1、Doctoral degree 1,550 1,272 1,038 712 626 444 Masters degree Bachelors degree Some college, no degree High school diploma Less than high school degree 2012 年 12 月大学英语四级真题 (1) Part Writing (30 minutes) 注意：此部分试题在 答题卡 1 上，请在 答题卡 1 上作答。 Direction: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a com
2、position entitled Education Pays based on the statistics provided in the chart below (Weekly earnings of 2010). Please write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Education: A Worthy Investment Weekly earnings in 2010($) Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Education Pays Part Reading Co
3、mprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the se
4、ntences with the information given in the passage. Should Sugar Be Regulated like Alcohol and Tobacco? Sugar poses enough health risks that it should be considered a controlled substance just like alcohol and tobacco, argue a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF
5、). In an opinion piece called “The Toxic (毒性的 ) Truth About Sugar” published Feb.1 in Nature, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis argue that its wrong to consider sugar just “empty calories.” They write: “There is nothing empty about these calories. A growing body of scientific evidence
6、is showing that fructose (果糖 ) can trigger processes that lead to liver toxicity and a host of other chronic diseases. A little is not a problem, but a lot kills slowly.” Almost everyones heard of or personally experienced the well-known sugar high, so perhaps the comparison between sugar and alcoho
7、l or tobacco shouldnt come as a surprise. But its doubtful that Americans will look favorably upon regulating their favorite vice. Were a nation thats sweet on sugar: the average U.S. adult downs 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, according to the American Heart Association, and surveys have found that te
8、ens swallow 34 teaspoons. To counter our consumption, the authors advocate taxing sugary foods and controlling sales to kids under 17. Already, 17% of U.S. children and teens are obese (肥胖 ), and across the world the sugar intake (摄入 ) has increased three times in the past 50 years. The increase has
9、 helped create a global obesity plague that contributes to 35 million annual deaths worldwide from noninfectious diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Linda Matzigkeit, a senior vice president at Childrens Healthcare, said “We have to do something about this or our country is in dan
10、ger. Its not good if your state has the second-highest obesity rate. Obese children turn into obese adults.” “There are good calories and bad calories, just as there are good fats and bad fats, good amino acids (氨基酸 ) and bad amino acids,” Lustig, director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child
11、 Health program at UCSF, said in a statement. “But sugar is toxic beyond its calories.” The food industry tries to imply that “a calorie is a calorie is a calorie,” says Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. “But this and other research suggests
12、there is something different about sugar,” says Brownell. The UCSF report emphasizes the metabolic (新陈代谢 ) effects of sugar. Excess sugar can alter metabolism, raise blood pressure, affect the signaling of hormones and damage the liver outcomes that sound suspiciously similar to what can happen afte
13、r a person drinks too much alcohol. Schmidt, co-chair of UCSFs Community Engagement and Health Policy program, noted on CNN: “When you think about it, this actually makes a lot of sense. Alcohol, after all, is simply made from sugar. Where does vodka come from? Sugar.” But there are also other areas
14、 of impact that researchers have investigated: the effect of sugar on the brain and how liquid calories are interpreted differently by the body than solids. Research has suggested that sugar activates the same reward pathways in the brain as traditional drugs of abuse like morphine or heroin. No one
15、 is claiming the effect of sugar is quite that strong, but, says Brownell, “it helps confirm what people tell you sometimes, that they hunger for sugar and have withdrawal symptoms when they stop eating it.” Theres also something particularly tricky about sugary drinks. “When calories come in liquid
16、s, the body doesnt feel as full,” says Brownell. “People are getting more of their calories than ever before from sugared drinks.” Other countries, including France, Greece and Denmark, impose soda taxes, and the concept is being considered in at least 20 U.S. cities and states. Last summer, Philade
17、lphia came close to passing a 2-cents-per-ounce soda tax. The Rudd Center has been a strong advocate of a more modest 1-cent-per-punce tax. But at least one study, from 2010, has raised doubts that soda taxes would result in significant weight loss: apparently people who are determined to eat and dr
18、ink unhealthily will find ways to do it. Teens no surprise are good at finding ways to get the things they cant have, so state policies banning all sugar-sweetened drinks from public schools and providing only water, milk or 100% fruit juices havent had the intended effect of steering kids away from
19、 drinking sugared drinks: the average teen consumes about 300 calories per day thats nearly 15% of his daily calories in sweetened drinks, and the food and drink industry is only too happy to feed this need. Ultimately, regulating sugar will prove particularly tricky because it goes beyond health co
20、ncerns; sugar, for so many people, is love. A plate of cut-up vegetables just doesnt pack the same emotional a cupcake and not an apple as an after-school treat today. We dont do that regularly its the first time this school year, actually and thats what made it special. As a society, could we ever
21、reach the point where wed think apples not a cupcake are something to get excited over? Says Brindis, one of the reports authors and director of UCSFs Philip R.Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies: “We recognize that there are cultural and celebratory aspects of sugar. Changing these patterns is
22、very complicated.” For inroads (进展 ) to be made, say the authors in their statement, people have to be better educated about the hazards of sugar and agree that somethings got to change: Many of the interventions (干预 ) that have reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption can be models for addressing th
23、e sugar problem, such as imposing special sales taxes, controlling access, and tightening licensing requirements on vending machines (自动售货机 ) and snack-bars sell high sugar products in schools and workplaces. “Were not talking prohibition,” Schmidt said. “Were not advocating a major imposition of th
