2014年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案(第二套)

2014年12月大学英语六级真题试卷（二）(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. Writing 2. Listening Comprehension 3. 4. Reading Comprehension 5. TranslationPart I Writing1．For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start, your essay with a brief description of the picture and then discuss whether there is a shortcut to learning. You should give sound arguments to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.正确答案：No Shortcut to Learning Given is a stimulating but thought-provoking cartoon, in which a young man asks where he can find a book named How To Do Well In School Without Studying, and the woman suggests him to find it in the fiction section. Apparently, the cartoon ironically demonstrates a truth that there is no such a thing as a shortcut to learning. It is the nature of study that requires a solid foundation. Just as we cannot build a castle in the air, neither can we obtain advanced knowledge through a shortcut, for even a slight shortcut can shatter the whole foundation. For example, students may choose to cheat to acquire a good score. However, the cheaters will wind up in a total ignorance, let alone dishonesty. In addition, although many students are averse to learning by rote, there is no denying that only by rote can one remember and learn the basic knowledge, thus achieving the possibility to further study in the future. In this case, shortcuts also do not exist. To sum up, students should come to realize that there exists no shortcut in study. Only by hard work can we form the bedrock of good performance in school.Part II Listening ComprehensionSection A听力原文：W: Oh, here’s a piece of cake and a small coffee for you, sir. The total is 35 yuan. For here or to go? M: To go. I’d like to have them in my car. Thank you. Q: Where does this conversation most probably take place?2．A．In a parking lot.B．At a grocery.C．At a fast food restaurant.D．In a car showroom.正确答案：C解析：对话中女店员拿给男士一块蛋糕以及一小杯咖啡，告知总共是35元钱，并询问男士是要在店里吃还是带走，由此可知，这最有可能是在快餐店发生的对话，故答案为C)。

2023年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案（第二套）2023年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案第二套英语六级听力第二套1.A) Spending their holidays in a novel way.2. D) He once owned a van.3. A) Generate their own electricity.4.C) Enjoying the freedom to choose where to go and work.5. C) Her job performance has worsened over the past month.6.B) Some problems at home7. B) The womans work proficiency.8. C) The woman will be off work on the next two Mondays.9. D) It can enable us to live a healthier and longer life.10.B) The spouses level of education can impact oneshealth.11.A) They had more education than their spouses.12.C) Forecasting flood risks accurately.13.D) To improve his mathematical flooding model.14.A) To forecast rapid floods in real time.15.B) They set up Internet-connected water-level sensors.16.B) To argue about the value of a college degree.17.D) The factor of wages.18.A) The sharp decline in marriage among men with no college degrees.19.C) More and more people prioritize animal welfare when buying things to wear.20.D)Avoided the use of leather and fur.21.A)Whether they can be regarded as ethical.22.D) The era we live in is the most peaceful in history.23.C) They believed the world was deteriorating.24.B) Our psychological biases.25.A) Paying attention to negative information.翻译第二篇在中国，随着老龄化社会的到来，养老受到普遍关注。

Section AHis future subjects have not always treated the Prince of Wales with the respect o ne XXXX expect. They laughed aloud in 1986 when the heir to the British(36)_____ t old a TV reporter that he talked to his plants at his country house, Highgrove, to stimu late their growth. The Prince was being humorous- “My sense of humor will get me in to trouble one day”, he said to his aids(随从)-but listening to Charles Windsor can ind eed prove stimulating. The royal(37)_____ has been promoting radical ideas for most of his adult life. Some of his(38)_____, which once sounded a bit weird, were simply ahead of their time. Now, finally, the world seems to be catching up with him. Take hi s 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)_____ a ction 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 l ending conservationists,many British people still think of him as an(44)_____ 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.notion sanic H.originally I.recognition J.respond K.subordinate L.suppressi ng M.throne N.unnaturally O.urgingSection BDirections: In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements a ttached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Iden tify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragrap h 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 school-sponsored sports programs should be seriously cut. She writes that, unlike most countries that outperform the United States on internatio nal assessments, American schools put too much of an emphasis on athletics, “ Sports are embedded in American schools in a way they are not almost anywhere e lse,” 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 lea rn from South Korea and Finland and every other country at the top level of internatio nal test scores, all of whom emph asize athletics far less in school. ”Even in eighth gra de, American kids spend more than twice the time Korean kids spend playing sports,” she writes, citing a 2010 study published in the Journal of Advanced Academics.C)It might well be true that sports are far more rooted in American high schools t han 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 lea d us to make the opposite case. School-sponsored sports appear to provide benefits tha t seem to increase, not detract(减少)from, academic success.D)Ripley indulges a popular obsession(痴迷)with international test score compar isons, which show wide and frightening gaps between the United States and other cou ntries. 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 Massachu setts produces math scores comparable to South Korea and Finland, while Mississippi scores are closer to Trinidad and Tobago. Ripley’s thesis about sports falls apart in li ght of this fact. Schools in Massachusetts provide sports programs while schools in Fi nland do not. Schools in Mississippi may love football while in Tobago interscholastic sports are nowhere near as prominent. Sports cannot explain these similarities in per formance. 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 a nd academic achievement. However, the University of Arkansas’s Daniel Bowen and Jay Greene actually find the opposite. They examine this relationship by analyzing sc hools’ sports wi nning percentages as well as student-athletic participation rates compa red to graduation rates and standardized test score achievement over a five-year perio d for all public high schools in Ohio. Controlling for student poverty levels, demograp hics(人口统计状况), and district financial resources, both measures of a school’s com mitment 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 f ocus and dedication to athletics. One might think this would lead schools obsessed wit h winning to deemphasize academics. Bowen and Greene’s results contradict that arg ument. 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 resea rch in education was groundbreaking. Coleman in his early work held athletics in cont empt, arguing that they crowded out schools’ academic missions. Ripley quotes his 19 61 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 relat ionships between adults and children th at are of value for the child’s growing up.”I)According to a 2013 evaluation conducted by the Crime Lab at the University o f Chicago, a program called Becoming a Man-Sports Edition creates lasting improvements in the boys’ study habits and grade point ave rages. During the first year of the p rogram, students were founds to be less likely to transfer schools or be engaged in viol ent crime. A year after the program, participants were less likely to have had an encou nter with the juvenile justice system.J)If school-sponsored sports were completely eliminated tomorrow, many Ameri can students would still have opportunities to participate in organized athletics elsewh ere, much like they do in countries such as Finland, Germany, and South Korea. The s ame is not certain when it comes to students from more disadvantaged backgrounds. I n an overview of the research on non-schoolbased after-school programs, researchers find that disadvantaged children partici pate in these programs at significantly lower rates. They find that low-income student s have less access due to challenges with regard to transportation, non-nominal fees, a nd off-campus safety. Therefore, reducing or eliminating these opportunities would m ost likely deprive disadvantaged students of the benefits from athletic participation, no t least of which is the opportunity to interact with positive role models outside of regu lar school hours.K)Another unfounded criticism that Ripley makes is bringing up the stereotype t hat athletic XX are typically lousy(蹩脚的)c lassroom teachers. “American principals, unlike the XX XX of principals around the world, make many hiring decisions with th eir sports teams in mind, which does not always end well for students,” she writes. Ed ucators who seek employment at schools primarily for the purpose of coaching are lik ely 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 re sponsibilities that come with coaching likely comes at the expense of time otherwise s pent on planning, grading, and communicating with parents and guardians.L)The data, however, do not seem to confirm this stereotype. In the most rigorou s study on the classroom results of high school coaches, the Un iversity 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 n ot 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 spo rting events, athletic coaches gain additional opportunities for communicating and ser ving 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 issues would be better addressed by changing school and state policies with regard to the schedulin g of sporting events as opposed to total elimination. If the empirical evidence points t o anything, it points towards school sponsored sports providing assets that are well wo rth the costs.N)Despite n egative stereotypes about sports culture and Ripley’s presumption th at academics and athletics are at odds with one another, we believe that the greater bo dy of evidence shows that school-sponsored sports programs appear to benefit student s. 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 progr ams.47.Amanda Ripley argues that America should learn from other countries that ra nk high in international tests and lay less emphasis on athletics.48.According to the author,Amanda Ripley fails to note that stunents'performance in exams varies from state to state.49.Amanda Ripley thinks that athletic coaches are poor at classroom instruction.50.James Coleman's later resrarch make an argument for a school's social capital.51.Reaearchers find that there is a ppsitive relationship between a school's comm itment toathletics and academic achievements.52.Aa rigorous study finds that athletic coaches also do well in raising students'te st scores.53.According to an evaluation,spograms contribute to students's academic prefor mance and character building.54.Amanda Ripley believes the emphasis on school sports shuold be brought up when trying to understand why Aamerican students are mediocre.55.James Coleman suggests in his earlier writings that school athletics would un dermine a school's image.Section CDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by som e 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 let ter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage oneIt is easy to miss amid the day-to-day headlines of global economic recession, bu t there is a less conspicuous kind of social upheaval(剧变)underway that is fast alterin g both the face of the planet and the way human beings live. That change is the rapid acceleration of urbanization. In 2008, for the first time in human history, more than ha lf the world’s population was living in towns and cities. And as a recently published p aper shows, the process of urbanization will only accelerate in the decades to come—with an enormous impact on biodiversity and potentially on climate change.As Karen Seto, the led author of the paper, points out, the wave of urbanization i sn’t just about the migration of people into urban environments, but about the environ ments themselves becoming bigger to accommodate all those people. The rapid expansion of urban areas will have a huge impact on biodiversity hotspots and on carbon e missions in those urban areas.Humans are the ultimate invasive species—when the move into new territory, the often displace the wildlife that was already living there. And as land is cleared for tho se new cities—especially in the dense tropical forests—carbon will be released into th e atmosphere as well. It’s true that as people in developing nations move from the cou ntryside to the city, the shift may reduce the pressure on land, which could in turn be good for the environment. This is especially so in desperately poor countries, where re sidents in the countryside slash and burn forests each growing season to clear space fo r farming. But the real difference is that in developing nations, the move from rural ar eas to cities often leads to an accompanying increase in income — and that increase le ads to an increase in the consumption of food and energy, which in turn causes a rise i n carbon emissions. Getting enough to eat and enjoying the safety and comfort of livi ng fully on the grid is certainly a good thing — but it does carry an environmental pri ce. The urbanization wave can’t be stopped —and it shouldn’t be. But Seto’s paper d oes underscore the importance of managing that transition. If we do it the right way, we can reduce urbanization’s impact on the environment. “There’s an enormous oppo rtunity here, and a lot of pressure and responsibility to think about how we urbanize,” says Seto. “One thing that’s clear is that we can’t build cities the way we have over th e last couple of hundred years. The s cale of this transition won’t allow that.” We’re he aded towards an urban planet no matter what, but whether it becomes heaven or hell is up to us.56. What issue does the author try to draw people’s attention to?A. The shrinking biodiversity worldwide.B. The rapid increase of world population.C. The ongoing global economic recession.D. The impact of accelerating urbanization.57. In what sense are humans the ultimate invasive species?A. They are much greedier than other species.B. They are a unique species born to conquer.C. They force other species out of their territories.D. They have an urge to expand their living space.58. In what way is urbanization in poor countries good for the environment?A. More land will be preserved for wildlife.B. The pressure on farmland will be lessened.C. Carbon emissions will be considerably reduced.D. Natural resources will be used more effectively.59. What does the author say about living comfortably in the city?A. It incurs a high environmental price.B. It brings poverty and insecurity to an end.C. It causes a big change in people’s lifestyle.D. It narrows the gap between city and country.60. What can be done to minimize the negative impact of urbanization according to Seto?A. Slowing down the speed of transition.B. Innovative use of advanced technology.C. Appropriate management of the process.D. Enhancing people’s sense of responsibility.Passage TwoWhen Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched in Feb. 2004, even he could not imagine the forces it would let loose. His intent was to connect coll ege students. Facebook, which is what this website rapidly evolved into, ended up con necting the world.To the children of this connected era, the world is one giant social network. They are not bound — as were previous generations of humans — by what they were taugh t. They are only limited by their curiosity and ambition. During my childhood, all kno wledge was local. You learned everything you knew from your parents, teachers, prea chers, and friends.With the high-quality and timely information at their fingertips, today’s children are rising normally tame middle class is speaking up against social ills. Silicon Valley executives are being shamed into adding women to their boards. Political leaders are marshalling the energy of millions for elections and political causes. All of this is bein g done with social media technologies that Facebook and its competitors set free.As does every advancing technology, social media has created many new proble ms. It is commonly addictive and creates risks for younger users. Social media is used by extremists in the Middle East and elsewhere to seek and brainwash recruits. And it exposes us and our friends to disagreeable spying. We may leave our lights on in the house when we are on vacation, but through social media we tell criminals exactly wh ere we are, when we plan to return home, and howtoblackmail(敲诈)us.；Governmen tsdon’tneedinfo；Themarketersarealsoseein；Regardlessofwhatsocialme；61.Whatw asthepurposeofFa；A.Tohelpstudentsconnectw；B.Tobringuniversitystude；C.Tohel phow to blackmail(敲诈)us.Governments don’t need informers any more. Social media allows government a gencies to spy on their own citizens. We record our thoughts, emotions, likes and dislikes on Facebook; we share our political views, social preferences, and plans. We post intimate photographs of ourselves. No spy agency or criminal organization could activ ely gather the type of data that we voluntarily post for them.The marketers are also seeing big opportunities. Amazon is trying to predict wha t we will order. Google is trying to judge our needs and wants based on our social-me dia profiles. We need to be aware of the risks and keep working to alleviate the dange rs.Regardless of what social media people use, one thing is certain: we are in a peri od of accelerating change. The next decade will be even more amazing and unpredicta ble than the last. Just as no one could predict what would happen with social media in the last decade, no one can accurately predict where this technology will take us. I am optimistic, however, that a connected humanity will find a way to uplift itself.61. What was the purpose of Facebook when it was first created?A. To help students connect with the outside world.B. To bring university students into closer contact.C. To help students learn to live in a connected era.D. To combine the world into an integral whole.62. What difference does social media make to learning?A. Local knowledge and global knowledge will merge.B. Student will become more curious and ambitious.C. People are able to learn wherever they travel.D. Sources of information are greatly expanded.63. What is the author’s greatest concern with social media technology?A. Individuals and organizations may use it for evil purposes.B. Government will find it hard to protect classified information.C. People may disclose their friends’ information unintentionally.D. People’s attention will be easily distractedfrom their work in hand.64. What do businesses use social media for?A. Creating a good corporate image.B. Conducting large-scale market surveys.C. Anticipating the needs of customers.D. Minimizing possible risks and dangers.65. What does the author think of social media as a whole?A. It will enable human society to advance at a faster pace.B. It will pose a grave threat to our traditional ways of life.C. It is bound to bring about another information revolution.D. It breaks down the final barriers in human communication.Part IV Translation (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.翻译题一：自从1978年启动改革以来，中国已从计划经济转为以市场为基础的经济，经历了经济和社会的快速发展。

