2002年1月大学英语四级考试真题
试卷一
Part I Listening Comprehension (20 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question 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. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
Example: You will hear:
You will read: ［A］ At the office. ［B］ In the waiting room.
［C］ At the airport. ［D］ In a restaurant.
From the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. This is most likely to have taken place at the office. Therefore, ［A］ “At the office” is the best answer. You should choose ［A］ on the Answer Sheet and mark it with a single line through the centre.
Sample Answer: ［A］ ［B］ ［C］ ［D］
1. ［A］ She has to post a letter instead. ［B］ She has to turn down the man’s request.
［C］ She’s not sure if the computer is fixed. ［D］ She can’t send the message right now.
2. ［A］ He didn’t get the book he needed. ［B］ He had no idea where the book was.
［C］ The library is closed on weekends. ［D］ He was not allowed to check out the book.
3. ［A］ Play a tape recorder. ［B］ Take a picture.
［C］ Repair a typewriter. ［D］ Start a car.
4. ［A］ The woman rejected the man’s apology. ［B］ The woman appreciated the man’s offer.
［C］ The man had forgotten the whole thing. ［D］ The man had hurt the woman’s feelings.
5. ［A］ The woman is meeting the man at the airport. ［B］ They are complaining about the poor airport service.
［C］ They are discussing their plan for Christmas. ［D］ The man is seeing the woman off.
6. ［A］ She plans to go to graduate school. ［B］ She will drop out of school.
［C］ She will stop working and concentrate on her studies.［D］ She will take a part-time job.
7. ［A］ He needs another job as research assistant. ［B］ He asked Professor Williams for assistance.
［C］ He assists Professor Williams with his teaching. ［D］ He is doing research with Professor Williams.
8. ［A］ She thought there were no tickets left for the show. ［B］ She thought the seats on the left side were fully occupied.
［C］ The show was planned a long time ago. ［D］ The audience were deeply impressed by the show.
9. ［A］ Mr. Long’s briefing was unnecessarily long. ［B］ The woman should have been more attentive.
［C］ Mr. Long’s briefing was not relevant to the mission. ［D］ The woman needn’t have attended the briefing.
10. ［A］ In a bank. ［B］ In a school.
［C］ In a clothing store. ［D］ In a barbershop.
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 spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked ［A］, ［B］, ［C］ and ［D］.Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
Questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.
11. ［A］ Because the bird couldn’t repeat his master’s name. ［B］ Because the bird screamed all day long.
［C］ Because the bird uttered the wrong word. ［D］ Because the bird failed to say the name of the town.
12. ［A］ The cruel master. ［B］ The man in the kitchen.
［C］ The pet bird. ［D］ The fourth chicken.
13. ［A］ The bird had finally understood his threat. ［B］ The bird managed to escape from the chicken house.
［C］ The bird had learned to scream back at him. ［D］ The bird was living peacefully with the chickens.
Passage Two
Questions 14 to 16 are based on the passage you have just heard.
14. ［A］ They are kept in open prisons. ［B］ They are allowed out of the prison grounds.
［C］ They are ordered to do cooking and cleaning. ［D］ They are a small portion of the prison population.
15. ［A］ Some of their prisoners are allowed to study or work outside prisons.
［B］ Most of their prisoners are expected to work.
［C］ Their prisoners are often sent to special centres for skill training.
［D］ Their prisoners are allowed freedom to visit their families.
16. ［A］ They are encouraged to do maintenance for the training centre.
［B］ Most of them get paid for their work.
［C］ They have to cook their own meals.
［D］ They can choose to do community work.
Passage Three
Questions 17 to 20 are based on the passage you have just heard.
17. ［A］ Because they have a driving license. ［B］ Because they have received special training.
［C］ Because the traffic conditions in London are good. ［D］ Because the traffic system of the city is not very complex.
18. ［A］ Two to four months. ［B］ About three weeks.
［C］ At least half a year. ［D］ Two years or more.
19. ［A］ Government officers are hard to please.
［B］ The learner has to go through several tough tests.
［C］ The learner usually fails several times before he passes it.
［D］ The driving test usually lasts two months.
20. ［A］ They don’t want their present bosses to know what they’re doing.
［B］ They want to earn money from both jobs.
