2024-2025英语专四真题及答案详解

TESTFORENGLISHMAJORS(2024)-GRADEFOUR­

TIMELIMIT:135MIN

PARTIDICTATION[15MIN]

Listentothefollowingpassage.Altogetherthepassagewillbereadtoyoufourtimes.During

thefirstreading,whichwillbedoneatnormalspeed,listenandtrytounderstandthemeaning.For

thesecondandthirdreadings,thepassagewillbereadsentencebysentence,orphrasebyphrase,

withintervalsof15seconds.Thelastreadingwillbedoneatnormalspeedagainandduringthis

timeyoushouldcheckyourwork.Youwillthenbegiven2minutestocheckthroughyourwork

oncemore.

PleasewritethewholepassageonANSWERSHEETONE.

PARTIILISTENINGCOMPREHENSION[120MIN]

InSectionsA,BandCyouwillheareverythingONCEONLYListencarefullyandthen

answer

thequestionsthatfollow.Markthecorrectanswertoeachquestiononyouranswersheet.

SECTIONACONVERSATIONS

Inthissectionyouwillhearseveralconversations.Listentotheconversationscarefullyand

thenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.

Questions1to3arcbasedon(he.followingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,you

willbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Nowlistentotheconversation.

I.WhenisAnneavailablefbrthemeeting?

A.ThethirdweekofMay.

B.ThethirdweekofJune.

C.TheeleventhofJune.

D.TheeleventhofMay.

2.Theirmeetingwillprobablylakeplacein

A.London.

B.Toronto.

C.MexicoCity.

D.Chicago.

3.WhenisEriccallingback?

A.Thursdayafternoon.

B.Fridayafternoon.

C.Thursdaymorning.

D.Fridaymorning.

Questions4to6arebwsedonthefollowingconversaticn.Attheendoftheconversation,you

willbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.

4.Accordingtothewoman,advertisements

A.letusknowthebestproduct.

B.giveussufficientinformation.

C.failtoconvincepeople.

D.givemisleadinginformation.

5.Inthewoman'sopinion,moneyspentonadvertisementsispaid

A.bymanufacturers.

B.bycustomers.

C.byadvertisers.

D.byallofthem.

6.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisINCORRECT?.

A.Thewomanseemstobenegativeaboutadvertising.

B.Thewomanappearstoknowmoreaboutadvertising

C.Themanistobepresentatadebateonadvertising.

D.Themanhasalottotalkaboutonadvertising.

Questions7to1()arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,

youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.

7.MrBrownbroughtwithhimonlyafewthingsbecause

A.therewasn'tenoughspaceinthecupboard.

B.thehospitalwouldprovidehimwitheverything.

C.hewastostaythereforaveryshortlime.

D.visitorscouldbringhimotherthings.

8.Accordingtothehospitalrules,atwhichofthefollowinghourscanvisitorsseepatients?

A.2:00pm.

B.5:(X)pm.

C.7:00pm.

D.6:00pm.

9.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisINCORRECT?

A.Patientshavebreakfastat8.

B.Patientshavelunchat12.

C.Therearespecialalcohollounges.

D.Therearcspecialsmokinglounges.

10.WhichstatementbestdescribesMrBrown?

A.Heknowslittleabojthospitalrules.

B.Hecankeepalcoholin(heward.

C.Heknowswhentosmoke.

D.Heisusedtohospitallife.

SECTIONBPASSAGES

Inthissection,youwillhearseveralpassages.Listentothepassagescarefullyandthen

answer(hequestionsthatfollow.

Questions11to13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbe

given15seconds(oanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.

11.Meetingroomsofvarioussizesareneededfbr

A.contactswithheadquarters.

B.relaxationandenjoyment.

C.informaltalks.

D.differentpurposes.

12.WhichofthefollowingisNOTmentionedinthepassageaspanofhotelfacilitiesfbr

guests?

A.Restaurants.B.Cinemas.

C.Swimmingpools.D.Bars.

13.AhotelforaninternationalconferenceshouldhavethefollowingEXCEPT

A.convenienttransportservices.

B.competentofficesecretaries.

C.goodsportsandrestaurantfacilities.

D.suitableandcomfortablerooms.

Questions14to17arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbe

given20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.

14.Themuseumaimsmainlytodisplay

A.thearea'stechnologicaldevelopment.

B.thenation'simportanthistoricalevents.

