1、大學英語四級真題2008年01月（ 總分： 693.00 ，做題時間： 90 分鐘 ）一、BPartIWriting/B（總題數： 1 分數：106.00）1. 各大學為學生開設了多種多樣的選修課 2. 學生出于各種原因選擇不同的選修課 3. 以我自己為例 B What Electivesto Choose/B（分數： 106.00 ） 正確答案： ()解析： B 參考范文 What Electives to Choose/B With the reform of college education, universities and collegesstart to provide stud

2、ents with more electives of various kinds. Some of the courses offer knowledge in liberal arts withthe purpose of broadening students horizon, while others deal with the practical skills in order to enhance studentscompetence and prepare them for the future career. What is lying behind the different

3、 choices of elective courses?Those who want to acquire some specific knowledge besides their majors may choose courses in the fields of finance,economy or the law. For those who intend to enrich their life with cultural, historical and humanistic thoughts and ideas,the courses in literature, philoso

4、phy and arts may be more preferable. For students who select courses like BusinessEnglish, PASCAL Language and SPSS Analysis, their objectives are obviously to gather more strength in preparationfor the severe competition in future job hunting. As for me, I give priority to my personal interests. I

5、will choose History ofWestern Civilization to promote my understanding of the western culture and arts and I believe Appreciation of GreatEnglish Movies will satisfy my thirsty for spectacularfilms. So, you see, elective courses will make my college life colorful and enjoyable. 審題 本題要求考生寫一篇關于選擇選修課的文

6、章。從話題范圍上看是校園內話題，屬于三段式議論文寫作。作 文可以按照這樣的提綱書寫：第一段說明各大學開設選修課的情況；第二段討論學生不同的選課原因；第 三段寫我的觀點或者我的做法，可以采取比較開放的寫法。 提綱 Outline 1. Various elective courses are offered in colleges and universities.Courses in liberal arts. Courses in practical skills.2. The reasons for the choices. Gain knowledge besides the major

7、s. Enrich life and thoughts. Grasp practical tools. 3. Ichoose electives according to my personal interests.二、BPartnReading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)/B(總題數：1,分數： 70.00)B Universities Branch Out/BAs never before in their long history, universities have become instruments of nationalcompet

8、ition as well as instruments of peace. They are the place of the scientificdiscoveries that move economies forward, and the primary means of educating thetalent required to obtain and maintain competitive advantage. But at the same time,the opening of national borders to the flow of goods, services,

9、 information andespecially people has made universities a powerful force for global integration, mutualunderstanding and geopolitical stability.In response to the same forces that have driven the world economy, universities havebecomemore self-consciously global: seeking students from around the wor

10、ld whorepresent the entire range of cultures and values, sending their own students abroadto prepare them for globalcareers, offering courses of study that address the challenges of an interconnectedworld and collaborative （合作的） research programs toadvance science for the benefit of all humanity.Of

11、the forces shaping higher education none is more sweeping than the movementacross borders. Over the past three decades the number of students leaving homeeach year to study abroad has grown at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, from 800,000 in1975 to 2.5 million in 2004. Most travel from one developed n

12、ation to another, but theflow from developing to developed countries is growing rapidly. The reverse flow, fromdeveloped to developing countries, is on the rise, too. Today foreign students earn 30percent of the doctoral degrees awarded in the United States and 38 percent of thosein the United Kingd

13、om. And the number crossing borders for undergraduate study isgrowing as well, to 8 percent of the undergraduates at Americas best institutions and10 percent of all undergraduates in the U.K. In the United States, 20 percent of thenewly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born, a

14、nd in Chinamanynewly hired faculty membersat the top research universities received theirgraduate education abroad.Universities are also encouraging students to spend some of their undergraduateyears in another country. In Europe, more than 140,000 students participate in theErasmus program each yea

15、r, taking courses for credit in one of 2,200 participatinginstitutions across the continent.And in the United States, institutions are helping place students in summerinternships（實習） abroad to prepare them for global careers. Yale and Harvard have led theway, offering every undergraduate at least on

16、e international study or internshipopportunity - and providing the financial resources to make it possible.Globalization is also reshaping the way research is done. One new trend involvessourcing portions of a research program to another country. Yale professor andHoward Hughes Medical Institute inv

