*注:2018年6月全国大学英语四级考试共有两套听力。

听力第一套

Section A

News Report One

A message in a bottle sent out to sea by a New Hampshire man more than five decades ago was found 1500 miles away and he’s been returned to his daughter. The long lost message was discovered by Clint Buffington of Utah while he was vacationing. Buffington says he found a soda bottle half-buried in the sand that looked like it had been there since the beginning of time.

 

The note inside the bottle said, "Return to 419 Ocean Street and receive a reward of $150 from Richard and Tina Pierce, owners of the beach Comber motel.

The motel was owned by the Paula Pierce in 1960. Her father had written the notes as a joke and had thrown it into the Atlantic Ocean. Buffington flew to New Hampshire to deliver that message to Pola Pierce. She held up to her father's promise giving Buffington that reward. But the biggest reward is the message in a bottle finding its way back home.

 

Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.

1. What is the news report mainly about?

2. Why did Paula Pierce give Clint Buffington the reward?

 

News Report Two

Millions of bees have died in South Carolina during aerial insect spraying operations that were carried out to combat the Zika virus. The insects spraying over the weekend left more than 2 million bees dead on the spot in Dorchester county South Carolina, where four travel-related cases of Zika disease have been confirmed in the area. Most of the deaths came from Flower Town Bee farm, a company in Somerville that sells bees and honey products. Juanita Stanley who owns the company said the farm looks like it's been destroyed. The farm lost about 2.5 million bees. Dorchester county officials apologized for the accidental mass killing of bees. Dorchester County is aware that some beekeepers in the area that was sprayed on Sunday lost their bee colonies. County manager Jason Ward said in a statement. “I'm not pleased that so many bees were killed.”

 

Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.

3. Why was spraying operations carried out in Dorchester County?

4. What does the news reports say about Flower Town Bee farm?

 

News Report Three

The world's largest aircraft has taken to the skies for the first time. The Airlander 10 spent nearly 2 hours in the air having taken off from Coddington airfield in Bedfordshire. During its flight it reached 3000 feet and performed a series of gentle turns all over a safe area. The aircraft is massive as long as a football field and as tall as 6 double decker buses and capable of flying for up to 5 days. It was first developed for the US government as a long range spy aircraft, but was abandoned following budget cutbacks. The aircraft cost 25 million pounds and can carry heavier loads than huge jet planes while also producing less noise and omitting less pollution. The makers believe it's the future of aircraft and one day we'll be using them to go places. But there's still a long way to go. The Airlander will need to have 200 hours flying time before being allowed to fly by the aviation administration if it passes though we can hope we'll all get some extra legroom.

 

Questions 5 and 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.

5. What do we learn about the first flight of the Airlander 10?

6. What caused the US government to abandon the Airlander 10 as a spy aircraft?

7. What is the advantage of the Airlander 10 over huge jet planes?

 

Section B

Conversation One

 

M: Do you feel like going out tonight?

W:Yeah,why not,we haven’t been out for ages, what’s on?

M: Well, there’s a film about climate change. Does it sound good to you?

W: No, not really, it doesn’t really appeal to me. What’s it about? Just climate change?

M: I think it’s about how climate change affects everyday life. I wonder how they make it entertaining.

 

W: Well, it sounds really awful, it’s an important subject I agree. But I am not in the mood for anything depressing. What else is on?

M:There’s a Spanish dance festival.

W: Oh, I love dance. That sounds really interesting.

M: Apparently, it’s absolutely brilliant. Let’s see what it says in the paper. A leads an exciting production of the great Spanish love story Kamen.

W: Ok, then. What time is it on?

 

M: At 7:30.

W: Well, that’s no good. We haven’t got enough time to get there. Is there anything else?

  1. There’s a comedy special on.

W: Where’s it on?

M: It’s at the city theater. It’s a charity comedy night with lots of different acts. It looks pretty good. The critic in the local the paper says it’s the funniest thing he’s ever seen. It says here Roger Whitehead is an amazing host to a night of fun performances.
 

W: Em.. I am not keen on him. He is not very funny.

M: Are you sure your fancy going out tonight? You are not very enthusiastic.

W: Perhaps you are right. Okay, let’s go to see the dance. But tomorrow, not tonight.

M: Great, I’ll book the tickets online.
 

Questions 8 and 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

8. What does the women think of the climate change?

9. Why do the speakers give up going to the Spanish dance festival tonight?

10. What does the critic say about the comedy performed at the city theater?

11. What does the woman decide to do tomorrow?

 

Conversation Two

W: Good morning Mr. Lee, May I have a minutes of your time?

