2015年12月英语六级真题第2套

2015年12月19日全国大学英语六级答案一.六级选词填空参考答案：下面是第一套答案，后面还有第二套答案36. B. caters37. M. recommended38. D. debated39. F. ideal40. C. chronically41. G. improvements42. E. deprivation43. L. ready44. H. necessarily45. O. target详细解析：本文节选自New research shows a good night’s restisn’t a luxury–it’s critical for your brain and for your health As it is，sleep is so undervalued that getting by on fewer hours has become a badge of honor. Plus，we live in a culture that caters to the late-nighter，from 24-hour grocery stores to online shopping sites that never close. It’s no surprise，then，that more than half of American adults don’t get the 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye every night as recommendedby sleep experts.Whether or not we can catch up on sleep–on the weekend，say–is a hotly debated topic among sleep researchers；the latest evidence suggests that while it isn’t ideal，it might help. When Liu，the UCLA sleep researcher and professor of medicine，brought chronically sleep-restricted people into the lab for a weekend of sleep during which they logged about 10 hours per night，they showed improvements in the ability of insulin to process blood sugar. That suggests that catch-up sleep may undo some but not all of the damage that sleep deprivation causes，which is encouraging given how many adults don’t get the hours they need each night. Still，Liu isn’t ready to endorse the habit of sleeping less and making up for it later.Sleeping pills，while helpful for some，are not necessarily a silver bullet either. “A sleeping pill will target one area of the brain，but there’s never going to be a perfect sleeping pill，because you couldn’t really replicate the different chemicals moving in and out of different parts of the brain to go through the different stages of sleep，”says Dr. Nancy Collop，director of the Emory University Sleep Center.36. B. caters 空格左是定语从句引导词that，并且that指代的是前面的a culture，所以空格内应该填一个第三人称单数形式的动词与介词to搭配.cater to表示“迎合”，原句译为：“另外，我们生活在一个迎合着晚睡者的文化里，从24小时营业的杂货店到线上售货店都从不关门.”37. M. recommended 空格左是as，右边是介词by，推测空格内应该填一个动词的过去分词形式，结合语义，7到9小时睡眠应该是专家XX的，所以选择“推荐”.38. D. debated 空格左边有hotly，右边为topic，空格内应填一个形容词，理解为“热烈地xxx的话题”，结合语义，故选“被讨论的”39. F. ideal 空格与左边的it isn’t共同构成主系表结构，空格内一般选择形容词或带冠词的名词，结合...while...might help. 理解为“尽管它是xxx的，它仍然是有用的”，所以选”理想的”，符合语境.40. C. chronically brought为谓语，空格右边是形容词，空格内应该填副词修饰右边的形容词.结合语义，选“长期地”来修饰“失眠的人”.41. G. improvements 空格左边直接就是谓语show，空格内极有可能是一个复数名词，而且“进步”也符合原意.42. E. deprivation that引导一个定语从句修饰the damage，第二套答案36 O vulnerable37 J permanent 38A advocates 39N tighten 40K restricted 41E facilities 42G investigating 43M statistical 44C correlation 45D exercise二．六级翻译真题及答案[六级真题原文1]在帮助国际社会于2030年前消除极端贫困过程中，中国正扮演着越来越重要的角色。

2015年12月英语六级真题及答案（卷二）1.作文Direction：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should focus on the harm caused by misleading information online. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.2.选词填空It seems to be a law in the technology industry that leading companies eventually lose their positions, often quickly and brutally. Mobile phone champion Nokia, one of Europe’s biggest technology success stories, was no 36 losing its market share in just a few years.In 2007, Nokia accounted for more than 40% of mobile phone sales 37 . But consumers’ preferences were already 38 toward touch-screen smartphones. With the introduction ofApple’s iPhone in the middle of that year,N okia’s market share 39 rapidly and revenue plunged. By the end of 2013, Nokia had sold its phone business to Microsoft.What sealed Nokia’s fate was a series of decisions made by Stephen Elop in his position as CEO, which he 40 in October 2010. Each day th at Elop spent in charge of Nokia, the company’s market value declined by $23 million, making him, by the numbers, one of the worst CEOs in history.But Elop was not the only person at 41 .Nokia’s board resisted change, making it impossible for the company to adapt to rapid shifts in the industry. Most 42 , orma Ollila, who had led Nokia’s transition from an industrial company to a technology giant, was too fascinated by the company 43 success to recognize the change that wasneeded to sustain its competitiveness. The company also embarked on a 44 cost cutting program, which included the elimination of thousands of jobs. This contributed to the 45 of th e company’s once-spirited culture, which had motivated employees to take risks and make miracles. Good leaders left the company, taking Nokia’s sense of vision and direction with them. Not surprisingly, much of Nokia's most valuable design and programming talent left as well.A) assumedI) previousB) biasJ) relayedC) desperateK) shiftingD) deteriorationL) shrankE) exceptionM) subtleF) faultN) transmittingG) incidentallyO) worldwideH) notably3.长篇阅读First-Generation College-Goers: Unprepared and BehindKids who are the first in their families to brave the world of higher education come on campus with little academic know-how and are much more likely than their peers to drop out before graduation.A) When Nijay Williams entered college last fall as a first-generation student and Jamaican immigrant, he was academically unprepared for the rigors of higher education. Like many first-generation students, he enrolled in a medium-sized state university many of his high school peers were also attending, received a Pell Grant, and took out some small federal loans to cover other costs. Given the high price of room and board and the closeness of the school to his family, he chose to live at home and worked between 30 and 40 hours a week while taking a full class schedule.B) What Nijay didn’t realize about his school—Tennessee State University一was its frighteningly low graduation rate: a mere 29 percent for its first-generation students. At the end of his first year, Nijay lost his Pell Grant of over $5,000 after narrowly missing the 2.0 GPA cut-off, making it impossible for him to continue paying for school. C) Nijay represents a large and growing group of Americans: first-generation college students who enter school unprepared or behind. To make matters worse, these schools are ill-equipped to graduate these students—young adults who face specific challenges and obstacles. They typically carry financial burdens that outweigh those of their peers, are more likely to work while attending school, and often require significant academic remediation (补习).D) Matt Rubinoff directs I’m First, a nonprofit organization launched last October to reach out to this specific population of students. He hopes to distribute this information and help prospective college-goers find the best post-secondary fit. And while Rubinoff believes there are a good number of four-year schools that truly care about these students and set aside significant resources and programs for them, he says that number isn’t high enough. E) “It’s n ot only the selective and elite institutions that provide those opportunities for a small subset of this population,” Rubinoff said, adding that a majority of first-generation under-graduates tend toward options such as online programs, two-year colleges, and commuter state schools. “Unfortunately, there tends to be a lack ofinformation and support to help students think bigger and broader.”F) Despite this problem, many students are still drawn to these institutions—and two-year schools in particular As a former high school teacher, I saw students choose familiar, cheaper options year after year. Instead of skipping out on higher education altogether, they chose community colleges or state schools with low bars for admittance.G) “They underestimate themselves when selecting a university,” said Dave Jarrat, a marketing executive for Inside Track, a for-profit organization that specializes in coaching low-income students and supporting colleges in order to help students thrive. “The reality of it is that a l ot of low-income kids could be going to elite universities on a full ride scholarship and don’t even realize it.”H) “Many students are coming from a situation where no one around them has the experience of successfully completing higher education, so they are coming in questioning themselves and their college worthiness,” Jarrat continued That helps explain why, as I’m First’s Rubinoff indicated, the schools to which these students end up resorting can end up being some of the poorest matches for them. The University of Tennessee in Knoxville offers one example of this dilemma. A flagship university in the South, the school graduates just 16 percent of its first-generation students, despite its overall graduation rate of 71 percent. Located only a few hours apart, The University of Tennessee and Tennessee State are worth comparing. Tennessee State’s overall graduation rate is a tiny 39 percent, but at least it has a smaller gap between the out-comes for first-generation students and those of their peers.I) Still, the University of Tennessee deserves credit for being transparent. Many large institutions keep this kind of data secret—or at least make it incredibly difficult to find The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for instance, admits only that the graduation rate for its first-generation pupils is “much lower” than the percentage of all students who graduate within four years (81 percent).J) It is actually quite difficult to find reliable statistics on the issue for many schools. Higher education institutions are, under federal law, required to report graduation rates, but these re- ports typically only include Pell recipient numbers~not necessarily rates specific to first-gen-eration students. Other initiatives fail to break down the data, too. Imagine how intimidating it can be for prospective students unfamiliar with the complexities of higher education to navigate this kind ofinformation and then identify which schools are the best fit.K) It was this lack of information that prompted the launch of I’m First in 2013, originally as an arm of its umbrella organization, the Center For Student Opportunity. “If we can help to direct students to more of these types of campuses and help students to understand them to be realistic and accessible places, have them apply to these schools at greater frequency and ultimately get in and enroll, we are going to raise the success rate,” Rubinoff said, citing a variety of colleges ranging from large state institutions to smaller private schools.L) Chelsea Jones, who now directs student programming at I’m First, was a first-generation college student at Howard. Like other students new to the intimidating higher-education world, she often struggled on her path to college. “There wasn’t really a college-bound culture at my high school.” she said “I wanted to go to college but I didn’t really know the process.” Jones became involved with a college-access program through Princeton University in high school. Now, she attributes much of her understanding of college to that:“But once I got to campus, it was a completely different ball game that no one really prepared me for.”M) She was fortunate, though. Howard, a well-regarded historically black college, had an array of resources for its first-generation students, including matching kids with counselors, connecting first-generation students to one another, and TRIO, a national program that supported 200 students on Howard’s campus. Still, Jones represents a small percentage of first-generation students who are able to gain entry into more elite universities, which are often known for robust financial aid packages and remarkably high graduation rates for first-generation students. (Harvard, for example, boasts a six-year graduation rate for underrepresented minority groups of 98 percent.)N) Christian Vazquez, a first-generation Yale graduate, is another exception, his success story setting him far apartfrom students such as Nijay. “There is a lot of support at Yale, to an extent, after a while, there is too much support,” he said, half-joking about the countless resources available at the school. Students are placed in small groups with counselors (trained seniors on campus); they have access to cultural and ethnic affinity (联系) groups, tutoring centers and also have a summer orientation specifically for first-generation students (the latter being one of the most common programs for students).O) “Our support structure was more like: ‘You are going to get through Yale; you are going to do well,’”he said, hinting at mentors (导师), staff, and professors who all provided significant support for students who lacked confidence about “belonging”at such a top institution.46. Many first-generation college-goers have doubts about their abilities to get a college degree. 47. First-generation college students tend to have much heavier financial burdens than their peers.48. The graduation rate of first-generation students at Nijay’s university was incredibly low.49. Some top institutions like Yale seem to provide first-generation students with more support than they actually need.50. On entering college, Nijay Williams had no idea how challenging college education was.51. Many universities simply refuse to release their exact graduation rates for first-generation students.52. According to a marketing executive, many students from low-income families don’t know they could have a chance of going to an elite university.53. Some elite universities attach great importance to building up the first-generation students’self-confidence.54. I’m First distributes information to help first-generation college-goers find schools that are most suitable for them.55. Elite universities tend to graduate first-generation students at a higher rate.4.仔细阅读Passage OneSaying they can no longer ignore the rising prices of health care, some of the most influential medical groups in the nation are recommending that doctors weigh the costs, not just the effectiveness of treatments, as they make decisions about patient care.The shift, little noticed outside the medical establishment but already controversial inside it, suggests that doctors are starting to redefine their roles, from being concerned exclusively about individual patients to exerting influence on how healthcare dollars are spent.In practical terms, the new guidelines being developed could result in doctors choosing one drug over another for cost reasons or even deciding that a particular treatment — at the end of life, for example — is too expensive. In the extreme, some critics have said that making treatment decisions based on cost is a form of rationing.Traditionally, guidelines have heavily influenced the practice of medicine, and the latest ones are expected to make doctors more conscious of the economic consequences of their decis ions, even though there’s no obligation to follow them. Medical society guidelines are also used by insurance companies to help determine reimbursement (报销) policies.Some doctors see a potential conflict in trying to be both providers of patient care and financial overseers.“There should be forces in society who should be concerned about the budget, but they shouldn’t be functioning simultaneously as doctors,” said Dr. Martin Samuels at a Boston hospital. He said doctors risked losing the trust of patient s if they told patients, “I’m not going to do what I think is best for you because I think it’s bad for the healthcare budget in Massachusetts.”Doctors can face some grim trade-offs. Studies have shown, for example, that two drugs are about equallyeffective in treating macular degeneration, an eye disease. But one costs $50 a dose and the other close to $2,000. Medicare could save hundreds of millions of dollars a year if every-one used the cheaper drug, Avastin, instead of the costlier one, Lucentis.But the Food and Drug Administration has not approved Avastin for use in the eye, and using it rather than the alternative, Lucentis, might carry an additional, although slight, safety risk. Should doctors consider Medicare’s budget in deciding what to use?“I think ethically (在道德层面上) we are just worried about the patient in front of us and not trying to save money for the insurance industry or society as a whole,”said Dr. Donald Jensen.Still, some analysts say that there’s a role for doctors to play in cost analysis because not many others are doing so, “In some ways,” said Dr. Daniel Sulmasy, “it represents a failure of wider society to take up the issue.”56. What do some most influential medical groups recommend doctors do?A) Reflect on the responsibilities they are supposed to take.B) Pay more attention to the effectiveness of their treatments.C) Take costs into account when making treatment decisions.D) Readjust their practice in view of the cuts in health care.57. What were doctors mainly concerned about in the past?A) Specific medicines to be used. C) Professional advancement.B) Effects of medical treatment. D) Patients5 trust.58. What may the new guidelines being developed lead to?A) The redefining of doctors’ roles. C) Conflicts between doctors and patients.B) Overuse of less effective medicines. D) The prolonging of patients’ suffering.59. What risk do doctors see in their dual role as patient care providers and financial overseers?A) They may be involved in a conflict of interest.B) They may be forced to divide their attention.C) They may have to use less effective drugs.D) They may lose the respect of patients.60. What do some experts say about doctors' involvement in medical cost analysis?A) It may add to doctors’ alrea dy heavy workloads.B) It will help to save money for society as a whole.C) It results from society’s failure to tackle the problem.D) It raises doctors’ awareness of their social responsibilitiesPassage TwoEconomic inequality is the “defining challenge of our time, ” President Barack Obama declared in a speech last month to the Center for American Progress. Inequality is dangerous, he argued, not merely because it doesn’t look good to have a large gap between the rich and the poor, but because inequality itself destroys upward mobility, making it harder for the poor to escape from poverty. “Increased inequality and decreasing mobility pose a fundamental threat to the American Dream,” he said.Obama is only the most prominent public figure to declare inequality. Public Enemy No. 1 and the greatest threat to reducing poverty in America. A number of prominent economists have also argued that it’s harder for the poor to climb the economic ladder today because the rungs (横档) in that ladder have grown farther apart.For all the new attention devoted to the 1 percent, a new dataset from the Equality of Opportunity Project at Harvard and Berkeley suggests that, if we care about upward mobility overall, we’re vastly exaggerating the dangers of the rich-poor gap. Inequality itself is not a particularly strong predictor of economic mobility, associologist Scott Winship noted in a recent article based on his analysis of this data.So what factors, at the community level, do predict if poor children will move up the economic ladder as adults? What explains, for instance, why the Salt Lake City metro area is one of the 100 largest metropolitan areas most likely to lift the fortunes of the poor and the Atlanta metro area is one of the least likely?Harvard economist Raj Chetty has pointed to economic and racial segregation, community density, the size of a community’s middle class, the quality of schools, community religiosity, and familystructure, which he calls the “single strongest correlate of upward mobility.” Chetty finds that communities like Salt Lake City, with high levels of two-parent families and religiosity, are much more likely to see poor children get ahead than communities like Atlanta, with high levels of racial and economic segregation.Chetty has not yet issued a comprehensive analysis of the relative predictive power of each of these factors. Based on my analyses of the data, of the factors that Chetty has highlighted, the following three seem to be most predictive of upward mobility in a given community:1. (人均) income growth2. Prevalence of single mothers (where correlation is strong, but negative)3. Per-capita local government spendingIn other words, communities with high levels of per-capita income growth, high percentages of two-parent families, and high local government spending~which may stand for good schools一are the most likely to help poor children relive Horatio Alger’s rags-to-riches story.61. How does Obama view economic inequality?A) It is the biggest obstacle to social mobility.B) It is the greatest threat to social stability.C) It is the No. 1 enemy of income growth.D) It is the most malicious social evil of our time.62. What do we learn about the inequality gap from Scott Winship’s data analysis?A) It is fast widening across most parts of America.B) It is not a reliable indicator of economic mobility.C) It is not correctly interpreted.D) It is overwhelmingly ignored.63. Compared with Atlanta, metropolitan Salt Lake City is said to______________.A) have placed religious beliefs above party politicsB) have bridged the gap between the rich and the poorC) offer poor children more chances to climb the social ladderD) suffer from higher levels of racial and economic segregation64. What is strongly correlated with social mobility according to economist Raj Chetty?A) Family structure. C) School education.B) Racial equality. D) Community density.65. What does the author seem to suggest?A) It is important to increase the size of the middle class.B) It is highly important to expand the metropolitan areas.C) It is most imperative to focus our efforts on the elimination of income inequality.D) It is better to start from the community to help poor children move up the social ladder.5 翻译最近，中国政府决定将其工业升级。

2015年12月六级答案汇总Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based onthepicture below. You should focus on theimpact of social networking websites onreading.“I love reading. I read about 3 hours aday.My favorite book is Facebook.”*Facebookis the name of a social networking website.此文预计会引发巨大争议，有人会认为FB和朋友圈这类东西完全不是正真意义的“阅读”，但是也有认为，这才是当今时代有特色的阅读，其实，能说明白就好，观点没有正误。

Impact的含义：影响。

第一段: 描述漫画内容.强调网络阅读的趋势和现象第二段: 分析网络读书的原因. ( 或阐述不同的人的不同观点)在这一段，既可以把网络阅读的影响力归结为利大于弊，也可以归结为弊大于利，自圆其说即可。

