1、大学英语四级-126 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Reading Comprehensio(总题数：4，分数：100.00)Oceanography has been defined as “The application of all sciences to the study of the sea“. Before the nineteenth century, scientists with an interest in the sea were few and far between. Certainly Newton considered some th
2、eoretical aspects of it in his writings, but he was reluctant to go to sea to further his work. For most people the sea was remote, and with the exception of early intercontinental travelers or others who earned a living from the sea, there was little reason to ask many questions about it, let alone
3、 to ask what lay beneath the surface. The first time that the question “What is at the bottom of the oceans?“ had to be answered with any commercial consequence was when the laying of a telegraph cable from Europe to America was proposed. The engineers had to know the depth profile (起伏形状) of the rou
4、te to estimate the length of cable that had to be manufactured. It was to Maury of the US Navy that the Atlantic Telegraph Company turned, in 1853, for information on this matter. In the 1840s, Maury had been responsible for encouraging voyages during which soundings (测深) were taken to investigate t
5、he depths of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Later, some of his findings aroused much popular interest in his book The Physical Geography of the Sea . The cable was laid, but not until 1866 was the connection made permanent and reliable. At the early attempts, the cable failed and when it was
6、 taken out for repairs it was found to be covered in lining growths, a fact which defied contemporary scientific opinion that there was no life in the deeper parts of the sea. Within a few years oceanography was under way. In 1872 Thomson led a scientific expedition (考察), which lasted for four years
7、 and brought home thousands of samples from the sea. Their classification and analysis occupied scientists for years and led to a five-volume report, the last volume being published in 1895.（分数：25.00）(1).The proposal to lay a telegraph cable from Europe to America made oceanographic studies take on（
8、分数：5.00）A.an academic aspectB.a military aspectC.a business aspectD.an international aspect(2).It was _ that asked Maury for help in oceanographic studies.（分数：5.00）A.the American NavyB.some early intercontinental travelersC.those who earned a lining from the seaD.the company which proposed to lay an
9、 undersea cable(3).The aim of the voyages Maury was responsible for in the 1840 was _.（分数：5.00）A.to make some sounding experiments in the oceansB.to collect sample of sea plants and animalsC.to estimate the length of cable that was neededD.to measure the depths of the two oceans(4).“Defied“ in the 5
10、th paragraph probably means “_“.（分数：5.00）A.doubtedB.gave proof toC.challengedD.agreed to(5).This passage is mainly about _.（分数：5.00）A.the beginnings of oceanographyB.the laying of the first undersea cableC.the investigation of ocean depthsD.the early intercontinental communicationsThe earliest proce
11、ss of malting paper was done almost 5,000 years ago in Egypt and the Nile Valley. In those days, paper was made from strips of the papyrus plant. Modem paper-making began in China about 2,000 years ago. This process produced paper from cloth, straw, wood or the bark of trees. The raw materials are s
12、truck over and over until they become loose. Then they are mixed with water. After the water has been removed, the flat, thin form remaining is permitted to dry. This becomes a sheet of paper. Large machines started to be used for making paper near the end of the 16th century. Today, paper-malting i
13、s a big business. But it is still possible to make paper by hand, since the steps are the same as using big machines. You should choose paper with small amounts of printing. Old envelopes are good for this reason. Colored paper also can be used, as well as small amounts of newspaper. Small pieces of
14、 rags or cloth can be added. These should be cut into pieces about 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters. Everything is placed in a container, covered with water, and brought to a boil. It is mixed for about 2 hours with some common chemicals and then allowed to cool. Then it is left until most of the wate
15、r dries up. The substance left, called pulp, can be stored until you are ready to make paper. When you are ready, the pulp is mixed with water again. Then the pulp is poured into a special box or mold. The mold is made of small squares of wire that hold the shape and thickness of the paper. To help
16、dry the paper, the mold lets the water flow through the small wire squares. After several more drying steps, the paper is carefully lifted back from the mold. It is now strong enough to be touched. The paper is smoothed and pressed to remove trapped air. You can use a common electric iron used for p
17、ressing clothes.（分数：25.00）(1).What is mentioned about the earliest process of malting paper?（分数：5.00）A.Its procedures.B.Its influences.C.Its purposes.D.Its materials.(2).It is suggested that we “should choose paper with small amounts of printing“ to _.（分数：5.00）A.make paper by ourselvesB.renew the ol
18、d envelopesC.make various colored paperD.create our own newspaper(3).Whether the paper is strong enough to be touched is determined by _.（分数：5.00）A.how long the pulp is storedB.how thick the paper isC.how much water remainsD.what type of chemicals are used(4).When the paper is lifted from the mold,
19、it is time to（分数：5.00）A.make it smoothB.make it strongC.decorate itD.iron it(5).The passage is most probably intended to（分数：5.00）A.introduce the history of paper-makingB.describe the process of paper-makingC.compare the ancient and the modern paper-maltingD.argue the possibility of paper-malting by
20、handSome pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, think the auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urb
21、an travel in the foreseeable future. The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer, and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types. Regardle
22、ss of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the main problem in urban traffic congestion (拥挤). One proposed solution to this problem is the automated highway system. When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable (可伸缩的) arm will drop from the auto and make contact with a rai
23、l, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail, the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car“s movements. The driver will use a telephon
24、e to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer (蜂鸣器) that will warn him of his coming exit. It is e
