新东方：2014年12月英语四级听力短文真题

           

　　2014年12月20日，大学英语四六级考试结束当日，频道第一时间更新公布英语四六级真题答案，并特别邀请多位新东方名师为广大考生进行考后试题解析。同时广大考生还可随时微博，与线上老师以及考生随时互动答疑，最后新东方祝广大考生在此次考试中取得优异成绩！

　　以下是2014年12月英语四级听力短文第一篇文字版：

　　Passage 1

　　Scientists know how twins were born, now though, they are trying to explain how being half of the biological pair influences a twin’s identity. They want to know why many identical twins make similar choices even when they don’t leave near each other. For example, Jim Springer and Jim Louis are identical twins. They were separatedwhen they were only 4 months old. The two Jims grew up in different families and did not meet for 39 years. When they finally met, they discovered some surprising similarities between them. Both men were married twice, their first wives were named Linda, and their second wives were both named Betty. Both twins named their first sons James Allen. Scientists want to know what influences are personality. They study pairs of identical twins who grew up in different surroundings, like Jim Springer and Jim Louis. These twins help scientists understand the connection between environment and biology. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, studies 350 sets of identical twins who did not grow up together. They discovered many similarities in their personalities. Scientists believed that personality characteristics such as friendliness, shyness and fears are not result of environment. These characteristics are probably inherited. Scientists continue to study identical twins because they are uncertain about them and have many questions. For example, they want to know ‘can twins really communicate without speaking’, ‘can one twin really feel another twin’s pain’. Perhaps with more research, scientists will find the answers。

　　16. What are scientists trying to explain according to the passage?

　　17. What do we learn about the twin Jims?

　　18. Why are scientists interested in studying identical twins raised in different families?

　　Passage 3

　　Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world, is located high in the mountains between France and Spain. The country covers only 179 square miles. That is less than half the size of New York City. High, rocky mountains surround Andorra. Until the 1930s, travelers had difficulty in reaching the country. Up until that time, people in Andorra lived in the way they had lived for centuries. Most Andorrans worked as farmers. Things did not change quickly. When roads were built from France and Spain to Andorra in the 1930s, life picked up speed. Tourist began to visit the small country. These tourists brought in a lot of money to spend while visiting. Many people in Andorra found new jobs in shops or hotels. These changes helped to keep young people in Andorra. There were many more jobs than before the roads were built. Today tourists provided 80 to 90 percent of Andorra’s income. More than a million people visit each year. They come to view the rough mountains. They enjoy the quiet way of life. Most people are also interested in the ancient buildings. There are many shops for tourists to browse in, clothes, watches, wines and other items are sold at low prices in Andorra. Import fees are low, so tourists enjoy the inexpensive shopping. Most of the businesses in Andorra are owned by its citizens. There are not many foreign businesses. Some Andorrans still farm and raise sheep and cattle. But most are now involved with the tourist trade。

　　22. How big does the speaker say Andorra is?

　　23. What can be said about Andorra before the 1930s?

　　24. What event changed the situation in Andorra?

　　25. What do most people do in Andorra do nowadays?

大学英语四、六级考试 --- 四级真题