2023年英语专四真题及答案详解

TESTFORENGLISHMAJORS()-GRADEFOUR-TIMELIMIT:135MINPARTIDICTATION[15MIN]Listentothefollowingpassage.Altogetherthepassagewillbereadtoyoufourtimes.Duringthefirstreading,whichwillbedoneatnormalspeed,listenandtrytounderstandthemeaning.Forthesecondandthirdreadings,thepassagewillbereadsentencebysentence,orphrasebyphrase,withintervalsof15seconds.Thelastreadingwillbedoneatnormalspeedagainandduringthistimeyoushouldcheckyourwork.Youwillthenbegiven2minutestocheckthroughyourworkoncemore.PleasewritethewholepassageonANSWERSHEETONE.PARTIILISTENINGCOMPREHENSION[120MIN]InSectionsA,BandCyouwillheareverythingONCEONLYListencarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Markthecorrectanswertoeachquestiononyouranswersheet.SECTIONACONVERSATIONSInthissectionyouwillhearseveralconversations.Listentotheconversationscarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions1to3arebasedonthe.followingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Nowlistentotheconversation.1.WhenisAnneavailableforthemeeting?A.ThethirdweekofMay.B.ThethirdweekofJune.C.TheeleventhofJune.D.TheeleventhofMay.2.TheirmeetingwillprobablytakeplaceinA.London.B.Toronto.C.MexicoCity.D.Chicago.3.WhenisEriccallingback?A.Thursdayafternoon.B.Fridayafternoon.C.Thursdaymorning.D.Fridaymorning.Questions4to6arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.4.Accordingtothewoman,advertisementsA.letusknowthebestproduct.B.giveussufficientinformation.C.failtoconvincepeople.D.givemisleadinginformation.5.Inthewoman'sopinion,moneyspentonadvertisementsispaidA.bymanufacturers.B.bycustomers.C.byadvertisers.D.byallofthem.6.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisINCORRECT?.A.Thewomanseemstobenegativeaboutadvertising.B.Thewomanappearstoknowmoreaboutadvertising.C.Themanistobepresentatadebateonadvertising.D.Themanhasalottotalkaboutonadvertising.Questions7to10arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.7.MrBrownbroughtwithhimonlyafewthingsbecauseA.therewasn'tenoughspaceinthecupboard.B.thehospitalwouldprovidehimwitheverything.C.hewastostaythereforaveryshorttime.D.visitorscouldbringhimotherthings.8.Accordingtothehospitalrules,atwhichofthefollowinghourscanvisitorsseepatients?A.2:00pm.B.5:00pm.C.7:00pm.D.6:00pm.9.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisINCORRECT?A.Patientshavebreakfastat8.B.Patientshavelunchat12.C.Therearespecialalcohollounges.D.Therearespecialsmokinglounges.10.WhichstatementbestdescribesMrBrown?A.Heknowslittleabouthospitalrules.B.Hecankeepalcoholintheward.C.Heknowswhentosmoke.D.Heisusedtohospitallife.SECTIONBPASSAGESInthissection,youwillhearseveralpassages.Listentothepassagescarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions11to13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.11.MeetingroomsofvarioussizesareneededforA.contactswithheadquarters.B.relaxationandenjoyment.C.informaltalks.D.differentpurposes.12.WhichofthefollowingisNOTmentionedinthepassageaspartofhotelfacilitiesforguests?A.Restaurants.B.Cinemas.C.Swimmingpools.D.Bars.13.AhotelforaninternationalconferenceshouldhavethefollowingEXCEPTA.convenienttransportservices.B.competentofficesecretaries.C.goodsportsandrestaurantfacilities.D.suitableandcomfortablerooms.Questions14to17arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.14.ThemuseumaimsmainlytodisplayA.thearea'stechnologicaldevelopment.B.thenation'simportanthistoricalevents.C.thearea'sagriculturalandindustrialdevelopment.D.thenation'sagriculturalandindustrialdevelopment