12月大学英语六级考试答案详解

2009年12月大学英语六级考试答案详解Part WritingShould Parents Send Their Kids to Art Classes? Following the wave of English learning in the last century, the new millennium is witnessing another development of extracurricular education as more and more parents send their children to various art classes. A heated debate has, however, arisen over the credit of this practice. Those who support the art classes argue that children can broaden their horizon, expand their interests, hone their communicative skills as well as cultivate their artistic sensitivity and creativity, which is supposedly stifled by academic studies. Another strong argument for art classes is that considering the growing demand for “all-around”, “multiple-skilled talents” in our increasingly competitive society, one or more artistic skills are certainly as useful as a fluency with a second language when it comes to make an impressive resume or outshine in an interview. Excellency at a musical instrument can even earn bonus points in the university entrance examinations. No wonder many parents and students consider it a worthy investment despite the great expenses of such classes.These arguments meet vehement attack from those who believe that the art classes actually deprive the students of what little spare time they have and the freedom to develop themselves in the way they desire. Already exhausted from dealing with the heavy workload at school, students need desperately some time and space to rest apart from discovering their own interests instead of going to some art classes against their will just because their parents deem it fashionable or favorable for their future. Moreover, art classes can be so expensive that it may turn out a financial burden in the long run.So should we send students to art classes? Yes, and no. the answer depends on the familys richness, the childs time and capacity, and of course, above all, his interest. As far as Im concerned, it is unwise to jump on the bandwagon in a haste and parents need to think twice before making the final decision. Part Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) 文章分析：本文的话题是在家办公：宽带互联网的普及以及通信技术的发展使远程办公成为现实，给企业带来了不少好处，例如可以省去办公场所的日常开支，员工的工作效率可以提高，因为不用上下班把时间浪费在路上，还可以灵活安排办公时间和私人时间。尤其对于那些家累较重的员工来说，在家办公实在是个福音。本文列举了很多例子说明现在越来越多的小型公司对远程办公的兴趣日益上升，虽然他们也担心这样做的负面效应，例如员工缺少督促会不会偷懒，电话费会不会暴涨等等。这篇文章信息量比较大，专业词汇较多，因此增加了阅读难度。但是题目本身难度不大，解题关键在把握主题，根据题目专有名词定位。重难点词句：1. 第三段：or concerned about the additional expenses teleworking policies might incur as staff start charging their home phone bills to the business. 或者担心远程（在家）办公政策所导致的额外费用，例如员工会让公家报销家里的电话费。2. 第五段：and claims that as many as 60-70% of the businesses that come through its doors now offer some form of remote working support to their workforces. （英国网络供应商商业联通公 司）声称与其来往的公司中，有多达60%70%的企业现在向它们的员工提供某种形式的远 程办公支持。3. 第八段：（BT claims that, by July, 99.8% of its exchanges will be broadband enabled, with alternative plans in place for even the most remote exchanges）英国电信公司声称， 到7月份为止， 99.8%的信息交换是通过宽带实现的。 “This the enabler” (宽带)使这一切得以实现。4. 第九段：Yet while broadband has come down in price too, those service providers targeting the business market warn against consumer services masquerading（伪装） as business-friendly broadband.然而尽管宽带的费用已经下降，专门为企业提供服务的宽带供应商告诫大家， 有一些客户服务供应商（只适用于个体消费者）会伪装成为适用于企业的宽带供应商。5. 第十段：“Broadband is available for as little as 15 a month, but many businesses fail to appreciate the hidden costs of such a service,” 很多企业没有意识到这些服务的隐性成本。Appreciate: to recognize or understand“Providers offering broadband for rock-bottom prices are notorious for poor service”提供最便宜的宽带服务的供应商都因为服务差劲而臭名昭著。Rock bottom: the lowest possible level look beyond the price tag眼睛不要只盯着价签，意思是不要只考虑价格quality services can be found for upwards of 30 a month优质服务的费用最高也就每个月30英镑6. 第十四段：“One of the triggers was when one of our tax managers returned from maternity leave”诱因之一是当我们的一名税务经理在休完产假回到公司的时候 trigger: cause这里指公司考虑引进远程办公的原因7. 