专业英语9.22.2016
- 格式:pptx
- 大小:926.01 KB
- 文档页数:12
2016年专业英语历年考试真题The year 2016 marked a significant milestone in the history of specialized English exams, as it saw the introduction of several key changes that reshaped the testing landscape. As we delve into the past exam papers, it becomes evident that the focus shifted towards a more practical and context-based approach, emphasizing real-world applications of English rather than just rote learning.The reading comprehension sections of the 2016 exams were particularly noteworthy for their diverse range of topics, ranging from scientific research articles to business case studies. This shift towards a more diverse content mix reflects a growing trend towards assessing candidates' ability to comprehend and analyze complex texts across different domains. Candidates were required to not only understand the literal meaning of the text but also to infer implied meanings, understand the author's intentions, and evaluate the credibility of the information presented.The listening comprehension sections also saw a similar trend, with conversations and lectures being designed to test the candidates' ability to extract key information, understand context, and make logical deductions. This section tested the candidates' active listening skills, requiring them to actively engage with the audio material and interpret it quickly and accurately.The writing sections of the exams were also updated to reflect this new focus on practicality and real-world applications. Candidates were asked to write essays and reports that模拟真实工作场景中的写作任务, emphasizing clarity, coherence, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively. The emphasis on these skills is crucial in today's globalized workforce, where effective communication is a prerequisite for success.In the light of these changes, it is important for candidates to adopt a strategic approach towards their preparation. Firstly, they should focus on developing a strong foundation in the basic language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This foundation willprovide them with the necessary tools to tackle the more complex tasks presented in the exams.Secondly, candidates should expose themselves to a wide range of materials, including newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and online resources, to familiarize themselves with different styles and registers of English. This will help them adapt to the diverse content mix found in the exams.Thirdly, candidates should practice regularly, focusing on improving their speed and accuracy. This can be achieved through timed practice tests and mock exams, which willhelp them familiarize themselves with the exam format and develop the necessary test-taking skills.Lastly, candidates should focus on developing their critical thinking skills. This involves analyzing and evaluating information, identifying arguments and counterarguments, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. These skills will be crucial in the writing and reading comprehension sections of the exams.In conclusion, the 2016 professional English exams marked a significant shift towards a more practical andcontext-based approach. Candidates need to prepare strategically, focusing on developing a strong foundationin basic language skills, exposing themselves to a wide range of materials, practicing regularly, and developing critical thinking skills. By doing so, they will be well-prepared to face the challenges of the exams and succeed in their professional careers.**2016年专业英语历年考试真题深度解析与备考策略**2016年对于专业英语考试来说,是一个具有里程碑意义的年份,因为这一年见证了一系列重大变革,重塑了考试格局。
Taking Pictures of the WorldMeet Annie Griffiths Belt, a National Geographic photographer. Belt has worked for National Geographic since 1978, and has taken pictures on almost every continent in the world. In fact,Antarctica is the only continent Belt hasn't seen yet.Belt's photographs are well known for their beauty and high quality. They also reflect very different cultures and regions of the world. Belt has photographed the ancient city of Petra, Jordan , as well as the green landscapes of the Lake District in England. Recently, her pictures appeared in a book about undeveloped natural places in North America.Everywhere that Belt goes, she takes pictures of people. Belt has found ways to connect with people of all ages and nationalities even when she does not speak their language. " The greatest privilege of my job is being allowed into people's lives," she has said. "The camera is like a passport, and I am often overwhelmed by how quickly people welcome me ! "Knowing how to break the ice has helped to make Belt a successful photographer, but experts say that anyone can learn to connect with new people. When people speak the same language, greeting and small talk can make strangers feel more comfortable with each other. When people don't speak the same language , a smile is very helpful. Having something in common can also help break the ice. For example , Belt has traveled with her two children , so when she takes pictures of children or their parents, they all have that family connection in common. Even bad weather can help people to connect when they are experiencing it together.Belt has some advice if you are thinking about a career in photography. You can volunteer to take pictures for a local organization that can't afford to hire a professional photographer. You can also take a good, honest look at your best photographs. If you're a real photographer, your photos are good because of your personal and technical skills. Belt also recommends studying and learning from photos taken by professional photographers.Remember, the next time you look as a beautiful photograph, you might be looking at the work of Annie Griffiths Belt. And the next time you meet a new person, don't be afraid to break the ice. the connection you make could be very rewarding.1.Belt has never traveled to England (wrong)2.Belt has never traveled to Antarctica (Right)3.Belt has worked for a number of magazines. (Not mentioned)4.petra is a very old city in Jordan (Right)5.Belt can only connect with English-speakers (Wrong)6.Peopie can connect with each other in bad weather (Right)7.V oiunteering is one way to begin a photography career. (Right)第二篇"Own" Your Children's Education"Helping them isn't about showing your kids how to do the work.It's about being genuinely interested and having regular conversations about what they're learning,''says J.Gary Knowles,a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education,part of the University of Toronto.Rozon has a slew of suggestions for how to get more,-involved."Get to know the teacher.Discuss ways to tailor the assignments to your child's learning style.Spend time in the classroom.Ask for outlines of unit studies so you can find supplementary materials at the library or through videos.Read your child's textbooks:If you work a few pages ahead,you'll be able to help them with problems they encounter.''Reading is another must,says Rozon."Even after your children can read themselves,hearing somebody else read aloud is important.We nearly always have a book on the go1; we read for at least a half hour before bedtime.The more engaged a parent is, the more the child benefits,adds Bruce Ami."The evidence is clear:Parental involvement is One of the most important factors in school success.Arai cites the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth,sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada(HRDC),which is measuring all aspects of child development."The hours children spend in class are but2 one element of their education'',states HDC,which says parental support,along with teacher support and a positive attitude towards school.all contribute to academic success."I see every moment of every day as a learning experience." says Goforth."The most satisfying part of it is seeing the,love of learning continued.I'm not squelching my children's desire to learn by insisting they learn.They learn because they want to."Adds Jeanne Lambert,mother of Carey Graham: "Make the time3,take the time4,guide,lead,and encourage.If nothing else,your children learn you care,and that's the most important lesson you can give them."1.According to the passage ,parents should help their children with their homework. (Not mentioned)2.You should read your child,s testbooks so that you can teach them. (Wrong)3.Childeren shiuld always take a book with them on the way back from school and read it aloud. (Notmentioned)4.If parents show a lot of interest in their children’s study ,the children will do better at school .(Right)5.It is very important that you let your children know you feel love and concern for them .(Right)6.Parents must observe classes regularly (Not mentioned )ernmental support also plsys a role in academic success. (Not mentioned)’第三篇Across the DesertsThe Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. It stretches across Africa from Senegal to Egypt. The Sahara Desert is an unfriendly environment. During the day it's very hot, and at night it’s sometimes very cold. It is also difficult to find water in the Sahara.In 2006, Kevin Lin, Ray Zahab, and Charlie Engle decided to do something very difficult. They made the decision to run across the Sahara Desert 4,300 miles (6,920km). It seemed impossible to do, but they wanted to try. The three men liked to test themselves, and this would be a very big test.On the morning of November 2, Kevin, Ray, and Charlie started their trip across the Sahara. Every morning they began running at 5:00. At11 a.m. they stopped and rested until 5 p.m. Then they ran again until 9:30 in the evening. Each day they ran about 40 miles (64 km). Every day it was the same thing. They got up and ran. They listened to music on their iPods, and they ran and ran.Kevin, Ray, and Charlie needed to eat a lot of food during their trip. Most people need about 2,000 calories of food each day. Kevin, Ray, and Charlie needed between 6,000 and 9,000 calories every day. That's a lot of food! They also needed to drink a lot of water. The three men had some problems on their trip, and many times they wanted to quit and go home. It was often very hot (140°F/60°C) during the day, and the heat made them sick. Their legs and feet hurt. Sometimes it was very windy, and they couldn't see. One time they got lost. But they didn't quit. After 111 days, Kevin, Ray; and Charlie successfully finished their trip across the Sahara Desert. They hugged each other and put their hands in the water of the Red Sea. Then they ran to a hotel to take a long shower. 穿越沙漠1.Its第四篇SmokingSince 1939, numerous studies have been conducted to determine whether smoking is a health hazard. The trend of the evidence has been consistent and indicates that there is a serious health risk. Research teams have conducted studies that show beyond all reasonable doubt that tobacco smoking is associated with a shortened life expectancy1.Cigarette smoking is believed by most research workers in this field to be an important factor in the development of cancer of the lungs and cancer of the throat and is believed to be related to cancer of some other organs of the body. Male cigarette smokers have a higher death rate from heart disease than non-smoking males. Female smokers are thought to be less affected because they do not breathe in the smoke so deeply.Apart from statistics, it might be helpful to look at what smoking tobacco does to the human body. Smoke is a mixture of gases, vaporized chemicals, minute particles of ash and other solids. There is also nicotine, which is powerful poison, and black tar. As smoke is breathed in, all those components form deposits on the membranes of the lungs. One point of concentration is where the air tube and bronchus divides. Most lung cancer begins at this point.Filters and low tar tobacco2 are claimed to make smoking to some extent safer, but they can only slightly reduce, not eliminate the hazards.第五篇Plants and MankindBotany(植物学), the study of plants, occupies a peculiar position in the history of human knowledge. We don’t know what our Stone Age ancestors knew about plants, but from what we can observe of preindustrialial societies that still exist, a detailed learning of plants and their properties must be extremely ancient. They have always been enormously important to the welfare of people, not only for food, but also for clothing, weapons, tools, dyes, Medicines, shelter, and many other purposes. Tribes living today in the jungle of the Amazon recognize hundreds of plants and know many properties of each. To them botany has no name and is probably not even recognized as a special branch of ―knowledge‖ at all.Unfortunately, the more industrialized we become the farther away we move from direct contact with plants. And the less distinct our knowledge of botany grows. Yet everyone comes unconsciously on an amazing amount of botanical knowledge, and few people will fail to recognize a rose, an apple, or an orchid. When our Neolithic ancestors, living in the Middle East about 10,000years ago, discovered that certain grasses could be harvested and their seeds planted for richer yields the next season, the first great step in a new association of plants and humans was taken. Grains were discovered and from them flowed the marvel of agriculture: cultivated crops. From then on, humans would increasingly take their living from the controlled production of a few plants, rather than getting a little here and a little there from many varieties that grew wild and the accumulated knowledge of tens of thousands of years of experience and intimacy with plants in the wild would begin to fade away.