真题来源
2024年6月大学英语四级考试真题（节选）
 
真题原文
Passage 3: The Impact of Urbanization on Society
Urbanization, the process of population shift from rural to urban areas, is one of the most significant trends of the 21st century. As more and more people move to cities in search of better opportunities, urban populations are growing rapidly. According to the United Nations, over 55% of the world's population currently lives in urban areas, and this figure is expected to rise to 68% by 2050.
The growth of cities brings both opportunities and challenges. On the positive side, urban areas offer better access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Cities are often centers of innovation and cultural diversity, attracting people from different backgrounds and fostering a vibrant social environment. For example, many cities have world-class universities, hospitals, and cultural institutions that provide high-quality services and enrich people's lives.
However, rapid urbanization also poses significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is housing. As urban populations expand, the demand for affordable housing increases, leading to higher rents and the growth of slums in some areas. Additionally, urban areas face problems such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and strain on public services like water supply and waste management. These issues can negatively impact the quality of life for city residents.
To address these challenges, governments and urban planners are implementing various strategies. Some cities are investing in public transportation to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Others are focusing on sustainable urban development, which includes building green spaces, improving waste management systems, and promoting energy-efficient buildings. These efforts aim to create more livable and sustainable cities for the future.
In conclusion, urbanization is a complex process that has both positive and negative impacts on society. While it offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant challenges that require innovative solutions and effective policies to ensure a better quality of life for urban residents.
 
翻译
第三篇：城市化对社会的影响
城市化，即人口从农村向城市转移的过程，是21世纪最重要的趋势之一。随着越来越多的人为了寻求更好的机会而迁往城市，城市人口正在迅速增长。根据联合国的数据，目前全球超过55%的人口居住在城市地区，预计到2050年这一比例将上升到68%。
城市的增长带来了机遇和挑战。从积极方面来看，城市地区提供更好的教育、医疗和就业机会。城市通常是创新和文化多样性的中心，吸引了来自不同背景的人，并营造了一个充满活力的社会环境。例如，许多城市拥有大学、医院和文化机构，这些机构提供高质量的服务并丰富了人们的生活。
然而，快速的城市化也带来了显著的挑战。最紧迫的问题之一是住房。随着城市人口的扩张，对经济适用房的需求增加，导致租金上涨，一些地区出现了贫民窟的生长。此外，城市还面临交通拥堵、空气污染以及对公共服务（如供水和废物管理）的压力等问题。这些问题可能会对城市居民的生活质量产生负面影响。
为了应对这些挑战，各国政府和城市规划者正在实施各种策略。一些城市正在投资公共交通，以减少交通拥堵和空气污染。另一些城市则专注于可持续城市发展，包括建设绿色空间、改善废物管理系统和推广节能建筑。这些努力旨在为未来创造更宜居、更可持续的城市。
总之，城市化是一个复杂的过程，它对社会既有积极影响，也有消极影响。尽管它带来了诸多好处，但也带来了需要创新解决方案和有效政策来确保城市居民更好生活质量的重大挑战。
 
阅读理解题目
What is the main trend discussed in the passage?
A. The decline of rural populations
B. The growth of urban populations
C. The improvement of public transportation
D. The development of green spaces
Which of the following is a benefit of urbanization mentioned in the passage?
A. Better access to education and healthcare
B. Increased traffic congestion
C. Higher rents and slums
D. Strain on public services
What is one of the main challenges of rapid urbanization?
A. The lack of cultural diversity
B. The shortage of affordable housing
C. The decline in innovation
D. The reduction of green spaces
What strategy is mentioned to address urban challenges?
A. Reducing the number of universities
B. Investing in public transportation
C. Limiting the growth of cities
D. Decreasing cultural institutions
What can be inferred about urbanization from the passage?
A. It is a process with only negative impacts
B. It is a process with only positive impacts
C. It is a process with both positive and negative impacts
D. It is a process that cannot be managed
 
题目解析
正确答案：B
解析：文章主要讨论了城市化的趋势，即人口从农村向城市转移的过程。文章提到，目前全球超过55%的人口居住在城市地区，预计到2050年这一比例将上升到68%。因此，选项B“城市人口的增长”是正确的。选项A“农村人口的下降”虽然与城市化相关，但不是文章讨论的主要趋势；选项C“公共交通的改善”和选项D“绿色空间的发展”是应对城市化挑战的策略，而不是主要趋势。
 
正确答案：A
解析：文章提到，城市化的一个好处是城市地区提供了更好的教育、医疗和就业机会。因此，选项A“更好的教育和医疗机会”是正确的。选项B“交通拥堵增加”、选项C“租金上涨和贫民窟”以及选项D“对公共服务的压力”都是城市化带来的挑战，而不是好处。
 
正确答案：B
解析：文章提到，快速城市化的一个主要挑战是住房短缺，尤其是经济适用房的缺乏。随着城市人口的扩张，对住房的需求增加，导致租金上涨，一些地区出现了贫民窟。因此，选项B“经济适用房的短缺”是正确的。选项A“缺乏文化多样性”与文章内容相反，文章提到城市是文化多样性的中心；选项C“创新的下降”未在文中提及；选项D“绿色空间的减少”是应对城市化挑战的策略之一，而不是挑战本身。
 
正确答案：B
解析：文章提到，为了应对城市化带来的挑战，一些城市正在投资公共交通，以减少交通拥堵和空气污染。因此，选项B“投资公共交通”是正确的。选项A“减少大学数量”、选项C“限制城市增长”和选项D“减少文化机构”均未在文中提及。
 
正确答案：C
解析：文章总结指出，城市化是一个复杂的过程，既有积极影响（如更好的教育、医疗和就业机会），也有消极影响（如住房短缺、交通拥堵和空气污染）。因此，选项C“城市化是一个既有积极影响也有消极影响的过程”是正确的。选项A“只有消极影响”和选项B“只有积极影响”都过于片面，不符合文章内容；选项D“无法管理的过程”未在文中提及。
 
翻译与词汇解析
urbanization：城市化
例句：Urbanization has led to the rapid growth of cities.（城市化导致了城市的迅速增长。）
opportunities：机会
例句：Cities offer more job opportunities than rural areas.（城市比农村地区提供更多的就业机会。）
slums：贫民窟
例句：The lack of affordable housing has led to the growth of slums in some cities.（经济适用房的缺乏导致一些城市贫民窟的增长。）
traffic congestion：交通拥堵
例句：Investing in public transportation can help reduce traffic congestion.（投资公共交通有助于减少交通拥堵。）
air pollution：空气污染
例句：Urban areas often face serious air pollution problems.（城市地区常常面临严重的空气污染问题。）
sustainable：可持续的
例句：Sustainable urban development aims to create more livable cities.（可持续城市发展旨在创造更宜居的城市。）
public services：公共服务
例句：Urban growth puts a strain on public services like water supply and waste management.（城市增长对供水和废物管理等公共服务造成压力。）
innovation：创新
例句：Cities are often centers of innovation and cultural diversity.（城市通常是创新和文化多样性的中心。）