2008.12六級真命題

1、2008 年 12 月大學英語六級考試真題Part I Writing ( 30 minutes )Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitledHow To Improve Students Mental Health?. You should write at least 150 wordsfollowing the outline given below.1. 大學生的心理健康十分重要2因此，學?？梢?我們自己應當How To Improve Students Me

2、ntal Health?Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming andScanning) (15 minutes)Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quicklyand answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1.For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A, B, Cand D.For questions 8

3、 -10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.Supersize SurpriseAsk anyone why there is an obesity epidemic and they will tell you that it s aldown to eating too much and burning too few calories. That explanation appeals to common sense and has dominated efforts to get to t

4、he root of the obesity epidemic and reverse it. Yet obesity researchers are increasingly dissatisfied with it.Many now believe that something else must have changed in our environment to precipitate（ 促成 ） such dramatic rises in obesity over the past 40 years or so. Nobody is say ing that the “ big t

5、wo ” reduced physical activity and in creased availabilityof food - are not important contributors to the epidemic, but they cannot explain it all.Earlier this year a review paper by 20obesity experts set out the 7 most plausible alternative explanations for the epidemic. Here they are.1. Not enough

6、 sleepIt is widely believed that sleep is for the brain, not the body. Could a shortageof shut-eye also be helping to make us fat?Several large-scale studies suggest there may be a link. People who sleep less than 7 hours a night tend to have a higher body mass index than people who sleep more, acco

7、rding to data gathered by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Similarly, the US Nurses Health Study, which tracked 68,000 women for 16 years, found that those who slept an average of 5 hours a night gained more weight during the study period than women who slept 6 hours, who in

8、turn gained more than whose who slept 7.It s well known that obesity impairs sleep, so perhaps people get fat first and sleep less afterwards. But the nurses study suggests that it can work in the other direction too: sleep loss may precipitate weight gain.Although getting figures is difficult, it a

9、ppears that we really are sleeping less.In 1960 people in the US slept an average of 8.5 hours per night. A 2002 poll by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that the average has fallen to under 7 hours, and the decline is mirrored by the increase in obesity.2. Climate controlWe humans,like all wa

10、rm-bloodedanimals, can keep our core bodytemperatures pretty much constant regardless ofwhat s going on in the worldaround us. We do this by alteringour metabolic（ 新陳代謝的 ） rate, shivering orsweating. Keeping warm and staying cool take energy unless we are in the “thermo-neutral zone” , which is incr

11、easingly where we choose to live and work.There is no denying that ambient temperatures（ 環(huán)境溫度 ） have changed in the past few decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the average British home warmed from a chilly 13C to 18C. In the US, the changes have been at the other end of the thermometer as the proportio

12、n of homes with air conditioning rose from 23% to47% between 1978 and 1997. In the southern states- where obesity rates tend tobe highest - the number of houses with air conditioning has shot up to 71% from 37% in 1978.Could air conditioning in summer and heating in winter really make a difference t

13、o our weight?Sadly ， there is some evidence that it does-at least with regard to heating.Studies show that in comfortable temperatures we use less energy.3. Less smokingBad news: smokers really do tend to be thinner than the rest of us, and quittingreally does pack on the pounds, though no one is su

14、re why. It probably has something to do with the fact that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and appears to up your metabolic rate.Katherine Flegal and colleagues at the US National Center for Health Statisticsin Hyattsville, Maryland, have calculated that people kicking the habit have been respon

15、sible for a small but significant portion of the US epidemic of fatness. From data collected around 1991 by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they worked out that people who had quit in the previous decade were much more likely to be overweight than smokers and people who had

16、never smoked .Among men, for example, nearly half of quitters were overweight compared with 37% of non-smokers and only 28%of smokers.4. Genetic effectsYours chances of becoming fat may be set, at least in part, before you wereeven born. Children of obese mothers are much more likely to become obese

17、themselves later in life. Offspring of mice fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy are much more likely to become fat than the offspring of identical mice fed a normaldiet. Intriguingly, the effect persists for two or three generations. Grandchildren of mice fed a high-fat diet grow up fat even if the

18、ir own mother is fed normally-so you fate may have been sealed even before you were conceived.5. A little older Some groups of people just happen to be fatter than others. Surveys carried out by the US national center for health statistics found that adults aged 40 to 79were aroundthreetimesas likel

19、y tobe obese as youngerpeople. Non-whitefemales alsotendto fallat the fatterend of the spectrum:Mexican-Americanwomen are30% more likely than whitewomen to be obsess,and black womenhave twice the risk.In the US, these groups account for an increasing percentage of the population.Between1970and 2000

