2017年12月大学英语四级考试真题及答案

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short easy on how to besthandle the relationship between doctors and patients. You should write at least120 words but no more than 180 words.Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes)Section A

Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, youwill hear two or three questions. Boththe news report and the questions will bespoken onlyonce. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices markedA),B),C)andD).ThenmarkthecorrespondingletteronAnswerSheet1withasinglelinethrough the centre.

Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. 1. A) Her friend Erika. C)Her grandfather.

B) Her little brother. D) Her grandmother.

2. A) By taking pictures for passers-by. C) By selling lemonade and pictures.B) By working part time at a hospital. D) By asking for help on social media.

Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3. A) Finding cheaper waysof highway construction.

B) Generating electric power for passing vehicles.C) Providing clean energy to five million people.D) Testing the efficiency of the new solar panel.

4. A) They can stand the wear and tear of natural elements.B) They can be laid right on top of existing highways.C) They are only about half an inch thick.D) They are made from cheap materials.

Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.5. A) Endless fighting in the region. C) Inadequate funding for research.

B)Thehazardsfromthedesert.D)Thelackofcluesaboutthespecies.6.A)Toobservethewildlife in the two national parks.

B) To identify the reasons for the lions‘ disappearance.C) To study the habitat of lions in Sudan and Ethiopia.D) To find evidence of the existence of the ―lost lions‖.7. A) Lions walking. C) Some camping facilities.B) Lions‘ tracks. D) Traps set by local hunters.Section B

Directions :In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation,you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through thecentre.

Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 8. A) Her ‗lucky birthday‘.C) Her wedding anniversary.

B) A call from her dad. D) A special gift from the man.

9. A) Gave her a big model plane. C) Took her on a trip overseas. B) Bought her a good necklace.D) Threw her a surprise party.

10. A) The gift her husband has bought.B) The trip her husband has planned.C) What has been troubling her husband.D) What her husband and the man are up to.

11. A) He will be glad to be a guide for the couple‘s holiday trip.B) He will tell the women the secret if her husband agrees.C) He is eager to learn how thecouple‘s holiday turns out.D) He wants to find out about the couple‘s holiday plan.

Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 12. A) They are sensitiveto the dynamics of a negotiation.

B) They see the importance of making compromises.C) They know when to adopt a tough attitude.D) They take the rival‘s attitude into account.

13. A) They know how to adapt. C) They know when to make compromises.B) They know when to stop. D) They know how to control their emotion.14. A) They are patient. C) They learn quickly.

B)Theyaregoodatexpression.D)Theyupholdtheirprinciples.15.A)Makeclearone'sintentions. C) Formulate one's strategy. B) Clarify items of negotiation. D) Get to know the otherside. Section C

Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you willhear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken onlyonce. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the fourchoices marked A), B), C), D). Then mark the corresponding letter on AnswerSheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard. 16. A) When America's earliestspace program started.

B) When the International Space Station was built.C) How many space shuttle missions there will be.D) How space research benefits people on Earth.

17. A) They accurately calculated the speed of the orbiting shuttles.B) They developed objects for astronauts to use in outer space.C) They tried to meet astronauts' specific requirements.D) They tried to make best use of the latest technology.

18. A) They are extremely accurate. C) They were first made in space. B) They are expensive tomake. D) They were invented in the 1970s. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage youhave just heard.

19. A) It was when her ancestors came to America.B) People had plenty of land to cultivate then.C) It marked the beginning of something new.D) Everything was natural and genuine then.

20. A) They believed in working for goals. C) They had all kinds of entertainment.B) They enjoyed living a living a life of ease. D) They were known to be creative.

21.A)Chattingwithherancestors.C)Polishingallthesilverwork.B)Furnishinghercountryhouse. D) Doing needlework by the fire. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you havejust heard.

22. A) Use a map to identify your location. C) Sit down and try to calm yourself.B) Call your family or friends for help. D) Try to follow your footprints back.23. A) You may find a way out without your knowing it.B) You may expose yourself to unexpected dangers.C) You may get drowned in a sudden flood.D) You may end up entering a wonderland.24. A) Look for food. C) Start a fire.B) Wait patiently. D) Walk uphill.

25. A) Inform somebody of your plan. C) Check the local weather. B) Prepare enough food anddrink. D) Find a map and a compass. PartⅢ Reading Comprehension ( 40 minutes )Section A

Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one wordforeachblankfromalistofchoicesgiveninawordbankfollowingthepassage.Readthepassage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by aletter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single linethrough the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.

Aratorpigeonmightnotbetheobviouschoicetotendtosomeonewhoissick,butthesecreatures have some 26 skills that could help the treatment of human diseases.

