Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be done at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be done at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work. You will then be given 2 minutes to check through your work once more. Please write the whole passage on ANSWER SHEET ONE. Now, listen to the passage.
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British Holidaying Habits In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable / for the average family in the UK,/ and more people started traveling abroad for their summer holidays./ After all, the British weather wasn’t very good, even in summer,/ so a lot of people left the country for a vacation./ In the 1980s and 1990s, young people in the UK became wealthier on average./ As a result, they started to go abroad in groups, / to places such as Spain and Greece. / Once they arrived at their destination,/ they met with other groups of young people and had one long party./ British holidaying habits have begun to change, however. / Climate change means that the UK now has a hotter climate, / so people do not need to go overseas to find good weather. / Also, going abroad is more expensive. / As a result, more British people are choosing to spend their summer holidays in the UK. /
Which of the statements about the auto show is INCORRECT? The show will have more stands this year. ∣The show will have more visitors this year. ∣The number of overseas visitors will be the same this year. ∣The number of exhibition days will be the same this year.
During the conversation, the man seems to be more interested in_____. the size of the show∣the visitor number∣the basic furniture∣the cost of the stand
What is Jim interested in? Buying a new educational computer. ∣Investing in the company’s product. ∣Joining the computer company. ∣Reading the campaign plan.
Sue Green seems to be more interested in John’s experience of_____. working in a youth club∣working in a paper factory∣looking after his brother and sister∣looking after his young friends
It can be learned from the passage that_____. air travelers usually enjoy luxury during flight∣air journeys are quite often far from comfortable∣air travelers usually enjoy upgraded conditions∣airlines always provide good in-flight entertainment
Which job will involve supervising workers using dangerous equipment? Assembly supervisor.∣Carpenter supervisor.∣Assistant site manager.∣Automobile service station manager.
Who will also decide on the prices of products and services? Airlines’ flight service manager.∣Automobile service station manager.∣Assistant site manager.∣Carpenter supervisor.
Which job offers the highest salary? Carpenter supervisor.∣Automobile service station manager.∣Assistant site manager.∣Airlines’ flight service manager.
Witnesses saw the two men_____. run back to the lorry separately∣run back to the lorry without hoods∣leave the lorry together∣leave the lorry without hoods
Which of the following details is CORRECT? The lorry was originally painted white.∣The lorry had no registration plates.∣The shorter man was the passenger.∣The taller man was the driver.
What did NASA’s Constellation Program originally plan to do? To set up a moon colony by 2020.∣To continue the current shuttle missions till 2020.∣To send astronauts again to the moon by 2020.∣To create more jobs for NASA till 2020.
NASA’s Constellation Program would be canceled mainly because______. there were more important space missions∣the space agency lacked funding for the program∣the current shuttle missions would continue∣Congress failed to pass President Obama’s budget
The Russian cargo ship was sinking. What was the direct cause? No explanation of the problem.∣Long distance away from land.∣Slow rescue efforts.∣Severe weather.
Why did the singers meet in Hollywood? To raise money for African humanitarian efforts.∣To raise money for Haitian earthquake victims.∣To sing in memory of Michael Jackson.∣To make a recording of the original version of the song.
Which of the following details about the news is INCORRECT? Stars from the original version will take part. ∣Singers will use the same recording studio as in 1985. ∣The recording session is expected to last long. ∣The organizer is one of the co-writers of the first song.
The additional 2 billion dollars will mainly be used to_____. upgrade its network capacity∣improve customer services∣develop new products∣market more iPhones
Where is the presence of security patrols most evident? Where matches take place.∣Where protests may take place.∣Around the athletes’ village.∣In downtown Vancouver.
What is this news item mainly about? Political protests during the Olympics.∣Security operations during the Olympics.∣Olympics’ security forces.∣Security measures in buildings.
Which of the following italicized phrases indicates purpose? She said it for fun, but others took her seriously.∣For all its effort, the team didn’t win the match.∣Linda has worked for the firm for twenty years.∣He set out for Beijing yesterday.
