2013年12月英语四级作文题目及范文

作文部分：范文一： The modern technology has greatly altered the mode of communication among people. With the help of the Internet, people can easily contact each other anytime anywhere. However, the side effect is that many people have become over-dependent on the Internet and neglected face-to-face communication.As far as I'm concerned, electronic communication cannot fully replace the direct contact among people. Although it seems to bring everyone together, it actually estranges people and decreases the effectiveness of communication. A typical example is that, traditionally, people working in the same office simply walk to others and talk. Today, however, co-workers tend to send e-mails or instant messages through the Internet even when they are sitting next to each other. As words can never convey the full message, it usually takes much more time and rounds of conversation than face-to-face communication, in which people can discuss more directly with less loss of information.To conclude, the Internet enables more effective communication in some situations, but over-dependence on it actually pulls people apart.范文二：It is frequently observed that many people keep looking down at their mobile phones whatever they are doing. It is true that mobile phones have brought great convenience to us as we can send short messages, check e-mails, surf the Internet, or watch videos almost anywhere. However, the overuse of mobile phones also leads to some serious problems.The over-dependence on mobile phones can harm the relationship among friends and family. With mobile phones, people do not talk as much as before. For example, sometimes at dinner tables, instead of chatting and laughing with each other, many people choose to chat with other friends online. In other words, mobile phones help people contacting friends far away more easily at the expense of reducing the communication with those who are sitting right next to them.In conclusion, mobile phone can be a useful tool in modern life, but overusing it damages interpersonal relationship. There is no point to lose our intimacy with friends and family to modern technology.范文三：The impact of the Internet on learningExplain why education doesn’t simply mean learning to obtain informationIn the age of knowledge explosion, the Internet opens a magical portal for leaners to get access to seemingly incessant information. But is information equal to knowledge? “Once I learn how to use google, isn't that all the education I really need?” This question fully embodies the prejudiced opinion that as long as people acquire abundant information, they will get proper education.The rea son why education doesn’t simply mean learning to obtain information is that education is not limited to the hard facts or theories students can learn from their textbooks or the Internet. It relates to a wider scope ranging from the obtainment of practical skills to the development of characters, which are hard for students to learn simply by googling. Consequently, comprehensive learning in schools that includes learning knowledge, conducting experiments and communicating with peers is what true education is.In a word, the Internet does provide valuable information for learners, but people should be fully conscious of the essence of education and learn to tell the right from the wrong.听力部分：1. C. Consult a travel agent.2. A. They are on a long trip by car.3. C. He is unwilling to speak in public.4. B. Purse further education.5. A. He would not be available to start the job in time.6. B. Mechanic.7. D. Ask Laura to put off the cleaning until another week.8. A. A problem caused by the construction.9. C. To place an order for some products.10. A. The person in charge is not in the office.11. B. 0734, 21653 extension 51.12. B. Since he took to heavy smoking.13. A. He is getting too fat.14. D. They dislike doing physical exercise.15. C. To find a girlfriend.16-19音频无。

2013年12月英语四级作文题及范文English:In December 2013, the English CET-4 essay topic was "The Importance of Reading." Here is a sample essay:Reading is an indispensable part of our life. As the saying goes, “Books are the ladder of human progress.” It is through reading that we accumulate knowledge, broaden our horizons, and cultivate our thinking ability. First and foremost, reading equips us with knowledge. Books are reservoirs of human wisdom, and by reading, we can learn about history, acquire new skills, and gain insights into various subjects. Moreover, reading broadens our horizons. Through reading, we can travel to different times and places, experiencing different cultures and lifestyles without leaving our home. This not only enriches our inner world but also fosters empathy and understanding towards others. Additionally, reading enhances our thinking ability. It stimulates our imagination, improves our analytical skills, and encourages critical thinking. As we delve into a book, we are prompted to think, to question, and to form our own opinions,which is essential for personal growth and intellectual development.In conclusion, reading plays a vital role in our personal and intellectual development. It enriches our knowledge, broadens our horizons, and enhances our thinking ability, making us better equipped to face the challenges of the modern world.中文翻译:阅读是我们生活中不可或缺的一部分。

