大学英语四级真题2008年01月

1、大学英语四级真题2008年01月（ 总分： 693.00 ，做题时间： 90 分钟 ）一、BPartIWriting/B（总题数： 1 分数：106.00）1. 各大学为学生开设了多种多样的选修课 2. 学生出于各种原因选择不同的选修课 3. 以我自己为例 B What Electivesto Choose/B（分数： 106.00 ） 正确答案： ()解析： B 参考范文 What Electives to Choose/B With the reform of college education, universities and collegesstart to provide stud

2、ents with more electives of various kinds. Some of the courses offer knowledge in liberal arts withthe purpose of broadening students horizon, while others deal with the practical skills in order to enhance studentscompetence and prepare them for the future career. What is lying behind the different

3、 choices of elective courses?Those who want to acquire some specific knowledge besides their majors may choose courses in the fields of finance,economy or the law. For those who intend to enrich their life with cultural, historical and humanistic thoughts and ideas,the courses in literature, philoso

4、phy and arts may be more preferable. For students who select courses like BusinessEnglish, PASCAL Language and SPSS Analysis, their objectives are obviously to gather more strength in preparationfor the severe competition in future job hunting. As for me, I give priority to my personal interests. I

5、will choose History ofWestern Civilization to promote my understanding of the western culture and arts and I believe Appreciation of GreatEnglish Movies will satisfy my thirsty for spectacularfilms. So, you see, elective courses will make my college life colorful and enjoyable. 审题 本题要求考生写一篇关于选择选修课的文

6、章。从话题范围上看是校园内话题，属于三段式议论文写作。作 文可以按照这样的提纲书写：第一段说明各大学开设选修课的情况；第二段讨论学生不同的选课原因；第 三段写我的观点或者我的做法，可以采取比较开放的写法。 提纲 Outline 1. Various elective courses are offered in colleges and universities.Courses in liberal arts. Courses in practical skills.2. The reasons for the choices. Gain knowledge besides the major

7、s. Enrich life and thoughts. Grasp practical tools. 3. Ichoose electives according to my personal interests.二、BPartnReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)/B(总题数：1,分数： 70.00)B Universities Branch Out/BAs never before in their long history, universities have become instruments of nationalcompet

8、ition as well as instruments of peace. They are the place of the scientificdiscoveries that move economies forward, and the primary means of educating thetalent required to obtain and maintain competitive advantage. But at the same time,the opening of national borders to the flow of goods, services,

9、 information andespecially people has made universities a powerful force for global integration, mutualunderstanding and geopolitical stability.In response to the same forces that have driven the world economy, universities havebecomemore self-consciously global: seeking students from around the wor

10、ld whorepresent the entire range of cultures and values, sending their own students abroadto prepare them for globalcareers, offering courses of study that address the challenges of an interconnectedworld and collaborative （合作的） research programs toadvance science for the benefit of all humanity.Of

11、the forces shaping higher education none is more sweeping than the movementacross borders. Over the past three decades the number of students leaving homeeach year to study abroad has grown at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, from 800,000 in1975 to 2.5 million in 2004. Most travel from one developed n

12、ation to another, but theflow from developing to developed countries is growing rapidly. The reverse flow, fromdeveloped to developing countries, is on the rise, too. Today foreign students earn 30percent of the doctoral degrees awarded in the United States and 38 percent of thosein the United Kingd

13、om. And the number crossing borders for undergraduate study isgrowing as well, to 8 percent of the undergraduates at Americas best institutions and10 percent of all undergraduates in the U.K. In the United States, 20 percent of thenewly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born, a

14、nd in Chinamanynewly hired faculty membersat the top research universities received theirgraduate education abroad.Universities are also encouraging students to spend some of their undergraduateyears in another country. In Europe, more than 140,000 students participate in theErasmus program each yea

15、r, taking courses for credit in one of 2,200 participatinginstitutions across the continent.And in the United States, institutions are helping place students in summerinternships（实习） abroad to prepare them for global careers. Yale and Harvard have led theway, offering every undergraduate at least on

