英语试题(二) Section Ⅰ Use of English Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points) Scientists and philosophers of science tend to speak as if “scientific language” were intrinsically precise, as if those who use it must understand one another’s meaning, 1 they disagree. But, 2, scientific language is not as different from3language as is commonly believed; it, too, is 4 to imprecision and ambiguity and hence to 5 understanding. Moreover, new theories (or arguments) are rarely,6, constructed by way of clear-cut steps of induction, deduction, and 7 (or falsification). Neither are they defended, rejected, or accepted in 8 straight forward a manner. 9, scientists combine the rules of scientific 10 with a generous mixture of intuition, aesthetics, and philosophical 11. The importance of what are sometimes called extralogical components of thought in the discovery of a new principle or laws is generally 12. We 13 recall Einstein’s description: “To these elementary laws there leads no logical path, 14 intuition, supported by being sympathetically in 15 with experience.” But the role of these extralogical components in persuasion and acceptance (in making an argument 16) is less frequently discussed, partly because they are less 17. The ways in which the credibility or effectiveness of a 18 depends on a realm of common experiences, on extensive practice in communicating those experiences in a common language, are hard to see precisely because such19are taken for granted. Only when we step out of such a “consensual domain”—when we can stand out on the periphery of a 20 with a common language. 1 [A] even if[B] unless[C] though[D] if 2 [A] in question[B] in relief[C] in fact[D] in prospect 3 [A] standard[B] popular[C] vulgar[D] ordinary 4 [A] susceptible[B] subject[C] immune[D] related 5 [A] imperfect[B] perfect[C] impersonal[D] personal 6 [A] if so[B] if not all[C] if ever[D] if any 7 [A] verge[B] verification[C] justice[D] certainty 8 [A] so[B] such[C] too[D] very 9 [A] In brief[B] In advance[C] In practice[D] In company 10 [A] psychology[B] methodology[C] archaeology[D] theology 11 [A] community[B] communication[C] committee[D] commitment 12 [A] acknowledged[B] confessed[C] abandoned[D] refined 13 [A] may[B] ought to[C] were to[D] would 14 [A] but rather[B] no more than[C] but only[D] less more than 15 [A] pursuit[B] touch[C] proportion[D] terms 16 [A] convincing[B] wordy[C] ensured[D] unreasonable 17 [A] visual[B] informed[C] imaginative[D] visible 18 [A] statement[B] argument[C] assertion[D] style 19 [A] commodities[B] commons[C] commonalities[D] commonwealth 20 [A] community[B] person[C] country[D] nation Section Ⅱ Reading Comprehension Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. Mark your answers on ANWER SHEET 1. (40 points) Text 1 The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that it is trying to track down as many as 386 piglets that may have been genetically engineered and wrongfully sold into the U.S. food supply. The focus of the FDA investigation is pigs raised by researchers at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. They engineered the animals with two genes: One is a cow gene that increases milk production in the sow. The other, a synthetic gene, makes the milk easier for piglets to digest. The goal was to raise bigger pigs faster. There has been no evidence that either genetically altered plants or animals actually trigger human illness, but critics warn that potential side effects remain unknown. University officials say their tests showed the piglets were not born with the altered genes, but FDA rules require even the offspring of genetically engineered animals to be destroyed so they don’t get into the food supply. The FDA, in a quickly arranged news conference Wednesday prompted by inquiries by USA TODAY, said the University of Illinois will face possible sanctions and fines for selling the piglets to a livestock broker, who in turn sells to processing plants. Both the FDA and the university say the pigs that entered the market do not pose a risk to consumers. But the investigation follows action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in December to fine a Texas company that contaminated 500,000 bushels of soybeans with corn that had been genetically altered to produce a vaccine for pigs. Critics see such cases as evidence of the need for more government oversight of a burgeoning area of scientific research. “This is a small incident, but it’s incident like this that could destroy consumer confidence and export confidence, ”says Stephanie Childs of the Grocery Manufacturers of America. “We already have Europe shaky on biotech. The countries to whom we export are going to look at this.” The University of Illinois says it tested the DNA of every piglet eight times to make sure that the animal hadn’t inherited the genetic engineering of its mother. Those piglets that did were put back into the study. Those that didn’t were sold to the pig broker. “Any pig who’s tested negative for the genes since 1999 has been sent off to market, ”says Charles Zukoski, vice chancellor for research. But FDA deputy commissioner Lester Crawford says that under the terms of the university’s agreement with the FDA, the researchers were forbidden to remove the piglets without FDA approval. “The University of Illinois failed to check with FDA to see whether or not the animals could be sold on the