作文一：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on the way people communicate and then explain whether electronic communication can replace face-to-face contact.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.“Dear Andy-How are you? Your mother and I are fine.We both miss you and hope you are doing well.We look forward to seeing you again the nest time your computer crashes and you come down-stairs for something to eat,Love,Mom and Dad.”作文二：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on learning and then explain whydoesn’t simply mean learning to obtain information. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.“Once I learn how to use Google,isn’t that all the education I really need?”作文三：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of the increasin,use of the mobile phone in people’s life and explain theConsequence of overusing it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.People are crossing the street looking at their cell phones and using walking sticks in order to see.Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections:In this section,you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations.At the end of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be a pause.During the pause,you must read the four choices marked A),B),C)and D),and decide which is the best answer,Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

1 The Importance of Learning Basic Skills范文1What we can see from the cartoon is that the teacher is instructing the students some basic mathematic skills. However, some students are wondering that if it will be outdated in the future. The picture implicitly raises the question of the importance of the fundamental skills students learn in our classes.It is worth mentioning that those seemingly basic and elementary skills we learned in school actually play a significantly indispensable role in our future works. The pervasive undervaluation on elementary skills that we find among current students and even some teachers can largely be attributed to their lack of vision of future and thorough understanding on the knowledge. After all, it’s an obvious truth that we could not build a magnificent mansion without solid foundations; we could not enjoy a long travel unless we make a solid start at first. Those basic skills may look simple to learn, but without them it will not be simple at all to achieve further goals.To sum up, we should think highly of the importance of basic and fundamental skills that guarantee our wonderful and brilliant future. Furthermore, we should make full use of those elementary skills, consciously applying them in our works and life. Basic skill will never be outdated.范文2As is vividly shown in the picture that the students doubt whether they have learnt now is still useful in the future while the teacher is demonstrating them the multiplication table. Will the knowledge really be outdated one day? Of course not. The picture implicitly raises the significance of basic skills. The basic knowledge is to us what the premise to the building of the house. Rare are the occasions when a person wins great achievements without a solid fundamental skill.开头2As is vividly depicted in the cartoon (given above), there are many students sitting in a classroom. When listening to the teacher, one of the students just interrupts the teacher and says，“ No offense, but by the time we’re in the job market, won’t th at stuff be outdated?” Having heard this question, the teacher stops demonstrating the multiplication table and seems to be quite shocked and embarrassed.开头3As is shown in this cartoon, a teacher is teaching her students to deal with arithmetic (算数) questions, but some of them think that learning these basic skills is useless. They argue that by the time they are in the job market, these skills will be outdated. As to whether it is worthwhile to learn basic skills, people hold different views.中间段1)The cartoon informs us of the phenomenon that quite a few students undervalue the importance of learning basic skills these days.2）The purpose of this picture is to show us that due (great) attention has to be paid to the learning of basic skills.3）It seems to me that the cartoonist is sending a message that…Confronted with fiercer competition from society and employment market, students are more focused on practical skills which can be applied in daily work immediately.However, no one can disclaim the importance of learning basic skills. It enables us to lay a strong foundation for further learning and exploration.As far as I am concerned, we are definitely supposed to pay due attention to learning basic skills. There are two reasons accounting for it. First, they are the key to further education. The better you master them, the easier you take in other knowledge. Second，basic skills are essential in our daily life as they make it possible for us to calculate the household expenses.2 For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on learning and then explain why doesn’t simply mean learning to obtain information. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. “Once I learn how to use Google,isn’t that all the education I really need?”范文1In the age of knowledge explosion, the Internet sets a magical platform for learners to get access to seemingly incessant information. But is information equal to knowledge? “Once I learn how to use Google, isn't that all the education I really need?” This question fully embodies the prejudiced opinion that as long as people acquire abundant information, they will get proper education.The reason why education doesn’t simply mean learning to obtain information is that education is not limited to the hard facts or theories students can learn from their textbooks or the Internet. It relates to a wider scope ranging from the obtainment ofpractical skills to the development of characters, which are hard for students to learn simply by googling. Consequently, comprehensive learning in schools that includes learning knowledge, conducting experiments and communicating with peers is what true education is.In conclusion, the Internet does provide valuable information for learners, but people should be fully conscious of the essence of education and learn to tell the right from the wrong.