PART III CLOZE [15 MIN] 2010年
How men first learned to invent words is unknown; (31)____, the origin of language is a
mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain (32)____ to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, (33)____ they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed (34)____ certain signs, called letters, which could be (35)____ to represent those sounds, and which could be (36)_____. Those sounds, whether spoken, (37)_____ written in letters, we call words.
The power of words, then, lies in their (38)____ the things they bring up before our minds. Words become (39)____ with meaning for us by experience; (40)._____ the longer we live, the more certain words (41)_____ to us the happy and sad events of our past: and the more we (42)____, the more the number of words that mean something to us (43)____
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal (44)____ to our minds and emotions. This (45)._____ and telling use of words is what we call (46)____ style. Above all, the real poet is a master of (47)____. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music, and which (48)_____ their position and association can (49)____ men to tears. We should, therefore, learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will (50)____ our speech or writing silly and vulgar.
(31) A. in addition B. in other words C. in a word D. in summary (32) A. sounds B. gestures C. signs D. movements (33) A. such that B. as that C. so that D. in that (34) A. in B. with C. of D. upon
(35) A. spelt B. combined C. written D copied
(36)A. written down B. handed down C. remembered D. observed (37) A. and B. yet C. also D. or
(38) A. functions B. associations C. roles D. links (39) A. filled B. full C. live D. active (40) A. but B. or C. yet D. and
(41 ) A. reappear B. recall C. remember D. recollect
(42) A. read and think B. read and recall C. read and learn D. read and recite (43) A. raises B. increases C. improves D. emerges
(44) A. intensively B. extensively C. broadly D. powerfully (45)A. charming B. academic C. conventional D. common (46) A. written B. spoken C. literary D. dramatic (47) A. signs B. words C. style D. sound (48) A. in B. on C. over D. by
(49)A. move B. engage C. make D. force
(50) A. transform B. change C. make D. convert
PART III CLOZE 2011年
“Congratulations, Mr. Cooper. It’s a girl.”
[15 MIN]
Fatherhood is going to have a different meaning and (31) a different response from every man who hears these words. Some feel (32) when they receive the news, (33) others worry, wondering whether they will be good father. (34) there are some men who like children and may have had (35) experience with them, others do not particularly (36) children and spend little time with them. Many fathers and mothers have been planning and looking forward to children for some time. (37) other couples, pregnancy was an accident that both husband and wife have (38) willingly or unwillingly.
Whatever the (39) to the birth of a child, it is obvious the shift from the role of husband to (40) of a father is a difficult task. (41) , unfortunately, few attempts have been made to (42) fathers in this resocialization (43) . Although numerous books have been written about mothers, (44) recently has literature focused on the (45) of a father.
It is argued that the transition to the father's role, although difficult, is not (46) as great as the transition the wife must (47) to the mother's role. The mother's role seems to require a complete (48) in daily routine. (49) , the father‘s role is less demanding and (50) . 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. A. bring down A. emotional A. while A. When A. considerate A. care about A. For A. received A. reply A. what A. As a result A. educate A. step A. / A. role A. a little
B. bring forth B. sentimental B. when B. If B. considerable B. care of B. Of B. taken B. reaction B. this B. For example B. cultivate B. process B. just B. work B. just
C. bring off C. bewildered C. if C. Although C. considering C. care with C. From C. accepted C. readiness C. one C. Yet C. inform C. point C. quite C. career C. nearly
D. bring in D. proud D. as D. Yet
D. considered D. care for D. Upon D. obtained D. reality D. that D. Also D. convert D. time D. only D. position D. almost
47. 48. 49. 50. A. take A. transformation A. In addition A. current B. make
B. realization B. Above all B. immediate C. carry C. socialization C. Generally C. present
D. accept D. reception D. However D. quick
PART III CLOZE 【15 MIN】 2012年
The earthquake of 26th December 2004 resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in living
memory．It was a (31) _____ underwater quake and occurred in the Indian Ocean．It (32) ____ coastlines，communities and brought death to many people． Why do earthquakes happen?
The surface of the earth has not always looked as it does today；it is moving(33)____ (although very slowly)and has done so for billions of years．This is one(34)____ of earthquakes，when one section of the earth (tectonic plate)(35)____ another．Scientists can predict where but not(36)____ this might happen and the area between plates is called a fault line．On one fault line in Kobe，Japan in 1923 over 200,000 people were killed．(37)____，earthquakes do not always
happen on fault lines，(38)____ is why they are so dangerous and (39)____． Where do volcanoes happen?
Volcanoes happen where the earth's(40)____ is thin：lava，dust and gases(41)____ from beneath the earth．They can rise into a huge cone shape like a mountain and erupt，(42)____ they can be so violent(43)____ they just explode directly from the earth with no warning．There are 1511(44)'____' volcanoes in the world．This means that they may(45)____ be dangerous．In 1985 the Colombian volcano Nevado del Ruiz erupted．The lava melted a glacier and sent tones of mud(46)____ the town below．Twenty thousand people died．Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions are often unpredictable．We regularly do not know when they(47)____ pen，or (48)____ where they will happen．In the future，scientists may be able to watch and predict(49)____ before they happen．This could(50)____ many lives．
31．A．massive B．significant C．great D．grand
32．A．changed B．converted C．destroyed D．transformed 33．A．frequently B．continuously C．regularly D．periodically 34．A．source B．reason C．movement D．cause
35．A．collides with B．confronts with C．meets with D．faces with 36．A．how B．why C．when D．what
37．A．Generally B．However C．Similarly D．Anyway 38．A．that B．it C．this D．which
39．A．unpredictable B．unaccountable C．inevitable D．irresistible 40．A．surface B．appearance C．crust D．cover
41．A．flowed out B．burst out C．1eaked out D．trickled out 42．A．or B．and C．nor D．but 43．A．like B．for C．as D．that
44．A．living B．active C．alive D．live 45．A．relatively B．hardly C．still D．gradually 46．A．down B．on C．across D．beyond 47．A．are to B．should C．must D．might 48．A．else B．even C．though D．whether
49．A．accidents B．incidents C．occasions D．events 50．A．rescue B．save C．preserve D．shelter PART 3 CLOZE 15 MIN (2013)
Everyone knows that taxation is necessary in a modern state: without it, it (31) _____ not be possible to pa
y the soldiers and policemen who protect us; (32) _____ the workers in government offices who (33) _____ our health, our food, our water, and all the other things that we cannot do for ourselves. (34) _____ taxation, we pay for things that we need just (35) _____ we need somewhere to live and something to eat. But (36) _____ everyone knows that taxation is necessary, different people have different ideas about (37)____ taxation should be arranged. In most countries, a direct tax on (38) _____, which is called income tax, (39) _____. It is arranged in such (40)______ that the poorest people pay nothing, and the percentage of tax grows (41) ____ as the taxpayer's income grows. In some countries, for example, the tax on the richest people (42)______ as high as ninety-five per cent! (43) _____ countries with taxation nearly (44) _____ have indirect taxation too. Many things imported into the country have to pay taxes or “duties.‖ Of course, it is the men and women who buy these imported things in the shops (45)______ really have to pay the duties, in the (46) ______ of higher prices. In some countries, (47) _____, there is a tax on things sold in the shops. If the most necessary things are taxed, a lot of money is (48) ____ but the poor people suffer most. If unnecessary things (49)___ jewels and fur coats are taxed, less money is obtained but the tax is (50) ______ as the rich pay it.
Probably this last kind of indirect tax, together with a direct tax on incomes which is low for the poor and high for the rich, is the best arrangement.
