2020年9月英语四级真题(第2套)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay on the use of PowerPoint (PPT) in class. You can start your essay with the sentence "The use of PowerPoint is becoming increasingly popular in class". You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.
Section A
Section B
Section C
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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.
It can be seen from the cheapest budget airlines to the world's largest carriers: Airlines across the globe various shades of blue in their cabin seats and it is no . There does appear to be some psychology behind it. Blue is with the positive qualities of trust, efficiency, quietness, coolness, reflection and calm.
Nigel Goode is a leading aviation designer who works at a company which has been delivering aircraft interiors for airlines for years. "Our job as designers is to reinforce the airline's brand and make it more , " he says. "But our primacy concern is to deliver an interior that comfort to create a pleasant environment. "
"It's all about making the traveling experience less and blue is said to induce a feeling of calm. While some of the budget airlines might use brighter, bolder shades, most others go with softened tones. The aim is to create a home-like relaxing feel, so airlines tend to use soft colors that feel domestic, and earthy for that reason. "
It's also a trend that emerged decades ago and has stuck. "Blue became the color of choice because it's a conservative, agreeable, corporate shade that being trustworthy and safe. That's why you see it used in all of the older airlines like British Airways, " Nigel Goode added.
Section B
Directions: In this section. you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.
Why Are Asian Americans Missing from Our Textbooks?
Section C
Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C), and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
When is cleaning walls a crime? When you're doing it to create art, obviously. A number of street artists around the world have started expressing themselves through a practice known as reverse graffiti (涂鸦). They find dirty surfaces and paint them with images or messages using cleaning brushes or pressure hoses (高压水管). Either way, it's the same principle; the image is made by cleaning away the dirt. Each artist has their own individual style but all artists share a common aim; to draw attention to the pollution in our cities. The UK's Paul Curtis, better known as Moose, operates around Leeds and London and has been commissioned by a number of companies to make reverse graffiti advertisements.
Brazilian artist, Alexandre Orion, turned one of Sao Paulo's transport tunnels into an amazing wall painting in 2006 by getting rid of the dirt. Made up of a series of white skulls (颅骨), the painting reminds drivers of the effect their pollution is having on the planet. "Every motorist sits in the comfort of their car, but they don't give any consideration to the price their comfort has for the environment and consequently for themselves," says Orion.
The anti-pollution message of the reverse graffiti artists confuses city authorities since the main argument against graffiti is that it spoils the appearance of both types of property: public and private. This was what Leeds City Council said about Moose's work; "Leeds residents want to live in clean and attractive neighbourhoods. We view this kind of advertising as environmental damage and will take strong action against it." Moose was ordered to "clean up his act." How was he supposed to do this: by making all property he had cleaned dirty again?
As for the Brazilian artist's work, the authorities were annoyed but could find nothing to charge him with. They had no other option but to clean the tunnel-but only the parts Alexandre had already cleaned. The artist merely continued his campaign on the other side. The city officials then decided to take drastic action. They not only cleaned the whole tunnel but every tunnel in Sao Paulo.
Passage Two
The practice of paying children an allowance became popular in America about 100 years ago. Nowadays, American kids on average receive about $800 per year in allowance. But the vast majority of American parents who pay allowance tie it to the completion of housework. Although many parents believe that paying an allowance for completing chores benefits their children, a range of experts expressed concern that tying allowance very closely to chores may not be ideal. In fact, the way chores work in many households worldwide points to another way.
Suniya Luthar, a psychologist, is against paying kids for chores. Luthar is not opposed to giving allowances, but she thinks it's important to establish that chores are done not because they will lead to payment, but because they keep the household running. Luthar's suggested approach to allowance is compatible with that of writer Ron Lieber, who advises that allowances be used as a means of showing children how to save, give, and spend on things they care about. Kids should do chores, he writes, "for the same reason adults do, because the chores need to be done, and not with the expectation of compensation."
This argument has its critics, but considering the way chores are undertaken around the world may change people's thinking. Professor David Lancy of Utah State University has studied how families around the world handle chores. At about 18 months of age, Lancy says, most children become eager to help their parents, and in many cultures, they begin helping with housework at that age. They begin with very simple tasks, but their responsibilities gradually increase. And they do these tasks without payment. Lancy contrasts this with what happens in America. "We deny our children's bids to help until they are 6 or 7 years old," Lancy says, "when many have lost the desire to help and then try to motivate them with payment. The solution to this problem is not to try to use money as an incentive to do housework, but to get children involved in housework much earlier, when they actually want to do it."
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to translate a passage from Chinese into English. You should write your answer on Answer Sheet 2.
本页为2020年9月英语四级真题(第2套),支持听力、阅读、写作和翻译在线练习。
写作题目:The use of PowerPoint in class
翻译题干节选:茶拥有5 000年的历史。传说神农氏(Shen Nong)喝开水时,几片野树叶子落进壶里,开水顿时散发出宜人的香味。他喝了几口,觉得很提神。茶就这样发现了。 自…