Reading Comprehension Directions: Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.
Section A
Passage One Paragraph 1 Junk food is everywhere. We're eating way too much of it. Most of us know what we're doing and yet we do it anyway. Paragraph 2 So here's a suggestion offered by two researchers at the Rand Corporation: Why not take a lesson from alcohol control policies and apply them to where food is sold and how it's displayed? Paragraph 3 "Many policy measures to control obesity (肥胖症) assume that people consciously and rationally choose what and how much they eat and therefore focus on providing information and more access to healthier foods," note the two researchers. Paragraph 4 "In contrast," the researchers continue, "many regulations that don't assume people make rational choices have been successfully applied to control alcohol, a substance—like food—of which immoderate consumption leads to serious health problems." Paragraph 5 The research references studies of people's behavior with food and alcohol and results of alcohol restrictions, and then lists five regulations that the researchers think might be promising if applied to junk foods. Among them: Paragraph 6 Density restrictions: licenses to sell alcohol aren't handed out unplanned to all comers but are allotted (分配) based on the number of places in an area that already sell alcohol. These make alcohol less easy to get and reduce the number of psychological cues to drink. Paragraph 7 Similarly, the researchers say, being presented with junk food stimulates our desire to eat it. So why not limit the density of food outlets, particularly ones that sell food rich in empty calories? And why not limit sale of food in places that aren't primarily food stores? Paragraph 8 Display and sales restrictions: California has a rule prohibiting alcohol displays near the cash registers in gas stations, and in most places you can't buy alcohol at drive-through facilities. At supermarkets, food companies pay to have their wares in places where they're easily seen. One could remove junk food to the back of the store and ban them from the shelves at checkout lines. The other measures include restricting portion sizes, taxing and prohibiting special price deals for junk foods, and placing warning labels on the products.
1. What does the author say about junk food?
A.People should be educated not to eat too much.
B.It is widely consumed despite its ill reputation.
C.Its temptation is too strong for people to resist.
D.It causes more harm than is generally realized.
A B C D
B
[解析] author。该题干太抽象,可同时浏览下一题定位词:Rand 回原文阅读,发现第二段首句出现Rand,明白本题出自第一段,虽然第一段没有author一词,但内容就是作者的观点态度。 仔细阅读第一段。看选项,理解选项B与原文的同义替换:widely consumed=eating too much;despite=yet;reputation=know;注意ill一词其实对应原文中junk(垃圾)一词,都是负面含义。其他三个选项中educated,temptation,harm原文首段没有提及。
2. What do the Rand researchers think of many of the policy measures to control obesity?
3. Why do policymakers of alcohol control place density restrictions?
A.Few people are able to resist alcohol's temptations.
B.There are already too many stores selling alcohol.
C.Drinking strong alcohol can cause social problems.
D.Easy access leads to customers' over-consumption.
A B C D
D
[解析] density restrictions 回原文继续阅读,发现第六段首句出现定位词。 找原因,发现These make...表达了这样做的原因(对应leads to),让酒类商品less easy to get。注意D选项中access=get。
4. What is the purpose of California's rule about alcohol display in gas stations?
A.To effectively limit the density of alcohol outlets.
B.To help drivers to give up the habit of drinking.
C.To prevent possible traffic jams in nearby areas.
D.To get alcohol out of drivers' immediate sight.
A B C D
D
[解析] California 回原文继续阅读,发现第八段首句出现定位词。 找限制展示的purpose。读到At supermarkets,food companies pay to have their Wares in D1aces where they're easily seen. 注意easily seen:D选项中immediate sight。本题需理解段落大意,出题并不直接,可用[真经派排除法]检查。
5. What is the general guideline the Rand researchers suggest about junk food control?
A.Guiding people to make rational choices about food.
B.Enhancing people's awareness of their own health.
C.Borrowing ideas from alcohol control measures.
D.Resorting to economic, legal and psychological means.
A B C D
C
[解析] general guideline,Rand 上题已经对应原文末段,因此本题是对全文中心大意出题。 此时考生已经读完全文,可直接读四个选项选择。注意C选项中borrowing一词对应原文中多处applied to。
Passage Two Paragraph 1 Kodak's decision to file for bankruptcy (破产) protection is a sad, though not unexpected, turning point for a leading American corporation that pioneered consumer photography and dominated the film market for decades, but ultimately failed to adapt to the digital revolution. Paragraph 2 Although many attribute Kodak's downfall to "complacency (自满)," that explanation doesn't acknowledge the lengths to which the company went to reinvent itself. Decades ago, Kodak anticipated that digital photography would overtake film-and in fact, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975—but in a fateful decision, the company chose to shelf its new discovery to focus on its traditional film business. Paragraph 3 It wasn't that Kodak was blind to the future, said Rebecca Henderson, a professor at Harvard Business School, but rather that it failed to execute on a strategy to confront it. By the time the company realized its mistake, it was too late. Paragraph 4 Kodak is an example of a firm that was very much aware that they had to adapt, and spent a lot of money trying to do so, but ultimately failed. Large companies have a difficult time switching to new markets because there is a temptation to put existing assets into the new businesses. Paragraph 5 Although Kodak anticipated the inevitable rise of digital photography, its corporate (企业的)culture was too rooted in the successes of the past for it to make the clean break necessary to fully embrace the future. They were a company stuck in time. Their history was so important to them. Now their history has become a liability. Paragraph 6 Kodak's downfall over the last several decades was dramatic. In 1976, the company commanded 90% of the market for photographic film and 85% of the market for cameras. But the 1980s brought new competition from Japanese film company Fuji Photo, which undermined Kodak by offering lower prices for film and photo supplies. Kodak's decision not to pursue the role of official film for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a major miscalculation. The bid went instead to Fuji, which exploited its sponsorship to win a permanent foothold in the marketplace.
1. What do we learn about Kodak?
A.It went bankrupt all of a sudden.
B.It is approaching its downfall.
C.It initiated the digital revolution in the film industry.
D.It is playing the dominant role in the film market.