M: Sure Katherine, what can I do for you?

W: I’m quiet anxious about transferring over to our college, I’m afraid I won’t fit in.

M: don't worry Katherine, it’s completely normal for you to be nervous about transferring schools, this happens to many transfer students.

W: Yes, I know, but I’m younger than most students in my year and that worries me a lot.

 

M: Well, you may be the only younger one in your year, but you know, we have a lot of after-school activities you can join in, and so, this way, you will be able to meet new friends of different age groups.

W: That’s nice, I love games and hobby groups.

M: I’m sure you do, so will be just fine, don’t worry so much and try to make the most of what we have on offer here, also, remember that you can come to me anytime of the day if you need help.

W: Thanks so much, I definitely feel better now, as a matter of fact, I’ve already contacted one of the girls who will be living in the same house with me, and she seemed really nice. I guess living on campus, I'll have a chance to have a close circle of friends, since we'll be living together.

M: All students are very friendly with new arrivals. Let me check who would be living with you in your flat. Okay. There are Hannah, Kelly, and Bree. Bree is also a new student here, like you, I’m sure you two ‘ll have more to share with each other.

 

Questions 12 and 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

12. Why does Katherine feel anxious?

13. What does Mr. Lee encourage Katherine to do?

14. What does Mr. Lee promised to do for Katherine?

15. What do we learn about Katherine’ schoolmate Bree?

 

Section C

Passage One

Have you ever felt like you would do just about anything to satisfy your hunger? A new study in mice may help to explain why hunger can feel like such a powerful motivating force. In the study, researchers found that hunger outweighed other physical drives, including fear, thirst and social needs.

 

To determine which feeling won out, the researchers did a series of experiments. In one experiment, the mice were both hungry and thirsty. When given the choice of either eating food or drinking water, the mice went for the food, the researchers found. However, when the mice were well-fed but thirsty, they opted to drink, according to the study. In the second experiment meant to pit the mice's hunger against their fear, hungry mice were placed in a cage that had certain "fox-scented" areas and other places that smelled safer (in other words, not like an animal that could eat them) but also had food. It turned out that, when the mice were hungry, they ventured into the unsafe areas for food. But when the mice were well-fed, they stayed in areas of the cage that were considered "safe." Hunger also outweighed the mice's social needs, the researchers found. Mice are usually social animals and prefer to be in the company of other mice, according to the study. When the mice were hungry, they opted to leave the company of other mice to go get food.

 

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

16. What is the researchers’ purpose in carrying out the serious experiment with mice?

17. In what circumstances, do mice venture into unsafe areas?

18. What is said about mice at the end of the passage?

 

Passage Two

The United States has one of the best highway systems in the world. Interstate highways connect just about every large and mid-sized city in the country. Did you ever wonder why such a complete system of excellent roads exists? For an answer,you would have to go back to the early 1920s. In those years, just after World War I, the military wanted to build an American highway system for national defense. Such a system could, if necessary, move troops quickly from one area to another. It could also get people out of cities in danger of being bombed. So-called roads of national importance were designated, but they were mostly small country roads. In 1944, Congress passed a bill to upgrade the system, but did not fund the plan right away. In the 1950s, the plan began to become a reality. Over $25 billion was appropriated by congress, and construction began on about 40,000 miles of new roads. The idea was to connect the new system to existing expressways and freeways. And though the system was built mostly to make car travel easier, defense was not forgotten. For instance, highway overpasses had to be high enough to allow trailers carrying military missiles to pass under them. By 1974, this system was mostly completed. A few additional roads would come later. Quick and easy travel between all parts of the country was now possible.

 

Questions 19 and 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

19. What does the speaker say about the American highway system?

20. What was the original purpose of building a highway system?

21. When was the interstate highway system mostly completed?

 

Passage Three

Texting while driving was listed as a major cause of road deaths among young Americans back in 2013. A recent study said that 40% of American teens claim to have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. This sounds like a widespread disease but it's one that technology may now helped cure. T.J. Evarts, a 20- year-old inventor, has come up with a novel solution that could easily put texting drivers on notice. It's called Smart Wheel, and it's designed to fit over the steering wheel of most standard vehicles to track whether or not the driver has two hands on the wheel at all times. Evarts’ invention warns the drivers with the light and the sound when they hold the wheel with one hand only, but as soon as they place the other hand back on the wheel the light turns back to green and the sound stops. It also watches for what's called “close by hands”, where both hands are close together near the top of the wheel so the driver can type with both thumbs and drive at the same time. All the data Smart Wheel collects is also sent to a connected app. So any parents who install Smart Wheel can keep track of the teens’ driving habits. If they try to remove or damage the cover, that's reported as well.

