Should private car owners be taxed for pollution?

Although cars have brought us much convenience, many people have begun to realize that they are the source of trouble as well, in that the cars, especially the private cars, not only can lead to the traffic problem, but also has been a major source of pollution. As a result, as to the pollution tax on private cars, to my knowledge, the tax should be collected to call cars’ owners’ attention to the pollution.

First and foremost, tax collection on the private cars can effectively keep within limits to the people’s purchasing power on private cars. Since China has such a large population, the popularization of private cars will only bring about more serious pollution. Therefore, once we are in control of the number of the private cars, the surroundings polluted by vehicle exhaust can be improved effectively and efficiently. In addition, if the owners of private cars are collected tax for pollution and the tax is decided by the emission levels of cars, the owners will try various devices to reduce the cars’ emission, for example renewal some parts of cars regularly and cleaning those machines and so on. These measures can significantly reduce the poisonous gas emission.

To sum up, tax collection on private car owners for pollution can make people think twice to buy a appropriate car and urge them to maintain cars regularly. Consequently, I firmly approve to tax private car owners for pollution.

April 19

Dear Amy,

If you do not have other plans during the summer vacation, I’d like to invite you to my home town to spend our holiday. My home town, Jinan, has a lot of sightseeing places in summer. You could travel the Daming Lake and Baotu Spring and taste numerous good foods. I am looking forward to the happy time when we will meet and have a good time together in my home town. Besides, if you intend to visit my home town ,you can take a train from your home town to Jinan. Then I will pick up you at the Jinan Railway Station.

Yours,

Victoria

第二篇：英语专四TEM4(20xx)真题

TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2011)

-GRADE FOUR-

TIME LIMIT: 135 MIN

PART I DICTATION [15 MIN]

Listen to the following passage.

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.

PART II LISTENING COMPREHENSION [20 MIN]

In Sections A, B and C you will hear everything ONCE ONLY Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Mark the best answer to each question on Answer Sheet Two.

SECTION A CONVERSATIONS

In this section you will hear several conversations. Listen to the conversations carefully and then answer the questions that follow.

Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the conversation.

1. Which of the statements about the auto show is INCORRECT?

A. The show will have more stands this year.

B. The show will have more visitors this year.

C. The number of overseas visitors will be the same this year.

D. The number of exhibition days will be the same this year.

2. According to the conversation, the price for a stand would include _____.

A. a catalogue B. a poster C. two desks D. four chairs

3. During the conversation, the man seems to be more interested in _____.

A. the size of the show B. the cost of the stand

C. the basic furniture D. the visitor number

Questions 4 to 7 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the conversation.

4. What is Jim interested in?

A. Investing in the company's product. B. Buying a new educational computer.

C. Joining the computer company. D. Reading the campaign plan.

5. The advertisements will be placed in all the following EXCEPT _____.

A. family magazines B. Sunday newspapers

C. morning television D. teenage magazines

6. The advertisements are intended to be seen by _____.

A. parents only B. children only C. school teachers D. whole families

7. Linda sounds _____ about the success of the campaign plan.

A. confident B. hesitant C. uncertain D. delighted

Questions 8 to 10 are based on the following conversation. At the end of the conversation, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the conversation.

8. John has worked in all the following places EXCEPT _____.

A. a book shop B. a paper factory C. a school D. a fast-food restaurant

9. From the conversation, we learn that John _____.

A. has no interest B. has only one interest

C. has two interests D. has quite a few interests

10. Sue Green seems to be more interested in John's experience of ____.

A. working in a paper factory B. working in a youth club

C. looking after his brother and sister D. looking after his young friends

SECTION B PASSAGES

In this section, you will hear several passages. Listen to the passages carefully and then answer the questions that follow.

Questions 11 to 13 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the passage.

11. According to the passage, the average age of the fleet of Delta/Northwest is _____.

A. 10 years B. 14 years C. 16 years D. 20 years.

12. It can be learned from the passage that _____.

A. air journeys are quite often far from comfortable

B. air travellers usually enjoy luxury during flight

C. air travellers usually enjoy upgraded conditions

D. airlines always provide good in-flight entertainment

13. Older planes can stay safe for more than 25 years because of the following EXCEPT _____.

A. new engines B. strong materials C. proper maintenance D. new interior

Questions 14 to 17 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage, you will be given 20 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the passage.