open market. And they were not to be used under any circumstance for food.” The FDA is responsible for regulating and overseeing transgenic animals because such genetic manipulation is considered an unapproved animal drug. 21. The 386 piglets wrongfully sold into food supply are from [A] Europe[B] an American research organization [C] a meat processing plant[D] an animal farm 22. The purpose of the transgenic engineering research is to [A] get pigs of larger size in a shorter time [B] make sows produce more milk [C] make cows produce more milk [D] make pigs grow more lean meat 23. The 4th paragraph shows that the University of Illinois [A] was criticized by the FDA [B] is in great trouble [C] is required by the FDA to call back the sold piglets [D] may have to pay the penalty 24. The FDA declares that the wrongfully sold piglets [A] may have side effects on consumers [B] may be harmful to consumers [C] are safe to consumers[D] may cause human illness 25. It can be inferred from this passage that [A] all the offspring have their mothers’ genetic engineering [B] part of the offspring have their mothers’ genetic engineering [C] none of the offspring have their mothers’ genetic engineering [D] half of the offspring have their mothers’ genetic engineering Text 2 Foods are overwhelmingly the most advertised group of all consumer products in the United States. Food products lead in expenditures for network and spot television advertisements, discount coupons, trading stamps, contests, and other forms of premium advertising. In other media—newspapers, magazines, newspaper supplements, billboards, and radio—food advertising expenditures rank near the top. Food manufacturers spend more on advertising than any other manufacturing group, and the nation’s grocery stores rank first among all retailers. Through the 1970’s, highly processed foods have accounted for the bulk of total advertising. Almost all coupons, electronic advertising, national printed media advertising, consumer premiums (other than trading stamps) as well as most push promotion come from processed and packaged food products. In 1978, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, candy and other desserts, oils and salad dressings, coffee, and prepared foods accounted for only an estimated 20 percent of the consumer food dollar. Yet these items accounted for about one half of all media advertising. By contrast, highly perishable foods such as unprocessed meats, poultry, fish and eggs, fruits and vegetables, and diary products accounted for over half of the consumer food-at-home dollar. Yet these products accounted for less than 8 percent of national media advertising in 1978, and virtually no discount coupons. These products tend to be most heavily advertised by the retail sector in local newspaper, where they account for an estimated 40 percent of retail grocery newspaper ads. When measured against total food-at-home expenditures, total measured food advertising accounts for between 3 and 3.7 cents out of every dollar spent on food in the nation’s grocery stores. A little less than one cent of these amounts is accounted for by electronic advertising (mostly television) while incentives account for 0.6 cents. The printed media accounts for 0.5 cents and about one-third of one cent is comprised of discount coupon redemptions. The estimate for the cost of push promotion ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 cents. This range is necessary because of the difficulty in separating non-promotional aspects of direct selling-transportation, technical, and other related services. Against this gross consumer must be weighed the joint products or services provided by advertising. In the case of electronic advertising, the consumer who views commercial television receives entertainment, while readers of magazines and newspapers receive reduced prices on these publications. The consumer pays directly for some premiums, but also receives nonfood merchandise as an incentive to purchase the product. The “benefits” must, therefore, be subtracted form the gross cost to the consumer to fully assess the net cost of advertising. Also significant are the impacts of advertising on food demand, nutrition, and competition among food manufactures. The bulk of manufacturers’ advertising is concentrated on a small portion of consumer food products. Has advertising changed the consumption of these highly processed products relative to more perishable foods such as meats, produce, and dairy products? Has the nutritional content of the U.S. food consumption been influenced by food advertisings? Has competition among manufacturers and retailers been enhance or weakened by advertising? These are important questions and warrant continued research. 