2011年英語(yǔ)專(zhuān)四真題及答案

每年4月份考，只有兩次考試機(jī)會(huì)(6parts)2011年專(zhuān)業(yè)英語(yǔ)四級(jí)真題TIMELIMIT:135MINPARTⅠ DICTATION [15MIN]Listentothefollowingpassage.Altogetherthepassagewillbereadtoyoufourtimes.Duringthefirstreading,whichwillbedoneatnormalspeed,listenandtrytounderstandthemeaning.Forthesecondandthirdreadings,thepassagewillbereadsentencebysentence,orphrasebyphrase,withintervalsof15seconds.Thelastreadingwillbedoneatnormalspeedagainandduringthistimeyoushouldcheckyourwork.Youwillthenbegiven2minutestocheckthroughyourworkoncemore.PleasewritethewholepassageonANSWERSHEETONE.

PARTII LISTENINGCOMPREHENSION [20MIN]InSectionsA,BandCyouwillheareverythingONCEONLYListencarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.MarkthebestanswertoeachquestiononAnswerSheetTwo.

SECTIONA CONVERSATIONSInthissectionyouwillhearseveralconversations.Listentotheconversationscarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions1to3arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.1.WhichofthestatementsabouttheautoshowisINCORRECT?A.Theshowwillhavemorestandsthisyear.B.Theshowwillhavemorevisitorsthisyear.C.Thenumberofoverseasvisitorswillbethesamethisyear.D.Thenumberofexhibitiondayswillbethesamethisyear.2.Accordingtotheconversation,thepriceforastandwouldinclude_____.A.acatalogue B.aposter C.twodesks D.fourchairs3.Duringtheconversation,themanseemstobemoreinterestedin_____.A.thesizeoftheshow B.thecostofthestandC.thebasicfurniture D.thevisitornumber

Questions4to7arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.4.WhatisJiminterestedin?A.Investinginthecompany'sproduct. B.Buyinganeweducationalcomputer.C.Joiningthecomputercompany. D.Readingthecampaignplan.5.TheadvertisementswillbeplacedinallthefollowingEXCEPT_____.A.familymagazines B.SundaynewspapersC.morningtelevision D.teenagemagazines6.Theadvertisementsareintendedtobeseenby_____.A.parentsonly B.childrenonly C.schoolteachers D.wholefamilies7.Lindasounds_____aboutthesuccessofthecampaignplan.A.confident B.hesitant C.uncertain D.delighted

Questions8to10arebasedonthefollowingconversation.Attheendoftheconversation,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentotheconversation.8.JohnhasworkedinallthefollowingplacesEXCEPT_____.A.abookshop B.apaperfactory C.aschool D.afast-foodrestaurant9.Fromtheconversation,welearnthatJohn_____.A.hasnointerest B.hasonlyoneinterest C.hastwointerests D.hasquiteafewinterests10.SueGreenseemstobemoreinterestedinJohn'sexperienceof____.A.workinginapaperfactory B.workinginayouthclubC.lookingafterhisbrotherandsister D.lookingafterhisyoungfriends

SECTIONBPASSAGESInthissection,youwillhearseveralpassages.Listentothepassagescarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions11to13arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.11.Accordingtothepassage,theaverageageofthefleetofDelta/Northwestis_____.A.10years B.14years C.16years D.20years.12.Itcanbelearnedfromthepassagethat_____.A.airjourneysarequiteoftenfarfromcomfortableB.airtravellersusuallyenjoyluxuryduringflightC.airtravellersusuallyenjoyupgradedconditionsD.airlinesalwaysprovidegoodin-flightentertainment13.Olderplanescanstaysafeformorethan25yearsbecauseofthefollowingEXCEPT_____.A.newengines B.strongmaterialsC.propermaintenance D.newinterior

Questions14to17arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.14.Whichjobwillinvolvesupervisingworkersusingdangerousequipment?A.Assistantsitemanager. B.Carpentersupervisor.C.Assemblysupervisor. D.Automobileservicestationmanager.15.Whowillalsodecideonthepricesofproductsandservices?A.Airlines'flightservicemanager. B.Automobileservicestationmanager.

