大学英语四级历年真题
每一年都有无数的人参加四级考试，四级考试虽然难度不大，但是并不是所有的人都能够顺利的通过，所以充足的备考还是非常有必要的。今天我们为大家整理了大学英语四级历年真题，一起来看一下吧。
partⅰ listening comprehension (20 minutes)
section a
directions: in this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. at the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what war said. both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once: after each question there will be a pause. during the pause, you maxi read the four choices marked a), b), c) and d), and decide which is, the best answer. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the center.
example: you will hear:
you will read:
a) at the office. b) in the waiting room. c) at the airport. d) in a restaurant
from the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. this conversation is most likely to have taken place at the office. therefore, a) "at the office" is the best answer. you should choose [a] on the answer sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre.
sample answer [a] [b] [c] id]
1. a) they went a long way to attend the party.
b) they didn't think much of the food and drinks.
c) they knew none of the other guests at the party.
d) they enjoyed the party better than the other guests.
2. a) to the bookstore. c) to the market.
b) to the dentist's. d) to the post office.
3. a) dr. andrews has been promoted for his thoroughness.
b) she disagrees with dr. andrews on many occasions.
c) dr. andrews used to keep his patients waiting.
d) she dislikes dr. andrews as much as the new physician.
4. a) tom is usually talkative. c) tom has dozens of things to attend to.
b) tom has a very bad temper. d) tom is disliked by his colleagues.
5. a) to pickup the woman from the library.
b) to make a copy of the schedule for his friend.
c) to find out more about the topic for the seminar.
d) to get the seminar schedule for the woman.
6. a) the woman has to get the textbooks in other ways.
b) the woman has sold her used textbooks to the bookstore.
c) the man is going to buy his textbooks from a bookstore.
d) the man doesn't want to sell his textbooks to the woman.
7. a) attend a conference.
b) give a speech.
c) meet his lawyer.
d) make a business trip.
8 a) jessie always says what she thinks.
b) jessie seems to have a lot on her mind.
c) jessie is wrong to find fault with her boss.
d) jessie should know the marketing director better. t
9. a) heien is talkative.
b) helen is active.
c) helen is sociable.
d) helen is quiet.
10. a) jimmy will regret marrying a frenchwoman.
b) jimmy is not serious in making decisions.
c) jimmy is rich enough to buy a big house.
d) jimmy's words are often not reliable.
section b
directions: in this section, you will hear 3 short passages. at the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. after you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked a), b), c) and d). then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
passage one
questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.
11. a) it can be used by farmers to protect large buildings.
b) it was brought to the northern usa by asian farmers.
c) it has done more harm than good in the southern usa.
d) it was introduced into the usa to kill harmful weeds.
12. a) people will have to rely on kudzu for a living.
b) they will soon be overgrown with kudzu.
c) they will become too hard to plough.
d) people will find it hard to protect the soil.
13. a) the farmers there have brought it under control.
b) the factories there have found a good use for it.
c) the climate there is unfavorable to its growth.
d) the soil there is not so suitable for the plant.
passage two
questions 14 to 17 are based on the passage you have just heard.
14. a) a business corporation.
b) the universe as a whole.
c) a society of legal professionals.[page]
d) an association of teachers and scholars.
15. a) its largest expansion took place during that period.
b) its role in society went through a dramatic change.
c) small universities combined to form bigger ones.
d) provincial colleges were taken over by larger universities.
16. a) private donations.
b) government funding.
c) grants from corporations.
d) fees paid by students.
passage three
questions 18 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.
17. a) he was wounded in the spanish civil war.
b) he was interested in the study of wild animals.
c) he started the organization heifer international.
d) he sold his cows to many countries in the world.
18. a) to help starving families to become self-supporting.
b) to make plans for the development of poor communities.
c) to teach people how to use new skills to raise animals.
d) to distribute food to the poor around the world.
19. a) they should help other families the way they have been helped.
b) they should offer all baby animals to their poor neighbors.
c) they should submit a report of their needs and goals.
d) they should provide food for the local communities.
20. a) it has improved animal breeding skills all over the world.
b) it has helped relieve hunger in some developing countries.
c) it has promoted international exchange of farming technology.
d) it has bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in america.
partⅱ reading comprehension (35 minutes)
directions: there are 4 passages in this part, each passage is followed by some questions at unfinished statements. for each of them there are four choices marked a) , b) , c) and d). you should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the center.
questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
interest in pursuing international careers has soared in recent years. enhanced by chronic (长久的 ) personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talent.
professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. they may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. they may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity and initiative. or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language.
when applying for a job, one usually has to submit a resume or curriculum vitae (cv). the two terms generally mean the same thing: a one- or two-page document describing one's educational qualifications and professional experience. however, guidelines for preparing a r6sum6 are constantly changing. the best advice is to find out what is appropriate regarding the corporate (公司) culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. the challenge will be to embrace two or more cultures in one document. the following list is a good place to start.
