Part I Writing (30 minutes)

(请于正式开考后半小时内完成该部分，之后将进行听力考试)

Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay about the impact of the information explosion by referring to the saying “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” You can give examples to illustrate your point and then explain what you can do to avoid being distracted by irrelevant information. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

Part II Listening Comprehension (30 minutes)

Section A

Directions: In this section, you will hear 8 short conversations and 2 long conversations. At the end of each conversation, one or more questions will be asked about what was said. Both the conversation and the questions will be spoken only once. After each question there will be a pause. During the pause, you must read the four choices marked A), B), C) and D), and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre.

1. A) Labor problems.

B) Weather conditions.

C) An error in the order.

D) Misplacing of goods.

2. A) What the woman says makes a lot of sense.

B) The rich are opposed to social welfare.

C) He is sympathetic with poor people.

D) He agrees with Mr. Johnson’s views.

3. A) He will be practicing soccer.

B) He has work to finish in time.

C) He will be attending a meeting.

D) He has a tough problem to solve.

4. A) Mary should get rid of her pet as soon as possible.

B) Mary will not be able to keep a dog in the building.

C)Mary is not happy with the ban on pet animals.

D)Mary might as well send her dog to her relative.

5.A) The twins’ voices are quite different.

B) Lisa and Gale are not very much alike.

C) He does not believe they are twin sisters.

D) The woman seems a bit hard of hearing.

6.A) The serious economic crisis in Britain.

B) A package deal to be signed in November.

C) A message from their business associates.

D) Their ability to deal with financial problems.

7.A) It is impossible to remove the stain completely.

B) The man will be charged extra for the service.

C) The man has to go to the main cleaning facility.

D) Cleaning the pants will take longer than usual.

8.A) European markets.

B) A protest rally.

C) Luxury goods.

D) Imported products.

Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

9.A) He made a business trip.

B) He had a quarrel with Marsha.

C) He talked to her on the phone.

D) He resolved a budget problem.

10.A) She may have to be fired for poor performance.

B) She has developed some serious mental problem.

C) She is in charge of the firm’s budget planning.

D) She supervises a number of important projects.

11.A) She failed to arrive at the airport on time.

B) David promised to go on the trip in her place.

C) Something unexpected happened at her home.

D) She was not feeling herself on that day.

12.A) He frequently gets things mixed up.

B) He is always finding fault with Marsha.

C) He has been trying hard to cover for Marsha.

D) He often fails to follow through on his projects.

Questions 13 to 15 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

13.A) They are better sheltered from all the outside temptations.

B) They are usually more motivated to compete with their peers.

C) They have more opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

D) They make an active part in more extracurricular activities.

14.A) Its chief positions are held by women.

B) Its teaching staff consists of women only.

C) Its students aim at managerial posts.

D) Its students are role models of women.

15.A) It is under adequate control.

B) It is traditional but colourful.

C) They are more or less isolated from the outside world.

D) They have ample opportunities to meet the opposite sex.