2009年12月英语六级真题及答案解析(标准完整版)

精品文档2009年12月Section A11. A) They would rather travel around than stay at home.B) They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad.C) They usually carry many things around with them.D) They don't like to spend much money on traveling.12. A) The selection process was a little unfair.B) He had long dreamed of the dean's position.C) Rod was eliminated in the selection process.D) Rod was in charge of the admissions office.13. A) Applause encourages the singer.B) She regrets paying for the concert.C) Almost everyone loves pop music.D) The concert is very impressive.14. A) They have known each other since their schooldays.B) They were both chairpersons of the Students' Union.C) They have been in close touch by email.D) They are going to hold a reunion party.15. A) Cook their dinner.B) Rest for a while.C) Get their car fixed.D) Stop for the night.16. A) Newly-launched products.B) Consumer preferences.C) Survey results.D) Survey methods.17. A) He would rather the woman didn't buy the blouse.B) The woman needs blouses in the colors of a rainbow.C) The information in the catalog is not always reliable.D) He thinks the blue blouse is better than the red one.18. A) The course is open to all next semester.B) The notice may not be reliable.C) The woman has not told the truth.D) He will drop his course in marketing.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) A director of a sales department.B) A manager at a computer store.C) A sales clerk at a shopping center.D) An accountant of a computer firm.20. A) Handling customer complaints.B) Recruiting and training new staff.C) Dispatching ordered goods on time.D) Developing computer programs.21. A) She likes something more challenging.精品文档．精品文档B) She likes to be nearer to her parents.C) She wants to have a better-paid job.D) She wants to be with her husband.22. A) Right away.B) In two months.C) Early next month.D) In a couple of days.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) It will face challenges unprecedented in its history.B) It is a resolute advocate of the anti-global movement.C) It is bound to regain its full glory of a hundred years ago.D) It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century.24. A) The lack of overall urban planning.B) The huge gap between the haves and have-nots.C) The inadequate supply of water and electricity.D) The shortage of hi-tech personnel.25. A) They attach great importance to education.B) They are able to grasp growth opportunities.C) They are good at learning from other nations.D) They have made use of advanced technologies.Section 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 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) She taught chemistry and microbiology courses in a college.B) She gave lectures on how to become a public speaker.C) She helped families move away from industrial polluters.D) She engaged in field research on environmental pollution.27. A) The job restricted her from revealing her findings.B) The job posed a potential threat to her health.C) She found the working conditions frustrating.D) She was offered a better job in a minority community.28. A) Some giant industrial polluters have gone out of business.B) More environmental organizations have appeared.C) Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up.D) More branches of her company have been set up.29. A) Her widespread influence among members of Congress.B) Her ability to communicate through public speaking.C) Her rigorous training in delivering eloquent speeches.D) Her lifelong commitment to domestic and global issues.Passage Two精品文档．精品文档Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) The fierce competition in the market.B) The growing necessity of staff training.C) The accelerated pace of globalisation.D) The urgent need of a diverse workforce.31. A) Gain a deep understanding of their own culture.B) Take courses of foreign languages and cultures.C) Share the experiences of people from other cultures.D) Participate in international exchange programmes.32. A) Reflective thinking is becoming critical.B) Labor market is getting globalised.C) Knowing a foreign language is essential.D) Globalisation will eliminate many jobs.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) Red-haired women were regarded as more reliable.B) Brown-haired women were rated as more capable.C) Golden-haired women were considered attractive.D) Black-haired women were judged to be intelligent.34. A) They are smart and eloquent.B) They are ambitious and arrogant.C) They are shrewd and dishonest.D) They are wealthy and industrious.35. A) They force people to follow the cultural mainstream.B) They exaggerate the roles of certain groups of people.C) They emphasize diversity at the expense of uniformity.D) They hinder our perception of individual differences.Section CThe ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems called mnemonics. The name is 36 fromtheir Goddess of memory “Mnemosyne”. In the ancient world, a trained memory was an 37 asset, particularly in public life. There were no 38 devices for taking notes, and early Greek orators(演说家) delivered long speeches with great 39 because they learned the speeches using mnemonic systems.The Greeks discovered that human memory is 40 an associative process—that it works by linking things together. For example, think of an apple. The 41 your brain registers the word “apple”, it 42 the shape, color, taste, smell and 43 of that fruit. All these things are associated in your memorywith the word “apple”.44. An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had. This could trigger amemory about what you're talking about through that lecture, which can then trigger another memory.45. An example given on a website I was looking at follows: Do you remember the shape of Austria, Canada, Belgium, or Germany? Probably not. What about Italy, though? 46. You made an association with something already known, the shape of a boot, and Italy's shape could not be forgotten once you had made the association.精品文档．精品文档答案11. A) They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad。

2009年12月六级完整答案及写作范文PART ONE WRITINGShould parents send their kids to art classes?A child’s world is supposed to be fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some kids, especially for those born and bred in cities --- their joys are dimmed and even lost because a majority of them are forced to attend various art classes.Some claim that it is beneficial for children’s development. They might have their reasons because most parents are convinced that their kids are gifted gifts from the god. They presume that the earlier their children are exposed to arts, the more likely it is to find out the artistic potential hidden in them. Even if their children fail to become another child prodigy like Lang Lang or Li Yundi, the interests in arts, say, in music, cultivated in childhood will be of great value in their whole life.In spite of the possible benefits mentioned, I, like others, am strongly against it. The major harm is that it might deprive children of their pleasure to play after school. Faced with competition and contest for better universities, most children are buried in piles of homework. Forcing them to art classes will leave them less time to enjoy the beauty of the nature or to find their talent in things they are really interested in.To sum up, childhood is a time for children to play as they wish. Rather than cramming knowledge, it is more important to pave the way for their desire to know than to put them on a diet of facts they are not ready to assimilate.PART TWO Reading Comjprehension (Skimming and Scanning)1. B) benefits of the practice of teleworking2. C) more employees work to full capacity at home3. C) more businesses have adopted remote working solution4. B) They look for reliable business-only provider5. A) offering sophisticated voice services6. D) support its employees with children to take care of7. B) keep highly qualified staff8. home life9. productive10. increase her own productivityPART THREE Listening ComprehensionNo.11 A They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad. No.12 D He had long dream of the dean’s position.No.13 A The concert is very impressive.No.14 B They have known each other since their schooldays. No.15 D Stop for the night.No.16 A Survey result.No.17 D He would rather the woman didn’t buy the blouse. No.18 C The notice may not be reliable.No.19 D A manager at a computer store.No.20 A Handling customer complains.No.21 C She wants to be with her husband.No.22 D Early next month.No.23 B It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century. No.24 D The huge gap between the haves and have-nots.No.25 C They attach great importance to education.No.26 A She engaged in field research on environmental pollution. No.27 A The job restricted her from revealing her findings.No.28 B Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up.No.29 D Her ability to communicate through public speaking.No.30 D The accelerated pace of globalization.No.31 B Gain a deep understanding of their own culture.No.32 C The labor market is getting globalized.No.33 B Brown haired women are rated as more capable.No.34 A They are shrewd and dishonest.No.35 C They hinder our perception of individual differences. No.36 derivedNo.37 immenseNo.38 convenientNo.39 accuracyNo.40 largelyNo.41 instinctNo.42 recallsNo.43 textureNo.44 This means that any thought about a certain subject will often bring up more memories that are related to it.No.45 The associations do not have to be logical. They just have to make a good link.No.46 If you remember the shape of Italy, it is because you have been told at sometime that Italy is shaped like a boot.PART FOUR Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth)47. a driver’s attention48. equivalent in difficulty to driving49. more time50. more complicated task51. punishment52. D) the shrinking primary care resources53. C) the more doctors taking care of a patient, the better54. A) see more patients at the expense of quality55. B) The current system works against primary care.56. D) Bridge the salary gap between specialists and primary care physicians.57. B) The air quality around Berkeley’s school campuses is poor.58. B) Widespread panic59. A) They didn’t know who to believe.60. B) Attention should be paid to toxic chemical exposure61. A) the uncertainPART FIVE Cloze62. B launching62. D brands64. B condemn65. A in66. C industry67. A discourage68. D including69. C. unnecessary70. D for71. B incentives72. C strategic73. A spokesman74. D. under way75. B responsiblility76. B on77. C minimise78. C so79. C individual80. A despite81. D tacklePART SIX Translation82. How long does a jacket like this last me? ————————（这要看你多长时间穿一次。

2009年12月六级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled ShouldParents Send Their Kids to Art Classes?You should write at least 150words following theoutline given below.现在有不少家长送孩子参加各种艺术班1. 对这种做法有人表示支持2. 有人并不赞成3. 我认为……Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions:In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identifythe paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose aparagraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer thequestions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Bosses Say ‘Yes’ to Home WorkA) Rising costs of office space, time lost to stressful commuting, and a slow recognition thatworkers have lives beyond the office — all are strong arguments for letting staff work fromhome. For the small business, there are additional benefits too — staff are more productive,and happier, enabling firms to keep their headcounts (员工数) and their recruitment costs to a minimum. It can also provide a competitive advantage, especially when small businesseswant to attract new staff but don‟t have t he budget to offer huge salaries.B) While company managers have known about the benefits for a long time, many have donelittle about it, sceptical of whether they could trust their employees to work to full capacitywithout supervision, or concerned about the additional expenses teleworking policies might incur as staff start charging their home phone bills to the business.C) Yet this is now changing. When communications provider Inter-Tel researched the use of remote working solutions among small- and medium-sized UK businesses in April this year, it found that 28% more companies claimed to have introduced flexible working practices than a year ago. The UK network of Business Links confirms that it too has seen a growing interest in remote working solutions from small businesses seeking its advice, and claims that as many as 60-70% of the businesses that come through its doors now offer some form of remote working support to their workforces.D) Technology advances, including the widespread availability of broadband, are making the introduction of remote working a piece of cake. “If systems are set up properly, staff can have access to all the resources they have in the office wherever they have an Internet connection,” says Andy Poulton, e-business adviso r at Business Link for Berkshire and Wiltshire. “There are some very exciting developments which have enabled this.” One is the availability of broadband everywhere, which now covers almost all of the country (BT claims that, by July, 99.8% of its exchanges will be broadband enabled, with alternative plans in place for even the most remote exchanges). “This is the enabler,” Poulton says.E) Yet while broadband has come down in price too, those service providers targeting the business market warn against consumer services masquerading(伪装) as business-friendly broadband. “Broadband is available for as little as £15 a month, but many businesses fail to appreciate the hidden costs of such a service,” say Neil Stephenson, sales and marketing director at Onyx Internet, an internet service provider based in the north-east of England. “Providers offering broadband for rock-bottom prices are notorious for poor service, with regular breakdowns and heavily congested(拥堵的) networks. It is always advisable for businesses to look beyond the price tag and look for a business-only provider that can offer more reliability, with good support.” Such services don‟t cost too much — quality services can be found for upwards of £30 a month.F) The benefits of broadband to the occasional home worker are that they can access email in real time, and take full advantage of services such as internet-based backup or even internet-based phone services. Internet-based telecoms, or VoIP (Voice over IP) to give it its technical title, is an interesting tool to any business supporting remote working, not necessarily because of the promise of free or reduced price phone calls (which experts point out is misleading for the average business), but because of the sophisticated voice services that can be exploited by the remote worker — facilities such as voicemail and call forwarding, which provide a continuity of the company image for customers and business partners.G) By law, companies must “consider seriously” requests to work flexibly made by a parent with a child under the age of six, or a disabled child under 18. It was the need to accommodate employees with young children that motivated accountancy firm Wright Vigar to begin promoting teleworking recently. The company, which needed to upgrade its IT infrastructure(基础设施) to provide connectivity with a new, second office, decided to introduce support for remote working at the same time. Marketing director Jack O‟Hern explains that the company has a relatively young workforce, many of whom are pa rents: “One of the triggers was when one of our tax managers returned from maternity leave. She was intending to work part time, but could only manage one day a week in the office due to childcare. Byoffering her the ability to work from home, we have doubled her capacity — now she works a day a week from home and a day in the office. This is great for her, and for us as we retain