第十五段fee-earners在这里指所有为公司带来直接利益的员工，fee会计服务费用8. 第十六段we cant see any reason why a parent cant be on hand to deal with something important at home：on hand = to hand- to be ready around在这里指员工随时待命，马上可以投入工作。注意和 off hand “立即、马上”区别。9. 第十九段：it is able to save fee-earners a substantial amount of “dead” time in their working days幽默的说法，指工作效率极低的时间10. 第二十二段：It has enabled the company to dispense with its business premises altogether这样做使得公司可以完全放弃办公场地解题：1 D 第一段开宗明义，纵观全文也是讲好处多过坏处。参见“文章分析”。2. C 根据题干中的communications provider Inter-Tel定位至文章第四段第二句话。3. D 根据人名Andy Poulton定位到第七、八两段，Poulton提到只要能够上网，信息交换就能实现。答案出自第八段首句4. A 根据人名定位到第十段，参见上面注释5。 5. A 根据Internet-based telecoms定位到第十二段，答案在本段末尾，注意but后面的内容but because of the sophisticated voice services that can be exploited by the remote worker因为远程办公的员工可以利用成熟的语音服务诸如语音邮件和呼叫转移等功能，为 客户和合作伙伴营造一种公司形象的连续性 6. B 根据Wright Vigar定位到第十三段中间It was the need to accommodate employees with young children that motivated accountancy firm Wright Vigar to begin promoting teleworking recently. 7. C 根据人名定位到第十四段，末尾This is great for her, and for us as we retain someone highly qualified.8. home life 这道题目迷惑性比较大，有的考生可能会填productivity/ efficiency，因为从十三段到第十八段基本重点都是在讲员工的工作效率得以提高。但是注意题目问的是除了对公司有利以外，对员工自身还有什么好处，而工作效率提高的直接受益者还是公司，所以应该是他们的家庭生活，答案出自十四段末尾but enabling them to work more flexible hours that fit around their home life9. productive 根据题干中的travelling可以定位至原文倒数第四段our fee-earners can be productive as they travel 10. increase her own productivity 根据人名定位到末段“The main motivation behind adopting home working was to increase my own productivityPart III Listening ComprehensionSection A11. A 原文：W: Did you use credit cards on your vacation last month in Europe?M: Sure I did. They certainly beat going around with a wallet full of bills. But carrying lots of cash is still very common among some older people traveling abroad.Q: What does the man say about some elderly people?解题：典型的转折题，注意But后面的内容。重点词汇：beat比。要好，超出 12. C 原文：W: Rod must be in a bad mood today. Whats wrong with him?M: He was passed over in the selection process for the dean of the admissions office. Hed been hoping for the position for a long time.Q: What does the man mean?解题：关键在理解短语pass over表示忽略、不考虑，Rod一直想当招生办的主任，结果在选拔过程中被忽略了（难道是因为银子送得不够？）所以很郁闷ing13. D 原文：M: What a great singer Justin is! His concert is just awesome.And youll never regret the money you paid for the ticket.W: Yeah. Judging by the amount of the applause, everyone was enjoying it.Q: What does the woman mean?解题：关键在抓住女生说的话的最后一部分everyone was enjoying it. 重点词汇：judging by根据。判断；14. A 原文：W: I received an email yesterday from Henry. Do you remember? He was one of the chairpersons of our students union.M: Yes, but I havent heard from him for ages. Actually Ive been out of touch with him since our first reunion after graduation.Q: What do we learn about the speakers?解题：注意题目问的是说话人的关系，而非他们提到的第三者。15. D 原文：M: Driving at night always makes me tired. Lets stop for dinner.W: Fine. And lets find a motel, so that we can get an early start tomorrow.Q: What will the speakers probably do?解题：关键在女生说的lets find a motel找个汽车旅馆，也就是说他们打算停下来过夜，然后第二天好早点处罚。 16. C 原文：W: Lets look at the survey on consumer confidence we conducted last week. How reliable are these figures?M: They have a 5% margin of errorQ: What are the speakers talking about?解题：女人问上周做的顾客信心度的调查结果数据是否可靠，男人回答说有百分之五的误差。这道题出错率较高，因为出现了数字所以在听的时候很容易判断为典型的数字题，因而忽略前面的内容，再加上可能因为出现过consumer，所以误选B（出题老师这招调虎离山、虚张声势玩儿得不错）。 17. A 原文：W: Look at this catalogue, John. I think I want to get this red blouse. M: Err, I think youve already one like this in blue. Do you need every color in the rainbow?Q: What does the man mean?解题：男生的回答很讽刺：Do you need every color in the rainbow? 难道你想跟彩虹一样，七种颜色一样一件？ 18. B 原文：W: This notice says that all the introductory marketing classes are closed.M: That cant be true. Theres supposed to be 13 of them this semester.Q: What does the man mean?