Quartz 4

cet4-2023-12-2

37 min read

2023 年 12 月大学英语四级考试真题（第 2 套）

Part I / Writing / (30 minutes)

Directions: Suppose the university newspaper is inviting submissions from the students for its coming edition on the recent development in their hometown. You are now to write an essay for submission. You will have 30 minutes to write the essay. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

范文（model essay/example essay）：

In the heart of China lies my beloved hometown, Beijing.¹ Over the years, I
have witnessed its incredible transformation.²

For one thing,³ the environmental governance in Beijing has been tremendously
successful, bringing a bluer sky. This improvement in air quality is not just a blessing for the residents but also a testament to the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

blessing: something that is good or helpful 好事；有益之事
Lack of traffic is one of the blessings of country life.
往来车辆少是乡村生活的一大好处。
It’s a blessing that nobody was in the house at the time.
幸好当时屋子里没人。

For another,³ the strides in infrastructure development are nothing short of spectacular. The Daxing International Airport is hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the world and its construction epitomizes Beijing’s infrastructural achievements. Additionally,³ the implementation of dedicated Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) lanes have further streamlined transportation, making commuting more efficient and environmentally friendly. Most notably, Beijing has become the first city in the world to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, showcasing its charm as an international metropolis.

In conclusion, the recent developments in Beijing are a reflection of its relentless pursuit of progress.⁴ These advancements not only enhance the quality of life for its residents but also position Beijing as a city of the future.⁵

In the heart of China lies my beloved hometown, Hangzhou. Over the years, I have witnessed its incredible transformation.

For one thing, the environmental governance in Hangzhou has been tremendously successful, bringing cleaner air and a more beautiful urban environment. The protection of West Lake and the improvement of green spaces throughout the city have made Hangzhou an even more attractive place to live. This achievement is not only a blessing for local residents but also a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainable development.

For another, the strides in economic and technological development are nothing short of remarkable. As one of China’s leading centers of the digital economy, Hangzhou has attracted numerous innovative enterprises and talented professionals. Additionally, the expansion of the metro system has greatly improved transportation efficiency, making daily commuting more convenient. Most notably, Hangzhou successfully hosted the 19th Asian Games in 2023, showcasing its charm and vitality to the world.

In conclusion, the recent developments in Hangzhou are a reflection of its relentless pursuit of progress. These advancements not only enhance the quality of life for its residents but also position Hangzhou as a city with a bright future.

In the heart of China lies my beloved hometown, Hangzhou. Over the years, I have witnessed its incredible transformation.

For one thing, the environmental governance in Hangzhou has been tremendously successful. As the symbol of the city, West Lake has been carefully protected and preserved. The clear water, lush trees, and well-maintained parks around the lake provide residents and tourists with a pleasant environment. This achievement is not only a blessing for local people but also a testament to the city’s commitment to ecological protection and sustainable development.

For another, Hangzhou has made remarkable progress in urban development. The city’s transportation system has been greatly improved, making it easier for people to travel around. In addition, the beautiful scenery of West Lake continues to attract millions of visitors every year, which has promoted the development of tourism and created numerous job opportunities. Most notably, Hangzhou successfully hosted the 19th Asian Games in 2023, further enhancing its international reputation.

In conclusion, the recent developments in Hangzhou are a reflection of its relentless pursuit of progress. These advancements not only improve the quality of life for local residents but also make Hangzhou one of the most attractive cities in China.

Part II / Listening Comprehension / (25 minutes)

  • 00:00:43 - r1
  • 00:02:25 - r 2
  • 00:04:23 - r3
  • 00:07:23 - c1
  • 00:10:16 - c2
  • 00:13:56 - l1
  • 00:16:57 - l2
  • 00:20:04 - l3

Section A

Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report 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). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.

Questions 1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.

  1. A) He noticed the driver was too young to drive.
    B) He found there was no one sitting at the wheel.
    C) He thought something must be wrong with the driver.
    D) He saw the driver changing lanes much too frequently.

