恩波：2008年12月英语四级预测试卷及解析(一)

　　23. What trouble is Vivian having now?

　　24. What is the biggest difficulty in borrowing CTL books?

　　25. What does Vivian decide to do finally?

　　Section B

　　26.C 27.D 28.A 29.A 30.C 31.C 32.D 33.A 34.C 35.B

　　Passage One

　　The final exam will be held next Thursday, the last day of the exam week. Remember to bring along two or three pens in case you run out of ink. Unlike the mid-term, this test will not include multiple-choice questions. You’ll have to answer three of the five essay questions. The exam will cover all of the subject matter we’ve learned in class. I would suggest you review your mid-terms as well as the text book and your class notes. The final will account for 50% of your grade in the course. The research project will account for 20%, and the mid-term 30%. I’ll be in my office almost all day on Tuesday next week. If you run into any problems, please feel free to drop in. Good luck with your studying, and I’ll see you on Thursday.

　　26. When will the exam take place?

　　27. What should the students bring with them to the exam?

　　28. What percentage will the research project account for?

　　Passage Two

　　Even though conflict can cause problems in the workplace, we cannot assume that all conflicts are bad for business. Some social scientists speak of “conflict management” as a chance to improve products or ideas.

　　One benefit from conflict is the improved thinking that may arise from competing among work areas. Just as in sports, weaknesses are detected and strengths are revealed. In academic circles, the conflicts of minds and thinking are seen as a means of protecting truth and exposing error. In business, likewise, one department may point out weaknesses in another. Or, a dispute over two choices may start a search for a better third choice that pleases all concerned.

　　Unfortunately, hostile feelings and ill-will can remain after many conflicts. Hostile feelings cancel out the good results that might otherwise grow out of such conflict. This suggests the value of controlling conflict. This control of conflict can lead to desired outcomes—better ideas and increased productivity.

　　29. Is conflict beneficial according to the speaker?

　　30. What is not a benefit of conflict?

　　31. What can be done to prevent hostile feelings after conflict?

　　Passage Three

　　The United States is a country made up of many different races. Usually they are mixed together and can not be told one from another. But many of them still talk about where their ancestors came from. It is something they are proud of.

　　The original Americans, of course, were the Indians. The so-called white men who then came were mostly from England. But many came from other countries like Germany and France.

　　One problem the United States has always had is discrimination. As new groups came to the United States they found they were discriminated against. First it was the Irish and Italians. Later it was the blacks. Almost every group has been able to eventually escape this discrimination. The only immigrants who have not are the blacks. Surprisingly enough, the worst discrimination today is shown towards the Indians.

　　One reason the Indians are discriminated against is that they have tried so hard to keep their identity. Of course they are not the only ones who have done so. The Japanese have their Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and the Chinese have Chinatown in New York. The Dutch settlement in Pennsylvania also stays separate from other people. Their towns are like something from the 19th century. They have a different reason than the other groups for staying apart. They live separately for religious reasons rather than keeping together in a racial group.

　　Although some groups have kept themselves separate and others have been discriminated against, all groups have helped make the United States a great country. There is no group that has not helped in some way. And there is no group that can say they have done the most to make it a great country.

　　Many people still come from other countries to help the United States grow. A good example is the American project that let a man walk on the moon. It was a scientist from Germany who was most responsible for doing that. It’s certain that in the future the United States will still need the help of people from all racial groups to remain a great country.

　　32. Where did most of the first white men in the United States come from?

　　33. Which group of Americans is discriminated against the most?

　　34. Why did the Dutch live separately in Pennsylvania?

　　35. Where was the man from who helped Americans walk on the moon?