C.Assistantsitemanager. D.Carpentersupervisor.16.Whomayalsodosomeoftheworkhesupervises?A.Assistantsitemanager. B.Airlines'flightservicemanager.C.Assemblysupervisor. D.Carpentersupervisor.17.Whichjoboffersthehighestsalary?A.Assistantsitemanager. B.Automobileservicestationmanager.

C.Carpentersupervisor. D.Airlines'flightservicemanager.

Questions18to20arebasedonthefollowingpassage.Attheendofthepassage,youwillbegiven15secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothepassage.18.Wherewerethetwomenfilmed?A.Inthejewelryshop. B.IntheCityMall. C.Nearthelorry. D.Intheparkinglot.19.Witnessessawthetwomen_____.A.leavethelorrytogether. B.leavethelorrywithouthoods.C.runbacktothelorryseparately. D.runbacktothelorrywithouthoods.20.WhichofthefollowingdetailsisCORRECT?A.Thelorrywasoriginallypaintedwhite. B.Thelorryhadnoregistrationplates.C.Theshortermanwasthepassenger. D.Thetallermanwasthedriver.

SECTIONC NEWSBROADCASTInthissection,youwillhearseveralnewsitems.Listentothemcarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Questions21and22arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.21.WhatdidNASA'sConstellationProgrammeoriginallyplantodo?A.Tosetupamooncolonyby2020.B.Tosendastronautsagaintothemoonby2020.C.Tocontinuethecurrentshuttlemissionstill2020.D.TocreatemorejobsforNASAtill2020.22.NASA'sConstellationProgrammewouldbecancelledmainlybecause_____.A.thereweremoreimportantspacemissions.B.thespaceagencylackedfundingfortheprogramme.C.thecurrentshuttlemissionswouldcontinue.

D.CongressfailedtopassPresidentObama'sbudget.

Questions23and24arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.23.TheRussiancargoshipwassinking.Whatwasthedirectcause?A.Noexplanationoftheproblem. B.Longdistanceawayfromland.C.Slowrescueefforts. D.Severeweather.24.WhichofthefollowingwasNOTmentionedasapossiblemeansofrescue?A.Aircraft. B.Tugboat. C.Nearbycargoship. D.Vesselsattheoilrig.

Questions25and26arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.25.WhydidthesingersmeetinHollywood?A.ToraisemoneyforAfricanhumanitarianefforts.B.ToraisemoneyforHaitianearthquakevictims.C.TosinginmemoryofMichaelJackson.D.Tomakearecordingoftheoriginalversionofthesong.26.WhichofthefollowingdetailsaboutthenewsisINCORRECT?A.Theorganizerisoneoftheco-writersofthefirstsongB.Singerswillusethesamerecordingstudioasin1985.C.Therecordingsessionisexpectedtolastlong.D.Starsfromtheoriginalversionwilltakepart.

Questions27and28arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.27.Theadditional2billiondollarswillmainlybeusedto_____.A.upgradeitsnetworkcapacity B.improvecustomerservicesC.developnewproducts D.marketmoreiPhones28.WheredoesAT&Tfacedifficultiesinparticular?A.Nationwide. B.Overseas. C.Inlargecities. D.Inremotetowns.

Questions29and30arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestions.Now,listentothenews.29.Whereisthepresenceofsecuritypatrolsmostevident?A.Wherematchestakeplace. B.Whereprotestsmaytakeplace.

C.IndowntownVancouver. D.Aroundtheathletes'village.30.Whatisthisnewsitemmainlyabout?A.PoliticalprotestsduringtheOlympics. B.SecurityoperationsduringtheOlympics.

