Ⅰ. Listening Comprehension
Section A
Short Conversations
Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.
1. A. At home.
B. On a bus.
C. In a taxi.
D. On a plane.
2. A. A journalist.
B. An official.
C. An engineer.
D. A cashier.
3. A.15 minutes.
B. 90 minutes.
C.120 minutes.
D. 105 minutes.
4. A. Policeman and driver.
B. Teacher and student.
C. Boss and clerk.
D. Doctor and nurse.
5. A. The man isn’t sure whether he’ll go to the party.
B. The man just returned from a visit to the Andersons.
C. The man may not be able to give the woman a ride.
D. The man will get his car back on Friday.
6. A. He hasn’t had a chance to meet Kathy yet.
B. Kathy had already told him the news.
C. He didn’t know that Kathy was being moved.
D. His new office will be located in New York.
7. A. The style is more important than the color.
B. The green dress doesn’t fit as well as the blue one.
C. The woman should buy a dress instead of a suit.
D. The woman looks better in blue.
8. A. Few students meet Professor Johnson’s requirements.
B. Few students understand Professor Johnson’s lecture.
C. Many students have dropped Professor Johnson’s class.
D. Many students find Professor Johnson’s lecture boring.
Section B Passages
Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages, and you will be asked three questions on each of the passages. The passages will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard.
Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.
11.
A. A New York tour guide.
B. A computer expert.
C. A film maker.
D. A teacher.
12.
A. A science fiction cartoon.
B. A scientific program.
C. A movie on medical development.
D. A dream about New York City.
13. A. To explain how the brain works.
B. To show the latest type of computers.
C. To increase membership in medical societies.
D. To raise funds for public television programming.
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
14.
A. Providing convenience.
B. Selling their products.
C. Informing the public of available services.
D. Telling the consumer about their products.
15.
A. Think carefully.
B. Think quickly.
C. Do not consider economy.
D. Think little of convenience.
16.
A. Spend your money more wisely.
B. Buy things more like a film star does.
C. Become a more emotional consumer.
D. Be able to get cheaper things.
Section C
Longer Conversations
Directions: In Section C, you will hear two longer conversations. The conversations will be read twice. After you hear each conversation, you are required to fill in the numbered blanks with the information you have heard. Write your answers on your answer sheet.
Blanks 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.
Complete the form. Write ONE WORD for each answer.
The woman’s major __17__.
Her ideas on language learning Hard but __18__.
Something different from her country Its __19__.
The place she works at
In a company doing __20__ with the people there.
Blanks 21 through 24 are based on the following conversation.
Complete the form. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Experience of going through Customs
What is the man? A __21__.
What is the woman going to do first? Attend __22__.
How long will the woman stay in the country? __23__.
What does the man ask the woman to do? Show her passport, answer some questions and __24__.
II. Grammar and Vocabulary
Section A
Directions: After reading the passages below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks,爑se one word that best fits each blank.
( A )
One day Gene and Hannah Bortnick heard piano music (25) ______ (come) from their living room. They thought their 3-year-old son Ethan (26) ______ (listen) to a CD. Then they walked into
the room. To their amazement, they found him playing music on his toy piano!
Having discovered his remarkable talent, Ethan’s parents changed their minds and agreed to his previous begging for piano lessons. They turned to a family member who taught piano, and she began working with Ethan. It wasn’t long, however, (27) ______ the teacher knew that he was no ordinary student. Ethan was a piano prodigy (神童) and needed someone who understood his special talents and abilities. The family found Dr. Irena Kofman, (28) ______ immediately recognized his talent and intelligence.
With Dr. Kofman’s help, Ethan learned about piano technique and different types of music. Before long, he was being asked to perform for many events. Later he was receiving invitations from the likes of Jay Leno and Oprah. Ethan was 6 and in kindergarten (29) ______ he first appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. At that time, he already had over 200 songs
(30) ______ (memorize) and was developing a CD.