31.D would 32.A nor 33.C look after 34.B By means of 35.D as much as 36.C though 37.B how 38. A persons 39.C exists 40.B way 41.D larger 42.C goes up 43.A But 44.D always 45.B who 46.B form 47.C too 48.D collected 49.B like 50.B fairer
2014年 The Victorians had become addicted to speed and they wanted to go ever faster…. 二 语法和词汇
PART IV GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY （11年） [15 MIN]
51. My uncle is quite worn out from years of hard work. He is no longer the man he was fifteen years ago.
A. which B. whom C. who D. that
52. Which of the following sentences is a COMMAND? A. Beg your pardon. B. Have a good time. C. Never do that again!
D. What noise you are making!
53. Which of the following italicized phrases indicates purpose? A. She said it for fun, but others took her seriously. B. For all its effort, the team didn‘t win the match. C. Linda has worked for the firm for twenty years. D. He set out for Beijing yesterday.
54. When you have finished with the book, don‘t forget to return it to Tim, ? A. do you B. will you C. don‘t you D. won‘t you
55. In phrases like freezing cold, burning hot, or soaking wet, the –ING participle is used A. as a command. B. as a condition. C. for concession. D. for emphasis. 56. Which of the following italicized phrases is INCORRECT? A. The city is now ten times its original size. B. I wish I had two times his strength.
C. The seller asked for double the usual price. D. They come here four times every year. 57. It is not so much the language the cultural background that makes the book difficult to understand. A. as B. nor C. but D. like 58. Which of the following italicized parts is used as an object? A. What do you think has happened to her? B. Who do you think the visiting professor is?
C. How much do you think he earns every month? D. How quickly would you say he would come? 59. The additional work will take weeks.
A. the other B. another two C. other two D. the more
60. Which of the following italicized parts is a subject clause (主语从句)? A. We are quite certain that we will get there in time.
B. He has to face the fact that there will be no pay rise this year. C. She said that she had seen the man earlier that morning. D. It is sheer luck that the miners are still alive after ten days. 61. It‘s getting late. I‘d rather you now. A. left B. leave C. are leaving D. will leave
62. In the sentence ―The manager interviewed Jim himself in the morning‖, the italicized word is used to modify A. the object. B. the verb. C. the subject.
D. the prepositional phrase. 63. There is no doubt the couple did the right thing in coming back home earlier than planned. A. whether B. that C. why D. when 64. The sentence that expresses OFFER is
A. I’ll get some drinks. What’ll you have?
B. Does she need to book a ticket now? C. May I know your name?
D. Can you return the book next week?
65. Which of the following italicized phrases indicates a subject-predicate relation (主谓关系)? A. Mr Smith’s passport has been issued.
B. The visitor’s arrival was reported in the news. C. John’s travel details have not been finalized. D. The new bookstore sells children’s stories. 66. Our office has recently to a new computer system. A. altered B. converted C. transformed D. modified 67. The crowd went as soon as the singer stepped onto the stage. A. wild B. emotional C. uncontrolled D. unrestricted 68. Our school library is closed for repairs.
A. shortly B. quickly C. temporarily D. rapidly
69. John is up to his eyes in work at the moment. The underlined part means . A. very excited B. very busy C. very tired D. very efficient 70. Victoria bumped into her brother quite by chance in the supermarket. The underlined word means . A. risk B. opportunity C. possibility D. luck 71. ―Look at those pretty girls‘ skirts‖ is , because it is not clear whether the girls or the skirts are ―pretty‘.
A. ambiguous B. hidden C. indirect D. indistinct 72. House repairs, holidays, school fees and other have reduced his bank balance to almost nothing. A. amount B. payment C. expenses D. figures 73. It was really of you to remember my birthday. A. grateful B. thoughtful C. considerable D. generous 74. You can go to a travel agency and ask for a holiday . A. introduction B. advertisement C. book D. brochure 75. The city government is building more roads to the increasing number of cars. A. accommodate B. receive C. accept D. hold 76. They‘ve lifted a two-year-long economic on the country. A. enclosure B. restriction C. blockade D. prohibition
77. Everyone is surprised that she has fallen out with her boy friend. The underlined part means . A. left B. quarreled C. attacked D. defeated
78. His plan is carefully prepared and full of details, so it is a very one. A. elaborate B. refined C. ambitious D. complex 79. The girl‘s voice was so low that we could hear her. A. seldom B. almost C. only D. barely 80. She must have been pretty to fall for such an old trick. A. interested B. gullible C. enthusiastic D. shrewd
PART IV GRAMMAR ＆VOCABULARY 【15 MIN】 12年 51．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT? A．Twenty miles seems like a long walk to him． B．No one except his supporters agree with him． C．Neither Julia nor I were going to the party． D．Few students in my class are really lazy．
52．Which of the following determiners(限定词)can be placed before both singular count nouns and plural count nouns?
A．many a B．few C．such D．the next
53．Which of the following reflexive pronouns(反身代词)is used as an appositive(同位语)? A，He promised himself rapid progress．
B．The manager herself will interview Mary． C．I have nothing to say for myself．
D．They quarreled themselves red in the face．
54．My boss ordered that the legal documents ____ to him before lunch．
A．be sent B．were sent C．were to be sent D．must be sent 55．Which of the following sentences expresses WILLINGNESS?
A．By now she will be eating dinner． B．I shall never do that again． C．My brother will help you with the luggage． D．You shall get a promotion．
56．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT? A．How strange feelings they are! B．How dare you speak to me like that! C．What noise they are making! D. What a mess we are in!
57．which of the italicized parts functions as a subject? A．We never doubt that her brother is honest．
B．The problem is not who will go but who will stay． C．You must give it back to whoever it belongs to。 D．It is clear that the crime was done deliberately． 58．which of the italicized parts functions as an object?
A．He doesn‘t like the idea of my speaking at the meeting． B．It is no use your pretending not to know the matter．
C．My parents strongly object to my going out alone at night． D．Her falling into the river was the climax of the whole trip． 59．All the following sentences have an appositive EXCEPT A．She bought herself a pair of new shoes． B．Only one problem still remains-the food． C．My friends all understand and support me． D．She liked her current job，teaching English．
60．Which of the following best explains the meaning of―Shall we buy the tickets first‖? A．He said that we were going to buy the tickets first． B．He requested that we buy the tickets first． C．He suggested that we buy the tickets first． D．He advised us to buy the tickets first．
61．Which of the following contains an adverbial clause of cause? A．I got a job as soon as I left university． B．As there was no answer, I wrote again． C．You must do the exercises as I show you． D．Wealthy as he is，Mark is not a happy man．
62．Which of the following prepositional phrases can function as an adverbial? A．Are you sure of Simon's disappearance?
B．The man with a beard is talking to the manage.
C．Every precaution was taken against the failure of the plan． D．Despite the rain，everyone enjoyed the trip．
63．A：Mother．you promised to take me out． B：Well_____ A. so I did! B. so did I. C. so I do! D. so do I
64．Which of the following prepositional phrases is an adverbial of concession? A．They used the box for keeping treasures． B．I stepped aside for her to get in first．
C．For all that he seems to dislike me，I still like him． D．The parents bought a birthday cake for their son． 65．Which of the following sentences is INCORRECT? A．Poultry are very expensive in the city．
B．New machinery were introduced in the factory． C．The police are investigating the murder case．
D．The militia were called out to rescue flood victims．
66．The girl cannot come to school today on account of the flu．The underlined part means_____. A．concerning B．because of C．as to D．for
67．Mary and John are busy looking for a hotel for their wedding _____． A．meal B．snack C．refreshment D．banquet 68．Mini-skirts first _____ in the 1960s．
A．caught out B．caught in C．caught on D．caught up
69．That outburst at the meeting was ____ of his bad temper． A．illustrative B．explanatory C．expository D．revealing 70．The earthquake refugees are ____ for food and blankets． A．desirous B．ambitious C．seriously off D．badly off
71．When Linda heard the good news she tried to sound casual，but her excitement was obvious． The underlined part means _____．
A．uncaring B．disinterested C．without plan D．without warning 72．Most Chinese people went to work by bike within living _____． A．mind B．knowledge C．memory D．scope
73．The speaker was very good at ____ his ideas during the discussion． A．putting aside B．putting across C．putting back D．putting off 74．The food is good at this hotel，but the ____ is poor；the waiters don‘t seem to be well trained． A．maintenance B．repair C．charge D．service 75．Slavery was ____ in America in the 19th century．
A．abolished B．cancelled C．abandoned D．terminated
76．Mercifully，I was able to complete all I had to do within a few days．The underlined part means _____.