［C］ They cannot earn money as taxi drivers yet.
［D］ They look forward to further promotion.
Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes)
Directions: 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.
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage.
Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, think the auto is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urban travel in the foreseeable future.
The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer, and more economical, and should not be powered by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types.
Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the main problem in urban traffic congestion (拥挤). One proposed solution to this problem is the automated highway system.
When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable(可伸缩的) arm will drop from the auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail, the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car’s movements.
The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer(蜂鸣器) that will warn him of his coming exit. It is estimated that an automated highway will be able to handle 10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles that can be carried by a present-day highway.
21. One significant improvement in the future car will probably be .
［A］ its power source ［B］ its driving system
［C］ its monitoring system ［D］ its seating capacity
22. What is the author’s main concern?
［A］ How to render automobiles pollution-free. ［B］ How to make smaller and safer automobiles.
［C］ How to solve the problem of traffic jams. ［D］ How to develop an automated subway system.
23. What provides autos with electric power in an automated highway system?
［A］ A rail. ［B］ An engine.
［C］ A retractable arm. ［D］ A computer controller.
24. In an automated highway system, all the driver needs to do is .
［A］ keep in the right lane ［B］ wait to arrive at his destination
［C］ keep in constant touch with the computer center ［D］ inform the system of his destination by phone
25. What is the author’s attitude toward the future of autos?
［A］ Enthusiastic. ［B］ Pessimistic.
［C］ Optimistic. ［D］ Cautious.
Passage Two
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.
Foxes and farmers have never got on well. These small dog-like animals have long been accused of killing farm animals. They are officially classified as harmful and farmers try to keep their numbers down by shooting or poisoning them.
Farmers can also call on the services of their local hunt to control the fox population. Hunting consists of pursuing a fox across the countryside, with a group of specially trained dogs, followed by men and women riding horses. When the dogs eventually catch the fox they kill it or a hunter shoots it.
People who take part in hunting think of it as a sport; they wear a special uniform of red coats and white trousers, and follow strict codes of behavior. But owning a horse and hunting regularly is expensive, so most hunters are wealthy.
It is estimated that up to 100,000 people watch or take part in fox hunting. But over the last couple of decades the number of people opposed to fox hunting, because they think it is brutal(残酷的）, has risen sharply. Nowadays it is rare for a hunt to pass off without some kind of confrontation(冲突) between hunters and hunt saboteurs(阻拦者). Sometimes these incidents lead to violence, but mostly saboteurs interfere with the hunt by misleading riders and disturbing the trail of the fox’s smell, which the dogs follow.
Noisy confrontations between hunters and saboteurs have become so common that they are almost as much a part of hunting as the pursuit of foxes itself. But this year supporters of fox hunting face a much bigger threat to their sport. A Labour Party Member of the Parliament, Mike Foster, is trying to get Parliament to approve a new law which will make the hunting of wild animals with dogs illegal. If the law is passed, wild animals like foxes will be protected under the ban in Britain.
26. Rich people in Britain have been hunting foxes .
［A］ for recreation ［B］ in the interests of the farmers
［C］ to limit the fox population ［D］ to show off their wealth
27. What is special about fox hunting in Britain?
［A］ It involves the use of a deadly poison. ［B］ It is a costly event which rarely occurs.
［C］ The hunters have set rules to follow. ［D］ The hunters have to go through strict training.
28. Fox hunting opponents often interfere in the game .
［A］ by resorting to violence ［B］ by confusing the fox hunters
［C］ by taking legal action ［D］ by demonstrating on the scene
29. A new law may be passed by the British Parliament to .
［A］ prohibit farmers from hunting foxes ［B］ forbid hunting foxes with dogs
［C］ stop hunting wild animals in the countryside ［D］ prevent large-scale fox hunting
30. It can be inferred from the passage that .
［A］ killing foxes with poison is illegal
［B］ limiting the fox population is unnecessary
［C］ hunting foxes with dogs is considered cruel and violent
［D］ fox-hunting often leads to confrontation between the poor and the rich
Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.