A B C D
B
[解析] learn about。本题题干太抽象,可同时浏览下一题定位词:first digital camera[顺序原则] 回原文阅读,读完第一段看选项,其实就可以用排除法选出B选项了。A选项中sudden驳斥了原文中的not unexpected(False);C选项中initiated the digital revolution驳斥了failed to adapted to the digital revolution(False);D选项具有一些迷惑性,注意it is playing the dominant role是现在进行时态,而原文中的dominated一词是过去式,柯达的强大只是明日黄花而已(False)。[真经派排除法] 注意B选项approach和downfall两个词,是首段decision to file bankruptcy protection(决定申请破产保护)的同义改写,而且downfall在第二段首句有原词出现。
2. Why does the author mention Kodak's invention of the first digital camera?
A.To show its early attempt to reinvent itself.
B.To show its effort to overcome complacency.
C.To show its quick adaptation to the digital revolution.
D.To show its will to compete with Japan's Fuji Photo.
A B C D
B
[解析] first digital camera 回原文继续阅读,第二段第二句出现。 找作者写这句话的原因。考查句子间逻辑关系理解。注意到第一句是讲“许多人没有认识到the lengths to which the company went to reinvent itself”。接下来,是举出柯达发明了第一个数码相机这个例子证明上句观点。对应B选项。
3. Why do large companies have difficulty switching to new markets?
A.They find it costly to give up their existing assets.
B.They tend to be slow in confronting new challenges.
C.They are unwilling to invest in new technology.
D.They are deeply stuck in their glorious past.
A B C D
A
[解析] large companies,difficulty,new 回原文继续阅读,第四段第二句出现。 找why(原因)。对应because。注意原文中there is a temptation to put existing assets into the new business(大公司企图把现有资产放到新业务中去)。说明它们不愿意放弃原有资产。对应A选项的表达。
4. What does the author say Kodak's history has become?
A.A burden.
B.A mirror.
C.A joke.
D.A challenge.
A B C D
A
[解析] Kodak's history 回原文继续阅读,第五段最后两句出现history。 原文提到history是important,liability。注意liability指“债务”,对应A选项中burden(负担)。
Passage Three Paragraph 1 As you are probably aware, the latest job markets news isn't good: Unemployment is still more than 9 percent, and new job growth has fallen close to zero. That's bad for the economy, of course. And it may be especially discouraging if you happen to be looking for a job or hoping to change careers right now. But it actually shouldn't matter to you nearly as much as you think. Paragraph 2 That's because job growth numbers don't matter to job hunters as much as job turnover (人员更替) data. After all, existing jobs open up every day due to promotions, resignations, terminations (解雇), and retirements. (Yes, people are retiring even in this economy.) In both good times and bad, turnover creates more openings than economic growth does. Even in June of 2007, when the economy was still moving ahead, job growth was only 132,000, while turnover was 4.7 million! Paragraph 3 And as it turns out, even today—with job growth near zero—over 4 million job hunters are being hired every month. Paragraph 4 I don't mean to imply that overall job growth doesn't have an impact on one's ability to land a job. It's true that if total employment were higher. It would mean more jobs for all of us to choose from (and compete for). And it's true that there are currently more people applying for each available job opening, regardless of whether it's a new one or not. Paragraph 5 But what often distinguishes those who land jobs from those who don't is their ability to stay motivated. They're willing to do the hard work of identifying their valuable skills; he creative about where and how to look; learn how to present themselves to potential employers; and keep going, even after repeated rejections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 2.7 million people who wanted and were available for work hadn't looked within the last four weeks and were no longer even classified as unemployed. Paragraph 6 So don't let the headlines fool you into giving up. Four million people get hired every month in the U.S. You can be one of them.
1. The author tends to believe that high unemployment rate ______.
A.deprives many people of job opportunities
B.prevents many people from changing careers
C.should not stop people from looking for a job
D.does not mean the U.S. economy is worsening
A B C D
C
[解析] high unemployment rate 回原文阅读,注意第一段首句中的unemployment is still more than 9 percent,对应题干中的high unemployment rate。 第一段第三句:And it may be especially discouraging if you happen to be looking for a job...(高失业率可能会让你很灰心,如果你碰巧在找工作……)第四句:But it actually shouldn't matter to you...(但是,高失业率事实上对你影响不大……)本题考查上下文理解,尤其是But后的转折。
2. Where do most job openings come from?
A.Job growth.
B.Job turnover.
C.Improved economy.
D.Business expansion.
A B C D
B
[解析] most job openings 回原文继续阅读,第二段中首句强调turnover的重要性。第三句中说turnover creates more openings than economic growth does。 虽然第二段中没有出现与most相对应的单词,但通过两个比较级not...as much as...和more than来强调turnover的重要性。
3. What does the author say about overall job growth?
A.It doesn't have much effect on individual job seekers.
B.It increases people's confidence in the economy.
C.It gives a ray of hope to the unemployed.
D.It doesn't mean greater job security for the employed.
A B C D
A
[解析] overall job growth 回原文继续阅读,第三段中...even today—with job growth near zero—over 4 million job hunters are being hired every month。该句表明即使工作岗位接近零增长,仍然有很多人能找到工作。同时,下一段首句表明overall job growth对找工作是有影响的。归纳起来:overall job growth对于找工作是有影响的,但影响不大。
4. What is the key to landing a job according to the author?
A.Education.
B.Intelligence.
C.Persistence.
D.Experience.
A B C D
C
[解析] key,landing a job 回原文继续阅读,第五段首句表明:能找到工作的人和找不到工作的人之间的区别在于stay motivated。下一句进一步解释,提及keep going,even after repeated rejections。这些表达的同义词就是C选项中的persistence坚持。
5. What do we learn from the passage about the unemployment figures in the U.S.?
A.They clearly indicate how healthy the economy is.
B.They provide the public with the latest information.
C.They warn of the structural problems in the economy.
D.They exclude those who have stopped looking for a job.