A．efficiently B．surprisingly C．fortunately D．shortly
77．The boys in the dorm ____ a coin to decide who would clean the floor． A．held B．tossed C．put D．collected
78．The patterns of spoken language are ____ from those of writing． A．distinct B．distinctive C．distinguished D．distinguishing 79．A(n)____ shape has four straight sides at 90°to each other, two of which are much longer than the other two．
A．square B．oval C．oblong D．circular 80．I‘d like to have a ____ word with his parents． A．peaceful B．quiet C．silent D．personal
PART 4 GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY 15 MIN 13年
51. Facing the board of directors, he didn‟t deny ________ breaking the agreement.
A. him B. it C. his D. its
52. Xinchun returned from aboard a different man. The italicized part functions as a (n) ______.
A. appositive (同位语) B. object C. adverbial D. complement. 53. Which of the following is a compound word (复合词)? ______.
A. Nonsmoker. B. Deadline. C. Meanness. D. Misfit. 54. Which of the following sentences contains subjunctive mood? ______.
A. Lucy insisted that her son get home before 5 o’clock? B. She used to drive to work, but now she takes the city metro. C. Walk straight ahead, and don't turn till the second traffic lights. D. Paul will cancel his flight if he cannot get his visa by Friday.
55. The following determiners(限定词) can be used with both plural and uncountable nouns EXCEPT ______.
A. more. B. enough. C. many. D. such. 56. Which of the italicized parts indicates CONTRAST? ______.
A. She opened the door and quietly went in.
B. Victoria likes music and Sam is fond of sports. C. Think it over again and you‟ll get an answer. D. He is somewhat arrogant, and I don't like this.
57. Which of the following CANNOT be used as a nominal substitute(名词替代词)? ______.
A. Much. B. Neither. C. One. D. Quarter.
58. All the following sentences definitely indicate future time EXCEPT ______.
A. Mother is to have tea with Aunt Betty at four. B. The President is coming to the UN next week. C. The school pupils will be home by now.
D. He is going to email me the necessary information.
59. Which of the following sentences is grammatically INCORRECT? ______.
A. Politics are the art or science of government. B. Ten miles seems like a long walk to me. C. Mumps is a kind of infectious disease. D. All the furniture has arrived undamaged.
60. Which of in the following phrases indicates a subject-predicate relationship? ______.
A. The arrival of the tourists B. The law of Newton
C. The occupation of the island D. The plays of Oscar Wilde
61. Which of the following italicized parts serves as an appositive? ______.
A. He is not the man to draw back. B. Tony hit back the urge to tell a lie. C. Larry has a large family to support. D. There is really nothing to fear.
62. Which of the following is NOT an imperative sentence? ______.
A. Let me drive you home, shall I? B. You will mind your own business! C. Come and have dinner with us. D. I wish you could stay behind. ‗ 63. If it ______ tomorrow, the match would be put off.
A. were to rain B. was to rain C. was raining D. had rained 64. Which of the following sentences expresses a fact? ______.
A. Mary and her son must be home by now. B.Careless reading must give poor results. C. It‟s getting late, and I must leave now. D. He must be working late at the office.
65. The following are all dynamic verbs(动态动词) EXCEPT ______.
A. remain. B. turn. C. write. D. knock.
66. ____ to school life was less difficult than the pupil had expected.
A. Adhering B. Adopting C. Adjusting D. Acquainting
67. He is fed up with the same old dreary routine, and wants to quit his job. The underlined part means _________.
A. dull. B. boring C. long D. hard
68. At last night‟s party Larry said something that I though was beyond me. The underlined part means ________.
A. I was unable to do B. I couldn’t understand C. I was unable to stop D. I couldn‘t tolerate
69. The couple ______their old house and sold it for a vast profit. A. did for B. did in C. did with D. did up
70. Sally contributed a lot to the project, but she never once accepted all the ____ for herself. A. credit B. attention C. focus D. award
71. The child nodded, apparently content with his mother‟s promise. The underlined part means _________.
A. as far as one has learnt B. as far as one is concerned C. as far as one can see D. as far as one is told
72. The ________ that sport builds character is well accepted by people nowadays. A. issue B. argument C. point D. sentence
73. Everyone in the office knows that Melinda takes infinite care over her work. The underlined part means ________.
A. limited B. unnecessary C. overdue D. much
74. The new measure will reduce the chance of serious injury in the event of an accident. The underlined part means _________.
A. if an accident happens B. if an accident can be prevented C. before an accident D. during an accident
75. Traditionally, local midwives would ________ all the babies in the area. A. handle B. produce C. deliver D. help
76. No food or drink is allowed on the premises. The underlined part means ________. A. proposition B. advertisement C. building D. street
77. The court would not accept his appeal unless ________ evidence is provided. A. conclusive B. definite C. eventual D. concluding
78. As soon as he opened the door, a ________ of cold air swept through the house. A. flow B. movement C. rush D. blast
79. She really wanted to say something at the meeting, but eventually ________ from it. A. prevented B. refrained C. limited D. restricted
80. The couple told the decorator that they wanted their bedroom gaily painted. The underlined part means _________.
A. brightly B. light-heartedly C. cheerfully D. lightly
三、 阅读理解
PART V READING COMPREHENSION [25 MIN] 11年 TEXT A
No, the decline of reading. People are just not doing it anymore, especially the young. Who‘s responsible? Actually, it‘s more like, What is responsible? The Internet, of course, and everything that comes with it — Facebook, Twitter (微博). You can write your own list.
There‘s been a warning about the imminent death of literate civilization for a long time. In the 20th century, first it was the movies, then radio, then television that seemed to spell doom for the written world. None did. Reading survived; in fact it not only survived, it has flourished. The world is more literate than ever before — there are more and more readers, and more and more books.
The fact that we often get our reading material online today is not something we should worry over. The electronic and digital revolution of the last two decades has arguably shown the way forward for reading and for writing. Take the arrival of e-book readers as an example. Devices like Kindle make reading more convenient and are a lot more environmentally friendly than the traditional paper book.
We have a crisis on our hands. You mean global warning? The world economy?
As technology makes new ways of writing possible, new ways of reading are possible. Interconnectivity allows for the possibility of a reading experience that was barely imaginable before. Where traditional books had to make do with photographs and illustrations, an e-book can provide readers with an unlimited number of links: to texts, pictures, and videos. In the future, the way people write novels, history, and philosophy will resemble nothing seen in the past.
On the other hand, there is the danger of trivialization. One Twitter group is offering its followers single-sentence-long ―digests‖ of the great novels. War and Peace in a sentence? You must be joking. We should fear the fragmentation of reading. There is the danger that the high-speed connectivity of the Internet will reduce our attention span — that we will be incapable of reading anything of length or which requires deep concentration.
In such a fast-changing world, in which reality seems to be remade each day, we need the ability to focus and understand what is happening to us. This has always been the function of literature and we should be careful not to let it disappear. Our society needs to be able to imagine the possibility of someone utterly in tune with modern technology but able to make sense of a dynamic, confusing world.
In the 15th century, Johannes Guttenberg‘s invention of the printing press in Europe had a huge impact on civilization. Once upon a time the physical book was a challenging thing. We should remember this before we assume that technology is out to destroy traditional culture.
81. Which of the following paragraphs briefly reviews the historical challenges for reading? A. Paragraph One. B. Paragraph Two. C. Paragraph Three. D. Paragraph Four. 82. The following are all cited as advantages of e-books EXCEPT A. multimodal content. B. environmental friendliness. C. convenience for readers. D. imaginative design.
