1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 648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 Chinese Family Education. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below: 1中国的家长一方面苛刻地要求孩子学习各种 知识 2另一方面，中国的家长为孩子提供无微不至的关心和服务 3我的观点是 Chinese Family Ed
2、ucation 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 information given in
3、 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 Exchange Rates: A Brief History of Exchange Rates For centuries, the currencies of the world were backed by gold. That is, a piece of paper
4、 currency issued by any world government represented a real amount of gold held in a vault by that government. In the 1930s, the U. S. set the value of the dollar at a single, unchanging level; 1 ounce of gold was worth $35. After World War II, other countries based the value of their currencies on
5、the U. S. dollar. Since everyone knew how much gold a U. S. dollar was worth, then the value of any other currency against the dollar could be based on its value in gold. A currency worth twice as much gold as a U. S. dollar was, therefore, also worth two U. S. dollars. Unfortunately, the real world
6、 of economics outpaced this system. The U. S. dollar suffered from inflation (its value relative to the goods it could purchase decreased), while other currencies became more valuable and more stable. Finally, in 1971, the U. S. took away the gold standard altogether. This meant that the dollar no l
7、onger represented an actual amount of a precious substance market forces alone determined its value. Today, the U. S. dollar still dominates many financial markets. In fact, exchange rates are often expressed in terms of U. S. dollars. Currently, the U. S. dollar and the euro account for approximate
8、ly 50 percent of all currency exchange transactions in the world. Adding British pounds, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, and Japanese yen to the list accounts for over 80 percent of currency exchanges altogether. Methods of Exchange: The Floating Exchange Rate There are two main systems used t
9、o determine a currencys exchange rate; floating currency and pegged currency. The market determines a floating exchange rate. In other words, a currency is worth whatever buyers are willing to pay for it. This is determined by supply and demand, which is in turn driven by foreign investment, import/
10、export ratios, inflation, and a host of other economic factors. Generally, countries with mature, stable economic markets will use a floating system. Virtually every major nation uses this system, including the U. S. , Canada and Great Britain. Floating exchange rates are considered more efficient,
11、because the market will automatically correct the rate to reflect inflation and other economic forces. The floating system isnt perfect, though. If a countrys economy suffers from instability, a floating system will discourage investment. Investors could fall victim to wild swings in the exchange ra
12、tes, as well as disastrous inflation. Methods of Exchange: The Pegged Exchange Rate A pegged, or fixed system, is one in which the exchange rate is set and artificially maintained by the government. The rate will be pegged to some other countrys dollar, usually the U. S. dollar. The rate will not fl
13、uctuate from day to day. A government has to work to keep their pegged rate stable. Their national bank must hold large reserves of foreign currency to mitigate changes in supply and demand. If a sudden demand for a currency was to drive up the exchange rate, the national bank would have to release
14、enough of that currency into the market to meet the demand. They can also buy up currency if low demand is lowering exchange rates. Countries that have immature, potentially unstable economies usually use a pegged system. Developing nations can use this system to prevent out-of-control inflation. Th
15、e system can backfire, however, if the real world market value of the currency is not reflected by the pegged rate. In that case, a black market may spring up, where the currency will be traded at its market value, disregarding the governments peg. When people realize that their currency isnt worth
16、as much as the pegged rate indicates, they may rush to exchange their money for other, more stable currencies. This can lead to economic disaster, since the sudden flood of currency in world markets drives the exchange rate very low. So if a country doesnt take good care of their pegged rate, they m
17、ay find themselves with worthless currency. Methods of Exchange: Hybrids In reality, few exchange rate systems are 100 percent floating, or 100 percent pegged. Countries using a pegged rate can avoid market panics and inflationary disasters by using a floating peg. They peg their rate to the U. S. d
18、ollar, and that rate doesnt fluctuate from day to day. However, the government periodically reviews their peg, and makes minor adjustments to keep it in line with the true market value. Floating systems arent really left to the mercy of market forces, either. Governments using floating exchange rate
19、s make changes to their national economic policy that can affect exchange rates, directly or indirectly. Tax cuts, changes to the national interest rate, and import tariffs can all change the value of a nations currency, even though the value technically floats. The Euro On January 1, 2002, the euro
20、 became the single currency of 12 member states of the European Union making it the second largest currency in the world (the U. S. dollar being the largest). This was, to date, the largest currency event in the history of the world; twelve national currencies completely disappeared and were replace
21、d by the euro. Although the euro is fundamentally a tool to enhance political solidarity, it also has the economic effect of unifying the economies of participating countries. Some of the euros advantages, in regard to economics, include: Elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations the euro eliminates
22、 the fluctuations of currency values across certain borders. Transaction costs tourists and others who cross several borders during the course of a trip had to exchange their money as they entered each new country. The costs of MI of these exchanges added up significantly. With the euro, no exchange
23、s are necessary within the Euroland countries. Increased trade across borders the price transparency, elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations, and the elimination of exchange-transaction costs all contribute to an increase in trade across borders of all the Euroland countries. Increased cross-bord
24、er employment with a single currency, it is less cumbersome for people to cross into the next country to work, because their salary is paid in the same currency they use in their own country. 2 _, other countries based the value of their currencies on the U. S. dollar. （ A） After World War I （ B） Af