someone highly qualified.”H) For Wright Vigar, which has now equipped all of its fee-earners to be able to work at maximum pro ductivity when away from the offices (whether that‟s from home, or while on the road), this strategy is not just about saving on commute time or cutting them loose from the office, but enabling them to work more flexible hours that fit around their home life. O‟Hern says: “Although most of our work is client-based and must fit around this, we can‟t see any reason why a parent can‟t be on hand to deal with something important at home, if they have the ability to complete a project late in the day.”I) Supporting this new way of working came with a price, though. Although the firm was updating its systems anyway, the company spent 10-15% more per user to equip them with a laptop rather than a PC, and about the same to upgrade to a server that would enable remote staff to connect to the company networks and access all their usual resources. Although Wright Vigar hasn‟t yet quantified the business benefits, it claims that, in addition to being able to retain key staff with young families, it is able to save fee-earners a substantial amount of “dead” time in their working days.J) That staff can do this without needing a fixed telephone line provides even more efficiency savings. “With Wi-Fi (fast, wireless internet connections) popping up all over the place, even on trains, our fee-earners can be productive as they travel, and between meetings, instead of having to kill time at the shops,” he adds. The company will also be able to avoid the expense of having to relocate staff to temporary offices for several weeks when it begins disruptive office renovations (翻新) soon.K) Financial recruitment specialist Lynne Hargreaves knows exactly how much her firm has saved by adopting a teleworking strategy, which has involved handing her company‟s data management over to a remote hosting company, Datanet, so it can be accessible by all the company‟s consultants over broadband internet connections. It has enabled the company to dispense with its business premises altogether, following the realisation that it just didn‟t need t hem any more. “The main motivation behind adopting home working was to increase my own productivity, as a single mum to an 11-year-old,” says Hargreaves. “But I soon realised that, as most of our business is done on the phone, email and at off-site meeting s, we didn‟t need our offices at all. We‟re now saving £16,000 a year on rent, plus the cost of utilities, not to mention what would have been spent on commuting.”1. The accountancy firm Wright Vigar promoted teleworking initially in order to support itsemployees with children to take care of.2. The access to broadband everywhere has made flexible working practices possibleaccording to Andy Poulton.3. Internet-based telecoms facilitate remote working by offering sophisticated voice services.4. From the research conducted by the communications provider Inter-Tel, we learn that morebusinesses have adopted remote working solutions.5. According to marketing director Jack O‟Hern, teleworking enabled the company to keephighly qualified staff.6. For companies, the cost of letting employees work at home was at least 10% higher thanthat of traditional working approach.7. Wright Vigar‟s practice of allowing for more flexible working hours not only benefits thecompany but helps improve employees‟ home life.8. Employees can still be productive while traveling with fast and wireless Internetconnections.9. Neil Stephenson suggested the firms contracting Internet services that they look for reliablebusiness-only providers.10. One of the reasons why many company managers are reluctant to let their workers work athome is that they think their workers will work harder under their eyes.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 witha single line through the centre.11. [A] They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad.[B] They usually carry many things around with them.[C] They would rather travel around than stay at home.[D] They don‟t like to spend much money on traveling.12. [A] The selection process was a little unfair. [B] Rod was in charge of the admissions office.[C] Rod was eliminated in the selection process.[D] He had long dreamed of the dean‟sposition.13. [A] The concert is very impressive. [B] Almost everyone loves pop music.[C] She regrets paying for the concert. [D] Applause encourages thesinger.14. [A] They were both chairpersons of the students‟ union.[B] They have known each other since their schooldays.[C] They are going to hold a reunion party.[D] They have been in close touch by email.15. [A] Cook their dinner. [B] Get their car fixed. [C] Rest for a while. [D] Stop for the night. 16. [A] Survey results. [B]Newly-launched products.[C] Survey methods. [D] Consumerpreferences.17. [A] The woman needs blouses in the colors of a rainbow.[B] The information in the catalog is not always reliable.[C] He thinks the blue blouse is better than the red one.[D] He would rather the woman didn‟t buy the blouse.18. [A] He will drop his course in marketing. [B] The woman has not told the truth.[C] The notice may not be reliable. [D] The course is open to allnext semester.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have justheard.19. [A] An accountant of a computer firm. [B] A director of a salesdepartment. [C] A sales clerk at a shopping center.[D] A manager at a computer store.20. [A] Handling customer complaints. [B] Recruiting and training newstaff.[C] Developing computer programs. [D] Dispatching ordered goodson time.21. [A] She likes something more challenging. [B] She likes to be nearer to her parents.[C] She wants to be with her husband. [D] She wants to have abetter-paid job.22. [A] In a couple of days.[B] Right away. [C] In two months. [D] Early next month.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. [A] It is bound to regain its full glory of a hundred years ago.[B] It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century.[C] It is a resolute advocate of the anti-global movement.[D] It will face challenges unprecedented in its history.24. [A] The inadequate supply of water and electricity.[B] The lack of overall urban planning.[C] The shortage of hi-tech personnel.[D] The huge gap between the haves and have-nots.25. [A] They are good at learning from other nations.[B] They are able to grasp growthopportunities.[C] They attach great importance to education. [D] They have made use of advancedtechnologies.Section 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 2with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. [A] She engaged in field research on environmental pollution.[B] She helped families move away from industrial polluters.[C] She taught chemistry and microbiology courses in a college.[D] She gave lectures on how to become a public speaker.27. [A] The job restricted her from revealing her findings.[B] She was offered a better job in a minority community.[C] The job posed a potential threat to her health.[D] She found the working conditions frustrating.28. [A] More branches of her company have been set up.[B] Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up.[C] More environmental organizations have appeared.[D] Some giant industrial polluters have gone out of business.29. [A] Her rigorous training in delivering eloquent speeches.[B] Her lifelong commitment to domestic and global issues.[C] Her widespread influence among members of Congress.[D] Her ability to communicate through public speaking.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. [A] The urgent need of a diverse workforce. [B] The growing necessity of stafftraining.[C] The fierce competition in the market. [D] The accelerated pace ofglobalisation.31. [A] Take courses of foreign languages and cultures.[B] Gain a deep understanding of their own culture.[C] Participate in international exchange programmes.[D] Share the experiences of people from other cultures.32. [A] Globalisation will eliminate many jobs. [B] Reflective thinking is becomingcritical.[C] The labour market is getting globalised. [D] Knowing a foreign language isessential.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. [A] Red-haired women were regarded as more reliable.[B] Brown-haired women were rated as more capable.[C] Golden-haired women were considered attractive.[D] Black-haired women were judged to be intelligent.34. [A] They are shrewd and dishonest. [B] They are wealthy andindustrious.[C] They are smart and eloquent. [D] They are ambitious andarrogant.35. [A] They exaggerate the roles of certain groups of people.[B] They force people to follow the cultural mainstream.[C] They hinder our perception of individual differences.[D] They emphasize diversity at the expense of uniformity.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.The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems called Mnemonics. The name is (36) ____ from their Goddess of Memory, Mnemosene. In the ancient world, a trained memory was an (37) ____, particularly in public life. There were no (38) ____ for taking notes and early Greek orators (演说家) delivered long speeches with great (39) ____ because they learned the speeches using Mnemonic systems.The Greeks discovered that human memory is (40) ____ an associative process — that it works by linking things together. For example, think of an apple. The (41) ____ your brain registers the word …apple‟, it (42) ____ the shape, colour, tas te, smell and (43) ____ of that fruit. All these things are associated in your memory with the word …apple‟.This means that any thought about a certain subject will often bring up more memories that are related to it. An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had. This could (44) ____ about what you were talking about through that lecture, which can then trigger another memory.This means that any thought about a certain subject will often bring up more memories that are related to it. An example given on the (45) ____ I was looking at follows: Do you remember the shape of Austria, Canada, Belgium, or Germany? Probably not. What about Italy, though? If you remember the shape of Italy, it is because you have been told at some time that Italy is (46) ____ like a boot. You made an association with something already known, the shape of a boot, and Italy‟s shape could not be forgotten once you had made the association.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.Many countries have made it illegal to chat into a hand-held mobile phone while driving. But the latest research further confirms that the danger lies less in what a motorist‟s hands do when he takes a call than in what the conversation does to his brain. Even using a “hands-free” device can divert a driver‟s attention to an alarming extent.Melina Kunar of the University of Warwick, and Todd Horowitz of Harvard MedicalSchool ran a series of experiments in which two groups of volunteers had to pay attention and respond to a series of moving tasks on a computer screen that were reckoned equivalent in difficulty to driving. One group was left undistracted while the other had to engage in a conversation using a speakerphone. As Kunar and Horowitz report, those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free call had an average reaction time 212 milliseconds slower than those who were not. That, they calculate, would add 5.7 metres to the braking distance of a car travelling at 100kph. They also found the group using the hands-free kit made 83% more errors in their tasks than those who were not talking.To try to understand more about why this was, they tried two further tests. In one, members of a group were asked simply to repeat words spoken by the caller. In the other, they had to think of a word that began with the last letter of the word they had just heard. Those only repeating words performed the same as those with no distraction, but those with the more complicated task showed even worse reaction times — an average of 480 milliseconds extra delay. This shows that when people have to consider the information they hear carefully, it can impair their driving ability significantly.Punishing people for using hand-held gadgets while driving is difficult enough, even though they can be seen from outside the car. Persuading people to switch their phones off altogether when they get behind the wheel might be the only answer. Who knows, they might even come to enjoy not having to take calls.47. Carrying on a mobile phone conversation while one is driving is considered dangerousbecause it seriously distracts ____________.48. In the experiments, the two groups of volunteers were asked to handle a series of movingtasks which were considered ____________.49. Results of the experiments show that those who were making the equivalent of ahands-free call took ____________ to react than those who were not.50. Further experiments reveal that participants tend to respond with extra delay if they arerequired to do ____________.51. The author believes persuasion, rather than ____________, might be the only way to stoppeople from using mobile phones while driving.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.Crippling health care bills, long emergency-room waits and the inability to find a primary care physician just scratch the surface of the problems that patients face daily.Primary care should be the backbone of any health care system. Countries with appropriate primary care resources score highly when it comes to health outcomes and cost. The U.S. takes the opposite approach by emphasizing the specialist rather than the primary care physician.A recent study analyzed the providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries (老年医保受惠人). The startling finding was that the average Medicare patient saw a total of seven doctors —two primary care physicians and five specialists — in a given year. Contrary to popular belief, the more physicians taking care of you doesn‟t guarantee better care. Actually, increasing fragmentation of care results in a corresponding rise in cost and medical errors.How did we let primary care slip so far? The key is how doctors are paid. Most physicians are paid whenever they perform a medical service. The more a physician does, regardless of quality or outcome, the better he‟s reimbursed (返还费用). Moreover, the amount a physician receives leans heavily toward medical or surgical procedures. A specialist who performs a procedure in a 30-minute visit can be paid three times more than a primary care physician using that same 30 minutes to discuss a patient‟s disease. Combine this fact with annual government threats to indiscriminately cut reimbursements, physicians are faced with no choice but to increase quantity to boost income.Primary care physicians who refuse to compromise quality are either driven out of business or to cash-only practices, further contributing to the decline of primary care.Medical students aren‟t blind to this scenario. They see how heavily the reimbursement deck is stacked against primary care. The recent numbers show that since 1997, newly graduated U.S. medical students who chooses primary care as a career have declined by 50%. This trend results in emergency rooms being overwhelmed with patients without regular doctors.How do we fix this problem?It starts with reforming the physician reimbursement system. Remove the pressure for primary care physicians to squeeze in more patients per hour, and reward them for optimally (最佳地) managing their disease and practicing evidence-based medicine. Make primary care more attractive to medical students by forgiving student loans for those who choose primary care as a career and reconciling the marked difference between specialist and primary care physician salaries.We‟re at a point where primary care is needed more than ever. Within a few years, the first wave of the 76 million Baby Boomers will become eligible for Medicare. Patients older than 85, who need chronic care most, will rise by 50% this decade.Who will be there to treat them?52. The author‟s chief concern about the current U.S. health care system is ______.