1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 742及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 1. 在大学校园里，占座是很普遍的现象； 2有人认为，大学生课前占座是不文明的行为，也有人持不同意见； 3我的看法 On College Students Occupying Seats 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
2、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 contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 1
3、 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 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 doll
4、ar 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 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 valu
5、e 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 of economics outpaced this system. The U. S. dollar suffered from inflation (its value relative to the goods it could purchase decreased), while other currenci
6、es became more valuable and more stable. Finally, in 1971, the U. S. took away the gold standard altogether. This meant that the dollar no longer represented an actual amount of a precious substance market forces alone determined its value. Today, the U. S. dollar still dominates many financial mark
7、ets. In fact, exchange rates are often expressed in terms of U. S. dollars. Currently, the U. S. dollar and the euro account for approximately 50 percent of all currency exchange transactions in the world. Adding British pounds, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, and Japanese yen to the list acco
8、unts for over 80 percent of currency exchanges altogether. Methods of Exchange: The Floating Exchange Rate There are two main systems used to determine a currencys exchange rate; floating currency and pegged currency. The market determines a floating exchange rate. In other words, a currency is wort
9、h whatever buyers are willing to pay for it. This is determined by supply and demand, which is in turn driven by foreign investment, import/export ratios, inflation, and a host of other economic factors. Generally, countries with mature, stable economic markets will use a floating system. Virtually
10、every major nation uses this system, including the U. S. , Canada and Great Britain. Floating exchange rates are considered more efficient, because the market will automatically correct the rate to reflect inflation and other economic forces. The floating system isnt perfect, though. If a countrys e
11、conomy suffers from instability, a floating system will discourage investment. Investors could fall victim to wild swings in the exchange rates, 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 arti
12、ficially maintained by the government. The rate will be pegged to some other countrys dollar, usually the U. S. dollar. The rate will not fluctuate 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
13、 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 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
14、, potentially unstable economies usually use a pegged system. Developing nations can use this system to prevent out-of-control inflation. The 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,
15、where the currency will be traded at its market value, disregarding the governments peg. When people realize that their currency isnt worth 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 sud
16、den 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 may find themselves with worthless currency. Methods of Exchange: Hybrids In reality, few exchange rate systems are 100 percent floating, or 100 percent pegged.
17、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. dollar, 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 wi
18、th the true market value. Floating systems arent really left to the mercy of market forces, either. Governments using floating exchange rates make changes to their national economic policy that can affect exchange rates, directly or indirectly. Tax cuts, changes to the national interest rate, and im
19、port tariffs can all change the value of a nations currency, even though the value technically floats. The Euro On January 1, 2002, the euro 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). T
20、his was, to date, the largest currency event in the history of the world; twelve national currencies completely disappeared and were replaced 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 participa
21、ting countries. Some of the euros advantages, in regard to economics, include: Elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations the euro eliminates 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
22、exchange their money as they entered each new country. The costs of MI of these exchanges added up significantly. With the euro, no exchanges are necessary within the Euroland countries. Increased trade across borders the price transparency, elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations, and the elimina
23、tion of exchange-transaction costs all contribute to an increase in trade across borders of all the Euroland countries. Increased cross-border 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
24、 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） After 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
25、. 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 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 immat
26、ure, potentially unstable economy 5 According to the author, a pegged system of foreign exchange_. （ A） is efficient （ B） is better than a floating 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
