大学英语四级考试2025年12月真题（第二套）
Part I Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: Suppose it is proposed that all university students should be required to learn academic writing. You are now to write a response by stating what you think of the proposal. You will have 30 minutes to write the essay. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.
Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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 Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
1. A) It has gone up sharply.
B) It has been fluctuating.
C) It has risen because of bird flu.
D) It has been consumers' concern.
2. A) They don't want to abandon their eggs.
B) They don't know they will be heavily fined.
C) They don't know they are forbidden to bring eggs.
D) They don't declare their eggs during the inspection.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
3. A) It is no longer critical of younger customers.
B) It has banned kids under 10 from dining there.
C) It is no longer as noisy and crowded as before.
D) It has implemented a decision to expand business.
4. A) It is fully aware of frequent customers' feelings.
B) It caters to the tastes of different customers.
C) It is entitled to adopt any rules it wants.
D) It should announce its decisions online.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
5. A) A missing pet.
B) A grown-up snake.
C) A huge animal skin.
D) A snake specialist.
6. A) In a government office.
B) In a deserted house.
C) At a local zoo.
D) At a construction site.
7. A) Figuring out where it came from.
B) Curing it of any possible diseases.
C) Protecting its babies against harm.
D) Determining how to catch it safely.
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
8. A) The man doesn't agree Hannah is poor.
B) The man doesn't believe what she says.
C) The man doesn't think she can be a millionaire.
D) The man doesn't consider her to be trustworthy.
9. A) She no longer has any money left.
B) She has been betrayed by her family.
C) She can no longer hold on to her job.
D) She has been robbed of 5 million Euros.
10. A) Fortune.
B) Family.
C) Harmony.
D) Happiness.
11. A) Divorce her.
B) Leave home.
C) Buy her a more expensive model.
D) Let the best thing happen to them.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. A) He is not outstanding in Science and Math.
B) He does not have a strong academic record.
C) He is not yet mature enough to live on his own.
D) He does not like Westwood Elementary School.
13. A) It is too far away.
B) It is newly opened.
C) It lacks outdoor sports facilities.
D) It has too few first-class teachers.
14. A) It has a beautiful campus.
B) It is within walking distance.
C) It has a wonderful arts program.
D) It is helpful to Jake's breathing problems.
15. A) Asking Jake which school he himself prefers to enroll in.
B) Thinking twice about what is best for Jake's education next year.
C) Consulting her mother about which school Jake is to attend.
D) Sending Jake to the school near the home of the man's mother.
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four 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 Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. A) It is time consuming.
B) It is unfit for crucial issues.
C) It relies too much on solid data.
D) It dulls a leader's sense of urgency.
17. A) Depend on digital technology.
B) Make assumptions and guesses.
C) Ignore others' thoughts and ideas.
D) Lay emphasis on thinking flexibly.
18. A) Maximizing the advantage of available resources.
B) Minimizing the possibility of a wrong decision.
C) Discovering new potential markets.
D) Perfecting promotional strategies.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
19. A) She is one of the world's best-known pianists.
B) She celebrated her 110th birthday this April.
C) She moved to the U.S. at a young age.
D) She is the world's oldest individual.
20. A) Being always active on social media.
B) Doing regular and vigorous exercise.
C) Playing the piano from a young age.
D) Following a specific diet every day.
21. A) Eating as little as one can possibly manage.
B) Having the ability to forget things selectively.
C) Figuring out the positive properties of each food item.
D) Knowing how to remember major events in one's life.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
22. A) The ability to learn.
B) The first day of school.
C) How teachers perceive them.
D) Where they sit in the classroom.
23. A) They often received close attention from the instructors.
B) They obtained the highest grade average in their class.
C) They actually wanted a clear vision of the blackboard.
D) They scored higher than students sitting behind them.
24. A) A higher grade average among all students of a class.
B) A better connection between instructors and students.
C) A stronger support for a student-centered teaching approach.
D) A more favorable atmosphere for effective classroom learning.
25. A) They may experience some unwanted stress.
B) They may try hard to show their preparedness.
C) They may receive extra attention from the instructor.
D) They may feel helpless when called on by the instructor.
Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.
Some music inspires you to move your feet, some inspires you to get out there and change the world. In any case, it's 26__{adj=形容词}___ to say that music moves people in special ways.