  2. A) Buy a sports car.
    B) Drive across town.
    C) Leave California.
    D) Visit his sister.

A police officer in the U.S. stopped a large SUV car that was going very slowly and drifting across lanes on a highway. [1] He expected to find a driver who was either very drunk or having a medical emergency. Instead, the officer discovered a five-year-old boy sat on the edge of the driver’s seat. His feet could barely reach the brake, and his head was only just high enough to see out of the windows. The child had taken the keys to the family car while his teenage sister was napping. He then drove three kilometers across town before getting on the highway. [2] The boy later told confused officers that he was planning to travel to California and buy a Lamborghini sports car. Although he only had three dollars in his wallet, at least he was driving in the right direction.

Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard.

  1. A) How they change the way we shop.
    B) How they alter human skeletons.
    C) How they cause increased headaches.
    D) How they affect our communication.

  2. A) It loosens.
    B) It brightens.
    C) It hardens.
    D) It softens.

Mobile phones have changed the way we live, how we read, work, communicate, and shop. But we already know this. [3] What we have not yet understood is the way the tiny machines in front of us are changing our skeletons, possibly altering not just the way we behave but even the very shape of our bodies.
New scientific research at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, suggests that young people are developing extra pieces of bone at the backs of their heads. These pieces of bone are caused by the way people bend their heads when they use the phone. This shifts weight onto the muscles at the back of the head and causes the bone to grow in a way that is not normal. [4] This process can be compared to the way the skin hardens in response to constant rubbing or pressure. The result is a piece of bone like a horn that sticks out from the head by the neck.

Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard.

  1. A) Create Internet pages for him.
    B) Ask a local pet shop to adopt him.
    C) Name an orange tree after him.
    D) Hold a birthday party for him.

  2. A) He is a bold and aggressive pet.
    B) He pays regular visits to village shops.
    C) He once bit a doctor’s receptionist.
    D) He likes to sit on the hairdresser’s chair.

  3. A) He is fond of luxury cat food.
    B) He likes to stay in villagers’ houses.
    C) He knows everybody in the village.
    D) He often seeks food around her pub.

[5] A village is going to throw a birthday party for an orange cat named Wilbur, who has become famous for making a regular appearance at local shops.
Wilbur has his own Internet pages as he approaches his 10th birthday on July, 7. Wilbur is both bold and friendly.
[6] He spends most of his time in shops and businesses around the village. He’ll just take himself into any shop, anywhere. There was one time when the doctor’s receptionist came back and he was sitting on her chair. Among his favorite haunts are a local hairdresser, two pubs, and the Nottingham Primary School.

haunt: a place that sb visits often or where they spend a lot of time 常去的场所；消磨时光的去处
The pub is a favourite haunt of artists.
这家酒吧是艺术家最爱光顾的地方。

Lesley Harper, who runs one of the pubs, said the cat has been a big hit with their customers. “He’s been a regular visitor for most of this year,” she told the Press Association. “He’s a very relaxed cat, happy for customers and villagers young and old to come in and say hello.” [7] She also said he is a cat of expensive tastes who likes his high priced cat food.
Sarah Godfrey, who is organizing Wilbur’s party, told the local newspaper, “Wilbur is part of our lives, as he is for everyone who lives in the village.”

Section B

Directions: In this section, you will hear two long conversations. At the end of each conversation, you will hear four questions. Both the conversation 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). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.

Questions 8 to 11 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

  1. A) Who to order the food.
    B) Whether to have sandwiches.
    C) When to go for their meal.
    D) Where to have their lunch.

  2. A) In the shopping center nearby.
    B) In the expensive Italian style diner.
    C) At the sandwich place on Camden Street.
    D) At the American restaurant they frequent.

  3. A) There is to be a conference call.
    B) She has to meet with her boss then.
    C) There will be crowds of people waiting for her.
    D) She will have a photo taken with Brigette Clark.

