第一卷 (共 103 分)
I. Listening Comprehension
Part A
Directions: In part A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers in your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.
1. A. In a library. B. Under a big chair. C. In his office. D. Under a huge tree.
2. A. 8:05 a.m. B. 9:30 a.m. C. 7:30 a.m. D. 11:30 a.m.
3. A. Boss and secretary. B. Classmates.
C. Husband and wife. D. Teacher ad student.
4. A. She wants to get some sleep. B. She has had too much coffee.
C. She needs time to write a paper. D. She has a literature class to attend
5. A. Go to see a doctor. B. Make a phone call.
C. Get treatment in a better hospital. D. Stay in bed for a few days.
6. A. To paint it grey and draw a duck on it.
B. To paint it white and write something on it.
C. To paint it white and draw something on it.
D. To paint it grey and do some drawings on it.
7. A. Relax himself. B. Take two weeks off.
C. Continue his work outdoors. D. Go to the park with the woman.
8. A. She also has a dictionary of this kind.
B. She didn’t know the man was good at writing.
C. She isn’t surprised at the man’s getting the prize.
D. The dictionary is so marvelous that she wants to have it.
9. A. The 2:30 train has a dining car.
B. The man prefers to take the 2:30 train.
C. The 2:00 train will reach Washington earlier.
D. They are going to have some fast food on the train.
10. A. He was seriously injured in a car accident.
B. He was absent all week because of sickness.
C. He called to say that his wife had been injured.
D. He had to be away from school to look after his wife.
Part B
Directions: In Part B, you will hear two short passages, and you will be asked three questions on each of the passages. The passages will be read twice but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.
Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.
11. A. Getting organized. B. Finding a hobby.
C. Setting clear goals. D. Making new friends.
12. A. Saving money. B. Achieving goals.
C. Fighting against boredom. D. Joining clubs more easily.
13. A. employees. B. Parents. C. Students. D. Teachers.
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
14. A. They strongly follow family rules.
B. They are very likely to succeed in life.
C. They are in the habit of obeying their parents.
D. They tend to take responsibility for themselves.
15. A. They grow up to be funny and charming. B. They tend to be smart and strong-willed.
C. They often have a poor sense of direction. D. They get less attention from their parents.
16. A. They don’t like to take chances in their lives. B. They are less likely to be successful in life.
C. They tend to believe in their parents’ ideas. D. They usually neglect family rules.
Part C
Directions: In Part C, you will hear two longer conversations. The conversations will be read twice. After you hear each conversation, you are required to fill in the numbered blanks with the information you hear. Write your answers on your answer sheet.
Blanks 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation:
Where is the man thinking of going?
___17___.
For which holiday was the man thinking of going there?
For ___18___.
When does the rainy season end?
Around ___19___.
What does the woman enjoy doing there?
Lying on the ___20___.
Complete the form. Write ONE WORD for each answer.
Blanks 21 through 24 are based on the following conversation.
Which agency is looking for a translator?
The ___21___ Agency.
What language is the English translator supposed to work from?
___22___.
What are other requirements?
A lively and inquiring mind, effective ___23___ and the ability to work individually or in a group.
Why does the woman want the job advertised in the paper badly?
Because she is ___24___ her present job.
Complete the form. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
II. Grammar and Vocabulary
Section A
Directions: After reading the passages below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
A
On a warm Monday, Jenny Neilson bought a sandwich and parked her car under some trees. Rolling down the windows to let in fresh air, she settled back to enjoy her lunch. Suddenly she noticed a big bald man running through the parking lot. 25______ she realized what would happen, the man was there, shouting, “Get out!”
Neilson refused.
Pulling open her door, the man seized her 26______ the neck and hair, and 27______ (throw) her out of the car onto the ground. She screamed, grabbing her purse and keys.
Two reporters of the local newspaper, Bruce and Jackson were just outside their office building on a break. 28 ______ (hear) the screams, they rushed towards the car.
When they reached Neilson’s car, the attacker 29______ (jump) into the driver’s seat and was madly searching for the keys. Bruce opened the door, and together with Jackson, dragged the man out. The attacker fought back, but was no match for them.