83. Which of the following can best describe how the author feels toward single-sentence-long novels?
A. Ironic. B. Worried. C. Sarcastic. D. Doubtful.
84. According to the passage, people need knowledge of modern technology and to survive in the fast-changing society.
A. good judgment B. high sensitivity C. good imagination D. the ability to focus 85. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Technology pushes the way forward for reading and writing. B. Interconnectivity is a feature of new reading experience.
C. Technology is an opportunity and a challenge for traditional reading. D. Technology offers a greater variety of reading practice. TEXT B
I know when the snow melts and the first robins (知更鸟) come to call, when the
laughter of children returns to the parks and playgrounds, something wonderful is about to happen.
Spring cleaning.
I‘ll admit spring cleaning is a difficult notion for modern families to grasp. Today‘s busy families hardly have time to load the dishwasher, much less clean the doormat. Asking the family to spend the weekend collecting winter dog piles from the melting snow in the backyard is like announcing there will be no more Wi-Fi. It interrupts the natural order.
―Honey, what say we spend the weekend beating the rugs, sorting through the boxes in the basement and painting our bedroom a nice lemony yellow?‖ I say.
―Can we at least wait until the NBA matches are over?‖ my husband answers.
But I tell my family, spring cleaning can’t wait. The temperature has risen just enough to melt snow but not enough for Little League practice to start. Some flowers are peeking out of the thawing ground, but there is no lawn to seed, nor garden to tend. Newly wakened from our winter‘s hibernation (冬眠), yet still needing extra blankets at night, we open our windows to the first fresh air floating on the breeze and all of the natural world demanding ―Awake and be clean!‖
Biologists offer a theory about this primal impulse to clean out every drawer and closet in the house at spring‘s first light, which has to do with melatonin, the sleepytime hormone (激素) our bodies produce when it‘s dark. When spring‘s light comes, the melatonin diminishes, and suddenly we are awakened to the dusty, virus-filled house we‘ve been hibernating in for four months.
I tell my family about the science and psychology of a good healthy cleaning at spring‘s arrival. I speak to them about life‘s greatest rewards waiting in the removal of soap scum from the bathtub, which hasn‘t been properly cleaned since the first snowfall.
―I‘ll do it,‖ says the eldest child, a 21-year-old college student who lives at home. ―You will? Wow!‖ I exclaim.
Maybe after all these years, he‘s finally grasped the concept. Maybe he‘s expressing his rightful position as eldest child and role model. Or maybe he‘s going to Florida for a break in a couple of weeks and he‘s being nice to me who is the financial-aid officer.
No matter. Seeing my adult son willingly cleaning that dirty bathtub gives me hope for the future of his 12-year-old brother who, instead of working, is found to be sleeping in the seat of the window he is supposed to be cleaning.
“Awake and be clean!” I say.
86. According to the passage, “…spring cleaning is difficult notion for modern families to grasp‖ means that spring cleaning
A. is no longer an easy practice to understand.
B. is no longer part of modern family life.
C. requires more family members to be involved. D. calls for more complicated skills and knowledge.
87. Which of the following is LEAST likely to be included in family spring cleaning? A. Beating the rugs. B. Cleaning the window. C. Restoring Wi-Fi services. D. Cleaning the backyard. 88. Why does the author say ―spring cleaning can’t wait‖?
A. Because there will be more activities when it gets warmer. B. Because the air is fresher and the breeze is lighter.
C. Because the whole family is full of energy at spring time. D. Because the snow is melting and the ground is thawing.
89. Which of the following interpretations of the biologists‘ theory about melatonin is INCORRECT?
A. The production of melatonin in our bodies varies at different times. B. Melatonin is more likely to cause sleepiness in our bodies.
C. The reduction of melatonin will cause wakefulness in our bodies. D. The amount of melatonin remains constant in our bodies.
90. Which of the following can best sum up the author‘s overall reaction to her adult son‘s positive response to spring cleaning?
A. Surprised and skeptical. B. Elated and hesitant. C. Relieved and optimistic. D. Optimistic and hesitant. TEXT C
These days lots of young Japanese do omiai, literally, “meet and look.” Many of them do so willingly. In today‘s prosperous and increasingly conservative Japan, the traditional omiai kekkon, or arranged marriage, is thriving.
But there is a difference. In the original omiai, the young Japanese couldn‘t reject the partner chosen by his parents and their middleman. After World War II, many Japanese abandoned the arranged marriage as part of their rush to adopt the more democratic ways of their American conquerors. The Western ren’ai kekkon, or love marriage, became popular; Japanese began picking their own mates by dating and falling in love.
But the Western way was often found wanting in an important respect: it didn‘t necessarily produce a partner of the right economic, social, and educational qualifications. ―Today‘s young people are quite calculating,‖ says Chieko Akiyama, a social commentator.
What seems to be happening now is a repetition of a familiar process in the country‘s history, the ―Japanization‖ of an adopted foreign practice. The Western ideal of marrying for love is accommodated in a new omiai in which both parties are free to reject the match. ―Omiai is evolving into a sort of stylized introduction,‖ Mrs. Akiyama says.
Many young Japanese now date in their early twenties, but with no thought of marriage. When they reach the age — in the middle twenties for women, the late twenties for men — they increasingly turn to omiai. Some studies suggest that as many as 40% of marriages each year are omiai kekkon. It‘s hard to be sure, say those who study the matter, because many Japanese couples, when polled, describe their marriage as a love match even if it was arranged.
These days, doing omiai often means going to a computer matching service rather than to a nakodo. The nakodo of tradition was an old woman who knew all the kids in the neighbourhood and went around trying to pair them off by speaking to their parents; a successful match would bring her a wedding invitation and a gift of money. But Japanese today find it‘s less awkward to reject a proposed partner if the nakodo is a computer.
Japan has about five hundred computer matching services. Some big companies, including Mitsubishi, run one for their employees. At a typical commercial service, an applicant pays $80 to $125 to have his or her personal data stored in the computer for two years and $200 or so more if a marriage results. The stored information includes some obvious items, like education and hobbies, and some not-so-obvious ones, like whether a person is the oldest child. (First sons, and to some extent first daughter, face an obligation of caring for elderly parents.)
91. According to the passage, today‘s young Japanese prefer A. a traditional arranged marriage. B. a new type of arranged marriage. C. a Western love marriage.
D. a more Westernized love marriage.
92. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
A. A Western love marriage tends to miss some Japanese values.
B. Less attention is paid to the partner‘s qualification in arranged marriages. C. Young Japanese would often calculate their partner‘s wealth. D. A new arranged marriage is a repetition of the older type.
93. According to the passage, the figure 40% (Paragraph Five) is uncertain because A. there has been a big increase in the number of arranged marriages. B. Western love marriage still remains popular among young Japanese. C. young Japanese start dating very early in their life in a Western tradition.
D. the tendency for arranged marriages could be stronger than is indicated.
94. One of the big differences between a traditional nakodo and its contemporary version lies in the way
A. wedding gifts are presented. B. a proposed partner is refused.
C. formalities are arranged. D. the middleman/woman is chosen. 95. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?
A. To tell the differences between an old and modern nakodo. B. To provide some examples for the traditional nakodo. C. To offer more details of the computerized nakodo. D. To sum up the main ideas and provide a conclusion. TEXT D
Cordia Harrington was tired of standing up all day and smelling like French fries at night. She owned and operated three McDonald’s shops in Illinois, but as a divorced mother of three boys, she yearned for a business that would provide for her children and let her spend more time with them.
Her lucky moment came, strangely enough, after she was nominated in 1992 to be on the McDonald‘s bun committee. ―The company picked me up in a corporate jet to see bakeries around the world,‖ she recalls. ―Every time I went to a meeting, I love it. This was global!‖
The experience opened her eyes to business possibilities. When McDonald‘s decided it wanted a new bun supplier, Harrington became determined to win the contract, even though she had no experience running a bakery.