 

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.

22. What is a major cause of road deaths among young Americans?

23. What is Smart Wheel?

24. What happens if the driver has one hand on the wheel?

25. How do parents keep track of their teens’ driving habits?

 

参考答案:

ABBCA CDADC BDCAD BACDB ABACB

 

听力第二套

参考答案:

Section A

1. B) Scared.

2. D) It was covered with large scales.

3. A) A Study of the fast-food service.

4. C) Increased variety of products.

5. C) US government’s approval of private space missions.

6. A) Deliver scientific equipment to the moon.

7. B) It is promising.

 

Section B

8. D) Lying in the sun on a Thai beach.

9. A) She visited a Thai orphanage

10. D)His phone is running out of power.

11. C ) He collects things from different countries.

12. D) Trying out a new gym in town.

13. C) A discount for a half-year membership.

14. D) The operation of fitness equipment.

15. C) She knows the basics of weight-lifting.

 

Section C

16. B) They often apply for a number of positions.

  1. A) Get better organized.

18. D) Apply for more promising positions.

19. B) If not forced to go to school, kids would be out in the streets.

20. D) Design activities they now enjoy doing on holidays.
 

21. D)Take kids out of school to learn at first hand

22. C) It is seen almost anywhere and on any occasion.

23 D) It offers people a chance to socialize.

24 A) Their state of mind improved.

25 B) It is life.

 

阅读第一套

Section A

26. E) constructed

27. O) undertaken

28. F) consulted

29. C) collection

30. N) scale

31. I) eventually

32. K) necessarily

33. L) production

34. A) cheaper

35. J) height

 

Section B

36. K)A 20-year-old junior at Georgia Southern University told BuzzFeed News that she normally…

37. D)“When we talk about the access code we see it as the new face of the textbook monopoly(垄断), a new way to lock students around this system,”…

38. M)Harper, a poultry(家禽)science major, is taking chemistry again this year and had to buy a new access code to hand in her homework…

39. G)The access codes may be another financial headache for students, but for textbook businesses, they’re the future…

40. B)The codes—which typically range in price from $80 to $155 per course—give students online access to systems developed by education companies like McGraw Hill and Pearson…

 

41. L)Benjamin Wolverton, a 19-year-old student at the University of South Carolina, told BuzzFeed News that…

42. H)A Pearson spokesperson told BuzzFeed News that “digital materials are less expensive and a good investment” that offer new features,…

43. F)She decided to wait for her next work-study paycheck, which was typically $150-$200, to pay for the code…

44. J)David Hunt, an associate professor in sociology at Augusta University, which has rolled out digital textbooks across its math and psychology departments,…

45. C)But critics say the digital access codes represent the same profit-seeking ethos(观念) of the textbook business, and are even harder for students to opt out of…

 

Section C

Passage One

开头英语为:Losing your ability

 

46. A) Not all of them are symptoms of dementia.

答案出处: There are pretty clear differences between signs of dementia and age-related memory loss.

47. C) Communication within our brain weakens.

答案出处: Changes in brain cells can affect communication between different regions of the brain.

48. A) Totally forgetting how to do one's daily routines.

答案出处: Forgetting how to operate a familiar object like a microwave oven, or forgetting how to drive to the house of a friend you’ve visited many times before can also be signs of something going wrong.

49. C) Turn to a professional for assistance.

答案出处: Daffner suggests going to your doctor to check on medications, health problems and other issues that could be affecting memory.

50. D) Staying active both physically and mentally.

答案出处: And the best defense against memory loss is to try to prevent by building up your brain's cognitive reserve.

In other words, keep your brain busy and working. And also get physically active, because exercise is a known brain booster.

 

Passage Two

文章开头是A letter

51. What happened to Darwin's letter in the 1970s?
B) It was stolen more than once.

答案出处:“We realized in the mid-1970s that it was missing,”…. likely taken by an intern (实习生)”… “The intern likely took the letter again once nobody was watching it.”
 

52. What did the FBI do after the recovery of the letter?
A) They proved its authenticity.

答案出处:Their art crime team recovered the letter but were unable to press charges because the time of limitations had ended. The FBI worked closely with the Archives to determine that the letter was both authentic and definitely Smithsonian’s property.
 

53. What is Darwin's letter about?

D) His acknowledgement for help from a professional.

答案出处:The letter was written by Darwin to thank an American geologist, Dr. Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, for sending him copies of his research into the geology of the region that would become Yellowstone National Park.

