1、大学英语四级模拟试卷 862及答案与解析 一、 Part I Writing (30 minutes) 1 Study the following chart carefully and write an essay in which you should 1. describe the chart, 2. account for the fact revealed in the chart. You should write about 120 words neatly. 二、 Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15
2、 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 contradicts the informatio
3、n given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 1 The Writers Life A survey of Britains youth found that many aspire (立志 ) to become writers. They clearly dont know how hard it is, writes Alix Christie. Britains most respected writers have at least one trai
4、t in common; all had childhoods immersed (浸泡 ) in a passion for reading, enabled by public libraries. At a time when government cuts threaten to close some 450 libraries around the country, the British library has released “The Writing Life“ , a new two-CD set of writers discussing their life, their
5、 work and their fondness for libraries. In gathering these interviews, the British Library was not aiming for an argument. But as affordable access to literature becomes increasingly unstablein libraries or booksellers large and smallthis collection is a reminder of its importance. That isnt to say
6、that the authors here speak with an agenda. The pleasure of this series is in hearing writers convey their private thoughts on their profession. We learn that Beryl Bainbridge thinks “theres no such thing as the imagination. “ Ian McEwan “always felt something of an outsider. “ Hilary Mantel believe
7、s that “ In the ideal world, all writers would have a Catholic childhood, or belong to some other religion which does the equivalent for them. “ Howard Jacobson, the most recent Booker prize winner, spent more of his youth collecting books than reading them. Michael Holroyd, a biographer, fears that
8、 literature “ has become the younger brother of the performing arts. “ Judging from the terrible online reaction to excerpts (摘要 ) published in the Guardian, not all readers are ready for a glimpse at the appalling arrogance (自大 ) and shocking self-doubt that puzzled most writers. But for those who
9、seriously attempt to writefor whom this collection is clearly intendedthese voices offer great encouragement. “ Such a lot of it is about keeping up your confidence,“ says last years Booker prize winner Mantel, whose own first novel took nearly 20 years to make it into print. Stunned by a survey tha
10、t showed “ writer“ as the number one career goal of British youthahead of astronaut and footballerSarah Oreilly at the British Library saw the project as a way to put across the real challenges that come with the profession. Chosen from hundreds of hours of picked interviews, the excerpts “ provide
11、a useful suggestion to the idea that the writing life is a fascinating life,“ she says. Indeed, aspiring writers should anticipate inhabiting a “place of total and complete solitude (独处 ),“ offers Linda Grant, a novelist included in the collection. Yet these CDs are instructive, too, with authors we
12、ighing in on developing characters, finding ideas, researching context and figuring out how it all works together. The factual details of when, where and howpencil, pen or computer? Morning or night? Each day or as the spirit calls? are as varied as the writers. If there is a single bit of common ad
13、vice, it is to (in the words of Penelope lively): “read, read, read“. About this, everyone agrees. “You learn how to structure a novel from looking at the great novels of the past,“ says Philip Hensher, a novelist. As Peter Porter, a late Australian poet asks, “If literature had no effect on you, wh
14、y would you write it?“ “ Writers are made by reading,“ says Mantel. “ By the time I was 18 I had read such a huge number of novels that I think I knew how to write one, because I do think thats how its done. that you learn the different ways as patterns, almost like visual patterns. “ Nearly all, to
15、o, say the chief delight of writing is the wonderful process of discovery. “ You dont have very much choice in the matter,“ says Michael Frayn, a playwright and novelist. “The thing seems to have some kind of reality in ones head. it seems to be something that one is discovering rather than inventin
16、g. “ For U. A. Fanthorpe, a late poet, “ There is a way in which the poem exists before you write it. “ Adds Dame P. D. James, a famous crime novelist, “I dont think we choose our style. I think that it on the contrary. “ All would-be writers should listen to this series, as it corrects some common
17、misconceptions. No, the work does not emerge complete and perfect, like Athena from Zeuss head. Texts are written and rewritten dozens of times. Anne Fine, a childrens writer, says she has filled boxes three-feet high with drafts for any given book. No, the media appearances are not really what writ
18、ers enjoy. “ The book should do the speaking and I should stay at home,“ says Holroyd. But, he complains, now “you have to go out and blow the trumpet and bang the drum in front of your book. I think that because were no longer a literary culture. it isnt the word that speaks; you have to perform th
19、e word a bit; you have to demonstrate it; you have to appear; you have to be the book. “ This imperative (必要性 ) of celebrity (名声 ) is whats most harmful, says Wendy Cope, a poet. “ Im very depressed with this whole thing of young people just wanting to be famous for the sake of being famous. If you
20、want to be a writer, a serious writer, your focus has to be on writing as well as you can and all those other things are occasional. “ While true, this also shows that many of these writers came of age in a much quieter, gentler time. If Shakespeare were writing now, said Porter, he too would be for
21、ced to make the rounds of morning news shows. Contemporary authors who desire for a quiet life, such as Harper Lee and Anne Tyler, wouldnt stand a chance in todays noise. And yet, the writing life continues to capture its victims. The final word on the series goes to Maureen Duffy, a poet and noveli
22、st, who in turn quotes a poem by Gerald Manley Hopkins: “ What I do is me, for that I came. “ One hopes the Library of Congress will be inspired to capture Americas most important writers the same way. 2 What is the quality most famous writers share in Britain? （ A） They have great interest in readi
23、ng books in their childhood. （ B） They have great passion for going outside with friends. （ C） They have intense interest in reading stories about writers. （ D） They have no interest in playing with their friends at all. 3 What is the attraction of “The writing life“ ? （ A） It emphasizes the importa
