2016年12月大学英语六级真题2

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题答案（共三套）听力答案Section A Conversation1. [C] It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.2. [B] It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.3. [A] The transition to low-carbon energy systems.4. [C] Plan well in advance.5. [B] What determines success.6. [D] It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. [D] Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. [C] Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.Section B Passage9. [A] To stump of a giant tree.10. [B] Wind and water.11. [D] It was created by supernatural powers.12. [C] By lifting them well above the ground.13. [A] They will buy something from the convenience stores.14. [A] They can bring only temporary pleasures.15. [D] Small daily savings an make a big difference in one's life.Section C Lecture16. [B] They are necessary in our lives.17. [B] They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problem.18. [A] They expand our mind.19. [B] It came from a 3D printer.20. [C] When she was studying at a fashion design school.21. [C] It was hard and breakable.22. [D] It marks a breakthrough in printing material.23. [A] They arise from the advances in technology.24. [D] It is intensively competitive.25. [D] Sharing of costs with each other.阅读答案Section A26. [O] vanished27. [M] undergone28. [D] expanding29. [K] survived30. [H] process31. [L] terminals32. [E] industrialized33. [F] perceived34. [B] conveniences35. [G] practiceSection BCountries Rush for Upper Hand in Antarctica36. [J]37. [C]38. [E]39. [G]40. [D]41. [I]42. [B]43. [H]44. [Q]45. [L]Section Cpassage one46. [D] It has little impact on their decision whether or not to quit smoking.47. [A] Pass a law to standardise cigarette packaging.48. [B] The number of smokes has dropped more sharply than in the UK.49. [A] Prime Minister Cameron has been reluctant to take action.50. [C] They made more British people obese.passage two51. [A] It is worthwhile after all.52. [D] Most of them take jobs which don't require a college degree.53. [C] Interactions among themselves outside the classroom.54. [B] Meting people who will be helpful to you in the future.55. [D] The prestige of the university influences employers' recruitment decisions.翻译范文翻译一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。

2016年12月英语六级真题及答案解析Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Youressay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourageinvention. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part Ⅱ Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A. It tries to predict the possible trends of global climate change.B. It studies the impacts of global climate change on people's lives.C. It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.D. It focuses on the efforts countries can make to deal with global warming.2. A. It will take a long time before a consensus is reached on its impact.B. It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.C. It is the most pressing issue confronting all countries.D. It is bound to cause endless disputes among nations.3. A. The transition to low-carbon energy systems.B. The cooperation among world major powers.C. The signing of a global agreement.D. The raising of people's awareness.4. A. Carry out more research on it.B. Cut down energy consumption.C. Plan well in advance.D. Adopt new technology.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. When luck plays a role.B. what determines success.C. Whether practice makes perfect.D. How important natural talent is.6. A. It knocks at your door only once in a while.B. It is something that no one can possibly create.C. It comes naturally out of one's self-confidence.D. It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. A. Luck rarely contributes to a person's success.B. One must have natural talent to be successful.C. One should always be ready to seize opportunities.D. Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. A. Putting time and effort into fun things is profitable.B. People who love what they do care little about money.C. Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.D. People in need of money work hard automatically.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree 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 markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the passage you have just heard.9. A. The stump of a giant tree.B. A huge piece of rock.C. The peak of a mountain.D. A tall chimney.10. A. Human activity.B. Wind and water.C. Chemical processes.D. Fire and fury.11. A. It is a historical monument.B. It was built in ancient times.C. It is Indians' sacred place for worship.D. It was created by supernatural powers.12. A. By sheltering them in a cave.B. By killing the attacking bears.C. By lifting them well above the ground.D. By taking them to the top of a mountain.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. They will buy something from the convenience stores.B. They will take advantage of the time to rest a while.C. They will have their vehicles washed or serviced.D. They will pick up some souvenirs or gift items.14. A. They can bring only temporary pleasures.B. They are meant for the extremely wealthy.C. They should be done away with altogether.D. They may eventually drive one to bankruptcy.15. A. A good way to socialize is to have daily lunch with one's colleagues.B. Retirement savings should come first in one's family budgeting.C. A vacation will be affordable if one saves 20 dollars a week.D. Small daily savings can make a big difference in one's life.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three recordings of lectures or talks followed by three orfour questions. The recordings will be played only once. After you hear a question, youmust choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. Thenmark 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 should be done away with.B. They are necessary in our lives.C. They enrich our experience.D. They are harmful to health.17. A. They feel stressed out even without any challenges in life.B. They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problems.C. They are anxious to free themselves from life's troubles.D. They are exhausted even without doing any heavy work. ~18. A. They expand our mind.B. They prolong our lives.C. They narrow our focus.D.They lessen our burdensQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. It is not easily breakable.B. It came from a 3D printer.C. It represents the latest style.D. It was made by a fashion designer.20. A. When she had just graduated from her college.B. When she attended a conference in New York.C. When she was studying at a fashion design school.D. When she attended a fashion show nine months ago.21. A. It was difficult to print.B. It was hard to come by.C. It was hard and breakable.D. It was extremely expensive.22. A. It is the latest model of a 3D printer.B. It is a plastic widely used in 3D printing.C. It gives fashion designers room for imagination.D. It marks a breakthrough in printing material.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.23. A. They arise from the advances in technology.B. They have not been examined in detail so far.C. They are easy to solve with modern technology.D. They can't be solved without government support.24. A. It is attractive to entrepreneurs.B. It demands huge investment.C. It focuses on new products.D. It is intensely competitive.25. A.Cooperation with big companies.B. Recruiting more qualified staff.C. In-service training of IT personnel.D. Sharing of costs with each other.Part Ⅲ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word foreach blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bankmore than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.