专业四级测试--听力与写作

2023年英语专业四级考试真题作文〔通用11篇〕2023年英语专业四级考试真题作文〔通用11篇〕英语专业四级考试真题答案之写作篇篇1With Intelligent Machines to Do the Thinking, Will Our Brains Get Lazy?In my opinion, artificial intelligence will enable our brains to get more creative. Admittedly, a lot of work has been done by intelligent machines. It seems that the function of people has been weakened and people’s brains have been replaced. As a matter of fact, thanks to intelligent machines, people can expand their creative energy and add new varieties. Simply speaking, when people are free from tedious, repetitive, sometimes even dangerous work, work efficiency will undoubtedly be improved. As a result, people can spare more time to do what they want and pursue what they dream of, which is the premise of creativity. Moreover, creativity stems primarily fromknowledge and thinking. Once people have the opportunity to do more thinking and learning, their intelligence would be enhanced rather than weakened.Although artificial intelligence is the exhibition of people’s high degree of creative power, it should be noted that it is like a double-edged sword. The sensible choice is to embrace its advantages and cope with the problems it has aroused. This is what an advanced and rational society should be like.英语专业四级考试真题答案之写作篇篇2In recent years, with the increasingly fierce petition, more and more people are bearing great pressure from study, work and life. Under great pressure, many people begin to bee sad, hopeless and finally suffer from depression.近年来，随着竞争的日趋剧烈，越来越多的人正承受来自于学习、工作和生活的宏大压力。

专四答案+听力原文Part Ⅰ DICTATIONLearning SympathyA big part of being human is feeling sympathy，/ but how early on in our lives do we learn this? / Scientists find that babies respond to other people / by crying when other babies cry. / However，babies can’t distinguish between themselves and others / until they’re eighteen to twenty months old. / Toddlers start to show concern for others around this time. / Kids also begin to do things like comforting other people. / And by the time they’re three，/ most children will try to protect a victim in a fight.Part Ⅱ LISTENING COMPREHENSIONSECTION A TALK1. a physical classroom2. a coherent concept3. personalized curriculum4. (more) meaningful practice5. feedback6. collaborative learning7. question and answer8. fundamental human right9. lifelong learning10. innovationSECTION B CONVERSATIONS1. What’s wrong with the man’s computer?答案：A. It has wiped the data from the flash drive.2. How will the man be compensated if the computer can’t be fixed?答案：C. Get a new computer.3. How did the man feel about the woman’s offer of compensation?答案：D. Dissatisfied.4. When will the service engineer come to fix the computer?答案：B. After 8:30 tomorrow morning.5. What is the man’s phone number?答案：A. 6574-3205.6. What sho uld we do if our neighbors didn’t reach out?答案：B. Introduce ourselves first.7. Which is the best way to handle a noisy neighbor?答案：C. Give him a reason to stop.8. What should we do if we have a nosy neighbor?答案：D. Don’t answer their que stions.9. How long do we expect our neighbors to stay?答案：B. Five to ten minutes.10. Where can we get more information on this topic?答案：D. CBS news website.Part III LANGUAGE USAGE11. B. Whatever12. A. on which13. C. women drivers14. B. present event for tentativeness15. D. make a suggestion16. B. disappointment17. D. would later make18. C. to have been created19. A. would have been… had been20. C. that21. B. characters22. D. ensure23. B. relieve24. A. releases25. C. indicative26. B. eye27. A. critically28. C. on29. D. bound30. A. invariablyPart IV CLOZE31. ［F］implications32. ［N］single33. ［B］barely34. ［L］online35. ［C］demise36. ［M］rising37. ［I］naturally38. ［G］leaf39. ［H］lost40. ［J］objectPart V READING COMPREHENSIONSECTION A MULTIPLE CHOICEQUESTIONSPASSAGE ONE41. In Para. 4，the phrase “hit the jackpot” means according to the context.答案：C. broke one of the objects42. It can be concluded from Paras. 5 and 6 that .答案：D. people hold entirely different views on the issue43. How did the author feel about the treasure from the Atocha (Para. 7)?答案：A. She was glad that people can have a chance to see the treasure.PASSAGE TWO44. It can be learned from the beginning that Miriam’s attitude tow ards love between her and Paul is .答案：C. pessimistic45. The narration in Para. 3 tells us that Miriam had all the following feelings EXCEPT . 答案：A. delight46. Which of the following statements is CORRECT about the family’s response to Paul’s mockery?答案：B. Every member except Miriam was amused.PASSAGE THREE47. Why does the author give two examples in Para. 2?答案：A. To show that literacy is interpreted in different ways.48. According to the author，the following are some of the defining features of literacy EXCEPT .答案：D. independent49. Which of the following statements about reading and writing is CORRECT?答案：C. Reading often requires more immediate interaction than writing.50. What do the last two paragraphs mainly focus on (Paras. 10 and 11)?答案：B. Effects of illiteracy and associated problems.SECTION B SHORT ANSWERQUESTIONS阐明：简答题答案不唯一，意思对即可。

