2014年MPA考研英語二真題及答案

2014年全國碩士研究生入學統(tǒng)一考試英語(二)真題

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. (10 points)

Thinner isn’t always better. A number of studies have __1___ that normal-weight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are health conditions for which being overweight is actually ___2___. For example, heavier women are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. ___3___ among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an ___4___ of good health.

Of even greater ___5___ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined ___6___ body mass index, or BMI. BMI ___7__ body mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, ___8___,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.

While such numerical standards seem 9 , they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, 10 others with a low BMI may be in poor 11 .For example, many collegiate and professional football players 12 as obese, though their percentage body fat is low. Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a 13 BMI.

Today we have a(an) _14 _ to label obesity as a disgrace. The overweight are sometimes_15_in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes _16_ with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. _17_very young children tend to look down on the overweight, and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.

Negative attitudes toward obesity, _18_in health concerns, have stimulated a number of anti-obesity _19_.My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama launched a high-visibility campaign _20_ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.

1. [A] denied [B] concluded [C] doubled [D] ensured

2. [A] protective [B] dangerous [C] sufficient [D]troublesome

3. [A] Instead [B] However [C] Likewise [D] Therefore

4. [A] indicator [B] objective [C] origin [D] example

5. [A] impact [B] relevance [C] assistance [D] concern

6. [A] in terms of [B] in case of [C] in favor of [D] in of

7. [A] measures [B] determines [C] equals [D] modifies

8. [A] in essence [B] in contrast [C] in turn [D] in part

9. [A] complicated [B] conservative [C] variable [D] straightforward

10. [A] so [B] while [C] since [D] unless

11. [A] shape [B] spirit [C] balance [D] taste

12. [A] start [B] quality [C] retire [D] stay

13. [A] strange [B] changeable [C] normal [D] constant

14. [A] option [B] reason [C] opportunity [D] tendency

15. [A] employed [B] pictured [C] imitated [D] monitored

16. [A] computed [B] combined [C] settled [D] associated

17. [A] Even [B] Still [C] Yet [D] Only

18. [A] despised [B] corrected [C] ignored [D] grounded

19. [A] discussions [B] businesses [C] policies [D] studies

20. [A] for [B] against [C] with [D] without

SectionⅠUse of English

文章分析

本文是一篇關于肥胖與健康關系新說法的議論文。第一段引出作者對身材的看法：并不是越瘦就證明人越健康。第二段中作者介紹了一種定義肥胖癥的指標 BMI。第三段中作者指出 BMI 其實揭示的是人體的脂肪量，并不是說明身材好壞的指數(shù)。第四段中講述了整個社會其實會給肥胖者貼上消極標簽，無論是在電視節(jié)目中還是在孩子們的心目中，胖人的形象總是與消極聯(lián)系起來。最后一段講述了人們以健康的角度去考慮肥胖的影響，和已經采取的一些對抗肥胖的種種策略。

試題解析

Thinner isn't always better. A number of studies have __1__ that normalweight people are in fact at higher risk of some diseases compared to those who are overweight. And there are healthy conditions for which being overweight is actually __2__. For example, heavierwomen are less likely to develop calcium deficiency than thin women. __3__,among the elderly, being somewhat overweight is often an __4__ of good health.

【譯文】太瘦也不總是好事。一些研究已經得出結論：正常體重的人實際上比一些超重的人更容易患上某些疾病。有些肥胖對健康還有保護作用。例如稍微超重的女性跟消瘦的女性相比，不易受到鈣質缺乏的影響。同樣的，在老年人中，一定程度上超重是身體健康的標志。

1.【答案】B

2.【答案】A

3.【答案】C

4.【答案】A

Of even greater __5__ is the fact that obesity turns out to be very difficult to define. It is often defined __6__ body mass index, or BMI. BMI __7__ body  mass divided by the square of height. An adult with a BMI of 18 to 25 is often considered to be normal weight. Between 25 and 30 is overweight. And over 30 is considered obese. Obesity, __8__,can be divided into moderately obese, severely obese, and very severely obese.