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 awillingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experiencefailures. But good science also requires 27 understanding,clear explanation and concisepresentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 and offer theiropinions on important matters. We need more scientists who can explain what they are doing inlanguage that is 29 and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should alsobe prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 scientific knowledge into ourpublic communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do notunderstand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the1960s, the United States 31 nearly 17% of discretionary (可酌情支配的) spending to research anddevelopment,32 decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single33 This occurs at a time when other nations have made significant gains in their own researchcapabilities.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 labbench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A. ArenaB. contextualC. ConvincingD. devotedE. DigitsF. hastenG. Hypotheses H. impairingI. Incorporate J. indefiniteK. Indulge L. inertiaM. Pride N. reapingO. WarrantSection BDirections: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Are We in an Innovation Lull?[A] Scan the highlights of this year's Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ), and you may get a slightfeeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as thecoolest gadgets last year--or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demosare 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 hardnot 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 anddesktops have made up a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segmentsare looking at slower growth curves--or shrinking markets in some cases--as consumers are notas eager to spend money on new gadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies--the drones,3Dprinters and smart-home devices of the world--now seem a bit too old to be called "the next bigthing. "[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. "There is not any one-hitwonder, and there will not be one for years to come," said Gary Shapiro, president and chiefexecutive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn'tnecessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. "Many industries aregoing out of infancy and becoming adolescents," Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found theirfooting well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in many cases, they need to workeffectively 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 inthe water for the average consumer, because there are so many compatibility issues to thinkabout. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendar software works withtheir fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different appfor each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manageeverything together. And while you may forgive your smartphone an occasional fault, youprobably 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 awinner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have tothink of ecosystems instead to give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems."The dialogue is changing from what is technologically possible to what is technologicallymeaningful," said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA--which puts on theshow each year--and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as heresearched his predictions for 2016.[F] "So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets,"said John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. "But over the last couple of years,and in this one in particular, we are starting to see companies shift from what is the largest screensize, the smallest form factor or the shiniest object and more into what all of these devices do thatis 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 adifferent bent to them. Rather than just dazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on thepractical. Fitbit, for example, released its first smartwatch Monday, selling with a clearpurpose--to improve your fitness--and promoting it as a "tool, not a toy. " Not only that, itsupports a number of platforms: Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft'sWindows phone.[G] That seems to be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasinglybored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries releasedby Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. Forexample, when asked whether they would buy a new smartphone this year, only 48 percent saidyes--a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are paintingfor us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amountsof consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies needto improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seem to bestrengthening 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 needthat?"--or, perhaps more tellingly, "Why do you need to know that?"--dogs the steps of manynew ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying asmartwatch in 2016, for example--an increase of just one percent from the previous year despite ayear of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smartwatches canmake up ground for maturing smartphone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demandfor 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 andsecurity. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind,37 percent saidthat they are going to be more cautions about using these devices and services in the future. A full18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against havingtheir sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year's show, as these new technologiesintrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Tradeand Federal Communications commissions, this year's list of policy makers also includesappearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and FederalAviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes senseas technology becomes a larger part of our lives. "There is an incompatibility in the rate at whichthese are advancing relative to the way we're digesting it," he said. "Technology is becomingbigger and more aspirational, and penetrating almost every aspect of our lives. We have tounderstand and think about the implications, and balance these great innovations with thepotential downsides they naturally carry with them. "36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they are worried aboutcompatibility 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 tlie positive and negative aspects of innovativeproducts.40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practicalvalue thanthe 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 getcustomized 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 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C andD. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.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 morethan half of the world's greenhouse gas 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 areessentially climate "free-riders": causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gasemissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change's impact on food and water. In otherwords, a few countries are benefiting enormously from the consumption of fossil fuels, while at thesame 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 changeimpacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world's most climatevulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very smallquantity of emissions. This is much like a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, whilethe heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Paris agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate changefor all, although the details on addressing "climate justice" can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2~C is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Paris talks are very unlikely to deliver onthis.