2016年12月英语四级冲刺预测试题及答案(3)

　　Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled On Chinese Workers-Paid Holidays. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:

　　1. 有人认为“带薪休假”有很多好处……

　　2. 有人认为“带薪休假”落到实处很难

　　3. 你的观点及建议

　　Part ⅡReading Comprehension(Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)

　　Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.

　　For questions 1-7, mark

　　Y (for YES)if the statement agrees with information given in the passage;

　　N (for NO)if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;

　　NG(for NOT GIVEN)if the information is not given in the passage.

　　For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

　　Obesity in Children

　　Obesity in children and adolescents is rising at an alarming rate. Currently over 15% of young people over 6 years old are obese, and obesity is also increasing among children aged 5 and younger.

　　Children are considered to be overweight if the BMI (Body Mass Index) is over 85% of the weight group in their age and sex categories. If it is 95% and over, they are considered to be obese. Adolescents are generally judged according to adult criteria for obesity, although there are other considerations in this population. Ethnic variations, timing of growth spurts, and higher normal fat levels around puberty can cause disparities in these measurements.

　　Causes and Risk Factors for Obesity in Children

　　Lifestyle Factors. Without educational or parental guidance, children are extremely vulnerable to the intense cultural pressures that are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. Neither the media nor the educational system has strong well-financed programs that encourage healthy-alternatives, including exercise and healthy foods. The following are some specific problems created by the culture:

　　* Excessive television watching plays a critical role in obesity in children. Not only is it a sedentary activity, but television also offers innumerable temptations with its advertisements for fast foods, sugar cereals, and unhealthy snacks. In one study obesity rates were lowest in children who watched television one hour or less a day and highest in those who watched four or more hours.

　　* Sugar, particularly from soda, other sweetened beverages, and fruit juice, may be major contributors to childhood obesity. One study reported that drinking soda regularly increases a child’s risk for obesity by 60%.

　　* Less physical exercise and greater sedentary activities play another significant role in obesity in children. A high level of physical, activity—not just using up energy—is important for weight control in young people.

　　Family History. Parental obesity more than doubles the risk that a young child, whether thin or overweight, will become obese as an adult. In older children and teenagers, obesity in parents starts to count less as a predictor for body weight than their own weight. The risk may be due to environmental or genetic factors, or both.

　　Ethnic and Socioeconomic Factors. As in adult populations, children from lower socioeconomic groups and minority populations are at higher risk for obesity. For example, among young Mexican Americans and African Americans, there has been an increase in overweight prevalence of about 13% to over 23%.

　　Factors Surrounding Birth. The following factors surrounding birth are associated with a child’s weight:

　　* Low birth weight is a risk factor for later obesity and diabetes. One theory is that humans have a “thrifty gene” that produces metabolic changes in infants with low birth weight. Such changes affect insulin and fat accumulation in order to produce a “catch-up” weight in these young children as quickly as possible. This rapid weight gain in infancy increases the gain risk for obesity in children and also in young adulthood.

　　* In a study of African American children, having an overweight pregnant mother increased the risk for later weight gain, but low birth weight did not.

　　Although some small studies have reported protection against obesity from breastfeeding, evidence is weak. In a 2003 study, for example, children who were breast fed for three to five months had a lower risk for obesity, but prolonged breastfeeding had no effect. Nevertheless, given the healthful effects of breast feeding and the possibility that it may have even a slight impact on childhood obesity, it is highly recommended.

　　Health Consequences of Childhood Obesity

　　Children and adolescents who are obese have poorer health than other children. Studies are reporting unhealthy cholesterol levels and high blood pressure in obese children and adolescents. Of great concern is the dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes in young people, which is most certainly largely due to the increase in obesity. Obesity in children is also linked to asthma, gallbladder problems, sleep apnea, and liver abnormalities. Childhood obesity may be partly responsible for the declining age for onset of puberty in girls, with subsequent risks for breast cancer.

　　It is not clear yet how many of these childhood problems persist in people who achieve normal weight as adults. Staying overweight into adulthood certainly confers health risks.

