2016大学英语四级模考题

　　Passage One

Questions 46 to 50 arebased on the following passage.

The rise of the Internet has been one ofthe most transformative developments in human history, comparable in impact tothe invention of the printing press and the telegraph. Over two billion peopleworldwide now have access to vastly more information than ever before, and cancommunicate with each other instantly, often using Web-connected mobile devicesthey carry everywhere. But the Internet's tremendous impact has only justbegun.

"Mass adoption of the Internet isdriving one of the most exciting social, cultural, and politicaltransformations in history, and unlike earlier periods of change, this time theeffects are fully global," Schmidt and Cohen write in their new book TheNew Digital Age.

Perhaps the most profound changes will comewhen the five billion people worldwide who currently lack Internet access getonline. The authors do an excellent job of examining the implications of theInternet revolution for individuals, governments, and institutions like thenews media. But if the book has one major shortcoming, it's that authors don'tspend enough time applying a critical eye to the role of Internet businesses inthese weeping changes.

In their book, the authors provide the mostauthoritative volume to date that describes—and more importantly predicts—howthe Internet will shape our lives in the coming decades. They paint a pictureof a world in which individuals, companies, institutions, and governments mustdeal with two realities, one physical, and one virtual.

At the core of the book is the idea that "technology is neutral, butpeople aren't." By using this concept as a starting point, the authors aimto move beyond the now familiar optimist vs. pessimist dichotomy (对立观点) that has characterized many recent debates about whetherthe rise of the Internet will ultimately be good or bad for society. In aninterview with TIME earlier this week, Cohen said although he and his co-authorare optimistic about many aspects of the Internet, they're also realistic aboutthe risks and dangers that lie ahead when the next five billion people comeonline, particularly with respect to personal privacy and state surveillance (监视).

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

46. In what way is the riseof the Internet similar to the invention of the printing press and thetelegraph?

A) It transforms human history. B) It facilitates daily communication.

C) It is adopted by all humanity. D) It revolutionizes people's thinking.

47. How do Schmidt and Cohen describe the effects of the Internet?

A) They are immeasurable. B) They are worldwide.

C) They are unpredictable. D) They are contaminating.

48. In what respect is the book The New Digital Age consideredinadequate?

A) It fails to recognize theimpact of the Internet technology.

B) It fails to look into thesocial implications of the Internet.

C) It lacks an objectiveevaluation of the role of Internet businesses.

D) It does not address thetechnical aspects of Internet communication.

49. What will the future be like when everybody gets online?

A) People will be living in twodifferent realities.

B) People will have equal accessto information.

C) People don't have to travel tosee the world.

D) People don't have tocommunicate face to face.

50. What doesthe passage say about the authors of The New Digital Age?

A) They leavemany questions unanswered concerning the Internet.

B) They areoptimistic about the future of the Internet revolution.

C) They haveexplored the unknown territories of the virtual world.

D) They don't take sides in analyzing the effects of theInternet.

　　Passage Two

Questions 51 to 60 are based on the followingpassage.

Energyindependence. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? If you think so, you're notalone, because energy independence has been the dream of American presidentsfor decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recentoil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the greatrecession.

"Energy independence" and its rhetorical (修辞的) companion"energy security" are, however, slippery concepts that are rarelythought through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?

Mostpeople would probably say that they want to be independent from imported there are reasons that we buy all that oil from elsewhere.

Thefirst reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is atrickle (涓涓细流) ofbiofuel (生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economicwaste and environmental destruction.

Second, Americans have basically decided that they don't really want toproduce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserveover their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States areoff-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmentalprotection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmentalimpacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?

Third,there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buythings from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. Andalthough you don't read about this much, the United States is also a largeexporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum productsper day to about 90 countries.

There is noquestion that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact,relies on that steady flow to maintain its economy. When that flow isinterrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices. At the sametime, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordableenergy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。

51. What does the author say about energyindependence for America?

A) Itsounds very attractive. C) It willbring oil prices down.

B) Itensures national security. D) It haslong been everyone's dream.

52. What does the author think of biofuels?

A) Theykeep America's economy running healthily.

B) Theyprove to be a good alternative to petroleum.

C) Theydo not provide a sustainable energy supply.

D) Theycause serious damage to the environment.

53. Whydoes America rely heavily on oil imports?

A) It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.

B) Itsown oil reserves are quickly running out.

C) Itwants to keep its own environment intact.

D) Itsown oil production falls short of demand.

54. What does the author say about oil trade?

A) Itproves profitable to both sides. C) It makes for economic prosperity.

B) Itimproves economic efficiency. D)It saves the cost of oil exploration.

55. What is the author's purpose in writing thepassage?

A) Tojustify America's dependence on oil imports.

B) Toarouse Americans' awareness of the energy crisis.

C) Tostress the importance of energy conservation.

D) Toexplain the increase of international oil trade.

　　Part Ⅳ Translation (30 minutes)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30minutes to translate a passage from Chinese intoEnglish. You should write your answer on AnswerSheet 2

中国应进一步发展核能，因为核电目前只占其总发电量的`2%。该比例在所有核国家中居第30位，几乎是最低的。

2011年3月日本核电站事故后，中国的核能开发停了下来，中止审批新的核电站，并开展全国性的核安全检查。到2012年10月，审批才又谨慎地恢复。

随着技术和安全措施的改进，发生核事故的可能性完全可以降到最低程度。换句话说，核能是可以安全开发和利用的。

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡2上作答。