Miller, a worker of the local newspaper, heard the screams, too. He rushed back to the office to phone the police, and then ran back with some plastic ropes.
With his arms 30______ (tie) tightly behind him, the attacker looked up, saying coldly, “I hope you guys feel good about yourself --- you just caught one of the most wanted men.” They ignored him and waited for the police.
Later, Bruce and Jackson were shocked to learn the man was the professional carjacker and suspected murderer, 31______ picture — but with a full head of hair — had been recently printed in their own newspaper.
Neilson considers her lucky though she suffered injuries. She believes the story might have had a different ending 32______ those good people had not come to her aid.
B
To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment 33______ ______ what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you are — always.
Without question, many of us 34______ (master) the “art” of spending much of our lives worrying about a variety of things — all at once. We allow past problems and future concerns to dominate our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, 35______ (depress), and hopeless. In the meantime, we postpone our priorities and happiness, often convincing 36______ that “someday” will be better than today. Unfortunately, the same mental dynamics that tell us to look toward the future will only repeat themselves 37______ _______ “someday” never actually arrives. John Lennon once said, “Life is what’s happening while we’re busy making other plans.” When we’re busy making “other plans”, our children are busy growing up, and people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life.
38______ our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events 39______ might happen in the future — we won’t have enough money; our children will get into trouble; we’ll get old and die, whatever.
Therefore, the best strategy for combating fear is to learn to bring your attention back to 40______ present. Practice focusing your attention on the here and now. Your efforts will eventually pay off.
Section B
Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
A. pave B. tempting C. available D. contribute E. financing F. budget G. otherwise H. outdated I. nevertheless J. exception K. accomplished
Rest, relaxation, and stress reduction are of vital importance to people’s well-being and health. This can be ___41___ through various daily activities such as exercise and meditation, but no doubt traveling is a priority for many people, and college students are no ___42___. But with landmarks swamped with tourists, and transportation and accommodation costs even higher during holidays, how to travel on a ___43___ is a tricky question.
Earn on the trip
For some, asking their parents for travel expenses is ___44___. Saving up on your own is the trend now. But what about earning money on the trip? You may offer to write an article about your trip for the school newspaper or ___45___ news stories with photos to local newspapers. Even if it’s just a small sum of money, it eases part of the pressure of ___46___ your trip.
Couchsurfing or camping
Instead of paying for an expensive hotel, you can try to get free nights on someone’s couch. There are a number of websites to help ___47___ the way, and you can offer couchsurfing opportunities in your dormitory as you travel and meet people on the way.
It’s free and, more importantly, you can stay with local hosts in their home, chat with them and get great advice on where to find traditional local cuisine. You are very likely to be exposed to new sights and unexpected landscapes you wouldn’t have ___48___ come across.
Low-budget holidaying with a tent is also viewed as ___49___. Just imagine what fun it is to sleep on the beach, listening to the waves and watching the sunrise.
Cycling
With train tickets not easily ___50___ and flights too expensive, cycling is a popular means of transportation for many budget travelers. Riding on a small and light bicycle, you can avoid traffic jams in cities and reach rural areas without noise and pollution from motor vehicles.
III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with word or phrase that best fits the context.
Every year more than half a million American kids have drainage (排泄) tubes surgically implanted in their ears to combat persistent infections. The procedure, known as tympanostomy (鼓膜穿刺), may not be as ___51___ as the tonsillectomy（扁桃体切除） was in the 1940s, but it now ranks as the nation’s leading childhood ___52___ and a new study suggests it’s being vastly overused. In ___53___ more than 6,000 scheduled ear tube operations, a team of experts ___54___ by Harvard pediatrician（儿科专家） Lawrence Kleinman found that fewer than half were clearly ___55___. “Each year”, the researchers write in the current Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “several hundred thousand children in the United States may be ___56___ tympanostomy tubes that offer them no demonstrated advantages …and may place them at increased ___57___.”