2014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 an essay based on the picture below.You should start your essay with a brief description of thepicture and then discuss whether there is a shortcut to learning.Youshould give sound arguments to support your views and write at least150words but no more than200words.“‘How To Do Well in School WithoutStudying’is over there in the fiction section.”【审题构思】本题要求讨论学习是否存在捷径。

从图片上可以看到，一位图书管理员对来借书的学生说到：“不学习就能学习好”这本书在那边放小说的书架上。

在这里考生必须理解“小说”的深层次含义，即“虚构的，幻想的”，也就是说关于学习的捷径这种想法根本就不存在。

写作时，考生首先必须把图片上隐含的这层意思表达清楚，从而提出自己的观点，学习没有捷径。

【参考范文】There is No Shortcut to Learning(1)In the cartoon,the student wants to borrow a book named How To Do Well In School Without Studying and then the librarian answers(2)ironically that the book is in the fiction section.The word“fiction”means something unreal,and the librarian is trying to warn the student that(3)there is no such thing as shortcut to learning.For this point,I cannot agree with the librarian more.(4)For one thing,learning is to understand the knowledge and to acquire the skills to solve the related problems.Only when you really spend time on learning, can you really master the knowledge.Some students may think that they can learn something or finish their study tasks(5)by so-called“shortcut”,like plagiarism or learning by rote,but the fact is that the knowledge is not really grasped by them and they still don’t know how to solve the problem next time.(6)For another, knowledge that one possesses is accumulated step by step and to learn more complicated things usually need a solid foundation of other knowledge.Thus,if you want to learn something by shortcut,then in the future,you will meet problems to obtain advanced knowledge and you will(7)wind up in failure to make progress.(8)To sum up,If you really want to perform well in school and really want to learn something,there exists no shortcut.Success in study needs your diligence.【行文点评】(1)通过分析图片中隐含的信息，指出学习没有捷径。

2014年12月英语六级真题及答案(卷二)Part IWritingDirect ions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minu tes to write on essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then discuss what qualities an employer should look for in job applicants.You should give sound argume nts to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more tha n 200 words.卷传到监考教师指令前.不得翻阅该试题册!(30 min(HP“I m sjoh堺to need \ech仙pportZ•之后掲进荷晰力f r.r pan IYIM E “仏小如Jfl 叫唤；t r t,如出&心“心*艸屮»如皿界如如g 1阳“诃如TJ枷“亦丽叨如01仙：叽g 血*曲fcchDokifiy特〃斷网步杯严etAic^Utn- Ybtt *加讷H的亡⑷疔w洌科rm Mzppgiw讨吋帕“a慚、2、亦加袖曲由曲22014年12月英语六级作文真题范文1:科技与学习For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief descripti on of the picture and the n discuss whether tech no logy is indispensable in education. You should give sound arguments to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more tha n 200 words.From this cartoon, we clearly see that the student is asking his teacher about whether or not he can use some tech support to figure out the problem in his math class. W'ts beh ind the carto on is the fact that no wadays stude nts become in creas in gly depe ndenton tech no logical devices to help them with their school work.In my opi nio n, with the adva nces in tech no logy, stude nts can lear n more efficie ntly. First of all,technology provides infinite resources for learning. When our parents were students, they could only learn from their teachers, while nowadays, we can learn much more from the Internet. Second, it 's more convenient to learn with tech support. For example, I got enrolled in a Spanish class in an online school called Hujiang Online Class. All it requires is a PC or a smartphone, and I can learn the lectures anytime and anywhere. Lastly, it 's more economical to learn online. Besides the courses, free Apps are also easily accessible.As for me, tech support has become an important part in my daily study. I will continue to learn in this way, and I believe that we can learn more efficiently if we are able to utilize the technologies around us.2014年12月英语六级作文真题范文2：科技与学习参考范文：The picture vividly depicts that a teaching is asking a pupil to answer a simple math-related question——what' s two plus two? Unfortunately, the child cannot answer such an easy question without tech help. In fact, the phenomenon conveyed in the picture does not surprise us, because as the science and technology develops, the topic concerning the side effects of technological advancement increasingly arouses peop'le s attention.Undoubtedly, the drawer of the picture aims at reminding us that we should use technology in a proper way and not be too tech-dependent to solve the simple problem independently. It is well known that thanks to the development of human civilization, many formerly unimaginable things come into reality. But, while enjoying the convenience produced by tech, we must alert its harm. Being over-addicted to technology will cost our health, independence, wisdom，creativity and even our ability to live.Weighing the pros and cons of the technology, perhaps the best policy is to apply it properly. At the same time, we must avoid its harmful part. Furthermore, young people should be advised that depending too much on technology is hardly beneficial for them at all and more importantly they are expected to acquire the capacity to think independently.范文译文：这幅图形象地描述了一位老师正在让一名小学生回答一个简单的数学问题：2 加2 等于几?然而不幸的是，这个小孩在没有计算器的帮助下居然无法回答一个如此简单的问题。

2014年12月大学英语六级考试真题(二)答案与详解PartⅠWriting审题思路这是一篇叙议结合式作文。

a course that has impressed you most in college(大学中令你印象最深刻的一门课程)是考生非常熟悉的一个话题，因此写起来并不难。

写作时，重点应放在第二段阐释这门课程令你印象最深刻的原因上。

例如，授课教师的知识水平和个人魅力、课程内容本身以及课程设置的前景展望等。

考生可联系自身学习情况进行阐述。

写作提纲一、描述现象：大学课程丰富（a variety of courses,broaden their knowledge)二、分析原因：1、印象最深刻的一门课程(the course that has impressed me most)2、原因：授课教授因素（the scholarly image of the professor,unusual but interesting teaching method);开阔视野（my vision has been broadened);激发了学好英语的热情（arouse the enthusiasm for studying English well)三、归纳点题：l、对学校提供的多种多样的课程感到满足(I am satisfied with the broad range of courses)2、很高兴选择了英国文学课程(I am glad to have chosen the course of British iterature)范文点评全文翻译大学里给我印象最深刻的一门课程多种多样的大学课程为学生提供了扩充知识面的多种选择。

学生们可以根据自己的喜好选择不同课程。

毫无疑问，学生们在许多方面确实受益匪浅。

就我而言，我确实从自己选择的课程里获益颇丰。

上个学期，作为一名大三学生，我选择了《英国文学》，这门课程给我留下了最深刻的印象。

2014年12月大学英语六级考试真题(三)答案详解作文范文：On Diploma Discrimination in Job InterviewAs is vividly shown in the cartoon,an applicant with a master's degree was rejected in a job interview by an interviewer because all the other applicants are Ph.D.s.The applicant seems quite helpless and embarrassed. Simple as the cartoon may seem,it conveys a thought-provoking message that people are exaggerating the significance of educational degrees excessively,which inevitably exerts a negative influence in society.What factors might contribute to diploma discrimination?Answers to this question may involve many aspects,and here are a few guesses:on the one hand,quite a few employers hold that the higher degree people have,the more competent they will be.Of course this is not necessarily a logical viewpoint,because certificates cannot prove one's capability.On the other hand,due to increase of enrollment,too many students graduate from universities and colleges year after year,and the number is still growing;however,society fails to provide adequate posts,whichresults in the companies'too picky attitude on diploma since they don't worry about lacking candidates.In my opinion,the public should realize that real ability speaks much louder than a piece of paper.Only in this way can China's economy keep booming.Section C26．floating【精析】句意推断题。

2014年12月大学英语六级考试真题(二)Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section A注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。

1.A． In a parking lot.B．At a grocery.C． At a fast food restaurant.D． In a car showroom.2.A． Change her position now and then.B．Stretch her legs before standing up.C． Have a little nap after lunch.D． Get up and take a short walk.3.A． The students should practice long-distance running.B．The students' physical condition is not desirable.C． He doesn't quite believe what the woman says.D． He thinks the race is too hard for the students.4.A． They will get their degrees in two years.B．They are both pursuing graduate studies.C． They cannot afford to get married right now.D． They do not want to have a baby at present.5.A． He must have been mistaken for Jack.B．Twins usually have a lot in common.C． Jack is certainly not as healthy as he is.D． He has not seen Jack for quite a few days.6.A． The woman will attend the opening of the museum.B．The woman is asking the way at the crossroads.C． The man knows where the museum is located.D． The man will take the woman to the museurn.7.A． They cannot ask the guy to leave.B．The guy has been coming in for years.C． The guy must be feeling extremely lonely.D． They should not look down upon the guy.8.A． Collect timepieces.B．Become time-conscious.C． Learn to mend clocks.D． Keep track of his daily activities.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.9.A． It is eating into its banks.B．It winds its way to the sea.C． It is wide and deep.D． It is quickly rising.10.A． Try to speed up the operation by any means.B．Take the equipment apart before being ferried.C． Reduce the transport cost as much as possible.D． Get the trucks over to the Other side of the river.11.A． Find as many boats as possible.B．Cut trees and build rowing boats.C． Halt the operation until fu.rther orders.D． Ask the commander to send a helicopter.Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.12.A． Talk about his climbing experiences.B．Help him join an Indian expedition.C． Give up mountain climbing altogether.D． Save money to buy climbing equipment.13.A． He was the first to conquer Mr. Qomolangma.B．He had an unusual religious background.C． He climbed mountains to earn a living.D． He was very strict with his children.14.A． They are to be conquered.B．They are to be protected.C． They are sacred places.D． They are like humans.15.A． It was his father's training that pulled him through.B．It was a milestone in his mountain climbing career.C． It helped him understand the Sherpa view of mountains.D． It was his father who gave him the strength to succeed.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will.hear somequestions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, youmust choose the best answer from the four choices marked A ), B ), C ) and D ). Then mark thecorresponding 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。