26. The author’s attitude toward advertising can be characterized as [A] admiring [B] condemning [C] uncertain [D] inquisitive 27. The term “push promotion” (L. 3, P. 2) means. [A] coupon redemption [B] retail advertising [C] direct selling [D] advertising in trade journals 28. The author implies that advertising costs. [A] should be discounted by the benefits of advertising to the consumer [B] are greater for restaurants than for at home foods [C] are much higher in the United Stated than any where else in the world [D] cause highly processed foods to outsell unprocessed outsell foods 29. The purpose of the article is to [A] warm about rising food advertising costs [B] describe the costs of food advertising and the issues yet to be understood about its effects [C] congratulate the food industry on its effective advertising [D] calculate the final balance sheet for food advertising 30. According to the passage, all of the following are definitely false EXCEPT [A] more food is advertised in newspapers than on television [B] less money is spent advertising food than automobiles [C] more of the food advertising budget is probably spent on push promotion than on television ads [D] less money is spent on food store advertising than on clothing store ads Text 3 The early retirement of experienced workers is seriously harming the U.S. economy, according to a new report from the Hudson Institute, a public policy research organization. Currently, many older experienced workers retire at an early age. According to the recently issued statistics, 79 percent of qualified workers begin collecting retirement benefits at age 62; if that trend continues, there will be a labor shortage that will hinder the economic growth in the twenty-first century. Older Americans constitute an increasing proportion of the population, according to the U. S. Census Bureau, and the population of those over age 65 will grow by 60% between 2001 and 2020. During the same period, the group aged 18 to 44 will increase by only 4%. Keeping older skilled workers employed, even part time, would increase U.S. economic output and strengthen the tax base; but without significant policy reforms, massive early retirement among baby boomers seems more likely. Retirement at age 62 is an economically rational decision today. Social Security and Medicaid earnings limits and tax penalties subject our most experienced workers to marginal tax rates as high as 67%. Social Security formulas encourage early retirement. Although incomes usually rise with additional years of work, any pay increases after the 35-year mark result in higher social Security taxes but only small increases in benefits. Hudson Institute researchers believe that federal tax and benefit policies are at fault and reforms are urgently needed, but they disagree with the popular proposal that much older Americans will have to work because Social Security will not support them and that baby boomers are not saving enough for retirement. According to the increase in 401 (k) and Keogh retirement plans, the ongoing stock market on Wall Street, and the likelihood of large inheritances, there is evidence that baby boomers will reach age 65 with greater financial assets than previous generations. The Hudson institute advocates reforming government policies that now discourage work and savings, especially for older worker. Among the report’s recommendations: Tax half of all Social Security benefits, regardless of other income; provide 8% larger benefits for each year beyond 65; and permit workers nearing retirement to negotiate compensation packages that may include a lower salary but with greater healthcare benefits. However, it may take real and fruitful planning to find the right solution to the early retirement of older experienced workers; any measures taken must be allowed to prolong the serviceability of older experienced workers. 31.According to Hudson Institute researchers, the effect of the early retirement of qualified workers in the U.S. economy is [A] constructive [B] significant [C] inconclusive [D] detrimental 32.The older experienced workers in America tend to retire early because their prolonged service may [A] do harm to younger generations [B] end up with few or no benefits [C] give play to their potentials[D] shed light on social trends 33.The second paragraph is written chiefly to show that [A] there will be an acute labor shortage in the near future [B] baby-boomers contribute much to the US economic output [C] government policies concerning older people are out-dated [D] older workers are enthusiastic about collecting social benefits 34.When mentioning “the ongoing stock market on Wall Street”, the writer [A] is calling attention to the privileges to which baby-boomers are entitled [B] is calling for the government to take countermeasures against labor shortage [C] is refuting a notion about experienced workers’ early retirement [D] is justifying the ineffectiveness of federal tax and benefit policies 35.Towards the issue, what the writer is most concerned about will be [A] to advocate radically reforming government policies [B] to take into account the benefits upon retirement [C] to put in practice what Hudson researchers believe in [D] to prolong the practicability of older experienced employees Text 4 Before a big exam, a sound night’s sleep will do you more good than poring over textbooks. That, at least, is the folk wisdom. And science, in the form of behavioral psychology, supports that wisdom. But such behavioral studies cannot distinguish between two competing theories of why sleep is good for the memory. One says that sleep is when permanent memories form. The other says that they are actually formed during the day, but then “edited” at night, to flush away what is superfluous. To tell the difference, it is necessary to look into the brain of a sleeping person, and that is hard. But after a decade of painstaking work, a team led by Pierre Maquet at Liege University in Belgium has managed to do it. The particular stage of sleep in which the Belgian group