C.thearea'sagriculturalandindustrialdevelopment.

D.thenation'sagriculturalandindustrialdevelopment.

15.Thefollowinghavebeensignificantinthearea'sprosperityEXCEPT

A.themotorways.B.theRomanroad.

C.thecanals.D.therailways.

16.Weknowfromthepassagethatsomeexhibits

A.areborrowedfromworkshops.

B.arespeciallymadefordisplay.

C.reilcctthelocalcultureandcustoms.

D.trytoreproducethesceneatthattime.

17.Thepassageprobablycomesfrom

A.aconversationonthemuseum.

B.amuseumtourguide.

C.amuseumbooklet.

D.amuseumadvertisement.

Questions18to20arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendof(hepassage,youwillbe

given15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.

18.Accordingto(hespeaker,safetyindormitorymeansihalyou

A.insureallyourexpensivethings.

B.lockdoorswhengoingout.

C.lockwindowsatnight.

D.takeallnecessaryprecautions.

19.Whatdoesthespeakersuggestgirlsdowhen(heyaregoingtobeoutlate?

A.Calltheirfriends.

B.Slaywiththeirfriends.

C.Avoidwalkinginstreets.

D.Alwaystakeataxi.

20.Whatisthespeaker'slastadvice?

A.Totakeafewself-defenseclasses.

B.Tosticktowell-litstreetsatnight.

C.Toavoidwalkingaloneatnight.

D.Tostaywithiheirfriends.

SECTIONCNEWSBROADCAST

Inthissection,youwillhearseveralnewsitems.Listentothemcarefullyandthenanswer(he

questionsthatfollow.

Questions21and22arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwill

begiven10secondstoansv/erthequestions.Now.listentothenews.

21.WhathappenedduringtheNewYearcelebrationinThailand?

A.TerroristsfoughtwithGovernmenttroops.

B.Thaitroopskilledterrorists.

C.Therewereshootings.

D.Therewereexplosions.

22.WhathasledtotheviolentsituationinthesouthofThailand?

A.TheMuslimswantedindependence.

B.Thaitroopshavebeensentthere.

C.About2000peoplehavebeenkilled.

D.Therehavebeenmorebombingssince2024.

Questions23and24arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwill

begiven10secondstoansv/erthequestions.Now,listentothenews.

23.Underthenationaloillaw,theIraqigovernment

A.willgivemoreoilrevenuestoonlyafewprovinces.

B.willletprovincesdistributetheiroilrevenues.

C.willdistributeoilrevenuesaccordingtopopulationsize.

D.willdistributeoilrevenuesaccordingtosecurityneeds.

24.Theconstructionpackageismeantto

A.helpbuildmorehouses.

B.helpimprovethecountry'seconomy.

C.helpmorechildrenIogotoschool.

D.helpmoreyoungpeopletogeteducation.

Questions25and26arebasedonthefollowingnews.At(heendofthenewsitem,youwill

begiven10secondstoansv/erthequestions.Now,listentothenews.

25.Thejointcommitteewillpromoteco-operationbetweenEgyptandSpaininaA(he

following

areasEXCEPT

A.education.B.induslry.

C.investment.D.technology.

26.Whatisthisnewsitemmainlyabout?

A.Theestablishmentcfajointcommittee.

B.ThetraderelationsbetweenEgyptandSpain.

C.ThefuturetradevolumebetweenEgyptandSpain.

D.Theestablishmentofajointbusinesscouncil.

Question27isbasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven5

secondstoanswerthequestion.Now,listentothenews.

27.Accordingtothenews,Japaneseteenagewomen

A.arelessviolentthanmen.

B.arelessviolent(hanbefore.

C.aremoreviolentthanbefore.

D.aremoreviolentthanmen.

Question28isbasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven5

secondstoanswerthequestion.Now,listentothenews.

28.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisCORRECTaccordingtothenews?

A.Zimbabweansstayedawayfromvoting.

B.Zimbabweanswereenthusiasticaboutvoting.

C.OnlyafewZimbabweansturneduptovote.

D.ZimbabweansbelievedthatMugabewouldwin.

Questions29and30arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwill

begiven10secondstoansv/erthequestions.Now,listentothenews.

29.Thenewsmentionedreason(s)fortheactiontakenbyIndiantelecomworkers.

