2013年大学生英语竞赛（NECCS）C类初赛真题试卷

Why didn’t the man go to see Macbeth last week?M: Didn’t you go to see Macbeth last week? W: Yeah, it was brilliant. I’ve been to it a few times before, but I think this is the best production I’ve ever seen. M: Yeah, someone I work with went and said it was wonderful. I wish I’d been able to get a ticket. He didn’t manage to get a ticket. He had to attend a conference. He had a better production to watch.

What traffic accident are the speakers talking about?M: Did you hear about that kid who was knocked down on Junction Road the other day? W: Yes, it was awful, wasn’t it? Still it’s hardly surprising, is it? M: What do you mean? W: Well, there’re always accidents down there, aren’t there, especially with the speed cars go at. And, well, basically, the crossing’s in the wrong place, isn’t it? I don’t know why they’ve never moved it. I mean, it’d be better if it was exactly opposite the shops, wouldn’t it? M: Yes, I know what you mean. They could do something to slow the traffic down, couldn’t they? Maybe they could put sleeping policemen there or something like that. W: Yeah, maybe—maybe one every so often would help, but what would be really great is if they had one of those speed cameras. M: Big Brother, you mean! W: No, they really make a difference. You should see how they’ve slowed the traffic down where my parents live. M: Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’m only against them because I got caught by one last month. W: You’re kidding! M: No. A hundred and fifty pounds it cost me! A fine and six penalty points! A kid was knocked down by a car. Two cars crashed into a shop. A car ran into a wrong place.

Why is the expert opposed to the view that memory aids make your memory worse?W: Do you have trouble remembering people’s names? Do you tend to forget where you put your door key? Then fear not—help is at hand! Today we have with us well-known psychologist Gavin Bonet. Gavin, is there really a way of improving our memories and if so, what are the steps we can take? M: The first thing to remember is that we can all help ourselves remember effectively by doing quite ordinary things like writing things down, using a diary, a calendar, a notebook, a notice-board, and checking these things regularly. You can use coloured highlighter pens to pick out really important bits of information. Bather than making your brain lazy, as some people think, scientific studies have proved that these aids encourage a very organised and methodical approach , which helps the brain to function effectively. W: Now, I’ve heard people say, you know, if they want to remember to buy fish for supper they carry around a mental picture of a huge fish flapping on a line. Is there any truth in this? It all sounds a bit strange to me. M: Centuries ago, the Ancient Greeks developed the system of mnemonics or memory aids. Isolated and fragmented bits of information are very difficult to remember. A mnemonic is a way of linking what you wish to remember with something that means something to you. It could be a mental image, a word, a short poem, and so on. For example, imagine I want to remember the number 1843465. I could link these numbers to personal experiences. 18 is easy—that’s the age I went to university, 4 is the number of children I have, 34 is the number of my house and 65 is the age at which I’m going to retire! Linking things we want to remember with rhymes or colours or visual images is helpful as well. Our lifestyle plays a part in memory too. Eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of exercise and having fresh air all help us to be more clear-headed and less absent-minded. W: So it’s mind and body together, is that it? M: Yes, I think so. Scientists are gradually finding out more and more about how the brain works and what we can do to assist its functioning. When taking notes, for example, it has been shown that mapping out notes from a central sphere with lines radiating out in different directions is worth adopting because it reflects the way we link information in the brain. Using different coloured pens for note-taking, not just black, helps the brain too. W: Are there any differences between men’s and women’s recall ability, do you think? M: Ah, men are good at remembering directions and phone numbers: women are better at names and appointments. Why, we don’t really know. You have to take into account upbringing as well as innate differences. Factors that seem to be bad for men and women equally are anxiety and worry. These definitely decrease your thinking ability. There is no evidence showing that memory aids are invalid. Human beings’ brain functions mainly through memory aids in an effective way. Memory aids encourage an organised approach which helps the brain function effectively.

How can social media influence the presidential elections in the USA according to the latest research?We have all witnessed the power of social media. It helped elect Barack Obama president in two thousand eight. It also helped to support popular revolutions in two thousand ten and eleven that forced several long-time rulers from office. Now, research suggests that social networks could have an even greater effect on elections, helping to increase the number of people who vote. It can help voters to choose their president. It can help to ensure the fairness of the elections. It can help to increase the number of voters.