C.Olympics'securityforces. D.Securitymeasuresinbuildings.

PARTIII CLOZE （20個(gè)空） [15MIN]Decidewhichofthechoicesgivenbelowwouldbestcompletethepassageifinsertedinthecorrespondingblanks.MarkthebestchoiceforeachblankonAnswerSheetTwo."Congratulations,Mr.Cooper.It'sagirl."Fatherhoodisgoingtohaveadifferentmeaningand(31)_____adifferentresponsefromeverymanwhohearsthesewords.Somefeel(32)_____whentheyreceivethenews,(33)_____othersworry,wonderingwhethertheywillbegoodfathers.(34)_____therearesomemenwholikechildrenandmayhavehad(35)experiencewiththem,othersdonotparticularly(36)_____childrenandspendlittletimewiththem.Manyfathersandmothershavebeenplanningandlookingforwardtochildrenforsometime.(37)_____othercouples,pregnancywasanaccidentthatbothhusbandandwifehave(38)_____willinglyorunwillingly.Whateverthe(39)_____tothebirthofachild,itisobvioustheshiftfromtheroleofhusbandto(40)_____ofafatherisadifficulttask.(41)_____,unfortunately,fewattemptshavebeenmadeto(42)_____fathersinthisresocialization(43)_____.Althoughnumerousbookshavebeenwrittenaboutmothers,(44)_____recentlyhasliteraturefocusedonthe(45)_____ofafather.Itisarguedthatthetransitiontothefather'srole,althoughdifficult,isnot(46)_____asgreatasthetransitionthewifemust(47)_____tothemother'srole.Themother'sroleseemstorequireacomplete(48)_____indailyroutine.(49)_____,thefather'sroleislessdemandingand(50)_____.31.A.bringdown B.bringforth C.bringoff D.bringin32.A.emotional B.sentimental C.bewildered D.proud33.A.while B.when C.if D.as34.A.When B.If C.Although D.Yet35.A.considerateB.considerable C.considering D.considered36.A.careabout B.careof C.carewith D.carefor37.A.For B.Of C.From D.Upon38.A.received B.taken C.accepted D.obtained39.A.reply B.reaction C.readiness D.reality40.A.what B.this C.one D.that41.A.AsaresultB.Forexample C.Yet D.Also42.A.educate B.cultivate C.inform D.convert43.A.step B.process C.point D.time44.A./ B.just C.quite D.only45.A.role B.work C.career D.position46.A.alittle B.just C.nearly D.almost47.A.take B.make C.carry D.accept48.A.transformation B.realization C.socialization D.reception49.A.Inaddition B.Aboveall C.Generally D.However50.A.current B.immediate C.present D.quick

PARTIVGRAMMAR&VOCABULARY （30道選擇題）[15MIN]Therearethirtysentencesinthissection.BeneatheachsentencetherearefourwordsorphrasesmarkedA,B,CandD.Chooseonewordorphrasethatbestcompletesthesentence.MarkyouranswersonAnswerSheetTwo.51.Myuncleisquitewornoutfromyearsofhardwork.Heisnolongertheman_____hewasfifteenyearsago.A.which B.whom C.who D.that52.WhichofthefollowingsentencesisaCOMMAND?A.Begyourpardon. B.Haveagoodtime.C.Neverdothatagain! D.Whatnoiseyouaremaking!53.Whichofthefollowingitalicizedphrasesindicatespurpose?A.Shesaiditforfun,butotherstookherseriously.B.Forallitseffort,theteamdidn'twinthematch.C.Lindahasworkedforthefirmfortwentyyears.D.HesetoutforBeijingyesterday.54.Whenyouhavefinishedwiththebook,don'tforgettoreturnittoTim,_____?A.doyou B.willyou C.don'tyou D.won'tyou55.Inphraseslikefreezingcold,burninghot,orsoakingwet,the-INGparticipleisused_____.A.asacommand B.asacondition C.forconcession D.foremphasis56.WhichofthefollowingitalicizedphrasesisINCORRECT?A.Thecityisnowtentimesitsoriginalsize.B.IwishIhadtwotimeshisstrength.C.Theselleraskedfordoubletheusualprice.

