1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 459及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a composition on the topic: Will Computers Replace Us? You should write at least 120 words following the outline given in Chinese: 1. 电脑技术 迅猛发展，大有将人类取而代之之势； 2. 提出你自己的观点； 3. 讲述自己的理由。 Will Comp
2、uters Replace Us? 二、 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 1-7, mark： Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the informatio
3、n given in the passage; 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 Diamonds are just carbon in its most concentrated form, the element that makes up 18 percent of the weight of your body. There is
4、 no other gemstone as cherished as the diamond, but in truth, diamonds are no rarer than many other precious gems. They continue to demand higher market prices because the majority of the diamond market is controlled by a single entity. The Origin of Diamonds Carbon is one of the most common element
5、s in the world, and is one of the four essentials for the existence of life. Humans are more than 18-percent carbon. When occurring in nature, carbon exists in three basic forms, of which diamond is an extremely hard, clear crystal. Diamonds form about 161 km below the Earths surface, in the molten
6、rock of the Earths mantle, which provides the right amounts of pressure and heat to transform carbon into a diamond. In order for a diamond to be created, carbon must be placed under at least 435,113 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure at a temperature of at least 400 Celsius. If conditions dro
7、p below either of these two points, graphite will be created. At depths of 150 km or more, pressure builds to about 725,189 psi and heat can exceed 1,200 C. Kimberlite Pipes Most diamonds that we see today were formed millions (if not billions) of years ago. Powerful magma eruptions brought the diam
8、onds to the surface, creating kimberlite pipes. Kimberlite is named after Kimberly, South Africa, where these pipes were first found. Most of these eruptions occurred between 1,100 million and 20 million years ago. Kimberlite pipes are created as magma (岩浆 ) flows through deep fractures in the Earth
9、. The magma inside the kimberlite pipes acts like an elevator, pushing the diamonds and other rocks and minerals through the mantle and crust in just a few hours. These eruptions were short, but many times more powerful than volcanic eruptions that happen today. The magma eventually cooled inside th
10、ese kimberlite pipes, leaving behind conical veins of kimberlite rock that contain diamonds. Kimberlite is a bluish rock that diamond miners look for when seeking out new diamond deposits. The surface area of diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes ranges from 2 to 146 hectares. Diamonds may also be found
11、in river beds, which are called alluvial diamond sites. These are diamonds that originate in kimberlite pipes, but get moved by geological activity. Glaciers and water can also move diamonds thousands of miles from their original location. Cutting Diamonds There are special techniques that are used
12、to cut and shape a diamond before it gets to the jewelry store. Diamond cutters first try to remove any impurities or irregularities in the diamond. Sometimes, diamonds have to be sawed with the use of a phosphor-bronze blade or laser. Then the diamond is rubbed by another diamond to create facets-t
13、iny flat spots on the surface. Finally, the diamond is pressed against a rotating polishing wheel to give the diamond its finished look. Rating Diamonds Diamonds are judged on several factors that determine their beauty. Most diamonds never reach the consumer market because they are too flawed. Ofte
14、n, these diamonds are used for industrial purposes-as an abrasive, for drill bits or for cutting diamonds and other gems. If youve ever purchased a diamond, youve heard of the “4 Cs:“ 1. Cut-This refers to how the diamond has been cut and its geometric proportions. When a diamond is cut, facets are
15、created and the diamonds finished shape is determined. 2. Clarity-This is the measurement of a diamonds flaws, or inclusions that are seen in the diamond. 3. Carat-This is the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to about 200 milligrams. 4. Color-In referring to transparent diamonds, the color sc
16、ale runs from D to Z, beginning with Icy White- the color of the most expensive diamonds-and ending with a light yellow. Other unique qualities of the diamond include its transparency, luster and dispersion of light. A diamond that is created from 100-percent carbon will be completely transparent. D