第三部分概括大意与完成句子第一篇The Making of a Success Story1 IKEA is the world's largest furniture retailer, and man behind it is Ingvar Kamprad, one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs . Born in Sweden in 1926 , Kamprad was a natural businessman. As a child , he enjoyed selling things and made small profits from selling matches ,seeds ,and pencils in his community .When Kamprad was 17, his father gave him some money as a reward for his good grades .Naturally he used it to start up a business-IKEA.2 IKEA's name comes from Kamprad's initials (I.K.)and the place where he grew up (`E` and `A`). Today IKEA is known for its modern , minimalist furniture , but it was not a furniture company in the beginning .Rather, IKEA sold all kind of miscellaneous goods ,Kamprad's ware included anything that he could sell for profits at discounted prices ,including watches ,pens and stockings .3 IKEA first began to sell furniture through a mail-order catalogue in 1947. The furniture was all designed and made by manufacturers near Kamprad's home. Initial sales were very encouraging , so Kamprad expanded the product line . Furniture was such a successful aspect of the business that IKEA became solely a furniture company in 1951.4 In 1953 IKEA opend its first showroom in Almhult ,Sweden. IKEA is known today for its spacious stores with furniture in attractive settings ,but in the early 1950s ,people ordered from catalogues ,Thus response to the first showroom was overwhelming:people loved being able to see and try the furniture before buying it . This led to increased sales and the company continued to thrive .By 1955, IKEA was designing all its own furniture .5 In 1956 Kamprad saw a man disassembling a table to make it easier to transport . Kamprad was inspired .The man had given him a great idea :flat packaging . Flat packaging would mean lower shipping costs for IKEA and lower prices for customers .IKEA tried it and sales soared . The problem was that people had to assemble furniture themselves ,but over time ,evem this grew into an advantage for IKEA . Nowadays ,IKEA is often seen as having connotations of self-sufficiency .This image has done wonders for the company ,leading to better sales and continued expansion.6 Today there are over 200 stores in 32 countries .Amazingly ,Ingvar Kamprad has managed to keep IKEA a privately-help company .In 2004 he was named the world's richest man , He currently lives in Switzerland and is retied from the day-to-day operations of IKEA. IKEA itself , though ,just keeps on growing.译文:发迹史宜家(IKEA)是世界上最大的家具零售商。
TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2016)—GRADE FOUR—TIME LIMIT: 130 MINPARTI DICTATION[10 MIN]Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more.Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE.PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION [20 MIN]SECTION A TALKIn this section you will hear a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task on the ANSWER SHEETONE and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note-taking.You have THIRTY seconds to preview the gap-filling task.Now, listen to the talk. When it is over, you will be given TWO minutes to check your work.SECTION B CONVERSATIONSIn this section, you will hear two conversations. At the end of the conversion, five questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken ONCE ONLY. After each question there will be a ten-second pause. During the pause, you should read the four choices of A, B, C and D, and mark the best answer to each question on ANSWER SHEET TWO.You have THIRTY seconds to preview the questions.Now, listen to the conversations.Conversation OneQuestions 1 to 5 are based on Conversation One.1. A. To tell the man that he has been shortlisted for interview.B. To ask the man a few questions about his interview.C. To tell the man the procedure of the interview.D. To explain to the man how to make a presentation.2. A. Questions related to the job.B. General questions about himself.C. Specific questions about his CV.D. Questions about his future plan.3. A. Questions from the interviewers.B. Questions from the interviewee.C. Presentation from the interviewee.D. Requests from the interviewee.4. A. Educational and professional background.B. Problems he has faced and solved.C. Major successes in his career so far.D. Company future and his contribution.5. A. 11 a.m., next Tuesday.B. 11 a.m., next Thursday.C. 9 a.m., this Tuesday.D. 9 a.m., this Thursday.Conversation TwoQuestions 6 to 10 are based on Conversation Two.6. A. How college students pay for their education.B. How to handle the problem of college loans.C. The disadvantage of college loans.D. Government financing in college education.7. A. It has increased by 6 to 8%.B. It has increased by 8 to 10%.C. It has decreased by 6 to 8%.D. It has decreased by 8 to 10%.8. A. Student’s family income.B. First year salary after graduation.C. A fixed amount of 30, 000 dollars.D. Payment in the next ten years.9. A. Students can borrow money first.B. Students pay no tax on savings.C. Students pay less tax after graduation.D. Students withdraw without paying tax.10. A. Giving up charitable or volunteer work.B. Neglecting their study at college.C. Giving up further education.D. Neglecting high salary in job-seeking.PART III LANGUAGE USAGE [10 MIN] There are twenty sentences in this section. Beneath each sentence there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Choose one word or phrase that best completes the sentence. Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two.11. How can I concentrate if you __________ continually __________ me with silly questions?A. have… interruptedB. had… interruptedC. are… interruptingD. were… interrupting12. Among the four sentences below, Sentence __________ express the highest degree of possibility.A. It may take a long time to find a solution to the problem.B. It might take a long time to find a solution to the problem.C. It could take a long time to find a solution to the problem.D. It should take a long time to find a solution to the problem.13. She is a better speaker than __________ in the class.A. all the girlsB. the other boysC. other any girlD. any boy14. Nobody heard him sing, __________?A. did theyB. did heC. didn’t theyD. did one15. I can’t put up with __________.A. that friend of youB. that friend of yoursC. the friend of youD. the friend of yours16. There has been an increasing number of __________ in primary schools in past few years.A. man teacherB. men teacherC. man teachersD. men teachers17. This is one of the issues that deserve __________.A. mentioningB. being mentionedC. to mentionD. for mention18. The audience __________ excited on seeing__________ favorite star glide onto the stage.A. were… itsB. were… theirC. was… theirD. was… one’s19. __________ your advice, I would have made the wrong decision.A. Hadn’t it been forB. Had it not been forC. Had it been forD. Had not it been for20. The sentence I wish I had been more careful in spending money express the speaker’s __________.A. hopeB. joyC. regretD. relief21. The Attorney General ordered a federal autopsy of Brown’s body, seeking to __________ the family and community there would be a thorough investigation into his death.A. ensureB. assureC. insureD. ascertain22. The police department came under strong criticism for both the death of an unarmed and its handling of the __________.A. consequenceB. outcomeC. resultD. aftermath23. The Foreign Secretary tried to __________ doubts about his handling of the crisis.A. dispelB. expelC. repelD. quell24. Mutual funds are thus best for investors who don’t want to take the time to study stocks in detail or who __________ the resources to build a portfolio.A. depriveB. lackC. yearnD. attain25. Chris ran __________ John at a sporting-goods trade show and the two quickly struck __________ an easy rapport.A. into…upB. on…intoC. across…onD. against…into26. “I’m leaving the country soon,”he told a __________ convened group of reporters.A. especiallyB. particularlyC. speciallyD. specifically27. Israel and Hamas had reached a deal on extending the __________ ceasefire by an extra 24 hours until Tuesday at midnight.A. contemporaryB. makeshiftC. spontaneousD. temporary28. __________ to unplugging the alarm clock and trusting your ability to wake on time on your own, you should probably ease yourself into the new arrangement by keeping a very regular schedule for several weeks.A. DueB. PriorC. RelatedD. Thanks29. If you are an athlete, strong abdominal muscles help you ensure a strong back and freedom from injury during __________upper-body movement.A. valiantB. variableC. vigorousD. vigilant30. Finning is a cruel __________ in which the shark’s fins are lopped off, and the live shark is thrown back to sea.A. realityB. truthC. skillD. practicePARTIV CLOZE[10 MIN]Decide which of the words given in the box below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blank. The words can be used ONCE ONLY. Mark the letter for each word on ANSWER SHEET TWO.Imagine a world without writing. Obviously there would be no books: no novels, no encyclopedias, no cookbooks, no textbooks, no telephone books, no scriptures, no diaries, no travel guides. There would be no ball-points, no typeswriters, no computers, no Internet, no magazines, no movie credits, no shopping lists, no newspapers, no tax returns. But such __________ (31) of subjects almost miss the point. The world we live in has been indelibly marked by the written word, __________ (32) by the technology of writing over thousands of years. Ancient kings proclaimed their authority and __________ (33) their laws in writing. Scribes administered great empires by writing, their knowledge of recording and retrieving information essential to governing complex societies. Religious traditions were passed on through __________ (34), and spread to others, in writing. Scientific and technological progress was achieved and __________ (35) through writing. Accounts in trade and commerce could be kept because of writing. Nearly every step of civilization has been mediated through writing. A world without writing would bear __________ (36) resemblance to the one we now live in. Writing is a __________ (37) necessity to the societies anthropologists call civilizations. A civilization is distinguished from other societies by the complexity of its social organization, by its construction of cities and large public buildings, and by the economic specialization of its members, many of whom are not __________ (38) involved in food procurement or production. A civilization, with its taxation and tribute systems, its trade, and its public works, requires a __________ (39) system of record keeping. And so the early civilizations of Egypt, China, and (probably) India all developed a system of writing. Only the Peruvian civilization of the Incas and their predecessors did not use writing but __________ (40) invented a system of keeping records on knotted color-coded strings known as quipu.PART V READING COMPREHENSION [35 MIN] SECTION A MUTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONSIn this section there are three passages followed by ten multiple choice questions. For each multiple choice question, there are four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that you think is the best answer. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET TWO.PASSAGE ONE(1) When I was twenty-seven years old, I was a mining-broker’s clerk in San Francisco, and an expert in all the details of stock traffic, I was alone in the world, and had nothing to depend upon but my wits and a clean reputation; but these were setting my feet in the road to eventual fortune, and I was content with the prospect. My time was my own after the afternoon board, Saturdays, and I was accustomed to putting it in on a little sail-boat on the bay. One day I ventured too far, and was carried out to sea. Just at nightfall, when hope was about gone, I was picked up by a small ship which was bound for London. It was a long and stormy voyage, and they made me work my passage without pay, as a common sailor. When I stepped ashore in London my clothes were ragged and shabby, and I had only a dollar in my pocket. This money fed and sheltered me twenty-four hours. During the next twenty-four I went without food and shelter.(2) About ten o’clock on the following morning, dirty and hungry, I was dragging myself along Portland Place, when a child that was passing, towed by a nurse-maid, tossed a big pear——minus one bite——into the gutter. I stopped, of course, and fastened my desiring eye on that muddy treasure. My mouth watered for it, my stomach craved it, my whole being begged for it. But every time I made a move to get it some passing eye detected my purpose, and of course I straightened up then, and looked indifferent and pretended that I hadn’t been thinking about the pear at all. This same thing kept happening and happening, and I couldn’t get the pear.(3) I was just getting desperate enough to brave all the shame, and to seize it, when a window behind me was raised, and a gentleman spoke out of it, saying: “ Step in here, please.”(4) I was admitted by a man servant, and shown into a sumptuous room where a couple of elderly gentlemen were sitting. They sent away the servant, and made me sit down. They had just finished their breakfast, and the sight of the remains of it almost overpowered me. I could hardly keep my wits together in the presence of that food, but as I was not asked to sample it, I had to bear my trouble as best as I could.(5) Now, something had been happening there a little before, which I did not know anything about until a good many days afterwards, but I will tell you about it now. Those two old brothers had been having a pretty hot argument a couple of days before, and had ended by agreeing to decide it by a bet, which is the English way of settling everything.