2010年12月英语四级考试模拟试题及答案.doc

2010年12月英语四级考试模拟试题及答案(1)Part I Writing (30 minutes)Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic: To Be a Small Fish in a Big Pond or a Big Fish in a Small Pond? You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese:1. 在大企业工作的特点2. 在小企业工作的特点3. 我的选择To Be a Small Fish in a Big Pond or a Big Fish in a Small Pond?Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15minutes)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, markY (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage.For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.To Save Trees, Fighting One Alien Insect with OthersRusty rhea sighs wistfully as he talks about the beauty and peace of standing amid a grove (小树林) of deep green hemlocks in Appalachia, some of them up to 160 feet (50 meters) tall and more than 500 years old.This is a very special tree, said Rhea, an entomologist for the U.S. Forest Services Forest Health Protection program in Asheville, North Carolina, I was brought up here, and I dont want to see another species go by the wayside.The evergreen trees, a hallmark of southern Appalachias national parks, are under attack by an invasive inse4ct barely visible to the eye but potent enough to fell the giants of the eastern United States old-growth forests.Already the tiny bug from Japan, known as the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), has killed upward of 95 percent of the hemlocks in Virginias Shenandoah National Park. Now they are making their way through the half-million-plus-acre (200,000-plus-hectare) Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.The hemlocks shade streams, keeping water temperatures just right for brook trout (鲑鱼) and other fish. They also house birds such as the black-throated green warbler, solitary vireo, and northern goshawk, all three of which mainly shelter in stands of hemlock trees.Because of the insects broad impact on the entire ecosystem of southern Appalachia, HWA stands to cause wider damage than the American chestnut blight (枯萎病)of the early 1900s. That fungus from Europe killed off the once dominant chestnut trees from the northeast United States to the southern Appalachian Mountains.In addition, a species related to HWA, the balsam woolly adelgid, has already killed about 90 percent of the mature Fraser fir trees in the Smokies.Acting QuicklyHWA arrived in the U.S. Pacific Northwest via nursery plants from Japan in 1924. By 1951 the tiny invader had been found in Virginia. Since then the insect has spread to more than 15 U.S. states.The key to killing the HWA is to catch it early and act quickly. Its already well established in the Great Smoky Mountains, where Rhea and others are trying to stem the spread of the bugs.HWA multiply quickly: All of the insects are females that reproduce asexually (无性地), laying several hundred eggs a year. When they get to the nymph, or crawler, stage, they are dormant from about June until October, after which they emerge and establish themselves on trees.Winds and birds and other animals spread the crawlers through the forest.HWA crawlers feed on the new growth of hemlocks by piercing the twigs that hold the branches, sucking the sap, and injecting toxic saliva. The needles turn from a deep green to a grayish green and eventually die, depriving the tree of nutrition from photosynthesis.An infected tree usually dies within five years of initial attack. Infection is signaled by either a white, cottonlike material that appears along a trees twigs or by the baldness of a trees upper branches.Plans of AttackIn the Pacific Northwest the hemlocks seem to be tolerant of the creatures feeding, and in the cold northeast, winters seem to keep them at bay. But in the warm southeast, with weather approximating that of the insects native Asian homes, they thrive.Chemical sprays-such as insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils as well as trunk or soil injections-have helped to kill some of the HWA infestations.But spraying must be repeated every six months, and injections are expensive and last only two years at most. These methods cant be used conveniently or safely in remote areas or near the streams where hemlocks grow thickly.Long term, the best way to control the pests appears to be releasing other insects that feed exclusively on HWA. Scientists have studied HWA in Japan and China and identified three such species. One of them, the Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St) beetle, was released in areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2002.Studying what controls a species in its native habitat-including climate, predators, and host resistance-provided clues about which insects to use against HWA, said Kristine Johnson. Based in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Johnson is a supervisory forester for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Biological control is the only long-term hope to save the trees in the backcountry (穷乡僻壤), she said. We have 800 square miles (2,100 square kilometers) of contiguous wilderness. We value the native forest, and its entirely worth defending.Risky BusinessReleasing one species of non-native bug to kill another could be risky business, potentially creating another type of infestation. But scientists first quarantined and studied the HWA-killer insects.They believe the St beetles are the best answer to the HWA problem and that they wont cause side damage. This tiny black female beetle, the size of a poppy seed, is already spreading in the Great Smoky Mountains.But the beetle and other HWA-killer insects are seasonal, so it will take several different ones operating year-round to keep HWA in check, Rhea said. He doesnt believe HWA will be completely eradicated (根除) but will instead be kept in balance by the predator insects. Were trying to insert a balance in a system thats out of balance, he said.Each St beetle can lay 200 to 300 eggs, said Ernest Bernard, professor of entomology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.Bernards laboratory is one of several that are breeding the beetles.Each beetle eats hundreds of baby adelgids a year, he said. And about 120,000 of the beetles have been released in the past couple years in the Smokies, but it is still too early to measure their impact.One good sign, Bernard said, is that some beetle larvae (幼虫) have been found in areas where they were not released, indicating that the HWA killers may be reproducing and spreading.1. The passage gives a general description of an invasive insect, HWA.2. Hemlock is a hallmark of southern Appalachias national parks.3. The invasive insect, known as the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), is from Japan.4. The key to killing the HWA is to catch it early and act quickly.5. An infected tree usually dies immediately.6. The Hemlock in the U.S. will be saved from HWA soon.7. The long term, best way to control the pests HWA is spraying.8. Since 1951 the HWA has spread to more than_.9. Releasing one species of non-native bug to kill another could create_.10. It will take several different insects operating year-round to_.Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A, B, C and D, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.11. A 1016.B 1060.C 508.D 580.12. A Father and daughter.B Uncle and niece.C Aunt and nephew.D Cousins.13. A She wasnt invited.B She wasnt ready to come.C She altered her decision.D She forgot the invitation.14. A The door needs repairing.B He had lost all his keys.C He couldnt open the door.D He wanted the woman to help him.15. A Shes rather happy to hear so.B Shes disappointed to hear so.C Shes unhappy to hear so.D Shes surprised to hear so.16. A He thought it was a good car.B He thought it was too noisy.C He thought there was something wrong with the car.D H didnt like it.17. A In a car.B In a train.C In a ship.D In a plane.18. A Shell go to the concert.B Shell have a meeting.C Shell watch her neighbors children.D Shell visit her neighbor.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A The early history of bookbinding.B How old books become valuable.C Economical ways to protect old books.D Why some books decay.20. A They are often handled improperly by readers.B The paper is destroyed by chemicals.C The ink used in printing damages the paper.D The glue used in the binding loses its strength.21. A They are difficult to read.B They are slowly falling apart.C They were not made from wood pulp.D They should be stored in a cold place.22. A Get some books for the man to look at.B Ask the man to look over her notes.C Continue her research in the library.D Find more information on how books are preserved.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. A Which major the woman will be choosing.B An anthropology course the woman is taking.C How to find a job in publishing.D Which anthropology professors the man recommends.24. A It is not as difficult as she had thought it would be.B She would like her professor to explain it more clearly.C She took a class on it last semester.D Her professor will write a book on it soon.25. A Her professor.B A classmate.C Her former boss.D A foreign diplomat.Section BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the and of each passage, you will hear some questions Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. A Because nobody knew his address.B Because nobody knew his age.C Because Penurys private life was a secret.D Because Penury was still a bachelor at the age of forty-five.27. A He did not spend money freely.B He was always well-dressed.C He had a luxurious car.D He worked hard for a living.28. A A photographer.B A burglar.C A reporter.D A professor.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A In 1809.B In 1863.C In 1865.D In 1860.30. A Four years.B Five years.C Three years.D Six years.31. A A soldier.B A thief.C A government officer.D An actor.32. A Because they didnt like Lincoln being their President.B Because they wanted to set up their own government.C Because they disagreed with Lincoln on the abolishment of slavery.D Because they wanted to stage a war against Lincolns government.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A 10 points.B 2 points.C 15 points.D 5 points.34. A They will take one of the six major tests.B They will have to write a composition.C They will be given a pop test.D They will be required to read a short story in class.35. A An essay.B A magazine article.C A poem.D A shSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blank, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.Scientists have developed a new cancer drug. So far, they have tested it only on (36) _ animals. The drug is designed to (37) _ and kill cancer cells but not healthy cells.First, the drug enters the cancer and destroys the supply of blood. Then it releases (38) _ to destroy the cancer cells.Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge carried out the study. The (39) _ appeared in Nature (40) _. A school news release called the drug an anti-cancer smart bomb.Ram Sasisekharan is a professor at M.I.T. He says his team had to (41) _ three problems. They had to find a way to destroy the blood vessels, then to (42) _ the growth of new ones. But they also needed the blood vessels to supply chemicals to destroy the cancer.So, the researchers designed a two-part nanocell. The cell is (43) _ in nanometers, or one thousand millionth of a meter. (44) _.The scientists say it was small enough to pass through the blood vessels of the cancer, but it was too big to enter normal blood vessels. The surface of the nanocells also helped them to avoid natural defenses.(45) _. That cut off the blood supply and trapped the nanocell inside the cancer. Then, the nanocell slowly released chemotherapy drugs to kill the cancer cells.(46) _.Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer Sheet 2.Many of the most damaging and life threatening types of weather-torrential rains, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes-begin quickly, strike suddenly, and disappear rapidly, destroying small regions while leaving neighboring areas untouched. Such event as a tornado struck the northeastern section of Edmonton, Alberta, in July 1987. Total damages from the tornado exceeded $250 million, the highest ever for any Canadian storm.Conventional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to study carefully the subtly atmospheric changes that come before these storms. In most nations, for example, weather-balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at locations typically separated by hundreds of miles. With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large regions than they do forecasting specific local events.Until recently, the observation intensive approach needed for accurate, very short-range forecasts, or Nowcasts, was not feasible. The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties involved in rapidly collecting and processing the raw weather data from such a network were hard to overcome. Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems. Radar systems, automated weather instruments, and satellites are all capable of making detailed, nearly continuous observation over large regions at a relatively low cost. Communications satellites can transmit data around the world cheaply and instantaneously, and modern computers can quickly compile and analyze this large volume of weather information. Meteorologists (气象学者) and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment capable of transforming raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can interpret easily and quickly. As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.47. It can be inferred from the passage that the value of damages from torrential rains, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is _.48. Why do conventional models of the atmosphere fail to predict such a short-lived tornado?_.49. It can be inferred from the passage that conventional forecasting models are now mostly used for _.50. What does Nowcasts mean according to the passage?_.51. According to the passage, what makes Nowcasting a reality?ort story.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,C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the