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations toreduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction betweendeveloped and developing nations in their responsibility to cut emissions, effectively ignoring historicalemissions. There is also very little detail on who will provide the funds or, importantly, who isresponsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishing who is responsible for raisingthem will also be vital for the future of climate-vulnerable countries.The most climate-vulnerable countries in the world have contributed very little to creatingtheglobal disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisationof the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions whilehelping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decidewhether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement becauseA. 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 water 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 andskipping 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 dangerof experiencing the same psychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleepand 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 warnsthat 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 been dubbed the"invisible risk" group by the study's authors."In some ways they're at greater risk of falling through the cracks," says researcher VladimirCarli. "While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or gettingdrunk, 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 excessivealcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy (逃学). Their aim was todetermine 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 highon all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the "invisible risk" group, scored high on three inparticular: They spent five hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night orless. And they neglected "other healthy activities."The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms ofdepression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4% of thelow-risk group. But the invisible group wasn't far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of themexhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. "We were very surprised," he says. "The high-risk group andlow-risk group are obvious. But this third group was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and solarge--nearly one third of our sample--that it 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, supportand 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 oftenwear their troubles like a neon sign" (Lines 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. Teenagers' lifestyles have changed greatly in recent years.B. 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 asedentary lifestyle as the "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 intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.随着生活水平的提高，度假在中国人生活中的作用越来越重要。

2016年12月大学英语六级考试（第2套）Part ⅠWriting (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on creation. Your essay should include the importance of creation and measures to be taken to encourage creation. You are required to write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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 proud of their cuisine.B. They were particular about food.C. They were all good at cooking.D. They were fond of bacon and eggs.2. A. His parents.B. His friends.C. His parents' friends.D. His schoolmates.3. A. No one of the group ate it.B. It was a little overcooked.C. No tea was served with the meal.D. It was the real English breakfast.4. A. It was full of excitement.B. It was rather disappointing.C. It was a risky experience.D. It was really extraordinary.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. The woman's earnings over the years.B. The key to running a shop at a low cost.C. The business success of the woman's shop.D. The woman's relationship with other shops.6. A. Keep down its expenses.B. Expand its business scale.C. Improve its customer service.D. Upgrade the goods it sells.7. A. They are in great demand.B. They are delivered free of charge.C. They are very-popular with the local residents.D. They are sold at lower prices than in other shops.8. A. To maintain friendly relationships with other shops.B. To avoid being put out of business in competition.C. To attract more customers in the neighborhood.D. To follow the custom of the local shopkeepers.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 are on the verge of extinction because of pollution.B. They carry plant seeds and spread them to faraway places.C. They deliver pollutants from the ocean to their nesting sites.D. They can be used to deliver messages in times of emergency.10. A. They originate from Devon Island in the Arctic area.B. They migrate to the Arctic Circle during the summer.C. They have the ability to survive in extreme weathers.D. They travel as far as 400 kilometers in search of food.11. A. They had become more poisonous.B. They were carried by the wind.C. They poisoned some of the fulmars.D. They were less than on the continent.12. A. The effects of the changing climate on Arctic seabirds.B. The harm Arctic seabirds may cause to humans.C. The diminishing colonies for Arctic seabirds.D. The threats humans pose to Arctic seabirds.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. It has remained basically the same.B. It has become better understood.C. It has been exaggerated.D. It has decreased.14. A. It is now the second leading cause of death for centenarians.B. It develops more easily in centenarians not actively engaged.C. It calls for more intensive research.D. It has had no effective cure so far.15. A. They cherish their life more than ever.B. Their minds fall before their bodies do.C. Their quality of life deteriorates rapidly.D. They care more about their physical health.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 form the basis on which he builds his theory of love.B. They were carried out over a period of some thirty years.C. They were done by his former colleague at Yale.D. They are focused more on attraction than love.17. A. The relationship cannot last long if no passion is involved.B. It is not love if you don't wish to maintain the relationship.C. Romance is just impossible without mutual understanding.D. Intimacy is essential but not absolutely indispensable to love.18. A. Whether it is true love without commitment.B. Which of them is considered most important.C. How the relationship is to be defined if any one is missing.D. When the absence of any one doesn't affect the relationship.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. The history of social work.B. Social work as a profession.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 raise people's awareness of the environment.C. They create a lot of opportunities for the unemployed.D. They help enhance the well-being of the underprivileged.21. A. They have all made a difference through their work.B. They are all members of the National Association.C. They all have an academic degree in social work.D. They have all received strict clinical training.22. A. Social workers' job options and responsibilities.B. Ways for social workers to meet people's needs.C. The importance of training for social workers.D. The promotion of social workers' social status.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 urge kids to follow their role models.D. To encourage kids to play more sports.24. A. They are most effective when appearing on TV.B. They best boost product sales when put online.C. They are becoming more and more prevalent.D. They impress kids more than they do adults.25. A. Do what they advocate in public.B. Always place kids' interest first.C. Pay attention to their image before children.D. Message positive behaviors at all times.Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select out one word for each blank from a lot 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 itemon Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.Small communities, with their distinctive character—where life is stable and intensely human—are disappearing. Some have __26____ from the face of the earth, others are dying slowly, but all have ___27___ changes as they have come into contact with an ___28___ machine civilization. The merging of diverse peoples into a common mass has produced tension among members of the minorities and the majority alike.The Old Order Amish, who arrived on American shores in colonial times, have ___29___ in the modern world in distinctive, small communities. They have resisted the homogenization ___30___ more successfully than others. In planting and harvest times one can see their bearded men working the fields with horses and their women hanging out the laundry in neat rows to dry. Many American people have seen Amish families with the men wearing broad-brimmed black hats and the women in long dresses. In railway or bus ___31___.Although the Amish have lived with ___32___ America for over two and a half centuries. They have moderated its influence on their personal lives, their families, communities, and their values.The Amish are often ___33___ by other Americans to be relics of the past who live a simple, inflexible life dedicated to inconvenient out-dated customs. They are seen as abandoning both modem ___34___ and the American dream of success and progress, But most people have no quarrel with the Amish for doing things the old-fashioned way. Their conscientious objection was tolerated in wartime. For after all. They are good farmers who ___35___ the virtues of work and thrift.A)accessing I)progressB)conveniences J)respectiveC)destined K)survivedD)expanding L)terminalsE)industrialized M)undergoneF)perceived N)universalG)practice O)vanishedH)processSection 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.Countries Rush for Upper Hand in AntarcticaA) On a glacier-filled island with fjords（峡湾）and elephant seals, Russia has built Antarctica’s first Orthodox church on a bill overlooking its research base. Less than an hour away by snowmobile. Chinese laborers have updated the Great Wall Station, a vital part of China’s plan to operate five basses on Antarctica, complete with an indoor badminton court and sleeping quarters for 150 peop le. Not to be outdone, India’s futuristic new Bharathi base, built on stills（桩子）using 134 interlocking shipping containers, resembles a spaceship. Turkey and Iran have announced plans to build bases, too.B) More than a century has passed since explorers raced to plant their flags at the bottom of the world, and for decades to come this continent is supposed to be protected as a scientific preserve, shielded from intrusions like military activities and mining . But an array of countries are rushing to assert greater influence here, with an eye not just towards the day those protective treaties expire, but also for the strategic and commercial that already exist.C) The newer players are stepping into what they view as a treasure house of resources. Some of the ventures focus on the Antarctic resources that are already up for grabs, like abundant sea life. South Korea, which operates state-of–the-art bases here, is increasing its fishing of krill（磷虾），found in abundance in the Southern Ocean, while Russia recen tly frustrated efforts to create one of the world’s largest ocean sanctuaries here.D) Some scientists are examining the potential for harvesting icebergs form Antarctica, which is estimated to have the biggest reserves of fresh water on the planet. Nations are also pressing ahead with space research and satellite projects to expand their global navigation abilities.E) Building on a Soviet-era foothold, Russia is expanding its monitoring stations for Glonass, its version of the Global Positioning System(GPS). At least three Russian stations are already operating in Antarctica, part of its effort to challenge the dominance of the American GPS, and new stations are planned for sites like the Russian base, in the shadow of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity.F) Elsewhere in Antarctica, Russian researchers boast of their recent discovery of a freshwater reserve the size of Lake Ontario after drilling through miles of solid ice. “You can see that we’re here to stay,” said Vladimir Cheberdak, 57, chief of the Bellingshausen Station, as he sipped tea under a portrait of Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Russian Navy who explored the Antarctic coast in 1820.G) Antarctica’s mineral, oil and gas wealth are a longer-term prize. The treaty banning mining here, shielding coveted(令人垂诞的)reserves of iron ore, coal and chromium, comes up for review in 2048. Researchers recently found kimberlite(金伯利岩) deposits hinting at the existence of diamonds. And while assessments vary widely, geologists estimate that Antarctica holds at least 36 billion barrels of oil and natural gas.H) Beyond the Antarctic treaties, huge obstacles persist to tapping these resources, like drifting icebergs that could jeopardize offshore platforms. Then there is Antarctic’s remoteness, with some mineral deposits found in windswept locations on a continent that is larger the Europe and where winter temperatures hover around minus 55 degrees Celsius.I) But advances in technology might make Antarctica a lot more accessible three decades from now. And even before then, scholars warn, the demand for resources in an energy-hungry world could raise pressure to renegotiate Antarctica’s treaties, possibly allowing more commercial endeavours here well before the prohibit ions against them expire. The research stations on King George lsland offer a glimpse into the long game on this ice-blanketed continent as nations assert themselves, eroding the sway long held by countries like the United States, Britain. Australia and New Zealand.J) Being stationed in Antarctica involves adapting to life on the planet’s driest, windiest and coldest continent, yet each nation manages to make itself at home. Bearded Russian priests offer regular services at the Orthodox church for the 16 or so Russian speakers who spend the winter at the base, largely polar scientists in fields like glaciology and meteorology. Their number climbs to about 40 in the warmer summer months. China has arguably the fastest growing operations in Antarctica. It opened its fourth station last year and is pressing ahead with plans to build a fifth. It is building its second ice-breaking ship and setting up research drilling operations on an ice dome 13,422 feet above sea level that is one the planet’s coldest places. Chinese officials say the expansion in Antarctica prioritises scientific research. But they also acknowledge that concerns about “resource security” influence their moves.K) China’s newly renovated Great Wall Station on King George lsland makes the Russia n and Chilean bases here seem outdated. ”We do weather monitoring here and other research.” Ning Xu, 53, the chief of the Chinese base, said over tea during a fierce blizzard(暴风雪) in late November. The large base he leads resembles a snowed-in college campus on holiday break, with the capacity to sleep more than 10 times the 13 people who were staying on through the Antarctic winter. Yong Yu, a Chinese microbiologist, showed off the spacious building, with empty desks under an illustrated timeline detailing the rapid growth of China’s Antarctic operations since the 1980s “We now feel equipped to grow,” he said.L) As some countries expand operations in Antarctica, the United States maintains three year-round stations on the continent with more than 1,000 peo ple during the southern hemisphere’s