Today, at the age of 13, it seems there is (31) ______ Ethan cannot do. He plays piano, sings, composes songs and acts. He has entertained audiences around the world with music (32) ______ (range) from Beethoven to Bieber.
In 2010, Ethan became (33) ______ (young) musician to create and host his own TV concert special.
Then in 2013, the performer starred in and wrote music for the movie Anything is Possible.
( B )
Tasui is a teenager who lives in Africa. When he was young, he had polio (小儿麻痹症). Although he wants to go to school, he must work.
Tasui is only one of millions of children who can’t go to school. Many (34) ______ work to support their families. Therefore, more than 100 million children will never receive an education. Can anything be done? Global Campaign for Education (GCE) thinks so. It was formed to solve this problem. The government aims to give every person, especially those in poverty, (35) ______ opportunity to get an education.
Established in 1999, GCE is made up of 120 organizations with members in almost 100 countries. Education is a basic human right, and GCE campaigns to realize this right. It works with governments (36) ______ (improve) education in each country.
Today, nearly 1 (37) ______ 6 people around the world cannot read or write. Not being able to read impacts a person’s job opportunities and increases poverty. GCE seeks to provide
(38) ______ (teach) materials in primary students’ mother tongues.
Around the world, many girls face neglect and are often denied an education. GCE aims to give women the same opportunities as men.
Every spring, GCE leads the Global Action Week. During this week, GCE highlights people who (39) ______ (deny) educational opportunities. This year the Global Action Week focuses on providing an education to disabled people.
GCE believes (40) ______ quality education can change lives.
Section B
Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
A. studies
B. reaching
C. familiar
D. folded
E. complications
F. monitors
G. probably
H. helpful
I. exploring
J. discussions
K. particularly
Google Inc. is searching for a better way for millions of diabetics (糖尿病患者) to manage their disease by developing a contact lens that (41) ______ glucose (葡萄糖) levels in tears.
The “smart” contact lens uses a tiny wireless chip and small glucose sensor that is
(42) ______ into two layers of soft contact lens material.
Google is in (43) ______ with the Food and Drug Administration, the company said. But the contact lenses could be years from (44) ______ the public. The prototype (原型) can bring about a reading once per second, which could be very (45) ______ for diabetics who must pay close attention to their blood sugar and adjust their dose of insulin (胰岛素). Google is also (46) ______ whether the lenses could be an “early warning” for diabetics by equipping them with tiny LED lights that light up when insulin levels get too high or low.
“You’ve (47) ______ heard that diabetes is a huge and growing problem — affecting one out of every nineteen people on the planet. But you may not be (48) ______ with the daily struggle that many people with diabetes face as they try to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Uncontrolled blood sugar puts people at risk for a range of dangerous (49) ______ , some short-term and others longer-term, including damage to the eyes, kidneys and heart,” Google said in a blog post. “It’s still early days for this technology, but we’ve completed multiple clinical research (50) ______, which are helping to improve our prototype. We hope this could someday lead to a new way for people with diabetes to manage their disease.”
III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
Residents of urban areas often make use of public transportation on their way to school or the office. But when their final __51__ isn’t near a bus stop or subway station, those folks have a problem. Transportation experts often __52__ to this as the “last mile” problem — finding a way to close the gap between public transportation stops and one’s destination.
With the last mile problem in mind, the makers of the URB-E __53__ a compact electric vehicle that weighs around 13 kilograms. Unlike bikes, which often don’t fit on crowded buses or trains, the URB-E collapses into a form __54__ to carry-on luggage. And since the URB-E can be carried __55__ anywhere, it’s not as vulnerable(易受攻击的) to thieves as bikes are.
Depending on usage, the URB-E can travel for 32 kilometers on a single __56__, reaching a top speed of 24 kilometers per hour. Although there are other vehicles attempting to __57__ the last mile issue, the URB-E __58__ for its ease of use, portability and affordable price. For the price of a nice laptop, you could have an URB-E to drive to the office.