For an increasing number of students at American universities, Old is suddenly in. The reason is obvious: the graying of America means jobs. Coupled with the aging of the baby-boom( 生育高峰) generation, a longer life span means that the nation’s elderly population is bound to expand significantly over the next 50 years. By 2050, 25 percent of all Americans will be older than 65, up from 14 percent in 1995. The change poses profound questions for government and society, of course. But it also creates career opportunities in medicine and health professions, and in law and business as well. In addition to the doctors, we’re going to need more sociologists, biologists, urban planners and specialized lawyers, says Professor Edward Schneider of the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Gerontology (老年学).
Lawyers can specialize in elder law, which covers everything from trusts and estates to nursing-home abuse and age discrimination(歧视). Businessmen see huge opportunities in the elder market because the baby boomers, 74 million strong, are likely to be the wealthiest group of retirees in human history. Any student who combines an expert knowledge in gerontology with, say, an MBA or law degree will have a license to print money, one professor says.
Margarite Santos is a 21-year-old senior at USC. She began college as a biology major but found she was really bored with bacteria. So she took a class in gerontology and discovered that she liked it. She says, I did volunteer work in retirement homes and it was very satisfying.
31. “... Old is suddenly in” (Line 1, Para. 1) most probably means “ ”.
［A］ America has suddenly become a nation of old people
［B］ gerontology has suddenly become popular
［C］ more elderly professors are found on American campuses
［D］ American colleges have realized the need of enrolling older students
32. With the aging of America, lawyers can benefit .
［A］ from the adoption of the “elder law”
［B］ from rendering special services to the elderly
［C］ by enriching their professional knowledge
［D］ by winning the trust of the elderly to promote their own interests
33. Why can businessmen make money in the emerging elder market？
［A］ Retirees are more generous in spending money. ［B］ They can employ more gerontologists.
［C］ The elderly possess an enormous purchasing power. ［D］ There are more elderly people working than before.
34. Who can make big money in the new century according to the passage？
［A］ Retirees who are business-minded. ［B］ The volunteer workers in retirement homes.
［C］ College graduates with an MBA or law degree. ［D］ Professionals with a good knowledge of gerontology.
35. It can be seen from the passage that the expansion of America’s elderly population .
［A］ will provide good job opportunities in many areas ［B］ will impose an unbearable burden on society
［C］ may lead to nursing home abuse and age discrimination ［D］ will create new fields of study in universities
Passage Four
Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage.
The decline in moral standards—which has long concerned social analysts—has at last captured the attention of average Americans. And Jean Bethke Elshtain, for one, is glad.
The fact that ordinary citizens are now starting to think seriously about the nation’s moral climate, says this ethics(伦理学) professor at the University of Chicago, is reason to hope that new ideas will come forward to improve it.
But the challenge is not to be underestimated. Materialism and individualism in American society are the biggest obstacles. The thought that “I’m in it for me” has become deeply rooted in the national consciousness, Ms. Elshtain says.
Some of this can be attributed to the disintegration of traditional communities, in which neighbors looked out for one another, she says. With today’s greater mobility and with so many couples working, those bonds have been weakened, replaced by a greater emphasis on self.
In a 1996 poll of Americans, loss of morality topped the list of the biggest problems facing the U.S. And Elshtain says the public is correct to sense that: Data show that Americans are struggling with problems unheard of in the 1950s, such as classroom violence and a high rate of births to unmarried mothers.
The desire for a higher moral standard is not a lament(挽歌) for some nonexistent golden age, Elshtain says, nor is it a wishful(一厢情愿的) longing for a time that denied opportunities to women and minorities. Most people, in fact, favor the lessening of prejudice.
Moral decline will not be reversed until people find ways to counter the materialism in society, she says. Slowly, you recognize that the things that matter are those that can’t be bought.
36. Professor Elshtain is pleased to see that Americans .
［A］ have adapted to a new set of moral standards ［B］ are longing for the return of the good old days
［C］ have realized the importance of material things ［D］ are awakening to the lowering of their moral standards
37. The moral decline of American society is caused mainly by .
［A］ its growing wealth ［B］ the self-centeredness of individuals
［C］ underestimating the impact of social changes ［D］ the prejudice against women and minorities
38. Which of the following characterizes the traditional communities?
［A］ Great mobility. ［B］ Concern for one’s neighbors.
［C］ Emphasis on individual effort. ［D］ Ever-weakening social bonds.