【譯文】需要更加關注是，很難對肥胖加以定義。肥胖經常根據(jù)身體質量指數(shù)來定義，或叫做 BMI，它等于身體重量除以身高平方。正常成年人的是 BMI 值應該在 18～25 之間。25～30 的話視為超重。30 以上視為肥胖。肥胖依次能夠分為中度肥胖、重度肥胖和極度肥胖。

5.【答案】D

6.【答案】A

7.【答案】C

8.【答案】C

While such numerical standards seem __9__， they are not. Obesity is probably less a matter of weight than body fat. Some people with a high BMI are in fact extremely fit, __10__ others with a low BMI may be in poor __11__. For example, many collegiate and professional football players __12__ as obese, though their percentage body fat is low.Conversely, someone with a small frame may have high body fat but a __13__ BMI.

【譯文】雖然這些數(shù)字標準看起來直截了當，實際卻不是這樣。肥胖相比體重而言，更強調脂肪含量。有些人BMI值很高，但是身材卻相當好，有些人BMI值雖然低，但是體型卻很差。例如，有些職業(yè)足球運動員被認為很胖，但是身體脂肪量卻很低。相反，一些小個頭的胖子BMI值卻正常。

9.【答案】D

10.【答案】B

11.【答案】A

12.【答案】B

13.【答案】C

Today we have a(an) __14__ to label obesity as a disgrace. The overweight are sometimes __15__ in the media with their faces covered. Stereotypes __16__with obesity include laziness, lack of will power, and lower prospects for success. Teachers, employers, and health professionals have been shown to harbor biases against the obese. __17__very young children tend to look down on the overweight,and teasing about body build has long been a problem in schools.

【譯文】今天我們都有向肥胖貼歧視標簽的趨勢。媒體中呈現(xiàn)肥胖者時通常把他們的臉蓋起來。與肥胖聯(lián)系起來的原型總是包括懶惰，缺乏意志力，對成功的期望值不高。教師，雇員和健康工作者都是對肥胖抱有偏見。甚至小孩子也看不起肥胖的者，在學校嘲笑身材體型不好的同學一直是一個存在的問題。

14.【答案】D

15.【答案】B

16.【答案】D

17.【答案】A

Negative attitudes toward obesity, __18__ in health concerns, have stimulated a number of antiobesity __19__. My own hospital system has banned sugary drinks from its facilities. Many employers have instituted weight loss and fitness initiatives. Michelle Obama has launched a high visibility campaign __20__ childhood obesity, even claiming that it represents our greatest national security threat.

【譯文】基于健康考慮的對肥胖的消極態(tài)度，已經引發(fā)一系列的對抗肥胖的相關措施。我自己工作的醫(yī)院的供飲設備已經停止發(fā)放含糖飲料。很多雇員已經有了減肥健身的積極性。米歇爾奧巴馬已經倡議發(fā)起一些明確的對抗兒童發(fā)胖的活動，甚至表明它是我們最大的安全威脅。

18.【答案】D

19.【答案】D

20.【答案】B

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 ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)

Text 1

What would you do with $590m? This is now a question for Gloria Mackenzie, an 84--year--old widow who recently emerged from her small, tin--roofed house in Florida to collect the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in history. If she hopes her new--found fortune will yield lasting feelings of fulfillment, she could do worse than read Happy Money by Elizabeth Dumn and Michael Norton.

These two academics use an array of behavioral research to show that the most rewarding ways to spend money can be counterintuitive. Fantasies of great wealth often involve visions of fancy cars and extravagant homes. Yet satisfaction with these material purchases wears off fairly quickly. What was once exciting and new becomes old-hat; regret creeps in. It is far better to spend money on experiences, say Ms. Dumn and Mr. Norton, like interesting trips, unique meals or even going to the cinema. These purchases often become more valuable with time—as stories or memories—particularly if they involve feeling more connected to others.

This slim volume is packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners get the most “happiness bang for your buck.” It seems most people would be better off if they could shorten their commutes to work, spend more time with friends and family and less of it watching television (something the average American spends a whopping two months a year doing, and is hardly jollier for it). Buying gifts or giving to charity is often more pleasurable than purchasing things for oneself, and luxuries are most enjoyable when they are consumed sparingly. This is apparently the reason MacDonald's restricts the availability of its popular McRib—a marketing trick that has turned the pork sandwich into an object of obsession.

Readers of Happy Money are clearly a privileged lot, anxious about fulfillment, not hunger. Money may not quite buy happiness, but people in wealthier countries are generally happier than those in poor ones. Yet the link between feeling good and spending money on others can be seen among rich and poor people around the world, and scarcity enhances the pleasure of most things for most people. Not everyone will agree with the authors’ policy ideas, which range from mandating more holiday time to reducing tax incentives for American homebuyers. But most people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.