Harrington studied the bakery business and made sure she was never off executives’ radar. ―If you have a dream, you can‘t wait for people to call you,‖ she says. ―So I‘d visit a mill and send them photos of myself in a baker‘s hat and jacket, holding a sign that say ‗I want to be your baker.‘ ‖ After four years and 32 interviews, her persistence paid off.
Harrington sealed the deal with a handshake, sold her shops, and borrowed $13.5 million. She was ready to build the fastest, most automated bakery in the world.
The Tennessee Bun Company opened ahead of schedule in 1997, in time for a slump in U.S. fast-food sales for McDonald‘s. Before Harrington knew it, she was down to her last $20,000, not enough to cover payroll. And her agreement with McDonald‘s required that she sell exclusively to the company. ―I cried myself to sleep many nights,‖ she recalls. ―I really did think, I am going to go bankrupt.‖
But Harrington worked out an agreement to supply Pepperidge Farm as well. ―McDonald‘s could see a benefit if our production went up and prices went down, and no benefit if we went out of business,‖ she says. ―That deal saved us.‖
Over the next eight years, Harrington branched out even more: She started her own trucking business, added a cold-storage company, and now has three bakeries producing fresh buns and frozen dough — all now known as the Bun Companies. Speed is still a priority: It takes 11 people at the main bakery to turn out 60,000 buns an hour for clients across 40 states, South America, and the Caribbean.
Grateful for the breaks she‘s had, Harrington is passionate about providing opportunities to all 230 employees. ―Financial success is the most fun when you can give it away,‖ she says.
The current economy is challenging. Some of her clients‘ sales have declined, but she‘s found new clients and improved efficiencies to help sustain the company‘s double-digit growth.
Cordia Harrington doesn‘t have to stand on her feet all day anymore. Two of her three sons now work for her. And she‘s remarried — her husband, Tom, is now her CFO.
―This is more than a job,‖ says Harrington. ―It‘s a mission. I‘m always thinking. How can we best serve our employees? If we support them, they‘ll do their best to look after our clients. That‘s how it works here.‖
96. According to the passage, which of the following was most significant in her early career? A. Her nomination on the McDonald’s bun committee. B. Her travel and the visits to bakeries around the world. C. A business contract with local bun suppliers.
D. The interviews and experience in running a bakery.
97. ―Harrington…made sure she was never off executives’ radar‖ (Paragraph Four) means that she A. herself wanted to be a company executive. B. meant to hire executives to run the business.
C. meant to keep her management knowledge and skills. D. focused on the management of the bakery business.
98. How did she survive the crisis at the start of her bakery business? A. By supplying buns for another company.
B. By opening her bun company ahead of schedule. C. By keeping supplies up for McDonald‘s.
D. By making a new agreement with McDonald‘s.
99. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT in describing her current business? A. It is fast growing. B. It is diversified.
C. Its clients are all local.
D. It is more efficient.
100. According to the passage, which of the following is fundamental to Harrington‘s success? A. Efficiency and love for the family.
B. Perseverance and concern for employees. C. Business expansion and family support. D. Opportunities and speed.
PART V READING COMPREHENSION 【25 MIN】 12年 TEXT A
Saying“thank you”is probably the first thing most of us learn to do in a foreign language．After all，we‘re brought up to be polite，and it is important to make a good impression upon other people—especially across national divides．
So．what exactly are you supposed to say when \"thank you\" is only the 20th most popular way to express gratitude? According to a recent survey,19 other ways of expressing appreciation finished ahead of \"thank you\" in a poll of 3,000 people．
Pollsters found almost half of those asked preferred the more informal―cheers‖，while others liked to use such expressions as―ta‖,―great\" and―nice one‖．
So，just what is the appropriate form of words to express your thanks?
Fortunately, the clue is in the language itself．―Cheers‖，despite its popularity，is considered an informal way to say thank you—and this is a definite clue as to when you can best use it．
For instance，when going for a drink with friends，a smile and a―cheers‖by way of thanks is not only appropriate to the situation，it is also culturally accurate．
―Ta‖，originated from the Danish word―tak‖, was the second-most popular expression of thanks，and is also commonly used in informal situations，along with phrases such as―nice one‖， and―brilliant‖．Interestingly, one word that didn‘t make it into the top 20 was―thanks‖．Thank you's shorter, more informal cousin． ―Thanks‖can be useful，as it is able to bridge the divide between the formality of ―thank you\" and the downright relaxed―cheers‖．
Certain words can double as an expression of thanks as well as delight．Again，the words themselves offer the clue as to when best to use them． For example，words like―awesome‖，―brilliant\" and―you star\" featured highly in the new poll and they can hint at both your pleasure at someone's action，as well as serving to express your thanks．If you are on the receiving end of a―new‖thank you，you can respond with a simple―no problem‖, or―sure‖．
Of course，in certain circumstances，a simple wave，nod or smile may be appropriate．For instance，if a car driver slows down to let you cross the road，simply raising your hand in acknowledgement is enough to show that you appreciate the driver's consideration．
Sometimes，formality is necessary, and―thank you‖is still the best choice in such situations． But students should not worry about when exactly to use certain expressions．
Many people in Western countries are worried that good manners are in decline．People are tired of seeing their acts of kindness and service pass without comment．So don‘t think that your
―thank you‖was clumsy or awkwardly formal．The chances are，if you said ―thank you‖，you made someone‘s day．You star．
81．We can tell from the results of the poll that
A．people are unconcerned about politeness nowadays． B．―thank you‖remains the best expression of gratitude． C．there is a variety of expressions of appreciation． D．there are more formal expressions than informal ones． 82．Which word/phrase does NOT appear in the top 20?
A．Cheers． B．Thanks． C．Brilliant． D．You star．
83．According to the passage．which is an appropriate response to―awesome‖or―brilliant‖? A．Thanks． B．Cheers． C．Nice one． D．Sure．
84．According to the passage，the way in which we express our gratitude depends on all the following EXCEPT
A．gender． B．formality． C．culture． D．circumstance． 85．In the last paragraph the author encourages people to A．continue their acts of kindness． B．behave themselves well．
C．show their gratitude to others．
D．stop worrying about bad manners． TEXT B
From 2007 to 2010，American households lost $l1 trillion in real estate，savings, and stocks More than half of all U．S．workers either lost their jobs or were forced to take cuts in hours or pay during the recession．The worst may be behind them now, but the shocking losses of the past few years have reshaped nearly every facet of their lives—how they live，work，and spend—even the way they think about the future．
For Cindy, the recession began when her husband was relocated to Rhinelander, Wisconsin．by his company forcing the family to move in a hurry．The couple bought a new house but were unable to sell their two-bedroom home in Big Lake，Minnesota．With two mortgages(抵押借款) and two young children to care for, Cindy couldn't imagine how to stretch her husband's paycheck to keep her family fed．
Then she stumbled upon an online community called Blotanical，a forum for gardeners，many with an interest in sustainability．―The more I read and discussed these practices，the more I realized this would help not only our budget but also our health，‖she says．
Cindy admits that before the recession，she was a city girl with no interest in growing her own dinner．―I grew flowers mostly—I didn‘t think about plants that weren‘t visually interesting.\" But to stretch her budget，she began putting in vegetables and fruit—everything from strawberry beds to apple trees—and as her first seedlings grew，her spirits lifted．She no longer thinks of gardening and making her own jams as just a money saver；they‘re a genuine pleasure．―It‘s brought us closer together as a family, too，‖she says．Her kids voluntarily pitch in with(主动帮助)the garden work，and the family cooks together instead of eating out．The food tastes better —it's fresher and organic —and the garden handily fulfills its original purpose：cost cutting．Now she spends about $200 to $300 a month on groceries．less than half of the $650 a month that she used to lay out．
After discovering how resourceful she can be in tough times，Cindy is no longer easily discouraged．―It makes me feel proud to be able to say I made it myself,‖she says．―I feel accomplished，and I'm more confident about attempting things I've never done before．\" Now she avoids convenience stores and has begun learning to knit，quilt，and make her own soap．\"I don't think I would have ever begun this journey if it weren‘t for the recession，‖she says．―I have a feeling that from now on，it will affect my family‘s health and happiness for the better．\" 86．We learn from the first paragraph that the recession A．affected Americans in certain occupations．
B．had great impact on Americans’work and life． C．had only brought huge losses in savings and stocks． D．is over with some of the losses recovered.