17、estigator Tian Xu directs a research centerfocused on the genetics of human disease at Shanghais Fudan University, incollaboration with faculty colleagues from both schools. The Shanghai center has 95employees and graduate students working in a 4,300-square-meter laboratory facility.Yale faculty，pos

18、tdoctors and graduate students visit regularly and attendvideoconference seminars with scientists from both campuses. The arrangementbenefits both countries; Xus Yale lab is more productive, thanks to the lower costs ofconducting research in China, and Chinese graduate students, postdoctors andfacul

19、ty get on-the-job training from a world-class scientist and his U.S. team.As a result of its strength in science, the United States has consistently led the world inthe commercialization of major new technologies, from the mainframe computer andthe integrated circuit of the 1960s to the Internet inf

20、rastructure （基礎設施） andapplications software of the1990s. The link between university-based science and industrial application is oftenindirect but sometimes highly visible: Silicon Valley was intentionally created byStanford University, and Route 128 outside Boston has long housed companies spunoff

21、from MIT and Harvard. Around the world, governments have encouraged copyingof this model, perhaps most successfully in Cambridge, England, where Microsoft andscores of other leading software and biotechnology companies have set up shoparound the university.For all its success, the United States rema

22、ins deeply hesitant about sustaining theresearch-university model. Most politicians recognize the link between investment inscience and national economic strength, but support for research funding has beenunsteady. The budget of the National Institutes of Health doubled between 1998 and2003, but has

23、 risen more slowly than inflation since then. Support for the physicalsciences and engineering barely kept pace with inflation during that same period. Theattempt to makeup lost ground is welcome, but the nation would be better served bysteady, predictable increases in science funding at the rate of

24、 long-term GDPgrowth,which is on the order of inflation plus 3 percent per year.American politicians have great difficulty recognizing that admitting more foreignstudents can greatly promote the national interest by increasing internationalunderstanding. Adjusted for inflation, public funding for in

25、ternational exchanges andforeign-language study is well below the levels of 40 years ago. In the wake ofSeptember 11, changes in the visa process caused a dramatic decline in the numberof foreign students seeking admission to U.S. universities, and a corresponding surgein enrollments in Australia, S

26、ingapore and the U.K. Objections from Americanuniversity and business leaders led to improvements in the process and a reversal ofthe decline, but the United States is still seen by many as unwelcoming to internationalstudents.Most Americans recognize that universities contribute to the nations well

27、-beingthrough their scientific research, but manyfear that foreign students threaten Americancompetitiveness by taking their knowledge and skills back home. They fail to grasp thewelcoming foreign students to the United States has two important positive effects:first, the very best of them stay in t

28、he States and - like immigrants throughout history-strengthen the nation; and second, foreign students who study in the United Statesbecome ambassadors for many of its most cherished （珍視）values when they return home. Or at least they understand them better.In America as elsewhere, few instruments of

29、 foreign policy are as effective inpromoting peace and stability as welcoming international university students.（分數： 70.00 ）（1）.From the first paragraph we know that present-day universities have become _ . （分數：7.00 ）A. more and more research-orientedB. more popularized than ever beforeC. in-service

30、 training organizationsD.a powerful force for global integrationV解析：本題問“根據第一段我們了解到目前的大學變得如何”。第一段中提到大學“ have become instruments ofnational competition as well as instruments of peace（ 變成了國際競爭與和平的工具）”， 并對此進行了說明， 接著又說“ But at the sametime ， has madeuniversities a powerful force for globalintegration ,

31、mutual understanding and geopoliticalstability .（但與此同時.使得大學成為一個國際融合、相互理解和地理政治穩定的強大力量）”。故D “國際融合的強大力量”與文意一致，正確。 A “越來越以研究為方向”、 B “在職訓練中心”、 C “比以往更為普及”文中均 未提及。（2）_.Over the past threedecades, the enrollment of overseas students has increased _.（分數：7.00 ）A. by 2.5 millionB. at an annual rate of 3.9 per