summer, including those at the Amundsen Scott station, built in 1956 at an elevation of 9,301 feet on a plateau at the South Pole. But US researchers quietly complain about budget restraints and having far fewer icebreakers the Russia, limiting the reach of the United States in Antarctica.M) Scholars warn that Antarctica’s political drift could blur the distinction between military and civilian activities long before the continent’s treaties come up for renegotiation, e specially in parts of Antarctica that are ideal for intercepting(拦截) signals from satellites or retasking satellite systems, potentially enhancing global electronic intelligence operations.N) Some countries have had a hard time here, Brazil opened a research station in 1984, but it was largely destroyed by a fire that killed two members of the navy in 2012, the same year that a diesel-laden Brazilian barge sank near the base. As if that were not enough. a Brazilian C-130 Hercules military transport plane has remained stranded near the runway of Chile’s air base here since it crash-landed in 2014.O) However, Brazil’s stretch of misfortune has created opportunities for China, with a Chinese company winning the $100 million contract in 2015 to rebuild the Brazilian station.P) Amid all the changes, Antarctica maintains its allure. South Korea opened its second Antarctic research base in 2014, describing it as a way to test robots developed by Korean researchers for use in extreme conditions. With Russia’s help, Belarus is preparing to build this first Antarctic base. Colombia said this year that it planned to join other South American nations with bases in Antarctica.Q) “The old days of the Antarctic being dominated by the interests and wishes of white men fro m European. Australasian and North American states are over.” Said Klaus Dodds, a politics scholar at the University of London who specialises in Antarctica. “The reality is that Antarctica is geopolitically contested.”36. According to Chinese officials, their activities in Antarctica lay greater emphasis on scientific research.37. Efforts to create one of the world’s largest ocean sanctuaries failed because of Russia’s obstruction.38. With several monitoring stations operating in Antarctica, Russia is t rying hard to counter America’s dominance in the field of worldwide navigational facilities.39. According to geologists’ estimates. Antarctica has enormous reserves of oil and natural gas.40. It is estimated that Antarctica boasts of the richest reserves of fresh water on earth.41. The demand for energy resources may compel renegotiation of Antarctica’s treaties before their expiration.42. Many countries are racing against each other to increase their business and strategic influence on Antarctica.43. Antarctica’s harsh natural conditions constitute huge obstacles to the exploitation of its resources.44. With competition from many countries, Antarctica is no longer dominated by the traditional white nations.45. American scientists complain about lack of sufficient money and equipment for their expansion in Antarctica. Passage oneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.Any veteran nicotine addict will testify that fancy packaging plays no role in the decision to keep smoking. So, it is argued, stripping cartons of their branding will trigger no mass movement to quit.But that isn’t why the government—under pressure from cancer charities, health workers and the Labour party—has agreed to legislate for standardized packaging. The theory is that smoking should be stripped of any appeal to discourage new generations from starting in the first place. Plain packaging would be another step in the reclassification of cigarettes from inviting consumer products to narcotics（麻醉剂）.Naturally, the tobacco industry is violently opposed. No business likes to admit that it sells addictive poison as a lifestyle choice. That is why government has historically intervened, banning advertising, imposing health warnings and punitive(惩罚性的) duties. This approach has led over time to a fall in smoking with numbers having roughly halved since the 1970s. Evidence from Australia suggests plain packaging pushes society further along that road. Since tobacco as one of the biggest causes of premature death in the UK, a measure that tames the habit even by a fraction is worth trying.So why has it taken so long? The Department of Health declared its intention to consider the move in November 2010 and consulted through 2012. But the plan was suspended in July 2013. It did not escape notice that a lobbying firm set up by Lynton Crosby, David Cameron’s election campaign director, had previously acted for Philip Morris International. (The prime minister denied there was a connection between his news adviser’s outside interests and the change in legislative programme.) In November 2013, after an unnecessary round of additional consultation, health minister Jane Ellison said the government was minded to proceed after all. Now we are told Members of Parliament (MPs) will have a free voice before parliament is dissolved in March.Parliament has in fact already authorised the government to tame the tobacco trade. MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of Labour amendments to the children and families bill last February that included the power to regulate for plain packaging. With sufficient will in Downing Street this would have been done already. But strength of will is the missing ingredient where Mr. Cameron and public health are concerned. His attitude to state intervention has looked confused ever since his bizarre 2006lament(叹息) that chocolate oranges placed seductively at supermarket check-outs fueled obesity.The government has moved reluctantly into a sensible public health policy, but with such obvious over-cautiousness that any political credit due belongs to the opposition. Without sustained external pressure it seems certain Mr. Cameron would still be hooked on the interests of big tobacco companies.46. What do chain smokers think of cigarette packaging?A) Fancy packaging can help to engage new smokers.B) It has little to do with the quality or taste of cigarettes.C) Plain packaging discourages non-smokers from taking up smoking.D) It has little impact on their decision whether or not to quit smoking.47. What has the UK government agreed to do concerning tobacco packaging?A) Pass a law to standardise cigarette packaging.B) Rid cigarette cartons of all advertisements.C) Subsidise companies to adopt plain packaging.D) Reclassify cigarettes according to packaging.48. What has happened in Australia where plain packaging is implemented?A) Premature death rates resulting from smoking have declined.B) The number of smokers has dropped more sharply than in the UK.C) The sales of tobacco substitutes have increased considerably.D) Cigarette sales have been falling far more quickly than in the UK.49. Why it taken so long for the UK government to consider plain packaging?A) Prime Minister Cameron has been reluctant to take action.B) There is strong opposition from veteran nicotine addicts.C) Many Members of Parliament are addicted to smoking.D) Pressure from tobacco manufacturers remains strong.50. What did Cameron say about chocolate oranges at supermarket checkouts?A) They fueled a lot of controversy.B) They made more British people obese.C) They attracted a lot of smokers.D) They had certain ingredients missing.Passage TwoQuestions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.What a waste of money!In return for an averageof£44,000 of debt,students get an average of only 14 hours of lecture and tutorial time a week in Britain. Annual fees have risen from£1,000 to $9,000 in the last decade. But contact time at university has barely risen at all. And graduating doesn’t even provide any guarantee of a decent job:sixin ten graduates today are in non-graduate jobs.No wonder it has become fashionable to denounce many universities as