D.Theycomeherefourtimeseveryyear.57.Itisnotsomuchthelanguage_____theculturalbackgroundthatmakesthebookdifficulttounderstand.A.as B.nor C.but D.like58.Whichofthefollowingitalicizedpartsisusedasanobject?A.Whatdoyouthinkhashappenedtoher?B.Whodoyouthinkthevisitingprofessoris?C.Howmuchdoyouthinkheearnseverymonth?D.Howquicklywouldyousayhewouldcome?59.Theadditionalworkwilltake_____weeks.A.theother B.anothertwo C.othertwo D.themore60.Whichofthefollowingitalicizedpartsisasubjectclause(主語(yǔ)從句)?A.Wearequitecertainthatwewillgetthereintime.B.Hehastofacethefactthattherewillbenopayrisethisyear.C.Shesaidthatshehadseenthemanearlierthatmorning.

D.Itissheerluckthattheminersarestillaliveaftertendays.61.It'sgettinglate.I'dratheryou_____now.A.left B.leave C.areleaving D.willleave62.Inthesentence"ThemanagerinterviewedJimhimselfinthemorning",theitalicizedwordisusedtomodify_____.A.theobject B.theverb C.thesubject D.theprepositionalphrase63.Thereisnodoubt_____thecoupledidtherightthingincomingbackhomeearlierthanplanned.A.whether B.that C.why D.when64.ThesentencethatexpressesOFFERis_____.A.I'llgetsomedrinks.What'llyouhave? B.Doessheneedtobookaticketnow?C.MayIknowyourname? D.Canyoureturnthebooknextweek?65.Whichofthefollowingitalicizedphrasesindicatesasubject-predicaterelation(主謂關(guān)系)?A.Mr.Smith'spassporthasbeenissued.B.Thevisitor'sarrivalwasreportedinthenews.C.John'straveldetailshavenotbeenfinalized.D.Thenewbookstoresellschildren'sstories.66.Ourofficehasrecently_____toanewcomputersystem.A.altered B.converted C.transformed D.modified67.Thecrowdwent_____assoonasthesingersteppedontothestage.A.wild B.emotional C.uncontrolled D.unrestricted68.Ourschoollibraryis_____closedforrepairs.A.Shortly B.quickly C.temporarily D.rapidly69.Johnisuptohisevesinworkatthemoment.Theunderlinedpartmeans_____.A.veryexcited B.verybusy C.verytired D.veryefficient70.Victoriabumpedintoherbrotherquitebychanceinthesupermarket.Theunderlinedwordmeans_____.A.risk B.opportunity C.possibility D.luck71."Lookatthoseprettygirls'skirts"is_____,becauseitisnotclearwhetherthegirlsortheskirtsare"pretty".A.ambiguous B.hidden C.indirect D.indistinct72.Houserepairs,holidays,schoolfeesandother_____havereducedhisbankbalancetoalmostnothing.A.amount B.payment C.expenses D.figures73.Itwasreally_____ofyoutoremembermybirthday.A.grateful B.thoughtful C.considerable D.generous74.Youcangotoatravelagencyandaskforaholiday_____.A.introduction B.advertisement C.book D.brochure75.Thecitygovernmentisbuildingmoreroadsto_____.A.accommodate B.receive C.accept D.hold76.They'veliftedatwo-year-longeconomic_____onthecountry.A.enclosure B.restriction C.blockade D.prohibition77.Everyoneissurprisedthatshehasfallenoutwithherboyfriend.Theunderlinedpartmeans_____.A.left B.quarreled C.attacked D.defeated78.Hisplaniscarefullypreparedandfullofdetails,soitisavery_____one.A.elaborate B.refined C.ambitious D.complex79.Thegirl'svoicewassolowthatwecould______hearher.A.seldom B.almost C.only D.barely80.Shemusthavebeenpretty_____tofallforsuchanoldtrick.A.interested B.gullible C.enthusiastic D.shrewd