24、e government into peoples lives. Were talking about gentle ways to make sugar consumption slightly less convenient, thereby moving people away from the concentrated does. What we want is to actually increase peoples choices by making foods that arent loaded with sugar comparatively easier and cheape
25、r to get.” 注意 : 此部分试题请在 答题卡 1 上作答。 1. Why do some researchers think sugar should be considered “a controlled substance”? A It contains nothing but empty calories. B It is as harmful as morphine and heroin. C It works the same way as alcohol and tobacco in the human body. D Excessive intake of sugar
26、results in liver toxicity and various diseases. 2. What might be Americans attitude towards government regulation of sugar consumption? A Enthusiastic. B Indifferent. C Disapproving. D Supportive. 3. What is a consequence of excessive sugar intake worldwide? A It contributes to35 million noninfectio
27、us disease-related deaths a year. B It has increased the death toll nearly three times in the past 50 years. C It contributes to the rise of prices of sugar and sugary foods. D It has increased the global obesity rate to some 17 percent. 4. The food industry tries to relieve the public worry about s
28、ugar intake by suggesting that . A sugar is no more than a source of energy B sugar is not harmful like alcohol or tobacco C the hazard of sugar to the body is exaggerated D the consumption of sugar is easily controllable 5. According to Brownell, liquid sugar . A is especially attractive to young c
29、hildren B is much easier and quicker to absorb than solid sugar C effectively stimulates peoples appetite D increases your calorie intake without your knowing it 6. What does the author think of the practice of imposing sugar taxes? A It will harm the food and drink industry. B It is unlikely to yie
30、ld the intended effect. C It is likely to alter peoples eating habits. D It can steer kids away from sugar foods. 7. Regulating sugar will prove tricky because . A people consume sugar in large quantities B nothing has been found to replace sugar C sugar may convey a sense of love D many foods will
31、become tasteless 8. In order to reduce sugar consumption, education should be conducted to raise peoples awareness of its . 9. To address the sugar problem, the author suggests that the licensing requirements on vending machines and snack-bars selling high sugar products be . 10. A gentle way to ste
32、er people away from sugar is to make inexpensive, low-sugar foods . Part Listening Comprehension (35 minutes) Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said.
33、 Both the conversation and the question will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A),B),C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through t
34、he center. 注意：此部分试题请在 答题卡 2 上作答。 11. A He needs another week for the painting. B The painting was completed just in time. C The building wont open until next week. D His artistic work has been well received. 12. A Go camping. B Rent a tent. C Decorate his house. D organize a party. 13. A She talked
35、with Mr. Wright on the phone. B She is about to call Mr. Wrights secretary. C She will see Mr. Wright at lunch time. D She failed to reach Mr. Wright. 14. A He is actually very hardworking. B He has difficulty finishing his project. C He needs to spend more time in the lab. D He seldom tells the tru
36、th about himself. 15. A Rules restricting smoking. B Ways to quit smoking. C Smokers health problems. D Hazards of passive smoking. 16. A He is out of town all morning. B He is tied up in family matters. C He has been writing a report. D He has got meetings to attend. 17. A He is not easy-going. B H
37、e is the speakers boss. C He is not at home this weekend. D He seldom invites people to his home. 18. A Take a break. B Refuel his car. C Ask the way. D Have a cup of coffee. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard. 19. A They are as good as historical films. B They give youn
38、gsters a thrill . C They have greatly improved. D They are better than comics on film. 20. A The effects were very good. B The acting was just so-so. C The plot was too complicated. D The characters were lifelike. 21. A They triumphed ultimately over evil in the battle. B They played the same role i
39、n War of the Worlds. C They are popular figures among young people. D They are two leading characters in the film. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard. 22. A It is scheduled on Thursday night. B It is supposed to last nine weeks. C It takes place once a week. D It usually
40、 starts at six. 23. A To make good use of her spare time in the evening. B To meet the requirements of her in-service training. C To improve her driving skills as quickly as possible. D To get some basic knowledge about car maintenance. 24. A Participate in group discussions. B Take turns to make pr
41、esentations. C Listen to the teachers explanation. D Answer the teachers questions. 25. A Most of them are female. B Some have a part-time job. C They plan to buy a new car. D A few of them are old chaps. Section B Direction: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passag
42、e, you will hear some 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 the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. 注意：此部
43、分试题请在 答题卡 2 上作答。 Passage One Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard. 26. A She is not good at making friends. B She is not well off. C She enjoys company. D She likes to go to concerts alone. 27. A Their similar social status. B Their interdependence. C Their common interest
44、. D Their identical character. 28. A Invite Pat to a live concert. B Buy some gifts for Pats kids. C Help take care of Pats kids. D Pay for Pats season tickets. 29. A It can develop between people with a big different in income. B It can be maintained among people of different age groups. C It canno
45、t last long without similar family background. D It cannot be sustained when friends move far apart. Passage Two Questions 30o 32are based on the passage you have just heard. 30. A Priority of students academic achievements. B Equal education opportunities to all children. C Social equality between
46、teachers and students. D Respect for students individuality. 31. A Efficient. B Complicated. C Lengthy. D Democratic. 32. A To help them acquire hands-on experience. B To try to cut down its operational expenses. C To provide part-time jobs for needy students. D To enable them to learn to take responsibility. Passage Three Questions 33to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard. 33. A The best way to work through a finger maze. B Individual doing better in front of an audience. C Researchers having contributed greatly to psychology. D Improvements on