第三段:双面总结，得出结论.Thepicture describes a conversation between two people, one of them said: “I readabout 3 hours a day. My favorite book is Facebook.” The picture intends toinform us that the Internet has exerted an important influence on reading forthe modern citizens.The phenomenon involves many factors, which canbe listed as the follows. To begin with, with the rapid development ofscientific technology, The Internet has become indispensable in our daily life.Undoubtedly, it provides people with many advantages and makes our life morecomfortable and efficient, including the way ofreading. What’s more, it is a moreadvanced way to get information needed by people, and an efficient way to searchfor materials. “I have hardly ever bought any books since 2003. I have beenreading online in recent years.” said professor Wang from Peking University.“With the click of the mouse, any stories or information that I want at anygiven time or place, is there.” she said. This may w ell explain why so manypeople now prefer to embrace the wonders of the Internet than read print copiesof book or any other reading material.Every coin hastwo sides, reading in social networking websites is no exception. Admittedly,there is false and useless information on the social networking websites, it isadvisable that we read more critically and carefully.For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture be low. You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring useful information in spite ofadvanced information technology. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.第一段: 描述漫画内容.强调网络信息对我们生活的影响.第二段: 阐述网络信息技术找寻信息的弊端.第三段: 得出结论.The picture describes a conversation among several people, one of them complains: “we havelots of information technology; we just don’t have much useful information.” Itis safe to figure out that our lives are full of information technology, but weare supposed to have the ability to distinguish the useful ones from theuseless ones.The human beings are stepping into theinformation society. The information industry develops very rapidly, so does theinformation technology. Information technology brought us many benefits, as well as theunexpected side effects. First, when we search for information on the Internet,it comes out that the useful information and useless ones appear together. Italways takes us long time to separate them. What makes things worse is thatsome information on the Internet even misleads the people who cherish the hopeof acquiring the useful knowledge from theInternet. Thus,information technology becomes an impending important issue.Through the above analysis on information technology,I believe that the positive aspects far outweigh its negative ones though thetechnology does bring us some unwanted information. As college students, weshould enhance the awareness of recognizing the useful information when we are surfingthe net.第三版第一段: 描述漫画内容.强调误导信息的存在对我们的影响.第二段: 误导性信息对我们的影响的阐述. (可以结合具体的例子.)第三段: 提出方法解决这一问题It can be clearly seen that the coupleare discussing the information on the Internet, one of them said: “I just feelunfortunate to live in a world with so much misleading information.” Theconversation of the cartoon picture conveys the mess age that people attained informationfrom the Internet, some of which might be misleading.Along with the development of societyand technology, an increasing numberof problems are brought to our attention, one ofwhich is that misleading information exists on the Internet. Here is an exampleI got from my friend, which works well in the case. She expected to discover acure from the Internet when her mother got a certain disease. Unfortunately,that so called “cure” from the Wechat moments did not work at all a nd hermother’s healthy condition got worse. Such misleading information often wastepeople’s time and may result in even severe consequences.In view of the problem, effectivemeasures should be taken. For one thing, it is high time that we realized theimportance of ability to separate the useful information from the misleadingones. Thus, critical thinking is of great importance. For another, thegovernment should issue strict laws and regulations to put the situation undercontrol.六级翻译（贫困版）在帮助国际社会于2030年前消除极端贫困过程中，中国正扮演着越来越重要的角色。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第2套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picturebelow. You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring useful information in spite of advancedinformation technology. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than200 words．________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)听力音频地址：Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the endof each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both theconversation and the questions will be spoken onlyonce. After each question there will bea pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C.and D.,and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet I with a single line through the centre.1. A.She is impatient to learn computer programming.B.She is unaware her operation system is outdated.C.She is unable to use the new computer program.D. She is amazed at the fast change of technology.2.A.He has long been fed up with traveling.B.He prefers to stay home for the holiday.C.He is going out of town for a couple of days.D. He is annoyed by the heavy traffic downtown.3.A.The challenges facing East Asia.B.The location for their new office.C.Their expansion into the overseas marketD. The living expenses in T okyo and Singapore.4. A.A number of cell phones were found after the last show.B.The woman forgot where she had left her cell phone.C.The woman was very pleased to find her cell phone.D. Reserved tickets could be picked up at the ticket counter.5.A.The building materials will be delivered soon.B.The project is being held up by bad weather.C.The construction schedule may not be met.D. Qualified carpenters are not easy to find.6.A.She is getting very forgetful these days.B.She does not hold on to bitterfeelings.C.She resents the way she is treated.D. She never intends to hurt anyone.7.A.The man wants to rent a small apartment.B.The woman has trouble getting a mortgage.C.The woman is moving to a foreign country.D.The man is trying to sell the woman a house.8. A.They are writing a story for the Morning News.B.They are facing great challenges to get re-elected.C.They are launching a campaign to attract women voters.D.They are conducting a survey among the women in town. Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A.T ouch his heart.B.Make him cry.C.Remind him of his life.D.Make him feel young.10. A.He is good at singing operas.B.He enjoys complicated music:C.He can sing any song if he likes it.D.He loves country music in particular.11.A.Go to a bar and drink for hours.B.Go to an isolated place to sing blues.C.Go to see a performance in a concert hall.D.Go to work and wrap himself up in music.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A.How he became an announcer.B.How he writes news stories.C.How he makes his living.D.How he does his job.13.A.They write the first version of news stories.B.They gather news stories on the spot.C.They polish incoming news stories.D.They write comments on major news stories.14. A.Reading through the news stories in a given period of time.B.Having little time to read the news before going on the air.C.Having to change the tone of his voice from time to time.D.Getting all the words and phrases pronounced correctly.15.A.It shows where advertisements come in.B.It gives a signal for him to slow down.C.It alerts him to something important.D.It serves as a reminder of sad news.Section BDirections : In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearsome questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After youhear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B),C).and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A.It gives pleasure to both adults and children.B.It is often carried around by small children.C.It can be found in many parts of the world.D.It was invented by an American Indian.17. A.They were made for earning a living.B.They were delicate geometric figures.C.They were small circus figures made of wire.D.They were collected by a number of museums.18.A.In art.B.In geometry.C.In engineering.D.In circus performance.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A.They offer students a wide variety of courses.B.They attract students from all over the world.C.They admit more students than they can handle.D.They have trouble dealing with overseas students.20. A.Everyone will benefit from education sooner or later.B.A good education contributes to the prosperity of a nation.C.A good education is necessary for one to climb the social ladder.D.Everyone has a right to an education appropriate to his potential.21. A.He likes students with high motivation.B.He enjoys teaching intelligent students.C.He tailors his teaching to students' needs.D.He treats all his students in a fair manner.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A.It is mostly imported from the Middle East.B.It is a sure indicator of its economic activity.C.It has a direct impact on the international oil market.D.It equals more than 30 million barrels of oil each day.23. A.It eventually turns into heat.B.It is used in a variety of forms.C.Its use is chiefly responsible for air pollution.D.Part of it is lost in the process of transmission.24.A.When it is used in rural areas.B.When it is environment-friendly.C.When it operates at near capacity.D.When it operates at regular times.25.A.Traffic jams in cities.B.Inefficient use of energy.C.Fuel shortage.D.Global warming.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for thefirst time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read forthe second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have justheard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what youhave written.Graphics are used in textbooks as part of the language of the discipline, as in math or economics,or as study aids. Authors use graphic aids to26and expand on concepts taken up in the textbecause graphics are yet another way of portraying relationships and27connections.Graphics are used extensively in natural sciences and social sciences. Social scientists work withstatistics 28 data, and the best way to present these statistics is often in graphic form. Graphicsare included- not merely as a means of making the information easier for the student to grasp, but as anintegral part of the way social scientists think. Many textbooks,29those in economics, containappendixes that provide specific information on reading and working with graphic material.Make it a practice to30attentively the titles, captions, headings, and other materialconnected with graphics. These elements31and usually explain what you are looking at. Whenyou are examining graphics, the32questions to ask are (a.)What is this item about? and (b.)Whatkey idea is the author33?One warning: Unless you integrate your reading of graphics with the text, you may make a wrongassumption.34, from a chart indicating that 33 percent of firstborn children in a research sampledid not feel close to their fathers, you might assume that some dreadful influence was at work on thefirstborn children. However, a careful reading of the text35that most of the firstborn children inthe sample were from single-parent homes in which the father was absent.Part III Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordfor each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in thebank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, many everyday products,including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids, could lead to an increased risk of brain and behavioraldisorders in children. The developing brain, the report says, is particularly36to the toxic effectsof certain chemicals these products may contain, and the damage they cause can be37.The official policy, however, is still evolving. Health and environmental38have long urgedU.S. government agencies to39the use of some of the 11 chemicals the report cites and called formore studies on their long-term effects. In 2001, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency40the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care41, after concerns were raised about lead poisoning. The agency is now42the toxic effects ofsome of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high. Because children's brain and behavioral disorders, likehyperactivity and lower grades, can also be linked to social and genetic factors, it's tough to pin themon exposure to specific chemicals with solid43evidence, which is what the EPA requires. Eventhe Harvard study did not prove a direct44but noted strong associations between exposure andrisk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless, it's smart to45caution. While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinkingtap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals, keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayedwith chemicals and freshly dry-cleaned clothescan't hurt.A.advocatespactC.correlationD.exerciseE. facilitiesF. interactionG. investigatingH. overwhelmedI. particlesJ. permanentK. restrictedL. simulatingM. statisticalN. tightenO. vulnerableSection BDirections : In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Impossibility of Rapid Energy Transitions[ A ] Politicians are fond of promising rapid energy transitions. Whether it is a transition from importedto domestic oil or from coal-powered electricity production to natural-gas power plants, politicianslove to talk big. Unfortunately for them (and often the taxpayers), our energy systems are a bitlike an aircraft carrier: they are unbelievably expensive, they are built to last for a very long time,they have a huge amount of inertia ( meaning it takes a lot of energy to set them moving ), andthey have a lot of momentum once they are set in motion. No matter how hard you try, you can'tturn something that large on a dime ( 10美分硬币), or even a few thousand dimes.[ B ] In physics, moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding the dynamics ofenergy systems: inertia and momentum. Inertia is the resistance of objects to efforts to changetheir state of motion. If you try to push a boulder ( 大圆石), it pushes you back. Once you havestarted the boulder rolling, it develops momentum, which is defined by its mass and velocity.Momentum is said to be "conserved," that is, once you build it up, it has to go somewhere. So a heavy object, like a football player moving at a high speed, has a lot of momentum-that is, once he is moving, it is hard to change his state of motion. If you want to change his course, you have only a few choices: you can stop him, transferring ( possibly painfully) some of his kinetic energy (动能) to your own body, or you can approach alongside and slowly apply pressure to gradually alter his course.[ C ] But there are other kinds of momentum as well. After all, we don't speak onlyof objects or people as having momentum; we speak of entire systems having momentum. Whether it's a sports team or a presidential campaign, everybody relishes having the big momentum, because it makes them harder to stop or change direction.[ D ] One kind of momentum is technological momentum. When a technology is deployed, its impacts reach far beyond itself. Consider the incandescent (白炽灯的) bulb, an object currently hated by many environmentalists and energy-efficiency advocates. The incandescent light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, which came to be the symbol of inspiration, has been developed into hundreds, if not thousands, of forms. Today, a visit to a lighting store reveals a stunning array of choices. There are standard-shaped bulbs, flame-shaped bulbs, colored globe-shaped bulbs, and more. It is quite easy, with all that choice, to change a light bulb.[ E ] But the momentum of incandescent lighting does not stop there. All of those specialized bulbs ledto the building of specialized light fixtures, from the desk lamp you study by, to the ugly but beloved hand-painted Chinese lamp you inherited from your grandmother, to the ceiling fixture in your closet, to the light in your oven or refrigerator, and to the light that the dentist points at you. It is easy to change a light bulb, sure, but it is harder to change the bulb and its fixture.[ F ] And there is more to the story, because not only are the devices that house incandescent bulbs shaped to their underlying characteristics, but rooms and entire buildings have been designed in accordance with how incandescent lighting reflects off walls and windows.[ G ] As lighting expert Howard Brandston points out, “Generally, there are no bad light sources, only bad applications. " There are some very commendable characteristics of the CFL [ compact fluorescent (荧光的) light bulb ], yet the selection of any light source remains inseparable from the luminaire (照明装置) that houses it, along with the space in which both are installed, and lighting requirements that need to be satisfied. The lamp, the fixture, and the room, all three must work in concert for the true benefits of end-users. If the CFL should be used for lighting a particular space, or an object within that space, the fixture must be designed to work with that lamp, and that fixture with the room. It is a symbiotic (共生的) relationship. A CFL cannot be simply installed in an incandescent fixture and then expected to produce a visual appearance that is more than washed out, foggy, and dim. The whole fixture must be replaced-light source and luminaire-and this is never an inexpensive proposition.[ H ] And Brandston knows a thing or two about lighting, being the man who illuminated the Statue of Liberty.[ I ]Another type of momentum we have to think about when planning for changes in our energy systems is labor-pool momentum. It is one thing to say that we are going to shift 30 percent of our electricity supply from, say, coal to nuclear power in 20 years. But it is another thing to have a supply of trained talent that could let you carry out this promise. That is because the engineers,designers, regulators, operators, and all of the other skilled people needed for the new energy industry are specialists who have to be trained first ( or retrained, if they are the ones beinglaid off in some related industry), and education, like any other complicated endeavor, takes time.And not only do our prospective new energy workers have to be trained, they have to be trained in the right sequence. One needs the designers, and perhaps the regulators, before the builders and operators, and each group of workers in training has to know there is work waiting beyond graduation. In some cases, colleges and universities might have to change their training programs, adding another layer of difficulty.[ J ] By far the biggest type of momentum that comes into play when it comes to changing our energy systems is economic momentum. The major components of our energy systems, such as fuel production, refining, electrical generation and distribution, are costly installations that have lengthy life spans. They have to operate for long periods of time before the costs of development have been recovered. When investors put up money to build, say, a nuclear power plant, they expect to earn that money back over the planned life of the plant, which is typically between 40and 60 years. Some coal power plants in the United States have operated for more than 70 years!The oldest continuously operated commercial hydro-electric plant in the United States is on New York's Hudson River, and it went into commercial service in 1898. [ K ] As Vaclav Smil points out, "All the forecasts, plans, and anticipations cited above have failed so miserably because their authors and promoters thought the transitions they hoped to implement would proceed unlike all previous energy transitions, and that their progress could be accelerated in an unprecedentedmanner. "[ L ] When you hear people speaking of making a rapid transition toward any type of energy, whether it is a switch from coal to nuclear power, or a switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric cars, or even a switch.from an incandescent to a fluorescent light, understanding energy system inertia and momentum can help you decide whether their plans are feasible.46. Not only moving objects and people but all systems have momentum.47. Changing the current energy system requires the systematic training of professionals and skilled labor.48. Changing a light bulb is easier than changing the fixture housing it.49. Efforts to accelerate the current energy transitions didn't succeed as expected.50. To change the light source is costly because you have to change the whole fixture.51. Energy systems, like an aircraft carrier set in motion, have huge momentum.52. The problem with lighting, if it arises, often doesn't lie in light sources but in their applications.53. The biggest obstacle to energy transition is that the present energy system is too expensive to replace.54. The application of a technology can impact areas beyond itself.55. Physical characteristics of moving objects help explain the dynamics of energy systems.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C),and D ). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.One hundred years ago, "Colored" was the typical way of referring to Americans of African descent. Twenty years later, it was purposefully dropped to make way for "Negro. " By the late 1960s,that term was overtaken by "Black. " And then, at a press conference in Chicago in 1988, Jesse Jackson declared that "African American" was the term to embrace. This one was chosen because it echoed the labels of groups, such as "Italian Americans" and "Irish Americans," that had already beenfreed of widespread discrimination.A century's worth of calculated name changes point to the fact that naming any group is a politically freighted exercise. A 2001 study cataloged all the ways in which the term "Black" carried connotations (涵义) that were more negative than those of "African American. "But if it was known that "Black" people were viewed differently from "African Americans,"researchers, until now, hadn't identified what that gap in perception was derived from. A recent study, conducted by Emory University's Erika Hall, found that "Black" people are viewed more negatively.than "African Americans" because of a perceived difference in socioeconomic status. As a result,"Black" people arethought of as less competent and as having colder personalities.The study's most striking findings shed light on the racial biases permeating the professional world.Even seemingly harmless details on a resume, it appears, can tap into recruiters' biases. A job application might mention affiliations with groups such as the "Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers" or the "National Black Employees Association," the names of which apparently have consequences, and are also beyond their members' control.In one of the study's experiments, subjects were given a brief description of a man from Chicago with the last name Williams. T o one group, he was identified as "African-American," and another was told he was "Black. " With little else to go on, they were asked to estimate Mr. Williams's salary,professional standing, and educational background.The "African-American" group estimated that he earned about $ 37,000 a year and had a two-year college degree. The "Black" group, on the other hand, put his salary at about $ 29,000, and guessed that he had only "some" college experience. Nearly three-quarters of the first group guessed that Mr.Williams worked at a managerial level, while only 38.5 percent of the second group thought so.Hall's findings suggest there's an argument to be made for electing to use "African American,"though one can't help but get the sense that it's a decision that papers over the urgency of continued progress. Perhaps a new phrase is needed, one that can bring everyone one big step closer to realizing Du Bois's original, idealistic hope: "It's not the name-it's the Thing that counts. "56.Why did Jesse Jackson embrace the term "African American" for people of African descent?57. A.It is free from racial biases.B.It represents social progress.C.It is in the interest of common Americans.D.It follows the standard naming practice.57. What does the author say about the naming of an ethnic group ?A.It advances with the times.B.It is based on racial roots.C.It merits intensive study.D.It is politically sensitive.58.What do Erika Hall's findings indicate?A.Racial biases are widespread in the professional world.B.Many applicants don't attend to details on their resumes.C.Job seekers should all be careful- about their affiliations.D.Most recruiters are unable to control their racial biases.59. What does Erika Hall find in her experiment about a man with the last name Williams?A.African Americans fare better than many other ethnic groups.B.Black people's socioeconomic status in America remains low.C.People's conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.D.One's professional standing and income are related to their educational background.60. What is Dr. Du Bois's ideal?A.All Americans enjoy equal rights.B.A person is judged by their worth.C.A new term is created to address African Americans.D.All ethnic groups share the nation's continued progress.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Across the board, American colleges and universities are not doing a very good job of preparing their students for the workplace or their post-graduation lives. This was made clear by the work of two sociologists, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa.In 2011 they released a landmark study titled"Academically Adrift," which documented the lack of intellectual growth experienced by many people enrolled in college. In particular, Arum and Roksa found, college students were not developing the critical thinking, analytic reasoning and other higher-level skills that are necessary to thrive in today's knowledge-based economy and to lead our nation in a time of complex challenges and dynamic change.Arum and Roksa placed the blame for students' lack of learning on a watered-down college curriculum and lowered undergraduate work standards. Although going to college is supposed to be a Full-time job, students spent, on average, only 12 to 14 hours a week studying and many were skating through their semesters withoutdoing a significant amount of reading and writing. Students who take more challenging classes and spend more time studying do learn more. But the priorities of many undergraduates are with extracurricular activities, playing sports, and partying and socializing.Laura Hamilton, the author of a study on parents who pay for college, will argue in a forthcoming book that college administrations are overly concerned with the social and athletic activities of their students. In Paying for the Party, Hamilton describes what she calls the “arty pathway," which eases many students through college, helped-along by various clubs that send students into the party scene and a host of easier majors.By sanctioning this watered-down version of college, universities are"catering to the social and educational needs of wealthy students at the expense of others" who won't enjoy the financial backing or social connections of richer students once they graduate.These students need to build skills and knowledge during college if they are to use their degrees as a stepping-stone to middle-class mobility. But more privileged students must not waste this opportunity either. As recent graduates can testify, the job market isn't kind to candidates who can't demonstrate genuine competence, along with a well-cultivated willingness to work hard. Nor is the global economy forgiving of an American workforce with increasingly weak literacy, math and science abilities. College graduates will still fare better than those with only a high school education, of course. But a university degree unaccompanied by a gain in knowledge or skills is an empty achievement indeed. For students who have beencoasting through college, and for American universities that have been demanding less work, offering more attractions and charging higher tuition, the party may soon be over.61. What is Arum and Roksa's finding about higher education in America?A.It aims at stimulating the intellectual curiosity of college students.B.It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modern times.C.It has experienced dramatic changes in recent years.D.It has tried hard to satisfy students' various needs.62. What is responsible for the students' lack of higher-level skills?A.The diluted college curriculum.B.The boring classroom activities.C.The absence of rigorous discipline.D.The outdated educational approach.63. What does Laura Hamilton say about college administrations?A.They fail to give adequate help to the needy students.B.They tend to offer too many less challenging courses.C.They seem to be out of touch with society.D.They prioritize non-academic activities.64. What can be learned about the socially and financially privileged students?A.They tend to have a sense of superiority over their peers.B.They can afford to choose easier majors in order to enjoy themselves.C.They spend a lot of time building strong connections with businesses.。

12月英语六级听力真题及答案(2)2015年12月英语六级听力真题及答案短文Passage 1Changing technology and markets have stimulated the team approach to management。

Inflation，resource scarcity，reduced personnel levels and budget cuts have all underscore the need for better coordination in organizations。

Team management provides for this coordination。

Team management calls for new skills if personnel potential is to be fully realized。

Although a team may be composed of knowledgeable people， they must learn new ways of relating and working together to solve cross-functional problems。

When teams consist to be experienced employees from hierarchical organizations，who have been condition to traditional organizational culture。

Cooperation may not occur naturally， it mainly to be created。

Furthermore， the issue is not just how the team can function more effectively， but how it integrates with the overall organization，all society that it supposes it serves。

