Part I  Writing (30 minutes)

 

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a composition on the topic Heavy Traffic. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below in Chinese.

 

1.       近年来，许多城市都面临交通拥挤这一问题。

2.       解决的一个方法是修建更多的道路。

3.       我的意见。

Heavy Traffic

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Part II  Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes)

 

Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions.

For questions 1-7, mark

Y (for YES)            if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage;

N (for NO)            if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage;

NG (for NOT GIVEN)  if the information is not given in the passage.

For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.

 

Green Wave Washed Over Mainstream Shopping

Research in Britain has shown that “green consumers” continue to flourish as a significant group amongst shoppers. This suggests that politicians who claim environmentalism is yesterday's issue may be seriously misjudging the public mood.

A report from Mintel, the market research organization, says that despite recession and financial pressures, more people than ever want to buy environmentally friendly products and a “green wave” has swept through consumerism, taking in people previously untouched by environmental concerns. The recently published report also predicts that the process will repeat itself with “ethical” concerns, involving issues such as fair trade with the Third World and the social record of businesses. Companies will have to be more honest and open in response to this mood.

Mintel’s survey, based on nearly 1,000 consumers, found that the proportion who look for green products and are prepared to pay more for them has climbed from 53 per cent in 1990 to around 60 per cent in 1994. On average, they will pay 13 per cent more for such products, although this percentage is higher among women, managerial and professional groups and those aged 35 to 44.

Between 1990 and 1994 the proportion of consumers claiming to be unaware of or unconcerned about green issues fell from 18 to 10 percent but the number of green spenders among older people and manual workers has risen substantially. Regions such as Scotland have also caught up with the south of England in their environmental concerns. According to Mintel, an image of green consumerism as associated in the past with the more eccentric members of society has virtually disappeared. The consumer research manager for Mintel, Angela Hughes, said it had become firmly established as a mainstream market. She explained that as far as the average person is concerned environmentalism has not ‘gone off the boil’. In fact, it has spread across a much wider range of consumer groups, ages and occupations.

Mintel’s 1994 survey found that 13 per cent of consumers are “very dark green”, nearly always buying environmentally friendly products, 28 per cent are “dark green”, trying “as far as possible” to buy such products, and 21 per cent are “pale green” —tending to buy green products if they see them. Another 26 per cent are “armchair greens”; they said they care about environmental issues but their concern does not affect their spending habits. Only 10 per cent say they do not care about green issues.

Four in ten people are “ethical spenders”, buying goods which do not, for example, involve dealings with oppressive regimes. This figure is the same as in 1990, although the number of' armchair ethical has risen from 28 to 35 per cent and only 22 per cent say they are unconcerned now, against 30 per cent in 1990. Hughes claims that in the twenty-first century, consumers will be encouraged to think more about the entire history of the products and services they buy, including the policies of the companies that provide them and that this will require a greater degree of honesty with consumers.

Among green consumers, animal testing is the top issue—48 per cent said they would be deterred from buying a product if it had been tested on animals—followed by concerns regarding irresponsible selling, the ozone layer (臭氧层), river and sea pollution, forest destruction, recycling and factory farming. However, concern for specific issues is lower than in 1990, suggesting that many consumers feel that government and business have taken on the environmental agenda.

1. The research findings report commercial rather than political trends. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

2. Being financially better off has made shoppers more sensitive to buying ‘green’. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

3. The majority of shoppers are prepared to pay more for the benefit of the environment according to the research findings. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

4. Consumers’ green shopping habits are influenced by Mintel’s findings. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

5. Mintel has limited their investigation to professional and managerial groups. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

6. Mintel undertakes market surveys on an annual basis. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

7. People will buy any products under the name of green. 〔Y〕〔N〕〔NG〕

8. Between 1990 and 1994 ________ and ________ who spend on green food increased much.

9. In the past people described those who take a fancy of green products as________________.

10. The amount of people who concerned about the environmental issues related to products now is _____________ those of people in 1990.

