to do something.
[D] When you complete with other people in a group.
25. [A] Practicing constantly.
[B] Working by oneself.
[C] Learning by doing.
[D] Using proven methods.
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.
Americans today have different eating habits than they had in the past. There is a wide (26)__________ of food available. They have a broader knowledge of nutrition (营养), so they buy more fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before. At the same time, Americans (27)__________ increasing quantities of sweets and sodas.
Statistics show that the way people live (28)__________ the way they eat. American lifestyles have changed. There are now growing numbers of people who live alone, (29)__________ parents and children, and double-income families. These changing lifestyles are responsible for the increasing number of people who must rush meals or sometimes simply (30)__________ them. Many Americans have less time than ever before to spend preparing food. (31)__________ as a consequence of this limited time, over half of all American homes now have microwave ovens. Moreover, Americans eat out nearly four times a week (32)__________.
It is easy to study the amounts and kinds of food that people (33)__________. The United States Department of Agriculture and the food industry collect sales statistics and (34)__________. This information not only tells us what people are eating, but also tells us about the changes in attitudes and tastes. Red meat, which used to be the most popular choice for dinner, is no longer an American (35)__________. Instead, chicken, turkey, and fish have become more popular. Sales of these foods have greatly increased in recent years.