专业英语四级（听写听力）模拟试卷102(题后含答案及解析)题型有：1. DICTATIONPART I DICTATIONDirections: Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work.1．正确答案：Teaching Assistants Foreign students at American colleges and universities may earn money / after they successfully complete an entry-level study program. / Those wishing to continue their education could work as a teaching assistant, or T.A. / A teaching assistant usually works about twenty hours each week. / Teaching assistants are paid to help professors teach students in entry-level study programs. / Generally, the professor gives a talk, or lecture, / to a large group of students one or two times a week. / The teaching assistant meets with smaller groups of students during the week. / The T.A. gives tests and reads any homework or reports the students may be required to write. / Teaching assistants also meet with students who seek help. / They attend teaching meetings. / And some working with science professors help to organize laboratory equipment. / Most American colleges and universities must honor legal requirements / when employing foreign students as teaching assistants. / One of these is that the T.A. must speak English well. /解析：教学助理助教通常一周工作20小时，他们协助教授进行初级课程的教学，并从中得到报酬。

英语专业四级听写50篇前言听写在英语专业四级统考中占有15％的比重，是考试的重要组成部分。

说起听写，正在准备和已经参与过英语专业四级考试的同学会说：“我能明白听写的内容，可写的时候就是跟不上！”“短文大意我明白，可是有的语我不会写。

”这只反映出了问题的两个方面。

一是听写速度不够快。

二是词汇量不够或词汇掌握得不够准确。

这些无疑是影响听写成绩的重要因素。

但是，这些不是问题的所有。

在从事听写教学及听写问卷过程中，很容易发现学生失分的具体问题：（1）没听懂，没听好，听写速度跟不上，写出的内容断断续续不连贯，学生因此大量失分；（2）有的词汇没听懂，拼写不够准确，这导致听写失分；（3）时态错误导致失分；（4）单复数不准确导致失分；（5）没有注意断句或专有名词，句子开头单词或专有名词错误使用大小写导致失分；（6）没有注意原文冠词的使用，书写时漏掉冠词导致失分；（7）没有注意单数第三人称形式导致失分；（8）没有注意单数复数名词的形式导致失分。

上述问题的产生有的是缺少训练导致的，如书写速度跟不上。

有的则是语言基础较差导致的，如听力较差没有完全听懂或没有掌握好词汇。

而单复数、大小写、冠词漏写等则多是粗心大意导致的。

听写部分能提高吗？当然能！并且提高的空间很大。

笔者从事英语专业基础教学与研究，从一开始所带的教学班参与四级考试超过全国院校平均通过率28．2个百分点，超过全国专业外语院校平均通过率12．5个百分点开始，所带的教学班在全国英语专业④级统考中通过率始终ito％，平均成绩、优秀率始终名列前茅。

最近一次所带的教学班参与四级统考，又考出了很好的成绩，通过率超过全国院校平均水平26石个百分点，超过全国专业外语院校13．6个百分点，并且在十几个平行班中平均成绩是最高的，优秀人数也是最多的。

在四级考试中，听写一项的成绩也不例外，每次均位居第一，本项目满分15分，所带班级平均成绩可以达成14分。

是不是学生基础很好？登记表白，和平行班相比所带班级入学时并不存在什么特别优势。

听写，顾名思义，既听又写，它渗透在各种形式的语言活动中，是最常用到的基本功之一。

听写测试要求考生把听到的内容准确无误地以笔头的形式表达出来，虽无需考生自己遣词造句，但由于牵涉到语言（听力﹑单词拼写﹑篇章结构等）与非语言能力（如记忆力﹑速记等）也决非易事。