Pigeons are often seen as dirty birds and an urban 27 , but they are just the latest in a long line ofanimals that have been found to have abilities to help humans. Despite having a brain no biggerthan the 28 of your index finger, pigeons have a very impressive 29__ memory. Recently it wasshownthattheycouldbetrainedtobeasaccurateashumansatdetectingbreastcancerinimages.

Rats are often 30 with spreading disease rather than 31 it, but this long-tailed animal is highly 32 .Inside a rat's nose are up to 1,000 different types of olfactory receptors (嗅觉感受器) , whereashumans only have 100 to 200 types. This gives rats the ability to detect __33 smells. As a result,some rats are being put to work to detect TB(肺结核) . When the rats detect the smell, they stopand rub their legs to 34 a sample is infected.

Traditionally, a hundred samples would take lab technicians more than two days to 35 , but for arat it takes less than 20 minutes. This rat detection method doesn't rely on specialist equipment.It is also more accurate— the rats are able to find more TB infections and, therefore, save morelives.

A) associated I) slightB) examine J) specifyC) indicate K) superiorD) nuisance L) suspiciousE) peak M) tip

F) preventing N) treatedG) prohibiting O) visualH) sensitiveSection B

Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it.Each statement contains information given in one

of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choosea paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions bymarking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.Do In-Class Exams Make Students Study Harder?

Researchsuggeststheymaystudymorebroadlyfortheunexpectedratherthansearchforanswers.

[A] I have always been a poor test-taker. So it may seem rather strange that I have returned tocollege to finish the degree I left undone some four decades ago. I am making my way throughColumbia University, surrounded by students who quickly supply the verbal answer while I amstill processing the question.

[B] Since there is no way for me to avoid exams, I am currently questioning what kind are themosttaxingandultimatelybeneficial.Ihavealreadysweatedthroughnumerousin-classmidterms and finals, and now I have a professor who issues take-home ones. I was excited whenI learned this, figuring I had a full week to do the research, read the texts, and write it all up. Infact,Iwasstillrewritingmymidtermthemorningitwasdue.TosayIhadlostthethreadisputting it mildly.

[C] As I was suffering through my week of anxiety, overthinking the material and guessingmygrasp of it, I did some of my own polling among students and professors. David Eisenbach, whoteaches a popular class on U.S. presidents at Columbia, prefers the in-class variety. He believesstudentsultimatelylearnmoreandencouragesthemtoformstudygroups.―Thatwaytheysocialize over history outside the class, which wouldn‘t

happen without the pressure of an in-class exam,‖ he explained,

―Furthermore,in-classexamsforcestudentstolearnhowtoperformunderpressure,andessential work skill.‖

[D] He also says there is less chance of cheating with the in-class variety. In 2012, 125 students atHarvard were caught up in a scandal when it was discovered they had cheated on a take-homeexam for a class entitled ―Introduction To Congress.‖ Some colleges have what they call an ―honorcode,‖thoughifyouaresmartenoughtogetintotheseschools,youareeithersmartenough to get around any codes or hopefully, too ethical to consider doing so. As I sat blockedand clueless for two solid days, Imomentarily wondered if I couldn‘t just call an expert on thesubject matter which I was tackling, or someone who took the class previously, to get me going.[E]Followingthe Harvardscandal,MaryMiller,theformerdeanofstudentsatYale,madeanimpassioned appeal to her school‘s professors to refrain from take-hone exams. ―Students riskhealthandwellbeing,as wellasperformanceinotherend-of-term work,whenfacultyofferstake-home exams without clear, time-limited boundaries,‖ she told me. ―Research now showsthatregularquizzes,shortessays,andotherassignmentsoverthecourseofatermbetterenhance learning and retention.‖

[F] Most college professors agree the kind of exam they choose largely depends on the subject. Aquantitative-based one, for example, is unlikely to be sent home, where one could ask their olderbrothers and sisters to help. Vocational-type classes, such as computer science or journalism, onthe other hand, are often more research-oriented and lend themselves to

take-home testing. Chris Koch, who teaches ―History of Broadcast Journalism‖ at Montgomery

Community College in Rockville, Maryland,

pointsoutthatreportingisaboutinvestigationratherthanthememorizationofminutedetails.―Inmyfield,it‘snotwhatyouknow—it‘swhatyouknowhowtofindout,‖saysKoch.―Thereiswaytoomuchinformation,andmorecomingallthetime,foranyonetoremember. I want my students to search out the answers to questions by using all the resourcesavailable to them.

