2003年同等学力外国语水平考试真题

Paper One 试卷一
Part I: Listening Comprehension (20 minutes, 15 points)
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear nine short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a third voice will ask a question about what was said. Both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once. Choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D by marking 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.
Sample Answer A B C D
From the conversation we know that the two speakers are talking about ordering food. This is most likely to have taken place in a restaurant. Therefore, “In a restaurant” is the best answer. You should choose D on the ANSWER SHEET and mark it with a single line through the center.
1. A. He works with many people. B. He becomes unemployed.
  C. He doesn’t tell the truth. D. He doesn’t like his job.
2. A. The woman will not be a good student in her new area.
  B. The woman shouldn’t major in engineering.
  C. The woman still has to do a lot of math.
  D. The woman should learn more about computer science.
3. A. That other people would know about his earnings.
  B. That Nancy did not think twice before she acted out.
  C. That Mrs. Wallace would get too excited.
  D. That Nancy was not apologetic about her mistakes.

4. A. Sue has cheated him.

B. Sue looks down on him.
C. Sue is bad-tempered.

D. Sue has an ugly nose.

5. A. He is strong. B. He is big-nosed.
C. He is careless. D. He is determined.

6. A. He thinks that people in the country are less friendly.
B. He thinks that people in big cities are more materialistic.
C. He thinks that people in the country are more open-minded.
D. He thinks that people in big cities are more generous.

7. A. She loves the businessman very much.
B. She is only after the businessman’s money.
C. She and her husband have had a quarrel.
D. She is regretful about being separated.

8. A. The house is larger than others.
B. The house has some additional rooms.
C. The cost of the labor has increased.
D. The price of some material has risen.

9. A. Indignant. B. Sorrowful.
C. Relieved. D. Nervous.

 

Section B:

Directions: In this section, you will first hear a conversation and then a talk. At the end of the conversation and the talk, you will hear some questions. All of them will be read only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D by marking the corresponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center. Questions 10 to 12 are based on the interview you have just heard.

10. A. Amusing. B. Tiring.
   C. Amazing. D. Frightening.
11. A. Spanish or English. B. Spanish and English.
   C. English. D. Spanish.
12. A. Because they maintain the essence of her singing.
  B. Because they help publicize her new albums.
  C. Because the public want to see her in person.
  D. Because the public like to see tricks on the stage.

Questions 13 to 15 are based on the talk you have just heard.
13. A. The Games have met their environmental goals.
   B. The Games have caused lasting damages to the area.
   C. The Games did little to protect the environment.
   D. The Games shouldn’t be held in Salt Lake City.
14. A. Sports competition. B. Cultural exchange.
   C. Environmental protection. D. Economic development.
15. A. Building ski jumps farther away from the city.
   B. Planting more trees around the fields.
   C. Developing better bus systems in the city.
   D. Promoting the use of cleaner energy.

Part II: Vocabulary (10 minutes, 10 points)
Section A
Directions: In this section there are fifteen sentences, each with one word or phrase underlined. Choose the one from the four choices marked A, B, C and D that best keeps the meaning of the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
16. The very sight of the imposing buildings assured these tourists of the significant changes in this city.

A. instinctive B. impressive C. institutional D. imaginary
17. The accepted criteria of adequate diet have been challenged by new discoveries in nutrition.