2015年12月六级真题答案（完整版）六级翻译中国减贫China is playing an increasingly important role in helping the international community to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030. China has lifted as many as fourhundred million people out of poverty, since the implementation of the reform andopening upin the late 1970s. In the next five years, China will provide supports toother developing countries in reducing poverty, development education, agricultural modernization, environmental protection and medical care, etc.Chinahas seen notable improvements in reducing poverty, and has madeunremitting efforts in promoting economic growth. This will encourage otherpoor countries tostrike back challenges when developing themselves. Whenpursuing the developingpath with their own characteristics , these countries can learn from China’sexperience.2答案：Recently, the Chinese government decided to upgrade its industry. China is now involved in the construction of high-speed trains, ocean-going vessels, robots, andeven aircrafts. Not long ago, China obtained the contract for construction of a high-speed rail in Indonesia. It has also signed a contract with Malaysia to providehigh-speed trains. This proves that people have faith in China-made products.China-made products are gaining popularity, for which China has paid a price. However, it does contribute to the eradication of poverty and also, in the meantime,provide employment opportunities for people around the world. This is a good deed which is commendable. You may want to take a look at the purchased goodsfor the name of the producing country next time you go to the store. Most probably the product is made in China.3In China, parents are always trying to help their children. They even help make important decisions regardless of what their children want, because they believethat it is for the good of the children. As a result, the growth and education of thechildren tend to succumb to the wishes of their parents.If the parents decide to sign up extra-curricular classes for their children in order toincrease their chances of being admitted to key schools, they would stick to theirdecisions, even if the children simply are not interested in them at all.However, in the United States, parents are likely to respect the views of the children,and pay more attention to their ideas in decision-making.It is probably commendable that Chinese parents attach great importance to education. However, when it comes to education, they should learn from Americanparents on how to balance the relationship between parents and children.六级选词填空36. E. exception37. O. worldwide38. N. transmitting39. L. shrank40. A. assumed41. F. fault42. H. notably43. I. previous44. C. desperate45. D. deterioration选词填空答案36. O) vulnerable37. J) permanent38. A) advocate39. N) tighten40. K) restricted41. E) facilities42. G) investigate43. M) statistical44. C) correlation45. D) exercise36 O vulnerable【解析】考查固定搭配be vulnerable to...易受....的影响。

2015年12月英语六级考试真题试卷（第2套）Part I Writing(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring useful information in spite of advanced information technology.You are required to write at least150words but no more than200words.Part II Listening Comprehension(25minutes)Section A注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

1.A)She is impatient to learn computer programming.B)She is unaware her operation system is outdated.C)She is unable to use the new computer program.D)She is amazed at the fast change of technology.2.A)He has long been fed up with traveling.B)He prefers to stay home for the holiday.C)He is going out of town for a couple of days.D)He is annoyed by the heavy traffic downtown.3.A)The challenges facing East Asia.B)The location for their new office.C)Their expansion into the overseas market.D)The living expenses in Tokyo and Singapore.4.A)A number of cell phones were found after the last show.B)The woman forgot where she had left her cell phone.C)The woman was very pleased to find her cell phone.D)Reserved tickets could be picked up at the ticket counter.5.A)The building materials will be delivered soon.B)The project is being held up by bad weather.C)The construction schedule may not be met.D)Qualified carpenters are not easy to find.6.A)She is getting very forgetful these days.B)She does not hold on to bitter feelings.C)She resents the way she is treated.D)She never intends to hurt anyone.7.A)The man wants to rent a small apartment.B)The woman has trouble getting a mortgage.C)The woman is moving to a foreign country.D)The man is trying to sell the woman a house.8.A)They are writing a story for the Morning News.B)They are facing great challenges to get re-elected.C)They are launching a campaign to attract women voters.D)They are conducting a survey among the women in town. Questions9to11are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A)Touch his heart.B)Make him cry.C)Remind him of his life.D)Make him feel young.10.A)He is good at singing operas.B)He enjoys complicated music.C)He can sing any song if he likes it.D)He loves country music in particular.11.A)Go to a bar and drink for hours.B)Go to an isolated place to sing blues.C)Go to see a performance in a concert hall.D)Go to work and wrap himself up in music.Questions12to15are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A)How he became an announcer.B)How he writes news stories.C)How he makes his living.D)How he does his job.13.A)They write the first version of news stories.B)They gather news stories on the spot.C)They polish incoming news stories.D)They write comments on major news stories.14.A)Reading through the news stories in a given period of time.B)Having little time to read the news before going on the air.C)Having to change the tone of his voice from time to time.D)Getting all the words and phrases pronounced correctly.15.A)It shows where advertisements come in.B)It gives a signal for him to slow down.C)It alerts him to something important.D)It serves as a reminder of sad news.Section BPassage OneQuestions16to18are based on the conversation you have just heard.16.A)It gives pleasure to both adults and children.B)It is often carried around by small children.C)It can be found in many parts of the world.D)It was invented by an American Indian.17.A)They were made for earning a living.B)They were delicate geometric figures.C)They were small circus figures made of wire.D)They were collected by a number of museums.18.A)In art.B)In geometry.C)In engineering.D)In circus performance.Passage TwoQuestions19to21are based on the passage you have just heard.19.A)They offer students a wide variety of courses.B)They attract students from all over the world.C)The admit more students than they can handle.D)They have trouble dealing with overseas students.20.A)Everyone will benefit from education sooner or later.B)A good education contributes to the prosperity of a nation.C)A good education is necessary for one to climb the social ladder.D)Everyone has a right to an education appropriate to his potential.21.A)He likes students with high motivation.B)He enjoys teaching intelligent students.C)He tailors his teaching to students'needs.D)He treats all his students in a fair manner.Passage Three Passage ThreeQuestions22to25are based on the passage you have just heard.22.A)It is mostly imported from the Middle East.B)It is a sure indicator of its economic activity.C)It has a direct impact on the international oil market.D)It equals more than30million barrels of oil each day.23.A)It eventually turns into heat.B)It is used in a variety of forms.C)Its use is chiefly responsible for air pollution.D)Part of it is lost in the process of transmission.24.A)When it is used in rural areas.B)When it is environment-friendlyC)When it operates at near capacity.D)When it operates at regular times.25.A)Traffic jams in cities.B)Inefficient use of energy.C)Fuel shortage.D)Global warming.Section CGraphics are used in textbooks as part of the language of the discipline,as in math or economics, or as study aids.Authors use graphic aids to__26__and expand on concepts taken up in the text because graphics are yet another way of portraying relationships and__27__connections. Graphics are used extensively in natural sciences and social sciences.Social scientists work with statistics__28__data,and the best way to present these statistics is often in graphic form. Graphics are included not merely as a means of making the information easier for the student to grasp,but as an integral part of the way social scientists think.Many textbooks,__29__those in economics,contain appendixes that provide specific information on reading and working with graphic material.Make it a practice to__30__attentively the titles,captions,headings,and other material connected with graphics.These elements__31__and usually explain what you are looking at. When you are examining graphics,the__32__questions to ask are(a)What is this items about? and(b)What key idea is the author__33__.One warning:Unless you integrate your reading of graphics with the text,you may make a wrong assumption.__34__,from a chart indicating that33percent of firstborn children in a research sample did not feel close to their fathers,you might assume that some dreadful influence was at work on the firstborn children.However,a careful reading of the text__35__that most of the firstborn children in the sample were from single-parent homes in which the father was absent. PartⅢReading Comprehension(40minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks.You are required to select oneword for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions36to45are based on the following passage.According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health,many everyday products, including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids,could lead to an increased risk of brain and behavioral disorders in children.The developing brain,the report says,is particularly__36__to the toxic effects of certain chemicals these products may contain,and the damage they cause can be__37__.The official policy,however,is still evolving.Health and environmental__38__have long urged US government agencies to__39__the use of some of the11chemicals the report cites and called for more studies on their long-term effects.In2001,for example,the Environmental Protection Agency__40__the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care__41__,after concerns were raised about lead poisoning.The agency is now__42__ the toxic effects of some of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high.Because children's brain and behavioral disorders,like hyperactivity and lower grades,can also be linked to social and genetic factors,it's tough to pin them on exposure to specific chemicals with solid__43__evidence,which is what the EPA requires.Even the Harvard study did not prove a direct__44__but noted strong associations between exposure and risk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless,it's smart to__45__caution.While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinking tap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals,keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayed with chemicals and freshly dry-cleaned clothes can't hurt.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

2015年6月大学英语六级考试真题（第一套）Passage OneWhen the right person is holding the right job at the right moment, that person's influence is greatly expanded. That is the position in which Janet Yellen, who is expected to be confirmed as the next chair of the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) in January, now finds herself. If you believe, as many do, that unemployment is the major economic and social concern of our day, then it is no stretch to think Yellen is the most powerful person in the world right now.Throughout the 2008 financial crisis and the recession and recovery that followed, central banks have taken on the role of stimulators of last resort, holding up the global economy with vast amounts of money in the form of asset buying. Yellen, previously a Fed vice chair, was one of the principal architects of the Fed's $3.8 trillion money dump. A star economist known for her groundbreaking work on labor markets, Yellen was a kind of prophetess early on in the crisis for her warnings about the subprime（次级债）meltdown. Now it will be her job to get the Fed and the markets out of the biggest and most unconventional monetary program in history without derailing the fragile recovery.The good news is that Yellen, 67, is particularly well suited to meet these challenges. She has a keen understanding of financial markets, an appreciation for their imperfections and a strong belief that human suffering was more related to unemployment than anything else.Some experts worry that Yellen will be inclined to chase unemployment to the neglect of inflation. But with wages still relatively flat and the economy increasingly divided between the well-off and the long-term unemployed, more people worry about the opposite, deflation（通货紧缩）that would aggravate the economy's problems.Either way, the incoming Fed chief will have to walk a fine line in slowly ending the stimulus. It must be steady enough to deflate bubbles（去泡沫）and bring markets back down to earth but not so quick that it creates another credit crisis.Unlike many past Fed leaders, Yellen is not one to buy into the finance industry's argument that it should be left alone to regulate itself. She knows all along the Fed has been too slack on regulation of finance.Yellen is likely to address the issue right after she pushes unemployment below 6%, stabilizes markets and makes sure that the recovery is more inclusive and robust. As Princeton Professor Alan Blinder says, "She's smart as a whip, deeply logical, willing to argue but also a good listener. She can persuade without creating hostility."All those traits will be useful as the global economy's new power player takes on its most annoying problems.56. What do many people think is the biggest problem facing Janet Yellen?A) Lack of money. B) Subprime crisis. C) Unemployment. D) Social instability.57. What did Yellen help the Fed do to tackle the 2008 financial crisis?A) Take effective measures to curb inflation. B) Deflate the bubbles in the American economy.C) Formulate policies to help financial institutions. D) Pour money into the market through asset buying.58. What is a greater concern of the general public?A) Recession. B) Deflation. C) Inequality. D) Income.59. What is Yellen likely to do in her position as the Fed chief?A) Develop a new monetary program. B) Restore public confidence.C) Tighten financial regulation. D) Reform the credit system.60. How does Alan Blinder portray Yellen?A) She possesses strong persuasive power. C) She is one of the world's greatest economists.B) She has confidence in what she is doing. D) She is the most powerful Fed chief in history.Passage TwoAir pollution is deteriorating in many places around the world. The fact that public parks in cities become crowded as soon as the sun shines proves that people long to breathe in green, open spaces. They do not all know what they are seeking but they flock there, nevertheless. And, in these surroundings, they are generally both peaceful and peaceable. It is rare to see people fighting in a garden. Perhaps struggle unfolds first, not at an economic or social level, but over the appropriation of air, essential to life itself. If human beings can breathe and share air, they don't need to struggle with one another.Unfortunately, in our western tradition, neither materialist nor idealist theoreticians give enough consideration to this basic condition for life. As for politicians, despite proposing curbs on environmental pollution, they have not yet called for it to be made a crime. Wealthy countries are even allowed to pollute if they pay for it.But is our life worth anything other than money? The plant world shows us in silence what faithfulness to life consists of. It also helps us to a new beginning, urging us to care for our breath, not only at a vital but also at a spiritual level. The interdependence to which we must pay the closest attention is that which exists between ourselves and the plant world. Often described as "the lungs of the planet", the woods that cover the earth offer us the gift of breathable air by releasing oxygen. But their capacity to renew the air polluted by industry has long reached its limit. If we lack the air necessary for a healthy life, it is because we have filled it with chemicals and undercut the ability of plants to regenerate it. As we know, rapid deforestation combined with the massive burning of fossil fuels is an explosive recipe for an irreversible disaster.The fight over the appropriation of resources will lead the entire planet to hell unless humans learn to share life, both with each other and with plants. This task is simultaneously ethical and political because it can be discharged only when each takes it upon herself or himself and only when it is accomplished together with others. The lesson taught by plants is that sharing life expands and enhances the sphere of the living, while dividing life into so-called natural or human resources diminishes it. We must come to view the air, the plants and ourselves as the contributors to the preservation of life and growth, rather than a web of quantifiable objects or productive potentialities at our disposal. Perhaps then we would finally begin to live, rather than being concerned with bare survival.61. What does the author assume might be the primary reason that people would struggle with each other?A) To get their share of clean air. B) To pursue a comfortable life.C) To gain a higher social status. D) To seek economic benefits.62. What does the author accuse western politicians of?A) Depriving common people of the right to clean air.B) Giving priority to theory rather than practical action.C) Offering preferential treatment to wealthy countries.D) Failing to pass laws to curb environmental pollution.63. What does the author try to draw our closest attention to?A) The massive burning of fossil fuels. B) Our relationship to the plant world.C) The capacity of plants to renew polluted air.D) Large-scale deforestation across the world.64. How can human beings accomplish the goal of protecting the planet according to the author?A) By showing respect for plants. B) By preserving all forms of life.C) By tapping all natural resources. D) By pooling their efforts together.65. What does the author suggest we do in order not just to survive?A) Expand the sphere of living. B) Develop nature's potentials.C) Share life with nature. D) Allocate the resources.答案解析56．【定位】NN-P0的many people和the biggest『c)[解析l细节辨认题。

2015年12月大学英语六级真题及详解（第二套）Part I Writing(30minutes)Directions:For this part,you are allowed30minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring usefulinformation in spite of advanced information technology.You’re requiredto write at least150words but no more than200words.【审题构思】本文为图画作文，写作前需要观察图片，分析所给信息，从而确定论点。