  4. A) She doesn’t deem homemade soup tasty.
    B) She doesn’t think his wife cooks well.
    C) She feels Jeremy would rather dine out.
    D) She has found the soup smells terrible.

M: So, [8] where do you want to go for lunch?
W: I don’t know. Do you have anything in mind?
M: [9] What about the Sandwich Place on Camden Street?
W: Hmm… No, sorry. I don’t feel like sandwiches today. It’s a great place, but I think we go there too often.
M: That’s true. [9] Remember that’s where we saw Brigette Clark, the famous movie star.
W: Of course. How could I ever forget? There were crowds of people around her asking for a photo with her.
M: What about hamburgers, then? There’s that American style diner on the way to the mall.
W: I like that place. Their chips are great, but their service takes a long time. [10] And I need to get back by 2:30 for a conference call. How about trying something new? We could try Mario’s, the new Italian restaurant on the corner. It looks all right. Have you been there?
M: No, I haven’t, but I’ve noticed that it has great reviews on the Internet. It’s supposed to be one of the best Italian’s in town. I think Jeremy has been there and said it was amazing. I’m up for that.

on offer for sth 提供作…
The house is up for sale.
这所房子正待出售。
being considered for sth, especially as a candidate 正被考虑，被提名（作候选人等）
Two candidates are up for election.
有两位候选人被提名参选。
(informal) willing to take part in a particular activity 愿意参与（某活动）
We’re going clubbing tonight. Are you up for it?
我们今晚去夜总会，你愿意来吗？

W: Cool. Have you asked Jeremy if he would like to come with us?
M: I already have. He says he can’t. He has brought his own lunch today, so he will stay in. I think his wife made him soup.
W: Poor Jeremy. [11] His wife is a terrible cook. He should throw that soup in the bin and join us.

Questions 12 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

  1. A) A landlady.
    B) A waitress.
    C) A receptionist.
    D) A saleswoman.

  2. A) He was involved in a terrible car accident last April.
    B) He has much difficulty getting up and down stairs.
    C) He is expected to undergo a knee operation.
    D) He prefers to stay next door to the children.

  3. A) To please his parents-in-law.
    B) To find the best trip for his kids.
    C) To satisfy his curiosity.
    D) To compare prices.

  4. A) Visit a local art gallery.
    B) Go on a boat trip.
    C) Take some photos of the islands.
    D) Try her hand-made clothing.

W: Hi, there. How are you today? [12] Do you have a reservation with us already?
M: Good afternoon. [12] Yes, we reserved our rooms yesterday morning on your website for three nights. The name’s Patterson.
W: Okay. Let me have a look. Yes, we have it here. You brought the whole family with you, I see.
M: Yes, the two kids, my wife and I, and her parents too.
W: Great. So we have a family room for you and your wife and the kids, and another double room for your parents-in-law. They are right next to each other on the ground floor, since you mentioned in your message that they have trouble with stairs.
M: That’s wonderful. [13] My father-in-law has had terrible problems getting up and down stairs since his knee operation last April.
W: I’m sorry to hear that. And if you need any help to find transportation for the whole family, we can definitely recommend someone for you.
M: We were thinking of renting a car, but we will explore all the options available for sure. [14] So, yes, that would be very helpful in comparing prices. We’re also wondering what tours and day trips are available.
W: We have bunches of brochures here. [15] I would recommend getting out on a boat trip. The kids will love it and there are so many islands nearby to explore. There’s also a great night market further into town that has all kinds of food and cool little shops selling souvenirs and local jewelry and clothing made by hand.
M: That all sounds marvelous.
W: [12] Now, all I need is to photocopy your passports and then I can get you all checked in and show you to your rooms.

Section C

Directions: In this section, you will hear three passages. At the end of each passage, you will hear three or four 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). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the center.

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.

  1. A) They are more intelligent than many of us.
    B) They have already become our new friends.
    C) They have begun to affect our social behavior.
    D) They play increasingly more important roles.

  2. A) Whether it might have any effect on the way we negotiate.
    B) Whether it might actually outperform human negotiators.
    C) Whether it can facilitate business transactions.
    D) Whether it can speed up legal procedures.

