2008年12月英语六级真题听力原文

文档来源为:从网络收集整理.word版本可编辑.欢迎下载支持.2008年12月英语六级试题Part I writing (30 minutes)注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and scanning) (15 minutes)Supersize surpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it’s al down to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it/ yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it. Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate(促成) such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is saying that the “big two” – reduced physical activity and increased availability of food – are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by 20 obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1. Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses’ Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in turn gained more than whose who slept 7.It’s well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses’ study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it appears that we really are sleeping less. In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundationsuggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2. Climate controlWe humans, like all warm-blooded animals, can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what’s going on in the world aroun d us. We do this by altering our metabolic(新陈代新的) rate, shivering or sweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the “thermo-neutral zone”, which is increasingly where we choose to live and work.There is no denying that ambient temperatures(环境温度) have changed in the past few decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average British home warmed from a chilly 13C to 18C. In the US, the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportion of homes with air conditionings rose from 23% to 47% between 1978 and 1997. In the southern states – where obesity rates tend to be highest – the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to 71% from 37% in 1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference to our weight?Sadly，there is some evidence that it does-at least with regard to heating. Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3.Less smokingBad news: smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us,and quitting really does pack on the pounds, though no one isn sure why. It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagres at the US National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville,Maryland, have calculated that people kicking the habit have been respousible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness.From data collected aroud 1991 by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,they worked out that people who had quit in the previous decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had never smoked .Among men, for example, nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with 37% of non-smokers and only 28%of smokers.4. Genetic effectsYours chances of becoming fat may be set,at least in part,before you were even born.childrenof boese mothers are much more likely to become obest themselves later in life.Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normal diet. Intriguingly,the effect persists for two or three generations.Grand-children of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if their own mother is fed normally-so you fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5.A little older…Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others.surveys carried out by the US national center for health statisties found that adults aged 40 to 79 were around three times as likely to be obese as younger people.non-white females also tend to fall at the fatter end of the spectreum:Mexican-american women are 30% more likely than white women to be obsess,and black women have twice the risk.In the US,these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population.between 1970 and 2000 the US population aged 35 to 44 grew by 43%.the proportion of Hispanic-americans also grew,from under 5% to 12.5% of the population,while the proportion of black Americans increased from 11% to 12.3%.these changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6.mature mumsMothers around the world are getting older.in the UK,the mean age for aving a frist child is 27.3,compared with 23.7 in 1970 .mean age at frist birth in the US has also increased, rising from 21.4 in 1970 to 24.9 in 2000.This would be neither here nor there if it were’t for the observation that having an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity. Results from the US national heart,lung and blood institute’s study found that the odds of a child being obese increase 14% for every five extra years of their mother’s age , though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at the university of Nottingham,UK,found that first-bron children have more fat than younger ones. As family size decreases, firstbrons account for a greather share ofthe population. In 1964, british women gave birth to an average of 2.95 children;by 2005 that figure had fallen to 1.79. in the US in 1976, 9.6% of woman in their 40s had only one chile;in 2004 it was 17.4%. this combination of older mothers and more single children could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7.Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks, so they do for size. Lean people are more likely to marry lean an d fat more likely to marry fat. On its own, like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity. But combined with others- particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children-it amplifies the increase form other causes.1. A)effects of obesity on people’s healthB)the link between lifestyle an obesityC)New explanations for the obesity epidemicD)possible ways to combat the obesity epidemic2. A)gained the least weightB)were inclined to eat lessC)found their vigor enhancedD)were less susceptible to illness3. A)it makes us sleepyB)it causes sleep lossC)it increases our appetiteD)it results from lack of sleep4. A)it makes us stay indoors moreB)it accelerates our metabolic rateC)it makes us feel more energeticD)it contributes to our weight gain5. A)it threatens their healthB)it heightens their spiritsC)it suppresses their appetiteD)it slows down their metabolism6. A)heavy smokersB)passive smokersC)those who never smokeD)those who quit smoking7. A)the growing number of smokers among young peopleB)the rising proportion of minorities in its populationC)the increasing consumption of high-calorie foodsD)the improving living standards of the poor people8.according to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the reason why older mothers’ children tend to be obese remains not entirely clear9.According to Michael Symonds, one factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is decrease of family size10 when two heavy people get married, chances of their children getting fat increase, because obesity is party genetizPart IIISection A11. A)He is quite easy to recognizeB)he is an outstanding speakerC)he looks like a movie starD)he looks young for his age12. A)consult her dancing teacherB)take a more interesting classC)continue her dancing classD)improve her dancing skills13. A)the man did not believe what the woman saidB)the man accompanied the woman to the hospitalC)the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injuryD)the woman may not followed the doctor’s instructions14. A)they are not in style any moreB)they have cost him far too muchC)they no longer suit his eyesightD)they should be cleaned regularly15. A)he spilled his drink onto the floorB)he has just finished wiping the floorC)he was caught in a shower on his way homeD)he rushed out of the bath to answer the phone16. A)fixing some furnitureB)repairing the toy trainC)reading the instructionsD)assembling the bookcase17. A)urge Jenny to spend more time on studyB)help Jenny to prepare for the coming examsC)act towards Jenny in a more sensible wayD)send Jenny to a volleyball training center18. A)The building of the dam needs a large budgetB)the proposed site is near the residential areaC)the local people fell insecure about the damD)the dam poses a threat to the local environmentQuestion19 to21 are based on the conversation you have just heard19 A. It saw the end of its booming years worldwideB. Its production and sales reached record levels.C. It became popular in some foreign countriesD. Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.20. A. They cost less. C. They were in fashion.B. They tasted better. D. They were widely advertised.21. A. It is sure to fluctuate . C. It will remain basically stable.B. It is bound to revive. D. It will see no more monopoly22. A. Organising protests C. Acting as its spokesman.B. Recruiting members D. Saving endangered animals.23. A. Anti-animal-abuse demonstrations B. Anti-nuclear campaignsC. Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorD. Removing industrial waste.24. A. By harassing them. C. By taking legal action.B. By appealing to the public D. By resorting to force.25. A. Doubtful C. Indifferent .B. Reserved D. Supportive26. A, The air becomes still. C. The clouds block the sun.B. The air pressure is low. D. The sky appears brighter.27. A. Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B. Sailors’saying about the weather are unreliable.C. People knew long ago how to predict the weather.D. It was easiter to forecast the weather in the old days.28 A. Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B. People can predict the weather by their sensesC. Who are the real esperts in weather forecast .D. Weather changes affect people’s life remarkably29. A. They often feel insecure about their jobs.B. They are unable to decide what to do first .C. They are feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.D they feel burdened with numerous tasks every day30 A. Analyze them rationally. C. Turn to others for help.B. Draw a detailed to-do list . D. Handle them one by one .31. A. They have accomplished little .B. They feel utterly exhausted .C. They have worked out a way to relax.D. They no longer feel any sense of guilt.32. A. Their performance may improve.B. Their immune system may be reinforced.C. Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.D. Their physical development may be enhanced.33. A. Improved mental functioning.B. Increased susceptibility to diseaseC. Speeding up of blood circulationD. Reduction of stress-related hormones34. A. Pretend to be in better shape.B. Have more physical exercise .C. Turn more often to friends for helpD. Pay more attention to bodily sensations.35. A. Different approaches to coping with stress.B. Various causes for serious health problems.C. The relationship between stress and illness.D. New finding of medical research on stress.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)Section AQuestions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.One of the major producers of athletic footwear, with 2002 sales of over $10 billion, is a company called Nike, with corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Forbes magazine identified Nike’s president, Philip Knight, as the 53rd-richest man in the world in 2004. But Nike has not always been a large multimillion-dollar organization. In fact, Knight started the company by selling shoes from the back of his car at track meets.In the late 1950s Philip Knight was a middle-distance runner on the University of Oregon track team, coached by Bill Bowerman. One of the top track coaches in the U.S., Bowerman was also known for experimenting with the design of running shoes in an attempt to make them lighter and more shock-absorbent. After attending Oregon, Knight moved on to do graduate work at Stanford University; his MBA thesis was on marketing athletic shoes. Once he received his degree, Knight traveled to Japan to contact the Onitsuka Tiger Company, a manufacturer of athletic shoes. Knight convinced the company’s officials of the potential for its product in the U.S. In 1963 he received his first shipment of Tiger shoes, 200 pairs in total.In 1964, Knight and Bowerman contributed $500 each to from Blue Ribbon Sports, the predecessor of Nike. In the first few years, Knight distributed shoes out of his car at local track meets. The first employees hired by Knight were former college athletes. The company did not have the money to hire “experts”, and there was no established athletic footwear industry in North America from which to recruit those knowledgeable in the field. In its early years the organization operated in an unconventional manner that characterized its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the industry. Communication was informal; people discussed ideas and issues in the hallways, on a run, or over a beer. There was little task differentiation. There were no job descriptions, rigid reporting systems, or detailed rules and regulations. The team spirit and shared values of the athletes on Bowerman’s teams carried over and provided the basis for the collegial style of management that characterized the early years of Nikes.47. While serving as a track coach, Bowerman tried to design running shoes that were lighter and more shock-absorbent.48. During his visit to Japan, Knight convinced the officials of the Onitsuka Tiger Company thatits product would have potentials in the U.S.49. Blue Ribbon Sports as unable to hire experts due to the absence of established athleticfootwear in North America.50. In the early years of Nike, communication within the company was usually carried outinformally.51. What qualities of B owerman’s teams formed the basis of Nike’s early management style?The team spirit and shared valves of the athlets.Passage onequestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passagesustainable development is applied to just about eberything from energy to clean water and economic growth,and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use.this is especially true in agriculture,where sustainable development is often taken as the sole measure of progress without a proper appreciation of histrorcal and cultural perspectives.To start with,it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history,and will continue to do so .medieval agriculture in northern Europefed,clothed and shelered a predominantly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today.it had minimal effect on biodiversity,and any pollution it caused was typically localized.in termsof energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial petion from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields.throughout this period food became cheaper,safe and more reliable.however,these changes have alsoled to habitat loss and to diminishing biodiversity.What’smore,demand for animal products in developing countrics is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra 300 million tons of grain a year by 2050.yet the growth of cities and in dustry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th.this will require radical thinking.for example,we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are inevitably more sustainable than new ones.we also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simpleand static measures of sustainability,which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.instead we need a more dynamic interpretation,one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used.there are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield:energy use, environmental costs,water purity,carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example,that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from spain to the UKIs less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting.but we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.What is crucial is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.52. How do people ofen measure progress in agriculture?A) By its productivity C) By its impact on the environmetB) By its sustainability D) By its contribution to economic growth53. Specialisation and the effort to incease yields have esulted in________.A) Localised pollution C) competition from overseasB) the shrinking of farmland D) the decrease of biodiversity54.What does the author think of traditional farming practices?A)They have remained the same over the centuriesB)They have not kept pace with population growthC)They are not necessarily sustainableD)They are environmentally friendly55.What will agriculture be like in the 21st centuryA) It will go through radical changesB) It will supply more animal productsC) It will abandon traditional farming practicesD) It will cause zero damage to the environment56 What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?A) To remind people of the need of sustainable developmentB) To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food productionC) To adance new criteria for measuring farming progressD) To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture isPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passageThe percentage of immigrants(including those unlawfully present) in the United states has been creeping upward for years. At 12.6 percent, it is now higher than at any point ince the mid1920sWe are not about to go back to the days when Congress openly worried about inferior races polluing America’s bloodstream. But once again we are wondering whether we have too many of the wrong sort fo necomers.Their loudest citecs argue that the new wave of immigrants cannot,and indeed do not want to, fit in as previous generations did.We now know that these racist views were wrong.In time, Italians, Romanians and members of other so-called inferior races became exemplary Americans and contributed greatly, in ways too numerous to detail , to the building of this magnificent nation. There is no reason why these new immigrants should not have the same success.Although children of Mexican immigrants do better, in terms of educational and professional attainment, than thir parents UCLA sociologist Edward Telles has found that the gains don’t continme. Indeed, the fouth generation is marginally worse off than the third James Jackson,of the University of Michigan,has foud a simila rend among black Caribbean immigrants,Tells fears that Mexican-Americans may be fated to follow in the footsteps of American blacks-that largeparts of the community may become mired in a seemingly state of poverty and Underachievement . Like African-Americans, Mexican-americans are increasingly relegated to (降入)segregated, substandyrd schools, and their dropout rate is the highest for any 儿童会nic group in the country.We have learned much about the foolish idea of excluding people on the presumption of the ethnic/racial inferiority. But what we have not yet learned is how to make the process of Americanization work for all. I am not talking about requiring people to learn English or to adopt American ways; those things happen pretty much on their own, but as arguments about immigration hear up the campaign trail, we also ought to ask some broader question about assimilation, about ho wto ensure that peop le , once outsiders , don’t fovever remain marginalized within these shores.That is a much larger question than what should happen with undocumented workers, or how best to secure the border, and it is one that affects not only newcomers but groups that have been here for generations. It will have more impact on our future than where we decide to set the admissions bar for the lasest ware of would-be Americans. And it would be nice if we finally got the answer right.57.How were immigrants viewed by U.S. Congress in early days?A)They were of inferior races.B)They were a Source of political corruption.C)They were a threat to the nation’s security.D)They were part of the nation’s bloodstream.58.What does the author think of the new immigrants?A)They will be a dynamic work force in the U.S.B)They can do just as well as their predecessors.C)They will be very disappointed on the new land.D)They may find it hard to fit into the mainstream.59.What does Edward Telles’ research say about Mexican-Americans?A)They may slowlu improve from generation to generation.B)They will do better in terms of deucationl attainment.C)They will melt into the African-American community.D)They may forever remain poor and underachieving.60.What should be done to help the new immigrants?A)Rid them of their inferiority complex.B)Urge them to adopt American customs.C)prevent them from being marginalized.D)Teach them standard American English.61.According to the author,the burning issue concerning immigrationg is_______.A)how to deal with people entering the U.S. without documentsB)how to help immigrants to better fit into American societyC)how to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the corderD)how to limit the number of immigrants to enter the U.S.Part VIndividuals and businesses have legal protection for intellectual property they create and own . intellectual proper _62_from creative thinking and 62. A. retrieves B.deviatesC.resultsD.departsmay include products, 63 processes, and ideas. 63. A. services B.reserversC.assumptionsD.motionsIntellectual property is protected 64 misapproprition(盗用). 64. A. for B.withMisappropriation is taking the Intellectual propetty of others C.by D.fromwithour ____65____ compensation and using it for monetary gain. 65. A. sound B.partialC.dueD.randomLegal protection is provided for the ___66___of 66. ers B.owners intellectual propetty. The three common types of legal C.masters D.executives protection are patents, copyrights, and trademarks.Patents provide exclusive use of inventions.If the u.s patent office __67__ a patent, it is 67.A. affords B. affiliatesC. fundsD.grantsconfirmind that the intellectual property is ___68____. 68. A. solemn B.soberThe patent prevents others from making ,using, or C.unique D. universalselling the invention without the owner’s __69___ for 69. A. perspective B.permission a period of 20 years. C. conformity D. consensusCopyright are similar to patents __70___that 70. A.except B.besidesthey are applied to artistic works. A copyright protects C.eyond D.despitethe creator of an __71___artisitic or intellectual 71.A. absolute B. alternative work, such as a song or a novel. A copyright gives C. original D.orthodoxthe owner wxclusive rights to copy, __72___ display, 72. A. presume Bstimulateor perform the work . the copyright prevents C. nominate D.distribute others from using and selling the work , the __73___ 73. A. range B. lengthof a copyright is typically the lifetime of the author C.scale D. extent74 an additional 70 years. 74 A) plus C) viaTrademarks are words, names, or symbols that B) versus D) untilIdentify the manufacturer of a product and 75 it 75 A) distract C) distinguishfrom similar goods of others. A servicemark is B)differ D)disconnectsimilar to a trademark 76 is used to identify 76 A) or C) soservices. A trademark prevents others from using B) but D) whereasthe 77 or a similar word, name, or symbol to 77 A) identical C) literalB) analogical D) paralleltake advantage of the recognition and 78 of the 78 A) ambiguity C) popularitybrand or to create confusion in the marketplace. B) utilityD) proximity79 registration, a trademark is usually granted 79 A) From C) BeforeB) Over D) Uponfor a period of ten years. It can be 80 for 80 A)recurred C) recalledB) renewed D) recoveredadditional ten-year periods indefinitely as 81 as 81 A)long C) farthe mark’s use continues. B)soon D) wellPart VI Translation (5 minutes)Directions: Complete the sentences by translating into English the Chinese given in brackets.Please write your translation on Answer Sheet 2注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答，只需写出译文部分。