is interested in is rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when brain and body are active, heart rate and blood pressure increase, the eyes move back and forth behind the eyelids as if watching a movie, and brainwave traces resemble those of wakefulness. It is during this period of sleep that people are most likely to relive events of the previous day in dreams. Dr. Maquet used an electronic device called PET to study the brains of people as they practiced a task during the day, and as they slept during the following night. The task required them to press a button as fast as possible, in response to a light coming on in one of six positions. As they learnt how to do this, their response times got faster. What they did not know was that the appearance of the lights sometimes followed a pattern- what is referred to as“artificial grammar” . Yet the reductions in response time showed that they learnt faster when the pattern was present than when there was not. What is more, those with more to learn (i.e., the “grammar”, as well as the mechanical task of pushing the button) have more active brains. The “editing” theory would not predict that, since the number of irrelevant stimuli would be the same in each case. And to eliminate any doubts that the experimental subjects were learning as opposed to unlearning, their response times when they woke up were even quicker than when they went to sleep. The team, therefore, concluded that the nerve connections involved in memory are reinforced through reactivation during REM sleep, particularly if the brain detects an inherent structure in the material being learnt. So now, on the eve of that crucial test, maths students can sleep soundly in the knowledge that what they will remember the next day are the basic rules of algebra and not the incoherent talk from the radio next door. 36.Researchers in behavioral psychology are divided with regard to [A] how dreams are modified in their courses [B] the difference between sleep and wakefulness [C] why sleep is of great benefit to memory [D] the functions of a good night’s sleep 37.As manifested in the experimental study, rapid eye movement is characterized by [A] intensely active brainwave traces [B] subjects’ quicker response times [C] complicated memory patterns [D] revival of events in the previous day 38.By referring to the artificial grammar, the author intends to show [A] its significance in the study [B] an inherent pattern being learnt [C] its resemblance to the lights [D] the importance of night’s sleep 39.In their study, researchers led by Pierre Maquet took advantage of the technique of [A] exposing a long held folk wisdom[B] clarifying the predictions on dreams [C] making contrasts and comparisons[D] correlating effects with their causes 40.What advice might Maquet give to those who have a crucial test the next day? [A] Memorizing grammar with great efforts. [B] Study textbooks with close attention. [C] Have their brain images recorded. [D] Enjoy their sleep at night soundly. Part B Sample One Directions: In the following text, some sentences have been removed. For Questions 41-45, choose the most suitable one from the list A-G to fit into each of the numbered blanks. There are two extra choices, which do not fit in any of the blanks. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points) Here I want to try to give you an answer to the question: What personal qualities are desirable in a teacher? Probably no two people would draw up exactly the same lists. But I think the following would be generally accepted. First, 41) But it does rule out such types as the over excitable, melancholy, frigid, sarcastic, cynical, frustrated, and overbearing: I would say too, that it excludes all of dull or purely negative personality. Secondly, 42) Closely related with this is the capacity to be tolerant-not, indeed, of what is wrong, but of the frailty and immaturity of human nature which induce people, and again especially children, to make mistakes. Thirdly, 43) This does not mean being a saint. It means that he will be aware of his intellectual strengths, and limitations, and will have thought about and decided upon the moral principles by which his life shall be guided. There is no contradiction in my going on to say that a teacher should be a bit of an actor. That is part of the technique of teaching, which demands that every now and then a teacher should be able to put on an act—to enliven a lesson, correct a fault, or award praise. Children, especially young children, live in a world that is rather larger than life. On the other hand, 44) He must be pretty resilient, teaching makes great demands on nervous energy. And he should be able to take in his stride the innumerable petty irritations any adult dealing with children has to endure. Finally, 45) There are three principle objects of study: the subject, or subjects, which the teacher is teaching; the methods by which they can best be taught to the particular pupils in the classes he is teaching; and - by far the most important-the children, young people, or adults to whom they are to be taught. The cardinal principle of British education is education of the whole person, and that it is best acquired through full and active co-operation between two persons, the teacher and the learner. [A]it is not merely desirable but essential for a teacher to have a genuine capacity for sympathy —in the literal meaning of that word; a capacity to tune in to the minds and feelings of other people. [B]a teacher must be capable of infinite patience. This, I may say, is largely a matter of self discipline and self-training, because none of us were born like that. [C]the teacher’s personality should be pleasantly live and attractive. This does not rule out people who are physically plain, or even ugly, because many such have great personal charm. [D]A teacher must remain mentally alert, He must be quick to adapt himself to any situation, however improbable (they happen!) and able to improvise, if necessary at less than a moment’s notice [E]A teacher should be humorous sometimes like a best friend sitting down across from you in your living room having a chat about what’s going on in your life. [F]I think a teacher should have the kind of mind, which always wants to go on learning. Teaching is a job at which one will never be perfect; there is always something more to learn about it. [G]I hold it essential for a teacher to be both intellectually and morally honest. Sample Two Directions: The following paragraphs are given in a wrong order. For Questions 41-45,you are required to reorganize these paragraphs into a coherent text by choosing from the list A-G to fill in each numbered box. The first and the last paragraphs have been placed for you in Boxes. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.(10 points) [A] See yourself as successful. If I could plug into the minds of my patients and listen to the statements they make to themselves, I am convinced that the majority of them would be negative: “I’m running late again as usual.” “My hair looks terrible this morning.”“That was a stupid remark I made—she probably thinks I’m a dummy.”Since thousands of these messages flash across our brains every day, it is small wonder that the result is a diminished self-image. [B] Author and editor Norman Cousins wrote: “People are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.” There is no doubt that if we can envision beneficial things happening, they have a way of actually occurring. [C] Stevens finally had a heart-to-heart talk with herself:“I realized that I simply wasn’t a wit or an intellectual and that I could succeed only as myself. I began listening and asking questions at parties instead of trying to impress the guests. When I spoke, I tried to contribute, not to shine. Almost at once I started to feel a new warmth in my social contacts. They liked the real me better.” If we are true to our instincts, most of us will find that we naturally develop certain trademarks. The discovery and expression of that uniqueness is one reason we are on this planet. Resisting conformity and developing some small eccentricities are among the steps to independence and self-confidence. [D] Many of us get interested in a field, but then the going gets tough, we see that other people are more successful, and we become discouraged and quit. But it is of then the boring, repetitive sharpening of our skills that will ultimately enable us to reach our goal. [E] Horace Bushnell, the great New England preacher, used to say, “Somewhere under the stars God has a job for you to do, and nobody else can do it.” Some of us must find our place by trial and error. It can take time, with dead ends along the way. But we should not get discouraged because others seem more skilled. Usually it is not raw talent but drive that makes the difference. [F] One daily exercise for building self-confidence is called “imaging” or “visualization”. In order to succeed, you must see yourself succeeding. Picture yourself approaching a difficult challenge with poise and confidence. Athletes often visualize a move over and over in their minds; they see themselves hitting the perfect golf or tennis shot. When we burn such positive images into our minds deeply enough, they become a part of the unconscious, and we begin to expect to succeed. [G] Break away from other people’s expectations. It is a liberating step when we decide to stop being what other people want us to be. Although opera singer Rise Stevens performed onstage with great poise, the self-confidence she felt before audiences evaporated in social situation. “My discomfort,” she says, “came from trying to be something I was not-a state in the drawing room as well as onstage. If a clever person made a joke, I tried to top it and failed. I pretended to be familiar with subjects I knew nothing of.” Order: D→ 41 → 42 → 43 → 44 → 45 → C Sample Three Direction: You are going to read a text about the season for relief, followed by a list of examples. Choose the best example from the list A-F for each numbered subheading (41-45). There is one extra example which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points) Winter’s harsh weather, shorter hours of daylight and family demands can all aggravate feelings of stress. According to Dr. Paul Rosch, president of the American Institute of Stress, one Midwestern headache clinic reported that complaints of tension and migraine headaches increased 40 percent from Thanksgiving to Christmas, compared with other six-week periods during the year. Many physicians are now trained in techniques to relieve tension and stress. But which strategies do they themselves use? Here top health professionals reveal their favorite stressbusters. Six in all, they are: (41) Soothe with food. When nutritional biochemist Judith Wurtman is stressed out, she does what a lot of people do this time of year: she reaches for food. But in her case, it’s a healthy rice cake or two. (42) Run from your problem. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper handles his own stress with a daily after work run. (43) Check your perspective. Driving in for a busy day as a MayoClinic stress-management expert, psychologist John Taylor saw the oil-maintenance light pop on in his minivan. He faced a nonstop schedule of patients and had to pick up his three-year-old after work. “I felt myself tense up,” recalls Taylor, who then tried his quick stress-busting strategy. He asked himself: Is this a matter of life or death? No. The oil could safely be changed the next week. (44) Look to the light side. On his way to the hospital where his father was to undergo surgery, author and educator Joel Goodman shared a hotel courtesy van with the anxious relatives of several patients. The driver began telling his stressed-out passengers a few jokes. “Then he did some magic tricks that had my mother and me laughing,” Goodman says. “In that five-minute ride he taught us that humor can relieve our stress.” The surgery was successful. (45) Take a timeout. A major cause of anxiety is an overloaded schedule. It’s one source of stress you can ward off by preparing ahead. Say a little prayer. Psychologist and medical scientist Joan Bprysenko of Boulder, Colo., maintains that since most people spend too much time agonizing over the past or worrying about the future, the key to lessening stress is learning how to live emotionally in the present. “It helps to have some ritual to do this,” says Borysenko. For her the most relaxing ritual is “each morning when I pray”. Prayer has been shown to reduce the impact of stress hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline. But remember, says Borysenko, doctors can’t turn on their patient’ “internal healing system”. That inner clam is up to you. So you’re sick of stress, heal thyself. [A] Williams counts himself among the 20 percent of adults whose susceptibility to anger is high enough to threaten their health. But everyone can try his approach to handling the stressors that set anger off—and it needn’t be in a work environment. [B] “Aerobic exercise is the best way to dissipate stress and make the transition into family time,” says the expert. But, he cautions, don’t let exercise itself become a stress. Even moderate activity—such as a daily 30 minute walk can improve health and mood. “That’s why I tell my patients to be sure to walk their dog every day,” he says with a chuckle, “even if they don’t have one.” [C] “My research suggests that carbohydrates raise levels of the mood-regulating brain chemical serotonin, which exerts a calming effect on the entire body,” says the M.I.T research scientist. “So symptoms of stress—such as anger, tension, irritability and inability to concentrate—are eased.” [D] He tells patients to do only those tasks that would have serious consequences if left undone. “Will you die if you don’t do the laundry?” he asks. Taking at least half an hour a day to do something you enjoy, he notes, lets you recharge you batteries. Especially around the holidays, skip some routine chores to make time for family and friends. \[E\]When cardiologist Ray Rosenman was associate chief of medicine at San Francisco’ s Mount Zion Hospital, he would block off half an hour a day on his schedule. “If an emergency came up, I moved patients into that slot,” says Rosenman, co-author of Type A Behavior and Your Heart. “Or used that half-hour to return calls or go through my mail. You can’t control everything, but you can control your schedule to create some breathing space for yourself.” \[F\] He was so moved by his experience that he researched laughter’s power. “A good laugh relaxes muscles, lowers blood pressure, suppresses stress-related hormones and enhances the immune system,” he says. In his workshops he tells clients to ask themselves how their favorite comedian would see this stressful situation. Sample Four Directions: You are going to read a list of headings and a text about employment in Japan. Choose the most suitable heading form the list A-F for each numbered paragraph (41-45). The first and last paragraphs of the text are not numbered. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points) [A] Women and Japanese companies [B] Why men sometimes resign form Japanese companies [C] Permanency in employment in Japan [D] The social aspect of work \[E\] The salary structure \[F\] The recruitment strategy of foreign firms Every autumn, when recruitment of new graduates and school leavers begins, major cities in Japan are flooded with students hunting for a job. Wearing suits for the first time, they run from one interview to another. The season is crucial for many students, as their whole lives may be determined during this period. 