14. Which job will involve supervising workers using dangerous equipment?

A. Assistant site manager. B. Carpenter supervisor.

C. Assembly supervisor. D. Automobile service station manager.

15. Who will also decide on the prices of products and services?

A. Airlines' flight service manager. B. Automobile service station manager.

C. Assistant site manager. D. Carpenter supervisor.

16. Who may also do some of the work he supervises?

A. Assistant site manager. B. Airlines' flight service manager.

C. Assembly supervisor. D. Carpenter supervisor.

17. Which job offers the highest salary?

A. Assistant site manager. B. Automobile service station manager.

C. Carpenter supervisor. D. Airlines' flight service manager.

Questions 18 to 20 are based on the following passage. At the end of the passage, you will be given 15 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the passage.

18. Where were the two men filmed?

A. In the jewelry shop. B. In the City Mall.

C. Near the lorry. D. In the parking lot.

19. Witnesses saw the two men _____.

A. leave the lorry together. B. leave the lorry without hoods.

C. run back to the lorry separately. D. run back to the lorry without hoods.

20. Which of the following details is CORRECT?

A. The lorry was originally painted white. B. The lorry had no registration plates.

C. The shorter man was the passenger. D. The taller man was the driver.

SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST

In this section, you will hear several news items. Listen to them carefully and then answer the questions that follow.

Questions 21 and 22 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the news.

21. What did NASA's Constellation Programme originally plan to do?

A. To set up a moon colony by 2020.

B. To send astronauts again to the moon by 2020.

C. To continue the current shuttle missions till 2020.

D. To create more jobs for NASA till 2020.

22. NASA's Constellation Programme would be cancelled mainly because _____.

A. there were more important space missions.

B. the space agency lacked funding for the programme.

C. the current shuttle missions would continue.

D. Congress failed to pass President Obama's budget.

Questions 23 and 24 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the news.

23. The Russian cargo ship was sinking. What was the direct cause?

A. No explanation of the problem. B. Long distance away from land.

C. Slow rescue efforts. D. Severe weather.

24. Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a possible means of rescue?

A. Aircraft. B. Tugboat. C. Nearby cargo ship. D. Vessels at the oil rig.

Questions 25 and 26 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the news.

25. Why did the singers meet in Hollywood?

A. To raise money for African humanitarian efforts.

B. To raise money for Haitian earthquake victims.

C. To sing in memory of Michael Jackson.

D. To make a recording of the original version of the song.

26. Which of the following details about the news is INCORRECT?

A. The organizer is one of the co-writers of the first song

B. Singers will use the same recording studio as in 1985.

C. The recording session is expected to last long.

D. Stars from the original version will take part.

Questions 27 and 28 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the news.

27. The additional 2 billion dollars will mainly be used to _____.

A. upgrade its network capacity B. improve customer services

C. develop new products D. market more iPhones

28. Where does AT&T face difficulties in particular?

A. Nationwide. B. Overseas. C. In large cities. D. In remote towns.

Questions 29 and 30 are based on the following news. At the end of the news item, you will be given 10 seconds to answer the questions.

Now, listen to the news.

29. Where is the presence of security patrols most evident?

A. Where matches take place. B. Where protests may take place.

C. In downtown Vancouver. D. Around the athletes' village.

30. What is this news item mainly about?

A. Political protests during the Olympics. B. Security operations during the Olympics.

C. Olympics' security forces. D. Security measures in buildings.

PART III CLOZE [15 MIN]

Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks. Mark the best choice for each blank on Answer Sheet Two. "Congratulations, Mr. Cooper. It's a girl."

Fatherhood is going to have a different meaning and (31) _____ a different response from every man who hears these words. Some feel (32) _____ when they receive the news, (33) _____ others worry, wondering whether they will be good fathers. (34) _____ there are some men who like children and may have had (35) experience with them, others do not particularly (36) _____ children and spend little time with them. Many fathers and mothers have been planning and looking forward to children for some time. (37) _____ other couples, pregnancy was an accident that both husband and wife have

(38) _____ willingly or unwillingly.

