2003年9月全国公共英语等级考试三级试题.doc

2003年9月全国公共英语等级考试三级试题125略SECTION Use of English(15 minutes)Directions:Read the following text. Choose the best word or phrase for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C, or D on ANSWER SHEET 1.TextMusic is an important way of expressing people s feelings and emotions. The 26 , for instance, from 1960 to 1969 will be 27 by many as a period of social and political unrest in America. 28 this time, many people despaired 29 the music favored by the American teenagers. 30 , we must now admit that the music they loved was 31 a sign of the period and a 32 of the tensions and changes that were 33 American society. In the early sixties,34 about social justice and equality were 35 by the song “Blowing in the Wind” which 36 the civil rights song “We Shall Overcome”. The conflict concerning military 37 in Vietnam was sung about in 1965 in the 38 song “Eve of Destruction” and in the song “Ballad of the Green Beret”. A few years 39 , a gradual shift in mood became 40 in one of themost popular songs which suggested calmer questions and possible answers even as some pop stars protested loudly 41 the draft. Finally, music as a 42 of the political and social process in America was highlighted at Woodstock, New York, where half a million young people came 43 in 1969 to spend three days listening to songs that spanned the decade. This event was a symbol of the desire for 44 within a time of unrest. Woodstock was a 45 of hope in days of rage.26. A generation B age C decade D era27. A recorded B remembered C regretted D recommended28. A For B After C During D At29. A over B at C with D for30. A Moreover B However C Therefore D Thus31. A only B occasionally C often D never32. A reflection B reaction C recreation D relaxation33. A effecting B affecting C defecting D perfecting34. A questions B arguments C debates D disputes35. A dismissed B removed C raised D promoted36. A reformed B echoed C repeated D respected37. A involvement B assignment C replacement D settlement38. A dissatisfying B delighting C pleasing D discouraging39. A later B past C on D ahead40. A evident B positive C realistic D instructive41. A with B against C towards D about42. A tool B creation C mirror D decoration43. A along B up C together D out44. A unity B reality C popularity D individuality45. A presentation B display C performance D publicationSECTION Reading Comprehension(40 minutes)Part ADirections:Read the following three texts. Answer the questions on each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.Text 1Id been living with my wife for eight years and one night “morn” says, “I guess you guys are never gonna get married. I mean, youve been through jail together, you e living together, but., oh, forget it.”“Oh, well,” I said, “put it like that and Ill marry your daughter tomorrow.”Actually, I dont know what we were waiting for, except that for a guy its never the right time to get married. I m also suspicious of any two people who don t struggle with that decision. Part of my problem was that I was still lusting in my heart after other ladies. But somehow I knew that I wasnt going to find another woman remotely as great as my soon-to-be wife. Its a good thing my mother-in-law finally spoke up.I finally gathered my courage one day when we were having a picnic, and popped the question. I also gave my wife a big tourist pamphlet about Switzerland. I wasnt taking any chances.She said no.It killed me. I felt sick to my stomach. I lost my appetite. Our dog just stared at me, thinking, “If youre not going to eat your lunch, I will.” Finally, I said, “But the Switzerland trip is yours if you say yes.”“Switzerland,” she said, “is filled with precise, humorless people.” “Maybe I should have suggested Paris?”For a minute it seemed as if my change in travel plans would rate a solid “maybe”. But she said no again.When we woke up the next morning, she told me that shed slept on my proposal. “I guess I was a little rude to you last night,” she explained. Meanwhile, I m figuring I m off the hook for this marriage thing for at least another eight years. I could afford to be generous.“I asked, you said no. Its okay,” I said. I might have looked a little too relieved because later that day she gave me a little box. Inside was a gold watch. On the back was inscribed. “Yes. Ive reconsidered.”I liked the watch, so I did the right thing.46. The reason why the man had waited so long was that he_. A didn t think eight years was long enough B suspected that husband and wife would often quarrel C didn t think he was ready to propose to her D was waiting for his mother-in-law s approval47. The man proposed to the woman because _. A he realized he could find no other woman better B he was afraid that the woman might leave him C he was eager to visit Switzerland with the woman D he could finally overcome his fear for marriage48. By saying “I could afford to be generous.” (third paragraph from the bottom) the man implied that he_. A wouldn t care too much if he stayed single B could take her to a better place than Paris C was rich enough to support his wife D didnt care what she thought about his proposal49. The last sentence “I did the right thing” implied he_. A traveled with his wife B had a successful marriage C liked the watch very much D waited for another eight years50. The best title for this text would be_. A How My Mother-In-Law Helped Me B How I Received a Gold Watch I Liked C How I Made My Wife Travel With Me D How I Came to Marry-My WifeText 2“Hi there. Hows it going?”