32、centC. by 800,000VD. at an annual rate of 8 percent解析：本題問“過去 30 年中出國學習的學生增加的情況”。根據題文中“ Over the past threedecadesoverseas students .”可知文中相關部分在第三段。文中提到“在過去30 年中，出國學習的學生數目以每年 3.9%的比例增長”，故C “每年增加 3.9%”與文意一致，正確。A “增加了 250 萬”、 B “增加了 80 萬”文中說的是“從 1975 年的 80 萬增到 2004 年的 250 萬”。D “每年增加 8%”文中說的是外國學生數目在美國著名大

33、學中占到8%。（3） .In the United States, how many of the newly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born? （分數： 7.00 ）A. 10%.B. 30%.VC. 20%.D. 38%.解析：本題問“在美國，有多少新近聘用的理工科教授出生于國外”。根據題文中the newly hiredprofessors in science and engineering 可知文中相關部分在第三段， 其中提到“ In the United States ，20 percent

34、of thenewly hired professors in science and engineering are foreign-born ，” （在 美國，有 20%新近聘用的理工科教授出生于國外，）故B “20%正確。 A “10%文中說的是在英 國最好的教育機構中外國留學生的比例占到10%。 C “30%”文中說的是在美國有30%的博士學位被授予外國留學生。 D “38%”文中說的是在英國，有38%的博士學位被授予外國留學生。（4）.How do Yale andHarvard prepare their undergraduates for global careers?（分數：

35、 7.00）A. They organize a series of seminars on world economy.B. They offer them various courses in international politics.C. They arrange for them to participate in the Erasmus program.D. They give them chances for international study or internship.V解析：本題問“為了使本科生適應全球性工作，耶魯大學和哈佛大學做了怎樣的安排”。根據題文中Yalean

36、d Harvard 可知文中相關部分在第四段，其中提到“ Yale and Harvard have led the way， offering everyundergraduate at least one international study or internship opportunity-and providing thefinancial resources to make it possible. ”（耶魯大學和哈佛大學領先一步，為每位本科生提供不少于一次的國際交流學習或實習的機會，并提供財政支持以保證其實施。）故D “給予學生開展國際學習交流或實習的機會”正確。A “他們組織

37、了關于世界經濟的系列講座”、B “他們提供了關于國際政治的 各糞課程文”中均未提及。C “他們安排學生參與伊拄斯默斯計劃”：文中提到歐洲有140 萬學生參加了伊拉斯默斯計劃，但沒提到耶魯或哈佛大學有這樣的安排。（5）_.An exampleillustrating the general trend of universities globalization is _ . （分數：7.00 ）VA. Yales collaboration with Fudan University on genetic researchB. Yales helping Chinese universities

38、 to launch research projectsC. Yales student exchange program with European institutionsD. Yales establishing branch campuses throughout the world 解析：本題問“有怎樣的事例可以說明大學全球化的普遍趨勢”。 文中相關部分在第五段， 其中提到“ Yaleprofessor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Tian Xu directs a research center focused

39、on the geneticsof human disease at Shanghais Fudan University， in collaboration withfaculty colleagues from both schools”( 耶魯大學教授兼霍華德休斯醫學院研究員徐天在上海復旦大學主持的人類疾病基因研究中心，就是在兩所學校教研人員的合作下開展工作的。）故A “耶魯大學與復旦大學在基因研究方面的合作”正確。 A “耶魯大學幫助中國的大學發動研究項目”。C “耶魯大學D “耶魯大學在世界各地建立分校”。這三項文中均未提及。(6).What do we learn about Si

40、licon Valley from the passage?A. It houses many companies spun off from MIT and Harvard.B. It is known to be the birthplace of Microsoft Company.C. It was intentionally created by Stanford University.D. It is where the Internet infrastructure was built up. 解析：本題問“從文章可以得到關于硅谷怎樣的信息”。根據題文中 第六段，其中提到硅谷就是

41、斯坦福大學有目的地創設的，。的”正確。A “硅谷為許多發源于麻有理工學院和哈佛大學的公司提供了辦公地點”：文中說的是波士頓外 128 號地區有許多發源于麻省理工學院和哈佛大學的公司 稱”、D “在硅谷建設了因特網基礎設施”文中均未提及。(7).What is said about the U.S. federal funding for research?A. It has increased by 3 percent.B. It has been unsteady for years.VC. It has been more than sufficient.D. It doubled bet