"educational requirements differ from country to country. in almost every case of 'cross- border' job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not bean adequate description. provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience. " daohangtigong
pay attention to the resume format you use-chronological or reverse-chronological order. chronological order means listing your 'oldest' work experience first. reverse-chronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. most countries have preferences about which format is most acceptable. if you find no specific guidelines. the general preference is for the reverse-chronological format. "
if you are submitting your resume in english, find out if the recipient (收件人) uses british english or american english because there are variations between the two versions. for example, university education is often referred to as 'tertiary education' in the united kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the united states. a reader who is unfamiliar with these variations may assume that your resume contains errors.[page]
21. companies are hiring more foreign employees because
a) they find foreign employees are usually more talented
b) they need original ideas from employees hired overseas
c) they want to expand their business beyond home borders
d) they have difficulty finding qualified personnel at home
22. the author believes that an individual who applies to work overseas
a) is usually creative and full of initiative
b) aims to improve his foreign language skills
c) is dissatisfied with his own life at home
d) seeks either his own or his children's development
23. when it comes to resume writing, it is best to
a) take cultural factors into consideration
b) learn about the company's hiring process
c) follow appropriate guidelines for job hunting
d) know the employer's personal likes and dislikes
24. when writing about qualifications, applicants are advised to
a) stress their academic potential to impress the decision maker
b) give the title of the university degree they have earned at home
c) provide a detailed description of their study and work experiences
d) highlight their keen interest in pursuing a 'cross-border' career
25. according to the author's last piece of advice, the applicants should be aware of
a) the different educational systems in the us and the uk
b) the differences between the varieties of english
c) the recipient's preference with regard to the format
d) the distinctive features of american and british cultures
questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
educating girls quite possibly yields a higher rate of return than any other investment available in the developing world. women's education may be unusual territory for economists, but enhancing women's contribution to development is actually as much an economic as a social issue. and economics, with its emphasis on incentives (激励), provides guideposts that point to an explanation for why so many girls are deprived of an education.
parents in low-income countries fail to invest in their daughters because they do not expect them to make an economic contribution to the family: girls grow up only to marry into somebody else's family and bear children. girls are thus seen as less valuable than boys and art kept at home to do housework while their brothers are sent to school - the prophecy (预言) becomes self- fulfilling, trapping women in a vicious circle (恶性循环) of neglect.
an educated mother, on the other hand, has greater earning abilities outside the home and faces an entirely different set of choices. she is likely to have fewer but healthier children and can insist on the development of all her children, ensuring that her daughters are given a fair chance. the education of her daughters then makes it much more likely that the next generation of girls, as well as of boys, will be educated and healthy. the vicious circle is thus transformed into a virtuous circle.
few will dispute that educating women has great social benefits. but it has enormous economic advantages as well. most obviously, there is the direct effect of education on the wages of female workers. wages rise by 10 to 20 per cent for each additional year of schooling. such big returns are impressive by the standard of other available investments, but they are just the beginning. educating women also has a significant impact on health practices, including family planning.
26. the author argues that educating girls in developing countries is
a) troublesome
b) labor-saving
c) rewarding
d) expensive
27. by saying "... the prophecy becomes self-fulfilling ..." (lines 45. para. 2). the author means that
a) girls will turn out to be less valuable than boys
b) girls will be capable of realizing their own dreams
c) girls will eventually find their goals in life beyond reach
d) girls will be increasingly discontented with their life at home
28. the author believes that a vicious circle can turn into a virtuous circle when[page]
a) women care more about education
b) girls can gain equal access to education
c) a family has fewer but healthier children
d) parents can afford their daughters' education
29. what does the author say about women's education?
a) it deserves greater attention than other social issues.
b) it is now given top priority in many developing countries.
c) it will yield greater returns than other known investments.
d) it has aroused the interest of a growing number of economists.
30. 7be passage mainly discusses
a) unequal treatment of boys and girls in developing countries
b) the potential earning power of well-educated women
c) the major contributions of educated women to society
d) the economic and social benefits of educating women
passage three
questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage:
speeding off in a stolen car, the thief thinks he has got a great catch. but he is in for an unwelcome surprise. the car is fitted with a remote immobiliser (锁止器), and a radio signal from a control centre miles away will ensure that once the thief switches the engine off, he will not be able to start it again.
the idea goes like this. a control box fitted to the car contains a mini-cellphone, a micro- processor and memory, and a gps (全球定位系统) satellite positioning receiver. ff the car is stolen, a coded cellphone signal will tell the control centre to block the vehicle's engine management system and prevent the engine being restarted. daoahngtigong
in the uk, a set of technical fixes is already making life harder for car thieves. 'the pattern of vehicle crime has changed,' says martyn randall, a security expert. he says it would only take him a few minutes to teach a person how to steal a car, using a bare minimum of tools. but only if the car is more than 10 years old.
modern cars are far tougher to steal, as their engine management computer won't allow them to start unless they receive a unique id code beamed out by the ignition (点火) key. in the uk, technologies like this have helped achieve a 31% drop in vehicle-related crime since 1997.
but determined criminals are still managing to find other ways to steal cars, often by getting bold of the owner's keys. and key theft is responsible for 40% of the thefts of vehicles fitted with a tracking system.
if the car travels 100 metres without the driver confirming their id, the system will send a signal to an operations centre that it has been stolen. the hundred metres minimum avoids false alarms due to inaccuracies in the gps signal.
staff at the centre will then contact the owner to confirm that the car really is missing, and keep police informed of the vehicle's movements via the car's gps unit.