从90 年开始第一次TEM4测试，听写就作为一项测试项目，占有10 分, 比重为10%, 91 ,92年，93年上升到15 分, 比重为10%，从94年起（由于难度问题，本次取消了proof reading）, 听写尽管仍为15 分, 但比重上升为15%，其间制定的新的考试大纲，正式明确了这一点。

从教纲到考纲，听写都是一项不可或缺的部分，且所占比重上升，与写作相同。

在TEM4 中，考虑到基础阶段的特点及信度要求，采用的是录音式标准听写，根据考纲，长度为150字（word）左右，为一段或多段，答题纸上印有题目便于联想，所选题材广泛而不生僻，体裁多样，可以为叙述性、描写性、说明性，难度适中。

全文共分15个意群（chunk），每个意群可能是词组、分句或句子。

共念四遍，第一遍为正常速度朗读（wpm=120词），考生在此时要从整体理解全文内容，抓住中心大意，而不要着急写。

第二、三遍为慢读，根据意群停顿，分句或长句之间停10-15秒，考生此时要准确，逐字逐句迅速写下听到的内容。

第四遍又是正常语速（wpm=120词）, 便于考生校对，四遍全部听写结束后，留有2分钟作为复查时间。

考生利用此时可检查全文是否有单词遗漏，拼写是否有误，标点符号是否选择正确，直到录音中听到“That is the end of dictation”, 便可进行下一项听力内容了。

根据调查，听写中的几个明显错误是：1. 考生对这种标准听写形式陌生, 对听写材料进行改写甚至加工成作文；2. 第一遍听音时不知如何把握全文的大意(top-down approach), 而是着急写，丢了西瓜捡芝麻(bottom-up)，只见部分单词而缺少骨架结构；3. 同样，在第四遍结束后的两分钟复查时间里，不会很好地利用分析逻辑能力对有些明显的或介词搭配或词语进行校正，小错不断，或丢词，或写出的内容前后不通顺；4. 由于朗读中没有念出标点，而是靠学生自己听，判断选择，于是就出现全文没有标点符号，没有大小写，或所有的停顿处都是一种符号，或中文标点混用在英文短文里的情况。

2024英语专业四级作文模拟题及答案2024 English Major CET-4 Writing Simulated Test Questions and AnswersPart I: Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: The Differences between Studying English in China and Studying English in an English-Speaking Country. You should write at least 150 words and base your composition on the outline given in Chinese below:1. 在国内学习英语的特点2. 在英语国家学习英语的特点3. 简单谈谈你自己的看法Part II: Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: The Importance of Reading in English Learning. You should write at least 150 words and base your composition on the outline given in Chinese below:1. 阅读在英语学习中的作用2. 如何利用阅读提高英语水平3. 你的看法Sample Answers:Part I:The Differences between Studying English in China and Studying English in an English-Speaking CountryStudying English in China and studying English in an English-speaking country are two completely different experiences. In China, the focus of English education tends to be on grammar rules, vocabulary memorization, and test preparation. Students spend a lot of time learning the language in a classroom setting, which can be effective for improving their reading and writing skills. However, they often lack the opportunity to practice speaking and listening in real-life situations.On the other hand, studying English in an English-speaking country provides students with immersion in the language and culture. They have the chance to interact with native speakers on a daily basis, which helps them improve their speaking and listening skills dramatically. They also have access to authentic materials such as newspapers, magazines, and movies, which can enhance their reading and listening abilities.Personally, I believe that studying English in anEnglish-speaking country is more effective in terms of language acquisition. However, studying English in China can also be beneficial if students make an effort to practice speaking and listening outside of the classroom.Part II:The Importance of Reading in English LearningReading plays a crucial role in English learning as it helps students improve their vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills. By reading extensively, students are exposed to a wide range of words and sentence structures, which can help them express themselves more clearly and fluently. Additionally, reading provides insight into the culture and customs of English-speaking countries, which is essential for effective communication.To utilize reading to improve their English proficiency, students should read a variety of materials such as newspapers, novels, and academic articles. They should also make a habit of looking up unfamiliar words and phrases to expand their vocabulary. Furthermore, students can practice reading aloud to improve their pronunciation and intonation.In my opinion, reading is a vital component of English learning that should not be overlooked. It not only enhances language skills but also broadens the mind and enriches one's understanding of the world.Overall, by recognizing the differences between studying English in China and studying English in an English-speaking country, as well as the importance of reading in English learning, students can effectively improve their English proficiency and communication skills.。

