1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 523及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter of refusal. You should write at least 120 words, and base your composition on the outline given below in Chinese: 假设朋友 Gary 邀请你参加一个聚会，但你因故 不能参加，写信向他说明原因，并祝聚会成功。 二、 Part II Reading Compre
2、hension (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 information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the s
3、tatement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 1 What causes earthquakes? The earth is formed of layers. The surface of the earth, about 100 kilometers thick, is made of large pieces. When they move against each other, an
4、 earthquake hap pens. A large movement causes a violent earthquake, but a small movement causes a mild one. Earthquakes last only a few seconds. The rolling movements are called seismic waves. The seismic waves start in one place, called the epicenter, and roll outward. A seismic wave travels around
5、 the earth is a about twenty minutes. Usually, an. earthquake is strong enough to cause damage only near its epicenter. However, epicenters at the bottom of the ocean create huge sea waves as tall as 15 meters. These waves cross the ocean in several hours. Rushing toward land, they destroy small isl
6、ands and ships in their path. When they hit land, they flood coastal areas far from the epicenter of the earthquake. In 1868, a wave reached 4.5 kilometers inland in Peru. In 1896, a wave in Japan killed 27,000 people. After an earthquake happens, people can die from lack of food, water, and medical
7、 supplies. The amount of destruction caused by an earthquake depends on where it happens, what time it happens, and how strong it is. It also depends on types of buildings, soil conditions, and population. Of the 6000 earthquakes in the world each year, only about fifteen cause great damage and many
8、 deaths. In 1556, an earthquake in northern China killed 830,000 people-the most in history. There was no way to measure its strength. In 1935, scientists started using the Richter Scale to measure seismic waves. A seriously destructive earthquake measures 6.5or higher on the Richter Scale. How can
9、scientists predict earthquakes? Earthquakes are not just scattered anywhere but happen in certain areas, places where pieces of the earths surface meet. This pattern causes them to shake the same places many times. For example, earthquakes often occur on the west coasts of North and South America, a
10、round the Mediterranean Sea, and along the Pacific coast of Asia. Another way to predict earthquakes is to look for changes in the earths surface, like a sudden drop of water level in the ground. Some people say animals can predict earthquakes. Before earthquakes, people have seen chickens sitting i
11、n trees, fish jumping out of the water, snakes leaving their holes, and other animals acting strangely. On February 4, 1975, scientists predicted an earthquake in northeastern China and told people in the earthquake zone to leave the cities. More than a million people moved into the surrounding coun
12、tryside, into safe, open fields away from buildings. That afternoon, the ground rolled and shook beneath the peoples feet, In seconds, 90 percent of the buildings in the city of Haicheng were destroyed. The decision to tel1 the people to leave the cities saved 10,000 lives. However, more than a year
13、 later, on July 28, 1976, the scientists were not so lucky. East of Beijing, Chinese scientists were discussing a possible earthquake. During their meeting, the worst earthquake in modern times hit. Estimates of deaths ranged from 250,000 to 695,000. The earthquake measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale.
14、 Earthquakes often come together with volcanic eruptions. In late 1984, strong earthquakes began shaking the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia every day. On November 14, 1985, it erupted. A nearby river became a sea of mud that buried four towns. This disaster killed more than 2100 people, Mexico
15、City has frequent earthquakes. An earthquake there on September 19, 1985, measured 8.1 on the Richter Scale and killed 7000 people. Most victims died when buildings fell on them. San Francisco, California, also has frequent earthquakes. However, newer buildings there are built to be safe in earthqua
16、kes. Therefore, when all earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale hit northern California on October 17, 1989, only 67 people were killed. The earthquake hit in the afternoon, when thousands of people were driving home from work. Freeways and bridges broke and fell. Buried under the layers of t
17、he Oakland Freeway, people were crushed in their flattened cars. Explosions sounded like thunder as older buildings seemed to burst apart along with the freeways. As the electric power lines broke from the falling bridges and buildings, the sky, covered with huge clouds of black dust, appeared to be
18、 filled with lightning. Water rushed into the streets from broken pipes and mixed with gas from broken gas lines, causing more explosions. Emergency workers had to cope with medical problems. Everyone worked together to save survivors and comfort victims. The next day, the disaster sites looked terr
19、ible. Victims couldnt find their houses, their cars, or even their streets. Boats were destroyed, and debris covered the surface of the sea. There was no water, no electricity, no telephone, only the smell of garbage floating in melted ice in refrigerators open to the sun, Losses and property. damag
20、e from the earthquake amounted to millions of dollars. Seismology is the study of earthquakes, and a seismologist is a scientist who observes earthquakes. Seismologists have given us valuable knowledge about earthquakes. Their equipment measures the smallest vibration on the surface of the earth. Th
21、ey are trying to find ways to use knowledge about earthquakes to save lives and to help solve the worlds energy shortage. The earths natural activity underground creates energy in the form of heat. Geothermal means earth heat. This geothermal energy could be useful. However, if we take natural hot w
22、ater out of the earth in earthquake zones, we might cause earthquakes. People live in earthquake zones because of natural beauty, productive soil, and large existing centers of population. However, people who live there should expect earthquakes. They should be prepared to protect their lives and pr
23、operty. They must build safer buildings and roads. Hospitals and electric power stations must be built as far as possible from probable earthquake sites. When an earthquake starts, people must run to open ground or stay in protected areas like doorways or even bathtubs. If seismologists could predic
