2012年12月英语四级试卷及答案.doc

一、写作(共1题，合计106分)第1题 Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic Dormitory Life. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1. 大学宿舍的集体生活是全新的体验。2. 宿舍生活与在家生活的不同之处。3. 宿舍生活利与弊。Dormitory Life您的答案：【正确答案】：Dormitory LifeFor most university students, dormitory life is a new experience. Most students have never lived far away from their parents before coming to university. They have always had their parents to depend on for advice and guidance, and when they become university students, their lives begin to change.There are striking differences between home life and dormitory life. Students must begin to be responsible for their own action. They must depend on themselves to get up in the morning on time for class, to eat properly, to keep their clothes and themselves clean, and to set aside an appropriate amount of time for study and relaxation. They must also learn to take care of their money, making sure to preserve enough for both necessities and for fun.In general, there are both good and bad points about life in student-dormitory. Often, dormitory rooms are small and crowded. This lack of space can limit ones privacy and make it difficult for students to concentrate on their studies. On the other hand, in a dormitory, students have a great deal more freedom than they might have at home. They can act according to their own will and desire than to that of parents.第1题: Part II Reading Comprehension (15 minutes)(Skimming and Scanning)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. For question 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Animals on the MoveIt looked like a scene from “Jaws” but without the dramatic music. A huge shark was slowly swimming through the water, its tail swinging back and forth like the pendulum of a clock.Suddenly sensitive nerve ending in the sharks skin picked up vibrations of a struggling fish. The shark was immediately transformed into a deadly, efficient machine of death. With muscles taut, the shark knifed through the water at a rapid speed. In a flash the shark caught its victim, a large fish, in its powerful jaws. Then, jerking its head back and forth, the shark tore huge chunks of flesh from its victim and swallowed them. Soon the action was over.Moving to SurviveIn pursuing its prey, the shark demonstrated in a dramatic way the important role of movement, or locomotion, in animals.Like the shark, most animals use movement to find food. They also use locomotion to escape enemies, find a mate, and explore new territories. The methods of locomotion include crawling, hopping, slithering, flying, swimming, or walking.Humans have the added advantage of using their various inventions to move about in just about any kind of environment. Automobiles, rockets, and submarines transport humans from deep oceans to as far away as the moon. However, for other animals movement came about naturally through millions of years of evolution. One of the most successful examples of animal locomotion is that of the shark. Its ability to quickly zero in on its prey has always impressed scientists. But it took a detailed study by Duke University marine biologists S. A. Wainwright, F. Vosburgh, and J. H. Hebrank to find out how the sharks did it. In their study the scientists observed sharks swimming in a tank at Marine land in Saint Augustine, Fla. Movies were taken of the sharks movements and analyzed. Studies were also made of shark skin and muscle.Skin Is the KeyThe biologists discovered that the skin of the shark is the key to the animals high efficiency in swimming through the water. The skin contains many fibers that crisscross like the inside of a belted radial tire. The fibers are called collagen fibers. These fibers can either store or release large amounts of energy depending on whether the fibers are relaxed or taut. When the fibers are stretched, energy is stored in them the way energy is stored in the string of a bow when pulled tight. When the energy is released, the fibers become relaxed.The Duke University biologists have found that the greatest stretching occurs where the shark bends its body while swimming. During the bodys back and forth motion, fibers along the outside part of the bending body stretch greatly. Much potential energy is stored in the fibers. This energy is released when the sharks body snaps back the other way.As energy is alternately stored and released on both sides of the animals body, the tail whips strongly back and forth. This whip-like action propels the animal through the water like a living bullet.Source of EnergyWhat causes the fibers to store so much energy? In finding the answer the Duke University scientists learned that the sharks similarity to a belted radial tire doesnt stop with the skin. Just as a radial tire is inflated by pressure, so, too, is the area just under the sharks collagen “radials”. Instead of air pressure, however, the pressure in the shark may be due to the force of the blood pressing on the collagen fibers.When the shark swims slowly, the pressure on the fibers is relatively low. The fibers are more relaxed, and the shark is able to bend its body at sharp angles. The animal swims this way when looking around for food or just swimming. However, when the shark detects an important food source, some fantastic involuntary changes take place.The pressure inside the animal may increase by 10 times. This pressure change greatly stretches the fibers, enabling much energy to be stored.This energy is then transferred to the tail, and the shark is off. The rest of the story is predictable.Dolphin Has Speed RecordAnother fast marine animal is the