COLLEGE ENGLISH TEST
——Band Four——
Part Ⅰ Writing
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Nothing Succeeds Without a Strong Will by commenting on the humorous saying, "Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I've done it hundreds of times." You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.
Nothing Succeeds Without a Strong Will
__________
Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)
Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.
Why Integrity Matters
What Is Integrity?
The key to integrity is consistency—not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but also living up to those standards each and every day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical (道德上的) standards even when making life's hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptation.
What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We feel disappointed in ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse (缺失) of integrity also affects our relationships with others. Trust is essential in any important relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals.
Risky Business
We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of character is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we acted as we did and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future.
Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about plagiarism (剽窃) may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is "unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense.
"But Everybody Does It"
Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts but manage to fool themselves about the risks they're taking by using excuses: "Everyone else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making—and that leads to bad decisions.
To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your actions were public and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. If you'd rather hide your actions, that's an indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.
Evaluating Risks
To decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive, and to others as well as to yourself. Those who take risks they later regret usually focus on immediate benefits and simply haven't considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious and may include a "0" on a test or assignment, an "F" in the class, suspension (暂令停学) or dismissal from school and a ruined reputation. In fact, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life and give others the power to impose punishment that you have no control over. This is an extremely vulnerable (脆弱的) position. There may be some matters of life and death or highest principle, which might justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category.
Getting Away With It—Or Not
Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't learn from the test, which deprives (剥夺) him/her of an education. Cheating undermines confidence and independence; the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self- respect and integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught. Worst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats again, not only because he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems "easier." This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets caught, the worse the consequences.
Cheating Hurts Others, Too
Cheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions "don't count" and don't really hurt anyone. But individual choices have an intense cumulative (累积的) effect. Cheating can spread like a disease. Recent statistics suggest 30% or more of college students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurts others' grades. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others may feel pressured to join in. ("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those who do." ) Cheating also has a destructive impact on teachers. The real reward of good teaching is seeing students learn, but a cheater says, "I'm not interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about is stealing a grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a destructive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt the reputation of the university and harm those who worked hard for their degree.
Why Integrity Matters
If cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. We must rely on the honesty and good faith of others. If not, we couldn't put money in the bank, buy food, clothing or medicine from others, drive across a bridge, get on a plane, go to the dentist—the list is endless. There are many examples of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget or ignore the effect their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock market and junk bond swindles, and, of course, Watergate, have undermined the faith of many Americans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and society as a whole. Such incidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's economy and our individual well- being. For example, but for the savings and loan debacle, there might be funds available to reduce the national debt and pay for education.
In sum, we all have a common stake in our school, our community, and our society. Our actions do matter. It is essential that we act with integrity in order to build the kind of world in which we want to live.
1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but also ______.
A) sticks to them in their daily life C) understands their true values
B) makes them known to others D) sees that others also follow them
2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships?
A) It helps to create team spirit. C) It is the basis of mutual trust.
B) It facilitates communication. D) It inspires mutual respect.
3. Why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take?
A) To ensure we make responsible choices. C) So that we don't break any rules.
B) To avoid being overwhelmed by stress. D) So that we don't run into trouble.
4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if______.
A) it has caused no harm C) it has gone unnoticed
B) it is claimed to be unintentional D) it is committed with good intentions
5. What should one do if he doesn't wish to fool himself?.
A) Avoid making excuses. C) Make his intensions public.
B) Listen to other people's advice. D) Have others watch over his shoulder.
6. Those who take risks they regret later on______.
A) will often become more cautious C) value immediate benefits most
B) are usually very aggressive D) may lose everything in the end
7. According to the author, a cheater who doesn't get caught right away will______.
A) pay more dearly C) be widely admired
B) become more confident D) feel somewhat lucky
8. Cheaters at exam don't care about their education; all they care about is how to______.
9. Integrity matters in that all social activities rely on people's______.
10. Many Americans lost faith in the integrity of their political leaders as a result of______.
Part Ⅲ Listening Comprehension
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. Both the conversation and the questions 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.
11. A) Read the notice on the window. C) Get a new bus schedule.
B) Go and ask the staff. D) Board the bus to Cleveland.
12. A) He was looking forward to seeing the giraffes.
B) He enjoyed watching the animal performance.
C) He got home too late to see the TV special.
D) He tell asleep in the middle of the TV program.
13. A) She wants to take the most direct way. C) She is worried about missing her flight.
B) She may be late for the football game. D) She is currently caught in a traffic jam.
14. A) At a restaurant. C) At a clinic.
B) In a fish shop. D) On a fishing boat.
15. A) He is an experienced sales manager. C) He is a close friend of the woman.
B) He is being interviewed for a job. D) He is good at answering tricky questions.
16. A) The man should consider his privacy first.
B) The man will choose a low-rent apartment.
C) The man is not certain if he can find a quieter place.
D) The man is unlikely to move out of the dormitory.
17. A) The woman is going to make her topic more focused.
B) The man and woman are working on a joint project.
C) One should choose a broad topic for a research paper.
D) It took a lot of time to get the man on the right track.
18. A) They went camping this time last year.
B) They didn't quite enjoy their last picnic.
C) They learned to cooperate under harsh conditions.
D) They weren't experienced in organizing picnics.
Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. A) He likes Sweden better than England. C) He is an Englishman living in Sweden.
B) He prefers hot weather to cold weather. D) He visits London nearly every winter.
20. A) The bad weather. C) The cold houses.
B) The gloomy winter. D) The long night.
21. A) Delightful. C) Depressing.
B) Painful. D) Refreshing.
22. A) They often stay up late reading. C) They like to go camping in summer.
B) They work hard and play hard. D) They try to earn more and spend more.
Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
23. A) English literature. C) French.
B) Management. D) Public Administration.
24. A) English teaching. C) Careers guidance.
B) Staff training. D) Psychological counselling.
25. A) Its generous scholarships. C) Its well-designed courses.
B) Its worldwide fame. D) Its pleasant environment.
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, 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).
Passage One
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. A) Characteristics of Japanese artists. C) The art of Japanese brush painting.
B) Some features of Japanese culture. D) The uniqueness of Japanese art.
27. A) To calm themselves down. C) To show their impatience.
B) To enhance concentration. D) To signal lack of interest.
28. A) How listeners in different cultures show respect.
B) How speakers can win approval from the audience.
C) How speakers can misunderstand the audience.
D) How different Western and Eastern art forms are.
Passage Two
Questions 29 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.
29. A) Directing personnel evaluation. C) Drawing up plans for in-service training.
B) Buying and maintaining equipment. D) Interviewing and recruiting employees.
30. A) Some of his equipment was damaged in a fire. C) Two of his workers were injured at work.
B) The training program he ran was a failure. D) Two of his employees committed theft.
31. A) A better relationship with his boss. C) A better-paying job in another company.
B) Advancement to a higher position. D) Improvement in the company's management.
32. A) She has more self-confidence than Chris.
B) She works with Chris in the same division.
C) She has more management experience than Chris.
D) She is competing with Chris for the new job.
（余下部分见2011年12月大学英语四级考试真题（二））
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