87．What made the family's financial situation even worse was that they A．moved to Rhinelander in a hurry． B．had two children to raise．
C．didn't know anyone in Rhinelander． D．couldn't sell their home in Big Lake．
88．Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
A．Cindy had seen the benefits of gardening in a different way． B．Cindy had developed a hobby of gardening before the recession． C．Cindy had already had a keen interest in sustainability． D．Cindy had already planned to meet the gardeners．
89．In addition, Cindy views gardening as a genuine pleasure because gardening A．helped her cut living costs almost by half． B．enabled her to make her own jams．
C．built up family ties and kids’enthusiasm． D．enabled her to know more about plants．
90．What does Cindy think of the difficult times she has gone through? A．It gave the couple and their kids a tough lesson． B．It gave her confidence and optimism． C．It would come again and affect the family．
D．It left a lasting psychological impact on the family．
TEXT C
“I'm a little worried about my future，”said Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate．He should be so lucky．All he had to worry about was whether to have an affair with Mrs Robinson．In the sixties，that was the sum total of post-graduation anxiety syndrome． Hoffman's modern counterparts are not so fortunate．The Mrs Robinsons aren't sitting around at home any
more，seducing graduates．They are out in the workplace，doing the high-powered jobs the graduates want，but cannot get．For those fresh out of university, desperate for work but unable to get it，there is a big imbalance between supply and demand．And there is no narrowing of the gap in sight．
The latest unemployment figures show that 746,000 of 18-24 year-olds are unemployed— a record rate of 18 per cent．Many of those will have graduated this summer．They are not panicking yet，but as the job rejections mount up，they are beginning to feel alarmed．
Of course，it is easy to blame the Government and，in particular, the target that Labour has long trumpeted---50 per cent of school-leavers in higher education．That was not too smart．The Government has not only failed to meet its target—the actual figure is still closer to 40 per cent— but it has raised expectations to unrealistic levels．
Parents feel as badly let down as the young people themselves．Middle-class families see their graduate offspring on the dole(救济金)queue and wonder why they bothered paying school fees．Working-class families feel an even keener sense of disappointment．For many such families，getting a child into university was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream．It represented upward social and financial mobility．It was proof that they were living in a dynamic，economically successful country．That dream does not seem so rosy now．
Graduate unemployment is not，ultimately, a political problem ready to be solved．Job-creation schemes
for graduates are very low down in ministerial in-trays．If David Cameron's Conservatives had a brilliant idea for guaranteeing every graduate a well-paid job，they would have unveiled it by now．It is a social problem，though a more deep-seated social problem than people perhaps realize．
91．The author begins with an episode from The Graduate in order to A．support the fact that more women are working now．
B．show that few graduates started working right after graduation． C．demonstrate that there were much fewer graduates than now． D．emphasize the sharp contrast between now and then．
92．With regard to job opportunities for young graduates，the author sounds A．pessimistic． B．hopeful． C．indifierent． D．furious．
93．The author is ____ the Labour Government's target：50% of school leavers in higher education．
A．in favour of B．doubtful about C．strongly critical of D．mildly critical of
94．Which of the following statements about parents‘feelings is CORRECT? A．Working—class parents feel just as disappointed．
B．Parents and their children feel equally disappointed． C．Middle—class parents feel more disappointed． D．Parents feel more disappointed than their children． 95．Towards the end of the passage，the author implies that A．there will be job-creation schemes for graduates． B．graduate unemployment is more of a political issue．
C．graduate unemployment is both a political and a social issue．
D．the Conservatives are doing far from enough to solve the issue． TEXT D
No matter how many times you have seen images of the golden mask of
boyking Tutankhamen，come face to face with it in Egypt's Cairo museum，and you will suck in your breath．
It was on Nov 4，1923，that British archaeologist Howard Carter stumbled on a stone at the base of the tomb
of another pharaoh(法老)in Luxor that eventually led to a sealed doorway． Then，on Nov 23，Carter found a second door and when he stuck his head through it，what he saw was to stun the world．Inside lay the great stone coffin，enclosing three chests of gilded wood．
A few months later, when a crane lifted its granite cover and one coffin after another was removed, Carter found a solid block of gold weighing 110kg．In it was the mummy(木乃伊) of the 19-year-old Tutankhamen，covered in gold with that splendid funeral mask．And all this lay buried for more than 3,000 years．
Months after my trip to Egypt, I can relive the rush of emotion I felt and sense the hush that descended on the crammed Cairo museum's Tutankhamen gallery．
Cairo，a dusty city of 20 million people，is a place where time seems to both stand still and rush into utter chaos．It is a place where the ancient and contemporary happily go along on parallel tracks．
Take the Great Pyramids of Giza，sitting on the western edge of the city．Even as the setting sun silhouettes these gigantic structures against the great desert expanse，a call for prayer floats over semi-finished apartment blocks filled with the activity of city life．
While careful planning for the afterlife may lie buried underground in Cairo，it is noise and confusion on the streets．Donkey carts battle for space with pedestrians and the only operative road rule is―might is right．‖But it is a city that is full of life—from the small roadside restaurants to the coffee shops where men and women smoke the shisha(水烟壶)．
Donkey carts piled high with flat-breads magically find their way in and out the maddening traffic；young women in long skirts and headscarves hold hands with young men in open collar shirts，while conversations dwell on Kuwait's chances at the soccer World Cup．
96．According to the context,―suck in your breath‖means―feel a sense of ____\"． A．awe B．horror C．doubt D．delight
97．Which of the following statements about the discovery of the mummy is INCORRECT? A．The mummy was first discovered by a British archaeologist． B．The discovery of the mummy came as a surprise．
C．The mummy was found lying right inside the stone coffin． D．The masked mummy was covered in gold．
98．Which word CANNOT be used to describe the city of Cairo?
A．Crowdedness． B．Quiet． C．Noise． D．Confusion． 99．Which pair of words/phrases indicates contrast? A．Gigantic structure；great desert expanse
B．A call for prayer；men and women with the shisha
C．Chaos；maddening D．Coffee shops；pyramids 100．What is the author's attitude towards Cairo?
A．Positive． B．Objective． C．Negative． D. Not clear
PART V READING COMPREHENSION 25 MIN 2013年
TEXT A
The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs and chat forums offer rival approaches to communication - but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various vital functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute, entertaining, or simply introducing someone or something or accepting something. Over the past year, the human voice has helped guide us over the ups and downs of what was certainly a stormy time.
Persuasion is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in
Copenhagen in December 2009, persuasive words from activists encouraged them to commit themselves to firmer action. Inspirational speeches confront the emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people's hearts. During wars, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
A speech that conveys knowledge and enhances understanding can inform us. The information must be clear, accurate, and expressed in a meaningful and interesting way.（流行病）announced, the idea of “swine flu” many people. Informative speeches from World Health Organization officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take sensible precautions.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna's speech about Michael Jackson,after his death, highlighted the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It's not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be surprisingly helpful in the course of our own lives.
If you‟re taking part in a debate you need to persuade the listeners of the soundness of your argument. In sports, athletes know the importance of a pep talk（鼓舞士气的讲话） before a match to inspire teammates. You yourself may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform the others about an area of vital importance.
On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be
asked to introduce a speaker at a family event or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we're born with. Even Barack Obama works hard
to perfect every speech. For a brilliant speech, there are rules that you can put to good use. To learn those rules you have to practice and learn from some outstanding speeches in the past.