24、nce of library. （ B） It provokes a spirited argument. （ C） It displays the public side of writers. （ D） It conveys the private thoughts of writers. 4 The collection of “The Writing Life“ is intended for_. （ A） those who are arrogant （ B） those who doubt themselves （ C） people who need encouragement
25、（ D） people who attempt to be writers 5 What does Sarah Oreilly say about the project of “The Writing Life“? （ A） It involves hundreds of hours of interviews with famous writers. （ B） It shows to the youths that being a writer is quite interesting. （ C） It makes readers understand challenges a write
26、r may confront. （ D） It sells better than series introducing astronaut and footballer. 6 What is the shared idea of writers about being a good writer? （ A） You should read as many books as you can. （ B） You should learn the structure of the great novels of the past. （ C） You should learn the way of
27、appreciating the literature. （ D） You should learn the ideas of the great books. 7 From the view of writers, writing is hardly_. （ A） a wonderful process of discovery （ B） a fascinating process of inventing （ C） a natural process of describing ideas in writers mind （ D） a process of finding the styl
28、e in the writers mind 8 What does the series of “The Writing Life “show about writers and their works? （ A） Writers works emerge complete and perfect. （ B） Writers texts were refined many times. （ C） Writers enjoy their media appearances. （ D） Writers need not to speak for their works. 9 Wendy Cope
29、is disappointed, because youngsters desire to be a famous writer for the sake of_. 10 The author believes that it is harder for todays author to live_. 11 Through the series of “The Writing Life“ , the Library of Congress is expected to_. Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short
30、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 question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A, B,
31、 C and D, and decide which is the best answer. （ A） She doesnt like playing cards. （ B） She has something else to do this evening. （ C） She doesnt feel like playing cards this evening. （ D） She is in a bad mood. （ A） She thinks it is all right for the man to have damaged her plastic flowers. （ B） Sh
32、e wants to get rid of these flowers sooner or later. （ C） She means to offer a polite reply to the mans apology. （ D） She doesnt mind it at all. （ A） They are talking over the meal. （ B） The man is English but the woman is not. （ C） The man isnt English but the woman is. （ D） They are talking about
33、English breakfasts. （ A） He asked the professor for some books. （ B） Professor Miller offered more help than he had expected. （ C） Professor Miller will not discuss the topic with him. （ D） He got more books than he had expected. （ A） He wont be able to finish the work soon. （ B） The woman must wait
34、 for a long time. （ C） He will finish the paper soon. （ D） The woman can have a long talk with him. （ A） At 9:30. （ B） At 10:30. （ C） At 10:00 （ D） At 11:00 （ A） The woman came late because she had no money for the taxi fee. （ B） The woman failed to come on time bemuse of a traffic jam. （ C） The wom
35、an failed to come on time because she had no money to replace the flat tire. （ D） The woman failed to notify the man because she had no change for a telephone call. （ A） Both of them like pop music. （ B） They like to go to museums very much. （ C） They both go to concerts very often. （ D） Both of the
36、m like classical music. （ A） Extreme stress. （ B） Hair loss. （ C） Declining health. （ D） Unemployment. （ A） Old friends. （ B） Brother and sister. （ C） Colleagues from work. （ D） Boss and employee. （ A） Its ugly. （ B） Its expensive. （ C） It does harm to the skin. （ D） It may drop off his head anytime
37、. （ A） More work as an instructor. （ B） A higher salary. （ C） A longer 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 re
38、ad his evaluation. （ C） Consider taking fewer courses. （ D） Get more 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,
39、 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 D. （ A） The distance kept between people is a wa
40、ll. （ B） The distance is comfortable. （ C） The distance varies from culture to culture. （ D） The distance is somewhat fixed （ A） Americans. （ B） Japanese: （ C） Latin Americans. （ D） Chinese. （ A） The Americans feel comfortable when touching each other. （ B） The Americans are cold and distant. （ C） T
41、he Americans often say “Excuse me“. （ D） The Americans keep a usual distance between an arms length to four feet when talking. （ A） What to buy for Americans. （ B） How to make friends with Americans. （ C） How to be a guest in an Americans home. （ D） How to invite Americans to your home. （ A） It is e
42、xpected by all the hosts. （ B） It is an obligation of the guests. （ C） It is up to the guests themselves. （ D） It should be flowers, candy or toys. （ A） Wear comfortable, casual clothes. （ B） Eat much of food she prepared. （ C） Bring your favorite food to her. （ D） Invite her to your house next time
43、. （ A） How to Make Violins. （ B） Stradivariuss Secret. （ C） Expensive Violins. （ D） Italian Violin Makers. （ A） Hundreds of violins every day. （ B） Only one violin. （ C） Over 100,000 violins during his career. （ D） Hundreds of violins during his career. （ A） His notes were never found. （ B） His note
44、s were found by other violin makers. （ C） His notes were left to his sons. （ D） There were not any written notes about his secret. （ A） Special properties of wood of the violin, （ B） Different steps involved in the violins construction. （ C） The shape and construction of the instrument. （ D） The spe
45、cial coat of paint on the violin. 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 f
46、rom 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 37 Cats are 【 B1】 _ of habit. They like to go to sleep about the sa
47、me time every day and for a certain 【 B2】 _ of time. They seem to have a 【 B3】 _ clock inside them that tells them when to sleep. Cats 【 B4】 _ their regular sleep with 【 B5】 _ catnaps. Some experts feel that human could also benefit from this habit. Catnaps help to build up 【 B6】 _ in the body. They
48、 are also a good way to overcome 【 B7】 _. Since cats have moods 【 B8】 _ to those of humans, some experts believe that 【 B9】 _. 【 B10】 _. The naps would usually last from fifteen to thirty minutes. Winston Churchill took catnaps. So did Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
49、 【 B11】 _. Perhaps more people could learn from eats and take naps to feel better and live longer! 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 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