Whatever the (39) _____ to the birth of a child, it is obvious the shift from the role of husband to (40) _____ of a father is a difficult task. (41) _____, unfortunately, few attempts have been made to (42) _____ fathers in this resocialization (43) _____. Although numerous books have been written about mothers, (44) _____ recently has literature focused on the (45) _____ of a father.

It is argued that the transition to the father's role, although difficult, is not (46) _____ as great as the transition the wife must (47) _____ to the mother's role. The mother's role seems to require a complete

(48) _____ in daily routine. (49) _____, the father's role is less demanding and (50) _____.

31. A. bring down B. bring forth C. bring off D. bring in

32. A. emotional B. sentimental C. bewildered D. proud

33. A. while B. when C. if D. as

34. A. When B. If C. Although D. Yet

35. A. considerate B. considerable C. considering D. considered

36. A. care about B. care of C. care with D. care for

37. A. For B. Of C. From D. Upon

38. A. received B. taken C. accepted D. obtained

39. A. reply B. reaction C. readiness D. reality

40. A. what B. this C. one D. that

41 .A. As a result B. For example C. Yet D. Also

42. A. educate B. cultivate C. inform D. convert

43. A. step B. process C. point D. time

44. A./ B. just C. quite D. only

45. A. role B. work C. career D. position

46. A. a little B. just C. nearly D. almost

47. A. take B. make C. carry D. accept

48. A. transformation B. realization C. socialization D. reception

49. A. In addition B. Above all C. Generally D. However

50. A. current B. immediate C. present D. quick PART IV GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY [15 MIN]

There are thirty sentences in this section. Beneath each sentence there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Choose one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two.

51. My uncle is quite worn out from years of hard work. He is no longer the man _____ he was fifteen years ago.

A. which B. whom C. who D. that

52. Which of the following sentences is a COMMAND?

A. Beg your pardon. B. Have a good time.

C. Never do that again! D. What noise you are making!

53. Which of the following italicized phrases indicates purpose?

A. She said it for fun, but others took her seriously.

B. For all its effort, the team didn't win the match.

C. Linda has worked for the firm for twenty years.

D. He set out for Beijing yesterday.

54. When you have finished with the book, don't forget to return it to Tim, _____?

A. do you B. will you C. don't you D. won't you

55. In phrases like freezing cold, burning hot, or soaking wet, the -ING participle is used _____.

A. as a command B. as a condition C. for concession D. for emphasis

56. Which of the following italicized phrases is INCORRECT?

A. The city is now ten times its original size.

B. I wish I had two times his strength.

C. The seller asked for double the usual price.

D. They come here four times every year.

57. It is not so much the language _____ the cultural background that makes the book difficult to understand.

A. as B. nor C. but D. like

58. Which of the following italicized parts is used as an object?

A. What do you think has happened to her?

B. Who do you think the visiting professor is?

C. How much do you think he earns every month?

D. How quickly would you say he would come?

59. The additional work will take _____ weeks.

A. the other B. another two C. other two D. the more

60. Which of the following italicized parts is a subject clause (主语从句)?

A. We are quite certain that we will get there in time.

B. He has to face the fact that there will be no pay rise this year.

C. She said that she had seen the man earlier that morning.

D. It is sheer luck that the miners are still alive after ten days.

61. It's getting late. I'd rather you _____ now.

A. left B. leave C. are leaving D. will leave

62. In the sentence "The manager interviewed Jim himself in the morning", the italicized word is used to modify _____.

A. the object B. the verb C. the subject D. the prepositional phrase

63. There is no doubt _____ the couple did the right thing in coming back home earlier than planned.

A. whether B. that C. why D. when

64. The sentence that expresses OFFER is _____.

A. I'll get some drinks. What'll you have? B. Does she need to book a ticket now?

C. May I know your name? D. Can you return the book next week?

65. Which of the following italicized phrases indicates a subject-predicate relation (主谓关系)?

A. Mr. Smith's passport has been issued.

B. The visitor's arrival was reported in the news.

C. John's travel details have not been finalized.

D. The new bookstore sells children's stories.

66. Our office has recently _____ to a new computer system.

A. altered B. converted C. transformed D. modified

67. The crowd went _____ as soon as the singer stepped onto the stage.

A. wild B. emotional C. uncontrolled D. unrestricted

68. Our school library is _____ closed for repairs.

A. Shortly B. quickly C. temporarily D. rapidly

69. John is up to his eves in work at the moment. The underlined part means _____.

A. very excited B. very busy C. very tired D. very efficient

70. Victoria bumped into her brother quite by chance in the supermarket. The underlined word means _____.

A. risk B. opportunity C. possibility D. luck

71. "Look at those pretty girls' skirts" is _____, because it is not clear whether the girls or the skirts are "pretty".

