英语六级-真题及答案.doc

2009年6月大学英语六级考试试题Part I Writing (30 minutes) On the importance of a name 1.有人说名字或名称很重要 2.也有人觉得名字或名称无关紧要 3.我认为 Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Helicopter Moms vs. Free-Range Kids Would you let your fourth-grader ride public transportation without an adult? Probably not. Still, when Lenore Skenazy, a columnist for the New York Sun, wrote about letting her son take the subway alone to get back to her Manhattan home from a department store on the Upper East Side, she didnt expect to get hit with a wave of criticism form readers. “Long story short: My son got home, overjoyed with independence,” Skenazy wrote on April 4 in the New York Sun. “Long story longer: Half the people Ive told this episode to now want to turn me in for child abuse. As if keeping kids under lock and key and cell phone and careful watch is the right way to real kids. Its not. Its not. Its debilitating(使虚弱)for us and them.” Online message boards were soon full of people both applauding and condemning Skenazys decision to let her son go it alone. She wound up defending herself on CNN (accompanied by her son) and on popular blogs like the Huffington Post, where her follow-up piece was ironically headlined “More From Americas Worst Mom.” The episode has ignited another one of those debates that divides parents into vocal opposing camps. Are modern parents needlessly overprotective, or is the world a more complicated and dangerous place than it was when previous generations were allowed to wander about unsupervised? From the “shes an irresponsible mother” camp came: “Shame on you for being so careless about his safety,” in comments on the Huffington Post. And there was this from a mother of four: “How would you have felt if he didnt come home?” But Skenazy got a lot of support, too, with women and men writing in with stories about how they were allowed to take trips all by themselves at seven or eight. She also got heaps of praise for bucking the “helicopter parent” trend: “Good for this Mom,” one commenter wrote on the Huffington Post. “This is a much-needed reality check.” Last week, encouraged by all the attention, Skenazy started her own blogFree Range Kidspromoting the idea that modern children need some of the same independence that her generation had. In the good old days nine-yearold baby boomers rode their bikes to school, walked to the store, took busesand even subwaysall by themselves. Her blog, she says, is dedicated to sensible parenting. “At Free Range Kids, we believe in safe kid. We believe in car seats and safety belts. We do NOT believe that every time school-age children go outside, they need a security guard.” So why are some parents so nervous about letting their children out of their sight? Are cities and towns less safe and kids more vulnerable to crimes like child kidnap and sexual abuse than they were in previous generations? Not exactly. New York City, for instance, is safer than its ever been; its ranked 136th in crime among all American cities. Nationwide, stranger kidnaps are extremely rare; theres a one-in-a-million chance a child will be taken by a stranger, according to the Justice Department. And 90 percent of sexual abuse cases are committed by someone the knows. Mortality rates from all causes, including disease and accidents, for American children are lower now than they were 25 years ago. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit research group, between 1980 and 2003 death rates dropped by 44 percent for children aged 5 to 14 and 32 percent for teens aged 15 to 19. Then theres the whole question of whether modern parents are more watchful and nervous about safety than previous generations. Yes, some are. Part of the problem is that with wall-to-wall Internet and cable new, every missing child case gets so much airtime that its surprising even normal parental anxiety can be amplified. And many middle-class parents have gotten used to managing their childrens time and shuttling them to various enriching activities, so the idea of letting them out on their own can seem like a risk. Back in 1972, when many of todays parents were kids, 87 percent of children who lived within a mile of school walked or biked every day. But today, the Centers for Disease Control report that only 13 percent of children bike, walk or otherwise get themselves to school. The extra supervision is both a city and a suburb phenomenon. Parent are worried about crime, and they are worried about kids getting caught in traffic in a city thats not used to pedestrians. On the other hand, there are still plenty of kids whose parents give them a lot of independence, by choice or by necessity. The After School Alliance finds that more than 14 million kids aged 5 to 17 are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Only 6.5 million kids participate in organized programs. “Many children who have working parents have to take the subway or bus to get to school. Many do this by themselves because they have no other way to get to their school,” says Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute at the New York University Child Study Center. For those parents who wonder how and when they should start allowing their kids more freedom, theres no clear-cut answer. Child experts discourage a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. Whats right for Skenazys nine-year-old could be inappropriate for another one. It all depends on developmental issues, maturity, and the psychological and emotional makeup of that child. Several factors must be taken into account, says Gallagher. “The ability to follow parent guidelines, the childs level of comfort in handing such situations, and a childs general judgment should be weighed.” Gallagher agrees with Skenazy that many nine-year-olds are ready for independence like taking public transportation alone. “At certain times of the day, on certain routes, the subways are generally safe for these children, especially if they have grown up in the city and have been taught how to be safe, how to obtain help if they are concerned for their safety, and how to avoid unsafe situations by being watchful and on their toes.” But even with more traffic and fewer sidewalks, modern parents do have one advantage their parents didnt: the cell phone. Being able to check in with a child anytime goes a long way toward relieving parental anxiety and may help parents loosen their control a little sooner. Skenazy got a lot of criticism because she didnt give her kid her cell phone because she thought hed lose it and wanted him to learn to go it alone without depending on moma major principle of free-range parenting. But most parents are more than happy to use cell phones to keep track of their kids. And for those who like the idea of free-range kids but still struggle with their inner helicopter parent, there may be a middle way. A new generation of GPS cell phones with tracking software make it easier than ever to follow a childs every movement via the Internetwithout seeming to interfere or hover. Of Course, when they go to college, they might start objecting to being monitored as if theyre on parole(假释). 