42、ween 1998 and 2003. 解析：本題問“文中關于用于科研的美國聯邦基金是怎樣講的”politicians recognize the link between investment in science and national economic strengthbut support for research funding has been unsteady” （大多數政治家們認識到了在科學領域投資和國家經濟優勢之間的關聯，但是對于研究的經費支持卻處于不穩定的狀態。）故B “多年來一直不穩定”正確。A “增加了 3% :文中說的是聯邦基金應該依照物價上漲的幅度每年再增加3 個

43、百分點。C “一直是蚌蚌有余”：與文中經費不足的暗示相反。D “在 1998 到 2003 年間增加了一倍”：文中說的是國家衛生機構的預算翻了一倍，但是此后其增長卻低于物價上漲的幅度。（8）.The dramatic decline in the enrollment of foreign students in the U.S. after September 11 was caused by.（分數： 7.00 ）填空項 1:_ （正確答案： changes in the visa process ）解析： 本題空白處問“ 9?11 之后美國留學生入學人數的大幅下降是由什么引起的”。 根據

44、題文中 dramatic decline可知文中相關部分在倒數第二段，其中提到“ In the wake of September 11， changes in the visa process caused adramatic decline in the number of foreign students seeking admission toUSuniversities，” （由于 911 的影響，在簽證審批程序方面發生的改變導致了申請到美國大學求學的留學生人數的大幅減少，.。）因此答案為“ changes in the visa process ”。（9）.Many America

45、ns fear that American competitiveness may be threatened by foreign students whowill _ . （分數： 7.00）填空項 1:_ （正確答案： take their knowledge and skills back home）解析：本題空白處問“許多美國人擔心留學生怎么樣會使美國的競爭力受到威脅”。文中相關部分在倒數 第一段，其中提到“ but many fear that foreign students threaten American competitiveness by taking their kn

46、owledge and的學生與歐洲的教育機構交換計劃”分數： 7.00 ）VSilicon Valley 可知文中相關部分在）故C “硅谷是斯坦福大學有目的地創建B “硅谷因為是微軟公司的誕生地而著（分數： 7.00 ）文中相關部分在第七段， 其中提到“ MostVskills back home.（. 但是許多人擔心留學生會將知識和技術帶回自己的國家，從而威脅到美國的競爭力。 ）因此答案為“ take their knowledge and skills back home”。（10）.The policy of welcoming foreign students can benefit

47、the U.S. in that the very best of them will stay and.（分數： 7.00 ）填空項 1:_ （正確答案： strengthen the nation ）解析： 本題空白處問“歡迎留學生的政策會為美國帶來好處， 這是因為留學生當中最好的那些大會留在美 國并且怎樣”。根據題文中 the very best of them 可知文中相關部分在倒數第一段，其中提到“the verybest of them stay in the States and-like immigrants throughout history-strengthen then

48、ation ” （留學生當中最優秀的人留在了美國正如史上的移民那樣使得美國變得更為強大。 ） 因此答案為“ strengthen the nation ”。三、BPart 川 Listening Comprehension/B（總題數：3,分數：105.00）Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.Questions 11 to 18 are based on the conversation you have just heard.（分數： 56.00 ）A. She used to be in

49、 poor health.B. She was somewhat overweight.C. She was popular among boys.VD. She didnt do well at high school.解析： 聽力原文 W: I ran into Sally the other day. I could hardly recognize her. Do you remember her from high school?M: Yeah, she was a little out of shape back then. Well, has she lost a lot of

50、weight? Q: What does the man remember ofSally?本題問“男士關于薩利有什么樣的記憶 ?”女士說“幾天前我遇到了薩利。 我幾乎認不出她了。 你還記得她上高中時的樣子嗎 ?”男士說“她那個時候身體 有些走形了。那么，她的體重減輕了許多嗎？”問體重減輕了沒有，也就是說薩利那時太胖了。因此C “她那時有些胖”正確。A. At the airport.B. In a booking office.C. In a restaurant.D. At the hotel reception.V解析： 聽力原文 W: Wedont seem to have a res