[*] If you【D1】______smooth skin that glows with youth, the chances are that at some point you will have heard the exhortation to drink lots of water in order to【D2】______ those evil toxins and keep your skin healthy. The exact amount people suggest varies. US-based advice 【D3】______ eight glasses a day, while in hotter climates people are advised to drink more to【D4】______ higher rates of sweating. But regardless of the exact volume of water suggested, the principle behind the advice remains the same—taking extra water on board will keep your skin hydrated. In other words, water acts like a moisturiser, but from the inside out. This is such a common idea you might be surprised at the【D5】______to back up. You might expect there to be countless studies where people are【D6】______two groups, one assigned to sip water all day, the other to drink a normal amount. Then the smoothness of the skin could be【D7】______ a month or so later to establish whether sipping more led to smoother skin. In fact such studies are rare, partly because water can’t be patented, so it is hard to find anyone to fund such research when there will be no new【D8】______or cosmetic to sell that could repay the costs. A review by the dermatologist Ronni Wolf at the Kaplan Medical Centre in Israel found just one study looking at the effect of long-term water intake on the skin. But the results were 【D9】______. After four weeks, the group who drank extra mineral water showed a decrease in skin density, which some believe suggests the skin is retaining more moisture, while those who drank tap water showed an increase in skin density. But regardless of the type of water they drank, it made no difference to their【D10】______or to the smoothness of their skin.If you yearn for smooth skin that glows with youth, the chances are that at some point you will have heard the exhortation to drink lots of water in order to flush out those evil toxins and keep your skin healthy. The exact amount people suggest varies. US-based advice tends to recommend eight glasses a day, while in hotter climates people are advised to drink more to compensate for higher rates of sweating. But regardless of the exact volume of water suggested, the principle behind the advice remains the same—taking extra water on board will keep your skin hydrated. In other words, water acts like a moisturiser, but from the inside out. This is such a common idea you might be surprised at the lack of evidence to back up. You might expect there to be countless studies where people are separated into two groups, one assigned to sip water all day, the other to drink a normal amount. Then the smoothness of the skin could be assessed a month or so later to establish whether sipping more led to smoother skin. In fact such studies are rare, partly because water can’t be patented, so it is hard to find anyone to fund such research when there will be no new medication or cosmetic to sell that could repay the costs. A review by the dermatologist Ronni Wolf at the Kaplan Medical Centre in Israel found just one study looking at the effect of long-term water intake on the skin. But the results were contradictory. After four weeks, the group who drank extra mineral water showed a decrease in skin density, which some believe suggests the skin is retaining more moisture, while those who drank tap water showed an increase in skin density. But regardless of the type of water they drank, it made no difference to their wrinkles or to the smoothness of their skin.

The new star said to the journalists that she ______the opportunity to show that she could play a serious film role. greeted rejoiced welcomed cheered

We haven’t really______a solution to the problem yet, which makes the boss really frustrated. built up fallen back on brought over come up with

Personally, I am______banning cigarette smoking completely, especially in public areas. in touch with apart from in favour of regardless of

Until a firm agreement has been reached, I am not______to accepting the offer. accustomed dedicated committed entitled

The government is making every effort to______an economic crisis, but it seems nothing could help. eliminate avert impede swerve

______a serious crime, what exactly should you do? Unless you witness If you were to witness If only you witness Since you witness

During examinations candidates are always supposed to stay in seats, keep their eyes on the work, ______to anyone. and not speak but could not speak rather than speak instead of speaking

Realising that he hadn’t got enough money and ______to borrow any from his parents, he decided to sell his house. wanted not not to want wanting not not wanting

There’s no point waiting here any longer. We______go and have something to eat. can hardly are bound to might as well will have to

While many people may refer to up-to-minute news, it is unlikely that television and the Internet ______the newspapers completely. will replace replace are replacing have replaced

She married a very nice young architect from Belfast, ______she met on a bus during her journey to Northern Ireland. who when which where

It is a kind of illness that can result in total blindness if______. to leave untreated is left untreated leaving untreated left untreated

—I’m so disappointed with my son! He just wouldn’t practise the piano! —Take it easy. You can lead______to water, but you can’t make it drink. a duck a horse a cow a dog

—Morning, Madam! I’d like some information about the course. —Certainly. ______ I’m afraid I don’t know more than you either. Is there anything I can do for you? What exactly would you like to know? How much information did you know?

—How do you feel about countries that don’t try to reduce global warming? —______, those countries care more about money than saving the planet. As far as I’m concerned It’s none of our business We’re not to blame Things are under control