[A] the inadequate training of physicians [B] the declining number of doctors[C] the ever-rising health care costs [D] the shrinking primary careresources53. We learn from the passage that people tend to believe that ______.[A] seeing more doctors may result in more diagnostic errors[B] visiting doctors on a regular basis ensures good health[C] the more doctors taking care of a patient, the better[D] the more costly the medicine, the more effective the cure54. Faced with the government threats to cut reimbursements indiscriminately, primary carephysicians have to ______.[A] see more patients at the expense of quality [B] improve their expertise and service[C] make various deals with specialists [D] increase their income byworking overtime55. Why do many new medical graduates refuse to choose primary care as their career?[A] They think working in emergency rooms tedious.[B] The current system works against primary care.[C] They find the need for primary care declining.[D] Primary care physicians command less respect.56. What suggestion does the author give in order to provide better health care?[A] Extend primary care to patients with chronic diseases.[B] Recruit more medical students by offering them loans.[C] Reduce the tuition of students who choose primary care as their major.[D] Bridge the salary gap between specialists and primary care physicians.Passage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.There is nothing like the suggestion of a cancer risk to scare a parent, especially one of the over-educated, eco-conscious type. So you can imagine the reaction when a recent USA Today investigation of air quality around the nation‟s schools singled out those in the smugly (自鸣得意地) green village of Berkeley, C alif., as being among the worst in the country. The city‟s public high school, as well as a number of daycare centers, preschools, elementary and middle schools, fell in the lowest 10%. Industrial pollution in our town had supposedly turned students into living science experiments breathing in a laboratory‟s worth of heavy metals like manganese, chromium and nickel each day. This in a city that requires school cafeterias to serve organic meals. Great, I thought, organic lunch, toxic campus.Since December, when the report came out, the mayor, neighborhood activists (活跃分子) and various parent-teacher associations have engaged in a fierce battle over its validity: over the guilt of the steel-casting factory on the western edge of town, over union jobs versus ch ildren‟s health and over what, if anything, ought to be done. With all sides presenting their own experts armed with conflicting scientific studies, whom should parents believe? Is there truly a threat here, we asked one another as we dropped off our kids, and if so, how great is it? And how does it compare with the other, seemingly perpetual health scares we confront, like panic over lead in synthetic athletic fields? Rather than just another weird episode in the town that brought you protesting environmen talists, this latest drama is a trial for how today‟s parents perceive risk, how we try to keep our kids safe —whether it‟s possible to keep them safe — in what feels like an increasingly threatening world. It raises the question of what, in our time, “safe” could even mean.“There‟s no way around the uncertainty,” says Kimberly Thompson, president of Kid Risk, a nonprofit group that studies children‟s health. “That means your choices can matter, but it also means you aren‟t going to know if they do.” A 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics explained that nervous parents have more to fear from fire, car accidents and drowning than from toxic chemical exposure. To which I say: Well, obviously. But such concrete hazards are beside the point. It‟s the dangers parents can‟t — and may never — quantify that occur all of a sudden. That‟s why I‟ve rid my cupboard of microwave food packed in bags coated with a potential cancer-causing substance, but although I‟ve lived blocks from a major fault line (地质断层) for more than 12 years, I still haven‟t bolted our bookcases to the living room wall.57. What does a recent investigation by USA Today reveal?[A] Parents in Berkeley are over-sensitive to cancer risks their kids face.。

2009年12月英语六级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 现在有不少家长送孩子参加各种艺术班2. 对这种做法有人表示支持，也有人并不赞成3. 我认为……Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes?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.Bosses Say “Yes” to Home WorkRising costs of office space, time lost to stressful commuting, and a slow recognition that workers have lives beyond the office—all are strong arguments for letting staff work from home.For the small business, there are additional benefits too—staff are more productive, and happier, enabling firms to keep their headcounts (员工数) and their recruitment costs to a minimum. It can also provide competitive advantage, especially when small busine sses want to attract new staff but don’t have the budget to offer huge salaries.While company managers have known about the benefits for a long time, many have done little about it, skeptical of whether they could trust their employees to work to full capacity without supervision, or concerned about the additional expenses teleworking policies might incur as staff start charging their home phone bills to the business.Yet this is now changing. When communications provider Inter-Tel researched the use of remote working solutions among small and medium sized UK businesses in April this year, it found that 28% more companies claimed to have introduced flexible working practices than a year ago.The UK network of Business Links confirms that it too has seen a growing interest in remote working solutions from small businesses seeking its advice, and claims that as many as 60-70% of the businesses that come through its doors now offer some form of remote working support to their workforces.Technology advances, including the widespread availability of broadband, are making the introduction of remote working a piece of cake.“If systems are set up properly, staff can have access to all the resources they have in the office wherever they have an internet c onnection,” says Andy Poulton, e-business advisor at Business Link forBerkshire and Wiltshire. “There are some very exciting developments which have enabled this.”One is the availability of broadband everywhere, which now covers almost all of the country (BT claims that, by July, 99.8% of its exchanges will be broadband enabled, with alternative plans in place for even the most remote exchanges). “This is the enabler,” Poulton says.Yet while broadband has come down in price too, those service providers targeting the business market warn against consumer services masquerading (伪装) as business friendly broadband.“Broadband is available for as little as ￡15 a month, but many businesses fail to appreciate the hidden costs of such a service,” says Neil Stephenson, sales and marketing director at Onyx Internet, an internet service provider based in the northeast of England. “Providers offering broadband for rock bottom prices are notorious for poor service, with regular breakdowns and heavily congested (拥堵的) networks. It is always advisable for businesses to look beyond the price tag and look for a business only provider that can offer more reliability, with good support.” Such services don’t cost too much—quality services can be found for upwards of ￡30 a month.The benefits of broadband to the occasional home worker are that they can access email in real time, and take full advantage of services such as internet based backup or even internet based phone services.Internet based telecoms, or V oIP (V oice over IP) to give it its technical title, is an interesting tool to any business supporting remote working. Not necessarily because of the promise of free or reduced price phone calls (which experts point out is misleading for the average business), but because of the sophisticated voice services that can be exploited by the remote worker—facilities such as voicemail and call forwarding, which provide a continuity of the company image for customers and business partners.By law, companies must “consider seriously” requests to work flexibly made by a parent with a child under the age of six, or a disabled child under 18. It was the need to accommodate employees with young children that motivated accountancy firm Wright Vigar to begin promoting teleworking recently. The company, which needed to upgrade its IT infrastructure (基础设施) to provide connectivity with a new, second office, decided to introduce support for remote working at the same time.Marketing director Jack O Hern explains that the company has a relatively young workforce, many of whom are parents: “One of the triggers was when one of our tax managers returned from maternity leave. She was intending to work part time, but could only manage one day a week in the office due to childcare. By offering her the ability to work from home, we have doubled her capacity—now she works a day a week from home, and a day in the office. This is great for her, and for us as we retain someone highly qualified.”For Wright Vigar, which has now equipped all of its fee earners to be able to work at maximum productivity when away from the offices (whether that’s from home, or while on the road), this strategy is not just about saving on commute time or cutting them loose from the office, but enabling them to work more flexible hours that fit around their home life.O’Hern says: “Although most of our work is client-based and must fit around this, we can’t see any reason why a parent can’t be on hand to deal with something important at home, if they have the ability to complete a project later in the day.”Supporting this new way of working came with a price, though. Although the firm was updating its systems anyway, the company spent 10-15% more per user to equip them with a laptop rather than a PC, and about the same to upgrade to a server that would enable remote staff to connect to the company networks and access all their usual resources.Although Wright Vigar hasn’t yet quantified the business benefits, it claims that, in addition to being able to retain key staff with young families, it is able to save fee-earners a substantial amount of “dead” time in their working days.That staff can do this without needing a fixed telephone line provides even more efficiency savings. “With Wi-Fi (fast, wireless internet connections) popping up all over the place, even on trains, our fee-earners can be productive as they travel, and between meetings, instead of having to kill time at the shops,” he adds.The company will also be able to avoid the expense of having to relocate staff to temporary offices for several weeks when it begins disruptive office renovations soon.Financial recruitment specialist Lynne Hargreaves knows exactly how much her firm has saved by adopting a teleworking strategy, which has involved hand ing her company’s data management over to a remote hosting company, Dataset, so it can be accessible by all the company’s consultants over broadband internet connections.It has enabled the company to dispense with its business premises altogether, following the realization that it just didn’t need them any more. “The main motivation behind adopting home working was to increase my own productivity, as a single mum to an 11 year old,” says Hargreaves. “But I soon realised that, as most of our business is d one on the phone, email and at offsite meetings, we didn’t need our offices at all. We’re now saving ￡16,000 a year on rent, plus the cost of utilities, not to mention what would have been spent on commuting.”1. What is the main topic of this passage?A) How business managers view hi-tech.B) Relations between employers and employees.C) How to cut down the costs of small businesses.D) Benefits of the practice of teleworking.2. From the research conducted by the communications provider Inter-Tel, we learn that .A) more employees work to full capacity at homeB) employees show a growing interest in small businessesC) more businesses have adopted remote working solutionsD) attitudes toward IT technology have changed3. What development has made flexible working practices possible according to Andy Poulton?A) Reduced cost of telecommunications.B) Improved reliability of internet service.C) Availability of the V oIP service.D) Access to broadband everywhere.4. What is Neil Stephenson’s advice to firms contracting internet services?A) They look for reliable business-only providers.B) They contact providers located nearest to them.C) They carefully examine the contract.D) They contract the cheapest provider.5. Internet-based telecoms facilitates remote working by .A) offering sophisticated voice servicesB) giving access to emailing in real timeC) helping clients discuss business at homeD) providing calls completely free of charge6. The accountancy firm Wright Vigar promoted teleworking initially in order to .A) present a positive image to prospective customersB) support its employees with children to take care ofC) attract young people with IT expertise to work for itD) reduce operational expenses of a second office7. According to mark eting director Jack O’Hern, teleworking enabled the company to .A) enhance its market imageB) reduce recruitment costsC) keep highly qualified staffD) minimize its office space8. Wright Vigar’s practice of allowing for more flexible working hours not only benefits the company but helps improve employees’ _________.9. With fast, wireless internet connections, employees can still be_______ while traveling.10. Single mother Lynne Hargreaves decided to work at home mainly to______..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) They would rather travel around than stay at home.B) They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad.C) They usually carry many things around with them.D) They don’t like to spend much money on traveling.12. A) The selection process was a little unfair.B) He had long dreamed of the dean’s position.C) Rod was eliminated in the selection process.D) Rod was in charge of the admissions office.13. A) Applause encourages the singer.B) She regrets paying for the concert.C) Almost everyone loves pop music.D) The concert is very impressive.14. A) They have known each other since their schooldays.B) They were both chairpersons of the Students’ Union.C) They have been in close touch by email.D) They are going to hold a reunion party.15. A) Cook their dinner.B) Rest for a while.C) Get their car fixed.D) Stop for the night.16. A) Newly-launched products. B) Consumer preferences.C) Survey results. D) Survey methods.17. A) He would rather the woman didn’t buy the blouse.B) The woman needs blouses in the colors of a rainbow.C) The information in the catalog is not always reliable.D) He thinks the blue blouse is better than the red one.18. A) The course is open to all next semester.B) The notice may not be reliable.C) The woman has not told the truth.D) He will drop his course in marketing.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) A director of a sales department. B) A manager at a computer store.C) A sales clerk at a shopping center. D) An accountant of a computer firm.20. A) Handling customer complaints. B) Recruiting and training new staff.C) Dispatching ordered goods on time. D) Developing computer programs.21. A) She likes something more challenging. B) She likes to be nearer to her parents.C) She wants to have a better-paid job. D) She wants to be with her husband.22. A) Right away. B) In two months.C) Early next month. D) In a couple of days.