1、大学六级-1440 及答案解析(总分:614.00,做题时间:90 分钟)一、Part Writing(总题数:1,分数:53.00)1.1.目前许多大四女生不忙求职忙相亲2.产生这种现象的原因3.我的看法Career or Marriage?(分数:53.00)_二、Part Reading Compr(总题数:1,分数:70.00)Auto-Tune: Why Pop Music Sounds PerfectIf you havent been listening to pop radio in the past few months, youve missed the rise of t
2、wo seemingly opposing trends. In a medium in which mediocre (平庸的) singing has never been a bar to entry, a lot of pop vocals suddenly sound great. Better than great: note- and pitch-perfect, as if theres been an unspoken tightening of standards at record labels or an evolutionary leap in the develop
3、ment of vocal cords. At the other extreme are a few hip-hop singers who also hit their notes but with a precision so exaggerated that on first listen, their songs sound comically artificial, like a chorus of 50s robots singing Motown.The force behind both trends is an ingenious plug-in called Auto-T
4、une, a downloadable studio trick that can take a vocal and instantly nudge it onto the proper note or move it to the correct pitch. Its like Photoshop for the human voice. Auto-Tune doesnt make it possible for just anyone to sing like a pro, but used as its creator intended, it can transform a waver
5、ing (颤抖的) performance into something technically flawless. “Right now, if you listen to pop, everything is in perfect pitch, perfect time and perfect tune,“ says producer Rick Rubin. “Thats how widespread Auto-Tune is.“Auto-Tunes inventor is a man named Andy Hildebrand, who worked for years interpre
6、ting seismic (i.e. relating to earthquakes) data for the oil industry. Using a mathematical formula called autocorrelation, Hildebrand would send sound waves into the ground and record their reflections, providing an accurate map of potential drill sites. Its a technique that saves oil companies lot
7、s of money and allowed Hildebrand to retire at 40. He was debating the next chapter of his life at a dinner party when a guest challenged him to invent a box that would allow her to sing in tune. After he worked on autocorrelation for a few months, Auto-Tune was born in late 1996.Almost immediately,
8、 studio engineers adopted it as a trade secret to fix flubbed (搞砸了的) notes, saving them the expense and trouble of having to redo sessions. The first time common ears heard Auto-Tune was on the immensely irritating 1998 Cher hit “Believe.“ In the first verse, when Cher sings “I cant break through“ a
9、s though shes standing behind an electric fan, thats Auto-Tune - but its not the way Hildebrand meant it to be used. The programs retune speed, which adjusts the singers voice, can be set from zero to 400. “If you set it to 10, that means that the output pitch will get halfway to the target pitch in
10、 10 milliseconds,“ says Hildebrand. “But if you let that parameter go to zero, it finds the nearest note and changes the output pitch instantaneously“ - eliminating the natural transition between notes and making the singer sound jumpy and automated. “I never figured anyone in their right mind would
11、 want to do that,“ he says.Like other trends set by Cher, the creative abuse of Auto-Tune quickly went out of fashion, although it continued to be an indispensable part of the engineers toolbox. But in 2003, T-Pain (Faheem Najm), a little-known rapper and singer, accidentally stumble onto the Cher e
12、ffect while Auto-Tuning some of his vocals. “It just worked for my voice,“ says T-Pain in his natural Tallahassee accent. “And there wasnt anyone else doing it.“Since his 2005 first album, T-Pain has sent a dozen mechanically cheery singles into the Top 10. He contributed to four nominated songs at
13、this years Grammys on Feb. 8, and his influence is still spreading. When Kanye West was looking for an effect to match some heartbroken lyrics, he flew T-Pain to Hawaii to see how many ways they could adjust Auto-Tune. Diddy gave a percentage of his upcoming albums profits to T-Pain in exchange for
14、some lessons. Even Prince is rumored to be experimenting with Auto-Tune on his new record. “I know Auto-Tune better than anyone,“ says T-Pain. “And even Im just figuring out all the ways you can use it to change the mood of a record.“Rubin, whos produced artists as diverse as the Dixie Chicks and Me
15、tallica, worries that the safety net of Auto-Tune is making singers lazy. “Sometimes a singer will do lots of takes when theyre recording a song, and you really can hear the emotional difference when someone does a great performance vs. an average one,“ says Rubin. “If youre pitch-correcting, you mi
16、ght not bother to make the effort. You might just get it done and put it through the machine so its all in tune.“ Rubin has taken to having an ethical conversation before each new recording session. “I encourage artists to embrace a natural process,“ he says.With the exception of Milli Vanillis, pop
17、 listeners have always been fairly indulgent about performers ethics. Its hits that matter, and the average person listening to just one pop song on the radio will have a hard time hearing Auto-Tunes impact; its effectively deceptive. But when track after track has perfect pitch, the songs are harde