31. what's the function of the remote immobilizer fitted to a car?
a) to help the police make a surprise attack on the car thief.
b) to allow the car to lock automatically when stolen.
c) to prevent the car thief from restarting it once it stops.
d) to prevent car theft by sending a radio signal to the car owner.
32. by saying 'the pattern of vehicle crime has changed' (lines 1-2. para. 3). martyn randall suggests that
a) it takes a longer time for the car thief to do the stealing
b) self-prepared tools are no longer enough for car theft
c) the thief has to make use of computer technology
d) the thief has lost interest in stealing cars over 10 years old
33. what is essential in making a modem car tougher to steal?
a) a coded ignition key. c) a special cellphone signal.
b) a unique id card. d) a gps satellite positioning receiver.
34. why does the tracking system set a 100-metre minimum before sending an alarm to the operations centre?
a) to leave time for the operations centre to give an alarm.
b) to keep police informed of the car's movements.
c) to give the driver time to contact the operations centre.
d) to allow for possible errors in the gps system.
35. what will the operations centre do first after receiving an alarm?[page]
a) start the tracking system.
b) contact the car owner.
c) block the car engine.
d) locate the missing car.
passage four
questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:
psychiatrists 精神病专家) who work with older parents say that maturity can be an asset in child rearing - older parents are more thoughtful, use less physical discipline and spend more time with their children. but raising kids takes money and energy. many older parents find themselves balancing their limited financial resources, declining energy and failing health against the growing demands of an active child. dying and leaving young children is probably the older parents' biggest, and often unspoken, fear. having late-life children, says an economics professor. often means parents, particularly fathers, "end up retiring much later." for many, retirement becomes an unobtainable dream.
henry metcalf. a 54-year-old journalist, knows it takes money to raise kids. but he's also worried that his energy will give out first. sure, he can still ride bikes with his athletic fifth grader, but he's learned that young at heart doesn't mean young. lately he's been taking afternoon naps (午睡) daohang to keep up his energy. "my body is aging," says metcalf. "you can't get away from that."
often, older parents hear the ticking of another kind of biological clock. therapists who work with middle-aged and older parents say fears about aging are nothing to laugh at. "they worry they'll be mistaken for grandparents, or that they'll need help getting up out of those little chairs in nursery school," says joann galst, a new york psychologist. but at the core of those little fears there is often a much bigger one: "that they won't be alive long enough to support and protect their child," she says.
many late-life parents, though, say their children came at just the right time. after marrying late and undergoing years of fertilily (受孕) treatment, marilyn nolen and her husband. randy, had twins. "we both wanted children," says marilyn, who was 55 when she gave birth. the twins have given the couple what they desired for years, "a sense of family." kids of older dads are often smarter, happier and more sociable because their fathers are more involved in their lives. 'the dads are older, more mature," says dr. silber, "and more ready to focus on parenting."
36. why do psychiatrists regard maturity as an asset in child rearing?
a) older parents are often better prepared financially.
b) older parents can take better care of their children.
c) older parents are usually more experienced in bringing up their children.
d) older parents can better balance their resources against children's demands.
37. what does the author mean by saying "for many, retirement becomes an unobtainable dream" (lines 7-8, para. 1)?
a) they are reluctant to retire when they reach their retirement age.
b) they can't obtain the retirement benefits they have dreamed of.
c) they can't get full pension unless they work some extra years.
d) they have to go on working beyond their retirement age.
38. the author gives the example of henry metcalf to show that
a) older parents should exercise more to keep up with their athletic children
b) many people are young in spirit despite their advanced age
c) older parents tend to be concerned about their aging bodies
d) taking afternoon naps is a good way to maintain energy
39. what's the biggest fear of older parents according to new york psychologist joan galst?
a) approaching of death. c) being laughed at by other people.
b) slowing down of their pace of life. d) being mistaken for grandparents.
40. what do we learn about marilyn and randy nolen?
a) they thought they were an example of successful fertility treatment.
b) not until they reached middle age did they think of having children.
c) not until they had the twins did they feel they had formed a family.
d) they believed that children born of older parents would be smarter.[page]
part iii vocabulary (20 minutes)
directions: there are 30 incomplete sentences it: this part. for each sentence there are four choices marked a), b), c) and d). choose cite one answer that best completes the sentence. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the center.
4l. people's expectations about the future may have more influence on their sense of well-being than their state does.
a) current
b) initial
c) modern
d) primitive
42. after working all day, he was so tired that he was in no to go to the party with us.
a) taste
b) mood
c) sense
d) emotion
43. there is already clear to show that plants and animals are being affected by climate change.
a) witness
b) certification
c) identity
d) evidence
44. many women still feel that they are being by a male culture, particularly in the professional services sector.
a) held back
b) held forth
c) held on
d) held out
45. the findings paint a unique picture of the shopping habits of customers, plus their motivation and
a) privileges
b) possibilities
c) possessions
d) preferences
46. it's good to know that quite a few popular english expressions actually from the bible.
a) acquire
b) obtain
c) derive
d) result
47. tom, did it ever to you that you would be punished for cheating on exams?
a) happen
b) occur
c) reflect
d) strike
48. in the us, 88 percent of smokers had started before they were 18, despite the fact that it is to sell
cigarettes to anyone under that age.