little more that elaborate com-tricks(骗术). There’s a lotfor students to complain about the repayment threshold for paying back loans will be frozen for five years, meaning that lower-paid graduals have to start repaying their loans, and maintenance grants have been replaced by loans meaning that students from poorer backgrounds face higher debt than those with wealthier parents.Yet it still pa ys to go to university. If going to university doesn’t work out, students pay very little—if any—of their tuition fees back, you only start repaying when you are earning £21, 000 a year. Almost half of graduates—thosewho go on to earn less—will have a por tion of their debt written off. It’s not just the lectures and tutorials that are important. Education is the sum of what students teach each other in between lectures and seminars. Students do not merely benefit while at university, studies show they go on to be healthier and happier than non-graduates, and also far more likely to vote.Whatever your talents, it is extraordinarily difficult to get a leading job in most fields without having been to university. Recruiters circle elite universities like vulturous(兀鹰). Many top firms will not even look at applications from those who lack a 2.1, i.e., an upper-second class degree, from an elite university. Students at university also meet those likely to be in leading jobs in the future, forming contacts for life. This might not be right, but school-leavers who fail to acknowledge as much risk making the wrong decision about going to university.Perhaps the reason why so many universities offer their students so little is they know studying at a top university remains a brilliant investment even if you don’t learn anything.Studying at university will only become less attractive if employers shift their focus away from where someone went to university—and there is no sign of that happening anytime soon. School-leavers may moan, but they have little choice but to embrace university and the student debt that comes with it.51. What is the author’s opinion of going to university?A) It is worthwhile after all.B) It is simply a waste of time.C) It is hard to say whether it is good or bad.D) It is too expensive for most young people.52. What does the author say about the employment situation of British university graduates?A) Few of them are satisfied with the jobs they are offered.B) It usually takes a long time for them to find a decent job.C) Graduates from elite universities usually can get decent jobs.D) Most of them take jobs which don’t require a college degree.53. What does the author say is important for university students besides classroom instruction?A) Making sure to obtain an upper-second class degree.B) Practical skills they will need in their future careers.C) Interactions among themselves outside the classroom.D) Developing independent and creative thinking abilities.54. What is said to be an advantage of going to university?A) Learning how to take risks in an ever-changing world.B) Meeting people who will be helpful to you in the future.C) Having opportunities of playing a leading role in society.D) Gaining up-to-date knowledge in science and technology.55. What can we infer from the last paragraph?A) It is natural for students to make complaints about university education.B) Few students are willing to bear the burden of debt incurred at university.C) University education is becoming attractive to students who can afford it.D) The prestige of the university influences employers’ recruitment decisions.Part IV Translation (30minutes)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。

2016年12月大学英语六级考试真题(第1套)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on invention. Youressay should include the importance of invention and measures to be taken to encourageinvention. You are required to writeat least 150 words but no more than 200 words.Part II Listening Comprehension(30 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear two long conversations.At the end of eachconversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation and thequestions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you mustchoose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D.Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet I with a single linethrough the centre.Questions 1 to 4 are based on the conversation you have just heard.1. A. It tries to predict the possible trends of global climate change.B. It studies the impacts of global climate change on people's lives.C. It links the science of climate change to economic and policy issues.D. It focuses on the efforts countries can make to deal with global warming.2. A. It will take a long time before a consensus is reached on its impact.B. It would be more costly to deal with its consequences than to avoid it.C. It is the most pressing issue confronting all countries.D. It is bound to cause endless disputes among nations.3. A. The transition to low-carbon energy systems.B. The cooperation among world major powers.C. The signing of a global agreement.D. The raising of people's awareness.4. A. Carry out more research on it.B. Cut down energy consumption.C. Plan well in advance.D. Adopt new technology.Questions 5 to 8 are based on the conversation you have just heard.5. A. When luck plays a role.B. what determines success.C. Whether practice makes perfect.D. How important natural talent is.6. A. It knocks at your door only once in a while.B. It is something that no one can possibly create.C. It comes naturally out of one's self-confidence.D. It means being good at seizing opportunities.7. A. Luck rarely contributes to a person's success.B. One must have natural talent to be successful.C. One should always be ready to seize opportunities.D. Practice is essential to becoming good at something.8. A. Putting time and effort into fun things is profitable.B. People who love what they do care little about money.C. Being passionate about work can make one wealthy.D. People in need of money work hard automatically.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear two passages. At the end of each passage, you will hearthree or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once.After you hear a question, must choose the bestyou answer from the four choices markedA, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with asingle line through the centre.Questions 9 to 12 are based on the passage you have just heard.9. A. The stump of a giant tree.B. A huge piece of rock.C. The peak of a mountain.D. A tall chimney.10. A. Human activity.B. Wind and water.C. Chemical processes.D. Fire and fury.11. A. It is a historical monument.B. It was built in ancient times.C. It is Indians' sacred place for worship.D. It was created by supernatural powers.12. A. By sheltering them in a cave.B. By killing the attacking bears.C. By lifting them well above the ground.D. By taking them to the top of a mountain.Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.13. A. They will buy something from the convenience stores.B. They will take advantage of the time to rest a while.C. They will have their vehicles washed or serviced.D. They will pick up some souvenirs or gift items.14. A. They can bring only temporary pleasures.B. They are meant for the extremely wealthy.C. They should be done away with altogether.D. They may eventually drive one to bankruptcy.15. A. A good way to socialize is to have daily lunch with one's colleagues.B. Retirement savings should come first in one's family budgeting.C. A vacation will be affordable if one saves 20 dollars a week.D. Small daily savings can make a big difference in one's life.Section CDirections: In this section, you will hear three recordings oflectures or talks followed by three orfour questions. The recordings be playedwill only once. After you hear a question, youmust choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. Thenmark 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 should be done away with.B. They are necessary in our lives.C. They enrich our experience.D. They are harmful to health.17. A. They feel stressed out even without any challenges in life.B. They feel too overwhelmed to deal with life's problems.C. They are anxious to free themselves from life's troubles.D. They are exhausted even without doing any heavy work. ~18. A. They expand our mind.B. They prolong our lives.C. They narrow our focus.D. They lessen our burdensQuestions 19 to 22 are based on the recording you have just heard.19. A. It is not easily breakable.B. It came from a 3D printer.C. It represents the latest style.D. It was made by a fashion designer.20. A. When she had just graduated from her college.B. When she attended a conference in New York.C. When she was studying at a fashion design school.D. When she attended a fashion show nine months ago.21. A. It was difficult to print.B. It was hard to come by.C. It was hard and breakable.D. It was extremely expensive.22. A. It is the latest model of a 3D printer.B. It is a plastic widely used in 3D printing.C. It gives fashion designers room for imagination.D. It marks a breakthrough in printing material.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the recording you have just heard.23. A. They arise from the advances in technology.B. They have not been examined in detail so far.C. They are easy to solve with modern technology.D. They can't be solved without government support.24. A. It is attractive to entrepreneurs.B. It demands huge investment.C. It focuses on new products.D. It is intensely competitive.25. A.Cooperation with big companies.B. Recruiting more qualified staff.C. In-service training of IT personnel.D. Sharing of costs with each other.Part 皿Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. Youare required to select one word foreach blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read thepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank isidentified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bankmore than once.Questions 26 to 35 are based on the following passage.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 awillingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experiencefailures. But good science also requires 27 understanding,clear explanation and concisepresentation.Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 and offer theiropinions on important matters. Weneed more scientists whocan explain what they are doing inlanguage that is 29 and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should alsobe prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 scientific knowledge into ourpublic communications.Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do notunderstand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the1960s, the United States 31 nearly 17% of discretionary ( 可酌情支配的) spending to research anddevelopment,32 decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single33This occurs at a time whenother nations have made significant gains in their own researchcapabilities.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 labbench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.A. ArenaB. contextualC. ConvincingD. 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. Eachstatement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraphfrom which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once.Each paragraph ismarked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking thecorresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Are We in an Innovation Lull?[A] Scan the highlights of this year's Consumer Electronics Show（ CES）, and you may get a slightfeeling of having seen them before. Many of the coolest gadgets this year are the same as thecoolest gadgets last year--or the year before, even. The booths are still exciting, and the demosare 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 hardnot 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 anddesktops have madeup a huge part of the market and driven innovation. But now these segmentsare looking at slower growth curves--or shrinking markets in somecases--as consumers are notas eager to spend moneyon newgadgets. Meanwhile, emerging technologies--the drones,3Dprinters and smart-home devices of the world--now seema bit too old to be called "the next bigthing. "[C] Basically the tech industry seems to be in an awkward period now. "There is not any one-hitwonder, and there will not be one for years tocome," said Gary Shapiro, president and chiefexecutive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). In his eyes, however, that doesn'tnecessarily mean that innovation has stopped. It has just grown up a little. "Many industries aregoing out of infancy and becoming adolescents," Shapiro said.[D] For instance, new technologies that are building upon existing technology have not found theirfooting well enough to appeal to a mass audience, because, in manycases, they need to workeffectively 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 inthe water for the average consumer, because there are so manycompatibility issues to thinkabout. No average person wants to figure out whether their favorite calendar software works withtheir fridge or whether their washing machine and tablet get along. Having to install a different appfor each smart appliance in your home is annoying; it would be nicer if you could manageeverything together.And while you mayforgive your smartphone an occasional fault, youprobably 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 awinner yet as this is still very new. Companies that have long focused on hardware now have tothink of ecosystems insteadto give consumers practical solutions to their everyday problems."The dialogue ischanging from what is technologically possible to what is technologicallymeaningful," said economist Shawn DuBravac. DuBravac works for CTA--which puts on theshow each year--and said that this shift to a search for solutions has been noticeable as heresearched his predictions for 2016.[F] "So much of what CES has been about is the cool. It is about the flashiness and the gadgets,"said John Curran, managing director of research at Accenture. "But over the last couple of years,and in in particular, we are starting to see companies shift from what is the largest screensize, the smallest form factor or theshiniest object and more into what all of these devices do thatis practical ina consumer's life. " Even the technology press conferences, which havebeen high-profile in the past and reached a level of drama and theatricsfor a Las Vegas stage, have adifferent bent to them. Rather than justdazzling with a high cool factor, there is a focus on thepractical. forexample, released its first smartwatch Monday, selling with aclearpurpose--to improve your fitness--and promoting it as a "tool, not a toy. " Not only that, itsupports a number of platforms: Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows phone.this one fitting Fitbit,[G] That seemsto be what consumers are demanding, after all. Consumers are becoming increasinglybored with what companies have to offer: A survey of 28,000 consumers in 28 countries releasedby Accenture found consumers are not as excited about technology as they once were. Forexample, when asked whether they would buy a new smartphone this year, only 48 percent saidyes--a six-point drop from 2015.[H] And when it comes to the hyper-connected super-smart world that technology firms are paintingfor us, it seems that consumers are growing more uneasy about handing over the massive amountsof consumer data needed to provide the personalized, customized solutions that companies needto improve their services. That could be another explanation for why companies seemto bestrengthening 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 needthat?"--or, perhaps more tellingly, "Why do you need to know that?"