Which of the following italicized phrases is INCORRECT? The city is now ten times its original size.∣I wish I had two times his strength.∣The seller asked for double the usual price.∣They come here four times every year.
Which of the following italicized parts is used as an object? What do you think has happened to her?∣Who do you think the visiting professor is?∣How much do you think he earns every month?∣How quickly would you say he would come?
Which of the following italicized parts is a subject clause (主语从句)? We are quite certain that we will get there in time.∣He has to face the fact that there will be no pay rise this year. ∣She said that she had seen the man earlier that morning.∣It is sheer luck that the miners are still alive after ten days.
In the sentence “The manager interviewed Jim himself in the morning”, the italicized word is used to modify ______. the object∣the verb∣the subject∣the prepositional
The sentence that expresses OFFER is ______. I’ll get some drinks. What’ll you have?∣Does she need to book a ticket now?∣May I know your name?∣Can you return the book next week?
Which of the following italicized phrases indicates a subject-predicate relation (主谓关系)? Mr Smith’s passport has been issued.∣The visitor’s arrival was reported in the news.∣John’s travel details have not been finalized.∣The new bookstore sells children’s stories.
“Look at those pretty girls’ skirts” is _____, because it is not clear whether the girls or the skirts are “pretty”. ambiguous∣hidden∣indirect∣indistinct
The following are all cited as advantages of e-books EXCEPT_____. imaginative design∣environmental friendliness∣convenience for readers∣multimodal content
According to the passage, people need knowledge of modern technology and _____ to survive in the fast-changing society. high sensitivity∣good judgment∣good imagination∣the ability to focus
What is the main idea of the passage? Technology pushes the way forward for reading and writing.∣Interconnectivity is a feature of new reading experience.∣Technology offers a greater variety of reading practice.∣Technology is an opportunity and a challenge for traditional reading.
According to the passage, “... spring cleaning is a difficult notion for modern families to grasp ” means that spring cleaning_____. is no longer an easy practice to understand.∣is no longer part of modern family life∣requires more family members to be involved∣calls for more complicated skills and knowledge
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be included in family spring cleaning? Beating the rugs.∣Cleaning the window.∣Cleaning the backyard.∣Restoring Wi-Fi services.
Why does the author say “spring cleaning can’t wait”? Because there will be more activities when it gets warmer.∣Because the air is fresher and the breeze is lighter.∣Because the whole family is full of energy at spring time.∣Because the snow is melting and the ground is thawing.
Which of the following interpretations of the biologists’ theory about melatonin is INCORRECT? The production of melatonin in our bodies varies at different times.∣Melatonin is more likely to cause sleepiness in our bodies.∣The reduction of melatonin will cause wakefulness in our bodies.∣The amount of melatonin remains constant in our bodies.
Which of the following can best sum up the author’s overall reaction to her adult son’s positive response to spring cleaning? Surprised and skeptical.∣Elated and hesitant.∣Relieved and optimistic.∣Optimistic and hesitant.
According to the passage, today’s young Japanese prefer______. a traditional arranged marriage∣a new type of arranged marriage∣a Western love marriage∣a more Westernized love marriage
Which of the following statements is CORRECT? A Western love marriage tends to miss some Japanese values.∣Less attention is paid to the partner’s qualifications in arranged marriages.∣Young Japanese would often calculate their partner’s wealth.∣A new arranged marriage is a repetition of the older type.
According to the passage, the figure 40% (Paragraph five) is uncertain because______. there has been a big increase in the number of arranged marriages∣Western love marriage still remains popular among young Japanese∣young Japanese start dating very early in their life in a Western tradition∣the tendency for arranged marriage could be stronger than is indicated
One of the big differences between a traditional nakodo and its contemporary version lies in the way______. wedding gifts are presented∣formalities are arranged∣a proposed partner is refused∣the middleman/woman is chosen
What is the purpose of the last paragraph? To tell the differences between an old and modern nakodo.∣To offer more details of the computerized nakodo.∣To provide some examples for the traditional nakodo.∣To sum up the main ideas and provide a conclusion.