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。

2014年12月英语六级考试真题及答案解析（第二套）Part I Listening ComprehensionPart II Reading ComprehensionPart III TranslationPart IV WritingSection ADirections:In this section,you will hear8short conversations and2long conversations.At theend of each conversation,one or more questions will be asked about what was said.Both the conversationand the questions will be spoken only once.After each question there will be a pause.During thepause,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 Sheet1with a single line through the centre.1.M:Before we play again,I’m going to buy a good tennis racket.W:Your shoes aren’t in a very good shape,either.Q:What does the woman mean?2.M:Barbara,I’d like you could assist me in the lab demonstration,but aren’t you supposed togo to Dr Smith’s lecture today?W:I ask Cathy to take notes for me.Q:What do we learn from the conversation?3.W:Steve invited me to the dinner party on Sunday evening.Have you received your invitation yet?M:Yes,he phoned me this morning and told me he wanted all his old classmates to come to thereunion.Q:What do we learn from the conversation?4.W:I’m afraid I’m a little bit seasick.I feel dizzy.M:Close your eyes and relax.You’ll be all right as soon as we come at shore.Q:Where does the conversation most probably take place?5.W:I wonder what’s happened to our train.It should’ve been here20minutes ago according tothe timetable.But it’s already9:30.M:There’s no need to get nervous.The announcement says it’s40minutes late.Q:When is the train arriving?6.M:John is handsome and wealthy.Believe it or not,he is still a bachelor.W:He is a notorious guy in many girls’eyes.I’m sick of hearing his name.Q:What does the woman mean?7.M:Cars had lined up bumper to bumper.And I’ve been held up on the express way for an entirehour.W:Really?It must be a pain in the neck.But be patient,anyway,you can do nothing but wait.Q:What do we learn about the man?8.W:Yesterday I was surprised to see Mary using that washing machine you’re going to throw away.M:Yes,it’s quite old and in very poor condition.Frankly speaking,that she got it workingamazes me a lot.Q:What does the man imply about Mary?1.A.The man’s tennis racket is good enough.B.The man should get a pair of new shoes.C.She can wait for the man for a little while.D.Physical exercise helps her stay in shape.【答案】B【解析】B)。

大学英语 六级考试 真题解析2015年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案及详解（第2套）PART Ⅰ Writing思维导图有用信息难以获取Useful Information Is Hard to Get第一段描述图片：虽然我们拥有大量的先进科技，却难以获得所需要的有用信息(equipped with advanced devices and information technology, hardly obtain helpful information)。

第二段分析原因：1. 过多依赖先进技术，无法辨别信息好坏(dependent on various advanced devices, not competent enough to tell...)；2. 网络法规不健全，难以阻止无价值的信息充斥我们的生活(the network management regulations are not perfect, difficult to prevent our life being lumbered with useless information)。

第三段提出建议：由单纯地索取信息转向甄别信息(transferred our focus from obtaining more information to discriminating information)。

范文点评〇高分范文Useful Information Is Hard to Get①As the picture given depicts, several staff are having a meeting while one of them complained, "We have lots of information technology. We just don't have much useful information." ② What the picture is trying to present is that even though equipped with advanced devices and information technology, we can hardly obtain helpful information that we need.③ A multitude of reasons can account for the phenomenon. ④ First of all, as we are increasingly dependent on various advanced devices, they have brought us a lot of information.⑤ However, faced with so much information, we're actually not competent enough to tell the useful information from the useless one. ⑥ What's more, that the network management regulations are not perfect is a fact that cannot be ignored, which makes it difficult to prevent our life being lumbered with useless information.⑦From 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. ⑧ However, it's high time we transferred our focus from obtaining more information to discriminating information. ⑨ Only in this way can we acquire the exact information that we need.〇精彩点评①开门见山，描述图片。

Part II Listening(30 minutes) Section A Directions：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. Question 1 A.At a grocery B.In a parking lot C.In a car showroom D.At a fast food restaurant 2、A.Have a little nap after lunch B.Get up and take a short walk C.Change her position now and then D.Stretch legs before standing up Question 3 A.The students should practice long-distance running B.He doesn’t quite believe what the woman says C.The students’ physical condition is not desirable D.He thinks the race is too hard for the students Question 4 A.They do not want to have a baby at present B.They cannot afford to get married right now C.They are both pursuing graduate studies D.They will get their degrees in two years Question 5 A.Twins usually have a lot in common B.He must have been mistaken for Jack C.Jack is certainly not as healthy as he is D.He has not seen Jack for quite a few days Question 6 A.The man will take the woman wo the museum B.The man knows where the museum is located C.The woman is asking the way at the crossroads D.The woman will attend the opening of the museum Question 7 A.They cannot ask the guy to leave B.The guy has been coming in for years C.They should not look down upon the guy D.The guy must be feeling extremely lonely Question 8 A.Collect timepieces B.Become time-conscious C.Learn to mend locks D.Keep track of his daily activities  Questions 9 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. Question 9 A.It winds its way to the sea B.It is quickly rising C.It is eating into its banks D.It is wide and deep  Question 10 A.Get the trucks over to the other side of the river B.Take the equipment apart before being ferried C.Reduce the transport cost as much as possible. D.Try to speed up the operation by any means Question 11 A.Ask the commander to send a helicopter B.Halt the operation until further orders C.Cut trees and build rowing boats D.Find as many coats as possible Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard. Question 12 A.Help him join an Indian expedition B.Talk about his climbing experiences C.Give up mountain climbing altogether D.Save money to buy climbing equipment Question 13 A.He was very strict with his children B.He climbed mountains to earn a living C.He had an unusual religious background D.He was the first to conquer Mt. Qomolangma Question 14 A.They are like humans B.They are sacred places C.They are to be protected D.They are to be conquered Question 15 A.It was his father’s training that pilled him through B.It was a milestone in his mountain climbing career C.It was his father who gave him the strength to succeed D.It helped him understand the Sherpa view of mountains Section B Directions：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 I with a single line through the centre Passage One Question 16 A. By reviewing what he has said previously B.By comparing memorandums with letters C.By showing a memorandum’ s structureD.By analyzing the organization of a letter Question 17 A.They spent a lot of time writing memorandums B.They seldom read a memorandum through to the end C.They placed emphasis on the format of memorandums D.They ignored many of the memorandums they received. Question 18 A.Style and wording B.Structure and length C.Directness and clarity D.Simplicity and accuracy Passage Two Questions 19 to 22 are based on the passage you have just heard. Question 19 A.Accurate dating B.Professional look C.Direct statement of purpose D.Inclusion of appropriate humor Question 20 A.They give top priority to their work efficiency B.They make an effort to lighten their workload C.They never change work habits unless forced to D.They try hard to make the best use of their time Question 21 A.Self-confidence B.Sense of duty C.Work efficiency D.Passion for work Question 22 A.They are addicted to playing online games B.They try to avoid work whenever possible C.They find to pleasure in the work they do D.They simply have no sense of responsibility Passage Three Questions 23 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard. Question 23 A.He lost all his property B.He was sold to a circus C.He was forced into slavery D.He ran away from his family Question 24 A.A carpenter B.A businessman C.A master of his D.A black drummer Question 25 A.It named its town hall after Solomon Northup B.It declared July 24 Solomon Northup Day C.It freedom all blacks in the town from slavery D.It hosted a reunion for the Northup family Section C Directions：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. Section C Intolerance is the art of ignoring any views that differ from your own. It(26)_____ itself a hatred. Stereotypes, prejudice, and(27)_____.Once it intensifies in people, intolerance is nearly impossible to overcome. But why would anyone want to be labeled intolerant. Why would people want to be (28)_____about the world around them? Why would one want to be part of the problem in America, instead of the solution? There are many explanations for intolerant attitudes, some (29)_____ childhood. It is likely that intolerant folks grew up (30)_____ intolerant parents and the cycle of prejudice has simply continued for (31)_____. Perhaps intolerant people are so set in their ways that they find it easier to ignore anything that might not (32)_____ their limited view of life. Or maybe intolerant students have simply never been (33)_____ to anyone different form themselves. But none of these reason is an excuse for allowing the intolerance to continue. Intolerance should not be confused with disagreement. It is, of course, possible as disagree with an opinion without being intolerant of it. If you understand a belief but still don't believe in that specific belief, that's fine. You are (34)_____ your opinion. As a matter of fact.(35)_____ dissenters(持异议者)are important for any belief. If we all believed the same things. we would never grow, and we would never learn about the world around us, does not stem firm disagreement. It stems from fear, And fear stems from fear. And fear stems from ignorance. 答案：答案：26.manifests 27.discrimination 28.uninformed 29.dating back to 30.imitating 31.generations 32.conform to 33.exposed 34.entitled to 35.knowledgeable Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Section A His future subjects have not always treated the Prince of Wales with the respect one XXXX expect. They laughed aloud in 1986 when the heir to the British(36)_____ told a TV reporter that he talked to his plants at his country house, High grove, to stimulate their growth. The Prince was “My sense of humor will get me into trouble one day”, he said to his aids(being humorous- “My sense of humor will get me into trouble one day”, he said to his aids(随从)-but listening to Charles Windsor can indeed prove stimulating. The royal(37)_____ has been promoting radical ideas for most of his adult life. Some of his(38)_____, which once sounded a bit weird, were simply ahead of their time. Now, finally, the world seems to be catching up with him. 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 teenager. Although he was gradually gained international(43)_____ as one of the world's lending conservationists, many British people still think of him as an(44)_____ 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.conform B.eccentric C.environmentalist D.expeditions E.impact F.notions anic H.originally I.recognition J.respond K.subordinate L.suppressing M.throne N.unnaturally O.urging Section B Directions: In this section，you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. 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 Kil ling Academics -School Sports,” Amanda A)In this month’s Atlantic cover article, “The Case Against HighRipley argues that school-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 schools in a way they are not almost anywhere else,” she writes, “Yet this difference hardly ever comes up in domestic debates about Ame rica’s international mediocrity(平庸平庸)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 twice the time athletics far less in school. ”Even in eighth grade, American kids spend more than Korean kids spend playing sports,” she writes, citing a 2010 study published in the Journal 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 Tobago. 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 simi similarities in performance. They can’t explain international differences rities 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 ac achievement. However, the University of Arkansas’s Daniel Bowen and Jay Greene actually find hievement. 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 period for all public high schools in Ohio. Controlling for student poverty levels, demographics(人口统计状况人口统计状况), and district financial resources, both measures of a school’s commitment to athletics a re 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 c apital 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 mis sions. 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 relationships 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 the boys’ study habits and grade point averages. During the first year of the program, students were founds to be less likely to transfer schools 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. Educators 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 and guardians. 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 issues 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. 47.Amanda Ripley argues that America should learn from other countries that rank high in international tests and lay less emphasis on athletics. 48.According to the author, Amanda Ripley fails to note that students’students’' performance in exams ' performance in exams varies from state to state. 49.Amanda Ripley thinks that athletic coaches are poor at classroom instruction. 50.James Coleman's later research make an argument for a school's social capital. 51.Reaearchers find that there is a positive relationship between a school's commitment to athletics and academic achievements. 52.Aa rigorous study finds that athletic coaches also do well in raising students' test scores. 53.According to an evaluation, programs contribute to students' academic performance and character building. 54.Amanda Ripley believes the emphasis on school sports should be brought up when trying to understand why American students are mediocre. 55.James Coleman suggests in his earlier writings that school athletics would undermine a school's image. Section C Directions: 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 one It is easy to miss amid the day-to-day headlines of global economic recession, but there is a less conspicuous kind of social upheaval(剧变)underway that is fast altering both the face of the planet and the way human beings live. That change is the rapid acceleration of urbanization. In 2008, for the first time in human history, more than half the world’s population was living in towns and cities. And as a recently published paper shows, the process of urbanization will only accelerate in the decades to come —with an enormous impact on biodiversity and potentially on climate change. As Karen Seto, the led author of the paper, points out, the wave of urbanization isn’t just about the migration of people into urban environments, but about the environments themselves becoming bigger to accommodate all those people. The rapid expansion of urban areas will have a huge impact on biodiversity hotspots and on carbon emissions in those urban areas. Humans are the ultimate invasive species —when the move into new territory, the often displace the wildlife that was already living there. And as land is cleared for those new cities —especially in the dense tropical forests —carbon will be released into the atmosphere as well. It’s true that as people in developing nations move from the countryside to the city, the shift may reduce the pressure on land, which could in turn be good for the environment. This is especially so in desperately poor countries, where residents in the countryside slash and burn forests each growing season to clear space for farming. But the real difference is that in developing nations, the move from rural areas to cities often leads to an accompanying increase in income — and that increase leads to an increase in the consumption of food and energy, which in turn causes a rise in carbon emissions. Getting enough to eat and enjoying the safety and comfort of living fully on the — but it does carry an environmental price. The urbanization wave grid is certainly a good thing can’t be stopped —and it shouldn’t be. But Seto’s paper does underscore the importance of managing that transition. If we do it the right way, we can reduce urbanization’s impact on the  pressure and responsibility to environment. “There’s an enormous opportunity here, and a lot ofthink about how we urbanize,” says Seto. “One thing that’s clear is that we can’t build cities the way we have over the last couple of hundred years. The scale of this transition won’t allow that.” We’re headed towards an ur ban planet no matter what, but whether it becomes heaven or hell is up to us. 56. What issue does the author try to draw people’s attention to?A. The shrinking biodiversity worldwide. B. The rapid increase of world population. C. The ongoing global economic recession. D. The impact of accelerating urbanization. 57. In what sense are humans the ultimate invasive species? A. They are much greedier than other species. B. They are a unique species born to conquer. C. They force other species out of their territories. D. They have an urge to expand their living space. 58. In what way is urbanization in poor countries good for the environment? A. More land will be preserved for wildlife. B. The pressure on farmland will be lessened. C. Carbon emissions will be considerably reduced. D. Natural resources will be used more effectively. 59. What does the author say about living comfortably in the city? A. It incurs a high environmental price. B. It brings poverty and insecurity to an end. ge in people’s lifestyle.C. It causes a big chanD. It narrows the gap between city and country. 60. What can be done to minimize the negative impact of urbanization according to Seto? A. Slowing down the speed of transition. B. Innovative use of advanced technology. C. Appropriate management of the process. D. Enhancing people’s sense of responsibility.Passage Two When Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched  in Feb. 2004, even he could not imagine the forces it would let loose. His intent was to connect college students. Facebook, which is what this website rapidly evolved into, ended up connecting the world. To the children of this connected era, the world is one giant social network. They are not — by what they were taught. They are only bound — as were previous generations of humans limited by their curiosity and ambition. During my childhood, all knowledge was local. You learned everything you knew from your parents, teachers, preachers, and friends. quality and timely information at their fingertips, today’s children are rising With the high-q uality and timely information at their fingertips, today’s children are rising normally tame middle class is speaking up against social ills. Silicon Valley executives are being shamed into adding women to their boards. Political leaders are marshalling the energy of millions for elections and political causes. All of this is being done with social media technologies that Facebook and its competitors set free. As does every advancing technology, social media has created many new problems. It is commonly addictive and creates risks for younger users. Social media is used by extremists in the Middle East and elsewhere to seek and brainwash recruits. And it exposes us and our friends to disagreeable spying. We may leave our lights on in the house when we are on vacation, but through social media we tell criminals exactly where we are, when we plan to return home, and how to blackmail(敲诈) us. Governments don’t need informers any more. Social media allows government agencies to spy on their own citizens. We record our thoughts, emotions, likes and dislikes on Facebook; we share our political views, social preferences, and plans. We post intimate photographs of ourselves. No spy agency or criminal organization could actively gather the type of data that we voluntarily post for them. The marketers are also seeing big opportunities. Amazon is trying to predict what we will order. Google is trying to judge our needs and wants based on our social-media profiles. We need to be aware of the risks and keep working to alleviate the dangers. Regardless of what social media people use, one thing is certain: we are in a period of accelerating change. The next decade will be even more amazing and unpredictable than the last. Just as no one could predict what would happen with social media in the last decade, no one can accurately predict where this technology will take us. I am optimistic, however, that a connected humanity will find a way to uplift itself. 61. What was the purpose of Facebook when it was first created? A. To help students connect with the outside world. B. To bring university students into closer contact. C. To help students learn to live in a connected era. D. To combine the world into an integral whole. 62. What difference does social media make to learning? A. Local knowledge and global knowledge will merge. B. Student will become more curious and ambitious. C. People are able to learn wherever they travel. D. Sources of information are greatly expanded. 63. What is the author’s greatest concern with social media technology?A. Individuals and organizations may use it for evil purposes. B. Government will find it hard to protect classified information. C. People may disclose their friends’ information unintentionally.D. People’s attention will be easily distractedfrom their work in hand. 64. What do businesses use social media for? A. Creating a good corporate image. B. Conducting large-scale market surveys. C. Anticipating the needs of customers. D. Minimizing possible risks and dangers. 65. What does the author think of social media as a whole? A. It will enable human society to advance at a faster pace. B. It will pose a grave threat to our traditional ways of life. C. It is bound to bring about another information revolution. D. It breaks down the final barriers in human communication. Part IV Translation (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. 翻译题一：自从1978年启动改革以来，中国已从计划经济转为以市场为基础的经济，经历了经济和社会的快速发展。

