1、大学英语六级模拟试卷 558及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Is It a Waste of Talent? You should write at least 150 words according to the outline given below. 目前有大学生毕业后选择当油漆工、保姆等 1对这种做法有人表示赞成 2也有人表示反对 3我认为 Is It a Waste of Talent? 二
2、、 Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions attached to the passage. For questions 1-4, mark： Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the pass
3、age; N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 1 Plan B: Skip College Whats the key to success in the United States? Other than becoming a reality TV star, the answer is rather knee-jerk: Earn a co
4、llege degree. The idea that four years of higher education will translate into a better job, higher earnings and a happier life a refrain sure to be repeated this month at graduation ceremonies across the country has been pounded into the heads of schoolchildren, parents and educators. But theres an
5、 underside to that conventional wisdom. Perhaps no more than half of those who began a four-year bachelors degree program in the fall of 2006 will get that degree within six years, according to the latest estimates from the Department of Education. (The figures dont include transfer students, who ar
6、ent tracked.) For college students who ranked among the bottom quarter of their high school classes, the numbers are even more stark: 80 percent will probably never get a bachelors degree or even a two-year associates degree. That can be a lot of tuition to pay, without a degree to show for it. A sm
7、all but influential group of economists and educators is pushing another pathway: for some students, no college at all. Its time, they say, to develop credible alternatives for students unlikely to be successful pursuing a higher degree, or who may not be ready to do so. Whether everyone in college
8、needs to be there is not a new question; the subject has been hashed out (仔细地讨论 ) in books and theses for years. But the economic crisis has sharpened that focus, as financially struggling states cut aid to higher education. Among those calling for such alternatives are the economists Richard K. Ved
9、der of Ohio University and Robert I. Lerman of American University, the political scientist Charles Murray, and James E. Rosenbaum, an education professor at Northwestern. They would steer some students toward intensive, short-term vocational and career training, through expanded high school program
10、s and corporate apprenticeships (见习 ). “It is true that we need more nanosurgeons than we did 10 to 15 years ago,“ said Professor Vedder, founder of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, a research nonprofit in Washington. “But the numbers are still relatively small compared to the
11、numbers of nurses aides were going to need. We will need hundreds of thousands of them over the next decade.“ And much of their training, he added; might be feasible outside the college setting. College degrees are simply not necessary for many jobs. Of the 30 jobs projected to grow at the fastest r
12、ate over the next decade in the United States, only seven typically require a bachelors degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among the top 10 growing job categories, two require college degrees: accounting (a bachelors) and postsecondary teachers (a doctorate). But this growth is exp
13、ected to be dwarfed by the need for registered nurses, home health aides, customer service representatives and store clerks. None of those jobs require a bachelors degree. Professor Vedder likes to ask why 15 percent of mail carriers have bachelors degrees, according to a 1999 federal study. “Some o
14、f them could have bought a house for what they spent on their education,“ he said. Professor Lerman, the American University economist, said some high school graduates would be better served by being taught how to behave and communicate in the workplace. Such skills are ranked among the most desired
15、 even ahead of educational attainment in many surveys of employers. In one 2008 survey of more than 2,000 businesses in Washington State, employers said entry-level workers appeared to be most deficient (缺乏 ) in being able to “solve problems and make decisions“, “resolve conflict and negotiate“, “co
16、operate with others“ and “listen actively“ . Yet despite the need, vocational programs, which might teach such skills, have been one casualty in the push for national education standards, which has been focused on preparing students for college. While some educators propose a radical renovation (修复
17、) of the community college system to teach work readiness, Professor Lerman advocates a significant national investment by government and employers in on-the-job apprenticeship training. He spoke with admiration, for example, about a program in the CVS pharmacy chain in which aspiring pharmacists (药
18、剂师 ) assistants work as apprentices in hundreds of stores, with many going on to study to become highly qualified pharmacists themselves. “The health field is an obvious case where the manpower situation is less than ideal,“ he said. “I would try to work with some of the major employers to develop t
19、hese kinds of programs to yield mastery in jobs that do demand high expertise.“ While no country has a perfect model for such programs, Professor Lerman pointed to a modest study of a German effort done last summer by an intern (实习生 ) from that country. She found that of those who passed the Abitur,
20、 the exam that allows some Germans to attend college for almost no tuition, 40 percent chose to go into apprenticeships in trades, accounting, sales management, and computers. “Some of the people coming out of those apprenticeships are in more demand than college graduates,“ he said, “because theyve
21、 actually managed things in the workplace.“ Still, by urging that some students be directed away from four-year colleges, academics like Professor Lerman are touching a third rail of the education system. At the very least, they could be accused of lowering expectations for some students. Some criti
22、cs go further, suggesting that the approach amounts to educational redlining, since many of the students who drop out of college are black or non-white Hispanics. Peggy Williams, a counselor at a high school in suburban New York City with a student body that is mostly black or Hispanic, understands
23、the argument for erring on the side of(宁可 ) pushing more students toward college. “If were telling kids, You cant perform up to expectations, you shouldnt go to college or university, then were shortchanging them from experiencing an environment in which they might grow,“ she said. But Ms. Williams
24、said she would be more willing to counsel some students away from the pre-college track if her school, Mount Vernon High School, had a better vocational education alternative. Over the last decade, she said, courses in culinary arts, nursing, dentistry and heating and ventilation system repair were
25、eliminated. Perhaps 1 percent of this years graduates will complete a concentration in vocational courses, she said, compared with 40 percent a decade ago. There is another reply to the case against college: People with college and graduate degrees generally earn more than those without them, and fa
26、ce lower risks of unemployment, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even those who experience a few years of college earn more money, on average, with less risk of unemployment, than those who merely graduate from high school, said Morton Schapiro, an economist who is the presi
27、dent of Northwestern University. “You get some return even if you dont get the diploma,“ Mr. Schapiro said. He warned against overlooking the intangible (无形的 ) benefits of a college experience even an incomplete experience for those who might not apply what they learned directly to their chosen work
28、. “Its not just about the economic return,“ he said. “Some college, whether you complete it or not, contributes to aesthetic appreciation, better health and better voting behavior.“ Nonetheless, Professor Rosenbaum said, high school counselors and teachers are not doing enough to alert students unli
29、kely to earn a college degree to the dangerous road ahead. “Im not saying dont get the B.A,“ he said. “Im saying, lets get them some intervening credentials, some intervening milestones. Then, if they want to go further in their education, they can.“ 2 According to conventional wisdom in America,_.