图画中一群人在会议室讨论问题，其中一位抱怨道“我们信息技术发达，然而却没有多少有用的信息”。

由此可以推断，本文需要论证“信息技术”和“信息”的关系。

写作时，首先，应阐明论点，即“信息时代难以获取信息”；然后，应分析“难以获取信息”的原因；最后可就“如何更好获取信息”提出简单建议。

【参考范文】Useful Information Is Hard to Get(1)As depicted in the picture above,several staff are having a meeting in the meeting room while one of them complained,“We have lots of information technology.We just don’t have much useful Information.”(2)What the picture sets out to express is that even though we are accessible to and are armed with advanced devices and information technology,it’s difficult for us to obtain relevant useful information needed.(3)This phenomenon can be attributed to(4)a multitude of reasons.In the first place,as we become increasingly dependent on a variety of advanced devices,there is a sea of information ahead of us.Nevertheless,when we’re faced with so much information,it’s beyond our ability to distinguish the useful information from the useless one.(5)Moreover,that perfect network management regulations still has a long way to go is a fact that cannot be ignored,which makes it easier for us to feel at a loss in front of so much information.(6)As far as I’m concerned,as we are now living in the new era of information, neither can we say no to information technology,nor we can deny the benefits it has brought us.(7)Frankly,it’s high time we shifted our attention from obtaining more information to discriminating information.(8)Only in this way can we acquire needed information more efficiently and more effectively.【行文点评】(1)第一段描述图片，然后引出话题。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第2套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring useful information in spite of advanced information technology. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words．___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)听力音频地址：Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C.and D., and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.1. A.She is impatient to learn computer programming.B.She is unaware her operation system is outdated.C.She is unable to use the new computer program.D. She is amazed at the fast change of technology.2.A.He has long been fed up with traveling.B.He prefers to stay home for the holiday.C.He is going out of town for a couple of days.D. He is annoyed by the heavy traffic downtown.3.A.The challenges facing East Asia.B.The location for their new office.C.Their expansion into the overseas marketD. The living expenses in Tokyo and Singapore.4. A.A number of cell phones were found after the last show.B.The woman forgot where she had left her cell phone.C.The woman was very pleased to find her cell phone.D. Reserved tickets could be picked up at the ticket counter.5.A.The building materials will be delivered soon.B.The project is being held up by bad weather.C.The construction schedule may not be met.D. Qualified carpenters are not easy to find.6.A.She is getting very forgetful these days.B.She does not hold on to bitter feelings.C.She resents the way she is treated.D. She never intends to hurt anyone.7.A.The man wants to rent a small apartment.B.The woman has trouble getting a mortgage.C.The woman is moving to a foreign country.D.The man is trying to sell the woman a house.8. A.They are writing a story for the Morning News.B.They are facing great challenges to get re-elected.C.They are launching a campaign to attract women voters.D.They are conducting a survey among the women in town.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A.Touch his heart.B.Make him cry.C.Remind him of his life.D.Make him feel young.10. A.He is good at singing operas.B.He enjoys complicated music:C.He can sing any song if he likes it.D.He loves country music in particular.11.A.Go to a bar and drink for hours.B.Go to an isolated place to sing blues.C.Go to see a performance in a concert hall.D.Go to work and wrap himself up in music.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A.How he became an announcer.B.How he writes news stories.C.How he makes his living.D.How he does his job.13.A.They write the first version of news stories.B.They gather news stories on the spot.C.They polish incoming news stories.D.They write comments on major news stories.14. A.Reading through the news stories in a given period of time.B.Having little time to read the news before going on the air.C.Having to change the tone of his voice from time to time.D.Getting all the words and phrases pronounced correctly.15.A.It shows where advertisements come in.B.It gives a signal for him to slow down.C.It alerts him to something important.D.It serves as a reminder of sad news.Section BDirections : In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choicesmarked A), B),C).and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A.It gives pleasure to both adults and children.B.It is often carried around by small children.C.It can be found in many parts of the world.D.It was invented by an American Indian.17. A.They were made for earning a living.B.They were delicate geometric figures.C.They were small circus figures made of wire.D.They were collected by a number of museums.18.A.In art.B.In geometry.C.In engineering.D.In circus performance.Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A.They offer students a wide variety of courses.B.They attract students from all over the world.C.They admit more students than they can handle.D.They have trouble dealing with overseas students.20. A.Everyone will benefit from education sooner or later.B.A good education contributes to the prosperity of a nation.C.A good education is necessary for one to climb the social ladder.D.Everyone has a right to an education appropriate to his potential.21. A.He likes students with high motivation.B.He enjoys teaching intelligent students.C.He tailors his teaching to students' needs.D.He treats all his students in a fair manner.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A.It is mostly imported from the Middle East.B.It is a sure indicator of its economic activity.C.It has a direct impact on the international oil market.D.It equals more than 30 million barrels of oil each day.23. A.It eventually turns into heat.B.It is used in a variety of forms.C.Its use is chiefly responsible for air pollution.D.Part of it is lost in the process of transmission.24.A.When it is used in rural areas.B.When it is environment-friendly.C.When it operates at near capacity.D.When it operates at regular times.25.A.Traffic jams in cities.B.Inefficient use of energy.C.Fuel shortage.D.Global warming.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks with the exact words you have just heard. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Graphics are used in textbooks as part of the language of the discipline, as in math or economics, or as study aids. Authors use graphic aids to 26 and expand on concepts taken up in the text because graphics are yet another way of portraying relationships and 27 connections.Graphics are used extensively in natural sciences and social sciences. Social scientists work with statistics 28 data, and the best way to present these statistics is often in graphic form. Graphics are included- not merely as a means of making the information easier for the student to grasp, but as an integral part of the way social scientists think. Many textbooks, 29 those in economics, containappendixes that provide specific information on reading and working with graphic material.Make it a practice to 30 attentively the titles, captions, headings, and other material connected with graphics. These elements 31 and usually explain what you are looking at. When you are examining graphics, the 32 questions to ask are (a.)What is this item about? and (b.)Whatkey idea is the author 33 ?One warning: Unless you integrate your reading of graphics with the text, you may make a wrong assumption. 34 , from a chart indicating that 33 percent of firstborn children in a research sample did not feel close to their fathers, you might assume that some dreadful influence was at work on the firstborn children. However, a careful reading of the text 35 that most of the firstborn children in the sample were from single-parent homes in which the father was absent.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, many everyday products, including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids, could lead to an increased risk of brainand behavioral disorders in children. The developing brain, the report says, is particularly 36 to the toxic effects of certain chemicals these products may contain, and the damage they cause can be 37 .The official policy, however, is still evolving. Health and environmental 38 have long urged U.S. government agencies to 39 the use of some of the 11 chemicals the report cites and called for more studies on their long-term effects. In 2001, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency 40 the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care 41, after concerns were raised about lead poisoning. The agency is now 42 the toxic effects of some of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high. Because children's brain and behavioral disorders, like hyperactivity and lower grades, can also be linked to social and genetic factors, it's tough to pin them on exposure to specific chemicals with solid 43 evidence, which is what the EPA requires. Even the Harvard study did not prove a direct 44 but noted strong associations between exposure and risk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless, it's smart to 45 caution. While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinking tap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals, keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayed with chemicals and freshly dry-cleaned clothes can't hurt.A.advocatespactC.correlationD.exerciseE. facilitiesF. interactionG. investigatingH. overwhelmedI. particlesJ. permanentK. restrictedL. simulatingM. statisticalN. tightenO. vulnerableSection BDirections : In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter.Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Impossibility of Rapid Energy Transitions[ A ] Politicians are fond of promising rapid energy transitions. Whether it is a transition from imported to domestic oil or from coal-powered electricity production to natural-gas power plants, politicians love to talk big. Unfortunately for them (and often the taxpayers), our energy systems are a bit like an aircraft carrier: they areunbelievably expensive, they are built to last for a very long time, they have a huge amount of inertia ( meaning it takes a lot of energy to set them moving ), and they have a lot of momentum once they are set in motion. No matter how hard you try, you can't turn something that large on a dime ( 10美分硬币 ), or even a few thousand dimes. [ B ] In physics, moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding the dynamics of energy systems: inertia and momentum. Inertia is the resistance of objects to efforts to change their state of motion. If you try to push a boulder ( 大圆石 ), it pushes you back. Once you have started the boulder rolling, it develops momentum, which is defined by its mass and velocity.Momentum is said to be "conserved," that is, once you build it up, it has to go somewhere. So a heavy object, like a football player moving at a high speed, has a lot of momentum-that is, once he is moving, it is hard to change his state of motion. If you want to change his course, you have only a few choices: you can stop him, transferring ( possibly painfully) some of his kinetic energy (动能) to your own body, or you can approach alongside and slowly apply pressure to gradually alter his course.[ C ] But there are other kinds of momentum as well. After all, we don't speak only of objects or people as having momentum; we speak of entire systems having momentum. Whether it's a sports team or a presidential campaign, everybody relishes having the big momentum, because it makes them harder to stop or change direction.[ D ] One kind of momentum is technological momentum. When a technology is deployed, its impacts reach far beyond itself. Consider the incandescent (白炽灯的) bulb, an object currently hated by many environmentalists and energy-efficiency advocates. The incandescent light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, which came to be the symbol of inspiration, has been developed into hundreds, if not thousands, of forms. Today, a visit to a lighting store reveals a stunning array of choices. There are standard-shaped bulbs, flame-shaped bulbs, colored globe-shaped bulbs, and more. It is quite easy, with all that choice, to change a light bulb.[ E ] But the momentum of incandescent lighting does not stop there. All of those specialized bulbs ledto the building of specialized light fixtures, from the desk lamp you study by, to the ugly but beloved hand-painted Chinese lamp you inherited from your grandmother, to the ceiling fixture in your closet, to the light in your oven or refrigerator, and to the light that the dentist points at you. It is easy to change a light bulb, sure, but it is harder to change the bulb and its fixture.[ F ] And there is more to the story, because not only are the devices that house incandescent bulbs shaped to their underlying characteristics, but rooms and entire buildings have been designed in accordance with how incandescent lighting reflects off walls and windows.[ G ] As lighting expert Howard Brandston points out, “ Generally, there are no bad light sources, only bad applications. " There are some very commendable characteristics of the CFL [ compact fluorescent (荧光的) light bulb ], yet the selection of any light source remains inseparable from the luminaire (照明装置 ) that houses it, along with the space in which both are installed, and lighting requirements that need to be satisfied. The lamp, the fixture, and the room, all three must work in concert for the true benefits of end-users. If the CFL should be used for lighting a particular space, or an objectwithin that space, the fixture must be designed to work with that lamp, and that fixture with the room. It is a symbiotic (共生的 ) relationship. A CFL cannot be simply installed in an incandescent fixture and then expected to produce a visual appearance that is more than washed out, foggy, and dim. The whole fixture must be replaced-light source and luminaire-and this is never an inexpensive proposition.[ H ] And Brandston knows a thing or two about lighting, being the man who illuminated the Statue of Liberty.[ I ]Another type of momentum we have to think about when planning for changes in our energy systems is labor-pool momentum. It is one thing to say that we are going to shift 30 percent of our electricity supply from, say, coal to nuclear power in 20 years. But it is another thing to have a supply of trained talent that could let you carry out this promise. That is because the engineers,designers, regulators, operators, and all of the other skilled people needed for the new energy industry are specialists who have to be trained first ( or retrained, if they are the ones being laid off in some related industry), and education, like any other complicated endeavor, takes time.And not only do our prospective new energy workers have to be trained, they have to be trained in the right sequence. One needs the designers, and perhaps the regulators, before the builders and operators, and each group of workers in training has to know there is work waiting beyond graduation. In some cases, colleges and universities might have to change their training programs,adding another layer of difficulty.[ J ] By far the biggest type of momentum that comes into play when it comes to changing our energy systems is economic momentum. The major components of our energy systems, such as fuel production, refining, electrical generation and distribution, are costly installations that have lengthy life spans. They have to operate for long periods of time before the costs of development have been recovered. When investors put up money to build, say, a nuclear power plant, they expect to earn that money back over the planned life of the plant, which is typically between 40and 60 years. Some coal power plants in the United States have operated for more than 70 years!The oldest continuously operated commercial hydro-electric plant in the United States is on New York's Hudson River, and it went into commercial service in 1898.[ K ] As Vaclav Smil points out, "All the forecasts, plans, and anticipations cited above have failed so miserably because their authors and promoters thought the transitions they hoped to implement would proceed unlike all previous energy transitions, and that their progress could be accelerated in an unprecedented manner. "[ L ] When you hear people speaking of making a rapid transition toward any type of energy, whether it is a switch from coal to nuclear power, or a switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric cars, or even a switch.from an incandescent to a fluorescent light, understanding energy system inertia and momentum can help you decide whether their plans are feasible.46. Not only moving objects and people but all systems have momentum.47. Changing the current energy system requires the systematic training of professionals and skilled labor.48. Changing a light bulb is easier than changing the fixture housing it.49. Efforts to accelerate the current energy transitions didn't succeed as expected.50. To change the light source is costly because you have to change the whole fixture.51. Energy systems, like an aircraft carrier set in motion, have huge momentum.52. The problem with lighting, if it arises, often doesn't lie in light sources but in their applications.53. The biggest obstacle to energy transition is that the present energy system is too expensive to replace.54. The application of a technology can impact areas beyond itself.55. Physical characteristics of moving objects help explain the dynamics of energy systems.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C),and D ). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.One hundred years ago, "Colored" was the typical way of referring to Americans of African descent. Twenty years later, it was purposefully dropped to make way for "Negro. " By the late 1960s,that term was overtaken by "Black. " And then, at a press conference in Chicago in 1988, Jesse Jackson declared that "African American" was the term to embrace. This one was chosen because it echoed the labels of groups, such as "Italian Americans" and "Irish Americans," that had already beenfreed of widespread discrimination.A century's worth of calculated name changes point to the fact that naming any group is a politically freighted exercise. A 2001 study cataloged all the ways in which the term "Black" carried connotations (涵义) that were more negative than those of "African American. "But if it was known that "Black" people were viewed differently from "African Americans,"researchers, until now, hadn't identified what that gap in perception was derived from. A recent study, conducted by Emory University's Erika Hall, found that "Black" people are viewed more negatively.than "African Americans" because of a perceived difference in socioeconomic status. As a result,"Black" people are thought of as less competent and as having colder personalities.The study's most striking findings shed light on the racial biases permeating the professional world.Even seemingly harmless details on a resume, it appears, can tap into recruiters' biases. A job application might mention affiliations with groups such as the "Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers" or the "National Black Employees Association," the names of which apparently have consequences, and are also beyond their members' control.In one of the study's experiments, subjects were given a brief description of a man from Chicago with the last name Williams. To one group, he was identified as "African-American," and another was told he was "Black. " With little else to go on,they were asked to estimate Mr. Williams's salary,professional standing, and educational background.The "African-American" group estimated that he earned about $ 37,000 a year and had a two-year college degree. The "Black" group, on the other hand, put his salary at about $ 29,000, and guessed that he had only "some" college experience. Nearly three-quarters of the first group guessed that Mr.Williams worked at a managerial level, while only 38.5 percent of the second group thought so.Hall's findings suggest there's an argument to be made for electing to use "African American,"though one can't help but get the sense that it's a decision that papers over the urgency of continued progress. Perhaps a new phrase is needed, one that can bring everyone one big step closer to realizing Du Bois's original, idealistic hope: "It's not the name-it's the Thing that counts. "56.Why did Jesse Jackson embrace the term "African American" for people of African descent?57. A.It is free from racial biases.B.It represents social progress.C.It is in the interest of common Americans.D.It follows the standard naming practice.57. What does the author say about the naming of an ethnic group ?A.It advances with the times.B.It is based on racial roots.C.It merits intensive study.D.It is politically sensitive.58.What do Erika Hall's findings indicate?A.Racial biases are widespread in the professional world.B.Many applicants don't attend to details on their resumes.C.Job seekers should all be careful- about their affiliations.D.Most recruiters are unable to control their racial biases.59. What does Erika Hall find in her experiment about a man with the last name Williams?A.African Americans fare better than many other ethnic groups.B.Black people's socioeconomic status in America remains low.C.People's conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.D.One's professional standing and income are related to their educational background.60. What is Dr. Du Bois's ideal?A.All Americans enjoy equal rights.B.A person is judged by their worth.C.A new term is created to address African Americans.D.All ethnic groups share the nation's continued progress.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Across the board, American colleges and universities are not doing a very good job of preparing their students for the workplace or their post-graduation lives. This was made clear by the work of two sociologists, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa.In 2011 they released a landmark study titled"Academically Adrift," which documented the lack of intellectualgrowth experienced by many people enrolled in college. In particular, Arum and Roksa found, college students were not developing the critical thinking, analytic reasoning and other higher-level skills that are necessary to thrive in today's knowledge-based economy and to lead our nation in a time of complex challenges and dynamic change. Arum and Roksa placed the blame for students' lack of learning on a watered-down college curriculum and lowered undergraduate work standards. Although going to college is supposed to be a Full-time job, students spent, on average, only 12 to 14 hours a week studying and many were skating through their semesters without doing a significant amount of reading and writing. Students who take more challenging classes and spend more time studying do learn more. But the priorities of many undergraduates are with extracurricular activities, playing sports, and partying and socializing.Laura Hamilton, the author of a study on parents who pay for college, will argue in a forthcoming book that college administrations are overly concerned with the social and athletic activities of their students. In Paying for the Party, Hamilton describes what she calls the “arty pathway," which eases many students through college, helped-along by various clubs that send students into the party scene and a host of easier majors.By sanctioning this watered-down version of college, universities are"catering to the social and educational needs of wealthy students at the expense of others" who won't enjoy the financial backing or social connections of richer students once they graduate.These students need to build skills and knowledge during college if they are to use their degrees as a stepping-stone to middle-class mobility. But more privileged students must not waste this opportunity either. As recent graduates can testify, the job market isn't kind to candidates who can't demonstrate genuine competence, along with awell-cultivated willingness to work hard. Nor is the global economy forgiving of an American workforce with increasingly weak literacy, math and science abilities. College graduates will still fare better than those with only a high school education, of course. But a university degree unaccompanied by a gain in knowledge or skills is an empty achievement indeed. For students who have been coasting through college, and for American universities that have been demanding less work, offering more attractions and charging higher tuition, the party may soon be over.61. What is Arum and Roksa's finding about higher education in America?A.It aims at stimulating the intellectual curiosity of college students.B.It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modern times.C.It has experienced dramatic changes in recent years.D.It has tried hard to satisfy students' various needs.62. What is responsible for the students' lack of higher-level skills?A.The diluted college curriculum.B.The boring classroom activities.C.The absence of rigorous discipline.D.The outdated educational approach.63. What does Laura Hamilton say about college administrations?A.They fail to give adequate help to the needy students.B.They tend to offer too many less challenging courses.。