(6) You will remember that the Bank of England once issued two notes of a million pounds each, to be used for a special purpose connected with some public transaction with a foreign country. For some reason or other only one of these had been used and canceled; the other still lay in the vaults of the Bank. Well, the brothers, chatting along, happened to get to wondering what might be the fate of a perfectly honest and intelligent stranger who should be turned adrift in London without a friend, and with no money but that million-pound bank-note, and no way to account for his being in possession of it. Brother A said he would starve to death; Brother B said he wouldn’t. Brother A said he couldn’t offer it at a bank or anywhere else, because he would be arrested on the spot. So they went on disputing till Brother B said he would bet twenty thousand pounds that the man would live thirty days, anyway, on that million, and keep out of jail, too. Brother A took him up. Brother B went down to the Bank and bought that note. Then he dictated a letter, which one of his clerks wrote out in a beautiful round hand, and then the two brothers sat at the window a whole day watching for the right man to give it to.(7) I finally became the pick of it.41. In Para. 1, the phrase “set my feet”probably means __________.A. put me asideB. start my journeyC. prepare meD. let me walk42. It can be concluded from Para. 2 that __________.A. the man wanted to maintain dignity though starvedB. the man could not get a proper chance to eat the pearC. The man did not really want the pear since it was dirtyD. it was very difficult for the man to get the pear43. Compared with Brother A, Brother B was more __________ towards the effect of theone-million-pound bank-note on a total strange.A. neutralB. negativeC. reservedD. positivePASSAGE TWO(1) The concept of peace is a very important one in cultures all over the world. Think about how we greet people. In some language, the phrases for greetings contain the word for peace. In some cultures we greet people by shaking hands or with another gesture to show that we are not carrying weapons --- that we come in peace. And there are certain symbols which people in very different cultures recognize as representing peace. Let’s look at a few of them.The dove(2) The dove has been a symbol of peace and innocence for thousands of years in many different cultures. In ancient Greek mythology it was a symbol of love and the renewal of life. In ancient Japan a dove carryinga sword symbolized the end of war.(3) There was a tradition in Europe that if dove flew around a house where someone was dying then their soul would be at peace. And there are legends which say that devil can turn himself into any bird except for a dove. In Christian art, the dove was used to symbolized the Holy Ghost and was often painted above Christ’s head.(4) But it was Pablo Picasso who made the dove a modern symbol of peace when he used it on a poster for the World Peace Congress in 1949.The rainbow(5) The rainbow is another ancient and universal symbol, often representing the connection between human beings and their gods. In Greek mythology it was associated with Iris, the goddess who broughtmessages from the gods on Mount Olympus. In Scandinavian mythology the rainbow was a bridge between the gods and the earth. In the Bible a rainbow showed Noah that the Biblical flood was finally over, and that God had forgiven his people. In the Chinese tradition, the rainbow is a common symbol for marriage because the colours represent the union of yin and yang. Nowadays the rainbow is used by many popular movements for peace and the environment, representing the possibility of a better world in the future and promising sunshine after rain.Mistletoe(6) This plant was sacred in many cultures, generally representing peace and love. Most people know of the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time, which probably comes from Scandinavian mythology. The goddess Freya’s son was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe, so, in honour of him, she declared that it would always be a symbol of peace. It was often hung in doorways as a sign of friendship.(7) The ancient Druids believed that hanging mistletoe in your doorway could protect you from evil spirits. Tribes would stop fighting for a period of time if they found a tree with mistletoe. But you will never see mistletoe in a Christian church - it is banned because of its associations with pagan religion and superstition.The olive branch(8) The olive tree has always been a valuable source of food and oil. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena gave the olive tree to the people of Athens, who showed their gratitude by naming the city after her. But no one knows for sure when or why it began to symbolize peace. There is probably a connection with ancient Greece. Wars between states were suspended during the Olympics Games, and the winners were given crowns of olive branches. The symbolism may come from the fact that the olive tree takes a long time to produce fruit, so olives could only be cultivated successfully in long periods of peace. Whatever the history, the olive branch is a part of many modern flags symbolizing peace and unity. One well-known example is the United Nations symbol.The ankh(9) The ankh is an ancient symbol which was adopted by the hippie movement in the 1960s to represent peace and love. It was found in manyAsian cultures, but is generally associated with ancient Egypt. It represented life and immortality. Egyptians were buried with an ankh, so that they could continue to live in the “afterworld”. The symbol was also found along the sides of the Nile, which gave life to the people. They believed that the ankh could control the flow of the river and make sure that there was always enough water.44. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?A. Concept of Peace.B. Origin of Peace Symbols.C. Popular Peace Symbols.D. Cultural Difference of Peace.45. The rainbow represents the connection between human beings andtheir gods in all thefollowing countries EXCEPT __________.A. SwedenB. GreeceC. FinlandD. China46. In North Europe mistletoe was often hung in doorways to indicate__________.A. friendshipB. loveC. kinshipD. honour47. The origin of the ankh can date back to __________.A. the NileB. the “afterword”C. the hippie movementD. ancient EgyptPASSAGE THREE(1) Two sides almost never change: That you can manipulate people into self-sufficiency and that you can punish them into good citizenship.(2) The first manifests itself in our tireless search for the magical level at which welfare grants are big enough to meet basic needs but small enough to make low-paid work attractive. The second has us looking to the criminal justice system to cure behavior that is as much as anything the result of despair.(3) The welfare example is well known. We don’t want poor people to live in squalor or their children to be malnourished. But we also don’t want to subsidize the indolence of people who are too lazy to work. The first impulse leads us to provide housing, food stamps, medical care and a cash stipend for families in need. The second gets us to think about “workforce”.(4) We’ve been thinking about it for two reasons: the “nanny”problems of two high-ranking government officials (who hired undocumented foreigners as household helpers, presumably because they couldn’t find Americans to do the work) and President Clinton’s proposal to put a two-year limit on welfare.(5) Maybe something useful will come of Clinton’s idea, but I’m not all that hopeful. It looks to me like one more example of trying to manipulate people into taking care of themselves.(6) On the criminal justice side, we hope to make punishment tough enough to discourage crime but not so tough as to clog our prisons with relatively minor offenders. Too short a sentence, we fear, will create contempt for the law. Too long a sentence will take up costly space better used for the violent and unremorseful.(7) Not only can we never find the “perfect”punishment, our search for optimum penalties is complicated by our desire for fairness: to let the punishment fit the crime. The problem is that almost any punishment --- even the disgrace of being charged with a crime --- is sufficient to deter the middle class, while for members of the underclass, probation may be translated as “I beat it”.(8) So how can you use the system --- welfare or criminal justice --- to produce the behavior we want? The answer, I suspect is: You can’t.(9) We keep trying to use welfare and prison to change people --- to make them think and behave the way we do --- when the truth is theincentives work only for those who already think the way we do: who view today’s action with an eye on the future.(10) We will take lowly work (if that is all that’s available) because we believe we can make bad jobs work for us. We avoid crime not because we are better people but because we see getting caught as a future-wrecking disaster. We are guided by a belief that good things will happen for us in the future if we take proper care of the present. Even under the worst of circumstances, we believe we are in control of our lives.(11) And we have trouble understanding that not everybody believes as we believe. The welfare rolls, the prison and the mean street of our cities are full of people who have given up on their future. Without hope for the future, hard work at a low-paid job makes no sense. Working hard in school, or pleasing a boss, or avoiding pregnancy makes no sense. The deadly disease is hopelessness. The lawlessness and poverty are only the obvious symptoms.(12) I’m not advocating that we stop looking for incentives to move poor people toward self-sufficiency or that we stop punishing people for criminal behavior. There will always be some people who need help and some who deserve to be in jail.(13) All I’m saying is that the long-term answer both to welfare and the crime that plagues our communities is not to fine tune the welfare and criminal justice systems but to prevent our children from getting the disease of despair.(14) If we encourage our young people to believe in the future, and give them solid evidence for believing, we’ll find both crime and poverty shrinking to manageable proportions.48. What is the author’s attitude towards Clinton’s proposal to welfare?A. Pessimistic.B. Optimistic.C. Suspicious.D. Sarcastic.49. It can be inferred from Para. 7 that optimum penalties are __________ to the underclass.A. uselessB. hopelessC. frighteningD. humiliating50. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the passage?A. Lawlessness and Poverty.B. Criminal Justice System.C. Welfare Grants.D. Disease of Despair.SECTION B SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONSIn this section, there are five short answer questions based on the passages in Section A. Answer the questions with NO more than TEN words in the space provided on ANSWER SHEET TWO.PASSAGE ONE51. In Para. 4, what does the man mean by saying “I had to bear my trouble”?52. What can be inferred from the last sentence of the passage? PASSAGE TWO53. Why does the UN use the olive branch in its symbol?PASSAGE THREE54. According to the author, what balance should we keep in welfare?55. What does the author mean by saying “Even under the worst of circumstances, we believewe are in control of our lives” (Para. 10)?PARTVI WRITING[45 MIN]Read carefully the following excerpt on term-time holiday arguments in the UK, and then write your response in NO LESS THAN 200 words, in which you should:·summarize the main message of the excerpt, and then·comment on whether parents should take ch ildren out of school for holiday during termtime in order to save money.You should support yourself with information from the excerpt.Marks will be awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.Term-time holidays will be bannedParents are to be banned by Michael Gove, UK’s Education Secretary, from taking their children out of school to save money on holidays.He is to abolish the right of head teacher to “authorise absence” from the classroom, which has been used to let families take term-time breaks, and will warn them they face fines for their children not being at school.“Any time out of school has the potential to damage a child’s educ ation,” a senior source at the Department for Education said this weekend. “That is why the government will end the distinction between authorised and unauthorised absence.”“This is part of the government’s wider commitment to bring down truancy levels in our schools. There will also be stricter penalties for parents and schools.”The tough measures on truancy are part of a wider attempt by Mr. Gove to make education more academically rigorous and to tackle a culture in the educational establishment which he believes has accepted “excuses for failure”.Russell Hobby, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the measure would discourage parents from trying to put pressure on heads to sanction term time holiday. “ The high cost of holidays outside of term time is still an issue but ultimately a child’s education is more important than a holiday,” he said.—THE END—A. The kind of people suitable for the trip.B. Interests and hobbies of the speakers.C. Recruitment of people for the trip.D. Preparation for the trip to Mars......Conversation TwoWrite your response on ANSWER SHEET THREE.—— THE END ——ANSWER SHEET 1(反面)PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSIONWhat is Grit?My questionsW hy isn’t I.Q. the only difference between stud ents?What is the key to(1) ______? (1 )______My Researchinvestigation of all kinds of (2)______: including: (2)______ — West Point Military Academy—(3)_______(3)______— private companiesMy finding: grit as predictor of successGrit is(4) ______ for a very long-term goals (4)______ Grit is working hard for years to make (5)______ (5)______Grit is living your life like a(6) _____ (6)____ __My surveyHigh school juniors took grit questionnaires(7)______ kids were more likely to graduate (7)_____Grit-buildinglittle is known about how to build grit in studentsdata show grit is unrelated to (8)_______ (8)____growth mindset is the belief that the ability to learn is (9) _______ (9)____kids with grit believe failure is(10) ______ (10)____ ConclusionWe need to be gritty about getting our kinds grittier.TEM 4 SCRIPTPARTⅠDICTATIONListen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 1 minute to check through your work once more. Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE.Now listen to the passage.Are you confident or insecure in a difficult situation?Do you react positively or negatively?The answer may depend in part on whom you are around.A study found that negative thinking can be contagious in some cases.For example, the researchers studied 103 college roommates.They measured each roommate’s tendency towards negative thinking.It was found that thinking patterns can be contagious.Students with a negative-thinking roommate became more depressed themselves. And students with more positive thinking roommates were more likely to become more positive as well.The second and third readings. You should begin writing now.The last reading.Now, you have two minutes to check through your work. (a two-minute interval)That is the end of PartⅠ Dictation.2016年4级听写评分标准THINK POSITIVE AND FEEL POSITIVE(标题忽略不计)第一组:Are you confident or insecure in a difficult situation? /Do you react positively or negatively? /The answer may depend in part on whom you're。