开头2This picture can be naturally associated with the impact of Internet on learning: the young guy expresses his understanding/ conception / perception of education, “Once I learn how to use Google, isn’t that all the education I really need?”Obviously, in the youngster’s eyes, education equals getting information.结论段范文As a college student, I am convinced that education means not only obtaining information, but also acquiring other important qualities, like scientific methods, optimistic attitudes for life, a strong will and so on. Accordingly, teachers should educate, advocate and encourage their students to cultivate comprehensive quality.范文2From the cartoon given above, we can observe that there is a student and a teacher standing in a classroom. When given a quiz by his teacher, the little boy says, with cell phone in his hand that, "once I learn how to use Google, isn't that all the education I really need?" Having heard her student's question, the teacher seems to be quite embarrassed and shocked.We can learn from the cartoon that the Internet has exerted a great influence on people's education. One of the most obvious influences is that we can acquire relevant knowledge and information rapidly and precisely via search engines, professional websites and online education. The internet has been served as a big school, a huge library and an informative book. However, education does not simply mean learning to obtain information. Studying in school, daily communication with people around us, social activities and fulfilling a task or a project can also be effective and indispensable forms. They enable us to enrich our knowledge, broaden our horizons, cultivate skills in communication and practice or even refine our character. All of these can not be achieved by the Internet education alone.The Internet has exerted a great impact on many aspects of people' life (of course including education). However, when enjoying the fruits of it, we should not overlook those traditional, essential and prevailing forms of education.5Literature is acknowledged as the most precious product of human civilization and wisdom, so teachers always ask their students to read as many as literary works. Just as the drawing shown above, a teacher gives a literary work to her student, saying: “Just think of it as if you’re reading a long text-message.”It is of great significance for us to appreciate literature due to the following reasons. Firstly, a good literary work can get you to know a life experience through the eyes of the author other than yourself. The more experience you gain, the more knowledgeable you are. Secondly, reading literature allows you to learn about the history in a personalized way. The stories told in the works can act as mirrors and help you adjust your own behaviors. Lastly, reading literary works is an effective way for relaxation. The beautiful and moving scenes shown in the literature are helpful for one’s mental health.In short, literature is indispensable in our life. We, students, should catch our time to read more literatures.。

What thisthought-provoking drawing mirrors is the phenomenon thatthe increasing use ofthe mobile phone has penetrated into people’s daily life. There is no consensus of opinions amongpeople regarding whetherwe should overuse it. Some people hold the attitudethat we shouldn’t spend too much time on their phone terminal ratherthan relating to people in the real world. The reasons can be listed asfollows. In the first place, it will make people addicted to mobile phone tospend too much time on these. What is more, it will impact and influencepeople’s family affection and friendship。

Just as anold Arab proverb says, “Every swordhas its two edges。

”On the contrary, others are under the impression thatit does not matter.Thereare some reasons behind this attitude. For one thing, these useful and powerfulcommunication tools have made it much faster, easier and cheaper to keep intouch with family and friends in other countries (and also to do internationalbusiness).For another, people cannot live without Internet and Wi-Fi nowadays。

2013年12月英语四级真题（第一套）作文：For this part,you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief account of the impact of the Internet on the way people communicate and then explain whether electronic communication can replace face-to-face contact.You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.“Dear Andy-How are you? Your mother and I are fine.We both miss you and hope you are doing well.We look forward to seeing you again the nest time your computer crashes and you come down-stairs forsomething to eat,Love,Mom and Dad.”作文：As the depicted in the picture, theparents are communicating online with theirson who lives upstairs“…We look forwardto seeing u again the next your computercrashes…”Odd and funny though it sounds,we can not help feeling how seriously the Internet has impacted on the way people communicate. Even so, I think electronic communication can not replace face-to-face contact.First of all, electronic communication may sometimes be inefficient due to network or other interruption. Second, the information transferred via…To sum up, electronic communication will never take the place of the face-to-face contact and it is only a useful complement to face-to-face contact. After all, we all live in a real word, not a virtual one.