A.1B.2C.3D.4

30.Accordingtothenews,whoamongthefollowingwereNOTaffectedbytelecomworkers'

action?

A.Banks.B.Bigcompanies.C.Long-distancecallers.D.Governmentofficials.

PARTIIICLOZE[15MIN]

Decidewhichofthechoicesgivenbelowwouldbestcompletethepassageifinsertedinthe

correspondingblanks.Markthebestchoiceforeachblankonyouranswersheet.

Salt,shellsormetalsarcstillusedasmoneyinout-of-the-waypartsoftheworldtoday.

Saltmayseemratherastrange(31)touseasmoney,(32)incountrieswherethe

foodofthepeopleismainlyvegetable,itisoftenan(33)necessity.Cakesofsalt,stamped

toshowtheir(34),wereusedasmoneyinsomecountriesuntilrecent(35),andcakes

ofsalt(36)buygoodsinBorneoandpartsofAfrica.

Seashells(37)asmoneyatsometime(38)anotheroverthegreaterpartofthe

OldWorld.Thesewere(39)___mainlyfromthebeachesoftheMaldivesIslandsintheIndian

Ocean,andweretradedtoIndiaandChina.InAfrica,shellsweretradedrightacrossthe(40)___

fromEasttoWest.

Metal,valuedbyweight,(41)coinsinmanypartsoftheworld.Iron,inlumps,barsor

rings,isstillusedinmanycounlries(42)papermoney.Itcaneitherbeexchanged(43)

goods,ormadeintotools,weapons,orornaments.TheearlymoneyofChina,apartfromshells,

wasofbronze,(44)inflat,roundpieceswithaholeinthemiddle,called"cash'1.The

(45)ofthesearebetweenthreethousandandfourthousandyearsold-olderthantheearliest

coinsoftheeasternMediterranean.

Nowadays,coinsandnoteshave(46)nearlyallthemorepicturesque(47)of

money,and(48)inoneortwoofthemoreremotecountriespeoplestillkeepitforfutureuse

onceremonial(49)suchasweddingsandfunerals,examplesof(50)moneywillsoonbe

foundonlyinmuseums.

(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.crude

PARTIVGRAMMAR&VOCABULARY[15MIN]

Thereare(hirtysentencesinthissection.Beneatheachsentencetherearefourwordsor

phrasemarkedA,B.CandD.Chooseonewordorphrasethatbestcompletesthesentence.Mark

youranswersonyouranswersheet.

51.Ourassociation,whichhasconsistentlypressedforgreateremploymentopportunities

fortN

disabled,willpublishproposalsinthenearfuture.

A.theirB.ourC.hisD.its

52.HadJudybeenmorecarefulon(hemathsexam,shemuchbetterresultsnow.

A.wouldbegettingB.couldhavegot

C.mustgetD.wouldget

53.Nineistothreethreeistoone.

A.whenB.thatC.whichD.what

54.Mendifferfromanimalstheycanthinkandspeak.

A.forwhichB.forthatC.inthatD.inwhich

55.hewanted(ogooutwithhisfriendsattheweekend,hehadtostaybehindtofinish

hisassignment.

A.Much(houghB.MuchasC.AsmuchD.Thoughmuch

56.1enjoyedmyselfsomuchIvisitedmyfriendsinParislastyear.

A.whenB.whichC.thatD.where

57.WhichoflhefollowingisINCORRECT?

A.Allhislectureswereboring.C.Herfewfriendsareallfondofdancing.

B.Halfhismoneywasgone.D.Heinvitedmanyhisfriendstotheparty.

58.Whenyouhavefinishedwiththatbook,don'tforgettoputitbackonmydesk,?

A.doyouB.don'tyouC.willyouD.won'tyou

59.Whatdoes"Hewiselyrefusedtospendhismoney"mean?

A.Itwaswiseofhimtorefusetospendhismoney.

B.Herefusedtospendhismoneyinawisemanner.

C.Hewasshortofmoneyanddidn'twanttobuyanything.

D.Herefused,inawisemanner,tospendhismoney.

60.Theystoodchattingtogetheraseasilyandnaturallyas.

A.itcouldbeB.couldbeC.itwasD.was

61.Thefollowingareallcorrectresponsesto"Whotoldthenewstotheteacher?"EXCEPT

A.Jiindidthis.B.Jimdidso.C.Jimdidthat.D.Jimdid.

62.Qualityiscountsmost.