41 In Japan, lifetime employment is commonly practiced by large companies. While people working in small companies and those working for subcontractors do not in general enjoy the advantages conferred by the large companies, there is a general expectation that employees will in fact remain more or less permanently in the same job. 42 Wages are set according to educational background or initial field of employment, ordinary graduates being employed in administration, engineers in engineering and design departments and so on. Both promotions and wage increases tend to be tied to seniority, though some differences may arise later on as a result of ability and business performance. Wages are paid monthly, and the net sum, after the deduction of tax, is usually paid directly into a bank account. As well as salary, a bonus is usually paid twice a year. 43 Many female graduates complain that they are not given equal training and equal opportunity in comparison to male graduates. Japanese companies generally believe that female employees will eventually leave to get married and have children. It is also true that, as well as the still-existing belief among women themselves that nothing should stand in the way of child-rearing, the extended hours of work often do not allow women to continue their careers after marriage. 44 Disappointed career-minded female graduates often opt to work for foreign firms. Since most male graduates prefer to join Japanese firms with their guaranteed security, foreign firms are often keen to employ female graduates as their potential tends to be greater than that of male applicants. 45 Some men, however, do leave their companies in spite of future prospects, one reason being to take over the family business. The eldest sons in families that own family companies or businesses such as stores are normally expected to take over the business when their parents retire. It is therefore quite common to see a businessman, on succeeding to his parents’ business, completely change his professional direction by becoming, for example, a shopkeeper. On the job, working relationships tend to be very close because of the long hours of work and years of service in common. Social life in fact is frequently based on the workplace. Restaurants and nomiya, “pubs”, are always crowded at night with people enjoying an evening out with their colleagues. Many companies organize trips and sports days for their employees. Senior staff often play the role of mentor. This may mean becoming involved in the lives of junior staff in such things as marriage and the children’s education. Part C Directions: Read the following text carefully and then translate the underlined segments into Chinese. Your translation should be written neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2.(10 points) The “standard of living” of any country means the average persons share of the goods and services which the country produces. A country’s standard of living, therefore, depends first and foremost on its capacity to produce wealth. (46) “Wealth” in this sense is not money, for we do not live on money but on things that money can buy: “goods” such as food and clothing, and “services” such as transport and entertainment. A country’s capacity to produce wealth depends upon many factors, most of which have an effect on one another. Wealth depends to a great extent upon a country’s natural resources, such as coal, gold, and other minerals, water supply and so on. (47) Some regions of the world are well supplied with coal and minerals, and have a fertile soil and a favorable climate; other regions possess none of them. Next to natural resources comes the ability to turn them to use. (48) Some countries are perhaps well off in natural resources, but suffered for many years from civil and external wars, and for this and other reasons have been unable to develop their resources. Sound stable political conditions, and freedom from foreign invasion, enable a country to develop its natural resources peacefully and steadily, and to produce more wealth than another country equally well served by nature but less well ordered. Another important factor is the technical efficiency of a country’s people. Industrialized countries that have trained numerous skilled workers and technicians are better placed to produce wealth than countries whose workers are largely unskilled. (49) A country’s standard of living does not only depend upon the wealth that is produced and consumed within its own borders, but also upon what is indirectly produced through international trade. For example, Britain’s wealth in foodstuffs and other agricultural products would be much less if she had to depend only on those grown at home. Trade makes it possible for her surplus manufactured goods to be traded abroad for the agricultural products that would otherwise be lacking. (50) A country’s wealth is, therefore, much influenced by its manufacturing capacity, provided that other countries can be found ready to accept its manufactures. Section Ⅲ Writing Part A 51. Directions: You bought a new color TV set made in Guangdong, but it is in poor quality. You want to write a letter to the store and have the set repaired or changed. Your letter should cover the following points: 1) the picture is not clear enough, and sometimes channel buttons don’t work well, 2) sometimes there is even so sound, and the color is not stable, 3) Customer First, Service Best. You should write about 100 words on ANSWER SHEET 2. Do not sign up your own name at the end of the letter. Use “Li Ming” instead. You do not need to write the address. (10 points) Part B 52. Directions: Study the following drawing carefully and write an essay in which you should 1)describe the drawing, 2)analyze the meaning and 3)give an example You should write about 160-200 words neatly on ANSWER SHEET 2 (20 points) |