51、ervation for you, sir. Im sorry. M: But my secretary said that she hadreserved a room for me here. I phoned her from the airport this morning just before I got on board the plane. Q: Wheredoes the conversation most probably take place?本題問“本對話最有可能發生在什么地方 ?”女士說“很抱歉， 我們似乎沒有您的預定。 ”男士說“但是我的 秘書說她在這里為我預定了房

52、間。我今天早上在登機之前剛給她去過電話。”他們在談論有沒有定好房間 的事，也就是說這個對話應該發生在賓館大堂的接待處。因此D “賓館接待處”正確。A. Teaching her son by herself.B. Asking the teacher for extra help.VC. Having confidence in her son.D. Telling her son not to worry.解析： 聽力原文 W: What would you do if you were in my place? M: If Paul were my son, Id just not wor

53、ry. Now thathis teacher is giving him extra help and he is working harder himself, hes sure to do well in the next exam. Q: Whats themans suggestion to the woman?本題問“男士給女士的建議是什么 ?”女士問“如果你處于我的位置，你會怎么辦 ?”男士說“如果保羅是我的兒子，我就 不會那么擔憂。既然他的老師正在為他做額外的輔導，而且他自己也比以前更努力了，在下次考試中他一 定會考好的。”也就是說男士認為女士不必為她的兒子保羅擔心。因此 B

54、“對她的兒子有信心”正確。A. Have a short break.VB. Continue her work outdoors.C. Take two weeks off.D. Go on vacation with the man.解析： 聽力原文 M: Youve had your hands full and have been overworked during the last two weeks. I think you reallyneed to go out and get some fresh air and sunshine. W: You are right. Tha

55、ts just what Im thinking about. Q: What is thewoman most probably going to do? 本題問“女士最 有可能將去做什么事 ?”男士說“你上兩個星期忙得不可開交，工作過度了。我想你真的需要出去走走， 呼吸點新鮮空氣，曬曬太陽。”男士的建議實際上是讓女士出去休息一陣。女士回答說：“是呀，我正在考 慮這事兒呢。 ”也就是說女士正想出去度假休息一下。因此 A “休個短假”正確。A. He is taking care of his twin brother.B. He has been feeling ill all week.C

56、. He is worried about Rods health.D.He has been in perfect condition.V解析： 聽力原文 W: Hello, John. How are you feeling now? I hear youve been ill. M: They must have confused mewith my twin brother Rod. Hes been sick all wee. k, but Ive never felt better in my life. Q: What do we learn about theman?本題問“關

57、于男士我們知道些什么 ?”女士問“約翰，你現在感覺怎么樣 ?我聽說你病了。”男士說“他們肯定是把我和我的孿生兄弟弄混了。他病了一周了，但是我的身體棒得很。”也就是說生病的是約翰的孿生兄弟，而約翰身體很好。因此D “他的身體狀況極佳” 正確。A. She sold all her furniture before she moved house.B. She still keeps some old furniture in her new house.VC. She plans to put all her old furniture in the basement.D. She bought

58、 a new set of furniture from Italy last month.解析： 聽力原文 M: Did you really give away all your furniture when you moved into the new house last month? W:Just the useless pieces, as Im planning to purchase a new set from Italy for thesitting room only. Q: What does the woman mean?本題問“女士的話是什么意思 ?”男士問“你上個

59、月搬新家的時候真的把所有的家具都送人了 ?”女士說“就送了些不用的家具，因為我打算只是為起居室從意大利買一套新家具。”也就是說女士并沒有將所有的家具都送人。因此B “她的新家里還是保留了一些舊家具”正確。A. The woman wondered why the man didnt return the book.B. The woman doesnt seem to know what the book is about.C. The woman doesnt find the book useful any more.D. The woman forgot lending the book

60、 to the man.V解析： 聽力原文 M: Ive brought back your Oxford Companion to English literature. I thought you might use it for yourpaper. Sorry not to have returned it earlier. W: I was wondering where that book was. Q: What can we infer from theconversation?本題問“從對話中可以做出怎樣的推斷 ?”男士說“我把你的 英國文學牛津指南 還回來了。 我想你寫論文