“Oh, fine. Fine. How about this weather, huh ?”“Well, I guess we can always use the rain.”Whats that? This story ? Oh, just a little look at small talk. You know, those seemingly meaningless conversations you have dozens of times a day, Maybe you re waiting for the elevator.Or in a line at the bank. It all seems pretty trivial. Idle chatter about traffic doesn t do much more than fill the air with empty words that are quickly forgotten. But you should know that small talk actually has a big place in our lives.Pat Oliver, assistant professor on arts, says that, “Left unchecked, small talk can be an invasion. Its so powerful. It does something to you.” “Every morning after spending an hour and a half on the freeway I start the day with small talk with my secretary,” Oliver says, “If I dont make small connection with another person, I can t work.”What causes it? As a rule, you re either trying to force something into your life, or you re using conversation as an invisible force field to keep them out. You can be wanting to connect with another person, and small talk is your introduction to more meaningful conversation.The way people use small talk is usually determined by where they happen to be at the time.Take the elevator, for instance. Now theres prime territory. Nobody knows anyone and theres no reason to start a conversation, but invariably, someone does. Making conversation in such peaceful social settings, according to Oliver, “can confirm your territory. Its a way of feeling liked and accepted.”The topics of small talk dont matter. In fact, you dont want anything more taxing than the weather or the traffic. Its non-threatening talk in a threatening situation. However, the rules change quickly when youre with lots of people doing lots of talking.Lets say youre at a party. Now it s time to use small talk as a way of making others feel more comfortable around you, so you don t look silly standing by the food table alone all night.51. “Small talk”, as interpreted by the author,_. A has no real function in communication at all B is usually meaningless and therefore useless C is not as idle as it may seem to be D is restricted to certain topics only52. According to the author, small talk is often used _. A to invade other s private affairs B to share a secret between intimate friends C to open and maintain channels of communication D to protect one s own privacy53. According to the author, topics of small talk may include comments on_. A some political issues B one s physical condition C other s ways of dress D the traffic jam54. Why is small talk described as “non-threatening talk in a threatening situation”? A It is used by people to encourage those who are confronted with danger. B It is used to show that one is enthusiastic and hospitable. C It is used to create a more friendly atmosphere and to avoid embarrassment. D It is used by people to protect others in the threatening situation.55. According to the author, at a big party, small talk is used with the purpose of_. A making both others and yourself feel at ease B excluding those you dont like from joining you C keeping your voice low so only your friends can hear you D comforting those who feel lonelyText 3Dollars and cents are the basic units of American money. The back of all dollar bills are green (hence “greenbacks”). The commonly used coins are: one cent (penny ), five cents (nickel), 10 cents(dime), and 25 cents (quarter). 50 pieces (half dollar) and silver dollars (not really silver anymore) are gaining in usage, while there has been talk of phasing out the penny thats inflation for you. “Always carry plenty of quarters when travelling. Very useful for phones, soda machines, laundry machines, etc.”There is generally no problem in using US dollars in Canada, but this is never possible in reverse.Its useful always to carry small change for things like exact fare buses, but do not carry large sums of cash. Instead keep the bulk of your money in travellers cheques which can be purchased both in the US and abroad and should be in dollar denominations. The best known cheques are those of American Express, so you will have the least difficulty cashing these, even in out of the way places. Thomas Cook travellers cheques are also acceptable, especially as lost ones can be reclaimed at some car rental companies. Dollar denomination cheques can be used like regular money. Theres no need to cash them at a bank: use them instead to pay for meals, supermarket purchases or whatever. Ten or twenty dollar cheques are accepted like this almost always and you 11 be given change just as though youd presented the cashier with dollar bills. Be prepared to show I.D. when you cash your cheques.Credit cards can be even more valuable than travellers cheques, as they are often used to guarantee room reservations over the phone and are accepted in lieu of deposit when renting a car-indeed without a credit card you may be considered so untrustworthy that not only a deposit but your passport will be held as security too. The major credit cards are VISA, Master Charge and Access, Diners Club and American Express. If you hold a bank card, it