1、2012 年 12 月大学英语四级考试真题Part I Writing (30 minutes)Education PaysDirections: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write A Letter Applying for a Bank Loan. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese。1. 你的基本情况your basic information12. 你申请贷款的原因、数额及用途you reason
2、 for the loan, the amount and purpose3. 你如何保证专款专用以及你的还款打算Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)The MagicianThe revolution that Steve Jobs led is only just beginningWhen it came to putting on a show, nobody else in the computer industry, or any other industry for that matt
3、er, could match Steve Jobs. His product launches, at which he would stand alone on a black stage and produce as if by magic an “incredible” new electronic gadget (小器具)in front of an amazed crowd, were the performances of a master showman. All computers do is fetch and work with numbers, he once expl
4、ained, but do it fast enough and “the results appear to be magic”. Mr Jobs, who died recently aged 56, spent his life packaging that magic into elegantly designed, easy-to-use products.The reaction to his death, with people leaving candles and flowers outside Apple stores and politicians singing pra
5、ises on the internet, is proof that Mr Jobs had become something much more significant than just a clever money-maker. He stood out in three ways-as a technologist, as a corporate (公司的)leader and as somebody who was able to make people love what had previously been impersonal, functional gadgets. St
6、rangely, it is this last quality that may have the deepest effect on the way people live. The era of personal technology is in many ways just beginning.As a technologist, Mr Jobs was different because he was not an engineer-and that was his great strength. Instead he was keenly interested in product
7、 design and aesthetics (美学 ), and in making advanced technology simple to use. He repeatedly took an existing but half-formed idea-the mouse-driven computer, the digital music player, the smartphone, the tablet computer(平板电脑)-and showed the rest of the industry how to do it properly. Rival firms com
8、peted with each other to follow where he led. In the process he brought about great changes in computing, music, telecoms and the news business that were painful for existing firms but welcomed by millions of consumers.Within the wider business world, a man who liked to see himself as a hippy (嬉皮士 )
9、, permanently in revolt against big companies, ended up being hailed by many of those corporate giants as one of the greatest chief executives of his time. That was partly due to his talents: showmanship, strategic vision, an astonishing attention to detail and a dictatorial management style which m
10、any bosses must have envied. But most of all it was the extraordinary trajectory (轨迹)of his life. His fall from grace in the 1980s, followed by his return to Apple in 1996 after a period in the wilderness, is an inspiration to any businessperson whose career has taken a turn for the worse. The way i
11、n which Mr Jobs revived the failing company he had co-founded and turned it into the worlds biggest tech firm (bigger even than Bill Gatess Microsoft, the company that had outsmarted Apple so dramatically in the 1980s), sounds like something from a Hollywood movie.But what was perhaps most astonishi
12、ng about Mr Jobs was the absolute loyalty he managed to inspire in customers. Many Apple users feel themselves to be part of a community, with Mr Jobs as its leader. And there was indeed a personal link. Apples products were designed to accord with the bosss tastes and to meet his extremely high sta
13、ndards. Every iPhone or MacBook has his fingerprints all over it. His great achievement was to combine an emotional spark with computer technology, and make the resulting product feel personal. And that is what put Mr Jobs on the right side of history, as technological innovation (创新)has moved into
14、consumer electronics over the past decade.As our special report in this issue (printed before Mr Jobss death) explains, innovation used to spill over from military and corporate laboratories to the consumer market, but lately this process has gone into reverse. Many peoples homes now have more power
15、ful, and more flexible, devices than their offices do; consumer gadgets and online services are smarter and easier to use than most companies systems. Familiar consumer products are being adopted by businesses, government and the armed forces. Companies are employing in-house versions of Facebook an
16、d creating their own “app stores” to deliver software to employees. Doctors use tablet computers for their work in hospitals. Meanwhile, the number of consumers hungry for such gadgets continues to swell. Apples products are now being snapped up in Delhi and Dalian just as in Dublin and Dallas.Mr Jo
17、bs had a reputation as a control freak (怪人), and his critics complained that the products and systems he designed were closed and inflexible, in the name of greater ease of use. Yet he also empowered millions of people by giving them access to cutting-edge technology. His insistence on putting users
18、 first, and focusing on elegance and simplicity, has become deep-rooted in his own company, and is spreading to rival firms too. It is no longer just at Apple that designers ask: “What would Steve Jobs do?”The gap between Apple and other tech firms is now likely to narrow. This weeks announcement of
19、 a new iPhone by a management team led by Tim Cook, who replaced Mr Jobs as chief executive in August, was generally regarded as competent but uninspiring. Without Mr Jobs to shower his star dust on the event, it felt like just another product launch from just another technology firm. At the recent
20、unveiling of a tablet computer by Jeff Bezos of Amazon, whose company is doing the best job of following Apples lead in combining hardware, software, content and services in an easy-to-use bundle, there were several attacks at Apple. But by doing his best to imitate Mr Jobs, Mr Bezos also flattered
21、(抬举)him. With Mr Jobs gone, Apple is just one of many technology firms trying to arouse his uncontrollable spirit in new products.Mr Jobs was said by an engineer in the early years of Apple to emit a “reality distortion (扭曲)field”, such were his powers of persuasion. But in the end he created a real
22、ity of his own, channeling the magic of computing into products that reshaped entire industries. The man who said in his youth that he wanted to “put a ding in the universe” did just that.注意：此部分试题请在答题卡 1 上作答。1. We learn from the first paragraph that nobody could match Steve Jobs in .A) intelligence
23、C) magic powerB) showmanship D) persuasion skills2. What did Steve Jobs do that most deeply affected peoples way of life?A) He invented lots of functional gadgets.B) He kept improving computer technology.C) He started the era of personal technology.D) He established a new style of leadership.3. Wher
24、e did Mr Jobss great strength lie?A) His profound insight about consumers needs in general.B) His keen interest in designing elegant and user-friendly gadgets.C) His firm determination to win in the competition against his rivals.D) His rich knowledge as a computer scientist and electronic engineer.