2008年12月六级听力原文及答案2008-12-20 来源：新东方短对话11.M: I am asked to pick up the guest speaker Bob Russell at the airport this afternoon? Do you know what he looks like?W: Well, he is in his 60th. He stands out. He is bald, tall and thin, and he has a beard.Q: What can we conclude from the woman's remark about Bob Russell.12.M: I am considering dropping my dancing class. I am not making any progress.W: If I were you, I stick with it. It's definitely worth time and effort.Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?13.M: You see, I still have this pain in my back, this medicine the doctor gave me was supposed to make me feel better by now.W: Maybe you should take 3 times a day as you were told.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?14.M: Frankly, when I sat the back of the classroom, I can't see the words on the board clearly.W: Well, you've been wearing those same glasses as long as I've known you. Why not get a new pair? It wouldn't cost you too much.Q: What does the woman imply about the man's glasses?15.M: How come the floor is so wet? I almost slipped. What happened?W: Oh, sorry. The phone rang the moment I got into the shower. Anyway, I'll wipe it right now.Q: Why was the floor wet according to the man?16.M: The instructions on the package said you need to do some assembly yourself.I spent all afternoon trying in vain to put this bookcase together.W: I know what you mean. Last time I tried to assemble a toy train for my son and I almost gave up.Q: What does the man find difficult?17.M: I am getting worried about Jeanie's school work. All she talks about these days is volleyball games. And all she does is practice training and things like that.W: Her grades on the coming exams will fall for sure. It's high time we talked some sense into her.Q: What are the speaker probably going to do?18.M: Do you understand why the local people are opposed to the new dam up the river?W: They are worried about the potential dangers when the dam should break. The river is very wide above the proposed site.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?长对话Longer conversationsW: Mr. White, What changes have you seen in the champagne market in the last ten to fifteen years?M: well , the biggest change has been the decrease in sales since the great boom years in 1980s when champagne production and sales reached record levels.W: Which was the best year?M: Well, the record was in 1989 when 249 million bottles of champagne was sold. The highest production level was reached in 1990 with a total of 293 million bottles. Of course since those boom years , sales have fallen.W: Has the marker been badly hit by the recession?M: Oh, certainly. The economic problems in champagne's export ? markets that's Europe , the United States ,Japan, and of course , the domestic market in France. The economic problems have certainly been one reason for the decrease in champagne sales.W:And the other reasons?M:Another important factor has been price. In the early 90s, champagne was veryoverpriced, so many people stopped buying it. Instead, they bought sparkling wines from other countries, in particular, from Australia, and Spain. And then, there was another problem for champagne in early 90s.W: What was that?M: There was a lot of rather bad champagne on the market. This meant the popularity of good sparkling wines increased even more. People were surprised by their quality, and of course they were a lot cheaper than champagne.W: Do you think the champagne market will recover in the future?M: Oh, I am sure it will. When the economic situation improves, I believe the market will recover.Q19: What does the man say about champagne in 1990s?Q20: Why sparkling wine more popular than champagne in early 1990s?Q21: What dose the man think of the champagne market in the future?W: Right, well, in the studio this morning, for our interview spot is Peter Wilson. Peter works for Green Peace. So, Peter, welcome.M: Thanks a lot. It's good to be here.W: Great! Now, Peter, perhaps you can tell us something about Green Peace and your job there.M: Sure. Well, I'll start by telling you roughly what Green Peace is all about.I actually work in London for the Green Peace organization. We've been going fora few decades and we're a non-violent, non-political organization. We're involved in anti-nuclear activity, conservation and protection of animals and protection and support of our eco-system. I'm the action organizer and arrange any protests.W: Right! A pretty important role, Peter. What sort of protest would you organize?M: Well, recently we've been involved in anti-nuclear campaigns. I, personally arranged for the demonstration against radioactive waste dumping in the Atlantic Ocean. We've got a few small Green Peace boats that we harass the dumping ship with.W: Say? Hold on, Peter. I thought you said your organization was non-violent. What do you mean by "harass"?M: Well, we circle round and round the ships and get in the way when they try to dump the drums of nuclear waste in the sea. We talk to the men and try to change, you know, yell at them to stop. We generally make ourselves as much of a nuisance as possible.M: Well, people may think differently of your methods, but there's no doubt you're doing a great job. Keep it up and good luck. And thanks for talking with us.W: Thanks for having me.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. What is the man's chief responsibility in the Green Peace organization?23. What has Green Peace been involved in recently?24. How does Green Peace try to stop people from dumping nuclear waste?25. What is the woman's attitude towards the Green Peace's campaigns?短文Passage One:To find out what the weather is going to be, most people go straight to the radio, television, or newspaper, to get an expert weather forecast. But if you know what to look for, you can use your own senses to make weather predictions. There're many science that can help you. For example, in fair weather, the air pressure is generally high, the air is still, and often full of dust. And far away objects may look vague. But when a storm is blowing, the pressure drops, and you are often able to see things more clearly. Sailors took note of this long ago, and came up with a saying:" The farther the sight, the nearer the rain." Your sense of smell can also help you detect weather changes. Just before it rains, odors become stronger. This is because odors are repressed in a fair high pressure center. When a bad weather low moves in, air pressure lessens, and odors are released. You can also hear an approaching storm. Sounds bounce off heavy storm clouds and return to earth with increased force. An old saying describes to this way:" Sound traveling far and wide, a stormy day will be tied." And don't laugh at your grandmother if she says she can feel a storm coming. It is commonly known that many people feel pains in their bones or joints when humidity rises. The pressure drops, and bad weather is on the way.26. Why does the speaker say we can see far away objects more clearly as a storm is approaching?27. What does the speaker want to show by quoting a couple of old sayings?28. What does the passage mainly talk about?Passage Two:Many days seem to bring numerous tasks and responsibilities. All of which apparently must be tackled right away. You spend a day putting out files, but by the end of the day, you haven't accomplished any of the really important things you set out to do. In desperation, you draft a "to-do" list, but most days, you can make little progress with it. When you look at the list each morning, a big fat cloud of doom is right at the top. Those difficult, complex, important tasks, that are so crucial to get done, and so easy to avoid. Plenty of us create a "to-do" list to address feelings of being overwhelmed, but we rarely use these tools to their best effect. They wind out being guilt-provoking reminders of the fact that will over-committed and losing control of our priorities. According to T.P, a professor of psychology at Carlton University in Ottawa, people often draw up a "to-do" list, and then that's it. The list itself becomes the day's achievement, allowing us to feel we've done something useful without taking on any real work. In fact, drawing up the list becomes a way of avoiding the work itself. Too often, the list is seen as the accomplishment for the day, reducing the immediate guilt of not working on the tasks at hand by investing energy in the list, says P. When a list is used like this, it's simply another way in which we lie to ourselves.29. What is the problem that troubles many people nowadays according to the speaker?30. According to the speaker, what too many people do to cope with their daily tasks?31. According to psychologist T.P, what do people find by the end of the day?Passage 3In many stressful situations, the body's responses can improve our performance. We become more energetic, more alert, better able to take effective action. But when stress is encountered continually, the body's reactions are more likely to be harmful than helpful to us. The continual speeding up of bodily reactions and production of stress related hormones seem to make people more susceptible to heart disease. And stress reactions can reduce the disease fighting effectiveness of the body's immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to illnesses ranging from colds to cancer. Stress may also contribute to disease in less direct ways by influencing moods and behavior. People under stress may become anxious or depressed, and as a result may eat too much or too little, have sleep difficulties or fail to exercise. These behavioral changes may in turn be harmful to the health. In addition, people are more likely to pay attention to certain bodily sensations such as aches and pains when they are under stress and to think that they're sick. If the person were not under stress, the same bodily sensations might not be perceived as symptoms and the person might continue to feel well. Some researchers have suggested that assuming the role of a sick person is one way in which certain people try to cope with stress. Instead of dealing with the stressful situation directly, these people fall sick. After all, it is often more acceptably in our society to be sick and to seek medical help than it is to admit that one can not cope with the stresses of life.32. What does the speaker say about people who encounter stress once in a while?33. What does the speaker say frequent stress reactions may lead to?34. What are people more likely to do when they are under stress?35. What does the passage mainly talk about?复合式听写One of the most common images of an advanced, Western-style culture is that of a busy, traffic-filled city. Since their first (36) appearance on American roadways, automobiles have become a (37) symbol of progress, a source of thousands of jobs and an almost inalienable right for citizens’ pers onal freedom of movement. In recent (38) decades, our “love affair” with the car is being (39) exported directly to the developing world, and it is increasingly (40) apparent that this transfer is leading to disaster.American’s almost complete dependence o n automobiles has been a terrible mistake. As late as the 1950s, a large (41) percentage of the American public used mass transit. A (42) combination of public policy decisions and corporate scheming saw to it that countless (43) convenient and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dismantled. (44) Our air quality now suffers from the effects of pollutants emitted directly from our cars. Our lives have been planned along a road grid -- homes far from work, shopping far from everything, with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail. (45) The problems caused by motorized vehicles in the West are often magnified in developing nations. Pollution control measures are either not strict or nonexistent, leading to choking clouds of smog. Gasoline still contains lead, which is extremely poisonous to humans.(46) Movement in some cities comes to a virtual standstill as motorized traffic competes with bicycles and pedestrians.In addition to pollution and traffic jams, auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations.听力答案11. A) He is quite easy to recognize.12. C) Continue her dancing class.13. D) The woman may not have followed t he doctor’s instructions.14. C) They no longer suit his eyesight.15. D) He rushed out of the bath to answer the phone.16. D) Assembling the bookcase.17. A) Urge Jenny to spend more time on study.18. C) The local people feel insecure about the dam.19. B) Its production and sales reached record levels.20. A) They cost less.21. C) It is bound to revive.22. A) Organising protests.23. C) Anti-nuclear campaigns.24. A) By harassing them.25. D) Supportive.26. B) The air pressure is low.27. C) People knew long ago how to predict the weather.28. B) People can predict the weather by their senses.29. D) They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.30. B) Draw a detailed to-do list.31. A) They have accomplished little.32. A) Their performance may improve.33. B) Increased susceptibility to disease.34. D) Pay more attention to bodily sensations.35. C) The relationship between stress and illness.36 appearance37 symbol38 decades39 exported40 apparent41 percentage42 combination43 convenient44 Our air quality now suffers from the effects of pollutants emitted directly from our cars.45 The problems caused by motorized vehicles in the West are often magnified in developing nations.46 Movement in some cities comes to a virtual standstill as motorized traffic competes with bicycles and pedestrians.。

2008年12月Cet-6听力原文、答案与详解Listening ComprehensionSECTION A8 short conversations11.A) He is quite easy to recognize.B) He is an outstanding speaker.C) He looks like a movie star.D) He looks young for his age.答案：AM:I’m asked to pick up the guest speaker Bob Russel at the airport this afternoon; do you know what he looks like?W:Well, he’s in his sixties, he stands out, he’s bald, tall and thin and has a beard(络腮胡).Q:What do we conclude from the woman’s remarks about Bob Russel?12.A) consult her dancing teacherB) take a more interesting classC) continue her dancing classD) improve her dancing skills答案：CM:I am considering dropping my dancing class. I am not making any progress.W:If I were you, I stick with it. It’s definitely worth time and effort.Q:What does the man suggest the woman do?13.A) the man did not believe what the woman saidB) the man accompanied the woman to the hospitalC) the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injuryD) the woman may not followed the doctor’s instructions答案：DW:You see I still have this pain in my back, this medicine the doctor gave me was supposed to make me feel better by now.M:Maybe you should’ve taken it three times a day as you were told.Q:What do we learn from the conversation?14.A) they are not in style（别具风格的，时髦的）any moreB) they have cost him far too muchC) they no longer suit his eyesightD) they should be cleaned regularly答案：CM:Frankly, when I sat the back of the classroom, I can’t see the words on the board clearly.W:Well, you’ve been wearing those same glasses as long as I’ve known you. Why not get a new pair? It wouldn’t cost you too much.Q:What does the woman imply about the man’s glasses?15.A) he spilled his drink onto the floorB) he has just finished wiping the floorC) he was caught in a shower on his way homeD) he rushed out of the bath to answer the phone答案：DW:How come the floor is so wet? I almost slipped, what happened?M:Oh, sorry! The phone rang the moment I got into the shower; anyway, I’ll wipe it up right now.Q:Why was the floor wet according to the man?16.A) fixing some furnitureB) repairing the toy trainC) reading the instructionsD) assembling the bookcase答案：DM:The instructions on the package say that you need to do some assembly yourself.I’ve spent all afternoon trying in vain to put this bookcase together.W:I know what you mean, last time I tried to assemble(装配，组装) a toy train for my son and I almost gave up.Q:What does the man find difficult?17.A) urge Jenny to spend more time on studyB) help Jenny to prepare for the coming examsC) act towards Jenny in a more sensible wayD) send Jenny to a volleyball training center答案：AM:I’m getting worried about Jenny’s school work. All she talks about these days is volleyball games and all she does is practice, training and things like that.W:Her grades on the coming exams will fall for sure. It’s high time we talk(ed) some sense to her.Q:What are the speakers probably going to do?18.A) The building of the dam needs a large budgetB) The proposed site is near the residential areaC) The local people feel insecure about the damD) The dam poses a threat to the local environment答案：CW:Do you understand why the local people are opposed to the new dam (水坝) up the river?M:They are worried about the potential danger if the dam should break. The river is very wide above the proposed site.Q:What do we learn from the conversation?2 long conversationsConversation 1W:Mr. White, what changes have you seen in the champagne market in the last ten to fifteen years?M:Well the biggest change has been the decrease in sales since the great boom (（贸易和经济活动的）激增，繁荣) years of the 1980s when champagne production and sales reached record levels.W:Which was the best year?M:Well the record was in 1989 when 249 million bottles of champagne was sold.The highest production level was reached in 1990 with a total of 293 million bottles. Of course since those boom years(景气年份；繁荣时期)sales have fallen.W:Has the market been badly hit by the recession (（经济的）衰退，衰退期)? M:Oh certainly, the economic problems in champagnes’ export markets that’s Europe, the United States, Japan, and of course the domestic market in France, the economic problems have certainly been one reason for the decrease in champagne sales.W:And the other reasons?M:Another important factor has been price. In the early 90s, champagne was very overprice d（v.将…标价过高，索价过高）, so many people stop buying it. Instead they bought sparkling wines (起泡酒；汽酒)from other countries, in particular from Australia and Spain. And then there was another problem for champagne in the early 90s.W:What was that?M:There was a lot of rather bad champagne on the market. This meant the popularity of good sparkling wines increased even more. People was surprised by their quality and of course they were a lot cheaper than champagne.W:Do you think the champagne market will recover in the future?M:Oh, I’m sure it will. When the economic situation improves, I believe the market will recover.19.What does the man say about champagne in the 1980s?A. It saw the end of its booming years worldwideB. Its production and sales reached record levels.C. It became popular in some foreign countriesD. Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.答案：B20.Why did sparkling wines become more popular than champagne in the early 90s?A. They cost less.B. They tasted better.C. They were in fashion.D. They were widely advertised.答案：A21.What does the man think of the champagne market in the future?A. It is sure to fluctuate.B. It will remain basically stable.C. It is bound to revive.D. It will see no more monopoly答案：CConversation 2W: Right, well, in the studio this morning, for our interview spot is Peter Wilson.Peter works for Green Peace. So, Peter, welcome.M: Thanks a lot. It’s good to be here.W: Great! Now, Peter, perhaps you can tell us something about Green Peace and your job there.M: Sure. Well, I’ll start by telling you roughly what Green Peace is all about. I actually work in London for the Green Peace organization. We’ve been going fora few decades and we’re a non-violent, non-political organization. We’re involvedin anti-nuclear activity, conservation(对自然环境的保护) and protection ofanimals and protection and support of our eco-system. I’m the action organizer and arrange any protests.W: Right! A pretty important role, Peter. What sort of protest would you organize? M: Well, recently we’ve been involved in anti-nuclear campaigns. I, personally arranged for the demonstration against radioactive（放射性的）waste dumping in the Atlantic Ocean. We’ve got a few small Green Peace boats that weharass（不断攻击（敌人）；骚扰，侵袭）the dumping ship with.W: Say? Hold on, Peter. I thought you said your organization was non-violent. What do you mean by “harass”?M: Well, we circle round and round the ships and get in the way when they try to dump the drums（（装油或化学剂的）大桶）of nuclear waste in the sea. We talk to the men and try to change, you know, yell at them to stop. We generally make ourselves as much of a nuisance as possible.M: Well, people may think differently of your methods, but there’s no doubt you’re doing a great job. Keep it up and good luck. And thanks for talking with us.22.What is the man’s chief responsibility in the Green Peace organization?A. Organising protestsB. Recruiting membersC. Acting as its spokesman.D. Saving endangered animals.答案：A23.What has Green Peace been involved in recently?A. Anti-animal-abuse demonstrationsB. Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorC. Anti-nuclear campaignsD. Removing industrial waste.答案：C24.How does Green Peace try to stop people from dumping nuclear waste?A. By harassing them.B. By appealing to the publicC. By taking legal action.D. By resorting to force.答案：A25.What is the woman’s attitude towards the Green Peace’s campaigns?A. DoubtfulB. Reserved（adj.预订的; 矜持的）C. Indifferent.D. Supportive答案：DSECTION BpassagesPassage oneTo find out what the weather is going to be, most people go straight to the radio, television, or newspaper to get an expert weather forecast. But if you know what to look for, you can use your own senses to make weather predictions. There are manysigns that can help you. For example, in fair(（风向）顺的，（天气）晴朗的) weather the air pressure is generally high, the air is still and often full of dust, and faraway objects may look vague(adj.模糊的). But when the storm is brew ing(v.酝酿), the pressure drops, and you are often able to see things more clearly. Sailors took note of this long ago, and came up with the saying, “The farther the sight, the nearer the rain.（看得越远,风雨越近）” Your sense of smell can also help you detect the weather changes. Just before it rains, odor s（n.气味）become stronger, this is because odors are repress ed（v.抑制; 压抑; 镇压）in a fair high pressure center.When a bad weather low moves in, air pressure lessen s(v.变小，减弱) and odors are released. You can also hear an approaching storm. Sounds bounce off heavy storm clouds and return to earth with increased force. An old saying describes it this way, “Sounds traveling far and wide a stormy day will be tied”（声音传得远而广,暴风雨就不远了）. And don’t laugh at your grandmother if she says she can feel a storm coming. It is commonly known that many people feel pains in their bones orjoints while the humidity((空气中的)湿度)rises, the pressure drops, and badweather is on the way.26.Why does the speaker say we can see far away objects more clearly as a storm isapproaching?A. The air becomes still.B. The air pressure is low.C. The clouds block the sun.D. The sky appears brighter.答案：B27.What does the speaker want to show by quoting a couple of old sayings?A. Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B. Sailors’ saying about the weather are unreliable.C. People knew long ago how to predict the weather.D. It was easier to forecast the weather in the old days.答案：C28.What does the passage mainly talk about?A. Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B. People can predict the weather by their sensesC. Who are the real experts in weather forecast.D. Weather changes affect people’s life remarkably答案：BPassage twoMany days seem to bring numerous tasks and responsibilities. All of which apparently must be tackled right away. You spend a day putting out files, but by the end of the day, you haven’t accomplished any of the really important things you set out to do. In desperation, you draft a “to-do” list, but most days, you can make little progress with it. When you look at the list each morning, a big fat cloud of doom(n.厄运; 命运; 死亡) is right at the top. Those difficult, complex, important tasks, that are so crucial to get done, and so easy to avoid. Plenty of us create a “to-do” list to address feelings of being overwhelme d（v.压倒; 压垮; 淹没）, but we rarely use these tools to their best effect. They wind out（使摆脱，解救）being guilt-provoking reminders of the fact that we are over-commit ted（使做出过分承诺，使过分承担义务；使卷入过深）and losing control of our priorities. According to Timothy Pikle, a professor of psychology at Carlton University in Ottawa, people often draw up a “to-do” list, and then that’s it. The list itself becomes the day’s achievement, allowing us to feel we’ve done something useful without taking on any real work. In fact, drawing up the list becomes a way of avoiding the work itself. Too often, the list is seen as the accomplishment for the day, reducing the immediate guilt of not working on the tasks at hand by investing energy in the list, says Pikle. When a list is used like this, it’s simply another way in which we lie to ourselves.29.What is the problem that troubles many people nowadays according to thespeaker?A. They often feel insecure about their jobs.B. They are unable to decide what to do first.C. ?D. They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.答案：D30.According to the speaker, what too many people do to cope with their daily tasks?A. Analyze them rationally.B. Draw a detailed to-do list.C. Turn to others for help.D. Handle them one by one.答案：B31.According to psychologist Timothy Pikle, what do people find by the end of the day?A. They have accomplished little.B. They feel utterly exhausted.C. They have worked out a way to relax.D. They no longer feel any sense of guilt.答案：APassage ThreeIn many stressful situations, the body’s responses can improve our performance. We become more energetic, more alert, better able to take effective action. But when stress is encountered continually, the body’s reactions are more likely to be harmful than helpful to us. The continual speeding up of bodily reactions and production of stress related hormones seem to make people more susceptible(易受……影响的) to heart disease. And stress reactions can reduce the disease fighting effectiveness of the body’s immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility(易受影响或损害的状态) to illnesses ranging from colds to cancer. Stress may also contribute to disease in less direct ways by influencing moods and behavior. People under stress may become anxious or depressed, and as a result may eat too much or too little, have sleep difficulties or fail to exercise. These behavioral changes may in turn be harmful to the health. In addition, people are more likely to pay attention to certain bodily sensations such as aches and pains when they are under stress and to think that they’re sick. If the person were not under stress, the same bodily sensations might not be perceived as symptoms and the person might continue to feel well. Some researchers have suggested that assuming the role of a sick person is one way in which certain people try to cope with stress. Instead of dealing with the stressful situation directly, these people fall sick. After all, it is often more acceptably in our society to be sick and to seek medical help than it is to admit that one can not cope with the stresses of life.32.What does the speaker say about people who encounter stress once in a while?A. Their performance may improve.B. Their immune system may be reinforcedC. Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.D. Their physical development may be enhanced.答案：A33.What does the speaker say frequent stress reactions may lead to?A. Improved mental functioningB. Increased susceptibility to diseaseC. Speeding up of blood circulationD. Reduction of stress-related hormones答案：B34.What are people more likely to do when they are under stress?A. Pretend to be in better shape.B. Have more physical exercise.C. Turn more often to friends for helpD. Pay more attention to bodily sensations.答案：D35.What does the passage mainly talk about?A. Different approaches to coping with stress.B. Various causes for serious health problems.C. The relationship between stress and illness.D. New finding of medical research on stress.答案：CSECTION COne of the most common images of an advanced, Western-style culture is that of a busy, traffic-filled city. Since their first（36）appearance on American roadways, automobiles have become a（37）symbol of progress, a source of thousands of jobs and an almost inalienable right for citizens’ personal freedom of movement. In recent（38）decades, our “love affair” with the car is being（39）exported directly to the developing world, and it is increasingly（40）apparent that this transfer is leading to disaster.American’s almost complete dependence on automobiles has been a terrible mistake. As late as the 1950s, a large（41）percentage of the American public used mass transit（公共交通，公共交通工具（总称），大量客运）. A（42）combination of public policy decision s（公共政策决策）and corporate scheming（企业策划）saw to it that countless（43）convenient and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dismantle d（拆除）.（44）Our air quality now suffers from the effects of pollutants emitted directly from our cars.Our lives have been planned along a road grid — homes far from work, shopping far from everything, with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail.（45）The problems caused by motorized vehicles in the West are often magnified（adj.放大了的）in developing nations.Pollution control measures are either not strict or nonexistent, leading to choking clouds of smog. Gasoline still contains lead（n.铅）, which is extremely poisonous to humans.（46）Movement in some cities comes to a virtual standstill（n.停顿; 停止，停滞）as motorized traffic competes with bicycles and pedestrian s（n.行人; 步行者）.In addition to pollution and traffic jams, auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations.。