Passage Four Paragraph 1 Our risk of cancer rises dramatically as we age. So it makes sense that the elderly should be routinely screened for new tumors—or doesn't it? Paragraph 2 While such vigilant (警觉) tracking of cancer is a good thing in general, researchers are increasingly questioning whether all of this testing is necessary for the elderly. With the percentage of people over age 65 expected to nearly double by 2050, it's important to weigh the health benefits of screening against the risks and costs of routine testing. Paragraph 3 In many cases, screening can lead to surgeries to remove cancer, while the cancers themselves may be slow-growing and may not pose serious health problems in patients' remaining years. But the message that everyone must screen for cancer has become so deep-rooted that when health care experts recommended that women under 50 and over 74 stop screening for breast cancer, it caused a riotous reaction among doctors, patients and advocacy groups. Paragraph 4 It's hard to uproot deeply held beliefs about cancer screening with scientific data. Certainly, there are people over age 75 who have had cancers detected by routine screening, and gained several extra years of life because of treatment. And clearly, people over age 75 who have other risk factors for cancer, such as a family history or prior personal experience with the disease, should continue to get screened regularly. But for the remainder, the risk of cancer, while increased at the end of life, must be balanced with other factors like remaining life expectancy (预期寿命). Paragraph 5 A recent study suggests that doctors start to make more objective decisions about who will truly benefit from screening—especially considering the explosion of the elderly that will soon swell our population. Paragraph 6 It's not an easy calculation to make, but one that makes sense for all patients. Dr. Otis Brawley said, "Many doctors are ordering screening tests purely to cover themselves. We need to think about the rational use of health care." Paragraph 7 That means making some difficult decisions with elderly patients, and going against the misguided belief that when it comes to health care, more is always better.
1. Why do doctors recommend routine cancer screening for elderly people?
A.It is believed to contribute to long life.
B.It is part of their health care package.
C.The elderly are more sensitive about their health.
D.The elderly are in greater danger of tumor growth.
A B C D
D
[解析] doctor,cancer screening,elderly people 回原文阅读,注意第一段中没有出现doctor,直到第五段才出现doctor。 按照命题惯例,猜测本题来自第一段。注意原文和D选项中单词对应:So=why(因果关系对应);risk rises=in greater danger;age=elderly;new tumors=tumor growth。 该题题干有瑕疵。严谨的出题应该是题干中的任何单词或表达必然是原文改写,应该有原文出处。但该题题干中的doctor这一具体名词没有原文对应。因此该题题干应改为:Why is routine cancer screening recommended for elderly people?
2. How do some researchers now look at routine cancer screening for the elderly?
3. What is the conventional view about women screening for breast cancer?
A.It applies to women over 50.
B.It is a must for adult women.
C.It is optional for young women.
D.It doesn't apply to women over 74.
A B C D
B
[解析] conventional,women,breast cancer 回原文继续阅读,第三段第二句出现women和breast cancer。 该句为:But the message that everyone must screen for cancer has become so deep-rooted that when health care expels recommended that women under 50 and over 74 stop screening for breast cancer, it caused a riotous reaction among doctors, patients and advocacy groups. 该句子结构较复杂,是4个从句的嵌套。第一个that引导同位语从句,第二个that是so...that...的状语从句,第三个是when引导的状语从句,第四个是that引导的宾语从句。中文意思是:但是,每个人都必须筛查癌症,这一理念是如此的根深蒂固,以至于当保健专家们建议50岁以下和74岁以上的妇女应该停止乳腺癌筛查的时候,在医生、病人和利益团体中引发了激烈的反应。 首先理解conventional view=deep-rooted message。然后理解专家建议“50岁以下和74岁以上的妇女应该停止筛查”是非传统的观点。那么可以推断传统观点是“50岁以下和74岁以上的妇女(也)应该筛查”。可排除C和D选项。 认真对比A和B选项,其实从逻辑表达上看,A和B选项都是正确表达。但B选项更全面,而且对应原文中...the message that everyone must screen for cancer...和上下文背景。 其实,A选项应该改为:It only applies to women over 50. 这样,这道题选B就没有问题了。 这道题属于难题,并且选项设计有逻辑漏洞。
4. Why do many doctors prescribe routine screening for cancer?
A.They want to protect themselves against medical disputes.
B.They want to take advantage of the medical care system.
C.They want data for medical research.
D.They want their patients to suffer less.
A B C D
A
[解析] doctors,prescribe 回原文继续阅读,第五段段首出现doctors,继续读,在第六段中出现many doctors,注意ordering=prescribe。 理解原文中的to cover themselves用不定式表达目的,对应题干中的why;cover=protect。 虽然A选项中的against medical disputes原文中没有提及,但可以从常识或背景知识中猜测推导。所以,该选项设计不是学术严谨的,是有瑕疵的。
5. What does the author say is the general view about health care?
A.The more, the better.
B.Prevention is better than cure.
C.Better early than late.
D.Better care, longer life.
A B C D
A
[解析] general view,health care 回原文继续阅读,末段中belief=general view,后面是that引导的同位语从句解释这个belief;原文中more is always better对应A选项The more, the better。
Section B
Passage One Paragraph 1 In times of economic crisis, Americans turn to their families for support. If the Great Depression is any guide, we may see a drop in our skyhigh divorce rate. But this won't necessarily represent an increase in happy marriages. In the long run, the Depression weakened American families, and the current crisis will probably do the same. Paragraph 2 We tend to think of the Depression as a time when families pulled together to survive huge job losses. By 1932, when nearly one-quarter of the workforce was unemployed, the divorce rate had declined by around 25% from 1929. But this doesn't mean people were suddenly happier with their marriages. Rather, with incomes decreasing and insecure jobs, unhappy couples often couldn't afford to divorce. They feared neither spouse could manage alone. Paragraph 3 Today, given the job losses of the past year, fewer unhappy couples will risk starting separate households. Furthermore, the housing market meltdown will make it more difficult for them to finance their separations by selling their homes. Paragraph 4 After financial disasters family members also tend to do whatever they can to help each other and their communities. A 1940 book, The Unemployed Man and His Family, described a family in which the husband initially reacted to losing his job "with tireless search for work." He was always active, looking for odd jobs to do. Paragraph 5 The problem is that such an impulse is hard to sustain. Across the country, many similar families were unable to maintain the initial boost in morale (士气). For some, the hardships of life without steady work eventually overwhelmed their attempts to keep their families together. The divorce rate rose again during the rest of the decade as the recovery took hold. Paragraph 6 Millions of American families may now be in the initial stage of their responses to the current crisis, working together and supporting one another through the early months of unemployment. Paragraph 7 Today's economic crisis could well generate a similar number of couples whose relationships have been irreparably (无法弥补地) ruined. So it's only when the economy is healthy again that we'll begin to see just how many broken families have been created.