  3. A) Choose to be tough.
    B) Sympathize with their opponent.
    C) Use deceptive strategies.
    D) Appear to be pleasant.

[16] Artificial intelligence agents play ever more influential roles in our lives. They do everything from suggesting new friends to recommending purchases. They’re even beginning to drive our cars. Another role that they are expected to take over is negotiating on our behalf in commercial transactions or legal disputes. [17] So, it’s important to know whether using an artificial intelligence agent might affect how we negotiate. Research indicates that it does. In a new study, participants were told to imagine that they were negotiating for something important to them, like a house. Next, they were told either that they would negotiate for themselves, or they would program an artificial intelligence agent to negotiate for them. Participants then completed a survey indicating how tough, deceptive and pleasant or otherwise they wanted to be, or wanted their agent to be, in the negotiations. For example, participants could choose to be tough by making an opening demand far greater than what they’d be willing to accept. They could also choose to express sympathy with their opponent to appear pleasant. But they could also indicate that they—or their agent—would strategically express anger toward the opponent to gain advantage, or they could opt to convey dissatisfaction with the encounter so that the other party would think they were losing interest. These are both examples of deceptive strategies.
[18] Participants were more willing to employ deceptive strategies when assigned an agent to negotiate on their behalf.

Questions 19 to 21 are based on the passage you have just heard.

  1. A) They were perceived differently by some academics.
    B) They still existed six months after the course ended.
    C) They varied greatly among the course participants.
    D) They were only measurable within seven weeks.

  2. A) They can be easily seen among participants in a healthy weight range.
    B) They should be attributed to participants’ change in diet behaviors.
    C) They are linked to cooking confidence and cooking satisfaction.
    D) They actually result from eating more fruits and vegetables.

  3. A) Gender.
    B) Confidence.
    C) Health.
    D) Practice.

New research has studied the effects of a seven-week healthy cooking course. Academics measured the program’s effect on cooking confidence and self-perceived mental health. Researchers also measured participants’ overall satisfaction around cooking and diet-related behaviors.
What were the findings? Course participants saw significant improvements in general health. They also reported improved mental health and subjective vitality immediately after the program. [19] These benefits remained six months after the completion of the course.
What caused these improvements? Researchers have previously found a link between eating more fruits and vegetables, and improved longer term mental health. This would imply that the participants in the current study may have felt better due to improved diet.
However, the study showed participants’ mental health improved even if their reported diet did not change after completing the program. Also, the mental health benefits were equal among participants who were overweight or obese, and those in a healthy weight range. [20] This suggests a link between cooking confidence and satisfaction around cooking, and mental health benefits.
[21] Who benefits most from learning to cook? Gender plays a part. At the start of the program, 77 per cent of female participants were confident about cooking, but just 23 per cent of males were confident. At the end of the program, cooking confidence and skills were equal across both counterparts. This change in confidence could lead to a gender balance in home cooking. This in turn could reduce consumption of unhealthy, high-calorie processed meals.

: an influence in producing a result or causing something影响；作用 — usually + in

My father’s part in my upbringing was minimal. [=my father was not very involved in my upbringing]
父亲在我成长中的作用微乎其微。
She talked about television’s part in modern elections.
她谈论了电视对现代选举的影响。
Did alcohol play a part in the car accident? = Did alcohol have a part in causing the accident? [=was alcohol involved in the accident?]
这场车祸和酒驾有关吗？
Your family’s finances play a big/major/significant part in determining how much financial aid you will receive for college.
你在上大学时能获得多少经济资助很大程度上/主要/着重取决于你家庭的财务状况。
We all have a part to play in the future of this company.
我们都将对这家公司的未来产生影响。
Parents have a big/important/significant part to play in the habits of their children.
父母对孩子习惯的养成有很大/重要/重大的影响。
So far, she has had no part in planning the event. [=she has not been involved in planning the event]
到目前为止，她没参与过策划这件事。
He stated that politics played no part in his decision.
他表示政治因素并没有影响到他的决定。
When her father became ill, she began to take an active part in running her family’s farm.
父亲生病后，她开始积极参与家庭农场的管理。
They took an active part in the antiwar movement.
他们在反战运动中发挥了积极的作用。

Questions 22 to 25 are based on the passage you have just heard.