2008年12月大学英语六级考试听力原文Section A11.M:I am as ked to pick up the guest speaker Bob Russell at the airport this afternoon.Do you know what he lookslike?W:Well,he is in his sixties.He stands out.He is bald,tall and thin,and has a beard.Q:What do we conclude from the woman's remarks about Bob Russell?12.W:I am cons idering dropping my dancing class.I am not making any progress.M:If I were you,Fd stick with it.It's definitely worth the time and effort.Q:What does the man suggest the woman do?13.W:You see,I still have this pain in my back,this medicine the doctor gave me was supposed to make me feelbetter by now.M:Maybe you should have taken it three times a day as you were told.Q:What do we leam from the conversation?14.M:Frankly,when I sit at the back of the classroom,I can't see the words on the board clearly.W:Well,youVe been wearing those same glasses as long as I've known you.W hy not get a new pair?It won't cost you too much.Q:What does the woman imply about the man's glasses?15.W:How come the floor is so wet?I almost s lipped.W hat happened?M:Oh,sorry.The phone rang the moment I got into the shower.Anyway,I'll wipe it up right now.Q:Why was the floor wet according to the man?16.M:The instructions on the package say that you need to do some assembly yourself.I've spent all afternoontrying in vain to put this bookcase together.W:I know what you st time I tried to assemble a toy train for my son and I almost gave up.Q:What does the man find difficult?17.M:I am getting worried about Jenny's school work.A ll she talks about these days is volleyball games and allshe does i s practice,training and things like that.W:Her grades on the coming exams will fall for sure.It's high time we talked some sense into her.Q:What are the speakers probably going to do?18.M:Do you understand why the local people are opposed to the new dam up the river?W:They are worried about the potential danger if the dam should break.The river is very wide above the proposed site.Q:What do we leam from the conversation?Conversation OneW:Mr.White,what changes have you seen in the champagne market in the last ten to fifteen years?M:Well,the biggest change has been the decrease in sales since the great boom years of the1980s when champagne production and sales reached record levels.W:Which was the best year?M:Well,the record was in1989when249million bottles of champagne were sold.The highest production level was reached in1990with a total of293million bottles.Of course since those boom years,sales have fallen.W:Has the market been badly hit by the recession?M:Oh,certainly.The economic problems in champagne's export markets,that's Europe,the United States,Japan,and of course,the domestic market in France.The economic problems have certainly been one reason for the decrease in champagne sales.W:And the other reasons?M:Another important factor has been price.In the early90s,champagne was very overpriced,so many people stopped buying it.Instead,they bought sparkling wines from other countries,in particular,from Australia,andSpain.And then,there was another problem for champagne in the early90s.W:What was that?M:There was a lot of rather bad champagne on the market.This meant the popularity of good sparkling wines increased even more.People were surprised by their quality,and of course they were a lot cheaper thanchampagne.W:Do you think the champagne market will recover in the future?M:Oh,r m sure it will.When the economic situation improves,I believe the market will recover.Questions19to21are based on the conversation you have just heard.19.What does the man say about champagne in the1980s?20.Why did sparkling wines become more popular than champagne in the early90s?21.What does the man think of the champagne market in the future?Conversation TwoW:Right,well,in the studio this morning,for our interview spot is Peter Wilson.Peter works for Green Peace.So，Peter,welcome.M:Thanks a lot.It's good to be here.W:Great!Now,Peter,perhaps you could tell us something about Green Peace and your job there.M:Sure.Well,I'll start by telling you roughly what Green Peace is all about.I actually work in London for the Green Peace organization.We've been going for a few decades and we're a non-violent,non-political organization.We're involved in anti-nuc lear activity,conservation and protection of animals and protection and support of our eco¬system.I'm the action organizer and arrange any protests.W:Right!A pretty important role,Peter.What sort of protest would you organize?M:Well,recently we've been involved in anti-nuclear campaigns.I,personally arranged for the demonstration againstradioactive waste dumping in the Atlantic Ocean.We've got a few small Green Peace boats that we harassed thedumping ships with.W:Say?Hold on,Peter.I thought you said your organization was non-violent.What do you mean by“harass，，？M:Well,we circle round and round the ships and get in the way when they try to dump the drums of nuc lear waste inthe sea.We talk to the men and try to change,you know,yell at them to stop.We generally make ourselves asmuch of a nuisance as possible.W:Well,people may think differently of your methods but there's no doubt you're doing a great job.Keep it up and good luck.And thanks for talking w ith us.M:Thanks for having me.Questions22to25are based on the conversation you have just heard.22.What i s the man's chief responsibility in the Green Peace organization?23.What has Green Peace been involved in recently?24.How does Green Peace try to stop people from dumping nuc lear waste?25.What i s the woman's attitude towards the Green Peace's campaigns?Section BPassage OneTo find out what the weather is going to be, most people go straight to the radio, televis ion, or newspaper, to get an expert weather forecast. But if you know what to look for, you can use your own senses to make weather predictions. There're many signs that can help you. For example, in fair weather, the air pressure is generally high, the air is still, and often full o f dust. And faraway objects may look vague. But when a storm is brewing, the press ure drops, and you are often able to see things more clearly. Sailors took note of this long ago, and came up with the saying: "The farther the sight, the nearer the rain.” Your sense of smell can also help you detect weather changes. Just before it rains, odors become stronger. This is because odors are repressed in a fair high pressure center. When a bad weather low moves in, air pressure lessens, and odors are released. You can also hear an approaching storm. Sounds bounce off heavy storm clouds and return to earth with increased force. A n old saying describes it this way: “Sound traveling far and wide, a stormy day will be tied." A nd don't laugh at your grandmother if she says she can feel a storm coming. It is commonly known that many people feel pains in their bones or joints when the humidity rises. The pressure drops, and bad weather is on the way.Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. W hy does the speaker say we can see far away objects more clearly as a storm is approaching?27. W hat does the speaker want to show by quoting a couple of old sayings?28. W hat does the passage mainly talk about?Passage TwoMany days seem to bring numerous tasks and responsibilities , all o f which apparently must be tackled right away. You spend a day putting out fires, but by the end of the day, you haven't accomplis hed any of the really important things you set out to do. In desperation, you draft a to-do list, but most days ，you can make little progress with it. W hen you look at the list each morning, a big fat cloud of doom is right at the top ——those difficult, complex, important tasks, that are so crucial to get done and so easy to avoid. Plenty of us create a to-do list to address feelings of being overwhelmed, but we rarely use these tools to their best effect. They wind out being guilt-provoking reminders o f the fact that we're over-committed and losing control of our priorities. A ccording to Timothy Pychyl, a professor of psychology at Carlton Univers ity in Ottawa, people often draw up a to-do list, and then that's it. The list itself becomes the day's achievement, allowing us to feel we've done something useful without taking on any real work. In fact, drawing up the list becomes a way of avoiding the work itself. “Too often, the list is seen as the accomplishment for the day, reducing the immediate guilt of not working on the tasks at hand by investing energy in the list. ” says Pychyl, "W hen a list is used like this, it's simply another way in which we lie to ourselves."Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. W hat is the problem that troubles many people nowadays according to the speaker?30. A ccording to the speaker, what do many people do to cope with their daily tas ks?31. A ccording to psychologist Timonthy Pychyl, what do people find by the end of the day?Passage ThreeIn many stressful situations, the body's responses can improve our performance. We become more energetic, more alert, better able to take effective action. But when stress is encountered continually, the body's reactions are more likely to be harmful than helpful to us. The continual speeding up o f bodily reactions and production of stress-related hormones seem to make people more susceptible to heart disease. A nd stress reactions can reduce the disease-fighting effectiveness of the body's immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to illnesses ranging from colds to cancer. Stress may also contribute to disease in less direct ways by influencing moods and behavior. People under stress maybecome anxious or depressed,and as a result may eat too much or too little,have sleep difficulties or fail to exercise. These behavioral changes may in turn be harmful to their health.In addition,people are more likely to pay attention to certain bodily sensations such as aches and pains when they are under stress and to think that they're s ick.If the person were not under stress,the same bodily sensations might not be perceived as symptoms and the pers on might continue to feel well.Some researchers have suggested that assuming the role of a sick person is one way in which certain people try to cope with stress.Instead of dealing with the stressful s ituation directly,these people fall sick.After all,it is often more acceptably in our society to be s ick and to seek medical help than it is to admit that one cannot cope with the stresses of life.Questions32to35are based on the passage you have just heard.32.W hat does the speaker say about people who encounter stress once in a while?33.W hat does the speaker say frequent stress reactions may lead to?34.W hat are people more likely to do when they are under stress?35.W hat does the passage mainly talk about?Section COne o f the most common images of an advanced,Western-style culture is that of a busy,traffic-filled city.Since their first appearance on A merican roadways,automobiles have become a symbol of progress,a source o f thousands of jobs,and an almost inalienable right for citizens'personal freedom of movement.In recent decades,our……love affair，，with the car is being exported directly to the developing world and it is increasingly apparent that this trans fer is leading to disaster.A merica's almost complete dependence on automobiles has been a terrible mistake.As late as the1950s,a large percentage o f the A merican public used mass transit.A combination of public policy decisions and corporate scheming saw to it that countless convenient and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dis mantled.Our air quality now suffers from the effects of pollutants emitted directly from our car s.Our lives have been planned along a road grid一homes far from work,shopping far from everything,with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail.The problems caused by motorized vehicles in the Wes t are often magnified in developing nations.Pollution-control measures are either not strict or nonexistent,leading to choking clouds of smog.Gasoline still contains lead,which is extremely pois onous to humans.Movement in some cities comes to a virtual standstill as motorized traffic competes with bicycles and pedestrians.In addition to pollution and traffic ja ms,auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations.。

英语六级十二月考试真题第一套听力原文全文共10篇示例，供读者参考篇1Hey guys, guess what! I just listened to the first set of listening questions in the December Six Level Exam, and I'm gonna tell you all about it! So grab a snack and get ready to listen to my recap!First up, there was a conversation between two students about a school project. They talked about how they were going to divide the work and when they were going to meet next. It was pretty easy to follow along, so I think we all did well on that one.Next, there was a lecture about climate change. The professor talked about the causes and effects of global warming, as well as some possible solutions. It was a bit more challenging, but if you paid attention, you could pick out the main points.After that, there was a dialogue between a customer and a salesperson at a clothing store. They discussed the different sizes and colors available for a sweater. It was a straightforward conversation, so I don't think anyone had trouble with it.Then, there was a lecture about the history of Ancient Rome. The professor talked about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, as well as some of its key leaders. It was interesting to learn about, but it was definitely the hardest part of the listening test.Finally, there was a news report about a new technology that could change the way we communicate. The reporter interviewed some experts who explained how the technology worked and its potential impact on society. It was a cool topic to end on, and I think we all enjoyed listening to it.Overall, I think the listening test went pretty well. I hope you guys found my recap helpful, and remember to keep practicing your listening skills to improve for next time. Good luck, everyone!篇2Oh my gosh, guys! I just took the December 2020 English Six Level Listening Test and it was soooo crazy! I just have to tell you all about it.So, the first part was all about this girl named Emma who lost her phone at a concert. She was freaking out and trying to remember where she last had it. Her friend Sarah was helping herlook for it but they couldn't find it anywhere. In the end, it turned out that Emma had left it in the car. How silly!Next, there was this conversation between two students who were talking about their favorite classes. One of them loved math while the other preferred art. They discussed why they liked those classes and what they found challenging about them. It was interesting to hear their different perspectives.After that, there was a lecture about global warming and its effects on the environment. The professor talked about the causes of climate change and what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint. It was pretty eye-opening and made me realize how important it is to take care of our planet.The last part was a radio interview with a famous singer who was promoting her new album. She talked about the inspiration behind her songs and her upcoming tour. It was cool to hear her talk about her creative process and how she stays motivated.Overall, the listening test was tough but fun. I think I did pretty well, and I can't wait to see how I did when I get my results. Fingers crossed for a good score!篇3Hey guys, have you heard about the English 6th grade listening exam in December? It was super tough! But don't worry, I'm here to tell you all about it. The first set of questions was all about a conversation between two students talking about their summer vacation plans. They were chatting about going to the beach and hiking in the mountains. It sounded like so much fun!Then, there was a lecture about the history of the Great Wall of China. Did you know that it was built over 2,000 years ago? Crazy, right? It was so interesting to learn all about it. After that, there was a news report about a new technology that can help people with disabilities communicate better. How cool is that?Next up was a discussion between a professor and a student about climate change. They talked about how important it is to take care of the environment. It was really eye-opening! And finally, there was a conversation between a customer and a salesperson at a store. They were talking about a new product line that just came out. I wish I could go shopping there!Overall, the exam was pretty challenging, but I think we all did our best. I can't wait to see how we did. Keep practicing your listening skills, guys, and we'll ace the next one for sure!篇4Hello everyone! Today I'm going to tell you about the first set of listening questions from the December 6th Englishsix-level exam. Are you ready? Let's get started!First, the question was about a conversation between two friends named Lily and Mike. They were talking about their plans for the weekend. Lily wanted to go hiking in the mountains, but Mike wanted to stay home and watch movies. In the end, they decided to compromise and go to the zoo instead. It was a fun conversation and I think they made a good choice!Next, there was a news report about a new café opening in town. Th e café was going to serve organic food and specialty coffee. The reporter interviewed some people who were excited to try it out. It sounded like a cool place to hang out with friends.After that, there was a lecture about climate change. The speaker talked about the causes of global warming and the importance of taking action to protect the environment. It was really interesting and I learned a lot from it.Finally, there was a discussion between two students about a book they had to read for class. They both had different opinions about the ending, but they both agreed that it was a good story. It was cool to hear them talk about their thoughts on the book.Overall, I think the listening questions were pretty easy this time. I hope you all did well on the test and had fun listening to the recordings. Good luck everyone! See you next time!篇5Title: My Experience with the December 6th CET-6 Listening ExamHey everyone! Today I'm gonna tell you all about my experience with the CET-6 listening exam that I took on December 6th. It was super duper exciting and a little bit scary too, but I did my best and I think I did pretty well!So, the exam started off with a practice section where they played some easy-peasy conversations and asked us some questions about them. It was a good warm-up to get us ready for the real deal. Then, they played the first set of questions and I was like "Whoa, this is so fast!" But I tried to stay calm and listen carefully.The topics they talked about were all different, like travel, food, and even some history stuff. I had to really concentrate to catch all the details, but I think I got most of the answers right. There were some tricky ones though, like when they asked aboutthe speaker's opinion or the main idea of the talk. But I just went with my gut feeling and chose the best option.Overall, the exam was challenging but fun. I was super proud of myself for making it through and not freaking out too much. I'm pretty confident that I'll pass the listening section with flying colors!I can't wait to find out my score and see how well I did. I'm so glad I took the CET-6 exam and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Thanks for listening to my story, guys! Have a great day!篇6Oh my goodness, guys! I just took the December 6th CET-6 listening test and boy was it tough! But don't worry, I'm gonna break down the whole thing for you in this super cool and fun way!The first listening section was all about this girl named Emily who was looking for a part-time job. She was trying to decide between working at a bookstore or a restaurant. I was rooting for her to choose the bookstore because I love reading books too! It was so interesting to hear about all the different tasks she would have to do at each job.Next up was a conversation between two friends planning a trip to the beach. They were talking about what to bring, like sunscreen, towels, and snacks. I couldn't help but imagine myself hanging out on the sandy shore, enjoying the sun and waves. It sounded like so much fun!Then, there was a lecture about ancient Chinese inventions. The professor talked about things like papermaking, printing, and the compass. I was amazed to learn about how advanced Chinese civilization was back in the day. It made me proud to be Chinese!The last part was a discussion between a student and a professor about a research project on climate change. They were talking about the impact of global warming on our planet and what we can do to help. It was a wake-up call for me to start being more conscious of how my actions affect the environment.Overall, the listening test was challenging but also super interesting! I can't wait to see how I did on it. But no matter what, I had a blast listening to all the different speakers and topics. English is so cool, guys! Let's keep practicing and improving together!篇7Oh my gosh, guys! You won't believe what happened in the December 2021 first set of the English six-level listening test! It was super duper hard but also super fun at the same time!So, like, the first part was all about a girl named Emily who was planning a birthday party for her friend. She had to pick out decorations and a cake, and she even had to ask her friend's mom about her favorite color. It was so cool to listen to all the details and try to remember them all!Then, in the second part, there was a conversation between two students talking about their school project. It was all about saving the environment and planting trees. They talked about how important it is to take care of our planet and how everyone can do their part. It was really inspiring!After that, there was a lecture about the history of photography. It was so interesting to learn about how cameras were invented and how photography has evolved over the years.I never knew there were so many cool facts about cameras!Finally, there was a discussion between two people about a new restaurant in town. They talked about the menu and the atmosphere, and they even debated about what to order. It made me super hungry just listening to them talk about all the delicious food!Overall, the English six-level listening test was a crazy rollercoaster of emotions. It was challenging but also super fun and interesting. I can't wait to see what they come up with next time!篇8Sure! Here is the English version written in a morechild-friendly and conversational style:Hi there! So, I'm gonna tell you about this super duper hard test called the December 6th English proficiency test for adults. I know, it sounds so grown-up and serious, right? But don't worry, I'm gonna make it fun to read!So, in the test, you have to listen to a bunch of stuff like people talking on the phone, or giving presentations, or even having a debate. And then you have to answer questions about what you heard. It's like a big ol' game of "Guess What They Said!"But here's the tricky part – they talk real fast and use big words sometimes. Like, they might say something like "The logistical challenges of implementing sustainable practices in the urban environment." Whew, that's a mouthful! But don't worry, just focus and listen carefully, and you'll do great!Oh, and there's different sections in the test, like listening for gist, listening for details, and listening for opinions. It's like going on an adventure through different lands of listening skills!And guess what? You can even practice for the test by listening to English songs, watching English movies, or listening to podcasts. It's like training to be a listening superhero!So, if you ever have to take this test when you grow up, just remember to stay cool, listen carefully, and have fun with it! Who knows, you might even become an English listening champion one day! Good luck!篇9Hey guys! Today I want to tell you about the first set of listening questions from the December six-level exam. The listening section is always a bit tricky, but don't worry, I'll break it down for you.First, the questions were about a scientist giving a lecture on climate change. He talked about how global warming is affecting the environment and what we can do to help. He mentioned things like reducing our carbon footprint and using renewable energy sources.Next, there was a conversation between two students talking about their favorite books. One liked fiction while the other preferred non-fiction. They discussed the pros and cons of each genre and recommended some good books to each other.Then, there was a lecture about the history of ancient Egypt. The professor talked about the pyramids, mummies, and the pharaohs. It was really interesting to learn about the ancient civilization and how they lived.Lastly, there was a dialogue between a customer and a salesperson at a clothing store. The customer was looking for a specific size in a sweater but they didn't have it in stock. The salesperson suggested some alternatives and helped the customer find the right fit.Overall, the listening test was challenging but fun. Make sure to practice listening to English every day to improve your skills. Good luck on your exam!篇10Oh my goodness, you won't believe what happened in the December 2021 six-level English listening test! It was super duper hard but also kinda fun at the same time.The first part of the test was about a girl named Emily who was talking to her friend Tom about taking a trip to France. They were discussing what to do and where to go while they were there. Emily was really excited about visiting all the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum.In the second part, there was a conversation between a student and a professor talking about a research project on climate change. The student was asking a bunch of questions about the project and the professor was giving detailed answers about the methods and results of the research.Next, there was a lecture about the history of ancient Egypt. The speaker talked about the pyramids, the pharaohs, and the Nile River. It was so cool to learn about how the pyramids were built and how important the Nile was to the ancient Egyptians.After that, there was a discussion between two friends about the benefits of studying abroad. They talked about the cultural experiences, language skills, and career opportunities that come from living in a different country. It made me want to travel and learn about new cultures too!Finally, there was a radio program about a new art exhibition in town. The host interviewed the curator of the exhibition and asked about the inspiration behind the artwork. It wasfascinating to hear about the creative process and the stories behind the paintings and sculptures.Overall, the test was challenging but also really interesting. I learned a lot of new things and had a great time listening to all the different conversations and lectures. I can't wait to see how I did on the test and maybe even plan my own trip to France one day!。