1. When Lenore Skenazys son was allowed to take the subway alone, he_. A) was afraid that he might get lost B) enjoyed having the indepentdence C) was only too pleased to take the risk D) thought he was an exceptional child 2. Lenore Skenazy believes that keeping kids under careful watch_. A) hinders theirs healthy growth B) adds too much to parents expenses C) shows traditional parental caution D) bucks the latest parenting trend 3. Skenazys decision to let her son take the subway alone has met with_. A) opposition from her own family B) official charges of child abuse C) approval from psychologists D) somewhat mixed responses 4. Skenazy started her own blog to_. A) promote sensible parenting B) share parenting experience C) fight against child abuse D) protect childrens rights 5. According to the author, New York City_. A) ranks high in road accidents B) is much safer than before C) ranks low in child mortality rates D) is less dangerous than small cities 6. Parents today are more nervous about their kids safety than previous generations because _. A) there are now fewer children in the family B) the number of traffic accidents has been increasing C) their fear is amplified by media exposure of crime D) crime rates have been on the rise over the years 7. According to child experts, how and when kids may be allowed more freedom depends on _, A) the traditions and customs of the community B) the safety conditions of their neighborhood C) their parents psychological makeup D) their maturity and personal qualities 8. According to Gallagher and Skenazy, children who are watchful will be better able to stay away from_. 9. Being able to find out where a child is anytime helps lessen parents_. 10. Nowadays with the help of GPS cell phones, parents can, from a distance, track their childrens _. Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes) Section A 11. A) Fred forgot to call him last night about the camping trip. B) He is not going to lend his sleeping bag to Fred.C) He has not seen Fred at the gym for some time. D) Fred may have borrowed a sleeping bag from someone else. 12. A) Summer has become hotter in recent years. B) It will cool down a bit over the weekend. C) Swimming in a pool has a relaxing effect. D) He hopes the weather forecast is accurate. 13. A) Taking a picture of Prof. Brown. B) Commenting on an oil-painting. C) Hosting a TV program. D) Staging a performance. 14. A) She can help the man take care of the plants. B) Most plants grow better in direct sunlight C) The plants need to be watered frequently. D) The plants should be placed in a shady spot. 15. A) Change to a more exciting channel. B) See the movie some other time. C) Go to bed early. D) Stay up till eleven. 16. A) Both of them are laymen of modern art. B) She has learned to appreciate modern sculptures. C) Italian artists works are difficult to understand. D) Modern artists are generally considered weired. 17. A) They seem satisfied with what they have done. B) They have called all club members to contribute. C) They think the day can be called a memorable one. D) They find it hard to raise money for the hospital. 18. A) The man shouldnt hesitate to take the course. B) The man should talk the professor first. C) The course isnt open to undergraduates. D) The course will require a lot of reading. Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 19. A) Current trends in economic development. B) Domestic issues of general social concern. C) Stories about Britains relations with other nations. D) Conflicts and compromises among political parties. 20. A) Based on the polls of public opinions. B) By interviewing people who file complaints. C) By analyzing the domestic and international situation. D) Based on public expectations and editors judgement. 21. A) Underlying rules of editing. B) Practical experience. C) Audiences feedback. D) Professional qualifications. Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard. 22. A) Their average life span was less than 50 years. B) It was very common for them to have 12 children. C) They retired from work much earlier than today. D) They were quite optimistic about their future. 23. A) Get ready for ecological changes. B) Adapt to the new environment. C) Learn to use new technology. D) Explore ways to stay young. 24. A) When all women go out to work. B) When family planning is enforced C) When a world government is set up. D) When all people become wealthier. 25. A) Eliminate poverty and injustice. B) Migrate to other planets. C) Control the environment. D) Find inexhaustible resources. Section B Passage One Question 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard. 26. A) To help young people improve their driving skills. B) To alert teenagers to the dangers of reckless driving. C) To teach young people road manners through videotapes. D) To show teens the penalties imposed on careless drivers. 27. A) Road accidents. B) Street violence. C) Drug abuse. D) Lung cancer. 28. A) It has changed teens way of life. B) It has made teens feel like adults. C) It has accomplished its objective. D) It has been supported by parents. Passage Two Question 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard. 29. A) Customers may get addicted to the smells. B) Customers may be misled by the smell. C) It hides the defects of certain goods. D) It gives rise to unfair competition. 30. A) Flexible B) Critical. C) Supportive D) Cautious. 