1991年12月全国大学英语六级考试真题及答案
Part I Listening Comprehension (20 minutes)
Section A
1. A) Children learn by example. B) Children must not tell lies.
C) Children don't like discipline. D) Children must control their temper.
2. A) The man was very happy with his published article.
B) The marking system in the university is excellent.
C) The article was rejected.
D) The article was cut short.
3. A) He is rude to his students.
B) He is strict with his students.
C) He is kind and often gives good grades.
D) He is strange and hates good students.
4. A) He is going to China.
B) He is very interested in China.
C) He likes stamps.
D) He likes travelling.
5. A) Opposite the shoe store.
B) In the middle of a street.
C) At the corner of a street.
D) Right outside the shoe store.
6. A) The woman cannot go to the party.
B) The man will meet the woman at the party.
C) The woman has not got the invitation yet.
D) The woman will try to go to the party by all means.
7. A) He wants to have some medicine.
B) The nurse didn't give him an injection on time.
C) The nurse should have shown up at two o' clock in the morning.
D) He wants to make an appointment with the doctor.
8. A) Some salad. B) Some dessert.
C) Just himself. D) Enough food.
9. A) They will fail the test.
B) The exam is easy.
C) The grades will be around 40.
D) They might pass the test.
10. A) The woman shouldn't go to the U.S. with her brother.
B) The woman hasn't been allowed to be absent from class.
C) The woman can go to the airport to meet her brother.
D) The woman can go and see her brother off.
Section B
Passage One
Questions 11 to 13 are based on the passage you have just heard.
11. A) Because they want to follow the rapidly growing hobby.
B) Because they want to show they are wealthy people.
C) Because they want to hold an exhibition.
D) Because they want to return to the past and to invest money for profit.
12. A) 150,000. B) 500,000. C) 250,000. D) 1,000,000.
13. A) Those which are old and inexpensive.
B) Those which are unique or unusual.
C) Those which are practical.
D) Those which are still fashionable.
Passage Two
Questions 14 to 17 are based on the passage you have just heard.
14. A) Because they were ordered to.
B) Because they were in danger.
C) Because the plane was going to fly in circles.
D) Because the plane climbed again.
15. A) Over the airport. B) Over the land.
C) Over the sea. D) Over the mountains.
16. A) Because there was something wrong with it.
B) Because the weather changed suddenly.
C) Because there were no lights at the airport.
D) Because too many planes were waiting to take off or land.
17. A) Some time after five. B) Some time after four.
C) A few minutes before four. D) A few minutes before six.
Passage Three
Questions 18 to 20 are based on the passage you have just beard.
18. A) People in Venice don't like walking.
B) The buildings there float on water.
C) Cars are seldom used in Venice.
D) Boat rides there are expensive.
19. A) About four hundred. B) About seven hundred.
C) Twenty. D) One hundred and twenty.
20. A) The boats can't pass under the bridges.
B) The islands will be disconnected.
C) While passing under the bridges, people in the boats have to lower their heads.
D) The bridges will be damaged.
Part II Reading Comprehension (35 minutes)
Passage One
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
Lecturing as a method of teaching is so frequently under attack today from educational psychologists and by students that some justification is needed to keep it. Critics believe that is
results in passive methods of learning which tend to be less effective than those which fully engage the learner. They also maintain that students have no opportunity to ask questions and must all receive the same content at the same pace, that they are exposed only to one teacher' s
interpretation of subject matter which will certainly be limited and that, anyway, few lectures rise above dullness. Nevertheless, in a number of inquiries this pessimistic evaluation of lecturing as a
teaching method proves not to be general among students although they do fairly often comment
on poor lecturing techniques.
Students praise lectures which are clear and orderly outlines in which basic principles are
emphasised but dislike too numberous digressions(离题) or lectures which consist in part of the
contents of a textbook. Students of science subjects consider that a lecture is a good way to in-
traduce a new subject, putting it in its value as a period of discussion of problems and possible
solutions with their lecturer. They do not look for inspiration(灵感) -this is more commenly
mentioned by teachers - but arts students look for originality in lectures. Medical and dental
students who have reports on teaching methods, or specifically on lecturing, suggest that there
should be fewer lectures or that, at the least, more would be unpopular.