2016 年全国统一高考英语试卷(新课标Ⅰ)第二部分阅读理解(共两节,满分 40 分)第一节(共 15 小题:每小题 2 分,满分 30 分)阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C 和 D)中选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
AYou probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years? Jane Addams (1860-1935)Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank.Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community(社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.Rachel Carson (1907-1964)If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could notfind work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator ( 参议员 ) and, in 1981, the first woman to join the U.S. Supreme Court. O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her24 years on the top court.Rosa Parks (1913-2005)On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rasa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott. It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.21. What is Jane Addams noted for in history?A. Her social work.B. Her teaching skills.C. Her efforts to win a prize.D. Her community background.22. What was the reason for O’Connor’s being rejected by the law firm?A. Her lack of proper training in law.B. Her little work experience in court.C. The discrimination against women.D. The poor financial conditions.23. Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the U.S.?A. Jane Addams.B. Rachel Carson.C. Sandra Day O’Connor.D. Ross Parks.24. What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?A. They are highly educated.B. They are truly creative.C. They are pioneers.D. They are peace-lovers.BGrandparents Answer a CallAs a third-generation native of Brownsville, Texas, Mildred Garza never planned to move away. Evenwhen her daughter and son asked her to move to San Antonio to help with their children, she politely refused. Only after a year of friendly discussion did Ms. Garza finally say yes. That was four years ago. Today all three generations regard the move as a success, giving them a closer relationship than they would have had in separate cities.No statistics show the number of grandparents like Garza who are moving closer to adult children and grandchildren. Yet there is evidence suggesting that the trend is growing. Even President Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, has agreed to leave Chicago and move into the White House to help care for her granddaughters. According to a study by , 83 percent of the peopl e said Mrs. Robinson’s decision will influence grandparents in the American family. Two-thirds believe more families will follow the example of Obama’s family.“In the 1960s we were all a little wild and couldn’t get away from home far enough or fast enou gh to prove we could do it on our own,” says Christine Crosby, publisher of Grand, a magazine for grandparents. “We now realize how important family is and how important it is to be near them, especially when you’re raising children.”Moving is not for everyone. Almost every grandparent wants to be with his or her grandchildren and is willing to make sacrifices, but sometimes it is wiser to say no and visit frequently instead. Having your grandchildren far away is hard, especially knowing your adult child is struggling, but giving up the life you know may be harder.25. Why was Garza’s move a success?A. It strengthened her family ties.B. It improved her living conditions.C. It enabled her make more friends.D. It helped her know more new places.26. What was the reaction of the public to Mrs. Robinson’s decision?A. 17% expressed their support for it.B. Few people responded sympathetically.C. 83% believed it had a bad influence.D. The majority thought it was a trend.27. What did Crosby say about people in the 1960s?A. They were unsure of themselves.B. They were eager to raise more children.C. They wanted to live away from their parents.D. They had little respect for their grandparents.28. What does the author suggest the grandparents do in the last paragraph?A. Make decisions in the best interests of their own.B. Ask their children to pay more visits to them.C. Sacrifice for their struggling children.D. Get to know themselves better.CI am Peter Hodes, a volunteer stem cour ier. Since March 2012, I’ve done 89 trips — of those , 51 have been abroad, I have 42 hours to carry stem cells (干细胞) in my little box because I’ve got two ice packs and that’s how long they last. In all, from the time the stem cells are harvested from a d onor (捐献者) to the time they can be implanted in the patient, we’ve got 72 hours at most, So I am always conscious of time.I had one trip last year where I was caught by a hurricane in America. I picked up the stem cells in Providence, Rhode Island, and was meant to fly to Washington then back to London. But when I arrived at the check-in desk at Providence, the lady on the desk said: “Well, I’m really sorry, I’ve got some bad news for you —there are no flights from Washington.” So I took my box and put it on the desk and I said: “In this box are some stem cells that are urgently needed for a patient —please, please, you’ve got to get me back to the United Kingdom.” She just dropped everything. She arranged for a flight on a small plane to be held for me. re-routed (改道) me through Newark and got me back to the UK even earlier than originallyscheduled.For this courier job, you’re consciously aware that in that box you’ve got something that is potentially going to save somebody’s life.29. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “courier” in Paragraph 1?A. providerB. delivery manC. collectorD. medical doctor30. Why does Peter have to complete his trip within 42 hours?A. He cannot stay away from his job too long.B. The donor can only wait for that long.C. The operation needs that much time.D. The ice won’t last any longer.31. Which flight did the woman put Peter on first?A. To London.B. To Newark.C. To Providence.D. To Washington.DThe meaning of silence varies among cultural groups. Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say. A silence in a conversation may also show stubbornness, uneasiness, or worry. Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore attempts may be made to fill every gap (间隙) with conversation. Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person’s needs.Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person from one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what maybe implied (暗示) is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing. In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection.Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power. For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion. However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her. In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority.Nurses and other care-givers need to be aware of the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients may be experiencing. Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient’s silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily. A nurse who understands the healing ( 治愈) value of silence can usethis understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from othercultures.32. What does the author say about silence in conversations?A. It implies anger.B. It promotes friendship.C. It is culture-specific.D. It is content-based.33. Which of the following people might regard silence as a call for careful thought?A. The Chinese.B. The French.C. The Mexicans.D. The Russians.34. What does the author advise nurses to do about silence?A. Let it continue as the patient pleases.B. Break it while treating patients.C. Evaluate its harm to patients.D. Make use of its healing effects.35. What may be the best title for the text?A. Sound and SilenceB. What It Means to Be SilentC. Silence to Native AmericansD. Speech Is Silver; Silence Is Gold第二节(共 5 小题,每小题 2 分,满分 10 分)根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项,选项中有两项为多余选项。
2016年职称英语等级考试用书(理工类)阅读理解、完形填空Microchip Research Center CreatedA research center has been set up in this Far Eastern country to develop advanced microchip production technology. The center, which will start out with about US $14 million, will help the country develop its chip industry without always depending on imported technology.The center will make use of its research skills and facilities to develop new technology for domestic chip plants. The advent of the center will possibly free the country from the situation that it is always buying almost-outdated technologies from other countries, said the country’s flagship chipmaker.1 Currently, chip plants in this country are in a passive situation because many foreign governments don’t allow them to import the most advanced technologies, fearing they will be used for military purposes. Moreover, the high licensing fees they have to pay to technology providers are also an important reason for their decision of self-reliance2.As mainstream chip production technology shifts from one generation to the next every three to five years3, plants with new technology can make more powerful chips at lower costs, while4 plants with outdated equipment, which often cost billions of dollars to build, will be marginalized by the maker.More than 10 chip plants are being built, each costing millions of US dollars.5 The majority of that money goes to overseas equipment vendors and technology owners — mainly from Japan and Singapore.Should the new center play a major role in improving the situation in the industry,6 the country admits the US $14 million investment is still rather small. This country is developing comprehensive technologies. Most of the investment will be spent on setting alliances with technology and intellectual property7 owners. 词汇: microchip / 5maIkrEJtFIp / n.微芯片marginalize /`mB:dVInLlaIz/ v.忽视,边缘化flagship /5flA^FIp/ n. (用作定语 )首位,最好 vendor /5vendC:/ n.卖主mainstream /5meInstri:m/ n.主流注释:微芯片研究中心成立为了开发先进的微芯片生产技术,这个远东国家建立了一个研究中心,该中心启动资金为一千四百万美元,可以帮助该国开发自己的芯片工业,不必总是依赖于进口技术。
2016年硕士研究生入学统一考试专业学位英语二Section ⅠUse of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A., B, C. or D. on the ANSWER SHEET .(10 points) Happy people work differently. They ‟re more productive, more creative, and willing to take greater risks. And new research suggest that happiness might influence 1 firms work, too. Companies located in places with happier people invest more, according to a recent research paper 2 2 , , , firms firms firms in in in happy happy happy places places places spend spend spend more more more on on on R&D R&D R&D (research (research (research and and and development development development ). ). ). That That That‟‟s because happiness is linked to the kind of longer-term thinking 3 for making investments for the future. The The researchers researchers researchers wanted wanted wanted to to to know know know if if if the the the 4 4 4 and and and inclination inclination inclination for for for risk-taking risk-taking risk-taking that that that come come come with with happiness would 5 the way companies invested. So they compared U.S. cities ‟ average happiness 6 by Gallup polling with the investment activity of publicly traded firms in those areas. 7 7 enough, enough, enough, firms firms firms‟‟investment investment and and and R&D R&D R&D intensity intensity intensity were were were correlated correlated correlated with with with the the the happiness happiness happiness of of of the the area area in in in which which which they they they were were were 8 . 8 . But But is is is it it it really really really happiness happiness happiness that that that‟‟s s linked linked linked to to to investment, investment, investment, or or or could could something something else else else about about about happier happier happier cities cities cities 9 9 9 why why why firms firms firms there there there spend spend spend more more more on on on R&D? R&D? R&D? To To To find find find out, out, out, the the researchers researchers controlled controlled controlled for for for various various various 10 10 10 that that that might might might make make make firms firms firms more more more likely likely likely to to to invest invest invest ––like like size, size, industry, industry, and and and sales sales sales ––and and for for for indicators indicators indicators that that that a a a place place place was was was 11 11 11 to to to live live live in, in, in, like like like growth growth growth in in in wages wages wages or or population. population. The The The link link link between between between happiness happiness happiness and and and investment. investment. investment. Generally Generally 12 even even after after after accounting accounting for these things. The correlation between happiness and investment was particularly strong for younger firms, which which the the the authors authors authors 13 13 13 to to to “less “less “less codified codified codified decision decision decision making making making process”process”and and the the the possible possible possible presence presence presence of of “younger “younger and and and less less 14 14 managers managers managers who who who are are are more more more likely likely likely to to to be be be influenced influenced influenced by by by sentiment.” sentiment.” sentiment.” The The relationship was 15 stronger in places where happiness was spread more 16 . Firms seem to invest more more in in in places places places where where where most most most people people people are are are relatively relatively relatively happy, happy, happy, rather rather rather than than than in in in places places places with with with happiness happiness inequality. 