The URB-E is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and comes in two basic models: the URB-E Commuter and the URB-E GP. The main __59__ between the two is that the Commuter model has two rear wheels while the GP has only one. That means the Commuter offers greater stability, as __60__ to the GP’s ability to make sharper turns like a bicycle.
Both models come with accessories(配件) __61__ LED front and rear lights and a shock-absorbing seat. They also __62__ a smartphone holder and USB charging port right on the steering column. In fact, smartphones play a big role in the URB-E app to do things like monitor battery charge or control the lights. __63__ accessories include a cup holder and a folding luggage shelf.
At this year’s international Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, tech website The Verge awarded the URB-E with its “Best Personal Transportation” award. Singing the URB-E’s __64__, Verge editor Ben Popper said, “The URB-E felt like the kind of vehicle an enlightened citizen of 2030 would own.” So why wait that long, when the URB-E is __65__ for order now?
A. purpose
B. destination
C. transportation
D. vehicle
A. refer
B. accustom
C. attach
D. stick
A. discovered
B. introduced
C. designed
D. manufactured
A. convenient
B. efficient
C. objective
D. similar
A. constantly
B. eventually
C. mainly
D. practically
A. charge
B. tourism
C. competition
D. distance
A. cover
B. develop
C. address
D. conquer
A. breaks away
B. stands out
C. invests in
D. perseveres in
A. difference
B. characteristic
C. shortcoming
D. advantage
A. familiar
B. strange
C. important
D. opposed
A.as a result of
B. such as
C. in all
D. in addition to
A. install
B. explore
C. feature
D. equip
A. Optional
B. Critical
C. Essential
D. Unique
A. influences
B. contributions
C. praises
D. achievements
A. accessible
B. flexible
C. fascinating
D. available
Section B
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
(A)
Rugby looks like a mixture of soccer and American football. In Rugby, players carry the ball, kick the ball and tackle (拦截抢球) one another. Men, women and children play it in more than 120 countries.
Legend says rugby was invented in 1823 at a school in the town of Rugby, England. One of the school’s students, a young man named William Webb Ellis, was playing in a soccer match. But he got bored with just kicking the ball, so he picked it up and ran with it. Before long, this new way of playing soccer became popular at the school. When the school’s students finished their studies, they moved to other parts of Britain, taking the new game, which they called rugby, with them. Before long, they and others established rugby clubs throughout Britain and in British colonies around the world.
By the 1870s, there were many rugby clubs in Britain and elsewhere, but they weren’t all playing rugby the same way. To solve this problem, representatives from twenty-two teams met and agreed on official rugby regulations. They also founded an association of rugby teams, called the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
Today,Rugby Union World Cup tournaments are held every four years. The first one occurred in 1987 with Australia and New Zealand hosting. The next World Cup will happen in 2015 and will be hosted by England. Thousands of fans will travel to attend the matches and cheer on their favorite teams. Believe it or not, not one team who’s won the Rugby World Cup has managed to win the next World Cup! But players and fans don’t mind. They just enjoy the game.
What is this article mainly about?
A. An institution for disabled youngsters.
B. An activity which provides recreation.
C. A yearly competition with huge prizes.
D. A community with an interesting history.
What did William Webb Ellis do differently?
A. He kicked the ball repeatedly.
B. He beat balls after matches.
C. He held the ball in his hands.
D. He threw the ball really well.
What did the clubs finally confirm in the 1870s?
A. A united legal defense
B. Plans for new stadiums
C. Standard rules of play
D. Backing for other sports
What does this article tell us about the Rugby Union World Cup?
A. How frequently it takes place
B. How mechanical it’s become
C. How officials plan to change it
D. How well journalists cover it
(B)
The Internet of Things (IoT) aims to get everything and everyone talking. Attaching sensors to “things”, such as cows, cars and refrigerator, and then assigning them unique IP addresses allow them to “talk” to the Internet. Of course, the IoT will involve much more than a handful of sensors. Networking company Cisco estimates that 50 billion Internet-connected devices and objects will be sending over data by 2020.
