2024大學英語四級考試真題PartIWriting(30minutes)Directions:Forthispart,youareallowed30minutestowriteanessaybasedonthepicturebelow.Youshouldstartyouressaywithabriefdescriptionofthepictureandthencommentontheimportanceoflifelonglearning.Youshouldwriteatleast120wordsbutnomorethan180words.Inthepicture,anelderlymanissittingatadesk,wearingglassesandconcentratingonlearningonatabletcomputer.Despitehisadvancedage,heshowsgreatenthusiasmforknowledge.Lifelonglearningisofutmostimportanceintoday'srapidlychangingworld.Firstly,withthedevelopmentoftechnology,knowledgeisconstantlyupdated.Lifelonglearningenablesindividualstokeepupwiththelatestinformationandskills,enhancingtheircompetitivenessinthejobmarket.Forexample,apersonwholearnsnewsoftwareprogrammingskillscanadapttothedigitaleraworkplace.Secondly,itenrichespeople'sspiritualworld.Learningnewthingsbroadenshorizons,stimulatesthinking,andhelpspeopleviewtheworldfromdifferentperspectives.Whetheritislearningaforeignlanguageoramusicalinstrument,itcanbringasenseofaccomplishmentandjoy.Inconclusion,weshouldembracelifelonglearningatanyage.PartIIListeningComprehension(25minutes)SectionADirections:Inthissection,youwillhearthreenewsreports.Attheendofeachnewsreport,youwillheartwoorthreequestions.Boththenewsreportandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA),B),C)andD).NewsReport1Anewstudyhasfoundthatalargenumberofseabirdsaredyingduetoplasticpollutionintheoceans.Researchershaveestimatedthatoveramillionseabirdsdieeachyearafteringestingplastic.Theplasticoftenfillstheirstomachs,preventingthemfromdigestingrealfood,leadingtostarvation.Scientistsalsofoundthattheproblemisgettingworseasmoreandmoreplasticwasteisdumpedintotheoceanseveryyear.Questions121.Whatisthemaincauseofthedeathofseabirdsaccordingtothenewsreport?A)Lackoffoodintheocean.B)Plasticpollutionintheoceans.C)Climatechange.D)Overfishing.Answer:BAnalysis:Thenewsclearlystatesthatalargenumberofseabirdsaredyingduetoplasticpollutionintheoceans.2.Whydoseabirdsstarveafteringestingplastic?A)Plasticistoohardtodigest.B)Plasticfillstheirstomachsandstopsthemfromdigestingrealfood.C)Plasticcontainstoxins.D)Plasticchangesthetasteofrealfood.Answer:BAnalysis:Thenewsmentionsthattheplasticfillstheirstomachs,preventingthemfromdigestingrealfood,whichleadstostarvation.NewsReport2Thelocalgovernmenthasannouncedanewplantoimprovepublictransportationinthecity.Theplanincludesbuildingmoresubwaylines,increasingthenumberofbuses,andimprovingtheconnectivitybetweendifferenttransportationmodes.Theaimistoreducetrafficcongestionandmakeitmoreconvenientforcitizenstotravel.Theprojectisexpectedtostartnextyearandwillbecompletedinfiveyears.Questions343.Whatisthemainpurposeofthelocalgovernment'snewplan?A)Tobuildmoreroads.B)Toreducetrafficcongestionandimprovetravelconvenience.C)Toattractmoretourists.D)Toincreasetheuseofprivatecars.Answer:BAnalysis:Thenewsstatesthattheaimoftheplanistoreducetrafficcongestionandmakeitmoreconvenientforcitizenstotravel.4.Whenistheprojectexpectedtobecompleted?A)Nextyear.B)Intwoyears.C)Infiveyears.D)Intenyears.Answer:CAnalysis:Thenewssaystheprojectisexpectedtostartnextyearandwillbecompletedinfiveyears.NewsReport3Afamousartmuseumhasdiscoveredafakepaintingamongitscollection.Thepainting,whichwasthoughttobeanoriginalbyawellknownartist,hasbeenfoundtobeaforgeryafteraseriesofscientifictests.Themuseumboughtthepaintingseveralyearsagoatahighprice.Now,themuseumisinvestigatinghowthefakepaintinggotintoitscollection.Questions565.Whathastheartmuseumdiscovered?A)Avaluablepainting.B)Amissingpainting.C)Afakepainting.D)Anewpaintingtechnique.Answer:CAnalysis:Thenewsreportsthattheartmuseumhasdiscoveredafakepaintingamongitscollection.6.Whatisthemuseumdoingnow?A)Sellingthefakepainting.B)Donatingthefakepainting.C)Investigatinghowthefakepaintingenteredthecollection.D)Displayingthefakepainting.Answer:CAnalysis:Thenewsstatesthatthemuseumisinvestigatinghowthefakepaintinggotintoitscollection.SectionBDirections:Inthissection,youwillheartwolongconversations.Attheendofeachconversation,youwillhearfourquestions.Boththeconversationandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA),B),C)andD).Conversation1M:Hi,Jane.I'mthinkingabouttakingavacationthissummer.Anysuggestions?W:Well,ifyoulikenature,youcouldgotothemountains.Therearesomebeautifulnationalparkswhereyoucanhike,camp,andenjoythefreshair.M:Soundsgood.ButIalsowanttodosomewatersports.W:Thenyoumightconsidergoingtothebeach.Youcangosurfing,swimming,orjustrelaxonthesand.M:That'sagreatidea.Doyouknowanygoodbeachdestinations?W:Sure.Hawaiiisaclassicchoice.Thebeachesthereareamazing,andtheweatheriswarmallyearround.Questions7107.Whatisthemanplanningtodothissummer?A)Studyforanexam.B)Takeavacation.C)Doparttimework.D)Attendatrainingcourse.Answer:BAnalysis:Themansaysheisthinkingabouttakingavacationthissummer.8.Whatkindofactivitiesdoesthemanwanttodo?A)Naturerelatedactivitiesandwatersports.B)Culturalactivities.C)Shopping.D)Partygoing.Answer:AAnalysis:Themanfirstshowsinterestinnaturerelatedactivitiesandthenmentionshewantstodosomewatersports.9.Whatdoesthewomansuggestifthemanwantstodowatersports?A)Goingtothemountains.B)Goingtothebeach.C)Goingtoacity.D)Goingtoaforest.Answer:BAnalysis:Thewomansuggestsgoingtothebeachwhenthemanmentionswatersports.10.Whichdestinationdoesthewomanrecommend?A)California.B)Florida.C)Hawaii.D)Alaska.Answer:CAnalysis:ThewomanrecommendsHawaiiasagoodbeachdestination.Conversation2W:Hi,Tom.Howwasyourjobinterviewyesterday?M:Notsogood.IthinkImadealotofmistakes.W:Whatkindofmistakes?M:Iwasabitnervousandcouldn'tanswersomeofthequestionsclearly.Also,Ididn'tdoenoughresearchaboutthecompany.W:That'stoobad.Butdon'tbetoodiscouraged.Youcanlearnfromthisexperience.Maybeyoucanpreparebetterforthenextinterview.M:You'reright.I'lldefinitelydomoreresearchandpracticeansweringcommoninterviewquestions.Questions111411.Howdidthemanfeelabouthisjobinterview?A)Confident.B)Dissatisfied.C)Excited.D)Relaxed.Answer:BAnalysis:Themansaystheinterviewwasnotsogoodandthathemadealotofmistakes,indicatingdissatisfaction.12.Whydidthemanthinkhedidpoorlyintheinterview?A)Hewaslatefortheinterview.B)Hewasnervousanddidn'tresearchthecompanyenough.C)Hedidn'tdressappropriately.D)Hehadnorelevantexperience.Answer:BAnalysis:Themanmentionsthathewasnervousanddidn'tdoenoughresearchaboutthecompany.13.Whatdoesthewomanadvisethemantodo?A)Forgetabouttheinterview.B)Preparebetterforthenextinterview.C)Complaintotheinterviewers.D)Giveupjobhunting.Answer:BAnalysis:Thewomantellsthemantolearnfromtheexperienceandpreparebetterforthenextinterview.14.Whatwillthemandoforfutureinterviews?A)Skiptheresearchpart.B)Practiceansweringcommonquestionsanddomoreresearch.C)Onlyfocusondressingwell.D)Trytobemoretalkative.Answer:BAnalysis:Themansayshe'lldomoreresearchandpracticeansweringcommoninterviewquestions.SectionCDirections:Inthissection,youwillhearthreepassages.Attheendofeachpassage,youwillhearthreeorfourquestions.Boththepassageandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA),B),C)andD).Passage1Readingisabeneficialactivitythatcanhaveaprofoundimpactonourlives.Firstly,readingcanexpandourknowledge.Byreadingbooksondifferentsubjects,wecanlearnabouthistory,science,culture,andmore.Secondly,readingcanimproveourlanguageskills.Itexposesustoawiderangeofvocabularyandsentencestructures,whichhelpsuswriteandspeakbetter.Thirdly,readingisagreatwaytorelax.Itallowsustoescapefromthestressofdailylifeandenteradifferentworld.Questions151715.Whatisthefirstbenefitofreadingmentionedinthepassage?A)Improvinglanguageskills.B)Expandingknowledge.C)Relaxingthemind.D)Makingfriends.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagestatesthatthefirstbenefitofreadingisthatitcanexpandourknowledge.16.Howdoesreadingimprovelanguageskills?A)Byincreasingourphysicalstrength.B)Byexposingustoawiderangeofvocabularyandsentencestructures.C)Bymakingusmoreconfident.D)Byhelpingusmakemorefriends.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagementionsthatreadingexposesustoawiderangeofvocabularyandsentencestructures,whichhelpsimprovelanguageskills.17.Whyisreadingagoodwaytorelax?A)Itmakesusforgetabouttherealworld.B)Ithelpsussolveproblems.C)Itgivesusmoreenergy.D)Itmakesusmorepopular.Answer:AAnalysis:Thepassagesaysthatreadingallowsustoescapefromthestressofdailylifeandenteradifferentworld,whichmeansitmakesusforgetabouttherealworldstress.Passage2Theimportanceoftimemanagementcannotbeoverstated.Goodtimemanagementhelpsusachieveourgoalsmoreefficiently.Whenwemanageourtimewell,wecanprioritizetasks,setcleardeadlines,andavoidprocrastination.Forexample,astudentwhomanagestimeeffectivelycanstudyallthenecessarysubjects,completeassignmentsontime,andstillhavetimeforextracurricularactivities.Intheworkplace,employeeswhomanagetimewellaremoreproductiveandaremorelikelytobepromoted.Questions182018.Whatisthemainideaofthepassage?A)Theimportanceofgoalsetting.B)Theimportanceoftimemanagement.C)Theimportanceofextracurricularactivities.D)Theimportanceofworkplacerelationships.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagestartsbystatingthattheimportanceoftimemanagementcannotbeoverstatedandthenelaboratesonitsbenefits.19.Howdoesgoodtimemanagementhelpus?A)Bymakingusmorepopular.B)Byhelpingusprioritizetasks,setdeadlines,andavoidprocrastination.C)Byincreasingourintelligence.D)Byreducingourworkload.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagementionsthatgoodtimemanagementhelpsusprioritizetasks,setcleardeadlines,andavoidprocrastination.20.Whatcanastudentwhomanagestimeeffectivelydo?A)Onlyfocusononesubject.B)Havenotimeforextracurricularactivities.C)Studyallnecessarysubjects,completeassignmentsontime,andhavetimeforextracurricularactivities.D)Spendalldayplayinggames.Answer:CAnalysis:Thepassagegivesanexampleofastudentwhocanstudyallnecessarysubjects,completeassignmentsontime,andstillhavetimeforextracurricularactivitieswhenmanagingtimeeffectively.Passage3Musichasapowerfulinfluenceonouremotions.Differenttypesofmusiccanevokedifferentfeelings.Forexample,classicalmusicisoftenassociatedwithrelaxationandcalmness.Itcanhelpreducestressandanxiety.Popmusic,ontheotherhand,isusuallyenergeticandcanliftourspirits.Heavymetalmusicisknownforitsintensityandcanappealtothosewholikestrongemotions.Questions212321.Whatisthemainpointofthepassage?A)Thedifferenttypesofmusic.B)Theinfluenceofmusiconouremotions.C)Thehistoryofmusic.D)Thepopularityofmusic.