星火：2008年12月英语四级模拟试卷样题及解析

　　Conversation One

　　W: Hello. 85469959.

　　M: Hello. I'm calling about the advertisement in the newspaper.(19)Are the rooms still available now?

　　W: Yes, they are. Would you like to make an appointment to come and see them? It's very convenient to get here by bus or subway.

　　M: Well, I'm very interested in the room. But could I ask you a few questions first?

　　W: Yes, of course. Go ahead.

　　M: What sort of house is it?

　　W: Well,(20)it's a semi-detached house with three floors. And eight rooms all together. I usually have seven people living here, sharing the kitchen and bathroom.

　　M: (19)Are the rooms fully furnished? You see, I'll only be here for three months.

　　W: Yes, there's a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk, a chair and a book case.

　　M: And what about the kitchen? You see, I'm Chinese, so I'd like to cook for myself because I'm not used to Western food.

　　W: Ah, you're from China, are you? I've heard Chinese food is delicious. The kitchen has most things but it doesn't have one of those special Chinese pans.

　　M: Ok. What about the surroundings in the community?

　　W: (21)It's not far from the bus station and the subway, and there's a Chinese Supermarket near here.

　　M: Ok, thank you very much. I will think it over and phone you this afternoon to make an appointment.

　　19. Why does the man make the phone call?

　　C)。根据选项可知本题关于"He"想要租/买房子。本题关键句为"Are the rooms still available now?"男士询问房间是否还有。此外他还询问房间有无家具，他要在此地住三个月"Are the rooms fully furnished? You see, I'll only be here for three months."因此可知他想为自己租一间有家具的房间。故正确答案为C)。

　　20. What sort of house is it?

　　D)。根据选项可知问题询问房屋类型。本题关键句为"it's a semi-detached house with three floors."这是三层的半独立式房子。storey意为"层"。故正确答案为D)。

　　21. How does the lady describe the area?

　　D)。根据选项可知问题询问地区情况如何。本题关键句为"It's not far from the bus station and the subway, and there's a Chinese Supermarket near here."女士说附近有公交站、地铁站和超市。因此可知，女士的意思是该地区非常方便。故正确答案为D)。

　　Conversation Two

　　M: I recently started painting model airplanes.When I was young I would buy models and then paint them. It was a painstaking effort, but I was young.

　　W: Is it expensive?

　　M: I try not to think about the cost. It's my hobby. It's the time for me. How can I put a price on that? I waste money. I don't care. I enjoy it.

　　W: (22)I used to watch birds when I was a youngster. I could identify every species and gender of bird.

　　M: What happened?

　　W: I stopped doing it and started working for a living.

　　M: We can get caught up in living an ordinary life.(23)I, at least, want to have some pleasure while I am still young. Old age comes very fast.

　　W: Life is like a movie sometimes. You think that only a month has passed but really it has been a year. One year turns to ten years.

　　M: Ten years turns to a lifetime. What's wrong with a little enjoyment?

　　W: Nothing. (24)Kids know how to take full advantage of life.

　　M: When I am getting old, I have to remind myself of stopping to smell the roses. I just can't work 15 hours a day and be happy about it. Money is only money. When I die, I can't take it with me.

　　W: You can give it to your kids.

　　M:(25)They won't appreciate money unless they earn it like I earned it.

　　W: I guess I can understand.

　　M:(24)The real joy in life is in the doing. Seize the moment.

　　W: Let's seize the day.