2级自测题
I．Listening Comprehension (20%)
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question 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), and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter with a single line through the center.
Example: You will hear: M: Is it possible for you to work late, Miss Grey?
W: Work late? I suppose so, if you really think it’s necessary.
Q: Where do you think this conversation most probably took place?
You will read: A) At the office.
B) In the waiting room.
C) At the airport.
D) In a restaurant.
From the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. This is most likely to have taken place at the office. Therefore, A) “At the office” is the best answer. You should choose [A] and mark it with a single line through the center.
1. A. John’s cottage is as old as Paul’s. B. John’s cottage is much newer than Paul’s.
C. John’s cottage is much older than Paul’s. D. John’s cottage is similar to Paul’s.
2. A. 55 minutes. B. 45 minutes. C. 40 minutes. D. 35 minutes.
3. A. Eat in a restaurant and then see a movie. B. Watch TV at home.
C. She hasn’t decided yet. D. Prepare for tomorrow’s exam.
4. A. An air stewardess. B. A post office clerk. C. A waitress. D. A shop assistant.
5. A. Going to the museum. B. Going to the wedding party.
C. Going to Arizona. D. Going to New Mexico.
6. A. A repairman. B. A salesman. C. A doctor. D. A postman.
7. A. At a reception desk. B. In a hotel. C. At a supermarket. D. At a tailor’s shop.
8. A. The train will not arrive. B. The train was caught in an accident.
C. The train may arrive at 9:15. D. The woman isn’t sure when the train will arrive.
9. A. Study late again. B. Go to bed early.
C. Change his mind. D. Get up late in the morning.
10. A. He can speak French and English. B. He can speak only English.
C. He can speak only French. D. He can speak several languages.
Section B
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You will hear the passage read twice. Listen carefully and fill in the blanks with what you have heard.
No matter what type of holiday you are looking for, you will find the 11 in Switzerland. There is really no other country quite like it, for there you have some of the 12 and most beautiful scenery in the whole of Europe together with an attractive 13 , hotels and the friendliest people you could wish to meet.
Think of the variety of 14 . You may seek outdoor sporting 15 . Walking, swimming, riding, sailing and fishing are just a few of the many 16 for enjoying your holidays. Then there is an infinite 17 of excursions by coach or railway, free afternoons on a lake steamer, visits to 18
cities, these are just a few more of the variety of 19 for your holiday in Switzerland. In the evening music fills the air, 20 it is the local village band or an all-star variety show.
II．Reading Comprehension (30%)
Passage One
I don’t often lose things and I’m especially careful with money, so I was quite surprised when I reached for my wallet and it wasn’t there. At first, I thought it was possible that I could have left it at home. Then I remembered taking it out to pay for the taxi, so I knew I had it with me just before I walked into the restaurant. I wondered if it was possible that it could have slipped out of my pocket while I was eating dinner. Thinking about that possibility, I turned and walked back to the table where I had been sitting. Unfortunately, there were several people sitting at the table at the time, so I called a waiter and explained to him that my wallet had fallen out of my pocket while I was sitting at the table a few minutes earlier. I had the waiter go over to the table to see if my wallet was on the floor. While the waiter was looking for it, the manager of the restaurant came up to me and asked me if anything was wrong. I didn’t want to get a lot of people involved in the problem, but I knew I had to get the wallet back. I told the manager what had happened. He had me describe the wallet to him, and then he insisted that I report the missing wallet to the police. I told him that I didn’t particularly want to get the police involved in it; besides, I was in a hurry because I had an appointment with my doctor in just a few minutes. I explained to him that my biggest worry at the moment was how I was going to pay the check. He told me not to worry about that. He had me write down my name and address, and he said he would send me a bill.