Tube placement isn’t a terribly risky procedure, but it costs $1,000 to $1,500 and sometimes scars the eardrum, causing a partial loss of ___58___. Studies show that the benefits are most likely to outweigh the risks if a child’s middle ear has produced sticky fluid for more than four months ___59___ treatment with antibiotics（抗生素）. For less fatal infections, drug treatment is usually a(n) ___60___, safer alternative, though drugs, too, can be ___61___. In the new JAMA study, Kleinman’s team reviewed the medical charts of 6,429 kids, all under 16, whose doctors had recommended the procedure. Even making “generous assumptions” about the likely ___62___, the researchers found that a quarter of the proposed operations were ___63___ , since less invasive alternatives were available, while another third were as likely to harm the recipients as help them.
Parents needn’t ___64___ about ear tubes that are already in place. Once ___65___ implanted, the tiny devices provide drainage for six months to a year, and thus come out by reducing health costs by hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
51. A. rare B. common C. general D. abnormal
52. A. operation B. disease C. condition D. infection
53. A. finding B. reviewing C. revising D. performing
54. A. controlled B. conducted C. managed D. headed
55. A. explained B. justified C. conducted D. arranged
56. A. receiving B. refusing C. undertaking D. breaking
57. A. cost B. risk C. extent D. level
58. A. feeling B. health C. hearing D. memory
59. A. in spite of B. on account of C. for lack of D. by means of
60. A. clearer B. faster C. further D. cheaper
61. A. overused B. denied C. overlooked D. rejected
62. A. risks B. dangers C. chances D. benefits
63. A. inappropriate B. favorable C. preferable D. insensitive
64. A. care B. panic C. complain D. protest
65. A. lively B. quickly C. successfully D. formally
Section B
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have read.
A
CLASSIC TOUR-----EXCURSION
INFORMATION
Luggage
We ask you to keep luggage down to one medium — size suitcase per person, but a small handbag can also be taken on board the coach.
Seats
Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach tours when booking, but since the seat allocations are made on a first-come-first-served basis, early booking is advisable. When bookings are made with us, you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time.
Travel Documents
When you have paid your deposit we will send you all the necessary documents and labels, so that you receive them in good time before the coach tour departure date. Certain documents, for example, air or boat tickets, may have to be kept and your driver will issue them to you at the relevant point.
Special Diet
If you require a special diet, you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be notified to the hotel or hotels on your coach tour, but on certain coach tours, the hotels used are tourist class and while offering value for money within the price range, they may not have the full facilities to cope with special diets. Any extra costs involved must be paid to the hotel by yourself before departure from the hotel.
Accommodation
Many of our coach tours now include, within the price, accommodation with private facilities, and this will be indicated on the coach tour page. Other coach tours have a limited number of rooms with private facilities which, if available, can be reserved and guaranteed at the time of booking — the supplementary charge shown in the price list will be added to your account.
On any coach tour there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available, a supplementary charge may be needed and this will be shown on the brochure page.
66. To assure yourself of a seat at the front of the coach, you’d better ______________________.
A. ask when you get on the coach B. arrive early on the departure date
C. avoid travelling at peak times D. book your seat well in advance
67. If you need a special diet, you should ______________________.
A. make it clear while booking B. pay extra money while booking
C. inform the hotel when you arrive D. pay for it at the end of the tour
68. For every booking, Classic Tour guarantees that you will be able to ____________________.
A. use your personal bathroom B. take a piece of small luggage on board
C. request high quality meals D. watch a TV documentary
69. You can most probably get this brochure from a ______________________.
A. department store B. fitness center
C. travel agency D. check room
B
One of Apple’s latest smartphones, the iPhone 5S, seems to have breathed new life into a technology that failed to take hold the first time: fingerprint scanners.
Placing a finger on a computer or smartphone has long been proposed as a way to avoid the need for passwords to check users of computers and other devices. Some laptop computer manufacturers began building such scanners into their machines more than a decade ago. But despite the 007-like cool factor, the technology proved not always reliable for most consumers.
