四级考试预测样卷。
Section B Compound Dictation
The Library of Congress is America’s national library. It has more than one-hundred-twenty-million books and other objects. It has newspapers, S1____ publications and letters of S2____interest. It also has maps, photographs, art S3____, movies, sound recordings and musical S4____.The Library of Congress is open to the public Monday through Saturday, except for government holidays. Anyone may go there and read anything in the collection. But no one is S5____ to take books out of the building.
The Library of Congress was S6____ in eighteen-hundred. It started with eleven boxes of books in one room of the Capitol Building. By eighteen-fourteen, the collection had increased to about three-thousand books. They were S7____ that year when the Capitol was burned during America’s war with Britain.
To help re-build the library, Congress bought the books of President Thomas Jefferson. Mister Jefferson’s collection included seven-thousand books in seven languages. S8____. Today, three buildings hold the library’s collection.S9____. It buys some of its books and gets others as gifts. It also gets materials through its copyright office.S10____. This means the Library of Congress receives almost everything published in the United States.
Part II Reading Comprehension (35 points, 25minutes)
Section I Careful reading (25points, 20minutes)
There are 4 passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
TEXT A
The train clattered over points and passed through a station. Then it began suddenly to slow down, presumably in obedience to a signal. For some minutes it crawled along, then stopped; presently it began to move forward again. Another up-train passed them, though with less vehemence than the first one. The train gathered speed again. At that moment another train, also on a down-line, swerved inwards towards them, for a moment with almost alarming effect. For a time the two trains ran parallel, now, one gaining a little, now the other. Mrs. McGillicuddy looked from her window through the window of the parallel carriages. Most of the blinds were down, but occasionally the occupants of the carriages were visible. The other train was not very full and there were many empty carriages.
At the moment when the two trains gave the illusion of being stationary, a blind in one of the carriages flew up with a snap. Mrs. McGillicuddy looked into the lighted first-class carriage that was only a few feet away.
Then she drew her breath in with a gasp and half-rose to her feet.
Standing with his back to the window and to her was a man. His hands were round the throat of a woman who faced him, and he was slowly, remorselessly, strangling her. Her eyes were starting from their sockets, her face was purple. As Mrs. McGillicuddy watched, fascinated, the end came; the body went limp and crumpled in the man’s hands.
At the same moment, Mrs. McGillicuddy’s train slowed down again and the other began to gain speed. It passed forward and a moment or two later it had vanished from sight.
Almost automatically Mrs. McGillicuddy’s hand went up to the communication cord, then paused, irresolute. After all, what use would it be ringing the cord of the train in which she was travelling? The horror of what she had seen at such close quarters, and the unusual circumstances, made her feel paralysed. Some immediate action was necessary,—but what?
The door of her compartment was drawn back and a ticket collector said, “Ticket, please.”
26. When Mrs. McGuillicuddy’s train passed through a station, it___.
A. gained speed suddenly B. kept its usual speed C. changed its speed D. stopped immediately
27. Mrs. McGuillicuddy seems to be a (an) ___ person.
A. observant B. interested C. nosy D. nervous
28. What she saw in the parallel train made her feel___.
A. excited B. anxious C. worried D. horrified
29. She didn’t ring the communication cord immediately because___.
A. she was very much afraid
B. there was no point of doing so
C. she was too shocked to move
D. the ticket collector came in
TEXT B
I am one of the many city people who are always saying that given the choice we would prefer to live in the country away from the dirt and noise of a large city. I have managed to convince myself that if it weren’t for my job I would immediately head out for the open spaces and go back to nature in some sleepy village buried in the county. But how realistic is the dream?
Cities can be frightening places. The majority of the population live in massive tower blocks, noisy, dirty and impersonal. The sense of belonging to a community tends to disappear when you live fifteen floors up. All you can see from your window is sky, or other blocks of fiats. Children become aggressive and nervous - cooped up at home all day, with nowhere to play; their mothers feel isolated from the rest of the world. Strangely enough, whereas in the past the inhabitants of one street all knew each other, nowadays people on the same floor in tower blocks don’t even say hello to each other.
