2012年12月六级考试真题(1)12843.pdf

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1、2012年12月六级考试真题(1)Part IWriting(30 minutes)Directions:For thispart,you areallowed30 minutestowritea shortessay entitledOnMaintainingTrustby commenting onthesaying“It takesyears tobuildtrust,anda few secondstodestroy it.”Youshouldwriteatleast150wordsbutnomorethan200words.On Maintaining Trust_ _Part II

2、Reading Comprehension(Skimming andScanning)(15minutes)Directions:In thispart,you will have 15 minutesto go over thepassage quicklyandanswerthequestions on AnswerSheet 1.Forquestions 17,choose the best answerfrom the four choicesmarkedA,B,Cand D.Forquestions 810,completethe sentenceswiththe informati

3、ongiven inthepassage.Rates are low,but consumers wonwon t borrowWithheavydebtloadsandhighjoblessness,Americans arecautious.TheU.S.Federal Reserve(Fed)sannouncementlastweek thatit intendedto keepcreditcheapfor atleasttwomoreyears wasaclearinvitation toAmericans:Gooutandborrow.Butmany economistssay it

4、 will takemorethanlow interestratesto persuadeconsumersto takeon moredebt.Therearealready signs thattherecentstockmarketfluctuations,turbulencein Europeandthe U.S.deficit have scaredconsumers.On Friday,preliminary datashowed thatthe ThomsonReuters/Universityof Michiganconsumersentimentindex hadfalle

5、n thismonthto lowerthanitwasinNovember 2008,whentheUnited Stateswasdeepinrecession.Undernormalcircumstances,the Fedsannouncementmighthave attractednew home andcarbuyers andpromptedcreditcardholdersto rackupfresh charges.Butwithunemployment highandthose with jobs worried about keeping them,consumers

6、are more concerned about paying off theloans they already have than adding more debt.And by showing its hand for the next two years,theFed may have thoughtlessly invited prospective borrowers to put off large purchases.Lenders,meanwhile,are still dealing with the effects of the boom-gone-bust and ar

7、e forcingprospective borrowers to go to extraordinary lengths to prove their creditworthiness.“I dont think lenders are going to be interested in extending a lot of debt in this environment,”said Mark Zandi,chief economist of Moodys Analytics,a macroeconomic consulting firm.“Nor doI think households

8、 are going to be interested in taking on a lot of debt.”In housing,consumers have already shown a slow response to low rates.Applications for newmortgages have decreased this year to a 10-year low,according to the Mortgage BankersAssociation.Sales of furniture and furnishings remain 22%below their p

9、re-recession peak,according to SpendingPulse,a research report by MasterCard Advisors.Credit card rates have actually gone up slightly in the past year.The one bright spot in lending isthe number of auto loans,which is up from last year.But some economists say that confidenceamong car buyers is hitt

10、ing new lows.For Xavier Walter,a former mortgage banker who with his wife,Danielle,accumulated$20,000in credit card debt,low rates will not change his spending habits.As the housing market topped out five years ago,he lost his six-figure income.He and his wifewere able to modify the mortgage on thei

11、r four-bedroom house in Medford,New Jersey,as well asnegotiate lower credit card payments.Two years ago,Mr.Walter,a 34-year-old father of three,started an energy business.He hassworn off credit.“Im not going to go back in debt ever again,”he said.“If I cant pay for it in cash,I dont want it.”Until n

12、ow,one of the biggest restraints on consumer spending has been a debt aftereffect.SinceAugust 2008,when household debt peaked at$12.41 trillion,it has declined by about$1.2 trillion,according to an analysis by Moodys Analytics of data from the Federal Reserve and Equifax,thecredit agency.A large por

13、tion of that,though,was simply written off by lenders as borrowersdefaulted on loans.By other measures,households have improved their position.The proportion of after-tax incomethat households spend to remain current on loan payments has fallen.Still,household debt remains high.That presents a parad

14、ox:many economists argue that theeconomy cannot achieve true health until debt levels decline.But credit,made attractive by low rates,is a time-tested way to increase consumer spending.With new risks of another downturn,economists worry that it will take years for debt to return tomanageable levels.