  1. A) It keeps others away.
    B) It causes discomfort.
    C) It remains visible.
    D) It varies in size.

  2. A) It makes us feel uncomfortable.
    B) It renders the acquaintance a stranger.
    C) It brings the acquaintance closer to us.
    D) It causes the bubble around us to vanish.

  3. A) In personal space.
    B) In social space.
    C) Within a distance of 18 inches.
    D) Over 2 feet away from one another.

  4. A) When we begin to feel fear.
    B) When we develop a sense of space.
    C) When we are 3 or 4 years old.
    D) When we enter our teens.

[22] What is personal space? We often think of it as an invisible bubble of space surrounding us that others can’t enter, without causing discomfort. Research shows, however, that we actually have bubbles of different sizes. Each of these bubbles applies to a different set of people.

The smallest zone, called “intimate space”, extends outward from our bodies 18 inches in every direction. Only family, pets and one’s closest friends may enter it. [23] A mere acquaintance entering our intimate space makes us uncomfortable. Next is the bubble called “personal space”, extending from 1.5 feet to 4 feet away. Friends and acquaintances can comfortably occupy this zone, especially during informal conversations, but strangers are forbidden. [24] Extending from 4 to 12 feet away from us is “social space”. Here people feel comfortable conducting routine social interactions with new acquaintances or total strangers.

Those are the average sizes of American’s personal bubbles, anyway. It is important to keep in mind that personal space varies depending on culture and context. Furthermore, there are significant individual differences. As we all know, cultural or individual differences in personal bubble diameters are all too often the cause of discomfort. How did these personal bubbles arise? According to research, we begin to develop our individual sense of personal space around age 3 or 4. [25] The sizes of our bubbles are fixed by our teens. These bubbles are constructed and monitored by the brain region involved in fear.

Part III / Reading Comprehension / (40 minutes)

Section A

Directions: In this section, there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter. Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the center. You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once.

A number of studies have looked at how family life can affect productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. However, there has been  26  surprisingly little research on the influence of leisure activities. So Ciara Kelly and colleagues recruited 129 hobbyists to look at how the time spent on their hobbies  27  shaped their work life.

The researchers found that when participants spent longer than  28  normal on their leisure activity, their belief in their ability to perform their job was strengthened. But this was only the  29  case when they had a serious hobby that was dissimilar to their job, or when their hobby was similar to their work but they only did it  30  casually. When their hobby was both serious and similar to their job, then spending more time on it actually decreased their work  31  efficiency.

Why might that be? To maintain a serious hobby, people need to invest significant psychological resources, say the authors—so if the activity has the same kinds of demands as their work, they may be left  32  exhausted and unable to perform well at their job. But if their hobby is quite different from their career, it may not  33  interfere in the same way but instead help them develop other knowledge and skills that can  34  boost their confidence at work. “Consider a scientist who is a keen rock climber,” says Kelly. Since climbing is so far  35  removed from their day-to-day work activities, they can still recover from the demands of their job with plenty of resources.

be far/further/furthest removed from sth
to be very different from sth; to not be connected with sth 与…大相径庭；与…不相干
Many of these books are far removed from the reality of the children’s lives.
很多这样的书都远远地脱离了孩子们的现实生活。

A) boostI) normal
B) caseJ) prevalent
C) casuallyK) relative
D) efficiencyL) removed
E) estateM) scratch
F) exhaustedN) shaped
G) facultyO) surprisingly
H) interfere

Section B

Directions: In this section, you are going to read a passage with ten statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. Answer the questions by marking the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2.