25、ter World War II （ C） In 1930s （ D） In 1960s 3 The abolition of the gold standard in U. S. was resulted from_. （ A） the decline of the purchasing power of the U. S. dollar （ B） policy of deflation （ C） the decreased value of gold （ D） the Depression 4 The use of a floating system of foreign exchange
26、 is usually supported_. （ A） by a mature, potentially unstable economy （ B） by a immature but stable economy （ C） by a mature and stable economy （ D） by a immature, potentially unstable economy 5 According to the author, a pegged system of foreign exchange_. （ A） is efficient （ B） is better than a f
27、loating system （ C） does change from day to day （ D） does not fluctuate from day to day 6 In a fixed system, the government must_if there is a sudden demand for one currency to keep the system stable. （ A） sell enough of that currency into the market （ B） buy up that currency in the market （ C） disc
28、ourage investment （ D） hold large reserves of that currency 7 In a country adopting a floating system, the government_. （ A） would refrain from intervening in the foreign exchange market （ B） should make changes to their national economic policy that can affect exchange rates （ C） should use a float
29、ing peg to avoid market panics and inflationary disasters （ D） should let the market decide the exchange rate 8 On January 1, 2002, the euro became_. （ A） the largest currency in the world （ B） the currency replacing the U. S. dollar （ C） the single currency of the European Union （ D） the currency o
30、f the whole world 9 The two most dominant currencies are_. 10 Though the euro has the economic effect of unifying the economies in most European countries, it is fundamentally a tool to_. 11 The advantages of the euro include elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations, transaction costs, increased tr
31、ade across borders, and_. 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 once. After each questi
32、on 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 knows the guy who will give the lecture. （ B） She thinks the lecture might be informative. （ C） She wants to add something to her lecture. （ D） Shell finish
33、her report this weekend. （ A） An art museum. （ B） A beautiful park. （ C） A college campus. （ D） An architectural exhibition. （ A） The houses for sale are of poor quality. （ B） The houses are too expensive for the couple to buy. （ C） The housing developers provide free trips for potential buyers. （ D
34、） The man is unwilling to take a look at the houses for sale. （ A） Talking about sports. （ B） Writing up local news. （ C） Reading newspapers. （ D） Putting up advertisements. （ A） She sold all her furniture before she moved house. （ B） She still keeps some old furniture in her new house. （ C） She pla
35、ns to put all her old furniture in the basement. （ D） She bought a new set of furniture from Italy last month. （ A） He is taking care of his twin brother. （ B） He is worried about Rods health. （ C） He has been feeling ill all week. （ D） He has been in perfect condition. （ A） Have a short break. （ B）
36、 Take two weeks off. （ C） Continue her work outdoors. （ D） Go on vacation with the man. （ A） Teaching her son by herself. （ B） Having confidence in her son. （ C） Asking the teacher for extra help. （ D） Telling her son not to worry. （ A） Play basketball with friends from work. （ B） Try out for the co
37、mpany baseball team. （ C） Get in shape and compete in a cycling race. （ D） Join a basketball club. （ A） She is worried her husband will spend too much time away from home. （ B） She is afraid her husband will become a fitness freak. （ C） She is concerned about her husbands health. （ D） She is worried
38、 her husband watches too much TV. （ A） He should consume less salt. （ B） He should eat less fatty foods. （ C） He should add more protein products to his diet. （ D） He should reduce the consumption of sugar. （ A） It includes a washer and dryer. （ B） The apartment is partially furnished. （ C） The rent
39、 is over $ 900 a month. （ D） Gas and electricity are included in the rent. （ A） You end the agreement before the minimum leasing period of four months. （ B） You cause damage beyond normal use of the apartment. （ C） You remove any of the furnishings without permission. （ D） You keep large pets in the
40、 apartment. （ A） The woman can catch a bus to school in front of her apartment. （ B） A supermarket and shopping centre are only a few blocks away. （ C） The apartment is in a relatively quiet neighborhood. （ D） The airport is a few blocks in front of the apartment. （ A） a dog （ B） a cat （ C） a rat （
41、D） a snake 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 you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and
42、 D. （ A） The degree of violence in programs is too high. （ B） There shouldnt be any commercials on television. （ C） Watching too much television is undesirable for children. （ D） Television programs in the United States are of low quality. （ A） A recreational program. （ B） An educational program. （
43、C） A program for cartoons. （ D） A program for commercials. （ A） They will become inactive and dull. （ B） They will not go to cinemas as often. （ C） They will forget to do their homework. （ D） They will imitate what they see in the programs. （ A） Different kinds of crimes. （ B） Increasingly high crim
44、e rate in the U. S. （ C） Seasonal changes in the natural environment. （ D） The relations between changes in the season and crime patterns. （ A） February. （ B） May. （ C） July. （ D） August. （ A） Few people get married in June. （ B） Most people read serious books in summer. （ C） More people have mental
45、 problems in June than in other months. （ D） One is most likely to make the best performance on examinations in summer. （ A） To look for two of her close friends. （ B） To stay at home and study. （ C） To share an apartment with friends. （ D） To move out and live alone. （ A） She couldnt find a good pl
46、ace to stay. （ B） Her friend and she couldnt afford the rent. （ C） A friend left her for works sake. （ D） She quarreled with her friends. （ A） Because her home was far away from school. （ B） Because her parents asked her to do so. （ C） Because she Was bored living outside. （ D） Because the place whe
47、re she lived caught fire. （ A） Because she was disappointed in the college. （ B） Because she kept moving all the time and couldnt concentrate on studying. （ C） Because her home was too far away from school and it was inconvenient. （ D） Because she was not interested in study at all. Section C Direct
48、ions: 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 with the exact words you have just he
49、ard. 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 In a competitive economy, the consumer usually has the choice of several different brands of the same product. Yet underneath their labels, the products are often nearly【 B1】 _. One manufacturers toothpaste tends to differ very little from another manufactures. Thus, manufacturers are【 B2】 _