Country life, on the other hand, differs from this kind of isolated existence in that a sense of community generally binds the inhabitants of small villages together. People have the advantage of knowing that there is always someone to turn to when they need help. But country life has disadvantages too. While it is true that you may be among friends in a village, it is also true that you are cut off from the exciting and important events that take place in cities. There’s little possibility of going to a new show or the latest movie. Shopping becomes a major problem, and for anything slightly out of the ordinary you have to goon an expedition to the nearest large town. The city-dweller who leaves for the country is often oppressed by a sense of unbearable stillness and quiet.
What, then, is the answer? The country has the advantage of peace and quiet, but suffers from the disadvantage of being cut off: the city breeds a feeling of isolation, and constant noise batters the senses. But one of its main advantages is that you are at the centre of things, and that life doesn’t come to an end at half-past nine at night. Some people have found (or rather bought) a compromise between the two: they have expressed their preference for the “quiet life” by leaving the suburbs and moving to villages within commuting distance of large cities. They generally have about as much sensitivity as the plastic flowers they leave behind—they are polluted with strange ideas about change and improvement which they force on to the unwilling original inhabitants of the villages.
What then of my dreams of leaning on a cottage gate and murmuring “morning” to the locals as they pass by. I’m keen on the idea, but you see there’s my cat, Toby. I’m not at all sure that he would take to all that fresh air and exercise in the long grass. I mean, can you see him mixing with all those hearty malesdown the farm? No, he would rather have the electric imitation-coal fire any evening.
30. We get the impression from the first paragraph that the author___.
A. used to live in the country
B. used to work in the city
C. works in the city
D. lives in the country
31. In the author’s opinion, the following may cause city people to be unhappy EXCEPT___.
A. a strong sense of fear B. lack of communicationC. housing conditions D. a sense of isolation
32. The passage implies that it is easy to buy’ the following things in the country EXCEPT___
A. daily necessities B. fresh fruits C. designer clothes D. fresh vegetables
33. According to the passage, which of the following adjectives best describes those people who work in large cities and live in villages?
A. Original. B. Quiet. C. Arrogant. D. Insensitive.
34. Do you think the author will move to the country?
A. Yes, he will do so. B. No, he will not do so.C. It is difficult to tell. D. He is in two minds.
TEXT C
Traditionally, the woman has held a low position in marriage partnerships. While her husband went his way, she had to wash, stitch and sew. Today the move is to liberate the woman, which may in the end strengthen the marriage union.
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to friendship in marriage is the amount a couple usually see of each other. Friendship in its usual sense is not tested by the strain of daily, year-long cohabitation. Couples need to take up separate interests (and friendship) as well as mutually shared ones, if they are not to get used to the more attractive elements of each other’s personalities.
Married couples are likely to exert themselves for guests - being amusing, discussing with passion and point — and then to fall into dull exhausted silence when the guests have gone.
As in all friendship, a husband and wife must try to interest each other, and to spend sufficient time sharing absorbing activities to give them continuing common interests. But at the same time they must spend enough time on separate interests with separate people to preserve and develop their separate personalities and keep their relationship fresh.
For too many highly intelligent working women, home represents chore obligations, because the husband only tolerates her work and does not participate in household chores. For too many highly intelligent working men, home represents dullness and complaints - from an over-dependent wife who will not gather courage to make her own life.
In such an atmosphere, the partners grow further and further apart, both love and liking disappearing. For too many couples with children, the children are allowed to command all time and attention, allowing the couple no time to develop liking and friendship, as well as love, allotting them exclusive parental roles.