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section A1. A) The woman is now working in a kindergarten. B) The man will soon start a business of his own.C) The man would like to be a high school teacher. D) The woman is going to major in child education.2. A) The furniture has to be rearranged. B) The sound equipment has to be set up.C) The conference room has to be cleaned. D) The video machine has to be checked.3. A) She is exhausted. C) She cannot finish work in time.B) She is near-sighted. D) She cannot go straight home.4. A) The woman is too particular about food. B) He would rather have a meal an hour later.C) The woman should order her food quickly. D) He usually prefers ice-cream to sandwiches.5. A) He is not a good mechanic. B) He doesn’t keep his promises.C) He spends his spare time doing repairs. D) He is always ready to offer help to others.6. A) Sam has a big family to support.B) Sam is not interested in traveling.C) The pay offered by the travel agency is too low.D) The work hours in the travel agency are too long.7. A) International trade. B) Product development. C) Financial consulting. D) Domestic retailing.8. A) Go on a business trip. B) Look for a job in Miami.C) Make a ticket reservation. D) Take a vacationQuestions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9. A) It is located on Route 18. C) It is a beautiful little town.B) It has an interesting museum. D) It lies seven miles east of Newton.10. A) They are in opposite directions. C) They are quite close to each other.B) They are fifty-five miles apart. D) They are a long drive from Norwalk.11. A) They are connected by Route 7. C) They have lots of old houses.B) They are crowded with tourists. D) They have many rare plants.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12. A) Bring him up to date on the current situation in Milan.B) Inform him of the arrangements for his trip in Italy.C) Fetch the documents signed by Mr. Gartner.D) Accompany Mr. Gartner to the Linate airport13. A) About 8:30. C) About 5:30. B) About 6:30. D) About 4:15.14. A) Mr. Gartner from Milan. C) The company's sales representativeB) Gianni Riva at Megastar D) Gavin from the Chamber of Commerce15. A) Travel agent. C) Secretary. B) Business manager. D) SaleswomanSection BPassage OneQuestions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.16. A) She had a desire to help others. C) She needed some overseas experience.B) She wanted to find out more about it. D) She was interested in farming.17. A) Carry out a cultural exchange program. C) Learn Portuguese.B) Work on an agricultural project. D) Teach English.18. A) She found it difficult to secure a job in her own country.B) She wanted to renew her contact with the Peace Corps.C) She was invited to work as an English teacher.D) She could not get the country out of her mind.19. A) By teaching additional English classes. B) By writing stories for American newspapers.C) By working part time for the Peace Corps. D) By doing odd jobs for local institutions. Passage TwoQuestions 20 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard.20. A) Time spent exercising. C) Time spent on leisure activities.B) Time spent working. D) Time spent with friends and family.21. A) Reading. B) Surfing the Web. C) Eating out. D) Watching TV.22. A) Driving. B) Gardening. C) Going to the pub. D) Visiting friends.Passage ThreeQuestions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.23. A) The car driver was trying to avoid hitting a rabbit.B) The car driver was partly responsible for the accident.C) McLaughlin was talking to his manager while driving.D) McLaughlin’s carelessness resulted in the collision.24. A) He crashed into a car parked there. C) He tore down the company's main gate.B) He knocked down several mailboxes. D) He did serious damage to a loaded truck.25. A) He will lose his job. C) He will be fined heavily.B) He will have to pay damages. D) He will receive retraining.Section CWhen Captain Cook asked the chiefs in Tahiti why they always ate 26 , they replied, "Because it is right." If we ask Americans why they eat with knives and forks, or why their men wearpants 27 skirts, or why they may be married to only one person at a time, we are likely to get 28 and very uninformative answers:" Because it’s right." "Because that’s the way it’s done." "Because it’s the 29 " Or even "I don't know." The reason for these and countless other patterns of social behavior is that they are 30 by social norms-shared rules or guidelines which prescribe the behavior that is appropriate in a given situation. Norms 31 how people "ought" to behave under particular circumstances in a particular society. We conform (遵守）to norms so readily that we are hardly aware they 32 In fact, we are much more likely to notice 33 from norms than conformity to them. You would not be surprised if a stranger tried to shake hands when you were introduced, but you might be a little 34 if they bowed, started to stroke you, or kissed you on both 35 Yet each of these other forms of greeting is appropriate in other parts of the world. When we visit another society whose norms are different, we quickly become aware that things we do this way, they do that way. Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ATo get a sense of how women have progressed（进步，提高） in science take a quick tour of the physics department at the University of California Berkeley. This is a storied place the N of some of the mostimportant discoveries in modern science-starting with Ernest Lawrence's invention of the cyclotron (回旋加速器)in 1931.A generation ago female faces were L and even today, visitors walking through the firstfloor of LeConte Hall will See a full corridor（走廊） of exhibits I the many distinguished physicistswho made history here, O all of there white malesBut climb up to the third floor and you'll see a F display. There, among the photos of current faculty（技能） members and students are portraits(肖像) of the D head of the department, Marjorie Shapiroand four other women whose research C everything from the mecheanics of the universe to the smallest particles of matter. A sixth woman was hired just two weeks ago. Although they're Still only about 10 percent of the physics faculty, women are clearly a presence here. And the real J may be in the smaller photos to the right graduate and undergraduate students about 20 percent of them female. Every years Berkeley sends its fresh female physics PhDs to the country's top universities. That makes Shapiro optimistic but also M "I believe things are getting better "she says "but they're not getting betteras H as I would like."A)circumstance B)confidence C)covers D)current E)deals F)different G)exposing H)fast I)honoring J)hope K)presently L)rare M)realistic N)site（地点） O)virtually（差不多）Section BIs College a Worthy Investment?A) Why are we spending so much money on college? And why are we so unhappy about it? We all seemto agree that a college education is wonderful, and yet strangely we worry when we see families investingso much in this supposedly essential good. Maybe it's time to ask a question that seems almost sacrilegious (大不敬的）：is all this investment in college education really worth it?B) The answer, I fear, is no. For an increasing number of kids’ the extra time and money spent pursuing a college diploma will leave them worse off than they were before they set foot on campus.C) For my entire adult life, a good education has been the most important thing for middle-class households. My parents spent more educating my sister and me than they spent on their house, and they'renot the only ones... and, of course, for an increasing number of families, most of the cost of their house is actually the cost of living in a good school district. Questioning the value of a college education seems a bit like questioning the value of happiness, or fun.D) The average price of all goods and services has risen about 50 percent. But the price of a college education has nearly doubled in that time. Is the education that today’s students are getting twiceas good? Are new workers twice as smart? Have they become somehow massively more expensive to educate?E) Perhaps a bit. Richard Vedder, an Ohio University economics professor, says, ‘.I look at the data, and I see college costs rising faster than inflation up to the mid-1980s by 1 percent a year.Now I see them rising 3 to 4 percent a year over inflation. What has happened? The federal governmenthas started dropping money out of airplanes." Aid has increased, subsidized （补贴的）loans have become available, and "the universities have gotten the money." Economist Bryan Caplan, who is writing a book about education, agrees： "It’s a giant waste of resources that will continue as long as the subsidies continue."F) Promotional literature for colleges and student loans often speaks of debt as an "investmentin yourself." But an investment is supposed to generate income to pay off the loans. More than halfof all recent graduates are unemployed or in jobs that do not require a degree, and the amount of student-loan debt carried by households has increased more than five times since 1999. These graduates weretold that a diploma was all they needed to succeed, but it won't even get them out of the spare bedroom at Mom and Dad's. For many, the most visible result of their four years is the loan payments, which now average hundreds of dollars a month on loan balances in the tens of thousands.G) It’s true about the money—sort of. College graduates now make 80 percent more than people who have only a high-school diploma, and though there are no precise estimates, the wage premium (高出的部分）for an outstanding school seems to be even higher. But that’s not true of every student. It's very easy to spend four years majoring in English literature and come out no more employable than you were before you went in. Conversely, chemical engineers straight out of school can easily make almost four times the wages of an entry-level high-school graduate.H) James Heckman, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, has examined how the returns on education break down for individuals with different backgrounds and levels of ability. "Even with these high prices, you’re still finding a high return for individuals who are bright and motivated," he says. On the other hand, "if you’re not college ready, then the answer is no, it's not worth it." Experts tend to agree that for the average student, college is still worth it today, but they also agree that the rapid increase in price is eating up more and more of the potential return. For borderline students, tuition (学费）rise can push those returns into negative territory.I) Everyone seems to agree that the government, and parents, should be rethinking how we invest in higher education—and that employers need to rethink the increasing use of college degrees as crude screening tools for jobs that don’t really require college skills. "Employers seeing a surplus of college graduates and looking to fill jobs are just adding that requirement," says Vedder. "In fact, a college degree becomes a job requirement for becoming a bar-tender."J) We have started to see some change on the finance side. A law passed in 2007 allows many students to cap their loan payment at 10 percent of their income and forgives any balance after 25 years. But of course, that doesn't control the cost of education; it just shifts it to taxpayers. It also encourages graduates to