21. Why was the writer so sure he had brought his wallet with him?
A. He remembered that he didn’t leave it at home.
B. He always felt his pocket for the wallet before he left home.
C. He believed his own memory.
D. He had taken it out to pay the taxi-driver.
22. According to the passage, the writer most probably lost his wallet when _____.
A. he took it out to pay for the taxi B. he walked into the restaurant
C. he was eating dinner D. he was ordering his dish
23. Why did the writer walk back to the table where he had been sitting?
A. He was sure his wallet was still there.
B. It was possible that he could find his wallet there.
C. He could ask someone there about his wallet.
D. He saw the wallet lying on the floor near the table.
24. As the writer didn’t want to get a lot of people involved in the problem, _____.
A. he only told the manager what had happened
B. he didn’t tell the manage anything
C. he reported to the police immediately
D. he only told the story to the manager and the waiter
25. Why did the manager tell the writer not to worry about paying the check?
A. He was going to report the incident to the police.
B. He could pay the doctor for the writer.
C. He would send the writer a bill later for his meal.
D. He was sure the missing wallet would soon be recovered.
Passage Two
Cathy and Wayne are in their late 20’s, have been married five years, and are childless. The last time a member of Cathy’s family asked, “When are you going to start a family?” her answer was, “We’re a family!”
Cathy and Wayne belong to a growing number of young married couples who are deciding not to have children. A recent survey showed that in the last five years the percentage of wives aged 25 to 29 who did not want children had almost doubled. What lies behind this decision which seems to fly in the face of biology and society?
Perhaps the most publicly outspoken childless couple are Ellen Peck and her husband William. They are not against parenthood but against the social pressures that push people into parenthood whether it is what they really want or not.
“It’s a life-style choice,” Ellen says. “We chose freedom and spontaneity (自发性), privacy (清静) and leisure. It’s also a question of where you want to give your efforts ¾ within your own family or in the larger community. This generation faces serious questions about the continuity of life on earth as well as its quality. Our grandchildren may have to buy tickets to see the last redwoods (红杉) or line up to get their oxygen ration (氧气量). There are men who complain about being caught in a traffic jam for hours on their way home to their five kids but can’t make the association between the children and the traffic jam. In a world seriously threatened by the consequences of overpopulation we’re concerned with making life without children acceptable and respectable. Too many children are born as a result of cultural pressure. And the results show up in the statistics on divorce and child-abuse.”
26. What does the member of Cathy’s family mean by saying “When are you going to start a family?”
A. When are you going to have children?
B. When are you going to get married?
C. When are you going to buy a house?
D. When are you going to move to a new house?
27. The number of childless young couples _____.
A. is decreasing B. is increasing
C. has more than doubled D. remains unchanged
28. “To fly in the face of” in the second paragraph means _____.
A. to run into B. to come across C. to follow D. to go against
29. Which of the following statements is true of the Pecks?
A. They propose that young couples have no children.
B. They urge that family planning be made obligatory.
C. They think that no pressure should be put on young couples who do not want children.
D. They think that there would be no divorce or child-abuse if young couples are not pressured into parenthood.
30. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of overpopulation mentioned in this passage?
A. Traffic jam.
B. The using up of precious natural resources.
C. The lowering of the quality of life.
D. War.
Passage Three
Cars are important in the United States. Without a car most people feel that they are poor. And even if a person is poor he doesn’t feel really poor when he has a car.
Henry Ford was the man who first started making cars in large numbers. He probably didn’t know how much the car was going to affect American culture. The car made the United States a nation on wheels. And it helped make the United States what it is today.
There are three main reasons the car became so popular in the United States. First of all the country is a huge one and Americans like to move around in it. The car provides the most comfortable and cheapest form of transportation. With a car people can go any place without spending a lot of money.
The second reason cars are popular is the fact that the United States never really developed an efficient and inexpensive form of public transportation. Long-distance trains have never been as common in the United States as they are in other parts of the world. Nowadays there is a good system of air-service provided by planes. But it is too expensive to be used frequently.
The third reason is the most important one, though. The American spirit of independence is what really made cars popular. Americans don’t like to wait for a bus or a train or even a plane. They don’t like to have to follow an exact schedule. A car gives them the freedom to schedule their own time. And this is the freedom that Americans want most to have.
The gas shortage has caused a big problem for Americans. But the answer will not be a bigger system of public transportation. The real solution will have to be a new kind of car, one that does not use so much gas.
