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2016年6月大学英语四级考试真题（三）
Part I Writing
(30 minutes)
Directtoms:For this Dart,you are allowed 80 ninutes fo writea etter to express your tharks to your parents
or any other family menber upont making a memorable achievemrent.You should write at least 120 word
but no mrOre than 180 words.
Part Ⅱ ListeningComprehension (25 minutes)
说明;由于2016年6月四级考试全国共考了两套听力，本套真题听力与前两套内容相同，只是选项顺序不
同，因此在本套真题中不再重复出现。
Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (40 minutes)
Section A
Directlons: In this section,there is a passuge with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each
blank fromt a ist of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully
before making your choices.Bnch choice in the bank is identifed bya lefter,Please mark the coresponding
letter for each itemn ont An8bver Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the
words in the bank more than onLce.
Questlons 26 to 35 are hased on the [olowing p83sage.
Contrary to popular belief, older people generally do not want to live with their children. Moreover,
most adult children26__ every bit as much care and support to their aging parents as was the cas in
the"good old days", and most older people do not feel 27
About 80of people 65 years and older have living children,and about 90of them have 28
contact with their children. About 75of elderly parents who don't go to nursing homes live within
30 minutes of at least one of their children,
However, 29 having contact with children does not parantee happiness in old age.In fact,
some research has foumnd that people who are most involved with their families have the lowest spirits. This
research may be30__, however,as ill health often makes older people more_31__and thereby
increases contact with family members.So it is more likely that poor health,not just family involvement,
32spirits.
Increasingly, researchers have begun to look at the quality of relationships, rather than at the
frequency of contact, between the elderly and their children. If parents and children share interests and
values and agree on childrearing practices and religious 33_, they are likely to enjoy each other's
company.Disagreernents on such tmatters can 3 4cause problerns. If parents are angered by their
daughter's divorce,dislike her new husband,and disapprove of how she is raising their grandchildren,
35 are that they are not going to enjoy her visits.
四级2016年6月 49A) abandoned F) dampens K)grant
B>advanced
G)dependent L)merely
C) biased H dstant MO provide
D) chancs I) frequent N)understandably
E) cormitment J) fufilment O) urealistically
Section B
Dhrections: In this section,you are going to read a passage with ten statemernts altached to it.Each
statement contains intformation given in one of the paragraphs.Identif the paragraph from which the
information is derived.You may choose a pcregraph more thar once.Each paragraph is marked with a
letter、Arnswer the questions by marking the corre3ponding letter on An8Wer Sheet 2.
Could Fo0d Shortnges Bring Down CIvilization?
A)For many years I have studied global agricultural, population, eovironmental and economnic trends and
their interactions. The combined effects of those trends and the political tensions they generate point
to the breakdown of governments and societies. Yet I, too, have resisted the idea that food shortages
could bring down not only individual governments bat also our global civilization.
B)I can no [onger ignore that risk, Our continuing failure to deal with the environmental declines that are
undernining the world food economy forces me to concludle that such a collapse is possible.
C> As demand for food rises faster than supplies are growing, the resulting food-price inflation puts severe
stress on the governments of many countries. Unable to bary grain or grow their own, hungry people
take to the streets. Indeed, even before the steep climb in grain prices in 2008, the number of failing
states was exanding. If the food situation continues to worsen,entire nations will break down at an
ever increasing rate. In the 20th century the main threat to international security was superpower
conflict;today it is failing states,
D) States fail when national governments can no Eonger provide personal security,food security and basic
social services such as education and health care.When governments lose their control on power,law
and order begin to disintegrate. After a point, countries can become so dangerous that food relief
workers are no longer safe and their programs are halted. Failing states are of international concern
because they are a source of terrorists，drugs，weapons and refuges（难民），threatening political
stability everywhere.
E)The surge in world grain prices in 2007 and 208—and the threat they pose to food security—has a
different,more troubfing quality than the increases of the past. During the second half of the 20th
century,grain prices rose dramatically several times. In 1972,for instance, the Soviets,recognizing
their poor harvest early,guietly cornered the world wheat market. As a result,wheat prices elsewhere
more than doubled,pulling rice and corn prices up with them. But this and other price shocks were
event-driven—drought in the Soviet Union, crop-shrinking heat in the U.S. Com Belt.And the rises
were short-lived:prices typically returned to normal with the next harvest.
F)In contrast, the recent surge in world grain prices is trend-driven,making it mnlikely to reverse without
a reversal in the trends themselves. On the demand side,those trends include the ongoing addition of
more than 70 million people a year,a growing number of people wanting to move up the food chain to
consume highly grain-intensive meat prodhcts，and the massive diversior（转向）of U.S.grain to the
production of bio-fucl.