2014,6月大学六级考试真题第二套讲解一、大学英语六级考试（CET6）是中国高等教育体系中一项重要的英语能力测试，旨在评估大学生的英语综合运用能力。

2014年6月的六级考试试题涵盖了听力、阅读、写作和翻译等多个方面。

第二套试题的讲解将帮助考生深入理解试题的考查内容和解题技巧，从而提升考试成绩。

本文将对2014年6月大学六级考试第二套试题进行详细分析和讲解，以助于考生掌握考试重点和提高应试能力。

二、听力部分对话部分对话部分通常包含两个人之间的交流，考生需要根据对话内容选择正确答案。

建议考生在听对话时，注意对话的主要信息和细节，包括人物的态度、意图以及重要的时间和地点等。

对于一些常见的问题，如人物的关系、事件的发生时间、对话的主题等，考生需要能够快速准确地从对话中提取信息。

短文部分短文部分一般包含一段较长的听力材料，考生需要听懂短文的主要意思和细节。

这部分的题目通常会询问短文的主题、作者的观点以及一些具体的信息。

考生可以通过对短文结构的理解，掌握段落之间的逻辑关系，帮助自己更好地理解内容。

建议在听短文时，注意关键词和过渡词，这有助于把握文章的脉络和重点。

听新闻部分听新闻部分测试考生对新闻报道的理解能力。

新闻听力材料通常较短，内容涉及当前事件或重要新闻。

考生需要把握新闻的核心信息，包括事件的背景、主要人物、事件的经过以及结果等。

考生可以通过积累时事新闻的背景知识，提升对新闻内容的理解能力。

注意新闻报道中的数字和时间等具体信息也是解题的关键。

三、阅读部分阅读部分是考试的核心部分，主要考查考生的阅读理解能力。

2014年6月大学六级考试第二套试题阅读部分的讲解如下：选词填空选词填空题测试考生对文章语境的理解和词汇的掌握。

考生需要根据上下文选择合适的词汇填入空白处。

建议考生在做这类题目时，先快速阅读全文，把握文章的整体意思，然后根据上下文的语境选择最符合的词汇。

在选择时，注意词汇的搭配和语法结构，以确保填入的词汇既符合语义又符合语法。

2017年12月大学英语六级考试真题及答案（第二套）Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: for this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay commenting on the saying "Seek to understand others,and you will be understood " you can cite examples to ilustrate your views. you should write at least 150 words but no more than 200。