15、If the economy contracts again,said George Magnus,senior adviser at UBS,then“you could find a lot of households in a debt trap which they probably can never get out of.”Mortgage lenders,meanwhile,burned by the housing crash,are extra careful about approvingnewloans.InJune,forinstance,FannieMae,thela

16、rgestmortgagebuyerintheUnitedStates,saidthatborrowerswhoseexistingdebtexceeded45 to50%oftheirincomewouldbe requiredtohavestronger“compensating”factors,whichmightincludehighersavings.Eventhoseborrowersinstrongfinancialpositionsareaskedtoprovideunusualamountsofpaperwork.BobbyandKatieSmithhavean extrem

17、elygoodcreditrecord,tinystudentdebtandacombinedsix-figureincome.Forpartoftheirdownpayment,theyplannedtouseabout$5,000theyhadreceivedasweddinggiftsinFebruary.ButthelenderwouldnotacceptthatmoneyunlesstheSmithsprovideda certifiedletterfromeachof14 guests,statingthatthemoneywasa gift,ratherthana loan.“W

18、elaughedfora good15 or20 minutes,”recalledMr.Smith,34.Mr.Smith,a programdirectorfora radiostationinOrlando,Florida,saidtheyendedup usingothersavingsfortheirdownpaymenttobuya$300,000four-bedroomhouseinApril.Forthosenotas creditworthyas theSmiths,lowratesareirrelevantbecausetheyno longerqualifyformort

19、gages.Thatleavestheeligiblepoolofloanapplicantswealthier,“olderandwhiter,”saidGuyCecala,publisherofInsideMortgageFinance.“Itscreatingmuchmoreofa divide,”hesaid,“betweenthehavesandthehave-nots.”Carshopperswiththehighestcreditratingscanalsogetloansmoreeasily,andatlowerrates,saidPaulC.Taylor,chiefecono

20、mistoftheNationalAutomobileDealersAssociation.Duringtherecession,inabilitytoobtaincreditseverelycutautobuyingaslendersrejectedeventhosewithgoodcreditratings.Now automakersareincreasingtheirsubprime(次级债的)lendingagainaswell,butremainhesitanttoapprovelargenumbersofriskycustomers.Thenumberofnewautoloans

21、wasup by 16%inthesecondquartercomparedwiththepreviousyear,saidMelindaZabritski,directorof automotivecreditatExperian,theinformationservicescompany.Butsomeeconomistswarnthatconsumerconfidenceisfalling.AccordingtoCNW MarketingResearch,confidenceamongthosewhointendtobuya carthisyearisatitslowestsinceit

22、begancollectingdataon thismeasurein2000.On creditcards,rateshaveactuallyinchedhigherthisyear,largelybecauseofnewrulesthatcurbtheissuersabilitytochargefeesorraisecertaininterestratesatwill.At theendofthesecondquarter,ratesaveraged14.01%on newcardoffers,up from13.75%ayearearlier,accordingtoMailMonitor

23、,whichtrackscreditcardsforSynovate,a marketresearchfirm.AccordingtodatafromtheFederalReserve,totaloutstandingdebton revolvingcreditcardswasdownby 4.6%duringthefirsthalfoftheyearcomparedwiththesameperioda yearearlier.EveniftheFedsannouncementhelpskeepratessteady,orpushesthemdown,businessesdonotexpect

24、customerstosuddenlychargeup a storm.“Itsnotlike,Oh,creditissocheap,letsgo backtotheheydays(鼎盛时期),”saidElizabethCrowell,whoownsSterlingPlace,twohigh-endhomefurnishingandgiftstoresinNew York.“People still fear for their jobs.So I think where maybe after other recessions they might return toprevious sp

25、ending habits,the pendulum hasnt swung back the same way.”1.What is the purpose of the announcement issued by the U.S.Federal Reserve last week?A To help reduce the debt burden on consumers.B To force the banks to lower their interest rates.C To encourage consumers to get more bank loans.D To preven