a) liable
b) liberal
c) irrational
d) illegal
49. according to the key witnesses, a peculiarly big nose is the criminal's most memorable facial
a) feature
b) hint
c) spot
d) signature
50. brarll's constitution the military use of nuclear energy.
a) withdraws
b) forbids
c) interrupts
d) objects
51. some people argue that the death does not necessarily reduce the number of murders.
a) plot
b) practice
c) penalty
d) pattern
52. many personnel managers say it is getting harder and harder to honest applicants from the growing number of dishonest ones.
a) distinguish
b) disguise
c) dissolve
d) discount
53. a study shows that students living in non-smoking dorms are less likely to the habit of smoking.
a) make up
b) turn up
c) draw up
d) pickup
54. almost all job applicants are determined to leave a good on a potential employer.
a) illusion
b) reputation
c) impression
d) reflection
55. a special feature of education at mit is the opportunity for students and faculty to together
in research activities.
a) specialize
b) participate
c) consist
d) involve
56. although they lost their jobs, savings and unemployment benefits allow the couple to
their comfortable home.
a) come in for
b) catch up with
c) look forward to
d) hold on to
57. although many experts agree that more children are overweight, there is debate over the best ways to
the problem.
a) relate
b) tackle
c) file
d) attach
58. an important factor in determining how well you perform in an examination is the of your mind.
a) state
b) case
c) situation
d) circumstance
59. research shows that there is no relationship between how much a person earns and whether he feels good about life.
a) successive
b) subsequent
c)significant
d) sincere
60. sadly, as spending on private gardens has , spending on public parks has generally declined.
a) heightened
b) lifted
c) flown
d) soared
61. lung cancer, like some other cancers, often doesn't produce until it is too late and has spread beyond the chest to the brain, liver or bones.
a) trails
b) therapies
c) symptoms
d) symbols
62. with the increasing unemployment rate, workers who are 50 to 60 years old are usually the first to be
a) laid off
b) laid aside
c) laid out
d) laid up
63. the physical differences between men and women can be directly to our basic n as hunters and child-bearers.
a) pursued
b) traced
c) switched
d) followed
64. it is clear that the dog has a much greater of its brain devoted to smell than is the case with humans.
a) composition [page]
b) compound
c) percent
d) proportion
65. american college students are increasingly with credit card debt and the consequences can be rather serious.
a) boosted
b) burdened
c) discharged
d) dominated
66. numerous studies already link the first meal of the day to better classroom
a) performance
b) function
c) behavior
d) display
67. the most successful post-career athletes are those who can take the identity and fife skills the learned in sports and them to another area of life.
a) utilize
b) employ
c) apply
d) exert
68. the technological advances made it possible for the middle classes to enjoy what had once been only to the very rich.
a) manageable
b) measurable
c) acceptable
d) affordable
69. being out of work, lane can no longer friends to dinners and movies as she used to.
a) urge
b) treat
c) appeal
d) compel
70. by the superstars on television, the young athletes trained hard and played intensely.
a) imitated
b) imposed
c) insured
d) inspired
part iv cloze (15 minutes)
directions: there are 20 blanks in the following passage. for each blank there are jour choices marked a). b). c) and d) on the right side of the paper. you should choose the one that best fits into the passage. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
the part of the environmental movement that draws my firm's attention is the design of cities. buildings and products. when we designed america's first so-called "green" office building in new york two decades 7l_, we felt very alone. but today, thousands of people come to green building conferences, and the 72 that buildings can be good for people and the environment will be increasingly influential in years to 73 .
back in 1984 we discovered that most manufactured products for decoration weren't designed for 74 use. the "energy-efficient" sealed commercial buildings constructed after the 1970s energy crisis 75 indoor air quality problems caused by materials such as paint, wall covering and carpet. so far 20 years. we've been focusing on these materials 76 to the molecules, looking for ways to make them 77 for people and the planet.
home builders can now use materials-such as paints that release significantly _78_ amounts of organic compounds -that don't 79 the quality of the air, water, or soil. ultimately. 80_, our basic design strategy is focused not simply on being "less bad" but on creating 81 healthful materials that can be either safely returned to the soil _82_ reused by industry again and again. as a matter of _83, the world's largest carpet manufacturer has already _ 84_"_ a carpet that is fully and safely recyclable (可循环用的).
look at it this way: no one __85 out to create a building that destroys the planet. but our current industrial systems are } 86 causing these conditions, whether we like it or not. so 87_ of simply trying to reduce the damage, we are _88_ a positive approach. we're giving people high-quality, healthful products and an opportunity to make choices that have a 89 effect on the world. it's not just the building industry, either. 90_ cities are taking these environmentally positive approaches to design, planning and building. portland, seattle and boston have said they want to be green cities. chicago wants to be the greenest city in the world.
