1、公共英语四级真题(2)及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Section Listening (总题数：0，分数：0.00)二、Part A(总题数：1，分数：5.00)Resources on the Internet The reporter searches the Internet for books 1. The number of the bookstores in North American linked to this Canadian website is more than 2. The number of books sold per day th
2、rough the website is 3. To link to the Canadian site, one can visit the website named .com 4. As the reporter says, George Washington University provides educational opportunities to meet global 5. （分数：5.00）填空项 1:_三、Part B(总题数：1，分数：5.00)（分数：5.00）(1). How many tons of coffee do Americans consume each
3、 year? （分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(2). Each year the coffee a Swede drinks reaches an average of 1. （分数：1.00）(3). King Gustav believed that coffee was 1. （分数：1.00）(4). Who died first in the King“s experiment? （分数：1.00）(5). People drink coffee because it makes them feel 1. （分数：1.00）四、Part C(总题数：3，分数：10.00)Quest
4、ions 11-13 are based on a talk about World AIDS Day. （分数：3.00）(1).World AIDS Day is a day to（分数：1.00）A.consider the treatment of individuals with the AIDS virus.B.show the importance of the AIDS Association.C.call on doctors to place more importance on AIDS patients:D.celebrate the achievements in t
5、he control of AIDS.(2).What is the theme for the next year“s AIDS campaign?（分数：1.00）A.Development of a cure for AIDS.B.Fair treatment of AIDS patients.C.Progress in AIDS research.D.Courage to live with AIDS.(3).How many women were infected with the AIDS virus last year?（分数：1.00）A.2 million.B.4 milli
6、on.C.19 million.D.39 million.Questions 14-16 are based on the biography of Stephen Biko, a South African political leader for the Black Consciousness Movement. （分数：3.00）(1).What did Biko study in the university?（分数：1.00）A.Politics.B.Black nationalism.C.Medicine.D.Government policies.(2).When did Bik
7、o become the honorary president of the Black People“s Convention?（分数：1.00）A.1968.B.1972.C.1973.D.1977.(3).What did the South African Government do with the Black Consciousness Movement at the beginning?（分数：1.00）A.Put up with it.B.Restricted its activities.C.Arrested its leaders.D.Granted limited app
8、roval.Questions 17-20 are based on a talk about left-handers. （分数：4.00）(1).What is the purpose of Left-handers International?（分数：1.00）A.To help left-handers find better jobs.B.To change public attitudes towards left-handers.C.To rid left-handers of their prejudices.D.To show the public the talents o
9、f left-handers.(2).What have researchers found in their studies of hand preference?（分数：1.00）A.Children don“t show strong hand preference until six.B.Children under three tend to have a favorite eye and ear.C.There are as many male left-handers as female ones.D.Left-handers are more interesting than
10、right-handers.(3).Left-handers seem more athletic because they（分数：1.00）A.are more energetic.B.persist in physical training.C.possess a creative impulse.D.have a better sense of space.(4).What is the problem some left-handers might suffer from?（分数：1.00）A.Slowness in communication.B.Awkwardness in act
11、ion.C.Speech defect.D.Difficulty in writing.五、Section Use of Eng(总题数：1，分数：20.00)Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that has had a major impact on American culture from the late 19th century to the present. Pragmatism calls 1 ideas and theories to be tested in practice, by 2 whether acting upon t
12、he idea or theory produces desirable or undesirable results. The ideas of the pragmatists were considered 3 when they first appeared. To some critics, pragmatism“s 4 to affirm any absolute standards carried negative implications for society. 5 , pragmatists do not believe that a single absolute idea
13、 of goodness or justice exists, but 6 that these concepts are changeable and depend on the 7 in which they are being discussed. The 8 of these absolutes, critics feared, could result in a (n) 9 in moral standards. The pragmatists“ denial of absolutes, 10 , challenged the foundations of religion, gov
14、ernment, and schools of thought. 11 , pragmatism influenced developments in psychology, sociology, and many other schools and movements. 12 political groups have also drawn 13 the assumptions of pragmatism, from the progressive movements of the early 20th century to later experiments in social refor
15、m. Pragmatism is best 14 in its historical and cultural context. It arose during the late 19th century, a period of rapid scientific advancement 15 by the theories of British biologist Charles Darwin, whose theories 16 to many thinkers that humanity and society are in a 17 state of progress. During
16、this same period, a decline in 18 religious beliefs and values accompanied the industrialization and material progress of the time. In 19 , it became necessary to rethink 20 ideas about values, religion, science, community, and individuality.（分数：20.00）A.forB.inC.outD.offA.discussingB.predictingC.ass
17、essingD.questioningA.reasonableB.credibleC.revolutionaryD.attractiveA.effortB.refusalC.intentionD.hesitationA.In turnB.Above allC.For exampleD.In additionA.ratherB.alsoC.stillD.evenA.domainB.vicinityC.contextD.surroundingA.subjectB.defectC.existenceD.absenceA.changeB.declineC.correctionD.interestA.t
