2012年12月英语四级真题及答案

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2012 年 12 月英语四级真题及答案

For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled

Education PaysYou should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words.

　　Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)

　　Why Integrity Matters

　　What is Integrity?

　　 "Integrity" is defined as "adherence to moral and ethical principles;

honesty." The key to integrity is consistency--not only setting high personal

standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness)

but also living up to those standards each day. One who has integrity is bound

by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's hard

choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or

temptation.

　　What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards?

We feel disappointed in ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of integrity also

affects our relationships with others. Trust is essential in any important

relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is

dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals.

　　Risky Business

　　We are each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making

process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of

character is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we

acted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the

future.

　　Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We

must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking,

we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules

and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules about

plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or

one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote

and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is

"unintentional" does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a defense.

　　"But Everybody Does It"

　　Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to

fool themselves about the risks they’re taking by using excuses: "Everyone

else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses

can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm

supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm

just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions,

and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything

wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--and that leads to bad

decisions.

　　To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how

you would feel if your actions were public, and anyone could be watching over

your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your actions? If you'd rather

hide your actions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and

rationalizing it to yourself.

　　Evaluating Risks

　　 To decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the

consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive,

and to others as well as to yourself. Those who take risks they later regret

usually focus on immediate benefits ("what's in it for me"), and simply haven't

considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious,

and may include a "0" on a test or assignment; an "F" in the class; Suspension

or Dismissal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished reputation. In

fact, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give

others the power to impose punishment: you have no control over what that

punishment might be. This is an extremely precarious and vulnerable position.

There may be some matters of life and death, or highest principle, which might

justify such a risk, but there aren't many things that fall in this category.

　　Getting Away With It--Or Not

　　 Those who don't get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesn't

learn from the test, depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines

confidence and independence: the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without

dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self-esteem and

integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught.

Worst of all, a cheater who doesn't get caught the first time usually cheats

again, not only because he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems

"easier." This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to

disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets

caught, the worse the consequences. Students have been dismissed from school

because they didn't get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy that

works.

　　Cheating Hurts Others, Too

　　Cheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions "don't count" and don't

really hurt anyone. But individual choices have a profound cumulative effect.

Cheating can spread like a disease, and a cheater can encourage others just by

being seen from across the room. Recent statistics suggest 30% or more of

college students cheat. If a class is graded on a curve, cheating hurts others'

grades. Even if there is no curve, cheating "poisons" the classroom, and others

may feel pressured to join in. ("If I don't cheat, I can't compete with those

who do.") Cheating also has a destructive impact on teachers. The real reward

of good teaching is seeing students learn, but a cheater says, "I'm not

interested in what you're trying to teach; all I care about is stealing a

grade, regardless of the effect on others." The end result is a blatant and

destructive attack on the quality of your education. Finally, cheating can hurt

the reputation of the University, and harm those who worked hard for their

degree.

　　Why Integrity Matters

　　If cheating becomes the norm, then we are in big trouble. We must rely on

the honesty and good faith of others every day. If not, we couldn't put money

in the bank, buy food, clothing, or medicine from others, drive across a

bridge, get on a plane, go to the dentist--the list is endless. There are many

examples of the vast harm that is caused when individuals forget or ignore the

effect their dishonesty can have. The savings and loan scandal, the stock

market and junk bond swindles, and, of course, Watergate, have undermined the

faith of many Americans in the integrity of political and economic leaders and

society as a whole. Such incidents take a tremendous toll on our nation's

economy and our individual well-being. For example, but for the savings and

loan debacle, there might be funds available to reduce the national debt and

pay for education.

　　In sum, we all have a common stake in our school, our community, and our

society. Our actions do matter. It is essential that we act with integrity in

order to build the kind of world in which we want to live.

　　1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but

also _______.

　　A) sticks to them in their daily life

　　B) makes them known to others

　　C) understands their true values

　　D)sees that others also follow them

　　 2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional

relationships?

　　A) It helps to create team spirit

　　B) It facilitates communication

　　C) It is the basis of mutual trust

　　D) It inspires mutual respect

　　3. why must we learn to identify the risks we are going to take?

　　A. To ensure we make responsible choices.

　　B. To avoid being overwhelmed by stress.

　　C. so that we don’t break any rules.

　　D. so that we don’t run into trouble.

　　4. Violation of a rule is misconduct even if _______?

　　A. it has caused no harm.

　　B. it is claimed to be unintentional.

　　C. it has gone unnoticed.

　　D. it is committed with good intentions.

　　5. What should one do if he doesn’t wish to fool himself?

　　A. Avoid making excuses.

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