 

 

Part III  Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)

 

Section A

Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations 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) and D), and decide which is the best answer.

11.                                                                A) She liked it. B) She disliked it.

      C) She had no opinion.                               D) She hadn’t heard about it.

12.  A) Wife-Husband.                                 B) Shop assistant-Customer.

      C) Waitress-Customer.                             D) Secretary-Boss.

13.  A) To her brother’s office.                         B) Home.

      C) To her friend’s house.                          D) To the market.

14.  A) A salesman.                                          B) A landlord.

      C) A teacher.                                             D) A waiter.

15.  A) Twenty-five.                                        B) Thirty-five.

      C) Fifteen.                                                D) Twenty.

16.  A) Thursday afternoon.                              B) Thursday morning.

      C) Tuesday morning.                                 D) Tuesday afternoon.

17.  A) $150.                                                   B) $200.

      C) $50.                                                    D) $250.

18.  A) A temporary job.                                   B) A permanent job .

      C) Some money for the vacation.                D) Some money for the university fees.

Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

19.  A. They don’t get rid of fat arms.

      B. They can’t damage arm muscles.

      C. They aren’t acceptable to most people.

      D. They can raise one’s blood pressure.

20.  A. By talking to an expert.

      B. By reading an article.

      C. By attending an exercise class.

      D. By listening to the radio.

21.  A. Exercising the entire body.

      B. Having your blood pressure taken daily.

      C. Losing weight prior to exercising.

      D. Weighing before each exercise session.

22.  A. Wearing arm weights while you are swimming.

      B. Walking vigorously in one place for a long time.

      C. Using bicycles that require you to use both your arms and legs.

      D. Walking slowly while swinging your arms back and forth.

Questions 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

23.  A) The difference between the US baseball team and the Chinese one.

      B) Efforts taken to promote baseball in China.

      C) The popularity and development of baseball in China.

      D) The performance of US baseball team in the game last night.

24.  A) It has always been very popular.

      B) More and more people pay attention to it.

      C) It is the most important sport in China.

      D) People don't have any interest in baseball.

25.  A) It will win in the 2008 Olympic Games.

     B) It is not as mature as the US baseball team.

      C) It’s the best baseball team in Asia.

     D) It never wins in international games.

 

Section B

Directions: In this section, you will hear 3 short passages. 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).

 

Passage One

Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.

26.  A) Diagnosing nearsightedness.

      B) The case and correction of nearsightedness.

      C) The amazing "minus" lens.

      D) The working of the eye.

27.  A) Nearsighted people have little trouble seeing things close to them.

      B) Nearsightedness is usually a progressive visual problem.

      C) Nearsightedness is often found in school-age children.

      D) The “minus” lens cures the lens problem.

28.  A) The number of nearsighted people in the world is probably greater than the number of diagnosed cases.

      B) The brain is incapable of picking up images that form in front of the retina (视网膜).

      C) Eventually, nearsighted people lose the ability to see at close distances.

      D) The “minus” lens is very expensive.

 

Passage Two

Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.

29.  A) Wink.                B) Nod.                   C) Gesture.                    D) Writing.

30.  A) Picture signs.      B) Braille.                C) Body language.          D) Signal flags.

31.  A) There are many forms of communication.

      B) Verbalization is the most common form of communication.

      C) The deaf and mute use an oral form of communication.

      D) Ideas and thoughts can be transmitted by body language.

 

Passage Three

Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.

32.  A) The workers on the underground platforms were replaced by machines.

      B) It became the first completely automatic railway in the world.

      C) A completely automatic line was added to its network.

      D) Its trains became computer-controlled.

33.  A) A platform worker.                                    B) The command.

      C) A computer spot.                                      D) A machine.

34.  A) To drive the train after it is started automatically.

      B) To start the train and to drive it when necessary.

      C) To take care of the passengers on the train.

      D) To send commanding signals to the command spot.

35.  A) It will stop automatically.

      B) It will move on at the same speed.

      C) It will gradually slow down.

      D) It will keep a safe distance from the other trains.