1. In the initial stage, the current economic crisis is likely to ______.
A.tear many troubled families apart
B.contribute to enduring family ties
C.bring about a drop in the divorce rate
D.cause a lot of conflicts in the family
A B C D
C
[解析] initial,current economic crisis 回原文阅读,注意首段末句出现...the current crisis will probably do the same。 接着去理解the same指代的是什么,要回头再认真阅读。发现在Great Depression(大萧条时代),离婚率会下降,But, in the long run,家庭关系会受负面影响。 所以,in the initial stage对应的逻辑是But...in the long run...转折之前的表达:we may see a drop in our skyhigh divorce rate.
2. In the Great Depression many unhappy couples chose to stick together because ______.
3. In addition to job losses, what stands in the way of unhappy couples getting a divorce?
A.Mounting family debts.
B.A sense of insecurity.
C.Difficulty in getting a loan.
D.Falling housing prices.
A B C D
D
[解析] job losses,stands in the way 回原文继续阅读,注意第三段出现job losses。 注意该段中:furthermore=in addition;difficult=stands in the way;meltdown=falling;finance,selling=prices。
4. What will the current economic crisis eventually do to some married couples?
A.It will force them to pull their efforts together.
B.It will undermine their mutual understanding.
C.It will help strengthen their emotional bonds.
D.It will irreparably damage their relationship.
A B C D
D
[解析] eventually 回原文继续阅读,注意第五段第三句中出现eventually。 仔细阅读发现:经济危机最终压垮了(overwhelmed)家庭关系,当经济复苏时,这种影响会得到释放和表现,离婚率会增加。 浏览选项,发现D选项中damage=overwhelmed。如果考生对overwhelm和D选项中irreparably这些单词不熟,可用排除法。 其实,读到末段首句,irreparably一词有中文解释出现,而且该句中:today's=current;ruined=damage。
5. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.The economic recovery will see a higher divorce rate.
B.Few couples can stand the test of economic hardships.
C.A stable family is the best protection against poverty.
D.Money is the foundation of many a happy marriage.
A B C D
A
[解析] last paragraph 末段表达的意思是:当前的经济危机可能会造成相似数量的貌合神离(夫妻关系不可修复)的家庭。因此,只有当经济复苏时,我们才将开始看清这次经济危机造成了多少家庭分崩离析。 命题有瑕疵,只通过最后一段无法推理(infer)出任一选项表达的意思。通过全文,尤其是第五段末句,才能推断出A选项正确。
Passage Two Paragraph 1 People are being lured (引诱) onto Facebook with the promise of a fun, free service, without realizing they're paying for it by giving up loads of personal information. Facebook then attempts to make money by selling their data to advertisers that want to send targeted messages. Paragraph 2 Most Facebook users don't realize this is happening. Even if they know what the company is up to, they still have no idea what they're paying for Facebook, because people don't really know what their personal data is worth. Paragraph 3 The biggest problem, however, is that the company keeps changing the rules. Early on, you could keep everything private. That was the great thing about Facebook—you could create your own little private network. Last year, the company changed its privacy rules so that many things—your city, your photo, your friends' names—were set, by default (默认), to be shared with everyone on the Internet. Paragraph 4 According to Facebook's vice-president Elliot Schrage, the company is simply making changes to improve its service, and if people don't share information, they have a "less satisfying experience." Paragraph 5 Some critics think this is more about Facebook looking to make more money. Its original business model, which involved selling ads and putting them at the side of the page, totally failed. Who wants to look at ads when they're online connecting with their friends? Paragraph 6 The privacy issue has already landed Facebook in hot water in Washington. In April, Senator Charles Schumer called on Facebook to change its privacy policy. He also urged the Federal Trade Commission to set guidelines for social-networking sites. "I think the senator rightly communicated that we had not been clear about what the new products were and how people could choose to use them or not to use them," Schrage admits. Paragraph 7 I suspect that whatever Facebook has done so far to invade our privacy, it's only the beginning. Which is why I'm considering deactivating (撤销) my account. Facebook is a handy site, but I'm upset by the idea that my information is in the hands of people I don't trust. That's too high a price to pay.
1. What do we learn about Facebook from the first paragraph?
A.It is a website that sends messages to targeted users.
B.It makes money by putting on advertisements.
C.It profits by selling its users' personal data.
D.It provides loads of information to its users.
A B C D
C
[解析] first paragraph 回原文阅读完第一段,然后看四个选项。注意B选项有迷惑性,说:通过打广告挣钱。原文的表达是:将用户的信息卖给广告商。是卖信息挣钱。 C选项中profits=原文中make money。
2. What does the author say about most Facebook users?
A.They are reluctant to give up their personal information.
B.They don't know their personal data enriches Facebook.
C.They don't identify themselves when using the website.
D.They care very little about their personal information.
A B C D
B
[解析] most Facebook users 回原文继续阅读,读完第二段。 其中users don't realize, they still have no idea对应B选项中的they don't know;paying for,worth对应B选项中的enriches。
3. Why does Facebook make changes to its rules according to Elliot Schrage?
A.To render better service to its users.
B.To conform to the Federal guidelines.
C.To improve its users' connectivity.
D.To expand its scope of business.
A B C D
A
[解析] Elliot Schrage 回原文继续阅读,第四段首句出现Elliot Schrage。 找题干中why表示原因,对应to improve its service,不定式表达目的;improve=better。
4. What does Senator Charles Schumer advocate?
A.Setting guidelines for advertising on websites.
B.Banning the sharing of users' personal information.
C.Formulating regulations for social-networking sites.
D.Removing ads from all social-networking sites.