Older scanners required users to swipe their finger across a device and employed software to create a compound image of the fingerprint. Oily or incorrectly placed fingers would lead to false negatives, as the scanners could only capture one image at a time.
But there is a growing recognition that passwords are a porous (易穿透的) defense for consumers’ information — particularly on mobile devices likely to be lost or stolen. At the same time, recent technology advances have made fingerprint scanners more accurate and reliable, handling issues that previously hindered their adoption.
Apple purchased fingerprint-reader specialist AuthenTec in 2012, and the U.S. government recently approved Apple’s patent for its own fingerprint reader technology. The company, like other makers of fingerprint scanners, uses radio frequencies to map a finger’s surface. These newer models scan the surface of a finger or thumb while it is at rest, allowing it to capture one to five images after one touch. This gives back--up images in case the first is of poor quality. Meanwhile, some major companies have signaled that fingerprint--based safeguards may finally be ready. Big players that include Google, LG Electronics, eBay’s Paypal unit and Lenovo Group have joined a nonprofit called the Fast Identity Online Alliance (快速身份验证联盟)，which pushes for broader use of biometrics (生物识别技术)，among other alternatives to passwords.
But fingerprint scanners aren’t foolproof. They can sometimes be tricked if an attacker uses scans or molds of a user’s fingerprints. Smartphones can also be hacked in ways that could bypass a fingerprint scanner.
“There’s potential danger of a false sense of security,” said Bret Harman, a computer security expert. Still, he said “it’s definitely an important step in the right direction.”
70. It has long been proposed that fingerprint scanning should be used to __________.
A. detect the ill intentions of a criminal
B. lock a stolen device by remote control
C. protect mobile devices from being stolen
D. replace passwords on devices such as computers
71. Why wasn’t the fingerprint technology a success among consumers?
A. Because it was too expensive. B. Because it was difficult to use.
C. Because it wasn’t cool enough. D. Because it wasn’t always reliable.
72. We can eventually be assured of finger-based security in that __________.
A. the improved technology is made perfect
B. Apple has released an iPhone featuring fingerprint technology
C. some major companies are pushing for broader use of biometrics
D. every major technology company has a patent for its own fingerprint technology
73. What is computer security expert Bret Hartman’s attitude toward using fingerprint technology for security purpose?
A. He is supportive of it. B. He is strongly against it.
C. He is indifferent to it. D. None of the above.
C
Picture a typical MBA lecture theatre twenty years ago. In it, the majority of students may have conformed (一致) to the standard model of the time: male, middle class and Western. Walk into a class today, however, and you’ll get a completely different impression. For a start, you will now see plenty more women – the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, for example, boasts that 40% of its new enrolment is female. You will also see a wide range of ethnic groups and nationals of practically every country.
It might be tempting, therefore, to think that the old barriers have been broken down and equal opportunity achieved. But, increasingly, this apparent diversity is becoming a mask for a new type of conformity. Behind the differences in sex, skin tones and mother tongues, there are common attitudes, expectations and ambitions which risk creating a set of clones among the business leaders of the future.
Diversity, it seems, has not helped to address fundamental weaknesses in business leadership. So what can be done to create more effective managers of the commercial world? According to Valerie Gauthier, associate dean at HEC Paris, the key lies in the process by which MBA programmes recruit their students. At the moment candidates are selected on a fairly narrow set of criteria such as prior academic and career performance, and analytical and problem solving abilities. This is then coupled to a school’s picture of what a diverse class should look like, with the result that passport, ethnic (种族的) origin and sex can all become influencing factors. But schools rarely dig down to find out what really makes an applicant succeed, to create a class which also contains diversity of attitude and approach – arguably the only diversity that, in a business context, really matters.
Professor Gauthier believes schools should not just be selecting candidates from traditional sectors such as banking, consultancy and industry. They should also be seeking individuals who have backgrounds in areas such as political science, the creative arts, history or philosophy, which will allow them to put business decisions into a wider context.