正保远程教育旗下品牌网站美国纽交所上市公司(NYSE:DL)外语教育网外语学习的网上乐园2008年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I writing (30 minutes)注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and scanning) (15 minutes)Supersize surpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it's al down to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it/ yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it. Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate(促成) such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is saying that the "big two" – reduced physical activity and increased availability of food – are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by 20 obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1. Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses' Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in turn gained more than whose who slept 7.It's well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses' study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it appears that we really are sleeping less. In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2. Climate controlWe humans, like all warm-blooded animals, can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what's going on in the world around us. We do this by altering our metabolic(新陈代新的) rate, shivering or sweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the "thermo-neutral zone", which is increasingly where we choose to live and work.。

2008年12月大学英语四级考试听力真题及答案Part III Listening ComprehensionSection ADirections: 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) Only true friendship can last long.B) Letter writing is going out of style.C) She keeps in regular touch with her classmates.D) She has lost contact with most of her old friends.12. A) A painter. C) A porter.B) A mechanic. D) A carpenter.13. A) Look for a place near her office. C) Make inquiries elsewhere.B) Find a new job down the street. D) Rent the $600 apartment.14.A) He prefers to wear jeans with a larger waist.B) He has been extremely busy recently.C) He has gained some weight lately.D) He enjoyed going shopping with Jane yesterday.15.A)The woman possesses a natural for art.B) Women have a better artistic taste than men.C) He isn’t good at abstract thinking.D) He doesn’t like abstract paintings.16.A) She couldn’t have left her notebook in the library.B) she may have put her notebook amid the journals.C) she should have made careful notes while doing reading.D) she shouldn’t have read his notes without his knowing it.17. A)she wants to get some sleep C) she has a literature class to attendB) she needs time to write a paper D)she is troubled by her sleep problem18.A)He is confident he will get the job.B)His chance of getting the job is slim.C)It isn’t easy to find a qualified sales manager.D)The interview didn’t go as well as he expected.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19.A)He can manage his time more flexibly.B)He can renew contact with his old friends.C)He can concentrate on his own projects.D)He can learn to do administrative work.20.A)Reading its ads in the newspapers.B)Calling its personnel department.C)Contacting its manager.D)Searching its website.21.A)To cut down its production expenses.B)To solve the problem of staff shortage.C)To improve its administrative efficiency.D)To utilize its retired employees’resources.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22.A)Buy a tractor.B)Fix a house.C)See a piece of property.D)Sing a business contract.23.A)It is only forty miles form where they live.B)It is a small one with a two-bedroom house.C)It was a large garden with fresh vegetables.D)It has a large garden with fresh vegetables.24.A)Growing potatoes will involve less labor.B)Its soil may not be very suitable for corn.C)It may not be big enough for raising corn.D)Raising potatoes will be more profitable.25 A)FinancesB)EquipmentC)LaborD)ProfitsSection BDirections: 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 One26 A)To introduce the chief of the city’s police forceB)To comment on a talk by a distinguished guestC)To address the issue of community securityD)To explain the functions of the city council27 A)He has distinguished himself in city managementB)He is head of the International Police ForceC)He completed his higher education abroadD)He holds a master’s degree in criminology28 A)To coordinate work among police departmentsB)To get police officers closer to the local peopleC)To help the residents in times of emergencyD)To enable the police to take prompt action29 A)PopularB)discouragingC)effectiveD)controversialPassage Two30 A)people differ greatly in their ability to communicateB)there are numerous languages in existenceC)Most public languages are inherently vagueD)Big gaps exist between private and public languages31 A)it is a sign of human intelligenceB)in improves with constant practiceC)it is something we are born withD)it varies from person to person32 A)how private languages are developedB)how different languages are relatedC)how people create their languagesD)how children learn to use languagePassage Three33 A)she was a tailorB)she was an engineerC)she was an educatorD)she was a public speaker34.A)Basing them on science-fiction movies.B) Including interesting examples in themC) Adjusting them to different audiencesD) Focusing on the latest progress in space science35.A) Whether spacemen carry weaponsB) How spacesuits protect spacemenC) How NASA trains its spacemenD) What spacemen cat and drinkSection CDirections : In this section .you will hear a passage three time. When the passage is read for first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. when the passage is read for the first time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36to43 with the exact words you have just heard. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

2008年12月大学英语六级(CET-6)真题试卷PartⅠWriting(30minutes)注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上。

Directions:Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write a short essay entitled How To Improve Student's Mental Health?.You should write at least150wordsfollowing the outline given below.1.大学生的心理健康十分重要2.因此，学校可以……3.我们自己应当……How To Improve Student's Mental Health?Part II Reading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning)(15minutes) Directions:In this part,you will have15minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet1.For questions1-7,choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked[A],[B],[C]and[D].For questions8-10,complete the sentences withthe information given in the passage.Directions:In this part,you will have15minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet1.For questions1-7,choose the best answer from the four choices marked[A],[B],[C]and[D].For questions8-10,complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Supersize SurpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it’s al down to eating too much and burning too few calories.That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it.Yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it.Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate(促成)such dramatic rises in obesity over the past40years or so.Nobody is saying that the“big two”–reduced physical activity and increased availability of food–are not important contributors to the epidemic,but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by20obesity experts set out the7most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic.Here they are.1.Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain,not the body.Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link.People who sleep less than7hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more,according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Similarly,the US Nurses’Health Study,which tracked68,000women for16years,found that those who slept an average of5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept6hours,who in turn gained more than whose who slept7.It’s well known that obesity impairs sleep,so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards.But the nurses’study suggests that it can work in the other direction too:sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult,it appears that we really are sleeping less.In1960people in the US slept an average of8.5hours per night.A2002poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under7hours,and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2.Climate controlWe humans,like all warm-blooded animals,can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what’s going on in the world around us.We do this by altering our metabolic(新陈代谢的)rate,shivering or sweating.Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the“thermo-neutral zone”,which is increasingly where we choose to live and work.There is no denying that ambient temperatures(环境温度)have changed in the past few decades.Between1970and2000,the average British home warmed from a chilly13C to18C.In the US,the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportion of homes with air conditioning rose from23%to47%between1978and1997.In the southern states–where obesity rates tend to be highest–the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to71% from37%in1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference to our weight?Sadly，there is some evidence that it does-at least with regard to heating.Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3.Less smokingBad news:smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us,and quitting really does pack on the pounds,though no one is sure why.It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagues at the US National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland,have calculated that people kicking the habit have been responsible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness.From data collected around1991by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,they worked out that people who had quit in theprevious decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had never smoked.Among men,for example,nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with37%of non-smokers and only28%of smokers.4.Genetic effectsYours chances of becoming fat may be set,at least in part,before you were even born. Children of obese mothers are much more likely to become obese themselves later in life.Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normal diet.Intriguingly,the effect persists for two or three generations. Grandchildren of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if their own mother is fed normally-so you fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5.A little older…Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others.Surveys carried out by the US national center for health statistics found that adults aged40to79were around three times as likely to be obese as younger people.Non-white females also tend to fall at the fatter end of the spectrum: Mexican-American women are30%more likely than white women to be obsess,and black women have twice the risk.In the US,these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population.Between1970 and2000the US population aged35to44grew by43%.the proportion of Hispanic-Americans also grew,from under5%to12.5%of the population,while the proportion of black Americans increased from11%to12.3%.these changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6.Mature mumsMothers around the world are getting older.in the UK,the mean age for having a first child is 27.3,compared with23.7in1970.mean age at first birth in the US has also increased,rising from 21.4in1970to24.9in2000.This would be neither here nor there if it weren’t for the observation that having an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity.Results from the US national heart,lung and blood institute’s study found that the odds of a child being obese increase14%for every five extra years of their mother’s age,though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at the University of Nottingham,UK,found that first-born children have more fat than younger ones.As family size decreases,firstborns account for a greater share of the population.In1964,British women gave birth to an average of2.95children;by2005that figure had fallen to1.79.In the US in1976,9.6%of woman in their40s had only one child;in2004it was 17.4%.this combination of older mothers and more single children could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7.Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks,so they do for size.Lean people are more likely to marry lean and fat more likely to marry fat.On its own,like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity.But combined with others—particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children—it amplifies the increase form other causes.1.What is the passage mainly about?A)Effects of obesity on people’s healthB)The link between lifestyle and obesityC)New explanations for the obesity epidemicD)Possible ways to combat the obesity epidemic2.In the US Nurse’Health Study,women who slept an average of7hours a night_______.A)gained the least weightB)were inclined to eat lessC)found their vigor enhancedD)were less susceptible to illness3.The popular belief about obesity is that___________.A)it makes us sleepyB)it causes sleep lossC)it increases our appetiteD)it results from lack of sleep4.How does indoor heating affect our life?A)it makes us stay indoors moreB)it accelerates our metabolic rateC)it makes us feel more energeticD)it contributes to our weight gain5.What does the author say about the effect of nicotine on smokers?A)it threatens their healthB)it heightens their spiritsC)it suppresses their appetiteD)it slows down their metabolism6.Who are most likely to be overweight according to Katherine Fergal’s study?A)heavy smokersB)passive smokersC)those who never smokeD)those who quit smoking7.According to the US National Center for Health Statistics,the increased obesity in the US is a result of_______.A)the growing number of smokers among young peopleB)the rising proportion of minorities in its populationC)the increasing consumption of high-calorie foodsD)the improving living standards of the poor people8.According to the US National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute,the reason why older mothers’children tend to be obese remains__________.9.According to Michael Symonds,one factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is decrease of ___________.10.When two heavy people get married,chances of their children getting fat increase,because obesity is_____________.Part III Listening Comprehension(35minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear8short conversations and2long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Boththe conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question therewill 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 onAnswer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.11.A)He is quite easy to recognizeB)He is an outstanding speakerC)He looks like a movie starD)He looks young for his age12.A)consult her dancing teacherB)take a more interesting classC)continue her dancing classD)improve her dancing skills13.A)the man did not believe what the woman saidB)the man accompanied the woman to the hospitalC)the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injuryD)the woman may not followed the doctor’s instructions14.A)they are not in style any moreB)they have cost him far too muchC)they no longer suit his eyesightD)they should be cleaned regularly15.A)he spilled his drink onto the floorB)he has just finished wiping the floorC)he was caught in a shower on his way homeD)he rushed out of the bath to answer the phone16.A)fixing some furnitureB)repairing the toy trainC)reading the instructionsD)assembling the bookcase17.A)urge Jenny to spend more time on studyB)help Jenny to prepare for the coming examsC)act towards Jenny in a more sensible wayD)send Jenny to a volleyball training center18.A)The building of the dam needs a large budgetB)The proposed site is near the residential areaC)The local people feel insecure about the damD)The dam poses a threat to the local environmentQuestions19to21are based on the conversation you have just heard.19.A.It saw the end of its booming years worldwideB.Its production and sales reached record levels.C.It became popular in some foreign countriesD.Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.20.A.They cost less. C.They were in fashion.B.They tasted better. D.They were widely advertised.21.A.It is sure to fluctuate. C.It will remain basically stable.B.It is bound to revive. D.It will see no more monopolyQuestions22to25are based on the conversation you have just heard.anising protests C.Acting as its spokesman.B.Recruiting members D.Saving endangered animals.23.A.Anti-animal-abuse demonstrations B.Anti-nuclear campaignsC.Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorD.Removing industrial waste.24.A.By harassing them. C.By taking legal action.B.By appealing to the public D.By resorting to force.25.A.Doubtful C.Indifferent.B.Reserved D.SupportiveSection BDirections:In this section,you will hear3short 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 choicesmarked[A],[B],[C]and[D].Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions26to28are based on the passage you have just heard.26.A.The air becomes still. C.The clouds block the sun.B.The air pressure is low. D.The sky appears brighter.27.A.Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B.Sailors’saying about the weather are unreliable.C.People knew long ago how to predict the weather.D.It was easier to forecast the weather in the old days.28.A.Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B.People can predict the weather by their sensesC.Who are the real experts in weather forecast.D.Weather changes affect people’s life remarkablyPassage TwoQuestions29to31are based on the passage you have just heard.29.A.They often feel insecure about their jobs.B.They are unable to decide what to do first.C.They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.D they feel burdened with numerous tasks every day30.A.Analyze them rationally. C.Turn to others for help.B.Draw a detailed to-do list. D.Handle them one by one.31.A.They have accomplished little. C.They have worked out a way to relax.B.They feel utterly exhausted. D.They no longer feel any sense of guilt.Passage ThreeQuestions32to35are based on the passage you have just heard.32.A.Their performance may improve.B.Their immune system may be reinforcedC.Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.D.Their physical development may be enhanced.33.A.Improved mental functioning C.Speeding up of blood circulationB.Increased susceptibility to disease D.Reduction of stress-related hormones34.A.Pretend to be in better shape. C.Turn more often to friends for helpB.Have more physical exercise. D.Pay more attention to bodily sensations.35.A.Different approaches to coping with stress.B.Various causes for serious health problems.C.The relationship between stress and illness.D.New finding of medical research on stress.Section CDirections:In this section,you will hear a passage three times.When the passage is read for the first time,you should listen carefully for its general idea.When the passage is read for the second time,you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from36to43with the exact words you have just heard.For blanks numbered from44to46you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks,you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words.Finally,when the passage is read for the third time,you should check what you have written.One of the most common images of an advanced,Western-style culture is that of a busy, traffic-filled city.Since their first(36)on American roadways,automobiles have become a(37)of progress,a source of thousands of jobs and an almost inalienable right for citizens’personal freedom of movement.In recent(38)our“love affair”with the car is being(39)directly to the developing world,and it is increasingly (40)______that this transfer is leading to disaster.American’s almost complete dependence on automobiles has been a terrible mistake.As late as the1950s,a large(41)of the American public used mass transit.A(42)of public policy decisions and corporate scheming saw to it that countless(43)and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dismantled.(44)___________________________________________________.Our lives have been planned along a road grid—homes far from work,shopping far from everything,with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail.(45)Pollution control measures are either not strict or nonexistent,leading to choking clouds of smog.Gasoline still contains lead,which is extremely poisonous to humans.(46) ___________________________________________________________________.In addition to pollution and traffic jams,auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations. Part IV Reading Comprehension(Reading in Depth)(25minutes) Section ADirections:In this section,there is a short passage with5questions or incomplete statements.Read the passage carefully.Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words.Please write your answers on Answer sheet2.Questions47to51are based on the following passage.One of the major producers of athletic footwear,with2002sales of over$10billion,is a company called Nike,with corporate headquarters in Beaverton,Oregon.Forbes magazine identified Nike’s president,Philip Knight,as the53rd-richestman in the world in2004.But Nike has not always been a large multimillion-dollar organization.In fact,Knight started the company byselling shoes from the back of his car at track meets.In the late1950s Philip Knight was a middle-distance runner on the University of Oregon track team,coached by Bill Bowerman.One of the top track coaches in the U.S.,Bowerman was also known for experimenting with the design of running shoes in an attempt to make them lighter and more shock-absorbent.After attending Oregon,Knight moved on to do graduate work at Stanford University;his MBA thesis was on marketing athletic shoes.Once he received his degree, Knight traveled to Japan to contact the Onitsuka Tiger Company,a manufacturer of athletic shoes. Knight convinced the company’s officials of the potential for its product in the U.S.In1963he received his first shipment of Tiger shoes,200pairs in total.In1964,Knight and Bowerman contributed$500each to from Blue Ribbon Sports,the predecessor of Nike.In the first few years,Knight distributed shoes out of his car at local track meets.The first employees hired by Knight were former college athletes.The company did not have the money to hire“experts”,and there was no established athletic footwear industry in North America from which to recruit those knowledgeable in the field.In its early years the organization operated in an unconventional manner that characterized its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the munication was informal;people discussed ideas and issues in the hallways,on a run,or over a beer.There was little task differentiation.There were no job descriptions,rigid reporting systems,or detailed rules and regulations.The team spirit and shared values of the athletes on Bowerman’s teams carried over and provided the basis for the collegial style of management that characterized the early years of Nikes.47.While serving as a track coach,Bowerman tried to design running shoes that were _____________________.48.During his visit to Japan,Knight convinced the officials of the Onitsuka Tiger Company that its product would have____________________________________.49.Blue Ribbon Sports as unable to hire experts due to the absence of____________________in North America.50.In the early years of Nike,communication within the company was usually carried out____________.51.What qualities of Bowerman’s teams formed the basis of Nike’s early management style?_______________________________________________________________.Section BDirections:There are2passages in this section.Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements.For each of them there are four choices marked[A],[B],[C]and[D].You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions52to56are based on the following passage.Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth,and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use.This is especially true in agriculture,where sustainable development is often taken as the sole measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.To start with,it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedlythroughout history,and will continue to do so.medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed,clothed and sheltered a predominantly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today.It had minimal effect on biodiversity,and any pollution it caused was typically localized.In terms of energy use and the nutrients（营养成分）captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial petition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields.Throughout this period food became cheaper, safe and more reliable.However,these changes have also led to habitat（栖息地）loss and to diminishing biodiversity.What’s more,demand for animal products in developing countries is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra300million tons of grain a year by2050.yet the growth of cities and industry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.All this means that agriculture in the21stcentury will have to be very different from how it was in the20th.thiswill require radical thinking.For example,we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are inevitably more sustainable than new ones.We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be“zero impact”.The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static measures of sustainability,which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation,one that looks at the pros and cons（正反两方面）of all the various way land is used.There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield:energy use,environmental costs,water purity,carbon footprint and biodiversity.It is clear,for example,that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting.But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.What is crucial is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.52.How do people often measure progress in agriculture?A)By its productivity C)By its impact on the environmentB)By its sustainability D)By its contribution to economic growth53.Specialisation and the effort to increase yields have resulted in________.A)Localised pollution C)competition from overseasB)the shrinking of farmland D)the decrease of biodiversity54.What does the author think of traditional farming practices?A)They have remained the same over the centuriesB)They have not kept pace with population growthC)They are not necessarily sustainableD)They are environmentally friendly55.What will agriculture be like in the21st centuryA)It will go through radical changesB)It will supply more animal productsC)It will abandon traditional farming practicesD)It will cause zero damage to the environment56What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?A)To remind people of the need of sustainable developmentB)To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food productionC)To advance new criteria for measuring farming progressD)To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture isPassage TwoQuestions57to61are based on the following passage.The percentage of immigrants(including those unlawfully present)in the United states has been creeping upward for years.At12.6percent,it is now higher than at any point since the mid1920s.We are not about to go back to the days when Congress openly worried about inferior races polluting America’s bloodstream.But once again we are wondering whether we have too many of the wrong sort newcomers.Their loudest critics argue that the new wave of immigrants cannot,and indeed do not want to,fit in as previous generations did.We now know that these racist views were wrong.In time,Italians,Romanians and members of other so-called inferior races became exemplary Americans and contributed greatly,in ways too numerous to detail,to the building of this magnificent nation.There is no reason why these new immigrants should not have the same success.Although children of Mexican immigrants do better,in terms of educational and professional attainment,than their parents UCLA sociologist Edward Telles has found that the gains don’t continue.Indeed,the fouth generation is marginally worse off than the third James Jackson,of the University of Michigan,has found a similar trend among black Caribbean immigrants,Tells fears that Mexican-Americans may be fated to follow in the footsteps of American blacks-that large parts of the community may become mired（陷入）in a seemingly permanent state of poverty and Underachievement.Like African-Americans,Mexican-Americans are increasingly relegated to(降入)segregated,substandard schools,and their dropout rate is the highest for any ethnic group in the country.We have learned much about the foolish idea of excluding people on the presumption of the ethnic/racial inferiority.But what we have not yet learned is how to make the process of Americanization work for all.I am not talking about requiring people to learn English or to adopt American ways;those things happen pretty much on their own,but as arguments about immigration hear up the campaign trail,we also ought to ask some broader question about assimilation,about how to ensure that people,once outsiders,don’t forever remain marginalized within these shores.That is a much larger question than what should happen with undocumented workers,or how best to secure the border,and it is one that affects not only newcomers but groups that have been here for generations.It will have more impact on our future than where we decide to set the admissions bar for the latest ware of would-be Americans.And it would be nice if we finally got the answer right.57.How were immigrants viewed by U.S.Congress in early days?A)They were of inferior races.B)They were a Source of political corruption.C)They were a threat to the nation’s security.D)They were part of the nation’s bloodstream.58.What does the author think of the new immigrants?A)They will be a dynamic work force in the U.S.B)They can do just as well as their predecessors.C)They will be very disappointed on the new land.D)They may find it hard to fit into the mainstream.59.What does Edward Telles’research say about Mexican-Americans?A)They may slowly improve from generation to generation.B)They will do better in terms of educational attainment.C)They will melt into the African-American community.D)They may forever remain poor and underachieving.60.What should be done to help the new immigrants?A)Rid them of their inferiority complex.B)Urge them to adopt American customs.C)Prevent them from being marginalized.D)Teach them standard American English.61.According to the author,the burning issue concerning immigration is_______.A)How to deal with people entering the U.S.without documentsB)How to help immigrants to better fit into American societyC)How to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the borderD)How to limit the number of immigrants to enter the U.S.Part V Cloze（15minutes）Directions:There are20blanks in the following passage.For each blank there are four choices marked[A],[B],[C]and[D]on the right side of the paper.You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.Individuals and businesses have legal protection for intellectual property they create and own.Intellectual proper__62__from creative thinking and may include products,__63__, processes,and ideas.Intellectual property is protected__64__misappropriation(盗用).Misappropriation is taking the Intellectual property of others with our__65__compensation and using it for monetary gain.Legal protection is provided for the __66__of intellectual property.The three common types of legal protection are patents, copyrights,and trademarks.Patents provide exclusive use of inventions. If the US patent office__67__a patent,it is confirming that the intellectual property is __68__.The patent prevents others from62.[A]retrieves[B]deviates[C]results[D]departs63.[A]services[B]reserves[C]assumptions[D]motions64.[A]for[B]with[C]by[D]from65.[A]sound[B]partial[C]due[D]random66.[A]users[B]owners[C]masters[D]executives67.[A]affords[B]affiliates[C]funds[D]grants68.[A]solemn[B]sober[C]unique[D]universal69.[A]perspective[B]permission[C]conformity[D]consensus70.[A]except[B]besides。