A B C D
C
[解析] Senator Charles Schumer 回原文继续阅读,第六段出现Senator Charles Schumer。 注意到call on,urge=advocate;他提出两个提议:...Facebook to change its privacy policy. 和...set guidelines for social-networking sites. A选项有迷惑性,但原文没有提及advertising on website。C选项中formulate(规划)=set guidelines。
5. Why does the author plan to cancel his Facebook account?
A.He is dissatisfied with its current service.
B.He finds many of its users untrustworthy.
C.He doesn't want his personal data abused.
D.He is upset by its frequent rule changes.
A B C D
C
[解析] author,cancel,account 回原文继续阅读,第七段出现deactivating my account。 注意到第一人称I就是author;deactivating=cancel。该段中有两处表达原因:...Facebook has done so far to invade our privacy, its only the beginning. 和...my information is in the hands of people I don't trust. 都对应C选项,他不想自己的个人信息隐私被滥用(abused)。
Passage Three Paragraph 1 Boys' schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and involve them in activities such as art, dance and music. Paragraph 2 Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity (阳刚) , the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to conform to a stereotype, a US study says. Paragraph 3 Boys at single-sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their emotional expressiveness, rather than feeling they had to conform to the "boy code" of hiding their emotions to be a "real man". Paragraph 4 The findings of the study so against received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls. Paragraph 5 Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, warned that boys were being failed by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls. He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls. Paragraph 6 The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills. Paragraph 7 But in single-sex schools teachers can tailor lessons to boys' learning style, letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom, wrote the study's author, Abigail James, of the University of Virginia. Paragraph 8 Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with "boy-focused" approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them. Because boys generally have more acute vision, learn best through touch, and are physically more active, they need to be given "hands-on" lessons where they are allowed to walk around. "Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine (女性的) and prefer the modem genre (类型) in which violence and sexism are major themes," James wrote. Paragraph 9 Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to conform to a stereotype that men should be "masterful and in charge" in relationships. "In mixed schools, boys feel compelled to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means," the study reported.
1. The author believes that a single-sex school would ______.
A.force boys to hide their emotions to be "real men"
B.help to cultivate masculine aggressiveness in boys
C.encourage boys to express their emotions more freely
D.naturally reinforce in boys the traditional image of a man
A B C D
C
[解析] single-sex school 回原文阅读完第一、二、三段。第一段中express their emotions和第三段中helped develop their emotional expressiveness对应C选项表达。其他三个选项的表达在第二段和第三段中被Far from和rather than等词驳斥。
2. It is commonly believed that in a mixed school boys ______.
5. Which of the following is characteristic of boys according to Abigail James' report?
A.They enjoy being in charge.
B.They conform to stereotypes.
C.They have sharper vision.
D.They are violent and sexist.
A B C D
D
[解析] characteristic,Abigail James 回原文继续阅读,第八段出现characters。注意该段最后一句话才是James的观点,因此重点读该句。通过单词对应选出D选项。
Passage Four Paragraph 1 Several recent studies have found that being randomly (随机地) assigned to a roommate of another race can lead to increased tolerance but also to a greater likelihood (可能性) of conflict. Paragraph 2 Recent reports found that lodging with a student of a different race may decrease prejudice and compel students to engage in more ethnically diverse friendships. Paragraph 3 An Ohio State University study also found that black students living with a white roommate saw higher academic success throughout their college careers. Researchers believe this may be caused by social pressure. Paragraph 4 In a New York Times article, Sam Boakye—the only black student on his freshman year floor—said that "if you're surrounded by whites, you have something to prove." Paragraph 5 Researchers also observed problems resulting from pairing interracial students in residences. Paragraph 6 According to two recent studies, randomly assigned roommates of different races are more likely to experience conflicts so strained that one roommate will move out. Paragraph 7 An Indiana University study found that interracial roommates were three times as likely as two white roommates to no longer live together by the end of the semester. Paragraph 8 Grace Kao, a professor at Penn said she was not surprised by the findings. "This may be the first time that some of these students have interacted, and lived, with someone of a different race," she said. Paragraph 9 At Penn, students are not asked to indicate race when applying for housing. Paragraph 10 "One of the great things about freshman housing is that, with some exceptions, the process throws you together randomly," said Undergraduate Assembly chairman Alec Webley. "This is the definition of integration." Paragraph 11 "I've experienced roommate conflicts between interracial students that have both broken down stereotypes and reinforced stereotypes," said one Penn resident advisor (RA). The RA of two years added that while some conflicts "provided more multicultural acceptance and melding (融合)," there were also "jarring cultural confrontations." Paragraph 12 The RA said that these conflicts have also occurred among roommates of the same race. Paragraph 13 Kao said she cautions against forming any generalizations based on any one of the studies, noting that more background characteristics of the students need to be studied and explained.
1. What can we learn from some recent studies?
A.Conflicts between students of different races are unavoidable.
B.Students of different races are prejudiced against each other.
C.Interracial lodging does more harm than good.
D.Interracial lodging may have diverse outcomes.
A B C D
D
[解析] recent studies 回原文阅读第一段。注意第一段首句中的found=题干中的learn from。 D选项中:interracial lodging=roommate of another race;diverse=...but also...;outcomes=lead to。
2. What does Sam Boakye's remark mean?
A.White students tend to look down upon their black peers.
B.Black students can compete with their white peers academically.
C.Black students feel somewhat embarrassed among white peers during the freshman year.
D.Being surrounded by white peers motivates a black student to work harder to succeed.
A B C D
D
[解析] Sam Boakye 回原文继续阅读,第四段出现该人名,注意这是一名黑人学生,他说:If you're surrounded by whites, you have something to prove. 对应D选项:努力学习,用成功来证明自己。
3. What does the Indiana University study show?
A.Interracial roommates are more likely to fall out.
B.Few white students like sharing a room with a black peer.
C.Roommates of different races just don't get along.
D.Assigning students' lodging randomly is not a good policy.
A B C D
A
[解析] Indiana University 回原文继续阅读,第七段出现该校名。 A选项中:more likely=three times as likely as...;fall out(解散)=no longer live together。
4. What does Alec Webley consider to be the "definition of integration"?
A.Students of different races are required to share a room.