21. According to Dumn and Norton, which of the following is the most rewarding purchase?

[A] A big house. [B] A special tour. [C] A stylish car. [D] A rich meal.

22. The author's attitude toward Americans’ watching TV is ________.

[A] critical [B] supportive [C] sympathetic [D] ambiguous

23. McRib is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to show that ________.

[A] consumers are sometimes irrational [B] popularity usually comes after quality

[C] marketing tricks are after effective [D] rarity generally increases pleasure

24. According to the last paragraph, Happy Money ________.

[A] has left much room for readers’ criticism

[B] may prove to be a worthwhile purchase

[C] has predicted a wider income gap in the US

[D] may give its readers a sense of achievement

25. This text mainly discusses how to ________.

[A] balance feeling good and spending money

[B] spend large sums of money won in lotteries

[C] obtain lasting satisfaction from money spent

[D] become more reasonable in spending on luxuries

Text 2

An article in Scientific America has pointed out that empirical research says that, actually, you think you’re more beautiful than you are. We have a deep-seated need to feel good about ourselves and we naturally employ a number of self-enhancing strategies to research into what they call the “above average effect”, or “illusory superiority”, and shown that, for example, 70% of us rate ourselves as above average in leadership, 93% in driving and 85% at getting on well with others—all obviously statistical impossibilities.

We rose tint our memories and put ourselves into self-affirming situations. We become defensive when criticized, and apply negative stereotypes to others to boost our own esteem, we stalk around thinking we’re hot stuff.

Psychologist and behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley oversaw a key studying into self-enhancement and attractiveness. Rather that have people simply rate their beauty compress with others, he asked them to identify an original photograph of themselves’ from a lineup including versions that had been altered to appear more and less attractive. Visual recognition, reads the study, is “an automatic psychological process occurring rapidly and intuitively with little or no apparent conscious deliberation”. If the subjects quickly chose a falsely flattering image—which must did—they genuinely believed it was really how they looked.

Epley found no significant gender difference in responses. Nor was there any evidence that, those who self-enhance the must (that is, the participants who thought the most positively doctored picture were real) were doing so to make up for profound insecurities. In fact those who thought that the images higher up the attractiveness scale were real directly corresponded with those who showed other makers for having higher self-esteem. “I don't think the findings that we having have are any evidence of personal delusion”, says Epley. “It's a reflection simply of people generally thinking well of themselves’. If you are depressed, you won't be self-enhancing.

Knowing the results of Epley's study, it makes sense that why people heat photographs of themselves viscerally—on one level, they don't even recognize the person in the picture as themselves. Facebook therefore, is a self-enhancer's paradise, where people can share only the most flattering photos, the cream of their wit, style, beauty, intellect and lifestyles. “It's not that people's profiles are dishonest”, says Catalina Toma of Wiscon—Madison university,” but they portray an idealized version of themselves.

26. According to the first paragraph, social psychologists have found that ________.

[A] our self-ratings are unrealistically high

[B] illusory superiority is a baseless effect

[C] our need for leadership is unnatural

[D] self--enhancing strategies are ineffective

27. Visual recognition is believed to be people's ________.

[A] rapid watching [B] conscious choice

[C] intuitive response [D] automatic self--defence

28. Epley found that people with higher self-esteem tended to ________.

[A] underestimate their insecurities [B] believe in their attractiveness

[C] cover up their depressions [D] oversimplify their illusions

29. The word “viscerally” (Line 2, Para. 5) is closest in meaning to ________.

[A] instinctively [B] occasionally [C] particularly [D] aggressively

30. It can be inferred that Facebook is self--enhancer’s paradise because people can ________.

[A] present their dishonest profiles [B] define their traditional life styles

[C] share their intellectual pursuits [D] withhold their unflattering sides

Text 3

The concept of man versus machine is at least as old as the industrial revolution, but this phenomenon tends to be most acutely felt during economic downturns and fragile recoveries. And yet, it would be a mistake to think we are right now simply experiencing the painful side of a boom and bust cycle. Certain jobs have gone away for good, outmoded by machines. Since technology has such an insatiable appetite for eating up human jobs, this phenomenon will continue to restructure our economy in ways we can't immediately foresee.

When there is rapid improvement in the price and performance of technology, jobs that were once thought to be immune from automation suddenly become threatened. This argument has attracted a lot of attention, via the success of the book Race Against the Machine, by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, who both hail from MIT's Center for Digital Business.