21. The passage states that
A) few students dislike lecturing as a teaching method
B) lecturing is a good method of teaching
C) lecturing as a teaching method proves to be uninspiring
D) most students like lectures because they can fully engage the learner
22. According to the critics,
A) lectures can't make students active in their studies
B) some lecturers' knowledge of their subjects limited
C) most lectures are similar in content
D) few lectures are dull
23. According to this passage, students dislike lectures which
A) introduce mat la[ not included in the texbook
B) present many problems for discussion
C) always wander from the subject
D) stress the main points
24. Lecturing as a teaching method is less appreciated by
A) dental teachers B) medical students
C) arts lecturers D) science learners
25. According to the author, the evaluation of lecturing as a teaching method by educational
psychologists is
A) defonsive B) conservative C) realistic D) negative
Passage Two
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
From the moment that an animal is born it has to make decisions. It has to decide which of
the things around it are for eating, and which are to be avoided when to attack and when to run
away. The animal is, in effect, playing a complicated and potentially very dangerous game with
its environment, discomfort or destruction.
This is a difficult and unpleasant business and few animals would survive if they had to
start from the beginning and learn about the world wholly by trial and error, for there are the
have possible decisions which would prove fatal. So we find, in practice, that the game is always
arranged in favour of the young animal in one way or another. Either the animal is protected
during the early stages of its learning about the world around it, or the knowledge of which way
to respond is built into its nervous system from the start.
The fact that animals behave sensibly can be attributed partly to what we might call
genetic(遗传的) learning, to distinguish it from the individual learning that an animal does in the
course of its own life time. Genetic learning is learning by a species as a whole, and it is achieved
by selection of those members of each generation that happen to behave in the right way. How-
ever, genetic learning depends upon a prediction that the future will more or less exactly resemble
the past. The more variable individual experience is likely to be, the less efficient is genetic
learning as a means of getting over the problems of the survival game. It is not surprising to find
that very few species indeed depend wholly upon genetic learning. In the great majority of animals, behaviour is a compound of individual experience and genetic learning to behave in particular
ways.
26. According to the first paragraph, the survival game is considered potentially very dangerous
because
A) animals are constantly threatened by attacks
B) wrong decisions will lead to the disappearance of a species
C) decisions made by an animal may turn out to be fatal
D) few animals can survive in their struggle with the environment
27. It is implied but not directly stated in the passage that most animals
A) are likely to make wrong decisions
B) have made correct decisions for their survival
C) depend entirely on their parents in learning about the world around them
D) survive by means of individual learning
28. Genetic learning is effective only if
A) the survival game is arranged in favour of the young animals
B) the animals can adapt themselves to the changing surroundings
C) circumstances remain more or less the same
D) the animals have varied individual experiences
29. The best TITLE for this passage would be
A) The Decision - Making Ability of Animals
B) Survival and Environment
C) Reward and Penalty for Animals
D) Behaviour and Survival
30. How is genetic leaning achieved?
A) It is inherited from animals with keen observation.
B) It is passed down from those animals that behave in the correct way.
C) It is taught to the young generation.
D) It is learned by the new generation through trial and error.
Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the following passage:
Scientists, like other human beings, have their hopes and fears, their passions and disap-
pointments and their strong emotions may sometimes interrupt the course of clear thinking
and sound practice. But science is also self - correcting. The most fundamental principles and
conclusions may be challenged. The steps in a reasoned argument must be set out for all to see.
Experiments must be capable of being carried out by other scientists. The history of science is
full of cases where previously accepted theories have been entirely overthrown, to be replaced by
new ideas which more adequately explain the data.
While there is an understandable inertia - usually lasting about one generation - such
revolution in scientific thought are widely accepted as a necessary and desirable element of scientific progress. Indeed, the reasoned criticism of a prevailing belief is a service to the supporters of that belief; if they are incapable of defending it, they are well - advised to abandon it. This self -questioning and error- correcting aspect of the scientific method is its most striking property and sets it off from many other areas of human endeavor, such as religion and fine arts.
The idea of science as a method rather than as a body of knowledge is not widely appreciated outside of science, or indeed in some corridors inside of science. Vigorous criticism is constructive in science more than in some other areas of human endeavor because in it there are adequate standards of validity which can be agreed upon by competent scientists the world over.