choose lower-paying careers, which reduces the financial return to education still further. "You’re subsidizing people to become priests and poets and so forth," says Heckman. "You may think that's a good thing, or you may not." Either way it will be expensive for the government.K) What might be a lot cheaper is putting more kids to work. Caplan notes that work also builds valuable skills一probably more valuable for kids who don’t naturally love sitting in a classroom. Heckman agrees wholeheartedly： **People are different, and those abilities can be shaped. That’s what we’ve learned, and public policy should recognize that."L) Heckman would like to see more apprenticeship-style (学徒式）programs, where kids can learn in the workplace—learn not just specific job skills, but the kind of "soft skills，" like getting to work on time and getting along with a team, that are crucial for career success. "It’s about having mentors (指导者) and having workplace-based education,” he says. "Time and again I’ve seen examples of this kind of program working.M) Ah, but how do we get there from here? With better public policy, hopefully, but also by making better individual decisions. ‘‘Historically markets have been able to handle these things,” says Vedder, "and I think eventually markets will handle this one. If it doesn't improve soon, people are going to wake up and ask, ‘Why am I going to college?"46. Caplan suggests that kids who don't love school go to work.47. An increasing number of families spend more money on houses in a good school district.48. Subsidized loans to college students are a huge waste of money, according to one economist.49. More and more kids find they fare worse with a college diploma.50. For those who are not prepared for higher education, going to college is not worth it.51. Over the years the cost of a college education has increased almost by 100%.52. A law passed recently allows many students to pay no more than one tenth of their income for theircollege loans.53. Middle-class Americans have highly valued a good education.54. More kids should be encouraged to participate in programs where they can learn not only job skillsbut also social skills.55. Over fifty percent of recent college graduates remain unemployed or unable to find a suitable job.Section CPassage OneA recent global survey of 2 000 high-net-worth individuals found that 60% were not planning on a traditional retirement. Among US participants, 75% expected to continue working in some capacity even after stepping away from full-time jobs. "Many of these people made their wealth by doing something they're passionate (有激情的）about," says Daniel Egan, head of behavioral finance for Barclays Wealth Americas. "Given the choice, they prefer to continue working." Barclays calls these people “nevertirees”.Unlike many Americans compelled into early retirement by company restrictions, the average nevertiree often has no one forcing his hand. If 106-year-old investor Irving Kahn, head of his own family firm, wants to keep coming to work every day, who's going to stop him? Seventy-eight-year-old Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s job security is guaranteed in the Constitution.It may seem that these elderly people are trying to cheat death. In fact, they are. And it’s working. Howard Friedman, a professor at UC Riverside, found in his research that those who work hardest and are successful in their careers often live the longest lives. "People are generally being given bad advice to slow down, take it easy, stop worrying, and retire to Florida，" he says. He described one study participant, still working at the age of 100, who was recently disappointed to see his son retire."We're beginning to see a change in how people view retirement，" says George Leeson, co-director of the Institute of Population Ageing at Oxford. Where once retirement was seen as a brief reward after a long struggle through some miserable job, it is now akin (近似）to being cast aside. What Leeson terms "the Warren Buffett effect" is becoming more broadly appealing as individuals come to "view retirement as not simply being linked to economic productivity but also about contribution."Observers are split on whether this is a wholly good thing. On the one hand, companies and financial firms can benefit from the wisdom of a resilient (坚韧的）chief. On the other, the new generation can find it more difficult to advance—an argument that typically holds little sway to a nevertiree.56. What do we learn about the so-called “nevertirees”？A) They are passionate about making a fortune.B) They have no choice but to continue working.C) They love what they do and choose not to retire.D) They will not retire unless they are compelled to.57. What do Irving Kahn and Ruth Bader Ginsburg have in common?A) Neither of them is subject to forced retirement. B) Neither of them desires reward for their work.C) Both cling to their positions despite opposition. D) Both are capable of coping with heavy workloads.58. What is the finding of Howard Friedman’s research?A) The harder you work, the bigger your fortune will be.B) The earlier you retire, the healthier you will be.C) Elderly people have to slow down to live longer.D) Working at an advanced age lengthens people’s life.59. What is the traditional view of retirement according to the passage?A) It means a burden to the younger generation.B) It is a symbol of a mature and civilized society.C) It is a compensation for one's life-long hard work.D) It helps increase a nation’s economic productivity.60. What do critics say about "nevertirees"?A) They are an obstacle to a company’s development.B) They lack the creativity of the younger generation.C) They