17、iamonds often contain other elements that can affect the color. Although we often think of diamonds as being clear, there are also blue, red, black, pale green, pink and violet diamonds. These colored diamonds are the truly rare ones. Marketing Diamonds Prior to the 1930s, diamond rings were rarely
18、given as engagement rings. Opals, rubies, sapphires and turquoise were deemed much more exotic gems to give as tokens of ones love. This idea of connecting diamonds to romance was captured in a brilliant ad campaign begun in the 1940s, causing demand for diamonds to increase. Surely youve heard the
19、De Beers advertisement telling you that “A Diamond Is Forever.“ This ad campaign, which was created by the N.W. Ayer advertising agency in 1947, changed the diamond market. In 2000, Advertising Age magazine named the ad campaign the slogan of the 20th century. Later ads by De Beers told consumers to
20、 hold onto their familys diamond jewelry and to cherish them as a family possession-and it worked. This eliminated the aftermarket for diamonds, which further enabled De Beers to control the market. Without people selling their diamonds back to jewelers or to other people, the demand for new diamond
21、s increased. There are fewer than 200 people or companies authorized to buy rough diamonds from De Beers. These people are called sightholders, and they purchase the diamonds through the Central Selling Organization (CSO), a subsidiary of De Beers that markets about 70 percent to 80 percent of the w
22、orlds diamonds. De Beers sells a parcel of rough diamonds to a sightholder, who in turn sends the diamonds to cutting facilities and then to distributors. There are rough diamonds sold outside the CSO. However, the cost of these diamonds is still largely influenced by the prices set by the CSO. Diam
23、onds are the most coveted of all precious gems, as is witnessed by the extremely high demand for them. While this has not always been the case, diamonds are nonetheless exquisite gems that go through a long, tedious refining process from the time they are pulled from the ground to when you see them
24、in the jewelry store. And, while some of the mystique of diamonds may be gone-theyre just carbon, after all-the diamond will likely continue to be a highly coveted jewel, because, well, “A Diamond Is Forever.“ 2 Carbon makes up about 1/4 of the human body. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 3 According to the pa
25、ssage, diamonds are cherished by people because they are rarer. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 4 Natural diamonds are brought to the surface through kimberlite pipes. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 5 Diamonds are priced on the basis of the 4 Cs-Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 6 The most expensive
26、 diamonds are usually white in color. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 7 The commercial campaign by De Beers changed our perception of diamonds. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 8 If De Beers were a US-based company, it would be found in violation of anti-trust laws for fixing the prices of diamonds. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） N
27、G 9 Carbon can transform into diamonds with appropriate _. 10 Individuals or companies buying diamonds from CSO are called _. 11 Diamonds which are too flawed to be cut are usually used for _. Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the
28、 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 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.
29、 （ A） Peter has got his textbook. （ B） She has got her textbook. （ C） Neither she nor Peter has got the textbook. （ D） The textbook is out of stock. （ A） At 9:15. （ B） At 9:30. （ C） At 9:50. （ D） At 10:0 （ A） At a bank. （ B） At a store. （ C） At a restaurant. （ D） At a hotel. （ A） The plan will be ca
30、ncelled if it is raining. （ B） The plan will be carried out no matter it is raining or not. （ C） The plan will be postponed if it is raining. （ D） They havent decided about it yet. （ A） He would help her. （ B） He would not help her. （ C） He had other books to carry. （ D） He wanted to go out. （ A） He
31、 didnt work hard in school. （ B） He took a part-time job in school. （ C） He had always been serious about study. （ D） He had no interest in social work. （ A） He is a teacher. （ B） He is a lawyer. （ C） He is a doctor. （ D） He is a manager. （ A） It is beautiful. （ B） It is too cold. （ C） It is comfort