2008年12月20日四级听力原文Short Conversations11．M: I just received an Email from one of my former classmates. I was surprised, I hadn’t heard from him for ages.W: Well, I’ve been out of touch with most of my old friends, only one or two still drop me a line occasionally,Q: What does the woman mean?12. M: If you can make up your mind about the color, I can start on the outside of your house early next week.W: Well, right now I think I want white for the window frames and yellow for the walls, but I’ll let you know tomorrow.Q: Who is the woman talking to?13. W: Excuse me, do you have any apartments available for under 500 dollars a month? I need to move in next week when my new job starts.M: The only vacant one I have is 600 dollars, have you inquired at the apartment complex down the street?Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?14. W: You bought a pair of jeans yesterday, didn’t you? What are they like?M: Oh, they are pretty much like my other ones, except with a larger waist. I gues s I haven’t spent much time exercising lately.Q: What can we infer from the conversation about the man?15. W: I really like those abstract paintings we saw yesterday. What do you think?M: I guess it’s something I haven’t acquired a taste for yet.Q: What does the man imply?16. W: You haven’t seen a blue notebook, have you? I hope I didn’t leave it in the reading room.M: Did you check that pile of journals you’ve borrowed from the library the other day?Q: What is the man trying to say to the woman?17. M: How about joining me for a cup of coffee?W: I’d love to, but I’m exhausted. I was up till 3 this morning, writing a paper for my literature class.Q: Why does the woman decline the man’s invitation?18. W: You had a job inter view yesterday, didn’t you? How did it go?M: Not too bad, I guess. There were about 20 candidates competing for the sales manager’s job. And finally it was down to three of us, but the other two seemed better qualified.Q: What does the man imply?长对话IF: Simon, how does it feel to be retired?M: Well, not so bad.F: How have you been spending your time?M: I have been spending more time with my family. I’ve also travelled a bit, you know, off season when everywhere is less crowded and hotels cost less.F: Great.M: You know I haven’t stopped work completely.F: Yes, could you tell us more about this?M: I’m on a scheme that’s called phased retirement; I had a six-month break from work, after that I could apply for project work with the company I used to work for.F: How does the scheme work?M: Well, it’s a trial at the moment. Instead of hiring temporary stuff, the company advertises posts on its website that retired employees like myself can access.F: What sort of works advertised?M: Well, all sorts of things, really. Administrative work and more specialized work, the sort of thing I can do. Some of the projects can last five or six months, and others can just be a couple of days. I can decide more or less when to work. So I can manage my own time.F: I can see it’s good for you. What is your company get out of this?M: Well, I still have all my old contacts at work, so I know who to contact to get something done. The company gets flexibility, too. Once the job’s over, that’s it. I’m not on their book s any more.Questions 19-21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. Why does Simon find his retired life enjoyable?20. How does Simon get to know about the company’s available posts?21. Why does the company adopt the phased retirement scheme?长对话IIW: Oh, where are we going?M: I want to show you something.W: I know, but what is it?M: A farm. It’s just down this road. It’s a small place, but at least it would be our own.W: A farm? How can we afford to buy a farm?M: It isn’t very large,only 40 acres. We wouldn’t have to pay very much right now.W: Is there a house on the place?M: A small one, two bedrooms, but it needs to be fixed up a little. I can do the job myself.W: OK. Is there enough space for a kitchen garden?M: There is about half an acre around the house. That’s plenty of space.W: Then we can grow our own fresh vegetables. And maybe keep a few chickens, couldn’t we? M: Yes, and we can probably grow a lot of our own food.W: What are you thinking about growing, if we do take this place?M: Well, it really isn’t big enough for corn. I thought we might try to raise a crop of potatoes.W: Potatoes? There are a lot of work.M: We are used to hard work, aren’t we?W: Yes, we are, but the money. Do we have enough to get started? It seems like a dream.M: I think we’ve saved enough. We can pay a little on the farm and maybe put a few dollars down on the tractor, too.Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Q 22:What are the speakers going to do at the time of the conversation?Q 23:What does the man say about the farm?Q 24:Why does the man intend to grow potatoes rather than corn on the farm?Q 25:What is the woman’s greatest concern about the man’s plan?Passages四级Passage One20分11秒――23分36秒Members of the city council and distinguished guests, it is my privilege to introduce to you today Mr. Robert Washington, chief of our city’s police force. He will address us on the subject of the Community Policing Program. Most of you know that Mr. Washington has a distinguished record as head of our police force for more than ten years. However, you may not know that he also holds a master’s degree in criminology and studied abroad for a year with the international police force which deals with crimes around the world. Mr. Washington first introduced the Community Policing Program 8 years ago. The idea behind the program is to get the police officers out of their cars and into our neighborhoods where they can talk directly to merchants and residents about the real dynamics of our city. These officers do more than make arrests. They try to find ways to help solve the problems that contribute to crime in the first place. Often that means hooking people up with services offered by other city agencies, such as schools, hospitals, housing, drug treatment centers. And the program seems to be working: crime is down and our citizens report that they feel more secure. Today Mr. Washington is going to tell us more about this program. Now let’s welcome Mr. Robert Washington.26. What is the purpose of the speaker’s remarks?He will address us on the subject of community policing program.27. What does the speaker say about Mr. Robert Washington?Most of you know that Mr. Washington has a distinguished record as head of our police force for more than ten years. However, you may not know that he also holds a master’s degree in criminology and studied abroad for a year with the international police force which deals with crimes around the world. Mr. Washington first introduced the community policing program 8 years ago.28. What is the idea behind the Community Policing Program?The idea behind the program is to get the police officers out of their cars and into our neighborhoods where they can talk directly to merchants and residents about the real dynamics of our city.29. How has the Community Policing Program turned out to be?And the program seems to be working, crime is down and our citizens report that they feel more secure.四级Passage TwoThere are between 3000 and 6000 public languages in the world, and we must add approximately 6 billion private languages since each one of us necessarily has one. Considering these facts, the possibilities for breakdowns in communication seem infinite in number. However, we do communicate successfully from time to time. And we do learn to speak languages. But learning to speak languages seems to be a very mysterious process. For a long time, people thought that we learned a language only by imitation and association. For example, a baby touches a hot pot and starts to cry. The mother says, “Hot, hot!” And the baby, when it stops crying, imitates the mother and says, “Hot, hot!” However, Noam Chomsky, a famous expert in language, pointed out that although children do learn some words by imitation and association, they also combine words to make meaningful sentences in ways that are unique, unlearned and creative. Because young children can make sentences they have never heard before, Chomsky suggested that human infants are born with the ability to learn language. Chomsky meant that underneath all the differences between public and private languages, there is a universal language mechanism that makes it possible for us, as infants, to learn any language in the world. This theory explains the potential that human infants have for learning language. But it does not really explain how children come to use language in particular ways.Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.Question 30. Why does the speaker say there are great possibilities for communication breakdowns?There are numerous public and private languages.Question 31. What is Chomsky’s point on the ability to learn a language?Human infants are born with the ability to learn language and the potential to learn any language in the world.Question 32. What does Chomsky’s theory fail to explain according to the speaker?It does not really explain how children come to use language in particular ways.四级听力Passage ThreeWhen US spacewoman Joan Higginbotham is not flying and working in space, she might be found somewhere on earth giving a speech. Higginbotham, who grew up in Chicago and became an engineer before joining NASA, that is the National Air and Space Administration, gives about a dozen speeches a year. Each speech is different because she tailors her remarks to each audience. Through interviews and E-mails, she finds out in advance her listeners' educational level and what information they want to know. On the subject of space walks, for example, audiences vary in their interests and how much complexity they can comprehend. To elementary school children, Higginbotham may discuss a problem that many kids want to know about. "How do spacemen in a spacesuit eat, drink, and go to the bathroom?" Her answer is “the spacesuit is really a smallspacecraft with room for food and water-containers, and a waste-collection system.” To a high school audience, she might satisfy a curiosity that often arises in her pre-speech interviews with students who obviously have seen many science fiction movies. “Do spacemen carry weapons in case they encounter enemies in space?” Her answer is "No". To scientists, she might provide technical details on such topics as the design of spacesuits that protects spacemen from the deadly temperature extremes of space. Just as elaborate preparation is required for success in space, Higginbotham says that it’s important for speakers to learn as much as possible about their listeners before a speech because every audience is different.33. What did Joan Higginbotham do before joining in NASA?34. How does Higginbotham prepare her speech on space walks?35. What does the high school audience want to know about space travel?Compound Dictation:Crime is increasing worldwide. There is every reason to believe the trend will continue through the next few decades. Crime rates have always been high in multi-cultural industrialized societies such as the United States. But a new phenomenon has appeared on the world scene: rapidly rising crime rates in nations that previously reported few offences. Street crimes such as robbery, rape, murder and auto theft are clearly rising, particularly in Eastern European countries, such as Hungary, and in Western European nations, such as the Untied Kingdom. What is driving this crime explosion? There are no simple answers. Still, there are certain conditions associated with rising crime. Increasing heterogeneity of population, greater cultural pluralism, higher immigration, democratization of governments, changing national borders, greater economic growth and the lack of accepted social ideas of right and wrong. These conditions are increasingly observable around the world. For instance, cultures that were previously isolated and homogenous, such as Japan, Denmark and Greece, are now facing the sort of cultural variety that has been common in America for most of its history. Multiculturalism can be a rewarding, enriching experience, but it can also lead to a clash of values. Heterogeneity in societies will be the rule in the 21st century, and failure to recognize and plan for such diversity can lead to serious crime problems.。

2008年12月20日大学英语六级(CET-6)真题试卷(A卷)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled How to improve psychological health? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 学生心理健康的重要性2. 学校应该怎样做3. 学生自己应该怎样做How to improve psychological healthPart 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.Supersize Surprise Ask anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it's all down to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it. Yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it. Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate (促成) such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is saying that the ―big two‖ –reduced physical activity and increased availability of food – are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all. Earlier this year a review paper by 20 obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1. Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses' Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in turn gained more than those who slept 7.It's well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses' study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it appears that we really are sleeping less. In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2. Climate controlWe humans, like all warm-blooded animals, can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what's going on in the world around us. We do this by altering our metabolic (新陈代新的) rate, shivering or sweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the ―thermo-neutral zone‖, which is increasingly where we choose to live andwork.There is no denying that ambient temperatures (环境温度) have changed in the past few decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average British home warmed from a chilly 13℃ to 18℃. In the US, the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportion of homes with air conditionings rose from 23% to 47% between 1978 and 1997. In the southern states –where obesity rates tend to be highest – the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to 71% from 37% in 1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference to our weight? Sadly, there is some evidence that it does – at least with regard to heating. Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3. Less smokingBad news: smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us, and quitting really does pack on the pounds, though no one is sure why. It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagues at the US National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, have calculated that people kicking the habit have been responsible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness. From data collected around 1991 by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they worked out that people who had quit in the previous decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had never smoked. Among men, for example, nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with 37% of non-smokers and only 28% of smokers.4. Genetic effectsYour chances of becoming fat may be set, at least in part, before you were even born. Children of obese mothers are much more likely to become obese themselves later in life. Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normal diet. Intriguingly, the effect persists for two or three generations. Grandchildren of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if their own mother is fed normally –so your fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5. A little older …Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others. Surveys carried out by the US National Center for Health Statistics found that adults aged 40 to 79 were around three times as likely to be obese as younger people. Non-white females also tend to fall at the fatter end of the spectrum: Mexican-American women are 30% more likely than white women to be obese, and black women have twice the risk.In the US, these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population. Between 1970 and 2000 the US population aged 35 to 44 grew by 43%. The proportion of Hispanic-Americans also grew, from under 5% to 12.5% of the population, while the proportion of black Americans increased from 11% to 12.3%. These changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6. Mature mumsMothers around the world are getting older. In the UK, the mean age for having a first child is 27.3, compared with 23.7 in 1970. Mean age at first birth in the US has also increased, rising from 21.4 in 1970 to 24.9 in 2000.This would be neither here nor there if it weren't for the observation that having an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity. Results from the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's study found that the odds of a child being obese increase 14% for every fiveextra years of their mother's age, though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at the university of Nottingham, UK, found that first-born children have more fat than younger ones. As family size decreases, firstborns account for a greater share of the population. In 1964, British women gave birth to an average of 2.95 children; by 2005 that figure had fallen to 1.79. In the US in 1976, 9.6% of women in their 40s had only one child; in 2004 it was 17.4%. This combination of older mothers and more single children could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7. Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks, so they do for size. Lean people are more likely to marry lean and fat more likely to marry fat. On its own, like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity. But combined with others – particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children – it amplifies the increase from other causes.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