--dogs the steps of manynew ventures. Only 13 percent of respondents said that they were interested in buying asmartwatch in 2016, for example--an increase of just one percent from the previous year despite ayear of high-profile launches. That is bad news for any firm that may hope that smartwatches canmake up ground for maturing smartphone and tablet markets. And the survey found flat demandfor 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 andsecurity. Even among people who have bought connected devices of some kind,37 percent saidthat they are going to be more cautions about using these devices and services in the future. A full18 percent have even returned devices until they feel they can get safer guarantees against havingtheir sensitive information hacked.[K] That, too, explains the heavy Washington presence at this year's show, as these new technologiesintrude upon heavily regulated areas. In addition to many senior officials from the Federal Tradeand Federal Communications commissions, this year's list of policy makers also includesappearances from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to talk about smart cities, and FederalAviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta, to talk about drones.[L] Curran, the Accenture analyst, said that increased government interest in the show makes senseas technology becomes a larger part of our lives. "There is an incompatibility in the rate at whichthese are advancing relative to the way we're digesting it," he said. "Technology is becomingbigger and more aspirational, and penetrating almost everyaspect of our lives. Wehave tounderstand and think about the implications, and balance these great innovations with thepotential downsides they naturally carry with them. "36. Consumers are often hesitant to try smart-home devices because they areworried aboutcompatibility 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 tlie positive and negative aspects of innovativeproducts.40. The Consumer Electronics Show in recent years has begun to focus more on the practical value thanthe 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 getcustomized products and services.43. The Consumer Technology Association is the sponsor of the annual Consumer Electronics Show.44. Manyconsumers 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 2 passages in this section. Each passage isfollowed by somequestions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C andD. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.The Paris climate agreement finalised in Decemberlast year heralded a newera for climate action.For the first time, the world's nations agreed to keep global warm ing well below 2 °C.This is vital for climate-vulnerable nations. Fewer than 4% ofcountries are responsible for morethan half of the world's greenhouse gas 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 areessentially climate "free-riders": causing the majority of the problems through high greenhouse gasemissions, while incurring few of the costs such as climate change's impact on food and water. In otherwords, a few countries are benefiting enormously from the consumption of fossil fuels, while at thesame time contributing disproportionately to the global burden of climate change.On the flip side, there are many "forced riders", who are sufferingfrom the climate changeimpacts despite having scarcely contributed to the problem. Many of the world's most climatevulnerable countries, the majority of which are African or small island states, produce a very smallquantity of emissions. This is muchlike a non-smoker getting cancer from second-hand smoke, whilethe heavy smoker is fortunate enough to smoke in good health.The Paris agreement has been widely hailed as a positive step forward in addressing climate changefor all, although the details on addressing "climate justice" can be best described as sketchy.The goal of keeping global temperature rise "well below" 2~C is commendable but the emissions-reduction pledges submitted by countries leading up to the Paris talks are very unlikely to deliver onthis.More than $100 billion in funding has been put on the table for supporting developing nations toreduce emissions. However, the agreement specifies that there is no formal distinction betweendeveloped and developing nations in their responsibility to cut emissions, effectively ignoring historicalemissions. There is also very little detail on who will provide the funds or, importantly, who isresponsible for their provision. Securing these funds, and establishing who is responsible for raisingthem 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 theglobal disease from which they now suffer the most. There must urgently be a meaningful mobilisationof the policies outlined in the agreement if we are to achieve national emissions reductions whilehelping the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change.And it is clearly up to the current generation of leaders from high-emitting nations to decidewhether they want to be remembered as climate change tyrants or pioneers.46. The author is critical of the Paris climate agreement becauseA. it is unfair to those climate-vulnerable nationsB. it aims to keep temperature rise below 2 °C 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 water 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 toomuch alcohol, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes andskipping 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 muchdangerof experiencing the samepsychiatric symptoms: teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleepand 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 warnsthat 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 been dubbed the"invisible risk" group by thestudy's authors."In someways they're at greater risk of falling through the cracks," says researcher VladimirCarli. "While most parents, teachers and clinicians would react to an adolescent using drugs or gettingdrunk, 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 excessivealcohol use, illegal drug use, heavy smoking, high media use and truancy （逃学）. Their aim was todetermine 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. Some13%scored highon all nine of the risk behaviors. And 29%, the "invisible risk" group, scored high on three inparticular: They spent five hours a day or more on electronic devices. They slept six hours a night orless. And they neglected "otherhealthy activities."The group that scored high on all nine of the risk behaviors was most likely to show symptoms ofdepression; in all, nearly 15% of this group reported being depressed, compared with just 4%of thelow-risk group. But the invisible group wasn't far behind the high-risk set, with more than 13% of themexhibiting depression.The findings caught Carli off guard. "Wewere very surprised," he says. "The high-risk group andlow-risk group are obvious. But this third group was not only unexpected, it was so distinct and solarge--nearly one third of our sample--that it 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, supportand 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 oftenwear their troubles like a neon sign" (Lines 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 mentalproblems.52. What is the finding of the new study?A. Teenagers' lifestyles have changed greatly in recent years.B. 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. Whydo the researchers refer to teens who use tons of media, don't get enough sleep and have asedentary lifestyle as the "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 mayhave found an ideal way to handle teenagers with behavioral problems.D. It sheds newlight on howunhealthy behaviors trigger mental health problems.Part IV Translation(30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translatea passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet2.随着生活水平的提高，度假在xx 人生活中的作用越来越重要。