2009 年 6 月英语六级真题及答案
Part I Writing (30 minutes)
Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay
entitled On the Importance of a Name. you should write at least 150 words following
the outline given below.
1. 有人说名字或名称很重要
2. 也有人觉得名字或名称无关紧要
3. 我认为
On the Importance of a Name
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.
Helicopter Moms vs. Free-Range KidsWould you let your fourth-grader ride public
transportation without an adult? Probably not. Still, when Lenore Skenazy, a
columnist for the New York Sun, wrote about letting her son take the subway alone
to get back to "Long story short :my son got home from a department store on the
Upper East Side, she didn’t expect to get hit with a wave of criticism from readers.
“Long story short: My son got home, overjoyed with independence,” Skenazy
wrote on April 4 in the New York Sun. “Long story longer: Half the people I’ve
told this episode to now want to turn on in for child abuse. As if keeping kids under
lock and key and cell phone and careful watch is the right way to rear kids. It’s
not. It’s debilitating (使虚弱)—for us and for them.”
Online message boards were soon full of people both applauding and condemning
Skenazy’s decision to let her son go it alone. She wound up defending herself on
CNN (accompanied by her son) and on popular blogs like the buffing ton post, where
her follow-up piece was ironically headlined “More From America’s Worst Mom.”
The episode has ignited another one of those debates that divides parents into
vocal opposing camps. Are Modern parents needlessly overprotective, or is the world
a more complicated and dangerous place than it was when previous generations were
allowed to wander about unsupervised?
From the “she’s an irresponsible mother” camp came: “Shame on you for being
so careless about his safety,” in Comments on the buffing ton post. And there was
this from a mother of four: “How would you have felt if he didn’t come home?”
But Skenazy got a lot of support, too, with women and men writing in with stories
about how they were allowed to take trips all by them selves at seven or eight. She
also got heaps of praise for bucking the “helicopter parent” trend: “Good for
this Mom,” one commenter wrote on the buffing ton post. “This is a much-needed
reality check.”
Last week, encouraged by all the attention, Skenazy started her own blog—Free
Range, kids—promoting the idea that modern children need some of the same
independence that her generation had. In the good old days nine-year-old baby boomers
rode their bikes to school, walked to the store, took buses—and even subways—all
by themselves. Her blog, she says, is dedicated to sensible parenting. “At Free
Range Kids, we believe in safe kids. We believe in car seats and safety belts. We
do NOT believe that every time school-age children go outside, they need a security
guard.”
So why are some parents so nervous about letting their children out of their
sight? Are cities and towns less safe and kids more vulnerable to crimes like child
kidnap and sexual abuse than they were in previous generations?
Not exactly. New York City, for instance, is safer than it’s ever been; it’s
ranked 36th in crime among all American cities. Nationwide, stringer kidnaps are
extremely rare; there’s a one-in-a-million chance a child will be taken by a
stranger, according to the Justice Department. And 90 percent of sexual abuse cases
are committed by someone the child knows. Mortality rates from all causes, including
disease and accidents, for American children are lower now than they were 25 years’
ago. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit research group, between 1980 and 2003
death rates dropped by 44 percent for children aged 5 to 14 and 32 percent for teens
aged 15 to 19.
Then there’s the whole question of whether modern parents are more watchful
and nervous about safety than previous generations. Yes, some are. Part of the
problem is that with wall to wall Internet and cable news, every missing child case
gets so much airtime that it’s not surprising even normal parental anxiety can be
amplified. And many middle-class parents have gotten used to managing their
children’s time and shuttling them to various enriching activities, so the idea
of letting them out on their own can seem like a risk. Back in 1972, when many of
today’s parents were kids, 87 percent of children who lived within a mile of school
walked or biked every day. But today, the Centers for Disease Control report that
only 13 percent of children bike, walk or otherwise t themselves to school.