A. ambiguous B. hidden C. indirect D. indistinct

72. House repairs, holidays, school fees and other _____ have reduced his bank balance to almost nothing.

A. amount B. payment C. expenses D. figures

73. It was really _____ of you to remember my birthday.

A. grateful B. thoughtful C. considerable D. generous

74. You can go to a travel agency and ask for a holiday _____.

A. introduction B. advertisement C. book D. brochure

75. The city government is building more roads to _____.

A. accommodate B. receive C. accept D. hold

76. They've lifted a two-year-long economic _____ on the country.

A. enclosure B. restriction C. blockade D. prohibition

77. Everyone is surprised that she has fallen out with her boy friend. The underlined part means _____.

A. left B. quarreled C. attacked D. defeated

78. His plan is carefully prepared and full of details, so it is a very _____ one.

A. elaborate B. refined C. ambitious D. complex

79. The girl's voice was so low that we could ______ hear her.

A. seldom B. almost C. only D. barely

80. She must have been pretty _____ to fall for such an old trick.

A. interested B. gullible C. enthusiastic D. shrewd

PART V READING COMPREHENSION [25 MIN]

In this section there are four passages followed by questions or unfinished statements, each with four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that you think is the best answer.

Mark your answers on Answer Sheet Two.

TEXT A

We have a crisis on our hands. You mean global warming? The world economy? No, the decline of reading. People are just not doing it anymore, especially the young. Who's responsible? Actually, it's more like, What is responsible? The Internet, of course, and everything that comes with it – Facebook, Twitter (微博). You can write your own list.

There's been a warning about the imminent death of literate civilization for a long time. In the 20th century, first it was the movies, then radio, then television that seemed to spell doom for the written world. None did. Reading survived; in fact it not only survived, it has flourished. The world is more literate than ever before – there are more and more readers, and more and more books.

The fact that we often get our reading material online today is not something we should worry over.

The electronic and digital revolution of the last two decades has arguably shown the way forward for reading and for writing. Take the arrival of e-book readers as an example. Devices like Kindle make reading more convenient and are a lot more environmentally friendly than the traditional paper book. As technology makes new ways of writing possible, new ways of reading are possible. Interconnectivity allows for the possibility of a reading experience that was barely imaginable before. Where traditional books had to make do with photographs and illustrations, an e-book can provide readers with an unlimited number of links: to texts, pictures, and videos. In the future, the way people write novels, history, and philosophy will resemble nothing seen in the past.

On the other hand, there is the danger of trivialization. One Twitter group is offering its followers single-sentence-long "digests" of the great novels. War and Peace in a sentence? You must be joking. We should fear the fragmentation of reading. There is the danger that the high-speed connectivity of the Internet will reduce our attention span - that we will be incapable of reading anything of length or which requires deep concentration.

In such a fast-changing world, in which reality seems to be remade each day, we need the ability to focus and understand what is happening to us. This has always been the function of literature and we should be careful not to let it disappear. Our society needs to be able to imagine the possibility of someone utterly in tune with modern technology but able to make sense of a dynamic, confusing world.

In the 15th century, Johannes Guttenberg's invention of the printing press in Europe had a huge impact on civilization. Once upon a time the physical book was a challenging thing. We should remember this before we assume that technology is out to destroy traditional culture.

81. Which of the following paragraphs briefly reviews the historical challenges for reading?

A. Paragraph One. B. Paragraph Two. C. Paragraph Three. D. Paragraph Four.

82. The following are all cited as advantages of e-books EXCEPT _____.

A. multimodal content B. environmental friendliness

C. convenience for readers D. imaginative design

83. Which of the following can best describe how the author feels toward single-sentence-long novels?

A. Ironic B. Worried. C. Sarcastic. D. Doubtful.

84. According to the passage, people need knowledge of modern technology and _____ to survive in the fast-changing society.

A. good judgment B. high sensitivity

C. good imagination D. the ability to focus

85. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Technology pushes the way forward for reading and writing.