25、4. Many corporate giants saw Steve Jobs as .A) one of the greatest chief executives of his timeB) a dictator in the contemporary business worldC) an unbeatable rival in the computer industryD) the most admirable hippy in todays world5. For those who have suffered failures in business, Steve Jobss li
26、fe experience serves as .A) a symbol C) an idealB) a standard D) an inspiration6. What was the most astonishing part of Mr Jobss success?A) He turned a failing company into a profitable business.B) He set up personal links with many of his customers.C) He commanded absolute loyalty from Apple users.
27、D) He left his fingerprints all over Apple products.7. What is mentioned in this issues special report about innovation nowadays?A) It benefits civilians more than the military.B) New products are first used in the military.C) Many new ideas first appear on the internet.D) It originates in the consu
28、mer market.8. In spite of the user-friendliness of Apple products, critics complained that they were .9. Amazon, by having hardware, software, content and services in an easy-to-use bundle, did the best job in following Apples lead.10. By channelling the magic of computing into products, Steve Jobs
29、had succeeded in .Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more11. A) He needs another week for the painting.B) The painting was completed just in time.C) T
30、he building wont open until next week.D) His artistic work has been well received.12. A) Go camping. B) Decorate his house.C) Rent a tent. D) Organize a party.13. A) She talked 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
31、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 truth about himself.15. A) Rules restricting smoking.B) Ways to quit smoking.C) Smokers health problems.D) Hazards of passive
32、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) He 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) Ref
33、uel his car.C) Ask the way.D) Have a cup of coffee.Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A) They are as good as historical films.B) They give youngsters a thrill.C) They have greatly improved.D) They are better than comics on film.20. A) The effects were very good.
34、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 in War of the Worlds.C) They are popular figures among young people.D) They are two leading characters in the film.Questi
35、ons 22 to 25 are based on the conversation 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 starts at six.23. A) To make good use of her spare time in the evening.B) To meet the requirements of her in-servic
36、e 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 presentations.C) Listen to the teachers explanation.D) Answer the teachers questions.25. A) Most of them are female.B)
37、 Some have a part-time job.C) They plan to buy a new car.D) A few of them are old chaps.Section BPassage OneQuestions 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
38、) Their similar social status.B) Their interdependence.C) Their common interest.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 difference in
39、 income.B) It can be maintained among people of different age groups.C) It cannot last long without similar family background.D) It cannot be sustained when friends move far apart.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30. A) Priority of students academic achievem
40、ents.B) Equal education opportunities to all children.C) Social equality between 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 p
41、rovide part-time jobs for needy students.D) To enable them to learn to take responsibility.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33. A) The best way to work through a finger maze.B) Individuals doing better in front of an audience.C) Researchers having contribu
42、ted greatly to psychology.D) Improvements on the classification of human behavior.34. A) When you feel encouraged by the audience.B) When you try to figure out a confusing game.C) When you already know how to do something.D) When you complete with other people in a group.35. A) Practicing constantly
43、.B) Working by oneself.C) Learning by doing.D) Using proven methods.Section CAmericans today have different eating habits than they had in the past. There is a wide (36) _ of food available. They have a broader (37) _ of nutrition (营养), so they buy more fresh fruit and (38) _ than ever before. At th
44、e same time, Americans (39)_ increasing quantities of sweets and sodas.Statistics show that the way people live (40) _ the way they eat. American lifestyles have changed. There are now growing numbers of people who live alone, (41) _ parents and children, and double-income families. These changing l
45、ifestyles are (42) _ for the increasing number of people who must (43) _ meals or sometimes simply go without them. Many Americans have less time than ever before to spend preparing food. (44) _. Moreover, Americans eat out nearly four times a week on average.It is easy to study the amounts and kind
46、s of food that people consume. (45) _. This information not only tells us what people are eating, but also tells us about the changes in attitudes and tastes. (46) _. Instead, chicken, turkey and fish have become more popular. Sales of these foods have greatly increased in recent years.Part IV Readi
47、ng Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)Section AFrench fries, washed down with a pint of soda, are a favorite part of fast-food lunches and dinners for millions of American youngsters. But 47 a cue from health experts, a group of 19 restaurant companies are pledging to offer more-healthful
48、menu options for children at a time when 48 is growing over the role of fast food in childhood obesity(肥胖症).Burger King, the nations second-largest fast food chain, for instance, will 49 automatically including French fries and soda in its kids meals starting this month, although they will still be
49、50. Instead, the company said Tuesday, its employees will ask parents whether they 51 such options as milk or sliced apples before assembling the meals.“Were asking the customers to 52 what they want,” said Craig Prusher, the chains vice president of government relations. Other participating chains, with a 53 of menu options, including Dennys,
