1、托福真题 2012 年 9 月 16 日及答案解析(总分：120.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Question 1(总题数：1，分数：20.00)1.Describe the difference between two schools you have studied at. Please include specific details in your explanation.（分数：20.00）_二、Question 2(总题数：1，分数：20.00)2.Do you prefer to purchase a new electronic device right after it
2、is available in store or wait for a while? Please include specific details in your explanation.（分数：20.00）_三、Question 3(总题数：1，分数：20.00)3.A New Policy of Library Lockers ReservationEffective immediately following spring break, library lockers will be reserved for the use of senior students only. This
3、measure has been prompted by the unusually heavy workload borne by final year students. The lockers, conveniently situated near the book stacks, will help these students store the volumes and materials needed for research papers and senior theses. The library apologizes for any inconvenience this ma
4、y cause other students. Locker fees will, of course, be refunded to all non-senior students upon presentation of a receipt. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.Question: The woman expresses her opinion about the new policy of library lockers reservation. State her opinion and explain th
5、e reasons she gives for holding that opinion.Now hear a conversation between two students.（分数：20.00）_四、Question 4(总题数：1，分数：20.00)4.EgocentricIn psychology, the term “egocentric“ is used to describe individuals who are either unable or unwilling to consider any need, opinion, or point of view of othe
6、rs except their own. One might characterize the egocentric individual as a pathological example of self-centeredness. In the field of psychology, researchers have found that children pass through an egocentric phase, usually from about age two till around six. During this time, besides the above tra
7、its, the children usually show an inability to imagine any viewpoint except their own even in cases of physical perception.Question: Using the information from the lecture, explain how the professors example helps illustrate the concept of egocentric in the reading passage.Now hear a talk on the sam
8、e subject.（分数：20.00）_五、Question 5(总题数：1，分数：20.00)5.Question: The speaking discusses two possible solutions to the mans problem. Describe the problem and the two solutions. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.（分数：20.00）_六、Question 6(总题数：1，分数：20.00)6.Question: Using points
9、 and examples from the talk, explain the two different features that help redwood trees live longer than other tree species.（分数：20.00）_托福真题 2012 年 9 月 16 日答案解析(总分：120.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、Question 1(总题数：1，分数：20.00)1.Describe the difference between two schools you have studied at. Please include specific
10、details in your explanation.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(Topic: I went to high school and then to university when I was a little older, and the two schools were very different.Reason 1: First, I went to high school in my hometown. Students did not seem too interested in studying then, and instead spent a lot of
11、 time socializing with girlfriends and boyfriends, talking about parties, and trying to make money in after-school jobs.Reason 2: Later, when I went to university, everything changed. Young adults spent most of their time discussing their classes or upcoming exams. They also enjoyed getting involved
12、 in politics, since they were old enough to vote.)解析：Alternative Wording(替换表达)Synonyms (a)go toattend (b)hometownnative town(c)socializehang out (d)make moneyearn money(e)old enough to voteof age to vote, at voting ageParaphrases 1. Students were more interested in the opposite sex than academics.2.
13、 Having attained voting age, they were also more aware of politics.二、Question 2(总题数：1，分数：20.00)2.Do you prefer to purchase a new electronic device right after it is available in store or wait for a while? Please include specific details in your explanation.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(Topic: I usually wait seve
14、ral weeks or even months to buy a product. And I have two reasons.Reason 1: The first reason is the price. When a new Apple or Nokia product hits the market, the price is always quite high. As time passes, the price of the product decreases significantly.Reason 2: Furthermore, new products are great
15、, but they almost always have functionality problems. And after some time passes, the company will remove all the small problems and produce a better product.)解析：Alternative Wording(替换表达)Synonyms (a)decreasedrop, fall(b)functionality problemsteething problems (with new goods)(c)removeiron out (d)pro
16、blembug, glitch(e)producereleaseParaphrases 1. One deterrent to buying new products is the prohibitively high asking price.2. The appeal of new products is limited by their invariable teething problems.三、Question 3(总题数：1，分数：20.00)3.A New Policy of Library Lockers ReservationEffective immediately fol
17、lowing spring break, library lockers will be reserved for the use of senior students only. This measure has been prompted by the unusually heavy workload borne by final year students. The lockers, conveniently situated near the book stacks, will help these students store the volumes and materials ne
18、eded for research papers and senior theses. The library apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause other students. Locker fees will, of course, be refunded to all non-senior students upon presentation of a receipt. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.Question: The woman expresses h
19、er opinion about the new policy of library lockers reservation. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.Now hear a conversation between two students.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(The library will soon begin reserving library lockers for-the use of seniors alone. The student d
20、isagrees with the policy and has two reasons.Firstly, she says that this policy would be really unfair to the students of other grades because they also have the same workload as seniors and need the lockers. When the lockers are reserved for seniors only, the students of other grades will be forced
21、 to carry heavy, large volumes of books back and forth every day, which is inconvenient.Secondly, she fears that seniors will use the lockers as places to hide books and materials. This will deprive other students of the use of such resources.)解析：听力原文M: Jenny, you look so angry. This isnt like you.