A.      formations B. components C. standards D. ingredients
18. Senior citizens are advised to go in for some creative activities to keep themselves mentally
young.
A. search for B. invest on C. engage in D. work out
19. Presumable, excessive consumption of fried foods has serious consequences as has been proved.
A. Theoretically B. Practically C. Incredibly D. Probably
20. The sitting-room feels comfortable with the fireplace shedding warm and faint light.
A. giving off B. calling off C. shaking off D. putting off
21. The nasty language of local officials makes them seem very ignorant and rude.
A. artificial B. indecent C. humorous D. lively
22. We shouldn’t treat children as peers or friends, but guide them in making their choices, even if it means with some discipline.
A. persuasion B. punishment
C. rewards D. criticism
23. Silk, although it is considered a delicate fabric, is in fact very strong, but it is adversely affected by sunlight.
A. soft B. sheer C. fragile D. refined
24.It is anticipated that this contract will substantially increase sales over the next three years.
A. apparently B. slightly C. considerably D. steadily
25. The new government embarked upon a program of radical economic reform.
A. initiated B. produced
C. adopted D. implemented
26. In the accident three men were trapped in a submerged vehicle, and their only hope was another man whose legs were broken.
A. wrecked B. burnt C. overturned D. sunk
27. Nearly eleven thousand people have been arrested for defying the ban on street trading.
A. criticizing B. neglecting C. blaming D. disclosing
28.There are some things in the class the teachers will not put up with.
A. tolerate B. contribute C. resist D. prohibit
29. Despite the dangers and difficulties in fighting with the terrorists, the soldiers were resolute.
A. defensive B. aggressive C. stubborn D. firm
30. Born in 1932, he retired as a foreign correspondent for the Polish Press Agency in 1981, by which time his three books had started to come out.
A. be subscribed B. be published C. be popular D. be written
Section B
Directions: In this section there are fifteen incomplete sentences. For each sentence there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
31. Sometimes we buy a magazine with absolutely no purpose ______ to pass time.
A. rather than B. other than C. as well D. except for
32. Those who ______ women’s liberation movement continue to hope, and work, for a change.
A. consist in B. believe in C. indulge in D. result in
33. Finding out about these universities has become easy for anyone with Internet ______.
A. entrance B. admission C. access D. entry
34. How strange it is that the habit he developed in his childhood still ______ him.
A. takes to B. clings to C. attends to D. adds to
35. The three disrespectful sons began to feel worried about the ultimate ______ of the family’s property.
A. proposal B. disposal C. removal D. salvation
36. Chemists, physicists and mathematicians are ______ known as scientists.
A. collectively B. alternatively C. cognitively D. exclusively
37. The national government is to make every effort to ______ the will of the people.
A. execute B. exceed C. excite D. exhaust
38. There are often discouraging predictions that have not been ______ by actual events.
A. verified B. utilized C. mobilized D. modified
39. Tom was ______ of a crime he didn’t commit. He fought for many years to clear his name.
A. convicted B. convinced C. conceived D. condemned
40. Actor Pierce Brosnan may play the deadly super spy in the movies, but in real life he is a ______father and a loving husband.
A. devastated B. deserved C. desperate D. devoted
41. The years of practice, of developing my special technique, are just about to ______.
A. turn up B. figure out C. pay off D. clear away
42. Like most foreigners, I ask a lot of questions, some of which are insultingly silly. But everyone I ______ has answered those questions with patience and honesty.
A. come across B. come by C. come over D. come into
43. Now when talking about economic reform I am very ______ aware of the shadow hanging over most African countries’ debt.
A. well B. far C. much D. greatly
44. This procedure describes how suggestions for improvements to the systems are ______.
A. celebrated B. proceeded C. generated D. established
45. “Since we are exchanging ______, I too have a secret to reveal,” said Mary.
A. transferences B. transactions C. confidences D. promises

Part III: Reading Comprehension (40 minutes, 25 points)
Directions: There are five passages in this part. Each passage is followed by five questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer and mark the corresponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
Passage One
Andrea had never seen an old lady hitchhiking (搭车) before. However, the weather and the coming darkness made her feel sorry for the lady. The old lady had some difficulty climbing in through the car door, and pushed her big brown canvas shopping bag down onto the floor under her feet. She said to Andres, in a voice that was almost a whisper, “Thank you dearie —I’m just going to Brockbourne.”
Something in the way the lady spoke, and the way she never turned her head, made Andrea uneasy about this strange hitchhiker. She didn’t know why, but she felt instinctively that there was something wrong, something odd, something…dangerous. But how could an old lady be dangerous? It was absurd.
Careful not to turn her head, Andrea looked sideways at her passenger. She studied the hat, the dirty collar of the dress, the shapeless body, the arms with the thick black hairs… Thick black hairs? Hairy arms? Andres’s blood froze. This wasn’t a woman. It was a man. At first, she didn’t know what to do. Then suddenly, an idea came into her racing, terrified brain. Swinging the wheel suddenly, she threw the car into a skid (刹车), and brought it to a halt.

 “My God!” she shouted, “A child! Did you see the child? I think I hit her!”

 The “old lady” was clearly shaken by the sudden skid, “I didn’t see anything dearie,” she said. “I don’t think you hit anything.”

“I’m sure it was a child!” insisted Andrea. “Could you just get out and have a look? Just see
if there’s anything on the road?” She held her breath. Would her plan work?

It did. The passenger slowly climbed out to investigate. As soon as she was out of the vehicle, Andrea gunned the engine and accelerated madly away, and soon she had put a good three miles between herself and the awful hitchhiker.

It was only then that she thought about the bag lying on the floor in front of her. Maybe the bag would provide some information about the real identity about the man. Pulling into the side of the road, Andrea opened the heavy bag curiously.

It contained only one item—a small hand axe, with a razor-sharp blade. The axe and the inside of the bag were covered with the dark red stains of dried blood. Andrea began to scream.
46. Andrea allowed the hitchhiker to take a ride in her car mainly because ______.
A. the hitchhiker was an old woman B. she was curious about the old lady
C. the lady had a heavy bag D. she knew the old lady
47. What made Andrea afraid when she looked at the old lady?
A. She had a shapeless body. B. She had a harsh voice.
C. She wore a dirty dress. D. She had hairy arms.
48. Andrea suddenly stopped the car because ______.
A. she thought she had hit a child on the road
B. she skidded on some ice on the road
C. she wanted to trick the passenger into getting out
D. she couldn’t concentrate and nearly had a crash
49. Andrea looked in the passenger’s bag to ______.
A. examine what was in it. B. find out where the passenger lived.
C. use the passenger’s tools. D. find out who the passenger was.
50. Andrea screamed because ______.
A. she saw the hitchhiker come back B. she realized she could have been killed
C. she was scared at seeing blood D. she cut herself by the blade
Passage Two
Desperately short of living space and dangerously prone to flooding, the Netherlands plans to start building homes, businesses and even roads on water.
With nearly a third of the country already covered by water and half of its land mass below sea level and constantly under threat from rising waters, the authorities believe that floating communities may well be the future.