81. The author thinks the spoken word is still irreplaceable because ______. A. it has always been used to inspire or persuade people. B. it has a big role to play in the entertainment business. C. it plays important roles in human communication.
D. it is of great use in everyday-life context.
82. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about the role of public speaking? _____ A. Speeches at world forums can lead to effective solutions to world problems. B. Speeches from medical authorities can calm people down in times of pandemics. C. The morale of soldiers before a battle can be boosted by senior officers' speeches. D. Speeches paying tribute to the dead can comfort the mourners. 83. Public speaking can play all the following roles EXCEPT ______. A. to convince people in a debate. B. to inform people at a presentation. C. to advise people at work.
D. to entertain people at a wedding.
84. According to the passage, which of the following best explains the author's view on ______ “great speaking ability”?
A. It comes from observing rules. B. It can be perfected with easy effort. C. It can be acquired from birth.
D. It comes from learning and practice.
85. What is the main idea of the passage? ______. A. Public speaking in international forums. B. The many uses of public speaking. C. Public speaking in daily life context. D. The rules of public speaking. TEXT B
Every business needs two things, says Skullcandy CEO Rick Alden: inspiration and desperation. In 2001, Alden had both. He'd sold two snowboarding businesses, and he was desperately bored. But he had an idea: He wanted to make a new kind of headphone. “I kept seeing people missing their cell phone calls because they were listening to music,” he explains. Then I'm in a chairlift, I've got my headphones on, and I realize my phone is ringing. As 1 take my gloves off and reach for my phone, I think, “It can't be that tough to make headphones with two plugs, one for music and one for your cell phone.” Alden described what he wanted to a designer, perfected a prototype, and outsourced（外包）manufacturing overseas.
Alden then started designing headphones into helmets, backpacks - anywhere that would make it easy to listen to music while snowboarding. “Selling into board and skate shops wasn't a big research effort,” he explains. “Those were the only guys I knew!”
Alden didn‟t want to be a manufacturer. And by outsourcing, he'd hoped he could get the business off the ground without debt. But he was wrong. So he asked his wife, “Can I put a （抵押贷款） on the house? She said, „What is the worst thing that can happen? We lose the house, we sell our cars, and we start all over again.‟ I definitely married the right woman!”
For the next two years, Alden juggled mortgage payments and payments to his manufacturers. “Factories won't ship your product till they get paid,” he says. “But it takes four or five months to get a mortgage company so upset that they knock on your door. So we paid the factory first.”
Gradually, non-snowboarders began to notice the colorful headphones. In 2006, the company started selling them in 1,400 FYE (For Your Entertainment) stores. “We knew that nine out often people walking into that store would be learning about Skullcandy for the first time. Why would they look at brands they knew and take home a new brand instead? We had agreed to buy back anything we didn‘t sell, but we were dealing with huge numbers. It‘d kill us to take back all the products
Alden‟s fears faded as Skullcandy became the No. 1 headphone seller in those stores and tripled its revenue to $120 million in one year. His key insight was that headphones weren‘t
gadgets; they were a fashion accessory. “In the beginning,” he says, “that little white wire that said you had an iPod ---that was cool. But now wearing the white bud means you‘re just like everyone else. Headphones occupy this critical piece of cranial real estate and are highly visible.”
Today, Skullcandy is America's second-largest headphone supplier, after Sony. With 79 employees, the company is bigger than Alden ever imagined.
86. Alden came up with the idea of a new kind of headphone because he ______. A. was no longer in snowboarding business. B. had no other business opportunities. C. was very fond of modern music.
D. saw an inconvenience among mobile users.
87. The new headphone was originally designed for ______. A. snowboarders. B. motorcyclists. C. mountain hikers. D. marathon runners.
88. Did Alden solve the money problem? ______. A. He sold his house and his cars.
B. Factories could ship products before being paid. C. He borrowed money from a mortgage company. D. He borrowed money from his wife's family.
89. What did Alden do to promote sales in FYE stores? ______. A. He spent more money on product advertising. B. He promised to buy back products not sold. C. He agreed to sell products at a discount.
D. He improved the colour design of the product. 90. Alden sees headphones as ______. A. a sign of self-confidence. B. a symbol of status. C. part of fashion. D. a kind of device. TEXT C
I was standing in my kitchen wondering what to have for lunch when my friend Taj called. “Sit down,” she said. I thought she was going to tell me she had just gotten the haircut from hell. I laughed and said, “It can't be that bad.”
But it was. Before the phone call, I had 30 years of retirement saving in a “safe” fund with a brilliant financial guru（金融大亨）.When I put down the phone, my savings were gone. I felt as if I had died and, for some unknown reason, was still breathing.
Since Bernie Madoff‟s arrest on charges of running a $65 million Ponzi scheme, I've
read many articles about how we investors should have known what was going on. I wish I could say I had reservations about Madoff before “the Call”, but I did not.
On New Year's Eve, three weeks after we lost our savings, six of us Madoff people gathered at Taj's house for dinner. As we were sitting around the table, someone asked, “If you could have your money back right now, but it would mean giving up what you have learned by losing it, would you take the money or would you take what losing the money has given you?”
My husband was still in financial shock. He said, “I just want the money back.” I wasn't certain where I stood. I knew that losing our money had cracked me wide open. I‘d been walking around like what the Buddhists call a hungry ghost: always focused on the bite that was yet to come, not the one in my mouth. No matter how much I ate or had or experienced, it didn‘t satisfy me, because I wasn‘t really taking it in, wasn't absorbing it. Now I was forced to pay attention. Still, I couldn't honestly say that if someone had offered me the money back, I would turn it down.
But the other four all said that what they were seeing about themselves was incalculable, and they didn‘t think it would have become apparent without the ground of financial stability being ripped out from underneath them.
My friend Michael said,I‘d started to get complacent. It‘s as if the muscles of my heart started to atrophy（萎缩）. Now they‟re awake, alive—and I don‟t want to go back.” Theseweren‘t
just empty words. Michael and his wife needed to take in boarders to meet their expenses. Taj was so broke that she was moving into someone‘s garage apartment in three weeks. Three friends had declared bankruptcy and weren't sure where or how they were going to live.
91. What did the author learn from Taj‟s call? A. had got an awful haircut.
B. They had lost their retirement savings. C. Taj had just retired from work. D. They were going to meet for lunch.
92. How did the author feel in the following weeks? A. Angry. B. Disappointed. C. Indifferent. D. Desperate.
93. According to the passage, to which was she “forced to pay attention”? A. Her friends. B. Her husband. C. Her lost savings. D. Her experience.
94. Which of the following statements is CORRECT about her friends?
A. Her friends valued their experience more. B. Her friends felt the same as she did.
C. Her friends were in a better financial situation. D Her friends were more optimistic than she. 95. What is the message of the passage? A. Desire for money is human nature. B. One has to be decisive during crises.
C. Understanding gained is more important than money lost. D. It is natural to see varied responses to financial crises. TEXT D
In the 19th century, there used to be a model of how to be a good person. There are all these torrents of passion flowing through you. Your job, as captain of your soul, is to erect dams to keep these passions i
n check. Your job is to just say no to laziness, lust, greed, drug use and the other sins.
These days that model is out of fashion. You usually can‘t change your behaviour by simply resolving to do something. Knowing what to do is not the same as being able to do it.
Your willpower is not like a dam that can block the torrent of self-indulgence. It's more like a muscle, which tires easily. Moreover, you're a social being. If everybody around you is overeating, you‟ll probably do so, too. The 19th-century character model was based on an understanding of free will. Today, we know that free will is bounded. People can change their lives, but ordering change is not simple because many things, even within ourselves, are beyond our direct control. Much of our behaviour, for example, is guided by unconscious habits. Researchers at
Duke University calculated that more than 40 percent of the actions we take are governed by habit, not actual decisions. Researchers have also come to understand the structure of habits—cue, routine, reward.