Specific Benefits
The IoT will allow people to track things and processes like never before. Airplane manufacturers will be able to continuously track the condition of airplane parts, allowing them to do preventive maintenance and avoid costly downtime. Consumers could install smart meters in their homes to monitor energy usage and observe energy price changes in real time. That would allow people to adjust their habits and use electrical appliances during lower-priced hours.
Some Fears
Some critics fear that the IoT could end up being a fashion that people lose interest in over time. Having Twitter feeds on refrigerator doors may sound cool at first, but the attraction could fade as quickly as the excitement over last year’s smartphone! Other critics are doubtful that companies making Internet-connected appliances will provide long-term software updates. If that happens, a refrigerator or washing machine that should last 10 years or more could last two or three due to software that’s outdated.
A Positive Example
Early this year, owners of the Tesla Model S electric car received a recall notice alerting them to a charger plug needing to be fixed. Amazingly, owners of the Model S sat back while the company performed an “over the air” wireless update. Customers confirmed the update by tapping on the car’s touchscreen console to see that the Model S was running the latest software version. No trip to the dealer was required!
Perhaps Tesla’s remote fix is a sign of things to come. Someday soon, people’s lives might become a lot more efficient and convenient thanks to the IoT.
How do researchers get everything and everyone talking?
A. By establishing the IoT and launching a handful of sensors.
B. By connecting sensors with them and appointing them unique IP addresses.
C. By communicating with them all the time through the IoT.
D. By sending people to track them day and night and collect useful data.
According to the article, which of the following is NOT TRUE?
A. IoT can help people do preventive maintenance and save money.
B. IoT can help people monitor energy usage and observe price changes timely.
C. IoT can help people adjust their habits and use electrical appliances more smartly.
D. IoT can help people investigate things and update a lot of important data.
72. What else do critics worry about the IoT besides its probably ending up being a fashion?
A. People will lose interest in it as quickly as the thrill over last year’s smartphone.
B. Refrigerators and washing machines will be replaced by other devices in a few years.
C. Whether related companies will provide long-term software updates or not.
D. The software provided by companies will be outdated easily and quickly.
According to the passage, when owners of the Tesla Model S electric received a recall notice,
they ______.
A. just waited in the car while the maintenance is being done through wireless update
B. were required to go to the nearest 4s store to make some adjustments or repairs
C. could definitely depend on the IoT to send them the charger plug to be fixed
D. had to confirm the update with the help of the equipment provided by the company
( C )
The $19 billion that Facebook Inc. is paying for a smartphone application made jaws drop, even in Silicon Valley.
But analysts say the purchase of WhatsApp could pay off for Facebook as it takes on Google Inc. and other technology giants in the race to be the next big thing in mobile.
The battle for mobile
Technology giants are fighting for their future as consumers switch their loyalties from personal computers to mobile devices. By 2015, 5 billion people are expected to be carrying around the tiny computers in their pockets.
As a result, quick startups that have outpaced their grown-up rivals in building popular mobile services have become takeover targets.
Just last year Facebook offered $3 billion for Los Angeles-based messaging company Snapchat, but was turned down. WhatsApp, a tiny California company, was a far bigger prize.
With 450 million users, WhatsApp is the market leader in mobile messaging. Chief Executive Jan Koum says his company’s goal from the start was “to be on every single smartphone in the world.”
Facebook is betting WhatsApp can help it go beyond competitors in messaging, the new communication medium of choice.
Survival at stake (在紧急关头)
The stakes could not be higher for Facebook. More people are communicating on their mobile devices rather than sending information to hundreds of friends on social networks. Its very survival depends on its ability to obtain the new ways people are connecting and sharing.
By that logic, the price Facebook is paying for WhatsApp isn’t so bubbly (多泡的), said David Wessels, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
“As a stand-alone company, WhatsApp is clearly not worth $19 billion, period,” Wessels said. “But by no means would I consider this unreasonable. Would you give away 10 percent of your company to extend the life of your company?”
