2021 年 12 月新东方大学英语四级考试模拟题听力原文及答案
Part I Writing
Dear Hugh,
How is everything going with you? In your last email, you told me that you want to teach English in China. I am writing to you to recommend a job-hunting website, www.goodteachers.com, so as for you to obtain a teaching position.
The aforementioned website is very popular among foreign individuals who want to find a good job, and of course among employers. It’s a website which is displayed in both English and Chinese, so there’s no need to worry about the language barrier. Besides, it is quite easy for you to register as a member of the website as long as you have an email account. Another feature of the website is that it’s got an online forum for prospective job applicants, through which you can get useful information about the necessary procedures of getting a job, or make friends with those job applicants who come from the UK.
I wish you good luck in getting a satisfying job soon. I’m looking forward to meeting here in China. Please don’t hesitate to write to me if need be.
Yours,
Li Hua
Part II Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Questions 1 and 2 will be based on the following news item.
A special school dance for fathers and daughters was going to be held. But one 8-year-old girl Avey Cox in northwest Arkansas had no date until a hero stepped in. Avey Cox’s father died in January. “I’ve been wanting to go for a long time, but my dad couldn’t take me,” Cox explained.
She told her mother about the special school event, but her mom couldn’t help in that either. Nick Harvey, a kind police officer, happened to hear her story. And one day, he approached the little girl and said: “Would you like to be my date for the daddy-daughter dance?” Without hesitation, the girl agreed. But later, he admitted he was very nervous. “I did not want to be rejected by a second-grader,” Harvey said.
What did Harvey learn? “Don’t take anything for granted,” he said. “Enjoy your kids. Appreciate their childhood because they won’t be little for very long.” And his gesture may already be having an impact—even more than officer Harvey could imagine. Cox said she wants to become an officer.
1. Why couldn’t Avey Cox’s mother help the girl for that dancing event?
2. What lesson did Nick Harvey learn from his experience with the little girl?
1. D 2. A
Questions 3 and 4 will be based on the following news item.
As many as one million seabirds died at sea in less than 12 months in one of the largest mass die-offs in recorded history—and researchers say warm ocean waters are to blame.
The birds, a fish-eating species, appeared to have died of starvation between the summer of 2015 and the spring of 2016, washing up along North America’s west coast, from California to Alaska.
Now, scientists say they know what caused it: a huge section of warm ocean water in the northeast Pacific Ocean. A years-long severe marine heat wave first began in 2013, and became worse during the summer of 2015 due to a powerful weather phenomenon called El Nino, which lasted through 2016.
The heat wave created a long stretch of ocean that was warmed by 3 to 6 degrees Celsius. Those few degrees of warming had negative impact on the region’s marine ecosystems. There was a huge drop in the production of microscopic algae that feed a range of animals, from shrimp to many other animals.
3. What resulted in the death of numerous seabirds?
4. When did the years-long severe marine heat wave start?
3. A 4. A
Questions 5 to 7 will be based on the following news item.
A Massachusetts State Police trooper is doing his part to spread kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. Trooper Jim Burke, who is assigned to the Milton Barracks, went to the Blue Hills Reservation Park in Milton for a report of a missing bicycle.
When he arrived, Burke learned that a young girl had her bicycle stolen while she and her family were visiting the Houghton’s Pond area. The family told Burke that they left her bike at the pavilion as they walked on along the beach and when they returned, the bicycle was gone. After speaking with her family, Jim Burke kindly offered to go home and give the girl a bicycle that his daughter had outgrown. The family gladly accepted and the girl was excited to take her new bike for a ride.
This heart-warming story sets the internet on fire. And many favorable comments rush in on the Massachusetts State Police Facebook page. “That’s dedication to community. Thank you Trooper Burke for going the extra on this one!” reads a post.
5. For what reason did Jim Burke go to the Blue Hills Reservation Park?
6. What did the little girl and her family do when her bike was stolen?
7. How did the little girl feel about getting the gift from Jim Burke?
5. B 6. D 7. B
Section B
Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Conversation One
W: Have you noticed that? Top studios launched plenty of new video games this year.
M: Yes, I have. As a parent, I’m worried about the potential risks of video games to my children.