The objective of such criticism is not to suppress but rather to encourage the advance of new
Ideas:those which survive a firm skeptical(怀疑的) examination have a fighting chance of being
right, or at least useful.
32. It can be learned from the context that the word "inertia" (Para. 2, Line 1) most probably
means
A) strong resolution B) unwillingness to change
C) a period of time D) prevailing belief
33. The "revolution in scientific thought" (Para. 2, Lind 2) refers to
A) acceptance of the reasoned criticisms of prevailing scientific theories
B) the continuous overthrow of existing scientific theories
C) the adequate explanation of the data in prevailing scientific theories
D) the major discoveries that represent breakthroughs in the history of scientific progress
34. The author says that the most striking property of the scientific method is its self- questioning
and error - correcting aspect, because it is this aspect that
A) is indispensable to the advance of science
B) is most widely appreciated by scientists
C) helps scientists to abandon anything they cannot defend
D) sets science off from mary other areas of human endeavor
35. The word "it"(Para. 3, Line 4)refers to "_______"
A) vigorous criticism B) scientific method
C) human endeavor D) science
Passage Four
Questions 36 to 40 are based on the following passage:
My father's reaction to the bank building at 43rd Street and Fifth Avenus in New York
City was immediate and definite: "You won' t catch me putting my money in there!" he declared. "Not in that glass box!"
Of course, my father is a gentleman of the old school, a member of the generation to whom
a good deal of modern architecture is upsetting, but I am convinced that his negative response
was not so much to the architecture as to a violation of his concept of the nature of money.
In his generation money was thought of as a real commodity(实物) that could be carried,
or stolen. Consequently, to attract the custom of a sensible man, a bank had to have heavy walls,
barred windows, and bronze doors, to affirm the fact, however untrue, that money would be safe
inside. If a building' s design made it appear impenetrable the institution was necessarily reliable, and the meaning of the heavy wall as an architecture symbol dwelt in the prevailing attitude toward money.
But that attitude toward money has of course changed. Excepting pocket money, cash of
any kind is now rarely used; money as a tangible commodity has largely been replaced by credit.
A deficit(赤字) economy, accompanied by huge expansion, has led us to think of money as a
product of the creative imagination. The banker no longer offers us a safe: he offers us a service
- a service in which the most valuable element is the creativity for the invention of large numbers. It is in no way surprising, in view of this change in attitude, that we are witnessing the
disappearance of the heavy - walled hank.
Just as the older bank emphasized its strength, this bank by its architecture boasts of its
imaginative powers. From this point of view it is hard to say where architecture ends and human
assertion(人们的说法) begins.
36. The main idea of this passage is that
A) money is not as valuable as it was in the past
B) changes have taken place in both the appearance and the concept or banks
C) the architectural style of the older bank is superior to that of the modern bank
D) prejudice makes the older generation think that the modern bank is unreliable
37. What are the attitudes of the older generation and the younger generation toward money?
A) The former thinks more of it than the latter.
B) The younger generation values money more than the older generation.
C) Both generations rely on the imaginative power of bankers to make money.
D) The former regards it as a real commodity while the latter considers it to be a means to
produce more money.
38. The word "tangible"(Para. 4 Line 3) refers to something
A) that is precious B) that is usable
C) that can be touched D) that can be reproduced
39. According to this passage, a modern banker should be
A) ambitious and friendly B) reliable and powerful
C) sensible and impenetrable D) imaginative and creative
40. It can be inferred from the passage that the author' s attitude towards the new trend in
banking is
A) cautious B) regretful C) positive D) hostile
Part III Vocabulary and Structure (20 minutes)
41. Let's leave the question _______ for a moment.
A) off B) out C) down D) aside
42. A large fish was slowly swimming through the water, its tail v back and forth like
the pendulum of a clock.