30、（ A） people with a bachelors degree will make more money （ B） prestigious college graduates tend to land better jobs （ C） higher education doesnt relate to ones happiness （ D） many people entering college wont graduate with a degree 3 What do some influential economists and educators suggest? （ A） E
31、very student should get some college education. （ B） College degrees are not necessary for some students. （ C） Most high school graduates are not ready for college. （ D） Its not difficult for low graders to get a college degree. 4 The question of whether every student needs to go to college_. （ A） i
32、s a new issue arising from the financial crisis （ B） has never been discussed thoroughly before （ C） is highlighted by the current economic crisis （ D） shouldnt be the focus of peoples attention 5 Statistics of the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that in the US_. （ A） many fast-growing jobs dont d
33、emand higher degrees （ B） there has been a severe shortage of experienced nurses （ C） jobs requiring bachelors degrees enjoy the fastest growth （ D） accountants will outgrow store clerks in the next decade 6 What skills do employers desire most from school leavers according to many surveys? （ A） Abi
34、lity to serve customers. （ B） Educational attainment. （ C） Basic skills of managing an office. （ D） Communication skills. 7 What do national education standards in the US focus on now? （ A） Teaching students how to behave. （ B） Making students ready for college. （ C） Improving students social statue
35、s. （ D） Giving students professional training. 8 To prepare students for work, Professor Lerman advocates_. （ A） reforming the community college system （ B） investing heavily in corporate apprenticeships （ C） sending students to international companies （ D） expanding the four-year college education
36、9 Academics who steer some students away from colleges are criticized for_ for these students. 10 According to Morton Schapiro, even though their experience in the college is not complete, students still get some_from it. 11 Professor Rosenbaum suggested some students be_to the possibility that they
37、 may not earn the degree if they go to college. Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only o
38、nce. 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. （ A） He admires Jeans straightforwardness. （ B） He thinks Dr. Brown deserves the praise. （ C） He believes Jean was rude to Dr. Brown. （ D） He wi
39、ll talk to Jean about what happened. （ A） He stayed in a room on the third floor for an hour. （ B） He was absent when the discussion was being held. （ C） Nobody but the woman noticed that he was absent. （ D） He did not leave room 405 until an hour had passed. （ A） He enjoyed the paintings, too. （ B）
40、 He has to finish his term paper first. （ C） He cant finish his term paper that day. （ D） He has learned something about the artists. （ A） Some people may not go on the field trip. （ B） The transportation for the trip is free. （ C） Everyone in the class has paid the fee. （ D） The class wont enjoy go
41、ing on the field trip. （ A） In Atlanta. （ B） At a convention centre. （ C） In a hospital. （ D） At home. （ A） She has been at home. （ B） The new manager was not in the office. （ C） She hasnt talked with the new manager yet. （ D） She didnt want to talk with the new manager. （ A） He will see Steve soon.
42、 （ B） He is afraid the weather will not be clear. （ C） He is not sure if there will be enough space. （ D） He is not sure if he can find a room for Steve. （ A） He might move to another city very soon. （ B） The womans exaggerating the seriousness of the pollution. （ C） The air pollution is caused by t
43、he development of industry. （ D） The city was poor because there wasnt much industry then. （ A） The climate there is too cold. （ B） The air-fare is quite expensive. （ C） He has visited it twice before. （ D） He does not have the passport. （ A） He has just reconditioned his house. （ B） His old car has
44、 just been repaired. （ C） He has just come back from abroad. （ D） He doesnt have long enough time. （ A） He hasnt been there before. （ B） He can meet his girlfriend there. （ C） His friend will accommodate him. （ D） He can find a temporary job there. （ A） Albania. （ B） Hungary. （ C） Romania. （ D） Czec
45、hoslovakia. （ A） Tomorrow. （ B） Next month. （ C） Immediately. （ D） Towards the end of the month. （ A） He may make a lot of friends there. （ B） He wants to visit his relatives there. （ C） He may do some market research there. （ D） He may enjoy the beautiful scenery there. （ A） Sell medical facilities
46、. （ B） Further personal contacts. （ C） Establish personal contacts. （ D） Investigate personal contacts. 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
47、you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. （ A） Divorce rate. （ B） Fathers incorporated. （ C） Single-parent families. （ D） Childrens care in single-parent families. （ A） With their father. （ B） With their mother. （ C） With their grandparents. （ D
48、） Part of the time with mother, part with father. （ A） Men need not do the job. （ B） Men can not do the job. （ C） Men should not do the job. （ D） Men can also do the job as well as women. （ A） It will cover more big political affairs. （ B） It will cover less disasters. （ C） It will cover more scient
49、ific research. （ D） It wont be printed in publishing houses. （ A） What you are interested in. （ B） The most important news. （ C） A menu of political stories. （ D） Local and international news. （ A） They will die out. （ B） They do good to each other. （ C） They focus on different news. （ D） They compete with each other. （ A） Describe the place carefully. （ B） Show him a map of the place. （ C） Tell him the names of the streets. （ D） Refer to recognizable bui