Six prototype wooden and aluminum floating houses are already attached to something off Amsterdam, and at least a further 100 are planned on the same estate, called Ijburg.

“Everybody asks why didn’t we do this kind of thing before,” said Gijsbert Van der Woerdt, director of the firm responsible for promoting the concept. “After Bangladesh we’re the most densely populated country in the world. Building space is scarce and government studies show that we’ll need to double the space available to us in the coming years to meet all our needs.”

Before being placed on the water and moved into position by tugboats (拖船), the houses are built on land atop concrete flat-bottomed boats, which encase giant lumps of polystyrene (聚笨乙烯) reinforced with steel. The flat-bottomed boats are said to be unsinkable and are anchored by underwater cables. The floating roads apply the same technology.

The concept is proving popular with the Dutch. The waiting list for such homes, which will cost between euros 200, 000—500, 000 to buy, runs to 5, 000 names, claims Van der Woerdt. With much of the country given over to market gardening and the intensive cultivation of flowers, planners have also come up with designs for floating greenhouses so that the water beneath them irrigates the plants and controls the temperature inside.

A pilot project, covering 50 hectares of flooded land near Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, is planned for 2005. The opportunities for innovative developers look promising. “We have 10 projects in the pipeline—floating villages and cities complete with offices, shops and restaurants,” Van der Woerdt said.
51. The Netherlands plans to start building floating communities on water because ______.
A. most parts of the country are covered by water
B. the country is constantly threatened by floods
C. it will promote the cultivation of flowers
D. people think it better to live on water
52. By citing “Everyone asks why didn’t we do this kind of thing before”, the author wants to
tell us that ______.
A. building floating communities is a very good idea
B. the director of the firm didn’t want to answer the question
C. the Netherlands should follow the example of Bangladesh
D. people are not satisfied with the government’s work
53. The floating houses will be ______.
A. reinforced with steel B. made of concrete
C. constructed in water D. built on boats
54. According to the author, the floating communities on water ______.
A. can promote market gardening B. are beyond the reach of most Dutch people
C. will increase the cost of gardening D. will be very popular by the year of 2005
55. “10 projects in the pipeline” in the last paragraph means ______.
A. “10 pipelines to provide gas” B. “10 companies to lay the pipelines”
C. “10 floating houses to be built on water” D. “10 building projects planned and started”
Passage Three
My new home was a long way from the center of London but it was becoming essential to find a job, so finally I spent a whole morning getting to town and putting my name down to be considered by London Transport for a job on the tube. They were looking for guards, not drivers. This suited me. I couldn’t drive a car but thought that I could probably guard a train, and perhaps continue to write my poems between stations. The writers Keats and Chekhov had been doctors. T.S. Eliot had worked in a band and Wallace Stevens for an insurance company. I would be a tube guard. I could see myself being cheerful, useful, a good man in a crisis. Obviously I would be overqualified but I was willing to forget about that in return for a steady income and travel privileges—those being particularly welcome to someone living a long way from the city center. The next day I sat down, with almost a hundred other candidates, for the intelligence test. I must have done all right because after half an hour’s wait I was sent into another room for a psychological test. This time there were only about fifty candidates. The examiner sat at a desk. You were signaled forward to occupy the seat opposite him when the previous occupant had been dismissed after a greater or shorter time. Obviously the long interviews were the more successful ones. Some of the interviews were as short as five minutes. Mine was the only one that lasted a minute and a half.

I can remember the questions now: “ Why did you leave your last job?” “Why did you leave your job before that?” “And the one before that?” I can’t recall my answers except that they were short at first and grew progressively shorter. His closing statement, I thought, revealed a lack of sensitivity which helped to explain why as a psychologist, he had risen no higher than the underground railway. “You have failed the psychological test and we are unable to offer you a position.”

Failing to get that job was my low point. Or so I thought, believing that the work was easy. Actually, such jobs—being a postman is another one I still desire—demand exactly the sort of elementary yet responsible awareness that the habitual dreamer is least qualified to give. But I was still far short of full self-understanding. I was also short of cash.

56. The writer applied for the job because ______.
A. he could no longer afford to live without one
B. he wanted to work in the center of London
C. he had received suitable training
D. he was not interested in any other available job
57. The writer thought he was overqualified for the job because ______.
A. he had written many poems B. he often traveled underground
C. he had worked in an insurance company D. he could deal with difficult situations