2017年12月英语四级听力
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试卷一
News 1
A 9-year-old girl in New Mexico has raised more than $500 for her little brother who needs heart surgery in Houston Texas this July. Addison Witulski's grandmother Kim Allred said Addison probably overheard a conversation between family members talking about the funds needed to get her little brother to treatment.
" I guess she overheard her grandfather and me talking about how we’re worried about how we’re going to get to Houston, for my grandson’s heart surgery,” said Allred. She decided to go outside and have a lemonade stand and make some drawings and pictures and sell them.”
That’s when Addison and her friends Erika and Emily Borden decided to sell lemonade for 50 cents a cup and sell pictures for 25 cents each.
Before Allred knew it, New Mexico State Police Officers were among the many, stopping by helping them reach a total of $568. The family turned to social media expressing their gratitude saying, “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to deeply thank each and every person that stopped by!
Q1: Who did Addison raise money for?
A) Her grandfather.
B) Her grandmother.
C) Her friend Erika.
D) Her little brother.
Q2: How did Addison raise money?
A) By taking pictures for passers-by.
B) By selling lemonade and pictures.
C) By working part time at a hospital.
D) By asking for help on social media.
News 2
Last week, France announced that the country will pave 621 miles of road with solar panels over the next five years, with the goal of providing cheap, renewable energy to five million people.
Called “the Wattway,” the roads will be built through joint efforts with the French road-building company Colas and the National Institute of Solar Energy. The company spent the last five years developing solar panels that are only about a quarter of an inch thick and are strong enough to stand up to heavy highway traffic without breaking or making the roads more slippery. The panels are also designed so that they can be installed directly on top of existing roadways, making them relatively cheap and easy to install.
France isn’t the first country to kick around the idea of paving its roads with solar panels. In November 2015, the Netherlands completed a 229-foot-long bike path paved with solar panels as a test for future projects. However, this is the first time a panel has been designed to be laid directly on top of existing roads and the first project to install the panels on public highways
Q3: What was France's purpose of constructing the Wattway?
A) Testing the efficiency of the new solar panel.
B) Providing clean energy to five million people.
C) Generating electric power for passing vehicles.
D) Finding cheaper ways of highway construction.
Q4: What is special about the solar panels used in the Wattway?
A) They are made from cheap materials.
B) They are only about half an inch thick.
C) They can be laid right on top of existing highways.
D) They can stand the wear and tear of natural elements.
News 3
Lions have disappeared from much of Africa, but for the past few years scientists have wondered if the big cats were hanging on in remote parts of Sudan and Ethiopia. Continuous fighting in the region has made surveys difficult. But scientists released a report Monday documenting, with hard evidence, the discovery of "lost lions."
A team with Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, supported by a charity organization, spent two nights in November camping in the National Park in northwest Ethiopia, on the Ethiopia-Sudan border. The researchers set out six camera traps capturing images of lions, and they identified lion tracks.
The scientists concluded that lions are also likely to live in the neighbouring National Park across the border in Sudan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature had previously considered the area a "possible range" for the species, and local people had reported seeing lions in the area, but no one presented convincing evidence.
Q5: What has made it difficult to survey lions in remote parts of Sudan and Ethiopia?
A) The lack of clues about the species.
B) Inadequate funding for research.
C) Endless fighting in the region.
D) The hazards from the desert.
Q6: What was the main purpose of the research?
A) To observe the wildlife in the two national parks.
B) To study the habitat of lions in Sudan and Ethiopia.
C) To identify the reasons for the lions' disappearance.
D) To find evidence of the existence of the "lost lions".
Q7: What did the researchers find in the National Park?
A) Lions' tracks.
B) Lions walking.
C) Some camping facilities.
D) Traps set by local hunters.
Conversation 1
M: I bet you're looking forward to the end of this month. Are you?
W: Yes, I am. How did you know?
M: David told me you had a special birthday coming up.
W: Oh…yeah that's right. This year will be my golden birthday.
M: What does that mean? I've never heard of a golden birthday.
W: I've actually just learnt this concept myself. Fortunately, just in time to celebrate. A golden or lucky birthday is when one turns the age of their birth date. So, for example, my sister's birthday is December 9th and her golden birthday would have been the year she turned nine years old. Come to think of it, my parents did throw her a surprise party that year.
M: Interesting. Too bad I missed mine. My golden birthday would've been four years ago. I assume you got big plans then.
W: Actually yes. My husband is planning a surprise holiday for the two of us next week. I have no idea what he's got in mind, but I'm excited to find out. Has he mentioned anything to you?