解题：男生说这也太扯了吧，因为这个学期应该有13节营销学导论课程，不可能全部都停了呀，所以肯定是通知搞错了。Conversation One 原文：M: I see on your resume that you worked as a manager of a store called Computer Country. Could you tell me a little more about your responsibilities there?W: Sure. I was responsible for overseeing about 30 employees. I did all of the ordering for the store and I kept track of the inventory.M: What was the most difficult part of your job?W: Probably handling angry customers. We didnt have them very often, but when we did, I needed to make sure they were well taken care of. After all, the customer is always right.M: Thats how we feel here, too. How long did you work there?W: I was there for three and a half years. I left the company last month.M: And why did you leave?W: My husband has been transferred to Boston and I understand your company has an opening there, too.M: Yes, thats right. We do. But the position wont start until early next month. Would that be a problem for you?W: No, not at all. My husbands new job doesnt begin for a few weeks, so we thought we would spend some time driving to Boston and stop to see my parents.M: That sounds nice. So, tell me, why are you interested in this particular position?W: I know that your company has a great reputation and wonderful product. Ive thought many times that I would like to be a part of it. When I heard about the opening in Boston, I jumped to the opportunity.M: Well, Im glad you did.Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19. What was the womans previous job?20. What does the woman say with the most difficult part of her job?21. Why is the woman looking for a job in Boston?22. When can the woman start to work if she gets the job?重点词句：Kept track of the inventory随时检查、记录库存; jumped at the opportunity立刻抓住机会解题：19. B; 20. A; 21. D; 22. C Conversation Two 原文：W: Today in the studio we have Alberto Quatells, the well-known Brazilian of the anti-global movement. Hes here to talk about the recent report, stating that by 2050 Brazil will be one of the worlds wealthiest and most successful countries. Alberto, what do you say to the report?M: You know this isnt the first time that people are saying Brazil will be a great economic power. The same thing was said over a hundred year ago. But it didnt happen.W: Yes, but you must admit the worlds a very different place now.M: Of course. In fact I believe theres maybe some truth in the prediction this time around. First of all, though, we must remember the problems facing Brazil at the moment.W: Such as?M: Theres an enormous gap between the rich and the poor in this country. In Sal Paulo, you can see shopping malls full of designed goods right next door to the slam areas without water and electricity supplies. A lot of work needs to be done to help people in those areas improve their lives.W: What needs to be done?M: Education, for example. For Brazil to be successful, we need to offer education to all Brazilians. Successful countries like South Korea and Singapore have excellent education systems. Brazil needs to learn from these countries.W: So you are hopeful for the future.M: As I said earlier, Im hopeful. This isnt an easy job. We need to make sure that these important opportunities for Brazilians arent wasted, as they were in the past.Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23. What does the recent report say about Brazil?24. What problem does Alberto say Brazil faces now?25. What does Alberto say about economically successful countries? 解题：23. D; 24. B 注意the haves and have-nots相当于the rich and the poor; 25. A; Section B Passage One 原文（下划线为答案出处，黑体为重点词句）：Wilma Subra had no intention of becoming a public speaker. After graduating from college with degrees in chemistry and microbiology, she went to work at Gulf South Research Institute in Louisiana. （26）As part of her job, she conducted field research on toxic substances in the environment, often in minority communities located near large industrial polluters. She found many families were being exposed high, sometimes deadly, levels of chemicals and other toxic substances, (27)but she was not allowed to make her information public.