A.whichB.thatC.whatD.where

63.InhisplaysShakespearehischaracterslivethroughtheirlanguage.

A.wouldmakeB.hadmadeC.madeD.makes

64.Thesquareitselfisfivehundredyardswide,fivetimesthesizeofSt.Peter'sin

Rome.

A./B.thatofC.whichisD.of

65.Whichofthefollowingsentencesexpresses"probnbility"?

A.Youmustleaveimmediately.

B.Ybumustbefeelingrathertired.

C.Youmustbeherebyeighto'clock.

D.Youmustcompletethereadingassignmentontime.

66.Whenhefirststartedinuniversity,hereallyfeltatwithhismajor-economics.

A.shoreB.bankC.oceanD.sea

67.Ontheroadmotoristsshouldbeawareofcyclistsandbetowardsthem.

A.considerableB.consideringC.considerateD.considered

68.Sallywasabitshy,buttheteacherfoundherquitediscussingarecentfilmwith

others.

A.athomeB.atmostC.athouseD.atbean

69.Thecompanyhascapitalizedtheerrorofjudgmentmadebyitsbusiness

competitor.

A.inB.overC.withD.on

70.Timhasfailedthreecoursesthissemester,sohewillhavetothemnextsemester.

A.remakeB.repeatC.reapplyD.revise

71.Keepthisreferencebook;itmaycomeinoneday.

A.handyB.usefulC.convenientD.helpful

72.Thequestionsthaithespeakerraisedwerewelltheaverageadult.

A.pastB.onC.beyondD.through

73.Teachersinthisschoolwereencouragedtousedramaasa(n)oflearning.

A.designB.instrumentC.agencyD.tool

74.First,weneedtofindoutwhathisschemeis,andthenact.

A.sensitivelyB.imaginativelyC.efficientlyD.accordingly

75.AtfirstJimwasnotquiteclearwhathewasgoingtodoafteruniversity,butnewhe

seems

onbecomingacomputerprogrammer.

A.fitB.setC.disposedD.decided

76.Wheninvitedtotalkabouthisachievements+herefusedtoblowhisownand

declinedtospeakalthemeeting.

A.trumpetB.whistleC.bugleD.flute

77.Inspiteof(hetreatment,Ihepaininhisleggrewin

A.gravityB.extentC.intensityD.amount

78.BusservicesbetweenTownCentreandNewtonHousingEstatewillbeuntilthe

motorwayisrepaired.

A.discontinuedB.suspendedC.haltedD.ceased

79.Themoon,beingmuchnearertotheEarththantheSun,is(hecauseofthetides.

A.principalB.basicC.initialD.elementary

80.Teddycametomywithachequeof$200topaymyroomrate,afterIphonedhim

thatmywallethadbeenstolen.

A.attendanceB.assistanceC.rescueD.safety

PARTVREADINGCOMPREHENSION[25MIN]

Inthissectiontherearefourpassagesfollowedbyquestionsorunfinishedstatements,each

withfoursuggestedanswersmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatyouthinkisthebest

answer.Markyouranswersonyouranswersheet.

TEXTA

WhenthesunisupinAmsterdam,thelargestcityintheNetherlandssitsquietlyonthe

AmstelRiver.Youcanrentabicycle,visit(heVanGoghorAnneFrankmuseum,ortakea

water

taxi.

Butwhenthesungoesdown,thepartyingbegins.Inthebigclubsandincoffeeshops,

touristsgathertohangout,talkpoliticsandsmoke.

SeveralareasofthecityclearlyshowthetwoworldsthatruleAmsterdam.Andthey'reall

withinashortcabrideofeachother.

Forexample.DamSquareattractsdaytimesightseers(oitsfestivals,openmarkets,concerts

andotherevents.Severalbeautifulandverypopularhotelscanbefoundthere.Andthereis

the

RoyalPalaceandtheMagnaPlazashoppingmall.

ButaseveningdescendsonDamSquaresodotheparty-scckcrs.Hippoporfunkmusic

beginsblaringfromClubParadisoandClubMelkweg.Theseare(woof(hemostpopular

clubsin

Europe.Soifyoucome,bereadytodance.Theclubsdon'tshutdownuntil4am.

Andwhileyouarethere,checkoutthevariousinexpensivewaystotourthecity.Don't

worryaboutgettinglost.AlthoughDutchistheofficiallanguage,mostpeoplein

Amsterdam

speakEnglishandarehappytohelpyouwithdirections.

