Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled The Decrease of Public Transportation Ticket Fare. You should write at least 120 words following the outline given below:
1. 近来一些城市政府实施多项举措降低公共交通票价，大力发展公共交通;
2. 此措施带来的好处;
3. 作为市民应如何响应政府的号召。
The Decrease of Public Transportation Ticket Fare
参考答案及解答
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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 on Answer Sheet 1.
For questions 1-7,choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D).
For questions 8-10,complete the sentences with the information given in the passage.
The Debate Over Genetically Modified Foods
For thousands of years farmers have used a process of selection and cross breeding to continually improve the quality of crops. Traditional breeding methods are slow, requiring intensive labor: while trying to get a desirable trait in a bred species, undesirable traits will appear and farmers must continue the process over and over again until all the undesirables are bred out. In contrast, organisms acquire one specific gene or a few genes together through genetic modification, without other traits included and within a single generation. However, this technology too is inherently unpredictable and some scientists believe it can produce potentially dangerous results unless better testing methods are developed. Traditional breeding is based on sexual reproduction between like organisms. The transferred genes are similar to genes in the cell they join. They are conveyed in complete groups and in a fixed sequence that harmonizes with the sequence of genes in the partner cell. In contrast, bioengineers isolate a gene from one type of organism and collect it randomly into the DNA of a dissimilar species, disrupting its natural sequence. One of the main differences between conventional and genetically modified crops is that the former involves crosses either within species or between very closely related species. However, GM crops can have genes from closely related species or even from bacteria and viruses. Benefits: one side of the debate Economical? GM supporters tell farmers that they stand to reap enormous profits from growing GM crops. It takes a shorter time to produce the desired product. It is precise and there are no unwanted genes. To produce the GM crops, modern biotechnology is used which requires highly skilled people and sophisticated and expensive equipment. Large companies need considerable investments in laboratories, equipment and human resources, hence the reason why GM crops are more expensive for farmers than traditional crops. Herbicide-resistant crops So what other advantages do GM crops hold for farmers? GM crops can be produced to be herbicide (除草剂) resistant. This means that farmers could spray these crops with herbicide and kill the weeds, without affecting the crop. In effect, the amount of herbicide used in one season would be reduced, with a subsequent reduction in costs for farmers and consumers. Biotechnology companies are even experimenting with crops that can be genetically modified to be drought and salt-tolerant, or less reliant on fertilizer, opening up new areas to be farmed and leading to increased productivity. However, the claims of less herbicide usage with GM crops have till now not been independently supported by facts. Better quality foods Even animals can be genetically modified to be leaner, grow faster, and need less food. They could be modified to have special characteristics, such as greater milk production in cows. These modifications again lead to improved productivity for farmers and finally lower costs for the consumers. Modified crops could perhaps prevent outbreaks such as foot and mouth disease, which has badly influenced many farmers and local economies. No such products have been released to date; however, some are under consideration for release. For example, GM salmon, capable of growing almost 30 times faster than natural salmon, may soon be approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the U.S. for release into open waters without a single study on the impact on human health or the environment. Risks: the other side of the debate Environmental damage The problem with GM crops is that there is little known about what effect they will have in, say, 20 years time. The genetic structure of any living organism is complex and GM crop tests focus on short-term effects. Not all the effects of introducing a foreign gene into the complex genetic structure of an organism are tested. Will the pests that a crop was created to resist eventually become resistant to this crop? Then there is always the possibility that we may not be able to destroy GM crops once they spread into the environment. Risk to food web. A further complication is that the pesticide produced in the crop may unintentionally harm creatures. GM crops may also pose a health risk to native animals that eat them. The animals may be poisoned by the built-in pesticides. Tests in the U.S. showed that 44% of caterpillars (毛虫) of the monarch butterfly died when fed large amounts of pollen(花粉)from GM corn. Disease. Another concern is disease. Since some crops are modified using the DNA from viruses and bacteria, will we see new diseases emerge? What about the GM crops that have antibiotic-resistant marker genes? Marker genes are used by scientists to determine whether their genetic modification of a plant was successful. Will these antibiotic-resistant genes be transferred to microorganisms that cause disease? We already have a problem with ineffective antibiotics. How can we develop new drugs to fight these new bugs? Until further studies can show that GM foods and crops do not pose serious threats to human health or the world's ecosystems, the debate over their release will continue. Living organisms are complex and tampering with their genes may have unintended effects. It is in our common interest to support concerned scientists and organizations, such as Friends of the Earth who demand required labeling of these food products and independent testing for safety and environmental impacts.
1. What is the main difference between conventional breeding and genetic breeding?
A) The former is based on sexual reproduction between like organisms while the latter can have genes even from bacteria and viruses.
B) The former is unpredictable while the latter is predictable.
C) The former is applied by farmers while the latter by scientists.
D) The former has a long history while the latter a short one.
2. Which of the following is the possible benefit of GM crops?
A) They can be herbicide-resistant. B) They can fertilize the field.
C) They can produce salt. D) They can be more delicious.
3. What will probably happen to the genetically modified animals?
A) They may grow slower. B) They may improve the production.
C) They may digest more food. D) They may spread disease quickly.
4. What can we learn from GM salmon according to the passage?
A) It can grow very slowly. B) It will eat less.
C) It won't do harm to environment. D) It may cause some disease.