dolphin. This seagoing mammal has been clocked at speeds of 32 kilometers (20 miles) an hour. Biologists studying the dolphin have discovered that, like the shark, the animals efficient locomotion can be traced to its skin. A dolphins skin is made up in such a way that it offers very little resistance to the water flowing over it. Normally when a fish or other object moves slowly through the water, the water flows smoothly past the body. This smooth flow is known as laminar flow. However, at faster speeds the water becomes more turbulent along the moving fish. This turbulence muses friction and slows the fish down.In a dolphin the skin is so flexible that it bends and yields to the waviness of the water. The waves, in effect, become tucked into the skins folds. This allows the rest of the water to move smoothly by in a laminar flow. Where other animals would be slowed by turbulent water at rapid speeds, the dolphin can race through the water at record breaking speeds.Other Animals Less EfficientNot all animals move as efficiently as sharks and dolphins. Perhaps the greatest loser in locomotion efficiency is the slug. The slug, which looks like a snail without a shell, lays down a slimy trail over which it crawls. It uses so much energy producing the slimy mucus and crawling over it that a mouse traveling the same distance uses only one twelfth as much energy.Scientists say that because of the slugs inefficient use of energy, its lifestyle must be restricted. That is, the animals are forced to confine themselves to small areas for obtaining food and finding proper living conditions. Have humans ever been faced with this kind of problem?1. A laminar flow is formed when a fish swims_.Aslowly through the waterBrapidly through the waterCagainst the currentDat the fastest speed in water【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：A【参考解析】：属细节推断题。题干中的关键词是“a laminar flow”，所以可以将答案锁定在文章小标题“Dolphin Has Speed Record”下，根据该节第一段的倒数第三、四句话，“Normally when a fish or other object moves slowly through the water, the water flows smoothly past the body. This smooth flow is known as laminar flow.”。题干是对这两句话的改写，所以正确答案是A选项。其他三个选项的意思均不符合“a laminar flow”的定义，与题干要求不符。2. Consuming the equal amount of energy as a slug does, a mouse can travel _ as long as a slug.Aone twelfth timesBthe sameC12 timesD1.2 times【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：属同义转换题。题干中“a slug”和“a mouse”均为关键词，可以直接定位在小标题“Other Animals Less Efficient”下第一段的第二句话，“It uses so much energy . a mouse traveling the same distance uses only one twelfth as much energy”。题干是对该句的同义改写，所以正确答案是C12 times，其他选项均与原文内容不符。3. A shark finds its prey by_.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】： feeling the vibrations of a struggling prey【参考解析】：鲨鱼靠感受猎物游动的震动来发现猎物。4. According to the passage, _can be compared to the string of a bow for both of them store energy when stretched.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：collagen fibers【参考解析】：collagen fibers 在Skin Is the Key中，第二、三句话，The fibers are called collagen fibers.5. When the shark detects an important food source, _take place.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】： some fantastic involuntary changes【参考解析】：在Source of Energy中，第二段倒数第一句话就是本题答案。6. According to the passage, a shark can use movement to do something except_.Ato find foodBto avoid being chased by its enemiesCto find a new place to liveDto show its braveness【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：D【参考解析】：属同义转换题，本题是一种排除选择题。根据题干中的中心词“movement to do something”，可以将答案定位在小标题“Moving to Survive”下第二段的前两句话，“Like the shark, most animals use movement to find food. They also use locomotion to escape enemies, find a mate, and explore now territories”。该句与题干是一种同义转换，选项A、B和C在原文中均有提及，所以不是正确选项;答案D在原文没有提及，所以是正确答案。7. Examples of automobiles, rockets and submarines are used to show that _.Ahumans are the most clever living creatures in the worldBhuman inventions enable us to travel in almost any kind of environmentChumans are very successful in inventing transportation toolsDhumans cant move like other animals in any circumstances【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：B【参考解析】：属细节推断题。题干考查汽车、火箭和潜艇的例子是为了说明什么，其中的“examples of automobiles, rockets and submarines”是关键词，可以将答案定位在文章小标题“Moving to Survive”下第三段的前两句话，“Humans have the added advantage of using their various inventions to move about in just about any kind of environment. Automobiles, rockets, and submarines transport humans from deep oceans to as far away as the moon”，第二句话所举例子正是为了说明第一句话的内容，这与B项意思一致，而其他选项在文中均未提及。8. What is the key to the sharks swift locomotion in water?AThe skin. BThe tail. CThe muscle. DThe jaw.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：A【参考解析】：属细节推断题。分析题干，本题考查鲨鱼在水中快速游动的关键是在什么。其中的“key”是关键词，可以将答案定位在小标题“Skin Is the Key”下首段的第一句话，“The biologists discovered that the skin of the shark is the key to the animals high efficiency in swimming through the water”，这与选项A完全一致，所以直接选择A即可。其他选项在文中均有提及，但是都不符合题干的要求。9. According to the Duke University scientists, when does the shark stretch its collagen fibers to the greatest extent?AWhen moving its tail rapidly.BWhen finding its preys.CWhen staying without any movement.DWhen bending its body in swimming.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：D【参考解析】：属细节推断题。题干中的“collagen fibers to the greatest extent”是关键词，可以将答案定位在小标题“Skin Is the Key”下第二段的第一句话，“The Duke University biologists have found that the greatest stretching occurs where the shark bends its body while swimming”。这与选项D的内容完全一致，所以答案选D项，而其他选项原文均未提及，为干扰项。10. Why is the area just under the sharks collagen fibers similar to a belted radial tire?ABecause it is also full of blood pressure.BBecause it is also filled of air pressure.CBecause it is also inflated by pressure.DBecause it also can be used again and again.