18、r to differentiate from one another - which explains why pop is in a pretty serious lull (停滞) at the moment. It also changes the way we hear unaffected voices. “The other day, someone was talking about how Aretha Franklin at the Inauguration was a bit pitchy,“ says Anderson. “I said, Of course! She
19、was singing! And that was a musician talking. People are getting used to hearing things dead on pitch, and its changed their expectations.“Despite Randy Jacksons stock American Idol critique - “A little pitchy, dawg“ - many beloved songs are actually off-pitch or out of tune. Theres Ringo Starr on “
20、With a Little Help from My Friends,“ of course, and just about every blues song slides into notes as opposed to hitting them dead on. Even Norah Jones, the poster girl of pure vocals, isnt perfect. “Theres some wonderful imperfections of pitch on Dont Know Why from Come Away with Me,“ says Anderson,
21、 “and most of the other tunes on the album as well. But I wouldnt want to change a single note.“Lets hope that pops fetish for uniform perfect pitch will fade, even if the spread of Auto-Tune shows no signs of slowing. A $99 version for home musicians was released in November 2007, and T-Pain and Au
22、to-Tunes parent company are finishing work on an iPhone app. “Its gonna be real cool,“ says T-Pain. “Basically, you can add Auto-Tune to your voice and send it to your friends and put it on the Web. Youll be able to sound just like me.“ Asked if that might render him no longer unique, T-Pain laughs:
23、 “Im not too worried. I got lots of tricks you aint seen yet. Its everybody else that needs to step up their game./(分数:70.00)(1).What is the force of the rise of two trends which appear opposite to each other?(分数:7.00)A.The development of pop radio.B.Photoshop that can edit human voice.C.A vocal sof
24、tware called Auto-Tune.D.The popularity of a pop singer named Cher.(2).Originally the creator intended to use Auto-Tune to _.(分数:7.00)A.change a poorly-sung song into a perfect oneB.make everyone sing like a professional singerC.inject some vitality into the pop industryD.bring the flaw of pop songs
25、 into public(3).Before Andy Hildebrand retired at 40, he worked for_.(分数:7.00)A.the seismological bureauB.Auto-Tunes parent companyC.oil companiesD.a tape-recorder factory(4).Studio engineers benefit greatly from Auto-Tune in that _.(分数:7.00)A.they no longer need to correct wrong notesB.it helps the
26、m keep songs secret before going publicC.it is totally free and thus saves them lots of moneyD.they dont have to waste time on recording music again(5).What does the author say about the craze for Auto-Tune which trendy Cher started?(分数:7.00)A.It faded soon.B.It lasted for many years.C.It made engin
27、eers lazy.D.It harmed peoples creativity.(6).According to the passage, what happened to T-Pain since 2005?(分数:7.00)A.He had to give up Auto-Tune.B.He became very successful.C.He made a fortune working for the Prince.D.He won fame as teachers of well-known singers.(7).According to Rubin, the effect o
28、f Auto-Tune on singers may be _.(分数:7.00)A.positiveB.negativeC.exaggeratedD.underestimated(8).During the recording session, singers are encouraged by Rubin to sing in a _. way.(分数:7.00)填空项 1:_(9).In general, when it comes to the issue of pop singers ethics, average listeners are _.(分数:7.00)填空项 1:_(1
29、0).Although many songs in Norah Joness album were out of tune, Anderson would rather make no _ to the songs.(分数:7.00)填空项 1:_三、Part Listening Com(总题数:0,分数:0.00)四、Section A(总题数:4,分数:105.00)A.The meeting is not on his schedule.B.He doesnt mind postponing the meeting.C.The meeting goes against his sched
30、ule.D.He doesnt mind having meeting ahead of schedule.A.It was just so-so.B.It was great.C.It was terrible.D.It was interesting.A.He is as fat as a potato.B.He is fond of watching TV.C.He likes potatoes very much.D.He doesnt know much about TV.A.It has friendly folks.B.Its air is clean.C.It is quiet
31、.D.It gives him a sense of freshness.A.A new fitness club.B.Doing exercise to keep fit.C.After-work activities.D.Weekend plans.A.She likes Mexican food very much.B.She likes to go out dancing.C.She will celebrate his birthday.D.She accepts the mans invitation.A.He hasnt taken part in a debate this y
32、ear.B.He believes the team was eliminated already.C.He doesnt know if the team was successful.D.He is too busy to go to the competition with the woman.A.To tell him they are busy.B.To cancel an appointment.C.To send him a busy signal.D.To invite him to go to a film.Questions 19 to 22 are based on th
33、e conversation you have just heard.(分数:28.00)A.IT industry.B.Education industry.C.Medicine industry.D.Engineering industry.A.Health insurance, paid vacation, and a company vehicle.B.Paid vacation, opportunities for advancement, and medicare.C.Opportunities for advancement, insurance, and a free bus
34、pass.D.Paid vacation, opportunities for promotion, and health insurance.A.Expanding and secure.B.Contracting, yet stable.C.Growing, yet uncertain.D.Promising, yet shrinking.A.He has a Bachelors degree.B.He didnt finish the college.C.He is now a college student.D.He is now studying in a night school.