16、e international study or internshipopportunity - and providing the financial resources to make it possible.Globalization is also reshaping the way research is done. One new trend involvessourcing portions of a research program to another country. Yale professor andHoward Hughes Medical Institute inv

17、estigator Tian Xu directs a research centerfocused on the genetics of human disease at Shanghais Fudan University, incollaboration with faculty colleagues from both schools. The Shanghai center has 95employees and graduate students working in a 4,300-square-meter laboratory facility.Yale faculty，pos

18、tdoctors and graduate students visit regularly and attendvideoconference seminars with scientists from both campuses. The arrangementbenefits both countries; Xus Yale lab is more productive, thanks to the lower costs ofconducting research in China, and Chinese graduate students, postdoctors andfacul

19、ty get on-the-job training from a world-class scientist and his U.S. team.As a result of its strength in science, the United States has consistently led the world inthe commercialization of major new technologies, from the mainframe computer andthe integrated circuit of the 1960s to the Internet inf

20、rastructure （基础设施） andapplications software of the1990s. The link between university-based science and industrial application is oftenindirect but sometimes highly visible: Silicon Valley was intentionally created byStanford University, and Route 128 outside Boston has long housed companies spunoff

21、from MIT and Harvard. Around the world, governments have encouraged copyingof this model, perhaps most successfully in Cambridge, England, where Microsoft andscores of other leading software and biotechnology companies have set up shoparound the university.For all its success, the United States rema

22、ins deeply hesitant about sustaining theresearch-university model. Most politicians recognize the link between investment inscience and national economic strength, but support for research funding has beenunsteady. The budget of the National Institutes of Health doubled between 1998 and2003, but has

23、 risen more slowly than inflation since then. Support for the physicalsciences and engineering barely kept pace with inflation during that same period. Theattempt to makeup lost ground is welcome, but the nation would be better served bysteady, predictable increases in science funding at the rate of

24、 long-term GDPgrowth,which is on the order of inflation plus 3 percent per year.American politicians have great difficulty recognizing that admitting more foreignstudents can greatly promote the national interest by increasing internationalunderstanding. Adjusted for inflation, public funding for in

25、ternational exchanges andforeign-language study is well below the levels of 40 years ago. In the wake ofSeptember 11, changes in the visa process caused a dramatic decline in the numberof foreign students seeking admission to U.S. universities, and a corresponding surgein enrollments in Australia, S

26、ingapore and the U.K. Objections from Americanuniversity and business leaders led to improvements in the process and a reversal ofthe decline, but the United States is still seen by many as unwelcoming to internationalstudents.Most Americans recognize that universities contribute to the nations well

27、-beingthrough their scientific research, but manyfear that foreign students threaten Americancompetitiveness by taking their knowledge and skills back home. They fail to grasp thewelcoming foreign students to the United States has two important positive effects:first, the very best of them stay in t

28、he States and - like immigrants throughout history-strengthen the nation; and second, foreign students who study in the United Statesbecome ambassadors for many of its most cherished （珍视）values when they return home. Or at least they understand them better.In America as elsewhere, few instruments of

29、 foreign policy are as effective inpromoting peace and stability as welcoming international university students.（分数： 70.00 ）（1）.From the first paragraph we know that present-day universities have become _ . （分数：7.00 ）A. more and more research-orientedB. more popularized than ever beforeC. in-service

30、 training organizationsD.a powerful force for global integrationV解析：本题问“根据第一段我们了解到目前的大学变得如何”。第一段中提到大学“ have become instruments ofnational competition as well as instruments of peace（ 变成了国际竞争与和平的工具）”， 并对此进行了说明， 接着又说“ But at the sametime ， has madeuniversities a powerful force for globalintegration ,

31、mutual understanding and geopoliticalstability .（但与此同时.使得大学成为一个国际融合、相互理解和地理政治稳定的强大力量）”。故D “国际融合的强大力量”与文意一致，正确。 A “越来越以研究为方向”、 B “在职训练中心”、 C “比以往更为普及”文中均 未提及。（2）_.Over the past threedecades, the enrollment of overseas students has increased _.（分数：7.00 ）A. by 2.5 millionB. at an annual rate of 3.9 per