四级 2016年6月 50G)As incomes rise among low-income consumers, the potential for further grain consumption is huge.But
that potential pales beside the never-ending demand for crop-based fueis.A fourth of this year's U,S,
grain harvest will go to fuel cars,
H) What about supply? The three environmental trends—the shortage of fresh water,the loss of topsoil
and the rising temperatures—are making it increasingly hard to expand the wor]d's grain supply fast
enough to keep up with demand,Of all those trends,however,the spread of water shortages poses the
most immediate threat.The biggest challenge here is in irrigation,which consumes 70? the world's
fresh water. Millions of irrigation wells in many countries are now pumping water out of underground
sources faster than rainfall can refill them.The result is falling water tables（地下水位）in countries
with half the world's people,including the three big grain producers~China,India and the U,S.
I) As water tables have fallen and irigation wels have gone dry,China's wheat crop,the world's
largest,has declined by 8since it peaked at 123 million tons in 1997.But water shortages are even
more worrying in India. Millions of irrigation wells have significantly lowered water tables in almost
every state.
J) As the world's food security falls to pieces,individual countries acting in their own self-interest are
actually worsening the troubles of many.The trend began in 2007,when leading wheat-exporting
countries such as Russia and Argentina limited or banned their exports,i hopes of increasing loca
food supplies and thereby bringing down domestic food prices. Viettam banned its exports for several
months for the same reason. Such moves may eliminate the fears of those living in the exporting
countries,but they are creating panic in importing countries that must rely on what is then left for
export.
K)In response to those restrictions,grain-importing countries are trying to nail down long-term trade
agreements that would lock up future grain supplies. Food-import anxiety is even leading to new efforts
by food-importing countries to buy or lease farmland in other countries. In spite of such temporary
measures,soaring food prices and spreading hunger in many other countries are beginning to break
down the socia] order.
L) Since the current world food shortage is trend-driven, the environmental trends that cause it must be
reversed. We must cut carbon emissions by 80?om their 2006 levels by 2020,stabilize the world's
population at eight billion by 2040,completely remove poverty,and restore forests and soils. There is
nothing new about the four objectives. Indeed, we have made substantial progress in some parts of the
world on at least one of these—the distribution of family-planning services and the associated shift to
smaller families.
M)For many in the development community,the four objectives were seen as positive,promoting
development as long as they did not cost too much.Others saw them as politically correct and morally
appropriate. Now a third and far more significant motivation presents itself:meeting these goals may
be necessary to prevent the collapse of our civilization. Yet the cost we project for saving civilization
would amount to less than $ 200 billion a year,1/6 of current global military spending. In effect,our
plan is the new security budget.
36. The more recent steep climb in grain prices partly results from the fact that more and more people
want to consIme meat products.
37. Social order is breaking down in many countries because of food shortages.
38. Rather than superpower conflict,countries unable to cope with food shortages now constitute the main
threat to world security.
四级2016年6月 5139. Some parts of the world have seen successful implementation of family planning.
40.The author has come to agree that food shortages could ultimately lead to the collapse of world
civilization.
41.Increasing water shortages prove to be the biggest obstacle to boosting the world's grain production.
42. The cost for saving owr civilization wouid be considerably less than the world's current military
pending-
43.To lower domestic food prices,some countries limited or stopped their grain exports.
44. Environmental problems must be solved to ease the current global food shortage,
45.A quarter of this year's American grain harvest will be used to produce bio-fuel for cars.
Section C
Directions;There are 2 passages in this secrion.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 leter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Pas8age(ne
Questions 46 to 50 are bhased an the following pass8ge、
Declining mental function is often seen as a problem of old age,but certain aspects of brain function
actually begin their decline in young adulthood,a new study suggests.
The study,which followed more than 2,000 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 60,found that
certain mental functions—including measures of abstract reasoning,mental speed and puzzle-solving-
)
started to dull as early as age 27.
Dips in memory,meanwhile,generally became apparent around age 37.
On the other hand,indicators of a person's accumulated knowtedge—like performance on tests of
vocabulary and general knowledge—kept improving with age,according to findings published in the
journal Neurobiology of Aging.
The results do not mean that young adults need to start worrying about their memories. Most people's
minds function at a high level even in their later years, acording to researcher Timothy Salthouse.
"These patterns suggest that some types of mental flexibility decrease relatively early in adulthood,
bant that the arnount of knowledge one has, and the effectiveness of integrating it with one's abilities, may
increase throughout all of adulthood if there are no diseases,"Salthouse said in a news release.
The study included healthy,educated adults who took standard tests of memory,reasoring and
perception at the outset and at some point over the next seven years.
The tests are designed to detect szubfle（细微的）changes in mental function，and involve solving
puzzles,recalling words and details from stories,and identifying patterns in collections of letters and
symbols.
In general，Salthouse and his colleagues found，certain aspects of cogyition（认知能力）generally
started to decline in the late 20s to 30s.