17 this doesn ‟t prove that happiness causes firms to invest more or to take a longer-term view, the authors believe it at least 18 at that possibility. It ‟s not hard to imagine that local culture and sentiment sentiment would would would help help help 19 19 19 how how how executives executives executives think think think about about about the the the future. future. future. “It “It “It surely surely surely seems seems seems plausible plausible plausible that that happy people would be more forward-thinking and creative and 20 R&D more than the average,” said one researcher. 1 A. why B. where C. how D. when 2 A. In return B. In particular C. In contrast D. In conclusion 3 A. sufficient B. famous C. perfect D. necessary 4 A. individuation B. modernism C. optimism D. realism 5 A. echo B. miss C. spoil D. change 6 A. imagined B. measured C. invented D. assumed 7 A. SureB. OddC. UnfortunateD. Often8 A. advertisedB. dividedC. overtaxedD. headquartered9 A. explain B. overstateC. summarizeD. emphasize10 A. stages B. factors C. levels D. methods 11 A. desirable B. sociable C. reputable D. reliable 12 A. resumed B. held C. emerged D. broke 13 A. attribute B. assign C. transfer D. compare 14 A. serious B. civilized C. ambitious D. experienced 15 A. thus B. instead C. also D. never 16 A. rapidly B. regularly C. directly D. equally 17 A. After B. Until C. While D. Since 18 A. arrives B. jumps C. hints D. strikes 19 A. shapeB. rediscoverC. simplifyD. share 20 A. pray for B. lean towards C. give awayD. send out【参考答案】1. C. how 2. B. In particular 3. D. necessary 4. C. optimism 5. D. change 6. B. measured 7. A. Sure 8. D. headquartered 9. A. explain 10. B. factors 11. A. desirable 12. C. emerged 13. A. attribute 14. D. experienced 15. A. thus 16. D. equally 17. C. While 18. C. hints 19. A. shape 20. B. lean towards Section Ⅱ Reading Comprehension Part A Direction: Read the following four texts, Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C, D. Mark your answer on the ANSWER SHEET. (40 points) Text 1 It It‟‟s s true true true that that that high-school high-school high-school coding coding coding classes classes classes aren aren aren‟‟t t essential essential essential for for for learning learning learning computer computer computer science science science in in college. college. Students Students Students without without without experience experience experience can can can catch catch catch up up up after after after a a a few few few introductory introductory introductory courses, courses, courses, said said said Tom Tom Cortina, the assistant dean at Carnegie Mellon ‟s School of Computer Science. However, However, Cortina Cortina Cortina said, said, said, early early early exposure exposure exposure is is is beneficial. beneficial. beneficial. When When When younger younger younger kids kids kids learn learn learn computer computer science, they learn that it ‟s s not just a confusing, endless string of letters and numbers not just a confusing, endless string of letters and numbers – but a tool to build apps, or create artwork, or test hypotheses. It ‟s not as hard for them to transform their thought processes as it is for older students. Breaking down problems into bite-sized chunks and using code to solve them becomes normal. Giving more children this training could increase the number of people interested in the field and help fill the jobs gap, Cortina said. Students also benefit from learning something about coding before they get to college, where introductory computer-science classes are packed to the brim, which can drive the less-experienced or-determined students away. The The Flatiron Flatiron Flatiron School, School, School, where where where people people people pay pay pay to to to learn learn learn programming, programming, programming, started started started as as as one one one of of of the the the many many coding boot camps that that‟‟s become popular for adults looking for a career change. The high-schoolers high-schoolers get get get the the the same same same curriculum, curriculum, curriculum, but but “we we try try try to to to gear gear gear lessons lessons lessons toward toward toward things things things they they they‟‟re interested in,” said Victoria Friedman, an instructor. For instance, one of the apps the students are developing suggests movies based on your mood. The students in the Flatiron class probably won‟t drop out of high school and build the next Facebook. Programming languages have a quick turnover, so the “Ruby on Rails ” language they learned may not even be relevant by the time they enter the job market. But the skills they learn – how how to to to think think think logically logically logically through through through a a a problem problem problem and and and organize organize organize the the the results results – apply apply to to to any any any coding coding language, said Deborah Seehorn, an education consultant for the state of North Carolina. Indeed, the Flatiron students might not go into IT at all. But creating a future army of coders is not the sole purpose of the classes. These kids are going to be surrounded by computers-in their pockets ,in their offices, in their homes –for the rest of their lives, The younger they learn how computers think, how to coax the machine into producing what they want –the earlier they learn that they have the power to do that –the better. 21. Cortina holds that early exposure to computer science makes it easier to _______ A. complete future job training B. remold the way of thinking C. formulate logical hypotheses D. perfect artwork production 【答案】B 22. In delivering lessons for high - schoolers , Flatiron has considered their________ A. experience B. interest C. career prospects D. academic backgrounds 【答案】B 23. Deborah Seehorn believes that the skills learned at Flatiron will ________ A. help students learn other computer languages B .have to be upgraded when new technologies come C .need improving when students look for jobs D. enable students to make big quick money 【答案】A 24. According to the last paragraph, Flatiron students are expected to ______ A. bring forth innovative computer technologies B. stay longer in the information technology industry C. become better prepared for the digitalized world D. compete with a future army of programmers 【答案】C 25. The word “coax ”(Line4,Para.6) is closest in meaning to ________ A. persuade B. Frighten C. Misguide D. challenge 【答案】A Text 2 Biologists estimate that as many as 2 million lesser prairie chickens---a kind of bird living on stretching grasslands —once lent red to the often grey landscape of the midwestern and southwestern United States. But just some 22,000 birds remain today, occupying about 16% of the species …historic range. The The crash crash crash was was was a a a major major major reason reason reason the the the U.S. U.S. U.S. Fish Fish Fish and and and Wildlife Wildlife Wildlife Service Service Service (USFWS) (USFWS) (USFWS) decided decided decided to to formally list the bird as threatened. “ The lesser prairie chicken is in a desperate situation ,” said USFWS USFWS Director Director Director Daniel Daniel Daniel Ashe. Ashe. Ashe. Some Some Some environmentalists, environmentalists, environmentalists, however, however, however, were were were disappointed. disappointed. disappointed. They They They had had pushed pushed the the the agency agency agency to to to designate designate designate the the the bird bird bird as as as ““endangered,endangered,”” a a status status status that that that gives gives gives federal federal federal officials officials greater greater regulatory regulatory regulatory power power power to to to crack crack crack down down down on on on threats threats threats .But .But .But Ashe Ashe Ashe and and and others others others argued argued argued that that that the the the”” threatened threatened”” tag gave the federal government flexibility to try out new, potentially less confrontational conservations approaches. In particular, they called for forging closer collaborations collaborations with with with western western western state state state governments, governments, governments, which which which are are are often often often uneasy uneasy uneasy with with with federal federal federal action. action. action. and and with the private landowners who control an estimated 95% of the prairie chicken ‟s habitat. Under the plan, for example, the agency said it would not prosecute landowner or businesses that that unintentionally unintentionally unintentionally kill, kill, kill, harm, harm, harm, or or or disturb disturb disturb the the the bird, bird, bird, as as as long long long as as as they they they had had had signed signed signed a a a range range —wide management plan to restore prairie chicken habitat. Negotiated by USFWS and the states, the plan requires individuals and businesses that damage habitat as part of their operations to pay into a fund to replace every acre destroyed with 2 new acres of suitable habitat .The fund will also be used used to to to compensate compensate compensate landowners landowners landowners who who who set set set aside aside aside habitat habitat habitat , , , USFWS USFWS USFWS also also also set set set an an an interim interim interim goal goal goal of of restoring restoring prairie prairie prairie chicken chicken chicken populations populations populations to to to an an an annual annual annual average average average of of of 67,000 67,000 67,000 birds birds birds over over over the the the next next next 10 10 years .And it gives the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (W AFWA), a coalition of state agencies, the job of monitoring progress. Overall, the idea is to let “states ” remain in the driver driver‟‟s seat for managing the species,” Ashe said. Not Not everyone everyone everyone buys buys buys the the the win-win win-win win-win rhetoric. rhetoric. rhetoric. Some Some Some Congress Congress Congress members members members are are are trying trying trying to to to block block block the the plan, plan, and and and at at at least least least a a a dozen dozen dozen industry industry industry groups, groups, groups, four four four states, states, states, and and and three three three environmental environmental environmental groups groups groups are are challenging it in federal court. Not surprisingly, doesn ‟t go far enough. “The federal government is is giving giving giving responsibility responsibility responsibility for for for managing managing managing the the the bird bird bird to to to the the the same same same industries industries industries that that that are are are pushing pushing pushing it it it to to extinction, ” says biologist Jay Lininger. 26. The major reason for listing the lesser prairie as threatened is____. A. its drastically decreased population B. the underestimate of the grassland acreage C. a desperate appeal from some biologists D. the insistence of private landowners 【答案】A 27. The “threatened threatened”” tag disappointed some environmentalists in that it_____. A. was a give-in to governmental pressure B. would involve fewer agencies in action C. granted less federal regulatory power D. went against conservation policies 【答案】D 28. 28. It It It can can can be be be learned learned learned from from from Paragraph3 Paragraph3 Paragraph3 that that that unintentional unintentional unintentional harm-doers harm-doers harm-doers will will will not not not be be be prosecuted prosecuted prosecuted if if they_____. A. agree to pay a sum for compensation B. volunteer to set up an equally big habitat C. offer to support the WAFWA monitoring job D. promise to raise funds for USFWS operations 【答案】A 29. According to Ashe, the leading role in managing the species is______. A. the federal government B. the wildlife agencies C. the landowners D. the states 【答案】D 30. Jay Lininger would most likely support_______. A. industry groups B. the win-win rhetoric C. environmental groups D. the plan under challenge 【答案】B ?A ?Text 3 That That everyone everyone everyone‟‟s s too too too busy busy busy these these these days days days is is is a a a clich clich é. . But But But one one one specific specific specific complaint complaint complaint is is is made made especially mournfully : There There‟‟s never any time to read. What makes the problem thornier is that the usual time-management techniques don ‘t seem sufficient. The web ‟s full of articles offering tips on making time to read:” Give up TV ” or “Carry a book with you at all times.” But in my experience, using such methods to free up the odd 30 minutes minutes doesn doesn doesn‟‟t t work. work. work. Sit Sit Sit down down down to to to read read read and and and the the the flywheel flywheel flywheel of of of work-related work-related work-related thoughts thoughts thoughts keeps keeps spinning-or spinning-or else else else you you you‟‟re re so so so exhausted exhausted exhausted that that that a a a challenging challenging challenging book book book‟‟s s the the the last last last thing thing thing you you you need. need. need. The The modern modern mind, mind, mind, Tim Tim Tim Parks, Parks, Parks, a a a novelist novelist novelist and and and critic, critic, critic, writes, writes, writes, ““is is overwhelmingly overwhelmingly overwhelmingly inclined inclined inclined toward toward communication …It It is is is not not not simply simply simply that that that one one one is is is interrupted; interrupted; interrupted; it it it is is is that that that one one one is is is actually actually actually inclined inclined inclined to to interruption.interruption.”” Deep Deep reading reading reading requires requires requires not not not just just just time, time, time, but but but a a a special special special kind kind kind of of of time time time which which which can can can‟‟t t be be obtained merely by becoming more efficient. In fact, “becoming more efficient ” is part of the problem. Thinking of time as a resource to be be maximized maximized maximized means means means you you you approach approach approach it it it instrumentally, instrumentally, instrumentally, judging judging judging any any any given given given moment moment moment as as as well well well spent spent only in so far as it advances progress toward some goal. Immersive reading, by contrast, depends on being willing to risk inefficiency, godlessness, even time-wasting. Try to slot it as a to-do list item and you ‟ll manage only goal-focused reading-useful, sometimes, but not the most fulfilling kind. “The The future future future comes comes comes at at at us us us like like like empty empty empty bottles bottles bottles along along along an an an unstoppable unstoppable unstoppable and and and nearly nearly nearly infinite infinite conveyor belt,” writes Gary Eberle in his book Sacred Time, and “we feel a pressure to fill these different-sized bottles (days, hours, minutes) as they pass, for if they get by without being filled, we will have wasted them.” No mind-set could be worse for losing yourself in a book. So what does work? Perhaps surprisingly, scheduling regular times for reading. You‟d think this might fuel the efficiency mind-set, but in fact, Eberle notes, such ritualistic behavior helps us “step outside time ‟s flow ” into “soul time.” You could limit distractions by reading only physical books, books, or on or on single-purpose single-purpose e-readers. e-readers. e-readers. ““Carry Carry a a a book book book with with with you you you at at at all all all times times times”” can can actually actually actually work, work, too-providing you dip in often enough, so that reading becomes the default state from which you temporarily surface to take care of business, before dropping back down. On a really good day, it no no longer longer longer feels feels feels as as as if if if you you you‟‟re re ““making making time time time to to to read,read,read,”” but but just just just reading, reading, reading, and and and making making making time time time for for everything else. 31. The usual time-management techniques don ‟t work because . A. what they can offer does not ease the modern mind B. what challenging books demand is repetitive reading C. what people often forget is carrying a book with them D. what deep reading requires cannot be guaranteed 【答案】D 32. The “empty bottles ” metaphor illustrates that people feel a pressure to . A. update their to-do lists B. make passing time fulfilling C. carry their plans through D. pursue carefree reading 【答案】B 33. Eberle would agree that scheduling regular times for reading helps . A. encourage the efficiency mind-set B. develop online reading habits C. promote ritualistic reading D. achieve immersive reading 【答案】D 34. “Carry a book with you at all times ”can work if . A. reading becomes your primary business of the day B. all the daily business has been promptly dealt with C. you are able to drop back to business after reading D. time can be evenly split for reading and business 【答案】A 35. The best title for this text could be . A. How to Enjoy Easy Reading B. How to Find Time to Read C. How to Set Reading Goals D. How to Read Extensively 【答案】B Text 4 Against Against a a a backdrop backdrop backdrop of of of drastic drastic drastic changes changes changes in in in economy economy economy and and and population population population structure, structure, structure, younger younger Americans are drawing a new 21st-century road map to success, a latest poll has found. Across Across generational generational generational lines, lines, lines, Americans Americans Americans continue continue continue to to to prize prize prize many many many of of of the the the same same same traditional traditional milestones of a successful life, including getting married, having children, owning a home, and retiring in their sixties. But while young and old mostly agree on what constitutes the finish line of a fulfilling life, they offer strikingly different paths for reaching it. oung Y oung people people people who who who are are are still still still getting getting getting started started started in in in life life life were were were more more more likely likely likely than than than older older older adults adults adults to to prioritize prioritize personal personal personal fulfillment fulfillment fulfillment in in in their their their work, work, work, to to to believe believe believe they they they will will will advance advance advance their their their careers careers careers most most most by by regularly changing jobs, to favor communities with more public services and a faster pace of life, to agree that couples should be financially secure before getting married or having children, and to maintain that children are best served by two parents working outside the home, the survey found. From From career career career to to to community community community and and and family, family, family, these these these contrasts contrasts contrasts suggest suggest suggest that that that in in in the the the aftermath aftermath aftermath of of of the the searing Great Recession, those just starting out in life are defining priorities and expectations that will increasingly spread through virtually all aspects of American life, from consumer preferences to housing patterns to politics. Young and old converge on one key point: Overwhelming majorities of both groups said they believe it is harder for young people today to get started in life than it was for earlier generations. While While younger younger younger people people people are are are somewhat somewhat somewhat more more more optimistic optimistic optimistic than than than their their their elders elders elders about about about the the the prospects prospects prospects for for those starting out today, big majorities in both groups believe those “just getting started in life ” face face a a a tougher tougher tougher a a a good-paying good-paying good-paying job, job, job, starting starting starting a a a family, family, family, managing managing managing debt, debt, debt, and and and finding finding finding affordable affordable housing. Pete Schneider considers the climb tougher today. Schneider, a 27-yaear-old auto technician from the Chicago suburbs says he struggled to find a job after graduating from college. Even now that he is working steadily, he said.” I can‟t afford to pay ma monthly mortgage payments on my own, so I have to rent rooms out to people to mark that happen.” Looking back, he is struck that his parents could provide a comfortable life for their children even though neither had completed college college when when when he he he was was was young.young.“I I still still still grew grew grew up up up in in in an an an upper upper upper middle-class middle-class middle-class home home home with with with parents parents parents who who didn didn‟‟t have college degrees,”Schneider said.” I don ‟t think people are capable of that anymore.”36、One cross-generation mark of a successful life is . A. trying out different lifestyles B. having a family with children C. working beyond retirement age D. setting up a profitable business 【答案】B 37、It can be learned from Paragraph 3 that young people tend to . A. favor a slower life pace B. hold an occupation longer C. attach importance to pre-marital finance D. give priority to childcare outside the home 【答案】C 38、The priorities and expectations defined by the young will . A. become increasingly clear B. focus on materialistic issues C. depend largely on political preferences D. reach almost all aspects of American life 【答案】D 39、Both young and old agree that . A. good-paying jobs are less available B. the old made more life achievements C. housing loans today are easy to obtain D. getting established is harder for the young 【答案】D 40、Which of the following is true about Schneider? A. He found a dream job after graduating from college B. His parents believe working steadily is a must for success C. His parents‟ good life has little to do with a college degree D. He thinks his job as a technician quite challenging 【答案】C Part B Directions :Read the following text and answer the questions by choosing the most suitable subheading from the list A-G for each numbered paragraphs (41-45). There are two extra subheadings which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET . (10 points) A. Be silly B. Have fun C. Ask for help D. Express your emotions. E. Don‟t overthink it F. Be easily pleased G. Notice things Act Your Shoe Size, Not Your Age. (1) As adults, it seems that we‟re constantly pursuing happiness, often with mixed results. Yet children appear to have it down to an art-and for the most part they don ‟t need self-help books or therapy. Instead, they look after their wellbeing instinctively and usually more effectively than we do as grownups. Perhaps it ‟s time to learn a few lessons from them. 41_____________________. (2) (2) What What What does does does a a a child child child do do do when when when he he he‟‟s s sad? sad? sad? He He He cries. cries. cries. When When When he he he‟‟s s angry? angry? angry? He He He shouts. shouts. shouts. Scared? Scared? Probably a bit of both. As we grow up, we learn to control our emotions so they are manageable and don ‟t dictate our behaviors, which is in many ways a good thing. But too often we take this process process too too too far far far and and and end end end up up up suppressing suppressing suppressing emotions, emotions, emotions, especially especially especially negative negative negative ones. ones. ones. That That That‟‟s s about about about as as effective as brushing dirt under a carpet and can even make us ill. What we feel appropriately and then-again, like children-move on. 。
2016英语专业四级真题与题解TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2016)—GRADE FOUR—T IME LIMIT: 130 MINPART I DICTATION[10 MIN]Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more.Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE.PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION[20 MIN]SECTION A TALKIn this section you will hear a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at the task on the ANSWER SHEETONE and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure what you fill in is both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note-taking.You have THIRTY seconds to preview the gap-filling task.Now, listen to the talk. When it is over, you will be given TWO minutes to check your work.SECTION B CONVERSATIONSB. To ask the man a few questions about his interview.C. To tell the man the procedure of the interview.D. To explain to the man how to make a presentation.2. A. Questions related to the job.B. General questions about himself.C. Specific questions about his CV.D. Questions about his future plan.3. A. Questions from the interviewers.B. Questions from the interviewee.C. Presentation from the interviewee.D. Requests from the interviewee.4. A. Educational and professional background.B. Problems he has faced and solved.C. Major successes in his career so far.D. Company future and his contribution.5. A. 11 a.m., next Tuesday.B. 11 a.m., next Thursday.C. 9 a.m., this Tuesday.D. 9 a.m., this Thursday.Conversation TwoQuestions 6 to 10 are based on Conversation Two.6. A. How college students pay for their education.B. How to handle the problem of college loans.C. The disadvantage of college loans.D. Government financing in college education.7. A. It has increased by 6 to 8%.B. It has increased by 8 to 10%.C. It has decreased by 6 to 8%.D. It has decreased by 8 to 10%.8. A. Student’s family income.B. First year salary after graduation.C. A fixed amount of 30, 000 dollars.D. Payment in the next ten years.9. A. Students can borrow money first.B. Students pay no tax on savings.C. Students pay less tax after graduation.D. Students withdraw without paying tax.10. A. Giving up charitable or volunteer work.B. Neglecting their study at college.C. Giving up further education.D. Neglecting high salary in job-seeking.PART III LANGUAGE USAGE[10 MIN]There are twenty sentences in this section. Beneath each sentence there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Choose one wordor phrase that best completes the sentence. Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two.11. How can I concentrate if you __________ continually __________ me with silly questions?A. have… interruptedB. had… interruptedC. are… interruptingD. were… interrupting12. Among the four sentences below, Sentence __________ express the highest degree of possibility.A. It may take a long time to find a solution to the problem.B. It might take a long time to find a solution to the problem.C. It could take a long time to find a solution to the problem.D. It should take a long time to find a solution to the problem.13. She is a better speaker than __________ in the class.A. all the girlsB. the other boysC. other any girlD. any boy14. Nobody heard him sing, __________?A. did theyB. did heC. didn’t theyD. did one15. I can’t put up with __________.A. that friend of youB. that friend of yoursC. the friend of youD. the friend of yours16. There has been an increasing number of __________ in primary schools in past few years.A. man teacherB. men teacherC. man teachersD. men teachers17. This is one of the issues that deserve __________.A. mentioningB. being mentionedC. to mentionD. for mention18. The audience __________ excited on seeing__________ favorite star glide onto the stage.A. were… itsB. were… theirC. was… theirD. was… one’s19. __________ your advice, I would have made the wrong decision.A. Hadn’t it been forB. Had it not been forC. Had it been forD. Had not it been for20. The sentence I wish I had been more careful in spending money express the speaker’s __________.A. hopeB. joyC. regretD. relief21. The Attorney General ordered a federalautopsy of Brown’s body, seeking to __________ the family and community there would be a thorough investigation into his death.A. ensureB. assureC. insureD. ascertain22. The police department came under strongcriticism for both the death of an unarmed and its handling of the __________.A. consequenceB. outcomeC. resultD. aftermath23. The Foreign Secretary tried to __________ doubts about his handling of the crisis.A. dispelB. expelC. repelD. quell24. Mutual funds are thus best for investorswho don’t want to take the time to study stocks in detail or who __________ the resources to build a portfolio.A. depriveB. lackC. yearnD. attain25. Chris ran __________ John at asporting-goods trade show and the two quickly struck __________ an easy rapport.A. into…upB. on…intoC. across…onD. against…into26. “I’m leaving the country soon,”he told a __________ convened group of reporters.A. especiallyB. particularlyC. speciallyD. specifically27. Israel and Hamas had reached a deal onextending the __________ ceasefire by an extra 24 hours until Tuesday at midnight.A. contemporaryB. makeshiftC. spontaneousD. temporary28. __________ to unplugging the alarm clockand trusting your ability to wake on time on your own, you should probably ease yourself into the new arrangement by keeping a very regular schedule for several weeks.A. DueB. PriorC. RelatedD. Thanks29. If you are an athlete, strong abdominalmuscles help you ensure a strong back and freedom from injury during __________upper-body movement.A. valiantB. variableC. vigorousD. vigilant30. Finning is a cruel __________ in which theshark’s fins are lopped off, and the liveshark is thrown back to sea.A. realityB. truthC. skillD. practicePART IV CLOZE[10 MIN]Decide which of the words given in the box below would best complete the passage if insertedin the corresponding blank. The words can be used ONCE ONLY. Mark the letter for each word on ANSWER SHEET TWO.A. ampleB. combinationsC. directlyD. disseminatedE. generationsF. genuinelyG. insteadH. listsI. promulgatedJ. publicizedK. scant L. shaped M. sophisticated N. transplanted O. virtualImagine a world without writing. Obviously there would be no books: no novels, no encyclopedias, no cookbooks, no textbooks, no telephone books, no scriptures, no diaries, no travel guides. There would be no ball-points, no typeswriters, no computers, no Internet, no magazines, no movie credits, no shopping lists, no newspapers, no tax returns. But such__________ (31) of subjects almost miss the point. The world we live in has been indelibly marked by the written word, __________ (32) by the technology of writing over thousands of years. Ancient kings proclaimed their authority and __________ (33) their laws in writing. Scribes administered great empires by writing, their knowledge of recording and retrieving information essential to governing complex societies. Religious traditions were passed on through __________ (34), and spread to others,in writing. Scientific and technological progress was achieved and __________ (35) through writing. Accounts in trade and commerce could be kept because of writing. Nearly every step of civilization has been mediated through writing.A world without writing would bear __________(36) resemblance to the one we now live in. Writing is a __________ (37) necessity to the societies anthropologists call civilizations. A civilization is distinguished from other societies by the complexity of its social organization, by its construction of cities and large public buildings, and by the economic specialization of its members, many of whom are not __________(38) involved in food procurement or production.A civilization, with its taxation and tribute systems, its trade, and its public works, requires a __________ (39) system of record keeping. And so the early civilizations of Egypt, China, and (probably) India all developed a system of writing. Only the Peruvian civilization of the Incas and their predecessors did not use writingbut __________ (40) invented a system of keeping records on knotted color-coded strings known as quipu.PART V READING COMPREHENSION[35 MIN]SECTION A MUTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS In this section there are three passages followed by ten multiple choice questions. For each multiple choice question, there are four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that you think is the best answer. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET TWO.PASSAGE ONE(1)When I was twenty-seven years old, I was a mining-broker’s clerk in San Francisco, and an expert in all the details of stock traffic, I was alone in the world, and had nothing todepend upon but my wits and a clean reputation; but these were setting my feet in the road to eventual fortune, and I was content with the prospect. My time was my own after the afternoon board, Saturdays, and I was accustomed to putting it in on a little sail-boat on the bay. One day I ventured too far, and was carried out to sea. Just at nightfall, when hope was about gone, I was picked up by a small ship which was bound for London. It was a long and stormy voyage, and they made me work my passage without pay, as a common sailor. When I stepped ashore in London my clothes were ragged and shabby, and I had only a dollar in my pocket. This money fed and sheltered me twenty-four hours. During the next twenty-fourI went without food and shelter.(2)About ten o’clock on the following morning, dirty and hungry, I was dragging myself along Portland Place, when a child that was passing, towed by a nurse-maid, tossed a big pear——minus one bite——into the gutter. Istopped, of course, and fastened my desiring eye on that muddy treasure. My mouth watered for it, my stomach craved it, my whole being begged for it. But every time I made a move to get it some passing eye detected my purpose, and of course I straightened up then, and looked indifferent and pretended that I hadn’t been thinking about the pear at all. This same thing kept happening and happening, and I couldn’t get the pear.(3)I was just getting desperate enough to brave all the shame, and to seize it, when a window behind me was raised, and a gentleman spoke out of it, saying: “ Step in here, please.”(4)I was admitted by a man servant, and shown into a sumptuous room where a couple of elderly gentlemen were sitting. They sent away the servant, and made me sit down. They had just finished their breakfast, and the sight of the remains of it almost overpowered me. I could hardly keep my wits together in the presence of that food, but as I was not asked to sample it, Ihad to bear my trouble as best as I could.(5)Now, something had been happening there a little before, which I did not know anything about until a good many days afterwards, but I will tell you about it now. Those two old brothers had been having a pretty hot argument a couple of days before, and had ended by agreeing to decide it by a bet, which is the English way of settling everything.(6)You will remember that the Bank of England once issued two notes of a million pounds each, to be used for a special purpose connected with some public transaction with a foreign country. For some reason or other only one of these had been used and canceled; the other still lay in the vaults of the Bank. Well, the brothers, chatting along, happened to get to wondering what might be the fate of a perfectly honest and intelligent stranger who should be turned adrift in London without a friend, and with no money but that million-pound bank-note, and no way to account for his beingin possession of it. Brother A said he would starve to death; Brother B said he wouldn’t. Brother A said he couldn’t offer it at a bank or anywhere else, because he would be arrested on the spot. So they went on disputing till Brother B said he would bet twenty thousand pounds that the man would live thirty days, anyway, on that million, and keep out of jail, too. Brother A took him up. Brother B went down to the Bank and bought that note. Then he dictated a letter, which one of his clerks wrote out in a beautiful round hand, and then the two brothers sat at the window a whole day watching for the right man to give it to.(7)I finally became the pick of it.41. In Para. 1, the phrase “set my feet”probably means __________.A. put me asideB. start my journeyC. prepare meD. let me walk42. It can be concluded from Para. 2 that __________.A. the man wanted to maintain dignity though starvedB. the man could not get a proper chance to eat the pearC. The man did not really want the pear since it was dirtyD. it was very difficult for the man to get the pear43. Compared with Brother A, Brother B was more __________ towards the effect of the one-million-pound bank-note on a total strange.A. neutralB. negativeC. reservedD. positivePASSAGE TWO(1)The concept of peace is a very important one in cultures all over the world. Think about how we greet people. In some language, the phrases for greetings contain the word for peace. In some cultures we greet people by shaking hands or with another gesture to show that we are not carrying weapons --- that we come in peace. And there are certain symbols which people in very different cultures recognize as representing peace. Let’s look at a few of them.The dove(2)The dove has been a symbol of peace and innocence for thousands of years in many different cultures. In ancient Greek mythology it was a symbol of love and the renewal of life. In ancient Japan a dove carrying a sword symbolized the end of war.(3)There was a tradition in Europe that if dove flew around a house where someone was dying then their soul would be at peace. And there are legends which say that devil can turn himself into any bird except for a dove. InChristian art, the dove was used to symbolized the Holy Ghost and was often painted above Christ’s head.(4)But it was Pablo Picasso who made the dove a modern symbol of peace when he used it on a poster for the World Peace Congress in 1949.The rainbow(5)The rainbow is another ancient and universal symbol, often representing the connection between human beings and their gods. In Greek mythology it was associated with Iris, the goddess who brought messages from the gods on Mount Olympus. In Scandinavian mythology the rainbow was a bridge between the gods and the earth. In the Bible a rainbow showed Noah that the Biblical flood was finally over, and that God had forgiven his people. In the Chinese tradition, the rainbow is a common symbol for marriage because the colours represent the union of yin and yang. Nowadays the rainbow is used by many popularmovements for peace and the environment, representing the possibility of a better world in the future and promising sunshine after rain.Mistletoe(6)This plant was sacred in many cultures, generally representing peace and love. Most people know of the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas time, which probably comes from Scandinavian mythology. The goddess Freya’s son was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe, so, in honour of him, she declared that it would always be a symbol of peace. It was often hung in doorways as a sign of friendship.(7)The ancient Druids believed that hanging mistletoe in your doorway could protect you from evil spirits. Tribes would stop fighting for a period of time if they found a tree with mistletoe. But you will never see mistletoe in a Christian church - it is banned because of its associations with pagan religion and superstition.The olive branch(8)The olive tree has always been a valuable source of food and oil. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena gave the olive tree to the people of Athens, who showed their gratitude by naming the city after her. But no one knows for sure when or why it began to symbolize peace. There is probably a connection with ancient Greece. Wars between states were suspended during the Olympics Games, and the winners were given crowns of olive branches. The symbolism may come from the fact that the olive tree takes a long time to produce fruit, so olives could only be cultivated successfully in long periods of peace. Whatever the history, the olive branch is a part of many modern flags symbolizing peace and unity. One well-known example is the United Nations symbol.The ankh(9)The ankh is an ancient symbol which was adopted by the hippie movement in the 1960s to represent peace and love. It was foundin many Asian cultures, but is generally associated with ancient Egypt. It represented life and immortality. Egyptians were buried with an ankh, so that they could continue to live in the “afterworld”. The symbol was also found along the sides of the Nile, which gave life to the people. They believed that the ankh could control the flow of the river and make sure that there was always enough water.44.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?A. Concept of Peace.B. Origin of Peace Symbols.C. Popular Peace Symbols.D. Cultural Difference of Peace.45.The rainbow represents the connection between human beings and their gods in all thefollowing countries EXCEPT __________.A. SwedenB. GreeceC. FinlandD. China46.In North Europe mistletoe was often hung in doorways to indicate __________.A. friendshipB. loveC. kinshipD. honour47.The origin of the ankh can date back to __________.A. the NileB. the “afterword”C. the hippie movementD. ancient EgyptPASSAGE THREE(1)Two sides almost never change: That you can manipulate people into self-sufficiency and that you can punish them into goodcitizenship.