.15.Thefollowinghavebeensignificantinthearea'sprosperityEXCEPTA.themotorways.B.theRomanroad.C.thecanals.D.therailways.16.WeknowfromthepassagethatsomeexhibitsA.areborrowedfromworkshops.B.arespeciallymadefordisplay.C.reflectthelocalcultureandcustoms.D.trytoreproducethesceneatthattime.17.ThepassageprobablycomesfromA.aconversationonthemuseum.B.amuseumtourguide.C.amuseumbooklet.D.amuseumadvertisement.Questions18to20arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.18.Accordingtothespeaker,safetyindormitorymeansthatyouA.insureallyourexpensivethings.B.lockdoorswhengoingout.C.lockwindowsatnight.D.takeallnecessaryprecautions.19.Whatdoesthespeakersuggestgirlsdowhentheyaregoingtobeoutlate?A.Calltheirfriends.B.Staywiththeirfriends.C.Avoidwalkinginstreets.D.Alwaystakeataxi.20.Whatisthespeaker'slastadvice?A.Totakeafewself-defenseclasses.B.Tosticktowell-litstreetsatnight.C.Toavoidwalkingaloneatnight.D.Tostaywiththeirfriends.SECTIONCNEWSBROADCASTInthissection,youwillhearseveralnewsitems.Listentothemcarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions21and22arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now.listentothenews.21.WhathappenedduringtheNewYearcelebrationinThailand?A.TerroristsfoughtwithGovernmenttroops.B.Thaitroopskilledterrorists.C.Therewereshootings.D.Therewereexplosions.22.WhathasledtotheviolentsituationinthesouthofThailand?A.TheMuslimswantedindependence.B.Thaitroopshavebeensentthere.C.Aboutpeoplehavebeenkilled.D.Therehavebeenmorebombingssince.Questions23and24arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.23.Underthenationaloillaw,theIraqigovernmentA.willgivemoreoilrevenuestoonlyafewprovinces.B.willletprovincesdistributetheiroilrevenues.C.willdistributeoilrevenuesaccordingtopopulationsize.D.willdistributeoilrevenuesaccordingtosecurityneeds.24.TheconstructionpackageismeanttoA.helpbuildmorehouses.B.helpimprovethecountry'seconomy.C.helpmorechildrentogotoschool.D.helpmoreyoungpeopletogeteducation.Questions25and26arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.25.Thejointcommitteewillpromoteco-operationbetweenEgyptandSpaininallthefollowingareasEXCEPTA.education.B.industry.C.investment.D.technology.26.Whatisthisnewsitemmainlyabout?A.Theestablishmentofajointcommittee.B.ThetraderelationsbetweenEgyptandSpain.C.ThefuturetradevolumebetweenEgyptandSpain.D.Theestablishmentofajointbusinesscouncil.Question27isbasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven5secondstoanswerthequestion.Now,listentothenews.27.Accordingtothenews,JapaneseteenagewomenA.arelessviolentthanmen.B.arelessviolentthanbefore.C.aremoreviolentthanbefore.D.aremoreviolentthanmen.Question28isbasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven5secondstoanswerthequestion.Now,listentothenews.28.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisCORRECTaccordingtothenews?A.Zimbabweansstayedawayfromvoting.B.Zimbabweanswereenthusiasticaboutvoting.C.OnlyafewZimbabweansturneduptovote.D.ZimbabweansbelievedthatMugabewouldwin.Questions29and30arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.29.Thenewsmentioned_____reason(s)fortheactiontakenbyIndiantelecomworkers.A.1B.2C.3D.430.Accordingtothenews,whoamongthefollowingwereNOTaffectedbytelecomworkers'action?A.Banks.B.Bigcompanies.C.Long-distancecallers.D.Governmentofficials.PARTIIICLOZE[15MIN]Decidewhichofthechoicesgivenbelowwouldbestcompletethepassageifinsertedintheeorrespondingblanks.Markthebestchoiceforeachblankonyouranswersheet.Salt,shellsormetalsarestillusedasmoneyinout-of-the-waypartsoftheworldtoday.Saltmayseemratherastrange(31)____touseasmoney,(32)_____incountrieswherethefoodofthepeopleismainlyvegetable,itisoftenan(33)_____necessity.Cakesofsalt,stampedtoshowtheir(34)____,wereusedasmoneyinsomecountriesuntilrecent(35)_____,andcakesofsalt(36)____buygoodsinBorneoandpartsofAfrica.Seashells(37)_____asmoneyatsometime(38)____anotheroverthegreaterpartoftheOldWorld.Thesewere(39)___mainlyfromthebeachesoftheMaldivesIslandsintheIndianOcean,andweretradedtoIndiaandChina.InAfrica,shellsweretradedrightacrossthe(40)___fromEasttoWest.Metal,valuedbyweight,(41)____coinsinmanypartsoftheworld.Iron,inlumps,barsorrings,isstillusedinmanycountries(42)_____papermoney.Itcaneitherbeexchanged(43)____goods,ormadeintotools,weapons,orornaments.TheearlymoneyofChina,apartfromshells,wasofbronze,(44)_____inflat,roundpieceswithaholeinthemiddle,called"cash".The(45)_____ofthesearebetweenthreethousandandfourthousandyearsold-olderthantheearliestcoinsoftheeasternMediterranean.Nowadays,coinsandnoteshave(46)____nearlyallthemorepicturesque(47)____ofmoney,and(48)____inoneortwoofthemoreremotecountriespeoplestillkeepitforfutureuseonceremonial(49)____suchasweddingsandfunerals,examplesof(50)____moneywillsoonbefoundonlyinmuseums.(31)A.objectB.articleC.substanceD.category(32)A.butB.andC.soD.even(33)A.abstractB.advantageousC.abundantD.absolute(34)A.weightB.valueC.roleD.size(35)A.timesB.eventsC.situationsD.conditions(36)A.evenB.alsoC.stillD.never(37)A.hadbeenusedB.areusedC.wouldbeusedD.wouldhavebeenused(38)A.andB.butC.yetD.or(39)A.collectedB.producedC.grownD.raised(40)A.cityB.districtC.communibD.continent(41)A.processedB.producedC.precededD.proceeded(42)A.inspiteofB.insteadofC.alongwithD.inlinewith(43)A.againstB.asC.inD.for(44)A.oftenB.seldomC.reallyD.much(45)A.earlierB.earliestC.betterD.best(46)A.replacedB.reproducedC.reflectedD.recovered(47)A.sizesB.shapesC.formatsD.forms(48)A.whileB.althoughC.becauseD.if(49)A.eventsB.gatheringsC.occasionsD.assemblies(50)A.originalB.primitiveC.historicalD.crudePARTIVGRAMMAR&VOCABULARY[15MIN]Therearethirtysentencesinthissection.BeneatheachsentencetherearefourwordsorphrasemarkedA,B,CandD.Chooseonewordorphrasethatbestcompletesthesentence.Markyouranswersonyouranswersheet.51.Ourassociation,whichhasconsistentlypressedforgreateremploymentopportunitiesfortNdisabled,willpublish____proposalsinthenearfuture.A.theirB.ourC.hisD.its52.HadJudybeenmorecarefulonthemathsexam,she____muchbetterresultsnow.A.wouldbegettingB.couldhavegotC.mustgetD.wouldget53.Nineistothree_____threeistoone.A.whenB.thatC.whichD.what54.Mendifferfromanimals____theycanthinkandspeak.A.forwhichB.forthatC.inthatD.inwhich55.____hewantedtogooutwithhisfriendsattheweekend,hehadtostaybehindtofinishhisassignment.A.MuchthoughB.MuchasC.AsmuchD.Thoughmuch56.Ienjoyedmyselfsomuch____IvisitedmyfriendsinParislastyear.A.whenB.whichC.thatD.where57.WhichofthefollowingisINCORRECT?A.Allhislectureswereboring.C.Herfewfriendsareallfondofdancing.B.Halfhismoneywasgone.D.Heinvitedmanyhisfriendstotheparty.58.Whenyouhavefinishedwiththatbook,don'tforgettoputitbackonmydesk,_____?A.doyouB.don'tyouC.willyouD.won'tyou59.Whatdoes"Hewiselyrefusedtospendhismoney"mean?A.Itwaswiseofhimtorefusetospendhismoney.B.Herefusedtospendhismoneyinawisemanner.C.Hewasshortofmoneyanddidn'twanttobuyanything.D.Herefused,inawisemanner,tospendhismoney.60.Theystoodchattingtogetheraseasilyandnaturallyas____.A.itcouldbeB.couldbeC.itwasD.was61.Thefollowingareallcorrectresponsesto"Whotoldthenewstotheteacher?"EXCEPTA.Jimdidthis.B.Jimdidso.C.Jimdidthat.D.Jimdid.62.Qualityis____countsmost.A.whichB.thatC.whatD.where63.InhisplaysShakespeare_____hischaracterslivethroughtheirlanguage.A.wouldmakeB.hadmadeC.madeD.makes64.Thesquareitselfisfivehundredyardswide,fivetimes____thesizeofSt.Peter'sinRome.A./B.thatofC.whichisD.of65.Whichofthefollowingsentencesexpresses"probability"?A.Youmustleaveimmediately.B.Youmustbefeelingrathertired.C.Youmustbeherebyeighto'clock.D.Youmustcompletethereadingassignmentontime.66.Whenhefirststartedinuniversity,hereallyfeltat_____withhismajor---economics.A.shoreB.bankC.oceanD.sea67.Ontheroadmotoristsshouldbeawareofcyclistsandbe____towardsthem.A.considerableB.consideringC.considerateD.considered68.Sallywasabitshy,buttheteacherfoundherquite____discussingarecentfilmwithothers.A.athomeB.atmostC.athouseD.atbean69.Thecompanyhascapitalized_____theerrorofjudgmentmadebyitsbusinesscompetitor.A.inB.overC.withD.on70.Timhasfailedthreecoursesthissemester,sohewillhaveto_____themnextsemester.A.remakeB.repeatC.reapplyD.revise71.Keepthisreferencebook;itmaycomein_____oneday.A.handyB.usefulC.convenientD.helpful72.Thequestionsthatthespeakerraisedwerewell____theaverageadult.A.pastB.onC.beyondD.through73.Teachersinthisschoolwereencouragedtousedramaasa(n)_____oflearning.A.designB.instrumentC.agencyD.tool74.First,weneedtofindoutwhathisschemeis,andthenact_____.A.sensitivelyB.imaginativelyC.efficientlyD.accordingly75.AtfirstJimwasnotquiteclearwhathewasgoingtodoafteruniversity,butnowheseems_____onbecomingacomputerprogrammer.A.fitB.setC.disposedD.decided76.Wheninvitedtotalkabouthisachievements+herefusedtoblowhisown_____anddeclinedtospeakatthemeeting.A.trumpetB.whistleC.bugleD.flute77.Inspiteofthetreatment,thepaininhisleggrewinA.gravityB.extentC.intensityD.amount78.BusservicesbetweenTownCentreandNewtonHousingEstatewillbe_____untilthemotorwayisrepaired.A.discontinuedB.suspendedC.haltedD.ceased79.Themoon,beingmuchnearertotheEarththantheSun,isthe____causeofthetides.A.principalB.basicC.initialD.elementary80.Teddycametomy____withachequeof$200topaymyroomrate,afterIphonedhimthatmywallethadbeenstolen.A.attendanceB.assistanceC.rescueD.safetyPARTVREADINGCOMPREHENSION[25MIN]Inthissectiontherearefourpassagesfollowedbyquestionsorunfinishedstatements,eachwithfoursuggestedanswersmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatyouthinkisthebestanswer.Markyouranswersonyouranswersheet.TEXTAWhenthesunisupinAmsterdam,thelargestcityintheNetherlandssitsquietlyontheAmstelRiver.Youcanrentabicycle,visittheVanGoghorAnneFrankmuseum,ortakeawatertaxi.Butwhenthesungoesdown,thepartyingbegins.Inthebigclubsandincoffeeshops,touristsgathertohangout,talkpoliticsandsmoke.SeveralareasofthecityclearlyshowthetwoworldsthatruleAmsterdam.Andthey'reallwithinashortcabrideofeachother.Forexample,DamSquareattractsdaytimesightseerstoitsfestivals,openmarkets,concertsandotherevents.Severalbeautifulandverypopularhotelscanbefoundthere.AndthereistheRoyalPalaceandtheMagnaPlazashoppingmall.ButaseveningdescendsonDamSquaresodotheparty-seekers.HippoporfunkmusicbeginsblaringfromClubParadisoandClubMelkweg.ThesearetwoofthemostpopularclubsinEurope.Soifyoucome,bereadytodance.Theclubsdon'tshutdownuntil4am.Andwhileyouarethere,checkoutthevariousinexpensivewaystotourthecity.Don'tworryaboutgettinglost.AlthoughDutchistheofficiallanguage,mostpeopleinAmsterdamspeakEnglishandarehappytohelpyouwithdirections.Andyou'llnoticethathalfthepeopleinthestreetsareonbicycles.TheyrentforUS$17to$20forawholeday.Amsterdamalsohasagoodcanalsystem.FromanywherebetweenU852and$9.50,youcanusethecanalbusorawatertaxitocruisethe"VeniceoftheNorth".Youcantakeinthepicturesquecanalhousearchitecture:Therowsofneat,narrowfour-storydwellingsofbrownstonewithlargewindowsarewellworthseeing.Manyofthemareseveralcenturiesold.YoumightalsowanttojumpoutofthecanalbusattheMuseumQuarterandstartwalking.MasterpiecesbyDutchartistssuchasRembrandt,Bruegel,VanGoghandothersareondisplayattheVanGoghMuseum,RembrandtHouseandothers.Thecityhasanappreciationofitshistoricpast.OneplacetovisitistheAnneFrankHouseinNineStreets.ItwastherethattheyoungJewishgirlwroteherfamousdiaryduringWorldWarII.VisitorscanviewAnne'soriginaldiaryandclimbbehindthebookcasetotheroomwheresheandherfamilyhidfromtheNazisfortwoyears.81.Atthebeginningofthepassage,theauthorindicatesthatA.Amsterdamisgenerallyknownasaquietcity.B.partiesgoonalldaylonginAmsterdam,C.Amsterdampresentstwodifferentpictures.D.Amsterdamattractsmanydaytimevisitors.82.WhichtouristattractioniscitedforelaborationinParagraphsFourandFive?A.RoyalPalace.B.DamSquare.C.ClubParadiso.D.MagnaPlaza.83.Accordingtothepassage,thelocalpeoplehaveallthefollowingcharacteristicsEXCEPTA.theyarepartygoers.B.theyshowhospitality.C.theycanspeakEnglish.D.theyarefondofcycling.84.WhichofthefollowingadjectivescanbestdescribeAmsterdamasatouristcity?A.Modern.B.Delightful.C.Quiet.D.Historic.TEXTBInanarticlesomeChinesescholarsaredescribedasbeing"tantalizedbythemysteriousdragonbonehieroglyphics."TantalizedisoneofmanyEnglishwordsthathavetheiroriginsinmythsandlegendsofthepast(inthiscase,GreekandRomanones).Themeaningoftheverbtantalizeisaveryparticularone:"topromiseorshowsomethingdesirabletoapersonandthentakeitaway;toteasebyarousinghope."Many(butnotall)Englishdictionariesgiveyouabriefindicationofaword'soriginsinbracketsbeforeoraftertheexplanationofthemeaning.Fortantalizethefollowingexplanationisgiven:[>Tantalus].ThismeansthatyoushouldlookupthenameTantalustofindouttheword'sorigins,andifyoudo,youwillfindoutthatinGreekmythology,Tantaluswasakingwhowaspunishedinthelowerworldwitheternalhungerandthirst;hewasputuptohischininwaterthatalwaysmovedawaywhenhetriedtodrinkitandwithfruitonbranchesabovehimplacedjustalittlebitoutofhisreach.Canyouseewhyhisnamewaschangedintoaverbmeaning"toteaseortormentbyarousingdesire"?Anotherexampleisthewordsiren,familiartousasthemechanicaldevicethatmakessuchanalarmingsoundwhenpolicecars,ambulances,orfireenginesapproach.ThiswordalsohasitsoriginsinGreekmythology.ThetravelerOdysseus(UlyssestotheRomans)madehismenplugtheirearssothattheywouldn'thearthedangerousvoicesofthesirens,creatureswhowerehalfbirdandhalfwomanandwholuredsailorstotheirdeathsonsharprocks.Sothewordcametobeassociatedbothwithaloudsoundandwithdanger!Whensomeonespeaksofa"jovialmood"ora"herculeaneffort,"heorsheisusingwordswithoriginsinmythology.Lookthesewordsuptofindtheirmeaningandrelationshiptomyths.Manycommonwords,suchasthenamesforthedaysoftheweekandthemonthsoftheyear,alsocomefrommythology.WednesdayderivesfromtheancientNorsekingofthegods,Woden,andThursdaywasoriginallyThor'sday,inhonourofThor,thegodofthunder.Asamatteroffact,alltheplanets,excepttheoneweliveon,bearnamesthatcomefromRomanmythology,includingtheplanetthatisfarthestawayfromthesunandforthatreasonwascalledaftertheRomangodofthedead.Thisgodhasalsogivenhisnametooneofthechemicalelements.Severalotherelementshavenamesthatcomefrommythology,too.ItseemsthatmythsandlegendsliveonintheEnglishlanguage.85.ThepurposeofthefirstsentenceinParagraphOneis____.A.todescribetheworkofsomeChinesescholars.B.toarousereaders'interestinhieroglyphics.C.toleadreadersontothemaintheme.D.tolinktheprecedingparttothepresentone.86.Welearnfromthepassage,allEnglishdictionariesinclude_____.A.legends.B.mythology.C.wordorigins.D.worddefinitions.87.Theexampleoftantalizeistoshow_____.A.howthewordcameintoexistence.B.howTantaluswaspunishedinthelowerworld.C.howallEnglishdictionariesshowwordorigins.D.howthemeaningofthewordchangedovertheyears.88.Accordingtothepassage,whichofthefollowingdoesNOThaveoriginsinmythsorlegends?A.Jovial.B.Wednesday.C.Earth.D.March.89.Whichofthefollowingcanbestserveasthetitleofthepassage?A.GreekandRomanMythologyinLanguage.B.MythologicalOriginsofEnglishWords.C.HistoricalChangesinWordMeanings.D.MythologyandCommonWords.TEXTCMyheartsankwhenthemanattheimmigrationcountergesturedtothebackroom.l'manAmericanbornandraised,andthiswasMiami,whereIlive,buttheyweren'tquitereadytoletmeinyet."Pleasewaitinhere,MsAbujaber,"theimmigrationofficersaid.Myhusband,withhisveryAmericanlastname,accompaniedme.Hewasgettingusedtothis.ThesamethinghadhappenedrecentlyinCanadawhenI'dflowntoMontrealtospeakatabookevent.Thattimetheyheldmefor45minutes.TodaywewerereturningfromaliteraryfestivalinJamaica,andIwasstartledthatIwasbeingsent"inback"onceagain.Theofficerbehindthecountercalledmeupandsaid,"Miss,yournamelookslikethenameofsomeonewho'sonourwantedlist.We'regoingtohavetocheckyououtwithWashington.""Howlongwillittake?""Hardtosay...afewminutes,"hesaid."We'llcallyouwhenwe'rereadyforyou."Afteranhour,Washingtonstillhadn'tdecidedanythingaboutme."Isn'tthiscomputerized?"Iaskedatthecounter."Can'tyoujustlookmeup?"Justafewmoreminutes,theyassuredme.Afteranhourandahalf,IpulledmycellphoneouttocallthefriendsIwassupposedtomeetthatevening.Anofficerrushedover."Nophones!"hesaid."Forallweknowyoucouldbecallingaterroristcellandgivingtheminformation.""I'mjustauniversityprofessor,"Isaid.Myvoicecameoutinasqueak."Ofcourseyouare.Andwetakepeoplelikeyououtofhereinlegironseveryday."Iputmyphoneaway.Myhusbandand1weregettinghungryandtired.Wholefamilieshadbeenbroughtintothewaitingroom,andtheplacewaspackedwithexcitablechildren,exhaustedparents,evenaflightattendant.Iwantedtoscream,tojumponachairandshout:"I'manAmericancitizen;anovelist;lprobablyteachEnglishliteraturetoyourchildren."Orwouldthatallbecountedagainstme?Aftertwohoursindetention,Iwasapproachedbyoneoftheofficers."You'refreetogo,"hesaid.Noexplanationorapologies.Foramoment,neitherofusmoved,wewerestillinshock.Thenweleapedtoourfeet."Oh,onemorething."Hehandedmeatatteredphotocopywithanaddressonit."Ifyouweren'thappywithyourtreatment,youcanwritetothisagency.""Willtheyrespond?"Iasked."Idon'tknow---Idon'tknowofanyonewho'severwrittentothembefore."Thenheadded,"Bytheway,thiswillprobablykeephappeningeachtimeyoutravelinternationally.""WhatcanIdotokeepitfromhappeningagain?"Hesmiledtheemptysmilewe'dseenallday."Absolutelynothing."Aftertellingseveralfriendsaboutourordeal,probablythemostfrequentadviceI'veheardinresponseistochangemyname.Twentyyearsago,myowngraduateschoolwritingprofessoradvisedmetowriteunderapennamesothatpublisherswouldn'tstickmeinwhathecalled"theethnicghetto"---aseparate,secondaryshelfinthebookstore.Butanameisanintegralpartofanyone'spersonalandprofessionalidentity-justlikethetownyou'reborninandtheplacewhereyou'reraised.Likemyfather,I'llkeepthename,butmyairportexperiencehasgivenmeawholenewperspectiveonwhatdiversityandtolerancearesupposedtomean.Ihadnoidea