If you're especially into a piece of music, your brain does something called Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), which 27___谓语动词s___ to you like a sting in your brain.
It turns out that ASMR is pretty special. According to a 28__{adv副词修饰}____ published study in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, the part of your brain responsible for ASMR doesn't get lost to Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's 29___谓语动词s___ to put people into layers of confusion, and the study confirms that music can sometimes 30___[副词修饰]___ lift people out of the Alzheimer's haze and bring them back to (at least a likeness of) normality...if only for a short while. ASMR is powerful stuff!
This phenomenon has been 31____[过去分词ed]__ several times but rarely studied properly. One of the most famous examples of this is the story of 92- year- old Henry Dryer, who comes out of dementia (痴呆) while listening to songs from his youth.
Jeff Anderson, associate professor in Radiology at the University of Utah and 32_____ author on the study, says "In our society, the diagnoses of dementia are 33___[adj形容词修饰]___ resources to the maximum. No one says playing music will be a cure for Alzheimer's disease, but it might make the symptoms more 34_____, decrease the cost of care and improve a patient's 35___名词___ of life."
A) actually I) phase
B) consequently J) plotting
C) contributing K) quality
D) fair L) recently
E) feels M) taxing
F) manageable N) tends
G) mends O) yielded
H) observed
Section B
Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.
Can playing video games help you get a better job?
A) The gaming industry is larger than films and music combined, yet few of us are likely to list our achievements in playing computer games as work experience in our résumé. But why not? Businesses are waking up to the skills gamers can bring to the workplace.
B) One start- up is convinced that the skills learned by playing games—hard-won through years of training and battle—can be applied to real-life work situations. And Game Academy reckons its belief is backed up by hard data. Do you enjoy unusual puzzle games like Portal, or tower defence games like Defense Grid? The team has found that IT workers play those more than average. But if you prefer Civilization, Total War, or X- Com, where strategy and resource management are key, then you might have more in common with managers.
C) Game Academy's idea is simple: analyse gamers' habits from their online gaming profile, and offer courses in valuable skills that reflect their aptitudes—skills they can practise and refine in-game. And there is already a growing acceptance that gaming skills are transferable.
D) Even the military is hiring gamers. "The ability to absorb information, react swiftly and coordinate actions whilst remaining calm under pressure are often attributes of people that are good at gaming," according to a Royal Air Force spokesperson. Those skills are part of what the Royal Air Force is looking for "in a variety of roles". "Skills acquired through gaming can be very relevant to certain areas."
E) "There are plenty of soft skills that gamers can utilise in a professional setting, such as teamwork, problem solving and strategic planning," says Ryan Gardner, a regional director with Hays recruitment. But does that really mean your top 100 ranking in Overwatch should go down in your résumé? "It's about how you either make it relevant to the job you are applying for, or how it makes you more interesting as a potential employee," Mr. Gardner says.
F) Two years ago, a Glasgow University study made headlines for suggesting gaming could make students more successful. But "the research hasn't really changed minds, at least not yet," says one of the authors of the study, Dr. Matthew Barr. He's now writing a book on the topic. "For now, I think the negative reputation around games means that telling someone you're a determined gamer is more likely to harm your chances of getting a job. But if someone can explain how they've led a team in an online game, for example, they may be able to persuade an employer that this is useful," says Dr Barr.
G) Playing games casually is unlikely to help your career prospects. But part of Game Academy's suggestion is to transform casual gamers into "conscious" ones, applying critical thinking to developing their skills. "We see gameplay as a resource of talent," says co- founder David Barrie. "Why can't we put in our résumé our gaming victories and achievements?" he asks. "If they say they want leadership—why can't I point to my years of leading World of Warcraft raids?"
H) There are already plenty of gamers out there who know that their hobby has made them who they are. Earlier this year, Matthew Ricci told gaming site Kotaku: "If you're playing EVE Online you basically already have an MBA." Often made fun of in gaming circles as a "spreadsheet simulator (电子表格模拟器)", the economy of the fictional EVE universe is driven by real market principles. If you want to build a new spaceship, the raw material has to be mined by another player. Manufacturing costs come into effect, and commodities fluctuate in price based on demand and the distance to haul the commodity.
