2014年12月英语四级考试真题与答案

Short conversations

1.Woman: When was the last time you dusted the apartment?

Man: When was the last time my mother came over?

Question: What does the man imply?

2.Woman: Hurry up Mark, there’s a bus coming now。

Man: Why run? There’ll be another one in 2 or 3 minutes。

Question: What does the man mean?

3.Man: Laura, it seems that you are up to your neck in work, how come you’ve been so busy?

Woman: Ms Smith has asked for a sick leave, and I have to take over her work for a couple of days。

Question: What do we learn about the woman?

4.Woman: Washing dishes at the cafeteria every day is really boring。

Man: Why don’t you quit and deliver the flowers with me?

Question: What does the man suggest the woman do?

5.Woman: Rod, you said you’d take this package to the post office yesterday。

Man: Oh, no, it must have slipped my mind.

Question: What do we learn about the man from the conversation?

6.Man: I’m not surprised that you didn’t like that movie. I find it really scary myself.

Woman: So did I. I don’t care much for horror movies as a rule.

Question: What do we learn from the conversation?

7.Man: My life experience tells me that love is filled with happiness but it hurts you too.

Woman: Your words remind me of the saying honey is sweet but the bee stings 1。

Question: What do we learn from the conversation?

8.Man: How many more chairs should I bring in for the forum 2, six or seven?

Woman: Bring in all you can find. I’m expecting at least 20 participants.

Question: What are the speakers talking about?

Long conversations

Conversation 1

Man: Do you think there's discrimination against women in England today?

Woman: Certainly, and not just in education and work either, in many other fields as well. The tax situation for women is very unfair, for example。

Man: Are women better off in other countries then?

Woman: It depends on the country. There's certainly much less discrimination in Scandinavia, and maybe in America, too。

Man: Do you think the position of English women will improve?

Woman: In some ways it will of course. I'm sure more women will go out to work in the next 20 years. But the women have a much greater problem than this to solve。

Man: What's that?

Women: The problem of men's attitudes. We can earn more money in the future, but I'm not sure we can change men' attitudes. You see, most men really think that women are inferior 3. Maybe we are physically 4 weaker, but I don't think this means we are inferior. Then there's another problem。

Man: Yes?

Women: The problem of women's attitudes. Lots of women are unhappy with their present situation, but most of them probably don't want to fight for change. It could be that the women's liberation 5 movement has to spend more time changing women's attitudes than it spends in changing men's。

Man: One last question, some supporters of the woman's liberation movement believed that marriages should be abolished 6. You agree?

Women: No, I don't. It can't happen. What may and should happen is that we teach men to spend more time looking after children and doing housework。

9. Where are women said to be less discriminated 7 against?

10. What will happen in England in 20 years according to the conversation?

11. What does the woman think the women's liberation movement should do?

Conversation 2

Man: Cheers, Shirley

Women: Cheers, Paul. What a lovely place for a business lunch. I hope I can concentrate in this heat。

Man: I will sure you will when I tell you about my ideas。

Woman: You know, I must say I was pleased to hear from you, but from what you said on the phone, everything is so sudden。

Man: Well, my father-in-law, who is also the managing director of J.R. Motives 8, has given me two weeks to prepare a report on the possibility of moving into the export market。

Woman: Ah, now, just one thing Paul. Have you really thought the whole idea through?

Man: Of course I have。

Woman: Now the key thing in the whole operation is to get a good import agent, and you say the bank will help?

Man: I'm almost sure of it。

Woman: Preliminary studies are very good, Paul. But if the product can't sell, then there's little use in expanding the factory。

Man: Yes, I realize that, Shirley. But we have a very good product. The chief designer has just completed a new improved model。

Woman: I know your bikes have a very good reputation here, but you have to build up a reputation and mark it in Africa。

Man: Yes, of course. But the immediate 9 problem is that my father-in-law wants a detailed 10 report by next Monday. Two weeks isn't enough time to prepare a report, so I need your help。

Woman: OK, Paul, you've convinced me. I must say I admire your determination。

12. Where does the conversation most probably take place?

13. What do we learn about the men's father-in-law?

14. What does the woman think is important in the whole operation?

15. What does the woman admire in the man?

Passage 1

Scientists know how twins were born, now though, they are trying to explain how being half of the biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t leave near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separated when they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice, their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen. Scientists want to know what influences are personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, studies 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities 11. Scientists believed that personality characteristics such as friendliness 12, shyness and fears are not result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know ‘can twins really communicate without speaking’, ‘can one twin really feel another twin’s pain’. Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers。

16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?

17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?

18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?

Passage 2

Today I’m going to talk about tents. Camping is still one of the cheapest ways of having a holiday. And each year, over 3 million people take camping vocations 13, either here in Britain or aboard, mostly on the continent. Obviously, camping can’t be as comfortable as living in a permanent house, but modern tents can be very comfortable indeed, with windows, bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms. The most popular tent sold in Britain is the frame tent with 2 bedrooms and sleeping accommodation for 4 people. There is usually an outer tent of water-proofed fabric 14 and a lighter 15 inner tent or tents with a built-in ground sheet. The outer tent fits over the frame work. This is made of metal poles which are fitted together. The inner tent is attached to this frame. Generally, the inner tent is about half the area of the outer tent. The other half of the outer tent is the living area. This doesn’t usually have a ground sheet but you can buy one to fit, though it costs extra. The ordinary 4 bed frame tent doesn’t usually have a separate kitchen area, but the larger ones often do. You can buy a kitchen extension for many tents, and it’s worth buying one if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days.

19. What does the speaker say about camping?

20. What does the passage tell us about the most popular tent sold in Britain?

21. What does the speaker suggest buying if you plan to stay camping in one place for more than a few days?

Passage 3

Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse 16 in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade。

22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?

23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?

24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?

25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?

Compound Dictation

Don’t take may English courses, they won’t help you get a decent 17 job. Sign up for management classes, so you will be ready to join the family business when you graduate. Sound familiar? Many of us have heard suggestions like these put forward by parents or others close to us. Such comments often seem quite reasonable. Why then should suggestions like these be taken with caution 18? The reason is they relate to the decisions you should make. You are the one who must live with their consequences. One of the worst reasons to follow a particular path in life is that other people want you to. Decisions that affect your life should be your decisions. Decisions you make after you’ve considered various alternatives and chosen the path that suits you best. Making your own decisions does not mean that you should ignore the suggestions of others. For instance, your parents do have their own unique experiences that may make their advice helpful and having participated in a great deal of your personal history. They may have a clear view of your strength and weaknesses. Still, their views are not necessarily accurate. They may still see you as a child, and need care and protection. Or they may see only your strength or in some unfortunate cases, they may focus only on your flaws 19 and shortcomings. People will always be giving your advice, ultimately 20, though you have to make your own judgments 21.