B.Interracial lodging is arranged by the school for freshmen.
C.Lodging is assigned to students of different races without exception.
D.The school randomly assigns roommates without regard to race.
A B C D
D
[解析] Alec Webley 回原文继续阅读,第十段出现该人名。注意考查题干中“definition of integration”的含义,原文中读到:This is the definition of integration. 该题考查This对上文的指代。 回该段前面阅读,注意with some exception,randomly等词,可排除C选项,选出D选项。还可阅读第九段帮助理解。
5. What does Grace Kao say about interracial lodging?
A.It is unscientific to make generalizations about it without further study.
B.Schools should be cautious when making decisions about student lodging.
C.Students' racial background should be considered before lodging is assigned.
D.Experienced resident advisors should be assigned to handle the problems.
A B C D
A
[解析] Grace Kao 回原文继续阅读,末段出现该人名,注意caution作动词指“警告”。原文说:她警告不要基于这些研究中的任何一个得出结论,关于学生的更多背景特点需要被研究和解释。 对应A选项。注意further study=need to be studied and explained。
Section C
Passage One Paragraph 1 It is pretty much a one-way street. While it may be common for university researchers to try their luck in the commercial world, there is very little traffic in the opposite direction. Pay has always been the biggest deterrent, as people with families often feel they cannot afford the drop in salary when moving to a university job. For some industrial scientists, however, the attractions of academia (学术界) outweigh any financial considerations. Paragraph 2 Helen Lee took a 70% cut in salary when she moved from a senior post in Abbott Laboratories to a medical department at the University of Cambridge. Her main reason for returning to academia mid-career was to take advantage of the greater freedom to choose research questions. Some areas of inquiry have few prospects of a commercial return, and Lee's is one of them. Paragraph 3 The impact of a salary cut is probably less severe for a scientist in the early stages of a career. Guy Grant, now a research associate at the Unilever Centre for Molecular Informatics at the University of Cambridge, spent two years working for a pharmaceutical (制药的) company before returning to university as a post-doctoral researcher. He took a 30% salary cut but felt it worthwhile for the greater intellectual opportunities. Paragraph 4 Higher up the ladder, where a pay cut is usually more significant, the demand for scientists with a wealth of experience in industry is forcing universities to make the transition (转换) to academia more attractive, according to Lee. Industrial scientists tend to receive training that academics do not, such as how to build a multidisciplinary team, manage budgets and negotiate contracts. They are also well placed to bring something extra to the teaching side of an academic role that will help students get a job when they graduate, says Lee, perhaps experience in manufacturing practice or product development. "Only a small number of undergraduates will continue in an academic career. So someone leaving university who already has the skills needed to work in an industrial lab has far more potential in the job market than someone who has spent all their time on a narrow research project."
1. By "a one-way street"(Para. 1), the author means ______.
A.university researchers know little about the commercial world
B.there is little exchange between industry and academia
C.few industrial scientists would quit to work in a university
D.few university professors are willing to do industrial research
A B C D
C
[解析] a one-way street 回原文阅读第一段。注意第二句是对首句的解释:虽然大学研究者进入商业很常见,但相反的流动很少见。对应C选项,其中:industrial=commercial;scientists=researchers。
2. The word "deterrent" (Para. 1) most probably refers to something that ______.
3. What was Helen Lee's major consideration when she changed her job in the middle of her career?
A.Flexible work hours.
B.Her research interests.
C.Her preference for the lifestyle on campus.
D.Prospects of academic accomplishments.
A B C D
B
[解析] Helen Lee 回原文继续阅读,第二段出现该人名,注意Her main reason=题干中的Helen Lee's major consideration。原文中表达为...take advantage of the greater freedom to choose research questions. 意思是:在选择研究方向上有更大的自由选择。对应B选项。其他三个选项中的work hours,lifestyle on campus,academic accomplishments(学术成就)在原文中没有提及。
4. Guy Grant chose to work as a researcher at Cambridge in order to ______.
A.do financially more rewarding work
B.raise his status in the academic world
C.enrich his experience in medical research
D.exploit better intellectual opportunities
A B C D
D
[解析] Guy Grant,Cambridge 回原文继续阅读,第三段出现Guy Grant,注意该段末句...but felt it worthwhile for the greater intellectual opportunities. 对应D选项。
5. What contribution can industrial scientists make when they come to teach in a university?
A.Increase its graduates' competitiveness in the job market.
B.Develop its students' potential in research.
C.Help it to obtain financial support from industry.
D.Gear its research towards practical applications.
A B C D
A
[解析] contribution,industrial scientists 回原文继续阅读,第四段出现Industrial scientists。注意第三句中...help students get a job when they graduate和最后一句中...has far more potential in the job market...都在表达对学生将来就业有帮助。对应A选项。注意原文中:help=contribution;help,more=increase;potential=competitiveness。
Passage Two Paragraph 1 Being sociable looks like a good way to add years to your life. Relationships with family, friends, neighbours, even pets, will all do the trick, but the biggest longevity (长寿) boost seems to come from marriage or an equivalent relationship. The effect was first noted in 1858 by William Farr, who wrote that widows and widowers (鳏夫) were at a much higher risk of dying than their married peers. Studies since then suggest that marriage could add as much as seven years to a man's life and two to a woman's. The effect holds for all causes of death, whether illness, accident or self-harm. Paragraph 2 Even if the odds are stacked against you, marriage can more than compensate. Linda Waite of the University of Chicago has found that a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. Likewise, a married man who smokes more than a pack a day is likely to live as long as a divorced man who doesn't smoke. There's a flip side, however, as partners are more likely to become ill or die in the couple of years following their spouse's death, and caring for a spouse with mental disorder can leave you with some of the same severe problems. Even so, the odds favour marriage. In a 30-year study of more than 10,000 people, Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School describes how all kinds of social networks have similar effects. Paragraph 3 So how does it work? The effects are complex, affected by socio-economic factors, health-service provision, emotional support and other more physiological (生理的) mechanisms. For example, social contact can boost development of the brain and immune system, leading to better health and less chance of depression later in life. People in supportive relationships may handle stress better. Then there are the psychological benefits of a supportive partner. Paragraph 4 A life partner, children and good friends are all recommended if you aim to live to 100. The ultimate social network is still being mapped out, but Christakis says: "People are interconnected, so their health is interconnected."
