0509上海市英语高级口译资格证书第一阶段考试

05.09上海市英语高级口译资格证书第一阶段考试SECTION 1: LISTENING TEST(30 minutes)Part A: Spot Dictation Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear a passage and read the same passage with blanks in it. Fill in each of the blanks with the word or words you have heard on the tape. Write your answer in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET. Remember you will hear the passage ONLY ONCE.For many observers of U.S. life and culture, to say America is to say immigration. In fact, immigration is such _(1) of the United States that in many ways it is impossible to study one _(2). Yet, as government policy has changed to _(3), the number of people arriving in the States has _(4). In 1840, for example, _(5) people immigrated to this country. However, this number rose steadily, until in 1880, _(6) immigrants arrived in the U.S. This figure climbed even higher around 1900, reaching a peak of _(7) immigrants. In the 1930s, partly as a result of _(8), it dropped to half a million immigrants, but _(9), it began to rise once again, reaching 6.3 million _(10). This trend will probably continue through the twenty-first century. An interesting fact to consider is _(11). In the early part of the century, _(12) came from Northern and Western Europe. But in the latter part of the twentieth century, immigrants came from other places: _(13) from Asia, 35% from Latin America, 3% from Northern Europe, and 7% from _(14), the rest from North America, and other places. Of course, every one of these millions of immigrants has had to deal with _(15) the task of finding their niche in the U.S. The traditional view of immigration was assimilation, or the “melting pot” approach. This means that the immigrant group adapts to _(16). There is a blending of values and lifestyles of immigrants with the mainstream. Another, more recent model _(17). This describes a society in which many cultures live side by side, _(18). This model resembles a salad bowl, in which many ingredients are present, but distinct from each other, _(19). Either way, the challenges society faces and the need to _(20) into the country can only become more important in the twenty-first century. Part B: Listening ComprehensionDirections: In this part of the test there will be some short talks and conversations. After each one, you will be asked some questions. The talks, conversations and questions will be spoken ONLY ONCE. Now listen carefully and choose the right answer to each question you have heard and write the letter of the answer you have chosen in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET.Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following conversation.1. (A) He is an American diplomat working in London.(B) He is an Assistant Cultural Officer working in America.(C) He teaches American studies in British schools and universities.(D) He speaks on the American way of life to various audiences.2. (A) His job is connected with education.(B) He thinks that the American way of life is problem-free.(C) Hes pessimistic about the chances of future world peace.(D) Hes not interested in talking about world politics.3. (A) Uncontrollable terror attacks.(B) Large-scale regional conflicts.(C) The gradual but steady spread of nuclear technology.(D) The tremendous build-up of the weapons of war.4. (A) Affluence.(B) Casualness.(C) Materialism.(D) Sophistication.5. (A) People are rich but indifferent to the needs of others.(B) People are too optimistic about the future world. (C) People are wasteful of resources.(D) People are creating new and strange things all the time.Questions 6 to 10 are based on the following news.6. (A) The Security Council should have six new permanent members.(B) The number of the Security Councils permanent members should be 10.(C) All new members of the Security Council should be non-permanent. (D) Only four permanent seats should be added to the Security Council.7. (A) This is the first visit to the U.S. made by a Vietnamese leader in the past 30 years.(B) His visit is to mark the 10th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties.(C) He is scheduled to visit the United Nations headquarters in New York.(D) His main purpose is to discuss some unresolved issues with American leaders.8. (A) Huge amounts of funds have disappeared from Master Card holders accounts.(B) Their customer data may have been accessed by an unauthorized individual.(C) The operation of the system repeatedly halted owing to unknown reasons.(D) The system has been filled to capacity with its 40 million credit card holders.9. (A) Two people were killed during an exchange of fire between Palestine and Israel.(B) US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a visit to a Jewish settlement.(C) Israeli soldiers launched a raid on a village occupied by the Abu Rish Brigades.(D) A senior political leader of the militant Islamic Jihad organization was arrested.10. (A) The governments move fell well short of its condition for talks.(B) The government should switch to socialist policies as it promised.(C) It would lay down its arms if the government would sit down for talks.(D) It would stop attacking elected Spanish politicians.Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following interview.11. (A) University lecturer.(B) School teacher.(C) Environmental campaigner.(D) Film producer.12. (A) Working with a team.(B) Speaking in public before any audience.(C) Surviving in difficult and even dangerous situations.(D) Understanding what it is thats likely to provide a sense of fulfillment.13. (A) They were contemptuous and humorous. (B) They took environmental activists seriously. (C) They simply paid no attention.(D) They shared the same concerns as environmentalists. 14. (A) They have to dress formally very often.