2015年12月六级真题第二套（听力lecture 为模拟）ListeningLong Conversation One9. A. Touch his heart. B. Make him cry. C. Remind him of his life. D. Make him feel young.10. A. He is good at singing operas. B. He enjoys complicated music.C. He can sing any song if he likes it.D. He loves country music in particular.11. A. Go to a bar and drink for hours. B. Go to an isolated place to sing blues.C. Go to see a performance in a concert hall.D. Go to work and wrap himself up in music.Long Conversation Two12. A. How he became an announcer. B. How he writes news stories.C. How he makes his living.D. How he does his job.13. A. They write the first version of news stories. B. They gather news stories on the spot.C. They polish incoming news stories.D. They write comments on major news stories.14. A. Reading through the news stories in a given period of time.B. Having little time to read the news before going on the air.C. Having to change the tone of his voice from time to time.D. Getting all the words and phrases pronounced correctly.15. A. It shows where advertisements come in. B. It gives a signal for him to slow down.C. It alerts him to something important.D. It serves as a reminder of sad news.Passage One16. A. It gives pleasure to both adults and children. B. It is often carried around by small children.C. It can be found in many parts of the world.D. It was invented by an American Indian.17. A. They were made for earning a living. B. They were delicate geometric figures.C. They were small circus figures made of wire.D. They were collected by a number of museums.18. A. In art. B. In geometry. C. In engineering. D) I n circus performance. Passage Two19. A. They offer students a wide variety of courses. B. They attract students from all over the world.C. They admit more students than they can handle.D. They have trouble dealing with overseas students.20. A. Everyone will benefit from education sooner or later.B. A good education contributes to the prosperity of a nation.C. A good education is necessary for one to climb the social ladder.D. Everyone has a right to an education appropriate to his potential.21. A) He likes students with high motivation. B. He enjoys teaching intelligent students.C) He tailors his teaching to students’ needs. D. He treats all his students in a fair manner.Passage Three22. A. It is mostly imported from the Middle East. B. It is a sure indicator of its economic activity.C. It has a direct impact on the international oil market.D. It equals more than 30 million barrels of oil each day.23. A. It eventually turns into heat. B. It is used in a variety of forms.C. Its use is chiefly responsible for air pollution.D. Part of it is lost in the process of transmission.24. A. When it is used in rural areas. B. When it is environment-friendlyC. When it operates at near capacity.D. When it operates at regular times.25. A. Traffic jams in cities. B. Inefficient use of energy. C. fuel shortage. D. Global warming. Test 2Now listen to the following recording and answer questions 16 to 19.16. A) It is caused by stress from work or study. C) It results in some strange diseases nowadays.B) It has a great impact on people’s life. D) It gives people lots of trouble at work.17. A) Talk about it. B) Immerse ourselves in it. C) Ignore it. D) Shut it down.18. A) To release the negative emotion. C) To feel more comfortable.B) To relax ourselves. D) To have a short break.19. A) Looking down upon it. C) Giving it space and attention.B) Doing something else. D) Getting some amusement.Now listen to the following recording and answer questions 20 to 22.20. A) It is more dangerous. B) It is much easier to do.C) It is hard to find a proper place for it. D) It takes much shorter time to get pleasure.21. A) Because people want to get away from modern life. B) Because people have more free time.C) Because people like adventures. D) Because people are not quite pleased with modern life.22. A) People are becoming crazy.B) Some kinds of dangerous sports are not popular as before.C) The reason why people nowadays take part in some dangerous sports.D) Bungee jumping is different from other dangerous sports.Now listen to the following recording and answer questions 23 to 25.23. A) Because they wanted to record the animals they caught.B) Because they wanted to make stories about animal-hunting.C) Because the painters wanted to show imagination.D) Because the pictures were thought to be helpful.24. A) Writing. B) Religious symbols. C) Entertaining. D) Curse.25. A) South Africa. B) Egypt. C) Australia. D) The East.三、ReadingAccording to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, many everyday products, including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids, could lead to an increased risk of brain and behavioral disorders in children. The developing brain, the report says, is particularly __36__ to the toxic effects of certain chemicals these products may contain, and the damage they cause can be __37__.The official policy, however, is still evolving. Health and environmental __38__ have long urged U. S. government agencies to __39__ the use of some of the 11 chemicals the report cites and called for more studies on their long-term effects. In 2001, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency __40__ the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care __41__, after concerns were raised about lead poisoning. The agency is now __42__ the toxic effects of some of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high. Because children’s brain and behavioral disorders, like hyperactivity and lower grades, can also be linked to social and genetic factors, it’s tough to pin them on exposure to specific chemicals with solid __43__ evidence, which is what the EPA requires. Even the Harvard study did not prove a direct __44__ but noted strong associations between exposure and risk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless, it’s smart to __45__ caution. While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinking tap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals, keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayed with chemicals and freshly dry-cleanedThe Impossibility of Rapid Energy TransitionA) Politicians are fond of promising rapid energy transitions. Whether it is a transition from imported to domestic oil or from coal-powered electricity production to natural-gas power plants. Unfortunately for them, our energy systems are a bit like an aircraft carrier: they are unbelievably expensive, they are built to last for a very long time, and they have a lot of momentum once they are set in motion. No matter how hard you try, you can’t turn something that large on a dime, or even a few thousand dim es.B) In physics, moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding the dynamics of energy systems: inertia and momentum. Inertia is the resistance of objects to efforts to change their state of motion. If you try to push a boulder, it pushes you back. Once you have started the boulder rolling, it develops momentum, which is defined by its mass and velocity. Momentum is said to be “conserved,” that is, once you build it up, it has to go somewhere.C) But there are other kinds of momentum as well. After all, we don’t speak only of objects or people as having momentum; we speak of entire systems havin g momentum. Whether it’s a sports team or a presidential campaign, everybody relishes having the big momentum, because it makes them harder to stop or change direction.D) One kind of momentum is technological momentum. When a technology is deployed, its impacts reach far beyond itself. Consider the incandescent (白炽灯) bulb, an object currently hated by many environmentalists and energy-efficiency advocates. The incandescent light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, which came to be the symbol of inspiration, has been developed into hundreds, if not thousands, of forms. Today, a visit to a lighting store reveals a stunning array of choices. There are standard-shaped bulbs, flame-shaped bulbs, colored globe-shaped bulbs, and more. It is quite easy, with all that choice, to change a light bulb.E) But the momentum of incandescent lighting does not stop there. All of those specialized bulbs led to the building of specialized light fixtures, from the desk lamp you study by, to the ugly but beloved hand-painted Chinese lamp you inherited from your grandmother, to the ceiling fixture in your closet, to the light in your oven or refrigerator, and to the light that the dentist points at you. It is easy to change a light bulb, sure, but it is harder to change the bulb and its fixture.F) And there is more to the story, because not only are the devices that house incandescent bulbs shaped to their underlying characteristics, but rooms and entire buildings have been designed in accordance with how Incandescent lighting reflects off walls and windows.G) As lighting expert Howard Brandston points out, “Generally, there are no bad light sources, only bad applications. ” There ar e some very commendable characteristics of the CFL [compact fluorescent (荧光的) light bulb], yet the selection of any light source remains inseparable from the luminaire (照明装置) that, houses it, along with the space in which both are installed, and lightingrequirements that need to be satisfied. The lamp, the fixture, and the room, all three must work in concert for the true benefits of end-users. If the CFL should be used for lighting a particular space, or an object within that space, the fixture must be designed to work with that lamp, and that fixture with the room. It is a symbiotic (共生的) relationship. A CFL cannot be simply installed in an incandescent fixture and then expected to produce a visual appearance that is more than washed out, foggy, and dim. The whole fixture must be replaced—light source and luminaire—and this is never an inexpensive proposition.H) Another type of momentum we have to think about when planning for changes in our energy systems is labor-pool momentum. It is one thing to say that we are going to shift 30 percent of our electricity supply from, say, coal to nuclear power in 20 years. But it is another thing to have a supply of trained talent that could let you carry out this promise. That is because the engineers, designers, regulators, operators, and all of the other skilled people needed for the new energy industry are specialists who have to be trained first (or retrained, if they are the ones being laid off in some related industry), and education, like any other complicated endeavor, takes time. And not only do our prospective new energy workers have to be trained, they have to be trained in the right sequence. One needs the designers, and perhaps the regulators, before the builders and operators, and each group of workers in training has to know there is work waiting beyond graduation. In some cases, colleges and universities might have to change their training programs, adding another layer of difficulty.I) By far the biggest type of momentum that comes into play when it comes to changing our energy systems is economic momentum. The major components of our energy systems, such as fuel production, refining, electrical generation and distribution, are costly installations that have lengthy life spans. They have to operate for long periods of time before the costs of development have been recovered. When investors put up money to build, say, a nuclear power plant, they expect to earn that money back over the planned life of the plant., which is typically between 40 and 60 years. Some coal power plants in the United States have operated for more than 70 years t The oldest continuously operated commercial hydro-electric plant in the United States is on New York’s Hudson River, and it went into commercial service in 1898.J) As Vaclav Smil points out, “All the forecasts, plans, and anticipations cited above have failed so miserably because their authors and promoters thought the transitions they hoped to implement would proceed unlike all previous energy transitions, and that their progress could be accelerated in an unprecedented manner. ”K) When you hear people speaking of making a rapid transition toward any type of energy, whether it is a switch from coal to nuclear power, or a switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric cars, or even a switch from an incandescent to a fluorescent light, understanding energy system inertia and momentum can help you decide whether their plans are feasible.46.Not only moving objects and people but all systems have momentum.47.Changing the current energy system requires the systematic training of professionals and skilled labor.48.Changing a light bulb is easier than changing the fixture housing it.49.Efforts to accelerate the current energy transitions didn’t succeed as expected.50.To change the light source is costly because you have to change the whole fixture.51.Energy systems, like an aircraft carrier set in motion, have huge momentum.52.The problem with lighting, if it arises, often doesn’t lie in light sources but in their applications.53.The biggest obstacle to energy transition is that the present energy system is too expensive to replace.54.The application of a technology can impact areas beyond itself.55.Physical characteristics of moving objects help explain the dynamics of energy systems.Passage OneOne hundred years ago, “Colored” was the typical way of referring to Americans of African descent. Twenty y ears later, it was purposefully dropped to make way for “Negro.”By the late 1960s, that term was overtaken by “Black.” And then, at a press conference in Chicago in 1988, Jesse Jackson declared that “African American” was the term to embrace. This one was chosen because it echoed the labels of groups, such as “Italian Americans” and “Irish Americans,” that had already been freed of widespread discrimination.A century’s worth of calculated name changes point to the fact that naming any group is a political ly freighted exercise. A 2001 study cataloged all the ways in which the term “Black” carried connotations (涵义) that were more negative than those of “African American.”But if it was known that “Black” people were viewed differently from “African Americans,” researchers, until now, hadn’t identified what that gap in perception was derived from. A recent study, conducted by Emory University’s Erika Hall, found that “Black” people are viewed more negatively than “African Americans” because of a perceived difference in socioeconomic status. As a result, “Black” people are thought of as less competent and as having colder personalities.The stu dy’s most Striking findings shed light on the racial biases permeating the professional world. Even seemingly harmless details on a resume, it appears, can tap into recruiters’ biases. A job application might mention affiliatio ns with groups such as the “ Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers” or the “National Black Employees Association," the names of which apparently have consequences, and are also beyond their members’ control.In one of the study’s experiments, s ubjects were given a brief description of a man from Chicago with the last name Williams. To one group, he was identified as “African-American," and another was told he was “Black. ” With little else to goon, they were asked to estimate Mr. Williams’s sal ary, professional standing, and educational background.The “African-American” group estimated t hat he earned about $ 37,000 a year and had a two-year college degree. The “Black group, on the other hand, put his salary at about $ 29,000, and guessed that he had only “some” college experience. Nearly three-quarters of the first group guessed that Mr. Williams worked at a managerial level, while only 38. 5 percent of the second group thought so.Hall’s findings suggest there’s an argument to be made for elect ing to use “African American, ” though one can’t help but get, the sense that it’s a decision that papers over the urgency of continued progress. Perhaps a new phrase is needed, one t hat can bring everyone one big step closer to realizing Du Bois’s origina l, idealistic hope;“It’s not the name—it’s the Thing that counts. ”56. Why did Jesse Jackson embrace the term “African American” for people of African descent?A. It is free from racial biases.B. It represents social progress.C. It is in the interest of common Americans.D. It follows the standard naming practice.57. What does the author say about the naming of an ethnic group?A. It advances with the times.B. It is based on racial roots.C. It merits intensive study.D. It is politically sensitive.58. What do Erika Hall’s findings indicate?A. Racial biases are widespread in the professional world.B. Many applicants don’t attend to details on their resumes.C. Job seekers should all be careful about their affiliations.D. Most recruiters are unable to control their racial biases.59. What does Erika Hall find in her experiment about a man with the last name Williams?A. African Americans fare better than many other ethnic groups.B. Black people’s socioeconomic status in Ame rica remains low.C. People’s conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.D. One’s professional standing and income are related to their educational background.60. What is Dr. Du Bois’s ideal?A. All Americans enjoy equal rights.B. A person is judged by their worth.C. A new term is created to address African Americans.D. All ethnic groups share the nation’s continued progress. Passage TwoAcross the board, American colleges and universities are not doing a very good job of preparing their students for the workplace or their post-graduation lives. This was made clear by the work of two sociologists, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa. In 2011 they released a landmark study titled “Academically Adrift,” which documented the la ck of intellectual growth experienced by many people enrolled in college. In particular, Arum and Roksa found, college students were not developing the critical thinking, analytic reasoning and other higher-level skills that are necessary to thrive in toda y’s knowledge-based economy and to lead our nation in a time of complex challenges and dynamic change.Arum and Roksa placed the blame for students’ lack of learning on a watered-down college curriculum and lowered undergraduate work standards. Although going to college is supposed to be a full-time job, students spent, on average, only 12 to 14 hours a week studying and many were skating through their semesters without doing a significant amount of reading and writing. Students who take more challenging classes and spend more time studying do learn more. But the priorities of many undergraduates are with extracurricular activities, playing sports, and partying and socializing.Laura Hamilton, the author of a study on parents who pay for college, will argue in a forthcoming book that college administrations are overly concerned with the social and athletic activities of their students. In Paying for the Party, Hamilton describes what she calls the “party pathway,” which eases many students through college, he lped along by various clubs that send students into the party scene and a host of easier majors. By sanctioning this watered-down version of college, universities are “catering to the social and educational needs of wealthy students at the expense of others” who won’t enjoy the financial backing or social connections of richer students once they graduate.These students need to build skills and knowledge during college if they are to use their degrees as a stepping-stone to middle-class mobility. But more privileged students must not waste this opportunity either. As recent graduates can testify, the job market isn’t kind to candidates who can’t demonstrate genuine competence, along with a well-cultivated willingness to work hard. Nor is the global economy forgiving of an American workforce with increasingly weak literacy, math and science abilities. College graduates will still fare better than those with only a high school education, of course. But a university degree unaccompanied by a gain in knowledge or skills is an empty achievement indeed. For students who have been coasting through college, and for American universities that have been demanding less work, offering more attractions and charging higher tuition, the party may soon be over.61. What is Arum and Roksa’s finding about higher education in America?A. It aims at stimulating the intellectual curiosity of college students.B. It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modem times.C. It has experienced dramatic changes hi recent years.D. It has tried hard to satisfy students’ various needs.62. What is responsible for the students’ lack of higher-level skills?A. The diluted college curriculum.B. The boring classroom activities.C. The absence of rigorous discipline.D. The outdated educational approach.63. What does Laura Hamilton say about, college administrations?A. They fail to give adequate help to the needy students.B. They tend to offer too many less challenging courses.C. They seem to be out of touch with society.D. They prioritize non-academic activities.64. What can be learned about the socially and financially privileged students?A. They tend to have a sense of superiority over their peers.B. They can afford to choose easier majors in order to enjoy themselves.C. They spend a lot of time building strong connections with businesses.D. They can climb the social ladder even without a degree.65. What does the author suggest in the last paragraph?A. American higher education has lost its global competitiveness.B. People should not expect too much from American higher education,C. The current, situation in American higher education may not last long.D. It will take a long time to change the current trend in higher education.四、Translation最近，中国政府决定将其工业升级，中国现在涉足建造高速列车、远洋船舶、机器人，甚至飞机。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题(二)答案与详解PartⅠWriting结构框图：一、第1段描述图片，提出主题——难以获取有用的信息。