35. According to the passage, which of the following statements is CORRECT?
A. Friendship in marriage means daily, year-long cohabitation.
B. Friendship can be kept fresh by both separate and shared interests.
C. Friendship in marriage is based on developing similar interests.
D. Friendship in marriage is based on developing separate interest.
36. The passage suggests that married couples become___.
A. unfriendly with guests
B. uninterested in guests
C. hostile when guests have left
D. quiet when guest have left
37. The passage seems to indicate at the end that children___.
A. help couples reinforce their friendship
B. make no impact on the quality of friendship
C. may pose obstacles in marital friendship
D. command less time and care than expected
Section II Skimming and scanning (10 points ,5 minutes.)
In this section there are seven passages with a total often multiple-choice questions. Skim or scan them as required and then mark your answers on your answer sheet.
TEXT D
First read the following question.
38. The writer is concerned about___.
A. budget housekeeping B. the retail trade C. computer skills
D. mental arithmetic
Now read Text D quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.
A lot of attention is being given to children who leave school unable to read or write. I think there should be equal concern for those who are unable to cope with simple mental arithmetic -particularly girls. It is often stated that today’s children are growing up in a computer world and they don’t need the same skills that their grandparents did. But is it any wonder that many young girls trying to cope with budget housekeeping fail for the simple reason they cannot keep accurate checks on their purchases? Shopping in markets is no source of cheap purchasing unless one is able to keep pace with the apparent mental agility of the vendor. Must we face the thought that at some time in the distant future everyone will need to carry in their handbag or pocket one of the miniature calculators?
TEXT E
First read the following question.
39. This is a letter of___.
A. reference B. application C. inquiry D. complaint
Now read Text F quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.
10 Garden Ave.
Essex
The Personnel Officer
Belgian Medico Ltd.
P0 Box 920
Brussels
Belgium
5th May 200___
Dear Sir,
With reference to your advertisement in the “Daily Star”, I’d like to apply for the position of translator with your firm. I hold a degree in German and French from the University of London. And I have worked as a translator for the past three years with Watson & Sons, Ltd., manufacturer of laboratory instruments, translating business correspondence from French and German into English. I am 25 years old and unmarried. I enjoy living and working in different countries and I should welcome the chance of moving to Belgium.
Yours sincerely,
(Miss) Janet Holbrooke
TEXT F
First read the following question.
40. The passage is mainly about___.
A. loneliness B. experience C.memory D. isolation
Now read Text G quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.
Loneliness is a curious thing. Most of us can remember feeling most lonely when we were not in fact alone at all, but when we were surrounded by people. Everyone has experienced, at some time, that strong sense of isolation that comes over you when you are at a party or in a room full of happy laughing people. It suddenly seems to you as if everybody knows everybody else, everybody knows what is going on; everybody, that is, except you.
This feeling of loneliness which can overcome you when you are in a crowd is very difficult to get rid of. People living alone are advised to tackle their loneliness by joining a club or a society, by going out and meeting people.
TEXT G
First read the following question.
41. The author mainly discusses ___ of public transportation.
A. the price B. the types C. the improvement D. the advantage
Now read Text H quickly and mark your answer on your answer sheet.
The price of public transportation in Beijing has doubled twice since 1989, but it is still a bargain. Using the subway and minibuses used to show class status; now people of all classes take them, while some wealthy prefer taxis or private cars. What a change in just a few years! But there are downfalls to having more cars on the roads. Fortunately, the government is aware of the problem. No-lead gasoline is the only one permitted in the city, and the rest of the country follows. Thousands of trees are planted in and around the city every year. Children are taught why and how to protect the environment. At the same time, public transportation has marked real progress: buses are everywhere and run frequently. We no longer see those old buses with broke n windows. Instead, there are fast buses, double-decker buses, air-conditioned o r heated buses, all offering a good service.
TEXT H
First read the following questions.
42. Each participating team should at least have ___
A. two B.three C.four D. five
43. Participants can bring along their ___ to the competition.
A. Christmas trees B. Christmas presents C. festival costumes D. decoration materials
Now read Text H quickly and mark your answers on your answer sheet.
