1、大学英语四级 20 及答案解析(总分：746.54，做题时间：130 分钟)一、Writing (30 minutes)(总题数：1，分数：30.00)1.For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay entitled On Conserving Energy. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese: 1. 能源短缺问题已非常严重； 2. 可以采取节能措施解决能源短缺问题； 3. 你的看法。 （分数
2、：30.00）_二、Reading Comprehensio(总题数：1，分数：71.00)How Global Warming Works Gases in the Earths atmosphere act like glass in a greenhouse-trapping heat and making life on Earth possible. But there is a delicate balance. Burning coal, oil and natural gas increases atmospheric concentrations of these gases
3、. Over the past century, increases in industry, transportation, and electricity production have increased gas concentrations in the atmosphere faster than natural processes can remove them leading to human-caused warming of the globe. The Sources Of Global Warming The major source of global warming
4、is carbon dioxide pollution from power plants, auto mobiles, and industry. Another source is global deforestation. Power plants are responsible for more than a third of U. S. CO2 emissions, yet there are no caps on CO2 emissions from power plants or any other industry. Gas guzzling cars and light tr
5、ucks are also responsible for a third of U.S. CO2 emissions. Current regulations allow for very inefficient vehicles which spew tons of CO2. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. When they are cut and burned that CO2is released back into the atmosphere. Massive deforestation around
6、the globe is releasing large amounts of CO2 and decreasing the forests ability to take CO2from the atmosphere. Solutions The U. S. , with only four percent of the worlds population, is responsible for 22 percent of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, solutions exist to cut our global w
7、arming emissions. Decision makers in the United States should take the following steps. Increasing fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks would cut millions of tons of CO2 pollution as well as decreasing dependence on foreign oil. Putting a cap on CO2 from power plants would cut million
8、s of tons of CO2 pollution as well as decreasing pollution that causes acid rain, smog, and respiratory illness. Shifting investment from fossil fuels like coal and oil to renewable energy and energy efficiency would allow cleaner, more sustainable sources of energy to take their rightful place as m
9、arket leaders. Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol would be a modest but important first step to ward international emissions reductions. The Evidence Recently, alarming events that are consistent with scientific predictions about the effects of climate change have become more and more commonplace. T
10、he global average temperature has increased by about 0.5C and sea level has risen by about 10 inches (25cm) in the past century. Official confirmation came in 1995, when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an officially appointed international panel of over 2,500 of the worlds leading sci
11、entific experts, found that evidence suggests a human influence on the global climate. The following are events which consistent with scientists predictions of the effects of global warming: The past two decades have witnessed a stream of new heat and precipitation re cords. The 10 hottest years on
12、record have all occurred since 1980, the hottest year ever on record is 1997, and the hottest January through July on record occurred in 1998. Glaciers are melting around the world. Alaskas Columbia Glacier has retreated more than eight miles in the last 16 years while temperatures there have increa
13、sed. A section of an Antarctic ice shelf as big as the District of Columbia broke off. Severe floods like the devastating Midwestern floods of 1993 and 1997 are becoming more common. Infectious diseases are moving into new areas as seen in the recent outbreaks of Dengue fever in Texas and Malaria in
14、 New Jersey. The Opposition The Global Climate Coalition, a powerful coalition of oil, power, and auto companies has followed the lead of tobacco companies by denying the harm they cause. They have spent millions of dollars trying to discredit the scientific consensus of the IPCC and slow steps to c
15、ombat global warming. The public has not fallen for their deception, but the Global Climate Coalition appears to have had some impact on members of Congress. Health Risks Rates of infectious disease will rise, with the spread of mosquitoes and other disease carrying organisms that thrive in warm, we
16、t climates. More frequent and more severe heat waves will pose a threat to public health, with children and the elderly especially vulnerable. In the 1990s, outbreaks of malaria have occurred in Michigan, Texas, Florida, Georgia, California, New Jersey and New York. Two major heat waves-in Chicago i
17、n 1995 and Dallas in 1998-killed more than 600 people. Environmental Destruction Rising global temperatures and melting of glaciers will directly impact ocean and coast al habitats. Ecosystems will, be destroyed and species will die off, as sea levels rise, sea sons shift, and glaciers and polar ice
18、 caps melt. Polar bears are threatened with starvation as melting sea ice keeps them from their food. Catastrophic Weather Warmer temperatures will speed evaporation, leading to drought in some places and heavy downpours and flooding in others. Extreme weather events as well as El Ninno events may b
19、ecome more intense and more frequent. In 1999, the U. S. experienced one of the most extreme droughts ever recorded, and Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Delaware faced their driest growing seasons on record. That same year, the Pacific North west experienced its second wettest year on record.