Part IIListening comprehension(30miutes)Section aDirections: in this section, you will hear two long conversations at the end of each comversation you will hear four questions. both the comversation and the questions will be spoken only once. afier you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked a, b) cand d). then mark the corresponding letter on answer Sheet i with a single line through the centre.Questions1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard1.a)they reward businesses that eliminate food wastb)they prohibit the sale of foods that have gone stalec) they facilitate the donation of unsold foods to the needyd) they forbid businesses to produce more foods than needed2. a)it imposed penalties on businesses that waste foodb)it passed a law aiming to stop overproductionC)it voted gainst food import from outside europed) it prohibited the promotion of bulk food sales.3. a) it has warmed its people against possible food shortage.b) it has penalized businesses that keep overproducing foodsc)it has started a nationwide campaign against food waste.d) it has banned supermarkets from dumping edible foods.4 .a)the confusion over food expiration labels.b)the surplus resulting from overproductionc)americans' habit of buying food in bulkd)a lack of regulation on food consumptionQuestions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. a) it has started a week-long promotion campaign.b)it has just launched its annual anniversary salesc) it offers regular weekend sales all the year roundd)it specializes in the sale of ladies designer dresses6. a)price reductions for its frequent customers.b)coupons for customers with bulk purchases.c)free delivery of purchases for senior customers.d) price adjustments within seven days of purchase.7. a)mail a gift card to her.b) allow her to buy on credic) credit it to her accountd) give her some coupons.8. a) refunding for goods returnedb) free installing of appliances.c)prolonged goods warranty.d)complimentary tailoringSection bDirections: in this section, you will hear two passages. at the end of each passage, you will hear Iree or four questions. both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once After you heara question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked a, b, cand d). then mark the corresponding letter on answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.Questions 9 to 11 are based on the passage you have just heard9. a)they are thin, tall, and unlike real human beings.b)they have more than twenty different hair texturesc)they have twenty-four different body shapes in totald)they represent people from virtually all walks of life.10.a)they do not reflect young girls aspirationsb)they are not sold together with the originalc) their flat feet do not appeal to adolescentsd) their body shapes have not changed much11. a)in toy storesb) in shopping malls.c)on the internetd)at barbie shopsQuestions 12 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.12. a )moveable metal type began to be used in printingb) chinese printing technology was first introducec)the earliest known book was publishedd) metal type was imported from korea13. a) it had more than a hundred printing presses.b)it was the biggest printer in the 16th century.c) it helped the german people become literate.d) it produced some 20 million volumes in total14. a)it pushed handwritten books out of circulation.b)it boosted the circulation of popular works.c)it made writing a very profitable career.d) it provided readers with more choices.15. a) it accelerated the extinction of the latin language.b) it standardized the publication of grammar books.c) turned translation into a welcome profession.d) it promoted the growth of national languagesSection cDirections: in this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. the recordings will be played 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 centre.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.16. a) they get bored after working for a period of time.b) they spend an average of one year finding a job.c)they become stuck in the same job for decades.d) they choose a job without thinking it through.17. a)see if there will be chances for promotion.b)find out what job choices are available.c)watch a film about ways of job hunting.d) decide which job is most attractive to you.18. a)the qualifications you have.b)the pay you are going to get.c)the culture of your target company.d) the work environment you will be in.19. a) it is as important as christmas for african-americans.b) it is a cultural festival founded for african-americans.c) it is an ancient festival celebrated by african-americans.d) it is a religious festival celebrated by african-americans20. a)to urge african-americans to do more for society.b) to call on african-americans to worship their godsc) to help african-americans to realize their goals.d) to remind african-americans of their sufferings.21. a)faith in self-determinationb)the first fruits of the harvestc) unity and cooperative economicsd creative work and achievement.22. a)they recite a principleb)they take a solemn oathc)they drink wine from the unity cupd) they call out their ancestors' names.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard23. a) it is one of the world's most healthy diets.b) it contains large amounts of dairy products.c)it began to impact the world in recent years.d) it consists mainly of various kinds of seafood.4. a) it involved 13, 000 researchers from asia, europe and america.b) it was conducted in seven mid-eastern countries in the 1950sc) it is regarded as one of the greatest researches of its kind.d)it has drawn the attention of medical doctors the world over.25. a) they care much about their health.b) they eat foods with little fat.c)they use little oil in cookingd) they have lower mortality ratesPart 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 Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.The pacific island nation of palau has become home to the sixth largest marineworld. the new marine reserve, now the largest in the pacific, will--26-- no fishing or mining. Palau also established the world, first shark sanctuary in 2009.The tiny island nation has set aside 500,000 square kilometres-80 percent -of its maritime --27--, for full protection, that's the highest percentage of an--28 --economic zone devoted to remaining 20 percent of the palau seas will be reserved for local fishing by individuals and small-scale-- 29-- fishing businesses with limited exports."island --30--have been among the hardest hit by the threats facing theocean, "saidpresident.Tommy remengesau jr in a statement. "creating this sanctuary is a bold move that the people of palau recognise as 31 to our survival. we want to lead the way in restoring the health of the occan for future generationPalau has only been an_ 32 nation for twenty years and has a strong history of environmental protection. it is home to one of the world's finest marine ecosystems, with more than 1,300 species of fish and 700 species of coral.Senator hokkons baules lead 33 of the palau national marine sanctuary act, said the sanctuary willhelp build a- 34 future for the palauan people by honoring the conservation traditions of our past". these include the centuries-old custom of"", where leaders would call a temporary stop to fishing for key species in order to give fish 35 an opportunity to replenish(补充).a)allocateb) celebritiesc)commerciald)communitiese）essentialf）exclusiveg)independenth) indulgei)permitj)securek) solitaryL)spectaclem)sponsorn)stockso)temitoryData sharing: an open mind on open date[ A] It is a movement building steady momentum: a call to make research data, software code and experimental methods publicly available and transparent. a spirit of openness is gaining acceptance in the science community, and is the only way, say advocates, to address a'crisis' incience whereby too few findings are successfully reproduced. furthermore, they say, it is the best way for researchers to gather the range of observations that are necessary to speed up discoveries or to identify large-scale trends.[B] the open-data shift poses a confusing problem for junior researchers. on the one hand,the drive to share is gathering official steam. since 2013, global scientific bodies have begun to back politics that support increased public access to reseach.on the other hand,scientists disagree about how much and when they should share date,and they debate whether sharing it is more likely to accelerate science and make it more robust, or to introduce vulnerabilities and problems.as more journals and make it more robust,or to introduce vulnerabilities and problems.as more journal and funders adopt data-sharing requirements, and as a growing number of enthusiasts call formore openness, junior researchers must find their place between adopters and those who continue to hold out, even as they strive to launch their own careers.[C] one key challenge facing young scientists is how to be open without becoming scientifically vulnerable. they must determine the risk of jeopardizing a job offer or a collaboration prosal from those who are wary of-or unfamiliar with -open science. and they must learn How to capitalize on the movement's benefits such as opportunities for more citations and a way to build a reputation without the need for conventional metrics, such as publication in high-impact journals.[D] some fields have embraced open data more than others. researchers in psychology, a field rocked by findings of irreproducibility in the past few years, have been especially vocalsup-porters of the drive for more-open science.A few psychology journals have created incentives to increase interest in repar open science. a few psychology journals have created incentives porters of the drive for me lucible science -for example, by affixing an",badge to articles that clearly state where data are available. according to social psychologist brian nose executive director of the center for open science, the average data-sharing rate for the journal Psychological science, which uses the badges, increased tenfold to 38% from 2013 to 2015.[E] funders, too, are increasingly adopting an open-data policy .several strongly ergement,and some require,a date-management plan that makes data available .The us national science foundation is among these, some philanthropic (慈善的) funders, including the bill Gates foundation in seattle, washington, and the wellcome trust in london, alopen data from their grant recipients.[F] but many young researchers, especially those who have not been mentored in openscience .are uncertain about whether to share or to stay private.Graduate students and postdoes,who often are working on their lab head's grant may have no choice if their supervisor or another senior opposes sharing.[G] some fear that the potential impact of sharing is too high, especially at the early stages of a career." Everybody has a scary story about someone getting scooped(被抢先),” says new York university astronomer david hogg. those fears may be a factor in a lingering hesitation to share data even when publishing in journals that mandate it.[H] researchers at small labs or at institutions focused on teaching arguably have the most to lose when sharing hard-won data. ""with my institution and teaching load, i don't have postdocs and grad students", says terry mcglynn, a tropical biologist at california state university,Dominguez hills. "the stakes are higher to share data because it's a bigger fraction of hats happening in my lab.[I] researchers also point to the time sink that is involved in preparing data for others toview.Once the data and associated materials appear in a repository(存储库), answering questions and handling complaints can take many hours.[J] the time investment can present other problems. in some cases, says data scientist karthik Ram, it may be difficult for junior researchers to embrace openness when senior colleagues manyof whom head selection and promotion teesht ridicule what they may view as misplaced energies. "i've heard this recently -that embracing the idea of open datad code makes traditional academics uncomfortable, "says ram. "the concem seems to be that open advocates don't spend their time being as productive as possible."[ K]an open-science stance can also add complexity to a collaboration. kate ratliff, who studies social attitudes at the university of florida, gainesville, says that it can seem as if there are two camps in a field-those who care about open science and those who don't . " there a new area to navigate-'are you cool with the fact that i'll want to make the data open?'-when talking with somebody about an interesting research idea, "she says.[L] despite complications and concerns, the upsides of sharing can be significant. for example,when information is uploaded to a repository, a digital object identifier(DOI)is assigned.Scientists can use a DOT to publish each step of the research life cycle, not just the final paper. In so doing, they can potentially get three citations- one each for the data and software.in addition to the paper itself. and although some say that citations for software or data have little currency in academia,they can have other benefits.[M] many advocates think that transparent data procedures with a date and time stamp will protect scientists from being scooped. "this is the sweet spot between sharing and getting credit for it. while discouraging plagiarism(剽窃). " says ivo grigorov, a project coordinator at the naional institute of aquatic resotResearch secreta - in charlottenlund, denmark. hogg says that scooping is less of a problem than many think. "the two cases i'm familiar with didn't involve open data or code, "he says.[N] Open science also offers junior researchers the chance to level the palying field by gaining better access to crucial date. ross mounce, a postdoc studying evolutionary biology at the university of cambrige,UK, is a vocal champion of open science, partly because his fossil others' data. he says that more openness in science could help to discourage what some perceive as a commom practice of shutting out early-career scientists' requests for data.[O] communication also helps for those who worry about jeopardizing a collaboration, hesays,Concems about open should be discussed at the outset of a study. "whenever you start a project with someone, you have to establish a clear understanding of expectations for who owns the data, at what point they go public and who can do what with them, he says.[p] in the end, sharing data, software and materials with colleagues can help an early -career researcher to gain recognition--a crucial component of success. "the thing you are searching for reputation" says titus brown,a genomics(基因组学) researcher at the university of Califomia, davis,."to get grants and jobs you have to be relevant and achieve some level of public recognition. anything you do that advances your presence- especially in a largerphere, outside the communities you know- is a net win."36. astronomer david hogg doesn't think scooping is as serious a problem as generally thought.37. some researchers are hesitant to make their data public for fear that others might publish something similar before them38. some psychology joumals have offered incentives to encourage authors to share their data.39. there is a growing demand in the science community that research data be open to the public.40. sharing data offers early-career researchers the chance to build a certain level of reputation41. data sharing enables scientists to publish each step of their research work, thus leading to more citations42. scientists hold different opinions about the extent and timing of data sharing43. potential problems related to data sharing should be made known to and discussed by all participants at the beginning of a joint research project44. sharing data and handling data-related issues can be time-consuming45. junior researehers may have no say when it comes to sharing data.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 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.In the beginning of the movie, robot, a robot has to decide whom to save after two cars plunge into the water-del spooner or a child. even though spooner screams"save her save her! "the robot rescues him because it calculates that he has a 45 percent chance of survival compared to sarah's 11 percent. the robot's decision and its calculated approach raise an important question:would humans make the same choice? and which choice would we want our robotic counterparts to make?Isaac asimov evaded the whole notion of morality in devising his three laws of robotics, which hold that 1. robots cannot harm humans or allow humans to come to harm; 2. robots must obey humans, except where the order would conflict with law i; and 3. robots must act inself-preservation, unless doing so conflicts with laws i or 2. these laws are programmed intoasimov's robots-they don' t have to think, judge, or value. they don't have to like humans or believe that wrong or bad. they simply don't do it.The robot who rescues spooner s life in / robot follows asimov's zeroth law: robots cannot harm humanity(as opposed to individual humansor allow humanity to come to harm--an expansion of the first law that allows robots to determine what's in the greater good. under the first law,a robot could not harm a dangerous gunman, but under the zeroth law, a robot could kill the gunman to save others.Whether it's possible to program a robot with safeguards such as asimov's laws is debatable a word such as"harm"is vague (what about emotional harm is replacing a human employ harm), and abstract concepts present coding problems. the robots in asimov's fiction expose complications and loopholes in the three laws, and even when the laws work, robots still have to assess situation.Assessing situations can be complicated. a robot has to identify the players, conditions, and possibe outcomes for various scenarios,Its doubtful that a computer program can do that-aleast, not without some undesirable results. a roboticist at the bristol robotics laboratory programmed a robot to save huroxies(5) called""from danger. when one h-boheaded for danger, the robot successfully pushed it out of the way. but when two h-bots became percent of the time, unable to decide which to save and letting them both"die. "the experiment highlights the importance of morality without it, how can a robotdecide whom to save or what's best for humanity, especially if it can't calculate survival odds?46. what question does the example in the movie raise?a) whether robots can reach better decisionsb) whether robots follow asimov's zero"d) how robots should be programmed.47. what does the author think of asimovs three laws of robotics?a) they are apparently divorced from reality.b)they did not follow the coding system of robotics.c)they laid a solid foundation for robotics.d) they did not take moral issues into consideration.48. what does the author say about asimov's robots?a they know what is good or bad for human beingsb)they are programmed not to hurt human begingsc)they perform duties in their owners'best interest.d)they stop working when a moral issue is involved.49. what does the author want to say by mentioning the word"harm"in asimov's laws?a)abstract concepts are hard to program.b) it is hard for robots to make decisionsc) robots may do harm in certain situationsd) asimov's laws use too many vague terms50. what has the roboticist at the bristol robotics laboratory found in his experiment.a）robots can be made as intelligent as human begings some dayb) robots can have moral issues encoded into their programc)robots can have trouble making decisions in complex scenarion.d)robots can be programmed to perceive potential perils.PassageTwoQuestions 5i to 55 are based on the following passage.Our world now moves so fast that we seldom stop to see just how fast we seldom stop to see just how far wu have come in just a few year.The latest iPone 6s,for example,has a dual-core proccssor and fite nicely into your pocket. by comparison, you would expect to find a technological specification like this on your tandard laptop in an office anywhere in the world.its no wonder shat new applications for the internet of things are moving ahcad fast when almost every new decice we buy has a plup on the eng of it or a wireless connection to the internet. Soon, our current smartphone lifestyle wilate our own smart home lifestyle too.All researches agree that close to 25 billion devices,things and sensors will be connected by 2020 which incidentally is also the moment that millennials(千禧一代) are expected to make up of ouroverall workforce, and the fully connected home . become a reality for large umbers of people worldwide.However this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg as smart buildings and even cities increasingly become the norm as leaders and business owners begin to wake up to the massive savings that technology can deliver through connected sensors and new forms of automation coupled with ligent energy and facilities managemen.Online security cameras, intelligent lighting and a wealth of sensors that control both temperature and air quality are offering an unprecedented level of control, efficiency, and improvements to hat were once classed necessary costs when running a business or managing a large building.We can expect that the ever-growing list of devices, systems and environments remain connected,always online and talking to each other. the big benefit will not only be in the housing of this enormous and rapidly growing amount of data, but will also be in the ability to run real time data analytics to extract actionable and ongoing knowledge.The biggest and most exciting challenge of this technology is how to creatively leverage this ever-growing amount of data to deliver cost savings, improvements and tangible benefits to both businesses and citizens of these smart citiesThe good news is that most of this technology is already invented. let's face it, it wasn't too long ago that the idea of working from anywhere and at anytime was some form of a distant utopim(乌托邦式的) dream, and yet now we can perform almost any office-based task from any location in the world as long as we have access to the internet.it's time to wake up to the fact that making smart buildings, cities and homes will dramatically improve our quality of life in the years ahead.51.What does the example of iphone 6s serve to show?a)the huge capacity of the smartphones people now useb)the widespread use of smartphones all over the worldc)the huge impact of new technology on people's everyday life.d)the rapid technological progress in a very short period of time52. what can we expect to see by the year 2020?a)apps for the internet of thingsc)the emergence of millennialsb) the popularization of smart homes.d)total globalization of the world53. what will business owners do when they become aware of the benefits of the internet of things?a）employ fewer workers in their operationsb)gain automatic control of their businessec) invest in more smart buildings and citiesd)embrace whatever new technology there is54. what is the most exciting challenge when we possess more and more data?a) how to turn it to profitable usec)how to link the actionable systemsb)how to do real time data analysisd)how to devise new ways to store it.55. what does the author think about working from anywhere and at anytime?a)it is feasible with a connection to the internetb) it will thrive in smart buildings, cities and homesc) it is still a distant utopian dream for ordinary workersd)it will deliver tangible benefits to both boss and workerPart 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 2.洞庭湖位于湖南省东北部，面积很大，但湖水很浅。