W: It’s quite obvious that aggressive video games many cause some problems.
M: I know, video games come in many different forms. As a parent, I want to know which types of video games are good, and which are bad.
W: That’s the common concern among parents. But, according to experts, video games are not evil at all.
M: But, by common may sense, games do cause behavioral or mental problems.
W: According to scientists, these problems are caused by many factors. And it’s too hasty to blame video games.
M: What are the other factors?
W: The first factor is the mental health status and family environment of the gamers.
M: You mean, the mental problems of a child are the main causes of his violent behaviors?
W: Yes. Depression and anti-social personality disorder are more likely to trigger aggressive behaviors than gaming itself.
M: These personality problems may be related to family environment, right?
W: That’s right.
M: So, it’s unfair to say that video games are bad for a child’s health.
W: Quite right. Besides, the child’s attitude towards gaming also matters.
M: A child’s attitude?
W: Yes. Gamers who are excessively obsessed with games were more at risk than gamers who used games recreationally.
M: So, if a child spends too much time playing games, he’s more likely to be aggressive or depressed.
W: Yes. If a child is happiest online but lacks offline connection with friends, this could cause a more addictive usage of games.
M: So, parents should monitor their children’s gaming time and guide them to interact with real-life friends.
W: And parents should act quickly to intervene if a mental health concern arises in a child, like asking for professional help.
Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
8. Which aspect of video games does the man worry about?
9. According to the woman, why is it too hasty to blame video games?
10. What could be one of the causes of violent behaviors among youngsters?
11. What are parents expected to do when a child shows symptoms of problematic gaming?
8. B 9. C 10. A 11. D
Conversation Two
W: If you stay at home too long, something as simple as a brisk walk can boost your mood.
M: No doubt. That’s a good way to get a little fresh air, and enjoy the sunshine.
W: To choose a good place for your walk is important. If you stroll for a while in a park-like area, you’ll feel happy and less anxious afterward.
M: I know that. If I walk for a while near heavy traffic, I’ll feel not so good.
W: I have the same feeling if I walk near cars or crowded people. Scientists find that walking in green spaces can make people less likely to think over the negative aspects of their lives.
M: So, walking in green areas is good to both your eyes and your emotions.
W: No doubt about that.
M: I see many people use phones while going out for a walk. I’m worried that someday they may trip over on bad roads.
W: That’s a bad habit. Using your phone will distract you, and make you walk slower.
M: I guess being using phones will keep people’s mind working busily, too, and unable to get relaxed during the walk.
W: So, when going for a stroll, it is better to forget your phone, and give your brain a break.
M: And pay attention to sights and sounds around you instead.
W: Yes. Only in that way, could we feel relaxed both physically and mentally.
M: How long should we walk to get the full benefit of walking?
W: The minimal number of minutes to walk for a mood boost is about 12 minutes, and of course you can make it longer.
M: Is it ok to walk for a while with my dog?
W: Owning a dog is definitely a great excuse to walk outside more. Taking your dog for a walk is also 5 good for your happiness.
M: Ok, I guess it will make my dog happy too.
Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
12. Why is it important for you to choose a good place for your walk?
13. How does the man feel when seeing people using phones while going for a walk?
14. How long should we walk for a mood boost?
15. How does the woman think of owning a dog?
12. D 13. B 14. C 15. A
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three 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 Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
No matter how organized you try to keep your living space, we all know how easy it is for all sorts of junk to pile up in your home. If you don’t know where to begin with cleaning this year, start by decluttering and getting rid of all those things you no longer have use for, like outdated electronics and old clothing.
The good news is that decluttering your home is super easy if you just carve out an hour or two to do it. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to donate and give some things you have no use for to people in need.
Of course, if you’ve experienced the same process in the past, you know the toughest part is often figuring out where to begin—which is why we’ve compiled a list of common household items you should start with. Whether it’s your home office, your kitchen, or your bedroom, here are some things to get rid of in your home.
Sorry to break it to you, but you’ll probably never use your old cords again. Technology becomes dated so quickly these days, so it’s safe to say you can get rid of that cord you’re holding onto, which can help you keep your phone close to your hand or in your pocket.