This is a powerful argument, and a scary one. And yet, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull and other books, says Brynjolfsson and McAfee miss the reason why these jobs are so vulnerable to technology in the first place.

Hagel says we have designed jobs in the U. S. that tend to be “tightly scripted” and “highly standardized” ones that leave no room for “individual initiative or creativity.” In short, these are the types of jobs that machines can perform much better at than human beings. That is how we have put a giant target sign on the backs of American workers, Hagel says.

It's time to reinvent the formula for how work is conducted, since we are still relying on a very 20th century notion of work, Hagel says. In our rapidly changing economy, we more than ever need people in the workplace who can take initiative and exercise their imagination “to respond to unexpected events.” That's not something machines are good at. They are designed to perform very predictable activities.

As Hagel notes, Brynjolfsson and McAfee indeed touched on this point in their book. We need to reframe race against the machine as race with the machine. In other words, we need to look at the ways in which machines can augment human labor rather than replace it. So then the problem is not really about technology, but rather, “how do we innovate our institutions and our work practices?”

31. According to the first paragraph, economic downturns would ________.

[A] ease the competition of man vs. Machine [B] highlight machines' threat to human jobs

[C] provoke a painful technological revolution [D] outmode our current economic structure

32. The authors of Race Against the Machine argue that ________.

[A] technology is diminishing man's job opportunities [B] automation is accelerating technological development

[C] certain jobs will remain intact after automation [D] man will finally win the race against machine

33. Hagel argues that jobs in the U. S. are often ________.

[A] performed by innovative minds [B] scripted with an individual style

[C] standardized without a clear target [D] designed against human creativity

34. According to the last paragraph, Brynjolfsson and McAfee discussed ________.

[A] the predictability of machine behavior in practice

[B] the formula for how work is conducted efficiently

[C] the ways machines replace human labor in modern times

[D] the necessity of human involvement in the workplace

35. Which of the following could be the most appropriate title for the text?

[A] How to Innovate Our Work Practices? [B] Machines will Replace Human Labor

[C] Can We Win the Race Against Machines? [D] Economic Downturns Stimulate Innovations

Text 4

When the government talks about infrastructure contributing to the economy the focus is usually on roads, railways, broadband and energy. Housing is seldom mentioned.

Why is that? To some extent the housing sector must shoulder the blame. We have not been good at communicating the real value that housing can contribute to economic growth. Then there is the scale of the typical housing project. It is hard to shove for attention among multibillion-pound infrastructure project, so it is inevitable that the attention is focused elsewhere. But perhaps the most significant reason is that the issue has always been so politically charged.

Nevertheless, the affordable housing situation is desperate. Waiting lists increase all the time and we are simply not building enough new homes.

The comprehensive spending review offers an opportunity for the government to help rectify this. It needs to put historical prejudices to one side and take some steps to address our urgent housing need.

There are some indications that it is preparing to do just that. The communities minister, Don Foster, has hinted that George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, may introduce more flexibility to the current cap on the amount that local authorities can borrow against their housing stock debt. Evidence shows that 60, 000 extra new homes could be built over the next five years if the cap were lifted, increasing GDP by 0.6%.

Ministers should also look at creating greater certainty in the rental environment, which would have a significant impact on the ability of registered providers to fund new developments from revenues.

But it is not just down to the government. While these measures would be welcome in the short term, we must face up to the fact that the existing ￡4.5bn programme of grants to fund new affordable housing, set to expire in 2015，is unlikely to be extended beyond then. The Labour party has recently announced that it will retain a large part of the coalition's spending plans if returns to power. The housing sector needs to accept that we are very unlikely to ever return to era of large--scale public grants. We need to adjust to this changing climate.