The findings shed light on pormal age-related changes in mental function,which could aid in
understanding the proces of dermentia（痴来），according to the researchers.
"By following individuals over time,"Salthouse said,"we gain insight in cognition changes,and may
possbly discover ways to slow the rate of decline."
The researchers are currently analyzing the study participants,health and lifestyle to see which
factors might influence age-related cognitive changes,
四级2016年6月 5246. What is the common view of mental function?
A)It varies from person to person. C)It gradually expands with age.
B)It weakens in one's later years. D)It indicates one's health condition.
47.What does the new study find about mental functions?
A)Some diseases inevitably lead to their decline.
B)They reach a peak at the age of 20 for most people.
C) They are closely related to physical and mental exercise.
D) Some of them begin to decline when people are still young.
48. What does Timothy Salthbouse say about people's minds in most cases?
A)They tend to decline in people's later years.
B)Their flexibility determines one's abilities.
C)They function quite well even in old age.
D)Their functioning is still a puzzle to be solved.
49.Although people's minds may function ess flexibly as they age,they _
A)rmay be better at solving puzzles
B)can metmorize things with more ease
C) may have greater facility in abstract reasoning
D) can put what they have learnt into more effective use
50. According to Salthouse, their study may help us___·
A)find ways to slow down our mental decline
B) find ways to boost our memories
C)understand the complex process of mental functioning
D) understand the relation between physical and mental heaith
Pasge TwO
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage,
The most important thing in the news last week was the rising discussion in Nashville about the
educational needs of children.The shorthand（简 写）educators use for this is"pre-K"—meaning
instruction before kindergarten一and the big idea is to prepare 4-year-olds and even younger kids to be
ready to suceed on their K-12 journey.
But it gets complicated. The concept has Iultiple forms,and scholars and policymakers argue about
the shape, scope and cost of the ideal program.
The federal Head Start program,launched 50 years ago, has served more than 30 million children.It
was based on concepts developed at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College by Susan Gray,the legendary
pioneer in early childhood education research.
A new Peabody study of the Tennesee Voluntary Pre-K program reports that pre-K works, but the
gains are not sustained throuph the third grade.It scems to me this highlights quality issues in elementary
schools more than pre-K,and indicates longer-term success must connect pre-K with all the other issues
related to educating a child,
Pre-K is controversial. Some critics say it is a luxury and shouldn't be free to families able to pay.
Pre-K advocates insist it is proven and will succeed if integrated with the rest of the child's schooling. I
Lean toward the latter view.
四级 2016年6月 53This is,in any case,the right conversation to be having now as Mayor Megan Barry takes office. She
was the first candidate to speak out for strong pre-K programming. The important thing is for all of us to
keep in mind the real goal and the longer, bigger picture,
The weight of the evidence is on the side of pre-K that early intervention（于预）works. What
government has not yet found is the political will to put that understanding into full practice with a
sequence of snart schooling that provides the early foundation.
For this purpose,our schools need both the talent and the organization to educate each child who
arrives at the schoolhouse door. Some show up ready, but many do not at this critical time when young
brains are developing rapidly.
51. What does the author say about pre-kindergarten education?
A)It should cater to the needs of individual children.
B)It is essentia] to a person's future academic success.
C) Scholars and policymakers have different opinions about it,
D)Parents regard it as the first phase of children's development.
52. What does the new Peabody study find?
A)Pre-K achievements usually do not last long.
B) The third grade marks a new phase of learning.
C)The third grade is critical to children's development.
D)Quality has not been the top concern of pre-K programs.
53. When does the author think pre-K works the best?
A) When it is accessible to kids of all families.
B)When it is made part of kids'education.
C> When it is no longer considered a luxury.
D)When it is made fun and enjoyable to kids.
54.What do we learn about Mayor Megan Barry?
A) She knows the real goal of education.
B)She is a mayor of insight and vision.
C)She has once run a pre-K program.
D) She is a firm supporter of pre-K.
55.What does the author think is critical to kids'education?
A) Teaching method, C) Early intervention,
B)Kids' interest. D)Parents'involvement.
Part Ⅳ Translation
(30 minutes)
Directions:For this part,you are allowed 80 minutes to trarslate a passage fron Chinese into English.You
should write your ansWer onL AnSWer Sheet 2.
乌镇是浙江的一座古老水镇，坐落在京杭大运河畔。这是一处迷人的地方，有许多古挑，中式旅店和
餐馆。在过去一千年里，乌镇的水系和生活方式并未经历多少变化，是一座展现古文明的博物馆。乌镇所
有房展都用石木建造。数百年来，当地人沿着河边建起了住宅和集市。无数宽敞美丽的庭院藏身于厘含
之间，游客们每到一处都会有惊喜的发现。
四级2016年6月 54