二、第2段分析难以获取有用信息的原因。

三、第3段提出建议：由不加甄别地索取信息转向仔细地挑选信息。

The Difficulty in Acquiring Useful InformationAs the picture given depicts,several employees are having a meeting while one of them complains,“We have lots of information technology.We just don’t have much useful information.”What the picture presents is that even though equipped with advanced devices and information technology,we can hardly obtain useful information that we need.A multitude of reasons can account for the phenomenon.First of all,as we are increasingly,dependent on various advanced devices,they have brought us much information.However,faced with so much information, we’re actually not competent enough to tell the useful information from the useless information.What’s more,the fact that the network management regulations are not perfect cannot be ignored,which makes it difficult to prevent our life being lumbered with useless bits of information.From my point of view,as we are now in a great new era of information,we cannot say no to the benefits that information technology has brought us.However,it’s high time we transferred our focus from acquiring information indiscriminately to selecting information.Only in this way can we acquire the exact information that we need.PartⅡListening Comprehension1.听力原文：W：I’m so frustrated with this new computer program.I just can’t figure it out.M：I know what you mean.It can be overwhelming,especially since the technology is always changing.By the time you learn one program,it’s outdated.Q：What do we learn about the woman from the conversation?【精析】C)。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第2套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should focus on the difficulty in acquiring useful information in spite of advanced information technology. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than200 words．____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________Part IIIReading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, many everyday products, including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids, could lead to an increased risk of brain and behavioral disorders in children. The developing brain, the report says, is particularly 36 to the toxic effects of certain chemicals these products may contain, and the damagethey cause can be 37 .The official policy, however, is still evolving. Health and environmental 38 have long urged U.S. government agencies to 39 the use of some of the 11 chemicals the report cites and called for more studies on their long-term effects. In 2001, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency 40 the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care 41, after concerns were raised about lead poisoning. The agency is now 42 the toxic effects of some of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high. Because children's brain and behavioral disorders, like hyperactivity and lower grades, can also be linked to social and genetic factors, it's tough to pin them on exposure to specific chemicals with solid 43 evidence, which is what the EPA requires. Even the Harvard study did not prove a direct 44 but noted strong associations between exposure and risk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless, it's smart to 45 caution. While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinking tap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals, keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayed with chemicals and freshly dry-cleaned clothes can't hurt.A.advocatespactC.correlationD.exerciseE. facilitiesF. interactionG. investigatingH. overwhelmedI. particlesJ. permanentK. restrictedL. simulatingM. statisticalN. tightenO. vulnerableSection BDirections :In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letterAnswer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Impossibility of Rapid Energy Transitions[ A ] Politicians are fond of promising rapid energy transitions. Whether it is a transition from imported to domestic oil or from coal-powered electricity production to natural-gas power plants, politicians love to talk big. Unfortunately for them (and often the taxpayers), our energy systems are a bit like an aircraft carrier: they are unbelievably expensive, they are built to last for a very long time, they have a huge amount of inertia ( meaning it takes a lot of energy to set them moving ), and they have a lot of momentumonce they are set in motion. No matter how hard you try, you can't turn something that large on a dime ( 10美分硬币), or even a few thousand dimes.[ B ] In physics, moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding the dynamics of energy systems: inertia and momentum. Inertia is the resistance of objects to efforts to change their state of motion. If you try to push a boulder ( 大圆石), it pushes you back. Once you have started the boulder rolling, it develops momentum, which is defined by its mass and velocity.Momentum is said to be "conserved," that is, once you build it up, it has to go somewhere. So a heavy object, like a football player moving at a high speed, has a lot of momentum-that is, once he is moving, it is hard to change his state of motion. If you want to change his course, you have only a few choices: you can stop him, transferring ( possibly painfully) some of his kinetic energy (动能) to your own body, or you can approach alongside and slowly apply pressure to gradually alter his course.[ C ] But there are other kinds of momentum as well. After all, we don't speak only of objects or people as having momentum; we speak of entire systems having momentum. Whether it's a sports team or a presidential campaign, everybody relishes having the big momentum, because it makes them harder to stop or change direction.[ D ] One kind of momentum is technological momentum. When a technology is deployed, its impacts reach far beyond itself. Consider the incandescent (白炽灯的) bulb, an object currently hated by many environmentalists and energy-efficiency advocates. The incandescent light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, which came to be the symbol of inspiration, has been developed into hundreds, if not thousands, of forms. Today, a visit to a lighting store reveals a stunning array of choices. There are standard-shaped bulbs, flame-shaped bulbs, colored globe-shaped bulbs, and more. It is quite easy, with all that choice, to change a light bulb.[ E ] But the momentum of incandescent lighting does not stop there. All of those specialized bulbs ledto the building of specialized light fixtures, from the desk lamp you study by, to the ugly but beloved hand-painted Chinese lamp you inherited from your grandmother, to the ceiling fixture in your closet, to the light in your oven or refrigerator, and to the light that the dentist points at you. It is easy to change a light bulb, sure, but it is harder to change the bulb and its fixture.[ F ] And there is more to the story, because not only are the devices that house incandescent bulbs shaped to their underlying characteristics, but rooms and entire buildings have been designed in accordance with how incandescent lighting reflects off walls and windows.[ G ] As lighting expert Howard Brandston points out, “Generally, there are no bad lightsources, only bad applications. " There are some very commendable characteristics of the CFL [ compact fluorescent (荧光的) light bulb ], yet the selection of any light source remains inseparable from the luminaire (照明装置) that houses it, along with the space in which both are installed, and lighting requirements that need to be satisfied. The lamp, the fixture, and the room, all three must work in concert for the true benefits of end-users. If the CFL should be used for lighting a particular space, or an object within that space, the fixture must be designed to work with that lamp, and that fixture with the room. It is a symbiotic (共生的) relationship. A CFL cannot be simply installed in an incandescent fixture and then expected to produce a visual appearance that is more than washed out, foggy, and dim. The whole fixture must be replaced-light source and luminaire-and this is never an inexpensive proposition.[ H ] And Brandston knows a thing or two about lighting, being the man who illuminated the Statue of Liberty.[ I ]Another type of momentum we have to think about when planning for changes in our energy systems is labor-pool momentum. It is one thing to say that we are going to shift 30 percent of our electricity supply from, say, coal to nuclear power in 20 years. But it is another thing to have a supply of trained talent that could let you carry out this promise. That is because the engineers,designers, regulators, operators, and all of the other skilled people needed for the new energy industry are specialists who have to be trained first ( or retrained, if they are the ones being laid off in some related industry), and education, like any other complicated endeavor, takes time.And not only do our prospective new energy workers have to be trained, they have to be trained in the right sequence. One needs the designers, and perhaps the regulators, before the builders and operators, and each group of workers in training has to know there is work waiting beyond graduation. In some cases, colleges and universities might have to change their training programs, adding another layer of difficulty.[ J ] By far the biggest type of momentum that comes into play when it comes to changing our energy systems is economic momentum. The major components of our energy systems, such as fuel production, refining, electrical generation and distribution, are costly installations that have lengthy life spans. They have to operate for long periods of time before the costs of development have been recovered. When investors put up money to build, say, a nuclear power plant, they expect to earn that money back over the planned life of the plant, which is typically between 40and 60 years. Some coal power plants in the United States have operated for more than 70 years!The oldest continuously operated commercial hydro-electric plant in the United States is on New York's Hudson River, and it went into commercial service in 1898.[ K ] As Vaclav Smil points out, "All the forecasts, plans, and anticipations cited above have failed so miserably because their authors and promoters thought the transitions they hoped to implement would proceed unlike all previous energy transitions, and that their progress could be accelerated in an unprecedented manner. "[ L ] When you hear people speaking of making a rapid transition toward any type of energy, whether it is a switch from coal to nuclear power, or a switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric cars, or even a switch.from an incandescent to a fluorescent light, understanding energy system inertia and momentum can help you decide whether their plans are feasible.46. Not only moving objects and people but all systems have momentum.47. Changing the current energy system requires the systematic training of professionals and skilled labor.48. Changing a light bulb is easier than changing the fixture housing it.49. Efforts to accelerate the current energy transitions didn't succeed as expected.50. T o change the light source is costly because you have to change the whole fixture.51. Energy systems, like an aircraft carrier set in motion, have huge momentum.52. The problem with lighting, if it arises, often doesn't lie in light sources but in their applications.53. The biggest obstacle to energy transition is that the present energy system is too expensive to replace.54. The application of a technology can impact areas beyond itself.55. Physical characteristics of moving objects help explain the dynamics of energy systems.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C),and D ). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.One hundred years ago, "Colored" was the typical way of referring to Americans of African descent. Twenty years later, it was purposefully dropped to make way for "Negro. " By the late 1960s,that term was overtaken by "Black. " And then, at a press conference in Chicago in 1988, Jesse Jackson declared that "African American" was the term to embrace. This one was chosen because it echoed the labels of groups, such as "Italian Americans"and "Irish Americans," that had already beenfreed of widespread discrimination.A century's worth of calculated name changes point to the fact that naming any group is a politically freighted exercise. A 2001 study cataloged all the ways in which the term "Black" carried connotations (涵义) that were more negative than those of "African American. "But if it was known that "Black" people were viewed differently from "African Americans,"researchers, until now, hadn't identified what that gap in perception was derived from. A recent study, conducted by Emory University's Erika Hall, found that "Black" people are viewed more negatively than "African Americans" because of a perceived difference in socioeconomic status. As a result,"Black" people are thought of as less competent and as having colder personalities.The study's most striking findings shed light on the racial biases permeating the professional world.Even seemingly harmless details on a resume, it appears, can tap into recruiters' biases. A job application might mention affiliations with groups such as the "Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers" or the "National Black Employees Association," the names of which apparently have consequences, and are also beyond their members' control.In one of the study's experiments, subjects were given a brief description of a man from Chicago with the last name Williams. To one group, he was identified as "African-American," and another was told he was "Black. " With little else to go on, they were asked to estimate Mr. Williams's salary,professional standing, and educational background.The "African-American" group estimated that he earned about $ 37,000 a year and had a two-year college degree. The "Black" group, on the other hand, put his salary at about $ 29,000, and guessed that he had only "some" college experience. Nearly three-quarters of the first group guessed that Mr.Williams worked at a managerial level, while only 38.5 percent of the second group thought so.Hall's findings suggest there's an argument to be made for electing to use "African American,"though one can't help but get the sense that it's a decision that papers over the urgency of continued progress. Perhaps a new phrase is needed, one that can bring everyone one big step closer to realizing Du Bois's original, idealistic hope: "It's not the name-it's the Thing that counts. "56.Why did Jesse Jackson embrace the term "African American" for people of African descent?A.It is free from racial biases.B.It represents social progress.C.It is in the interest of common Americans.D.It follows the standard naming practice.57. What does the author say about the naming of an ethnic group ?A.It advances with the times.B.It is based on racial roots.C.It merits intensive study.D.It is politically sensitive.57.What do Erika Hall's findings indicate?A.Racial biases are widespread in the professional world.B.Many applicants don't attend to details on their resumes.C.Job seekers should all be careful- about their affiliations.D.Most recruiters are unable to control their racial biases.59. What does Erika Hall find in her experiment about a man with the last name Williams?A.African Americans fare better than many other ethnic groups.B.Black people's socioeconomic status in America remains low.C.People's conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.D.One's professional standing and income are related to their educational background.60. What is Dr. Du Bois's ideal?A.All Americans enjoy equal rights.B.A person is judged by their worth.C.A new term is created to address African Americans.D.All ethnic groups share the nation's continued progress.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Across the board, American colleges and universities are not doing a very good job of preparing their students for the workplace or their post-graduation lives. This was made clear by the work of two sociologists, Richard Arum and JosipaRoksa.In 2011 they released a landmark study titled"Academically Adrift," which documented the lack of intellectual growth experienced by many people enrolled in college. In particular, Arum and Roksa found, college students were not developing the critical thinking, analytic reasoning and other higher-level skills that are necessary to thrive in today's knowledge-based economy and to lead our nation in a time of complex challenges and dynamic change.Arum and Roksa placed the blame for students' lack of learning on a watered-down college curriculum and lowered undergraduate work standards. Although going to college is supposed to be a Full-time job, students spent, on average, only 12 to 14 hoursa week studying and many were skating through their semesters without doing a significant amount of reading and writing. Students who take more challenging classes and spend more time studying do learn more. But the priorities of many undergraduates are with extracurricular activities, playing sports, and partying and socializing.Laura Hamilton, the author of a study on parents who pay for college, will argue in a forthcoming book that college administrations are overly concerned with the social and athletic activities of their students. In Paying for the Party, Hamilton describes what she calls the “arty pathway," which eases many students through college, helped-along by various clubs that send students into the party scene and a host of easier majors.By sanctioning this watered-down version of college, universities are"catering to the social and educational needs of wealthy students at the expense of others" who won't enjoy the financial backing or social connections of richer students once they graduate.These students need to build skills and knowledge during college if they are to use their degrees as a stepping-stone to middle-class mobility. But more privileged students must not waste this opportunity either. As recent graduates can testify, the job market isn't kind to candidates who can't demonstrate genuine competence, along with a well-cultivated willingness to work hard. Nor is the global economy forgiving of an American workforce with increasingly weak literacy, math and science abilities. College graduates will still fare better than those with only a high school education, of course. But a university degree unaccompanied by a gain in knowledge or skills is an empty achievement indeed. For students who have been coasting through college, and for American universities that have been demanding less work, offering more attractions and charging higher tuition, the party may soon be over.61. What is Arum and Roksa's finding about higher education in America?A.It aims at stimulating the intellectual curiosity of college students.B.It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modern times.C.It has experienced dramatic changes in recent years.D.It has tried hard to satisfy students' various needs.62. What is responsible for the students' lack of higher-level skills?A.The diluted college curriculum.B.The boring classroom activities.C.The absence of rigorous discipline.D.The outdated educational approach.63. What does Laura Hamilton say about college administrations?A.Theyfail to give adequate help to the needy students.B.Theytend to offer too many less challenging courses.C.Theyseem to be out of touch with society.D.Theyprioritize non-academic activities.64. What can be learned about the socially and financially privileged students?A.Theytend to have a sense of superiority over their peers.B.They can afford to choose easier majors in order to enjoy themselves.C.Theyspend a lot of time building strong connections with businesses.D.They can climb the social ladder even without a degree.65. What does the author suggest in the last paragraph?A.American higher education has lost its global competitiveness.B.People should not expect too much from American higher education.C. The current situation in American higher education may not last long.D.It will take a long time to change the current trend in higher education.Part IVTranslation(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.最近，中国政府决定将其工业升级。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part ⅡListening ComprehensionSection ADirections:In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer . Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single line through the center1. A) She is amazed at the fast change of technology.B) She is unable to use the new computer program.C) She is unaware her operation system is outdated.D) She is impatient to learn computer programming.2. A) He prefers to stay home for the holiday. C) He is going out of town for a couple of days.B) He has long been fed up with traveling. D) He is annoyed by the heavy traffic downtown3. A) The location for their new office. C) Their expansion into the overseas market.B) The challenges facing East Asia. D) The living expenses in Tokyo andSingapore.4. A) The woman forgot where she had left her cell phone.B) The woman was very pleased to find her cell phone.C) A number of cell phones were found after the last show.D) Reserved tickets could be picked up at the ticket counter.5. A) Qualified carpenters are not easy to find.B) The construction schedule may not be met.C) The project is being held up by bad weather.D) The building materials will be delivered soon,6. A) She resents the way she is treated.B) She never intends to hurt anyone.C) She is getting very forgetful these daysD) She does not hold on to bitter feelings.7. A) The man is trying to sell the woman a houseB) The woman has trouble getting a mortgage.C) The woman is moving to a foreign country.D) The man wants to rent a small apartment.8. A) They are writing a story for the Morning News.B) They are facing great challenges to get re-elected.C) They are launching a campaign to attract women voters.D) They are conducting a survey among the women in town.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) Make him cry. C) Make him feel young.B) Touch his heart. D) Remind him of his life.10. A) He is good at singing operas. C) He loves country music in particularB) He enjoys complicated music. D) He can sing any song if he likes it11. A) Go to a bar and drink for hours. C) Go to work and wrap himself up in music.B) Go to an isolated place to sing blues. D) Go to see a performance in a concert hall.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) How he does his job C) How he writes news stories.B) How he makes his living. D) How he became an announcer.13. A) They polish incoming news stories.B) They gather news stories on the spot.C) They write the first version of news stories.D) They write comments on major news stories.14. A) Reading through the news stories in a given period of time,B) Having little time to read the news before going on the air.C) Having to change the tone of his voice from time to time.D) Getting all the words and phrases pronounced correctly.15. A) It serves as a reminder of sad news C) It alerts him to somethingimportantB) It gives a signal for him to slow down D) It shows where advertisements come in.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B). C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) It was invented by an American Indian.B) It can be found in many parts of the world.C) It is often carried around by small children.D) It gives pleasure to both adults and children.17. A) They were collected by a number of museums.B) They were small circus figures made of wire.C) They were delicate geometric figures.D) They were made for earning a living.18. A) In engineering. C) In artB) In circus performance. D) In geometry. Passage TwoQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.19. A) They have trouble dealing with overseas students.B) They admit more students than they can handle.C) They offer students a wide variety of courses.D) They attract students from all over the world.20. A) Everyone has a right to an education to an appropriate to his potential.B) A good education is necessary for one to climb the social ladder.C) A good education contributes to the prosperity of a nation.D) Everyone will benefit from education sooner or later.21. A) He treats all his students in a fair manner.B) He tailors his teaching to students' needs.C) He enjoys teaching intelligent students.D) He likes students with high motivation.Passage ThreeQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.22. A) It equals more than 30 million barrels of oil each day.B) It has a direct impact on the international oil market.C) It is a sure indicator of its economic activity.D) It is mostly imported from the Middle East.23. A) Part of it is lost in the process of transmission.B) Its use is chiefly responsible for air pollution.C) It is used in a variety of forms.D) It eventually turns into heat.24. A) When it is used in rural areas.B) When it operates at near capacity.C) When it is environment-friendly.D) When it operates at regular times,25. A) Global warming.B) Fuel shortage.C) Inefficient use of energy,D) Traffic jams in cities.Part III Reading ComprehensionSection ADirections: In this section. there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passagethrough carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2with a single line throughthe center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. Questions 36 to 45 are based on the following passage.According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health, many everyday products, including some bug sprays and cleaning fluids, could lead to an increased risk of brain and behavioral disorders in children. The developing brain, the report says. is particularly 36 to the toxic effects of certain chemicals these products may contain, and the damage they cause can be 37 .The official policy, however, is still evolving. Health and environmental 38 have long urged U.S .government agencies to 39 the use of some of the 11 chemicals the report cites and called for more studies on their long-term effects. In 2001, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency 40 the type and amount of lead that could be present in paint and soil in homes and child-care 41 after concerns were raised about lead poisoning. The agency is now 42 the toxic effects of some of the chemicals in the latest report.But the threshold for regulation is high. Because children's brain and behavioral disorders, like hyperactivity and lower grades, can also be linked to social and genetic factors, it's tough to pin them on exposure to specific chemicals with solid 43 evidence, which is what the EPA requires. Even the Harvard study did not prove a direct 44 but noted strong associations between exposure and risk of behavioral issues.Nonetheless, it's smart to 45 caution. While it may be impossible to prevent kids from drinking tap water that may contain trace amounts of chemicals, keeping kids away from lawns recently sprayed with chemicals and freshly dry-cleaned clothes can't hurt.Section BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.The Impossibility of Rapid Energy Transitions[A]Politicians arc fond of promising rapid energy transitions. Whether it is a transition from imported to domestic oil or from coal-powered electricity production to natural-gas power plants, politicians love to talk big. Unfortunately for them (and often the taxpayers), our energy systems are a bit like an aircraftcarrier: they arc unbelievably expensive, they are built to last for a very long time, they have a huge amount of inertia (meaning it takes a lot of energy to set them moving), and they have a lot of momentum once they are set in motion. No matter how hard you try, you can't turn something that target on a dime (10美分硬币), or even a few thousand dimes.[B] in physics, moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding the dynamics of energy systems: inertia and momentum. Inertia is the resistance of objects to efforts to change their state of motion. If you try to push a boulder (大圆石), it pushes you back. Once you have started the boulder rolling, it develops momentum, which is defined by its mass and velocity. Momentum is said to be "conserved," that is, once you build it up, it has to go somewhere. So a heavy object, like a football player moving at a high speed, has a lot of momentum-that is, once he is moving, it is hard to change his state of motion. If you want to change his course, you have only a few choices: you can stop him, transferring (possibly painfully) some of his kinetic energy (动能) to your own body, or you can approach alongside and slowly apply pressure to gradually alter his course.[C] But there are other kinds of momentum as well. After all, we don't speak only of objects or people as having momentum; we speak of entire systems having momentum. Whether it's a sports team or a presidential campaign, everybody relishes having the big momentum, because it makes them harder to stop or change direction.[D]One kind of momentum is technological momentum. When a technology isdeployed, its impacts reach far beyond itself. Consider the incandescent (白炽灯的) bulb, an object currently hated by many environmentalists and energy-efficiency advocates. The incandescent light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, which came to be the symbol of inspiration, has been developed into hundreds, if not thousands, of forms. Today, a visit to a lighting store reveals a stunning array of choices. There are standard-shaped bulbs, flame-shaped bulbs, colored globe-shared bulbs, and more. It is suite easy with all that choice. T o change a light bulb and its fixture. [E] But the momentum of incandescent lighting does not stop there. All of those specialized bulbs led to the building of specialized light fixtures, from the desk lamp you study by, to the ugly but beloved hand-painted Chinese lamp you inherited from your grandmother, to the ceiling fixture in your closet, to the light in your oven or refrigerator, and to the light that the dentist points at you. It is easy to change a light bulb, sure, but it is harder to change the bulb and its fixture.[F] And there is more to the story, because not only arc the devices that house incandescent bulbs shaped to their underlying characteristics, but rooms and entire buildings have been designed in accordance with how incandescent lighting reflects off walls and windows.[G] As lighting expert Howard Braadston points out, "Generally, there are no bad light sources, only bad applications." There are some very commendable characteristics of the CFL [compact fluorescent (荧光的) light bulb], yet the selection of any light source remains inseparable from the luminaire (照明装置) that houses it, along with the space in which both are installed, and lighting requirements thatneed to be satisfied. The lamp, the fixture, and the room, all three must work in concert for the true benefits of end-users. If the CFL should be used for lighting a particular space, or an object within that space, the fixture must be designed to work with that lamp, and that fixture with the room. It is a symbiotic (共生的)relationship. A CFL cannot be simply installed in an incandescent fixture and then expected to produce a visual appearance that is more than washed out, foggy, and dim. The whole fixture must be replaced-light source and luminaire-and this is never an inexpensive proposition.[H] And Brandston knows a thing or two about lighting, being the man who illuminated the Statue of Liberty.[I]Another type of momentum weave have to think about when planning for changes in our energy systems is labor-pool momentum. It is one thing to say that we are going to shift 30 percent of our electricity supply from, say, coal to nuclear power in 20 years. But it is another thing to have a supply of trained talent that could let you carry out this promise. That is because the engineers, designers, regulators, operators, and all of the other skilled people needed for the new energy industry are specialists who have to be trained first (or retrained, if they are the ones being laid off in some related industry), and education, like any other complicated endeavor, takes time. And not only do our prospective new energy workers have to be trained, they have to be trained in the right sequence. One needs the designers, and perhaps the regulators, before the builders and operators, and each group of workers in training has to know there is work waiting beyondgraduation. In some cases, colleges and universities might have to change their training programs, adding another layer of difficulty.[J] By far the biggest type of momentum that comes into play when it comes to changing our energy systems is economic momentum. The major components of our energy systems, such as fuel production, refining, electrical generation and distribution, are costly installations that have lengthy life spans. They have to operate for long periods of time before the costs of development have been recovered. When investors put up money to build, say, a nuclear power plant, they expect to cam that money back over the planned life of the plant, which is typically between 40 and 60 years. Some coal power plants in the United States have operated for more than 70 years! The oldest continuously operated commercial hydro-electric plant in the United States is on New York's Hudson River, and it went into commercial service in 1898.[k] As Vaclav Smil points out, "All the forecasts, plans, and anticipations cited above have failed so miserably because their authors and promoters thought the transitions they hoped to implement would proceed unlike all previous energy transitions, and that their progress could be accelerated in an unprecedented manner."[L] When you hear people speaking of making a rapid transition toward any type of energy, whether it is a switch from coal to nuclear power, or a switch from gasoline-powered cars to electric cars, or even a switch from an incandescent to a fluorescent light, understanding energy system inertia and momentum can helpyou decide whether their plans are feasible.46. Not only moving objects and people but all systems have momentum.47. Changing the current energy system requires the systematic training of professionals and skilled labor.48. Changing a light bulb is easier than changing the fixture housing it.49. Efforts to accelerate the current energy transitions didn't succeed as expected.50. To change the light source is costly because you have to change the whole fixture.51. Energy systems, like an aircraft carrier set in motion, have huge momentum.52. The problem with lighting, if it arises, often doesn't lie in light sources but in their applications.53. The biggest obstacle to energy transition is that the present energy system is too expensive to replace.54. The application of a technology can impact areas beyond itself.55. Physical characteristics of moving objects help explain the dynamics of energy systems.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B). C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. Passage OneQuestions 56 to 60 are based on the following passage.One hundred years ago, "Colored" was the typical way of referring to Americans of African descent. Twenty years later, it was purposefully dropped to make way for "Negro." By the late 1960s, that term was overtaken by "Black." And then, at a press conference in Chicago in 1988, Jesse Jackson declared that "Africa American" was the term to embrace. This one was chosen because it echoed the labels of groups, such as "Italian Americans" and "Irish Americans," that had already been (recd of widespread discrimination.A century's worth of calculated name changes point to the fact that naming any group is a politically freighted exercise. A 2001 study cataloged all the ways in which the term "Black" carried connotations (涵义) that were more negative than those of "African American."But if it was known that "Black" people were viewed differently from "African Americans;' researchers,until now, hadn't identified what that gap in perception was derived from. A recent study, conducted by Emory University's Erika Hall, found that "Black" people arc viewed more negatively than "African Americans" because of a perceived difference in socioeconomic status. As a result, "Black" people are thought of as less competent and as having colder personalities.The study's most striking findings shed light on the racial biases permeating the professional world Even seemingly harmless details on a r6sum6, it appears, can tap into recruiters' biases. A job application might mention affiliations with groups suchas the "Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers" or the "National Black Employees Association," the names of which apparently have consequences, and are also beyond their members' control.In one of the study's experiments, subjects were given a brief description of a man from Chicago with the last name Williams. To one group, he was identified as "African-American," and another was told he was "Black." With little else to go on, they were asked to estimate Mr. Williams's salary, professional standing, and educational background.The "African-American" group estimated that he earned about $37,000 a year and had a two-year college degree. The "Black" group, on the other hand, put his salary at about $29,000, and guessed that be had only "some" college experience. Nearly three-quarters of the first group guessed that Mr. Williams worked at a managerial level, while only 38.5 percent of the second group thought so.Hall's findings suggest there's an argument to be made for electing to use "African American," though one can't help but get the sense that it's a decision that papers over the urgency of continued progress. Perhaps a new phrase is needed, one that can bring everyone one big step closer to realizing Du Bois' s original, idealistic hope: "It's not the name-it's the Thing that counts."56. Why did Jesse Jackson embrace the term "African American “for people of African descent?A) It is free from racial biases. C) It is in the interest of common Americans.B) It represents social progress. D) It follows the standard naming practice.57. What does the author say about the naming of an ethnic group?A) It advances with the times. C) It merits intensive study.B) It is based on racial roots. D) It is politically sensitive.58. What do Erika Hall's findings indicate?A) Racial biases arc widespread in the professional world.B) Many applicants don't attend to details on their resumesC) Job seekers should all be careful about their affiliations.D) Most recruiters are unable to control their racial biases.59. What does Erika Hall find in her experiment about a man with the last name Williams?A) African Americans fare better than many other ethnic groups.B) Black people's socioeconomic status in America remains low.C) People's conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.D) One's professional standing and income arc related to their educational background.60. What is Dr. Du Bois's ideal?A) All Americans enjoy equal rights. C) A new term is created to address African Americans.B) A person is judged by their worth. D) All ethnic groups share the nation's continued progress.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.Across the board, American colleges and universities are not doing a very good job of preparing their students for the workplace or their post-graduation lives. This was made clear by the work of two sociologist , Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa. In 2011 they released a landmark study titled "Academically Adrift, "which documented the lack of intellectual growth experienced by many people enrolled in college. In particular, Arum and Roksa found, college students were not developing the critical thinking, analytic reasoning and other higher-level skills that are necessary to thrive in today's knowledge-based economy and to lead our nation in a time of complex challenges and dynamic change.Arum and Roksa placed the blame for students' lack of learning on a watered-down college curriculum and lowered undergraduate work standards, Although going to college is supposed to be a full-time job, students spent, on average. only 12 to 14 hours a week studying and many were skating through their semesters without doing a significant amount of reading and writing. Students who take more challenging classes and spend more time studying do learn more. But the priorities of many undergraduates are with extracurricular activities, playing sports, and partying and socializing.Laura Hamilton, the author of a study on parents who pay for college, will argue in a forthcoming book that college administrations are overly concerned with the social and athletic activities of their students. In Paying for the Party. Hamiltondescribes what she calls the "party pathway." which eases many students through college, helped along by various clubs that send students into the party scene and a host of easier majors. By sanctioning this watered-down version of college, universities are "catering to the social and educational needs of wealthy students at the expense of others" who won't enjoy the financial backing or social connections of richer students once they graduate.These students need to build skills and knowledge during college if they arc to use their degrees as a stepping-stone to middle-class mobility. But more privileged students must not waste this opportunity either.As recent graduates can testify, the job market isn't kind to candidates who can't demonstrate genuine competence, along with a well-cultivated willingness to work hard. Nor is the global economy forgiving of an American workforce with increasingly weak literacy, math and science abilities. College graduates will still fare better than those with only a high school education, of course. But a university degree unaccompanied by a gain in knowledge or skills is an empty achievement indeed. For students who have been coasting through college, and for American universities that have been demanding less work, offering more attractions and charging higher tuition, the party may soon be over.61. What is Arum and Roksa's finding about higher education in America?A) It aims at stimulating the intellectual curiosity of college students.B) It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modern times.C) It has experienced dramatic changes in recent years.D) It has tried hard to satisfy students' various needs.62. What is responsible for the students' lack of higher-level skills?A) The diluted college curriculum. C) The absence of rigorous discipline.B) The boring classroom activities. D) The outdated educational approach.63. What does Laura Hamilton say about college administrations?A) They fail to give adequate help to the needy students.B) They tend to offer too many less challenging courses.C) They seem to be out of touch with society.D) They prioritize non-academic activities.64. What can be learned about the socially and financially privileged students?A) They tend to have a sense of superiority over their peers.B) They can afford to choose easier majors in order to enjoy themselves.C) They spend a lot of time building strong connections with businesses.D) They can climb the social ladder even without a degree.65. What does the author suggest in the last paragraph?A) American higher education has lost its global competitiveness.B) People should not expect too much from American higher education.C) The current situation in American higher education may not last long.D) It will take a long time to change the current trend in higher education. Part IVTranslationDirections: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.在帮助国际社会于2030年前消除极端贫困过程中，中国正扮演着越来越重要的角色。