2014年12月英语六级真题及答案（卷二）Part IWritingDirections: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write on essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then discuss what qualities an employer should look for in job applicants. You should give sound arguments to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.2014年12月英语六级作文真题范文1：科技与学习For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then discuss whether technology is indispensable in education. You should give sound arguments to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.From this cartoon, we clearly see that the student is asking his teacher about whether or not he can use some tech support to figure out the problem in his math class. What’s behind the cartoon is the fact that nowadays students become increasingly dependent on technological devices to help them with their school work.In my opinion, with the advances in technology, students can learn more efficiently. First of all,technology provides infinite resources for learning. When our parents were students, they could only learn from their teachers, while nowadays, we can learn much more from the Internet. Second, it’s more convenient to learn with tech support. For example, I got enrolled in a Spanish class in an online school called Hujiang Online Class. All it requires is a PC or a smartphone, and I can learn the lectures anytime and anywhere. Lastly, it’s more economical to learn online. Besides the courses, free Apps are also easily accessible.As for me, tech support has become an important part in my daily study. I will continue to learn in this way, and I believe that we can learn more efficiently if we are able to utilize the technologies around us.2014年12月英语六级作文真题范文2：科技与学习参考范文：The picture vividly depicts that a teaching is asking a pupil to answer a simple math-related question——what’s two plus two? Unfortunately, the child cannot answer such an easy question without tech help. In fact, the phenomenon conveyed in the picture does not surprise us, because as the science and technology develops, the topic concerning the side effects of technological advancement increasingly arouses people’s attention.Undoubtedly, the drawer of the picture aims at reminding us that we should use technology in a proper way and not be too tech-dependent to solve the simple problem independently. It is well known that thanks to the development of human civilization, many formerly unimaginable things come into reality. But, while enjoying the convenience produced by tech, we must alert its harm. Being over-addicted to technology will cost our health, independence, wisdom，creativity and even our ability to live.Weighing the pros and cons of the technology, perhaps the best policy is to apply it properly. At the same time, we must avoid its harmful part. Furthermore, young people should be advised that depending too much on technology is hardly beneficial for them at all and more importantly they are expected to acquire the capacity to think independently.范文译文：这幅图形象地描述了一位老师正在让一名小学生回答一个简单的数学问题：2加2等于几?然而不幸的是，这个小孩在没有计算器的帮助下居然无法回答一个如此简单的问题。

2016年12月英语六级考试真题第二套Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Your essay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourage invention. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part ⅡListening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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.Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A. They were all good at cooking.B. They were particular about food.C. They were proud of their cuisine.D. They were fond of bacon and eggs.2. A. His parents. B. His friends. C. His schoolmates. D. His parents' friends.3. A. No tea was served with the meal.B. It was the real English breakfast.C. No one of the group ate it.D. It was a little overcooked.4. A. It was full of excitement. B. It was really extraordinary. C. It was a risky experience. D. It was rather disappointing.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. The woman's relationship with other shops.B. The business success of the woman's shop.C. The key to running a shop at a low cost.D. The woman's earnings over the years.6. A. Improve its customer service.B. Expand its business scale.C. Keep down its expenses.D. Upgrade the goods it sells.7. A. They are sold at lower prices than in other shops.B. They are very-popular with the local residents.C. They are delivered free of charge.D. They are in great demand.8. A. To follow the custom of the local shopkeepers.B. To attract more customers in the neighborhood.C. To avoid being put out of business in competition.D. To maintain friendly relationships with other shops.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four 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.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the passage you have just heard.9. A. They can be used to deliver messages in times of emergency.B. They deliver pollutants from the ocean to their nesting sites.C. They carry plant seeds and spread them to faraway places.D. They are on the verge of extinction because of pollution.10. A. They migrate to the Arctic Circle during the summer.B. They originate from Devon Island in the Arctic area.C. They travel as far as 400 kilometers in search of food.D. They have the ability to survive in extreme weathers.11. A. They were carried by the wind.B. They had become more poisonous.C. They were less than on the continent.D. They poisoned some of the fulmars.12. A. The threats humans pose to Arctic seabirds,B. The diminishing colonies for Arctic seabirds.C. The harm Arctic seabirds may cause to humans.D. The effects of the changing climate on Arctic seabirds.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. It has decreased.B. It has been exaggerated.C. It has become better understood.D. It has remained basically the same.14. A. It develops more easily in centenarians not actively engaged.B. It is now the second leading cause of death for centenarians.C. It has had no effective cure so far.D. It calls for more intensive research.15. A. They care more about their physical health.B. Their quality of life deteriorates rapidly.C. Their minds fall before their bodies do.D. They cherish their life more than ever.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three or four questions. The recordings will be played 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.Questions 16 to 18 are based on the recording you have just heard.16. A. They are focused more on attraction than love.B. They were done by his former colleague at Yale.C. They were carried out over a period of some thirty years.D. They form the basis on which he builds his theory of love.17. A. The relationship cannot last long if no passion is involved.B. Intimacy is essential but not absolutely indispensable to love.C. It is not love if you don't wish to maintain the relationship.D. Romance is just impossible without mutual understanding.18. A. Which of them is considered most important.B. Whether it is true love without commitment.C. When the absence of any one doesn't affect the relationship.D. How the relationship is to be defined if any one is missing.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. Social work as a profession.B. The history of social work.C. Academic degrees required of social work applicants.D. The aim of the National Association of Social Workers.20. A. They try to change people's social behavior.B. They help enhance the well-being of the underprivileged.C. They raise people's awareness of the environment.D. They create a lot of opportunities for the unemployed.21. A. They have all received strict clinical training.B. They all have an academic degree in social work.C. They are all members of the National Association.D. They have all made a difference through their work.22. A. The promotion of social workers' social status.B. The importance of training for social workers.C. Ways for social workers to meet people's needs.D. Social workers' job options and responsibilities.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.23. A. To fight childhood obesity.B. To help disadvantaged kids.C. To encourage kids to play more sports.D. To urge kids to follow their role models.24. A. They best boost product sales when put online.B. They are most effective when appearing on TV.C. They are becoming more and more prevalent.D. They impress kids more than they do adults.25. A. Always place kids' interest first.B. Do what they advocate in public.C. Message positive behaviors at all times.D. Pay attention to their image before children.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section here 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 Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.It is important that scientists be seen as normal people asking and answering important questions. Good, sound science depends on 26._______ experiments and reasoned methodologies. It requires a willingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experience failures. But good science also requires 27. _______understanding, clear explanation and concise presentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public28._______ and offer their opinions on important matters. We need more scientists who can explain what they are doing in language that is29. _______ and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should also be prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30._______scientific knowledge into our public communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do not understand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the 1960s, the United States 31._______nearly 17% of discretionary (可酌情支配的)spending to research and development, 32. _______decades of economic growth. By 2008，the figure had fallen into the single 33._______. This occurs at a time when other nations have made significant gains in their own research capabilities.At the University of California (UC), we 34._______ ourselves not only on the quality of our research, but also on its contribution to improving our world. To 35. _______the development of science from the lab bench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A) arenaB) contextualC) convincing D) devotedE) digitsF) hastenG) hypothesesH) impairingI) incorporateJ) indefiniteK) indulgeL) inertiaM) prideN) reapingO) warrantSection 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.Are we in an Innovation Lull?[A]Scan the highlights of the year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and you may get a slight feeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as the coolest gadgets last year ---or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demos are still just as crazy. It is still easy to be dazzled by the display of drones (无人机), 3D printers, virtual reality goggles (眼镜)and more “smart”devices than you could ever hope to catalog. Upon reflection, however, it is equally easy to feel like you have seen it all before. And it is hard not to think: Are we in an innovation lull (间歇期)?[B] In some ways, the answer is yes. For years, Smartphones, televisions, tablets, laptops and desktops have made up a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segments are looking at slower growth curves--- or shrinking markets in some cases—as consumers are not as eager to spend money on new gadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies---the drones, 3D printers and smart-home devices of the world--now seem a bit too old to be called “the next big thing”[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. “There is not any one-hit wonder, and there will not be one for years to come,” said Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. “Many industries are going out of infancy and becoming adolescents,” Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found their footing well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in many cases, they need to work effectively with other devices to realize their full appeal. Take the evolution of the smart home, for example. Companies are pushing it hard but make it almost overwhelming even to dip a toe in the water for the average consumer, because there are so many compatibility issues to think about. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendar software works with their fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different app for each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manage everything together. And while you may forgive your smartphone an occasional fault, you probably have less patience for error messages from your door lock.[E] Companies are promoting their own standards, and the market has not had time to choose a winner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have to think of ecosystems instead to give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems. “The dialogue is changing from what is technologically possible to what is technologically meaningful, said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA—which puts on the show each year---and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as he researched his predictions for 2016.[F] “So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets,” s aid John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. “But over the last couple of years, and in this one in particular, we are startin g to see companies shift from what is the largest screen size, the smallest form factor or the shiniest object and more into what all of these devices do that is practical in a consumer’s life.” Even the technology press conferences, which have been high-profile in the past and reached a level of drama and theatrics fitting for a Las Vegas stage, have a different bent to them. Rather than just dazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on the practical. Fit bit, for example, released its first smart watch Monday, selling with a clear purpose---to improve your fitness—and promoting it as a “tool, not a toy.” Not only that, it supports a number of platforms: Apple’s I OS, Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows phone.[G]That seems to be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasingly bored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries released by Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. For example, when asked whether they would buy a new smart phone this year, only 48 percent said yes—a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are painting for us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amounts of consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies need to improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seem to be strengthening their talk of the practicality of their devices.[I] Companies have already won part of the battle, having driven tech into every part of our lives, tracking our steps and our very heartbeats. Yet the persistent question of “Why do I need that?”~or, perhaps more tellingly, “Why do you need to know that?” dogs the steps of many new ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying a smart watch in 2016, for example—an increase of just one percent from the previous year despite a year of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smart watches can make up ground for maturing smart phone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demand for fitness monitors, smart thermostats (恒温器)and connected home cameras, as well.[J] According to the survey, that lack of enthusiasm could stem from concerns about privacy and security. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind, 37 percent said that they are going to be more cautious about using these devices and services in the future. A full 18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against having their sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year’s show, as these new technologies intrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Trade and Federal Communications commissions, this year’s list of policy makers also includes appearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes sense as technology becomes a larger part of our lives. “There is an incompatibility in the rate at which these are advancing relative to the way we，re digesting it,”he said. “Technology is becoming bigger and more aspirational，and penetrating almost every aspect of our lives. We have to understand and think about the implications, and balance these great innovations with the potential downsides they naturally carr y with them.”36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they are worried about compatibility problems.37. This year’s electronics show featured the presence of many officials from the federal government.38. The market demand for electronic devices is now either declining or not growing as fast as before.39. One analyst suggests it is necessary to accept both the positive and negative aspects of innovative products.40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practical value than the showiness of electronic devices.41. Fewer innovative products were found at this year’s electronic products show.42. Consumers are becoming more worried about giving personal information to tech companies to get customized products and services.43. The Consumer Technology Association is the sponsor of the annual Consumer Electronics Show.44. Many consumers wonder about the necessity of having their fitness monitored.45. The electronic industry is maturing even though no wonder products hit the market.Section CDirections: There are two 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 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The Paris climate agreement finalised in December last year heralded a new era for climate action. For the first time, the world’s nations agreed to keep global warming well below 2℃.This is vital for climate-vulnerable nations. Fewer than 4% of countries are responsible for more than half of the world’s greenhouse ga s emissions. In a study published in Nature Scientific Reports, we reveal just how deep this injustice runs.Developed nations such as Australia, the United States, Canada, and European countries are essentially climate “free-riders,” causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gas emissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change’s impact on food and water. In other words, a few countries are benefiting enormously from the consumption of fossil fuels, while at the same time contributing disproportionately to the global burden of climate change.On the flip side, there are many “forced riders,” who are suffering from the climate change impacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world’s most clima te-vulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very small quantity of emissions. This is much like a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, while the heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Pairs agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate change for all, although the details on addressing “climate justice” can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise “well below”2℃is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Pairs talks are very unlikely to deliver on this.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations to reduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction between developed and developing nations in will provide the funds or, importantly, who is responsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishing who is responsible for raising them will also be vital for the future of climate-vulnerable countries.The most climate-vulnerable countries in the world have contributed very little to creating the global disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisation of the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions while helping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decide whether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement because .A) it is unfair to those climate-vulnerable nationsB) it aims to keep temperature rise below 2^ onlyC) it is beneficial to only fewer than 4% of countriesD) it burdens developed countries with the sole responsibility47. Why does the author call some developed countries climate “free-riders”?A) They needn’t worry about the food and wa ter they consume.B) They are better able to cope with the global climate change.C) They hardly pay anything for the problems they have caused.D) They are free from the greenhouse effects affecting “forced riders.”48. Why does the author compare the “forced riders” to second-hand smokers?A) They have little responsibility for public health problems.B) They are vulnerable to unhealthy environmental conditions.C) They have to bear consequences they are not responsible for.D) They are unaware of the potential risks they are confronting.49. What does the author say about the $ 100 billion funding?A) It will motivate all nations to reduce carbon emissions.B) There is no final agreement on where it will come from.C) There is no clarification of how the money will be spent.D) It will effectively reduce greenhouse emissions worldwide.50. What urgent action must be taken to realise the Paris climate agreement?A) Encouraging high-emitting nations to take the initiative.B) Calling on all the nations concerned to make joint efforts.C) Pushing the current world leaders to come to a consensus.D) Putting in effect the policies in the agreement at once.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon (霓虹灯) sign. Their risky behaviors---drinking too much alcohol, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes and skipping school---can alert parents and teachers that serious problems are brewing.But a new study finds that there’s another group of adolescents who are in nearly as much danger of experiencing the same psychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don’t get enough sleep and have a sedentary (不爱活动的)lifestyle.Of course, that may sound like a description of every teenager on the planet. But the study warns that it is teenagers who engage in all three of these practices in the extreme who are truly in jeopardy. Because their behaviors are not usually seen as a red flag, these young people have bee n dubbed the “invisible risk” group by the study’s authors. “In some ways they’re at greater risk of falling through the cracks,” say researcher Vladimir Carli. “While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or getting drunk, they may easily overlook teenagers who are engaging in inconspicuous behaviors.”The study’s authors surveyed 12,395 students and analyzed nine risk behaviors, including excessive alcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy (逃学).Their aim was to determine the relationship between these risk behaviors and mental health issues in teenagers.About 58% of the students demonstrated none or few of the risk behaviors. Some 13% scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the “invisible risk” group, scored high on three in particular: They spent five hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night or less. And they neglected “other healthy activities.”The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms of depression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4% of the low-risk group. But the invisible group wasn’t far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of them exhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. “We were very surprised,” he says, “The high-risk group and low-risk group are obvious. But this third group was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and so large---nearly one third of our sample---that is became a key finding of the study.”Carli says that one of the most significant things about his study is that it provides new early-warning signs for parents, teachers and mental health-care providers. And early identification, support and treatment for mental health issues, he says, are the best ways to keep them from turning into full-blown disorders.51. What does the author mean by saying “Teenagers at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide often wear their troubles like a neon sign” (Line 1—2, Para 1)?A) Mental problems can now be found in large numbers of teenagers.B) Teenagers’ mental problems are getting more and more attention.C) Teenagers，mental problems are often too conspicuous not to be observed.D) Depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms of mental problems.52. What is the finding of the new study?A) Teenagers5 lifestyles have changed greatly in recent yearsB) Many teenagers resort to drugs or alcohol for mental relief.C) Teenagers experiencing psychological problems tend to use a lot of media.D) Many hitherto unobserved youngsters may have psychological problems.53. Why do the researchers refer to teens who use tons of media, don’t get enough sleep and have a sedentary lifestyle asthe “invisible risk” group?A) Their behaviors can be an invisible threat to society.B) Their behaviors do not constitute a warning signal.C) Their behaviors do not tend towards mental problems.D) Their behaviors can be found in almost all teenagers on earth.54. What does the new study find about the invisible group?A) They are almost as liable to depression as the high-risk group.B) They suffer from depression without showing any symptoms.C) They do not often demonstrate risky behaviors as their peers.D) They do not attract the media attention the high-risk group does.55. What is the significance of Vladimir Carli’s study?A) It offers a new treatment for psychological problems among teenagers.B) It provides new early-warning signals for identifying teens in trouble.C) It may have found an ideal way to handle teenagers with behavioral problems.D) It sheds new light on how unhealthy behaviors trigger mental health problems.Part IV Translation (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.随着中国经济的蓬勃发展，学汉语的人数迅速增加，使汉语成了世界上人们最爱学的语言之一。