31. A) The flower scent stimulated peoples desire to buy. B) Stronger smells had greater effects on consumers. C) Most shoppers hated the smells in the shoe store. D) 84% of the customers were unaware of the smells. Passage Three Question 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard. 32. A) A goods train hit a bus carrying many passengers. B) Two passenger trains crashed into each other. C) A passenger train collided with a goods train. D) An express train was derailed when hit by a bomb. 33. A) The rescue operations have not been very effective. B) More than 300 injured passengers were hospitalized. C) The cause of the tragic accident remains unknown. D) The exact casualty figures are not yet available. 34. A) There was a bomb scare. B) There was a terrorist attack. C) A fire alarm was set off by mistake. D) 50 pounds of explosives were found. 35. A) Follow policemens directions B) Keep an eye on the weather. C) Avoid snow covered roads. D) Drive with special care. Section C English is the leading international language. In different countries around the globe, English is acquired as the mother (36)_, in other its used as a second language. Some nations use English as their (37) _language, performing the function of (38) _; in other its used as an international language for business, (39) _and industry. What factors and forces have led to the (40)_of English? Why is English now considered to be so prestigious that, across the globe, individuals and societies feel (41)_if they do not have (42) _in this language? How has English changed through 1,500 years? These are some of the questions that you (43)_when you study English. You also examine the immense variability of English and (44)_.You develop in depth knowledge of the intricate structure of the language. Why do some non-native speakers of English claim that its a difficult language to learn, while (45) _? At the University of Sussex, you are introduced to the nature and grammar of English in all its aspects. This involves the study of sound structures, the formation of words, the sequencing of words and the construction of meaning, as well as examination of the theories explaining these aspects of English usage. (46)_, which are raised by studying how speakers and writers employ English for a wide variety of purposes. Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes) Section A Question 47 to 51 are based on the following Passage. There is nothing new about TV and fashion magazines giving girls unhealthy ideas about how thin they need to be in order to be considered beautiful. What is surprising is the method psychologists at the University of Texas have come up with to keep girls from developing eating disorders. Their main weapon against superskinny (role) models: a brand of civil disobedience dubbed “body activism.” Since 2001, more than 1,000 high school and college students in the U.S. have participated in the Body Project, which works by getting girls to understand how they have buying into the notion that you have to be thin to be happy or successful. After critiquing (评论) the so-called thin ideal by writing essays and role-playing with their peers, participants are directed to come up with and execute small, nonviolent acts. They include slipping notes saying “Love your body the way it is” into dieting books at stores like Borders and writing letters to Mattel, makers of the impossibly proportioned Barbie doll. According to a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the risk of developing eating disorders was reduced 61% among Body Project participants, And they continued to exhibit positive body-image attitudes as long as three years after completing the program, which consists of four one-hour sessions. Such lasting effects may be due to girls realizing not only how they were being influenced but also who was benefiting from the societal pressure to be thin. “These people who promote the perfect body really dont care about you all.” Says Kelsey Hertel, a high school junior and Body Project veteran in Eugene, Oregon. “They purposefully make you feel like less of a person so youll buy their stuff and theyll make money.” 47. Where do girls get the notion that they need to be thin in order to be considered beautiful? 48. By promoting “body activism,” University of Texas psychologists aim to prevent girls from _. 49. According to the author, Mattels Barbie dolls are_. 50. The positive effects of the Body Project may last up to_. 51. One Body Project participant says that the real motive of those who promote the perfect body is to_. Section B Passage One Questions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage. For hundreds of millions of years, turtles (海龟) have struggled out of the sea to lay their eggs on sandy beaches, long before there nature documentaries to celebrate them, or GPS satellites and marine biologists to track them, or volunteers to hand-carry the hatchlings (幼龟) down to the waters edge lest they become disoriented by headlights and crawl towards a motel parking lot instead. A formidable wall of bureaucracy has been erected to protect their prime nesting sites on the Atlantic coastlines. With all that attention paid to them, youd think these creatures would at least have the gratitude not to go extinct. But Nature is indifferent to human notions of fairness, and a report by the Fish and Wildlife Service showed a worrisome drop in the populations of several species of North Atlantic sea turtles, notably loggerheads, which can grow to as much as 400 pounds. The South Florida nesting population, the largest, has declined by 50% in the last decade, according to Elizabeth Griffin, a marine biologist with the environmental group Oceana. The figures prompted Oceana to petition the government to upgrade the level of protection for the North Atlantic loggerheads from “threatened” to “endangered”meaning they are in danger of disappearing without additional help. Which raises the obvious question: what else do these turtles want from us, anyway? It turns out, according to Griffin, that while we have done a good job of protecting the turtles for the weeks they spend on land( as egg-laying females, as eggs and as hatchlings), we have neglected the years they spend in the ocean. “The threat is from commercial fishing,” says Griffin. Trawlers (which drag large nets through the water and along the ocean floor) and longline fishers (which can deploy thousands of hooks on lines that can stretch for miles) take a heavy toll on turtles. Of course, like every other environmental issue today, this is playing out against the background of global warming and human interference with natural ecosystems. The narrow strips of beach on which the turtles lay their eggs b