英语专业四级考试真题及答案英语专业四级考试（TEM-4，Test for English Majors-Band 4）是由教育部高等教育司主办，由外语教学与研究社考试中心承办的全国性英语水平考试。

作为一项全国性的教学检测性考试，TEM-4旨在全面检查已学完英语专业二级的学生是否达到教学大纲所规定的各项要求，考核学生运用各项基本技能的能力以及学生对语法结构和词语用法的掌握程度，既测试学生的综合能力，也测试学生的单项技能。

也是评估教学质量，推动校际交流的一种手段。

一、考试真题1、听力理解听力理解部分包括四个对话和两个长对话，共15题。

每个对话含一组对话，对话后有一个问句，要求考生从所给的选项中选择最佳答案。

听力材料的语速为每分钟120个单词，对话长度为150个单词左右，每个对话的录音材料播放两遍。

2、阅读理解阅读理解部分包括三篇短文，共15题。

每篇短文后有3-4个问题，要求考生从所给的选项中选择最佳答案。

短文长度为250个单词左右，难度与本专业基础阶段英语教材水平相近。

3、完型填空完型填空是一篇200个单词左右的短文，其中有10个空格，每个空格为一题。

要求考生从所给的选项中选择最佳答案，使短文的意思和结构恢复完整。

4、写作和翻译写作部分要求考生写一篇100-120个单词的短文，内容涉及本专业领域，文体包括叙述文、说明文和议论文等。

翻译部分包括一段30个单词左右的句子翻译成英文，和一段40个单词左右的段落翻译成中文。

二、答案分析1、听力理解听力理解部分主要考察学生的听力技能和对语言的理解能力。

在答题时，要认真听取录音材料中的对话和问题，抓住关键词汇，推断对话中的语境和含义，然后从所给的选项中选择最佳答案。

2、阅读理解阅读理解部分主要考察学生的阅读技能和对语言的理解能力。

在答题时，要快速阅读全文，理解文章的主旨和重点内容，然后根据问题从文章中寻找相关信息，并从所给的选项中选择最佳答案。

3、完型填空完型填空部分主要考察学生的词汇和语法知识。

专四试题及答案2024一、听力理解（共20分）1. 短对话理解（共5分）- 根据所听对话，选择正确答案。

- 例：What is the man going to do?- A. Go to the library.- B. Go to the cinema.- C. Go to the concert.- 答案：A2. 长对话理解（共5分）- 根据所听对话，回答以下问题。

- 例：What is the main topic of the conversation?- 答案：The main topic is the upcoming holiday plans.3. 新闻听力（共5分）- 根据所听新闻，选择正确答案。

- 例：What is the news report mainly about?- A. A new policy.- B. A natural disaster.- C. A sports event.- 答案：B4. 听力填空（共5分）- 根据所听短文，填写空缺的单词或短语。

- 例：The project was completed on _______.- 答案：schedule二、阅读理解（共30分）1. 快速阅读（共10分）- 阅读文章，判断下列句子是否正确。

- 例：The article mainly discusses the benefits of exercise.- 答案：True2. 深度阅读（共20分）- 阅读文章，回答以下问题。

- 例：What is the author's opinion on the issue?- 答案：The author believes that the issue requires a balanced approach.三、词汇与语法（共20分）1. 词汇选择题（共10分）- 选择最合适的词填空。

- 例：The _______ of the new policy was met with mixed reactions.- A. introduction- B. conclusion- C. exclusion- 答案：A2. 语法填空（共10分）- 根据句子结构，填写正确的语法形式。