2005年6月18日六级听力原文1. M: What do you think of the government‘s new tax cut proposal?W: Though it may give some benefit to the poor, its key component is the elimination of tax on dividends. That means the rich will get richer.Q: What does the woman think a bout the government‘s tax cut proposal? 2. M: Jenny, remember this: a job worth doing at all is worth doing well.W: Oh, yes, I certainly won‘t forget it. But don‘t expect me to stick to the job just because it pays a few more bucks. A life of continuous exploration is a life worth living.Q: what can be inferred about the woman from the conversation?3. M: I found that one of my schoolmates uses drugs. How can I help him, Mom?W: stay away from him, son. Never think that you can talk him out of the habit if he is addicted. But perhaps you can talk to your teacher about the matter.Q: what‘s the woman‘s advice to her son?4. W: I don‘t know how you can eat so much yet never put on any weight, son.Your father‘s got the same luck. I can‘t take a bite without calculating how many calories I am taking.M: But remember Aunt Louise, Mom? She ate a lot and never gained a pound.Q: Who is worried about gaining weight?5. W: Did you turn off the lights and check the locks on all the doors?M: Yes, I told the Johnsons that we‘d be gone for two weeks. They promise to keep an eye on the house for us.Q: What are the two speakers going to do?6. M: hurry up, Linda! I hear that there are not many tickets left for the footballmatch.W: I am ready now, let‘s go. It is the e arly bird that catches the worm.Q: Why did the man ask the woman to hurry up?7. W: Did you hear that the convenience store next to the gas station was heldup last night?M: Yes, I heard it on the radio this morning.Q: What happened to the convenience store?8. M: Congratulations! I just heard about your acceptance in the law school. Doyou think you would join your brother‘s firm after graduation?W: Not likely. He is a tax lawyer, and I am going to major in criminal law.Q: What does the woman mean?9. M: Excuse me, but could you tell me how to get to the Friendship Hotel? Ithought it was on this corner, but I seem to have made a mistake.M: I am sorry, but I am a stranger here myself. Maybe you can try calling them. There is a phone over there outside the department store.Q: What does the woman mean?10. M: how is it going, Mary? You look a little overwhelmed.W: Exactly. You know, I‘ve got a million things to do and all of them have to be finished in the next 30 minutes.Q: What does the woman mean?Compound DictationCertain phrases one commonly hears among Americans capture their devotion to individualism. ―Do you own thing.‖ ―I did it my way.‖ ―You‘ll have to decide that for yourself.‖ ―You made your bed, now lie in it.‖ ―If you don‘t look out for yourself, no one else will.‖ ―Look out for number one.‖Closely associated with the value they place on individualism, is the importance American‘s assign to privacy. Americans assume that people need some time to themselves or some time alone to think about things or to recover their spent psychological energy. Americans have great difficulty understanding foreigners who always want to be with another person who dislikes being alone.If the parents can afford it, each child will have his or her own bedroom. Having one‘s own bedroom even as an infant, fixes in a person the notion that she is entitled to a place of her own where she can be by herself, and keep her possessions. She will have her clothes, her toys, her books, and so on. These things will be her s, no one else‘s.Americans assume that people will have their private thoughts that might never be shared with anyone. Doctors, lawyers, psychologists and others have rules governing confidentiality that are intended to prevent information about their cli ents‘ personal situations from being know to others.American‘s attitudes about privacy can be hard for foreigners to understand American‘s houses, yards, and even their offices can seem open and inviting. Yet, in the minds of Americans, there are boundaries that other people are simply not supposed to cross. When those boundaries are crossed, an American‘s body will visibly stiffen and his manner will be cool and aloof.2005年12月24日六级听力原文1. M: The Dean just announced that Dr. Holden‘s going I‘ll miss you guys whileI‘m working here in the library.W: I knew it all along! He‘s the obvious choice. All the other candidates are no match for him!Q: what do we learn about the two speakers?2. W: Hey, let me know how your summer‘s going! I‘ll miss you guys while I‘mworking here in the library.M: I‘ll be working, too! But I‘ll send you an email or call you once in a while.When we all get back to school, we can have a party or something.Q: What do we learn about the two speakers?3. W: I know it‘s the end of the season, but those peaches are such a bargainthat I couldn‘t help buying them! Have one please!M: Thank you! Actually, they seem pass their prime.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?4. M: The assignment on physics is a real challenge. I don‘t think I can finish iton time or by myself.W: Why don‘t we join our feet together? It may be easier then.Q: What does the woman suggest?5. M: Jean really lost her temper in Dr. Brown‘s class this morning.W: Oh? Did she? But I think her frankness is really something to be appreciated.Q: What does the woman mean?6. W: We heard that when you are a kid, you submitted a story to Reader‘sDigest.M: Well, I don‘t remember this s tory exactly, but my idea of a great time then was a pad of lined paper and a new blue pen. I thought myself as a Reader‘s Digest member at the age of six.Q: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?7. M: Your son certainly shows a lot of enthusiasm on the tennis court.W: I only wish he‘d show as much for his studies.Q: What does the woman imply about her son?8. W: We suppose to meet John here at the railway station.M: That‘s like looking for a needle in a haystack.Q: What does the man imply?9. M: Professor Stevenson, as an economist, how do you look upon the surgingChinese economy? Does it constitute a threat to the rest of the world?W: I believe China‘s economic success should be seen more as an opportunity than a threat. Those who looked upon it as a threat overlooked the benefit of china‘s growth to the world‘s economy. They also lack the understanding of elementary economics.Q: What does Professor Stevenson think of China‘s economy?10. W: Our school has just built some new apartment near campus, but onebedroom runs for 500 dollars a month.M: That‘s a bit beyond the reach of most students!Q: What does the man mean?Passage OneI had flown from San Francisco to Virginia to attend a conference on multiculturalism. Hundreds of educators from across the country were meeting to discuss the need for greater cultural diversity in the school curriculum. I took a taxi to my hotel. On the way, my driver and I chatted about the whether and the tourists. The driver was a White man in forties. ―How long have you been in this country?‖ he asked. ―All my life!‖ I replied, ―I was born in the United States.‖ With strong southern accent, he remarked, ―I was wondering because your English is excellent.‖ Then I explained as I had done many times before, ―My grandfather came here from China in the 1880s. My family has been here in America for ever a hundred years.‖ He glanced at me in the mirror. Somehow, I didn‘t look American to him. My appearance looked foreign. Questions liked the one my taxi driver asked make me feel uncomfortable. But I can understand why he could not see me as an American. He had a narrow but widely shared sense of the past: a history that has viewed Americans as descendants of Europeans. Race has functioned as something necessary to the construction of American character and quality in the creation of our national identity—American has been defined as ―white‖. But American has been racially diverse since our very beginning on the Virginia shore, where the first group of Englishmen and Africans arrived in the 17th century. And this reality is increasingly become visible everywhere. Questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.11. What was the theme of the conference the speaker was to attend?12. Why did the taxi driver ask the speaker how long he has been in the US?13. What message did the speaker wish to convey?Passage TwoLaws have been written to govern the use of American National Flag, and to ensure proper respect for the flag. Custom has also governed the common practice in regard to its use. All the armed services have precise regulations on how to display the national flag. This may vary somewhat from the general rules. The national flag should be raised and lowered by hand. Do not raise the flag while it is folded. Unfold the flag first, and then hoist it quickly to the top of the flagpole. Lower it slowly and with dignity. Place no objects on or over the flag. Do not use the flag as part of a costume or athletic uniform. Do not print it upon cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins or boxes. A federal law provides that the trademark cannot be registered if it comprises the flag, or badgers of the US,When the flag is used to unveil a statue or monument, it shouldn‘t serve as a covering of the object to be unveiled. If it is displayed on such occasions, do not allow the flag to fall to the ground, but let it be carried high up in the air to form a feature of the ceremony. Take every precaution to prevent the flag from soiled. It should not be allowed to touch the ground or floor, nor to brush against objects. Questions 14 to 17 are based on the passage you have just heard.14. How do Americans ensure proper respect for the national flag?15. What is the regulation regarding the raising of the American National Flag?16. How should the American National Flag be displayed at an unveilingceremony?17. What do we learn about the use of the American National Flag?Passage ThreeIn some large American city schools, as many as 20-40% of the students are absent each day. There are two major reasons for such absences: one is sickness, and the other is truancy. That is staying away from school without permission. Since school officials can‘t do much about the illness, they are concentrating on reducing the number of truancy. One of the most promising schemes has been tried in Florida. The pupils there with good attendance have been given free hamburgers, toys and T-shirts. Classes are told if they show improved rates of attendance, they can win additional gifts. At the same time, teachers are encouraged to inspire their students to come to school regularly. When those teachers are successful, they are also rewarded. ―we‘ve been punishing truancy for years, but that hasn‘t brought them back to school,‖ One school principal said. Now we are trying the positive approach. Not only do you learn by showing up every day, but you earn. In San Francisco, the board of education has had a somewhat similar idea. Schools that show a decrease in deliberate destruction of property can receive the amount of money that would be spent on repairs and replacements. For example, 12,000 dollars had been set aside for a school‘s property damages every year. Since repair expenses of damaged property required only 4,000 dollars, the remaining 8,000 dollars was turned over to the student activity fund. ―Our democracy operates on hope and encouragement,‖ said the school board member. ―Why not provide some positive goals for students and teachers to aim at?‖Questions 18 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.18. Which reason for students‘ absences is discussed in great detail?19. Who will benefit from the scheme being tried in Florida?20. What measure has been taken in San Francisco to reduce the destruction of school property?06.6原文Script for CET-6Section A1. M: Mary, could you please tell Tom to contact me, I hope he would help out with the orientation program next week.W: I will certainly tell him if I see him. But I haven‘t seen him for a few days.Q: What does the woman mean?2.M: Susan, I am going to change the light bulb above the dining table. Would you hold the ladder for meW: No problem. But be careful while you are out there.Q: What does the man want the woman to do? 3.W: It‘s freezing cold. Letme make some coffee to warm us up, doyou want a piece of pie as well?M: Coffee sounds great. But I am going to have dinner with some friends in a while so I‘d better skip the pie.Q: What does the man mean?4.W: How come Jim lose his job?M: I d idn‘t say he‘s lost it. All I said was if he did not get out and start selling a few cars instead of idling around all day, he might find him looking for a new job.Q: What does the man say about Jim?5. M: Hello Mary, this is Paul at the bank. Is Tony home?W: Not yet, Paul. I don‘t think you can reach him at the office now either. He phoned me about five minutes ago to say he will stop for a hair cut on his way home.Q: Who do you think the woman probably is?6.W: Oh, boy, I don‘t understand how you got the ticket today! (交通场景，注意ticket 此处指罚票！) I always thought you were slow even driving on a less crowded fast lane.M: I am usually careful. But this time I thought I could get through the intersection before the light turned.Q: What do we learn about the man?7.W: Your dog certainly seems to know you are its master. Did you have to punish him very often when you trained him?M: I found it much better to praise him when he obeys and not to be so fussywhen he makes mistakes.Q: What does the man say about training dogs?8. M: I am afraid there won‘t be time to do another tooth today. Make sure you don‘t eat anything like snacks for the next few hours and we‘ll fill another tomorrow.W: All right, I must hurry to the library to return some books.Q: Where does the conversation most probably take place?9. W: I am worried about Jenny going to college? College students are wild these days.M: Actually only a few are like that. Most students are too busy studying to have time to cause trouble.Q: What does the man imply?10.W: You didn‘t seem terribly enthusiastic about the performance.M: You must be kidding. I couldn‘t have clapped any harder. My hands are still hurting.Q: What does the man think of the performance?Section BPassage 1Born and raised in central Ohio, I am a country girl through and through. (我是个地道的乡下丫头。

2007年12月全国大学英语六级考试真题和答案PartⅣ Reading Comprehension（Reading in Depth）(25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer Sheet 2. Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.Men, these days, are embracing fatherhood with the round-the-clock involvement their partners have always dreamed of—handling night feedings, packing lunches and bandaging knees. But unlike women, many find they’re negotiating their new roles with little support or information. “Men in my generation (aged 25-40) have a fear of becaming dads because we have no role models, ”says Jon Smith, a writer. They often find themselves excluded from mothers’ support networks and are eyed warily（警觉地）on the playground.The challenge is particularly evident in the work-place. There, men are still expected to be breadwinners climbing the corporate ladder; traditionally-minded bosses are often unsympathetic to family needs. In Denmark most new fathers only take two weeks of paternity leave（父亲的陪产假）—even though they are allowed 34 days. As much as if not more so than women, fathers struggle to be taken seriously when they request flexible arrangements. Though Wilfried-Fritz Maring, 54, a data-bank and Internet specialist with German firm FIZ Karlsruhe, feels that the time he spends with his daughter outweighs any disadvantages, he a dmits, “With my decision to work from home I dismissed any opportunity for promotion. ”Mind-sets（思维定势）are changing gradually. When Maring had a daughter, the company equipped him with a home office and allowed him to choose a job that could be performed from there. Danish telecom company TDC initiated an internal campaign last year to encourage dads to take paternity leave: 97 percent now do. “When an employee goes on paternity leave and is with his kids, he gets a new kind of training: in how to keep cool under stress,” says spokesperson Christine Elberg Holm. For a new generation of dads, kids may come before the company—but it’s a shift that benefits both.47. Unlike women, men often get little support or information from ______________.48. Besides supporting the family, men were also expected to ______________.49. Like women, men hope that their desire for a flexible schedule will be ______________.50. When Maring was on paternity leave, he was allowed by his company to work ______________.51. Christine Holm believes paternity leave provides a new kind of training for men in that it can help them cope with______________.Section B本题共计15分，每小题1.5分。

三、2008年12月大学英语四级考试真题听力短对话11．M: I just received an Email from one of my former classmates. I was surprised, I hadn’t heard from him for ages.W: Well, I’ve been out of touch with most of my old friends, only one or two still drop me a line occasionally.Q: What does the woman mean?for ages. 好几年out of touch 没有联系drop sb a line 写信给某人Occasionally 偶尔12. M: If you can make up your mind about the color, I can start on the outside of your houseearly next week.W: Well, right now I think I want white for the window frame s and yellow for the walls, but I’ll let you know tomorrow.Q: Who is the woman talking to?Make up one's mind 下定决心，做出决定Window frame 窗框大意：M：如果您现在把油漆颜色定下来了，那我下周就开始给您粉刷外墙。

W：额，我初步想法是想把窗框刷成白色，墙刷成黄色。

这样，我明天再给你确切答复吧。

13. W: Excuse me, do you have any apartments available for under 500 dollars a month? I needto move in next week when my new job starts.M: The only vacant one I have is 600 dollars, have you inquired at the apartment complex down the street?Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?Apartment 套间Available 可用的，在这里是“可供出租”的意思Apartment complex 公寓，大楼这是个固定搭配。