32、centC. by 800,000VD. at an annual rate of 8 percent解析：本题问“过去 30 年中出国学习的学生增加的情况”。根据题文中“ Over the past threedecadesoverseas students .”可知文中相关部分在第三段。文中提到“在过去30 年中，出国学习的学生数目以每年 3.9%的比例增长”，故C “每年增加 3.9%”与文意一致，正确。A “增加了 250 万”、 B “增加了 80 万”文中说的是“从 1975 年的 80 万增到 2004 年的 250 万”。D “每年增加 8%”文中说的是外国学生数目在美国著名大

33、学中占到8%。（3） .In the United States, how many of the newly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born? （分数： 7.00 ）A. 10%.B. 30%.VC. 20%.D. 38%.解析：本题问“在美国，有多少新近聘用的理工科教授出生于国外”。根据题文中the newly hiredprofessors in science and engineering 可知文中相关部分在第三段， 其中提到“ In the United States ，20 percent

34、of thenewly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born ，” （在 美国，有 20%新近聘用的理工科教授出生于国外，）故B “20%正确。 A “10%文中说的是在英 国最好的教育机构中外国留学生的比例占到10%。 C “30%”文中说的是在美国有30%的博士学位被授予外国留学生。 D “38%”文中说的是在英国，有38%的博士学位被授予外国留学生。（4）.How do Yale andHarvard prepare their undergraduates for global careers?（分数：

35、 7.00）A. They organize a series of seminars on world economy.B. They offer them various courses in international politics.C. They arrange for them to participate in the Erasmus program.D. They give them chances for international study or internship.V解析：本题问“为了使本科生适应全球性工作，耶鲁大学和哈佛大学做了怎样的安排”。根据题文中Yalean

36、d Harvard 可知文中相关部分在第四段，其中提到“ Yale and Harvard have led the way， offering everyundergraduate at least one international study or internship opportunity-and providing thefinancial resources to make it possible. ”（耶鲁大学和哈佛大学领先一步，为每位本科生提供不少于一次的国际交流学习或实习的机会，并提供财政支持以保证其实施。）故D “给予学生开展国际学习交流或实习的机会”正确。A “他们组织

37、了关于世界经济的系列讲座”、B “他们提供了关于国际政治的 各粪课程文”中均未提及。C “他们安排学生参与伊拄斯默斯计划”：文中提到欧洲有140 万学生参加了伊拉斯默斯计划，但没提到耶鲁或哈佛大学有这样的安排。（5）_.An exampleillustrating the general trend of universities globalization is _ . （分数：7.00 ）VA. Yales collaboration with Fudan University on genetic researchB. Yales helping Chinese universities

38、 to launch research projectsC. Yales student exchange program with European institutionsD. Yales establishing branch campuses throughout the world 解析：本题问“有怎样的事例可以说明大学全球化的普遍趋势”。 文中相关部分在第五段， 其中提到“ Yaleprofessor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Tian Xu directs a research center focused

39、on the geneticsof human disease at Shanghais Fudan University， in collaboration withfaculty colleagues from both schools”( 耶鲁大学教授兼霍华德休斯医学院研究员徐天在上海复旦大学主持的人类疾病基因研究中心，就是在两所学校教研人员的合作下开展工作的。）故A “耶鲁大学与复旦大学在基因研究方面的合作”正确。 A “耶鲁大学帮助中国的大学发动研究项目”。C “耶鲁大学D “耶鲁大学在世界各地建立分校”。这三项文中均未提及。(6).What do we learn about Si

40、licon Valley from the passage?A. It houses many companies spun off from MIT and Harvard.B. It is known to be the birthplace of Microsoft Company.C. It was intentionally created by Stanford University.D. It is where the Internet infrastructure was built up. 解析：本题问“从文章可以得到关于硅谷怎样的信息”。根据题文中 第六段，其中提到硅谷就是