71. a) ago b) off c) before d) away
72. a) practice b) outlook c) idea d) scheme
73. a) go b) come c) arrive d) continue
74. a) indoor b) inward c) relevant d) flexible
75. a) displayed b) discovered c) exhibited d) revealed
76. a) back b) down c) next d) near
77. a) comfortable b) cautious c) safe d) stable
78. a) reduced b) revised c) descended d) delayed
79. a) deny b) depress c) dissolve d) destroy
80. a) besides b) however c) anyhow d) anyway
81. a)partially b) exactly c) completely d) superficially
82.a)or b)and c) but d) nor
83. a) interest b) fact c) principle d) course
84. a) sketched b) constructed c) researched d) developed[page]
85. a) starts b) pulls c) looks d) makes
86. a) basically b) originally c) traditionally d) inevitably
87. a) because b) out c) instead d) regardless
88. a) adjusting b) admitting c) adopting d) adapting
89. a) functional b) beneficial c) precious d) sensible
90. a) entire b) total c) full d) complete
part v. writing (30 minutes)
directions: for this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a poster recruiting volunteers. you should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:
2003年12月大学英语四级真题
part i listening comprehension (20 minutes)
section a
directions: in this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. at the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once. after each question there will be a pause. during the pause, you must read the four choices marked a), b), c) and d), and decide which is the best answer. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
example: you will hear:
you will read:
a) at the office.
b) in the waiting room.
c) at the airport.
d) in a restaurant.
from the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. this conversation is most likely to have taken place at the office. therefore, a) "at the office" is the best answer. you should choose [a] on the answer sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre.
sample answer [a] [b] [c] id]
1.a) the man could buy a shirt of a different color.
b) the size of the shirt is all right for the man.
c) the size the man wants will arrive soon.
d) the man could come some time later.
2.a) the woman is watching an exciting film with the man.
b) the woman can’t take a photo of the man.
c) the woman is running toward the lake.
d) the woman is filming the lake.
3.a) it’s quiet in the restaurant.
b) the price is high in the restaurant.
c) the restaurant serves good food.
d) the restaurant is too far from their school.
4.a) at a booking office.
b) in a hong kong hotel.
c) on a busy street.
d) at an airport.
5.a) the woman has been complaining too much.
b) the woman’s headache will go away by itself.
c) the woman should have seen the doctor earlier.
d) the woman should confirm her appointment with the doctor.
6.a) help the woman move the items.
b) hurry to n’s office.
c) help move things to n’s office.
d) put off his appointment with n.
7.a) the man should not dream of being a superstar.
b) the man didn’t practice hard enough.
c) the man should find a new partner.
d) the man should not give up.
8.a) there is no more left.
b) it doesn’t appeal to her.
c) it’s incredibly delicious.
d) she has already tasted it.
9.a) the man is usually the last to hand in his test paper.
b) the man has made a mess of his midterm exam.
c) the man has bad study habits.
d) the man is a diligent student.
10.a) the man will drive the woman to school.
b) the man has finished his assignment.
c) the man is willing to help the woman.
d) the man is losing patience with the woman.
section b
passage one
questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.
11.a) the art of saying thank you.
b) the secret of staying pretty.
c) the importance of good manners.
d) the difference between elegance and good manners.
12.a) they were nicer and gentler.
b) they paid more attention to their appearance.
c) they were willing to spend more money on clothes.
d) they were more aware of changes in fashion.
13.a) by decorating our homes.
b) by being kind and generous.
c) by wearing fashionable clothes.
d) by putting on a little make-up.
passage two
questions 14 to 16 are based on the passage you have just heard.
14.a) children don’t get enough education in safety.
b) children are keen on dangerous games.
c) the playgrounds are in poor condition.
d) the playgrounds are overcrowded.
15.a) they should help maintain the equipment.
b) they should keep a watchful eye on their children.
c) they should stop their children from climbing ladders.
d) they should teach their children how to use the equipment.
16.a) they tend to stay within shouting or running distance of their parents.
b) they should be aware of the porential risks in the playground.
c) they may panic in front of high playground equipment.
d) they can be creative when they feel secure.
passage there
questions 17 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.]
17.a) it takes skill.
b) it pays well.
c) it’s full-time job.
d) it’s admired worldwide.
18.a) a mother with a baby in her arms.
b) a woman whose bag is hanging in front.[page]
c) a lone female with a handbag at her right side.
d) an old lady carrying a handbag on the left.
19.a) the back pocket of his tight trousers.
b) the top pocket of his jacket.
c) a side pocket of his jacket.
d) a side pocket of his trousers.
20.a) theater lobbies with uniformed security guards.
b) clothing stores where people are relaxed and off guard.
c) airports where people carry a lot of luggage.
d) hotels and restaurants in southeast london.
part ii reading comprehension (35 minutes)
directions: there are 4 passages in this part. each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. for each of them there are four choices marked a), b), c) and d). you should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
passage one
questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.
i'm usually fairly skeptical about any research that concludes that people are either happier or unhappier or more or less certain of themselves than they were 50 years ago. while any of these statements might be true, they are practically impossible to prove scientifically. still, i was struck by a report which concluded that today's children are significantly more anxious than children in the 1950s. in fact, the analysis showed, normal children ages 9 to 17 exhibit a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago.
why are america's kids so stressed? the report cites two main causes: increasing physical isolation -- brought on by high divorce rates and less involvement in community, among other things -- and a growing perception that the world is a more dangerous place.
given that we can't turn the clock back, adults can still do plenty to help the next generation cope.
at the top of the list is nurturing ( 培育 ) a better appreciation of the limits of individualism. no child is an island. strengthening social ties helps build communities and protect individuals against stress.
to help kids build stronger connections with others, you can pull the plug on tvs and computers. your family will thank you later. they will have more time for face-to-face relationships, and they will get more sleep.
limit the amount of virtual (虚拟的) violence your children are exposed to. it's not just video games and movies; children see a lot of murder and crime on the local news.
keep your expectations for your children reasonable. many highly successful people never attended harvard or yale.
make exercise part of your daily routine. it will help you cope with your own anxieties and provide a good model for your kids. sometimes anxiety is unavoidable. but it doesn't have to ruin your life.