I) Mr. Ricci, who had always dreamed of being the boss of his own company, ran an in-game corporation comprising hundreds of players. Eventually, he realised he could transfer his skills to real-life business—instead of doing it for free. He restructured Zentech, once a taxation vehicle for his father's business, and it is now in its fourth year helping international brands enter the Canadian market. EVE teaches skills like creativity, leadership, organisation, and conflict resolution, he maintains. He credits his success to his family, his strong desire to run his own business—and "a damn good company in Iceland that made a damn good game".
J) Digital entrepreneur and business consultant Mia Bennett says: "In more traditional settings, gaming is still imagined to be the pursuit of teenage boys—a waste of time." But there are some links to skills like "decision-making, the ability to anticipate and future planning," she says. "It also helps with meta-skills—learning how to learn, experimentation, and creative thinking."
K) Twelve years into his career, Mark Long, a radiotherapy physicist with the NHS in Surrey, doesn't get as much gaming time as he used to. "I would love to say that my gaming skills allow me to destroy cancer using linear accelerators like photon (光子) blasters, but that's not quite the reality." Instead, he credits old- school games like Palace of Magic with exposing him to computers. Every new gaming upgrade improved his knowledge of how they worked. Gaming also encouraged a competitive spirit- and that, he believes, translates. "When creating treatment plans, the aim is to optimise the radiation dose to the tumour and restrict it as much as possible to healthy surrounding tissues and organs," he says. It's about "repeating the process, but each time doing something slightly different to improve the result". Not unlike achieving a high score or a perfect run. "Most videogames are essentially puzzles to solve," he says. "And problem- solving is a big part of my job."
L) Over at Game Academy, Mr. Barrie is aware they still have a mountain to climb. "The employer community will need the science," he says, but confesses he only became a true believer when he started asking players about their biggest in- game achievements. "The scale and scope of their answers were amazing," he says. "But ask them the same about their work, and they don't know." "The engagement and powerful skills that people get playing a game—why can't work be like that?" he asks.
36. Certain gaming skills meet the requirements of the armed forces in Britain.
37. One veteran player has applied his gaming skills to his real-world business and owes his success partly to a game company.
38. According to a researcher, bad reputation about games will probably limit a gamer's chances of landing a job.
39. Businesses are beginning to realise gaming skills are applicable to their employees' work.
40. A physicist admits gaming has contributed to his computer knowledge and skills of solving problems.
41. Game Academy proposes to help gamers develop their skills using critical thinking.
42. One who enjoys playing games that require management skills to win might possess more qualities of a manager.
43. In more conventional views, gaming is a time-wasting activity pursued by young boys.
44. It is suggested that gaming skills be included in a résumé if they enhance a job applicant's appeal.
45. Many gamers know their passion for playing games has shaped their identity.
Section C
Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. 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 Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.
Junk food is now a staple of many Americans' diets. Advertising campaigns from the snack food companies, often featuring sports stars, send the message that we can neutralize any negative effects of consuming their products simply by getting more physical exercise. But recent studies show a lack of exercise is not to blame for rising obesity rates. Bad diets are.
Interventions (干预) to help reduce junk food consumption are especially important for children and teenagers. Prevention is better than cure because obesity is so difficult to treat. Unfortunately, while health education has shown some success among young children, teens have been harder to reach.
Now a large- scale study has tried an innovative approach to change teenagers' attitudes towards healthy eating, and the results are promising. The researchers argued that previous interventions have probably been unsuccessful because of a major flaw: they focused on a future, healthier you and assumed that this would be enough motivation for teenagers. In contrast, the new intervention cleverly exploits teenagers' instinct for rebelliousness and autonomy, and the value they place on social justice.
To do this, researchers had students read an article on the food industry. It revealed a secret about the manipulative and deceptive strategies used to make junk food more addictive and characterize the products as healthy. The article also explained how advertising campaigns specifically target very young and poor people, causing harm for these vulnerable groups. Afterwards, the participants read a fictional survey of teens who wanted to "fight back against the companies by buying and eating less processed food".
After the intervention, participants associated healthy eating with autonomy and social justice. The teenagers also rated healthy eating as being more appealing. Importantly, there were also some promising effects of the new intervention on actual behavior. A day later the students were offered a choice of snacks and drinks in a seemingly unrelated context. The teens chose healthy snacks and drinks (such as fruit or water) more often over unhealthy options (like biscuits and soda). Apparently associating a healthy diet with teenagers' own values seems to be a promising avenue to prevent obesity.