[G]Students‘test-formpreferencesvary,too,oftendependingonthesubjectandcoursedifficulty. ―I prefer take-home essays because it is then really about the writing, so you havetime to edit and do more research,‖ says Elizabeth Dresser, a junior at Barnard. Then there is thestress factor. Francesca Haass, a senior at Middlebury, says, ―I find the in-class ones are morestressful in the short term, but there is immediate relief as you swallow information like mad,and then you get to forget it all. Take-homes require thoughtful engagement which can lead tolonger term stress as there is never a moment when the time is up.‖ Meanwhile, Olivia Rubin, asophomoreatEmory,saysshehardlyevenconsiderstake-homestrueexams.―Ifyouunderstand the material and have the ability to articulate (说出 ) your thoughts, they should be abreeze.‖

[H]Howstudentsultimatelyhandlestressmaydependontheirpersonaltest-takingabilities.There are people who always wait until the last minute, and make it much harder than it needsto be. And then there those who, not knowing what questions are coming at them, and havingnoresourcestoreferto,canfreeze.Andthentherearewerarefolkswhofitboththosedescriptions.

[I] Yes, my advanced age must factor into the equation (等式 ), in part because of my inability toaccess the information as quickly. As another returning student at Columbia, Kate Marber, toldme, ―We are learning not only all this information, but essentially how to learn again. Ourfellow students have just come out of high school. A lot has changed since we were last inschool.‖

[J] If nothing else, the situation has given my college son and me something to share, When Iasked his opinion on this matter, he responded, ―I like in-class exams because the time isalready reserved, as opposed to using my free time at home to work on a test,‖ he responded.It seems to me that a compromise would be receiving the exam questions a day or two inadvance, and then doing the actual test in class the ticking clock overhead.

[K] Better yet, how about what one Hunter College professor reportedly did recently for her finalexam: She encouraged the class not to stress or even study, promising that, ―It is going to be apiece of cake.‖ When the students came in, sharpened pencils in hand, there was not a bluebook in sight. Rather, they saw a large chocolate cake and they each were given a slice.36. Elderly students find it hard to keep up with the rapid changes in education.

37. Some believe take-home exams may affect students' performance in other courses.38. Certain professors believe in-class exams are ultimately more helpful to students.

39. In-class exams are believed to discourage cheating in exams. 40. The author was happy tolearn she could do some exams at home.

41. Students who put off their work until the last moment often find the exams more difficultthan

they actually are.

42. Different students may prefer different types of exams.

43. Most professors agree whether to give an in-class or a take-home exam depends on type ofcourse being taught.

44. The author dropped out of college some forty years ago.

45. Some students think take-home exams will eat up their free time. Section C

Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions orunfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Youshould decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with asingle line through the centre.Passage One

Questions 46 and 50 are based on the following passage.

That people often experience trouble sleeping in a different bed in unfamiliar surroundings is aphenomenon known as the ―first-night‖ effect. If a person stays in the same room the followingnight they tend to sleep more soundly. Yuka Sasaki and her colleagues at Brown University setout to investigate the origins of this effect.

Dr. Sasaki knew the first-night effect probably has something to do with how humans evolved.The puzzle was what benefit would be gained from it when performance might be affected thefollowingday.Shealsoknewfrompreviousworkconductedonbirdsanddolphinsthattheseanimalsputhalfoftheirbrainstosleepatatimesothattheycanrestwhileremainingalertenough to avoid predators (捕食者 ). This led her to wonder if people might be doing the samething. To take a closer look, her team studied 35 healthy people as they slept in the unfamiliarenvironmentoftheuniversity‘sDepartmentofPsychologicalSciences.Theparticipantseachslept in the department for two nights and were carefully monitored with techniques that lookedat the activity of their brains. Dr. Sasaki found, as

expected, the participants slept less well on their first night than they did on their second, takingmorethantwiceaslongtofallasleepandsleepinglessoverall.Duringdeepsleep,theparticipants‘ brains behaved in a similar manner seen in birds and dolphins. On the first nightonly,thelefthemispheres(半球)oftheirbrainsdidnotsleepnearlyasdeeplyastheirrighthemispheres did.

Curious if the left hemispheres were indeed remaining awake to process information detected inthesurroundingenvironment,Dr.Sasakire-rantheexperimentwhilepresentingthesleepingparticipants with a mix of regularly timed beeps (蜂鸣声 ) of the same tone and irregular beepsof a different tone during the night. She worked out that, if the left hemisphere was staying alertto keep guard in a strange environment, then it would react to the irregular beeps by stirringpeople from sleep and would ignore the regularly timed ones. This is precisely what she found.46. What did researchers find puzzling about the first-night effect?