cannot work as efficiently as they used to.D) They prevent young people from getting ahead.Passage TwoQuestions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.When we talk about Americans barely into adulthood who are saddled with unbearable levels of debt* the conversation is almost always about student loan debt. But there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that today’s young adults are also drowning in credit-card debt-and that many of them will take this debt to their graves.More than 20% overspent their income by more than $ 100 every single month. Since they haven’t built up their credit histories yet, it's a safe bet that these young adults are paying relatively high interest rates on the resulting credit card debt.Although many young people blame "socializing" as a barrier to saving money, most of them aren’t knocking back $ 20 drinks in trendy (时尚的）lounges. They’re struggling with much more daily financial demands.To a disturbingly large extent, the young and the broke are relying on credit cards to make it until their next payday. This obviously isn’t sustainable in the long run, and it’s going to put a huge drag on their spending power even after they reach their peak earning years, because they’ll still be paying interest on that bottle of orange juice or box of spaghetti (意式面条）they bought a decade earlier.A new study out of Ohio State University found that young adults are accumulating credit card debt at a more rapid rate than other age groups, and that they're slower at paying it off. "If what we found continues to hold true, we may have more elderly people with substantial financial problems in the future’" warns Lucia Dunn, professor of economics at Ohio State. "If our findings persist, we may be faced with a financial crisis among elderly people who can’t pay off their credit cards."Dunn says a lot of these young people are never going to get out from under their credit card debt. "Many people are borrowing on credit cards so heavily that payoff rates at these levels are not sufficient to recover their credit card debt by the end of their life* which could have loss implications for the credit card issuing banks,"61. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?A) Many young Americans will never be able to pay off their debts.B) Credit cards play an increasingly important role in college life.C) Credit cards are doing more harm than student loans.D) The American credit card system is under criticism.62. Why do young people have to pay a higher interest on their credit card debt?A) They tend to forget about the deadlines. B) They haven't developed a credit history.C) They are often unable to pay back in time. D) They are inexperienced in managing money.63. What is said to be the consequence of young adults relying on credit cards to make ends meet?A) It will place an unnecessary burden on society. B) It will give them no motivation to work hard.C) It will exert psychological pressure on them. D) It will affect their future spending power.64. What will happen to young adults if their credit card debt keeps accumulating according to Lucia Dunn?A) They will have to pay an increasingly higher interest rate.B) They may experience a financial crisis in their old age.C) Their quality of life will be affected.D) Their credit cards may be cancelled.65. What does Lucia Dunn think might be a risk for the credit card issuing banks?A) They go bankrupt as a result of over-lending.B) They lose large numbers of their regular clients.C) Their clients leave their debts unpaid upon death.D) Their interest rates have to be reduced now and then.Part IV Translation许多人喜欢中餐。

The Importance of Balancing Technologyand Human RelationshipsIn the fast-paced, technology-driven world of today, it is increasingly difficult to strike a balance between our digital lives and our human relationships. The allure of smartphones, social media, and other digital platformsoften distracts us from the rich and meaningfulinteractions that are fundamental to our well-being. The 2013 December CET-4 exam essay, specifically the second set, underscores this critical issue, highlighting the need fora harmonious coexistence between technology and our interpersonal connections.The essay prompts us to consider the ways in which technology has transformed our lives, often at the cost of our personal relationships. We are constantly connected to the world through our devices, but this connectivity canalso lead to a sense of disconnection from the peopleclosest to us. We find ourselves scrolling through social media feeds instead of engaging in face-to-face conversations, and we often prioritize virtual interactions over real-life ones.However, it is important to recognize that technology is not inherently bad. It has brought about numerous benefits, such as increased access to information, improved communication, and enhanced productivity. The problem arises when we allow technology to overshadow our human relationships, replacing them with superficial digital connections.To strike a balance, we must make a conscious effort to integrate technology into our lives in a way that complements our interpersonal relationships, rather than replaces them. We can use technology as a tool to enhance our communication, rather than as a substitute for face-to-face interactions. For instance, we can utilize video conferencing to stay connected with loved ones who live far away, or we can use social media to share our experiences and thoughts with a wider audience.Moreover, it is crucial to set boundaries andprioritize our real-life relationships. We should make time for face-to-face conversations, spend quality time with our family and friends, and participate in activities that foster meaningful human interactions. By doing so, we canensure that technology serves as an enhancer of our lives, rather than a hindrance to our personal relationships.In conclusion, the challenge of balancing technology and human relationships is a timely and important one. We must recognize the role that technology plays in our lives and take proactive steps to ensure that it does not overshadow our interpersonal connections. By doing so, we can enjoy the benefits of technology while maintaining the rich and meaningful human relationships that are integral to our well-being.**科技与人际关系的平衡之重要性**在当今快节奏、技术驱动的世界中，要在数字生活与人际关系之间取得平衡变得越来越困难。

