1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 279及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on Environment Protection. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below. 1. 当前我们的社会面临严峻的环环境境问题 2造成 问题的主要原因 3如何有效地解决环境问题 二、 Part II Reading Comprehension (Sk
2、imming 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 1-7, mark： Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the statement co
3、ntradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 1 Wetlands What are wetlands? Wetlands can be thought of as “biological supermarkets.“ They provide great volumes of food that attract many animal species. These animals use wetlands fo
4、r part of or all of their life-cycle. Dead plant leaves and stems break down in the water to form small particles of organic material called “detritus.“ This enriched material feeds many small aquatic (水生的 ) insects, shellfish, and small fish that are food for larger predatory (食肉的 ) fish, reptiles,
5、 amphibians (两栖动物 ), birds, and mammals. What are the functions and values of wetlands? Long regarded as wastelands, wetlands are now recognized as important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife. Some of these services, or functions
6、, include water quality improvement, floodwater storage, fish and wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and biological productivity. These beneficial services, considered valuable to societies worldwide, are the result of the inherent and unique natural characteristics of wetlands. Water storage. Wetlands f
7、unction like natural tubs or sponges, storing water and slowly releasing it. This process slows the waters momentum and erosive potential, reduces flood heights, and allows for ground water recharge, which contributes to base flow to surface water systems during dry periods. Although a small wetland
8、 might not store much water, a network of many small wetlands can store an enormous amount of water. The ability of wetlands to store floodwaters reduces the risk of costly property damage and loss of life-benefits that have economic value to us. For example, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers found
9、that protecting wetlands along the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, saved 17 million in potential flood damage. Water filtration. After being slowed by a wetland, water moves around plants, allowing the suspended sediment to drop out and settle to the wetland floor. Nutrients from fertilizer
10、application, manure, !caking septic tanks, and municipal sewage that are dissolved in the water are often absorbed byplant roots and microorganisms in the soil. Other pollutants stick to soil particles. In many cases, this filtration process removes much of the waters nutrient and pollutant load by
11、the time it leaves a wetland. Some types of wetlands are so good at this filtration function that environmental managers construct similar artificial wetlands to treat storm water and wastewater. Biological productivity. Wetlands are some of the most biologically productive natural ecosystems in the
12、 world, comparable to tropical rain forests and coral reefs in their productivity and the diversity of species they support. Abundant vegetation and shallow water provide diverse habitats for fish and wildlife. Aquatic plant life flourishes in the nutrient-rich environment, and energy converted by t
13、he plants is passed up the food chain to fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife and to us as well. This function supports valuable commercial fish and shellfish industries. Fish and wildlife habitat. More than one-third of the United States threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, and n
14、early half use wetlands at some point in their lives. Many other animals and plants depend on wetlands for survival. For many animals and plants, like wood ducks and swamp rose, inland wetlands are the only places they can live. For others, such as black bear, raccoon (浣熊 ), and deer, wetlands provi
15、de important food, water, or shelter. Many of the U. S. breeding bird populations-including ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hawks, and many song-birds-feed, nest, and raise their young in wetlands. Migratory waterfowl use coastal and inland wetlands as resting, feeding, breeding, or nesting grounds for a
16、t least part of the year. Recreation and aesthetics. Wetlands have recreational, historical, scientific, and cultural values. More than half of all U.S. adults hunt, fish, bird watch or photograph wildlife. They spend a total of 59.5 billion annually. Painters and writers continue to capture the bea
17、uty of wetlands on canvas and paper, or through cameras, and video and sound recorders. Others appreciate these wonderlands through hiking, boating, and other recreational activities. Almost everyone likes being on or near the water; part of the enjoyment is the varied, fascinating life forms. How a
18、re wetlands protected? The federal government protects wetlands through regulations, economic incentives and disincentives, cooperative programs, and acquisition. Beyond the federal level, a number of states have enacted laws to regulate activities in wetlands, and some counties and towns have adopt
19、ed local wetlands protection ordinances (法令 ) or have changed the way development is permitted. Most coastal states have significantly reduced losses of coastal wetlands through protective laws. Few states, however, have laws specifically regulating activities in inland wetlands, although some state
20、s and local governments have non- regulatory programs that help protect wetlands. Recently, partnerships to manage whole watersheds have developed among federal, state, tribal, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and private landowners. The goal of these partnerships is to implement comp
21、rehensive, integrated watershed protection approaches. A watershed approach recognizes the inter-connectedness of water, land, and wetlands resources and results in more complete solutions that address more of the factors causing wetland degradation. The government achieves the restoration of former
22、 or degraded wetlands under the Clean Water Act Section 404 program as well as through watershed protection initiatives. Together, partners can share limited resources to find the best solutions to protect and restore Americas natural resources. While regulation, economic incentives, and acquisition
23、 programs are important, they alone cannot protect the majority of our remaining wetlands. Education of the public and efforts in conjunction with states, local governments, and private citizens are helping to protect wetlands and to increase appreciation of the functions and values of wetlands. The
24、 rate of wetlands loss has been slowing, but we still have work to do. You can be a part. Approximately 75 percent of wetlands are privately owned, so individual landowners are critical in protecting these national treasures. What can you do? Despite the efforts of governments and private conservati
25、on organizations, pressures that destroy wetlands will continue. The problems of degradation of wetlands from pollution, urban encroachment, groundwater withdrawals, partial drainage, and other actions also require attention. Many opportunities exist for private citizens, corporations, government ag
