2009年12月英语四级考试模拟试题及答案详解

common in the elderly. Obesity is an overwhelmingly strong risk factor. For those already diagnosed, losing weight has been shown to slow the disease’s progression and substantially ease joint pain. Injury to a bone or joint may make that area more prone to arthritis in the future. For example, ankle fractures and knee surgery are linked to osteoarthritis, as are injuries due to some vigorous contact sports. Repetitive activities such as the movements involved in certain fields of work can contribute to osteoarthritis. A number of recent studies have emphasized the importance of exercise in reducing pain and maintaining function in people with osteoarthritis. Weight reduction is another key component of treatment. Shoe inserts and knee braces can also relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Although basic pain medications can help, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (布洛芬，一种抗炎、镇痛药) are more effective in relieving pain. However, these drugs carry the risk of kidney damage, high blood pressure, fluid retention and stomach bleeding. Glucosamine sulfate (氨基葡萄糖硫酸盐) is a component of normal joint cartilage. Recent studies have shown that 1,500 mg per day of this medication, available without a prescription, can decrease pain and improve function for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. 21. According to the passage, osteoarthritis ________.

A) is inevitably caused by wear and tear due to aging

B) is an active process in which cartilage is damaged abruptly

C) is caused by damaged cartilage that the body cannot properly repair

D) is caused by cells within the cartilage that may release mediators

22. According to this passage, which of the following won’t lead to osteoarthritis?

A) Vigorous contact sports. B) Repetitive activities.

C) Going on a diet. D) Injury to a joint.

23. According to this passage, which of the following is NOT a possible supplementary treatment for osteoarthritis? A) Losing weight. B) Doing exercise.

C) Using shoe inserts. D) Taking surgeries.

24. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

A) A New Insight into Osteoarthritis

B) A New Symptom of Osteoarthritis

C) Mysterious Effects of Exercise on Osteoarthritis

D) New Categories of Osteoarthritis

25. What kind of article does this passage NOT belong to?

A) An advertisement for medicine.

B) An introduction to osteoarthritis.

C) A science report from a health agency.

D) A research paper of a professor.

Passage Two

Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage.

The IEA’s World Energy Outlook report says increasing demand and use of energy is unsustainable and has to be curbed (控制).

The switch to more low-carbon energy will require an extra investment of ￡2.7 trillion — equivalent to 0.2 per cent of GDP — the IEA report said, with an average ￡11 spent per head worldwide on more efficient cars, appliances and buildings. The improved energy efficiency would deliver fuel-cost savings of almost ￡4.5 trillion. Three-quarters of the projected rise in energy-related CO2 emissions will be accounted for by some developing countries.

IEA executive director Nobuo Tanaka said, “Current trends in energy supply and consumption are apparently unsustainable.”

The report says that, assuming no new government policies, the world energy demand will grow by 1.6 per cent per year on average between 2006 and 2030. This figure is lower than projected last year because the economic slowdown has reduced demand.

Demand for oil will rise from the current 85m barrels per day to 106m barrels by 2030. Demand for coal will rise more than any other fuel — despite the environmental damage it causes — accounting for more than a third of the increase in energy use.

The report claims oil will remain the world’s main source of energy for many years to come even with the rapid development of alternative renewable energy technology but the amount of oil remaining, production costs and consumer price will remain unpredictable. Mr. Tanaka said big international oil and gas companies would in the future have limited scope to increase reserves and production while in contrast national companies are projected to account for about 80 per cent of the increase of both oil and gas production to 2030.

The report says measures to curb CO2 emissions will improve energy security by reducing global fossil-fuel energy use but this would not alarm the world’s major oil

producers.

“OPEC production will need to be 12m barrels higher per day in 2030 than today. It is clear that the energy sectors will have to play the central role in tackling climate change,” said Mr. Tanaka.

26. The switch to more low-carbon energy will ________.

A) need an additional $2.7 trillion investment

B) consume 2 per cent of the U.K.’s GDP

C) cost each person in the U.K. $11 on average

D) save about ￡4.5 trillion in fuel costs

27. What does the underlined sentence mean in the third paragraph?

A) 75% of the investment on energy efficiency projects will come from some developing countries.

B) Some developing countries will raise their energy-related CO2 emissions by 75%.

C) 75% of the projected energy-related CO2 emissions increase will come from some developing countries.

D) Some developing countries will cut their energy- related CO2 emissions by 75%.

28. Which of the following will be the major energy source in the next few years?

A) Oil. B) Coal. C) Gas. D) Bio-fuel.

29. According to Mr. Tanaka, who will play the key role in coping with climate change?