41、斯坦福大学有目的地创设的，。的”正确。A “硅谷为许多发源于麻有理工学院和哈佛大学的公司提供了办公地点”：文中说的是波士顿外 128 号地区有许多发源于麻省理工学院和哈佛大学的公司 称”、D “在硅谷建设了因特网基础设施”文中均未提及。(7).What is said about the U.S. federal funding for research?A. It has increased by 3 percent.B. It has been unsteady for years.VC. It has been more than sufficient.D. It doubled bet

42、ween 1998 and 2003. 解析：本题问“文中关于用于科研的美国联邦基金是怎样讲的”politicians recognize the link between investment in science and national economic strengthbut support for research funding has been unsteady” （大多数政治家们认识到了在科学领域投资和国家经济优势之间的关联，但是对于研究的经费支持却处于不稳定的状态。）故B “多年来一直不稳定”正确。A “增加了 3% :文中说的是联邦基金应该依照物价上涨的幅度每年再增加3 个

43、百分点。C “一直是蚌蚌有余”：与文中经费不足的暗示相反。D “在 1998 到 2003 年间增加了一倍”：文中说的是国家卫生机构的预算翻了一倍，但是此后其增长却低于物价上涨的幅度。（8）.The dramatic decline in the enrollment of foreign students in the U.S. after September 11 was caused by.（分数： 7.00 ）填空项 1:_ （正确答案： changes in the visa process ）解析： 本题空白处问“ 9?11 之后美国留学生入学人数的大幅下降是由什么引起的”。 根据

44、题文中 dramatic decline可知文中相关部分在倒数第二段，其中提到“ In the wake of September 11， changes in the visa process caused adramatic decline in the number of foreign students seeking admission toUSuniversities，” （由于 911 的影响，在签证审批程序方面发生的改变导致了申请到美国大学求学的留学生人数的大幅减少，.。）因此答案为“ changes in the visa process ”。（9）.Many America

45、ns fear that American competitiveness may be threatened by foreign students whowill _ . （分数： 7.00）填空项 1:_ （正确答案： take their knowledge and skills back home）解析：本题空白处问“许多美国人担心留学生怎么样会使美国的竞争力受到威胁”。文中相关部分在倒数 第一段，其中提到“ but many fear that foreign students threaten American competitiveness by taking their kn

46、owledge and的学生与欧洲的教育机构交换计划”分数： 7.00 ）VSilicon Valley 可知文中相关部分在）故C “硅谷是斯坦福大学有目的地创建B “硅谷因为是微软公司的诞生地而著（分数： 7.00 ）文中相关部分在第七段， 其中提到“ MostVskills back home.（. 但是许多人担心留学生会将知识和技术带回自己的国家，从而威胁到美国的竞争力。 ）因此答案为“ take their knowledge and skills back home”。（10）.The policy of welcoming foreign students can benefit

47、the U.S. in that the very best of them will stay and.（分数： 7.00 ）填空项 1:_ （正确答案： strengthen the nation ）解析： 本题空白处问“欢迎留学生的政策会为美国带来好处， 这是因为留学生当中最好的那些大会留在美 国并且怎样”。根据题文中 the very best of them 可知文中相关部分在倒数第一段，其中提到“the verybest of them stay in the States and-like immigrants throughout history-strengthen then

48、ation ” （留学生当中最优秀的人留在了美国正如史上的移民那样使得美国变得更为强大。 ） 因此答案为“ strengthen the nation ”。三、BPart 川 Listening Comprehension/B（总题数：3,分数：105.00）Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.（分数： 56.00 ）A. She used to be in

49、 poor health.B. She was somewhat overweight.C. She was popular among boys.VD. She didnt do well at high school.解析： 听力原文 W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her from high school?M: Yeah, she was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of

50、weight? Q: What does the man remember ofSally?本题问“男士关于萨利有什么样的记忆 ?”女士说“几天前我遇到了萨利。 我几乎认不出她了。 你还记得她上高中时的样子吗 ?”男士说“她那个时候身体 有些走形了。那么，她的体重减轻了许多吗？”问体重减轻了没有，也就是说萨利那时太胖了。因此C “她那时有些胖”正确。A. At the airport.B. In a booking office.C. In a restaurant.D. At the hotel reception.V解析： 听力原文 W: Wedont seem to have a res