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) It will face challenges unprecedented in its history.B) It is a resolute advocate of the anti-global movement.C) It is bound to regain its full glory of a hundred years ago.D) It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century.24. A) The lack of overall urban planning.B) The huge gap between the haves and have-nots.C) The inadequate supply of water and electricity.D) The shortage of hi-tech personnel.25. A) They attach great importance to education.B) They are able to grasp growth opportunities.C) They are good at learning from other nations.D) They have made use of advanced technologies.Section 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 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) She taught chemistry and microbiology courses in a college.B) She gave lectures on how to become a public speaker.C) She helped families move away from industrial polluters.D) She engaged in field research on environmental pollution.27. A) The job restricted her from revealing her findings.B) The job posed a potential threat to her health.C) She found the working conditions frustrating.D) She was offered a better job in a minority community.28. A) Some giant industrial polluters have gone out of business.B) More environmental organizations have appeared.C) Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up.D) More branches of her company have been set up.29. A) Her widespread influence among members of Congress.B) Her ability to communicate through public speaking.C) Her rigorous training in delivering eloquent speeches.D) Her lifelong commitment to domestic and global issues.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) The fierce competition in the market. B) The growing necessity of staff training.C) The accelerated pace of globalization. D) The urgent need of a diverse workforce.31. A) Gain a deep understanding of their own culture.B) Take courses of foreign languages and cultures.C) Share the experiences of people from other cultures.D) Participate in international exchange programmes.32. A) Reflective thinking is becoming critical. B) Labor market is getting globalised.C) Knowing a foreign language is essential. D) Globalization will eliminate many jobs. Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) Red-haired women were regarded as more reliable.B) Brown-haired women were rated as more capable.C) Golden-haired women were considered attractive.D) Black-haired women were judged to be intelligent.34. A) They are smart and eloquent.B) They are ambitious and arrogant.C) They are shrewd and dishonest.D) They are wealthy and industrious.35. A) They force people to follow the cultural mainstream.B) They exaggerate the roles of certain groups of people.C) They emphasize diversity at the expense of uniformity.D) They hinder our perception of individual differences.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.The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems called mnemonics. The name is (36) from their Goddess of memory “Mnemosyne”. In the ancient world, a traine d memory was an (37) asset, particularly in public life. There were no (38) devices for taking notes, and early Greek orators(演说家) delivered long speeches with great (39) because they learned the speeches using mnemonic systems.The Greeks discovered that human memory is (40) an associative process—that it works by linking things together. For example, think of an apple. The (41) your brain registers the word “apple”, it (42) the shape, color, taste, smell and (43) of that fruit. All these things are a ssociated in your memory with the word “apple”.(44) . An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had. This could trigger a memoryabout what you’re talking about through that lecture, which can then trigger another memory.(45) . An example given on a website I was looking at follows: Do you remember the shape of Austria, Canada, Belgium, or Germany? Probably not. What about Italy, though? (46) . You made an association with something already known, the shape of a boot, and Italy’s sha pe could not be forgotten once you had made the association.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.Many countries have made it illegal to chat into a hand-held mobile phone while driving. But the latest research further confirms that the danger lies less in what a motorist’s hands do when he takes a call than in what the conversation does to his brain. Even using a “hands-free” device can divert a driver’s attention to an alarming extent.Melina Kunar of the University of Warwick and Todd Horowitz of the Harvard Medical School ran a series of experiments in which two groups of volunteers had to pay attention and respond to a series of moving tasks on a computer screen that were reckoned equivalent in difficulty to driving. One group was left undistracted while the other had to engage in a conversation using a speakerphone. As Kumar and Horowitz report, those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free call had an average reaction time 212 milliseconds slower than those who were not. That, they calculate, would add 5.7 metres to the braking distance of a car travelling at 100kph. They also found that the group using the hands-free kit made 83% more errors in their tasks than those who were not talking.To try to understand more about why this was, they tried two further tests. In one, members of a group were asked simply to repeat words spoken by the caller. In the other, they had to think of a word that began with the last letter of the word they had just heard. Those only repeating words performed the same as those with no distraction, but those with the more complicated task showed even worse reaction times—an average of 480 milliseconds extra delay. This shows that when people have to consider the information they hear carefully, it can impair their driving ability significantly.Punishing people for using handheld gadgets while driving is difficult enough, even though they can be seen from outside the car. Persuading people to switch their phones off altogether when they get behind the wheel might be the only answer. Who knows, they might even come to enjoy not having to take calls.47. Carrying on a mobile phone conversation while one is driving is considered dangerous because it seriouslydistracts _______________________.48. In the experiments, the two groups of volunteers were asked to handle a series of moving tasks which wereconsidered _______________________.49. Results of the experiments show that those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free call took_______________________ to react than those who were not.50. Further experiments reveal that participants tend to respond with extra delay if they are required to do_______________________.51. The author believes persuasion, rather than _______________________, might be the only way to stoppeople from using mobile phones while driving.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.There is nothing like the suggestion of a cancer risk to scare a parent, especially one of the over-educated, eco-conscious type. So you can imagine the reaction when a recent USA Today investigation of air quality aroun d the nation’s schools singled out those in the smugly（自鸣得意的）green village of Berkeley, Calif., as being among the worst in the country. The city’s public high school, as well as a number of daycare centers, preschools, elementary and middle schools, fell in the lowest 10%. Industrial pollution in our town had supposedly turned students into living science experiments breathing in a laboratory’s worth of heavy metals like manganese, chromium and nickel each day. This in a city that requires school cafeterias to serve organic meals. Great, I thought, organic lunch, toxic campus.Since December, when the report came out, the mayor, neighborhood activists（活跃分子）and various parent-teacher associations have engaged in a fierce battle over its validity: over the guilt of the steel-casting factory on the western edge of town, over union jobs versus children’s health and over what, if anything, ought to be done. With all sides presenting their own experts armed with conflicting scientific studies, whom should parents believe? Is there truly a threat here, we asked one another as we dropped off our kids, and if so, how great is it? And how does it compare with the other, seemingly perpetual health scares we confront, like panic over lead in synthetic athletic fields? Rather than just another weird episode in the town that brought you protesting environmentalists, this latest drama is a trial for how today’s parents perceive risk, how we try to keep our kids safe—whether it’s possible to keep them safe—in what feels like an increasingly threatening world. It raises the question of what, in our time, “safe” could even mean.“There’s no way around the uncertainty,” says Kimberly Thompson, president of Kid Risk, a nonprofit group that studies children’s health. “That means your choices can matter, but it also means you aren’t going to know if they do.” A 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics explained that nervous parents have more to fear from fire, car accidents and drowning than from toxic chemical exposure. To which I say: Well, obviously. But such concrete hazards are beside the point. It’s the dangers parents can’t—and may never—quantify that occur all of sudden. That’s why I’ve rid my cupboard of microwave food packed in bags coated with a potential cancer-causing su bstance, but although I’ve lived blocks from a major fault line(地质断层) for more than 12 years, I still haven’t bolted our bookcases to the living room wall.52. What does a recent investigation by USA Today reveal?A) Heavy metals in lab tests threaten chil dren’s health in Berkeley.B) Berkeley residents are quite contented with their surroundings.C) The air quality around Berkeley’s school campuses is poor.D) Parents in Berkeley are over-sensitive to cancer risks their kids face.53. What response did USA Today’s report draw?A) A heated debate. B) Popular support.C) Widespread panic. D) Strong criticism.54. How did parents feel in the face of the experts’ studies?A) They felt very much relieved. B) They were frightened by the evidence.C) They didn’t know who to believe. D) They weren’t convinced of the results.55. What is the view of the 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics?A) It is important to quantify various concrete hazards.B) Daily accidents pose a more serious threat to children.C) Parents should be aware of children’s health hazards.D) Attention should be paid to toxic chemical exposure.56. Of the dangers in everyday life, the author thinks that people have most to fear from .A) the uncertain B) the quantifiableC) an earthquake D) unhealthy foodPassage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Crippling health care bills, long emergency-room waits and the inability to find a primary care physician just scratch the surface of the problems that patients face daily.Primary care should be the backbone of any health care system. Countries with appropriate primary care resources score highly when it comes to health outcomes and cost. The U.S. takes the opposite approach by emphasizing the specialist rather than the primary care physician.A recent study analyzed the providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries（老年医保受惠人）. The startling finding was that the average Medicare patient saw a total of seven doctors—two primary care physicians and five specialists—in a given year. Contrary to popular belief, the more physicians taking care of you don’t guarantee better care. Actually, increasing fragmentation of care results in a corresponding rise in cost and medical errors.How did we let primary care slip so far? The key is how doctors are paid. Most physicians are paid whenever they perform a medical service. The more a physician does, regardless of quality or outcome, the better he’s reimbursed (返还费用). Moreover, the amount a physician receives leans heavily toward medical or surgical procedures. A specialist who performs a procedure in a 30 minute visit can be paid three times more than a primary care physician using that same 30 minutes to discuss a patient’s disease. Combine this fact with annual government threats to indiscriminately cut reimbursements; physicians are faced with no choice but to increase quantity to boost income.Primary care physicians who refuse to compromise quality are either driven out of business or to cash-only practices, further contributing to the decline of primary care.Medical students are not blind to this scenario. They see how heavily the reimbursement deck is stacked against primary care. The recent numbers show that since 1997, newly graduated U.S. medical students who choose primary care as a career have declined by 50%. This trend results in emergency rooms being overwhelmed with patients without regular doctors.How do we fix this problem?It starts with reforming the physician reimbursement system. Remove the pressure for primary care physicians to squeeze in more patients per hour, and reward them for optimally (最佳地) managing their diseases and practicing evidence-based medicine. Make primary care more attractive to medical students by forgiving student loans for those who choose primary care as a career and reconciling the marked difference between specialist and primary care physician salaries.We’re at a point where primary care is needed more than ever. Within a few years, the first wave of the。

2009年12月英语六级听力原文及答案第一篇：2009年12月英语六级听力原文及答案2009年12月英语六级听力原文及答案11.W: Did you use credit cards on your vacation last month in Europe?M: Sure did.They certainly beat going around with a wallet full of big bills.But carrying lots of cash is still very common among some older people travelling abroad.Q: What does the man say about some elderly people?12.W: Rod must be in a bad mood today.What’s wrong with him?M: He was passed over in the selection process for the dean of the Administration’s Office.He’d been hoping for the position for a long time.Q: What does the man mean?13.M: What a great singer Justin is!His concert is just awesome and you’ll never regret the money you paid for the ticket.W: Yeah, judging by the amount of applause, everyone was enjoying it.Q: What does the woman mean?14.W: I received an email yesterday from Henry.Do you remember he was one of the chairpersons of our Students’ Union?M: Yes, but I haven’t heard from h im for ages.Actually, I have been out of touch with him since our first reunion after graduation.Q: What do we learn about the speakers?15.M: Driving at night always makes me tired.Let’s stop the dinner.W: Fine, and let’s find a motel so that we can get a n early start tomorrow.Q: What will the speakers probably do?16.W: Let’s look at the survey on consumer confidence we conducted last week.How reliable are these figures?M: They have a 5% margin of error.Q: What are the speakers talking about?17.W: Look at this catalogue John.I think I want to get this red blouse.M: Eh, I think you already have one like this in blue.Do you need every color in the rainbow?Q: What does the man mean?18.W: This notice says that all the introductory marketing classes are clos ed.M: That can’t be true.There are supposed to be 13 of them this semester.Q: What does the man mean?Long Conversation 1M: I see your new resume that you worked as a manager of store called Computer Country, could you tell me a little more about your responsibilities there?W: Sure.I was responsible for overseeing about 30 employees.I did all of the orderings for the store and I kept track of the inventory。