2015年6月大学英语六级考试真题（第一套）Passage OneWhen the right person is holding the right job at the right moment, that person's influence is greatly expanded. That is the position in which Janet Yellen, who is expected to be confirmed as the next chair of the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) in January, now finds herself. If you believe, as many do, that unemployment is the major economic and social concern of our day, then it is no stretch to think Yellen is the most powerful person in the world right now.Throughout the 2008 financial crisis and the recession and recovery that followed, central banks have taken on the role of stimulators of last resort, holding up the global economy with vast amounts of money in the form of asset buying. Yellen, previously a Fed vice chair, was one of the principal architects of the Fed's $3.8 trillion money dump. A star economist known for her groundbreaking work on labor markets, Yellen was a kind of prophetess early on in the crisis for her warnings about the subprime（次级债）meltdown. Now it will be her job to get the Fed and the markets out of the biggest and most unconventional monetary program in history without derailing the fragile recovery.The good news is that Yellen, 67, is particularly well suited to meet these challenges. She has a keen understanding of financial markets, an appreciation for their imperfections and a strong belief that human suffering was more related to unemployment than anything else.Some experts worry that Yellen will be inclined to chase unemployment to the neglect of inflation. But with wages still relatively flat and the economy increasingly divided between the well-off and the long-term unemployed, more people worry about the opposite, deflation（通货紧缩）that would aggravate the economy's problems.Either way, the incoming Fed chief will have to walk a fine line in slowly ending the stimulus. It must be steady enough to deflate bubbles（去泡沫）and bring markets back down to earth but not so quick that it creates another credit crisis.Unlike many past Fed leaders, Yellen is not one to buy into the finance industry's argument that it should be left alone to regulate itself. She knows all along the Fed has been too slack on regulation of finance.Yellen is likely to address the issue right after she pushes unemployment below 6%, stabilizes markets and makes sure that the recovery is more inclusive and robust. As Princeton Professor Alan Blinder says, "She's smart as a whip, deeply logical, willing to argue but also a good listener. She can persuade without creating hostility."All those traits will be useful as the global economy's new power player takes on its most annoying problems.56. What do many people think is the biggest problem facing Janet Yellen?A) Lack of money. B) Subprime crisis. C) Unemployment. D) Social instability.57. What did Yellen help the Fed do to tackle the 2008 financial crisis?A) Take effective measures to curb inflation. B) Deflate the bubbles in the American economy.C) Formulate policies to help financial institutions. D) Pour money into the market through asset buying.58. What is a greater concern of the general public?A) Recession. B) Deflation. C) Inequality. D) Income.59. What is Yellen likely to do in her position as the Fed chief?A) Develop a new monetary program. B) Restore public confidence.C) Tighten financial regulation. D) Reform the credit system.60. How does Alan Blinder portray Yellen?A) She possesses strong persuasive power. C) She is one of the world's greatest economists.B) She has confidence in what she is doing. D) She is the most powerful Fed chief in history.Passage TwoAir pollution is deteriorating in many places around the world. The fact that public parks in cities become crowded as soon as the sun shines proves that people long to breathe in green, open spaces. They do not all know what they are seeking but they flock there, nevertheless. And, in these surroundings, they are generally both peaceful and peaceable. It is rare to see people fighting in a garden. Perhaps struggle unfolds first, not at an economic or social level, but over the appropriation of air, essential to life itself. If human beings can breathe and share air, they don't need to struggle with one another.Unfortunately, in our western tradition, neither materialist nor idealist theoreticians give enough consideration to this basic condition for life. As for politicians, despite proposing curbs on environmental pollution, they have not yet called for it to be made a crime. Wealthy countries are even allowed to pollute if they pay for it.But is our life worth anything other than money? The plant world shows us in silence what faithfulness to life consists of. It also helps us to a new beginning, urging us to care for our breath, not only at a vital but also at a spiritual level. The interdependence to which we must pay the closest attention is that which exists between ourselves and the plant world. Often described as "the lungs of the planet", the woods that cover the earth offer us the gift of breathable air by releasing oxygen. But their capacity to renew the air polluted by industry has long reached its limit. If we lack the air necessary for a healthy life, it is because we have filled it with chemicals and undercut the ability of plants to regenerate it. As we know, rapid deforestation combined with the massive burning of fossil fuels is an explosive recipe for an irreversible disaster.The fight over the appropriation of resources will lead the entire planet to hell unless humans learn to share life, both with each other and with plants. This task is simultaneously ethical and political because it can be discharged only when each takes it upon herself or himself and only when it is accomplished together with others. The lesson taught by plants is that sharing life expands and enhances the sphere of the living, while dividing life into so-called natural or human resources diminishes it. We must come to view the air, the plants and ourselves as the contributors to the preservation of life and growth, rather than a web of quantifiable objects or productive potentialities at our disposal. Perhaps then we would finally begin to live, rather than being concerned with bare survival.61. What does the author assume might be the primary reason that people would struggle with each other?A) To get their share of clean air. B) To pursue a comfortable life.C) To gain a higher social status. D) To seek economic benefits.62. What does the author accuse western politicians of?A) Depriving common people of the right to clean air.B) Giving priority to theory rather than practical action.C) Offering preferential treatment to wealthy countries.D) Failing to pass laws to curb environmental pollution.63. What does the author try to draw our closest attention to?A) The massive burning of fossil fuels. B) Our relationship to the plant world.C) The capacity of plants to renew polluted air.D) Large-scale deforestation across the world.64. How can human beings accomplish the goal of protecting the planet according to the author?A) By showing respect for plants. B) By preserving all forms of life.C) By tapping all natural resources. D) By pooling their efforts together.65. What does the author suggest we do in order not just to survive?A) Expand the sphere of living. B) Develop nature's potentials.C) Share life with nature. D) Allocate the resources.答案解析56．【定位】NN-P0的many people和the biggest『c)[解析l细节辨认题。

2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes)Direction: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled My Views on University Ranking. You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below.1. 目前高校排名相当盛行;2. 对于这种做法人们看法不一;3. 在我看来……My Views on University RankingPart II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked [A], [B], [C] and [D]. For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Into the UnknownThe world has never seen population ageing before. Can it cope?Until the early 1990s nobody much thought about whole populations getting older. The UN had the foresight to convene a “world assembly on ageing”back in 1982, but that came and went. By 1994 the World Bankhad noticed that something big was happening. In a report entitled “Averting the Old Age Crisis”, it argued that pension arrangements in most countries were unsustainable.For the next ten years a succession of books, mainly by Americans, sounded the alarm. They had titles like Young vs Old, Gray Dawn and The Coming Generational Storm, and their message was blunt: health-care systems were heading for the rocks, pensioners were taking young people to the cleaners, and soon there would be intergenerational warfare.Since then the debate has become less emotional, not least because a lot more is known about the subject. Books, conferences and research papers have multiplied. International organisations such as the OECD and the EU issue regular reports. Population ageing is on every agenda, from G8 economic conferences to NATO summits. The World Economic Forum plans to consider the future of pensions and health care at its prestigious Davos conference early next year. The media, including this newspaper, are giving the subject extensive coverage.Whether all that attention has translated into sufficient action is another question. Governments in rich countries now accept that their pension and health-care promises will soon become unaffordable, and many of them have embarked on reforms, but so far only timidly. That is not surprising: politicians with an eye on the next election will hardlyrush to introduce unpopular measures that may not bear fruit for years, perhaps decades.The outline of the changes needed is clear. To avoid fiscal (财政) meltdown, public pensions and health-care provision will have to be reined back severely and taxes may have to go up. By far the most effective method to restrain pension spending is to give people the opportunity to work longer, because it increases tax revenues and reduces spending on pensions at the same time. It may even keep them alive longer. John Rother, the AARP’s head of policy and strategy, points to studies showing that other things being equal, people who remain at work have lower death rates than their retired peers.Younger people today mostly accept that they will have to work for longer and that their pensions will be less generous. Employers still need to be persuaded that older workers are worth holding on to. That may be because they have had plenty of younger ones to choose from, partly thanks to the post-war baby-boom and partly because over the past few decades many more women have entered the labour force, increasing employers’ choice. But the reservoir of women able and willing to take up paid work is running low, and the baby-boomers are going grey.In many countries immigrants have been filling such gaps in the labour force as have already emerged (and remember that the real shortage is still around ten years off). Immigration in the developed worldis the highest it has ever been, and it is making a useful difference. In still-fertile America it currently accounts for about 40% of total population growth, and in fast-ageing western Europe for about 90%.On the face of it, it seems the perfect solution. Many developing countries have lots of young people in need of jobs; many rich countries need helping hands that will boost tax revenues and keep up economic growth. But over the next few decades labour forces in rich countries are set to shrink so much that inflows of immigrants would have to increase enormously to compensate: to at least twice their current size in western Europe’s most youthful countries, and three times in the older ones. Japan would need a large multiple of the few immigrants it has at present. Public opinion polls show that people in most rich countries already think that immigration is too high. Further big increases would be politically unfeasible.To tackle the problem of ageing populations at its root, “old”countries would have to rejuvenate (使年轻) themselves by having more of their own children. A number of them have tried, some more successfully than others. But it is not a simple matter of offering financial incentives or providing more child care. Modern urban life in rich countries is not well adapted to large families. Women find it hard to combine family and career. They often compromise by having just one child.And if fertility in ageing countries does not pick up? It will not be the end of the world, at least not for quite a while yet, but the world will slowly become a different place. Older societies may be less innovative and more strongly disinclined to take risks than younger ones. By 2025 at the latest, about half the voters in America and most of those in western European countries will be over 50—and older people turn out to vote in much greater number than younger ones. Academic studies have found no evidence so far that older voters have used their power at the ballot box to push for policies that specifically benefit them, though if in future there are many more of them they might start doing so.Nor is there any sign of the intergenerational warfare predicted in the 1990s. After all, older people themselves mostly have families. In a recent study of parents and grown-up children in 11 European countries, Karsten Hank of Mannheim University found that 85% of them lived within 25km of each other and the majority of them were in touch at least once a week.Even so, the shift in the centre of gravity to older age groups is bound to have a profound effect on societies, not just economically and politically but in all sorts of other ways too. Richard Jackson and Neil Howe of America’s CSIS, in a thoughtful book called The Graying of the Great Powers, argue that, among other things, the ageing of the developedcountries will have a number of serious security implications.For example, the shortage of young adults is likely to make countries more reluctant to commit the few they have to military service. In the decades to 2050, America will find itself playing an ever-increasing role in the developed world’s defence effort. Because America’s population will still be growing when that of most other developed countries is shrinking, America will be the only developed country that still matters geopolitically (地缘政治上).Ask me in 2020There is little that can be done to stop population ageing, so the world will have to live with it. But some of the consequences can be alleviated. Many experts now believe that given the right policies, the effects, though grave, need not be catastrophic. Most countries have recognised the need to do something and are beginning to act.But even then there is no guarantee that their efforts will work. What is happening now is historically unprecedented. Ronald Lee, director of the Centre on the Economics and Demography of Ageing at the University of California, Berkeley, puts it briefly and clearly: “We don’t really know what population ageing will be like, because nobody has done it yet. “注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

12月大学英语六级考试真题word版含答案（2）2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题word版（含答案）Take his views on farming. Prince Charles’ Duchy Home Farm went(39)_____ back in 1986. When most shoppers cared only about the low price tag on suspiciously blemish-free(无瑕疵的) vegetables and(40)_____ large chickens piled high in supermarkets.His warnings on climate change proved farsighted,too.Charles began(41)_____ action in warming in 1990 and says he has been worried about the(42)_____ of man on the environment same be was a teenger.Although he was gradually gained international(43)_____ as one of the world's lending conservationists,many British people still think of him as an(34)_____ person who talks to plants.This year,as it happens,South Korean scientists proved that plants really do(45)_____ to round.So Charles was ahead of the game there,too.A.conformB.eccentricC.environmentalistD.expeditionsE.impactF.notionsanicH.originallyI.recognitionJ.respondK.subordinateL.suppressingM.throneN.unnaturallyO.urgingSection BDirections: In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2. High School Sports Aren’t Killing AcademicsA)In this month’s Atlantic cover article, “The Case Against High-School Sports,” Amanda Ripley argues that scho ol-sponsored sports programs should be seriously cut. She writes that, unlike most countries that outperform the United States on international assessments, American schools put too much of an emphasis on athletics, “ Sports are embedded in American school s in a way they are not almost anywhere else,” she writes, “Yet this difference hardly ever comes up in domestic debates about America’s international mediocrity(平庸)in education.”B)American student-athletes reap many benefits from participating in sports, but the costs to the schools could outweigh their benefits, she argues, In particular, Ripley contends that sports crowd out the academic missions of schools: America should learn from South Korea and Finland and every other country at the top level of international test scores, all of whom emphasize athletics far less in school. ”Even in eighth grade, American kids spend more than twice the time Korean kids spend playing sports,” she writes, citing a 2010 study published in theJournal of Advanced Academics.C)It might well be true that sports are far more rooted in American high schools than in other countries. But our reading of international test scores finds no support for the argument against school athletics. Indeed, our own research and that of others lead us to make the opposite case. School-sponsored sports appear to provide benefits that seem to increase, not detract(减少)from, academic success.D)Ripley indulges a popular obsession(痴迷)with international test score comparisons, which show wide and frightening gaps between the United States and other countries. She ignores, however, the fact that states vary at least as much in test scores as do developed countries. A 2011 report from Harvard University shows that Massachusetts produces math scores comparable to South Korea and Finland, while Mississippi scores are closer to Trinidad and T obago. Ripley’s thesis about sports falls apart in light of this fact. Schools in Massachusetts provide sports programs while schools in Finland do not. Schools in Mississippi may love football while in Tobago interscholastic sports are nowhere near as prominent. Sports cannot explain these similarities in performance. They can’t explain international differences either.E)If it is true that sports undermine the academic mission of American schools, we would expect to see a negative relationship between the commitment to athletics and academic achievement. However, the University of Arkansas’s Daniel Bowen and Jay Greene actually find the opposite. They examine this relationship by analyzing schools’ sports winning percentages as well as student-athletic participation rates compared to graduation rates and standardized test score achievement over a five-year periodfor all public high schools in Ohio. Controlling for student poverty levels, demographics(人口统计状况), and district financial resources, both measures of a school’s commitment to athletics are significantly and positively related to lower dropout rates as well as higher test scores.F)On-the-field success and high participation in sports is not random-it requires focus and dedication to athletics. One might think this would lead schools obsessed with winning to deemphasize academics. Bowen and Greene’s results contradict that argument. A likely explanation for this seemingly counterintuitive(与直觉相反的)result is that success in sports programs actually facilitates or reflects greater social capital within a school’s community.G)Ripley cites the writings of renowned sociologist James Coleman, whose research in education was groundbreaking. Coleman in his early work held athletics in contempt, arguing that they crowded out schools’ academic missions. Ripley quotes his 1961 study, The Adolescent Society, where Coleman writes, “Altogether, the trophy(奖品)case would suggest to the innocent visitor that he was entering an athletic club, not an educational institution.”H)However, in later research Coleman would show how the success of schools is highly dependent on what he termed social capital, “the social networks, and the rel ationships between adults and children that are of value for the child’s growing up.”I)According to a 2013 evaluation conducted by the Crime Lab at the University of Chicago, a program called Becoming a Man-Sports Edition creates lasting improvements in t he boys’ study habits and grade point averages. During the first year of the program, students were founds to be less likely to transferschools or be engaged in violent crime. A year after the program, participants were less likely to have had an encounter with the juvenile justice system.J)If school-sponsored sports were completely eliminated tomorrow, many American students would still have opportunities to participate in organized athletics elsewhere, much like they do in countries such as Finland, Germany, and South Korea. The same is not certain when it comes to students from more disadvantaged backgrounds. In an overview of the research on non-school based after-school programs, researchers find that disadvantaged children participate in these programs at significantly lower rates. They find that low-income students have less access due to challenges with regard to transportation, non-nominal fees, and off-campus safety. Therefore, reducing or eliminating these opportunities would most likely deprive disadvantaged students of the benefits from athletic participation, not least of which is the opportunity to interact with positive role models outside of regular school hours.K)Another unfounded criticism that Ripley makes is bringing up the stereotype that athletic XX are typically lousy(蹩脚的)classroom teachers. “American principals, unlike the XX XX of principals around the world, make many hiring decisions with their sports teams in mind, which does not always end well for students,” she writes. Educato rs who seek employment at schools primarily for the purpose of coaching are likely to shirk(推卸)teaching responsibilities, the argument goes. Moreover, even in the cases where the employee is a teacher first and athletic coach second, the additional responsibilities that come with coaching likely comes at the expense of time otherwise spent on planning, grading, and communicating with parents andguardians.L)The data, however, do not seem to confirm this stereotype. In the most rigorous study on the classroom results of high school coaches, the University of Arkansas’s Anna Egalite finds that athletic coaches in Florida mostly tend to perform just as well as their non-coaching counterparts, with respect to raising student test scores. We do not doubt that teachers who also coach face serious tradeoffs that likely come at the expense of time they could dedicate to their academic obligations. However, as with sporting events, athletic coaches gain additional opportunities for communicating and serving as mentors(导师)that potentially help students succeed and make up for the costs of coaching commitments.M)If schools allow student-athletes to regularly miss out on instructional time for the sake of traveling to athletic competitions, that’s bad. However, such iss ues would be better addressed by changing school and state policies with regard to the scheduling of sporting events as opposed to total elimination. If the empirical evidence points to anything, it points towards school sponsored sports providing assets that are well worth the costs.N)Despite negative stereotypes about sports culture and Ripley’s presumption that academics and athletics are at odds with one another, we believe that the greater body of evidence shows that school-sponsored sports programs appear to benefit students. Successes on the playing field can carry over to the classroom and vice versa(反之亦然). More importantly, finding ways to increase school communities’ social capital is imperative to the success of the school as whole, not just the athletes.46.Stunets from low-income families have less access to off-campus sports programs.相关内容参考：1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.下载文档。

【作文】Direction：For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below. You should focus on the harm caused by misleading information online. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part IV TranslationDirections:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.最近，中国政府决定将其工业升级。