46. What do we learn about advertising campaigns from the snack food companies?
A) They convey the idea that their products are ok if consumers exercise more.
B) They send the message that bad diets are responsible for Americans' obesity.
C) They usually feature sports stars to emphasize the benefits of their snack foods.
D) They claim that lack of exercise is to blame for the increasing obesity rates.
47. What does the passage say about health education?
A) It has shed light on teens' instinct for rebellion and autonomy.
B) It has placed much more emphasis on cure than on prevention.
C) It has contributed little to the campaigns against obesity.
D) It has largely failed to turn teens away from junk food.
48. What is a major flaw in previous interventions to help reduce junk food consumption?
A) They motivated teens to stay away from junk food only temporarily.
B) They focused on the benefits young people would reap in the future.
C) They were based on the assumption that motivation was the only key.
D) They were incapable of appealing to teens' instinct for rebelliousness.
49. In what way is the new intervention innovative?
A) It emphasizes people's sense of social responsibility.
B) It cleverly exploits teenagers' personal weaknesses.
C) It takes advantage of teenagers' natural inclination.
D) It promises immediate rather than future benefits.
50. What conclusion can be drawn from the new research?
A) A totally different approach could be adopted to combat advertising campaigns for snack food.
B) An effective intervention has to be found to persuade teenagers to switch to a healthier lifestyle.
C) Obesity can be hopefully prevented by building links between teenagers' values and healthy eating.
D) An innovative way to beat obesity is to expose food companies' manipulative and deceptive practices.
Passage Two
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.
Adults dream during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and infants have loads of REM. So, it might be fair to assume that babies have tons of dreams.
But scientists believe REM serves a completely different purpose for newborns and infants than dreaming. When babies are in REM, it allows their brain to develop pathways, connections, and eventually, learn languages.
Since your baby doesn't dream at this stage of brain development, it's safe to assume babies do not have nightmares, either. Nightmares stem from exposure to trauma (创伤), an overactive imagination, and the normal stresses of everyday life.
Are you wondering, what do babies dream about? Good question, but the answer is nothing!
So, when do babies start dreaming? The general consensus is that they start dreaming around the age of two. Psychologist David Foulkes studies children (from very small kids to teens) to bring the secrets of their dreams to the light of day. In his lab, he lets kids fall asleep and then wakes them 3 times a night and asks them to describe what they recall.
Foulkes' findings are unsurprising. Basically, little kids have little dreams. But exactly what kids see while dreaming depends on their age. As children develop and grow, their dreams do too.
Dreams of very small kids are usually just snapshots (快照), looking much more like a slideshow than a movie, when compared to the dreams of adults. They heavily feature animals and other familiar sights, like images of people eating. According to Foulkes, "Children's dream life...seems to be similar to their waking imagination and narration." Kids ages 5—9 begin seeing moving images and characters in action. Dreams now include multiple events strung together, one after the other. They also start developing greater ability to remember dreams. Still, that's not always the case: When roused during REM sleep, 25% of the kids in Foulkes' studies had no recollection of dreaming, a trend that continues through age 9.
So, if your baby seems to be in a stressful state while sleeping or is upset upon waking, there may be other factors at play.
51. What do scientists think of REM?
A) It is a sign of dreaming in adults and infants alike.
B) It is essential to human beings' language learning.
C) It determines the formation of connections in the brain.
D) It performs a different function in babies than in adults.
52. What can we infer about nightmares from the passage?
A) They occur often in people with an active imagination.
B) They occur in people suffering from emotional stress.
53. What is the aim of psychologist David Foulkes' study?
A) To reveal the secrets of children's dreams.
B) To see if children start dreaming at age two.
C) To solve the mystery of dreaming and brain growth.
D) To confirm the general consensus on when kids dream.
54. What are Foulkes' findings about kids' dreams?
A) They feature strange animals.
B) They are unsurprising to adults.
C) They grow and evolve with age.
D) They reflect kids' waking life.
55. What can we assume about babies who appear upset upon waking?
A) They have been roused against their will.
B) They have been disturbed by a nightmare.
C) They have trouble recollecting the images of their dreams.
D) They have been affected by something other than dreaming.
Part IV Translation (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.