20、 Nevada, California and Iowa all experienced deadly floods. Recent years have seen record hurricanes, including the most destructive ever. Clean Energy Agenda A rapid transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources will combat global warming, protect human health, create new jobs, prote
21、ct habitat and wildlife, and ensure a secure, affordable energy future. In contrast, our reliance on coal, oil and nuclear power imperils the worlds climate, fouls the environment, harms human health, and results in the proliferation of nuclear materials. We can meet our energy needs without threate
22、ning our childrens future using commonsense ways to mobilize American ingenuity and re sources for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources. It will eliminate energy waste, phase out fossil fuels and nuclear power, and help the United States lead the world into a sustainable energy future, Cle
23、an Power In the next decade, increase fourfold the amount of energy obtained from non-hydro renewable sources such as the sun and wind. By 2020, produce at least one-third of the nations energy from renewable sources, and double the efficiency of energy use in homes, buildings, transportation and in
24、dustry. Clean Air Clean up our power plants by setting progressively tighter limits on all power plant pollution-including carbon dioxide, the major cause of global warming. Close the loophole that allows old coal-fired power plants to pollute much more than newer plants. Clean Cars Hold sport utili
25、ty vehicles, pickup trucks and minivans to the same air pollution standards as cars. Improve the fuel efficiency of new cars and light trucks to a combined average of 45 miles per gallon (MPG) by 2010 and at least 65 MPG by 2020. Offer incentives that build strong markets for renewable fuels and for
26、 clean vehicles powered by hybrid motors and fuel cells. Clean Investments Quadruple federal investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency within five years, and continue this momentum over the long term Stop spending taxpayer dollars to subsidize the coal, oil and nuclear industries. Provid
27、e adequate resources and job training for affected workers and communities to ensure a just transition to a sustainable energy economy. （分数：71.00）(1).The passage gives an overview of the effects of global warming on the United States. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(2).Slightly less than a third of CO2 emission
28、s in the United States are caused by deforestation. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(3).The United States is the worlds No. 1 emitter of greenhouse gases. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(4).If American cars were slightly more efficient, the United States would not be dependent on foreign oil. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(5).The Inte
29、rgovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Global Climate Coalition have similar aims. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(6).Global warming endangers animals by damaging or destroying their habitats. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(7).Changing to a sustainable energy economy means that some workers in conventional energy i
30、ndustries will lose their jobs. （分数：7.10）A.YB.NC.NG(8). 1 are the largest source of greenhouse pollutants in the United States. （分数：7.10）填空项 1:_(9).Higher temperatures in the United States have encouraged disease-carrying organisms which spread 1 such as malaria. （分数：7.10）填空项 1:_(10).Rainfall patter
31、ns in the United States have been unusual in recent years, with some states experiencing drought whilst others experience 1. （分数：7.10）填空项 1:_三、Listening Comprehens(总题数：1，分数：15.00)A.They are both anxious to try Italian food.B.They are likely to have dinner together.C.The man will treat the woman to d
32、inner tonight.D.The woman refused to have dinner with the man.A.Its only for rent, not for sale.B.Its not as good as advertised.C.Its being redecorated.D.Its no longer available.A.Colleagues.B.Husband and wife.C.Employer and employee.D.Mother and son.A.She contacts her parents occasionally.B.She pho
33、nes her parents regularly at weekends.C.She visits her parents at weekends when the fares are down.D.She often calls her parents regardless of the rates.A.The next bus is coming soon.B.The bus will wait a few minutes at the stop.C.There are only two or three passengers waiting for the bus.D.They can