2009年12月大学英语六级考试听力原文短对话11. W: Did you use credit cards on your vacation last month in Europe?M: Sure did. They certainly beat going around with a wallet full of big bills. But carrying lots of cash is still very common among some older people travelling abroad.Q: What does the man say about some elderly people?12. W: Rod must be in a bad mood today. What’s wrong with him?M: He was passed over in the selection process for the dean of the Administration’s Office. He’d been hoping for the posit ion for a long time.Q: What does the man mean?13. M: What a great singer Justin is! His concert is just awesome and you’ll never regret the money you paid for the ticket.W: Y eah, judging by the amount of applause, everyone was enjoying it.Q: What does the woman mean?14. W: I received an email yesterday from Henry. Do you remember he was one of the chairpersons of our Students’ Union?M: Y es, but I haven’t heard from him for ages. Actually, I have been out of touch with him since our first reunion after graduation.Q: What do we learn about the speakers?15. M: Driving at night always makes me tired. Let’s stop the dinner.W: Fine, and let’s find a motel so that we can get an early start tomorrow.Q: What will the speakers probably do?16. W: Let’s look at the survey on consumer confidence we conducted last week. How reliable are these figures?M: They have a 5% margin of error.Q: What are the speakers talking about?17. W: Look at this catalogue John. I think I want to get this red blouse.M: Eh, I think you already have one like this in blue. Do you need every color in the rainbow?Q: What does the man mean?18. W: This notice says that all the introductory marketing classes are closed.M: That can’t be true. Th ere are supposed to be 13 of them this semester.Q: What does the man mean?Long Conversation 1M: I see your new resume that you worked as a manager of store called Computer Country, could you tell me a little more about your responsibilities there?W: Sure. I was responsible for overseeing about 30 employees. I did all of the orderings for the store and I kept track of the inventory。

英语六级真题 2009年12月[00:00.00]华研外语：[00:11.45]College English Test - Band 6[00:16.42]Part III Listening Comprehension[00:20.02]Section A[00:22.42]Directions: In this section,[00:25.42]you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. [00:29.83]At the end of each conversation,[00:32.99]one or more questions will be asked about what was said. [00:36.23]Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.[00:41.03]After each question there will be a pause.[00:44.34]During the pause,[00:46.45]you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), [00:51.73]and decide which is the best answer.[00:54.62]Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 [00:58.84]with a single line through the centre.[01:01.13]Now let's begin with the eight short conversations.[01:06.72]11. W: Did you use credit cards[01:11.29]on your vacation last month in Europe?[01:13.68]M: Sure did.[01:15.10]They certainly beat going around with a wallet full of big bills. [01:19.24]But carrying lots of cash is still very common[01:22.82]among some older people traveling abroad.[01:25.30]Q: What does the man say about some elderly people? [01:46.08]12. W: Rod must be in a bad mood today.[01:49.10]What's wrong with him?[01:50.80]M: He was passed over in the selection process[01:54.33]for the dean of the admissions office.[01:56.70]He'd been hoping for the position for a long time.[01:59.85]Q: What does the man mean?[02:17.43]13. M: What a great singer Justin is![02:21.83]His concert is just awesome[02:24.13]and you'll never regret the money you paid for the ticket. [02:27.30]W: Yeah, judging by the amount of applause,[02:30.53]everyone was enjoying it.[02:32.19]Q: What does the woman mean?[02:47.98]14. W: I received an email yesterday from Henry.[02:53.69]Do you remember he was one of the chairpersons[02:56.87]of our Students' Union?[02:58.26]M: Yes, but I haven't heard from him for ages.[03:01.81]Actually, I've been out of touch with him[03:05.11]since our first reunion after graduation.[03:07.56]Q: What do we learn about the speakers?[03:20.01]15. M: Driving at night always makes me tired.[03:25.81]Let's stop for dinner.[03:27.71]W: Fine, and let's find a motel[03:30.88]so that we can get an early start tomorrow.[03:33.28]Q: What will the speakers probably do?[03:50.40]16. W: Let's look at the survey on consumer confidence [03:56.37]we conducted last week.[03:57.97]How reliable are these figures?[04:01.08]M: They have a 5% margin of error.[04:04.94]Q: What are the speakers talking about?[04:22.25]17. W: Look at this catalogue, John.[04:26.68]I think I want to get this red blouse.[04:29.54]M: Eh, I think you already have one like this in blue. [04:33.37]Do you need every color in the rainbow?[04:36.49]Q: What does the man mean?[04:53.28]18. W: This notice says that all the introductory[04:59.36]marketing classes are closed.[05:01.96]M: That can't be true.[05:03.60]They are supposed to be 13 of them this semester. [05:07.01]Q: What does the man mean?[05:24.10]Now you'll hear the two long conversations.[05:27.28]Conversation One[05:29.33]M: I see your new resume that you worked[05:33.72]as a manager of store called Computer Country.[05:36.97]Could you tell me a little more[05:39.11]about your responsibilities there?[05:40.99]W: Sure. I was responsible for overseeing about 30 employees.[05:47.58]I did all of the ordering for the store[05:50.33]and I kept track of the inventory.[05:53.20]M: What was the most difficult part of your job?[05:56.50]W: Probably handling angry customers.[06:00.53]We didn't have them very often,[06:03.00]but when we did,[06:04.42]I needed to make sure they were well taken care of.[06:07.88]After all, the customer is always right.[06:11.51]M: That's how we feel here, too.[06:14.15]How long did you work there?[06:16.87]W: I was there for 3-and-a-half years.[06:20.09]I left the company last month.[06:22.08]M: And why did you leave?[06:23.93]W: My husband has been transferred to Boston[06:27.46]and I understand your company has an opening there, too. [06:31.17]M: Yes, that's right. We do.[06:33.78]But the position won't start until early next month.[06:37.60]Would that be a problem for you?[06:39.84]W: No, not at all.[06:42.09]My husband's new job doesn't begin for a few weeks,[06:45.81]so we thought we would spend some time driving to Boston [06:49.37]and stop to see my parents.[06:51.32]M: That sounds nice.[06:52.90]So, tell me,[06:54.73]why are you interested in this particular position?[06:57.85]W: I know that your company has a great reputation[07:01.48]and a wonderful product.[07:03.26]I've thought many times that I would like to be a part of it. [07:06.88]When I heard about the opening in Boston,[07:09.50]I jumped to the opportunity.[07:11.68]M: Well, I'm glad you did.[07:14.03]Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.[07:21.21]19. What was the woman's previous job?[07:41.37]20. What does the woman say with the most difficult part of her job?[08:02.02]21. Why is the woman looking for a job in Boston?[08:22.23]22. When can the woman start to work if she gets the job?[08:42.80]Conversation Two[08:44.23]W: Today, in this studio,[08:46.86]we have Alberto Cuties,[08:48.81]the well-known Brazilian advocator of the anti-global movement.[08:52.26]He's here to talk about the recent report stating that by 2050, [08:56.96]Brazil will be one of the world's wealthiest[08:59.38]and most successful countries.[09:01.43]Alberto, what do you say to this report?[09:04.57]M: You know this isn't the first time that people[09:08.11]are saying Brazil will be a great economic power.[09:10.76]The same thing was said over 100 years ago,[09:14.25]but it didn't happen.[09:15.87]W: Yes, but you must admit the world's a very different place now.[09:19.76]M: Of course.[09:20.95]In fact, I believe that there may be some truth[09:23.27]in the predictions this time around.[09:25.26]First of all, though, we must remember the problems[09:29.04]facing Brazil at the moment.[09:30.89]W: Such as?[09:32.85]M: There's an enormous gap[09:34.47]between the rich and the poor in this country.[09:37.12]In San Paulo,[09:38.87]you can see shopping malls full of designer goods[09:41.77]right next door to the slum areas[09:43.97]without proper water or electricity supplies.[09:46.26]A lot of work needs to be done to help people[09:49.44]in those areas improve their lives.[09:51.62]W: What needs to be done?[09:53.67]M: Education, for example. For Brazil, to be successful, [09:58.07]we need to offer education to all Brazilians.[10:01.26]Successful countries,[10:03.03]like South Korea and Singapore,[10:05.23]have excellent education systems.[10:07.74]Brazil needs to learn from these countries.[10:10.61]W: So you're hopeful for the future?[10:13.11]W: As I said earlier, I'm hopeful.[10:15.41]This isn't an easy job.[10:17.76]We need to make sure that these important opportunities for Brazil[10:21.75]aren't wasted as they were in the past.[10:24.50]Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.[10:31.83]23. What does the recent report say about Brazil?[10:51.89]24. What problem does Alberto say Brazil faces now?[11:11.10]25. What does Alberto say about economically successful countries?[11:31.81]Section B[11:33.14]Directions: In this section,[11:36.86]you will hear 3 short passages.[11:39.05]At the end of each passage,[11:41.08]you will hear some questions.[11:42.76]Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. [11:47.25]After you hear a question,[11:49.74]you must choose the best answer[11:51.73]from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).[11:55.97]Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 [11:59.60]with a single line through the centre.[12:01.64]Passage One[12:04.72]Wilma Subra had no intention of becoming a public speaker. [12:09.87]After graduating from college with degrees in chemistry andmicrobiology,[12:15.72]she went to work at Gulf South Research Institute in Louisiana.[12:20.93]As part of her job,[12:23.23]she conducted field research on toxic substances in the environment,[12:27.97]often in minority communities located near large industrial polluters.[12:33.69]She found many families were being exposed to high,[12:37.85]sometimes deadly levels of chemicals and other toxic substances.[12:42.58]But she was not allowed to make her information public. [12:46.16]Frustrated by these restrictions,[12:49.17]Subra left her job in 1981,[12:51.82]created her own company and has devoted the past two decades[12:55.75]to helping people fight back against giant industrial polluters. [12:59.67]She works with families and community groups[13:02.82]to conduct environmental tests, interpret test results,[13:06.77]and organize for change.[13:08.65]Because of her efforts,[13:10.83]dozens of toxic sites across the country have been cleaned up.[13:14.56]And one chemical industry spokesperson calls her "a top gun" [13:19.36]for the environmental movement.[13:21.01]How has Subra achieved all this?[13:24.35]Partly through her scientific training,[13:27.01]partly through her commitment to environmental justice. [13:30.47]But just as important is her ability[13:33.94]to communicate with people through public speaking.[13:36.92]"Public speaking," she says,[13:39.37]"is the primary vehicle I use for reaching people."[13:42.58]If you had asked Subra before 1981,[13:46.81]"do you see yourself as a major public speaker?"[13:50.07]She would have laughed at the idea.[13:52.41]Yet today she gives more than 100 presentations a year. [13:56.85]Along the way, she's lectured at Harvard,[14:00.26]testified before congress,[14:02.41]and addressed audiences in 40 states,[14:05.45]as well as in Mexico, Canada, and Japan.[14:09.14]Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.[14:16.28]26. What did Wilma Subra do as part of her job[14:24.42]on working at Gulf South Research Institute?[14:40.17]27. Why did Wilma Subra leave her job in 1981?[14:56.40]28. What results have Wilma Subra's efforts had in the past tw o decades?[15:17.54]29. What does the speaker say has contributed to Wilma Subra's success?[15:39.30]Passage Two[15:41.85]One of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today[15:48.36]is the rapid advance of globalization.[15:51.27]The market place is no longer national or regional,[15:55.14]but extends to all corners of the world.[15:57.85]And this requires a global-ready workforce.[16:01.05]Universities have a large part to play in preparing students [16:05.13]for the 21st century labor market[16:07.52]by promoting international educational experiences.[16:11.41]The most obvious way universities[16:13.97]can help develop a global workforce[16:16.11]is by encouraging students to study abroad as part of their course.[16:20.85]Students who have experienced another culture firsthand [16:25.03]are more likely to be global-ready when they graduate. [16:28.64]Global workforce development doesn't always[16:32.37]have to involve travel abroad, however.[16:34.70]If students learn another language and study other cultures, [16:38.68]they will be more global-ready when they graduate.[16:42.11]It is important to point out that students[16:45.32]also need to have a deep understanding of their own culture [16:48.84]before they can begin to observe,[16:51.17]analyze and evaluate other cultures.[16:53.95]In multi-cultural societies,[16:56.92]people can study each other's cultures[16:59.21]to develop intercultural competencies,[17:01.97]such as critical and reflective thinking and intellectual flexibility.[17:06.45]This can be done both through the curriculum[17:09.32]and through activities on campus outside of the classroom, [17:13.30]such as art exhibitions and lectures from international experts.[17:17.85]Many universities are already embracing this challenge [17:21.72]and providing opportunities for students to become global citizens.[17:26.43]Students themselves, however,[17:28.32]may not realize that when they graduate,[17:30.57]they will be competing in a global labor market.[17:33.70]And universities need to raise awareness[17:36.68]of these issues amongst undergraduates.[17:39.69]Questions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.[17:46.26]30. What is one of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today?[18:07.77]31. What should students do first before they can really understand other cultures?[18:29.27]32. What should college students realize according to the speaker?[18:49.27]Passage Three[18:50.69]To see if hair color affects a person's chances of getting a job, [18:55.84]researchers at California State University[18:59.20]asked 136 college students to review the resume[19:03.94]and photograph of a female applicant for a job as an accountant.[19:08.63]Each student was given the same resume[19:11.84]but the applicant's picture was altered so that in some photos, [19:16.27]her hair was golden, in some red and in some brown.[19:20.55]The result-with brown hair,[19:24.42]the woman was rated more capable[19:26.51]and she was offered a higher salary[19:28.95]than when she had a golden or red hair.[19:31.36]Other studies have found similar results.[19:34.62]Many respondents rate women[19:36.97]with golden hair as less intelligent than other people[19:39.86]and red hair as more temperamental.[19:42.32]Women with red or golden hair[19:45.23]are victims of the common practice of stereotyping.[19:48.40]A stereotype is a simplistic or exaggerated image[19:52.69]that humans carry in their minds about groups of people. [19:56.45]For example, lawyers are shrewd and dishonest is a popular stereotype.[20:02.22]Stereotyping can occur in public speaking classes[20:06.56]when trying to choose a speech topic.[20:09.12]Some males think that women are uninterested in[20:12.23]how to repair cars or some females think[20:15.34]that men are uninterested in creative hobbies,[20:18.18]such as knitting a needlepoint.[20:20.21]We should reject stereotypes[20:23.21]because they force all people[20:25.13]in a group into the same simple pattern.[20:27.64]They fail to account for individual differences[20:31.30]and the wide range of characteristics among members of any group.[20:35.38]Some lawyers are dishonest,[20:37.71]yes, but many are not.[20:39.40]Some women are uninterested in repairing cars,[20:42.82]yes, but some are enthusiastic mechanics.[20:46.23]Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.[20:54.44]33. What did researchers at California State University find? [21:15.47]34. What is the popular stereotype of lawyers?[21:35.70]35. Why does the speaker say we should reject stereotypes?