Andyou'llnoticethathalf(hepeopleinthestreetsareonbicycles.TheyrentforUS$17to

$20forawholeday.

Amsterdamalsohasagoodcanalsystem.FromanywherebetweenU852and$9.50,you

can

usethecanalbusorawatertaxitocruisethe"VeniceoftheNorth".

Youcantakeinthepicturesquecanalhousearchitecture:Therowsofneat,narrow

four-storydwellingsofbrownstonewithlargewindowsarewellworthseeing.Manyofthemare

several

centuriesold.

Youmightalsowantiojumpoutofthecanalbusa((heMuseumQuarterandstartwalking.

MasterpiecesbyDutchartistssuchasRembrandt.Bruegel,VanGoghandothersareon

displayat

theVanGoghMuseum,RembrandtHouseandothers.

Thecityhasanappreciationofitshistoricpast.OneplacetovisitistheAnneFrankHouse

inNineStreets.Itwasthere(hattheyoungJewishgirlwroteherfamousdiaryduringWorldWar

II.VisitorscanviewAnne'soriginaldiaryandclimbbehindthebookcasetotheroomwhereshe

andherfamilyhidfromtheNazisfortwoyears.

81.Atthebeginningofthepassage,theauthorindicatesthat

A.Amsterdamisgenerallyknownasaquietcity.

B.partiesgoonalldaylonginAmsterdam,

C.Amsterdampresentstwodifferentpictures.

D.Amsterdamattractsmanydaytimevisitors.

82.WhichtouristattractioniscitedforelaborationinParagraphsFourandFive?

A.RoyalPalace.

B.DamSquare.

C.ClubParadiso.

D.MagnaPlaza.

83.Accordingtothepassage,thelocalpeoplehaveallthefollowingcharacteristics

EXCEPT

A.theyarcpartygoers.

B.theyshowhospitality.

C.theycanspeakEnglish.

D.theyarefondofcycling.

84.WhichofthefollowingadjectivescanbestdescribeAmsterdamasatouristcity?

A.Modern.B.Delightful.

C.Quiet.D.Historic.

TEXTB

InanarticlesomeChinesescholarsaredescribedasbeing"tanlalizedbythemysterious

dragonbonehieroglyphics."TantalizedisoneofmanyEnglishwordsthathavetheirorigins

in

mythsandlegendsofthepast(inthiscase,GreekandRomanones).Themeaningofthe

verb

tantalizeisaveryparticularone:"topromiseorshowsomethingdesirabletoapersonand

then

takeitaway;toteasebyarousinghope."Many(butnotall)Englishdictionariesgiveyoua

briefindicationofaword'soriginsinbracketsbeforeoraftertheexplanationofthemeaning.For

tantalize(hefollowingexplanationisgiven:[>Tantalus].Thismeansthatyoushouldlookup(he

nameTantalustofindouttheword'sorigins,andifyoudo,youwillfindoutthatinGreek

mythology,Tantaluswasakingwhowaspunishedinthelowerworldwitheternalhungerand

thirst;hewasputuptohischininwaterthatalwaysmovedawaywhenhetriedtodrinkit

and

withfruitonbranchesabovehimplacedjustaliltlebitoutofhisreach.Canyouseewhy

his

namewaschangedinloaverbmeaning"toteaseortormentbyarousingdesire"?

Anotherexampleisthewordsiren,familiartousasthemechanicaldevicethatmakessuch

analarmingsoundwhenpolicecars,ambulances,orfireenginesapproach.Thiswordalso

hasits

originsinGreekmythology.ThetravelerOdysseus(UlyssestotheRomans)madehismen

Plug

theircarssothattheywouldn'thearthedangerousvoicesofthesirens,creatureswhowere

half

birdandhalfwomanandwholuredsailorstotheirdeathsonsharprocks.Sothewordcame

tobe

associatedbothwithaloudsoundandwithdanger!

Whensomeonespeaksofa"jovialmood"ora"herculeaneffort,"heorsheisusingwords

withoriginsinmythology.Lookthesewordsuptofindtheirmeaningandrelationshipto

myths.