2014年12⽉⼤学英语六级考试真题及答案（第⼆套）2014年12⽉⼤学英语六级考试真题⼆Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay based on the picture below. You should start your essay with a brief description of the picture and then discuss whether there is a shortcut to learning. You should give sound arguments to support your views and write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words."'How To Do Well In School WithoutStudying’ is over there in the fiction section."Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section A1. A) The man should get a pair of new shoes. B) The man’s tennis racket is good enough.C) The man spent too much on his tennis shoes. D) The man is out of shape.2. A) The woman doesn’t want to assist the man.B) The woman will ask Kathy to assist the man.C) Kathy is very pleased to attend the lecture by Dr. Smith.D) The woman will skip Dr. Smith’s lecture to help the man.3. A) The speakers and Steve used to be classmates.B) Steve invited his classmates to visit his big cottage.C) Steve became rich soon after graduation from college.D) The woman asked the man to accompany her to the party.4. A) In a bus. B) In a boat.C) In a clinic. D) In a plane.5. A) 9:10. B) 9:40.C) 9:50. D) 10:10.6. A) John has got many admirers. B) She does not like John at all.C) John has just got a bachelor’s degree. D) She does not think John is handsome.7. A) He has been bumping along for hours. B) He is trapped in a terrible traffic jam.C) He is involved in a serious accident. D) He has got a sharp pain in the neck.8. A) She cannot go without a washing machine. B) She should improve her physical fitness.C) She is a professional mechanic. D) She is good at repairing things.9. A) The accused was found guilty of murder. B) The accused was found innocent.C) The accused was found guilty of stealing. D) The accused was sentenced to death.10. A) He was unemployed. B) He was out of his mind.C) His children were sick. D) His wife deserted him.11. A) He had committed the same sort of crime. B) He was unlikely to get employed.C) He was unworthy of sympathy. D) He had been in jail before.12. A) Irresponsible. B) Aggressive.C) Conservative. D) Unsatisfactory.13. A) Public relations. B) Product design.C) Internal communication. D) Distribution of brochures.14. A) Placing advertisements in the trade press.B) Drawing sketches for advertisements.C) Making television commercials.D) Advertising in the national press.15. A) She has the motivation to do the job.B) She knows the tricks of advertising.C) She is not suitable for the position.D) She is not so easy to get along with.Section BPassage One16. A) The cozy communal life. B) The beautiful environment.C) The variety of culture. D) The richness of resources.17. A) It ensures their physical and mental health. B) It helps them soak up the surrounding culture.C) It is as important as their learning experience. D) It is very beneficial to their academic progress.18. A) It has the world’s best-known military academies.B) It offers the most challenging academic programs.C) It draws faculty from all around the world.D) It provides numerous options for students.19. A) They are responsible merely to their Ministry of Education.B) They try to give students opportunities for experimentation.C) They strive to develop every student’s academic potential.D) They ensure that all students get roughly equal attention.Passage Two20. A) It is leaving Folkestone in about five minutes.B) It is now about half way to the French coast.C) It crosses the English Channel twice a day.D) It will arrive at Boulogne at half past two.21. A) Next to the duty-free shop. B) Opposite the ship’s office.C) In the front of A deck. D) At the rear of B deck.22. A) It is much more spacious than the lounge on C deck.B) It is for the sole use of passengers travelling with cars.C) It is for the use of passengers travelling with children.D) It is for senior passengers and people with VIP cards.Passage Three23. A) It was named after one of its painters. B) It was named after a cave art expert.C) It was named after its discoverer. D) It was named after its location.24. A) Deer were worshiped by the ancient Cro-Magnon people.B) Animal painting was part of the spiritual life of the time.C) Cro-Magnon people painted animals they hunted and ate.D) They were believed to keep evils away from cave dwellers.25. A) They have misinterpreted the meaning of the cave paintings.B) They are unable to draw such interesting and fine paintings.C) They have difficulty telling when the paintings were done.D) They know little about why the paintings were created.Section CIf you are attending a local college, especially one without residence halls, you’ll probably live at home and commute to classes. This arrangement has a lot of (26)__________ . It’s cheaper. It provides a comfortable and familiar setting, and it means you'll get the kind of home cooking you're used to instead of the monotony（单调）that (27)________ even the best institutional food.However, commuting students need to (28)_____________ to become involved in the life of their college and to take special steps to meet their fellow students. Often, this means a certain amount of initiative on your part in (29)________ and talking to people in your classes whom you think you might like.One problem that commuting students sometimes face is their parents' unwillingness to recognize that they're adults. The (30)____________ from high school to college is a big one, and if you live at home you need to develop the same kind of independence you’d have if you were living away. Home rules that might have been (31)________ when you were in high school don’t apply. If your parents are (32)________________ to renegotiate, you can speed the process along by letting your behavior show that you have the responsibility that goes with maturity. Parents are more willing to (33)__________ their children as adults when they behave like adults. If, however, there’s so much friction at home that it (34)_________ your academic work, you might want to consider sharing an apartment with one or more friends. Sometimes this is a happy solution when family (35)____________ make everyone miserable.Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section AChildren are natural-born scientists. They have 36 minds, and they aren’t afraid to admit they don’t know something. Most of them, 37, lose this as they get older. They become self-conscious and don’t want to appear stupid. Instead of finding things out for themselves they make 38 that often turn out to be wrong.So it’s not a case of getting kids interested in science. You just have to avoid killing the 39 for learning that they were born with. It’s no coincidence that kids start deserting science once it becomes formalised. Children naturally have a blurredapproach to 40 knowledge. They see learning about science or biology or cooking as all part of the same act—it’s all learning. It’s only because of the practicalities of education that you have to start breaking down the curriculum into specialist subjects. You need to have specialist teachers who 41 what they know. Thus once they enter school, children begin to define subjects and erect boundaries that needn’t otherwise exist.Dividing subjects into science, maths, English, etc. is something we do for 42. In the end it’s all learning, but many children today 43 themselves from a scientific education. They think science is for scientists, not for them.Of course we need to specialise 44. Each of us has only so much time on Earth, so we can’t study everything. At 5 years old, our field of knowledge and 45 is broad, covering anything from learning to walk to learning to count. Gradually it narrows down so that by the time we are 45, it might be one tiny little comer within science.A) accidentallyB) acquiringC) assumptionsD) convenienceE) eventuallyF) excludeG) exertionH) explorationI) formulasJ) igniteK) impartL) inquiringM) passionN) provokingO) unfortunately参考答案：LOCMJ KDFEHSection BMeaning Is Healthier Than Happiness[A] For at least the last decade, the happiness craze has been building. In the last three months alone, over 1,000 books on happiness were released on Amazon, including Happy Money, Happy-People-Pills For All, and, for those just starting out, Happiness for Beginners.[B] One of the consistent claims of books like these is that happiness is associated with all sorts of good life outcomes, including—most promisingly—good health. Many studies have noted the connection between a happy mind and a healthy body—the happier we are, the better health outcomes we seem to have. In an overview of 150 studies on this topic, researchers put it like this: “Inductions of well-being lead to healthy functioning, and inductions of ill-being lead to compromised health.”[C] But a new study, just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) challenges the rosy picture. Happiness may not be as good for the body as researchers thought. It might even be bad.[D] Of course, it’s important to first define happiness. A few months ago, I wrote a piece called “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy” about a psychology study that dug into what happiness really means to people. It specifically explored the difference between a meaningful life and a happy life.[E] It seems strange that there would be a difference at all. But the researchers, who looked at a large sample of people over a month-long period, found that happiness is associated with selfish “taking” behavior and that having a sense of meaning in life is associated with selfless “giving” behavior.[F] “Happiness without meaning characterizes a relatively shallow, self-absorbed or even selfish life, in which things go well, needs and desires are easily satisfied, and complicatedrelationships are avoided,” the authors of the study wrote. “If anything, pure happiness is linked to not helping others in need.”While being happy is about feeling good, meaning is derived from contributing to others or to society in a bigger way. As Roy Baumeister, one of the researchers, told me, “Partly what we do as human beings is to take care of others and contribute to others. This makes life meaningful but it does not necessarily make us happy.”[G] The new PNAS study also sheds light on the difference between meaning and happiness, but on the biological level. Barbara Fredrickson, a psychological researcher at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Steve Cole, a genetics and psychiatry（精神病学）researcher at UCLA, examined the self-reported levels of happiness and meaning in 80 research subjects.[H] Happiness was defined, as in the earlier study, by feeling good. The researchers measured happiness by asking subjects questions like “How often did you feel happy?’’, “How often did you feel interested in life?” and “How often did you feel satisfied?” The more strongly people endorsed these measures of “hedonic（享乐主义的）well-being,” or pleasure, the higher they scored on happiness.[I]Meaning was defined as an orientation to something bigger than the self. They measured meaning by asking questions like “How often did you feel that your life has a sense of direction or meaning to it?” and “How often did you feel that you had something to contribute to society?”The more people endorsed these measures of “eudaimonic（幸福论的）well-being”—or, simply put, virtue—the more meaning they felt in life.[J] After noting the sense of meaning and happiness that each subject had, Fredrickson and Cole, with their research colleagues, looked at the ways certain genes expressed themselves in each of the participants. Like neuroscientists who use JMRI（功能磁共振成像）scanning to determine how regions in the brain respond to different stimuli, Cole and Fredrickson are interested in how the body, at the genetic level, responds to feelings of happiness and meaning.[K] Cole’s past work has linked various kinds of chronic adversity to a particular gene expression pattern. When people feel lonely, are grieving the loss of a loved one, or are struggling to make ends meet, their bodies go into threat mode. This triggers the activation of astress-related gene pattern that has two features: an increase in the activity of pro-inflammatory （促炎症的）genes and a decrease in the activity of genes involved in anti-viral responses.