More fathers are taking paternity leave, but mothers are still doing all the work

A) Attitudes towards paternity leave (陪产假) have drastically changed in America in the last five years as more fathers feel comfortable taking extended time off, but gender bias persists when it comes to career prospects and the home, according to a new study of working parents.

B) Research by the Boston College Center for Work & Family, which surveyed new parents at four large US companies who were qualified for taking at least six weeks paid parental leave(带薪育儿假), found that 81% of the 1,240 employees surveyed said the notion of fathers taking leave has become more acceptable.

C) Of those surveyed, 62% of fathers took the maximum amount of time off compared to 93% of mothers, and around three-quarters of workers said their employer was equally supportive of mothers and fathers taking parental leave and over half said leave policies had made workplace culture better.

D) The US is one of only three countries in the world not to offer statutory (法定的) paid leave, but increasingly states and companies are starting to take up the issue. So far, eight states and the District of Columbia have their own paid family leave laws.

E) Brad Harrington, executive director of the center and lead author of the study, estimates only 20% to 30% of companies in the US offer paid parental leave. He feels the research findings reflect an obvious change in corporate attitudes to new fathers taking time off.

F) “We did a study on paternity leave five years ago. Compared with those findings, these numbers were shocking to me. I did not expect 80% of people to say the organisation finds dads taking this leave acceptable and three-quarters to say it’s equally supportive of women and men taking leave,” Harrington said.

G) The previous study found that nearly three-quarters of fathers saw two to four weeks as an appropriate duration for paternity leave and 76% said they would prefer not to take all their time off at once.

H) Since then, there have been a number of legal against companies involving paternity leave, including cases against JPMorgan Chase and Estee Lauder, which have helped put pressure on companies to make their parental leave policies gender neutral.

I) However, the study also shows how traditional gender roles endure both at work, where more women than men reported changes in their perceived career potential, and at home—even among workers who claim to have a strong desire for equality.

J) The vast majority of men, 97%, said one of the top reasons to take leave was to share caregiving with their partner. But when they were asked about how caregiving and household tasks were divided, their answers painted a different picture. While about 75% of employees said both genders should give the same amount of care, the majority of men and nearly half of women admitted that in reality the female actually did most of it. A tiny fraction, 2%, of men said they did more of the childcare.

K) Men and women’s experiences of the return to work following parental leave were also considerably different. Of the women surveyed, 32% reported a downturn in their job satisfaction, while 14% said it increased. In comparison, 17% of men said their job satisfaction went down and 20% said it went up. Meanwhile, more women reported an increase in their responsibilities and manager expectations after childbirth. Half of the women said they used flexible work arrangements after becoming a parent, while just 27% of men did. Similar percentages of men and women said they enjoyed their careers and that it gave them a sense of achievement, while around half of women and 44% of men said it was a key part of their identity.

L) On the subject of career advancement, 59% of women and 49% of men said leave could be limiting and both genders said they feared it would have an impact on their progress long-term. But on opportunity for promotion, more than double the number of women, 30% compared with 15% of men, believed their chances to be lower after becoming a parent. Despite progress, the struggle for women to reach the highest positions of power is demonstrated in this year’s Fortune 500 list, which featured a record 33 female CEOs, but this still represents a tiny fraction of the total.

M) Harrington said culture change depends on companies putting more focus on men and their responsibilities. “By that I mean companies need to give men paternity leave and encourage men to take time off to be with their kids early on in the kids’ life. They also need to recognise that men have to make significant adjustments when they become parents. Companies cannot do all these things to enhance women’s advancement and then turn around and say, ‘Oh, but we don’t expect the men to take over for the women at home.’ ”

N) In May, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Outten & Golden LLP announced a historic class-action $5m settlement with JPMorgan Chase on behalf of male employees who claim they were illegally denied access to paid parental leave. Derek Rotondo, 35, filed the discrimination charge against his company after he was allegedly told by his HR department that mothers were considered primary caregivers. Thus they were allowed to take 16 weeks of paid parental leave. Fathers, however, could take just two weeks.

O) The father of two from Columbus, Ohio, who still works at the company as an associate and investigator, said he has witnessed a “domino effect (多米诺效应)” across companies since the settlement, but that there is still substantial progress to be made towards changing attitudes towards paternity leave.

P) “I do think there’s still some way to go … there’s still going to be sort of the unstated expectation for new dads to essentially come right back to work, but I think the research is showing that’s starting to change.” He said equal parental leave is an essential component to creating gender equality in the workplace. “The old standard of women staying home, having babies, and cooking doesn’t apply and hasn’t applied for a long time.”

  1. In the absence of Federal legislation, some states in the US have passed laws concerning paid family leave.

  2. Most fathers admitted that even during their paternity leave they actually did much less childcare than the mother.

  3. According to one father, equal parental leave is indispensable to achieving gender equality in the workplace.

  4. One survey indicated there is now less objection to paternity leave.

  5. Compared to five years ago, according to one researcher, many more people said their organisation gave the same support to men and women taking parental leave.

  6. One study finds that even workers who claim to desire gender equality stick to traditional gender roles both at work and at home.

  7. The majority of workers surveyed said parental leave policies had improved workplace culture.
     C

  8. In spite of progress, the number of women in top positions of big companies remains extremely small.

  9. According to one estimate, less than one third of companies in the US provide paid parental leave.

  10. A number of lawsuits have pressured companies to formulate gender neutral policies on parental leave. H

Section C

Directions: There are 2 passages in this section. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

Passage One

Questions 46 to 50 are based on the following passage.

Having a rival can keep you committed to achieving your goals and enhance your overall performance. But before you go out and find an entrepreneur to outcompete, it’s important to understand and avoid the traps that often come with rivalry. After all, competitive rivalry can also hinder effective decision-making and increase your willingness to take risks, behaviors that can ultimately hurt your venture’s success.

Finding someone you’re committed to outcompeting can be a great way to stay focused on your goals and push your venture to the next level. But when you’re intently focused on outperforming your rivals, you may begin to develop a “win-at-all-costs” mentality that causes you to ignore how you achieve success. One group of researchers, for example, examined the link between rivalry and unethical behavior. They found that when people compete against their rivals, they are more willing to behave unethically to win. But such behavior may stain your reputation and strain relationships important to your success. One way to avoid this trap is to stop and reflect on what’s important. While outperforming your rivals may provide short-term benefits, the loss of your integrity will have long-term consequences.

One reason having a rival can enhance your venture’s performance is that it creates a level of excitement that drives you to work harder. But this eagerness to win may also hurt your venture’s success, particularly when it causes you to make impulsive, insensible decisions. But it’s possible to avoid such costly mistakes by making a habit of engaging in critical thinking, such as considering opposing viewpoints and conducting cost-benefit analyses, especially for those decisions that are complex and can determine the future of your venture.

The sense of eagerness that comes with having a rival can not only cause you to make poorer decisions, but it can also lead you to take greater risks that put your venture in peril. One way you can overcome the risk-inducing effects of rivalry that stand to endanger your venture’s success is to remain attentive to your emotional state and actively monitor how such feelings are affecting your decision-making.

[I] ~ stand to do sth

to be in a situation where you are likely to do sth 很可能做某事
You stand to make a lot from this deal.你很可能会从这笔生意中大赚一笔。

  1. How can competitive rivalry benefit entrepreneurs according to the passage?
    A) By enabling them to outcompete other entrepreneurs.
    B) By enabling them to make their venture a success.
    C) By helping them to reach long-term goals.
    D) By helping them to stay goal-oriented.

  2. What is one of the traps entrepreneurs may often fall into when competing with rivals?
    A) They may adopt strategies that are bound to ruin their venture.
    B) They may resort to unethical means to outperform their rivals.
    C) They may be too eager to succeed while ignoring the huge labor cost.
    D) They may be intently focused on winning at the current market level.