20、the US populationaged35 to 44 grewby43%.theproportionofHispanic-Americansalsogrew,fromunder5%to 12.5% of thepopulation,while the proportionofblackAmericansincreasedfrom 11%to12.3%.these changes may account in part for the increased prevalence of obesity.6. Mature mumsMothers around the world are get

21、ting older. in the UK, the mean age for havinga first child is 27.3,compared with 23.7 in 1970 .mean age at first birth in the US hasalso increased, rising from 21.4 in 1970 to 24.9 in 2000.This would be neither here nor there if it weren t for the observationthats study found that the odds ofhaving

22、 an older mother seems to be an independent risk factor for obesity. Results from the US national heart, lung and blood institutes age,a child being obese increase 14% for every five extra years of their mother though why this should be so is not entirely clear.Michael Symonds at theUniversity of No

23、ttingham, UK, foundthat first-bornchildren have more fat than younger ones. As family size decreases, firstborns account for a greater share of the population. In 1964, British women gave birth to an average of 2.95 children; by 2005 that figure had fallen to 1.79. In the US in1976, 9.6% of woman in

24、 their 40s had only one child; in 2004 it was 17.4%. this combination of older mothers and more single children could be contributing to the obesity epidemic.7. Like marrying likeJust as people pair off according to looks, so they do for size. Lean people are more likely to marry lean and fat more l

25、ikely to marry fat. On its own, like marrying like cannot account for any increase in obesity. But combined with others particularly the fact that obesity is partly genetic, and that heavier people have more children it amplifies the increase form other causes.1. What is the passage mainly about?B)

26、The link between lifestyle andD) Possible ways to combat thewho slept an average of 7 hours aA) Effects of obesity on people s health obesityC) New explanations for the obesity epidemic obesity epidemic2. In the US Nurse Health Study, womennightA) gained the least weightB) were inclined to eat lessC

27、) found their vigor enhancedD) were less susceptible to illness3. The popular belief about obesity is that.A) it makes us sleepyB) it causes sleep lossC) it increases our appetite D)it results from lack of sleep4. How does indoor heating affect our life?A) it makes us stay indoors moreB) it accelera

28、tes our metabolic rateC) it makes us feel more energeticD) it contributes to our weight gain5. What does the author say about the effect of nicotine on smokers?A) it threatens their healthB) it heightens their spiritsC) it suppresses their appetiteD) it slows down their metabolism6. Who are most lik

29、ely to be overweight according to Katherine Fergal s study?A) heavy smokersB) passive smokersC) those who never smokeD) those who quit smoking7. According to the US National Center for Health Statistics, the increased obesity in the US is a result of.A) the growing number of smokers among young peop

30、le B) the rising proportion of minorities in its populationC) the increasing consumption of high-calorie foodsD) the improving livingstandards of the poor people8. According to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the reason why older mothers children tend to be obese remains .9. Accordi

31、ng to Michael Symonds, one factor contributing to the obesity epidemicis decrease of 10. When two heavy people get married, chances of their children getting fatincrease, because obesity is Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)Section ADirections: In this section, you will hear 8 short conve

32、rsations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A, B, C an

33、d D, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single linethrough the centre.11. A) He is quite easy to recognizeC) He looks like a movie star12 . A) consult her dancing teacherC) continue her dancing classB) He is an outstanding speakerD) He lo

34、oks young for his ageB) take a more interesting classD) improve her dancing skills13. A) the man did not believe what the woman saidthe woman to the hospitalC) the woman may be suffering from repetitive strain injurynot followed the doctor s instructionsB) the man accompaniedD) the woman may14. A) t

35、hey are not in style any moreB) they have cost him far too muchC) they no longer suit his eyesight regularly15. A) he spilled his drink onto the floorthe flooC) he was caught in a shower on his way home to answer the phone16. A) fixing some furnitureC) reading the instructions17. A) urge Jenny to sp

36、end more time on study the coming examsC) act towards Jenny in a more sensible way training centerD) they should be cleanedB) he has just finished wipingD) he rushed out of the bathB) repairing the toy trainD) assembling the bookcaseB) help Jenny to prepare forD) send Jenny to a volleyballB) The pro

37、posed site is nearD) The dam poses a threat to18. A) The building of the dam needs a large budget the residential areaC) The local people feel insecure about the dam the local environmentQuestions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. A. It saw the end of its booming years w

38、orldwideB. Its production and salesreached record levels.C. It became popular in some foreign countries D. Its domestic market started to shrink rapidly.20. A. They cost less.B. They tasted betterC. They were in fashion.D. Theywere widely advertised.21. A. It is sure to fluctuate. B. It is bound to

