2012年12月英语六级真题及答案(2)

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2012 年12 月大学英语六级(CET-6)真题试卷

Part I Writing (30 minutes)

Direction: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write an essay entitled Man and

Computer by commenting on the saying, "The real danger is not that the computer will

begin to think like man, but that man will begin to think like the computer. "You should

write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.

On Maintaining Trust

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.

Rates are low, but consumers won’t borrow

The US Federal Reserve(Fed)'s announcement last week that it intended to keep credit cheap for at

least two more years was a clear invitation to Americans: Go out and borrow.

But many economists say it will take more than low interest rates to persuade consumers to take on

more debt. There are already signs that the recent stock market fluctuations, turbulence in Europe

and the US deficit have scared consumers. On Friday, preliminary data showed that the Thomson

Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index had fallen this month to lower than it

was in November 2008, when the United States was deep in recession.

Under normal circumstances, the Fed's announcement might have attracted new home and car

buyers and prompted credit card holders to rack up fresh charges. But with unemployment high and

those with jobs worried about keeping them, consumers are more concerned about paying off the

loans they already have than adding more debt. And by showing its hand for the next two years, the

Fed 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 are forcing

prospective borrowers to go to extraordinary lengths to prove their creditworthiness.

"I don't think lenders are going to be interested in extending a lot of debt in this environment," said

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, a macroeconomic consulting firm. "Nor do I

think households 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 new

mortgages have decreased this year to a 10-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers

Association. Sales of furniture and furnishings remain 22% below their pre-recession peak,

according to Spending Pulse, a research report by MasterCard Advisors.

Credit card rates have actually gone up slightly in the past year. The one bright spot in lending is the

number of auto loans, which is up from last year. But some economists say that confidence among

car buyers is hitting new lows.

For Xavier Walter, a former mortgage banker who with his wife, Danielle, accumulated$20 000 in

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 wife

were able to modify the mortgage on their four-bedroom house in Medford, New Jersey, as well as

negotiate lower credit card payments.

Two years ago, Mr. Walter, a 34-year-old father of three, started an energy business. He has sworn

off credit. "I'm not going to go back in debt ever again," he said. "If I can't pay for it in cash, I don't

want it."

Until now, one of the biggest restraints on consumer spending has been a debt aftereffect. Since

August 2008, when household debt peaked at$12.41 trillion, it has declined by about$1.2 trillion,

according to an analysis by Moody's Analytics of data from the Federal Reserve and Equifax, the

credit agency. A large portion of that, though, was simply written off by lenders as borrowers

defaulted on loans.

By other measures, households have improved their position. The proportion of after-tax income

that households spend to remain current on loan payments has fallen.

Still, household debt remains high. That presents a paradox: many economists argue that the

economy 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 to

manageable levels. 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 approving new

loans. In June, for instance, Fannie Mae, the largest mortgage buyer in the United States, said that

borrowers whose existing debt exceeded 45 to 50% of their income would be required to have

stronger "compensating" factors, which might include higher savings.

Even those borrowers in strong financial positions are asked to provide unusual amounts of

paperwork. Bobby and Katie Smith have an extremely good credit record, tiny student debt and a

combined six-figure income. For part of their down payment, they planned to use about$5 000 they

had received as wedding gifts in February.

But the lender would not accept that money unless the Smiths provided a certified letter from each

of 14 guests, stating that the money was a gift, rather than a loan.

"We laughed for a good 15 or 20 minutes." recalled Mr. Smith. 34.

Mr. Smith, a program director for a radio station in Orlando, Florida, said they ended up using other

savings for their down payment to buy a$300 000 four-bedroom house in April.

For those not as creditworthy as the Smiths, low rates are irrelevant because they no longer qualify

for mortgages. That leaves the eligible pool of loan applicants wealthier, "older and whiter," said

Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance. "It's creating much more of a divide," he said,

"between the haves and the have-nots."

Car shoppers with the highest credit ratings can also get loans more easily, and at lower rates, said

Paul C. Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association

During the recession, inability to obtain credit severely cut auto buying as lenders rejected even

those with good credit ratings. Now automakers are increasing their subprime（次级债的）lending

again as well, but remain hesitant to approve large numbers of risky customers.