中国现在涉足建造高速列车，远洋船舶，机器人，甚至飞机。

不久前，中国获得了在印度尼西亚建造一条高铁的合同：中国还与马拉西亚签署了为其提供高速列车的合同。

这证明人们信赖中国造产品。

中国造产品越来越受欢迎。

中国为此付出了代价，但这确实有助于消除贫困，同时还为世界各地的人们提供了就业机会。

这是一件好事，值得称赞。

下次你去商店时，可能想看一看你所购商品的出产国名。

很有可能这件商品是中国造的。

参考范文：As is vividly depicted in the picture, there is a man sitting in front of the computer, searching information from the Internet worriedly, with a woman taking a cup of coffee at the door to refresh him.Furthermore, there is a caption under the picture, which reads “I just feel unfortunate to live in a world with so much misleading information”.Simple as the picture is, the meaning is thought-provoking.For one thing, the Internet has offered us great convenience. For instance, we can get knowledge about almost all aspects from the Internet without going out. For another, with so much information on the Internet, it is difficult for us to distinguish the true information from the misleading one. And if we believed the misleading information, we might suffer from great loss. Because the misleading information may get people into bad habits, even make them commit crimes.Judging from the reams of evidence, it is safe for us to conclude that misleading information is a dangerous obstacle gripping economic prosperity and social progress. Only if we are sure that the information on the Internet is true, can we live in a harmonious society.短对话答案1. BA) the woman should mix the ingredients thoroughlyB) the dressing makes the mixed salad very invitingC) the restaurant is known for its food varietiesD) the restaurant offers some special cash today2. DA) he took over the firm from MaryB) he is opening a new consulting firmC) he failed to foresee major problemsD) he is running a successful business3. BA) the printer in the office has run out of paperB) the man may find the supplies in the cabinetC) the man can leave the discs in the office cabinetD) someone should be put in charge of office supplies4. DA) the woman can use his glasses to readB) he has the dictionary the woman wantsC) the dictionary is not of much help to himD) he has to use a magnifying glass to see clearly5. CA) seeking professional adviceB) adding some office furnitureC) redecorating her officeD)majoring in interior design6. AA) shortage of container shipsB) improvement of port facilitiesC) delayed shipment of goodsD) problems in port management7. AA) a colleagueB) their bossC) their workloadD) a coffee machine8. CA) call the hotel manager for helpB) get an expert to correct the errorC) hold the banquet at a different placeD) postpone the event until a later date长对话答案：9. DA) he cooks dinner for the family occasionallyB) he dines out from time to time with friendsC) he shares some of the household dutiesD) he often goes back home late for dinner10. DA) to take him to dinnerB) to discuss an urgent problemC) to talk about a budget planD) to pass on an important message11. CA) foreign investors are losing confidence in India’s economyB) Many multinational enterprises are withdraw from IndiaC) there is a sharp increase in India’s balance of payment deficitD) there are wild fluctuations in the international money market12. DA) they try to adapt to their changing rolesB) they form a more realistic picture of lifeC) they may not be prepared for a lifelong relationshipD) they have unrealistic expectations about the other half13. AA) he is lucky to be able to do what he lovesB) he is able to meet many interesting peopleC) he is able to forget all the trouble in his lifeD) he is lucky to have visited many exotic people14. CA) it is stressfulB) it is full of funC) it is all glamourD) it is challenging15. DA) amazedB) botheredC) puzzledD) excited短文答案16. CA) Learn to be respectful in a hierarchical organizationB) Follow closely the fast development of technologyC) Learn new ways of relating and working togetherD) Maintain the traditional organizational culture17. CA) How the team is built to keep improving its performanceB) What type of personnel the team should be composed of.C) How the team integrates with what it is supposed to serveD) What qualifications team members should be equipped with.18. DA) A team manager must set very clear and high objectivesB) Teams must consist of members from different cultures.C) Team members should be knowledgeable and creative.D) A team manager should develop a certain set of skills.19. AA) It is allowing people to share information on the WebB) It started off as a successful program but was unable to last longC) It was mainly used by scientists and technical people to exchange text.D) It is a platform for sharing ideas on teaching at the University of 111linois20. BA) He visited a number of famous computer scientists.B) He met with an entrepreneur named Jim ClarkC) He invested in a leading computer business.D) He sold a program developed by his friends.21. BA) They trusted his computer expertise.B) They had confidence in his new ideas.C) They were very keen on new technology.D) They believed in his business connections.22 AA) word-of-mouth advertisingB) Distributing free trial products.C) Prestige advertising.D) Institutional advertising23 DA) To sell a particular product.B) To attract high-end customersC) To promote a specific service.D) To build up their reputation.24 DA) By creating their own ads and commercials.B) By buying media space in leading newspapers.C) By hiring their own professional advertising staff.D)By using the services of large advertising agencies.25 CA) Conduct a large-scale survey on customer needsB) specify the objectives of the campaign in detail.C) pre-test alternative ads or commercials in certain regions.D) Decide on what specific means of communication to employ.短文听写答案Extinction is a difficult concept to grasp. It is an 26 _eternal____ concept. It’s not at all like the killing of individuals lifeforms that can be renewed through normal processes of reproduction. Nor is it simply 27 _diminishing____ numbers. Nor is it damage that can somehow be remedied or for which some substitute can be found. Nor is it something that simply affects our own generation. Nor is it something that could be remedies by some supernatural power. IT is rather an 28 __absolute____ and final act for which there is no remedy on earth or in heaven. A species once extinctis gone forever. However many generations 29___succeed__ us in coming centuries, none of them will ever see this species that we extinguish.Not only are we bring about the extinction of life 30 _on a vast scale___, we are also making the land and the air and the sea so toxic that the very conditions of life are being destroyed. 31__As regards___ basic natural resources, not only are the nonrenewable resources being 32_used up____ in a frenzy(疯狂) of processing, consuming , and 33_disposing____, but we are also ruining much of our renewable resources, such as the very soil itself on which terrestrial(地球上的) life depends.The change that is taking place on earth and in our minds is one of the greatest changes ever to take place in human affairs, perhaps the greatest, since what we are talking about is not simply another historical change or cultural34__modification______, but a change of geological and biological as well as psychological order of 35__magnitude___36 O vulnerable37 J permanent38A advocates39N tighten40K restricted41E facilities42G investigating43M statistical44C correlation45D exerciseThe impossibility of rapid energy transitions46. 【C】 After all, we don’t speak only of…47. 【I】 That is because the engineers, designers48. 【E】 It is easy change the a light bulb, but it is harder…49. 【K】 have failed so miserably…50. 【G】 The whole fixture must be replaced — light source and laminate —is never inexpensive51. 【A】 our systems are a bit like an aircraft carrier….52. 【G】 Generally, there are no bad light sources, only bad applications53. 【J】 They have to operate for a long period of time…54. 【D】 it’s impact reach for beyond itself…55. 【B】 moving objects have two characteristics relevant to understanding of …Passage One56. A) It is free from racial biases.57. D) It is politically sensitive.58. A) Racial biases are widespread in the professional world.59. C) People’s conception of a person has much to do with the way he or she is labeled.60. D) All ethnic groups share the nation’s continued progress.Passage Two61. B) It fails to prepare students to face the challenges of modern times.62. A) The diluted college curriculum.63. D) They prioritize non-academic activities.64. D) They can climb the social ladder even without a degree.65. C) The current situation in American higher education may not last long.在帮助国际社会于2030年前消除极端贫困过程中，中国正扮演着越来越重要的角色。

Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: A way from Net-bar Campaign. You should write at least 150 words following the outline given below: 1. 新闻媒体披露，徐州某中学1000多名学⽣签名;庄严“远离吧” 2. 分析“远离吧”运动的原因 3. 做出对⽐和评论 Away from Net-bar Campaign Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-4, markY (for YES if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. For questions 5-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. Suggestions for Your Work Annie is a longtime secretary/receptionist for two senior vice presidents at a big company. They have been doing a lot of hiring lately, and almost all of the new middle-management personnel have been interviewed by one or the other of Annie's two bosses, so naturally they come through her office first. Some of these people are unbelievably rude. Either they treat Annie like a piece of furniture (no hello, no eye contact) or they think she is their errand(差使)girl. Lately, Annie's two bosses have started asking her for her impressions of job candidates. So far this week, two have been discourteous(失礼的)and dismissive, so Annie gave both the thumbs-down. Neither is getting called back for the next round of interviews. No one knows how common this is, but if you are job hunting, it's necessary to be aware that the dummy at the reception desk may be anything but not "just a secretary". Suggestions to Job Hunters According to Annie Stevens and Greg Gostanian, two partners at a Boston-based executive coaching firm called Clear Rock, it's not unusual these days for a hiring manager to ask everyone who meets a potential new hire to give an opinion of him or her. "One of the biggest reasons so many newly recruited managers fail in a new job is their inability to fit in and get along with the people who are already there," says Stevens. "So employers now want to get staffers' impressions right at the start." Adds Gostanian:" A lot can be learned from how candidates treat receptionists. If the jobseeker is rude, condescending, or arrogant, this might be an indication of how he or she would treat coworkers or direct reports." Obviously, anyone looking for a new job would do well not to alienate the person who sits outside the interviewer's door. Stevens and Gostanian offer these six tips for getting off to the right start: ?Introduce yourself as you would to any other potential new colleague. Smile, shake hands, and so on. It seems odd that this has to be spelled out, but apparently it does; and, besides being a matter of common courtesy, ordinary friendliness offers a practical advantage. "Learning and remembering an interviewer's receptionist's name can only help as you advance in the interviewing process," Stevens notes. ?Don't regard a receptionist or other assistant as an underling(部下)—at least, not as your own personal underling. "Always ask the interviewer if you need help from anyone else in the office where you're interviewing, instead of seeking this directly yourself," says Gostanian. In other words, if you'd like to leave an extra copy of your resume, refrain from sending the interviewer's assistant to the Xerox machine. ?It's fine to accept if you're offered a beverage, but keep it simple. "Don't ask for particular brand names or expect to be brewed a fresh pot of coffee," Stevens says. And of course, need we add that dispatching anybody to Starbucks is out of the question? ?Feel free to make small talk, but know that anything you say may well get back to the interviewer. "Don't ask probing questions about the company or offer unsolicited opinions," Gostanian advises. No matter how hideous the office door, endless the hike from the parking lot, or inconvenient the wait to see the interviewer, keep it to yourself. Plenty of time forwhining(抱怨)and grumbling after you're hired. ?Don't talk on your cell phone in front of the receptionist, and try to put your BlackBerry aside. "If you have to make or take a call, leave the reception area," Stevens says. Preoccupation with wireless devices will mark you, she says, as "a cold and fixated person". ?Don't forget to say good-bye. "Failure to say good-bye to someone you've just met reflects negatively on you," Gostanian notes. "You'll come across as impersonal and uncaring." That's hardly the image any job hunter wants to project. How to Measure Your Work Any job, like any relationship, has its difficult moments. And with the job market heating up, the temptations to change partners are growing. As with any relationship, however, you really should assess the full value of what you've got before giving it up wholesale, because—let's fact it—regret really is a waste of your time. Regardless of the main task of a job—be it bond trading, teaching, balancing the books, or cleaning hotel rooms—are there objective criteria that you can use to measure whether your job is wonderful or not? Workplace experts Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman have identified several. In their book First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently, they offer a useful guide in the form of 12 questions: ?Do I know what's expected of me at work? ?Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right? ?At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day? ?In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work? ?Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person? ?Is there someone at work who encourages my development? ?At work, do my opinions seem to count? ?Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel my job is important? ?Are my coworkers committed to doing quality work? ?Do I have a best friend at work? ?In the last six months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress? ?This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and to grow? Buckingham and Coffman picked these 12 questions after looking for patterns among the responses of more than 1 million employees to workplace questions posed by the Gallup Organization over the years. "We were searching for those special questions where the most engaged employees ... answered positively, and everyone else...answered neutrally or negatively," they wrote. Their reasoning: they wanted to identify the key elements of a strong workplace that can attract and retain talent. Satisfaction with pay and benefits didn't make the list not because they're not important, Coffman said, but because they're important to all employees, whether they're engaged in their work or not. So, assuming you feel you're paid the going rate for your job, answering affirmatively to all or even most of the 12 questions can be an indication that you've got a great job that you should part with only for very good reason. And if job satisfaction is important to you, then the promise of a bigger paycheck alone may not be reason enough. When Coffman is asked what percentage of companies he thinks actually pass the 12-question test, his estimate is no more than 15 percent. But within a company, he said, individual departments may meet the test, even if the company overall doesn't. Why? The manager of a department makes all the difference. Coffman said when an employee quits, 70 percent of the time she's not leaving because of the job, she's leaving because of the manager. One cautionary note: your job may not be as wonderful for you as you think if you answer a majority of the 12 questions affirmatively but the few questions that you can't are among the first six. That's because the first six questions make up the base on which job satisfaction rests, according to Buckingham and Coffman. If your current job doesn't meet the first six criteria, you are more likely to be disengaged with your work and less productive than you could be. Consider question three after all. Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best everyday? "If you're not able to use your gifts every day, you'll be pretty frustrated," Coffman said. Of course, job satisfaction isn't a one-way street with a department either meeting your needs or not. In order to answer the 12 questions honestly, you need to know what it is that makes you tick and not blindly blame your department for any job dissatisfaction. Do you know what it is you like to do and what you do best? What kind of recognition do you like? Public or private? What are your values and do they square with your company's goals? How do you like a manager to relate to you? Otherwise, your career, like a string of bad relationships, can become a case of "different partner, same problems". 1. When you go to a company for an interview, there is no need to care the feelings of the receptionists. 2. According to Annie Stevens, many newly recruited managers fail in a new job because they cannot get along with their coworkers. 3. If you want to get off to the right start, you should treat the receptionists as your potential bosses. 4. If you fail to say "thank you" to the receptionists, they will have negative impressions of you. 5. If you want to give up a job wholesale, you should evaluate ________ from it. 6. When you are measuring your work, you should consider that if there is someone at work who encourages your development and talks to you about __________. 7. The question about satisfaction with pay and benefits is not included in the 12 questions because it's important to all employees, whether ________ or not. 8. Even if the company overall cannot pass the 12-question test, ________ may pass it. 9. You should pay special attention to the first six questions of the 12 questions because they make up the b a s e o n wh i c h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 2 8 " > 0 0 1 0 . I f y o u w a n t t o a n s w e r t h e 1 2 q u e s t i o n s h o n e s t l y , y o u s h o u l d k n o w w h a t m a k e s y o u n o t b l i n d l y b l a m e y o u r d e p a r t m e n t f o r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . P a r t I V R e a d i n g C o m p r e h e n s i o n ( R e a d i n g i n D e p t h ) ( 2 5 m i n u t e s ) / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 2 9 " > 0 0 S e c t i o n A / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 0 " > 0 0 D i r e c t i o n s : I n t h i s s e c t i o n , t h e r e i s a p a s s a g e w i t h t e n b l a n k s . Y o u a r e r e q u i r e d t o s e l e c t o n e w o r d f o r e a c h b l a n k f r o m a l i s t o f c h o i c e s g i v e n i n a w o r d b a n k f o l l o w i n g t h e p a s s a g e . R e a d t h e p a s s a g e t h r o u g h c a r e f u l l y b e f o r e m a k i n g y o u r c h o i c e s . E a c h c h o i c e i n b a n k i s i d e n t i f i e d b y a l e t t e r . P l e a s e m a r k t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e t t e r f o r e a c h i t e m o n A n s w e r S h e e t 2 w i t h a s i n g l e l i n e t h r o u g h t h e c e n t e r . Y o u m a y n o t u s e a n y o f t h e w o r d s i n t h e b a n k m o r e t h a n o n c e . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 1 " > 0 0 Q u e s t i o n s 4 7 t o 5 6 a r e b a s e d o n t h e f o l l o w i n g p a s s a g e . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 2 " > 0 0 E d u c a t i o n i s a l o n g p r o c e s s t h a t n o t o n l y p r o v i d e s u s w i t h b a s i c s k i l l s s u c h a s l i t e r a c y a n d n u m e r a c y , b u t i s a l s o e s s e n t i a l i n s h a p i n g o u r f u t u r e l i v e s . F r o m t h e m o m e n t w e e n t e r 4 7 a s s m a l l c h i l d r e n , a n d a s w e p r o g r e s s t h r o u g h p r i m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y e d u c a t i o n , w e a r e l a y i n g t h e f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e l i f e a h e a d o f u s . W e m u s t 4 8 o u r s e l v e s t o w o r k h a r d s o t h a t w e c a n p a s s e x a m s a n d g a i n t h e q u a l i f i c a t i o n s w e w i l l n e e d t o 4 9 a g o o d j o b . W e m u s t a l s o a c q u i r e 5 0 l i f e s k i l l s s o t h a t w e c a n f i t i n a n d w o r k w i t h t h o s e a r o u n d u s . A n d o f c o u r s e h e a l t h e d u c a t i o n h e l p s u s t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w w e c a n s t a y 5 1 a n d h e a l t h y . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 3 " > 0 0 F o r m o s t p e o p l e , t h i s p r o c e s s e n d s w h e n t h e y a r e i n t h e i r m i d - t o - l a t e t e e n s . F o r o t h e r s , h o w e v e r , i t i s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f a ( n ) 5 2 o f l e a r n i n g . A f t e r t h e y f i n i s h s c h o o l , m a n y p r o g r e s s t o 5 3 e d u c a t i o n w h e r e t h e y w i l l l e a r n m o r e u s e f u l s k i l l s s u c h a s c o m p u t e r l i t e r a c y o r b a s i c b u s i n e s s m a n a g e m e n t . O t h e r s w i l l e n r o l l i n a p r o g r a m o f 5 4 e d u c a t i o n a t a u n i v e r s i t y w h e r e , w i t h h a r d w o r k , t h e y w i l l h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o g r a d u a t e a f t e r t h r e e o r f o u r y e a r s w i t h a w e l l - e a r n e d d e g r e e . A f t e r t h a t , t h e y m a y w o r k f o r a w h i l e b e f o r e 5 5 t o s t u d y f o r a h i g h e r d e g r e e a n M . A . , f o r e x a m p l e , o r a P h D . A n d i f t h e y l i v e a l o n g w a y f r o m a c o l l e g e o r u n i v e r s i t y , t h e y m i g h t f o l l o w a c o r r e s p o n d e n c e c o u r s e u s i n g m a i l a n d t h e I n t e r n e t . I n f a c t , i t i s 5 6 d u e t o t h e p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f c o m p u t e r s t h a t m a n y p e o p l e , w h o h a v e n o t b e e n n e a r a s c h o o l f o r m a n y y e a r s , h a v e s t a r t e d t o s t u d y a g a i n a n d c a n p r o u d l y c l a s s t h e m s e l v e s a s m a t u r e s t u d e n t s . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 4 " > 0 0 [ A ] c h a n g i n g / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 5 " > 0 0 [ B ] s e c u r e / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 6 " > 0 0 [ C ] l o n g e r / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 7 " > 0 0 [ D ] k i n d e r g a r t e n / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 8 "> 0 0 [ E ] h i g h e r / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 3 9 " > 0 0 [ F ] l i f e t i m e / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 0 " > 0 0 [ G ] d e e p e n / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 1 " > 0 0 [ H ] l a r g e l y / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 2 " > 0 0 [ I ] d i s c i p l i n e / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 3 " > 0 0 [ J ]f i t / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 4 " > 0 0 [ K ] o p t i ng / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 5 " > 0 0 [ L ] s ch o o l / p > p b d s fi d = " 1 4 6 " >0 0 [ M ] v a l u a b l e / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 7 " > 0 0 [ N ] h e a v i l y / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 4 8 " > 0 0 [ O ] f u r t h e r / p > p bd s f i d = " 1 4 9 " > 0 0 Se c t i o n B / p > p b d sf i d = " 1 5 0 " > 0 0 D i r e c t i o n s : T h e r e a r e 2 p a s s ag e s i n thi s s e c t i o n . E a c h p a s s a g e i s f o l l o w e d b y s o m e q u e s t i o n s o r u n f i n i s h e d s t a t e m e n t s . F o r e a c h o f t h e m t h e r e a r e f o u r c h o i c e s m a r k e d [ A ] , [ B ] , [ C ] a n d [ D ] . Y o u s h o u l d d e c i d e o n t h e b e s t c h o i c e a n d m a r k t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e t t e r o n A n s w e r S h e e t 2 w i t h a s i n g l e l i n e t h r o u g h t h e c e n t e r . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 1 " > 0 0 P a s s a g e O n e / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 2 " > 0 0 Q u e s t i o n s 5 7 t o 6 1 a r e b a s e d o n t h e f o l l o w i n g p a s s a g e . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 3 " > 0 0 T h e F o o d a n d D r u g A d m i n i s t r a t i o n s a i d o n W e d n e s d a y t h a t i t i s t r y i n g t o t r a c k d o w n a s m a n y a s 3 8 6 p i g l e t s t h a t m a y h a v e b e e n g e n e t i c a l l y e n g i n e e r e d a n d w r o n g f u l l y s o l d i n t o t h e U . S . f o o d s u p p l y . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 4 " > 0 0 T h e f o c u s o f t h e F D A i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s o n p i g s r a i s e d b y r e s e a r c h e r s a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f I l l i n o i s i n U r b a n a C h a m p a i g n . T h e y e n g i n e e r e d t h e a n i m a l s w i t h t w o g e n e s : o n e i s a c o w g e n e t h a t i n c r e a s e s m i l k p r o d u c t i o n i n t h e s o w ; t h e o t h e r , a s y n t h e t i c g e n e , m a k e s t h e m i l k e a s i e r f o r p i g l e t s t o d i g e s t . T h e g o a l w a s t o r a i s e b i g g e r p i g s f a s t e r . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 5 " > 0 0 T h e r e h a s b e e n n o e v i d e n c e t h a t e i t h e r g e n e t i c a l l y a l t e r e d p l a n t s o r a n i m a l s a c t u a l l y t r i g g e r h u m a n i l l n e s s , b u t c r i t i c s w a r n t h a t p o t e n t i a l s i d e e f f e c t s r e m a i n u n k n o w n . U n i v e r s i t y o f f i c i a l s s a y t h e i r t e s t s s h o w e d t h e p i g l e t s w e r e n o t b o r n w i t h t h e a l t e r e d g e n e s , b u t F D A r u l e s r e q u i r e e v e n t h e o f f s p r i n g o f g e n e t i c a l l y e n g i n e e r e d a n i m a l s t o b e d e s t r o y e d s o t h e y w o n ' t g e t i n t o t h e f o o d s u p p l y . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 6 " > 0 0 T h e F D A , i n a q u i c k l y a r r a n g e d n e w s c o n f e r e n c e o n W e d n e s d a y p r o m p t e d b y i n q u i r i e s b y U S A T O D A Y , s a i d t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f I l l i n o i s w o u l d f a c e p o s s i b l e s a n c t i o n s a n d f i n e s f o r s e l l i n g t h e p i g l e t s t o a l i v e s t o c k b r o k e r , w h o i n t u r n s o l d t h e m t o p r o c e s s i n g p l a n t s . / p > p b d s f i d = " 1 5 7 " > 0 0 B o t h t h e F D A a n d t h e u n i v e r s i t y s a y t h e p i g s t h a t e n t e r e d t h e m a r k e t d o n o t p o s e a r i s k t o c o n s u m e r s . B u t t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n f o l l o w s a c t i o n b y t h e U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e i n D e c e m b e r t o f i n e a T e x a s c o m p a n y t h a t c o n t a m i n a t e d 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 b u s h e l s o f s o y b e a n s w i t h c o r n t h a t h a d b e e n g e n e t i c a l l y a l t e r e d t o p r o d u c e a v a c c i n e f o r p i g s . / p >。