25、stimated that an automated highway will be able to handle 10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles that can be carried by a present-day highway.（分数：25.00）(1).One significant improvement in the future car will probably be _.（分数：5.00）A.its power sourceB.its driving systemC.i
26、ts monitoring systemD.its seating capacity(2).What is the author“s main concern?（分数：5.00）A.How to render automobiles pollution-free.B.How to make smaller and safer automobiles.C.How to solve the problem of traffic jams.D.How to develop an automated subway system.(3).What provides autos with electric
27、 power in an automated highway system?（分数：5.00）A.A rail.B.An engine.C.A retractable arm.D.A computer controller.(4).In an automated highway system, all the driver needs to do is _.（分数：5.00）A.keep in the right laneB.wait to arrive at his destinationC.keep in constant touch with the computer centerD.i
28、nform the system of his destination by phone(5).What is the author“s attitude toward the future of autos?（分数：5.00）A.Enthusiastic.B.Pessimistic.C.Optimistic.D.Cautious.New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It“s now a “global village“ where countries are only seconds a
29、way by fax or phone or satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills. Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modern businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of
30、 doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts. Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being “out of sight and out of min
31、d.“ He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company“s plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope bac
32、k in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent (普遍的). Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into internat
33、ional markets. English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn“t generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications ap
34、pear to be equal. The employee posted abroad who speaks the country“s principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign cli
35、ents over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm.（分数：25.00）(1).What is the author“s attitude toward high-tech communications equipment?（分数：5.00）A.Critical.B.Indifferent.C.Prejudiced.D.Positive.(2).With the increased use of high-tech communications equipment, business people
36、_.（分数：5.00）A.have to get familiar with modern technologyB.are gaining more economic benefits from domestic operationsC.are attaching more importance to their overseas businessD.are eager to work overseas(3).In this passage, “out of sight and out of mind“ (Line 2, Para. 3) probably means _.（分数：5.00）A
37、.being unable to think properly for lack of insightB.being totally out of touch with business at homeC.missing opportunities for promotion when abroadD.leaving all care and worry behind(4).According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people
38、today?（分数：5.00）A.Connections with businesses overseas.B.Ability to speak the client“s language.C.Technical know-how.D.Business experience.(5).The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can _.（分数：5.00）A.better control the whole negotiation processB.easily find new approach
39、es to meet market needsC.fast-forward their proposals to headquartersD.easily make friends with businesspeople abroad大学英语四级-126 答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Reading Comprehensio(总题数：4，分数：100.00)Oceanography has been defined as “The application of all sciences to the study of the sea“. Before the nine
40、teenth century, scientists with an interest in the sea were few and far between. Certainly Newton considered some theoretical aspects of it in his writings, but he was reluctant to go to sea to further his work. For most people the sea was remote, and with the exception of early intercontinental tra
41、velers or others who earned a living from the sea, there was little reason to ask many questions about it, let alone to ask what lay beneath the surface. The first time that the question “What is at the bottom of the oceans?“ had to be answered with any commercial consequence was when the laying of
42、a telegraph cable from Europe to America was proposed. The engineers had to know the depth profile (起伏形状) of the route to estimate the length of cable that had to be manufactured. It was to Maury of the US Navy that the Atlantic Telegraph Company turned, in 1853, for information on this matter. In t
43、he 1840s, Maury had been responsible for encouraging voyages during which soundings (测深) were taken to investigate the depths of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Later, some of his findings aroused much popular interest in his book The Physical Geography of the Sea . The cable was laid, but no
44、t until 1866 was the connection made permanent and reliable. At the early attempts, the cable failed and when it was taken out for repairs it was found to be covered in lining growths, a fact which defied contemporary scientific opinion that there was no life in the deeper parts of the sea. Within a
45、 few years oceanography was under way. In 1872 Thomson led a scientific expedition (考察), which lasted for four years and brought home thousands of samples from the sea. Their classification and analysis occupied scientists for years and led to a five-volume report, the last volume being published in
46、 1895.（分数：25.00）(1).The proposal to lay a telegraph cable from Europe to America made oceanographic studies take on（分数：5.00）A.an academic aspectB.a military aspectC.a business aspect D.an international aspect解析：解析 事实判断题。文章第 3 段第 2 句提到，这个问题的解答是具有商业结果的。C 中的business 为原文中 commercial 的同义改写，故选 C。(2).It wa
47、s _ that asked Maury for help in oceanographic studies.（分数：5.00）A.the American NavyB.some early intercontinental travelersC.those who earned a lining from the seaD.the company which proposed to lay an undersea cable 解析：解析 细节题。文章第 4 段首句为一个强调句，强调的是宾语。题干也是一个强调句型，但强调的是主语。如果把原文的强调句型改为一般的句型，就知道向 Maury 寻求帮
48、助的是 the Atlantic Telegraph Company，故答案为 D。A 是 Maury 的工作单位，可以排除；原文只提到，对于一些早期的穿越洲际的旅行家和依靠海洋维持生计的人，海洋并不遥远，故 B、C 与题意不符。(3).The aim of the voyages Maury was responsible for in the 1840 was _.（分数：5.00）A.to make some sounding experiments in the oceansB.to collect sample of sea plants and animalsC.to estima
49、te the length of cable that was neededD.to measure the depths of the two oceans 解析：解析 事实判断题。文章第 4 段提到，19 世纪 40 年代，Maury 负责推动进行测深工作的海上航行，以此来探测北大西洋与太平洋的深度，故选 D。(4).“Defied“ in the 5th paragraph probably means “_“.（分数：5.00）A.doubtedB.gave proof toC.challenged D.agreed to解析：解析 词义推断题。当时的科学观点是海洋较深的地方不存在生命，而事实上在电缆表面发现了活的生物，由此可知这一事实对当时的科学观点提出质疑，故答案为 C。(5).This passage is mainly about _.（分数：5.00）A.the beginnings of oceanography B.the laying of the first undersea cableC.the investigation of ocean depthsD.the early in