专业英语四级（听力）-试卷203(总分：80.00，做题时间：90分钟)一、 LISTENING COMPREHENSION(总题数：4，分数：80.00)1.PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION（分数：20.00）__________________________________________________________________________________________ 解析：2.SECTION A TALKIn this section you will hear a talk. You will hear the talk ONCE ONLY. While listening, you may look at ANSWER SHEET ONE and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap. Make sure the word (s) you fill in is (are) both grammatically and semantically acceptable. You may use the blank sheet for note-taking.You have THIRTY seconds to preview the gap-filling task.（分数：20.00）__________________________________________________________________________________________ 解析：Corporate CrimeOver decades of years, corporate crime has been【T1】1 increased【T1】2Corporate crime has been ignored by:a) the【T2】 3e.g. news broadcasts, crime serials【T2】 4b) 【T3】 5【T3】 6Reasons for being ignored:a) often more complex, and needing【T4】 7【T4】 8b) less 【T5】 9than conventional crime 【T5】 10c) victims often【T6】 11【T6】 12Effects:a) Economic costsmay appear unimportant to【T7】13【T7】14can make large【T8】15for company 【T8】16cause more 【T9】 17to individuals than conventional crimes 【T9】 18b) Social costsmake people lose trust in business worldaffect 【T10】 19most 【T10】 20Corporate CrimeOver decades of years, corporate crime has been【T1】21 increased【T1】22Corporate crime has been ignored by:a) the【T2】 23e.g. news broadcasts, crime serials【T2】 24b) 【T3】25【T3】26Reasons for being ignored:a) often more complex, and needing【T4】27【T4】28b) less 【T5】29than conventional crime 【T5】30c) victims often【T6】31【T6】32Effects:a) Economic costsmay appear unimportant to【T7】33【T7】34can make large【T8】35for company 【T8】36cause more 【T9】 37to individuals than conventional crimes 【T9】 38b) Social costsmake people lose trust in business worldaffect 【T10】 39most 【T10】 40（分数：20.00）(1).【T1】（分数：2.00）填空项1:__________________ （正确答案：正确答案：massively）解析：解析：录音提到，在过去约70年间，有一种犯罪大量增长，即“单位犯罪”。