51、ervation for you, sir. Im sorry. M: But my secretary said that she hadreserved a room for me here. I phoned her from the airport this morning just before I got on board the plane. Q: Wheredoes the conversation most probably take place?本题问“本对话最有可能发生在什么地方 ?”女士说“很抱歉， 我们似乎没有您的预定。 ”男士说“但是我的 秘书说她在这里为我预定了房

52、间。我今天早上在登机之前刚给她去过电话。”他们在谈论有没有定好房间 的事，也就是说这个对话应该发生在宾馆大堂的接待处。因此D “宾馆接待处”正确。A. Teaching her son by herself.B. Asking the teacher for extra help.VC. Having confidence in her son.D. Telling her son not to worry.解析： 听力原文 W: What would you do if you were in my place? M: If Paul were my son, Id just not wor

53、ry. Now thathis teacher is giving him extra help and he is working harder himself, hes sure to do well in the next exam. Q: Whats themans suggestion to the woman?本题问“男士给女士的建议是什么 ?”女士问“如果你处于我的位置，你会怎么办 ?”男士说“如果保罗是我的儿子，我就 不会那么担忧。既然他的老师正在为他做额外的辅导，而且他自己也比以前更努力了，在下次考试中他一 定会考好的。”也就是说男士认为女士不必为她的儿子保罗担心。因此 B

54、“对她的儿子有信心”正确。A. Have a short break.VB. Continue her work outdoors.C. Take two weeks off.D. Go on vacation with the man.解析： 听力原文 M: Youve had your hands full and have been overworked during the last two weeks. I think you reallyneed to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine. W: You are right. Tha

55、ts just what Im thinking about. Q: What is thewoman most probably going to do? 本题问“女士最 有可能将去做什么事 ?”男士说“你上两个星期忙得不可开交，工作过度了。我想你真的需要出去走走， 呼吸点新鲜空气，晒晒太阳。”男士的建议实际上是让女士出去休息一阵。女士回答说：“是呀，我正在考 虑这事儿呢。 ”也就是说女士正想出去度假休息一下。因此 A “休个短假”正确。A. He is taking care of his twin brother.B. He has been feeling ill all week.C

56、. He is worried about Rods health.D.He has been in perfect condition.V解析： 听力原文 W: Hello, John. How are you feeling now? I hear youve been ill. M: They must have confused mewith my twin brother Rod. Hes been sick all wee. k, but Ive never felt better in my life. Q: What do we learn about theman?本题问“关

57、于男士我们知道些什么 ?”女士问“约翰，你现在感觉怎么样 ?我听说你病了。”男士说“他们肯定是把我和我的孪生兄弟弄混了。他病了一周了，但是我的身体棒得很。”也就是说生病的是约翰的孪生兄弟，而约翰身体很好。因此D “他的身体状况极佳” 正确。A. She sold all her furniture before she moved house.B. She still keeps some old furniture in her new house.VC. She plans to put all her old furniture in the basement.D. She bought

58、 a new set of furniture from Italy last month.解析： 听力原文 M: Did you really give away all your furniture when you moved into the new house last month? W:Just the useless pieces, as Im planning to purchase a new set from Italy for thesitting room only. Q: What does the woman mean?本题问“女士的话是什么意思 ?”男士问“你上个

59、月搬新家的时候真的把所有的家具都送人了 ?”女士说“就送了些不用的家具，因为我打算只是为起居室从意大利买一套新家具。”也就是说女士并没有将所有的家具都送人。因此B “她的新家里还是保留了一些旧家具”正确。A. The woman wondered why the man didnt return the book.B. The woman doesnt seem to know what the book is about.C. The woman doesnt find the book useful any more.D. The woman forgot lending the book

60、 to the man.V解析： 听力原文 M: Ive brought back your Oxford Companion to English literature. I thought you might use it for yourpaper. Sorry not to have returned it earlier. W: I was wondering where that book was. Q: What can we infer from theconversation?本题问“从对话中可以做出怎样的推断 ?”男士说“我把你的 英国文学牛津指南 还回来了。 我想你写论文