18、hereforeB.neverthelessC.anywayD.moreoverA.As a ruleB.On the contraryC.As a resultD.On averageA.ParticularB.VariousC.SignificantD.FewA.onB.inC.upD.forthA.simulatedB.handledC.practicedD.understoodA.typifiedB.systemizedC.generalizedD.justifiedA.supposedB.contributedC.impliedD.suggestedA.perpetualB.cons
19、istentC.prosperousD.temporaryA.universalB.prevalentC.traditionalD.representativeA.consequenceB.realityC.essenceD.contrastA.confusingB.fundamentalC.controversialD.dominant六、Section Reading Co(总题数：0，分数：0.00)七、Part A(总题数：0，分数：0.00)八、Text 1(总题数：1，分数：5.00)A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory com
20、mittee has concluded that a novel new treatment can greatly help rheumatoid arthritis patients. The panel recommended approving Enbrel for use alone in patients who haven“t responded to other drugs or in combination with methotrexate, a cancer drug that has been the main treatment for rheumatoid art
21、hritis. The FDA must make a final decision by early November, and the drug“s maker says it could be on the market by year“s end. In rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 2.1 million Americans, the immune system attacks healthy joints. A major wrongdoer in this process is a protein called “tumor killin
22、g factor“, or TNF, which interacts with a special molecule, or TNF receptor, on cells“ surfaces. To keep inflammation in check, cells normally release some receptors to mop up excess TNF, rendering it inactive. Apparently, rheumatoid arthritis patients don“t have enough free-floating TNF receptors.
23、Enbrel consists of genetically engineered TNF receptors. In a six-month study, 234 patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis received one of two doses of Enbrel or a placebo ( harmless substance given as if it were medicine ) in twice-a-week injections. They took injections for six months. By the
24、end, 40% of patients on the larger Enbrel dose saw symptoms, such as swelling and joint pain, cut in half. Only 5% on the placebo did that well. The main side effect was minor irritation at the injection site. Because some TNF is needed for a normal immune response, there is at least a theoretical r
25、isk of infections or even cancer in patients who take Enbrel, so the FDA panel urged long-term safety studies. Last week, the FDA approved Arava, an oral treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that is similar to methotrexate. While calling both Enbrel and Arava “potentially very important“, Brian Butche
26、r, vice president for research at the Arthritis Foundation, notes they have been tested in relatively few patients. Butcher says their safety should be closely monitored once they“re widely available.（分数：5.00）(1).Enbrel as recommended by FDA advisory committee（分数：1.00）A.could be a substitute for met
27、hotrexate in the near future.B.might bring hope to rheumatoid arthritis patients.C.should be administered to all rheumatoid arthritis patients alike.D.would distinguish itself for its cancer-killing effect.(2).Which of the following is responsible for the inflammation of the joints?（分数：1.00）A.A spec
28、ial molecule on cell“s surface.B.A free-floating receptor.C.A tumor-killing protein.D.Inactive TNF.(3).We learn from Paragraph 6 that（分数：1.00）A.Enbrel treatment in large doses could reduce the patients“ symptoms.B.arthritis patients presented symptoms after Enbrel treatment.C.arthritis patients with
29、 treatment of a placebo were rid of symptoms.D.only 5% on the placebo got symptoms such as swelling and joint pain.(4).The wide use of the new drug Enbrel relies much on（分数：1.00）A.justification of the new treatment.B.a new monitoring system.C.mass production of the drug.D.long-term safety studies.(5
30、).Which of the following might be an appropriate title for the text?（分数：1.00）A.TNF and Immune SystemB.Enbrel versus MethotrexateC.Arthritis Drug on Path to ApprovalD.Study on Rheumatoid Arthritis九、Text 2(总题数：1，分数：5.00)How far away you are from retirement plays a large part in how you should invest y
31、our retirement money. According to Leslie Wright of Westminster Portfolio Services Ltd., there are three stages to a long-term regular savings plan for retirement: capitalization, consolidation and conservation. In the first stage, people should be most concerned with building up their retirement sa
32、vings investment. According to Wright, these investors can “take as aggressive an outlook as their nerves can stand,“ because at this point there is little capital to risk. The second step, consolidation, makes up the bulk of your savings plan; balance the aggressive investments with some tamer ones
33、, to better protect your existing possessions. The final change, from consolidation to conservation, when your investments should aim to preserve the capital you have, should take place one to three years before you retire. The exact timing of all these should take current market conditions into acc