(B) They try to persuade people theyve got a serious message. (C) They have the hidden tie-cupboard in their office.(D) They talk about their stressful life in public.15. (A) His career puts a great deal of strain on his private life.(B) His private life takes second place. (C) He has managed so far to make his personal life not too much affected by his job.(D) He will probably pursue his current career for many years to come.Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following talk.16. (A) They sell well if they look technologically sophisticated.(B) They command higher prices if they are technologically complicated.(C) They have to be complicated to accommodate many features. (D) They are designed to confuse us so that we turn to the manufacturer for help.17. (A) To cater to the different needs and tastes of different tourists. (B) To show that these hotels offer everything tourists might hope to have.(C) To try their utmost to help the customers to select a good hotel.(D) To spread the customers out amongst the different hotels.18. (A) They choose the best hotel.(B) They go to a hotel that meets their needs.(C) They make a random decision.(D) They make no decision at all.19. (A) The more features a product has, the better it sells. (B) Confusing people is an easy way of controlling them.(C) A brand name that rings a bell can beat its competitors.(D) Customers buy things often on the basis that theyre cheaper than others.20. (A) Because its no longer a joke; its deadly serious.(B) Because these systems are a way of improving things.(C) Because complicated systems can prevent human errors.(D) Because it would be easier to blame people than blame machines.SECTION 2: READING TEST(30 minutes)Directions: In this section you will read several passages. Each one is followed by several questions about it. You are to choose ONE best answer, (A), (B), (C) or (D), to each question. Answer all the questions following each passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage and write the letter of the answer you have chosen in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET.Questions 1-5Britains small and medium-sized businesses can be forgiven for feeling rather under-whelmed by the chancellors budget. While Gordon Brown appeared to talk a lot about cutting red tape for small firms, on closer inspection it turned out that many of the measures he announced had been already mentioned in previous budgets or were merely proposals for consultation. Easily the biggest news for small businesses was the chancellors endorsement of the findings of the Hampton review into red tape, which will reduce the number of bodies carrying out inspections of small businesses from 35 to nine. Brown claimed that this would reduce the number of business inspections carried out by a third, equal to 1m fewer inspections.David Bishop, a spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “There are 350 different types of inspection that carry rights of access into business premises so we are pleased that Hampton has recommended streamlining the 35 inspectorates into nine. We think that is an important start in tackling the burden of compliance.” Andrew Jones of BDO Stoy Hayward, the accountancy firm, added: “Any company that has had to go through a raft of investigations that have only minor findings but absorb immense amounts of management time will welcome the proposed adoption of the Hampton review.” ACCA also welcomed the move, but warned: “The benefits of reorganisation will come in the longer term because the initial costs of the change will be substantial.”The chancellor also announced that the Inland Revenue and Customs will have consultations over the creation of a single tax return for small businesses. This would mean firms would no longer have to file separate returns for Vat and company tax. As part of this initiative, he plans to create a combined Inland Revenue and Customs department to give small businesses a single point of contact.However, Bishop said it could take a long time to become reality: “Our view is if that is not pie in the sky, then it is certainly a long way off in the future. It is not something that will be implemented immediately.” Mike Warburton, tax partner at Grant Thornton, the accountant, said: “This is just a trial move and there is no indication that this will become standard practice. Even if it does, it could prove problematic for small companies that do not have experts on direct and indirect taxation on site.” Brown also announced the launch of an information campaign to make tiny businesses aware that they are entitled to pay a flat rate of Vat. And he proposed the creation of a shorter, simplified tax return of four pages rather than 16 for an estimated 500,000 of Britains smallest businesses that have a turnover of less than 15,000.Warburton said: “This is a welcome move, but there are more than 4m small businesses in the UK, and this initiative will affect only one in eight of themand the very smallest ones at that.” Terry Moore, tax partner at BDO Stoy Hayward, added: “These are all things that have been talked about in past budgetsso, while they are being heralded as new initiatives, they are not really.” As hoped, Brown introduced a timetable for the introduction of simpler red tape surrounding working tax creditsby April 2006 payments will be made direct from the Inland Revenue rather than through the employer. Bishop said: “This is important because payroll burdens are one of the biggest administrative burdens that small businesses face.”Brown also announced proposals to extend the research-and-development (R&D) tax credits available to small and medium-sized firms, although he gave little further detail about how this would work in practice. Moore said: “I guess what he is trying to do is simplify the process of claiming R&D tax credits, which is obviously a positive step for smaller firms. At the moment there is quite a cumbersome process for claiming R&D tax credits. We hope that the government will make it easier for businesses to get the relief.” Overall, the feeling among small businesses is that in this budget no news is good news and that, in an election year, this was perhaps as much as they could have hoped for. As Nick Goulding, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, said: “This budget is pretty much neutral for small businesses.”1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the expression “red tape” used in the passage?