21. the author thinks that the conclusions of any research about people's state of mind are______.
a) surprising b) confusing c) illogical d) questionable
22. what does the author mean when he says, "we can't turn the clock back" (line 1, para. 3)?
a) it's impossible to slow down the pace of change.
b) the social reality children are facing cannot be changed.
c) lessons learned from the past should not be forgotten.
d) it's impossible to forget the past.
23. according to an analysis, compared with normal children today, children treated as mentally ill 50 years ago____.
a) were less isolated physically
b) were probably less self-centered
c) probably suffered less from anxiety
d) were considered less individualistic
24. the first and most important thing parents should do to help their children is ____.
a) to provide them with a safer environment
b) to lower their expectations for them
c) to get them more involved socially
d) to set a good model for them to follow
25. what conclusion can be drawn from the passage?
a) anxiety, though unavoidable, can be coped with.
b) children's anxiety has been enormously exaggerated.
c) children's anxiety can be eliminated with more parental care.
d) anxiety, if properly controlled, may help children become mature.
passage two
questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage. [page]
it is easier to negotiate initial salary requirement because once you are inside, the organizational constraints ( 约束 ) influence wage increases. one thing, however, is certain: your chances of getting the raise you feel you deserve are less if you don't at least ask for it. men tend to ask for more, and they get more, and this holds true with other resources, not just pay increases. consider beth's story:
i did not get what i wanted when i did not ask for it. we had cubicle ( 小隔间 ) offices and window offices. i sat in the cubicles with several male colleagues. one by one they were moved into window offices, while i remained in the cubicles, several males who were hired after me also went to offices. one in particular told me he was next in line for an office and that it had been part of his negotiations for the job. i guess they thought me content to stay in the cubicles since i did not voice my opinion either way.
it would be nice if we all received automatic pay increases equal to our merit, but "nice" isn't a quality attributed to most organizations. if you feel you deserve a significant raise in pay, you'll probably have to ask for it.
performance is your best bargaining chip ( 筹码 ) when you are seeking a raise. you must be able to demonstrate that you deserve a raise. timing is also a good bargaining chip. if you can give your boss something he or she needs (a new client or a sizable contract, for example) just before merit pay decisions are being made, you are more likely to get the raise you want.
use information as a bargaining chip too. find out what you are worth on the open market.
what will someone else pay for your services?
go into the negotiations prepared to place your chips on the table at the appropriate time and prepared to use communication style to guide the direction of the interaction.
26. according to the passage, before taking a job, a person should _____.
a) demonstrate his capability b) give his boss a good impression
c) ask for as much money as he can d) ask for the salary he hopes to get
27. what can be inferred from beth's story?
a) prejudice against women still exists in some organizations.
b) if people want what they deserve, they have to ask for it.
c) people should not be content with what they have got.
d) people should be careful when negotiating for a job.
28. we can learn from the passage that ____.
a) unfairness exists in salary increases
b) most people are overworked and underpaid
c) one should avoid overstating one's performance
d) most organizations give their staff automatic pay raises
29. to get a pay raise, a person should______.
a) advertise himself on the job market
b) persuade his boss to sign a long-term contract
c) try to get inside information about the organization
d) do something to impress his boss just before merit pay decisions
30. to be successful in negotiations, one must_____.
a) meet his boss at the appropriate time
b) arrive at the negotiation table punctually
c) be good at influencing the outcome of the interaction
d) be familiar with what the boss likes and dislikes
passage three
questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.
when families gather for christmas dinner, some will stick to formal traditions dating back to grandma's generation. their tables will be set with the good dishes and silver, and the dress code will be sunday-best.
but in many other homes, this china-and-silver elegance has given way to a stoneware ( 粗陶) -and-stainless informality, with dresses assuming an equally casual-friday look. for hosts and guests, the change means greater simplicity and comfort. for makers of fine china in britain, it
spells economic hard times.
last week royal doulton, the largest employer in stoke-on-trent, announced that it is eliminating 1,000jobs -- one-fifth of its total workforce. that brings to more than 4,000 the number of positions lost in 18 months in the pottery (陶瓷) region. wedgwood and other pottery factories made cuts earlier.
although a strong pound and weak markets in asia play a role in the downsizing, the layoffs in stoke have their roots in earthshaking social shifts. a spokesman for royal doulton admitted that the company "has been somewhat slow in catching up with the trend" toward casual dining. families eat together less often, he explained, and more people eat alone, either because they are single or they eat in front of television; [page]
even dinner parties, if they happen at all, have gone casual. in a time of long work hours and demanding family schedules, busy hosts insist, rightly, that it's better to share a takeout pizza on paper plates in the family room than to wait for the perfect moment or a "real" dinner party. too often, the perfect moment never comes. iron a fine-patterned tablecloth? forget it. polish the silver? who has time?
yet the loss of formality has its down side. the fine points of etiquette ( 礼节 ) that children might once have learned at the table by observation or instruction from parents and grandparents ("chew with your mouth closed." "keep your elbows off the table.") must be picked up elsewhere. some companies now offer etiquette seminars for employees who may be competent professionally but clueless socially.