2013年12月四级作文范文英文回答：As a language learner, I believe that learning a foreign language is an essential skill in today's globalized world. There are several reasons why I think learning a foreign language is important.Firstly, learning a foreign language can greatly enhance our communication skills. When we are able to speak a second language, we can easily communicate with people from different countries and cultures. This opens up a whole new world of opportunities for us. For example, if I can speak Mandarin Chinese, I can easily communicate with Chinese people and understand their culture better. This can help me build strong relationships with them and even open up job opportunities in China.Secondly, learning a foreign language can broaden our horizons and help us gain a deeper understanding ofdifferent cultures. Language and culture are closely intertwined, and by learning a foreign language, we can gain insights into the customs, traditions, and values of a particular culture. For instance, if I learn Spanish, I can understand the rich cultural heritage of Spanish-speaking countries like Spain, Mexico, and Argentina. This can help me appreciate their literature, music, and art on a deeper level.Furthermore, learning a foreign language can also improve our cognitive abilities. Research has shown that language learning can enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and even delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. By challenging ourselves to learn a new language, we are exercising our brains and keeping them sharp.In conclusion, learning a foreign language is not only beneficial for communication and cultural understanding, but it also has cognitive benefits. It opens up new opportunities, helps us connect with people from different backgrounds, and broadens our horizons. So, whether it is Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, or any other language, I believethat learning a foreign language is definitely worth the effort.中文回答：作为一个语言学习者，我相信学习外语是当今全球化世界中一项重要的技能。

2013年12月四级作文英文回答：Culture is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses the beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and material objects that define a society. It is a living, breathing entity that is constantly evolving and adapting to changing circumstances.Culture can be both a source of pride and a source of conflict. It can unite people by providing them with a shared sense of identity and purpose. It can also divide people by creating barriers between different groups.In a globalized world, it is more important than ever to understand and appreciate different cultures. By doing so, we can build bridges between people and create a more peaceful and harmonious world.There are many ways to learn about different cultures.We can travel to different countries, read books, watch movies, and talk to people from different backgrounds. By immersing ourselves in different cultures, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and our placein it.It is also important to be respectful of different cultures. We should not judge other cultures by our own standards. Instead, we should try to understand them on their own terms. By doing so, we can open ourselves up to new experiences and ways of thinking.Culture is a powerful force in our lives. It shapes who we are and how we see the world. By understanding and appreciating different cultures, we can become more open-minded, tolerant, and compassionate individuals.中文回答：文化是一个复杂且多方面的概念，它包含着定义一个社会的信仰、价值观、习俗、行为和物质对象。

2013年12月四级作文范文英文回答：In December 2013, I took the English proficiency test and had to write an essay as part of the exam. The topic was about the benefits and challenges of studying abroad. I found this topic quite interesting and relevant, as I had some personal experience with studying abroad.Studying abroad can offer numerous benefits, such as the opportunity to immerse oneself in a different culture, improve language skills, and gain a broader perspective on the world. For example, when I studied in the United States for a semester, I was able to make friends from all over the world and learn about their customs and traditions. This experience not only enriched my cultural knowledge but also helped me become more open-minded and tolerant.On the other hand, studying abroad also comes with its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is homesickness,as being away from family and friends can be difficult, especially during holidays or special occasions. Additionally, adapting to a new educational system and living environment can be overwhelming at times. For instance, when I first arrived in the US, I struggled with understanding the grading system and had to work extra hard to catch up with my classmates.Overall, studying abroad is a valuable experience that can greatly benefit one's personal and academic growth. Despite the challenges, the rewards of studying abroad are well worth it in the end.中文回答：2013年12月，我参加了英语水平考试，并在考试中写了一篇文章。