恩波：2008年12月英语四级预测试卷及解析(一)

　　17. M: Hello, Anne. This is Larry at the office. Is Fred at home?

　　W: No, Larry. He’s in class now. He’ll be home for lunch though.

　　Q: What do we know about Fred?

　　18. M: When does the next bus leave for New York?

　　W: Buses leave for New York every half-hour. You just missed the nine-thirty bus by five minutes.

　　Q: What will the man probably do?

　　Conversation One

　　W: Last time we talked about the history of paper, But do you know what paper is used for?

　　M: Oh, that’s an easy question. Paper is used for newspapers, books, writing paper, envelopes, wrapping paper, paper bags...

　　M: Yes, actually only half of the paper that is made is used for such purposes. Have you got an idea about other uses of paper?

　　W: No, I’m afraid not.

　　M: There are many other uses. Paper is very good for keeping you warm. Houses are often insulated with paper. You have perhaps seen homeless people asleep on a large number of newspapers.

　　W: Yes, I have. So they are insulating themselves against cold.

　　M: You are right. In Finland, it is very cold in winter. It is sometimes 40 degrees Centigrade below zero. The farmers wear paper boots in the snow. Nothing could be warmer.

　　W: Oh, that’s unbelievable.

　　M: Now more and more things are made of paper. We have had paper plates, cups and dishes for a long time. But now we hear that chairs, tables, and even beds can be made of paper.

　　W: Fascinating!

　　M: People have made paper boats, but hey have not yet made paper planes or cars. Just wait, they probably will.

　　W: Well, you have become an expert on paper. How do you know all that?

　　M: You know I’m preparing for a presentation, so I’ve looked up a lot of material.

　　W: Well, I’m sure your presentation will go really well.

　　M: Thank you.

　　19. What function does paper perform in house-building?

　　20. Why do farmers in Finland wear paper boots in snow?

　　21. What is true of paper planes and cars?

　　22. How has the man got to know so much about paper?

　　Conversation Two

　　M: Hi, Vivian. What are you doing here?

　　W: Hi, Steve. I’m having a bit of trouble finding some of the stuff I need.

　　M: What’re you looking for?

　　W: Well, I’m just trying to find out something about the use of steel in building construction. Do you have any idea?

　　M: Frankly, I don’t know much about this. What about the library? There’s database on the computer, and most of the stuff you need is catalogued. You can find it somewhere.

　　W: Yes, but that’s the easy part! Then you have to find the book you want on the shelves, and you often find that it’s out already.

　　M: I know what you mean! Then you have to line up to borrow it, if it’s CTL.

　　W: CTL? What’s CTL?

　　M: It means “confined to library”: you know, it means, you can’t take it out. You have to read it in the library.

　　W: It seems easy, doesn’t it? But you have to reserve it, and then you may want to photocopy bits of it, or make notes-and there never seems to be enough time.

　　M: Mmm! In your shoes, I think I’d have a word with our tutor.

　　W: I think I’ll do that! Thanks! See you later. Bye!

　　M: See you! And good luck!