Indeed, there does seem to be a demand for the more rounded leaders such diversity might create. A study by Mannaz, a leadership development company, suggests that, while the bully-boy chief executive of old may not have been eliminated completely, there is a definite shift in emphasis towards less tough styles of management – at least in America and Europe. Perhaps most significant, according to Mannaz, is the increasing interest large companies have in more collaborative （协作的） management models, which seek to combine the hard and soft aspects of leadership and encourage delegated responsibility and reliability.
74. What is true of the student population in the business school of today?
A. Greater diversity. B. Higher ambition.
C. Intellectual maturity. D. Exceptional diligence.
75. The author’s concern about current business school education lies in the fact that __________.
A. It will produce business leaders of a uniform style.
B. It focuses on theory rather than on practical skills.
C. It will arouse students' unrealistic expectations.
D. It stresses competition rather than cooperation.
76. Speaking of aspects of diversity, what does Valerie Gauthier think is the most important?
A. social and professional experience. B. attitude and approach to business.
C. age and educational background. D. ethnic origin and gender.
77. According to Mannaz , the current management style __________.
A. is encouraging executives to compete against each other
B. has adopted the bully-boy chief executive model
C. has replaced the tough aspects of management
D. is giving way to more cooperative models
Section C
Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words.
How good are you at saying “no”? For many, it’s surprisingly difficult. This is especially true of editors, who by nature tend to be eager and engaged participants in everything they do. Consider these scenarios:
It’s late in the day. That front-page package you’ve been working on is nearly complete; one last edit and it's finished. Enter the executive editor, who makes a suggestion requiring a more-than-modest rearrangement of the design and the addition of an information box. You want to scream: “No! It's done!” What do you do?
The first rule of saying no to the boss is not to say “no”. She probably has something in mind when she makes suggestions, and it’s up to you to figure out what. The second rule is not to take risks by challenging her authority. That issue is already decided. The third rule is to be ready to mention the consequences and cite options. The boss's suggestions might be appropriate, but there are always consequences. She might not know about the pages backing up (积压) that need attention, or about the designer who had to go home sick. Tell her she can have what she wants, but explain the consequences. Understand what she's trying to accomplish and propose a Plan B that will make it happen without destroying what you've done so far.
Here’s another case. Your least-favorite reporter suggests a dumb story idea. This one should be easy, but it’s not. If you say no, even politely, you risk inhibiting further ideas, not just from that reporter, but from others who heard that you turned down the idea. This scenario is common in newsrooms that lack a systematic way to filter (过滤) story suggestions.
Two steps are necessary. First, you need a system for how stories are proposed and reviewed. Reporters can tolerate rejection of their ideas if they believe they were given a fair hearing. Your gut reaction (本能反应) and dismissive rejection, even of a worthless idea, might not qualify as systematic or fair. Second, the people you work with need to negotiate a “What if ...?” agreement covering “What if my idea is turned down?” “How are people expected to react?” “Is there an appeal process?” “Can they refine the idea and resubmit it?” By anticipating “What if...?” situations before they happen, you can reach understanding that will help ease you out of conflicts.
(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TWELVE WORDS.)
78. Instead of directly saying “no” to your boss, you should find out ____________________.
79. According to the author, how can you avoid running a greater risk in the presence of your boss? ____________________________________________________________________
80. What strategy can be employed to ensure reporters fairness?
____________________________________________________________________________
81. The art of saying “no” is less ____________________ than setting up a system of
consultation and dialogue.
第II卷 ( 47 分)
I. Translation
Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
1. 房价的攀升不能只归咎于房产开发商。(blame)
2. 他如此沉迷于这部小说，不知不觉两个小时过去了。（before）
3. 考虑到自己的长处，他毫不犹豫地选择从事护理事业。(Considering)
4. 他在十八岁生日那天义务献血并将此视为步入成年的标志。（sign）
5. 我校的各类体育设施可供附近居民周末使用，这极大满足了他们的健身需求。(access n.)
II. Guided writing
Directions: Write an English composition in 120-150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.
请具体描述一次令你印象深刻的旅游经历并简要谈谈你的感受。
Keys for senior three
I. Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: In Secton A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers in your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.