(27)Frustrated by these restrictions, Subra left her job in 1981, created her own company, and has devoted the past two decades to helping people fight back against giant industrial polluters. She works with families and community groups to conduct environmental tests, interpret test results, and organize for change. 28 Because of her efforts, dozens of toxic sites across the country have been cleaned up, and one chemical industry spokesperson calls her “a top gun for the environmental movement.”How has Wilma Subra achieved all this? Partly through her scientific training, partly through her commitment to environmental justice. (29) But just as important is her ability to communicate with people through public speaking. “Public speaking,” she says, “is the primary vehicle I use for reaching people.”If you had asked Subra before 1981, “Do you see yourself as a major public speaker?” She would have laughed at the idea. Yet today she gives more than 100 presentations a year. Along the way she has lectured at Harvard, testified before Congress, and addressed audiences in 40 states, as well as in Mexico, Canada, and Japan.Questions 26 to 29 are based on the passage you have just heard.26. What did Wilma Subra do as part of her job while working at Gulf South Research Institute?27. Why did Wilma Subra leave her job in 1981?28. What results have Wilma Subras efforts had in the past two decades?29. What does the speaker say has contributed to Wilma Subras success?重点词句：Top gun一把手、老大、最棒的。（还记得小汤哥主演的电影壮志凌云吗？它的英文片名就是Top Gun）Environmental justice环境正义，当前比较热门的话题：针对弱势群体（如发展中国家）在面临环境风险和健康危害时所受到的不公平待遇，力求使所有人-无论性别、种族、地区或经济地位高低-都能受到一体保护，并平等参与决策过程。解题：26. D; 27. A 注意尽管选项C也提到frustrating,但是原文并不是说其工作条件差，让人失望。而是因为无法将真相公布于众，良心不安。28. C toxic sites排放有毒物质的场所; 29. B 注意C、D两项均错在张冠李戴。Passage Two 原文（下划线为答案出处，黑体为重点词句）：(30)One of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today is the rapid advance of globalization. The market place is no longer national or regional, but extends to all corners of the world. And this requires a global-ready workforce. Universities have a large part to play in preparing students for the 21st century labor market by promoting international educational experiences. The most obvious way universities can help develop global workforce is by encouraging students to study abroad as part of their course. Students who have experienced another culture first hand are more likely to be global-ready when they graduate.Global workforce development doesnt always have to involve travel abroad however. If students learn another language and study other cultures, they will be more global-ready when they graduate. (31)It is important to point out that students also need to have a deep understanding of their own culture before they can begin to observe, analyze and evaluate other cultures. In multi-cultural societies, people can study each others cultures, to develop intercultural competencies, such as critical and reflective thinking, and intellectual flexibility. This can be done both through the curriculum and through activities on campus, outside of the classroom, such as art exhibitions, and lectures from international experts. Many universities are already embracing this challenge, and providing opportunities for students to become global citizens. (32) Students themselves, however, may not realize that when they graduate, they will be competing in a global labor market, and universities need to raise awareness of these issues amongst undergraduates.Questions 30-32Q30: What is one of the biggest challenges facing employers and educators today?Q31: What should students do first before they can really understand other cultures?Q32: What should college students realize according to the speaker?