32、able. （ D） It is unfurnished. （ A） Research what television is best for him. （ B） Ask for a cheaper price on the television. （ C） Try a different store. （ D） Be satisfied with what he has. （ A） Watch less television. （ B） Return the television to the store. （ C） Pay for the television. （ D） Show the
33、 woman how to use the television. （ A） He would prefer a more expensive model. （ B） Hes confused by the remote controls. （ C） Hes eager to use it. （ D） Hes not happy that he bought it. （ A） The mans illness. （ B） The effect of antibiotics. （ C） The hobby of the womans mother. （ D） Their class. （ A）
34、He would take some antibiotic. （ B） He would stay in bed. （ C） He would ask for help from her father. （ D） He would go to school. （ A） Penicillin is a kind of antibiotics and it can kill bacteria. （ B） All antibiotics can kill bacteria. （ C） Some antibiotics just slow the bacteria down. （ D） Thanks
35、to penicillin, the womans father survived many years ago. （ A） From books. （ B） In the library. （ C） From teachers. （ D） On TV. 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
36、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） Explosions of the volcano can damage diamonds as well. （ B） Diamonds couldnt be formed without great heat and pressure of the volcano. （ C） The earliest known diamonds were d
37、iscovered in the River Amazon. （ D） Most of early diamond miners became wealthy later. （ A） In the volcanoes. （ B） On the floor of the sea. （ C） Under the river bed. （ D） At the foot of the mountains. （ A） Diamond Hunting. （ B） Diamond-A Precious Stone. （ C） Diamond-Symbol of Fortune. （ D） How is Di
38、amond Formed and Found. （ A） When they dont have a job. （ B） When they dont have a car. （ C） When they cant afford a house. （ D） When they live in a large city. （ A） Because the U.S. is a large country. （ B） Because Americans like to move around and be independent. （ C） Because the U. S. is called t
39、he nation on wheels. （ D） Because the U.S. lacks of convenient public transportation. （ A） The car exerts great influence on American culture. （ B） Public transportation in the U.S. is highly efficient. （ C） Americans enjoy following a certain schedule. （ D） What Americans want most is fortune. （ A）
40、 Your eye sight. （ B） Your driving ability. （ C） Your cars mechanical condition. （ D） Your knowledge of traffic regulations. （ A） To practice driving with an experienced driver. （ B） To drive under normal highway condition. （ C） To have the car checked by the license officer. （ D） To use it as an id
41、entification card. （ A） The license office provides the test vehicle. （ B） The examiner shows how to start, stop or park. （ C） The examiner watches you driving in your car. （ D） The test is carried out where there is little traffic. （ A） Drivers to be. （ B） Traffic regulation makers. （ C） License ex
42、aminers. （ D） Policemen. 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 general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to
43、 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the 36 On the night of June 8, I was watching a【 B1】 _TV show with my family. We
44、 got a little nervous when the TV news said that there might be a【 B2】_thunderstorm. But there are often bad【 B3】 _in June, so we all watched the end of the TV show and went to bed. Soon after we went to sleep, I【 B4】 _up and saw bright lightening in the sky. It was so bright that the whole mom【 B5】
45、 _white. I heard a sound that was like a hundred airplanes flying past the house. I had never heard such a noise in all my life. Suddenly, the whole house began to【 B6】 _, and the floor under me seemed to fall away. I knew I should get to the basement, but it was too late. 1 got a【 B7】_hold of the b
46、ed as I felt myself falling into the darkness. After ten minutes, the tornado was over. I was so【 B8】 _that I couldnt move.【 B9】 _. I could hear people shouting. I began to look for my family. I found my parents lying under some pieces of wood.【 B10】 _. My sisters had cuts, but they were OK too-anot
47、her miracle.【 B11】 _. There was still lightening and a strong wind, but no rain. By 2:00 a.m. the first ambulances arrived. In their lights we could see what was left of our town. Our house, our neighbors houses, the trees, the stores, the school, and all that I knew were gone. 37 【 B1】 38 【 B2】 39
48、【 B3】 40 【 B4】 41 【 B5】 42 【 B6】 43 【 B7】 44 【 B8】 45 【 B9】 46 【 B10】 47 【 B11】 Section A Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through ca
49、refully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. 47 People who describe them. themselves as perfectionists may do well on job interviews, but new study findings suggest that they may struggle in marriage and other intimate relationships. Previous research has shown that c