31. When do most Americans feel they are poor?
A. When they don’t have a car. B. When they live in a huge country.
C. When they don’t use planes. D. When they have a car.
32. What is the most important reason that cars become popular in the United States?
A. Because the United States is huge.
B. Because public transportation is not so good.
C. Because Americans like to be independent.
D. Because Americans like to move around.
33. What public transportation is good in the United States?
A. Buses. B. Trains. C. Taxis. D. Planes.
34. What has caused a big problem for Americans?
A. A new kind of car. B. Public transportation.
C. The gas shortage. D. Poor people.
35. Which of the following is not mentioned according to this passage?
A. Cars have made the nation on wheels.
B. Cars have made the United States have a gas shortage.
C. Nearly 80% of the American people have cars.
D. Cars have made American independent.
Passage Four
We were late as usual. My husband had insisted on watering the flowers in the garden by himself, and when he discovered that he couldn’t manage he had asked me for help at the last moment. So now we had an hour to get to the airport. Luckily, there were not many cars or buses on the road and we were able to get there just in time. We checked in and went straight to a big hall to wait for our flight to be called. We waited and waited but no announcement was made. We asked for information and the girl there told us that the plane hadn’t even arrived yet. In the end there was another announcement telling us that passengers waiting for Flight LJ108 could get a free meal voucher (凭单) and that the plane hadn’t left Spain for technical problems. We thought that meant that it wasn’t safe for the plane to fly. We waited again for a long time until late evening when we were asked to report again. This time we were given free vouchers to spend the night in a nearby hotel.
The next morning after a bad night because of all the planes taking off and landing, we reported back to the airport. Guess what had happened while we were asleep! Our plane had arrived and taken off again. All the other passengers had been woken up in the night to catch the plane, but for some reason or other we had been forgotten. You can imagine how we felt!
36. The plane the writer and her husband would take _____.
A. came from Spain
B. passed by Spain
C. was not to leave till the next morning
D. was waiting for the passengers
37. The plane was delayed _____.
A. by the bad weather
B. by the passengers
C. because of many cars on the road
D. because something was wrong with the machine
38. The passengers were given a free meal because _____.
A. they arrived at the airport early B. they hadn’t had a meal yet
C. they had no money with them D. the plane was delayed
39. They were in a big hall, waiting for _____.
A. the girl to give them information B. their flight to be announced
C. the free meal voucher D. other passengers to arrive
40. The plane took off again _____.
A. as soon as it had arrived B. after all the passengers were woken up
C. while the couple were asleep D. early the next morning
III．Vocabulary and Structure (15%)
41. He was hit by a bullet but luckily he was only _______ wounded.
A. barely B. hardly C. merely D. slightly
42. Trying to ________ wildlife is a job that concerns all of us.
A. retain B. advance C. provide D. preserve
43. What you have done is ________ the doctor’s orders.
A. resistant to B. attached to C. responsible to D. contract to
44. Don’t run so much. You’ll ________ yourself before the game begins.
A. exhaust B. exaggerate C. consume D. constrain
45. The management has authorized wage increase for all _________.
A. employers B. citizens C. employees D. residents
46. It was reported that only one passenger was fortunate to escape ________ in the plane crash.
A. killing B. being killed C. to be killed D. having killed
47. After _______ seemed an endless wait, it was his turn to step into the doctor’s office.
A. it B. that C. what D. there
48. The medicines should be kept out of ________ of children.
A. touch B. reach C. contact D. contract
49. ________ people depend to such a great extent on forests, every effort must be made to preserve trees and wildlife.