1. W: Where do you say you found this dog?
M: It was under a big tree between the library and the office building.
Q: Where did the man find the dog?
2. M: Can you tell me what time flight 805 arrives?
W: Yes, it is supposed to arrive at 9:30a.m. The delay is expected to be two hours.
Q: When is the airplane now expected to arrive?
3. W: Have you taken Professor Fang’s exam before? I’m kind of nervous.
M: Yes, Just concentrate on the important ideas he’s talked about in class, and ignore the details.
Q: What’s the most probable relationship between the two speaker?
4. M: How about joining me for a cup of coffee?
W: I’d love to, but I’m exhausted. I stayed up till 3 this morning, writing a paper for my literature class.
Q: Why does the woman decline the man’s invitation?
5. W: Jane told us on the phone not to worry about her. Her right hand doesn’t hurt as much as it did yesterday.
M: She’d better have it examined anyway. And I will call her about it this evening.
Q: What does the man think Jane should do?
6. M: The wall behind looks a bit grey and dull. What can we do to make it less ugly?
W: I think we should paint it white so we can do some drawings on it.
Q: What’s the women’s idea to make the wall look less ugly?
7. W: You have been overworked for two weeks. I think you really need to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine.
M: You are right. That’s just what I am thinking about.
Q: What’s the man most probably going to do?
8. M: I won a first prize in the School Writing Contest and I got this dictionary as an award.
W: It’s a good dictionary! I had no idea you were such a marvelous writer.
Q: What does the woman mean?
9. W: There is a non-stop train for Washington and it leaves at 2:30
M: It’s faster than the 2 o’clock train. Besides, we can have sth to eat before getting on the train,
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
10. M: John missed class again, didn’t he? I wonder why.
W: Well, I knew he had been absent all week. So I called him this afternoon to see if he was sick. It turned out that his wife was badly injured in a car accident.
Q: What does the woman say about John?
Section B
Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages, and you will be asked three questions on each of the passages. The passages will be read twice but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.
Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.
Life at college is filled with excitement and entertainment. However, most students do not know how to use their time wisely. The following advice should help you manage our time better and get more out of your college experience.
Firstly, get organized. Organizing your work is necessary if you are going to be successful. Many students do not plan their routine, so unexpected problems can easily appear. Also, it ca be very hard to clean up if you don’t organize your room and the things inside it. It is very important to keep yourself organized.
The second thing you’d better to do is to find a hobby. Finding yourself a good hobby is a great way to avoid getting bored. Hobbies can fill up much of your free time and give you sth to focus on. Choose sth that is easy to organize and inexpensive. Many students also join clubs connected to their hobbies, which can be a good way to make new friends.
What’s more, set clear goals. Setting goals for yourself is the first step towards success. Sometimes, college life can seem difficult and disappointing. If you give yourself clear and realistic goals, and work hard to achieve them, you will find everything a lot easier. Achieving your goals can be very satisfying and will give the confidence you need for life after graduation.
Questions:
11. What’s the best way to avoid unexpected problems?
12. What’s the advantage of taking up a hobby?
13. Who is the speaker talking to?
Questions 14 through 16are based on the following passage.
Were you the first or the last child in your family? Or were you a middle or an only child? Some people think it matters where you were born in your family. But there are different ideas about what birth order means. Some people say that oldest children are smart and strong-willed. They are very likely to be successful. The reason for this is simple: parents have a lot of time for their first child, they give him or her a lot of attention. So this child is very likely to do well. An only child will succeed for the same reason. What happens to the other children in the family? Middle children don’t get so much attention, so they don’t feel that they are important. If a family has many children, the middle one sometimes gets lost in the crowd. The youngest child, though, often gets special treatment. He or she is the baby. Often this child grows up to be funny and charming. Do you believe these ideas of birth order too? A recent study saw things quite differently. The study found that first children believed in family rules. They didn’t take many chances in their lives. They usually followed orders. Rules didn’t mean as much to later children in the family. The went out and followed their own ideas. They took chances and they often did better in life.
