大学英语六级卷二真题2012年12月及答案解析.doc

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1、大学英语六级卷二真题 2012 年 12 月及答案解析(总分：710.00，做题时间：150 分钟)一、Part I Writing (3(总题数：1，分数：142.00)1.On Maintaining Trust（分数：142.00）_二、Part II Reading C(总题数：1，分数：71.00)Rates are low, but consumers wont borrow The US Federal Reserve(Fed)s announcement last week that it intended to keep credit cheap for at least t

2、wo more years was a clear invitation to Americans: Go out and borrow. But many economists say it will take more than low interest rates to persuade consumers to take on more debt. There are already signs that the recent stock market fluctuations, turbulence in Europe and the US deficit have scared c

3、onsumers. On Friday, preliminary data showed that the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index had fallen this month to lower than it was in November 2008, when the United States was deep in recession. Under normal circumstances, the Feds announcement might have attracted new

4、home and car buyers and prompted credit card holders to rack up fresh charges. But with unemployment high and those with jobs worried about keeping them, consumers are more concerned about paying off the loans they already have than adding more debt. And by showing its hand for the next two years, t

5、he Fed may have thoughtlessly invited prospective borrowers to put off large purchases. Lenders, meanwhile, are still dealing with the effects of the boom-gone-bust and are forcing prospective borrowers to go to extraordinary lengths to prove their creditworthiness. “I dont think lenders are going t

6、o be interested in extending a lot of debt in this environment,“ said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moodys Analytics, a macroeconomic consulting firm. “Nor do I think households are going to be interested in taking on a lot of debt.“ In housing, consumers have already shown a slow response to low r

7、ates. Applications for new mortgages have decreased this year to a 10-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Sales of furniture and furnishings remain 22% below their pre-recession peak, according to Spending Pulse, a research report by MasterCard Advisors. Credit card rates have a

8、ctually gone up slightly in the past year. The one bright spot in lending is the number of auto loans, which is up from last year. But some economists say that confidence among car buyers is hitting new lows. For Xavier Walter, a former mortgage banker who with his wife, Danielle, accumulated$20 000

9、 in credit card debt, low rates will not change his spending habits. As the housing market topped out five years ago, he lost his six-figure income. He and his wife were able to modify the mortgage on their four-bedroom house in Medford, New Jersey, as well as negotiate lower credit card payments. T

10、wo years ago, Mr. Walter, a 34-year-old father of three, started an energy business. He has sworn off credit. “Im not going to go back in debt ever again,“ he said. “If I cant pay for it in cash, I dont want it.“ Until now, one of the biggest restraints on consumer spending has been a debt aftereffe

11、ct. Since August 2008, when household debt peaked at$12.41 trillion, it has declined by about$1.2 trillion, according to an analysis by Moodys Analytics of data from the Federal Reserve and Equifax, the credit agency. A large portion of that, though, was simply written off by lenders as borrowers de

12、faulted on loans. By other measures, households have improved their position. The proportion of after-tax income that households spend to remain current on loan payments has fallen. Still, household debt remains high. That presents a paradox: many economists argue that the economy cannot achieve tru

13、e health until debt levels decline. But credit, made attractive by low rates, is a time-tested way to increase consumer spending. With new risks of another downturn, economists worry that it will take years for debt to return to manageable levels. If the economy contracts again, said George Magnus,

14、senior adviser at UBS, then “you could find a lot of households in a debt trap which they probably can never get out of.“ Mortgage lenders, meanwhile, burned by the housing crash, are extra careful about approving new loans. In June, for instance, Fannie Mae, the largest mortgage buyer in the United

15、 States, said that borrowers whose existing debt exceeded 45 to 50% of their income would be required to have stronger “compensating“ factors, which might include higher savings. Even those borrowers in strong financial positions are asked to provide unusual amounts of paperwork. Bobby and Katie Smi

16、th have an extremely good credit record, tiny student debt and a combined six-figure income. For part of their down payment, they planned to use about$5 000 they had received as wedding gifts in February. But the lender would not accept that money unless the Smiths provided a certified letter from e

17、ach of 14 guests, stating that the money was a gift, rather than a loan. “We laughed for a good 15 or 20 minutes.“ recalled Mr. Smith. 34. Mr. Smith, a program director for a radio station in Orlando, Florida, said they ended up using other savings for their down payment to buy a$300 000 four-bedroo