34、 catch this bus without running.A.The assignment looks easy but actually its quite difficult.B.The assignment is too difficult for them to complete on time.C.They cannot finish the assignment until Thursday.D.They have plenty of time to work on the assignment.A.The man will go to meet the woman this
35、 evening.B.The man and the woman have an appointment at 7 oclock.C.The woman cant finish making the jam before 7 oclock.D.The woman wont be able to see the man this evening.A.Shes learned a lot from the literature class.B.Shes written some books about world classics.C.Shes met some of the worlds bes
36、t writers.D.Shes just back from a trip round the world.A.The exam was easier than the previous one.B.Joe is sure that he will do better in the next exam.C.Joe probably failed in the exam.D.The oral part of the exam was easier than the written part.A.She is tired of driving in heavy traffic.B.She doe
37、snt mind it as the road conditions are good.C.She is unhappy to have to drive such a long way every day.D.She enjoys it because shes good at driving.四、Section B(总题数：2，分数：10.00)A.There arent enough cabinets.B.There is too much noise.C.Office supplies take up too much space.D.Some teaching assistants
38、dont have desks.A.To chat with Simon socially.B.To get help in the course.C.To hand in their assignments.D.To practise giving interviews.A.Give Simon a different office.B.Complain to the department head.C.Move the supplies to the storage room.D.Try to get a room to use for meetings.A.They lived in c
39、aves.B.They traveled in groups.C.They had an advanced language.D.They ate mostly fruit.A.They lived in large groups.B.They used sand as insulation.C.They kept fires burning constantly.D.They faced their homes toward the south.A.Meet his anthropology teacher.B.Lend him her magazine when shes done wit
40、h it.C.Come over to his house after class.D.Help him study for an anthropology test.A.Anxious and worried.B.Proud and excited.C.Nervous and confused.D.Inspired and confident.A.His father scolded him severely.B.His father took back the six dollars.C.His father made him do the cutting again.D.His fath
41、er cut the leaves himself.A.One can benefit a lot from working with his father.B.Manual laborers shouldnt be looked down upon.C.One should always do his job earnestly.D.Teenagers tend to be careless.A.Given by the local government.B.Born by a large number of bitches.C.Bought from different cities an
42、d villages.D.Captured over grassland.A.11-week course for control duty.B.11-week course for patrol duty.C.9-week course for control duty.D.9-week course for patrol duty.A.Catching runaway criminals.B.Scratching the hidden bombs.C.Patrolling the dangerous town.D.Drug-sniffing and bomb-sniffing.A.She
43、stopped being a homemaker.B.She became a famous educator.C.She became a public figure.D.She quit driving altogether.A.A motorists speeding.B.Her running a stop sign.C.Her lack of driving experience.D.A motorists failure to concentrate.A.Nervous and unsure of herself.B.Calm and confident of herself.C
44、.Courageous and forceful.D.Distracted and reluctant.A.More strict training of women drivers.B.Restrictions on cell phone use while driving.C.Improved traffic conditions in cities.D.New regulations to ensure childrens safety.六、Section C(总题数：1，分数：10.00)Recently a group of Swedish research scientists c
45、arried out a (36) 1 of childrens attitudes to the future. They worked with 10-and 11-year-old children from ten schools (37) 2 in rural and urban areas all over the whole of Sweden. There were two main steps of the (38) 3. First, all the children were asked to write an essay on the topic “The Future
46、; 2000 AD“. Then the scientists went round to the (39) 4 schools to talk to the children, basing their (40) 5 on the general questions “What problems are we (41) 6 now?“ and “What will the future be like?“ A pattern soon (42) 7. It showed that there was (43) 8 agreement about which problems were imp
47、ortant and how the problems should be dealt with. (44) 9 . (45) 10. Summing up the results of the , one of its leaders said, “Weve obviously got to pay more attention to our children. After all, (46) 11.“ （分数：10.00）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、Readin
48、g Comprehensio(总题数：2，分数：355.00)No matter how large or notable the U. S. travel industry is or may become, it will always be members of a broader world society. The charge facing all of us is to appropriately en gage poverty. Poverty is certainly not new but the means at our disposal to address poverty are improving by the day. Fortunately, the $ 3.3 trillion world travel industry is uniquely suited to address poverty in regions where it is most entrenched. In the course of making a case