[21:56.22]Section C[21:58.37]Directions: In this section,[22:01.94]you will hear a passage three times.[22:04.24]When the passage is read for the first time,[22:07.04]you should listen carefully for its general idea.[22:09.78]second time,[22:11.58]you are required to fill in the blanks numbered[22:14.17]from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. [22:18.65]For blanks numbered from 44 to 46[22:22.23]you are required to fill in the missing information.[22:25.04]For these blanks,[22:26.56]you can either use the exact words you have just heard[22:30.04]or write down the main points in your own words.[22:33.40]Finally, when the passage is read for the third time,[22:36.86]you should check what you have written.[22:38.75]Now listen to the passage.[22:41.81]The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems[22:47.05]called Mnemonics.[22:48.52]The name is derived from their Goddess of Memory, Mnemosene.[22:52.75]In the ancient world,[22:54.85]a trained memory was an immense asset,[22:57.67]particularly in public life.[23:00.01]There were no convenient devices for taking notes[23:03.63]and early Greek orators (演说家) delivered long speeches [23:07.55]with great accuracy[23:08.77]because they learned the speeches using Mnemonic systems. [23:12.20]The Greeks discovered that human memory[23:15.95]is largely an associative process[23:18.92]-that it works by linking things together.[23:21.46]For example, think of an apple.[23:24.93]The instant your brain registers the word "apple",[23:28.64]it recalls the shape, colour, taste,[23:31.81]smell and texture of that fruit.[23:33.95]All these things are associated in your memory with the word "apple".[23:38.95]This means that any thought about a certain subject[23:43.27]will often bring up more memories that are related to it. [23:47.06]An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had.[23:51.64]This could trigger a memory about[23:54.13]what you were talking about through that lecture,[23:56.71]which can then trigger another memory.[23:59.23]Associations do not have to be logical.[24:03.11]They just have to make a good link.[24:05.63]An example given on a website I was looking at follows: [24:09.99]Do you remember the shape of Austria,[24:13.15]Canada, Belgium or Germany?[24:15.55]Probably not.[24:17.23]What about Italy, though?[24:19.67]If you remember the shape of Italy,[24:22.00]it is because you have been told sometime[24:24.93]that Italy is shaped like a boot.[24:27.02]You made an association with something already known, [24:31.61]the shape of a boot,[24:32.82]and Italy's shape could not be forgotten[24:35.64]once you had made the association.[24:37.58]Now the passage will be read again.[24:40.94]The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems[24:45.81]called Mnemonics.[24:47.74]The name is derived from their Goddess of Memory, Mnemosene.[24:52.49]In the ancient world,[24:54.32]a trained memory was an immense asset,[24:57.02]particularly in public life.[24:59.32]There were no convenient devices for taking notes[25:02.82]and early Greek orators (演说家) delivered long speeches [25:06.25]with great accuracy[25:07.99]because they learned the speeches using Mnemonic systems. [25:11.76]The Greeks discovered that human memory[25:14.36]is largely an associative process[25:17.22]-that it works by linking things together.[25:19.86]For example, think of an apple.[25:22.87]The instant your brain registers the word "apple",[25:27.09]it recalls the shape, colour, taste,[25:30.55]smell and texture of that fruit.[25:33.50]All these things are associated in your memory with the word "apple".[25:38.54]This means that any thought about a certain subject[25:41.95]will often bring up more memories that are related to it. [26:55.94]An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had.[27:01.24]This could trigger a memory about[27:03.63]what you were talking about through that lecture,[27:06.13]which can then trigger another memory.[27:09.24]Associations do not have to be logical.[27:12.16]They just have to make a good link.[28:04.57]An example given on a website I was looking at follows: [28:08.73]Do you remember the shape of Austria,[28:11.90]Canada, Belgium or Germany?[28:14.38]Probably not.[28:16.10]What about Italy, though?[28:18.39]If you remember the shape of Italy,[28:20.83]it is because you have been told sometime[28:23.43]that Italy is shaped like a boot.[29:35.84]You made an association with something already known, [29:40.06]the shape of a boot,[29:41.69]and Italy's shape could not be forgotten[29:44.87]once you had made the association.[29:47.05]Now the passage will be read for the third time.[29:52.15]The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems[29:56.47]called Mnemonics.[29:57.96]The name is derived from their Goddess of Memory, Mnemosene.[30:02.19]In the ancient world,[30:04.37]a trained memory was an immense asset,[30:07.17]particularly in public life.[30:09.52]There were no convenient devices for taking notes[30:13.19]and early Greek orators (演说家) delivered long speeches [30:17.07]with great accuracy[30:18.44]because they learned the speeches using Mnemonic systems. [30:22.01]The Greeks discovered that human memory[30:25.52]is largely an associative process[30:28.42]-that it works by linking things together.[30:31.08]For example, think of an apple.[30:34.33]The instant your brain registers the word "apple",[30:38.00]it recalls the shape, colour, taste,[30:41.16]smell and texture of that fruit.[30:43.65]All these things are associated in your memory with the word "apple".[30:49.10]This means that any thought about a certain subject[30:52.88]will often bring up more memories that are related to it.[30:56.85]An example could be when you think about a lecture you have had.[31:00.94]This could trigger a memory about[31:03.48]what you were talking about through that lecture,[31:06.35]which can then trigger another memory.[31:09.39]Associations do not have to be logical.[31:13.26]They just have to make a good link.[31:15.60]An example given on a website I was looking at follows: [31:19.88]Do you remember the shape of Austria,[31:22.88]Canada, Belgium or Germany?[31:25.54]Probably not.[31:27.11]What about Italy, though?[31:29.66]If you remember the shape of Italy,[31:32.06]it is because you have been told sometime[31:35.01]that Italy is shaped like a boot.[31:37.00]You made an association with something already known, [31:41.59]the shape of a boot,[31:43.21]and Italy's shape could not be forgotten[31:45.71]once you had made the association.[31:48.21]This is the end of Listening Comprehension.[31:52.05]。

09英语六级考试真题完整版2（含答案）09英语六级考试真题完整版2（含答案）Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A．T o help young people improve their driving skills.B．To alert teenagers to the dangers of reckless driving.C．T o teach young people road manners through videotapes.D．To show teens the penalties imposed on careless drivers.27. A．Road accidents.B．Street violence.C．Drug abuse.D．Lung cancer.28. A．It has changed te ens’way of life.B．It has made teens feel like adults.C．It has accomplished its objective.D．It has been supported by parents.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A．Customers may get addicted to the smells.B．Customers may be misled by the smells.C．It hides the defects of certain goods.D．It gives rise to unfair competition.30. A．Flexible.B．Critical.C．Supportive.D．Cautious.31. A．The flower scent stimulated people’s desire to buy.B．Stronger smells had greater effects on consumers.C．Most shoppers hated the small the shoe store.D．84% of the customers were unaware of the smells.Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.32. A．A goods train hit a bus carrying many passengers.B．Two passenger trains crashed into each other.C．A passenger train collided with a goods train.D．An express train was derailed when hit by a bomb.33. A．The rescue operations have not been very effective.B．More than 300 injured passengers were hospitalized.C．The cause of the tragic accident remains unknown.D．The exact casualty figures are not yet available.34. A．There was a bomb scare.B．There was a terrorist attack.C．A fire alarm was set off by mistake.D．50 pounds of explosives were found.35. A．Follow policemen’s directions.B．Keep an eye weather.C．Avoid snow-covered roads.D．Drive with special care.Section C注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

2009年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes? You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 现在有不少家长送孩子参加各种艺术班现在有不少家长送孩子参加各种艺术班2. 对这种做法有人表示支持，也有人并不赞成3. 我认为……我认为……Should Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes? Part ⅡReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer thequestions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices markedA), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in thepassage.Bosses Say “Yes Yes”” to Home Work Rising costs of office space, time lost to stressful commuting, and a slow recognition that workers have lives beyond the office —all are strong arguments for letting staff work from home. For the small business, there are additional benefits too —staff are more productive, and happier, enabling firms to keep their headcounts (员工数) and their recruitment costs to a minimum. It can also provide provide competitive competitive competitive advantage, advantage, advantage, especially especially especially when when when small small small businesses businesses businesses want want want to to to attract attract attract new new new staff staff staff but but but don don don’’t have the budget to offer huge salaries. While company managers have known about the benefits for a long time, many have done little about about it, it, it, sceptical sceptical sceptical of of of whether whether whether they they they could could could trust trust trust their their their employees employees employees to to to work work work to to to full full full capacity capacity capacity without without supervision, or concerned about the additional expenses teleworking policies might incur as staff start charging their home phone bills to the business. Yet this is now changing. When communications provider Inter-Tel researched the use of remote working solutions among small-and-medium-sized UK businesses in April this year, it found that 28% more companies claimed to have introduced flexible working practices than a year ago. The The UK UK UK network network network of of of Business Business Business Links Links Links confirms confirms confirms that that that it it it too too too has has has seen seen seen a a a growing growing growing interest interest interest in in in remote remote working solutions from small businesses seeking its advice, and claims that as many as 60-70% of the businesses businesses that that that come come come through through through its its its doors doors doors now now now offer offer offer some some some form form form of of of remote remote remote working working working support support support to to to their their workforces. Technology advances, including the widespread availability of broadband, are making the introduction of remote working a piece of cake. “If systems are set up properly, staff can have access to all the resources they have in the office wherever they have an internet connection,” says Andy Poulton, e-business advisor at Business Link for Berkshire and Wiltshire. “There are some very exciting developments which have enabled this.”One is the availability of broadband everywhere, which now covers almost all of the country (BT claims that, by July, 99.8% of its exchanges will be broadband enabled, with alternative plans in place for even the most remote exchanges). “This is the enabler,” Poulton says. Yet while broadband has come down in price too, those service providers targeting the business market warn against consumer services masquerading (伪装) as business-friendly broadband. “Broadband is available for as little as ￡15 a month, but many businesses fail to appreciate the hidden costs of such a service,” says Neil Stephenson, sales and marketing director at Onyx Internet, an internet internet service service service provider provider provider based based based in in in the the the north-east north-east north-east of of of England. England. England. ““Providers Providers offering offering offering broadband broadband broadband for for rock-bottom prices are notorious for poor service, with regular breakdowns and heavily congested (拥堵的) ) networks. networks. networks. It It It is is is always always always advisable advisable advisable for for for businesses businesses businesses to to to look look look beyond beyond beyond the the the price price price tag tag tag and and and look look look for for for a a business-only provider that can offer more reliability, with good support.” Such services don ’t cost too much —quality services can be found for upwards of ￡30 a month. The benefits of broadband to the occasional home worker are that they can access email in real time, and take full advantage of services such as internet-based backup or even internet-based phone services. Internet-based telecoms, or V oIP (V oice over IP) to give it its technical title, is an interesting tool to any business supporting remote working. Not necessarily because of the promise of free or reduced price phone calls (which experts point out is misleading for the average business), but because of the sophisticated voice services that can be exploited by the remote worker —facilities such as voicemail and and call call call forwarding, forwarding, forwarding, which which which provide provide provide a a a continuity continuity continuity of of of the the the company company company image image image for for for customers customers customers and and and business business partners. By law, companies must “consider seriously ” requests to work flexibly made by a parent with a child under the age of six, or a disabled child under 18. It was the need to accommodate employees with with young young young children children children that that that motivated motivated motivated accountancy accountancy accountancy firm firm firm Wright Wright Wright Vigar Vigar Vigar to to to begin begin begin promoting promoting promoting teleworking teleworking recently. The company, which needed to to upgrade upgrade its IT infrastructure (基础设施) ) to to to provide provide connectivity with a new, second office, decided to introduce support for remote working at the same time. Marketing Marketing director director director Jack Jack Jack O O ’Hern Hern explains explains explains that that that the the the company company company has has has a a a relatively relatively relatively young young young workforce, workforce, many many of of of whom whom whom are are are parents: parents: parents: ““One One of of of the the the triggers triggers triggers was was was when when when one one one of of of our our our tax tax tax managers managers managers returned returned returned from from maternity leave. She was intending to work part time, but could only manage one day a week in the office office due due due to to to childcare. childcare. childcare. By By By offering offering offering her her her the the the ability ability ability to to to work work work from from from home, home, home, we we we have have have doubled doubled doubled her her capacity capacity——now she works a day a week from home, and a day in the office. This is great for her, and fo us as we retain someone highly qualified.”For Wright Vigar, which has now equipped all of its fee-earners to be able to work at maximum productivity when away from the offices (whether that ’s from home, or while on the road), this strategy is not just about saving on commute time or cutting them loose from the office, but enabling them to work more flexible hours that fit around their home life. O ’Hern says: “Although most of our work is client-based and must fit around this, we can ’t see any reason why a parent can ’t be on hand to deal with something important at home, if they have the ability to complete a project later