  3. What are entrepreneurs advised to do to avoid traps that often accompany rivalry?
    A) Deliberate on what really matters.
    B) Prioritize reaping immediate benefits.
    C) Estimate the long-term consequences.
    D) Reflect on what successes are achievable.

  4. How can entrepreneurs avoid making impulsive and insensible decisions?
    A) By engaging themselves in critical reasoning.
    B) By developing a habit of keeping their integrity.
    C) By criticizing themselves for previous poor performances.
    D) By refraining from being too excited about their successes.

  5. How can entrepreneurs overcome the risk-inducing effects of rivalry?
    A) By paying close attention to their current performance.
    B) By taking steps that stand to endanger their rivals’ success.
    C) By monitoring how their decision-making impacts their mentality.
    D) By keeping their emotions in check to avoid making poor decisions.

Passage Two

Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.

A multitasker is one who can perform two or more tasks effectively at the same time, which - apart from the obvious differences - is similar to what a computer does. The concept does indeed come from the realms of technology, where it is used to refer to an operating system that can execute multiple tasks at the same time. However, the question is: can a person really be a multitasker?

For most scientists, the answer is no. So much so that, according to experts in neuroscience (神经系统科学), our brains do not handle multitasking situations well. As soon as two tasks require our attention, productivity suffers. What we call multitasking, therefore, is in reality the ability to move more or less quickly from one task to another. This requires two essential conditions: that one of the tasks needs to be automatic, like walking or eating, and that they both need different mental processes. Answering the phone and writing at the same time, for example.

However, on the other side of the coin there are people who maintain that it is possible to be, or at least seem to be, multitasking. A recent study concluded that regardless of whether people are actually handling several tasks or not, the mere fact that they perceive this activity as multitasking has a positive effect on their performance.

The business perspective offers a different view: multitasking is understood as the ability to adapt to all types of environment within a company and effectively undertake different activities within a set time frame. Indeed, many companies look for people who are skilled in multitasking to improve their productivity. From this different perspective, you can not only be multitasking but this ability can also be taught: something that is easier in fluid organizations, which favor flexibility in their working practices.

The benefits of multitasking are clear. Being quicker and more efficient increases our performance and the number of tasks completed. But having to pay attention to several things at once means that the powers of concentration are reduced and that can lead to more mistakes.

  1. What does “multitasker” originally refer to?
    A) An operating system capable of doing several tasks at once.
    B) A skilled worker executing more than one task at the same time.
    C) A sophisticated technology doing several tasks effectively at once.
    D) An efficient person able to perform multiple tasks at the same time.

  2. Why can’t people really be multitaskers according to neuroscientists?
    A) They are not sufficiently exposed to multitasking situations.
    B) They are not comparable to mechanical operating systems.
    C) Their brains do not allow them to multitask.
    D) Their attention span cannot be expanded.

  3. What do we learn from the conclusion of a recent study on multitasking?
    A) People make greater achievements by maintaining whatever they are doing is multitasking.
    B) People’s performance benefits from the perception of what they are doing as multitasking.
    C) People’s active mental processes exert a positive effect on their multitasking.
    D) People can improve their capabilities by handling multitasking situations.

  4. How does the business world view multitasking?
    A) It is a rare skill often found in fluid organisations.
    B) It is an adaptable capability required of all workers.
    C) It is an essential quality many employees lack.
    D) It is a desirable ability that can be developed.

  5. What does the author imply we should do if we have to focus on some task and do it well?
    A) Work in a flexible way.
    B) Learn from mistakes.
    C) Avoid multitasking.
    D) Increase efficiency.

Part IV / Translation / (30 minutes)

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

改革开放以来，中国人的饮食（diet）发生了显著变化。过去由于经济落后，食品种类有限、数量不足，人们仅仅满足于吃得饱。如今中国经济快速发展，食品不仅更加丰富多样，质量也大幅提高。随着生活水平不断提升，人们对饮食的要求越来越高，更加注重吃得营养健康。因此，目前市场上推出的低脂、低糖、有机食品受到人们的普遍欢迎。

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