36. The author believes that the housing sector ________.

[A] has attracted much attention [B] involves certain political factors

[C] shoulders too much responsibility [D] has lost its real value in economy

37. It can be learned that affordable housing has ________.

[A] increased its home supply [B] offered spending opportunities

[C] suffered government biases [D] disappointed the government

38. According to Paragraph 5, George Osborne may ________.

[A] allow greater government debt for housing

[B] stop local authorities from building homes

[C] prepare to reduce housing stock debt

[D] release a lifted GDP growth forecast

39. It can be inferred that a stable rental environment would ________.

[A] lower the costs of registered providers

[B] lessen the impact of government interference

[C] contribute to funding new developments

[D] relieve the ministers of responsibilities

40. The author believes that after 2015, the government may ________.

[A] implement more policies to support housing

[B] review the need for large--scale public grants

[C] renew the affordable housing grants programme

[D] stop generous funding to the housing sector

Section II Reading Comprehension

Part A

Text 1

21、【答案】B A special tour

22、【答案】A critical

23、【答案】D rarity generally increases pleasure

24、【答案】B may prove to be a worthwhile purchase

25、【答案】A balance feeling good and spending money

Text 2

26、【答案】A our self-ratings are unrealistically high

27、【答案】C intuitive response

28、【答案】B believe in their attractiveness

29、【答案】[A] instinctively

30、【答案】[D]withhold their unflattering sides

Text 4

36、【答案】[B] involves certain political factors

37、【答案】[C] suffered government biases

38、【答案】[A] allow greater government debt for housing

39、【答案】[C] contribute to funding new developments

40、【答案】[D] stop generous funding to the housing sector

Part B

Directions:

Read the following text and answer the questions by choosing the most suitable subheading from the list A-G for each numbered paragraphs (41-45). There are two extra subheadings which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)

[A] You are not alone

[B] Don’t fear responsibility for your life

[C] Pave your own unique path

[D] Most of your fears are unreal

[E] Think about the present moment

[F] Experience helps you grow

[G] There are many things to be grateful for

Some Old Truths to Help You Overcome Tough Times

Unfortunately, life is not a bed of roses. We are going through life facing sad experiences. Moreover, we are grieving various kinds of loss: a friendship, a romantic relationship or a house. Hard times may hold you down at what usually seems like the most inopportune time, but you should remember that they won’t last forever.

When our time of mourning is over, we press forward, stronger with a greater understanding and respect for life. Furthermore, these losses make us mature and eventually move us toward future opportunities for growth and happiness. I want to share these old truths I’ve learned along the way.

41._____________________________

Fear is both useful and harmful. This normal human reaction is used to protect us by signaling danger and preparing us to deal with it. Unfortunately, people create inner barriers with a help of exaggerating fears. My favorite actor Will Smith once said, “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.” I do completely agree that fears are just the product of our luxuriant imagination.

42._____________________________

If you are surrounded by problems and cannot stop thinking about the past, try to focus on the present moment. Many of us are weighed down by the past or anxious about the future. You may feel guilt over your past, but you are poisoning the present with the things and circumstances you cannot change. Value the present moment and remember how fortunate you are to be alive. Enjoy the beauty of the world around and keep the eyes open to see the possibilities before you. Happiness is not a point of future and not a moment from the past, but a mindset that can be designed into the present.

43.______________________________

Sometimes it is easy to feel bad because you are going through tough times. You can be easily caught up by life problems that you forget to pause and appreciate the things you have. Only strong people prefer to smile and value their life instead of crying and complaining about something.

44.________________________________

No matter how isolated you might feel and how serious the situation is, you should always remember that you are not alone. Try to keep in mind that almost everyone respects and wants to help you if you are trying to make a good change in your life, especially your dearest and nearest people. You may have a circle of friends who provide constant good humor, help and companionship. If you have no friends or relatives, try to participate in several online communities, full of people who are always willing to share advice and encouragement.

45.________________________________

Today many people find it difficult to trust their own opinion and seek balance by gaining objectivity from external sources. This way you devalue your opinion and show that you are incapable of managing your own life. When you are struggling to achieve something important you should believe in yourself and be sure that your decision is the best. You live in your skin, think your own thoughts, have your own values and make your own choices.

Part B

41、【答案】[D] Most of your fears are unreal

42、【答案】[E] Think about the present moment

43、【答案】[G] There are many things to be grateful for

44、【答案】[A] You are not alone

45、【答案】[C] Pave your own unique path

47.section III Translation

Directions:

Translate the following text from English into Chinese. Write your translation on ANSWER SHEET. (15 points)

Most people would define optimism as endlessly happy, with a glass that’s perpetually half full. But that’s exactly the kind of false cheerfulness that positive psychologists wouldn’t recommend. “Healthy optimism means being in touch with reality,” says Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard professor. According to Ben-Shahar, realistic optimists are those who make the best of things that happen, but not those who believe everything happens for the best.

Ben-Shahar uses three optimistic exercisers. When he feels down —say, after giving a bad lecture —he grants himself permission to be human. He reminds himself that not every lecture can be a Nobel winner; some will be less effective than others. Next is reconstruction. He analyzes the weak lecture, leaning lessons for the future about what works and what doesn’t. Finally, there is perspective, which involves acknowledging that in the grand scheme of life, one lecture really doesn’t matter.