Section A11.M: Good news! I’m not going to have surgery after all. The doctor says I can start working out again soon, and maybe play football like before in a few weeks.W: That’s terrific! It will be great if you can get back in shape in time for the World Cup.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?12.M: I really need to make some extra money. You know, I’ve practically spent my entire budget for the semester.W: Why not check out the new cafeteria at the Market Street. I think there’s still a few opening suitable for seniors like you.Q: What does the woman suggest the man do?13.M: I hear John left his cat in your care while he’s on vacation abroad. How are you getting along with it?W: Well, it never comes when I call it. It spills its food and sheds all over the place. I can’t wait till John gets back.Q: How does the woman find the cat?14.W: Hello, Professor White, I got my grade in the mail this morning, but I think there might be a mistake in my mark.M: Yeah. I’ve got several calls just like yours. There must be a problem with a computing system. It should be straightened out in a couple of hours.Q: What does the man mean?15.M: Professor Johnson, last night when I was putting the finishing touches on my paper a computer failure completely wiped up my files. Do you think I could have another day to retype it?W: I’m sorry, Rod. I’m leaving for a conference tomorrow, and I’ll be away two weeks. I suppose you could send me an e-copy.Q: Why does the man say he can’t submit his assignment on time?16.W: I just called the travel agency. It’s all set. On June 1s we are heading for the mountains and will be camping there for a whole week.M: Have you checked the academic calendar? My classes aren’t over until the 8th.Q: What does the man imply?17.W: I thought there was still time for me to apply for a student loan. But someone just told me that the closing date was last Tuesday.M: Are you sure? I thought we still had another month. Wait, I’ve got a brochure right here. Last Tuesday was the opening date.Q: What does the man imply?18.W: Look at all the pollutants going into the air from those factories. Do you think they’ll ever get that under control?M: Now with the new laws in effect, and social awareness increasing, we are sure to turn things around.Q: What does the man mean?Conversation oneW: T ell me, Peter, what makes Harrods so famous?M: Well, it’s the biggest department store in the UK. And its food hall and the Egyptian hall are very famous. People come to Harrods just to see them.W: What is special about the food hall?M: It sells many different kinds of food. For example, it has 250 kinds of cheese from all over the world and more than 180 kinds of bread. Customers also love all the different kinds of chocolate. They buy 100 tons every year.W: That’s amazing! And why is the Egyptian hall so famous?M: Well, when people see it, they feel they are in another world. It looks like an Egyptian building from 4000 years ago. And it sells beautiful objects. They are not4000 years old, of course.W: Is it true that Harrods produces its own electricity?M: Yes, it does. 70%, enough for a small town. To light the outside of the building, we use 11500 light bulbs.W: Really? Tell me, how many customers do you have on an average day? And how much do they spend?M: About 30000 people come on an average day. But during the sales, the number increases to 300000 customers a day. How much do they spend? Well, on average, customers spend about 1.5 million pounds a day. The record for one day is 9 million pounds,W: 9 million pounds in one day?M: Yes, on the first day of the January sales.W: Harrods says it sells everything to everybody, everywhere. Is that really true?M: Oh, yes, of course! Absolutely everything!19. What is the food hall of Harrods noted for?20. What does the Egyptian hall seem like to the customers?21. What may customers find surprising about Harrods?22. About how many customers come to Harrods on an average day? Conversation twoW: Hi, Kevin.M: Hi, Laura. Long time no see. What’ve you been up to lately?W: Not much, I can assure you. And you?M: Much the same, except I do have some big news.W: Come on! This suspense is killing me.M: No, really. What’ve you been doing these past few weeks? The last time I saw you, you were looking for a new job.W: Well, That’s not exactly true. I was thinking about changing jobs. Luckily, they offered me a new position in the accounting department.M: A step up in the big business world.W: I wouldn’t exaggerate, but I’m pleased. I had been hoping to get a promotion for a while. So when it finally came through I was relieved. Actually that’s why I was looking for a new job. I just didn’t want to work there any more. They weren’t going to recognize my efforts.M: Right. Sometimes you can do your best and it seems like the others don’t know you exist. I hope the money is better?W: I got a reasonable raise. Now, enough about me. I’m dying to hear your news.M: I’m getting married.W: No! You said you never get married.M: That was then, and this is now. You’ve got to meet Andria. She’s great! W: This is all news to me. I didn’t even know you were dating.M: We weren’t. We’ve just been dating for two weeks now.W: And you’re getting married?M: I know I can’t help it. I just know she’s the one.W: Well, congratulations! That’s fantastic!M: Thanks. I’m glad to hear you feel that way.23. What was the woman doing when the man last saw her?24. Why does the woman say she was relieved?25. Why is the woman surprised at the man’s news?Section BPassage 1Water scooters are water vehicles that look very much like motor cycles. Nowadays speedy, colorful water scooters are gaining in popularity. They can travel anywhere a small boat can and typically popular with young people. The rising popularity of the craft has raised the question of water scooter regulation. In this case, the argument for strict regulation is compelling. Water scooters are a particularly deadly form of water recreation. For example, two women were vacationing in Long Boat Key. While they were floating on a rubber boat along the shore, a water scooter crashed into them and killed them. Also, water scooter operators have been killed or seriously injured in collisions with other water craft. Others have been straddled at the sea when the scooters either failed or sank far from shore. Many water scooter operators are inexperienced and ignorant of navigational rules which increases the potential for accidents. The increasingpopularity of the scooter has aggravated the problem providing more water vehicles to compete for the same space. Crowded water ways are simply an open invitation to disaster. In addition to the inherent operational hazards of water scooters, they’re proving to be an environmental nonsense. Beach residents complained of the noise of the scooters. The pacific whale foundation on the west coast expressed concern that the scooters are frightening away and endanger species of whale that migrates to Hawaii for breeding. Regulations such as minimum operating age, restricted operating areas and compulsory classes in water safety are essential. Without such regulations, tragedies involve water scooters are sure to multiply which makes many beaches unsafe for recreation.26 What does the speaker say about water scooters?27 What is mentioned as one of the causes of water accidents?28 In what way are water scooters said to be an environmental nonsense?29 What does the speaker propose to ensure the safety of beaches for recreation?Passage 2It seems to me that neighbors are going out of style in America. The friend next door from whom you borrowed four eggs or a ladder has moved and the people in there now are strangers. Some of the traditional stories of neighborliness are impractical or silly. And it may be just as well that our relations with our neighbors are changing. The saying in the Bible “Love Thy Neighbor” was probably a poor translation of what must have originally been – Respect Thy Neighbor. Love cant’be called up on order. Fewer than half the people in the United States live in the same house they lived in five years ago. So there’s no reason to love the people who live next door to you just because they happen to wander into a real estate office that listed the place next door to yours. The only thing neighbors have in common, to begin with, is proximity. And unless something more develops, that isn’t reason enough to be best friends. It sometimes happens naturally, but the chances are very small that your neighbors will be your choice of friends or that you’ll be theirs, either. The best relationship with neighbors is one of friendly distance. You say hello, you small talk if you see them in the yard. You discuss problems as they arise. And you help each other in an emergency. The driveway, or the fence between you, is not really a cold shoulder but a clear boundary - we all like clearly defined boundaries for ourselves.30 What does the speaker say about the relations among neighbors nowadays?31 Why does the speaker say it may be difficult for people to love their neighbors?32 What should neighbors do in the speaker’s opinion?Passage ThreeArticles in magazines and newspapers and special reports on radio, and television reflect the concern of many Americans about the increasing drop-out rate in our junior and senior high schools. Coupled with this fact is the warning that soon we will no longer have a work force to fill the many jobs that require properly educated personnel. The high student dropout rate is not a recent development. Ten years ago, many urban schools were reporting dropout rates between 35% and 50%. Some administrators maintain that dropouts remain the single greatest problem in their schools. Consequently, much effort has been spent on identifying students with problems in order to give them more attention before become failures. Since the dropout problem doesn’t start in senior high school, special programs in junior high school focus on students who show promise, but have a record of truancy. That’s staying away from school without permission. Under the guidance of counselors, these students are placed in classes with teachers whohave had success in working with similar young people. Strategies to motivate students in high school, include rewarding academic excellence by designating scholars of the month, or by issuing articles of clothing such as school letter jackets formally given only to athletes.. No one working with these students claims to know how to keep all students in school. Counselors, teachers and administrators are in the frontlines of what seems at times to be a losing battle. Actually, this problem should be everyone’s concern since uneducated, unemployed citizens affect us all33 Why are Americans concerned about the increasing drop-out rate in school?34 What do we learn about the student drop-out problem in America?35 What is mentioned as one of the strategies used to motivate students?Section CI’m interested in the criminal justice system of our country. It seems to me that something has to be done if we are to survive as a country. I certainly don’t know what the answers to our problems are. Things certainly get complicated in a hurry when you get into them. But I wonder if something couldn’t be done to deal with some of these problems. One thing I’m concerned about is our practice of puttingoffenders in jail who haven’t harmed anyone. Why not work out some system whereby they can pay back the debts they owe society instead of incurring another debt by going to prison and of course coming out the influence of hardened criminals. I’m also concerned about the short prison sentences people are serving for serious crimes. Of course one alternative to this is to restore capital punishment. But I’m not sure I would be for that. I’m not sure it’s right to take an eye for an eye. The alternative to capital punishment is longer sentences but they would certainly cost the tax-payers much money.I also think we must do something about the insanity plea. In my opinion, anyone who takes another person’s life intentionally is insane. However that does not mean that the person isn’t guilty of the crime or that he shouldn’t pay society the debt he owes. It said of course that a person may have to spend the rest of his life or a large part of it in prison for acts that he committed while not in full control of his mind.。

【最新整理，下载后即可编辑】2008年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled How To Improve Student's Mental Health?.You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1.大学生的心理健康十分重要2.因此，学校可以……3.我们自己应当……How To Improve Student's Mental Health?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________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.Supersize SurpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it’s al down to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it. Yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it. Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate(促成) such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is saying that the “big two” – reduced physical activity and increased availability of food –are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by 20obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1.Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Ex amination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses’Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in turn gained more than whose who slept 7.It’s well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses’ study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it appears that we really are sleeping less. In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2.Climate controlWe humans, like all warm-blooded animals, can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what’s going on in the world around us. We do this by altering our metabolic(新陈代谢的) rate, shivering or sweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the “thermo-neutral zone”, which is increasingly where we choose to live and work.There is no denying that ambient temperatures(环境温度) have changed in the past few decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average British home warmed from a chilly 13C to 18C. In the US, the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportion of homes with air conditioning rose from 23% to 47% between 1978 and 1997. In the southern states – where obesity rates tend to be highest –the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to 71% from 37% in 1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference to our weight?Sadly，there is some evidence that it does-at least with regard to heating.Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3.Less smokingBad news: smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us, and quitting really does pack on the pounds, though no one is sure why. It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagues at the US National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, have calculated that people kicking the habit have been responsible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness. From data collected around 1991 by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they worked out that people who had quit in the previous decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had never smoked .Among men, for example, nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with 37% of non-smokers and only 28%of smokers.4.Genetic effectsYours chances of becoming fat may be set, at least in part, before you were even born. Children of obese mothers are much more likely to become obese themselves later in life. Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normal diet. Intriguingly, the effect persists for two or three generations. Grandchildren of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if their own mother is fed normally-so you fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5.A little older…Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others. Surveys carried out by the US national center for health statistics found that adults aged 40 to 79 were around three times as likely to be obese as younger people. Non-white females also tend to fall at the fatter end of the spectrum: Mexican-American women are 30% more likely than white women to be obsess, and black women have twice the risk.In the US, these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population. Between 1970 and 2000 the US population aged 35 to 44 grew by43%.the proportion of Hispanic-Americans also grew, from under 5% to 12.5% of the population, while the proportion of black Americans increased from 11%to12.3%.these changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6.Mature mumsMothers around the world are getting older. in the UK, the mean age for having a first child is 27.3,compared with 23.7 in 1970 .mean age at first birth in the US has also increased, rising from 21.4 in 1970 to 24.9 in 2000.This would be neither here nor there if it weren’t for the observation that having an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity. Results from the US national heart, lung and blood institute’s study found that the odds of a child being obese increase 14% for every five extra years of their mother’s age, though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at the University of Nottingham, UK, found that first-born children have more fat than younger ones. As family size decreases, firstborns account for a greater share of the population. In 1964, British women gave birth to an average of 2.95 children; by 2005 that figure had fallen to 1.79. In the US in1976, 9.6% of woman in their 40s had only one child; in 2004 it was 17.4%. this combination of older mothers and more single children could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7.Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks, so they do for size. Lean people are more likely to marry lean and fat more likely to marry fat. On its own, like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity. But combined with others—particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children—it amplifies the increase form other causes.1. What is the passage mainly about?A) E ffects of obesity on people’s healthB) The link between lifestyle and obesityC) New explanations for the obesity epidemicD) Possible ways to combat the obesity epidemic2. In the US N urse’ Health Study, women who slept an average of 7 hours a night_______.A) gained the least weightB) were inclined to eat lessC) found their vigor enhancedD) were less susceptible to illness3. The popular belief about obesity is that___________.A) it makes us sleepyB) it causes sleep lossC) it increases our appetiteD) it results from lack of sleep4. How does indoor heating affect our life?A) it makes us stay indoors moreB) it accelerates our metabolic rateC) it makes us feel more energeticD) it contributes to our weight gain5. What does the author say about the effect of nicotine on smokers?A) it threatens their healthB) it heightens their spiritsC) it suppresses their appetiteD) it slows down their metabolism6. Who are most likely to be overweight according to Katherine Fergal’s study?A) heavy smokersB) passive smokersC) those who never smokeD) those who quit smoking7. According to the US National Center for Health Statistics, the increased obesity in the US is a result of_______.A) the growing number of smokers among young peopleB) the rising proportion of minorities in its populationC) the increasing consumption of high-calorie foodsD) the improving living standards of the poor people8. According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the reason why older mothers’ children tend to be obese remains __________.9. According to Michael Symonds, one factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is decrease of ___________.10. When two heavy people get married, chances of their children getting fat increase, because obesity is _____________.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: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.11. A) He is quite easy to recognizeB) He is an outstanding speakerC) He looks like a movie starD) He looks young for his age12. A) consult her dancing teacherB) take a more interesting classC) continue her dancing classD) improve her dancing skills13. A) the man did not believe what the woman saidB) the man accompanied the woman to the hospitalC) the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injuryD) the woman may not followed the doctor’s instructions14. A) they are not in style any moreB) they have cost him far too muchC) they no longer suit his eyesightD) they should be cleaned regularly15. A) he spilled his drink onto the floorB) he has just finished wiping the floorC) he was caught in a shower on his way homeD) he rushed out of the bath to answer the phone16. A) fixing some furnitureB) repairing the toy trainC) reading the instructionsD) assembling the bookcase17. A) urge Jenny to spend more time on studyB) help Jenny to prepare for the coming examsC) act towards Jenny in a more sensible wayD) send Jenny to a volleyball training center18. A) The building of the dam needs a large budgetB) The proposed site is near the residential areaC) The local people feel insecure about the damD) The dam poses a threat to the local environmentQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A. It saw the end of its booming years worldwideB. Its production and sales reached record levels.C. It became popular in some foreign countriesD. Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.20. A. They cost less. C. They were in fashion.B. They tasted better. D. They were widely advertised.21. A. It is sure to fluctuate. C. It will remain basically stable.B. It is bound to revive. D. It will see no more monopoly Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A. Organising protests C. Acting as its spokesman.B. Recruiting members D. Saving endangered animals.23. A. Anti-animal-abuse demonstrations B. Anti-nuclear campaignsC. Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorD. Removing industrial waste.24. A. By harassing them. C. By taking legal action.B. By appealing to the public D. By resorting to force.25. A. Doubtful C. Indifferent.B. Reserved D. SupportiveSection BDirections: 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 OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A. The air becomes still. C. The clouds block the sun.B. The air pressure is low. D. The sky appears brighter.27. A. Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B. Sailors’ saying about the weather are unreliable.C. People knew long ago how to predict the weather.D. It was easier to forecast the weather in the old days.28. A. Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B. People can predict the weather by their sensesC. Who are the real experts in weather forecast.D. Weather changes affect people’s life remarkablyPassage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A. They often feel insecure about their jobs.B. They are unable to decide what to do first.C. They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.D they feel burdened with numerous tasks every day30. A. Analyze them rationally. C. Turn to others for help.B. Draw a detailed to-do list. D. Handle them one by one.31. A. They have accomplished little. C. They have worked out a way to relax.B. They feel utterly exhausted. D. They no longer feel any sense of guilt. Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. A. Their performance may improve.B. Their immune system may be reinforcedC. Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.D. Their physical development may be enhanced.33. A. Improved mental functioning C. Speeding up of blood circulationB. Increased susceptibility to disease D. Reduction of stress-related hormones34. A. Pretend to be in better shape. C. Turn more often to friends for helpB. Have more physical exercise. D. Pay more attention to bodily sensations.35. A. Different approaches to coping with stress.B. Various causes for serious health problems.C. The relationship between stress and illness.D. New finding of medical research on stress.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.One of the most common images of an advanced, Western-style culture is that of a busy, traffic-filled city. Since their first (36) ______ on American roadways, automobiles have become a (37) ______ of progress, a source of thousands of jobs and an almost inalienable right for citizens’ personal freedom of movement. In recent (38) _______, our “love affair” with the car is being (39) ________ directly to the developing world, and it is increasingly (40) _______ that this transfer is leading to disaster.American’s almost complete dependence on automobiles has been a terrible mistake. As late as the 1950s, a large (41) ________ of the American public used mass transit. A (42) ________ of public policy decisions and corporate scheming saw to it that countless (43) ________ and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dismantled. (44) ___________________________________________________. Our lives have been planned along a road grid—homes far from work, shopping far from everything, with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail. (45) _________________________________________________________.Pollution control measures are either not strict or nonexistent, leading to choking clouds of smog. Gasoline still contains lead, which is extremely poisonous to humans. (46) ________________________________________________________________ _____.In addition to pollution and traffic jams, auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations.Part IV Reading Comprehension （Reading in Depth）（25 minutes）Section ADirections:In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.One of the major producers of athletic footwear, with 2002 sales of over $10 billion, is a company called Nike, with corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Forbes magazine identified Nike’s president, Philip Knight, as the 53rd-richestman in the world in 2004. But Nike has not always been a large multimillion-dollar organization. In fact, Knight started the company by selling shoes from the back of his car at track meets.In the late1950s Philip Knight was a middle-distance runner on the University of Oregon track team, coached by Bill Bowerman. One of the top track coaches in the U.S., Bowerman was also known for experimenting with the design of running shoes in an attempt to make them lighter and more shock-absorbent. After attending Oregon, Knight moved on to do graduate work at Stanford University; his MBA thesis was on marketing athletic shoes. Once he received his degree, Knight traveled to Japan to contact the Onitsuka Tiger Company, a manufacturer of athletic shoes. Knight convinced the company’s officials of the potential for its product in the U.S. In 1963 he received his first shipment of Tiger shoes, 200 pairs in total.In 1964, Knight and Bowerman contributed $500 each to from Blue Ribbon Sports, the predecessor of Nike. In the first few years, Knight distributed shoes out of his car at local track meets. The first employees hired by Knight wereformer college athle tes. The company did not have the money to hire “experts”, and there was no established athletic footwear industry in North America from which to recruit those knowledgeable in the field. In its early years the organization operated in an unconventional manner that characterized its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the industry. Communication was informal; people discussed ideas and issues in the hallways, on a run, or over a beer. There was little task differentiation. There were no job descriptions, rigid reporting systems, or detailed rules and regulations. The team spirit and shared values of the athletes on Bowerman’s teams carried over and provided the basis for the collegial style of management that characterized the early years of Nikes.47. While serving as a track coach, Bowerman tried to design running shoes that were _____________________.48. During his visit to Japan, Knight convinced the officials of the Onitsuka Tiger Company that its product would have____________________________________.49. Blue Ribbon Sports as unable to hire experts due to the absence of____________________ in North America.50. In the early years of Nike, communication within the company was usually carried out____________.51. What qualities of Bowerman’s tea ms formed the basis of Nike’s early management style?_______________________________________________________________. Section BDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put touse. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the sole measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so .medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a predominantly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients（营养成分）captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safe and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat（栖息地）loss and to diminishing biodiversity.What’s more, demand for animal products in developing countries is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra 300 million tons of grain a year by 2050.yet the growth of cities and industry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.All this means that agriculture in the 21stcentury will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th.thiswill require radical thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are inevitably more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons（正反两方面）of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better forbiodiversity.What is crucial is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.52. How do people often measure progress in agriculture?A) By its productivity C) By its impact on the environmentB) By its sustainability D) By its contribution to economic growth53. Specialisation and the effort to increase yields have resulted in________.A) Localised pollution C) competition from overseasB) the shrinking of farmland D) the decrease of biodiversity54. What does the author think of traditional farming practices?A) They have remained the same over the centuriesB) They have not kept pace with population growthC) They are not necessarily sustainableD) They are environmentally friendly55. What will agriculture be like in the 21st centuryA) It will go through radical changesB) It will supply more animal productsC) It will abandon traditional farming practicesD) It will cause zero damage to the environment56 What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?A) To remind people of the need of sustainable developmentB) To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food productionC) To advance new criteria for measuring farming progressD) To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture isPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.The percentage of immigrants (including those unlawfully present) in the United states has been creeping upward for years. At 12.6 percent, it is now higher than at any point since the mid1920s.We are not about to go back to the days when Congress openly worried about inferior races polluting America’s bloodstream. But once again we are wondering whether we have too many of the wrong sort newcomers. Their loudest critics argue that the new wave of immigrants cannot, and indeed do not want to,fit in as previous generations did.We now know that these racist views were wrong. In time, Italians, Romanians and members of other so-called inferior races became exemplary Americans and contributed greatly, in ways too numerous to detail, to the building of this magnificent nation. There is no reason why these new immigrants should not have the same success.Although children of Mexican immigrants do better, in terms of educational and professional attainment, than their parents UCLA sociologist Edward Telles has found that the gains don’t continue. Indeed, the fouth generation is marginally worse off than the third James Jackson, of the University of Michigan, has found a similar trend among black Caribbean immigrants, Tells fears that Mexican-Americans may be fated to follow in the footsteps of American blacks-that large parts of the community may become mired（陷入）in a seemingly permanent state of poverty and Underachievement. Like African-Americans, Mexican-Americans are increasingly relegated to (降入)segregated, substandard schools, and their dropout rate is the highest for any ethnic group in the country.We have learned much about the foolish idea of excluding people on the presumption of the ethnic/racial inferiority. But what we have not yet learned is how to make the process of Americanization work for all. I am not talking about requiring people to learn English or to adopt American ways; those things happen pretty much on their own, but as arguments about immigration hear up the campaign trail, we also ought to ask some broader question about assimilation, about how to ensure that people , once outsider s , don’t fo rever remain marginalized within these shores.That is a much larger question than what should happen with undocumented workers, or how best to secure the border, and it is one that affects not only newcomers but groups that have been here for generations. It will have more impact on our future than where we decide to set the admissions bar for the latest ware of would-be Americans. And it would be nice if we finally got the answer right.57. How were immigrants viewed by U.S. Congress in early days?A) They were of inferior races.B) They were a Source of political corruption.C) They were a threat to the nation’s security.D) They were part of the nation’s bloodstream.58. What does the author think of the new immigrants?A) They will be a dynamic work force in the U.S.B) They can do just as well as their predecessors.C) They will be very disappointed on the new land.D) They may find it hard to fit into the mainstream.59. What does Edward Telles’ research say about Mexican-Americans?A) They may slowly improve from generation to generation.B) They will do better in terms of educational attainment.C) They will melt into the African-American community.D) They may forever remain poor and underachieving.60. What should be done to help the new immigrants?A) Rid them of their inferiority complex.B) Urge them to adopt American customs.C) Prevent them from being marginalized.D) Teach them standard American English.61. According to the author, the burning issue concerning immigration is_______.A) How to deal with people entering the U.S. without documentsB) How to help immigrants to better fit into American societyC) How to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the borderD) How to limit the number of immigrants to enter the U.S.Part V Cloze （15 minutes）Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C]and [D] on the right side of the paper. You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Individuals and businesses have legal protection for intellectual property they create and own. Intellectual proper__62__from creative thinking62. [A]retrieves[B]deviates[C]results[D]departs。