B. Interconnectivity is a feature of new reading experience.

C. Technology is an opportunity and a challenge for traditional reading.

D. Technology offers a greater variety of reading practice.

TEXT B

I know when the snow melts and the first robins (知更鸟) come to call, when the laughter of children returns to the parks and playgrounds, something wonderful is about to happen.

Spring cleaning.

I'll admit spring cleaning is a difficult notion for modern families to grasp. Today's busy families hardly have time to load the dishwasher, much less clean the doormat. Asking the family to spend the weekend collecting winter dog piles from the melting snow in the backyard is like announcing there will be no more Wi-Fi. It interrupts the natural order.

"Honey, what say we spend the weekend beating the rugs, sorting through the boxes in the basement and painting our bedroom a nice lemony yellow?" I say.

"Can we at least wait until the NBA matches are over?" my husband answers.

But I tell my family, spring cleaning can't wait. The temperature has risen just enough to melt snow but not enough for Little League practice to start. Some flowers are peeking out of the thawing ground, but there is no lawn to seed, nor garden to tend. Newly wakened from our winter's hibernation (冬眠), yet still needing extra blankets at night, we open our windows to the first fresh air floating on the

breeze and all of the natural world demanding "Awake and be clean!"

Biologists offer a theory about this primal impulse to clean out every drawer and closet in the house at spring's first light, which has to do with melatonin, the sleepytime hormone (激素) our bodies produce when it's dark. When spring's light comes, the melatonin diminishes, and suddenly we are awakened to the dusty, virus-filled house we've been hibernating in for four months.

I tell my family about the science and psychology of a good healthy cleaning at spring's arrival. I speak to them about life's greatest rewards waiting in the removal of soap scum from the bathtub, which hasn't been properly cleaned since the first snowfall.

"I'll do it," says the eldest child, a 21-year-old college student who lives at home.

"You will? Wow!" I exclaim.

Maybe after all these years, he's finally grasped the concept. Maybe he's expressing his rightful position as eldest child and role model. Or maybe he's going to Florida for a break in a couple of weeks and he's being nice to me who is the financial-aid officer.

No matter. Seeing my adult son willingly cleaning that dirty bathtub gives me hope for the future of his 12-year-old brother who, instead of working, is found to be sleeping in the seat of the window he is supposed to be cleaning.

"Awake and be clean!" I say.

86. According to the passage, "...spring cleaning is a difficult notion for modern families to grasp" means that spring cleaning _____.

A. is no longer an easy practice to understand.

B. is no longer part of modern family life.

C. requires more family members to be involved.

D. calls for more complicated skills and knowledge.

87. Which of the following is LEAST likely to be included in family spring cleaning?

A. Beating the rugs. B. Cleaning the window.

C. Restoring Wi-Fi services. D. Cleaning the backyard.

88. Why does the author say “spring cleaning can't wait”?

A. Because there will be more activities when it gets warmer.

B. Because the air is fresher and the breeze is lighter.

C. Because the whole family is full of energy at spring time.

D. Because the snow is melting and the ground is thawing.

89. Which of the following interpretations of the biologists' theory about melatonin is INCORRECT?

A. The production of melatonin in our bodies varies at different times.

B. Melatonin is more likely to cause sleepiness in our bodies.

C. The reduction of melatonin will cause wakefulness in our bodies.

D. The amount of melatonin remains constant in our bodies.

90. Which of the following can best sum up the author's overall reaction to her adult son's positive response to spring cleaning?

A. Surprised and skeptical. B. Elated and hesitant.

C. Relieved and optimistic. D. Optimistic and hesitant.

TEXT C

These days lots of young Japanese do omiai, literally, "meet and look." Many of them do so willingly. In today's prosperous and increasingly conservative Japan, the traditional omiai kekkon, or arranged marriage, is thriving.

But there is a difference. In the original omiai, the young Japanese couldn't reject the partner chosen by his parents and their middleman. After World War II, many Japanese abandoned the arranged marriage as part of their rush to adopt the more democratic ways of their American conquerors. The Western ren'ai kekkon, or love marriage, became popular; Japanese began picking their own mates by dating and falling in love.