39. In the 1950s, classroom violence .
［A］ was something unheard of ［B］ was by no means a rare occurrence
［C］ attracted a lot of public attention ［D］ began to appear in analysts’ data
40. According to Elshtain, the current moral decline may be reversed .
［A］ if people can return to the “golden age” ［B］ when women and men enjoy equal rights
［C］ when people rid themselves of prejudice ［D］ if less emphasis is laid on material things
Part III Vocabulary and Structure (20 minutes)
Directions： There are 30 incomplete sentences in this part. For each sentence there are four choices marked ［A］, ［B］, ［C］ and ［D］. Choose the ONE answer that best completes the sentence. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
41. By the time you get to New York, I for London.
［A］ would be leaving ［B］ am leaving ［C］ have already left ［D］ shall have left
42. The article suggests that when a person under unusual stress he should be especially careful to have a well-balanced diet.
［A］ is ［B］ were ［C］ be ［D］ was
43. The lawyer advised him to drop the , since he stands little chance to win.
［A］ event ［B］ incident ［C］ case ［D］ affair
44. Sometimes children have trouble fact from fiction and may believe that such things actually exist.
［A］ to separate ［B］ separating ［C］ for separating ［D］ of separating
45. He is quite sure that it’s impossible for him to fulfill the task within two days.
［A］ absolutely ［B］ exclusively ［C］ fully ［D］ roughly
46. There was a big hole in the road which the traffic.
［A］ set back ［B］ stood back ［C］ held up ［D］ kept down
47. Many a delegate was in favor of his proposal that a special committee to investigate the incident.
［A］ were set up ［B］ was set up ［C］ be set up ［D］ set up
48. In the Chinese household, grandparents and other relatives play roles in raising children.
［A］incapable ［B］ indispensable ［C］ insensible ［D］ infinite
49. Eye contact is important because wrong contact may create a communication .
［A］ tragedy ［B］ vacuum ［C］ question ［D］ barrier
50. There was such a long line at the exhibition we had to wait for about half an hour.
［A］ as ［B］ that ［C］ so ［D］ hence
51. There is no to the house from the main road.
［A］ access ［B］ avenue ［C］ exposure ［D］ edge
52. energy under the earth must be released in one form or another, for example, an earthquake.
［A］ Accumulated ［B］ Gathered ［C］ Assembled ［D］ Collected
53. He wasn’t appointed chairman of the committee, not very popular with all its members.
［A］ to be considered ［B］ considering ［C］ being considered ［D］ having considered
54. The twentieth century has witnessed an enormous worldwide political, economic and cultural .
［A］ tradition ［B］ transportation ［C］ transmission ［D］ transformation
55. The stuck on the envelope says By Air.
［A］ diagram ［B］ label ［C］ signal ［D］ mark
56. Mobile telecommunications is expected to double in Shanghai this year as a result of a contract signed between the two companies.