in the day.”Supporting this new way of working came with a price, though. Although the firm was updating its systems anyway, the company spent 10-15% more per user to equip them with a laptop rather than a PC, and about the same to upgrade to a server that would enable remote staff to connect to the company networks and access all their usual resources. Although Although Wright Wright Wright Vigar Vigar Vigar hasn hasn hasn’’t t yet yet yet quantified quantified quantified the the the business business business benefits, benefits, benefits, it it it claims claims claims that, that, that, in in in addition addition addition to to being able to retain key staff with young families, it is able to save fee-earners a substantial amount of “dead dead”” time in their working days. That That staff staff staff can can can do do do this this this without without without needing needing needing a a a fixed fixed fixed telephone telephone telephone line line line provides provides provides even even even more more more efficiency efficiency savings. “With Wi-Fi (fast, wireless internet connections) popping up all over the place, even on trains, our fee-earners can be productive as they travel, and between meetings, instead of having to kill time at the shops,” he adds. The company will also be able to avoid the expense of having to relocate staff to temporary offices for several weeks when it begins disruptive office renovations soon. Financial recruitment specialist Lynne Hargreaves knows exactly how much her firm has saved by adopting a teleworking strategy, which has involved handing her company ’s data management over to a remote remote hosting hosting hosting company, company, company, Datanet, Datanet, Datanet, so so so it it it can can can be be be accessible accessible accessible by by by all all all the the the company company company’’s s consultants consultants consultants over over broadband internet connections. It It has has has enabled enabled enabled the the the company company company to to to dispense dispense dispense with with with its its its business business business premises premises premises altogether, altogether, altogether, following following following the the realisation that it just didn ’t need them any more. “The main motivation behind adopting home working was to increase my own productivity, as a single mum to an 11-year-old,” says Hargreaves. “But I soon realised that, as most of our business is done on the phone, email and at off-site meetings, we didn ’t need need our our our offices offices offices at at at all. all. all. W W e ’re re now now now saving saving ￡16,000 16,000 a a a year year year on on on rent, rent, rent, plus plus plus the the the cost cost cost of of of utilities, utilities, utilities, not not not to to mention what would have been spent on commuting.”1. What is the main topic of this passage? A) How business managers view hi-tech. B) Relations between employers and employees. C) How to cut down the costs of small businesses. D) Benefits of the practice of teleworking. 2. From the research conducted by the communications provider Inter-Tel, we learn that . A) more employees work to full capacity at home B) employees show a growing interest in small businesses C) more businesses have adopted remote working solutions D) attitudes toward IT technology have changed 3. What development has made flexible working practices possible according to Andy Poulton? A) Reduced cost of telecommunications. B) Improved reliability of internet service. C) Availability of the V oIP service. D) Access to broadband everywhere. 4. What is Neil Stephenson ’s advice to firms contracting internet services? A) They look for reliable business-only providers. B) They contact providers located nearest to them. C) They carefully examine the contract. D) They contract the cheapest provider. 5. Internet-based telecoms facilitates remote working by __________. A) offering sophisticated voice services B) giving access to emailing in real time C) helping clients discuss business at home D) providing calls completely free of charge 6. The accountancy firm Wright Vigar promoted teleworking initially in order to __________. A) present a positive image to prospective customers B) support its employees with children to take care of C) attract young people with IT expertise to work for it D) reduce operational expenses of a second office 7. According to marketing director Jack O ’Hern, teleworking enabled the company to __________. A) enhance its market image B) reduce recruitment costs C) keep highly qualified staff D) minimise its office space 8. Wright Vigar ’s s practice practice practice of of of allowing allowing allowing for for for more more more flexible flexible flexible working working working hours hours hours not not not only only only benefits benefits benefits the the company but helps improve employees ’ . 9. With fast, wireless internet connections, employees can still be __________ while traveling. 10. Single mother Lynne Hargreaves decided to work at home mainly to __________. 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) They would rather travel around than stay at home. B) They prefer to carry cash when traveling abroad. C) They usually carry many things around with them. D) They don’t like to spend much money on traveling. 12. A) The selection process was a little unfair. B) He had long dreamed of the dean’s position. C) Rod was eliminated in the selection process. D) Rod was in charge of the admissions office. 13. A) Applause encourages the singer. B) She regrets paying for the concert. C) Almost everyone loves pop music. D) The concert is very impressive. 14. A) They have known each other since their schooldays. ’ Union. B) They were both chairpersons of the StudentsC) They have been in close touch by email. D) They are going to hold a reunion party. 15. A) Cook their dinner. B) Rest for a while. C) Get their car fixed. D) Stop for the night. 16. A) Newly-launched products. B) Consumer preferences. C) Survey results. D) Survey methods. ’t buy the blouse. 17. A) He would rather the woman didnB) The woman needs blouses in the colors of a rainbow. C) The information in the catalog is not always reliable. D) He thinks the blue blouse is better than the red one. 18. A) The course is open to all next semester. B) The notice may not be reliable. C) The woman has not told the truth. D) He will drop his course in marketing. Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) A director of a sales department. B) A manager at a computer store. C) A sales clerk at a shopping center. D) An accountant of a computer firm. 20. A) Handling customer complaints. B) Recruiting and training new staff. C) Dispatching ordered goods on time. D) Developing computer programs. 21. A) She likes something more challenging. B) She likes to be nearer to her parents. C) She wants to have a better-paid job. D) She wants to be with her husband. 22. A) Right away. B) In two months. C) Early next month. D) In a couple of days. Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A) It will face challenges unprecedented in its history. B) It is a resolute advocate of the anti-global movement. C) It is bound to regain its full glory of a hundred years ago. D) It will be a major economic power by the mid-21st century. 24. A) The lack of overall urban planning. B) The huge gap between the haves and have-nots. C) The inadequate supply of water and electricity. D) The shortage of hi-tech personnel. 25. A) They attach great importance to education. B) They are able to grasp growth opportunities. C) They are good at learning from other nations. D) They have made use of advanced technologies. Section 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 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A) She taught chemistry and microbiology courses in a college. B) She gave lectures on how to become a public speaker. C) She helped families move away from industrial polluters. D) She engaged in field research on environmental pollution. 27. A) The job restricted her from revealing her findings. B) The job posed a potential threat to her health. C) She found the working conditions frustrating. D) She was offered a better job in a minority community. 28. A) Some giant industrial polluters have gone out of business. B) More environmental organizations have appeared. C) Many toxic sites in America have been cleaned up. D) More branches of her company have been set up. 29. A) Her widespread influence among members of Congress. B) Her ability to communicate through public speaking. C) Her rigorous training in delivering eloquent speeches. D) Her lifelong commitment to domestic and global issues. Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) The fierce competition in the market. B) The growing necessity of staff training. C) The accelerated pace of globalisation. D) The urgent need of a diverse workforce. 31. A) Gain a deep understanding of their own culture. B) Take courses of foreign languages and cultures. C) Share the experiences of people from other cultures. The ancient Greeks developed basic memory systems called mnemonics. The name is 大36家The Greeks discovered that human memory is 大40家大家Austria, Canada, Belgium, or Germany? Probably not. What about Italy, though? 大46家can be seen from outside the car. Persuading people to switch their phones off altogether when they get behind the wheel might be the only answer. Who knows, they might even come to enjoy not having to take calls. 47. Carrying on a mobile phone conversation while one is driving is considered dangerous because it seriously distracts . 48. In the experiments, the two groups of volunteers were asked to handle a series of moving tasks which were considered . 49. Results of the experiments show that those who were making the equivalent of a hands-free call took to react than those who were not. 50. Further experiments reveal that participants tend to respond with extra delay if they are required to do . 51. The The author author author believes believes believes persuasion, persuasion, persuasion, rather rather rather than than than , , , might might might be be be the the the only only only way way way to to to stop stop stop people people people from from from using using mobile phones while driving. Section BDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished 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 linethrough the centre.Passage OneQuestions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.There There is is is nothing nothing nothing like like like the the the suggestion suggestion suggestion of of of a a a cancer cancer cancer risk risk risk to to to scare scare scare a a a parent, parent, parent, especially especially especially one one one of of of the the over-educated, over-educated, eco-conscious eco-conscious eco-conscious type. type. type. So So So you you you can can can imagine imagine imagine the the the reaction reaction reaction when when when a a a recent recent recent USA USA USA Today Today investigation of air quality around the nation ’s schools singled out those in the smugly （自鸣得意的）green village of Berkeley, Calif., as being among the worst in the country. The city ’s public high school, as well as a number of daycare centers, preschools, elementary and middle schools, fell in the lowest 10%. Industrial pollution in our town had supposedly turned students into living science experiments breathing in a laboratory ’s worth of heavy metals like manganese, chromium and nickel each day. This in a city that requires school cafeterias to serve organic meals. Great, Great, I thought, organic lunch, toxic I thought, organic lunch, toxic campus. Since December, when the report came out, the mayor, neighborhood activists （活跃分子）and various parent-teacher associations have engaged in a fierce battle over its validity: over the guilt of the steel-casting factory on the western edge of town, over union jobs jobs versus versus versus children children children’’s health and over what, if anything, ought to be done. With all sides presenting their own experts armed with conflicting scientific studies, whom should parents believe? Is there truly a threat here, we asked one another as we dropped off our kids, and if so, how great is it? And how does it compare with the other, seemingly perpetual health scares we confront, like panic over lead in synthetic athletic fields? Rather than just another weird episode in the town that brought you protesting environmentalists, this latest drama is a trial for how today ’s parents perceive risk, how we try to keep our kids safe —whether it’s possible to keep them safe —in what feels like an increasingly threatening world. It raises the question of what, in our time, “safe safe”” could even mean. “There There’’s s no no no way way way around around around the the the uncertainty,uncertainty,uncertainty,”” says says Kimberly Kimberly Kimberly Thompson, Thompson, Thompson, president president president of of of Kid Kid Kid Risk, Risk, Risk, a a nonprofit group that studies children ’s health. “That means your choices can matter, but it also means you aren ’t t going to know if they do.going to know if they do.” A 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics explained that nervous parents have more to fear from fire, car accidents and drowning than from toxic chemical exposure. To which I say: Well, obviously. But such concrete hazards are beside the point. It ’s the dangers parents can can’’t —and and may may may never never —quantify quantify that that that occur occur occur all all all of of of sudden. sudden. sudden. That That That’’s s why why why I I ’ve ve rid rid rid my my my cupboard cupboard cupboard of of microwave microwave food food food packed packed packed in in in bags bags bags coated coated coated with with with a a a potential potential potential cancer-causing cancer-causing cancer-causing substance, substance, substance, but but but although although although I I ’ve lived lived blocks blocks blocks from from from a a a major major major fault fault fault line(line(地质断层) ) for for for more more more than than than 12 12 12 years, years, years, I I I still still still haven haven haven’’t t bolted bolted bolted our our bookcases to the living room wall. 52. What does a recent investigation by USA Today reveal? A) Heavy metals in lab tests threaten children ’s health in Berkeley. B) Berkeley residents are quite contented with their surroundings. C) The air quality around Berkeley ’s school campuses is poor. D) Parents in Berkeley are over-sensitive to cancer risks their kids face. 53. What response did USA Today ’s report draw? A) A heated debate. B) Popular support. C) Widespread panic. D) Strong criticism. 54. How did parents feel in the face of the experts ’ studies? A) They felt very much relieved. B) They were frightened by the evidence. C) They didn ’t know who to believe. D) They weren ’t convinced of the results. 55. What is the view of the 2004 report in the journal Pediatrics? A) It is important to quantify various concrete hazards. B) Daily accidents pose a more serious threat to children. C) Parents should be aware of children ’s health hazards. D) Attention should be paid to toxic chemical exposure. 