18、m house in April. For those not as creditworthy as the Smiths, low rates are irrelevant because they no longer qualify for mortgages. That leaves the eligible pool of loan applicants wealthier, “older and whiter,“ said Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance. “Its creating much more of a di

19、vide,“ he said, “between the haves and the have-nots.“ Car shoppers with the highest credit ratings can also get loans more easily, and at lower rates, said Paul C. Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association During the recession, inability to obtain credit severely cut au

20、to buying as lenders rejected even those with good credit ratings. Now automakers are increasing their subprime（次级债的）lending again as well, but remain hesitant to approve large numbers of risky customers. The number of new auto loans was up by l6% in the second quarter compared with the previous yea

21、r, said Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit at Experian, the information services company. But some economists warn that consumer confidence is falling. According to CNW Marketing Research, confidence among those who intend to buy a car this year is at its lowest since it began collecti

22、ng data on this measure in 2000. On credit cards, rates have actually inched higher this year. largely because of new rules that curb the issuers ability to charge fees or raise certain interest rates at will. At the end of the second quarter, rates averaged 14. 01% on new card offers, up from 13. 7

23、5% a year earlier, according to Mail Monitor, which tracks credit cards for Synovate, a market research firm. According to data from the Federal Reserve, total outstanding debt on revolving credit cards was down by 4. 6% during the first half of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.

24、 Even if the Feds announcement helps keep rates steady. or pushes them down, businesses do not expect customers to suddenly charge up a storm. “Its not like, Oh, credit is so cheap. lets go back to the heydays（鼎盛时期）,“,said Elizabeth Crowell, who owns Sterling Place, two high-end home furnishing and

25、gift stores in New York. “People still fear for their jobs. So I think where maybe after other recessions they might return to previous spending habits, the pendulum hasnt swung back the same way.“（分数：71.00）(1).What is the purpose of the announcement issued by the US Federal Reserve last week?（分数：7.

26、10）A.To help reduce the debt burden on consumers.B.To force the banks to lower their interest rates.C.To encourage consumers to get more bank loans.D.To prevent further fluctuations in the stock market.(2).Why are people reluctant to take on more debt despite the low interest rates?（分数：7.10）A.They a

27、re afraid of losing their good credit ratings.B.They are pessimistic about employment prospects.C.They have little faith in the Feds financial policies.D.They expect the Fed to further lower interest rates.(3).What does the author say about lenders in the current credit market?（分数：7.10）A.They are be

28、coming more cautious.B.They are eager to offer more loans.C.They advise prospective borrowers to put off large purchases.D.They are only concerned about how much they can get back.(4).What does the author want to say by citing Xavier Walters case?（分数：7.10）A.Not many Americans can afford to pay in ca

29、sh these days.B.The Feds policies exert a strong influence on borrowers.C.People now wont buy things unless they have the money.D.It is beneficial for Americans to borrow in times of recession.(5).What is the economists concern regarding the current economy?（分数：7.10）A.Consumers unwillingness to spen

30、d.B.Banks inability to recover debt.C.The ever-lowering interest rates.D.The unmanageable debt levels.(6).What do we learn from the Smiths story?（分数：7.10）A.It is very difficult for people to build up a good credit record.B.A certain amount of savings is needed for one to buy a house.C.The purchase o

31、f a house will plunge young couples into heavy debt.D.Mortgage lenders are now careful about borrowers qualifications.(7).According to Guy Cecala, the banks policy on mortgage lending will result in -|_|-.（分数：7.10）A.a wider gap between the rich and the poorB.a bigger down payment for house buyersC.a

32、 higher debt level for the less wealthyD.a greater pressure on senior buyers(8).During the recession, the number of car buyers decreased because it was difficult to 1.（分数：7.10）填空项 1:_(9).Credit card interest rates have gradually increased recently because new rules do not allow the issuers to raise

33、certain interest rates or 1.（分数：7.10）填空项 1:_(10).According to Elizabeth Crowell, the current recession, unlike previous ones, has not seen a swing back in peoples 1.（分数：7.10）填空项 1:_三、Listening Comprehens(总题数：1，分数：56.80)A.Ask his boss for a lighter schedule.B.Trade places with someone else.C.Accept t