Section Ⅲ Translation

全文譯文

大多數(shù)人認為樂觀是無盡的歡樂，如同總是有半杯水的杯子。但那是一種絕不會為積極心理學家所稱道的虛假的快樂。哈佛大學的泰·本沙哈爾教授說，“健康的樂觀主義意味著要活在現(xiàn)實之中?！痹诒旧彻柨磥?，現(xiàn)實的樂觀主義者會因勢利導，而非求全責備。

本沙哈爾會使用三種樂觀的方法。比如說，當他因搞砸了一場演講而倍感郁悶的時候，他會告訴自己這是很正常的事，提醒自己：并不是每一次演講都可以獲得諾貝爾獎，總會有一些人的演講效果不及其他人。接著為改進。他分析了一些效果不好的演講并且從那些起效和無效的演講中吸取教訓為將來做準備。最后是看待問題的角度，即在生活的宏偉計劃中，一次演講真的無足輕重。

?Section IV Writing

Part A

47. Directions:

Suppose you are going to study abroad and share an apartment with John, a local student. Write him to email to

1) tell him about your living habits, and

2) ask for advice about living there.

You should write about 100 words on the ANSWER SHEET.

Do not use your own name. Use “Li Ming” instead.

Do not write your address. (10 points)

【范文一】

Dear John,

I am Li Ming who will go to study in your university and live together with you in one department. Now I am writing this letter to tell you some of my habits and ask you for some suggestions to adapt myself there.

To begin with, I usually get up early in the morning at six o’clock and then go out to do some exercise. To continue, I would like to spend my spare time in reading in the library. Meanwhile, I wonder if you could be so kind to offer me some proposals on how to get used to the life there.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon and wish everything goes well.

Yours sincerely,

【范文二】

Dear John,

I'm glad to hear from you. How have you been these days? The purpose of this email is to tell you about my living habits.

Firstly, I never drink or smoke. Neither do I stay up late. Instead, I keep a balanced diet and go to bed before 11 o'clock at night, because I believe burning the midnight oil is harmful to health. Secondly, I'd like to keep my things clean. It is obvious that living in a messy environment results in a chaotic life.

Finally, could you please offer me some proposals as regards living in your city? I'm sure that we can get along well with each other, and our university life would be one of the best times in life. (123 words)

Part B

48. Directions:

Write an essay based on the following chart. In your writing, You should

1) interpret the chart, and

2) give your comments.

You should write about 150 words on the ANSWER SHEET. (15points)

范文一

What is clearly presented in the above chart is the different numbers of urban residents and rural population among 1990,2000 and 2010.The number of urban residents climbed steadily from 300 million in 1990 to 660 million or so in 2010，while rural population decreased slightly from about 820 million to 680 million or so in the same period.

It is not difficult to come up with some possible factors accounting for this trend. On the one hand, with the rapid development of economy and society, people in mounting numbers crowd into cities in search of employment, a decent living and the excitement of urban life recently. On the other hand, the economy in the rural districts is comparative less developed and thus the opportunity to make money and pursue their future is as well lean. As a result, an increasing number of folks are trying to escape this destiny by flocking into the urban areas.

Given the analyses above, I firmly believe that such established trend will surely continue for quite a while in the forthcoming years and due importance should be attached to this evident situation.

范文二

The column chart above clearly reflects the changes in the statistics between urban and rural population in China during the past two decades. For urban dwellers, there was a noticeable jump of 360 million from 300 million to 66 million between 1990 and 2010. By contrast, a remarkable decline occurred in the number of rural population by 160 million from 820 million to 660 million during the same period.

At least three primary contributors account for such changes. First and foremost, there is a much nicer choice of options available in cities and towns, across the broad. There are more jobs to choose from, different kinds of companies and types of work. In addition, big cities offer much more excitement and stimulation, partly as a result of all the various options available in so many areas. More importantly, people prefer to live in cities and towns for the convenience of the transportation system. It would have a well developed bus, subway, highway and airport transportation network.

Generally speaking, people in expanding numbers would prefer to live in cities and towns which offer a rich variety of many options, whether it be for jobs, leisure, cultural or intellectual activities. At the same time, people like the energy and stimulation of a big city environment and the convenience of a well-developed transportation system.