56. Of the dangers in everyday life, the author thinks that people have most to fear from __________. A) the uncertain B) the quantifiable C) an earthquake D) unhealthy food Passage TwoQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Crippling Crippling health health health care care care bills, bills, bills, long long long emergency-room emergency-room emergency-room waits waits waits and and and the the the inability inability inability to to to find find find a a a primary primary primary care care physician just scratch the surface of the problems that patients face daily. Primary Primary care care care should should should be be be the the the backbone backbone backbone of of of any any any health health health care care care system. system. system. Countries Countries Countries with with with appropriate appropriate primary primary care care care resources resources resources score score score highly highly highly when when when it it it comes comes comes to to to health health health outcomes outcomes outcomes and and and cost. cost. cost. The The The U.S. U.S. U.S. takes takes takes the the opposite approach by emphasizing the specialist rather than the primary care physician. A recent study analyzed the providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries （老年医保受惠人）. The startling finding was that the average Medicare patient saw a total of seven doctors —two primary care physicians and five specialists —in a given year. Contrary to popular belief, the more physicians taking care care of of of you you you don don don’’t t guarantee guarantee guarantee better better better care. care. care. Actually, Actually, increasing increasing fragmentation fragmentation fragmentation of of of care care care results results results in in in a a corresponding rise in cost and medical errors. How did we let primary care slip so far? The key is how doctors are paid. Most physicians are paid paid whenever whenever whenever they they they perform perform perform a a a medical medical medical service. service. service. The The The more more more a a a physician physician physician does, does, does, regardless regardless regardless of of of quality quality quality or or outcome, outcome, the the the better better better he he he’’s s reimbursed reimbursed reimbursed ((返还费用). ). Moreover, Moreover, Moreover, the the the amount amount amount a a a physician physician physician receives receives receives leans leans heavily toward medical or surgical procedures. A specialist who performs a procedure in a 30-minute visit can be paid three times more than a primary care physician using that same 30 minutes to discuss a patient patient’’s disease. Combine this fact with annual government threats to indiscriminately cut reimbursements, physicians are faced with no choice but to increase quantity to boost income. Primary care physicians who refuse to compromise quality are either driven out of business or to cash-only practices, further contributing to the decline of primary care. Medical students are not blind to this scenario. They see how heavily the reimbursement deck is stacked against primary care. The recent numbers show that since 1997, newly graduated U.S. medical students who choose primary care as a career have declined by 50%. This trend results in emergency rooms being overwhelmed with patients without regular doctors. How do we fix this problem? It It starts starts starts with with with reforming reforming reforming the the the physician physician physician reimbursement reimbursement reimbursement system. system. system. Remove Remove Remove the the the pressure pressure pressure for for for primary primary care care physicians physicians physicians to to to squeeze squeeze squeeze in in in more more more patients patients patients per per per hour, hour, hour, and and and reward reward reward them them them for for for optimally optimally optimally ((最佳地) managing their diseases and practicing evidence-based medicine. Make primary care more attractive to medical medical students students students by by by forgiving forgiving forgiving student student student loans loans loans for for for those those those who who who choose choose choose primary primary primary care care care as as as a a a career career career and and reconciling the marked difference between specialist and primary care physician salaries. e W e’’re at a point where primary care is needed more than ever. Within a few years, the first wave of the 76 million Baby Boomers will become eligible for Medicare. Patients older than 85, who need chronic care most, will rise by 50% this decade. Who will be there to treat them? 57. The author ’s chief concern about the current U.S. health care system is __________. 。

2009年6月英语六级考试真题与答案Part I writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled On the Importance of a Name. You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 有人说名字或名称很重要2. 也有人觉得名字或名称无关紧要3. 我认为例文On the Importance of a NameThere is no denying the fact that it is a controversial topic whether names are important or not. Some hold the positive view. They claim that a good name, or a name that can be easily remembered, can bring one a lot more opportunities than others. Some Chinese may also believe that a name designed according to the traditional theory of five elements can bring good luck.Others, however, hold the opposite view. They argue that a name is nothing but a code to distinguish one from another. A person “good” name may not be as successful as the name indicates. In the same way, a person who has a common or casually given name can also achieve tremendous success.Personally, I believe that both sides have something right, so we should not go to extremes. On the one hand, we have to admit that a well designed name can help a person to some extent. On the other hand, we should not exaggerate the effect of a name on a person’s fate. Anyway, a person’s success mainly depends on his hard work and desirable personalities.Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Helicopter Moms vs. Free-Range Kids Would you let your fourth-grader ride public transportation without an adult? Probably not. Still, when Lenore Sleazy, a columnist for the New York Sun, wrote about letting her son take the subway alone to get back to "Long story short :my son got home from a department store on the Upper East Side, she didn’t expect to get hit with a wave of criticism from readers.“Long story short: My son got home, overjoyed with independence,” Sleazy wrote on April 4 in the New York Sun. “Long story longer: Half the people I’vet told this episode to now want to turn on in for child abuse. As if keeping kids under lock and key and cell phone and careful watch is the right way to rear kids. It’s not. It’s debilitating (使虚弱)—for us and for them.”Online message boards were soon full of people both applauding and condemning Sleazy’s decision to let her son go it alone. She wound up defending herself on CNN (accompanied by her son) and on popular blogs like the buffing ton post, where her follow-u p piece was ironically headlined “More from America’s Worst Mom.”The episode has ignited another one of those debates that divides parents into vocal opposing camps. Are Modern parents needlessly overprotective, or is the world a more complicated and dangerous place than it was when previous generations were allowed to wander about unsupervised?From the “she’s an irresponsible mother” camp came: “Shame on you for being so careless about his safety,”in Comments on the buffing ton post. And there was this from a mother of four: “How would you have felt if he did’t come home?” But Sleazy got a lot of support, too, with women and men writing in with stories about how they were allowed to take trips all by them selves at seven or eight. She also got heaps of praise for bucking the “helicopter parent” trend: “Good for this Mom,” one commenter wrote on the buffing ton post. “This is a much-needed reality check.”Last week, encouraged by all the attention, Sleazy started her own blog—Free Range, kids—promoting the idea that modern children need some of the same independence that her generation had. In the good old days nine-year-old baby boomers rode their bikes to school, walked to the store, took buses—and even subways—all by themselves. Her blog, she says, is dedicated to sensible parenting. “At Free Range Kids, we believe in safe kids. We believe in car seats and safety belts. We do NOT believe that every time school-age children go outside, they need a security guard.”So why are some parents so nervous about letting their children out of their sight? Are cities and towns less safe and kids more vulnerable to crimes like child kidnap and sexual abuse than they were in previous generations?Not exactly. New York City, for instance, is safer than it’s ever been; it’s ranked 36th in crime among all American cities. Nationwide, stringer kidnaps are extremely rare; there’s a one-in-a-million chance a child will be taken by a stranger, according to the Justice Department. And 90 percent of sexual abuse cases are committed by someone the child knows. Mortality rates from all causes, including disease and accidents, for American children are lower now than they were 25 years’ ago. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit research group, between 1980 and 2003 death rates dropped by 44 percent for children aged 5 to 14 and 32 percent for teens aged 15 to 19.Then there’s the whole question of whether modern parents are more watchful and nervous about safety than previous generations. Yes, some are. Part of the problem is that with wall to wall Internet and cable news, every missing child case gets so much ai rtime that it’s not surprising even normal parental anxiety can be amplified. And many middle-class parents have gotten used to managing their children’s time and shuttling them to various enriching activities, so the idea of letting them out on their own can seem like a risk. Back in 1972, when many of today’s parents were kids, 87 percent of children who lived within a mile of school walked or biked every day. But today, the Centers for Disease Control report that only 13 percent of children bike, walk or otherwise t themselves to school.The extra supervision is both a city and a suburb phenomenon. Parents are worried about crime, and they are worried about kids getting caught in traffic in a city that’s not used to pedestrians. On the other hand, there are still plenty of kids whose parents give them a lot of independence, by choice or by necessity. The After School Alliance finds that more than 14 million kids aged 5 to 17 are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Only 6.5 million kids participate in organized programs. “Many children who have working parents have to take the subway or bus to get to school. Many do this by themselves because they have no other way to get to the schools,” sa ys Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute at the New York University Child Study Center.For those parents who wonder how and when they should start allowing their kids more freedom, there’s no clear-cut answer. Child experts discourage a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. What’s right for Sleazy’s nine-year-old could be inappropriate for another one. It all depends on developmental issue, maturity, and the psychological and emotional makeup of that child. Several factors must be taken into account, says Gallagher. “The ability to follow parent guidelines, the child’s level of comfort in handling such situations, and a child’s general judgment should be weighed.”Gallagher agrees with Sleazy that many nine-year-olds are ready for independence like taking public transportation alone. “At certain times of the day, on certain routes, the subways are generally safe for these children, especially if they have grown up in the city and have been taught how to be safe, how to obtain help if they are concerned for their safety, and how to avoid unsafe situations by being watchful and on their toes.”But even with more traffic and fewer sidewalks, modern parents do have one advantage their parents did’t: the cell phone. Being able to check in with a child anytime goes a long way toward relieving parental anxiety and may help parents loosen their control a little sooner. Sleazy got a lot of criticism because she didn’t give her kid her cell phone because she thought he’d lose it and wanted him to learn to go it alone without depending on mom—a major principle of free-range parenting. But most parents are more than happy to use cell phones to keep track of their kids.And for those who like the idea of free-range kids but still struggle with their inner helicopter parent, there may be a middle way. A new generation of GPS cell phones with tracking software make it easier than ever to follow a child’s every movement via the Internet—without seeming to interfere or hover. Of course, when they go to college, they might start objecting to being monitored as they’re on parole (假释).1. When Lenore Sleazy’s son was allowed to take the subway alone, he ________.A．Was afraid that he might get lostB．Enjoyed having the independenceC．Was only too pleased to take the riskD．Thought he was an exceptional child2. Lenore Sleazy believes that keeping kids under careful watchA．Hinders their healthy growthB．adds too much to parents’ expensesC．Shows traditional parental cautionD．Bucks the latest parenting trend3. Sleazy’s decision to let her son take the Subway alone has net with________.A．Opposition from her own familyB．Share parenting experienceC．Fight against child abuseD．protect children’s rights4. Sleazy started her own blog to ________.A．Promote sensible parentingB．Share parenting experienceC．Fight against child abuseD．protect children’s rights5. According to the author, New York City ________.A．Ranks high in road accidentsB．Is much safe than beforeC．Ranks low in child mortality ratesD．Is less dangerous than small cities6. Parents today are more nervous about their kids’safety than previous generations because________.A．There are now fewer children in the familyB．The number of traffic accidents has been increasingC．Their fear is amplified by media exposure of crimeD．Crime rates have been on the rise over the years7. According to child experts, how and when kids may be allowed more freedom depends on ________.A．The traditions and customs of the communityB．The safety conditions of their neighborhoodC．their parents’ psychological makeupD．Their maturity and personal qualities8. According to Gallagher and Sleazy, children who are watchful will be better able to stay away from unsafe situations.9. Being able to find out where a child is anytime helps lessen parents’ Their anxiety and control.10. Nowadays with the help of GPS cell phones, parents can, from a distance, track their children’s every moment Movements.Part III ListenningPart IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)Section AThere is nothing new about TV and fashion magazines giving girls unhealthy ideas about how thin they need to be in order to be considered beautiful. What is surprising is the method psychologists at the University of Texas have come up with to keep girls from developing eating disorders. Their main weapon against super skinny (role) models: a brand of civil disobedience dubbed “body activism.”Since 2001, more than 1,000 high school and college students in the U.S. have participated in the Body Project, which works by getting girls to understand how they have been buying into the notion that you have to be thin to be happy or successful. After critiquing (评论) the so-called thin ideal by writing essays and role-playing with their peers, participants are directed to come up with and execute small, nonviolent acts. They include slipping notes saying “Love your body the way it is” into dieting books at stores like Borders and writing letters to Mattel, makers of the impossibly proportioned Barbie doll.According to a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the risk of developing eating disorders was reduced 61% among Body Project participants. And they continued to exhibit positive body-image attitudes as long as three years after completing the program, which consists, of four one-hour sessions. Such lasting effects may be due to girls’ realizing not only how they were being influenced but also who was benefiting from the societal pressure to be thin. “These people who promote the perfect body really don’t care about you at all,” says Kelsey Herten, a high school junior and Body Project veteran in Eugene, Oregon. “They purposefully make you feel like less of a person so you’ll buy their stuff and they’ll make money.”注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。