A) swung B) swinging C) was swung D) was swinging
43. The cells were designed to _______ sunshine to electricity to run a motor.
A) modify B) alter C) convert D) exchange
44. The fire started on the first floor of the hospital,, are elderly and weak.
A) many of whose patients B) many of which patients
C) many of its patients D) many patients of whom
45. He was determined that none of his children would be _______ an education.
A) declined B) cancelled C) denied D) ceased
46. Singing is one of the oldest and possibly most ________ practised froms of art.
A) uniquely B) practically C) universally D) predominantly
47. Few people realize how rich that area is. It is a land of treasure treasure.
A) increased by B) derived from
C) turned over D) piled on
48. The jeweler assured Mr. White that the stone was a _______ diamond and not an imitation.
A) graceful B) genuine C) glittering D) genius
49. In the southwestern part of the United States _______ built in the last century.
A) they are many abandoned mining towns
B) where there are many abandoned mining towns
C) are many abandoned mining towns
D) many abandoned mining towns are
50. As the clouds drifted away an even higher peak became _______ to the climbers.
A) visible B) obvious C) present D) apparent
51. The remarkable gains in the general health of the population in the world have been due in
large measure _______ the efforts of some great doctors.
A) for B) with C) by D) to
52. He appeared in the court and supplied the facts _______ to the ease.
A) subject B) relevant C) attached D) corresponding
53. John did not have to write the composition if he didn't want to. It was
A) optional B) suitable C) critical D) elemental
54. The _______for speeding is a fine of ten dollars.
A) violation B) admission C) penalty D) excess
55. A _______ exercise such as running is helpful to our health.
A) vigorous B) cautious C) precious D) various
56. In sharp _______ to John, who is frank. Henry is too sophisticated.
A) conflict B) contrast C) comparison D) contradiction
57. On a small farm in a dry climate one should not grow crops that need _______ space and
a lot of water to ripen.
A) quantitative B) significant C) extenive D) considerable
58. The doctor told the pupils that an _______ disease was one that could be passed from one
person to another.
A) infectious B) expanding C) overwhelming D) inherent
59. It would be surprising for _______ any objections to the proposal.
A) not to be B) it not to be
C) there not to be D) there to be not
60. She was pale with _______ after working for three shifts in suecession.
A) cold B) fatigue C) emotion D) fright
61. What a _______ person says or does today agrees with what he said or did yesterday.
A) consistent B) harmonious C) constant D) sensible
62. Jane and Tim still remember that it was _______ , their parents, who encouraged then to
continue their education.
A) these B) who C) they D) whom
63. You did tell me what to do. If only I _______ your advice.
A) would take B) had taken C) took D) have taken
64. Everyone asked me where he was, but it was _______ a mystory to me as to them.
A) as much of B) much of C) as such D) as of
65. The dry summer the supply of fresh vegetables.
A) induced B) diminished C) dominated D) manipulated
66. The information was later admitted _______ from unreliable seurces.
A) that it was obtained B) that it has been obtained
C) to be obtained D) to have been obtained
67. What .sort of _______ can you get for the night in a city like this!
A) commission B) interaction C) accommodation D) recommendation
68. He has been looking everywhere for you, and he still _______
A) does B) has been C) has D) is
69. This is one of the rerest questions that _______ at such a meeting.
A) has ever been raised B) is raised
C) are raised D) have ever been raised
70. He never hesitates to make such criticisms ___ are considered helpful to other.
A) that B) as C) which D) what
Part 1V Error Correction (15 minutes)
This passage discusses one way methane(甲烷) gas
is made. And it has something also to do with the work 71.
of termites(白蚁).
Termites can ruin a health tree or a costly home. 72.
They eat the wood. This causes the tree or building to
collapse. But termites also have a useless purpose on 73.
earth.
Nearly half of the methane in our atmosphere
come from temites. Methane gas, by turn, makes 74.
other gases. It also aids in the greenhouse effect,
which keeps warm air close the earth. 75.
Scientist Pat Zimmerman made the discovery. He
found that methane gas is given up when termites 76.
digest their food. Zimmerman thinks that there
are about 240,000,000 billion termites on earth.
They produce 8,000 billion cubic foot of methane 77.
each year, he believes. That is half the
number of gas drawn yearly from natural gas 78.
wells in the U. S.
Perhaps we' 11 treat termites for friends. 79.
We' Il offer them a piece of our house, and
they' Il offer us a new way to keep us warmly! 80.
Part V Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition based on the
following graph which shows the change in the number of filmgoers and TV watchers in
a certain city. The title of' the composition is: Film Is Giving Way to TV.
You should write no less than 120 words for your composition and it must include the
following ideas (given in Chinese ):
1．电影观众越来越少
2．电视观众越来越多，因为……
3．然而还是有人喜欢看电影，因为……
Quote as few figures as possible. Remember to write your composition in
readable handwriting.