22、What happened?W: Theres a new rule. After spring break only seniors can use the library lockers!M: Thats odd. Why?W: The library says seniors have this heavy, heavy workload. So they need the lockers and the rest of us dont!M: That doesnt seem really fair, still if youre a senior you do have to work
23、 more.W: We all have to study hard! Now, freshmen, sophomores, juniors-all of us-have to start carrying big stacks of books everyday. With this new rule, we will be carrying books all the way to and fro our dorm rooms everyday!M: Youve got that right, Jenny. Too much work!W: Besides that, those seni
24、ors will probably hide a lot of library books in their lockers, so no one but they can use them. Thats so selfish!M: That might be a problem. But do you really think seniors will be that selfish?W: Of course! Thats what I plan to do when Im a senior!Alternative Wording(替换表达)Synonyms (a)reserveset as
25、ide(b)the same asnot much different, nearly identical(c)heavyweighty (d)hidestash(e)depriverobParaphrases 1. Since every grade level has a similar workload, the policy would be inequitable./She says that this policy would be really unfair to students of other grades because the workload of seniors i
26、s not much different from that of other students.2. Secondly, the student fears that seniors will stash books and other needed materials in their lockers.四、Question 4(总题数：1，分数：20.00)4.EgocentricIn psychology, the term “egocentric“ is used to describe individuals who are either unable or unwilling to
27、 consider any need, opinion, or point of view of others except their own. One might characterize the egocentric individual as a pathological example of self-centeredness. In the field of psychology, researchers have found that children pass through an egocentric phase, usually from about age two til
28、l around six. During this time, besides the above traits, the children usually show an inability to imagine any viewpoint except their own even in cases of physical perception.Question: Using the information from the lecture, explain how the professors example helps illustrate the concept of egocent
29、ric in the reading passage.Now hear a talk on the same subject.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(The professor discusses an experiment highlighting egocentric behavior among young children.In the experiment a child played with a ball featuring two colors, red and blue. Later, the researcher placed the ball so the bo
30、y could see only the blue side. Then he asked the boy which color the researcher was looking at for a number of times. The boy always answered that the color was blue because it was the only color he could see. The experiment was repeated for the red side with the same result: the boy could only ans
31、wer the color he was seeing. This indicates that young children are unable to imagine things beyond what they can presently see.)解析：听力原文M: Today were going to talk about egocentrism. To lead into our topic, lets consider an experiment. Children, remember, are naturally egocentric from around two til
32、l six. In the experiment, a little boy was left alone to play with a ball that had two colors, red on one side and blue on the other.After a while a researcher entered the room. He asked the boy which color each side was. The boy answered correctly. After this the man sat opposite the boy and turned
33、 the ball so the boy could only see the blue side. He asked him, “What color am I looking at?“ The boy answered, “Blue.“ The experiment was repeated a number of times with substantially the same result. The point is that, at that age, children are unable to imagine any viewpoint except their own. In
34、 fact, if asked “What color is the ball?“, the child almost always replied only by saying the color he was then looking at.Alternative Wording(替换表达)Synonyms (a)highlightfocus on(b)alwaysinvariably(c)indicatesuggest, show(d)be unable toinability, incapacity(e)viewpointperspectiveParaphrases 1. The ex
35、periment called for the child to play with a two-colored ball.2. This indicates an inability of young children to imagine any viewpoint except their own.五、Question 5(总题数：1，分数：20.00)5.Question: The speaking discusses two possible solutions to the mans problem. Describe the problem and the two solutio
36、ns. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(The man is struggling over whether to pick up his friend at the airport or to go to a club he loves in the evening.The woman says that he can simply skip the club this one night, since his friend rarely comes to vi
37、sit. Or he can go to the club, but leave early enough to meet his friend at the airport a little late.I think the first solution is better because a friend is a precious thing. To go to a weekly meeting is not as important as picking up his friend at the airport. The man should therefore meet his fr
38、iend who he rarely meets. His favorite club activity can be taken care of every week. Not so with his friend.)解析：听力原文W: Whats wrong, Tom? Youre usually so cheerful when you have a Readers Club meeting coming up.M: I just realized I have a problem.W: Whats that?M: Well, you know about the club meetin
39、g tonight at 7:00. Around that same time, my old friend Watson will be arriving at the airport. Naturally he expects me to meet him. This is a tough choice, indeed.W: You have Readers Club once a week. How often does Watson come? I bet not very often. So just skip the club this one time and go see y
40、our friend!M: Any other evening of the club, I would. But were reading Whitman, my favorite writer!W: OK, so try this. Go to your Readers Club, and then go pick up Watson at the airport. Theres still time to contact him, isnt there? Tell him youll be a little late.M: I could do that, yes. But then I
41、m sure my friend would be upset. After all, Im making him wait to please myself.W: Uhhh, Tom?M: Yes?W: Isnt there an old saying that a friend is a second self?M: Yes, youre right. Oh, what should I do?Alternative Wording(替换表达)Synonyms (a)struggle overin a quandary, in a dilemma(b)skipabsent oneself
42、from(c)rarelyseldom(d)preciouscherishedParaphrases 1. Since his friends visits are few and far between, the women suggests that the man absent himself this one time.2. To go to the meeting would be an insult to his friend.六、Question 6(总题数：1，分数：20.00)6.Question: Using points and examples from the tal
43、k, explain the two different features that help redwood trees live longer than other tree species.（分数：20.00）_正确答案：(The professor is discussing long-lived trees. She talks about redwoods as a species with great longevity. She cites two factors making for this.One is the natural chemical or toxin rele
44、ased by the trees that protects them against insects, which are great enemies of trees.The other factor is an extensive root system. The fanned-out roots can help obtain scarce nutrients and water. Besides, the strong and developed root system can help trees support each other and avoid being blown
45、down by the winds.)解析：听力原文W: Trees live a great long time, we know that. Here in California, theres one thats about 5,000 years old. But this is a baby compared with the pine in Sweden thats over 9,500 years old.and still living! Why do some trees live so long? Thats like asking why some people live
46、 long: heredity is everything. So lets talk about some long-lived tree species. Close to home still in California, we have the redwoods and most of us have seen these. A couple of features make redwoods long livers.One very important feature is a chemical released by redwood bark, especially when the tree is young. That chemical is called “cedrene.“ Its a natur