Have you actually used that plastic baggy holding all your coupons lately? Most of them are probably expired, and therefore unusable. Comb through your coupon book, or better yet—just throw it out and start over.
Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. How could people deal with old things at home?
17. What’s the toughest part of sorting out old things in your living space?
18. What’s the speaker’s advice on how to treat coupons?
16. A 17. A 18. C
Passage Two
Whether you’re a fitness newbie or a longtime gym-goer, finding the energy and willingness to work out can be a huge mental barrier—especially during the colder, darker months for people who don’t live with year-round sunny weather. People have different ways to motivate themselves to go to the gym, from enjoying the results to working out their frustrations. Let’s look at some of them.
Firstly, seeing the results can be encouraging. Slowly seeing your hard work pay off has to be the biggest motivation. However, while going to the gym every day might lead to some fairly fast, visible changes to your body, whether it be losing weight or building muscle, that rapid progress won’t continue. This is unsustainable for 99% of people. You should be prepared for this disappointment.
Secondly, exercise is a great way to work through frustrations. After a long day at work or school, hitting the gym can be handy and healthy to have a way of releasing all of the things that have annoyed or angered you.
Thirdly, building exercise into your routine helps much in keeping you stay motivated. Sometimes there is no key magical motivating factor that pushes people into the gym; the key is just building the habit, day in, day out. In other words, maybe motivation is about working out even when you don’t want to. It’s discipline that keeps people coming to the gym every day. You can take progress pictures every now and again, and reflect fondly on that progress.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.
19. What would be a huge mental barrier for a gym-goer?
20. What does the speaker warn people against?
21. What would help to keep people coming to the gym every day?
19. A 20. C 21. A
Passage Three
From the cold regions of Antarctica to the hottest deserts of Africa to the often drought-stricken regions of North and South America, areas that get little or no rainfall tend to have harsh environments. While many such unfriendly regions of the planet are lack of life, others have been inhabited for thousands of years by humans driven to exist across the Earth’s most inhospitable landscapes.
To identify the driest places on Earth, scientists reviewed average annual rainfall recorded by weather stations around the world. They calculated the average annual rainfall from 1997 through 7 2018. Weather stations that did not have at least five years of data available between 1997 and 2018 were not considered.
These driest places often have small populations that rely on water-related technologies to survive in their surroundings. These include the residents of many Saharan locations using time-tested irrigation techniques, as well as the research teams located in the deserts of Antarctica. These people’s approaches to life differ drastically from those living in the cities with the best weather.
According to 16 years of data, the driest place in the world is Al Jawf. It is a town located in southeastern Libya’s Kufra district. It has a hot desert climate and received an annual average of 0.007 inches of rain. It is one of the most isolated places in Africa, being located more than 560 miles from a major city in any direction, though it remains inhabited due to irrigation methods using underground water. In its history, the wettest year in database is 1997, when the rainfall only reached 0.1 inches.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.
22. What can we learn about areas with little or no rainfall?
23. What’s the standard for scientists to identify the driest place on the Earth?
24. What do we know about the deserts of Antarctica?
25. What do scientists find about the town of Al Jawf?
22. A 23. B 24. C 25. C
Part III Reading Comprehension
Section A
26. O 27. G 28. A 29. N 30. H
31. B 32. L 33. I 34. F 35. E
Section B
36. C 37. F 38. H 39. N 40. O
41. L 42. E 43. J 44. B 45. K
Section C
Passage One
46. A 47. D 48. C 49. C 50. B
Passage two
51. A 52. C 53. B 54. A 55. D
Part IV Translation
The inheritors of the Chinese puppet show are trying to combine traditional puppets with intelligent technologies to create “puppet robots” as part of efforts to let more people learn about the intangible cultural heritage. The Chinese puppet show has a history of more than 2,000 years. To reduce the weight of the puppet, 3D printing technology was used to make the heads of puppets. A robotics chip is then implanted into the body of the puppet, allowing it to perform certain moves autonomously. According to an inheritor of this art, to learn how to perform using a ‘puppet robot’, a novice only needs about a day of training. After integrating modern technology, the puppets are now much easier to transport to venues in mountainous areas and schools for performance.
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