34、ount, although Wright warns against risky betting on future growth. “Greed must not be allowed to blind prudence,“ he says. Whatever vehicles you choose for your retirement share-holding, be sure to take advantage of dollar-cost averaging. By investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, you“ll be
35、able to avoid the risk of poorly timed investments by averaging out the peaks and valleys of the market. Plus, regular contributions will let you avoid the temptation to drop out when the market falls, and to buy too much when prices are high. Those who are well along the road to retirement may have
36、 cause for concern these days. The plunging stock and property markets have shrunk savings, for retirement and otherwise; and some people have not planned for their retirement at all. You won“t be that rash, of course, but what if you“re already in mid-career and don“t have a retirement plan in plac
37、e? If you don“t make some serious cuts in your spending and save heavily now, you“ll have to sacrifice in your golden years. Of course, it“s better still to get off on the right foot by starting your planning early. “No one should have to compromise his living standards when he retires,“ says Wright
38、. “Retirement is a time to really enjoy life. We have all worked so hard. “ And one of the things you should be working hard on right now is planning for those days of enjoyment.（分数：5.00）(1).In the first stage of saving for retirement, people can take an aggressive investment strategy because（分数：1.0
39、0）A.they have a long-term regular savings plan in view.B.they can well stand losses that might occur.C.there is no risk in long-term investment.D.chances can balance possible risks.(2).To avoid the risk of poorly timed investments, one should（分数：1.00）A.adopt dollar-cost averaging strategy.B.set a li
40、mit to his investment at regular intervals.C.suppress the temptation to drop out untimely.D.stop buying shares when the prices are too high.(3).What does the phrase “in your golden years“ (Line 3, Paragraph 4) mean?（分数：1.00）A.Youth.B.Middle age.C.Mid-career.D.Old age.(4).The author might agree to th
41、e argument that（分数：1.00）A.one will have to change his spending habits when growing old.B.it“s far better to end up with too much money than not enough.C.it“s advisable to open a savings account instead of buying stock shares.D.people should spend less on living after their retirement.(5).Which of th
42、e following might be an appropriate title for the text?（分数：1.00）A.Savings StrategyB.Enjoy Your Later YearsC.Plan for RetirementD.Risky Stock Market十、Text 3(总题数：1，分数：5.00)In the 400s BC, the Sophists, a group of wandering teachers, began to teach in Athens. The Sophists claimed that they could teach
43、any subject or skill to anyone who wished to learn it. They specialized in teaching grammar, logic, and rhetoric, subjects that eventually formed the core of the liberal arts. The Sophists were more interested in preparing their students to argue persuasively and win arguments than in teaching princ
44、iples of truth and morality. Unlike the Sophists, the Greek philosopher Socrates sought to discover and teach universal principles of truth, beauty, and goodness. Socrates, who died in 399 BC, claimed that true knowledge existed within everyone and needed to be brought to consciousness. His educatio
45、nal method, called the Socratic method, consisted of asking probing questions that forced his students to think deeply about the meaning of life, truth, and justice. In 387 BC Plato, who had studied under Socrates, established a school in Athens called the Academy. Plato believed in an unchanging wo
46、rld of perfect ideas or universal concepts. He asserted that since true knowledge is the same in every place at every time, education, like truth, should be unchanging. Plato described his educational ideal in The Republic , one of the most notable works of Western philosophy. Plato“s Republic descr
47、ibes a model society, or republic, ruled by highly intelligent philosopher-kings. Warriors make up the republic“s second class of people. The lowest class, the workers, provide food and other products for all the people of the republic. In Plato“s ideal educational system, each class would receive a
48、 different kind of instruction to prepare for their various roles in society. In 335 BC Plato“s student, Aristotle, founded his own school in Athens called the Lyceum. Believing that human beings are essentially rational, Aristotle thought people could discover natural laws that governed the univers
49、e and then follow these laws in their lives. He also concluded that educated people who used reason to make decisions would lead a life of moderation in which they avoided dangerous extremes. In the 4th century BC Greek orator Isocrates developed a method of education designed to prepare students to be competent orators who could serve as government officials. Isocrates“s students studied rhetoric, politics, ethics, and history. They examined model orations and practiced public speaking. Isocrates“s methods of education directly influenced such Roman e