But the Western way was often found wanting in an important respect: it didn't necessarily produce a partner of the right economic, social, and educational qualifications. "Today's young people are quite calculating," says Chieko Akiyama, a social commentator.

What seems to be happening now is a repetition of a familiar process in the country's history, the

"Japanization" of an adopted foreign practice. The Western ideal of marrying for love is accommodated in a new omiai in which both parties are free to reject the match. "Omiai is evolving into a sort of stylized introduction," Mrs. Akiyama says.

Many young Japanese now date in their early twenties, but with no thought of marriage. When they reach the age - in the middle twenties for women, the late twenties for men - they increasingly turn to omiai. Some studies suggest that as many as 40 % of marriages each year are omiai kekkon. It's hard to be sure, say those who study the matter, because many Japanese couples, when polled, describe their marriage as a love match even if it was arranged.

These days, doing omiai often means going to a computer matching service rather than to a nakodo. The nakodo of tradition was an old woman who knew all the kids in the neighbourhood and went around trying to pair them off by speaking to their parents; a successful match would bring her a wedding invitation and a gift of money. But Japanese today find it's less awkward to reject a proposed partner if the nakodo is a computer.

Japan has about five hundred computer matching services. Some big companies, including Mitsubishi, run one for their employees. At a typical commercial service, an applicant pays $80 to $125 to have his or her personal data stored in the computer for two years and $200 or so more if a marriage results. The stored information includes some obvious items, like education and hobbies, and some not-so-obvious ones, like whether a person is the oldest child. (First sons, and to some extent first daughters, face an obligation of caring for elderly parents.)

91. According to the passage, today's young Japanese prefer _____.

A. a traditional arranged marriage. B. a new type of arranged marriage.

C. a Western love marriage. D. a more Westernized love marriage.

92. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

A. A Western love marriage tends to miss some Japanese values.

B. Less attention is paid to the partner's qualification in arranged marriages.

C. Young Japanese would often calculate their partner's wealth.

D. A new arranged marriage is a repetition of the older type.

93. According to the passage, the figure 40% (Paragraph Five) is uncertain because _____.

A. there has been a big increase in the number of arranged marriages.

B. Western love marriage still remains popular among young Japanese.

C. young Japanese start dating very early in their life in a Western tradition.

D. the tendency for arranged marriages could be stronger than is indicated.

94. One of the big differences between a traditional nakodo and its contemporary version lies in the way _____.

A. wedding gifts are presented. B. a proposed partner is refused.

C. formalities are arranged. D. the middleman/woman is chosen.

95. What is the purpose of the last paragraph?

A. To tell the differences between an old and modern nakodo.

B. To provide some examples for the traditional nakodo.

C. To offer more details of the computerized nakodo.

D. To sum up the main ideas and provide a conclusion.

TEXT D

Cordia Harrington was tired of standing up all day and smelling like French fries at night. She owned and operated three McDonald's shops in Illinois, but as a divorced mother of three boys, she yearned for a business that would provide for her children and let her spend more time with them.

Her lucky moment came, strangely enough, after she was nominated in 1992 to be on the McDonald's bun committee. "The company picked me up in a corporate jet to see bakeries around the world," she recalls. "Every time I went to a meeting, I loved it. This was global!"

The experience opened her eyes to business possibilities. When McDonald's decided it wanted a new bun supplier, Harrington became determined to win the contract, even though she had no experience running a bakery.

Harrington studied the bakery business and made sure she was never off executives' radar. "If you have a dream, you can't wait for people to call you," she says. "So I'd visit a mill and send them photos

of myself in a baker's hat and jacket, holding a sign that says 'I want to be your baker.'" After four years and 32 interviews, her persistence paid off.

Harrington sealed the deal with a handshake, sold her shops, and borrowed $13.5 million. She was ready to build the fastest, most automated bakery in the world.

The Tennessee Bun Company opened ahead of schedule in 1997, in time for a slump in U.S. fast-food sales for McDonald's. Before Harrington knew it, she was down to her last $20,000, not enough to cover payroll. And her agreement with McDonald's required that she sell exclusively to the company. "I cried myself to sleep many nights," she recalls. "I really did think, I am going to go bankrupt."

But Harrington worked out an agreement to supply Pepperidge Farm as well. "McDonald's could see a benefit if our production went up and prices went down, and no benefit if we went out of business," she says. "That deal saved us."