31. the trend toward casual dining has resulted in_____.
a) bankruptcy of fine china manufacturers
b) shrinking of the pottery industry
c) restructuring of large enterprises
d) economic recession in great britain
32. which of the following may be the best reason for casual dining?
a) family members need more time to relax.
b) busy schedules leave people no time for formality.
c) people want to practice economy in times of scarcity.
d) young people won't follow the etiquette of the older generation.
33. it can be learned from the passage that royal doulton is_____.
a) a retailer of stainless steel tableware b) a dealer in stoneware
c) a pottery chain store d) a producer of fine china
34. the main cause of the layoffs in the pottery industry is_____.
a) the increased value of the pound
b) the economic recession in asia
c) the change in people's way of life
d) the fierce competition at home and abroad
35. refined table manners, though less popular than before in current social life_____.
a) are still a must on certain occasions
b) axe bound to return sooner or later
c) are still being taught by parents at home
d) can help improve personal relationships
passage four
questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage.
some houses are designed to be smart. others have smart designs. an example of the second type of house won an award of excellence from the american institute of architects.
located on the shore of sullivan's island off the coast of south carolina, the award-winning cube-shaped beach house was built to replace one smashed to pieces by hurricane ( 飓风 ) hugo 10 years ago. in september 1989, hugo struck south carolina, killing 18 people and damaging or destroying 36,000 homes in the state.
before hugo, many new houses built along south carolina's shoreline were poorly constructed, and enforcement of building codes wasn't strict, according to architect ray huff, who created the cleverly-designed beach house. in hugo's wake, all new shoreline houses are required to meet stricter, better-enforced codes. the new beach house on sullivan's island should be able to withstand a category 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour.
at first sight, the house on sullivan's island looks anything but hurricane-proof. its redwood shell makes it resemble "a large party lantern ( 灯笼 )" at night, according to one observer. but looks can be deceiving. the house's wooden frame is reinforced with long steel rods to give it extra strength.
to further protect the house from hurricane damage, huff raised it 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings -- long, slender columns of wood anchored deep in the sand. pilings might appear insecure, but they are strong enough to support the weight of the house. they also elevate the house above storm surges. the pilings allow the surges to run under the house instead of running into it. "these swells of water come ashore at tremendous speeds and cause most of the damage done to beach-front buildings," said huff.
huff designed the timber pilings to be partially concealed by the house's ground-to-roof shell. "the shell masks the pilings so that the house doesn't look like it's standing with its pant legs pulled up," said huff. in the event of a storm surge, the shell should break apart and let the waves rush under the house, the architect explained. [page]
36. after the tragedy caused by hurricane hugo, new houses built along south carolina's shore line are required_____.
a) to be easily reinforced b) to look smarter in design
c) to meet stricter building standards d) to be designed in the shape of cubes
37. the award-winning beach house is quite strong because____.
a) it is strengthened by steel rods b) it is made of redwood
c) it is in the shape of a shell d) it is built with timber and concrete
38. huff raised the house 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings in order to _____.
a) withstand peak winds of about 200 km/hr
b) anchor stronger pilings deep in the sand
c) break huge sea waves into smaller ones
d) prevent water from rushing into the house
39. the main function of the shell is
a) to strengthen the pilings of the house
b) to give the house a better appearance
c)to protect the wooden frame of the house
d) to slow down the speed of the swelling water
40. it can be inferred from the passage that the shell should be____.
a) fancy-looking b) waterproof c) easily breakable d) extremely strong
part iii vocabulary (20 minutes)
directions: there are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. for each sentence there are four choices marked a), b), c) and d). choose the one answer that best completes the sentence. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
41. he asked us to _____ them in carrying through their plan.
a) provide c) assist
b) arouse d) persist
42. a good many proposals were raised by the delegates, _____ was to be expected.
a) that c) so
b) what d) as
43. he was such a _____ speaker that he held our attention every minute of the three-hour lecture.
a) specific c) heroic
b) dynamic d) diplomatic
44. arriving home, the boy told his parents about all the _____ which occurred in his dormitory.
a) occasions c) incidents
b) matters d) issues
45. the opening between the rocks was very narrow, but the boys managed to _____ through.
a) press c) stretch
b) squeeze d) leap
46. they are trying to _____ the waste discharged by the factory for profit.
a) expose c) exhibit
b) exhaust d) exploit
47. the manager urged his staff not to _____ the splendid opportunity.
a) drop c) escape
b) miss d) slide
48. _____ i admire david as a poet, i do not like him as a man.
a) much as c) if only
b) only if d) as much
49. because of a _____ engagement, lora couldn't attend my birthday party last saturday.
a) pioneer c) prior
b) premature d) past
50. the continuous rain _____ the harvesting of the wheat crop by two weeks.