 

54. What will the Smithsonian Institution Archives do with the letter according to Kapsalis?

D) Make it available online.

答案出处:

After it is repaired, we will take digital photos of it and that will be available online.

 

55. What has the past half century witnessed according to Kapsalis?
B) Radical changes in archiving practices.
答案出处:
…“Archiving practices have changed greatly since the 1970s,”says Kapsalis, “and we keep our high value documents in a safe…”

 

阅读第二套

 

Section A

26-30 M N C J F 31-35 K L B I E

26. M) pollutants

27. N) restricted

28. C) consequence

29. J) innovation

30. F) detail

31. K) intended

32. L) outdoor

33. B) collaborating

34. I) inhabitants

35. E) creating

 

Section B

 

As Tourists Crowd Out Locals, Venice Faces “Endangered” List

36. E Just beyond St. Mark’s Square…

37. J Earlier this year …

38. G Venice’s deadline passed with …

39. C Venice is one of…

40. N Then it hits him…

41. F For a time, UNESCO, …

42. B “People are cheering and holding …”

43. L The city’s current mayor, Luigi Brugnaro …

44. D Laura Chigi, a grandmother at the march, …

45. H But UNESCO didn’t even hold a vote …

 

Section C

Passage one

46. C) Help them build a positive attitude towards life.

47. A) Earn more money.

48. C) How long its positive effect lasts.

49. D) Their communication with others improved.

50. A) Find financial support.

 

Passage Two

51. C) They all experienced terrible misfortunes.

52. B) The utmost comfort passengers could enjoy.

53. A) It was a mere piece of decoration.

54. D) The belief that they could never sink with a double-layer body.

55. A) She was used to carry troops.

 

阅读第三套

Section A

26. C) cast

27. L) replaced

28. F) efficient

29. J) professionals

30. E) decorative

31. G) electrified

32. I) photographed

33. B) approach

34. K) quality

35. H) identify

 

长篇阅读

36.F.Asian-American students have been eager participants…

37.C.But instead of bringing families together…

38.I.The issue of the stresses felt by students in elites school…

39.E.The district has become increasingly popular with..

40.B.With his letter…

41.K.Not all public opinion…

42.H.Jennifer Lee…

43.D.About 10 minutes

44.A.This fall…

45.G.Both Asian-American and white families…

 

Section C

仔细阅读Passage One

46. A) Senesa’s thinking is still applicable today.

47. B) It is a teaching tool under development.

48. C) It helps them learn their academic subjects better.

49. D) They use various ways to explain the materials.

50. B) Their emotional involvement.
 

Passage Two

51:D) They are beter educated than their counterparts.

52 C ) They think it needs further improving.

53. B) Job stability and flexibility.

54. D) The balance between work and family.

55. A) They still view this world as one dominated by males.

 

翻译第一套:

过去,乘飞机出行对大多数中国人来说是难以想象的。如今,随着经济的发展和生活水平的提高,越来越多的中国人包括许多农民和外出务工人员都能乘飞机出行。他们可以乘飞机到达所有大城市,还有很多城市也在筹建机场。航空服务不断改进,而且经常会有廉价机票。近年来,节假日期间选择乘飞机外出旅游的人数在不断增加。
 

基础版:

In the past, traveling by plane was unimaginable for most Chinese people. Today, with the development of China’s economy and the improvement of people’s living standards, more and more Chinese people, including many farmers and migrant workers, can travel by air. They can fly to all major cities, and many cities are also planning to build airports. Air services continue to improve, and there are often cheap flights. In recent years, the number of people choosing to travel by air during holidays has been increasing.

改写版:

While air travel used to be unthinkable to most Chinese people, it is becoming more and more accessible to the Chinese people, including many farmers and migrant workers, as China’s economy grows and people’s living standards improve. All major Chinese cities can be reached by air, with many other cities also planning to build airports. In recent years, a growing number of Chinese people have chosen to travel by air during holidays as airlines become more affordable and passenger-friendly.

 

翻译第二套:

近年来,中国有越来越多的城市开始建设地铁。发展地铁有助于减少城市的交通拥堵和空气污染。地铁具有安全、快捷和舒适的优点。越来越多的人选择地铁作为每天上班或上学的主要交通工具。如今,在中国乘坐地铁正变得越来越方便。在有些城市里,乘客只需用卡或手机就可以乘坐地铁。许多当地老年市民还可以免费乘坐地铁。

直译版:

In recent years, more and more cities in China have begun to build subways. The development of subways can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in cities. The subway has the advantages of safety, speed and comfort. More and more people choose the subway as the main means of transportation to work or school every day. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more convenient to take the subway in China. In some cities, passengers can use a card or mobile phone to take the subway. Many local elderly citizens can also take the subway for free.