34、he extra work willingly.D.Look for a more suitable job.A.It is unusual for his wife to be at home now.B.He is uncertain where his wife is at the moment.C.It is strange for his wife to call him at workD.He does not believe what the woman has told him.A.The man is going to send out the memo tomorrow.B

35、.The man will drive the woman to the station.C.The speakers are traveling by train tomorrow morning.D.The woman is concerned with the mans healthA.The suite booked was for a different date.B.The room booked was on a different floor.C.The room booked was not spacious enough.D.A suite was booked inste

36、ad of a double room.A.The reason for low profits.B.The companys sales policy.C.The fierce competition they face.D.The lack of effective promotion.A.Go and get the groceries at once.B.Do some shopping on their way home.C.Manage with what they have.D.Have the groceries delivered to them.A.The hot weat

37、her in summer.B.The ridiculous rules of the office.C.The problem with the air conditioner.D.The atmosphere in the office.A.Set a new stone in her ring.B.Buy a ring with precious diamond.C.Find the priceless jewel she lost.D.Shop on Oxford Street for a decent gift.四、Section A(总题数：2，分数：49.70)Questions

38、 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.（分数：28.40）A.Damaging public facilities.B.Destroying urban wildlife.C.Organising rallies in the park.D.Hurting baby animals in the zoo.A.He had bribed the park keepers to keep quiet.B.People had differing opinions about his behaviour.C.The s

39、erious consequences of his doings were not fully realised.D.His behaviour was thought to have resulted from mental illness.A.Brutal.B.Justifiable.C.Too harsh.D.Well-deserved.A.Encouraging others to follow his wrong-doing.B.Stealing endangered animals from the zoo.C.Organising people against the auth

40、orities.D.Attacking the park keepers in broad daylight.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.（分数：21.30）A.She has already left school.B.She works for the handicapped.C.She is fond of practical courses.D.She is good at foreign languages.A.He is interested in science cour

41、ses.B.He attends a boarding school.C.He speaks French and German.D.He is the brightest of her three kids.A.Comprehensive schools do not offer quality education.B.Parents decide what schools their children are to attend.C.Public schools are usually bigger in size than private schools.D.Children from

42、low income families cant really choose schools.五、Section B(总题数：3，分数：71.00)Passage One Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.（分数：28.40）A.Encourage the students to do creative thinking.B.Help the students to develop communication skills.C.Cultivate the students ability to ins

43、pire employees.D.Focus on teaching the various functions of business.A.His teaching career at the Harvard Business School.B.His personal involvement in business management.C.His presidency at college and experience overseas.D.His education and professorship at Babson College.A.Development of their r

44、aw brain power.B.Exposure to the liberal arts and humanities.C.Improvement of their ability in capital management.D.Knowledge of up-to-date information technology.A.Reports on business and government corruption.B.His contact with government and business circles.C.Discoveries of cheating among MBA st

45、udents.D.The increasing influence of the mass media. Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.（分数：21.30）A.They have better options for their kids than colleges.B.The unreasonably high tuition is beyond their means.C.The quality of higher education may not be worth t

46、he tuition.D.They think that their kids should pay for their own education.A.They do too many extracurricular activities.B.They tend to select less demanding courses.C.They take part-time jobs to support themselves.D.They think few of the courses worth studying.A.Its samples are not representative e

47、nough.B.Its significance should not be underestimated.C.Its findings come as a surprise to many parents.D.Its criteria for academic progress are questionable.Passage Three Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.（分数：21.30）A.A newly married couple.B.Someone good at cooking.C.A

48、 business acquaintance.D.Someone you barely know.A.Obtain necessary information about your guests.B.Collect a couple of unusual or exotic recipes.C.Buy the best meat and the freshest fruit.D.Try to improve your cooking skills.A.Losing weight.B.Entertaining guests.C.Making friends.D.Cooking meals.六、S

49、ection C(总题数：1，分数：71.50)People with disabilities comprise a large but diverse segment of the population. It is (36) 1 that over 35 million Americans have physical, mental, or other disabilities. (37) 2 half of these disabilities are “developmental,” i.e., they occur prior to the individuals twenty-second birthday, often from (38) 3 conditions, and are severe enough to affect three or more areas of development,