2018年12月英语四级真题 第1套

Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four questions. Both the passage and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

A Pew Research Center survey of more than 1000 Americans conducted in April 2016 finds that Americans continue to express largely positive views about the current state of their local public libraries. [16] For instance, around three quarters say that public libraries provide them with the resources they need, and 66 percent say the closing of their local public library would have a major impact on their community, although notably, just 33 percent say this would have a major impact on them personally or on their family. A majority of Americans feel libraries are doing a good job of providing a safe place for people to hang out or spend time as well as opening up educational opportunities for people of all ages, [17] and roughly half think their libraries contribute a lot to their communities in terms of helping spark creativity among young people and providing a trusted place for people to learn about new technologies. As in past Pew Research Center surveys of library use the April 2016 survey also measured Americans’ usage of and engagement with libraries. Overall, 53 percent of Americans aged 16 and older have had some interaction with a public library in the past year—either through an in-person visit or using a library Website. [18] Some 48 percent of adults specifically visited a library in the past 12 months. A modest increase from the 44 percent who said that in late 2015.

皮尤研究中心在2016年4月对1000多名美国人进行的一项调查发现，美国人仍然对当地公共图书馆的现状大体上持积极的看法。[16]例如，大约四分之三的人认为，公共图书馆为他们提供了所需的资源，66%的人表示，关闭当地的公共图书馆将对他们的社区产生重大影响。尽管值得注意的是，只有33%的人称这会对他们个人或家庭产生重大影响。大多数美国人认为，图书馆在为人们提供一个安全的场所用来闲逛或打发时间，以及为所有年龄段的人开放教育机会方面做得很成功，[17]而且，大约有一半的人认为，图书馆在帮助激发年轻人的创造力，以及为人们提供一个可靠的处所用以了解新技术的方面为社区贡献很多。和皮尤研究中心过去对图书馆使用情况的调查一样，2016年4月的调查也衡量了美国人对图书馆的使用情况和参与度。总的来说，在16岁以上的美国人中，有53%的人在过去一年中与公共图书馆有过互动——要么是以亲自拜访的形式，要么是使用图书馆网站的形式。[18]在过去的12个月里，约有48%的成年人专门去过图书馆。相比于2015年年底44%的受访者的陈述，这一比例略有上升。

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

A Savannah cat is a crossbreed between a domestic cat and a medium-sized wild African cat called the Serval. [19] The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 1990s. And in 2001, the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. The Savannahs are tall and slim and can weigh up to 9.1 kilograms, making them one of the largest breeds of cats that people can own. They have a spotted coat similar to that of many types of wild cats and their ears are very large. [20] They are also commonly compared to dogs in their loyalty and can be trained to walk on a lead and to fetch. An often noted characteristic of the Savannah is its jumping ability. They are known to jump on top of doors and high cabinets. Some can leap about 2.5 metres high from a standing position. Cats are typically known for being very inquisitive and so are the Savannahs. They often learn how to open doors and cupboards. Many Savannah cats do not fear water and will play with or even dive into water. [21] Some owners even shower with their Savannah cats. Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah may also prove a challenge, as some will promptly begin to bat all the water out of the bowl until it is empty using their front paws.

萨凡纳猫是家猫和被称为薮猫的中等体型的非洲野猫的杂交品种。[19]这种不同寻常的杂交品种在20世纪90年代末开始受到饲养者的欢迎。2001年，国际猫协会接受了它作为一个新注册的品种。萨凡纳猫又高又瘦，体重可达9.1公斤，使其成为人类可拥有的最大的猫品种之一。它们一身皮毛长有斑点，和许多类型的野猫相似，而且它们的耳朵非常大。[20]在忠诚度方面，它们也普遍可以和狗相媲美，而且，通过训练，它们能够被人用绳子牵着走，能够为人叼取东西。萨凡纳猫经常被提及的特征就是它的跳跃能力。人们熟知，它们会跳到门框上和高高的橱柜上。有些萨凡纳猫能站着跳大约2.5米高。猫是典型的充满好奇心的动物，萨凡纳猫也是如此。它们经常学习如何打开门和橱柜。许多萨凡纳猫不怕水，它们会玩水，甚至会潜入水中。[21]有些主人甚至和他们的萨凡纳猫一起冲澡。给萨凡纳猫一个喝水碗也可能是一项挑战，因为有些萨凡纳猫会立即开始用前爪将整个碗里的水拍打出去，直到碗里没有一滴水为止。

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

[22] When children start school for the very first time, parents often feel a sense of excitement coupled with a touch of sadness at the end of an era. This is the start of a new adventure for children—playing and interacting with new friends, sharing, taking turns and settling into a new routine.
[23] But of course, this is not the start of your child’s education which in fact began at birth. Back then, you would have been your child’s most influential teachers. During this time at home, your child would have learnt more than at any other period in their life. During your child’s first year in school much time will be spent in learning to read and they need to know that this is fun and worthwhile. [24] Your child will naturally copy you so it is important that you are seen reading and enjoying books, newspapers and magazines rather than just absorbed in screens. Ultimately an excellent education should be a close partnership between parents and teachers. A child’s year splits fairly neatly into thirds: a third at school, a third asleep and a third awake at home or on holiday.
[25] Irrespective of the quality of a school, a child’s home life is of key importance. It is the determining factor of their academic success. Your child may have started on a new journey but your work is far from finished.

[22]当孩子们第一次要上学的时候，父母们常常会觉得兴奋，还有一丝一个时期即将结束的悲伤感。对于孩子来说，上学是一次新冒险经历的起点——他们将和新朋友一起玩耍、互动、分享、依次轮流做事，并且逐渐适应一种新的日常生活。
[23]当然，这并不是你孩子教育的起点。事实上，孩子的教育在一出生就开始了。那时，你可能是孩子最有影响力的老师。在（入学前）待在家里期间，孩子能学到的东西或许比他们生命中的任何时候都多。入学后的第一年，孩子需要花大量时间来学习阅读，他们需要知道阅读是有意思的，也是值得的。[24]你的孩子会很自然地模仿你，所以让他们看到你在阅读并且享受读书、看报纸和杂志而不是只专注于屏幕是很重要的。归根结底，优秀的教育应该是家长和老师之间的密切合作。孩子的一年被整齐地分成三份：三分之一在学校，三分之一在睡觉，三分之一醒着待在家里或在度假。
[25]不管学校的教育质量如何，孩子的家庭生活是至关重要的。这是他们学业成功的决定性因素。你的孩子可能已经开始了一段新的旅程，但你的工作还远远没有完成。

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.