PARTV READINGCOMPREHENSION (20道選擇題) [25MIN]Inthissectiontherearefourpassagesfollowedbyquestionsorunfinishedstatements,eachwithfoursuggestedanswersmarkedA,B,CandD.Choosetheonethatyouthinkisthebestanswer.MarkyouranswersonAnswerSheetTwo.TEXTAWehaveacrisisonourhands.Youmeanglobalwarming?Theworldeconomy?No,thedeclineofreading.Peoplearejustnotdoingitanymore,especiallytheyoung.Who'sresponsible?Actually,it'smorelike,Whatisresponsible?TheInternet,ofcourse,andeverythingthatcomeswithit–Facebook,Twitter(微博).Youcanwriteyourownlist.There'sbeenawarningabouttheimminentdeathofliteratecivilizationforalongtime.Inthe20thcentury,firstitwasthemovies,thenradio,thentelevisionthatseemedtospelldoomforthewrittenworld.Nonedid.Readingsurvived;infactitnotonlysurvived,ithasflourished.Theworldismoreliteratethaneverbefore–therearemoreandmorereaders,andmoreandmorebooks.Thefactthatweoftengetourreadingmaterialonlinetodayisnotsomethingweshouldworryover.Theelectronicanddigitalrevolutionofthelasttwodecadeshasarguablyshownthewayforwardforreadingandforwriting.Takethearrivalofe-bookreadersasanexample.DeviceslikeKindlemakereadingmoreconvenientandarealotmoreenvironmentallyfriendlythanthetraditionalpaperbook.Astechnologymakesnewwaysofwritingpossible,newwaysofreadingarepossible.Interconnectivityallowsforthepossibilityofareadingexperiencethatwasbarelyimaginablebefore.Wheretraditionalbookshadtomakedowithphotographsandillustrations,ane-bookcanprovidereaderswithanunlimitednumberoflinks:totexts,pictures,andvideos.Inthefuture,thewaypeoplewritenovels,history,andphilosophywillresemblenothingseeninthepast.Ontheotherhand,thereisthedangeroftrivialization.OneTwittergroupisofferingitsfollowerssingle-sentence-long"digests"ofthegreatnovels.WarandPeaceinasentence?Youmustbejoking.Weshouldfearthefragmentationofreading.Thereisthedangerthatthehigh-speedconnectivityoftheInternetwillreduceourattentionspan-thatwewillbeincapableofreadinganythingoflengthorwhichrequiresdeepconcentration.Insuchafast-changingworld,inwhichrealityseemstoberemadeeachday,weneedtheabilitytofocusandunderstandwhatishappeningtous.Thishasalwaysbeenthefunctionofliteratureandweshouldbecarefulnottoletitdisappear.Oursocietyneedstobeabletoimaginethepossibilityofsomeoneutterlyintunewithmoderntechnologybutabletomakesenseofadynamic,confusingworld.Inthe15thcentury,JohannesGuttenberg'sinventionoftheprintingpressinEuropehadahugeimpactoncivilization.Onceuponatimethephysicalbookwasachallengingthing.Weshouldrememberthisbeforeweassumethattechnologyisouttodestroytraditionalculture.81.Whichofthefollowingparagraphsbrieflyreviewsthehistoricalchallengesforreading?A.ParagraphOne. B.ParagraphTwo.C.ParagraphThree. D.ParagraphFour.82.Thefollowingareallcitedasadvantagesofe-booksEXCEPT_____.A.multimodalcontent B.environmentalfriendlinessC.convenienceforreaders D.imaginativedesign83.Whichofthefollowingcanbestdescribehowtheauthorfeelstowardsingle-sentence-longnovels?A.Ironic B.Worried. C.Sarcastic. D.Doubtful.84.Accordingtothepassage,peopleneedknowledgeofmoderntechnologyand_____tosurviveinthefast-changingsociety.A.goodjudgment B.highsensitivityC.goodimagination D.theabilitytofocus85.Whatisthemainideaofthepassage?A.Technologypushesthewayforwardforreadingandwriting.B.Interconnectivityisafeatureofnewreadingexperience.C.Technologyisanopportunityandachallengefortraditionalreading.D.Technologyoffersagreatervarietyofreadingpractice.