(2)The first manifests itself in our tireless search for the magical level at which welfare grants are big enough to meet basic needs but small enough to make low-paid work attractive. The second has us looking to the criminal justice system to cure behavior that is as much as anything the result of despair.(3)The welfare example is well known. We don’t want poor people to live in squalor or their children to be malnourished. But we also don’t want to subsidize the indolence of people who are too lazy to work. The first impulse leads us to provide housing, food stamps, medical care and a cash stipend for families in need. The second gets us to think about “workforce”.(4)We’ve been thinking about it for two reasons: the “nanny”problems of two high-ranking government officials (who hired undocumented foreigners as household helpers, presumably because they couldn’t find Americans to do the work) and PresidentClinton’s proposal to put a two-year limit on welfare.(5)Maybe something useful will come of Clinton’s idea, but I’m not all that hopeful. It looks to me like one more example of trying to manipulate people into taking care of themselves.(6)On the criminal justice side, we hope to make punishment tough enough to discourage crime but not so tough as to clog our prisons with relatively minor offenders. Too short a sentence, we fear, will create contempt for the law. Too long a sentence will take up costly space better used for the violent and unremorseful.(7)Not only can we never find the “perfect”punishment, our search for optimum penalties is complicated by our desire for fairness: to let the punishment fit the crime. The problem is that almost any punishment --- even the disgrace of being charged with a crime --- is sufficient to deter the middle class, while for members of the underclass, probation may be translated as “Ibeat it”.(8)So how can you use the system --- welfare or criminal justice --- to produce the behavior we want? The answer, I suspect is: You can’t.(9)We keep trying to use welfare and prison to change people --- to make them think and behave the way we do --- when the truth is the incentives work only for those who already think the way we do: who view today’s action with an eye on the future.(10)We will take lowly work (if that is all that’s available) because we believe we can make bad jobs work for us. We avoid crime not because we are better people but because we see getting caught as a future-wrecking disaster. We are guided by a belief that good things will happen for us in the future if we take proper care of the present. Even under the worst of circumstances, we believe we are in control of our lives.(11)And we have trouble understandingthat not everybody believes as we believe. The welfare rolls, the prison and the mean street of our cities are full of people who have given up on their future. Without hope for the future, hard work at a low-paid job makes no sense. Working hard in school, or pleasing a boss, or avoiding pregnancy makes no sense. The deadly disease is hopelessness. The lawlessness and poverty are only the obvious symptoms.(12)I’m not advocating that we stop looking for incentives to move poor people toward self-sufficiency or that we stop punishing people for criminal behavior. There will always be some people who need help and some who deserve to be in jail.(13)All I’m saying is that the long-term answer both to welfare and the crime that plagues our communities is not to fine tune the welfare and criminal justice systems but to prevent our children from getting the disease of despair.(14)If we encourage our young people tobelieve in the future, and give them solid evidence for believing, we’ll find both crime and poverty shrinking to manageable proportions.48. What is the author’s attitude towards Clinton’s proposal to welfare?A. Pessimistic.B. Optimistic.C. Suspicious.D. Sarcastic.49. It can be inferred from Para. 7 that optimum penalties are __________ to the underclass.A. uselessB. hopelessC. frighteningD. humiliating50. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the passage?A. Lawlessness and Poverty.B. Criminal Justice System.C. Welfare Grants.D. Disease of Despair.SECTION B SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONSIn this section, there are five short answer questions based on the passages in Section A. Answer the questions with NO more than TEN words in the space provided on ANSWER SHEET TWO.PASSAGE ONE51.In Para. 4, what does the man mean by saying “I had to bear my trouble”?52.What can be inferred from the last sentence of the passage?PASSAGE TWO53.Why does the UN use the olive branch in its symbol?PASSAGE THREE54.According to the author, what balance should we keep in welfare?55.What does the author mean by saying “Even under the worst of circumstances, we believewe are in control of our lives” (Para. 10)?PART VI WRITING[45 MIN]Read carefully the following excerpt on term-time holiday arguments in the UK, and then write your response in NO LESS THAN 200 words, in which you should:·summarize the main message of the excerpt,and then·comment on whether parents should take children out of school for holiday during term time in order to save money.You should support yourself with information from the excerpt.Marks will be awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.—THE END—A. The kind of people suitable for the trip.B. Interests and hobbies of the speakers.C. Recruitment of people for the trip.D. Preparation for the trip to Mars......Conversation TwoWrite your response on ANSWER SHEET THREE.——THE END ——ANSWER SHEET 1(反面)PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSIONWhat is Grit?My questionsW hy isn’t I.Q. the only difference between students?What is the key to(1) ______?(1)______My Researchinvestigation of all kinds of (2)______: including:(2)______— West Point Military Academy—(3) _______ (3)______—p rivate companiesMy finding: grit as predictor of successGrit is(4) ______ for a very long-term goals (4)______Grit is working hard for years to make (5)______(5)______Grit is living your life like a(6) _____ (6)______My surveyHigh school juniors took grit questionnaires(7)______ kids were more likely to graduate (7)_____Grit-buildinglittle is known about how to build grit in studentsdata show grit is unrelated to (8)_______ (8)____growth mindset is the belief that the ability to learn is (9) _______ (9)____ kids with grit believe failure is(10) ______ (10)____ConclusionWe need to be gritty about getting our kinds grittier.TEM 4 SCRIPTPARTⅠDICTATIONListen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 1 minute to check through your work once more. Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE.Now listen to the passage.Are you confident or insecure in a difficultsituation?Do you react positively or negatively?The answer may depend in part on whom you are around.A study found that negative thinking can be contagious in some cases.For example, the researchers studied 103 college roommates.They measu red each roommate’s tendency towards negative thinking.It was found that thinking patterns can be contagious.Students with a negative-thinking roommate became more depressed themselves. And students with more positive thinking roommates were more likely to become more positive as well.The second and third readings. You should begin writing now.The last reading.Now, you have two minutes to check through your work. (a two-minute interval)That is the end of PartⅠDictation.2016年4级听写评分标准THINK POSITIVE AND FEEL POSITIVE(标题忽略不计)第一组:Are you confident or insecure in a difficult situation? /Do you react positively or negatively? /The answer may depend in part on whom you're around. /A study found that negative thinking can be contagious in some cases./For example, the researchers studied 103 college roommates. / (45words)第二组:They measured each roommate’s tendency towards negative thinking. / It was found that thinking patterns can be contagious. /Students with a negative-thinking roommate became more depressed themselves. / And students with。
2016专业四级英语作文Sure, let's get started on your Professional English Level 4 exam essay from 2016.---。
Title: Enhancing Professional Communication Skills。
In today's fast-paced globalized world, effective communication skills have become indispensable for professionals in various fields. The ability to convey ideas clearly and succinctly not only facilitates collaboration but also fosters productivity and success in the workplace. This essay will explore the importance of honing professional communication skills and discuss strategies for improvement.First and foremost, clear communication is essentialfor transmitting information accurately. Whether it's delivering a presentation, writing a report, or engaging inteam discussions, professionals need to articulate their thoughts in a coherent manner to ensure that their message is understood by colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and even conflicts, all of which can impede progress and hinder organizational goals.Moreover, effective communication cultivates trust and credibility among peers and superiors. When individuals express themselves confidently and eloquently, they exude competence and professionalism, which enhances their reputation in the workplace. Colleagues are more likely to collaborate with someone who communicates clearly and concisely, as they feel assured that tasks will be completed accurately and efficiently.Furthermore, strong communication skills are indispensable for leadership roles. Leaders must inspire and motivate their teams, articulate a compelling vision, and provide clear directives to achieve organizational objectives. Effective communication fosters transparency, encourages open dialogue, and promotes a sense of unityamong team members. Leaders who communicate effectively can rally their teams behind a common goal, leading to increased morale and productivity.To improve professional communication skills, individuals can adopt several strategies. Firstly, active listening is paramount. Instead of merely waiting for their turn to speak, professionals should attentively listen to others' perspectives, ideas, and concerns. By demonstrating empathy and understanding, they can establish rapport and build stronger relationships with colleagues.Additionally, practicing clarity and brevity in written and verbal communication is essential. Professionals should strive to convey their message using simple and concise language, avoiding jargon and unnecessary complexity. Clear communication minimizes the risk of misinterpretation and ensures that information is conveyed effectively.Furthermore, seeking feedback from peers and mentors can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement. Constructive criticism helps individuals identify blindspots and refine their communication style accordingly. By soliciting feedback, professionals demonstrate awillingness to learn and grow, which is essential forcareer advancement.In conclusion, effective communication skills are indispensable for success in today's professional landscape. Clear and concise communication fosters collaboration, cultivates trust, and enhances leadership effectiveness. By actively listening, practicing clarity, and seeking feedback, individuals can continuously improve their professional communication skills and excel in their careers.---。
补全短文五:Common Questions About DreamsDoes everyone dreamYes. Research shows that we all dream. We have our most vivid dreams during a type of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep, the brain is very active. The eyes move quickly back and forth' under the lids, and the large muscles of the body are relaxed. REM sleep occurs every 90-100 minutes, three to four times a night, and it lasts longer as the night goes on. The final REM period may last as long as 45 minutes. We ream at other times during the night, too, but those dreams are less vivid Do people remember their dreams?A few people remember their dreams. However, most people forget nearly everything that happened during the night-dream, thoughts, and the short periods of time when they were awake. Sometimes, though, people suddenly remember a dream laterin theday or on another day. It seems that the memory of the dream is not totally lost, but for some reason it J is very hard to bring it back. If you want to remember your dream, the best thing to do is to write it down as soon as you wake upAre dreams in color?Most dreams are in color. However, people may not be aware of it for two reasons: They don't usually remember the details of their dreams, or they don't notice the color because it is such a natural part of our lives. People who are very aware of color when they are awake probably notice color more often in their dreams.Do dreams have meaning?Scientists continue to debate this issued, However, people who spend time thinking about their dreams believe that they are meaningful and useful. Some people use dreams to help them learn more about their feelings thoughts, behavior, motives, and values. Others find that dreams can help them solve problems. It's also true that artists, writers, and scientists often get creative ideas from dreams.How can I learn to understand my dreams?The most important thing to remember is that your dreams are personal. The people actions, and situations in your dream reflect your experience, your thoughts, and your feelings. Some dream experts believe that there are certain types of drams that many people have, even if they come from different cultures or time periods. Usually, however, the same dream will have different meanings for different people. For example, an elephant in a dream may mean one thing to a zookeeper and something very different to a child whose favorite toy is a stuffed elephant. To learn to understand your dreams, think about what each part of the dream means to you or reminds you of. Then look for links between your dreams and what is happening in your daily life. If you think hard and you are patient, perhaps the meaning of your dreams will become clearer to you。