39、revive.C. It will remain basically stable.D. It will see no more monopolyQuestions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.22. A. Organising protestsB. Recruiting membersC. Acting as its spokesman. D.Saving endangered animals.23. A. Anti-animal-abuse demonstrationsB. Anti-nuclear

40、campaignsC. Surveying the Atlantic Ocean floorD. Removing industrial waste.24. A. By harassing them.B. By appealing to the publicC. By taking legal action.D. By resorting to force.25. A. DoubtfulB. Reserved C. Indifferent.D. SupportiveSection BDirections: In this section, you will hear 3 short passa

41、ges. At the end of each passage, you will hear some 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 2 with a single line t

42、hrough the centre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have justheard.26. A. The air becomes still. B. The air pressure is low.C. The clouds block the sun.D. The sky appears brighter.27. A. Ancient people were better at foretelling the weather.B. Sailors sayingabout the weather

43、 are unreliable.C. People knew long ago how to predict the weather. D. It was easier forecast the weather in the old days.28. A. Weather forecast is getting more accurate today.B. People can predictthe weather by their senseC. Who are the real experts in weather forecast. D. Weather changes affect p

44、eople s life remarkablyPassage TwoQuestions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.29. A. They often feel insecure about their jobs.B. They are unable to decidewhat to do first.toD they feel burdenedC. They feel burdened with numerous tasks every day.with numerous tasks every day30. A

45、. Analyze them rationally.B. Draw a detailed to-do list.31. A. They have accomplished little.B. They feel utterly exhausted.C. Turn to others for help.D. Handle them one by one.C. They have worked out a way to relax.D. They no longer feel any sense of guilt.Passage ThreeQuestions 32 to 35 are based

46、on the passage you have just heard.be32. A. Their performance may improve. B. Their immune system may reinforcedD. Their physicalC. Their blood pressure may rise all of a sudden.development may be enhanced.33. A. Improved mental functioningB. Increased susceptibility to disease hormones34. A. Preten

47、d to be in better shape.B. Have more physical exercise.sensations.35. A. Different approaches to coping with stress. health problems.C. The relationship between stress and research on stress.C. Speeding up of blood circulationD. Reduction of stress-relatedC. Turn more often to friends for helpD. Pay

48、 more attention to bodilyB. Various causes for seriousillness. D. New finding of medicalSection CDirections: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second ti

49、me, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in

50、your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.One of the most common images of an advanced, Western-style culture is thatof a busy, traffic-filled city. Since their first (36) on American roadways,automobiles have become a (37)of progres

51、s, a source of thousands of jobsand an almost in alie nable right for citize ns pers onal freedom of moveme nt. I nrecent (38)L our love affair ” with the car is being (39) ctly to thedevelop ing world, and it is in creas in gly (40)that this tra nsfer is leadi ng todisaster.American s almost comple

52、te dependence on automobiles has been a terriblemistake. As late as the 1950s, a large (41) _ of the American public used masstran sit. A (42)of public policy decisi ons and corporate schem ing saw to itthat coun tless (43)_ and efficie nt urba n streetcar and in tra-city rail systemswere dismantled

53、. (44) . liveshave been planned along a road grid homes far from work, shoppingfar fromeveryth ing, with ugly stretches of con crete and blacktop in betwee n.Develop ing coun tries are copy ing Western-style tran sportati on systems dow nto the last detail. (45)Pollution control measures are either

54、not strict or nonexistent, leading to chokingclouds of smog. Gasoline still contains lead, which is extremely poisonous to huma ns. (46).In additionto pollution and traffic jams, auto safety is a critical issue indevelop ing n ati ons.Part IV Read ing Comprehe nsion(Read ing in Depth )(25 minu tes )

55、Section ADirections: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer sheet 2.Questions 47 to 51 are based on the fol

56、lowing passage.One of the major producers of athletic footwear, with 2002 sales of over $10billion, is a company called Nike, with corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.Forbes magazine identified Nike s president, Philip Knight, as the 53rd-richestmanin the world in 2004. But Nike has not alwa

57、ys been a large multimillion-dollar organization. In fact, Knight started the company by selling shoes from the back of his car at track meets.In the late1950s Philip Knight was a middle-distance runner on the Universityof Oregon track team, coached by Bill Bowerman. One of the top track coaches inthe U.S., Bowerman was also known for experimenting with the design of runningshoes in an attempt to make them lighter and more shock-absorbent. After attending Oregon, Knight moved on to do graduate work at Stanford Univ