TEXTBIknowwhenthesnowmeltsandthefirstrobins(知更鳥(niǎo))cometocall,whenthelaughterofchildrenreturnstotheparksandplaygrounds,somethingwonderfulisabouttohappen.Springcleaning.I'lladmitspringcleaningisadifficultnotionformodernfamiliestograsp.Today'sbusyfamilieshardlyhavetimetoloadthedishwasher,muchlesscleanthedoormat.AskingthefamilytospendtheweekendcollectingwinterdogpilesfromthemeltingsnowinthebackyardislikeannouncingtherewillbenomoreWi-Fi.Itinterruptsthenaturalorder."Honey,whatsaywespendtheweekendbeatingtherugs,sortingthroughtheboxesinthebasementandpaintingourbedroomanicelemonyyellow?"Isay."CanweatleastwaituntiltheNBAmatchesareover?"myhusbandanswers.ButItellmyfamily,springcleaningcan'twait.ThetemperaturehasrisenjustenoughtomeltsnowbutnotenoughforLittleLeaguepracticetostart.Someflowersarepeekingoutofthethawingground,butthereisnolawntoseed,norgardentotend.Newlywakenedfromourwinter'shibernation(冬眠),yetstillneedingextrablanketsatnight,weopenourwindowstothefirstfreshairfloatingonthebreezeandallofthenaturalworlddemanding"Awakeandbeclean!"Biologistsofferatheoryaboutthisprimalimpulsetocleanouteverydrawerandclosetinthehouseatspring'sfirstlight,whichhastodowithmelatonin,thesleepytimehormone(激素)ourbodiesproducewhenit'sdark.Whenspring'slightcomes,themelatonindiminishes,andsuddenlyweareawakenedtothedusty,virus-filledhousewe'vebeenhibernatinginforfourmonths.Itellmyfamilyaboutthescienceandpsychologyofagoodhealthycleaningatspring'sarrival.Ispeaktothemaboutlife'sgreatestrewardswaitingintheremovalofsoapscumfromthebathtub,whichhasn'tbeenproperlycleanedsincethefirstsnowfall."I'lldoit,"saystheeldestchild,a21-year-oldcollegestudentwholivesathome."Youwill?Wow!"Iexclaim.Maybeafteralltheseyears,he'sfinallygraspedtheconcept.Maybehe'sexpressinghisrightfulpositionaseldestchildandrolemodel.Ormaybehe'sgoingtoFloridaforabreakinacoupleofweeksandhe'sbeingnicetomewhoisthefinancial-aidofficer.Nomatter.Seeingmyadultsonwillinglycleaningthatdirtybathtubgivesmehopeforthefutureofhis12-year-oldbrotherwho,insteadofworking,isfoundtobesleepingintheseatofthewindowheissupposedtobecleaning."Awakeandbeclean!"Isay.86.Accordingtothepassage,"...springcleaningisadifficultnotionformodernfamiliestograsp"meansthatspringcleaning_____.A.isnolongeraneasypracticetounderstand.B.isnolongerpartofmodernfamilylife.C.requiresmorefamilymemberstobeinvolved.D.callsformorecomplicatedskillsandknowledge.87.WhichofthefollowingisLEASTlikelytobeincludedinfamilyspringcleaning?A.Beatingtherugs. B.Cleaningthewindow.C.RestoringWi-Fiservices. D.Cleaningthebackyard.88.Whydoestheauthorsay“springcleaningcan'twait”?A.Becausetherewillbemoreactivitieswhenitgetswarmer.B.Becausetheairisfresherandthebreezeislighter.C.Becausethewholefamilyisfullofenergyatspringtime.