According to the passage, which of the following was most significant in her early career? Her travel and the visits to bakeries around the world.∣Her nomination on the McDonald’s bun committee.∣A business contract with local bun suppliers.∣The interviews and experience in running a bakery.
“Harrington… made sure she was never off executives’ radar” (Paragraph Four) means that she herself wanted to be a company executive.∣meant to hire executives to run the business.∣meant to keep her management knowledge and skills.∣focused on the management of the bakery business.
How did she survive the crisis at the start of her bakery business? By opening her bun company ahead of schedule.∣By supplying buns for another company.∣By keeping supplies up for McDonald’s.∣By making a new agreement with McDonald’s.
Which of the following statements is INCORRECT in describing her current business? It is fast growing.∣It is diversified.∣Its clients are all local.∣It is more efficient.
According to the passage, which of the following is fundamental to Harrington’s success? Perseverance and concern for employees.∣Business expansion and family support.∣Efficiency and love for the family.∣Opportunities and speed.
SECTION A COMPOSITION [35 MIN] Recently government agencies in some big cities have been studying the possibility of putting a “pollution tax” on private cars. The amount of tax private car owners would have to pay would depend on the emission levels, i.e. engine or vehicle size. This has caused quite a stir among the public. Some regard it as an effective way to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. But others don’t think so. What is your opinion? Write on ANSWER SHEET THREE a composition of about 200 words on the following topic: Should Private Car Owners be Taxed for Pollution? You are to write three parts. In the first part, state specifically what your opinion is. In the second part, provide one or two reasons to support your opinion. In the third part, bring what you have written to a natural conclusion or make a summary. Marks will be awarded for content, organization, language and appropriateness. Failure to follow the instructions may result in a loss of marks. .
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Private Car Owners Should Be Taxed for Pollution In China as well as in the whole world, private cars increased dramatically over the years. More and more cars running on various roads everyday pose a big threat for the environment on earth. I strongly support the idea of putting a “pollution tax” on private cars for the following reasons. First of all, more cars mean more emission of carbon dioxide and other poisonous gases, which severely damage our living environment and people’s health. In recent years, human beings have experienced considerable changes of the climate, such as extreme climate phenomenon and the rise of global temperature. Although the increase of private cars is not the only reason for the climate change, it does contribute a lot in this process. Blue skies are becoming a luxury in some areas and people have to suffer in most gloomy days. More and more people complain about or even die of illnesses related to environmental pollution. Second, traffic congestion is also a demanding and pressing problem our government is facing nowadays. Accommodation of roads in big and middle cities falls out of step with the sharp increase of private cars. Traffic jam becomes an everyday occurrence in many cities, which is also a big waste of time and a threat to the environment. Facing all of the above issues, it’s obvious that we have to limit the number of private cars to bring our earth back to normal. Therefore, a “pollution tax” should be one of the effective ways to handle the difficult problem. Hopefully, mankind as a whole would realize how important and urgent it is to protect our environment from now on.
SECTION B NOTE-WRITING [10 MIN] Write on ANSWER SHEET THREE a note of about 50-60 words based on the following situation: During the summer vacation you would like to invite your best friend to your home town. Write a note to him/her, extending your invitation and telling him/her how to get to your home town. Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriateness.
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Dear Jasmine, The summer vacation is coming. Do you feel excited about it? I have been looking forward to the moment for a long time, because I can’t wait to invite you to visit my home town. We could have a lot of fun together then. I hope you have no other plans and we would meet in June. Now let me tell you how to get to my home town. You can take a bus to Dujiangyan at Chadianzi Bus station or you can take a CRH at Chengdu Railway Station. Please give me a call once you decide on the traffic means and I will meet you at the station. So, what’s your idea? I’m eager to get a reply from you. Yours, Catherine