近年来，"城市漫步(city walk)"在中国的年轻人中悄然兴起，已成为一种旅游新潮流。与传统旅游不同，城市漫步不追求在短时间内游览尽可能多的景点，而是随意行走或按照主题路线漫步在城市的大街小巷。漫步者品尝地道小吃，欣赏特色建筑，了解当地生活方式。他们还用相机或手机记录城市的风景和人物。这种旅游方式能让城市漫步者更深入了解城市的历史与文化。
大学英语四级考试2025年12月真题
（第一套刘泉老师解析版）
Part I Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: Suppose the student union of your university is collecting opinions on improving its work for the coming year. You are now to write a response by suggesting how it can better enrich student life. You will have 30 minutes to write the essay. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.
“给学生社团的建议：如何更好丰富大学生活”
【泉哥解析】
总分总结构
01 开设兴趣社团=丰富课后生活
02 开展职业培训/社会实践活动=未来职场
03 邀请名师讲座，拓展学生眼界
Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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 Answer Sheet I with a single line through the centre.
Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.
1. A) At the gate of a grade school in Kent.
B) Under the engine cover of a man's car.
C) Inside the car of David King's neighbour.
D) Outside the office of a charity foundation.
2. A) It got reunited with its owner.
B) It was injured during the rescue.
C) It was placed in the care of a UK charity.
D) It became a pet of Mr. King's grandson.
Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.
3. A) The reunion of this year's Olympic gold medalists.
B) The opening of the Special Olympics Spring Games.
C) The first important political event in the next five years.
D) The 100th anniversary celebration of Methodist University.
4. A) Volunteers visit the Games' website to sign up.
B) Children play in a fun tent and enjoy themselves fully.
C) Organizers devote their time and energy to the Games.
D) Athletes with special needs triumph in the Games.
Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.
5. A) Compensate for the Swiss manufacturer's loss.
B) Change the wrapping of its commodities.
C) Destroy its imitation chocolate rabbits.
D) Defend itself in the country's commercial court.
6. A) It could be reused in other products.
B) It could be resold cheaper to avoid waste.
C) It could be reshaped into animals other than rabbits.
D) It could be rewrapped and sold by the budget supermarket.
7. A) To be fair to the German supermarkets.
B) To protect chocolate retailers' interests.
C) To prevent consumers' possible confusion.
D) To boost the growth of the chocolate industry.
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
8. A) Pass a book to him.
B) Make a vegetable dish.
C) Return the handbook to him.
D) Meet his sister's boyfriend.
9. A) It doesn't sound practical for her.
B) It would do harm to one's muscles.
C) It would reduce one's protein intake.
D) It doesn't seem to be a balanced diet.
10. A) To improve his health.
B) To protect animal rights.
C) To stick to his religious belief.
D) To follow a trendy lifestyle.
11. A) The torture and distress dolphins suffer in parks.
B) The urgency of joining an animal rights group.
C) The gloomy environments animals are kept in.
D) The necessity of having zoos and eating meat.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. A) The part about not eating on board the plane.
B) The part about air travel in the past.
C) The part about getting over jetlag.
D) The part about avoiding sleeping on the plane.
13. A) Try following the advice given by the expert on the show.
B) Concentrate on reading articles recommended by experts.
C) Have meals as usual to stay away from hunger.
D) Take a nap to adjust to a new time zone.
14. A) She has been well treated when traveling.
B) She does not have to worry about jetlag.
C) She can spend a lot of time vacationing.
D) She does not have any problem flying.
15. A) It affects twenty-five percent of people.
B) It has long been ignored by many experts.
C) It impacts female travelers more seriously.
D) It has caused heavy losses to many airlines.
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. A) Learning from skilled designers.
B) Joining a 6-month training camp.
C) Obtaining real-world experience.
D) Anticipating actual challenges.
17. A) Core skills.
B) Higher education.
C) Capability.
D) Adaptability.
18. A) Face challenges.
B) Start anywhere.
C) Pursue roles in teams.
D) Follow their own path.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
19. A) To allow students more freedom in their academic work.
B) To enable teachers to interact more with their students.
C) To engage students more in their learning.
D) To respond actively to students' requests.
20. A) Rearranging most traditional chairs and desks.
B) Adopting a variety of different seating options.
C) Shifting from traditional teaching to task-based learning.
D) Using new furniture to create a comfortable environment.
21. A) A change to teachers' opinion of their students.
B) A harmonious relationship among its students.