Manycommonwords,suchasthenamesfor(hedaysoftheweekand(hemonthsofthe

year,

alsocomefrommythology.WednesdayderivesfromtheancientNorsekingofthegods,

Woden,

andThursdaywasoriginallyThor'sday,inhonourofThor,thegodofthunder.Asamatter

offact,alltheplanets,excepttheoneweliveon,bearnamesthatcomefromRomanmythology,

includingtheplanetthatisfarthestawayfromthesunandforthatreasonwascalledafter

the

Romangodofthedead.Thisgodhasalsogivenhisnametooneofthechemicalelements.

Severalotherelementshavenamesthatcomefrommythology,too.

ItseemsthatmythsandlegendsliveonintheEnglishlanguage.

85.ThepurposeofthsfirstsentenceinParagraphOneis.

A.todescribetheworkofsomeChinesescholars.

B.toarousereaders'interestinhieroglyphics.

C.toleadreadersontothemaintheme.

D.tolinktheprecedingpailtothepresentone.

86.Welearnfromthepassage,allEnglishdictionariesinclude.

A.legends.B.mythology.

C.wordorigins.D.worddefinitions.

87.Theexampleoftantalizeistoshow.

A.howthewordcameintoexistence.

B.howTantaluswaspunishedinthelowerworld.

C.howallEnglishdictionariesshowwordorigins.

D.howthemeaningof(hewordchangedovertheyears.

88.Accordingtothepassage,whichofthefollowingcoesNOThaveoriginsinmythsor

legends?

A.Jovial.B.Wednesday.C.Earth.D.March.

89.Whichofthefollowingcanbestserveasthetitleofthepassage?

A.GreekandRomanMythologyinLanguage.

B.MythologicalOriginsofEnglishWords.

C.HistoricalChangesinWordMeanings.

D.MythologyandCommonWords.

TEXTC

Myheartsankwhenthemanattheimmigrationcountergesturedtothebackroom,i'man

Americanbomandraised,andthiswasMiami,whereIlive,huttheyweren'tquitereadyto

let

meinyet.

"Pleasewaitinhere,MsAbujaber,"theimmigrationofficersaid.Myhusband,withhisvery

Americanlastname,accompaniedme.Hewasgettingusedtothis.Thesamethinghad

happened

recentlyinCanadawhenI'dflowntoMontrealtospeakatabookevent.Thattimetheyheld

me

for45minutes.TodaywewerereturningfromaliteraryfestivalinJamaica,andIwas

startledthatIwasbeingsent"inback"onceagain.

Theofficerbehindthecountercalledmeupandsaid,"Miss,yournamelookslikethename

ofsomeonewho'sonourwantedlist.We'regoingtohavetocheckyououtwith

Washington."

"Howlongwillittake?"

"Hardtosay...afewminutes,"hesaid."Wellcallyouwhenwe'rereadyforyou."

Afteranhour,Washingtonstillhadn'tdecidedanythingaboutme."Isn'tthiscomputerized?"

Iaskedatthecounter."Can'tyoujustlookmeup?"

Justafewmoreminutes,theyassuredme.

Afteranhourandahalf,IpulledmycellphoneouttocallthefriendsIwassupposedto

meetthatevening.Anofficerrushedover."Nophones!"hesaid."Forallweknowyoucouldbe

callingaterroristcellandgivingtheminformation."

"I'mjustauniversityprofessor,"Isaid.Myvoicecameoutinasqueak.

"Ofcourseyouare.Andwetakepeoplelikeyououtofhereinlegironseveiyday."

Iputmyphoneaway.

Myhusbandand1weregettinghungryandtired.Wholefamilieshadbeenbroughtintothe

waitingroom,andtheplacewaspackedwithexcitablechildreiLexhaustedparents,evena

flight

attendant.

Iwantedtoscream,tojumponachairandshout:"I'manAmericancitizen;anovelist;I

probablyteachEnglishliteraturetoyourchildren."Orwouldthatallbecountedagains:me?

Aftertwohoursindetention,1wasapproachedbyoneoftheofficers."You'refreetogo,"he

said.Noexplanationorapologies.Foramoment,neitherofusmoved,wewerestillinshock.

Thenweleapedtoourfeet.

"Oh,onemorething."Hehandedmeatatteredphotocopywithanaddressonit,"Ifyou

weren'thappywithyourtreatment,youcanwritetothisagency."

"Willtheyrespond?1'Iasked.

"Idon'tknow-Idon'tknowofanyonewho'severwrittentothe