A) To what extent it can trouble people. C) What circumstances may trigger it.B) What role it has played in evolution. D) In what way it can be beneficial.47. What do we learn about Dr. Yuka Sasaki doing her research?A) She found birds and dolphins remain alert while asleep.B) She found birds and dolphins sleep in much the same way.C) She got some idea from previous studies on birds and dolphins

D) She conducted studies on birds‘ and dolphins‘ sleeping patterns. 48. What did Dr. Sasaki dowhen she first did her experiment?

A) She monitored the brain activity of participants sleeping in a new environment.

B) She recruited 35 participants from her Department of Psychological Sciences.C) She studied the differences between the two sides of participants‘ brains.

D) She tested her findings about birds and dolphins on human subjects. 49. What did Dr. Sasakido when re-running her experiment?

A) She analyzed the negative effect of irregular tones on brains.B) She recorded participants‘ adaptation to changed environment.C) She exposed her participants to two different stimuli.D) She compared the responses of different participants.

50. What did Dr. Sasaki find about the participants in her experiment?A) They tended to enjoy certain tones more than others.B) They tended to perceive irregular beeps as a threat.C) They felt sleepy when exposed to regular beeps.D) They differed in their tolerance of irregular tones.Passage Two

Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.

It‘stimetoreevaluatehowwomenhandleconflictatwork.Beingoverworkedorover-committed at home and on the job will not get you where you want to be in life. It will only slowyou down and hinder your career goals.

Did you know women are more likely than men to feel exhausted? Nearly twice as many womenthan men ages 18-44 reported feeling ―very tired‖ or ―exhausted‖, according to a recent study.This may not be surprising given that this is the age range when women have children. It's alsothe age range when many women are trying to balance careers and home. One reason womenmay feel exhausted is that they have a hard time saying \"no.\" Women want to be able todo it allvolunteerforschoolpartiesorcookdeliciousmeals-andsotheiranswertoanyrequestisoften ―Yes, I can.‖

Womenstruggletosay―no‖intheworkplaceforsimilarreasons,includingthedesiretobeliked by their colleagues. Unfortunately, this inability to say \"no\" may be hurting women's heathas well as their career.

At the workplace, men use conflict as a way to position themselves, while women often avoidconflict or strive to be the peacemaker, because they don't want to be viewed as aggressive ordisruptiveatwork.Forexample,there‘saproblemthatneedstobeaddressedimmediately,resulting in a dispute over should be the one to fix it. Men are more likely to face that disputefrom the perspective of what benefits them most, whereas

women may approach the same dispute from the perspective of what's the easiest and quickestway to resolve the problem-even

if that means doing the boring work themselves.

Thisdifferenceinhandlingconflictcouldbethedecidingfactoronwhogetspromotedtoaleadershippositionandwhodoesnot.Leadershavetobeabletodelegateandmanageresources wisely– including staff expertise. Shouldering more of the workload may not earn youthat promotion. Instead, it may highlight your inability to delegate effectively.51. What does the author say is the problem with women?A) They are often unclear about the career goals to reach.B) They are usually more committed at home than on the job.C) They tend to be over-optimistic about how far they could go.

D) They tend to push themselves beyond the limits of their ability.

52. Why do working women of child-bearing age tend to feel drained of energy?A) They struggle to satisfy the demands of both work and home.B) They are too devoted to work and unable to relax as a result.C) They do their best to cooperate with their workmates.D) They are obliged to take up too many responsibilities.53. What may hinder the future prospects of career women?A) Their unwillingness to say ―no‖.

B) Their desire to be considered powerful.C) An underestimate of their own ability.D) A lack of courage to face challenges.

. Men and woman differ in their approach to resolving workplace conflicts in that______.A) women tend to be easily satisfiedB) men are generally more persuasive

C) men tend to put their personal interests firstD) women are much more ready to compromise55. What is important to a good leader?

A) A dominant personality. C) The courage to admit failureB) The ability to delegate. D) A strong sense of responsibility.PartⅣ Translation (30 minutes)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.

华山位于华阴市,据西安 120公里。华山是秦岭的一部分,秦岭不仅分割陕南与陕北,也分隔华南与华北。与从前人们常去朝拜的泰山不

同,华山过去很少有人光临,因为上山的道路极其危险。然而,希望长寿大人却经常上山,因为山上生长着许多草药,特别是一些稀有的草药。自上世纪 90年代安装缆车以来,参观人数大大增加。答案速查

PartⅢ Reading Comprehension ( 40 minutes )Section A 26— 30 KDMOA31— 35 FHICBSection B 36— 40 IECDB41— 45 HGFAJSection C 46— 50 DCACB51— 55 DAACB