The number of new auto loans was up by l6% in the second quarter compared with the previous

year, said Melinda Zabritski, director of automotive credit at Experian, the information services

company.

But some economists warn that consumer confidence is falling. According to CNW Marketing

Research, confidence among those who intend to buy a car this year is at its lowest since it began

collecting data on this measure in 2000.

On credit cards, rates have actually inched higher this year. largely because of new rules that curb

the issuer's ability to charge fees or raise certain interest rates at will.

At the end of the second quarter, rates averaged 14. 01% on new card offers, up from 13. 75% a

year earlier, according to Mail Monitor, which tracks credit cards for Synovate, a market research

firm. According to data from the Federal Reserve, total outstanding debt on revolving credit cards

was down by 4. 6% during the first half of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.

Even if the Fed's announcement helps keep rates steady. or pushes them down, businesses do not

expect customers to suddenly charge up a storm.

"It's not like, 'Oh, credit is so cheap. let's go back to the heydays（鼎盛时期）,",said Elizabeth

Crowell, who owns Sterling Place, two high-end home furnishing and gift stores in New York.

"People still fear for their jobs. So I think where maybe after other recessions they might return to

previous spending habits, the pendulum hasn't swung back the same way."

注意：此部分试题请在答题卡 1上作答。

1 .What is the purpose of the announcement issued by the US 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 prevent 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 Fed's financial policies.

D) They expect the 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. What does the author want to say by citing Xavier Walter's case?

A) Not many Americans can afford to pay in cash these days.

B) The Fed's policies exert a strong influence on borrowers.

C) People now won't buy things unless they have the money.

D) It is beneficial for Americans to borrow in times of recession.

5. What is the economists' concern regarding the current economy?

A) Consumers' unwillingness to spend. C) The ever-lowering interest rates.

B) Banks' inability to recover debt. 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 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 between the rich and the poor

B) a bigger down payment for house buyers

C) a higher debt level for the less wealthy

D) a greater pressure on senior buyers

8. During the recession, the number of car buyers decreased because it was difficult to____.

9. Credit card interest rates have gradually increased recently because new rules do not allow the

issuers to raise certain interest rates or____.

10. According to Elizabeth Crowell, the current recession, unlike previous ones, has not seen a

swing back in people's____.

Part III Listening Comprehension （35 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

）

）$

and D

）

, and decide which is the best answer. Then mark the corresponding

letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.

11. A) She can count on the man for help. C) She can lend the man a sleeping bag.

B) She has other plans for this weekend. D) She has got camping gear for rent.

12. A) The man should keep his words. C) Karen always supports her at work.

B) She regrets asking the man for help. D) Karen can take her to the airport

13. A) He can't afford to go traveling yet. C) He usually checks his brakes before a trip

B) His trip to Hawaii was not enjoyable. D) His trip to Hawaii has used up all his money.

14. A) There was nothing left except some pie. C) The woman is going to prepare the dinner.

B) The man has to find something else to eat. D) Julie has been invited for dinner.

15. A) Submit no more than three letters. C) Apply to three graduate schools.

B) Present a new letter of reference. D) Send Professor Smith a letter.

16. A) He declines to join the gardening club.

B) He is a professional gardener in town.

C) He prefers to keep his gardening skills to himself.

D) He wishes to receive formal training in gardening.

17. A) Sculpture is not a typical form of modern art.

B) Modern art cannot express people's true feelings.

C) The recent sculpture exhibit was not well organized.

D) Many people do not appreciate modern art.

18.A) Bob does not have much chance to win. C) Bob cannot count on her vote.

B) She will vote for another candidate. D) She knows the right person for the position

Questions 19 to 22 are based on the conversation you have just heard.

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2012年12月大学英语六级(CET-6)真题试卷PartIWriting(30minutes)Direction:Forthispart,youareallowed30minutestowriteanessayentitledManandComputerbycommentingonthesaying,"Therealdangerisnotthatthecomputerwillbegintothinklikeman,butthatmanwillbegintothinklikethecomputer."Youshouldwriteatleast150wordsbutnomorethan200wo...

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2012年12月英语六级真题及答案(2)

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