[L] Cole and Fredrickson found that people who are happy but have little or no sense of meaning in their lives have the same gene expression patterns as people who are responding to and enduring chronic adversity. That is, the bodies of these happy people are preparing them for bacterial threats by activating the pro- inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is, of course, associated with major illnesses like heart disease and various cancers.[M] “Empty positive emotions”—like the kind people experience during manic（狂喜的）episodes or artificially induced euphoria（欣快）from alcohol and drugs—“are about as good for you as adversity,” says Fredrickson.[N] It’s important to understand that for many people, a sense of meaning and happiness in life overlap; many people score jointly high (or jointly low) on the happiness and meaning measures in the study. But for many others, there is a dissonance（不⼀致）they feel that they are low on happiness and high on meaning or that their lives are very high in happiness, but low in meaning. This last group, which has the gene expression pattern associated with adversity, formed 75 percent of study participants. Only one quarter of the study participants had what the researchers call “eudaimonic predominance”—that is, their sense of meaning outpaced their feelings of happiness.[O] This is too bad given the more beneficial gene expression pattern associated with meaningfulness. People whose levels of happiness and meaning line up, and people who have a strong sense of meaning but are not necessarily happy, showed a de-activation of the adversity stress response. Their bodies were not preparing them for the bacterial infections that we get when we are alone or in trouble, but for the viral infections we get when surrounded by a lot of other people.[P] Fredrickson’s past research, described in her two books, Positivity and Love 2.0, has mapped the benefits of positive emotions in individuals. She has found that positive emotions broaden a person’s perspective and help protect people against adversity. So it was surprising to her that hedonic well-being, which is associated with positive emotions and pleasure, did so badly in this study compared with eudaimonic well-being.[Q] “It’s not the amount of hedonic happiness that’s a problem,” Fredrickson tells me, “It’s that it’s not matched by eudaimonic well-being. It’s great when both are in step. But if you have more hedonic well-being than would be expected, that’s when this [gene] pattern that’s similar to adversity emerged.”[R] The terms hedonism and eudaimonism bring to mind the great philosophical debate, which has shaped Westerncivilization for over 2,000 years, about the nature of the good life. Does happiness lie in feeling good, as hedonists think, or in doing and being good, as Aristotle and his intellectual descendants, the virtue ethicists（伦理学家）, think? From the evidence of this study, it seems that feeling good is not enough. People need meaning to thrive. In the words of Carl Jung,“The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.” Jung’s wisdom certainly seems to apply to our bodies, if not also to our hearts and our minds.46. The author’s recent article examined how a meaningful life is different from a happy life.47. It should be noted that many people feel their life is both happy and meaningful.48. According to one survey, there is a close relationship between hedonic well-being measures and high scores on happiness.49. According to one of the authors of a new study, what makes life meaningful may not make people happy.50. Experiments were carried out to determine our body’s genetic expression of feelings of happiness and meaning.51. A new study claims happiness may not contribute to health.52. According to the researchers, taking makes for happiness while giving adds meaning to life.53. Evidence from research shows that it takes meaning for people to thrive.54. With regard to gene expression patterns, happy people with little or no sense of meaning in life are found to be similar to those suffering from chronic adversity.55. Most books on happiness today assert that happiness is beneficial to health.参考答案：DNHKJ CERLBSection CPassage OneNothing succeeds in business books like the study of success. The current business-book boom was launched in 1982 by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman with In Search of Excellence. The trendhas continued with a succession of experts and would-be experts who promise to distil the essence of excellence into three (or five or seven) simple rules.The Three Rules is a self-conscious contribution to this type of writing; it even includes a bibliography of “success studies”. Michael Raynor and Mumtaz Ahmed work for a consultancy, Deloitte, that is determined to turn itself into more of a thought-leader and less a corporate repairman. They employ all the tricks of the success books. They insist that their conclusions are “measurable and actionable”—guides to behaviour rather than analysis for its own sake. Success authors usually serve up vivid stories about how exceptional businesspeople stamped their personalities on a company or rescued it from a life-threatening crisis. Messrs Raynor and Ahmed are happier chewing the numbers: they provide detailed appendices on “calculating the elements of advantage” and “detailed analysis”.The authors spent five years studying the behaviour of their 344 “exceptional companies,”only to come up at first with nothing. Every hunch（直觉）led to a blind alley and every hypothesis to a dead end. It was only when they shifted their attention from how companies behave to how they think that they began to make sense of their voluminous material.Management is all about making difficult tradeoffs in conditions that are always uncertain and often fast- changing. But exceptional companies approach these tradeoffs with two simple rules in mind, sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. First: better before cheaper. Companies are more likely to succeed in the long run if they compete on quality or performance than on price. Second: revenue before cost. Companies have more to gain in the long run from driving up revenue than by driving down costs.Most success studies suffer from two faults. There is “the halo（光环）effect”, whereby good performance leads commentators to attribute all manner of virtues to anything and everything the company does. These virtues then suddenly become vices when the company fails. Messrs Raynor and Ahmed work hard to avoid these mistakes by studying large bodies of data over several decades. But they end up embracing a different error: stating the obvious. Most businesspeople will not be surprised to learn that it is better to find a profitable niche（隙缝市场）and focus on boosting your revenues than to compete on price and cut your way to success. The difficult question is how to find that profitable niche and protect it. There, The Three Rules is less useful.56. What kind of business books are most likely to sell well?A) Books on excellence. B) Guides to management.C) Books on business rules. D) Analyses of market trends.57. What does the author imply about books on success so far?A) They help businessmen one way or another. B) They are written by well-recognised experts.C) They more or less fall into the same stereotype. D) They are based on analyses of corporate leaders.58. How does The Three Rules differ from other success books according to the passage?A) It focuses on the behaviour of exceptional businessmen.B) It bases its detailed analysis on large amounts of data.C) It offers practicable advice to businessmen.D) It draws conclusions from vivid examples.59. What does the passage say contributes to the success of exceptional companies?A) Focus on quality and revenue. B) Management and sales promotion.C) Lower production costs and competitive prices. D) Emphasis on after-sale service and maintenance.60. What is the author’s comment on The Three Rules?A) It can help to locate profitable niches. B) It has little to offer to businesspeople.C) It is noted for its detailed data analysis. D) It fails to identify the keys to success.Passage TwoUntil recently, the University of Kent prided itself on its friendly image. Not any more. Over the past few months it has been working hard, with the help of media consultants, to play down its cosy reputation in favour of something more academic and serious.Kent is not alone in considering an image revamp（翻新）. Changes to next year’s funding regime are forcing universities to justify charging students up to ￡9,000 in fees.Nowadays universities are putting much more of a focus on their brands and what their value propositions are. While in the past universities have often focused on student social life and attractions of the university town in recruitment campaigns, they are now concentrating on more tangible（实在的）attractions, such as employment prospects, engagement with industry, and lecturer contact hours, making clear exactly what students are going to get for their money.The problem for universities is that if those benefits fail to materialise, students notice. That worries Rob Behrens, who deals with student complaints. “Universities need to be extremely careful in describing what’s going to happen to students，” he says. “As competition is going to get greater for attracting gifted students, there is a danger that universities will go the extra mile.”One university told prospective engineering students they would be able to design a car and race it at Brands Hatch, which never happened, he says. Others have promised use of sophisticated equipment that turned out to be broken or unavailable.“If universities spent as much money on handling complaints and appeals appropriately as they spend on marketing, they would do better at keeping students, and in the National Student Survey returns,” he says.Ongoing research tracking prospective 2012 students suggests that they are not only becoming more sophisticated in thinking about what they want from a university, but are also spending more time researching evidence to back up institutional claims.Hence the growing importance of the student survey. From next September, all institutions will also be expected to publish on their websites key information sets, allowing easier comparison between institutions, between promises and reality, and the types of jobs and salaries graduates go on to.As a result, it is hardly surprising that universities are beginning to change the way they market themselves. While the best form of marketing for institutions is to be good at what they do, they also need to be clear about how they are different from others.And it is vital that once an institution claims to be particularly good at something, it must live up to it. The moment you positionyourself, you become exposed, and if you fail in that you are in trouble.61. What was the University of Kent famous for?A) Its comfortable campus life. B) Its up-to-date course offerings.C) Its distinguished teaching staff. D) Its diverse academic programmes.62. What are universities trying to do to attract students?A) Improve their learning environment. B) Offer more scholarships to the gifted.C) Upgrade their campus facilities. D) Present a better academic image.63. What does Rob Behrens suggest universities do in marketing themselves?A) Publicise the achievements of their graduates.B) Go to extra lengths to cater to students’ needs.C) Refrain from making promises they cannot honour.D) Survey the expectations of their prospective students.64. What is students’ chief consideration in choosing a university?A) Whether it promises the best job prospects.B) Whether it is able to deliver what they want.C) Whether it ranks high among similar institutions.D) Whether it offers opportunities for practical training.65. What must universities show to win recruitment campaigns?A) They are positioned to meet the future needs of society.B) They are responsible to students for their growth.C) They are ever ready to improve themselves.D) They are unique one way or another.参考答案：ACBAB AACBDTranslation (30 minutes)⾃从1978年启动改⾰以来，中国已从计划经济转为以市场为基础的经济，经历了经济和社会的快速发展。