1. William Fart's study and other studies show that ______.
A.social life provides an effective cure for illness
B.being sociable helps improve one's quality of life
C.women benefit more than men from marriage
D.marriage contributes a great deal to longevity
A B C D
D
[解析] William Farr 回原文阅读第一段。注意第四句studies since then suggest…对应题干中William Farr's study and other studies show...,因此重点读该句中宾语从句的表达,对应D选项。
2. Linda Waite's studies support the idea that ______.
A.older men should quit smoking to stay healthy
B.marriage can help make up for ill health
C.the married are happier than the unmarried
D.unmarried people are likely to suffer in later life
A B C D
[解析] Linda Waite 回原文继续阅读。第二段第二句中...a married older man with heart disease can expect to live nearly four years longer than an unmarried man with a healthy heart. (……一个有心脏病的已婚老男人比一个没有心脏病的未婚男人多活四年。)该句对应B选项表达:婚姻能弥补疾病(对寿命的影响)。注意make up一词指“弥补、补偿”。disease=ill。
3. It can be inferred from the context that the "flip side" (Para. 2) refers to ______.
A.the disadvantages of being married
B.the emotional problems arising from marriage
C.the responsibility of taking care of one's family
D.the consequence of a broken marriage
A B C D
A
[解析] flip side 回原文继续阅读。第二段第四句出现There's a flip side, however,...通过上一道题已经知道前面讲到了婚姻对寿命的积极作用,这里however表转折,明显后面讲的是负面作用。因此可知nip side=disadvantage。当然也可以通过阅读however后面的句子来判断。
4. What does the author say about social networks?
A.They have effects similar to those of a marriage.
B.They help develop people's community spirit.
C.They provide timely support for those in need.
D.They help relieve people of their life's burdens.
A B C D
A
[解析] author,social networks 回原文继续阅读,第二段末句出现social networks。注意到social networks have similar effects是Nicholas Christakis的研究结果,并不是author(作者)的观点,而下一段是对社交网络如何影响健康和寿命的解释。此时,考生只能阅读其他选项,发现B、C、D选项在后面段落中都没有提及,因此选出A选项。 命题有瑕疵,该题题干中author一词应该改为Nicholas Christakis。
5. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.It's important that we develop a social network when young.
B.To stay healthy, one should have a proper social network.
C.Getting a divorce means risking a reduced life span.
D.We should share our social networks with each other.
A B C D
B
[解析] last paragraph 回原文认真阅读最后一段:如果你想活到100岁,一位终身伴侣、孩子和好朋友都是被推荐的(重要的)。虽然终极的(对长寿和健康最佳的)社交网络仍然在被绘制中(研究中),但Christakis说:人们是相互联系的,因此他们的健康也是相互联系的。 阅读四个选项,A选项中young一词原文没有提及:B选项是末段首句的改写;C选项中divorce一词太具体,虽然可以勉强理解是首句中a life partner的反义对应,但明显没有B选项准确全面;D选项中share的含义原文没有提及。 该题C选项从逻辑上说勉强通过。
Passage Three Paragraph 1 You never see him, but they're with you every time you fly. They record where you are going, how fast you're traveling and whether everything on your airplane is functioning normally. Their ability to withstand almost any disaster makes them seem like something out of a comic book. They're known as the black box. Paragraph 2 When planes fall from the sky, as a Yemeni airliner did on its way to Comoros Islands in the India ocean June 30, 2009, the black box is the best bet for identifying what went wrong. So when a French submarine (潜水艇) detected the device's homing signal five days later, the discovery marked a huge step toward determining the cause of a tragedy in which 152 passengers were killed. Paragraph 3 In 1958, Australian scientist David Warren developed a flight-memory recorder that would track basic information like altitude and direction. That was the first mode for a black box, which became a requirement on all U.S. commercial flights by 1960. Early models often failed to withstand crashes, however, so in 1965 the device was completely redesigned and moved to the rear of the plane—the area least subject to impact—from its original position in the landing wells (起落架舱). The same year, the Federal Aviation Authority required that the boxes, which were never actually black, be painted orange or yellow to aid visibility. Paragraph 4 Modem airplanes have two black boxes: a voice recorder, which tracks pilots' conversations, and a flight-data recorder, which monitors fuel levels, engine noises and other operating functions that help investigators reconstruct the aircraft's final moments. Placed in an insulated (隔绝的) ease and surrounded by a quarter-inch-thick panels of stainless steel, the boxes can withstand massive force and temperatures up to 2,000℉. When submerged, they're also able to emit signals from depths of 20,000 ft. Experts believe the boxes from Air France Flight 447, which crashed near Brazil on June 1,2009, are in water nearly that deep, but statistics say they're still likely to turn up. In the approximately 20 deep-sea crashes over the past 30 years, only one plane's black boxes were never recovered.
1. What does the author say about the black box?
A.It ensures the normal functioning of an airplane.
B.The idea for its design comes from a comic book.
C.Its ability to ward off disasters is incredible.
D.It is an indispensable device on an airplane.
A B C D
C
[解析] black box 回原文阅读第一段,末句出现定位词,需往回读理解black box的特点。 注意C选项表达对应:Their ability to withstand almost any disaster makes them seem like something out of a comic book. 注意:withstand=ward off(避开,挡住);incredible=something out of a comic book。 我在授课中曾有学生说有其他真题解析书说该题选D。注意D选项中dispensable(不可缺少的)一词原文并没有提及,是Not Given的干扰选项设计。
2. What information could be found from the black box on the Yemeni airliner?
A.Data for analyzing the cause of the crash.
B.The total number of passengers on board.
C.The scene of the crash and extent of the damage.
D.Homing signals sent by the pilot before the crash.