a) set back c) set out
b) set off d) set aside
51. not having a good command of english can be a serious _____ preventing you from achieving your goals.
a) obstacle c) offense
b) fault d) distress
52. it's very _____ of you not to talk aloud while the baby is asleep.
a) concerned c) considerable
b) careful d) considerate
53. many a player who had been highly thought of has _____ from the tennis scene.
a) disposed c) discouraged
b) disappeared d) discarded
54. she's fainted. throw some water on her face and she'll _____.
a) come round c) come on
b) come along d) come out
55. all their attempts to _____ the child from the burning building were in vain.
a) regain c) rescue
b) recover d) reserve
56. computer technology will _____ a revolution in business administration.
a) bring around c) bring out
b) bring about d) bring up
57. the university has launched a research center to develop new ways of _____ bacteria which have become resistant to drug treatments.
a) regulating c) interrupting
b) halting d) combating
58. the _____ goal of the book is to help bridge the gap between research and teaching, particularly the gap between researchers and teachers.
a) joint c) overall
b) intensive d) decisive
59. the rapid development of communications technology is transforming the _____ in which people communicate across time and space.
a) route c) vision
b) transmission d) manner
60. when i go out in the evening i use the bike _____ the car if i can. [page]
a) rather than c) in spite of
b) regardless of d) other than
61. there is no _____ evidence that people can control their dreams, at least in experimental situations in a lab.
a) rigid c) smooth
b) solid d) harsh
62. every culture has developed _____ for certain kinds of food and drink, and equally strong negative attitudes toward others.
a) preferences c) fantasies
b) expectations d) fashions
63. it is reported that uruguay understands and _____ china on human rights issues.
a) grants c) abandons
b) changes d) backs
64. only a few people have _____ to the full facts of the incident.
a) access c) contact
b) resort d) path
65. his trousers _____ when he tried to jump over the fence.
a) cracked c) broke
b) split d) burst
66. so far, _____ winds and currents have kept the thick patch of oil southeast of the atlantic coast.
a) governing c) prevailing
b) blowing d) ruling
67. the author was required to submit an _____ of about 200 words together with his research paper.
a) edition c) article
b) editorial d) abstract
68. as the old empires were broken up and new states were formed, new official tongues began to _____ at an increasing rate.
a) bring up c) spring up
b) build up d) strike up
69. many patients insist on having watches with them in hospital, _____ they have no schedules to keep.
a) even though c) as if
b) for d) since
70. some plants are very _____ to light; they prefer the shade.
a) sensible c) objective
b) flexible d) sensitive
part iv cloze (15 minutes)
directions: there are 20 blanks in the following passage. for each blank there are four choices marked a), b), c) and d) on the right side of the paper, you should choose the one that best fits into the passage. then mark the corresponding letter on the answer sheet with a single line through the centre.
it's an annual back-to-school routine. one morning you wave goodbye, and that 71 evening you're burning the late-night oil in sympathy. in the race to improve educational standards, 72 are throwing the books at kids. 73 elementary school students are complaining of homework 74 . what's a well-meaning parent to do?
as hard as 75 may be, sit back and chill, experts advise. though you've got to get them to do it, 76 helping too much, or even examining 77 too carefully, you may keep them 78 doing it by themselves. "i wouldn't advise a parent to check every 79 assignment," says psychologist john rosemond, author of ending the tough homework. "there's a 80 of appreciation for trial and error. let your children 81 the grade they deserve."
many experts believe parents should gently look over the work of younger children and ask them to rethink their 82 . but "you don't want them to feel it has to be 83 ," she says.
that's not to say parents should 84 homework -- first, they should monitor how much homework their kids 85 . thirty minutes a day in the early elementary years and an hour in 86 four, five, and six is standard, says rosemond. for junior-high students it should be " 87 mom than an hour and a half," and two for high-school students. if your child 88 has mom homework than this, you may want to check 89 other parents and then talk to the teacher about 90 assignment
71. a) very c) right
b) exact d) usual
72. a) officials c) experts
b) parents d) schools
73. a) also c) then
b) even d) however
74. a) fatigue c) duty
b) confusion d) puzzle
75. a) there c) they
b) we d) it
76. a) via c) by
b) under d) for
77. a) questions c) standards
b) answers' d) rules
78. a) off c) beyond
b) without d) from
79. a) single c) page
b) piece d) other
80. a) drop c) cut
b) short d) lack
81. a) acquire c) gather
b) earn d) reach
82. a) exercises c) mistakes
b) defects d) tests
83. a) perfect c) unusual
b) better d) complete
84. a) forget c) miss
b) refuse d) ignore
85. a) have c) make
b) prepare d) perform
86. a) classes c) grades
b) groups d) terms
87. a) about c) much
b) no d) few
88. a) previously c) merely
b) rarely d) consistently
89. a) with c) out
b) in d) up
90. a) finishing c) reducing [page]
b) lowering d) declining
part v writing (30 minutes)
directions: for this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter in reply to a friend's inquiry about applying for admission to your college or university. you should write at least 120 words according to the outline given below in chinese:
以上就是为大家整理的大学英语四级历年真题，希望能够对大家有所帮助。四级真题在做的时候一定要认真仔细，从中掌握所有可以掌握的知识以及答题技巧，充分应用，这样才能够提升自己。
