TEST FOR ENGLISH MAJORS (2016)
GRADE FOUR
Part I DICTATION
Think Positive and Feel Positive
Are you confident or insecure in a difficult situation? / Do you react positively or negatively? / The answer may depend in part on whom you’re around. / A study found that negative thinking can be contagious in some cases. / For example, the researchers studied 103 college roommates. / They measured each roommate’s tendency towards negative thinking. / It was found that thinking patterns can be contagious. / Students with a negative thinking roommate became more depressed themselves, / and students with more positive thinking roommates / were more likely to become more positive as well.
Part II LISTENING COMPREHENSION
SECTION A TALK
1. success
2. challenging settings
3. National Spelling Contest
4. passion and perseverance
5. future a reality
6. marathon
7. grittier
8. measures of talent
9. not fixed / changeable
10. a temporary condition
SECTION B CONVERSATIONS
1-5 DACDB
6-10 CABDA
Part III LANGUAGE KNOWLEDGE
11-15 ADADB
16-20 DBABC
21-25 C DABA
26-30 CDBDC
Part IV CLOZE
31-35 HLIED
36-40 KOCMG
Part V READING COMPREHENSION
SECTION A MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
41-45 BADBD.
46-50 ADABD
SECTION B SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS
51. I had to endure hunger and not to eat.
52. I was chosen to try out the million-pound note.
53. Because it symbolizes peace and unity in modern culture.
54. To make basic needs meet and low-paid work attractive.
55. Even taking low-paid jobs, we have hope for the future.
PART VI WRITING
Which Is More Important, Education or a Cheaper Holiday?
New research has shown that almost four out of ten parents in the UK have taken their children out of school to go on holidays. Cost is the main reason given by parents for sacrificing their children’s education. Parents are to be banned, however, by UK’s Education Authority, from taking their children out of school to go during term time.
Should local authorities stagger school holidays to enable families with children to take advantage of travel bargains? Or is it wrong for parents to jeopardize their children’s education for the sake of a cheaper holiday? As far as I am concerned, education is more important. Firstly, children’s education must come first. A cheap holiday during the school season shouldn’t be the reason to take a child out of school. Some parents are not willing to sacrifice or schedule their lives in terms of their children’s needs. This kind of attitude will influence their children deeply. It’s no wonder so many kids are not interested in school and don’t take their study seriously. Secondly, school isn’t day care center. It’s an educational institution that needs every student to follow its rules. Taking a child on holiday when school is in session will disturb the order of the school. Besides, it is disruptive for the child, because he will have to catch up when he returns.
All in all, taking children out of school for a cheaper holiday is irresponsible behavior. Those parents would risk being fined financially and morally. It’s not only kids that need to grow up – a lot of parents need to as well.