26、t further fluctuations in the stock market.2.Why are people reluctant to take on more debt despite the low interest rates?A They are afraid of losing their good credit ratings.B They are pessimistic about employment prospects.C They have little faith in the Feds financial policies.D They expect the

27、Fed to further lower interest rates.3.What does the author say about lenders in the current credit market?A They are becoming more cautious.B They are eager to offer more loans.C They advise prospective borrowers to put off large purchases.D They are only concerned about how much they can get back.4

28、.What does the author want to say by citing Xavier Walters case?A Not many Americans can afford to pay in cash these days.B The Feds policies exert a strong influence on borrowers.C People now wont buy things unless they have the money.D It is beneficial for Americans to borrow in times of recession

29、.5.What is the economists concern regarding the current economy?A Consumers unwillingness to spend.B Banks inability to recover debt.C The ever-lowering interest rates.D The unmanageable debt levels.6.What do we learn from the Smiths story?A It is very difficult for people to build up a good credit

30、record.B A certain amount of savings is needed for one to buy a house.C The purchase of a house will plunge young couples into heavy debt.D Mortgage lenders are now careful about borrowers qualifications.7.According to Guy Cecala,the banks policy on mortgage lending will result in _.A a wider gap be

31、tween the rich and the poorB a bigger down payment for house buyersC a higher debt level for the less wealthy D a greater pressure on senior buyers8.During the recession,the number of car buyers decreased because it was difficult to_.9.Credit card interest rates have gradually increased recently bec

32、ause new rules do not allow theissuers to raise certain interest rates or _.10.According to ElizabethCrowell,the currentrecession,unlikeprevious ones,has not seen aswingback inpeoples_.Part IIIListening Comprehension(35 minutes)Section ADirections:Inthissection,youwillhear8 shortconversationsand2 lo

33、ng conversations.Attheendofeach conversation,one or more questionswillbe askedabout whatwassaid.Boththeconversationandthequestions willbe spoken only once.After eachquestion therewillbe a pause.Duringthepause,youmustreadthefour choicesmarked A,B,CandD,anddecidewhich isthebestanswer.Then mark thecorr

34、espondingletter on Answer Sheet2 witha single line throughthecentre.11.AAsk hisbossfor alighter schedule.BTrade places withsomeoneelse.CAccepttheextra work willingly.DLook for amoresuitable job.12.AItis unusual for hiswife tobeathomenow.BHeis uncertainwhere hiswife is atthemoment.CItis strangefor hi

35、swife tocallhimatwork.DHedoesnotbelieve what thewoman hastold him.13.AThe manis goingtosendoutthememotomorrow.BThe manwilldrivethewoman tothestation.CThe speakers aretraveling bytraintomorrow morning.DThe woman is concernedwiththemans health.14.AThe suitebooked wasfor adifferentdate.BThe roombooked

36、wasonadifferentfloor.CThe roombooked wasnotspaciousenough.DA suitewasbooked insteadof adouble room.15.AThe reasonfor low profits.BThe companys sales policy.CThe fierce competitiontheyface.DThe lackof effectivepromotion.16.AGoandgetthegroceriesatonce.BManagewithwhat theyhave.CDo someshoppingontheirwa

37、yhome.DHavethegroceriesdelivered tothem.17.AThe hotweather insummer.BThe problem withtheairconditioner.CThe ridiculous rules of theoffice.DThe atmosphereintheoffice.18.ASetanewstoneinherring.BFind thepriceless jewelshelost.CBuyaringwithpreciousdiamond.DShoponOxfordStreetfor adecentgift.Questions 19

38、to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.19.ADamagingpublic facilities.BDestroyingurbanwildlife.COrganising ralliesinthepark.DHurting babyanimals inthezoo.20.AHehadbribedthepark keepers tokeep quiet.BPeople haddifferingopinionsabouthisbehaviour.CThe seriousconsequences of hisdoingswer