The extra supervision is both a city and a suburb phenomenon. Parents are worried
about crime, and they are worried about kids getting caught in traffic in a city
that’s not used to pedestrians. On the other hand, there are still plenty of kids
whose parents give them a lot of independence, by choice or by necessity. The After
School Alliance finds that more than 14 million kids aged 5 to 17 are responsible
for taking care of themselves after school. Only 6.5 million kids participate in
organized programs. “Many children who have working parents have to take the subway
or bus to get to school. Many do this by themselves because they have no other way
to get to the schools,” says Dr. Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting
Institute at the New York University Child Study Center.
there’s
no
clear-cut
freedom,
For those parents who wonder how and when they should start allowing their kids
more
a
one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. What’s right for Skenazy’s nine-year-old
could be inappropriate for another one. It all depends on developmental issue,
maturity, and the psychological and emotional makeup of that child. Several factors
must be taken into account, says Gallagher. “The ability to follow parent guidelines,
discourage
answer.
Child
experts
the child’s level of comfort in handling such situations, and a child’s general
judgment should be weighed.”
Gallagher agrees with Skenazy that many nine-year-olds are ready for
independence like taking public transportation alone. “At certain times of the day,
on certain routes, the subways are generally safe for these children, especially
if they have grown up in the city and have been taught how to be safe, how to obtain
help if they are concerned for their safety, and how to avoid unsafe situations by
being watchful and on their toes.”
But even with more traffic and fewer sidewalks, modern parents do have one
advantage their parents didn’t: the cell phone. Being able to check in with a child
anytime goes a long way toward relieving parental anxiety and may help parents loosen
their control a little sooner. Skenazy got a lot of criticism because she didn’t
give her kid her cell phone because she thought he’d lose it and wanted him to learn
to go it alone without depending on mom—a major principle of free-range parenting.
But most parents are more than happy to use cell phones to keep track of their kids.
And for those who like the idea of free-range kids but still struggle with their
inner helicopter parent, there may be a middle way. A new generation of GPS cell
phones with tracking software make it easier than ever to follow a child’s every
movement via the Internet—without seeming to interfere or hover. Of course, when
they go to college, they might start objecting to being monitored as they’re on
parole (假释).
注意:此部分试题请在答题卡 1 上作答。
1. When Lenore Skenazy’s son was allowed to take the subway alone, he ________.
A.was afraid that he might get lost
B.enjoyed having the independence
C.was only too pleased to take the risk
D.thought he was an exceptional child
2. Lenore Skenazy believes that keeping kids under careful watch
A.hinders their healthy growth
B.adds too much to parents’ expenses
C.shows traditional parental caution
D.bucks the latest parenting trend
3. Skenazy’s decision to let her son take the Subway alone has net with________.
A.opposition from her own family
B.share parenting experience
C.fight against child abuse
D.protect children’s rights
4. Skenazy started her own blog to ________.
A.promote sensible parenting
B.share parenting experience
C.fight against child abuse
D.protect children’s rights
5. According to the author, New York City ________.
A.ranks high in road accidents
B.is much safe than before
C.ranks low in child mortality rates
D.is less dangerous than small cities
6. Parents today are more nervous about their kids’ safety than previous
generations because________.
A.there are now fewer children in the family
B.the number of traffic accidents has been increasing
C.their fear is amplified by media exposure of crime
D.crime rates have been on the rise over the years
7. According to child experts, how and when kids may be allowed more freedom
depends on ________.
A.the traditions and customs of the community
B.the safety conditions of their neighborhood
C.their parents’ psychological makeup
D.their maturity and personal qualities
8. According to Gallagher and Skenazy, children who are watchful will be better
able to stay away from Unsafe situations.
9. Being able to find out where a child is anytime helps lessen parents’ Their
anxiety and control.
10. Nowadays with the help of GPS cell phones, parents can, from a distance,
track their children’s Movements.
Part III Listening Comprehension (35 minutes)
Section A
注意:此部分试题请在答题卡 2 上作答。
11. A.Fred forgot to call him last night about the camping trip.
B.He is not going to lend his sleeping bag to Fred.
C.He has not seen Fred at the gym for sometime.
D.Fred may have borrowed a sleeping bag from someone else.
12. A.Summer has become hotter in recent years.
B.It will cool down a bit over the weekend.
C.Swimming in a pool has a relaxing effect.