could well be worthwhileto increase your credit limit for travel purposes-you should ask your bank manager.56. Why is it useful to carry enough 25-cent coins with you? A They can act as small change for the-exact bus fares. B There is- generally no problem in using them in Canada. C As a basic unit of money, they are gradually gaining in usage. D They may come in handy for pay phones or laundry machines.57. It is not necessary to carry cash instead of dollar travellers cheques because the latter can be _. A used for phones, bus fares and hotel reservations B used to pay in restaurants and big stores C used like credit cards, even in remote areas D exchanged easily, even at car rental companies58. The phrase in lieu of (line 2, paragraph 4) most probably means_. A on behalf of B in line with C with regard to D instead of59. Which of the following statements is TRUE? A Credit cards have more advantages than travellers cheques. B Dollar bills are as convenient as credit cards. C One-cent coins have been withdrawn from circulation. D You can increase your credit limit as you like.60. This passage is most probably taken from A a tourist guide B a bank brochure C a booklet about car rental D a handbook on U.S. currencyPart BDirections:Read the texts from a cyber saloon in which five people talked about Tofu (also known as bean curd), a traditional Chinese and Japanese food. For questions 61 to 65, match the name of each person to one of the statements (A to G) that he or she is most likely to say. Mark your answers on your ANSWER SHEET.Jenise:I love peas and beans more than most people, so tofu is a natural choice for me. My Chinese friend Annabelle loves them too, and tells me that soy beans contain an ingredient not present in any other food source, or at least in that concentration, that helps prevent breast cancer. When we share a big bowl of these, we eat with abandon “for medicinal purposes”! I like it plain although there may be many different ways to prepare it and it may cure other diseases.Lee:In fact, I was probably preprogrammed to like it: as a kid one of my favorite books was Toru and the Tofu (hope I m remembering the title right), a story about a young Tokyo boy, named Toru, who was given the assignment, his first, of going to the neighborhood tofu maker s by himself and bringing back some fleshly made cubes for dinner. I can still recall Toru s unique way of getting it home intact ( with a jar filled with water). It all seemed very strange to the five-year old me in semi-rural Southern California.Hoke:Its great in spicy Sichuan style soups, especially with fish, but I like it fried quickly to give a crisp exterior whilst retaining a moist, soft interior. Steaming is another option, with a pork and prawn mince ( with spring onion) on top of each cube. The thing that I love most is ,the texture-really good tofu is just amazing in the mouth, poised as it is between solidity and fluidity. I m definitely a fan.Nyby:Its sort of weird to me. You go in to one of those “Mock Vegetarian” restaurants only to find everything on the menu “mock”-mock chicken, mock beef, mock pork, etc. Now whatever you order, it s tofu molded into something that looks like that particular meat. I dont know about you, but if I m eating a vegetarian I don t need to go through a fantasy of pretending I m eating a veal cutlet or a pork chop or a chicken breast. Is this to delude someone, or distract them from thinking they are eating vegetarian food?Robin:Precisely because it is so “tasteless”, I eat. it like a madman: I like the way it picks up the flavors of the dishes it s served with. I can enjoy it in lots of different cuisine, in moderate quantities in relation to other ingredients in each dish. If you try them and tell me that you dont think they have much flavor, I 11 have to disagree because thats not true of tofu. The flavors mild and you can combine that with the hottest spices in the world, which for me illustrates its most endearing attribute. It does a reasonably good job of absorbing a great many flavors.Now match each of the persons (61 to 65) to the appropriate statement.Note: there are two extra statements.Statements61. Jenise A Real or unreal, who knows?62. Lee B Don t deceive yourself and others: tofu is no meat.63. Hoke C Amazing texture, I enjoy tofu inside out.64. Nyby D I am constantly at war with tofu.65. Robin E Tofu hasn t got a unique taste of its own, but it goes well with any food. F Eating tofu is a strong childhood memory. G Tofu is the best medicine.Directions:You should write your responses to both Part A and Part B of this section on ANSWER SHEET 2.Part A 66. You have received the invitation below, but you will not be able to attend the party.Write a letter to Mr. Smith, explaining the reason why you cannot go and how you plan to make up for it.You should write approximately 100 words. Do not sign your own name at the end of the letter. Use “Wang Lin” instead. You do not need to write the address.Part B67. Nowadays drinking pure water has become a fashion with many people. Please write an essay commenting on:1. the reason for its popularity2. the effects it may have on people s healthYour essay should be about 120 words.THIS IS THE END OF THE TEST.第二部分 英语知识运用参考译文音乐是人们表达内心感受和情感的重要方法.例如：许多人回忆起1960年到1969年的十年，都会觉得那是美国历史上的一个政治动荡及社会不安的时期.那段时期，很多人对美国青少年所喜欢的音乐感到失望