升级版:

In recent years, more and more Chinese cities have begun to build subways as part of the efforts to reduce traffic jams and air pollution. A growing number of people now choose subway as the major means of transportation to work or school every day for the safe, fast and comfortable travel experience it has to offer. Nowadays, as card or mobile payment gains popularity in some Chinese cities, it is becoming increasingly convenient to take the subway. Many local senior citizens are also entitled to/also enjoy free subway rides.

 

翻译第三套:

公交车曾是中国人出行的主要交通工具。近年来,由于私家车数量不断增多,城市的交通问题越来越严重。许多城市为了鼓励更多人乘坐公交车出行,一直在努力改善公交车的服务质量。车辆的设施不断更新,车速也有了显著提高。然而,公交车的票价却依然相当低廉。现在,在大多数城市,许多当地老年市民都可以免费乘坐公交车。

基础版:

Buses used to be the main means of transportation for the Chinese people. In recent years, with the number of private cars increasing, cities have been facing increasingly severe traffic problems. To encourage more people to travel by bus, many cities have been making efforts to improve their bus service quality. Bus facilities have been continuously renovated, and bus speed has also increased dramatically. However, the prices of buses are still cheap. Now, in most cities, many local elderly citizens can take a bus for free.

升级版:

Buses used to be the major means of transportation for the Chinese people. In recent years, cities have been plagued by increasingly severe traffic jams as the number of private cars increases. Many cities have been working hard to improve bus services to encourage more people to get around by bus. Bus facilities have been upgraded and buses now can go much faster, but bus fares remain quite affordable. Now, many local senor citizens are entitled to free bus rides in most cities.

 

写作第一套:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the importance of reading ability and how to develop it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

The Importance of Reading Ability and How to Develop It

It's well known that books are the quintessence of human wisdom. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. There are many famous sayings about reading throughout the history such as “Reading makes a full man.” Indeed, the importance of reading can never be too much stressed. Thus, here comes to how to develop such ability.

To begin with, as an old proverb says, “Practice makes perfect.”, what we need to do is to read as more books as we can, no matter whether it is a digital version or hardcover. Secondly, since there are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes, we need to deliver our opinions to others and share with others. This could not only help understand the materials from different views but also improve our reading ability. Thirdly, making reading a habit could also improve it. The more fun we find in reading, the more we are willing to explore the books and thus help us strengthen that ability.

In a word, no matter at what time we realize the importance of reading, we can enjoy it during the rest of our life and finally we'll see that it is rewarding.

 

写作第二套:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the importance of writing ability and how to develop it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

The Importance of Writing Ability and How to Develop It

As is widely known, writing is an essentially important and necessary skill for all of us. However, many people don't really understand the true importance of writing. In my opinion, writing has deeper importance and we can do a lot to develop this skill.

In the first place, writing is a good way to express ourselves. Nowadays, there are so many situations, such as website forums and WeChat’s friends-cycle, where a thought-provoking writing leaves viewers a deep impression. Moreover, writing is an effective way to enlarge our vocabulary. The more compositions we write, the more vocabularies we get. At the same time, writing makes great contributions toward our critical thinking as the writing process is also the time of thought.

To develop our skill of writing, we should firstly improve our ability of using words because it’s the foundation of a solid writing. Besides, we must collect and learn writing materials comprehensively so that we can actually make some unique points of view when we are writing. At last, practice makes perfect, which needs us to write considerably all the time.

 

写作第三套:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay on the importance of speaking ability and how to develop it. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

The Importance of Speaking Ability and How to Develop It

Nowadays, human-to-human communication problems and social chaos are all related to speech. Sometimes, speaking is like sharp swords that can hurt people, while sometimes, it can help comfort people. As an old saying goes, “One word can cause the nation to prosper; one word can cause it to perish.” Speaking affects everything from individuals to nations even to the world. Speaking is like breathing that affects our lives. Then how can we make speaking improve our lives rather than drive our lives?

First of all, we should learn. Most of us are willing to seek various ways to improve our speaking skills, such as reading books or participating in training courses. What’s more, we should practice speaking in all situations. Only in this way, can we improve our speaking skills. Apart from learning, practicing, it is more important to speak from the bottom of the heart. After all, speaking is closely related to our knowledge and mind.

All in one word, only by improving our speaking ability, can we benefit from it during the rest of our life and finally we'll see that it is rewarding.