M: He might have.
W: Anything you'd like to share? I'm dying to know what kind of trip he has planned on where we're going.
M: You know nothing at all?
W: Not a clue. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Though I must say I think he's been having even more fun keeping the secret from me in the past few weeks.
M: I'm sure both of you will have a fantastic time. Happy golden birthday! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.
Q8. What is the woman looking forward to?
A) A special gift from the man.
B) Her wedding anniversary.
C) A call from her dad.
D) Her 'lucky birthday'.
Q9. What did the woman's parents do on her sister's lucky birthday?
A) Threw her a surprise party.
B) Took her on a trip overseas.
C) Bought her a good necklace.
D) Gave her a big model plane.
Q10. What is the woman eager to find out about?
A) What her husband and the man are up to.
B) What has been troubling her husband.
C) The trip her husband has planned.
D) The gift her husband has bought.
Q11. What does the man say at the end of the conversation?
A) He wants to find out about the couple's holiday plan.
B) He is eager to learn how the couple's holiday turns out.
C) He will tell the women the secret if her husband agrees.
D) He will be glad to be a guide for the couple's holiday trip.
Conversation 2
W: Mr. Green, what do you think makes a successful negotiator?
M: Well, that’s hard to define. But I think successful negotiators have several things in common. They are always polite and rational people. They are firm but flexible. They can recognize power and know how to use it. They are sensitive to the dynamics of the negotiation. The way of rises and falls and how it may change direction. They project the image of confidence, and perhaps most importantly, they know when to stop.
W: And, what about an unsuccessful negotiator?
M: Well, this is probably all of us when we start out. We are probably immature and over-trusting. Too emotional or aggressive. We are unsure of ourselves and we want to be liked by everyone. Good negotiators learn fast. Poor negotiators remain like that and go on losing negotiations.
W: In your opinion, can the skills of negotiation be taught?
M: Well, you can teach someone how to prepare for a negotiation. There are perhaps six stages in every negotiation. Get to know the other side. 第15题 State your goals. Start the process. Clarify areas of disagreement or conflict. Reassess your position. Making acceptable compromises. And finally, reach some agreement in principle. These stages can be studied. And strategies to be used in each can be planned beforehand. But I think, the really successful negotiator is probably born with six sense about responding appropriately to the situation at hand.
W: The artistic sense you’ve just described?
M: Yes. That’s right.
Q12: What does the man say about good negotiators?
A) They take the rival's attitude into account.
B) They know when to adopt a tough attitude.
C) They see the importance of making compromises.
D) They are sensitive to the dynamics of a negotiation.
Q13: What does the man say may be the most important thing to a successful negotiator?
A) They know when to stop.
B) They know how to adapt.
C) They know when to make compromises.
D) They know how to control their emotion.
Q14: How is a good negotiator different from a poor one?
A) They are patient.
B) They learn quickly.
C) They are good at expression.
D) They uphold their principles.
Q15: What is the first stage of negotiation according to the man?
A) Clarify items of negotiation.
B) Make clear one's intentions.
C) Get to know the other side.
D) Formulate one's strategy.
Passage 1
Some people wonder why countries spend millions of dollars on space projects. They want to know how space research helps people on Earth. Actually space technology helps people on Earth every day. This is called "spin-off technology."
Spin-off technology is space technology that is now used on Earth.
In early space programs, such as the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, and in the Space Shuttle missions today, scientists developed objects for the astronauts to use on the moon and in space. We now use some of these objects every day.
For example, we have Quartz crystal clocks and watches accurate to within one minute a year. We purify the water we drink with a water filter designed for the astronauts' use in space.
The cordless, hand-held tools we use in our homes, such as vacuum cleaners, flashlights, drills and saws came from the technology of these early space programs.
On cold winter days we can stay warm with battery-operated gloves and socks, and specially made coats and jackets. All of these clothes are similar to the spacesuit designs that kept astronauts comfortable in the temperatures of the moon, and are spin-offs from space technology.
These products are only a few examples of the many ways space technology helps us in our everyday lives. No one knows how new spin-off technology from the International Space Station will help us in the future
Q16: What do some people want to know about space exploration?
A) How space research benefits people on Earth.
B) When the International Space Station was built.
C) How many space shuttle missions there will be.
D) When America's earliest space program started.
Q17: What did scientists do for the space shuttle missions?
A) They tried to make best use of the latest technology.
B) They tried to meet astronauts' specific requirements.
C) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.