39、enotfullyrealised.DHisbehaviourwasthoughttohaveresulted from mentalillness.21.ABrutal.BJustifiable.CTooharsh.DWell-deserved.22.AEncouraging otherstofollowhiswrong-doing.BStealing endangeredanimalsfrom thezoo.COrganisingpeople againsttheauthorities.DAttacking thepark keepers inbroaddaylight.Questions

40、 23 to 25 are based on the conversation you have just heard.23.AShehasalready leftschool.BSheworks for thehandicapped.CSheis fond of practicalcourses.DSheis goodatforeign languages.24.AHeis interestedinsciencecourses.BHeattendsaboardingschool.CHespeaks French andGerman.DHeis thebrightestof herthreek

41、ids.25.AComprehensive schools donotofferqualityeducation.BParentsdecidewhat schools theirchildren aretoattend.CPublic schools areusuallybiggerinsize thanprivateschools.DChildrenfrom low incomefamiliescant reallychooseschools.Section BDirections:In thissection,youwillhear3 shortpassages.At theendof e

42、achpassage,youwillhearsomequestions.Boththe passage and the questions willbe spoken only once.Afteryou hear aquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswer fromthefour choicesmarked A,B,CandD.Thenmark thecorresponding letter onAnswer Sheet2 with a single line throughthecentre.Passage OneQuestions 26 to 29 are

43、based on the passage you have just heard.26.AEncourage thestudentstodocreativethinking.BHelpthestudentstodevelop communication skills.CCultivatethestudents ability toinspireemployees.DFocus onteachingthevariousfunctions of business.27.AHisteachingcareerattheHarvard BusinessSchool.BHispersonal involv

44、ementinbusinessmanagement.CHispresidencyatcollegeandexperience overseas.DHiseducationandprofessorshipatBabsonCollege.28.ADevelopmentof theirraw brainpower.BExposuretotheliberalartsandhumanities.CImprovementof theirability incapital management.DKnowledgeof up-to-dateinformationtechnology.29.AReports

45、onbusinessandgovernment corruption.BHiscontactwithgovernment andbusinesscircles.CDiscoveriesof cheatingamongMBA students.DTheincreasinginfluenceof themassmedia.Passage TwoQuestions 30 to 32 are based on the passage you have just heard.30.ATheyhavebetteroptionsfor theirkids thancolleges.BTheunreasona

46、blyhightuitionis beyondtheirmeans.CThequalityof highereducationmaynotbeworththetuition.DTheythink thattheirkids should payfor theirowneducation.31.ATheydotoomanyextracurricularactivities.BTheytendtoselect less demanding courses.CTheytake part-timejobstosupportthemselves.DTheythink few of thecoursesw

47、orthstudying.32.AIts samplesarenotrepresentative enough.BIts significance should notbeunderestimated.CIts findings comeasasurprisetomanyparents.DIts criteriafor academicprogressarequestionable.Passage ThreeQuestions 33 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.33.AAnewly married couple.BAbu

48、sinessacquaintance.CSomeonegoodatcooking.DSomeoneyoubarely know.34.AObtain necessaryinformationaboutyourguests.BCollectacouple of unusual orexotic recipes.CBuythebestmeatandthefreshest fruit.DTrytoimproveyourcooking skills.35.ALosing weight.BEntertaining guests.CMaking friends.DCooking meals.Section

49、 CDirections:In thissection,youwillheara passagethreetimes.Whenthepassageis readfor thefirsttime,youshouldlisten carefullyfor itsgeneral idea.Whenthepassageis readfor thesecondtime,youarerequired tofillintheblanksnumbered from36 to43 withtheexact wordsyouhavejustheard.Forblanksnumbered from44to46you

50、arerequired tofillinthemissing information.For theseblanks,youcaneitherusetheexact wordsyouhavejustheardorwritedownthemainpointsin yourownwords.Finally,whenthepassageisreadfor thethirdtime,youshouldcheck whatyouhavewritten.Peoplewithdisabilitiescomprisealargebutdiverse segmentof thepopulation.Itis(3