5. The reason why GM crops will probably lead to environmental damage is that .
A) GM crop tests do not focus on far-reaching effects
B) there are no GM crop tests before they are being approved of
C) there is no single study on the impact of GM crops on the environment
D) GM crops may bring out foot or mouth disease
6. This article has mentioned risks about GM crops.
A) six B) five C) four D) three
7. The author's attitude towards GM crops is .
A) objective B) biased C) affirmative D) negative
8. The native animals that eat GM crops might be poisoned by__________.
9. Scientists relied on Marker genes to test the results of __________.
10. Friends of the Earth claim that all GM food should be tested for__________.
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. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
11. A) He doesn't like cheese in the cafeteria. B) He prefers his own cooking.
C) The man's favorite is the chicken salad. D) He doesn't have any favorite food.
12. A) In a shop. B) In a bookstore.
C) In a library. D) In a school.
13. A) Doctor and patient. B) Nurse and patient.
C) Teacher and student. D) Father and daughter.
14. A) Because he was a man.
B) Because he went to a right section.
C) Because he was the person the job needed.
D) Because he was the most outstanding person.
15. A) They are talking about clothes. B) They are talking about carpet.
C) They are talking about curtain. D) They are talking about flowers.
16. A) Jobs are easier to find in the city. B) Living in the city is not expensive.
C) Her job is in the city. D) She can go to the cinema every day.
17. A) His wife deposited some money. B) His wife also opened an account.
C) His wife also spent some money. D) There is something wrong with the bank.
18. A) She bought a sweater in the end. B) She bought a blouse finally.
C) She bought a skirt finally. D) She bought a coat in the end.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. A) He wants to buy a house.
B) He wants to rent several rooms for himself.
C) He wants to rent a furnished room for himself.
D) He wants to buy several rooms in the house.
20. A) A house with no storeys.
B) A free-standing house with three storeys.
C) A detached house with three storeys.
D) A semi-detached house with three storeys.
21. A) It's a lovely area.
B) It's an area where there are Chinese people.
C) It's an area where there are people from different places.
D) It's a place that is very convenient.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
22. A) To see movies. B) To watch birds.
C) To smell the roses. D) To paint model planes.
23. A) Play a role in a movie. B) Enjoy the pleasure of life.
C) Earn more and more money. D) Save money for his children.
24. A) Stop working. B) See movies in leisure time.
C) Take full advantage of life like kids. D) Earn money and give it to his children.
25. A) He has to consider money when he wants to keep his hobby.
B) The more money he has, the happier he is.
C) He can't earn more money unless he works more hours a day.
D) He can appreciate money only when he earns it by himself.
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). Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Passage One
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. A) Gathering non-relevant materials. B) Stealing another person's idea.
C) Sharing notes with someone else. D) Handing in assignments late.
27. A) In the student's own words. B) In direct quotations.
C) In short phrases. D) In shorthand.
28. A) It should be assimilated thoroughly. B) It should be enclosed in quotation marks.
C) It should be paraphrased by the student. D) It should be authorized by the author.
Passage Two
Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.
29. A) They read poetry aloud.
B) They delivered a speech.
C) They took objective tests.
D) They discussed questions with expert in a particular field.
30. A) There are more candidates than before.
B) The modern industry is developing slowly.
C) The written examinations are much easier than before.
D) The written examinations are more objective than the spoken ones.
31. A) The objective test always deals with the personal opinions.
B) The objective test is timed exactly by electric clocks.
C) The question of the objective test has only one correct answer.
D) The objective test resembles a group of workers at an automobile factory.
Passage Three
Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
32. A) The history of Benjamin Franklin.
B) The history of the U.S.mail.
C) The changes of writing letters.
D) The history of the U.S..
33. A) To deliver the mail from Boston on horseback to its destination.
B) To take charge of the mail for all the colonies in North America.
C) To introduce the use of stagecoaches to carry mail.
D) To deliver mail to the communities from railways by horse and wagon.
34. A) The British government.
B) The American government.
C) Benjamin Franklin.
D) George Washington.
35. A) He established a government service.
B) He developed a system called "star routes".
C) He built a lot of post offices.
D) He established the postal system.
Section C
Directions: In this section, you will hear a passage three times. When the passage is read for the first time, you should listen carefully for its general idea. When the passage is read for the second time, you are required to fill in the blanks numbered from 36 to 43 with the exact words you have just heard. For blanks numbered from 44 to 46 you are required to fill in the missing information. For these blanks, you can either use the exact words you have just heard or write down the main points in your own words. Finally, when the passage is read for the third time, you should check what you have written.
American cities are similar to other cities around the world. In every country, cities reflect the (36)_______ of the culture. Cities contain the very best aspects of a society: (37) _______ for education, employment, and entertainment. They also contain the very worst parts of a society: violent crime, racial conflict, and (38) _______. American cities are changing, just as American society is changing. After World WarⅡ, city residents became wealthier, more prosperous. They had more children. They needed more (39). _______. They moved out of their apartments in the city to buy their own homes. They bought houses in the (40) _______ areas near a city where people live. These are (41) _______ without many offices or factories. During the 1950s the American "dream" was to have a house in the suburbs. Now things are changing. The children of the people who left the cities in the 1950s are now (42). _______. They, unlike their parents, want to live in the cities. Many young professionals, doctors, lawyers, and (43) _______ are moving back to the city. (44) _______. They prefer the city to the suburbs because their jobs are there; they are afraid of the fuel shortage; (45) _______. A new class is moving into the city-a wealthier, more mobile class. (46) _______. Some city residents now see a bright, new future. Others see only problems and conflicts. One thing is sure: Many dying cities are alive again.