C) A strengthened effect of its discipline.
D) A win for all people involved.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
22. A) They arrived late for their first day of school.
B) They weren't informed of the school's updated rules.
C) They answered their headteacher's email in an impolite way.
D) They didn't wear the shoes required by the school's new policy.
23. A) Panic.
B) Anger.
C) Disputes.
D) Riots.
24. A) They rendered the school unique in the district.
B) They enhanced the positive image of the school.
C) They improved student behavior and performance.
D) They strengthened the school's discipline and order.
25. A) Tighten her monthly budget.
B) Turn to her parents for help.
C) Borrow £65 from her friend.
D) Postpone paying her other bills.
Part III Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.
People tend to want as many choices as possible. They believe this will maximize their 26__+名词【最大化他们做决定的几率-chance】___ of making the best decision. But research shows that, when it comes to actually making a 27__+名词单数【做一个决定/选择selection】_____ from all of these choices, people can become 28_+形容词【变得 犹豫/困惑confused】_____ and avoid making a decision[27题目答案提示] altogether. Even worse, when people finally do decide, they are generally less satisfied with their decision and feel more regretful over whatever choice they made.
Why does this happen? Research shows that when people choose from many options, they 29__+动词原形【一般时态invest投入】___ more in the decision, but feel less confident in their ability to decide well. In other words, when we are 30__+ed[被动结构=被呈现=被展示 presented]____ with more choices, making the "right" or "correct" decision begins to feel more 31_+【形容词crucial=重要关键的】_____ and, at the same time, more difficult to do. This may contribute to the deep fear that we will make the wrong decision.
How can we solve this problem? I believe this fear could be tempered by putting decisions into perspective. It might help to remember that many of the choices you make, such as what to have for lunch, will not 32_+动词原形matter_有关系____ much in the future and that, even more important choices, like accepting a new job, can 33__+副词【ultimately最终/终将】_____ be changed. It could also help to 34__动词原形enter进入/面对/同face____ these situations with clear guidelines and ideas of what you want from the 35___+名词单数【范围range】____of options, which can narrow the possible choices, and also make you more confident about your ability to make the right decision.
A) approximately I) matter
B) case J) presented
C) chance K) range
D) confused L) regular
E) crucial M) seize
F) deposited N) selection
G) enter O) ultimately
H) invest
Section B
Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.
The battle over bike lanes needs a mindset shift
A) Five years ago, the city of Queens, New York, announced that it would be putting bike lanes onto a stretch of Skillman Ave—and removing 116 parking spots. Cyclists loved the plan, but local business owners got very angry. Taking out those parking spots, as they argued at protests and in letters to the city council, would ruin stores and restaurants along Skillman. "Parking here is already a nightmare," one shouted at a protest rally.【44题目处=名词+动词短语】
B) But the bike lanes were a done deal, and soon they were in place. Early this year, Jesse Coburn—an investigative writer with Streetsblog New York—wondered whether those predictions of economic collapse came true. So he asked the city's Department of Finance to give him a few years' worth of sales figures for that stretch of Skillman Ave. How had the businesses on that street fared?
C) Quite well, it turns out. In the year after the bike lanes arrived, businesses on Skillman saw sales rise by 12 percent, compared to 3 percent for Queens in general. What's more, that section of road saw new businesses open, while Queens overall had a net loss.【38题】
D) The thing is, the actual merchants along Skillman? They didn't believe it. When Coburn spoke to them and described what he'd found, only a few store owners admitted the lanes had helped. Many still insisted the lanes were killing their part of the city. And emotions ran hot: Someone scattered tacks (大头钉) on the bike lane.【41题 词汇替换killing =destroying】
E) This little story turns out to be a fascinating glimpse at the challenges cities face as they try to update their urban infrastructure—to clean up the air, reduce greenhouse emissions, and speed up travel by making towns more bike-friendly. There's a rising amount of data showing that installing bike lanes and making streets more pedestrian-friendly boosts the economic fortunes of a place【36题目=经济收益revenues=fortunes】. Removing cars and parking spots works. But the folks who run local businesses simply aren't convinced, even when their own street performs. Given that sort of mess, can political fights over bike lanes ever end?
F) In 2013, researchers at New York City's Department of Transportation studied seven stretches of road that had installed bike lanes or created pedestrian-friendly areas. The