［A］ capacity ［B］ potential ［C］ possession ［D］ impact
57. Reading the lines, I would say that the Government are more worried than they will admit.
［A］ behind ［B］ between ［C］ along ［D］ among
58. My brother’s plans are very ; he wants to master English, French and Spanish before he is sixteen.
［A］ arbitrary ［B］ aggressive ［C］ ambitious ［D］ abundant
59. Things might have been much worse if the mother on her right to keep the baby.
［A］ has been insisting ［B］ had insisted ［C］ would insist ［D］ insisted
60. The statistical figures in that report are not . You should not refer to them.
［A］ accurate ［B］ fixed ［C］ delicate ［D］ rigid
61. Contrast may make something appear more beautiful than it is when alone.
［A］ seen ［B］ is seen ［C］ to be seen ［D］ having been seen
62. The football game comes to you from New York.
［A］ lively ［B］ alive ［C］ live ［D］ living
63. None of us expected the chairman to at the party. We thought he was still in hospital.
［A］ turn in ［B］ turn over ［C］ turn up ［D］ turn down
64. The mother didn’t know who for the broken glass.
［A］ blamed ［B］ be blamed ［C］ to blame ［D］ would blame
65. He to his customers and halved the price.
［A］ leaked ［B］ drew ［C］ quoted ［D］ yielded
66. Tryon was extremely angry, but cool-headed enough to storming into the boss’s office.
［A］ prevent ［B］ prohibit ［C］ turn ［D］ avoid
67. All flights because of the terrible weather, they had to go there by train.
［A］ having been canceled ［B］ had been canceled
［C］ having canceled ［D］ were canceled
68. The author of the report is well with the problems in the hospital because he has been working there for many years.
［A］ informed ［B］ acquainted ［C］ enlightened ［D］ acknowledged
69. The boy spent as much time watching TV as he studying.
［A］ does ［B］ had ［C］ was ［D］ did
70. The ship’s generator broke down, and the pumps had to be operated instead of mechanically.
［A］ manually ［B］ artificially ［C］ automatically ［D］ synthetically
Part IV Cloze (15 minutes)
Directions: There are 20 blanks in the following passage. For each blank there are four choices marked ［A］, ［B］, ［C］ and［D］. You should choose the ONE that best fits into the passage. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the centre.
One summer night, on my way home from work I decided to see a movie. I knew the theatre would be air-conditioned and I couldn’t face my 71 apartment. Sitting in the theatre I had to look through the 72 between the two tall heads in front of me. I had to keep changing the 73 every time she leaned over to talk to him, 74 he leaned over to kiss her. Why do Americans display such 75 in a public place I thought the movie would be good for my English, but 76 it turned out, it was an Italian movie. 77 about an hour I decided to give up on the movie and 78 on my popcorn(爆玉米花). I’ve never understood why they give you so much popcorn! It tasted pretty good, 79 . After a while I heard 80 more of the romantic-sounding Italians. I just heard the 81 of the popcorn crunching (咀嚼) between my teeth. My thought started to 82 . I remembered when I was in South Korea(韩国), I 83 to watch Kojak on TV frequently. He spoke perfect Korean—I was really amazed. He seemed like a good friend to me, 84 I saw him again in New York speaking 85 English instead of perfect Korean. He didn’t even have a Korean accent and I 86 like I had been betrayed. When our family moved to the United States six years ago, none of us spoke any English. 87 we had begun to learn a few words, my mother suggested that we all should speak English at home. Everyone agreed, but our house became very 88 and we all seemed to avoid each other. We sat at the dinner table in silence, preferring that to 89 in a difficult language. Mother tried to say something in English but it 90 out all wrong and we all burst into laughter and decided to forget it! We’ve been speaking Korean at home ever since.
71. ［A］ warm ［B］ hot ［C］ heated ［D］ cool
72. ［A］ crack ［B］ blank ［C］ break ［D］ opening
73. ［A］ aspect ［B］ view ［C］ space ［D］ angle
74. ［A］ while ［B］ whenever ［C］ or ［D］ and
75. ［A］ attraction ［B］ attention ［C］ affection ［D］ motion
76. ［A］ since ［B］ when ［C］ what ［D］ as
77. ［A］ Within ［B］ After ［C］ For ［D］ Over
78. ［A］ concentrate ［B］ chew ［C］ fix ［D］ taste
79. ［A］ too ［B］ still ［C］ though ［D］ certainly
80. ［A］ much ［B］ any ［C］ no ［D］ few
81. ［A］ voice ［B］ sound ［C］ rhythm ［D］ tone
82. ［A］ wonder ［B］ wander ［C］ imagine ［D］ depart
83. ［A］ enjoyed ［B］ happened ［C］ turned ［D］ used
84. ［A］ until ［B］ because ［C］ then ［D］ therefore
85. ［A］ artificial ［B］ informal ［C］ perfect ［D］ practical
86. ［A］ felt ［B］ looked ［C］ seemed ［D］ appeared
87. ［A］ While ［B］ If ［C］ Before ［D］ Once
88. ［A］ empty ［B］ quiet ［C］ stiff ［D］ calm
89. ［A］ telling ［B］ uttering ［C］ saying ［D］ speaking
90. ［A］ worked ［B］ got ［C］ came ［D］ made
试卷二
Part V Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic A Letter to the University President about the Canteen Service on Campus. You should write at least 100 words, and base your composition on the outline given in Chinese below:
假设你是李明，请你就本校食堂的状况给校长写一封信，内容应涉及食堂的饭菜质量、价格、环境、服务等，可以是表扬，可以是批评建议，也可以兼而有之。
January 12th, 2002
Dear Mr. President,