24、t earthquakes, we could save about 20,000 human lives each year. Humans can control many things about nature, but we cannot control earthquakes. 2 Today scientists know something about the causes of earthquakes. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 3 More people are killed by huge sea waves than by buildings falli
25、ng. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 4 The vast majority of the worlds earthquakes are mild. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 5 An earthquake in 199 destroyed the city of Oakland. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 6 Seismologists can measure the size of sea waves. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 7 Removing water from underground may cause ear
26、thquakes. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 8 The passage gives a general description of the earthquakes destruction. （ A） Y （ B） N （ C） NG 9 The death toll of the earthquake in northern China-the most in history-reached _. 10 Earthquakes often come together with _. 11 When an earthquake occurs, people must run
27、 to open ground or stay in safe areas like _. 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 onc
28、e. 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） She doesnt plan to continue studying in the university next year. （ B） She recently visited a different university. （ C） She already told the
29、 man about her plans. （ D） She isnt planning to transfer to a different university. （ A） She thinks its too late anyway. （ B） She thinks he should wait a minute. （ C） She thinks he should do things early. （ D） She thinks there might still be a chance even if it is last minute. （ A） Take the class ov
30、er again. （ B） Take the class this semester. （ C） Get permission to take the class. （ D） Register for the class next semester. （ A） Try not to think about her audience. （ B） Practice her presentation in front of him. （ C） Find out who her audience will be tomorrow. （ D） Let him attend her presentati
31、on in class tomorrow. （ A） They can order for a delivery. （ B） They should call off the order. （ C） They can order in advance and pick it up. （ D） They can call in advance and then eat there. （ A） She needed the notes last week. （ B） The man can return her notes after the exam. （ C） Shell have enoug
32、h time to prepare for the exam. （ D） The man wont need to study the notes for the exam. （ A） Boss and Secretary. （ B） Wife and Husband. （ C） Salesman and customer. （ D） Taxi driver and passenger. （ A） Dr. Turner often gives quizzes. （ B） She didnt expect to have a quiz today. （ C） She doesnt know an
33、ything about the quiz either. （ D） She didnt know Dr. Turners lecture would be so interesting. （ A） Shes impressed with the ticket sellers. （ B） Shes pleased about the mans purchase. （ C） Shes uncertain about the change in plans. （ D） Shes resigned to the situation. （ A） By writing a personal check.
34、 （ B） By changing them to their personal account. （ C） By paying in cash. （ D） By using a store credit card. （ A） Stay where he is. （ B） Go home to telephone the order. （ C） Try to get the tickets elsewhere. （ D） Return after lunch. （ A） More work as an instructor. （ B） A higher salary. （ C） A longe
35、r vacation period. （ D） A research assignment. （ A） Hell start next week. （ B） He wouldnt enjoy it. （ C） He would like time to decide. （ D） He wants his advisers opinion. （ A） Finish his degree in the fall. （ B） Let someone else read his evaluation. （ C） Consider taking fewer courses. （ D） Get more
36、teaching experience. （ A） Franks talent for teaching. （ B） Franks interesting approach to research. （ C） A present he received for graduation. （ D） A congratulatory letter from the department. Section B Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will
37、 hear some questions. Both 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） In Africa. （ B） In Chicago. （ C） In Washington. （ D） In California. （ A） It is found that people who work at
38、mental jobs experience fewer heart attacks than other people. （ B） It is found that people who work at physical jobs experience fewer heart attacks than other people. （ C） It is found that people who work at heavy jobs experience fewer heart attacks than other people. （ D） It is found that people wh
39、o work at easy jobs experience fewer heart attacks than other people. （ A） Machines can do ,iil the physical work for man. （ B） Machines cab do all the mental work for man. （ C） All heavy labor should be replaced by machines. （ D） All heavy labor shouldnt be replaced by machines. （ A） He found a pie
40、ce of chocolate in his pocket. （ B） He was given a piece of chocolate by someone. （ C） He found a large dog by his gate. （ D） He found his dog lost. （ A） The dogs real name was Bingo. （ B） The dog belonged to one of Alberts neighbors. （ C） The dog was named Bingo by Albert. （ D） The dog loved bones
41、very much. （ A） Because the dog didnt appear any longer. （ B） Because Albert couldnt afford the chocolate any longer. （ C） Because Albert didnt love the dog animal. （ D） Because the dog died. （ A） Dreams about a comfortable little home. （ B） Dreams about becoming an American citizen. （ C） Dreams abo
42、ut family life. （ D） Dreams about books and stories. （ A） Suburbs. （ B） City. （ C） Village. （ D） Town. （ A） Cooking foods for the whole family. （ B） Helping children study. （ C） Paying the bills every month. （ D） Making a living for the whole family. （ A） They quarrel with each other. （ B） They hide
43、 these feelings. （ C） They tell them to others. （ D） They report these feeling. 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
44、 are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 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 The British are th
45、e most【 B1】 _newspaper readers in the world. There are many morning papers, both national and【 B2】 _. The most famous is The Times.【 B3】 _to what many foreigners believe, there is not a【 B4】 _newspaper. The various newspapers usually have their own【 B5】 _on politics, but they are not【 B6】 _of the【 B
46、7】 _ parties, with the【 B8】 _of the Communist Morning Star. 【 B9】 _.Some newspapers, such as The Times, use a few photographs. Some popular newspapers, such as The Daily Minor, use pictures extensively and also run strip - cartoons and humorous drawings. Some of which present striking pictorial comm
47、ent on politics.【 B10】_. And nearly all papers pay special attention to the reporting of sport and athletics.【 B11】_. 37 【 B1】 38 【 B2】 39 【 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 ar
48、e 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 carefully 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 thro
49、ugh the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. 47 Speech-the act of uttering sounds to convey meaning - is a kind of human action. Like any other constantly【 S1】 _action, speaking has to be learned, but once it is learned, it becomes a generally【 S2】 _and apparently automatic process. As far as we can determine, human beings do not need to be forced to【 S3】 _; most babies seem to possess a sort of