A wise investment?
At first, Facebook investors did experience what analyst Arvind Bhatia called “sticker shock” after learning that Facebook planned to pay $19 billion for WhatsApp, a company that had declared it had no plans to make money any time soon.
But investors quickly neglected concerns. Shares of Facebook briefly hit a record high the day after the sale was announced.
Facebook is certainly not alone in placing sky-scraping evaluations on unproven startups, analysts say.
Blogging service Tumblr sold to Yahoo Inc. for more than $1 billion. Dozens more startups are valued at $1 billion or more.
Facebook is quick to point out that WhatsApp reached 450 million users faster than any company in history.
74. The phrase “take on” in the second paragraph most probably means ______.
A. show off
B. compete with
C. cooperate with
D. object to
75. Why do the technology giants start the battle for mobile according to the passage?
A. Because they all want to become number one in the field of technology.
B. Because all of them wish every customer to use tiny computers.
C. Because consumers prefer mobile devices to computers.
D. Because mobile devices are the latest technology at present.
76. According to the passage, what does the author imply?
A. Facebook’s decision is correct and reasonable.
B. Facebook’s decision is incorrect and unreasonable.
C. Facebook’s decision is acceptable but unreasonable.
D. Facebook’s decision is bright but adventurous.
77. What is the best title for the passage?
A. The Revolutionary about Mobile Devices
B. Facebook Inc. and WhatsApp
C. How Technology Giants Grow
D. What’s Up with WhatsApp
Section C
Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words.
For senior adviser Kathryn Cramer, author of Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do, the best way to inspire followers is to focus on the positive. Cramer developed a methodology called Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) based on this message of positive thinking, and describes in her book how leaders:
see the positive in the past, present and future;
say the positive with communications with substance, enthusiasm and soul;
do the positive by responding with intention (not reacting), using their qualities and driving positive change over the long term.
The see-say-do framework is at the heart of Cramer’s Asset-Based Thinking methodology, which offers a comprehensive framework for leaders to respond to a wide variety of challenges and situations. In Lead Positive, Cramer describes a range of ABT techniques and guidelines for applying the framework.
The “force field analysis”, for example, is a technique used to learn from a past situation that successfully worked, and is built around four questions:
“What forces were working for us?” With this question, you should identify five positive, promoting forces, Cramer writes.
“What forces were working against us?” This question should lead to one or two negative forces.
“What did we do to use the promoting forces and eliminate or sidestep the negative forces?”
“What behavior do we want to repeat and knowledge do we want to carry forward? Which situational assets do we want to recreate, and which situational traps must we avoid?”
These questions will give the leader and his or her team a clear memory of how they used positive “situational forces” and overcame negative ones to achieve success. Cramer’s force field analysis is both informational and inspiring.
One of the recurring (一再出现) approaches in Cramer’s ABT methodology is the Self-Other-Situation framework, in which leaders take into account themselves, others and the situation in question. For example, to help leaders “see” the positive in the present, Cramer writes that they need to consider what makes them feel strong and capable, how they develop meaningful connections with other people, and what gives them a sense of progress or achievement .
(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.)
78. What is the highlight of Cramer’s ABT technique?
79. The “force field analysis” can help leaders _________________________________________.
80. How does the author like Cramer’s force field analysis?
81. In Self-Others-Situation framework, leaders should __________________________________.
第II卷
（共4分）
’ll miss the plane.
M: Sorry, madam, but we are in the rush hour.
Q: Where is the woman?
2. W: What jobs have you done in the past five years?
M: Many kinds of jobs. I was once an official and later an engineer. Up till now I have been a
journalist for three years.
Q: What’s the man’s present job?
3. W: Does the play start at 6:15?
M: It starts at 6:30 and ends at 8:00.
Q: How long does the play last?
4. W: Why didn’t you stop when the light had changed red?
M: I’m terribly sorry that I was absent-minded. Do I have to pay a fine?