Over the next eight years, Harrington branched out even more: She started her own trucking business, added a cold-storage company, and now has three bakeries producing fresh buns and frozen dough - all now known as the Bun Companies. Speed is still a priority: It takes 11 people at the main bakery to turn out 60,000 buns an hour for clients across 40 states, South America, and the Caribbean.

Grateful for the breaks she's had, Harrington is passionate about providing opportunities to all 230 employees. "Financial success is the most fun when you can give it away," she says.

The current economy is challenging. Some of her clients' sales have declined, but she's found new clients and improved efficiencies to help sustain the company's double-digit growth.

Cordia Harrington doesn't have to stand on her feet all day anymore. Two of her three sons now work for her. And she's remarried - her husband, Tom, is now her CFO.

"This is more than a job," says Harrington. "It's a mission. I'm always thinking, How can we best serve our employees? If we support them, they'll do their best to look after our clients. That's how it works here."

96. According to the passage, which of the following was most significant in her early career?

A. Her nomination on the McDonald's bun committee.

B. Her travel and the visits to bakeries around the world.

C. A business contract with local bun suppliers.

D. The interviews and experience in running a bakery.

97. "Harrington...made sure she was never off executives' radar" (Paragraph Four) means that she _____.

A. herself wanted to be a company executive

B. meant to hire executives to run the business

C. meant to keep her management knowledge and skills

D. focused on the management of the bakery business

98. How did she survive the crisis at the start of her bakery business?

A. By supplying buns for another company.

B. By opening her bun company ahead of schedule.

C. By keeping supplies up for McDonald's.

D. By making a new agreement with McDonald's.

99. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT in describing her current business?

A. It is fast growing. B. It is diversified.

C. Its clients are all local. D. It is more efficient.

100. According to the passage, which of the following is fundamental to Harrington's success?

A. Efficiency and love for the family. B. Perseverance and concern for employees.

C. Business expansion and family support. D. Opportunities and speed.

PART VI WRITING [45 MIN]

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 in 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 last 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.

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, language and appropriateness.

参考答案：

2011专四便条写作真题参考范文

April 20, 2008

Dear my friend,

The summer vacation is coming next month. I hope you will visit our home town and stay with us. It's very beautiful here with everything in bloom now. If possible, you can come here by the train No. 1010, which will arrive here at 18:00.I am looking forward to seeing you as soon as possible. Sincerely,

20xx年专四作文真题参考范文

Should private car owners be taxed for pollution?私家车主是否应交污染税？

With the development of society, many people can afford a car. As the number of the cars is rising, we are facing some problems. One big problem is the pollution caused by the use of cars. In order to solve this problem, government agencies in some big cities recently suggest that a “pollution tax” should be put on private cars in order to control the number of cars and reduce pollution in the city. For my part, I agree to this viewpoint, and my reasons are as follows:

To begin with, cars contribute to the environmental pollution. For example, a lot of big cities in China are now plagued by serious air pollution. Then it is the responsibility of these private car owners to pay for the pollution and they should be taxed. The purpose of collecting environmental pollution tax is to raise the fund, and then utilize the tax revenue lever to protect our environment. Secondly, it is a good way to raise people’s environmental awareness by putting a pollution tax on private cars. If people suffer from the financial loss when making a decision, they will think more about their decision. Then they will consider more when deciding to buy a private car. Consequently, the increase rate of the number of the private cars can be controlled.

In a word, it is a very good and necessary attempt to use the means of taxation to treat the pollution. Of course, it must be kept in mind that all people, including the private car owners, should try their best to protect the environment.

2011专四真题参考答案：听写部分

British holidaying habits In the late 1970s, air travel became affordable for the average family in the UK, and more people started travelling 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.

听力

1-30：

AADBC; ACBDA;

CBDAB; DCADA;

C--ACB; AADCB。

2011英语专四答案：完形填空部分

31-35 BDACB

36-40 DACBD

41-45 CABDA

46-50 CBADB

2011英语专四答案：语法词汇部分

51-55 DCABD

56-60 BACBD

61-65 ACBAB

66-70 BACBD

71-75 ACBDA

76-80 CBADB

2011英语专四答案：阅读部分

81-85 BDBAC

85-90 ACADB

91-95 BADDC 96-100 BCACB