英语专业四级听力50篇1.Town and Country Life in EnglandThere is a big difference between town life and country life in England. In the country, everybody knows everybody else. They know what time you get up, what time you go to bed and what you have for dinner. If you want help, you will always get it and you will be glad to help others.In a large town like London, however, it can sometimes happen that you have never seen your next door neighbor and you do not know his name or anything about him. People in London are often very lonely. This is because people go to different places in the evenings and at weekends. If you walk through the streets in the centre of London on Sunday, it is like a town without people. One is sorry for old people living on their own. They could die in their homes and would not be discovered for weeks or even months.2.A Change in Women’s LifeThe important change in women’s life-pattern has only recently begun to have its full effect on women’s economic position. Even a few years ago most girls left school at the first opportunity, and most of them took afull-time job. However, when they married, they usually left work at once and never returned to it. Today the school-leaving age is sixteen, many girls stay at school after that age, and though women tend to marryyounger, more married women stay at work at least until shortly before their first child is born. Very many more afterwards return to full-time or part-time work. Such changes have led to a new relationship in marriage, with the husband accepting a greater share of the duties and satisfactions of family life and with both husband and wife sharing more equally in providing the money, and running the home, according to the abilities and interests of each of them.3.A Popular Pastime of the English PeopleOne of the best means of understanding the people of any nation is watching what the do with their non-working time.Most English men, women and children love growing things, especially flowers. Visitors to England in spring, summer or autumn are likely to see gardens all they way along the railway lines. There are flowers at the airports and flowers in factory grounds, as well as in gardens along the roads. Each English town has at least one park with beautifully kept flower beds. Public buildings of every kind have brilliant window boxes and sometimes baskets of flowers are hanging on them.But what the English enjoy most is growing things themselves. If it is impossible to have a garden, then a window box or something growing in a pot will do. Looking at each other’s gardens is a popular pastime with the English.Useful Words and Expressions:1. window box:窗台上的花盆箱2.pastime 消遣，娱乐Swimming is my favorite pastime.4.British and American Police OfficersReal policemen, both in Britain and the U.S., hardly recognize any common points between their lives and what they se on TV—if they ever get home in time.Some things are almost the same, of course, but the policemen do not think much of them much of them.The first difference is that a policeman’s real life deals with the law. Most of what he learns is the law. He has to know actually what actions are against the law and what facts can be used to prove them in court. He has to know nearly as much law as a lawyer, and what’s more, he has to put it into practice on his feet, in the dark and, running down a narrow street after someone he wants to talk to.Little of his time is spent in talking with beautiful girls or in bravely facing cruel criminals. He will spend most of his working life arranging millions of words on thousands of forms about hundreds of sad, ordinary people who are guilty--- or not of stupid, unimportant crimes.Useful Words and Expressions:1. think much of 重视，尊重2. in court 在法庭上3. criminal 罪犯，犯罪者4. guilty 犯罪的，有罪的5.Living SpaceHow much living space does a person need? What happens when his space needs are not met? Scientists are doing experiments on rats to try to determine the effects of overcrowded conditions on man. Recent studies have shown that the behavior of rats is greatly affected by space. If rats have enough living space, they eat well, sleep well and produce their young well. But if their living conditions become too crowded, their behavior and even their health change obviously. They can not sleep and eat well, and signs of fear and worry become clear. The more crowded they are, and more they tend to bite each other and even kill each other. Thus, for rats, populations and violence are directly related. Is this a natural law for human society as well? Is enough space not only satisfactory, but necessary for human survival? These are interesting questions.6 The United NationsIn 1945, representatives of 50 nations met to plan this organization. It was called the United Nations. After the war, many more nations joined. There are two major parts of the United Nations. One is called the General Assembly. In the General Assembly, every member nation is represented and has an equal vote.The second part is called the Security Council. It has representatives of just 15 nations. Five nations are permanent members: the United States, Russia, France, Britain, and China. The 10 other members are elected every two years by the General Assembly.The major job of the Security Council is to keep peace in the world. If necessary, it can send troops from member nations to try to stop little wars before they turn into big ones.It is hard to get the nations of the Security Council to agree on when this is necessary. But they did vote to try to stop wars.Useful Words and Expressions:1. representative 代表2. General Assembly 联合国大会3. permanent 永久的，持久的4. Security Council 联合国安全理事会7 PlasticWe use plastic wrap to protect our foods. We put our garbage in plastic bags or plastic cans. We sit on plastic chairs, play with plastic toys, drink from plastic cups, and wash our hair with shampoo from plastic bottles! Plastic does not grow in nature. It is made by mixing certain things together. We call it a produced or manufactured material. Plastic was first made in the 1860s from plants, such as wood and cotton. That plastic was soft and burned easily.The first modern plastics were made in the 1930s. Most clear plastic starts out as thick, black oil. That plastic coating inside a pan begins as natural gas.Over the years, hundreds of different plastics have been developed. Some are hard and strong. Some are soft and bendable. Some are clear. Some are many-colored. There is a plastic for almost every need. Scientists continue to experiment with plastics. They hope to find even ways to use them!8 Display of GoodsAre supermarkets designed to persuade us to buy more?Fresh fruit and vegetables are displayed near supermarket entrances. This gives the impression that only healthy food is sold in the shop. Basic foods that everyone buys, like sugar and tea, are not put near each other. They are kept in different aisles so customers are taken past otherattractive foods before they find what they want. In this way, shoppers are encouraged to buy products that they do not really need.Sweets are often placed at children’s eye level at the checkout. While parents are waiting to pay, children reach for the sweets and put them in the trolley.More is bought from a fifteen-foot display of one type of product than from a ten-foot one. Customers also buy more when shelves are full than when they are half empty. They do not like to buy from shelves with few products on them because they feel there is something wrong with those products that are there.Useful Words and Expressions:1. aisle 走廊，过道2. trolley 手推车3. checkout 收款台9 Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879, His father owned a factory that made electrical devices. His mother enjoyed music and books. His parents were Jewish but they did not observe many of the re ligion’s rules. Albert was a quite child who spent much of his time alone. He was slow to talk and had difficulty learning to read. When Albert was five years old,his father gave him a compass. The child was filled with wonder when he discovered that the compass needle always pointed in the same direction—to be north. He asked his father and his uncle what caused the needle to move. Their answers about magnetism and gravity were difficult for the boy to understand. Yet he spent a lot of time thinking about them. He said later that he felt something hidden had to be behind things.Useful expressions and words:1. device 装置，设备leave to one’s own devices 听任某人自行其是，允许某人按自己的意愿做事She left the child to her own devices for an hour in the afternoon.她允许孩子在下午有一个小时的自由支配时间。