D.Becausethesnowismeltingandthegroundisthawing.89.Whichofthefollowinginterpretationsofthebiologists'theoryaboutmelatoninisINCORRECT?A.Theproductionofmelatonininourbodiesvariesatdifferenttimes.B.Melatoninismorelikelytocausesleepinessinourbodies.C.Thereductionofmelatoninwillcausewakefulnessinourbodies.D.Theamountofmelatoninremainsconstantinourbodies.90.Whichofthefollowingcanbestsumuptheauthor'soverallreactiontoheradultson'spositiveresponsetospringcleaning?A.Surprisedandskeptical. B.Elatedandhesitant.C.Relievedandoptimistic. D.Optimisticandhesitant.

TEXTCThesedayslotsofyoungJapanesedoomiai,literally,"meetandlook."Manyofthemdosowillingly.Intoday'sprosperousandincreasinglyconservativeJapan,thetraditionalomiaikekkon,orarrangedmarriage,isthriving.Butthereisadifference.Intheoriginalomiai,theyoungJapanesecouldn'trejectthepartnerchosenbyhisparentsandtheirmiddleman.AfterWorldWarII,manyJapaneseabandonedthearrangedmarriageaspartoftheirrushtoadoptthemoredemocraticwaysoftheirAmericanconquerors.TheWesternren'aikekkon,orlovemarriage,becamepopular;Japanesebeganpickingtheirownmatesbydatingandfallinginlove.ButtheWesternwaywasoftenfoundwantinginanimportantrespect:itdidn'tnecessarilyproduceapartneroftherighteconomic,social,andeducationalqualifications."Today'syoungpeoplearequitecalculating,"saysChiekoAkiyama,asocialcommentator.Whatseemstobehappeningnowisarepetitionofafamiliarprocessinthecountry'shistory,the"Japanization"ofanadoptedforeignpractice.TheWesternidealofmarryingforloveisaccommodatedinanewomiaiinwhichbothpartiesarefreetorejectthematch."Omiaiisevolvingintoasortofstylizedintroduction,"Mrs.Akiyamasays.ManyyoungJapanesenowdateintheirearlytwenties,butwithnothoughtofmarriage.Whentheyreachtheage-inthemiddletwentiesforwomen,thelatetwentiesformen-theyincreasinglyturntoomiai.Somestudiessuggestthatasmanyas40%ofmarriageseachyearareomiaikekkon.It'shardtobesure,saythosewhostudythematter,becausemanyJapanesecouples,whenpolled,describetheirmarriageasalovematchevenifitwasarranged.Thesedays,doingomiaioftenmeansgoingtoacomputermatchingserviceratherthantoanakodo.Thenakodooftraditionwasanoldwomanwhoknewallthekidsintheneighbourhoodandwentaroundtryingtopairthemoffbyspeakingtotheirparents;asuccessfulmatchwouldbringheraweddinginvitationandagiftofmoney.ButJapanesetodayfindit'slessawkwardtorejectaproposedpartnerifthenakodoisacomputer.Japanhasaboutfivehundredcomputermatchingservices.Somebigcompanies,includingMitsubishi,runonefortheiremployees.Atatypicalcommercialservice,anapplicantpays$80to$125tohavehisorherpersonaldatastoredinthecomputerfortwoyearsand$200orsomoreifamarriageresults.Thestoredinformationincludessomeobviousitems,likeeducationandhobbies,andsomenot-so-obviousones,likewhetherapersonistheoldestchild.(Firstsons,andtosomeextentfirstdaughters,faceanobligationofcaringforelderlyparents.)91.Accordingtothepassage,toda