A. How B. Since C. That D. Which
50. We regret to inform you that the materials you ordered are ________.
A. out of work B. out of stock C. out of reach D. out of practice
51. Having been found guilty, the man was given a severe ________ by the judge.
A. service B. sentence C. crime D. crisis
52. The computer has brought about surprising technological changes ________ we organize and produce information.
A. in a way B. in the way C. in that way D. in no way
53. In Australia the Asians make their influence ________ in businesses large and small.
A. feeling B. feel C. felt D. to be felt
54. I have had great deal of trouble _________ the rest of the class.
A. coming up against B. making up for C. keeping up with D. living up to
55. Mark often attempts to escape ________ whenever he breaks traffic regulations.
A. having been fined B. to have been fined C. to be fined D. being fined
56. No matter how frequently ________, the works of Beethoven always attract large audiences.
A. performed B. performing C. to be performed D. being performed
57. It is recommended that the project ________ until all the preparations have been made.
A. is not started B. will not be started C. not be started D. is not to be started
58. The survival of civilization as we know it is _________ threat.
A. within B. under C. towards D. upon
59. Free medical treatment in this country covers sickness of mind as well as ________ sicknesses.
A. normal B. regular C. average D. ordinary
60. Despite the wonderful acting and well-developed plot the _________ movie could not hold our attention.
A. three-hours B. three-hour C. three-hours’ D. three-hour’s
61. I advised them to withdraw ________.
A. so as to get not involved B. so as not to get involved
C. so as to not get involved D. so not as to get involved
62. I’d like to ________ this old car with a new model but I can’t afford it.
A. replace B. exchange C. convert D. transmit
63. This result is quite different from ________.
A. that we expected B. those we expected C. what we expected D. we expected
64. Though ________ mainly for the invention of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell devoted
his life to helping the deaf.
A. to remember B. he remembered C. remembered D. was remembered
65. With the advancement of technology, computers have come into the market, _______ capable of doing very complicated calculations at great speed.
A. that they are B. which they are C. that is D. which are
66. The committee are unable to agree on whom they should elect to ________ Johnson.
A. resign B. retire C. replace D. release
67. Things are known ________ when they unite with the oxygen of the air.
A. burn B. burning C. to burn D. being burned
68. The company manager may enable the man who tends the machines ________ a large panorama of possibilities.
A. to see B. seeing C. see D. seen
69. He ________ to get some cards for his birthday, but none arrived.
A. promised B. assumed C. expected D. supposed
70. One foolish mistake can ________ you in a good deal of trouble.
A. include B. induce C. involve D. inspire
IV．Cloze (5%)
Directions: The following passage is taken from one of the texts you have learned. Read the passage and fill in each of the numbered blanks with the exact word that appears in your textbook.
Racing the clock every day is such an exhausting effort that when I actually have a few free moments, I tend to 71 . Mostly I 72 into a chair and stare into 73 while I imagine how lovely life would be if only I 74 the organizational skills and the energy of my 75 . In fact, I waste a good deal of my 76 time just worrying about what other women are 77
in theirs. Sometimes I think that these modern fairy 78 create as many problems for women as the old stories that has us 79 our time for the day our prince would 80 .
V．Translation (15%)
Directions: Translate the following passage into English, using the words and phrases given below.
rational feature compound make … deposits self-explanatory set up withdrawal hold one’s attention keen control |
金钱是有趣的，而且几乎完全是不讲自明的。我教孩子懂得如何对待金钱的方法就是给孩子开一个账户。银行提供的利率以及以复利计算吸引了孩子的注意并让他很快成了热心的储蓄者。另一个诱人之处是存入的钱是属于孩子自己的。他可以想存就存，想取就取。
交给孩子们更多的，而不是更少的自主权是在帮助他们成为理性的消费者。
VI. Guided Writing (15%)
Directions: For this part you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition in about 120 words. The title of your composition is given. The following points may serve as a guide.
New Interests of University Students
1. A change of interests on campus
¾ used to show a great interest in liberal arts
¾ now, go in for computer science, business studies, etc. to get well-paid jobs
2. Moreover, display greater enthusiasm in learning English
¾ open up new windows
¾ broaden their mind and horizon
¾ enter into business relations with foreign firms, greater importance of English
Key to Test Paper ( 2级)
I. Listening Comprehension
Section A
1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. B 6. A 7. D 8. C 9. B 10. A
Section B
11. answer 12. finest 13. climate 14. attractions 15. activities
16. possibilities 17. variety 18. historic 19. interests 20. whether
II. Reading Comprehension
21 – 25 DCBDC 26 – 30 ABDCD
31 – 35 ACDCC 36 – 40 ADDBC
III. Vocabulary and Structure
41. D 42. D 43. A 44. A 45. C 46. B 47. C 48. B 49. B 50. B
51. B 52. B 53. C 54. C 55. D 56. A 57. C 58. B 59. D 60. B
61. B 62. A 63. C 64. C 65. D 66. C 67. B 68. A 69. C 70. C
IV. Cloze
71. collapse 72. sink 73. space 74. possessed 75. superheroines
76. spare 77. accomplishing 78. tales 79. biding 80. come
V. Translation
Money is fun and almost entirely self-explanatory. My way of teaching the child about money is setting up an account for him. Interest rate offered by the bank and compounded holds his attention and he has soon turned into a keen saver. Another attractive feature is that his account belongs to him. He can make other deposits, or withdrawals, whenever he likes.