A B C D
A
[解析] Yemeni airliner 回原文继续阅读。第二段首句中...the black box is the best bet for identifying what went wrong, 该段末句中也说determining the cause of a tragedy,对应A选项中的analyzing the cause。the best bet指“最佳方法”。
3. Why was the black box redesigned in 1965?
A.New materials became available by that time.
B.Too much space was needed for its installation.
C.The early models often got damaged in the crash.
D.The early models didn't provide the needed data.
A B C D
C
[解析] redesign,1965 回原文继续阅读。第三段第三句:Early models often failed to withstand crashes, however, so in 1965 the device was completely redesigned and...本题再次考查withstand一词含义“经受”。原文中重新设计的原因是“不能经受撞击”,对应C选项“在撞击中受损”。fail to withstand=damage。
4. Why did the Federal Aviation Authority require the black boxes be painted orange or yellow?
A.To distinguish them from the colour of the plane.
B.To caution people to handle them with care.
C.To make them easily identifiable.
D.To conform to international standards.
A B C D
C
[解析] Federal Aviation Authority, orange 回原文继续阅读。第三段末句:The same year, the Federal Aviation Authority required that the boxes, which were never actually black, be painted orange or yellow to aid visibility. 注意不定式表达目的,对应题干中的Why;aid visibility=easily identifiable。
5. What do we know about the black boxes from Air France Flight 447?
A.There is still a good chance of their being recovered.
B.There is an urgent need for them to be reconstructed.
C.They have stopped sending homing signals.
D.They were destroyed somewhere near Brazil.
A B C D
A
[解析] 447 回原文继续阅读。第四段最后两句中的they're still likely to turn up(黑匣子仍然可能出现)和In the approximately 20 deep-sea crashes over the past 30 years, only one plane's black boxes were never recovered. (在过去30年中的20起深海坠机事故中,只有一次没有找到黑匣子。)这两句话都在表达找到447号航班的黑匣子的可能性很大。注意likely=chance。
Passage Four Paragraph 1 The $11 billion self-help industry is built on the idea that you should turn negative thoughts like "I never do anything right" into positive ones like "I can succeed." But was positive thinking advocate Norman Vincent Peale right? Is there power in positive thinking? Paragraph 2 Researchers in Canada just published a study in the journal Psychological Science that says trying to get people to think more positively can actually have the opposite effect: it can simply highlight how unhappy they are. Paragraph 3 The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin by citing older research showing that when people get feedback which they believe is overly positive, they actually feel worse, not better. If you tell your dim friend that he has the potential of an Einstein, you're just underlining his faults. In one 1990s experiment, a team including psychologist Joel Cooper of Princeton asked participants to write essays opposing funding for the disabled. When the essayists were later praised for their sympathy, they felt even worse about what they had written. Paragraph 4 In this experiment, Wood, Lee and Perunovic measured 68 students' self-esteem. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings for four minutes. Every 15 seconds, one group of students heard a bell. When it rang, they were supposed to tell themselves, "I am lovable." Paragraph 5 Those with low self-esteem didn't feel better after the forced self-affirmation. In fact, their moods turned significantly darker than those of members of the control group, who weren't urged to think positive thoughts. Paragraph 6 The paper provides support for newer forms of psychotherapy (心理治疗) that urge people to accept their negative thoughts and feelings rather than fight them. In the fighting, we not only often fail but can make things worse. Meditation (静思) techniques, in contrast, can teach people to put their shortcomings into a larger, more realistic perspective. Call it the power of negative thinking.
1. What do we learn from the first paragraph about the self-help industry?
A.It is a highly profitable industry.
B.It is based on the concept of positive thinking.
C.It was established by Norman Vincent Peale.
D.It has yielded positive results.
A B C D
B
[解析] first paragraph 回原文阅读第一段。注意首句中:built on=based on;idea=concept。
2. What is the finding of the Canadian researchers?
A.Encouraging positive thinking may do more harm than good.
B.There can be no simple therapy for psychological problems.
C.Unhappy people cannot think positively.
D.The power of positive thinking is limited.
A B C D
D
[解析] Canadian researchers 回原文继续阅读。第二段提到加拿大的研究者们发现,试图让人们更积极地思考事实上有负面效果:这不过是在强调他们有多么不幸福。 浏览四个选项,排除明显错误的选项,选出D选项。 该题没有正确选项。(外研社出版的《大学英语四级考试710分快速突破真题精讲与预测》中认为该题选A。A选项中do more harm than good这个比较级原文中没有提及。如果A选项改为:Encouraging positive thinking may do harm to people. 则可选。 B、C选项明显错误。D选项:积极思考的力量(作用)是有限的。这个说法也是不准确的,原文不是讲积极思考的作用的上限和限制,而是讲问题。 考场上非要选择,我选D,因为limit是一个负面的词汇。
3. What does the author mean by "... you're just underlining his faults" (Para. 3)?
A.You are not taking his mistakes seriously enough.
B.You are pointing out the errors he has committed.
C.You are emphasizing the fact that he is not intelligent.
D.You are trying to make him feel better about his faults.
4. What do we learn from the experiment of Wood, Lee and Perunovic?
A.It is important for people to continually boost their self-esteem.
B.Self-affirmation can bring a positive change to one's mood.
C.Forcing a person to think positive thoughts may lower their self-esteem.
D.People with low self-esteem seldom write down their true feelings.
A B C D
C
[解析] Wood,Lee and Perunovic 回原文继续阅读,在第四段出现相应的人名,并描述实验过程。 第五段描述实验结果,才是本题在原文中的命题出处。注意首句Those with low self-esteem didn't feel better after the forced self-affirmation. 该句其实已经对应C选项。当然可以接着读完该段加以确认。
5. What do we learn from the last paragraph?
A.The effects of positive thinking vary from person to person.
B.Meditation may prove to be a good form of psychotherapy.
C.Different people tend to have different ways of thinking.
D.People can avoid making mistakes through meditation.
A B C D
B
[解析] 读最后一个自然段。 浏览四个选项,通过排除法解题。注意原文中Meditation (静思) techniques,in contrast,can teach people to put their shortcomings into a larger, more realistic perspective. 注意该句中对meditation是一个正面陈述。can teach=prove to be a good form。