27、 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） discourage investment （ D） hold large reserves of that currency 7 In a country adopting a floating system, the government_. （ A） would refrain from intervening in t
28、he foreign exchange market （ B） should make changes to their national economic policy that can affect exchange rates （ C） should use a floating 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 l
29、argest currency in the world （ B） the currency replacing the U. S. dollar （ C） the single currency of the European Union （ D） the currency of 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 i
30、s fundamentally a tool to_. 11 The advantages of the euro include elimination of exchange-rate fluctuations, transaction costs, increased trade 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,
31、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. （ A） To a restaurant. （ B）
32、 To a hotel. （ C） To a hospital. （ D） To a store. （ A） Weights and measures. （ B） The government. （ C） The cost of living. （ D） Science classes. （ A） She has bought a new one. （ B） She has none at present. （ C） She has only an old one. （ D） Her sister has given her one. （ A） Leather gloves always se
33、rve as good gifts. （ B） Their niece already has a pair of leather gloves. （ C） Only one size will fit. （ D） The gloves are. all the same size. （ A） In a library. （ B） In a restaurant. （ C） In a hospital. （ D） In a drugstore. （ A） A good presentation needs a lot of preparation. （ B） The presentation
34、was very good. （ C） He can always turn to her for help. （ D） He should get some sleep. （ A） She did not like all the rain. （ B） The rain is good for the crops. （ C） Part of each day was clear. （ D） She hopes the drought is over. （ A） In New York City. （ B） In his sisters home. （ C） In Greece. （ D） O
35、n a plane. （ A） One. （ B） Two. （ C） Three. （ D） Four. （ A） History. （ B） French. （ C） Computer Science. （ D） Hotel Management. 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 s
36、poken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, C and D. （ A） By telling some jokes to each other. （ B） By persuading other people to accept their opinions. （ C） By agreeing to accept each others opinions later. （ D） By allowing each oth
37、er to hold different beliefs. （ A） General responsibilities concerning the environment. （ B） Responsibilities concerning human relationships. （ C） Social responsibility. （ D） Family responsibility. （ A） Respect and responsibility exist in all relationships. （ B） Respect is connected with dignity and
38、 responsibility. （ C） Good relationships can be developed when people agree with each other. （ D） Young people tend to forget their responsibilities most of the time. （ A） Eating some salad. （ B） Having a sandwich. （ C） Reading a book. （ D） Drinking coffee. （ A） By asking the waiter for advice. （ B）
39、 By asking the speaker for advice. （ C） By pointing at some pictures in the menu. （ D） By pointing at the speakers food. （ A） Because it was on a special plate. （ B） Because they thought it was a kind of soup. （ C） Because they liked to drink chilly sauce. （ D） Because they thought it was vinegar. （
40、 A） A special kind of school. （ B） The Educational system in the U. S. （ C） Different technical schools. （ D） Continued Education in the U. S. （ A） The school lays emphasis on applied courses. （ B） The students learn a lot of theoretical knowledge at school. （ C） The students finance their own educa
41、tion. （ D） The school also offers courses in self-improvement. （ A） They keep in contact with the job-market. （ B） They do a lot of fieldwork. （ C） They have regular conferences with employers. （ D） They have had working experiences before. （ A） Useful skills. （ B） Finding a job. （ C） Applied course
42、s. （ D） Working close with the teachers. 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 num
43、bered 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 32 Many television programs are very realistic. One who 【 B1
44、】 _ TV often feels that whatever 【 B2】 _ in the film could well happen to him. With only a little 【 B3】 _, every man in the street becomes a thief, a spy or a 【 B4】 _ Jane had been watching a spy film at a 【 B5】 _ house. In it, a young girl had been followed and murdered. She felt a little 【 B6】 _ w
45、alking to the station. She took the train hack to the center of the city. There were a lot of people traveling, so she felt much 【 B7】 _. She looked round at the other in the train. A man sitting opposite her, reading a newspaper, glanced at her. She thought nothing of it until she saw him 【 B8】 _ a
46、t her. Remembering the film and feeling very uncomfortable, she got out of the train and went to the bus stop. 【 B9】 _. As long as she had been with other people she wasnt frightened. 【 B10】_. She could hear footsteps following her but she didnt dare to look back. After what seemed to have been hour
47、s, but was in fact only a few minutes, she reached the front door. 【 B11】 _. The footsteps stopped behind her. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She heard a pleasant voice. “Im your new neighbor. I thought I recognized you in the train, but I wasnt sure.“ 32 【 B1】 33 【 B2】 34 【 B3】 35 【 B4】 36 【 B5】
48、37 【 B6】 38 【 B7】 39 【 B8】 40 【 B9】 41 【 B10】 42 【 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 carefully before making yo
49、ur 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. 42 There was a time when red meat was a luxury for ordinary Americans, or was at least something special: cooking a roast for Sunday dinner, ordering a steak at a restaurant. Not anymore. Meat consumpti