Questions:
14. According to the common belief, in what way are the first child and the only child alike?
15. What do people usually say about middle children?
16. What do we learn about later children in a family from a recent study of birth order?
Section C
Directions: In section C, you will hear two longer conversations. The conversations will be read twice. After you hear each conversation, you are required to fill in the numbered blanks with the information you hear. Write your answers on your answer sheet.
Blanks 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation:
M: Hey, Lisa. You’ve been to Spain, right?
W: That’s right. Are you thinking of going there?
M: Yeah, I’m thinking of going for Christmas.
W: Hmm, I wouldn’t go over Christmas. That’s the rainy season.
M: Yeah? Does it rain a lot?
W: Every day. Not a good time, believe me.
M: When does the rainy season end?
W: Around April. And then it’s beautiful right up until around September.
M: Hmm, What about May? Probably better, don’t you think?
W: Sure. I really enjoy lying on the beach there.
Blanks 21 through 24 are based on the following conversation:
W: Oh, I’m fed up with my job.
M: Hey, there is a perfect job for you in the paper today. You might be interested.
W: Oh, what is it? What do they want?
M: Wait a minute. Eh, here it is. The European Space Agency is looking for translators.
W: The European Space Agency?
M: Well, that’s what it says. They need an English translator to work from French or German.
W: So they need a degree in French or German, I suppose. Well, I’ve got that. What’s more, I have plenty of experience. What else are they asking for?
M: Just that. A university degree and three or four years’ experience as a translator in a professional environment. They also say the person should have a lively and inquiring mind, effective communication skills and the ability to work individually or as a part of the team.
W: Well, if I stay at my present job much longer, I won’t have any mind or skills left. I really want the job.
Keys
Listening Comprehension
1-5 DDBAA 6-10 CABBD 11-13 ACC 14-16 BDD
17. Spain 18. Christmas 19. April 20. beach
21. European Space 22. French or German 23. communication skills 24. fed up with/bored with/tired of
Grammar and vocabulary
Section A
A. 25. Before 26. by 27. threw 28. Hearing 29. had jumped 30. tied
31. whose 32. if
B. 33. regardless of 34. have mastered 35. depressed 36. ourselves 37. so that
38. When/if 39. that/which 40. the
Reading Comprehension
Section A
51-55 BABDB 56-60 ABCAD 61-65 ADABC
Section B
A. 66-69 DABC B. 70-73 DDCA 74-77 AABD
Section C
78. what is in your boss’s mind
79. By not challenging our boss’s authority
80. Setting up a system where stories are proposed and reviewed
81. (directly) turning down/rejecting others/others’ ideas.
Translation
1. 房价的攀升不能只归咎于房产开发商。(blame)
Real-estate/house/housing developers alone are not to blame for the continuous rise/increase in housing prices.
Real-estate/house/housing developers alone should not be blamed for the continuous rise/increase in housing prices.
The continuous rise/increase in housing prices should not be blamed on housing developers alone.
2. 他如此沉迷于这部小说，不知不觉两个小时过去了。（before）
He was so absorbed in (reading) this novel that two hours (had) passed before he realized it.
So absorbed in (reading) this novel was he that two hours (had) passed before he realized it.
3. 考虑到自己的长处，他毫不犹豫地选择从事护理事业。(Considering)
Considering his own strengths, he didn’t hesitate to choose to take up nursing as his career.
Considering his own strengths, he chose to take up nursing as his career without hesitation.
4. 他在十八岁生日那天义务献血并将此视为步入成年的标志。（sign）
On his eighteenth birthday, he volunteered to donate his blood, which was viewed as/was regarded as a sign of (having stepped) into/heading into adulthood.
On his eighteenth birthday, he volunteered to donate his blood and regarded it as a sign of stepping into/heading into adulthood.
5. 我校的各类体育设施可供附近居民周末使用，这极大满足了他们的健身需求。(access n.)
The residents nearby have/gain/get (easy) access to varieties of/all kinds of sports facilities in our school at weekends, which greatly satisfies their demands/requirememts for exercise.