Giving children more control, not less is helping him become a rational consumer.
V. Guided Writing
New Interests of University Students
There has been a change of interests on campus in recent years. Many excellent students used to show a great interest in liberal arts. To become a writer was their life-long dream. Now top students go in for computer science, business studies and other subjects concerning finance. Obviously they believe if they master such subjects they are more likely to get well-paid jobs after their graduation.
Moreover, students display greater enthusiasm than ever in learning English. A good command of the language will open up new windows for them and help broaden their mind and horizon. Besides, with the carrying out of the open-door policy and the rapid development of our economy, more and more companies have entered into business relations with foreign firms. So university graduates with a good knowledge of English will find it easier to win good positions.
Tapescript of Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: In this section, you will hear 10 short conversations. At the end of each conversation,
a question will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the question
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), and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter with a single line through the center.
Example: You will hear: M: Is it possible for you to work late, Miss Grey?
W: Work late? I suppose so, if you really think it’s necessary.
Q: Where do you think this conversation most probably took place?
You will read: A) At the office.
B) In the waiting room.
C) At the airport.
D) In a restaurant.
From the conversation we know that the two were talking about some work they had to finish in the evening. This is most likely to have taken place at the office. Therefore, A) “At the office” is the best answer. You should choose [A] and mark it with a single line through the center.
1. W: I don’t think John’s cottage is as old as Paul’s.
M: On the contrary it’s much older.
Q: What does the man think of John’s cottage?
2. W: Hurry up, Henry. It’s already 7:50 a.m.
M: It’s okay. We still have some time. Children are supposed to be at school by 8:45 a.m.
Q: How much time do they have?
3. M: Would you rather eat in the restaurant and then see a movie with us this evening?
W: To tell the truth, I really can’t go anywhere because I’m going to have the final exam tomorrow.
Q: What will the woman probably do this evening?
4. M: Can you tell me how much it would cost to send this package by air?
W: Yes, sir. Let me weigh it first.
Q: What is the woman?
5. M: I’m going to the museum Sunday afternoon. There is a new exhibit of Indian art from
Arizona and New Mexico. Want to go with me?
W: I’d love to. But my best friend is getting married on Sunday. I won’t miss it for anything.
Q: Where is the woman going on Sunday afternoon?
6. M: The TV set is out of order.
W: Why not send it to John to have a check?
Q: What is John most likely to be?
7. W: Have you done with my trousers?
M: I am sorry, your trousers won’t be ready until next Tuesday.
Q: Where does this dialogue most probably take place?
8. M: Excuse me, when will the 7:15 train arrive?
W: It’s been delayed two hours because a bridge was broken.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation?
9. W: Are you going to study late again tonight?
M: I’ll go to sleep early for a change.
Q: What will the man probably do?
10. W：Having visited so many different countries, you must be able to speak several different
languages.
M: I wish I could. But French and English are the only ones that I have ever learned to speak.
Q: What did the man say of his knowledge of languages?
Section B
Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You will hear the passage read twice. Listen carefully and fill in the blanks with what you have heard.
No matter what type of holiday you are looking for, you will find the answer in Switzerland. There is really no other country quite like it, for there you have some of the finest and most beautiful scenery in the whole of Europe together with an attractive climate, hotels and the friendliest people you could wish to meet.
Think of the variety of attractions. You may seek outdoor sporting activities. Walking, swimming, riding, sailing and fishing are just a few of the many possibilities for enjoying your holidays. Then there is an infinite variety of excursions by coach or railway, free afternoons on a lake steamer, visits to historic cities, these are just a few more of the variety of interests for your holiday in Switzerland. In the evening music fills the air, whether it is the local village band or an all-star variety show.