(A) The red-colored tape used in government offices.(B) Rigid formality of official routine.(C) Strict regulation for inspecting small firms.(D) Close review of government budgets.2. According to the passage, what is the general response towards chancellor Gordon Browns talk about cutting red tape?(A) Warmly expectant.(B) Strongly opposing.(C) Totally indifferent.(D) Cautiously appreciative.3. Which of the following is NOT true about the chancellors newly proposed budget?(A) The number of bodies carrying out inspections of small businesses will be reduced.(B) The preparation of the budget was based on the finding of the Hampton review.(C) R & D tax credits available to small and medium-sized businesses will be extended.(D) A shorter, simplified tax return will be created for the 4 million small businesses.4. It can be concluded that the main purpose of the chancellors budget is _.(A) to minimize the number of business inspections(B) to lower the Vat and company tax of more than 4 million small businesses(C) to encourage the development of small and medium-sized businesses(D) to regulate the accounting system for small businesses5. When the feeling among small businesses is that in this budget “no news is good news”, (para. 6) it shows that _.(A) they do not think they will get any good news from the chancellor(B) they knew they could not expect more from the budget(C) they do not think their criticism will be accepted by the chancellor(D) they expect a more radical reform after the election yearQuestions 6-10To most people the human face is a compelling object fraught with meaning. But for autistic children, who cant get a read on other peoples emotions, eye contact is terrifying. When they do look at faces, they tend to stare at the mouth. Fortunately, researchers now think that technology can help overcome the barrier that isolates these kinds. Software that enables robots to respond to a childs feelings a little bitbut not too muchcan help train him or her to interact more freely with people. “The beauty of a robot or software is that its not human,” and therefore not as intimidating, says Stephen Porges, an autism expert at the University of Illinois in Chicago.Computer-generated faces are already having an impact in the classroom. Psychologist Dominic Massaro at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has created Baldi, a lively computer character, as a stand-in for human teachers. For three years, Baldi and his female counterpart, Baldette, have been giving autistic kids in the Bay School in Santa Cruz lessons in vocabulary and in understanding facial expressions. The character has been so successful that hes spawned imitatorsBaldini in Italian, Baldir in Arabic and Bao in Chinese.Porges thinks that the real role of cartoon personas is not so much to teach patients as to calm them. Autistic kids live in a state of hyperalertness, as if they were constantly suffering stage fright. If technology can put them at ease, Porges argues, social skills will develop naturally. In a recent study, Porges exposed 20 autistic people, ranging from 10 to 21 years old, to engineered speech and music. He removed low frequency sounds, which the body tends to interpret as indicating danger, and exaggerated vocal intonations, much as people dramatize emotions when speaking to infants. After 45 minutes, all but one of the subjects began looking at the eyes of a person on a video screen just as a normal viewer would. The improvement persisted at least a week, but had faded after six months. Porges is now developing headphones that reduce low frequencies. He also hopes to test whether ongoing exposure to the engineered sounds can lead to long-term improvement.Other technology may be effective for less severely autistic children. Whereas normal babies learn from caretakers to mirror emotionssmile at a smile, frown at a frownautistic children often lack this basic skill. Cognitive scientists Javier Movellan and Marian Stewart Bartlett at the University of California, San Diego, have built a robot that can “read” faces. They hope that playing with the robot and watching it interact with others will inspire autistic children to return the smiles of humans.Commercial emotion-reading software about to hit the market could be a boon for some high functioning autistic and Aspergers patients in dealing with social situations. Affective Media, a firm near Edinburgh, Scotland, has created a prototype phone that “hears” the emotion in voice messages and conveys it explicitly to the owner. A Person checking messages would hear something like this: “You have two bored calls, one surprised call, and one angry call.” “Three years ago this was science fiction,” says Christian Jones, co-founder of Affective Media. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have built a similar voicemail system, called Emotive Alert, that evaluates a callers intonation, speed and volume. It identifies whether a call sounds urgent, informal or formal, and whether the speaker was happy or sad.Emotion-reading software might improve the way we all interact with machines. Computers at call centers may soon be able