　　Managing Overweight and Obese Children

　　Childhood obesity is best treated by a non-drug, multidisciplinary approach including diet, behavior modification, and exercise. Some evidence suggests that reducing calories by only 200 to 260 per day would prevent weight gain in most overweight children. Here some tips for children who are overweight:

　　* Limit or avoid if possible take-out, fast foods, high-sugar snacks, commercial packaged snacks, soda and sugar sweetened beverages (including too much juice).

　　* Let children snack but make sure the snacks are healthy. Eating small frequent healthy meals (instead of two or three large ones) has been associated with being thinner and having a better cholesterol profile.

　　* Let children choose their own food portions. One study indicated that children naturally ate 25% less than they chose their own portion size. When they were given larger portions their bite sizes were larger and they ate more.

　　* Don’t criticize a child for being overweight. It does not help and such attitudes could put children at risk for eating disorders, which are equal or even greater dangers to health.

　　* Limit television, video games, and computer use to a few hours a week. This can contribute significantly to weight control, regardless of diet and physical activity.

　　* For young children, try the traffic-light diet. Food is designated with stoplight colors depending on their high caloric content: Green for go (low calories); yellow for “eat with caution” (medium calories); red for “stop” (high calories).

　　* Try a low-glycemic index diet. This may be as beneficial and possibly more than a standard reduced-fat diet in obese children. Such a diet focuses on carbohydrates, such as dried beans and soy, that raise blood sugar more slowly than others. This diet is sometimes used in diabetes and as a dietary approach in overweight adults.

　　1. Overweight children are those whose BMI is over 85% of the weight group in their age and sex categories.

　　2. The educational system is positive in promoting exercise and healthy foods, according to the passage.

　　3. It is observed that children watching television one hour or less a day tend to be less likely to suffer from obesity.

　　4. The intake of sugar among children is an important contributor to childhood obesity.

　　5. In most cases, obese children tend to have parents suffering obesity, as environmental or genetic factors are the major reasons for childhood obesity.

　　6. Infants with low birth weight may face a risk for obesity as they grow up into childhood and young adulthood.

　　7. For obese children, achieving a healthy weight becomes more difficult as they get older, as the persistence is biological.

　　8. Obese children and adolescents have poorer health, as they are reported to have unhealthy .

　　9. It is suggested that reducing calories would prevent weight gain in most overweight children.

　　10. The author believes that it does not help to criticize children for being overweight, as this may increase the risk for .
　　Part ⅢListening Comprehension(35 minutes)

　　Section A

　　Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

　　11. A) In a post office. B) In an apartment.

　　C) In a department store. D) In a drug store.

　　12. A) To go to the shops. B) To lend him her umbrella.

　　C) To say sorry to him. D) To buy a pen for him.

　　13. A) These watches are made in Switzerland. B) These watches are newly made.

　　C) Most people can afford these watches. D) No one would like to live here.

　　14. A) She takes it as a kind of exercise. B) She wants to save money.

　　C) She loves doing anything that is new. D) Her office isn’t very far away.

　　15. A) Shop assistant. B) A telephone operator.

　　C) A waitress. D) A clerk.

　　16. A) She doesn’t look as young as she did ten years ago.

　　B) She has not changed at all.

　　C) She wears glasses and has short hair.

　　D) She wears long hair and no longer has glasses.

　　17. A) At 8∶00. B) At 7∶20. C) At 7∶30. D) At 7∶13.

　　18. A) Because he would graduate from a school.

　　B) Because he wanted to enter a university.

　　C) Because he was sure he would get the highest score.

　　D) Because he was looking for a job.

　　Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

　　19. A) Because her parents love her very much.

　　B) Because her parents never force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do.

　　C) Because she is allowed to have her career.

　　D) Because she has too much freedom.

　　20. A) She didn’t need her parents’ money any more.

　　B) She begins to get on well with her parents.

　　C) She always stayed with her parents.

　　D) She rented a government house and lived alone.

　　21. A) They allowed him to come to England immediately.

　　B) They thought he should go abroad as a child.

　　C) They were reluctant until their son persuaded them.

　　D) They tried to control his English study.

　　22. A) The two speakers are from different countries.

　　B) The man gets along very well with his parents.