D.He hopes the weather forecast is accurate.
13. A.Taking a picture of Prof. Brown.
B.Commenting on an oil-painting.
C.Hosting a TV program.
D.Staging a performance.
14. A.She can help the man take care of the plants.
B.Most plants grow better in direct sunlight.
C.The plants need to be watered frequently.
D.The plants should be placed in a shady spot.
15. A.Change to a more exciting channel.
B.See the movie some other time.
C.Go to bed early.
D.Stay up till eleven.
16. A.Both of them are laymen of modern art.
B.She has beamed to appreciate modem sculptures.
C.Italian artists’ works are difficult to understand.
D.Modern artists are generally considered weird.
17. A.They seem satisfied with what they have done.
B.They have called all club members to contribute.
C.They think the day can be called a memorable one.
D.They find it hard to raise money for the hospital.
18. A.The man shouldn’t hesitate to take the course.
B.The man should talk with the professor first.
C.The course isn’t open to undergraduates.
D.The course will require a lot of reading.
Questions 19 to 21 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
19. A.Current trends in economic development.
B.Domestic issues of general social concern.
C.Stories about Britain’s relations with other nations.
D.Conflicts and compromises among political parties.
20. A.Based on the poll of public opinions.
B.By interviewing people who file complaints.
C.By analyzing the domestic and international situation.
D.Based on public expectations and editors’ judgment.
21. A.Underlying rules of editing.
B.Practical experience.
C.Audience’s feedback.
D.Professional qualifications.
Questions 22 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
22. A.The average life span was less than 50 years.
B.It was very common for them to have 12 children.
C.They retired from work much earlier than today.
D.They were quite optimistic about their future.
23. A.Get ready for ecological changes.
B.Adapt to the new environment.
C.Learn to use new technology.
D.Explore ways to stay young.
24. A.When all women go out to work.
B.When family planning is enforced..
C.When a world government is set up.
D.When all people become wealthier.
25. A.Eliminate poverty and injustice.
B.Migrate to other planets.
C.Control the environment.
D.Find inexhaustible resources.
Section B
注意:此部分试题请在答题卡 2 上作答。
Passage One
Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. A.To help young people improve their driving skills.
B.To alert teenagers to the dangers of reckless driving.
C.To teach young people road manners through videotapes.
D.To show teens the penalties imposed on careless drivers.
27. A.Road accidents.
B.Street violence.
C.Drug abuse.
D.Lung cancer.
28. A.It has changed teens’ way of life.
B.It has made teens feel like adults.
C.It has accomplished its objective.
D.It has been supported by parents.
Passage Two
Questions 29 to 31 are based on the passage you have just heard.
29. A.Customers may get addicted to the smells.
B.Customers may be misled by the smells.
C.It hides the defects of certain goods.
D.It gives rise to unfair competition.
30. A.Flexible.
B.Critical.
C.Supportive.
D.Cautious.
31. A.The flower scent stimulated people’s desire to buy.
B.Stronger smells had greater effects on consumers.
C.Most shoppers hated the small the shoe store.
D.84% of the customers were unaware of the smells.
Passage Three
Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
32. A.A goods train hit a bus carrying many passengers.
B.Two passenger trains crashed into each other.
C.A passenger train collided with a goods train.
D.An express train was derailed when hit by a bomb.
33. A.The rescue operations have not been very effective.
B.More than 300 injured passengers were hospitalized.
C.The cause of the tragic accident remains unknown.
D.The exact casualty figures are not yet available.
34. A.There was a bomb scare.
B.There was a terrorist attack.
C.A fire alarm was set off by mistake.
D.50 pounds of explosives were found.
35. A.Follow policemen’s directions.
B.Keep an eye weather.
C.Avoid snow-covered roads.
D.Drive with special care.
Section C
注意:此部分试题请在答题卡 2 上作答。
English is the leading international language. In different countries around
the globe, English is acquired as the mother (36) ________, in others it’s used
as a second language. Some nations use English as their (37) ________ language,
performing the function of (38) ________; in others it’s used as an international
language for business, (39) ________ and industry.