2008年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I Writing （30 minutes）Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled How To Improve Student's Mental Health?.You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1.大学生的心理健康十分重要2.因此，学校可以……3.我们自己应当……How To Improve Student's Mental Health?________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 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.Supersize SurpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it’s al down to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to the root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it. Yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it. Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate(促成) such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is saying that the “big two” – reduced physical activity and increased availability of food – are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by 20obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1.Not enough sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortage of shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, according to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Ex amination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses’ Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in turn gained more than whose who slept 7.It’s well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses’ study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it appears that we really are sleeping less. In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2.Climate controlWe humans, like all warm-blooded animals, can keep our core body temperatures pretty much constant regardless of what’s going on in the world around us. We do this by altering our metabolic(新陈代谢的) rate, shivering or sweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the “thermo-neutral zone”,which is increasingly where we choose to live and work.There is no denying that ambient temperatures(环境温度) have changed in the past few decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average British home warmed from a chilly 13C to 18C. In the US, the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportion of homes with air conditioning rose from 23% to 47% between 1978 and 1997. In the southern states – where obesity rates tend to be highest – the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to 71% from 37% in 1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference to our weight?Sadly，there is some evidence that it does-at least with regard to heating. Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3.Less smokingBad news: smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us, and quitting really does pack on the pounds, though no one is sure why. It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagues at the US National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, have calculated that people kicking the habit have been responsible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness. From data collected around 1991 by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they worked out that people who had quit in the previous decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had never smoked .Among men, for example, nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with 37% of non-smokers and only 28%of smokers.4.Genetic effectsYours chances of becoming fat may be set, at least in part, before you were even born. Children of obese mothers are much more likely to become obese themselves later in life. Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normal diet. Intriguingly, the effect persists for two or three generations. Grandchildren of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if their own mother is fed normally-so you fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5.A little older…Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others. Surveys carried out by the US national center for health statistics found that adults aged 40 to 79 were around three times as likely to be obese as younger people. Non-white females also tend to fall at the fatter end of the spectrum: Mexican-American women are 30% more likely than white women to be obsess, and black women have twice the risk.In the US, these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population. Between 1970 and 2000 the US population aged 35 to 44 grew by43%.the proportion of Hispanic-Americans also grew, from under 5% to 12.5% of the population, while the proportion of black Americans increased from 11% to12.3%.these changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6.Mature mumsMothers around the world are getting older. in the UK, the mean age for having a first child is 27.3,compared with 23.7 in 1970 .mean age at first birth in the US has also increased, rising from 21.4 in 1970 to 24.9 in 2000.This would be neither here nor there if it weren’t for the observation that having an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity. Results from the US national heart, lung and blood institute’s study found that the odds of a child being obese increase 14% for every five ex tra years of their mother’s age, though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at the University of Nottingham, UK, found that first-born children have more fat than younger ones. As family size decreases, firstborns account for a greater share of the population. In 1964, British women gave birth to an average of 2.95 children; by 2005 that figure had fallen to 1.79. In the US in1976, 9.6% of woman in their 40s had only one child; in 2004 it was 17.4%. this combination of older mothers and more singlechildren could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7.Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks, so they do for size. Lean people are more likely to marry lean and fat more likely to marry fat. On its own, like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity. But combined with others—particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children—it amplifies the increase form other causes.1. What is the passage mainly about?A) E ffects of obesity on people’s healthB) The link between lifestyle and obesityC) New explanations for the obesity epidemicD) Possible ways to combat the obesity epidemic2. In the US N urse’ Health Study, women who slept an average of 7 hours a night_______.A) gained the least weightB) were inclined to eat lessC) found their vigor enhancedD) were less susceptible to illness3. The popular belief about obesity is that___________.A) it makes us sleepyB) it causes sleep lossC) it increases our appetiteD) it results from lack of sleep4. How does indoor heating affect our life?A) it makes us stay indoors moreB) it accelerates our metabolic rateC) it makes us feel more energeticD) it contributes to our weight gain5. What does the author say about the effect of nicotine on smokers?A) it threatens their healthB) it heightens their spiritsC) it suppresses their appetiteD) it slows down their metabolism6. Who are most likely to be overweight according to Katherine Fergal’s study?A) heavy smokersB) passive smokersC) those who never smokeD) those who quit smoking7. According to the US National Center for Health Statistics, the increased obesity in the US is a result of_______.A) the growing number of smokers among young peopleB) the rising proportion of minorities in its populationC) the increasing consumption of high-calorie foodsD) the improving living standards of the poor people8. According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the reason why older mothers’ children tend to be obese remains __________.9. According to Michael Symonds, one factor contributing to the obesity epidemic is decrease of ___________.10. When two heavy people get married, chances of their children getting fat increase, because obesity is_____________.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: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.11. A) He is quite easy to recognizeB) He is an outstanding speakerC) He looks like a movie starD) He looks young for his age12. A) consult her dancing teacherB) take a more interesting classC) continue her dancing classD) improve her dancing skills13. A) the man did not believe what the woman saidB) the man accompanied the woman to the hospitalC) the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injuryD) the woman may not followed the doctor’s instructions14. A) they are not in style any moreB) they have cost him far too muchC) they no longer suit his eyesightD) they should be cleaned regularly15. A) he spilled his drink onto the floorB) he has just finished wiping the floorC) he was caught in a shower on his way homeD) he rushed out of the bath to answer the phone16. A) fixing some furnitureB) repairing the toy trainC) reading the instructionsD) assembling the bookcase17. A) urge Jenny to spend more time on studyB) help Jenny to prepare for the coming examsC) act towards Jenny in a more sensible wayD) send Jenny to a volleyball training center18. A) The building of the dam needs a large budgetB) The proposed site is near the residential areaC) The local people feel insecure about the damD) The dam poses a threat to the local environmentQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A. It saw the end of its booming years worldwideB. Its production and sales reached record levels.C. It became popular in some foreign countriesD. Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.20. A. They cost less. C. They were in fashion.B. They tasted better. D. They were widely advertised.21. A. It is sure to fluctuate. C. It will remain basically stable.B. It is bound to revive. D. It will see no more monopolyQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A. Organising protests C. Acting as its spokesman.B. Recruiting members D. Saving endangered animals.23. A. Anti-animal-abuse demonstrations B. Anti-nuclear campaignsC. Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorD. Removing industrial waste.24. A. By harassing them. C. By taking legal action.B. By appealing to the public D. By resorting to force.25. A. Doubtful C. Indifferent.B. Reserved D. SupportiveSection BDirections: 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 OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A. The air becomes still. C. The clouds block the sun.B. The air pressure is low. D. The sky appears brighter.27. A. Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B. Sailors’ saying about the weather are unreliable.C. People knew long ago how to predict the weather.D. It was easier to forecast the weather in the old days.28. A. Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B. People can predict the weather by their sensesC. Who are the real experts in weather forecast.D. Weather changes affect people’s life remarkablyPassage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A. They often feel insecure about their jobs.B. They are unable to decide what to do first.C. They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.D they feel burdened with numerous tasks every day30. A. Analyze them rationally. C. Turn to others for help.B. Draw a detailed to-do list. D. Handle them one by one.31. A. They have accomplished little. C. They have worked out a way to relax.B. They feel utterly exhausted. D. They no longer feel any sense of guilt.Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. A. Their performance may improve.B. Their immune system may be reinforcedC. Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.D. Their physical development may be enhanced.33. A. Improved mental functioning C. Speeding up of blood circulationB. Increased susceptibility to disease D. Reduction of stress-related hormones34. A. Pretend to be in better shape. C. Turn more often to friends for helpB. Have more physical exercise. D. Pay more attention to bodily sensations.35. A. Different approaches to coping with stress.B. Various causes for serious health problems.C. The relationship between stress and illness.D. New finding of medical research on stress.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.One of the most common images of an advanced, Western-style culture is that of a busy, traffic-filled city. Since their first (36) ______ on American roadways, automobiles have become a (37) ______ of progress, a source of thousands of jobs and an almost inalienable right for citizens’ personal freedom of movement. In recent (38) _______, our “love affair” with the car is being (39) ________ directly to the developing world, and it is increasingly (40) _______ that this transfer is leading to disaster.American’s almost complete dependence on automobiles has been a terrible mistake. As late as the 1950s, a large (41) ________ of the American public used mass transit. A (42) ________ of public policy decisions and corporate scheming saw to it that countless (43) ________ and efficient urban streetcar and intra-city rail systems were dismantled. (44) ___________________________________________________. Our lives have been planned along a road grid—homes far from work, shopping far from everything, with ugly stretches of concrete and blacktop in between.Developing countries are copying Western-style transportation systems down to the last detail. (45) _________________________________________________________. Pollution control measures are either not strict or nonexistent, leading to choking clouds of smog. Gasoline still contains lead, which is extremely poisonous to humans. (46) _____________________________________________________________________.In addition to pollution and traffic jams, auto safety is a critical issue in developing nations.Part IV Reading Comprehension （Reading in Depth）（25 minutes）Section ADirections:In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.One of the major producers of athletic footwear, with 2002 sales of over $10 billion, is a company calledNike, with corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Forbes magazine identified Nike’s president, Philip Knight, as the 53rd-richestman in the world in 2004. But Nike has not always been a large multimillion-dollar organization. In fact, Knight started the company by selling shoes from the back of his car at track meets.In the late1950s Philip Knight was a middle-distance runner on the University of Oregon track team, coached by Bill Bowerman. One of the top track coaches in the U.S., Bowerman was also known for experimenting with the design of running shoes in an attempt to make them lighter and more shock-absorbent. After attending Oregon, Knight moved on to do graduate work at Stanford University; his MBA thesis was on marketing athletic shoes. Once he received his degree, Knight traveled to Japan to contact the Onitsuka Tiger Company, a manufacturer of athletic shoes. Knight convinced the company’s officials of the potential for its product in the U.S. In 1963 he received his first shipment of Tiger shoes, 200 pairs in total.In 1964, Knight and Bowerman contributed $500 each to from Blue Ribbon Sports, the predecessor of Nike. In the first few years, Knight distributed shoes out of his car at local track meets. The first employees hired by Knight were former college athle tes. The company did not have the money to hire “experts”, and there was no established athletic footwear industry in North America from which to recruit those knowledgeable in the field. In its early years the organization operated in an unconventional manner that characterized its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the industry. Communication was informal; people discussed ideas and issues in the hallways, on a run, or over a beer. There was little task differentiation. There were no job descriptions, rigid reporting systems, or detailed rules and regulations. The team spirit and shared values of the athletes on Bowerman’s teams carried over and provided the basis for the collegial style of management that characterized the early years of Nikes.47. While serving as a track coach, Bowerman tried to design running shoes that were _____________________.48. During his visit to Japan, Knight convinced the officials of the Onitsuka Tiger Company that its product would have____________________________________.49. Blue Ribbon Sports as unable to hire experts due to the absence of____________________ in North America.50. In the early years of Nike, communication within the company was usually carried out____________.51. What qualities of Bowerman’s tea ms formed the basis of Nike’s early management style?_______________________________________________________________.Section BDirections:There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the sole measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives.To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so .medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a predominantly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients（营养成分）captured in the product it was relatively inefficient.Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmersto specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safe and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat（栖息地）loss and to diminishing biodiversity.What’s more, demand for animal products in developing countries is growing so fast that meeting it will require an extra 300 million tons of grain a year by 2050.yet the growth of cities and industry is reducing the amount of water available for agriculture in many regions.All this means that agriculture in the 21stcentury will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th.thiswill require radical thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are inevitably more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the not ion that agriculture can be “zero impact”. The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage.Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons（正反两方面）of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity.What is crucial is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production.52. How do people often measure progress in agriculture?A) By its productivity C) By its impact on the environmentB) By its sustainability D) By its contribution to economic growth53. Specialisation and the effort to increase yields have resulted in________.A) Localised pollution C) competition from overseasB) the shrinking of farmland D) the decrease of biodiversity54. What does the author think of traditional farming practices?A) They have remained the same over the centuriesB) They have not kept pace with population growthC) They are not necessarily sustainableD) They are environmentally friendly55. What will agriculture be like in the 21st centuryA) It will go through radical changesB) It will supply more animal productsC) It will abandon traditional farming practicesD) It will cause zero damage to the environment56 What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?A) To remind people of the need of sustainable developmentB) To suggest ways of ensuring sustainable food productionC) To advance new criteria for measuring farming progressD) To urge people to rethink what sustainable agriculture isPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.The percentage of immigrants (including those unlawfully present) in the United states has been creeping upward for years. At 12.6 percent, it is now higher than at any point since the mid1920s.We are not about to go back to the days when Congress openly worried about inferior races polluting America’s bloodstream. But once again we are wondering whether we have too many of the wrong sort newcomers. Their loudest critics argue that the new wave of immigrants cannot, and indeed do not want to, fit inas previous generations did.We now know that these racist views were wrong. In time, Italians, Romanians and members of other so-called inferior races became exemplary Americans and contributed greatly, in ways too numerous to detail, to the building of this magnificent nation. There is no reason why these new immigrants should not have the same success.Although children of Mexican immigrants do better, in terms of educational and professional attainment, than their parents UCLA sociologist Edward Telles has found that the gains don’t continue. Indeed, the fouth generation is marginally worse off than the third James Jackson, of the University of Michigan, has found a similar trend among black Caribbean immigrants, Tells fears that Mexican-Americans may be fated to follow in the footsteps of American blacks-that large parts of the community may become mired（陷入）in a seemingly permanent state of poverty and Underachievement. Like African-Americans, Mexican-Americans are increasingly relegated to (降入)segregated, substandard schools, and their dropout rate is the highest for any ethnic group in the country.We have learned much about the foolish idea of excluding people on the presumption of the ethnic/racial inferiority. But what we have not yet learned is how to make the process of Americanization work for all. I am not talking about requiring people to learn English or to adopt American ways; those things happen pretty much on their own, but as arguments about immigration hear up the campaign trail, we also ought to ask some broader question about assimilation, about how to ensure that people , once outsider s , don’t fo rever remain marginalized within these shores.That is a much larger question than what should happen with undocumented workers, or how best to secure the border, and it is one that affects not only newcomers but groups that have been here for generations. It will have more impact on our future than where we decide to set the admissions bar for the latest ware of would-be Americans. And it would be nice if we finally got the answer right.57. How were immigrants viewed by U.S. Congress in early days?A) They were of inferior races.B) They were a Source of political corruption.C) They were a threat to the nation’s security.D) They were part of the nation’s bloodstream.58. What does the author think of the new immigrants?A) They will be a dynamic work force in the U.S.B) They can do just as well as their predecessors.C) They will be very disappointed on the new land.D) They may find it hard to fit into the mainstream.59. What does Edward Telles’ research say about Mexican-Americans?A) They may slowly improve from generation to generation.B) They will do better in terms of educational attainment.C) They will melt into the African-American community.D) They may forever remain poor and underachieving.60. What should be done to help the new immigrants?A) Rid them of their inferiority complex.B) Urge them to adopt American customs.C) Prevent them from being marginalized.D) Teach them standard American English.61. According to the author, the burning issue concerning immigration is_______.A) How to deal with people entering the U.S. without documents。

英语六级十二月考试真题第一套听力原文The following is the original text for the listening section of the first set of the December English 6th Grade exam:Section ADirections:In this section, you will hear ten short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.1. M: I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I didn’t expect the traffic to be so heavy.W: That’s all right. I’ve only been waiting for about ten minutes.Q: What does the woman imply?2. W: Can you tell me where I can find the Smiths?M: Sorry, I don’t know the Smiths yet. I am new to the neighborhood.Q: What does the man mean?3. M: This cake tastes good. Did you make it yourself?W: No, I didn't have time. I bought it at the bakery.Q: What do we learn from the conversation?4. W: Why don’t you speak up in class? Your English is good.M: I am afraid of making mistakes when speaking in public.Q: What does the man mean?5. M: Do you think we’ll be able to finish the report by Friday?W: We should be able to if we work overtime tomorrow.Q: What does the woman imply?6. W: How did the man perform in the meeting?M: He made a presentation on the sales figures and did a good job.Q: What do we learn about the man’s performance?7. W: What are your plans for the weekend?M: I haven’t decided yet. I may go hiking or just relax at home.Q: What does the man imply?8. M: I have to leave for a meeting in 10 minutes. Can you help me with the report before I go?W: Sure, I’ll have it ready for you before you leave.Q: What will the woman do?9. W: How much did you pay for that new jacket? It’s really nice.M: I got it on sale for half price.Q: What does the man imply?10. M: Have you considered changing your major from history to economics?W: I have, but I don’t think I am interested in economics as much as I am in history.Q: What does the woman mean?Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear three 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, read the four possible answers on yourpaper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.Passage OneMost people suffering from depression experience a variety of symptoms, including persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty sleeping, overeating and fatigue. The good news is that, in many cases, depression can be effectively treated with medication and counseling.Questions:11. What will the speaker probably touch upon next?A. More symptoms of depression.B. Advantages of treatment.C. Possible causes of depression.D. Different types of counseling.12. Who may decide to the treatment of depression?A. Medical professionals.B. Depressed individuals.C. Doctors’ relatives.D. General public.Passage TwoWhen interacting with others, it’s important to be aware of cultural differences in communication styles. Americans, for example, often value directness and honesty in conversation. However, in some Asian cultures, it is considered more respectful to use indirect language and show deference to others.Questions:13. What will the speaker talk about next?A. Different cultural perspectives.B. Effective ways of communication.C. Common stereotypes of Asians.D. Challenges of cross-cultural communication.14. What does the speaker suggest?A. Being open about one’s feelings.B. Adjusting communication style according to culture.C. Avoiding direct communication.D. Respecting cultural differences.Passage ThreeMany animals exhibit remarkable behaviors that scientists are just beginning to understand. For example, some species are able to communicate with each other using complex vocalizations, while others show signs of altruism towards members of their own species.Questions:15. What will the speaker most likely discuss next?A. Altruistic behavior in animals.B. Communication skills in animals.C. Evolution of animal behaviors.D. Scientists’ discoveries in animal behavior.16. What does the speaker say about animal communication?A. It is limited to simple sounds.B. It varies among different species.C. It is similar to human communication.D. It is difficult to study.This is the original text for the listening section of the first set of the December English 6th Grade exam. Make sure to check your answers and practice your listening skills for the upcoming test. Good luck!。