　　C) British parents never interfere with their children.

　　D) The man doesn’t like his parents at all.

　　Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

　　23. A) He failed in a power test yesterday.

　　B) He never expected himself to be happy.

　　C) It was because of his father’s foot.

　　D) He missed about 30 minutes of a program.

　　24. A) His mother’s use of the washing machine.

　　B) His father’turning on the microwave oven.

　　C) His long hours of watching TV.

　　D) The switch on of two air-conditioners.

　　25. A) Not use any electric appliances any more.

　　B) Take part in a basketball final.

　　C) Ask his neighbor to check the power.

　　D) Watch a ball game television.

　　Section B

　　Directions:In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear some questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. Passage One

　　Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　26. A) Coins. B) Salt. C) Animals. D) Cows.

　　27. A) Romans. B) Americans. C) Indians. D) Chinese.

　　28. A) Today most coins are round.

　　B) Things highly valued by everybody could serve as money among primitive people.

　　C) We know very little about money.

　　D) How coins came into use.Passage Two

　　Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　29. A) Milly was probably her secret sweetheart.

　　B) The farmer was threatening her.

　　C) She was curious about who Milly was.

　　D) She was a doctor.

　　30. A) It was raining. B) It was clear.

　　C) It was snowing. D) It was cloudy.

　　31. A) The farmer’s secret sweetheart. B) The farmer’s mother.

　　C) The farmer’s wife. D) The farmer’s sister.Passage Three

　　Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

　　32. A) Original paintings.

　　B) Art books.

　　C) Reproductions of famous paintings.

　　D) Handicrafts.

　　33. A) A method of making toys.

　　B) A new library system for children.

　　C) A method of selling toys.

　　D) A new library system for adults.

　　34. A) A toy library.

　　B) A science library.

　　C) An art library.

　　D) A record library.

　　35. A) Books to read.

　　B) Paintings.

　　C) A place to receive education.

　　D) A place to meet and play with other children.
　　Section C

　　Directions:In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46, you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks,you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.

　　The automobile has many advantages. Above all ,it (36) people freedom to go where they want to go when they want to go there. To most people, cars are also personal (37)

　　machines that serve as (38) of power, success, speed, excitement, and (39) . In (40) , much of the world’s economy is built on producing vehicles and supplying roads, services, and repairs of vehicles. Half of the world’s paychecks are (41) .

　　In spite of their advantages, motor vehicles have many harmful effects on human lives and on air, water, land and wildlife resources. Though we (42) to deny it, (43) in cars is one of the most dangerous things we do in our daily lives.

　　Every year, (44) ,and they injure or permanently disable ten million more.(45) .

　　Motor vehicles are the largest sources of air pollution, producing a haze of smog over the world’s cities.(46) .

　　Part ⅣReading Comprehension(Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)

　　Section A

　　Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.

　　Questions 47 to 56 are based on the following passage.

　　The comparatively treeless plains of North Africa have suffered a progressive drying up, both 47 and man-made, but the region was 48 so rich in fertile soil that the district we now know as the Libyan Desert was, in the old days, part of the granary (粮仓) of the Roman Empire, and the centre of the Sahara 49 a busy trading population for a long period. That was when there were 50 in plenty and the fields were the traditional “fields of the woods” —clearings in the forest—and therefore always tree 51 .

　　It is the trees that lift the water and send 52 into the air so that it may fall as dew or rain further on. Trees reduce the speed of the wind, and provide shelter and shade; the roots 53 minerals in the soil and these are carried to the leaves which, when they have fulfilled their function, return to the earth, giving the soil the combination of minerals that plants require.

　　But through the ages Africa has been 54 . Successive invaders have felled the forest to provide grazing lands for their flocks and herds. With the removal of the essential tree cover, the water 55 was broken, the earth became feverish and sick, and in course of time was unable to support those who had broken the 56 of life by removing the earth’s green mantle—the trees.

　　A) moisture B) cycle C) water D) rhythm

　　E) contain F) trap G) once H) surrounded

　　I) fed J) exploited K) social L) natural

　　M) forest N) usually O) trees