Q: What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?
5. W: Can you drive me to the Anderson’s party Friday night?
M: It depends on if I get my car back from the shop.
Q: What can we learn from the conversation?
6. W: Did you hear? They are moving Kathy to the New York office.
M: They are? That’s news to me.
Q: What does the man mean?
7. W: I really like this green dress. The fit is perfect, but I’m not sure about the color.
M: Try another one. It’s the same style, but blue suits you better.
Q: What does the man mean?
8. W: You are taking a course with Professor Johnson. What’s your impression so far?
M: Many students could hardly stay awake in his class without first drinking a cup of coffee.
Q: What does the man imply?
9. W: Would you mind taking a picture of me in front of the fountain?
M: Not at all. But I’m not sure how this camera works.
Q: What will probably happen next?
10. W: I’m afraid this is the only room in the hotel we have free at this time, sir.
M: I guess I’ll take what I can get. Next time I’ll be sure to call in advance and make a
reservation.
Q: What can be inferred about the man?
Section B Passages
Today I’d like to mention an interesting television program that will be shown on January 1st. It’s about the brain. It’s a public television show produced in New York City. The program will investigate how the brain functions and malfunctions. Some interesting topics that will be discussed are dreaming, memory and depression. Computers will be used to make the explanation easy to follow. The show is not for children but don’t worry. It’s not intended for scientists, either. I think the program will be very helpful with the work we are doing in class on the brain. I hope you’ll watch it. Remember it’s on January 1st.
Questions:
Who is the speaker?
What will be broadcast on television on January 1st?
What will be the main purpose of the show?
The most obvious purpose of advertising is to inform the consumer of available services. The second purpose is to sell the product. To the manufactures the second purpose might be more important. They try to persuade customers to buy the product by creating a desire for it.
In general, many purchases are rational, or carefully thought out. People usually consider the economy and convenience when they are buying a product. At other times, the reason behind a purchase may not be clear to a consumer. Consumers may be influenced by an advertisement on TV showing a sports hero using the product. They may want to copy the hero by using the product and so choose it.
Of course, need remains the most important reason for buying something. Food is a real need, but what about the sugar-coated breakfast food advertised on TV? It’s neither necessary nor nutritious. What causes the shopper to buy this product? Most likely it is an emotional motive.
Knowing the reasons behind decisions to buy things makes you a wiser shopper. A person should try to become a more intelligent and rational consumer, one who spends what is worth spending.
Questions:
To the manufactures, what’s the main purpose of advertising?
What do most consumers do before buying a product?
If you know the reason behind decisions to buy things, what will you do?
Section C Longer Conversations
( A )
M: Are you studying here?
W: Yes, I’m studying in the East Asia Languages Department.
M: What are you majoring in?
W: I’m majoring in Japanese.
M: Is it difficult to learn?
W: Yes, the language is hard to learn, but it’s interesting.
M: Do you know anything about the country?
W: Yes, I’m reading a lot of books about Japan. I like its culture. It’s quite different from ours.
M: Yes, it is. It’s important to learn the culture of a nation if you want to learn its language well.
W: You are right.
M: Do you want to do business or to teach in that country?
W: I’m working in a company that does a lot of business with Japan.
M: Oh, I see. Good luck, then.
( B )
M: Next. Your passport, please.
W: Okay. Here you are.
M: Uh, what is the purpose of your visit?
W: I’m here to attend a business conference for the first part of my trip, and then I plan on touring
the capital for a few days.
M: And where will you be staying?
W: I’ll be staying at a hotel downtown for the entire week.
M: And uh, what do you have in your luggage?
W: Well, just, just my personal belongings um, ... Clothes, a few books, a camera and a computer.
M: Okay. Well, please open your bag.
W: Sure.
M: Okay ... Everything is fine. Uh, by the way, is this your first visit to the country?
W: Well, yes.
M: I’m sure you will like our country. Enjoy your trip.
W: Thanks.