What factors and forces have led to the (40) ________ of English? Why is English
now considered to be so prestigious that, across the globe, individuals and societies
feel (41) ________ if they do not have (42) ________ in this language? How has English
changed through 1,500 Years? These are some of the questions that you (43) ________
when you study English.
You also examine the immense variability of English and (44) ________. You
develop in-depth knowledge of the intricate structure of the language. Why do some
non-native speakers of English claim that it’s a difficult language to learn, while
(45) ________? At the University of Sussex, you are introduced to the nature and
grammar of English in all aspects. This involves the study of sound structures, the
formation of words, the sequencing words and the construction of meaning, as well
as examination of the theories explaining the aspects of English usage. (46) ________,
which are raised by studying how speakers and writers employ English for a wide
variety of purposes.
Part IV Reading Comprehension (Reading in Depth) (25 minutes)
Section A
Directions: In this section, there is a short passage with 5 questions or
incomplete statements. Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or
complete statements in the fewest possible words. Please write your answers on Answer
Sheet 2.
Questions 47 to 51 are based on the following passage.
There is nothing new about TV and fashion magazines giving girls unhealthy ideas
about how thin they need to be in order to be considered beautiful. What is surprising
is the method psychologists at the University of Texas have come up with to keep
girls from developing eating disorders. Their main weapon against super skinny (role)
models: a brand of civil disobedience dubbed “body activism.”
Since 2001, more than 1,000 high school and college students in the U.S. have
participated in the Body Project, which works by getting girls to understand how
they have been buying into the notion that you have to be thin to be happy or
successful. After critiquing (评论) the so-called thin ideal by writing essays and
role-playing with their peers, participants are directed to come up with and execute
small, nonviolent acts. They include slipping notes saying “Love your body the way
it is” into dieting books at stores like Borders and writing letters to Mattel,
makers of the impossibly proportioned Barbie doll.
According to a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical
Psychology, the risk of developing eating disorders was reduced 61% among Body
Project participants. And they continued to exhibit positive body-image attitudes
as long as three years after completing the program, which consists, of four one-hour
sessions. Such lasting effects may be due to girls’ realizing not only how they
were being influenced but also who was benefiting from the societal pressure to be
thin. “These people who promote the perfect body really don’t care about you at
all,” says Kelsey Hertel, a high school junior and Body Project veteran in Eugene,
Oregon. “They purposefully make you feel like less of a person so you’ll buy their
stuff and they’ll make money.”
注意:此部分试题请在答题卡 2 上作答。
47. Were do girls get the notion that they need to be thin in order to be
considered beautiful?
48. By promoting “body activism,” University of Texas psychologists aim to
prevent ________.
49. According to the author, Mattel’s Barbie dolls are ________.
50. The positive effects of the Body Project may last up to ________.
51. One Body Project participant says that the real motive of those who promote
the perfect body is to ________.
Section B
Passage One
Questions 52 to 56 are based on the following passage.
For hundreds of millions of years, turtles (海龟) have struggled out of the sea
to lay their eggs on sandy beaches, long before there were nature documentaries to
celebrate them, or GPS satellites and marine biologists to track them, or volunteers
to hand-carry the hatchlings (幼龟) down to the water’s edge lest they become
disoriented by headlights and crawl towards a motel parking lot instead. A formidable
wall of bureaucracy has been erected to protect their prime nesting on the Atlantic
coastlines. With all that attention paid to them, you’d think these creatures would
at least have the gratitude not to go extinct.
But Nature is indifferent to human notions of fairness, and a report by the Fish
and Wildlife Service showed a worrisome drop in the populations of several species
of North Atlantic turtles, notably loggerheads, which can grow to as much as 400
pounds. The South Florida nesting population, the largest, has declined by 50% in
the last decade, according to Elizabeth Griffin, a marine biologist with the
environmental group Oceana. The figures prompted Oceana to petition the government
to upgrade the level of protection for the North Atlantic loggerheads from
“threatened” to “endangered”—meaning they are in danger of disappearing
without additional help.
Which raises the obvious question: what else do these turtles want from us,