D) They accurately calculated the speed of the orbiting
Q18: What does the speaker say about Quartz crystal clocks and watches?
A) They are expensive to make.
B) They are extremely accurate.
C) They were first made in space.
D) They were invented in the 1970s.
Passage 2
Well, if I could go back in history and live, I'd like to go back to the 18th century and perhaps in colonial America in Yankee, New England, where one of my ancestors lived, because it was the beginning of something.
By the 18th century, there was a feeling of community that had grown. My ancestor was a preacher, traveling around the countryside. People lived in small communities. There were fishermen and farmers who provided fresh food that tasted and looked like food, unlike that in today's supermarkets, and there were small towns, and New York wasn't that far away. I'm deeply attached to the Puritan tradition, not in a religious sense, but they believed in working for something, working for goals, and I like that.
They worked hard at whatever they did, but they had a sense of achievement. They believed in goodness in community and helping one another. I love the colonial fabrics, all the silver work, the furnishings, the combination of elegance and simplicity. I love it. The printing, the books, I'm very attached to all that kind of thing that may not all be very entertaining in the modern sense of the world. But I would have enjoyed spending my evenings in that environment, discussing new ideas, building a new world. And I can see myself sitting on a small chair by the fire doing needlework.
19.Why does the speaker say she would like to go back and live in the 18th century America?
A) Everything was natural and genuine then.
B) People had plenty of land to cultivate then.
C) It marked the beginning of something new.
D) It was when her ancestors came to America.
20.What does the speaker say about the Puritans?
A) They were known to be creative.
B) They enjoyed living a life of ease.
C) They had all kinds of entertainment.
D) They believed in working for goals.
21.What would the speaker like doing if she could go back to the past?
A) Chatting with her ancestors.
B) Doing needlework by the fire.
C) Furnishing her country house.
D) Polishing all the silver work.
Passage3
If you are lost in the woods, a little knowledge can turn what some people call a hardship into an enjoyable stay away from the troubles of modern society. When you think you are lost, sit down on a log, or a rock, or lean against a tree, and recite something that you have memorized, to bring you mind to a point where it’s under control. Don’t run blindly. If you must move, don’t follow a stream unless you know it, and in that case, you are not lost. Streams, normally flow through wetland before they reach a lake or a river. Though there are more eatable plants, there may also be wild animals, poisonous snakes, and other hazards. 第23题 Many experts feel that it’s wisest to walk uphill. At the top of most hills and mountains, are trails leading back to civilization. If there are no trails, you are much easier to be seen on top of a hill, and you may even spot a highway, or a railroad from this point. Nowadays, the first way someone will search for you is by air. In a wetland, or in dense growth, you are very hard to spot. Anytime you go into the woods, somebody should know where you are going, and when you expect to return. Also, when someone comes looking, you should be able to signal to them.
22. What does the speaker advise you to do first if you are lost in the woods?
A) Sit down and try to calm yourself.
B) Call your family or friends for help.
C) Use a map to identify your location.
D) Try to follow your footprints back.
23. What will happen if you follow an unknown stream in the woods?
A) You may end up entering a wonderland.
B) You may get drowned in a sudden flood.
C) You may expose yourself to unexpected dangers.
D) You may find a way out without your knowing it.
24. What do many experts think is the wisest thing to do if you are lost in the woods?
A) Walk uphill.
B) Look for food.
C) Start a fire.
D) Wait patiently.
25. What should you do before you go into the woods?
A) Check the local weather.
B) Find a map and a compass.
C) Prepare enough food and drink.
D) Inform somebody of your plan.
听力试卷一答案
1. D) Her little brother.
2. B) By selling lemonade and pictures.
3. B) Providing clean energy to five million people.
4. C) They can be laid right on top of existinghighways.
5. C) Endless fighting in the region.
6. D) To find evidence of the existence of the "lostlions".
7. A) Lions' tracks.
8. D) Her 'lucky birthday'.
9. A) Threw her a surprise party.
10. C) The trip her husband has planned.
11. B) He is eager to learn how the couple's holiday turns out.
12. D) They are sensitive to the dynamics of a negotiation.
13. A) They know when to stop.
14. B) They learn quickly.
15. C) Get to know the other side.
16. A) How space research benefits people on Earth.
17. C) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.
18. B) They are extremely accurate.
19. C) It marked the beginning of something new.
20. D) They believed in working for goals.
21. B) Doing needlework by the fire.
22. A) Sit down and try to calm yourself.
23. C) You may expose yourself to unexpected dangers.
24. A) Walk uphill.
25. D) Inform somebody of your plan