35、Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.(分数:21.00)A.He has finished the first draft.B.He has just got started.C.He has finished the main body.D.He has handed the paper in.A.Strict and picky.B.Responsible and nice.C.Helpful and patient.D.Responsible but too direct.A.Have
36、dinner with him.B.Write the paper for him.C.Go to classes with him.D.Help him with the paper.五、Section B(总题数:3,分数:70.00)Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.(分数:21.00)A.To write a business letter.B.To provide proof of the deal.C.To find out the mistakes of a let
37、ter.D.To finish reading the letter quickly.A.Students with higher SAT verbal scores who use the grammar and spelling software.B.Students with lower SAT verbal scores who use the grammar and spelling software.C.Students with higher SAT verbal scores who dont use the grammar and spelling software.D.St
38、udents with lower SAT verbal scores who dont use the grammar and spelling software.A.The technical specialist should improve the software.B.The software can not solve the students problems at all.C.The software is designed for editors and writers, not the students.D.Students should have their own ju
39、dgment when using the software.Passage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.(分数:21.00)A.More and more people are used to the Internet.B.Postcards are in the danger of extinction in Britain.C.Cell phones are becoming an important part of our life.D.Communications between
40、 people are becoming easier.A.They are useful and practical.B.They are of great importance.C.They are imaginative and personal.D.They are fashioned and quick to arrive.A.Coins, stamps and sports.B.Coins, sports and postcards.C.Coins, stamps and postcards.D.Stamps, sports and postcards.Passage ThreeQ
41、uestions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.(分数:28.00)A.They treated their workers more humanely.B.They completely ignored consumers health.C.They turned out more unhealthy products at will.D.They were controlled less strictly by the authorities.A.Hardly ever looked into the cause
42、s of tragedies.B.Imposed safety rules as soon as accidents took place.C.Seldom introduced safety laws before disasters occurred.D.Paid much attention to the results of scientific discoveries.A.A company with dangerous working conditions is likely to be punished.B.There are altogether three departmen
43、ts which protect customers and workers.C.Stores dealing in foods and drugs are controlled by the local government.D.The protection of workers health and safety is still not well ensured.A.Industries in the past and at present.B.Changes in the development of industries.C.The freedom of industries tod
44、ay and in the past.D.The protection of industrial workers and customers.六、Section C(总题数:1,分数:77.00)Scotland is a unique place. It has some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, a living evidence of a splendid and proud past.Its peoples ancient love to the hard land and their struggle against natur
45、e are (36) within the walls of the Angus Folk Museum. You are able to get a feel of the (37) rural atmosphere of times past from the everyday (38) displayed in this museum.Perhaps the most (39) moment for Scottish autonomy is the one (40) inside this ancient abbey (修道院) of Arbroath, where, in 1320,
46、the Declaration of Independence was (41) , at the instigation (煽动) of King Robert the Bruce. He carried out the plan for autonomy drawn up by the great popular hero William Wallace, to whom cinema has (42) the wonderful film Braveheart, the winner of five Oscars.The Glamis Castle is often remembered
47、 for being the (43) of King Macbeth and Queen Elizabeth in her childhood. Among the most regular guests here are the inevitable ghosts, which are nourished by ancient popular beliefs. (44) .The true flag of Scotland, tartan, is recognizable from the brightly colored plaid patterns which are used to
48、distinguish the various clans. (45) .The typical Scottish garment, the kilt, is socially necessary when the Scots play the Great High land bagpipes, especially when they march in parades.Bagpipes and dancing open the competitions of local sporting events, which are called Highland Gatherings. (46) .(分数:77.00)填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_七、Part Reading Compr(总题数:0,分数:0.00)八、Section A(总题数:1,分数:45.00)More than tw