解题：30. C 答案的accelerated pace “加快的步伐”与原文的rapid advance 直接对应。31. A; 32. B 选项D虽然也提到全球化，但是原文并未说是否很多工作都因此消失，所以错误。Passage Three 原文（下划线为答案出处，黑体为重点词句）：To see if hair color affects a persons chances of getting a job, researchers at California State University asked 136 college students to review the resume and photograph of a female applicant for a job as an accountant. Each student was given the same resume. But the applicants picture was altered, so that in some photos her hair was golden, in some red and in some brown. The result? 33 With brown hair, the woman was rated more capable, and she was offered a higher salary than when she had golden or red hair. Other studies have found similar results. Many respondents rate women with golden hair as less intelligent than other people, and red heads as more temperamental. Women with red or golden hair are victims of the common practice of stereotyping.A stereotype is a simplistic or exaggerated image that humans carry in their minds about groups of people. For example, 34 “lawyers are shrewd and dishonest” is a popular stereotype. Stereotyping can occur in public speaking classes. When trying to choose a speech topic, some males think that women are uninterested in how to repair cars, while some females think that men are uninterested in creative hobbies, such as knitting and needle point. 35 We should reject stereotypes, because they force all people in a group into the same simple pattern. They fail to account for individual differences, and the wide range of characteristics among members of any group. Some lawyers are dishonest, yes! But many are not. Some women are uninterested in repairing cars, yes! But some are enthusiastic mechanics.Questions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.Q33. What did researchers at California State University find?Q34. What is the popular stereotype of lawyers?Q35.Why does the speaker say we should reject stereotypes?解题：33. B Brown-haired women were rated as more capable. 这就是传说中的“金发女郎胸大无脑，棕发女脑大无胸，红发女脾气暴躁(temperamental）。” 34. C 35. D 注意选项A)They force people to follow the cultural mainstream错在偷换概念，原文说的是force all people in a group into the same simple pattern，意思是stereotyping把一个群体中的所有人都归入同一简单的类型，认为他们具有相同的特点，并不是说迫使他们都服从主流文化。Section C Compound Dictation答案：36. derived; 37. Immense; 38. Convenient; 39.accuracy; 40. Largely; 41. Instinct; 42. Recalls; 43. texture44. This means that any thought about a certain subject will often bring up more memories that are related to it45. Associations do not have to be logical. They just have to make a good link注意这里是两个单句。46. If you remember the shape of Italy, it is because you have been told at sometime that Italy is shaped like a bootPart Reading Comprehension （Reading in Depth）Section A 文章分析： 本文主要讨论司机驾驶时打电话的危害。实验表明使用手机通话时，对话本身对大脑的影响比司机是否手持电话危险得多。即使使用免提装置，仍然有可能让司机分神，以至酿成危险。所以归根结底关闭手机也许是保证安全最可靠的方式。重点词句：1 第三段：That, they calculate, would add 5.7 metres to the braking distance of a car travelling at 100kph. 他们计算出这（滞后的反应时间）相当于使一辆原本行驶速度为100公里/小时的车辆在刹车后继续滑行的距离增加5.7米。2 第4段：Punishing people for using hand-held gadgets手持小设备 （即手机）解题：47. a drivers attention 第一段末句Even using a “hands-free” device can divert a drivers attention to an alarming extent.注意 distract对应原文中的divert， seriously对应原文中的to an alarming extent。48. equivalent in difficulty to driving第二段首句末尾a series of moving tasks on a computer screen that were reckoned equivalent in difficulty to driving.49. on average 212 milliseconds more第二段第三句话had an average reaction time 212 milliseconds slower than those who were not注意将原文的slower改成more.50.more complicated task第三段第四句话but those with the more complicated task showed even worse reaction times51. punishment最后一段, 根据题目和原文的对应，这里需要和persuasion相对的词，所以注意将原文的punishing改成punishment.Section B Passage