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagestartsbystatingthatmusichasapowerfulinfluenceonouremotionsandthenelaboratesonhowdifferenttypesofmusicevokedifferentfeelings.22.Howdoesclassicalmusicaffectus?A)Itmakesusangry.B)Ithelpsreducestressandanxiety.C)Itmakesussad.D)Itmakesusfeelenergetic.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagementionsthatclassicalmusicisoftenassociatedwithrelaxationandcalmnessandcanhelpreducestressandanxiety.23.Whatkindofpeoplemightlikeheavymetalmusic?A)Peoplewholikecalmness.B)Peoplewholikestrongemotions.C)Peoplewholiketodanceslowly.D)Peoplewholikesoftmusic.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagesaysthatheavymetalmusicisknownforitsintensityandcanappealtothosewholikestrongemotions.PartIIIReadingComprehension(40minutes)SectionADirections:Inthissection,thereisapassagewithtenblanks.Youarerequiredtoselectonewordforeachblankfromalistofchoicesgiveninawordbankfollowingthepassage.Readthepassagethroughcarefullybeforemakingyourchoices.Eachchoiceinthebankisidentifiedbyaletter.PleasemarkthecorrespondingletterforeachitemonAnswerSheet2.Youmaynotuseanyofthewordsinthebankmorethanonce.TheInternethasbecomeanessentialpartofourlives.Ithas_24_thewaywecommunicate,learn,anddobusiness.WiththeInternet,wecanaccessavastamountofinformationinashorttime.Wecanalsoconnectwithpeoplefromallovertheworld.However,theInternetalsohassome_25_.Oneofthemainproblemsisonlineprivacy.Manywebsitescollectourpersonalinformationwithoutour_26_.Thiscanleadtoidentitytheftandothersecurityissues.Anotherissueisthespreadoffalseinformation.OntheInternet,anyonecanpostanything,anditcanbedifficultto_27_whatistrueandwhatisfalse.Thiscanhaveanegativeimpactonourdecisionmaking.Despitetheseproblems,theInternetisstilla_28_tool.Ithascreatedmanyopportunitiesforeducation,business,andsocialinteraction.Wejustneedtouseit_29_andbeawareofitspotentialrisks.WordBank:A)changedB)advantagesC)disadvantagesD)permissionE)determineF)valuableG)dangerouslyH)safelyI)quicklyJ)slowlyK)easilyL)postM)informationN)falseO)real24.Answer:AAnalysis:TheInternethasmadeabigdifferenceinthewaywecommunicate,learn,anddobusiness,so“changed”istheappropriateword.25.Answer:CAnalysis:Thefollowingtextmentionsproblemslikeonlineprivacyandfalseinformation,so“disadvantages”fitshere.26.Answer:DAnalysis:Manywebsitescollectpersonalinformationwithoutgettingour“permission”.27.Answer:EAnalysis:It'shardto“determine”thetruthontheInternetasanyonecanpostanything.28.Answer:FAnalysis:Despitetheproblems,theInternetisstillausefuland“valuable”tool.29.Answer:HAnalysis:WeneedtousetheInternetinawaythatavoidsrisks,so“safely”iscorrect.SectionBDirections:Inthissection,youaregoingtoreadapassagewithtenstatementsattachedtoit.Eachstatementcontainsinformationgiveninoneoftheparagraphs.Identifytheparagraphfromwhichtheinformationisderived.Youmaychooseaparagraphmorethanonce.Eachparagraphismarkedwithaletter.AnswerthequestionsbymarkingthecorrespondingletteronAnswerSheet2.TheFutureofWorkA)Theworldofworkischangingrapidly.Technologicaladvancements,suchasartificialintelligenceandautomation,aretransformingindustriesandcreatingnewjobopportunities.Atthesametime,theyarealsomakingsometraditionaljobsobsolete.Thisshiftisforcingworkerstoadaptandacquirenewskills.B)Oneofthemostsignificantchangesinthefutureofworkistheriseofthegigeconomy.Moreandmorepeoplearechoosingtoworkasfreelancersorindependentcontractors.Thisoffersthemgreaterflexibilityintermsofworkinghoursandlocation.However,italsocomeswithchallenges,suchaslackofjobsecurityandbenefits.C)Anothertrendistheincreasingimportanceofsoftskills.Inadditiontotechnicalskills,employersarelookingforworkerswhohavegoodcommunication,teamwork,andproblemsolvingskills.Thesesoftskillsareessentialforsuccessinthemodernworkplace,wherecollaborationandinnovationarehighlyvalued.D)Thefutureofworkalsoinvolvesagreateremphasisonlifelonglearning.Astechnologycontinuestoevolve,workersneedtocontinuouslyupdatetheirknowledgeandskills.Thiscanbeachievedthroughonlinecourses,workshops,andonthejobtraining.E)Companiesarealsorethinkingtheirapproachtorecruitmentandretention.Theyarelookingforwaystoattractandkeepthebesttalentinacompetitivemarket.Thismayinvolveofferingmoreattractivecompensationpackages,flexibleworkarrangements,andopportunitiesforcareerdevelopment.F)Thechangingnatureofworkalsohasimplicationsforeducation.Educationalinstitutionsneedtopreparestudentsforthejobsofthefuturebyincorporatingnewtechnologiesandsoftskillsintotheircurricula.G)Inconclusion,thefutureofworkisfullofbothopportunitiesandchallenges.Workers,companies,andeducationalinstitutionsallneedtoadapttothesechangestothriveinthenewworkenvironment.Statements30.Thegigeconomyisgrowing,offeringflexibilitybutalsobringingchallengeslikelackofjobsecurity.Answer:BAnalysis:ParagraphBmentionstheriseofthegigeconomyandtheassociatedflexibilityandchallengessuchaslackofjobsecurity.31.Softskillsarebecomingincreasinglyimportantinthemodernworkplace.Answer:CAnalysis:ParagraphCstatesthatinadditiontotechnicalskills,employersareemphasizingsoftskillsforsuccessinthemodernworkplace.32.Technologicaladvancementsarechangingindustriesandmakingsometraditionaljobsdisappear.Answer:AAnalysis:ParagraphApointsoutthattechnologicaladvancementsaretransformingindustriesandmakingsometraditionaljobsobsolete.33.Lifelonglearningiscrucialastechnologykeepsevolving.Answer:DAnalysis:ParagraphDemphasizestheimportanceoflifelonglearningastechnologycontinuestoevolve.34.Companiesaretryingnewwaystoattractandretaintoptalent.Answer:EAnalysis:ParagraphEmentionsthatcompaniesarerethinkingtheirapproachtorecruitmentandretentiontoattractandkeepthebesttalent.35.Educationalinstitutionsneedtoadjusttheircurriculatopreparestudentsforfuturejobs.Answer:FAnalysis:ParagraphFstatesthateducationalinstitutionsneedtoincorporatenewtechnologiesandsoftskillsintocurriculatopreparestudentsforfuturejobs.36.Thefutureofworkpresentsbothopportunitiesandchallengesforworkers,companies,andeducationalinstitutions.Answer:GAnalysis:ParagraphGconcludesthatthefutureofworkhasbothopportunitiesandchallengesforallpartiesinvolved.SectionCDirections:Therearetwopassagesinthissection.Eachpassageisfollowedbysomequestionsorunfinishedstatements.ForeachofthemtherearefourchoicesmarkedA),B),C)andD).YoushoulddecideonthebestchoiceandmarkthecorrespondingletteronAnswerSheet2.Passage1Thehoneybeeisaremarkablecreature.Itplaysacrucialroleinpollination,whichisessentialfortheproductionofmanyfruits,vegetables,andnuts.Withouthoneybees,ourfoodsupplywouldbeseverelyaffected.However,honeybeesarefacingmanythreats.Oneofthemainthreatsistheuseofpesticides.Pesticidescankillhoneybeesdirectlyorweakentheirimmunesystems,makingthemmoresusceptibletodiseases.Anotherthreatishabitatloss.Asmorelandisdevelopedforagricultureandurbanization,thenaturalhabitatsofhoneybeesarebeingdestroyed.Conservationeffortsareunderwaytoprotecthoneybees.Theseincludereducingtheuseofpesticides,creatingbeefriendlyhabitats,andpromotingbeekeeping.Bytakingthesemeasures,wecanhelpensurethesurvivalofhoneybeesandthefutureofourfoodsupply.Questions374037.Whyarehoneybeesimportant?A)Theyproducehoney.B)Theyarebeautifulinsects.C)Theyareusedinscientificresearch.D)Theyarecrucialforpollinationandfoodproduction.Answer:DAnalysis:Thepassagestatesthathoneybeesplayacrucialroleinpollination,whichisessentialfortheproductionofmanyfruits,vegetables,andnuts.38.Whatisoneofthemainthreatstohoneybees?A)Climatechange.B)Pesticideuse.C)Overhunting.D)Lackofwater.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagementionsthatoneofthemainthreatstohoneybeesistheuseofpesticides.39.Howdopesticidesharmhoneybees?A)Theymakehoneybeeslosetheirsenseofdirection.B)Theykillhoneybeesdirectlyorweakentheirimmunesystems.C)Theychangethecolorofhoneybees.D)Theymakehoneybeeslessproductive.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagesaysthatpesticidescankillhoneybeesdirectlyorweakentheirimmunesystems,makingthemmoresusceptibletodiseases.40.Whatconservationeffortsarebeingmadetoprotecthoneybees?A)Killingmorepests.B)Buildingmorecities.C)Reducingpesticideuse,creatingbeefriendlyhabitats,andpromotingbeekeeping.D)Capturinghoneybeesforresearch.Answer:CAnalysis:Thepassagelistsreducingtheuseofpesticides,creatingbeefriendlyhabitats,andpromotingbeekeepingasconservationefforts.Passage2Inrecentyears,therehasbeenagrowingtrendofecotourism.Ecotourismfocusesonresponsibletraveltonaturalareasthatconservestheenvironmentandimprovesthewellbeingoflocalpeople.Oneofthebenefitsofecotourismisenvironmentalconservation.Byvisitingnaturalareas,touristscanlearnabouttheimportanceofprotectingtheenvironment.Touristrevenuescanalsobeusedtofundconservationprojects.Anotherbenefitiseconomicdevelopmentforlocalcommunities.Ecotourismcreatesjobsinareassuchashospitality,transportation,andguiding.Italsoencouragesthepreservationoflocalcultures.However,ecotourismalsohassomechallenges.Ifnotmanagedproperly,itcancausedamagetotheenvironment.Forexample,toomanytouristsinasmallareacandisruptwildlifeanddamagenaturalhabitats.Thereisalsoariskofculturalcommodification,wherelocalculturesareturnedintocommercialproducts.Questions414441.Whatisthefocusofecotourism?A)Luxurytravel.B)Responsibletraveltonaturalareasforenvironmentalconservationandlocalwellbeing.C)Adventuretravel.D)Shoppingorientedtravel.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagedefinesecotourismasresponsibletraveltonaturalareasthatconservestheenvironmentandimprovesthewellbeingoflocalpeople.42.Whatisoneofthebenefitsofecotourism?A)Environmentaldestruction.B)Economicdevelopmentforlocalcommunities.C)Culturalloss.D)Increasedpollution.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagementionsthatecotourismcreatesjobsandpromoteseconomicdevelopmentforlocalcommunities.43.Whatarethechallengesofecotourism?A)Lackoftourists.B)Overdevelopmentoflocalinfrastructure.C)Environmentaldamageandculturalcommodificationifnotmanagedproperly.D)Highcostfortourists.Answer:CAnalysis:Thepassagestatesthatifnotmanagedproperly,ecotourismcancauseenvironmentaldamageandculturalcommodification.44.Howcanecotourismcontributetoenvironmentalconservation?A)Bybringingmorepollution.B)Byprovidingfundsforconservationprojectsthroughtouristrevenues.C)Bydestroyingnaturalhabitats.D)Bydisruptingwildlife.Answer:BAnalysis:Thepassagesaysthattouristrevenuesfromecotourismcanbeusedtofundconservationprojects.PartIVTranslation(30minutes)Dire