You can change your own personal habits. If you leave running shorts on the floor at
night, that'll be a cue to go running in the morning. Don‟t try to ignore your afternoon snack craving. Every time you feel the cue for a snack, insert another routine. Take a walk. Their research thus implies a different character model, which is supposed to manipulate the neural（神经系统的）networks inside.
To be an effective person, under this model, you are supposed to coolly examine your
own unconscious habits, and the habits of those under your care. You are supposed to devise
strategies to alter the cues and routines. Every relationship becomes slightly manipulative, including your relationship with yourself. You're trying to arouse certain responses by implanting certain cues. This is a bit disturbing, because the important habitual neural networks are not formed
by mere routine, nor can they be reversed by clever cues. They are burned in by emotion and
strengthened by strong yearnings, like the yearnings for admiration and righteousness. If you think you can change your life in a clever way, the way an advertiser can get you to buy an air freshener, you're probably wrong. As the Victorians understood, if you want to change your life, don‘t just look for a clever cue. Commit to some larger global belief.
96. Which of the following is a key element in the 19th-century character model? A. Passion. B. Action. C. Capability. D. Determination.
97. The 19th-century model supposedly does not work because ______. A. there were many other factors beyond one's control. B. it has worked unsatisfactorily most of the time. C. the comparison of free will to a dam is groundless. D. what one wishes to do should be considered carefully.
98. What is the main implication of the research at Duke University? A. Habit is key to one's behaviour.
B. One's behaviour is difficult to change. C. Both habit and will power are important. D. Habit has an unidentified structure.
99. According to the new character model, personal behaviour could be altered through ______. A. cues to stop all the former unconscious habits. B. cues to manipulate the habitual neural responses. C. techniques to devise different physical cues. D. techniques to supplement old routines.
100. We learn from the passage that the new character model ______.
A. stresses the neural and psychological aspects of habit change. B. can bring about changes in one's life like what advertisers do. C. has been used to change behaviour successfully. D. deals better with emotional aspects of behaviour.
四 作文
SECTION A COMPOSITION [35 MIN] 2011年
Recently government agencies in some big cities have been studying the possibility of putting a “pollution tax” on private cars. The amount of tax private car owners would have to pay would depend on the emission levels, i.e. engine or vehicle size. This has caused quite a stir among the public. Some regard it as an effective way to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. But others don‘t think so. What is your opinion?
Should Private Car Owners be Taxed for Pollution?
You are to write in three parts.
In the first part, state specifically what your opinion is.
In the second part, provide one or two reasons to support your opinion.
In the last part, bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or make a summary.
SECTION B NOTE-WRITING [10 MIN]
During the summer vacation you would like to invite your best friend to your home town. Write a note to him/her, extending your invitation and telling him/her how to get to your home town.
2011专四便条写作真题参考范文 April 20, 2008 Dear my friend,
The summer vacation is coming next month. I hope you will visit our home town and stay with us. It's very beautiful here with everything in bloom now. If possible, you can come here by the train No. 1010, which will arrive here at 18:00.I am looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible.
2011年专四作文真题网友参考范文
Should private car owners be taxed for pollution?私家车主是否应交污染税？
With the development of society, many people can afford a car. As the number of the cars is rising, we are facing some problems. One big problem is the pollution caused by the use of cars. In order to solve this problem, government agencies in some big cities recently suggest that a ―pollution tax‖ should be put on private cars in order to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. For my part, I agree to this viewpoint, and my reasons are as follows:
To begin with, cars contribute to the environmental pollution. For example, a lot of big cities in China are now plagued by serious air pollution. Then it is the responsibility of these private car owners to pay for the pollution and they should be taxed. The purpose of collecting environmental pollution tax is to raise the fund, and then utilize the tax revenue lever to protect our environment.
Secondly, it is a good way to raise people‘s environmental awareness by putting a pollution tax on private cars. If people suffer from the financial loss when making a decision, they will think more about their decision. Then they will consider more when deciding to buy a private car. Consequently, the increase rate of the number of the private cars can be controlled.
In a word, it is a very good and necessary attempt to use the means of taxation to treat the pollution. Of course, it must be kept in mind that all people, including the private car owners, should try their best to protect the environment.
PART VI WRITING 【45 MIN】 12年 SECTION A COMPOSITION [35 MIN]
The Dragon Boat Festival(端午节)is one of the important national festivals in China．Write on ANSWER SHEET THREE a composition of about 200 words on the following topic： The Dragon Boat Festival
First, you should tell what you know about the festival．
Second, you should describe how you or other people usually observe the festival．
Marks will be awarded for content, organization，language and appropriateness．Failure to
follow the instructions may result in a loss of marks．
SECTION B NOTE-WRITING [10 MIN]
The winter vacation was over，and you came back by train yesterday．Your friend (Michael or Lucy)went to the railway station to meet you and helped cleaning your dorm．Now，write him/her a note，expressing your gratitude and offering your help in return． Marks will be awarded for content organization, language and appropriateness． 2012专四写作真题解析范文
The Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese calendar. This festival is to commemorate the death of QU Yuan, an upright and honest poet and statesman who is said to have committed suicide by drowning himself in a river.
The most important activity of this festival is the Dragon Boat races. It symbolizes people's attempts to rescue Qu Yuan. In the current period, these races also demonstrate the virtues of cooperation and teamwork.
Besides, the festival has also been marked by eating zong zi (glutinous rice). Zong zi is made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. People who mourned the death of Qu threw Zong zi into the river to feed his ghost every year.
With the changes of the times, the memorial turns to be a time for protection from evil and disease for the rest of year. People will hang healthy herbs on the front door to clear the bad luck of the house. Although the significance of the festival might be different with the past, it still gives the observer an opportunity to glimpse a part of the rich Chinese cultural heritage.
2013年作文
SECTION A COMPOSITION 45 MIN
Most of us, as students, are careful with our money in daily life: we collect all kinds of coupons;
we look for group-buy deals if we eat out or travel; we don't buy clothes unless in a sale. However, some people think that all this may not make us smart consumers. What is your opinion?
SECTION B NOTE-WRITING [10 MIN]
Your former high-school classmate (Mathew or Grace) is coming to visit you in the dorm. Bu
t, you have got something urgent to do and thus cannot wait for him/her there. Leave a note on the door, expressing your apology and telling him/her how to find you. You must make clear where you are in the note. Marks will be awarded for content, organization, language and appropriateness.
附：【答案详解】
SECTION A COMPOSITION 范文
The advantages of being careful with money in daily life
Nowadays, there is a hot debate on whether people, including students should be careful with their money in their daily life since they try their best to save money. Some people think it is not good to do so because this may not make people smart consumers. But in my eyes, the advantages of being careful with money in daily life outweigh the disadvantages.
First, being careful with money is a virtue that can always benefit people. Being thrifty is of great help,
especially when the economic status around the world is not very good and it becomes harder to earn money than before. A good habit of being careful with money will help many people go through this difficult period or any other difficult financial situation in their life. People with this awareness will think carefully before deciding to buy anything. For students, this awareness is also of great help since they mainly depend on their parents for financial supports. When they keep this awareness in their mind, they will definitely avoid wasting money.
Secondly, being careful with money is, in fact, a good way of practicing how to manage one's money. In current society, it is necessary to learn something about finance. But theories are usually hard to learn. In contrast, most people can learn quickly by practicing. Being careful with money means an efficient use of money, which, in essence, equals to part of the job of a financial planner. Being careful with money can teach people to make best use of their money.
It is true that being too careful with money may have some disadvantages; for example, it may cause people to ignore other aspects of commodities. But overall this behavior is good and has its reality basis. Money-consciousness is always needed in the market-oriented economy.
SECTION B April 20 Dear Mathew,
I'm writing to show my apology for being unable to wait for you in my dorm. I'm really sorry but I have something urgent to do. You can come to Room 1003, No. 3 Teaching Building to find me. The map on the back of the note will help you. I'll wait for you there.
Yours, Tracy
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