【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：属细节推断题。题干中“a belted radial tire”是关键词，可以将答案锁定在文章小标题“Source of Energy”下第一段的第三句话，“Just as a radial tire is inflated by pressure, so, too, is the area just under the sharks collagen radials”。其中的“just as”和“so”正说明了两者的相似之处在于“inflated by pressure”，所以答案应该是C。选项A和B是两者的不同之处，选项D在文中没有提及。第2题: Section BDirections: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, Cand D.You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.Passage OneQuestions 57 to 61 are based on the following passage.Friendship is one of the basic bonds between human beings. While the characteristics of friendship might vary from one country to another, people from all cultures not only enjoy friends but need them.Many studies have shown that teenagers who have no friends often suffer from psychological disorders. It has been shown that teenagers, perhaps more than any other age group, need companionship and a sense of belonging. The negative consequences of loneliness have also been observed among the elderly. The death of a spouse often leaves a widow or a widower totally bereft. If, however, they are surrounded by friends and relatives and if they are able to articulate their feelings, they are more likely to recover from their grief.“No man is an island.” In other words, we are all parts of society. We all need the love, admiration, respect and moral support of other people. If we are fortunate, our friends will provide us with all of these necessary aspects of life.As most people observe, there are many levels of friendship. The degree of intimacy of friendship varies depending on the personality of the individuals involved and the context of the relationships. Extroverts enjoy being surrounded by many people whereas introverts are perhaps content with fewer but more intense friendships.Everyone is not equally open with all their friends. The degree of intimacy is determined by many factors. Close friends can be formed at any stage in ones life but they are usually very rare. Not very many people have more than a few really close friends. Irrespective of the level of intimacy, all friendships are based on reciprocity, honesty and a certain amount of love and affection.1. The second paragraph implies that_ .Ateenagers without friends will suffer from psychological problemsBa widow or a widower will die very soon without companionshipChuman beings need companionship and a sense of belongingDboth A and B【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：推断题。本文讨论了友谊的重要性。不论是青少年还是老年人，都需要朋友的陪伴。没有人是孤立的，每个人都是社会的一部分，都需要他人的爱、陪伴和关心。文章第二段表明人都需要陪伴和归属感。文章第二段提到没有朋友的青少年和丧偶的老年人常常会有心理问题，并提到陪伴和归属感是他们共同的需求，所以C为正确答案。答案A和B都过于武断，作者只是说一般而言，并没有说一定会，所以不对。2. “No man is an island”(Line 1, Para. 3) implies that _.Aeveryone is a part of an islandBman cannot be an islandCeveryone is just a part of societyDsociety is an island【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：细节题。“No man is an island” (Line 1, Para. 3) 的意思是，每个人都是社会的一部分。第三段第二句话解释了这句引言的意思， “In other words, we are all parts of society”，所以C为正确答案。3. The degree of intimacy of friendship mainly depends on_.Aage Bbelonging Cpersonality Dculture【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：细节推理题。友谊的亲密程度主要取决于人的个性。见第四段第二句，“The degree of intimacy of friendship varies depending on the personality of the individuals .”，所以C为正确答案。4. The author thinks that close friends_.Acan be easily formed when one is youngBcannot be long-lastingCare not rare for everyoneDare rare for most people【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：D【参考解析】：细节推理题。作者认为多数人的亲密朋友并不多。见第五段第三句，“Close friends can be formed at any stage in ones life but they are usually very rare”在人生的任何阶段都可以交到亲密的朋友，但数量通常很少，由此推断D为正确答案。5. The word “irrespective”(Last sentence, Para. 5) means_.Anot respecting Bdishonoring Cregardless Dconsidering【您的答案】：未作答【正确答案】：C【参考解析】：词汇题。“irrespective”(第五段最后一句)这个词语的意思是“不论，不考虑”。见最后一句，“Irrespective of the level of intimacy, all friendships are based on .”不论亲密的程度如何，任何友谊都是建立在互惠、诚实和一定的友爱和关怀的基础之上的。根据上下文，可推测出这个词语的意思是“不论，不考虑”。所以C为正确答案。第3题: Passage TwoQuestions 62 to 66 are based on the following passage.Sixteen years ago, Eileen Doyles husband, an engineer, took his four children up for an early morning cup of tea, packed a small case and was never seen or heard of again. Eileen was astonished and in a state of despair. They had been a happy family and, as far as she knew, there had been nothing wrong with their marriage.Every day of the year a small group of men and women quietly pack a few belongings and without so much as a note or a good-bye close the front door for the last time, leaving their debts, their worries and their confused families behind them.Last year, more than 1,200 men and nearly as many women were reported missing from homethe highest in 15 years. Many did return home within a year, but others rejected the past completely and are now living a new life somewhere under a different identity.To those left behind this form of desertion is a terrible blow to their pride and self-confidence. Even the finality of death might be preferable. At least it does not imply rejection or failure. Worse than that, people can be left with an unfinished marriage, not knowing whether they will have to wait seven years before they are free to start a fresh life.Clinical psychologist Paul Brown believes most departures of this kind to be well planned rather than impulsive. “Its typical of the kind of personality which seems able to ignore other peoples pain and difficulties. Running away, like killing yourself, is a highly agg