26、encies, and other groups to work together to slow the rate of wetland loss and to improve the quality of our remaining wetlands. First, state and local governments need to be encouraged to establish programs to effectively protect wetlands, especially inland wetlands, within their borders. Second, b
27、ecause individual landowners and corporations own many of the nations wetlands, they are in a key position to determine the fate of wetlands on their properties. Finally, all citizens, whether or not they own wetlands, can help protect wetlands by supporting wetlands conservation initiatives. Wetlan
28、ds are an important part of our national heritage. Our economic well-being and quality of life largely depend on our nations wealth of natural resources, and wetlands are the vital link between our land and water resources. As wetlands are lost, the remaining wetlands become even more valuable. We h
29、ave already lost many of our nations wetlands since America was first settled. We must now take positive steps to protect wetlands to ensure that the functions and related values they provide will be preserved for present and future generations. 2 The passage gives a general description of the funct
30、ions and values and protection of wetlands. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 3 Wetlands can be thought of as “biological supermarkets“ because dead plant leaves and stems break down in the water. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 4 Wetlands function like natural tubs or sponges, storing water and slowly releasing it. （ A）
31、 Y （ B） N （ C） NG 5 Wetlands are some of the most biologically productive natural ecosystems in the world, comparable to tropical rain forests and coral reefs in their productivity and the diversity of species they support. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 6 More than half of the United Statesthreatened and en
32、dangered species live only in wetlands, and nearly one-third use wetlands at some point in their lives. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 7 Wetlands dont have any recreational, historical, scientific, and cultural values at all. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 8 Eighteen states have enacted laws to regulate activities in
33、 wetlands. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 9 The beneficial functions of wetlands, considered valuable to societies worldwide, are the result of the inherent and unique_. 10 Some types of wetlands are so good at this filtration function that environmental managers construct similar artificial wetlands to trea
34、t_. 11 We should do all we can to protect wetlands to ensure that their functions and values will be preserved for_. 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 wa
35、s said. Both the conversation and the questions 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. （ A） The man wants to go to Los Angeles. （ B） The man wants to go to San Fr
36、ancisco. （ C） There are no flights to Los Angeles for the rest of the day. （ D） There are two direct flights to Los Angeles within the next two hours. （ A） They didnt have enough knowledge to discuss voting rights. （ B） They left the meeting when the subject of voting rights came up. （ C） They domin
37、ated the part of the meeting about voting rights. （ D） They were most agreeable on the subject of voting rights. （ A） Listening to the radio. （ B） Reading a newspaper. （ C） Watching television. （ D） Watching a sports game. （ A） She has done half of it already. （ B） She agrees that it is very long. （
38、 C） They have all semester to do it. （ D） Theres nothing wrong with it. （ A） He has cut himself. （ B） He cannot face the public. （ C） He was too close to the speaker. （ D） He is not feeling well about the news. （ A） How the man feels about the news. （ B） Whether he has the money. （ C） If he will los
39、e his job. （ D） When he will let go. （ A） Its not very relaxing. （ B） Its safer than driving. （ C） It doesnt cost very much. （ D） Its easy to drive. （ A） Customer and salesman. （ B） Colleagues. （ C） Employee and boss. （ D） Classmates. （ A） Before breakfast. （ B） Late morning. （ C） Mid-afternoon. （ D
40、） Late evening. （ A） Shes impressed with the ticket sellers. （ B） Shes pleased about the mans purchase. （ C） Shes uncertain about the change in plans. （ D） Shes annoyed by the situation. （ A） Stay where he is. （ B） Go home to telephone the order. （ C） Try to get the tickets elsewhere. （ D） Return af
41、ter lunch. （ A） How much exercise they get every day. （ B） What they are most worried about. （ C） How long their parents accompany them daily. （ D） What entertainment they are interested in. （ A） Get enough entertainment. （ B） Have more activities. （ C） Receive early education. （ D） Have regular che
42、ckups. （ A） It should be no place for play. （ B） It should be near a common area. （ C） It should have no TV sets and computers. （ D） It should have a computer for study. （ A） Better land. （ B） Quick wealth. （ C） Modem equipment. （ D） Stricter laws. （ A） Students are not required to attend regular cl
43、ass lectures. （ B） The professor videotapes class lectures for review. （ C） Classes are held out at various locations throughout the area. （ D） Students receive credit for work experience. （ A） It allows them to meet students from other universities. （ B） It promotes the concept of self-learning. （
44、C） It allows more flexibility in students schedule. （ D） It doesnt require any examinations. （ A） Its a requirement for psychology majors. （ B） She wasnt able to get into the traditional course. （ C） She lives far from the universities. （ D） She has to work three days a week next semester. （ A） It r
45、equires too much traveling. （ B） It limits interaction among students. （ C） It will increase class size. （ D） It will encourage students to watch too much television. Section B Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both
46、 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. （ A） A summer heat wave. （ B） The warming trend. （ C） A global disaster. （ D） The greenhouse effect and attendant problems. （ A） Satellite d
47、ata. （ B） Computers. （ C） Historical statistics. （ D） Information from NASA. （ A） They both live in communities. （ B） They both have soldiers to defend their societies. （ C） They both show great capacity for learning. （ D） They both have a division of labor. （ A） Human beings show no capacity for de
48、veloping a social tradition based on learning. （ B） Human behaviors are determined by innate instinctive mechanisms. （ C） Insects of the community do not Work together. （ D） Insects social behaviors are determined by innate instinctive mechanisms. （ A） Both provide accommodations for the young. （ B）
49、 Both have places to store food. （ C） Both have devices for regulating the temperature. （ D） Both function as innate instinctive mechanisms. （ A） Human beings are more intelligent than insects. （ B） The lifestyles between human beings and insects have some similarities. （ C） Insects are powerful in many ways. （ D） Insects can imitate human beings. Section C Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its gene
